Jim Crow By Wright Essays - Anti-black Racism In The United States

Jim Crow By Wright Jim Crow is an autobiographical account of author Richard Wright's education in race relations in a totally segregated south. Wright talks about his experiences growing up in the south and the racism he encountered. He attempts to show us what being on the receiving end of racism is really like, and the lessons he learned from them. I believe that Wright's intended audience seems to be directed towards white people so that they may gain an understanding of the hardships blacks went through early in our nations history. Wright starts off by explaining where he grew up. The house he lived in was located behind the railroad tracks and his "skimpy yard was paved with cinder blocks" (600). To see green you had to look beyond the railroad tracks to the white's section of town. I felt that here the author seemed to know that there was a difference between the two, but at his young age he did not understand why the two were different. In the first part of the article Wright describes a fight that he gets into with some white boys and the punishment he receives from his mother for it. His mother tells him that he is "never, never, under any conditions, to fight white folks again" (601). She goes on to say that he should be thankful that the white kids didn't kill him. I think that in telling Wright this, his mother is teaching him that blacks are not as good as whites and that he should be thankful that they allow blacks to exist in the same world as the whites. Wright goes on describing different jobs he had and the dealings he had with his white bosses. In one section the author talks about watching his white boss drag and kick a black woman into the store where he worked. After a few minutes the woman comes out bloody and crying. The author explains what happened with some of his black co-workers. None of them are surprised by this and one adds that she was lucky to just have been beaten and not raped as well. I think the author here is showing that blacks in the early south were almost immune to this type of racism. It is so commonplace that the blacks hardly blink when it happens. Wright later talks about moving to a larger city and the interactions he had with the white people there. The author explains that the whites there were a little more accepting, and would actually hold conversations with the blacks. The author points out that caution must be used when talking with whites on subjects like the Ku Klux Klan, Abraham Lincoln, the civil war, and "any topic calling for positive knowledge or manly self-assertion on the part of the Negro" (610), should be avoided. Throughout this article Wright talks about learning his "Jim Crow lessons." Jim Crow refers to the name of a character in minstrelsy (in which white performers in blackface used African American stereotypes in their songs and dances); it is not known how it became a term describing racial segregation. The term Jim Crow's literal definition means"separate but still equal." I believe the author finds the part about being equal very ironic with his title and when he mentions his "Jim Crow lessons." The last part of the article describes how blacks felt about the way they had to live. A friend of the author summed it up by saying, "Lawd, man! Ef it wuzn't fer them polices ?n' them ol' lynch-mobs, there wouldn't be nothin' but uproar down here!" (610). With this, I believe, the author has come to the realization that when it comes to racism, the blacks in the south knew about it, received it frequently, and came to accept it and the atrocities that come with it.

Organ Donation is a means of showing love Essays

Organ Donation is a means of showing love Essays Organ Donation is a means of showing love Paper Organ Donation is a means of showing love Paper Nowadays, healthcare practitioner’s especially in nursing faces lots of ethical issues and they will still be facing in the future and the more when the technology is getting more developed. One of which is the Organ Transplantations. Organ Transplantation is very rampant especially in countries with rising technologies in health care. If a certain family needs the organ but does not win in the bidding being done, then they would not get the organ We can not deny that Organ Donation is a means of showing love and concern to others. It gives a good reputation to the individual, especially when he dies because he has helped someone or has supported someone else’s life. But sometimes, the real meaning of giving motivated by love is already out of the context. For people, because of lack of finances gambles to donate a part or an organ. Nurses in this case, have a lot of moral issues to face with.   As a healthcare practitioner they have the duty to take care and preserve human life and dignity. That is, the body we have, is entrusted to us by God and therefore we should not let it be sold. To treat human body parts as commodities violates the Human Dignity. Even if the motive is to help others, the end still just not justifies the means of doing it. Human life is sacred and must be taken care of. As health workers they are face with different changes in the delivery of health care services to the society. In this situation, the nurses are in between the Philosophy which God has established in His word and the uprising technology in their fields. They are much affected with it because as nurses, it is their vows and promise to preserve the human life but organ transplantations as understand by some is just totally deviating from God’s perspective and in His view in giving. Some individuals would make it just a business. Yes, their reason might be is to help but underneath it is the idea of making large amounts of money. Nurses, on the other hand do their part in talking to families who have just lost someone about transplantation. A health care giver also needs to be educated in a proper way about what organ donation is really all about. It is the nurses’ job to talk and approach donors and their families regarding the organ transplantation. They should show the love and support that the family needs. Whatever reasoning is being done still it violates God’s laws. It does not respect the human lives. Nurses are compromising the Sanctity of Human Life. Nurses are sandwiched in the perspective of the rising technology of this world and Heavenly laws. Many ethicists find it so immoral to sell an organ because for them, God gave it to you and He entrusted it to you and for you. Therefore, as stewards we should do anything that could break the real purpose of God in us. Hence, as nurses they have a great responsibility. So they should do things to educate the individuals in the society about the process. They should explain that organ transplantation is not merely harvesting a person’s organs but it has a deeper purpose, a deeper meaning. They should show respect in the patient’s body so as not to deviate from the norms and prevent ethicists from arising and in throwing issues that health care providers are much affected of. Reference: Transplantation. New Standard Encyclopedia.   Page 363. Volume 17.

Apple vs. Windows Operating Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Apple vs. Windows Operating Systems - Essay Example The two most common operating systems in today’s market include Windows and Apple. In spite of the numerous advantages of Apple OS, Windows has far better features, is more user friendly and therefore is the better of the two options. Apple computers introduced its first working operating system in June 1978 known as Apple DOS 3.1. When using apple OS it is possible for one to run other operating system on it such as windows as suggested by Pejrolo (57). Therefore, one can choose and install an OS such as window 7 in a Mac computer and run anything related to it at same time. This implies how flexible the Apple operating system is compared to others such as the windows. Though Apple OS may be infected by viruses their level of getting such is less compared to that of Windows. Apple OS is well designed with an excellent visual appeal and a high-head feel. Apple also provides its customers with an Apple Store where one can take his/her if anything wrong happens with it then it g ets fixed. The OS also comes with a limited number of reliable programs such as iLife, iWeb, iMovie and iDVD. In addition to this, Apple products usually work best with each other. Apple benefits from its intellectual property and it is highly depended on it. Apple Operating system also has some disadvantages such as small software base as opposed to windows. It also misses some features which are usually basic with Windows operating system. Apple operating system is best suited for professional users as opposed to the general user or novice in IT. This is because the software has features and terms which may not be self explanatory, quite unlike Window’s. Windows operating system is usually user-oriented and tightly integrated compared to the Apple operating systems. Windows Operating system possesses a right mouse button which improves the efficiency of the operating system. It also has an automated validation process referred to as Windows Genuine Advantage which is integr ated with other Microsoft operating system products. Furthermore, the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) updates the current windows installed together with its licence key despite the hardware used. Due to this validation process the Windows OS user has to undergo series of validation systems before being authorised to install updates and other releases of the software. This way the WGA provides security to the Windows operating system. Windows OS is usually faster and easier to work with as one is able to work with their PC in whichever way they want to. It is designed in a manner that it can be well-matched with a large combination of hardware. Due to its compatibility with hardware, windows OS has become the best system for the wide range of computing services according to Freeman (38). Windows OS also provides its software manufacturers’ with a wider user base. As a result most of the software available in the market is designed so as to run basically with Windows. While va rious applications are capable of being installed in various OS, majority of them can only apply in one operating system and Windows is the most preferred due to its compatibility. Windows also offers a wide range of opportunities to its users such as windows process activation service, application recovery and also mandatory integrity. As a result, this OS has become widely used in all types of environments. Furthermore, the software is cheaper in cost compared to Apple, the more reason it has remained a favourite for most

US HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

US HISTORY - Essay Example With the beginning of this acute financial crisis, banks failed, companies shut down and the result was unemployment, loss of personal assets like land, house and other valuables. People who were well-off before the Depression lost everything and lived off from begging (Uys). The great depression completely disoriented the lives of the Americans forcing children and teenagers to give up studies and either take to begging or perform menial labour. Lack of fund resources, scarcity of food and water, and homeless existence affected social life resulting in broken homes, battered relationships and wavering convictions. Unemployment was at its peak with a record of 13 million people going jobless and living fringe life. A lot of people started moving down to the West which was not as badly affected. People could not pay fares and travelled illegally which came to be known as hobo. Hoboing and train hopping were common phenomena as more and more people travelled up and down in search of better life. Homelessness was another significant phenomenon of the time and was termed as Hoovervilles to condemn President Hoover. People could not provide to stay in proper houses and lived in shacks made of cardboard boxes, metal sheets, leftover wood, piano boxes, and rusted car bodies (Uys). The Great Depression taught people valuable lessons like self-reliance, compassion, frugality and love for freedom and one’s country (Uys). These values acted as the bedrocks on which developed a stronger and more resilient

Computer Liquid Cooling Systems and CPU FANS Essay

Computer Liquid Cooling Systems and CPU FANS - Essay Example However, for larger equipment and setups the liquid cooling technology is still used owing to the sheer volume of heat that it can handle along with the scientific properties of water as heat conductor. The paper then sheds light on the brief history and usage of this technique. This technique has its roots in 1982, but started gaining popularity in 2000. High performance and high power consuming systems are the ones that are mostly suited for this type of cooling technology as they are the ones that generate voluminous heat. It is a common fallacy to think that only the CPU is cooled by such liquid systems- a wide range of components including the bridges, memory, hard disk drive and others also benefit from these cooling systems. In the final course of this paper, the advantages along with the disadvantages of these systems are considered in the light of the more popular, air cooling systems. This technology offers unique advantages in terms of higher capacity to tolerate heat leve ls, ability to transmit heat from the source to another point over larger distances which makes high performance possible without overheating. The downside, however, is that these systems are costly, primarily due to the cost of installation and technical expertise of professionals that deal with this system. The paper finally concludes with recommendations pertaining to the use of these systems along with their likely application in future. Computer cooling is a process whereby heat that is produced as waste by various components of the computer is removed or ‘cooled down’ in order to maintain the working temperature confines of the computer (Morley & Parker, 2009). This is extremely essential for certain components to function properly that may otherwise become permanently disabled owing to overheating. Components such as these include, but are not limited to, circuits such as hard disks, graphic cards and the CPU (Morley & Parker, 2009). The CPU is often equipped wit h a cooling fan on top to ensure the temperature remains regulated and the components do not become out of order due to overheating. Computer cooling systems are often designed in sync with robust design of computer components such that these components produce as little heat as possible. In such cases, the components are manufactured in a way that they consume as little power as possible, because the greater the power they consume, the higher the heat levels generated. â€Å"Heatsinks† are often used for this purpose such that they do not contain a fan; however, they have a mechanism whereby cooling is done through control of airflow which reduced the heating impact or temperature boost owing to a certain increase in heating of components (Miller, Vandome, & McBrewster, 2009). By systematically controlling the flow of air the establishment of hotspots is averted. Computer fans, which are often used in sync with these heatsinks, provide the invaluable function of reducing the intensity of heat generated by various computer components (Morley & Parker, 2009). Another, unusual and uncommon technique is the use of liquid cooling mechanisms or water cooling to regulate the temperature of the computer in line with the normal operating standards (Zelkowitz, 2009). Water cooling has been traditionally employed in cooling of power plants and industrial machinery (Zelkowitz, 2009). Since water is a good conductor of heat, the heat from

Exploitation Of Conflict Minerals In The Congo Politics Essay

Exploitation Of Conflict Minerals In The Congo Politics Essay The Democratic Republic of the Congo, once a European colony relinquished for its vast amount of raw minerals, gained independence in 1960 from France and has for more than twelve years suffered from continuous civil war over the distribution and control of said resources. Moreover, violence has become so deadly in this region, from forced labor, torture, recruitment of child soldiers, extortion, and killings by armed groups to oppress and control civilians, that it has been regarded as being the .deadliest conflicts globally since World War II. (Prendergast, 2009) Scholar Michael Niemann (2007) reported that Corrupt national and local government, various rebel movements, and governments and armed forces of Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, and, to a lesser extent, Angola, Namibia, and Chad all conspire for one thing- to profit from the mineral and other wealth in various resource enriched areas of the country (p. 25). One of these minerals includes Columbite-tantalite coltan for short one of the worlds most sought-after materials; the refinement of coltan leads to a highly heat-resistant metal powder called tantalum. This powder can sell for $100 a pound, and slowly is becoming increasingly vital to modern life. For the high-tech industry, tantalum is magic dust, a key component in everything from mobile phones made by Nokia and Ericsson and computer chips from Intel to Sony stereos and VCRs. (Essick, 2001) Mineral conflict in the Congo is not only a national concern but an international one as well, as most consumers of products that use the minerals exploited from the Congo live outside the country. Prendergast (2009) reported, Consumers in the United States, Europe, and Asia are the ultimate end-users of these conflict minerals, as they inadvertently fuel the war through purchases of these electronics products. Consequently, many people are directly connected to this issue as they are part of a group that legitimatize and unintentionally spur such conflict. Thus, it is important to appreciate the gross antiquity the consumer of the final product sanctions and endorses by virtue of the use of certain products that may contain coltan. In addition to this, this is relevant to Canadas relationship with the Third World because Canadians are a large group of this consumer population. Three important areas of discussion in regards to Congolesian conflict mineral development are: the country s struggle to establish viable states on the ruins of repressive colonial states and how this relates to internal maintenance of socio-economic hierarchy, the related role of a paltry economy, and mineral industrialization in regards to globalization and the role of national and international governments. The goal of this paper will be to outline, within the realm of these three subtopics, the national and international shortcomings/ hindrances and adverse progressions to reduce current mineral conflict in the Congo. Despite frequently promoting colonization as a key contributor to developmental regression, professional and scholarly literature on Congolesian conflict often varies in regards to what particular element of Congolesian culture is most reflective of such regression. (Economic standing, political makeup, etc.) Scholar Michael Niemanns (2007) journal War Making and State Making In Central Africa, specifically concentrates on critically analyzing the concept of the African failed state, recognizing the Western bias inherently stemming from the dominance of colonial powers. Niemann (2007) advocated for a governmental space where . alternative forms of rule and political community can be explored, forms that have a longer staying power than the mostly failed attempts to create the veneer of a liberal democracy which the palimpsest of the repressive colonial state remains visible. (p. 23). Niemann also and most importantly affirms a principle of sovereignty in Congolesian government that w as not only clearly apparent under colonial rule, but also continuously apparent in modern Congolesian government as well (p. 27). This particular issue of modern Congolesian rule as a means of mineral conflict hindrance can best be understood with reference to internal maintenance of socio-economic hierarchy as it relates to colonial legacy. Both Niemann and scholar Severine Autesserre (2009) indicated the influence of the national and local elite. Niemann presented a specific argument: the process of class formation on the continent is incomplete[and].. African states tend to be repressive, rather than hegemonic, but nevertheless fully functioning for the purposes of the class alliance in power. (p. 26) He reported that Efficiency. is not a necessary prerequisite for a functioning state..[and] stresses that the African role in the global system is not one of marginalization or dependence, but one of extraversion, through which elites have long constructed external relations to strengthen their power within their own spheres. (p. 26) Consequently, Niemann concluded that although these relations have proven asym metrical, it does not detract from the fact that they worked well for Congolesian elites. Complimentary to this notion, Jackson (2002) also indicated the prominence of the elite minority in the form of corrupt government when he reported the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.exploit minerals and other resources through stealing stockpiles, entering into agreements with transnational corporations to produce, procure and sell these resources in a global market (p 519). Thus, colonial legacy which is reflective and extended in socio-economic hierarchy according to Niemann and Jackson, proves to be an integral part in both understanding and unpacking the issue of mineral conflict in the Congo. Moreover, in order to begin to understand the upkeep and maintenance of such conflict, it would appear critical to first understand the legacy colonial rule has left on the make-up of national and local Congolesian elites. Furthermore, as Niemann points out, it is difficult not on ly to apply liberal democracy to Congolesian government and recognize it either as a veneer or perhaps even a solution, without first considering the impact and legacy colonialism has left on the political makeup of the country. Similar to Niemanns point on colonial rule, Stephen Jacksons (2002) journal Making a Killing: Criminality Coping in Kivu War Economy spoke of the Congos lucrative economy based on artisanal mining of tantalum ore, highlighting a radical mutation of livelihood strategies responding to an economy profoundly destroyed by colonial and post-colonial neglect and greed. (p. 517) Both scholars articulate the legacy of colonial rule , so to speak, but also focus their research on separate cohesive hindrances on conflict reduction. While Niemann highlighted the importance and withstanding failure of developing political rule separate from Western idealized liberal democracy, Jackson focused his research on the recurring danger of the paltry and dependent Congolesian economy. Noteworthy scholar Carol B. Thompsons journal US Trade with Africa: African Growth Opportunity also provides sufficient economic reasoning in cohesion with colonial legacy. Thompson (2004) reported that the Congos expor ts are non-processed minerals and agricultural products. Although the countries are now independent, their exports remain colonial products. (p. 458) In his writing, Thompson also provided a remark by President Joquim Chissano of Mozambique that, although not specific to the Congo, articulates the role colonialism has had and continues to have in various African countries economy: .circumstances have confined us to act as producers of raw materials and unprocessed goods for export to the rich countries of the North. While we are passed to open upon countries and streamline our methods of doing international business, so that the global economy may sink roots, invisible barriers are still making it difficult for us to access resources. (Thompson, 458) Both Thompson and Jackson do an effective job of explaining the impact that colonial rule has had both implicitly and explicitly on the economy of the Congo. This is further proven in the United Nations Human Development Report (2003) that stated that Africas share in the world fell from about 6 percent in 1980 to 2 percent in 2002, and its share of world imports from about 4.6 percent in 1980 to 2.1 percent in 2002. (p.ii) The report also went on to state that subsequently Africas heavy dependence on primary commodities as a source of export earnings has meant that the continent remains vulnerable to the vagaries of the market and weather conditions. (Economic Development in Africa: Issues on Africas Trade Performance, 2003, p.ii). Similarly, the Congo, once officially a colony of France, was exploited primarily for its raw mineral wealth. Today, although technically an independent country, the Congo remains highly dependent on raw minerals, coltan in particular. It is this heavy re liance that enables not only economic instability but also related conflict (Jackson, 2002). Furthermore, it is also important to contextualize the financial situation of the Congo in order to better understand, in detail, any economic hindrance on reducing mineral conflict. In recent years, because of the pressure of declining oil prices, the depreciation of the dollar, and burdensome debt service, the Government of the Congo has been forced to adopt austere financial measures. After slashing its 1986 budget by 40 percent, the government entered into a Stand-By Agreement with the IMF which made possible the rescheduling of Congos then $1 billion in foreign debt. (Congo: U.S. goods are extremely competitive here right now,1998) A subsequent Paris Club rescheduling, debt relief granted by commercial banks, and World Bank structural adjustment also helped avert what would have otherwise been a large capital-account deficit. (Congo: U.S. goods are extremely competitive here right now,1998) Production in the forestry sector has gradually increased due to improvements in the tran sportation system and the opening up of new concessions in the north. (Congo: U.S. goods are extremely competitive here right now,1998) Consequently, such information is, although brief, critical in establishing sound understanding of further encumbrance on the reduction of Congolesian mineral conflict with respect to economic instability. Closely related to discussions of the implication of colonization on the Congolesian economy, are ones involving the exploitive effects of mineral industrialization and globalization on African states and the role of national and international governments to curb such behavior. As the countries of the world increase their interdependence and co-relation, African states, including the Congo, are not only forced to deal with establishing themselves on the ruins of repressive colonial state, but simultaneously adapt to increasingly globalized, and thus changing markets. The success and adverse hindrances as a result of this, will be explored in the following few paragraphs. Most scholarly and professional literature recognize the direct role that exploitation of conflict mineral in the Congo has played in the onset and preservation of warfare, (Niemann; Collier, 2003; Prendergast, 2009; Global Witness Limited, 2009) though provide various explanations to suggest the role globalization has had in the conflict. P. Collier of the World Bank reported in a policy report that, in a cross-national statistical analysis of civil war onset in 161 countries since 1960, the extent of primary commodity exports is the strongest single influence on the risk of conflict (2000, p. 10). By way of explanation, he argues that primary commodity dependence creates better opportunities to finance rebel groups which in turn enable rebellion. Niemann (2007) explicitly spoke of globalization and Transnational Corporations when he stated that cell phones have revolutionized the way we communicate, but in Central Africa their biggest legacy is war. Nearly 3 million people have die d in Congoover coltan in the conflict that is really over natural resources sought by foreign corporations (p.39). Essick (2001) similarly indicates that the demand for tantalum took off with the boom of high-tech products and with it a new sinister market began flourishing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (para. 3). Despite providing context for why globalization does in fact take place, Global Witness Limited is the only source that provided framework to explicitly suggest why corporations have not sanctioned or cut their ties from mineral conflict. Global Witness Limited (2009) reported on the trading houses based in Goma and Bukavu that buy, sell and export minerals produced by or benefiting the warring parties and how houses are officially censed and registered with the Congolese government act as a cover for laundering minerals which are fuelling the conflict. (p. 7) Global Witness Limited focused on how these companies sell the minerals on to a range of processing and man ufacturing companies, including firms in the electronics industry. (p. 8) Global Witness Limited also reported on the difficulty and lack of initiative from corporations and governments to regulate chain minerals. In the following few paragraphs international and subsequently national, initiative will be explored. One of the most pronounced hindrances on the reduction of mineral conflict in the Congo is the national governments failure to address the role of Rwanda as a channel and trading post for the products which benefit the warring parties of the Congo. Global Witness Limited reports indicated this point, as well as that In theory, Rwandan customs officials check the paperwork accompanying all consignments from the Congo, but the government has not been pro-active in delving deeper into the origins of the minerals transported across the border.. (p. 71) As well, Global Witness Limited also stated that neither the Rwandan government nor mineral trading companies operating in Rwanda are conducting due diligence to ensure that trade is not benefitting any Congolesian warring parties. (p. 71) Thus, from the Global Witness Limited report, it would seem that a major encumbrance on the reduction of national mineral conflict stem from the ease with which such minerals can cross the border into Rw anda; something that is helping to fuel the conflict. Adversely, progression in the reduction of mineral conflict seems to have been made with regards to national governmental initiatives within the country itself as of 2010. Although the Global Witness report indicated a lack of government corresponding action, this report was issued in 2009 and obviously does not address the most current initiatives of the government. According to the 2009 report, Neither of the two main initiatives launched in late 2007 the Nairobi communiquà © of and the Amani Programme arising from the Goma agreement-including concrete actions to stop the involvement of the warring parties in the natural resource trade. (p. 77) However according to Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series (2010) the government of the Congo has suspended all mining operations in three eastern provinces, North Kivu, South Kivu and Maniema on the border with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundiafter the United States threatened new legislation to ensure stricter contro ls to ensure DR Congos minerals were obtained legally. (para. 1). It was also reported in the article that as of September of the same year, Congos armed forces had recaptured the coltan specifically in Walikale, a town torn by over 15 years of mineral conflict. (Democratic Republic of Congo: Enyele Attack, 2010). Subsequently, national governmental initiatives by virtue of such suspensions, seem to be progressive in absolving some mineral conflict within the country. With specific respect to the countrys struggle to establish viable states on the ruins of repressive colonial states and how this relates to internal maintenance of socio-economic hierarchy, the related role of a paltry economy, and mineral industrialization in regards to globalization and the role of national and international governments, mineral conflict complexity in the Congo has been explored. Though scholars and academics vary in their research according to different enablers of such mineral conflict, from political instability to economic condition, all seem to agree to some degree the importance of historically contextualizing the conflict. For example, political instability and maintenance of socio-economic hierarchy are not merely a static political or social reality of Congo, but the by-product of over a hundred years of instilled and exploitative colonial rule. Moreover, as much as mineral conflict is harmful in itself, it is important to recognize that by virtue of colo nial legacy that has created socio-economic hierarchy, there are still those that benefit from the exploitive behavior and subsequent mineral conflict. Similarly, economic conditions of the Congo also must be understood with reference to colonial rule of the past, as well as current exploitive behavior of rich countries on developing countries primary commodified economies of the present. Again, industrialization of mineral resources in the Congo and national and international government initiatives, or lack of, must be understood with reference to historical power relations. There is a high demand for coltan as the consumer population of technologies that use this precise metal grows. However as this demand grows, it would appear that companies have capitalized on historical power relations to exploit countries like the Congo with little regard to things like labor conditions and rebel control. Although there has been some progression in the way of conflict mineral reduction, it wo uld appear that there are still many hindrances that need to be first addressed in order to continue this progression. Canadian consumers must recognize not only the existence of mineral conflict, but also appreciate how their purchases fuel directly such conflict and endorse exploitive behavior. The next step in reduction of mineral conflict in the Congo after this recognition is to recognize the historically relevant legacy of colonialism that continues to be reflective in elements such as national financial condition and political stability. Once this occurs, it is then important to start asking questions. Is it possible to reconfigure socio-economic hierarchy in the Congo that has prevailed with the help of paternal countries for over a hundred years? Is it possible to screen mineral trade and purchase without greatly stalling and bruising the mineral dependent economy of the Congo? There are many enabling factors that contribute to mineral conflict in the Congo and there are a number of related issues that much be recognized and absolved before real progression can take place. The most important element however remains the same, this is not merely an international conflict that is the by-product of something inherently Congolesian, but the result of international exploitive and historical behavior.

Body Ritual Among the Nacirema Essay -- Anthropology

Body Ritual Among the Nacirema What is the precise geographical location of this strange tribe, the Nacirema? The Nacirema is a North American group living in the territory between the Canadian Cree, the Yaqui and Tarahumare of Mexico, and the Carib and Arawak of the Antilles. Little is known of their origin, though tradition states that they came from the east. What are the private and secret shrines of the Nacirema? In the Nacirema, the belief is that the human body is ugly and that its natural tendency is to debility and disease. Every household has one or more shrines devoted to the hope that mans body will be changed through the use of the powerful influences of ritual and ceremony. Each family has at least on such shrine; the rituals associated with it are not family ceremonies but are private and secret. The rites are normally only discussed with children, and then only during the period when they are being initiated into these mysteries. The focal point of the shrine is a box or chest which is built into the wall. Many charms and magical potions without which no native believes he could live. These preparations are secured from a variety of specialized practitioners. The most powerful of these are the medicine men, whose assistance must be rewarded with substantial gifts. Who are the Nacirema’s holy-mouth-men? In the hierarchy of magical practitioners, and below the medicine men in prestige, are specialists whose designation is b...

Differences Between My Best Friend and I

It’ is hard to believe that my best friend Kelly and I have a lots of differences. Even though, we love each other we are completely different In our personalities, work experience and how we take care of our family. We both have great personalities. Kelly and I have been friends since I was 5 years old. We went to the same school and stayed in the same class until we went to high school. For example, Kelly is very friendly and she has a great humor. She is very outgoing and love to talk with different people , even people she just Met .On the other hand, I am very shy and serious kind of person. I do not like to talk with other people. For these reason is hard for me to make new Friend . To illustrate that ,when we are invited to our neighbor birthday party , so we went to celebrate with his family and friends. The party was full of strangers and Kelly began to talk with those strangers. All I did was seat in the table alone and wait for someone to talk to me. Kelly came and start to introduce me to her new friends . I feel so proud of her , because if wasn’t for her , I never have the courage to introduce myself to them.Another example, is that Kelly and I have different kinds of works . She works as secretary and I work as house cleaner . She had this great job in Boston as secretary . It is near her house, she has a great salary and a month of vacation paid every year . Her job is so easy and she just have to answer the phone ,book appointments and be in the office the whole day. However, I work as house cleaner , it is very hard work by cleaning other people dirty houses. One of the problems is that I spend a lot of money on gas, cleaning products and vacuum repairs.My salary is not stable it depends in how many houses I clean every week. Paid vacation forget about it . Finally is our Family, that is the best and important gift that anyone can have . Kelly and I have a wonderful family, we both have kids and we have been married for 5 years. Kelly has two boys and one little girl, their names are Robert 10 years old, Nicholas 8 years old and Amanda 4 years old . I have three kids too ,instead, I have two girls keren 9 years old, Sarah 4 years old and a boy he is 12 years old. We both love Our family very much and we appreciate staying together with our family .Even though, Kelly prefer to stay home and be creative with her kids by doing crafts activities . I prefer to go outside and play with them . Last winter we went to Cocokeys Park and our kids got to play together and they had a terrific time . When the park was closing we decided to sleep at the hotel inside the park, again that was the best part for Kelly stay inside. Besides our differences , we both have a wonderful family and we always share with each other ways to raise and educate our kids. After all our differences we still best friends

The Chinese essays

The Chinese essays -The levels of education between the Chinese Americans are divided between the highly educated and the poorly educated. -The second generation Chinese Americans who went through four years of college were pretty intelligent and were taking up more professional and technical jobs. -The world of medicine, high on the list of professions, were said to open up the doors of opportunity for Chinese Americans. This included general medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and medical research along with optometry and audiometry. - While a part of the Chinese occupations were limited to restaurants, service employment and garment industry. - Also a lot of Chinese American women with four years of college degree were involved in teaching, clerical works and social welfare. - Basically the Chinese Population in the Unites States are robust and healthy. - They have a fairly good life expectancy of about 67 years for males and 71 years for females. - But the main three causes of death among the Chinese population are the same as in United States, which are heart diseases, other circulatory diseases and cancers. - The Chinese experience an increased incidence of lactose intolerance, resulting in diarrhea, ingestion and bloating when milk and milk products are consumed. - Many Chinese who live in the Chinatowns of America also experience an increased incidence of tuberculosis. - Smoking and alcohol consumption is a high risk behavior for many Chinese men and careless teenagers. Although many Chinese women do not smoke, the numbers have been increasing recently. -A lot of Chinese immigrants came to United States expecting to make money to help out their family and later return to china. For the safety and the maintenance of their cultural values, most Chinese settled in closed communities that have become the Chinatowns of ...

The History of International Business Taxation and the Effect of International Tax Competition The WritePass Journal

The History of International Business Taxation and the Effect of International Tax Competition Abstract: The History of International Business Taxation and the Effect of International Tax Competition Abstract: Introduction:References:Related Abstract: With the globalization of world economy, international business taxation plays a vital role in international trading. This essay introduces the history and the development of international business taxation in aspects of tax reform and the changes in corporate income tax briefly, meanwhile, analysis the negative and positive effect of international tax competition. Key Words: history of international business taxation, international tax competition Introduction: This essay is aim to present the history of international business taxation and the tax reform in the past few decades and discuss the effect of international tax competition. In the first paragraph, we will introduce the history of international taxation from the World War I to recent years. The tax reform in the last two decades of EU and G7 countries also be indicate in this paragraph. As the development of international economy and business taxation, countries compete with each other in order to attract foreign investment. In paragraph two, we will introduce the international tax competition and present some empirical evidences of international tax competition. However, the effect of international tax competition has been debated fierce in recent years. In paragraph three, the negative effect of international tax competition will be discussed and the positive effect will be discussed in the following paragraph. James (1998) states that taxation is â€Å"A compulsory levy made by public authorities for which nothing is received directly in return†. It is necessary to review the international trade before we discuss the international taxation. International trade can be date back to over two thousand years which stated by Liu (1998, p.xiii) traders from Mesopotamia, Greece and Phoenicia made themselves very rich by engaging in Mediterranean trade. The international trade grows with the development of international economy. The first Bilateral Tax Agreement was signed between Belgium and France in 1843 when the international business taxation is still in an embryonic stage. Nevertheless, the international taxation system has been actually recognized since the World War I which plays a significant role in international finance, trading, and investment. At the beginning, international trade has been taxed trough indirect ways. The international business tax has been derived from customs d uties when the goods and services imported from abroad. After the World War â… ¡, the international business taxation system has been increasingly liberalized which the basic principles of international tax agreements have been laid out and spread quickly. The means of international trade taxed have been changed with a related increasing in direct sources. The whole taxation system were developed around how business profit being taxed. With the rapid growth of international economy, issues arose from the conflicts between jurisdictional rights to tax. Jurisdictions care about where the cost and revenue were generated and will be expensed. The profits and returns were taxed in forms of direct tax in the country which permanent establishment can be found or simply in forms of withholding tax.   Double taxation becomes the central problem of international taxation. Tax treaties have been emerged in order to reduce the bad effects of double taxation, enable tax neutrality, to avoid double tax and facilitate the international trade and investment. It provides the possibility to visit and invest overseas without paying large amount of tax.   The OECD, USA and UN have produced model treaties after the World War â… ¡. The commentary and OECD treaty being always updated which has been treated as a starting point for negotiation. The treaties defined and allocated the rights of countries to tax. Generally speaking, the returns on overseas investment should be taxed by residence principle whereas the business profits of companies are taxed by source principle. This compromise concealed the conflicts between countries which were mainly capital-exporters and capital-importers. While the international tax agreements are useful and practical tool to resolve the jurisdictional rights between countries to tax income created by multinational companies, it is necessary to require continual renegotiation between countries as a result of countries compete with each other to attract foreign investment. Tax reform especially the corporate income tax in industry countries has been considered from the 1980s. The average statutory rates have been decreased from 48% to 35% from the beginning of the 1980s to 2001. The corporate tax rate has been declined over this period except Spain and Italy. In 1992, the EU appointed that the minimum statutory corporation tax rate has been proposed to 30% which is at the bottom of that time except the Ireland. At the end of 1990s, nearly half of the EU countries’ statutory corporation tax rates were at or below 30%. For instance, the main corporate tax rate in the UK was below 30% all the time over the past few years. According to the tax reform in the EU and G7 countries, the tax reform movements are almost universal such as lower tax rate and broaden tax base in order to attract new foreign investment. To some extent, the universal tax reform movement of reduce the tax rate may indicates the signal of a process of international tax competition. In this tax competition world, the tax rates are not set absolutely freedom as it is necessary for countries to pay attention to what their rivals have been doing. Different tax jurisdictions use their tax system to compete with each other thereby attracting foreign investments. There are two kinds of foreign investments in broadly; they are portfolio investment and foreign direct investments respectively. The portfolio investments do not involve running a business which including bank deposits, company shares holdings, government securities holdings, bond holdings and so on. On the other hand, the foreign direct investment involves found the business such as subsidiaries and branches in another countries. In this essay, we focus on the tax competition based on the foreign direct investment. There are a number of forms of tax competition whi ch the most common one is the lower tax rate. In addition, the tax-free zones, tax holidays, reduction or elimination of withholding taxes, particular investment allowance, and accelerated depreciation deductions for foreign investors are common forms of tax competition as well. There are some empirical evidences of tax competition of the last two decades. The figures 1 demonstrate there is a steady decrease of corporate tax rates in the EU from 1995 to 2006 and the figure 2 indicates the evolution of corporate tax rates for OECD and EU from 1995 to 2007. If we confirm the international tax competition accompany with the corporate rates reduction, the evolution of the EU tax systems in the last two decades is a perfect instance of international tax competition between each tax jurisdictions. Tax rates have significantly decreased as a consequence of international tax competition. Specifically, the figure 2 shows the average tax rates have decreased by nearly 10% for EU15 from 1993 t o 2007 and declined to less than 20% in 2007 for EU 10. The entry of new members of the EU in 2005 may take more pressure on the international tax competition of the old EU. Figure 1: Statutory corporate tax rates in the EU from 1995 to 2006 Figure 2: The evolution of corporate tax rates in OECD and EU, 1995-2006 It is obvious that as the accelerating of the process of globalization, countries expand the tax competition for mobility of tax base and attract investment. But the issue arose from how does international tax competition works. On the one hand, from the literature review, there is no controversy about the harmful of international tax competition in the world. W. Oates (1972) states that â€Å"The result of tax competition may well be a tendency toward less than efficient levels of output of local services. In an attempt to keep taxes low to attract business investment, local officials may hold spending below those levels for which marginal benefits equal marginal costs, particularly for those programs that do not offer direct benefits to local business.† Consequently, the negative effect may obtain from the international tax competition on suboptimal level of public expenditure. Local governments may found themselves involved in a tax rate war which similar to the market pric e war so as to attract tax bases. There will be a loss of tax revenue and the earnings will be gone to multinational companies instead thus the government would be more difficult to supply public goods and service. Furthermore, the international tax competition might lead to an unfair tax system. In order to balance the financial resources, the shortfall in corporate tax as a result of tax rate reduction caused by international tax competition will be passed on to the property tax, consumption tax, income tax and other tax base with relatively weak mobility. In addition, the international tax competition provides the possibility for the transfer pricing and international tax avoidance. For instance, subsidiary A within a multinational company located in low tax regime supply goods and services to subsidiary B within a multinational company located in high tax regime for â€Å"high† price thus the profit of subsidiary A is higher and the opposite of subsidiary B. Therefore, th e net profit after tax within the group will be increased as a result of transfer pricing. In economic literature, competition to some degree seems to be a special value and meaning. Competition is the key variable of the market mechanism which can lead to improve the efficient allocation in public sector. However, it is opposite in tax domain, an inefficient allocation might occur when there is an international tax competition between countries. Different tax jurisdictions tend to attract tax bases through the mobility of consumers and corporate. Tax bases will be reallocated among countries as a result of this mobility. Multinational companies will endeavor to exploit the possible tax arbitrage by transfer into the more beneficial regions. The gain of the tax base by one jurisdiction comes from the loss of another. Hence, tax externality between countries would be caused by the mobility. On the other hand, there is another voice for support the tax competition. Other things being equal, the country who takes part in international tax competition will attract more cash flows thereby promoting the development of the country’s economy.   The case of Ireland provides an excellent instance of benefit from international tax competition even if this particular regime expired at the end of 2005. There are a number of benefits can be obtained by shareholders through the using of Irish financial service centre companies such as 200% deduction for rental expenditure, 100% reduction for equipment or refurbishment in relation to buildings, 10% tax rate and exemption from stamp duty. Ireland has been highly successful in tax competition and attracts a large number of financial service companies to run business in Dublin which has overtaken Luxembourg as the EU’s leading jurisdiction for cross-border life assurance. Furthermore, the value of investment fund assets h as been grown faster than other countries especially in hedge funds which facilitate the stock market to manage the funds established outside the EU. Ireland has become a significant cross-border services financial market. Besides, in general, high tax rates, unfair taxation and non-standard tax system will affect the taxpayers decision-making behavior and resulting in unnecessary loss, damage the tax neutrality. However, international tax competition will lead countries to reduce their tax rates and broaden the tax base, thereby reducing the distorting effects of tax in economy and conducive to implementing the principle of tax neutrality. Summary: Since the World War I the international taxation system has been recognized and afterwards the tax competition has been emerge with the development of international economy and tax system. Countries compete with each other to attract foreign investment. Even though the limit harmful of international tax competition is undisputed, we cannot neglect its positive effect. References: Bernauer, T. and Styrsky, V. (2004) Adjustment or Voice? Corporate Responses to International Tax Competition. European Journal of International Relations, 10 (1): 61-94. Devereux, M.P., Griffith, R. and Klemm, A. (2002) Corporate income tax reforms and international tax competition. Economic Policy, 17 (35): 450-495. Edgar, T. (2003) Corporate Income Tax Coordination as a Response to International Tax Competition and International Tax Arbitrage. Canadian Tax Journal, 51 (3): 1079-1158. Ferrett, B. and Wooton, I. (2010) Competing for a duopoly: international trade and tax competition. Canadian Journal of Economics, 43 (3): 776-794. Gravelle, J.G. (1986) International Tax Competition: does it make a Difference for Tax Policy? National Tax Journal, 39 (3): 375-384. Ida, T. (2006) International Tax Competition and Double Taxation. Review of Urban Regional Development Studies, 18 (3): 192-208. Lymer, A. and Hasseldine, J. (2002) The international taxation system. Boston, Mass. ; London: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Enrico Buglione (2010) Tax Competition and Fiscal Federalism in Italy. OECD Conference on Tax Competition Between Sun-central Governments Bern, 31 May- 1 June 2010 Available at: oecd.org/dataoecd/46/17/45470565.pdf Oates, Wallace E. (1972) Fiscal Federalism, New York, Harcourt Brace. oecd.org/dataoecd/33/0/1904176.pdf

Bush Administration and sanctions on policy of torture on detainees Research Paper

Bush Administration and sanctions on policy of torture on detainees - Research Paper Example 7 6. Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 7 7. Works Cited†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 8 Torture is an unquestionable crime and cannot be justified with any rationale, no matter how reasonable it may sound. Torture is prohibited by all civilized societies and both the US and International laws hold it in strict abhorrence. According to the US as well as International laws, those convicted of assault and tortures are liable to be punished. The US code lays out strict rules on torture and all other acts that come under its purview, with clear orders on the punishments and penalties that should be meted out to its violators. In spite of such regulations, it is alleged that the US administration under the presidency of George W. Bush, indulged in torturing detainees alleged for terrorism and other crimes. The entire world expressed outrage over such US policies, blaming them to be the reason behind the increased insurgence of terrorism and the lack of support from allies, however, it is surprising to note that many others justified it as being legal and the need of the hour. The Bush Administration refuted all such claims, saying that no such policies on torture of detainees were sanctioned, but the piling list of evidences against it speaks otherwise. This calls for a formal inquiry by the Obama Administration as well as the US Justice Department into all the policies sanctioned under the Bush Administration. If President Bush and all the other policy makers are convicted of resorting to torture, they must be brought to book and should be penalized with full justification to the US penal code, failing which wou ld be the greatest failure of law and order in our times. According to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, torture is a punishable act and the violators of these are bound to be penalized. Accordingly, the Bush Administration is punishable by law, as its secret policies on torture are not secret anymore. Tortures under the Bush administration According to Taylor1, the US government recognized all the international conventions against torture. Nevertheless, the Bush administration secretly sanctioned torture methods for the interrogation of detainees of its â€Å"War on terror† post September 11. It justified such acts as being legal and â€Å"morally permissible†, when they became known in public. The Bush administration sanctioned water boarding, forced nudity, slee p deprivation, temperature extremes, stress position and prolonged isolation as "safe, legal, ethical, and effective" enhanced interrogation techniques which were previously considered torture and forbidden by the United Nations Committee Against Torture1. Torture became a state policy of the United States under Bush administration wherein prisoners of War on Terror were tortured as a matter of policy and practice at Abu Ghraib prison by American troops as well as more experienced torturers (Masciulli, Molchanov and Knight 349). According to news reports, President Bush had authorized the use of waterboarding2 and other inhumane tortures against criminals in its war on terror. Innumerable evidences of torture are

Frederick douglass question Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Frederick douglass question - Coursework Example Covey. 2. Why does Mr. Covey buy the slave Caroline? Mr. Covey showed interest in buying the slave Caroline, because she provided him exactly what he was looking for- a breeder. She had already borne a child, she was healthy, she was strong and she was able to work. He seemed to be pleased by the purchase of this slave and it rejoiced his mood in those particular days. His pleasure got double profound when the slave bore twins as a result of the one year capacity and mastering by Mr. Covey. Mr. Covey wanted kids, and this woman gave him just what he had desired for, thereby his purchase turned out well and this was the sole reason behind her purchase. 3. What are the first six months of Douglass’ stay with Mr. Covey like? The first Six months of Douglass with Mr. Covey were unprecedented one. He was made to suffer all kinds, he suffered physically, mentally and psychologically, he was being targeted and brutalized in every aspect possible. It was the time which at once forced him thinking of bringing an end to the entire suffering, by first taking Mr. Covey’s life and then his own, however it was hope that kept him from this madness. Yet these days saw no relief with mere exceptions on Sundays. Apart from it, days, nights, seasons, cold, hot sensation, he knew nothing of them, for he had to work, and live in the dire situations as it was the only option at hand. He was mentally and physically broke, and these six months got the toll out of him in the worse possible way. It can be said that those six months were the most difficult ones for Douglass during his entire episode of stay with Mr. Covey(Trotman, 2011). 4. Douglass talks to the boats on the Chesapeake Bay. What kinds of things does he say to them? Why does he envy the boats? Douglass is engaged in a soliloquizing conversation with the boats that are around, he envies them for they are free, he expresses his heart by narrating that u have liberty to move where ever u may, yet I am chained, you get to taste different places, yet I am chained, both mentally and physically. He expresses his sorrow, and the truth state he is in, he expresses what he is going through, what he wishes for, being a free man, being able to swim, being able to fly, being able to walk free and disappear from the sight and visible eyes. He compares the two by presenting the differences such as being free and being caged. He talks to it, and tells it of how he would want to escape, how he may take up the plan, he expresses his deep feeling, and then to console his heart, knowing that there is little hope, he tells the boats that he is not the only one being the slave, thereby he should live with it 5. Douglass spends several days avoiding Mr. Covey. What happens? Douglass always wanted an end to the suffering, the humiliation, the torture, in bid to avail that he spent few days and made some effort avoiding Mr. Covey. For this purpose he decides to lodge a complaint against him at St. Michaels. He had to walk the difficult seven miles for it, and the entire journey was another difficult part of the overall suffering filled tale where he got no supper, no breakfast and covered the distance limping and covered in blood after being beaten by Mr. Covey earlier. However his endeavor comes to a fail as he is being told that Mr. Covey is the right man and Douglass should