Effects of Pollution in China Essay Example

Effects of Pollution in China Paper In the last two decades, the air pollution in China has increased substantially. The lack of good air quality is especially prominent in the more urban, industrialized areas of China. Environment Minister Chou Shenanigan warned, If China meant to quadruple the size of its economy over 20 years without more damage, it would have to become more efficient in resource use. Thinness, there would be a painful price to pay (BBC News). The topic of air pollution is not a new concern to the world; however, the effects of air pollution, especially to the hundred of thousands of people directly or indirectly harmed by the side effects of bad air, should be of grave concern. According to the Ministry of Health, air pollution has made cancer the leading cost of death in China. Air pollution not only affects the people, but also the quality of fresh water, produce, and other natural resources. These kinds of environmental outcomes may seem erratic in other countries but unfortunately, it has become the norm in China. We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of Pollution in China specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of Pollution in China specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of Pollution in China specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In fact, air pollution in China since the sasss has gotten so bad that many of the industrialized areas in Beijing and Shanghai rarely see the sun but rather clouds of smoke and fog. China, with its infamous reputation of becoming a global economic powerhouse, is ironically becoming its own downfall. In the midst of their tremendous economic and industrial growth, the energy outputs to support this growth are reaching an all-time high which means there is more residue of coal and fuel burning released in the atmosphere. In order to understand the extent of pollution in China, one must understand the environmental, social, and political aspects of it. Currently, China is the leading nation in terms of population. Even though China has approximately 1. 3 billion people living in its territory, the ungenerous effects that pollution has taken upon the population is still of high concern although many people and government officials choose to not talk about it in order to not cause more burden on the already stressed country. According to the Worlds Resource Institute, respiratory disease is the number one cause of death in China (Worlds Resources Institute). In some regions, especially the major industrial zones in Huber Province, rates of chronic lung disease are at least five times higher than the rest of the country. Even the women who do not smoke cigarettes and are living around those areas have the highest rates of lung cancer globally that pertains to the population of women who do not smoke (Worlds Resources Institute). It is estimated that annual premature deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution were likely to reach 380,000 in 2010 and 550,000 in 2020 (BBC News). With these potential outcomes that are doubling every decade, China will face even more problems if these environmental issues are not dealt with now. In addition to air population, there is also the concern Of water pollution which coincides with the big cycle of environmental distress. In addition, many people who live near concentrated areas of pollution do not know how to protect themselves well because they are unaware of the long term effects of inhaling the air and drinking the water. Nearly half of Chinas population consumes drinking water contaminated with animal and human waste and acidic rain and erosion. While there has been an overall decline in mortality from infectious diseases, diarrhea diseases and viral hepatitis, both associated with fecal pollution of water, are the leading infectious diseases in China (Worlds Resources Institute). Because f contaminated, polluted water, China has the highest liver and stomach cancer deaths in the world. While the government is preoccupied with wanting to censor all this preventable chaos, many more people are becoming ill and dying from the lack of clean resources. Water pollution has become an intricate part of the problem as well. Many of the main rivers flowing through China have been the target for dumpiest for years. Because of its mass and distance, many people do not think ;ice when they dump their small amount of trash or waste inside the water; however, if twenty housing other people are having the same exact justification, then it now becomes an environmental safety hazard as well as a social problem. As a result, it is estimated that three-quarters of the rivers running through Chinese cities are so polluted that they cannot be used for drinking or fishing. Even the infamous Yellow River is suffering from man-made environmental problems. Once the countrys second biggest source of fresh water, the river is now so polluted that almost 70% is hazardous to drink; moreover, because the river has been the target for over-exploitation for many years, the water ends to dry up before it reaches the sea for almost a third of the year. According to the World Health Organization, reports estimate that diseases triggered by indoor and outdoor air pollution kill 656,000 Chinese citizens each year and polluted drinking water kills another 95,600 (Plant). The majority of the air pollution in China is generated by the burning of coal and fuel oil in order to generate electric power. They do not have that much hydrophone, power that comes from the energy of massive moving water, to help with demand and supply and, therefore, rely on the burning of coal. Coal s a natural resource that is abundant in amount but requires a lot of manpower and miners to obtain it every year. Because of its population and carrying capacity, China burns more coal to produce electricity than the U. S. , Europe and Japan combined. Air pollution and acid rain, which comes from the coal residue evaporating in the form of smoke into the atmosphere, is killing people. In addition to chemical and industrial factories producing all this dirtiness into the air, vehicles of transportation also add to this pollution epidemic. In the 1 sass, the number of vehicles on roads increased very vapidly, especially in medium-sized and large cities. In Beijing, the number of vehicles increased by a factor of 4, from 0. 5 million in 1990 to 2 million in 2002. In addition, the emission factor, the amount of pollution emitted by one car, in China is much higher than in developed countries because China has much lower emissions standards for automobiles (The Chinese Academy). Thus, the drastic rise in the number of vehicles and rapid development of industries in cities has led to worsening air quality, particularly higher concentrations of nitrogen oxides. The burning of poor quality fuel only adds o urban air pollution. Considering the amounts of traffic that the more urban, centralized cities deal with on a constant basis, the amount of fuel being burned into the atmosphere is reaching tremendous heights. Over the years, the government had implemented their own ways of dealing with the pollution problem as well as progressing social development. Embarrassed by the repercussions of industrialization and arbitration, Chinas environmental agency insisted that the health statistics be removed from the published version of media reports because the government did not wish to cause social instability. According to Spiegel Online International, in 2007 the Chinese government put pressure On the World Bank to take potentially damaging statistics out of a report on pollution in China (Spiegel Online International). Reportedly, the World Bank reluctantly agreed to the demand of the Chinese government and this report about pollution was never published. Many people did not believe the Chinese government undergone such secretive endeavors to protect them but rather it was just the Communists instinctive response to every case of bad news to cover it as much as possible. The Chinese government often has had a hard time irritating pressing issues at hand and, therefore, chooses to suppress it until the issue starts developing more and then reaches the attention of foreign countries. This kind of pattern has affected the Chinese government for many years now because of its lack of aggression towards personal, current issues. In terms of the environmental issues, Chinas model of pollution compared to that of the United States and Europe is worse because the density of its population is greater and people do not know how to protect themselves properly from the essential tools of life, water and air. Because of Chinas reputation as being one of the leading nations in fast economic growth, the government places economic growth before any other problem the nation might have. Some may say, the country is addicted to fast growth and instances of progression. Having a strong, solid economy would place China on the map as a great superpower and can very well earn them the respect and recognition from every other nation. If China starts to slow down their industrial development and economic growth at all, the effects would be social instability, the potential to lose foreign business and trading ratters, and takes away Chinas hard-earned reputation. Slowing down production to solve such insignificant problems may be a stretch for the Chinese government; however, the threat of pollution is very much real and staggering which in the long run, would affect the economy in a negative way. With the amount of health-related issues due to the environment, health care costs have climbed sharply. The lack of clean water has affected the farming and crop industry tremendously. The amounts of high energy- dependent industries create greater need for imported coal and fuel; therefore, the environmental problems gradually get harder and more expensive to address the longer they remain unresolved. According to National Geographic, the rate in which this pollution is harming women and children would have a great effect on the next generation of Chinas leaders, especially with the many recorded incidents of birth defects and brain damage that pregnant women are inhaling everyday of their lives. The pollution in China is not just a current problem but an issue that can surely affect the future of China extensively. In recent years, the Chinese government have been striving to address these environmental issues and making reforms to reverse Some of the effects. The government has set goals in order to reduce the emission of fuel and to conserve energy by reducing the level of energy that industries use as well as slowing down the demand for coals. Taking ideas from the United States, China has set to develop alternative methods of energy such as solar power. Yet most of the governments targets for energy efficiency, as well as improving air and water quality, have not been reached. Although there are many targets and goals set forth by the government to fix this pollution problem, no real concrete actions has taken effect. Chinas lack of monumental changes towards conservation and energy-efficient ways has resulted in no real progression. China refused to invest a lot of money and tax reforms to reach their supposed targeted goals. Even many bureaucratic leaders and city officials often do not invest their money and efforts into closing down factories and industries because that would hurt their local economies. In a way, the government reflects a dog-eat-dog world where everyone chooses to look out for themselves in order to prosper the most. In attempts to stick to their original goals, China began to explore the idea of the Green G. D. P in the mid sasss. The Green G. D. P was an effort to create an environmental yardstick for evaluating the performance of every official in China It recalculated gross domestic product, or G. D. P. , to reflect the cost of pollution (BBC News). In other words, this was a way to calculate the financial loss that pollution has had on the economy and for the government to adjust their expenditures in such a way to reflect a better G. D. P. However, the calculations for some provinces in China reach staggering amounts that was unrealistic for the Chinese government to adjust because if they did, their Roth rate for certain areas would be zero which means the overall economy would decline. Because of the failing numbers of the Green G. D. P for Chinas economy, the government pulled out of the project in 2007. The failed success of Green GAP for the Chinese government pushed the progression of environmental friendliness preservation back because of the financial and economic issues that arose from partaking in the Green G. D. P (New York Times). One such issue that China struggles with is realizing that any attempt or unrealistic goal set forth to fix the environment problem will always be met with many obstacles and resistance. Such unfortunate issues are part of the reason why China is reluctant in fixing their environmental problems and plays a role in the still on-going pollution issue today. In 201 1 , Toyota Motor announced that they will be making low-emission cars in China. Because China has the biggest market for cars, Toyota Motor wanted to get into that market in an environmentally friendly way. Along with having the biggest market for cars, China also has the biggest market for pollution. China was keen on welcoming the foreign aid of car expenditures to their market because Of its emphasis on producing low-emission Cars in the entry. As China attempts to work towards its pollution problems after many failed efforts, the people foresee this as a positive business venture on both the Japanese and Chinese because it benefits both sides. Japan would create a bigger market for themselves in East Asia and China will be on the road of becoming more green and energy-efficient, a problem that they have been facing for decades. All and all, it is safe to say that China as well as every other country around the world recognizes that the amount of pollution has increased tremendously. China has played a huge part in the matter because of its sieve industrialization and arbitration that attributes to their fast economic growth. Although there are many Chinese officials and leaders out there who fail to see the correlation between air pollution and long-term health and social effects, the growth of air pollution is not going away. Although there are very few studies attributing the socio-economic class, population size, and demographics to the growth of air pollution, the presence of air pollution affects everybody. There is, indeed, a major correlation between air pollution and increased mortality; therefore, China trivet to undergo many environmental-friendly programs. In short, there is sufficient evidence that exposure to outdoor air pollution is a health hazard in China. The importance oftenest increased health risks is greater than in developed countries because air pollution in China is at much higher levels and because the Chinese population accounts for more than one-fourth of the worlds total population. Future research will need to clarify the lifetime course of air pollution effects, examine the relevance of long-term exposures, understand alternative methods, and finding correlations between air elution and health hazards for the Chinese population.

Should we legalize the sale of human organs Essay Example

Should we legalize the sale of human organs Essay Example Should we legalize the sale of human organs Paper Should we legalize the sale of human organs Paper Abstinence programs: Do they work? Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy? Does access to condoms lead to irresponsible, dangerous, or bad behavior? Should students have access to information and birth control without parents’ consent? Does age of the student matter? Advertising: Should certain kinds of ads be banned in the interest of health/morality/annoyance – alcohol, cigarettes, prescription meds, etc†¦? Should advertisers be prohibited from marketing to children? Is advertising information or manipulation? Beauty contests: Do they serve any purpose in society? Are beauty pageants exploitive? Civic Responsibility: Should there be compulsory government service, military or otherwise, for all Americans, male and female, at age eighteen or upon graduation from high school? Should the draft be reinstated? Do women in combat place fellow soldiers in jeopardy? Do we have a fair taxation system? Although individuals complain about the â€Å"nanny state,† does the federal government have the right and responsibility to require compliance of its citizens for the common good? (Seat belt child safety seat laws, warning labels, vaccination laws, age requirements for spray paint) College athletics: Should colleges have athletic teams? Should college athletes be paid? Are college athletes at major universities really students? Should football coaches be paid more than the highest-paid professor? Divorce: Should we reform laws to make it harder to get a divorce? Should you have to pass a test to get married? Should the government even care about marriage? Education: Should there be national educational standards in the US as there are in most European countries and in Japan? Do children learn better in boys-only and girls-only schools? Should there be more severe consequences for failure in school? Should children be tracked? Should high schools be required to pay for remedial college courses for any of their graduates who are required to take them? Feminism: Is feminism still relevant? How do young women view feminism? Why do we have a wage gap where women earn only 75 cents for every $1 a man earns? Is the right to decide what happens to one’s own body part of feminism? Is it important that ERA never passed? Grades: In some European schools, fewer than 10% of students get As. Is there grade inflation in the U. S.? If so, why are there so many As for Americans? Does worrying about students’ self-esteem have a place in college? High school? Health care crisis: Most developed nations have universal health coverage. Why doesn’t the U. S. , one of the wealthiest nations, have it? What are we getting for our medical dollar? What does it cost in taxes and lost productivity not to have a national health care system? If individuals make poor lifestyle choices, should they lose their access to government-paid health benefits? How can we balance the need to lower the cost of malpractice insurance with the fact that physician malpractice is one of the leading causes of death? How should healthcare be rationed in the shortage to come? What is the current role of pharmaceutical and insurance companies in health care? Is that role appropriate? Health Food Industry: Should the federal government regulate the health food industry? Does self-regulation work? Homeland Security: Are we safer since the creation of this department? What powers and rights have been ceded to the government under the Patriot Act? Does the Patriot Act conflict with the Bill of Rights? Infrastructure: Why has the government failed to maintain America’s infrastructure? What is the role of government in maintaining infrastructure? What is the role of mass transit in a world of diminishing fuel resources? Do American’s have the right to drive huge cars and consume more than our share of the world’s resources? Does might make right? Why have the railroads in modern America played so small a role? Marijuana legalization: Should the federal government legalize, regulate, and tax the use of marijuana? Has the war on drugs worked? How much is spent fighting the war on drugs? Do current drug laws waste taxpayers’ money? Medical Advances: Should we legalize the sale of human organs? Is it ethical for parents to have a second child to better the chances of medical procedures for an existing child? Should extraordinary measures be taken so that infertile people become parents? Should life be prolonged at all costs? Obesity and weight loss: Should thin people have to pay Medicare and other health costs for the health problems of obese people? Should obese people have higher premiums? Should obesity be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act? Overpopulation: What would happen globally if the demand for natural resources is greater than the supply? Under what circumstances should government regulate the population growth? Paparazzi: What, if any, limitations should be applied to the paparazzi? Does the public have a right to know about a public figure’s private life? Parents: Should prospective parents be required to show a minimum level of competency as well as an ability to support before being allowed to reproduce? Should parents be held responsible when their children break laws? Should unmarried mothers be required to name the father of their child or children in order to draw welfare benefits from the state or federal government? Do parents have a social responsibility to vaccinate their children? Smoking: Should underage smokers lose their driver’s license? Should cigarette smoking be banned? Should the federal government pass an indoor smoking ban? Should smokers be required to pay higher premiums for health insurance than non-smokers? Statutory rape: Recently, a 17-year-old boy was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl. Can a 15-year-old give informed consent? Are statutory rape laws patronizing to girls and discriminatory to boys? What role does multimedia play in the sexualizing of young people? Suicide: Should suicide be a crime? Should assisted suicide be legal? Euthanasia: When do you have an obligation to die? Victimless Crimes: In some states, it is illegal to cheat on a spouse. Should we prosecute cheaters? Is a law that’s not enforced really a law? Should so-called victimless crimes be prosecuted? In the United States current victimless crimes include prostitution, gambling, and illicit drug use. Argumentative Research Paper- 20% of course grade– In this 900 – 1100 word paper, students take a position on an issue from the list of designated prompts above, arguing a clear thesis and persuading the audience to consider their position. Students will be required to utilize at least seven outside sources as support, only two of which can be web-based, and demonstrate using correct MLA format incorporation/synthesis of the sources within your writing. For this paper as for the other out-of-class essays, students must show evidence of a verifiable writing process; therefore, working drafts and proof of feedback (i. e.  online, and/or writing center tutors, peer review) are required. Follow this procedure: Find a Good Topic To find good topic for an argument essay you should consider issues that will have two conflicting points of view or very different conclusions. As you look over the list of topics, find one that really sparks your interest. While a strong interest in a topic is important, its not enough to be interested. You have to consider what position you can back up with reasoning and evidence. Its one thing to have a strong belief, but when shaping an argument youll have to explain why your belief is reasonable and logical. Avoid topics that you are so strongly vested in emotionally that you cannot be objective. Consider Both Sides of Your Topic and Take a Position Once you have selected a topic you feel strongly about, you should make a list of points for both sides of the argument and then pick a side. One of your first objectives will be to present both sides of your issue with an assessment of each. Of course, you will conclude that one side (your side) is the best conclusion. You will need to consider the strong arguments for the other side. Then youll shoot them down! Gather Evidence When we think of arguments, we might picture two red-faced people speaking quite loudly and making dramatic gestures. But thats because face-to-face arguments often become emotional. In fact, the act of arguing involves providing proof to support your claim, with or without emotions. In an argumentative essay, you will have to provide evidence without providing too much drama. Youll explore two sides of a topic (briefly) and provide evidence as to why one side or position is the best one. Writing Stage Once youve given yourself a solid foundation to work with, you can begin to craft your essay. Like other essays, an argumentative essay should contain three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The length of these parts (number of paragraphs) will vary, depending on the length of your essay assignment. 1. Introduce your topic and assert your side As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argumentative essay should contain a brief explanation of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement. In this case, your thesis will be a statement of your position on a particular controversial topic. Example introductory paragraph with thesis statement: Since the turn of the new century, a theory has emerged concerning the end of the world, or at least the end of life as it is known. This new theory centers around the year 2012, a date that many claim has mysterious origins in ancient manuscripts from many different cultures. The most noted characteristic of this date is that it appears to mark the end of the Mayan calendar. But there is no evidence to suggest that the Maya saw any great relevance to this date. In fact, none of the claims surrounding a 2012 doomsday event hold up to scientific inquiry. The year 2012 will pass without a major, life-altering catastrophe. 2. Present both sides of the controversy The body of your essay will contain the meat of your argument. You should go into more detail about the two sides of your controversy and state the strongest points of the counter-side of your issue. After describing the other side, you will present your own viewpoint and then provide evidence to show why your position is the correct one. Select your strongest evidence and present your points one by one. Use a mix of evidence types, from statistics, to other studies and anecdotal stories. Re-state your position as the most convincing one in your summary paragraphs.

How can rio olympics accomodations(hotels, and so on) be reused Research Proposal

How can rio olympics accomodations(hotels, and so on) be reused - Research Proposal Example One of them will surely be the quality and quantity of accommodations. Based on the experiences when London hosted the latest Olympics in 2012, it became clear that an appropriate accommodation is a vital part of the successful international event. For example, there was a remarkable shortage of rooms, which led to unreasonably expensive room prices that surprised and eventually turned off many foreign visitors. To prevent these types of problems from happening again in 2016, an adequate number of rooms should be ready by the beginning of the event. The International Olympic Committee (IOC)  has recommended at least 40,000 hotel beds with three stars or more, while Rio de Janeiro, the host city, currently has only over 26,000. To fill the gap by the beginning of the games, construction should begin no later than the end of 2013. According to the report prepared by  the hosting situation Municipal Planning Department, there are currently 9116 rooms under construction and 8693 unde rgoing analysis or consultation.  Another concern is how to maintain the occupancy rate of accommodations after the Olympic games are done. The surplus of the rooms will lead to lower prices and eventually put pressure on the local economy of the post-Olympic Rio de Janeiro. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a research to find the equilibrium number of rooms to be additionally constructed, and what governmental actions should be taken to cope with the possible room surplus after the Olympic event. In order for this to be properly done, the data of the regular occupancy rate in Rio de Janeiro should be collected and a prediction on how it will be changed based on the new number of rooms should be made. The equilibrium number will be that is sufficient to accommodate all the delegations, athletes, journalists, and employees of companies linked to the event, but not too huge so the surplus is minimized when the city is back to normal status. An idea is that the newly built hote ls will be used more like apartments after the Olympic Games. That will require both constructional consideration and a more flexible licensing process on the part of the government. Tasks This study has two fundamental objectives, which are: 1) to determine the appropriate number of facilities to be constructed for accommodation; and, 2) to identify such facilities’ utility when the sporting event is over. For these purposes, the research is proposed to undertake a comprehensive comparative review of previous literature and documents. The aim is to determine a theoretical framework that would finally identify important evidences that will support successes and failures in the issue being investigated. For example, why were the facilities in the Beijing Olympics and the Athens Olympics before it, were left to rot or were never effectively reused? Or, what are the differences in such failures or successes? The theoretical framework that will be developed should be able to not only provide background information to augment the discussion and analysis sections of this study but also yield credible evidences and experiences that the Rio Olympics in 2016 could learn from. This research activity can also take the form of a documentary analysis

Making Connection between Black and White, Changing America and Civil Essay

Making Connection between Black and White, Changing America and Civil Disobidience - Essay Example These authors commonly discuss the problems of American society such as racial divide, immigrant problems, and assimilation of the people of other races into the mainstream white society. Though Goodale’s and Swerdlow’s approach to the problems of American society are more descriptive than prescriptive, Thoreau’s approach is quite prescriptive. He suggests that people of American society seem to be affected with a racial, cultural, political and religious identity confusion. Yet an American’s national identity is composed of a diverse but uniquely uniformed nationality including all of the contradictions. While the uniformity of the American nationality is ensured by a geographical unity, America is a heterogeneous society that contains diverse races, cultures, nationalities, religions, etc. Still American heterogeneous nationality is affected with a number of complexities. In her article, â€Å"Black and White†, Gloria Goodale addresses this racial divide within the heart of American society, whereas Joel Swerdlow, the author of â€Å"Changing America† depicts the changes that America’s racial identity has undergone and still is undergoing. On the other hand, though Henry David Thoreau’s â€Å"Civil Disobedience† deals with the sort of political protest an American should adopt in order to dissent what he or she does not support or think right. Though apparently Thoreau’s proposition â€Å"to withdraw from an evil† relates much to a man’s, especially an American’s, political life, such stance can help dispensing the racial divide in the American society.

Project at Aux Bons Soins Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Project at Aux Bons Soins - Essay Example May be this was in response to the sentiments coming through from the finance department. But this as well drew the wrath of the end users of the new system. They were up in arms mainly due to what they termed as preoccupation with delivery time lines and technical implementation. They opined the project manager had no regard to personal considerations of the rest of the team especially the end users of the system being implemented. Several managers involved with the project felt that there was more emphasis on the speed of implementation as opposed to the nature of business processes. Some of the team members lamented that he/she was being paralyzed by the constant reporting on deliverables that the project manager was insisting on. The line managers started having second thoughts about the project thereby questioning the credibility of the IT team. This came through even as the IT team maintained that the system being implemented would revolutionize business processes and increase efficiency. These squables paralyzed the project manager and rendered him ineffective due to his inability to mobilize the team members to own the project. There had to be a change of strategy if not personalities. This was made necessary by the fact that the very people who were expected to own and drive the project had turned out to be its biggest critics. This complicated matters because they were the same people who were relied upon to deliver the new system. Their grievances may not have been very genuine but they were paralyzing the project none the less a solution therefore had to be found. From the three stories, nothing is said of the professional qualifications and experience of the first project manager. I have reason to believe that if at all he was well trained and experienced project manager, he would have been able to factor in the grievances being aired by both the users and the finance department. He may not be the one to bare the entire blame for the difficulties f aced in the project but it’s expected that having implemented other projects before; he must have come across such opposition before. He would have employed his previous experience to solve the current mess. A change in leadership of the project was necessary. Solutions A new project manager who had a vast experience in project management was brought on board. Andre Gagne has been trained as an accountant and also had a master’s degree in information technology. Those are two areas of expertise that were very vital for the project which may be the former project manager didn’t have or chose not to employ. Having managed several other systems that involved integration of business processes and information technologies not to mention the solid background in insurance industry, he was well placed for the job. Within a short time, the new project leader was able to win the confidence of team leaders and restored the credibility of the project. Some of the changes he made that eventually saw the success of the project was sharing out the work. He reorganized the team into multidisciplinary teams in charge of developing solutions for the various problems that the project was to solve. Each multidisciplinary team consisted of experts from the relevant departments, management and the IT technical team. He went on to put together an orientation meeting

The Powerful Eunuchs Of China History Essay

The Powerful Eunuchs Of China History Essay Their stories are almost completely shrouded in mystery. These people are mentioned only as minute details in historical accounts, their lives often kept in seclusion from the world, probably even from history itself. These people play major roles in the unfolding of significant historical events, yet they are rarely even mentioned. From the shadows, they exercise their power. From behind the scenes, they carefully manipulate the government to their own interests. These incomplete men are very powerful. Yet, at the same time, they are pitiful. Their seemingly quick rise to power comes at a price, a price almost as valuable as their very lives. These people are called eunuchs. Eunuchs: An Introduction A eunuch, in general, is a term given to castrated men. However, for the purpose of this paper, the term eunuchs will be used to refer to Chinese eunuchs; more specifically, those that were in imperial service during the era of Chinas dynastic rule. Eunuchs served the primary function as guards and servants in womens quarters and to the emperors. But in time they gained power and control as they gained functions as advisers to the emperors of China (Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online 2010). In fact, in certain time periods, the eunuchs grew to be more powerful than the emperor. Indeed, the role of eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty has become an important portrayal of political society of that era (Hammond 2002). Castration started out as a form of punishment, particularly for the crime of rape. But as eunuchs became more and more popular and rich, poor families opted to have their sons castrated for a chance at a better life in the Imperial Court (Scholz 2001). From the definition itself, one becomes a eunuch by undergoing the process of castration. While castration is usually viewed as a gruesome and horrific procedure, there are some accounts that have actually romanticized it. In Piotr Scholzs Eunuchs and Castrati, there is a cultural account left by the emperors last eunuch, Sun Yao-ting pertaining to the delicate procedure of castration. In his account, he explains that the process starts by setting a date when the castration will be performed. He narrated that they would notify the person to be castrated that he must quickly urinate after the procedure so that his urethra would not be blocked and not get infected. The person, consequently then drinks lots of water to prepare for the ur ination. Then the castrator takes a rope and ties the one to be castrated in such a way that he was unable to move his hands or feet, (Scholz 2001, 137). After that, he prays for guidance with incense sticks. Then he moves on with the slicing of the organ. The mutilation is vividly described as fountains of red, white and yellow liquid gushing from the wound (Scholz 2001, 137). Then the castrator inserts a goose quill into the urethra of the castrated so as to retain the opening formed by the slit. Then finally, the castrator treats the wounds with tampons dipped in wax, sesame oil and paper. A few days later, after the castrated man urinates, and in essence his excretory system is functioning well again, he is checked if he is already cleared to go to the palace. Once all the preparations are complete, before he leaves for the palace, the castrator gives the castrated a package wrapped in oilpaper and instructs him on what to do with the package. The castrator says that for everything to go well, he must follow that set of instructions: When youre in the palace, put it in a bushel of grain, hang the bushel on the beam supporting the ceiling of your room and raise it a little higher each year. Then it will protect you and ensure you that you will grow every year. And remember one more thing: when you are near death, it must be with you in the grave or the six lines of your ancestors will be incomplete. Those who are neither man nor woman cannot be reborn!(Scholz 2001, 138). So basically, even after the castration process, there is a routine to be followed by the castrated . The responsibility of the eunuch to the part that has been separated from his has not been lost but must carry on till his death. Castration leads to several physical and supposedly emotional and mental changes among castrates. Depending on the age in which castration took place, eunuchs vary in characteristics. Often, males who are castrated earlier in boyhood generally do not obtain the male characteristics obtained during puberty. Facial hair and pubic hair do not grow and their voice remains high pitched and unchanged. Males, who are castrated well after their puberty, will still grow pubic hair despite the absence of facial hair. The pubic hair will however, be much more diminished. A common characteristic among eunuchs though is the characteristic of never going bald. (Wilson and Roehrborn) As such, eunuchs were unable to have heirs and were thus seen to be more trusted as it would prevent dynastic overthrows by their heirs. In fact, it was this very reason why the Chinese dynasties sought to utilize eunuchs as servants and attendants to the emperor and his family, and even other high-ranking officials in the government. Essentially, the main reason why people aspired to become eunuchs was the having the honor of working as an imperial attendant, which more often than not meant an improvement of economic status. On numerous occasions, fathers would have their sons castrated as early as seven years old in order for their sons to leave for the imperial palace as soon as they recover from the castration. Especially among poorer families, having someone from the family become a eunuch meant honor, and economic improvement. For the eunuch himself, becoming a eunuch meant indirect access to power and relationships with the higher officials. History of Eunuchs Historical anthropologic evidence proves that the earliest eunuchs emerged from the Shang Dynasty. According to Piotr Scholz Eunuchs and Castrati, In 1976 little figurines of servants (c. 9 cm in height) were discovered in the grave of Fu Hao, wife of Emperor Wu-ting (Wu-ding); they are the oldest known representations of palace eunuchs, (Scholz 2001, 129). This is proven by statues excavated in Lingjiatan. The statues excavated show no distinct sexual characteristics. Originally, castration was used very early as a form of punishment both for criminals among ones own population and for prisoners taken in war, (Scholz 2001, 131). Here it is clear that castration was not intended to be beneficial to the castrated as what has later turned out in the course of history. What is fascinating is how the paradigm shifted from the eunuchs being looked down upon, to them almost assuming most of the imperial powers. Such series of events will lead to famous rise of the eunuchs to their subtle fading. Sun Yao-ting (1902-1996), the last eunuch of Emperor Pu-I, tells of how he was insulted by a Chinese Republican officer with the line: Since time immemorial, you eunuchs have been the ruin of China! (Scholz 2001, 131). This was because, with regards to castration as punishment, it is most likely assumed that it was used early on as a substitute for the death penalty in cases involving political crimes, (Scholz 2001, 133). With this, as Piotr Scholz further writes: This allows us that eunuchs represented a political intelligentsia that did not conform to the notions of the dominant Confucian bureaucracy which was constantly trying to shape the empire in its own imageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Scholz 2001, 133). The way it really was is therefore contradictory to the previous claim of the Chinese Republican who looked down on eunuchs when the fact that the reason for their castration was the fear of their intellect and political prowess comes into play. The eunuch Tsao Tsao (144-220 C.E.), son of eunuch Tsao Sung and grandson of eunuch Tsao Teng, even became the grand counselor and was a victorious general. Tsao Teng, the grandfather, have already been influential enough because he had already owned a large land and has served four emperors, but Tsao Tsao became part of the circle that helped Emperor Huan-Ti (r. 146-167 C.E.) to ascend the throne, following the murder of Huans predecessor, Liang Chi. (Scholz 2001, 143). Furthermore, when child emperor An-ti (106-125 C.E.) was enthroned, he was involved in every conceivable kind of intrigue at court. (Scholz 2001, 143). Because of this and through Empress Dowager Tengs help, he also gained favor and influence over the prince and next emperor Shun, such that during the reign of Emperor Shun (126-144 C.E.) of the Han Dynasty, the eunuchs reached the peak of their powers when they were allowed to adopt sons to succeed them and go to even greater heights. They even became personal secret aries (shang-shu) to the emperor, (Scholz 2001, 143). Ultimately, Tsao Tsaos son, Tsao Pei (188-227) soon ruled as emperor himself. However, with great power comes great responsibility, such that during the reign of Emperor Yuan Shao (189 C.E.) during the Han Dynasty, thousands of them [eunuchs] were slaughteredà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ in an attempt to curtail their influence, (Scholz 2001, 135). It is clear then that eunuchs got the point when they were feared even by the strongest imperial power, the emperor. But because Emperor Yuan Shao never succeeded in finishing the eunuchs off, their intellect was, rather than countered, utilized once more, thus marking the rebirth of the eunuchs shaping of the kingdom. By 800 C.E., the situation had reached a point where eunuchs have become a determining factor in choosing who was to accede to the imperial throne, (Scholz 2001, 146). Eunuchs had the preference of Buddhism over Confucianism because they found it congenial to their life. But in the course of the 9th century, as old doctrines were revived, Buddhist doctrine and practice was decreed as un-Chinese, (Scholz 2001, 148). In 903, eunuchs who had accompanied the emperor to their last day were killed in a bloody massacre led by Chu Chuan-chung (Zhu Wen, 907-923), the founder of the later Liang Dynasty, (Scholz 2001, 149). With the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, the eunuchs collapsed as well. Due to the high level of corruption in government, it was running out of capital. Inflation compounded the impact of dwindling resources. As local administrative costs rose, the imperial government levied irregular taxes to meet pressing financial obligations (Atwell 1988). With this, the decline of the influence of eunuchs started as a new era ensued in which the court no longer regarded the aristocratic ideas of status and ritual, espoused by many eunuchs, as vital to maintaining the interests of the state. These ideas, in fact, degenerated into a seemingly ineffectual court etiquette, (Scholz 2001, 149). But its not as if though they were stripped of all their power in the court, they were still assigned positions and sent to expeditions. The difference is that they no longer directly affected the decisions of the emperor. Eunuchs were perceived as very corrupt officials. Despite having only meager salaries, upon their deaths, their massive fortunes were discovered. An example is the eunuch Li Yung-chen (1583-1628). When he was executed in 1628, his confiscated properties were said to have been worth 270,000 taels of silver. Ming historians contrast this to the annual wage for some manual workers in Beijing at the turn of the sixteenth century, was approximately 4.2 taels (Atwell 1988). This was due to the fact that they were known to misappropriate funds. Such practices were extremely common, to claim military supplies for 100,000 named soldiers when there were in fact only 50,000 troops, and only have less than half of the 50,000 needing the supplies. The court thus pays for four solders for one soldier (Atwell 1988). Such is only one example of the great corruption the eunuchs made. Eunuch influence in economic activities was made possible because they fulfilled the capricious demands of their emperors despite the growing financial needs of the state. Their positions allowed the eunuchs to build a base, which in turn strengthened their positions in the economic as well as political and military worlds. The power over labor, land and taxes made it impossible not to cooperate with eunuchs. This brought them to great power. Using such privileges, they were able to exploit the sy stem further to increase power and wealth (Crawford 1961). By 1644, it is estimated that there were 70,000 eunuchs in the palace alone and 100,000 in the entire empire (Crawford 1961). At this point, castration became widespead and despite the emperors decrees against such, castration still became common for poorer families who could not afford to send their children to school (Crawford 1961). Compounded by the fact that the emperor was not consistent, eunuchization became very rampant as a means to get rich and powerful easily. The Chinese imperial eunuchs ended with Sun Yao-ting as the last of the emperors eunuchs. He left an account that though it is embellished, it is of interest as an example of cultural history, (Scholz 2001, 136). It is important to note that what ended was the Chinese and imperial element of eunuchism. Eunuchism itself has existed far out through time into todays era and now has a new connotation depending on the culture and surrounding society of the eunuch. The Roles of Eunuchs in Government Eunuchs had been used as servants in the imperial palace since the late fourteenth century, and from the early fifteenth century, their functions, numbers, and power increased. By the mid-fifteenth century, eunuchs were a well-established element of the Ming bureaucracy, serving in the capital and in the provinces in both military and civil posts. Numbers fluctuated, but early in the sixteenth century, there are said to have been over 12,000 palace eunuchs in Beijing alone (Robinson 2010). The Ming government was divided among six ministries in the 1390s, Personnel, Revenues, War, Punishment, Rites, and Public Works (Tsai 1995). While each ministry had its own minister, they were really under direct control of the emperor, who frequently used his eunuchs to run the state. Constantly locked in adversary positions with the eunuchs, the scholars despised and hated the eunuchs, blaming them for the ills of society (Tsai 1995). Eunuch influence was greatest in periods of weak emperors. During the Ming Dynasty, where the eunuch abuses were most rampant, there were some periods of history where the eunuchs were practically running the empire. As emperors felt that eunuchs represented the best interests of the imperial family at heart, the contact between emperor and bureaucracy was carried entirely through eunuchs (Crawford 1961). Eunuchs were first organized into a Directorate of Palace Servants. But as their functions expanded beyond the inner court and their number increased, they were repeatedly reorganizeduntil after I400, they were finally organized into twenty-four offices. At this point, they had ceased to be entirely personal tools used at imperial discretion and became instead an institutionalized bureaucracy with its own inner development and history (Crawford 1961). In the final organization, there were twelve Directorates, four Offices, and eight Bureaus. Each Directorate had one Director with th e rank of 4a; a senior and junior Vice-director each with the rank of 4b; a senior and junior Assistant director with the rank of 5a; one Recorder with the rank of 6a; and a varying number of lesser officials. The Directorates had charge of such matters as staff supervision, imperial provisions and food, seals, ancient and modern archives, metal tokens given to meritorious statesmen, credentials, instructions, construction of storehouses, weddings, gunpowder, constructionof temples, the imperial insignia and tent, the imperial stables, military tallies and other such items. Some of these Directorates were thus closely associated with the Ministry of War (Crawford 1961). The main contribution of eunuchs was in the field of military and secret service. Emperors used eunuchs as emissaries to foreign countries. In fact, by the end of the Ming Dynasty, what existed of the central military arm was largely in the hands of eunuchs (Crawford 1961). In the end, the eunuchs were less like household servants meddling in state affairs and more like an administrative hierarchy who exercised powers in all areas of government (Tsai 1995). Famous Eunuchs of Ancient China Eunuchs were often seen as the antagonist to the Confucian court officials. Differing in priorities, they had different agendas. While most eunuchs have been depicted negatively and in an antagonistic manner, there were some eunuchs that rose above and became important figures in Chinese history, and there is no other greater eunuch than Zheng He (also Cheng Ho). Zheng He was from the early Ming dynasty and was both a Muslim and a Eunuch. He had won the reputation as a great diplomat and military strategist. Unlike most eunuchs, he was a delegated in the military, in charge of seven official oceanic expeditions, a first in Chinese history. With an armada of 63 ships, Zheng He traveled around the world, first primarily to South East Asia, then eventually to the Middle East and Africa (Willetts 1964). In fact, he was even known to have brought back some African animals such as giraffes, lions, and tigers from the fifth expedition (Willetts 1964). Zheng He died in extreme old age in 144 4. Despite numerous voyages that brought China closer to the world, scholars agree that the voyages actually had no practical results, essentially meaning that it was a waste of money and that from the perspective of the Ming dynasty, it was an absolute waste of resources given that they were not empire builders, Ming did not have a sense of mission (Willetts 1964). This then provides an answer as to why after Zheng Hes final voyage of 1431, there no on longer any naval excursions by the Chinese. But while there were no longer any naval operations afterwards, in the time that Zheng He lived, he was by no means the only eunuch in the high seas (Willetts 1964). In contrast to Zheng He who had the best intentions are the four infamous tyrannical eunuch dictators, Wei ZhongXian in the late Ming, Wang Zhen in the 1440s, Wang Zhi in the 1470s, and Liu Jin in the 1500s (Dillon 1998). Wang Zhen was voluntarily castrated as a youth and entered palace eunuch school. Wang was made Director of Ceremonial when Emperor Ying-tsung ascended. He was killed by an army on its retreat (Crawford 1961). Liu Jin was also voluntarily castrated. He attached himself to a higher eunuch in order to advance, then subsequently took the position. He was put in charge of the Bureau of Cymbals and Gongs. But more than that, he controlled the secret police Eastern Depot. He is considered to be one of the eight tigers (Crawford 1961). Wei is often compared to Yang Lian, a Confucian adviser who late becomes an adversary. Their tales are often contrasted as they both experienced hardship in becoming high officials in the court. Yang Lian had to study and take many licensure exams in order to receive what is equivalent to the doctorate, while Wei ZhongXian had to live castrated and maneuvers his way in the eunuch system (Tsai 1995). As a child, Wei chose castration as a way out of his gambling debt (Crawford 1961). Because of his cunning nature, he was able to work his way into the system and become a grand eunuch in the Ceremonial Directorate of the Ming court. As a palace eunuch, he cheated his superiors and gained advantages by swindling them. But amidst that cruel life, his path into becoming a eunuch was a turbulent one, scarred emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Physically, his hormone levels caused wrinkled skin, stiffened joints, and weak muscles. Eventually, he became evidently more feminine than masculine (Tsai 1995). In order to rise above the ranks, Wei aligned himself only with the most powerful eunuchs and palace women. He worked first in the imperial stable, moving his way up until he became assigned to be the cook for Emperor Wanlis grandson, who later became Emperor Tianqi (Tsai 1995). It was this connection that gained him much of the fame and fortune. It was cooking for Tianqi as well that he met Ke, Tianqis mistress. The teenage Tianqi felt a deep, more than childlike devotion to Mistress Ke. In fact it was Ke who recommended Wei in 1622 to become the grand eunuch in the most powerful Ceremonial Directorate (Tsai 1995). Together with Ke, Wei had an improper and unhealthy influence on the young emperor. Wei received the emperors approval to train a eunuch army, and he was also made director of a secret police establishment called the Eastern Depot (Tsai 1995). He used his position to remove people he deemed undesirable and began a reign of terror by demoting and then murdering his former patron. As Tianqi lived a life of luxury, Wei killed countless number of people, dismissed honorable officials, stole jewelry from the imperial treasure, and acquired riches for his family (Tsai 1995). It was then tha t Yang Lian, now a censor, decided to impeach Wei. While 100 other officials sided with yang in denouncing Wei, Tianqi stood by Wei and ordered the high ranking officials including Yang to be flogged to death (Tsai 1995). It was only upon Tianqis death at the age of 23 that the reign of terror ended. Wei left Beijing with a guard of 800 eunuchs, 1000 horses, 40 wagonloads of jewelry. On his way to a prison outside Nanjing, he took his only and his copse was dismembered and displayed in his hometown as a warning to the public (Tsai 1995). Modern Eunuchs The word modern eunuchs may refer to either of two things: one, a modern eunuch may refer, in literal sense, to people who have been castrated, and two, it may also refer to people who are not the highest ruling body but play a big role in forming the decisions of the said ruling body through their political influence. With regards to the first meaning, it is not surprising that eunuchs still exist today since castration has not been fully ruled out as a punishment for heavy crimes. Reports about the activities and movements of eunuchs are spread out on the news all over the world, and clichà © enough, the world has some good news and bad news about eunuchs. Starting off with bad news so as not to break spirits after lifting them with the good news, news from BBC News South Asia reports that in India, eunuchs actually cut off mans penis. This is according to BBC correspondent in Himachal Pradesh, India, Baldev Chaunan. According to the report, the victim, Sonu, has been working as a drummer with a group of eunuchs, because apparently, dalits in India live by turning up uninvited at weddings, births and other major family events and singing until they are paid enough to go away. The said report also says that the reason why the eunuchs cut off the mans penis was unclear. It is just known fact that Eunuchs in India generally live in self-contained communities, ostracized [sic] by the rest of society. Countering this ruling fact is a news report by Reuters India dated November 10,2006 that reports: Dancing and singing eunuchs are knocking on doors in the Indian City of Patna in a bid to embarrass shopkeepers into paying their taxes. It is further said in the news article that they were hired by the government as a new shock strategy to make tax evaders pay their lot. It has been proven in the report that this strategy has worked, and who knows? It might just be the solution to the tax evasion that has been going on in India for some time. The eunuchs dont go home penniless either, they were promised by the taxmen 4% of the total commission. So the strategy was indeed a win-win case for both parties. It would be pleasing to hear that there still are good news like these once in a while where even the ostracized get to contribute to the betterment of the country. Now the meaning of eunuchs as castrated individuals may, in itself, take a figurative form with the meaning anyone who has lost their balls or sense of manliness. To be straightforward about it, the third sex, especially gays who have lost their balls when they decided that they were women trapped in a mans body, and transsexuals, who have had reconstructions of certain body parts, fall under this classification of modern eunuchs. This is because not only should the physical aspect of a human be considered, what is important to the person should also be considered, for what is a part if its meaning is empty? A mans genital would be just another part of the body if he does not give value to it nor take care of it. From this angle, it could be said that those who belong to the third sex and transsexuals are also eunuchs. Finally, eunuchs have always been known to have influential powers over the ruling forces, so ultimately, for the researchers of this topic, people who are influential enough to make the slightest differences in the decision of the higher authorities are also to be considered as eunuchs. People such as Chiz Escudero who, though he is part of the opposition, which is even the counter force of the administration, makes an impact on the decision that the authorities make and on the moves they execute next. A lot of forces outside the administration are actually making slightest effects on the decrees that the president makes. For example, rich and powerful clans like the Lopezes and Cojuangcos are always taken into consideration in the making of policies although they are not necessarily part of the ruling force itself. They are eunuchs not by appearance, but by essence. Insights and Learnings So in the course of writing this paper about Chinese eunuchs, we, the researchers, have learned a lot and have acquired a lot of insights in relation with eunuchs. And with that, we contest with the thought that the eunuchs rose to power. There can be no rise of they were at the top to begin with. How can I say that they were already at the top when castration was a grave punishment to begin with? and Shouldnt it be that they started from humble beginnings and rose from the ranks? are some of the questions that might grapple with us in this matter. Here we reiterate the point mentioned in the history part of this paper; the part that says that eunuchs were castrated in exchange for death penalty. It also said that they were castrated because of political crimes. There is logic as to why this assumption could be drawn. If what the person has done has been completely barbaric and criminal like stealing and killing, then the government might as well do off without them, but in this case , the government didnt kill the criminals. Why? Because the crimes they have committed were political crimes. They were crimes against the ruling political view, Confucianism. In short, the soon-to-be-eunuchs were actually political analysts in the sense that they were able to find flaws and possibly solutions to the flaws in the government. This is why instead of disposing them; the government was able to use them as political advisors of some sort in the form of what would soon be called eunuchs. They already had this richness in them to begin with, the richness of knowledge of what to do, of whats wrong and how to correct that wrong. They were already powerful in that whatever the emperor couldnt solve, they already had a plan of action in their minds. Ranking was of no relevance. After all, there is no way to measure knowledge in its most raw form. What could be measured is the ratio of intelligence to age or IQ, but that isnt knowledge in itself. More than this insight, we were able to learn a few things in relation with eunuchs. People cant have everything. This is a chip from the clichà ©: nobodys perfect. People cant be rich, famous, intelligent, influential and still have no flaws. We just realized that one way or another, no matter how high up they are, there will always be one thing they lack. Well, in the case of eunuchs, the readers should know by now what the rich, intelligent and influential eunuchs lack. Thats right. Facial hairà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and more. Also, what goes up, must come down, is another learning from this topic about eunuchs. When there is too much yang, yin must sink in. Meaning, there must always be balance. Things will always return to their normal state. They will always try to equalize themselves out. A ball launched high into the sky, no matter the peak height, will always go back to the ground right after. The closer you are to something, the harder it is to see it. The emperors really had a ha rd time solving their problems. It was because they were in too deep that they forgot to look at the bigger picture and how to move the puzzle pieces in that picture. They needed an outsiders perspective to assess and evaluate the situation because they are the ones who are able to see clearly. It is important sometimes to look at the thing as a whole to see what is wrong with it from a different and easier-to-handle angle.

Reflections on Night, by Elie Weisel Essay -- Reflection Essay

Night, by Elie Wiesel, is an autobiographical novel which tells the story of Eliezer, a Jewish teenager from the small Transylvanian village of Sighet. He is 15 when transported to Auschwitz, Buna, and finally Buchenwald with his father during World War II. Eliezer loses his faith, argues with God, and is sustained only by the need to care for his father. As well as the appalling memory of the Holocaust resurrected in this novel, Night bears with it the unforgettable implication that this atrocity must by no means be permitted to occur again. However, what if it is possible that these horrors could be carried out again in present day? Furthermore, have we really learned enough from this tragedy to be sure nothing like the Holocaust could ever happen? I believe after the world has witnessed the wickedness of the Holocaust during World War II, it is very unlikely that such a mass slaughter of innocent people could ever happen again. Nevertheless, that does not mean that I think it is i mpossible for any group of people to try and make history repeat itself. My first reaction when reading this book was simply â€Å"How could the world have not known about the crimes being committed by the Nazis?† In the novel, Elie Wiesel describes his first night in Auschwitz as â€Å"†¦life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke†¦the faces of the children†¦the flames†¦silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live†¦never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself.† Amazingly, the world had no notion of what the Nazis were doing, and didn’t stop them until over 11million people were killed. This was because the Nazi party did not make it known to t... ... them responsible? Not to mention the people of Germany who supported Hitler and allowed their Jewish friends and neighbor’s be subjected to such oppression. Could they also be responsible? I suppose there can never be a right answer to this issue. In conclusion, Night by Elie Wiesel is a spectacularly written and thought provoking novel. Not only does it tell of one young man’s struggle to survive, but it tells a story for all of those who suffered and died in the Nazi death camps. It brings up maddening thoughts that cause the reader to think and truly understand the outstanding terrors upon those not worthy of the Aryan race. Most importantly, it teaches the reader of the lessons of the tragedy that took place and how we must never allow another Holocaust to ever happen again which is what I believe is the main proposal Elie Wiesel tried to convey in his novel.

The Importance of Being Educated

I believe that Early Childhood centres should create a positive environment where children are more stimulated, happy, comfortable and safe from harm. Where learning is more meaningful and children can be extended. I believe that children learn in a holistic way through play. They learn by being actively involved. The process of a child's work is important not just the results. They learn through stages at their own pace. The adults role in children's learning is to provide scaffolding for the child's endeavours, supports and connections, that are removed and replaced when and where they are needed. Adults need to provide a developmentally appropriate programme to cater for all children. There is a need to plan for each child based on their own interests, strengths and needs. The curriculum planning should be based on the principles of Te Whaariki and the knowledge that all children are individuals. I feel that there is a need for Early Childhood Educators to work in partnership with parents/caregivers and Whaanau. This is an essential part of providing the best possible opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential. I recognise that parent/caregivers and Whaanau are the major sources for this knowledge. Which is a very valuable resource for teachers. Therefore there must be a good relationship between centre staff and parents to provide a strong connection and consistency among all aspects of the child's world. I believe that the uniqueness of each child should be valued. To apply the principle of fairness to all practices within the centre and to avoid discrimination as the basis of culture, gender, disability, religion or class. I feel that all children have the right to attend a centre. I am committed to providing an environment in which every child is enriched by the dual cultures of the treaty partners. I recognise that we are becoming a multicultural society and realise the importance of understanding the diversity that this brings to Early Childhood Education. I believe that Te Reo Maori should be actively included into the centres programme. It is important as an Early Childhood Educator to work as a team member, where each member is encouraged to utilise their own individual skills. There needs to be open and honest communication between staff members to create on effective team. It is also necessary for staff to have common goals and work together to achieve them. I feel that the management of children's behaviour must be fair and consistent. Teachers and adults must model and promote peaceful conflict resolution methods to enable children to learn and deal with conflict in an appropriate way. I also believe that the development of self-esteem by positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour is important to safeguard the rights and emotional development of every child at the centre. I believe that it is necessary for teachers to be involved in a continuing process of professional development to keep in touch with the changes that are constantly effecting the Early Childhood Education field. The Importance of Being Educated I believe that Early Childhood centres should create a positive environment where children are more stimulated, happy, comfortable and safe from harm. Where learning is more meaningful and children can be extended. I believe that children learn in a holistic way through play. They learn by being actively involved. The process of a child's work is important not just the results. They learn through stages at their own pace. The adults role in children's learning is to provide scaffolding for the child's endeavours, supports and connections, that are removed and replaced when and where they are needed. Adults need to provide a developmentally appropriate programme to cater for all children. There is a need to plan for each child based on their own interests, strengths and needs. The curriculum planning should be based on the principles of Te Whaariki and the knowledge that all children are individuals. I feel that there is a need for Early Childhood Educators to work in partnership with parents/caregivers and Whaanau. This is an essential part of providing the best possible opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential. I recognise that parent/caregivers and Whaanau are the major sources for this knowledge. Which is a very valuable resource for teachers. Therefore there must be a good relationship between centre staff and parents to provide a strong connection and consistency among all aspects of the child's world. I believe that the uniqueness of each child should be valued. To apply the principle of fairness to all practices within the centre and to avoid discrimination as the basis of culture, gender, disability, religion or class. I feel that all children have the right to attend a centre. I am committed to providing an environment in which every child is enriched by the dual cultures of the treaty partners. I recognise that we are becoming a multicultural society and realise the importance of understanding the diversity that this brings to Early Childhood Education. I believe that Te Reo Maori should be actively included into the centres programme. It is important as an Early Childhood Educator to work as a team member, where each member is encouraged to utilise their own individual skills. There needs to be open and honest communication between staff members to create on effective team. It is also necessary for staff to have common goals and work together to achieve them. I feel that the management of children's behaviour must be fair and consistent. Teachers and adults must model and promote peaceful conflict resolution methods to enable children to learn and deal with conflict in an appropriate way. I also believe that the development of self-esteem by positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour is important to safeguard the rights and emotional development of every child at the centre. I believe that it is necessary for teachers to be involved in a continuing process of professional development to keep in touch with the changes that are constantly effecting the Early Childhood Education field.

Biography of Nellie McClung, Canadian Activist

Biography of Nellie McClung, Canadian Activist Nellie McClung (October 20, 1873–September 1, 1951) was a Canadian womens suffragette and temperance advocate. She became famous as one of the Famous Five Alberta women who initiated and won the Persons Case to have women recognized as persons under the BNA Act. She was also a popular novelist and author. Fast Facts: Nellie McClung Known For: Canadian suffragette and authorAlso Known As: Helen Letitia MooneyBorn: October 20, 1873 in Chatsworth, Ontario, CanadaParents: John Mooney, Letitia McCurdy.Died: September 1, 1951 in Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaEducation: Teachers College in Winnipeg, ManitobaPublished Works:  Sowing Seeds in Danny, Flowers for the Living; A Book of Short Stories, Clearing in the West: My Own Story, The Stream Runs Fast: My Own StoryAwards and Honors:  Named one of Canadas  first honorary senatorsSpouse: Robert Wesley McClungChildren: Florence, Paul, Jack, Horace, MarkNotable Quote: Why are pencils equipped with erasers if not to correct mistakes? Early Life Nellie McClung was born Helen Letitia Mooney on October 20, 1873 and was raised on a homestead in Manitoba. She received very little formal education until the age of 10 but nevertheless received a teaching certificate at age 16. She married pharmacist Robert Wesley McClung at 23 and joined her mother-in-law as an active member of the Manitou Womans Christian Temperance Union. As a young woman, she wrote her first novel, Sowing Seeds in Danny, a humorous book about western country life that went on to become a best seller. She then went on to write stories and articles for various magazines. Early Activism and Politics In 1911, the McClungs moved to  Winnipeg, and it was there that Nellies powerful speaking skills became valuable in the political arena. From 1911–1914, Nellie McClung fought for womens suffrage. In the 1914 and 1915 Manitoba provincial elections, she campaigned for the Liberal Party on the issue of women voting. Nellie McClung helped organize the Winnipeg Political Equality League, a group devoted to helping working women. A dynamic and witty public speaker, Nellie McClung lectured frequently on temperance and womens suffrage. In 1914, Nellie McClung acted as the role of Manitoba Premier Sir Rodmond Roblin in the mock Womens Parliament intended to show the absurdity of denying women the vote. In 1915, the McClung family moved to Edmonton Alberta; in 1921, Nellie McClung was elected to the Alberta legislative assembly as an opposition Liberal for the riding of Edmonton. She was defeated in 1926. The Persons Case Nellie McClung was one of the Famous Five in the Persons Case, which established the status of women as persons under the law.  The Persons Case related to the British North America Act (BNA Act) which referred to persons as males. When Canadas first female police magistrate was appointed, challengers argued that the BNA Act did not consider women as persons and they could not, therefore, be appointed to official positions of power. McClung was one of five Alberta women who fought against the wording of the BNA Act. After a series of defeats, the British Privy Council (Canadas highest court of appeals) ruled in favor of the women. This was a major victory for womens rights; the Privy Council stated that the exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous than ours. And to those who would ask why the word persons should include females, the obvious answer is, why should it not? Just a few months later, the first woman was appointed to the Canadian Senate. Later Career The McClung family moved to Vancouver Island in 1933. There, Nellie continued writing, focusing on her two-volume autobiography, short stories, and non-fiction. She served on the CBCs board of governors, became a delegate to the League of Nations, and continued her public speaking work. She wrote a total of 16 books, including the acclaimed In Times Like These. Causes Nellie McClung was a strong advocate for the rights of women. In addition, she worked on causes including temperance, factory safety, old age pensions, and public nursing services. She was also, along with some of her Famous Five colleagues, a strong supporter of eugenics. She believed in involuntary sterilization of the disabled and played a major role in pushing through the Alberta Sexual Sterilization Act passed in 1928. In her 1915 book,  In Times Like These, she wrote: [...] to bring children into the world, suffering from the handicaps caused by ignorance, poverty, or criminality of the parents, is an appalling crime against the innocent and hopeless, and yet one about which practically nothing is said. Marriage, homemaking, and the rearing of children are left entirely to chance, and so it is no wonder that humanity produces so many specimens who, if they were silk stockings or boots, would be marked â€Å"seconds.† Death McClung died of natural causes at her home in  Saanich  (Victoria),  British Columbia, on September 1, 1951. Legacy McClung is a complex figure for feminists. On the one hand, she fought for and helped to achieve a major political and legal goal, formalizing the rights of women as persons under the law. On the other hand, she was also a strong advocate for traditional family structure and for eugenics- an extremely unpopular concept in todays world. Sources Famous 5 Foundation.â€Å"Nellie McClung.†Ã‚  The Canadian Encyclopedia.The Nellie McClung Foundation.

movies and disability essays

movies and disability essays Some will argue that a film, being essentially a means of entertainment, can do little to change a national consciousness. Others, citing the power of the medium, will claim that motion pictures possess this rare and extraordinary ability. These two opposing viewpoints are about to be put to the test with a pair of films that, while different in so many ways, have a number of fundamental similarities. The Miracle Worker" seems to have been ahead of its time in its accurate portrayal of disability. The film shows us that the young Helen Keller (Duke), blind and deaf from infancy, was treated as little more than a family pet before the arrival of her teacher, Ann Sullivan (Bancroft). One of the central themes is how family attitudes tended to emotionally handicap young Helen. The movie effectively depicts the family's low expectations of their disabled daughter and gives us a look into how physical disabilities were equated with mental disabilities in an earlier era. The portrayal of Helen and the other characters is accurate and forthright. The filmmakers don't hold back to protect our sensibilities, and instead provide a no-holds-barred view of the tragedy and the triumph of growing up and overcoming severe disability. By the time Annie Sullivan came along in 1887 nearly blind herself, haunted by her upbringing in an asylum and convinced that people looked down on her because her parents had been Irish immigrants 6-year-old Helen was nobody's darling. Frustrated by her inability to communicate, willful and carelessly spoiled by people who no longer wanted to be bothered with her, she threw hurricane-level tantrums that terrorized the household. Annie taught her to finger-spell; demolished the barrier for Helen between the movements in her hand and the words, objects and ideas they represented; and opened up the world to her. Or did she? Controversy simmered throughout Helen's life over who was doing the thinking that...

Geology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Geology - Essay Example The major islands and island groups consist of Turks & Caicos, the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Antiles (Greater and lesser) 2. How likely will eruptions occur on these islands? Are there any where it is more likely in the near future? Explain. According to Chamberlain (2007) there was a volcanic eruption at Montserrat. It was postulated that because the eruption did not cause a lava shell to claps and as such there is the risk that this could cause additional pressure which could theoretically cause a more powerful blast at the same location however it is not clear if any place near to this location would erupt in the near future. There are conflicting reports as to the likelihood of there being a volcanic eruption in the near future however it is likely that at least some time in the future there will be some sort of volcanic eruption. 3. What is a supervolcano? According to the United States Geological Survey (2009) a supervolcano is a volcano that is capable of an eruption that ejects deposits that are greater than 1,000 cubic kilometers. Although there are not many of these supervolcanoes on the planet there is a tremendous amount of stored energy that has the potential for massive consequences should the volcano erupt. 4.

Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Research Proposal Example In democratic countries, the media is allowed the freedom to propagate news without undue influence from the government and the political class. In such nations, the media are free to air and communicate any information to the general public, although they have to follow regulatory rules set by the communications commission’s in their respective jurisdictions. In dictatorial societies, the freedom of mass media is limited, and the political class manipulates what is selected and produced by the media. Such nations are viewed as politically and democratically immature. Citizens who are subjects to repressive governments receive partial information as the government determines the content of every news release. It is widely acknowledged that the news has a momentous impact on the lives of citizens. The numerous parties involved in the news making should be viewed as stakeholders, who have every sort of interests in dynamically determining what the media’s impact on people ’s lives will be. ... This means, there is no clear distinction on who is responsible and who dominates who since the media is so influential that it set a whole nation’s agenda. The media are also powerful in centering masses’ attention on principal issues and assuming others, as well as influencing personal behavior. The cultural selection theory on media holds that any choice of the message has a profound effect on societal members (Fog, 199). In the contemporary world, the media is operating in a free and a competitive market, and are said to have no power whatsoever. Instead, it is the consumers of news, news managers, sponsors and sources who are now setting the newsmakers’ agenda. 1.3 Rationale and purpose of the study Who should select news? When limited resources have to be allocated; and fair and realistic procedures are not readily available, who should apportion such resources becomes a pertinent concern. As a result, it is right to ask who ought to be accountable for the selection and production of news. The news may be too pertinent to leave to journalists alone. Gans (2004) asserts that journalists have always insisted on retaining the sole obligation over a nation’s selection and production news. Gans notes that journalists hold that the audience rights to know is preserved if journalists are allowed to decide on what news are worthy, and when they are detached from the political process. Nevertheless, journalists are not detached for their enduring values are also political values, which imply the backing of one type of social order. Additionally, since news have political implications, and given that journalists select the news in response to source power, they are inadvertently part of the political course. These considerations