Friday, September 6, 2019

How is Romeos growing love for Juliet shown in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example for Free

How is Romeos growing love for Juliet shown in Romeo and Juliet Essay There are many stages of love shown by Romeo in this play. At first he seems in pain but as the play goes on, he gradually realises his true love and starts to get happier. As I show in this essay Romeo adores Juliet and likens her to many things. Juliet returns this love as well, showing how happy they are in each other. In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo is featured throughout, in his â€Å"pain of love.† Shakespeare describes many symptoms of how he is affected. It is shown as being painful and affecting him badly. On line 149 Montague – Romeo’s father – says that Romeo is â€Å"the bud bit by the envious worm† as if to say he has a bug inside him, slowing down his will do normal things by chewing away at his soul represented by a bud of a flower. At this point (Line 149), Montague and Benvolio (Romeo’s cousin) are still unsure as to what is causing his sadness by saying â€Å"We would as willingly give cure as know† (Line 154), meaning that they want to get him out of his sadness as well as know what is causing it. This is a statement backing-up what he earlier said on Line 136, when Montague says â€Å"And private in his chamber pens himself† – He stays in his bedroom and locks the door. This makes Romeo feel wretched. By locking himself in his room doesn’t help either, as this makes him feel worse. Another significant feature is the frequent references to life and death. For instance Romeo says, on line 200, â€Å"A sick man makes his will† to the end of line 202, being ill is mentioned at least twice. He says a â€Å"sick man,† which shows he is, in a sense, that he is not himself because he loves someone. Another point is that he says on line 187 â€Å"Doth add more grief.† The key word is grief, which is usually used with sorrow feelings and death. Something that appears briefly in one speech is the use of some oxymorons. They can be found in Romeo’s lines 173 – 180. A good example is â€Å"O heavy lightness.† This, if used in real context would not make sense as it a contradictory statement. This shows Romeo’s confusing as he is finding it hard that he cannot get the woman he wants and is frustrated with himself. There are further uses of oxymorons later in the play. In Act 3, Scene 2 around lines 75, there are several oxymorons, examples are â€Å"beautiful tyrant† (Line 75) and â€Å"dove-feathered raven† (Line 76). These are good examples as they show complete opposites and demonstrate what Juliet was feeling as she is torn between feeling for Romeo whilst feeling angry at him because of Tybalt. This shows some of the feelings people have to go through when experiencing love as they have to have important feelings. Images of problems of love are also picked up on. In Romeo’s speech around line 190, he says â€Å"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.† This is saying that love is something that will poison you as it ends up with sighs. Shakespeare is making Romeo get out of his state of love and into his normal self. Romeo even says â€Å"I have lost myself.† He knows this isn’t like him and needs to snap out of it but Shakespeare cleverly gets Benvolio involved, so Romeo is forced to tell more, making it even harder for Romeo breakout of his frame of mind. Lastly Romeo and Benvolio mention love and blindness (and the eye) together. In Act 1 Scene 2, Benvolio says â€Å"Take thou some new infection to the eye.† This is saying that Benvolio wants Romeo to look at other women to stop him thinking about the one, who has been keeping him secluded. This line could also mean that Benvolio thinks Romeo has been blind in terms of looking at other women and that â€Å"a new infection† i.e. an infection means an illness that stops you from seeing, so love is a illness for Romeo. From here could be a turning point in two ways for Romeo. He could start being himself again or looking at other women could make him feel worse as he was in Act 1, Scene 1. Romeo would not want this because he may find it harder to get out of his miserable state a second time round. Also the audience may get impatient as they want to see Romeo progress, not rewind into his former conditions. We now start to see Romeo open up as he sees Juliet. This is now the beginning of him becoming happier. This is also the first time the audience see Juliet, in the eyes of Romeo, so is a crucial part of the play. When Romeo firsts sees Juliet, he is truly amazed, and this is shown clearly. In Act 1, Scene 5, Romeo likens her to a â€Å"rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear† (Line 46). This is effective because it gives the audience an image of jewel, which is prominent in the first place, but to be an Ethiopian’s ear, makes it seem all the brighter. This shows that Juliet is already precious, and stood out to him immediately. Another idea to back this up is the use of the word â€Å"torches† shortly afterwards. This could also be interpreted as standing out from the other people. I think could also mean that she is his light. This shows contrast from earlier when it was dark to him. Religion is also used as a theme. On line 94, Romeo says â€Å"This holy shrine,† which could show that Romeo sees her now as his religion, or his light, as I said in the previous paragraph. He almost worships her and, the effect given is they are now lifting their love to sacred or purer ground, not just all the bits that people usually associate with love. It is still in the balance though as Juliet hasn’t spoken a word to Romeo yet, everything he has said proves how strong his love is. Another religious idea is â€Å"blushing pilgrims† used by Romeo on line 95. Pilgrims is used because it shows he is ready to make the journey of love with Juliet. The impression is that Romeo is waiting and that he wants to find the true meaning of his â€Å"religion.† Shakespeare uses pilgrims cleverly as he makes Romeo more romantic than if he put how Romeo felt bluntly. It makes the audience feel that he deserves Juliet. Romeo is skilful in the way he gets to kiss Juliet. As I said before he is not blunt. Instead he uses â€Å"saints† as his way of wooing Juliet. He is shown to the audience that he is a smooth charmer. He also talks of â€Å"sins,† this leads to him challenging Juliet and sort of be against what she should do. This is even more temptation and that is another way of how Romeo managed to get his kiss. Juliet responds by kissing him back, showing the audience that Romeo has been very clever indeed. She says â€Å"You kiss by the book.† This now shows that Juliet has given in and this is where their story starts and the part of the play speeds up a little. This is proven when Juliet finds out she is in love with a Montague, making it doubly interesting for the audience, so they start to get captivated. For Romeo, this is a complete contrast to how he was earlier in the Act. Earlier in the scene on line 53 he said â€Å"I ne’er saw true beauty till this night,† shows that he finally realised he was never in love, just desperate. From now we realise the full extent of Romeo’s love for Juliet. They both almost worship other and we see how much in Act 2. It is almost like they cannot be separated. In Act 2, Scene2, the audience knows for sure that Romeo’s love is now true, unlike in Act 1 and is happy. Romeo compares to Juliet and being bright throughout page 89. The most obvious example is on line 3 – â€Å"Juliet is the Sun.† This shows that he depends on her just as the Earth depends on the Sun. It gives the effect that he cannot live without her. This is backed from line 15 to line 20. A good example is on line 18 where Romeo says â€Å"The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars.† This shows his true affection for her as she shines out to him more than stars, or she shines out to him more than any other woman. Juliet responds to Romeo in the same sort of pattern, which is brightness. Words such as â€Å"bright angel† and heaven are used. I think Shakespeare did this to make sure the audience realised that things have definitely improved for Romeo and that he is now truly in love. Moving away from brightness, Juliet refers to him as â€Å"dear perfection,† this shows the feelings between them are shared. There are strong images used later on the Act. From line 80 to line 84, is a very strong image shown by Romeo. This means that Romeo would travel on a very risky journey to find her. This is again an example of how strong his love has grown for her. Throughout the Act there is a strong presence that Shakespeare is trying to show the contrast of Romeo in Act 1 and Act 2. In Act 1, we hear of Romeo moping saying he is in love, but in Act 2 we now hear he is in love but is lighter and more active than before. I think this is because in Act 1 Romeo could have thought he was in love but was not, so maybe his instinctive reaction was to sulk. Again these lines show a significant contrast to earlier when there were feelings of darkness. Romeo and Juliet are well and truly glued to each other by now. The love they have shown towards each other and is overwhelming. To them they will feel that nothing will tear them apart despite being Capulet and Montague. Their love will rise to unimaginable heights but the audience can tell that Shakespeare will add a cruel twist where something will happen to bring them apart.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Peter Careys American Dreams Analysis

Peter Careys American Dreams Analysis Option 2 Short Stories Through a close critical reading of Peter Careys story American Dreams on pp. 147-62 in the Anthology, A World of Difference, consider how the storys focus on themes of cultural dependency has particular consequences for a sense of place. The overall aim of this essay is to explore some of the literary devices that Peter Carey has used in American Dreams to convey the themes of cultural dependency, and the costs it might have on ones cultural identity. It will also attempt to show what the consequences were, for the townspeople, when their quest for living the American dream became a sort of reality. The essay will first look at the authors choice of title, and its meaning in relation to cultural dependency, it will then go on to the use of narrative technique, structure, as well as how the author has used art and reality. It will also consider other literary elements used to write this short story. The title of a book has one primary objective and that is to create that much of an interest and incentive to convince the potential reader to read further. So, what could be the purpose for Carey to choose this particular title? Peter Careys title American Dreams, conveys a sense of the books subject matter. It signposts the direction towards the expression most of us have heard; The American dream, of which The Oxford Dictionary for example defining it as: The ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity †¦ (Oxford Dictionaries I English, 2007). However, this short story by Carey is showing another side of the American dream, exploring the dangers and costs of cultural dependency might have on a small community. The consequences of cultural dependency can arise when a society is strongly influenced and idealised by another, and subsequently trying to adopt its culture, values and lifestyle, not on purpose maybe, but in their qu est to live a prosperous life. Like in this story for example, the American dream, that has been glorified and sentimentalised as a utopian goal, and as a consequence, the townspeople lost somehow their cultural identity and sense of place. The peoples illusion of the American dream is running like a red thread throughout the story. They all watch American films and dream of wealth, and big smooth cars. Meanwhile, the peoples negative view of their home town and their unsatisfying lives grow bigger. The town in itself, is so insignificant, that it is not worth mentioning the name. The father of the narrator says; nothing more than a stopping place. Somewhere on the way to somewhere else. (p. 151). American Dreams (Prescott, 2008, pp. 147-62) is narrated from the perspective of a man recalling events when growing up in his childhood town, thus told in the past tense. The boys voice is the story, and seems to be giving a truthful account of his opinion and inner thoughts which makes the reader feel included and therefore becomes a shared experience. The narrator also seems to recognise the thoughts and feelings of the townspeople, and especially his father; My father, †¦, still believes that Gleason meant to do us well, that he loved the town more than anyone of us. My father says we have treated the town badly in our minds. (p.151). However, the narrator fails when it comes to understand Mr. Gleason, and why he built the wall on Bald Hill, as written in the opening paragraph of the story; No one can, to this day, remember what we did to offend him. (p.151). For that reason, the narrator is not able to give the reader a full understanding of what is going on in Mr Gleasons mind, which is typical for a non-omniscient first-person narrator.   Although the narrator mostly presents the story from a first-person point of view, in relation to his own experiences, he is also using the collective voice of the townspeople and himself in; we all, all eight hundred of us †¦ For years we watched the films at Roxy and dreamed, if not of America, †¦ (p.151), which gives the reader the impression that they are all in unison, because their dreams, hopes and frustrations are the same, or similar at least. Careys writing style is characterised by the use of simple structured sentences and colloquial language. He is making use of the narrators childhood memories of events from the past to move the story forward in time, beginning with; when I was a small boy I often stole apples†¦ (p.151), †¦ between my twelfth and seventeenth birthdays †¦ (p. 155). Carey is also making use of imagery to show the reader how slow the time passes in the tiny remote town, describing frequently how the townspeople pedalling and pushing their bicycles up and down the lanes. They were as much a burden, as a means of transport. the narrator says. (p. 152) and another attempt to describe the slow progress of the building of the wall is, when the narrator says; I watched it for two years, while I was waiting for customers who rarely came†¦ the agonizing progress of Mr Gleasons wall. (p.153). To highlight it even more, how uninteresting and dull the town is, the author is making use of simile in; It was as painful as a clock. (p. 153).   It is not until the leading up to the climax, that the impression of time seems to move faster in the story, as the pace finally increases with the narrator saying; And then, during my seventeenth birthday, Mr Gleason died. (p.156). Mr Gleason, the main character, is the outsider of the town and is described as; so quiet and grey, that we ignored him. (p.151). Everything was normal in the town until Mr Gleason retired and all went wrong. (p.153). It was the day when he began to build the ten-foot high wall on Bald Hill. Nor the people or the reader knows what is behind the wall, until the day, when Mr Gleason dies, and the wall comes down. With this unusual concept of a wall being built and later demolished, and both, for no known reason, Carey has made use of magic realism to create a sense of immediate curiosity for the readers. As soon as the wall comes down, the pace and the mood changes in the story. The pace increases, and the mood of the townspeople changes too. When they realised Mr Gleason had built an exact replica of their home town, as well as of themselves, there was first a sudden sense of pride and joy between them all. Admiring the reflection of themselves, running their lives in the little miniature town. The narrator himself was laughing, when he found himself posing as an American against the petrol pump, and then, the look of his fathers face marked with grease and hope. (p. 158). Is it possible Mr Gleason was having fun of the people, seeing them as superficial and trying to wake them up? Because later, when the people started to look deeper into each others houses, they went in for a surprise and their mood changes to fear, as they realised they had underestimated Mr Gleason. If he knew all their little secrets, he must have known what they used to think about him as well. Nothing but a fool. (p.151). It is not mentioned where this provincial quiet town is set. It is not relevant for the story itself. Nevertheless, the reader gets the feeling for the sense of place Carey is trying to show. A non-significant place, where the townspeople would rather not be, if they had the choice. However, there are some clues in the story that indicates it is set in rural Australia. First, the story is written in British English, second, the narrator speaks of; the minister for tourism (p.159) which is an Australian title created in 1959, (which also gives a hint about the time frame). As well, is the specific mentioning of the American dollars (p. 159), suggesting that the towns currency is also dollars.   Another considerable fact is that Peter Carey himself, was born in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, and that Parwan Railway Station (p. 156), is an actual station located in Bacchus Marsh. Bald Hill (p.153), is interestingly and according to Wikipedia: The most well-known and popular lookouts in Aust ralia, and in New York One of the highest points on Long Island. (En.m.wikipedia.org, 2017). This can be seen as the authors creative way of using figurative language as well as magic realism, as it offers a sense of hidden meaning, as both places do exist alongside the fictional Bald Hill, and all three having the same purpose of being lookouts, using telescopes to spy on the towns people. In the story, the narrator describes Bald Hill such as; On Bald Hill are half a dozen telescopes through which the Americans can spy on the town and reassure themselves that it is the same down there as it is on Bald Hill. (p.161). This example of situational irony links it also back to the beginning of the story, when the narrator is describing the townspeople at the Roxy, watching American films; for years we have watched films and dreamed of†¦America†¦ (p.151), showing that the situation now has changed; now it is the townspeople that are being watched and observed by the Americans. This essay has focused on themes of cultural dependency and the consequences it might have on a culture. We have been looking at Peter Careys short story American Dreams as an example, which suggests that, although, the town was remote and isolated, the townspeople still became influenced by the concept of living the American dream, and as a result of trying to conform to the American ways, they lost their identity. As the story goes on, when the town finally gain prosperity, it is ironically thanks to the Americans tourists. However, the townspeople are still not content, as unconsciously they are still not free of the American dream, unknowingly of the fact it is just a dream. (words 1648) Bibliography En.m.wikipedia.org. (2017). Bald Hill. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_Hill  Ã‚  Ã‚   [Accessed 30 Mar. 2017]. Prescott, L. (2008). A world of difference. New York: Palgrave Macmillan

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Ethics of the MMR controversy

Ethics of the MMR controversy Introduction: In February 1998 Dr. Andrew Wakefield from Londons Royal Free Hospital suggested a link between the combined MMR vaccination and autism (Guardian, 2008). This link was widely reported by the media, causing parents to doubt the safety of vaccinating their children. As a result there was a huge campaign by the Health Protection Agency to reassure parents that the vaccine was indeed safe, but public opinion is still divided and this lack of vaccination has created a window for infection (General Medical Community, 2009) and a steep rise in reported cases of Measles. This essay will review the ethical implications of Dr. Wakefields work and those involved in the unfolding MMR Controversy. Should the paper have been published? Did the people and organisations involved act ethically? The Media: Despite the minor nature of Dr. Wakefields paper Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children the press ran with its findings, using headlines such as Fresh safety fears raised over MMR jab, New MMR link found to autism, MMR fears gain support, MMR risk of brain disorders?- from the Daily Mail gaining support from previous ministry aides, columnists and writers (Smith 2004). Even in 2001 the Blairs (the then Prime Minister and his wife Cherie) were asked if Leo, their youngest son, had been given the MMR vaccine, and refused to answer (Goldacre, 2008); lending further credence to the idea that the vaccine was unsafe. It has been stated by the BBC (BBC, 2003) that the public believed that the debate over the MMR vaccination was split equally, with G Ps and medical practitioners taking both sides and only 23% aware that the evidence was clearly in support of the combined MMR vaccine. The study was undertaken by Cardiff University between January and September 2002 and surveyed over 1,000 people. With close scrutiny paid to over 2,000 media (papers, radio and TV) reports. The survey concluded that 48% of people feel that journalists, should not (until findings are backed by further investigations and studies) report alarming research however this is still a minority view. Professor Lewis of Cardiff Universitys School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies released the following statement: The research also has implications for the debate about fairness in journalism, suggesting that legal definitions of impartiality in broadcast journalism should not be interpreted in a simplistic fashion, BBC, 2003. Further research, such as that by Chen and DeStefano (1998), quite clearly states that misinterpretation of Dr. Wakefields research could have been avoided by clarifying the difference between causality and association but the lack of such definition to the media and public can partially be blamed for the ensuing state of affairs. However the MMR scandal does not end with Dr. Wakefields paper; further articles such as MMR jab new autism link' published by the Sun (Thornton, 2003) or New fear over MMR link with rising Autism by the Telegraph (Adams, 2007) are still fuelling the debate and causing public concern years after the initial study was published in the Lancet Journal. Doubt is occurring despite a massive coordinated effort by the biomedical community to debunk such research showing the grip that this story has had on the population for over 10 years. Some articles have been published in the media criticising the way in which the MMR controversy has been handled although these are far and few between, such and article would be the ONeills The medias MMR shame from the Guardian, 2006. The Researchers: Dr. Andrew Wakefield may have been the public face of the MMR scare but he was not alone in completing the study that started it all, the full list of names sites 13 co-writers, their names and roles are listed in the original journal article: A J Wakefield was the senior scientific investigator. S H Murch and M A Thomson did the colonoscopies. A Anthony, AP Dhillon, and S E Davies carried out the histopathology. J Linnell did the B12 studies. D M Casson and M Malik did the clinical assessment. M Berelowitz did the psychiatric assessment. P Harvey did the neurological assessment. A Valentine did the radiological assessment. J Walker-Smith* was the senior clinical investigator. (Wakefield et al. 1998) Edited to include full Surname original citation refers to J W-S It has to be asked if key personnel involved with controversial aspects of the study acted ethically and trying to answer this question can only be answered by investigating senior team members and their respective roles separately. Dr. Andrew J Wakefield: In March 2004, Dr. E Harris (opposition politician), first raised the issue of unethical behaviour (on Dr. Wakefields part) during the study. As head of the study (Senior Scientific Investigator (Wakefield et al., 1998)) Dr. Wakefield would have had to have sought permission from the Royal Free Hospitals ethics board before commencing his studies. It was alleged by Harris that, after approval was granted, Wakefield changed the methodology to include lumbar punctures involving sedation (unknown, 2004). This public outing of Dr. Wakefields proposed misconduct and subsequent complaints by Harris resulted in an enquiry by the General Medical Council, unearthing more damaging claims (General Medical Council, 2010). It was found that children were subject to unnecessary colonoscopies, lumbar punches and barium meals (without approval), that Wakefield was not allowed to treat children and children were enrolled that did not fit the strict conditional prerequisites of the study (Boseley, 2010). But Dr. Wakefields short comings were not simply confined to the methodology of the study; he was also found have conflicting interests something that was not declared in the paper submitted to the Lancet journal. In 1997 Wakefield had filed a patent (on behalf of Royal Free Hospital) for a vaccine against measles and for treating IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), he had (in February 1998) applied for ethical approval to trial a new measles vaccine under a new company called Immunospecifics Biotechnologies Ltdand been found to have paid children  £5, at his sons birthday party, to take unethical blood samples (Boseley, 2010). Further research regarding Wakefields conflicting interests, in particular his involvement with Immunospecifics Biotechnologies Ltdunearths some controversial evidence, the proposed CEO of the aforementioned company was the father of child 10 (a child involved in the study), with Wakefield and this gentlemen to share equity of the company. It was found that Wakefield and Walker-Smith applied for permission and started trials of an alternative therapy Transfer Factor, that was to be produced by Immunospecifics Biotechnologies Ltd on child 10, also deemed; abuse of [Wakefields] position of trust as a medical practitioner text and quotation; (DeeTee, 2010). The basis for Wakefields Transfer Factor treatment can be found in the work of Dr. Herman H Fundenberg (author of Dialysable lymphocyte extract (DlyE) in infantile onset autism: A pilot study., published in discontinued fringe journal Biotherapy(Fundenberg, 1996)) a discredited and indefinitely suspended American doctor, who has admitted to treating patience at home with his own bone marrow. Fundenberg not only provide the basis research for Transfer Factor, he is cited as co-inventor on the filed patents (Deer, 2004). Dr. Wakefields involvement in the MMR Controversy did not go unnoticed and in 2001 the Telegraph ran Anti-MMR doctor is forced out, reporting that he was asked to leave his post at the London Free Hospital; he cited unpopular research results as reasoning. Since then Dr. Wakefield has worked for the International Child Development Resource Center in connection with a Christian ministry called the Good News Doctor Foundation. He maintains that his results are accurate (BBC, 2010). As a consequence of the General Medical Councils findings Dr Wakefield has been found guilty of misconduct and could be struck off as a result (Rose, 2010). References: Guardian. (2008). Timeline: MMR controversy. Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/02/health-medicalresearch. Last accessed 15 Feb 2010. General Medicine Community. (2009). Imposing Measles Epidemic Due to MMR Controversy. Available: http://stanford.wellsphere.com/general-medicine-article/imposing-measles-epidemic-due-to-mmr-controversy/603680. Last accessed 15 Feb 2010. Smith, J. (2004). The Real MMR Conspiracy. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/joan-smith/the-real-mmr-conspiracy-545872.html. Last accessed 16 Feb 2010. Goldacre, B. (2008). The Medias MMR Hoax.Available: http://www.badscience.net/2008/08/the-medias-mmr-hoax/. Last accessed 16 Feb 2010. BBC. (2003). Parents misled by media over MMR. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/3038607.stm. Last accessed 16 Feb 2010. Chen, R DeStefano, F. (1998). Vaccine adverse events: causal or coincidental?. The Lancet. 351, 611-612. Thornton, J. (2003). MMR jab new autism link. Available: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article78818.ece. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010 Adams, S. (2007). New fear over MMR link with rising autism. Available: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1556883/New-fear-over-MMR-link-with-rising-autism.html. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010. Wakefield et al. (1998). Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. Lancet. 351 (1), 639-641. unknown. (2004). The Single Injections, and Dr. Wakefields Lack of Ethics. Available: http://www.fatherslobby.com/vaccinations/single_injections.html. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010. Boseley, S. (2010). Andrew Wakefield found irresponsible by GMC over vaccine scare. Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/28/andrew-wakefield-mmr-vaccine. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010. DeeTee. (2010). The GMC on Wakefield. Available: http://layscience.net/node/924. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010 Fudenberg HH.(1996). Dialysable lymphocyte extract (DLyE) in infantile onset autism: a pilot study. Biotherapy 1996; 9: 13-17. Deer, B. (2004). Royal Frees autism pill partner, Herman Hugh Fudenberg, wasnt fit to prescribe. Available: http://briandeer.com/wakefield/hugh-fudenberg.htm. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010. General Medical Council. (2010). Fitness to practice panel hearing: 28 January 2010. Available: http://www.gmc-uk.org/static/documents/content/Wakefield__Smith_Murch.pdf Last Accessed 17 Feb 2010. Rose, D. (2010). Fall of Andrew Wakefield, dishonest doctor who started MMR scare. Available: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article7006525.ece. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010. Fraser, L. (2001). Anti-MMR doctor is forced out. Available: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1364080/Anti-MMR-doctor-is-forced-out.html. Last accessed 17 Feb 2010. BBC. (2010). Profile: Dr Andrew Wakefield. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3513365.stm. Last accessed 18 Feb 2010. ONeill, B. (2006). The medias MMR shame. Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/jun/16/whenjournalismkills. Last accessed 18 Feb 2010.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Computer Crime :: Criminal Justice

Formatting Problems In today's society our most valuable commodity is not grain, steel or even technology; it is information. Because of computer networks, just about everyone can now access an astounding range of information. The Internet is international, even though 80 percent of the Internet use occurs in the United States, and a staggering amount of information on every subject imaginable is available for free. Because so many people now have access, computer crimes have become more frequent. Everyone with a computer and a modem can commit a computer crime if so inclined. Anyone, conceivably, could become a "white collar" computer criminal. When the term "white collar" crime came into wide spread use several decades ago, it was thought that certain crimes were committed by persons whom no one would normally suspect of criminal behavior: professional, "white collar" workers. In the late 1990's, however, the term "white collar" is somewhat inaccurate. The playing field has been leveled by the widespr ead use of computers. Now "white collar crime" tends to mean simply "non violent crime" or "economic crime." As technology becomes increasingly accessible to more and more people, it also becomes a potential tool for increasing numbers of criminals. Most computer crimes do not involve violence but rather greed, pride, or play on some character weakness of the victim. They are based on dishonesty and not force. For these reasons, computer crimes are considered white collar. Just as the term "white collar crime" designates several kinds of crime, the term computer crime also designated several types of crime. It includes crimes that are committed with a computer, crimes that occur in cyber space, and crimes committed against a computer. Some of the crimes are completely new; while others are older crimes that merely use the computer as a tool. The endless and constant growing variety of computer crimes makes it difficult to pass laws that adequately cover new computer crimes. Some cri mes such as embezzlement, wire fraud, and forgery, are already covered under existing law. Others, such as cyber vandalism, cyber terrorism, and cyber espionage, are relatively new. For these newer crimes, the letter of the existing law sometimes does not allow prosecution of what clearly is criminal behavior. Employees and ex-employees of the victimized company commit most "white collar crimes". Likewise about 75 to 80 percent of prosecuted computer crimes are committed by current or former employees. There are many different kinds of computer crimes ranging from identity theft to sexual harassment to otherwise ordinary "white collar" crimes that happen to involve a computer.

Nicaraguan Politics and Government Essay -- Essays on Politics

Nicaraguan Politics and Government On the narrow isthmus known as Central America, between the world’s two greatest oceans, Nicaragua has been marked by endless years of political turmoil, social tension and economic dismay. The turmoil’s that have shaken the country make it plausible to believe that by some metaphysical law, Nicaraguan politics have accommodated to nature’s tantrums. Like its diverse, rugged and seismically active geology, the country’s politics have been irregular, impulsive and often explosive (Pastor, 15). The Nicaraguan election of February 25, 1990 represents the country’s attempt to break from its turbulent political past and pursue economic and political stability through the establishment of a democracy. The country’s elections marks a zenith for world democracy, in that no country’s elections had ever been witnessed by more international observers from more diverse groups than was Nicaragua's. The election was closely monitored by myriads of international observers including members of the Organization of American States, United Nations as well as members of the Carter Center including its founder, ex-US President Jimmy Carter. That Sunday morning, beginning at 6 A.M. about one and half million Nicaraguans- about 86 percent of eligible voters- went to cast their vote in one of over four thousand polling sites throughout the country; the outcome of this election marks a decisive point in the country’s history. The results will determine the people’s willingness to either continue with the rule of Daniel Ortega and the Sandinista party that had been in power for over ten years and established a socialist government; or to break away from the misery and persecution of the regime and establish a free, ... ...ntinuous effort to enact policies that will be beneficial to the Nicaraguan people and country as a whole. Work Cited Baumeister, Eduardo. Estructura y Reforma Agraria en Nicaragua. Managua: Editorial Ciencias Sociales, 1998. Close, David. Nicaragua: The Chamorro Years. London: Lynne Rienner, 1999. Leiken, Robert S. Why Nicaragua Vanquished. Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield, Inc., 1992. Morley, Morris H. Washington, Somoza, and the Sandinistas. New York: Cambridge UP, 1994. Pastor, Robert A. Not Condemned to Repetition. Cambridge: Westview P, 2002. Plan Nacional de Desarollo. Gobierno de Nicaragua. 15 May 2005 . Stone, Samuel Z. The Heritage of the Conquistadors. Lincoln: University of Nebraska P, 1990. Walker, Thomas W. Reagan Versus the Sandinistas: The Undeclared War on Nicaragua. Boulder: Westview P, 1987.

Monday, September 2, 2019

Natural environment Essay

It has been long debated the importance of nature verses nurture. It is hard to prove one from the other since it is shown for them both to play major roles in the development of a child to an adult. I believe that my personality is a combination of both nature and nurture but I think that I am +more nurtured. There are so many behaviors that I have developed from the environment I grew up. I have learnt to respect all people from being influenced at school and by my parents. I have also been trained to be responsible of things such as doing my work. I learnt that if I am not responsible and don’t do my work, then I must pay bad consequences. I have also learnt from experiences that if I do what I am supposed to do, I may be rewarded for good things done. My environment has influenced me in many ways to act upon certain things automatically. Things like looking both ways before crossing the street, or other things that appear to be common sense are learnt from nurture. I have gone through many experiences in which I have learnt different lessons. These lessons have taught me how to act in my life. I know that I am very different person than my mom or my dad. I don’t have very much in common with either of them. Although we do share some of the same aspects, I feel that I am more different from them than alike. I have developed the majority of my social skills from my friends and not my parents. Most of my social life revolves around my friends, who have influenced me a lot of the decisions I make and in the way I act. I don’t socialize with my parents nearly as much as I do with my peers. I don’t think I know my parents well enough to say if I am like them when they are around their friends or not. The nature and nurture of a person can vary greatly. Sometimes there are certain things that are hard to decide whether they are inherited or learnt. I might share some qualities with my parents, but they could just be characteristics that I learnt in my life that my parents also learnt in their lives too and were not inherited. I believe that genes indicate the potential for one’s behavior and personality, and that the environment helps create the extent as to how that behavior is carried out.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Casino Gambling Should Be Available in Viet Nam

Casino Gambling Should Be Available in Viet Nam The development of casinos in Viet Nam can be feasible with the current socio-economic situation in Viet Nam. In recent days, Las Vegas Sands has a new project for the development of hi-end resort complexes in Viet Nam, one in Ho Chi Minh City and the other in Ha Noi, which would cost up to 6 billion dollars.Even though people believe the project would bring the possible social risks, Viet Nam could benefit from it in the following ways: first, it could boost tourism revenue to compete with other regional countries; second, the state budget will be remarkably increased from gambling revenue and taxes; third, it can create many jobs nationwide, in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City in particular The complexes would consist of spa centers, exhibition centers, hotels, conference centers, restaurants, shopping malls, sports centers, theaters, museums, cinemas, and other amusement services including casinos.These hi-end resort complexes in Vietnam would be the biggest investment project from Las Vegas Sands, one of the prominent gambling U. S. groups so far, if it is licensed. The large investment plan meets with a lot of difficulties and debates from officials, scientists, and people who are worrying about the possible social impacts of the casinos on young generation. Meanwhile, George Tanasijevich, the Global Development Managing Director of Las Vegas Sands, said in an interview with VietNamNet Bridge that: â€Å"Las Vegas Sands well understands a bunch of heading obstacles which it will have to face up to in case of investing in the project. Also according to Mr. George, â€Å"Las Vegas Sands really wants to invest in Vietnam. We are still waiting. We are ready to answer all the questions to be raised by the government of Vietnam upon the plan, the way of doing business and about the complex tourism industry,† (qtd. in VietNamNet Bridge). The first foreseeable certain socio-economic benefit that the project would bring is to attract plenty of foreign tourists from across the globe; this is a big chance to launch a more positive Viet Nam tourism image throughout the world.A lot of countries, like Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Malaysia in Asia, have been successfully trying to create new attractive features to attract foreign travelers. Viet Nam already has diverse luxury hotels ranging from one star to five stars from the North to the South. Moreover, Viet Nam offers international standard services that make foreign tourists feel comfortable and pleased with their spending.For example, the current luxury hotel systems in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City can offer free breakfast, snacks, friendly services, and wireless internet connection for those who have been using hotel services to appeal to more and more foreign tourists throughout the world to visit Viet Nam; this would help them feel more at home. Gambling and tourism in combination definitely would become one of the biggest services, which could draw a remarkable number of tourists from around the world if the project is available.Besides, there is also a variety of tourist spots and spectacular landscapes stretching across the country to make tourists have an interest in visiting and discovering something new. Obviously, the more visitors who come to enjoy the gambling here, the more revenue the localities where the casinos are located will generate. Specifically, in recent years, many casinos in the U. S. and Australia have been expanded for the explicit purpose of encouraging tourism development.One of these is to bring in a greater number of outsiders and additional wealth into the local economy where the casinos are located. For instance, the major casinos of the Gold Coast of Australia have been successful in attracting premium players from South East Asia. The ability to use a casino as a major stimulus for tourism development is dependent on a range of characteristics and considerations including locatio n, type of development, and the legal and competitive environment.All of these add up to a big boost in the local economy. Another benefit from gambling casinos is that the government can collect a considerable amount of revenue from taxes. Recognizably, revenue tax is the main source of income to cover all the operations of the government as well as local authorities. In addition, the local authorities and the government have to be responsible for maximizing the collection of taxes from the casinos’ business.Viet Nam needs to build a legal framework for gambling businesses, not only for attracting an enormous amount of foreign currency, but also for keeping the so called â€Å"foreign currency bleeding†, because most foreigners bring their currency with themselves to neighbor nations, such as Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, or Macau when gambling at the casinos. In this case, Viet Nam must learn from Macau’s gambling tax policy in which taxes are not changed une xpectedly and can bring it billions of dollars each year.Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn once told Gambling in Macau that he preferred the government in Macau to the one in Washington regarding Macau’s economy: â€Å"Macau has been steady. The shocking, unexpected government is the one in Washington. That’s where we get surprises every day. That’s where taxes are changed every five minutes. That’s where you don’t know what to expect tomorrow. Macau is stable, but Washington is not! † (qtd. in Macau Gambler Online). According to Macau Gambler Online, â€Å"First-quarter gaming revenues produced by Macau's casino market is more than $9. billion, up 27 percent over 2011, a year in which the Chinese gaming enclave's 34 gambling halls had a 12-month total of $33. 5 billion. † (qtd. in Macau Gambler Online). Meanwhile, Macau's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau said in the press conference that â€Å"incredible revenues from gaming reac hed $3. 12 billion during March, a 24-percent increase compared with the same period of last year. † (qtd. in Macau Gambler Online). As for amazing revenues and gambling tax policy, the government has collected a great amount of tax from the casinos’ business.Another noteworthy example of gambling tax policy is from Singapore, one of the more stunning tourism destinations in Southeast Asia for travelers from throughout the world. Unlike Macau’s gambling tax policy of 39-percent rate, Singapore simply offers the amazingly gaming tax rate of 15 percent, but it taxes five more-percent rates on the so called â€Å"premium† play from high-rollers and players brought in by junkets. The close combination of two rates not only brings Singapore a large amount of money, but appeals to a huge number of foreign visitors from all over the world traveling to Singapore for vacations.In general, revenue taxes from casinos are a huge amount which can bring Viet Nam prosper ity and its people a comfortable life. They will bring huge wealth into cities to provide much needed services to the communities to which they belong. Last but not least, the presence of casinos in Viet Nam will be a big chance to create more jobs for adolescents. Currently, the world economic situation is still facing plenty of difficulties in 2012; therefore, Viet Nam’s unemployment rate is forecast to be rising because of the negative impacts of the world economy on its economy.In this situation, the solution for the reduction of the unemployment rate which is the attraction of foreign direct investment is extremely significant. As for this, the total investment capital of up to 6 billion dollars from Las Vegas Sands to build two resort complexes including casinos is a golden opportunity for Viet Nam, not only to improve the country’s economy, but to bring thousands of jobs to those who are still unemployed. Understandably, a huge amount of the work force will be e mployed for construction of the complexes.Specifically, in an exclusive interview with Vietnamnet Bridge, Sheldon Adelson, Las Vegas Sands chairman, recently estimated taking at least six months to a year to plan, then two more years for construction. The project including a variety of constructions, such as hotels, restaurants, amusement areas, fitness clubs, dancing clubs, casinos, and roads will temporarily reduce the government’s burden over dealing with the unemployment situation. A remarkable number of laborers will be employed to work in two resort complexes after two and a half years of completing the project.As an illustration, students who qualify employment requirements definitely have more chance to work in the resort complexes as an accountant, sales man, or supervisor after graduation from colleges or universities. Besides, others who are unable to qualify for academic standards can find other chances to work in the fields that require a lower-standard, such as body guards, drivers, waiters, waitresses, casino staffs. Though these jobs do not require much more skills than academic jobs, they can bring employees an impressive income.For this reason, the government generally does not have to spend its budget on solving long-term unemployment issues. Though the casino industry can bring lots of benefits to the country, it may lead to the boom of individual bankruptcy, create social evils, and increase crime rates as well. As for a developing country, like Viet Nam, gambling could be an easy and effective way to become rich for those who take advantage of loosened law and corruption. Hence, the total income of casino business may not go to the state budget as a business income tax.Truly, over the developed countries with strict law enforcement like Singapore, crimes can easily get involved in casino business. â€Å"Though recognizing the recognition of casino business to the Singaporean economy, I still feel worried about the possible social impacts of the casinos,† said Grace Fu, a minister of the country (qtd. in Singapore Casinos). Also, according to Samaritans of Singapore, a non-government organization in Singapore, the gambling business and the lending at exorbitant high interest rates have been constantly developing are advantage conditions for increasing crimes.The incredible profit from casino business is always directly proportional with an increase of social evils. More importantly, in order to develop casino business steadily and sustainably, the government needs to take some negative impacts and long-term consequences into consideration. The negative impacts and long-term consequences can be easily anticipated that the young generation may drop out of school early, be pathologically addicted to drugs, and commit murder or robbery. Who will be responsible for the social evils arising from the next ten-year operation of casinos though it is on the right track?According to the Florida Times Union, statis tics show crime rates will raise day-to-day. Over the countries which have casino business, the rate is probably higher than non-casino business country. â€Å"The statistics are sobering. In communities that permit Class III casino gambling, such as Las Vegas-style slot machines, blackjack card games and even roulette or craps, the crime rate is nearly twice the national average,† said Bill Mccollum, an attorney general, in his research (qtd. n The Florida Times Union). Additionally, statistics showed that illegal gambling was significantly more prevalent in states that have been opening the door to legalized gambling. His recent study found more than two-thirds of compulsive gamblers had engaged in criminal activity, including violent crimes, because of a gambling problem. Above all, they are practical statistics for the Viet Nam government to carefully refer before giving out a right and proper decisions and policies as well.In fact, casino business is a form of maximizing profits from the development of resort complexes which bring Viet Nam a lot of benefits in which tourism development, the state budget increase, and employment issue are essentially focal points to develop country economy. In order to attain those achievements, the government should be paying close attention to its negative impacts over a long-term period to launch a timely decision or solution aiming to minimize or stop its risks immediately.Apparently, casino gambling is the form of business in which increased revenues from taxes can be obtained from casinos. That amount can be used to improve communities, and local services, and infrastructure. The benefits of the project which can be easily collected are that more and more hotels, restaurants, transportation hubs, surrounding roads, and areas will be built and expanded to accommodate more structures. Thanks to these, the high unemployment rate can be considerably lower and lower.