On Passion and Self-Growth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

On Passion and Self-Growth - Essay Example The American novelist, literary-critic, and story-teller Elizabeth Hardwick highlights that "The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination." I strongly believe in her statement as my journey in life has been filled with notable experiences derived from reading various books. Before my passion for reading is developed, I must admit that I was first obsessed in the stories my mom untiringly tells me before retiring to bed. Then, the exciting part of deciphering the meaning of the simple words on my earliest books came. Before I know it, I have become a voracious reader whose interests range from culture, sociology, and literature. Reading has sparked my curiosity and invites me to seek the mysteries of life. My passion for reading has hugely enhanced my intellect. Whenever I open a book, I often see myself unlocking a treasure box which will brings me into other places, provides me a glimpse of other culture, and conveys me a wealth of knowledge. It is amazing to know that every book shares its unique story. No matter how simple, each book offers and adds new ideas. Reading has enriched my intellect by bringing me to the world of Shakespeare, Milton, Julius Cesar and even as far as Aristotle's and Homer's. Reading introduced me to the radical ideas of Karl Marx, the different worlds explored by Gulliver, and the persistence of Helen Keller. Books broaden my horizons by adding new words to my vocabulary, polishing my grammar, and enabling me to find ways to communicate my ideas. My passion for reading enlightens me with knowledge and ushers me from the darkness of ignorance. Reading a book the second or third time does not diminish the knowledge that it offers. Being a passionate reader, I have discovered that it is not the writer which conveys and creates meaning in his or her compositions but in fact, the reader constructs his own comprehension on the material being strongly influenced by his background and experiences. Thus, I never really get tired of reading a single book over and over again as the knowledge it imparts vary each time. Aside from shaping me intellectually, reading also further my emotional development. As a thinking and feeling being, a story moves me and fills me with different kinds of emotion. I believe that the most important thing that my passion for reading brought me is the capability to understand the emotions of other people. Reading often requires empathy and putting one's self in the character's shoes. With this, I have developed the ability to accept, understand, and share the joys and sorrows of the people around me. I credit to my passion to reading the rapport I maintain with my social circles. I can say that my passion for reading is the largest contributor to my personal development. Books enrich and stimulate my mind while keeping me in touch with my emotional side. Reading has taught me the greatest lessons in life. I must stress that Denis Diderot identifies only great passions which can elevate the soul to great things. Considering all the things that my passion for reading accomplished in me, then, I can say that it must be the greatest passion a human can be blessed

The Women of Full Metal Jacket Essay Example for Free

The Women of Full Metal Jacket Essay In Stanley Kubricks Full Metal Jacket, it is difficult to determine the role that women play simply because of the glaring lack of female characters. In total, only three women actually appear in the movie, and two of those are prostitutes; the third isnt revealed as a woman until the final 10 minutes of the film, and none of them are given names. In fact, until the snipers gender is revealed, women only play a role as objects for the soldiers amusement. In all interactions between the genders, it is obvious that the male soldiers always hold complete power over the women, able to bargain their services down to a paltry five dollars per soldier. For one of the prostitutes, a soldier even effectively acts as her pimp, determining whom she services and for how much. In contrast, the role of the female sniper completely flips this gendered scheme of power-relations by using an intermediary, her rifle, to gain power over the male soldiers. For these G.I.s, the idea that women dont exist on the battlefield is hammered into them from boot camp. This process starts when the drill instructor marches into the barracks and instructs his soldiers that they should give their gun a female name and sleep with it at night because it will be the only female company they will receive during their tour of duty. In this manner, the soldiers are directed to receive the same sort of pleasure from killing and battle that they would normally expect from a full relationship with a woman. On a more abstract level, giving the gun a female name also establishes a mindset that women are tools (another name the drill instructor frequently uses to describe the rifle) in order to achieve pleasure for the soldier. In the battlefield, the soldiers subscribe to this philosophy wholeheartedly; taking their gun with them everywhere while leaving their transitory relationships with behind. Similarly, the complete lack of female soldiers in the army se ts up an expectation in their minds that all soldiers are male: all soldiers uses their women to kill. The introduction of the female sniper severely breaks all of these preconceptions for the American soldiers in several ways. First, she is a complete departure from the previous female characters in the film. Rather  than being subservient to the male G.I.s she dominates them, driving them away from an otherwise abandoned city. By using a rifle, she is in fact co-opting the tools of masculine domination that the American forces have relied on. By taking a tool that the men have identified as female, she is using her own femininity against them as a way of reversing the traditional power roles that the soldiers have come to expect. Secondly, her presence and the close proximity in which she is killed provides a more human and softer face than some of the soldiers had previously experienced. Joker in particular seems horrified by the facts of war once he is able to see the female sniper up close after she has been shot down. While some of the other soldiers are in favor of letting her suffer, Joker wants to effectively euthanize her. However, even when he makes the decision to shoot her one final time he has significant difficultly coming to grips with shooting a woman. In this way, the sniper once again demonstrates the power of her gender by forcing Joker, a self-described killer, to hesitate. Thus we can see that by making the sniper a female, Kubrick effectively utilizes her gender as a method of reversing the power roles established early in the movie and continued throughout.

US Role in Middle East Democracy

US Role in Middle East Democracy Democracy is described as a system of government whereby the power is vested in the people by electing representatives who rule them. It is also described as a government of the people by the people. Democracy was started in the ancient Greece and in England after the Magna Carta treaty of 1215. Greece citizens were allowed to speak and vote in the assembly. The Magna Carta treaty, on the hand, delegated some of the king’s powers to the people. The American Revolution is also credited with making a landmark in democracy by the creation of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Democratic principles require the equal treatment of all people and running an institution in a manner that is deemed impartial and fair. Other principles of democracy include respect to the rule of law and protection of the rights of the minorities (Diamond, Plattner, Brumberg). Democracies have been for and granted as a result of wars, revolutions, and economic circumstances. Tod ay the Middle East and in the greater Arab states’ democracy has been plagued by conflicts and authoritarian regimes exercising total control over the people. In the early 1990’s the United States began emphasizing on the development of civil societies in the Middle East through democratic aid pacts. By the 2009 fiscal year, the US annual assistance in the region surpassed the total amount of democratic aid pacts spent between 1991 and 2001. Though the pacts were categorized as democratic aids, it was not necessarily meant to promote the Middle East democracy rather than stability. Most of the Ngo’s who received US assistance avoided doing any act that could be construed as supporting a regime change (Diamond, Plattner, Brumberg). The US is more concerned about maintaining stability rather than the tenets of democracy. Democracy entails the alternation of power from the state to the people. America’s diplomacy in the Middle East is based on maintaining t he status quo and endorsing sheer stability, rather than upholding the ideals and principles of democracy. Tamara Wittes on Americas role in building Arab democracy In the recent years, the promotion of democracy has been a pillar of the US foreign policy not only in the Middle East, but across the globe. However, the true tenets and principles of democracy have always been evaded and questionable in the US foreign policy in the US. The US has supported authoritarian regimes and dictators to ensure stability and US interest and in return turned a blind eye to regime’s usurping of democracy. The US supported Saddam Hussein in Iran-Iraq war but later turned against him when he was perceived as weak after invading Kuwait, a longtime US ally in the Middle East. The Middle East is known to harbor over 60 percent of the world’s global oil reserves, and thus the US is more inclined to maintain stability in the region by overlooking implementation of democracy by the ruling regimes (Wittes,2008). Democracy is an evolutionary aspect rather than revolutionary. After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country held its first general election in 2005 to mark a transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy. However, to date, America still maintains a military presence in Iraq not to further the course of democracy but to maintain stability and security crucial to US foreign policy interests. Schools of thought in the US foreign policy international relations in the Middle East believe the country pursues stability at the expense of democracy in the region. When the Bush administration failed to prove Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction after 9/11, the administration used the notion of democracy to invade Iraq to stamp out Al-Qaeda. The use of democracy as an affront to war was based on the notion that, the overthrow of Saddam’s rule would bring a democratic domino effect across the entire Middle East region. The invasion of Iraq was not entirely based on ensuring democracy, but a US policy of maintaining security and stability in the region. The then, US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice on her nomination hearing before the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee in January 2005, announced that one of the administration’s diplomacy priorities is to strengthen the community democracies to fight and alleviate common security threats and ensure stability (Wittes,2008). The US ‘soft democracy promotion’ in the Middle East can be explained in two ways. The US fears it may bring about unfavorable results that may not be in tandem with Washington’s interests. This can be attributed to the election of Islamic factions in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq who oppose America’s liberal democracy in the region. In Palestinian, the US pushed for elections in return for a guaranteed US support for a future Palestinian state. The elections culminated in the election of Hamas, an Islamic group classified as a terrorist organization by the US and EU. Hamas refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist, and it later led to the refusal of the UN, EU, US and Russia to recognize Hamas as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. (Wittes,2008). Witte also articulates that, the US fears a conflict of interest situation with its allies which may hinder co-operation on strategic issues in the region. For example, to openly deman d for the promotion of democracy in Saudi Arabia may constrain its relationship with the US and push towards China or Russia or run the risk of Islamic radicals taking over the country. Principal determinants of the US Policy in the Middle East Since the Second World War, the Middle East has been of essential interest to the United States. Today, the Middle East has evolved to become a permanent US geopolitical interest. The US policy in the region has long been based on economic factors and regional stability. These determinants have been essential to US that they have overridden democracy and the principles of democracy in the region (Dodge, 2008). Middle East’s presence of oil reserves is a key determinant of the US policy and elations in the Middle East. A 1945 US State Department memorandum described Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves as a stupendous source of strategic and one of the world’s greatest material prizes in history. In 2006, 27 percent of the world’s oil came from the Middle East with the US buying over half of it. President G. W. Bush acknowledged this by stating that, ‘America is addicted to oil’ (Dodge, 2008). US’s dependence on the Middle East oil illustrates that the US will always be cautious about taking any aggressive stance that might be upset or strain its Middle East allies. Nonetheless, as the world’s most powerful nation and the biggest economy, the US has a responsibility to protect this vital interest. In return, the US gets favorable oil prices and strategic partners in the region. The vital oil interest in the Middle East makes the US overlook the exercise of democracy in the region, keep supporting the ruling regimes to ensure there is stability in the region. Today, in Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to vote or lead certain key institutions and the US is its biggest oil importer (Dodge, 2008). The US turns a blind eye on this key violation of democracy for fear that democracy may lead to instability in the region. The US instead keeps a diplomatic policy that maintains the status quo in the region to maintain stability and protect this key economic interest . US democracy effects of in respective Middle East states The US and Israel-and the Palestinians The Jewish state is a key US ally in the Middle East since the recognition of the state by President Harry Truman in 1948. Since then Israel has continued to enjoy US support over time. Israel’s support has remained to be a pillar of US foreign policy in the Middle East as the one of the few democratic states in the region. The US policy of the state is based on several factors in that, to ensure stability in the region and a stable ally. However, Israel’s unwavering US support however, pitted it against its neighbour states who viewed it as a threat to Palestine (Dodge, 2008). Israel has over time been accused of violating known international human rights, and the tenets of democracy but the US has however supported the state for the maintenance of stability in the region. The US backed Israel in its military strikes against the Palestinian authority and militants in the Gaza strip and the occupied territories of the west bank during the rule of Ariel Sharon. Subsequently, the US push for democracy in the Palestinian territories led to the election of a religious extremist group with terrorist affiliations. The US preconditioned the Palestinian territories to allow room for democracy and in return the US would support the formation of a future Palestinian state (Dodge, 2008). The elections culminated in the election of Hamas, an Islamic group classified as a terrorist organization by the US and EU. Hamas refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist, and it later led to the refusal of the UN, EU, US and Russia to recognize Hamas as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The preset preconditions were that the Palestine territories would accept Israel’s right to existence, abandon violence and acknowledge previous Palestine-Israel agreements. In 2007, following a forcible capture of Gaza by Hamas the US responded by imposing economic sanctions on the Palestinian enclave. The US at the same time rapidly increased funding of the West-Bank under the control of Fatah. Fatah was headed by Mahmoud Abbas had received US support in his candidacy for prime minister and president in 2003 and 2005 respectively. The US’s intention of the increased Fatah’s funding was to undermine the Hamas movement and strengthen the Fatah party. This scenario indicates that the US promoted Fatah because there was a viable condition for having a democracy and ensuring in the region (Dodge, 2008). Bahrain In the Middle East Bahrain is an key US ally primarily due to the location of US Navy Fifth Fleet command headquarters situated in the country’s capital and due to Bahrain’s importance to Saudi Arabia as a check to Iran. Bahrain’s ruling government is comprised of the Sunni minority whereas the Shia Muslims, who are the country’s majority are minimally represented in government. The principles of democracy articulate that, in any democratic setting the ruling government must respect and teat the minority in equal measure as the majority. However, the US tends to overlook this aspect for the maintenance of stability in the region. Military aid in the country increased in 2001 from 235,000 dollars to 90.4 million in 2004 (Carothers Ottaway,2010). This was largely attributed to the US’s policy of key Bahrain as an ally and maintaining stability in the region by allowing the continued stay of US troops in the region. Iraq The Iraq invasion of 2003 was based on based on the notion that there was a need to counter US threats and bring stability and the only way viable way to do so was by introducing democracy in Iraq. Saddam’s twenty four year rule was overthrown amid an effort to bring democracy to the country and the entire Middle East region. The introduction of democracy in Iraq was seen as the cornerstone of democracy in the entire region. US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice termed the transformation of Iraq as a key element of a very distinct Middle East (Dalacoura,2005). The fall of Saddam’s Baath party led to a collapse of public order which was highly unanticipated by the US. The collapse gave birth to the formation of Islamic insurgent groups that engaged the US in a war to push them out of Iraq. An extreme shortage in basic necessities such as food and water swept across the country. Insecurity became rampant and majority of the people were displaced, and a new conflict was fo rmed. A conflict between the US military and Iraq insurgents. The collapse of public order threatened stability in the region and led engagement of the longest US war in history. In Saddam’s twenty-four year rule, Iraq largely experienced stability and public order which was constrained by US’s introduction of democracy in the country. After the formation of an elected government, the country privatized all state -owned companies in all sectors except oil and minerals. This was viewed an economic reform of the country. New bilateral agreements were signed to ensure stability in the region (Dalacoura,2005). Jordan Due to its constitutional monarch, Jordan has for a long time been regarded as one of the most stable states in the Middle East. During the Bush administration, Jordan and the US only engage on an ‘as needed’ basis only. However, after the Iraq invasion in 2003, this need be basis changed. The US reviewed its relations with the Jordan and democratic reforms. However, the renewed interest of democracy in US was based on ensuring stability in the region and the significance of maintenance of peace with Israel. An agreement with the US was signed that allowed Jordan to consolidate its debt with the US. In return, Jordan agreed to train Iraq police on its soil to help combat the growing insurgency in Iraq. State interactions between the two countries increased (Carothers Ottaway,2010). Lebanon Renewed calls for democracy in Lebanon led to the country’s first free and fair general elections in 2005. The election resulted in the election of Hezbollah, a terrorist group in government. Election of the group to government led to widespread negative press against the US, but the US still kept maintaining diplomatic relations with the country for the sake of stability. The introduction of democracy in the country by US was perceived as a way maintaining stability by giving people a chance to elect leaders of their choice (Carothers Ottaway,2010). However, the election of Hezbollah faced the US with a dilemma of how to maintain diplomatic relations with the country with a government that representatives with known terrorist affiliations Syria Due to Syria’s classification as a state sponsor of terrorism the US only exercises minimal direct interactions with the state. Syria has been ruled by the Assad dynasty for decades. The Assads practice total authoritarian rule over their subjects. Under the Obama administration, the US threatened to invade Syria to impose democracy and rule of law in the country. The invasion was vetoed by Russia in the UN Security Council meeting. After the veto of military intervention, the US sponsored a revolution to topple that Assad government by supplying weapons to the revolutionary groups Documents on Democracy. (2014). A general election was held in 2014, and Bashar al-Assad won by a landslide victory. 88.7 percent of the electorates elected him even after been opposed by the US. Though the US did not explicitly acknowledge Assad’s election it recommended the people for participating in the election. References Carothers, T., Ottaway, M. (Eds.). (2010). Uncharted journey: promoting democracy in the Middle East. Carnegie Endowment Dalacoura, K. (2005). US democracy promotion in the Arab Middle East since 11 September 2001: a critique. International affairs, 81(5), 963-979. Dodge, T. (2008). US foreign policy in the Middle East (pp. 214-235). Oxford University Press. Documents on Democracy. (2014). Journal Of Democracy, 25(4), 180-185. doi:10.1353/jod.2014.0078 Diamond, L. J., Plattner, M. F., Brumberg, D. (Eds.). (2003). Islam and democracy in the Middle East. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press. Wittes, Tamara Cofman (2008). Freedom’s unsteady march: Americas role in building Arab democracy. The Brookings Institution

Revelation and Rebirth in Helena Viramontes The Moths Essay

Revelation and Rebirth in Helena Viramonte's The Moths  Ã‚      The famous phrase "looks may be deceiving" strongly pertains to Helena Viramontes's short story, "The Moths." The story, instead of focusing the creatures in the title, is actually about a young girl who comes of age as she is faced with the deterioration and death of her grandmother. Even though the title, "The Moths," seems to have no relevance at the beginning, these creatures help to portray a sense of spirituality, rebirth, and become, finally, an incarnation of the grandmother. The relationship between the moths and the main characters aids in conveying the main theme of the story, which is not simply the death of a loved one, but a spiritual and maturing experience undergone by the grandchild. The moths help illustrate a sense of spirituality in this short story. Abuelita, the grandmother, uses old remedies which stem from a religious/spiritual nature to cure physical illnesses such as scarlet fever and other infirmities. Her granddaughter is very disrespectful and doubtful of the medicines which her grandmother used, but they always work. The granddaughter tells us that "Abuelita made a balm out of dried moth wings . . . [to] shape my hands back to size" (Viramontes 1239). In this way the granddaughter begins to accept the spiritual belief and hope. The spirituality is not only present in the moth wing balm, but is also evident after the death of her grandmother. A sense of spirituality is apparent in the quote, "Then the moths came. Small gray ones that came from her soul and out through her mouth fluttering to light" (1242). This presents a religious parallel in which the light resembles heaven. These moths represent angels who are carrying Abuelit... ...esses the grandchild?s comfort when she is at her grandmother?s house (1239). Abuelita is her grandchild?s guardian angel or moth?she shows her the light. She cures her illnesses, instills values in her, and brings religion into her life. She is the reason that the grandchild undergoes such spiritual and emotional maturation. It is clearly apparent that "The Moths" is not only the title, but also an important piece of the story which embodies its central theme. The moths become the catalyst that gives identity to the grandmother and her granddaughter, bringing revelation, security, rebirth, and the desire to be reunited. The grandmother, in becoming a moth herself, leaves some of herself behind with her grandchild. Works Cited Viramontes, Helena. "The Moths." The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: HarperCollins, 1991. 1239- 1242.   

Writing Prompts

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Children spend a lot of time watching television. Have you thought much about the programs and advertisements you watch. Can you tell the difference between what happens on television and what is real? Write a passage that demonstrates that you do know the difference. Customizing the Questions You can modify the questions by changing the audience. I've generally focused the writer's attention on writing a letter to the editor of a local community newspaper or the school paper. You can modify the assignment by asking students to write a letter to the principal, to a teacher, to the school board, to the governor, to a state senator (or similar politician), to the city board, to their classmates, to the PTA president (or other officers), and so on. College students might write to students attending the high school that they graduated from. 1. [School Uniforms] There has been a problem in local schools with discipline and violence. Your school board has decided to institute a school uniform policy in order to cut down on these problems, based on the positive examples that they have seen at other schools. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position on this issue and supporting it with convincing reasons. 2. [Locker Searches/Personal Searches] The principal at your school has instituted random locker and backpack/bookbag searches to check for guns, knives, and other weapons. Anyone caught with these weapons will be immediately suspended. The principal argues that the random searches will not only guard against illegal weapons at school but will also will help students feel safer. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. 3. [Too Much Homework] Some of the parents at your school have started a campaign to limit the homework that teachers can assign to students. Teachers at your school have argued that the homework is necessary. What is your position? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. 4. [Censorship] Your local public library has come under criticism for allowing patrons under the age of 18 to check out books that are unacceptable. The books are either explicit, describe graphic violence, or use questionable language. Most recently, a high school senior checked out James Joyce's Ulysses. The student's parents did not approve of the student reading the book and complained to the town council. As a result, the council is considering removing all questionable books from the library. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. 5. [Litter] A litter problem has developed on your school's campus. Students are throwing trash on the ground, leaving empty soda cans and bottles outside on benches, and dropping napkins and other trash on the cafeteria floor rather than carrying them to the trash can. Your principal has asked students to take more care, but the litter problem persists. The principal has reacted by canceling all after-school activities until the problem is taken care of. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. 6. [New Highway Exit] The state has created a plan to add a second highway exit to help shoppers access a busy shopping mall. The only problem is that the new exit will move the access road 500 yards closer to a near-by elementary school. Teachers and parents at the school complain that moving the road closer will increase noise at the school and provide unnecessary distractions. The state planners have included privacy fences to help cut down on the problems, but the protesters are unsatisfied. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. 7. [Computers in the Classroom] As part of a new technology initiative, your local school district is increasing the number of computers in every school. The district plan provides for two computers in every classroom. Teachers at your school are lobbying instead to place all the computers together, creating two computer-based classrooms so that all students in a class can work at the computers together, rather than only one or two students at a time. The district is worried about the additional cost of creating and maintaining these special classrooms and is concerned about how access to the classrooms can be provided fairly and efficiently. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your point of view and supporting it with convincing reasons. 8. Bilingual Education] As part of a proposed educational initiative in your state, local school districts are responsible for providing required courses in both English language and Spanish language in order to increase the success of their programs. Because your state has a large population of Spanish speakers, the state education department believes that teaching these students in their first languag e will help them learn better and more quickly. Because of the limited budget, however, the local school board is concerned that they may not be able to provide the additional teachers or training needed for this program. They fear that they will lose state funding and accreditation even though 90% of the district's students pass their achievement tests on the first try. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your point of view and supporting it with convincing reasons. 9. [Grade Scale Change] One of the biology teachers at your school has decided to change from a ten-point grade scale (100 to 90 is an A, 89 to 80 is a B, etc. ) to a seven-point grade scale (100 to 93 is an A, 92 to 85 is a B, etc. ). The teacher is trying to encourage students to put more effort into their classes by raising the requirements. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. 10. [Online Schools] The state department of education has provided funding for an experimental online school. All the classes will take place on the Internet, using email, online chat, and the world wide web. The students taking classes at this new online school will never meet each other face-to-face. They will only interact online with each other and with their teachers. The state is hoping this program will provide fairer educational access to students in outlying, rural areas. Opponents of the program argue that because of their lack of interaction with other students in a traditional classroom, the students who attend this online school will not develop the social skills that should be a component of their education. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position on this issue and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Role Of Queen In Beowulf & Grendel Essays - Beowulf, Geats

Role Of Queen In Beowulf & Grendel Essays - Beowulf, Geats Role of Queen in Beowulf & Grendel In both texts, Beowulf and Grendel, the main purpose of the Queen's are to serve the courts as "weavers of peace". In Grendel however, Queen Wealththeow is described in much greater detail and serves a further purpose. The reader gains insight to a part Grendel that is not present in Beowulf, his desire for a human. It was not unusual for women to be offered as tokens of peace within the noble courts. In the novel Grendel, Wealhtheow's brother, King of the Helmings, bestowed her to King Hrothgar to promote peace amongst the Helmings and Scyldings. "She had given, her life for those she loved. So would any simpering, eyelash batting female in her court, given the proper setup, the minimal conditions"(Grendel, p.102). It is ironic how she promoted peace from her arrival because she was an essential part in keeping peace, as the "weaver of peace" in the later of both texts. Queen Wealhtheow however is not the only woman in the texts that was forsaken to encourage appeasement amongst feuding courts. Queen Hygd was offered to Hygelac under very similar circumezces as told in Beowulf, and portrayed the same role in Hygelac's kingdom. There is reference in both texts concerning this tradition, and it is evident to the reader that this is not an unusual Anglo-Saxon custom. Queen Wealhtheow and Queen Hygd served as excellent role models for the courts in which they served. They exemplified the mannerisms and etiquette of the noble people. Queen Wealhtheow showed excellent poise from the very beginning of both texts. She was admirable as she passed the mead bowl around Heorot. The offering of the bowl was symbolic, being that the bowl was first given to Hrothgar and then passed to Beowulf, as if she presented him with her trust. Beowulf gave Wealhtheow his guarantee that he would be successful or die in battle. After she presented Hrothgar and Beowulf with the mead bowl she served the Scyldings, and did so as if they were her own people. She was not a Scylding, nor did she desire to be one, but she never made her unhappiness known, as described in Grendel. There is not great detail on Queen Hygd in Grendel, but from what the reader can gather from Beowulf, she is as much of a female role model as Queen Wealhtheow. She was young but very intelligent. In fact King Hygelac felt intimidated by Hygds intelligence. Queen Hygd was unlike Wealhtheow in the way in which she did not bare many gifts. Hygd was more concerned about the future of the people of her kingdom succeeding Hygelacs death than Wealhtheow. Hygd offered Beowulf the kingdom because she believed it was in the best interest of the people, she loved the warriors and wished peace amongst all the people. Wealtheow on the other hand felt that the kingdom should be preserved for her sons. Wealhtheow spoke after the "fight at Finnsburg" about the importance of her sons taking over the kingdom in the poem Beowulf, and this reminds Hrothgar of his age. This same speech affected Hrothgar in both texts. It forced him to contemplate his worthiness of Wealhtheow. He realized that she was young and beautiful, and need not be with an old man. Which made his sorrow even worse is the fact that she knew all this as well. Queen Wealhtheow put up an excellent disguise when hiding the pain she experienced from being forced to be Hrothgars wife. Unlike in Beowulf, in Grendel the reader was given insight into Wealhtheow's sorrow. The only time she would display her unhappiness was when she would lie in bed at night with Hrothgar with her eyes full of tears. Sometimes she would leave the kingdom to dwell in her sorrows but she would be immediately surrounded by guards, and escorted inside. Wealhtheow was homesick, she missed her land, and her brother. When her brother visited Heorot she paid no attention to Hrothgar, and Hrothgar fulfilled passing around the mead bowl. In Grendel, it told of Hrothgar's love for wealhtheow. He would often stare at her in admiration. Despite her resentment she treated Hrothgar with much respect, she always looked

Social Work in canada Essay Example

Social Work in canada Essay Example Social Work in canada Essay Social Work in canada Essay Essay Topic: The Social Contract Learning Goals In this module students will be able to examine and discuss: The differences between social services delivered by the government (public sector), the voluntary sector (non-profits and the private sector (for profits The programs delivered by each sector; The strengths and weaknesses of each of these approaches to service delivery; Ethical issues related to service delivery; The significance of informal helpers; and, The consumer movement. The concepts of informal helpers and the consumer movement will be defined in the module. 2 Readings and Guiding Questions Required Readings While reading the lecture notes for this module, you will be Instructed, at various points, to read certain chapters from your Turner and Turner textbook and/or to read resources found on the Internet. Below Is a summary of the required readings found in this module? It Is essential that you read these resources as you could be tested on the final exam. Turner and Turner, Chapter 14: Agencies in General Turner and Turner, Chapter 26: Informal Helping and Mutual Aid Turner and Turner, Chapter 15: Industries and the Provision of Social Services Part 1: Read Turner and Turner, Chapter 14: Agencies in General. Note sections that address the issue of funding. ) Then, based on your reading, answer the following questions in writing in your own private notes: 1 . How does the voluntary sector find the money for its programming? 2. In chapter 14, page 21 5, the author states that The recent policy objectives of fiscal restraint and prevarication have made the purchase of services from commercial providers attractive to governments. What do you think of these policy objectives? She goes on to give as one of the reasons for this attractiveness as increased efficiency through competition What political ideology do you think this presents? Do you agree or disagree? Issues related to prevarication continue to be hotly debated, while the commercial sector grows and thrives. 3. Check out as many of the funding sources for the three sectors as you can find in your text. Explain one strength and one limitation that exists for each sector in delivering responsive social services. Part 2: Read Turner Turner, Chapter 26: Informal Helping and Mutual Aid. Use the following questions to help you to focus on and understand the key concepts and ideas In the readings. Jot down your ideas for your future review. 1 . Cosmos, the author of this chapter, makes the following assertion (as noted below). Name the three major reasons he gives for this change In attitude. There are a number of reasons why professionals are now less likely to see Informal kinds of helping as insignificant, antagonistic, or competitive. 2. How does Cosmos define 3. Why are social service professionals so far down the list when people consider looking for help? 4. Explain the difference between mutual aid and self-help groups? Give three examples of each. 5. Both the formal service system and the informal sector have strengths and weaknesses. Name one major strength and one weakness for each. Part 3: Click on the links below and see what governments do in the area of social welfare and social policy. Navigate around a bit so you become familiar with the sites (five or ten minutes each will do). Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 3 Introduction Read the following example of a community project. Look for the intended goal or goals in this example and see if you can identify potential problems in meeting these goals. The goal of the Youth Futures service delivery was to assist in the development f personal and economic self-sufficiency for a particular client group. This goal is not uncommon. In the case of Youth Futures, the client group consisted of young adults on social assistance. The majority were of Aboriginal ancestry and a large number were single parents, primarily women. These two groups and their relationship to personal and economic well being will be discussed more thoroughly in subsequent modules. Wait For now, think about the possible needs of this particular client group as you read through the following information. Question Ask yourself how their needs might be dressed through a different service delivery approach that would successfully achieve the stated goal. Youth Futures was a pilot project implemented by the provincial government in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1997. The purpose of the project was to provide education and Job training opportunities for low-income 18-21 year olds. The government wanted to reduce the rising number of people on social assistance and believed that offering services to young adults could break the welfare cycle. The success of the pilot would determine whether this approach should be extended throughout the province. Three government ministries now titled, Social Services; Education; and Advanced Education Employment and Labor, initiated and directed the project. Representatives from these ministries formed a steering committee in Prince Albert. They hired a director and invited community members to participate on the committee. The community members included Aboriginal elders and representatives of the 18-21 year old client group. The project director and representatives of the steering committee hired five staff members to work directly with the young adults. In October, approximately 350 clients were transferred from Social Services to Youth as expected to meet with one of the five staff members to develop an action plan and then to evaluate the plans success in future meetings. The possibilities for action plans included: attending high school or ASSIST to complete a Grade 12, participating in a life skills course or a Job training program of less than 11 weeks, or doing volunteer work. Youth Futures involved a change in financial support. Before the transfer from Social Services, basic living expenses such as rent and utilities had been paid directly by the government. Clients received two small cheeses, one near the middle and the there at the end of the month, to cover food and minor expenses only, and any allotment for day care was tied to program attendance. Forms were submitted and verified before any money was released. To move toward the intended goal of self-sufficiency, each Youth Futures client now received a full queue once a month to cover their basic needs; rent, utilities and food, plus daycare money for those who were attending programs and had dependents. The expectation was for them to accept financial responsibility. A final report released in March 1999 provided information about the Youth Futures artisans. During the history of the project, over 68% had been female, 52. 5% had at least one dependent, and 87% were of Aboriginal ancestry. Although some statistics were quoted regarding success rates, the evaluator noted that a system had not been available at the beginning of the project to record the actions taken with clients and their outcomes. In addition to this methodological problem, a huge amount of written data that did exist combined with a large amount of missing or not-entered data made a meaningful quantitative analysis very difficult. The project operated until March 2000. At that time the government withdrew the funding and the project closed. No reason was forthcoming. The 1999-2000 Annual Report from Saskatchewan Post Secondary Education and Skills Training, as Advanced Education Employment and Labor was then called, only indicated: Section 2. 4. 3. Implement a pilot project to test approaches for providing youth on social assistance with education, training, work experience and other supports to become self-sufficient. The 2-year pilot in Prince Albert, Youth Futures, (1997/98 and 1998/99), to assist youth in making the transition to adulthood and becoming contributing embers of society was funded for an additional year to enable evaluation. It concluded on March 31, 2000. This is a brief look at one example of delivering service to a community. Additional information regarding the Youth Futures project is available upon request from the Ask. Department of Community Resources. 4 The Government (Public Sector) As we learned in the module on social policy, economics and political ideology determine the extent of government involvement in delivering social services. The assumption is that governments which are more oriented towards a socialist ideology revise and to have control over their delivery. Governments with a conservative ideology limit their involvement in providing direct services and service delivery is provided primarily by the voluntary or private sector. Yet, globalization and capitalism in general have created a scenario whereby all governments appear to function somewhere between socialist and conservative ideologies. The emphasis is on debt reduction, economic security, and on ensuring that the powerful business class is not alienated or unhappy. A recent example of government ideology determining social policy is seen in the area of child care. Under the Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin agreements were concluded with most provinces during 2004-2006 whereby the federal government would substantially increase funding of day care programs that would increase the number of spaces and the quality of care in licensed facilities. In January 2006 a Conservative government was elected which almost immediately canceled the Liberal day care agreements and instituted a programmer which would transfer $1200/year to families for each child under six regardless of income level. This appears to be a government with a conservative ideology instituting a universal aerogram but with limited application (children under six) and much reduced funding which only serves to reduce the progressive/conservative distinction. Which programmer would you see as benefiting children and families the most? Which might be most economical? All levels of government, federal, provincial and municipal, deliver government services. Although various services are the responsibility of a particular level, in practice these services may be provided by another level of government. For example, the provincial government is responsible for education and the federal overspent bears responsibility for the education of Aboriginal people. In the case of the Youth Futures example previously described, the majority of 18-21 year olds were Aboriginal. When clients left the reserve and moved to Prince Albert to take advantage of Youth Futures, the province was reluctant to fund these clients. Why might this be? The participants also risked losing reserve funding if the reserve takes the position that once the individual left the reserve, he or she was no longer their responsibility. Ids This blurring of boundaries also occurs because much of the funding is cost-shared. Decisions made at the federal level can determine what services the provinces or the municipalities are capable of delivering. Is this something like he who pays the piper calls the tune? With a pilot project like Youth Futures, the province provides initial funding but this money is limited to two or th ree years. At that point the municipality or community is expected to continue on their own. Why do you think that Prince Albert was unable to provide funding for the continuation of this project? revise even though these are considered the responsibility of the provinces. Other programs that the federal government delivers include services for seniors, employment/unemployment services, and immigrant and refugee resettlement. The provincial government in Saskatchewan is responsible for service delivery of education, social services and child welfare. In the past it has provided health and mental health services. However, many of these have now become the responsibility of health districts. The provincial government, though, provides funding for these districts plus financial support for a number of voluntary organizations providing health services. The provincial government is now involved with immigrant and settlement services. Municipal governments have developed and delivered services, often in response to local problems. These might include programs for the homeless, for street youth, or for young street workers. Municipal governments are also responsible for infrastructure costs to local roads and highways. Some municipalities have social planning departments that monitor social issues and plan responses. Municipalities typically enter into agreements with other agencies and levels of government because their funding sources are more limited. Recently, services offered by municipalities have declined because of shrinking transfer payments and increasing demands for tax cuts. 4. 1 Strengths and Weaknesses Government (the Public Sector) In theory, a program run by a democratic government reflects the will of the community. It has the force of public policy and commitment, involves careful scrutiny and accountability, and has a stable infrastructure. Services are provided for people, regardless of their ability to pay. Workers tend to have adequate salaries and some protection because governments typically have employees unions. Hands But, as we know, the waters are muddy in practice. Services provided by government for people regardless of income are favored by more socialist (and to a lesser extent by liberal) governments, while more conservative governments tend to limit services to those with the most limited incomes. The child care example on the previous page illustrates Just the opposite a conservative government providing a grant for every child regardless of family income. Debut there are problems with government services. They can be subject to political ideologies and respond to changes in government (child care program orientation for example) rather than thoughtful planning. Another example, in recent years neo-conservative governments have limited both public and voluntary top heavy. Governments that are assumed to espouse socialist and liberal ideologies may have policies that appe ar to be conservative, often a response to their concerns about risks to their political survival. Both workers and clients can feel powerless in determining programs and how services are delivered. Real problems can be denied and hidden because of a governments need to remain free of criticism and maintain the interests of its political masters. 5 The Voluntary Sector WFM In Canada we have had a long history of social services provided by community- minded volunteer groups, religious or faith community groups and other special interest groups. Many of these volunteers addressed issues of concern to their community before any level of government developed a structure for the delivery of social services. These volunteer, religious and special interest groups are currently categorized either as non-governmental organizations (Nags) or as community- based organizations (Cobs). Some call them the non-profit sector and other appellations. Nos or Cobs are usually operated by a voluntary board of directors. The board determines the purpose of the organization and how it will fulfill its goals. It may receive funding from government grants, various funding sources, from community fund raising efforts such as the United Way and its own efforts, e. G. Bottle drives, or from charging fees for service or a combination of these. A very few examples of these organizations are: Big Brothers/Sisters; battered womens shelters; gay and lesbian heath/social service agencies; youth drop-in centers; family service agencies; food banks; soup kitchens; seniors groups; and peccadillo health associations such as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CAIN), the Alchemists Society and the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. Strengths and Weaknesses Workers can often have more input in decision-making because voluntary organizations tend to be smaller than governments and have a flatter organizational structure (fewer managerial levels). Consumers can also have influence through membership on the board of directors. Because of their voluntary nature, there is less chance of political interference but that might depend on the extent of government funding. Finally, changes can be made more easily within these organizations than within large bureaucratically operated structures. One of the biggest problems is raising money, whether through grant applications or fund raising activities. Finances are uncertain and can take time and energy away from delivering services. Voluntary organizations also have a difficult time finding resources for clients considered unpopular. For example, people are more likely to donate to programmers for children with disabilities than to those for adolescent the latter groups may have a greater need for service. 6 The Private Sector The Turner text, Chapter 14, uses the term private for not for profit and for profit commercial services for those that are privately owned. In this module, the term private is reserved for services that are commercial. These are delivered by individuals or organizations that are privately owned and that operate for profit. In recent years, there has been a trend to provide services on a for profit basis. Individuals or groups form a business and sell their services. The profit goes to those who own the business. This can involve a single social worker in a private counseling reactive or companies such as those operating many nursing homes as a large international corporation. Managers in the private (commercial) sector may be trained professionals or they may be individuals with a business point of view who see the service as a product. Although social workers have often been criticized for engaging in for profit work, private practice has become an aspiration for many. It holds the appeal of being ones own boss and determining what is in the clients best interests. On the negative side, only those with the ability to pay become eligible. Services for poor people, such as advocacy and financial assistance, are virtually non- existent in the private sector. An exception to some extent for the provision to persons with marginal incomes is the employee benefit, the Employee Assistance Programmer (EPA), though the catch is that one must be employed by an employer who subscribes to this type of benefit. Examples of private services include: private counseling agencies (see the yellow pages); privately owned nursing homes; and proposals such as the Omni Surgery Centre. As we can see, private services are a growing segment of our health care services. In some provinces (not Saskatchewan) day care may be provided commercially. Private sector organizations have argued that their services are more flexible, less expensive, and more responsive to consumer demand. There are those who believe that the free market system allows the best services to flourish and the poor ones to disappear. In addition, private organizations often lack the huge bureaucracies that plague the larger public services. The primary risk here is the deterioration of services when profit becomes the motivating factor. There is also a tendency to hire on-union employees who will work for lower salaries and may not be as well trained. Market-driven services are developed for those who can afford them. Issues of social Justice and professional ethics may not be priorities in service delivery. Finding the money to provide social services is a challenge for all three sectors. Ethical Issues in Service Delivery There are many issues to consider in the development and delivery of services. Many of these have an ethical component. The most common issues include the following: Who makes the decisions within the agency or organization? Do service participants or employees have influence? Who is able to access the service? Do issues of cost, location, or staffing result in the exclusion of particular grou ps? Is appropriate care taken to hire qualified staff and to develop ethical procedures? For example, how is confidentiality ensured in a counseling agency? Is the organization committed to eliminating racism, homophobia, and sexism from their programs? Is the staff Do the workers receive an adequate salary and benefits? Is the workplace free of abuse for staff, volunteers and clients? 000004239994XSmall Although the responsibility for ethical service begins with the board of directors, the overspent leaders, or the owners of the organization, everyone has a responsibility. Social workers, in particular, are obligated to speak up when procedures violate the Social Work Code of Ethics. Help from Informal Sources Previous pages in this module dealt with services delivered by organizations that are structured and formalized to a lesser or greater extent, but most people receive help from informal sources as covered in Turner and Turner, Chapter 26. These sources include family members, friends, a faith community, a cultural community and self- help groups: Family Members many people have a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle or other relative they go to when problems arise. It does not take professional expertise to listen and support a member of ones own family. However, it is important not to idealize family relationships. As noted by Cosmos, the author of Chapter 26, for some people, the family network is the very reason they need help; they are abused, neglected, abandoned by their kith and kin. Friends precept for extremely isolated people, the majority of us have friends who can provide help. Because trust is critical, we automatically turn to someone we know ell and believe is trustworthy when we have a problem. Faith Community Germany people receive comfort and personal support from their faith community. In addition to informal helping, some communities have developed more formal counseling and outreach services. Cultural Community alike faith communities, cultural communities can offer tremendous support. Refugees, for example, would likely turn to members of their cultural and language group in times of difficulty. Self-Help Groups redpoll who have experienced a specific illness or addictions such as alcoholism, rugs, or eating disorders can receive help from those with the same problem. These are the people who genuinely understand and can share what was helpful to them. Simply knowing that one is not alone and different can make a tremendous difference. Some of these groups, such as those for diabetics or Alchemies or Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, have developed a formalized structure. However, if a client does not wish to Join a self-help group, numerous books and tapes are available for individual use. 9 The Consumer Movement What should we be called? In the health system, were referred to as patients. But this term can be associated with someone who is lacking in insight and expertise. The sick person becomes dependent on a professional and the patients observations can be dismissed in favor of the superior knowledge of the expert. Also taken on negative characteristics. More recently social workers have been struggling to find language that is more empowering. Terms such as service user and consumer have been used. It is believed that referring to someone as a consumer implies equality because the one receiving the services is in charge and the service provider becomes a servant of sorts. Consumers now have the power. If they are not satisfied with the service, they can take their business elsewhere. Nevertheless, even these terms have been viewed as less than adequate. That is, human service workers continue to struggle to find language that is not disemboweling. In one Saskatoon agency, for example, workers have decided to avoid terms such as consumer and service user. Instead, they talk about the families and individuals who access services. Some social activists believe that using the term consumer simply obscures the reality of the power imbalance between consumer and service provider. It buys onto the business model and describes a relationship between two participants instead of viewing social services as societal relationships that affect all people. Activists prefer the term citizen. They believe this word has much broader implications of empowerment and responsibility. Some people who have been unhappy with the services theyve received call themselves survivors. For example, many consumers of psychiatric services refer to themselves as survivors of psychiatry. Anti-oppressive social work practitioners emphasize that language is important and that we must continue to reflect on how we use it. What term do you see as most appropriate? 9. 1 Consumer Empowerment People Empowerment stricter providers and advocates believe that a deliberate strategy is necessary to include those persons using services to be part of decision making. The following outline indicates some of the ways that this occurs. People Run Services Collectives Self help groups Hired professionals to work for the consumers Partnerships People are in equal partnership with service providers Contractual agreements Consultation Direct consultation(s) Advisory committee(s) Program evaluations that invite consumer responses Tokenism Representation on boards but no real influence on policy decisions Opinions sought but ignored Placement on organizational charts but having no real power 10 Group Discussion Forum Assignment staples go to group discussion forum for this module. All groups are to discuss the question for this module with other group members and post before the end of the module day. In responding to the questions, also include responses to the postings made before you. The point of the Discussion Forum is not only for you to think about Question What are some of the key issues that had a particular impact on you during the adding for this week? Were there any new ideas for you? Was there relevance to your life? How might these reflections influence your decisions about how you will approach the profession of social work? 11 Journal Assignment Act Please answer the following questions and include your answers with the Journal hand-in assignments. Remember a time when you turned to someone for help with a problem. It could be a formal agency or an informal helper or helping system. What was your experience? Please dont describe the problem in detail. How would you describe the qualities that make a successful helper?

The History of Fluorescent Lights

The History of Fluorescent Lights How were fluorescent lights and lamps developed?  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹When most people think of lighting and lamps, they think of the incandescent light bulb developed by Thomas Edison and other inventors. Incandescent light bulbs work by using electricity and a filament. Heated by electricity, the filament inside the light bulb exhibits resistance that results in high temperatures that cause  the filament to glow and emit light. Arc or vapor lamps work differently (fluorescents fall under this category), the light is not created from heat, the light is created from the chemical reactions that occur when electricity is applied to different gases enclosed in a glass vacuum chamber. The Development of Fluorescent Lights In 1857, the French physicist Alexandre E. Becquerel who had investigated the phenomena of fluorescence and phosphorescence  theorized about the building of fluorescent tubes similar to those made today. Alexandre Becquerel experimented with coating electric discharge tubes with luminescent materials, a process that was further developed in later fluorescent lamps. American Peter Cooper Hewitt (1861-1921) patented (U.S. patent 889,692) the first mercury vapor lamp in 1901. The low-pressure mercury arc lamp of Peter Cooper Hewitt is the very first prototype of todays modern fluorescent lights. A fluorescent light is a type of electric lamp that excites mercury vapor to create luminescence.The Smithsonian Institute says that Hewitt built on the work of German physicist Julius Plucker and glassblower Heinrich Geissler. Those two men passed an electric current through a glass tube containing tiny amounts of gas and made light.  Hewitt worked with mercury-filled tubes in the late  1890s  and found that they gave off abundant but unappealing bluish-green light. Hewitt didnt think people would want lamps with blue-green  light in their homes, so he looked for other applications for it in photographic studios and industrial uses.  George Westinghouse and Peter Cooper Hewitt formed the Westinghouse-controlled Cooper Hewitt Electric Company to produce the first commercial mercury lamps. Marty Goodman in his History of Electric Lighting cites Hewitt as inventing the first enclosed arc-type lamp using metal vapor in 1901. It was a low-pressure mercury arc lamp. In 1934, Edmund Germer created a high-pressure arc lamp that could handle a lot more power in a smaller space. Hewitts low-pressure mercury arc lamp put off a large amount of ultraviolet light. Germer and others coated the inside of the light bulb with a fluorescent chemical that absorbed UV light and re-radiated that energy as visible light. In this way, it became an efficient light source. Edmund Germer,Friedrich Meyer, Hans Spanner, Edmund Germer: Fluorescent Lamp Patent U.S. 2,182,732 Edmund Germer (1901-1987) invented a high-pressure vapor lamp, his development of the improved fluorescent lamp and the high-pressure mercury-vapor lamp allowed for more economical lighting with less heat. Edmund Germer was born in Berlin, Germany, and educated at the University of Berlin, earning a doctorate in lighting technology. Together with Friedrich Meyer and Hans Spanner, Edmund Germer patented an experimental fluorescent lamp in 1927. Edmund Germer is credited by some historians as being the inventor of the first true fluorescent lamp. However, it can be argued that fluorescent lamps have a long history of development before Germer. George Inman and Richard Thayer: The First Commercial Fluorescent Lamp George Inman led a group of General Electric scientists researching an improved and practical fluorescent lamp. Under pressure from many competing companies, the team designed the first practical and viable fluorescent lamp (U.S. Patent No. 2,259,040) that was first sold in 1938. It should be noted that General Electric bought the patent rights to Edmund Germers earlier patent. According to The GE Fluorescent Lamp Pioneers, On Oct 14, 1941, U.S. Patent No. 2,259,040 was issued to George E. Inman; the filing date was Apr 22, 1936. It has generally been regarded as the foundation patent. However, some companies were working on the lamp at the same time as GE, and some individuals had already filed for patents. GE strengthened its position when it purchased a German patent that preceded Inmans. GE paid $180,000 for U.S. Patent No 2,182,732 that had been issued to Friedrich Meyer, Hans J. Spanner, and Edmund Germer. While one might argue the real inventor of the fluorescent lamp, it is clear that GE was the first to introduce it. Other Inventors Several other inventors patented versions of the fluorescent lamp, including Thomas Edison. He filed a patent (U.S. Patent 865,367) on May 9, 1896, for a fluorescent lamp that was never sold. However, he did not use mercury vapor to excite the phosphor. His lamp used x-rays.

Exercises in the ambulance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Exercises in the ambulance - Essay Example I would need to be thoroughly and constantly motivated in order to best deal with these situations, particularly considering that an emergency demands that I be in top form. Organization. Organization is important for a paramedic. When you are organized then you can treat patients more quickly. For example: When arriving at the accident spot where 2 people have been involved in an accident, I am first on the spot therefore need to quickly assess the situation and what I can best do to help. I need to determine whom is the most hurt and in which places in order to know who to treat first and who gets treated last. Organization helps keep me and others (my patients or assistant) calm, as well as helping me focus on the most important tasks. Using support: A person’s injuries might sometimes be life threatening. I might not have time to transport him or her to hospital, making it necessary that I conduct the required life-interventions on the spot. This might be traumatic for me, or the person might die despite my greatest efforts. These and other instances would make it easier for me to have a supervisor and/ or teacher that would assist me (someone whom I can talk cases over with) and family and friends whom I can share the pain with. Realistic expectations – Since I am the ‘doctor on the go’ and perhaps the only one in the situation, I must be prepared to deal with any possible situation. This could involve: CPR, assisting with childbirth, or using EKGs or X-ray devices. Reflect on their experience. Experience helps me become more confident and relaxed about my work. On the other hand, if I become too confident I might become too smug and make mistakes, therefore, it would help me to always reflect on situations that have occurred and ask myself where I did well and how I can do better. Strategic thinking. This means that I need to

Leonardo da Vinci Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Leonardo da Vinci - Research Paper Example Besides, Leonardo provided ample importance to his career as an artist, but provided less importance to his personal life. Thesis statement: Leonardo da Vinci’s professional life, major accomplishments, and major influences prove that Leonardo is symbolic of the influence of Renaissance spirit on humanity in general. Earlier Life: Some important facts on Leonardo’s birth, early life, parents, childhood days, and education are examinable. First of all, he was born in the year 1452. In addition, his birthplace was in Vinci. Joanne Mattern stated that, â€Å"Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in a town called Vinci, Italy† (8). His father was Ser Piero, and his mother was Caterina. His father was born in a wealthy family, but his mother was a peasant. He spent his early childhood with his mother. Later, Leonardo became under the control of his father. But Leonardo’s father did not try to be a role model to his son because he ignored Leonardoâ€℠¢s mother. For instance, Leonardo’s father married Albiera and Francesca Lanfredini. In short, Leonardo was raised in Florence, under the direct control of his father, and this deeply influenced his later life. But this did not affect his education because he received education in the Latin language, geometry, and math. Besides, hardships in early life helped Leonardo to turn his attention towards nature and to observe human relationship with nature. At the same time, Leonardo considered that art can help him to acquire mastery in different fields. Besides, he did not hesitate to learn new things in his life. So, one can see that all these factors molded Leonardo’s character. Personal life From a different angle of view, Leonardo considered that one’s personal life should not be shared with others. To be specific, his lifelong bachelorship, career centrism, and workaholic attitude hindered him from creating intimate relationships with women. Besides, his earlier life with his father may have instilled the feeling of hatred towards married life. But one must not misunderstand that Leonardo was not able to create and maintain cordial friendship with womenfolk. For instance, Leonardo maintained lifelong relationship with two women, named Beatrice and Isabella. Leonardo’s relationship with these women was so intimate because he painted Isabella’s portrait and carried the same with him. This proves that some women were allowed to enter Leonardo’s private domain without any restriction. From a different angle of view, Leonardo provided ample importance to his career and it reduced the scope of marriage in his life. In addition, Leonardo was a strict vegetarian. As an individual who is deeply interested in nature, vegetarianism and consideration towards living things deeply influenced his life philosophy. At the same time, Leonardo maintained a number of male friends in his private life. This helped him to be in touch with ot her fields of knowledge like mathematics, architecture, and military science. But Leonardo never disclosed his sexuality and never allowed strangers to enter his private circle. He passed away in the 16th century (say, in the year 1519). Professional life: Leonardo started his professional life with Verrocchio. John Malam stated that, â€Å"When Leonardo was in his teens, his father took him to the city of Florence to meet Andrea del Verrocchio, who was a well known artist†

Comparison of Two Types of Operational Budgets Assignment

Comparison of Two Types of Operational Budgets - Assignment Example Alternatively, variable costs can be stated as cost of every unit activity measure. Actual activity measures are then fed into the model after the accounting period. After this, the flexible budget is updated automatically by the variable costs. The resultant flexible budget is ten entered into the accounting system in order for comparisons to be made. These comparisons produce variances more relevant than those produced under a static budget. These variances are especially because the expenses involved are based on an activity. This accounts for the small variances registered in this comparison than those registered under static budget. Flexible budget can range across levels of sophistication. In basic flexible budget, alterations are recorded where there is a direct variation between certain expenses and revenues (Hope & Fraser, 2003). Under intermediate flexible budget, there are certain expenditures that will change with other activity measures and not with revenue. Advanced flexible budget deals with expenditures that vary only at given ranges of other activities and revenue. Master budget is a planning document that brings together all the budgets. It matches the beginning of a company’s fiscal year and be organized in quarters or months. The operating and financial budgets are the two parts of a master budget. It helps in judging the performance of company and its centers. The management makes modifies the master budget until it allocates funds to all set goals. Direct labor, direct materials, sales, manufacturing overhead and production are some of the budgets that show on a master budget (Finkler & McHugh, 2008). After preparation, the master budget is fed into the accounting system and financial reports are generated. Comparisons are then drawn between actual results and the budgeted amounts. There are spreadsheets that can help produce master budgets but they can have errors. A master budget appears

Econ final exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Econ final exam - Essay Example The price of alternative good, Y (PY) while the consumers income remains constant From the budget constraint PL1, the optimal use is at point e1 whereby the end user buys OX1 units of commodity X and OY1 units of product Y. The optimal consumption combination is located on a lower indifference curve U1. In the event that the price of commodity X falls, the buyer will tend to buy more of the good, budget constraint hence becomes flatter. The optimal consumption is now at point e2, whereby one buys OX2 units of X and OY2 units of Y. The consumer’s total utility, therefore, increases with the decrease in the price of the good with the optimal consumption combination at the indifference curve U2. This measures changes in buyer’s optimal consumption combination as a result of changes in the price of one commodity, say the price of good X (PX), which is an inferior good. The price of another good, say good Y (PY) and consumers income remaining constant. A market is a collection of consumers and producers, where consumers determine the demand and producers control the supply. In a competitive market, it is best understood in proper economic theory, where they depend on the numbers of both buyers and sellers available. In a market where the numbers of sellers drop to only two sellers, the economy is referred to as a duopoly market the price of the goods will fall below the optimal level. This is as a result of the tag war between the organization and sellers in the market. The sellers will try to win the available customers by providing a conducive price. (Jean 1991) A market with a single seller and multiple buyers is a monopoly. The prices in such kind of a market tend to rise above the optimal price of the commodity due the forces of demand and supply of the goods. With many buyers competing for a single commodity, the seller tend to

What was the main theme of chapter six in the Douglas narrative Why Assignment

What was the main theme of chapter six in the Douglas narrative Why was it important - Assignment Example The treatment of slaves in Baltimore town is humane as compared to the rural masters who mistreat their servants. The theme of knowledge and empowerment is important because it enables one to have the freedom the mind and feel respected. For instance, it is evident when Mrs. Auld insists to Douglas that education helps in freeing the mind. Initially, Mrs. Auld had not owned a slave and so she thinks that it is bad not to educate them on the basics. She indicates that education is the first step towards attaining physical and mental freedom (Douglass 30). The chapter ends with Douglas illustrating the fury over the mistreatment of Mary, who is a slave in the neighboring house. Although slavery is the prevalent theme, Douglas discovers that it is influenced by their lack of knowledge. It emerges that attaining education helps in understanding that slavery is unaccepted and people should avoid it. The whites take advantage of their slaves by owning them as property because they cannot fight for their

The Constitution Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Constitution - Thesis Example He further contends that many were disenfranchised and discriminated by the common law and thus were not represented in the Convention during its drafting which included countless adult males. In addition, most of the states at that time imposed property qualifications on the voters and consequently barred non-taxpayers. As most of the members of the conventions were lawyers and representatives of personalty, these individuals were 1'directly and personally interested in the outcome of their labors' and would economically benefit from the passage of the Constitution (Beard 59). Furthermore, Beard asserts that since these men were mostly merchants, shippers, bankers, speculators, and private and public securities holders, the Constitution was not crafted by 'the whole people.' Beard's assertions remained undisputed until 1956 when Robert Brown's critique titled Charles Beard and the Constitution: A Critical Analysis of An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution dispels and attacks Beard's thesis and conclusions for their lack of merit. Brown, attacking Beard's objectivity, argues that Beard failed to collect compelling data and evidence to support his contentions. In his critique, Brown scrutinizes the support for the Constitution among diverse economic and social divisions, the democratic character of the country, and the franchise within the states in eighteenth-century America. He holds that Beard was misguided and further added that, eighteenth-century America was democratic, the franchise was common, and there was extensive backing for the Constitution, alleging that his evidence contradicts Beard's arguments about the lack of democracy and the insubstantial support for the Constitution. According to Brown, since the Founding Fathers upheld the F ederal voting system done by indirect representation, the ratification of the Constitution was a democratic process and everyone's interests were aptly represented. Brown further argues that the constitution was not merely an economic document in which property was protected but it also stressed safeguards to life and liberty. This protection of property, Brown adds, is also essential to the protection of the individual and liberty. A close scrutiny of the US Constitution is necessary in order to resolve this conflict as the issue has its precedence in the Constitution itself. The textbook, 'We The People,' states that the charter 2'attempts to create a government that would be strong to protect commerce and property rights yet weak enough to threaten individual liberty.' The statement strengthens Brown's contentions that the provisions governing the protection of property are significant parts of the constitution. The Constitution also emphasizes that that the framers, 3'feared the call of equality' which could result to equal allotment of property, and consequently violate the freedom of property owners. Although Beard is right with his assertions that the economic interests of the framers and those who represented the public were given utmost importance, the focus on economic interests and rights to property as well as protection of those rights fortified individual freedom. It is also important to note that these economic interpretations of the

Should Parents Censor Textbooks for Children in Schools Research Paper

Should Parents Censor Textbooks for Children in Schools - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the American Library Association provides information about the first amendment along with comments and opinions. The site first gives the specific text of the first amendment which is as follows – â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances†. The above statement indicates a level of relative freedom for the citizens of the country with importance given to freedom of expression which can include literature and textbooks intended for schoolchildren. The above article further highlights the observation of the 1791 ruling of the Supreme Court which states that censorship of a society is a sign of weakness and can be seen as autocratic or authoritarian. What is to be mentioned here about the site i s that it does not provide any clarifications or any other opinions about these observations and statutes. But it does provide links to other sites like the Cornell Law University and other government sites that could provide further light on the topic. So, it can be seen as an introduction to the First Amendment with good links to other literature on the topic. These issues and opinions will now be reviewed with other available literature. The problem or the confusion with regard to freedom of expression and censorship is that the law does not specifically state or define the limits of these two topics. Hence the concept of censorship has to be viewed from other angles including philosophical and social views and individual court decisions.

The Constitution Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Constitution - Thesis Example He further contends that many were disenfranchised and discriminated by the common law and thus were not represented in the Convention during its drafting which included countless adult males. In addition, most of the states at that time imposed property qualifications on the voters and consequently barred non-taxpayers. As most of the members of the conventions were lawyers and representatives of personalty, these individuals were 1'directly and personally interested in the outcome of their labors' and would economically benefit from the passage of the Constitution (Beard 59). Furthermore, Beard asserts that since these men were mostly merchants, shippers, bankers, speculators, and private and public securities holders, the Constitution was not crafted by 'the whole people.' Beard's assertions remained undisputed until 1956 when Robert Brown's critique titled Charles Beard and the Constitution: A Critical Analysis of An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution dispels and attacks Beard's thesis and conclusions for their lack of merit. Brown, attacking Beard's objectivity, argues that Beard failed to collect compelling data and evidence to support his contentions. In his critique, Brown scrutinizes the support for the Constitution among diverse economic and social divisions, the democratic character of the country, and the franchise within the states in eighteenth-century America. He holds that Beard was misguided and further added that, eighteenth-century America was democratic, the franchise was common, and there was extensive backing for the Constitution, alleging that his evidence contradicts Beard's arguments about the lack of democracy and the insubstantial support for the Constitution. According to Brown, since the Founding Fathers upheld the F ederal voting system done by indirect representation, the ratification of the Constitution was a democratic process and everyone's interests were aptly represented. Brown further argues that the constitution was not merely an economic document in which property was protected but it also stressed safeguards to life and liberty. This protection of property, Brown adds, is also essential to the protection of the individual and liberty. A close scrutiny of the US Constitution is necessary in order to resolve this conflict as the issue has its precedence in the Constitution itself. The textbook, 'We The People,' states that the charter 2'attempts to create a government that would be strong to protect commerce and property rights yet weak enough to threaten individual liberty.' The statement strengthens Brown's contentions that the provisions governing the protection of property are significant parts of the constitution. The Constitution also emphasizes that that the framers, 3'feared the call of equality' which could result to equal allotment of property, and consequently violate the freedom of property owners. Although Beard is right with his assertions that the economic interests of the framers and those who represented the public were given utmost importance, the focus on economic interests and rights to property as well as protection of those rights fortified individual freedom. It is also important to note that these economic interpretations of the

Theories of Formation, Maintenance and Breakdown of Relationships Essay Example for Free

Theories of Formation, Maintenance and Breakdown of Relationships Essay The reward/ need satisfaction model (Byrne and Clore 1970) is a good example of how relationships are formed. It is based on the behavioural model which is influenced by both operant and classical conditioning where we form relationships due to direct or indirect rewards. These could be money, status, companionship, sex etc. However this theory is limited as it doesn’t take into account that participants in relationships are often concerned with equity. For example Hays (1985) found that in student friendships that rewarding someone and being rewarded oneself were valued equally. Also, not all relationships can be explained by this model as it suggests that all relationships are one sided in reward giving and that people don’t do things unless they thought they’d get e reward. This doesn’t explain why relationships continue even when they become satisfactory. The reward/ need satisfaction model is likewise culturally bias; the theory is relevant to Western cultures. Many Collectivist cultures, usually in the East, show little concern for the receipt of reinforcement. Maintenance of relationships can be explained through the Social Exchange Theory (Thibault and Kelley 1959). This is an economic theory which suggests that people maximise the possible rewards in a relationship whilst minimising their costs; specifically attraction. It also suggests that commitment to a relationship is dependent on profitability of the outcome – a cost-benefit ratio. It is the outcome of this which determines the attraction to one another. The theory also argues that if your partner has a ‘high cost’ then they have to counter balance that with lots of rewards. A strength of this theory is that it helps to explain why marital dissatisfaction doesn’t necessarily predict divorce. However it fails to explain what can cause initially successful marriages to breakdown. It also suggests that all people are selfish and that they would walk out of a relationship that has become unrewarding. That however does not explain cases of domestic violence. This theory is again culturally bias; it is based on Western cultures so it assumes that people can pick and choose their partners. It doesn’t take into account arranged marriages. Walster et al (1978), suggested the Equity theory in maintaining relationships. This theory suggests that relationships are maintained by a kind of economic balance to ensure equality between the two partners. This is achieved by matching the giving and receiving between the two partners. If there is an imbalance between them, then this is resolved by either adjusting the levels of giving and receiving, or comparing the relationships to somebody else’s to evaluate whether it is worth staying in the relationship or not. A supporting study was conducted by Hatfield et al (1979), who found that the happiest newly-weds were those that perceived an equitable relationship; those that were over or under benefited had lower satisfaction. However, Hatfield also said that equity was more important for females than males. This theory however is culturally bias; it was researched in a Western society. In some cultures relationships aren’t assessed on their economic validity, so this theory cannot be generalised. This theory also suffers from beta bias- there is no comparison between males and females, so it assumes that males and females have an identical attitude to relationships when they may actually look for different things in terms of relationship maintenance. Rollie and Duck (2006) have the most substantial model of relationship breakdown. It is a phase model that describes six stages of relationship breakdown. These start from the initial breakdown, intra -psychic process, dyadic process, social process, grace dressing process to the resurrection process; where at the end a person is supposed to redefine themselves and look for a new partner. The breakdown process- one or both of the partners becomes unhappy with the relationship- ‘I can’t stand this anymore’. Intra-psychic- the individual begins to over exaggerate the irritating the other one does and focus on the bad times- ‘I’d be justified in leaving’. The dyadic process- the unhappy partner confronts the other one and they bargain and negotiate terms- ‘I mean it, I want to leave’. Social process- both partners tell their friends and family who take sides to either support the relationship or the breakup- ‘it’s now inevitable’. The grave dressing process and resurrection process is where the relationship dies and decide what they want in future relationships- ‘time to get a new life’, ‘what I learned and how things will be different’. However this model doesn’t explain how couples stay together despite having misgivings about the relationship; as breakdown isn’t necessarily inevitable. The model also assumes that all relationships go through these specific stages which ignore individual differences; not all individuals discuss problems in their relationship. Some people may ignore their problems or end the relationship there and then. This theory is culturally bias as some Eastern cultures frown upon divorce so a married couple would stay married and therefore be stuck at the social process perhaps and not get the chance to move on. A strength of this theory though is that it addresses both cognitive and behavioural aspects which include people’s feelings. This theory is also reductionist compared to the holistic view on relationship breakdown. It ignores the fact that past experiences with relationships could have an impact on the stage of dissolution in relationships, or the prevention of the dissolution of a relationship. Although the theory does have good practical applications; if the reasons for relationship breakdown according to this theory are true, then confronting relationship issues with counselling, for example, to solve problems should be effective. Research into the area of relationship breakdown is considered as socially sensitive. Therefore great care must be taken when researching participants to avoid causing unnecessary distress.

Effect of Foreign Workers in Malaysia

Effect of Foreign Workers in Malaysia Malaysias economy expanded rapidly in recent years. Giant development projects run smoothly. As a result, there is a wide range of employment opportunities and labor shortage problems. Malaysia is among 10 countries listed as the top employer of foreigners in the world. Nowadays, we can meet with foreign workers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, India and China who are working in various low-paying sectors such as laborers, factory workers and maids. The number of foreign workers in this country totaled to 1.85 million people with Indonesia immigrants of 1.2 million people followed by Nepal of 200,000 people. All of them include those from Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and countries in Africa. The problem of illegal immigrants is accepted in many developing countries and also in developed countries like the United State (U.S.) and Australia. U.S. for example, is addressing the crisis of illegal immigrants of 12 million people without v alid documents. Congress has approved legislation that outlines three key steps to address the problem of illegal immigrants: Repatriation of their native country, the construction of large-scale fence along the border of the United States and Mexico to block the entrance and also more severe criminal penalties on employers who hire them. According to economic experts, the U.S. economy would be crippled if the law is enforced because the majority of workers are concentrated in the agricultural sector and the construction of the immigrants. A recent study conducted by the American Federal Bureau of Plantation shows that actions against illegal immigrants would have resulted in a loss in the countrys agricultural production from $ 5 to U.S. $ 9 billion over the next three years and may reach U.S. $ 12 billion over the next four years. These foreign workers seek employments in countries with a lot of economic opportunities, particularly construction, farming, and business services. Foreign workers could be classified into two category; who came legally and illegal immigrants. FIRST CATEGORY The type of work for workers who come legally are generally determined for them, who their employer is, their place of residence and has been through various processes to meet the qualifications as an employee. They are then given a work permit which specify the duration of their work in this country. This type of category of workers has valid travel documents, free of contagious diseases, has a valid employment contract and does not bring many problems to the public. Employers are also more liable to provide shelter, food and medical services. SECOND CATEGORY Immigrants who do not go through the same processes as the first category. They also do not have valid travel documents, has a high risk of infectious diseases such as TB (tuberculosis) and easily exploitable. Government have to bear the cost of arrest and delivery of illegal immigrants to their home countries, simply because they were arrested for various immigration violations and criminal charges. The cases are more complicated as the image of negative implications on the country of origin of immigrants. REALITY Malaysia has become the focus of foreign immigrants who wish to seek lucrative income. But the entry of illegal immigrants has caused many problems. Public concern is not new immigrants. It arises due to the negative perception of the countrys population of this group is often associated with various social problems. But no worries it is not fundamentally. During the olden days, in the villages, the presence of illegal immigrants especially Indonesian immigrants are said to contribute to the occurrence of loss of property and burglary. On the other hand, Bangladesh immigrants cause parents and husbands to fear for the safety of their daughters and wives who might get tangled in a love affair. The main problem is the difficulty faced by the government to curb the entry of these illegal immigrants. Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), the Police and the Immigration Department have work hard to apprehend them. They are arrested and placed in temporary detention camp. The arrival of immigrants, especially those without licenses causes housing problems. They will establish a residential area illegally. Some migrant groups also open forest areas as housing areas. These slum areas are not organized and lack basic services such as waste disposal systems and wastewater. Thus, environmental pollution will occur. In addition, the development of our countr y will be futile due to the emergence of the squatters. The image of our country will be affected as this reflects the weakness of the government administration and distribution of economic imbalance. There is also a rich area of illegal settlements, complete with electricity, and water. The right of the people in Malaysia will be affected. Employers prefer to hire illegal immigrants in the plantation sector, construction, and domestic helpers because their salaries are much lower. This would affect the employment opportunities of our citizens even though not a lot are interested in this job. In addition, many of them engage in the business, such as food stalls, selling jewelry, decorative lights, batik and more. In fact, some of them have become rich, have large abode without paying large income tax. At a time when our currency fell in value tremendously, the employment opportunities become narrow; this is unfair to the citizen of Malaysia. The presence of those who is labeled as illegal immigrants do not just live in the countrys gold mine to find their income, but also harbor a variety of social problems, crime and health as well as other descendants in Malaysia. The problem of illegal immigrants is accepted in many developing countries as well as developed countries like U.S. and Australia. For example, laws has been implemented in the U.S., unfortunately, this law has many great opposition from those who fight for the rights of this group. Demonstrations involving thousands of tribes that support illegal immigrants on the 1st of May which they called as A day without illegal immigrantsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ was accompanied by the owners of companies that are predominantly illegal immigrant labor. Owner of this great company claims that the role of illegal immigrants should be recognized for their contributions in the U.S. economy. MALAYSIA AS A GOLD MINE The same scenario is also happening in this country, a total of 2.4 million reported (including illegal immigrants) are now focused on the most important sectors in generating economic growth; plantations, construction and manufacturing. Imagine the impact that would be borne by the countrys economy if foreign labor is taken away suddenly out of the three sectors? We recognize that the increase in crime rates lately is related with the influx of illegal immigrants. However, it is not easily resolved, as most people think. As usual, the turmoil raised involving illegal immigrants is due to the attitude of our people. Not many among us who are willing to do what is done by these foreign workers. In the plantation sector, for example, very few of us who are willing to sweat profusely under the hot sun compared to the foreign workers. Even in the construction sector, developers are complaining due to the shortage of local workers. In fact, the government does not have much choice in inhibiting crime by illegal immigrants. After all, hiring foreign labor is cheaper than domestic labor. Sometimes the attitude of employers who wants a big profit also contributes to this problem. For example, the act of employing 1,700 workers who had completed their work permits by the glove manufacturers who are listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysias, which is Top Glove Corporation Bhd. There is a probability that there are many more employers involved in such activities, but cannot be detected by the authorities. In addressing the problem of crime by illegal immigrants, the measures to be taken should not be detrimental to any party. We need to recognize that the services of foreign workers are needed to generate our economy. What can be done now is to restrict the entry of new immigrants, and at the same time ensure that existing illegal immigrants have legal status. If the rising crime rate is said to be linked to an influx of immigrants, other than to obstruct them in detention, a more drastic measure needs to be taken in the long term. Research in Australia (a country which is flooded by immigrants from Asia) found that there is no increase in crime rates associated with this group. This is contrary to previous claims that the incidence of crime in the country has to do with Asian immigrants. The study found that contrary to the attitude of local residents to view with suspicion, resentment and fear (xenophobia) against Asian immigrants that contribute to crime. As a result of the attitudes of local residents who refuse to accept them in society, these immigrants feel isolated, frustrated then vent their anger by doing criminal acts against the local population. Thus, Australias migrant crime involving the public is more than a crime against property. The study of the phenomenon of crime and illegal immigrants in this country is to reduce negative perceptions and xenophobia against them and to be more prudent to accept them in society. FACTORS OF IMMIGRANT Some of these illegal immigrants are criminals who are required by the authorities in their home countries. They fled to Malaysia to escape the invasion of their home country authorities. Unfortunately, they continue to commit crimes here. Cases of robbery, murder, and rape often occur. Trauma victims will have to bear it all the time. Even some of the housing areas are broken into every night for a long period of time. This cause the local residents live in fear. A criminal case such as Indonesian citizens shot dead during a police raid is not unusual anymore. In fact, we had to deploy troops to Semporna, Sabah, to face the Filipino pirates who use sophisticated weapons to commit robbery in broad daylight. Attractions for lucrative income in Malaysia will lure foreign workers to take the necessary actions to get here, whether it is legal or not. Some use ant-lane on the border for national security, cheat educational studies passes, using a temporary visit passes and marry local citizens. There are many reasons why a lot of criminal cases involving foreign workers. Among them were financial difficulties. Living in a big city with a small income is a burden. It is not wrong if we assume that immigrants who are eager to get rich quickly without thinking about sin and the difficulties experienced by victims. Fighting among ethnic groups from the same countries also occur due to discontent and revenge. Sometimes little things can lead to death, just like what happened not long ago where an immigrant died because fighting to get into a toilet. This particular incident involved workers from Myanmar. Demand in critical sectors such as construction and farming is a description depends on the extreme nature of the construction workforce. Immigrantsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ total about 600,000 people can only give feedback and negative public perceptions of government. Government efforts, such as forgiveness, whipping and freezing of new recruitment of foreign workers have not prevented more illegal immigrants to make a living in this country. In fact, an increasing number of foreign workers, particularly immigrants who came to Malaysia show that there is a failure of prevention and control program to curb this problem. Intelligence agencies involved in enforcement actions have not been able to provide solutions to reduce the presence of these immigrants. Do we need to wait for the influx of foreign workers and immigrants to create chaos and spread diseases before finding a solution? Or is this phenomenon a side effect before we become a fully developed country by 2020? Similarly, cases of minor crimes such as theft, robbery, rape, steal, proximity and adultery are often heard. These additional activities have been disturbing the harmony of Malaysian society and motivate a small number of them to join together to accomplish a crime. In Kedah, for example, a husband and wife arrested for conspiracy because they were helping a group of immigrants from Kuala Lumpur to commit crimes, housebreaking and robbery. The result of these robberies and acts are equally distributed and continue to repeat from time to time until they are arrested. EFFECT Foreign embassies are not fully cooperating. Foreign embassies refuse to issue temporary travel documents to people so they can be sent back. Foreign embassies are also reluctant to finance the cost of repatriation. A lot of energy, money, and time are wasted in the governments efforts to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants. Some of those who have been working in this country are known to take business opportunities from local people. These conditions give a rise to dissatisfaction of local people who cannot wait for authorities to investigate and to take action, whether it is only a warning or thrashing the immigrants. Of course, they have a reason such as no permit, disturbing the local businessmen who have business licenses and the cleanliness of the food provided is not satisfactory. Eventually more foreign workers and immigrants opened their own village, send their children to government schools, using government health services and creating new slum areas. Infectious diseases will be spread widely. Illegal foreign workers will be subject to medical examination. Instead, illegal immigrants do not do so. Many of them came from rural areas in their home countries. Their health is less assured. Some of them suffer from AIDS, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, and so forth. As a result, our people could be their victims. Statistics have shown that the number of people suffering from tuberculosis increased again. Many illegal immigrants are found to be carriers of HIV and hepatitis virus. Their sexual relationships with the local prostitutes will accelerate AIDS infection. PRECUATION To solve social problems posed by the Immigrants and foreign workers involves cooperation of three parties, namely the government, private sectors and the public. Here are the field, duties and responsibilities: a. Government. As the former agency, guards and implementing policy has a huge role to ensure the full inclusion of Immigrants barred. Government has the ability to form and control laws but poor in implementation. Even though there are many prevention programs being implemented, such as bleaching and amnesty programs, there are many illegal immigrants still smuggling into this country. Enforcement agencies have to work hard to curb the inflow of immigrants from all entrances to ensure no one enters the country illegally. b. Private sector. Responsible for ensuring their employees are involved in the construction and plantation sectors have valid work permits and to give priority of local workers. If they ignore the legitimate interests of workers, the occurrence of an employer who received TB can be avoided. This event shows those who want to get cheap labor without a medical examination, a migrant can spread the disease quietly. c. Society and company. Society can provide information and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to facilitate the eradication operations from time to time. They should not think what will be rewarded if they cooperate because the responsibility of combating illegal immigration is also a part of their responsibility. The cooperation of the employer is required to assist the government for the common good. The authorities should have a comprehensive database system of immigrants in this country. Migrants sent home to their home countries may reduce some criminal charges, but this move is not good for economic growth. Unless people in this country who are still unemployed fulfill this place. CONCLUSION The entry of foreign workers into the country is a global phenomenon in todays era of the borderless world. We cannot prevent the entry of foreign workers because of their attractive offer such as cheap labor and the skills they possess. However, to curb the entry of foreign workers who do not want to register is a big challenge for us because they can trigger more serious social problems in the future. The three parties, namely the government, the private sectors and the public should collaborate and find solutions such as awareness programs to empower the grassroots and at the same time improving the role of law enforcement agencies so that Malaysia is free from illegal immigrants. Flood and overflow of illegal immigrants is a common thing now. We as people of Malaysia should miss the atmosphere of the early 1980s when it is difficult for us to see any illegal immigrants. As a Malaysian we must reaffirm the spirit of solidarity to protect our country from invasion regardless whether it is explicit or implicit.