Consent form, permission letter&interview questions Essay - 1

Consent form, permission letter&interview questions - Essay Example rved: that the interview would be conducted on the free-time of the indicated manager within the hotel premises, that the company name, as well as the names of the managers should be disguised in the project, and that the results must be shared with the HR department. As a Master of Science in Administration graduate student at CMU, I am currently conducting the above-mentioned research in compliance with graduation requirements. In this regard, I am hereby seeking the consent of your organization, the Sheraton Dongguan Hotel, to participate in the study. The study aims to explore and determine the strategies employed by Sheraton Dongguan Hotel in China which enables them to excel in an increasingly competitive hospitality service industry. As such, five (5) managers in Sheraton Dongguan Hotel, specifically those in the position of designing or implementing strategies, are planned to be interviewed. As the researcher, I will conduct the interview on a face-to-face basis, depending on the availability of the manager. Please bear in mind that I would abide by standards of ethics in research where privacy and confidentiality is strictly to be observed. No personal information would be divulged in the study. You are free to refuse to participate in this research project or to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation in the project at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. Your participation will not affect your relationship with the institution(s) involved in this research project. Please note that if you are not satisfied with the manner in which this study is being conducted, you may report (anonymously if you so choose) any complaints to the MSA Program by calling 989-774-6525 or addressing a letter to the MSA Program, Rowe 222, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI

The Romantic Poems Of John Keats

The Romantic Poems Of John Keats John Keats was an English Romantic poet who lived during the 19th century. In his short-lived life he faced many ordeals and had to witness death and suffering that shaped him as a poet and reflects in his work. Both of his parents died when Keats was at a young age, his father passed away when the author was only 9 years old. The illness and death of his brother Tom affected him immensely; Keats spent countless hours by Toms bedside and nursed him.  [1]  The author contemplates on death in various ways in connection to nature and love, Keats longs to escape reality and dreams of living in a fantasy. The author explores the fear of death and dying in his poems to the extent of experiencing it himself.   Keats suffered from ill health, the poet supposedly contracted a venereal disease (the theory is supported by the fact that Keats was treated with mercury, that is used to cure syphilis and gonorrhoea) but it might have as well been a respiratory illness. Keats had recovered from his previous illness, but soon he caught a cold that turned into acute tonsillitis. As he suffered from an illness, Toms condition deteriorated, he died in 1818. By 1820 Keats was at the hype of his creation, but soon tragedy appeared. The author experienced the first signs of tuberculosis, the disease that had taken away his mother and brother Tom.  [2]   John Keats met with the Brawne family in 1818, John and the eldest daughter Frances Fanny, of the Brawne family (not to be mistaken for Keats younger sister Frances Keats) developed a love affair and were engaged, but could not marry as to the lack of income on Keatss behalf.  [3]  The poetic and vivid letters by Keats to Fanny provide the reader with an insight into the love story. The lovers were separated when Keats travelled to Italy, Rome to improve his health. But it was too late. John Keats uttered his final words: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Dont breathe on me. It comes like ice remaining poetical till his final breath, Keats died on 23 February 1821 at the age of 25. He died believing himself to be a failure.  [4]   To analyze the relevance of the aspect of death in Keats poetry I have chosen poems and a letter from John Keats. In this essay I will research the imagery of death and how it reflects in John Keatss poetry. The reason for choosing to analyze the poetry of Keats was the previous interest in English literature and the different viewpoint on death that Keats poses in his works, the interest in death and dying captivated me to research and analyze the meaning behind the poems. In Keatss poetry, since he uses imagery and literary devices constantly, there are a lot of aspects to look into and analyze that is why I chose a certain aspect to narrow the topic to make the essay more manageable and to analyze the aspect of death in more depth. My thoughts Death nature Nature captivated Keats as he incorporated it into majority of his works, by connecting nature and the circle of life the author created some of his most famous poems in connection to death. In his poem To Autumn which he wrote in 1819 when he still possessed some strength in him to create one of his most famous piece. My thoughts Personal grief and his reflected in the imagery. Amongst this gloominess he had a love for life, represented by the imaginative style and beauty in his most romantic pieces.  [5]  The poem is full of descriptions that appeal to senses like sight, taste and hearing. One can smell the fume of poppies and hear the bees, until they think warm days will never cease. My thoughts Keats describes autumn as a season of mist and mellow fruitfulness after being inspired by a walk near Winchester.  [6]  It seems as if the season will not come to an end, but in the last stanza the previous joy and colourful description ends. The reader can distinguish the negative connotations that describe the soft-dying day and the end of autumn.  [7]  Keats captures the beauty of dying using vocabulary that indicates the delicate and romantic ideal that Keats thought death to have been, my thoughts as the sun sheds a bloom of rosy hue.  [8]  In this poem Keats combines and contrasts death and life and is able to see the pleasure in something unlikeable, since they both are inevitable and merge into one in life. My thoughts By accepting death Keats turns it into a positive and normal part of life, the poem does not remain overly negative, my thoughts since in the last stanza in the line Think not of them, thou hast thy music too the author welcomes the end of autumn a s he sees something beautiful in the end as well and acknowledges that life and death are in harmony.  [9]   His poem Bright Star that was allegedly written to Frances Fanny Brawne  [10]  , has a frostiness to it, the words à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾star, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾night, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾snow create a feeling of wintriness, that empowers the poem. Still it remains positive since Keats has no repugnance towards death, especially when he is with his loved one. My thoughts The aspect of death is emphasised when Keats brings in a personification in the line à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾the moving waters at their priestlike task, creating an ominous atmosphere. My thoughts The Keats, in his works, has always accepted death sine qua non. kas ladina keelseid v2ljendeid peab ka referensima Death love In his letter to Fanny he says: I have two luxuries to brood over in my walks, your Loveliness and the hour of my death. O that I could have possession of them both in the same minute. The letter Fannys loveliness and his death were the thoughts in his mind. He believed that he could reach fulfillment by dying and having her at the same moment. Keats completed the letter, Yours ever, fair Star. That might be the indication that the poem Bright Star was written to Fanny Brawne.  [11]  Keats wrote Bright Star in 1819 and revised it in 1820.  [12]   In a lot of Keats poems there has been speculations over sexual overtones, for example in Bright Star the author uses the expression to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾swoon to death- an orgasm is often compared to dying (the French term for orgasm is le petit morte- the small death). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Because of its position as the last word in the poem death carries a great deal of weight in the final effect and meaning of the poem.  [13]  It can be considered as a culmination and an abeyance after that. In the Ode to Autumn Keats erects a momentum with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾to set budding more, and still more that peaks with warm days will never cease and releases itself (with definite sexual undertones) with For Summer has oer-brimmed their clammy cells.  [14]  From the previous examples it can be recognised that John Keats uses love and romantic feelings to form his poems, his usage of literary devices and vocabulary often creates a visual delight for the reader, as the descriptions are vivid and vibrant with life even when describing death. my thoughts Keats has intertwined love and death that formed the essence of him and his creations. He was interested in both of them and even death captivated Keats as much as love. My thoughts In Bright Star Keats expresses his wish to be Pillowed upon my fair loves ripening breast,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ And so live ever -or else swoon to death cite the poem He dreamed of eternity as he was fully content being in one certain moment but as he knew that it would pass, Keats preferred to die rather than leave that particular situation. In Ode to a Nightingale the author admits that for many a time I have been half in love with easeful Death and finds that To cease upon the midnight with no pain à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ In such an ecstasy! it Now more than ever seems it rich to die. Poem quotes These examples show Keats fanaticism towards death. His lover is a fair creature of an hour, poem my thought in his poem When I Have Fears That I May Cease To Be, and cannot be for ever poem he thinks of death as the best o r even an enjoyable option for him.  [15]   Death reality vs. fantasy In his theory of Negative Capability Keats says: . . several things dovetailed in my mind, at once it struck me, what quality went to form a Man of Achievement especially in Literature which Shakespeare possessed so enormouslyI mean Negative Capability, that is when man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact reasonColeridge, for instance, would let go by a fine isolated verisimilitude caught from the Penetralium of mystery, from being incapable of remaining content with half knowledge. This pursued through Volumes would perhaps take us no further than this, that with a great poet the sense of Beauty overcomes every other consideration, or rather obliterates all consideration. December 21, 27 (?), 1817  [16]   The willingness to remain in doubt is seen in his poetry in Ode to a Nightingale the lines Was it a vision or dream? Fled is that music: Do I wake or sleep?  [17]  form a rhetorical question and confirm that he is capable of being in uncertainties and does not need facts or reason in order to understand or enjoy the situation. My thoughts. Since Keats experienced tragedy in his life, he felt as if poetry was a way to escape  [18]  and go Away! Away! for I will fly to thee, But on the viewless wings of Poesy poem so it appears as if to Keats the migration of birds a positive and beautiful detail connected to the end of Autumn and the idea of escape and fleeing reality. My thoughts The differentiation between reality and fantasy is evident in Bright Star as Keats is willing to be à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Awake for ever in a sweet unrest. The poet accepts that he could die from pleasure, and contrasts the dream and reality that he flees from once again. Keats attributes the qualities of love with something mystical comparing it to faery power as something magical and beautiful but still remaining a fantasy or an illusion. Keats was used to death and as he had experienced so much of it became normality for him, therefore it was difficult for him to believe that he could be happy or feel pleasures of life without them passing by. The expression to pass by appears in many of Keatss poems. my thoughts In Ode of Indolence Keats is certain that Neither poetry, nor Love have any alertness of countenance as the pass by me. Keats by Andrew Motion, page 359, University of Chicago Press, 1999 This leaves the reader an impression as if Keats was only standing by as life passed him, since he could not see anything positive in them at times and it seemed to him as if there was no expressions in poetry or love and therefore Keats could not at times relate to it and only thought of them as a fantasy. My thoughts Death creation and the fear of death It was evident that Keats could not continue with writing much longer due to financial problems and about a year after publishing the poem Ode to Autumn he died. During that time Keats was struggling with his own personal problems. His brother George was in need of money to emigrate to America and he himself could no more afford the lifestyle of a poet.  [19]  Therefore the poem can be interpreted as a final farewell to his creation. Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? he asks, the singing of the birds that are preparing to depart create a melancholy mood that emphasizes the authors reflection of his feelings.  [20]  He might have felt like- since he was ill and had no money to support himself, not to mention the unattainable marriage to Fanny- death was approaching. The fear of dying is reflected in his poems as well, as before the reader could see that Keats was fascinated with death and even considered it to be something positive, he still was afraid of death and dying. In When I Have Fears he admits that I have fears that I may cease to be, Before my pen has gleand my teeming brain, my thoughts not fully achieving his ambitions as a writer  [21]  and that he might die before he could write all he had ever wanted daunted him, as it is common for poets to be afraid of failure. In order to overcome his fears he stands alone, thinks of the relevance of love and fame and the insignificance of a single human being by contrasting himself to the wide world. It gives an effect of loneliness and insinuates to the theme of the poem that is death and fear of dying. In the final two lines Of the wide world I stand alone, and think, Till Love and Fame to nothingness do sink. My thoughts Keats connects the desire for love and fame, that he has to accept are unimportant and to nothingness do sink, to the ceasing of fear and yearning.  [22]   Keats was inspired by Shakespeare and parallels to the existential monologue by Hamlet can be drawn in the poem On Death. Keats contrasts death and life, comparing them to sleep and to a dream. Keats asks à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾can death be sleep when life is but a dreamand in Hamlet Shakespeare has posed a question rather similar to of Keats For in that sleep of death what dreams may come. Both authors think of death as something unknown but yet intriguing and possibly something positive and better as the life on earth. He ridicules people and himself who are religious and crave for afterlife and live in the pursuit of it but when it comes down to dying and reaching their dream, they fear death that leads to it since à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾we think the greatest pains to die. Keats contemplates how à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾strange it is that people have to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾lead a life of woe and despair, that a man is made to suffer on earth and only in the afterlife gain bliss and happiness. The last two lines in On Death are addressed on the subject of being able or daring to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾view alone his future doom that is in fact face death. There is a change in the last line of the poem, where Keats compares death to an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾awakening saying his future doom which is but to awake. The fear of death takes over once again, using negative vocabulary, the words à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾doom, woe, rugged, alone, pain, roam, indicate a dark atmosphere and make the death seem like a final suffering before the awakening. Keats contrasts sleep and being awake by indicating that waking up is something negative as he uses the word doom and as if coming out of the fantasy is like dying. My thoughts The pleasures of life Keats longed to possess were transient and only a visi on as he expresses his thoughts in On Death. But as the author was able to make peace with death it is not the greatest pain, therefore, to die Keats thought of it abnormal for a person to live a life in the veil of tears and walk along the path of woe, even when have seen so much death Keats remained in love with life. His passion towards life and love were overwhelming and reflect in his works and letters. The love affair with Fanny was the evidence of how much passion and love and devotion Keats possessed. Conclusion John Keats was greatly affected by death and since he had to lose many of his loved ones at a young age that made him even more vulnerable and opened to creations. In connection to nature, love and creation, Keats captivates the reader to contemplate on death as he often did. The often extreme examples of the fantasy of dying and living in a dream show how much his short life was full of grief and how Keats was fascinated by death and dying. The author uses vocabulary that helps to create a certain atmosphere or portray an image of what feelings the author wanted to convey to the reader. Keats often fell into extremes by expressing his thoughts on death, his ultimate dream to die and be with his loved one simultaneously and the concept of Negative Capability are examples of his struggle to balance between reality and fantasy. The longing to escape the harsh reality and face the real world seemed like doom for him. His existential thoughts are represented in his works as he accepts de ath as a normal part of life. Keats still remains captivated by dying and death since it is something unknown. His works represent his life and the way he felt and decided to live his short life. My thoughts and previous ideas from sources He had lived, he had loved and he had seen death, but as Keats had wished Here lies one whose name was writ in water to be written on his tombstone.  [23]  It can be considered true that A poet is not at all poetical. He is the most un-poetical thing in existence. He has no identity.  [24]  

Comparison of Kafkas Metamorphosis and Dalis The Metamorphosis of Narcissus :: comparison compare contrast essays

Comparison of Kafka's Metamorphosis and Dali's The Metamorphosis of Narcissus      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The painting that I chose to compare to the novel Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, was painted in 1937 by Salvatore Dali.   Dali is an established Surrealist painter, who, like Kafka, explored his own psyche and dreams in his work. Dali invented a process, called the "paranoiac critical method", which is used in this painting, to assist his creative process.   As Dali described it, his aim in painting was "to materialize the images of concrete irrationality with the most imperialistic fury of precision...in order that the world of imagination and of concrete irrationality may be as objectively evident...as that of the exterior world of phenomenal reality."1      Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The rich landscape, seems to be limitless in detail.   Dali rendered every detail of this landscape with precise accuracy, striving to make his paintings as realistic as possible.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a beautiful young youth, who fell in love with his own reflection, and then drowned while trying to embrace himself.   His body was never recovered, but a flower, which was named after him was.   The left side of this painting shows the kneeling Narcissus, outlined by the craggy rocks of what could only be Cape Creus's. On the right side of the painting, the scene has morphed into a more idyllic and classical scene, in which the  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   kneeling Narcissus has become the statue of a hand, holding a cracked egg, from which emerges The Narcissus flower.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This painting reminded me of the first chapter of Metamorphosis, where the main character, Gregor Samsa, first realizes that he is confronted with a ludicrous fate in the form of a gigantic insect.   In both Kafka's and Dali's work, I noticed that they both implement a certain "receding" technique.   Dali tends to put an object (In this case, Narcissus) In the foreground, and the background of the painting tends to be very crisp and detailed, yet unimportant, compared to Narcissus. I feel the same way about Gregor, I see Kafka writing this story with mainly Gregor in mind, as the main character and narrator.   Kafka puts this puzzled victim in the story as a clerk, yet that element of the story tends to receded in to the plot of the story.

Year Round Education Program

Imagine a child, on a hot summer day†¦ no baseball, no swimming, no picnics or amusement park rides. Instead of spending time doing all of the things kids like to during summer vacations, this child, is attending school. Year round education (YRE) has been around since 1904, with 3,000 schools and 2 million students currently using the program (National Association). Students in year round schools go to school the same 180 days that traditional schools attend. In YRE, the summer vacation is eliminated, replacing it with shorter, more frequent breaks. There is a number of ways the year round school can operate, including: 90/30, 45/15, and 60/20. The most popular of these calendars is the 45/15, where the year is divided into 4 nine week terms, separated by 4 three week vacations (National Association). YRE has been a debated issue in education almost since it began. Supporters of YRE say this schedule improves the learning process. The biggest debate, however, comes from the parents and teachers who believe there are no proven studies that YRE helps the learning process at all. So, is year round schooling a good choice for the education of your children? YRE will not only hurt the education system, but it will create chaos for the lives of the students attending and their families. Supporters of YRE believe year round schools are more cost effective than traditional schools. With population in some districts rising rapidly, YRE is said to reduce overcrowding of schools and classrooms. In many cases, school calendars are changed in response to population growth. By running schools all year, districts can pack in more students and postpone building new schools (Endless Summer). Supporters of YRE say that by staggering vacations and schedules, schools can increase capacity by 25-50 percent (Should Kids go). Supporters argue that the costs for the transition form a traditional calendar to year round schools are modest compared to the construction costs of new schools (Inger, Morton). However, those against YRE feel that expenses will only be reduced temporarily. According to a â€Å"Year Round Education Study† conducted by the Lewisville, Texas Independent School District, â€Å"Findings of a year-long study concluded that there is no financial benefit to operating a Single Track System. The system would cause a modest increase in operational expenses without providing any instructional benefits† (Time to Learn). In Iowa, the Carroll School Board found that the costs of the district moving to a year round education system could range from $16,786 to $32,412. Taylor Elementary School, in Cedar Rapids, spends more money according to the classroom teachers that any other elementary school. Schools in Davenport reported that the switch to YRE will cost an additional $36,000 in salaries, $3000 per year for equipment, and supplies, and $22,300 as a one time expense for teacher training. Plus, the move to YRE would also cost the district an extra $92,626 to fully air condition the school building. In Des Moines, Moulten schools spend about $80,000 annually for year round schooling. If YRE were implemented, Indianola school districts would spend an additional $3,655 for middle school and $5,000 for elementary school to pay for the additional secretarial, administrative, and custodial time during the summer (Time to Learn). Costs will not only be incurred with the schools, but also with the state and with taxpayers. Cost savings for one of these groups may create cost increases for the other (Naylor, Charlie). Contrary to what supporters of YRE claim, there are definitely extra costs to implementing and maintaining a year round education system. Supporters of YRE say that year round schools would promote continuous learning. The belief is that students forget a lot of what they learn while on long summer vacations. This is seen more in slower learning students and for those who know English as their second language. It is also thought that because students retain more when the learning process is interrupted for only short periods of time, teachers in year round schools need to spend less time reviewing pre-vacation material (Inger, Morton). Although this seems true, opponents believe that there is research that needs to be addressed. Mary Lee Smith and Gene V. Glass have done extensive research in year round schools since 1974. In a study conducted by Smith and Glass, in a school district in Colorado, the learning loss in the students was evaluated. They found that although teachers in year round schools spent less time reviewing pre-vacation material than teachers in traditional schools did, the actual achievement differences were insignificant on tests designed specifically to measure district objectives (Glass, Gene V). According to Don Patterson, a member of the Albuquerque, New Mexico School Board that tried and rejected year round schooling, â€Å"Short term memory loss is very acute. Studies show that the only discernible summer loss occurs in the first two to three weeks. So, by introducing all these multiple breaks, all you†re doing is maximizing forgetting. † It has also been proven that forgetting and relearning are part of the learning process. Gaps in student†s learning begin with loss of context retention in the subject area, which begins within 24-48 hours, unless the new information is reinforced or applied immediately. After a month without reinforcement, about 80% of what a student has learned is recently lost. Research indicates what we retain depends on student motivation and teacher-effectiveness and isn†t limited to a time factor (Time to Learn). It is quite obvious that YRE does not improve the learning process, as those who support YRE claim. Supporters of the year round school system believe there are many benefits in the program for students and teachers. Advocates of YRE say families have greater flexibility in planning vacations that often cost less. Parents that support YRE feel that the shorter, more frequent vacations allowed students to remain focused and enthusiastic (Prisoners of Time). Angie Maniscalco, a 5th grade student at Fairmount Elementary in St. Louis, says, â€Å"Kids should go to school nine weeks and be off three because, kids get bored in the summer. They get sick of swimming every single day going skating or basically doing anything. I go to school for nine weeks, then get off three† (Should Schools). Supporters also believe parents who are working outside the home can take advantage of year-round care for their children. Teachers that support the idea of YRE feel that the more frequent breaks reduce burnout, and that the frequent breaks during the school year enable teachers to visit and learn from other programs and other teachers (Prisoners of Time). Those against YRE have different views about what year-round schooling will do for the students and the teachers. In year round schools, middle, elementary and high school students often have different schedules. While vacationing in the off-season may work well, when children are on different schedules, vacations can be more of a problem. YRE can certainly disrupt family life. With different ages of students, vacations are difficult to schedule. For example, children on non-traditional schedules may miss out on Boy Scout Camp, because their summer vacation falls in the month of August and the activity is programmed for July. School activities can suffer as well. One study found that band, chorus, drama, and student government were particularly hit hard (Never Ending School). While there may be some benefits to YRE, it is obvious that there are many situations where the year round calendar will cause confusion in the lives of those involved. Perhaps the most debated issue in YRE is that of the achievement scores. Supporters of YRE claim that student performance in year round schools is much greater. They believe that year round schools will yield higher achievement scores that traditional schools. Many advocates for YRE claim there are studies by the National Association for Year Round Education that report that year round schools have a very positive impact on student grades. Although supporters boast high achievement scores on tests, and higher student grades, those against YRE disagree (Year Round Education: Is). Critics of YRE say there is no evidence for higher academic gains under YRE as compared to traditional schools. Studies and test scores repeatedly show little improvement by students in year round schools. When test scores do increase, many educators hesitate to attribute increases to the new calendar (Time to Learn). Many of these studies, have been conducted by the National Association for Year Round Education (NAYRE), a highly biased organization, whose consultants earn significant amounts of income by promotion YRE. Robert Rosenfield, a systems analyst from Potomac, Maryland, was so concerned at what he considered to be misrepresented data by the NAYRE that he analyzed a substantial number of YRE evaluations in a 1994 paper. He concluded, â€Å"Each study presented in the NAYRE review has either been incompletely characterized, or otherwise contradicted by other studies within the same state or district. Nothing in the NAYRE review demonstrates any academic achievement gain by changing to a year-round calendar. In a 1993 Resnik study of Oakland Unified School District, California, concluded, â€Å"Students at year-round schools show on average a lower academic achievement level than those at other schools, and their achievement has decreased for the period, while it increased for schools in the regular calendar. † Overall, as you can see, there is little difference in student achievement between year-round and traditional calendars (Year Round Education: Is). As evidence has shown, year round education will not improve the education of our children. YRE will cost more money for schools. YRE will not promote continuous learning. YRE won†t create benefits for students and teachers, but will create chaos in the lives of the people around them. Achievement scores in schools with YRE will not increase, but in fact, in some cases, get worse. A few spoken views on YRE say it best. Sheila Duty Gibson says, â€Å"Many students show that year-round schools do not improve education. Changing the days students attend school does not address what many believe are the real problems in education such as a lack of parental involvement, teacher development, effective teaching methods and curriculum. An anonymous editorial in a North Carolina newspaper says, â€Å"It†s time to face the truth. The year-round schedule is a personal preference, not the answer to our educational problems. Year-round school doesn†t work for everyone. † Executive Editor of Elizabethton Star in Tennessee, said it well when he said, â€Å"Summertime offers our youngsters an extended time to experience life in such a way that will never again be afforded. If we are going to do anything with respect to school scheduling, we should extend the summer vacation to Labor Day† (Time to Learn).

Stick Shift vs Automatic

Automatic vs. stick shiftbuying a new car might be a great experience. The question is which one is better, automatic or stick shift? It all depends in what you would prefer and what do you expect from the car. Saving gas, safety and fun are three important reasons to think before making a decision. It’s important that you know your needs are when deciding what type of transmission to get. Do you want a compact car or a larger vehicle? Do you have experience with a stick shift transmission? Will you be driving long distance, road trips, or driving in the city? Do you want to do your own repairs? Why are automatic cars so popular? Since most people drive in the city or in stop and go traffic, automatic cars are more convenient. Even though automatic cars are more expensive and tend to wear down faster. Cars with automatic transmission are a great way to drive around. They do not require much driving skills than stick shift cars. Automatic cars are made comfortable way of driving especially driving in heavy traffic. People who don’t like to drive usually choose an automatic transmission. Automatic transmission require a lot of attention to the engine and keeping up with all of the services such as oil changes, brakes, filters and transmission fluids. Automatic transmission are improving their standards and slowly catching up with to become more fuel efficient. However in some cases vehicles can still be as much as 10% increase in fuel use for an automatic transmission! Overdrive gears can help this problem also. Automatic shifts are not as fun as a stick shift because there not as challenging. On the other hand stick shift transmission saves you hundreds of dollars. Stick shifts are easier to repair and you may be able to do small repairs on your own. Stick shift transmissions have better gas mileage, they also have smaller engines, but they have a lot of power. For example racecar drivers prefer stick shift transmission because it allows them to take control and also the stick shift has more power. Race car drivers use stick shift to take driving to a higher standard. Even though stick shift saves you more money and gives you better gas mileage, if you stayed in the city like New York having a stick shift wouldn’t be your choice. Stick shifts are good for driving over a long stretches are good for road trips, driving in the city with a stick shift causes wear and tear on your clutch. Which sometimes can very expensive to fix, most people say that is just too much work to keep switching gears when you are in stop and go raffic, if you have experience driving a stick shift your transmission can last a lot longer than an automatic transmission. If you are looking for a larger vehicle or an SUV it would be hard to find stick shift switching gears to reduce speed also can save you on break repairs, stick shift transmission require you to be more active with your car and it allows you to pay attention when there is something wrong with your car because you’re not in con trol, so it’s hard for you to pay attention when there is something wrong with your car. How you feel in the car as well as you can handle the car. For a passive driver who is interested in learning how to coordinate the clutch then stick shift has a better handling for you. Stick shift has a lot of different gears and speed which require a stronger set of hands to control the wheel while driving. The automatic has normal handling on the wheel even when going at a faster speed an automatic can drive itself without the need to shift from one gear to another no matter how fast you go. The stick shift transmission requires you to learn to shift between one to five different gears. The transmissions are built differently when comparing an automatic to a stick shift transmission. With a stick shift you have to switch gears while you’re driving. The difference between an automatic or stick shift transmission, both come with different prices. When you are putting on an automatic transmission can range from a few hundred dollars cheaper than a stick shift transmission. Stick shift transmission is preferred for traditional racing. Where quick gear changes are required to exit turns quickly. Automatic transmission could not keep up with a skilled driver using a stick shift automatic transmission are preferred amongst the common drivers because of its ease of use a manual transmission requires coordination between the clutch throttle, and shifting of gears to provide a smooth ride and not damage the transmission. This decision is yours it’s your personal preference on what kind of transmission you would want to drive daily. I prefer driving an automatic car because it is much easier and comfortable for me. I live in a small town and I drive long distance to work and automatic always have been my favorite. I never wanted to learn how to drive a stick shift car even though it saves more on gas. I like to be able to relax when I drive. A stick shift requires too much, you have to switch gears constantly and it’s difficult in lots of traffic. Automatic vs. stick shift it’s your decision cars are made for driving. The choice is yours.

Definition and Examples of Inflectional Morpheme

Definition and Examples of Inflectional Morpheme In English morphology, an inflectional morpheme is  a suffix thats added to a word  (a noun, verb, adjective or an adverb) to assign a particular grammatical property to that word, such as its  tense, number, possession, or comparison. Inflectional morphemes in English include the  bound morphemes  -s (or -es); s (or s); -ed; -en; -er; -est; and -ing. These suffixes may even do double- or triple-duty. For example, - s can note possession (in conjunction with an apostrophe in the proper place), can make count nouns plural, or can put a verb in the third-person singular tense. The suffix -ed can make past participles or past-tense verbs.   Kristin Denham and Anne Lobeck, authors of Linguistics for Everyone, explain  why theres overlap:  This lack of distinction in form dates back to the  Middle English  period (1100–1500 CE),  when the more complex inflectional affixes found in  Old English  were slowly dropping out of the language.(Wadsworth, 2010) Contrast With Derivational Morphemes Unlike derivational morphemes, inflectional morphemes  do not change the essential meaning or the  grammatical category of a word. Adjectives stay adjectives, nouns remain nouns, and verbs stay verbs. For example, if you add an -s to the noun carrot to show plurality, carrot remains a noun. If you add -ed to the verb walk to show past tense, walked is still a verb. George Yule explains it this way: The difference between  derivational  and inflectional morphemes is worth emphasizing. An inflectional morpheme never changes the  grammatical category  of a word. For example, both  old  and  older  are adjectives. The  -er  inflection here (from  Old English  -ra) simply creates a different version of the adjective. However, a derivational morpheme can change the grammatical category of a word. The verb  teach  becomes the noun  teacher  if we add the derivational morpheme  -er  (from Old English  -ere). So, the suffix  -er  in  modern English  can be an inflectional morpheme as part of an adjective and also a distinct derivational morpheme as part of a noun. Just because they look the same (-er) doesnt mean they do the same kind of work.  (The Study of Language, 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006) Placement Order When building words with multiple suffixes, there are rules in English that govern which order they go in.  In this example, the suffix is making a word into a comparative: Whenever there  is  a derivational suffix and an inflectional suffix attached to the same word, they always appear in that order. First the derivational (-er) is attached to  teach, then the inflectional (-s) is added to produce  teachers. (George Yule, The Study of Language, 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006) Linguistics for Everyone lists additional examples to drive home the point about placement order of the affixes: For example, the words  antidisestablishmentarianism  and  uncompartmentalize  each contain a number of derivational affixes, and any inflectional affixes must occur at the end:  antidisestablishmentarianisms  and  uncompartmentalized. (Kristin Denham and Anne Lobeck. Wadsworth, 2010) The study of this process of forming words is called  inflectional morphology.

java essays

java essays Java is the substance whose aroma is awakening the Internet community. It is a new programming language developed by Sun Microsystems that has much in common with the beverage that shares its name. It's good, it's hot, and people know it around the world. Java (the programming language) beats the other stuff hands down though, it's free. Many have heard of Java, yet few know what it is, or what it can do. It certainly has the potential to become a part of our everyday lives, existing in our mobile phones, televisions, and Internet browsers. If you are interested in your Java is still in its infancy stage, yet to fulfil its intended purpose. Designed in 1990 as an embedded language for consumer electronics, it was later discovered to be an ideal interface to the Internet. In 1996, Netscape added Java support to its popular Navigator Web browser. The Web began to stir from its static text coma as excited programmers began to incorporate Java applications, "applets", into their An applet is like an application, but it doesn't run stand-alone. An applet must adhere to a set of conventions that allows it to run within a Java-compatible browser. The technology is still evolving, and today, most Java applets are simple animations, or user interactions. The future is brighter, promising full-blown applications over the Internet; imagine using Microsoft Office from your television. For now, though, those who have experienced an applet may be left disappointed. A casual user is unlikely to be impressed with scrolling text, or simple animations, especially if they must pay for them with increased download times. Behind the scenes, unbeknownst to them, truly amazing things are A Java applet begins its life by being "called" by a Web page. To be technologically correct, the applet is embedded in the Web page. The Web ...

Compound Terms That Start with Half

Compound Terms That Start with Half Compound Terms That Start with â€Å"Half† Compound Terms That Start with â€Å"Half† By Mark Nichol By now, you have observed that compounds of two words can be closed, like paperback, hyphenated, like light-year, or open, like â€Å"ice cream.† This inconsistency (sometimes persisting, sometimes differing as the prevailing style changes) is one of the maddening vagaries of the English language, but the puzzlement intensifies when the style differs even among compounds beginning with the same word. Take compounds that start with half, for instance. The variability exists regardless of which part of speech the compound represents. Consider these sample nouns: In field sports such as football and soccer, one of the positions is halfback. But a brother or sister related to one by only one parent is a half brother or a half sister, and when the moon is half full, it is called a half-moon. Further inconsistency prevails, for example, in classes of similar terms: A fifty-cent piece is a half-dollar, but several other numismatic terms beginning with half â€Å"half crown,† â€Å"half dime,† and â€Å"half eagle† are open. (These are all discontinued values of currency, but the discrepancy persists.) Adjectives incorporating the word half also vary in style: Something that is lacking in effort is halfhearted the adverbial and noun forms, halfheartedly and halfheartedness, are also closed while something incomplete or lacking in some quality is half-baked. (I know of no adjectives beginning with half that are open compounds.) The compound verbs beginning with half that I found listed in one dictionary are consistently hyphenated, but there are only three: half-mast, half-sole, and half-volley. Adverbs are rare, too, but they follow the style of the adjectival forms. The form for a given compound may differ depending on part of speech or on meaning: For example, a book cover consisting of two distinct materials is half-bound, but the style is called half binding, and â€Å"half hour† is open, but half-hourly, as an adjective or adverb, is hyphenated. Meanwhile, the term for the intermission of a competition, whether used as a noun or an adjective, is halftime (â€Å"I walked around the stadium to stretch my legs during halftime†; â€Å"The halftime show seemed interminable†), but in the adjectival or adverbial sense of working half of the normal workweek, it is styled half-time. I could use another hyphenated compound beginning with half to describe my feelings about this imperfect system, but I’ll just say that the inconsistent nature of terms that belong in this broad category requires that I often do what I recommend you do whenever you plan to use one: Look it up. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive AtYay, Hooray, Woo-hoo and Other AcclamationsI wish I were...

Evaluation argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Evaluation argument - Essay Example However, the pathway to the dream becomes a nightmare. One of the aspects that make the movie rather exceptional is emanates from the storyline. Starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, the movie contains not even a slight scrap of anything that can be mistaken for over-romanticizing, which the movie further scorn devoid of any mercy. As long as it is, it mainly demonstrates the impact of a single gasping story about the rapid rise and fall of a young lad in a cocaine industry. Unlike the original version of the movie that was rather emotional, Scarface presents a persistently vicious, ironic account of greed in which all the emotions that one is supposed to deem decent, are brought out in a manner that can be misrepresented. The movie is also remarkable in its casting especially in terms of the role given to Tony Montana who is depicted as intelligent yet hollow-eyed individual who seems to lack a promising future, however, his greediness and ambitions are so intense that they can at the same time be viewed as heroic in magnitude. Although many people may the dispute the cruelty of Tony Montana, this can be regarded as one of the strongest points of the movie in the sense that, after first developing a strong emotional attachment with the viewers, it reaches a point where Tony’s character starts to putrefy. Tony has absolutely no hesitation about taking a life for any profitable course that ironically makes him adored by the Florida drug baron. Another strong point of the movie can be derived from the fact that unlike other films where the climax is marked by the main character achieving the best out of all possible situations, in Scarface, Tony’s fall marks the high point of the movie. The last quarter of the movie treats the viewers to the scene of a paranoid Tony Montana whose addiction to cocaine has seen him losing control of himself and his business in general. The extent of his lack of control

'If a business wants to maximise profit, it cannot be concerned with Essay

'If a business wants to maximise profit, it cannot be concerned with corporate social responsibility'. Critically discuss th - Essay Example When a business focuses on maximizing profit, they are ignoring their responsibility towards society. Should a business worry about the importance of CSR or that of maximizing profit (Davis 1960)? The paper discusses the fact that it is a business’ social responsibility to maximize profit by ignoring corporate social responsibility. Argument 1 It is the responsibility of the corporate executive to generate as much profit for the business while complying with the fundamental societal rules. CSR has the policies that ensure a business conforms to these rules. Throughout the decades, the theory of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) continues to develop in significance and importance. It has been the subject of considerable debate, commentary, theory building and research. Regardless of the continuing discussions as to what it means and what it entails, it has enhanced and evolved in both practitioner communities and academic globally (Smith 2003). The notion that the responsib ilities of business enterprises to society go past that of profit making for the shareholders has been here for many years. The phenomenon developed after the WW II and failed to take any direction in terms of significance until the 1960s and afterwards (Friedman 1970). So long as the government keeps the laws, corporations will continue to carry out their practices as the law permits them to maximize profit, so in other words, CSR is not the complete responsibility of corporations, but that of the governments. Edwards Freeman created the theory of the  stakeholder, which deals with a person’s values and morals in organization management (Friedman 1970). The  theory of the stockholder states that stockholders increase resources to corporate managers who operate as agents in developing their interests. The main purpose of any organization is to maximize profit. The problem is whether these organizations should have any responsibilities towards society. The function of a co rporation is vital when attempting to comprehend what builds a ‘good’ corporation (Smith 2003). Since the beginning of debates over CSR, critics and supporters have been expressive about the arguments for and against the notion of CSR. There has been expansive discussion about these arguments. Embedded in the discussions for and against the theory of CSR are points made previously, possibly on a gradual basis, supporting the concept. The argument against CSR concept classically  begins with the economic case expressed by the late Friedman (1970). According to Milton Friedman, the only duty of a business is to ensure maximum profit, and not worry about social responsibility. As a libertarian, he believes there is no need to get in the way of another person’s liberty. Milton supports free market and claims most developed capitalists states are, to some degree, welfares. According to him, the main social responsibility of a business is to ensure maximum profit, as long as it follows the rules of society. In short, a corporation should carry out its operations and take part in free and open competition exclusive of any fraud or deception. It is not right for businesses to have any form of social responsibility because most business owners become so in order to make profits. The issue of CSR also asks the question, who is responsible in ensuring the corporation follows CSR policies? Is it any person with power or the owner? Does an individual, as opposed to workers combined have moral duties (Smith 2003)? These are the type of

Kenworth Motors Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Kenworth Motors Managment - Essay Example According to the discussion, Kenworth Motors is producers of trucking and other automobile products with its trucking manufacturing unit as its major and most important business unit. It is the leading manufacturer of heavy duty and medium duty trucks since 1923 and is dominating the market through its large network of dealers spread all over the country as well as in Canada. This large network not only offers the final product of the company but also offer parts and after sales services to the clients all over the market. The company has a tradition of serving its customers through its large network and as such the overall structure is designed in such a manner that it effectively serve its customers in almost all parts of the country. The case study in question provides the insight into the existing affairs that are taking place at the trucking unit of the company at Seattle and indicates about the various difficulties which the plant manager is envisaging in the future to happen. The underlying change that has been discussed in the case is multi-dimensional in nature and requires a very careful review of the affairs of the firm in order to prescribe any policy initiatives which can only be undertaken after issues are sorted out. Further, since any change cannot take place without the considering significant changes in the way HR function of the organization used to work. The change that is implicitly discussed in this case study outlines the need for having a complete revamping of the unit’s overall structure in order to make it more organized and efficient. For this purpose, HR therefore shall be playing the major role of providing necessary support in making this change more visible and effective within the organization.

FOUR BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

FOUR BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Essay Example 2. Balance Sheet: The balance sheet, sometimes called the statement of financial condition, shows the financial condition of the company. It reflects both long- and short-term assets and liabilities of the company at a given point in time. 3. Cash Flow Statement: shows the cash inflows and outflows of the company. Cash outflows are subtracted from cash inflows to derive the net change in cash for the period, the statement shows how much excess cash was generated by the business after meeting all cash expenses for the period. 4. Statement of Retained Earnings: Also known as the 'reconciliation of net worth statement', shows the changes that have taken place in the company's retained earnings over the reporting period. How the total profit was used - to distribute among shareholders as dividend and how much was retained to increase net worth. Financial Statements report a company's past financial performance and current financial position. They are designed to provide information on four primary business activities: Planning, financing, investing, and operations (Bernstein & Wild, 2000). These statements provide an overview of a business' profitability and financial condition for the period in review and over along term through comparison with the earlier statements. All these statements provide the figures for the previous comparable period. For example the annual balance sheet will show the information of the previous year also. Presentation of the statements is so organised that anyone, studying the reported data, can readily determine what action should be taken, from that individual's point of view and need. Elements of financial statements are of two types; those that constitute financial position or status at a moment in time and those that represent changes in financial position over a period of time. Assets, liabilities, and equity or net assets describe levels or amounts of resources or claims to or interests in resources at a moment of time. All other elements - revenues, expenses, gains, and losses - describe the effects of transactions and other events and circumstances that affect an entity over a period of time. The interrelation between the two types of elements is called articulation: Each statement serves a specific purpose, and all four statements have an interlocking financial relationship.The two types of elements are related in such a way that (a) assets, liabilities, and equity (net assets) are changed by the elements of the other type and at any time are their cumulative result and (b) an increase or decrease in an asset cannot occur without a corresponding decrease or increase in another asset or a corresponding increase or decrease in a liability or equity. These relationships are collectively referred to as "articulation". They result in financial statements that are fundamentally interrelated so that statements that show elements of the first type depend on statements that show elements of the second type and vice versa (Carmichael, 2003). Financial statements of companies are complex documents and other essential information such as the comments of the management of the company (Directors Report); its Auditors certification that the accounts have been prepared faithfully and represent the true picture of the position and transactions of the company; and, a series of notes which detail individual

Global Market Expansion To China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Global Market Expansion To China - Essay Example Over the past decades, companies have been expanding globally in order to tap and develop new market opportunities and also to expand the scope of their operations, availing of cheaper resources and other commodities to better optimize their performance.In expanding company operations and outsourcing labor, China has always been the nation that is the center of discussion. Basically, because of the very low labor, manufacturing, and operational expenses in China, it has attracted many other companies to make it the gateway of their expansion into the global trade. Also, China is the fastest growing and largest consumer market in the world, yet it is interesting to note that many overseas retailers have struggled and failed in that market. With the premise that our company has maximized our marketing capabilities within the geographical bounds of our nation, we must then realize that the next logical step is to expand the scope of its operations in order to cater and discover more market opportunities. But unlike the operations in the domestic territory, there are many factors that need to be considered and evaluated if the company is to be successful in its expansion. Global marketing has been a trend of the past decades since it utilizes the advantages of other nations in an exchange of trade of commodities which will hopefully promote healthy competition and stimulate economic development of the parties involved. But in order to take advantage and come up on top, the complexities of global trade should be analyzed and strategies should be laid out by the company. The strategies to handle the vast supply chain management system and the added value system must be developed and implemented. (Lee, 2012). This r

What an education mean to me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

What an education mean to me - Essay Example Education for her is confined to the realm of the observable, quantifiable and rational. Education occurs in the classroom mostly, and occasionally in the field under controlled conditions. I know a man in my mother’s neighborhood that is constantly learning. He told me that education and learning for the sake of understanding is enough for him. He reads classical literature and philosophy as well as all of the latest books on political science and environmental concerns. His mind is filled with the words of some of the greatest scholars that have lived over the past 1500 years. He works at a neighborhood corner shop stocking shelves and running the cash register. When I asked him why he didn’t get a better job he replied that a more demanding job would interfere with his education, and that he valued knowledge over money. The superintendent that works in my apartment complex told me once that he never read anything he couldn’t apply to his job. If it was a manual on fixing a trash disposal or direction on installing new lighting fixtures, then the reading was worth his time. He said that he really didn’t see the need for any education beyond the obvious needs of his career. Formal study beyond his career was a waste of time because it couldn’t earn him any money. Read a novel for enjoyment or enlightenment? Never. He’d rather play poker. I list these examples of people I have in my life and their attitudes towards education to illustrate why I am so conflicted about education in many ways, specifically my education and how I should conduct it. I respect all of these people and see the good and bad in the choices they have made relative to their own education. Summarizing my feelings about education is difficult because of the disparate examples, but as I learn more about the world and the people in it, I can see one thing clearly. I can see that an individual’s approach to their education (whatever that may

Global Market Expansion To China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Global Market Expansion To China - Essay Example Over the past decades, companies have been expanding globally in order to tap and develop new market opportunities and also to expand the scope of their operations, availing of cheaper resources and other commodities to better optimize their performance.In expanding company operations and outsourcing labor, China has always been the nation that is the center of discussion. Basically, because of the very low labor, manufacturing, and operational expenses in China, it has attracted many other companies to make it the gateway of their expansion into the global trade. Also, China is the fastest growing and largest consumer market in the world, yet it is interesting to note that many overseas retailers have struggled and failed in that market. With the premise that our company has maximized our marketing capabilities within the geographical bounds of our nation, we must then realize that the next logical step is to expand the scope of its operations in order to cater and discover more market opportunities. But unlike the operations in the domestic territory, there are many factors that need to be considered and evaluated if the company is to be successful in its expansion. Global marketing has been a trend of the past decades since it utilizes the advantages of other nations in an exchange of trade of commodities which will hopefully promote healthy competition and stimulate economic development of the parties involved. But in order to take advantage and come up on top, the complexities of global trade should be analyzed and strategies should be laid out by the company. The strategies to handle the vast supply chain management system and the added value system must be developed and implemented. (Lee, 2012). This r

States make wars, but wars make states. Discuss Essay

States make wars, but wars make states. Discuss - Essay Example ish Royalist who had a great influence on Western political philosophy, in his book Leviathan also gives a profound explanation concerning the concept of state. Hobbes conceived the hypothetical notion of the natural condition of mankind from axiomatic proposition of human nature. Hobbes’s state of nature is exemplified by the famous motto â€Å"bellum ominum contra omnes† (war of every man against every man) where every person has a right and a need to do anything to preserve their own liberty and safety. To escape this state of chaos and also the satisfy the needs for a comfortable life, people form social contract, ceding their individual rights to create sovereignty ruled under absolute monarch, which was the preferred type of rule by Hobbes, or other types of rule, such as democracy. A unified definition would claim that a state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external, sovereignty over a definite territory. The existing historical evidence only supports the theory of Hobbes concerning the creation of states. Although the creation of the city of Rome is shrouded in myth, archaeological evidence point to the conclusion that Rome grew from pastoral settlements on the Palatine Hill and surrounding hills approximately eighteen miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea and the south side of the Tiber. This location the Tiber forms a Z-shape curve that contains an island where the river can be forded. Because of the river and the ford, Rome was at a crossroads of traffic following the river valley and of traders travelling north and south on the west side of the peninsula. These trade and agricultural conditions as well as the fear of destruction by the surrounding people gave rise to the city that later created the Roman statehood. Another example is the ancient Greek city-states, which had excellent climate for agricultural products, economic strength and a strategic

Growth Of Islamic Fundamentalism In South Asia History Essay

Growth Of Islamic Fundamentalism In South Asia History Essay Islamic fundamentalism is not a new phenomenon. In recent times, it has acquired a militant and jihadi form. It has grown because of the failure of the ruling elite in South Asian countries in nation building and in constructing democratic polities. Successive regimes, both civilian and military, in some of the countries in the region have used Islam as a means to legitimise their rule. As seen in previous chapter that the Islamic fundamentalism has been well entrenched in Pakistans power structure for the last two decades or so, ever since the military rule of General Zia-ul Haq. Pakistan militarys alliance with the Mullahs was formed during this period. The conglomerate of six fundamentalist parties, the Muttahida Majlise Amal (MMA), controls the provincial government in the strategic NWFP, where it has already enforced a kind of Taliban rule. The MMA is also part of the government in Baluchistan. Subsequently Gen. Musharraf strengthened the Mullah-Military alliance. In the subsequent paragraphs we will study the Islamic fundamentalism in various other asian countries and pak role in spreading this fundamenatalism. PART I: ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN AFGHANISTAN Afghanistan and the Rise of Taliban Demography. Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzebkistan and China. Its population approximately stand somewhere between 15 and 20 million people. The overwhelming majority of its population is Muslims, although a significant minority -between 10 and 20 per cent adheres to heterodox Sunni confession. The population is also diverse in both ethnic and linguistic terms. While two Indo- Iranian languages Persian and Pustho- are the ones most widely heard in the country, one also encounters speakers of Turk, Dravidian, Nuristani, and other languages. Afghanistan besides ethnicaly and linguistically, is also divided economically and spatially. Shaping of Fundamentalism Power Struggle the Root Cause. The Afghanistan is in turmoil since 1973. In 1973 Mohammed Daoud khan staged a coup, deposing his cousin king Zahir Shah and appointing himself as president. Daoud captured power with the help of Soviet- trained military officers, who were members of the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA). On 27 Apr 1978, the leftist military officers overthrew Mohammed Daoud Khan in a surprise coup and Noor Mohammed Taraki came to power. Due to internal disputes within the Taraki Camp there was widespread killing of tribal leaders to extend control over them. Thus Amin overthrew and killed Taraki and made overtures to the USA. Russian Intervention. The Russian Intervention in Afghanistan played a crucial role for its subsequent control and a state of anarchy in the region. The reason for russian intervention in Afghanistan were as under:- Iranian Connection. During Oct 1974 The Shah of Iran offered aid worth $ 2 billion to Kabul and also give secure access to Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to the sea via Iran, there by reducing the Soviet leverage as the only alternative route for Afghan overland trade. The increased overtures of iran towards Afghanistan increased Soviet apprehensions. Inclination to USA. The Amin after assuming the power from Taraki made overtures towards USA. This caused Moscow panic and at this stage the Soviets decided to intervene militarily to stabilize the situation, instead the soviets got sucked into the war. Situation after Soviet Withdrawal. After the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in 1989. The number of Mujahideen faction who fought their Jihad against Soviet forces and communist regime of Kabul tried to capture the power in Kabul. The Afghan society was highly divided on tribal and ethnolinguistically lines at that time. The mujahideen warlords were also fragmented along these lines. As their communities interests were involved hence a consensus government could not be formed and neither a power sharing agreement could reach between them. The end result was anarchy in Afghanistan. Pakistan, which was a front line state for Americans and western nation for arms supplies to mujahideen during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan had now its own interest in keeping the Afghan disintegrated as it wanted it establish its own puppet government there, so it backed number of mujahideen groups but when they failed to capture the power in Kabul, it started the Taliban movement with Sau di money and US planning and Pakistans manpower. Pakistans Objectives. Pakistan objectives in Afghanistan are two fold. The first was to secure a receptive leader ship in Kabul which would ensure the transformation of Afghanistan into a Pakistan dominated, Pushtun ruled enclave and assist Pakistans goal of wider regional influence, and broader regional political, economic and strategic gains. The other was to enable Pakistan to enmesh the identity of Pakistans and Afghanistan Pushtun into one and settle once and for all the longstanding Afghanistan -Pakistan border dispute in line with Pakistans interests. These considerations assumed greater urgency after the collapse of the Soviet Union, which not only signalled the imminent end of communist rule in Kabul, but also opened up the potentially resource rich Central Asian Republic( CAR). Growth of Taliban Birth of Taliban. It is generally accepted by Afghanistan watchers that the Taliban had its birth in the rugged mountains of the Pak-Afghan border, inside Pakistan territory some time in Aug 1994. By early 1994 it became obvious to the ISI that the Burhanuddin Rabbani regime, not very friendly to Islamabad, was slowly consolidating itself in Kabul. While they were looking for alternative s, Maj Gen (Retd) Naseerullah Babar, the Interior Minister in the second Benazir Bhutto government floated the idea of creating a students militia along with some veterans from the Afghan mujahideen who had fought the Red Army and who had taken shelter in Pakistan. Gen Babar started his search for suitable leaders from around April-May 1994. In the process, he came across a certain Mohammad Umar Mujahid. Later widely known as Mullah Umar. By the end of May 1994 the basic infrastructure for launching the Taliban was in place. Around this time, the meeting with the Jamait Ulema Islam headed by Maulana Fazlur Rahman started bearing fruit in terms of deputing its students for the proposed outfit, which it proposed to call Taliban. Most of the Taliban are the children of the Jihad against Soviet Union. Many were born in Pakistani refugee camps, educated in Pakistani madrassas and learnt their fighting skill from Afghan Mujahideen parties based in Pakistan. Their families continued to live in Pakistan as refugees even after the fall of Kabul to the Mujahideen in 1992. The Taliban the Army of Islamic students -was raised from the madrassas on the Afghan Pakistan border. Sociologically, Pakistan had based this new revolution upon the segment of the fanatical and illiterate village mullahs- the land less and weakest section of Afghan society. They are generally orphans who prefer to live in madrassas for three square meals a day. Pakistani Connection. Many Taliban carry Pakistani identity cards, as they spent years in refuge camps in Pakistan, and thousand voted in the 1997 elections Baluchistan for their favourite Pakistani party- the Jamiat -e Ulema-I Islam. Moreover the Taliban recruited hundreds of Pakistani Islamic fundamentalist students to fight for their causes and were closely linked to Pakistans fundamentalist Islamic parties such as the Jamait -e Uleama Islam led by Maulana Fazular Rahman. Their social history also allowed them to be extremely well connected to many Pakistani state institution, political parties and business groups in what was already an extremely fragmented Pakistani power structure. Thus the Taliban were never beholden to one exclusive Pakistani lobby. ISI Support to Taliban. It is believed that the Taliban Shura and Umer are only a front and the actual thinking and strategy is provide by the former and serving members of the Inter Services Intelligence Agency (ISI) of Pakistan. It wold be difficult to explain otherwise how the students of madrassas, dedicated to religious learning as a way to life almost overnight became warriors. The improvised madrassas in the NWFP and Baluchistan would hardly be in a position to impart any military training, unless they have sound and organized financial and military backing. In any event, over the last two years Lt Gen (Retd.) Hameed Gul, former Chief of the ISI, has emerged as an important spokesperson of the Taliban movement. Large number of former Pakistani military personnel a have been spotted in Taliban camps actively engaged in Taliban activities. PART II: ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN BANGLADESH Brief History Formation of Bangladesh. Bangladesh emerged as a new state in 1971 after a protracted struggle for autonomy, which evolved into a freedom movement against the Punjabi-dominated military bureaucratic establishment of Pakistan. Religion and Constitution. Though the initial Constitution of Bangladesh unambiguously enshrined secularism, which was to be realised by eliminating communalism in all its forms, and the establishment of multi-party democracy as fundamental political values. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had spelt out the meaning of secularism in the context of the Muslim society. He had explained that secularism does not mean absence of religion. The people of Bangladesh would have the right to religion but nobody would be allowed to use religion as a political weapon. Islam in Bangladesh has been based on three types of religious beliefs: modern, orthodox and popular. A majority of the Muslims of Bangladesh practice popular religion that includes faith in pirs, sacred places, Hindu gods and local deities and spirits. The Jamaat-i- Islami had no appeal in the political environment in East Pakistan since 1947. In, the Jamaat-i-Islami had only one member in that part of Pakistan. Bangladeshs Drift Towards Extremism. However, after the military coup dà ©tat of 1975, secularism was replaced by the words Faith in Almighty Allah in the revised constitution. A new era of the relationship with Middle Eastern Muslim countries, brought Wahhabi ideology back home from Arabia and created a social ground and support base for future fundamentalists in the country. In 1988, another military dictator declared Islam the state religion of Bangladesh by amending the Constitution. To create an aura of political legitimacy as well as to win support from the oil-rich Middle Eastern Muslim countries, military regimes rehabilitated and eventually collaborated with Islamic political organizations, some of which were radical and fundamentalist in nature. 43 Both military regimes tried to overcome their legitimacy crises by manipulating the political issue of Islamic identity. In this way, the military regimes not only created the opportunity for the Islamists to be a part of mainst ream politics in Bangladesh, but they also made Islamization an agenda of the state and Islam the de facto state ideology.44Subsequent democratic governments could not overcome the religious ideology created by the military regimes. During the anti-military period of the 1980s, the two major political parties, the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), continued to maintain tactical relationships with fundamentalist political organizations. The party that won the general elections in 1991 and 2001 formed a coalition with fundamentalist political organizations. The two of the militant fundamentalist organizations of this period that shocked the country the most were the HUJIB and the JMB. The mother organization of the HUJIB was located in Pakistan. Fundamentalist Acts in Bangladesh. Between March 6, 1999 and January 27, 2005, militant Islamists killed at least 156 people in Bangladesh. Bombs were thrown mostly at secular cultural gatherings, courthouses, and Sufi shrines. Worst among them were the bomb attacks at Udichi programs (a secularist cultural organization) programs, the Ahmadiyya mosque (a minority Islamic religious sect), Bengali new year celebrations, churches, movie theatres, the Bangladeshi born British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, and at the rally of the party of opposition. The bomb attack that shocked the country most was the blast of August 17, 2005, where 459 bombs were exploded in 63 of the 64 districts in the country between 11:00 and 11:30 am. There were also several attacks on secularist NGO (Non-Government Organization) activists and newspapers. Two militant religious fundamentalist organizations, Harkatul Jihad al-Islam Bangladesh (HUJIB), and Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), carried out these a ttacks. These two groups alone exploded hundreds of bombs throughout the country during this period in order to establish an Islamic regime in the country. In addition to these two groups, other militant Islamist organizations, active in this period that were also involved in similar violent and terrorist activities included, Shahadat al-Hikma, Hizbut Tawhid, Bangladesh Islamic Manch, and Hifajate Khatme Nabuwat Andolon. Pakistan Link. The two of the major and active militant fundamentalist organizations of Bangladesh are HUJIB (Harkatul Jihad al-Islam of Bangladesh) and the JMB (Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh). The mother organization of the HUJIB was located in Pakistan. The Pakistani HUJI had first appeared in the early 1980s as a group of supporters of the Afghan resistance against Soviet aggression, known as Jamaatul Ansar (Group of the Helpers). With the support of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI), the group renamed itself as Harkatul Jihad al-Islam (The Movement for the Islamic Jihad) in 1988.53 In the 1990s it expanded its operations beyond Afghanistan, especially in support of the struggle of Muslims in non-Muslim countries. Shafiqur Rahman, an Afghan war veteran, founded the Harkatul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh in 1992. The organization officially declared its existence at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on April 30, 1992. Presently there are approx 27 militant outfits in Indias Northeast that have ties with Bangladesh and its various religio-political groups. The ISI and Bangladeshs DGFI coordinate with ULFA. The influx of migrants from Bangladesh across the border into north-east India and West Bengal certainly poses a threat of Islamic militancy spreading in these regions of India as well. During the rule of the BNP-led four-party alliance between 2001 and 2006, militant Islamic groups such as the HUJIB and JMB received significant material and moral support from Islamists within the alliance. PART III:THE DANGER IN NEPAL Gen. Nepal is a Hindu kingdom but not a Hindu state and religious minorities have lived in the Kingdom without any discrimination. Over the last several years, the Kingdom, however, has been in turmoil. It has been plagued by Maoist insurgency and the struggle for end of monarchy and establishment of Democracy in the Kingdom. Both these major struggle were over by 2006. However the country had to think and work out the settlement before the maoist can be adopted and the new constitution can be enacted for the country. Though the country is pro India and anti Islamic Fundamentalism, but a disturbed situation has been exploited by the anti India countries over the years. The use of Nepal soil by the Islamist for causing disturbance in India have been established time again.The presence of militant Islamists on the India-Nepal border has been causing concern in the contiguous Indian areas. Geographical Realities. It may be noted that India has an open, porous border with Nepal, which is 1,859 km-long. There are almost 20 Indian districts that share the border with 27 Nepalese districts. The open border provides a free field to all kinds of criminal activities, like drug trafficking, smuggling, intelligence activities, fake currency, fugitives, etc. Matter of Concern. What has caused concern is the emergence of numerous madrassas and mosques on both sides of the border. The number of mosques is certainly not justified by the number of Muslims in the area. The madrassas are largely funded from West Asia. These developments too have serious implications for India. The 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane on a flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi, which ultimately ended with the release of three top Pakistani terrorist leaders, showed that the ISI had set up an active base in Nepal. Some Kashmiri groups belonging to Hizb-ul Mujahideen have been caught in Nepal trying to send money to Islamic separatists in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani presence in Nepal is reflected in the growth of madrassas, increase in Muslim population, floating of fake Indian currency and is helped by an open border and lack of monitoring system. PART IV: ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN SRI LANKAN Origin and Growth of Islamic Fundamentalism. Muslims in Sri Lanka are the descendants of the Arabs, who came about a thousand years ago. The origins of Islamic fundamentalism in the country, however, are recent and can be traced to 1990 when the Sri Lankan ethnic Tamils drove away Muslims from the Eastern region under their control. This forced migration increased Muslim population in the districts to which they had migrated. No effort was made by the government to rehabilitate these uprooted Muslim refugees, who had to live in poverty and misery. Over time, madrassas came up, funded by munificent Arabs. Frequent Sinhala-Muslim communal clashes began to take place. Shariat courts were set up and strict rules imposed on Muslim women in the Eastern areas. The situation in the Muslim areas deteriorated and Muslim- Buddhist clashes became a regular feature. Militant camps were set up in the Eastern areas where volunteers were given arms and weapons training in the jungles and they called themselves jihadis fighting a holy war for protecting themselves. Ironically, the government itself had provided arms to the Muslims in the early 1980s to protect themselves against the LTTE. Also, attempts were made on part of the government to use Islamic militancy as a buffer against the LTTE. The country has been facing the threat of Tamil Eelam. The situation in the Eastern province is a potential bloody cauldron. There have been reports of two Islamic militant bases in Valaichchenai. The formation of an Osama Squad in Batticaloa has also come to notice. All this indicates growth of extremist elements in the community. Pak Involvement. The ISI is keenly interested to collect intelligence about developments in Indian nuclear establishments, many of which are located in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In this background, the appointment by Pakistan two years ago of a former director of the Intelligence Bureau as its High Commissioner in Colombo was not without significance. There has been an increase in the activities of Lashkar-e-Toiba in the Eastern province. PART V: ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM AND INDIA Fundamentalist Parties Post Independence. After independence apart from some minor outfits, there were two main fundamentalist parties in the country, the Jamiat-al Ulema-i-Hind and the Jamaat-t-Islami. The Jamiat-al Ulema, which had opposed the creation of Pakistan till the end, withdrew from Indian politics after the freedom and the framing of the Indian Constitution. While the Jamaat-i-Islami was divided after the emergence of Pakistan in 1947 and some members of the Jamaat, including its founder, Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, migrated to Pakistan, with an aim of creating an Islamic country. While the, members of the Jamaat, who stayed back in India, formed a separate Jamaat in April 1948. The leaders of the Indian Jamaat opposed secularism in all walks of life and decided not to participate in elections, and decided to opt out of the Indian political system. However Jamaat accepted the secularism in 1960s, though with some reservations. The Jamaat members from Jammu Kashmir have not been part of the Indian Jamaat and formed a separate party in the state. Growth of Islamic Fundamentalism in India. India is marred with a plethora of terrorist/ insurgency related problems, terrorism in Punjab, insurgency in its NE, Maoist insurgency in its Central Part, Islamic Fundamentalism in J K and till late LTTE influence in its southern part. However among all these the threat from Islamic fundamentalism by large, poses the most complex and significant threat to India. India comprises of largest Muslim population after Indonesia in south Asia. Islamic fundamentalism in the form of terrorism in India was initially limited to the region of J K, but today it has spread its tentacles to other parts of India too. The series of bombing episodes in Mumabai, Banglore, Hyderabad, Varanasi, the hijacking of Indian airlines, attack on parliament, mumbai 26/11, etc are testimony to the growing influence of Islamic fundamentalism in India. India clearly has become a target of jihad in the age of globalisation. Islamic fundamentalism is against democracy and equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of caste, creed, or gender. Its further growth will disrupt peace and stability in the country and in the entire region. Pakistan Invovement. It was well realised by various pakistani rulers and dictators that subdueing India with military might is near to impossible and a proxy war in the form of Jihad would accrue disproportionate result. Keeping this aspect in mind Gen Jia-ul-Haque implemented this plan during his tenure. This plan of destabilising India, was implemented through the ISI, an intelligence agency whose officer cadre is drawn from Pakistan Army which is considered to be the state Instrument of this policy, Pakistan involvement in creating and fostering religious extremist groups and terror organisations in Kashmir and elsewhere in India is well documented. PART VI: PAK INVOLVEMENT IN GROWTH OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN SOUTH ASIA Through our previous study it ha sbeen amply established that the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan is not only responsible for the present situation in Afghanistan and in Jammu and Kashmir, but it also has far reaching consequences for all countries of the South Asian region. All South Asian countries are pluralistic and face at different levels, internal tensions and conflicts based on caste, religion, ethnicity, language and community, and these distort their national integrity and unity. Religious nationalism has made a great headway not only in Pakistan but also in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It has made Pakistan a haven for Islamic terrorists, including Al Qaida, and it inspires terrorist activity in Kashmir. Some of the features of Islamic extremism in South Asia are: religiously defined national identity, undermining of democracy by promoting majoritarian theory and practice of non-liberal democracy and accentuation of international conflicts on ethno-religious lines, for example, between Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India and Muslim Bangladesh. The fundamentalists aim to turn the Muslim majority states of the region into Islamic states and start jihad in those countries where Muslims are in a minority. There is no accurate information about the exact number of madrassas in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. Many of these madrassas disseminate the militant ideology of Islamic fundamentalism and turn out militants. These contribute to the ongoing destabilisation not only in Pakistan but also in other countries of the region. The potential radicalisation of Indian Muslims is also a cause of concern. The Pakistan had the repercussions in other countries of the region. The major Islamic party, the Jamaat-i- Islami of Pakistan, and the Tablighi Jamaat and their militant offshoots has a strong presence in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. There is a wide network of Deobandi and Wahabi madrassas in almost each South Asian country and many of them are being funded by Saudi and Pakistani sources. Pakistan has been sponsoring a militant terrorist campaign in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for the last two decades. Pakistans official agencies have been active in promoting militant groups in all countries of the region. In India, there has also been a visible increase in the activities of Pakistani-sponsored militant groups, like Lashkar-e Toiba and Jaish-e Muhammad. South Asia is the most complex region of the world in terms of religion, and is inhabited by the followers of all major religions. Islam, after Hinduism, is one of the major religions of South Asia. It has the second lar gest following (29 per cent) after Hinduism (64 per cent). Almost four out of every 10 South Asians are Muslims, and they form the single largest Muslim population in the world. Islam in the region has had to co-exist, ever since its arrival in the Indian subcontinent in the first century of the Islamic calendar, with a bewildering variety of religions and cults. All the countries in the region that emerged after Independence are hence multireligious, multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic. India is larger, both in size and population, than all the other countries of the region combined. It has also the largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia. Conclusion Muslims constitute the majority of the population in three of the seven countries in South Asia, i.e., Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives, and they are also a significant minority in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. But Muslims of South Asia are not a monolithic community. Even at the height of the Mughal Regional Implications of the Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism in Pakistan rule in India, the Muslims of the region did not constitute a single harmonious community. They are divided in different Islamic sects, subsects and schools of thought. Though a majority of them belong to the Sunni sect, each South Asian country has a substantial number of Shias and other minority sects and schools. Almost every country in the region also faces unresolved ethnic, communal and linguistic tensions that at times lead to major conflicts. The terrorist campaign in Jammu Kashmir- waged mainly by militant Islamic groups sponsored and trained by Pakistans agencies and the disruptive activities of the Islam ic fundamentalist parties within Pakistan, therefore have wider implications and pose a major threat to the region. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan has had serious implications for social and political stability in the region and a highly volatile impact on relations among communities adhering to different faiths. References/End Notes

War and Peace Essay -- European History Germany France War Essays

War and Peace The greater threat to world peace in the 20s, 30s, and 40s is a point that could be argued and debated upon for essays on piles of essays. The true threats of world peace were those who were naà ¯ve enough to believe that a people can be totally humiliated as the Germans were in the Treaty of Versailles following World War I and not be subject to promises of regained glory. Throughout the 1920s, the world was relatively peaceful—save perhaps the Italian â€Å"revolution† by Mussolini who had his Fascist government set up fully by the year 1926 and the Beer Hall Putsch led by Adolf Hitler in 1923. With the crushing of the revolution by the Bavarian government (which was completely riddled full of Nazi sympathizers), Hitler was sentenced to the minimum five years in prison at Landsberg Castle in Munich where he had a Martha Stewart-esque term of â€Å"hard-time.† Even at his trial, he spoke as if it were a political rally! Hitler’s book was inspired from the encouragement of other members of the Nazi party, Emile Maurice his chauffeur being the original â€Å"writer† until young Rudolf Hess took over shortly after Hitler began to dictate the book. Hitler originally titled his autobiography â€Å"Four Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity, and Cowardice† (http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERmein.htm). The publishers thought the title to be too long and instead changed it to Mein Kampf which translates to â€Å"My Struggle.† After H...

Effect of temperature on rate of reaction :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

Effect of temperature on rate of reaction Aim: To find out if the temperature increases the rate of reaction of two chemicals. Prediction: My prediction is that the higher the temperature is the faster the rate of the reaction will be. Equipment: Hot water, thermometer, flask, cold water, stopwatch, tissue paper, paper with ‘X’ marked on it, safety glasses, measuring cylinder, large beaker, sodium thiosulphate, hydrochloric acid. Method: The experiment has to be done five times for the five different temperatures of the sodium thiosulphate. The temperatures are: 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C To start the experiments fill the flask with 50cm ³ of sodium thiosulphate into the large beaker. Fill the large beaker up with the water of right temperature that is required for the experiment. Put the thermometer into the flask with sodium thiosulphate and check the temperature is right for the experiment. If the water is too cold, in the large beaker pour in some more hot water or if it is too hot pour in some cold water to reach the required temperature for the sodium thiosulphate. Once the sodium thiosulphate is the right temperature, take it out of the water, wipe the bottom of the flask with tissue paper and place it onto the piece of paper with ‘X’ marked on it. Now measure 5cm ³ of hydrochloric acid in the measuring cylinder. Then pour the hydrochloric acid into the sodium thiosulphate, at this moment start timing with the stopwatch and keep timing until you cannot see the ‘X’ mark through the liquid. Make sure you wear safety glasses and handle the acid carefully. Fair Test: To make this investigation fair you have to make sure you use the same concentration of hydrochloric acid for all experiments. You also have to make sure you use the same amount of hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulphate for all the experiments. Also make sure you time the experiments accurately. Observation: My observation was that when the temperature of the sodium thiosulphate was higher the solution turned cloudy quicker. Results: -------------------------------------------- Temperature ( °C) Time for cross to disappear (minutes) 20 2.49 30 1.

Reaction Paper: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction Essay

Abstract In his book Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction written by Dr. Mark Laaser he gives us a glimpse into the life of those addicted to sex. Mark Laaser set out to increase understanding of sexual addiction as a disease. He leads us to discover how sexual addiction takes over the life of the sexually addicted person and causes devastation from a Christian world view. In his book Dr. Laaser examines what he calls the building blocks behaviors that begin the cycle that leads to sexual addiction, and the family dynamics that contribute to sexual addiction. The sexual addiction in the church is addressed along with how the church can recover. Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction written by Dr. Mark Laaser (2004) analyses sexual addiction from a Christian world view. Dr. Laaser (2004) is a recovering sex addict with personal experience of the pain and shame of sexual addiction. Sexual addiction is described as a sickness involving any type of uncontrollable sexual activity (Laaser, 2004). Unlike other diseases, Christian sex addicts have the added complication of not seeking help because they feel they will be hated, shunned, laughed at, or punished if anyone knew their sin (Laaser, 2004): however, as Laaser (2004, p. 224) stated in his book â€Å"while sexual sin is devastating, there is hope for healing†. Synopsis In his book Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction Dr. Mark Laaser (2004) identifies sexual addiction, the cycle that causes it, and hope for those who are sexually addicted. His theory of sexual addiction is that it is a disease and immoral. As with all sin, it escalates into a downward spiral that if left untreated can cause death to the sinner. Laaser (2004) believes although sexual addiction is a sin it is also a disease. This leaves little  doubt for Dr. Laaser, that â€Å"we are engaged in warfare when we attempt to heal sexual addiction (Laaser, 2004, p. 25).† He believes the onset of sexual addiction consist of building block behaviors, these are sexual activities that cause the cycle of other sexual behaviors. Laaser (2004, p. 29) explains â€Å"these building block behaviors are fantasy, pornography, and masturbation.† These behaviors cause a cycle where the addict can never find satisfaction. In this cycle of sexual addiction, the addict tries to be in control but cannot gain control without healing. As with most sins once caught in the cycle of sexual addiction it is impossible to get out without help. I believe that the church is responsible for helping to heal people who are sick. Just as a person with diabetes or any other chronic disease the sexually addicted person needs a healer. Family Dynamics Dr. Laaser (2004, p. 76) discusses the roots to sexual addiction, which he says â€Å"begins in families that possess unhealthy dynamics and characteristics.† One way families’ express unhealthy dynamics are through boundaries. Boundaries can be too loose or too rigid. Some families may have both loose and rigid boundaries, which causes confusion in children. Rules are another force at work contributing to unhealthy families. Dr. Laaser (2004) states some families have rules of conduct that prevent tension from getting out of control. These rules are probably never spoken or written down but the whole family knows them. Some of these rules are not talking about feelings, problems or embarrassing situations, this could be hiding one’s feelings or denying problems (Laaser, 2004). The third category that contributes to unhealthy family dynamics are the roles people play in the family unit. These roles can be unhealthy when a person is forced into playing a role he was not created to play (Laaser, 2004). The final category is addictions, addictions can be substance or behavioral things that have become repetitive in an unmanageable way and lead to destructive consequences. As a child I grew up in a family that had both loose and rigid boundaries concerning sex. I was told sex was something you do not do, besides that it was something you do not speak of. I grew up not knowing what healthy boundaries were. This helps me to understand how a person could become sexually addicted. I know I could empathize with a  person who is sexually addicted. As a Christian I have learned what healthy boundaries are and what my role is as a person in Christ. I believe that sexual addiction is immoral, but it is also a disease. I also believe that an addict cannot get out of the cycle of sexual addiction without help. Therefore as the church we are to be the hands of Christ reaching out to help those who need healing from sexual addiction. Treatment of Sexual Addiction When seeing new patients Dr. Laaser (2004) asks three spiritual questions. The first question is â€Å"do you want to get well (pg.122)?† He relates this question to the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda, where Jesus asked the man â€Å"do you want to get well†. The correlation is that to get well the person must want to get well. They must give up their past pain and suffering to God, and find alternative ways to find love and nurturing they need. This requires a lifetime of discovery, but it all starts with willingness (Laaser, 2004). The last two questions are â€Å"what are you thirsty for (Laaser, 2004, p. 123)† and â€Å"are you willing to die to yourself (Laaser, 2004, p. 124).† The addict must be ready to be healed, be thirsty for God, and be willing to die to themselves in order to begin the healing process. Dr. Laaser’s treatment also involves ten components of accountability. Accountability is necessary in order for the addict to maintain sexual purity (Laaser, 2004). He relates the accountability to the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the city that has been destroyed. As in Nehemiah the addict must have someone to be accountable to. When the addict has agreed to treatment Dr. Laaser recommends there be a professional in place to care for them. According to Laaser (2004) there are a growing number of Christian Counselors trained to give a formal diagnosis. The addict should be taken to this professional immediately to begin treatment. Dr. Laaser then gives five components of treatment of sexual addiction. These include stopping sexual behavior, stopping rituals, stopping fantasy, healing despair and healing shame. Elements of all five of these are  required for an effective treatment plan (Laaser, 2004). I believe that learning never ends especially in regards to human behavior. I believe I have the empathy and positive regard for a person that has a sexual addiction to treat them. After working with addicts for a year I learned that this disease is habitual and that it is a cycle that is not easily broken. It takes patience and perseverance to work with an addict. Most of all I believe it take compassion for that person. Knowing that recovery is a lifelong process and takes a life time of work. Sexual Addiction and the Church A leadership Journal survey revealed that 23 percent of 300 pastors had done something sexually inappropriate with someone other than their spouse (Laaser, 2004,p.194). There are a variety of things that contribute to pastors’ sexual vulnerability. However it is still the responsibility of the pastor to get help and not act on these vulnerabilities. In order for the church to heal Laaser (2004) believes we must bring healing to two groups: primary victims and secondary victims. Primary victims are those who have been sexually abused by leaders. Secondary victims are those in the congregation who were betrayed because of faith in the pastor. In caring for primary victims Dr. Laaser recommends that the church provide advocates who can guide these victims in the process of healing. The church should provide fellowship to the victims, and counseling. Care for secondary victims involves breaking the silence, the grieving process, reconciling the victims to the church, and prevention. Prevention involves developing healthy boundaries in the congregation in order to prevent wounds. Dr. Laaser has several opinions in which I agree. One of the most important parts of healing the church as a whole is to develop healthy boundaries in the church. This would prevent people from being wounded and wounding others. The church as a whole must heal the pastors and the congregation. Offering pastors help so that they do not become burdened by their job, and making them be accountable to someone. I also agree that we must speak out and not hide any indiscretion in the church and when there is an incidence it should be brought out in the open. This would stop perpetrators from continuing to harm others. Conclusion The addict is never completely cured from sexual addiction. It takes a lifetime of work and perseverance to break the patterns that cause a person to be sexually addicted. To recover from the trap of addiction a person has to come to the end of themselves and admit they need help. The shame and fear from their habits make it hard for the addict to trust enough to seek help. Dr. Laaser stated accepting their powerlessness over their disease leaves them with a great humility and need for God, which is a deep aspect of their spiritual healing (p. 223). Reference Laaser, M.R. (2004). Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.