American Society and Politics Nowadays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

American Society and Politics Nowadays - Essay Example Those supporting stricter policies assert that illegal immigrants perpetuate poverty because they undermine benefits and wages stipulated for unskilled labor. When the laws are lenient, liberals and business owners in construction, food processing and hotel industries conspire to ignore the process of enforcing immigration law. In politics, an influx of immigrants is a crucial boost to the forces that facilitated their entry into the country. As an example, in the 2012 elections, there were over 12 million Latinos that cast votes (Kerwin, Chishti & Bergeron 69). According to statistics, that figure represents 10 percent of the body of voters in the US and is capable of changing the political landscape. Census forecasts indicate that the Latino electorate alonSe is estimated to reach 29 million voters in 2016, which sets in motion the scramble for both the Democratic and Republican parties to court them and other smaller immigrant groups (Kerwin, Chishti & Bergeron 74). However, when the immigration is not controlled, some unintended consequences may include higher crime rates, drug trafficking and the threat of terrorism. Therefore, this still leaves the debate for either stricter or lenient immigration policies.

Interpersonal Relationships: Advantages and Disadvantages

Interpersonal Relationships: Advantages and Disadvantages Tiffany Steeples Interpersonal Relationships Interpersonal relationships are one of the most important things we have, and our ability to form meaningful relationships, rest largely on your interpersonal communication competencies (DeVito, pg. 196). The advantages of relationships often outweigh the disadvantages but to form more meaningful relationships, to keep them, or even to dissolve them and maintain emotional health at the end of a relationship; one must be able to evaluate the stages of relationships and their importance (Hamlett). A good way to understand the study of interpersonal relationships is to take a look at your own relationships, whether past, present or even the type of relationship you want in your future. Focusing on your own relationships such as friendships, romantic relationships, your family, or your work relationships can explain a lot about whether your relationships fail or succeed. Major advantages of having interpersonal relationships are: You lessen your loneliness (DeVito pg. 196). When you feel like someone cares or loves you and is there to protect you, you feel less lonely. Gaining a self-knowledge and having the self esteem you need through contact with others helps you to see things through different perspectives. Placing yourself in different roles can strengthen the availability of so many relationships will help you to focus on viewing  yourself and your relationship. Healthy interpersonal relationships also help enhance self-esteem and self-worth (DeVito pg. 196). Having that one friend or that one romantic partner will make you feel more worthy and more desirable. DeVito states that research shows that without interpersonal relationships, you are more likely to become depressed and by becoming depressed, interpersonal relationships can contribute to physical illness (DeVito pg, 197). Not only can you become depressed, but relationships can also contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, or lack of physical exercise (DeVito pg. 197). With having those â€Å"good friends†, you’re able to maximize your pleasure and they help to minimize your pain. For example, when losing a job, your friends are supposed to make you feel less hurt when unexpected confrontations arrive. Friends are there to help and will make you feel better whether it be good news or bad news. The last advantage of interpersonal relationships, human contact is one of the best ways to secure the intellectual, physical and emotional stimulation that we all go through (DeVito pg. 197). DeVito also states that even having an imaginary friend is better than not having a friend at all. The advantages all seem to have a good effect on a person who is involved with interpersonal relationships and understanding all of these things will help us to determine how far our relationships will go. The disadvantages of Interpersonal relationships are expressed through what most people would consider to be â€Å"disadvantages†. People conclude that close relationships puts pressure on you to reveal yourself and to expose your vulnerabilities (DeVito pg. 197). I find this to be true, especially with friendships because you can know and find out so much about a person and  then as soon as the relationship deteriorates, the relationship may backfire and all of your personal information becomes a weakness that is used against you. Close relationships may increase your obligations towards others. This means that your time becomes their time as well. Not only your time is felt obligated but even possibly your financial obligations become shared and you may not be too excited about sharing your time or your finances. While building close relationships, other relationships you may have may start to feel abandon. I believe this to be true, especially if your building a romantic relationship that may require a lot more of your time and your friends are not as supportive or understanding. Your friendships can become abandoned. Relationships take a lot of both, time and energy, and you have to be willing to sacrifice which relationships are more important or even better, learn to balance the two different relationships to make sure everyone is happy. The closer your relationships, the more emotionally difficult they are to dissolve (DeVito pg. 197). It is whole lot harder to rid a relationship that you have put forth time, emotional strength, and even financial stability. This can cause depression or distress that some people dislike to face. The last disadvantage of having interpersonal relationships is that Your partner may break your heart (DeVito pg. 197). After all of the time and different things that you could possible put forth to make a relationship work, it could all backfire and against all pleas and promises your whole life could change. If you care a great deal, you’re likely to experience a great hurt; if you care less, the hurt will be less (DeVito pg. 197). To better understand interpersonal relationships, you must also understand the relationship stages. The six stages are the significant stages you may go through as you try to achieve your relationship goals (DeVito pg. 198). The six stages which are Contact, Involvement, Intimacy, Repair, Deterioration and Dissolution are use for all types of relationships including friendships, love relationships and even online relationships. Contact is the first stage that includes perceptual contact. Perceptual contact allows you to see what the person looks like, what they sound like and even what they smell like (DeVito pg. 199). After perceptual contact there is interactional contact in which you are interacting with the person. This type of contact can be nonverbal by exchanging winks and smiles and also allows the person to learn information about the other person. DeVito states, that it is during this stage, that your may initiate interaction and engage in invitational communication (DeVito pg. 199). The involvement stage is the second stage in which a sense of mutuality, of being connected, develops (DeVito pg. 199). During this stage your empathizing more with each other and you are committing to getting to know the person at an even better level than the contact stage. It is during this intimacy stage that you begin to express your feelings and thoughts by being honest. Your communication with each other becomes more personal. Within this stage you have the interpersonal commitment phase which allows you to commit yourselves to each other in a more â€Å"private† way and then there is the social bonding phase that allows commitment that is made more publically. It is also during the intimacy stage the two becomes a unit, a couple or a pair. The deterioration stage is the stage where the bonds begin to become weakened. When the reasons for coming together are no longer present or things may take a drastic change, then the relationships deteriorates (DeVito pg . 202). The repair stages has different phases that it  considers; the first phase is the intrapersonal repair. This is when you analyze what exactly went wrong and you may consider ways of solving your differences. During the interpersonal repair, you may discuss the problems of your relationship and what can be done to fix whatever the problems. DeVito states that you can look at the strategies for repairing a relationship in terms of the word REPAIR (DeVito pg. 203). To break down the word REPAIR, it means to Recognize the problem, Engage in productive conflict resolution, Pose possible solutions, Affirm each other, Integrate solutions into your life and Risk. The last stage in the dissolution stage, the stage is the cutting off of the bonds that tie you together, whether in a friendship or romantic relationship. DeVito gives some suggestions for dealing with dissolution. He suggest that you should break the loneliness-depression cycle, take time out, bolster self-esteem, seek the support or others and to avoid repeating negative patterns (DeVito pg. 204). Interpersonal relationships are something that we all as people have to and will experience. Professor Ralph Hamlett states that we must remember that all relationships are dynamic, meaning that they change (Hamlett). In order to accommodate these changes, we must all be aware of the change and how we are going to adapt. Works Cited DeVito, Joseph A., Interpersonal Messages: Communication and Relationship Skills,3rd ed. (Boston:Pearson, 2014). RalphHamlett. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2014. Why is Hamlett Timeless? Why is Hamlett Timeless? Shakespeares Hamlet is exemplary of the universal nature, which, despite the passage of time still holds its textual integrity. As Hamlet  is not limited by contextual barriers multiple interpretations are plausible through the texts ability to be re-contextualised. The thematic representations of love, power and the central theme of life and death continue to hold significance to audiences and propose an understanding of the mental instability of the human condition. The themes will be highlighted in this response in order to expose Hamlets transcendent nature. Political instability and Power through matters of Corruption are timeless and can be expressed during the Elizabethan Era of Hamlet. Corruption is epitomised in Hamlet through the character of Claudius who used the ambiguous method of murdering King Hamlet to satisfy his obsession for power. Claudiuss immoral and corrupt rise to power is illustrated in Act 1 scene 5 as King Hamlet states, The serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown. The metaphoric language present exemplifies Claudiuss unjust rise to power. Claudius has used corruption at the detriment of justice and virtue to proclaim power within Denmark. Furthermore, Claudius corrupt rise to power is further cemented into the kingdom of Denmark through Hippocratic characters such as Polonius and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This can be reinforced as Hamlet states, there are many confines, wards and dungeons; Denmark being one oth worst. The extended metaphor of imprisonment not only encapsulates his view of C laudiuss corrupt kingdom but represents his feelings of being entrapped in an unstable political monarch. Therefore political instability and power occur through matters of corruption. Central to Hamlets development is the themes of intricacies of the human condition thus being life and death. Shakespeares usage of soliloquies depicts Hamlet thoughts and feelings strengthing Hamlets as a truth teller. This dramatic technique is used to reveals admiration of his father in contrast to Claudius. A hostile Hamlet illustrates the difference between the two kings, his deceased father and Claudius through the anthropomorphic allusion of his father to Claudius in being as Hyperion as the satyr. Thus suggesting Claudius who appears regal to be in reality like that of a lustfulness beast while his father to be that of a loyal God. The iambic pentameter present in the most part of the soliloquy is heavily disregarded as this line extends to fifteen syllables as to implore Hamlets distress. His turbulent response is furthermore illustrated by the enjambment which closely follows in the soliloquy indicating struggle to control his emotions. Imagery displays greater meaning in t he death of his Hamlets father. tis an unweeded garden, that grows to seed symbolises that the thrown has been overtook by weeds, that is Claudius, after what was before has died. Shakespeare imagery used allows the audience to view Hamlets thoughts graphically of the truth of the fratricide and incest in Elsinore. Shakespeares use of soliloquies reveals Hamlets thoughts into life and death and reveals the weight of the contemplation in this stream of consciousness. The speech is written in a fractured, fragmented manner which is symbolic of Hamlets internal struggle. Emphasis is placed upon the second last syllable rather than the last syllable, which draws upon the tradition of feminine rhyme further elucidating Hamlets inner turmoil. Anadiplosis is evident in the metonymic chain in this soliloquy between the association of sleeping with death. The use of metonymy stresses the introspection of Hamlet, as it is a technique often used to convey thought processes, as thinking is an associative practice. Shakespeare suggests through the characterisation of Hamlet that the fear of what will come after death makes individuals suffer the corrupt world as suicide would mean eternal damnation. This is again reflected in his statement, Thus consciousness does make cowards of all. Poignantly highlightin g Hamlets inability to execute his reprisal and his struggle to turn his desire for revenge into action, accentuating his restraint due to the fear of what his future will hold after death. Alas poor Yorick! Iknew him / Horatio a transcendent quotation and is a famous reflection on the fragility of life. It is in this soliloquy where Shakespeare reveals Hamlets intelligence, emotional complexity into the fate of us all as the themes of life and death follow on into his stream of consciousness. Hamlet is a play which both, reflects its own context and resonates with modern audiences. Through exploring themes such as the love, power and most highly life and death. Hamlet educates the modern responder about the Shakespearean context and allows them to relate to universal these themes. This combination will ensure that the text continues to be valued as significant through numerous contexts.

Essay --

Teagan Seeley Word Count: 1294 HWC 204 Benjamin Guyer December 17th 2013 â€Å"Exploration of Similarities in Religious Texts: A Further Look at the Koran, the Tanakh and the New Testament† People who practice the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam collectively comprise over one half of the world’s population, and while disparities between these three religions are widely spread and politicized, the similarities between their religious texts outweigh their differences. A crucial similarity between these three religions is their view on Abraham as their spiritual patriarch (lecture). The Koran makes use of both the Tanakh and the New Testament, and while minor differences exist between these texts, the perspectives they share are far more significant. The Koran retains many of the core ideas found in the Tanakh and the New Testament, specifically in regards to the perception of Abraham, the status of God, and the role of women. Any religious text can be interpreted in any number of ways, and while it is easy to pull apart texts of different faiths and dissect the differences, finding common ground and similarities is arguably more important. As previously mentioned, one of the most important similarities between these three texts is the perception of Abraham. Abraham’s commitment to God was tested, and as it was proved, he is the basis for all three of the Abrahamic faiths. In Genesis, God speaks directly to Abraham, saying, â€Å"I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall by blessed.† (Genesis 12:1-3) In the Tanakh, Abraham’s loyalty to God is tested throughout the Bible, and as Abraham’s devotion become apparent, God solidifies ... ...he New Testament, large themes and important messages resonate similarly across the three faiths. The power, authority and oneness of God is undeniable and unquestionable. Similarly, those who disobey the direct commands of God and who do evil will undoubtedly face his punishment. Also, all three religious texts outline a specific hierarchy that is inherent to the believers; God is above Christ, Christ is above men, and men are above women. The roles and rights of women were limited, and not questioned. As with any ancient text, a reader must be aware of the difference in historical cultures, interpretations and biases. With these texts not all being written at the same time, cultural shifts undoubtedly occurred, but the Koran makes use of ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures, as evidenced by the similarities between the Koran, the Tanakh and the New Testament.

How Television Shapes Our Mind Essay

The television has displaced reading and thus inhibits the growth of reading skills. Watching TV requires less mental effort than reading. Television makes things tangible, while reading demands symbolic representation of language. While television maximizes the use of saliency(bright colors, loud noise, zoom) that appeals more to the right-brain hemisphere, reading depends on the understanding of syntax and the relatively slower, sequential processing of information-the of the left-hemisphere. There is an alarming increase in cases of dyslexia-the inability to read. Reading is a laborious task compared to watching TV. Recognizing the differences in letters, combining to words, distinguishing the order, comprehending the sentence, connecting to the next one etc. If a kid is raised on a TV diet, who finds reading or schooling attractive? Children who never learn to process language without pictures attached will have difficulty in school. Furthermore, writing ability correlates positively with the number of books read.TV viewing diminishes the quality of intellectual output (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 21, 2000) Questions based on the above paragraphs must have been formulated in mind after the survey. Write your questions that vary as to 5 W’s and H. The first sample question is already provided. 1. What two ideas are contrasted in the first paragraph? 2. How does television displace the reading and communication skills? 3. What are the advantage and disadvantage of television in reading and communications skills? 4. Why reading is become a laborious task compared to watching TV? 5. How watching TV requires less mental effort than reading? 6. Why television viewing diminishes the quality of intellectual output? Read the two excerpts now completely, and highlight key ideas. Write below five important concepts in the left column then, describe each briefly in the right column. Highlighted Ideas Brief description 1. TV makes things tangible while reading. Through television we can easily see things we want to know while reading needs deep understanding on what we are reading to comprehend it. 2. Reading is a laborious. When we read, it requires time and effort to understand it compared when we are watching, it is easy to understand because we can visualize the idea. 3. TV viewing diminishes the quality of intellectual output. It means that by TV viewing it decreases the quality of learning and skills to be developed. In addition it weakens the mental abilities of a person to continue on the quest of learning. 4. Writing ability correlates positively with the number of books read. As long as the person understand what he is reading he can come up on writing a purposeful piece that will benefit readers 5. Watching TV requires less mental effort than reading†¦ It is a mere fact because the aid of TV viewing it provides definite description of the characters and other things by its feature, color, dynamic, audio-associated and the like, thus it results on negligence to explore and strengthen the true essence of learning. 6. An alarming increase in cases of dyslexia-the inability to read. Children who expose more on learning through watching TV had difficulties in oral and reading communication because they are more known with visual presentation.

Buck’s Dilemma Essay

Solution 1 — Classification with the Statement of Cash Flows Buck should present the borrowing and payment activity as a cash flow from financing activities. ASC 230-10-45-14 states that â€Å"proceeds from issuing bonds, mortgages, notes, and from other short- or long-term borrowing† are a cash inflow from financing activities. Similarly, ASC 23010-45-15 states that â€Å"repayments of amounts borrowed† are a cash outflow for financing activities. Solution 2 — Gross versus net presentation Scenario 1 Net presentation is appropriate. Buck may classify the activity as a $50 million net cash inflow ($100 million in total draws less the $50 million repayment) within the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows. Buck’s activities in Scenario 1 are broadly consistent with the requirements for net presentation under ASC 230-10-45-8 and 45-9. Specifically, the draws and payments on the facility can be considered large in relation to the maximum borrowing capacity (Buck actually reached its maximum borrowing capacity before making any repayments). The volume of the transactions is assumed to be large (note, in practice, this determination typically involves judgment and is dependent upon individual facts and circumstances). In addition, the terms of both draws stipulate that all amounts are due on demand; therefore, Buck should consider the draws as having original maturities of three months or less. ASC 230-10-45-9 only permits net presentation when borrowings have original maturities of three months or less. Scenario 2 The activity related to Buck’s first draw and subsequent repayment should be presented on a gross basis within the financing activities section as a $60 million inflow for the draw on July 15, 2010, and a $60 million outflow for the repayment on December 15, 2010. The activity related to Buck’s second  draw and subsequent repayment may be presented on a net basis within the financing activities section. The $40 million draw on September 30, 2010, and the repayment on December 1, 2010, net to zero for annual reporting purposes. Buck’s activities related to both of the draws in Scenario 2 once again reflect some of the characteristics within the cash flow statement guidance. The transactions can be considered large in relation to the maximum borrowing capacity, and the volume of activity is assumed to be large (note, in practice, these determinations typically involve judgment and are dependent upon individual facts and circumstances). Unlike Scenario 1, the terms of the draws do not consider the draws to be due on demand to Buck’s bank. Rather, the first draw has an original maturity of six months, and the second draw has an original maturity of three months or less. Therefore, in accordance with ASC 230-10-45-9, Buck must present the activity related to the first draw on a gross basis because the original maturity is greater than three months. In turn, net presentation is appropriate for the second draw since it has an original maturity of three months or less. Scenario 3 Buck should present all borrowing and payment activity under the Facility on a gross basis within the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows. The draws on the Facility do not have any specific repayment provisions other than the overall expiration date of the Facility as of December 31, 2012. While the activity does have some of the factors needed to consider net presentation, including large dollar amounts in relation to the maximum borrowing capacity and large volumes of transactions (see notes in Scenarios 1 and 2 above), the draws do not have an original maturities of three months or less. Under the provisions of Scenario 3, the only activities that Buck could potentially present net within its statement of cash flows are transactions occurring on or after October 1, 2012. Said differently, only draws occurring within three months of the Facility’s expiration would be considered to have original maturities of three months or less. Solution 3 — IFRSs Under IFRSs, IAS 7 is the primary source of guidance for determining how to present information about the cash flows of an entity within the financial statements. IFRSs and U.S. GAAP are broadly consistent regarding net versus gross presentation. Similar to U.S. GAAP, IFRSs generally require entities to present information about an entity’s amounts of cash receipts and cash payments during a period on a gross basis. However, in certain circumstances, IFRSs permit certain cash flow activities to be presented on a net basis. Paragraph 22(b) of IAS 7 states that cash flows may be reported on a net basis when â€Å"cash receipts and payments for items in which the turnover is quick, the amounts are large, and the maturities are short.† This guidance is generally consistent with the provisions of ASC 230-1045-8. Further, paragraph 23A of IAS 7 provides the following examples of cash receipts and payments that may be presented net under the criteria set forth in paragraph 22( b): a. principal amounts relating to credit card customers; b. the purchase and sale of investments; and c. other short-term borrowings, for example, those which have a maturity period of three months or less. Accordingly, under IFRSs, an entity’s cash inflows and outflows associated with a revolving line of credit may potentially be presented on a net basis within the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows, provided the aforementioned criteria are met. Therefore, the conclusions under IFRSs for each scenario in this case would be consistent with that reached under U.S. GAAP.

Free Essays on Analysis Grapes of Wrath

Author: John Steinbeck, Robert Demott (Introduction). Penguin USA; New York. Reissued Edition (Oct. 1992). 619 Pages. The Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck that exposes the desperate conditions under which the migratory farming families of America during the 1930's lived, through a personal approach and heavy symbolism. The novel tells of one family's migration west to California through the great economic depression of the 1930's. The bank took possession of their land because the owners could not pay off their loan. The novel shows how the Joad family deals with moving to California, and how they survive the cruelty of the landowners that took advantage of them, their poverty, and willingness to work. The Grapes of Wrath combines Steinbeck’s adoration of the land, his passionate hatred for corruption; resulting from materialism (money), and his abiding faith in the common people to overcome the hostile environment. As it opens with a retaining picture of nature on rampage, the novel shows the men and women that are unbroken by nature. The theme is that of a man verses a hostile environment. His body may be destroyed, but his spirit is not broken. The method used to develop the theme of the novel is through the use of symbolism. There are several uses of symbols in the novel from the turtle at the beginning to the rain at the end. As each symbol is presented, examples of the good and the bad things that exist within the novel are shown. The opening chapter paints a vivid picture of the situation facing the drought-stricken farmers of Oklahoma. Dust is described as covering everything, smothering the life out of anything that wants to grow. The dust is symbolic of the erosion of the lives of the people. The dust is synonymous with "deadness", as Steinbeck puts it.. The land is a ruined way of life (farming), people ... Free Essays on Analysis Grapes of Wrath Free Essays on Analysis Grapes of Wrath Author: John Steinbeck, Robert Demott (Introduction). Penguin USA; New York. Reissued Edition (Oct. 1992). 619 Pages. The Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck that exposes the desperate conditions under which the migratory farming families of America during the 1930's lived, through a personal approach and heavy symbolism. The novel tells of one family's migration west to California through the great economic depression of the 1930's. The bank took possession of their land because the owners could not pay off their loan. The novel shows how the Joad family deals with moving to California, and how they survive the cruelty of the landowners that took advantage of them, their poverty, and willingness to work. The Grapes of Wrath combines Steinbeck’s adoration of the land, his passionate hatred for corruption; resulting from materialism (money), and his abiding faith in the common people to overcome the hostile environment. As it opens with a retaining picture of nature on rampage, the novel shows the men and women that are unbroken by nature. The theme is that of a man verses a hostile environment. His body may be destroyed, but his spirit is not broken. The method used to develop the theme of the novel is through the use of symbolism. There are several uses of symbols in the novel from the turtle at the beginning to the rain at the end. As each symbol is presented, examples of the good and the bad things that exist within the novel are shown. The opening chapter paints a vivid picture of the situation facing the drought-stricken farmers of Oklahoma. Dust is described as covering everything, smothering the life out of anything that wants to grow. The dust is symbolic of the erosion of the lives of the people. The dust is synonymous with "deadness", as Steinbeck puts it.. The land is a ruined way of life (farming), people ...

Climatic hazards prediction and prevention essays

Climatic hazards prediction and prevention essays Hazard prediction and prevention is the key to lifting the threat off climatic hazards. Discuss this statement with reference to case studies. Climatic hazards are a result of cyclonic activity. A tropical cyclone is a system of intense low pressure known locally as hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones. They develop: Between latitudes 5 degrees and 20 degrees north or south of the equator. This knowledge helps the areas at risk prepare for the possibility of a tropical cyclone. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which generally forms in the Atlantic and is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds. Hurricanes are strong winds that exert a pressure of at least 70kg/m . The wind speed causes both pressure and suction forces. Pressure increases with wind speed. This pressure is worsened by wind gustiness, which can cause fatigue in building materials that would withstand steady stress. Diagram of a hurricane/ tropical cyclone. Storm surges which can increase the mean water level 15ft or more. Inland flooding responsible for half the deaths associated with tropical cyclones. High winds Hurricane force winds can destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Wind direction can affect damage rates. Wind blown debris adds to the destructive potential of the wind. Flying debris can cause deaths and damage. Strong winds also spread fires that start from induced damage and destruction. Longer periods of wind stress are more likely to cause failure of structures. Tornadoes columns of rapidly rotating air touching the ground, add to the hurricanes destructive power. Some examples regarding rainfall damage and fatalities follow. Hurricane Camille (1969), which made landfall in Mississippi, 30 inches of rain fell in 6 hours in the Blue Ridge Mountains, triggering flash floods and mudslides th...