Power vs Corruption essays

Power vs Corruption essays Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely I will proceed to argue for this statement in essay form referring to three sources. These three sources will support my view on this topic. Power does not just corrupt those ones who hold power but can also turn someone who wants power so badly to turn corrupt. In Lord of the Flies Ralph get voted for chief, this makes the other contender, Jack, very angry and anxious for power. His want for power eventually turns himself corrupt by convincing the other boys not to listen and cooperate with the leader Ralph but instead to come and have fun and big feasts in his tribe. He does this by bribing them and telling them lies. He gives them a feast from pigs that he has caught. Also he tells them that only he and his hunters can protect them from the beast. There fore this proves that not only having power but also wanting power can also corrupt someone. Mark Waugh is an international cricketer who has a great reputation and batting record. In his position he has a lot of knowledge about the game of cricket. It is said against him that he used his knowledge and powerful position dishonestly by providing information to Indian bookmakers to help them predict the result of the cricket matches and make money illegally by using this information. It is also said that Mark Waugh had taken $36,000 from Gupta an Indian bookmaker. This matter is still being investigated and if found true would be a good example of how being in a powerful position and using that position has made him use it corruptly to make personal gain. Richard Nixon was another great leader who fell to corruption. He had relations with communist powers. Supported Chinas admission to United Nations. The first U.S President to visit China and Russia while in office and pioneered SALT treaties on arms limitations with USSR. Public opinion led him to end direct U.S participation i ...

Top 5 Secret Habits of Successful People

Top 5 Secret Habits of Successful People If you’re striving to become successful but find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place, then these habits of successful people may be something you want to emulate. There is no scientific formula for achieving success, but if you develop these habits and make them part of your daily routine, you will drastically increase your chances.This infographic will highlight the 5 key habits of successful people that you can apply to your daily life:Â  Source: [lifehack.org]

Randomised control trial of a smoking cessation intervention directed Essay

Randomised control trial of a smoking cessation intervention directed at men whose partners are pregnant - Critical Review - Essay Example rther understand how a suitable intervention program can aid in increasing the quit rates among men as the percentage of quit rate was found to be more in the intervention group compared to the control. The study is completely justified as childbirth may represent the best opportunity to increase smoking cessation rates among men 2,3. Men might quit smoking on knowing that the wife is pregnant and will also abstain from the same for a few years after childbirth 4. The study purpose was clear. The study was a multicomponent intervention study using a stratified, randomized control trial, with an intention to treat analysis. The study was conducted at 2 large Brisbane metropolitan hospitals in collaboration with the University of Queensland. Over a period of 35 months, men whose partners were pregnant and who met the eligibility criteria (should be male, be a partner of a woman less than 25 weeks pregnant, living with her and be a current cigarette smoker of at least 10 cigarettes per day within 3 days of the baseline interview) were enrolled into the program. These eligible participants were stratified based on the smoking status of the female partner and then randomized to control or intervention group. Participants were blinded to group allocation. The study was a qualitative study. It was not a quantitative study as numerical result was not the endpoint. The main aim of the study was to determine how well the intervention program would help in cessation of smoking. Woman who booked into the public antenatal clinics at two large Brisbane metropolitan hospitals were asked to provide information about their smoking status, their partners smoking status and contact details. From the information provided men who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were selected. The eligible participants were stratified based on the smoking status of their female partners at a central location by a staff member not involved in the recruitment or interviews. They were then

Crime Scene Specialist Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crime Scene Specialist - Research Paper Example In today’s world of criminal investigations, particularly violent crimes, solid methods are essential in the collection of evidence at a crime scene. It is in this atmosphere that â€Å"The Crime Scene Specialist [CSS] maintains an impartial and neutral approach to the evidence collection process and crime scene investigation, regardless of the final outcome of the investigation† (Indy Gov website, 2009, para. 2).   The importance of the role of the CSS can not be overemphasized. â€Å"Proper evidence collection, documentation, preservation, packaging and analysis are an integral part in the functioning of the crime lab† (Indy Gov, 2009, para. 2), which will eventually assess the evidence collected. If the CSS does not do their job properly, evidence then can not be effectively processed and faulty conclusions by forensic specialists will likely occur, leading to the â€Å"unsuccessful prosecution of cases† (Indy Gov, 2009, para. 2). Gleaned from a job posting (2008) for Crime Scene Specialist, a summary of requirements and expectations are varied and dependent upon educational levels and other factors. Expectations involve investigative support by way of evidence collection for local, state and sometimes federal law enforcement at major crime scenes such as homicides, suicides, sexual assaults etc. Depending upon the expertise and knowledge of the CSS, the specialist may provide in-court testimony for the prosecution as often depicted on the television program, CSI. In the show the characters are both CSS and forensic experts, not only collecting evidence at the crime scene but performing much of the forensic lab testing as well. Salaries for CSS positions generally range from $30,000 to $75,000, depending upon experience and levels of educational. (Crime Scene Specialist, 2008, para. 1-2) The CSS uses varied skills to document a crime scene including videography, photography, bloodstain pattern analysis, diagrams,

The Soliloquies of Hamlet Essay Example for Free

The Soliloquies of Hamlet Essay Authors use various literary elements to give insight into the mental composition of their characters. In Shakespeares Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, we can trace Hamlets mental process through his soliloquies. Hamlets first soliloquy reveals him to be thoroughly disgusted with Gertrude, Claudius, and the world in general. How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, seem to me all the uses of this world (1284), he said. He is saddened by the death of his father, who he admired as a king and husband to his mother. His grief over his fathers death is compounded by his mothers hasty marriage to Claudius. Hamlet protests, a beast, that wants discourse of reason, would have mournd longer (1285). The worst part is that he cannot tell them how he feels. In his second soliloquy, Hamlet becomes curious and suspicious after hearing of the ghost. My fathers spirit in arms! All is not well; I doubt some foul play (1287), he said. Hamlet feels that the presence of the ghost indicates that his father died due to dubious circumstance. After talking with his fathers ghost, in the 3rd Soliloquy Hamlet is angered by the news that Claudius had murdered his father. Hamlet assures that he will think of nothing but revenge. Ill wipe away all trivial fond recordsand thy commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of my brain (1296), he proclaims. In Hamlets fourth soliloquy, his mental state shows signs of declination. He castigates himself for not taking action to avenge his father. He realizes that he has cause to kill Claudius, but cannot muster the chutzpah to go through with it. He said, Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave, that Imust, like a whore, unpack my heart with words (1314). He also expresses some doubt that the ghost was telling the truth. He said, The spirit that I have seen May be the devil: and the devil hath power Tassume a pleasing shape (1315). However upset he is with himself, Hamlet is sure that the play he has arranged will reveal Claudius guilt. In the fifth soliloquy, Hamlet hits upon a mental nadir. As he contemplates suicide, Hamlet asks himself if it is more honorable to live with lifes misfortune s or to die young and bypass all the hardships. Hamlet suggests that the reason we choose life is because we know nothing about death, except that it is final. It is the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns (1317). He goes on to say, Thus conscience does make cowards of us all (1317). Subscribing to this theory, Hamlet takes the cowards way and does not take his life. Hamlets mental status shows some promise in his sixth soliloquy. Extremely resentful toward Gertrude, part of Hamlet really wants to hurt her. Sensibility prevails as he admits that it is not his nature to harm. He resolves to speak daggers to her, but use none (1328). In his seventh, and final, soliloquy, Hamlet gains the courage to finally avenge his father. After talking with a captain in Fortinbras army, Hamlet is inspired by the men going off to Poland to fight for not much more than pride. Hamlet then feels ashamed of his unwillingness to go after Claudius. It dawned on Hamlet that he had been thinking too much and acting too little. Now, whether it be bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple of thinking too precisely on th event, A thought which, quarterd, hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward, I do not know why yet I live to say, This things to do (1342). With his newfound determination to avenge his fathers murder, he vows, O, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth (1342). There is no doubt that movies and television shows have replaced plays as main sources of entertainment. Unfortunately, modern entertainment sources rarely utilize important forms of discourse, such as the soliloquy. The soliloquy can be a powerful tool used to gain access into the deepest thoughts of a character. I submit that without it, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark would have had a different effect. Instead, Hamlets soliloquies gave depth to his emotions, making the audience aware of his internal conflicts. The Soliloquies of Hamlet Authors use various literary elements to give insight into the mental composition of their characters. In Shakespeares Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, we can trace Hamlets mental process through his soliloquies. Hamlets first soliloquy reveals him to be thoroughly disgusted with Gertrude, Claudius, and the world in general. How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, seem to me all the uses of this world (1284), he said. He is saddened by the death of his father, who he admired as a king and husband to his mother. His grief over his fathers death is compounded by his mothers hasty marriage to Claudius. Hamlet protests, a beast, that wants discourse of reason, would have mournd longer (1285). The worst part is that he cannot tell them how he feels. In his second soliloquy, Hamlet becomes curious and suspicious after hearing of the ghost. My fathers spirit in arms! All is not well; I doubt some foul play (1287), he said. Hamlet feels that the presence of the ghost indicates that his father died due to dubious circumstance. After talking with his fathers ghost, in the 3rd Soliloquy Hamlet is angered by the news that Claudius had murdered his father. Hamlet assures that he will think of nothing but revenge. Ill wipe away all trivial fond recordsand thy commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of my brain (1296), he proclaims. In Hamlets fourth soliloquy, his mental state shows signs of declination. He castigates himself for not taking action to avenge his father. He realizes that he has cause to kill Claudius, but cannot muster the chutzpah to go through with it. He said, Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave, that Imust, like a whore, unpack my heart with words (1314). He also expresses some doubt that the ghost was telling the truth. He said, The spirit that I have seen May be the devil: and the devil hath power Tassume a pleasing shape (1315). However upset he is with himself, Hamlet is sure that the play he has arranged will reveal Claudius guilt. In the fifth soliloquy, Hamlet hits upon a mental nadir. As he contemplates suicide, Hamlet asks himself if it is more honorable to live with lifes misfortunes or to die young and bypass all the hardships. Hamlet suggests that the reason we choose life is because we know nothing about death, except that it is final. It is the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns (1317). He goes on to say, Thus conscience does make cowards of us all (1317). Subscribing to this theory, Hamlet takes the cowards way and does not take his life. Hamlets mental status shows some promise in his sixth soliloquy. Extremely resentful toward Gertrude, part of Hamlet really wants to hurt her. Sensibility prevails as he admits that it is not his nature to harm. He resolves to speak daggers to her, but use none (1328). In his seventh, and final, soliloquy, Hamlet gains the courage to finally avenge his father. After talking with a captain in Fortinbras army, Hamlet is inspired by the men going off to Poland to fight for not much more than pride. Hamlet then feels ashamed of his unwillingness to go after Claudius. It dawned on Hamlet that he had been thinking too much and acting too little. Now, whether it be bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple of thinking too precisely on th event, A thought which, quarterd, hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward, I do not know why yet I live to say, This things to do (1342). With his newfound determination to avenge his fathers murder, he vows, O, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth (1342). There is no doubt that movies and television shows have replaced plays as main sources of entertainment. Unfortunately, modern entertainment sources rarely utilize important forms of discourse, such as the soliloquy. The soliloquy can be a powerful tool used to gain access into the deepest thoughts of a character. I submit that without it, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark would have had a different effect. Instead, Hamlets soliloquies gave depth to his emotions, making the audience aware of his internal conflicts.

Seawater Composition and Salinity :: Tides and Salinity

Using the decanted supernatant solution from the precipitation experiment, a wire loop was dipped into the solution. This loop was stuck in the flame from a Bunsen Burner and heated until a flame appeared. The presence of a bright yellow flame confirmed that Na+ was in attendance. Using a cobalt glass as a filter, the loop was examined and a violet flame was present, showing that K+ was also in the supernatant solution. Testing for NH + This test was carried out using the original solution to avoid contamination of ammonium salts from the other procedures. 0.1M NH4CL and DI water were added to a large well on the micro drop tray before drops of 6M NaOH were added. A piece of red litmus paper was put on top of the well and covered with a watch glass. The appearance of an unmarked blue color, a direct result of the release of NH3 gas, on the paper confirmed the existence of NH4+. The experiment was repeated using seawater instead of the 0.1M NH4CL and DI water combination. ! Quantitative Pre-Gravimetric Set Up Test tubes were obtained and labeled using a bl according to which test the sample was intended for Barium) and what depth the sample was obtained at or bottom).All the test tubes were put in a beaker and an oven at 110˚C for half an hour to dry. Once dry th removed and allowed to cool on a test tube rack, as Figure 1: Test tube rack with test tubes Figure 1, before being weighed and their weights rec Silver Halides Gravimetric Analysis The tests tubes labeled ‘Halides Top’ and ‘Halides Bottom’ were taken and 1mL of seawater was added to each. The test tubes were then weighed and their new weights recorded, before 6M Nitric Acid (HNO3) was added to each to acidify it. 0.1M Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) was introduced, causing a white precipitate to form. The solution was stirred with a glass rod and centrifuges for approximately a quarter of an hour. Once complete, another series of drops of 0.1M AgNO3 were added to ensure complete precipitation and the solution was recentrifuged for several minutes. The supernatant solution was decanted into a wast container and DI water was mixed into the precipitate to clean it. The solution was centrifuged, supernatant decanted, and rinsed with DI water once more before being centrifuged and the aqueous solution decanted for a final time. The test tubes were then returned to the beaker and placed back into the oven to dry for a week.

James Fowler’s “Stages of Faith” Essay

In response to James Fowler’s â€Å"Stages of Faith†, I have to agree with a majority of these stages. With assumption that there are no social, physical or mental deficiencies, his stages are appropriate with life development. As I read his stages of life, I found myself giving him credit for a â€Å"rule of thumb† or â€Å"generally speaking† type of tone. Stage 0 is a predictable stage of life. â€Å"Primal or Undifferentiated† their faith is characterized by an early learning of the safety of their environment consisting of warmth, safety and secure vs. hurt, neglect and abuse. In all cultures and communities this is very common. As I read onto stage 1, this is where I started to not disagree, however extend the stages beyond his age interpretations. Stage 1 is a stage that does not just symbolize ages three to seven. Rather, their whole life in some say. Stage 1, â€Å"Intuitive-Projective†, can be developed into late adulthood until an image is created. Stage 2 seems to be the most fun we come across as parents. The name should really be called the â€Å"Imagination† stage. They imagine wild stories of consequences, illogical reality and really a misinterpreted way of life. However, their faith is fun and completely interesting to listen to how they filter messages. Stage 3 of â€Å"Synthetic-Conventional† I could not agree with more. At my stage in life, I find myself sitting pretty in Stage 4; â€Å"Individuative-Reflective† faith. This stage of faith is based off of experiences in life and how to best adapt and relate to each item. Unfortunately this stage is also distracted with the responsibilities of life. In stage 4 we are raising kids, starting careers, buying houses, and finding a harsh reality of life. While it very fun and exciting, faith can take a back seat and not a priority. Stage 5, the mid-life crisis is occurring more and more often. My father in law, after 33 years packed up and left this past thanksgiving for selfish reasons he admits to. There comes a point in life that after stage 4 is complete and your job, whether raising kids, paying off houses, cars or raising kids comes to an end, you can become confused on the controllables and uncontrollables life. This takes us to the final stages of life. Stage 6, or the

Cadbury Csr

Corporate social action of Cadbury Cadbury Schweppes is one of the renowned companies, which manufactures, distributes, and markets huge variety of confectionary and beverage product. Cadbury and Schweppes were merged in 1969, and since then the company has started to manufacture different renowned products like Cadbury chocolates, 7Up, Oasis, and Orangina. The company, which is establishing different confectionary and beverage products, is employing 50,000 people worldwideCadbury’ approach to corporate social responsibility was influenced by its founder philosophy of fair treatment to employee and contribution to the community. Cadbury started the action with beverage, as tea and coffee business promoting tea and coca as alternative to alcohol for workers. When Bourneville factory was established in 1879, they believed that profitable business required healthy communities. The family had a Quaker background and social benefit was a value they upheld.The motivating approach of Cadbury was promoting prosperous, sustainable, educated and inclusive communities because they were good for business. In 2001 they started a programme which was based on five areas human rights  and employment standards; ethical sourcing and procurement; marketing, food and consumer issues; environment, health and safety; and community investment. They started sponsoring community-focused events, training or employing the community people, donating the materials, products, promotional materials, equipment and furniture.The actions of Cadburys social actions are: Cadbury Schweppes’ Community Investment Programme (CIP) was developed by management and staff to help support three principal areas of focus: education and enterprise; health and welfare; and the  enviroment. The first is illustrated by the Enterprise in Schools scheme, which builds on the company’s own experience with the communities around its Birmingham headquarters. In 1999 the company decided to broa den the scheme’s eographical focus and support initiatives around other company sites in Sheffield, Wakefield and inner city London in Hackney, where there were many educational issues linked to the social problems of inner-city deprived areas, such as under-achievement, truancy, and poor numeracy and literacy. Enterprise in Schools involves Cadbury Schweppes in investing ? 1m over six years in partnership with two charities – Young Enterprise and the Prince’s Trust. Through this partnership the Young Enterprise Primary Programme was established in 2001.The partnership involves volunteer Cadbury Schweppes employees (working in company time) and teachers in improving students’ awareness of society and their place within it through the teaching of six modules: Ourselves; Our Families; Our Community; Our City; Our Nation; and Our World. The modules are linked to the National Curriculum and allow pupils to learn and discuss concepts such as citizenship, votin g and taxation. In 2002/03 over 61,000 students participated.An independent evaluation of the Young Enterprise Primary Programme found that 83% of the teachers judged that it had made a valuable contribution to the school curriculum. Cadbury Schweppes also supports the Prince’s Trust’s xL Club programme. This is a network of over 800 clubs across 513 schools comprising 9,000 young people who are at risk of under-achievement or exclusion. Through building partnerships between schools, local companies and the community on activities, which develop personal and team-building skills, the clubs help young people to realise their potential.By 2005 more than 12,000 young people are expected to participate in 1,000 clubs. An independent evaluation found real evidence that young people, many of whom are at risk of social exclusion, are gaining considerable benefit from the clubs. Some of the schools that have benefited under the Enterprise in Schools initiative have also receiv ed help from volunteer Cadbury Schweppes staff under the ‘You can make a difference’ programme. This covers ten areas: †¢ School link – seeks to develop ongoing partnerships and joint projects ith designated schools; †¢ Personal mentor – one-to-one mentoring of secondary pupils to raise students’ aspirations and improve their understanding of the links between school and work; †¢ e-Mentor – mentoring of pupils via email as part of IT or literacy and communication programmes to raise confidence levels and awareness of work; †¢ Young Enterprise Primary programme – staff deliver five one-hour classroom modules on citizenship for primary children; †¢ Leadership programme – partnering a head teacher or manager of a voluntary sector organization to share ideas on management; †¢ School governors – staff join the governing body of a primary or secondary school and participate in regular meetings; â⠂¬ ¢ Befriending and visiting – the Confectioners’ Benevolent Fund looks for volunteers to visit retired people who used to work in the industry, to offer general advice and company; †¢ Team challenges – team projects, such as gardening or decorating at schools or community centres, play areas, etc. ; †¢ Fundraising – staff complete fundraising activities for any UK registered charity that is eligible from the company under the ‘CashMatch’ scheme; †¢ Sport – assisting community-sporting organisations.By supporting education projects the company hopes to improve standards and develop skills among both teachers and pupils. By building links with individual pupils, teachers and schools Cadbury Schweppes aims to raise aspirations, support learning and help prepare young people for work. So far 1,800 Cadbury Schweppes employees in the UK have participated in the volunteering programme, which has allowed them to give something back to society, gain new experiences and broaden their horizons. Staffs around the world have gained many benefits from volunteering, including the development of communication skills, self-confidence and the ability to work with different age groups. These new competencies can be used in their work to help the company’s performance.

Subject Complement Definition and Examples

Subject Complement Definition and Examples A subject complement is a word or phrase (usually an adjective phrase, noun phrase, or pronoun) that follows a linking verb and describes or renames the subject of the sentence. Also called a subjective complement. In traditional grammar, a subject complement is usually identified as either a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective. Examples and Observations The light in the chapel was warm and soft.Mrs. Rigney was my fourth-grade teacher.My fourth-grade teacher was exceptionally kind.Ruth and Thelma are my best friends, and their roomies are Tammy Hinsen and Rebecca Bogner. (Dean Koontz, Lightning. G.P. Putnams Sons, 1988)I knelt down and pulled on the edge of the stone with him, and it started to move with the sucking sound of thick mud. It smelled awful, and we looked at each other with sour faces. (Patrick Carman, The Land of Elyon: Into the Mist. Scholastic Press, 2007)The Johnson children and Harbor Branch received $169 million. But if they were the true winners, no one was the loser. (Barbara Goldsmith, Johnson V. Johnson. Knopf, 1987)The very air was alive with the uncanny cries of phantoms that flew through the secret places of this region. These mountains were unfriendly at the best of times. (David Bilsborough, The Wanderers Tale. Tor, 2007) Linking Verbs and Subject Complements If a verb requires a subject complement (SC) to complete the sentence, the verb is a linking verb. The subject complement ([italicized] in the examples that follow) typically identifies or characterizes the person or thing denoted by the subject: (1) Sandra is my mothers name.(2) Your room must be the one next to mine.(3) The upstairs tenant seemed a reliable person.(4) A university is a community of scholars.(5) The receptionist seemed very tired.(6) You should be more careful.(7) The distinction became ​quite clear.(8) The corridor is too narrow. The most common linking verb is  be. Other common linking verbs (with examples of subject complements in parentheses) include appear (the best plan), become (my neighbor), seem (obvious), feel (foolish), get (ready), look (cheerful), sound (strange). Subject complements are typically noun phrases, as in (1)-(4) above, or adjective phrases, as in (5)-(8) above. (Gerald C. Nelson and Sidney Greenbaum, An Introduction to English Grammar, 3rd ed. Routledge, 2009) The Difference Between a Subject Complement and an Object The Subject Complement is the obligatory constituent which follows a copular verb and which cannot be made the subject in a passive clause: Whos there? Its me / Its I.*She became a tennis champion at a very early age.Feel free to ask questions! The Subject Complement does not represent a new participant, as an Object does, but completes the predicate by adding information about the subject referent. For this reason, the Subject Complement differs from the Object in that it can be realized not only by a nominal group but also by an adjectival group (Adj.G), as illustrated in the previous examples. The objective case (me) is now in general use (Its me) except in the most formal registers, in which the subjective form (Its I) or (I am he/she) are heard, especially in AmE. As well as be and seem, a wide range of verbs can be used to link the subject to its Complement; these add meanings of transition (become, get, go, grow, turn) and of perception (sound, smell, look) among others... (Angela Downing and Philip Locke, English Grammar: A University Course, 2nd ed. Routledge, 2006) Agreement with Subject Complements (16c) These are the costs the grey parties never talk about when they allow the system to go on. (w2b-013:097) . . .(16h) I call them wild flowers. . . .(s1a-036:205) In those cases in which the complements are noun phrases, the subject complement shows concord with the subject S, and the object complement is in concord with the direct object, as can be best seen in the examples (16c) and (16h). (Rolf Kreyer, Introduction to English Syntax. Peter Lang, 2010) Semantic Relations The italicized portions of the following examples are Subject Complements. The upper case labels to the right indicate the semantic relation between the Subject Complement and the Subject: (4a) The venue for the meeting is the Roxburghe Hotel. EQUATION(4b) The estate car is a Volvo. PROPER INCLUSION(4c) Youre so young. ATTRIBUTION(4d) Would you still love me if I were old and saggy? ATTRIBUTION(4e) that telly was mine POSSESSION(4f) Sometimes were on a collision course, LOCATION(4g) the NHS was for all of us BENEFACTEE(4h) The five pound note was for services rendered. IN EXCHANGE The Inflection (marking for tense, aspect, mode, and agreement) in this type of construction is carried by be; therefore be is the syntactic Head of the Predicate. However, the Subject Complement is the element that expresses the main semantic content of the Predicate. In other words, the Complement is the semantic Head of the Predicate. Source Thomas E. Payne, Understanding English Grammar: A Linguistic Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2011

Laos Facts, History, and More

Laos Facts, History, and More Capital: Vientiane, 853,000 population Major cities: Savannakhet, 120,000; Pakse, 80,000; Luang Phrabang, 50,000; Thakhek, 35,000 Government Laos has a single-party communist government, in which the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) is the only legal political party. An eleven-member Politburo and a 61-member Central Committee make all laws and policies for the country. Since 1992, these policies have been rubber-stamped by an elected National Assembly, now boasting 132 members, all belonging to the LPRP. The head of state in Laos is the General Secretary and President, Choummaly Sayasone. Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong is the head of government. Population The Republic of Laos has approximately 6.5 million citizens, who are often divided according to altitude into lowland, Midland, and upland Laotians. The largest ethnic group is the Lao, who live mainly in the lowlands and makeup approximately 60% of the population. Other important groups include the Khmou, at 11%; the Hmong, at 8%; and more than 100 smaller ethnic groups that total about 20% of the population and comprise the so-called highland or mountain tribes. Ethnic Vietnamese also make up two percent. Languages Lao is the official language of Laos. It is a tonal language from the Tai language group that also includes Thai and the Shan language of Burma. Other local languages include Khmu, Hmong, Vietnamese and over 100 more. Major foreign languages in use are French, the colonial language, and English. Religion The predominant religion in Laos is Theravada Buddhism, which accounts for 67% of the population. About 30% also practice animism, in some cases alongside Buddhism. There are small populations of Christians (1.5%), Bahai and Muslims. Officially, of course, communist Laos is an atheistic state. Geography Laos has a total area of 236,800 square kilometers (91,429 square miles). It is the only land-locked country in Southeast Asia. Laos borders on Thailand to the southwest, Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Cambodia to the south, and Vietnam to the east. The modern western border is marked by the Mekong River, the regions major arterial river. There are two major plains in Laos, the Plain of Jars and the Plain of Vientiane. Otherwise, the country is mountainous, with only about four percent being arable land. The highest point in Laos is Phou Bia, at 2,819 meters (9,249 feet). The lowest point is the Mekong River at 70 meters (230 feet). Climate The climate of Laos is tropical and monsoonal. It has a rainy season from May to November, and a dry season from November to April. During the rains, an average of 1714 mm (67.5 inches) of precipitation falls. The average temperature is 26.5 °C (80 °F). Average temperatures over the year range from 34 °C (93 °F) in April to 17 °C (63 °F) in January. Economy Although the economy of Laos has grown at a healthy six to seven percent annually almost every year since 1986  when the communist government loosened central economic control and allowed private enterprise. Nonetheless, more than 75% of the workforce is employed in agriculture, despite the fact that only 4% of the land is arable. While the unemployment rate is only 2.5%, approximately 26% of the population live below the poverty line. Laoss primary export items are raw materials rather than manufactured goods: wood, coffee, tin, copper, and gold. The currency of Laos is the kip. As of July 2012, the exchange rate was $1 US 7,979 kip. History of Laos The early history of Laos is not well-recorded. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans inhabited what is now Laos at least 46,000 years ago, and that complex agricultural society existed there by about 4,000 BCE. Around 1,500 BCE, bronze-producing cultures developed, with complicated funeral customs including the use of burial jars such as those on the Plain of Jars. By 700 BCE, people in what is now Laos were manufacturing iron tools  and had cultural and trade contacts with the Chinese and Indians. In the fourth to eighth centuries CE, people on the banks of the Mekong River organized themselves into Muang, walled cities or petty kingdoms. The Muang were ruled by leaders who paid tribute to more powerful states around them. Populations included the Mon people of the Dvaravati kingdom and proto-Khmer peoples, as well as forebears of the mountain tribes. During this period, animism and Hinduism slowly mixed or gave way to Theravada Buddhism. The 1200s CE saw the arrival of ethnic Tai people, who developed small tribal states centered on semi-divine kings. In 1354, the kingdom of Lan Xang united the area that is now Laos, ruling until 1707, when the kingdom split into three. The successor states were Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak, all of which were tributaries of Siam. Vientiane also paid tribute to Vietnam.   In 1763, the Burmese invaded Laos, also conquering Ayutthaya (in Siam). A Siamese army under Taksin routed the Burmese in 1778, placing what is now Laos under more direct Siamese control. However, Annam (Vietnam) took power over Laos in 1795, holding it as a vassal until 1828. Laoss two powerful neighbors ended up fighting the Siamese-Vietnamese War of 1831-34 over control of the country. By 1850, the local rulers in Laos had to pay tribute to Siam, China, and Vietnam, although Siam exerted the most influence.   This complicated web of tributary relationships did not suit the French, who were accustomed to the European Westphalian system of nation-states with fixed borders. Having already seized control of Vietnam, the French next wanted to take Siam. As a preliminary step, they used Laoss tributary status with Vietnam as a pretext to seize Laos in 1890, with the intent of continuing on to Bangkok. However, the British wanted to preserve Siam as a buffer between French Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos) and the British colony of Burma (Myanmar).  Siam remained independent, while Laos fell under French imperialism. The French Protectorate of Laos lasted from its formal establishment in 1893 to 1950, when it was granted independence in name but not in fact by France. True independence came in 1954  when France withdrew after its humiliating defeat by the Vietnamese at Dien Bien Phu. Throughout the colonial era, France more or less neglected Laos, focusing on the more accessible colonies of Vietnam and Cambodia instead. At the Geneva Conference of 1954, the representatives of the Laotian government and of Laoss communist army, the Pathet Lao, acted more as observers than participants. As a sort of afterthought, Laos has designated a neutral country with a multi-party coalition government including Pathet Lao members. The Pathet Lao was supposed to disband as a military organization, but it refused to do so.  Just as troubling, the United States refused to ratify the Geneva Convention, afraid that communist governments in Southeast Asia would prove to correct the Domino Theory of spreading communism. Between independence and 1975, Laos was embroiled in a civil war that overlapped with the Vietnam War (American War). The famous Ho Chi Minh Trail, a vital supply line for the North Vietnamese, ran through Laos.  As the US war effort in Vietnam faltered and failed, the Pathet Lao gained an advantage over its non-communist foes in Laos. It gained control of the entire country in August  1975. Since then, Laos has been a communist nation with close ties to neighboring Vietnam and, to a lesser degree, China.

Should the United States Constitution be rewritten Research Paper

Should the United States Constitution be rewritten - Research Paper Example Yet, history itself reveals that the US Constitution has been partially rewritten on a number of occasions, and rewriting the US Constitution has been a part of its history. To begin with, the Bill of Rights which forms a fundamental part of the US Constitution was not a part of the original document. The Bill of Rights contains inalienable fundamental rights and freedoms that further guide the state and federal system of government. The US Constitution was amended nearly two years after its ratification to define and articulate these basic human liberties (Shain, 2007). It has been argued however, that the addition of the Bill of Rights to the original US Constitution does not represent a rewriting of the US Constitution. Instead, the addition of the Bill of Rights represented a mere completion of the original US Constitution. As Zuckert (1992) explains, the purpose of the Bill of Rights was to â€Å"complete the constitution† not â€Å"reform it† (p. 69). History informs that the US Constitution has been amended 27 times since its inception (Bardes et al, 2010). Indeed Article V provides the formula for amending the US Constitution and thus gives some support to advocates in favor of amending the US Constitution. The argument thus directs that Article V is an enabling clause and takes account of the fact that the US Constitution can be and probably should be rewritten when necessary. It has been argued too that the US Supreme Court is constantly rewriting the US Constitution (Napolitano, 2006). However, when the contents of Article V and the manner in which the US Supreme Court purportedly rewrites the US Constitution, it becomes increasingly clear that the original language of the US Constitution prior to any and all amendments are substantially preserved. Article V of the US Constitution mandates a two-step process