THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE POLICY

Abstract

The marriage of the same sex has come under fierce defense by those who consider it righteous and it gained momentum when some religions backed up. The societies we live today has been shaped by many deeds going on in the society and with the inception of policies everything we thought bizarre few decades ago is now in our laws and constitutions amendments have added a lot of weight to this. In 2013, the Supreme Court was forced to struck down some laws which forbade same-sex couples citing that the ban on the same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and since then the policies in favor of same-sex marriage keeps on being amended (In Swan, 2014).

Introduction

At first, anyone posing as defender and sympathizer of the same-sex relationship was seen as the mentally ill person who needs transformation, but in inside the already contentious realm of gay rights, one would not fail to notice that one of the most controversial focuses is the similar sex marriage. After the far-reaching litigation, the US courts of supreme have been forced to bow down and rule that same-sex marriage poses a fundamental right just like any other marriage accepted in the eyes of the law (Cahill & Tobias, 2006). Apparently, as a result of the ratification they have full legal right to marry and have recognition of their legal marriages as recognized in every state. The journey started for so many years since the early 1970’s when some fellows Minneapolis applied for a marriage license and the feedback they got was so traumatizing bearing in mind that this was just the inception of the first incident (Newton, 2009). The court held that the dictionary of the marriage was only between the opposite sex marriage and clearly from the judge ruling it looked even absurd to be considered (Gill, 2012). The gay people in each and every state have undergone some really prejudicing moments ranging routinely being persecuted and barred from any private and public employment since this was classified as mental illness (In Swan, 2014). Since then, many movements have come up in quest of championing the right of their sexuality and recognition from the public arena apart from their rights being factored in the constitution.

The policy has emerged courtesy of the people who have been fighting so long to see it being stopped from any radicalization which makes them look like a sect and group necessitating oust from the society. It is amazing how the quickly this situation has progressed in a manner that the society is now embracing it even though the percentage is still low just like the states which are now familiarizing with Gay rights (Newton, 2009). The last few decades has been dedicated to amazing strides in terms of laws protecting the gays and even to the extent of the lesbians, as well as social and cultural influences geared towards the acceptance. Consequently, the same-sex married people are seen as just a next door neighbor unlike few years ago why they were being sidelined as abnormal people (Newton, 2009). Of course, there have been people who have been fighting tooth and nail to see people who are wedded to their religious and personal prejudice to cease to exist; this is a threat to the institution of prejudice (Gill, 2012). Consequently, we can see the society has not changed its views on homosexuality until recently when the Supreme Court ruled otherwise. The people who opposed the same-sex marriage are quicker to use profanity, and blatantly willing to distort the truth from the mere fact which in any way cannot be related to the fight for the policy change in same-sex marriage. For a moment, the debate regarding the gay marriage seemed to be fading in the public eye until the sudden catapulting back in the headlines. Massachusetts has set the pace for other states since the decision in 2003 to allow gay and lesbian couples privileges to marry and the aftermath of it saw some other states issue the license to the gay marriages (Newton, 2009). Nonetheless, the determinations to hit the two-thirds target of majority hit low in the year 2004 and then again in 2006 to which it could have allowed amendment pass from both houses (In Swan, 2014).

Consequently, this type of union has had the significant impact on the society in a diverse number of ways, the positive and of the negative effects have all manipulated themselves into different shapes. The Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people have benefited from the legalized states and the nation as well has reaped its paybacks. Promotion of equality and Non-discrimination in the wider society is owed to the contribution of same couples triumph, talk of cultural, social, political and financial benefits (Gill, 2012). They are fundamental people in the society and no doubt they are linked to continued growth and evolution which the nation would considerably suffer a lot without them just like other people in the society. Such promotion has impressively helped in diminishing homophobia and affirming the minority groups which for the longest have been shelved. The group who otherwise they deserve the best from the society apart from the appreciation as fellow human being having rights, they have suffered and endured stigmatization (Cahill & Tobias, 2006). We have helped communicate the message of goodwill and help in plummeting intergroup prejudice and auxiliary cultural diversity. Notably, the States which has embraced the rights of LGBT has gained in term of economic and business opportunity courtesy of the marriage equality (Newton, 2009). This has seen the gay married partners move to this states where they are being appreciated and carrying along with them is their business empires and worthy ideas worth developing the economy within a span of short time compared to state which barred them. Additionally, the tourism industry will rise by the fact that gay couples will be visiting the State more preferably than the other opposing. It should be no surprise that in the current era more corporations are articulating for sustenance for the connubial parity and more so, stalk in indulgence of the same-sex married couples.

It is of huge benefit, if the laws gagging the same-sex marriage is awarded freedom so as to achieve their full potential life without the hindrances which amount to the huge waste of vital periods besides the crucial resources. The culmination of discrimination in marriage will aid in upholding psychosocial and physical welfare (In Swan, 2014). The debate about the rights and legalizing of the same sex marriage is gaining momentum in the public domain and we no longer hide the reality from those who tend to neglect the existing facts. This is fetched from the discourse of morality which goes in hand with religion, also the welfare of the children which many tantrums have been emanating from right left in a fight of how marriage is seen (Cahill & Tobias, 2006). The meaning of marriage has to involve procreation of children between two opposite sex but not adoption is what you would normally hear from the opponents. The argument that same-sex kind of marriage damages children on the reliance of scientific research, many argue that such proponents are far from the reality check (Newton, 2009). All the same, the perspective of conceptualizing the same-sex marriage debate greatly impacts the idea of which gay life is produced same as the lesbian marriage. When the issue only embraces the religious perspective, it tends to put the fact that also the courts have a say in this whole issue. Some argue that marriage is only restricted to heterosexual unions austerely just because of the biblical reliance and the teachings it comes with. As a result of this, we have seen many churches shift their long stood point of view that homosexuality is a sin, they are now leaning towards acceptance of same-sex marriages. In this same time, many have witnessed a complete shift of paradigm from those who have been known and at times confused being a sadist to social change in society (In Swan, 2014). The opinion polls also show a change whereby more of the populace are accepting the fact that gay marriages is here with us to stay. However, the impact that the media has had over this issue in the recent decade is overwhelming, the shift in the public domain is credited to the media houses and other platforms. At the end of the day, we must acknowledge that diversity approval is something which we cannot run from at least not for long.

The significance of acknowledging all this policy recognizing same marriage to the wider society has a lot of gains not only to the partners but the people so that they respect what the policy state in so doing the stigma and discrimination will tremendously reduce. Remember the benefits of the gay marriage policy introduction and the economic gain which no doubt it has elevated our understanding of acceptance of equality. The policy has come at the right time in which the world needs a change in perception and a wider look out of what diversity really means to the LGBT community (In Swan, 2014). Demeaning them the rights to have what they love is like taking away the precious thing in life which is the factor of love. To the group of people who see same-sex marriage as a sin, yes there would be change to some of the laws and the fact that error has no right hangs loose. For instance, some years back we conventional accepted slavery and there was no immorality leave alone dehumanizing of it so change is necessary for particular with the global shifts and social impacts with eventually needs change.

Reference

Newton, D. E. (2009). Gay and lesbian rights: A reference handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.

Gill, E. R. (2012). An argument for same-sex marriage: Religious freedom, sexual freedom, and public expressions of civic equality.

Cahill, S., & Tobias, S. (2006). Policy issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

Swan, W. (2014). Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender civil rights: A public policy agenda for uniting a divided America.

            Homicide and Born Alive Requirement

            I personally disagree with the statement and the actions of john Kevorkian that dying is no crime.  This is because helping a person to end their life because they are subjected to suffering is no help either.   Dying is a crime because one should never take his or her own life as life is developed naturally and thus one should die without the intentional involvement of others or self. Dying is, therefore, a crime because suicide is illegal.

            Jack Kevorkian’s actions rose to homicide level because he was involved in designing the machine and the drugs which would trigger death. He accomplished this as he provided information to the suffering patients by demonstrating the importance of ending their lives which were to end suffering (Chua-Eoan, 2011). His actions were additionally illegal because the patients can be termed as irrational because with the subjection of untreatable disease a person is bound to make a hasty decision. These cases were, therefore, illegal because they are a form of patient assisted suicide as the equipment.  Although every individual is entitled to choices asking these decisions were influenced by the fact that as a doctor who was intended to help saves the lives of the patients he provided information, machine and drugs to end their lives. This is therefore illegal because physicians are responsible for the well-being of their patients at all times (Chua-Eoan, 2011).

            An example of his actions which rose to homicide level is in 1999 on the 26th march when he was arrested for assisting charitable euthanasia of a 52-year-old Thomas Youk (Chua-Eoan, 2011). The patient was suffering because he was in his last stages of the disease called Lou Gehrig which is incurable.  The disease is characterized with neurons death which leads to challenges while speaking, breathing-swallowing and muscular movement issues. The patient, therefore, gave full consent to the doctor to end his life after he had a conversation with the doctor on his fears of choking to death and the great suffering. The doctor gave the patient a physical lethal injection after they both signed consent. This, therefore, raised his actions to homicide as he conducted it himself which is unlawful.

            The ethical issue that may develop due to social debate on State V. Lamy and the requirements of born alive is on the moral issue of abortion (Gardner & Anderson, 2014). This may develop to be an issue because individuals may argue out on whether abortion is legal. This is because the requirements hold that killing a fetus is not homicide because criminal homicide holds that the prohibited status do not incorporate killing of a fetus as the fetus was not an individual under the law (Gardner & Anderson, 2014). One approach that the court can utilize in dealing with the ethical issues is ensuring that the conviction of the cases is clearly stated in regard to whether the person is born alive to avoid contradictions.

            Reference

Gardner T., J. & Anderson M.,T. Criminal Law. Cengage Leraning.

Howard chua-Eoan. The Life and Deaths of Jack Kevorkian. (2011, 3^rdjune). Retrieved from             http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2075644,00.html#ixzz2s1VqmyIt.

Moral Sentimentalism

Question 1

Moral sentimentalism is a theory that suggests that morality and immorality are known by the emotional reactions to experiences. This means that our desires and emotions have a very important role to play in the anatomy of morality. It is through this theory that moral truths and standards are defined (Michael, 95).

Moral Sentimentalism and moral rationalism have a slight difference on how we classify actions whether they are right or wrong. Moral Sentimentalism argues that a knowledge of morality starts from our senses.  According to this theory, emotions act as the basis for moral judgment in the sense that judging that something is wrong is similar to having a negative sentiment concerning it.  According to a research done, the brain gets lightened up when people are making moral judgments and hence different emotions affect the way we make judgment (Michael, 160).

On the other hand, moral rationalism suggests that we get to know what is right and wrong from a rational thought. This theory is discrete such that an act is either true of false regardless of the situation. That which is true remains to be true in all dimensions of life just like mathematics. In the judgment using this theory, there is nothing like aesthetic judgments since feelings and personal opinions are not considered (Michael, 160).

Question 2

Smith defines approval or disapproval with respect to empathy (Michael, 34). He argues that we approve actions as long as they show empathy to the victims or recipients of the actions (Michael, 28). However, there is a slight distinction between empathy and approval. Empathy refers to the act of understanding and sharing feelings, experiences and emotions with another person. On the other hand approval or disapproval refers to passing judgment of agreement or disagreement to an action after a satisfying state is reached.

Empathy and approval are independent aspects of moral judgment unlike how smith’s puts it. This is because empathy is a sense of understanding which comes from the mind while approval is not dependent on feelings. Empathy is not approval because one may be empathetic towards his or her abuser because maybe he or she has been a victim as well and so you may decide not to report him or her to the authorities. On the same knot, some victims are not courageous enough to speak up what they feel. Some are over empathetic and so they fear that they might harm their offenders. In conclusion, empathy can be a misleading standard of approval or disapproval.

Question 3

Adam smith’s version of moral sentimentalism is so amazing such that it has gone beyond the ordinary moral judgments by introducing the aspect of empathy. Despite having grounded his thoughts deeply into this best way of moral judgment, there are few obvious flaws that have arisen in the process.

First, empathy is not a perfect measure of moral standard since it is dependent on the human nature. Most people show empathy to those people who are closely related to them such as family members, friends and neighbors. This makes it biased and so making judgment through empathy may create unfairness. Those who are totally strange may suffer from such judgments.

The other weakness is seen when smith makes an assumption that every person is able to step outside of him or herself in order to make every assessment of every deed that contributed to the situation. He also assumes that the spectators of the incidence would give an accurate and unbiased report of the matter. To some extent, this is not always the case and so his account may not be perfect.

Smith also makes an assumption that all people were given the same natural sentiments by God. This is not the case because all people cannot have the same moral judgment. Different people have got different experiences, ages and other aspects that are not uniform in all human beings.

The idea of impartial spectator as brought out by smith is ambiguous. It does not provide a clear nature or state of the impartial spectator whether he is ideal or not. This eliminates the fact that some spectators or observers are selfish while others have the weakness of individuality. This diminishes the accuracy of the information that may be relied upon for making judgment (Michael, 28).

According to smith’s view, men are driven by self command. He assumes that people are able to control their actions by self discipline. This is only applicable to people who have got free will to watch their steps otherwise it may remain meaningless to say so.

The revised model of Smith’s work has eliminated some of these flaws. He added the notion of impartial spectator when he realized that someone could be judged unfairly due to lack of complete information about the matter. He further corrected it by introducing a mental construct which would cater for the impartial spectators. On the weakness of empathy, he corrected by arguing that people should imagine how a more impartial person than he or herself would react on his behalf (Michael, 100).

Reference

Slote, Michael. Moral Sentimentalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. Internet resource.

            Attraction and Helping Others

            Culture plays a vital role in establishing what attracts individuals to a particular person who is supposed to be a partner.  Culture is additionally essential in enabling people to maintain and sustain relationships. Culture accomplishes these roles by utilization of collectivism and individualism principles which help in developing roles in creating and maintaining a relationship (Schein, 2010).

            An individualistic culture focuses on the romantic relationship because the culture emphasis on the choices of an individual (Schein, 2010). The culture is based on monogamy which is its cultural norm and therefore, individuals are allowed to choose whether to main a relationship or not. This form of culture is associated with high rate of divorce cases that collectivistic culture.  Collectivistic culture emphasis on social norms and family obligations as family choices are highly supported. This form of culture is crucial in shaping relationships as once a relationship is built it has to be maintained.  However, collective culture designs the manner in which attraction is achieved because it does not allow an individual to choose based on self-decisions (Schein, 2010).

            An example of how culture influences relationships are like American culture which stresses on individualism thus attaining higher rates of divorce cases.  This is because the individuals have the right to choose whether to stick with the partner or not as individualistic culture stresses on individual choices (Newman, & Newman, 2012).  However the Indian culture stresses on family choices and they prefer arranged relationships and marriages. It is, therefore, evident that culture is crucial in influencing relationships because culture helps in shaping the personality of a person. This, therefore, helps in structuring the views of individuals on the sensations of their partners. This is because their culture emphasizes on togetherness (Newman, & Newman, 2012).

            Reference

Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational culture and leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2012). Development through life: A psychosocial approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Themes in Popular culture

Introduction

            It is evident that popular culture has many themes and one of the most common themes is the sense of immediacy. Advancement in technology has been of much help to this process and the aspect of speed is very critical in the manner in which accepted culture distinguishes its own veracity (Brunner & Borgna 121). Another common theme is the creation of a sphere where the difference between the public and private spheres is not perceptible (Brunner & Borgna 141).  Power is one of the most evident themes in both “animal farm” by George and in the film “Spiderman 2” by Avi Arad.

            Power is something that has been fought for many years. This is because it comes alongside influence, authority and respect. It can also be termed as a central theme in almost all books and films because people admire being in utmost control (Rodden 57). In the book, animal farm; power is the major theme and it has a negative influence of corrupting people. The author of the book creates a picture of where people begin with an aspect of being very idealistic and optimistic but become corrupted later. This can be seen from the fact the pigs begin with the Old Major’s vision and just like human beings being oppressive by the end of the book (Orwell et al 171).

            It is also evident that people who tend to be impractical, naïve and unrealistic tend to be manipulated and oppressed by those who are hungry for power. This is very evident with the character, Boxer. From the beginning of the book he comes out as being very naïve but ends up being exploited and worked up to the point of death by the novel government who end up selling his body (Orwell et al 177). The negative influence of power in the book is seen at the beginning of the book where Old major identifies with the coercion and cruelty that the animals are facing and also speaks of a time that would come where the animals would put an end to their oppression from human masters by conquering and overthrowing them (Rodden 69). After the overhaul of the satiation then the animals would build an impartial and just society, but this was not the case. For instance, the case where the animals chased away Jones from the Manor Farm showed that the day had come. Nevertheless, we see the animals being corrupted by power by virtue of the leadership of the revolution (Rodden 72).

            Looking at snowball; he begins to claim privileges for himself and other animals is a depiction of corruption of power. This corruption is seen by the change in the principles which by the end of the book are perverted to a point where it stated that there was equality in all the animals; however, some animals were more equal than others (Orwell et al 283). This is a clear example of power and its effect if corrupted.

            Power is also depicted in the film “Spiderman 2” where the main characters are abandoned by people who were very instrumental to them. This is to mean that these people had the power to choose whether to abandon them or not (David et al 51). Peter who is the main protagonist is left by his parents and all the while he seeks to know the reasons as to why this happened. It is vital to note that the themes in the film keep on changing in the different acts. However, the theme that comes out in all the acts in power. This is clearly expressed in the second act where the humans beings struggle looking for hope in the midst of problems and difficulties. This evidently shows that all human beings desire to be in control devoid of struggles and intricacies (David et al 70). It is also clear in the film that character can be revealed by the manner in which we react after gaining or losing power. For instance, the main protagonist would throw himself into being the Spider man ay time he felt devoid of power or hope. He is not satisfied when he does not have the ability to make a difference but is thrilled every time he comes up with an ability that can make a difference as Spiderman (DeFalco et al 61).

            The theme of power is of great importance in the film because it depicts the main features of Spiderman. The protagonist requires this ability in order to make the difference he requires. If it were not for the strengths of the spider man nothing much would have been achieved (Brunner & Borgna 324). Peter’s desire to make a difference and become the spider man is stimulated by power; this shows that human beings are able to do anything within their capacity to acquire the power they need to change things around them (Brunner & Borgna 366). The theme is also very critical in the book because it brings out the reality of the adverse effects of power if misused. This is what that is happening today in many political powers. The quest for power has led to the destruction of many and also ignited wars in many countries.  This is also a lesson that human beings should be very cautious when it comes to power in order to avoid being distracted by the benefits that come alongside it but rather make a positive difference (Brunner & Borgna 412).

            There are various differences and similarities in the aspect of power from the film and the book. It is important to note that in both, there is a quest and a struggle to attain power and control (Rodden 106). From the book this quest emanated from the fact that the animals were being ill treated by their masters the human beings whereas in the film it came about as a desire to make a difference after being abandoned by instrumental people in their lives (Brunner & Borgna 722). It is evident that in both, there is a drive that ignited the desire for power.  The aspect of bringing in change is also very crucial in both the film and the book. Power has the ability to bring in change and this was the desire for the main protagonists in the book and the film. The book depicts the desire to make a difference and stop the oppression by the human beings while in the film it is the ability to make a positive difference in the world (Brunner & Borgna 761).

            However, the main difference in the themes is the outcome of power. As discussed above, power can define a person’s character. In the book, power brought about much corruption and therefore demonstrating the negative aspect of power; while in the film, the power is for doing good (DeFalco et al 122). However, he also used his power to make money and this brought about much fame for him. It also shows the fact that great power comes alongside great responsibility.

Conclusion

             It is evident that the theme of power is a popular culture theme as it cuts across all aspects of life. It is very important in the day to day activities, however, ha repercussions when misused. It is also evident that daily activities are run using power and is a desire for all human beings to be in power in order to make significant difference that they see fit. It is also critical to note that power can be the main theme but with different sub themes in a film or a book.

Work cited

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Brunner, Borgna. Time Almanac ... with Information Please. Boston: Information Please, 2005.   Print.

David, Peter, Alvin Sargent, and Stan Lee. Spider-man 2. New York: Random House Pub, 2004. Print.

DeFalco, Tom, and Stan Lee. Spider-man: The Ultimate Guide. London: Dorling Kindersley,       2004. Print.

Orwell, George, George Orwell, and George Orwell. Animal Farm: 1984. Orlando: Harcourt,      2003. Internet resource.

Rodden, John. Understanding Animal Farm: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press, 1999. Print.

An Analysis Of Welcome To Afghanistan

             The first and foremost thing that and be seen from the story is that it is divided into paragraphs without subheadings. It is also vital to note that despite the fact that each paragraph is build on the previous one, the environment and the story line is completely different. This is to mean that the setup in each paragraph is different from the other. The language use in the first person format of writing and the author gives logic and lucid expressions in fine details.

            In the first paragraph the environment is at the dawn of day; precisely three in the morning. The author explains the fine details like he fell into a five foot ditch. This is to help a reader understand that despite the fact that he fell down; where did he fall. It also speaks about the manner I which he landed by stating that he landed on his back. This helps to draw a mental picture of the situation. The use of imagery used in this paragraph is a way of putting much emphasis to the reader. This paragraph also has profound use of expressions such as, “the wind is knocked off my chest.” The paragraph also draws out a picture of how Afghanistan looks like. The fact that the author states that he was already sweating by that time of the day, with hands and legs filled with thorns. This helps to understand that Afghanistan is may be hot and the fact that there are thorns show that the place is dry. It is evident that the paragraph gives a clear outline of events in the country and specifically his experiences.

            The second paragraph shows events that took place before the first paragraph where the author is walking on mountains. It also explains the character of his former roommate portraying careless and reckless behavior. This can be seen from the extract that states that he liked to break plates and scream at people who passed by. The state of the house is clearly presented by the fact that paper was preset on every flat surface where there was no bottle of beer. This helps us to understand that the people who lived in the house did not bother cleaning or rearranging the house. It is evident that much is explained about the house and its geographical location in a ghetto. The author seems not to like the condition of the place by stating that despite that it was fun there was still some melancholy.

            The third paragraph is built on the previous paragraph as we are now introduced to the fact that hi living conditions had changed a little bit. He was then living I a house alongside nine other men. The author also gives detailed information of how the room looked like. The fact that he also gave the measurements shows that the author is analytical in nature. The author also explains that despite the fact that he was no longer living with his college mate; the circumstances around the house were similar only that he now had to cope with nine other people in the house. The story continues by a conversation between the author and his friend. It also explains that the friend thinks he is speaking things of great importance yet they are just interesting.       

            It is also important to note that the nature of communication in this story is very informal. He uses informal words like shit, piss and butt. This clearly shows that relationship between these two people was not a formal one which is expected of work mates. This can also be seen by the fact that they did a lot of illegal things together and the fact that he is very interesting. The next paragraph is completely different from what was gathered in the second paragraph. The author speaks of his life as he was growing up. The fact of the father being in the army and the brother being a ranger in a battalion had an impact on him s he also wanted to join the army. It is also evident that the author is very analytical in expressing people. This can be seen by the fact that he stated what he saw among the many cadets where he was studying and by describing a person from his accent. The paragraph also brings out the aspect of relationship with the girlfriend, Ivy. He also explains about his life at the university that is characterized by many events.

            It is also important to note that despite that he was in the university and did everything that was required of him, he was still frustrated.  This brings us to the reality of dreams. Previously, we had learned that he was aimed at joining the army and now being in the university is a distraction of his dreams. The next paragraph shows that the author was in Afghanistan but the previous chapter speaks of him being in the United States. This could be seen as a conflict of ideas but it is not, it is a mental picture of where he was before coming to this new land.

            The story also brings a picture where he and his friends had a routine of drinking on Tuesdays. We are also told about the characteristics of his friends. From this, it Is evident that the author is a calm and cool person by the fact that he read books while his friends were having elusive debates. It is also evident that the author speaks in a manner which an external person may not understand, a language that is only known to then. The next paragraph speaks about them being in a car outside an operation center. One may ask why are they here and how did they get here? What time is it? How did it go from drinking to being in a truck? The events in the story are different as some are happening in the actual while other are a remembrance of something or thoughts.

            The fifth page is introduced by Sara, a lady whom the author claims to have had a crush on. The aspect of emotions is also clearly brought out here by the fact that the author hurt after he was rejected by the girl he adored. It is also clear that the author had been hurt and just like in the reality where people who have been discouraged end up in drugs, that was the same case in the story. The author states that he drunk until he passed out. This is a demonstration of what actually happens in the real world. The aspect of drugs is also clearly illustrated in the next paragraph where the author states that he was drinking red bull and taking nicotine as he was revising for an exam. This clearly shows the effects of the drugs as the author states that he did not write anything in the paper because he could not.  This caused him to drop the semester.

            The story is a process of how the author managed to get into the army as an infantry man. it also depicts the impacts of wrong choices in life and how they can destroy someone’s career or life.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Introduction

 Habitat for humanity is a non-governmental organization that is involved in providing shelters such as residential places, churches, and hospitals for the people in need and for free. This is done by a charitable organization that receives donations from different organizations as part of social responsibility and various donors.  They aim at building simple, decent houses and improving the current houses. It is made up of various organizations that work in different regions in building shelters for the needy.

            New Orleans Area Human Habitat (NOAHH) is such an organization that works towards human habitat. It is a non-profit making organization that was incorporated in 1983 (Karlin, Adam & Downs, 1). It is an independent organization that has been working in partnership. It has jointly worked with hardworking and low-income families to finance and build new, safe and affordable homes. This is done through the program that facilitates home ownership the families that do not meet the condition of home loans such as mortgage though they have jobs (Karlin, Adam & Downs , 62) .. This is achieved through their willingness to contribute some of their few hours in building habitat homes.  Recently it has been involved in building homes that were affected by the devastating floods of the famous Hurricane Katrina (Ouellette, 63). The rebuilding process was made possible by recruiting and deploying thousands of donors, volunteers and partners from all over the world to construct new houses in the damaged and blighted neighborhoods. The organization mission is to build homes through partnership, donors volunteer, homeowners, families, and the community by empowering and transforming their lives. They also aim in eliminating substandard houses as they serve to make decent houses.

            Since the organization was incorporated it has made build over 550 homes and has settled over 200 more in the area of New Orleans. NOAHH built 10-12 houses yearly but that was prior to Hurricane Katrina (Ouellette, 63). After that, the organization has been able to make at least 25-30 houses per year. One of its most famous rebuilding projects was in the Humanity’s Musicians’ Village in Ellis Marsalis Center and Upper Ninth Ward that is home to 72 partners families (Ouellette, 69).

            To make the project for human habitat successful there must be an architect involved in it. This is the persons that plan and designs the project and oversees its construction. This means providing the service to the building activity to the primal purpose of human occupancy. Architecture involves the process of constructing the building after planning and designing it. Habitat for humanity will be achieved by the presence of this people because the project has to be carried in the right way to enhance the durability of the buildings. For them to develop certain models it will be determined by the availability of resources and materials (Konaani & Kopec, 1).

Oregon is an example of an architect without a border. They connect with a design professional and the students to assists communities in need. To be able to achieve this they have to partner with nonprofits organization such as NOAHH to design and organize the projects. The organization is made up of volunteers such as students, engineers, writers, event planners, social media experts, landscape architect, web designers and developers, trades people, builders among others (Perera 1). In order for the organization to perform its duties, there are communications made, administrative tasks, have technical support and fundraising that is received from donors. In the past the organization has been involved in the various project such as St. Andre Bessette Catholic Church where they improved the common areas of the chapel (Perera, 125). This included kitchen floor, the configuring of the office and the program spaces available in the basement. This was as a result of the project the chapel undertakes in caring for the poor, addicted, homeless and the mentally ill. Another project that they undertook was the Bata Atha Grade School in Sri Lanka (Perera, 125). This was done in connection with the government who facilitated in site selection through adequate funding. Since it is a trans-border organization it carried a project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. AWB-Oregon and Global Health Oregon partnered together on a power solar panel which was intended to supply energy to the health clinics. Currently, the organization is still undertaking programs that will assist humankind.  The project of Bon Repos Orphanage was completed recently. It is aimed at reconstructing of the classroom blocks and moving of the structure to more advantageous locations that were damaged in the Haiti earthquake (Perera, 130).

 Service learning that is based on community engagement forms an experimental education on a campus that facilitates both the student growth and the common good. The learning strategy involves integrating meaningful and useful community service that will improve the learning experience, civic responsibility and strengthening the community (Scott, Katharine & James, 1). It seeks to attain objectives for the community with deep understanding and skills. Through the process students association personal and academic development with social and cognitive development. Such a project is designed to through the collaboration of the institution and the community such as non-governmental organizations. This entails the student to apply the skills gained in the course to community-based activities. This provides an experimental opportunity to the student as a result of community engagement (Scott, Katharine & James, 1).

            Service learning is a significant teaching methodology that facilitates community partnership opportunities (Scott, Katharine & James, 2). This benefits the students, communities, and the faculty. As a result of this engagement, there have been positive impacts as it has resulted in better understanding, problem analysis and solving, critical thinking as well as cognitive development. It has also led to improved understanding of complexity and ambiguity. Personal outcomes are also evident such as a great sense of personal identity, personal efficacy, and moral development. The ability to build team leadership and work well with others has also been developed (Scott, Katharine & James, 5).  This has also lead to a reduction of stereotypes and improved social responsibility with intercultural understanding. This has also resulted in greater and stronger relationship with the institution. It has also led to the satisfaction of the student and the faculty. A strong commitment has been developed through community engagement. This help the student to form a habit of volunteerism as they are more engaged as students that will assists them in becoming volunteers when adults (Scott, Katharine & James, 7).

            Integrating community engagement can be achieved in a service project. This will see the students take the opportunity to interact with the community through a certain project. For instance, a project of human habitat will be a common service. This will involve a research on the community and the various party to be involved in order to make it successful. This will revolve around volunteering of resources and time in order to make the project successful. Putting together the project will first see partnering and setting out meetings to find the possible resources ((Scott, Katharine & James, 8). It will affiliate its uniqueness the size and the geographical location. This will be achieved by putting up ways that will see the students and the homeowners benefit. Planning for the project will have to incorporate a research and meeting with the habitat families and identifying their need. Setting the goals to meet and the preparedness of the service activity has to be planned. This will be enhanced by the presence of role models and coaches and the involvement of all students. Reflecting what has been learnt in class and showcasing their hard work in such project will make it successful. Youth programs such as habitat for humanity will determine the greatness and the success of the course (Scott, Katharine & James, 18).

Conclusion

Habitat for humanity entails community service that revolves around a lot of volunteering and partnership among members. This is done to provide decent habitats who individuals that are needy and cannot do it on they own. To make it successful there must be donation since the various organization who are involved in this work do not aim at making profits. Through community service students become aware of the need to get involved in such work. Through this families and communities in need get assistance and are able to cope with life better since other projects that involve hospitals and churches are carried alongside the human habitat project that results in a better services to the community at large.

Reference

  Ouellette, Jeannine. Hurricane Katrina. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub, 2008. Internet resource

Karlin, Adam, and Tom Downs. New Orleans. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet, 2009. Print.

Scott, Katharine E., and James A. Graham. "Service-Learning." Journal Of Experiential   Education 38.4 (2015): 354-372. Professional Development Collection. Web. 25 Apr.        2016.

Kanaani Mitra & Kopec Dak; The Routledge Companion For Architecture Design and Practice; (2015); Routledge

Perera Nihal; People Spaces: Coping, Familiarizing, Creating ;( 2015); Routledge

Character, personality and leadership styles

Question 1

            An individual can have different personality traits depending with the group of people that they may be working with at that particular time. While working with a group of people where we were involved in creativity, the personality of being the idealist comes out clearly. This personality is associated with being reflective, creative and loyal. In this case, I am able to see possible solutions for issues that we may be facing and interested in understanding people and circumstances.

            The personality of being a thinker also comes out especially when dealing with complex situations. It works hand in hand with being the idealist and the blend is perfect. I have a wide spectrum of knowledge boosting my capacity of being competent and logistic.

Question 2

            From all the eight leadership styles I mostly identify with being innovative. This bears its foundation from my ability of being idealistic and being a thinker. I am able to see circumstances that are not favorable and initiate a course of action that will help solve the problem. This style of leadership can simply be termed as “Dream big and set for yourself seemingly impossible challenges. You then have to catch up with them,” (Blanken, ND). I am a risk taker which is a valuable asset to me and the organization as high risks are associated with increased yields and vice versa.  I also possess the transformational style of leadership which is directly inclined to social responsibility and the main objective is transformation and progress.

Question 3

            There are various strengths that are very evident in my group. These are the group is able to work with minimized supervision since they are able to embrace the aspect of risk taking and therefore taking pride in the roles and responsibilities assigned to them. It also creates a plat form where the ideas and opinions are others are scrutinized and if viable are implemented. This has created much motivation in the group and focus on success. The main challenge comes in the decision making process where all people may decide to take part in the process thus lengthening the process. According to Peter Drucker, “Most discussions of decision making assume that only senior executives make decisions or that only senior executives’ decisions matter. This is a dangerous mistake, “(Pugh, 2009).  The innovative style of leadership best suits the group accompanied with some features of the command and control style of leadership.

References

Blanken, R. 8 common leadership styles

Pugh, L. (2007). Change management in information services. Aldershot, Hampshire, England: Ashgate.

Reduction of Poverty

            The modern societies try to reduce poverty because its effects are severe.  Children who are raise in a poor family suffer more and have health problems that those that grow in richer families.  For instance those children exposed into scarcity have stumpy delivery mass which is associated with many cerebral and bodily ill health’s.  Others raised in scarcity also do not go to school due to illnesses, these children are exposed to accidents than other children are likely to have vision and hearing problems that can cause stress in brain functioning. The modern society is also viewing stress in the families which is brought by economic conditions.  Lack of jobs and enduring poverty creates violence in families such as children and adult abuse.  Poverty is the main cause of social pressures and intimidations that divide a nation due to inequities. This occurs when wealth in a country is unevenly distributed among the inhabitants (Sharma, 2001).

            In order for societies to reduce poverty, they should include the government which should impose a general redistribution of income to lower poverty and this will help the people who earn less income.  For instance cash can be redistributed to families who earn less than $ 5,000 in a year.  The government can also impose anti-poverty programs based in that every person in the society will be affected by the existence of poverty due to the care feelings. These programs are effective as everyone benefits when any person helps the poor so every personal contributor gets only a share of the benefit. Thus although the law of redistribution of income is hard to validate, the anti-poverty programs are vulnerable (Sharma, 2001).

Reference

Sharma, A. (2001). Changing modern society. New Delhi, India: Mittal Publications.         

Computers and Society

Libertarianism

            Libertarianism refers to a political belief that upholds that every person owns life and property and therefore has a right to make choices and decisions on how to live and use his or her property provided other people’s he or she puts into consideration the rights of other people to have the same. The perspective of libertarianism is that social harmony, peace and prosperity are to be fostered (Brennan, 2012). With a long progressing tradition that has kept spanning hundreds of years, libertarian ideas have contributed to various stages of history changing movements for instance women suffrage, abolition and civil rights movement. The perspective of liberty is in various forms for instance personal liberty which emphasizes that individuals should have freedom of making choices and accept responsibilities out of the choices they make therefore, no one should initiate force against an individual (Brennan, 2012). There is also economic liberty which is at society level to ensure that every member of the society receives sufficient opportunities in order to attain economic success. It is more efficient to allocate resources in a free and a competitive market. This perspective gives a people a right to offer goods and services on free market. The government is only to play a role of protecting property rights, arbitrate disputes and provide a proper and legal structure that promotes trade. Security liberty requires the government to execute the role of protecting rights of the individuals (Brennan, 2012).

            Libertarianism perspective is applicable in various ways in the real world setting. This perspective can be applied in self ownership; individuals have rights over their bodies than any other person or authority may not violate. They have freedom to decide what they can consume and determine risks to their safety. It is also applicable in expression and communication; libertarianism upholds that an individual should be entitled freedom of expression and they have a right to oppose government regulation and control of media of communication (Hospers, 2007). Libertarians favor freedom also advocate that it is an individual’s choice to get engaged in religious activities of their own choice that do not violate their rights. Therefore they oppose any actions of the government on view of religion (Hospers, 2007). This perspective is also applied in privacy where individuals’ privacy is being advocated and the government’s act of spying is being opposed and people are being protected from unreasonable search and seizure. Libertarianism can also be applied in personal relationships; this ensures that sexual preference, orientation, or gender identity should not affect the way the government treats individuals. The government has no power to define or restrict personal relationships. This perspective is applied on matters of abortion and the government is required not to involve in the matter, leaving the discussion for people basing on their consideration (Hospers, 2007). It is applied in crime and justice; with libertarians, the government plays a role of protecting the rights of all individuals which include liberty, life and property. Criminal laws should be brought in case the rights of some individuals. Libertarianism is also applied in self defense in that the government is expected to only use force in defending rights of individuals.

            Libertarians have also applied this sociological philosophy in economic liberty with a desire that all members of the society should enjoy opportunities in abundance in order to attain economic success. Under economic liberty, libertarians advocate for property rights as a fundamental tool in maintaining prosperity in the society (Hospers, 2007). Libertarians had a tendency of getting back the people’s property to them such that they all enjoy property right provided those choices did not harm other people’s rights. This philosophy is also applied in defending the rights of people on environment. Libertarians emphasize that all people receive healthy and clean environment. They also emphasize that the natural resources are sensibly used (Duignan, 2013). The government is responsible of protecting the environment from any unnecessary damages. Libertarians hold the concern that the change in the planet’s climate is as a result of environmental abuse thus they advocate for environmental conservation all over. Libertarians also emphasize that energy and resources should be supplied equally according to the needs of people in the society and thus the government should not consider subsidizing a particular form of energy (Duignan, 2013). There are also emphasis on government finance and spending and every person is entitled to fruitful labor. The libertarians view is to abolish income tax, internal revenue services. They oppose legal requirements that may need employers to act as tax collectors to protect the future of the citizens; libertarians discourage the public from incurring debts which can cost the citizens. They are in support of amendment of a balanced budget in the constitution and it should be exclusively raising taxes or cutting expenditures.

            Libertarianism is also applied in money and financial markets in favor of free market banking which does not restrict competition among depository institutions and banks (Duignan, 2013). The libertarians also support free markets and people are recommended to form corporations and other entities that support voluntary association. They oppose the acts of the government to subsidies other businesses in favor of other and giving other business the first priority over the others. Libertarianism is also applicable in labor markets and libertarians normally exclude the government from the employer and employee dealings of the private sector and the contracts within the private sector should not be tempered-with by the government (Duignan, 2013). According to their view, private employers and employees need to have their own choice to bargain or not to, through labor union. This perspective is also applied in the education set up and they believe that education is a parental responsibility which may not require interference from the government. Therefore, parents should be responsible of controlling for the their expenses on their children

            The perspective of libertarianism is also applied in matters of security and the government is supposed to play a role of protecting the rights of individuals in all endeavors (Duignan, 2013). Security involves national defense and with it libertarians support the maintenance of the military to defend and protect the citizens of the United States from all aggressions. There is internal security that concentrates on the defense of the country and the protection of individual rights and the libertarians maintain that there should be enough intelligence to ensure that domestic threats are being minimized with civil liberty of the citizens being observed and maintained (Duignan, 2013). There is international affairs which protects the lives citizens by seeking peace with the rest of the countries in the world for safety of the citizens. Lastly, there is free trade and migration where libertarians advocate for the removal of barrier to allow citizens carry out trade with the outside nations without restrictions.

References

Brennan, Jason. Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know. , 2012. Print.

Hospers, John. Libertarianism: A Political Philosophy for Tomorrow. New York: Authors Choice Press, 2007. Print.

Duignan, Brian. The Science and Philosophy of Politics. New York: Britannica Educational Pub. in association with Rosen Educational Services, 2013. Internet resource.

POVERTY MENACE

Most communities try to alleviate poverty through various methods both economically and humanitarian ways that will see people get permanently out of poverty. As a result of poverty, very undesirable characteristics are evident amongst the people (Kornblum& Smith, 2011).  For instance, poverty has led to an increase in crimes. Due to this, they tend to steal from those who have which have resulted in making cities very uncomfortable and unpleasant to live. In order to make every place secure for people to live crimes have to end and this can be achieved if everybody is entitled to some income (Kornblum& Smith, 2011). It is everybody desire to live comfortably without struggling and hence the need to eliminate poverty. Due to poverty, there are food problems, inefficiency in the institutions, corruption, less investments and political instability. This are some of the reasons why the modern society want to eradicate poverty to facilitate easier living (Kornblum& Smith, 2011).

            Passing a law that will see everybody earn equal income will be doing great harm to the economy than good. In order to earn a decent income, the rule of the game says that one must invest in education be hardworking and have a high degree of tolerance to things that are not pleasant (Kornblum& Smith, 2011). If income is leveled for every person it will result to discouragement and people will not put their best into anything. This will affect the economy severely and to avoid this other different measures have been staged. This is done by use of programs that will ensure areas with low income or poverty levels are high attract income generating methods and this will lead to the redistribution of income to them eradicating poverty (Kornblum& Smith, 2011).

 Reference

Kornblum, W., & Smith, C. D. (2011). Sociology in a changing world. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

LSTD503 FORUM 3 Racial Profiling

It is not strange that there have been many cases of some people being stopped, detained and being subjected to searches just because they belong to a certain race or ethnicity background and with no apparent reason or realistic suspicion. In the united States, there around eight hundred police officers and not all of those law enforcers are trained well or have good intention as we would like to appear (University of Missouri,2008). The officers use it as a lawful investigative method especially when race is a basic part of the investigation. As this issue can be found in the general society, it exist in main institutions like agencies tasked with the responsibility of enforcing law. There have been many studies that have confirmed the existence of differential treatment of people of colour in various contexts. Statistics have indicated that African American are more likely to face this kind of profiling than their white American counterparts. These statistics have shown that there was a higher possibility for black children to have at least one of their parents in prison than for white children (University of Missouri, 2008).

The issue of racial profiling has become even common since the terrorist attack of 9/11, an incident that seems have made this vice to come back with vengeance. This resulted to multiple and discriminative arrests directed to persons whose appearance suggested they are Arabs Muslim. As the FBI resolved to reposition itself with an aim of pre-empting any possible threat, it could not keep its hands off racial profiling. However, a good example to show that this vice is integrated in the law enforcement society and the other law institutions is the decision arrived at by the Supreme Court in the case of Whren v. United States (Michael, 2012). The court appears to have unanimously sanctioned the issue of racial profiling where it allowed law enforcement officers to stop a motorist for traffic violation while specifically intending to hunt for drugs, which can be referred as pretext stops.

The court decision of barring pretext stops victims from admitting evidence on the grounds of Fourth Amendment, and there by ignoring the argument put across by Whren that there is possibility of police officers  making a decision on which motorist they will stop and they may base this on factors that cannot be permissible constitutionally like ones race. The ruling by Justice Antonin Scalia that constitutional reason for the objection to intentional discrimination while applying the laws cannot be done on account of the Fourth amendment leaves a gaping loophole (Michael, 2012). What the ruling did is to leave the people of colour with a difficult evidentiary weight. The victim or the oppressed for that matter were left with the responsibility to prove racism. This means that it is very difficult for the victim of racial profiling to provide proof for that particular discrimination. This shows that there have been no mechanism for eliminating racial profiling (Michael, 2012). Apart from its existence in the general society it also exists in the institution that is tasked with protecting the minor groups in the society from being discriminated against. The purpose of the law is to protect the rights of the individuals from abuse by the state and society. However, this case help to show how the constitutional law is always manipulated by those in power in order to maintain a system of racial classes.

References

Michael L. Birzer .Racial Profiling, They Stopped Me Because I'm -------. CRC Press 23-45 (1st ed. 2012)

University of Missouri. Walking While Black: An Examination of the Police-pedestrian Interaction .ProQuest 44-47 (1 st ed. 2008)