Analysis of Legalization of Marijuana Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analysis of Legalization of Marijuana - Article Example If one were to analyze the legislation and initiatives of the past few years it will be evident that public favor to legalize medicinal marijuana has increased and this in return has propelled some states to decriminalize medicinal marijuana. Only a few weeks back, the Joint Mental Health and Substances Abuse Committee of Massachusetts removed criminal penalties for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana by a 6-1 vote ("Massachusetts: Decrim Bill Advances", 2006). The Joint Committee on the Judiciary was scheduled to begin deliberations on it in March. The legislation aimed to decrease penalties for the minor possession i.e. less than an ounce of marijuana to a civil offense instead of a criminal offense as custom and sought to reduce a fine of $500 to $250. This legislation, however, was quashed by the state legislature and medical or otherwise use of marijuana in Massachusetts still remains illegal. In February, this year, Congress, hitherto immovable and unbending on all marijuana-related issues, took a significant step by allowing students, previously charged with marijuana possession, eligibility to apply for student aid. Enacted in the year 1998, this ban - commonly known as "drug offender exclusionary provision" of the Higher Education Act - has refused financial aid to some 175,000 students until now. To some, this has been landmark legislation in the fight for marijuana decriminalization and a tentative admission of the Congress about the futility of penalizing citizens for the possession of a recreational drug ("Congress Scales Back Ban On Student Aid For Drug Offenders," 2006). More evidence of growing support for marijuana legalization came to view in 2005 when the US House of Representatives voted against the lifting of a ban on medicinal marijuana. The most important point, however, was that despite the vote going against marijuana legalization, 161 House members ha d voted in favor of marijuana, which was the record highest. In November 2005, the population of Denver voted to eliminate penalties for the possession of one ounce of cannabis by citizens more than 21 years of age. Fifty-four percent of voters decided in favor of legalization ("Denver Votes To Abolish Pot Penalties," 2005). In 1998, voters in Oregon had voted in favor of a law that allowed patients to possess and grow marijuana for medical reasons. In August 2005, the voters of Oregon further amended the law in favor of marijuana users by allowing marijuana-dependent patients to grow and own 24 ounces of cannabis as opposed to previous 3 ounces ("Legislature Amends Oregon Medical Cannabis Law," 2005).The most important point of objection raised by those who oppose decriminalization of marijuana is the type of message it will send to the citizens of America in general and to the youth and children in particular. They hold that although some medical reports reveal marijuana to be the least harmful of all drugs, yet it cannot be denied that it is a drug and harmful as well. In addition, if marijuana use and possession were to be legalized for medicinal purposes it will only be available through two means.

An application of McLuhan's theories to television Essay

An application of McLuhan's theories to television - Essay Example In Understanding Media McLuhan declared that the media are extensions of our senses or faculties. He looks into how each of the media are capable of rearranging our social lives even to the extent of depersonalization and absolute alienation. The Mechanical Bride asserted that the real significance of the media lay in their ability to modify human relationships and perception. Although Understanding Media was published as early as in 1964, McLuhan had predicted along with his famous theory of media as extensions that one day there could be the collectivization and corporatisation of all information. It has been rightly pointed out that the Internet is nothing but an extension of one's powers of cognition. We open the 'home page' of a person the moment we choose to think of him. Then we proceed to click on links if need be. The retrieval of information in good time from the vast store house of the human brain is the pioneer google! Of the many theories that McLuhan has propounded, that of hot and cool media has gathered a lot of attention, especially in the light of the advent of computers which defy McLuhan's classification in the sense that it can be both hot and cold or neither hot nor cold. Before one discusses the complexities involved in the issue, a brief look at what McLuhan actually said in Understanding Media (1964) would be handy: A hot m... Telephone is a cool medium, or one of low definition, because the ear is given a meager amount of information. And speech is a cool medium of low definition, because so little is given and so much has to be filled by the listener. On the other hand, hot media do not leave so much to be filled in or completed by the audience. Hot media are, therefore, low in participation, and cool media are high in participation or completion by the audience (23). Communication is an ever growing phenomenon and is commensurate with the ways by which societies evolve. Although one can say that the moon and the tide communicate it has more to do with natural phenomenon than communication; the ant that discovers a drop of honey locks antennae with another that comes its way, but this apparent act of empathic communication is, according to Edward O. Wilson, based purely on genetic programming1 and not on will (the ant cannot choose not to communicate); only man can choose not to communicate, to communicate and yet not communicate, to lie, to imagine. The spectrum of possibility is too numerous to enumerate. So, as long as it is a human being who is the Receiver of the Sender's (mass medium) message, what if the former treats the hot as cool and vice versa. What if the silence from the other end of the telephone is construed as an acceptance of one's invitation to romance What if the very heat of the medium in describing everything makes the viewer turn off his sense/sensibility saying the medium is not cool enough McLuhan's theory sounds original but not comprehensive. It seems to lack an attention to corollaries. McLuhan's other observations that complement the basic premise of hot and cool media are more illuminating. He says that a

The Taming of the Shrew Essay Example for Free

The Taming of the Shrew Essay The servants in the play are mainly dopey and dim-witted. They fool around stage acting stupidly and behaving erratically. As the majority of the audiences would not have had a proper education, so they would rely on these exaggerated actions and visual antics. An example of this would be when Petruchio returns home after the wedding, only to find his servants gossiping. A frantic scene follows where the servants all end up falling over each other etc. This kind of foolish behaviour would have entertained un-educated Elizabethan audiences. All comedies by Shakespeare follow the same simple structure, similar to all other plays. The play starts with an exposition stage, which is when the story emerges and things start to go wrong and get out of hand. Next is the complication stage, which is when the play becomes even more complicated and everyone appears stuck. However, finally is the resolution stage where all the problems are solved. In tragedy plays, the play ends with the death of the hero or heroine, but in the majority of comedy plays, the play ends with a marriage. The tangled plot has been unwoven and problems solved. Petruchio immediately sets out to tame Katherina and her wild personality. Not only is he physically stronger than her, he is also wittier this is constantly apparent as he persistently winds Kate up: Pet. You lie, in faith for you are calld plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom. Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate, In this quotation, Petruchio is outlining his superiority over Katherina by winding her up by being patronising. After a direct order to not call her Kate, Petruchio goes on to persistently call her Kate to show his power. This not only annoys her, but weakens her and wears her down. He shows that he is not afraid to confront her making it clear from the outset that he is out to tame her. Petruchios methods of taming Katherina would appear disrespectful to modern audiences however they would have merely been humorous to Elizabethans. Throughout the play, the taming process continues, becoming more severe as the play progresses. At one point, Petruchio starves Kate, and deprives her of sleep to physically weaken her. Much of Petruchios speeches consist of cs and ks. This harsh phonology could suggest his dominance. Also, the majority of Kate repetitions are stressed using iambic pentameter. After a long taming period, Kate eventually caves in. She begins to realize that the only way she is going to get what she wants is to agree with what ever Petruchio says. Kat: Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet Pet: Why, how now Kate. I hope thou are not mad. This is a man, old, wrinkled, witherd This is said directly after Petruchio comments there a beautiful young woman present. This also adds comedy to the play, as the person being addressed is in fact an old rather fat man, nothing like a beautiful young woman. This is a pivotal moment in the play as it is the turning point, where Katherina finally gives into Petruchios unrelenting taming process. After this, Petruchios taming of Kate is complete.

The Factors That Affect Global Warming Environmental Sciences Essay

The Factors That Affect Global Warming Environmental Sciences Essay The affects of global warming are vast and spread across and the dangers are several. This paper aims at understanding the factors that affect global warming. A discussion of human impact on global warming has also been made. This will permit to bring out an evaluation strategy to sustain the current situation and to find a strategy to devise a solution for the problem. The Problem: With the growing levels of irresponsible behavior on the part of humans and several other factors, the biggest issue in hand is Global Warming. The term global warming is used to describe the changes, more specifically the increase in the temperature of the Earth. The issue has been studied over several years and one of the major attributes to the issue is the increase in the greenhouse gases (Houghton, 2009). A few facts from the National Geographic show that the World is being faced with this issue and Earth has already begun showing a number of signs in terms of the worldwide climate change. A few of these signs include: According to the NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies, there has been an increase in the average temperature and since 1880, the average temperatures have raised by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The level of warming has been noted to be increasing to a great extent. As per the National Geographic website, The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th centurys last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies. And the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850 (National Geographic, 2007). The Arctic Circle has been faced with the highest changes. The average temperatures in regions like Alaska, Canada and Easter Russia has risen to an extent almost double of the global average. Also, studies have shown that the Arctic ice has been disappearing and the region is expected to have an ice free summer by 2040 or earlier. The various glaciers and mountain snow have also been impacted by the global warming and one of the best examples for this is that Montanas Glacier National park now has only about 27 glaciers when compared to 150 in 1910 (National Geographic, 2007). Experts have also pointed that an upsurge in extreme climate events like wildfires, heat waves and also strong tropical storms are major contributors to the climate changes. The world famous Coral Reefs have also been affected because of the high temperatures. The Coral Reefs are highly sensitive to the slightest changes in the water temperature and the increase in temperatures has led to bleaching, and even die off of this beautiful formation (Houghton, 2009). Factors Affecting Global Warming: There have been several factors that affect the global warming. Under normal circumstances the process that is occurs as explained by Environment Canada is that, under normal circumstances, the Earth intercepts radiations from the sun. These radiations are the ones that help derive the climate and the weather of the Earth. What normally happens is that one third of the radiations are reflected back into space, while the rest of it is absorbed by the various forms of life, land, ice and the atmosphere. Furthermore the Earth re radiates several long waves of radiation which are sent out into space. Of these a part of it is absorbed as energy while the rest is left into space. This remission is referred to as Greenhouse Effect (Environment Canada, 2010). It is necessary for Earth to be able to maintain a balance between the amounts of radiation that is outgoing versus the amount of solar energy incoming. Any change in this balance can lead to the process of global warming (Singer Avery , 2007). Another factor that has also been explained by the Environment Canada is the changes that have been noted in the Earths Orbit. The changes in the orbit leads to changes in the amount of energy received on earth, and there is also a direct impact on the energy that is absorbed and reflected as well. Also another essential factor that affects the global warming is the aerosols. Environment Canada has explained this factor as, these are fine particles and droplets that are small enough to remain suspended in the atmosphere for considerable periods of time.   They both reflect and absorb incoming solar radiation.   Changing the type and quantity of aerosols in the atmosphere affects the amount of solar energy reflected or absorbed (Environment Canada, 2010). Global Warming: Human Impact: Several studies over the years by numerous scientists across over 130 countries have led to the conclusion that almost all or major part of the global warming is due to humans. The global warming that is caused due to humans is referred to as anthropogenic climate change. There are several things that humans have done which have led to the situation of global warming. Some of these include factors like industrialization, deforestation, and pollution which have impacted the levels of water vapor, carbon di oxide, methane gas, and also nitrous oxide. This leads the greenhouse gases to be a trapped near the Earths surface thereby making the level of heat much higher (Singer Avery, 2007). Also, it is seen that humans have poured in higher levels of carbon di oxide into the atmosphere compared to that which can be absorbed by the plants and oceans. It is also essential to note that Carbon di oxide takes as much as 100 years to be absorbed into space, hence with the levels of this gas that is being emitted there are very low chances of stopping global warming immediately (Environment Canada, 2010). Experts have also pointed out that the orbital shifts that have taken place over the past hundred years are normally one which would take at least centuries to occur. This increases the possibility of the heating and cooling of the earth. Evaluation of Strategies: In the current period several experts and channels like National Geographic try to explain to the general public the several ways that they can help improve the world and help save the planet. Things like using more eco friendly items, eating organic foods, changing to become vegetarians to help reduce the harmful gases are emitted into the atmosphere. The experts also suggest using different types of products to help reduce the emission of harmful elements into the atmosphere and thereby assist in sustaining the earths heat at the current level. However irrespective of how much the governments or the experts have tried the conscious efforts to help reduce the emission of harmful elements, yet the rate at which the emission of harmful gases have been present is quite high (Singer Avery, 2007). The governments and the society together will need to work hand in hand to save the world and to at least be able to retain the world at the current level. In order to be able to develop a pla n which might help increase the awareness among all the people in the world a brief sustainability plan has been designed. Sustainability Plan: Action Items Action Steps Timeline Conduct a thorough research of the effects of global warming and how the daily activities affect global warming Several journals, articles, and websites need to be analyzed and studied. The main causes for global warming can be listed based on this. Furthermore, surveys can be conducted and details of the possible daily activities can be made to bring out the activities that affect and contribute to the global warming. 2 3 month Develop a plan to encourage and raise the awareness among people across the world A presentation can be made to provide population with a detailed understanding of what causes global warming, the effects of global warming and how each individual can individual can help reduce the contribution of harmful chemicals and harmful gases as well. 1 1.5 Month Distribute and extend the knowledge to all A copy of the presentation can be sent out to various organizations which will in fact allow the knowledge to be spread across the countries. Distribute a copy of the presentation across the country to as many colleges, universities, movie theatres, industries, manufacturing companies, offices, schools. The movie theatres can play the presentation before every movies and this will help at least reach out to a small set of people worldwide. 3 month Evaluation of Plan: The above mentioned plan might sound outrageous and very demanding and expensive; however it will allow the people across the world to be aware of the various problems and issues that are being faced due to being ignorant or simply not aware. Using a presentation to be sent out slowly to all countries and the presentations to be distributed within each country will help in reaching out to a major part of the population. The main benefits of the plan is that it will help build awareness and will also help in changes simple things in the daily routine that can assist with doing the bit to help prevent global warming. Also playing the presentation in schools and colleges and movies will help the younger generation be more aware of what they do and also assist in correcting the mistakes of not only themselves but also those around them. Required Support: Global warming is a global issue and it is not one which will affect only a few countries. If we aim at saving out planet, it is essential that a form of unity and commitment is formed within each one of us and a form of unity among countries is also essential. The support of the government is necessary here to help ensure that countries can have cordial and helping nature so that we can also work together to resolve this issue. Similar to how the entire world is ready to take up a new technology and enjoy the benefits, it is necessary that the world works together to build a safer planet (Spencer, 2010). Companies can help by passing the message, governments can help by keeping cordial relations with other countries, so we can help one another in times of difficulties. Most importantly, it is up to each individual on the planet to their bit to help reduce the emission of the gases and prevent global warming. The world is our own, and irrespective of which country we belong, or which religion we belong, we need to understand that ignorance or not taking up responsibility is not an answer here and we all lose if global warming continues to grow as it is currently.

William James Essay -- philosophy of pragmatism

William James was a philosopher and psychologist but was most well known in the field of Psychology for developing the philosophy of pragmatism, or the Functionalist theory: "Theory of mental life and behavior that is concerned with how an organism uses its perceptual abilities to function in its environment." He was also the first Psychologist to be born in America.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  William James was born on January 11, 1842 in New York City. His father, Henry James Sr. was a Swednborgian theologian, and one of his brothers was the great novelist Henry James. Throughout his youth, William attended private schools in the United States and Europe. He later attended the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard University and then Harvard Medical School, where he received his degree in 1869 in the field of Physiology. The way that William got into the field of Psychology was that he got his degree in physiology and also enjoyed studying philosophy in his spare time, in psychology, he found, linked the two together. Before finishing his medical studies, he went on an exploring expedition in Brazil with the Swiss-American naturalist Louis Agassiz and also studied psychology in Germany. During this time, William retired due to illness but that didn’t stop his from excelling in the field. Three years later, in 1872, at the age of thirty, William become an instructor in physiology at Harvard University. In 1875, William started teaching Psychology at Harvard and after 1880 he was teaching both cl...

The Internet Effect: How Has It Affected You? :: essays research papers fc

Commonly known as the Internet, the world’s largest network is used extensively throughout the world today. Since its creation in 1983, the Internet has continued to grow in popularity and use as a commercial and private communications medium. Millions of people throughout the world use the Internet in a variety of ways, ranging from personal conversations to on-line shopping. According to a survey compiled by Nua Ltd in 1999, the number of Internet users rose from 26 million in 1995 to 205 million in 1999, an increase of almost 700% (Nua Ltd)! With such an explosive increase, how then has the Internet affected us personally, and how has it affected the way we do business? The answers to these questions include changes in the way people obtain information, interact, work, learn and conduct business.Given the Internet’s original purpose is to share information, it is no wonder that the most important asset of the Internet is the wealth of information that can be found o n the Internet (Maney 3). Information previously found only in libraries and encyclopedias is now available on the Internet; in addition, news, weather, and movie listings are also made available on the Internet. Internet users constantly remain informed of the world around them by reading news from the New York Times, USA Today, San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times and many other newspapers found on-line. Even those like myself who are far away from home can keep in touch by reading local newspapers published on the Internet.Along with the vast amount of information, the Internet also provides almost instant sharing and distribution of information. Through the use of electronic mail, people all over the world can â€Å"send information to far-away places cheaply, easily and in great volume – much more than any medium before it† (Maney 3). This form of communication known as email is the most widely used tool of the Internet today. Another invention of the Internet is the chat room. From within a chat room, people make friends with others throughout the world and share information with one another in real time. Because of email and chat capability, employees can work together without requiring that everyone work in the same place or even at the same time (Maney 4). On a more personal level, email and chat allow families and friends to stay in touch, keeping relationships intact. Being an international student myself, email and chat rooms have greatly benefited me as they enable me to constantly keep in touch with my family and friends in Singapore.

Racial and Ethnic Groups Matrix Essay

Is this an ethnic or racial group and why? Where did this group originate? How did this group become a part of American culture? What challenges has this grouped faced in the U.S.? How is this group portrayed today in American society? Have you witness any racism or prejudice toward this group? Any additional comments? Native Americans Native Americans are considered a racial group because of the large population Native Americans came to America from Asia in the last Ice Age. Native Americans became a part of American culture with the arrival of horses. The increased mobility helped encourage a period of prosperity for Native American groups whose territories were expanding with hunting. Horses became a part of the spiritual, economic and political culture of Native Americans The biggest challenge for Native Americans is coming through assimilation both force and voluntary. The American people and the US government made various efforts to assimilate Native Americans which included but does not limit federal policies, education, religious acculturation. These physically separated Native Americans from the rest of the United States and imposed nonnative forms of housing such as land use, agricultural and hunting methods Native Americans relationship with the United States government beginning before the American Revolution with the signing of treaties for trade and friendship between Native Americans tribes and European-American colonies. I personally have not witnessed any racism or prejudice towards this group. African Americans African Americans are a minority group. However Blacks is the race where African Americans can classify themselves when it comes to race. African Americans were involuntarily captured and transferred from Africa to colonies throughout the Western Hemisphere to become slaves. In recent years, African Americans have started to demand their history as most people think that American history is just the history of white people. The biggest challenges African Americans face in the US are high out of wedlock birth rates, absent of fathers, and the lack of family support for young African Americans. Media in today’s society portrays young African Americans as criminals, crime victims and predators. According to the Black Agenda Report, it is said that â€Å" The perception of African Americans and other people of color as inferior to whites is rooted in the nations legacy of racial hierarchy†. I haven’t experienced or seen racism towards African Americans but I do recall when Trayvon Martin was killed. Society blamed the shooting because Trayvon was black. While jurors disagreed, many people still feel injustice was served. Hispanic Americans Hispanics are considered an Ethnic group. Hispanics came from a number of countries including Cuba, Spain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico in addition to other South American countries. A number of obstacles had to be handled by Hispanics in the US. In my opinion, the biggest obstacle they had to face is getting a job. Hispanics are typecast as low-level employees, and only a small number of Hispanics are part of upper management in the United States. Hispanics have also been typecast as unskilled workers and troublemakers in the past. They are also considered to be antagonistic and unrefined. As a Hispanic, I have felt prejudice because of the color of my skin. For example a few weeks ago I was in Des Moines and I felt out of place because of the color of my skin. Mexican Americans Majority of Mexican Americans holds religious faith and traditions that are important factors in their everyday life. This is their main difference from other Hispanic groups. Mexicans migrated from Spain and Mexico. They established themselves in the  southwestern states of the United States. Employers requested the Mexicans to be brought into the country in 1942 to fill the labor demand. Mexican Americans also have to deal with a number of obstacles such as being considered as second class citizens and apprehensions on the legality of their immigration. Mexican Americans today are depicted to provide inexpensive labor for occupations that are normally favored by majority of Americans. My parents are Mexican Americans and I have heard stories of where they were discriminated years ago because they were Mexicans in the United States. They worked hard for what they had and yet they felt belittle by Americans. Muslim and Arab Americans Arab and Muslim Americans are very religious and have a good amount of faith. Although these two ethnic groups are typically viewed as one, they have a number of differences. Arab and Muslims come from Middle Eastern countries like Iraq, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Syria. A number of ethnic groups were influenced by their customs and traditions. They perform a number of work-related functions like managing stores in low-income communities. Arab and Muslim Americans had to deal with a number of obstacles in the US. These obstacles range from a prejudice to abhorrence. A good number of people have a negative view of their religion. Arab and Muslim Americans have been depicted by the US media as barbaric and dishonest especially after 9/11. Americans don’t trust Muslims and Arabs because of what they did to us Americans. Although I have not observed any discrimination against this ethnic group, the media demonstrated prejudice against them after 9/11. Asian Americans The features of Asian Americans demonstrate their difference from other ethnic groups. Asian Americans originally came from the Pacific Islands, China, the Philippines and Asia in general. The Nationality Act of 1965 facilitated the integration of Asians into the American culture. Asian Americans have to deal with a number of obstacles mainly due to the fact that they feel that American society does not accept them, and they are treated as second-class citizens. Asian Americans are known for their excellence in education and technology. They are also successful in their chosen careers. I have not observed any discrimination against this ethic group. Jewish Americans Jewish Americans have a similar culture and religion. A person has the choice of being a Jew. Jewish Americans migrated from a number of countries in Europe including England, Germany and Poland. They also come from the former Soviet Union. Following a decline in the economy in their respective countries in the 1700s, a number of Jews migrated into the US and became integrated into American society. The strengthening of the US economy also contributed to this influx of Jews into the US. One obstacle that Jews had to deal with was when they were blamed for the fiscal crisis in the US. Presently, Jewish Americans represent the second biggest ethnic group in the United States I have not observed any discrimination against this ethnic  group. Anglo Americans Anglo Americans is a diverse ethnic group that features some differences in their skin color and religion. Anglo Americans migrated mainly from Germany, Ireland and England. A good number of them arrived in the US sometime in the 1800s. Anglo Americans have to deal with a number of racial issues in the US since they do not consider themselves as a single race. Other ethnic groups also look down on them as a group. Presently, Anglo Americans are depicted mainly as a dominant culture in the US. They consider the United States as their country and they show that through their actions. This outlook is supported by the media in the US. I have not observed any discrimination against this ethnic group.