Pros and Cons of Patriot Act essays

Pros and Cons of Patriot Act essays The devastating events of September 11, 2001 traumatized Americans, and many innocent citizens lost their lives. Americans were so traumatized by 9/11 that they were ready to surrender their most treasured liberties. On October 26, 2001 President Bush signed a massive bill designed to combat terrorism into law. The bill passed hardly a week after the terrorist attack was passed with little debate and no formal hearings. The bill is the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, largely known as The Patriot Act. Does this bill ask Americans to give up some of their freedoms for the sake of the country? Yes. Is it unconstitutional? This paper looks as the schools of thought surrounding the controversial Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act was conceived by Attorney General John Ashcroft and passed through Congress under the pressure of G.W. Bush. Only one United States senator, Russell Feingold, of Wisconsin voted against the USA Patriot Act (EPIC). Feingold was quoted as saying Preserving our freedom is one of the main reasons that we are now engaged in this new war on terrorism. We will lose that war without firing a shot if we sacrifice the liberties of the American people(Brown). The act gave the government more powers to invade citizen privacy, imprison people without due process and allowed for more roving wiretaps without court orders. While that sounds extremely threatening the act also made it illegal for citizens to house known terrorist, tap phones of suspected terrorist, and tripled the number of border patrol and costumes inspectors throughout the country. The statute of limitation for prosecuting terrorist acts was lengthened, along with heightened measures against money laundering (Rosen). Many of the Patriot Act laws are targeted towards nationals. The most serious provisions of the Act are directed at non-citizens. So is it really ...

Sue Hendrickson - A Profile of the Famous Fossil Hunter

Sue Hendrickson - A Profile of the Famous Fossil Hunter Name: Sue Hendrickson Born: 1949 Nationality: American Dinosaurs Discovered: Tyrannosaurus Sue About Sue Hendrickson Until her discovery of an intact skeleton of Tyrannosaurus Rex, Sue Hendrickson was hardly a household name among paleontologistsin fact, she wasnt (and isnt) a full-time paleontologist at all, but a diver, adventurer, and collector of insects encased in amber (which have found their way into the collections of natural history museums and universities around the world). In 1990, Hendrickson participated in a fossil expedition in South Dakota led by the Black Hills Institute of Geologic Research; temporarily separated from the rest of the team, she discovered a trail of small bones that led to the almost complete skeleton of an adult T. Rex, later dubbed Tyrannosaurus Sue, that catapulted her to instant fame. After this thrilling  discovery, the story becomes much more complicated. The T. Rex specimen was excavated by the Black Hills Institute, but the U.S. government (prompted by Maurice Williams, the owner of the property on which Tyrannosaurus Sue was found) took it into custody, and when ownership was finally awarded to Williams after a protracted legal battle he put the skeleton up for auction. In 1997, Tyrannosaurus Sue was purchased by the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago for a little over $8 million, where it now resides (happily, the museum later invited Hendrickson to give a lecture about her adventures). In the two-plus decades since her discovery of Tyrannosaurus Sue, Sue Hendrickson hasnt been much in the news.  In the early 1990s, she participated in some high-profile salvage expeditions in Egypt, searching (unsuccessfully) for the royal residence of Cleopatra and the sunken ships of Napoleon Bonapartes invasion  fleet.  She wound up moving out of the U.S.she now lives on an island off the coast of Hondurasbut continues to belong to various prestigious organizations, including the Paleontological Society and the Society for Historical Archaeology. Hendrickson published her autobiography (Hunt for My Past: My Life as an Explorer) in 2010, a decade after receiving an honorary PhD degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

To what extent has contemporary sociological theory advanced our Essay

To what extent has contemporary sociological theory advanced our understanding of race and racism - Essay Example llective, and how they have developed a common culture, while theories about cultural transmission help explain how this common culture sustains itself over generations. These are all helpful theories that explain racial identity. That said, the origins of racism are much more difficult to explain, and theories have been unsatisfactory in this regard. Some theories base racism in economic realities, others see racism as a product of dominance and dependency, while still others see an inherent intelligence gap between races, and this explains how races are separated. Therefore, no one theory regarding racial relations is satisfactory. That said, there are commonalities between the theories, so, by combining the theories, one can come up with a composite whole that might be helpful in explaining racial difference, relations and racism. The first issue that must be examined is how contemporary sociology views the issues of race and ethnicity, by examining ethnic identity theory. An ethnic group is â€Å"a reference group called upon by people who share a common history and culture, who may be identifiable because they share similar physical features and values and who, through the process of interacting with each other and establishing boundaries with others, identify themselves as being a member of that group† (Smith, 1991, p. 181). In other words, ethnic identity theory encompasses what it means to be white, black, Jewish, Irish, Chicano, etc. (White & Burke, 1987, p. 311). Ethnic identity theory derives from how one feels about his or her membership in the identified ethnic group, which includes the symbols, beliefs and values of that group. Moreover, ethnicity is not a choice – one must be born into it (Smith, 1991, p. 182). Ethnic identity development is the process that one takes to come to term s with one’s ethnicity (Smith, 1991, p. 182). Ethnic identity is learned from one’s family and community, and is developed from shared religion, culture,

Food Security in Post-War Sierra Leone Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Food Security in Post-War Sierra Leone - Essay Example This essay stresses that food production was negatively impacted raising concerns of international agencies owing to declining agricultural sector charged with feeding a conflicted nation. After years of confrontation, the rebels were suppressed and signed a treaty that marked the end of armed conflict and the beginning of recovery for the nation. Among the agenda by the newly elected regime was reconciliation, reconstruction of the country by adopting resolutions that upheld universal education, children rights, and food security. Focusing on food security, this paper seeks to examine the dynamics of agriculture with regard to effects of the civil war and strides towards achieving food security in Sierra Leone after the war. This paper makes a conclusion that the civil war halted economic development that is essential for enhancing agricultural performance in the country. The research systems related with agricultural practices were severely affected following the destruction of research infrastructure such as laboratories and farms. Similarly, the civil war saw the well-trained scientists and research personnel flee the country and abandon their role in food security. This characterized the breakdown of local authorities and other structures if devolved governance, which contributed to the collapse of essential services. The civil conflict also affected livestock in the country with marked depletion of herds of the common breeds. According to the World Health Organization (n.d.), food security describes the availability and consistent access to food where a household thrives without the fear of food shortage. Following years of civil war, Sierra Leone faced challenges with feeding its citizenry after su bsistent farmers were ejected from their farms or fled the conflict. For this reason, the country’s agricultural sector was in ruins and the country ranked among the poorest in the world. The establishment of comprehensive strategies towards rebuilding the nation after the war reveals a promising future of food security. Reconstruction and development of Sierra Leone after the war posed significant challenges with regard to food security and restoration of the country’s food basket. This was a presidential priority as the

Food memoir Essay Example for Free

Food memoir Essay For all of us, there are several kinds of food in our deep memories. These foods are different from others because they are not only what we eat but also what we experience. Last week, when my teacher asked us which food existed in our deep memories, the first one came to my mind was Mung rice noodle. Each time mentioning Mung rice noodle, I will think of my wonderful childhood and sweet home. IbelongtoTujia,oneoftheChineseminorities. Mungricenoodlehasbeen produced by Tujia people, and most of us are used to make it our breakfasts. Simply, from the name, it comes from the marriage of mung and rice. However, Tujia people are used to add soybeans into the mixture of mung and rice. To be honest, I have never made it by myself, instead, I saw my grandmother made it when I was in the primary school. Firstly, my grandmother soaked the soybean, mung and rice in the water one day before using them. After one day, she grinded them into slurry by the millstone. Then, she brushed little colza oil in the iron pan and circled the slurry evenly in the pan. That was my first time knowing how to make Mung rice noodle and I can still remember that the fresh smell of it jumped out just in one second. After it was done, my grandma put it in the hot water and added ginger, scallion, garlic, peper, chilli oil and meat sauce. She smiled at me: â€Å"babe, you gonna finish it! † After eating it up, I understood why my grandma was so confident that I could finish it at the beginning. ThereisasweetstoryrelatedtoMungricenoodle. WhenIwasintheprimary school, my mother usually got up half an hour earlier than me to make Mung rice noodle as my breakfasts. She could always make new flavors to surprise me. I was extremely curious that why she could make so many flavors, and I asked her. She looked at me mysteriously: â€Å" if I make the same flavor all the way, you will be bored at breakfasts, that is not a good habit†. At that time, I did not think too much on her answers. But gradually, especially after studying abroad, I realize that the primary reason she made different flavors is that she loves me. Up to now, in my life, my mother is the only one who genuinely cares how is my breakfast. Eating istheeasiestwaytomakeussatisfiedandfoodistheeasiestthingwewill remember. They may be a certain birthday cake, the dishes we ate with our first love, or the party dinner in a special holiday. No matter what it is, the memory for that moment will exist in our whole life. When we are old, we may forget the flavor itself at all. However, we will remember the feeling of surprise, warm, satisfied, happy and even pain till the end. 2nd draft Food memoir: Mung rice noodle Ifyoucanchooseonlyonefoodasyourlife-longfood,whatisit? Forme,itis definitely the Mung rice noodle. IbelongtoTujia,oneoftheChineseminorities. Mungricenoodlehasbeen produced by Tujia people and most of us are used to make it our breakfasts. Simply, from the name, it comes from the marriage of mung and rice. However, Tujia people usually add soybeans into the mixture of mung and rice. Mostly, we buy original Mung rice noodle and add flavors as we like at home. To be honest, I have never made it by myself, instead, I saw my grandmother made it when I was in the primary school. Firstly, she soaked the soybean, mung and rice in the water one day before using them. After one day, she grinded all ingredients into slurry by the millstone and mixed them with the potato starch. Then, she brushed little colza oil, similar to the corn oil, in the iron pan and circled the slurry evenly in the pan. Imagine what! Just in one second, the fresh smell of caramelized starch jumped out. After taking a breath, I touched the beans aroma in the air. Grandma was excited: â€Å"Come on, Joey, look at the grey-green circle lines here, are they like tree’s growth rings. † Yes, it really was! That was my first time knowing how to make fresh Mung rice noodle. After it was done, grandma put it in the hot water and added sliced ginger, scallion, garlic powder, white pepper, chilli oil and meat sauce. She smiled at me: â€Å"girl, you gonna finish it! † After eating it up, I understood why my grandma was so confident that I could finish it at the beginning. Frankly, I cannot describe the flavor correctly now. However, one thing I am sure about is that, when eating it, I felt nothing else matters. Similartomanyyoungsters,Iliketogotobarsandenjoyhavingfunwithmy friends in the night. However, no matter how late I sleep, I will get up the next day to eat the breakfast. This habit is related to the Mung rice noodle. When I was in the primary school, my mother usually got up half an hour earlier than me to cook Mung rice noodle as my breakfasts. She could always create new flavors to surprise me. Gradually, the new flavor of the Mung rice noodle became my impetus to get up. Even more, I deem a tasty breakfast as the beginning of a great day. Once, I was extremely curious that why mom could create so many flavors, and I asked her. She looked at me mysteriously: â€Å" if I make the same flavor all the way, you will be bored at breakfasts, that is not a good habit†. At that time, I did not think too much on her answers. But gradually, I have realized that the real reason she made variable flavors is that she loves me. After studying abroad, the most frequent questions from my mom is: what is your breakfast. Up to now, in my life, my mom is the only one who genuinely cares how is my breakfast. For all of us, there are some foods in our deep memories. These foods are unique and unforgettable because they are not only what we ate but also what we experienced. Eating is the easiest way to make us satisfied and food is the easiest thing we will remember. They may be a certain birthday cake, the dishes we ate with our first love, and the party dinner in a special holiday. When we are old, we may forget the flavor itself at all. However, we will keep in mind the feeling of surprise, warmth, satisfaction, happiness and even pain related to these foods because they are part of our lives.

The Great Gatsby - Eden Imagery :: essays research papers

In the Great Gatsby, each character is longing for one particular paradise. Only one character actually reaches utopia, and the arrival is a mixed blessing at best. The concept of paradise in The Great Gatsby is a shifting, fleeting illusion of happiness, joy, love, and perfection, a mirage that leads each character to reach deeper, look harder, strive farther. There is Myrtle Wilson’s gaudy, flashy hotel paradise in which she can pretend that she is glamorous, elite, wanted and loved. She clings fiercely enough to this ragged dream to brave the righteous anger of Tom Buchanan by voicing her jealous terror that he will return to his wife. There is a desperation to her full, spirited style of living, she wants so much to escape the grey, dead land of the Valley of Ashes that she colours her life with any brightness she can find, be it broken glass or diamonds. Nick describes land she finds herself in as a wasteland, a desert, saying "this is the Valley of Ashes -- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air" (page 29). It is from this that Myrtle is trying to escape, this life-in-death valley that characterises the underbelly of New York's glitter and lights and finery, and this that she is dragged back to by the dawning jealous rage of a normally unassuming husband. To run away from the grey and the death, the colourful, brimming woman runs out, arms outstretched, to the car she thinks belongs to the man who promised to take her away from the Valley. But -- she began in shadows and in shadows she dies, "her life violently extinguished, knelt in the road and mingled her thick, dark blood with the dust" (page 144). There is an "ashes to ashes dust to dust" element to every action in the novel, and Myrtle is no exception. We as readers focus more on Daisy and Tom, Gatsby and Nick; Myrtle’s fall is telling the same story as Gatsby’s, as Daisy’s. In the end, her life is worth no more and no less than the great millionaire in his mansion on West Egg. Daisy and Tom are bereft of these dreams.

Chinese Philosophy and Poetry Essay

Chinese Philosophy and Poetry One of the most prevalent beliefs of the Chinese philosophies is that men are born good. People are naturally good unless they fail to develop their feelings and senses. Confucianism teaches that a lack of knowledge can be the cause to evil. In Poem 238, a woman named Chiang Yuan gave birth to the human race by sacrificing and praying to God. She bore her child easily because she sought after blessings from God. Confucianism teaches that good things will come to those who are good and do good. A. N. Whitehead’s quotation of a Cambridge vicar says, â€Å"For well-conducted people, life presents no problems. † The mother in the poem seemed to be well-conducted and therefore she was blessed with a painless, easy childbirth. It says that God gave her ease and blessed her because he was pleased with the sacrifice and prayer. The poem paints a picture of how even the animals protected the baby. This might be because of their view of being born flawless and without evil. This baby was protected by the animals because there was no evil in him. Hou Chi, the baby boy, grew up to be a wise man and continued to be blessed and prospered through his crops and farming. He would be considered to be the â€Å"superior man† because of his moral wisdom and his ability to tell right from wrong. Because he lived by his mother’s example and gave sacrifices to God, good things came to him. The power of moral example is strongly shown here. His mother first taught him the importance of sacrifice and prayer and through that, he learned to do the same and show respect and fear God. Another philosophy is the importance of filial piety and reverence. Parents are revered because they give life to their children and sacrifice much for them. The child brought honor to his mother by keeping her religious traditions. God was pleased by his actions and blessed him his entire life. This is a very ideal form of what a man can be like, but it is very unrealistic. If man were actually born good, then evil would not have such a major influence and affect everyday lives.