How did Hurricane Katrina influence Homeland Security as it currently Research Paper

How did Hurricane Katrina influence Homeland Security as it currently operates in the U.S - Research Paper Example The research objective is focused on drawing a balance between homeland security measures before and after the Hurricane Katrina. Expressing the measures taken and the developments introduced to rule out the previous loopholes have been considered as the major areas of discussion in this essay. Hurricane Katrina turned out to be a catastrophe for the US, allegedly due to the inefficiency and delayed reaction of the homeland security, which was designed by the government to meet the national crisis within the boundaries of the country. However, the country’s dual system of government and their inefficiency in communication proved to be fatal for the crisis that they faced (Irons, 2005). The organisation faced problems in reacting at the right time in the right way. Failures to send supplies in the place of need were major challenges the government faced at the time of the hurricane. Due to the heavy bureaucratic system of the government, severe complications were found persisting in the issue of orders and its implementation. State-level, local-level and federal-level systems of government proved to be a backlog for the timely movement of assets and food supplies to the area of need (Moyniha, 2009). The government has all previous intimation of the natural calamity but due to the complexities in the mode of operations, it was difficult for the government to act accordingly. The relief measures were weak as well. The government also failed to do the aftermath as the veto powers to trigger the financial help was vested in different hands, which made the situation even worse (Leeson & Sobel, 2006). The homeland security was trained to be prepared for this type of calamities and was supposedly well acquainted with the measures that were to be taken. However, due to the unorganised governmental procedures and the lack

Bartleby, the scrivener Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Bartleby, the scrivener - Essay Example He says that when people smile we think there is no misery in this world. The narrator is feeling closeness to Bartleby because of the strange look the person have on his face. May be the narrator is feeling empathy for Bartleby and wants to share the person’s sadness. He could relate to his problem and feels that being a human he can connect to Bartleby. The narrator feels that there is some mystery behind the person eccentric behavior and weird ways of mannerism. The narrator is thinking deep about the strange situation of Bartleby. The narrator was getting more thoughtful of Bartleby because he is becoming more humane and thinking about the problems faced by Bartleby. The author is getting attracted to Bartley may be because of his unexplained behavior and attitude to work and life. In the climax of the story, the narrator explains that the Bartleby refuses to leave the job. However, the employer had to move his business to another building but still Bartleby refused to leave the office. Here we can see that the narrator is trying to show that Bartleby had a strange connection with this office space. So there is something behind the solitude and sorrow of Bartleby and the office space. In the end new business started in the office but Bartleby remained in the office which shows the connection he has with the place. In the end he was arrested and he remained in the prison doing nothing and starving him to do death which denotes the mystery surrounding his job and his death. The author later discovers that Bartley previously worked in the Dead letter where undelivered mails were got ridden.The author believed that handling such mails of dead people might have affected Bartleby’ sanity. The narrator is stating that the past of Bartleby had a profound effect on the way he was behaving later in his life. He was handling dead letters which was of no use like

Select a social injustice occurring in the United States today and Essay

Select a social injustice occurring in the United States today and answer, Which mode of change-making would best correct your c - Essay Example The Concept of Marriage The Law of God, as well as the law of the land, strongly holds that marriage is a sacred ceremony; a union that ties the knot between couples. It has been established in the society of America, and all over the world that marriage is between a man and a woman. Today, there has been a controversy where the gays and lesbians are involved--that same-sex marriage is a form of immorality and in religious view, an abomination. It is true that many of the homosexuals were asking the government to legalize the so called--same sex marriage. In fact, there were many â€Å"gay rights movement† moved and sentiments aired. This had been regarded as social injustice, thus needed to be addressed. Traditional couples enjoy marriage privileges and benefits like procreation, known, or at least presumed paternity, child and spousal support, stability in family life, and survivor’s rights, as far as the U.S Constitution is concerned (â€Å"Constitutional Topic†). Same-sex couples also wanted to enjoy those benefits. According to some of them, they could also feel the same level of personal commitment the way the traditional couples do. Morally speaking, this had really created a smoke of non-acceptance and discrimination towards the society because this kind of set-up--gay men and women marriage was not acceptable. Some of the religious denomination discriminated such kind of marriage, but the homosexuals still urge the government for its implementation. Sometime in 1990, homosexual advocates protested for their ‘constitutional right’ to have a marriage license, and be accepted in the community. Although, there were religious leaders that stood against this ‘immoral activity,’ it was still accepted by the government. They sought to modify the civil marriage for them to be included. Indeed, many religious groups have shown their views and sentiments regarding this issue. They see marriage as based on sacred prac tice; they argue that if the government would change the definition of marriage it is equivalent to reducing its sacred value (â€Å"Constitutional Topic†). The Controversies Homosexuality has gained different labels such as ‘immoral,’ ‘improper,’ ‘unacceptable,’ etc. In early 1956, a pioneering national lesbian organization was established known as the The Daughters of Bilitis. In 1973, homosexuality was removed from official list of mental disorders by the American Psychiatric Association. Also, the state of Wisconsin prohibits the discrimination against gay men and women on the basis of sexual orientation. In addition, gays were permitted to serve in the military provided that no homosexual activity should be done, through the â€Å"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tel† policy as instituted for the U.S military. In effect, there was opposition to the said enactment; thousands of men and women in the armed forces were discharged. Mode of Change-Making: Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage It was reported that gay couples have been fighting for the legalization of same-sex marriage. In fact, some of them in Washington DC have been waiting for the government to issue them marriage licenses since March 3, 2010 (â€Å"Tying the Knot†). In spite the discrimination from the society and other religious group, in December 2010, same-sex marriage proposal has

SOCIOLINGUISTICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

SOCIOLINGUISTICS - Essay Example However, quantitative study is the ideal methodology in studying variations in English language as a second language because it clearly outlines effects of language transfer. There have been a number of notable studies in the field of sociolinguistics from the view of English as a second language. However, in this case the main focus is on two studies. The first one was conducted in New York City by William Labov where he investigated the variations in pronouncing variable /r/. Labov argued that New Yorkers, especially the young people, had developed a tendency of pronouncing /r/ variable after vowels in their speech. This case would probably occur while pronouncing words like floor and fourth. Labov conducted his research in three stores in the city which included S. Klein, Saks, and Macy’s. His approach in testing these hypotheses involved face to face interviews with the store employees. He repetitively asked for directions to departments in the fourth floor and intentional ly made the respondent to repeat â€Å"fourth floor† pretending not to have heard it the first time (Wardhaugh, 2006). Moreover, the research involved a number of social factors such as social-classes ranging from high, middle, to low class. Labov found out that a significant number of employees in all the three stores never used variable /r/ in the first respond. The results of those employees who never used variable /r/ reflected 79 percent in S. Klein, 38 percent in Saks and 49 percent in Macy’s. However, in the second or third response of same words, the percentage of those using variable /r/ increased. The research also showed that variable /r/ was mostly observed while pronouncing â€Å"floor† than â€Å"fourth†. These in relation to individuals using English as a second language shows that there are higher possibilities of such individuals using /r/ variable in most cases. Labov further examined the results from the three stores and discovered that young employees, in Saks, used the variable /r/ more compared to elderly employees. On the other hand, Macy’s data showed an increase in the use of /r/ variable with age while S. Klein’s data did not show much variation. These results led Labov to conclude that, there is relatively minimal or no change of pronunciation developed in adolescence regardless of the social-class of an individual (Wardhaugh, 2006). Later, Labov conducted a more compressive research to test the hypothesis on pronunciation of the /r/ variable in relation to social class. He discovered that most upper middle class people in New York value pronunciation of the /r/ variable in words such as guard and car. This is, however, contrary to the history of / r/ variable pronunciation in New York. Use of variable /r/ in New York between eighteenth century and World War II had reduced significantly. Therefore, the only explanation behind the tremendous increase in using /r/ variable in New York would be the influence of immigrants, mostly English second language speakers, moving into the city (Bayley, 2005). Therefore, using English as a second language contributes to variation in the use of language. In this case, Labov interviewed more New Yorker, although this time, they were just required to give their view about the people whose speech differs only in pronunciation of /r/ variable. People between the age group of 0-20 years approved and used more of

Machiavelli's view of human nature in The Prince Essay

Machiavelli's view of human nature in The Prince - Essay Example Machiavelli's view of human nature in The Prince In chapter 15, Machiavelli writes, â€Å"men†¦and princes†¦, are remarkable for some of those qualities which bring them either blame of praise† (Machiavelli, 1961). The princes show those characters that will not deprive him of his state. In this case, men follow what brings them benefit even if it is a vice – â€Å"it will be found that something which looks like a virtue, if followed, would be his ruin; whilst something else, which looks like a vice, yet followed brings him security and prosperity.† Being in the highest position of the land, and with the highest authority, the prince should put in effect policies that will serve his best interest (Machiavelli, 1961). This shows that Machiavelli supported any action of princes that will give them satisfaction, even if it will hurt the citizens. He believed that the prince’s followers are sometimes unreliable, and the prince might lose their loyalty. This is indicated in chapter 11: â€Å"For such a prince cannot rely upon what he observes in quiet times, when citizens have need of the state, because then everyone agrees with him; they all promise, and when death is far distant they all wish to die for him; but in troubled times, when the state has need of its citizens, then he finds but few† (Machiavelli, 1961). The prince should therefore ensure that at every moment citizens are in need of the state, and they will always be faithful to him.

Cost-Benefit Analysis and Ethics Analysis Essay

Cost-Benefit Analysis and Ethics Analysis - Essay Example Cost-benefit analysis is a systematic process used in calculating and comparing benefits and costs of a project. It involves assessing the monetary social costs and benefits of a capital investment project, over a specified period. People debate public health policies on the grounds of costs and monetary benefits. Cost-benefit analysis helps in assessing the desirability of public health policy such as the countrywide immunization of children using new drugs or the supply of clean water to the community to avert the widespread of water borne disease. For instance, in the case of a business making an investment, when the projected revenues are more than the costs then the government are expected to adopt a cost-benefit analysis of the public health policy. Cost benefit analysis ensures better regulation and avoid inefficiency in the public sector and distribution of its resources. It helps to find out whether the benefits of a given policy outweigh the costs1. Cost-benefit analysis re quires expensive technique and data. When done poorly the analysis will create a false sense of clarity and precision. It involves organizing, evaluating and presenting information about how the government can improve the public health sector. Principles of cost-benefit analysis include appraisal of a project that involves the economic technique for project appraisal. It incorporates externalities into the equation. These could include wider social impacts and the private economic costs, hence estimating the social welfare effects of the health policy. The economics of time is a principle used to determine the health impacts of the policy in the future. The cost-benefit analysis gives an opportunity for proposals of the different public health policies to rank according to those that provide the highest benefits in social welfare, which is a significant aspect, to the limitations of government spending. Due to the use of indirect methods in approximating the monetary actions of the public health policy, cost-benefit analysis is very costly. The use of indirect methods is because many public services do not have equivalents in the private sector. In the public health policy, human health data statistical models and laboratory experiments play a significant role. Some crucial public health protection needs can only be met effectively through government action and cost-benefit analysis provides guidance to these actions. Cost-benefit analysis is used as a channel to effective public health policies where there is the issue of inefficient market within the private sector depending on how their actions affect the health of the public. In using cost-benefit analysis in the public health policy, regulations maintenance includes those that demonstrate benefits exceeding the costs. Because of this, the regulations will ease the burden on the business and consumers that are out of proportion to gains in health, which leads to more considerations of mechanisms of achievi ng desirable health2. However, cost-benefit analysis is often viewed as an inconsistent procedure and should not be emphasized on public policy decisions. Cost-benefit analysis has several problems that range from deep ethical and logical contradictions and partisan abuse. It could be detrimental when cost-benefit does not define the important benefits, in monetary terms. Cost-benefit analysis is very costly and time-consuming because of the resources needed for a comprehensive cost-benefit ana

Country Analysis (Libya) for international business class Essay

Country Analysis (Libya) for international business class - Essay Example In addition to the normal requirements for a contract to be valid and implementable, sharia has strict guidelines on other religious requirements for contracts. These requirements put into account all recommendations and prohibitions of the Muslim law. However, this would be appealing to investors if applied to the letter. Other factors that influence the running of businesses in Libya include but not limited to corruption and discrimination. Legal protection of property The reign of Gaddafi has not given citizens the right to own property. All property in Libya is everyone’s property in accordance to the principle of socialism. The only property that a family can own in Libya is their residential home. This was a good idea that could have worked if used legitimately instead of the way Gadhafi, his family and circle of friends used public property for personal gain (Heritage 2010). Even after change of regime, Gaddafi still wields power as the de facto leader of the oil rich N orth African nation. The transition government that has taken over leadership of Libya after Gadhafi’s ouster has a great deal to do to put in place mechanisms for an independent legal system. In addition, it has to deal with the ills of the Gadhafi regime that have wrecked the governance system. In addition, the constitution must be changed to allow profitable property ownership as the power to privatize or nationalize property still freely solely with the government (Dep. of State, 2010). There has been no move in the right direction to change the laws on intellectual property rights since the government abolished them in 1978. The Libyan government has signed treaties on intellectual property rights but the implementation of the contents in Libya is wanting. Libya ranked 113 out of 125 countries in the 2010 Intellectual Property Rights Index, having one of the most widespread trademark violations in the world (Heritage 2010). Country’s trade policy There is no levy for goods produced in Libya but all imports attract a 4% service tax. This attempt to make local goods more affordable fails majorly because of other factors that increase the cost of trade and the cost of final products. Some of these factors include government interference like price controls, practices in oil products trade, bans and restrictions, subsidies, competition from state owned corporations, sanctions and arbitrary and other unexplained charges. Corruption plays a major role in order for private organizations to obtain trade licenses and to secure contracts and tenders. Since 2007 to 2009, inflation was moderated at 4.9% by the central government mostly by price controls through state-owned firms and via government utilities (Heritage 2010). Country’s laws regarding ownership (FDI) In most cases, foreign companies do not own land in Libya. This means that if one considers investing in Libya they have to put into account the cost of rent that is determined by the g overnment and whose amount might be unfair for the investor. This is however expected to change if the Libyan transitional government delivers a new, more democratic constitution. The worst part for foreign companies comes in when their ownership is considered. 35% of stake in foreign companies is reserved for natives. Even though legislation was passed in 2005 that allows foreign banks to operate in Libya, the high cost of credit, competition with state-owned banks and unavailability of funding are the major obstacles to investing in the