Write a Criminal Sentence Reduction Letter Term Paper

Write a Criminal Sentence Reduction Letter - Term Paper Example This letter thus pleads for leniency in his sentencing on the basis that he has no prior criminal record and his remorseful about the incident. That the jury was also convinced after a few hours of deliberations that the accused did not intentionally end the life of his victim also shows that it was actually an accident and the accused did not have any malice aforethought (Spohn 25). The defendant being my cousin, I have known him since his childhood. In this period, he has been a law-abiding citizen who has never had any encounter with the criminal justice system on account of a crime or other acts of disorderliness. I can therefore confidently vouch for his good character that has seen him go through the school system to reach college. As a college student, the defendant has been a rather productive and positive member of society, particularly in assisting and advising younger children in the family and the neighborhood on their educational endeavors and career choices. From his productivity in the community, it is thus understandable that the defendant made a mistake in his actions that led to the death of the victim. Understandably, the many instances he has served the community positively make him a worthy consideration for leniency. This letter thus requests the defendant’s sentencing to be reduced on grounds of his good character and behavior prior to the commission of the crime and his remorse for the crime committed. Additionally, while under police custody, the accused has also shown considerably good conduct by indulging in religion,-, education-, and work-related activities and responsibilities (Lawyers.com 3). Furthermore, while under custody, he has continued to engage in training activities that could be useful after his release. If his sentence is reduced and he is released early, there are many good nurtured family members and friends who will support him financially, socially, and emotional to help him recover

Characters In Havisham, Hitcher, and The Laboratory Essay Example for Free

Characters In Havisham, Hitcher, and The Laboratory Essay What similarities or differences are there in the way disturbed or disturbing characters are presented in Havisham, Hitcher, and The Laboratory? Necrophilic fantasies in Duffys Havisham, the impulsive murderer in Armitages Hitcher, the smarter premeditated plot in the Lab, and finally the darkened anger of Inversnaid. All of these poems contain elements of disturbed characters or disturbed fantasies, some flaunt an erratic display of anger love and hate, and some are more contained and scheming. In all of these poems the disturbed and the disturbing is explored in new ways and helps us to better understand our own minds and evils. Inversnaid is immediately begun with dark and disturbing imagery darksome burn this conjures up gory and gothic thoughts before the poem has properly begun. In contrast Hitcher starts in a completely opposite way Id been tired, under the weather the enjambment on the first line creates suspense, also the spelling of answer phone as ansaphone shows the narrators simplicity, also the erratic punctuation gets across his disturbed state of being. The fact that he has a hired car could also mean that he is a dangerous driver and has caused a road accident. A part in the poem that also suggests that the narrator is crazy is round the next bend this indicates that he is round the bend showing he is crazy. Inversnaid also gives this impression through the use of enjambment. This gives the poem a rambling feel as though he is just spouting random words. A disturbing feeling is also created by: broth Of a pool sp pitch-black, this phrase sounds almost apocalyptic, this combined with the rambling could almost be seen as though he is speaking in tongues; prophesising some terrible end to the world. In Duffys Havisham, the psychotic issues of the narrator can be seen from the start, as is the case in inversnaid. Green pebbles for eyes this shows the audience that she has lost all emotion and individuality she ever had. We know this Havisham is defiantly crazy when Duffy describes her cawing Nooooo at the wall; it shows her loss of self-respect and dignity. In contrast, the woman in the Laboratory chooses to hid her self tying thy glass mask tightly she does this in order to hide herself so as to save her self-respect and also to ensure she does not get caught in planning a murder. However, despite the narrators dignity there is a disturbing element about her for example: keep them one half minuet fixed she would fall the fact that she believes that she can stare her victim to death, but most of all because she does not care that the man will still not love her after she has killed Pauline, this proves that she is just doing it out of jealousy as she cannot have him. Carol Ann Duffys Havisham is defiantly the most disturbing poem of all as it addresses all the usually psychotic issues that the narrators in each of the poems talk about and goes beyond that by describing Havisham necrophilic fantasies. However it is evident that all of these poems are describing a hate that we have all felt at some point, we are not all necessarily necrophilias but we have all hated someone in this way. As for hitcher I believe that this is the same and that Armitage is merely presenting to us a part of ourselves but exemplified in an amplified and literal state.

Machiavelli The Prince Political Discourse Politics Essay

Machiavelli The Prince Political Discourse Politics Essay Niccolà ² Machiavelli an Italian who lived between (3 May 1469 21 June 1527). He was a great philosopher who combined philosophy with authoring (Dehsen, 1999). Niccolo Machiavelli is also considered one of the chief creators of the contemporary political science. Machiavelli The Prince is a political discourse written jointly by the Italian community servant and a political philosopher Niccolà ² Machiavelli. At first Machiavelli The Prince was known as De Principatibus or About Principalities. Machiavelli The Prince was first put in black and white way back in the year 1513. However, The Prince never was then published until the year 1532 (Anglo, 2005). This was exactly a period of five years subsequent to the death of Niccolo Machiavelli. The Prince was actually one of the primary works of contemporary philosophy. In modern philosophy unlike old theories emphases is placed on pragmatic ends and not just teleological concepts. The practical end is therefore the principal purpose for current philosophy. In fact among Niccolo Machiavellis writings, the treatise is the most bore in mind. Apparently, it is also the one in charge for getting Machiavellian into extensive use as a derogatory term. Machiavellis The Prince has made a great input into the account of political deliberation and offers the fundamental departure between political pragmatism and political impracticality. Niccolà ² Machiavellis The Prince duly exposits and illustrates the arts through which a ruler, the prince himself can sustain control of his territory (Roger Masters, 1996). It mainly gives attention to the new prince, beneath the presupposition that an inherited prince has no challenges on the throne, but rather an easier assignment in ruling. Machiavelli writes so since the subjects are quite accustomed to the prince. To hold on to power, the inherited prince is obliged to vigilantly uphold the socio-political establishments to which the subjects are used to; while a new-fangled prince has the extra complicated chore in ruling, given that he is taxed to foremost calm down his power so as to put up a lasting political structure (Roger Masters (1996). That task does require the new prince to be a ci vic stature whose repute and characters are beyond reproach. At the same time, the prince is required to secretly act amorally in order to accomplish the State set targets and goals. Very proper examples include the princes who to a large extent successfully acquire and retain power, obtain from his remarks as a Florentine ambassador, and his antique history interpretations; hence, the Latin terms and typical examples. Machiavellis The Prince promptly looks at the acquirement, upholding, as well as usage of political supremacy in the civilized world. As a matter of fact, Machiavelli put in writing The Prince to provide evidence his expertise in the skill of the country, giving guidance on the modalities that a prince can employ so as to obtain and at the same time keep power. In The Prince Machiavelli actually validated rule by force to a good extent than by law. As a result, The Prince appears to rationalize a number of actions done solely to perpetuate power. It is a classic study of power-its acquisition, expansion, and effective use. In the The Prince the prince never sends away morals, in lieu, it politically describes Morality as in the decisive factor for up to standard cruel exploit. It has got to be influential. It should actually bear such features as being quick, effective, and efficient as well as short-lived (Whelan, Frederick, 2004). Niccolo Machiavelli is quite aware and conscious of the quirk of fate of good outcomes emanating from wicked actions; in spite of some explanatory subject matter. In fact that is why the Catholic Church did prohibit The Prince. As a discourse, the primary scholastic input to the record of political thinking is really the elemental crack between political practicality and political impracticality (Whelan, Frederick, 2004). As a result, The Prince is actually an instruction booklet to get ones hands on and maintenance of the desirable political power. However, conventional idyllic society is not the sole aim of the princes eagerness to power. As a philosopher and a political scientist, Machiavelli does emphasize essential, logical exercise of boastful force punishment as well as recompense like patronage in order to safeguard and maintain the status quo. The opinion expanded on by Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince might look as if it is tremendous even for the period of time in which they were authored. Nevertheless, the entire life of Machiavelli was used up in Florence. Then, there was an uninterrupted political conflict. For that reason, Machiavelli does emphasize for the needs for steadiness in the principality of the prince. The territory of the prince is at risk with regard to its preservation. The hypotheses articulated in The Prince expresses techniques that a would-be prince can use to attain the throne, or an existing prince can use to maintain his reign. According to Machiavelli, the supreme ethical good is a righteous and unwavering state, as well as dealings to look after the realm is for that reason warranted even if they seem are malicious. Machiavelli sturdily put forward, though, that the prince ought not to be loathed. He says, a wise prince should establish himself on that which is his own control and not in that of others; he must endeavor to avoid hatred, as is noted. (Constitution.org) Indeed in the opening discussion of The Prince, there is clear definition of effective and efficient methods of governing or controlling the subject in quite a number of sorts of principalities. For instance a newly attained versus hereditary acquired territories. In fact, Machiavelli does put in plain words to the reader, the Magnificent Lorenzo de Medici an associate of the Florentine Medici relations and honestly the best ways to obtain, sustain, and by extension defend a country. The schemes illustrated within bears the broad-spectrum theme of attaining needed trimmings by any possible means. Machiavelli spins to the ways a country can demonstrate aggression on the others terrains and/or defend itself. According to Machiavelli, the two most prominent and essential brass tacks for any stable nation, whether ancient or fresh, are ample laws and regulations and tough armed forces. An autonomous prince is that who can counters any adversary on the combat zone. However, a prince that depends entirely on buttresses or just on the assist of others and by annex stands on the protective is not self-reliant. If the prince cannot at all lift up a strong formidable defense force, other than relying on security, he is required to make stronger his city (Whelan, Frederick, 2004). Machiavelli firmly believes that a well-fortified city or territory is not likely to be hit, and if in any case it is attacked, nearly all armies will fail to withstand an unmitigated cordon or siege and subsequently withdraw or surrender. On the other hand, during a blockade a good prince will carry on the sp irits of his people as well as military high while getting rid of all dissidents. as a consequence, so long as the city or territory is appropriately safeguarded and by extension has adequate supplies for basic necessities, an astute prince can withstand and subdue any cordon. In The Prince, Machiavelli strongly argues and by extension stands in opposition to the usage of mercenaries to secure and defend territory. He believes firmly that the mercenaries are quite useless to any ruler who is worth his salt. He carries this since the mercenaries are considered as unlimitedly undisciplined, gutless, and further still possess limited or no loyalty at all. Moreover, Machiavelli sates that the mercenaries are in most situations being motivated merely by money and not that real urge to fight and even die for ones country. They really lack genuine loyalty and can grossly betray the course of a worthy conquerable fight. Machiavelli characterizes the weakness of the Italian municipality to their absolute reliance and trust on the disloyal mercenary armies (Sullivan, Vickie, 1996). In fact according to him, a prince should have a well recruited army whose loyalty is pocketed by the prince and extensively his subordinate. Machiavelli is completely convinced that hire armies in the name of mercenaries must not be depended upon by a state as this will jeopardize the live of the subjects. As a matter of addition, Machiavelli further cautions in opposition to using back up forces, rented troops or even those borrowed from close collaborator, for the simple reason that if they end up winning a battle, then the employer will subsequently be in their act of kindness and yet if they are defeated, the employer will totally be ruined and unable to command them. Such situation is quite dangerous as it imperils the states stability and it is the subjects who bear the brand. According to Machiavelli auxiliary forces in all cases are more perilous than even the mercenary armies since they are usually solidly united and managed by accomplished commanders who may perhaps turn against the employer who is the prince. They are normally difficult to tame and are at free end to the extent that they can go against the grain and claim the throne or cause a coup. In The Prince Machiavelli do observes that the most important apprehension for a ruler, the prince, should actually be battle, or to that effect preparation for the same. He says that war enables a heritable prince to keep up his power and/or an ordinary citizen to ascend to the throne and duly take control of a state. In that regard, Machiavelli promptly recommends that a prince have got to recurrently hunt or track in order to physically keep his body in shape and at the same time gain knowledge of the scenery which surrounds his sovereignty (Sullivan, Vickie, 1996).. The physical body robust and knowledge of the surrounding terrain are of essence to a prince. He claims that via this, the prince can preeminently become skilled and knowledgeable at how and when to secure and protect his territory and further press forward upon others similar if not the same. To Machiavelli, this is like killing two birds or more with a single stone. Machiavelli advances further that for a rational s trength, the prince is give a piece of advice to learn great military men like Alexander The Great in order to emulate their methodologies and achievements and further still steer clear of their mistakes (Sullivan, Vickie, 1996). He says that a prince who is adequately diligent in periods of peace and tranquility will be geared up in times of hardship. In fact, Machiavelli notes, thus, when fortune turns against him he will be prepared to resist it. In The Prince Machiavelli writes that when and if a prince ascends to the throne via luck and/or through the consents of powerful societal figures contained by a given regime, he actually has an trouble-free time attaining power. He cautions, however, that such acquired powers do offer the prince an enormous challenge to absolutely take control of the subjects and the army. He says that the prince will encounter hard time keeping the power thereafter, for the reason that his power is merely dependent on his backers benevolence which Machiavelli describes as a changeable thing at best. This is so because the ultimate prince will fail to command and acquire the absolute loyalty of the armies as well as officials he badly needs in order to stamp and uphold his authority (Sullivan, Vickie1996). Unfortunately, Machiavelli notes that these authorities if in any case such a prince assumes them then they can be withdrawn from him at any time and at a whim. In addition, Machiavelli states tha t since he ascended to the throne the effortless way, it is without certainty that such a leader has due necessary skills, knowledge or wisdom as well as strength to stand and position himself on his own feet as a leader. On the other hand, Machiavelli says that a prince who on his own rises by causing the downfall of the existing regime has a tough time getting higher. However, such a prince is able to rule with ease thereafter. Machiavelli hints that such a prince has sufficient guts to clear out and away his enemies. That he is also able to forge treaties on his own conditions and terms and by extension earns more recognition and respect. According to The Prince, improving an existing regime is actually one of the main treacherous and easier said than done things a ruler can do. Machiavelli writes that this is partly due to the fact that citizens are of course resistant by nature to change and /or reform, either sudden or gradual (Soll Jacob, 2005) . Partly there is enormous resistance since the beneficiaries of the old government will with all their strength resist passionately using the people and their resources. They will spread propaganda and intoxicate peoples mind. At the same time those who stand a chance or more to gain from any new regime will be of assistance to such a prince only half-heartedly. They will bear divide loyalty. This is for the most part due to the reformers lack of authenticity, and to some noticeable degree it is difficult for populace to readily believe and trust in an anticipated government that they have not practiced for themselves. What is more, it is obviously pragmatically not possib le for the leader (prince) to meet and deliver everyones glowingly huge prospects (Sullivan, Vickie 1996). . Without doubt, the prince will sadly let down some of his staunch supporters. Machiavelli in The Prince gives immediate solution to this. He says it is possible the prince counters this. All he needs to do in this case is for the prince to have the means and ways to oblige and compel his cohorts to maintain their support for him even at the time they begin having second opinions (Soll, Jacob, 2005). In such a situation in Machiavellis point of view it is only well armed diviners who thrive in getting necessary long lasting change. In the Prince, Machiavelli also mention regarding the behavior and conduct of the mighty prince particularly toward his subjects. Machiavelli states (Whelan, Frederick, 2004) : Men have imagined republics and principalities that never really existed at all. Yet the way men live is so far removed from the way they ought to live that anyone who abandons what is for what should be pursues his downfall rather than his preservation; for a man who strives after goodness in all his acts is sure to come to ruin, since there are so many men who are not good. In view of the fact that there are countless possible qualities and characters that a prince can be associated with and be said to enjoy, the prince has not to be exaggeratedly apprehensive regarding having wholly the good qualities. In addition, a prince may perhaps seem to be compassionate, kind, true to life, humanitarian, forthright, and even religious (Brian, 2001). A prince should only give such impression to have such qualities. They do not have to be authentically possessed by the prince. He just needs to give a hint of having, but not necessarily does he need to have them anyway. In The Prince, a prince can not strictly have such qualities and characters for the simple reason that at certain periods it is of essence for the prince to act against them for the good of all the subjects. Even though an awful repute ought to be evaded, it is not fundamental in smooth governance and maintaining power (Brian, 2001). The only ethic and moral that matters here are indeed one that is quite of assistance to the prince in particular when he is dealing with matters of concern to the state. Machiavelli emphatically declares in The Prince that dedications which are made in times of peace and tranquility are not always reserved in adversity. However, such devotion made in fright is reserved out of fright. And yet, a prince is tasked to guarantee that he is never dreaded to the level of hatred, which is quite possible.

Alcohol Essay -- essays research papers fc

1. What is alcoholism? 2. How do people become alcoholics? 3. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? 4. How do you diagnose alcoholism? 5. Is there a cure for alcoholics? 6. What is the treatment? What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism can be defined as the dependency on alcohol; addiction to alcohol. It is a chronic disease, this disease called alcoholism is progressive and potentially fatal. â€Å" In 1966 the American Medical Association (AMA) declared Alcoholism a disease, but it is still judged morally by society† said Father Martin. There are different types of alcoholics, the first type of alcoholic is the everyday drinker. These alcoholics drink on a daily basis with a high dependency on alcohol. A second type is the weekend alcoholics, they drink on weekends, usually to excess. Finally, the third type is the binge drinker. This is a person who drinks heavily on occasion. Probably the most dangerous type of alcoholism, because they are most likely to die of alcohol poisoning. How do people become alcoholics? Alcoholics don’t know how they became alcoholics. Some say it is genetic on the stress gene, triggered by psychological or social stress. While others say it is a learned maladaptive coping behavior. Studies have shown that alcoholism may be genetic. If alcoholism is genetic it would be indirect. it would be related to the stress gene. This means that stress would set off a trigger that makes alcohol a want to the person. If alcoholism is learned behavior it means that drinking is a bad coping skill, most likely learned through an alcoholic parent. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? Alcohol has terrible effects on health, family and work. The effects of alcohol on the body are cirrhosis of the liver, loss of brain cells, stomach cancer, depression, tremors and blackouts. An alcoholic in the family causes many disruptions to the members of the family. They start argum ents and fights by not functioning or being drunk. They either do not attend family gatherings or disrupt them. Some alcoholics can be abusive to other family members. A lot of alcoholic families find themselves in financial trouble, caused by the alcoholic using most of the money to buy alcohol. Kids of an alcoholic suffer the most, listening to arguments and being the blame of their parents drinking, making the ... ...very A.A. group ought to be self-supporting, declining outside contributions.† Tradition Eight: â€Å" Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.† Tradition Nine: â€Å" A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.† Tradition Ten: â€Å" Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.† Tradition Eleven: â€Å" Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.† Tradition Twelve: â€Å" Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.† Bibliography Work Cited Silverstein, Herma. Alcoholism. New York: Franklin Watts, 1990 Wekesser, Carol. Alcoholism. San Diego: Greenhaven Press Inc., 1994 Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., 1995 â€Å" Alcohol and Alcoholism.† The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986 Word Count: 1414 Alcohol Essay -- essays research papers fc 1. What is alcoholism? 2. How do people become alcoholics? 3. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? 4. How do you diagnose alcoholism? 5. Is there a cure for alcoholics? 6. What is the treatment? What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism can be defined as the dependency on alcohol; addiction to alcohol. It is a chronic disease, this disease called alcoholism is progressive and potentially fatal. â€Å" In 1966 the American Medical Association (AMA) declared Alcoholism a disease, but it is still judged morally by society† said Father Martin. There are different types of alcoholics, the first type of alcoholic is the everyday drinker. These alcoholics drink on a daily basis with a high dependency on alcohol. A second type is the weekend alcoholics, they drink on weekends, usually to excess. Finally, the third type is the binge drinker. This is a person who drinks heavily on occasion. Probably the most dangerous type of alcoholism, because they are most likely to die of alcohol poisoning. How do people become alcoholics? Alcoholics don’t know how they became alcoholics. Some say it is genetic on the stress gene, triggered by psychological or social stress. While others say it is a learned maladaptive coping behavior. Studies have shown that alcoholism may be genetic. If alcoholism is genetic it would be indirect. it would be related to the stress gene. This means that stress would set off a trigger that makes alcohol a want to the person. If alcoholism is learned behavior it means that drinking is a bad coping skill, most likely learned through an alcoholic parent. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? Alcohol has terrible effects on health, family and work. The effects of alcohol on the body are cirrhosis of the liver, loss of brain cells, stomach cancer, depression, tremors and blackouts. An alcoholic in the family causes many disruptions to the members of the family. They start argum ents and fights by not functioning or being drunk. They either do not attend family gatherings or disrupt them. Some alcoholics can be abusive to other family members. A lot of alcoholic families find themselves in financial trouble, caused by the alcoholic using most of the money to buy alcohol. Kids of an alcoholic suffer the most, listening to arguments and being the blame of their parents drinking, making the ... ...very A.A. group ought to be self-supporting, declining outside contributions.† Tradition Eight: â€Å" Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.† Tradition Nine: â€Å" A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.† Tradition Ten: â€Å" Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.† Tradition Eleven: â€Å" Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.† Tradition Twelve: â€Å" Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.† Bibliography Work Cited Silverstein, Herma. Alcoholism. New York: Franklin Watts, 1990 Wekesser, Carol. Alcoholism. San Diego: Greenhaven Press Inc., 1994 Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., 1995 â€Å" Alcohol and Alcoholism.† The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986 Word Count: 1414

Deception Point Page 51

â€Å"A decade. And not only is the NASA space station not yet fully operational, but the project so far has cost twenty times your bid. As an American taxpayer, I am sickened.† A grumble of agreement circled the room. Sexton let his eyes move, reconnecting with the group. â€Å"I am well aware,† the senator said, addressing everyone now, â€Å"that several of your companies have offered to launch private space shuttles for as little as fifty million dollars per flight.† More nods. â€Å"And yet NASA undercuts you by charging only thirty-eight million dollars per flight†¦ even though their actual per flight cost is over one hundred and fifty million dollars!† â€Å"It's how they keep us out of space,† one of the men said. â€Å"The private sector cannot possibly compete with a company that can afford to run shuttle flights at a four hundred percent loss and still stay in business.† â€Å"Nor should you have to,† Sexton said. Nods all around. Sexton turned now to the austere entrepreneur beside him, a man whose file Sexton had read with interest. Like many of the entrepreneurs funding Sexton's campaign, this man was a former military engineer who had become disillusioned with low wages and government bureaucracy and had abandoned his military post to seek his fortune in aerospace. â€Å"Kistler Aerospace,† Sexton said, shaking his head in despair. â€Å"Your company has designed and manufactured a rocket that can launch payloads for as little as two thousand dollars per pound compared to NASA's costs of ten thousand dollars per pound.† Sexton paused for effect. â€Å"And yet you have no clients.† â€Å"Why would I have any clients?† the man replied. â€Å"Last week NASA undercut us by charging Motorola only eight hundred and twelve dollars per pound to launch a telecomm satellite. The government launched that satellite at a nine hundred percent loss!† Sexton nodded. Taxpayers were unwittingly subsidizing an agency that was ten times less efficient than its competition. â€Å"It has become painfully clear,† he said, his voice darkening, â€Å"that NASA is working very hard to stifle competition in space. They crowd out private aerospace businesses by pricing services below market value.† â€Å"It's the Wal-Marting of space,† the Texan said. Damn good analogy, Sexton thought. I'll have to remember that. Wal-Mart was notorious for moving into a new territory, selling products below market value, and driving all local competition out of business. â€Å"I'm goddamned sick and tired,† the Texan said, â€Å"of having to pay millions in business taxes so Uncle Sam can use that money to steal my clients!† â€Å"I hear you,† Sexton said. â€Å"I understand.† â€Å"It's the lack of corporate sponsorships that's killing Rotary Rocket,† a sharply dressed man said. â€Å"The laws against sponsorship are criminal!† â€Å"I couldn't agree more.† Sexton had been shocked to learn that another way NASA entrenched its monopoly of space was by passing federal mandates banning advertisements on space vehicles. Instead of allowing private companies to secure funding through corporate sponsorships and advertising logos-the way, for example, professional race car drivers did-space vehicles could only display the words USA and the company name. In a country that spent $185 billion a year on advertising, not one advertising dollar ever found its way into the coffers of private space companies. â€Å"It's robbery,† one of the men snapped. â€Å"My company hopes to stay in business long enough to launch the country's first tourist-shuttle prototype next May. We expect enormous press coverage. The Nike Corporation just offered us seven million in sponsorship dollars to paint the Nike swoosh and ‘Just do it!' on the side of the shuttle. Pepsi offered us twice that for ‘Pepsi: The choice of a new generation.' But according to federal law, if our shuttle displays advertising, we are prohibited from launching it!† â€Å"That's right,† Senator Sexton said. â€Å"And if elected, I will work to abolish that antisponsorship legislation. That is a promise. Space should be open for advertising the way every square inch of earth is open to advertising.† Sexton gazed out now at his audience, his eyes locking in, his voice growing solemn. â€Å"We all need to be aware, however, that the biggest obstacle to privatization of NASA is not laws, but rather, it is public perception. Most Americans still hold a romanticized view of the American space program. They still believe NASA is a necessary government agency.† â€Å"It's those goddamned Hollywood movies!† one man said. â€Å"How many NASA-saves-the-world-from-a-killer-asteroid movies can Hollywood make, for Christ's sake? It's propaganda!† The plethora of NASA movies coming out of Hollywood, Sexton knew, was simply a matter of economics. Following the wildly popular movie Top Gun-a Tom Cruise jet pilot blockbuster that played like a two-hour advertisement for the U.S. Navy-NASA realized the true potential of Hollywood as a public relations powerhouse. NASA quietly began offering film companies free filming access to all of NASA's dramatic facilities-launchpads, mission control, training facilities. Producers, who were accustomed to paying enormous on-site licensing fees when they filmed anywhere else, jumped at the opportunity to save millions in budget costs by making NASA thrillers on â€Å"free† sets. Of course, Hollywood only got access if NASA approved the script. â€Å"Public brainwashing,† a Hispanic grunted. â€Å"The movies aren't half as bad as the publicity stunts. Sending a senior citizen into space? And now NASA is planning an all-female shuttle crew? All for publicity!† Sexton sighed, his tone turning tragic. â€Å"True, and I know I don't have to remind you what happened back in the eighties when the Department of Education was bankrupt and cited NASA as wasting millions that could be spent on education. NASA devised a PR stunt to prove NASA was education-friendly. They sent a public school teacher into space.† Sexton paused. â€Å"You all remember Christa McAuliffe.† The room fell silent. â€Å"Gentlemen,† Sexton said, stopping dramatically in front of the fire. â€Å"I believe it is time Americans understood the truth, for the good of all of our futures. It's time Americans understand that NASA is not leading us skyward, but rather is stifling space exploration. Space is no different than any other industry, and keeping the private sector grounded verges on a criminal act. Consider the computer industry, in which we see such an explosion of progress that we can barely keep up from week to week! Why? Because the computer industry is a free-market system: It rewards efficiency and vision with profits. Imagine if the computer industry were government-run? We would still be in the dark ages. We're stagnating in space. We should put space exploration into the hands of the private sector where it belongs. Americans would be stunned by the growth, jobs, and realized dreams. I believe we should let the free-market system spur us to new heights in space. If elected, I will make it my personal mission to unlock the doors to the final frontier and let them swing wide open.† Sexton lifted his snifter of cognac. â€Å"My friends, you came here tonight to decide if I am someone worthy of your trust. I hope I am on the way to earning it. In the same way it takes investors to build a company, it takes investors to build a presidency. In the same way corporate stockholders expect returns, you as political investors expect returns. My message to you tonight is simple: Invest in me, and I will never forget you. Ever. Our missions are one and the same.† Sexton extended his glass toward them in a toast. â€Å"With your help, my friends, soon I will be in the White House†¦ and you will all be launching your dreams.†

Populist Party’s Platform

The Populist Party commonly refereed to as the peoples party was a relatively short lived political party within the United States during the 19th century. It was particularly popular within western farmers since it was directly opposed to the gold standard system of international trade. However the party did not last long in United States politics. Regardless of this fact the party’s ideas or manifestos have been employed in United States politics even to date. In essence the party grew out of an agrarian uprising especially after the collapse of agricultural prices in 1873. It arose from a farmer’s alliance of farmers who had an economic target of collective action against merchants, brokers and rail roads as well as an integrated nation wide policy. Most importantly the driving force towards the creation of the party arose from the refusal of both the democrats and the republicans to accept the farmers’ alliance idea of the use of silver as the national model of coinage. SHORT HISTORY: The Populist Party or the people’s party was formed by the farmers’ alliance in collaboration with the knights of labor. This initial formation took place between the years 1899 and 1890. The actual realization of their dreams was in 1892 when the party held its annual convention in Nebraska. This is the time that the party actually nominated members for the first time for national elections. In 1896 the democrats incorporated ideas of the people’s party 1892 platform and this negatively impacted on the party’s progress. In addition the ensuing collaboration between the democrats and the Populist Party did not auger well with the already existing relation between the populists and the republicans in the south. This marked the onset of the party’s decline in United States politics. THE 1892 PARTY PLATFORM: The Populist Party’s 1892 platform was commonly refereed to as the Omaha platform since it w3as held in Omaha Nebraska. In this platform the Populist Party demanded the following; Complete overhaul of all national banks. This was aimed at reducing the risk to citizens of excessive exploitation by these corporations. Immediate Imposition of direct election of senators within the United States was demanded as well. This was directed at reducing the prevalence of corruption and bribery in the voting system. It was also aimed at increasing public participation in the electoral process, as well as to reduce instances of insider trading within the big parties. The platform also sought immediate introduction of civil service reforms. In the preamble of the manifesto the party claimed that the time had come for the railroads to own the people or the people to own the railroads. For the later to happen there was need to introduce constitutional amendments to make sure that the government would not use the power of the employees to intimidate the people. Thus civil service reforms and regulations had to be introduced to prevent this. The platform also demanded the introduction of a national wide graduated income tax system. The introduction of a legal eight hours working day and the introduction of government control of all railroads. The platform also demanded the introduction of unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the existing ratio of 16 to 1. The platform also demanded that the state introduce postal savings banks for the interest of all citizens in order to facilitate foreign exchange. The platform also claimed that land and any other natural sources of enrichment remains the people’s heritage and thus should not be monopolized or misused and further alien ownership of this should not be entertained. ANALYSIS: The Omaha platform was well received throughout the United States. This was mainly due to the fact that most of the party’s ideas were overly practical and implemental. In addition the party was trying to prevent a scenario of continued dominance by the democrats and republicans for what the party called political power and plunder. The party also sought to return power to the people by reducing the vices inflicted by the capitalists on laborers by reducing the dominance of gold in trade. The Omaha platform also sought to return the powers of the government to the â€Å"plain people† from where the powers actually originated. The purposes of the platform the party claimed were to be identical to the purposes of the national constitution. Despite its decline in popularity in United States politics, some of its ideas have come to be endorsed in mainstream governance and politics. A good example of this is the abolition of the gold standard. In this field the party’s 1892 platform highly demanded the abolition of this sys tem but it was not until the 1970s that the gold-standard was actually abolished as the common exchange system. In earnest we can thus argue that the demands put forward by the party were not only progressive in nature but also widely visionary, since it has taken more than a generation for the other political party’s to adopt/implement these policies. In addition the party’s platform could be described as having been Progressive in the sense that the introduction to the manifesto detailed splendidly the causes that made their demands justifiable. Among these issues included; the fact that the party claimed that there was widespread corruption compounded by political and moral degradation within the American public. CONCLUSION: Although the people’s party 1892 manifesto contained quite progressive ideas the party was quite short-lived in American politics. By 1896 during the next national elections, the Democratic Party took most of the people’s party ideas and incorporated them in their platform. In addition the party nominated a democrat (William Jennings) as their presidential candidate. After this scenario the party started to decline in popularity within national politics. In the year 1984 plans were already underway to revive the Populist Party. These efforts did not bear fruit due to internal party conflicts. In 2002 a new group emerged â€Å"the populist party of America† emerged. It is actively opposed to the bush administration especially on the issue of the war in Iraq. It also advocates for strict adherence to the bill of rights as well as direct democracy. It has yet to field presidential candidates. REFERENCE: http://www2.wwnorton.com/college/history/eamerica/media/ch22/resources/documents/populist.htm   

Boar, Boor, and Bore - Commonly Confused Words

Boar, Boor, and Bore - Commonly Confused Words The noun boar refers to an uncastrated pig. The noun boor refers to a rude or ill-mannered person. As a verb, bore means to make a hole or passage or to become tiresome or dull. In addition, bore is the past tense of the irregular verb bear.​ As a noun, bore refers to a hole made by boring, the hollow part of a tube, or someone or something that is dull and tiresome. See also: Board and Bored Examples My grandmother once stepped out onto the front porch and shot a boar that was attacking her dogs.To avoid having to attend dinner parties, Jon played the part of a hopeless boor- an uncouth country bumpkin.An engineer conceived a plan to bore a tunnel through the mountain ridge to speed upriver freight traffic.The graduation speaker was a complete bore, and half the audience went to sleep. Practice (a) These creatures _____ into the limestone by dissolving it with an acidic chemical they excrete.(b) It was a Norse tradition to eat wild _____ at Yuletide.(c) If an Englishman settles in Australia, he is regarded as a _____ if he criticizes all things Australian and constantly harps on how much better the English are.(d) Phils friends say that he has become a total _____, talking about nothing but his children and his golf game. Answers to Practice Exercises:Boar, Boor, and Bore (a) These creatures  bore  into the limestone by dissolving it with an acidic chemical they excrete.(b) It was a Norse tradition to eat wild  boar  at Yuletide.(c) If an Englishman settles in Australia, he is regarded as a  boor  if he criticizes all things Australian and constantly harps on how much better the English are.(d) Phils friends say that he has become a total  bore, talking about nothing but his children and his golf game.