Monday, December 30, 2019

The Effects Of Fracking On The American Public - 2044 Words

No matter what the government does to promote hydraulic fracturing, it is still going to be extremely unappealing to those knowledgeable on the topic. As Lisa Bracken states, â€Å"Crap is crap no matter what package you put it in† (GasLand). Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the process of drilling about a mile into the shale below. Once the shale has been reached, water, sand, and a mixture of over 500 chemicals are injected into the Earth. When the pressure of the Earth hits a certain point, a portion of the injected water flows back up to the surface and the well begins to produce the valuable resource known as natural gas (McElroy and Lu 27). Fracking currently occupies thirty-four states and is quickly expanding. The government is†¦show more content†¦While the government states that fracking poses little threat to the environment, Wheeler is absolutely correct when stating that there is indeed a significant threat, as there is a copious amount of evidence t hat supports this. After viewing Fox’s documentary and reading various articles on fracking, there is no doubt that the quality of water and wildlife in the affected areas are at a serious risk. Wayne Smith, a farmer in Clearville, Pennsylvania, earned a large sum of money after leasing his 105-acre farm to a gas company for drilling, however, he now is regretting that decision. As a result of the drilling performed on his property, Smith realized that, â€Å"his livestock mysteriously dropped dead after having motor-skill breakdowns; a veterinarian said the deaths could be attributed to arsenic, high levels of which were found in water on Smith’s property† (Bateman 38). This threat to the wildlife has an overwhelming affect on those who rely on their livestock as their income. This lost income, as a result of fallen livestock, hits these families hard. Not only can they not drink their water, but they are also now faced with their families livelihood disappeari ng. Debbie May, a resident that Fox interviewed in his documentary, also experienced significant health problems with her animals. Fox describes the conditions of her cats by stating, â€Å"their hair was falling out† and

Sunday, December 22, 2019

“I Am Happy To Join With You Today In What Will Go Down

â€Å"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.† (Lerone Bennett Jr. pg.125) Being a hero means to be a leader. To be a leader you have to have strength, courage, and commitment. In the 1960s, there were many leaders fighting for what they believe is the right of freedom and equality of all people. A major leader, Martin Luther King Jr. was involved in the Civil Rights Movement during the 60s. King was influenced by advocates of nonviolence such as Mahatma Gandhi. He wanted to seek equality for African Americans that were underprivileged and victims of injustice through peaceful protest. Prejudice matters, such as, slavery, freedom and rights, and†¦show more content†¦had such great strength, faith, and knowledge that he made the most difference and memorable events in American history. Martin Luther had hopes and dreams of changing the life of black people, giving them a free life that they deserve. In the book â€Å"What Manner of Man† it states, â€Å"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.† (Lerone Bennett Jr. pg.162) Martin Luther wasn’t only fighting for his generation but also the future generation. It gave a chance for others to have equality as all white Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. worked with a number of civil rights and religious groups, fighting for rights for jobs and freedom, and show unjust acts that African Americans continued to face across the country. Martin Luther King s speech, â€Å"I Have a Dream, a spirited call for peace and equality that many consider a masterpiece of rhetoric. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial–a monument to the president who a century earlier had brought down the institution of slavery in the United States—he shared his vision of a future in which â€Å"this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’.† (Lerone Bennett Jr. pg. 206) Martin’s speech was letting everyone know he 2 wasn’t going to tolerate anymore racism, slavery, and segregation towardsShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther King s Fight Against Injustice1726 Words   |  7 Pagesaccomplished great thing in his fight against injustice and segregation. like Selma and other cities it was clouded in a storm of racism but Martin Luther King came and reduced it to ash. â€Å"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.† (Martin Luther King) and I think of that wondering if I can live up to those words. Back in the 20’s through 60’s racism was at it’s strongest and it got worse. Martin Luther King had a role model that shaped Dr.King into the man he is and thatRead More Father of the Bride Speech with Humor, Sentiment, and Love Essay1001 Words   |  5 Pagesup, mobile phone in hand)† Well thank you vicar it is a bit inconvenient at the moment I am just about to start the speeches. I’m afraid theres been a bit of a hiccup in the proceedings; the vicar has just phoned to say that we have to do the registry signing all over again. It appears that the groom’s pen wouldn’t work so he borrowed the vicar’s. He was still having problems so the vicar said. Put your weight on it†(To the bride) I’m afraid that you are now Mrs. 179 lbs. Im only goingRead MoreBeing Danny s Best Man937 Words   |  4 PagesGentlemen. For those of you that don t know me, my name s Tyler, and I ve had the privilege of being Danny’s best man. I hope you ve all enjoyed the day so far, and I think you ll all agree... at the church today the bride looked absolutely stunning! Firstly a few thank-yous I have been asked to make. Firstly, to all who have helped in the service, and this lovely party. Whether you have brought food, or helped decorate this place, or just come to support the happy couple, thank you. Secondly to theRead MoreEssay about Willie Nelsons Music Makes Me Happy677 Words   |  3 PagesGoing Busking is not as easy as it looks. You have to have a talent such as being a mime, singing, playing an instrument, or dancing. I played piano in a band with my friends; our number one song was On the Road Again by Willie Nelson. Willie Nelson changed music for some people and I will be talking about music changing people’s lives. Willie Hugh Nelson is a country music singer, song writer, and guitar player, he was an author, poet, and activist. The album â€Å"Shotgun Willie† Made him a veryRead MoreMarriage Doesnt Have to End in Divorce1560 Words   |  6 Pagesbefore my eyes, I have grown to love the person I have become. However, I cannot take all the credit when it comes to how I had the ability to define who I am. Specific authorities who have been directly or indirectly in my life have played a part in helping me see who I am and who I can become as time progresses. As of today, I have the confidence to say that I am ambitious, a role model, devoted, an African American woman and a family person. My identity is important to me because I want to be theRead MoreThe Story Of Marly Jane, Get Your Pants On And Be Quick About It1483 Words   |  6 Pageskitchen through the screen door. If I am going to be completely honest with you, I did not want to go. I wanted to stay home and play outside. Ev Da ddy died when I was three. He got ran over by a car walking to work one day. er since Daddy died, all Mama did was mope around inside. All the sadness was getting to my head so I normally went outside to play. Mama and I got in the small, beat up car we had and she drove us all the way from Sunset Beach, North Carolina (where I lived as a child up to age eighteen)Read MorePersuasive Essay : The Story Of Cheerleading885 Words   |  4 Pages As a kid I never really found the right sport for me. I tried out different kid of sports , but nothing had been the right fit until I found the world of competitive cheer. I had been very hesitant to join because I thought it was something silly, I had been wrong. Cheerleading will always be one of the best opportunity that I have made. My first cheerleading tryout had been so much more nerve wracking than I would ever think. Around 4 years ago, my friend told me how her cheer team were havingRead MoreWhat It Means to Be a Marine1480 Words   |  6 PagesWhat it means to be Marine When did you decide that you wanted a change in your life? When did you want to step up and make a difference? What did it mean to you before you signed the dotted line and raised your right hand to take an oath? Was it worth it? Everyone has their own reason for doing what they do. Everyone has their motives for the decisions they make. Were all different and come from different backgrounds. Some of us from normal lives, some from more satisfied lives, and some fromRead MorePersonal Narrative : A Personal Story1531 Words   |  7 Pagesthe stairs, â€Å"it’s for you† It is Jackie and she sounds really upset.† I walked downstairs to pick up the phone to see what was wrong with Jackie. â€Å"Hello Jackie, what is wrong?† as I was listening to her on the phone I was becoming very upset. I was not happy with Jackie. I was very tired and had looked forward to a nice quiet evening at home, not another stupid adventure with Jackie. After talking to Jackie for about five minutes she said â€Å" I will be over in a few to pick you up because we reallyRead MoreSegregation Of The Blacks By Langston Hughes911 Words   |  4 PagesThe most important idea I have learned about this semester has to be about segregation of the blacks. This topic struck my interest because have you ever thought about how it would be if they were still treated as poorly as they were during these times? Well the person that was in this chapter was Langston Hughes, which was a poet that wrote about the black community and what they struggled with in their everyday lives. He would even compare the lives of African Americans to the lives of the whites

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Catcher in the Rye Extended Response Free Essays

Catcher in the Rye Extended Response To describe about Holden a little, he was a very weird guy. He has different perspective to other people, even though he has a normal appearance. He drinks, smokes and swears a lot but he is only a teenager. We will write a custom essay sample on Catcher in the Rye Extended Response or any similar topic only for you Order Now The way Holden talked was very funny; he used swearing words a lot. Maybe author tried to express Holden’s negative perspective against the world by using this way of speaking. Anyway, he was a typical student who had problems in schools. He failed every subject except English, and got kicked out of every school he went to. Also, he really hated â€Å"phony things†. What he meant in the word phony was like the basic manner people do every day. He also hated Hollywood movies and the actors just because he thought they were phony. I think he just hates it when people talk in a positive manner. It’s really weird because he would also hate people swearing and without manners. He hates phony things and he criticizes every people he meets and met when he should be criticizing himself. It shows how negative he really is. I wondered at first, why he thought the world as very, gloomy place without any truth. He didn’t like anything. I think after his brother Allie died, he changed point of view to the society and environment around him. And also, his family (his especially his father) affected his personality. There’s a part where he says about his brother Allie. I could see how much Holden loved his brother but after he died, he turned his back to the world. I can think of like, His father is a lawyer and his family is rich. Maybe he saw many phony things since he was little. But Allie and Phoebe could have there for him. Then his brother died, and he has no one to rely on, only Phoebe. The one who Holden really likes was Phoebe. So, he doesn’t want to study and go to university and mix with people who say phony things every day. He doesn’t take the life serious as other people around him. He really thinks that life is a â€Å"phony thing†, and then he drinks, smokes and swears a lot, just to protect himself from the world. There was a part where Holden said he want to be the catcher in rye, with just the children around him. I could see that he was bored with the world where adults saying phony things every time. Maybe the author might have been tried to criticize the modern world by Holden. I don’t know, but I think Holden really hates to be socializing in the society. He just wanted to be surrounded by the children’s innocence. He also tried to go to West and live in the cabin with a very few contact with other people and be deaf-mute. I think he tries to get away from the world and to be part away from the phony people. He was actually a pitiful teenager who doesn’t have parents that take care of him warmly. All Holden was looking for was the good in his life that he couldn’t find. How to cite Catcher in the Rye Extended Response, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

Tsui Wah free essay sample

From Tsui Wah’s 2013 annual report, it has just implemented the service of â€Å"Tsui Wah Delivery†. This movement reflects that it intends to provide more variety in addition to its main stream of business. However, what can Tsui Wah still undertake in future to make more diversification? In the following parts, a SWOT analysis is prepared by reference to the PESTEL model, Porter’s Five Forces Competition Framework and Resource-based View model. Based on the analysis, several recommendations are also suggested for Tsui Wah to incorporate more variety into its business. Finally, a brief conclusion is drawn. SWOT Analysis 1. Opportunities 1. 1. Increasing Mainland Visitors Due to the introduction of â€Å"Individual Visit Scheme† in 2003, the number of Mainland visitors increases significantly year by year. According to a report released by Savills (Hong Kong) Limited on hospitality industry in Hong Kong, the number of Mainland visitors in 2012 soared by 543% compared with that in 2004. Visitors normally want to try some indigenous foods. Tsui Wah is just where they want to go because it is one of the restaurants representing Hong Kong’s traditional foods. 1. 2. Prevalent Trend of Dining Out Nowadays, working women is a prevalent phenomenon. A lot of families would choose dining out instead of cooking themselves. In a survey conducted by the Public Opinion Programme of The University of Hong Kong on Hong Kong people’s eating habits, it is revealed that on average an interviewee dines out 5. 1 times per week. This is really conducive to the catering industry as a whole. 2. Threats 2. 1. Tough Industrial Environment In the catering industry, there are a lot of substitutes such as Cafe de Coral, Fairwood and Maxims MX. People can easily switch to any restaurant. With regards to rivalry, in spite of keen competition, competitors are competing on non-price dimensions. Each restaurant is slightly different from competitors. For Tsui Wah, it differentiates itself from others by offering foods at premium quality. Regarding barriers to potential entrants, there is no legal restriction to set up a restaurant. However, a certain extent of investment is required. Apart from that, potential investors can easily enter into catering industry. For bargaining power of suppliers, a restaurant highly depends on the quality of materials supplied by suppliers because this directly affects the quality and safety of dishes that the restaurant provides. Besides, finding another quality supplier to replace the current one is so costly since relationship builds up by time. Apart from raw materials, what suppliers supply also affect significantly the operating cost as well as profitability of a restaurant such as renting a property. Therefore, the bargaining power of suppliers in catering industry is quite high. Concerning bargaining power of customers, similarly their bargaining power is also high because the dishes provided by a specific restaurant is not so important to them and there are many alternative choices. Generally speaking, catering industry is not so attractive based on Porter’s Five Force of Competition Framework. 2. 2. Rising Operating Cost Rental has been increasing continuously for the past decade. According to Rate and Valuable Department, the rental for retail properties in 2013 was about 60% of 1999’s level. This situation is further aggravated by the statutory minimum wages introduced in 2011. Moreover, since Tsui Wah’s suppliers are mainly from Mainland China, the continuous inflation of Renminbi signals the rising trend of its raw material costs. Due to the increase in rentals, staff costs and ingredient costs, Tsui Wah would be under serious pressure in respect of its operating costs in coming future. 3. Strengths 3. 1 Reputable Brand Name The reputable brand, â€Å"Tsui Wah†, has a long history and is the most prominent resource. It is extremely valuable since it represents the level of quality of products or services provided. This is why Tsui Wah can charge its foods at premium prices while numerous people are still willing to pay. According Tsui Wah’s prospectus in 2012, the average amount per patronage is HK$74 which is about twice of normal Cha Chaan Teng. Even though its brand is valuable, the brand itself is not rare. Every restaurant can have its own brand. Certainly, their values would vary considerably. However, there may be radically impossible to have two perfectly identical brands in the world. Thus, to some extent â€Å"Tsui Wah† is a unique brand. It is possible for a restaurant to imitate Tsui Wah’s brand. But, this must not be done within a short period of time because Tsui Wah had used over 40 years to develop its brand. Thus, it is costly to imitate a brand name. From the resource-based view, its brand is really an important resource as it can create sustained competitive advantage. 3. 2 Use of Central Kitchen The introduction of central kitchen does help a lot in various aspects. It enables the standardization on the quality foods among branches. This is extremely crucial for chain restaurants because different standard on foods from different branches would affect unfavorably customers’ confidence toward the restaurant as a whole and accordingly the brand. It also helps reduce the size of kitchen in the branches due to fewer ingredients stored in the branches and accordingly reduce the rentals. 4. Weaknesses 4. 1 Limited Customer Segment As aforementioned, Tsui Wah charges foods at premium prices, which is about a double of normal restaurants, and targets middle class. Hence, grassroots are normally excluded from Tsui Wah’s customer pool since they tend to choose restaurants which price foods at normal level. Besides, in economic downturn middle class may curtail consumption and Tsui Wah may suffer. It is better to diversify its business so that even in economic recession its profitability can still be maintained stably. Recommendations 1. Retailing Packaged Foods To better utilize the capacity of Tsui Wah’s central kitchen, it is suggested that it should manufacture packaged foods and sell them in its branches or supermarkets. With the aid of its reputable brand, which has penetrated deeply into Hong Kong’s society, the packaged foods sold under the brand of â€Å"Tsui Wah† would be perceived as high quality and would be welcomed by Hong Kong citizens. This concept just likes what Ikea’s cafe is doing now. The dishes that we can buy from Ikea’s cafe can also be bought in packaged form such as a Swedish meatball called KOTTBULLAR. 2. Renting Shops in Shopping Malls Due to high rental for street-level shops, it is recommended that Tsui Wah moves to shopping malls where rental is a bit cheaper. Although operating in street-level is the tradition of Cha Chaan Teng, moving into shopping malls would not affect a lot because Tsui Wah has already developed a strong prestige. No matter where its branches locate, people would still keep their preference. 3. Discounted Price for Delivery To cater the purchasing power of grassroots, it is advised that Tsui Wah should offer a slight discount for delivery orders. Through this tactics, it can include more grassroots into its customer pool. Meanwhile it can show that Tsui Wah is an enterprise which does care people in the society. Conclusion Despite more Mainland visitors and popular trend of dining out, they cannot constitute a valuable opportunity for Tsui Wah to expand aggressively due to keen competition and rising operating costs. However, its reputable brand and central kitchen make it a restaurant standing out from others. Therefore, Tsui Wah should continue take a diversification strategy to sustain growth in future. It could enter into the food retailing market to sell packaged foods under the brand of â€Å"Tsui Wah†. Moreover, it could also switch to rent shops in shopping malls in order to tackle the increasing rental.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorder

Table of Contents Abstract Research questions Introduction Diagnosis of Anxiety disorder Treatment of Anxiety Disorder Conclusion References Abstract Anxiety disorder is a psychological problem in individuals who are known to worry too much and have fears that are unrealistic. These disorders have been known to cause diverse psychological and physical damage.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorder specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The classifications of anxiety disorder include the phobias, the generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each of these disorders has different symptoms and treatment procedures.Research indicates that diagnosis of the disorders may be difficult since the symptoms overlap with other common ailments. However, var ious treatment interventions exist. The use of cognitive-behavioural therapy such as the use of talk therapy is very effective. The therapist tries to unearth the causes of such anxieties and fears and helps the patient realize that it was exaggerated and unrealistic. The use of medication such as the SSRIs is also effective. However, some have adverse side effects. Research questions I. What is the diagnosis of anxiety disorder? II. What treatment interventions are available for anxiety disorder?Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Introduction The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides information about anxiety disorder as it relates to the course, Abnormal Psychology (Butcher, Mineria, Hooley, 2007). It has been defined as the various forms of the psychiatric disorders that involve the repetitive focus on symptoms of distress, worrying, being un easy and worrying about what will happen in the future. This fear about what the future holds may be based on facts or imaginary things. There are other medical conditions that may imitate and be misdiagnosed as anxiety disorder. One of them includes hyperthyroidism. This disorder is unhealthy to any human since it may negatively affect the psychological and physical health of the individual. Anxiety disorder is like a disease that requires proper diagnosis and prompt treatment. There are several psychosocial causes of this disorder. Some causes are genetic by nature. The persons who have been diagnosed with the disorder may be classified into two groups. The first classification is the group of individuals who are experiencing continuous symptoms. The other classification consists of individuals whose symptoms only seem to occur episodically. According to research, there are several types of anxiety disorders. Research also indicates that at least one of the disorders affects about 20% of Americans and approximately 15% of Europeans (Kessler, Chiu, Demler, Merikangas, Walters, 2005).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorder specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More When one is said to be anxious, the individual may be going through one or more of the four experiences. These include dissociative anxiety, tension, apprehension or certain physical signs. Anxiety disorder may be divided into three broad categories. They include panic, phobic and generalized anxiety disorders. All of these disorders have their different symptoms and each requires a different intervention (Gelder, Mayou, Geddes, 2005). The individual suffering from an anxiety disorder experiences diverse emotions of different capacities. Some may experience simple nervousness (Barker, 2003). However, others may have bouts of terror. This paper will examine the Axis 1 diagnosis of Anxiety Dis order and assess some of the available therapies and medication. Diagnosis of Anxiety disorder In most cases, the terms anxiety and fear are used to mean the same thing. However, clinically, the two words have two distinct meanings. The term anxiety is used to mean the uncomfortable state of mind whose cause is not known and is thought to be beyond the individual’s control. On the other hand, the term fear is the way in which an individual responds in the presence of a known threat. Anxiety disorder involves the presence of both fear and anxiety. Nurses and medical practitioners use different methods to diagnose anxiety disorder. These tools usually detect the anxiety symptoms. One of these tools includes the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In some areas, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale is used. The individual suffering from this disorder requires undergoing physical and medical examination and their personal history examined. This may be necessary in order to ensure that the individual is not suffering from unrelated ailments. In children, it may be difficult to diagnose the condition because it usually causes disruptive behaviours, which may be misdiagnosed as attention-deficit hyperactivity or other similar disorders. Anxiety disorders may be put into different classifications, each with different symptoms and diagnoses. The classifications include the generalized anxiety disorder, phobic disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and separation disorder (American Psychiatric Association [APA], (2000). A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder normally worries a lot and may be excessively anxious. This anxiety and worryi ng may be about things such as employment or school performance. The individual would normally find it difficult controlling these feelings. Some physical symptoms include irritability, fatigue, sleep disorder and muscle tension. Individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder would have distress and their social and occupational skills would be impaired. Phobias are triggered by particular stimulus and situations. This is usually a fear of something and it is usually exaggerated since the potential danger of the fear may be minimal. For example, others fear insects such as the butterfly. Panic disorder may cause a brief attack of great terror. The individual may start shaking and trembling. Others appear confused. Others have difficulty in breathing during such occasions. Agoraphobia is the situation where an individual feels cornered and has no place for escape. Such a person would constantly watch around in search of a place of refuge or escape. Social anxiety disorder is a disord er that has to do with social behaviour in public areas. Such individuals usually fear and avoid being negatively scrutinized by the public. They also avoid public embarrassment and humiliation. Such individuals usually avoid social interactions due to these fears. Manifestations of this disorder include blushing. Some have difficulty speaking. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a situation where one is repetitively obsessed about something that makes the person to feel like performing certain activities or rituals. Research estimates that about 3% of people in the world are affected by this disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder may occur when one passes through a frightening experience. Examples of traumatizing experiences include natural disasters, rape, being in a hostage situation, bullying or accidents, among other similar situations. Such individuals are hyper-vigilant and usually show certain avoidance behaviours. Anger, depression and anger are other symptoms that need to b e observed during diagnosis (American Psychiatric Association [APA], (2000). Anxiety disorder is also usually associated with other mental disorders and some occur to as many as 60% of all individuals with the disorder. Such disorders include clinical depression. The symptoms of depression and anxiety are similar in many respects and similar environmental conditions may lead to symptoms in both cases. They may even overlap and this explains why both of these medical conditions may coexist. It has also been argued that sexual dysfunction may be a result of anxiety disorder. When this occurs in men, some tend to avoid sexual intercourse all together. Some may show signs such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. In women, these conditions may cause pain during intercourse. It is mainly common among those affected by posttraumatic stress disorder and panic disorder. There is the fear of the possibility of panic attack occurring during arousal. Treatment of Anxiety Disorder Research has shown that early diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorder is most beneficial (Barker, 2003). The condition may remain unrecognized during most of the stages. If some symptoms are present, the condition may be under-recognized. In most cases, victims show up for treatment after complications have shown. Such complications include depression and drug abuse. There are a number of treatment options that are available. One of them includes lifestyle change. Psychotherapy may be provided to the victim. In particular, cognitive behavioural therapy is useful. Pharmaceutical therapy is also available and effective. Other types of therapies that may be used include humanistic-experiential therapy, behavioural therapy and psychodynamic-therapy. In psychotherapy, talk therapy has been said to be an efficient way of treating individuals with anxiety disorder. This involves having conversations between the patient and the therapist in order to help the patient to ease their anxiet y. These talks help the patient to air out some of his or her fears, stresses and anxieties to the therapist. During the session, the therapist would educate the client, help in solving the issue, and ensure healing. These sessions may go for short periods or they may be lengthy. Research has shown that talk therapy and other forms of cognitive-behavioural therapy are very effective for such disorders as phobias and panic disorder. This therapy consists of two main objectives. These include fostering behavioural and cognitive change. Cognitive change could be achieved by helping the clients to see that it is not obvious that the public is always watching and judging them. Fostering behavioural change may be done through trying to change the way those people react to situation that might provoke anxiety. These people are provided with proof that such thoughts are not realistic in the real world. The use of medication may also be useful for persons suffering from an anxiety disorder. One of the recommended types includes the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Side effects may include nausea and headache, among others. However, these effects only occur during the first few weeks of use. Thereafter, the body adjusts to the medication. The atypical antipsychotic quetiapine has also been used effectively in the treatment of anxiety disorder. However, its side effects surpass those associated with SSRIs. Conclusion Anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder that is associated with various behaviours and thought patterns that are not usual. The persons suffering from this disorder may worry too much or have fears and anxieties. It may be further classified into panic disorder, phobic disorders and generalized anxiety disorder. All these disorders have different symptoms, which require different interventions. Early diagnosis of anxiety disorder is important since it could be treated before it reaches advanced stages. However, it is difficult to diagnos e other disorders early enough and this would require extra attention at later stages. Treatment is available for anxiety disorder. The two major types include therapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is effective for such cases. This includes the use of talk therapy, which seeks to change the patient’s way of thinking. Drugs such as the SSRIs have also been used successfully and are recommended. References American Psychiatric Association [APA]. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder: DSM-IV-TR. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. Barker, P. (2003). Psychiatric and mental health nursing: the craft of caring. London: Arnold. Butcher, J.N., Mineria, S., Hooley, J. (2007). Abnormal Psychology (15th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education. Gelder, M., Mayou, R., Geddes, J. Psychiatry. (2005). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kessler, R.C., Chiu, W.T., Demler, O., Merikangas, K.R., Walters, E.E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and com orbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627. This research paper on Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorder was written and submitted by user Logan Chan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. 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Monday, November 25, 2019

The Difference between the Inductive and Deductive Approaches within the Social Science

The Difference between the Inductive and Deductive Approaches within the Social Science The inductive and deductive approaches provide two different types of reasoning. Inductive one is based on moving from the specific to general information, while deductive starts from the general and moves to specific. Therefore, the main difference between the inductive and deductive approaches consists in the way of expression of the arguments.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on The Difference between the Inductive and Deductive Approaches within the Social Science specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The inductive reasoning starts from the observation or experience, moving to the patterns and hypothesis (Leming). A formulation of the tentative hypothesis helps understanding the small elements as well as the whole picture. As the result, the conclusions present a theory based on the ideas that were developed while reasoning. This method is open-ended and requires the exploration. As the ampliative structure, inductio n contains the arguments which are found beyond the premises. This approach may ask providing several arguments and hypothesis, where one of them can support the conclusions more than others. Therefore, inductive reasoning requires moving form specific observation or experience to the summarization. For instance: All my friends are kind, therefore, all people are kind. In this example, the conclusions are based on the personal experience and moves from the particular statement to the generalization. However, this approach can lead to the false conclusions even in case of the valid arguments and a true statement. The deductive reasoning is called a top-down method. The reflection starts from a theory and narrow it to particular hypothesis (Using Varied Instructional Techniques: Inductive and Deductive Teaching Approaches 2006). In the social science, the deductive approach provides the conclusions which are based on a specific case derived from a broad theory. In the other words, the deductive method requires moving from the general idea, theory or statement to the particular elements. As the intermediate stage, hypothesis presents some specific reflection that helps finding the concrete conclusions needed. Besides, hypothesis can lead to the confirmation or negation of the theory. For instance: All people are kind. My friend is a man, therefore, he is kind. In this example, the general statement is a basement and start point of the reflection. The conclusions present a particular fact derived from the general idea. The deductive approach helps gaining knowledge, providing many specific ideas and facts that may be not clearly seen at the beginning.Advertising Looking for coursework on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These approaches are very different; therefore, they can be used within the different situations. The inductive one as an open-ended and exploratory method is use d in order to explain the situation that happened or find a general reason. More narrow deductive approach is based on the confirmation of the particular hypothesis, using some general idea, statement or theory as the beginning. The social research requires the use of both methods. Starting from the particular idea, the scientist can develop a new general theory, and vice versa, some summary, generalization can be chosen as a basement for the research of its particular element. Based on the different methods of reflection, the inductive and deductive approaches can be useful for the social science in order to analyze the various types of the situations. Both methods were popular historically. Nowadays, the method of deduction is more accepted than the inductive one due to its approximation to the scientific research. However, these two approaches can be used together, while the initial theory can be developed using the inductive method, the results can be tested using the deductive approach. Reference List Biology Success! Teaching Diverse Learners. 2006. Using Varied Instructional Techniques: Inductive and Deductive Teaching Approaches. National Institute – Landmark College. Web. Leming, Michael R. n.d. Sociological Theory: A Social Science Approach to the family. Web.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Foundations of Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Foundations of Accounting - Essay Example and not as cash or its equivalent is received or paid) and they are recorded in the accounting records and reported in the financial statements of the periods to which they relate†. It’s important that the there should not be any misleading through the concealment of accrued expenses or through overstated income by false profits. Contingencies and commitments should be disclosed in the form of note, if any. The current ratio, the liquid or acid test ratio and the stock turnover basically considered as the short term liquidity ratios as they are used to calculate the ability of a company to meet its current liabilities with its current assets. Enough cash must be available to payoff the short term liability like trade creditors usually within 12 months including those who required immediate payments like of 2to 3 months. A ratio of between 1.5:2 and 2:1 are considered reasonable (Randall).while a current ratio in excess of 2:1, shows that the resources are not efficiently used and the investment is tied up in huge stocks , debtors or unnecessary accumulation of cash in banks. As evident from the figures, the current ratio incase of poodle ltd of 1.5:1 is acceptable while incase of Collie limited it should be decreased by 0.5, i.e. it has to be around 2:1, so as to be acceptable. Liquid ratios are generally calculated to check the ability of the company to meet its current debt through the current assets other than stock. The purpose is to assess that whether is an unnecessary accumulation of stock or not. It may be either of raw material or WIP or even of finished goods. A liquid ratio of 1:1 is usually considered satisfactory but it can decrease till 0.9:1 (Randall), provided that there the provision for doubtful debts is not very high, i.e. the prompt payment from the customers is expected. It indicates the average no days the inventory is tied up in the Store room. Usually the higher the inventory level the better it will be but in some cases

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

What should 21st Century Environmentalism look like Essay - 1

What should 21st Century Environmentalism look like - Essay Example Globalization and World’s processes like cyclones are environmental problems that affect almost all human beings. The 21st environmentalism has formidable challenges and dangers safety concerns. Increased cases of storms, cyclones, droughts, floods are of global concern. Extinction of species, meltdown of glaciers and low food production are the resultant features of global warming. Several nations across the globe are worried on the ozone layer, change of climate and wildlife threats. These challenges have put a worrying picture on how the environment will look like at the course of 21st century. The main environmental issues like, pollution, deletion of the ozone layer and Global warming leaves us with the question; what should 21st century environmentalism look like? Each of the above problems and others not mentioned, have the cause, environmental impact and a possible solution. Both solutions and measures for environmental problems are in the same path. A huge chunk of these problems originates from developed societies with many industries. They affect the environment in the amount of resources they consume and pollutants they produce. Both the developed and developing countries contribute to environmental degradation, for instance the oil rich gulf-region experience depletion of environment during oil extraction. Developing and developed countries use the same oil in industries production and motor vehicles, causing air pollution and thus depleting ozone layer. The 21st century environment has serious threats caused by humans; the earth’s natural resources are in extinct. The use of land is a concern in 21st century; man encroaching in the habitat of wildlife destroys its ecosystem, destroys the underground water and desertification. Industries emit toxic chemicals, which interfere with aquatic animals, and soil erosion. Environmental challenges causes water crisis, water pollution and global warming interfere with the

Monday, November 18, 2019

U.S. Army - Educational opportunities Research Paper

U.S. Army - Educational opportunities - Research Paper Example The background of the report is the situation in US army where the soldiers are missing out on valuable opportunities provided by the US army which is mainly educational opportunities provided by the US army.This report deals with the present problem in the US army where the retention rate of US soldiers has been constantly decreasing. Recruitments and retention rates in the US army has suffered a setback and one of the attributed reason could be the inflexible lifestyle in the US army especially with respect to educational opportunities. The reason for such low retention rates is because of the unawareness regarding the educational opportunities provided by the US army. Earning a degree while working in the military service is very important because the degree earned serves as a promotional tool which can be used by soldiers to get promotions to higher grades. Education is a necessity in today’s armed forces and the military offers a number of educational opportunities for im proving the education among the soldiers. Army offers several benefits like full time tuition, merit based scholarships, allowances in books and fees, and stipend for living expenses for the qualified students. There are many other programs like tuition assistance, eArmyU, CLEP exams which soldiers can take advantage of in order to build the future ahead of them, which they are currently ignoring. This report is based on audience analysis and the research proposal. The report provides a total overview of the current educational system available in the US army and how the retention and recruitment rates in the US army could be improved. Education is the only asset for the future, whether you are a civilian or an army man. So it is important that all the people should have the basic education, which he can continue further or take advantage of it for his future. US departments for defense provides many benefits for the soldier, of which mainly includes the policy for education. They h ave introduced many programs to increase the educational level of people. The soldiers can take benefits out of various policies to secure their future. Currently there are many programs existing within the system to help the soldiers in getting the education they deserve, the only thing that is being lacking is the awareness among people about that. Willingness to know things can create many chances for the future. There are immense education opportunities in the US army and there are various types of educational programs in the army. The report has a methodology section where methods have been used to collect data and a section of data analysis along with conclusion finding and recommendations. Purpose statement: The purpose of this report is providing a report on the recruitment and retention of soldiers in the US army. Background: The background of the report is the situation in US army where the soldiers are

Friday, November 15, 2019

Punishment In Islamic Law

Punishment In Islamic Law Introduction In every society, security and stability are basic needs no less important than other needs like food and clothing. Travis Hirschi propounded a theory of social control that emphasizes on the role of society in the control of criminal behaviour  [1]  . It specifies the fact that no society can afford to denounce criminal activity without duly accepting its responsibility towards the same. In other words the theory of social control elaborates on the onus that is shared by society and devised control mechanisms to ensure a safe social arena, one that is devoid of any type of delinquency. Man have been conscious of the need for security since the beginning of life and with the formation and evolution of society, we now have what is known as the establishment of the state or government and the formation of laws. The development of these man-made laws did not come to completion except in the last few centuries after a long experience of trial and error  [2]  . On the other hand, the Law of Islam that was sent down to Muhammad in Allahs (SWT) final message to mankind has paid careful attention to this matter and has come with a complete legal system. Taking into consideration the changing circumstances of society as well as the consistency and permanence of human nature, it contains comprehensive principles and general rules suitable for dealing with all the problems and circumstances that life may bring in any time or place. Likewise it has set down punishments for certain crimes that are not affected by changing conditions and circumstances. In this way Islamic Law combines between stability, flexibility and firmness  [3]  . Punishment in general Punishment is defined as the act of punishing or the process of being punished  [4]  . Theories of punishment can be divided into two general philosophies, the utilitarian theory and the retributive theory. The utilitarian theory of punishment aims at punishing offenders to discourage or deter future wrongdoing. The purpose of punishment is to act as an example to the rest of society and put others on notice that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and will be punished. The retributive theory on the other hand seeks to punish offenders because they deserve to be punished. Punishments under Islamic Law As with all penal systems, the Islamic law system prescribes punishments when someone is found guilty of a wrongdoing. The philosophy of punishments in Islam indicates that Islam provides punishment only as a last resort and the purpose behind it is reform brought about through a blending of human values and justice tempered with mercy. Punishments in Islam reflects its values where it puts the interest of the society before the interest of an individual  [5]  . The punishment can be severe depending on the crime but have to abide with strict rules and have prominent features  [6]  . Some of the features of punishment are as follows  [7]  :- Punishments are meant to be a last resort; Punishments are made to be examples to the public; Punishment are to reform an offender; Punishments are a form of retribution for the victim. The punishment system in Islam is aimed towards the three dimension of any crime being the criminal, society and the victim. To criminals punishment is kaffara (purification) and reforming for the re-acceptance into society. To society on the other hand, punishment is a preventive method to save society from crimes and finally to victims, punishment is a means of retribution. Punishments in Islamic Law were set down to protect and secure the ultimate five elements of peoples interests: al-dharuriyat (necessities). These are deen (belief), an-Nafis (life), al-aqil (intellect), al-mal (wealth) and an-nasil (family and lineage). The types of punishment There are four categories of punishment that criminals may be subjected to, namely, Hadd (literally meaning boundaries), Qisas (retribution) and Diyat (blood money), Tazir (chastisement) and Mukhalafat (which covers areas of the rights of the state). Hadd Hadd (plural hudud) literally means boundaries or prohibition  [8]  . It is considered to be the most severe of crimes as they go against Gods will and punishments for these crimes are fixed as they have been prescribed by Allah (SWT) in the Holy Quran  [9]  . The seven offences prescribed are zina (illicit sexual relations), qazaf (false accusation of zina), sariqah (theft), hirabah (highway robbery), shrub al-khamr (consumption of alcohol), riddah (apostasy), and baghy (rebellion against the government). These offences appear to have been selected to indicate that life, family institution, property, honour and social order have to be protected. Evidence for these crimes have to be provided by abiding to stringent rules thus, making conviction difficult  [10]  . If the crime is proven, offenders for these crimes are punished in public as a measure of deterrence  [11]  . However it is only carried out as a last resort after a thorough effort at reforming the person ha s totally failed. For example, riddah, where a Muslim renounces his or her faith, it is treated as treason. A mandatory punishment has been set for this offense. Males face beheading, while females face imprisonment until the time where they renounce their new belief and revert to the teachings of Islam. However, every effort is made to allow the male offender to revert to Islam including receiving visits of religious officials before the punishment is inflicted.  [12]   The punishments that have been set and have to be carried out if all criteria for evidence have been satisfactorily met for the rest of the offences prescribed above are  [13]  : Zina A married individual would face death by stoning while an unmarried person would face 100 lashes. Qazaf 80 lashes are mandatory for a free person while slaves face 40 lashes Sariqah A first time offender faces amputation of one hand at the wrist, a second time offender faces amputation of the second hand while a third time offender face either amputation at the ankle or imprisonment until the individual repents. Hirabah If death is caused, the offender faces death by beheading. If no death occurs, the offender faces cross-limb amputation. If the offender is arrested before commission, he is imprisoned until repentance. Shrub al-khamr 80 lashes are mandatory for a free person while 40 lashes are mandatory for slaves or those in the Shafii school Baghy Death is imposed for those who fight and are captured. However, tazir punishments are for those who are arrested or surrender. Looking at the punishments set out above, it appears as very severe and harsh but the main purpose of hudud punishments is to deter the commission of crime in the very first place. Taking the example of sariqa (theft), Allah SWT proclaims, As to the thief, male or female cut off his or her hands, a punishment by way of example, from God, for their crime: and God is Exalted in power  [14]  . Islam does not tolerate theft as it deprives a person of their hard earned money and belongings. Looking at the above verse, it is clear that the intention to punish the offender is to set an example for the rest of society that an act of stealing will not be condoned or accepted by God. What hudud seeks to bring is peace and order and disciplined behaviour as people would seriously consider their actions to do an evil deed as they know the punishment that awaits them is severe. This is the wisdom of hudud. But this is not to say that under Islamic Law, at the slightest chance available, punishment will be imposed. On the contrary, punishments would only be imposed as a last resort where all the conditions and elements of the crime have been satisfied. Qisas Diyat Another feature of Islamic Law is the right of retribution (Qisas). The concept of retribution is explained in the Holy Quran as follows: The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree), but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God, for (God) loveth not those who do wrong.  [15]   In simple terms, Qisas follows the doctrine of an eye for an eye, where the punishment is similar to the crime. As Qisas is usually reserved for crimes that involve homicide or bodily harm, for a crime of homicide, the punishment would be death while a crime involving bodily harm, the punishment would be to inflict an injury comparable to the harm caused. A unique feature of the punishment of these crimes is that the victim is able to request for punishment or to forgive the offender  [16]  . The victim may also request for diyat (blood money), a form of compensation paid by the offender to the victim, the amount of which has to be equal to the loss incurred and not more. In a hadith narrated by Imam Nissai it mentions that every part of the body has blood money, for example the blood money for the eyes is the equivalent of 50 camels, etc  [17]  . Tazir Tazir punishments are discretionary punishments that do not fall under the jurisdiction of hudud or qisas and cannot be used as an alternative to these punishments. Tazir can, however, be used if a crime has been committed but has not met the standards of hudud or if the offender has been pardoned by the victim. They are the most flexible type of punishment because they take into account the needs of society and changing social conditions. It is also flexible enough to realize the maximum general benefit to society, effectively reform the criminal and reduce the harm that was caused. The punishments may range from anywhere between a warning to death. One famous example happened in the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra), where he punished a scholar who gave false testimony. He ordered that the scholar should have his head shaved, his face painted black, and he paraded semi-clothed in front of people while sitting backwards on a donkey  [18]  . But the punishment can be just as severe as the punishments under hudud. The power to punish is given to the judge or to the legal authorities. The purpose of tazir is to prevent an offender from repeating the offence or to incline a person to fulfil his or her duty. A number of factors go into choosing the appropriate punishment under tazir one of which is the situation of the offender where aspects such as the social status of the offender as it is believed those from the commoners require harsher punishment to reform than those in higher classes. It has to also be determined if the offender has committed similar crimes in the past, making the punishment individualized.  [19]   Mukhalafat This covers the areas of the rights of the state. A person or group contravenes a law which the state has enacted such as exceeding the speed limit or parking in no parking areas. The punishment imposed is at the discretion of the judge or the legal authorities. Kaffarah If a person who has not fulfilled their duty (such as not fasting or performing prayers), the individual is required to pay kaffarah or penance. It is not meant to be a punishment rather it is a reminder of their obligations. There are three forms of kaffarah which are offering a sacrifice, feeding six orphans or the poor and performing fast for three days.  [20]  The kaffarah that needs to be performed depends on the violation that had occurred.  [21]  It is interesting to note that the crime here is not one which is against the state or another individual but is a failure to fulfil ones duty or obligations under Islam of which there are also punishments prescribed. Punishment as a last resort Severity of punishments as a form of prevention and deterrence The ultimate aim for a Muslim society is that its citizens do not commit crimes at all and so there should be no occasion to resort to extreme punishments like the amputation of the hand in cases of theft or flogging or being stoned to death in cases of zina. The very thought of watching someone lose a hand for committing theft is definitely unpleasant and considered harsh which is why it is not surprising that hudud punishments often make the headlines in the media due to its severity. However the severity of the punishment is to serve as a prevention and deterrence from committing these crimes in the first place. It is better to be severe to one and save a thousand than to be indulgent to all and ruin many. Allah SWT is certainly a good surgeon who does not hesitate to amputate a rotten limb to save the whole body  [22]  . Just imagine if you see someone walking around with only one hand because he was punished under hudud for stealing, you would keep away from such person. Thi s indirectly causes stigmatization for the offender as society would not want to be associated with an offender. This is another motivating factor to desist from committing the crime. Further, just because punishments under Islamic Law are seen to be harsh, it does not necessarily make them unjust. According to Abdur-Rahman.Doi  [23]  , incidences of cutting off the hands are rare in an Islamic society for two reasons. Firstly, statistically speaking, the simple enforcement of hudud punishment itself has a significant deterring effect on potential offenders which inadvertently reduces the crime rate in a society administered by Shariah. He cites the example of Saudi Arabia (in spite of the distorted ideology of its government) in recent times and the era of the first generation of Muslims more than fourteen hundred years ago  [24]  . Secondly, the procedure in seeking conviction of an alleged offender is so elaborate and strict and involves a host of exceptions and conditions, as a result of which in most cases the offenders punishment is reduced from the level of Hadd to Tazir, where the judgement is left to the discretion of the judge. Fear of Allah (SWT) and accountability in the Hereafter According to Muslim jurists, punishments are designed to keep the sense of justice alive in the community by a public repudiation of the acts violating the limits set by God. They are expected to build up in the society a deep feeling of abhorrence for transgression against fellow human beings and therefore against God, a transgression which according to the Quran is the root cause of all disorders and corruption in human life  [25]  . Hence severe punishments are imposed for purposes of dissuading most people from committing crimes. For this purpose it imbues the Muslims with the fear of Allah (SWT) and inculcates the sense of accountability in the Hereafter, as it is believed that punishment should be prevented as far as possible. When it is said to him, Fear God, he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. Enough for him is Hell;- and evil bed indeed (to lie on)!- Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 206 And fear the Day when ye shall be brought back to God. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly- Surah Al-Baqarah 2:281 Punishment is a necessary evil Abdur-Rahman Doi, in his encyclopaedic work Shariah: The Islamic Law makes an insightful observation that the Quran generally adopts the same word for punishment (retribution) as for the original crime  [26]  . Therefore, both crime and punishment are known as Sayyiah (evil). By using the same word for both crime and punishment, it implies that punishment although justified by circumstances is truly speaking nothing but a necessary evil  [27]  . This being the case, at the first instance where a crime has been committed, Islam seeks to forgive and reform the offender wherever possible. However, where it is clear that it is unlikely for the offender to reform or to mend his or her ways punishment would then be imposed as a last resort. Waiver of punishments in the presence of doubt Any shred of evidence that is doubtful or circumstantial will prevent punishment. It is narrated in the Seerah (life) of Muhammad (saw) how he would exert himself to avert the punishment when individuals asked for punishment to be implemented upon them  [28]  . It is narrated that Muhammad (saw) said, To free someone criminal mistakenly is better than to punish someone innocent mistakenly  [29]   Aisha narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said : Ward off punishment as much as you can. If you find any way out for a Muslim then set him free. If the Imam makes a mistake in granting forgiveness, it is better for him than that he should commit a mistake in imposing punishment. Hence should there be even a single iota of doubt on the evidence, hudud punishment in such circumstances should not be imposed. An example of this is in the case of adultery (zina) where the testimonies of four eye witnesses are required to prove the crime. Allah SWT says, If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, take the evidence of four (reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or God ordain for them some (other) way  [30]  . If there is a little doubt, no Hudud penalty is given at all, instead they will then be subject to the punishment of qadhf (false accusation). Hence, Hudud punishments are waived in the presence of doubt, and that benefit of the doubt is always given to the accused. The Right of Retribution Under Islamic law, it offers the aggrieved party the right of retribution. This right of retribution belongs to the individual, and not to the society or state. This simple shift in the responsibility brings about a profound change in the whole system of implementing justice. Instead of starting an irreversible process of trial and punishment which would involve a great deal of time and costs, Islamic law leaves the ground open for settlement between individuals, without the interference by impersonal bureaucratic machinery, though under no circumstances can the individual take the law into his or her own hands  [31]  . If we compare this with a country like Malaysia which has its own Criminal Laws enshrined under the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, where a person is a victim of theft or robbery for example, the action against the accused is brought by the state and not the victim. Also where all the elements of the crime are satisfied, the accused would be either imprisoned for a period which may extend to seven years, fined or in some cases to both imprisonment and fine. Under this criminal law system, the tax payer who may include the victim themselves would be burdened with taking care of the welfare of the accused whilst in prison. Fines paid are paid to the state and not to the victim who is actually the aggrieved party. It was only recently that Malaysia introduced the concept of victim impact statements in courts. This is an avenue provided to the victims of crimes to voice their feelings in relation to the offence committed against them of which the victim impact statements will be considered when imposing sentencing or punishment. Hence what is certain from the Malaysian Criminal Law system is that unlike the Islamic legal system upon the establishment of guilt and where the accused is found guilty of the crime, the imposition of punishment is definite and as a matter of first choice. The Concept of Forgiveness The concept of forgiveness is one of the main elements under the concept of punishment under Islamic law. In Islamic Law the wishes of the victim or his family is given an important role in deciding whether or not the punishment should be carried out. The victim is allowed to pardon the perpetrator because the punishment in crimes under Qisas is considered the right of the victim and is avoidable because whoever forgives and makes amends, his reward is due from Allahà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã‚  [32]  . The ideal way is not to seek revenge at all but reconciliation and to make the offender realize the gravity of his or her offence. The Concept of Tawbah The concept of tawbah is also another element of interest. If an individual does commit crime, Islam allows the individual to repent (tawbah) as Islam believes in awarding its believers a second chance. Tawbah brings the meaning of return from sin.  [33]  The concept of tawbah can be clearly seen to be encouraged in the Holy Quran through the verse, But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, God turneth to him in forgiveness: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful  [34]  ; and Except those who repent and make amends and openly declare (the Truth): to them I turn for I am Oft-returning, Most Merciful- Surah Al Baqarah 2:160. One is said to have repented if there is a feeling of genuine remorse, shame and resolve to not repeat the crime.  [35]  Where a person has repented before being caught or arrested, the effect of this is that it can remit the hadd punishment. Islams approach towards crime prevention Islam has looked towards crime prevention more than punishing the criminal. This is akin to the English saying Prevention is better than cure. For this purpose Islam has prescribed preventative measures that are to be taken in order to curb crime in the society. Some of the key measures that are thought to help members of the society to resist the urge to commit crimes  [36]  are as follows:- Moral Development and pre-crime reform Self purification is one of the main goals of the Prophets (peace be upon him) mission  [37]  . In Surah Al- Baqarah 2: 112 it says, Nay,- whoever submits his whole self to God and is a doer of good,- he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. The teachings of Allah aim towards performing what is good and abstaining from harm. When the individuals heart is with the Almighty God, he does not allow for his ego to control his mind and its animal demands, so indirectly one abstains from committing crimes. It is also for this reason that Muslims are required to pray five times a day so as they are constantly reminded that there is an Almighty who created them and they should bow their head in total humbleness towards God. It is a collective mindful meditation that helps you not to forget who you are and where you belong. In a Muslim society Khurram Murad argued that every institution is value oriented and owes a responsibility towards the moral development of every person. Reform is therefore a pre-crime responsibility and not a post-crime syndrome  [38]  . Islamic Law makes an effort to ensure that the inducement to commit crime is minimal. This is for instance the reason behind the complete prohibition of consuming intoxicants and intense free-mixing of unrelated members of the opposite genders. Part of pre-crime reform involves development of an environment where preventive measures are already in place. Once the crime is committed however, the best place for reform is in the family and in society where a criminal is to live after the punishment and not in a prison where every inmate is a criminal  [39]  . While Shariah protects society by legislating punishments and preventative measures against crimes, it does not resort to punishment without first preparing for the individual a situation conducive to a virtuous life. It would be considered unjust from the standpoint of Shariah to allow a hazardous act, such as drinking alcohol and then punish a person for drinking while driving. Family Family is considered as the pillar of society. Children look up to their parents as the teachers of customs, practices and morality. Hence stable relationships between parents , spouses and children reduces the need for engaging in criminal activities. Research has shown that children from single parent homes, dysfunctional families, etc are usually involved in crime as a means to stay away from the problems at home or for purposes of seeking attention. Therefore a strong family bond coupled with religious and moral beliefs and teachings would not create a need for people to commit crimes. The fight against poverty This refers to the societys duty to help the poor (in the way of zakat) as poverty is said to be one of the reasons behind the occurrence of crime. The Holy Quran has introduced zakat as one of the good deeds which leads to the purification and development. In Surah Al-Baqarah 2 :110, it provides, And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: and whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with God: for God sees well all that ye do. In a Muslim state, every individual is entitled to social security through the public treasury where funds are collected from various sources including the obligatory annual payment of zakat. Where a citizen is driven by force of circumstances since he could not earn his living for himself or his family due to lack of employment opportunities or was not taken care of by the central treasury, the society and government will be considered at fault and no hudud punishment will be imposed on the accused. It is keeping with this principle that Umar bin-al-Khattab the second Caliph or ruler of Muslims after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not apply the hudud punishment to those accused of theft during the period of famine in the state of Madinah  [40]  . Similarly, if a person is found stealing out of hunger or to fulfil his basic needs, then no punishment is meted out to him as it is deemed that the fault lies with society and government because it is their duty to see that no person is without means to support himself or his family with dignity. And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the (needy), him who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking). Surah Al Dhariyat (51:19) In Malaysia for example, a mother who stole a tin of milk for purposes of feeding her child was sentenced to a days jail and imposed a RM500 fine in default of one months jail  [41]  . One tends to wonder looking at the sentence passed if the sentence imposed was compassionate and justified considering the circumstances that drove the mother to steal in the first place. Also if the mother had RM500, she would not need to resort to stealing in the very first place. Further being the sole breadwinner, in the event she is unable to pay the fine, then she would need to serve her one month prison sentence and risk being separated from her child. This is the implication of the stringent criminal laws in Malaysia. Conclusion To live in constant fear of being attacked or robbed is surely unacceptable state of affairs. The thoughts and ideas that are prevalent in the society around us affect the way people behave and in this society people are constantly motivated to increase their wealth and become prosperous. But when this is combined with the notion of freedom, people then put no limits for themselves on how to achieve these aims, and crime is a

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Clockworks Orange :: Free Essays Online

Clockworks Orange In the 1960's our developing world faces many of it's impurities. The youth of this nation fight for equal right, equality of the races and freedom of speech. But not all the protests are legal. Many people are guilty of treason and must be punished but with an over crowded prison system were will these political prisoners be sent. The common criminals are flooding the system with there petty robbers, assaults and murders. We need to deal with the common criminal before we can deal with the political. The novel The Clockwork Orange written by Anthony Burgess depicts the life of a child of the night (Alex). Him and his droogs (friends) see life as something worthless as they rape, assault and murder their way though their teenage-hood. To help cure this problem the government comes up with a new way a deal with criminals. This method included the relation between crime and physical pain. The method is first used on Alex when he was arrested. It works and he is released into society a violence free man. In the end Alex grows out of the treatment and goes back on a crime spree. He continues this until he grows out of teenage hood. The novel itself is well written, though it is a hard read. It contains over 200 Russian words that the reader must decipher themselves due to the fact that Anthony Burgess will not allow a glossary in any of his printings. The novel which is narrated by the man character pulls you into his life and shows the reader what goes through the mind of the criminally insane. The flow of the novel is easy to follow with little confusion on what is in each section. Many insights can be derived from this book and it can be used to support many different topics. A well rounded book that gives the reader wanting more. The power of youth is growing in the 60's. Teenager fight for their rights but when they have nothing more to fight for they will need something else to do. Most teens when bored turn to drug and crime as a source of pleasure. To deal with this me must stop it by sending the youth to correctional facilities. When these don't work adult punishments must be given. But what if we could trace back into the mind and find why we commit crimes.