Sunday, October 13, 2019

Essay --

â€Å"If men were angels, no government would be necessary† (Madison, Federalist No. 51), said Madison in Federalist 51 In Federalist No. 51. This quote basically says everything about Madison’s political theory and how he felt the country should have been ran. In federalist No. 10, Madison stood for the republican government that was proposed by the constitution. He states that the only way to control factions within states is to make a representative form of government. Madison states â€Å"Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention†¦ as short in their lives as they have been violent in the deaths† (Madison, Federalist No. 10). Madison believes that with democracies come factions, these â€Å"special interest groups† as we call them now and with these groups comes unequal balances that they would make in society. Although in Federalist No. 10, Madison mainly argues against having a full democratic government, I believe as we see later that Madison believes in our now present form of government, a two-party system. I believe his true core values were to have the government keep a fair and balanced setting with the whole spectrum of society. In Federalist No. 51, Madison talks about the works of checks and balances and how important it is to the government. I believe Madison’s core values were the fairness and safety of the over all government as a whole. When upholding these standards, he wanted to make sure that the power of the government in future actions was safe and that it was a base to start building upon. Madison touches on the importance of ‘checks and balances’ and why they play such a huge role in distributing power among the branches. Checks and balances are meant to check the levels of government and to ens... ...uthors’ ideas about Logic of American Politics in that government now, you have to come to a common agreement. In Madison’s beliefs, he believed that equality and liberty were two of the most important things. In the textbook, they explain that congress most come to common ground before agreeing on anything so many things are hard to accomplish. In Madison’s ideas, I believe this is what he was truly encompassing; he didn’t want one side of an argument win and have those majorities rule. He wanted everyone to be heard not just those of the ruling party. As for Collective Action, the textbook relates to Madison by ways of coordination. Madison believed that it would be better to work as one huge group than a ton of tiny factions. He believed that all beliefs and ideas should be represented as a group rather than individually to minimize as much problems as possible.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

The Handmaid’s Tale Freedom To and Freedom From :: English Literature

The Handmaid’s Tale Freedom To and Freedom From In â€Å"the time before†, Gilead had become a place where â€Å"women were not protected†. Gilead was very unsafe and percussions had to be taken. For example women were told not to open their door to a stranger even if they said it was the police (ID’s had to be slid underneath the door), they were told not to stop and help a motorist ‘pretending’ to be in trouble and not to â€Å"go into a laundromat at night, alone.† This shows that the society of Gilead as a whole had become very cautious. This also proves that in some sense Gilead was in danger from its security. From these facts alone it is understandable to see why Gilead chose to enforce a new regime. It may have been thought that in doing so everyone would benefit form a safer society. This much is true. In some sense, women especially, as Aunt Lydia said have been â€Å"given freedom from†. Freedom from all the bad aspects from the time before. Women no longer had to be afraid for their safety, rape was no more and they were free to walk the streets without being hassled, as they were now protected by the â€Å"eyes† that watched over them. In doing so however their freedom to, had been taken away from them. â€Å"In the days of the anarchy† says Aunt Lydia; â€Å"it was freedom to† do what as one pleased, now in Gilead, this kind of freedom was no more. They weren’t allowed any form of independence. Jobs were taken away, money confiscate and so forth. Depending on which perspective you look at it from, different people have benefited from the change in freedoms. In Gilead now, there is a hierarchy of structure. Everyone has a defined role to play in society; they know their place and wouldn’t question it. At the top of the hierarchy are the commanders, right at the bottom are the handmaid’s, and the others such as a the commanders wives, Martha’s, and guards fall in place somewhere in between the two. Looking at the hierarchy, it is obvious to see that it is the commanders who benefits from Gilead’s freedom. They hold the most status within the society. It is this status which segregates the commanders from others in this society, especially from the Handmaid’s. Whereas the commanders have the power to do as they please when they please, the Handmaid’s lives are ran by various rules and regulations that they are forced to keep to. They are not given the freedom to do as they like. They are put into place to perform a service and it is

Friday, October 11, 2019

Teamwork

What does it mean to be a successful team? Over the past year, I watched my mother fight one of the hardest battles in the world. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and even the best team of doctors could not cure her. The day she died, she went to my basketball game in the morning, and she died later that afternoon. The lesson I learned is that even if you give it your all, sometimes you don’t always achieve your goal and win. My mother always wanted me to go to an NBA game. I have been a Wizards fan my whole life and have never been to a game.I am always observing how the best teams perform. I think the Wizards are a great team that love the game and respect each other, and that is what you need to be a successful team. For example, the more you trust your teammates, the more likely it is the team will achieve its goal. A team must work together to achieve a goal, but sometimes even the best teams don’t win. John Wall is one of my biggest idols. He trusts and respects his teammates, plays with speed and precision, and even when he loses, he is always respectful.If I could see him play, it would be a dream come true. Runner up: It’s about working together By Zoe Cachion, 11, Arlington Teamwork is helping people out when they need it, and working together. You win as a team, and you lose as a team, You need to have empathy for other people on your team, Teams and teamwork are not just sports and other competitions. Teamwork is about . .?. trust, loyalty, confidence and perseverance. Success in your team is not really winning every single game. It’s more about working together with your teammates.Sure, it feels fantastic to win, but it feels even better when you know everybody in the team worked hard to get that win. That’s what success in teamwork means to me. Runner up: The ‘ubuntu’ approach By Dan Huynh, 12, Falls Church Before each of their games, the successful Boston Celtics yell the Africa n word â€Å"ubuntu,† which inspires the team to focus on the greater good rather than individual success. A successful team’s players don’t care about only their stats, All-star appearances, salary or winning championships.Positive teammates focus on the people they play with every day and how they can help their peers improve. An ubuntu-type player will pass on opportunities to others. For example, the Washington Wizards show that their team is focusing on the greater good because, as Kevin Seraphin said, â€Å"we play like a team. Nobody is selfish. Nobody wants to be the hero. Every night, you let somebody else shine. † This attitude makes their team successful. Ubuntu does not only apply to professional sports; it pertains to amateur sports also.For example, my aquatics coach told our team that during a water polo game, one of his players had the opportunity to get a hat trick. However, instead of shooting himself, he pump-faked and passed to his ope n teammate, who scored. This team was successful because its players shared opportunities rather than focused on themselves. When a team works together, teammates are able to help one another overcome obstacles and improve both as individuals and as a team. As the ubuntu philosophy states, â€Å"I am what I am because of who we all are. †

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 27

My heavy-lidded eyes fought to drift open. I didnt know how much time had passed. Was it one night? Two? A week? It was dark, wherever I was. I was vaguely conscious, hearing footfalls and yelling, and once a voice that sounded like Callies, calling out my name. But one day I woke up without suddenly falling back into unconsciousness. I lifted my arms, realizing I was shackled to the wall. I had vervain burns on my arms and legs. Dried blood crusted my entire body, making it impossible for me to tell where I was wounded. Next to me, Damon was sitting with his knees to his chest. Blood covered his body, and his cheeks were gaunt. Dark shadows rimmed his sunken eyes, but a slow smile was spreading across his face. â€Å"Not so powerful now, are you, brother?† I struggled to sit up. My bones ached. The attic was soaked in a dim gray light that came from a filthy window. The padding and sniffing of a mouse sounded somewhere far across the room. It stirred a hunger inside me, and I realized that I hadnt fed since being here. In the corner, two unfamiliar guards were sitting, oblivious to our near-silent conversation. I shook my head in disgust. How could I have been so stupid? Lexi had been right. Of course she had. Callie had betrayed me. It must have been her plan all along, from the second shed noticed the ring on my finger that matched Damons. I should have realized it the moment Id seen her father in the room. How had I stepped into such a stupid, obvious trap? I deserved to be chained up like an animal. â€Å"Did you love her?† Damon asked, as if he could read my thoughts. I stared straight ahead. â€Å"She hasnt come to visit, in case you were curious,† Damon continued conversationally. â€Å"She is pretty, though in my humble opinion, you could do better.† Anger pushed my fangs into place. â€Å"Where are you going with this?† I growled. Damon gestured to the bars. â€Å"Nowhere, apparently. Excellent job on the rescue attempt.† â€Å"At least I tried,† I said, my fury ebbing and resignation flowing in its place. â€Å"Why even bother?† Damons eyes flashed. â€Å"Have I not made my feelings about you perfectly clear?† â€Å"I † I began, before I realized I had no idea where to even start. How could I tell him that rescuing him wasnt a choice? That our blood ran in each others veins, that we were bound to each other. â€Å"It doesnt matter,† I said. â€Å"No, it doesnt,† Damon said, adopting a philosophical tone. â€Å"After all, well both be dead soon enough. The question is, will you be killed by a crocodile or by a tiger? I heard Gallagher saying crocodiles are the best fight opponents, because they dont go for the kill. They drag it out.† Just then the attic door opened with a flourish, and Gallagher strode into the room, his boots echoing on the floor. â€Å"The vampires are awake!† he bellowed. The two guards hastily jumped to attention, pretending theyd been watching us the whole time. Gallagher strode toward the cage, kneeling at our eye level. His three-piece suit was impeccable, as if hed made his fortune as a financier rather than by torturing vampires. â€Å"Well, well, well the family resemblance is obvious. Im embarrassed to not have noticed it sooner.† He reached through the bars and grabbed the front of my shirt, pulling me against the side of the cage. My face clanged against the bars, and I winced as something wooden jutted into my chest. A stake. â€Å"And you almost got away with acting like a human!† Gallagher threw his head back and laughed, as if it were the most amusing thing in the world. â€Å"You wont get away withthis,† I hissed, pain ripping through my body as he dug the stake farther into my skin. â€Å"Pay attention, vampire!† Gallagher said, his lips curled back in a snarl. â€Å"You know, I think Im going to bet youre the one wholl get killed. Yes, I think that will do very nicely.† He turned toward the two guards. â€Å"Hear that? A tip from the boss. Bet on the dark-haired one,† Gallagher said, twisting the stake against my body. â€Å"I think his brother has more hatred in his belly.† I couldnt see Damons face, but I could picture the smirk that no doubt played on his lips. Gallagher snorted in laughter and threw the vervain-soaked stake to the floor. â€Å"Oh, and I dont want you using the stakes on the vampires for sport anymore,† he said in the direction of the guards. The heavyset one glanced guiltily down at the floor. â€Å"Why not?† the other asked indignantly. â€Å"Its good for em. Shows em their place.† â€Å"Because we want them in tip-top shape for their fight,† Gallagher said, his voice an exaggerated parody of patience. Then Gallagher smiled at us. â€Å"Thats right, boys. You two are going to be fighting, to the death. Its the perfect solution. Ill have one dead vampire to sell for parts, a live one for performances, and profit beyond my wildest imagination. You know, it might be sacrilege, but I say, thank God for vampires!† With that, Gallagher turned to leave the attic, slamming the door behind him. I sank back against the bars. Damon did the same, shutting his eyes. The two guards gaped at us through the bars. â€Å"I know the boss said the dark-haired one, there, but aint he lookin a little weak? My pennies are goin for that boy,† one commented. â€Å"Eh, I always go with what the boss says. Besides, aint all about size, right?† the scrawny one said, sounding affronted by the first guards implication. I slumped against the wall, closing my eyes. The hatred that my brother had for me was surely enough to want me dead. But would Damon really kill me? â€Å"Im more vicious than a crocodile, brother,† Damon said with a smile, his eyes still closed. â€Å"And this is the best piece of news Ive heard since we turned into vampires!† He laughed, long and loud, until one of the guards clambered over and, despite Gallaghers decree, jabbed him with a vervain-laced stake. But even then, he continued to laugh.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Ielts Sample Writing Essay

The amount of sport shown on television every week has increased significantly and this is having an impact on live sports events. Do you think the benefits of having more televised sport are greater than the disadvantages? Sample answer It is now possible to watch live sport on television on any day of the week, and the current amount of coverage will undoubtedly increase in the near future. This is definitely affecting the live sports themselves at some ways, and there are both benefits and drawbacks to this. Why there has been so much sport broadcast? For one thing, with the development of digital broadcasting, there are more TV channels than there were a decade ago. For another thing, sport has become an important form of entertainment, appealing to both men and women. What are the benefits of the increasing televised sport programs? For the sport profession, it is advantageous to have the injection of capital provided by television companies. Large football clubs also benefit financially from TV revenue and the top players can ask for large salaries. Less popular sports also receive money that can be invested in training and awareness-raising. Moreover, there is a health benefit to some of the population, because through televised sport, more people have become interested in actually playing sport. However, there are certain disadvantages to having so much sport on television. Considering football again, many small clubs are suffering financial losses recently, as they cannot compete with the larger ones. There has been a general decline in ticket sales, especially among smaller clubs. Fewer people attend live matches at stadiums nowadays, preferring to watch the live broadcast at their comfort living rooms. What is more, ticket prices have risen dramatically. To sum up, while televised sport has created many opportunities and benefited certain individuals and clubs enormously, it has also been responsible for changing the nature of live events for ever.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Religion class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Religion class - Essay Example The discourse would initially present some comparative highlights on key elements (history and statistics, religious authority, beliefs and doctrine, and rituals and practices) before discussing the comparative evaluation of the differences and similarities in marriage rites between Islam and Christian beliefs. The Christian faith, particularly the Catholic religion is believed to have evolved from Jesus Christ. After Christ’s death, one of his apostles, Peter, was the first to be designated as the head of the Catholic Church. According to Pope Benedict XVI, the mission of the Catholic Church can be summarized â€Å"as a threefold responsibility to proclaim the word of God, celebrate the sacraments, and exercise the ministry of charity† (Benedict XVI 2005). Catholics believe in God, as the Supreme Being and in triumvirate with Jesus Christ, as his Son and the Holy Spirit to form the Blessed Trinity (The Blessed Trinity, 1997). On the other hand, Islam believes in Allah, as the one and only God. The Islam faith was founded by the prophet Mohammed and â€Å"â€Å"unlike Christians, who believe that Jesus was the Son of God and an indivisible part of God, Muslims believe that the Holy Prophet Mohammad (570-632) was a man and that he followed Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus as the last of the great prophets to receive divine revelation. A Muslim believes in the revelation of God through the Quran that was given to Mohammad. For a Muslim, the Quran is God’s Word† (Funk, 2009). As seen from the comparative review, diversity comes in terms of various key elements with similarities only on the following accounts: birth of Jesus and his second coming, salvation sourced from practicing correct beliefs and angels and demons as spiritual beings. All the rest are diversely matchless. The Catholic religion acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God. In Islam, Jesus was believed to be the second to the last prophet.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Made In The USA Still Means Something Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Made In The USA Still Means Something - Essay Example Sirkin believes that public’s growing concerns need to alleviated and positive picture should be brought forward. Sirkin supports this view by informing the readers that US is still producing goods of 2.5 percent more worth than China, which is considered to be the biggest manufacturing industry today. Even in the last year, US reported to export goods worth $1.377 trillion (Sirkin, 2009). Sirkin concludes his article by providing the right course of action which involves effort on the part of the policymakers and managers. In order to understand Sirkin’s perspective, we must be aware that outsourcing is slowly killing the manufacturing industry of US since MNEs are interested in investing R&D in the outsourced countries. Sirkin is taking for granted the fact the certain figures have dropped drastically in the past year and China is quickly catching up despite being a developing economy. Also US, by focusing on manufacturing for only certain sectors such as chemical and aircrafts, is giving way to China as the world’s largest manufacturer. If we take Sirkin’s argument seriously, we should realize that now is the time to act when US is still the biggest manufacturing industry. If the pessimism continues, US will lose its power to the outsourcing countries and the manufacturing industry will be outdated in the true sense. Sirkin has provided a way forward by pointing out that the outdated manufacturing plants can easily be replaced with state-of-the-art manufacturing plants if we clo se the old ones down and make way through policies and actions for new