From A Basement on the Hill and School Life Essay Example for Free

From A Basement on the Hill and School Life Essay Farewell speech 1:- In this farewell speech I am not saying goodbye to the five years I have spent here, for in every facet of school life we have left a mark and each experience can return upon reflection These experiences compose the pages of our book of life. Tonight we, the authors of this book, are writing again. This graduation experience will become a part of it. If you re-read it some day, it will tell you of success. A success of symbolizing years of patience and encouragement on the part of our parents who have raised us, given us guidance in our quest for happiness and success; teachers who have helped us over this step in school life; our friends who are an essential part of your life. To the students in the auditorium now, I say this. Live your life to the fullest and get every ounce of worth out of it. High school life will now open new doors for you. You will meet new friends and learn to get along with people, to give and to take. You will belong to athletic teams and will learn sportsmanship, learn acceptance of victory and defeat. Scholastically, more demands will be made of you. You will learn to take responsibility. Make your years at high school full in every respect. You will never live these years again and there is so much to do. Prepare yourself now for the job to come or university life. Because there is more to learn, more people to meet, more demands. So very much is up to you. Dont be discouraged by failure or disappointment. Failure is a challenge which we must all pick up and fight openly. In overcoming it, we add excitement and suspense to our story. By learning everything I can from this world and its people, by doing everything I can for this world and its people, in years to come I may find the answers, the strength, whatever I see, when I reread what I have writtenwhat you have helped me to write. Tonight I believe that I have stated my preface, the reason for writing my book. If I have fulfilled my purpose, then I have said something that will merit some attention in the book you are writing The words of a song: The web of time entangles and enslaves Enjoy the world. Enjoy it while you may. Each moment that your heart is beating Time is passing, Time is fleeting Live your life. Live it every day. Farewell speech 2:- Farewell 98 Beware, Its a Wide World Respected Principal Sir, Vice-Principal Sir, Teachers, and all my dear friends, including those who are graciously bunking. I looked around for farewell speeches but I couldnt find any worthwhile so I wrote this myself which is why this wont take long. We are gathered here, as most of us probably know, not only for the kachoris, but to bid a fond farewell to the students of Class XII who are leaving the esteemed establishment of the Kendriya VidyalayaSangathan, and venturing out into the real world. We dont know what truths they will find out there, what experiences they will have and we can only shower them with our best wishes and words of encouragement. Im not too good with words so I thought Id make my message clearer with a few lines from a Maxi Priest song. I think it goes somewhat like this But if you want to leave, Take good care. Hope you find a lot of nice friends out there. Just remember theres a lot of bad. Beware. Its a wide world. But most of us wont have a problem there because weve spent a lot of our years in KV, where along with the regular by the book education we are imparted with values. All through your school life you have probably been wondering what exactly the teachers were prattling on about but now that its time for you to leave your sheltered life and go out into the real world, now, you will realise the value of those words that our teachers painstakingly drone into us. And these moments of emotion will be the last that youll be spending in the shelter of our school. Within a month youd have left the shelter of your cocooned school lives and all you ugly caterpillars will flutter off in various directions as beautiful butterflies into a world where you know not what awaits you. But through your lives youll always remember your days here, fondly I hope. And within those memories of friends, teachers and the muddle of pleasant and unpleasant experiences may you remember the lessons that this school and its dedicated staff of teachers have taught. And may those lessons guide you on your paths to realise the dreams youve set out to make true. Because no matter what you do, no matter where you go, all through your lives youll only be richer with the experiences and knowledge that youve gathered in your schooling lives. Id just like to sign off with a line from a Bob Dylan number that really contain the essence of what Ive been trying to say here. Goodbye is too good a word, so Ill just say fare-thee-well.

Production of Hydrophobic Bioplastics using Silicon Dioxide

Production of Hydrophobic Bioplastics using Silicon Dioxide ABSTRACT Silicon dioxide (SiO2), also known as silica, is a chemical compound that comes in different forms and has a variety of uses. One form is silica gel, which is used as a desiccant in shoe boxes and bags to prevent rupturing, and to prevent molds in food products. Silica is the main material in our project because it has water-repelling properties and our group planned to create hydrophobic bioplastics with these properties. The purpose of this study is to benefit people in many ways. One way is the protection for electronic gadgets from water. Another method is to speed up the cleaning of food containers. With the hydrophobic properties of our plastic, water has less contact with it making washing containers easier. To test our plastics we produced for hydrophobic properties (or wetability), we used a testing method known as the drop contact method. Twelve pieces of 2cm x 2cm plastic samples were prepared – with 3 pieces per concentration. A graduated dropper was used to drop 1mL of water on each plastic sample over a dish. The amount of water on the dish shows how much water each plastic sample repels. Our results show that as the concentration of the silicon dioxide increases, the water repelled decreases.  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­ Background of the Study: SiO2 is a substance used to produce modern plastics. The group came up with an idea of making use of the said substance to produce hydrophobic plastics which could be a big help in latest technology and practical activities in our daily lives. Through this, we could also expand the capability of the silicon dioxide which may be used also in different ways. Research Hypothesis: If silicon dioxide is added as a material in the production of plastics, then a more hydrophobic plastic will be produced. Objectives of the Study General Objective: This study was conducted to test the effectiveness of silicon dioxide in producing hydrophobic plastics. Specific Objectives: Produce an inexpensive and durable hydrophobic bioplastic material. Test the hydrophobicity of the bioplastic produced using the drop contact testing method. Significance of the Study The researchers chose the topic because of the advantages that could be given to us people not only in our homes but on other fields of industries by the product. Plastics are widely used all over the world; it is the main reason why the researchers would like to introduce new technology in the form of hydrophobic plastics. If the project would be successful, hydrophobic plastics would be a big help in cleaning surfaces of plastics. For instances, dusts on plastics could be easily washed away by pouring water into the surface of the plastic. Hydrophobic plastics could also be alternative casings to our gadgets and appliances. It could protect our modern technologies from water penetration. It would also bring advantages in storing food products in the refrigerator like meats and fishes. The product will also be a good container for soaps, toothbrushes, plates and other household materials. Scope and Limitations The research shall only focus in the ability of plastic to repel water. Other characteristics of a plastic shall be maintained. In the production of the plastic, silicon dioxide will be the only addition to the regular raw materials of the process. Review of Related Literature Repellant Plastics GE accomplished this by modifying a material that’s a mainstay of its plastics business. And they took their inspiration from the leaves of the lotus plant, which is naturally super hydrophobic; microscopic inspection of lotus leaves reveals their nanocrystalline wax structure. The lotus leaf surface has cells 5-10 micrometers wide, on top of which are tiny wax crystals that are tens of nanometers wide. On a lotus leaf, water beads look almost like perfect spheres. GE set out to mimic this pattern on the surface of its polycarbonate material, essentially by â€Å"roughening† the surface in a specific way. Tao Deng, materials scientist at GE, is tight-lipped about the process, but says it was done with a â€Å"chemical treatment of the surface.†GE succeeded with its prototype last summer, but only began discussing the advance in recent weeks. One of the significant downsides is that the process leaves the plastic opaque, not transparent. That means it would not work for plastic windows or clear food containers. But a clear version is not far off. â€Å"That’s coming,† Deng says. Even getting the opaque versions into real products will take some time. GE estimates it will be at least five years before commercialization, once the manufacturing issues are resolved. Five years isn’t that much time, though – about how long it takes for all the ketchup to drip out of today’s plastic bottles. Hydrophobic Glasses BalcoNano stated that there are two categories of what is known in the market as â€Å"self-cleaning† glass. These two categories are: glass coated or applied with hydrophilic layer that uses photo catalytic decomposition, and glass coated or applied with a hydrophobic protective coating. The microscopically rough surface of glass is what makes it hard to clean. Dirt, bacteria and other particles can get deep into the glasses that it cannot be removed with any cleaning material. To solve this problem, we can make the surface of the glass very water repelling or hydrophobic. Applying a hydrophobic coating to the glass gives it a sort of shield. Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to the surface created by the hydrophobic coating. This form of glass works in a similar way to Teflon works on a frying pan. It produces a non-stick surface and water will run off of this surface quickly and not streak. The coating or applications of this type are silica based and create a nano-scale film that covers the microscopic valleys and peaks on the surface of glass. This type of self-clean coating prevents the contamination, dirt and grime from clinging onto the glass or fixing to the surface. There are advantages and disadvantages of hydrophobic coated glass. An advantage is that everything that gets put on the glass can be easily removed with water. Dirt, graffiti, and paint can get washed off with just a splash or two. A disadvantage is that coatings may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, and that application is not easy. Factory applied coatings, depending on the exact product, have a life span of 3 to 10 years in external conditions. Cost wise the hydrophobic coatings and applications are usually about half the cost of the hydrophilic type glasses. Many industries and manufacturers commonly use silica powders alone or in combination with other ingredients. The mineral has moisture absorbing and thickening properties. These characteristics make silica useful in construction materials, cosmetics, and some foods. Silica is one of the most common minerals on the planet. It is a component of sand and quartz along with other minerals. Manufacturers obtain natural silica by mining and grind the substance into granules or fine powders. Some companies make synthetic silica, but both types commonly start with silica sand. Both natural and synthetic silica powders are frequently found in non-food products. Microscopic diatoms, which are hard-shelled skeletal remains of single celled plants, also contain silicon dioxide. These remains exist in salt and fresh water beds. These types of silica are frequently referred to as amorphous silica. They are frequently ground into granules or a fine powder, sometimes called silica flour. Diatomaceous earth silica may be used in food or non-food products. Quartz powders or glass powders are silica sand heated to extreme temperatures and melted. Artisans and manufacturers mold and shape the molten material. When cooled, the substance becomes glass. Paints, plastics, polyvinyl chloride glue, and corrosive resistant coatings all contain silica powders. In some of these products, the silica acts as a thickening or hardening agent. Some cleansers and detergents contain silica powders. The granulated mineral scrubs surfaces by means of mechanical abrasion. Silica detergents might be used for washing clothes, dishes, or be found in general powdered cleaners. Abrasive action is also desired in some toothpastes, which contain diatomaceous earth silica as one of the ingredients. When used in hand cleaners, the abrasive nature of silica may cause rashes or other skin irritations. Silica cosmetics contain the silky translucent powder to absorb skin oils. The mineral is thought to be hypoallergenic and some believe the substance reduces the visibility of facial lines and wrinkles. Consumers may purchase silica powders and add the substance to lawns or soil to increase moisture retention. Some believe the powdered form also deters or eliminates insect pests, though inhaling the product may lead to serious lung inflammation or possibly cancer. Food and pharmaceutical industries commonly use silica powders for the mineral’s ability to absorb up to 50% of its weight in moisture. Food grade, or the diatomaceous earth form of silica powders, is commonly used as an anti-caking agent in coffee creamers, powdered foods, and seasonings. The self-contained gel packs frequently found in medications and over-the-counter supplement bottles usually contain some form of silica. Bioplastics Bioplastic isnotmade from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource. Bioplastics come fromsustainable renewable resources. Corn regrows in a year. They arenon- toxic:no harmful toxins will leak into the food compostable. Best case scenario it ends in a commercial compost facility where it composts, and is used to feed the soil and grow more plants. Biodegradable Bioplastic takes longer to biodegrade in home composts, where conditions are uncontrolled and are rarely optimal. If it does end up in a landfill it will biodegrade if it is exposed to bacteria, moisture and heat. There are different biodegradable plastics available, each with their own properties: PLA is made from fermented corn starch, and is a great alternative to conventional petroleum based plastic in many applications. PLA is transparent and heat sensitive to 40 C. It’s used on its own, or as a thin sheet over bagasse or cardboard to act as a moisture or grease barrier. It is used to make our  bags, bowls,  cupsand  lids. CPLA is a combination of PLA, chalk and other biodegradable additives and can withstand temperatures of up to 95 °C without deforming. It is usually opaque in colour and is used for making our disposable  cutlery  and  coffee cup lids. Definition of Terms For this research study, one must know and understand the following terms: Plastics are one of class of organic compounds made from hydrocarbons, proteins, cellulose, or resins that can be molded, extruded, cast, or otherwise fabricated into various shapes. In this study, we use bioplastics which are just plastics developed from cornstarch. Hydrophobicity is a characteristic of a material to repel water. Drop contact is a testing method to determine the hydrophobicity of the material. It is done by dropping a constant amount of water on a sample material over a dish. The amount of water on the dish shows how much water the sample repels. METHODOLOGY Procedure Preparation of materials The researchers prepared the various raw materials that make up the bioplastic: powdered silica, starch, vinegar, glycerin and water. Three different 7 cm x 7cm x 1 cm containers were also prepared and were labeled A, B and C. The materials and then placed in different containers, grouped as: ‘A’ for 0% concentration, ‘B’ for 1% concentration, ‘C’ for 2% concentration, and ‘D’ for 3% concentration.[Sir Jay1]  ­Ã‚ ­Production of the Plastic The materials mentioned above are mixed then heated until the mixture boils and creates a clear substance. After heating, the mixture is placed on a flat surface depending on the desired thickness. The mixture was set aside to dry until it produced a durable plastic. For the constant group; the researchers mixed 48g of cornstarch, 314ml of water, 8ml of vinegar, and another 8ml of glycerin. Thus 330 ml of mixture is produced which is divided into three making it 110 ml for each plastic sample. For 1% concentration; 3.3 ml of the 330 ml mixture is removed and replaced with 6.3g of powdered SiO2. The 330 ml with 1% concentration is also divided into three making it 110 ml of 1% concentration for each plastic sample. For 2% concentration; 6.6 ml of the 330 ml mixture is removed and replaced with 12.6g of powdered SiO2. The 330 ml with 2% concentration is also divided into three making it 110 ml of 1% concentration for each plastic sample. For 3% concentration; 9.9 ml of the 330 ml mixture is removed and replaced with 18.9g of powdered SiO2. The 330 ml with 3% concentration is also divided into three making it 110 ml of 1% concentration for each plastic sample. Testing and Data Gathering The produced plastic is tested on its hydrophobic properties by comparing the amount of water repelled by each of the concentrations (using the drop contact testing method). The dimensions of the sample material for each concentration that we used are 2 cm by 2 cm. The statistical test we have selected for this study is one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. Analysis If the silica-concentrated group shows a noteworthy distinction to the control, we can conclude that SiO2 is effective in making hydrophobic plastic. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION TABLE 1 Amount of water repelled by the produced bioplastics with different silica concentrations Reflected in Table 1 the evidence showing variability in the amount of water repelled by the plastics produced using different concentrations of silica. The minimum mean (0.63 mL) is in the control and the maximum (0.78 mL) is shared 2% and 3% concentration. FIGURE 1 Line graph showing the correlation between the values of the amount of water repelled Then, the researchers tested the data obtained using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test to see if there is a significant difference among the control and independent variables. According to the results of the test, there is a very significant difference (0.0002) on 0% vs 1% and extremely significant differences on 0% vs 2% and 0% vs 3%. However, the 1%, 2% and 3% concentrations show no significant differences when compared with each other. Furthermore, there is positive correlation (0.9012). CONCLUSION The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of silicon dioxide (SiO2) powder to the production of hydrophobic bioplastics. According to the results of our experiment, adding silicon dioxide to the contents of a bioplastic evidently makes it more hydrophobic. However, varying the concentration does not affect the hydrophobicity of the plastic. RECOMMENDATION The research group recommends adding more variations to the concentrations to give a better comparison of the experiment. Adding more trials to each concentration is also recommended to make the results more accurate. Also, using Tapioca starch is a great alternative for making the bioplastic. Remember to make the right calculations for the concentrations. Maintain the same shape, area, and weight for all trials of the plastic so that the comparison is accurate.  ­ BIBLIOGRAPHY BalcoNanoâ„ ¢. (n.d.). Hydrophobic Glasses. Retrieved from BalcoNano: http://www.balconano.com/HydrophobicGlass.aspx Craig Freudenrich, P. (n.d.). How Plastics Work. Retrieved from Howstuffworks: http://science.howstuffworks.com/plastic5.htm Hall, M. J., Barwick, S. (2013, April 10). What Are the Different Uses of Silica Powders? Retrieved from wiseGEEK: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-uses-of-silica-powders.htm Mempro Materials. (n.d.). Silicon Dioxide Nanofiber Materials. Retrieved from Mempro: http://mempro.com/products/ceramic-nanofiber-materials/silicon-dioxide-nanofiber-material/ Rice University News Release. (2010, September 1). Silicon oxide circuits break barrier. Retrieved from Understanding Nano: http://www.understandingnano.com/silicon-oxide-nanowire-memory.html Talbot, D. (2006, February 23). Super-Repellent Plastic. Retrieved from MIT Technology Review: http://www.technologyreview.com/news/405378/super-repellent-plastic/ http://www.greenhome.co.za/raw-materials/plant-starch/ APPENDICES Appendix A Total Cost of the Project Total project cost: à ¢Ã‚ ±Ã‚ £ 863.00 APPENDIX B Ordinary One-Way ANOVA (at ÃŽ ± = 0.05) APPENDIX C Tukey’s Multiple Comparisons (at ÃŽ ± = 0.05)  ­ 1 [Sir Jay1]revise

Holistic Design Essay -- Industry Industrial Essays

Holistic Design Thesis: Design is the root of action; if we can creatively construct our products and systems with purpose and understanding of the processes and side effects of these systems, we can improve our relationship to the natural world. Introduction to Industrial Design Our modern lives are full of manufactured products. Nearly everything that surrounds us in our day-to-day lives is born of intense industrial processes, yet rarely do we think of the systems that support our lifestyles. Finding a single action in a day that does not somehow depend on fossil fuels is nearly impossible. Everything we use, eat, or come in contact with has either been shipped or manufactured (or both) far away from where we live, and arrives at our door via processes that gobble up mounds of natural resources (Chiras, 2000). Because of the affluence of our lifestyle, we do not see the effects of these processes, and thus we rarely consider the long-term sustainability of our daily actions. While humans have always survived by our ability to use our surroundings, the industrial revolution increased our power to thrive, also increasing the size of our "footprint" (amount of land or resources required to sustain us). The machines that arose (and the knack for utilizing the energy in fossil fuels) during the industrial revolution greatly increased the output of manufacturing companies, also increasing the inputs of raw materials (Chiras, 2001). This increase in demand has led to intense mining, logging and agricultural processes that have left us with a less healthy world. Since industrial systems have been in place (mid 1700's), greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased, raising global temperatures, and threatening drastic... ...iras, Daniel (2000). The Natural House. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing. Haines, Andrew, McMichael, Anthony J., Epstein, Paul R., McCally, Michael. Sept. 19, 2000. "Environment and Health 2: Global Climate Change and Health." CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 163, Issue 6. Janzen, J. Daniel. Review of Cradle to Cradle. Flak Magazine. http://flakmag.com/books/cradletocradle.html. November 3, 2003. Lancaster, Brad. Lecture. May 2003. Tucson, Arizona. McDonough, Bill and Michael Braungart (2002). Cradle to Cradle. New York: North Point Press. McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry Home Page. http://www.mbdc.com/profile_clients.htm November 3, 2003. Mollison, Bill (1988). Permaculture: A Designer's Manual. Tyalgum, Australia: Tagari Publications. Reynolds, Michael (1990). Earthship, Vol. 1. Taos, New Mexico: Solar Survival Press. Holistic Design Essay -- Industry Industrial Essays Holistic Design Thesis: Design is the root of action; if we can creatively construct our products and systems with purpose and understanding of the processes and side effects of these systems, we can improve our relationship to the natural world. Introduction to Industrial Design Our modern lives are full of manufactured products. Nearly everything that surrounds us in our day-to-day lives is born of intense industrial processes, yet rarely do we think of the systems that support our lifestyles. Finding a single action in a day that does not somehow depend on fossil fuels is nearly impossible. Everything we use, eat, or come in contact with has either been shipped or manufactured (or both) far away from where we live, and arrives at our door via processes that gobble up mounds of natural resources (Chiras, 2000). Because of the affluence of our lifestyle, we do not see the effects of these processes, and thus we rarely consider the long-term sustainability of our daily actions. While humans have always survived by our ability to use our surroundings, the industrial revolution increased our power to thrive, also increasing the size of our "footprint" (amount of land or resources required to sustain us). The machines that arose (and the knack for utilizing the energy in fossil fuels) during the industrial revolution greatly increased the output of manufacturing companies, also increasing the inputs of raw materials (Chiras, 2001). This increase in demand has led to intense mining, logging and agricultural processes that have left us with a less healthy world. Since industrial systems have been in place (mid 1700's), greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased, raising global temperatures, and threatening drastic... ...iras, Daniel (2000). The Natural House. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing. Haines, Andrew, McMichael, Anthony J., Epstein, Paul R., McCally, Michael. Sept. 19, 2000. "Environment and Health 2: Global Climate Change and Health." CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 163, Issue 6. Janzen, J. Daniel. Review of Cradle to Cradle. Flak Magazine. http://flakmag.com/books/cradletocradle.html. November 3, 2003. Lancaster, Brad. Lecture. May 2003. Tucson, Arizona. McDonough, Bill and Michael Braungart (2002). Cradle to Cradle. New York: North Point Press. McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry Home Page. http://www.mbdc.com/profile_clients.htm November 3, 2003. Mollison, Bill (1988). Permaculture: A Designer's Manual. Tyalgum, Australia: Tagari Publications. Reynolds, Michael (1990). Earthship, Vol. 1. Taos, New Mexico: Solar Survival Press.

African American Psychology Essay -- essays research papers

Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery: Liberation from Mental Slavery The author of this article, Dr. Na’im Akbar, begins by explaining human nature and tries to communicate what makes human beings a special species and concludes that self-consciousness is the one characteristic that sets us apart from all other forms of animal life on this planet. The fact that we have a feeling of who we are and as a group of people; we do not feel that we have limitations. Moreover, because of this self-knowledge, we are able to make progress. However, the author makes it clear that we do have at least one major limitation that can keep us from making progress and that rests in out ignorance. She states that we are ignorant in who we are and what we can do. We do not have to remain ignorant; if we gain consciousness, our true human capacity is open to us. Just as we have the potential to be an amazing species, we also have the potential to be an amazingly cruel and despicable species. The author notes that we are the only life form who can engage in collectiv e and individual self-murder with no acceptable motive. Dr. Akbar goes on to explain that human beings have always worked to create circumstances to maximize their consciousness. People knew that by working the other way and minimizing other human beings’ consciousness, this would be the basis for oppression. The article notes that human slavery is a gradual process in which the mind of a people is brought under control and ...

Plato and Aristotle Essay -- Philosophy Essays Wellness

Plato and Aristotle Plato and Aristotle have two distinct views on wellness. However, each man’s opinion on wellness is directly tied in to his respective opinions on the idea of imitation as a form of knowledge. Their appreciation or lack thereof for tragedy is in fact directly correlated to their own perspective on wellness and emotion. Firstly, it is important to consider each man’s view of wellness—that is how does each man go about addressing emotional stability. One important consideration is the approach Plato takes in relation to Aristotle. It is this approach that we will see actually mirroring between how they treat emotional well-being and their tolerance for imitation. In order to understand this hypothesis that each thinker’s handling of wellness is representative of how they handle imitation (and thus, representation), we need to step back and examine how in fact each gentleman approaches the question of emotional stability and happiness. For Plato, as defined in the â€Å"Republic†, emotion is to be suppressed. Speaking of poetry, he says: â€Å"We’d be right, then to delete the lamentations of famous men† (63). The idea of deletion is exactly what he is after. Taking something quite real, very much a part of the present moment, and with the swipe of an eraser, dimissing it as gone. In poetry, it is called deletion, and the words are no longer on the page. In psychology, it is called repression, and the concepts suggested for deletion are instead relegated to swell in the caverns of one’s mind. Plato speaks of emotion in poetry at other times as something we should â€Å"expunge† (61). Again, entrenched in his linguistics is a conscious hat tip to repression, to keeping emotion—be that joy, sadness, despair—out of highe... ...fact directly linked to his understanding of wellness, and the need to have an emotional release as a part of that wellness. What can then be steeped out of these observations? It becomes apparent that Plato and Aristotle do in fact have different views on how to reconcile wellness and these different views are directly linked to their approach to imitation. For Plato, who believes in ‘deleting’ and suppressing emotion, imitation is a device much too emotional for his support. The Aristotelian view that emotion is in fact a natural part of life, knowledge, and our own wellness translates in to his acceptance (if not always full embrace) of imitation. While different, the two men reconcile the problems of wellness in terms of the knowledge they deem acceptable. Works Cited Plato. Republic. Translated by Grube, G.M.A. Hackett. Second Ed. Indianapolis, 1992.

Research Proposal Same Sex Marriage Essay

Same sex marriage has been one of the many recent political â€Å"hot† topics. It is a popular subject in political debate, national newspapers, and media coverage. These debates, articles, and reports are often focusing on rights outlined in constitutional laws, amendments and Bill of Rights as a source of the right of same sex couples to marry. Some states have addressed the issue of such rights in court cases throughout the United States with varying outcomes. This research paper is concerned with the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. It will examine the Fourteenth Amendment and the equal protection clause. It will also examine previous court cases and the outcomes. It will further demonstrate possible economic concerns of legalized same sex marriage. Research Question What issues and possible constitutional infringements surround the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment? References National Tax Journal, Vol. 53, Issue 2, June 2000 Lesbian Couples, National Center for Lesbian Rights, www.ncirights.org Legal Marriage, Court Cases, Partners Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Task Force, http://www.buddybuddy.com/t-line-1-html Policy.com Gay Marriage, Civil Liberties Union, http://www.aclu.org/library/aagaymarriage.html

Has the Impact of 9/11 Been Baneful or Beneficial?

2013-02-0108 Bilal Syed Critical Issues in Pakistan’s foreign policy 13th October 2012 Has the impact of 9/11 been baneful or beneficial to Pakistan’s security environment? Analyze. The second year of the new millennium was witness to an event which might have perhaps altered the geo-political structure of the world and gave birth to a whole new phenomenon, one, which has been directing foreign policy affairs of the world for almost a decade now.This event comprised the four terrorist attacks on United States soil, on September the eleventh, 2001, in which hijacked planes crashed into the twin towers of the world trade centre, the Pentagon and one fell short of its target in Shanksfield Pennsylvania. These events gave birth to the â€Å"war on terror†, which has not only affected the United States but a lot of other countries as well, especially Pakistan, who had a prominent geo strategic location in the vicinity of the battle grounds for this war. This war has h ad both positive and negative effects on the security and general stability of Pakistan.This essay will try to discern these effects and establish whether in the long run, the impact of 9/11 has been baneful or beneficial to Pakistan’s security environment. Firstly, the positive impacts of the war on terror will be considered. Since the perpetrators of the attacks were considered to be hiding in Afghanistan, all the surrounding countries in the region became important strategic partners of the United States and its allies. Pakistan, perhaps the most influential since it had a long history of dealing with the Taliban and had in depth knowledge of the terrain and surrounding area.Chairperson, Department of Political Science, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Professor Razia Musarrat claims that â€Å"Pakistan’s geographical location, its nearness with Afghanistan, its close relations with the Taliban regime, its deep knowledge of the rugged terrain of Afghanistan, a nd its history of Cold War alliance made Pakistan obviously the most important strategic asset for the United States. † Pakistan offered its support to the United States including airbases and military intelligence to help eradicate the terrorist elements present in Afghanistan. As a result over the years Pakistan has received military ssistance and aid from the United States, helping in brining military and technological advancements to the country. It is important to note that at the time of these attacks, Pakistan was in isolation at the world stage due to sanctions imposed on it, after it carried out nuclear tests in 1998. India too was facing the same sanctions, but having a stronger economy meant that it managed to survive this dry spell comparatively more easily than Pakistan. Pakistan on the other hand was suffering from the consequences of these sanctions and the war on terror surprisingly came as a relief.Pakistan has been given economic assistance of almost ten bill ion dollars over a period of ten years as its ties with the waste slowly improved. This aid rescued its stagnant economy and ensured that Pakistan’s economic woes were overcome, a change, very welcome for the Musharraf regime. Thirdly, post 9/11, South Asia became the centre of the World’s attention. A senior political analyst notes, that â€Å"with the presence of two nuclear power friends, and an Al-Qaeda-strewn Afghanistan, South Asia assumed a strategic status in American eyes. The rebirth of South Asia prominence was not limited to America, rather for whole the world.There was a long chain of Heads of States, and highest officials visiting the region every alternative day were evidence of long term strategic interests of the US in the region. † This new found attention allowed internationally isolated Pakistan and India back into the main stream of world politics and bolstered the image of the country in the eyes of the world, as a nation that was against t errorism. A somewhat debateable positive outcome, but one that could be true is that this war against terrorism helped to control the spread of militancy in the country.Former foreign minister of Pakistan, Mr Abdul Sattar argues that, â€Å"another significant benefit of the post-9/11 policy has been containment of the baneful influence of extremists and militants. † Had the war on terror not been targeted against organizations like Al-Qaeda, they might have consolidated their positions in Afghanistan and Pakistan and continued to follow their own agenda’s. The post 9/11 policy helped to contain this spread of ideology but unfortunately could not eliminate it from society completely. Another major impact of the war on terror, it can be argued, is that it led to stability in the region.The main cause of instability in the region over the years has been hostile Pakistan, India relations. Three major wars and countless other incidents aimed at undermining the other countr y, have soured an already messy divorce. The acquisition of nuclear warheads by both states coupled with the Kashmir issue, have caused this region to become highly volatile. This was also the case post 9/11, when after an attack on the Indian parliament in December of 2001, India mobilized its military forces on a large scale against Pakistan.Pakistan too responded and both armies stood face to face with each other opposite the international borders. There was a very serious threat of an outbreak of nuclear war and alarm bells started ringing in the international arena. Eventually it was the presence of the United States in the region which helped diffuse the highly volatile situation. The threat of nuclear war, coupled with the fear that a Pakistan-India war would be harmful to the war on terror, meant that the United Sates put in a full hearted effort to ease tensions.This was eventually the case and stability was brought to the region again. These are some of the positive outcom es to the war on terror for Pakistan. But there have been dreadful negative consequences for the country as well. Firstly, just like it can be argued that just like US presence brought stability to the region; it also brought a lot of instability. This is evident from the impact of the war on Afghanistan, where Prof. Dr. Razia Musarrat argues, that the â€Å"Taliban government had been successful to restore a kind of stability in Afghanistan for the first time after a very long period of unrest.America, by ripping to pieces the Taliban regime, once again pushed Afghanistan into a new phase of insurgency and civil war. This unstable and troubled situation will not remain confined within the Afghan borders; rather will soon spread into the neighbouring states. We can see for ourselves that the unrest and turbulence in Afghanistan has leaked out into Pakistan. † This has been a cause of great concern for Pakistan, because the Afghani brand of militancy and extremism has seeped i n the country and has started rearing its ugly head against the state.Secondly, Pakistan had friendly relations with the Taliban prior to the American offensive. So much so that they were considered supporters of the Taliban, a notion which caused concern to other surrounding countries like India. But after the war, the northern alliance came into power and the resulting Afghan government did not have a favourable view of Pakistan. India on the other hand took advantage of this and firmly established itself in Afghanistan. It became the largest regional donor of aid to Afghanistan in the post war period.Strong relations with Afghanistan could very beneficial for Indian foreign policy since Afghanistan shares such a large border with Pakistan. Having strong relations with a hostile neighbour’s neighbour is a strategically strong move and puts Pakistan in a delicate situation. Also, India could have easy access to Central Asia via Afghanistan, which could give it access to thei r abundant natural resources and open other cheaper trading avenues. India would not have to be dependent on Pakistan for access to Central Asia, which might come across as another blow to Pakistan.Another cause of concern for Pakistan, at the political level, was constant Indian pressure that Pakistan provided a safe haven for terrorists. India took advantage of American presence in the region and looked at this as an opportunity to further one of its foreign policy goals, that is, to ensure that Pakistan was strongly implicated in harbouring terrorists under its roof. The case for this argument was of course Pakistan’s close relations with the Taliban and the fact that Pakistan was a big supporter of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.Secondly India had claimed time and again that Pakistan uses terrorist groups to promote their foreign policy agenda’s. They claimed that the Pakistani intelligence cell, the ISI, with the blessings of the government equipped, trained an d infiltrated militants into Kashmir. This was a very serious claim considering Pakistan was a nuclear state which endorsed state sponsored terrorism. The Indian government hoped that the United States would finally understand India’s point of view and become an ally of India against Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism. Indian security agencies hope that the terrorist attack in New York on Tuesday will see the United States put pressure on Pakistan to extradite Dawood Ibrahim, Tiger Memon, Chhota Shakeel and others, who masterminded the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in March 1993. † Domestically, Pakistan has had to pay a very heavy price for the part it has played in the war. There has been a huge increase in the number of terrorist and militant organizations in the country after the war.Following the events of the 2001-2002 standoff between Pakistan and India, Musharraf, pledged to crack down on the militant organizations working in the country. They were obvio usly not willing to go easily and put up resistance by targeting government and security establishments. Thousands of innocent civilians were killed as result of suicide attacks and the whole country was gripped in a constant state of fear. The law and order situation got so wore that the president himself narrowly survived two bold attempts on his life.The backlash was the worst in the north western region, for the people divided by international borders shared the same strong bonds of ethnicity and culture. Taking cue from the Taliban of Afghanistan, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan became an active anti-state terrorist organization comprised of mostly Pashtoons, just like the Afghani Taliban. It is responsible for carrying out hundreds of terrorist attacks on state owned institutions and civilians as well. They were perhaps behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and one of the biggest causes for instability in the Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa province.The situation became too bad to be i gnored and the Pakistan military launched a full scale military operation in which thousands of troops were involved to deal with this menace. Even though millions of rupees and a lot of soldiers were lost in the operation, the operation was unsuccessful and the Taliban continue living in the mountains of the Waziristan region, albeit as outlaws and vigilantes. This religious extremist ideology, unfortunately, is not only confined to Pakistan’s western provinces. This menace has slowly started spreading in the comparatively more peaceful Punjab and Sindh provinces as well.The society is slowly becoming more polarised on the issue of whether Pakistan should keep on fighting America’s war. Others however believe this is a war for Pakistan’s own survival. Whatever the case is, the country has been gripped in a constant state of fear and gloom. Notions of national cohesiveness and unity are fast withering away as the Pashtoon and Baloch communities claim they have f elt the brunt of the war on terror, a notion that is true considering the drone attacks that are carried out in their homelands.A 2012 report on the security situation of 2011 in Pakistan puts the matter in better perspective. â€Å"While  FATA  continued to reel under the impact of terrorism, there was no respite from terror in  KP  as well. Sindh continued to experience a more  centralized pattern  of violence in and around Karachi. However, the extension of the influence of armed extremist political, ethnic, sectarian and criminal groups in the city, and the chances of violence spreading to other areas of the Province, could not be ruled out. † Overall the costs of this war on terror have been staggering for Pakistan.The costs, in terms of monetary terms, political terms, social terms and most importantly loss of life are so huge, that Pakistan is still reeling from the blow. The report mentioned earlier, gives an idea regarding the losses sustained by Pakistan . â€Å"Pakistan’s continuing engagement with the production and export of Islamist extremism and terrorism continued to produce a bloody blowback at home, with a total of at least 6,142 persons, including of 2,797 militants, 2,580 civilians and 765 Security Forces (SFs) personnel killed in 2011.However, even this worrying total constituted an improvement of 17. 75 per cent over the preceding year. 7,435 persons, including 5,170 militants, 1,796 civilians and 469 SF personnel, had been killed in 2010. † Secondly, the war has almost dried up foreign investment in Pakistan, as no one is willing to come here considering the prevailing security situation and the unstable political scenario.The economy is in shambles as a major chunk of the budget goes to the army and less and less is spent on the people. It is true that Pakistan is getting aid from outside, but it cannot just rely on aid to survive in the future. A major energy crisis has added to the woes of the country a nd caused great distress to the public. Anti American sentiments are now at an all time high and the country looks forward to the day it does not have to deal with these issues any more.As former foreign minister Abdul Sattar says, â€Å"So colossal have been the human and material ravages our country has suffered during the last decade that no sensitive citizen can but wish Pakistan had followed a different course, one that might have saved our country and people from the nightmare in which we are still trapped. † If the positive and negative outcomes of the post 9/11 policy are weighed against each other, it can be concluded that it has been overall more baneful than beneficial to the country.Yes, the policy allowed Pakistan to come back into the main stream of international politics and yes, it caused an influx of foreign aid into the country which rescued a stagnant economy, but at what cost? The material costs of thousands of dollars or the cost of human life, to which a value cannot be assigned, have been tremendous. The country is gripped by a war that is ravaging its socio-political fabric. The economy is once again in shambles and the country stands on the brink of bankruptcy.The more alarming thought is that, the war on terror is still not over and its consequences keep haunting the country. Once the coalition troops leave Afghanistan, the whole region will be locked in a geo-political struggle for supremacy and with major players like hostile India involved, the odds do not look good for Pakistan. Works Cited: Balakrishnan, S. â€Å"India Hopes US Will Now Pressurise Pak. †Ã‚  The Times Of India. N. p. , 2001. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. . â€Å"Pakistan Assessment 2012.   South Asia Terrorism Portal. N. p. , n. d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. . Musarrat, Prof. Dr. Razia. â€Å"US WAR ON TERRORISM AND ITS IMPACT ON SOUTH ASIA. † Thesis. University of the Punjab, n. d. Http://pu. edu. pk. University of the Punjab. Web. http://pu. edu. pk/images/ journal/pols/Currentissue-pdf/RAZIA. pdf Sattar, Abdul. â€Å"REVISIT TO POST-9/11 POLICY. †Ã‚  Criterion-Quarterly  7. 1 (2012): n. pag. Criterion-quarterly. com. 2012. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. .