Saving Belizes Barrier Reefs Essay Example for Free

Saving Belizes Barrier Reefs Essay Earth’s resources are not limitless, they have breaking points and natural properties can be threatened by a multitude of factors that can leave the area in ruins. The Belize Barrier Reef is such an area. It is a breathtaking natural system, home to a diverse array of life forms, which is being threatened by mankind and environmental factors. Conservation efforts can be put into action to ensure the continued existence of this site, but those efforts require financial backing. With proper monetary support, the increased conservation efforts can reverse the destruction on the reef. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a rich and diverse ecosystem that can be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come. * The coastal area of Belize is the location of The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The reef is the largest of its kind within the northern hemisphere, stretching out over 200 miles along Belize’s coast. The reef contains many mangrove forests, large atolls, pristine lagoons, and approximately 450 sand cays. Additionally, the reef is home to a plethora of marine life which both directly and indirectly impacts this ecosystem and the diverse life contained within. The preservation of this site is crucial due to the abundant threatened species that make their home in the reef. Specifically, there are nearly a thousand species that inhabit the reef such as the loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles, the largest population of manatees in the world, and the American marine crocodile. Additionally, the reef system is home to numerous types of coral, sharks, barracuda, dolphins, angelfish, and several species of birds. The aquatic and plant life of the reef react and prosper through their connections; the reef and the vegetation within provide shelter and food for this array of life that live within (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1992-2012). * With the abundant life forms that exist within the reef, it is imperative that it be protected, yet the reef system is in danger as a result of huma n interference and climate issues. Because the world is a giant ecosystem, human mistreatment has led to imbalances on a dramatic level, such as fluctuating climate. This climate control issue is adversely affecting both  the water level in the reef and the organisms within. Tropical storms have been an issue as well as they threaten the coast with tidal waves and erosion, however the reef and mangrove cays do offer significant protection to the areas further inland (Young, 2008). According to World Resources Institute (2008), â€Å"Coral reefs and mangroves are highly interconnected habitats, physically supporting each other and providing habitat for many species. For example, mangroves filter sediment and pollutants from coastal runoff, supporting the clean water favored by corals. Many species important to fisheries and tourism rely upon mangrove habitat for part of their life-cycle† (p. 2). * With the delicate balance of this ecosystem and all it offers, it would stand to reason that locals would do everything possible to preserve the reef, yet that is not the case. In fact, locals and tourists are threatening this precious ecosystem and could cause its decline. Deforestation, oil drilling, and coastal development are all threats. In 2002 crude oil was discovered in Belize, igniting frenzy and attracting hundreds of prospectors. Additionally, the growing population and tourism industry has led to rapid development for both residential and commercial purposes (Young, 2008). â€Å"Over the last five decades, large-scale agriculture (citrus, bananas, sugar cane) and, more recently, large-scale aquaculture (shrimp and tilapia farming) have escalated at the expense of the forests. Coupled with rapid and increasing coastal development, illegal logging, and slash-and-burn agriculture, Belize is currently experiencing a deforestation rate that is twice that of Central America (2.3% vs. 1.2% annually)†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Young, 2008, para. 4). * Fortunately, others have realized the value of the reef system and have taken steps to protect it. â€Å"The preservation of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is critical to both its marine inhabitants and the local communities that depend on the site for their livelihoods† (Terracurve, 2009, para. 3). In 2009, the United Nation Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the reef reserve system to their list of World Heritage in Danger sites. The UNESCO foundation hopes to spread the message that the Belize Reef System belongs to all people and its natural heritage and beauty should be protected (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1992-2012). Conservation efforts have also been put into play to ensure this world heritage sites continued existence. The department of fishery in Belize has recognized the need to reform the  national fisheries policy in an effort to control over fishing in the reefs, which is a substantial threat to the reef. Such reforms should help the over fished areas to rebuild, offer protection to the reefs and delicate coral, and add to the number of protected marine areas where fishing is not allowed (Wildlife Conservation Society, 2012). Conservation efforts for the Barrier Reef system still have a long way to go. Local Belize communities and their inhabitants are one group that can do much good towards the conservation of this national treasure. However, in order for this to happen the locals need to be educated on conservation and its benefits and become invested in the reefs. Although this is a challenge do to the extreme poverty that exists within Belize and the citizens’ access to educational information. Poverty greatly increases the instances of environmental misuse because those affected typically have greater worries than environmental conservation. In order to implement a conservation plan that includes involvement from local citizens, there must also be efforts made to boost the socio-economic standing of the citizens. Long term preservation of the reef could be financially beneficial to the Belize economy and better the citizen’s socio-economic standings. Additionally, allowing the citizens to work with the government officials towards making decisions concerning the reef will give them a sense of investment in the reef (Young, 2008). * Improving the socio-economic conditions in Belize and educating citizens is just a small step that can lead to more effective conservation efforts for the reef. That still leaves the issues of outside interference on the ecosystem such as oil drilling and deforestation. Although Belize has established a protection plan for certain land a sea areas, it is apparent that tighter restrictions are needed. In particular, oil drilling and deforestation are major issues that threaten the reef that should have increased restrictions placed on them. This will require increased monitoring and amendments to the protected area systems. Additionally, the three management teams which oversee the protected areas appear to all have different ideas concerning best conservation practices. For that reason it would make sense to unify the groups, leaving only one division to oversee the protected areas and enforce regulations (Meerman, 2004). Drastic measures to preserve the reef system need to be taken now, before it is too late. If conservation efforts are not increased, coral health and fish  populations will continue to decline and the mangrove cays will face extinction. As it stands, the shark population in the reef waters has already declined, which is an indicator as to the reefs health. The absence of sharks in the reefs allows the populations of barracudas and rays to increase and take control. These second rate predators can have damaging effects on the reefs if there numbers are not controlled, such as limiting the populations of parrot fish, conch, and lobster. Lobster is important in Belize as it is one of t he country’s major exports. Parrot fish play an integral role in the reef as well, they are plant eaters and there food source is algae. Without parrot fish and other plant eating fish eating the algae and keeping it in check, it will spread until the reef is consumed by it, which could be irreversible (Kryt Ward, 2008). The Barrier Reef Reserve System off of the coast of Belize is breathtaking example of nature’s beauty. Additionally, it is a precious natural system teaming with diverse life forms. Although climate and human interference have caused the reef to become an endangered site, it is not too late to reverse the effects of mistreatment. Education on conservation efforts and increased restrictions can greatly increase the reefs chances of survival for generations to come. Without these efforts, a precious natural resource will be lost, and the reef is most certainly worth preserving. References * Kryt, K. Ward, J. (2008). Trouble in paradise-the struggle to save Belize’s Glover’s atoll. Retrieved from http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/eij/article/trouble_in_paradise/ Meerman, J.C. (2004). Protected Areas Policy and System Plan: Protected Area System Assessment Analysis. Retrieved from http://biological-diversity.info/NPAPSP.htm * Terracurve. (2009). Help protect the Belize Barrier Reef with the support of the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.terracurve.com/2009/07/01/help-protect-the-belize-barrier-reef-with-the-support-of-the-united-nations/ * UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1992-2012). Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764 Wildlife Conservation Society. (2012).

Women’s Health Policy in Australia

Women’s Health Policy in Australia Introduction: Women’s health policy in Australia was realised in the year 1989.policy was introduced taking into account the well-being of all the Australian women and being committed to provide them with better health care facility. Approach has been to provide the priorities to two things significantly-one was to address current and future health whereas the other focuses on structure of fundamental ways by which the society impacts the women’s health. However, after the revising of the policy in the year 2010, the policy has still certain limitations. Despite of the significant change made by the Australian Government in the women’s health policy, the major challenges that the policy was facing is to address the inequalities, persisting between the women in Australia especially the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, encounter particularly more terrible health than the overall public (National Women’s Health Policy 2010, 2015). A scope of socially built dete rminants can affect in light of the capacity of a few gatherings of Australian women to get to the assets expected to keep up great health. A key continuous health test is to address these disparities. Some health issues, for instance, danger variables, for example, heftiness and psychological well-being especially nervousness and melancholy have ended up expanding issues for women in the course of the most recent two decades. Challenges in the National Health Policy of Australia: National health policy in Australia should concentrate more on gender equality as it has failed to do that in past few years. Moreover, the women population, which includes Aboriginal and Torres Islander women (ATSI), women of culturally, and linguistically background, socio-economically disadvantaged women, women from rural and remote areas, older women and those women who live alone in residential aged care facilities have been facing major challenges in the health concerns, which the government has also failed in achievement (National Women’s Health Policy 2010, 2015). The policy also overlooked to address the issue of health inequalities and Socio Economic disadvantage. The major concerns, which the policy overlooks, are: Anticipation of ceaseless maladies through the control of danger variables; focusing on perpetual ailment, for example, cardiovascular sickness, diabetes and growth, and additionally hazard components, for example, heftiness, sustenance, physical latency, liquor and tobacco utilization. The approach likewise supports a clearer comprehension of the connection of women’s lives, including the obstructions that forestall women taking up healthier way of life practices. Emotional wellness and health; focusing on nervousness, sadness and suicide. Sexual and conceptive health; focusing on access to data and administrations identifying with sexual health, regenerative health, safe sex works on, screening and maternal health. The significance of the health of moms preceding origination, amid pregnancy and in the post-natal period can have a significant and long haul affect all alone health and that of their youngsters. Sound maturing; focusing on muscular-skeletal conditions, inability and dementia. The approach highlights that the social, monetary and ecological conditions under which women live and age can influence their experience of maturity. In expansive measure, a hefty portion of the late state exercises has served to enhance access. In the range of health scope, states have made critical advances. States have been on the front line of an extensive variety of protection commands that have served to give guaranteed women in some states scope for contraceptives, direct access to OB/GYNs without a referral, and compulsory scope of a wide scope of key screening administrations of significance to women all through their lifespans (Service, 2015). Most low-pay pregnant women are qualified for pre-birth care scope under Medicaid and numerous states have exploited more prominent government adaptability to widen Medicaid qualification principles that permit more low-salary folks to fit the bill for scope. Medicaid has additionally been utilized as an critical vehicle to enhance access to family arranging administrations for low-salary women in numerous states; and another government law gives expresses the chance to expand scop e to uninsured low-salary women with bosom or cervical disease. It likewise gives noteworthy monetary security to women who are seniors or have inabilities. Health protection scope is a basic consider making human services moderate and open to women. Among the 97 million women ages 19 to 64 dwelling in the U.S., most had some type of scope in 2013. Then again, crevices in private division and freely supported projects left more than one in six women uninsured. This factsheet surveys significant wellsprings of scope for women dwelling in the U.S. in 2013 (the latest year that information is accessible from the US Bureau of the Census), for the year preceding, the Affordable Care Acts (ACAs) significant scope extension and talks about the feasible changes and effect of the law on women’s scope in future years. Policymaking: In June 1987, the Minister for Community Services and Health, Dr Neal Blewett, selected a Special Adviser, Ms Liza Newby, to coordinate the advancement of a National Womens Health Policy. In October of that year, the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Chamber (AHMAC) secured a Subcommittee on Women and Health to report to it and to the Australian Health Ministers Conference (AHMC) on matters influencing the health of women. The Commonwealth, State, Territory and non-government individuals from the Subcommittee worked with the Special Adviser to build up the arrangement. In February 1988 Womens health: a structure for change. A talk paper for group remark and reaction was issued. The paper laid out a structure for change, and based on health concerns needs, which women had recognized in different State arrangement surveys, conferences, meetings and exploration. However, the common opinion or purview from all the categories of women was avoided, which could have been included in the policymaking. That would have helped the policy to be more effective and would have been more effective with overall aspects and conditions of women in all the aspects (Womens health, 2015). The report of the Better Health Commission (1986) and the consequent Health for all Australians report embraced to the Australian Health Pastors (1988) underscore the need to change disparities in health status and in access to health administrations by the socially and monetarily impeded. The meetings on the National Plan for Women recognized women’s health and women’s entrance to health administrations as a significant issue for women and of considerably more noteworthy concern to Aboriginal, ethnic and confined women. Noteworthy change in the health of women needs an agreeable also, composed approach by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, open and private health administrations, proficient and union associations, and the group (Armstrong, Gillespie, Leeder, Rubin, Russell, 2007). Contents of the policy: The Womens Health Policy is in view of a comprehension of health inside a social connection as accentuated by the World Health Association and supported by the Australian Government in its national strategy Health for all Australians. This perspective perceives that (NATIONAL WOMENS HEALTH POLICY, 2011): Health is controlled by a wide scope of social, ecological, financial and natural elements; Contrasts in health status and health results are connected to sexual orientation, age, financial status, ethnicity, incapacity, area and environment; Health advancement, ailment anticipation, value of access to suitable and moderate administrations, and reinforcing the essential health awareness framework are important, alongside high quality disease treatment administrations; and Data, discussion and group advancement are vital components of the health methodology. Women’s health strategy must envelop the greater part of a woman’s lifespan, furthermore, mirror women’s different parts in Australian culture, not simply their conceptive part. Women’s health strategy must plan to advance investment that is more prominent by women in choice making about health administrations and health strategy, as both shoppers and suppliers. Women’s health strategy must perceive women’s rights, as health care buyers, to be treated with poise in a domain, which accommodates security, educated assent and secrecy. Women’s health approach must recognize that educated choices about health and human services require available data, which is properly focused for diverse financial, instructive and social gatherings. Women’s health approach must be in view of precise information and exploration concerning women’s health, women’s perspectives about health, also, procedures which most adequately address women’s health needs. Components of the National Womens Health Policy: The suggestions for executing the National Womens Health Arrangement are taking into account the five need activity ranges that were affirmed by women in the conferences and entries. They moreover adjust to universal and national health strategy methods of insight, activities and needs. In the Policy report the destinations and coveted results for every activity range are expressed, and bolstered by the suggestions and proposed usage approaches (Cox, 2010). The National Womens Health Policy suggestions incorporate recommendations for: A National Womens Health Program; and Activity in different projects or in different parts directed by the Region, States and Territories. The National Womens Health Program (NWHP) is proposed for a starting five-year period as a Commonwealth-State-Territory cost imparted system. Subsidizing suggestions identify with the need regions for activity with an accentuation on the recognized health issues for women. Activity in different projects or parts is notwithstanding the suggestions for subsidizing under the National Womens Health Program. These further suggestions of the National Womens Health Policy are for advancement and execution inside States, Domains and the Commonwealth to attain to both short and long haul enhancements in health administrations for women. Various these suggestions oblige another approach, and not so much more financing (NATIONAL WOMENS HEALTH POLICY, 2011). Synopsis of proposals in need zones for activity Need territory no.1: Improvements in health administrations for women NWHP financing proposals are proposed for undertakings to: add to a system of imaginative group based and controlled administrations and extraordinary projects in doctors facilities which address some then again the majority of a scope of distinguished issues. Samples could incorporate enlisting a multidisciplinary group to give data, administrations and exercises identifying with menopause for either non-English talking women or women from non-English talking foundations or to give directing backing to female exploited people of viciousness; Research extended parts for medicinal services experts and their compensation, for example, different options for charge for-administration; secure quality confirmation guidelines and results in discussion with women in different ranges, for example, healing centre and group maternity administrations and break and bolster administrations for women as carers; create nearby women’s health arrangements in view of a composed essential human services approach. The extra suggestions identify with the exceptional needs of country women, carers, young women, more seasoned women, women at work, Aboriginal women, NESB women, and women with handicaps, enhanced participation between parts which have an influence on health; the privileges of clients of health and related administrations and issues of educated assent; sex issues and roughness; the proceeded with execution of disease avoidance and health advancement crusades and the improvement of new approaches. Need range no.2: Provision of health data for women. NWHP financing suggestions are proposed for ventures to: add to a women’s health data method, especially for distraught gatherings of women, in distinguishment of the requirement for social and phonetic affectability in materials; plan, distribute and appropriate data and training materials concentrating on concurred need regions. Themes may incorporate choices for ripeness control, pregnancy and postnatal wretchedness, incontinence, and the proper utilization of meds; distinguish need regions and impalement women’s health training furthermore, avoidance crusades which would utilize radio, TV, ethnic and women’s print media, social insurance suppliers, health focuses, schools and working environments; create bundles for consideration in self-improvement program for young women and young men on women’s health issues of pertinence to youngsters, to incorporate issues, for example, sexuality, viciousness, and a positive mental self-portrait; assemble women’s health workshops biennially. Extra suggestions identify with enhancing and growing current data procurement and dispersal, adding to a national health interpretation administration, supporting current activities on aggressive behavior at home, activities to build women’s comprehension of whats more, support in medicinal services exploration, and successful trade of data crosswise over government divisions (Women’s Health Insurance Coverage, 2015). Need territory no.3: Research and information gathering on women’s health NWHP financing proposals are proposed to: -bolster various particular examination extends in key territories such As similar levels of medicinal intercession, egg. Caesarean area, hysterectomy, sedative medicine rates; assessment trials of intercessions in essential consideration settings which add to enhanced health results for women; and extended assessment of current screening for breast and cervical tumours and the needs of carers; bolster social research in women’s health. Samples of points Proposed incorporate sexual ill-use and long haul psychological well-being, anticipation of incontinence, over medicalization of typical life occasions and life stresses, and conventional methods for watching over more established Aboriginal women; build up an arrangement of health status markers which are delicate to women’s health issues; and -survey health enactment. Extra suggestions identify with analysing existing health exploration subsidizing sources with a perspective to expanding stipends relating to women’s health issues; creating and utilizing proper women’s health markers; more extensive investigation of existing and new information; and Utilizing different overviews to upgrade comprehension of health issues and the consideration of sexual orientation data in all information bases. Need region no. 4: Womens investment in choice making on health NWHP subsidizing proposals are proposed to: backing women’s health associations; -urge women to take part in health administrations choice -making by creating model mindfulness bundles and creative ventures; and -enhance job value in the health workforce. Extra suggestions identify with expanding women’s cooperation in choice making as specialists; as individuals from choice making sheets and councils; as customers; and in arrangement, program whats more, research at all levels. It has additionally been prescribed to build or extend women’s health or proportionate units. Need zone no.5: Training and instruction for compelling health care NWHP subsidizing suggestions are proposed to: proceed with instruction in women’s health though health could not care fewer experts. Extra suggestions identify with including modules and courses on women’s health in undergrad and postgraduate curricula for all health experts; contact by instructive organizations with health experts and customers in creating courses; curricula also, modules; including a scope of handy encounters (Womens Policy, Research Resource Links, 2015). This include the dynamic interest and educated assent of women, counting in group settings in the preparation of restorative specialists; creating a joint working gathering to create composed national systems in health proficient tertiary preparing for women for combination into the National Plan of Action on Women in Education; Further advancement of proceeding instruction for essential health awareness labourers, carers and unpaid labourers. Conclusion: The extent of state-level approaches influencing women’s entrance to human services is truly broad. States have been on the cutting edge of a extensive variety of protection commands that have served to give protected women in some states scope for contraceptives, direct access to OB/GYNs without a referral, and required scope of a wide scope of key screening administrations of significance to women all through their lifespans Likewise, there has been some key enactment at the state level that has brought about confined access to specific administrations, and in different ranges that are vital for women, there has been restricted activity. For instance, access to foetus removal administrations has been progressively restricted by arrangements that force holding up periods, oppressive regulations on premature birth suppliers, and confinements on teenager access without parental assent. Likewise, in numerous imperative ranges, for example, encouraging access to crisis contraception on the other hand commands on critical screening administrations for normal diseases, for example, chlamydia, states have been generally dormant. Subsequently, access to human services administrations is still dangerous for some women in the United States. Bibliography NATIONAL WOMENS HEALTH POLICY. (2011, Feb 7). Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/womens-health-policy-toc~womens-health-policy-es National Women’s Health Policy 2010. (2015, Apr 11). Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/3BC776B3C331D5EECA257BF0001A8D46/$File/NWHP_access_final.pdf Women’s Health Insurance Coverage. (2015, Apr 11). Retrieved from http://kff.org/womens-health-policy/fact-sheet/womens-health-insurance-coverage-fact-sheet/ Womens health. (2015, Apr 11). Retrieved from http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/womens-health Womens health. (2015, Apr 11). Retrieved from The RACGP Curriculum for Australian General Practice 2011: http://curriculum.racgp.org.au/statements/womens-health/ Womens Policy, Research Resource Links. (2015, Apr 11). Retrieved from http://www.theindex.org.au/WomensPolicyResearchLinks.aspx Armstrong, B. K., Gillespie, J. A., Leeder, S. R., Rubin, G. L., Russell, L. M. (2007). Challenges in health and health care for Australia. Retrieved from https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2007/187/9/challenges-health-and-health-care-australia Cox, D. (2010, Dec 30). Women Critical of new health policy. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/national/women-critical-of-new-government-health-policy-20101229-19aa5.html Family, K. (2003). Women’s Access to Care:A State-Level Analysis of Key Health Policies. Retrieved from https://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/table-of-contents.pdf Service, A. G. (2015, Apr 11). NATIONAL WOMENS HEALTH POLICY ADVANCING WOMENS HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA. Retrieved from http://awhn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/38_NationalWomensHealthPolicysummary.pdf

Overview of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Overview of the Cuban Missile Crisis The Cuban Missile Crisis was a period of extreme tension and conflict between the USA and Cuba and the USSR in October 1962; it was characterized by decisions made by both John F Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev. It was a 13 day event which started as a result of the USSR placing nuclear weapons in Cuba in an attempt to stop future harassment of Cuba following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. The Cuban Missile Crisis was by far the closest that the USA and USSR came to using nuclear weapons in warfare, and it was only by tactile decision making in a crisis that disaster was averted. A crisis is characterised by threats to major values, time urgency, ambiguity or uncertainty and surprise or uniqueness, by these characteristics, the Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the biggest crisis of the 20th century. The crisis started when following a meeting between Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev, Khrushchev agreed to hold nuclear missiles in Cuba. This was in response to several threats on Cuba from the USA. The Bay of Pigs invasion, though a failure displayed the USAs negative intentions to the Cuban regime and therefore Castro argued that a nuclear deterrent was the only option for the long term safety of Cuba. This was also a part of the USSRs response to the presence of American Jupiter missiles in both Turkey and Italy, which were firmly in range of Moscow. Following Khrushchev granting Cuba missiles, construction of the missile launch facilities started in the summer of 1962.The deployment of the missiles only came to light following photos taken by a US Air Force U-2 Spy plane. The plane had taken photos which clearly showed both medium and intermediate range nuclear missile facilities. The photos were shown to President Kennedy on October 16th and he quickly organised a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss what options of response the US had (JFK library,1962). This is an example of decision making, where the decision made will have a large and irreversible impact. There were numerous decisions and options discussed from using diplomatic channels to pressure the Cubans to remove the weapons, launch a full scale invasion of Cuba, Air strikes or a blockage (Allison Zeilkow, 1999). While the US had the military capabilities to invade and overthrow Cuba, they feared the Soviet response. It is also important to consider the fact that it was an election year in the US, and JFK had already come under fire by Republicans for a seemingly weak line against Cuba and they did not want to appear weak or afraid of the combined threat of Cuba and the Soviets. This had led to President Kennedy stating before gaining the knowledge of weapons in Cuba that â€Å"if Cuba should possess a capacity to carry out offensive actions against the United States the Unite d States would act’ (Peters Wooley, 1962). This had in effect already forced his arm; he did not want to appear to back down from his promises. In the end the US decided to conduct a naval blockade against Cuba, one of the main reasons for this decision was it made the US appear strong, whilst not forcing the Soviets hand or seemingly overly aggressive. Another key aspect in this is the legal ramifications of a blockade. Under international law, a blockade of another nation is considered to be an act of war, however lawyers at the Justice and State Department found a loophole that avoided the US from issuing a potentially contentious declaration of war. Using the Rio treaty a resolution from the Organization of American states allowed the US from having to declare war upon Cuba, which the Soviets would have objected to (Allison and Zelikow, 1999). The ‘blockade’ was instead termed as a quarantine of offensive weapons. (May, 2012). President Kennedy formally announced the blockade on 22 October in which he stated ‘It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union’ (United Press,2010). The international response was overwhelming with the world realising that they had never been closer to the use of nuclear weapons, and if they were deployedby both the US and the Soviets, there would be worldwide destruction never seen before on such a scale. During this period it is reported not only was there a Cuban invasion force stationed and ready in Florida but also 145 intercontinental ballistic missiles ready to take off, and the fleet of b-52 bombers were on continuous airborne alert, the US it is clear was preparing for a full scale war on a scale not seen since the end of WW2 (Kamps, 2007). On October 24 Soviet ships that were headed for Cuba caused panic when they neared the line of US ships which were actively enforcing the Cuban blockade. However the Soviet ships stopped just short of the blockade, requiring no action from the US. If they had attempted to breach the blockade, it could have easily led to a military confrontation. A further escalation in the crisis was on October 27, when an American spy plane was shot down over Cuba. Despite this overwhelming pressure which seemed to give no sign of slowing down or de-escalating a way was found out of the crisis which avoided a military conflict between the US and Soviets. Throughout the crisis Kennedy and Khrushchev had been communicating and when the crisis was near breaking point, the US told the Brazilian government to pass on a message to Cuba that it would be unlikely that the US would invade Cuba if they removed the missiles (National Security Archive, 2011). What followed was a personal letter from Khrushchev written on 26th October which offered a way out of the stalemate, if the US declared they will not invade Cuba then the Soviets would leave and remove the missiles. However the next day Khrushchev sent another letter which stated they would remove the missile bases in Cuba only if the US removed missiles from both Turkey and Italy’s As the two offers differed President Kennedy said he would accept the first one, this would also be a lot more f avourable his popularity in the US. What followed were intense negotiations between both US and Soviet dignitaries in Washington. Eventually a deal was reached and the Soviets agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba and to take them back to Russia whilst Kennedy secretly agreed to dismantle weapons bases in both Italy and Turkey. The crisis was over. What the Cuban Missile Crisis is, is an example is of leadership and decision making in a crisis. It was a period of extreme tension, the wrong decision could lead to nuclear war, yet a clear headed and rational decision still had to be made. The decisions that President Kennedy made were made only after looking at the effects both on the world stage and also back in the US. It was a senate election year and President Kennedy couldn’t let any decision he made weakenhis position in the mind of the electorate. Yet he also had to way up the potential devastating impact if the crisis escalated because he wanted to appear strong against the Cuban and Soviet threat. Kennedy had already come under pressure from Republicans, for having a supposedly weak stance on Cuba, so reaching any form of compromise was unthinkable to the Cuban hawks in the Republicans. What this clearly shows is the sheer complexity of the arena that Kennedy had to make his decision in. He had to de-escalate the conflict, which required compromise on his part, whilst appearing strong and not to give in to the Soviet threat. That he managed to do that, and was considered by many at the time to have ‘won’ the crisis is remarkable. We can analyse several of the decisions made by Kennedy, how to respond to the threat and how to deal with the de-escalation of the crisis. When deciding how to respond to the crisis Kennedy and his advisors had to weigh up several key and important factors. As previously mentioned there were several ideas and options to choose from when responding to the initial discovery of missiles in this early stage in the crisis of mounting tension. If the US did nothing, as it was high unlikely that Cuba would use them unprovoked considering the Soviets knew they did not have the same firepower or amount of nuclear warheads as the US, then the crisis would potentially fade away without requiring a military response. However several Republicans had already been criticising Kennedy for being too lenient to Cuba, if it came public that Kennedy did nothing when a nuclear weapon was found 90 miles of the coast of Florida he would appear weak and his leadership credibility would be in tatters. The other extreme would be an escalation of the crisis, either an air-strike or full scale military invasion. While this would certainly win him support back home, it is highly unlikely that the Soviets would not also respond with force, thus starting war between the US and the Soviets. Also President Kennedys allies in the UK, France and in the wider international community would feel that the US went into war too quickly when there was a diplomatic route out of the crisis, thus it would cost him support from his allies. Therefore we can see that the blockade was a good strategic decision for Kennedy to take. It made the US appear strong, meeting the crisis head on, without looking brash and escalating the conflict. Further as previously mentioned there was a legal precedent for it. Thus it is clear this was a good decision to take under the circumstances and time pressure. Kennedy had analysed the impact his decision would have in the US, to the Soviets and Cuba as well as the wide r international community. The blockade made the US look strong but not overly aggressive and more importantly it placed the impetus on Khrushchev to make the next decision to escalate or de-escalate the crisis. Another example of good decision making in the Cuban missile crisis was Kennedy’s decision to accept the removal of missiles in Cuba public, whilst keeping the US withdrawal of missiles in Turkey and Italy secret. He accurately judged how far Khrushchev would stretch diplomatically and calculated that he could create an end to the crisis whilst appearing to have stood firm in the face of Soviet aggression and have forced Khrushchev back down from the US. This was a decision he took after weighing up the options and potential benefits and drawbacks. Kennedy therefore was able to make a clear decision despite threats to major values, large scale uncertainty and a lack of time to concretely analyse every potential outcome of a decision. What inevitably stopped this crisis from escalating into war while other similar crises have ended in warfare is the ability and will of both the Soviets and the US to compromise. In conclusion, we can see that due to decision making a crisis that could have easily ended up in nuclear warfare, ended up with a diplomatic solution. The only reason war was avoided was the rational decision making abilities of a few key players. President Kennedy had to de-escalate a crisis whilst still maintaning control of the situation. That he was able to do this and appear successful both on the world stage and back home is commendable and down to his ability to make clear and calculated desicions under pressure. The US enjoyed the press coverage of a victorious nation and in the senate election that followed the Democrats won three seats, so we can see this as a vote of confidence in the Democrats and Kennedy following the missile crisis. What becomes clear from studying the Cuban Missile Crisis is how important pursuing the correct strategy when attempting to de-escalate a crisis and the need for crisis managers to take rational decisions in face of extreme pressure. Here t he pressure or consequences could not have been greater, yet disaster was avoided by the actions and decision making abilities of crisis managers. References Allison, Graham; Zelikow, Philip. (1999). Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis. New York: Addison Wesley Longman. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. (1962). Off the Record Meeting on Cuba: The White House. Washington D.C. Kamps, Charles. (2007). The Cuban Missile Crisis. Air Space Power, (3), 88. May, Ernest. (2012, February 7). John F Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/kennedy_cuban_missile_01.shtml#three National Security Archive. (2011). October 26, 1962 to November 15, 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis.Author. Peters, Gerhard; Woolley, John.(1962). John F Kennedy. 378-The Presidents News Conference. Santa Barbara, CA: The American Presidency Project. University of Californa. United Press International. (2010, April 22). Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 Year In Review. Retrieved from http://www.upi.com/Archives/Audio/Events-of-1962/Cuban-Missile-Crisis

Dionysus and the Unraveling of Ideologies in The Bacchae Essay

Dionysus and the Unraveling of Ideologies in The Bacchae    Some evaluations claim that the Dionysus appearing in The Bacchae is fairly true embodiment of the ideals of ancient Athens. He demands only worship and proper reverence for his name, two matters of honor that pervaded both the Greek tragedies and the pious society that viewed them. In other plays, Oedipus' consultations with Apollo and the many Choral appeals to Zeus reveal the Athenian respect for their gods, while Electra's need for revenge and Antigone's obligation to bury Polyneices both epitomize the themes of respect and dignity. Yet although Dionysus personifies these two motifs, his clashes with the rest of Athenian tradition seem to make him its true adversary. Dionysius distinctly opposes the usual views on gender, age, rationality and divinity, leaving the reader to wonder whether these contrasts were Euripidean attempts to illuminate specific facets of the culture itself. Examination of Dionysus's challenges should begin with The Bacchae's most obvious perversion of custom, the question of gender. As Dionysus indicates early in the play, the enraptured band of Bacchant followers is comprised only of females: "Every woman in Thebes-but the women only- / I drove from home" (35-36). Though Cadmus further illuminates the matter by raising the question, "Are we the only men / who will dance for Bacchus?" (195-196), the text offers no definitive explanation for why Dionysus calls solely upon the women. A superficial reading might suggest that Euripides attempted to portray the stereotypical "weaker sex" as the one "more susceptible to invasive passions than men, especially eros and daemonic possession," but more is probably at stake.   Ã‚  Ã‚   As Edith Hall ... ...ty since "things could happen in the real life of Athens which were virtually unthinkable in tragedy, and vice versa." Perhaps the safest assessment of Dionysus is that while not a direct opponent of the traditional ways, his presence, and especially his effect on other characters, serves to highlight many social norms. According to Bernad Knox, "From start to finish, Euripides was 'attempting to show citizens bred in the traditional views...that such conceptions of the gods should offend them.'" Perhaps we as readers will never fully understand the Dionysus that appears in this play, but a closing look at a remark of the Chorus may bring us a step closer to this understanding: --What is wisdom? What gift of the gods is held in honor like this: to hold your hand victorious over the heads of those you hate? Honor is precious forever. (877-881)

Japanese in America Essay -- essays research papers

Pocky, Anime, manga, kanji. Have you heard of any of these? If not†¦ where have you been? All around us teenagers, children, and even adults are being drawn into Japanese culture through TV, books, and even food. Japanese comics, called manga, take up more and more space on American bookshelves, and they've infused new life into the publishing industry. Japanese animation, anime, is on more and more movies and TV screens and influencing popular toys and games. Before the 80’s when people thought of Japanese imports, they thought of cars, TV’s, walkmans, and other electronics. Japanese pop culture is becoming increasingly popular and shows no signs of stopping. Now children are trying to learn Japanese and martial arts to be like their favorite anime character. Teens are learning to speak Japanese and adopting Japanese clothes, food, and even traditions. Adults are enthralled by the colorful and vast world of anime and manga and are amazed they can have such a lasting effect on their kids. Some people may wonder why Japanese anime and manga are so popular with kids and the answer is simple. They’re so different and captivating, everyone can find one they enjoy. You have action, comedy, romance, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and tons more. Some even mix and match, making a truly wonderful and breathtaking experience. And it’s not just the movie and book industry either. Music, known as J-pop or J- rock, is taking up more and more room on the Internet. The Japanese bands are not o...

Motivation and Hygiene as Issues of Control Essay

Economics is usually considered a basically quantitative affair: numbers, charts graphs. It is rare that professional economists remember that there are real people under those pompous numbers, real communities and families who suffer if times get bad. Frederick Herzberg’s (1959) two level theory on worker satisfaction, while not specifically from the field of economics, is important in rectifying this imbalance: in general, Herzberg’s theory of motivation and hygiene is a qualitative set of ideas that speak not merely of numbers, efficiency and production, but also the qualitative nature of worker satisfaction and reward which is far more important than anything the numbers suggest. This paper will deal with a few ideas related to employee control and ownership over business and its relation to Herzberg’s variables in terms of worker satisfaction. First, the nature of the theory itself. Herzberg deals with the concepts of worker satisfaction through both motivation and hygiene. The former deals primarily with questions of satisfaction through what is to come: promotion, recognition, rewards, increases in pay. The latter is more quantitative, but still of immense qualitative importance: basic job security, good work environment and the expectation of future satisfaction (Herzberg, 1959). Herzberg’s findings show, insofar as immediate causality is concerned, that the former are key to satisfaction on the job. The latter are important, but only indirectly, they do not (in themselves) lead to any sense of job satisfaction, but any qualitative lowering of these variables can lead to substantial dissatisfaction. However this is stated, they are both of immense importance. Second, this paper must deal with the present economic crisis. The issues here involve the increasing debt of the American economy, as well as the American state. The present economic crisis can be summarized by the extension of credit far beyond the economy’s ability to repay. But this extension of credit came into existence in order to absorb excess production, as well as maintain America’s central role in the global economy as the â€Å"world’s marketplace.† All of this has led to an explosion of public and private debt, massive foreclosures, bankruptcy and, most important, a major threat to the integrity of the American dollar and America’s role in the world economy. As of 2009, this has meant that the US economy is in a period of contraction, as firms no longer have the ability to extend credit with any sense of the possibility of being repaid. Once the banks got the jitters over this, they sent signals throughout the economy that confirmed the contraction of credit: the lifeblood the modern economy for better or for worse, especially in the real estate market. Debt artificially inflated prices (including stocks), leading to an overvaluation far beyond the actual value of the commodities.   But, since the US market is the world’s largest and the savings rate the lowest, there is little to cushion such a accumulation of debt, and hence, it affected America’s major trading partners as well, leading to a global recession and indeed, depression. Now, third, the remainder of this paper will deal with the relation between Herzberg’s two level theory and the present depression. Unfortunately, this is where things get depressing, and the economists obsession with numbers that don’t have personalities start to make sense. Let us begin with the first level, that of motivators: Since, in general, this depression is based on the massive and irrational expansion of credit (and hence, debt), debt must be the first issue in dealing with motivators. If one has run up credit card debt and has seen the interest rate shoot up as banks seek to make up lost ground, the issue of default is a real one. This develops as a negative motivating factor that will not be made up anytime soon. One sees himself as laboring harder and harder while unable to keep up even with the interest in various debts: credit cards, homes, cars and luxuries such as entertainment systems. But just as important, if one is working just to finance debt, one can not also help but notice the fact that class differences in the western world are getting sharper and sharper. The wealthy classes can weather such storms, and in fact, may benefit from them, seeing their smaller competitors go into receivership. Hence, the first positive motivating factor is for class divisions to be reduced: the wealthy, whose practices helped bring the current crisis about, need to begin assisting labor in the payment of debts. While high profile cases such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett giving billions to their own charities that reflect their personal and corporate ideological positions, none of this high profile giving assists the rank and file laborer. It is possible that substantial profit sharing and employee ownership of businesses should be mandatory and guaranteed by the state in exchange for worker loyalty. The question of employee ownership (hence, disenfranchising the major stock holders) is an important one given the confines of Herzberg’s theory of motivators, since such an approach will provide a certain emotional boost, as well as solve the problem of employee recognition and promotion. Employee ownership and employee direction of business is essential to assist workers in paying debts and increasing job satisfaction, since they will be working for themselves. Jobs should become careers rather than merely slaving for a living. Giving workers a say in the day to day running of business and a financial stake in the firm itself is essential for increasing productivity. It will certainly come at the expense of the upper classes, but it is these classes that have benefitted from the long standing extension of credit that has fueled the western economic bubble.

A Hugo Boss Essay

The print advertisement that I chose for this paper, is a Hugo Boss advertisement for the sale of its men’s perfume line particularly the men’s gift set. Hugo Boss is a company that was started in Metzingen Germany and was founded by Hugo Ferdinand Boss after whom the brand was named. Hugo Boss is known for specializing in high-end menswear apparel, and has expanded like most other brands to include shoes, accessories and fragrances. I chose this particular print advertisement because after viewing several other print advertisements, this one attracted my attention the most. I was drawn to it because it was colorful and had many images that not only caught my eye, but also seemed to be very dynamic and at the same time able to catch my attention. When you first look at the advertisement, the images seem to jump from the page; at first, it actually looks like a messy piece of artwork or a picture that someone doodled on while they were bored. But when you take a closer look at the advertisement and dissect its different components, the underlying message that it gives to its viewers is actually very interesting and quite alluring. The advertisement is composed of three main images, a young man, standing with his finger to his lips, a Hugo boss perfume bottle with images coming out from the lip of the bottle and at the bottom of the advertisement an image of a sample Hugo Boss Men’s Gift Set. Aside from the images, there are printed words, one is a stamped text of â€Å"HUGO† the perfumes brand and the other is the tagline, which says,   â€Å"it’s just a fragrance. The rest is up to you.† I think that this particular print advertisement appeals to a young market. You have only to look at the images used and the words uttered to see that this is geared towards a younger age group. This particular advertisement targets both men and women ages twenty five to thirty five years old, who are young and excited because they are either just beginning their lives or beginning to rise up in their respective endeavors. I say this because of the composition of the print advertisement. First of all, the man used for the advertisement is a man who looks like he is in his mid to late twenties. Admittedly, when advertisers portray their products they get models that will most appeal to the age group they are targeting and usually they get their models from that precise group. The appearance of the man in the advertisement evokes a feeling of casualness that makes you think of fresh graduates, young, hot and out to get the world. This assessment is based not only on the male image model but the images that can be found beside him, which is the Hugo Boss perfume bottle that seems to be overflowing with other images. The images that are coming out of the bottle make me think of the circus coming into town. I am not sure why that particular image popped into my head, but I suppose it is because as a child, the circus represented a child’s dreams in life and this particular advertisement seems to sell that very image to the public. The bottle spewing these images reminds me of the time when the circus would come into town and as the main tent would unfold you would suddenly see a swarm of animals, animal trainers and performers going about. These animals, animal trainers and performers at first seem to have no direction, but as the unfolding of the main tent continues you begin to realize that they all have a purpose and they are not just randomly moving about. This is what seems to be happening with the Boss advertisement. Upon first glance, the image seems not to make any sense but if you take the time to look at it, the images coming out of the bottle are actually images that correspond to the different aspects of a person’s life. Among the images that can be seen are buildings, people, apartments, and a vinyl record among others. These images as I earlier mentioned correspond to the different parts of a person’s life. How is this you might ask? The answer is actually very simple. If you take a look at all of the images that are placed in the advertisement, you see that the buildings could correspond to the business aspect of a person’s life, their careers or work, while the throngs of people could be interpreted as those people that they interact with every day at work, or out on the streets or even while on a gimmick or night out with friends. In addition to these images, what strengthens my belief that this advertisement was made to target a young group is the tagline that the advertisers used. It’s simple, witty and straight to the point, â€Å"it’s just a perfume. The rest is up to you.† I love that the company used this tagline because it makes you think that anything is within your reach. I feel like the advertisement is telling me that all you need is Hugo Boss, a spray of this is like putting one foot in the door and the rest to quote the advertisement â€Å"is up to you.† The purpose of the advertisers in using this particular tagline in my opinion is to give that ego boost that men and women generally need in order to keep moving forward. We all should be honest enough to admit that we do not want change if we are not sure that we are headed in the right direction. Very few people are actually willing to take uncalculated risks when it comes to their future. This advertisement makes you feel that if you use the product advertised, all the confidence that you need in order to do the things that you want to do will magically appear. It makes you feel that one whiff of this and things will go your way. Your work life will improve because your presence seems to be more pleasing, and this may give you that opportunity to make that sales pitch that you need, or get on the good side of your boss who you have been dying to corner in order to give your ideas on the latest project that you are working on. What is so great about this advertisement is that in spite of the fact that it is actually geared more towards men, the advertisers have found a way of drawing in the women as well. If you think about it, although men are obviously being targeted, not all men will purchase this scent for themselves. This advertisement and its packaging is also perfect for the woman in a man’s life. This advertisement is like candy to a baby. Although women generally know what to give their man, this particular advertisement is something that will attract women who have given the men in their lives practically everything.