The First World War Satire Essay Example for Free

The First World War Satire Essay How does Blackadder Goes Forth satirize the First World War and how does it fit into the situation comedy genre as a whole? A situation comedy, or a sit-com, is a comedy series projected from radio or television. The programme itself is based upon how characters react to unusual or comic situations. Situation comedies follow specific characters that encounter situations and then they try and deal with them. In each episode of a situation comedy, the story follows the same characters. Most situation comedies are set in a specific place that forms the set for every episode. A flat is commonly used in situation comedies for the set. Popular examples of flat share situation comedies are Only Fools and Horses and Friends. These two sit-coms are extremely popular, and both are set in a flat. Situation comedies used to form gaps in between more important shows. This was soon changed as the demand for sit-coms massively grew. They are now one of the most dominant television genres around. Blackadder is a situation comedy. It is a most unusual sit-com as in each series the scene is based on a different timeline. Blackadder has been through Elizabethan times, many other timelines and important historical times, and then ends up with the final series in World War One. Most other sit-coms dont do this instead each of their different series is set on the same timeline and in the same place. This is one of the points that make Blackadder different, as in each series the eager watchers dont know what to expect. Blackadder goes forth is also different from the usual sit-com as it is the same situation every episode. The majority of sit-coms dont do this, instead they are based in the same place, but with a different humorous situation with which the characters have to deal with. In Blackadder Goes Forth the situation is exactly the same just the characters deal with it differently. The situation is that Blackadder himself is trying to escape and relieve himself of the hideous atrocities of the First World War. Of course like in any other sit-com, things go very wrong for him and comic experiences pop up along the way. Altogether Blackadder fits into the situation comedy genre in a sense, as it is a sit-com, but is totally different from the majority of other sit-coms. Blackadder has a different story every episode, involves the same characters in every episode, and takes place in the same place in every episode. The differences of Blackadder to the mainstream of sit-coms are shown obviously. This is shown in many ways; one is that Blackadder is set in different historical time in each different series. This attracts viewers to watch Blackadder, because they want to see something new rather than the usual flat share show with people shouting bawdy jokes. This is why the producers of Blackadder have made the show different from the usual sit-com. Another reason why Blackadder is different from most sit-coms is that the situation is the same in every episode of Blackadder. Nearly every other sit-com has different situations and different ways in which the characters tackle these situations. Blackadder Goes Forth doesnt. The situation is of Blackadder trying to escape the war in any way he can. He tries lots of different approaches to deal with his problem, but every episode he fails. This becomes very amusing as no matter how hard he tries; he just cant get out of fighting in the war. Another very important feature in Blackadder that is dissimilar to other sit-coms is the way that even though the scene is set on a historical time scale, Blackadder still has 20th Century views. All the other characters in the whole programme have views of life that relate to the time scale that they are set in, while Blackadder has views of life that we would. This is what makes Blackadder so hilarious to us, as we can relate to precisely what Blackadder is saying and thinking, while all the other characters in the play are trapped in that time zone with historical thoughts, Blackadder makes fun of all the stupid things that happened within that time zone and has the same views and points to express as we do. The one other reason why Blackadder Goes Forth doesnt fit well into the genre of situation comedies is that Blackadder uses satirical comments and elements throughout the programmes. This makes the programme extremely funny, but also makes a point in which we can understand and learn from. Satire is using humour or exaggeration to show what it is bad about a person or thing. Blackadder uses this strongly in all of its episodes in all of its series. Blackadder: Well George, I strongly suspect your long wait for certain death is nearly at an end This is portraying the scene that everyone who wanted action in the war is going to be sent to his or her deaths. The reason why the produces of Blackadder decided to make different historical time scales for their series was possibly so they could use satire to make a point about those different time lines. With Blackadder using satire in this way it gives viewers the humour and hilarity that we get and love from all sit-coms, but also spreading a point across the country about how bad those situations were and how badly our ancestors handled them. So the reason why Blackadder is a funny character is because he is the only sane man and fools surround him. This makes us learn from mistakes that have happened in the past but also provides us with the amusement that we want when we watch a sit-com. Satirical elements are present in Blackadder, even in the title sequence at the start of each episode. There are many satirical elements in the title sequence; the first one being the two rows of five men marching after a sergeant majors command. The first row of soldiers is bandsmen wearing the traditional red colours of the English army. The second row of soldiers is armed forces, wearing the up-to-date camouflage green. This is satirizing the tactics of the British army. The way in which Blackadder does this is by having the bandsmen in red marching in front of the armed forces, it symbolizes that the bandsmen are more important. It shows that playing instruments and wearing smart colours and clothes into battle is more important then staying undetected with camouflage and looking scruffy. This satirizes British tactics and approach to war. It also shows that the British army is out of date, as fighting in bright colours was a thing of the past, showing that the commanders were just old forgotten war heroes who needed to be slapped up-to-date if they wanted to keep their men alive. It also satirizes the fact that blood is to come for those soldiers are behind. The blood red of the bandsmen shirts marching in front of the armed forces means that blood is to come for them and pour from their bullet stricken bodies. There is a character in Blackadder Goes Forth, named baldrick. In the title sequence he is out of place in the band and is franticly running around to find his place. Baldrick is a private in the army. This satirizes the privates as being stupid and out of place fighting in such a war. Also that Baldrick is in the band, and not in the armed forces row like he should be satirizes that he is out of place in the army, and will do more good playing a triangle in a parade. As baldrick is out of place, there is still no place for him in the ranks of men as both are of equal numbers and there is no more room for him. This emphases the point even more that the dim privates are out of place in the war, and they shouldnt be put there, as they dont understand it. How can a man be expected to shoot if he cant even find a place in a band? This is the satirizing point that Blackadder is making when the character baldrick is out of position. Also in the title sequence General Melchett and Captain Darling are standing atop a podium watching the soldiers march. General Melchett is wearing cavalry clothes. This satirizes the generals in the war by showing that they are out of touch and out of date with the tactics of war. They still think that cavalry are the best option to winning a battle, but now that machine guns have been invented cavalry are useless. Yet the generals do not know this, and assume that old tactics are good, but they arent. Captain Darling is cowering behind the General. This satirizes the Captains in the war. This shows that they were cowards and used the Generals as protection to stop them having to fight. Further on in the title sequence Lieutenant George is smiling in a childish way as he marches forwards. This is satirizing the pompous Lieutenants. Showing that they believe that war is just a game, and they should enjoy every minute off it. This is of course the wrong attitude to take to war, as you killed be obliterated any second. Aside from the title sequence, the whole programme contains satirical elements throughout its course, one of these being the living conditions of the soldiers shown in the programme. Blackadder opens up the programme of the last ever episode of Blackadder goes forth with: Hullo, Somme Public Baths. No running, shouting or piddling in the shallow end. Aside from this being droll, it also makes a great satirical point on how the living conditions of the soldiers actually were. The soldiers were caked in mud up to their elbows and sopping wet with the continuous moral beating rain. It satirizes how bad the living conditions really were by basically saying it was wet, and the rain was the least of the soldiers problems at that time. Private baldrick explains that the coffee that all the soldiers have been drinking for months is actually hot mud. He also describes what each of the elements of the coffee is. He states that the milk is saliva, the sugar is dandruff and although he doesnt state what the chocolate sprinklings are, he gives us a very good idea of what they could be! All this satirizes the living conditions of the poor soldiers that had to live in here day in and day out. They were soaked in rain, encrusted in mud, and drinking hot mire with all manner of things inside, but worst of all being pounded by shells all day long. Blackadder Goes Forth also satirizes everyones attitudes to war. Starting with the Generals, they had the worst attitude towards war. As the Generals were not in the trenches and not experiencing the horrors of war, they had no idea what it was like. The generals still thought war was what it used to be, fighting against unarmed enemies that cant win the fight. As general Melchett explains, That pigmy woman with the sharpened mango could have seriously Apart from this being comical, it has a real satirizing point to it. The old wars in which the English used to fight were against aborigines with no weapons other than maybe a spear. The English couldnt really loose a battle against such little an opposition, and from that day they thought they could win any battle that faced them, as they were full of themselves over their glorious victories. This is the attitude that the generals still possessed when commanding in World War One, especially in the Somme area that Blackadder goes forth is set. It satirizes the generals lack of understanding of modern warfare, and shows how they believe they will always win. In the episode Goodbyeee, Field Marshall Haig is playing with toy soldiers. This is satirizing the generals perspective of warfare, and apart from it being hilarious it proves just what the generals were like. They thought that war was a game and that it didnt matter who won or lost. This is shown as Haig knocks over a handful of the plastic soldiers on his model battlefield. Blackadder himself satirizes the advance and progress the army has made while at war, Weve advanced as far as an asthmatic ant with heavy shopping. Apart from this being droll, it satirizes how far the army progresses with such stupid and out of date tactics and childish generals. This relates highly to World War One as the army progressed about a few inches a year, as the generals just didnt know what to do. Another main thing that is satirized is the ranks of different troops. With the generals, they thought that war was just a game. This is shown and satirized in Blackadder by the way the general plays with toy soldiers. He used this as his tactics, moving individual toys and then knocking them over in one fell swoop. This actually shows that he expected his men to die, but sent them in regardless of the consequences, as he was bored of sitting in one place for a long period of time. Being incredibly child-like satirizes the lieutenants. This is shown in the character George. He is satirizing the pompous upper-class lieutenant. He always has a silly grin on his face and relates everything that happens in the war to a well know game of some sort. He even states that he played tiddly winks when signing up to volunteer for the war. He makes such remarks as by saying, we ducked and we dived. This is satirizing views of many soldiers in the war, as they just didnt have a clue about what it was really like. They just thought it was like participating in a sport match, and whatever the outcome, no one would get hurt, but how wrong they were. The other rank that is displayed and satirized in Blackadder is the private. Baldrick plays this role, and acts as the dim private, which is exactly what he is. He is always one step behind everyone else, in the mental way, and in the literal way. As in the title sequence he is behind everyone, and in the speeches he is behind everyone. He is satirizing the low-class dim private. At the end of the last episode Goodbyeee, just before they are about to go over the top, baldrick is more concerned about getting a splinter while climbing the ladder then getting mowed down in a hail of lead by a machine gun. This is because he doesnt understand what is going on. This is satirizing the fact that the dim people shouldnt be there, because if they dont understand what they are doing, how can they possibly fight? Captain Blackadder plays the other rank. He is the only commonsensical man in the whole warfare situation. This is how Blackadder is made funny, as he satirizes everything around him and makes fun of everything. He shares our views of the war, and tries in vain to get out of fighting just as we would, but to no amend, as the generals cant understand why he would possibly not want to go out and fight. This satirizes the generals lack of understanding. Fools surround Blackadder, this satirizes that everyone fighting was a fool, and with such stupid people everywhere, how can they win the war. It also satirizes that no one understands the war, no matter how clever or how high rank. And that everyone is as stupid as the private as they have no idea to fight a war more than he does. The equipment is the last thing that is satirized. This is done by the sticks that the higher ranking officers hold. These sticks do nothing at all. I wouldnt want to face a machine gun without one of these George explains to Blackadder. This is satirizing the fact that some of the equipment had no purpose, and some of the people didnt have a clue what a machine gun could actually do to you.

The Study of Proteome

The Study of Proteome The breakthrough in the study of genomics has created a great impact for biological research. For instance, the complete genome sequencing accomplished for various model organisms such as bacteria, yeast and drosophila has been a key to understanding the diversity and functions in living system (Liebler, 2002). However, the gene products, proteins are playing crucial complex functions in sustaining the living system. Therefore, in order to acquire a clearer picture about the function of the living cells at molecular level, it is important to study the entire set of protein expressed by a genome, cell, tissue or organism throughout the cell cycle as known as proteome (Monti et al., 2005). This study of proteome is termed proteomics which is mainly focus on the identification of proteins, determination of the interaction between various proteins as a part of a larger network and outlining the 3D structures of proteins (Liu Hsu, 2004). According to Liebler (2002), the applications of proteomics comprised of mining, protein-expression profiling, protein-network mapping and mapping of protein modifications. These four principals then bring about the branches of proteomics which are the sequence and structural proteomics, expression proteomics, interaction proteomics as well as functional proteomics. i. Sequence and structural proteomics Structural proteomics is generally aimed at efficiently convert the gene sequence into 3D structural information which will then being used to facilitate the prediction of protein folding and functions afterward (Yee et al., 2002). 3D structure prediction and determination of proteins on a genome-wide scale are managed to provide substantial information in understanding the structure-function relationships of the particular proteins (Liu Hsu, 2004). The approaches commonly employed for this area of study are NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In a study done by Yee et al. (2002), structural proteomics of small proteins based on data of 513 proteins from five microorganisms is done by using NMR spectroscopy. Small proteins are more acquiescent for structure analysis primarily due to its solubility as protein aggregation appeared to be a limitation for structural proteomics (Yee et al., 2002). NMR evaluation of proteins is performed after ran through a series of cloning, expression and purification processes. The chosen targets for NMR screening by Yee et al. (2002) were single chain polypeptides with not more than 23 kDa molecular mass. PCR was involved to amplify the targets from genomic DNA. Subsequent cloning of the target proteins into vectors was then carried out. Batch Ni2+ affinity chromatography was done for the extraction of cells (Yee et al., 2002). Varian INOVA 500- or 600-MHz spectrometer was used to attain all the 1H-15N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) spectra and the NMRPIPE software package was utilized to processed the data (Yee et al., 2002). The HSQC spectrum is to provide a diagnostic fingerprint of a protein. Twelve of the proteins were considered to be suitable for structure determination and have their 3D structures successfully analysed which were conserved without functional annotation (Yee et al., 2002). Among them, eight out of twelve were the members of uncharacterized cluster of orthologous groups (COG) or protein superfamilies. In order to know whether a 3D structure can be predicted, the sequences were submitted to SwissModeler to be analysed based on sequence similarity. ii. Expression proteomics Human Protein Atlas (HPA) launched by Swedish researchers in 2003 is a comprehensive effort in mapping the proteins expressed in the body’s tissue and cells according to the genes documented by Human Genome Project (Marx, 2014). HPA principally looked at the spatial distribution and protein-expression patterns of human proteins as well as comparing the protein expression between cancerous and normal tissues. The expression proteomics is a focus for proteome study which targets on measurement of the up- and down-regulation of protein levels as well to explore the protein expression patterns in abnormal cells for biomedical application (Monti et al., 2005). Approaches like mass spectrometry, 2D-gel electrophoresis and protein arrays are used in expression proteomics. Mazzanti et al. (2006) as done an investigation upon the differential expression proteomics of human colon cancer to look at the operative pathway of early stages of human colon cancer and to compare with normal colon tissue. In this case, they were using 2D-gel electrophoresis to observe the differences in protein expression at various differentiation levels. After the tissues were properly collected and homogenized, Western Blot analysis was carried out to evaluate the expression levels of the proteins and followed by 2D-GE. The differences in intensity of each spot and the normalized spot volume were calculated and statistically analysed. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectroscopy analysis of tryptic peptides was performed to detect the differentially expressed samples processed by 2D-GE (Mazzanti et al., 2006). Lastly, a search through NCBI non-redundant databases and SWISSPROT was completed to identify the proteins. As a result, several proteins were found differentially expressed in colon cancer and normal tissue. Mazzanti et al. (2006) have obtained 11 and 15 proteins from healthy and cancerous tissues which were categorized according to the pathway they involved respectively. In addition, they also claimed that cancer tissues preferably utilize glycolysis due to selective repression of ÃŽ ²-subunit ATPase expression and limited substrate availability to mitochondria (Mazzanti et al., 2006). iii. Interaction proteomics Interaction proteomics emphasis on the elucidation of protein-protein interaction to which the multitude functions of proteins in association with individual components of proteome and the formation of multimeric complexes (Và ¶lkel et al., 2010). Frequently utilized approaches for interaction proteomics are like mass spectrometry (MS), affinity captured combined with mass spectrometry and yeast 2-hybrid techniques. Và ¶lkel et al. (2010) mentioned that characterize protein complexes from bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells and some multicellular organisms can be done by using tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry (TAP-MS). TAP is functioned based on the dual purification of protein assemblies by sequential utilization of two affinity tags spaced by a TEV (tobacco etch virus) protease cleavage site (Và ¶lkel et al., 2010). TEV is a sequence-specific protease that cleaves a recognition site of seven-amino-acid (Glu-X-X-Tyr-X-Gln/Ser) which is rarely found in mammalian proteins (Berggà ¥rd et al., 2007; Và ¶lkel et al., 2010). This epitope-tagging purification strategy further improves the sample purification prior to protein identification by MS. In the first purification step, the TAP-tag protein is bound to specific column like immobilized Ig (Berggà ¥rd et al., 2007; Và ¶lkel et al., 2010). Retrieval of TAP-tag protein is done by adding TEV-proteinase. The protein complex is then immobilized by CBP (calmodium-binding peptide) of TAP tag to a second column, the calmodulin-coated beads in the second affinity step. This calcium-dependent CBP-calmodium interaction enables the elution of final protein complex for MS protein identification by means of calcium chelation (Và ¶lkel et al., 2010). The TAP purification of protein complex is independent of the availability of specific antibodies. It is used to accomplish large-scale protein interaction mapping of lower organisms and decode the smaller interactomes and signalling pathway in mammals (Và ¶lkel et al., 2010). However, this technique may not be able to identify low stoichiometric complexes, transient interactions or under-represented interactions occurred specifically in some physiological states of cells growing exponentially (Và ¶lkel et al., 2010). iv. Functional proteomics The objectives of functional proteomics are to characterize the biological function of unknown proteins, multiprotein complexes and descript the cellular mechanisms as well as signalling pathway at molecular level (Monti et al., 2005). Henning and Ilag (2003) stated that the protein functions assessment could be done based on the individual cell types and interaction of protein partners. Functional proteomics implement the concept that functional inactivation within the physiological environment of a targeted protein can be used to determine its function (Henning Ilag, 2003). Tools that are typically employed in functional proteomics include 2D-gel electrophoresis, MS, MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) MS and affinity-based procedure. The affinity-based procedure is worked on the idea that a suitable tag of the expressed target protein can be used as a bait to fish out its partners from a cellular extract (Monti et al., 2005). Brookes et al. (2002) utilized a high-throughput two-dimensional blue-native electrophoresis in the study of functional proteomics for mitochondria and signalling pathway. As mitochondrial membrane proteins exhibit hydrophobic properties, precipitation is occurred in standard 2D gels during the first dimension isoelectric focusing. Thus, the 2D blue-native gel electrophoresis is used resolve this problem. The first dimension of 2D blue native gel electrophoresis involved the solubilization the membrane protein complexes into its native form. This is followed by the second dimension utilizing the sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-page) with its gel staining performed by employing a mixture of Coomassie blue G-250 and R-250. SDS-page is worked on denaturing the protein complexes and enables them to resolve into their component subunits (Brookes et al., 2002). A partial mitochondrial proteome map was then assembled by using MALDI-TOF MS coupled with tryptic peptide fingerprinting. This 2D blue native gel electrophoresis is found suitable for proteomic analysis of mitochondria proteins in which it could separate large amount of mitochondria proteins and large proportion of respiratory chain complexes as presented as the spots on the gel can be readily identified according to their position (Brookes et al., 2002). The functional associations between different respiratory complexes in mitochondria like cytochrome C, respiratory complexes III and IV can be interpreted from the gels. From this study, Brookes et al. (2002) suggested that the respiratory complexes are able to assemble into sub-complexes with limited functionality regardless of the presence of mtDNA encoded subunits.

American Views on Sexuality

American Views on Sexuality (Jump to) Introduction Discussion Americans’ Contacts with Homosexuals LGBT Americans Opinions Social Acceptance by American Society Religious Belief References INTRODUCTION Being a bisexual means getting attracted to both people of their own gender and another gender also. Women who get attracted to the female gender are known as lesbians and similarly the men who get attracted to the male gender are known as gay. The bisexual women and men get attracted to both the male and the female gender. Getting attracted to the same gender is also known as homosexuality. The attitudes towards the homosexuality differ in different cultures, because all the cultures have their own values regarding sexuality. Some countries approve the homosexual behavior whereas some disapproves it. The research has been done and it is found that the certain populations have accepted the homosexuality more than others. Homosexuality may be illegal in some countries, but where it is legal, there a age has been defined and that age differs from country to country. Homosexuality is neither a mental illness not a matter of an individual’s choice. It does not threaten the healthy and secure homosexuals. Therefore, there is no need to oppress the homosexuality. But in our society, discrimination occurs daily against gays, lesbians and bisexual people which greatly affect them (Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues). Due to which the gay, lesbian and the bisexual people feel depression and the relationship problems same as the heterosexual people feel. DISCUSSION I agree with your statement, as in my opinion also, being a lesbian or bisexual woman is more accepted than being a gay or bisexual man by the current American society. A research has been done and it has been found out that the most Americans don’t bother while getting surrounded by the homosexuals. Various studies has been done and results into various factors, such as: 82% of the Americans don’t bother when around homosexuals (Views of Gay Man and Lesbians, Roots of Homosexuality, Personal Contacts with Gays, 2013). Whereas, 14% of the Americans say that, it bothers them while surrounded by homosexuals. In 2003, about 76% of the Americans do not bother to be around homosexuals. Few years ago, the balance between the gay and the lesbians was not favorable. As: Gay men were viewed favorable only by the 37 % of the Americans, whereas 51% of the Americans viewed them as unfavorably. Lesbian women were viewed favorable only by the 39 % of the Americans, whereas 48% of the Americans viewed them as unfavorably. By a 2 % margin, the American people are more favorable to lesbian women than gay men. But today, 58% of the American people view the lesbian women favorably while only 29% of the Americans view them as unfavorably. And, 55% to 32% margins (Views of Gay Man and Lesbians, Roots of Homosexuality, Personal Contacts with Gays, 2013) have favorable views towards gay men than unfavorable views. Still, the percentages of Americans who have the favorable views towards lesbian women are more than the ones who have favorable views towards the gay men. The study has found out that the Americans’ views are rapidly changes to acceptance of gay men and lesbian women with time (Harms, 2011). Americans now approve the same-sex relations and moreover, they provide the lesbians and gays the freedom of expression. Moreover, public have different views about the fact that why people are lesbian and gay? And, about 42% of the public thinks that the people choose themselves to live as gay or lesbian. About 8% thinks that it’s a result of upbringing, due to which the people are gay or lesbian, and Others think that they are born as lesbian or gay. In American society, about 66% of the Americans think that the people choose themselves to live as gay or lesbian. About 20% of the Americans think that they are born as lesbian or gay. But overall, 58% of the people thinks that the homosexuality should be accepted as they thinks that its by birth, and 63% of the people think that it should not be accepted as they thinks that it’s just a choice of people of being gay or lesbian. Americans’ Contacts with Homosexuals In Americans Society, different people have different views to share about their contacts with the homosexuals. And, 87% of the Americans are somehow in contacts with ones who are lesbian or gay. 23% of the Americans say that they know personally some people who are gay or lesbian. 61% of the Americans had gay or lesbian contacts (Views of Gay Man and Lesbians, Roots of Homosexuality, Personal Contacts with Gays, 2013). The contacts with gays and lesbians also differ in different religions. As 30 % of the religions say that they know some gays and lesbians, and Only 8 % says that they don’t know any. LGBT Americans Opinions Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) adults are asked the question and it has been found out that the society is accepting them as compared to past decades and more will accept it in upcoming decades (A Survey of LGBT Americans, 2013). And, 39% of the LGBT Americans say that they are not accepted by their families. 30% of the LGBT Americans say that they are attacked physically. 29% of the LGBT Americans say that they are not allowed to go at worship places. 21% of the LGBT Americans say that they are not treated fairly by their employees. 21% of the LGBT Americans say that they are the targets of jokes. Moreover, At the age of 17, the people gets the feel that they are homosexual, and at the age of 20, they share this information with their families. LGBT adults say that their acceptance is increasing as the time passes. But some of LGBT adults say that they still feels discrimination in the society. They said that they need more acceptance in mostly all the societies. Thus, their views needs to be focused on. Social Acceptance by American Society Most of the LGBT adults have said that they have got social acceptance and moreover, there is significant progress towards the social acceptance of LGBT adults. The study has been done to see the criteria of social acceptance. And 19% says that there is progress towards social acceptance of LGBT adults. 59% says that there is some (A Survey of LGBT Americans, 2013), and 21% says that there is no progress in socially accepting the LGBT adults. Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) adults are more accepted by the American society as compared to past and others socities. But, still a more acceptance is needed, so that they don’t feel any discrimination. According to some LGBT adults, they are accepted by most of the American society whereas some LGBT adults said that they need more acceptance in the American Society as they feel discriminants. The views of different LGBT adults are needs to kept in perspective. In compared to all other socities, Americans are found to be ore tolerant towards the lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) adults than they al were in past decades. Only 2 out of 10 said they are not socially accepted as they are treated unfairly by the public, they are not either accepted by their own families, they are physically attacked, and moreover, they are the target of jokes. Religious Belief In opposition to the social acceptance of LGBT adults, Religious belief is an important factor (Religious Belief and Views of Homosexuality, 2013). Over the past decades, 47% to 60% of the Americans belief that the homosexuality should be accepted. While only 45% to 31 % of the Americans think that it should not be accepted. When the Americans who think that the homosexuality should not be accepted are asked why they feel so? Then 52% of them said that, homosexuality is against their religion. As Religion is a big factor, due to which some Americans are against the homosexuality. Moreover, they belief that the homosexuality is traditionally wrong. But, there is only small percentage of Americans who think that the homosexuality is against their religion. 58% of the Americans say that the homosexuality should br accepted by the alw and should be legal according to the laws. They said, it should be supported same as the traditional relations are supported. Thus, It has been notices that the lesbians are more accepted than gays in American Society, But overall, their acceptance in this society has been progressed. REFERENCES A Survey of LGBT Americans. (2013, June 13). Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org: http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/06/13/a-survey-of-lgbt-americans/# Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://cms.bsu.edu: http://cms.bsu.edu/campuslife/counselingcenter/newsfooteritems/diversityresources/diversityinformationandlinks/glbt Harms, W. (2011, October 5). US VIEWS ON GAYS, LESBIANS SHIFT SHARPLY. Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.futurity.org: http://www.futurity.org/us-views-on-gays-lesbians-shift-sharply/ Religious Belief and Views of Homosexuality. (2013, June 6). Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.people-press.org: http://www.people-press.org/2013/06/06/section-3-religious-belief-and-views-of-homosexuality/ Views of Gay Man and Lesbians, Roots of Homosexuality, Personal Contacts with Gays. (2013, June 6). Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.people-press.org: http://www.people-press.org/2013/06/06/section-2-views-of-gay-men-and-lesbians-roots-of-homosexuality-personal-contact-with-gays/

Siddhartha - The Three Stages Essay -- Hesse Siddhartha Essays

Siddhartha - The Three Stages "On the great journey of life, if a man cannot find one who is better or at least as good as himself, let him journey joyfully alone." The story of Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse makes this point true. The main character Siddhartha dealt with the Samanas and Gotama Buddha, the second with Kamala and then the ferryman. The three parts correspond to the three stages though which Siddhartha passes on his journey to enlightenment: The stage of the mind; the stage of the flesh; the stage of transcendence. During this period-the realm of the mind, Siddhartha actively sets about letting the self die, escaping his Self. This attempt reaches its most concentrated form during his stay with the ascetic Samanas, during which he discards all material possessions and tries further to flee his own body and control his other needs. This is shown when he says, "He killed his senses, he killed his memory, he slipped out of his Self in a thousand different forms." S... Siddhartha - The Three Stages Essay -- Hesse Siddhartha Essays Siddhartha - The Three Stages "On the great journey of life, if a man cannot find one who is better or at least as good as himself, let him journey joyfully alone." The story of Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse makes this point true. The main character Siddhartha dealt with the Samanas and Gotama Buddha, the second with Kamala and then the ferryman. The three parts correspond to the three stages though which Siddhartha passes on his journey to enlightenment: The stage of the mind; the stage of the flesh; the stage of transcendence. During this period-the realm of the mind, Siddhartha actively sets about letting the self die, escaping his Self. This attempt reaches its most concentrated form during his stay with the ascetic Samanas, during which he discards all material possessions and tries further to flee his own body and control his other needs. This is shown when he says, "He killed his senses, he killed his memory, he slipped out of his Self in a thousand different forms." S...

Social Security1 :: essays papers

Social Security1 Social Security is a federal redistribution program that collects payroll taxes from current workers to provide pensions for current retirees. Since the government is expecting a large amount of retirees within the next twenty year, they have proposed four plans to save Social Security. The four proposals are reducing benefits, increasing the retirement age, raising payroll taxes, and privatizing part of the system. Today's Social Security taxes crowd out other savings. Fixing the trust fund by raising taxes or cutting benefits would be fairly simple, but both approaches would only make Social Security an even worse deal than it is now. Approximately 75 percent of American workers pay more in Social Security taxes than they do in income taxes. Based on the Social Security Administration's own assumptions, payroll tax rates would have to increase from 12.4 to 19.5 percent for promised benefits to be paid. Although such tax increases might be sufficient to pay promised future benefits, the economy would suffer severe consequences. Raising Social Security taxes enough to keep the government's entitlements promises to future retirees would require doubling or tripling these taxes. That means taking 30 to 40 percent of every worker's wages just to pay retirement benefits. Such tax hikes are not economically or politically feasible. Social Security reform must not reduce the benefits of current retirees. In addition, it must allow Americans of all income levels to build a nest egg for the future. Real reform will also guarantee that all workers receive an adequate minimum retirement income. The benefits of current retirees must not be reduced. Washington has a moral contract with those who currently receive Social Security retirement benefits, as well as those who are so close to retirement that they have no other options for building a retirement nest egg. Any real reform plan must guarantee in law that seniors receive every cent that they have been promised, including an accurate annual cost of living increase. As a first step to saving Social Security for future generations, Congress should pass a law giving every already retired American a contract that provides a legal guarantee of his or her Social Security retirement benefits. Finally, current workers should have the choice of either joining a Social Security system that includes personal retirement accounts or remaining in the existing system and taking whatever benefit is available at the time that they reti re.

Adoption is a Family Affair!

Joyce Maguire Pavao, the author of â€Å"The Family of Adoption† has been successful in capturing the essence of adoption, the challenges it brings as well as the necessities that would help in handling these challenges.   Being an adopted child herself, she has a great understanding of the challenges and needs, not only of the adopted child, but the adoptive parent and birth parent as well.The book has a more practical and realistic feel since the author willingly shared her own experiences as an adopted child. One characteristic of the book that should be noted is the way the author categorized the whole book.   Covering the essentials not limited to the adopted child alone.The author also generously shared insights about the needs of the birth and adoptive parent.   It is very important to know the rationale behind her principle that the whole process of adoption does not only include the adopted child but the other individual surrounding her as well.   Her book has admirably captured and discussed this principle.In the book, the author well discussed the processes that the birth parent and the adoptive parents.   This part recognizes the fact that even the parents (birth and adoptive) may go through the process of grief and experiences dilemmas as well.In line with this, the book stated that the parents (birth and adoptive) may also need to go through the process of healing.   To further strengthen this fact, the author mentioned that there is a need for the adoptive parent to undergo counseling since this will help the adoptive parent to better understand and have a healthy relationship with the adoptive child.The book mentioned that an adopted child may go through â€Å"developmental stages† such us feelings of loss, experiencing problems in school and the wanting to know about their past.   The author mentioned that the adopted child have every right to know as much about his or her past.The adoptive parents should be open to this fact.   Apart from this, the author was able to clarify the different challenges and developmental stages that the adopted child goes thru.   She said that these are normal.   They may be challenging, but they are a normal process that the adopted child goes thru.In the book, it is stated that adoption â€Å"is not about finding children for families, but about finding families for children.†Ã‚   The items discussed in the book are somehow a reminder that the best interest of the adopted child should always be the priority of the parents.   In the first part of Chapter 1, the author said that â€Å"There have always been mothers and fathers who have not been able to, or not chosen to, or not been allowed to, parent their children†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚   This is a sad fact that Joyce Maguire Pavao has beautifully placed into proper perspective.The birth parents have had their share of criticism from many because they gave up their child.   But it is important to reme mber that the birth parents have reasons as to why they chose to give up their child for adoption.   Birth parents need the same understanding, perhaps, as that of the adopted child.This book presented us with the reality that adoption is a commitment more than anything else.   It is a process that needs the cooperation of both the birth and adoptive family of the child.Openness of both families is essential to the growth and better development of the child.   It is important to accept that the adopted child will go thru confusing stages that may prove to be a challenge for the parents.But because of the commitment that the parents choose to make, these challenges, when faced properly, may prove to be the cause of a better relationship with the child.  Ã‚   While the family (parents and child) are going through the different challenges that the process of adoption brought about, it is critical for the parents to remind themselves that the best interest of the child should al ways be the main concern.A lot of people have different opinion with regards to adoption.   Some may even have negative notions about it.   Apart from the usual challenges that an adoptive parent may face while going through the process of adoption, the opinions and reactions of the people around them is another thing that they would need to deal with.It is not enough that the adoptive couple alone understand and is happy about adopting.   It is vital that they have the support and understanding of the people they care about.The book â€Å"Adoption is a Family Affair† is perfect for the families and friends of the adoptive couple.   Patricia Irwin covered the different areas that families of the adoptive parents should know about.   Areas such as who can adopt, reasons behind the decision of adopting, kids understanding adopting and much more.She made the whole adoption process something that can be and should be shared amongst family members and even close friends.    This book is a helping hand to the families and close friends of the adoptive couple, for them to better grasp then reality of and better understand the decision made by their loved one.Patricia Irwin herself is an adoptive parent, given this, she may as well have experienced the confusions of her family and friends about her decision to adopt.   She has a clearer understanding of the need for the people who the adoptive couple cares about to know as much fact as possible with regards to adoption.It is important that the author pictured in the very beginning of her book that there can be a negative reaction from the people the adoptive parents care most about when the couple decides to share the information of adoption to them.   Like most of us, of course we would love for it for the people we equally love to feel the happiness and excitement we feel when we decide to adopt.   And as the author clearly illustrated, this is not always the case.The book acknowledges valid fears and concerns of the families and friends of the adoptive parents.   Some of the valid concerns that the author discussed were the permanence of adoption, whether the child will be different from them or will not fit, the racial difference, should grandparents include the adopted child in their will, how can the family have deeper bonds with the child, etc.These are all valid concerns and important.   In fact, the adoptive couple may have thought about all these things themselves.Patricia Irwin was great in giving solutions or suggestions on how to deal with these fears and concerns.   Some of her solutions were as simple as the family members spending time with the child to create a deeper bond, giving assurance to the family members that adoption is permanent, and the like.One interesting part of the book is where the author gave examples of the possibly irritating comments given by friends and relatives of adoptive couples upon knowing of the couples’ decision t o adopt.   These comments show how uninformed some people are about adoption.   It illustrates how some people, no matter how closely related they may be to the adoptive couple, can be insensitive about the whole adoption process.There were financial related comments where it appears as if the child is someone the adoptive couple picks from a shelf display of children and pays for it at the counter.   Some comments were just downright insensitive and would not be expected to have come from well educated individuals.Of course, we cannot expect everyone to be knowledgeable about adoption.   As the book illustrated, the families and relatives of the adoptive couple may be confused and misinformed about adoption.This book has truly been informative and is useful for the family and friends of the adoptive couple.   It plainly made clear the issues that the adoptive couples may go through in connection with the possible reactions, confusions and hesitations of the people around them who they wish to be a part of the adoption process.Reference ListPavao JM. The Family of Adoption. Boston: Beacon Press; 2004Johnston PI. Adoption is a Family Affair. Indianapolis: Perspective Press;

Persuasive Opinion Writing Essay

Write a response for each of these activities. At the end of the lesson, click the link on the final screen to open the Student Answer Sheet. Use the sample answers to evaluate your own work. 1.Analyzing Editorials a.Select a newspaper from this list of prominent newspapers, and read a variety of recent editorials. Then read some editorials from one or two additional newspapers from different parts of the country. What do you notice about the editorial topics and opinions selected from different newspapers throughout the country? Type your response here: They all involve different ways of tone and language use in the newspapers. b.Analyze one of the editorials you read. Write a paragraph that answers these questions: †¢What was the subject of the editorial? †¢What was the author’s position on the topic? †¢How did the author support his or her opinion? (Give specific examples from the text, such as facts, quotes, and statistics.) Type your response here: c.Errors in logic, or fallacies, can make an argument appear weak and unconvincing. Read about good arguments versus fallacies, and complete the five exercises. Then write two syllogisms of your own that are based on fallacies, and explain their logical errors. You might choose from these fallacies: validity problem, post hoc, slippery slope, straw man, inconsistency, begging the question, false dilemma, non sequitur, and ad hominem. Type your response here: How did you do? Check a box below. 0 Nailed It!—I included all of the same ideas as the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. 0 Halfway There—I included most of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. 0 Not Great—I did not include any of the ideas in the model response on the Student Answer Sheet. Teacher-Graded Activities Write a response for each of the following activities. Check the Evaluation section at the end of this document to make sure you have met the expected criteria for the assignment. When you have finished, submit your work to your teacher. 1.Write a Letter On the editorial page of most newspapers, you will also find letters that people have written to the editor in response to articles or opinion columns. Write a letter to the editor stating your position on the editorial you analyzed in activity 1b. Your opinion may agree or disagree with the editorial. If you agree with the author’s opinion, be prepared to add further support (such as research, examples, and analysis) to your statement. Write your letter in business letter format. Be sure to include a  clear description of the issue and compelling evidence to support your opinion. And, remember to use persuasive language. Type your response here: 2.Debate a Topic Work with a group to brainstorm a list of current debate topics. Decide which side of the issue you will research (pro or con), and have another student take the opposite stance. Agree on a time to hold a mock debate in which each of you will state your position on the topic and present your supporting research. Be sure to submit your position in written form, and cite any sources, electronic or print, that you have used. Include use of persuasive strategies, such as loaded words and repetition, while avoiding fallacy and illogical thinking in your argument. You may want to add visuals (photographs or data tables) to your presentation to make your argument even more convincing. At the conclusion of the debate, poll the audience to determine their opinions as to which side presented the more convincing argument. Type your response here: Evaluation Your teacher will use these rubrics to evaluate the completeness of your work as well as the clarity of thinking you exhibit. Activity 2: Write a Letter Criteria Distinguished (4 points)†¢The topic of the editorial and the author’s position are both clearly stated in the letter. †¢The student’s position on the topic is supported with three or more statements of fact or supporting data providing compelling evidence. †¢The assignment is written in the form of a letter with an appropriate greeting and closing and a developed body. †¢The tone and language of the letter are professional and persuasive. †¢The letter is free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Proficient (3 points)†¢The topic of the editorial and the author’s position are both stated in the letter. †¢The student’s position on the topic is supported with two or more statements of fact or supporting data providing evidence that is somewhat compelling. †¢The assignment is written in the form of a letter with an appropriate greeting and closing and a developed body. †¢The tone and language of the letter are mostly professional and persuasive. †¢The letter is mostly free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Developing (2 points)†¢The topic of the editorial and the author’s position are both understood, although perhaps not thoroughly stated. †¢The student’s position on the topic is supported with two or more statements of fact or supporting data. †¢The assignment is written in the form of a letter with a greeting, closing, and body. †¢The tone and language of the letter are somewhat professional and persuasive. †¢The letter contains some grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Beginning (1 point)†¢Either the topic of the editorial or the author’s position is not clear or evident. †¢The student’s position on the topic is minimally supported. †¢The assignment is written in the form of a letter, but either the greeting or the closing is missing. †¢The tone and language of the letter are more informal than professional and are not very persuasive. †¢The letter contains several noticeable errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.