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The second world II was a world wide conflict. One started in Asia at around 1937, the others in Europein 1939 with the invasion. It was also fought in Africa continent. It led the nations split into two, that is allies-Britain andAmericaand the axis which were Germany and Italy.

The Second World War sparked off when Hitler invadedPolandon September first in 1939. About million Australians fought in the Second World War in campaigns againstGermanyandItalyin Europe, North Africa, Mediterranean and againstJapaninSouth East Asiaas well as in other parts of the Pacific. My main focus in this paper will be to discuss on theUSmilitary involvement inNorth Africaduring the Second World War.

In 1942, November,United Kingdommilitary forces in conjunction with US military forces staged war against the France North Africa. To be precise, they attackedAlgeria,Tunisiaand morocco. It was the result of the long contentious argument between American planners of war and those ofBritain. The turbulence of this argument was calmed by the American president’s Franklin D Roosevelt intervention. This attack inevitably postponed the landing inFrancenot until 1944 though it allowed US to continue with accumulation of its big battles that were common to the allied campaigns of 1944.

American dream about the Second World War in 1942 was to attack and defeatGermanybefore proceeding toAsiato see the harm the Japanese were causing to Pacific territories. As Marshal C. the army chief of staff viewed the in order further American to succeed in the war inEuropethat they had to first of all concentrate on the army building.

In the same year, the Soviet Army was far much pressed by the Germany-panzers division who were leveling attacks onRussia. Some American planners thought it was not necessary to attackNorth Western Europe. They planned that come 1943, the American army would be well prepared, trained and equipped to meet theGermany’s aggressive troops. The American planners believed that its army’s knowledge and resources could help them to accomplish their mission of bringing theGermanytroops down.

The British military leaders under the field marshal Alan Brooke (Dennis P. 2002; 78) adopted a different approach. They never thought it wise to start launching their attacks in 1942. The main reason why they were opposed to this idea is because, by taking such a move would forceUnited Kingdomto bear much of the military burden. At this time, they could not have afforded to have a division in the army because they were experiencing a fierce fight againstGermanywhich had already inflicted a lot of harm to their army. Most of their military had met stiff resistance of the Wehrmatch inFranceduring the disastrous 1940 campaign. At this time their forces under field marshal Erwin Rommel, they had done practically nothing to end or reduce the German military process in North Africa and inLibya.

After the war, Brooke said he found the strategy of the marshal very incompatible and that he did not appreciated what the operations inFrancewould mean. He could not figure out how the Germans could reinforce their attacks about three to four times faster than theirs and he could not just understand that they could suffer from the shortage of sea transport if theMediterraneanwas not opened. The British opposed this idea thoughAmericawould have supplied the invading forces. They wanted the Americans to clear the axis force in the Mediterranean shores ofNorth Americaand open up that great inland sea for the allied convoys to move in.

This culminated into a deadlock that made Brooke to consider switching theAmericaarmy’s emphasis from European theatre of operations to the pacific, but Roosevelt the then president ofAmericawould not accept such an idea that was centrally to their war strategy. This emphasy fromBritainnever worked to the Americans instead it ledRooseveltto do something that Winston Churchill would never dream of doing. In fact he intervened and overruled his advisers who used to advise him on war matters. This was in the summer of 1942. He ordered his generals to direct their forces to the French North Africa to support the British proposal for landing along the coast ofNorth Africa. He did this so that he could reduce his concentration on what the Germans were doing inEurope. He wanted to divide his concentration on German because he though that if he did not do that, then he had to come face to face with German some where inEurope.

He knew that his move would be embraced byBritainthough it was only done with political necessity and interests.

At this time the British soldiers had no choice but to gang withUSAin attacking morocco andAlgeria. From this time the attention that was being given off German half of it shifted to the battle for the control of theMediterranean.

This plan was well strategised; about 65,000 men under lieutenant General Durlght D. Eisenhower were to be transported by the allies to invadeCasablanca, Roan and Algers. These were the possessions of theFranceNorth Africa. Everything went according o the plan and they had a lot of success. This is attributed to the fact that the Axis attention was focused elsewhere. That is in Western Europe as well as inEastern Europe. This time the Germans were trying to subjugate Stalingrad and theCaucasus.

InEgyptin the same period, the Rummel’s African Korps renewed their offensive attacks on the British area of interests. The British forces under Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery organized his army to liaise the move of the Rummel’s theMontgomery’s force entered into a fierce battle with the axis forces. The axis powers had no hope of winning this war and by early November Rummer’s armies yielded back toLibya. This move they took was against the wishes of Hitler who had ordered them to keep soldering on. Hitler never at any time contemplated of defeat. He would rather die that witness such humiliations (Ambrose S

York.2001; 58)

At the onset of November 1942, the allied forces had started to build up their ships atGibraltar. The German spies had noted this but they down played the idea as simply as another large supply convoy for reinforcingMalta.

TheGermany’s companion had a different view,Italywas not so sure of this thoughGermanynever thought about this seriously. He had been ignoringItaly’s decision. In November eighth 1942 the foreign German foreign minister Ulrich Joachim who was also known as Von Ribbentrop was so sure about the American troops had landed in Algerian as well as in Moroccan ports.

The allied forces attack had positive results as it was expected, the allied forces thought that the dissident France military officers who had supported them would turn against them however, this did not happen but to their surprise the richly France government just as it happened in Dakar and in Syria in the following year, they fought against the allied forces though they did not manage to keep off the invading Germans in France and in Tunisia in the same year, that is 1942.

The Vichy French military men couldn’t have resisted the German who were very adamant and determined to crash the French’s down. TheVichy’s weapons were not up to the standard when compared with those of the Germans. They used tanks while he German possessed combat aircrafts though they were not enough. The Germans never trusted the French Vichy government and that was why they could never let them to modify their war technology. They thought that French’s would rise up against them if let to acquire modern weapons. Due to lack of proper weapons the Vichy French’s were unable to keep sustained resistance against the allied forces who comprised of British soldiers and America soldiers(Atkinson R 2003;152)

In the initial stage of the war,Americathought the French North Africa would not attack the Americans though this is not what resulted. Though they tried to resist they could never stand up to the American’s advancements. They had no effective troops that would manage to keep Americans at bay. Though the American’s landings defeated the Frenchs, not all of them were successful. In fact a landing at Fedela costed the transport Leonard wood its 21 landing crafts and a lot of lives perished. Also in another landing, the transport Thomas Jefferson 16 crafts was destroyed completely beyond revival. The most affected landing was of the transport canal which lost 18 out of its 25 crafts and in the second wave; five of them were ruined leaving only two boats that could carry troops and other supplies.

There was serious landing opposition at Mehdia by the French forces. The landing was not safe and was very dangerous. By November 10^th, the Americans under major general Lucian Truscott were able to capture the airfield from the hands of French military men. This was as a result of a very heavy naval gun fire between French’s and Americans but later after the negotiations between French leader and the allies inAlgeria, fighting stopped.

The landing forces along the coast ofAlgeriaalso met a lot of resistance which that ofOranwas successful. Some how the Americans were supported by the fact that French’s had no air back up favored the Americans.

On 8^th November 1992, the infantry division had already actualized its dreams in almost all areas apart from St. Cloud where they met a very strong French force. During this time the combat was spearheaded by Roosevelt who was by then who was brigadier general. However, the landings begun to be interfered with by the rising surfs on 8^th of November, the landing activities were to be suspended.

In the following day theVichygovernment tried to counter attack but they met a lot of resistance from allied force who had support from air bases and naval base

Oranwas secured from the hands by the American though the French looked like they would never go but an armistice was signed when the confronting parties came together. The most operation assignment that the allied forces faced was at theportofAlgiers. The French had enough ground force plus 52 fighter aircrafts. They also had 39 bombers.

The port was heavily guarded so there was no way the British’s and Americans could have had an easy access to the port. The American troops of the 168^th regimental combat landed on the West while the 39^th combat team went to the East of the port and they raided the port. They used two British destroyers which carried the royal navy personnel and the American troops. Before they could succeed, one of the destroyers was destroyed and it had to go back immediately while the other one succeeded and crossed the barriers.

These forces that succeeded captured the power station and petroleum tank farm. The French responded to this attack. After some time when the 168^th combat group failed to turn up the American commander was forced to surrender his troops. The attack that was going on in North Africa betweenBritain andAmerica was called “operation torch” and the city that was their target wasCasablanca. It was bombarded under the command of Eisenhower.

The North Africa battle (Sam M. 2006; 102) struggle for the control of the Suez Canal because it linked Africa with theMiddle East. This means that Suez Canal was the inlet of the oil from the Middle East and other raw materials fromAsia. Due to the mechanization of their armies, oil was a very crucial commodity and becauseBritainwhich had already a mechanized army it totally relied on oil from theMiddle East.BritainusedSuez Canalas a link to her overseas dominions. This was all made possible by theMediterranean Sea. Hence, the struggle over theMediterranean Seacontrols.

This struggle sparked off at around 1935 whenEthiopiawas invaded byItalywhich by then had made Somali land its colony. The move frightenedEgyptwhich was not yet a British colony. They started getting worried of its imperialistic aspirations. So, in order to protect its interest and country, it allowedBritainto station its army in its territory so as to keep any advances that would result fromItalythereafter,BritainandFrancetook upon themselves the responsibility of maintaining naval control of the Mediterranean with the main British base located atAlexandria,Egypt.

The British and American troops met little resistance atAlgiers,OranandCasablancaon November 8 1942, American troops were for the first time narrow Mediterranean full of islands and peninsular ships always faced attack from land as well as air and sea. The war took place in the North African desert. By the time the war took place the Italian dictator Bennito Mussolini had better equipped army than that of theBritainandAmerica. He had about a million soldiers who were based inLibyawhileBritainhad only 3600 soldiers who were based inEgypt. They were supposed to protect the Suez Canal and the oil fields inArabia. At this time the Italians were a threat toBritain. They had already started showing interest in the red sea andSuez Canalsupply routes. TheNorth Africacampaign in the beginning was hampered by lack of enough supplies on both sides. Tough battles took place which either rendered one group to advance against the other along the supply routes. Many of the fights took place in the Far East region out of theMediterraneanwhere they enjoyed free transport (Breuer W. 1985; 26)

In April 1941(Funk A.L. 1974; 86) the allied forces were under the leadership of General Bernard Montgomery. While the British troops worked to keep Germans forces at bay to the West. The US forces were supposed to confront the Frenchs in North Africa under” Operation Touch” The main reason for this reason for this operation was to take over Morocco which was already a French colony, to take Algeria and Tunisia. They wanted to offer support to their colleague in theLibyan Desert. They also wanted to make Mediterranean in theLibyan Desert. They also wanted to make Mediterranean shipping route free to their ships and for other major operations inNorth Africa. They hoped that they would force the axis of power out of the region. They also wanted the axis to reduce their concentration on the Russian forces or in other words, they wanted the Axis forces to divide their war attention between North Africa andRussia.

The attack took Germans by surprise because they did not expect it to happen. Later, the French stopped to be very hostile to the allied forces and allowed them to nave an access toTunisia.

Rommel who steered the ‘operation torch’ led his armies to various defensive operations. One of the most key operations was of the Kasserine pass where American defenses were crashed by Germans modern tanks. This operation saw 1000 allied troops dead and hundred of them were held prisoners by Germans. They also lost most of their fighting equipments. Though the axis powers thought they were winners, to the allied forces was an awakening call. They went back to their drawing board, assessed their weaknesses and came up with the way forward (Funk A.L.1974; 86)

Americans never gave up; they sent Rommel back to conquer the Kasserine pass so that they could get the Merith line. This time, the axis forces gained morale and suppressed the resistance that they met until they let 275000 prisoners free. The axis forces inAfricasurrendered on may 2 1943 after about 350,000 soldiers were captured by the allied forces and 70,000 were casualties. After they quit from the war, the stage was left open for Italian campaign.

The axis surrendered because of ruthlessness of the operation retribution which was designed to evacuate German and Italian forces fromTunisia. About 897 were held captives, 653 escaped the wrath and it was assumed that might have drowned.

In conclusion, we can say that the North African war costed a lot of lives. Many people perished and others were injured. Though the war was taking place in Africa, it was not as fierce as it was inEurope. Most of these wars were based on national interests. No country wanted another country to go near its spheres of influence. Another reason was fight for supremacy. The Allied Forces were determined to silenceGermanywhich was proving to a threat inEurope.

Reference:

 

Dennis P. The oxford Companion to Australian Military History.Melbourne.Oxford        University press.2002; 78

Breuer W. Operation Torch: The Allied Gamble to Invade North.St. Martins Press.1985; 26

Funk A.L. The Politics of Torch, University press.1974; 86

Sam M. At all costs: How crippled and two American Merchant mariners Turned the         Tide of world WarII.Random House.2006; 102

Ambrose S. The good Fight: How World War II Was Won. Atheneum.New          York.2001; 58

Atkinson R.An army at Dawn The war in North Africa 1942-1943.Newyork: Henry          Holt.2003;152

What is the current presidential administration stance on community policing?

Community policing revolves around the engagement and the involvement of the community that relate to local security. It is meant to enhance the relationship between the government and the people on the ground by offering home based solutions to local problems. The role of community policing as a solution to many social evils like crime and drug abuse in the American society cannot be underscored. This is so especially in these days of intensified terror threats. Through community policing, people are able to identify social problems early enough and discuss on the strategy to be undertaken to curb such problems.

Bush’s stand on community oriented policing services is on the limitation of the amount of funding allocated by the federal states. In his budgetary plan of 2003, he proposed that huge changes be introduced in the department of justice. Both the justice assistance grants and the community oriental policing service (COPS) were to undergo changes. Justice Assistance Grants has been on the forefront in fighting against drugs. On the other hand community-policing programs have been helping the police authorities in the war against crimes (David B. M. and Ralph R., 2002).

Bush stand on the issue of community policing has been rather controversial and enjoyed a railroad of criticism. His argument is based on some three reasons, which some claim make sense if looked at objectively. He claims that the community oriented policing services goes a long way in usurping the role and powers that lie within the individual states’ jurisdiction. Bush also further states that a close look at the community policing programs reveals they have not been able to meet the recommended standards in their performance as it has been expected. He also says that community oriented policing services have rather been ineffective and funding would be shifted to other programs that will be able to handle issues such as terrorism at the community level.

Bush’s stand on community policing emanates from the well founded belief that COPS programs have not been efficient enough in handling and curbing crime in the street or in increasing more law enforcement officers to a tune of 100,000 as recommended. For the community oriented policing serves to be tenable and enjoy budgetary support, they should meet the target bar as had been priory recommended by Bush. This, the administration maintains, is the criteria for identifying which government program is to receive more support or which is to be done away with.

A national evaluation on the success behind COPS indicated that it had failed to increase the number of offices in the streets since the community oriented policing services started being operational in 1994. The planned increase was at 57,000 by 2001 but the program was only able to add 40,000 offices. This hence has been impeding on the ability of the programs to fight and reduce crime on the street.  This program also had not been able to lay out proper strategies on how crime could be rooted out. These are the reasons that have prompted President George Bush decision to reduce funding of community policing programs. He claims that the funding given to the programs is not commensurate to the performance; the performance is below the set standards. Since Bush placed the fund cutting proposal, his administration has been receiving criticism from cross section of leaders who says that he is ignorant of the successes that have been recorded in some of the states.

What does the advent of homeland security mean for the future of community policing programs in current today us?

The post 9/11 period in the United States has been casting huge doubts on the tenability of community oriented policing and whether it will survive. The fears on the survival of COP however have been quelled down with time; the establishment of the homeland security does not in any way affect the running of these programs. Community policing is key to the success of the espoused objectives of homeland security. Focus of homeland security is on the prevention and arresting of terrorism and ensuring public safety. Just like other types of crime, terrorism is a national problem as it is to the local states. It hence becomes important that vital information and responsibility be properly apportioned between the national and the grass root level.

To achieve this, it is only prudent that there be a radical shift in the now predominant culture by the agents of law in regard to community policing. Community policing remains the most important tool for crime prevention. Community policing is all about creating an understanding and partnership between the community and the government. It is the joining of hand between the law enforcement agencies and the community in debunking the myths of policing and in encouraging traditional approach to solving crime.

Security analysts are in agreement that community policing remains a key strategy through which to maintain homeland security. This can be done through the specific communities bonding with the law enforcement agents and volunteering information that can be used to curb acts of terrorism in the United States. Bonding of the police with the community exposes the officers on the existing structure of the community as wells as the local activities. Such intelligence can go a long way in arresting or exposing any terrorist activities or plans within a specific community. Where the police and the local community have reached a partnership and an understanding, people will be vigilant of the activities carried out in the neighborhood and report on any unusual happenings (Matthew C. S. and Robert C., 2003).

Police and community partnerships revolve around empowering the citizenry and instilling them with the belief that they should be at the forefront in fighting social ills. This is a relationship based on trust and goes further to provide with a framework through which intelligence can be collected and properly executed. Both community policing and homeland security seek to accomplish similar objectives, only differently.  They are geared towards eliminating fear and threats to the public. Community policing encompasses the use of the local citizenry to tackle head-on, and provide solutions to the domestic problems. This goes a long way in curbing and deterring crime.

Homeland security also takes the same approach. It is hence prudent enough to say that the future of community policing remains bright and it is an effective strategy to accomplishing the objectives of homeland security. The existing community policing programs are evidence that both can co-exist with immense success.

Neighborhood Watch is one such program that has been in existence for almost 30 years and has been successful especially in the post 9/11 period. The Volunteers in Police Service is another program that facilitates the involvement of trained civilians in some non-crucial responsibilities.

 

Reference

David B. Muhlhausen and Ralph Rector, May 22, 2002. Will the bush administration hold the line on COPS? The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved on 03/12/2007 from http://www.heritage.org/research/crime/BG1550.cfm

Matthew C. Scheider and Robert Chapman, April 2003. “Community Policing and Terrorism,” Journal of Homeland

Security, http://www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/articles/Scheider-Chapman.html. Accessed on 3/12/2007.

 

Park Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex or chronic disorder of the central nervous system and it is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world today. People suffering from this disease have impaired coordination and balance and their movements are slow. PD was first described in 1817 by Dr James Parkinson but it was not until after 1960 that the medication was established. It entails the loss of brain cells which are responsible for the production of dopamine a chemical that helps in coordination and control of the muscle activity. (http://www.biobasics.gc.ca/english/View.asp?x=771)

Complete cure has not been established but researches are being carried out intensively. PD first affects the substancia nigra (SN) which contains the specialized neurons that send signals in the form of a neurotransmitter, the dopamine. When the neurons degenerate they cause a loss of dopamine and consequently making it difficult to control movement. (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2004).

Frequency of occurrence of PD is equal for both men and women. It affects the older people more than the younger people and it mostly develops when people are in their late fifties or early sixties. The rate among people between 75-84 years is approximately 30%.

Symptoms

Symptoms include tremors and stiffness while walking. Some people experience shuffling of their feet as they walk and unusual swinging of the arms. The body becomes rigid affecting movements. Speech impairments can also be noted which reduces or limits one’s social interactions. At the progressed stages patients experience difficulties in walking, talking or performing simple tasks effectively. Depression may also be experienced and insomnia problems may occur. (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2004).

Other symptoms include difficulties when swallowing or chewing, urinary problems or constipation, excessive sweating and other skin problems. However, the symptoms vary with different people. Falls may be experienced when people lose balance and have problems with their postures. The rate of eye blinking reduces and they seem to lack facial expression. Changes in the way people speak and others experience restlessness and nightmares. (NHS, 2006).

Emotional changes may also occur for instance, increased fear, irritability and feeling insecure. Others may suffer from inconsistency where they lose their bladder control. Some patients change their handwritings. Dementia which refers to increased problems with the mental functions could also occur. Again symptoms like sweating, problems maintaining an erection, dribbling and difficulties when swallowing are experienced by some PD patients. (Ramig O et al, 2001)

Diagnosis

PD diagnosis is done after a visit to the GP who may refer someone to a Parkinson’s specialist for further diagnosis on suspecting one could be suffering from PD. The specialist ought to be sought between 2-6 weeks depending on the stage that one is in. Since there lacks a definite test to tell if one is suffering from PD, the specialist uses a trial method where he compares one’s present condition with previous health conditions. Clinical observations are used. Thorough assessment and examination is done to establish if one is actually suffering from PD. (NHS, 2006)

 

Treatment

PD treatment can be through drugs or surgery. Drugs administered could have a direct or indirect impact on increasing the amount of dopamine. Treatment should not be started if a specialist is not consulted. People suffering from tremors can be offered the SPECT brain scan to verify if the tremor is caused by PD. The scan will establish the causes of the tremor. The structural MRI test used to further establish the causes of the tremor. Other tests should be done only if one is under clinical trial. (NHS, 2006)

Upon diagnosis that one is suffering from PD one needs to be reviewed regularly by their specialist. The review will clarify if one is actually suffering from PD for if new symptoms not linked to PD arise they could be due to the other causes.

Other treatments of PD include regular, moderate exercises to improve the motor control. These exercises can be used to improve someone’s circulation, increase their appetite and free up stiff muscles. Since PD patients may lose their appetite or feel nausea due to their drugs good nutrition would be very appropriate. Inclusion of more fiber and soft foods in their diet would be a plus in their digestive system.

The efficiency and effectiveness of drugs largely depend on the patient, their chemical composition, rate of PD progression and duration of drug use. Side effects could limit the drugs efficiency. Drugs used can be to replace dopamine. This approach is however, faced by the challenge of the body’s blood-brain barrier (BBB) which controls entry of substances into the brain.  It may prohibit important or helpful chemicals from entering into the brain.

Parkinson disease cannot be treated by injecting someone with dopamine because it is a neurotransmitter which will be barred entry into the brain by the blood brain barrier. Levodopa (L-Dopa) can be used as it can pass the BBB and then it can be turned to dopamine. It can be effective for 5 years after which it can cause detrimental effects. Enzyme prohibitors can also be used to prevent the breakdown of dopamine. Dopamine agonist can be used which perform the same functions as dopamine. This drug can restore the imbalance caused by changes in the dopamine levels. Again since dementia entails memory loss, confusion and speech problems they should be addressed. Cholinesterase inhibitors are most preferred for Dementia.

Surgical option is sought when drugs no longer seem to work. In the 60’s surgical treatments for PD were pallidotomy and thalamotomy which involve destroying of some brain portions. This exercise works to improve the body strength so that patients can better handle their disabilities. Through surgery some region of the brain can be prevented from being over active and others controlled to become more active. Today they have been replaced by deep brain stimulation (BDS) which blocks tremors in patients. It is reversible and widely used. (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2004).

Prognosis

Doctors should let the patients know that the disease has no cure and that the drugs used would only work to suppress the effects. Supportive therapies should be made available for people with PD to help them adjust to their new roles. Speech and language therapies are sought to help one’s voice become loud, more natural and easier to understand. Since there is no cure, selegiline is used to slow down destruction of SN brain cells. (NHS, 2006)

 

Treating depression of PD patients should suit their individual circumstances. The PD specialist should be careful to offer treatment that does not cause hallucinations or psychotic problems. Care is taken to ensure that antipsychotic symptoms do not aggregate the effects of PD. Health care professionals have the duty of explaining what the PD care entails especially at the advanced stages. Family members are also affected if one of their members is affected and they should also seek support. (NHS, 2006).

 

References:

Government of Canada. 2006. The science and the issues. Parkinson’s disease. Retrieved on 3^rd December 2007 from

http://www.biobasics.gc.ca/english/View.asp?x=771

Ramig O., Countryman S., Fox A., and Sapir S. 2001. Speech, voice and swallowing disorders. Parkinson’s disease: Diagnosis and clinical management.New York.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. NHS. 2006. Parkinsons Disease. High Holborn.London.

US Department of Health and Human Services.2004. Parkinson’s disease: Challenges, Progress and promise. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NationalInstituteofHealth. NH Publication.

 

In the recent past, there have been several debates about how media influences the behavior of the government and how they affect the political landscape in general. It has been said that mass media if it is not used appropriately, it can distort the country’s national agenda. In contemporary politics, mass media plays a key role in enlightening and informing people about politics. They are used in many nations which are seeking for liberal transition in their governments. They are mostly used to influence the public opinion on a particular issue. The media should remain neutral in political matters but this is not what happens in most countries. For example inAmerica, media are what keep the political arena going. Now the questions arise; do media influence American politics or influence governmental behaviors? This is what exactly this paper will focus on. It will try to look for answers to these questions.

Politics rely on mass media for liberal demands, information and manipulation of ‘public opinion’. Media as it has been noted before, empowers citizens and is used to pressurize the government on specific areas that need to be changed. During the 2000 presidential election inUSA, it was reportedly said that there were problems with the way the media covered and performed their duties. Some media starved voters with relevant information they needed to make informed choices (Wayne S. J., 2001)

On 7^th November 2000, some televisions and other types of media based inFlorida lied that Al Gore had managed to win the majority of the votes inFlorida which was a stronghold of republicans. It was unbelievable that Gore had won because this state was governed by Bush’s brother, Jeb. Media with all their ignorance went ahead to say that Gore was ahead of bush but this was later clarified at night by CNN which showed that bush had already scooped 52% of the votes while Al Gore had managed to get 46% of all the votes cast (Maisel L. S., 2002)

This was organized by Gore and his camp to mobilize votes in the west. It was meant to deceive voters so that Gore would amass more votes. He knew very well that this would have a lot of significance to him. As media houses, you are not supposed to show one as the winner unless the uncounted votes are less than the number of votes that would make the following candidate to win. This is one way that media use to distort the perception of people. Though Gore was defeated, he refused to accept the results because he believed in what was announced before the recounting of votes.

Most of the big media in theUnited States of Americaare owned by wealthy people who own big businesses. This is why they compromise the events coverage. Television can have a very big impact on some candidates for example when they give some candidates wider coverage than others. Also omissions, distortions and biasness in coverage are something that is common inUSAmedia. InAmericait is very hard to get an objective report on the issue that is affecting people.

Radio stations as well as TVs can be used to enlighten people. For example in 2000 November 4^th, just a few days before the presidential polls, Radio 5’s late night presenter Hayes Brain  and Lehrer Will together with BBC held a program to straighten up the issues concerning polls with the help of guests and different live calls that were made. Basically, Bush and Al Gore differed in matters concerning foreign policy, health provision and educations. The above mentioned presenters enlightened people on the characters of a good leader and then they asked people who they would prefer between Al gore and Bush.

In 2000 (Wire B., 2006) Bush and Al Gore were chosen as the presidential candidates for republican and democratic parties respectively in pre-primary elections. To make sure they emerged winners of their respective parties, both of them visited media houses, bought advertising spaces in the daily papers and were featured in news more than anyone else. There were no doubts that this publicity helped to sell their candidature. The media exposure made them the only key players in the political arena. There were others who lacked enough money to buy airtime, and good exposure to make themselves popular. These were candidates like John McCain and Bill Bradley who withdrew themselves from the race after they lost in the primary race on 7^th march.

Today party leaders have little influence on voters when compared with the latest communication technology like radios, internet-emails, satellites and televisions. They have realized that it is easier to campaign over this latest technology than organizing party followers at local, state, and national levels. An exposure of one candidate by the media do influence who people will voted for in elections. Some media rely on money that they earn on election campaigns. That is the money that politicians pay to media houses. So, it is very hard for them to avoid politics, they can do anything so long as they earn some money.

In October 12, 2004 (Decierico R.E., 2002) newspaper vendors were using Mr. Jim Dickson, a lobbyist on the American Association of People with Disabilities. He was supposed to travel around the country to preach the benefits of electronic voting-torch screen voting over paper based voting. He agreed having received money from the vendors for that purpose. His organization received about 26,000 US dollars from the countries voting companies though at first he denied having received it. This was masterminded by the Elections Centre in August 2004 in a conference that was sponsored by vendors. Here the individuals were fed with propagandas by the vendors. Vendors then used him to influence the citizens on electronic based voting system instead of paper based voting system.

Again media commentaries can woo voters into taking a particular political direction this is according to (Wire B., 2006 ) For example Jesus Esquivel; a columnist for the most international online media argued that John Kerry the then aspiring candidate should with new strategies that would bring on halt all imperialistic and belligerent goals that were pursued by Bush’s government. Many people seemed to agree on this though the opinion polls reflected otherwise. It was alleged that he lagged behind because he was unable to articulate well how he differed with Bush. The question of who was to blame was posed. Was it the voters, unworkableUSAwar policies inIraqor the car bombings, beheadings that were going on inIraq? Some leading newspapers described Kelly as a drift who was incapable of selling his opinions outsideUSA, yet Bush according to them, Bush capable to sell because he had war policies. All these propagandas which were spread by media houses had profound effects on Kerry.

In 2004, the time magazine tried to influence the presidential election in favor of Bush. It had written a story on the conversation it had between Karl Rovel “scooter”, lebby, Cooper Matt and Novak R. It was something that could have affected Bush so much and therefore it was kept a secret. Cooper waited until elections were over so that he could talk to the jury and to the public at large. The results were released after Bush succeeded.

During the 2004 elections, bush and Kerry received different backings from the corporations. It was revealed by Corp Watch Investigators such as live reports and current news disclosed that there were some details that co-operate media didn’t make public. These are stories involving big industries like tobacco and finance, about the sponsors, the profiles of the main donors, what and why they gave. This means that the information that reached the public was biased and manipulated.

In 2000 and 2004 election, internet campaign was eminent and was used in transforming democracy in Washington D.C. Internet had a lot of influence on voters. Blogs, meet ups and forums are some of services that internet offered to the campaigners.

Reference:

Wayne S. J., 2001: The Road to the White House 2000: The Politics of Presidential             Election.Bedford / St.Martins (Wads Worth)

Maisel L. S., 2002: Parties and Elections in America. The Electoral Process,           Rowman and Littlefield.

Decierico R.E., 2002. Political Parties, Campaigns and Elections: Prentice Hall.

Wire B., 2006. Lessons leaned from the 2004 Election.

Wire B., 2006, April 20. Missed opportunity: Gore, Incumbency and Television in Election

 Cloning is defined as the creation of an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another. This means that every single bit of DNA is the same between the two organisms. Cloning can be done through artificial twining and somatic cell nuclear transfer. In this paper we are concerned with reproductive cloning as there are other types like recombinant DNA tech & therapeutic cloning.

 

Purpose of reproductive cloning is to produce the genetic twin of another organism. Ethical controversies

Cloning has led to all sorts of controversies which include moral controversy- like are  scientists morally right to use whatever technologies they think is possible for humanity? Are scientists transcending the boundaries of human ‘freedom’? But others may argue here that man was given authority over the earth by God. We have to accept that before successful cloning is achieved many mistakes have to be made a long the way-for instance, human beings with serious deficiencies will be created.(Dudley, 2001) This may go against the human right of the cloned and again the human clone may not have his own identity since he/she is a replica of another.

McGee (assistance professoruniversityofPennsylvaniancenter for bioethics) argues that cloning allows the child to be born of only one genetic parent, changing the idea of a parent, child family and the idea for a community. Again scientists are accused of murder as they kill embryos to carry their ‘money and fame seeking’ ideas. ( Kass & James, 1998).   In cloning, scientist may alter a baby’s genetic code to give the individual a certain genetic resistance and so on. This is tampering with “mother nature”.My position on cloning is that the risks involved in cloning are way far too many as compared to its pros. So reproductive cloning should be banned as it goes against the ethics. The cons are too many and justifying or permitting cloning is like permitting the violation of human rights.

I believe every individual has a right to own his/her identity. By reproducing an exact replica, we are denying such individuals their right to uniqueness which then denies them identity. Again cloning transcends human boundaries and taps into a field that is otherwise a reserve for God.

The cons of cloning

It is believed that cloning may reduce genetic variability and this runs the risks of producing an entire population with same traits. This population would be vulnerable to same traits. This population would be population with same traits. This population would be vulnerable to same diseases and one disease may devastate the entire population. Cloning may cause people to settle for the best existing animals. In this way cloning would interfere with natural evolution as it does not allow improvement of specie. cloning is completely wrong as it will involve hundreds of damaged pregnancies to achieve one single live cloned baby. Evidence suggests that clones are unhealthy and often have a number of built-in genetic defects which lead to premature ageing and death and is likely to result in unscrupulous dealings as people might be cloned unwillingly.

Lastly, the dignity of human life and genetic uniqueness we all have would be attacked if cloning become commonplace. (Goodnough, 2003).

Religious beliefs: the Catholic Church and various traditionist religious groups oppose all form of cloning on the ground that life begins at conception. (Cole-Turner, 1997).  Most Christians feel cloning is like “playing God” and interfering with the natural process. Christians believe that only God has the power to create living creature and for man to create life is blasphemous. Creation of life is a reverse for God and humanity should not trespass. Again cloning is an attempt to bring immortality which is wrong. Are scientists challenging God?

Legal implication: the USA president (Clinton) shortly after Dolly was born, gave instruction that no federal funds were to be used for cloning of human beings. He also introduced a bill in to congress known as the cloning prohibition bill. May be due to the legal implications of cloning which include; inheritance of property, for instance, suppose that ‘P’ makes a will leaving all of his property to the children’ and then a child ‘K’ is cloned from ‘P’. Is ‘K’ P’s child?  Yes. But then K will also be the child of ‘P’s’ own parents, who may well have made a similar will and whose estate may by now have been distributed. Or what if ‘P’ and his wife ‘L’ enter in to mutual wills and agree to leave everything to our children. But ‘K’ is lot ‘L’s child? Again, to what extent should contracts to cloning be legally enforced?

Medical errors: Reproductive cloning is highly inefficient. The embryos do not always survive and more than 90% fail to produce viable offspring. Cloned animals tend to have more compromised immune function and higher rates of tumor growth, infections and other disorders. Japanese studies have proved that cloned mice live in poor health and die earlier. In analyzing more than 10,000 liver and placenta cells of cloned mice researcher in 2002 (Whitehead institute,Massachusetts) discovered that 4% of genes function abnormally. These and other risks exist.

Those who are for cloning say that cloning is a technological conversion of a natural process, but such a stance goes against what is morally and religiously acceptable. With cloning, man oversteps the boundary and is blasphemous to God. An infertile couple producing a clone of themselves is seen as a pro but the clone may not like the fact that he/she wasn’t born naturally like others. The idea of a man being a creation of man may not go down well with such a creation. It also nullifies the role of God.

Reproducing of superior like Einstein may not be good anymore as the clone may not have exact characteristics and even if he did, science has advanced and he may not be of help any more. Lastly, this reduces diversity and creates monotony. Who likes monotony?

Questions

1)      How can those for cloning resolve the legal issues of cloning such as mentioned above?

2)      Why should we endeavor in creating an unhealthy person?

3)      Is man trying to challenge God? Or doing away with Him?

4)      Are we justified to kill tens of lives to create one life?

5)      What if cloning can result in a monstrous child who can be a threat?

Closing argument: Cloning has the potential of being a means to his suffering just like other cases of advancement and development. We cannot per se term cloning as good since as we have seen reproductive cloning has a whole list of negative socio-moral implications. Insisting on cloning depicts one as insensitive and out of his wits.

 

References

1. Cole-Turner, (Ed) (1997). Human cloning: religions response:Louisville,KY:           West minister John Knox press.

2. Dudley, W (2001). The ethics of human cloning.San Diego,CA:

Green haven press,

3. Goodnough, D. (2003). The debate over human cloning: a pro/con issue.

Einslow publisher Inc 2003

4. Kass, L, R. & James, Q. W.(1998). The ethics of human cloning .Washington;

the AEI press,

 

Relationships with other people are a must for human beings who are social beings. Self-acceptance precipitates effective communication with others and consequently good relationships with other people. To achieve the goals I have in life I will have to interact with people some of whom we have shared goals. Self-understanding is vital in maintaining such relationships. Critical self-awareness helped me establish my weaknesses and how to react to them accordingly. It also enabled me to establish my strengths and how I can use them to mould my weaknesses. Nobody is perfect and the areas one is weaker in could be the areas another finds strength from.

People are from diverse backgrounds and consequently they may be difficult to deal with. Being patient with other people would help me to better appreciate their viewpoints or ideologies. Different cultural backgrounds translate to diversity in reasoning, perspectives and ideologies. Patience with others also creates room for lesser conflicts with people and this contains emotional balance. It is important to appreciate that people are different, with diverse views or ideologies and will hence argue differently. This knowledge will help me appreciate other peoples’ views without finding them too vague or feeling skeptical (John Hayes 2002).

The least surprising thing I learnt is that I have no control over my environment and I have to adapt to suit in it. My weakness forms a part of me and I cannot do away with it. Everyday is a new day with new experiences to help mould my personality. Interactions with other people will enable me to improve on my skills, knowledge and talent and will therefore be a plus to my strengths.

Self-disclosure or openness is an appropriate measure in maintaining and developing relationships. Self-disclosure will encourage ones approachableness, as people will not be scared away. Care should however be taken to ensure that openness or self-disclosure is not beyond the limits or out to reach. Opening up extremely would work to scare people away while little or no disclosure may hinder effective interaction with other people who may be beneficial in developing my strengths.

Trustworthiness is another important value that should be adapted. Developing and maintaining trust will tighten the bond or rather improve my relationship with other people. Effective interactions or relationships will enable me to gain from others. People are more willing to disclose their ideas, thoughts, feelings and reactions to those they trust. I can learn more from other people’s thoughts, feelings and reactions if I initiate and maintain trust. Effective communication is very crucial in maintaining relationships. It is through communication that one learns of new ideas, concepts and other people’s feelings.

Communication allows me to develop by learning from other people’s weaknesses and strengths. One can improve on the weaknesses as they exploit their strengths. Being direct also entails effective communication where one does not have to beat around the bush when passing across information. Again, it enables one to attain appropriate knowledge and hence react accordingly. For instance, one can learn of his/her weaknesses through the people one interacts with (Johnson, D.W., 2003).

The most surprising thing I learnt from the self-awareness exercise was that being critical to detail and keen is very important as it works to overcome biases that may arise from quick judgments. I can learn more by being critical to my surrounding and being keen to learn. I can be able to understand other people better and hence improve our relationship. Communication is better when I understand others well.  Being critical will enable me to focus on my strengths and this will help me maximize on my positive personality. I will be selective in choosing what is worth more attention and hence beneficial to my progress and what should get less attention. (Johnson, D.W., 2003)

Being keen will enable me to learn fast and overlook my weaknesses to acquire those things that will add value to my work and education. Adapting to new environments would be easier if I am keen and critical. I will be able to better understand others and be more accommodative thus developing my skills, talents and intelligence through the interactions. Flexibility is also crucial in adapting to new situations as they arise. I can better adjust to fit into new environments and by being keen and critical, I will be able to learn and improve on my talents. Flexibility will enable me interact well in the job place and in school.

 

References

John Hayes 2002, Interpersonal skills at work, Rutledge.

Johnson, D.W. (2003). Reaching out: Interpersonal effectiveness and self-actualization.

8^th edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

 

There has been an argument about drugs trafficking in the US Mexico border. It has been said that with effective and sustained financial aid from US,Mexicoshould be able to dramatically reduce drug trafficking and the violence it generates. I disagree with this idea because the origin and history of drug trafficking along the US-Mexico border indicates that not onlyMexicois responsible butUSAis also responsible for drug trafficking. Though US financial aid may help to reduce some of the problem, it cannot decrease demands and consumption of drug inUSAandMexicoand in turn reduce drug trafficking. I believe strongly that the root cause of drug problem in Mexico- USA border is insatiable demand and consumption by theUSpopulation.

The drug trafficking laws (Dunn T.J., 1996) had their source in smuggling of various narcotics in the end of 19^th and early part of the 20^th century. At this time, US joined a dozen other nations to sign up the Opium International Convention as opium was the only drug that was used mostly.Mexico also ratified this decision. Later in 1914, US altered the law so that it could start charging tax on opium and its derivatives. The new act was called Harrison Narcotic Act. Anybody found in illegal possession of opium and its derivatives was charged by the federal government.USA stepped its efforts to curb illegal possession of opium by declaring that addicts of narcotics could not be prescribed with drugs. This forced these addicts to start operating black markets in order to get these drugs. Here we can see clearly this high demand by addicts and opium consumption in US led to drug trafficking.

To take advantage of the new market in US, Mexicans, Chinese and European Americans started operating along the borders in rings, partnership or in gangs. This led to an increase in the role of Mexican cities as centers of these businesses. It is the demand that led the smugglers, border bootleggers and traffickers to increase their efforts along the border. In 1959s due to the effects of opium usage and social problems, various narcotic acts were passed like Boggs act of 1951 and the narcotic act of 1956. They were meant to give police and prosecutors powers to deal with the increasing number of drug users. By this timeMexicohad taken a firm stand against opium but the laws became ineffective due to the high demand for drugs by the consumers which guaranteed ready market to the supplies. Therefore, the root cause of these drugs is the high demand and the ready market was available.

The proliferation of drug use and trafficking in US (Dunn T.J., 1996) was because ofUSAunrealistic policies about drug abuse.USAdrug war budget in 2005 was 20 billion dollars while in 1981 it was 2 billion dollars.Mexicohas accused byUSAof increased drug trafficking smuggling and usage. This is attributed to the heavy investment it has and increased militarization in the border.USAfelt thatMexicowas not doing enough to fight against drug abuse. They hoped that if trade and tourism was interrupted along the border, thenMexicowould feel the pinch because there would be fewer customers. They accusedMexicoof failing to fight drugs. They tightened their borders so thatMexicowould change its position on conflicts inCentral Americaas well as in other foreign policies.Mexicodid not welcome this idea but continued pursuing its independent policies and harshly criticizedUSAfor its failure to address the main causes of the drug problems. These are the insatiable demand for drugs and high consumption in theUSA.

InMexico, due to the lack of enough funds and training of police forces and the weakness of the judicial system, criminals who arm themselves with crude weapons know that there is no chance of them being caught and punished. There have been cases where the perpetrators wear police uniforms and drive vehicles that resembled those of the police casting doubts whether police were not involved in the crime (Dunn T.J., 1996)

USAhas been issuing warnings toMexicothrough its emissary inMexicoblaming it for not working hard enough to end the state of lawlessness. TheMexicogovernment rejected this and accused them of fostering this state of lawlessness.

Mexicocalled upon both governments to work constructively in combating the crime. TheUSgovernment was accused of its failure to control dangerous weapons which are used. For these reasons,Mexicoshould not be blamed alone for its failure to control these drug businesses.

Effective and sustained financial assistance from US cannot fully help to reduce drug trafficking and violence that it generates but still it can help. For example if it is provided, more policemen could be trained and put along the borderline where this illegal business takes place. They would be able to control the flow of illegal arms that are used by these drug dealers. It is also true that people whose per capital income is very low and their health and social problems are increasing daily are the ones who deal with drugs. So if US could offer financial aid could be channeled to this end. I think drug business would drop significantly though not completely. No matter how much aidUSgovernment can channel, the problem cannot be solved because the root causes are not addressed. These are demand and consumption, business thrives because where there are many consumers hence high demand.

For the fight against drug to be effective, both government should stop blaming each other and work on modalities to solve this problem for once and for all. The Mexican government should take a firm stand on these drug dealers just likeUSA. Also, US should stop blamingMexicoand address the conditions that are favoring this drug busines

 

Reference:

Dunn T.J., 1996. The Militarization of the USA Mexico Border 1978-1992: Low   Intensity Conflict Comes Home. University ofTexas,Austin.

 

The Israel- Palestinian war started in 1948, it is also known as war of independence by Palestinians. Also it is calledArab-Israelwar. It all sparked of with the establishment of the state ofIsraelafter hundred thousands of Palestinians were displaced. Since then, the conflict has continued up to date. There have been many deaths, suicidal bombers and heavy loss of properties on both sides. These conflicts are not consistent but keep escalating. One may wonder whether there will ever be peace. What is the peace brokers doing to bring an end to this long protracted conflict? What are the prospects of peace? This paper will specifically focus on these two questions. The paper will give you a brief history of how things have been, the measures were taken to end the conflict, how currently the situation is and finally on the future prospects of peace.

After Israelachieved independence (Ross D., 2004) it was invaded by Egypt, Syria, Iraqand Lebanon. At this time Israelwas a small state with a very small population. The Arab nations were against United Nations decision to partition Palestineinto two states. The decision did not amuse the Palestineand Arab states. So, Israelwas attacked by Arab states after it declared its independence on 14^th may 1948 though it managed to defend itself. The war came to an end in 1949 after an armistice was signed. This led to the enlargement of the state ofIsrael more than what was agreed on by the United Nations partition plan.

The Israel-Palestinian conflict is a contest between these two countries over the claim of the same land area. After 1948 war,Israelextended its borders by taking a portion ofJerusalem.

In 1956, (Carter J., 2006) Egyptinvaded Israelby closing the traits of Tiran to the shipping bases of Israeland took control over the Gulf of Aqaba. This was against the Constantinople agreement of 1888; it was also a violation of the 1949 armistice which was signed by Arab nations and Israel. In 1956, 26^th of JulyEgypt owned the Suez Canal Company and denied its access toIsrael ships.Israel retaliated by invading theSinai Peninsula. It also capturedGaza strip. It was supported byBritain andFrance but U.S and UN stopped this war and an armistice was signed.Israel withdrew fromEgypt’s territory and it was allowed to access the region. After the war, the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) was created. It was supposed to see the demilitization of Sinai.

In 1967 may, Egypt chased the UNEF observes and recruited about hundred thousand soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula thus reverting to the 1956 status quo. In 1967 May Jordan,EgyptandSyriaentered in to a mutual defense pact that promptedIsraelto embark on a pre-emptive attack inEgypt. It released almost all of its planes to those ofEgyptand weakened them, then turned to Jordanian, Syrian and Iraqi air forces. The war took six days whereIsraelemerged the winner. In 1967, the Arab leaders met inSudan,Khartoumto discuss about Arab nations andPalestine. Their conclusion was that the state ofIsraelwas not to be recognized as a legal state, there was to be no peace in There was to be no compromise or negotiations to be held betweenIsraeland Arabs.

Egyptin 1969 started to revenge from what had happened in 1967. It wantedIsraelto surrender theSinai Peninsula. This war continued untilEgypt’s president Abdul Nasser died in 1970. In 1973, war broke out betweenIsrael,SyriaandEgypt. This war had a lot of cold war influence for it involved the superpowers-USA andUSSR.Israelhad already shown signs of winning the war whenUSSRthreatened to take military action againstIsrael. When US saw this they quickly secured a ceasefire so that nuclear war could be avoided.

Since 1974 to the present, the war has continued between Arabs states andIsrael. There are so peace agreements that have been signed. For example, in 1970sCamp Davidaccords were signed. Here Sinai Peninsula was to be returned and theGazastrip would remain in the hands ofIsrael. In 1994,IsraelandJordansigned a peace treaty to resolve all their differences. In 1981,Iraqwas attacked byIsraeland destroyed all their newlyIraqnuclear machineries. Later during the gulf war,Iraqfired many missiles butIsraelrefused to respond so as to prevent a war outbreak.

In 1957, the PLO in conjunction withSyriathrown missiles toIsraeland later were invaded byLebanon. In 1983,IsraelandLebanonsigned a ceasefire. Two years later, all theIsraelforces had moved out and left an open space whereSyriaand Hezbollah filled. In 2002 in response toAqsa Intifada,Israelforce ravaged some properties in the West bank. In 2005, Ariel Sharon the prime minister withdrew his army fromGazastrip (Rubin B., 2007)

In 2006, July some Hezbollah troops approached Israelfrom Lebanon. They attacked kidnapped and killed people. A UN cease fire was signed in 2006 that officially ended the conflict. On September 6^th,Israel attacked and bombed Syrian complex in the North that was said to hold nuclear weapons fromNorth Korea.

There have been various attempts to bring peace betweenIsraelandPalestine(Ami B.S., 2006) For example, in 1993 leaders fromPalestineliberation organization (PLO) met to resolve this conflict under what was calledOslopeace process. This time Arafat recognized that the state of.Israelexisted. It was agreed thatIsraelshould vacate the Palestinian territories in exchange of peace from Palestinians. This progressed slowly but finally it became a closed chapter when Yasser Arafat and Barak disagreed over the status ofJerusalem. If this agreement succeeded, it would have put a full stop to that long peace struggle. I thinkIsraelwas responsible for this continued conflict because if it returned the territories it had grabbed fromPalestineduring the 1948 Arab Israel war, the tug of war could have come to an end.

Another peace initiative took place in 2002; here a proposal was made by the European Union, the UN, US, andRussia. The group was referred to as the quartet.Israelgave 14 conditions that were to be met before it accepted the proposal. The proposal never touched the fate ofJerusalembut was set to be discussed later. The changesIsraelwanted effected were not welcomed byPalestine. The peace process did not even pass through the phase one of its proposal which called forIsraelto stop violence and to stop making constructions it was making. It seemsIsraelwas not interested in peace process. If it was, then it could not have given those unachievable conditions. It could have let the negotiations to proceed. This conflict is fueled by the western politics. It is like US is supportingIsraelwhileRussiasupports the Arab nations. These western nations if anything, they should be facilitators of peace but not parties to the conflict (Oren M., 2002)

Also there was another peace initiative which was proposed by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia- Abdullah. It was made in theBeirutsummit. The proposal was Okayed by all Arab states including those of the Hamas and Fatah factions. Unlike the Road Map for peace, it proposed the final solutions to the problem. It clearly laid the strategies to be followed in the peace building process.

The proposal arguedIsraelto remove its force from all the illegally occupied territories that included Golan Heights, to recognize the independent state ofPalestinewith its capital city at East Jerusalem, to vacate West Bank as well asGazastrip. They also provided a lasting solution for the Palestinians in Diaspora.Israelrejected this proposal at first but Arabs continued to offer it as the best of the solutions that so far had been raised. In my view, this proposal was excellent. There is nowhere that it compromised the state ofIsrael. This proposal requiredIsraelto vacate from the soils ofPalestine. The proposal did recognize the state ofIsraelunlike those that were signed by Egypt Syria and Jordan which never recognizedIsraelas a legal state.

In 2003, Arial Sharon announced that he would vacate theGazastrip with all the civilians and military weapon but to continue to supervise and guard the external borders except that crossing withEgyptwhich is jointly manned by the Palestinian national authority together with European Union. They wanted theGazastrip to be free but to continue building the wall. That is the Israel-West Bank barrier and to maintain theWest Bankas it is (Mark P., 1994.)

Israeleffected their disengagement plan in 2005 between August and September. This process was popular amongst Israelis and helped Olmert Ellud the prime minister to win the forth coming election whenSharongot incapacitated by strike. As preparations forIsraelto vacateGazastrip, cease fire was signed in 2005 between Fatah and Hamas but other factions rejected this plea and continued to level attacks againstIsrael.

When this failed Israelresumed to its military actions and targeted militants who operated from Gazastrip and organized attacks against it. Later full violence broke out again when Hamas officials were killed by Israelmissile on 5^th 2006. The following day rockets were fired by Popular Resistance Group though no deaths were reported.Israel retaliated by directing its air strikes to its attackers. Five Palestinians were killed and 20 wounded when shots were fired by theIsrael’s navy boats.  By this time the conflict was in its full swing and Hamas called off the 16 old day cease fire (Lughod A., and Toynbee J A., 1987)

Since then, there have been a lot of military activities going on inGazaand Palestinian where both sides were revenging on each other. In June 2006 Hamas captured a 19 years old Israel IDF soldier an action that madeIsraelto execute a military operation against the said attackers. The peace process was further compromised by the fact that they won in the 2006 Palestinian legislative council and its new leader Ismael Haniyer ascended to the post of the prime minister. He complicated the situation when he declared that he did not recognize the existence ofIsraelas a state. This to me was a very big threat to the peace process building. Haniyah reverted to the situation that was there before. This time around,Israelwas more understanding than before. By removing its forces fromGazawas something they haven’t done before which could be termed as positive.

In 2007 (Maxine R., 1973) Hamas and Fatah met to discuss how they can form a new unity government. Immediately after Haniyer resigned, Hamas and Fatah assumed leadership in March 2007. After some time, this coalition government collapsed and both started disagreeing. They even started engaging in a physical struggle. Hamas defeated Fatah and took control of theGazastrip while Fatah took control over west Bank. Gazadid not recognize the existence ofIsrael. Economic sanctions were placed onGazadue to its renewed fighting’s betweenIsraeland Hamas inGazastrip

Since then, Hamas has been trying to secure cease fires butIsraelhas turned down their pleas. U.S has been trying to speed up the peace process by clearing the obstacles that impeded the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza strip and some and some west bank regions (Morris B., 1993) This was being done by secretary of state Condoleezza Rice who appointed Wolfensohn James the former World Bank president. This was a step in the right direction to help these two warning nations to come to peace terms. Other countries should also fell free to help these countries to stop their conflict. Even when president Bush of U.S metSharonin Crawford, he openly stated that he was totally opposed to the idea ofIsraelexpanding its territory. He asked him support theUSbacked peace processes and avoid conflicts.

Judging from what we have seen we now do understand why there are a lot suicidal bombers inPalestinewho are ready to sacrifice themselves for their country. The whole war is about illegal occupation byIsraelso if onlyIsraelcould vacate all these territories, the struggle would soon come to an end and both states would be peaceful. If this is not solved, then there are no future prospects of peace betweenIsraelandPalestine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

Maxine R., 1973.Israel a Colonial Settler State?: Monad Press.

Lughod A., and Toynbee J A., 1987. The Transformation of Palestine: Essays on the         Origin and Development of the Arab- Israel Conflict:NorthWesternUniversity         Press

Morris B., 1993. Israelis Border Wars 1949-1956: Arab Infiltration Israel Retaliation and the Count Down to the Suez War:OxfordUniversity Press,New York

Mark P., 1994. A Fire in Zion: The Israeli-Palestinian Search for Peace: William Morrow   and CO., Inc.

Ami B.S., 2006.  Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israel Arab Tragedy:Oxford          University Press.

Carter J., 2006. Palestine Peace not Apartheid: Simon & Schuster.

Rubin B., 2007. The Truth about Syria: Palgrave, Macmillan.

Oren M., 2002. Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East:            OxfordUniversity Press.

Ross D., 2004. The Missing Peace: The Inside Story of the Fight for Middle East Peace:   Farrar Straus and GirouxNew York.

Strenuous Life

Strenuous Life is a speech that gives an insight of what Theodore Roosevelt was and what he represented. A man unafraid to lead and who is willing to overcome all odds and challenges in life to follow the path he has cut for himself. It tells us of a man who abhors laziness and timidity. A patriot whose true sense of belonging starts and end with the United States, whose interest he seeks to further and protect at whatever cost. It tells us of a brave man who believes the destiny of the world lies with the United States and it is up to the men in America to rise up and shape that destiny. This can only happen through a strenuous endeavor.

Theodore Roosevelt stands as one of the greatest American president, his name only placed among the founding fathers and great states men such as George Washington, Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln amongst few others. He had an unshakeable belief that the United States should never shy away from a war if that war could help shape its international standing. This speech paint’s picture of a man who does not shy away from challenges, a fighter who could take up on anything (http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trstrenlife.html).

The courage exhibited in this speech was demonstrated in his life at the throne of leadership. Although literally he was known for his role during the war with Spain, he also fought battles in the home front and in the foreign policy. He put up a spirited fight against the big businesses and was always at the forefront in environmental conservation.

There are many memorable accomplishments of Theodore Roosevelt that showed that he could stand his ground even when faced by an uphill task. During the Anthracite coal strike in 1920, he made a rare decision and chose to stick with the miners. The miners had put up a spirited strike over low wages with the companies refusing to negotiate. This arrogance infuriated Roosevelt who threatened to turn the mines over to the army to run them. The companies consequently raised the miners’ pay.

The speech says that United States must rise up and pursue its self-interests in the global scene; Roosevelt emphasized this fact in the congress. He had before vowed to pursue an isolationist policy but after the war with Spain, he insisted that that the United States must take up its role in world policing especially in the 20 ^Th century.

In his go-getter stance and in pursuit of his love for environmental conservation, Roosevelt took congress head on and established a Federal Bird Reservation in the Pelican Island. He also established a large number of parks, forests and historical monuments.

As his speech reiterates, Roosevelt was always talking of the United States role as super power. He played a great role in convincing president Wilson to intervene in the cold war. He had been requesting to be allowed to bring to gather a group of volunteer soldiers to send to Europe. He was glad when the United States finally intervened and he sent his four sons to join in the war where he lost his youngest son to Germans.

Although his period in power was not characterized by the crisis that would propel his presidency and in to history books, his achievements have been remarkable and he remains one of the most popular presidents in the United States.

 

League of Nations

 

The League of Nations was formed immediately after the Second World War after the Treaty of Versailles in 1920. This organization was charged with a simple responsibility of maintaining peace in the world. It was also seeking to address the issues that had brought the world in to war with an objective of seeing that it did not happen again.

The First World War had kicked off in 1914 after the assassination of an archduke Franz Ferdinand. This in what would trigger a series of events with countries declaring war against each other. Prior to the war, an arms race had been occurring between Britain and Germany in what they called military preparedness. Britain was seeking to remain the dominant force in the world at the possible threat of Germany. There had been a feeling of distrust between the various countries in Europe that possessed economic power ranging from Russia and France on top of Britain and Germany. All these had been readying their defense in the face of a possible attack.

Imperialism is also blamed as having led to the war. Vladimir Lenin had earlier predicted this. This is further supported by the fact that all the European powers had been involved in an expansionist policy acquiring territories in the third world.

Russia was facing intense rivalry in the Balkans in the face of an attack from Germany. Russia was for the Pan Slavic movements while Germany was opposed to this. France went ahead and supported Russia against Germany. The assassination of the arch duke was just the final straw in the camels back as immediately Austro-Hungarian government declared war against Serbia which was accused of being under the assassination Russia supported Serbia While France was supporting Russia. Germany declares war on both and war broke out fully. Britain joined in after it became evident that Germany was going against the initial treaty.

All along during the First World War the United States had vowed to maintain a policy of isolationism. However after it became apparent that Germany was rooting for war using Mexico and after a number of U.S. submarines were sunk Wilson declared war on Germany joining the allied forces.

By the close of the Second World War, the various leaders were appalled by the destruction and loss of live that had taken place. With Woodrow Wilson at the driving seat, the idea of a League of Nations was strengthened. It was to be charged with a duty of arbitrating future disputes. This idea was not however popular at home as the isolationist policy was still in force (John Milton Cooper, 76).

The League of Nation was bringing together all the major European powers except Russia and Germany. France and Britain were its key members.

The League of Nation did not achieve much. It had some inherent flaws that were being exploited by some aggrieved nations and not even the economic sanctions could work out. It only built a framework through which future organizations could be founded on. It was unable to prevent a major fall out that culminated into the Second World War.

 

The Great Depression

Great depression refers to a period of economic collapse in the world between late 1920s and early 1940s. The depression is said to have started in the United States before spreading to the rest of the industrialized nations. It is a period characterized by closure of banks, unemployment and as well as collapse of factories leading to under production of essential goods.

Prior to the great depression, the United States seemed to be treading on a prosperous path especially in the 1920s. However, underlying this prosperity was rampant inequality, as the rich enlarged the pockets, the poor especially the farmer’s earnings were fast dwindling. The World War 1 also left a huge dent among the European powers as many were still paying their huge debts.

It is the culmination of these financial strains that contributed to the crash of the United States stock market on a day that is referred to as a black Monday.

There are a number of people who hold a wrong perception that the Great Depression was as a result of the events of the Black Monday. In retrospect, both were a culmination of the underlying strains in the economy. A look at the pre-events to the depression would reveal this.

The Roaring Twenties, immediately after the First World War, would see the United States hide in to a cocoon, continuing with its isolationist policy. A new culture of Consumerism and Jazz was taking root with the traditional American values being shown the door. Individualism and feminism were also creeping in fast with majority of the population embarking in a fierce race to acquire riches. Consumerism was encouraged through modern advertising methods. Long held traditional ideals like saving were abandoned as people took to rapid buying of things such as motor vehicles and electronics. The factories were over producing consumer goods more than the peoples demands could match.

Unlike the factories that were on a boom, workers wages were not growing proportionately. Income tax was also not proportionate to wealth as those high in the income level enjoyed tax slashes as per the revenue act of 1926.

This was the fact exacerbating inequality. People began to borrow heavily to put up with the consumerism trend that had taken root. Farmers had doubled their production due to the huge demand after the war and the market as flooded leading low prices. Banks were heavily lending their money to the European countries. The U.S put high tariffs on imports and this became the tendency in the many countries as they sough to pursue self-interest. Shares acquired unnatural growth, they were rising in their prices more than their real value, and millions of shares were being traded daily. This however could not be held for long and suddenly shares prices started falling rapidly leading to a stock market crash. People were using their incomes to pay for their debts. Production fell and factories had to lay off a large proportion of their employees. People were unable to pay their bank loans and depositors needed their money back. Banks started falling. Farmers suffered a great blow as they could not produce anymore and the following drought threatening to wipe their produces out. Almost the whole nation was filled with desolate and hopeless faces awaiting government aid.

 

 

FDRS Strategies for Fighting the Great Depression

 

Majority of Americans were distraught and largely disillusioned. They were dissatisfied with President Herbert’s policy, which did not seem to bear any fruits. Hoover was still insisting that the economy would pick up. To him the Great Depression was as a result of waning confidence in the public. The government started giving loans to the collapsing industries and offering relief. This however did not bear any fruit as the economy was on its knees.

Public’s displeasure had risen to a tension high. War veterans held protests in Washington demanding relief and bonuses. The government could give none and was busy raising tariffs for imports, which resulted to the European countries raising theirs, further worsening the situation. Hoover grew more unpopular amongst the Americans (Ron Olson, 116).

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was nominated the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party and he was promising a change of things upon his election. His win was readily guaranteed as president Hoover presented no serious challenge. True to his words the New Deal policies were implemented immediately after his inauguration. A series of legislations were introduced into the congress. His temporary measures included “banking holiday” and a number of programs aimed at alleviating problems of specific groups like the farmers, unemployed youths.        The reforms that Franklin Roosevelt introduced helped alleviate suffering and got the economic running. They also strengthened the role of the government in business. The introduced reforms and programs reduced unemployment although not significantly and stabilized the stock market, as well as aid to special groups like the disabled. Public works were expanded and other capital expenses, to increase demand.

These measures temporarily decreased the suffering of the masses during the depression but unemployment levels were still high.

Roosevelt’s confidence was contagious and would boost the publics’ confidence in him and the economy. His bills were getting an easy pass in parliament. The number of agencies initiated also worked to his favor. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) provided job opportunities to the youth who were absorbed in to the expansion projects. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) was meant to help the farmers in reducing production and demanding higher prices. The National Industrial Recovery Act was focusing on the recovery of industries that would lead to decrease in unfair competition practices by introducing new regulatory codes.

The Works Progress Administration had an objective of employing two million people; this however was not without opposition from the Republicans who said that it was favoring democrats. But it recorded huge success as David M. notes (1999, 253) ” WPA employed more than three million people in its first year and in the light years of its life. Put 8.5 million persons to work at a total cost of some $11 billion”

Majority of the people are in agreement that Roosevelt’s policies helped alleviate suffering from the people and also inject life in to the economy. Some however are against the increased powerful role that the government was playing in the economy and in business.

 

Works Cited.

John Milton Cooper, Jr. Pivotal Decades: The United States, 1900-1920. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1990; 76

David M. Kennedy, Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. (ISBN: 0-19-514403-1)

Theodore Roosevelt. The Strenuous Life. April 10 1899.Retrieved on 23/01/08 from: http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trstrenlife.html

Ron Olson. Homework Helpers: From Reconstruction through the Dawn of the 21^st Century. Career Press.2007; 116

The U.S is the world largest energy consumer. It relies on non-renewable resources for the provision of energy ranging from petroleum, coal and natural gas. Modernization and industrialization has resulted to increased energy demand. Energy is required in important sectors like the transportation, industry as well as in the commercial sector. Industries like refineries and chemical production, in the production and processes of their products. Energy is consumed as vehicles, trains, ship and air transport people or goods from one place to another. Houses use energy to heat houses, water, lighting and other electronic appliances. Institutions and business also need energy to accomplish their day-to-day activities. The U.S oil consumption rates are increasing at a high rate that may catch up with the economic growth.

U.S consumes 20.7 million barrels or 869 million gallons daily, 25% total world consumption despite it forming 5% of the world’s population .The consumption level is subject to rise with increased industrialization. (mwhodges.home.att.net). The over reliance in non-renewable resources will have adverse effects to the environment, political and economic aspects.

The non-renewable resources result to high pollution rates. Over exploitation of the resources may result to exhaustion or depletion of the resources. Nuclear energy produces dangerous radioactive waste materials that can affect human beings’ health.

Over reliance on oil affects the economy when the oil prices keep fluctuating. Since non-renewable resources can get exhausted scarcity may prevail leading to increased oil prices and inflation levels will be on the rise.

 

A 5-10 Year Plan for Renewable Energy in America.

There is urgent need for America to adopt renewable resources that will have reduced impact on the environment while providing a lasting solution to distortions caused by oil dependence. The oil rich countries can interrupt the U.S economy through the price fluctuations. (Micheal 7)

The U.S should first put in place laws that will meet not only the short-term energy demands but also ensure that the long-term demands are not jeopardized. Renewable energy will ensure sustainable development. This is because it is reduces the health as well as environment risks.

Renewable energy includes energy from the wind, solar and water, which can replace oil and fossil fuels. These forms of energy will reduce the over dependence on oil especially from foreign countries that make it volatile. US should diversify the sources of energy. (Eckhart 8).

Encourage industries to adapt sustainable development strategies so that they do not cause health hazards to future generations. They should be environment friendly and high taxes can be imposed to those negating this strategy.

The government can increase its investment on its cities so that wastage of energy is reduced. The government should be committed in installing solar electric, geothermal and wind power in its public institutions. The military should also control its consumption levels as an effort of showing its commitment to renewable energy sources. (www.energybulletin.net).

The strategy will be faced with political challenges whereby by political will by leaders will influence the effective implementation of the project. The congress has to approve the plan to be successful.

Creating awareness will be a positive move in ensuring that people understand the importance of renewable sources of energy as well as the adverse implications of non-renewable sources. This move will ensure that residential energy consumption trends are changed and people adopt renewable sources of energy. For instance encouraging people to use solar electricity to heat water and warm their houses. Renewable sources of energy will reduce the greenhouse gases production and consequently global warming will be reduced. (www.epa.gov).

The government will need to commit a 300 billion dollar for 10 years to support this project. It can invest in modernizing the homes of low-income earners so that they adapt energy efficient measures. This approach will help in reducing wastage of energy from the residential sector.

The transportation sector currently accounts for 68% of US oil consumption. Replacing the energy wastage measures by adopting renewable and environment friendly resources will help save America. The government can spend 15 $ billion to help automakers phase out the fuel inefficient vehicles. Scientists have shown that man has been very influential in causing global warming. Global warming affects the climate and has adverse effects on man. 20% of green house gases are from vehicles. The transport sector can use electricity from renewable sources. (Houghton 155). Since less than 2% of electricity is from oil it can be used on transportation. Research shows that 30% can be implemented on transport without extra installation. Introduction of sport utility vehicles and light trucks will help improve on fuel efficiency.

Government must take its role in ensuring that buildings constructed are energy efficient. It must also ensure that technical training is provided to relevant bodies to save energy.

Adopting the renewable energy resources will be of economic benefits. U.S spends approximately 1.4 billion $ daily on foreign oil, money that can be saved if renewable sources of energy are sought.

Dissemination of information about the adverse effects of non renewable sources of energy for instance global warming will see people change their energy consumption patterns. Alternative methods of transportation can be opted to reduce the traffic jams that that lead to high wastage levels of energy.

Increased investment in research will help America establish potential renewable resources that can be exploited match its energy demands. Intensified research will provide accurate information needed in implementation of this project. Research will identify viable resources thus reducing unnecessary costs.

The government also needs to invest in training for manufacturing industries so that they adapt energy conservation strategies. Imposing high taxes on polluters will encourage industries to adapt environmental friendly techniques.

The government will need to allocate more money to support ethanol refineries. Ethanol from corn and biodisel from Soya beans are environmental friendly and should be encouraged to reduce the adverse effects brought about by over dependence on oil.

Renewable energy will help America maintain its national security and its influence and options in the world will not be affected. Oil rich countries tend to be prone to constant conflicts and are undemocratic.

Works cited:

Eckhart Michael. Renewable Energy Industry. Power Engineering, vol. 110, no. 1.2006. p. 8.

US Environmental Protection Agency: Climate change-Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Retrieved on 23^rd January 2008 from http://www.epa.gov/climate/climatechange/emmisions/ind-home.html

Houghton, John Theodore. Global warming: the complete briefing 3rd ed. Cambridge,

University, 2004 P. 120-160

Micheal Parfit. Future where will the world get its next energy fix? National Geographic Magazine. August 2005. P 7

Sohbet Karbuz. US military energy consumption. Facts and figures. Retrieved on 23^rd January 2008 from

http://www.energybulletin.net/29925.html

Michael Hodges. Economic Energy Report’s. USA Energy: consumption, production, imports and reserves. Retrieved on 23^rd January 2008 from

http://mwhodges.home.att.net/energy/energy-a.htm