Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Iraq and Palestine Essay Example for Free

Iraq and Palestine Essay Since 2003, after the four devastating years of Iraq invasion, Bill Moyers’ journal on â€Å"Buying the War† stabbed to grasp the mainstream US media held responsible for its connivance in advertising the ‘war on Iraq’ to the public of US. Moyers recognized how the US media, with the main role of ‘The New York Times’, yielded to fiscal and political stress, gave ways to an environment of nationalism and trepidation of terrorism, and naively reported bogus US government assertions. Sadly, despite all the terrible results of 60 years of Israelis bullying the Palestinians, there is still no major movement to grab the US mainstream media held answerable for an equivalent, incredible failure in covering Israelis and Palestinians conflict and for its involvement in the U. S. naive backing for Israel. Moyers’ study of the US media breakdown on Iraq was costly, yet imperfect. He elucidated that to instigate the assault on Iraq â€Å"high officials†¦ needed a compliant press, to pass on their propaganda as news and cheer them on. our press largely surrendered its independence and skepticism to join with our government in marching to war. † Bob Simon of CBS put in plain words to Moyers that the U. S. administration used selling skills to put up war for sale: â€Å"Just repeat it and repeat it and repeat it†¦ Keep that drumming going. † Media columnist Norman Solomon informed Moyers that he thought these [news] managers were scared stiff of being called yielding on terrorism. Moyers gave many instances of ‘The New York Times’ conveying fake shrewdness on Iraq to the public of US. However, still Moyers stated that the now villainous ‘neoconservatives’ had long sought to change the Middle East, starting with the exclusion of Saddam Hussein, Moyers passed over a central reason for why the administration’s case for war echoed with both the US media as well as public. It was based in broadly-held typecasts about Arabs, Muslims and the Middle East, statements which are also necessary to realize US policy in Israel and Palestine. In his classic 1978 book â€Å"Orientalism†, Palestinian-American scholar Edward Sa’id asserted: The Western understanding of Arabs, Muslims and the Middle East is a product of colonialism, and that Westerners outlook the East as innately substandard and reliant on salvation. The US case for ‘war in Iraq’ hinged on orientalists statements that the Middle East was an undistinguished province of Arabs and Muslims who, lacking any history account or valid complaints, are overcome by an illogically aggressive nature as well as loathing of the West, Israel,’ freedom and democracy’ (Edward Sa’id 1978). Though Moyers didn’t, the neo-cons repeatedly sketched the relationship between Iraq and Israel, stating: â€Å"The way towards Jerusalem crosses Baghdad†. And in Israel, the other main settlement in â€Å"the war on terror,† chauvinistic philosophy and politically spoiled intelligence are also hard-pressed by the administration and gullibly reported by US media channels like ‘The New York Times’ – as, an April 11, 2007 Times news article by Isabel Kershner titled improvable assertions by Israel’s Shin Bet that it had disenchanted a huge Hamas suicide-bombing planned for Passover. The article mainly overlooked Palestinian rebuffs reported on the same day in the Israeli paper Ha’aretz Daily. The Shin Bet assertion appeared to value uncertainty considering the Palestinian refutations and Hamas’ verdict two years ago to stop the progress of sweeping attacks. Certainly, Hamas’ implication on such a huge-scale bombing plan would have approached at a fitting moment for Israel. Following the 16 months throughout which 27 Israelis were murdered by Palestinians, the lowest sum in over 6 years, Israel is thrashing about to stop the breakup of the global boycott of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority and to see off continual peace proposals from the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the Arab League. The Israeli administration has been feeding the media narratives saying that the calm is a trick, which Hamas is making use of it to support and prepare invasions and that Israel will then be enforced to rise a major attack of Gaza soon. The Times has published at least 4 other articles rumbling these Israeli administration claims since March 2007 .

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Family Complexities in Interracial Marriages Essay -- Families Marryin

Family Complexities in Interracial Marriages This paper was really interesting to write because it is a topic that could affect me some day. Plus,"Fools Rush In" is my favorite movie so I loved the opportunity to analyze it. I liked writing the paper because I think that it's a topic that a lot of people tend to overlook or think unimportant. The truth is that many people rush in to interracial marriages without stopping to think of the effects on their families. This paper wasn't written to dissuade anyone from marrying someone of a different ethnicity or religion, only to inform them of what could (and does) happen. It was really hard to write a synthesis on the two movies without comparing and contrasting them. It was a challenging paper but also a lot of fun to write. Family Complexities of Interracial Marriages Mom's apple pie and dad's fishing trips are the American family dream. Everyone dreams of a white picket fence house in the suburbs with sweet children playing on the perfect green lawn. This is the American ideal of a perfect family, one that never argues or fights about anything. Yet what happens when mariachis and pià ±atas are one family’s dream, while decorating one’s house to resemble the Parthenon is another’s? Despite cultural differences, the purpose of all families is to love, guide, and support. Often times, however, families overstep the bounds when dealing out advice and guidance. Families can create many conflicts in interracial marriages in today’s society, as seen in the movies Fools Rush In and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Families are often the deciding factor when it comes to a marriage. They view and critique every possible match, deciding if it will work. The question is how... ...an work, and society is accepting them more and more. Like Toula’s father said, â€Å"So, okay†¦we have apples and oranges. We are all different but in the end, we’re all just fruit!† (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Self-Evaluation This paper was harden that I thought that it would be. I tried to make it easier, though, by picking two movies that I know pretty well. I also picked a topic that was interesting to me and I thought I could prove well. My synthesis is a little jumbled and goes off on two tangents, religion and culture. I hope I got the main idea through. I ended with a quote that I liked from My Big Fat Greek American, I hope it makes sense with the essay. I had a hard time starting the beginning also, but I tried to make it interesting. If I had more time I would try to organize my ideas a little better about family affecting religion and culture.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Biopsychosocial Paper Essay

Family Composition Steven currently lives with foster parents. There is another teen age male in the home. According Steven’s file prior to this placement he lived with his biological father, and prior to residing with his biological father Steven was placed in group homes and foster placements, having been previously been removed by CPS from his parent’s care due to substance abuse issues. Steven receives a weekly a weekly 2-hour visit with his biological mother that is supervised by an agency monitor. According to social worker’s case notes these visit take place at a local dinner. Steven is also eligible for weekly observed 1-hour visits with his biological father. However, social worker has written in his case notes that father can no longer make the visits with biological mother due to the fact that he now works graveyard shifts. Social worker’s quarterly report states that â€Å"the mother has had difficulty refraining from discussing inappropriate topics involving her family court case and related topics with Steven during visits. † Also, the mother would some times get defensive when redirected away from discussing these topics. The social worker also wrote in the Quarterly Report that Steven appeared to enjoy visiting with his mother, and would often ask her for things that his foster parents have already said he could not have until he earned it. But the biological mother has been supporting the foster parent’s by not giving into Steven’s begging. According to the Quarterly Report Steven’s foster parents have noticed that his behavioral difficulties at home appear to coincide with his supervised visits with his biological mother. Household Composition According to Steven’s file he has lived in his current placement since March 2, 2007. This home consists of the foster parents, and another teenager placed through the agency mental health program. Quarterly Report states that Steven’s foster father is the primary caregiver. Foster father has told social worker that Steven lies and manipulates the truth and then gets in trouble for this. Social worker states in his case notes that Steven does not appear to think that he is doing anything wrong. Overall, the social worker feels that Steven is comfortable in this home. According to the Quarterly report Steven’s foster father mainly works with him on talking care of his hygiene consistently. As part of an agreement to earn extra cash, Steven is expected to bathe, brush his teeth, apply deodorant, and comb his hair daily. Developmental/Current Health There is no information about Steven’s birth or early development. According to file Steven had a physical examination on April 27, 2007 and was â€Å"diagnosed as a well adolescent†. The doctor commented that he has a history of ADHD and Depression. Steven received new glasses in May 2007. Steven also had a dentist appointment on April 26, 2007 during which he had two cavities filled. Also according to Steven’s file, he has been prescribed psychotropic medications. These include Abilify and Ritalin. Mental Health According to file, Steven has been diagnosed with ADHD, Cognitive Disorder NOS, and Anxiety Disorder NOS. He is currently taking medications for these disorders. He presents with some of the classic ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity even when he is on his medication. The social worker stated that he is a â€Å"strange kid† and that he can’t or won’t look you in the eyes. He appears to lack self-esteem and self confidence. According to quarterly report, Stevens though process is scattered, and he is mentally and emotionally younger than his chronic logical age of fourteen. Social worker writes that is Steven does not get his way, he shows frustration by pouting, excessive questioning asking why he can’t get his way, and slamming doors. According to case notes, Steven has broken his glasses, a laundry basket, a DVD player, a PlayStation, and has punched a hole in the wall. Steven seems to lack social skills. Intake notes state that he has had a history of physical aggression towards peers at school, and that he is impulsive. Steven’s file indicated that he has been involved in a group through his WRAP services provider to help him with socialization skills, and he attends these meeting on a weekly basis. Steven also receives EMQ Wraparound services for his mental health needs. Quarterly Report states that Steven has an EMQ facilitator that coordinated these services. He receives therapy services once a week contracted through EMQ Family Services. In addition, he has two behaviorists who visit him once a week to work on behavior contracts. Steven is prescribed psychotropic medication. His psychiatrist also works for EMQ. Because these service providers are part of EMQ Wraparound program, Steven is supported with a whole network of specialists who cater to his specific mental health needs. Sexual History According to Steven’s social worker, he is starting to become interested in girls, and likes talking to them and getting their attention. Alcohol and Substance Use History Steven has no alcohol or substance abuse history, but his father has had problems with alcohol. This is why Steven was placed in protective custody. Educational History Steven is currently in the ninth grade at a local public high school. According to his file he has an active IEP that places him in a special day class for the emotionally disturbed (SDC/ED) children. Social worker writes that Steven can handle the class work and homework, but struggles emotionally and behaviorally during class. According to the social workers report, Steven’s last teacher noted that he has difficulty staying in his seat as well as disturbing the students in the class with his talking. According to Stevens IEP he falls within average range in reading, math, written language and oral expression. However, he has difficulty with listening comprehension, handwriting size and spacing, organizing, maintaining focus, and handling frustration. Prevocation skills listed as areas of concern on Steven’s IEP were task completion, social skills and follows directions. Also on the IEP as area’s of need include written language. According to Steven’s IEP, he is able to write multiple paragraphs, but lacks proper writing conventions. The IEP also shows that Steven is passing all his classes with a GPA above a 3. 0. Social worker states that Steven does not want to be in special education classes because it is â€Å"not cool†.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Role of Kapos in Nazi Concentration Camps

Kapos, called Funktionshà ¤ftling by the SS, were prisoners who collaborated with the Nazis to serve in leadership or administrative roles over others interned in the same Nazi concentration camp. How Nazis Used Kapos The vast system of Nazi concentration camps in occupied Europe was under the control of the SS (Schutzstaffel). While there were many SS who staffed the camps, their ranks were supplemented with local auxiliary troops and prisoners. Prisoners that were chosen to be in these higher positions served in the role of Kapos. The origin of the term â€Å"Kapo† is not definitive.  Some historians believe it was directly transferred from the Italian word â€Å"capo† for â€Å"boss,† while others point to more indirect roots in both German and French.  In the Nazi concentration camps, the term Kapo was first used at Dachau from which it spread to the other camps. Regardless of the origin, Kapos played a vital role in the Nazi camp system as a large number of prisoners within the system required constant oversight.  Most Kapos were put in charge of a prisoner work gang, called Kommando. It was the Kapos job to brutally force prisoners to do forced labor, despite the prisoners being sick and starving. Facing prisoner against prisoner served two goals for the SS: it allowed them to meet a labor need while simultaneously furthering tensions between various groups of prisoners. Cruelty Kapos were, in many instances, even crueler than the SS themselves.  Because their tenuous position depended on the satisfaction of the SS, many Kapos took extreme measures against their fellow prisoners to maintain their privileged positions. Pulling most Kapos from the pool of prisoners interned for violent criminal behavior also allowed this cruelty to flourish.  While there were Kapos whose original internment was for asocial, political, or racial purposes (such as Jews), the vast majority of Kapos were criminal internees. Survivor memoirs and recollections relate varying experiences with Kapos.  A select few, such as Primo Levi  and Victor Frankl, credit a certain Kapo with ensuring their survival or helping them get slightly better treatment; while others, such as Elie Wiesel, share a far more common experience of cruelty.   Early in Wiesel’s camp experience at Auschwitz, he encounters, Idek, a cruel Kapo. Wiesel relates in Night: One day when Idek was venting his fury, I happened to cross his path. He threw himself on me like a wild beast, beating me in the chest, on my head, throwing me to the ground and picking me up again, crushing me with ever more violent blows, until I was covered in blood. As I bit my lips in order not to howl with pain, he must have mistaken my silence for defiance and so he continued to hit me harder and harder.  Abruptly, he calmed down and sent me back to work as if nothing had happened. In his book,  Mans Search for Meaning,  Frankl also tells of a Kapo known simply as The Murderous Capo. Kapos Had Privileges The privileges of being a Kapo varied from camp to camp but almost always resulted in better living conditions and a reduction in physical labor.   In the larger camps, such as Auschwitz, Kapos received separate rooms within the communal barracks, which they would often share with a self-selected assistant.   Kapos also received better clothing, better rations, and the ability to supervise labor rather than actively participate in it.  Kapos were sometimes able to use their positions to also procure special items within the camp system such as cigarettes, special foods, and alcohol.   A prisoner’s ability to please the Kapo or establish a rare rapport with him/her could, in many instances, meant the difference between life and death. Levels of Kapos In the larger camps, there were several different levels within the â€Å"Kapo† designation.  Some of the titles deemed as Kapos included: Lagerà ¤ltester (camp leader): Within the various sections of large camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Lagerà ¤ltester oversaw the entire section and served largely in administrative roles.  This was the highest of all prisoner positions and came with the most privileges.Blockà ¤ltester (block leader): A position that was common in most camps, the Blockà ¤ltester was responsible for the administration and discipline of an entire barracks.  This position customarily afforded its holder with a private room (or one shared with an assistant) and better rations.Stubenà ¤lteste (section leader): Oversaw portions of large barracks such as those in Auschwitz I and reported to the Blockà ¤ltester about specific needs related to the barrack’s prisoners. At Liberation At the time of liberation, some Kapos were beaten and killed by the fellow prisoners that they had spent months or years tormenting, but in most cases, Kapos moved on with their lives in a similar fashion to other victims of Nazi persecution.   A few found themselves on trial in post-war West Germany as part of the U.S. military trials held there, but this was the exception, not the norm.  In one of the Auschwitz trials of the 1960s, two Kapos were found guilty of murder and cruelty and sentenced to life in prison. Others were tried in East Germany and Poland but without much success.  The only known court-sanctioned executions of Kapos occurred in immediate post-war trials in Poland, where five of seven men convicted for their roles as Kapos had their death sentences carried out. Ultimately, historians and psychiatrists are still exploring the role of Kapos as more information becomes available through recently released archives from the East. Their role as prisoner functionaries within the Nazi concentration camp system was vital to its success but this role, like many in the Third Reich, is not without its complexities.   Kapos are viewed as both opportunists and survivalists, and their complete history may never be known.