The Blind Side Free Essays

The Blind Side Identify the title, text type, composer and year of publication * ‘The Blind Side’ is a film composed by John Lee Hancock (2009) Identify the context in which your ORT has been set and they key ideas related to the concept of belonging which are represented. * The blind Side was created based on the 2006 book ‘The Blind Side: Evolution of a game†. The film was set in Memphis, in various environments such as A Christian School, the Tuohy’s household and other areas. We will write a custom essay sample on The Blind Side or any similar topic only for you Order Now This film explores the life of the main character, Michael Oher, and his journey from a sense of dislocation and alienation from those around him, to feeling acceptance and a sense of self identity towards himself. Aspects of belonging explored in this film include the relationships that are developed throughout the film which create for Michael a sense of identity, acceptance, understanding, and the potential for Michael to take a further journey in his life. The connections that Michael develops with Leigh Anne Tuohy are the catalyst for the noticeable change that Michael experiences in relation to feeling a sense of inclusion. Outline at least FOUR key ideas about belonging which are represented in your ORT. * The background experiences within his family, he is one of 7 and doesn’t know his father, while his mum is a drug addict. * The journey to a new environment, connections made with people and the place. * The acceptance of Michael and being welcomed into the Tuohy’s household. * Never judge a book by the cover- Leigh Anne Tuohy accepts Michael for who he is, not what he looks like. * From this Film, we understand a new meaning to helping those who are less fortunate, its all the little things that can have a large impact on the individual. Discuss how the composer has used a variety of language modes, forms, features and structures to represent these key ideas? (At least 12 PEEL or TQE for each) FILM TECHNIQUES * Opening sequence- Shows a playback of Lawrence Taylor snapping Jo Thiemann’s leg in 1985. Leigh Anne Tuohy narrates this scene with the voice over narration and she talks about the importance of the tackle position in football to the moulding of Michael Oher and his astounding protective instincts. The long slow motion shot of Michael Oher introduces Michael to the story, with his town home within the background of the shot. The effect of Flashbacks at the moment when Michael was separated from his mother is to give a short insight as to what Michael Oher had experienced. * On Michael’s journey to the new Christian School that will eventually become a second home for Michael there is a panning shot of Michael in the back seat of the car. Visually we can see that Michael’s body language is conveying a sense of shyness, worry and alienation, as if Michael was in a completely different world. This shot also displays the new opportunity that is about to infold for Michael- new place and new opportunity. * The close up shot of Michael observing the ‘new world’ clearly conveys the curiosity and separation form the new town that surrounds him. * Dialogue- â€Å"It’s a brave kid†. â€Å"For wanting to come here. † â€Å"For wanting a quality education†. â€Å"I can tell you most young lads with his background wouldn’t come within 200 miles of this place†. The teachers within the Christian School discuss Michaels want to start an education. The teachers state that ‘Most’ young lads with his background†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , would not be interested in aiming to achieve something. The automatically judge Michael without knowing who he is as a person. * The use of shot reverse shot of the teacher and Michael whilst in the classroom displays Michael’s unsureness of the new school life and feeling of exclusion from the other children, as well as showing the teachers look of concern and her determination to help Michael. The Film includes a lot of close up shots, in order to convey emotions such as sadness and joy. John Lee Hancock includes close up shots within the film to purposely emphasize the range of emotions that the characters experience, so that it can allow the audience to relate to the position that the characters are in and to help them achieve a re-evaluation of their values, attitudes and beliefs. Discuss similarities between the text â€Å"The simple Gift† composed by Steven Herrick and the film â€Å"The Blind Side† composed by John Lee Hancock. * The relationship that develops between Billy and Old Bill is one that is similar to the relationship between Leigh Anne Tuohy and Michael Oher. To Old Bill, he views Billy as a son and treats him the way that he would treat his own. Leigh Anne Tuohy eventually adopts Michael Oher and the relationship that is developed is one similar to mother and son. Both Billy and Michael both come from a disconnected family in they both had no relationship with their father. Billy and Michael both have experienced a bad lifestyle but then they both start a new journey to a new life, in which they both successfully achieve. Once they have made this journey, a new sense of self identity, acceptance and inclusion is felt strongly and the audience of both stories effectively motivate us to change or re-evaluate our own values, attitude s and beliefs. While this this â€Å"rags to riches† storyline isn’t new in the world of Hollywood, it definitely redefines values that have somewhat been lost in our 21st  century society. This film is based on the true story of Michael Oher, who was featured in Michael Lewis’ book  The Blind Side: Evolution of the Game. While the screenwriter of The Blind Side, John Lee Hancock, probably took some artistic liberty to make these factual events more heart stirring, whatever the changes may have been, I believe that The Blind Side still remains true to the reality. After watching the preview, you already know what is going to happen in the movie; however, the movie truly brings to life Michael Oher’s story and goes into depth to show the relationship between Oher and the Touhys. The opening scene of Blind Side shows a playback of Lawrence Taylor snapping Joe Theismann’s leg in 1985. Leigh Anne Touhy, played by Sandra Bullock, narrates this scene as she talks about the importance of the tackle position in football to the molding of Michael Oher and his astounding protective instincts. Oher was born to a drug-addicted mother, he had over a dozen siblings and was homeless for years. The Touhy’s took Michael Oher, who is played by Quinton Aaron, under their wings and helped him grow into an incredible athlete. For me, there were two incredibly moving scenes. The first was the when Oher told Mrs. Touhy he’s never had his own bed before and the second was when Oher called Mrs. Touhy â€Å"Momma† for the first time. At the closing credits, newspaper accounts of young men from Oher’s part of Memphis that were killed by gang violence were flashed on the screen. There are so many people in this world that are like Michael Oher before he joined the Touhy family. Where might Micheal Oher be today without the help of the Touhys? So, even though you already know how the story ends, The Blind Side is still worth seeing for both the exceptional acting and the moving story of Michael Oher’s life. Not only is it just the story of Oher’s life though, but it is also a thought-provoking movie that shows that there is still goodwill in this world despite the violence and hatred we see every day. How to cite The Blind Side, Papers The Blind Side Free Essays Persuasive Speech on a Media Source General Purpose: To persuade my audience about a specific form of media. Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to watch the inspirational movie, The Blind Side. Thesis Statement: The Bind Side is an extraordinary true story that reflects upon many life lessons. We will write a custom essay sample on The Blind Side or any similar topic only for you Order Now Introduction I. Attention Getter: As once stated by George W. Bush, â€Å"America is the land of the second chance- and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to better life. † II. Argument/Introduce Topic: The Blind Side is an extraordinary true story that reflects upon inspiring life lesson. III. Credibility Statement: I have watched The Blind Side many times and from my experience this movie is worth every minute of your time. IV. Preview: This afternoon, I will explain the reason why The Blind Side portrays brilliant character that will make you look at life differently. A. Starting with the fact we can’t change the life we are brought into but we can change the way we live it. B. Also, take a helping hand from others that are offering. C. Finally, the value of something is not always obvious from what we see on the surface. Transition: Furthermore, lets look more into the life lesson outlined by the movie, The Blind Side. ] I. Main Point: Nobody can go back and start a new beginning to their life, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. A. Sub-point: Michael Ohre spent most of his childhood years in the so-called ‘hood’ and was surrounded by drugs, alcohol, and gangs. 1. Sub-sub point: Michael did not speak much about his childhood but di d tell his Mrs. Leigh Ann Tuohy this, â€Å"And when she was finished she would tell me to open my eyes, the past is gone, the world is a good place, and its all going to be okay† (The Blind Side). . Sub-sub point: Michael’s mom would repeat to him this as she participated in drug activities. 3. Sub-sub point: He decides to pack up a few clothing articles in a grocery bag and leaves in search of a better life. B. Sub-point: Michael Ohre was walking down a cold endless road when Mrs. Tuohy demanded that he come home with her family and stay in till he found a place to stay. 1. Sub-sub point: This was the new begging of a new chapter of life for him. 2. Sub-sub point: The Tuohy family enrolled him into a private catholic high school. C. Sub-point: Michael was not the only one that changed his life but his new mom, Mrs. Tuohy did as well. 1. Sub-sub-point: She was a giving person who always helped people that needed it. 2. Sub-sub-point: Mrs. Tuohy gave Michael a second chance at life by treating him as her own child. 3. Sub-sub point: Many people would not allow random people to stay at there house but she wanted to truly help. D. Sub-point: Additionally, Mrs. Tuohy is a high-class southern mom, which made it seem even more unexpected. 1. Sub-sub point: The ides a taking a â€Å"African American† into her home was shocking to her southern friends. . Sub-sub point: Her friends in her social groups did not support her and she decided those were not real friends. E. Sub-point: Michael’s tutor, Jill Freeze, told Mrs. Tuohy that she was changing his life, she responded with, â€Å"No, he is changing mine† (The Blind Side). 1. Sub-sub point: Mrs. Tuohy felt good knowing she was becoming a becoming a b etter person. 2. Sub-sub point: She felt better knowing she was giving back to someone that truly needed help in desperate times. [Transition: Despite running from reality let people help you. ] II. Main Point: Take a helping hand from others wen one is offering. A. Sub-point: Michael knew getting help was the only way to becoming sometime great in life. 1. Sub-sub-point: He was dealt a hard life, but he knew his only option was to reach out for help. 2. Sub-sub-point: He was asked if he wants to stay with the Tuohy family he replied with, â€Å"I don’t want to go anyplace else†(The Blind Side). 3. Sub-sub-point: Michael knew if he would go back to his old life he would not go anywhere in life. 4. Sub-sub point: He made his journey worthwhile with the Tuohy family by connecting with Collin and S. J. B. Sub-point: Courage is a hard thing to figure also. 1. Sub-sub point: Mrs. Tuohy and Michaels tutor pushed him forward to have courage in life and so he did he played college football but just didn’t stop there he recently won the 2013 Super Bowl. 2. Sub-sub point: Despite when others tried to hold him back from his dream. C. Sub-point: This movie teaches the importance of taking help when needed. 1. Sub-point: If you ignore life struggles they will only leave behind in the end. 2. Sub-sub point: It also makes the audience appreciate whatever life has in store for you. Transition: By all means this movies grabs your attention and shows real life obstacles and struggles. ] III. Main Point: Furthermore, don’t judge a person on there appearance, but rather get to know a person from the inside. A. Sub-point: Sean Touhy Michaels father stated, â€Å"Who would’ve thought we’d have a black son before we met a Democrat? † 1. Sub-sub-point: The high-cla ss community was not accepting at first of Michael. 2. Sub-sub-point: A private catholic high school was not even accepting at the time of enrollment. B. Sub-point: The parents and teachers did not only judge him, but the kids at school did as well. . Sub-sub-point: Michael was trying to make friends at school, during lunch he would talk to other student but they would ignore him. 2. Sub-sub-point: His peers judged him in class and he never was given a chance to show his potential. C. Sub-point: The Tuohy family also was looked at differently because of having a colored boy stay at there home. 1. Sub-sub point: Mrs. Tuohy’s high-class friends and her daughter friends as well mad a beg deal about this. 2. Sub-sub point: The adoption service and the NCAA eligibility center though this was strange as well and judge the idea. D. Sub point: Also, Mrs. Tuohy sent out a family Christmas card with Michael in it, many friends called questioning her decision. E. Sub point: Never less, discrimination in this movie is an issue but, the situations that Michael encounters show why people should be treated equally. [Transition: Despite running from reality let people help you. ] Conclusion I. Signpost: Furthermore, The Blind Side is a heartfelt movie that is definitely worth your time. II. Summary: It shows life lesson including: A. Unfortunately, we cant choose the life we are brought into but we can change the way we live it. B. Also, take a helping hand from others that are offering C. Lastly, the value of something is not always obvious from what we see on the surface. III. Clincher: As once stated by Harrison Ford, â€Å"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance. † Bibliography Sharkey , Betsy . â€Å"Review: ‘The Blind Side’. † 20 Nov 2009: 1-2. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. http://articles. latimes. com/2009/nov/20/entertainment/la-et-blind-side20- 2009nov20. Scott, O. A.. â€Å"Steamrolling Over Life’s Obstacles With Family as Cheerleaders. † The New York Times . N. p. , 19 Nov 2009. Web. 22 Feb 2013. http://movies. nytimes. com/2009/11/20/movies How to cite The Blind Side, Essay examples

Positive Male Role Models free essay sample

The Key to the Success of the African American Male March 11, 2007 For the majority of African American males, the path to success is a challenging one. Young African American males in today’s society face major challenges to their growth and security. The lack of opportunity and motivation stems from preceding obstacles set before the pathways of their ancestors. Therefore, the crisis faced by present day African American males is nothing new. Having unchanged outcomes in the social aspect of present-day African American males, Black youth should take the unsuccessful paths of their predecessors as lessons learned. Nevertheless, there can not be any type of change expected without adequate opportunities as well as appropriate motivation. From an early age, it has become increasingly apparent that Black males are confronted with a series of obstacles in their attempts to attain academic, career, and personal-social success (Lee, 1992). Being that children are very impressionable, young black males need to be inspired with confidence by a positive example or influence in the beginning stages. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Male Role Models or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The prior stages of adolescence are the most important to the development of successful African American males. This is where the need for positive male role models becomes affective. Most would agree that the key factor of role models is greatly needed. Within the article, Wanted: A few good men, the importance of role models to increase opportunities for African American males were emphasized. Pointed out was a specific period in which a defining moment takes place in the young black male’s life. This was noted as the second of several defining moments, â€Å"When individuals assert their independence and often engage in high-risk behavior† (Simms, 1991). This was seen in many black males, but particularly in those whose lives lacked a successful role model. In many cases, this is the key setback in the development of successful black males. The concern for the lack of successful role models is not the only factor, but the lack of realistic models for African American males is an issue also. In the article, Fighting the failure syndrome, it speaks of rescuing African American males from a future of self-destruction and an absence of positive male influence. The fact of the matter is, the majority of black youth grow up in female-headed, poor, and negative influenced environments (Simms, 1991). Now, with the lack of a father or father figure, the stereotypical negative branding, and no other inspiring influences, Black youth are left with a limited choice of models to follow. It is stated that successful celebrities are too distant to offer realistic models of reliable maturity. â€Å"The adult males whom many black boys try to emulate come from their own neighborhoods, and in tough urban areas, these â€Å"models† are all too often involved in drugs and crime† (Tifft, 1990). With that being said, there needs to be an empowering of young Black males. And coincidentally, Empowering Young Black Males, is an article that covers a variety of problems and possible solutions to the major challenges young Black males are faced with today. This article deals with African American males in schools, psychosocial development, as well as actions for intervention. The acknowledgement that young Black males are sufferers of negative attitudes and lowered expectations further enhances the need for empowerment schemes. Such initiatives must focus on helping Black male youth develop attitudes, behaviors, and values necessary to function at optimal levels at school and in the world (Lee, 1992). Black male empowerment can play a major role in sponsoring a positive-based developmental program. The articles used provide good supporting facts of why positive male role models are needed as well as how much of a factor they are in the path to success. The process of developing young African American males goes through many stages. Having to find the right man for the job, the effort in being effective in breaking the negative cycle, to the overall empowering of Black youth is a task.

Impact of Globalization on Health-Free-Samples-Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Globalization and its Impact on Health. Answer: Introduction The Ebola virus outbreak is very common in developing nations as compared to Wealthy nations. For example in West Africa countries such as Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia the cause and spread of the virus has affected both social and political activities. The first case of Ebola was reported in Liberia which impacted a Liberian national who visited the West African states which had the first outbreak of the same disease; this resulted in the focused Ebola attention by the Western world such as the United States of America (WHO Ebola Response Team, 2014)). It is reported that Liberia had the profound outbreak of Ebola. The scenario was worsed and captured the attention of the cooperate media from both the global scene and the regional focus, and this caused several people to be pulled off airplanes to West Africa from the developed countries which led to the special screening by the respective Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The Ebola virus causes serious illness whi ch is dangerous if not treated in time. The disease first appeared simultaneously in the year 1976 (EVD) with outbreaks in Nzara, South Sudan and Yakubu in the (DRC) Congo. The disease got the nam Ebola by first oaccurng in a village near the Ebola River. Between the years 2014-2016 the major and complex outbreak of Ebola since virus the virus discovery happened in West Africa. More cases of deaths were registered during this time than other outbreaks combined, this later spread in countries such as Guinea, to Sierra Leone and finally to Liberia. When the Ebola Virus Disease emerged in Guinea to Sierra Leone and finally in Liberia, it was reported that it had affected nearly between 28,617 and caused 11311 deaths. The outbreak caused damage in both the economic and political aspect as well as social challenges to the affected countries which led to the travel restrictions, Schools to be closed and other social services such as loss of jobs and the difficulty for people to earn their livelihoods. From the World Bank report, it was estimated that the economic impact for the two outbreaks in 2014 the affected countries leading to loss of almost $400 million and about 4% of their combined GDP (Gross Domestic Product) (Gire et al. 2014).The rapid spread of this disease from one nation to the other revealed the structural and systematic problems and weaknesses of the Health systems from these nations caused by a lack in public health sector. Source of the condition and how it is transmitted (Ebola) Ebola Virus Disease is mostly regarded as deadly disease commonly affecting human and nonhuman primates like gorillas, monkeys and Chimpanzees. The disease is caused by the Ebola known species where four of these five species can cause infection in human beings (Ekins et al., 2015). The following includes the viruses that cause Ebola: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus), Tai Forest virus (Tai Forest ebolavirus), Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus), Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus) and finally the Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus) which cause diseases mostly in nonhuman primates and pigs but not in people as the above four. In 1976 the Ebola virus was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo near the Ebola River (WHO Ebola Response Team, 2014). The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected persons either through sickling or death. It may occur if a person touches the body fluids of the infected person or the contaminated objects from the infe cted person. The EVD virus gets into the system of an uninfected person through broken skin, the mucous membrane into the eye, nose or mouth. Contact with the body fluids, blood and tissues of an infected person can also make the virus to get into our systems. Sexual contact also makes one get the virus. Ebola spreads quickly mostly in families and friends because they are exposed to infectious secretions when taking care of the ill person (Litterman, Lipinski Ekins, 2015). The difference in time between the infections to the onset symptoms is about 3-21 days. In summary, these are the ways through which Ebola virus is transmitted Direct interaction with the blood through the broken skin, mucous membrane, secretions, organs and from the fluids of the body. Contacts with the environmentally contaminated fluids indirectly Exposures to already contaminated objects such as unsterilized needle Coming into contacts by the mourners with the deceased directly Exposure of the semen of people Ebola or those who have recovered from the disease because the transmission can still take place after six weeks of recovery. Coming into contact with patients suspected or that have been confirmed EVD-a good example is the health workers frequently affected while treating the patients. Ebola is believed to have been caused by viruses both in the Ebolavirus and Filoviridae family. The virus is assumed to be present in animals and transmitted to human via a process known as zoonosis. In Africa, it is believed that people have developed Ebola after handling infected animals from the zoo such as fruit bats, gorillas, forest antelopes, monkeys, Chimpanzees, as well as porcupines. The transmission from person to person become after someone has become symptomatic which usually take place between 3 to 21 days from infections. When one is attacked by Ebola ten, the immune cells create widespread inflammation that damages the tissue lining blood vessels which then cause them to leak (Leroy et al. 2004).The macrophages which are a type of immune cell that is mostly infected by Ebola releases proteins that clots in the bloodstreams are hence blocking the flow of blood to organs such as the liver and the kidneys. Some of the symptoms include: High fever Headache Joint and muscle aches Sore throat Overall body weakness Stomach pain and loss of appetite As the disease worsens, it results into an internal bleeding as well as from the external organ such as the eye, ears, and the nose. Apart from all these symptoms other symptoms include; vomiting or coughing up blood, having bloody diarrhea and finally get rash. Doctors use Fluids and electrolyte to manage Ebola symptoms, oxygen support, and Blood pressure medication as well as through blood transfusion. Reasons why the condition (Ebola) has not yet got a vaccine compared to others which do have vaccines The recent outbreak of Ebola caused the death of some people, and this was recorded on a catastrophic scale infecting over 26000 people and killing over 10000 people (Nishiura, Chowell, 2014). The reason behind all these sufferings was the lack of licensed vaccine in the market (Nishiura Chowell, 2014). There is some reasons why finding a vaccine for Ebola in developing countries like Africa was so difficult while the severe losses were being experienced by the people. Since 1976, there have been almost 24 outbreaks which infected over 1400 people, killing around 75% of the people infected. The research on Ebola vaccination is subjected to delays for some time because producing such vaccines or drugs for an infection or disease that affect developing countries like the West African countries was not a lucrative business, unlike other diseases which affect people from all over the world. Ebola was viewed by the rich countries as an African affair and coming up with its vaccine was a waste of time and viewed as none lucrative business (Frieden, Damon, Bell, Kenyon Nichol, 2014). Adrian Hill who is the head of the Jenner Institute for public sector vaccine development and a renowned scientist claims that there were large bags of vaccines which were available to be tested at the start of the outbreak, but when he tried to explain it in the public lecture, he did not succeed. This is because the companies were not able to make a business case for investing in the development and licensing of an Ebola because this could result in a cost running in hundreds of millions of Dollars yet it is an African affair. In addition to this, it is recorded that the research into the vaccination of Ebola started some years before 2014 as other infections, but the problem is that the progress has been very slow with less funding from rich nations. A good example is in Canada and United States of America where there were best scientists who were proven to be 100% efficient in protecting the primates from Ebola. However, this was not advanced to human beings and any case the reason behind this research was not to save lives in the developing countries (Nishiura Chowell, 2014).The funding for Ebola five years was not save the lives of African but to save but to save the North American against any potential bioterrorism attack. Tropical diseases formed about 1.5 percent of the total global expenditure in the research on diseases (The Lancet, 2014). Ebola is still a rare disease in the world compared to other diseases. Since its virus was discovered, it has only claimed about 3600 lives, but in the field o f communicable diseases, this is regarded as a small number. This shows that there is no a lot of human Ebola and spending a lot on this would be waste resources and funds as compared to other communicable diseases which their effects are globally felt (Dr. William Scheffner,2013) Public health management and prevention of the condition (Ebola) The Ebola epidemic which was first experienced in West African countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea was a clear illustration of one the most dangerous communicable diseases experience in the whole world. For that reason, some of the public management and prevention had to be done to prevent it or find solutions to its ending.The public health response to this problem was categorized into four areas(WHO,2014) namely emergency response, Laboratory capacity, surveillance and development of the workforce. In July 2014, Liberian Ministry of Health (MOH) had their National IMS. This mission was as a result of sustenance from US (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization(WHO) and other key world partners in the health sector (Nishiura, Chowell, 2014). The management of these response systems improved the coordination of the response and the national and county levels. In Sierra Leone response to two clusters were also put and coordinated through the same structure as that of Liberia, later this was transferred through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation on February 2016.The ministry performed its function, and all the coordination were well done within its five Districts and this facilitated smooth coordination. The response led to improvement in the surveillance and identification of 130 contacts and implementation of the community surveillance system (Rid Emanuel, 2014).The final cluster on Ebola epidemic was recognized in March 2016, and this occurred the same condition similar to the initial conditions.The first diagnosis was made in Guinea, and the victim fled across the border to Liberia which later led to a confirmation of patient at a hospital in the capital city. At the beginning of the Ebola breakout in West Africa, m ost of the diagnosis was made on the complex tests majorly on PCR. However, this could not be the best, so the affected nations came up with Laboratories as a public health and prevention measures. Conclusion In conclusion, Ebola is one of the deadly disease affecting the world and WHO as well as other rich nations should offer support to help develop a vaccine and control the disease. References Ekins, S., Freundlich, J. S., Clark, A. M., Anantpadma, M., Davey, R. A., Madrid, P. (2015). Machine learning models identify molecules active against the Ebola virus in vitro.F1000Research,4. Frieden, T. R., Damon, I., Bell, B. P., Kenyon, T., Nichol, S. (2014). Ebola 2014new challenges, new global response and responsibility.New England Journal of Medicine,371(13), 1177-1180. Gire, S. K., Goba, A., Andersen, K. G., Sealfon, R. S., Park, D. J., Kanneh, L., ... Wohl, S. (2014). Genomic surveillance elucidates Ebola virus origin and transmission during the 2014 outbreak.science, 1259657. Leroy, E. M., Rouquet, P., Formenty, P., Souquire, S., Kilbourne, A., Froment, J. M., ... Zaki, S. R. (2004). Multiple Ebola virus transmission events and rapid decline of central African wildlife.Science,303(5656), 387-390. Litterman, N., Lipinski, C., Ekins, S. (2015). Small molecules with antiviral activity against the Ebola virus.F1000Research,4. Nishiura, H., Chowell, G. (2014). Early transmission dynamics of Ebola virus disease (EVD), West Africa, March to August 2014.Eurosurveillance,19(36), 20894. Rid, A., Emanuel, E. J. (2014). Ethical considerations of experimental interventions in the Ebola outbreak.The Lancet,384(9957), 1896-1899. WHO Ebola Response Team. (2014). Ebola virus disease in West Africathe first 9 months of the epidemic and forward projections.New England Journal of Medicine,371(16), 1481-1495

Great Depression Essays (3881 words) - , Term Papers

Great Depression The Great Depression was the worst economic decline ever in U.S. history. It began in late 1929 and lasted about a decade. Throughout the 1920's, many factors played a role in bringing about the depression; the main causes were the unequal distribution of wealth and extensive stock market speculation. Money was distributed unequally between the rich and the middle-class, between industry and agriculture within the United States, and between the U.S. and Europe. This disproportion of wealth created an unstable economy. Before the Great Depression, the "roaring twenties" was an era during which the United States prospered tremendously. The nation's total income rose from $74.3 billion in 1923 to $89 billion in 1929. However, the rewards of the "Coolidge Prosperity" of the 1920's were not shared evenly among all Americans. In 1929, the top 0.1 percentage of Americans had a combined income equal to the bottom 42%. That same top 0.1 percentage of Americans in 1929 controlled 34% of all savings, while 80% of Americans had no savings at all. Automotive industry tycoon Henry Ford provides an example of the unequal distribution of wealth between the rich and the middle-class. Henry Ford reported a personal income of $14 million in the same year that the average personal income was $750. This poor distribution of income between the rich and the middle class grew throughout the 1920's. While the disposable income per capita rose 9% from 1920 to 1929, those with income within the top 1-percentage enjoyed an extraordinary 75% increase in per capita disposable income. These market crashes, combined with the poor distribution of wealth, caused the American economy to overturn. Increased manufacturing output throughout this period created this large and growing gap between the rich and the working class. From 1923-1929, the average output per worker increased 32% in manufacturing. During that same period of time average wages for manufacturing jobs increased only 8%. Thus, wages increased at a rate one fourth as fast as productivity increased. As production costs fell quickly, wages rose slowly, and prices remained constant, the bulk benefit of the increased productivity went into corporate profits. In fact, from 1923-1929, corporate profits rose 62% and dividends rose 65%. The federal government also contributed to the growing gap between the rich and middle-class. Calvin Coolidge's administration (and the conservative-controlled government) favored business, and consequently those that invested in these businesses. An example of legislation to this purpose is the Revenue Act of 1926, signed by President Coolidge on February 26, 1926, which reduced federal income and inheritance taxes dramatically. Andrew Mellon, Coolidge's Secretary of the Treasury, was the main force behind these and other tax cuts throughout the 1920's. Even the Supreme Court played a role in expanding the gap between the social/economic classes. In the 1923 case Adkins v. Children's Hospital, the Supreme Court ruled minimum-wage legislation unconstitutional. The large and growing disproportion of wealth between the well to do and the middle-income citizens made the U.S. economy unstable. For an economy to function properly, total demand must equal total supply. In an economy with such different distribution of income, it is not assured that demand will equal supply. Essentially, what happened in the 1920's was that there was an oversupply of goods. It was not that the surplus products of industrialized society were not wanted, but rather that those whose needs were not satisfied could not afford more, whereas the wealthy were contented by spending only a small portion of their income. Three quarters of the U.S. population would spend essentially all of their yearly incomes to purchase consumer goods such as food, clothes, radios, and cars. These were the poor and middle class: families with incomes around, or usually less than, $2,500 a year. The bottom three quarters of the population had a collective income of less than 45% of the combined national income; the top 25% of the population took in more than 55% of the national income. Through this period, the U.S. relied upon two things in order for the economy to remain even: luxury spending, investment and credit sales. One solution to the problem of the vast majority of the population not having enough money to satisfy all their needs was to let those who wanted goods buy products on credit. The concept of buying now and paying later caught on quickly. By the end of the 1920's, 60% of cars and 80% of radios were bought on installment credit. Between 1925 and 1929 the total amount of outstanding installment credit more than doubled from $1.38 billion to around $3 billion.

How Mark Twains Views on Slavery Evolved

How Mark Twains Views on Slavery Evolved What did Mark Twain write about slavery? How did Twains background influence his position on slavery? Was he a racist? Born in a Slave State Mark Twain was a product of  Missouri, a slave state. His father was a judge, but he also traded in slaves at times. His uncle, John Quarles, owned 20 slaves, so Twain witnessed the practice of slavery firsthand whenever he spent summers at his uncles place. Growing up in Hannibal, Missouri,  Twain witnessed a slave owner brutally murder  a slave for merely doing something awkward. The owner had thrown a rock at the slave with such force that it killed him. Evolution of Twains Views on Slavery It is possible to trace the evolution of Twains thoughts on slavery in his writing, ranging from a pre-Civil War letter that reads somewhat racist to postwar utterances that reveal his clear opposition to slavery and his revulsion of slaveholders. His more telling statements on the subject are listed here in chronological order:   In a letter written in 1853, Twain wrote: I reckon I had better black my face, for in these Eastern states, nrs are considerably better than white people. Nearly two decades later, Twain  wrote to his good friend, novelist, literary critic, and playwright  William Dean Howells  about Roughing It  (1872):  I am as uplifted and reassured by it as a mother who has given birth to a white baby when she was awfully afraid it was going to be a mulatto. Twain laid bare his opinion of slavery in his classic  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,  published in 1884.  Huckleberry, a runaway boy, and Jim, a runaway slave, sailed down the Mississippi together on a flimsy raft. Both had escaped abuse: the boy at the hands of his family, Jim from his owners. As they travel,  Jim,  a caring and loyal friend, becomes a father figure to Huck, opening the boys eyes to the human face of slavery. Southern society at the time considered  helping a runaway slave like Jim, who was thought to be inviolable property, the worst crime you could commit short of murder. But Huck sympathized so profoundly with Jim that the boy freed him. In Twains Notebook #35, the writer explains:   It seemed natural enough to me then; natural enough that Huck his father the worthless loafer should feel it approve it, though it seems now absurd. It shows that that strange thing, the conscience- the unerring monitor- can be trained to approve any wild thing you want it to approve if you begin its education early and stick to it. Twain  wrote in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court (1889): The blunting effects of slavery upon the slaveholders moral perceptions are known and conceded the world over; and a privileged class, an aristocracy, is but a band of slaveholders under another name. In  his essay The Lowest Animal  (1896), Twain wrote: Man is the only Slave. And he is the only animal who enslaves. He has always been a slave in one form or another  and has always held other slaves in bondage under him in one way or another. In our day, he is always some mans slave for wages and does that mans work, and this slave has other slaves under him for minor wages, and they do his work. The higher animals are the only ones who exclusively do their own work and provide their own living. Then in 1904, Twain wrote in his notebook: The skin of every human being contains a slave. Twain said In his autobiography, finished in 1910 just four months before his death and published in three volumes, beginning at his behest  in 2010: The class lines were quite clearly drawn and the familiar social life of each class was restricted to that class. For most of Twains life, he railed against slavery in letters, essays, and novels as an evil manifestation of mans inhumanity to man. He eventually became a crusader against the thinking that sought to justify it.

Information Security Audit And Assurance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Information Security Audit And Assurance - Essay Example Data is stored in a database that makes access, retrieval and manipulation easy and more secure (Chrisopher, 2012). The Department of information technology in the organization oversees the security of the information system and hardware that is used in running all the activities in the organization. Computer and information security entails the safeguarding of computer resources, limiting access to authorized users, ensuring data integrity, maintaining data confidentiality and enhancing accountability in the organization (Chrisopher, 2012). The effective security will therefore involve taking security measures to ensure hardware and media are not stolen or damaged. Developing back –up strategies to minimize loss of data and information, encryption of sensitive data files and appropriate user identification (Ruskwig, 2012). Audit checklist: INFORMATION SECURITY SYSTEM AUDIT AND ASSUARANCE CHECKLIST Personnel/ Human resources Check item Answer Responsibility Who has the respons ibility for ensuring system security? employee Do employees and other users of the system have the knowledge and training on how to handle security threats? Training Do the personnel and staff member with any responsibility of system security have adequate training and do they receive training to support their roles? Computer security policy Is there a documented security policy that is fully supported by the senior management , with associated operating systems Non – disclosure Agreements Is there confidentiality agreements to sensitive employee data and information and its disclosure to third parties Process Audit Are the installed systems in the company including security systems and firewalls installed in the company audited on a regular basis? Software patches Do mechanisms exist that are used to deploy software patches at the security systems in the company in a timely and audited manner? Data protection Are employee and company data well secured in the database? And co mply with the legislative frameworks such as data privacy Act. Authentication Are there reliable and effective authentication mechanisms in the organization? Technology External network security Are there security measures such as intrusion detectors, firewalls that are used to protect against external computer access such as internet. Are these safety measures authorized by the senior management. Content monitoring Is there proper monitoring of the content of emails, and internet to prevent virus infection, internet fraud, SPAM and also litigation from the improper use and improper content. Anti virus Is there an installed antivirus and is it up to date, are all users trained and educated on how to identify and avoid suspected files to avoid virus and malware infection. Physical security Are critical IT systems, equipment and servers, stored in a secure and protected area free from unauthorized access? Security policy. Policy statement: The department of information technology in t he organization is vested with the responsibility to provide the substantial data security and confidentiality of all the resources, data and information that are held in the organization which include local storage media, or remotely placed in order to ensure the continuous availability resources and data to the authorized users in the organization and also to provide integrity of these data and configuration controls (Ruskwig, 2012). Security policies: a) The data

What is political legitimacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

What is political legitimacy - Essay Example John Locke’s view of political legitimacy emphasizes the necessity of respect for human rights and transfer of authority based on consent for effective public administration. Plato was philosopher and a mathematician during the Classical Greece. He was also an influential figure in the philosophy of the West. Plato, in The Republic, declared that an ideal society ought to be run by a council of philosopher-kings (Plato & Cornford 22). Plato recommended that philosophers needed to do a thorough learning of the world prior to making their way into leadership at the age of fifty. According to Plato, the best form of political legitimacy constitutes the moral reordering of the whole society. Plato, thus, implied that moral societies are dedicated to returning to the best ways of doing things in order to be the best version through which the society can be idealistic and achieve perfect governance. Locke proposes that after the establishment of a social contract, the first act of the government is creating different branches of the government. Lock suggested that the optimum number of government branches should be three as this could ensure maximum peace and protection (Rawls & Freeman 53). When people are assured of their protection, there are high chances of increased productivity because there is no fear of security threats. Peace in a country is the primary determinant of security and protection; therefore, the government should strive to use its machinery to ensure prevalence of peace and tranquility in the states. The Republic by Plato is actually an investigation at the harmonic justice that should be afforded to human beings and the balance required to establish the moral health of the soul. Plato believed that search for political legitimacy is not streamlined since it constitutes a journey within using the models of ideal state,