Populorum Progressio free essay sample

This encyclical proposes a Christian approach to development, emphasizing that economies should serve all people not just the few, based on the principle of the universal destination of goods. It addresses the right of the workers to a just wage and security of employment, fair and reasonable working conditions and the right to unionise. The development of nations and peoples is of great interest to the Church, which is especially concerned for those who seek to escape hunger, poverty, disease, and ignorance. While many nations have been blessed with abundance, they need to hear their brothers cry for help and answer it lovingly. The Church is committed to advocating for a secure food supply, cures for diseases, and stable employment. Each nation needs the social and economic structure necessary to achieve growth. The growing gap between rich and poor nations and increasing signs of social unrest demonstrate the severity of the situation. We will write a custom essay sample on Populorum Progressio or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Church has long made efforts to help nations develop, but their great needs must be answered by their fellow countries. It has been the duty of humanity to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28) through physical labor. The earth was created to provide each person with the necessities of life. The encyclical continues by discussing the value and peril of industrialization and recommends a balanced approach toward development. All of humanity is called to lend a hand toward helping those in need. Development as a goal must include both social progress as well as economic growth, allowing men and women to further their moral growth and develop their spiritual endowments. Basic education is necessary for economic development literacy is the first and most basic tool for personal enrichment and social integration. (Paragraph 35) There are three major duties that must be completed for the world to achieve development: The duty of Human Solidarity The wealthiest nations must give aid and promote solidarity with developing nations. The duty of Social Justice Fair trading relations between strong and poor nations must be established. The duty of Universal Charity The world must also focus on universal charity by building a more humane world community. We should all pray that God will bend every effort of mind and spirit to the eradication of the evils that plague our world. (Paragraph 75) The world must work together for the common good and abolish hunger, poverty, and injustice. His Holiness concluded the encyclical by calling on Catholic, other Christians, and to all of humanity work together to achieve progress in these endeavors.

Informative Speech Topics

Informative Speech Topics Very often your professor gives you an assignment to write or make a speech or presentation. In this case – it is up to you to pick an appropriate speech topic, and make sure you are heard. In order to do this – you have to be prepared and write something new, fresh and original. Here is a list of topic you can choose from, when you have to prepare an informative speech topic: General topic: Why truth matters in every aspect of life. The importance of giving a good speech The importance on healthcare Society division, the pros and cons of it Corruption in the government. Computerization and virtual life. Modern technologies which touch each and every aspect of life The difference between life now and then You can also inform the audience on the life of a famous great person. Here are informative speech paper topics: Winston Churchill Barack Obama George W Bush – the worst president ever Ronald Regan Joan of Arc Nelson Mandela If you have something interesting on some important events from the fast – you can choose that informative speech topic as well. For example: The World War I, and it’s influence on the American society The rise of Nazism The famine in USSR in the 30s The American civil war The rise and destruction of the Roman Empire There are numerous books, movies which you can write an interesting informative speech topic, such as: William Shakespeares Much ado about nothing The movie Fahrenheit 911 The influence of the movie Boys in da hood on an average African American Little women Or you can choose an informative speech paper topic based on real today life: Music which is worth listening to The lyrics of the song which amazed me The controversy of Tupac Shakur and his lyrics How would I react on a conflict with my employer A good and easy way to pass the exams My ideas on todays advertising and marketing You need to choose an informative speech topic which is most relevant to the class you are taking. You need to show your professor – the way you apply the knowledge he has given you during class. And also stress your paper on the importance of studying and speech management.

Saltasaurus - Facts and Figures

Saltasaurus - Facts and Figures Name: Saltasaurus (Greek for Salta lizard); pronounced SALT-ah-SORE-us Habitat: Woodlands of South America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (80-65 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 40 feet long and 10 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Relatively slim build; quadrupedal posture; short neck and legs; bony plates lining back About Saltasaurus As titanosaurs go, the South American Saltasaurus was the runt of the litterthis dinosaur only weighed about 10 tons soaking wet, compared to 50 or 100 tons for more famous titanosaur cousins like Bruhathkayosaurus or Argentinosaurus. (The titanosaurs of the later Mesozoic Era evolved from the classic sauropods of the late Jurassic period, and are technically included under the sauropod umbrella.) The petite size of Saltasaurus demands a convincing explanation, given that this dinosaur dates from the late Cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago; by this time, most titanosaurs had evolved to the super-heavyweight class. The most likely theory is that Saltasaurus was restricted to a remote South American ecosystem, lacking abundant vegetation, and evolved down so as not to exhaust the resources of its habit. (Ironically, Saltasaurus was the first identified titanosaur; it took additional discoveries for paleontologists to realize that most members of this breed were much more imp ressive.) What set Saltasaurus and other titanosaurs apart from their sauropod ancestors was the bony armor lining their backs; in the case of Saltasaurus, this armor was so thick and knobby that paleontologists initially mistook this dinosaur (discovered in Argentina in 1975) for a specimen of Ankylosaurus. Clearly, newborn and juvenile titanosaurs attracted the notice of the numerous tyrannosaurs and raptors of the late Cretaceous period, and their back plates evolved as a nominal form of defense. (Not even the most overconfident Giganotosaurus would choose to target a full-grown titanosaur, which would have outweighed its antagonist three or four times over!)

Research Design and Methods Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Research Design and Methods - Coursework Example Research according to Jupp (2006) entails exploration, analysis, interpretation and the creation of understanding of varied phenomena which are educational in nature, and pertains a formalized and gradual occurrence of social, cultural and psychological processes. This implies that it deals with educational concerns in which there are possibilities of carrying out satisfactory investigation. Similarly, â€Å"†¦the methods which enable such satisfactory investigations and the utility of the results emanating from the investigation are important.† (Dash 1993). The theoretical questions in education result from varied concepts and social understandings of the same. For this reasons, a number of varied paradigms have been brought forward to explain the criteria depending on the methodology selected and the definitions of the concerns for the inquiry. A paradigm, according to Kuhn (1962) â€Å"†¦an integrated cluster of substantive, concepts, variables and problems attached with corresponding methodological approach and tools† (p.52). Positivism paradigm- The paradigm explores social reality and is anchored on ideas of August Conte, a French philosopher. Conte postulates that the two key aspects of observation and reason inform the understanding of human behavior. He underscores the knowledge is based on sensual experience which is obtained through experimentation and observation. His scientific method is, therefore, used by positivistic thinkers to generate knowledge. There are a number of assumptions under the positivism, which are vital in helping to understand the paradigm. However, these assumptions at some point have been considered as separate paradigms of their own. They include; the assumption of ‘Parsimony’, the assumption of ‘Empiricism’ the assumption of ‘Generality’ and the assumption of ‘Determinism’ which form the framework within which the paradigm is

Law and Morality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Law and Morality - Essay Example Working in a group obviously has its advantages and its disadvantages the advantages that you gain from working in a group is that more and more ideas can be floated and worked upon and this was certainly the case with our group every one contributed to their fullest and the environment was a competitive one where every one wanted to show their knowledge and use it for the betterment of the team, apart from floating of ideas there was also a case of people having superior knowledge than those of the other members of the group and this was certainly put to good use and helped the whole unit. Since we had divided the group into sub groups so that we may work on different topics and perspectives each and every one had different responsibilities but every one felt a shared responsibility towards the group, this helped us immensely in putting forward our case because every one had a clear cut target to achieve and there were no ambiguities in any ones goals and hence there were no ambigui ties in the results that each and every member of this group achieved. Then there were definitely the problems that one had to face within the group as well because there could never be perfect coherence between people when they work in a group because every one has a different take on every notion or topic and every one has a different ways of inferring things from reading material, this obviously created some issues amongst the group initially but were tackled soon after we decided to divide the group into sub groups, one thing should be kept in mind here that although we had divided our selves into sub groups the group worked together, if a group member was to be picked up at random and asked about any part of the debate the member would definitely be able to answer because this whole debate was a well worked out team effort. The other problem that we faced initially was that members had to be convinced that the betterment of the group is in their own interest and hence any infor mation that they come up with should be shared with the group and not hoarded up for individual betterment. Then there was also the issue that some members were reluctant or they didn't have the right chemistry to communicate with each other and the division of the group into sub groups went a long way in removing this barrier in the flow of information flow. Over all the experience of working in a team was a good one because I personally enjoy socializing and getting to know different perspectives and also to interact with people who have a higher knowledge base than yours is an experience altogether where you learn a lot about various topics and how to deal with problems in difficult situations and different conditions. Debate The theories that we applied for the purpose of this debate were the theories of dworkin and specially the work where he criticized the work of hart on the moral implications of law and morality, dworkin states that the moral principles or the moralities that people hold so close to them are more often wrong and since the justice system makes use of these moral principles these laws are even some times incorrect based on the biased or prejudiced views of the society on the whole or a large chunk of the society, therefore if a society views prostitution as malicious then the law should not treat it as unlawful the law should be integral and should not look at it from the

Examining Cultural Elements Essay Example for Free

Examining Cultural Elements Essay The following paper will look at the ways a therapist may be able to look upon and treat a family keeping all the cultural and the social boundaries, also known as the ethnocentric barriers aside. When looking at the view of the therapist, it may be important to look at the context of the family theories which have been introduced by sociologists all over the world. This idea was particularly introduced by the GAP or the group for the advancement of psychiatry. The association explained that it may be important for the families to be ascribed roles which are not specified when looking at the family. thus, if in any family which has an increasing amount of conflict, it may be helpful if it is somehow possible for the therapist to ensure that there are not any such roles put forward and emphasized. Note that in such a case particularly in a country with the traditional societal rules, it may be unlikely that such informality and the absence of clear cut roles would be possible. In such a case the therapist must allow for a setting and an environment such that the rigidity formed by the society is minimized so as to ensure an effective functioning of the family. This way neither the societal norms will be completely challenged, nor would there be any difficulty associated with the societal stereotypes. Another aspect which needs to be taken into consideration is that of the process of mystification. This process of mystification has been described as a process by which there are attempts made by one party to keep the other party in an awe state by maximizing the distance that they have between each other. When applying to the family life it implies denying the childs experience by relabelling it. in other words if there is going to a conflict in the family, it may be very likely for the parents to blame the children rather than excepting their own mistakes because they lie in a superior position in contrast to the child. When talking about it with relation to the therapist, making sure that this element of mystification does not occur in a strict family environment where there may be a great deal of respect for the elders may be problematic. However, the therapist, by looking upon at all the aspects of the problem should make sure that such biases are not essentially a part of the experience he encounters when treating the family. perhaps, the therapist can take the family to a different setting, perhaps away from the present place where they are in order to ensure that such a problem does not occur that much. Apart from this, the therapist may also be able to effectively provide for therapy by looking at how the family has and follows the system of double blinds. By this we imply a system in which there are two contractory points. It may thus be very likely for an individual to take up one and not both the points. For instance how boys are told to be tough and at the same time not be harsh with their mothers. These situations imply that an individual can follow only one and thus a family conflict may very likely occur. In such a case, the therapist should easily identify the double bind situation and then allow for a dialogue or a discussion to take place between the related parties. After looking and keeping all the things into consideration there can be a presentation of the values and norms of the societies and then there can be an agreement reached upon. No only this, but an important thing that should be done by the therapists is to carefully observe the way these discussions take place. This would be more and way better than a mere speculation because the therapists may make an increasing amount of assumptions which may otherwise not be made in case of a proper observation. not only this, but it may also be important to note that by observing, it may be possible that other possible forms pf conflicts that occur within the family and may not completely be realized or perhaps are otherwise hidden are highly likely to come up. It should be noted that the observations by the therapist must also be made first and fore mostly, perhaps even before one to one counseling of the families occur. This may be so that there is an absolute certainty that there are no previous biases left for evaluation. Therefore, one may say that there may be numerous ways through which the cultural and societal biases can be avoided by a therapist. First and for mostly can be a clear evaluation of the conflict that occurs in the family with a particular look at the element of mystification as well as double binds. Not only this, but also observing the family to look and obtain additional data may also be very helpful. Reference: How the students’ culture effect their behavior www. literacynet. org/lp/hperspectives/culteffect. html Lyman Stone, How much does culture and lifestyle affect behavior? http://www. helium. com/items/493732-how-much-does-culture-and-lifestyle-affect-behavior What makes lives, what influences Behavior? alcor. concordia. ca/~dwharton/txt/sgt/50. html

Where I Work :: essays research papers

Where I WORK (Case #1) The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was established as a place for people to buy or sell stocks. It was started in May of 1792 underneath a buttonwood tree on Wall Street. The expansion of the ideas and dreams of the 24 men is the reason why I have a job today. I would like to share with you the inside of the NYSE from an employee’s point of view. At the NYSE there is a division called Securities Industries Automation Corporation (SIAC), I am an online lead operator. I am responsible for the monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving of online issues pertaining to the many host system (other computers) that interact with the New York Stock Exchange. I work in the Switching and Order Processing section, whose sole purpose is to maintain zero (0) down time for all of the equipment of the exchange. By this I mean making sure all the computers, printers, handheld devices, overhead screens, etc. are all connected to its proper ports and they are up and functioning properly. In addition to that the department has to keep track of all the orders that are handled through the exchange and check the orders integrity as governed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The NYSE must also meet the operational requirements of the member firm (the companies that trade on the NYSE floor). The organizational culture of my company is set by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Due to the SEC’s constraints it is difficult to change the culture. According to the 7 dimensions of organizational culture I would rate my company as such: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Innovation and Risk Taking – (rating 1) Due to the restraints and standards set by the SEC there is little room for this. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Attention to Detail – (rating 5) This is the platform on which the organization is structured. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Outcome Orientation – (rating 5) the organization is â€Å"Procedure Driven† but the wrong outcome could affect the entire investment community. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People Orientation – (rating 2) Due to the rules and compliances. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Team Orientation – (rating 5) This is a very important dimension of the organization. For a project to succeed it needs the contribution of different resources. 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Aggressiveness – (rating 3) As in most organization there is a need to climb the corporate ladder. 7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stability – (rating 5) Because of the ever-increasing demands of the many customers. As an employee of the New York Stock Exchange for over 13 years, I have observed much of the organization’s culture.

Sameness and Difference Does Not Matter

Sameness and difference does not matter if there is belonging Belonging is a key in managing effective relationships. When you belong somewhere or amongst a group of people, sameness or difference does not come into play as you are considered an equal. Nevertheless there should be somewhat sameness between the entire groups, so that there is a common similarity that connects the entire group together. Though the very notion that there could exist a place where difference does not count may seem ludicrous to some people but unless you’ve experienced true belonging, it is a difficult concept to put into words.Accepting and being accepted for your differences is critical in the subject of belonging and once past that critical stage your sameness and difference becomes irrelevant, now that you belong somewhere or amongst something. Sameness is the primary attitude needed to belong with either a group of individuals or a collection of groups. That sameness may be in physical form e g: Skin Colour, height, weight, physique etc.In this case, those African American people that had been poorly treated and subjected to nothing but being treated like second class citizens, due to the implementation of the Jim Crow laws in the southern states of the United States of America. Sameness not only exists on the outside of an individual, but also what’s on the inside of oneself and it could be religious beliefs, values, intellect and their take on what is wrong and what is right. Having the same religion as a fellow individual could help you belong, same goes for having similar values and believing in what is right and wrong.To further this idea, if you look around many of the friendships/relationships that occur, occur because individuals share a common or genuine similarity, hence being able to socialise and communicate properly, thus suggesting that it does matter that there needs to be sameness, however minimal, to belong In the â€Å"Member of the Wedding†. Berenice and Frankie have about being â€Å"loose† or â€Å"caught† in the world. Berenice says that we are caught in the sense that we are born black or white and cannot change that.Being a black woman, she knows that her colour traps her even more because of discrimination. Frankie sees how at the same time we are lost in our community because of our failure to connect or mix with other people and belonging. This moment serves as a powerful statement against the separation of the races and makes a pledge for unity, but ultimately coming to the conclusion that is does matter that that you need sameness to belong. Similarities are needed to develop and maintain a healthy relationship as both parties share something in common.However, that relationship or that need to belong could be overshadowed if there weren’t for a couple of differences that distinguishes the person from another. In going through the process of belonging, one must be able to display both similarities and differences in order to belong. However once that stage is reached, there is no need to show either a similarity or a difference as you become considered an equal among whom or the place in which you belong. Sameness and differences is not needed if there is belonging. However, they are needed to form that special bond which is belonging.Nobody is going to play the fool by saying that everyone is going to have a special link with each other despite the fact that they aren’t going to display their sameness or differences because that is simply not true. To belong is something everybody craves but not everyone does achieve that and it is only when you reach the highest stage that your attributes are no longer needed as the place where you belong has seen it all. Belonging is just not a want, but a need. We see people fly everywhere to discover the true meaning of belonging but unless you’ve experienced it, then it shall remain a mystery to those yet to d iscover it.

Cause and Effect: Unprotected sex Essay

In today’s society, many young teens have begun to experience unprotected sex. Having unprotected sex may result in sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STD) and/or pregnancy. Although some STD’s are curable, they would have to be cured immediately. As for the main focus, teenage pregnancy, many teenagers do not realize the responsibility, commitment, and hard work they have to put into raising a child. It is not only being there for them, but also having both parents being financially stabled. Teenagers must protect themselves properly in order to avoid these incidents at an early stage in life because they, themselves, have not yet fully developed. In my opinion, the three main causes that lead to teen pregnancy are unprotected sex, lack of sex education, and sexual crimes. Unprotected sex is probably the most well-known factor leading to teen pregnancy. The cause of this can be from highly aroused young kids who don’t want to stop having sex because th ey have to get a condom. A condom is the best teen pregnancy prevention item sold in the United States. A lot of other young adults think that they don’t need a condom so they move onto the â€Å"pulling out method† so that they don’t ejaculate into the female’s reproductive system that can soon lead to pregnancy. What most young adults don’t know is that this method isn’t always safe. It’s way better to just be prepared and be safe with a condom in hand. Unprotected sex is the main cause to pregnancy at a young age. In my opinion, and I’m sure a lot of other individuals will agree with me on this one, but it is way better to spend three dollars on a small pack of condoms than a lifetime expense on a baby because you didn’t â€Å"Wrap it Up†. Carelessness is a reason to unprotected sex leading to teen pregnancy. Sexual education is needed in the classrooms of young adults today. It teaches them how to be safe, and how to still have sex but prevent pregnancy. Lack of sexual education can lead to pregnancy and other things like sexual transmitted diseases. With more information about sex taught to these teenagers, the pregnancy rate in young adults will drop. Take Tony from â€Å"The Other Wes Moore† for example. He didn’t have the knowledge needed to prevent him from getting his girlfriend pregnant at such a young age. The cause of lacking education in sex leads to these young kids getting themselves into situations they shouldn’t be getting into. They need to be taught better to prevent this from happening. The crime rate in America constantly goes up and goes down depending on where you are located. Rape is another cause for the young pregnancy that is happening. Police need to do a way better job at locating these rapists to protect these young female teenagers from getting harmed. Rape is when someone forcibly takes an individual and obligates them into having sex, most of the time this is unprotected sex. These crimes usually take place in the cities. Because of rape, not only do these young females get pregnant but sometimes they either won’t know who raped them or they would have to raise a baby on their own.

Hardware Replacement Project Essays

Hardware Replacement Project Essays Hardware Replacement Project Essay Hardware Replacement Project Essay The scope is intended to make sure that a project follows the original plan and does not expand beyond what was finalized. Time is very important for this scenario because this is the amount of time required to complete the project. Since the IT department needs to upgrade the hardware so the new CRM system will work properly, the time of the project must be completed in the projects determined time. Time and cost work hand-in-hand in a project like this. Cost is based on the time to complete a project multiplied by the daily cost of human resources required to complete the project. This would include the cost of hardware, software, and work space. This Is Important In this scenario because the new CRM system Is In need of need hardware. This should follow the scope of the project by determining the budget. Quality Is Important In this scenario because If the new hardware doesnt function properly with the new CRM system the whole project is a waste of time and money. The quality tells the management how well the end result of a project and if it satisfies the objectives specified. The new hardware needs to have improved organizational performance and decision making. This would also include the accuracy and timeliness of information produced by the new system and ease of use. Risk refers to the potential problems that would threaten the success of the project. This works hand-in-hand with time and cost. If there is a problem that rises in this scenario the time of the project could increase as well as the cost. This can also have a direct negative effect on the quality of the project. If a potential problem occurs It can cause the quality of the project to decrease. : Probably one of the top considerations that should be applied when selecting projects would be selecting projects that promise the greatest benefit to the business. If the project doesnt increase a companys profit, technology, or efficiency, then it is useless to start a project. These considerations would include determining project costs and benefits. In this scenario you would need to look at the tangible benefits and the intangible benefits. Tangible benefits can be quantified and assigned a monetary value. Intangible benefits, such as more efficient customer service or enhanced decision making, cannot be immediately quantified. Here are some implementation costs, operational costs, tangible benefits and the intangible benefits that could happen In a scenario Like this one. Hardware, software, and personnel (or human resources) would have an Implementation cost. Computer processing time, maintenance, operating staff, user time, and ongoing training costs would be the operational costs. Tangible benefits would Include: Increased productivity, lower operational costs, reduced workforce (in some cases), lower computer expenses in the future, a reduced rate AT growth In expenses, Ana Increase sales. Intangible Dentists would Include: improved asset utilization, improved resource control, improved organizational planning, more timely information, more information, increased Job satisfaction, improved operations, higher client satisfaction, and a better corporate image. The five variables to this scenario should be able to show the internal rate of return (AIR) and the rate of return on investment (ROI). If the IT department doesnt have a ROI for the improved CRM, the company could lose more profit than what is gained and could fall to bankruptcy. With a project like this the IT department would need to have an information systems plan that shows how specific information systems fit into their companies overall business plan and business strategy. This plan should notation a statement of corporate goals and specify how information technology, such as the new CRM system will help the business attain these goals. This plan should describe organization changes, including management and employee training requirements; changes in business processes; and changes in authority, structure, or management practices. The IT department would then show how the proposed CRM system would fit into this plan. Once the overall direction from the information systems plan is achieved the next step is the portfolio analysis. This will help the company evaluate alternative system projects. Since each of the information systems project carries its own set of risks and benefits, the IT department will need to weigh the risk and return from their systems investment. Once these steps have been taken the next step for the IT department would be implementation and change management. Implementation simply refers to all the organizational activities working toward the adoption and management of an innovation, such as a new information system (CRM). Project risk is influenced by project size, project structure, and the level of technical expertise to the information systems staff and project team. An information systems Project like CRM and the entire implementation process should be managed as planned organizational change using an organizational impact analysis. Management support and control of the implementation process are essential, as are mechanisms for dealing with the level of risk in each new systems project. Formal planning and control tools (including Gaunt and PERT charts) track the resource allocations and specific project activities. Users can be encouraged to take active roles in systems development and become involved in installation and training. Global information systems projects should involve local units in the aeration of the design without giving up control of the project to parochial interests. There is also project management software; this is a tool that is available to automate the creation of Gaunt and Pert charts and to facilitate the project management process. This software typically features capabilities for defining and ordering tasks, assigning resources to tasks, establishing starting and ending dates for tasks, tracking progress, and facilitating modifications to tasks and resources. An example of this software would be [emailprotected] Project, which is the most widely used. Jensen

Barack Obama - Oval Office Speech to the Nation on BP Oil Spill Disaster

Barack Obama Oval Office Address to the Nation on BP Oil Spill Disaster delivered 15 June 2010, Washington, D.C. Good evening. As we speak, our nation faces a multitude of challenges. At home, our top priority is to recover and rebuild from a recession that has touched the lives of nearly every American. Abroad, our brave men and women in uniform are taking the fight to al Qaeda wherever it exists. And tonight, I’ve returned from a trip to the Gulf Coast to speak with you about the battle we’re waging against an oil spill that is assaulting our shores and our citizens. On April 20th, an explosion ripped through BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, about 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Eleven workers lost their lives. Seventeen others were injured. And soon, nearly a mile beneath the surface of the ocean, oil began spewing into the water. Because there has never been a leak this size at this depth, stopping it has tested the limits of human technology. That’s why just after the rig sank, I assembled a team of our nation’s best scientists and engineers to tackle this challenge a team led by Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and our nation’s Secretary of Energy. Scientists at our national labs and experts from academia and other oil companies have also provided ideas and advice. As a result of these efforts, we’ve directed BP to mobilize additional equipment and technology. And in the coming weeks and days, these efforts should capture up to 90 percent of the oil leaking out of the well. This is until the company finishes drilling a relief well later in the summer that’s expected to stop the leak completely. Already, this oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced. And unlike an earthquake or a hurricane, it’s not a single event that does its damage in a matter of minutes or days. The millions of gallons of oil that have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico are more like an epidemic, one that we will be fighting for months and even years. But make no mistake: We will fight this spill with everything we’ve got for as long as it takes. We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused. And we will do whatever’s necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy. Tonight I’d like to lay out for you what our battle plan is going forward: what we’re doing to clean up the oil, what we’re doing to help our neighbors in the Gulf, and what we’re doing to make sure that a catastrophe like this never happens again. First, the cleanup. From the very beginning of this crisis, the federal government has been in charge of the largest environmental cleanup effort in our nation’s history an effort led by Admiral Thad Allen, who has almost 40 years of experience responding to disasters. We now have nearly 30,000 personnel who are working across four states to contain and clean up the oil. Thousands of ships and other vessels are responding in the Gulf. And I’ve authorized the deployment of over 17,000 National Guard members along the coast. These servicemen and women are ready to help stop the oil from coming ashore, they’re ready to help clean the beaches, train response workers, or even help with processing claims and I urge the governors in the affected states to activate these troops as soon as possible. Because of our efforts, millions of gallons of oil have already been removed from the water through burning, skimming and other collection methods. Over five and a half million feet of boom has been laid across the water to block and absorb the approaching oil. We’ve approved the construction of new barrier islands in Louisiana to try to stop the oil before it reaches the shore, and we’re working with Alabama, Mississippi and Florida to implement creative approaches to their unique coastlines. As the cleanup continues, we will offer whatever additional resources and assistance our coastal states may need. Now, a mobilization of this speed and magnitude will never be perfect, and new challenges will always arise. I saw and heard evidence of that during this trip. So if something isn’t working, we want to hear about it. If there are problems in the operation, we will fix them. But we have to recognize that despite our best efforts, oil has already caused damage to our coastline and its wildlife. And sadly, no matter how effective our response is, there will be more oil and more damage before this siege is done. That’s why the second thing we’re focused on is the recovery and restoration of the Gulf Coast. You know, for generations, men and women who call this region home have made their living from the water. That living is now in jeopardy. I’ve talked to shrimpers and fishermen who don’t know how they’re going to support their families this year. I’ve seen empty docks and restaurants with fewer customers even in areas where the beaches are not yet affected. I’ve talked to owners of shops and hotels who wonder when the tourists might start coming back. The sadness and the anger they feel is not just about the money they’ve lost. It’s about a wrenching anxiety that their way of life may be lost. I refuse to let that happen. Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company’s recklessness. And this fund will not be controlled by BP. In order to ensure that all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner, the account must and will be administered by an independent third party. Beyond compensating the people of the Gulf in the short term, it’s also clear we need a long-term plan to restore the unique beauty and bounty of this region. The oil spill represents just the latest blow to a place that’s already suffered multiple economic disasters and decades of environmental degradation that has led to disappearing wetlands and habitats. And the region still hasn’t recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. That’s why we must make a commitment to the Gulf Coast that goes beyond responding to the crisis of the moment. I make that commitment tonight. Earlier, I asked Ray Mabus, the Secretary of the Navy, who is also a former governor of Mississippi and a son of the Gulf Coast, to develop a long-term Gulf Coast Restoration Plan as soon as possible. The plan will be designed by states, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conservationists and other Gulf residents. And BP will pay for the impact this spill has had on the region. The third part of our response plan is the steps we’re taking to ensure that a disaster like this does not happen again. A few months ago, I approved a proposal to consider new, limited offshore drilling under the assurance that it would be absolutely safe that the proper technology would be in place and the necessary precautions would be taken. That obviously was not the case in the Deepwater Horizon rig, and I want to know why. The American people deserve to know why. The families I met with last week who lost their loved ones in the explosion these families deserve to know why. And so I’ve established a National Commission to understand the causes of this disaster and offer recommendations on what additional safety and environmental standards we need to put in place. Already, I’ve issued a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling. I know this creates difficulty for the people who work on these rigs, but for the sake of their safety, and for the sake of the entire region, we need to know the facts before we allow deepwater drilling to continue. And while I urge the Commission to complete its work as quickly as possible, I expect them to do that work thoroughly and impartially. One place we’ve already begun to take action is at the agency in charge of regulating drilling and issuing permits, known as the Minerals Management Service. Over the last decade, this agency has become emblematic of a failed philosophy that views all regulation with hostility a philosophy that says corporations should be allowed to play by their own rules and police themselves. At this agency, industry insiders were put in charge of industry oversight. Oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations. When Ken Salazar became my Secretary of the Interior, one of his very first acts was to clean up the worst of the corruption at this agency. But it’s now clear that the problem there ran much deeper, and the pace of reform was just too slow. And so Secretary Salazar and I are bringing in new leadership at the agency Michael Bromwich, who was a tough federal prosecutor and Inspector General. And his charge over the next few months is to build an organization that acts as the oil industry’s watchdog not its partner. So one of the lessons we’ve learned from this spill is that we need better regulations, better safety standards, and better enforcement when it comes to offshore drilling. But a larger lesson is that no matter how much we improve our regulation of the industry, drilling for oil these days entails greater risk. After all, oil is a finite resource. We consume more than 20 percent of the world’s oil, but have less than 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves. And that’s part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean because we’re running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water. For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we’ve talked and talked about the need to end America’s century-long addiction to fossil fuels. And for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires. Time and again, the path forward has been blocked not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor. The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight. Countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be right here in America. Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil. And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude. We cannot consign our children to this future. The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash America’s innovation and seize control of our own destiny. This is not some distant vision for America. The transition away from fossil fuels is going to take some time, but over the last year and a half, we’ve already taken unprecedented action to jumpstart the clean energy industry. As we speak, old factories are reopening to produce wind turbines, people are going back to work installing energy-efficient windows, and small businesses are making solar panels. Consumers are buying more efficient cars and trucks, and families are making their homes more energy-efficient. Scientists and researchers are discovering clean energy technologies that someday will lead to entire new industries. Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of jobs but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment. And only if we rally together and act as one nation workers and entrepreneurs; scientists and citizens; the public and private sectors. When I was a candidate for this office, I laid out a set of principles that would move our country towards energy independence. Last year, the House of Representatives acted on these principles by passing a strong and comprehensive energy and climate bill a bill that finally makes clean energy the profitable kind of energy for America’s businesses. Now, there are costs associated with this transition. And there are some who believe that we can’t afford those costs right now. I say we can’t afford not to change how we produce and use energy because the long-term costs to our economy, our national security, and our environment are far greater. So I’m happy to look at other ideas and approaches from either party as long they seriously tackle our addiction to fossil fuels. Some have suggested raising efficiency standards in our buildings like we did in our cars and trucks. Some believe we should set standards to ensure that more of our electricity comes from wind and solar power. Others wonder why the energy industry only spends a fraction of what the high-tech industry does on research and development and want to rapidly boost our investments in such research and development. All of these approaches have merit, and deserve a fair hearing in the months ahead. But the one approach I will not accept is inaction. The one answer I will not settle for is the idea that this challenge is somehow too big and too difficult to meet. You know, the same thing was said about our ability to produce enough planes and tanks in World War II. The same thing was said about our ability to harness the science and technology to land a man safely on the surface of the moon. And yet, time and again, we have refused to settle for the paltry limits of conventional wisdom. Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is the capacity to shape our destiny our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. Even if we’re unsure exactly what that looks like. Even if we don’t yet know precisely how we’re going to get there. We know we’ll get there. It’s a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now. Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region’s fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It’s called â€Å"The Blessing of the Fleet,† and today it’s a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea some for weeks at a time. The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced. And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, â€Å"The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always,† a blessing that’s granted â€Å"even in the midst of the storm.† The oil spill is not the last crisis America will face. This nation has known hard times before and we will surely know them again. What sees us through what has always seen us through is our strength, our resilience, and our unyielding faith that something better awaits us if we summon the courage to reach for it. Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. Source: WhiteHouse.gov

Composing american Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Composing american - Essay Example The United States had recently entered into world political theater and literally revolutionized the outcome of WWI. America was no longer a small colonial settlement that once broke away from its European control; it was a nation in its own right that was now as powerful, if not more so, than the traditional Western powers. As a result, the distinct attributes of the nation spilled over into the arts and the American composers of the ‘roaring’ 1920’s ushered in an era that revolutionized the existing pattern to a more modern phase. One of the manifestations of this phenomenon was George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in 1924 which revealed the break away from the traditional composition and demonstrated the influence of a new era. Alternating between the traditional and the Modern, Gershwin introduced himself as a peer amongst the American composers of his time (Oja 646). As a self-proclaimed â€Å"man without traditions,† a statement on which Copland later agreed, Gershwin’s work established a symphonic jazz masterpiece that endures far beyond the mixed perspective of critics of the time (649). The creation of a distinct profile while still connected to Western Europe expansion was a deviation from the norm that was too much for standard critical acclaim (648). Though not entirely negative, the response was one that spawned much debate and elevated Gershwin to a level of prolific discussion, both good and bad, amongst the composing communities of the world. Contrary to what some of the critics thought, Rhapsody in Blue became an instant success and enjoyed a degree of fame that eluded other aspiring modernists. Rhapsody in Blue became so popular that it was performed with the Whiteman’s Orchestra eighty four times in the first year â€Å"and sales of the disc totaled some one million copies.† (Deena Rosenberg, 1991) It was the most opportune time or period when Rhapsody in Blue was