The Union The Business Behind Getting High

Introduction Review of the film The Union: the Business behind Getting High film by Brett Harvey is one of the most excellent documentaries of modern times covering the issue of marijuana. It is indeed a movie that everyone in the united stated should be interested to watch. The Union: The Business behind Getting high is a Canadian documentary that largely focuses on the Canadian flaws in their policy on drugs.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Union: The Business Behind Getting High — 2007 (The Drug War/Marijuana Legalization) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nevertheless, the highlighted defects of drug policy are not only applicable to Canada but also to the drug policy of the United States that is very flawed. It is worth noting that the drug policies applicable in Mexico, Canada, and also in the United States are essentially intertwined in the sense that it would be practically be impossible to disc uss one of the aforementioned country’s policy while excluding the rest. This documentary makes a good attempt to be all inclusive (Pua 1). The Canadian documentary focuses generally on decriminalization verses legalization, an issue that has been a center of heated debate both in the United States and Canada. According to the movie, there are a number of reasons that are advanced in support of legalization of marijuana. The most important reason for legalizing marijuana is that the government would be able to collect a very huge sum of money considering the proceeds that accrue from organized crimes such as drug cartels. Some other reasons advanced by the documentary include the ability of the government to control the sale of such drugs to minors and also collection of tax revenue. The reasons in support of legalizing marijuana as advanced by Harvey in the documentary are indeed convincing. The documentary is nonetheless incomparable to other movies because of the contribut ion made in it by experts in this aspect. Uncommon in other movies regarding the issue of marijuana, the Union documentary contains interviews conducted amongst high ranking government officials and politicians from Canada such as Seattle’s former chief of police, mayors, as well as senator. The documentary also includes experts such as biologists, WA, chemists, and Harvard medical doctors. This is a clear indication that the documentary by Harvey presents testimony from genuine experts, for purposes of giving an explanation and supporting why it would be more appropriate than not to legalize marijuana (YouTube). Discussion The documentary opens the curtains with a famous football player O.J. Simpson who is indicted and found not guilty of the offence of murdering his wife together with a waiter allegedly because of a pair of glasses. According to the medical evidence, the DNA sample got from the scene of crime matched that of O.J. Simpson; nevertheless, the glove did not fit .Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This turn of evidence changed the whole turn of events. The documentary further develop a number of issues, it works to blow up some myths and finally concluded that marijuana would be much worthwhile legalized notwithstanding the minor impacts it would have. The documentary is assembled in a synergistic manner at about 105 minute. It includes fascination stories, taking head interviews and archival footage which are arranged in clips that are entertaining and fast. The documentary clips cover the incognito growers, the obvious suspects, Tommy Chong and dealers as well as clips from other sources such as Joe Rogan and former police chiefs. All this individuals are very much willing to give their opinion about marijuana which views indicate that criminalizing cannabis is an irrational status. Their narrations, status, and interviews are intertwined wi th trenchant or highly entertaining clips highlight carefully every aspect that is being affirmed. There are clips from the reefer madness to those from ancient footage involving farmers gathering hemp, with stops for clips which are related to the previous footage circumstantially. The events that unfold in the documentary are covered so well by the director in that for about thirty five minutes the move has not yet began to scrutinize the business of getting high. In the first 35 minutes, the movie outlines the foundation of the director’s claims to the effect that marijuana is an affordable and an extremely versatile commodity regrettably criminalized by poor legal framework that are geared towards eradication the icky sticky (Pua 1). The documentary further maintain that most of the claims of marijuana being harmful are founded on unauthentic findings such as marijuana kills the cells of the brain is just but a misplaced myth. The movie depict that illegalizing marijuana would instead increase the preference of use. According to the movie during the prohibition of alcohol consumption, the rates of boozing increase tremendously not to mention the increase in the organized crime aimed at getting alcohol for the people. The documentary further makes a comparison between the number of individuals killed by consumption of either tobacco or alcohol per annum and the statistics of deaths cause by marijuana consumption. It is established that cigarettes and alcohol causes hundreds of thousands of people while there has not been direct deaths related to consumption of marijuana.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Union: The Business Behind Getting High — 2007 (The Drug War/Marijuana Legalization) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The documentary is founded on the reality that the illegal status of marijuana in both Canada and the United States could be reversed if the policy maker s could show an open mind to facts that are scientifically proven and also some tolerance. The illegal status of marijuana allows the sellers and growers to charge more. If the rules are changed and marijuana become legal, the cartels will obviously lose a lot of money which will in turn acts as another edition of prohibition (YouTube). The movie is professionally directed in that it does not veer the audience into accepting the theory. Harvey allows the interviews and research do the talking the research and interview shows that in 104 individuals who uses marijuana, only one individual uses cocaine an almost none of them uses heroine. From the study conducted by UCLA shows that marijuana does not cause cancer. By using research and interviews is a brilliant idea since the audiences are offered an opportunity to get different facts as well as common sense. There is only one issue about the movie that may be criticized which is that fact that the documentary does not cover the other side of the coin particularly, it does not address the views of law enforcement agencies, politicians and individuals who do not approve of legalizing marijuana. The Union: The Business behind Getting High documentary is about the cannabis industry in British Colombia, the movie also depicts the stigma associated with marijuana in the western society particularly in America. In documentary uses the term union in the title perhaps because the term is frequently used to refer to the individuals as well as groups which in real life situation take part in illegal marijuana industry in British Colombia. The documentary is a fantastic eye opener and it should be kept on the supplemental film list. This is because there are very few people who may be aware of the fact that marijuana is not as bad as it seems to be portrayed; the documentary seek to disapprove the negative attitude held by majority of people in the western society about marijuana. The documentary through expert opinion pro ves that nobody has ever died from consumption of marijuana which is ironically illegal , while the drugs that are legalized such as tobacco and alcohol have caused hundreds of thousands deaths. Analysis and conclusion Basically the message that can be construed from the documentary is that cannabis is not actually harmful in any way like the pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, coffee, or even tobacco, and unlike these legalized and harmful drugs, cannabis is harmless with both commercial and medical benefits. Ironically, the two attributes of marijuana are surprisingly the reason behind its prohibition which is quite irrational.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This goes to confirm that most companies manufacturing drugs may not approve of a plant which grow naturally with so many benefits since such a plant would naturally put such companies out of business of manufacturing other drugs (Pua 1). The documentary shows that due to the understanding of the benefits associated with marijuana, the plant was legal and actually, some government used to encourage its growth before the twentieth century. The prohibition of marijuana particularly in the United States is also related to the fact that the government used the plant as a justification of effecting arrests for political, profiteering and war. The documentary makes an attempt to explain the reason as to why prohibition of marijuana never works. In an effort to explain the situation, the documentary use statistics and research about past prohibition of alcohol which brought about more consumption of alcohol and more organized crimes to bring it to the market. It therefore goes without sayi ng that there is no substantial and rational reason that has been advanced to suggest why cannabis is prohibited and treated with a lot of stigma in the western society. Surprisingly the plant is treated with more seriousness then even hard drugs for instance heroin and cocaine or even the other legalized drugs which are harmful to human health. The documentary is indeed one of a kind as the information presented therein is confirmed and approved by real scholars, doctors, former politicians, former law enforcement agencies, and biochemists, not to mention the various scientific studies. From all the interviews and study conducted are in agreement with the fact that cannabis does not pose any kind of harm except the stigma created by its prohibition. In the documentary, Harvey tries to focus on the Canadian flaws in their policy on drugs. Nonetheless, the highlighted shortcomings of drug policy are not only observable in the Canadian legal system, but also to the drug policy of the United States that is very flawed. The documentary espouses a number of reasons that are advanced even by experts in support of legalization of marijuana. The main argument in support of legalizing cannabis being that the government would be able to collect a very huge sum of money which flow in industry. Some other arguments advanced by the documentary include the fact that legalizing marijuana would enable the government to control the sale of such drugs to minors and also collection of tax revenue. Works Cited Pua, Adrian. A Review of The Union: The Business Behind Getting High. 2007. Web. http://headlessreviews.blogspot.com/2007/10/union-business-behind-getting-high.html YouTube. The Union: The Business Behind Getting High — 2007 (The Drug War/Marijuana Legalization) Directed by Lucy Walker. 2007. Web. This essay on The Union: The Business Behind Getting High — 2007 (The Drug War/Marijuana Legalization) was written and submitted by user Alanna Bates to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Gulf Region Exam

Gulf Region Exam Introduction It can be noted that the study of international relations and the scope of Middle East research are often regarded as worlds apart, with minimal uniting factor between them. In this current age, this definition is too stark. However, it is correct to suggest that more effort needs to be put to bring the different side together and most importantly to bring the region of the Middle East to the core of international relations development (Sasley, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Gulf Region Exam specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The most influential theory in international relations and predominantly used in the United States from the end of the Second World War was realism. This is a perspective that is based on the intellectual foundations in conservative political and social ideology. To get a better understanding of realism as a perspective in the study of international relations, there is a need to recognize its conservative roots. Although it is conservative like many other theories, realism has an abundant and complex network of thoughts created over centuries. In addition, to avoid the risk of explaining a theory in just a few pages, looks at the critical areas of the realism theory (Hobson, 2005). Realism Theory The first essential element of the realism theory is that it has pacifistic perceptions about human nature. In the conservative world, people are viewed as imperfect, imperceptible and flawed beings. In essence, human nature is a combination of bad and good attributes, and the former cannot be absolutely eliminated. Conservatives who are largely inclined to religion argue that the notion of the first sin can be traced to the biblical stories. This is found in the book of Genesis about how man fell from grace with his creator. This is the reason why all Christians pray for forgiveness every time they attend church. The general assumption is that all in attendance could have at one time in the past week committed a sin. In general, the Christian theological views regard all human as carrying the original sin and by extension regarded as flawed creatures (Sasley, 2011). The second important element of realism theory is a perception of people as social beings. This signifies the fact that people are driven, and have an underlying need to be recognized and belong to a certain social community. The individual does not want to be left in isolation to become unattached creatures. Human beings are not individualist. In this case, they derive an essential sense of belonging, satisfaction, and comfort from their association within social groups. The only difficulty is that group recognition encompasses both inclusion and exclusion from the group. In essence, society groups are recognized by the individuals within, as well as those outside the groups. If everyone belonged to the same group, the group would cease to exist as it would not provide a sens e of belonging (Steele, 2008).Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The third important aspect of related to the conservatism theory or ideology is the belief that social conflict is inevitable. Why is it suggested that conflicts are inevitable? Conflicts are known to be both rational and irrational at the same time. Collective and group egoism is said to be one of the causes of conflict. When a certain group perceives itself as not only being different from the rest, but better or more deserving than the rest, it leads to social conflict. However, conflict does not only result from irrational perspectives. Thus, conflict also results from the lack of establishing of a clear political, social and economic order that can be beneficial to all the groups. It can be noted that proponents of realism view conflict as an important aspect in the study and evaluation of international rel ations theory. According to Shimko (n.d.), the roots of political life known as conflict group’s human beings will fight each other primarily as members of certain groups and not as independent persons. In the international scene, the parent group is formed by the nation state itself. Realists argue that in the current international relations conflict is about the interaction and struggles between and amongst individual nation states (Steele, 2008). Another theory that can be used to understand the international relation is colonialism and post colonialism theories. Colonialism should not just be regarded as a historical occurrence, but instead, it should be viewed in light as a valuable theoretical ideology too. In recent studies, it has been engulfed under the wider rubric of post colonial surveys. Thus, colonialism should be understood beyond the realm of physical control. In general, it is about the nature of thought, and explores the nature of thinking about the Middle E ast and how these thoughts shape certain activities. Notably, the term Orient was coined by the Europeans. It was formulated as an approach towards the Middle Eastern region. As the Europeans made reference to the Middle East in their own perceptions, the study of the orient became inextricably aligned to western and European policies directed towards the region.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Gulf Region Exam specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, if the Europeans viewed the Middle Eastern region as being backward or primitive, then the duty of European policies towards the Middles East was made easier. It is argued that Orientalism as a mode of thought encourages the Europeans to occupy the Middle East thereby imposing rules on its people. If the perception of the Middle East was that it was irrational, weak and cowardly, then it will be justified for the Europeans to govern the region. This will not be welc ome as it will deny the people their sovereign nationhood and statehood that the European powers possessed for their own benefit (Steele, 2008). Where blame is directed, it has critical implications on the course of the effects and solutions needed to rectify the situation. The colonialist approach will solely direct responsibility at the doorsteps of European colonialists. If France, the United Kingdom and the United States are liable, the remedies to these challenges solely lie in the hands of these external nations. This translates to more considerations regarding the balance of trade and security provision arrangements, waving of debts and much more. On the other hand, if the Arab nations are responsible, then the solutions would be a transformation of ideology from within the region itself, which may even include the abolishment of these nations. This was a conclusion that was propounded by the Bush administration leading to the self assertion of the United States as the sole d emocracy advocate in the region. Post colonialist is concerned with the political aspects (Hobson, 2005). It is an activist approach to provide certain remedies to resolve the existing power struggles in the Middle East. It lays emphasis on the dominant structures of the world system. This is in regard to how it is formulated or created by the western powers, and how they determine and influence non western players and regions to the latter’s ultimate detriment (Sasley, 2011). At the pivot of the study of international relations is the paradigm of the security dilemma. This paradigm can be structured in two complementary ways. First and foremost, it implies that, in a state of chaotic environment, nations and governments enjoy no obvious, disruptive path to peace. Therefore, the steps that a nation take or employs to intensify its own security prompts other countries to counter by taking measures that worsen the situation. At times, this leaves the country in a worse position than it the case was before the security dilemma. Unfortunately, the phrase security dilemma is usually used in loose or simplistic fashion.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Researchers in world politics usually refer to a security dilemma as a substitute security challenge or problems. In this case, they do not focus on the evaluation of the dynamics of the dilemmas to be solved by the respective states in anarchy. The security dilemma in the gulf can be defined as complex and dynamic set of interrelations among the extra regional and regional nations that exhibits a range of daunting obstacles on the path to lasting regional peace (Adib-Moghaddam, 2006). The Security Dilemma in the Persian Gulf The security dilemma in the Persian Gulf sheds a lot of light on the important dynamics of international politics and relations of the contemporary states in the Persian Gulf. There are four major dilemmas that the states face in the Persian Gulf. The first dilemma can be referred to as the classic security dilemma. In this scenario, governments are faced with the dilemma of whether to invest in projects that would enhance their overall security compared to oth er nations. The second dilemma involves a scenario in which various states come together to form agreements on how to cooperate in the provision of security to member states against their adversaries. The third option involves trading off. Here, the nations are faced with the challenge whether to hold the status quo and maintain internal political stability or whether to depend on external forces or powers for security. Lastly, the Gulf nations encounter a paradoxical decision to make between forming strategic partnerships with external powers as patron or leaving the region insulated from universal disputes and rivalries (Adib-Moghaddam, 2006). The various nations in the Persian Gulf are faced with critical choices of whether or not to implement what is referred to as security producing programs. The individual Gulf States are forced to put their interests first considering the chaotic nature of the region. In this case, there are no overarching powers that exist which can provide security whether for the individual countries or for the entire region as a whole. However, it is not yet clear how the Gulf nations can appropriately secure their interests visvis the interest of each other. For as long as there is no physical threat from any neighboring country or nation, it would be prudent to forego any investments in equipping the nation with armory and other equipment for defense against external aggression. Such resources can be put to good use in other sectors of the economy such as education and health care. However, this is clearly a risky venture as a state can never be certain about the intentions of its potential and actual adversaries (Adib-Moghaddam, 2006). Neither can they be certain how the volatility or strategy in the region may change in the near future. Subsequently, nations are presented with a strong obligation to be prepared for the worst at any time. This is achieved by making sure that they have armed themselves despite not possessing any a ggressive intentions. However, if one nation happens to go ahead with security producing projects with a view of protecting its interests, other nations might find themselves in a compromised situation. In this case, the other nations may even go as far as interpreting the action of such a state as an act of aggression. The rest of the nations will at least be expected to initiate security producing projects of their own to counter what the other nation has done. It is evident that none of the Persian Gulf nations have been able to avoid investing in the armory and establishing its military. This is a clear sign that they are faced with the classical security dilemma. In addition, the states in the Persian Gulf are also faced with a critical dilemma on how to relate simultaneously with their allies and adversaries. If the country acts belligerently towards an adversary state, its allies become reassured of the ongoing significance and unity of the alliance and are thus enticed to im plement risky foreign policy programs that may pull the state into unexpected and unwanted conflict. This scenario has been referred to as a dynamic entrapment. In this case, trying to be loyal to ones allies might land a state into a conflict in which it has or bares no interest. On the other hand, if a state makes initiative to embrace or reconcile with an adversary, its allies will be greatly concerned that they are attempting to change alliances. In this regard, the other allies will also be inclined to make similar overtures at the adversary as well which eventually leads to a preemptive realignment. Alternatively, the other allies may send overtures to other prospective allies and abandon the state which will leave it exposed to its adversary. The third dilemma is best illustrated by the actions and decisions taken by the Saudi government during and after the second Gulf War. The Saudi government was faced with a difficult decision on whether to mount up it own defense forces or to rely on the protection of its allies. Eventually, the government decided to rely on the protection provided by its allies lead by the United States. This was because the cost of establishing its own army would have been enormous could have taken a considerably long time to assemble and may have destabilized the domestic status quo by empowering or strengthening the military (Abdulla, 1998). Although by overtly depending on the United States military, the internal sovereignty of the nation and the legitimacy of the political administration were put into question. This meant that the nation found itself far less secure after the Gulf War than it was at the beginning. These Gulf States face a fourth dilemma in the nature of the relation they foster with extra regional powers. The Persian Gulf states should refrain from making any partnerships with other powerful states outside the region. In this way, this region is likely to avoid the hustles and bustles associated with disputes and rivalries in the global scenario (Almeziani, 2012). Conclusion The theory of realism is critical in understanding the international relations in the world today. The Gulf States are faced with various security dilemmas. In this case, the various states are confused on how to come with strategies that will ensure the security of the region. The theory of realism can be used to understand the security situation of the Gulf States. References Abdulla, A. K. (1998). The Gulf Cooperation Council : Origin and Process. London. Tauris Co. Ltd. Adib-Moghaddam, A. (2006). The International Politics of the Persian Gulf: A cultural genealogy. New York: Routledge. Almeziani, K.S. (2012). The UAE and Foreign Policy: Foreign aid, identities and interests. New York. Routledge. Hobson, C. (2005). A Forward Strategy of Freedom in the Middle East: US Democracy Promotion and the ‘War on Terror’. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 59 (1): 39-53. Sasley, B. E. (2011). Studyin g Middle Eastern International Relations Through IR Theory, OrtadoÄŸu Età ¼tleri, 2 (2): 9-32. Shimko, K. L. (n.d.). International Relations: perspectives, controversies readings. US. Wadsworth Cengage learning. Steele, B. J. (2008). Ontological Security in International Relations: Self-Identity and the IR State. New York: Routledge.

Blogging †The Long and Short of Making the Short List

Blogging – The Long and Short of Making the Short List Would you like to earn top pay for your say? â€Å"Make the cut† at top-tier sites that have cult-like followings and opportunities for massive exposure for your work? Like an inventor who stumbles upon a winning formula for launching a popular product, I’ve discovered some savvy insider’s tips, resulting in more â€Å"eureka† moments (and bigger paydays). My strategies and efforts have landed lucrative blogging gigs that have earned $75 to $100 for 500-word posts. For example, a few years ago, I beat out over a thousand applicants for a coveted position at an award winning site that had a Google Rank of 7. Just recently, I was proud as a peacock to â€Å"hack† it as a writer for the highly-regarded, productivity site, LifeHack.org. which boasts 3,000,000 page views per month. Here’s the long and short of why it matters†¦not all writing jobs are created equal. Sometimes it’s not what you write, but where you write, that determines   whether you’ll be a starving artist or enjoy a quality of life that truly puts the free in freelance, and puts some serious cash in your pockets. And here’s the bonus: there’s great truth to the adage, Success breeds success. The more top-tier publishing credits you can add to your portfolio, the easier it becomes to stand tall, get recognized, and beat out the competition. It’s almost like an exclusive club that requires a certain initiation before admittance. Here’s how to make it happen. 1. Establish a reputation for excellence.    Though social media is the rage these days, there’s something even more important than the amount of â€Å"Twitter† followers you have.   It’s your collective online image. Produce a body of work that speaks highly to your professionalism, ethics, and commitment to your craft. And avoid word wars at all costs.    2. Don’t underestimate the importance of a well crafted blog. Blogs have become like the new online resume. It’s one of the first places prospective employers and clients go to assess your writing level, style of expression, diligence, and ability to engage an audience. Wow them with unique, quality content and regularly updated posts. 3. Start guest posting. Try the smaller sites first to help hone your craft and get your name out there. Typically the higher a site is ranked, the more difficult it is to break into. It took me years (and multiple rejections) before my guest posts were finally accepted at Pro Blogger and Men with Pens. Big name sites are usually ranked a Google Rank of 5 or better. To check a site, verify its ranking here: prchecker.info/check_page_rank.php 4. Play to your strengths. Though I love to write, I’m strategic in my efforts. For example, if a writing gig requires extensive technical know-how, or in-depth photography skills, I don’t waste the poster’s time or mine. I have certain areas and topics in which I specialize, which allows me to work smarter, not harder. Be clear on what you do well; then work hard, systematically, to show the world. 5. Go where the money is. Freelance gigs abound. But, from my experiences, I’ve found the most lucrative positions short-listed at well-regarded, reputable sites like www.Problogger.net and www.Bloggingpro.com. 6. Prepare to be tested. The better paying freelance writing and blogging jobs often garner massive applicants. For this reason, you’ll likely have to rise above the rest to even make the short list. Once you’re chosen as a finalist, you’ll be required to take a writing test. This can consist of a selected topic, or one that you submit based on provided criteria. Follow the instructions carefully. Edit your work. Then send off the best representation of you and your skills possible. Follow these six smart tips and it won’t be long before you make the short list that others only dream about, and ultimately earn what you desire and deserve.   

Loyalty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Loyalty - Essay Example Customers are exposed to numerous brands every day but they choose the ones that our trustworthy. Brands need to work hard in order to grab customer’s attention and to become their favorite. If it is successful in delivering the promises customers will automatically become loyal. Halliburton & Poenaru (2011) state that building trust among customers takes time and requires emotional and rational bonds to keep it strong for the future. Companies can safe-guard themselves in unstable situations (recession) if they are able to establish strong links with customers. No matter how risky the economic conditions are loyal customers would not stop buying these brands. However, some customers are easily distracted by prices and promotional offers and continuously switch their preferences. Their level of loyalty is seasonal and changes according to promotional campaigns. Such customers cannot be controlled. They can only be attracted using innovative offers. Companies should reinforce the importance of their brands or services so that customers do not deviate towards other products. Halliburton. C & Poenaru. A, 2011, ‘The Role of Trust in Customer Relationships,’ Discussion Paper by ESCP Europe Business School, Accessed online on 15th May, 2014,

The Current and Future Uses of Tidal Power in North America Essay

The Current and Future Uses of Tidal Power in North America - Essay Example Other records documents that Tidal power originated from Europe and Atlantic coast of North American where tide mills were used to produce electricity. The flowing water was stored in massive ponds and the movement of tides turned the waterwheels, which utilized mechanical energy generated to for grain milling. The earliest tide mills occurred during the Middle ages and during the Roman times and in the 19th century, the process of utilizing running water and turbine spinning for electricity production was introduced in America and Europe, (Hardisty 52). During this period, the tidal mills were primarily utilized to grand grains and had similar designs with the conventional water mills except the fact that they did not use reservoirs and dams. Similarly, the industrial revolution accelerated power demands and tidal energy could not meet the demand; therefore, the development of cheap fossil fuels and other power production means that provided access to generation of power replaced ti dal power. Therefore, the existing Tidal mills and other pre-industrial water mills lost their value as power production means. ... Secondly, tidal energy can be exploited through turbines sinking to the floor of the sea whereby fast-moving water currents turn blades of the generator as wind does to wind turbines. Tidal power is renewable energy as the tides movement is on a predictable routine schedule based on the Sun, Moon, and Earth’s orbit and cannot be exhaustible. Even though, tidal power is free of carbon, it is not environmental secure because concerns over the shoreline health and aquatic environment ruins the clean power source – older technology of tidal barrage can destroy aquatic life populations. Traditionally, massive systems of barrage prevailed in the of tidal energy project. However, because of high evident unhealthy environmental and economic challenges with the tidal power technology, investigations into the tidal power field had a shift from systems of barrage to tidal turbines current in the recent years. This modern technology has fewer environmental challenges than the tidal barrages because the turbines on the offshore water current cuts the necessity of building water reservoirs for capturing tides along environmental delicate coastlines. Although, harnessing tidally drive currents of the coastal waters cannot product as much power as the barrage style equipments, the technology still has some hope for the North Americans. This is because the technology is rapidly developing and growing with various test projects developing all over the world. For instance, the technology is evolving in various nations such as Canada, France, Europe, and the entire United States. North America now owns and operates its own Annapolis tidal energy project that provides energy for various purposes. For instance, power from the tidal

Sociology of Food Essay Essay Example for Free

Sociology of Food Essay Essay I had never actually given thought to what I ate, who I ate with, and where I ate, till now. I understood that eating was a need henceforth not thought about. The food log assignment has actually open the topic of eating and allowed me to have a different perspective of my eating habits. Food is a form of survival. However it also bring about with it; habits, rituals, and characteristics to its consumers. Before reading Belasco I took eating for granted. I now have begun to see how much food actually does affect our past, present, and our future. The theory of the Food Triangle that Belasco discusses in his book tries to simplify this phenomenon of â€Å"food. † Although simple in form the triangle holds a great weight in meaning. The realization that came to me while reading the chapters and also viewing the hunger planet photo essay, is that I am more a part of the convenience corner of the food triangle. I think this is because of the American culture that I have grown up in. I state this because of the common ideal that â€Å"time is money† which is persistent in our culture. By writing the food log I saw that I seem to always be eating on the go. Whether I stop to get drive thru McDonalds or bring my food with me I am constantly eating alone. This is convenient for me since I have school, work, and a family to balance and eating on the go allows me handle all my responsibilities as a student, an employee, as well as a mother. This may show that we are moving away from the trend of sitting down for meals or even making food part of a social event. The triangle however allows a person or a group to be a part of any combination of the three corners of the triangle which include the responsibility and identity corner as well as the convenience corner. For example for myself I may say I am part of the convenience corner but when it comes to feeding my children I definitely partake in the other two corners. When my schedule allows me to cook for my children the cooking involves more ethnic Salvadoran foods. I also try to include healthier foods such as vegetables and fruits. I may eat fast foods but I hardly ever feed it to my children. This puts me in both the identity corner and responsibility corner of the triangle, since I want my children to taste foods from their heritage as well as try to improve their health by eating better foods. Belasco? s reference that culture is depicted by a cuisine also triggered my interest. Farb and Armelagos comparison between cuisine to a culture’s language states that cuisine like communication is a communication system that’s inherited form birth and will always be a part of that person even if the travel elsewhere. I agree to this point of view but also believe that people adapt to their surroundings. As Dr. Grigorian stated in class food culture is not stagnant we are always evolving and there for our methods of food consumption have changed to. As a first generation Salvadoran-American I have become accustomed to both my heritage foods but the food culture of the U. S. is also a major part of my life. Although it may be a belief that America cannot have a culture because we have no set ? cuisine? I would to tend to disagree because throughout the world the â€Å"American culture† is seen. For example in many of the photographs in, the Times article, Hungry Planet many American items are seen in the pictures, such as Coke. I believe this also helps my idea that the convenience corner of the food triangle comes more into play. I believe the ideology of time is expanding and prepackaged foods are just another way to save time. However not everyone is seen with prepackaged items. This may relate to economic factors and it may be more convenient for some people to use what’s readily available to them rather than to have to travel to acquire the prepackaged items. I do believe that Identity plays a big role of why some communities (cultures) may not use prepackaged items but then again availability of these items might be a greater issue. All in all, the convenience corner seems to be where I stand but that may be because of the culture that I am part of. Identity has a role in my eating habits but honestly the responsibility corner is not something I actually give much thought too. It seems maybe because of where I live that the world around me has about the same connection to the food triangle.

The Trail of Tears: Indian Genocide Essay -- Cherokee Indian Removal

â€Å"Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original American, the Indian, was an inferior race.† -― Martin Luther King Jr. The Trail of Tears is a historical title given to an event that happened in 1838.In this event, the Cherokee community of Native Americans was forced by the USA government to move from their native home in the Southern part of the contemporary America to what is known as the Indian territories of Oklahoma. While some travelled by water, most of them travelled by land. The Cherokees took 6 months to complete an 800 miles distance to their destination. The Cherokee marched through, biting cold, rains, and snow. Many people died during this trip from starvation, diseases, exposure, and vagaries of unknown terrains. Those who recounted this journey in later years spoke of a trip that was filled with tears borne of immense suffering and deaths during this trip and thus the name Trail of Tears. Modern scholars and champions of human rights have described this event as one of the most notorious genocides during the 19th Century. This paper will therefore attempt to prove that, the Cherokee community suffered human right atrocities from the American government shortly before and during the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee lived in the present day United States of America hundreds of years before its occupation by the Europeans. History proclaims that members of this community migrated from the Great Lakes and settled in the Southern Appalachians. When the Europeans started settling down in America, the Cherokee decided to co-exist peacefully with her foreign neighbors. The Cherokee lands consisted of Alabama, parts of Virginia, Kentucky, North and South Carolina and Georgia. ... ...Tears: removal in the South. New York: InfoBase Publishing, 2007. Burgan, Michael. The Trail of Tears. Minneapolis: Compass Point book, 2001. Byers, Ann. The Trail of Tears: A Primary Source of History of the forced Relocation of the Cherokee Nation. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. Gilbert, Joan. The Trails of Tears across Missouri. Missouri: University of Missouri. Hook, Sue. Trails of Tears. New York: ABDO, 2010. Marsico, Katie. The Trails of Tears. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2009. Rozema, Vicki. Voices from the Trails of Tears. Winston-Salem: John F. Blair, Publisher,2003. Salas, Laura. The Trails of Tears,1838. Mankato: Capstone Press, 2003. Sioux, Tracee. Native American Migration. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2004. Sturgis, Amy. The Trails of tears and Indian Removal. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group,2007.