Adoption By Gays- Its Okay Essays - Same-sex Sexuality, Free Essays

Adoption By Gays- It's Okay Essays - Same-sex Sexuality, Free Essays Adoption By Gays- It's Okay When a gay couple sought to adopt a boy- who had leukemia, had been neglected by his biological parents, had lived in five foster homes, and whose adoption was favored by his legal representative- the judge deemed it not in the interest of a seven-year-old male child to be placed for adoption into the home of a pair of adult male homosexual lovers.(Utne 58) Three years of searching for a qualified heterosexual couple failed. This and many other similar cases have denied children a family by ignoring many qualified homosexuals. With this being an age when people are supposedly more open-minded, why is it that gays are treated this way just because of their sexual orientation? Many Americans are still uncomfortable with the idea of gay parents. The traditional family has always included a mother and a father. However, today more and more families are being headed by gay parents. Some have children from previous marriages. Many must use artificial insemination or surrogate mothers because it is extremely difficult for gays to adopt children. Although it seems to contradict societys view of the traditional family, homosexuals should be allowed to adopt because they deserve equal rights, and sexual orientation is not a reasonable determining factor in the qualifications of a parent. Also, allowing them to adopt can actually help society. Surveys suggest that a large majority of the American public generally favor anti-discrimination laws.(Harris 2) Why then, according to a Newsweek survey, do only 36% of those surveyed think gay couples should have the right to adopt? Samuel Chavers, assistant general counsel for Children and Families, says adoption is not a right; its a privilege. If this is true, there is still not a rational basis for denying homosexuals the privilege to adopt. It is clearly an anti-gay bias. Although only two states specifically ban adoption by gays, most states discourage it. Just as blacks and women have fought for equal rights, gays are now struggling to do the same. It is unfair to single out a group of people with many members who would make great parents. Since we live in a world where all men are created equal, homosexuals should enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals. Gays face discrimination because of their sexual preferences, and they must also face the qualifications for adopting. June Amer has a son of her own, whom she and her partner have raised. They wanted to adopt a second child. Amer truthfully filled out an application form that asked whether she was a homosexual. Her application was immediately rejected.(Fitzgerald 1B) This was a woman who had already proved to be a good parent and who lived in a healthy environment. She could have provided much-needed care for another child. Her only characteristic that did not meet the qualifications was that she had a female lover. Because of this reason, many qualified applicants are being turned down. It is great that people are willing to adopt children, but it is terrible that this one qualification is stopping so many of them. Sexual orientation alone doesnt make a person a good or bad parent.(Kantrowitz 57) Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, agrees. The goal should be to identify those homes that would provide nurturing environments. The determination should not be sexual orientation.(Wagner 1) Adoption agencies need to quit using sexual orientation as a factor. A family is a family. That is exactly what so many children today are in need of: a family. There are now 36,000 children in this country- in foster homes or institutions- who are free for adoption.(Utne 54) These children need the love that homosexuals can provide just as well as heterosexuals. If the many willing gays could adopt these children, it would help our society by lessening the problem of children without families. A home is much better than an institution, or worse, the streets. It would also help by diversifying society. All people are not the same, so why should all families have to be the same? If children are adopted by gay parents, more people will become accepting and open-minded towards different lifestyles. Society will definitely be positively affected the day that homosexuals

Free Essays on Queens Square

Real name: Farookh Bulsara Born: September 5th 1946 Died: November 24th 1991 Brothers/Sisters: 1 Sister, Kashmira (1952) Parents: Bomi & Jer Bulsara Further bands: The Hectics (1954) Ibex (1969) Sour Milk Sea (1969) Wreckage (1970) In Zanzibar on the 5th September 1946, Farookh Bulsara was born. While he was in school in Saint Peter's boarding school in Bombay, the headteacher realised his talent for music and suggested piano lessons to his parents, as well as theatre and choir activities. It was here where the young Farookh formed his first band, the Hectics. In 1964 his family moved to Britain due to political unrest in their country, which is often said to be to do with their Zoroastrian faith. Two years later, he enrolled in Ealing College of Art to study graphic illustration. Here he met Tim Staffell who introduced him to Smile, his band, with Brian May on the guitar and Roger Taylor on the drums. Watching Smile made Freddie realise that he really wanted to be in a band himself, so after he finished his diploma in graphic art and design, he joined a band called Ibex, taking over lead vocals from their guitarist, and soon after, Larry Lurex. Eventually, he joined up with Brian and Roger to form Queen, and changed his name to Freddie Mercury. Freddie was a nickname he earned while in school, and Mercury was the messenger to the Gods. Freddie has always been considered the frontman of the band; indeed, with his flamboyant style and his unmistakable voice, he was a natural choice. He had a diverse style in the writing of his music, from the famous operatic Bohemian Rhapsody, to the rock-style sound of Princes Of The Universe. He released a solo album in 1985 called Mr Bad Guy, which got to number six in the UK, and three years later Barcelona was released, a duet with Freddie and Montserrat Caballe. Freddie led a secretive life, and never officially told the public that he was bisexual. He had a re... Free Essays on Queen's Square Free Essays on Queen's Square Real name: Farookh Bulsara Born: September 5th 1946 Died: November 24th 1991 Brothers/Sisters: 1 Sister, Kashmira (1952) Parents: Bomi & Jer Bulsara Further bands: The Hectics (1954) Ibex (1969) Sour Milk Sea (1969) Wreckage (1970) In Zanzibar on the 5th September 1946, Farookh Bulsara was born. While he was in school in Saint Peter's boarding school in Bombay, the headteacher realised his talent for music and suggested piano lessons to his parents, as well as theatre and choir activities. It was here where the young Farookh formed his first band, the Hectics. In 1964 his family moved to Britain due to political unrest in their country, which is often said to be to do with their Zoroastrian faith. Two years later, he enrolled in Ealing College of Art to study graphic illustration. Here he met Tim Staffell who introduced him to Smile, his band, with Brian May on the guitar and Roger Taylor on the drums. Watching Smile made Freddie realise that he really wanted to be in a band himself, so after he finished his diploma in graphic art and design, he joined a band called Ibex, taking over lead vocals from their guitarist, and soon after, Larry Lurex. Eventually, he joined up with Brian and Roger to form Queen, and changed his name to Freddie Mercury. Freddie was a nickname he earned while in school, and Mercury was the messenger to the Gods. Freddie has always been considered the frontman of the band; indeed, with his flamboyant style and his unmistakable voice, he was a natural choice. He had a diverse style in the writing of his music, from the famous operatic Bohemian Rhapsody, to the rock-style sound of Princes Of The Universe. He released a solo album in 1985 called Mr Bad Guy, which got to number six in the UK, and three years later Barcelona was released, a duet with Freddie and Montserrat Caballe. Freddie led a secretive life, and never officially told the public that he was bisexual. He had a re...

The Song of the Hummingbird Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Song of the Hummingbird - Essay Example According to the discussion  in 1519, a small group Spaniard soldiers led by Hernan Cortes docked on the Mexican Vera Cruz coastline. By mid-August 1521, the capital city of the Mexican empire had fallen to the hands of the Spaniards. This dramatic milestone signified the start of one the globes most famous holocausts. However, this comprehensive destroying of an entire civilization was not conducted through military conquest alone. In 1524, at the invitation by Hernan Cortes for 12 Franciscan monks guided by Fray Toribio arrived in Vera Cruz and journeyed bare footed up to Mexico City. By this time, Hernan Cortes and his other men, had conquered almost the entire of Mexico, but was being affected becoming more and more weak with Cortes’ chase of a rogue army personnel in the north of the nation; only 200 Spaniards gathered together in Mexico city fighting against each other with other Mexican masses keenly waiting for a chance to defeat these new settlers.From this paper it is clear that  Mexicans totally lost their religion to the Spaniards. As a mere consolation, by wiping out the heart and soul of the religious civilization of the Mexican culture, the Spanish church leaders declared ownership of all Mexican people and as such turned into the mask of the Mexican citizens against the carnages done by the Spanish in the name of monetary gain.  This only shows that apart from destroy their past religion, the Spaniards also forced the Mexicans into Christianity.

Interface Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Interface Design - Essay Example However, a lot of user interfaces are weakly designed. In this scenario, a lot of people are not capable to utilize system user interfaces efficiently for the reason of meager interface design. In addition, high-quality user interface design is significant for minimizing faults, expenses, extra guidance, workers earnings and boosting user working and operational contentment, efficiency as well as valuable services and supreme products (The Pennsylvania State University, 2010) and (Myers, 1998). Moreover, the user interface design is frequently linked with software interfaces as well as is commonly referred as HCI (Human-Computer Interface) factor. Though, user interface design has to be recognized anywhere users collaborate with displays or user controls. Additionally, the implementation of user-interface-design is persistent, comprising products like that a plain timepiece, an airplane arena, a DVD player, a software application and so on. In a lot of scenarios, a product with high- quality functionality is not willingly approved for the reason that it is not simple or resourceful to utilize. In addition, a product's front-end user-interface design as well influences the approval, working efficiency and promotion of a certain product. In other words, excellent quality user interface designs augment the competence, intuitiveness and ease level of a product, which transforms into product approval and utilization. Thus, for a product to be flourishing, it requires many features such as high-quality working, practical capabilities, technology and a functional and insightful user interface (UI) (Interface Analysis Associates, 2011) and (Gray & Higgins, 2006). This report presents a detailed analysis of some of the main aspects and factors that are important to interface design. In this scenario this research will assess and investigate important issues regarding development of the high quality user interface. Rules for High-Quality Interface Design This section disc usses some of the important rules for the high quality user interface design. In fact, effective user interface design is completely about acquiring the user’s viewpoint, as well as allowing things take place in the sequence that the client would imagine. In this scenario, the back end is normally programmed to gather or draw data in ASP, JSP, PHP, Filemaker, Lasso, etc. Additionally, the user’s screens are normally made gleaming on images as well as have to be cross browser and other platform amenable. Moreover, the page sizes are below 30kb, by making use of CSS to reduce code bloating. However, effectively shaped code is particularly significant here, because of the additional load time meager shaped code generates (FrontEndTech, 2009). Furthermore, in designing the user interface there is an awful need to ensure that the tester adjusts the report of the websites’ viewers. In this scenario, a usual function may be to discover this information in the website, and then look at how they try to fulfill a requirement in the website. In addition, video recording is a necessary element of high-quality testing, to be capable to precisely revert to the test data (FrontEndTech, 2009). Important Factors for Interface Design This section discusses some important factors that we consider to be important to int

The importances of the primary,secondary and tertiary levels of health Essay

The importances of the primary,secondary and tertiary levels of health promotion in nursing practice - Essay Example It then becomes imperative for health nurses to define their services and to provide evidence that will support the effectiveness of the interventions they offer. In accomplishing this, Deal (1994) asserted that there should be an implementation of standardized nursing language. Unlike the last few years, roles of nurses have changed from â€Å"not a good press† to an essential ability in the improvement of healthcare. Nowadays, nurses claim that caring is just as important as technical skill. Nurses are directly involved in the implementation of health promotion. Their participation in the implementation of healthcare promotion determines the success or failure of the desired practice. The first article deals with a particular state in the United States – New York and the role of the public health nurses to the health promotion and maintenance. Firstly, health promotion is initialized through assessing the health as well as the health care needs of the population in identifying who would benefit from the health promotion or the ones that are being described in the article as â€Å"at risk of illness, injury, disability, or premature death†. Collectively, health promotion is being defined in the article as the respond to the identified healthcare needs in a form of range of activities that will contribute to health and the prevention of illness and the like. Article 1 takes the nurses as the critical and most important role inevitably involves in the promotion and maintenance of the health of the public. American Public Health Association and Public Health Nursing (2003) define nurses’ role as to â€Å"promote the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences†. Correspondingly, public health would be in great danger devoid of a strong nursing workforce. They are the ones that provide direct care to the public as a response to the implementation of health

How Vowel Sounds are Produced

How Vowel Sounds are Produced Speech sounds of English are 44 sounds. These sounds can be divided into two groups: Consonants (24) and vowels (20). The consonants are also divided into two categories: voiceless and voiced sounds. The voiceless are nine: k, p, t, f, h, s, É µ, tʃ, and ʃ. The voiced are fifteen: b, d, g, w*, j*, n, m, ņ¹, z, dÊ’, Ê’,  °, l, r, and v. The action of the vocal cords (i.e., the state of the glottis) determines weather a sound being produced is voiced or voiceless. When the vocal cords are brought close together, but not shut tightly, the air escaping from the lungs causes them to vibrate: this is called voicing, and a sound produced while the vocal cords are vibrating is a voiced sound. When the vocal cords are apart, no vibration occurs, and sounds produced with the glottis in this state are voiceless sounds. Are /j/ and /w/ consonant or vowel sounds? The two semi- vowels /j/ and /w/ are mainly vocalic glides that start near a close vowel, /i/ or /u/. The most important thing to remember about these phonemes is that they are phonetically like vowels but phonologically like consonants. These sounds resemble vowels in their open articulation and in being voiced, but differ from them in other phonetic aspects; in other words, they display consonantal behavior in relation to other sounds. The definite article the, for example, is pronounced /  °Ãƒâ€°Ã¢â€ž ¢/ before /j, w/, as in /  °Ãƒâ€°Ã¢â€ž ¢ jiÉâ„ ¢/, / °Ãƒâ€°Ã¢â€ž ¢ we °Ãƒâ€°Ã¢â€ž ¢ /, the year, the weather respectively, in which case the semi-vowels appear to behave like consonants. By the same token in RP the /r/ usually deletes before the semi-vowels as it does before consonants so the sequences for women, for you are realized as / fÉâ„ ¢ ju:, fÉâ„ ¢ wumÉâ„ ¢n /respectively. What is meant by a vowel? A vowel is defined as a sound which is produced or made without any kind of obstruction (closure or impediment) to the flow of air in the mouth as it passes from the larynx to the lips. In all  vowels, the mouth passage is unobstructed. If it is obstructed at any time during the production of a speech-sound, the resulting sound will be a  consonant. So the difference between vowels and consonants is a difference in the way by which they are produced. In other words, vowels are the sounds which are produced without narrowing or closure of the air passage. Vowel sounds, of course, normally voiced, so that the voicing is not relevant for their production. There are three parameters by which we describe a vowel in English: first the height of the tongue or openness of the mouth. This gives us the categories: close, half-close, half-open, open (an alternative set of categories is also sometimes used: high, mid-high, mid-low, low). Second, the area of the mouth that has the highest part of the tongue or the general area of the mouth in which the vowel is made. This gives us the categories: front, central and back. A third set of categories involves the shape of the lips; the categories are roundeded and spread (unrounded). Vowels of English can be divided into two categories: pure vowels and diphthongs. The pure vowels are 12 sounds and the diphthongs are 8 sounds. The difference between pure vowels and diphthongs (glides): The pure vowels are the ones that are made with the mouth taking up a single position during the articulation. Diphthongs, by contrast, are vocalic glides, and the configuration of the mouth changes in the course of the articulation of the vowel sound. . In other words, diphthongs are the sounds that consist of a movement or glide from one vowel to another. A vowel which remains constant and does not glide is called a pure vowel. Unlike the pure vowels, diphthongs are defined as vowel glides produced by a quick movement of the tongue from one position to another. The vowel in hat, for example, is produced differently from that in hate -the former is realized with a pure vowel /à ¦/; the latter with a diphthong /eÄ ±/. Note the change in the vowel quality in the realization of /eÄ ±/ where the tongue glides quickly from the position of /e/ to that of /i/. Features of vowels [+syllabic], [-consonantal], [+continuant], [+voiced], [-sibilant], [+sonorant] Pure vowels: (12) Pure vowels of English can be classified into three groups according to the general area of the mouth in which they are made or produced. There are three areas in which pure vowels are produced: Front, Central and Back. Front vowels (4) /i: /, /I/, /e/, /à ¦/ In the front area of the mouth (tongue), English has four vowels. These four front vowels are made with spread (unrounded) lips. Two vowels are in the close area. One is the close front spread vowel found in beat or sheep and symbolized by /i:/ , so these words can be described phonetically as /bi:t/ and / ʃi:p/.It also occurs initially as in eat /i:t/ and finally as in tea /ti:/. The other is a more open and a more central close front vowel, usually described as a lowered and centralized close front spread vowel. It is represented by the symbol /I/, and it occurs initially as in in /in/, medially as in sit /sit/ and finally as in happy /hà ¦pi/. English has no a vowel at precisely either the half-close or the half-open position, but one mid way between the two. This is usually described as mid front spread vowel. It is sometimes symbolized by e (Ɇº). This vowel occurs initially as in egg /eg/, medially as in set /set/, and it does not occur finally. The other English front vowel is in the open area but it is not completely open: it is somewhere between half-open and open, although it is usually as an open front spread vowel. This front vowel can occur initially as in and or an /à ¦nd, à ¦n/, medially as in man, can, /mà ¦n , kà ¦n/ and finally this vowel does not occur. Back vowels (5) /a: /, /Ɇ/,  /Ɇ: /, /u/, /u: / In the back area of the mouth we can recognize five vowels in English. Four of them are made with rounded lips and one with spread lips. There are also two vowels in English that fall in the close back area. One is the close back rounded vowel, as found in boot and tool and symbolized by u:, so these words will be transcribed phonetically as /bu:t/ and /tu:l/. The other is a more open and more central variety. It usually described as a (lowered and centralized) close back rounded vowel. It is represented by the symbol u. It occurs medially as in put and book. As in the case of front vowels, English has no vowels at precisely half-close and half-open back position. There is one vowel somewhere between the two, probably nearer to half-open than half-close. It is symbolized by Ɇ: It may be described as a mid back rounded vowel. It occurs initially as in orbit, order, medially as in ball, and bought. In the open back area two vowels are found in English, one made with rounded lips, the other with spread lips. The open back rounded vowel is, is like its front counterpart, not completely open but somewhere between half-open and open. It is symbolized by Ɇ. It may be described as an open back rounded vowel. It occurs initially as in of, on, odd, and medially as in dog, top, and dot. The open back spread vowel is not completely back and it tends towards the central position. This vowel is symbolized by a:. It occurs initially as in arm, medially as in part and finally car. Central vowels: /ÊŒ/, /3:/, /Éâ„ ¢/ We come now to the final group of pure vowels, those made in the central area of the mouth. There are three vowels produced in this area in English, all with spread lips. One of these vowels is in the open area, but like a and Ɇ in fact mid-way between half-open and open, although it is described as an open central spread vowel. It is represented by the IPA symbol for a half-open back spread vowel, namely ÊŒ. This vowel occurs initially as in up, under, and medially as in but/ /bÊŒt/ and some /sÊŒm/. The other two central vowels in English are both mid central spread vowels, that is mid-way between half-close and half-open. One is represented by the symbol 3:. It occurs initially as in earth and earn, and medially as in girl bird, etc. The latter sound is often referred to the schwa vowel. It is symbolized by Éâ„ ¢ and it can be described as an unstressed mid central spread vowel. It occurs initially as in above /Éâ„ ¢bÊŒv/, along /Éâ„ ¢lɆÃƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¹ /, ahead /Éâ„ ¢hed/, medially as in consider / kÉâ„ ¢nsIdÉâ„ ¢/, consist /kÉâ„ ¢sIst/, continue/ kÉâ„ ¢ntInju:/ and finally as in father/ fa: °Ãƒâ€°Ã¢â€ž ¢/, teacher/ ti::tʃÉâ„ ¢/. Diphthongs (8) As mentioned above diphthongs are the sounds that consist of a movement or glide from one vowel to another. Unlike the pure vowels, diphthongs are defined as vowel glides produced by a quick movement of the tongue from one position to another. In other words, they are a combination of two vowels. They are eight vowels: /ai/, /ei/, /Ɇi, /au/, /Éâ„ ¢u/, /eÉâ„ ¢/, /iÉâ„ ¢/, /uÉâ„ ¢/. The easiest way to remember them is in term of three groups divided as in the below diagram The closing diphthongs have the characteristic that they all end with a glide towards a closer vowel I or u. The first closing diphthong is /ei/. The beginning point of this diphthong is the mid front spread pure vowel of English e. It occurs initially as in aim, age ate, medially as in lake, take, make and finally as in say, and play. A second diphthong in this group begins with an open front spread vowel a, moving towards the closing front spread vowel i . This diphthong is represented by ai. This vowel occurs initially as in aisle, medially as in nine, and finally as in buy. The third diphthong in this group begins with a mid (between open and half-open) back rounded pure vowel Ɇ, moving towards the close front spread vowel i. This diphthong is represented by Ɇi. It occurs initially as in oil, medially as boys and finally as in joy. The second group of diphthongs comprises those tending u. The first in this group starts with the unstressed mid central spread vowel Éâ„ ¢ moving towards u. This diphthong is symbolized with Éâ„ ¢u. It occurs initially as open, medially as in home and finally as in go. The other in this group starts with an open central spread vowel a, moving towards u. It is represented by au. It occurs initially as in out, medially as in house and finally as in now. The third group is the centering diphthongs glide towards the Éâ„ ¢ (schwa) vowel. In other words, the diphthongs of this group tend towards the mid central spread vowel Éâ„ ¢. First, the diphthong that begins with (the lowered centralized) close front spread vowel I, moving towards the vowel Éâ„ ¢. This diphthong is represented by iÉâ„ ¢. It occurs initially as in ears, medially as in museum and finally as in clear, fear and here. The second diphthong in this group begins with a mid front spread vowel e, moving towards Éâ„ ¢. It is represented by eÉâ„ ¢. It occurs initially as in airline, medially as in shares and finally as care, fair, pair and hair. The last diphthong in this group begins with the close back rounded vowel u, moving towards the unstressed central spread vowel Éâ„ ¢. It is symbolized by uÉâ„ ¢. This diphthong occurs medially as in cruel, and finally as in pure, poor, and sure. Summary Features of English vowels uË Ã‚  Ã‚   ÊÅ   Ɇ ɆÃƒâ€¹Ã‚  É‘Ë Ã‚   ÊŒ à ¦ ɜˠÃ‚  Ã‚   e iË  Ä ± + + + + + + + + + + + Syllabic _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Consonantal + + + + + + + + + + + Sonorant + + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ + + High _ _ _ + _ _ + _ _ _ _ Low + + + + + _ _ _ _ _ _ Back + + + + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Round + + + + + + + + + + + continuant _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Sibilant Pure vowels iË Ã‚  Ã‚   a close, front, spread vowel Ä ± a (lowered and centralized) close, front spread vowel. e  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   a mid, front, spread vowel à ¦ an open, front, spread vowel uË Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   a close, back, rounded vowel ÊÅ   a (lowered and centralized) close, back, rounded vowel :ɆÃƒâ€¹Ã‚ Ã‚   a mid (between half-close and half-open) back, rounded vowel Ɇ a mid (between open and half-open) open, back, rounded vowel É‘Ë Ã‚   an open, back, spread vowel :ɜˠÃ‚   a mid, central, spread vowel. ÊŒ an pen, central, spread vowel Éâ„ ¢ an unstressed, mid, central, spread vowel Diphthongs eÄ ± begins with the mid (between half-close and half-open) front spread vowel e, moving towards (lowered and centralized) close front spread vowel Ä ±. aÄ ± begins with the open front spread vowel a, moving towards the (lowered and centralized ) close front spread vowel Ä ±. ɆÃƒâ€žÃ‚ ± begins with the mid (between open and half-open) back rounded pure vowel Ɇ, moving towards the close front spread vowel i Éâ„ ¢u begins with the unstressed mid central spread vowel Éâ„ ¢ moving towards (lowered and centralized ) close front spread vowel u. au begins with the open central spread vowel a, moving towards the (lowered and centralized ) close back rounded vowel u. eÉâ„ ¢ begins with the mid front spread vowel e, moving towards the unstressed mid central spread vowel Éâ„ ¢. iÉâ„ ¢ begins with the (lowered centralized) close front spread vowel i , moving towards the vowel the unstressed mid central spread vowel Éâ„ ¢. uÉâ„ ¢ begins with the close back rounded vowel u, moving towards the unstressed central spread vowel Éâ„ ¢.

Do Video Games Cause Violence Essay

Do violent video games cause violent behavior? I believe that violent video games do not cause violent behavior. While I agree that violent video games may desensitize youth to violence, I don’t believe the games make the youth more violent than they already are. Its not fair to single handedly blame violent video games, when there are tons of other violent media sources out there. Karen Sternheimer is a sociologist from the University of Southern California and has been researching the topic since 1999 and she says â€Å"Placing the blame on video games exonerates the environment that a child lives in that might nurture violence: poverty, instability, family violence, unemployment, and mental illness, Sternheimer argues.† I agree with her that blaming the games is a cop out and an excuse for the parents and other violent media to not have to take responsibility. In Sternheimer article titled â€Å"Do Video Games Kill?† She says â€Å"If we want to understand wh y young people become homicidal, we need to look beyond the games they play,† I agree with Sternheimer here because I think that its safe to say a youth doesn’t just suddenly get the urge to go out and start killing people. If people were willing to look beyond face value and beyond how something appears to be. They would see that these kids who become violent might be being bullied, or depressed or have other life things going on that pushed them to the â€Å"breaking point† and they just might happen to play a violent video game. The research that show violent video games causing aggressive behavior are not accurate to how these games are played in real life. Andrew Przybylski and colleagues who wrote an article in the Review of General Psychology say that â€Å"most video game experiments only have players play for short periods of time, often for as little as 10 minutes, and violent games tend to be more difficult to learn and have more complex controls than non-violent games, it appears that many participants in these experiments may simply have been frustrated by being cut off so quickly before they even learned how to play, rather than by the violent content of the game.† (Review of General Psychology). To me this makes the research the people are using to discredit the violent video game unreliable. They are just taking the data and interpreting it to show their side as being right. I know that if I only had a short amount of time to learn a new video game it would make me pretty frustrated too. So the aggression that they are seeing is not necessarily aggression from the game as it is aggression from failing. Graduate student Jose Valadez found that both violent and nonviolent games tend to relax people over time, not anger them. People now days actually do use games to release stress and relax. Sometimes people who are feeling aggressive use the games to vent that aggression rather than have the game add to their aggression. Almost everyone will have a homicidal thought at one point or another in time. But for those thought to turn to action is a completely different problem that does not have any association with video games. When a youth acts out in violent manner instead of looking at what video games they are playing they need to be looking at the mental health and stability of the youth. Consistent and ever present homicidal thoughts are linked with severe mental health problems such as psychosis, depression, anxiety or paranoia. (Scientific American) Those mental illnesses are causing violent behavior not video games. Blaming the video games also allows for a cop out for parents. In the United States the ESRB or Entertainment Software Rating Board puts ratings on all games. Those rating range fro EC or early childhood to AO or Adult only. All of the games accused of causing violent behavior in youth such as Call Of Duty, Halo or Grand Theft Auto are all rated M for mature meaning the parents or someone of authority had to purchase these games for the youth. The ESRB rates these games with certain age requirements for a reason. Allowing anyone to blame the video game takes all accountability off of the parents because they don’t have to own the choice to ignore the advice of the rating company and allow their children to play these games. Being able to blame the video games also ignores the violence the youth is exposed to at home also allowing the parents to blame something else besides themselves. While the media says two boys went on a killing spree in the mall and they happened to play halo is a harsh generalization that shouldn’t be said or used, because while these kids may have played halo doesn’t mean that halo is the reason these kids went on a killing spree. These kids could have been being physically or emotionally abused at home. Abuse makes people feel helpless powerless and worthless. These kids could have finally just had enough and acted out in a violent manner just to finally feel like they had power in their lives. Abuse could be the answer but no one would know becaus e the parents will never admit to being abusive. If all other arguments fail the one that has to be considered is that videogames are not the only violent media out in the world. While violent video games are first person and put the player in the shoes of the shooter or killer it is no less desensitizing then it is to watch someone else on a screen kill somebody. Violent movies show some of the most realistic and grotesque violence around. When it comes to desensitizing someone to violence or glorifying violence movies are just as guilty if not more guilty than games. Movie like Act of Valor or Rambo glorify violence because they show the â€Å"hero† killing the â€Å"bad guys† in reality not on a animated picture. Violent music is also guilty but has been brought to more light in examples such as the Cassie Jo Stoddart case where the two boys who killed Cassie said they were inspired by the lyrics from a song by the band Insane Clown Posse who are known for their intensely violent lyrics. If people are wanting to blame video games a form of media they also need to look at all other forms of media involved in that youths life such as what music they have on their iPods or mP3 players to what movies they have at home and that they have watched recently. In conclusion while violent video games may contribute to the desensitization of violence they are not alone in the desensitization of violence. Also until there is a set scale and proven test to determine the aggression associated with video games they can not be blamed for the acts of anyone one else. Parents need to also be held more accountable for the actions and roles they play in these tragic events they need to stop hiding behind video games and take responsibility for what has happened.We as society also need to step up and look harder for the solution to why these teens go homicidal rather than blaming the first thing that we find.

Food and Beverage Control System

LABORATORY MANUAL Food and Beverage Control System Laboratory Activity No. ___ MAKING A SALES FORECAST Objectives: * To be able to know the future sales of the restaurant * | Materials to be used: Paper Pen Calculator Procedures: 1. Read and analyze the stated assumptions. 2. Supply the data needed for the percentage increase for the forecast 2013. 3. To get the forecasted actual covers, multiply the total covers for each month of 2012 to the assumed percentage increase. 4.To get the forecasted average check, multiply the average check for each month of 2012 to the assumed percentage increase. 5. Then, get the sales forecast for 2013 by multiplying the forecasted total covers to the forecasted average check. Instructions: Make a 2013 sales forecast for KSP Bar and Grill using the following data and assumptions. KSP Bar and Grill, a food outlet with 200 seating capacity, generated the following revenue in the year 2012. Make a sales forecast for year 2013, working on the following ass umptions: 1.There is an expected fifty percent (50%) increase of patronage in the month of February because the food outlet will come out with special promotions on Valentine’s Day (February 14) and Chinese Year (also in the month of February). For November 2013, the projected increase in covers is 40% and 50% by the month of December. 2. With better products, intensive promotions and improved services, 20% increase in covers for 2013 is expected. 3. Because of the upgraded menus, prices will increase by 18% for 2013. | SALES 2012|Months| Total Covers| Average Check| Total F&B Revenue| January| 13,020| P 247. 25| P 3,219,195| February| 19,500| P 253| P 4,933,500| March| 17,250| P 250. 70| P 4,324,575| April| 12,840| P 258. 75| P 3,322,350| May| 12,000| P 255. 30| P 3,063,600| June| 9,600| P 224. 25| P 2,152,800| July| 9,000| P 227. 70| P 2,049,300| August| 7,200| P 224. 25| P 1,614,600| September| 12,960| P 232. 30| P 3,010,608| October| 13,440| P 242. 20| P 3,523,968| Novemb er| 14,640| P 270. 25| P 3,956,460| December| 20,250| P 276| P 5,589,000| | | | P 40,759,956| SALES 2013| Covers| Average Check| Sales in Pesos| Month| % increase| Quantity| % increase| Amount in pesos| | January| | | | | | February| | | | | | March| | | | | | April| | | | | | May| | | | | | June| | | | | | July| | | | | | August| | | | | | September| | | | | | October| | | | | | November| | | | | | December| | | | | | | | | | | | Laboratory Activity No. _______ PREPARING A BUDGET WORKSHEET Objectives:| Materials to be used: Pen Paper Calculator Procedures: 1. Read and analyze the problem. 2. Supply the data needed on revenue for the sales distribution. 3.Divide the revenue of food sales and beverage sales by the total sales to get the ratio of sales over gross sales. 4. Supply the data needed on cost ratio to sales on budget distribution. 5. Multiply the revenue of food sales and beverage sales by the cost ratio to sales to get the budget needed. 6. Supply the data needed on cost r atio to sales on budget allocation from the given data. 7. Multiply the total sales by the cost ratio to sales to get the budget needed for the breakdown of budget allocation. Prepare a budget worksheet for KSP Coffee Shop for the month of August.Assume a sales forecast of P2,890,000 with P890,000 beverage sales and P2,000,000 food sales. Use 38% cost ratio to sales for food cost and 20% cost ratio to sales for beverage cost. Use the following budget allocation: Food/Beverage cost (Cost of Sales) ——————————— 35% Labor cost and employee benefits ———————————– 20% Direct operating expenses ——————————————– 4 % Utilities —————————————â⠂¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€ 5% Rental/Amortization ————————————————— % Advertising ————————————————————- 1 % Repairs and Maintenance ——————————————– 1% Taxes ——————————————————————— 1% Insurance —————————————————————- 2% Depreciation cost —————â₠¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€ 2% Administrative/General expenses ———————————— 3 % Profit ——————————————————————— 18% Total ——————————————————-100%BUDGET WORKSHEET SALES DISTRIBUTION| Source| Revenue| Ratio of Sales Over Gross Sales| Food Sales| | | Beverage Sales| | | Total Sales| | | BUDGET DISTRIBUTION| Budget Items| Budget in Pesos| (Cost Ratio to Sales)| A. Food Cost| | | B. Beverage Cost| | | BREAKDOWN OF BUDGET ALLOCATION| 1. Cost of sales (combined food and beverage)| | | 2. Labor cost and employee benefits| | | 3. Direct Operating Expenses ( supplies, materials, etc. )| | | 4. Rental| | | 5. Administrative expenses| | | 6. Amortization for loan| | | 7. Utilities| | | . Repairs and Maintenance| | | 9. Insurance| | | 10. Depreciation| | | 11. Others – ads, etc| | | Total Budget for Expenses| | | Profit| | | Total| | | Laboratory Activity No. ________ RECIPE COSTING AND PRICE DETERMINATION Objectives:| Materials to be used: Pen Paper Calculator Procedures: The recipe indicates the following ingredients for the preparation of the dish RIB ROAST ROYALEYield: 4 portions Ingredients: 450 grams trimmed US prime rib2 pieces baked potatoes 200 grams fresh butter (1 block)2 pieces dinner rolls 0 grams chives2 portions butter 15 grams tarragon leaves2 portions bottled 40 grams parsley40 grams salt Price list: US prime ribP460. 00 Magnolia fresh butter (1 block)P 24. 00 Refined salt (kilo)P 30. 00 Buttered vegetables (portion)P 4. 00 Chives(kilo)P 30. 00 Portion butter (piece)P 5. 90 Tarragon leaves (bottle of 10 grams)P 25. 00 Parsley (kilo)P 85. 00 Recipe cost: Baked potatoesP 5. 00 Rolls (piece)P 2. 00 Total cost and selling price after getting saleable weight | | Standard Yield| Adjusted Yield| Items| Unit/Size (UOM)| Portion/Size| Unit Cost| Cost| Portion/Size| Cost| US prime rib| | | | | | | fresh butter| | | | | | | chives| | | | | | | tarragon leaves| | | | | | | parsley| | | | | | | baked potatoes| | | | | | | dinner rolls| | | | | | | butter| | | | | | | Buttered vegetables| | | | | | | salt| | | | | | | Total| | | | | | | Buffer margin (10%)| | | | | | | Cost/serving| | | | | | | Selling price| | | | | | | Food Cost %| | | | | | |

The witch craze of the 1600s essays

The witch craze of the 1600's essays Are there such things as a witch? If the answer is yes, then what do they look like? Where do they live? In what way are they different from the modern day illusionist or magician? If the answer is no, then explain why nearly the entire population of Europe was convinced that witches existed for more then a century so much so, in fact, that a section of their written laws was devoted to the steps for discovery and prosecution of witches If you were to ask the average individual in North America what they new about witches, they would probably mention something about the Salem witch trials that took place in Massachusetts during colonial America. The fact of the matter is that the twenty witch burnings that took place in Salem in 1692 pale in comparison to the witch craze that engulfed Western Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries . If the entire population of a continent believed in witches, then it is unquestionable they do exist, or at least did exist, right ? One logical way to accurately answer these questions is to examine books pertaining to the controversial subject of witches. The two books chosen for this investigation provide both a macro and a micro perspective on the European witch craze. Joseph Klaits Servants of Satan: The Age of Witch Hunts gives a general overview of the witch hunt craze of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The more detailed book A Case of Witchcraft: The Trial of Urbain Grandier by Robert Rapley, on the other hand, describes a specific series of events, which occur during the same time period. By comparing these two books, an understanding of the political, religious, and social attitudes of that era can be obtained. Thus, once this understanding is outlined then perhaps these witch related questions can be answered. In order to understand these books more clearly, the scene must be set for the impending investigation. Although the witch craze was a phenomeno...

Growing Power of Nations essays

Growing Power of Nations essays The growing power of nations creates beneficial, as well as detrimental results that strongly affect their people. As nations gain more power, they also yearn for more of what they want, and when they want it. However, when nations gain more and more power, and grow stronger, other nations must grow weaker and lose power. This can cause conflicts over power, land, money, people, etc.. The possibly of war sharply increases due to these particular conflicts or disagreements. War did in fact occur. A period of time known as the Age of Imperialism started many quarrels between nations fighting over land. Several countries set up colonies in other countries to increase their land ownership and power. Unfortunately, as countries expanded and got caught up in their search for more, tribulations began between many nations, eventually leading to World War One. In order to entice men to join the fight in the war, many propaganda's were posted to try and interest men in fighting for their country, and their manhood. Posters, books, and people advertised everywhere in order to persuade people to fight against the opposition. These alleged propositions glorified war and painted a picture to men saying they could be hero's. War, however, was chaotic, not thoroughly planned , and caused break downs in communication, technology, and sanity. Many nations became careless of their people and became very greedy. Racial discrimination and segregation occurred, which prevented countries from becoming unified. Countries also dominated human rights and privileges which prevented unification. Living conditions for soldiers were poor and food rations were scarce, but did this bother the government? No. Leaders only cared if they won the war, and not for the lives of their men. An entire generation of men were lost in World War One, not only physically, but mentally as well. World War One was a changing point for the world. As it...

The Different Sources of Law in England and Wales Essay

The Different Sources of Law in England and Wales - Essay Example Judges create common law by delivering written judgments on the cases that have been brought before them. If magistrates’ courts across both Wales and England were to be allowed to follow and make their own precedents, this would have the effect of creating relatively huge variations in both the regional and local legal customs in the two countries (Gearey, Morrison and Jago, 2013). The common law works to ensure that the law remains common throughout the land. However, it is the responsibility of the House of Lords and the criminal division of the Court of Appeal to create legal precedents in relation to criminal matters affecting Wales and England. It is the decision that is made by these higher courts that works to bind the lower courts.  At times, new situations occur that are found to be entirely new in relation to common law. In such instances, courts in England and Wales can sometimes opt to look aboard at the decisions of the courts made in other commonwealth countri es in order to seek the necessary guidance or from them. This allows for common law systems to have a degree of flexibility and stability as they continue to look to each other for guidance (Gearey, Morrison and Jago, 2013).Statute Law and Common Law Interaction  Although the English legal system is primarily founded n common law, this does not necessarily mean that statutes are any less binding. In fact, the relationship between statute and common law is that that statute law codifies certain rules whereas the common law serves to provide clarification.

'To many outside Europe and North America, globalization looks like Essay

'To many outside Europe and North America, globalization looks like Westernalization'. Is this the case in cultural terms - Essay Example From a historical standpoint, what made this possible and is this a positive thing for the rest of the world? Why for many people is American culture still a problem? Seeking to address these questions and many more with respect to perceptions of American cultural hegemony and the world today, this essay will provide an in-depth exploration of American culture and the globalization phenomenon today. According to Kelly and Prokhovnik, â€Å"although the globalization of culture seems in some ways obvious in our daily lives, it is not an entirely straightforward matter. Culture is a complicated and pervasive phenomenon, taking many forms.† (48) Addressing charges of cultural imperialism and the role of the United States in cultivating a mass market â€Å"world culture†, the following will begin with a concise overview the charges leveled against the United States as an economic and cultural hegemon. Following this, we will explore glocalization and the cultural hybridity created when different cultures interact, and persuasively argue that globalization has in fact been a positive force in inter-cultural relations. Chapter Three of A Globalizing World describes the phenomenon of globalization as â€Å"the process by which markets and production in different countries are becoming increasingly interdependent due to the dynamics of trade in goods and services and flows of capital and technology† (85). Accordingly globalization, as it exists today, rests largely on the shoulders of neoliberal economics and the global entrenchment of capitalism as the dominant economic system across the world. This is an important and often neglected component of American cultural imperialism: the internationalization of the US economic system. Neoliberalism, the belief in laissez-faire economics, was best articulated by Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom and Ronald Reagan in the United States in the 1980s. US