Saturday, July 25, 2020

What its like taking a class with the 76th U.S. Treasury Secretary COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

What its like taking a class with the 76th U.S. Treasury Secretary COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob “Jack” Lew, serving under President Obama’s second term, joined Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs in Spring 2017 as Visiting Professor to teach the new course INAF U6092: “Leadership and Policy Development.” How did I find out about the class? Early in the semester, Dean Janow made an announcement to students welcoming Secretary Lew as a visiting professor and about a month before the class started, I received an email from SIPA Academic Affairs revealing Secretary Lew’s first course. Did the class have any prerequisites? Yes, to be eligible, students had to have taken SIPA U6401 Macroeconomic Analysis taught by Professor Andrea Bubula, which is now offered in both semesters of the academic year. An online application was also required including a resume and a statement of interest. The class was capped at twenty students as a seminar which allowed an intimate setting for candid questions and discussion. What did the class cover? The special five-week, one-unit course entitled “Leadership and Policy Development” aimed to familiarize students with current issues in economic policy development and the domestic and international factors influencing public sector decision-making.  The class discussed a number of contemporary issues including those in which the US has played a significant role or has a substantial interest: Policy Practice and Business Tax Reform Ukraine and IMF Quota Reform Managing the US Debt Limit Exchange Rate Management and Financial Stability Coordination Financial Crisis in Puerto Rico In the class, we discussed the types of dilemmas leaders can be expected to face: unavoidable issues with looming deadlines; managing to avoid a potential crisis and affirmative initiatives where policy leaders choose a policy objective to advance. Students also learned lessons of leadership, hearing stories from behind-the-scenes including from Secretary Lew’s moments in the White House sitting with President Obama. What assignments were required? As with most SIPA courses, Secretary Lew assigned required and recommended readings each week. Readings ranged from expert reports drafted in the White House, the US Treasury, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to analysis offered by pieces in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and academic journals including articles authored by Secretary Lew himself in the Harvard Journal on Legislation. Students also drafted a concise 4-6 page policy memorandum addressing one of the course topics. To prepare for this assignment, Secretary Lew met with every student in a one-on-one meeting to discuss and flesh out key points and to formulate an argument. Why did you take the class? Why not? It is not everyday one gets to sit down with a former U.S.Treasury Secretary. What did you enjoy from this experience? Secretary Lew’s course provided the opportunity to apply what I had learned in SIPA courses to today’s issues. Prior to taking this class, I had taken courses driven by theoretical framework and models including Economic Development and Macroeconomics, acquiring the tools to understand problem solving and policy making processes. I had developed a background in how economies function in China, Japan, Latin America, the United States and Europe. When I took Secretary Lew’s course, I heard him speak about real life scenarios that require a policy maker to grapple with theory over practice and how to work toward feasible policies. These nuances of leadership, strategy, and practicality are the real treasurers from his class. No pun intended. [Photo courtesy of Katarina Luz Mayers | Class photo with Jack Lew in the center, and Amir Safa on the far right.]

Friday, May 22, 2020

Torture as a Strategy of War - 795 Words

The use of torture as a strategy of war is as old as war itself. Torture serves a number of different functions. One of those functions is punishment for crimes committed, and torture is still used in this way to some degree. Another one of the functions of torture is to extract information or confessions. It is this type of torture that Alan Dershowitz and Ken Roth claim was, and still is, being used in the war against terrorism. Although torture violates the principles of the Geneva Convention, it is still used: countries all over the world violate the Geneva Accords. They do it secretly, (Dershowitz, cited in Dershowitz: Torture could be justified). The use of torture can be as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to be done openly, with accountability, with approval by the president of the United States or by a Supreme Court justice, (Dershowitz, cited in Dershowitz: Torture could be justified). This stance echoes the official stanc e of the United States after September 11, when the White House claimed that torture may be justified (Priest and Smith). The argument is simple: if torturing one person leads to information that saes hundreds or thousands of lives, then it is worth it. We wont know if he is a ticking-bomb terrorist unless he provides us information, and hes not likely to provide information unless we use certain extreme measures, (Dershowitz, cited in Dershowitz: Torture could be justified).Show MoreRelatedHow Do Foreign Affairs During Vietnam Justify Public Or Private Tactical Behavior?1633 Words   |  7 Pagesquestion: To what degree is torture valuable? How do foreign affairs in Vietnam justify public or private tactical behavior. T.S. Eliot: â€Å"There is no such thing as a Lost Cause, because there is no such thing as a Gained Cause.† Growth and power come paired with conflict and danger. The United States must use interrogation to ensure the safety of its citizens. A history of torture to get information is prominent between many nations, however the use of such interrogation is often kept private fromRead MoreFrench Counterinsurgency Failures in the Algerian War of 1954-621534 Words   |  7 Pagesinsurgents to emerge the victors of the Algerian War of 1954-1962. To understand why this occurred, it is imperative to examine how French military arrogance, political arrogance, and a failure to use military and political capabilities in combination doomed the French to defeat at the hands of the Algerians. Before beginning an in-depth examination of French failures, it is necessary to provide background information regarding the years preceding the Algerian War. France began its occupation of AlgeriaRead MoreTerrorism And The International Humanitarian Law Essay1329 Words   |  6 Pageshumanitarian law cannot be used to â€Å"humanize war† and that they may impose states to create â€Å"effective humanitarian limits on the conduct of wars† (Jochnick, 51). They also outline the importance of understanding the events of â€Å"past legal effort to regulate war† in an attempt to reassure that mistakes are prevented and that outcomes in regards to protecting civilians can be better predicted (51). Consequently, many nations were not relatively happy at the outcome of the war on terror and how the States handledRead MoreTorture : A Long And Detailed History1214 Words   |  5 Pageselectric shock, and crucifixion. All of these are methods of a subject called torture , or the act of which one inflicts physical or psychological pain for purpose of degrading, intimidating, controlling, or getting information (â€Å"Torture†). Throughout history, these have all been reasons for torturing people; however, whether or not torture should still be allowed is a topic of debate. There is a long and detailed history of torture, along with numerous reasons people are tortured today, and survivors faceRead MoreTorture1255 Words   |  6 PagesEnglish II May 9, 2014 Torture Used an Interrogation Strategy One of the most controversially talked about topics is should torture be used. Torture is one of the most extreme forms of human violence (Gernity). Torture dates back to 530 A.D, when Roman jurists espoused to virtues of torture as the highest form of truth (Green). Torture was a well-established American tradition (Gewen). Torture can be used to gain valuable information in a timely manner, and other countries at war will not hesitate toRead MoreHuman Torture Essay1559 Words   |  6 PagesI. Introduction The American citizens have been wrestling with the question of whether their government intelligence agencies should be prohibited from using torture to gather information. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11th the American government vowed to do whatever it took to hunt down those involved. In May 2004, The New Yorker released photographs from the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The disturbing pictures were released on the internet showing bodies of naked Iraqis piled onto eachRead MoreFighting Terrorism without Infringing on Human Rights Essay826 Words   |  4 PagesCommissioner for Human Rights, who urged states to â€Å"adhere to their international obligations to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms when conducting counterterrorism†. This has become a key component of UN-endorsed Global Counterterrorism strategy. Another key leader, supporter of this assumption former US President Jimmy Carter in his remarks on Human Rights Defenders conference said: policy changes in the United States and other nations because of pre-occupation with the use of force asRead MoreIs Torture Acceptable? Today s World Essay1748 Words   |  7 PagesHani Safi Professor K. Mitchell English 103 24 Nov. 2015 Is Torture Acceptable In today’s world, the military is not the only weapon nations utilize in times of war. Information is just as critical in the wars of strategy and advanced warfare. In the war against terrorism, where the enemy has no uniform or a specific nation to fight. In the war against terrorism, where sleeper cells live within the innocent civilians and strike fear from the inside out. The more the world advances in technologyRead MoreTorture and America1313 Words   |  6 PagesTorture and America Eric Lindsey Kaplan University Torture and America As the country goes through its tenth year of the war on terror one can look back and see some of the policy differences that has plagued this country when, as a nation, our young men are sent to war. Everything, in this author’s view needs to be on the table, and transparent. Of course, troops strength, strategy, and general war plans should be kept from the enemy, the need of informing our own people has been a tightRead MoreThe United States War On Terror1158 Words   |  5 PagesAfter the events of September 11, 2001, the United States had a unique dilemma. America was engaged in what would be called a â€Å"War on Terror†. This new conflict was unlike any in American history. Previously, in the context of war the United States had always fought a nation or group that had defined boundaries as to where they resided. This new conflict went away from these rules of the past. Terrorist groups were not bound to a region, but were instead united by an ideal. Septembe r 11 marked the

Friday, May 8, 2020

Internet Censorship Survey Essay - 1610 Words

Internet Censorship Survey Topics of censorship involving the different media have always drawn lively responses from people when asked about them. The media categories of television, printing and recordings now include the Internet. I conducted a survey of people to find out their opnion on the new medium. I asked people, Do you think that there should be censorship on the Internet?. I conducted this survey during the week of February 14, 1997. I particularly chose this question because of these reasons: the recent news stories of children being lured into harm after being contacted via Internet; the reports of the availability of pornography; the recent cases tried on the bases of obscenity laws; the forthcoming U.S. Supreme†¦show more content†¦By combining the age question and the Internet use question, I predicted an even heavier response of no to censorship on the Internet. The Internet use and age questions were included with the other common demographic questions of sex, marital status, and ethnic grouping. I did not predict that there would be a noticeable difference in ethnic grouping. If sex or marital status had an effect on this survey, It would be a learning experience for me. Thirty people would be the population of this survey. Before conducting the survey, I thought that I would have a problem finding more than just friends and the people I work with to answer the survey. To overcome that, my system for finding people for the survey was enhanced by surveying people in places that I encountered every day. I encountered and surveyed people at an instructional center and school where I work. I used the dry cleaner employees while I was dropping off my laundry. I used the personnel from the movie theater (they were my youngest respondents). I used my college classmates from my Tuesday night class. This category of peers was also my biggest population of Internet users. I had someone else ask six people from where he worked. When approaching the person being surveyed, I asked them if they would answer a question for my college class survey. No one in any my attempts turned me down. Next I said, reply with YES, NO, MAYBE, or I DONT KNOW..Do you think thatShow MoreRelatedCensorship Online1041 Words   |  5 Pagesabout issues regarding Censorship of the Internet. According to the textbook, censorship is a way used by governments or religious institutions to supervise or regulate the public access to offensive or harmful materials (Quinn 2012, p.496). Internet censorship applies the same discipline which regulates the public access to harmful content on internet. Nowadays, internet is a place with huge potential for growth. Statistics suggest that the total growth of new internet users is 566.4% from DecemberRead MoreGovernments Censoring Internet Content1490 Words   |  6 Pagespros and cons of government involvement in controlling the content of the Internet. Everyday technology is getting more sophisticated, meaning that nowadays it is easy to explore about a certain issue via online connection and be near the world. In the present, as long as you have Internet connection, you have the ability to have access to all kind of information that is posted on Internet. There is a huge debate whether internet should be regulated or not, and this is excepted to continue in the upcomingRead More Should the Internet be Censored? Essay1062 Words   |  5 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ximenes 1 Should the Internet Be Censored? â€Å"No bones about it, the Internet needs to be censored†. At least according to Gerry Morgan, president of an Internet contents provider and a parent, he among other non-denominational Christian parents claims that they have found â€Å"the only realistic answer to the Internet porn-crisis†. They’ve created a program where all Web sites are pre-screened, avoiding any material that can be harmful to kids (Watson). They say that the Internet has to be censored becauseRead MoreModern Technology And Its Effect On Society Essay1457 Words   |  6 Pagesand with the internet came cyber-attacks. Governments all over the world continuously have to adjust to the new technology with policies that take away the rights and privacy of their citizens. How far is one supposed allow its country to spy on its citizens and take away their right to privacy? It is not the citizens’ responsibility to worry about the safety of the people, thus the cost of safety should not be on the shoulders of the people. People who object to internet censorship believe thatRead More Freedom of Speech in Cyberspace Essay2116 Words   |  9 PagesFreedom of Speech in Cyberspace Introduction As the Internet has become more widely recognized and used by people all over the world, it has brought a new medium in which information can very easily be broadcast to everyone with access to it. In 1995 there was a projected 26 million Internet users, which has grown to almost 300 million today. One major problem with this is that everyone represents different countries and provinces which have different outtakes on certain types of freedomRead MoreEssay about Freedom of Expression on the Internet3920 Words   |  16 Pagesmaterial. It looks at the issue from several sides: The relevant US laws that are in place, how censorship is used at the university and corporate levels, how other countries are attempting censorship, and finally what I feel about the topic. Given all that I have read in preparing this paper, I have come to the conclusion that without a set of globally-accepted rules, we should not be censoring the Internet except where these rules are being broken. We could perhaps get agreement for those thingsRead MoreEssay on Attempts at Internet Censorship2032 Words   |  9 Pages      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ever since the Internet became such a large source of information in our lives, there has been a group of people who believed it need be cleansed of certain material.   These people believe that groups, corporations, and the government have the right to block whatever material they deem objectionable.   They are quite simply wrong.   The First Amendment guarantees our right to freedom of expression.   Furthermore, the ability to block or ban these sites does not exist.   There have been severalRead MoreHow Do Wechat Affect Consumer Purchasing Behaviour On Beauty Products1100 Words   |  5 Pages1. Introduction Nowadays, social media and Internet became part of daily life. People spend more and more time going online. Many daily activities shifted to online, for example, online shopping, communicate with friends or relatives via social media or messaging app, share feelings and thoughts on social media platforms etc. In this paper, the aim is to investigate how do WeChat affect the consumer purchasing behaviour on beauty products in China. In 2013, China surpassed US to become the biggestRead MoreGoogle in China3836 Words   |  16 PagesComment on the legal and regulatory environment in China and its implications for the chinese media. In light of the restrictions imposed by the Chinese government of internet access, how do you think the media industry is affected? On google agreeing to ensure its search content, Reporters without borders commented, â€Å"Google’s statement about respecting online privacy are the height of hypocrisy in view of its strategy in China.† However, Google’s Director of Research was of the view, â€Å"What’sRead MoreEssay on Comparing the Internet in China and the United States1744 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The aim of this study is to determine the differences between the Internet in China and the United States. China was chosen due to the restrictive and closely scrutinized nature of its Internet, in contrast to the internet in United States which has significantly more freedom and protected by the freedom of speech and expression. This study will include: †¢ Distribution and segmentation of the medium in both countries †¢ Ownership †¢ National regulatory structures †¢ Socio-economic origins

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Adults’ Effective Behavior Management among Children with Delays Free Essays

Effective behavior management among children with developmental delays is an essential element of special education. This needs to be administered by adults in the early childhood to form a firm foundation of the acceptable conducts and desirable activities of special children. It is through a successful behavior management that the concerned children would be able to behave appropriately in the future. We will write a custom essay sample on Adults’ Effective Behavior Management among Children with Delays or any similar topic only for you Order Now In addition, a well-managed behavior of children with developmental delays allows for a smooth performance of adults’ roles, thereby providing help and the much needed care for these special children. It is therefore necessary for parents, teachers, service providers, and related professionals to adhere to and uphold an efficient behavior management among children with developmental delays because this leads to the achievement of beneficial outcomes. This premise is what chapter 13 of the book â€Å"An Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education: Birth to Age Five† by Linda Dunlap (2009) particularly imparts to the readers. Chapter 13 of the book entitled â€Å"Behavior Management† emphasizes the need for behavior management in an effort to address and eventually resolve issues concerning how children with developmental delays behave toward other people and within a specific environment. In this chapter, Dunlap (2009) provides the public with vital pointers to consider which would be helpful in carrying out an effective behavior management of children with developmental delays and those with related developmental concerns. Key Points The 13th chapter of the book can be better understood in light of the fundamental components of behavior management. According to the author, the key points of behavior management include an emphasis on the positive rather than negative conducts of children with delays. That is, the effectiveness of behavior management lies on the ability of both adults and children with delays to bring out and improve desirable and valuable behavior. In doing so, the effort leads to the elimination of undesirable conducts because it is those which are only appropriate that would remain and would be provided room for development (Dunlap, 2009). When the desirable behavior of children with delays is developed, the purpose of assisting them to create and improve techniques to deal with their personal behavior is eventually achieved. This condition leads to the next vital point which is the need for diversified and efficient behavior management strategies that would be definitely helpful and valuable for children with delays (Dunlap, 2009). Dunlap (2009) also explores the establishment of logical expectations of adults surrounding children with delays, such as their parents, teachers, and professionals dealing with developmental concerns, as part of behavior management. These logical expectations involve taking into account the respective growth stage of each child. Most important among these key points is the principle which must always be remembered by adults. That is, children with developmental delays use and react to behavior management strategies that are similarly suitable and beneficial for normal children (Dunlap, 2009). Desirable Behavior Dunlap (2009) begins her discussion of behavior management by emphasizing the value of desirable behavior among children with delays. She claims that regarding desirable behavior with an undeniable relevance is necessary to bring out and likewise develop or maximize whatever sought-after attitudes and activities that a child with delays shows. While it is apparently more complicated to manage the behavior of children with delays compared to the behavior management of normal children, the principle and practice of developing their desired behavior would aid in the success of behavior management (Dunlap, 2009). In underlining her point, Dunlap (2009) explains that it is the desired behavior of children with delays that must be improved. She believes that it is better to develop positive conducts and activities rather than to dwell on the negative or undesirable behavior of children with delays. As more emphasis is given to the development of desired behavior, this would be beneficial to both the adults and children. Simply put, an effective behavior management of children with developmental delays not only presents the harms of negative or inappropriate behavior, bur it also emphasizes the benefits of manifesting positive and desired behavior (Dunlap, 2009). In this chapter, Dunlap (2009) presents several situational examples which explore and stress the significance of encouraging and developing desired behavior among children with delays. Adults play an important role in such instances. Dunlap (2009) explains that â€Å"adults need to provide instruction, coaching, and modeling with regard to appropriate ways to interact with others† (p. 391). It is through these roles that adults are able to inform children with delays the need for them to show desired behavior. The author adds that when the importance of desirable behavior is realized, it becomes natural for children with delays to portray such. Dunlap (2009) concludes this topic by emphasizing the need to: (1) consider more appropriate rather than inappropriate conducts; (2) consistently respond to the challenging behaviors of children with delays; and (3) ensure that adults’ expectations are developmentally appropriate with the things given to children . Behavior Management: Principles and Practices This is the portion of Chapter 13 where the heart and soul of behavior management are discussed. Dunlap (2009) states that the general principles in handling the behavior of children with delays include several considerations: (1) not controlling the conducts or attitudes of children but rather respecting their ability with regard to managing their respective behavior; (2) positive or encouraging way of behavior management; or (3) not subjecting or overloading children with negatives; (4) reassuring children of their value; (5) avoiding personal attacks on children; (6) changing adults’ expectations as children behave differently and have their individual needs; (7) taking responsibility of the special children’s management; (8) imposing necessary rules and even punishment; (9) modeling appropriate behavior for the benefit of the special children; and lastly, (10) establishing a positive learning setting to encourage desirable conducts (Dunlap, 2009). Behavior that Needs to be Changed The relevance of the mentioned principles is reflected in the fact that through s uch efforts, the adults involved in behavior management will be able to identify which among the behaviors exemplified by children need modification. Dunlap (2009) explains that while it is uncalled for to â€Å"go to war† with children with delays (considering they already have developmental concerns), it is still necessary to change some of their behaviors (p. 397). This especially holds true if the behavior is deemed as detrimental to the child’s development and his or her manner of interaction with others. Hence, those which warrant change and intervention include the conducts that: (1) require disproportional level of attention and time; (2) interrupt others and forbid learning to happen; (3) become more difficult to handle; (4) are supposedly common to much younger children and not to school-age children; (5) result in harmful personal image; (6) are negatively viewed by other children; and (6) threaten the problem child and his or her classmates (Dunlap, 2009). Behavior Management Strategies To strengthen the performance of behavior management, Dunlap (2009) presents several strategies. These techniques serve as specific factors that may help adults to succeed in handling the behavior of children with delays. One of these techniques is reinforcement. Its implementation is valuable in the development of appropriate conducts among children. Regardless of whether it is a primary or secondary kind of reinforcement, Dunlap (2009) reminds the adults that children vary in a number of aspec ts. Hence, this specific strategy must be flexible and depends on the character of a child (Dunlap, 2009). Another technique is redirection which orients children on the appropriate conducts instead of the inappropriate ones. Behavior management also entails subjecting children to what is called â€Å"time out. † While similar to redirection, making children experience a time out is like taking them to inappropriate scenarios where their behaviors are challenged and relocating them to a place or situation where they can calm down. The ultimate goal of this strategy is to prevent children from doing further violations while at the same time instilling in them the need for them to be disciplined. Extinction pertains to simply ignoring the inappropriate behavior of children until they calm down and the situation is settled. Lastly, as mentioned earlier, punishment is essential and is an effective strategy as unfortunate situations resulting from the inappropriate behavior of children need to be dealt with even in a rough manner. In conclusion, the author presents the success behind Project SUCCEED or â€Å"Supporting and Understanding Challenging Children’s Educational and Emotional Development. † Dunlap (2009) uses this project as an example to prove where effective behavior management existed because its principles are all aimed at instilling appropriate conduct among children (Dunlap, 2009). Conclusion An effective behavior management, especially in the early childhood or early years of children with delays, is indeed an important function or obligation that adults must consider. As Kay (2006) states, the proper handling of children’s behavior in their early years is a relevant concern specifically to those directly involved in such endeavor. This realization is attributed to an increased number of children, including those with developmental delays, now engaged in pre-school environment. This condition results in more terrible and relentless conduct-related problems; thus, an effective behavior management of children with delays is highly important (Kay, 2006). The 13th chapter of Dunlap’s book is a valuable text, for it provides relevant information and reasonable explanations that are essential in the successful performance of behavior management. Beyond the specifics however, it is the undeniable value of the material that makes it helpful for both adults and children with delays. Ultimately, behavior management is not only a text in a book but is a strategy that needs to be carried out so as to realize its beneficial impacts. References Dunlap, L. (2009). Behavior management. In L. Dunlap (Ed. ), Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education: Birth to Age Five (pp. 389-405). MA: Pearson Custom Publishing. Kay, J. (2006). Managing Behavior in the Early Years. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group. How to cite Adults’ Effective Behavior Management among Children with Delays, Essays

Monday, April 27, 2020

Natural Tendency To Do Good Essay Example

Natural Tendency To Do Good Paper Being around different people can make a human behave or act in ways that they normally would not. This is true in many possible ways and experiences that people go through. Mencius said, â€Å"Persons may be brought to do evil, and that is because the same is done to their nature. † This shows that being in a circumstance of force can make the natural tendency to do good be flawed through whatever it is that is shadowing the mind to make clear judgment. The tendency of human nature to do good is like that of water to flow downward. † I believe human nature is to do good based upon the right surroundings because things that go on in an exosphere can make one think that certain choices are acceptable in society. What shows how human nature is to do good is how a human has a want to help out another human when they are in a time of need or desperation. Such as to donate food to a homeless shelter, or to give someone who is down and out a cup of coffee or a dollar. We will write a custom essay sample on Natural Tendency To Do Good specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Natural Tendency To Do Good specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Natural Tendency To Do Good specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Human nature is to do good based upon the right surroundings in the exosphere and is supported where Mencius said, â€Å"Now you may strike water and make it splash over your forehead, or you may even force it up the hills. But is this the nature of water? † This is what shows that natural tendency to do good is what humans were created to do. I have been in times in life where I made poor decisions based on the forceful circumstances that I chose to be around. There were people around that had addictive criminal thinking where it clouded my mind and was ultimately making me not choose the most logical choice to progress in life positively, rather negatively. These people that were indirectly giving influences toward my life, that fostered an environment that made it seem acceptable to break the law, and gave me an evil action. What I realized is that the choice in having the wrong set of people around me was affectively making me have a circumstance that was progressing into evil actions. Where Mencius said, â€Å"People tend by their nature toward goodness, and it is only the adverse circumstances of their nurture that erode goodness and engender evil. † This fully supports natural tendency is to do good. People must think in a manner that will allow them to be of the right path and do what is righteous. Human nature has a distinctive tendency towards goodness, but ethical rightness cannot be initiated down to the last element. This is why simply external governors always breakdown in enlightening society. True progress results from learning education in constructive atmospheres. Human nature is to do good based upon the right surroundings in the exosphere. Having bad circumstances tend to degrade the human will. However, this is not confirmation of natural evil because a pure thinking person would escape causing harm to other people. So without having a negative external exosphere the simplicity of natural tendency to do goodness will come easily than thinking about it. I have since after putting myself in a negative environment that caused my mind to think that doing evil was something that was tolerated in society, it has now given me options to progress in life. Being around more positive people makes the natural come forth in choices, decisions, and actions. With the rightness inside of someone it makes evil be present, but it does not let the evil pass through and have its way with the individuals mind and action. I think it is significant that Mencius credits that human beings have certain natural abilities for goodness. If we did not have these abilities, I do not think any quantity of education could enforce these onto us. In this regard, I do think that education is a kind of attentive attending goodness. Mencius establishes that all people have hearts by engaging to the example of a child about to fall into a well. Mencius says that as soon as people see the child about to fall they will feel a sense of unease and compassion. It is critical to notice that Mencius is not speaking about any kind of action here but about the instant response. These feelings of distress and empathy are not due to pursuing approval or wanting to reduce frustration. This response justifies Mencius claim that People all have hearts that do not tolerate the suffering of others. I feel that this falls in with what I have been addressing because in both ways it is what you are taught and what is naturally inside of a humans’ mind. It helps to prove that human nature is to do good based upon the right surroundings in the exosphere. The human only wants a good way of life and not an evil way that only brings despair and anguish through wrong actions. A human’s natural and taught ways of goodness to live and learn through lessons, whether it is through teachings or of actions. I have lived through life having those negative attributes that made me realize it is not an aspect of life I would like to have of being an evil person while going through the journey. That is how I see that the unease and compassion come into play with the natural tendency to do good. â€Å"When left to follow its natural feelings human nature will do good. Mencius said that which helps support this argument of human nature is to do good based upon the right surroundings in the exosphere. If not putting yourself into a position to make you strive forward in the direction of virtuous instead of the wicked. With a clear peace of mind it helps to enfold life as it should be and have that natural tendency to do good. Where Mencius says, â€Å"If it becomes evil, it is not the fault of our original capability. † This shows that another man or woman influences a humans thoughts. This proves that the exosphere can have a projection of a negative force behind it creating a circumstance that is not of the capability that the human should have. Mencius noted through these examples of senses: Sense of mercy, sense of shame, sense of respect, sense of right and wrong. He said, â€Å"seek and you will find them, neglect and you will lose them. † I feel that this is another reason proving the argument that has been stated throughout this paper to prove that human nature is to do good based upon the right surroundings because things that go on in an exosphere. A humans’ natural tendency is to do good based upon the right surroundings because of things that go on in an exosphere. This has been proved through the evidence that has been shown though experiences that I have gone through and not only me, but many other people as well. With having the righteous path you can have the fullest extent of your original capability and that is to have the natural human nature to do good based upon the right surroundings because of the things that go on in an exosphere which can make one choose choices that are acceptable in society.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Taliban Decrees and Prohibitions Against Women

Taliban Decrees and Prohibitions Against Women Immediately on taking over cities and communities in Afghanistan, the Taliban imposed its law, based on an interpretation of Sharia  or Islamic  law that was stricter than in any part of the Islamic world. The interpretation is at wide variance from that of most Islamic scholars. With very minimal changes, what follows are the Taliban rules, decrees, and prohibitions as posted in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan beginning in November and December 1996, and as translated from Dari by Western non-governmental agencies. The grammar and syntax ​follows the original. Those rules still prevail wherever the Taliban is in control – in vast parts of Afghanistan or in Pakistans Federally Administered Tribal Areas. On Women and Families Decree announced by the General Presidency of Amr Bil Maruf and Nai As Munkar (Taliban Religious Police), Kabul, November 1996. Women you should not step outside your residence. If you go outside the house you should not be like women who used to go with fashionable clothes wearing much cosmetics and appearing in front of every men before the coming of Islam.Islam as a rescuing religion has determined specific dignity for women, Islam has valuable instructions for women. Women should not create such opportunity to attract the attention of useless people who will not look at them with a good eye. Women have the responsibility as a teacher or coordinator for her family. Husband, brother, father have the responsibility for providing the family with the necessary life requirements (food, clothes etc). In case women are required to go outside the residence for the purposes of education, social needs or social services they should cover themselves in accordance with Islamic Sharia regulation. If women are going outside with fashionable, ornamental, tight and charming clothes to show themselves, they will be cursed by the Islamic Sharia and should never expect to go to heaven.All family elders and every Muslim have responsibility in this respect. We request all family elders to keep tight control over their families and avoid these social problems. Otherwise these women will be threatened, investigated and severely punished as well as the family elders by the forces of the Religious Police (Munkrat).The Religious Police have the responsibility and duty to struggle against these social problems and will continue their effort until evil is finished. Hospital Rules and Prohibitions Rules of work for the State Hospitals and private clinics based on Islamic Sharia principles. Ministry of Health, on behalf of Amir ul Momineet Mohammed Omar. Kabul, November 1996. 1. Female patients should go to female physicians. In case a male physician is needed, the female patient should be accompanied by her close relative.2. During examination, the female patients and male physicians both will be dressed with Islamic .3. Male physicians should not touch or see the other parts of female patients except for the affected part.4. Waiting room for female patients should be safely covered.5. The person who regulates turn for female patients should be a woman.6. During the night duty, in what rooms which female patients are hospitalized, the male doctor without the call of the patient is not allowed to enter the room.7. Sitting and speaking between male and female doctors are not allowed. If there be need for discussion, it should be done with hijab.8. Female doctors should wear simple clothes, they are not allowed stylish clothes or use of cosmetics or make-up.9. Female doctors and nurses are not allowed to enter the rooms where male patients are hospitalized. 10. Hospital staff should pray in mosques on time.11. The Religious Police are allowed to go for control at any time and nobody can prevent them.Anybody who violates the order will be punished as per Islamic regulations. General Rules and Prohibitions General Presidency of Amr Bil Maruf. Kabul, December 1996. 1. To prevent sedition and female uncovers (Be Hejabi). No drivers allowed to pick up women who are using Iranian burqa. In case of violation the driver will be imprisoned. If such kind of female are observed in the street their house will be found and their husband punished. If the women use stimulating and attractive cloth and there is no accompany of close male relative with them, the drivers should not pick them up.2. To prevent music. To be broadcasted by the public information resources. In shops, hotels, vehicles and rickshaws cassettes and music are prohibited. This matter should be monitored within five days. If any music cassette found in a shop, the shopkeeper should be imprisoned and the shop locked. If five people guarantee the shop should be opened the criminal released later. If cassette found in the vehicle, the vehicle and the driver will be imprisoned. If five people guarantee the vehicle will be released and the criminal released later.3. To prevent beard shaving a nd its cutting. After one and a half months, if anyone is observed who has shaved and/or cut his beard, they should be arrested and imprisoned until their beard gets bushy.4. To prevent keeping pigeons and playing with birds. Within ten days this habit/hobby should stop. After ten days this should be monitored and the pigeons and any other playing birds should be killed.5. To prevent kite-flying. The kite shops in the city should be abolished.6. To prevent idolatry. In vehicles, shops, hotels, room and any other places, pictures and portraits should be abolished. The monitors should tear up all pictures in the above places.7. To prevent gambling. In collaboration with the security police the main centers should be found and the gamblers imprisoned for one month.8. To eradicate the use of narcotics. Addicts should be imprisoned and investigation made to find the supplier and the shop. The shop should be locked and the owner and user should be imprisoned and punished.9. To prevent the British and American hairstyle. People with long hair should be arrested and taken to the Religious Police department to shave their hair. The criminal has to pay the barber.10. To prevent interest on loans, charge on changing small denomination notes and charge on money orders. All money exchangers should be informed that the above three types of exchanging the money should be prohibited. In case of violation criminals will be imprisoned for a long time.11. To prevent washing cloth by young ladies along the water streams in the city. Violator ladies should be picked up with respectful Islamic manner, taken to their houses and their husbands severely punished.12. To prevent music and dances in wedding parties. In the case of violation the head of the family will be arrested and punished.13. To prevent the playing of music drum. The prohibition of this should be announced. If anybody does this then the religious elders can decide about it.14. To prevent sewing ladies cloth and takin g female body measures by tailor. If women or fashion magazines are seen in the shop the tailor should be imprisoned.15. To prevent sorcery. All the related books should be burnt and the magician should be imprisoned until his repentance.16. To prevent not praying and order gathering pray at the bazaar. Prayer should be done  on  their due times in all districts. Transportation should be strictly prohibited and all people are obliged to go to the mosque. If young people are seen in the shops they will be immediately imprisoned.9. To prevent the British and American hairstyle. People with long hair should be arrested and taken to the Religious Police department to shave their hair. The criminal has to pay the barber.10. To prevent interest on loans, charge on changing small denomination notes and charge on money orders. All money exchangers should be informed that the above three types of exchanging the money should be prohibited. In case of violation criminals will be imprisoned for a long time.11. To prevent washing cloth by young ladies along the water streams in the city. Violator ladies should be picked up with respectful Islamic manner, taken to their houses and their husbands severely punished.12. To prevent music and dances in wedding parties. In the case of violation the head of the family will be arrested and punished.13. To prevent the playing of music drum. The prohibition of this should be announced. If anybody does this then the religious elders can decide about it.14. To prevent sewing ladies cloth and taking female body measures by tailor. If women or fashion magazines are seen in the shop the tailor should be imprisoned.15. To prevent sorcery. All the related books should be burnt and the magician should be imprisoned until his repentance.16. To prevent not praying and order gathering pray at the bazaar. Prayer should be done on their due times in all districts. Transportation should be strictly prohibited and all people are obliged to go t o the mosque. If young people are seen in the shops they will be immediately imprisoned.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

How to Find a Job in Los Angeles (Top 100 Employers)

How to Find a Job in Los Angeles (Top 100 Employers) Hooray for Hollywood, home of all of our favorite stars and your favorite Kardashian (whichever one that may be). But although Los Angeles is the world capital of glitz, glamour, and disingenuous invitations to do lunch, it’s also a sprawling, multifaceted city with plenty of career opportunities for those of us who aren’t likely to be the next Brad Pitt or even the next Pauly Shore. Let’s look at some of the hottest industries and jobs you’ll find in L.A. The Tech SectorLet’s face it: other parts of California are better known for their geek cred and their startup savviness. But don’t underestimate sunny L.A. when it comes to tech jobs: the scene is growing fast. According to Fast Company, L.A. is seeing a big surge in the tech sector, to the tune of 2200 individual startups in the â€Å"creative capital of the world.† And we’re not talking movie technology: most of this growth is fueled by biotech, commerce, and communications rather than entertainment and media. You have the standard tech giants like Google and IBM with presences in metro L.A., but also a huge variety of other companies like e-commerce (Ticketmaster), digital media (Netflix, Hulu, Buzzfeed), gaming (Electronic Arts, Riot Games), software (Symantec), communications (Verizon), and even rocket science (SpaceX), just to name a few. The Santa Monica and Venice Beach areas in particular are establishing themselves as hubs. [via Built In Los Angeles]Hot Job: Information Security AnalystAccording to Mondo, the hottest tech job going in L.A. is Security Analyst. With data breaches happening with alarming regularity, the security analysts are often the first line of defense against would-be thieves and hackers. Security analysts are responsible for implementing, upgrading, and maintaining network security measures. It’s a high-paying field, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median salary of $90,120. This job typically require s a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. It’s also a rapidly growing field, and will be for the forseeable future: the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a very strong 18% growth.The Entertainment SectorThis is L.A., what did you expect? Not everyone is cut out to be a star in the traditional Hollywood sense, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great, fulfilling career offscreen. Because of the massive movie, television, music, and media production hub that is Los Angeles, there are tons of opportunities in marketing, advertising, management, public relations, production, or operations.Hot Job: Social Media ManagerBeing social media-savvy is a must-have skill in just about every industry these days, but none more than the entertainment industry, where image and impressions are so important, and everyone’s watching for gossip-worthy mistakes (hence TMZ’s continued existence). Social media coordinators are responsible f or creating and maintaining a brand voice, as well as developing social media marketing campaigns to support company strategy.Per PayScale, the median salary for social media coordinators is $46,402. This is a field that will continue to grow as companies look for ways to improve their outreach and establish their brand in every possible avenue. Marketing skills are a must here, as is a strong spidey sense for where the social media realm is moving next. (RIP MySpace.)The Biotech SectorSurging hand-in-hand with L.A.’s tech scene is its biotech industry, driven by labs associated with the many universities around the city and the innovative companies taking root in the L.A. metro area.Hot Job: Biomedical EngineerNamed the #1 fastest growing job in California by the L.A. Times, biomedical engineering is at the very cutting edge of medical technology. These engineers develop equipment, devices, and software for the medical industry. Making surgeries simpler, reducing human error , improving treatments- all of these are areas being constantly worked on and refined by biomedical engineers. It’s a highly specialized field, requiring at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, but a rewarding one- the median salary is $86,220 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for these engineers is growing a crazy rate as well: the industry is likely to see a 23% increase by 2024, which is far ahead of most careers.The Health Care SectorHealth care and allied health fields are growing everywhere, but especially in a metropolitan area like Los Angeles, where the population is growing and changing constantly. No medical field is as likely to see increased demand more than emergency medicine.Hot Job: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)Licensed EMTs are more necessary than ever, and California state projections suggest that the need for these highly trained professionals will explode by 42% in the near future. Being an EMT is not for the faint of heart (or fo r those who faint, period). As a first responder, you’d need to keep a calm head and move forward with instant, life-saving problem solving. But if the adrenaline of moving from emergency to emergency appeals to you, this is a very solid choice in the ever-growing healthcare industry.One of the best things about living and working in a vibrant city like Los Angeles is that whatever you’re seeking, there will be opportunities all around. If your dreams revolve around red carpets and public appearances, that’s great- but if you’re a mere mortal like most of us, there’s no shortage of careers where you can flourish among the palm trees.