The Power of Actions essays

The Power of Actions essays United States of America was attacked on September 11, 2002 by a terrorist organization. The terrorist hijacked Boeing passenger airplanes and crashing two of them into the side of the World Trade Centers in New York City, New York taking the lives of many working citizens and rescuers, and two others. One into a wall of the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the other into fields outside of Pennsylvania. The organization responsible for these attacks was the al-Qaeda. Members of al-Qaeda lived in the U.S. prior the attacks and were trained how to fly by U.S. schools. They used all of the resources provided by the U.S. for its citizens to plan and plot terrorist attacks on the country that at the time was housing them. The al-Qaeda did what they thought would make the U.S. weak and collapse. Since that day, the U.S. has stood together with more pride in their country and more love for each other since the attacks on Pearl Harbor. The U.S. is not afraid to fight for what they believe in and will protect their homes and its people. Americans will continue to fight against the al-Qaeda and any other terrorist organizations that are believed to be plotting against any other countries. The U.S. citizens had nothing but the World Trade Center in mind and all the lives that were taken. Everyday citizens would tune in on the radio or television to listen for updates on missing people. The citizens wanted retaliation on who ever did the horrendous acts of hate. Many were ready for war and many were ready to fight, but before the U.S. engaged in war, the President of the U.S. let the people know it was not going to be a quick and easy war. "Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on television, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there...

Post-War Review of Sri Lanka

Post-War Review of Sri Lanka Free Online Research Papers Abstract: On 19 May 2009 the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, declared that the conflict between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over and that the Government had prevailed. Dramatic military advances since the beginning of 2008 have led to the LTTE’s apparent military defeat and the elimination of most, perhaps all, of its leadership. However, the humanitarian cost has been very high and both parties to the conflict stand accused of war crimes. Sri Lanka now faces the twin challenges of reconstruction and, if peace is to be sustainable, implementing political and constitutional reforms that will provide genuine stability to the north and east, where Tamils are in the majority. This paper provides an account over the violation of International Humanitarian Law during last phase of war. This paper also surveys the humanitarian situation in the internment camps and possible war crimes committed by the government force. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka’s future prospects, including assessing how real the Government’s military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced. Introduction: Sri Lanka, a small island?state in the midst of the Indian Ocean, possesses a deeply conflicted history. Scholars rave about â€Å"the Resplendent Isle† as a rich case study in conflict, economics, and culture. Tourists find themselves enchanted by the temperate climate and colorful customs. But to the inhabitants of this developing country, the island has long been a broken home. Indeed, many Sri Lankans could best describe it as a place of death, devastation, and discrimination. Over the past two decades the people of Sri Lanka have grown accustomed to violence, political instability and economic hardship (Liddick Gagnon, 2009). The majority group today is the Sinhalese, comprising an estimated 74% of the population, who are overwhelmingly Theravada Buddhist in their religious affiliation. The largest minority group is the Tamils, comprising an estimated 18% of the population, who are predominantly Hindu. The other significant minority group is the Sri Lankan Muslims, who make up an estimated 7% of the population. Other minority groups make up 1% of the population (Lunn, Taylor and Townsend, 2009) The violence between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) began in July of 1983, marked by some of the worst communal rioting in Sri Lanka’s history. Since then both have been involved in war-game. Between 1983 and the end of 2000, a staggering 60,000 Sri Lankans had been killed in the war (Liddick Gagnon, 2009). On the 22nd of February 2002, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) signed a permanent Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), formalizing the unilateral truce declared by the Tigers. The Norwegian peace envoys who facilitated the signing of the agreement were backed by the Co-chairs of the donor countries who were overseeing the Sri Lankan peace process, namely the EU, USA, Japan and Norway (Lunn, Taylor and Townsend, 2009; Permanent People’s Tribunal: Tribunal on Sri Lanka, 2010) Despite the historical significance of the ceasefire, its benefits were short lived as the CFA gradually fell apart. Levels of violence steadily increased between 2004 and 2007. By 2007, five years after the CFA was signed, the situation was described as â€Å"undeclared war† characterized by high casualties, humanitarian strife and large- scale displacement. Following the completion of the eastern offensives, the GoSL announced that its troops would be moved to the northern areas, in order to regain the â€Å"guerrilla- administered territory†. On the 2nd of January 2008, the GoSL officially revealed its withdrawal from the CFA. Both parties accused each other of violating the CFA and thus weakening the mutual confidence that had been achieved. In January 2009 the Sri Lankan armed forces achieved a decisive breakthrough in the north. The Tamil Tigers lost the key town of Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass, the strategic causeway between the Jaffna peninsula and the main body of the island of Sri Lanka. The army then laid siege to Mullaitivu, the last remaining town controlled by the LTTE, and quickly captured it too. Over the following three months the Sri Lankan military gradually reclaimed the last remaining territory. The authorities largely ignored growing international condemnation of its failure to protect the civilians caught up in the fighting. The LTTE was accused of using civilians as ‘human shields’, both parties to the conflict were accused of committing war crimes. The end finally came on 18 May, when the last piece of territory was claimed. Most, if not all, of the LTTE’s leadership, including its commander in chief, Vellupillai Prabhakaran, were killed (Lunn, Taylor and Townsend, 2009). International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Sri Lankan War: The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) was agreed in Geneva, Switzerland in 1949 covers the rules of war; It is also known as part of the Geneva Conventions as it constitutes the rules of war to protect civilians trapped in war (Gasser, 1993; Tamiya, 2009). There were numerous accusations that Sri Lankan security forces were guilty of violating the Geneva Conventions on warfare and of having committed gross war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly during the last five months of the war, between January and May 2009. (U.S. Department of State: Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka, 2009; Permanent People’s Tribunal: Tribunal on Sri Lanka, 2010) The endgame and aftermath of the armed conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) dominated events in Sri Lanka throughout 2009. During the last months of the war, both sides committed serious violations of international humanitarian law, in what a senior United Nations official described as a â€Å"bloodbath,† while the overall human rights situation in the country continued to deteriorate as the government adopted increasingly repressive policies (Human Rights Watch, Country Summary, 2010). In a research paper, War and peace in Sri Lanka, Lunn, Taylor and Townsend described: As the conflict entered its final days, UN officials said that the â€Å"bloodbath† about which they had warned had become â€Å"a reality†. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) described the situation as an â€Å"unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe.† The UN estimates that at least 7000 civilians have been killed since January. Combatant casualties have also been high on both sides. The Irish Forum for Peace claimed that from the time that the war began in July 2006 through April 2009, according to United Nations internal documents, air raids and the use of heavy weaponry resulted in the death of 116 people per day. British and French mainstream media reported that during the final few weeks 20,000 Tamil people were killed. (Permanent People’s Tribunal: Tribunal on Sri Lanka, 2010) During the final months of the conflict that ended in May, the LTTE continued to forcibly recruit civilians, including children, into its forces, used civilians as human shields, and physically prevented and at times shot at Tamil civilians under their control trying to flee the fighting (Human Rights Watch, Country Summary, 2010). Government forces indiscriminately shelled densely populated areas, including hospitals. Both parties prevented vital humanitarian assistance from reaching the civilian population (Permanent People’s Tribunal: Tribunal on Sri Lanka, 2010). Since March 2008 the government has confined displaced Tamils fleeing the fighting. The population of the detention camps skyrocketed to over a quarter million people after the LTTE’s defeat in May. Security forces also detained, in many cases in violation of domestic and international law, more than 10,000 people suspected of LTTE involvement or sympathies. Threats, physical attacks, and arbitrary arrests against journalists, human rights defenders, and humanitarian workers continued unabated, causing significant numbers to leave the country. As in the past, rights violators enjoyed near-complete impunity. Violations of Laws of War On May 19, 2009, the Sri Lankan government declared victory over the LTTE, marking an end to a 26-year-long armed conflict that had caused between 80,000 and 100,000 deaths (Husain, 2009; Hull and Sirilal, 2009; OConnor,2009a; Human Rights Watch, Country Summary, 2010). During the last months of the war both the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE repeatedly violated the laws of war, causing unnecessary civilian suffering and casualties (Tamiya, 2009; U.S. Department of State : Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka, 2009). In 2010 Human Rights Watch observes that: Forced to retreat by government offensive operations, the LTTE drove civilians into a narrow strip of land on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast, effectively using several hundred thousand people as human shields. The LTTE shot at and injured or killed many of those trying to flee from the war zone to government-held territory. LTTE forces also deployed near densely populated areas, placing civilians in increased danger of attack. As the fighting intensified, the LTTE stepped up its practice of forcibly recruiting civilians, including children, into its ranks and, to hazardous forced labor on the battlefield. Government forces repeatedly and indiscriminately shelled densely populated areas, sometimes using heavy artillery and other area weapons incapable of distinguishing between civilians and combatants. As the LTTE-controlled area shrank, the government unilaterally declared â€Å"no-fire zones† or â€Å"safe zones† on three different occasions, calling upon civilians to seek shelter there; nevertheless, government forces continued attacking these areas. In disregard of the laws of war, government forces also fired artillery at or near hospitals on at least 30 occasions. High-level government officials tried to justify attacks on civilians by arguing that people remaining in the war zone were LTTE sympathizers and therefore legitimate targets, indicating possible intent to commit war crimes. Permanent People’s Tribunal described the Atrocities of the last weeks of the war as following: The atrocities carried out by the military relate particularly to civilians, and there is evidence of cluster munitions being dropped by warplanes. Some witnesses reported that white phosphorous was used in violation of international law. Several witnesses had seen burn marks on wounded civilians. Others believed that indications of napalm were apparent, and evidence of other incendiary devices has been confirmed by doctors who had cared for hundreds of Tamil civilians wounded in this manner. Civilians in the war zone also suffered from lack of food, water, shelter, and medicines. The government’s decision in September 2008 to order humanitarian agencies out of the LTTE- controlled area greatly exacerbated their plight. Ongoing fighting, lack of oversight, and the manipulation of aid delivery by government and LTTE forces contributed to the deepening humanitarian crisis. Exact information on the extent of humanitarian law violations by both sides as well as casualty figures remains limited, largely because the government barred all independent observers, including the media and human rights organizations, from operating near the war zone. The UN estimated that at least 7,000 people were killed and 13,000 injured during the last five months of the war. Detention Camps for Internally Displaced Persons Since March 2008 the government has confined virtually all civilians displaced by the war in military-controlled detention camps, euphemistically called â€Å"welfare centers.† In violation of international law, the government denied more than 280,000 displaced their rights to liberty and freedom of movement (Hull and Sirilal, 2009; Swaminathan, 2009; U.S. Department of State: Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka, 2009; Human Rights Watch: Country Summary, 2010; Permanent People’s Tribunal: Tribunal on Sri Lanka, 2010). As of November 18, 2009, six months after the end of hostilities, the government continued to hold more than 129,000 people (more than half of them women and girls) in the camps. Over 80,000 of these were children (Tamiya, 2009; Human Rights Watch, Country Summary, 2010). Permanent People’s Tribunal described the situation as: In the immediate months after the war attention shifted to the plight of over 280,000 Sri Lankan Tamils forced to live in internment camps in the Vanni region. Densely packed in camps, with inadequate infrastructure to provide safe food, water, sanitation and health facilities, the Government announced that the internally displaced people (IDPs) would be kept there until they had been ‘screened’ for possible LTTE sympathies. The government’s refusal to release displaced persons from the camps contributed to severe overcrowding, with many of the camps holding twice the number recommended by the UN. As a result, access to basic requirements such as food, water, shelter, toilets, and bathing, has been inadequate. These conditions imposed particular hardships on the elderly, children, and pregnant women. No Fire Zone (NFZ) Estimated Population, Food Needs, Food Delivered, and Food Deficit * It has been alleged that the Government of Sri Lanka used low civilian estimates in the NFZ to reduce the amount of food disbursed in an effort to pressure civilians to escape. ** Food needs and deficit estimates are based upon the estimation of several organizations that one MT of food per day is needed for 2000 IDPs. Source: U.S. Department of State: Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka, 2009 The authorities failed to provide camp residents with sufficient information about the reason for their continued detention, the whereabouts of relatives, or the criteria and procedure for their return home. Families in the detention camps had no access to mechanisms for finding missing relatives who might be in other camps or in unofficial detention centers. The military camp administration prevented humanitarian organizations, including the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), from undertaking effective monitoring and protection in the camps. Arbitrary Detention and Enforced Disappearances The government detained more than 10,000 displaced persons at checkpoints and from the camps on suspicion of LTTE involvement, in many cases citing vague and overbroad emergency laws still in force after the end of the war. Many arrests were carried out in violation of domestic and international law. The authorities failed to inform families of their relatives’ fate and whereabouts, raising fears that some detainees were forcibly disappeared. Permanent People’s Tribunal adds: Following the international outcry resulting from the forcible detention of Tamil people in these camps for more than 5 months, the Government announced that a significant number of them would be resettled. However, it has been reported in the BBC and other news media that a considerable number of those released were simply moved to new satellite camps in remote areas. In one of the bloodiest periods of Sri Lanka’s history, from 1988 to 1994, 20,000 people around the country disappeared, although some believe that the true number may be two to three times higher. Currently there are 5,727 unsolved cases of disappearances registered with the United Nations Human Rights Council, one of the worst records in the world (OConnor, 2009b). The authorities also specifically targeted key witnesses to the final stages of the war. They arrested and held for several months several government doctors who had been working in areas under LTTE control and had reported on government shelling and resulting civilian casualties. While in detention the doctors retracted wartime statements, rising suspicion of undue pressure and ill-treatment. Enforced disappearances and abductions, a longstanding and widespread problem in Sri Lanka, continued, especially in the north and east. From January to June 2009, 16 enforced disappearances were reported in Trincomalee district alone (Human Rights Watch, Country Summary, 2010). Justice and Accountability Despite government promises, including in a May 23, 2009 joint statement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, no serious steps have been taken to investigate allegations of human rights and laws-of-war violations during the war’s final months (Bouckaert, 2010; Human Rights Watch: Country Summary, 2010). On the contrary, high-ranking government officials, including the president, repeatedly dismissed such allegations, claiming that there had been no violations by the armed forces. A committee of experts established by Rajapaksa in October to look at United States government allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka does not have the mandate, resources, or independence to conduct an adequate investigation. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT) have documented that violations of fundamental human rights are occurring every day. Extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, torture, forced recruitment and other human rights violations are persistent and widespread. Human rights groups and humanitarian agencies are increasingly alarmed by the scale of violations and abuses, and it is feared that the country may fall into a state of complete lawlessness (Andersen and Fernando, 2009). As Pinto-Jayawardena observes: There is a nationwide pattern of custodial torture in Sri Lanka, and custodial deaths are caused by law enforcement officials as part of an established routine. Prison officials admit that torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CIDTP) occur within prison walls and that there are no regular procedures of inquiry and report. Torture is widely practiced by the military particularly with regard to the armed conflict against the LTTE. The LTTE itself is known for its systematic resort to torture both as a means of punishment of dissenters generally as well as during interrogation. The Government introduced two reprisal regulations called Emergency Regulations in August 2005. In December 2006 these were expanded via the introduction of the Prevention and Prohibition of Terrorism and Specified Terrorist Activities regulations. These regulations allow state authorities to search, detain and arrest without a warrant any person suspected of an offence under the regulations. Detainees can be held up to 12 months without any criminal charge (Andersen and Fernando, 2009; Pinto-Jayawardena, 2009). War Crime Accusations and the findings of Permanent People’s Tribunal: Summing up the facts established before this Tribunal by reports from NGOs, victims’ testimony, eye-witnesses accounts, expert testimony and journalistic reports, the Tribunal is able to distinguish three different kinds of human rights violations committed by the Sri Lankan Government from 2002 (the beginning of the Ceasefire Agreement) to January 2010 (Permanent People’s Tribunal: Tribunal on Sri Lanka, 2010) : Forced â€Å"disappearances† of targeted individuals from the Tamil population; Crimes committed in the re-starting of the war (2006-2009), particularly during the last months of the war: Bombing civilian objectives like hospitals, schools and other non-military targets; Bombing government-proclaimed ‘safety zones’ or ‘no fire zones’; Withholding of food, water, and health facilities in war zones; Use of heavy weaponry, banned weapons and air-raids; Using food and medicine as a weapon of war; The mistreatment, torture and execution of captured or surrendered LTTE combatants, officials and supporters; Torture; Rape and sexual violence against women; Deportations and forcible transfer of individuals and families; Desecrating the dead; Human rights violations in the IDP camps during and after the end of the war: Shooting of Tamil citizens and LTTE supporters; Forced disappearances; Rape; Malnutrition; and Lack of medical supplies. War Crimes The actions included under the second point above clearly constitute â€Å"war crimes† committed by the Sri Lankan Government, its security forces and aligned paramilitary forces, as defined under the Geneva Conventions and in the Rome Statute, with regard to the following sections of Article 8. If this conflict is recognized as international in nature, the following charges would apply: (b) Other serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict, within the established framework of international law, namely, any of the following acts: (i) Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities; (ii) Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives; (iv) Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated; (vi) Killing or wounding a combatant who, having laid down his arms or having no longer means of defense, has surrendered at discretion; (ix) Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives; (xxi) Committing outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment; (xxii) Committing rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, as defined in article 7, paragraph 2 (f), enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence also constituting a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions; (xxv) Intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supplies as provided for under the Geneva Conventions; If the conflict is of a domestic character, the following charges would apply: (c) In the case of an armed conflict not of an international character, serious violations of article 3 common to the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, namely, any of the following acts committed against persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention or any other cause: (i) Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; (ii) Committing outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment; (iii) Taking of hostages; (iv) The passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all judicial guarantees which are generally recognized as indispensable. (e) Other serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in armed conflicts not of an international character, within the established framework of international law, namely, any of the following acts: (i) Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities; (iv) Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives; (vi) Committing rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, as defined in article 7, paragraph 2 (f), enforced sterilization, and any other form of sexual violence also constituting a serious violation of article 3 common to the four Geneva Conventions. Crimes against humanity The actions included under the points 1 (forced disappearances) and 3 (violations committed in the IDP camps during and after the war) clearly constitute â€Å"crimes against humanity†, as defined in the Rome Statute, Article 7, specifically in the following sections: Any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack: (a) Murder; (b) Extermination (d) Deportation or forcible transfer of population; (e) Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law; (f) Torture; (g) Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity; (h) Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in paragraph 3, or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court; (i) Enforced disappearance of persons; (k) Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health. Post-war situation: After the decisive military victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), there has been little progress in reconstructing Sri Lanka’s battered democratic institutions or establishing conditions for a stable peace (International crisis Group, 2010). On 26 January 2010, Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected president of Sri Lanka after a campaign marked by violence and conducted in an environment where the rule of law has largely collapsed. Rights groups and the Election Commissioner raised concerns about the widespread misuse of state resources by the Rajapaksa campaign, biased media coverage favouring the incumbent and physical intimidation of the opposition (Havilland, 2010). Although Haviland thought a number of factors helped Rajapaksa to sweep victory on 26 January 2010: his fiery rhetoric and sure popular touch; his emphasis on his role in last years war victory; and ordinary peoples sense that their streets are simply safer than they have been for the past 30 years because of the defeat of the Tamil Tigers (Havilland, 2010). The 8 February arrest of Rajapaksa’s main presidential challenger, the retired General Sarath Fonseka, has increased levels of political tension and provoked street protests and criticism from both the Buddhist and Christian clergy. Fonseka is due to be court martialed for having conspired against the government while still a member of the military. The government is also considering charging him in a civilian court with corruption and other crimes. During the campaign, Fonseka accused the Rajapaksa family of corruption and raised the issue of war crimes during the final months the war. On the day of his arrest, Fonseka announced he would be willing to provide evidence to a future international inquiry into war crimes charges against the state (International crisis Group, 2010). The government has maintained that there is no political motivation behind the arrest of Fonseka. We have repeatedly said that there is no political motive behind this. The law of the nation has been f ollowed, media minister Lakshman Yapa Aberyawardena told the press on Feb. 17(Perera, 2010). The brutal nature of the conflict, especially in its closing months, has undermined Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions and governance. All ethnic communities are suffering from the collapse of the rule of law. Disappearances and political killings associated with the government’s counter-insurgency campaign have dropped considerably since the end of the war. Impunity for abuses by state officials continues, however, and fear and self-censorship among civil society activists and political dissidents has grown stronger in the wake of the government’s post-election crackdown on its critics in the media and opposition party activists. The government continues to maintain and use the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Emergency Regulations to weaken its political opposition. The military defeat will not bring lasting peace: The very probable military crushing of the last Tigers in the strip of 10 km ² where they have fallen back will not resolve a political conflict which is more than 60 years old. No lasting peace will be possible without the recognition of the right to self-determination of the Tamil people. (Sabaà ¯, 2009). With separatist extremism conquered, it is necessary to change the ethnic and ideological profile of the police and military, currently almost totally Sinhalese, and make them and the judiciary more sensitive to multi-ethnic issues. Constitutional moves must be made, such as devolving powers to all the provinces, as the constitutions 13th Amendment calls for something many Tamils see as indispensable. (Haviland, 2010) Rajapksa’s election victory seems unlikely to move Sri Lanka in the direction of a sustainable peace. Despite vague promises about the need for reconciliation, Rajapaksa’s post-war policies have deepened rather than resolved the grievances that generated and sustained LTTE militancy. While the LTTE’s defeat and the end of its control over Tamil political life are historic and welcome changes, the victory over Tamil militancy will remain fragile unless Sinhalese-dominated political parties make strong moves towards a more inclusive and democratic state. International crisis Group in 2010 adds: The Rajapaksa government has initiated no political reforms to address the concerns of Tamils and other minorities. The government-sponsored All Party Representative Committee (APRC) designed to craft constitutional reforms has stopped meeting with no sign of an alternative process. Tamil and Muslim parties remain weak and divided, although recent encouraging initiatives to develop a common platform and build trust among Tamil-speaking parties deserve support. Inside and outside Sri Lanka, many Tamils remain angry at the lack of accounting or justice for the thousands of civilians killed in the final months of the war. Most of the million-strong diaspora is still committed to a separate state and many would be willing to support renewed violence. R. Swaminathan observes: President Rajapaksa and the armed forces of Sri Lanka are justifiably happy and proud of having â€Å"eliminated† (in mid-May 2009) the capabilities of LTTE to mount conventional military operations. I would, however, sound a note of caution that, while the militant leaders of a major terrorist group have been neutralized, terrorism as such cannot be eliminated till the basic grievances and deprivations of the Tamils are addressed and resolved. As long as the basic causes exist, there can be no guarantee that other similar groups/leaders may not emerge. It can be said without fear of contradiction that rehabilitation, reconciliation, development and restoration (of democracy) are the most essential measures to be taken. It is my view that there should be no rigidity in attempting these measures sequentially, and that efforts need to be made to attempt them almost simultaneously. War consists of a series of actions by the parties involved in the confrontation, but peace is a combination of a state of mind and harmony between all the different ethnic groups that populate Sri Lanka (Swaminathan, 2009). Conclusion: Almost one year passed since the war has been over but no significant moves have been noticed from the government of Sri Lanka to ease the situation and to bring peace. Moreover there are allegations of manipulation in the presidential election and also some quarters alleged that Rajapakse is trying to weaken his political rivals by various means. And it is quite evident that nepotism is in full swing after the parliamentary election and relatives of Rajapakse are getting important portfolios which signal the detrimental consequences over democracy. Military victory is not enough to bring peace until and unless the grievances of Tamils are addressed. The Sri Lankan government should take steps to normalize life in war-affected this would include reestablishing the primacy of the civilian administration over the military in the north, reducing high security zones, establishing a meaningful process of consultation with Tamil and Muslim leaders on development plans for the north and east, enforcing the language equality provisions of the constitution and maximizing the devolution of powers already granted to provincial councils under the thirteenth amendment. Meaningful steps should be taken to reestablish the rule of law for all Sri Lankans. Particular measures would include ending emergency rule and abolishing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, establishing the Constitutional Council and independent commissions (especially for police and human rights), depoliticizing the judiciary, ending the routine practice of police torture and prosecuting members of the security forces and paramilitaries against whom there is credible evidence o f human rights violations. References: Andersen, Morten Koch and Fernando, Basil (2009), The Phantom Limb: Failing Judicial Systems, Torture and Human Rights Work in Sri Lanka, Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and The Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT), ahrchk.net/pub/pdf/ThePhantomLimb.pdf Bouckaert, Peter (2010), â€Å"Uncovering Sri Lankas war crimes†, hrw.org/en/news/2010/01/22/uncovering-sri-lankas-war-crimes Gasser, Hans-Peter (1993), International Humanitarian Law: An Introduction, Henry Dunant Institute, Haupt Haviland, Charles (2010), â€Å"Where now for post-election Sri Lanka?† newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south-asia/8487405stm?ad=1 Hull, Bryson and Sirilal, Ranga (2009), â€Å"Last phase of Sri Lanka war killed 6,200 troop – govt†, reuters.com/article/idUSSP463682 Human Rights Watch (2010), Country Summary: Sri Lanka, hrw.org/en/asia/sri-lanka Husain,Irfan (2009), â€Å"Sri Lanka’s post-war scenario†, dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/columnists /14-irfan-husain-sri-lankas-postwar-scenario-zj-02 International crisis Group (2010), â€Å"Sri Lanka: After the war†, crisisgroup.org/en/key-issues/sri-lanka-after-the-war.aspx Liddick, Eric Michael Gagnon, John T. (2009), â€Å"Striving for Peace and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka: A Creative Solution to Conflict†, War Crimes, Genocide Crimes against Humanity, Volume 3 (2009): 39-88, aa.psu.edu/journals/war-crimes/articles/V3/vol3art2.pdf Lunn, Jon; Taylor, Claire and Townsend, Ian (2009), War and peace in Sri Lanka, Research Paper 09/51, parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2009/rp09-051.pdf OConnor, Maura R. (2009a), â€Å"How Sri Lanka governs through detentions†, globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/090909/sri-lanka-emergency-regulations OConnor, Maura R. (2009b), â€Å"In peace, Sri Lankans still disappear†, globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/090430/peace-does-not-stop-sri-lanka-disappearances Patten, Chris (2010), â€Å"Sri Lankas Choice, and the Worlds Responsibility†, crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka/sri-lankas-choice-and-the-worlds-responsibility.aspx Perera, Amantha (2010), â€Å"SRI LANKA: Post-Election Protests Fail to Get Wide Support†, ipsnews.net/news.asp Permanent People’s Tribunal (2010), Tribunal on Sri Lanka, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 14-16 January 2010, ifpsl.org/images/files/peoples_tribunal_on_srilanka.pdf Pinto-Jayawardena, Kishali (2009), The Rule of Law in Decline:Study on Prevalence, Determinants and Causes of Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Sri Lanka uk.rct.dk/sitecore/shell/Controls/Rich%20Text%20Editor/~/media/Files/Sri_Lanka_study_printver270409%20pdf.ashx Sabaà ¯, Danielle (2009), â€Å"No future without a political solution†, internationalviewpoint.org/ spip.php? auteur467 Suryanarayan, V. (1999), â€Å"Devolution Proposal in Sri Lanka: A Critique†, in Nancy Jetly (ed.), Regional Security in South Asia: The Ethno-Sectarian Dimensions, The University Press Limited, Dhaka Swaminathan, R. (2009), â€Å"Post-War Sri Lanka- Concerns and Reservations†, Paper no. 3299, southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers33%5Cpaper3299.html Tamiya (2009), â€Å"International Humanitarian Law Sri Lankas Inhumane War still†, nowpublic.com/world/international-humanitarian-law-sri-lankas-inhumane-war-still U.S. Department of State (2009), Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka, state.gov/documents/organization/131025.pdf Research Papers on Post-War Review of Sri LankaQuebec and CanadaPETSTEL analysis of IndiaInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesBringing Democracy to AfricaAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Marketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductRelationship between Media Coverage and Social and19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraTwilight of the UAWCapital Punishment

The Concept of Home and Its Evolution or Expression in Design Essay

The Concept of Home and Its Evolution or Expression in Design - Essay Example The importance of home cannot be overrated. Even those whom we consider as homeless does in fact, contrived home to whatever means available to them with that their resource and circumstance could provide. In fact, home can be better understood in their deficiency and somewhat desperate condition which is a tremendous irony. In their plain conditions, it is easier to contrast what is their motivation of a home that we may easily discern what constitutes a home. These city dwellers which did not have the means to have their own homes were of course thrown out the street amid the frosting cold and the vagaries of the season. Sure it followed that the city government will provide shelter to its destitute citizen either for welfare and electoral purpose. But it is here we will understand that home is not structure, nor size, nor edifice, nor the sufficiency of provision. It is more than that which this paper will explore. But for the moment, suffice that we will identify what it is not. These putative homeless of New York could not have been homeless had it chosen to stay in government facilities. They left the facilities and chose to be homeless because these; â€Å"City-run shelters-though they provide food and respite from the elements-are dangerous and unfriendly places that impose a dehumanizing, even prisonlike, regimentation on residents. Guards routinely treat clients as inmates, allegedly denying them food for the violation of rules. Some shelter residents are abused from place to place for food, showers, and sleep. Charges of violence by shelter security guards and clients are common† (Lurie and Wodiczko 2009:54). In effect, these city dwellers were really â€Å"exiles in their own city† and only became homeless by choice opting to have â€Å"gaily decorated carts† as a means of transport and home than the established facility of the city due to the harsh condition impose to them by the institution that made it a penitentiary. They pr eferred to get by through the uncertainty of scavenging than putting up with city run shelters where foods are used as a carrot stick. This is not to glorify homelessness nor scavenging, nor the running away from government facilities but rather to stress that a meagre cart that can barely accommodate a person and absent of facility and provision can become a home compared to an imposing edifice that treat its inhabitants as inmates where violence and abuses are common. Perhaps, the inclemency of the streets and season or the precarious nature of getting provision of an unwelcoming street can become more tolerable than an unfriendly and dehumanizing institution. The homeless of New York only proved that home is not a place, but rather where the heart is or where you are comfortable with. Home does not have to be diminutive as what the cart dwellers of New York opted. It can also be functional and as elaborate as Heidegger’s Building Dwelling Thinking (1971) that can feed the soul. Unlike the homeless of New York who has to make do with make shift carts, home for Heidegger is not just a place to sleep and rest but also a

Yellow wall paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Yellow wall paper - Essay Example He impulsively yelled at Mary asking her why she had to tear up the paint, and an argument picked up. Mary was surprised as to why removing paint picture from the wall could get the man so worked up and shaken to the extent of fainting. It did not take long before Jane came in the room, alarmed by the noise. She banged the door shouting while asking, â€Å"May I know what is going on here?† The two just gazed at her; no one gave her an answer. She then turned to Mary whose eyes were already filled up with tears and was reluctant to answer but turned around her head and pointed at the tattered papers of the drawing. Little did Jane; Mary’s sister in-law, started to resolve the situation than they heard Mary scream, â€Å"My baby†¦No...No†¦ No, it cannot be†, and blood was all overfilling the floor. Mary lost her infant, and she was so much in despair not knowing what to do. John, who was astounded, came back into senses and immediately rushed to his wives’ rescue. He hastily called a taxi, sobbing and looking so confused. They slowly took her outside the compound to meet the taxi, and after a short while, it was already there. John, being a doctor, he still could not do anything. He was baffled and could not believe that it was a miscarriage, and he still had hopes that his baby was alive. After the doctor had checked up the wife, the terrible news was delivered; Mary had lost the baby. The report was too much for John to take, and he had to sit down on a bench at the hospital, tears undulating down the cheeks. Jane was left with nothing else to do, but comfort he r brother. The narrator had to spend two nights in the hospital to receive further treatment, and her husband stood up with her, spending all day and night watching over for his beloved wife. It is at this moment that Mary realized that her husband truly loved her. At the same time, John thought of hoe he sometimes mistreated the

Performance Management at Bolts Convenience Stores Essay Example for Free

Performance Management at Bolts Convenience Stores Essay Subject area – The case throws light on performance management in general and performance appraisal in a specific Indian context, its linkages with various other HR systems in an organization and the various issues and challenges attached with it. The case is especially suited for understanding people management in small organizations and organizations in emerging markets. Study level/applicability – This case has been tried and tested in the classroom setting with management students pursuing a post graduate diploma in business management (PGDBM). The case has been administered to students in Chennai Business School, Chennai in their core course human resource management (first year PGDBM) and to second year students specializing in HR in their course â€Å"Performance management and compensation management† in G D Goenka World Institute, Sohna. Case overview – The case is set in the southern part of India in a retailing organization which grew from a small retail store catering to the daily needs of the student community to a four store retail store (Bolts). Mr Andrew (Head, HR), introduced performance management and appraisal at Bolts. Since the appraisal was interrelated with various other HR systems like motivation, compensation, training and development and promotions, it generated a lot of excitement among the employees. After implementation of performance appraisal, the organization seems to experience one problem after another. There were complaints from customers, followed by a range of challenges such as discontented employees, unprofessional behavior, low motivation in the organization and loss of profit. Expected learning outcomes – Understand and analyze the performance management in general and performance appraisal in a specific Indian context, its linkages with various other HR systems in organization and the various issues and challenges attached with it. Understand people management in small organizations and organizations in emerging markets. Assess and identify HR practitioners problems in studying SMEs HR related problems in an Indian context.

The Effects Of Living At Walden Essay -- Henry David Thoreau Walden Ph

In 1854, Henry David Thoreau gave us what would become his most famous non-fiction book, Walden; or life in the Woods. In this, Thoreau describes his project at Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau decided that he was going to live â€Å"deliberately† in the woods for over two years and live off of a limited economy and isolate himself from society in order to gain a more objective understanding of it. But one has to ask the question, what does Thoreau mean that he wants to â€Å"live ‘deliberately’†? Thoreau himself said that he wanted to â€Å"live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.†(Thoreau, 61) He wanted to live deliberately because he believed that the way we live in society is not really living, it is superficial. It is superficial because of our dependence on material things that in Thoreau’ s mind don’t really matter and can be sacrificed without risking what Thoreau would call actual living. Thoreau believes our dependence on material items is so great that we do not see the majesty of what this world has to offer, we cannot experience the grandeur of nature. So the living â€Å"deliberately† would mean to live with the basic essentials, building a little shelter to shield from harsh elements, living off the food we can grow or gather, and to cut ourselves off from immense contact with society in order to figure out our real purpose in the world. I would argue that Thoreau not only truly lived deliberately and became better versed in the ways of society, but also more versed in alternative ways of viewing something that is common in life, the human brain for example. Living deliberately is show... ... side was spiritual, not unlike the spiritual retreats or pilgrimage of religions. The third side is more neurological, reaching into his own mind and into those of his readers. After spending time in the woods, it would appear that Thoreau reached more insight into his own mind and its inner workings, developing something most people don’t have. I believe it would be safe to assume that almost no one would take the sight of a thawing bank and compare it to the neurological workings of the brain. Works Cited â€Å"Brain† Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 11 Nov. 2008, 13:21 UTC. 11 Nov. 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brain&oldid=251094037 Thoreau, Henry David, William John Rossi, and Henry David Thoreau. Walden ; and, Resistance to Civil Government: Authoritative Texts, Thoreau's Journal, Reviews, and Essays in Criticism. New York: W.W. Norton, 1992.

The Person I Dislike

The Person I dislike Hate is a very strong word. So it feels a little awkward to say that I hate a particular person. But there are certain types of people who are easy to be disliked. There are lots of people I met in my life, it is not necessary that I like all of them. I categorize the people in three types. One that I like most, second one I don’t like and the third one who has no impression at all in my life. It is a natural phenomenon that we can’t be friendly or alien to all people to whom we met.Of course here are always some good reasons behind as why we like or dislike someone. For me, such people include hypocrites, people who abuse women and children, people who gossip and backbite, and people who are greedy. In my personal opinion, it is very awkward to hate person solely on the basis of their physical appearance or on such things at which they have no control for example their face, color, height, race or religion etc. However, there are many other good re asons that you can hate a person or group of person that is their character or deeds.I dislike Mr. Tindu more than anything in the world. He is related to my father and is forty years old. Tindu is a mean, contemptible fellow. Tindu is an educated person but behaves like an illiterate person. He is dead to all sense of shame and very talkative. I saw Tindu arguing with Majid it looks that some fight is going on. Tindu often talks tall and freely indulges in self-praise. He talks ill of others behind their back and very selfish. Tindu told me uncle Baber likes to gamble and drink whisky and then he met uncle in front of me saying uncle never drinks.Tindu enjoys nobody's confidence. To feel superior to others is in his nature. Tindu does not give respect his parents. Tindu has a habit of cursing and yelling. I saw him to cursing them out for no reason and openly defy them. Tindu has no respect for woman and never think that a woman gave him birth. He is a man of loose morals and have no ethics. Tindu has no love for his motherland. He is not an American by birth but act like that. He is migrated from Pakistan and belongs to a middle class family. Tindu lacks of civic sense.He is very quarrelsome and fought with my brother in law in a marriage ceremony. Tindu does not extend a helping hand even to his relatives and friends in trouble. He laughs at the miseries and troubles of others. Tindu have bad credit. Two years ago he borrowed money from my father never give back. He makes fun of everybody, even the beggars on the street. Tindu loves to smoke marijuana and drink whisky. He cannot be calm always speak loudly to enforce his ideas. Thus he brought a slur to his family.He never does anything worthy of a gentleman. He is seldom fair and square in his dealings with others. Because of his greediness, Tindu makes money by foul means. He is working as inspector in hosiery. He deliberately rejects the stuff and sales that stuff in open market. Hypocrite can easily be disliked. Because of uncle Baber I knew that Tindu talks ill of others behind their back. Although hate is difficult to express in words, to dislike someone is natural. One must avoid that rogue. I dislike Tindu because he is a jerk!

Regarding Montessorie Education

1) One of the discoveries of Dr. Montessori about the child in the first few years needs to be active to be able to develop. Explain this statement? Ans:Introduction: Dr. Maria Montessorie has really observed a children so carefully, accurately and correctly that she can authoratively talk that â€Å" she has discovered the child†. She has designed such a nice and attractive system for children. a)Purposefull activity and discipline: As per her theory if children are assigned with puposefull task, they achieve the given target. b) Introduction of life Exercise: Even how to handle kid on the regular basis are nicely designed by her with very useful technique and the above points are mentioned below in depth as follows: a)Purposefull avtivity/ Discipline: As it is rightly said that until the age of 5 years, kids learning power is 100% and from 6-8 its 80% and later on it reduces. As I have observed if kids are given purposeful task, they will be very active until they achieve the task and once the task is over, they start loosing the interest. So to make active and develop properly task should be purposefull i. e. with proper aim, which will help them to learn something (educational) and as-well-as they will learn with fun without realizing as burden, because Maria’s theory is so intellectual, that kids learn without much efforts because of materials they used, which kids enjoy and learn. So its like†Play and Fun† Concept. e. g. If I try to teach my son to count the nos 1-20 ,it would’nt attract him, he might say out of compulsion, but won’t learn properly, but same with Maria’s theory help him learn faster like by using rhymes: one two buckle my shoes, by way of counting beads, which are colourful and attractive and some other games by these technique multipurpose activity are involved like he will learn rhymes, counting colours, shapes, etc. So it is very important to choose right kind of material for right age which will help him notonly to be active but scientifically active. The assigned task should be smartly assigned as per their interest and liking or in such a attractive style that they would like to play and which will create their interest and keep them active and curiose until they achieve it, which is helpful for both and in these manner they learn happily and without much interference of adults and efforts. b)Introduction of life Excersice: As the word itself describes day –to-day activites. It’s quite difficuly to deal with kids day-to-day task, but maria has so smartly designed the concept which really makes both life easier in tackling them. As kids are designed in one schedule/ routine, they will get used to it, initially to set the schedule and follow it’s bit difficult, but slowly they get used to it and they know what they need to do. Discipline is very important for their future development but it can be done only with love, respect and patience. If you keep giving them instruction they won’t listen all and it will be boring for them. e. g. 1) If I say my kid, go to toilet, wash your hands, flush the water, wipe ur hands, etc. These are 4 instructions, out of which he will only follow the 1(go to toilet) as that he needs, remaining he won’t. But if you say go to toilet and explain him once, what all he needs to do , he will get used to it and even without saying he will follow. Thus Parents can expect these obedience, but obedience comes only with love and not with force. ) I was trying to teach my kid about vegetables from a book and I realized he did’nt find it interesting, but out of compulsion he was trying to memorise. After reading Maria theory I try to make it very lively by taking him to shopping and showing all the vegetables and explain him and you won’t believe I was shocked, before we came he knew all the vegetables, and formed a vegetable song, because he really enjoyed rather than a b ook, so what I coul’nt do in 2 days he did it in few minutes. And these episode help me realise that right kind of technique is very important for kids. Sometimes Parents always keep on cribbling, that we put lot of efforts, but still he is same,but it’s the parents who don’t understand their need properly. Conclusion: So I agree to her theory that first few years are very crucial for their better development and for good result. One should use right methods to keep them active and develop their good future. So use right theories, material and right environment for their better future which will help you to keep them active and you will achieve good result. 2)†Montessorie method is unique because it is based on her discovering the child†. Expand on this statement. Ans:Maria Montessorie had a genius of observing it and coming to conclusion that children acted in certain manner under certain circumstances, that allowed no interference from adutls and than from house of children Casa dei Bambini was set up in 1907 in san Lorenzo Rome, Italy the 1st House of children. First House of Children was cradle in which Montessorie Method was born with no particular educational motives and here are few of her discoveries as follows. 1) Children love to work Purposefully: As it’s a human nature to work on targeted task and be active until they achieve the task, task help them go in right direction and once they achieve,their confidence is boost up. So to assign a properly designed task, which they waould find interesting is very importantand so right kind od material, environment and direction is needed to give them right task (purposefully). e. g. if u want to teach ur child about animals, rather than using the book, give him some animal puzzle, soft toys or dress him like a animal, explain the feature and create a jungle,etc. In these way he will not only learn about animals, but learn about their characteristics as well as it is very realistic for them and they will enjoy it. 2) Purposefull work lead them to unite their capacities: If the kids are assigned purposeful task, which will also help you to judge their capacities, likes, interest, etc. As they are working individually you can observe their skills and help them to rectify only when they really need you and at the same time you can easily judge their skill. 3)Exercise of Practical life: In day-to-day life we unknowingly put a lot of pressure on kid by giving unwanted instruction and orders and still he won’t learn and you lose your patience. So rather than use some Arithimatic, drama, language, music, toys and lively things which will help them to learn faster and without much efforts and make your life easier. 4) Social level: It means they should be trained on social aspect as well, like sharing behaving, etc, but these comes when they see other kids doing and imitating their adults. I try to tell my kid u shall share your toys with friends and ask before taking their toys† Can I†. He will do only if I also do the same things,as they follow their adults as –well-as in the school they learn kid sharing and helping each other. e. g. on 1 table some are doing messy work, on other some are doing craft activity, the other will come and help to cut, paste, etc and these way without saying they learn and share. 5) Discipline without Enforcement: Everybody loves discipline, but it comes with love, respect and patience. So in some schools children are forced to follow some rules by hook and crook and to achieve these result teachers try to shout on the kids which create disliking about it and won’t learn,but same things by Maria theory helps a lot by way of love and explaining and giving them a time to adapt it and they would love to follow with liking. 6) Meaning of Obedience: It’s every parents and teachers dream to have obedient kids,but nobody realize that obedience comes with love and not with force. One can be onlyobedient, when they have respect for you and at the same time their inner satisfaction is fulfilled. 7) Love of Silence: â€Å"Silence speaks Louder than words†. It has more impact than words. So if kids try to misbehave or overruleyou just give them a Stern look with silent and see the result. It work’s my friend. e. g. when my son try to overrule me, I try to explain but he ignores and than I live him and keep silent for few minutes and he does what I want, as he want me to talk to him. 8) Right Environment/Behaviour: Right environment is necessary for any human being to groq and develop. In Montessorie kids get right environment with right material, trained teachers which help them to explore and gives them freedom which at home is not possible. As they get their freedom, kids of difference age group,trained adults, materials and no adult interference which help them to develop. Conclusion: As per above discoveries we can conclude that she has really observed the child in depth and can authoritatively talk that â€Å"She discovered the child†.

A Question of Silence essays

A Question of Silence essays We have now started a new century during which feminism has become the real "f-word." A Question of Silence embodies the 80's representation of radical feminism and the filmmaker's own views. Marleen Gorris, the director, implies that women can live fulfilling lives without the help or support of men. It reveals the oppresive nature of the patriarchial society in which we live. The film also implies how women must move to rediscover or begin to discover their own voices and fight against misogyny. The movie is absolutly riveting, and one begins to wonder if this is a realistic portrail of the way society treats women, or a radical feminist revenge fantasy? This movie obviously infuriates some audience members, especially those with penises, because it implies the actions women have or could possibly take against men because of their oppresioin. Men become scared of films like this because they are inevitably the ones at fault, and begin to think that women will eventually come after them. This, of course, will probably not be the case. In the movie, three women who have been silenced throughout their lives, beat and genitally mutilate an annoying male store clerk. A female psychiarist, who has "made it" in a man's world, is called to the case. After a while, she finally begins to see that she is just as unheard as these murderous women when she tries to say anything that contradicts the patriarchal judicial system.The psychiatrist begins to see them not as criminals or clients, but as sisters and begins to understand why they were driven to murder this man. She then begins to understand the choice not to speak in male terms. She pronounces them sane and are in control of their actions, just fed up with a world in which men felt free to degrade and rule over the "second sex." None of the male lawyers or cops, and judge or her own husband can seem to understand why she would deem them "sane" instead of "craz ...

Paulo Freire and Participatory Action Research Research Paper Example

Paulo Freire and Participatory Action Research Research Paper Example Paulo Freire and Participatory Action Research Paper Paulo Freire and Participatory Action Research Paper 2004). Once the filter is engaged, then the student experiences difficulty in acquiring the English language. Upon notice in experiencing difficulty, the student may withdraw from class activities and becomes farther from having a solid school identity. Furthermore, parents and/or teachers may label the student and possibly establish a self-fulfilling prophecy. This may further propel the student in solidifying an identity other than a school identity. The role of the teacher would be to help solidify the school identity by continuously revisiting the projects goals and objectives as well as discussing its activities with students. The teacher would also facilitate discussion, journal writing, and respect among students. Mentors who have previously experienced hardship would also be invited by the teacher to share their experiences with the class. The students would be engaged in a range of activities centered on writing and reading culturally significant texts and issues as well as learning about politics and history. These portions of the curriculum are designed to promote critical thought among students and an environment conducive to learning. The project would also contain a second component to build life and human relationship skills among students. These activities have been created from ideas discussed forth in previous interviews and focus group discussions. Since it has been previously noted that students and parents interests and concerns were never taken into consideration, it is strongly believed that in doing so will create a sense of empowerment among students, parents, and teachers.

Strong marketing plans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strong marketing plans - Essay Example Most of the successful companies owe their success to the strong marketing plans and marketing programs that they incorporate into their businesses. Here five companies have been chosen to study the possible improvements in their marketing programs. The aim of this paper is to identify at least two possible ideas that can be used by the company as a means to improve their marketing and their overall position in the markets. The suggestions made here are based on the promotional mix of the company as well as with a detailed view on the view point of the customers as well as the marketing managers. Rollerblade: Rollerblades is a well known company that deals with a wide range of roller-skates to meet the needs of all kinds of customers. The company has a website which has been developed with complete details of the retailers and the product range. One of the major areas that the company currently lacks is the use of an ecommerce website (Evans, O’Maley, & Patterson, 2004). Rolle r skates have a strong product line and this can be used to the advantage of the company. One of the first areas that the company can develop is an ecommerce website which provides the customers with an option to buy the products online. Secondly, it is important that the company invests in tools for better customer relationship management as this will help the company use the visits to the website as possible leads for revenue generating activities (Evans, Foxall, & Jamal, 2009). Using customer relationship management will prove to very beneficial for the company. As explained by McCabe & Wolfe (2000), â€Å"Making the Customer king is one way of improving sales. But a better one is making the right customer king. This discipline is called customer relationship management† (McCabe & Wolfe, 2000). Hence implementing the customer relationship management will help in identifying the potential customers and will also help in improved targeting as well (Evans, O’Maley, & P atterson, 2004). Specialized Bicycle Components: Specialized Bicycle Components is a company which deals with bicycle components and provides the customers with a wide range of bike accessories for specialized bicycle riders. The company presently caters to a wide range of customers across America, however clearly lacks a strong corporate strategy and strong marketing (Specialized Bicycle, 2011). Although the company has been able to develop a website, the website is not easy navigation and lacks the customer focus and user friendliness. The first suggestion to the company will be to focus on improving the website and making it more user friendly by improving the overall navigation style of the website and by ensuring that the website is search engine optimized (Specialized Bicycle, 2011). This will ensure that the company’s website is easily findable by the search engine which in turn makes it simpler for the customers as well. Secondly the company can focus on developing st ronger marketing and promotion strategies that the company can use to improve the overall position (Jobber, 2009). This can include more advertising in games and other events or also including advertisements on television and the local radio. This will help the company improve the brand awareness and will also assist in improved overall performance of the company as well. Specialized Bicycle  has a strong marketing mix and the company has a strong product line as well. The only area that the company is presently lacking in is the promotional activities (Kotler & Keller, 2008). Hence if there is a higher importance given to their area the company can improve the overall performance and also increase the overall revenues as well. BMW: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW) is a world class car manufacturer which is known for the premium cars.

Radio sounds Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Radio sounds - Research Paper Example ENSO is a periodic climate pattern that occurs across the Pacific Ocean, primarily on the tropical band. The southern oscillation refers to the differences on the tropical part of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The cooling down of the southern oscillation (or oceanic phase) is termed La Nià ±a and the warming up is called El Nià ±o. Southern Oscillation also refers to air surface pressure on the tropical part of the Western Pacific Ocean. These two variations occur by pairs: El Nià ±o, or the warm oceanic phase, is accompanied by high air surface pressure in the Western Pacific and the La Nià ±a, or the cold oceanic phase, is accompanied by low air surface pressure, also in the Western Pacific. These differences and oscillations can cause extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts. This occurs in different parts of the world. The countries that are mostly agricultural, like most Third World countries along the Pacific Ocean that depend of crops for food and fishing, are the ones that are mostly affected. However, the popular term of ENSO is just El Nià ±o, or Little Boy in Spanish. This is because the people in South America observed that the phenomenon occurs around Christmas, and the Little Boy refers to Jesus Christ. La Nià ±a is called so because it is opposite the meaning of El Nià ±o. La Nià ±a means Little Girl in Spanish. Sometimes, it is called the â€Å"anti-El Nià ±o.† The La Nià ±a phenomenon is usually preceded by El Nià ±o. During La Nià ±a, the sea surface temperature in the tropical part of the Eastern Pacific Ocean would be lower than the normal value by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius (as opposed to El Nià ±o having high surface temperatures, in which the temperature of the waters increases by 0.5 degrees Celsius). If the temperature drop occurs for five months straight, that can be called La Nià ±a. The El Nià ±o phenomenon occurs longer from nine months to two years! La Nià ±a is not as famous