Abstract This paper examines the ways in which Capital punishment has been imposed throughout history. It discusses traditional historical methods of execution and the abolition and reinstatement of capital punishment. The writer draws on arguments and evidence against the alleged deterrent effects of capital punishment, the financial costs and the ineffectiveness of lawyers representing capital defendants as well as the lack of judges who are truly impartial towards capital defendants.
From the Paper ?Capital punishment has been imposed throughout history for numerous crimes, including blasphemy, murder, petty theft, and treason. Ancient societies that accepted the notion that particular crimes deserved capital punishment include the ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. In addition, both Jesus and Socrates were executed. Likewise, Britain brought the death penalty and brought it to the United States.Traditional historical methods of execution included: (1) beheading or decapitation; (2) breaking on the wheel; (3) burning; (4) crucifixion; (5) drawing and quartering; (6) garroting; (7) hanging; (8) peine forte et dure; (9) shooting; and (10) stoning. Such forms of capital punishment are now regarded today as barbaric, cruel and unusual, ghastly, and unthinkable. In the United States, the death penalty is now carried out in one of five ways: (1) electrocution; (2) firing squad (rarely used, yet the law remains on the books in certain states); (3) gas chamber; (4) hanging; and (5) lethal injection. The two most commonly accepted and implemented forms of capital punishment are the gas chamber or lethal injection.?
Abstract This paper discusses Euthanasia, the right to die; the history and legislation concerning this controversial subject, as well as information on recent public and doctor opinion polls leading to a conclusion of support. It also details several cases and court decisions on this issue and how they have affected the laws on Euthanasia. The issue of active euthanasia, or assisted suicide, turns on whether it would have social consequences that refraining would not, on whether it would be possible to establish procedural safeguards for limited active euthanasia and whether such practices would have a significant adverse effect on the treatment of terminal patients in general.
From the Paper "It its September, 1997 issue, the journal Medical Economics reported ("No longer an Option for One AIDS Patient and His Doctor") that the Florida Supreme Court had ruled against physician-assisted suicide in a decision overturning a trial judge's finding, giving AIDS patient Charles E. Hall the right to die as he wished. According to the Florida court, his intention to commit suicide through medical intervention was against the state's policy to preserve life. Several legal issues have been raised regarding the court's decision, involving the fact that it was based upon cases where application of artificial treatment could indefinitely prolong life."
Abstract This paper discusses the events and reactions that took place after the September 11th attacks. Muslim reactions, the spirit of patriotism that arose and political differences are discussed.
From the Paper "On a bright late summer morning, people across America got up and prepared to go to work, school and errands as usual. They had no way of knowing that just around 9 a.m Eastern time, our world was going to change forever. Once we all started to ask why and how such a horrific thing could happen, some causes-and some hidden enemies to the United States-showed themselves.We know that Islamic extremists (al Qaeda) consider the West in general and America in particular to be a nation of "infidels," basically "unclean." And we know that many of these al Qaeda activists, led by Osama bin Laden, allegedly have never "forgiven" infidel Americans from trampling their lands during the Gulf War-and this is their given reason for wanting to strike back. They call their actions in killing Americans part of a "jihad," or "holy war." A Muslim who dies under the circumstances of bringing about the death of infidels is a hero and a martyr."
Abstract The paper reviews the debate between the anti-abortion movement - "National Right to Life Committee" and the pro-abortion group - "National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League".
From the Paper "Every year for the past 28 years, Washington D.C. has been invaded twice yearly by two opposing forces; the Pro-Choice advocates and the Pro-Life lobby. Since the 1973 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States, these two opposite sides have actively campaigned to either reverse this decision or have it upheld and strengthened, respectively. Two of these interest groups have gone so far as to establish Capitol Hill offices to promote their agendas- The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights League and the National Right to Life Committee."
Abstract The paper discusses the two topics of debate which have sprung up since mammalian cloning made headlines - whether cloning is ethically correct, and whether it can become a profitable business. The paper shows how the two sets of questions have in the intervening five years become more and more tightly bound together, especially as the process of mammalian cloning has proved to be more technically difficult than once assumed. Faced with scores of maimed and partial individuals preceding each healthy clone, many scientists and many of those outside the scientific community have spent a great deal of time wondering whether it is ethical to go forward with such research ? aside from the practical questions of whether cloning could ever become economically viable.
From the Paper "Even those who wholeheartedly support cloning are in general morally opposed to the cloning of entire human individuals. Such an action is seen to violate some of our most deeply held beliefs about the sacredness and uniqueness of the individual. As a result, most cloning research today is focused on creating and then harvesting stem cells that might then be induced to grow into what are essentially spare parts. Thus a person who is blind might have new corneas grown for him while the diabetic might have a new pancreas grown for her."
Abstract This paper addresses the issue of global warming. A definition of the term is provided and the causes and effects are outlined. The U.S. government's proposed solutions for addressing the problem are also discussed.
From the Paper "One of the most imposing problems in the environment sector of the US government is the prevailing occurrence of global warming not only in the United States, but also in other parts of the world. Global warming is the result of the continuing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides are examples of greenhouse gases that are present in abundant amounts in the atmosphere. These gases are generated from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and emission of gases from industrial factories. Deforestation, increased use of chemical treatments in agriculture, industrial production, and improper waste disposal are several reasons that also contribute to the growing amount of these gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are hazardous when accumulated in great amount because they trap the energy released from various sources on Earth, and if these energies are continually trapped in the atmosphere and are not released, global warming occurs."
Tags: hazard, greenhouse, gases, atmosphere, industry, agricultue, waste, production
Abstract The paper starts by outlining the background to the Texas vs. Johnson court-case of flag-burning that occurred in the U.S.A. It explains the conviction in the light of the First Amendment. It looks at the court's determinants and the consequences of the decisions of the court for future flag-burning offences.
From the Paper "The phrase "Symbolic expression" is usually used to explain expressions that are mixed with elements of behavior. Symbolic expression (or expressive behavior) can be protected by the First Amendment, according to The Supreme Court that has made it clear in a series of cases. Many of these cases have been highly controversial, but none has probably been so, more than Texas v. Johnson (1990) overturning the conviction of a man who expressed his utter displeasure with United States policies by burning an American flag."
Tags: First, Amendment, USA, court, consequence, determinant, symbolic, expression
Abstract This paper examines the human resource criteria for the proposed federal agency, The Homeland Security Department. It looks at the history and characteristics of the merit system, as well as considers the political environment and the history of the debate and the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History of The Merit System
3. Characteristics of the Merit System
4. Merit System Reform Human Resources and the Homeland Security Department
5. Reactions to the Homeland Security Department
6. Bibliography
From the Paper "Debate is currently underway in response to a proposed bill calling for the creation of the Homeland Security Department. This department is designed to integrate the various federal agencies that contribute to national security. One cause of debate is the human resource implications of the new system. This system asks for a flexible approach to human resources, but as will be seen, this is not a new concept. Human resources in the public service has been an issue for decades, yet for the last century the public service has been based on a system known as the ?merit system.? "
Abstract This paper examines the novel "Billy Budd" in order to compare and contrast capital punishment in military versus civilian court. A brief history of capital punishment, differences between court procedures and views on human rights in these two systems are explored. The justification for capital punishment in the book is discussed in light of the differences between the systems.
From the Paper "In Herman Melville's novel Billy Budd, Captains Vere's personal judgment and his compliance to military law killed an innocent man. Billy Budd is a novel whose central events are tied closely to capital punishment (Laskin). Capital punishment has long been popular in both the civilian and military arena. However, court proceedings and the treatment of the concept of the right of man are very different in military and civilian courts. It is the military reliance on strict procedures and indifference to the rights of man that resulted in Captain Vere's decision to sentence the innocent Billy Budd to a public execution."
Abstract This essay examines the regional causes for the Persian Gulf War between Kuwait and Iraq. It describes the history of Kuwait, and the alliance between Kuwait and Iraq during the Iran/Iraq War. The paper explains the reasons for the Persian Gulf War: The unending border argument, the quarrel over the oil deposited on that border, and the weakening of the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait after the Iran/Iraq War.
From the Paper "From August 2, 1990 until February 26, 1991 Iraq and Kuwait fought in the Persian Gulf War. The two countries disagreed on many issues and causes. The causes of the Persian Gulf War between Iraq and Kuwait were the two countries' continuing boundary dispute, their feud over the oil deposited on the ill-defined border, and the continuing deterioration of the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait after the fallout of the previous Gulf War between Iraq and Iran."
Abstract This paper presents arguments pro and con the death penalty based on religious, political and social considerations. Factors against the punishment are that it is anti poor, racist, condemns innocent people to death, does not deter serious crime and that it is a cruel punishment. Factors for the death penalty include that it is not racist, that miscarriages of justice are unavoidable, it is feared as a punishment and that it is cheaper than life imprisonment.
From the Paper "I. There are five main reasons why the death penalty should be abolished throughout the world:
"It is racist. Statistics show that African Americans comprise 12% of the entire US population, yet 43% of those in the death row are Blacks. Figures also reveal that about half of all murder victims are Blacks, 83% of those who are now in the death row are there because their victims were white. (Campaign to End the Death Penalty 2002). And in 18,000 executions in American history, only 37% involved a white person who killed a Black person. Over 75% of those in the federal death row are non-white, and of the 156 federal death penalty prosecutions approved by the Attorney General since 1988, 74% of the accused were not white. (Campaign) The death penalty makes a crime out of being Black.."
A review of the book ?A New Religious America: How a "Christian Country" has now become the World's most Religiously Diverse Nation? by Diana Eck about the growing diversity in religious affiliations in America especially among its immigrants and native
Abstract This paper gives a brief history of immigration to the U.S. and discusses whether "religious pluralism", a term used by Diana Eck in her book to describe America's "melting pot" of various Western and Eastern religions, serves as a unifying factor to the Americans (native peoples or immigrants) or not, especially in the light of the events of September 11, 2001.
From the Paper "In the first chapter of her book, Eck provides a brief summary of the historical background of the new surge of immigrants, and thus, the new surge of different Western and Eastern religions in the US. She further tells her readers that this surge of new immigrants, and the increased diversity of the religious and cultural traditions of America, started when the US government encouraged immigration of people from all over the world into the United States, as mandated by the new 1965 Immigration Act. This act paved the way for Asian, Arabs, and other nationalities in Eastern and Pacific Island nations to take part into the country's opportunities as the ?land of the free.? "
Tags: 911 culture tradition democratic state christianity islam judaism, buddhism hinduism
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of abortion while taking a pro-life stance. It gives a brief overview of the pro-life movement and discusses the focus on the psychological and physical effects that abortion can have on women. In addition, it examines the pro-life alternatives that are available to women who are facing an unwanted pregnancy. This paper attempts to convince the reader to accept the pro-life stance on abortion.
From the Paper "The issue of abortion has long been one of debate in our nation. On one side of the issue there are advocates of a woman's right to choose which is referred to as the pro-choice movement. On the other side there are individuals and groups that assert that abortions should not be legal this is known as the pro-life movement. For the purposes of this discussion I would like to defend the pro-life stance."
Tags: pro-life, abortion, stance, posture, issue, womens, rights, choice, movement
Abstract A discussion of the pros and cons of surveillance in the United States, looking at whether more surveillance for protection against terrorism outweighs intrusion of one's privacy. The terrorist attacks on 9/11 saw an increase in surveillance and new laws passed concerning wire-tapping. The three characteristics of surveillance technology used to describe its various aspects, amplification, re-utilization, and sublimation are examined. The author investigates whether surveillance is ethical and if it could really have prevented past or prevent future terrorist attacks.
From the Paper "When Orson Wells wrote his famous novel about government surveillance taken to the extreme, the world he described seemed very unrealistic. However, at the turn of the new millenium, the world that he describes is not so different and it seems as if we are just one step away from the "thought police" knocking on the door. For some this gives them an extra-added element of security, but others see it as a serious infringement on their freedom.
Today, we are watched in a variety of ways. Every where you look, you see video cameras recording our every move. Wiretaps are frequent and devices that transmit over the air such as cell phones are easy targets for those trying to hone in on our private affairs. The government monitors our email and web surfing activities, our bank accounts, credit card accounts and almost anything else you can think of."
Abstract The paper discusses the case of Jose Padilla, arrested on May 8, 2002 because it was believed that he was conspiring with Al Qaeda Terrorist to detonate a radioactive "dirty bomb" within the U.S. The paper shows that Padilla's arrest and subsequent imprisonment has been the subject of an on-going legal debate and at the present time Padilla is being held as an enemy combatant, which means that he is subject to Military Tribunal instead of the civil court system and can be held without being charged until the War On Terrorism is over. The essay discusses both sides of this legal debate and determines which viewpoint is the most constitutional and credible.
From the Paper "Many legal experts believe that the U.S. does not have grounds to hold him as an enemy combatant. They contend that his imprisonment is unconstitutional because he is being held even though he has not been charged with a crime. Padilla's lawyer believes that he is in custody based on information that is circumstantial and that he should be released. They also believe that his detainment is based on the idea that he may be able to provide investigators with important information about forthcoming terrorist attacks on the country."
Tags: Attorney, General, John, Ashcroft, Quirin, Posse, Comitatus, Act
