An argument in support of the United States refraining from attacking Iraq, because it would cause tremendous human suffering and serious harm to American interests throughout the world.
Abstract The paper argues for the United States to act in concert with other nations in containing the Iraqi dictator. It provides a history of the United Nations endorsed 1990 Gulf War. The author describes how the U.S. interest in Iraq is its oil and weapons of mass destruction. The author of the paper expresses fear that a unilateral U.S. war on Iraq would cause terrorism and anti-American sentiment worldwide.
From the Paper "In 1991, the United States, with the endorsement of the United Nations Security Council, launched an offensive against Iraq shortly after the latter invaded Kuwait. The war's aims, according then president George Bush, were the expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, stabilization of the Gulf, and protection of Americans in Kuwait. (Ambrose & Brinkley) Two major reasons for the war not mentioned by Bush, it is widely acknowledged, were the protection of American oil interests in the region and the disarmament of Iraq's nuclear weapons program. After few days of bombings Iraq surrendered and withdrew its forces from Kuwait, thereby realizing the stated objectives of the war. As the war ended, and throughout the 1990?s, the UN, under American leadership, enforced various sanctions on Iraq with the hope of preventing Hussein's regime from obtaining biological and nuclear weapons. Nowadays, particularly after Hussein expelled international arms inspectors from Iraq in 1998, and even more so after the relative success of the war in Afghanistan, many Americans are convinced that the US, with or without international backing, should invade Iraq with the goal of removing Hussein and inserting a regime that will be favorable to American interests. While reasonable arguments are being made about the dangers emanating from the Iraqi regime, the unilateralist military overthrow of the Iraqi government is likely to have negative ramifications on both American and universal interests for many years to come."
Abstract This is a brief paper which introduces both sides of the abortion spectrum and then provides facts and arguments to back up these sides. It discusses whether a woman's right to choose freedom for her body justifies the right of the fetus to be killed.
From the Paper "Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy before birth, resulting in, or accompanied by the death of the fetus. The issue of abortion is one of the most intensely debated and polarizing issues in the world, and specifically in the United States. There have been bitter legal battles over abortion, violent confrontations at abortion clinics, and an overall sense of conflict over this extremely personal issue. The vast majority of abortions in the United States are for social reasons rather than medical ones. These reasons include a woman not feeling ready for a baby, her partner wanting it, etc. Approximately 93% of all abortions are committed for reasons such as these (Medical par.10). Abortion is wrong, and it is murder. A woman's right to choose is superseded by her unborn child's inalienable right to life."
Abstract There are several ground rules that should be considered in the decision-making process, when ethics are concerned. Ethics operate according to a certain set of moral criteria acceptable to society at a given time or in a given place. The paper shows that ethics or morals dictate how we as human beings should conduct our lives. They determine the standards of right or wrong actions in terms of the truly human life. A further aspect of ethics is admitting where society's ethics fall short in terms of concerns that are minimized or ignored. The paper explains that the ultimate consideration in a decision-making process is not primarily one of religious or legal importance, but of social and human importance. The paper uses euthanasia as an example of using ethics in a decision-making process.
From the Paper "The most pressing issue appears to be dignity. The argument is that people should have the right to die with dignity, which presumably is not the case if they are, for example, kept alive by machines. There is, however, an opposite point of view stating that death with the aid of a physician is not guaranteed to be dignified. Others approach the issue from a philosophical point of view, saying that meeting death with dignity is the natural result of living life with dignity. This then separates the issue entirely from the way in which a person dies. When all factors are taken into account, the conclusion is that a dignified death requires more than simply a legal right. A dignified death would require a large amount of courage and faith from a number of involved persons."
Abstract This paper looks at the effects of immigration upon America. The paper examines the issue from a number of aspects including social, economic, political, religious, and cultural. The writer believes that immigration is ultimately a good thing, beneficial to the American people and country as a whole. Rather than looking at the history of immigration, the paper focuses on the modern day issues and how these immigrants have benefited the U.S.A.
From the Paper "The world of technology also has reaped the benefits of many immigrants. Silicon Valley and other high-tech sectors would cease to function if the borders were ever closed to skilled and educated immigrants. These immigrants represent human capital that can make our entire economy more productive. Immigrants have developed new products, such as the Java computer language, that have created employment opportunities for millions of Americans."
Abstract This paper addresses the problem of illegal immigration in the United States. Specifically, it discusses the reasons illegal immigrants come to America and the political debate that surrounds these immigrants.
From the Paper "Some immigrants are fleeing financial hardships in their home countries, and they hope to make a better life for themselves in the United States. They are fleeing poverty in their own countries, but often, they find it again here in the United States. One report notes, "In 1999, more than one-third (36.3 percent) of foreign-born full-time, year-round workers earned less than $20,000 compared to one fifth (21.3 percent) of their native counterparts" ("The Cost"). Thus, many of these immigrants are fleeing poverty, but, because of higher living expenses in the United States, they still cannot make ends meet, even with better paying jobs than they could find in their own country."
Abstract This paper explains the extent of the U.S. Patriot Act. It discusses how civil liberties and legal defense groups are troubled by the cases and predict that the government will soon be using harsh anti-terrorism laws against ordinary lawbreakers. It explains that the U.S.A. Patriot Act has thus expanded the surveillance and investigative powers of law enforcement agencies. The American government may use this Act to fight terrorism in a more effective manner, but this Act will cost Americans much in terms of lost civil liberties and personal rights.
From the Paper "One of the worst, yet momentous events in U.S history occurred on September 11th, 2001. This event released a flow of patriotic fervor and a permanent fear among all Americans that they had also now become suspect to acts of international terrorists. This led to a lot of changes in the attitudes of the executive and legislative branches in the United States government. They came up almost immediately with new measures, which were supposedly against terrorism or terrorist threats. One of the principle acts passed by them was called ?Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001,? also called the USA Patriot Act. This was signed and approved as law by President Bush on October 26th, 2001. This act is one of the most sweeping acts passed in the history of modern America. The Act affects the civil liberties of the citizens of USA and even non-citizens who are residing in America on a regular basis."
Abstract This paper presents an argument in favor of stricter gun control laws. The writer addresses several important issues surrounding the issue of gun control and presents a case for stricter laws and tougher enforcement regarding gun control.
From the Paper "The topic of gun control has been the center of heated debates for several decades. Events such as Columbine have served to deepen the line drawn in the sand regarding gun control laws, their strictness and the effort of their enforcement. Gun control laws need to become more stringent and be more harshly enforced of America hopes to stop the slippery slope that it appears to be on when it comes to gun violence in within its boundaries."
This paper discusses that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects not only veterans, but also everyday people who are caught in a very traumatic event, which is outside most common experiences.
Abstract This paper explains that, in laymen's terms, PTSD is withdrawing from society and reliving an extremely traumatic situation, such as a robbery or 9/11. The author points out that victims of PTSD may not even realize that they are ill. The paper relates that, although PTSD does not require everyone to be treated, we all should be aware of the disorder and the ways to cope with it.
From the Paper "PTSD is not just a label to those veterans who had a hard time with war. This truly ugly disorder affects many people, maybe you or someone you know. Unfortunately, for years it has been misdiagnosed and classified incorrectly. According to the National Institute of Mental Health consistent and reoccurring complaints of headaches, gastrointestinal, dizziness or even chest pain are commonly overlooked and results of PTSD. However, the majority of the time PTSD is misdiagnosed as an Acute Stress Disorder."
Abstract This paper begins with a description of the current state of the American prison system. The paper mentions a number of statistics that show how prisons are completely overcrowded to the extent that prisoners are released before due-date just to make room for new ones. The paper shows how high the budget is for the prison system and how much more is needed to fix the problems. Finally, the paper looks at potential solutions to the over-crowding, including more death sentences, rehabilitation programs, and others.
From the Paper "Prisons are so overcrowded within the states that typically "only one criminal is jailed for every one hundred violent crimes committed" (Economist, 1996). Many violent criminal offenders do not even serve out their entire terms; many serve half of their term and are released on an appeal or probation (Economist, 1996). These prisoners are often released to society only to commit another crime at a later date. Overcrowding results among other things, in increased costs, costs that taxpayers often bear the brunt of paying. The problems associated with prison pricing and overcrowding are explored further below."
Abstract This paper discusses abortion, showing all the key themes and issues currently affecting it. The introduction defines terms necessary for the paper such as "abortion", "human life" and "human person" and gives a history of abortion from ancient until modern times. It then puts forward the arguments of "pro-life" and "pro-choice", focusing on two unusual case studies that turn upside-down commonly held views on when abortion is or is not appropriate - one supporting abortion (a mother who simply did not want a child at her life stage) and another opposing abortion (a woman who was born after her mother was raped). It attempts to show through these examples that it is possible to eloquently argue either for or against abortion but that ultimately it is impossible to determine whether abortion is "right" or "wrong" and that each case needs to be judged on its individual merits.
From the Paper "The Catholic Church also has inconsistencies regarding intra-uterine devices (IUD?s) and its funeral and burial services. Most people believe that IUD's interfere with the implantation of fertilized ovum in the uterine wall. If this is correct, it means that IUD's terminate development after conception and therefore after a human person has been formed. This means that, technically, approximately 43% of American women have had an abortion. There have also been burial services and funerals held by the Roman Catholic Church for aborted fetuses. However, this has not generally been the case as fetuses have not been considered full persons by the Church to the extent of being worthy of a formal requiem mass or formal burial service."
This paper discusses the USA PATRIOT Act, which gives the American government the power to fight terrorism in a more effective manner, but might cost Americans the loss of civil liberties and personal rights.
1,740 words (approx. 7 pages), 8 sources, APA, $ 56.95
Abstract This paper explains that the USA PATRIOT Act has given 'terrorism' a new and much wider meaning and defines a new category called "domestic" terrorists as compared to international terrorists. The author points out that the new Act has defined a number of new money laundering crimes, as well as amendments and increased penalties, including confiscation of all of the property of any individual or enterprises that plans or carries forward an act of domestic or international terrorism. The paper stresses that the Act can be misused for the purpose of prosecuting political dissidents of many types and might be seen as a violation of six of the ten original elements of the Bill of Rights: the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 13th Amendments.
From the Paper "USA PATRIOT Act originated from a consultation draft, which was circulated by the Department of Justice, and was modified and amended substantially by the US Congress. The Act is to be used for helping the law enforcement officials to find out and punish those responsible for the attacks on September 9th and to protect the people against such attacks in the future. This Act has given the federal officials extensive powers to trace out and intercept the communication channels used by the terrorists. This tracking can be used for both law enforcement and foreign intelligence."
Abstract An extensive look at the problems that American teenagers today face in receiving adequate education about birth control. Also focuses on the need for such education in the face of the spread of STDs such as AIDS.
From the Paper "The issue of birth control being taught and/or distributed in public schools is one worth debating. In biology and health classes students are educated in reproduction and sexuality, but not about such birth control methods such as condoms and birth control pills. While parents may touch briefly on the topic, some feel too embarrassed to discuss it with their children or deem it unnecessary. This is a very bad course of action because the world is now teaming with hormonally driven teenagers lacking vital information about personal safety. They have a longing to practice the oldest instinct that humans possess, which is to procreate. The schools have no reason to not be teaching the other, more important, half of sex education. This action makes as little sense as learning how to add, but not subtract. The city is only one of the many facing this problem in the face. It is a problem that knows no class, religion, or gender."
Abstract This is a research paper about euthanasia and the different kinds of assisted suicide. The author defines euthanasia and examines the moral and ethical issues and the controversial debates about the subject.
From the Paper "Euthanasia is "inducing the painless death of a person for reasons assumed to be merciful". There are four types of euthanasia- voluntary and direct, voluntary but indirect, direct but involuntary, and indirect and involuntary. Voluntary and direct euthanasia is chosen and carried out by the patient. Voluntary but indirect euthanasia is chosen in advance. Direct but involuntary euthanasia is done for the patient without his or her request. Indirect and involuntary euthanasia occurs when a hospital decides that it is time to remove life support."
Abstract The whole idea of assisted suicide was started in the thirties and forties when Hitler went on his genocidal rampage. This fact alone gives the term "euthanasia" a negative connotation. This paper looks at the positive aspects of assisted suicide. With examples throughout.
From the Paper "According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, euthanasia is that act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy. How can anyone disagree with this concept? Euthanasia is acceptable when the person involved, or the family if the individual is incapable, makes a conscious decision while suffering from an incurable disease."
Abstract This paper looks at the death penalty. Both sides of the coin are discussed. The positive and negative effects lead the author to ask: Does the death penalty deter crime or does it have no effect other than on the executed criminal. With numerous examples.
From the Paper "Some time ago, a Texas journalist who had seen nearly two hundred people die in the electric chair over nearly thirty years declared that the death penalty is not a deterrent- the main claim for it. "The only person it deters," he believed, "is the man being executed." We should start by defining deterrence. It refers to an instance where an individual refrains from an act because he or she perceives a risk of punishment for the act and fears that punishment. Thus the deterrent effect of capital punishment is best evaluated in terms of the number of person prevented from committing a crime that would lead them to be penalized. So is there such a thing as the death penalty deterring society in general or was the Texas journalist right about the death penalty not having a deterrent effect on the general public?"
