Abstract A discussion and analysis of "The Life and Adventures of Joanquin Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit", written by Native American Cherokee, John Rollin Ridge, in 1854. The paper discusses the uniqueness of the novel, not only because it was the first book published by a Native American author, but also because it provides a clear picture of what life was like for the "foreigners" during the California Gold Rush. The paper analyzes the book which tells the story of a Mexican-American, Joaquin Murieta, who turns to crime and banditry after being treated badly by the local Californian community.
From the Paper "Stylistically, the book is certainly full of flowery and romantic language, which was the common writing style at the time. Ridge paints a vivid portrait of Murieta, and life at the time in the gold fields of California. It was a violent time. It was a time when the oppressed needed heroes and Joaqu"n fit the bill perfectly. While Ridge's account can never be called a true history, it is certainly filled with the day-to-day life in the mining camps at the time. If Joaqu"n Murieta ever existed, he certainly existed in the mind of John Rollin Ridge, whose novel brought him vividly to life. While the novel may have its problems, it is an interesting look at California's past, and a worthwhile read for anyone interested in learning more about folklore, and how it gets started."
Abstract This paper looks at Arthur P. Wolf's article, "Gods, Ghosts and Ancestor's", which discusses the complexities of Chinese religious beliefs and practices, and explains the main thesis of the article. The paper highlights Wolf's thesis, which asserts that the supernatural categories that the Chinese believe in, namely, gods, ghosts, and ancestors, are determined by the social structure of Chinese society. The paper shows how Wolf proves his point through case studies, personal anecdotes, interviews, and observations of ritual, custom, and lifestyle.
From the Paper "Ancestors, the second class of supernatural beings that Wolf discusses in his article, are in many ways equally revered. The spirits of the deceased watch over and protect the living members of that family line. Wolf shows that there are strict rules regarding which family members can or must be worshipped. The rank of ancestor spirits closely mirrors the rank of family members. For example, the head patriarch of a family line will be given the most prominent spot on the family altar. Those family members who are not respected as much will also not be revered as diligently during times of worship."
Abstract This paper explains that the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" means hiding one's strength from others, a skill mastered by most of the major characters. The author points out that both warriors and bandits were tied to their lifestyles as the very essence of their existence. The paper relates that the movie showed what it was like to live in China in the Qing Dynasty conveying the rich culture and personal conflicts of people in that era.
From the Paper "Jiao Long aspired to learn more than what her master could teach her and hid her skills from her master. Not the way a disciple should act. She reacted to the attack by the bandits by chasing the head bandit Dark Cloud. This is not the way a young noblewoman should act. She later became his lover. Another action unbecoming of a noblewoman. She disdained marriage to another aristocrat and left her groom hanging by taking off. She resisted authority till the end, ending her life by jumping from Wudan Mountain, because it seemed like she was forever searching for more. A conformist, Jiao Long is definitely not."
This paper presents a detailed history of the Texas Rangers, which for one hundred and seventy seven years has almost continually protected the residents of the state of Texas.
Abstract The paper explains that, in 1823, Stephen F. Austin, realizing a vital need to protect the people of Texas, organized a group of men, which would become the Texas Rangers, to "range" the frontier and guard against hostile Indians. The author points out that, in their earliest beginnings, the Rangers had only single shot pistols and rifles; therefore, they readily accepted the Colt .36 caliber five-shot revolver, which gave the Rangers deadly precision in defense of the Texas frontier. The paper relates that one of the most famous Texas Ranger was Captain Leander H. McNelly, who organized the "McNelly's Rangers" and was a man whose iron will and daring courage set the standard by which future Texas Rangers would be measured.
From the Paper "Captain John H. Rogers spent a better part of his career chasing the Conners, a gang of murderers and outlaws who had defied the civil authorities and in fact the whole country. These desperate men were the old man Conner and his three sons, Fred, William and John. The Conners were routinely joined by whatever criminal might be hiding out from the law. The Conners were incredible shots and lived almost like Indians in the forests of Sabine County. Rogers and his Rangers spent many years tracking down the Conners but were never able to find the notorious gang."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Akira Kurosawa's film, 'The Seven Samurai' and John Sturges' film, 'The Magnificent Seven'. According to the paper, 'The Magnificent Seven' is an American adaptation of the Japanese film 'The Seven Samurai'. The paper compares and contrasts these two films.
From the Paper "According to Gary Morris, the character portrayed by Mifune is exuberant yet doomed and "brilliantly embodies the very different aspirations of the two groups. He exists precariously between them--a farmer's son who hates the samurai for having destroyed his village during his youth, but now a man who is drawn to their honor code, camaraderie and lust for adventure" ("Seven Samurai," Internet). This statement is a clear indication of the social culture within Kurosawa's masterpiece, meaning that Mifune greatly dislikes the culture from which the samurai have risen, yet he is mysteriously drawn to the honor they exhibit in the face of danger and death. In The Magnificent Seven, all of the main characters are part of a culture that exists on the fringes of society, yet as adventurers, they are drawn to the honor that may come as a result of defeating the Mexican bandits."
This paper explores incidences of government corruption, focusing on those cases that are well defined beyond reasonable doubt as corruption, as well as some less obvious cases.
Abstract The paper relates that one of the most prevalent problems associated with leadership today is the problem of government corruption at every level of the spectrum. The paper discusses the Watergate scandal of government abuse of power and corruption. The paper looks at President Bill Clinton's impeachment and the corrupt business deals surrounding the Iraq war that have implicated President George W. Bush and Vice President Cheney. The paper also examines the corruption involved in the United Nations Oil for Food Program. The paper contends that the global community must be bold in the pursuit of bringing political bandits to justice by establishing independent investigatory bodies.
Outline:
Introduction
The Media and Government Corruption
From the Paper "As globalization leads us towards a world economy, it becomes necessary to consider leadership in the world community. One of the most prevalent problems associated with leadership today is the problem of government corruption at every level of the spectrum. Corruption is not a problem that is unique to any one government, but often times depending on the resources at stake, such as conflict diamonds, becomes indicative of the corruption and level of the corruption associated with the resource."
Tags: Watergate, Nixon, Clinton, scandal, Oil, for, Food, conflict, diamonds
Abstract This paper examines the genocide in Darfur, and also brings in information about other genocides in the past. The paper explains that even though the United States calls what is happening in Darfur "genocide" and the United Nations refers to it as "...the worst humanitarian disaster in the world today," little is actually being done to stop the slaughter of innocent people. The paper points out that there are no clean hands in this conflict - many rebels have turned to being bandits and just steal and sack villages wherever they wish to make trouble. The paper then looks at how innocent civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian aid workers are caught in the crossfire.
From the Paper "Journalist Hunter-Gault did her homework prior to coming to Sudan, and was aware that tensions had been building for a long time between the Arabs (Muslims) and Black Africans; indeed, there were ongoing issues including land and grazing rights in the area. A "rebel Darfur group" - mostly Black Africans - actually took up arms against the government in Khartoum, which is principally ruled by Muslims. Africans wanted a bigger share of the wealth that they claim the government was enjoying, but Hunter-Gault continues, instead of inviting a discussion of how life could be made better for the native Africans, the government responded with "a vengeance." They bombed rebel positions and began supplying arms to the Janjaweed militia (Janjaweed means "men on horses"), which is the marauding force that rapes women, kills men, and burns villages."
