Abstract
The paper discusses how, in the short story, "Betel Nut is Bad Magic For Airplanes", author John Kasaipwalova portrays the importance of civil rights and shows, through his characters and narrator, what an important part they play in civil society. The paper discusses the injustice the native people feel at this point in history and how it is apparent in every part of this short story. It shows how, using situations and speaking with the voice of the native people of Papua New Guinea, Kasaipwalova weaves an entertaining and message driven story about the quest for social justice.

From the Paper
"This exchange shows the clear rage and anger the people felt at being subjugated by white people, being colonized and told to follow unjust laws that were no their own. The narrator says he wants, at that time, nothing more than to be a true kanaka. He wants to fight the colonizers down and retake what he believes is rightfully his, and he is willing to do whatever it takes, even go to prison, to try and prove that he is right, and return civil In liberties to the natives of the island."

Tags:consensus, colonizers, Motu

Abstract
This paper explains that narcotic plants, known for their effects on mind and body since the prehistoric period, were often associated with magic, religious rites, and medicine. Although there are over 60 species of hallucinogens known today that are consumed by people in one part of the world or other, the author focuses on the five major narcotics: tobacco, opium, hemp (marijuana), betel, and coca. The paper relates that the hallucinations that occur because the neuronal messages are changed in a greatly dramatic manner when narcotic plants are consumed.

Table of Contents
Introduction
History of the Use of Narcotic Plants and Hallucinogens
The Major Narcotic Plants
Ergot
Amanita
Marijuana
Opium
Coca
Tobacco
Other Hallucinogens
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Peyote: Botanically known by the name Lophophora williamsii, Peyote is a small grey-green variety of cactus found in northern Mexico and Texas. The Native Americans extensively used peyote particularly in their religious rites. The Aztecs ardently worshiped it and peyotism even grew as a religion among Americans. The compounds that are chemically active include mescaline and peyonine, of which mescaline induces hallucination essentially visual in nature, which enables the user to foresee and predict happenings as if in spiritual union with the divine power. Consumption of peyote causes intoxication accompanied by nausea, body shivers and perspiration for about two hours after which the user normally falls into hallucination."

Tags:ritual, medicine, tobacco, opium, marijuana

Abstract
This paper points out similarities in traffic problems and refuse problems between Los Angeles and cities in Taiwan. The paper also looks at similarities in the high numbers of convenience stores, risk of earthquakes, and large numbers of hi-tech companies.

From the Paper
"Los Angeles is basically a replication of the cities of Taiwan. The similarities are endless. The first thing I noticed was the gridlock of Los Angeles and the disregard of motorists for general safety rules. In Los Angeles, a motor vehicle operator kills or injures 1 person every eleven minutes. The statistics for some of the traffic in Taiwan pretty much equals the disregard for rules that the mortorists of Los Angeles hold, "in 1999, 20.63 million traffic citations were given out. That's nearly one for every person (including babies) in the whole country! This was an increase of 5.47 million from the previous year. The statistics also showed a total of 2,487 accidents resulting in 2,393 deaths (96% fatality rate). In 1998 there were 2,720 accidents reported which resulted in 2,507 deaths (92% fatality rate). Taiwan's traffic is hard to describe to someone who hasn't been here before. It's scary. It's mind-boggling. It's impossible to understand. It's slow and fast at the same time."

Tags:driving, rules, motorist, bus, taxis, motorcycles, marketplaces, betel, nuts, palm, leaf