Abstract The paper explains how the recent appointment of John Bolton as the US ambassador to the UN by President Bush through the use of "recess appointment" powers has evoked heated debate. This paper explains the "recess appointment" powers of the President as outlined in the US Constitution, discusses Ambassador Bolton's qualifications for the position and analyzes whether the appointment was a "good" use of the recess powers. The paper concludes with a personal view that Bolton's recent recess appointment is the latest in the long series of attempts by the executive to undermine the delicate framework of checks and balances that are at the core of American democracy.
Contents:
Recess Appointment
Ambassador Bolton's Qualification for the Appointment
Was Bolton's Appointment as Ambassador to the UN a "Good" Use of the Recess Power?
What Do you Think About the Recess Appointment Power?
From the Paper "Recess appointments are authorized by Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution which states: "The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the end of their next Session." The framers had included this provision in the US Constitution since they had anticipated that vacancies of important government officers such as Ambassadors, Public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court and District Courts, could fall vacant during a recess of the Senate. As clearly stated in the law, the Senate must ratify the appointment by the end of the next session [emphasis added], or the position becomes vacant again ("What is a Recess Appointment?" 2005)."
Abstract The following paper examines Frances Payne Bolton's life as a youngster and a young adult and the factors which led her to the nursing career she made such a difference in. The writer describes the improvements that Bolton made as well as the positions that she held during her illustrious life.
From the Paper "The field of nursing has seen some major changes over the years. Before the era of WWII nurses were viewed with about the same level of expertise as a candy striper. Nurses were dispensing meds and cleaning out bedpans but their skills and intelligence were not really utilized on the job. Because of the inability to expand their job or the expectations of their job the filed stagnated for many years. Then Frances Payne Bolton entered the scene. France Payne Bolton was a nurse who took the bull by the horns and brought about changes that would revolutionize the nursing industry".
This paper examines the lack of female historians, as well as women's accomplishments and contributions documented throughout history, in a primarily male dominated field.
Abstract This paper ponders the argument that the secondary characteristics of a historian has more impact on his or her writing, than gender alone. The writer contends that these secondary characteristics, such as race, socio-economic status, religious and political affiliations are what determine a writer's personal beliefs and biases. This paper explores the contributions of Sarah Bolton, one of America's leading feminist historians, who brought women in history to the forefront. Bolton's writings of history openly advocated the role of women in history and the change in social norms. The writer of this paper contends and explains that historians generally have agendas and that their writings are used to further these agendas. The writer also asserts that if history is written only by men, it is logical to assume that women's contributions to historical events will be lacking. The same holds true for history written by only one particular race.
From the Paper "Take, for example, the different perspectives that could be taken by two writers, both women, about women being granted access to higher education in the 20th Century. The first woman writer is a member of the middle-class, and she and her husband both have to work in order to keep their family in the middle class. That historian may begin her history with women getting equal access to higher education, which led to more women entering the workforce in higher-paying jobs. In addition, that historian could accurately show that, traditionally, as women have entered an occupation, it has become devalued by society, and the members of the occupation have then suffered a relative decline in pay. As a result, the historian could conclude that women's access to higher education has led to a society of families that cannot maintain a middle-class lifestyle without two incomes."
This paper discusses the Supreme Court case, "Planned Parenthood v. Casey" (1992), which upheld the rights of women to have an abortion as guaranteed by "Roe vs. Wade".
Abstract This paper explains the events leading to "Planned Parenthood vs. Casey": the State of Pennsylvania amended its Abortion Control Act to require women seeking abortion to 1) give "informed consent" and the doctors to provide information about the health risks of having the abortion prior to the abortion; 2) a "spousal notification"; 3) "parental notification" from parents of minors; and 4) a 24-hour waiting period before obtaining an abortion. The author points out that "Roe vs. Wade." one of the most controversial rulings in the history of U.S. Supreme Court, which generated heated criticism from anti-abortion groups and gave rise to a pro-life movement, predated "Planned Parenthood vs. Casey". The paper concludes that "Casey" is still relevant because the present U.S. administration is clearly in favor of making abortion illegal, the Congress is dominated by Republicans, and there is a possibility of replacement of more than one Justice on the Court during the second Bush term, who most likely will be anti-abortion.
Table of Contents
Background of the Casey Supreme Court
William Rehnquist
Harry Blackmun
Sandra O'Connor
Anthony Kennedy
John Stevens
Antonin Scalia
Byron White
David Souter
Clarence Thomas
Important Pre-Casey Cases
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Doe v. Bolton (1973)
Harris v. MCrae
Webster vs. Reproductive Health Services (1989)
Historical, Social and Legal Background of Casey
Arguments from both Sides
Essentials of the Plurality Decision
Contemporary Reaction to the Case
Legal Reaction to the Case
Historical Impact
Current Relevance
From the Paper "Several states enacted laws limiting the right of abortion, including laws requiring parental and spousal consent, restricting abortions in clinics, and laws barring state funding for abortions. The Hyde Amendment was passed by the US Congress banning state funds for abortions. In a long series of cases from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s, the Supreme Court consistently struck down several state restrictions on abortions, but upheld restrictions on funding."
Abstract This paper, written as a "citizen's action guide" to abortion, takes an in-depth look at abortion in America. The paper discusses the history of abortion in America, legal aspects, political positions, and medical aspects. It also discusses abortion as a women's issue and examines the raging debate that continues to surround the controversial topic.
History of Abortion
Spotlight on Abortion
The Road to Legalization: U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
The President, George W. Bush, on Abortion
Previous Presidents on Abortion
Political Parties on Abortion
The Issue: Is a Fetus a Viable Human Being?
A Women's Issue: Quality of Life
The Continuing Debate
From the Paper "Sherri Finkbine, an Arizona woman pregnant with her fifth child, became concerned about the side effects of thalidomide that she had ingested (brought back by her husband after a trip overseas). Finkbine consulted her physician, who advised her to have an abortion. In Arizona at the time, "therapeutic" abortions were approved based on the attending physician writing a note to a three-doctor medical board explaining the justification for the procedure. Believing that publicizing her thalidomide trauma might alert others in similar situations, Finkbine contacted the editor of her local paper with the story, on the condition that her name be withheld. The ensuing public controversy over the issue resulted in Finkbine being denied a legal abortion in the United States, "Finkbine found herself unable, even after bringing a court challenge, to have an abortion legally. She was ultimately forced to go to Sweden to obtain a legal abortion" (Tribe, p.37). Although approval at the Swedish clinic was not automatic, Finkbine and her husband were able to withstand an extensive series of interviews with social workers, psychiatrists, and obstetricians and obtain the abortion. Finkbine's tenacity was rewarded when a Swedish physician described the condition of the aborted fetus: "He decisively stated that it was not a baby but an abnormal growth that would never be a normal child . . . " (Finkbine, p. 71)."
Abstract This paper explains that in Roe vs. Wade, 1973, called Roe and the companion ruling Doe vs. Bolton, 1973; the Supreme Court judged the constitutionality of two state abortion laws. Since Roe vs. Wade, the federal government and individual states have taken measures to curb abortion by inflicting more arduous requirements. The author points out that almost 93% of legally induced abortions are done not for medical but voluntary, personal reasons. The paper concludes that, although it is lawful, abortion is often morally wrong when it is a personal choice and not to secure a woman's health.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Evolution of the Law concerning Abortion
Legal Issues of Abortion
Moral Issues of Abortion
Personal Observations
From the Paper "Specifically, during the mid 1960s, the abortion restructuring development had acquired ground and pushed for legislative changes, depending on the backing of women's groups, birth control organizations, civil rights advocates, the medical and legal professions and Protestant churches. These led, during the period of 1966 to 1973, to reformation of their statutes by about fourteen states to lawfully allow abortions for therapeutic reasons, when the fetus could be born with a grave mental or physical handicap, in addition to when pregnancy was the consequence of incest or rape. Four other states, New York, Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, went to the extent of permitting abortions on stipulation upon meeting just few routine requirements relating to the site of abortion facilities, the phase of fetal development, and the pregnant woman's place of living."
