Abstract This paper assesses amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor condition most commonly referred to as LouGehrig's disease. The purpose of this paper is to make the reader aware not only of the symptoms and the general physiological condition of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - hereafter referred to as ALS - but also the problems that this motor condition has on the patient. A review of the applicable data is used in order to better define and describe the symptoms and the physiological effects of ALS. This data is incorporated into the structure of the paper, rather than presented as an independent chapter.
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of leadership in an American company. Specifically it researches former IBM CEO Lou Gerstner and his leadership style. It looks at how Lou Gerstner served as CEO of International Business Machines (IBM) from 1993 through 2002 and how he helped turn the company around in the 1990s, and is credited with saving the company from financial failure.
From the Paper "When Gerstner joined IBM in 1993, the company was on the verge of financial collapse. He managed to turn the company around, make it profitable, and empower employees during his time as CEO. Gerstner is a transformational leader, as his time in many of the companies he has headed clearly shows. At American Express, he changed the way the company did business, taking the company around the world, and adding women and young people to its market share. In his book Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? he writes, "There had been eleven different currencies in which the American Express Card was issued when I arrived, and twenty-nine when I left" (Gerstner, 2002, p. 85). In fact, he was hired to transform IBM into a profitable company again, but many of the ways he did it were far different from many people expected. "
Abstract This paper discusses one of the most striking leaders of the 20th century, Fannie Lou Hamer who seems to have become a leader because she defied convention and rose to leadership anyway. The paper discusses her rise to leadership and looks at the differences between Fannie Lou Hamer and other women in the freedom movement.
From the Paper "Hamer's real life existence of an everyday person, led to her particular strength as a leader in a movement that really more than anything needed the support of everyday people to be successful. Hamer actually was many wealthy, educated and well groomed leaders have to portray, a everyday person. Hamer's success as a leader had to do with the fact that she did not have to persuade her followers or even her detractors that she was an everyday person who would benefit from change in the fabric of the culture, she really was and she did not have to prove sacrifice, as she lost almost everything in her fight, and on several occasions was even in danger of losing her life. Her life was what she was fighting for and this influenced many to follow her and build upon her goals. Her detractors found it convenient to challenge her education and appearance and yet, were not successful in showing anything but their own prejudice, which worked in Hamer's favor and showed other leaders' real weaknesses, i.e. an inability to appeal to everyday people."
Abstract This paper is a short look at the life and career of Lou Gerstner Jr., current CEO (retiring soon) of IBM. It describes his views on business, technology, and education, as well as illustrating his personality with information about his biographers, speeches, and dreams for the future of the digital age.
Abstract The paper looks at Fannie Lou Hamer, civil rights speaker and political activist who was a grass roots leader of the southern Civil Rights movement. The paper provides a biographical sketch about Hamer and explains that the differences between her and other prominent civil rights activists are based on the fact that Hamer was an ordinary person. The paper describes the violence, coercion and many trials Hamer faced as a poor, dark black woman with little education.
From the Paper "One of the most striking figures associated with the civil rights movement is a black woman from rural Mississippi that left a lasting impression in the minds of the nation. This woman was an outspoken and vital asset to civil rights for blacks in the south and especially with regard to the right to vote and the right to representation. Fannie Lou Hamer, civil rights speaker and political activist was a grass roots leader of the southern civil rights movement, beginning her career as an activist by making a bold attempt to register to vote in a region of the United States where countless legal and social obstacles were placed in front of her, as she was black and she was a woman."
Abstract This paper discusses Noel David Earley's fight against LouGehrig's disease and his public fight against Rhode Island's law forbidding assisted suicide. The paper defines both passive and active euthanasia and thoroughly discusses the advantages of both, touching on the reasons one would want to commit assisted suicide.
From the Paper "Bow"sprit - n. Nautical. A spar, extending forward from the stem of a ship, to which the stays of the foremast are fastened. This simple sailing term would be the first indicator of the disease that would try to take Noel David Earley's life. In the spring of 1995 when Earley wanted to look up this word in the Mariner's dictionary, he noticed he couldn"t go up on his toes when reaching for the book. A few weeks later the diagnosis came: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A neurological disorder, ALS causes progressive motor loss of the voluntary muscles due to destruction of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As all voluntary muscle action becomes affected, patients in the later stages of the disease become totally paralyzed. The disease is progressive, relentless and fatal, with no treatment to stop or reverse it. Earley knew this grim prognosis. Ever since the day the doctor broke the news, he was logged on to a computer at a hospital library, absorbing all he could from medical texts and journals."
This paper looks at the life of civil right activist Fannie Lou Hamer through an examination of the book "For Freedoms Sake, The Life of Fannie Lou Hamer" by Chana Kai Lee.
Abstract In this paper we are given some insight into the lives of African-Americans in the South during their fight for civil rights and equality. There were many women who joined the struggle and this paper looks at the contribution of one of these women.
From the Paper "The deplorable injustices experienced by blacks in America prior to and during the civil rights movement era were intolerable. Racial equality reform was sorely needed. Many civil rights advocates surfaced to better the conditions for blacks, but were met with a tide of persecution. One of these activists was Fannie Lou Hamer. The compelling story of Fannie Lou Hamer is a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit. The book, "For Freedoms Sake, The Life of Fannie Lou Hamer" by Chana Kai Lee offers an insightful chronicle into the life of this brave fighter for equality."
This paper discusses Lou Cannon's biography of Ronald Reagan, "President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime": Critical review of work on presidency, leadership and character.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, 1994, $ 39.95
From the Paper "This review will discuss Lou Cannon's biography of Ronald Reagan, "President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime". The discussion will examine Cannon's interpretation of Reagan's presidency and character. It will also examine Cannon's interpretation of Reagan's life in view of Cannon's own relationship to Ronald Reagan. The review will also critique the book as a historical study of the Reagan administration.
The Role of a Lifetime is Cannon's third book dealing with the life of Ronald Reagan; the first two dealt in more detail with Reagan's early life and his terms as Governor of California. This book, however, focuses upon Reagan's two terms as President of the United States, including events from his earlier years in order to explain certain facets of Reagan's character."
Abstract The paper looks at the African-American Freedom Movement, also referred to as the Black Freedom Movement, a movement based on the African-American desire to be afforded the most basic of civil rights. The paper discusses the life of Fannie Lou Harner who was a pioneer in the rights of black women to vote and other women, including Ella Baker, Amy Garvey and Septima who were active in the African- American Freedom Movement between the 1950s and the 1970s. The writer illustrates how these women bravely worked for the betterment of life for black females residing within the USA.
From the Paper "The relatively modern women's rights movement captured worldwide attention when women began to demand equal pay for equal work and other equal treatments. While that movement was the center of media attention for many years, it was not the first "human rights movement" that women had been involved with in modern history. The African American Freedom Movement, also referred to as the Black Freedom Movement was a movement that women joined years before the women's movement ever evolved in recent history. The Black Freedom Movement was a movement based in African American desire to be afforded the most basic of civil rights, which for many years they had been denied."
Tags: Ella, Baker, Amy, Garvey, Septima, women, rights
Abstract In "Tuesdays With Morrie", Mitch Albom uses a personalized narrative strategy to link the reader to his own story of triumph over the mundane and courage in the face of death. This paper shows how, through his descriptions of his mentor, Morrie Schwartz, Albom portrays a sensitive and highly intelligent man whose mind remains active while his body is being ravaged by LouGehrig's disease. The paper also discusses the underlying message of the narrative, that of the necessity of deep self-actualization within a superficial society.
From the Paper "These lessons take place in an insular, emotionally-charged world created and inhabited by the two men, in which the author remarks that he is at last "really listening to someone - without trying to sell them something, pick them up, recruit them, or get some kind of status in return - how often do we get this anymore"? (Albom, p. 137). The two discuss life in general and try to create a paradigm of emotional and spiritual success in life. They come to the conclusion that regrets are only natural, and that living life should include a universal embrace of both the good and bad that comes their way."
Abstract Ever since Mad Cow Disease sparked terror in international headlines, the public has been concerned about eating beef. Mad Cow Disease is not, however, the first or only prion-caused disease. Several others, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and kuru in humans and a host of agricultural animal disorders join Mad Cow in both cause and effects, the major effect being horror. This paper argues that, while the presence on the planet of a disease that literally lays waste to human brain tissue is frightening, there are two probabilities that can be seen as reasons not to be terrified. Instead, people could be hopeful that research sparked by the publicity surrounding Mad Cow Disease will eventually bring answers to such sociologically and medically devastating diseases as Alzheimer's Disease, and other lesser known but just as deadly diseases such as LouGehrig's Disease. The paper shows that these two probabilities are first, that prion-caused diseases are much less prevalent than media hype would indicate and, second, that a cure or vaccination is relatively certain to be discovered in the near to medium term.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Methods
Discussion
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Questions have arisen regarding why these particles are not attacked by the body's defense mechanisms, and the answer, Mahy noted, is that they are so odd, they are simply not recognized and therefore cannot be neutralized. Prions contain no nucleic acid and are therefore extremely " extremely resistant to inactivation by chemical or physical interventions that would inactivate viruses" (Mahy 1998) because there is no vector through which to deliver the 'poison'. Even more so than viruses, then, it is reasonable to wonder whether prions are, in fact, alive. And if they are not alive, then how can they infect an organism? Do they replicate like bacteria and viruses, or what?"
Tags: Stanley, Prusiner, protein, sterilization, kuru
Abstract This is an argumentative paper on physician-assisted suicide that makes the case for legalizing the procedure through public policy that gives terminally ill patients the right to die. It also discusses the issue of individual dignity.
From the Paper "Physician-assisted suicide remains a highly controversial issue. While some view it as a moral issue that goes against medical ethics and religious beliefs, others view it as an individual right and more about money than .."
Abstract This paper investigates C.S. Lewis' definition of Eros in regards to interracial relationships, by examining the relationship between between the character Emma Lou and her praise of white culture and white men in Wallace Thurman's "The Blacker the Berry". Emma Lou's behavior is explored based on Anita Foeman and Teresa Nance's stages of relationship development, which are racial awareness, coping, identity awareness and maintenance. The paper concludes that Emma Lou's interracial relationship demonstrates little communication and a lot of angst about their roles in the association; therefore, the relationship crumbles.
From the Paper "In Foeman and Nance's article racial awareness is the first stage of their model. Emma Lou is abundantly aware of her race especially when she is surrounded by white people and culture; she feels inadequate and knows that a relationship with a white man would be impossible. She dates a few black men, one in particular is John. She deals with him categorically, listing him as too dark, and too lazy. Not only is Emma Lou apathetic but prejudiced with anyone who does not match up to her grandmother's education of lighter preferences."
Abstract This paper deals with the theme of miraculous things happening when people have others to depend on and who allow others to depend on them. The essay begins with the character of Taylor and follows a chain of friendship and influence through Lou Ann, Mattie, Estevan and Esperanza. The author concludes with a look at the effects of the group forming a family of sorts.
From the Paper "From the moment they meet, Taylor and Lou Ann know they share a common kinship in more ways than one. Both were born and raised in Kentucky and have experienced their fair share of hardship growing up, and they are both single parents struggling to get by day to day. Yet, when they meet and begin integrating their lives together to form a bond of support, encouragement, and friendship, the obstacles they must overcome seem a little easier to bear. They help one another by sharing household chores, expenses, and child rearing, virtually erasing the difficulties associated with their plight. Taylor and Lou Ann come to depend on one another for monetary as well as emotional support in order to survive. Separately, they may never have successfully accomplished all that they have endeavored to do together. Without the support of one another, they may never have grown into the mature women that they will become. However, they do not accept all the credit for blossoming into successful, self-confident women. They give a lot of credit to their friend and confidant, Mattie."
Tags: independence, single, parent, immigrant, Guatemala, miracle, Turtle
Abstract In our youth conscious society it is common to reject the wisdom of the old and to value instead only the potential of the young. This paper analyzes Tracy Kidder's book on the subject, "Old Friends" which examines the way old age is viewed in American society by focusing on two men in a nursing home.
From the Paper "The strength that is characteristic of these two men, and the independence they exhibited in life makes their existence in a nursing home extremely difficult, where their lives, like children, are governed by routine, and their lives, like the sick, seem purposeless and aimless. Unlike the sick, there is often the attitude that the old have simply been shut away to die, now that they no longer have anything to give back to society and cannot take care of themselves alone. However, life at a nursing home continues the lives these men lived "on the outside" rather than merely terminates it."
