What To Do About The Pollution Essay - 979 Words

What To Do About The Pollution Have you ever stopped to think about what our personal motor vehicles are doing to our environment? Gasoline powered vehicles are one of the biggest causes of the depletion of our ozone. There are so many ways we can clean up our environment, but first we need to stop polluting it. If a major action were to be taken, efficient funds would need to be collected in order for any project to be successful. That is why I propose that in order to fund conservation of the natural environment, the federal government should increase gasoline tax by $1.00 per gallon. It only seems fair to raise the price of the major cause of the pollution problem. In order to reduce pollution, mass transportation in cities†¦show more content†¦Since electric vehicles are considered to be 97% cleaner then gasoline powered vehicles, I would think the government would want people to be buying them. EV-Economic Benefits.7Oct2001.http://www.sdge.com/EV/Benefits/econ.html There are many environmental benefits in using electric vehicles. The fact that they are 97% cleaner than gasoline powered cars is also taking into account the emissions from the power plants that generate the electricity to recharge electric vehicle batteries. Besides, it is much more efficient to control air pollution from a single power plant rather than from many individual automobiles. In a year, driving an electric vehicle reduces the amount of air pollutants by 17 pounds of hydrocarbons, 14 pounds of nitrogen oxides, and 200 pounds of carbon monoxide. Gasoline powered cars emit pollutants whenever the engine is running. Simply starting your car or sitting in traffic produces air pollutants and filling the gas tank releases harmful fuel vapors. Since electric vehicles dont use oil, there is no chance of accidental spillage or improper disposal. Much of the pollution in our rivers, bays, and ground water is due to automobile waste fluids being dumped or spilled into storm drains . In addition, the pollution from gasoline powered cars increases as the car ages. Electric vehicles maintain the same low- pollutant outputShow MoreRelatedPollution And Polution Solution722 Words   |  3 PagesPollution Solution When you think of the environment, what do you see? There are beautiful oceans, scenery, and wonderful fresh air. But, if you take a closer look, you will see all of the pollution in every one of these places. We will discuss each of these places and the pollution in them. We will also see the types of pollution and how we can help to minimize it. Everybody needs to take care of the Earth and take action to minimize pollution because with everyones help, we can do it. 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Well, this issue should disturb people. The most frightening point about it is that these poisonous impurities infect the Earth in multiple forms, including air pollution and water pollution. The value of Earth is incomparable, and the presence of pollution devaluing it needsRead MoreThe Impact Of Marine Pollution On Our Environment1530 Words   |  7 PagesMarcus Sarvis Mrs.Ashley Rutherford English IV 12 October 2017 The Impacts of Marine Pollution in Society Throughout history humans have always neglected the ocean and polluted the ocean. Pollution has been around even since the Roman times. Marine pollution today has gotten worse due to the fact that society is ignoring the issue and still making over 220 million tons of plastic that are produced each year. There are now close to 500 dead zones covering the ocean globally That is equivalent toRead MoreEssay On Air Pollution1500 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: Pollution is when a harmful or poisonous gas is emitted in the presence of air that can be very harmful to the environment even for humans, especially when we don’t do anything . We might think that pollution is not really a problem in the world but it is one major problem and some countries are suffering from it now. There are many ways that we can stop pollution about but we just don’t really take matter of it, if people will just observe how pollution is affecting the environmentRead MorePollution Essay828 Words   |  4 PagesPollution is everywhere! People even pollute without even knowing it. They simply throw their soda can on the ground, or even as small as throwing their cigarette on the ground. The point is that pollution is terrible and it needs to be stopped. I already knew that pollution was around. In fact, its been around since about 1948, but of course that is only when smog came and pollution got very bad. Pollution has been around many years befo re 1948. I wanted to find as many possible ways to lowerRead MoreGarbage Pollution1616 Words   |  7 PagesAssignment on Garbage Pollution Name: Adrian Stephenson Center #: 100152 Candidate’s: 100152075 Territory: Jamaica Proficiency: General Acknowledgement I would like to acknowledge all the persons who have helped me to complete this assignment. These persons are my mother and my social studies teacher. Introduction This school based assessment is based on garbage pollution. The area chosen for survey on garbage pollution is the community of august town. You will learn about the causes that contributeRead MoreWater Pollution Is A Concern1702 Words   |  7 PagesWater pollution is the where water bodies such as lakes, oceans, rivers and so on are affected by pollutants which are discharged in water masses either directly or indirectly. Pollutants include toxic waste materials from factories, spillage of oil from oil tankers, pesticides and herbicides from farms, soil erosion which is usually deposited in a water source, sewages from homes and septic tanks spill off nearby water sources and the list is endless. These water pollutants can be categorized

Euthanasi Assisted Suicide - 1252 Words

Giovanni Gomez Tammy Jonhson English 2 B 14 November 2014 Euthanasia: Assisted suicide Which is better - suffering, pain, and holding onto life for a period of time or just being laid to rest in peace? Nine out of ten people would pick the latter (Georgia State University) if just asked that question without a scenario, but when given the scenario and thinking about their family they might change their opinion. Euthanasia is related to this because it is the destruction of life, and in today’s society, medications can help with pain and suicide is typical due to the amount suffering for depression. Therefore, there is no reason why euthanasia should be illegal at this point. â€Å"No human being with a spark of pity could let a living thing†¦show more content†¦Meanwhile, there is no reason why euthanasia should not a viable option to people that want it. Also, euthanasia is a way out of a life of pain and misery, to take in fact â€Å"Un-responsive individuals† or â€Å"Brain dead individuals†. What kind of quality of life is that, be confined to a wheel chair and having to idea in the world what is going on. I think it should be an option to love ones and the person themselves if they what to turn to euthanasia as an option of relief. Euthanasia, like many things, can be for the better of man or its worst enemy. Euthanasia is pain relief, from a life confined to a mobile chair with no sense what so ever. Ask yourself what kind of life is that, would you want to be in this role for the rest of your life? In light of this, these kind of living arrangements can put great strain on a family and love ones. With the legalization of euthanasia, this can act of a relief to some families and the patient. In the normal course of an illness, loved ones, friends, and family are all going to be involved in the dying process. Having to watch a loved one s symptoms get worse, sometimes over a long period of time, and can be very harrowing. If assisted suicide

Surviving the Spanish Conquest Free Essays

Life before the arrival of the Spanish was very pleasant. My husband Maita and I, plus our two children, Tupac (our six year old son) and Urpi (our four year old daughter) all lived happily together in the city of Nazca. Maita was a high priest and I was an Acllyacona otherwise called a chosen woman. We will write a custom essay sample on Surviving the Spanish Conquest or any similar topic only for you Order Now Together this made us very high in society. Being an acllyancona I served as a weaver. I prepared textiles of llama and alpaca cloth. This was an essential part of Inca life. As Incas, we used these textiles as payment for the warfare or as gifts to high classed people. Also I made the clothes/garments for the Sapa Inca and for ritual use. As an acllyancona, I had many advantages to society. I didn’t have to perform hard labour in the fields, which most Incas did and I always had enough food and clothing. But my pleasant life all changed when the Spanish arrived, it became very unpleasant. The Sapa Inca called Maita and many other high priests and priestesses to travel with him to Cuzco, to visit the Spanish intruders. Majority of Incas such as Maita and I, had not even seen the Spanish yet and did not know who they were. When Maita left to go to Cuzco that was the last time I ever saw him. The chasqui (messengers) told us that the Spanish killed nearly everyone there in the city of Cuzco and took Sapa Inca as hostage. I was so upset that Maita was dead. As the Sapa Inca was hostage, he offered a room full of gold for his release freely. He kept his word however the Spanish did not. They killed him, took the gold and fled. A little more then a year had passed and the Spanish apparently had not come back to our Incan Empire, until they appeared in my city. They appeared as strangers, protected by wearing full metal amour. They charged at us on huge animals, (which none of us had ever seen before) called horses. There was so many of them and each one of them was armed with gunpowder, guns and steel weapons. It was all very terrifying and I was so scared. The Spanish had absolutely no respect at all for our religion of worshiping the Sun. So they tried to change our religion to there religion of Christianity. Plus they let fire and destroyed buildings. Large numbers of people died, as 9 out of 10 Incas did. This was huge, because our Incan population suffered a dramatic and quick decline following contact. People died of different causes but all linked to the Spanish. Such as†¦ -The Spanish went on rampages through the city murdering chiefs, plus anyone they did not like. -Several people had no resistance to keep on living as we were treated very unfairly and died. -And the main cause of death was from disease, which the Spanish brought. I’m really angry at all these causes of deaths from the Spanish especially because unfortunately Urpi died from disease. I was petrified, of the Spanish but was not going to let Tupac and myself die because of them. I had a strong will to survive and to keep on living. Life after the conquest was very cruel and barbaric. The Spanish literally worked us to death. We were like slaves for them. All aspects of our culture were destroyed and the building materials were used to construct churches and cathedrals. There was destruction of everything which had given our life meaning and purpose. Now we were at the bottom of the Spanish empire, with a new language, religion, laws and way of life. How to cite Surviving the Spanish Conquest, Essay examples

Clouds Socrates Unjust Speech free essay sample

Aristophanes’ play, â€Å"clouds†, there is a battle between the â€Å"old† and â€Å"new† way of going out about life. This can be seen through the â€Å"just† and â€Å"unjust† speech, whose argumentative outcomes dictate the way in which society should go about educating its citizens. The â€Å"unjust speech†, which is a heavy logical and manipulative approach to thinking about life (â€Å"new†), seems to subvert the â€Å"just speech†, which appears to rely on moral and mythical justification (â€Å"old†). Pericles, a prominent and influential Politian in Athens, has argued that democracy is the best form of government because it fairly produces the most educated and excellent citizens, through freedom to act as they please, which will eventually shape there soul into a great person (Warner 145). Thus, if citizens are allowed to wonder freely and be tolerated with respect by fellow citizens as Pericles describes, and if Socrates (a Greek philosopher) and the â€Å"thinkry† spread their â€Å"unjust speech† rhetoric, Pericles’s platform for greatness will not make the Athenians the most excellent and educated citizens. In fact it is going to make them into worse people, people who are going to fundamentally question the value of their institution. Ultimately, Aristophanes suggests that democracy cannot work in unison with â€Å"unjust speech†, which undermines Pericles argument that â€Å"unjust speech† should be tolerated under democracy, because â€Å"unjust speech† uses its persuasive power to disassembles the collective wisdom democracy has built and allows the few who understand its power to create an unequal society (West). Aristophanes argues if a democracy is faced with a society of unequal powers then it could transform the democratic system Pericles drew up, where all powers were to be divided equally among citizens, into an oligarchy or tyranny, with the citizens using unjust speech to gain majority power and dictate policy (West). Whenever policies are designed by a few in power they tend not to reflect or benefit those in the larger majority without power. If policies don’t benefit and represent as many people as possible then they are ineffective policies. This educates the citizens of Athens to become one of the elites because policy and power will favor them more then others. Aristophanes doesn’t believe that is the best or fairest form of education. Therefore, unjust speech can’t operate in union with democracy because it turns an egalitarian society into unequal powers and causes ineffective policies to be implemented. Aristophanes is concerned with what kind of government it is and how it’s designed. Pericles address that concern when stating, â€Å"Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people† and â€Å"everyone is equal before the law; when it is a question of putting one person before another in positions of public responsibility, what counts is not membership of a particular class, but the actual ability which the man possesses†(Warner 145). Aristophanes undermines this by arguing if what counts is the ability which the man possesses, then unjust speech allows that membership to form through mans ability to manipulate and win arguments, which gives unjust speakers more power then other citizens and they are now unequally advantage against the law and have the power in their hands instead of the majority (West). Pericles also states, â€Å"In public affairs we keep to the law†(Warner 145), Aristophanes argues that citizens capable of unjust speech have the power, the people in power have a stronger voice, the stronger voice makes policies, and thus citizens engaged in unjust speech make the laws (West). The people who make the laws usually do so in a way beneficial to them â€Å"in public affairs†(West). Unjust speech has the power to diminish the collective wisdom the Athenians have built up by pointing out small contradictions and using manipulative reasoning that just speech can’t defend through logic. Just speech can only be defended through the centuries it has successfully survived and through the strong bond each citizen shares with each other (West). Therefore, Aristophanes argues through â€Å"clouds† that unjust speech has the ability to break down collective wisdoms, win arguments, create unequal powers, and ultimately dismantle democracy (West). For example, unjust speech states, â€Å"I quite deny that Justice even exists†(West 902) to which just speech replies â€Å"It does with the gods† (West 904), then unjust speech ask the question â€Å"then why didn’t Zeus perish when he bound his father? To which just speech replies â€Å"give me a basin: to vomit in†(West 907), basically stating if just does exist within the gods then it makes no sense because the gods are not just themselves. In this case unjust found a logical approach to dismiss the presences of just speech. This small contradiction discredits just speech as a whole, aids to the confusion of just speech, and gives power to unjust speech. This result causes just speech to through its cloak to the audience and storm out. Another instance seen where unjust uses its power to discredit just speech is when Strepsiades ask Socrates, â€Å"And who is it that compels them to be borne along? Isn’t it Zeus? †(West 378), to which Socrates replies â€Å"Not in the least. Its ethereal Vortex†(West 380). In this instance, Strepsiades is convinced through logic and science that Zeus doesn’t make it rain by â€Å"pissing through his sieve†(West 373). Eventually this leads Strepsiades to become more ambiguous about his institutions collective wisdom, and once again it aids to more confusion for just and power for unjust speech. In the case of Strepsiades, it leads to utter perplexity, which later causes him to burn down the â€Å"thinkry†. Furthermore, these two examples are analogous with the contemporary Gay Rights movement we see today. Gays not being able to get married stems from religious values (just speech), which say people are only supposed to be with opposite sex. Many Americans have built this into our collective wisdom, especially in the South. However, homosexuals challenge these religious ideologies with logic (unjust speech), which tries to persuade a religious conservative that just because god stated something doesn’t make it true or reasonable. The homosexual community, who may have a point, is challenging and manipulating the conservative wisdom through unjust speech, and if homosexuals win than more power represents their group then before. The result is another tradition (religious conservatives) is weakened, a new identity (Gays married) is formed/strengthen, and the collective wisdom of all citizens under that democracy is now diminished and more segregated. The three examples show how unjust speech has the ability to break down collective wisdom, win arguments, create unequal powers, and ultimately dismantle the democracy Pericles drew up and cause chaos and/or violence. Strepsiades ends up burning down a building and Socrates’ students gain more power, the just speech violently throws its cloak to the audience and storms off leaving unjust speech with more powers, and religious conservatives have heavily protested, some with violence, against homosexuals (the outcome hasn’t been determined so power hasn’t shifted yet). This proves Aristophanes argument that unjust speech undermines democracy by getting citizens to question their government’s collective wisdoms, which has the ability to shift power (West). If enough questions are raised then new paths will be forged and the core bond that once held the state together is now weaken. Aristophanes argues that knowing how the â€Å"Vortex† works or how some other trivial scientific knowledge operates is not what makes a society great, but rather keeping the core identity and wisdom together is how one maintains greatness and keeps democracy alive (West). However, the damage of unjust speech in a democratic society doesn’t stop there. Unjust speech also has the ability to open the window for morally unsound decisions, which have the potential to construct terrible policies. As explained by Aristophanes, unjust speech has the ability to break down collective wisdoms, win arguments, and create unequal powers. The last part is what concerns Aristophanes because unequal powers open the door for political and moral corruption. Whenever policies are designed by a few in power they tend not to reflect or benefit those in the larger population without power. If policies don’t benefit and represent as many people as possible then they are bad policies. For example, when Pheidippides engages in a physical altercation with his father Strepsiades, he employs unjust speech to make his actions appear moral. This is seen when Pheidippides states, â€Å"did you beat me when I was a boy? †(West 1408), to which Strepsiades replies â€Å"Yes, I did; I was well-intentioned†(West 1409), then Pheidippides use the unjust speech by stating â€Å"isn’t it also just for me likewise to be well-intentioned toward you and beat you, since in fact to be well-intentioned is to beat? (West 1410-1412), Pheidippides adds on, â€Å"Old men are children twice†(West 1417), and lastly â€Å"I’ll beat mother too, just as I did you†(West 1443). Pheidippides logically makes sense by basically saying that if Strepsiades, his father, beat him when he was younger in order to discipline and shape his character, wouldn’t it only make sense for Pheidippides to beat his father who is old and undisciplined. Furthermore, Pheidippides argues through unjust speech that when he is done beating his father that he will go on to beat his mother. Morally, Strepsiades and us intuitively understand that beating our father is wrong, and if not our father then beating our mothers is definitely wrong, but it is hard debating it through just speech. It is best explained through the collective wisdom that our institution has handed down over the centuries, which has successfully stood the test of time and deserves to be respected. This is a specific case of unjust speech challenging a societies collective wisdom, then manipulating, winning, and using the argument to gain power, which opens the door for a morally unsound policy that a majority can’t defend against. Another instances where unjust speech was used to manipulate and open the door for a morally unsound policy was Strepsiades convincing the creditors he owes nothing. Strepsiades uses unjust speech to fluster the first creditor by ridiculing him because of his belief in the gods, â€Å"Zeus is laughable to those who know†(West 1241) and for believing in the â€Å"old† reasoning behind the way in which society operates (West 1225-55). Again Strepsiades uses unjust speech with the second creditor by manipulating his new knowledge, â€Å"do you believe that Zeus always rains fresh water on each occasion, or does the sun draw the same water back up from below†¦Then is it just for you not to get your money back if you know nothing of matters aloft? This undermines Athenian values, which clearly have moral rationale but lack transparent logic. The creditors have no real answer for Strepsiades other then it is wrong to not pay back debts for the reasons it is wrong to beat your mother up. Unjust speech has the power to confuse people by breaking down collective wisdom, win arguments, and create unequal powers, which opens the door for a few to create a terrible policy that affects many. The two examples clearly show how unjust speech has the power to undermine just speech. Aristophanes argues, that unjust speech can’t live in unison with democracy because the few who know how to deploy it can gain unfair power and create terrible policies that only reflect the few elite without justly representing the majority who have less power (West). It is evident that Aristophanes prefers to operate with the â€Å"old† system. He clearly sympathizes with the reasoning and moral implications of just speech, and argues that democratic societies need it to be successful. Conversely, unjust speech according to Aristophanes is a systemic threat to anything ruled under democracy. It has the ability to undermine equality and produce ineffective policies. This runs contradictory to Pericles’s argument about democratic characteristics, mainly freedom to have meaningful impact and mans abilities is what counts, which make citizens great and educated people (Warner 145). If unjust speech is abused in democracy, unequal powers are inevitable. However, I think Aristophanes would recognize Pericles’s point, and acknowledge there are issues with the traditional system. A traditional government left unexamined might lose touch with the principles upon which it was established.

Memoirs of the innocent Essay Example

Memoirs of the innocent Essay I jolted, as I felt a wet, slippery canine tongue slide down the side of my polished cheek. Are you ok, Emily? My mother enquired, with concern. Fine mum, Basil just scared me. Thats all, I replied, wiping my cheek of the thick slobber down the side of my face. Something had obviously excited Basil. Nearly there, I can already see the mailbox outside our new home. My mother enthusiastically shouted. We will write a custom essay sample on Memoirs of the innocent specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Memoirs of the innocent specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Memoirs of the innocent specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Bet it feels just like home, doesnt it dad? I asked, knowing well that he and mum used to live in this village, years ago. Indeed, He plainly replied. He never wanted to move back, not after Sophies death, it was always Mothers plea that made him agree. I never knew why though, it was described to me to be such a communal and bliss town, and I was never really told what happened to Sophie, she would have been twenty four this year. Describe it to me, mum. I want to know everything. I pleaded, joyfully. I heard the car window unwind. Ok dear, on either side of the long, concrete path leading to our wooden front door are two, great oak trees, surrounded by two fields, covered vastly with lush green grass. I sat anxiously, visualising the home, and beautiful surroundings in which soon, I would be able to gaze upon with my own eyes. I felt the car grind slowly to a halt. Here we are, your dad will help you out of the car, My mother calmly muttered, in her attempt to conceal her utmost excitement. I sat silent for seconds, before my dad retracted the door gently from beside me. I felt a cold, yet sweaty hand pull gently on my arm. Out you get, nice and gently, dont forget your cane now, My dad told me. I grasped my stick from my seat and placed my feet firmly on the warm, rough Texas ground. I was hastily followed by the energetic, panting Golden Retriever Basil. My father led me along the path, as Basil brushed his soft, matted hair against by bare legs. I occasionally poked my cane against the floor as I created a mental image of my surroundings. My father stopped me at the door, I heard my mother frantically in her excitement jostle her key in the large oaken door; and heard the heavy swoop of the door as my mother forcefully pushed it open. I took a step inside: My mother gasped. Its beautiful, absolutely beautiful! My Mother cried. She took her satisfied hand to mine as she led me towards a small, spiral staircase. Basil frantically ran up the staircase, and I heard a piercing bang onto what I assumed to be my new bedroom door. I squeezed my mothers hand tightly, and with one hand clasped tightly on the rough banister, made my way up the staircase. I got to the top and removed my cramped, cushioned trainers, to feel the brush of the smooth cotton carpet underneath my perspiring feet. Your room is just down the corridor Emily, Get some sleep; you have a big day tomorrow. Ill get you to your bed. She guided me down the corridor and helped me undress in my room. I put my nightdress on, placed my guide stick on my window sill and climbed into my bed. Night darling, sweet dreams, My mother murmured through my door, closing it behind her. I tilted my head back onto the pillow, and closed my distorted eyes for the last time. I felt Basil jump onto my legs, and settle calmly. CHAPTER 2 I woke, opening my eyes languidly, only to feel the heavy blow and foul stench of Basils breath against my face. I called for my mother. Im awake! I shouted emphatically down out of my door, and down the wooden staircase. Moments passed. Finally I heard my Mother, hastily pacing the length of the corridor leading to my bedroom. Morning Emily, She called. What times my appointment mum? I replied, as I heard her unzip my suitcase. In two hours darling, so Ill get you dressed, we can have some breakfast and well get going, ok? She replied, exultant in her refrain. I pushed Basil from my bed, and retrieved my walking cane from the window sill. My mother dressed me, and took me to the kitchen. I managed to make it there successfully without bumping into anything, I felt somewhat at ease, knowing that these could be my last moments without vision. Cornflakes? My Father questioned, grumpily. He wasnt a morning person, always stubborn and cantankerous when tired. Ok. I replied, simply. I heard my mother sip the last of her tea and leave the room. Moments later she came back in rattling her keys. Come on then Emily, She called; placing her hand on my arm. I took one last mouthful and dropped my spoon into the milky bowl, and picking up my cane I stood up, rigidly from my seat. Out of the door she guided me, as the potent smell of lavender and fresh grass filled my sinuses. I thought to myself, if only I could witness the beauty of which I already understood so well. We got into the car, and drove off into the horizon. A flutter of adrenaline rushed through me as I pondered on what was to come. The car finally grinded to a halt. I opened my door and felt the touch of my Mothers calming hand upon my skin. We walked. Nearly there Emily, once we get in, well be able to see the doctor, Dr.Burkala. My mother assured me. We stood stationary for a split second, before I heard quiet mechanical doors open violently. We made our way through, and with my cane I felt a few chairs to the left of me, and a large wooden desk to the front of me. Name? The female receptionist asked politely. Emily, Emily Stanford, here for her eye implants. My Mother replied, somewhat assertively. Ok, would you like to go through the corridor, and its the second door on your left, Dr.Burkala will be waiting for you. The kind voice directed. My mother helped me through a sea of chairs and through yet another automatic door. Down the corridor we paced, by this point my heart hummed fiercely, and pounded loudly as a brash battle drum would. I felt my mother stop, and her tight grip loosen, as she opened the door before me, and guided me through gently. Afternoon, take a seat. The doctor stated, in his foreign Asian accent. I shuffled my stick around the cold, laminate flooring, to find the hollow teak legs of what, when I perched myself upon it, I found to be a gloriously quilted, chez-long sofa. I sat comfortable and nervously upon the sofa, waiting for the silence to be pierced. Ok Emily, I trust your Mother has told you of the events to come? The doctor enquired, I took a moment to comprehend and understand what he said, and replied in an eager and patience less tone. Yes, I know everything, I just want vision, Dr.Burkala paused for a moment. I heard the rustle of sheets of paper and eventually he stopped, and read the following aloud: The eyes you will be receiving during this operation are those of your sisters, who with the consent of your mother and father offered herself and her body to the cause of scientific research. Success is not always assured during these operations, and your health is not of our liability, before, during or after the procedure Your mother will have to sign this on your behalf, and we can crack on with the operation. The doctor cosily told me. Here, here, and here. The doctor told my mother, passing her a pen. I heard the pen gliding across the paper, and with each swoop I felt nearer to vision my dream. My Mother was silent, obviously recounting the hazy events of Sophies death, I heard her sniffle, and the pen scratch the paper for the third time. Ok Emily, Ill bring the nurse through and shell help you onto the bed, and well get going. The doctor told me, as I heard the door behind me swing open, and felt the nurse lift me from my chair. She walked me six paces to my left; I heard the curtain rain clank behind me, she helped me into my robe, and laid me down onto the smooth bed. For a while, I lay there thinking. Thinking of the sister I never knew, the sister I now loved unconditionally for the gift she was unconsciously bestowing upon me Sight. Out of the door in which I came and down a long, winding corridor. I felt a heavy jolt through the operating theatre doors, and we halted. My mouth dry, and my hands, drenched in sweat, I lay nervously in anxiety and elation of what was to come. This will only prick for a second, Emily. The tender nurse explained, as she punctured a needle through my moist skin. Youll start to feel dizzy, and then youll be off to sleep, youll be able to see after all of this, Emily. Butterflies filled my stomach, as I felt a surge of numbness creep up my arm. CHAPTER 3 I awoke, with my Mothers vernal hand clenched tightly upon my own. It was still dark. I felt my heart in my throat as I drew my hand to my face to feel a light, cotton bandage ravelled around my eyes. I felt a hand, the hand of Dr.Burkalas gliding up through my hair, and onto the bandage. He rolled the bandage off of my head, and with each circular motion I felt an ominous glow seep through the . It was off; a massive array of light bombarded my eyes. I blinked heavily, to see the tearful face of my Mother before me. Beauty was merely elementary to what I saw before me. The room, the doctor, myself. I looked now, down upon my turquoise robe, and pulled my feeble, pale white hands into my wonderful line of sight. I looked over to my mothers beautiful face. Thank you, Thank you so much! I cried, as I felt a cool, salty tear drop down my cheek. Exhausted, I laid my head back onto the white, cotton pillow and took a calm moment to reflect upon this gift, bestowed upon me. Before I knew it, I was sat, comfortably, in my Mothers car, waiting anxiously to gaze upon the house described to me so beautifully well. Your father said hell give you a tour of the village; when you get in. He knows the area well, he used to live there yknow. My mother spoke, happily. I looked over to her, slouched elegantly in her long, white, frilled linen dress; with her hands, perched gently upon the leather coated steering wheel. I glued my face to the window, gazing readily out, and admired the scenery, the landscape, the artistry. It was only now that I fully recognised the beautiful pure nature of nature itself. I saw before me, winding valleys, scattered leaves and elegantly dancing trees. The car eventually pulled up beside our house. I withdrew myself confidently from the passengers seat, to see a rather large, slim faced and bearded man with dark long hair casually dressed staring gleefully towards me, on the porch balcony. I knew it was my dad. I sprinted into his arms, repeating joyously; I can see Dad! I can really see! I know dear, I know. So how about that tour youve so patiently waited for, aye? My father squeezed me tightly in his arms. First, I want to see our garden! I heartily replied. Alone, I made my way through the house and into the garden. I stood at the back door, astonished. Flowers blossomed with unimaginable colour, trees danced in the wind, and grass grew lushly upon the stretch of land before me. Though, beautiful as it was, it laid barren. Apart from a large, empty stable barn to the back of the garden, I could only just make it out through the vast leaves of the trees scattered before it. I started making my way towards it in curiosity. CHAPTER 4 Emily! My Father cried from within the house. Come on, you dont want to be late, the sweet store will be shut! I pulled my eyes from the barn and made my way back through to the front of the house. He took me by the hand, and led me down the path into the village square. We went, hand in hand around the village square. Through sneaky alleyways, and over dew sparkling meadows, until we came to a halt close to the edge of town. We stood upon a large field; facing toward a small, aphetic shack, and to the left of us sat a grand, weary graveyard. The grass seemed to become browner, and darker, the closer the shack it came, and a shroud of dense, polluted fog organised itself in an almost human spectrum surrounding the shack. I could just make out, through my primarily squinted eyes; the figure of an old and frail woman standing inanimately on her door step, facing into the dark cosmos. My father turned towards me, perch on one knee and, as though he was whispering, told me. That there, what you see before you, is the house belonging to the witch-doctor. Possessed by an anti-ageing divine spirit; she is able to utilize godly powers. She specialises in devil worshipping and otherworldly experiences. Promise me; promise me Emily, you will never go near that house, promise me I glanced over to the house once more, pulling my eyes from my fathers. Ok dad. I sighed. He pulled himself from the ground and we continued in the opposite direction toward the graveyard. Time to meet your sister, My father said, almost artificially. Really? I cried, once again gripping tightly my fathers hand. He didnt reply, he only walked me towards the graveyard, surrounded magnificently by large aesculus trees, and neatly arranged, small potted plants. My Father creaked the gate open, and led me through the winding graves, onto a small plot of land. The land had upon it a moderately sized, gravestone reading: In memory of Sophie Chelvase. Who was murdered age seven, upon this very Texas plain. Loved, and never forgotten. I knelt upon the grass before me and felt my eyes swell with tears for a sister I never knew. How? I cried; looking up at my Father. He simply placed his hand upon my shoulder, and looked towards the grave. I burst into tears, and fell into my Fathers arms, mortified by the thought of what Sophie had experienced. Come on dear, lets go. I Father sympathetically muttered. He grabbed my hand tightly and lead me back through the graveyard, and back through the wooden slatted gate. We walked solemnly into the town centre, where my Fathers mood quickly changed. We stopped outside a terraced, thatched cottage general store, surrounded by pretty potted roses. Now, lets try the sweets, aye? My dad suggested, with a brimming smile on his face. He slowly walked me in. All around me I paid witness to mountains upon mountains of sugary treats, all around me, lay colours of which I never imagined possible. My Father ran gleefully straight to the counter, where awaited a young, almost teenage woman: Waiting to fulfil my Fathers elementary wishes. My father dug his hand deep into his suede pocket, to reveal a fifty dollar bill, slammed it down upon the table, and told the shocked woman behind the counter; Thirty dollars, of anything, and twenty of whatever it is my daughter wants. I was still stood speechless on the entrance mat, gasping in astonishment. I made my way to the counter, looked high above the woman, and pointed. Those, I cried, pointing toward a large box of strawberry cables on the top shelf. She gathered our sweets while my father stood, fidgeting, awaiting the sweets hed splashed out for so willingly. Finally, after frantically collecting and weighing various sugary treats, she handed us a huge bag, filled to the brim. We made our way home, a different way to the way we came, scoffing hastily the sweets we had just purchased. For the third time I found myself making my way up the beautiful pathway to my old, rustic home. To bed now, Emily My Father, intoxicatingly said. I tutted. Ok. I bluntly replied, as I made my way up the stairs and into my bed, already half filled by Basil. I undressed myself, for the first time and got myself into bed. I knelt upon my bed, and gazed through my misty window. Thoughts filled my mind, of my sister, and her death, I felt an urge to wander back to her grave, an almost alien urge. I blinked heavily, trying to remove the urge from myself. I wondered, a feeling of curiosity consumed me. I pulled myself from the window, and forced my eyelids shut, and with that, drifted willingly off into the darkness. CHAPTER 5 I felt a hand grip my throat, I shook, and I ran. Along a meadow I sprinted with intent away from my home Pointless. You little slut! The young man screamed. I felt my body pulling itself away, but to where? Too late. I felt the pull of my blouse from my body. He slapped me, and dragged me fiercely back, into a small, isolated barn. He slapped me again. I cried. You will learn! He shouted again, ripping my top from me, revealing my shivering flesh. I felt his hands rummage up my stomach and onto my breasts. I screamed in discontent, and tried to fall to my knees. He pulled my skirt from me and violated me. I shook, and shook, in a desperate attempt to break free. There was no use. Yet another clenched fist threw itself at my body, I vomited, as I felt a foreign object penetrate me. He pulled my feeble hands to himself and tied them, then the other end to the roof. I hung. I hung by my hands from the ceiling, two feet from the floor; as I felt this animal brutalize me. He stopped. Silence. I hung, loosely. Until I felt the sharp sting of a blade slice my windpipe. I tried to scream, only to conjure blood from my inners. Nothing more. I felt my mothers caring hands grasping my arms, and shaking me gently. I opened my fluttering eyes, to see a tear drop cascaded down my mothers face. You were shaking, My Mother cried. A horrible, horrible nightmare, I replied. Almost real. My Mother clasped me tightly to her bosom, I explained my dreamful ordeal to my mother. Its o.k. dear, go back to sleep. It was just a dream. my dad was staring, bewildered from my door. I fell back into my pillow, and felt my mothers hand caress my hair, as I fell back to sleep. I slowly drifted back into reality, and was more alert than ever before. The door was still purged open, hanging slightly off its hinges from the night previous; from when my Father answered my unconscious screams of displeasure. I jumped from my bed, and opened the linen drapes, to be blinded by a stream of sunlight streaming through my window, I blinked heavily, and walked slowly towards my wardrobe, opening it to reveal a huge array of colourful, and pretty garments. I scanned the contents heartily, to find a small, pink dress from the far left of the wardrobe. I removed it and dressed myself. My mind still focused on what I referred to as my dream, I couldnt help but be tempted to visit Sophies grave yet again, and I had a slight feeling that my dreams bear some resemblance to her. What if she was in fact the girl in my dream, what if that was how she was murdered? I slumped back onto my bed, bearing the thoughts of Sophies death, it couldnt be true. I had to find out for myself. I made my way confidently down the corridor towards the oaken spiral staircase, I heard whispers from the kitchen below me as I made my way down, I heard my name being mentioned occasionally as I made my way toward the kitchen, and as I pushed the door to, the room momentarily fell silent. Morning Emily, how are you feeling? my Father said as the silence was broken. Anxious, I bluntly replied. How was it you said Sophie died? I demanded, as I made my way over to an invited bowl of sugared porridge. I sat down on the opposite end of the table of my Father, peering along it towards him and my Mother; I felt the sun warming my neck through the window behind me. Emily, you know youre Fath- My Mother was interrupted. It doesnt concern you! My Father aggressively shouted, staring directly towards me. My Father seemed slightly taken aback by my questioning and stern in his refrain. I slumped back into my bowl of porridge. CHAPTER 6 A figure of a long black haired man appeared before me, holding a knife towards me. I blinked to find myself back in my kitchen, staring down at my empty bowl. I gasped, I darent say anything to my parents, instead I made my way toward the sink, placed my bowl effortlessly beside the draining board and walked out of the kitchen. Where are you going? My Mother pleaded as I stepped through the archway. To clear my head I falsely pleaded in return, knowing fully I was going back to Sophies grave. Dont be long She cried, as I pulled my shoes over my cotton socks. As I shut the door behind myself I sprinted through the warm humid haze and through the town centre, I knew the way, I couldnt forget it. As I ran my mind filled itself of thoughts, impossible thoughts; why wouldnt my Father tell me? What was he hiding from me? I had to find out, I would find out. I found myself once again standing through the narrow under path gazing upon warm, dew glazed field, I glimpsed toward the witch doctors shack as a thought became me: Maybe she could help me? By this point I cared little of what my Father expected of me. I peered closer and closer towards the darkened shack, I saw her; still standing almost thoughtlessly out of the door of her shack. My quickened pace shortly became a sprint as I endeavoured fully to reach the house, I finally came within the dingy cloud surrounding the shack, and turned to look behind me, then back again. The old lady was gone. The door was closed and there was no sign of life with in the small house. I slowly walked towards the door and raised my hand to knock gently upon it I felt a hand upon my shoulder, and as I turned to look it was the hand of a frail, old woman dressed almost elegantly in purple robes and petite ribbons. I looked up towards her face, to see that frighteningly, she had no eyes. I darent say a word of it.The skin on the face staring towards me sagged motionless, almost dead, and as she pulled her chapped, slim lips apart to speak I gasped I-I-Im sor- It is o.k She replied in a tender, caring voice, fitting that of a princess. I sense you need my help? She enquired, taking her hand from my shoulder and placing it by her side. Well. Its my sister, Sophie Sophie, we share the same name. The woman replied, facing towards me, staring at me from her empty eye sockets. Sophie Chelvase. I told her. Chelvase?! The woman interrupted, the girl murdered not far from this very plain? She is dead The woman interrupted. On this very plain? I replied, anxiously. At the back of a young mans house, her Fathers old house, your Father? She asked. Yes, that makes perfect sense, he used to live here. In that house, hes home now. I replied. But where? Where exactly did it happen, I dream of my sisters death, have flashbacks, I see her being raped, I feel her. The old lady gasped, and turned away from me, looking over the field and towards the graveyard. I am weak, She said. I can take you to the barn in which she was killed, but not much further, you will find more there, maybe envision her killer. She turned back towards me and placed took my hand in hers. For I am but a ghost, trapped within this realm of mortals, I too was killed as a young girl She solemnly told me. I chose to walk this earth as a soul, protecting the innocent. I cant usually talk to the mortals, but you, youre different. I feel a bond to you. She placed a stone into her palm and placed my fingers onto it. You will soon know your sister, I can sense it. Only in death do things seem clear. CHAPTER 7 Close your eyes I felt a spiral of winds churning me, and found myself in a small barn, filled with hay, and ropes. An awful aroma of excrement filled the barn. I must go I heard. As I turned to see the woman, a cloud of white, fluffy smoke stood in her place. I saw her go, but still felt a presence in the room, I ran to the large oak door at the front of the barn. I pushed it open to reveal a glimpse of my garden; I went to walk through the door but felt a hand pull me back by my blouse. I saw the figure of the killer in my dream before me, I blinked, to see the figure of my Father standing before me. NO! I screamed, as he pushed me to the ground. I scuttled backwards on my backside. I knew youd find out, one day. He shuddered, twitching his neck and revealing from behind him a small, sharpened axe. You will share her fate The figure told me. Walking towards me slowly. He grabbed me by the throat; I straggled, and broke free. I ran screaming towards the house. I made it inside, and sprinted into the front room, where my mother was sat knitting. What ever is wrong? She cried, placing down her yarn. I watched out of the back window, my father walking in through the back door, still holding the blade. Its dad! He killed Sophie! Hes trying to kill me! I screamed, in complete disgust. Oh its ok dear, come here. My Mother held out her arms and pulled me in tight towards her bosom, still sat on the sofa. I heard my Fathers footsteps as he walked into the room. I tried to break free of my Mothers arms, but she held on tight. I struggle for freedom. I felt the axe penetrate deep into my back. As I regurgitated blood from my inners I felt my Mother push her fingers deep into my eye sockets, I watched my body fall limp to the floor. As my parents lifted it and left the room with it, I kept screaming, I watched my own body being mutilated, but felt no pain. I felt if anything, solemn. I embrace the moment, devastated, yet calm. And with that, I walked slowly toward the door, to where my parents took my body. I floated to the door, and before I could leave, a bright white cloud appeared before me. It vanished, to reveal the old lady with no eyes from before. She began to change, and within seconds, before me, appeared a young lady before me. Hello She said, in the same voice as the old ladys. Its me, your sister.

Consistent Style Sheet Eliminates Value Judgments

Consistent Style Sheet Eliminates Value Judgments Consistent Style Sheet Eliminates Value Judgments Consistent Style Sheet Eliminates Value Judgments By Maeve Maddox One of our readers, Pankaj, has asked for clarification on the posting called The Gentleman Fled on Foot. Was I addressing a matter of diction, or was I advocating the denial of respect for persons in unfortunate circumstances? Some publications and newsrooms have a policy of referring to people by surname only, once the full name has been mentioned. Others have a policy of adding the honorific to the surname every timeor for a set number of timesafter the full name has been mentioned. In either case, I see no problem. When a policy is in place, the writer knows whether to use Mr/Ms/Rev/Dr with the surname, or to go with plain Jones. My post was concerned with a practice that Ive observed often enough to regard it as a trend. Apparently many news sources have no set policy because they sometimes refer to people by surname only, and sometimes with the honorific plus surname. I first became aware of this strange practice several years ago when my dissertation adviser was murdered in his campus office. Ill call the professor Jones, and the man who killed him Smith. One of the articles published in a local paper, having named both men in the lead, went on for several columns to refer to the professor, who had a Ph.D. and was usually called Dr. Jones, as Jones, but referred to the other man as Mr. Smith each time he was mentioned. It could be that the tendency to be super-polite when talking about criminals grows from the knowledge that anyone who has yet to be convicted must be referred to as an alleged whatever. Perhaps writers who call bank robbers gentlemen are just being cautious. I dont know. In any case, the question forced me to look at why this inconsistency of diction bothers me. Ive had to conclude that Mr. Pankaj is a more accepting person than I am. In the absence of a style sheet rule, Id be inclined to leave off the Mr. when it comes to perpetrators of the more horrid crimes. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to use "on" and when to use "in"Do you "orient" yourself, or "orientate" yourself?People vs. Persons

Should You Become a Special Education Teacher

Should You Become a Special Education Teacher Are you ready for a very demanding, challenging yet very worthwhile and rewarding career? 10 Questions 1. Do you enjoy working with children with special needs? Are you committed to helping those in need achieve their potential?Some of the types of disabilities youll be working with include: learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, mental retardation, emotional disturbance (behavioral, mental FAS etc.), multiple disabilities, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, visual impairments, autism (autism spectrum), combined deafness and blindness, traumatic brain injury, and other health impairments. 2. Do you have the required certification? Certification/licenses to qualify you to teach?Special education certification will differ according to educational jurisdiction. North American Qualification 3. Do you have endless patience?I spent many months working with a child with Cerebral Palsy with the main goal being achieving a yes/no response. After months of working on this, it was achieved and she would raise her hand for yes and shake her head for no. These kinds of things are often just taken for granted, this was a very big learning leap for this child and made the world of difference. It took endless patience. 4. Do you enjoy teaching life skills and basic literacy/numeracy?Basic life skills overview here. 5. Are you comfortable doing the ongoing and what seems like endless paperwork required? IEPs, curricular modifications, referrals, progress reports, committee notes, community liaison forms/notes etc. 6. Do you enjoy assistive technology? There are more and more assistive devices available to students with special needs, you will be on a continuous learning curve to learn about the technologies available to students. 7. Are you comfortable with the inclusive model and teaching in a variety of settings? More and more special educators are supporting special needs student within the regular classroom. Sometimes, teaching in special education could mean having a small class of all life skills students or a class with students with autism. In some cases, there will be a variety of setting from small rooms for withdrawal combined with special and the inclusive classroom. 8. Are you able to handle stress?Some special educators burn out easily due to the additional stress levels caused by heavy workloads, administrative tasks and very difficult to handle students. 9. Are you able to develop good working relationships with a wide range of professionals, community service agents, and families? It is important to be empathetic and very understanding when working with the many individuals involved in the students behalf. The key to success is often a direct result of having exceptional relationships at all levels. You need to feel that you have a very strong ability to work as part of a team in a cooperative and collaborative manner. 10. The Bottom Line: You need to feel very strongly about your ability to impact the future of children with disabilities. If your main personal goal is to have a positive impact and to make a positive difference in the lives of children with disabilities this may well be the profession for you. It takes a special teacher to become a special education teacher.