MIA and MPA Concentration Choice COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

MIA and MPA Concentration Choice COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog One of the questions that has been popping up in our email in box from MIA and MPA admitted applicants has to do with the choice of concentration at SIPA.   You can think of your concentration as your major field of study.   Many applicants are worried that they must stick with the concentration selected when the admission application was filled out.   This is not the case.   As a reminder, our six concentrations are: Economic and Political Development Energy and the Environment Human Rights International Finance and Economic Policy International Security Policy Urban and Social Policy We do look for focus in an admission application and the concentration choice often will influence how a file is read.   For example, if someone selects International Finance and Economic Policy on the admission application we do look for evidence of some pretty serious quantitative study and/or work experience due to the fact that this concentration is quantitatively heavy. However, we also realize that when admitted applicants enroll and speak with faculty, take some classes, interact with second year students, and attend events, one’s career or academic focus might shift and we want to be flexible and allow students to choose the pathway that is best for their professional goals.   Often this insight only comes after actually enrolling and spending time at SIPA. Thus it is perfectly acceptable to change your concentration when you register for classes in the fall.   There is no formal process, you simply must choose a concentration when you register.   There is also no firm time line to finalize your choice, however the longer you wait, the more precarious completing the requirements becomes. The counseling students receive will thus encourage you to be firm with your concentration choice sometime during your first year, and the sooner the better so that you may shape your class schedule and internships.   All of our program requirements must be completed in four semesters and deciding early will help alleviate pressure over time by narrowing your class choices. So there is no need to worry about sticking to the concentration selected on the admission application.   During Orienation in August new students will have the opportunity to hear faculty speak about the different options and the concentration choice will be made when you register.   If you need to change again when you register for the second semester you may, but again the more focused and certain you are, the more you will be able to gain from the program.

The Drug War On Drugs - 1378 Words

In 2009 1,663,582 people were arrested for non-violent drug charges. These people’s lives are now forever changed because of a mistake they made. This mistake is continually made every single day and Americans are being punished in extreme ways for a non violent crime. The United States needs to decimalize all drugs because the drug war is costly, causes high incarceration rates, and isn’t effective as European drug solutions. In the 20th century, the United States government led a major renewed surge in drug prohibition called the War on Drugs, this started the US on a spiral that would harm us all. Since the war on drugs began under the administration of President Richard Nixon, the federal drug-fighting budget has increased from $100 million in 1970 to $15.1 billion in 2010, with a total cost estimated near 1 trillion dollars over 40 years (drug policy, 2015). The amount of money that the United States spends on drugs could be used in many better fields of government . A large argument against this is that this money has been used to help end drug use. If that statement is true, then the DEA is doing a poor job at ending drug use since drug use has gone up since the war has started. The financial cost of the drug war is not worth it due to progress not being made here in the United States. Now one argument against ending the drug war is that the DEA would lose its jobs and Americans would suffer, this is false because the jobs that DEA agents hold would shift fromShow MoreRelatedThe War On Drugs And Drugs Essay972 Words   |  4 PagesThe war on drugs have been a critical issue that has repeatedly held a great debate topic. It was in the 1906 when the first act against drug was put into effect with the Pure Food and Drug Act which required all over-the-counter medication to have label of its ingredients. Under President Nixon the first executive branch office to coordinate drug policy was formed and the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act was put into place. Two years following that the Drug Enforcement AgencyRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs1486 Words   |  6 PagesThe War on Drugs Despite an estimated $1 trillion spent by the United States on the â€Å"War on Drugs†, statistics from the US Department of Justice (2010) has confirmed that the usage of drugs has not changed over the past 10 years. Approximately $350 billion is spent per year on the â€Å"war on drugs†, only $7 billion is spent on prevention programs by the federal government. The war on drugs is more heavily focused on how to control crime, instead of how to prevent it. Not only is the war on drugs costlyRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs1821 Words   |  8 PagesThe war on drugs is a long going battle and it has created many issues all around the world and as of today the highest prison population can be found in the United States due to drug charges. About half of the inmates with in federal and state prisons can be found on drug convictions. Those charges can range from possession of an illicit substance to drug trafficking that surprisingly continues to be an issue in federa l and state prisons. How can United States put an end to the war on drugs? Read MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs Essay1549 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Drug has been a serious issue in our society and criminal justice institutes due to many problems associated, including the violence, negative health benefits, social disorganization, and other negative consequences. The police agencies have adopted a policy called â€Å"The War on Drugs†, as a response to the rising drug problems. The War on Drugs has popularized variety policies and practices that significantly increased the overall number of drug arrests, and other drug related offenses(TheRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs1199 Words   |  5 PagesThere was so much information on this topic of the War on Drugs that I am still wrapping my mind around it. It went into such detail about the war on drugs that are never talked about. We always hear â€Å"just say no.† I know that drugs are a very big problem in our society and even the whole world but I never knew to what extent it really was. I found it very interesting how Johann Hari interviewed these people who were in the middle of the drug war and their stories. It really opened my eyes to whatRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs808 Words   |  4 PagesWhose interests are advanced by sustaining the war on drugs? Police seems to gain a lot by sustaining the â€Å"war on drug†. Drugs are a significant force in police deviance, with as many as half of all convictions in police corruption cases involving drug-related crimes. Corruption in law enforcement, courts, and corrections can be explained through egoism selfish desires for personal gain. In other cases, however, corruption might be better understood as stemming from socially hedonistic incentives;Read MoreThe War On Drugs And Drugs2027 Words   |  9 Pagesincreased federal spending in an attempt to curb the number of drug users and the sale and importation of illicit narcotics the war on drugs began in earnest. The war on drugs has also played a major role in politics as well as having a significant impact on the economy. While there are many arguments in favor for the war on drugs and an equal number of arguments against it I will attempt to show an unbiased look at the war on drugs and drug prohibition and how it has affected society as a whole. SinceRead MoreWar On Drugs And Drugs1952 Words   |  8 PagesWar on Drugs The war on drugs has come a long way without any remarkable success. America has been dealing with the drug menace for many years to a point that four of its presidents have declared the war on drugs part of their main agenda. Sadly, it has been a lost war in various perspectives. Drug abuse continues to be a daily topic with drug abusers flooding not only the American society but also many countries’ hospitals, prisons and courts. The drug trade has continued to cause violent crimesRead MoreThe Drug War On Drugs Essay2030 Words   |  9 Pagesthe â€Å"War on Drugs† sought to control the sale and use of psychoactive drugs as well as promote access to treatment for those who abuse and misuse these substances (Bagley, 1988; Elkins, 1990). Policies implemented prohibited the possession and distribution of narcotics (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, heroin); the punitive policies, which often resulted in hefty fines and prison sentences for violators, ultimately prompted the emer gence of a black market, more potent and lethal drugs, synthetic drugs as wellRead MoreWar On Drugs And Drug Trafficking960 Words   |  4 Pagestrafficking, drug trafficking, and weapons trafficking. One of the most harmful organized crimes is drug trafficking. What makes drug trafficking organized is the system of production to distribution. Drug trafficking organizations have a hierarchy of power from the kingpins to the couriers. Drug also has political influence they are able to bribe and blackmail politicians. Trafficking drugs is a multi-billion-dollar business, and the United States is one of its largest markets. Drug trafficking is

Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay - 1407 Words

Sir Gawain: The Ideal Knight Sir Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by an unknown author, is a knight who attempts to uphold ideal standards of knighthood. The ideal standards of knighthood consist of multiple qualities that ultimately make a knight worthy; those qualities are loyalty, strength, bravery, humility, honorability, a sense of justice, good public speaking skills, and to be of a noble family. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight many, if not all, of those qualities are present in Gawain. His loyalty is shown to the king throughout the book; his strength, bravery, and humility are seen in his battle with the Green Knight, and his other qualities are shown scattered in the poem. Sir Gawain’s journey as a knight and hero are both significantly shaped by Sir Gawain’s loyalty and his ability to speak. The loyalty that Sir Gawain exhibits is a loyalty that shows he is reliable, trustworthy, and honest. Furthermore, all of those traits would be expected in an ideal knight such as Gawain because that would mean he would be reliable, trustworthy, and honest to his king and the kingdom he serves. Sir Gawain not only shows loyalty to his king, but he also shows loyalty to a more unexpected character: the Green Knight and Lord Bertilak. Loyalty to more than just those with a higher social status, is another honorable trait Sir Gawain possesses. Sir Gawain’s first act of loyalty was to his king, Arthur. When the Green Knight unexpectedly crashes the partyShow MoreRelatedSir Gawain And The Green Knight1359 Words   |  6 PagesIn the poem â€Å"Sir Gawain and The Green Knight,† a protagonist emerges depicting an Arthurian knight named Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, takes initiative by accepting the challenge requested by the Green Knight in place of his uncle. He undergoes a perilous adventure, seeking for the Green Knight to receive the final blow. Although Sir Gawain is not viewed as a hero for hi s military accomplishments, he is, however, viewed as a heroic figure by the Knights at the Round Table for hisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight862 Words   |  4 PagesIn Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by an unknown author referred to as the â€Å"Pearl Poet,† we are introduced to Sir Gawain. Gawain is a knight of the Round Table and he is also the nephew of King Arthur. As a knight, Gawain is expected to possess and abide by many chivalrous facets. Throughout the poem he portrays many of the qualities a knight should possess, such as bravery, courtesy, and honor among others. Because of his ability to possess these virtues even when tempted to stray away from themRead MoreSir Gawain and the Green Knight1100 Words   |  5 PagesThe poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight compares a super natural creature to nature. The mystery of the poem is ironic to the anonymous author. The story dates back into the fourteenth century, but no one knows who originally wrote t he poem. This unknown author explains in the poem of Sir Gawain not knowing of the location of the Green Chapel and or who the Green Knight really is. This keeps the reader entertained with the suspicion of not knowing. The author then does not give his name orRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight contains ambiguity and irony that make it interesting to read and teach. Gawain’s conflict arose when he accepted the girdle that could protect him and when he lied to his host, severing fellowship with the lord for courtesy with the lady. By utilizing a social reconstructionist philosophy of teaching that emphasizes personal beliefs and ethics, a teacher will help the students establish their identities and learn to appreciate classic literature. Sir Gawain and theRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1514 Words   |  7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight is an epic poem written in the mid to late fourteenth c entury by an unknown author. Throughout the tale, Sir Gawain, a Knight at the Round Table in Camelot, is presented with many hardships, the first being a challenge on Christmas by a man in which, â€Å"Everything about him was an elegant green† (161). This â€Å"Green Knight† challenged someone in Camelot to accept his game which they will chop off his head with his axe and the Green Knight will do the same to the playerRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1335 Words   |  6 PagesSir Gawain: The Ironic Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a tale of the utmost irony in which Sir Gawain, the most loyal and courteous of all of King Arthur’s knights, fails utterly to be loyal and courteous to his king, his host, his vows, and his God. In each case, Sir Gawain not only fails to perform well, but performs particularly poorly, especially in the case of his relationship with God. Ultimately, Sir Gawain chooses magic over faith, and by doing so, shows his ironic nature as aRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight906 Words   |  4 Pagesusually the latter. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight we see Sir Bertilak go off to hunt three very specific animals as a game with Sir Gawain. They agree that â€Å"what ever [Bertilak catches] in the wood shall become [Sir Gawain’s], and what ever mishap comes [Sir Gawain’s] way will be given to [Bertilak] in exchange.† (Sir Gawain†¦, ln 1105-1007). In this deal we slowly see Gawain loose his honor as paralleled with Sir B ertilak’s hunt. The first animal that is hunted by the knight is a deer, while thisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1521 Words   |  7 PagesFall 16 Donnelly Many years ago, knights were expected to form a certain type of relationship with their king, this relationship was otherwise known as fealty. Fealty is a knight’s sworn loyalty to their king (in other words a loyal relationship should be formed between the two). The use of this relationship is shown in the poem called â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† ( the author is unknown). This poem has a classic quest type of formula, with a knight receiving a challenge and then going outRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1455 Words   |  6 PagesHowever, for Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight temptation existed around every corner while he was playing the game of the Green Knight. Temptation existed every day and each day it existed in a new way. Gawain never knew what was coming his way throughout the grand scheme of the game, but one thing was for certain he was being tested. Without his reliance religious faith and dedication to his reputation, Gawain wo uld not have been able to make it through the game of the Green Knight alive andRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1020 Words   |  5 PagesBoth Sir Gawain, from â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† translated by Marie Borroff, and Beowulf, from Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, serve as heroes in different times of Medieval English Literature. Many of the basic principles that describe heroes in Medieval Literature are seen in both of these characters even though they were written in different times. There are distinct similarities, differences, and also a progression of what the hero was in English literature, between Sir Gawain and

Regulating Food Advertising and Freedom of Speech Free Essays

Essay 2, Summary and Response Regulating Food Advertising and Freedom of Speech Perspectives on Advertising and Children Summary— As the author of article â€Å"Regulating Food Advertising to Children,† Margo G. Wootan proposes, â€Å"Responsible food marketing to children must address not only how food is marketed but also which foods are marketed to kids (334). † She believes that even in the absence of government control there should be some guideline for food marketing to act responsibly and not encourage children to eat foods that are harmful to their health and well-being. We will write a custom essay sample on Regulating Food Advertising and Freedom of Speech or any similar topic only for you Order Now Because of the increasing rate of childhood obesity in the United States, the author suggests a compromise approach between marketing techniques and nutritional criteria to be met for children up to the age of eighteen (333). Food marketing is extremely influential in children’s food choices since it attracts their attention with the appeal of contests, prizes, cartoon characters, and their celebrity icons. Although parents are a huge accountability for the food their children eat, Wootan believes it’s rather difficult for parents to compete with what marketing advertises as healthy as opposed to what parents consider is healthy for their children (333). The author suggests marketing being consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with the reduction of calories, sodium, refined sugars, and saturated and trans fats in order to support not overeating with reasonable portion sizes directly and indirectly. Also, to stop and prevent unhealthy eating habits, food marketing should redesign products to improve their nutritional quality, including adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains presented in homes as well as school environments (335). As Wootan states, â€Å"The marketing of products that may not be nutritionally ideal but provide some positive nutritional benefit and that could help children meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans† is the ultimate compromise that benefits both food marketing and the health of today’s children (334). In â€Å"Advertising and Freedom of Speech: Beware of the Food Nanny,† author Robert Liodice justifies the importance of free speech by saying, â€Å"Trampling on the First Amendment, whether through government controls or unsupported self-regulatory edicts, should not even be on anyone’s radar screen as a way to solve problems. † Liodice believes CSPI overlooks a wide variety of factors beyond marketing that influence childhood food consumption (336). He thinks the guidelines on nutrition and marketing are so restrictive that it’s supported by flawed data and omit the significant, positive improvements food and marketing industries are taking. For example, the marketing industry established the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU), which screens material that may be misleading and receives comments and concerns from the public for the past thirty years (336). The author states CSPI mentioned a claim that marketing targeted at kids has doubled in the last ten years, but neglects to explain food ads seen by children under the age of twelve declined by 13% in the last four years. Liodice insinuates CSPI’s narrow focus solely on food marketing misguides the public when other factors come into play because â€Å"there is no simple or quick answer to this multifaceted challenge,† as the Surgeon General concluded (337). Response— Based on both arguments on food marketing aimed towards children and freedom of speech, I understand where each author is coming from and I agree with both to some extent. Wootan’s article makes a valid point that there are many factors that affect food choices, but food choices are mainly influential by persuasive and attractive food marketing. Companies have extensive expertise and efficient skills to lure children into wanting a line of products that may not be as nutritional but is portrayed as desirable. I also agree that some of Wootan’s claims are invalid due to the lack of details and evidence compared to Liodice’s more specified examples and statistics on food marketing and their effectiveness. Because food marketing is Wootan’s only topic of debate, she disregards the other many factors that affect food choices by not elaborating upon them. For example, American consumers have full knowledge of the importance of personal and parental responsibility, public education, dietary balance and moderation, and of course, physical activity; yet Wootan only focuses on the negatives of food marketing when all these factors are just as imperative in addressing the issues of childhood nutrition and obesity. In my opinion, Robert Liodice is correct in advocating free speech to be the basis of choice and personal responsibility. Everyone has a right their own opinion, however, I don’t see the problem with the help of government control for some guidance with the public in order to educate them of a healthier lifestyle. With a set of guidelines, it will help set a standard for people to follow. Marketing and advertising cannot persuade everyone to eat healthier because they can only do so much to expose people of the advantages and benefits of a nutritional diet—that is if people even pay attention to food advertisement. Healthy eating habits will all boil down to the individual deciding whether or not to put nutritional food in their mouth. Works Cited Wootan, Margo G. â€Å"Regulating Food Advertising to Children. † Think: Critical Thinking andLogic Skills for Everyday Life. 2nd ed. Ed. Judith A. Boss. New York: McGraw-Hill,2012. 333-335. Print. Liodice, Robert. â€Å"Advertising and Freedom of Speech: Beware of the Food Nanny. † Think:Critical Thinking and Logic Skills for Everyday Life. 2nd ed. Ed. Judith A. Boss. NewYork: McGraw-Hill, 2012. 335-337. Print. How to cite Regulating Food Advertising and Freedom of Speech, Essay examples

Miranda Rights Dilemma in use an Example of the Topic Government and Law Essays by

Miranda Rights: Dilemma in use Rights are not just simple rights. They are the basis of the performance of the constitution, the law and the government. Failure to provide a better rule for the rest of the people in a country or perhaps in the whole world would mean of incapability to run a government or an institution. The rights of the people is the key to live a peaceful life or that was what we people believed in but underlies each rights are the limitations and boundaries to prevent the over use of such power. Need essay sample on "Miranda Rights: Dilemma in use" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed One of the most famous rights there is perhaps is the Miranda Rights. This does not limit the person arrested to be unable to protect himself thus Miranda rights allow the arrested person to have the choice whether he shall remain silent or he will immediately talk. Miranda Rights are not just like any other rights. This is specialized for the people arrested by the authorities thus this makes this right clearly unbiased. Despite of the goodness that Miranda Rights bring, we have to take it to the account that not all people should perhaps know this upon arrest. It has been a common knowledge to almost all people and perhaps mentioning it on an arrest is very helpful but as far as I am concern, when it comes to private security personnel, there is no need to recite these rights. While people who do not have any idea of the Miranda Rights, the private security personnel have an idea about this already thus we must understand that if involved in a case, this personnel must talked as soon as he can to either clear his name or perhaps put his name in vain. These people are the key in cases thus their silence would no help any good in solving a case. In this line, Miranda Rights should not be required when a private security personnel is involved because the key statements would somehow come from this people thus a clear understanding of the case will be given if the person will not be given the chance to remain silent. The idea of prohibiting Miranda Rights in cases like this does not mean that we are limiting the rights to some people only but rather it gives us a fair judgment by having an easier way out of the case. Referenses G.S.Prentzas "Miranda rights : protecting the rights of the accused" New York, NY : Rosen Pub. Group, 2006.

American Central Banking Impact

American Central Banking Impact Free Online Research Papers American Central Banking and Oil and the Impact of their Visual Depictions By: Teodor Serbanescu Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of The Humanities Arts Requirement Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts This Seminar in the History of Science and Technology and the History of Scientific and Technical Illustration is the culmination of my five Humanities and Arts courses at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Every class, in some way, related to the theme of the seminar, and helped maximize my final product. For example, HI 2314 set up a foundation of basic American history for me to build upon. HI1312 discussed American social history, which taught me about public opinions and behaviors through time. EN2211 helped improve my writing skills, which was crucial to my success in the seminar. Also, HI2331 and HI2332 taught me the history behind science and technology over a period of two centuries. The subject of the actual seminar was more focused on the technical images throughout the history of science, which required me to do some research that I have not done previously. The paper that I wrote was about American central banking and oil and the impact of their technical depictions. It ti es into the theme of the seminar because central banking and oil companies were, in a way, a type of science, and the images related to them and impacted them in a strong way. Introduction Since the nineteenth century, central banking and the oil industry have been areas of importance in regard to the shaping of American politics and society. Central banking and the Federal Reserve System have played a significant role in the country’s finances, but have also been scowled at by a number of people, especially during its early years. The oil business has affected our country in a variety of ways as well, and also has been frowned open at times. During this time, artists have drawn images in newspapers and magazines that portray what is happened in the country. Additionally, these images are drawn mainly to provide a theme of controversy, such as the one that banking and oil have provided. Central banking and the oil industry have been scrutinized with visual imagery throughout history, often times to depict their true nature to the public. Central Banking America’s first bank was founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1871. It was modeled after the Bank of England. Unlike today’s banks, it did not hold all of America’s money supply, rather only about 20%. The Bank was opposed by some, most notably Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who thought that the system would lead to corruption, manipulation, and misuse. Five years later, a second bank was created to improve the first. The second bank, like the first, did not have an official name. It was structured mostly the same as the first bank, except it expanded across the US and was allowed to hold more money. However, the bank’s downfall was due to President Andrew Jackson, who denounced the bank in 1830 and claimed it to be a source of corruption. The image above is a political cartoon published in an 1832 newspaper. This drawing was inspired by Andrew Jackson’s battle with the second bank of the United States; Jackson vetoed the bank in 1832, saying that it served mainly to make the rich richer. Jackson told his vice president, Martin Van Buren, â€Å"The bank is trying to kill me, but I will kill it!† These words are portrayed in the above cartoon quite literally. While analyzing this picture, a few things are obvious: the main characters are Andrew Jackson, a young man, and the green monster, and it takes place in a bedroom at night. The bedroom belongs to Andrew, the young man is Andrew’s butler, and the green monster is the portrayal of the bank; I can only assume this through logic reasoning. Andrew Jackson is holding a sword and trying to attack the monster ‘bank’, while his butler is holding him back, and the monster is in an offensive position as well. The implications and themes of t his picture are as follows: Andrew Jackson is a small old man with a brave heart (a characteristic that is generally favored among people), because he is trying to fight a huge monster. The young butler is trying to hold Andrew back from this monster (this adds a comical affect). And the monster ‘bank’ is trying to attack Jackson (monsters are generally un-favored among people). When putting these three generalizations together, people during that time, and even today, will get the idea that the bank is evil and Jackson is brave and noble, which is exactly what the artist most likely intended. It turned out that Jackson was in fact favored by the majority of people, and succeeded in his battle with the bank; whether or not this newspaper cartoon had an impact on that is a question that cannot be answered, but I believe the answer is yes. After the downfall of the second bank, the Free Banking Era emerged. It lasted from 1837 to 1862. Each state was allowed to govern their own interest rates, loans, and other finances. Nevertheless, banks still existed, but only locally. In 1863, the National Banking Act was passed and a national currency was introduced. The system had certain flaws, such as the inability to back up their money with treasuries. This lead to the Panic of 1907, in which the government came to the conclusion that separate national banks were insufficient, and a main central bank was needed. The picture above is another political cartoon, published in 1908 by the Pioneer Press. It reads, â€Å"Uncle Sam’s Need Of An Elastic Currency // President Roosevelt: â€Å"You see, those galluses ought to have rubber in them, so that when Uncle Same stoops to move the sheaf there won’t be much strain on the buttons.†Ã¢â‚¬ 1 Galluses is an old way of saying a pair of suspenders for trousers, and sheaf is another way of saying a pile.2 What Roosevelt is implying is that the US government needs an elastic money supply in order to move the money to different locations. He is personifying the US bank as Uncle Sam, the ‘galluses’ as the money supply, the ‘sheaf’ as the portion of the money to be moved, and the buttons as the finance center. In this picture, the artist portrays Roosevelt’s analogy in a clever way. He drew Uncle Same about to ‘move the sheaf’, as Roosevelt had mentioned, and even drew out some of the impl ications that he made. For example, Uncle Sam’s ‘Galluses’ are drawn out and labeled ‘US Currency’, the buttons are labeled â€Å"Finance Center†, and the ‘sheaf’ is labeled ‘The Crops’, which is another term for the goods or money to be moved. The artist also added two gentlemen watching and Uncle Sam with a pondered look upon their faces; one of the men has ‘Congress’ written on his hat, implying that congress is overseeing this process and looking for ways to improve it. The humor is that Roosevelt took the serious idea of an elastic money supply, and created this witty scenario that we have above. The effects that this image had on the public, other than being funny, was to inform them about this new idea and raise their support towards it through amusement. After the Free Banking Era, in 1913, the Federal Reserve System came to power. This system was not exactly part of the government, but too far away from it either. It was responsible for holding money and deposits from other banks, i.e. reserving it, also called the ‘banker’s bank’. Since then, the Fed has gone through a number changes and provisions. Today, the Fed employs a monetary policy, which gives it the power to change prices, taxes, and credits to ensure positive economic growth in the country. It is responsible for controlling our national finance and debt. This cartoon was drawn by Greg Strid in 2007 and named ‘Uncle Sam’s Credit Brothel’. It portrays the Federal Reserve as sort of vacuum machine, sucking up the money coming from the window of the store. The store, labeled ‘Uncle Sam’s Brothel’ is in flames. Also, the man is driving the machine, with a hat labeled ‘Ben’, he has an unhappy look on his face. You can tell that the setting is during the early 1900s, because the automobile and store is made of wood. There is also a sign on the other side of the building saying ‘Moral Majority Entrance’.1 The implication of ‘Uncle Sam’s Credit Brothel’ is to represent an ordinary bank during that time, and brothel is used to represent the money and credits, not actual prostitutes, as the word actually means. The message that the artist is trying to send here is that the Federal Reserve is destroying small town banks by coming through the back entrance, i.e. using politics to destroy them, not actual force. The driver, named Ben, has a sad expression on his face because he is portrayed as an average working citizen. Oil Industry Oil has been around for thousands of years, but until the 1800s, oil was used for other purposes than fuel. It was used for disinfectants, vermin killers, hair oil, and boot grease. The oil industry in the US began in the mid 1800s when gas powered automobiles were invented.1 Soon after, a man named John D. Rockefeller took control of the oil industry by driving his competitors into bankruptcy and then buying them out. In 1870, he formed the Standard Oil Company, which took control of the entire oil industry in the US. This all ended in 1911, when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Standard Oil Company was using illegal monopoly practices. Congress then divided the oil industry into 34 new companies. The image above is a political cartoon drawn by Udo J. Keppler in 1904. It appeared in a magazine, during that time, called ‘Puck’. The picture shows an octopus monster, labeled ‘Standard Oil’, devouring a manufacturing site and wrapping its tentacles around some buildings and people. The octopus is representing J.D. Rockefellers oil industry monopoly. The other figures in this picture are the steel, copper, and shipping industries, which are being crushed under the octopus. Also, the state house and U.S. Capitol located the left and right of the monster are being grabbed. The octopus is reaching towards the White House.1 The four people being attacked seem to be the owners of the other industries, whom are disgruntled by their defeat. This picture’s setting is on top of the globe, which emphasizes the power and strength of the standard oil octopus. The main theme of this drawing is to show how powerful the standard oil company is becoming, how aggres sive and scary it is, and how close it is to grabbing the white house and gaining full control of the country. Could this have played a role in the eventual downfall of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company? Up until World War II, the true value of oil was not entirely known to the US. After WWII, the government quickly realized the full extent of oil value, and started playing a vast role in the oil business. In 1933, the government paid $275,000 to Saudi Arabias King for an oil concession, and this was just the first of many transactions that the government would make with foreign countries. Since then, the value of oil has increased. Today, oil prices are rising drastically, and causing much controversy in public opinion. The problem is that US does not have enough oil supply to fulfill its demand. Due to this, the Bush and Cheney Administration stated that they would focus their attention more on the Middle East for future oil supply. Once the September 11th terrorist attacks occurred, the administration decided to engage Iraq. Many believe that the main reason for this was oil, although, President Bush says that the main reason was because they believed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. Recently, Bush stated that the forces cannot leave Iraq because terrorists will use the oil refineries against us. This cartoon was drawn by S Greenberg and published in the Ventura County Star newspaper in 2003. It shows George W Bush in a blue business suit and army helmet, talking about reasons to go to Iraq. In white quote bubbles, he firsts asks why we must go to Iraq, then in the other bubble, he gives four reasons. These reasons are the same as the ones that he publicly states all the time, such as Saddam’s threat to the US and the threat weapons of mass destruction.1 The humor is how the artist bolded and capitalized the letters ‘O I L’, in the words ‘toil recoil boil and soil’. So if a person reads only the bold letters, they will read ‘oil, oil, oil, oil’ where Bush is explaining the reasons to go to Iraq. Also, Bush’s facial expression and posture show that he is trying to preach something, which adds more of a comical affect. Most citizens know that oil has a large role in the reason why we are in Iraq, even though Bush won’t admit it; cartoons like this one help emphasize that point. Conclusion A lot of times, when organizations, such as the Central Bank and Oil Industries of the US, try to do something immoral or unjust, an artist, somewhere, ends up drawing something about it. These depictions are seen in newspapers, magazines, and now, the Internet. Unfortunately for the organizations, public opinion matters, and visual images can change public opinion from the way they depict the organizations. To conclude, visual imagery can affect the way a country is run in an indirect way. References 1) Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. A History of Central Banking in the United States. Minneapolis, Minnesota. April 25, 2008. minneapolisfed.org/centralbankhistory/bank.cfm Apr 23, 2008. 2) Random House Unabridged Dictionary. Dictionary. Random House, Inc 1997. http://dictionary.infoplease.com. Apr 25, 2008. 3) Andrew Jackson, U.S. President. www.answers.com/topic/andrew-jackson, Apr 25, 2008 4) Mukhtar Amin, Joshua Berkowitz, Suzanne Bremer, Kevin Gallagher, Julie A. Nelson, Brian Roach. Macroeconomics in Context. Global Development And Environment Institute Tufts University, Medford , MA. 5) Strid, Greg. Uncle Sam’s Credit Brothel. splendidmarbles.com/category/cartoonscultural, Apr 23, 2008. 6) Sjuggerud, Steve. History of Oil: The Single Greatest Prize in All History. The Oxford Club, 1999. investmentu.com/IUEL/2004/20040811.html. Apr 27, 2008. 7) Picture History. 1997. www.picturehistory.com/product/id/17529. Apr 27, 2008. 8) Duroy, Quentin. John Davison Rockefeller. Spring 1999. bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/rockefeller/bio1.htm 9) Loven, Jennifer. Bush gives new reason for Iraq war. Associated Press, August 31, 2005. boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/08/31/bush_gives_new_reason _for_iraq_war/. Apr 27, 2008. 10) Bush’s New Benchmark. http://marjorieanndrake.blogspot.com/2007/08/bushs- benchmark-oil- privitazation-mucho.html. Apr 28, 2008. Research Papers on American Central Banking and OilThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationTwilight of the UAWWhere Wild and West MeetHip-Hop is Art19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThree Concepts of PsychodynamicBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseDefinition of Export QuotasInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married Males

Impersonal Subjects and Gerunds Quiz

Impersonal Subjects and Gerunds Quiz Compare these two sentences: Studying English is sometimes boring. and It is sometimes boring to study English. Both of the sentences are used to make general statements about an activity - studying English. Here is an overview of the two forms: gerund object to be conjugated (adverb of frequency) adjective Examples: Playing tennis is an excellent exercise.Reading English newspapers is often difficult. It to be conjugated (adverb of frequency) adjective infinitive Examples: It is sometimes exciting to walk in the pouring rain.It was strange to say that Russian is easier than English. Two Exceptions The phrases It is worth and It is no use take the gerund NOT the infinitive form. It is worth / It is no use gerund object Examples: It is worth driving to the lake to have a look around.It is no use studying for this exam. Quiz Change the sentences from the original to the other similar structure. Example: It is sometimes easy to forget your cell phone number. Answer Forgetting your cell phone number is sometimes easy. Playing chess requires great concentration.It is not easy to learn Chinese.It is difficult to understand the motives of many politicians.Interviewing applicants is often stressful and unrewarding.Speaking English is always useful when traveling abroad.It is never simple to move abroad.Thinking about danger is often illogical.It has been difficult to accept his death.Flying to Africa will be great fun.Working hard for so many years has been tiring for them. Original Sentences Playing chess requires great concentration.It is not easy to learn Chinese.It is difficult to understand the motives of many politicians.Interviewing applicants is often stressful and unrewarding.Speaking English is always useful when  traveling  abroad.It is never simple to move abroad.Thinking about danger is often illogical.It has been difficult to accept his death.Flying to Africa will be great fun.Working hard for so many years has been tiring for them. Sentence Changes It requires great concentration to play chess.Learning Chinese is not easy.Understanding the motives of many politicians is difficult.It is often stressful and unrewarding to interview applicants.It is always useful to speak English when  traveling  abroad.Moving abroad is never simple.It is often illogical to think about the danger.Accepting his death has been difficult.It will be great fun to fly to Africa.It has been tiring for them to work hard for so many years.