Reactions to The Birth of a Nation

Reactions to The Birth of a Nation Mohammad A. Mian The Emergence of Modern America It can be argued that no other film in American history has been as controversial as D.W. Griffiths silent epic film, The Birth of a Nation. The Birth of a Nation, which first premiered on February 8th, 1915, and was based on Thomas Dixons novel and play The Clansmen.[1] The film is set in the American Civil War and the period of Reconstruction during the 19th century, and chronicles the lives of two families, the Stonemans and the Camerons.[2] The Stonemans are an abolitionist Unionist family from the North, whereas the Camerons are a Southern family loyal to the Confederate cause during the American Civil War.[3] Throughout The Birth of a Nation, African Americans are portrayed as being savages, violent thugs, sexual predators, ill mannered brutes, and ballot stuffers. For this reason, despite the films positive reception among the American public and news outlets at the time of its release; The Birth of a Nation received a negative response from African Americans and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, both of which protested against the films premiere across American cities. Despite the criticism, the film was defended by various news outlets and Griffith himself. Many contemporary film critics and historians regard The Birth of a Nation as Americas first great cinematic feature, despite its controversial portrayal of African Americans. The focal point of The Birth of a Nation are two juxtaposed families, the Stonemans and the Camerons. Members of the Stoneman household are Austin Stoneman, an American legislator and abolitionist, his sons Phil and Todd, and his daughter Elsie.[4] The Cameron family consists of Dr. Cameron, a Southern physician and staunch Confederate after the outbreak of the Civil War, his wife Mrs. Cameron, his two daughters, Margaret and Flora, and his three sons, Benjamin, Wade, and Duke.[5] At the beginning of the film, Phil and Todd visiting the Cameron family estate in South Carolina.[6] Upon immediately seeing Margaret, Phil falls in love with her, whereas Benjamin is awestruck by a picture of Elsie.[7] A few months later, the American Civil War erupts, and the Cameron sons enlist in the Confederate Army, while Phil and Todd uphold their loyalty to the Union by joining the army of general Ulysses S. Grant.[8] During the war, Black militiamen attack and ransack the Cameron estate, but the wo men of the household are saved by a Confederate contingent which routs the militia.[9] The portrayal of African American soldiers as brutes and savages strongly correlates with the stereotypical portrayal of Blacks the filmmakers envisioned. By the conclusion of the war, Todd, Wade, and Duke are killed in the conflict, while Benjamin is captured and taken to a hospital in Washington D.C.[10] At the hospital, Benjamin meets Elsie, with whom he develops a romantic relationship. The deaths of Todd, Wade, and Duke were emotionally appealed to the films audience, many of whom likely lost relatives in the Civil War. During his stay at the hospital, Benjamin is informed that he is to be executed by hanging due his associations with the Confederate guerillas.[11] In order to seek a pardon for Benjamin, Elsie and Mrs. Stoneman meet with Abraham Lincoln, and both of them manage to convince the President to pardon him.[12] After President Lincolns assassination, Austin Stoneman and his fellow republicans impose harsh measures on wealthy White Southerners, such as land confiscation, ushering in the Reconstruction period in American history.[13] Austin Stoneman travels to the South Carolina to oversee the implementation of the reconstruction policies of the Republicans.[14] He is accompanied by a Mulatto governor, Silas Lynch.[15] Lynch is portrayed as having psychotic characteristics, a common stereotype of African Americans among White Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[16] In the Southern cities visited by Stoneman and Lynch, African American soldiers are seen harassing Whites, while triumphantly parading on the streets.[17] In these particular scenes, Black militias are portrayed as being ill mannered and brutish in comparison to the naÃÆ'Â ¯ve and gentle White Southerners.[18] During the regional elections, Whites are shown as being barred from voting, whereas African Americans cast multiple votes without any issue.[19] After the elections, the African Americans who are elected to South Carolinas legislature are portrayed as being ill mannered, as the film once again highlights seeks to portray them as being brutish.[20] Laws in favour of African Americans are also enacted, which require Whites to respect Black soldiers in their cities, and mixed marriages are also legalized.[21] All of these factors, culminate in Benjamins founding of the Ku Klux Klan to counter the ever increasing power of African Americans in the South.[22] After Elsie hears about the activities perpetrated by Benjamins organization against African Americans in the South, she abruptly ends their relationship.[23] Meanwhile, Bens sister, Flora commits suicide after being pursued by Gus, a Black freedman who seeks a romantic relationship with her.[24] Gus incontrollable carnal desires are meant to portray him as a sexual predator, a common stereotype associated with African American men during the late 1800s and early to mid 1900s.[25] After personally witnessing his sisters demise, Benjamin has Gus lynched by his fellow Klan members, and places his corpse in front of Lynchs house.[26] Lynch immediately issues orders to suppress the activities of the Klan, and in the process Benjamins father is arrested for being associated with the organization.[27] He is, however, ironically rescued by his loyal Black servants with Phil Stonemans aid.[28] After hearing of the imprisonment of Mr. Cameron, Elsie attempts to convince Lynch to stop his crac kdown on the Klan.[29] Lynch refuses and attempts to rape Elsie, but she is saved by Benjamin and other Klan members who also manage to capture Lynch.[30] The capture of Lynch by the Klan is meant to emphasize the heroicness of the Ku Klux Klan as defenders of White Americans, and stereotype African Americans as savages. In the following election day, Black voters are stopped from voting by members of the Ku Klux Klan, and Margaret and Phil, and Elsie and Benjamin are married.[31] The film concludes with the title Dare we dream of a golden day when the bestial War shall rule no more? But instead the gentle Prince in the Hall of Brotherly Love in the City of Peace.[32] Following its release in 1915, The Birth of a Nation was praised by American film critics writing for various news outlets during the following few decades, without any mention of the films racial stereotypes of African Americans. One notable review of the film is Seymour Sterns article BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance in The New York Times, which was published on March 24th, 1935. Despite their being a twenty-year gap between the films release and Sterns review, he reflected the view Americans had of the film upon its initial release. Stern wrote It appeared twenty years ago as an unforeseen and unprecedented phenomenon in the old fashioned movie world of the day. With it the cinema became one stroke of art, and its first masterpiece was acclaimed by the critics. Simultaneously was once and for all delivered from the gaudy dominion of the vaude-ville show, which at the time had a stranglehold upon it-and David Wark Griffith entered into the long and magnificent reign as the kin of directors.[33] Stern further praised the films impressive photography by stating The picture is so remarkable from such a variety of important aspects that it is not easy immediately to select any given one. Griffith introduced a multitude of technical innovations that have since become the part and parcel of filmcraft. Here for the first time he used night photography, self-focus photography, moving camera shots, lap dissolves, the split screen and acute camera angles. The low-angle shots of mounted clansmen looming over the frightened Negroes are unforgettable. His subtle use of the iris in this film marks the fruition of that device.[34] From both of these statements, it is evident that Stern had high regard for the film. In fact, he had such high regard for the film that he described it as one which innovated and transformed the entire motion picture industry. Sterns review of the film also showcase the prejudiced White Americans had towards African Americans, as he did not once mention the films controversial portrayal of Blacks as a hindrance to the films visual magnificence.[35] Furthermore, Sterns referral to African Americans as Negroes further suggest that he largely agreed with their portrayal in the film, which is not surprising considering the fact that African Americans continued to be stereotyped in American media until after the Second World War. While Stern had nothing but praise for the film, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People protested against the film, as did African American veterans of the First World War. In the year of and years following The Birth of a Nations release, many African Americans protested against its release in theatres. While the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People opposed the film immediately upon its initial release, they did not take direct court action against it until after the First World War. The NAACP launched its court case against the film in the State of New York in 1921, and it was covered by The New York Times in an article titled FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here-Griffith and Dixon Defend Film. The article, published on December 3rd, 1922, stated Demands that a revival showing of The Birth of a Nation be prohibited in this state as a glorification of the Klu Klux Klan and part of a local drive by Rev. Oscar Haywood to increase membership of the Klan were made yesterday at a hearing before the motion picture commission of the State of New York by Walter F. White, Assistant Executive Secretary for the Advancement of Colored People; Henry W. Shields, Senator Elect from the 21st District; and Alderman George W. Harris.[36] The NAACPs protests were carried out against a rescreening of the film in the State of New York in 1921.[37] Many of those involved were influential members of the African American community, and they were displeased by their portrayal in the film.[38] Eventually the protest resulted in a court case against the film, in which D.W. Griffith was also present.[39] Unfortunately for the NAACP, the judge of the case ruled in favour of the films screening by stating that it did not, in any way, promote the Ku Klux Klan, but rather, was a reflection of post-Civil War America.[40] The protests showcased the racial tensions present in the United States during the early 20th century, and they also reflected upon the desire of African Americans to see the film have its theatre permits revoked. For many African Americans, the film added to their negative image among many White Americans, an image which they sought eradicate. To make matters worse, the judicial authorities did not support the ple as of the NAACP. However, opposition to the film existed even before the official involvement of the NAACP, as in May 1921, African American war veterans protested against the films screening in front of the Capitol Theatre in New York.[41] In May 1921, African American veterans of the First World War and their wives protested against the screening of The Birth of a Nation in Capitol Theatre in New York. On May 21st, 1921, Negroes Oppose Film was published in The New York Times, and it covered these protests. The article reflected the opinions of the war veterans on the film by stating Negro ex-servicemen in uniform, flanked by negro women, gathered in front of the Capital to protest against the revival of The Birth of a Nation. Some of the pickets carried placards which read We represented America in France, why should The Birth of a Nation misrepresent us here? Others distributed circulars published by the Nation Association for the Advancement of Colored People which demanded, Stop the Klu Klux Klan propaganda in New York.[42] Ultimately, these protests did not result in a victory for the picketers, as five of their organizers were arrested by the police, including three women, although, they would all be released within a few days.[43] The failure of the protests evidenced the lack of regard the American political establishment had for African American war veterans and the stereotypical portrayal of their community in the film. In fact, D.W. Griffith continued to defend the film, and after the May protests, he was quoted by The New York Times as saying It is a source of regret to me that purely advised people are endeavoring to stir up animosity against The Birth of a Nation. The opposition is misguided, and was misproven and laid away many years ago. The leading villain in the story is a white man, who leads a misguided following into conflicts which do not reflect upon the negro. It there were the slightest ground for protest against the film it seems to me that white men would have claim to it than negroes. I shall be quite willing, however, to submit the matter under oath to the consideration of the court.[44] Griffiths comments are not surprising considering the popular attitude towards African Americans at the time. However, his assertion that African Americans were not the leading villains in the film has no justifiable ground considering the films stereotypical portrayal of them. It is also interesting to note that Griffith was open to take the matter to court. Considering the lack of regard American courts had for African Americans at the time, this is also not surprising. The lack of sympathy for African Americans among American courts is further evidenced by lack of intervention by federal courts against the film. For this reason, despite a ban on the film in three states and a few cities upon its initial release in 1915, it seemed that the film would continue to be screened in American theatres due to its popularity among the White populace.[45] Indeed, the NAACP continued to protest against the film up to the 1950s, as the film was continuously revived in American theatres. In 1950, picketers rallied against the revival of The Birth of a Nation outside the Beverly Theatre at 823 Third Avenue.[46] The protesters were upset the controversial film was being screened in the New York once again, despite it being 35 years since its initial release. The President of the NAACPs branch in New York, Lindsey H. White, led the protests, which was covered by The New York Times article FILM REVIVAL PROTESTED: N.A.A.C.P. Pickets Birth of a Nation at Beverly Theatre.[47] According to the article The revival of D.W. Griffiths silent-film classic The Birth of a Nation, was protested yesterday by Lindsey H. White, president of the New York branch, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mr. White stated that the film, now being shown at the Beverly Theatre, 823 Third Avenue, distorts the historical truths of Negro and White in the reconstruction governments that were set up in various at the close of the Civil War. The NAACP has been picketing at the theatre since Saturday.[48] The article reflects upon the frustration among African Americans to have the films screening in the Beverly Theatre stopped. It also showcases that while it had been three decades since the films release, American attitudes towards the films content largely remained the same. Despite this, the popularity of the film had largely declined, as Americans became more interested in the Western genre of films in the 1950s and 1960s. With the decline of the film, it has become common knowledge that the film is no longer as popular, nor as widely viewed as it once was since the 1970s. For contemporary film historians from the 1990s onwards, the film is still regarded as one which transformed the American film industry. Perhaps no lines from a contemporary critics review of The Birth of a Nation better capture the films legacy on American cinema than these from Molly Haskells article In The Birth of a Nation,: The Birth of Serious Film in The New York Times The defining moment for the motion picture as a mass medium, an art form and a disturbingly powerful social force occurred on a bitterly cold night on March 3, 1915, at the Liberty Theatre in New York. It was the world premiere of D.W. Griffiths The Birth of a Nation, an event of such cultural magnitude that 80 years later, controversies still rage about the film among film scholars about its racially charged images.[49] Throughout her review, Molly praises the film for its ground-breaking innovations, vivid, imagery, and ability to keep an audience engaged, which is remarkable for a film 2 hour and 40 minutes long silent film produced in the early 20th century.[50] She is, however, critical of the films content, especially its negative portrayal of African Americans, as she does not agree with their stereotypical mannerisms in the film.[51] Nevertheless, she concludes her review by stating In Griffiths masterpiece sublimity of expressed was marred by melodramatic racism. Yet The Birth of a Nation, warts and all, remains a milestone: the movie that catapulted the medium from its 19th-century peep-show origins into its status as the great new art form of the 20th century.[52] Thus, it can be said that, while The Birth of a Nation remains a controversial film among, there is no doubt it transformed the film industry into a corporate giant. Upon its initial release in 1915, The Birth of a Nation was positively received by the American public and news outlets alike. However, the film was staunchly opposed by Africans Americans for its stereotypical portrayal of their community. Furthermore, the film reflected the tensions which existed between African Americans and White Americans from the late 19th to mid 20th century. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples was at the forefront of the opposition to the film, and remained so until the 1950s, after which the film declined in popularity. Almost all film historians agree that the film innovated the American film industry. However, they have criticized the film for its discriminatory portrayal of African Americans. Bibliography Films Griffith, D.W. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. New York: Epoch Producing Co., 1915. Primary Sources DEFENDS FILM PRODUCTION: Griffith Says He Regrets Complaint Against Birth of a Nation.' The New York Times, May 9th, 1921. Accessed March 20th, 2017. FILM REVIVAL PROTESTED: N.A.A.C.P. Pickets Birth of a Nation at Beverly Theatre. The New York Times, May 19th, 1950. Accessed March 20th, 2017. FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here- Griffith and Dixon Defend Film. The New York Times, December 3rd, 1922. Accessed March 20th, 2017. NEGRO PICKETS IN COURT: Decision Reserved on Protest Against Film The Birth of a Nation. The New York Times, May 10th, 1921. Accessed March 21st. NEGROES OPPOSE FILM: Ex-Service Men Say Birth of a Nation Misrepresents Them. The New York Times, May 7th, 1921. Accessed March 20th. Haskell, Molly. In The Birth of a Nation, The Birth of Serious Film. The New York Times, November 20th, 1995. Accessed March 21st, 2017. Stern, Seymour. BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC.: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance. The New York Times, Mar 24, 1935. Accessed March 20th, 2017. Secondary Sources Christensen, Terry. Reel Politics, American Political Movies from Birth of a Nation to Platoon. New York: Basil Blackwell Inc, 1987. [1] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith (New York: Epoch Producing Co., 1915). Film. [2] Ibid. [3] Ibid. [4] Ibid. [5] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Film. [6] Ibid. [7] Ibid. [8] Ibid. [9] Ibid. [10] Ibid. [11] Ibid. [12] Ibid. [13] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Film. [14] Ibid. [15] Ibid. [16] Ibid. [17] Ibid. [18] Ibid. [19] Ibid. [20] Ibid. [21] Ibid. [22] Ibid. [23] D.W. Griffith. The Birth of a Nation. 12 Reel Film. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Film. [24] Ibid. [25] Ibid. [26] Ibid. [27] Ibid. [28] Ibid. [29] Ibid. [30] Ibid. [31] Ibid. [32] Ibid. [33] Seymour Stern. BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC.: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance. (The New York Times, Mar 24, 1935), X4. [34] Ibid. [35] Seymour Stern. BIRTHDAY OF A CLASSIC.: The Twentieth Anniversary of Birth of a Nation Recalls Its Significance., X4. [36] FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here-Griffith and Dixon Defend Film. (The New York Times, December 3rd, 1922), 29. [37] Ibid. [38]ÂÂ   FOES OF KLAN FIGHT BIRTH OF A NATION: Ask Motion Picture Board to Forbid Revival Here-Griffith and Dixon Defend Film., 29. [39] Ibid. [40] Ibid. [41] NEGROES OPPOSE FILM: Ex-Service Men Say Birth of a Nation Misrepresents Them. (The New York Times, May 7th, 1921), 8. [42] Ibid. [43] NEGRO PICKETS IN COURT: Decision Reserved on Protest Against Film The Birth of a Nation. (The New York Times, May 10th, 1921), 6. [44] DEFENDS FILM PRODUCTION: Griffith Says He Regrets Compl

Vocabulary and Key Definitions in the Human Body

Vocabulary and Key Definitions in the Human Body The endocrine system works with the nervous system and circulatory system to regulate the bodys activities of cells, tissues, and organs. The nervous system triggers the endocrine system to contract the specific gland and secrete a specific hormone to keep the body in homeostasis. The hormones bind to a protein to hitch a ride using the circulatory system to transport the hormones to get to where they are going. The endocrine system uses what is called negative feedback. Negative feedback works like this: when the body senses hormone A+ (positive) is over its limit, the body triggers hormone A- (negative) to start producing so the hormone balance is within a set limit or tells hormone A+ to stop producing that hormone for the time being. This reaction works both ways. The only glands that do not use negative feedback are the reproductive glands, they are on a positive feedback system. Positive feedback means an action or stimulation occurs, the glands start producing hormones that stimulate a different hormone or action. Once the initial action or stimulation ceases, the gland stops producing the hormone or action.Figure 2 (Browne, C., Dr.2016) Word Parts: -Crin to secrete Diuret to pass urine Endo inside Homeo similar Horm impetus, impulse Hypo below Lact ­ milk Para beside -Stasis slow down or stop Toc birth -Tropic influencing Key Terms: Active Transport movement of a substance through a cellular membrane that requires cellular energy. Anterior Diffusion movement from high to low concentrations, equaling out both sides. Glucose simple sugar that is required for energy within the body. Homeostasis internal environment staying the same on consistent. Negative Feedback System of slowing down to stopping process due to a specific input. Osmosis diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane (Bonewit-West, K., Hunt, S. A., Applegate, E. J., 2016) Passive Transport moves substance through a membrane and does not require cellular energy. Receptor Cell cell that binds to a specific chemical or hormone. Target Cell has a specific receptor added to the cell that will only reaction with a specific chemical or hormone. The  Endocrine  System Figure 1 (Endocrine Gland, 2016) How does it work? Endocrinology study of endocrine system Hormone chemical that influence growth, development, and metabolic activates (Bonewit-West, K., Hunt, S. A., Applegate, E. J., 2016. p 187) Classified as either Proteins or Steroids. Except for sex hormones (classified as proteins or protein derivatives). Endocrine Gland (ductless glands) do not have ducts but secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Pineal Gland -Aids in sleep. Secretes melatonin. Hypothalamus aids in stimulating other endocrine glands to release hormones (Shier, D., Butler, J., Lewis, R., Shier, D., 1999 p 496). Secretes tropic hormones. Pituitary Gland (The Master Gland) Kickstarts adrenals glands into secreting specific hormones, regulates growth, metabolism, balance of water (Dowshen, S., MD, 2015), and body composition. This system is divided into anterior and posterior lobes. Anterior lobe secretes Growth Hormone (GH), Stimulations Hormone (TSH), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Follicle-stimulations Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Prolactin (PRL). Posterior secrete Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH), and Oxytocin (OT). (Shier, D., Butler, J., Lewis, R., Shier, D., 1999 p 497) Thyroid Gland Their function is to regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Secretes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Parathyroid Gland located behind the thyroid gland and regulates calcium and phosphate ions in the bloodstream. Secretes parathyroid hormone Figure 3 (Endocrine Gland, 2016) Thymus Aids in immunity and formations of different white blood cells. Secretes thymosins. Pancreas Serves a dual purpose as a digestive organ and endocrine gland. Regulates blood sugar. Secretes glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, Adrenal Gland located on top of the kidneys. Helps regulate metabolism, body response to stress, and blood pressure. It secretes epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, aldosterone (Sargis, R. M., MD, PHD, n.d.), androgens (male), and estrogens (female) (Shier, D., Butler, J., Lewis, R., Shier, D., 1999 p 512) Ovary (female) Helps in the maturation of female. Secretes estrogen and progesterone. Testis (male) Helps in the maturation of male. Secretes testosterone. Other glands Lining of the stomach (not studied well) and small intestine (not studied well), heart (atrial natriuretic peptide), and kidneys (erythropoietin).What does this all mean? What happens is when a hormone is secreted into the bloodstream through osmosis or diffusion and it seeks out a specific target cell. Each cell, part of the body, gland, or type of organ had specific receptor cells. This target cell attaches to the receptor cell and tells the cell, part of the, body, gland, or type of organ what to do and/or what to release back into the blood stream. This attachment can be done through active to passive transport. The endocrine system affects the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular (heart), lymphatic, digestive, respiratory (lungs), urinary, and reproductive systems. What can go wrong? Diabetes bodies unable to store or use glucose. There are 6 different types of diabetic conditions: gestational (while pregnant), hyperglycemia (too much glucose in the blood), Hypoglycemia (not enough glucose in the blood), prediabetes (warning prior to full diabetes), Type 1 (no insulin production), Type 2 (lack absorption of insulin). Growth disorders the pituitary gland doesnt produce enough somatotropin (growth hormone, aid in cell division) which doesnt make children grow at a normal rate. This does not affect brain function, just height, weight, and in severe cases; muscle and skeletal mass. These are just a few of the common endocrine disorders out of the many that are present in patients. References Bonewit-West, K., Hunt, S. A., Applegate, E. J. (2016). Todays medical assistant: clinical & administrative procedures. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Browne, C., Dr. (2016, June 6). Advanced Vocabulary Study: Mastering Word Parts. Retrieved March 28, 2017, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advanced-vocabulary-study-mastering-word-parts-dr-charles-browne Dowshen, S., MD. (2015, July). Endocrine System. Retrieved March 28, 2017, from http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/endocrine.html Endocrine Gland. (2016, September 11). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from http://cephalicvein.com/2016/07/endocrine-gland/ Sargis, R. M., MD, PHD. (n.d.). An Overview of the Adrenal Glands. Retrieved March 28, 2017, from https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-adrenal-glands Shier, D., Butler, J., Lewis, R., Shier, D. (1999). Holes human anatomy & physiology. Boston, MA: WCB/McGraw-Hill.

Not All Conspiracies are Imaginary Essay -- Conspiracy Theory Theories

Not All Conspiracies are Imaginary Almost as an article of faith, some individuals believe that conspiracies are either kooky fantasies or unimportant aberrations. To be sure, wacko conspiracy theories do exist. There are people who believe that the United States has been invaded by a secret United Nations army equipped with black helicopters, or that the country is secretly controlled by Jews or gays or feminists or black nationalists or communists or extraterrestrial aliens. But it does not logically follow that all conspiracies are imaginary. Conspiracy is a legitimate concept in law: the collusion of two or more people pursuing illegal means to effect some illegal or immoral end. People go to jail for committing conspiratorial acts. Conspiracies are a matter of public record, and some are of real political significance. The Watergate break-in was a conspiracy, as was the Watergate cover-up, which led to Nixon's downfall. Iran-contra was a conspiracy of immense scope, much of it still uncovered. The savings and loan scandal was described by the Justice Department as "a thousand conspiracies of fraud, theft, and bribery," the greatest financial crime in history. Conspiracy or Coincidence? Often the term "conspiracy" is applied dismissively whenever one suggests that people who occupy positions of political and economic power are consciously dedicated to advancing their elite interests. Even when they openly profess their designs, there are those who deny that intent is involved. In 1994, the officers of the Federal Reserve announced they would pursue monetary policies designed to maintain a high level of unemployment in order to safeguard against "overheating" the economy. Like any creditor class, they preferred a deflationary course. When an acquaintance of mine mentioned this to friends, he was greeted skeptically, "Do you think the Fed bankers are deliberately trying to keep people unemployed?" In fact, not only did he think it, it was announced on the financial pages of the press. Still, his friends assumed he was imagining a conspiracy because he ascribed self-interested collusion to powerful people. At a World Affairs Council meeting in San Francisco, I remarked to a participant that U.S. leaders were pushing hard for the reinstatement of capitalism in the former communist countries. He said, "Do yo... ...; Wade was quickly contradicted from the audience by Jack Ruby, who claimed that Oswald was a member of the leftish Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Del Valle, who was one of several people that New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison sought out in connection with the JFK assassination, was killed the same day that Dave Ferrie, another suspect met a suspicious death. When found in Miami, del Valle's body showed evidence of having been tortured, bludgeoned, and shot. 3 The bankers of the Federal Reserve System print paper money, then lend it to the government at an interest. Kennedy signed an executive order issuing over $4 billion in currency notes through the U.S. Treasury, thus bypassing the Fed's bankers and the hundreds of millions of dollars in interest that would normally be paid out to them. These "United States Notes" were quickly withdrawn after JFK's assassination. 4 See Mark Lane, Plausible Denial; Was the CIA Involved in the Assassination of JFK? (New York: Thunder's Mouth Press, 1991). For testimony of another participant see Robert Morrow: First Hand Knowledge: How I Participated in the CIA-Mafia Murder of President Kennedy (New York: S.P.I. Books, 1992).

History of Anesthesia Essay -- Biology Medicine

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I will be telling you my short little paper on the History of Anesthesia. I will be telling what some terms mean that will be used in anesthesia history. Also I will be telling a some dates from years before our time on how anesthesia came from and who was there, and what drugs came out.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First I will be starting out with several definition of the term anesthesia. The absence of normal sensitiation, especially to pain, as induced by an anesthetic substance or by hypnosis or as occurs with traumatic or pathophysiologic damage to nerve tissue. Anesthesia induced for medical or surgical purposes may be topical, local, regional, or general and is named for the anesthetic agent used, the method of the procedure followed, or the area or organ anesthetized. The people who are permitted to give anesthesia to a patient is an anesthesiologist or a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). (Mosby’s Pocket Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health) There is also two different ways of describing Anesthesia you could either call it anesthesia or analgesic. In the next couple paragraphs I will be going over ways on how anesthesia would be given to a patient who will be going under a surgery.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  General anesthesia is the most common way that anesthesia is given to a patient. The absence of sensation and consciousness as induced by various anesthetic agents, given by inhalation or intravenous injection. Most of the time a general anesthesia is given to the patient through an IV to the patient.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Local anesthesia is another common way of inducing a patient. The administration of a local anesthetic agent into tissues to induce the absence of sensation in a small area of the body. Topical anesthesia is a surface analgesia produced by application of a topical anesthetic in the form of a solution, gel, or ointment to the skin, mucous membrane, or cornea. Regional anesthesia is an anesthesia of an area of the body by injecting a local anesthetic to block a group of sensory nerve fibers. Next one would be a caudal anesthesia which would an injection of an agent into the caudal part of the epidural space through the sacral hiatus to anesthetize sacral and lower lumbar nerve roots. An epidural anesthesia is an injection A type of regional block in which a local  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  anesthetic is injected into the epidural... ...imetry added to the standards for basic monitoring when it comes to an anesthestized patient. 1992 Desflurane was finally made that it could be used clinically. Desflurane is one the anesthesia drugs that must be heated because it is unsable in room temperature. 1994 Sevoflurane also was passed to be used in a clinically stable medical field. 1995 House of Delegates of the ASA approves Practice Guidelines for Preoperative Transesphageal Echocardiography. 1996 End trial carbon dioxide monitoring added to the standards for basic monitoring. End trial carbon dioxide can also be used as EtCO2. Also in this year the Bispectral Index Monitoring System approved for Clinical use. House of the ASA approves Practice Guidelines for Office Based Anesthesia. Last thing in this year Rapacuronium used clinically and it is also always known as a IV drug. WORK CITIED The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 3rd. Edition. 21 November 1846 Longnecker, David E., Murphy, Frank L. Introduction to Anesthesia. Copyright 1997 Dorsch, Jerry A., Susan E. Understanding Anesthesia Equipment Construction, Care, and Complications (3rd. Edition). Copyright 1993

Hmong Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The traditional Hmong live a horticultural society they depend on domesticated plants, they are well-adapted on soils of the tropical rain forests and poor soil places which are unsuitable for intense agriculture. Prehistoric Hmong are thought to have moved from Eurasia and made a few stops at Siberia. As their custom they settled in the highlands (mountains) from Vietnam and Laos and later in Thailand. They inherited the name â€Å"Miao†, from living in the mountains. Today Five million Hmong reside in China, more than any other country. The Hmong people have straight black hair and have a short, sturdy stature. In the southern margins of the Sahara Desert, going southward toward East Africa are tall, rather thin dark skin peoples called the Nuer. To the Nuer horticulture is degrading toil. The Nuer live the pastoral mode of production with their primary dependancy on animal husbandry, cattle. Although the cattle is not raised for the meat, unless they become barren, or injured they eat them under special conditions. Usually adapt in dry grassland with short growing seasons. Although they do eat/grow crop it is very little. Milk is one of the main foods of the Nuer. Both cultures sacrifice animals to heal souls. The Hmong believe in the dab as the evil spirit, the Nuer believe in the evil eye. The evil eye is a person with supernatural power who causes damage to people who look at them. For the Hmong the most common cause of illness is soul lo...

Compare and contrast between persepolis war and vietnam war Essay

Graphic Novels showing conflict of war can be described in different ways. These ways are determined by the target audience and the authors decision of mood.The imagery in Persepolis and the vietnam story are affected by these choices made by the author. There are differences in the style of this book in which the reader uses to show emotion such as the target age group, the emotional aspect as well as the realism of the story. The imagery which detail is displayed in a complex or simple way can both give the reader insight while portraying a different perspective at the same time. Persepolis and the vietnam imagery both use a black and white graphic weight creating a dark feeling shown by the subjective style. They use detailing in the background like the shadowed soldiers in the Vietnam images or bright flashes of gunshot in Persepolis, thus giving the reader a different perspective. The vietnam images provides a more in depth style that provides in order to show the author’ s message. However, the simple imagery used in persepolis is to get a point across using symbolic images and a straightforward style rather than in the vietnam images the sketched lines and detailing brings out a specific emotion. The target audience in which the author and/or illustrator wants to reach out to affects the type of imagery and message they want to send out,such as a story about the conflict of war to children can be subtle rather than show a harsh reality yet can both depict a mood of conflict and struggle. These two graphic styles can both get across the subjective opinion of war being undesirable by the emanata of struggle seen with the characters to the reader. They both compare the harsh reality without being too gruesome. Persepolis uses a more cartooned illustration to portray a childlike perspective thus having a target audience of young readers. In contrast, the Vietnam imagery’s perspective differs in the point of view. This shows the difference in fighting in the war rather than suffering the consequences, demonstrating an adult understanding. War can convey many emotions depending on the authors/illustrators mood they want to convey to the readers by using simple and/or complex emanata and graphic weight in similar and different ways. Persepolis and the vietnam both inflict a sympathetic emotions by showing  the struggles shown by their stressed emotions and facial styles. As well as their similar use of contrast between light and darkshows a emotional aspect of the conflict of war. To contrast the Vietnam images uses shading and shadows to add more tension and grit displaying a impactful emotion. The Persepolis imagery uses thick heavy blacks and whites without any shading making the images simple and the emotions it portrays to the reader shallow and not as complex. In conclusion these two works of graphic reading can be contrasted and compared by only three categories of realism, target age groups, and emotions. These both shared the struggles of the conflict of war as well as portraying different views and perspectives. As well as displaying an obvious age target. Even though they are similar they are both different in showing the conflict of what goes on in a war.

Marginal Costing

What is Marginal Costing? What are its features? What are the basic assumptions made by Marginal Costing? Marginal Costing is ascertainment of the marginal cost which varies directly with the volume of production by differentiating between fixed costs and variable costs and finally ascertaining its effect on profit. The basic assumptions made by marginal costing are following: – Total variable cost is directly proportion to the level of activity. However, variable cost per unit remains constant at all the levels of activities. – Per unit selling price remains constant at all levels of activities. All the items produced by the organisation are sold off. Features of Marginal costing: – It is a method of recoding costs and reporting profits. – It involves ascertaining marginal costs which is the difference of fixed cost and variable cost. – The operating costs are differentiated into fixed costs and variable costs. Semi variable costs are also divided in the individual components of fixed cost and variable cost. – Fixed costs which remain constant regardless of the volume of production do not find place in the product cost determination and inventory valuation. Fixed costs are treated as period charge and are written off to the profit and loss account in the period incurred. – Only variable costs are taken into consideration while computing the product cost. – Prices of products are based on variable cost only. – Marginal contribution decides the profitability of the products. What are the limitations of Marginal Costing? The limitations of Marginal Costing: – The classification of total costs into fixed and variable cost is difficult. – In this technique fixed costs are totally eliminated for the valuation of inventory of finished and semi-finished goods.Such elimination affects the profitability adversely. – In marginal costing historical data is used while management decisions a re related to future events. – It does not provide any standard for the evaluation of performance. – Selling price fixed on the basis of marginal cost will be useful only for short period of time. – Assessment of profitability on the marginal cost base can be used only in the short period of time. What is Cost Volume-Profit relationship? Cost Volume-Profit (CVP) relationship is an analysis which studies the relationships between the following factors and its impact on the amount of profits. Selling price per unit and total sales amount †¢ Total cost which may be in any form i. e. fixed cost or Variable cost. -Volume of sales In simple words, CVP is a management accounting tool that expresses relationship among total sales, total cost and profit. Cost Volume-Profit relationship is one of the important techniques of cost and management accounting. It is a powerful tool which furnishes the complete picture of the profit structure and helps in planning of profi ts. It can also answer what if type of questions by telling the volume required to produce.This concept is relevant in all decision making areas, particularly in the short run. Explain P/V ratio and Contribution. P/V Ratio: P/V Ratio (Profit Volume Ratio) is the ratio of contribution to sales which indicates the contribution earned with respect to one rupee of sales. It also measures the rate of change of profit due to change in volume of sales. Its fundamental property is that if per unit sales price and variable cost are constant then P/V Ratio will be constant at all the levels of activities. A change in fixed cost does not affect P/V Ratio. It is calculated as under: Contribution * 100) / Sales (Change in profits * 100) / (Change in sales) A high P/V Ratio indicates that a slight increase in sales without increase in fixed costs will result in higher profits. A low P/V ratio which indicates low profitability can be improved by increasing selling price, reducing marginal costs or selling products having high P/V ratio. Contribution: It is the difference between sales revenue and variable cost (also known as variable cost). Variable cost is the important cost in deciding profitability as fixed costs are ignored by marginal costing. It can be expressed in two ways: Sales Revenue – Variable Cost †¢ Fixed Cost + Profit The situation generating higher contribution is treated as a profitable situation. Explain Break Even Point. How does BEP help in making business decision? Break Even Point (BEP) is a volume of sales where there is neither loss nor profit. That means contribution is enough to cover the fixed costs. Thus, we can say that Contribution = Fixed Cost Any contribution generated after BEP will directly result into profits as the fixed costs are fully covered now. BEP can be computed in two ways: In terms of Quantity- Fixed Costs / Contribution per unitIn terms of Amount- (Fixed Costs) / (P/V Ratio) BEP (Break Even Point) is the situation whe re there is neither loss nor profit. At this stage, the contribution is enough to cover the fixed costs i. e contribution is equal to fixed cost. Contribution generated after the break even point will result in profits for the organisation. Profit maximization is the motive of every organisation. Thus, every organisation use BEP as a base to take various decisions in regard to its sales volume and tries to increase it so that total fixed costs can be covered as early as possible and more profits can be earned.Explain Margin of Safety. Margin of Safety is the amount of sales which generates profit. In other words, sales beyond Break Even Point are known as Margin of Safety. It is calculated as the difference between total sales and the break even sales. It can be expressed in monetary terms or number of units. It can be expressed as below: Margin of Safety = Sales – Break Even Sales = Sales – {(Fixed Cost) / (P/V Ratio)} = ((Sales * (P/V) Ratio) – Fixed Cost) / ( P/V) Ratio = (Contribution – Fixed Cost) / (P/V) Ratio = Profit / (P/V) RatioThe size of margin of safety is an extremely important guide to the financial strength of a business. If margin of safety is large, which indicates that BEP is much below the actual sales, that means business is in a sound condition and reduction in sales will not affect the profit of the business. On the other hand, if margin of safety is low, any loss of sales may be a serious matter. Thus, efforts need to be made to reduce fixed costs, variable costs or increasing the selling price or sales volume to improve contribution and overall P/V Ratio.