Animal Cruelty Is Not Defined The Same By All People

Writing to Solve a Problem: Animal Cruelty Cruelty to animals is not defined the same by all people. Cruelty encompasses physical and mental harm. By definition, any action that causes physical or mental harm to an animal would be considered cruel. The blanket opinion is most often unanimous, cruelty to animals must cease, there then begins the differing of opinions. The determination of what is considered acceptable treatment of animals, and what is considered cruel treatment has been dissected and divided through the years to meet the needs of different groups and cultures. When discussing the treatment of animals, often differentiated between are farm and domestic (household) animals. Animals that are domesticated, in many cultures, such as dogs and cats, are handled with utmost care and respect. Unfortunately, not all cultures are of the same thinking. There are cultures, in which the majority religion is Islam for example, that perceive dogs as dirty or dangerous. Dogs are considered slatternly by the teachings of the Koran. Muslims will not make contact with dogs unless they are able to clean their hands immediately. On the other hand dogs, in the United States and Japan, are often dressed in outfits such as a child might be. Dogs are often considered members of the family in these same countries as well. When thinking about concern for domesticated animals, cows can also be used as a reference. Cows are considered with as much respect, in India, asShow MoreRelatedAnimal Abuse And Neglect1090 Words   |  5 PagesAnimal abuse is defined as either the physical mistreatment of an animal or neglect where the animal is denied basic necessities of care. The mistreatment of animals is a serious issue within society. It often goes unreported because many people believe it is only abuse if it is intentional. This lack of understanding allows minor cases of neglect to progress into major cases that can end in the death of the animals involved. Animal abuse needs a better definition due to the results of neglect, psychologicalRead MoreAnimal Cruelty And Mistreatment Of Animals923 Words   |  4 PagesNationwide animals are mistreated each day; millions of animals are killed each year because people do not know how to properly treat a living creature respectably. Animal Cruelty and mistreatment is present nationwide; in order to prevent this type of mistreatment, American’s need to be aware of the injustice of animal cruelty. Scientific research, abandonment, and mistreatment are the main reason why these animals are neglected each day. â€Å"Animal Cruelty† is referred as the savagery of animals; brutishRead MoreAnimal C ruelty Is A Tremendous Issue Concerning The United States1663 Words   |  7 PagesAnimal Cruelty and the Link to Abuse Toward Humans Animal cruelty is a tremendous issue concerning the United States and has a large link to abuse toward humans. On DoSomething.org (n.d.), they found that â€Å"Today animal cruelty has been reported in urban, suburban, and rural settings in all regions of the country† (para. 6). But at the same time, there is animal welfare, which can protect animals when they have been mistreated. Individuals who participate in animal cruelty are more likely to engenderRead MoreTo Begin, The Vegan Diet Restricts All Animal Products1518 Words   |  7 Pagesvegan diet restricts all animal products including; meat, fish, poultry, eggs, animal milk, and foods containing these products, such as cheese and ice cream. The vegan lifestyle is a very difficult one to upkeep, but the benefits are long lasting. People who primarily eat fruit and vegetables have much lower stress levels than people who eat meat. Along with lower stress levels, they have a lower risk for cancer and heart disease. Las tly, this diet prevents animal cruelty. There are many moreRead MoreAnimal Abuse And Its Impact1325 Words   |  6 PagesAnimal Abuse Its Impact This project is an in depth look at animal abuse. What is animal abuse? Animal abuse is defined as either the physical mistreatment of an animal or neglect where the animal is denied basic necessities of care. The mistreatment of animals is a serious issue in society. It often goes unreported because many people believe it is only abuse if it is intentional. This lack of understanding allows minor cases of neglect to progress into major cases that can end in the deathRead MoreAnimal Cruelty Essay1481 Words   |  6 PagesFor one to completely understand animal cruelty one must know how animal cruelty is categorized. Animal cruelty was first categorized as a symptom of conduct disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in 1987 (McPhedran; 2008). Conduct disorder is defined as â€Å"a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others are major age appropriate societal norms or rules are violated† (American Psychiatric Association; 1994 as cited as McPhedran; 2008). To be diagnosed withRead MoreDomestic Violence VS Animal Cruelty and Child Abuse1665 Words   |  7 PagesOver the centuries, animals have suffered from cruelty from humans. In the United States, animals are beaten, neglected, or forced to struggle for survival. Animals have been inflicted with pain from humans for reasons other than self-defense. They have been slaughtered for their food and fur for personal gain in profit. In a majority of cases they have even been abused for someone’s own personal amusement or out of rage filled impulses. In some cases animals are found and rescued. They are givenRead MoreProtecting Animals From Neglect And Cruelty Essay1327 Words   |  6 PagesProtecting animals from neglect and cruelty has a long and venerated history in the United States. â€Å"A central goal of the animal rights movement has been to draw attention to vivisection and the use of animals in medical and industrial research† (Liechty). U sing animals in research and to test the safety of products has been a topic of heated debate for decades. According to data collected by F. Barbara Orlans for her book, In the Name of Science: Issues in Responsible Animal Experimentation, sixtyRead MoreInhumane Treatment of Farm Animals1319 Words   |  6 Pagestheir animals. Pregnant pigs are confined to tiny crates where they can barely move, and chickens are crammed together by the thousands, in small chicken house to save money. Veal calves are kept inside so their meat doesnt darken. Dairy cows and hens are pumped with lots of chemicals and hormones so that they produce more milk and eggs than they naturally would, and piglets that a crippled, too small or simply unwanted are killed brutally and thrown away like trash. Not only are the animals deniedRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1449 Words   |  6 Pagesdo we just crave it? Freedom is defined in the dictionary as the state of being free or at liberty rather than in co nfinement or under physical restraint. Freedom is a concept that the animals in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm crave. The animals of Animal Farm want freedom from their â€Å"dictator† Farmer Jones and the rest of humanity. Their problem is that Farmer Jones and humanity are still in power. With the bravery of two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, the animals overthrow their human oppressors

Rashormon by Akira Kurosawa - 1079 Words

The narrative in Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 Rashomon is famous for its unconventional style and structure, its method of storytelling is based on the characters perception of the truth, in film and television it is often referred to as the Rashomon effect. The visual style and symmetry are compelling proponents of the films symbolism, Kurosawa’s use of sunlight and dark shadows symbolizes the clarity of the story, an example would be the use of sunlight as good faith and the shadows as a dark impulse. The film tells the story of one event with four different accounts to it, each story is altered so that the truth is distorted or otherwise based on each characters perception of what has transpired. Kurosawa used four different alternate versions in the story as the narrative in the film, it is structured so the audience could have their own thoughts and perception of the real truth. Kurosawa also uses the philosophy of justice to show how human nature and moral relativism can not tell the absolute truth without the bias of ones experience, in other words the problem with the truth is that it is based on perception. Kurosawa adapted the story plot and characters from In the Grove written by RyÃ… «nosuke Akutagawa, he wanted the film to be objective keep the characters perfectly aligned with the original story by RyÃ… «nosuke Akutagawa. The narrative of the film Rashomon is based on the perception of each character that participated in the event that occurs in the film, so in some ways

Uk / Sustainability Stories Reading Lm ) - 2055 Words

Sustainability Diaries 1. 25th, July 2014 (http://www.quaker.org.uk/sustainability-stories-reading-lm) The word sustainability has been defined ‘as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs’ (Mansdorf, 2010). True Food Co-operatives in UK is a community owned business which specializes in the sale of eco-friendly household products, organic food and vegetables (Thompson, 2011). The company sells the products weekly in the neighborhood markets, and has implemented the unique strategy of selling 90 of their products loosely to lessen the use of packaging (Thompson, 2011). The decrease in the use of high energy processes such as packaging helps to†¦show more content†¦The environmental friendly measures adopted by the company needs to be maintained and adopted across the other business processes and operations (Loock et al, 2013). The company can use â€Å"Green IS† which can improve the environmental-efficiency of the business processes through automation. Moreover, the implementation of decision support system can help in the implementation of the relevant sustainable strategies and also help integrate the flow of environmental information in the organization (Thambusamy an d Salam, 2010). 2. 26th, July 2014 (http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/blog/2013/01/11/the-story-of-a-dry-dry-summer/) The year 2012 was deemed excellent for the whisky companies due to increased demands from Asia and Latin America (Morrison, 2013). This increase in demand caused the companies, Diageo, the world’s largest scotch producer to pledge an investment of  £1 billion and Pernod Ricard, another company, to pledge an investment of  £40 million (Morrison, 2013). However, the inevitable happened when there was severe shortage of water which caused the whisky distilleries to halt production. The main reason for this shortage of water was climatic change which caused early summers (Morrison, 2013). This rainless summer severely impacted several distilleries in particular pockets of Scotland. These distilleries saw

Diabetes Mellitus ( Dm ) Is A Metabolic Disorder That...

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that affects the body’s metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. The result is hyperglycemia secondary to defective insulin secretion, insulin action, or both (Dunphy, Winland-Brown, Porter, Thomas, 2015). Describe the underlying pathophysiological differences between Type 1 and Type 2 DM. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from a T cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas. The destruction of the beta cells ultimately leads to insulin deficiency. Beta cells autoimmunity is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors (Huether Mccance, 2012). According to Dean and McEntyre (2004), the most important genes that contribute to T1D are located in the HLA genes. Apparently, there are many different alleles (variations) of the HLA genes, each of which is given a particular number. However, certain alleles (i.e., HLA-DQ, HLA-DR3, and HLA-DR4, HLA-DR9, etc) increase the probability that immune cells will attack the body s beta cells. More specifically, HLA genes encode two main classes of proteins (class I and II) called major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHC I and MHC II present proteins (antigens) to the immune system (T cells). If the immune system recognizes the chains as foreign, it responds by triggering the cell to self-destruct. Beta cell loss of 80% to 90% causes absolute insulin deficiency, which leads to hyperglycemia and T1D. According to evidence, genes thatShow MoreRelatedDiabetes Environmental Factors That Affect It A genetic disorder called Diabetes affects nearly600 Words   |  3 PagesDiabetes Environmental Factors That Affect It A genetic disorder called Diabetes affects nearly 25.8 million people in the U.S. alone [2]. This disease is a metabolic disorder caused by the lack of production of insulin in the body or lack of the body’s use of insulin. The body produces insulin to help our digestive system break down carbohydrates (sugars and starches) and turns them into sugars that will enter the bloodstream [1]. If there is not enough insulin produced by your body then theRead MoreDiabetes : The Common Chronic Disorders1737 Words   |  7 PagesINTRODUCTION: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic disorders in UK [1]. According to Silverman, more than 2.6 million people in UK are diabetic as according to data collected from GP practices and more than 5 million obese people are registered to GP practices. So One in ten people are getting treatment for obesity and one in 20 are getting treatment for diabetes [2]. It is estimated that more than 5% men and more than 4% women in England are found to have diagnosed diabetes. While, 3% menRead MorePathophysiology Of Type II Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus1575 Words   |  7 PagesNon-Insulin Dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM): Type II Non-insulin dependent diabetes is the most common. It often occurs in older adults, patients who are overweight, and patient with metabolic disorders. It can happen at any age though. The tissues in the body have built some resistance to insulin. The insulin levels in these patients can vary from low to high and can also be normal. You might be at risk of developing Non-insulin dependent diabetes if you have a family history diabetes, being obese,Read MoreNeeds Artificial Insulin3758 Words   |  16 Pagesblood sugar? Indeed, that is correct, but such a response is a bit like saying Mozart? Wasnt he some kind of a musician? Insulin is a key player in the control of intermediary metabolism. It has profound effects on both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and significant influences on protein and mineral metabolism. Consequently, derangements in insulin signaling have widespread and devastating effects on many organs and tissues. To our surprise, insulin was the first hormone identified (lateRead MoreA Brief Note On Diabetes Mellitus Type 12221 Words   |  9 PagesAbstract Diabetes mellitus type 1 (type 1 DM) was first documented following recognizable reports in the second half of 19th century. More common in children and young adults, it results from the autoimmune annihilation of the beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Consequently, glucose and blood in the urine increase due to the absence of, or reduced amount, of insulin. Symptoms include increased hunger, frequent urination, weight loss and increased thirst. Presently, the cause remainsRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus : A Disorder That Affects The Amount Of Sugar2073 Words   |  9 PagesDiabetes mellitus is a disorder that affects the amount of sugar in the blood. There are many types of sugar 2 simpler sugars are called glucose and fructose. Pathophysiology begins when the body does not produce enough insulin to move the glucose into the cell or if the cell stops responding normally to insulin, that resulting increase levels of glucose in the blood and adequate amount of glucose in th e cells together produce the symptoms and complications of diabetes. There are two types of diabetesRead MoreThe General Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus Essay3167 Words   |  13 PagesA person suffer from diabetes mellitus has high blood sugar if left untreated. Explain diabetes, blindness and kidney failure Diabetes Definition and diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus. Nowadays many people, especially in the developed nations though not solely, suffer from diabetes. American Diabetes Association (2014) had studied that diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders and which reveal themselves by causing problems in insulin action/-secretion or both and resultsRead MoreCase Study Endocrine Essay6536 Words   |  27 PagesI. INTRODUCTION Diabetes is a chronic condition involving glucose in the blood. It is caused  by a problem in the way the body makes or uses insulin. Insulin, a hormone that is necessary for glucose to move from the blood to the inside of the cells. The body cannot use the insulin for energy if it cannot get into the cells. Diabetes occurs when the body has too much  blood glucose due to either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively use the insulin produced. InRead MoreCoping with Chronic Illness2699 Words   |  11 Pagesstrategies with chronic illness. o The magnitude of chronic illness in Egypt. o Theories of caring in relation to chronic illness. o Effect of chronic illness on patient and relatives. o Health promotion strategies. 2. Definition of diabetes. 3. Types of diabetes. 4. Sign symptoms. 5. Causes. 6. Risk factors. 7. Anatomy and physiology of pancreas. 8. Case study. ïÆ' ¼ Demographic data. ïÆ' ¼ Past history of: ï‚ § Patient ï‚ § Family ïÆ' ¼ Lab investigations. ïÆ' ¼ Drugs. ïÆ' ¼ Nursing care plan. ïÆ' ¼ HealthRead MoreIntroduction to Diseases10781 Words   |  44 PagesDate: 18th January, 2013 H.S.B Project: DISEASES Teacher: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. INTRODUCTION The difference between good health and disease is that health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In  humans, it is the general condition of a  persons mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from  illness,  injury  or  pain  (as in â€Å"good health† or â€Å"healthy†) whiles a disease  is an  abnormal  condition affecting

Defining Marriage Free Essays

Defining Marriage Words are a part of everyday life. Without them people would have a very hard time conveying a message or showing their feelings to the people around them. Words also provide the groundwork on how we interpret what is expectable and what is not. We will write a custom essay sample on Defining Marriage or any similar topic only for you Order Now Although only eight letters, the word marriage carries a lot of meaning for millions of people across the world. Depending on who ask, they might also have a definition of what they think marriage means. I myself define a marriage as a formal relationship between a man and a woman that last until death. The Merriam Webster dictionary on the other hand would define marriage as â€Å"the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband and wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. † On the other hand, thousands of men and women are set out to redefine marriage to also include same sex relationships as well. For myself and I’m sure millions of others across the world they do not think that a simple definition can confine someone from living in a regular recognized marriage like everyone else. How we define a particular word can have lasting effects and for the gay and lesbian community restricting them from the same basic rights that everyday couples take advantage of. In this exploratory essay I am dedicated to exploring the contested term â€Å"marriage† between the gay and lesbian community and many other people that have their own definition of marriage as well. Because the age we live in now, the commonly accepted definition of marriage between a man and a woman is keeping tens of thousands of same-sex couples by being federally recognized in a union. So what is marriage and why does it matter how people define it? I first started with Peter Pothan who wrote an article called â€Å"The Christian Concept of Marriage†. Pothan is a theological teacher and is currently the Assistant Director of the Distance Learning Department of Southern Asia Bible College in Bangalore. He wastes no time clearly stating that he gets the definition of marriage from the bible. By referencing different parts of the Bible he is able to define what a Christian Marriage is and additional context as well. The first section that he references from the Bible is in Genesis 2:24. It states, â€Å"Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. † By this Pathan concludes that a Marriage is between one man and one woman. Although he breaks the verse down into four parts, for this exploratory essay I want to focus the marriage portion on which I am better trying to understand. During Gods initial creation he only created one wife for Adam. Pothan uses this as a backbone that it is not only a relationship between a man and a woman, but it is also a monogamous relationship that must be maintained as well. Additionally, he uses biblical context to further go to say that marriage is only permanent as long as life last. Overall, Peter Pothan does not try to impose this Christian definition of marriage onto anyone, but merely uses evidence from the Bible to extract the definition of marriage. Several times during the article he consistently uses the Christian definition of marriage evoking that he is clearly not trying to impose a singular definition for the word. As a Christian myself I did find how he defined marriage very persuasive. He put very little opinion into interpreting what the Bible was saying and just tried to state the facts. I feel that most Christians would have a hard time disagreeing with what Pothan has to say. I also like he was not trying to impose the definition on anyone. Several times throughout the article he consistently use â€Å"Christian Marriage†. By this I felt that he clearly recognized that there is a dispute between what the definition of marriage truly is. On the other hand, I can also see one big hole is this definition. Although the Bible is very widely used and accepted across the world not everyone is a Christian. Many of those who are not of the Christians faith can easily discredit this definition. Just like many words over time they can slowly evolve and continue to mean more things. It would only make sense to some that the definition of marriage would do the same as well. Many gays and lesbians would also clearly have a hard time accepting this as a definition of marriage. To them this would imply that they are not capable of leaving their mothers and fathers and cleaving to their partner. Overall, I am still very much caught in the crossfire of what marriage should or should not include. By going with the Christian definition of marriage I am essentially supporting the idea of taking away freedoms that many same-sex couple are not able to enjoy like regular couples. This I have a hard time accepting. My next article, â€Å"GOP’s Rob Portman announces support for same-sex marriage† by Matthew DeLuca is on the opposite end of the spectrum when it views the definition of marriage. Matthey Deluca, a writer for NBC News writes about Rob Portman’s view on marriage. The Ohio Senator Portman’s once hard stance that marriage is defined as a between a man and a women now has a change of views. At one point he even supported the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, which limits marriage specifically to one man and one woman. In this article, the Ohio Senator states that â€Å"I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to get married. † He describes his change of views based on his 21-year-old son. In a talk with his son in 2011, his son, Will, told his father that he was gay. Portman not only said that his change of heart was due to his son, but also his Christian faith. He says the message of love and compassion from the Bible is also what swayed him to change his mind on this particular issue. This article shows how the definition of marriage can be based on equal rights that many feel everyone should have. As a result, the definition of marriage would have to be extended. Looking at this article, I feel somewhat drawn into Senator Portman’s view of marriage and how the definition should evolve to reflect the culture of America. It is more than just about a definition, but a way to make everyone equal under the law. With the way marriage is right now that is not possible. Same-sex couples that want to take the next step to a recognized marriage are not given the same rights that others couples receive. Portman, a Christian like myself, did choose to take a different angle on how he looks at the Bible. That just goes to show that there are people that are Christians that also support same-sex marriages and essentially want to change the definition of marriage to reflect a greater assortment of couples wanted to seek a civil union. Although I do understand where Senator is coming from I can’t say I fully agree that you can just change the definition of a word because of personal experience that was experienced. My last source I chose was an article called â€Å"Same-Sex Marriage and Equality† by Reginald William. This scholarly source was published on December 21, 2010. Williams is an affiliate of Bakersfield College that contests the views that many have that same-sex marriage is not an equal rights issue. I came across this article using the University of Oklahoma online library. William talks about several individuals and their views in particular that same-sex marriage is a not an equality issue. He describes that many claim this because both heterosexuals and homosexuals are not allowed to get married to the same gender. They are on the other hand â€Å"both† allowed to marry someone of the opposite sex. Williams describes this idea as a basis for many that say this is not an equality issue. William on the other hand disagrees and fully thinks this is still very much about the lack of equality and supports same-sex marriage. Throughout his article he goes into painstaking detail to support his claim. In short, he says although the same rights are available to everyone, the rights available are only truly for heterosexuals couples. Although his claim is somewhat hard to grasp, I feel he overall makes some very important points that support the fact that there is a lack a social equality for same-sex couples. The question that is of real concern though is should this constitute us to redefine the term marriage so that same-sex couples can get married and be federally recognized. I have definitely learned that the definition of marriage matters greatly to the people you ask and it is more than a word that is used in a sentence. It not only has a strong definition that lasted through time, but as of right now is keeping many same-sex couples from being able to be apart of a civil union recognized by our government. Reviewing all of these sources and really letting the point the writers have sink in has made me consider many thoughts that I have not considered before. Although I do strongly believe that the definition of marriage should not change, I do feel that the people affected by the definition of marriage, such as same-sex couples, should have the same rights as a regular marriage if they choose. To me this is not about definitions at all by equal rights. Although I am sure many same-sex couples would like to be included in the definition of marriage, what they really want is to have the same benefits in their relationship as a heterosexual couple does. Even though many states have already started this journey for same-sex couples they are still far from putting them on the same playing field as a traditional definition of marriage and the rights they receive at the federal level. Work Cited Williams, Reginald. â€Å"Same-Sex Marriage and Equality. † Ethical Theory and Moral Practice14. 5 (2011): 589-95. Web. DeLuca, Matthew. â€Å"GOP’s Rob Portman Announces Support for Same-sex Marriage. † NBCNews. N. p. , 15 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. Pothan, Peters S. â€Å"The Christian Concept of Marriage. † 2miles. org. N. p. , Sept. 2009. Web. 21Mar. 2013. How to cite Defining Marriage, Papers

Embracing the Brace free essay sample

I crossed my arms defiantly and glared at the plastic white object that the unfamiliar yet friendly man was holding out to me. It infuriated me that he was so calm, so cheerful, when my entire social existence was being threatened. â€Å"Im not wearing it,† I stated with a plaintive look toward my mom. She sighed. Wed had this conversation innumerable times in the past week. â€Å"You have to. You dont want to end up hunched over when youre older, do you?† I shot her a look filled with pure venom and reluctantly took the offending piece of plastic to the changing room. Ever since I found out that I had moderate scoliosis, I had been completely miserable. My back would ache every time I sat for a long time or bent over, and I knew that my spine was visibly crooked in a bathing suit, but I was not prepared to wear a back brace for two years. We will write a custom essay sample on Embracing the Brace or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As a junior high student entering her freshman year soon, this was not an attractive option. I strapped on the bulky piece of plastic under my shirt and slowly turned to the mirror. It wasnt just bad, it was horrible. I no longer had any curves to speak of, because the brace encased everything from my rib cage to the top of my thighs. When I turned around, the outlines of the Velcro straps that held me in tighter than a corset were clearly visible through my shirt. Holding back tears, I stepped out of the dressing room, not sure what to do. The reactions of the doctor and my mother were perhaps worse than my own, because they were so phony and full of false cheer. â€Å"See – thats not so bad, is it?† â€Å"You cant even tell!† Unable to stay calm for another minute, I ran out to the car, leaving my mom to deal with the doctor. That day began two years of massive self-esteem and body issues. I felt that people were always staring at my stiff torso, whether I was in the locker room or the hallway. Shopping was a nightmare; nothing but the baggiest shirts in a Large would fit me without stretching grossly over my protective casing. I could hardly bend my body, and my friends would try to cheer me up by playfully knocking on my brace, but it only made me feel worse. In my mind, no guy would ever look at me and no girls would ever want to be friends with me. For two years, these thoughts ruled my actions, both consciously and unconsciously. One of the best moments of my life was the day that I left Yale/New Haven Hospital wearing only my own shirt. I felt so free, so unimpeded. I became more social, friendly, and outgoing in the weeks after my release from that plastic enclosure. Until I looked back at the experience, I didnt notice the change in me. All adolescents have self-esteem issues, but mine were somewhat extreme. My prolonged embarrassment about what I looked like in the brace only made me appreciate what I looked like without it. For the first time, I felt pretty; I bought clothes in smaller sizes. I cut my hair short and dyed it red, as I had always wanted to do but wasnt sure I could pull off, and I started using makeup to emphasize my green eyes. Nowadays, Im comfortable with how I look and feel. I have several true friends who stuck with me through that period in my life when Im sure I was pretty annoying with my constant complaining. Im known as a talker, the one who always speaks up in class (a trait which has been known to get me into trouble). Im not afraid to draw attention to myself anymore. Im also able to be myself in front of large groups: playing solos in band and singing and dancing in the school plays. Although wearing a brace is not something I would recommend, this unique opportunity has made me a better person, someone who can see past outward appearances.

Legal Grounds for Using Force

Question: Discuss the internationally-recognized legal bases for the use of force, including both customary and treaty laws. What does the United States rely on as authority to use force in the Global War on Terror? Answer: Introduction Under both normal and truce laws, there exist certain very specific legal grounds for using force in the relations existing between states. The Charter of the United Nations provides two grounds when a State can use force under international law. These are: Chapter VII enforcement actions under the auspices of the UN Security Council; Self-defense pursuant to Article 51 of the UN Charter. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter imposes a general prohibition on the states from resorting to use force. The charter requires that all states should sort out their disputes in a peaceful manner. It also states that the nations should not use force or yet the risk of use of force against the opinionated sovereignty or the defensive veracity of any other state. This use of force requirement generally refers to an armed force. But there are certain exceptions to this requirement under Article 2(4). These legal uses of force are hereby being discussed. UN Enforcement Action: 1. The UN Security Council: Article 24 provides that the members of the Security Council have the responsibility to strive towards maintaining international peace and security. Article 25 provides that the members are supposed to accept and work in accordance to the decisions taken by the Security Council (Schweigman, 2001). 2. Chapter VII of the UN Charter: It deals with the actions that shall be taken when threat to peace occurs or there are incidents of violation of peace or acts of belligerence. The Security Council can label those acts as illegal and use force to curb them. There are several courses of action that can be taken by the Security Council in this regard. These are: a. Make recommendations as per Article 39; b. Ask the parties to comply with the provisions as given in Article 40; c. Take up diplomatic and economic measures as per Article 41; and d. Enforce military measures in accordance to Article 42. 3. If special agreements remain absent between the Member States, limited actions for enforcement can be taken to secure the environment (Ruys, 2010). a. Regional Organisation Enforcement Actions: Though organisations like the Arab League or the African Union do not possess the authority to use force, yet, they can resort to resolving disputes in a peaceful way. They undergo similar embargo on use of force but have the power to sort out and settle disputes (Gray, 2000). b. Self Defense: Article 51 of the UN Charter provides that all States shall have the right to exercise self defense if case of an armed assail occurring against them. But there are two requirements to justify such an attack. These are of a reasonable necessity and proportionality which in simple terms means that the force should be absolutely necessary to sort out the dispute and at the same time, it should be in proportion to the attack that is posed on them. This self-defense can be individual, collective or anticipatory. The United States relies on the United Nations Charter and the Humanitarian Law as an authority to use force in the Global War on Terror (Gazzini and Tsagourias, 2012). References Gazzini, T. and Tsagourias, N. (2012). The use of force in international law. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate. Gray, C. (2000). International law and the use of force. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Ruys, T. (2010). "Armed attack" and Article 51 of the UN Charter. New York: Cambridge University Press. Schweigman, D. (2001). The authority of the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The Hague: Kluwer Law International.