Inherit the Wind Think Piece :: essays papers

Inherit the Wind Think Piece In today’s society, where angry children shoot, bomb, and threaten their schoolmates, there exists a rather incoherent line between appropriate classroom conversation and unacceptable discussion. True, this line did not exist some years ago, but as times changed, so did certain parameters. A teacher’s freedom in the classroom is one such hotly debated question. Where should the line be drawn? What is the difference between right and wrong? These are questions that are not easily answered. Some say that we should look at each individual incident of indecent or inappropriate discussion, but really, how will these halt future conversation? In a society where our youth is incredibly impressionable, how will this put an end to the tragedies that have become so terribly regular? Some say that since the community pays teachers’ salaries, they should be the ones to decide the curriculum. But how will this prevent incidents like the one portrayed in Inherit the Wind? True, parents should absolutely have a voice in what their children are taught, but is that where the buck stops? Really, it’s not. Perhaps it is the best idea that the entire community discussion curriculums, and that means teachers, school board comities, PTAs as well as parents. Through this way, everyone can discuss what goes into the minds of our leaders of tomorrow. We will get the best of both worlds. On the subject of how much freedom does a teacher possess, that too is up to the community. And when the term community is used, that again means everyone: teachers, school boards, and parents. Maybe it would be even better if teachers were allowed to discuss things as whole. A subject should be explained in as many ways, from as many view points, as possible. Then students can decide for themselves for themselves what they believe. However, in a time when kids will take most everything literally, and then take it too an extreme, maybe this methods is not the best. If this topic were to have been discussed two years ago, perhaps the answer would be different. However, since the tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado a couple of years ago, parameters have changed, and perhaps tightened.

Environmental Factors Role in Obesity Epidemic Essay

Are Environmental Factors the Main Reasons for Obesity Epidemic? In her essay† What’s to Blame for the Surge in Super-Size Americans? † Tori DeAngelis discusses the various factors that lead to obesity. DeAngelis reminds us that obesity is getting worse and worse by the day. According to the current government estimate, about 65 percent of Americans are obese or overweight. DeAngelis states three factors that contribute to obesity. These are environmental factors, stress and gene factors. The author gives mainly two causes, environmental and gene factors. The other factor is the gene factor. In this essay, it is said that gene factors may also have an effect in causing people to be overweight and obese. I strongly believe that environmental factors are the major factors which play a great role in obesity. As DeAngelis stated in her essay, easy access to fast food is one of the major environmental factors that contributes to obesity (Page 291). Today, there are close to 160,000 fast food restaurants in United States. These restaurants are fast, fun, inexpensive, and can be found almost everywhere. When people look a quick, easy meal to grab on the go, fast food is the common solution. It’s far too easy to choose fast food over cooking a healthy meal at home and when it comes to eating out, temptation often wins. Fast food is the driving force behind the epidemic of obesity. It contains large amounts of fat accumulates in your body. You will gain weight and that could lead to obesity. The more weight you gain, the more you will be at risk for serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease and debilitating conditions. The second environmental factor which DeAngelis states on her essay is lack of physical activity (Page 292). Lack of physical activity is a major environmental factor that contributes to obesity epidemic. The lack of physical activity is one reason why people get obese. The remote control, video games, automobiles, televisions and to some extent computers are all parts of the environment which discourages people from being physically active. Some people live in neighborhood where they can’t go outside because walking and running is too dangerous. Plus, given that we are becoming fatter, it becomes less interesting to exercise. As you know, weight gain occurs when calories consumed exceed calories burned. Physical activity plays a key role in energy balance because it uses up calories consumed. The third environmental which DeAngelis state on her essay is stress (Page 292). Stress is another major environmental factor that contributes to epidemic of obesity. When people are really stressed, they tend to crave comfort foods that are high in fat or sugar. They may eat often even when they are not hungry. People learn to eat as a way to cope with stress. They may be too exhausted to exercise regularly when they are under a lot stress. Once a friend told me obese people are often embarrassed about their weight and appearance. This leads to more depression, so they turn to food to feel better, which makes the problem even worse. So everybody should try not to stress themselves in order to keep their body fit and to live a healthy life. In conclusion, as DeAngelis states the rate of people getting obese is increasing. And she tells us the factors that are causing this problem. I think this is happening mainly because of the environmental factors. We all have to realize how damaging obesity can be to the body and for our overall health. Obesity is something that is increasingly on the rise today and will continue to rise unless we do something about it. Informing people how bad it really is and encouraging people to live a health enhancing lifestyle is one way to reduce the growth of obesity. A healthy diet and exercising are the keys not to become obese. Last but not least both the people and health professionals have a critical role compelling the fast food industry to change the way it does business.

Essay Iran-Contra Affair The Diversion Scandal - 2952 Words

Iran-Contra Affair: The Diversion Scandal Eugene Hasenfus of Marinette, Wisconsin was captured when his cargo plane suffered damaging missile blows. Hasenfus’ outdated cargo plane was knocked from the sky as a result of Nicaraguan surface to air missiles. After notifying the office of the United States Vice-President, informants in both El Salvador and Costa Rica would scramble to assess and control a seemingly uncomplicated situation. While United States officials prepared to limit their damages, the Nicaraguan captors televised Hasenfus’ explanation of illegal actions by the United States and specifically the Reagan Administration in support of the rebel Contras. President Ronald Reagan strongly opposed the Sandinista government†¦show more content†¦Reagan continued to press for money in support of the Contras, while Democrats in the House of Representatives contemplated complete termination of Contra support. Eventually there was a concession on both parties, creating a limit of twenty-four million dollars of Contra aid for the 1984 Fiscal year. This amount, while generous, is significantly less than the Administration’s aims, hence the opportunity for future additional funding from Congress. The Reagan Administration was by now committed to supporting the Contras, but limited in their abilities due to the Congressional restriction of aid. In review of the Boland Amendments, using funds available to the CIA, Department of Defense, or any other government intelligence agency was strictly forbidden. The Reagan Administration, in hopes of evading the constraints of the Boland Amendment, utilized the National Security Council (NSC) because of its non-intelligence status. But it was the use of â€Å"third-country† or â€Å"private† funds that allowed the Administration covert curtailing of the Boland Amendment. It was Robert C. McFarlane, President Reagan’s national security advisor, who proposed the use of foreign contributions to the Contra efforts in Nicaragua. CIA director William J. Casey concurred and provided countries to approach in hopes of this â€Å"donation†. McFarlane went on to receive Saudi Arabia’s assistance in the form of on e million dollars per monthShow MoreRelatedIran-Contra Affair Essay1617 Words   |  7 PagesIran-Contra: Crossing That Line I think everyone knew we were walking a very thin line.(Owen) Not many Americans know the truth that lies behind the Iran-Contra scandals. Most would be surprised to know about the deception of our leaders. Still today, some truth of Iran-Contra lies hidden in the conscience of the people who organized it, aided it, and went through with it. It started with good intentions, but soon was corrupted. Some may argue that we must do what we can to smother the flameRead MoreThe Iran Contra Affair1586 Words   |  7 PagesThe Iran Contra affair is historically defined as the â€Å"Reagan administration scandal that involved the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for its efforts to secure the release of hostages in Lebanon and the redirection of the proceeds of those sales to the Nicaraguan Contras.† As the Nicaraguan counterrevolutionaries, known as the Contras, began their efforts to retaliate against the Socialist Sandinista Regime, American government forces stepped in to suppor t the Contra cause in a hope to supportRead MoreThes Covert Operations Against The Marxist Sandinista Government1253 Words   |  6 PagesHowever, when Casey increased the agency’s covert operations against the Marxist Sandinista government in Nicaragua by funneling aid to the contras, the anti-Sandinista rebels, Congress became concern of the CIA involvement in Central America. Hence, in 1982 it passed Boland amendment prohibiting the agency from aiding the contras. , Casey continued to find ways to evade the amendment (Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2010). On January 7, 1984 and February 29, 1984, the CIA mined several harborsRead MoreRonald Reagans Domestic and Foreign Affairs Essay1728 Words   |  7 Pagesand Foreign Affairs. The reason that I choose this topic was because I have always been personally interested in Ronald Reagans time in office and the national crisis he had to deal with. Reagan was awesome when it came to foreign policy because he knew how to negotiate with foreign leaders and their countries to get what he wanted. There were several instances during his time in office that he had the chance to use his ability to get the country out of danger. Domestic Affairs is another partRead MoreIran-Contra Scandal Essay2291 Words   |  10 PagesThe Iran-contra scandal of the 1980’s, first brought to light in November 1986, is a complicated mess of scandal, arms dealings, hostage deals, and illegal acts (â€Å"Iran-Contra Affair† Infoplease.com). The original purpose of the arms sales was to improve Unit ed States-Iran relations (Sanders SNU.edu). However, when American hostages were taken throughout the 1980’s, members of President Reagan’s staff negotiated implicit deals with Iranian groups, which resulted in the U.S. selling arms in returnRead MoreThe Tension Between The United States And The Soviet Union1931 Words   |  8 Pagesquestionable actions around the globe. The Iran-Contra Affair was one event that occurred under Reagan’s Administration that exemplified the trans-national impacts the Cold War was having around the world. The Affair is a combination of the United States’ actions within the countries of Nicaragua and Iran. However, the United States’ involvements were both ethically questionable as well as the motives of the Cold War. Although the actions in Nicaragua and Iran were separate actions, they showed how theRead MoreRonald Reag A Beloved American President869 Words   |  4 Pagesannual deficits. One major failure that und ermined his prominence as presidency was the Iran-contra affair. Reagan valued ridding the world of communism. So he provided significant military aid to the â€Å"contras† in their effort to dislodge the Sandinistas. His efforts to aid the Nicaraguan contras involved him in a serious blunder and scandal. The so-called- Iran-contra affair had origins in U.S. trouble in Iran. Reagan aides came up with a plan of selling US antitank and anti-aircraft missiles toRead MoreRonald Reagan1271 Words   |  6 Pagesfederal programs to alleviate their grief (Moss amp; Thomas, 2013). Iran Contra affairs Iran and Contra came to be spoken in the same breath was the outcome of complex covert activities, all carried out, in the name of democracy. When Iraq and Iran were at war in 1985, Iran requested to buy secret weapons from the United States. National Security adviser felt this might help improve the United States relations with Iran and Lebanon, increasing the United States influence in the Middle EastRead MoreEvents of the 1980s2220 Words   |  9 Pagesdeficits reach one trillion. Just 6 days later Reagan defends his budget, and says he will veto any tax increase. Perhaps one of the findings that lead to Iran/Contra hearing on February 16, 1986 was the shipping of 1000 anti-tank missiles to Iran by the United States. Then on February 25 Reagan asked Congress for $100 million in aid for Contras. While not a national event, on April 2, 1986 the worlds worst nuclear disaster occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear plant located in the Soviet Union. TheRead More The Watergate Scandal Essay2608 Words   |  11 PagesWatergate Political scandals are not strangers to the United States. They date back as far as 1830, with the presidential sex scandal and Thomas Jefferson, and in 1875 with the Whiskey Ring and President Ulysses S. Grant (Time and Again 1). Today we have the Iran-Contra affair with Ronald Reagan and Whitewater with Bill and Hillary Clinton. Even with these, it can be argued that Watergate could possibly be the worst scandal in the history of the United States. Richard Milihous Nixon was the