Thursday, September 19, 2019
Animal Rights Speech :: essays research papers
Our case is that if we don’t test on animals then progress in scientific fields would be halted. As first speaker for the negative I will speak about the benefits of animal testing in general and then I’ll talk in detail about animal testing in medicine. My second speaker will talk about the opinions on testing and the food chain and my third speaker will summarise our points and rebut. Safety tests are conducted on a wide range of chemicals and products, including drugs, vaccines, cosmetics, household cleaners, pesticides, foodstuffs, and packing materials. Higher order animals are used in research, teaching and testing because of the benefits they bring to both animals and people. Those benefits are the reasons why a research, teaching or testing procedure is done in the first place. Research using animals has various broad aims which include: Safety tests are conducted on a wide range of chemicals and products, including drugs, vaccines, cosmetics, household cleaners, pesticides, foodstuffs, and packing materials. Higher order animals are used in research, teaching and testing because of the benefits they bring to both animals and people. Those benefits are the reasons why a research, teaching or testing procedure is done in the first place. Research using animals has various broad aims which include: Improving the health and well-being of people. Improving the health, welfare and productivity of farm animals and other production animals. Finding better ways to preserve protect and manage a range of animal species to maintain a balance that is ecologically stable. Developing more humane and effective pest control methods to protect endangered animals and many more. Doctors, nurses, animal care personnel, veterinarians, farmers, conservation managers, teachers, zoo keepers and others engaged in animal-related activities all benefit in animal research to broaden their knowledge. Testing is done as a check on the safety of new drugs or substances for human or animal use, and to check whether new batches of drugs and other agents like vaccines work. There is a legal requirement to test how safe and effective chemicals, drugs and other agents are before they can be sold. Animals have played a major part in medical breakthroughs. Such as the development of anesthetics, which are the chemicals used to make you unconscious during an operation. . Before that surgery was little more than refined butchery. Amputations, removal of bladder stones, caesarean sections and others – were done with the conscious patient strapped to the operating table and screaming.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Allen Ginsbergs Howl :: essays papers
The "Beat Movement" in modern literature has become an important period in the history of literature and society in America. Incorporating influences such as jazz, art, literature, philosophy, and religion, the Beat writers created a new and prophetic vision of modern life and changed the way an entire generation of people see the world. That generation is now aging and its representative voices are becoming lost to eternity, but the message is alive and well. The Beats have forever altered the nature of American consciousness. The impact of the Beats would certainly not have been as universal or influential if not for the writing of one poem; "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg: I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night.(1-3) These lines, perhaps the most well known in 20th century poetry, serve as a thematic statement for a poem that offers a new way of thinking, a sense of hope of escape from the "Molochs" of society. The story of the poem's history serves well as an account of the birth of the Beat Generation. Ginsberg's life leading up to the writing of "Howl," the actual creation of the poem, its legendary first reading, and the aftermath of its public debut all figure prominently into the history of the literary movement. One can understand the impact of the poem on the Beat Generation by studying not only the chronology of its past, but its intricate and unique structure as well as its themes and ultimate message. Following is an examination of the poem as the great expression of Beat defiance, beginning with a short history of the poem. Ginsberg's Beat career began at Columbia University in 1943 where he met Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Neal Cassidy and others. This group of writers would remain life-long friends of Ginsberg and influence him in myriad ways. The history of "Howl," however, begins in 1953 after Ginsberg's move to San Francisco in search of poetic inspiration. Having moved away from the camaraderie of his group of New York friends, Ginsberg began to feel dislocated and depressed. Ginsberg knew he was at a crossroads in his art between his apprenticeship to academic models of literature (mentor William Carlos Williams specifically), and breaking through to a personal voice which could sing of experience beyond the bounds of what was permissible - by 50's Allen Ginsberg's Howl :: essays papers The "Beat Movement" in modern literature has become an important period in the history of literature and society in America. Incorporating influences such as jazz, art, literature, philosophy, and religion, the Beat writers created a new and prophetic vision of modern life and changed the way an entire generation of people see the world. That generation is now aging and its representative voices are becoming lost to eternity, but the message is alive and well. The Beats have forever altered the nature of American consciousness. The impact of the Beats would certainly not have been as universal or influential if not for the writing of one poem; "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg: I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night.(1-3) These lines, perhaps the most well known in 20th century poetry, serve as a thematic statement for a poem that offers a new way of thinking, a sense of hope of escape from the "Molochs" of society. The story of the poem's history serves well as an account of the birth of the Beat Generation. Ginsberg's life leading up to the writing of "Howl," the actual creation of the poem, its legendary first reading, and the aftermath of its public debut all figure prominently into the history of the literary movement. One can understand the impact of the poem on the Beat Generation by studying not only the chronology of its past, but its intricate and unique structure as well as its themes and ultimate message. Following is an examination of the poem as the great expression of Beat defiance, beginning with a short history of the poem. Ginsberg's Beat career began at Columbia University in 1943 where he met Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Neal Cassidy and others. This group of writers would remain life-long friends of Ginsberg and influence him in myriad ways. The history of "Howl," however, begins in 1953 after Ginsberg's move to San Francisco in search of poetic inspiration. Having moved away from the camaraderie of his group of New York friends, Ginsberg began to feel dislocated and depressed. Ginsberg knew he was at a crossroads in his art between his apprenticeship to academic models of literature (mentor William Carlos Williams specifically), and breaking through to a personal voice which could sing of experience beyond the bounds of what was permissible - by 50's
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Preaching to Every Pew: Cross-Cultural Strategies Essay
Introduction                Understanding the Bible is not that easy to do. Especially when dealing with cross cultural population such as the American society is today. Undeniably, the majority of the population of the American communities today comprises of the strong number of immigrants from all over the world? How are these people to be preached by religious leaders and missionaries? The book of Nieman points out four major elements of doing the preaching process. The said elements include ethnicity, class, displacement, and religious beliefs (Nieman, 2001, 14). Considering these elements would make studying the Bibl with a culturally diverse society an easier task to complete. What of dealing with the complexity of the Bible itself? The context of the entire book stresses a certain deepness that is not that easy to comprehend with. Certainly, the procedure in studying the Bible is then perceived to have more complicated vitalities. How then could an individual understand the Bible without actually going to theological institutions and getting a formal education? Are individual owners of the Bible given the privilege to understand the Bible? Certainly! The Bible is made available and understandable to anybody wanting to gain knowledge from it (Nieman, 2001, 19). The procedure to be taken is not based upon quite an arranged system that is followed in formal institutions of theology. Opposite from what people think, studying the Bible is quite easy. What’s not easy is the fact that there are required elements of being scripturally convinced of an individual before the success of the said study could be expected. There are at least six major elements of being scripturally convinced and at least 12 major procedures of studying the Bible (Nieman, 2001, 22). These elements and procedures would be the entire context of this paper’s discussion. Elements of Scriptural Convincing            Before an individual even starts to study the Bible, he must be primarily convinced that he really believes the principles and the laws that are found in the Bible. How does one assure himself of this truth? The following elements shall help him have a clear understanding of this particular truth. Conviction of the truth that he needs to depend upon God’s laws      A person’s conviction that he indeed needs the strength and the guidance of God to be able to live a fruitful life is the primary basis of his faith upon the guidance of God that is outlined in the Bible. Once he does realize this fact, he is then motivated to start his Bible study with a more certain optimism in is vision towards the result of the Bible education that he is about to get. (Nieman, 2001, 28)      â€Å"For this means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you and of the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ†(John 17:3) Getting the accurate knowledge about the truth is a necessary element of conviction if a person is about to study the Scriptures. Willingness to Learn This motivation is strengthened still more by an accurate knowledge of God’s purposes. Such knowledge helps to change the very ‘force actuating our minds,’ the spirit that motivates our thoughts and actions. (Ephesians 4:23, 24). An individual’s willingness to learn the basic knowledge about life that the Bible offers certainly identifies the ability of the person to actually absorb the lessons that he would primarily grasp from the Bible. (Nieman, 2001, 28) Determination to change and apply the principles of God’s words      IN THE middle of the first century C.E., the apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Christian congregation in Rome. In it he highlighted the requirement that true Christians had to make changes. He said: â€Å"Quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.†(Romans 12:2)      Once the lessons of the Bible have been introduced to an individual, it is necessary that the individual acts upon the needs of adjusting one’s personality in accord with the policies and principles of the Holy Scriptures. (Nieman, 2001, 32) Willingness to adjust one’s personality according to the ways of God â€Å"The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.†(Hebrews 4:12) â€Å"Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it.†â€â€Colossians 3:9, 10.      The verses of the scriptures cited above are indeed effective in applying the element of studying the Bible that pertains to personality change. The willingness and the motivation of the individual to change his paths in life certainly identifies his ability to change his personality in accordance with the Bible’s suggested path of understanding life and living with it. (Nieman, 2001, 36) Ability to communicate with God in fervent prayers â€Å"Persevere in prayer.†(Romans 12:12) By prayer we address Jehovah, praise him, thank him, and ask for his help. If we ask for help to overcome undesirable personality traits, such as a bad temper, stubbornness, impatience, or pride, God’s spirit will back up any efforts we make in harmony with that prayer.â€â€John 14:13, 14; James 1:5; 1 John 5:14.      The ability of people to understand the privilege that they have in terms of communicating with God through prayers help them gain more confidence and faith on whatever they are able to grasp from primarily studying the word of God. (Nieman, 2001, 41) Interest in learning not only the major parts of the Bible but the entire book as it is      The Bible contains 66 books in two sections, often called the Old Testament and the New Testament. Thirty-nine Bible books were written mainly in Hebrew and 27 in Greek. The Hebrew Scriptures, consisting of Genesis through Malachi, cover creation as well as the first 3,500 years of human history. Examining this part of the Bible, we learn about God’s dealings with the Israelitesâ€â€from their birth as a nation in the 16th century B.C.E. on into the 5th century B.C.E. The Greek Scriptures, containing the books of Matthew through Revelation, focus on the teachings and activities of Jesus Christ and his disciples during the first century C.E. (Knowledge that Leads to Everlasting Life, 16). Certainly, from this particular claim, the Bible could be viewed as a book with a singular theme that leads to one’s understanding of the necessity that an individual studying the Bible should study not only several portions of the Bible but the entire book as well. These elements are indeed to be preset within the mind of the individual who aims to study and apply the biblical principles that are embedded within the context of the entire Biblical theme. To understand the effects of the said elements on individual Bible students, the following diagram shall be presented: Diagram 1: The impact of the elements of conviction upon a Bible student Diagram Explanation:      The diagram above shows how many the circles containing the elements of conviction affects the learning motivation of the students. As a result, the become more convinced to continue progressing in their study and thus progress as well in their application of the major lessons that they learn from the Bible. True, the application of the elements of conviction before actually studying the bible helps an individual collectively arrange the procedures of learning as to how they fit their needs. The following paragraphs shall discuss on the twelve major methods of studying the Bible: 1 – Method One – The Devotional Method of Bible Study            Method one is a method that pertains more on the divine conviction of the student in learning the Bible. The desire of the student based upon his desire in becoming a person who follows the principles of the Bible conscientiously is the primary reason for him to continue learning the basic principles of the Bible. 2 – Method Two – The Chapter Summary Method of Bible Study            Every chapter in the Bible is of high importance in connection with the main theme that the Bible intends to portray for its readers. The summarizing procedure that a student does to be able to come up with a single conclusion of what has been read every time the Bible study ends, helps the  students recognize the importance of each chapter within their lives. 3 – Method Three – The Character Quality Method of Bible Study            The early Christians of the 1st century have left a pattern for the present Christian to follow. Their capability of dealing with the challenges that they had to face way back them and the characteristics and the consequences of their decision certainly have an impact on how the Christians at present act towards the different issues in the society as well as with their personal lives. 4 – Method Four – The Thematic Method of Bible Study            Thematic method is based upon the evaluation of the student of the sub-themes of the bible that primarily pertains to the entire theme of the Scriptures which is pointed to the purpose of God for the lives of humans on earth. This method helps the student understand the different idealisms presented in the Bibles and thus get the entire thought of actually applying them within the social and personal activities of the individual himself. 5 – Method Five – The Biographical Method of Bible Study            The lives of the people within the historical accounts of the Bible leave a strong impact upon the personality of the people today. Studying their biographical backgrounds would not only increase the knowledge of a student about biblical characters, it would also increase the possibility of the individual’s familiarity with what the said characters did and how they fared so far with the decisions that they made. Hence, by this, the student is equipped with the wisdom that he needs to face and decide for his life. 6 – Method Six – The Topical Method of Bible Study            Topical method encourages the student to focus on certain topics that primarily interest him. Since the topics interest him, it is not impossible that it would be easier fro him to grasp the lesson’s importance. 7 – Method Seven – The Word Study Method of Bible Study            This is more of enriching ones knowledge based upon the different vocabularies that are found in the Bible. The vocabulary-based meaning of the context would certainly help the student locate the connection of each Bible book with reach other through the thematic approach of the presentation of the vocabularies of the entire context of the Bible. 8 – Method Eight – The Book Background Method of Bible Study            Knowing the Bible’s history and how it has been passed on from generations to generation and how it has been preserved amidst all the Christian persecution during the early Years of Christianity helps the students understand how important the Bible really is. 9 – Method Nine – The Book Survey Method of Bible Study            Book survey involves the evaluation of the Biblical theme based form book to book. Once students glance on the book and immediately recognize the ideas presented in theta particular book, then the said method has been utilized effectively by the student. 10 – Method Ten – The Chapter Analysis Method of Bible Study Chapter analysis helps the students get the gist of every chapter and thus be bale to explain the said ideas to others when the chapters are being discussed. 11 – Method Eleven – The Book Synthesis Method of Bible Study            The condensing of the lessons that were previously studied and carrying them into becoming a single conclusion, it could be noted that the theme of the Bible is certain and thus through this method, the proof of such claim could be well established. 12 – Method Twelve – The Verse by Verse Method of Bible Study Each verse is important in creating the main theme of the bible. Studying each verse and understanding how they are able to affect the lives of the students both personally and socially determines the success of the application of this particular method. Conclusion IT IS only reasonable that our loving Creator would provide a book of instruction and guidance for mankind. More than 2,500 years ago, a prophet and historian wrote: â€Å"It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.†(Jeremiah 10:23) Today, the truthfulness of that statement is more evident than ever. Thus, historian William H. McNeill notes: â€Å"The human adventure on the face of this planet has been an almost uninterrupted series of crises and disruptions of society’s established order.†True, with the certain methods and elements of studying the Bible presented herein, it could be observed that being able to understand the Bible clearly indeed provides the best benefits that one could ever get form informal yet highly-established procedure of studying.  References: New American Standard Bible. Foundation Publications; updated edition (August 2005). Nelson Bibles. (1999). The NKJV Slim line Bible. Thomas Nelson; New Ed edition. James R. Nieman and Thomas G. Rogers. (2001). Preaching to Every Pew: Cross-Cultural Strategies. Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Annotated Bibliography Example
Annotated Bibliography Reina Garza Diana Hollinger, Russ Sperling, JoAnn Ford (2009, november 5). the state of music education in schools. (M. Cavanaugh, Interviewer) * When test scores go down in math and reading, the emphasis is put on those basic subjects to the detriment of other so-called elective courses.And now the combination of standardized testing and budget cuts have put art and music classes in the highest of high-risk categories,†(par 1) * â€Å"when you speak with great educators, and look behind the test scores, the lessons learned in studying music, learning to play an instrument, playing in a band, learning to read music, all provide a richness to a child's education that will last a lifetime,†(par 1). * Because of the declining math and reading scores, it is causing the students to double up on classes. This then does not give them time to take any form of music education. par 12). * â€Å"You cannot cut something for one or two years and say, oh, we ’ll bring it back next year because the cuts are long term,†(par 16). * We still have about half the number of music students in music education in K-through-12. And we’ve never fully recovered and partly that’s because we start cutting the things that are the least visible first, which would be elementary music and then junior high music because the things that are most visible are the marching band at the football game†¦and the choir at, you know, at graduation and those sorts of things in high school.But it’s like cutting off the roots; the flower only lasts just so long,†(par 16 ;amp; 18). * Some schools outsource their music programs. This then makes the teacher work with the students after school. Diana says, â€Å"we can’t just do a little music. Let’s outsource this and sing some songs after school. That’s not how you teach. You don’t teach algebra that way, you don’t teach somebody to read th at way, you don’t teach science that way. You cannot teach anything that way.So it’s very important that you have a structured, you know, step-by-step education so that students have access. Understanding how to read music and to sing music and to play music is access. It’s social justice,†(par 30). Harken, J. V. (2003, august 20). budgets cut student expeirence . Retrieved may 24, 2012, from CNN: http://articles. cnn. com/2003-08-13/politics/sprj. sch. cuts_1_budget-cuts-music-or-science-math? _s=PM:EDUCATION * â€Å"If a student's talents lie in art, or music or science, they lose out,†(par 8). Schools believe that math and reading are the most important subjects, so if the students have declining test scores, then all the other programs are cut while math and reading/English are funded even more. (par 7 & 8) *â€Å"For many kids, that's why they come to school, for the band or chorus or sports. †(par 18). * Students interested in de veloping business or music skills would have to look outside the school for programs or private tutors they go to on their own time, Johnson said. People have to compensate. If the student can't afford it, well, that's the downside to this situation. â€Å"†(par 25). Houck, Olivia. (2009). 2009-10: Against Cutting Art and Music Programs in Schools. Retrieved may 24, 2012, from morrison institute: http://morrisoninstitute. asu. edu/young-stewards-of-public-policy/essays/2009-10-the-voting-problem * â€Å"Overall, reports have shown that the percentage of kids with access to music has declined 50% in the past five years,†(par 1). â€Å"The study of music, theatre, and other forms of art have been shown to stimulate other parts of student’s minds and even keep them out of gangs and other harmful situations,†(par 1). *â€Å"â€Å"95% percent of Americans believe that music is a key-component in a child’s well-rounded education, 80% percent of resp ondents agreed that music makes the participants smarter; 78% believe that learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subject areas; and 88% believe participation in music helps teach children discipline†(Hurley 3),†(par 1). â€Å"â€Å"Within two to three years, every school that cuts arts showed a decrease in morale and attendance and an increase in vandalism and disruptions, and within three years most of them had to add extensive disciplinary staff to account for the problems that were created by not providing the full range of experiences that human beings need†(Hurley 2).†(par 3). Nelson, TJ. (2005, march 5). dumbing down, the dwindling funding of the arts. Retrieved may 24, 2012, from worldmusiccentral. org: http://worldmusiccentral. org/article. php/2005030922083613 â€Å"One Ipswich high school senior, Reeve Pierson, calculated the participation in his school and found that out of 629 students 445 participated in the music and art programs,†(par 6). * â€Å"†Students with coursework/experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT: students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math, than did students with no arts participation†.  College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers.Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001†(par 8). * â€Å"â€Å"Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs). † Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report. Reported in Houston Chronicle, January 1998†(par 9) * â€Å"*Thirty-six out of 57 states and territories in the US plan to slash funding for culture. Estimates suggest tha t funds will be reduced from $355 million to $274 million in the 2004 fiscal year according to Americans for the Arts. Florida governor, Jeb Bush, reduced his state’s arts funding from $28 million to $5. 9 million. Colorado’s arts budget shriveled to a mere $200,000. †(par 13). * â€Å"There’s something utterly captivating in listening to the musical rendition of â€Å"She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain†by a bunch of first-graders on kazoos and percussion instruments. What kind of society will we be without the squawky notes of â€Å"Greensleeves†emanating from an open window as a fourth-grader practices on a black, plastic recorder?What kind of cultural identity do we preserve and pass on without a music education? What happens to us if we become a country without a culture, without a voice, without a song? †(par 16). * â€Å"I guess Air Force One should invest in a good sound system and a CD of Sousa marches, because a f uture president might be stepping of the plane into the adulation of crowds, not to the strains of â€Å"Hail to the Chief†played by a school orchestra but to a bunch of kids holding up multiplication table flashcards,†(par 17). music Statistics/music advocacy quotations. n. d. ). Retrieved may 24, 2012, from heritageweb. org: http://www. heritageweb. org/~sanderson/MusicAdvocacyStatsandQuotes. pdf | | * Students with good rhythmic ability can more easily detect and differentiate between patterns in math, music, science, and the visual arts.-â€Å"Rhythm seen as key to man's evolutionary development,†TCAMS Professional resource Center, 2000. * A 1997 study of elementary students in arts-based programs concluded that students' math test scores rose as their time in arts education classes increased. â€Å"Arts Exposure and Class Performance,†Phi Delta Kappan, October, 1998. * The arts are recognized as a core subject in the Goals 2000: Educate America Ac t approved by both houses of Congress in 1994. -National Education Goals Panel * â€Å"In every successful business. there is one budget line that never gets cut. It's called â€Å"Product Development†– and it's the key to any company's future growth. Music education is critical to the product development of this nation's most important resource – our children. -John Sykes – President, VH1 * â€Å"Music is about communication, creativity, and cooperation, and by studying music in school, students have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience the world from a new perspective. †-Bill Clinton, Former President of the United States of America * â€Å"The arts are an essential element of education, just like reading, writing, and arithmetic. music, dance, painting, and theater are all keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment. †-William Bennett, Former US Secretary of Education |
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Does Winning the Lottery Cause Happiness?
Does winning the lottery cause happiness? Playing the lottery is easy- but winning is more of a challenge. Playing the lottery is all about luck- How lucky are you? Money is a fundamental part of our everyday lives. We need money to support ourselves and our families. The lottery has been a popular way for people to â€Å"get rich quick†for many years. Buying a lotto ticket is cheap and easy- hoping that you are the lucky winner is a great form of entertainment for people who have big hopes and dreams.The lottery is played by every economic and social class, from the lower class to the upper class. The lower class often play the lottery in order to win money so they can provide more for themselves, a lot of the time these people don’t win a lot of money or win no money at all, this will cause unhappiness and a feeling of regret for wasting money on playing the lottery; instead could have used that money to buy their essentials needs for example food. Winning the lotter y is everyone’s wish.From winning a couple of thousand rands to millions- is everyone’s biggest wish. Winning the lottery is definitely a blessing but there are those who don’t have the financial management skills to make their money grow and they often end up blowing away all their money in bad decisions. At first people often splurge on expensive and luxurious assets such buying a home, their dream car, go on a vacation or even open up a business that they have always wanted.This makes these people very happy. People often spend all the money they have won and then in the end they do not have the money to maintain these expensive assets. These people then start going into debt and start taking out loans that they will never be able to repay and therefore get into a crisis- causing unhappiness. These people in turn then have to start selling off the assets that they have bought in order to pay off these debts, in the end, left with no money and no assets.Playin g the lottery is a form of gambling- people who play a lot, often become addicted and spend most of their days playing, hoping that they will win money – but excessive gamblers can lose all of their possessions if they do not have a lot of money and start selling their possessions in order to gain money to play. I believe that money can’t buy happiness unless you know how to manage your money. Many people are content when they win money as they can now please themselves with what they have always wanted- if people do not know to grow their money, save money and manage their money- this will cause misery and stress.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Children Matters: Conflict Minerals and their harmful
Congo, I decided to focus my paper on the children of the Congo and rounding countries, Including stones of child soldiers of the country and how It affects the community and family stung there. Why? These children are facing an unimaginable reality that is culturally bypassed by our degree of living here in America. I want to see how my recent knowledge of conflict minerals affects this relationship between the young children there and how it contributes to their upbringing, If there is a relationship at all.For this paper, extensive research has been placed on many sources, both academic and non-academic. I tried to choose viewpoints that showed opposition to en another on the subject of child issues and conflict minerals, as well as find viewpoints that might provide a unique perspective. For the beginning research and to get me started on thinking of the conflicts within the Congo come the two texts we used for our conflict minerals readings and paper one, â€Å"Consuming the Co ngo' by Peter Chastened and â€Å"Coolant†by Michael Nest.Both these text offer opposing views on the role of conflict minerals within the Congo and but detail some statistics and personal experience to. Peter Lactated Is a dedicated Journalist who shares stories f human rights abuse and is also a stakeholder in the role of child soldiers, the focus of his first main book written in 2010. He has spent years traveling throughout Africa finding tales of incredible courage from natives and exposing some of the true horror that takes place there. Michael Nest is a Journalist who focuses development issues and governance with regards to natural resources.He has collected many statistics through his work In Africa to showcase and explain that It's not only minerals that are fueling the fire in the Congo, and takes a look at other political and economic factors. From my academic books and to hopefully showcase some light on child soldiers' subject I choose these credible books. Fir st is â€Å"Young Soldiers, Why They Choose to Fight by Rachel Brett and Irma Suspect. This book collects firsthand accounts of why children who have been abducted by various militia groups throughout Africa by the former soldier themselves.It also highlights their roles In book and its accounts within because they offer true words and experiences from these kids. The authors spent a good deal of research to showcase this book and it reflects in the stories that are given. My next piece is title Child Slavery Now by Gary Craig. Gary Craig is an Associate Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Social Justice at the Wildflower Institute for the study of Slavery and Emancipation where he led a team of workers following modern slavery for nine years.He currently is His book has brought together countless contributions from multiple authors, each with a high level of understanding of modern slavery issues, all around the world. This piece offers great support for this topic. My last book, tit led â€Å"War and Children†, is a reference handbook written by Kenned E. Deputy and Shrink Peters. This book, although lengthy, highlights some of the true horrors of mid Africa and there consequences both to the country, and to the children. It's great interesting to see how an unlucky experience in the Congo or anywhere else can lead to a life full of pain.This reference also effectively describes the groups and activist that are in the fight to help solve these horrible happenings and uses other sources that help represent additional stakeholders in my paper. Other notable sources used for this paper include some facts that represent United State stakeholders from Whitehorse. Ova, the official government site of the United States of America. I also used an article from the New York Times who offers current and public opinion on what is going on multiple issues worldwide.These sources are trusted by the people of America for our daily news to governmental policies put in e ffect across America. Their ethos is incredibly accounted for on a variety of issues and I am happy to have their words and facts within this document. Interesting enough there is a stakeholder that is not represented by words but has had his actions criticized by my other sources. His actions have recently gained national attention and exposure from credible news stations to social media sites such as Backbone and Twitter.Everyone is asking the same question, where in the world Joseph Kong is. Joseph Kong is the leader of the LIRA, the Lord's Resistance Army, infamously known for their recruitment of young child soldiers within their group from the Congo, by any means necessary. Joseph Kong might be the most searched man for 2012 but his lack of words will prove to be the source of some of the most heated feelings within the Congo and among my other sources. I look forward to explaining more as the paper goes along.My luckiest and most valuable source I feel I have for this paper i s my friend Maggie who recently spent 6 months in Uganda, a neighboring country of the Congo in which she dedicated her time to helping child soldiers within the area. Before she came, she did years of research, independent study, and kept up to date with Invisible children, rehabilitation centers, what happens to people once they get out of the center. For months she followed Sam Chillers, who opened an orphanage to protect surrounding areas from the dangers of child soldier endangerment and abduction.She worked personally with former child soldiers and listened and learned their stories and built relationships with these children over a span 3 months, recently coming back in September 2011. Her firsthand experience and knowledge of the unfolding events there both give her an incredible amount of ethos and a leg up on my paper for my sources; I feel her story will help me better With these sources in abundance, I have no doubt I have some good information and good opposing views fo r this paper. These sources are backed by years of research and personal stories/experiences.I didn't really give thought to how many resources I should pick, but feel this is quite adequate for the lesson at hand. Their words should really give a detailed look into the lives of the children within the Congo, and how conflict minerals and other factors contribute to this rapidly media attention getting lifestyle of Africa. Section l: Fact: Conjecture and Definition The conjecture of conflict minerals and child issues within the Congo are in abundance with regards to my sources. For the beginning of this section and my early research, I have found that all my sources do in fact agree on the belief that these actions are real.That is, they are happening. The steady mining of minerals by natives who have been exploited and/or worse, turned into rebel army members to force others to do their dirty deeds has Just been the fuel that has burned this real life wildfire for years. â€Å"Con suming the Congo' written by Journalist Peter Chastened might Just perhaps be the best source to define the term conflict minerals. His book was incredibly easy to understand and relate to as he took me through the Journey behind the curtains of Africans darkest war.He defines the conflict minerals resources mined in the midst of armed conflict and egregious human right buses†(Chastened). That is, these are minerals used by the world by labor rights that cause conflict within Africa. These conflicts included forcing natives to mine the minerals under the eyes of militia groups that use the minerals to wage for machinery within their rebel groups. As well as his research behind the conflict minerals within the Congo, Peter helps tie in my other research and definition of child soldiers within the country as well.He in fact wrote his first book about it, titled First Kill your family: Child Soldiers of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army. From y understanding, Chastened first covered this story to see what was in deed happening right in the land where Maggie traveled. This indeed should build upon hi ethos. Coolant is another great source and Nest's works goes above and the beyond the violence in Africa. Michael Nest shares some of the dark and disturbing facts and figures of the minerals that are mined daily, there are an estimated 750,000 to 2,000,000 artisan miners in the DRY peg. 7. In 2000, eastern DRY became enveloped in coolant fever, akin to the gold rushes of the 19th century in the United States. Conflict is not new to Congo' (Nest peg. 6). Between the amount of workers that are exploited for these minerals and the rush for the mineral brought by major corporations, show indeed why these minerals are considered conflict material. â€Å"Few share Island's confidence in the government. Some suggest that if the government wants peace in eastern Congo, it needs to involve mining communities in the structure of the government.The government needs to become more inclusive, not exclusive. Most communities are isolated and therefore vulnerable, forcing them to turn to armed ethnic groups for protection and for a sense of community and control. (Nest) Young Soldiers. â€Å"l entered in war very early, when I was 12 or less I came to Missionaries for schooling and I became involved in war. I never wanted to use gun and I never wanted to fight in my country. [†¦ ]We had to defend and fight, proves that this is indeed happening to kids, on not Just Africa but a global level.The point of this book shares the untold stories of children, straight from the children themselves. Child issues in Africa are defined in many ways as shown by my sources as well as the conflict minerals. For most of my sources, their reason for their existence is based n the universal, Western definition and belief that children, especially under the age of 18, should not be involved with the actions of war. However ,Young Soldiers, Why they Choose to Fi ght wants to define these children as indicating they have a choice in whether they pursue this lifestyle or not, a unique perspective.There following 53 natives of boys and girls The United States of America has constructed laws in attempts to define Child Soldiering and how they would react to it, thus indicating that they do in fact believe these acts are happening. According to this New York Times Article written in 010 about child soldiers in the Congo, the U. S reported the following; â€Å"The Congo was exempted because United States-backed programs were helping its military become more professional and fight rights abuses. †â€Å"Recruiting young children for militia purposes and other doings?Yes, this type of enslavement exists. I have noticed it a lot in (through my research) of the Eastern Countries, in China, India, and especially in the area of Congo, Uganda, Sudan, and Central Republic of Africa†. (Maggie). These are the words from my fellow traveler Mag gie, who sums up in agreement what most of my other sources tell me within their own words. Her experience there leaves no doubt in my mind these actual crimes of humanity, as it would be viewed in the United States, are indeed happening overseas. About half of the victims and casualties of war are people under the age of 18 and nearly 250,000 boys and girls worldwide are actively involved in fighting as soldiers. †(War and Children). This staggering statistic sums up at once the fact that this type of injustice to children, 18 and younger, is happening. Nearly half, half of all the soldiers are merely children, who die as a result of this violence. Here is the law of the United States Child Prevention Act of 2008 which clearly fines child soldiers as illegal to practice.SUBJECT: Presidential Determination with Respect to Section 404(c) of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, pursuant to section 404(c) of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 (CAPS), title IV of the William Wildflower Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorizing Act of 2008 (Public Law 110 457), I hereby determine that it is in the national interest of the United States to waive the application to Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Yemen of the repetition in section 404(a) of the CAPS.If you read closely, this law makes child soldiers legal in the above listed areas, but only for a limited amount of time, a window that has far exceeded its curfew here in 2012. The United States is now firmly against the idea of Child Soldiers, all who are The consequence of this are mentioned later. Section II: Causes and Consequences: The amount of varied expressions and claims in this section make it the most interesting in my opinion.The general agreed upon assumption between all my sources is that the event of child soldiers and conflict minerals do exist in the C ongo ND throughout Africa and has caused some serious violence across the country. But there are other sources within that speak with their actions and show what many might think as a consequence as actually a great side effect. For my friend Maggie when asked about the cause of these young fighters, she quickly replied with intensity to her voice. It occurs in Uganda because the rebel army â€Å"Lord's Resistance Army or LIRA†take children because e they are easy targets and are part of their strategy because children are the only age group that will give the LIRA an advantage because their adversaries will reconsider shooting a child. It comes down to free labor,†she breathes â€Å"and they don't have to honor any rights in†. This is Magpie's view of the impending causes and consequences of the child soldiers within Africa. In this claim, she points to a group of rebels already within Africa, not at the United States. Is this because of lack of knowledge of o ur involvement or an oversight?This is Just one viewpoint. As mentioned before she doesn't really share the same ethos on conflict minerals as my other sources do. Chastened takes a much broader approach to the claim of conflict minerals, ultimately suggesting that the cause of this inflict, besides from the minerals, includes mostly the need for these items and the corporations who pay for them. In Consuming the Congo, he states the following. â€Å"Are the producers and consumers of electronics really at fault in eastern Congo? If corporate blame is to be dispensed, it needs to be directed to all. (Chastened, Epilogue 214).This includes the thought the we, westerners of society, are contributing to the deadly ear that has waged on for years there by the simple use of our cell phones and other daily items. Right from the beginning of his novel, Chastened calls out his audience with this call to action; â€Å"Every time you use a cell phone or log on to a computer, you could be co ntributing to the death toll in the bloodiest, most violent region in the world; the eastern Congo. †In the eyes of Nest, his view of the cause and consequences both mirror the thoughts of Chastened but still hold his own opinion. Coolant attracts so many armed groups. If there were no 136). By Ezekiel, a representative of the Lubber region, a gold mining community, met by Nest on his travels. The major assumption in this quote identifies the users of these items to be the reasons of conflict in Africa. The consequence is obviously death of millions of natives and mass damage to the land of Africa. Michael Nest's Book also states the following; â€Å"Coolant came to the attention of the general media in 2001 when reports began filtering in of warlords in the Congo earning enormous profits from a rare mineral and a frenzied coolant rush of miners into the Jungle to exploit deposits. Caused by Palpitation 2)peg. 12 Coolant and Conflict page 66-â€Å"A common them in all phase s of conflicts is the devastating impact of violence on civilians, especially in rural communities. Armed groups have engaged in widespread sexual violence, kidnapped men, women, and children, stolen livestock and possessions, burned houses, and made working in agriculture fields extremely dangerous. †Peg. 67 As mentioned before, Michael believes there are many cause of the violence of Congo, not Just Coolant. This includes politics, minerals from other countries and the greed of other major corporations within.These factors influence the rushes that have placed these natives to work in mines in order to survive. Young Soldiers Why the Choose to fight brings a new claim to the table on why these child soldiers are indeed soldiers. According to a research project conducted by the ILL, about two thirds of child soldiers interviewed in Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and others concluded that they took the initiative of enrolling themselves When I first saw this I was shocked, these is no way this is true.But further research and analysis done by Brett and Speech and the stories they collected show another side of why these children decide to engage in acts we ourselves in the western world would not even think of. Then again, survival between African kids and American kids has a somewhat different meaning to it. And that's exactly what some of the causes for this unnatural (or natural behavior) are. Some of these kids that Join are for their own safety, they have nowhere else to go. There are economic downsides for the reintegration of child soldiers back into society.Sometimes it seems in the best interest in the child to return him to his family but sometimes they are too far gone or families can't afford to keep them. All my sources seem to agree that there is indeed a consequence of these actions that go with the children and conflict minerals, consequences that are not good, and lead into my next point of tension. Ba d consequences include the above. Outside of the children, damage to tribes, any family ties, trust between generations, instills corruption, fight to stay alive, family members turn on family members. (War and Children) Section Ill: Value and Evaluation: Most of my sources would agree the evaluation of the situation is a bad, but maybe not as bad as everyone thinks. This is seen in Michael Nest's book. â€Å"Violence in the DRY is not the result of Just one issue. â€Å"(Coolant, peg. 103). This is in terms of Coolant, only one mineral in Africa that provides the world supply of only Just 5 percent. When o look at the numbers and statistics of Michaels I must agree that it seems to be and providing hard times for children who are there mining instead of attending school Other examples of Coolant page 100-105 with this statement. A common theme in all phases of conflicts is the devastating impact of violence on civilians, especially in rural communities Naturally, the narrowed vie w of Coolant gives Nest a narrow mind set and not as broad as my other sources go such as Maggie with the thought of conflict When I asked my friend Maggie her evaluation this was her response. â€Å"My evaluation is that it is bad, I would dare to say it's terrible. Striping children of their innocence in any way is barbaric is horrible. And the things the Army makes them do is inconceivable.The issue of child soldiers in not a big deal maybe in our country, but in Africa, it's become a mainstream issue because anyone around that area has been affected. Whether it be people they know have been taken or have seen the violence, the natives over there have witnessed firsthand this injustice. †Maggie words speak to my soul and the hurt in her voice can only be the tip of what these children are feeling like when they are forced to do such horrible actions. She personal â€Å"l personally see no good consequences of this action because the damage done to the child is far greate r than any good could come out of it.Forcing children to kill parents, or beating, raping, torturing them into submission outweighs any â€Å"pros†that exist for the. †However this is seen in opposition by Joseph Kong, who is the ringleader in gathering up small children to fight in militia groups all around Africa. You could say he is the fire that both Maggie and other activist wish to extinguish and discontinue from burning. I personally have no words from Joseph himself, but his actions have certainly said plenty.It is quite evident he believes child soldiers are a good thing, a way of cheap labor and early brainwashing that allows his own methods of reasoning to be put in full use. His avoidance of capture suggest he knows what he is doing is wrong, but is perfectly k with continuing his lifestyle of crime, organizing militias to take unsuspecting children and ultimately develop them into a product that might never be able to be returned back to society. When the United States goes into evaluation of the conflict that is taken place in the Congo, it's obvious by the law that they don't believe in the practices that are in use there. †I prohibition in section 404(a) of the CAPS. †This is there Evaluation that it is no longer going to be tolerated by the United States if it in deed continues to happen, and that we will refuse to help their military should these illegal practices continue to be put into use A Story from War and Children. This quote is summarized by a kid who became part of the LIRA because his uncle turned his family so that his uncle would stay safe. He and two of his brothers were made into child soldiers and her sister had been raped repeatedly to the point where she now has five kids.His parents were killed in front of him by LIRA soldiers because they would not turn in their children to them. It's sad to think that your own family can be the cause of your situation as was the case with this child Consuming t he Congo- â€Å"Over five and a half million have died as a result of the violence that takes place there. Every time we use a mobile phone, use a video game console, or open a tin can, we hold the lives and deaths of the eastern. †This is the deep evaluation of Peter Chastened, which in Africa. †Peg. 5.It's an exaggeration that is meant to receive sympathy from the audience which in turns reveals that Peter does feel that the situation in the Congo is needlessly bad, and we have a chance to stop it. Young Soldiers- Why They Choose to Fight: The want for this particular source answers this proposal of this is bad. Children â€Å"volunteering†Just to have a meal it sickens me. But the stories within are not all as â€Å"bad†. There are children like Stephen from the United Kingdom and German, from the DRY who want to fight for their country. Is that a bad thing?Certainly not, I myself have a close friend who is joining the air force. The only difference is that he is 18, these kids are 12. It's this hype of cross roads that mix the evaluation as bad or good between my sources, heck even in between my own sources. Here in the United States it's against the law to Join the army so young, but we view defending our country as a good and honorable thing. Is it not Just as honorable if it's a child, according to most of my sources, and our western ideology in our modern world, the answer would be no. It sure gives something to think about through.. Section lb.Proposal Between all my sources, the current paid media attention and my own feelings toward these actions, it is quite evident that the call to action is to help these hillier and natives of the Congo. However, finding having the right call for action is like finding the right wireless network. Should one go unlimited, helping every known cause of war and conflict affecting these children, Juggling mass activist projects and let loose their opinions simply because they can, or shou ld one personalize their data plan, attacking the heart of problem of which they believe to have the most anguish and severity. And if so, what plan is right?To Maggie, the answer is clear. â€Å"Ending child slavery is a desirable action, for having it continue would be an injustice to these children and allow torture to continue. The emotion in Magpie's voice during this answer shows me she really cares about the inhumane actions that are happening here. She's seen firsthand the negative effects that continue to drive against these children. She also believes certain actions would lead to this desirable outcome. â€Å"On a small scale, apprehending Joseph Kong would go a long way. All the higher ups of the rebel army, all LIRA officials must be apprehended. Efforts by the U.S are in route but might be too late. I support people are trying to make this an issue. †Here Maggie reflects on the recent resurgence and the fight to bring this man, Joseph Kong, to Justice. â€Å" It's turned into genocide and we have ignored it for years for what, no icon value in Africa, focus on oil. Too fine he would be easy, he goes through talks and negations through other people but would flake out, for years the government has known where he is but has not gone after him. †When I questioned about the impending coverage of these children and Joseph Kong she replied with this; â€Å"It's finally getting more coverage, so it's on the radar.Mostly people Jumping on the bandwagon but it's out there All comes down to economics, the fact that we didn't alp reinforces the idea that they are not worth helping. †Here, Maggie claims that it is indeed important to bring down Joseph Kong and that we need to take charge in part of the United States is represented as well as I see a connection between Magpie's thoughts real events happening. The want to bring this guy to Justice is strong, flooding the airwaves of social media network to people all over the world.But its action from these people that will make a difference, not Just the click of a button in agreement with the above policy. The Proposal claim for Consuming the Congo was found in Chastened epilogue. The Congolese must create their own solutions to their problems. The key to solving the conflict minerals puzzle lies within the people of the eastern Congo and their government. Rather than engaging in aggressive public relations tactics, rights, campaigners, advocacy groups, and others might better become involved in eastern Congo in more meaningful ways.They have choices. †These choices don't Just include â€Å"Jumping on the bandwagon†as Maggie would say or even stopping using popular devices such as cell phones that use minerals mine by children and other natives who are doing forced labor. From his claim I have deemed that it is important that the Congo help themselves, and show a want to change of the conflict that arises from these terrible actions Michael Nest p roposal conclusion shares some actions from opposing author Peter Chastened. However, he has his own proposal and reasoning. What can and should a concerned person do to end the relationship between coolant and the war in the eastern Congo. He wants you to learn the facts, become educated. All decisions should be made if you are an informed person. †It might not be worth to participate in a mobile phone boycott. †(Coolant, 185) Nest offers a lot more participation from the government and politics to help bring a stop to the violence within the Congo. I whole heartedly agree with Nest's proposal because as more and more attention to this matter comes up, especially in conversations with my peers, I am noticing a lack of knowledge on the subject.If one wants to run and help, they must first learn to walk. Nest's also elaborates on the importance of the Congo needing to help themselves, placing some blame on the government. â€Å"Few share Island's confidence in the gove rnment. Some suggest that if the government wants peace in eastern Congo, it needs to involve mining immunities in the structure of the government. The government needs to become more inclusive, not exclusive. Most communities are isolated and therefore vulnerable, forcing them to turn to armed ethnic groups for protection and for a sense of community and control. (Nest) Based on this thought, it seems the government is not doing enough in Nest's opinion to take care of the growing problem. Having an inclusive community can change how they interact with one another and possible change their horrid lifestyles. The United States has proposed to stop Child Soldier with their Child Soldier Prevention act of 2008 as already discussed. With this law, aid of our Unites States military will not go those who allow people under the age of 18 to fight in wars.With this proposal put in effect, it has discouraged other countries from losing the aid we would give them, this is ultimately the acti on we want to take place in order to have the government of the Congo follow through and not allow Child Soldiers. My last proposal comes from Why They Choose to Fight. This book is unique as it begins to break down the stories of the children and ex-soldiers and asks them what they involvement from other to help build better education and employment opportunities so that kids now have more options then to have to fight for their freedom from rebel groups. Three of the most significant are education, employment, or other economic activity to reestablish relationships within families†(Young Soldiers) it seems they want people here to help and protect these three important factors in order to stop the flow of violence. The question of proposal that is being answered in the topic is: What can help the dire child issues within the Congo as well as its relation with conflict minerals. Nest and Chastened follow that of action, becoming educated and maybe Joining activist groups tha t know that follow the cause.The United States and Nelson feel it is important the Congolese Government step up and fight this issue. From the current media attention and Maggie thoughts, finding Kong 2012 is of the utmost importance. For authors Brett and Aspect, and Gary Craig argue to end child labor and cruelty by keeping children in school, employed, factors that don't influence to turn to this lifestyle. Each source brings good ideas to proposal, and factors them above and below everyone else's respectively. But the assumption of the need to help is there in all sources, and motivates its audience to do the same.Reflection, Synthesis, and Points of Entries for Papers 3 and 4 So this is it. This is the moment I have dreaded since I first became admitted into the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. This is the paper that will make or break me and allow all my weaknesses to be seen with hopes that the will either be improved, or point me down a much darker path that has no w riting in my future. I am scared for this paper 2. Not because of the number of pages or the deadline. It's the no BBS part. This paper is very real and is expected to be of superb material. How am l, a freshman, supposed to be able to produce this?To say I feel way in over my head is a huge understatement, I am not even sure where to begin. I know my focus on my paper should follow what we have covered in class and that has been the uprising of violence within the Congo. But what does that mean? Why do I care? How am I going to manage at least 15 pages of stasis theory to cover this in a way that puts me ahead of my scholars? That's my main concern, I really want to start proving I am a writer UT I feel so lost, to people here I'm Just another student, but I have dreams and I fear that this work will be for nothing.But anyway, let's focus more on this paper shall we. Children; kids, the future, young, innocent, free. These are the usual thoughts and synonyms that describe these lit tle people that could very well end the dire situation I have recently learned. We all have our own thoughts and when it comes to portraying children, now I think of them holding guns. Think of nine and ten year olds working to feed their families, being abducted from their village to Join militia armies
Ashoka Bindusara Maurya The Great Indian Emperor History Essay
Ashoka Bindusara Maurya The Great Indian Emperor History Essay Ashoka Bindusara Maurya, the great Indian emperor was a ruler during the Maurya dynasty, born in 265 BC to parents Bindusara and Dharma Maurya (Iloveindia.com, 2010). Ashoka’s regime spread across most of India and modern Pakistan and Afghanistan which was due to a number of successful conquests that will be mentioned later. His name is often followed by the title â€Å"the great†mainly due to the fact that he was one of India’s greatest rulers. His regime saw most on India united as one state under a democratic government. His name Ashoka is Sanskrit for â€Å"without sorrow.†According to Iloveindia.com (2010), from a young age, Ashoka was quite a handful; he often got into trouble for beating up his fellow children and being cruel to animals but on the other hand was an extremely clever child who grasped all that he was taught, be it ancient Buddhist teachings or how to hunt for wild animals. By the time he was a teenager, he had his older brotherâ₠¬â„¢s complaining to their parents and this got him sent away to the outskirts of the empire to pose as a general. Here he did things as he pleased, terrorizing small communities and various would be vigilante groups. At this time, young Ashoka realized that he’s brothers were against him so when he was sent away by his father; he instead exiled himself to Kalinga where he’s greatest military conquest lay (Iloveindia.com, 2010). There he met a young maiden named Kaurwaki whom he got involved with but later abandoned. After two years in exile, Ashoka grudgingly returned to India where his father needed him to preside over a conflict in the Ujjain region. This conflict is what launched Ashoka’s devotion to Buddhism. While peace keeping, Ashoka was injured and fortunately secretly tended to by Buddhist priests who did not want the news of his injury to reach his vengeful brothers (Wold, 2010). During this period, he got to learn of ancient Buddhist teachings and va lues that helped cultivate his belief. In addition, he also met another young girl whom he married as his first wife. Years after, the conflict between the siblings climaxed when their father passed away in 268 BC leaving them battling for the emperorship. After two long years of gross violence, Ashoka finally emerged victorious to sit on the much coveted throne (Sahu, 2005). Legend has it that Ashoka killed most of his brother while most of the retreated to various parts of India. After eight years of devoted and vigilant governance, Ashoka decided to expand his empire by invading Kalinga and annexing it to India. According to Munshi (1968) this was after he had successfully imperialized the borders of Iran, Afghanistan, west Bangladesh and eastern Burma. In 286 BC, Ashoka led the Indian army into Kalinga. Regardless of Ashoka having sentimental ties to Kalinga, Kaurwaki in particular, he plunged into war head first sparing no one. The region of Kalinga though greatly betrayed and dismayed fought back bravely but ultimately lost the war (Sahu, 2005). The morning after, Ashoka visited the battle field to view the extent of his â€Å"victory†but he somewhat did not feel good about it. Seeing to houses burned to ashes and bodies lying everywhere, Ashoka was horror struck by the sight. At that moment in time, Ashoka had an epiphany where he began to be aware of and regret the horrors of his actions. Corpses lay scattered on the earth, orphaned children cried for their mother all over, widows grieved for their husbands, the Daya River ran red with blood and various temples and monuments were destroyed in the nasty brawl.
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