Category: society

The Ban on Greyhound Racing in the ACT

This is a big issue in the Australian Capital Territory as the Greyhound Industry gears up for a legal challenge to the governments disbandment of it. The question is whether it constitutes a sport or a business that exploits innocent animals and causes them pain and suffering. The other agenda at work here is the clamp down on gambling in the territory. One can’t be seen to support a racing industry while denying other forms of it.

The feeling in the political arena is that people are spending wildly on things like poker machines and other forms of gambling. Many addicted to it have become homeless or dependent on charities and the like as a result. There is also the question of cruelty in the greyhound business when secret cameras filmed live bating in training sessions.

The animals in these images were rabbits, kittens, and possums, who were ultimately ripped to pieces. That was after being tied to a machine and driven at speed around the track with a pack of dogs in hot pursuit.

As a pet owner and one who respects all life this type of thing has disgusted me. Even more so as years ago when I gave some kittens away and a man told me he only wanted one to train his dogs. He never got it from me and my words to him were not so kind.

What is in the human psyche that supports this type of animal cruelty? That is what the Minister who issued the ban has also asked. Surely it is up to society to stand behind his judgement and let the matter proceed to court where hopefully the judge will favour the victims over the ones who make money from them.…

Alcohol Addiction – A Social Evil

There is a group of who start using alcohol to drive away the sorrows and pains of life, whereas others turn to it because they know not any other way. Most alcohol addicts give the reason that alcohol gives them a power to face the challenges and difficulties of life. The practical theory behind this feeling is that alcohol can generate illusions and hallucinations in the minds of people and they are taken to another world where they forget the real world worries, and tensions. Sinking in this dream world, they start loving alcohol to an amount that they can not even imagine being without alcohol.

The effects of alcohol addiction are long lasting. The harmful effects are never limited to the individual; Rather the circle of society is forced to suffer the consequences. Alcohol addiction sends out a red signal by producing physical ailments and mental disorders in the individual. Even then it is not the individual but the associated ones that realizes the danger and think of how to help the injured stop drinking alcohol.

Harmful results of alcohol addiction start with physical damage to kidney, liver, heart and almost all internal organs. It starts carving the walls of intestine. Loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness, nausea etc. Are some among the numerous difficulties followed by the addict. He slowly starts losing memory and false often due to lack of sleep. The physical appearance and facial appearance becomes too ugly.

Worst of all ill effects is the interference in his social and personal life. He fails to execute his duties and responsibilities. Instead of being a support, he becomes a burden to his family. Peace of the family is disturbed and they become the center of criticism for the entire society. The place of his work is another area affected badly. You start to have serious backlogs at work and co-workers are humiliated. Everyone dependent on him will be forced to take the pains of suffering and obviously live through the aftermath.

Social peace is disturbed. When alcohol addiction haunts a person, he will start engaging in criminal activity. Slowly he changes into an anti-social element and none will dare to get acquainted with him. He is isolated and this adds up the fury. His evil behavior shoots up and a criminal is born.

Several methods are available that will teach people how to stop drinking alcohol. De-addiction centers play a major role in bringing them back to life. Medicines that make them feel the taste of alcohol will inculcate a feeling of hesitance towards the drug. But the major problem in dealing with alcohol through medicine is that, their going to be a drug dependency or the forceful withdrawal could lead to many related problems. These efforts of not carried out in a professional manner can cause more harm than good. This later addiction is a critical factor to be deal with.

Hypnosis is the best method to slowly change the attitude of the individual towards liquor. The …

New Zealand – Common WEALTH or Common STEALTH?

To many people, New Zealand is one of the most sought-after countries for many English folk to move to, either to emigrate, or retire.

Why? Because we think that the whole country and its massive natural resources belong to us. But why should we think that? What about the people that lived peacefully there since the beginning of the first century – the Maori peoples from Polynesia?

Too many times, we seem to think that this whole area of the Pacific was populated by tribes of fierce savages, who knew nothing of the ‘civilized’ world, and allegedly had no idea of commerce or interaction with other nations. For many such peoples, they became ‘fair game’ to the more ‘advanced’ civilizations of the west, such as Britain, France and Spain, who would go to any lengths to secure new additions to their overseas empires.

Even if there was a lack of commercial awareness in these conquered States, what gave anybody the right to take over and attempt to destroy, the local religions, belief, and traditions of these indigenous peoples? After all, if Britain had lost the Second World War, we would probably now all be using German as our first language, and there would have been no religious freedom of expression allowed. Would that have made us a better country? I doubt it. There would have been much dissent and undertones of revolt, and a feeling that we were robbed of our heritage.

The facts are that at the turn of the 19th Century, the Maori people had established a Bank (Te Whare Awaroa Mauri Trust Bank) and a newspaper (The Native Courier) in 1808. Hardly the activities to be expected from so-called ‘ignorant savages’.

In 1816 Te Wakaminenga O Nga Hapu formed a Maori Court with laws based on Tikanga Maori (in response to the lawless and unruly behaviour of visiting whalers, sealers and other foreigners) and enforced the laws accordingly. They further planned to unite the tribes operating on two levels by uniting the Ariki blood lines, and forming an army in a common defence policy against to ever-increasing immigration issues.

In the same year the authority of Maori Sovereignty was recognised and registered in the House of Westminster, England, as well as recognised by other nations such as America, France, Japan and Te Moananui A Kiwa. (United Pacific Nations)

The growth of settlers and whalers into New Zealand in the first quarter of the 19th Century had a devastating effect on the Maori people. Not only were they becoming outnumbered, but disease introduced from the settlers was causing massive numbers deaths from illnesses that in the Western world were just mild complaints.

A lot of settlers were carrying out illegal purchase of land in this time period, and introducing new types of crops, and new ways of fishing (especially whaling), and this activity caused a lot of friction between many of the Maori iwi (Tribes), leading to a whole series of brutal inter-tribal wars. To try and redress …

How Reckless Teen Driving Can Impact Society

Reckless driving is a very serious issue. How could it not be considered one when loss of life and property, and even serious injuries and damages are always involved? Its level of seriousness is such that there is no one who is in his right mind who’d even want to be remotely involved in situations involving reckless driving.

To be involved in a case of reckless driving can definitely be a life changing matter, that’s how serious it is. And when you start talking about teenagers being involved in it, then you could just imagine the kind of impact that it would have on everyone that’s involved.

Thinking of the kind of impact that reckless driving involving teens can potentially have on society is certainly an important and serious issue. You can even say that since teens are involved, the stakes are definitely raised higher than any usual case of reckless driving. There are a number of reasons why that is so true.

The recklessness that seems to be inherent in people during their teenage years certainly does not lend itself well to driving. If any, that actually leads to reckless driving – with the expected consequences and repercussions of it. The National Safety Council itself has already given the statement that the part of the brain that specifically helps in suppressing impulses, weighing the consequences, and organizing thoughts is not fully mature until a person reaches the age of 25.

Additional factors include the hormones that we all know are raging within all of us and affect our actions and behavior during our teenaged years. And teenagers also learn to drive under what can only be described as optimal or ideal conditions. The problems and hazardous conditions would not be encountered until later on when the teens are already out on the road.

As far as statistics are concerned, the Center for Disease Control states that here in the United States in 2005, about 4,544 teenagers (aged 16 to 19) died from injuries that they sustained because of being involved in motor vehicle crashes. A very telling statistic was revealed by the CDC – in 2005 the teenager population in the US accounted for about 10 percent of the country’s total population, but when it came to deaths involved in motor vehicle crashes, teens accounted for 12 percent.

I believe that everyone would agree that losing people’s lives far outweigh any other form or type of loss that results from motor vehicle accidents, but one can’t help but notice how much it costs as well. For the total costs of vehicle injuries in males, 30 percent of that number actually involves young people (aged 15 to 24) and is equivalent to $19 billion. For females, the figures show that 28 percent are young people, which accounts for $7 billion in total costs.

Probably the best thing that can be done is to make use of a graduated licensing program. Talking to teenagers about the dangers of reckless driving is …

A Review of Foreign Affairs (A Political Magazine)

In this article I will review, yet again, another political magazine. I will also give some brief background information and why I like this one as well as the prior reviewed political magazine. Probably by now you have guessed that I read a lot of these types of magazines and enjoy them immensely.

Shall we get to the background information. Foreign Affairs is an old publication that dates back to 1922 when it was founded. This magazine focuses on international relations and united States foreign policy. It is similar to Current History but different as well. Foreign Affairs is published by the Council on Foreign Relations and publishes bi-monthly. The Council of Foreign Affairs was founded in 1921 and is located in New York City. The Council on Foreign Affairs is a think tank that focuses on international relations. This publication is more academically oriented, similar to Current History, with many contributors that are professors.

It is now time to talk about why I deem this publication to be a favorite of mine. I like to read and learn about international relations and the role the United States plays. I think it is important to be aware of various institutions that the United States finds itself involved in. Especially in the twenty-first century, geopolitical issues are very complex and there are many different actors that play various roles. For instance, today the United States is involved in Afghanistan and just finished combat operation in Iraq. These examples are common knowledge because they are discussed on the nightly news or in the newspaper. But I like to learn an issue in depth and go beyond the soundbites heard on television or cursory coverage found in my local newspaper. I want to understand the political history of a country like Iraq or what will happen now that the United States has ended combat operation there and pulled out our troops. I want to know more about the fight against terrorism, that goes beyond what the politicians tell us.

I want to learn how China is becoming an economic powerhouse and about other emerging markets. I enjoy reading this type of magazine but I use it to inform myself of issues that help me make sound decisions when I vote. I think that for the United States to be a good democratic society and have constructive dialogue about various geopolitical issues people need to be informed about. By reading this magazine and others like it, this can be a small contribution to society. This can be a small step to contributing to our democratic ideals by being well informed and have a solid understanding of geopolitical issues and being able to engage in thoughtful dialogue and be able to put forth different ideas. This knowledge also helps me make wise decisions at the ballot box by thinking globally and not just nationally or locally. If you want to be more informed you should consider purchasing an issue at your local bookstore. And for …

World Disable Day

The world is moving towards progress in every walk of life. But when we look towards societies, it feels as if some thing is still missing. Money, power, lust, etc., is the wish of every human being to attain. But we can not deny this fact that we all are bounded with loads of social problems, which are hard nuts to crack. The key element of success and self-satisfaction is missing in most of the societies. Social issues are matters which directly or indirectly affect many or all members of a society and are considered to be problems, controversies related to moral values, or both. Social issues include poverty, violence, pollution, injustice, illiteracy, corruption, bribery, suppression of human rights, discrimination, and crime, child abuse, rape, dowry system, abortion, sex, etc.

Out of many social problems, I feel that the rights of Exceptional people are always being neglected by every one. No one wants to hear them. No body wants to give them proper love and care. They are being rejected from most of the societies. Due to the ill- behavior of the people, they are facing lots of trouble to explore their talents and creativity. Now, the time has arrived, when we need to re-think about our attitudes towards them. Tall talks from the government officials that special needs people will be given opportunities were held back by the previous government and still they are wiping for their rights to be given.

I did my research for 7 years at Aga Khan Social Welfare Board for Exceptional People Committee. I joined this institute and came to know about their feelings and emotions. I later studied many books and met many children of "Borderline Category" of different schools in Karachi. The revealing truth was bitter. I realized that they were totally deprived from our society and were considered as an insane, which is not true.

I guess, no one has right to define any human in their own perception, until and without, he / she knows himself / herself deeply and perfectly. But it is a matter of despairty in Pakistan, that Exceptional Children are considered as a different being. People are trying to give their own definitions about them without knowing the proper definition of human. Human are acting like an animal and showing lack of concern towards them.

Let us try to understand, who exceptional people are?

Those persons who have IQ score which differs from the mean by two or more standard deviations are called Exceptional persons. Mentally retarded are declared as those persons who have scores two or more standard deviations below the mean. While the persons having score two or more standard deviations above the mean are called gifted persons.

Categories in respect of IQ are as follows:

O 70 above Border Line (trained and understandable)
O 70-50 Mild (educable)
O 50-35 Moderate (trainable)
O 35-20 Severe (miniman skills)
O 20-0 Profound (custodial care)

So we can say that,

"Exceptional children are those, who lacks either …

What Made Native American Peoples Vulnerable to Conquest by European Adventurers?

What made Native American peoples vulnerable to conquest by European adventurers?

There were several traits which made the Native American’s vulnerable to conquest by European adventurers. First, the people themselves were ill equipped to deal with the European invaders. Their numbers were quickly reduced as a result of famine, forced labor, epidemics involving contact with European diseases and wars.

They were unaccustomed to the economic, political and military aspects associated with the Europeans. They lacked the organization and political unity to resist the conquering people. The various tribes were frequently in conflict with one and other as they went about their daily lives competing with each other for land and food. As an example over the years the Aztecs accumulated many enemies especially within their own tribe. This conflict resulted from competition for territorial rights, acquisition of wealth and the practice of using their captive enemies as religious sacrifices. Cortés exploited this trait by forming alliances with the opposing tribes. In contrast to the Aztecs lack of unity the Spanish explorers were a highly unified society.

The Native Americans possessed the necessary skills to work with copper but failed to develop those needed to smelt iron thus they lacked sufficient technology to wage war upon the invaders. When the Europeans arrived in the New World they were welcomed by the Native Americans. The Indians regarded their visitors as wonderful warriors with their dress, beards, and their ships but more so for the technology they brought with them. The native population was amazed at this technology such as their steel knives and swords, the arquebus which is a sort of muzzle loader, the cannon, copper and brass kettles, mirrors, hawk bells and earrings which were used as trading goods, along with other items which were unusual to their way of life. This was rightfully so since the natives lacked the ability to create these amazing inventions used by the Europeans. Unfortunately the European visitors used their weapons of war inflicting great amounts of damage to the natives.

It did not take long before serious problems began to develop. Upon the arrival of the Europeans there were 7 million Native Americans in North America. Most lived in hunter-gather or agricultural types of communities. The largest problem encountered by the Native Americans was their lack of immunity toward European diseases. This lack of immunity in these communities towards the European diseases took their toll among the Indian tribes. Smallpox was a common threat frequently contracted by the Indians from the European people.

The Native Americans soon began to dislike the Europeans and their beliefs. They often viewed the white man as despicable and stingy with their wealth. This was something that the Indians had not previously encountered. In their social order things were freely shared. The explorers were deemed to be insatiable in their desire for furs and hides. They particularly disliked the European’s intolerance for their religious beliefs, eating habits, sexual and marital arrangements and other aspects of their customs.

The Native …

Telenursing Approach – Evidence Based Challenge

Introduction-The term “basic health services” is defined by UNICEF and WHO (1965) as a network of co-ordinated, peripheral and intermediate health units capable of performing effectively, a selected group of functions essential to the health of an area and assuring the availability of competent professional personnel to perform these functions. WHO has also proclaimed health as a fundamental right of every individual and society.

India is a developing country with a large and diverse geographical terrain, and a huge population with a great deal of ethnic and cultural variation. It has all kinds of health care providers ranging from well qualified doctors of allopathy, homeopathy, ayurveda, registered medical practitioners to untrained providers of medical aid, herbalists, and magico-religious practitioners. The importance of the involvement of practitioners belonging to different systems of medicine in the health care system has been noted by various committees and in various health related policy documents from time to time. The National Health Policy (2002) advocated expanding the pool of medical practitioners to include a cadre of licentiates of medical practice, practitioners of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy. It further recommended that different categories of medical manpower should be permitted medical practice after adequate training. The National Population Policy (2000) recommended the involvement of manpower from different health agencies to expand the body of effective health care providers. Shrivastva Committee (1975) recommended primary health care within the community through trained workers to keep the health in the hands of the people.

The governments of developing countries are unable to deliver free health services as the basic right of the citizen in a holistic manner.Accessibility of health agency is an important aspect of its availability; hence a vital factor affecting treatment seeking behaviour of consumers. To make provision for basic health care to all the people is a difficult task for administrators in a country like India. Thus, eliminating geographical barriers, and to help develop new strategies and services to appeal to consumers’ various needs and desires is a big challenge.In spite of a host of national health policies; the health care indices significantly lag behind those of the developed countries. The quantitative and qualitative demographic transition in the population and disease profile along with inadequate health care delivery infrastructure is a fundamental concern for the country. In India, government from time to time declared deadlines for achievement of goals in health and various related areas. At present, in addition to other time bound goals of current eleventh five year plan, some of the important goals to be achieved by 2000-2015 are to increase utilization of public health facilities, and to establish a system of surveillance, national health accounts and health statistics.

Moreover, the increased need for health care has not been matched with a commensurate increase in resource, and the imbalance is growing. In developed countries telenursing applications are available in homes, home care agencies, hospital based telemedicine centres, hospices and rehabilitation centres whereas in Indian scenario, its need for implementation is being considered vis-a-vis …

Eastern Culture or Western Culture, Which is Better

As we see the changing of the guard of the Worlds greatest civilizations from the United States to China or India we see history repeating itself as it has so many times in the human endeavors written history. It was not much more than 200 years ago when Great Britain was the greatest nation in the World. They kept the Great in their name but the United States clearly carried the choice after that. Next it appears due to our own follies and lake of forward progression we will be passing the torch again and in doing so taking our place as a footnote on the page in the annals of mankind’s history.

As we pass are on the apex of the hand off, which is clearly a choice having drown our nation in bureaucracy, over regulation and disdain for change, innovation or progress; we see a difference in cultures which is vast indeed. It is obvious that Western Culture has its advantages, whether we take advantage of them or not. It is equally as obvious for anyone who studies culture that Eastern Culture has its own advantages. Some of these advantages are in conflict, while much is similar. Which is better?

Should we assume that since Eastern Culture is next up to bat with the bases loaded that Eastern lifestyle is more fulfilling than the Western Lifestyle? We know from our own short 200-year history in the United States that western worlds; capitalism and western culture lifts people up, who put in. We have seen in recent history how Socialism and Communism have tended to push people down and over run civilizations in debt and inefficiency. Yet all in all most of human history and the government structures they have chosen share many things. All these scenarios and all the hybrids of each or all, seem to involve people who are of the ruling class who are motivated by those things humans are motivated by, similarly to those they rule, who are equally motivated by such things.

So when we ask which is better; one government structure or one culture over another, it appears that one could indeed argue both sides of the point or be right no matter which side they argue. And indeed in such abstract thought it seems we are all of the same genes and all one in that regard. The only difference between you neighbor in the United States and one of Asian Ancestry is probably not more than 3000-4000 years and certainly not more than 10,000 to 15,000. We all have similar needs to fulfill self and although have been pre-conditioned to believe one culture is better than the other is more nurture than nature isn’t it? Have you thought here yet? You might next time someone says it is us against them, as that is more similar to punching yourself in the eye really? We all belong to a fairly successful species which has come quite a ways and whose future is …

UK Has Become a Democracy by Evolution Rather Than Revolution

Introduction

In first century B.C. Roman Empire was spread through out whole Europe including Southern Britain which including modern England. Roman Empire prevails not only by military means but also their culture, law and political system. At that time Rome was ruled by Senate, with the principles of ancient Democracy. That was a legacy of Greece to Rome. While conquering the world these Roman donate Democracy all over its territory as well as England. After the collapse of Roman Empire in 3rd century A.D. British people enjoyed some kind of independence from outer world. After some time whole island scattered to a number of kingdoms. Then, there was nothing left something called Democracy anymore. Only monarchs were left there which relies on feudalism.

Various invasions and migrations made mixed nation in Britain. British history was intermingled with dozens of cultures like Celtic, Roman, Anglo Saxon, Jute, French, Dane, Norse and Norman.

The main turning point of British history is invasion of William of Normandy in 1066.He beat the Saxon King Harold at the battle of Hastings. William and his descendants over England with violent and totalitarian regime and there was no liberal democracy. Gradually Norman Knights and those Saxons, who had some land and money, secure great power over the Kings. They had their own army as well as taxation process. Therefore Kings couldn’t rule country without their help (both military and financially).Especially the reign of inept Kings. However, the main characteristic of the British Constitution is there is no book or archive in written form. We can figure it out as series of bills consent in parliament and customs evolved time to time. These Bills and Customs built up evolution rather than revolution. From here let us consider main archives to prove that.

Magna Carta

In the reign of such inept King John in 1215,the great barons of the land rose up in mutiny and forced the King to sign an agreement called “Magna Carta”(Great Charter). They were questioned whether the King really should have total power over the country. From signing Magna Carta “the king to renounce certain rights and respect certain legal procedures, and to accept that the will of the king could be bound by law. Magna Carta was the first step in a long historical process leading to the rule of constitutional law.”

This is a revolutionary moment in British history. Probably, the preamble to the British constitution. Actually, the incident is seems like a revolutionary one, though it didn’t change structure of Monarch or abolish it. Feudalism continues. Only change was Nobles and Pope gets some power rather than before and some human rights were accepted as inviolable. Below mention the most valuable clause in the Charter even modern constitutions also added as fundamental right of human beings. That was;

“No free man shall be arrested, or imprisoned, or deprived of his property, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any way destroyed, nor shall we go against him or send against him, unless by …