Telling It Like It Is Essay - 3702 Words

Telling It Like It Is â€Å"My country, right or wrong,† is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, â€Å"My mother, drunk or sober.†Ã¢â‚¬â€G. K. Chesterton, The Defendant These are indeed desperate times. On September 11, 2001, America witnessed the worst act of terrorism in U.S. history. Grief-stricken, angry, and shocked, people from all over America came together in the face of tragedy and solidly affirmed their pride in the U.S.A. The outpouring of patriotism that resulted from this tragedy was astonishing. Our country came together: specific agendas were swept aside in favor of partisanship and overwhelming support for our leaders, for our institutions, for our democracy.†¦show more content†¦For example: in the immediate wake of September 11th, White House press secretary Ari Fleischer requested that the press limit its details on Presidential security and U.S. intelligence. He asked the media to refrain from printing â€Å"advance notice of the president’s schedule†¦and†¦ how U.S. intelligence gets its info, like saying it came from phone intercepts or satellites.† He also asked that they not take any pictures of White House security. The media largely agreed, in part because the request seemed reasonable, and in part because of the patriotic fever sweeping the nation. One news journalist, justifying the sensibility in restricting information, commented â€Å"Nobody wants to see the president hurt.†1 Historically, First Amendment rights have been highly disputed in cases of national security. In 1971, the right to publish disputed information was affirmed in the landmark Pentagon Papers case. A former Defense Department employee, Daniel Ellsberg, stole a copy of a document entitled â€Å"History of U.S. Decision Making Process on Vietnam Policy,† better known as the Pentagon Papers. The documents â€Å"contained evidence on the military’s bungled handling of the Vietnam War†. Ellsberg leaked the copy to the New York Times and the Washington Post, and the Times began printing articles referring to the papers. The Nixon administration quickly ordered the Times to cease printing, arguing that publishingShow MoreRelatedThe Open Window Short Story1045 Words   |  5 Pagesteaches people that telling lies is a lot easier than telling the truth, especially when those lies seem to be insignificant. The short stories, â€Å"Like the Sun† and â€Å"The Op en Window† exemplify situations in which the truth is detrimental to others’ feelings, and a situation in which lying is damaging to one’s life. Although both telling the truth and telling lies can be harmful to one’s life or feelings to a certain degree, lying causes more damage than telling the truth. Sekhar from, â€Å"Like the Sun† andRead MoreThe Importance of Truth-Telling851 Words   |  4 PagesTRUTH-TELLING 2 The Importance of Truth-Telling Telling the truth is something that comes up for the majority of us in childhood. It is considered impolite to lie and when a lie was told, or you were untruthful, it was often considered a reflection of your parents’ moral attitudes. Unfortunately, we all seem to have been taught differently the exact nature of a truth or lie and the right or wrong way to use that information. In To Lie or Not to Lie? – The Doctor’s DilemmaRead MoreEssay on Duty-Based Person660 Words   |  3 Pageslying to him or her, you cannot be trusted. When you start out lying about something you have to keep on lying to cover up the first lye you started out with. Most people that lye are scared of getting in to trouble. Other peoples that lye just like telling stories. Some people can look you right in the face and they will be lying to you. You can make things worse if you lie for someone, for them and for yourself. They can wound up getting in to trouble for lying. The person for whom they are lyingRead MoreWhy Lying Is A Common Behavior850 Words   |  4 PagesReasons for lying Lying is a common behavior in today’s society. But ever since we were young we were shunned away from telling lies and were taught that we should be truthful. Why is it that lying was immoral, but then as we grow up we drift away from that lesson? Many can say that we are cowards who hide behind our lies. Today there exists a white lie which states that you are telling a lie to help someone. Why do we teach our kids that lying is bad when adults lie all the time? In the quote Nancy FarmerRead MoreThe Truth Always Set You Free?867 Words   |  4 Pagesis create a gateway for a web of lies. Lying is a like an addiction. One may tell a lie to save him/herself, and once they see that lie worked or was believable they continue to lie. And once you tell one lie you have to tell another to cover for that lie and then is spins out until you’ve made your web of lies. Lies are words that are deceitful, they are meant to deceive, whether that deceit is in good or bad intentions . If a friend ask do you like their sweater and you lie and tell them yes; you’veRead MoreThe Mystery Of Liars By Nancy Farmer872 Words   |  4 PagesEver since we were young we were shunned away from telling lies and were taught that it was wrong. Why is it that lying was immoral, but then as we grow up we drift away from that lesson? Many can say that we are cowards who hide behind our lies. Today there exist a white lie which states that you are telling a lie to help someone. Why do we teach our kids that lying is bad when adults lie all the time? In the quote Nancy Farmer compares the liars to rats who are cowards that hides and runs aroundRead MoreR.K. Narayans Like the Sun Essay example835 Words   |  4 Pageshis story â€Å"Like The Sun.† By using dramatic irony, figurative language, and situational irony, Narayan shows that the truth can have consequences. One of the ways Narayan shows that the truth can have consequences is by using dramatic irony. One example where Narayan uses dramatic irony is when Sekhar is eating his wifes meal. Sekhar seems hesitant and she questions him saying, â€Å"Why, isnt it good?† (Narayan, 191). The reader knows that he will have to tell her the truth and that telling her the truthRead MoreAnalysis Of Beowulf : A New Telling747 Words   |  3 PagesBeowulf: A New Telling, written by Robert Nye is a book for adventurers who want to be put in a time of good and evil. Beowulf came from an Anglo Saxon Poet around 700 AD in the medieval time period. It was formed from an old English heroic epic poem. It was told in around 600 AD. Beowulf: A New Telling shows, if you know your strengths and your weaknesses, you will be able to conquer anything. Beowulf has good and evil characters. There is Beowulf, Hrothgar, Wealhtheow, Scyld Scefing, the coastRead MoreThe And Critique Of The Theory Of Utilitarianism1706 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper I am going to argue that telling a small lie that would cause no great harm to a friend in order to spare their feelings is an acceptable thing to do. I am going to examine this issue through the perspective of important philosophers Jeremy Bentham(Utilitarian), then through Immanuel Kant(Deontology). After talking about this issue through both of their perspectives, I will argue which person has a more defensible belief. Then I will talk about and critique Kant’s belief to tell theRead More##rtance Of Language In The Handmaids Tale And Nineteen Eighty-Four1315 Words   |  6 Pagesnovels The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell is a fight for power and control – not of land, or political position – but of language. Lan guage is seen within both of these novels as being central to the telling of one’s own story – without the control of power and language, it is not possible to convey the intricacies, thoughts, feelings and ideas behind these stories. Whether this story is conveyed through a diary, or through cassette tapes, or even scratched

The Debate Surrounding Physician-Assisted Suicide Essay

Physician-assisted suicide is the practice in which a doctor prescribes a terminally ill patient with a lethal medication as a form of active, voluntary euthanasia. These patients, rather than suffer slowly and painfully, often request this procedure as a means of experiencing a more â€Å"dignified† death. The debate surrounding this issue is a heated one, especially among the general public whose attitudes are deeply influenced by the level of patient pain and discomfort (Frileux et al. 334). At the heart of the issue is the conflict between a patient’s right to choose between life and death and, as expressed by one social scientist, â€Å"society’s obligation to protect its most vulnerable members from hastened and not completely voluntary death†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦Assisted suicide is criticized as a drastic answer to â€Å"a situation that demands a far more comprehensive and compassionate approach† (86). Focusing on patients with adv anced cancer, Twycross notes that it is crucial to humanize the experience of the dying so that their emotional, physical, and spiritual needs are met. For example, more than sixty percent of patients with Stage IV cancer experience severe, overlooked pain (89). The establishment of several hospices and care units as a response to the gaps left by medical technology has significantly improved the standard of care received by terminally ill patients. These care facilities work on symptom control by carefully evaluating the cause of pain and adopting a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates both regular analgesic use and non-drug measures like creating a positive, comfortable environment (89). Twycross concludes that it is not a change in the legal status of euthanasia that is needed, but rather a change in medical education to teach doctors how to â€Å"enable those with cancer to live better with their disease† because presenting physician-assisted suicide as an option â€Å"serves simply to weaken the resilience and resolve of those who are ill† (92). Similarly, a journal article by Susan Martyn and Henry Bourguigon addresses the subjectivity in the guidelines for determining patientShow MoreRelatedThe Debate Of Physician Assisted Suicide1321 Words   |  6 PagesThe Debate Surrounding the Topic of Physician Assisted Suicide Who gets to make the choice whether someone lives or dies? If a person has the right to live, they certainly should be able to make the choice to end their own life. The law protects each and everyone’s right to live, but when a person tries to kill themselves more than likely they will end up in a Psychiatric unit. Today we hear more and more about the debate of Physician assisted suicide and where this topic stands morally and ethicallyRead MoreSince The Fifteen Century, Society Has Viewed Suicide Or1178 Words   |  5 PagesSince the fifteen century, society has viewed suicide or intentional death as immoral. It was not until the twentieth century that these â€Å"immoral† attitudes were challenged. As of 2016, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Colombia have unambiguously legalized direct assisted dying. Other areas, having to undergo a process of either a judicial or legislative decision, include Canada, Japan, and Germany. Currently in the United States, following the same process of a judicial or legislative processesRead MoreLegalizing Physician Assisted Suicide And Active Euthanasia843 Words   |  4 PagesFatal Differences The civil argument in the U.S. over whether or not to authorize physician-assisted suicide and active euthanasia has reached new levels of vehemence. Oregon, California, Vermont, and Washington (and Montana, via court ruling) have become the first states to legalize physician-assisted suicide. There has, too, been campaigning, ballot measures, bills, and litigation in other states in attempts to legalize one or both practices. Supporters increasingly urge either absolute legalizationRead MorePhysician-Assisted Suicide - an Utilitarian Perspective Essay example1476 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician-assisted suicide is â€Å"the voluntary termination of ones own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide is the practice of providing a competent patient with a prescription for medication for the patient to use with the primary intention of ending his or her own life† (MedicineNet.com, 2004). Many t imes this ethical issue arises when a terminally-ill patient with and incurable illness, whom is given littleRead More Rebutting Arguments to Legalize Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide1711 Words   |  7 PagesLegalize Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide      Ã‚   This essay focuses on several of the most common arguments in favor of the legalization of euthanasia or assisted suicide - and rebuts them. The language is simple, or, as they say, in laymans terms so as to be easily understandable. The sources are from professional journals, internet websites, and news outlets.    The first common argument favoring euthanasia or assisted suicide is this: Since euthanasia and assisted suicide take place anywayRead MoreEssay The Physician-Assisted Suicide Argument985 Words   |  4 Pagesreferenced in support of physician-assisted-suicide, or PAS. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are interchangeable terms which both lead to the death of an individual. Voluntary PAS is a medical professional, usually a physician, who provides medication or other procedures with the intention of ending the patient’s life. Voluntary PAS is the administration of medicine with the explicit consent from the patient. In terms of this paper, we focus on voluntary physician-assisted suicide in the elderly, 65 andRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide1418 Words   |  6 Pagesresult in patients giving up on life, physician-assisted suicide should be legalized in all fifty states for terminally ill patients with worsening or unbearable pain. What is physician-assisted suicide? â€Å"Suicide is the act of taking ones own life. In assisted suicide, the means to end a patient’s life is provided to the patient (i.e. medication or a weapon) with knowledge of the patients intention† (American Nurses Association). Physician-assisted suicide is known by many names such as deathRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Allowed?895 Words   |  4 PagesShould physicians be allowed to help patients determine the timing and circumstances of their death? The â€Å"right to die† debate is a very sensitive and complex issue in modern culture. While suicide is a legal act in the United States, assisted suicide is not. Opinions on the subject are shaped by countless factors such as ethical issues, social issues, and primarily religious issues. Many people are opposed to the legalization of physician assisted suicide for â€Å"moral† reasons, however, legalizationRead MoreEuthanasia And Physician Assiste d Suicide1629 Words   |  7 Pagesillnesses or major health problems, assisted suicide creates options to reduce the amount of suffering the patient must enduring. Dying with dignity could be beneficial for not only the person who is dying, but also the person’s family and loved ones. This option, however, is often viewed as unethical and immoral throughout society. Physician-assisted suicide offers an option for those with health issues but poses various ethical and social issues. Assisted death is practiced in two differentRead MoreThe Great Debate On Doctor Assisted Suicide Essay1239 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Debate on Doctor Assisted Suicide Euthanasia, in today’s world, is a word with opposing meanings. Originally, it meant â€Å"a good death† (Leming Dickinson, 2016). Since the legalization of euthanasia around the world in the early 1990’s, the meaning has changed. Several pro-euthanasia sites would call it a humane and peaceful way to end the dying process, by either stopping the course of treatment or the use of lethal doses of medications (Leming Dickinson, 2016). Con-euthanasia activists

A cultural revolution during the sixties Essay Example For Students

A cultural revolution during the sixties Essay They formed new religious cultures in society, offered people a means to participate in a counter-culture which was never to be fully completed. They did not to any extent replace the existing religious institutions in society, and so could not be described as revolutionary movements. The most they may have achieved is to have contributed to the trend of people turning away from the traditional church based beliefs, an ongoing tendency throughout the past 70 years. The sixties also saw innovations in art, with bold new artists who conflicted with traditional expectations and values. Cultural art might be defined as the traditional standards of that which dates back to Greek and Roman traditions, of representation, and decorative styles. Rothko contravened these traditions through work such as the Seagram Murals by audacious use of colour, to create abstract paintings with malicious intentions to disturb and unsettle the observer. Rothko was not the first painter to experiment with emotion and mood in paintings. Van Goghs The All Night Cafi , Arles aimed to express the terrible passions of humanity by means of reds and greens. The idea that tone could be conveyed by other manners than simply the objects pictured was an ongoing idea explored by artists from around the beginning of the nineteenth century. Sylvester identifies Rothkos work alongside this tradition of reconciliation of Apollo and Dionysus forms of art, part of a long tradition in artistic styles. Warhol was one of a number of so called pop artists disliked by Rothko, who also created pioneering works during the sixties. He used a new medium of silkscreen which did contain images, although presented in an unusual fashion. The images were particularly evocative of current events, using carefully treated photographic images. In some ways it is less counter-cultural than Rothkos work, as it does retain many techniques which have been used for the past centuries. It is evocative of the sixties, and used innovative methods, but these methods have led to questions as to whether it can be classified as art at all. The period since the sixties has often been characterized as post-modern some critics claiming that nonconformist art is no longer relevant to present art culture. It does seem that perception and treatment of artistic works did change. The changes within art were largely to do with monetary reasons. Rothko experienced conflict between monetary value and artistic value, whereas as the pop art culture of artists such as Warhol allowed art to be available to mass consumerism. Art in the sixties is demonstrative of counter culture activities of the time, and underwent big changes in its treatment, still very much evident today. However as in other areas, there was not a revolution, in that the old methods were not totally abandoned or disregarded, but the sixties were very important to artistic development. The sixties were a turbulent period, of mixed values and cultures. This may have been due to a number of factors, such as the increase in standards of living, the distress of the Vietnam War and exposure to different cultures. Many aspects of the sixties have remained to date, but Roszaks counter-culture that would see systems of logic and objectivity overthrown by emotional abilities never occurred. Much of the Cultural Revolution was a myth, society evolves constantly, and although the sixties saw a high degree of cataclysm, the basic tenets of cultural society have remained unchanged. Bibliography Open University 2004, A103 An Introduction to the Humanities, Block 6, The Open University, Milton Keynes. Open University 2004, A103 An Introduction to the Humanities, Resource Book 4, The Open University, Milton Keynes. http://www. aaas. org/aboutaaas/ http://www-gap. dcs. st-and. ac. uk/~history/Mathematicians/Einstein. html http://www. greenpeace. org/international_en/extra/? item_id=4265forward_source_anchor=Our%20Missionforward_destination_anchor=%2finternational%2faboutus%2f.

Reflection in the Skies free essay sample

Most childrens first words range from primal grunts to sweet mumblings that resemble human names, but my first word was thunder. From the very beginning, I have been captivated with the sky and its ever-changing canvas of blues and grays, creams and milky whites. I am tuned into the rhythms of rainfall, the dance of snowflakes and the flutter of clouds across the sky. One can always find me gazing out my window hoping that the storms most people dread actually come my way. I remember setting up my own storm-viewing station in the garage the year Connecticut was in the direct path of Hurricane Bob. The weather channel became my program, and I was a third-grader mesmerized by weather forecasts and terminology. A few years later, in the middle of a blizzard, I remember running wildly up the stairs to tell my parents we were in an upper level low. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflection in the Skies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Since then, both my vocabulary and interest have matured, but I still have my dog-eared cloud chart by my bed. After so many years of standing guard at the window, straining to hear the low roars crawl through the sky, I am struck by the many ways I am a thunderstorm. Contrary to what this may seem to suggest, I am neither volatile nor explosive. Rather, I am a presence that others can sense, always ready to contribute my thoughts. I am told I have a passion for living because I am always the one who laughs the hardest and enjoys each moment. I am exceedingly strong-willed and independent, not afraid to express opinions or open my heart. I feel most alive when engaged in conversations that require persuasion or debate, and most powerful when others challenge me. And, while I fight to support my beliefs with the ferocity of an unrelenting storm, my winds of dissent quell easily when I encounter clear and reasoned counterpoints. My love of learning has grown recently; I entered high school an average student, but am leaving a serious scholar. While thunder and I are alike in many ways, we have our differences, too. Thunder tends to strike suddenly with bombastic blasts, then dissipate and stop as abruptly as it started. In contrast, I am not unpredictable, not just a burst of energy followed by a complete silence. My path is fixed and I am steady as I move along my charted course. As I advance, there is an unmistakable pattern to my movements, based on my unyielding desire to question and to know. Thunder has also taught me lessons about life and has had a humbling effect on me. Its loud blasts are powerful announcements that suggest the vulnerability of humankind and the existence of a force greater than us. With every passing storm, I am reminded that God is a guiding energy, stronger than any earthly conflict I face. I look ahead with confidence because of His presence and my own will to soar. Just as the clouds begin their elegant sweep across the sky, the leaves quiver as if they have felt a chill, and as the scent of rain sweetens the air, I, too, am just beginning. When I look at clouds overhead, I see them filled with opportunity and a rain that can only help to make me grow.