School or Prison? :: Cause Effect Violence Essays

School or Prison? At Wyoming Valley West there have been too many disruptions that have given our school a negative reputation. Threats of violence were all too common. These threats affected many people involved in theschool district. They also affected the police officers that put their lives on the line to come into a building with a possible bomb inside. My senior year stands out among the rest. Coming into my senior year of high school, I hoped that I would have a nice, quiet, enjoyable, and memorable year. However, it ended up being the worst year ofmy four years in high school. Within the stretch of a week and a half, there were four bomb threats made at our school. On the days of each threat there was a note found in the girls' lavatory. The first note was found on a Friday afternoon after school was dismissed. I did not hear about it untilthe following Monday. On that day, I was sitting in Law class like any other Monday morning. It wasaround 10:30 A.M., when the principal of the school, Mr. DeRemer, spoke over the loud speaker. He announced that the building was being evacuated. Every student had to immediately leave the building in an orderly fashion and report directly to his or her bus. Those students who drove to school were toleave their vehicles behind. At the time, no one was sure what was happening. When I got home that afternoon, I turned on the television to see if there was anything on the newsMany of the local news stations were at the school, and they reported that there had been a bombthreat. This scared me. It had been only a mere ten months since the tragedy in Littleton, Colorado atColumbine High School. Even though I knew that it was most likely somebody just playing games, I stillhad to think of the worst. We were allowed to return to the school that evening to pick up our cars. The next day, the pranksters did not wait too long too strike again. I was sitting in first period,Classical Literature class. My teacher in that class just happened to be the wife of the superintendent ofWyoming Valley West School District.

The Art of Cultivating a Phenomenological State of Mind

It continues to be a renowned belief of Buddhism that upon coming to the conclusion that neither the extreme course of self-denial practiced by the ascetics nor the life of self-indulgence which he had led as a prince was the right path towards enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama adopts what he refers to as the Middle Way. He then, having the notion that the answer to what he seeks is buried within his own consciousness, sits in meditation beneath a fig tree for a duration of four (some say seven) weeks. Throughout this length of time, he manages to withstand a barrage of attacks and temptations from the devil Mara while gradually ascending through higher states of consciousness, until he transcends the realm of conventional awareness and attains enlightenment. Such is the final aspiration of those pursuing the Buddhist path: to acquire, through right thoughts and good deeds, â€Å"release from the round of phenomenal existence with its inherent suffering†¦ to attain nirvana, an enlightened state in which the fires of greed, hatred, and ignorance have been quenched† (Buddhism). The primary ethic that serves as a guide toward one’s ascent to nirvana is one that is both â€Å"detached and inner-oriented,† requiring the individual searching to cultivate â€Å"four virtuous attitudes, known as the Palaces of Brahma: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity† (Buddhism). However, in one’s striving to do so, it is important for them to first understand that in regards to Buddhist theory of the mind and consciousness, â€Å"there is no self that is aware of the experiences one undergoes or the thoughts one has. Rather the thoughts themselves are the thinker, and the experiences the experiencer† (Indian Theories of Mind). As long as one continues to believe in the existence of a self, it is not possible for them to properly understand the concept of mental activity as it is expressed within the Buddhist tradition. Only once the belief in an inner self is renounced, and the belief in Atman, â€Å"the non-material spiritual element that merely witnesses the mental activities involved in the ordinary awareness of objects† (Indian Theories of Mind), is nurtured, is the individual then capable of amassing together positive mental factors which will aid in their resolve to veer from both the practices of austere asceticism and sensual indulgence, and instead follow the Middle Way to enlightenment. Current scientific research on the consciousness has observed that the ordinary person is inclined to â€Å"attend to the world strictly as it appears, the world as it is phenomenally manifest† to him (Phenomenology). In other words, man considers the objects around him to be mere associations to a specific experience, thus he concentrates not on them, but on the manner in which they appear to him. Buddhists, on the other hand, adopt the ‘phenomenological attitude’ by detaching themselves â€Å"from the natural attitude, not to deny it, but to investigate the very experiences it comprises† (Phenomenology). By employing this phenomenological mindset, Buddhists prove that, contrary to common belief, the acquisition of perceptions from an experience is not confined only to emotional or tactile receptors, rather, the awareness of these phenomenal aspects can also be granted through conscious thought. The Abhidharma, which constitutes one of the ‘three baskets’ into which the Buddhist scriptures are divided, endeavors to organize Buddhist teachings in such a manner as to provide detailed analyses of experience. In examining these analyses, it becomes evident that in some aspects they are redolent of â€Å"those in cognitive science that aim to account for cognitive processing without invoking a homunculus or ‘little man’ inside the head who oversees the workings of the mind (or merely passively witnesses the results†¦)† (Phenomenology). For example, the Abhidharma investigates matter as a composition of multiple basic elements. However, in contrast to the standard definition which describing an element as being a concrete object unable to be divided into simpler forms, the Abhidharma classifies an element as being an evanescent material occurrence fluctuating in and out of existence according to the given circumstances. In a similar manner, the Abhidharma categorizes the human mind into its basic components: a â€Å"succession of mental states† or â€Å"stream of consciousness. In line with this reasoning, Buddhists hold this point of view with regards to the functioning of the mind: â€Å"It is a mental imposition of unity where there is in fact only the arising of a multiplicity of interrelated physical and mental events. The sense of control belonging to one’s sense of self is thus largely illusory. There is really nobody in charge of the physical and mental processes, which arise according to the ir own causes and conditions, not our whims. The mind is not ruled by a central unite, but by competing factors whose strengths varies according to our circumstances† (Indian Theories of Mind). Buddhists thus attribute the â€Å"limited but intuitive presence† an individual senses in response to their cognitive experiences, not to a metaphysical self, but to the spontaneous, non-recurrent awareness one has in relation to their own mental states; it can be interpreted as one of many varieties of perception. It is the Atman, or non-spiritual element, â€Å"that merely witnesses the mental activities involved in the ordinary awareness of objects† (Indian Theories of Mind). While on his deathbed, the Buddha told his disciples these words: â€Å"Seek salvation alone in the truth; look not for assistance to anyone besides yourself. † He was, in effect, admonishing them to seek enlightenment by no means other than developing right thinking and good deeds on a personal level. When taking into account the path a Buddhist is required to follow, the significance of them cultivating a phenomenological mindset becomes progressively more apparent to the observer. Consider the concept of Renunciation. A Buddhist author, Gill Farrer-Halls, explains in layman terms: â€Å"Renunciation means lessening both our attachment to those things we like and our aversion to unpleasant situations and feelings, by realizing that none of these things have an inherent ability to make us happy or unhappy† (Buddhism Seeks Enlightenment and Ultimate Reality). To an ordinary person, adopting such a view regarding material possessions is no effortless task. However, in assuming the phenomenological attitude, they no longer become concerned with â€Å"what things are in themselves†¦ but rather in exactly how they appear, and thus as strict rational correlates of [their] experience† (Phenomenology). This is the Buddhist mindset. Believing material things to be sheer â€Å"correlates of [their] experience† and nothing concrete, they are then able to hold them with a relaxed hand, so to speak. In the event these possessions are removed from them, Buddhists, instead of becoming distressed, accept this as a trait of matter, which, according to the Abhidharma, fluctuates within the realm of existence according to causes and conditions. Farrer-Halls elaborates on this concept further: â€Å"A tightly closed fist tries to grasp hold of things, but they slip away because of this grasping. If we open our hands, things pour over and move unimpeded. In this way, by not trying to control the natural flow of life, we can enjoy it. When we loosen our grasping we become open, which makes us receptive to our environment. We can appreciate other people and our surroundings beyond our tightly help perceptions† (Buddhism Seeks Enlightenment and Ultimate Reality). Through these examples, it is evident that the cultivation of a phenomenological mindset enables one to develop a detached appreciation for the material things of the world. If this psychological approach wasn’t administered through routine meditation, the three poisons: desire, craving, and lust, would effortlessly trounce the Buddhist’s determination to follow the Middle Way first established by Siddhartha Gautama, and thus attain enlightenment and ultimate reality.

Critical Lens the Odyseey and Ithaka

Ms. Zivas Critical Lens According to an unknown author, â€Å"It is not what an author states, but what he or she whispers that is important. † In other words, every detail in every book or work of literature has a more complex meaning than what is on the paper. Two works that prove this quote true are The Odyssey by Homer and â€Å"Ithaka† by Constantine Cavafy. The Odyssey by Homer is a metaphor for life. â€Å"It is the journey that makes up your life† as said by Tiresias, a blind prophet in The Odyssey. There are many life lessons or lessons learned in this work.For example, in the episode The Lotus Eaters, the lesson Homer meant to teach his listener was to resist temptations. Another lesson Homer meant to teach was that temptations can lead to danger. This was said in The Sirens episode. Life is a long but interesting path. One will never know what might happen. All of the creatures or characters in The Odyssey represent an obstacle someone might face in li fe. As said before, The Odyssey by Homer is a metaphor for life. â€Å"Ithaka† by Constantine Cavafy represents the road to death or the destination.In life, one can conquer any obstacle. This was portrayed in this poem. â€Å"Ithaka† was also used to explain that life should be lived to its fullest. The reader should get the experience to learn about foreign sensual learning. â€Å"Ithaka† provided its reader with an exciting and helpful story which had many moral lessons to be taught. The quote â€Å"It is not what an author states, but what he or she whispers that is important† really describes that the authors of both work of literature write more than what is on the paper. There is another story behind every book or poem.

Ddww Essays

Ddww Essays Ddww Paper Ddww Paper Does anything symbolize the united States more than a sasss muscle car roaring its high output engine at the beginning of a h mile drag strip? Well, maybe apple peel and football. But the good news Is that the American muscle car has experienced a rebirth and it may just be better than it has ever been. With the reincarnation of the Corvette, Mustang, Camera, and GOT, it seems that the days of American Muscle have returned. However, when talking about the return of a classic muscle car, the 2009 Dodge Charger must not go unmentioned. Its aggressive style and powerful engine homelike the traditional American beast unlike any other current retro vehicle. Sleek, stylish and affordable. These three adjectives Justly describe the 2009 Dodge Charger. The new modified Charger, has Improved In nearly every category since its introduction in the 2006 model, and has continued to sell in great numbers throughout the united States. In a time of such economic stress and uncertainty its no wonder why an affordable American vehicle has been in such high demand. With three distinctly different models including a fuel-efficient yet powerful 180 response engine in the SE to the Juggernaut 425 horsepower engine In the SORT-8 the consumer Is able to customize the car best suited for them. The new design of the Dodge Charger features a wide wheelbase, with an aggressive front end that seems to constantly be on the prowl as if scaring other vehicles away. Even with its aggressive look the 2009 Dodge Charger sits at over 200 inches long and contains ample room for not only 5 passengers, but also a significant amount of trunk space for luggage. It can ultimately be described as the modern cycle car; A powerful vehicle with plenty of room, and enough technology to please even the biggest computer nerd. In fact, one of the more Interesting options available in the 2009 Charger Is a 30-gloated hard drive for storing digital music and picture files, which can be seen on the Navigation Screen, which also happens to show real time traffic updates. The exterior options also include a rear spoiler on every model as well as wheels that range from 16 to 20 inches. The similarities in exterior design between the 1966 Charger and the 2009 Charger are amazing to look at. The lines on the car are so similar yet deferent enough to make your mind wander as to how Dodge was able to Incorporate the original beauty of the 66 Charger with the 09 Charger. The two vehicles both have an overall length slightly over 200 inches, and have a wide wheelbase of over 117 inches that is so distinctly a characteristic of the Dodge Charger. Fortunately, Dodge was successful in keeping the new Charger, Just recognizable enough to realize exactly what vehicle was the 2009 Chargers predecessor. The Charger SE, the base model, has a 178 horsepower V-6 engine that gets round 25 MUG and at around $22,000 Its hard to pass up on such a stylish car. Of course, this model doesnt exactly bring about thoughts of the gas-guzzling pedal to the medal vehicles of the sasss. Fortunately Dodge has taken care of the consumers need for a vehicle meant to push the limits. The Charger SORT-8 has a 6. 1 liter 425 horsepower HEMI V-8 engine that pumps out over 6200 RPM and even has a functional hood scoop Just in case anybody doubted its muscle car credibility. For around S anyone can roller one AT ten most excellent anon powerful American cars currently on the market. As to be expected with any large, extremely powerful vehicle, this models gas efficiency tips all the way down to around 13 MUG, which isnt exactly ideal given the fluctuating gas prices of today. There is also a $1700 gas- guzzler fee, which is a tax applied to the sale of new vehicles that dont meet certain standards for gas mileage, which must be paid for when the vehicle is first purchased. The price for a mid-level 2009 Charger is certainly fair when compared to other competitors in its class. In fact, it is almost exactly in between the dollar price range which includes several other American vehicles such as the Cadillac ACTS, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, and Pontiac 68. When comparing exterior styling, the Charger seems to be the only one to stand out in this category of average looking cars produced inside the country. It appears to break away from the boring American Sedan mold with its seemingly muscular skeleton that must have contacted Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez for some of their steroids. After driving the 2009 Dodge Charger it is clear to see the finely tuned transmission, and smooth ride. However, not everything about this vehicle is perfect. I quickly noticed that the turning radius compares to that of a significantly larger car such as a pickup truck and it is not ideal for maneuvering due to numerous blind spots from inside the vehicle. However, if a driver can get used to these two negatives, the car is a very enjoyable ride for any auto enthusiast. Its no secret that the American automobile industry is failing miserably and has done so for years. There may be some sort of quick fix involving some sort of government buyout, however more must be done to insure the future of the American car. Its quite possible that these new remodeled muscle cars may Just be what the auto industry needs to save itself. Specifically the Charger, along with many other new vehicles offer affordability, high performance, and style that reminds us of the old days while containing technology that makes us think about the future. The industry can no longer allow itself to be beaten by foreign competitors without taking immediate action. The combination of styling, performance, and affordability alone should be enough to make any buyer in the car market at least consider the 2009 Dodge Charger. Obviously, it is a well thought out and well-designed vehicle that screams with the patriotism that makes this nation as great as it is.

Compare Cubic Zirconia and Diamond

Compare Cubic Zirconia and Diamond Cubic zirconia or CZ is the crystalline manmade form of zirconium dioxide, ZnO2. Zirconium dioxide is also known as zirconia. Ordinarily, zirconia would form monoclinic crystals. A stabilizer (yttrium oxide or calcium oxide) is added to cause zirconia to form cubic crystals, hence the name cubic zirconia. Properties of Cubic Zirconia The optical and other properties of CZ depend on the recipe used by the manufacturer, so there is some degree of variation between cubic zirconia stones. Cubic zirconia typically fluoresces yellowish green to gold under shortwave ultraviolet light. Cubic Zirconia Versus Diamond In general, CZ exhibits more fire than a diamond because it has a higher dispersion. However, it has a lower index of refraction (2.176) than that of diamond (2.417). Cubic zirconia is easily distinguished from diamond because the stones are essentially flawless, have a lower hardness (8 on the Mohs scale compared with 10 for diamond), and CZ is about 1.7 time more dense than diamond. Additionally, cubic zirconia is a thermal insulator, while diamond is an extremely efficient thermal conductor. Colored Cubic Zirconia The ordinarily clear crystal may be doped with rare earths to produce colored stones. Cerium yields yellow, orange and red gems. Chromium produces green CZ. Neodymium makes purple stones. Erbium is used for pink CZ. And titanium is added to make golden yellow stones. Difference Between Cubic Zirconia and Cubic Zirconium | Diamond Chemistry

Should You Send the 4 Free SAT Score Reports

Should You Send the 4 Free SAT Score Reports SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Few things in life are free – especially when it comes to college admissions. You have to shell out for prep books, test fees, application fees, and more. It adds up quickly! So doesn’t it make sense to save money where you can, like on those four free score reports that come with your SAT registration? Maybe – or maybe not. We will examine the issue in depth and help you learn how to save your money and also maximize your college admission chances. Why Students Often Send the 4SAT Reports When you register for the SAT, you have the option of choosing four colleges for your score report to be sent to, free of charge. You even have until 9 days after the test to add or change the colleges. Scores normally cost $11.25 per school to send, so you’re saving yourself $45 dollars. Many students go ahead and send the four free score reports. It’s free, so it seems like there isn't much to lose. Plus, you have to send your scores eventually, so why not do it when it’s free? Furthermore, some students think it demonstrates interest in a college to choose them as a score recipient. It might also motivate a student to study hard if they know their scores are being sent straight to their top-choice schools. All in all, it seems like a pretty good option, right? Well, that all depends on which schools you pick. Reasons Sending the Reports Could Be a Bad Idea While you certainly can save money by sending the four free score reports, there are several risks that come with using them. First of all, it’s worth clarifying you’re not getting any kind of a leg up in the college application process by sending scores early – colleges don’t keep track of or favor students who began their applications earlier or communicate with the admissions office in any way. The overall strength of your application matters most, not when you begin it. â€Å"Your completed application is all the demonstrated interest we need. We don’t track visits, communications, college fairs, or web events to enhance or detract from anyone’s application," says Dartmouth College on their admissions website. Stanford University says the same thing:"We know by the very fact of your applying that you are seriously interested in Stanford. We do not keep records of prospective student contacts with our office." Bottom line, the strength of your overall application is what matters to colleges. And a huge chunk of your application will be the test scores you send. Which is why the score reports can be a risk. The free score reports are sent automatically after your test is scored – you can’t take them back if you look at your scores and they’re lower than you wanted. This means a college you might really want to go to now has your less-than-stellar score. Unless you feel like chasing down a mail truck and stealing back your scores... This will negate using Score Choice (choosing your top SAT scores from multiple sittings) at any school you send the free score reports to. This is a risky move, especially if you send your scores to competitive schools. Plus, there are many reasons why the four free score reports might not be as helpful as you think. You might not end up applying to all four schools you list, especially if you’re taking the test as a sophomore or in junior fall. Most students’ college lists fluctuate a lot over the course of high school. While you're not wasting money if you don't end up applying to the four schools you send your scores to, it goes to show how those four reports are not necessarily helpful. Furthermore, if you retake the SAT, unless you choose the exact same four schools, you’ll have to re-send any new reports if you get a higher score the second time. So unless there are four schools you’re positive you’re going to apply to and you’re not worried sending lower scores will hurt your admission chances, the four free score reports can be a risk. While you can potentially save money by taking advantage of the free reports, you should be careful about which schools you choose. We will discuss two potential ways to get around this below. Our Strategy For the Free Score Reports While we wouldn’t tell you to never send the score reports, as it can be a cost-saving option, there is a way to be smart about it. Read about the two best options below – not sending the score reports at all or sending them only to your safety schools or â€Å"all scores† schools. Option 1: Don't Sent Any Reports This is the only way to be sure you won't accidentally send poor SAT scores to a college you're interested in. Not sending any score reports allows you to relax and focus on the test. You’re the only one who will see your scores for now. If you need to retake it, you’ll retake it. You don’t have to stress about a college seeing your scores immediately. Furthermore, not sending scores can be smart because you’re likely not going to finalize your application list until senior fall. It’s hard to predict where exactly you’re applying as a sophomore or junior when you take the SAT. In fact, the only schools you might be sure about are your dream or â€Å"reach† schools, precisely the schools you don’t want to be sending scores to blind. While you may end up paying more for score reports down the road, you will only be sending the scores you want to send to the colleges you want to apply to. By keeping your college application list manageable, you can save money on score reports and application fees. Option 2: Send the Reports to Safety and "All Scores" Schools If you really want to take advantage of those score reports, send them to your safety schools – ones you are fairly sure you will apply to and you know you won’t have trouble getting into. Or send them to any schools you’re interested in that require all scores anyway. Yale is one of many schools that require your complete testing record to be sent. By sending scores to safety schools, even if your score is lower than expected, you’re likely not hurting your chances of admission. And even if your scores are lower than expected and they go to all scores schools, that would happen anyway, even if you didn't send the reports for free. This way, you can save some money down the line when you’re applying to college without jeopardizing your chances of admission at competitive schools that accept Score Choice. How to Request Free Waivers for More Score Reports Many students today apply to more than four colleges, which means sending more than four score reports. If sending additional SAT scores presents a financial hardship for your family, you can get four more as part of a fee waiver from College Board. (The fee waiver also allows you to take the SAT twice for free, as well as two SAT Subject Tests.) Your high school counselor has to request the fee waver, so make an appointment with them as soon as possible to begin the process. This will take the pressure to send the four score reports just because they’re free. Other Tips for Keeping Costs Down Make sure you finalize your college application list early in senior fall and give yourself plenty of time to send scores so you don’t have to pay the extra rush delivery fee. This is a way to keep application costs down, not to mention your stress levels! Also, you shouldn’t be applying to a super long list of schools. All of those application fees and score-sending fees will add up quickly. Try to keep your list to 10 or fewer, and with a mix of safety schools, likely schools, and reach schools. Finally, carefully research score choice versus all scores schools. If you are mostly applying to schools that accept Score Choice, you will have the option to only send your best SAT scores. Don’t throw that chance away by sending SAT scores before you’ve seen them yourself. What’s Next? So what kind of SAT score should you be aiming for? Use our guide to create a target score based on your top-choice schools. Not sure if you should retake the SAT? We have a guide to help you decide. Need some help getting ready for the SAT? Learn how to stop running out of time on the Math section, how to read the passages in Critical Reading, and the grammar rules you must know for the writing section. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Legal research questions Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Legal research questions - Case Study Example CCA concluded both the errors were insignificant and confirmed that the trial had proved Mr. Evan's guilt beyond doubt. The High Court of Australia allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial. The court held that errors at trail to ask Mr. Evans to dress like the robber and also not allowing his claim for alibi undermined Mr. Evan's defense and that he had not received a fair trail. The court held that there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice1. safety and health of the people as well as the environment. The identification and management of the risks associated with the GMOs and to regulate them is the prime objective of the GT Act2. For the purpose of adopting the GT Act effectively by all the states a 'Gene Technology Regulator (GTR) was established under the Common Wealth Act which authority was given power to act in each state. The national scheme governing the GMOs is regulated by the GTR3. The GTR acts independently on her own subject however to the powers granted by the Act. "Four categories of dealings are exempted from the general prohibition on dealings with GMOs"4These dealings are (a) Exempt dealings; (b) Notifiable low risk dealings; (c) Dealings listed on the GMO Register and (d) Licensed dealings (a) The Kyoto Protocol was a treaty entered into in December 1997 at Kyoto with the objective of reducing the gas house gases which result in changes of climate. As of November 2007 there were about 175 countries which have ratified the protocol framed as a result of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (b) Australia has made an international commitment at Kyoto to be a part of the protocol and to limit the gas house emissions to 108 percent of the 1990 baseline. This projection equals to 30 percent reduction from its 'business as usual' projections5. This commitment was revised on December 2007 to the reduction of 60 percent on 2000 levels by the year 2050. (c) Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has signed the instrument of ratification in December. With this ratification the Kyoto Protocol has become the first Act of the new Government. However under the Kyoto Rules the ratification will take effect only after 90 days from the date of ratification6. Note: The Parliamentary Library in the internet website http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SCI/kyoto.htm contained useful information on the Kyoto Protocol. Further reference to the Media Release from the government gave information