Drug Testing Welfare Recipients -- Article Analysis Essay Example for Free

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Article Analysis Essay Jonathon Walters author of â€Å"Should Welfare Recipients be Drug Tested?† published an article on March 13, 2012 for Governing: The State and Localities that provided readers with several points of interest when discussing drug testing welfare recipients. Walters states in his article â€Å"According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, almost two dozen states are considering bills that require drug testing those either applying for or receiving public benefits, a policy that has been cut down in the courts before because the Fourth Amendment grants that every individual be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. (Should Welfare Recipients be Drug Tested? para 1.) This paragraph explains that states are having difficulty passing this bill because the government feels that it violates American’s 4th amendment. Walters brings up arguments from both a favoring side and an opposing side. Favoring sides would not want to give someone government benefits if they are using the benefits to support a drug habit and could save the government money by denying applicants. The opposing side feels that drug testing would come to a great expense to the government and rather than drug testing an individual who needs help because of their drug addiction other programs such as rehab would save money to local, state and federal governments. The author feels that both are good arguments. To further continue on the opposing side of drug testing welfare recipients; Walters explains that â€Å"Drug testing is expensive. Tests cost anywhere from $35 to $75 to administer, according to the liberal-leaning Center for Law and Public Policy. By their math, it would cost anywhere from $20,000 to $77,000 to catch one drug abuser.† (Should Welfare Recipients be Drug Tested? para. 4). On the favoring side legislators have a different calculation and use evidence that biometric screenings such as finger printing lower numbers of participation among welfare recipients. States that do not participate in finger printing have more people applying for welfare. Walters feels that this would be a â€Å"cynical† way of lowering costs. Opposing sides also feel by isolating those who are at risk, for example ex-felons may lead them down a wrong path again because applying for welfare is much harder, therefore, costing the government more money by putting them back in jail and providing them with treatment. Walters asks how will the government determine who receives welfare and how do we make sure that the wrong person doesn’t receive it? Technology will help determine that mistakes won’t be made. â€Å"The public, in general, supports providing help to those who really need it. In that regard, states and localities are developing much more precise tools mostly thanks to improved information technology to ensure that only those who qualify for benefits receive them (and, not incidentally, to ensure that those providing services arent gaming the system).† (Should Welfare Recipients be Drug Tested? para. 8). Overall, Jonathon Walters remains neutral throughout the article and provides detailed rebuttals for both opposing and favoring sides. He agreed that both sides had good arguments and in the end it would be up to America in the long run to decide what is best for its people. References Walterss, J. (2012, March 13) Should Welfare Recipients Be Drug Tested? Governing: The States and Localities. Retrieved from: http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/testing-welfare-recipients-drugs.html

Tuberculosis : Control and Treatments :: Essays on TB

Abstract: Tuberculosis is a threatening infectious disease that kills two million people each year and threatens the lives of billions left only infected (Tuberculosis: How is TB). In the 17th and 18th century, this ruthless disease was nicknamed the â€Å"White Plague† in Europe because nearly 100% contracted it. This disease in its active stage attacks the lungs, kidneys, bones, joints, and even the brain. In the 1940s, the first antibiotics were used to combat against it, but misuse led to drug resistance, which is even worse. Our immune system, which produces macrophages to surround the tubercle bacilli to keep the mycobacterium tuberculosis under control, along with the help of antibiotics have been proven successful in most cases but not all. There are several treatments that have enabled success, such as tablets for common cases and chemotherapy for extensively- drug resistant ones, in addition, the DOTS strategy and the BCG vaccine have aided to control TB from spreading; treatm ents are needed in order to aid our immune system because there are factors that allow the TB bacteria to infect and cause disease. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium known as mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although our bodies are equipped to prevent it from entering and taking over our bodies, our bodies can only do so much before we become ill. Our body has lines of defenses, from the mucus in our nasal cavity to the acidity in our stomach to kill the bacteria. In addition, it walls off the microbes of tuberculosis in â€Å"tiny capsules†, but the down part is that they aren’t killed, they are just captured â€Å"until some event triggers the disease’s emergence† (Tuberculosis). This is why although â€Å"as much as 1/3 of the world’s population, two billion people, carry TB bacteria, most never develop active Tuberculosis disease† (Tuberculosis: How is TB). This leads to another point, the difference between active and inactive tuberculosis. Inactive tuberculosis refers to resulting in a positive Tuberculin (PPD) skin test, which means having TB i nfection, but not being ill or contagious, in other words, having the mycobacterium captured. The mycobacterium gets released when the infected person becomes weak, ill, and/or 1 undernourished, basically, when he/she gets a weak immune system and/or he/she is highly exposed to the mycobacterium again. It isn’t unordinary to be completely fine and then develop active TB. According to studies, â€Å"half of the people who go from having an infection to developing active TB develop it in the first 5 years after the infection† (Why is the BCG).

Perceptions of Organized Crime Groups Essay

The United States is run by a democratic government that has laws in place to ensure order and organization. However, there are certain people and groups that wish to compromise and profit personally from breaking these laws. According to Understanding Organized Crime (2007), organized crime can be defined by the members and the activities of a group. There are many crimes in which organized crime might be involved, but what separates individual crime from crimes committed by groups of people is the term organized or organization. Organization has been described as a group of people who cooperate to accomplish objectives or goals. Organized crime has been around for centuries; from Outlaw gangs in the western days that robbed stage coaches, the pony express, and passengers of trains to today’s Blood and Crip gangs that dominate public streets for power over territories and drug sales. Gangs have been around for a long time imposing on the lives and liberties of law abiding cit izens that wish to obey laws. Law abiding citizens have to live in imminent fear that their lives are not disrupted by the actions of these criminal organizations that wish to indulge in crime. In this paper, we will explore the various definitions, perception, characteristics of organized crime, and explore some high profile groups that indulge in different types of crimes. Perception of Organized Crime A University of Phoenix student named ————– was asked how she defined organized crime. ———–’s perception of organized crime has some of the dynamics right such as profit, power, and hatred, but the reading further states that organized crime has no real black and white meaning, besides a group of people uniting for a common goal. Her answer was simple; she stated that organized crime is when a group of people break laws and/or violate others in order to gain power, profit, or promote hatred. Organized crime groups incarcerated within the prison system such as Nuestra Familia and Mexican Mafia, break laws to gain power that lead to some form of profit; depending on what they need such as drugs, cigarettes, or privileges from others. Drug Cartels as the Shower Posse and Spangler Posse of Jamaica, involved themselves in organize crime to profit from illegal drug activity, and groups like the Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Bro therhood are driven by hatred. Author’s Perception Compare to the Definitions in the Readings The author’s perception of the definition in the reading is similar in the meaning of criminal organization, but the book states that crime can be defined by the members and the activities of a group. This means that crime is what each club sees it to be. This is an interesting point, but very true. Many people (e.g. club members) in society commit crimes for different reasons. Some feel it is necessary to break laws due to their limited necessities in life. It does, in no means make it right, but it is the perception of many. The prisons are filled with individuals/criminals that feel they were doing what they needed to do to defend themselves, take care of themselves, or just was presented with opportunity. Some of them sit in prison for years and still feel that their actions of breaking the law were justified. This is the mentality of most organized crime gangs. All they care about is what they want at the time, and not what the implications of breaking the law ca n lead to, until it hits home. ———has personal knowledge of different biker groups and 2 Outlaw Motorcycle Gang’s (OMG’s) and was raised in and around the biker atmosphere, but none of those groups that are mentioned in the book. She has heard the mentality of the OMG’s as opposed to regular Biker Clubs. The 1% clubs run their clubs totally different with no regard for breaking the law, indulging in violence, or starting trouble. 1% Outlaw Biker Gangs One of the clubs that she knows of is called the Chosen Few. The Chosen Few is a 1% motorcycle gang that ———-has first-hand knowledge of. She has known some of their members for a long time and has witnessed how their club is run, aside from other biker clubs that do charitable work in and around their communities, such as toy runs, mentorships, feeding, and clothing the homeless and disable children. In a recent article, from 2010, the Chosen Few M.C. was involved in 3 murders. After this incident, law enforcement officials began to keep a close eye on them and found even more illegal affiliations. The article by Chris Vogel (2011), points out several incidents with Chosen Few members that had negitive run-ins with the law. The article states that agents used confidential informants to buy drugs and guns from members, a member was arrested with more than a kilo of coke, police discovered that a DMV worker was making fake identifications for club members to use i n order to buy guns, and a member was arrested with a gallon of PCP – which led federal agents to Detroit, where another six gallons of PCP were seized. (Feds Catch Chosen Few Motorcycle Club Members Selling Guns & PCP, 2011) According to the characteristics of organized crime with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG’s) the Chosen Few, fits the criteria. Characteristics Associated with Organized Criminal Behavior There are certain characteristics of organized criminal behaviors that range from commitment to eminent structure. Commitment is an oath and allegiance to what these clubs, good or bad stand for. It is needed to protect and serve the honor of the organization and all its secrets. Along with this it comes with a sense of power, pride, and protection. Survival is a trait that many organized crime member’s exhibit. It is sometimes used to partake in illegal activities to sustain the worldly goods that obtained. For OMG’s, it may consist of the clubhouse, due paying members, and motorcycles. Punishment is a characteristic that is prevalent in discouraging members from disloyalty, disobedience, or dishonor. These punishments can be in the form of death, beat downs, or in the case of OMG’s fines or snatching of colors. Structure is the final characteristic that needed for an organize crime group to be successful. Like a business is run with a CEO, CFO, and other people in place to ensure order, organized crime groups are ran alike. With a chief officer in place and other members in position to handle different aspects of business to make sure there is no breakdown in with members. In conclusion, organize crime has unique characteristics that has been in place for centuries, and although law enforcement has been investigating the structures of this organizations, it is too many to stop. They are intricate organizations with different reasons as to why they chose to break the law. This is why there is no clear cut definition of organize crime. Mallory, S. (2007). Understanding Organized Crime. Retrieved from University of Phoenix. Vogel, C. (2011). Feds Catch Chosen Few Motorcycle Club Members Selling Guns & PCP. Retrieved from http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/07/black_biker_gang_chosen_few.php

The Monsters And Their Origin - 1412 Words

Monster Stephen T. Asma has given an analysis of the monsters and their origin. Besides, he gives a definition on the fears of human beings regarding the monsters. The prejudices and fears date back to prehistory and the developments in evolution that have occurred throughout in humanity. The prehistory gives an account of the concerns that people have in today s world. The author uses the term monster to describe myths and physical deformities. Stephen Asma uses the term to describe that there are fears in the post-modern and advanced world of technology (11). Stephen T. Asma has satisfactorily achieved the goal of defining monsters. The monsters have changed, and there are numerous functions that they have served in the society. Additionally, the monsters will take various form in the future. Asma gives a reason for the existence of monsters in all societies and how the monsters help individuals to cope with life. The significance of monsters in the culture has transformed from most societies from polytheism to monotheism. Furthermore, the community has received increased enlightenment through improvements in science and technology. In his book, Asma identifies some of the fears that the future hold. The monsters have applied a captivation in the minds of human beings for centuries. However, most of the monsters are either real and literal or imagined and metaphorical. In the book, Asma suggests ways of handling the monsters through managing ambiguity, uncertainty, andShow MoreRelatedA Plan for a Research on The Origins of the Loch Ness M onster619 Words   |  3 Pages For my research paper, I’m going to research the Loch Ness monster, specifically the origins of the legends and the impact they’ve made. I’ll tie in other legends from around the world, including the Mokà ¨là ©-mbà ¨mbà © of Africa, and Utah’s very own Bear Lake monster. I might also mention the world’s fascination with supernatural things if it doesn’t stray too far from my topic. It’s very interesting to think about where the legends came from and why people believe them. I also wonder if there is someRead MoreFrankenstein Biblical Allusions Essay1293 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Monster to stay in his life, as Adam and Eve stayed in the Garden of Eden, but abandons the monster directly following its animation. The abandonment significantly affects the monster psychology and thus, determines some of his proceeding actions. The absence of an origin story for the monster creates a struggle for identity, as the monster inhabits characteristics of Adam, Satan, and Cain, thus confirming the necessity for humans to have a parental connection. The absence of an origin storyRead MoreThe Story Of Echidna. Fast Facts†¨. Pronunciation: . Origin:870 Words   |  4 PagesThe Story of Echidna Fast Facts†¨ Pronunciation: Origin: Greek Home: Phrygia, Tartarus Role: Guardian of Earth’s Treasures, Mother of All Monsters Parents: Gaia and Tartarus, or Keto and Phorkys Spouse: Typhon Children: Cerberus, Chimera, Colchian Dragon, Gorgon, Hydra, Ladon, Nemean Lion, Orthrus, Sphinx (Possibly also: Caucasian Eagle, Phaea, Scylla) Who is Echidna? Echidna is a guardian, goddess, monster, or mother of the sprits that are the alternative to the Olympians, dependent on the sourceRead MorePoor Parenting Revealed in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay1090 Words   |  5 Pagesbeings or live a normal life. The fact that his creation was not given a name is another significant example of Victor’s indifference for his â€Å"child†.   â€Å"The absence of a name denies a child the knowledge of his origin and familial connection.† (Defrain 21)   Not only does the monster lack a name and place in society, but he never experienced motherly-love and tenderness upon his birth, which is crucial to the healthy growth and development of any new being.   Frankenstein describes the â€Å"birth†Read MoreThe Harbinger Of A Category Crisis1157 Words   |  5 Pagesrealm beyond human capability by using a power only known to God. This novel leaves readers with a dilemma that makes them question who in fact is really the monster of this story, the creature he created or Victor himself. According to Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s â€Å"Seven Monster Theses†, Frankenstein may actually be the embodiment of the monster of his third thesis in this story. The reasons Victor may conform to being the â€Å"Harbinger of a Category Crisis† is because of his seclusion from his family andRead MoreEssay on Perception in Mary Shelly ´s Frankenstein828 Words   |  4 PagesShelly’s Frankenstein, perception plays a key part in the monsters’ icy demise. Not only is the story affected by how the villagers perceive the monster, but the readers’ perception, like in any literary work, plays the role of ultimate judg e. Most responses to Frankenstein are derived directly from pop culture.The green dude with bolts, right? or Oh yeah†¦ I love Frankenberry cereal! Soon, they’ll realize that Frankenstein is not the monster, but actually the name of the creator; and althoughRead MoreThe Between The Monster Grendel And The Old Testament1064 Words   |  5 PagesAllusions to the Books Genesis and Wisdom: The interconnection between the monster Grendel and the Old Testament Beowulf displays Christian influences in the description of Grendel especially through the allusion to the Old Testament. Initially, Grendel is presented as a monster that simply kills without any justification in why he decides to act in such fashion. However, as one alludes to the Old Testament specifically to the Book Genesis and the Book Wisdom, the reasoning behind Grendel’s actionsRead MoreThe Romantic And Victorian Eras Of English History1679 Words   |  7 Pagescultures and societies across the globe have utilized monsters and creature to illustrate anxieties and fears that they possess. The same can be said for works of literature and art. These authors use these anxieties, personify them, and use them to exaggerate the fears of the readers. In short, the monsters/creatures that are developed in each literary era render and personify the biggest anxieties and viewpoints of the society that shaped the monster/creature In the case of the Victorian/Romantic eraRead Mor eUnderstanding Mythological Monsters Essay1669 Words   |  7 PagesMonsters are towering, fierce beings best known for causing nightmares and battling heroes. Tales are told of their devastating power, but also of their agonizing defeats. Monsters are symbols of the inherent evil of human nature and of the dark truths of the natural world. Monsters are also challenges, tasks a hero must complete. Sometimes monsters are the ultimate measure of a hero’s worth, other times just another step in a hero’s journey. In the book Bulfinch’s Mythology, Thomas Bulfinch writesRead MoreThe Victorian Era1706 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout history, cultures and societies across the globe have used monsters or any sort of creature to exemplify anxieties and fears that they have. The same can be said for works of literature and art. These authors use these anxieties, personify them, and use them to exaggerate the fears of the readers. In short, the monsters/creatures that a re created in each literary era depict and personify the biggest fears and viewpoints of the society that it was written in. In the case of the Victorian/Romantic