Confucius and Plato Essay Example for Free

Confucius and Plato Essay Editor Ken Wolf, at the beginning of the essay Confucius and Plato: A Few Really Good People, poses the question: â€Å"What is the best way to create a strong society? † (Wolf 25) It was surprising to a novice student of philosophy how similar the ideas of the ancient Chinese sage Confucius and famous Greek philosopher Plato were. Although, Confucius and Plato both made major contributions to the development of society, they showed both similarities and differences in these three subjects: ruling class, education, and faith in humanity. Confucius and Plato both believed virtue and intelligence were key components to creating a strong society. Confucius thought anyone who has been educated had the capability to develop into a ruler. Whereas Plato assumed anyone could be educated, but only a few, those in the ruling class had the ability to reason and thus were qualified to rule. In addition, Plato gave credence to the idea of being born into the ruling class, that the quality to reason was an inherited quality. Confucius and Plato were both strong believers that order was another main factor in a strong society. Although they both had laws to maintain the order, Plato had less faith in people in general to behave in a civilized manner. Both Confucius and Plato were in favor of education and were teachers themselves. Confucius’s followers were the ones who wrote the Analects, which talked about how civilization depends on â€Å"humanity† and â€Å"propriety†. Plato actually wrote The Republic which talked about his ideal â€Å"philosopher-king†. Plato established the Academy, which taught principles of ethics and government, for 900 years. Confucius attempted to teach the ruler to become a better person, but failed. The concepts put forth by Confucius and Plato begin to differ more when faith in humanity comes into play. Confucius and Plato both wanted to think there was good in everyone, but Confucius believed more in a â€Å"†¦society in which human relationships—especially those within the family—were more important than laws. † (Wolf 27) Plato concluded that the people needed to be controlled for there to be order. That control was maintained through the law. They both sought out peace and harmony, although Confucius focused more on the behavior of individuals and Plato was interested in universal truth even though it probably would not be accepted,. Plato felt that if a person tried to bring enlightenment to the masses â€Å"†¦they would probably try to kill to him for telling such tall tales, disrupting their lives and challenging their accustomed beliefs. † (Wolf 31) Even today, most people would agree with Confucius and Plato about the importance of educating people in the development of a strong society. The idea of relationships as the basis of society may be summed up in: â€Å"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. † This Golden Rule seems to be as important to Western society as it was to Chinese society. However, the idea of a better quality of citizen that is better suited to lead society smacks of elitism and would definitely not be accepted in modern democracies. However, that does not mean that the elite educated class from Harvard and Yale has not been overrepresented in American leadership. So perhaps we have a ruling elite, but not as overt as Plato would like. A final thought from the essay would be: a harmonious and orderly existence is important to all societies.

Improving Concordance to Smoking Cessation Treatment

Improving Concordance to Smoking Cessation Treatment National Institute of Clinical Excellence (2009) identified that medicine taking is a complex human behaviour that lies ultimately, in the hands of the patient. NICE (2009) estimates that between a third and a half of all medicines prescribed are not taken as recommended and Dunbar-Jacob et al (1995) evaluates that up to 80 per cent of patients can be expected not to comply with their treatment at some time. Shuttleworth (2006) noticed that health professionals use two terms to describe the medicine taking behaviour of patients: compliance and respectively adherence. Compliance represents the extent to which a persons behaviour coincides with the medical advice, for example patients to do as they are told (Haynes et al, 1979) while adherence is the capacity of the patient to self-regulate his or her treatment, for example his or her ability to re-fill prescriptions (Brock, 2000). Medicines Partnership (2003) argue that in both compliance and adherence patients have a passive role, with no implication in their care and therefore concordance is needed to correct issues of non-compliance and non-adherence. Concordance advocates the idea of shared decision-making between health professionals and patients and it requires health professionals to engage with patients as partners, taking into account their beliefs and concerns (Medicines Partnership, 2003). NICE (2009) insists that the biggest challenge of the research of concordance is how to influence and change behaviour and this is where health psychology comes in. According to Marks and Evans (2005) health psychology attempts to move away from a linear model of health that treats only the physical, to a model that treats the whole person including his or her behaviour. In this essay the author will critically discuss how knowledge of health psychology can help nurses improve concordance with treatment in smoking cessation treatment. The idea promoted is that smoking is a behaviour influenced by the patients beliefs; the nurse will explore the patients beliefs on smoking and will help the patient to make an informed decision regarding her treatment. Patient X will be used as an example to observe behaviour change. The Stages of Change Model and other theories from health psychology will also be discussed. Discussion: Health Development Agency (2004) estimates that smoking is the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK, being responsible for more than 106,500 deaths each year. Approximately 4000 chemical compounds have been identified in the cigarette smoke, of which 40 are known to cause cancer (McEwen et al, 2006). Among these compounds tar was linked to cancer, lung disease and heart disease; carbon monoxide (CO) was also identified as an inevitable consequence of the combustion that takes place while smoking (Tyler, 1995); furthermore, nicotine was found in cigarettes, however nicotine is not connected to cancer but with the addiction process. According to the RCPÂ  [1]Â  (2000) nicotine meets all criteria used to define a drug of dependence and Wilkinson et al (2004) reasons that this makes smoking not a habit but an addiction. In the light of these, nurses face a real challenge when trying to improve patients concordance with smoking cessation treatment. However, NIHÂ  [2]Â  (2008) urges that most patients are ready to hear and receive help from nurses as the patients willpower alone has been shown to succeed in only 3 per cent cases of smoking cessation (McNeill et al, 2001). The following scenario will be used to exemplify a nurses action and use of health psychology knowledge in helping improve a patients concordance with smoking cessation treatment: Patient X is a bank manager. She has been a smoker for ten years. She is married and has one child age 5. She doesnt want to stop smoking because smoking calms her nerves, because it is not a good time and because she is afraid of withdrawal symptoms and gaining weight. The nurse will use the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model to assess patients X motivation. The model was developed by Prochaska and DiClemente in 1982 to examine the five stages of change in addictive behaviours. According to Odgen (2009) the model is dynamic, not linear, with individuals moving backwards and forwards across the stages. The first stage of the model is Pre-contemplation. Patient X was identified as being in this stage because she is not interested in quitting. McGough (2004) points out that sometimes beliefs are used to sustain unhealthy behaviours, for example cigarettes calm my nerves, as patient X claims. To address such health beliefs and her resistance to change, the nurse will use a consciousness raising exercise, respectively she will address patient X reasons for not quitting and give counterpoints to refute these reasons (Perkins, Conklin and Levine, 2007; Kaufman and Birks, 2009). For example, patient X states that it is not the right time; the nurse can address this by saying, Im concerned about your health and I would like you to consider quitting. I know its going to be difficult because it will interfere with life responsibilities however, the perfect time to quit may never come therefore this moment is as good to quit as any (Perkins, Conklin and Levine, 2007; Hollis et al, 2003; Rana and Upton, 2009). TMAÂ  [3]Â  (2008) suggests that such message can prove more effective than a lecture about the lung cancer however the nurse can have a stop smoking handout to give to the patient as well. This interaction with the patient must be kept as patient-centred as possible to improve concordance with treatment (Walker, J et al, 2007). Balint et al (1970) as cited in Rena and Upton (2009) suggest that being patient-centred should involve the asking and receiving of questions and information which result in patients understanding of the health information and the treatment proposed. An accurate assessment of patient X within this stage will generate a strong treatment plan, therefore improved concordance (Straub, 2006; Brock, 2000). Furthermore, the nurse will convey warmth, understanding, acceptance and respect for the patient; this will help develop a fundamental nurse-patient relationship that is seen as a contributing factor to the patients concordance with the treatment regimen (Rana and Upton, 2006; Donohue and Levensky, 2006). By learning that smoking is not good for her health patient X will move to the second stage of the Stages of Change Model called Contemplation. The patient is now aware of the health risks that smoking entails and contemplates the idea of quitting (Perkins, Conklin and Levine, 2007). At this stage motivational interviewing can be used by the nurse to allow the patient to discover her own internal motivating factors in the favour of quitting; examples of factors can be: my five year old child will grow in a smoke free environment or I will have less changes of getting cancer (Ogden, 2009; NIHÂ  [4]Â  , 2009). Furthermore, the nurse can suggest that patient X writes down as a reminder I lose these benefits every day that I do not quit smoking (Connors, Donovan and DiClemente, 2004). Moreover, the nurse can help patient X identify the pros and cons of smoking cessation treatment (Hollis et al, 2003). According to the Health Belief Model (HBM) (Rosentock, 1974 as cited in Rana and Upton, 2009) by weighing the pros and cons of treatment, people arrive at a decision of whether the perceived benefits (e.g. NRTÂ  [5]Â  ) outweighs the perceived barriers (e.g. being afraid of the side effects of NRT). Moreover, patient X is concerned that she may gain weight upon quitting. By still using the HBM the nurse can help the patient decide whether the perceived benefits of quitting (e.g. improved health) outweighs the perceived barriers (e.g. gaining weight) (Perkins, Conklin and Levine 2007). The HBM is a social cognition model that has been applied to understand adherence behaviour in patients. This model suggests that the likelihood that someone will engage in a given health behaviour (e.g. adherence) is a result of four functions: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and cues to action (Rena and Upton, 2009). In an argument against HBMs application to smoking cessation, Robinson and Beridge (2003) state that weighing pros and cons of smoking cessation treatment is not a reliable approach because the smoking behaviour is underlined by addiction, so that it operates outside conscious awareness and it does not follow decision-making rules. Perkins, Conklin and Levine (2007) agree that the motivational intervention used in the contemplation stage may push the person into the third stage of the Stages of Change model, called Preparation. The patient is now determined to make a change. Both the nurse and patient X will share a decision making over preparation strategies; the outcome of this partnership will be a patient-centred, tailored plan that will improve adherence. For example, a nicotine patch may indeed help patient X to quit smoking, but a patient Z who not only has nicotine patches but also told his family and colleagues (especially those who smoke) about his quit attempt and ask for their support, is likely to be more successful than someone who relies on nicotine patches and willpower alone because social support enhances the likelihood of adherence (TMA, 2009; McEwen et al, 2006; Medicines Partnership, 2003). Furthermore, patient X will be encouraged to set a quit date. The chosen date should be of significance for the patient so she can feel motivated to adhere to the treatment (Gross and Kinnision, 2007). Moreover, the nurse may suggest behavioural changes such as clearing the house of all cigarettes and lighters (Marinker and Shaw, 2003). Patient X will also be educated to recognize withdrawal symptoms and will be given tips on how to resist cravings (e.g. keep busy, eat fruits, sip water, call a helping friend); patient X will be re-assured that withdrawal symptoms last 2-4 weeks and reduce gradually; also, the nurse must introduce patient X to medication that can help reduce the severity of the withdrawal discomfort, such as NRT and Bupropion (McEwen et al, 2000). According to NICE (2009) the information about medication should be written to serve as a reminder at any stage of the treatment. Moreover, the patient will be shown how to use nicotine patches and gums because in this stage specific skills rather than motivation alone are needed to facilitate concordance with treatment (Gross and Kinnison, 2007; Thomason, Parahoo and Blair, 2007). Furthermore, the nurse will answer any questions that the patient may have regarding medication. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (1997) as cited in Rana and Upton (2009) suggests that how individuals perceive and think about medication (medication belief) is important when considering treatment adherence, therefore the nurse should be aware of patients X medication beliefs if she wants to break the barrier of non-adherence to treatment. Patient X is now considered ready to move into the penultimate stage of the Stages of Change Model called Action. At this stage, the nurse must provide on-going support to prevent the patients relapse. The nurse is encouraged to be honest with patient X about the likelihood of reverting to the old behaviour once the change process has started, not because the nurse expects patient X to fail, but because it normalizes the experience and takes away some of sense of failure and shame (Singer, 2009). The nurse will also monitor patient Xs CO and saliva cotinine to confirm abstinence and boost motivation (Haskard-Zolnierek and DiMatteo, 2010). According to the Foundation for Blood research (2010) many patients may not be truthful when answering questions about their smoking behaviour, therefore tests such as measuring the amount of nicotine in saliva and the amount of carbon monoxide levels in the patients expired air can be useful to compare self-reported smoking behaviour against real measurements. In an argument against this, Riemsma et al (2003) state that there is no evidence that moving an individual closer to the action stage actually results in a sustained change of behaviour at a later date. After approximately six months in the action stage patient X will move to the last stage of the Stages of change model, the maintenance stage. The nurse will praise the patient for the efforts made to change the unhealthy behaviour into a healthy one. This will make the patient feel self-efficient and have confidence to maintain the behavioural changes done in the quitting process (Odgen, 2009; NIH 2009). Self-efficacy is a term introduced by Bandura (1997) as a cognitive mechanism underlying behavioural change. According to this theory, efficacy determines whether coping behaviour is initiated and maintained when faced with obstacles (e.g. nicotine cravings) (DiClemente, 1981). Furthermore, the nurse can also write down essential tips to help patient X maintain concordance with treatment, such as do something else instead of smoking, keep yourself busy, avoid tempting situations and stick with your effort to quit, you can do it (Johnson et al, 1999; NIH, 2009). Conclusion: To review, within this essay the author highlighted the ideas that knowledge of health psychology can be used to understand the patients smoking related health beliefs and also, improved concordance with smoking cessation treatment can be achieved by involving the patient as partner in care.

Major Environmental Issues In Bhutan

Major Environmental Issues In Bhutan There are a lot of environment issues in Bhutan and the most detrimental issues among them are firewood collection, crop and flock protection, waste management and modern concerns such as industrial pollution, climate change that threatens Bhutans population and biodiversity. Land and Water use have also become a part of environmental concern in rural and urban areas.Air and noise pollution are also prevalent in urban centers. Land degradation, biodiversity and habitat loss, high fuel-wood consumption, and human-wildlife conflicts are some of Bhutans environmental challenges. The most affected ones are the poor people rather than politically empowered and richer ones. Environmental issues in Bhutan.(2012). In Wikipedia.Retrieved October 09,2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Bhutan In Bhutan, for bukharis(a steel oven), more than 10,184.22 cubic feet, i.e. 42 truckloads of firewood are burnt each day during the winter months in the Thimphu valley. On an average each household burns about 2.614 cubic feet of firewood every day. Thimphu ¿Ã‚ ½s annual consumption of firewood is approximately 916560 cubic feet. The burning of firewood causes high levels of pollution during winter mornings (National environment commission, NEC, 1999). The construction of traditional house mostly in rural areas done fully in wooden materials which requires a lot of wood requires more logging resulting in depletion of forests and degradation of forestland. Air pollution is an emerging issue in Bhutan resulting from increased urbanization and industrialization. Air pollution in cities is mainly caused by enormous number of vehicles. The vehicle population in the kingdom has grown by 14% in the last year, pushing the number from 14,206 to 16,335 with Thimphu and Phuntsholing having the largest number of vehicles (NEC,1999). In Thimphu, two-wheelers form about 45% of the total vehicles, while cars and jeeps account for about 35%, and buses, about 2% (MoP,1996).The increase in number of vehicles have led to more pollution which is harmful for the environment as well human health. According to (MOP,1996) Industrial activities in Bhutan have grown tremendously. The number of industries has gone up from 742 in 1990, to 4,394 in 1997.The small scale sector has grown 17 times during the same period. Mineral-based industries have grown faster in the last 20 years. The contribution of industrial sector to the GDP has gone up from 0.01% in 1982 to 3.2 % in 1992. Data relating to Cement industry states that, at present 4 cement plants are operating in Bhutan. Major pollutants namely particulate matter, fugitive emissions and gaseous pollutants are emitted from the operations of cement plants. In newspapers there are a lot of complaints by people relating to dust produced by the plants and the vehicles plying on it affecting the growth of their crops and their health. In Bhutan there are four chemical industries. These chemical industries produce calcium carbide, ferro silica, plaster of paris, rosin and turpentine and activated carbon. (TERI Shriram,1999)As a result, the disturbance to ambience and work zone emissions are the major problems. The principal pollutants are dust and particulate emissions. Various other gaseous emissions such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide also emanate from the chemical industry. Mining industry is also popular in Bhutan as it is rich in minerals. The major minerals mined are limestone, gypsum, coal, quartzite and dolomite. Most of these minerals are mined for domestic consumption and some for commercial especially to nearby Indian states. The major problems due to these mining industries are management of overburden and drilling waste, reclamation and runoff from mined areas, which cause soil erosion and air pollution. The urban population in Bhutan is increasing at a rate of 6.7% annually, more than double the national population growth rate of 3.1% per year (National Statistic Bureau, NSB, 2006).This rapid increase has resulted in unplanned urban development, slums, increase in consumption patterns and higher demands related to transport, energy and other infrastructure leading to various pollution problems. Climate change in Bhutan is a ramification of air pollution. Climate plays a role in the transmission of many infectious disease and some of them are among the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries.Deaths due to thermal stress; hypothermia and heat stroke, death/injury in floods, storms and drought and various diseases such as Diarrhoeal Diseases (Food and Water borne transmission), Influenza (Air-borne transmission), Dengue (Female Aedes mosquitoes), Meningococcal meningitis(Air borne transmission), Cholera(Food and Water borne transmission) affecting the human life are possible results of climate/weather change . Over the years, Bhutan has witnessed several Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), flash floods and landslides that have washed away homes, paddy fields, damaged vital infrastructures and have resulted in deaths and these events could be related to climate or weather change Tshering and Sithey (1996) claims that Bursting of some lake in eastern Lunana, partial burst of lugge had destroyed part of punakha dzong, some lives dead, households affected, dry and pasture land washed, domestic animals washed away, reserved food grains lost, bridges washed away, temples and chortens destroyed and even caused health effects such as diseases related to safe drinking water, malnutrition, sanitation and hygiene. Flash floods and landslides are common during the monsoon period extending from May to August. It has caused about 100 hundred lives and damages worth in millions. Houses were either fully or partially damaged and wetland as well dry land washed away. Crops such as maize, paddy, oranges trees and potatoes were lost affecting the households. According to (National Environment Commission, NEC,2006) : Livestock rearing, especially of cattle, is a vital rural activity. The estimated cattle population of the country is more than 100,000 and the number is likely to increase along with human population. Grazing of this huge number, far beyond the carrying capacity, in forest areas, exerts a tremendous pressure on forestland with resultant degradation.  ¿Ã‚ ½Poaching in Bhutan is an environmental issue both within the kingdom and at its borders. Many species are poached for their alleged medicinal properties. Though protected within Bhutan, wildlife products including rhinoceros horn, tiger bones, musk and cordyceps command high prices outside the kingdom. ¿Ã‚ ½Although porous borders are blamed for trafficking in poached wildlife, some protected species such as cordyceps ¿Ã‚ ½have their own markets within Bhutan. Shifting cultivation is an age-old practice common to several parts of the country. With increases in population, more and more areas are being tapped for this practice. With the narrowing down of the fallow cycle due to paucity of arable lands, such practices do not allow a sufficient period for the natural processes of recuperation to repair the disturbed ecosystem resulting in erosion and fertility decline. (Ministry of Agriculture, MOA,1996), estimated a total area of 883 km2 under shifting cultivation in Bhutan. Thus, shifting cultivation is one of the significant contributing factors to forest degradation. However, the expansion of agriculture due to increases in population and the recent boom in horticulture is bringing more and more land for such use for which is not suitable. The situation is leading to encroachment into forest on one hand and degradation of land on the other. Ways to address the economic problems. The Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN): According to Phuentsho, N.(2009). It is Bhutans first and only private non profit organization with nation-wide operations. Since its foundation in 1987, the RSPN has promoted conservation, education, outreach, and sustainable development. In 2009, the RSPN reincorporated under the Civil Society Authority, and operates as a public benefit organization (PBO) under Bhutanese law. The RSPN is particularly active in protecting the Phobjika Valley (Wangdue Phodrang District), home to many endangered species such as the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis). This valley contains wildlife corridors connecting Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park with other protected areas of Bhutan, However most of the area is not under official government protection. To meet environmental needs, RSPN staff runs projects to promote sustainable ecotourism, alternative energy, and gender equity. The organization had even outfitted more than two hundred homes, monasteries, and other buildings with solar photovoltaic panels, and provided Bhutanese women with solar water heaters, one-pot hole mud stoves, rain barrels, and other assets that improve both human and environmental conditions. Agriculture practise To address environmental issues, the government of Bhutan has banned certain practices with varying success. ¿Ã‚ ½Tsheri ¿Ã‚ ½agriculture, especially prevalent among Sharchops and Lhotshampas is a practice by which land is cleared and farmed intensively until it becomes unproductive and is thereafter left fallow. Since it is particularly environmentally harmful, the practice has been banned by the government since 1969. Bhutan imposed a ban on timber exports, though domestic timber harvesting remains heavily regulated under a network of foresters and road checkpoints. Ban on plastic bags Bhutan also prohibited plastic bags nationwide. The ban on plastic bags, however, has proven a daunting challenge in implementation and enforcement because of the practicality of lightweight airtight storage and a lack of feasible alternatives. The people are made to buy cotton bags and fines levied on those who undermine the norms. Five year plan Throughout Bhutan, dependence on firewood as a fuel source has been historically prevalent. Before hydroelectric power ¿Ã‚ ½and other modern energy sources became available, the source of fuel for heating, cooking, and lighting was nearly exclusively firewood. The provision of electricity, as well as better regulation of fuelwood collectors and more aggressive reforestation ¿Ã‚ ½projects was seen as a key factor in forest conservation. Because affordable electricity was not available throughout the country, the government established fuelwood plantations near villages to accommodate daily needs and to promote forest conservation. ¿Ã‚ ½Firewood harvesting and management remains one of Bhutans leading environmental challenges; the kingdom is one of the worlds leaders in firewood consumption.In order to make Bhutan self-sustaining and to improve its current ability to feed itself, a few prominent policy objectives that are being adopted during the Eighth Five Year. The Plans are as follows : Sustainable and balanced development of RNR for the enhancement of self-sufficiency and food security through an integrated systems approach within the national economy. Conservation of the unique natural and cultural heritage of the country and protection of the fragile mountain environment.To achieve the aforesaid policy objectives, the main strategies adopted are : Conceiving and implementing needs based research to increase production, conservation and efficient use of local resources. The role of the RNR research programme has been broadened to include input into policy development and monitoring technology to avoid inappropriate or harmful introduction and Enhancing the planning base for the sector and formulating an enabling regulatory framework. Wild life ¿Ã‚ ½ Protected wildlife had entered agricultural areas, trampling crops and killing livestock bringing huge losses to traditional farmers. The government has implemented an ¿Ã‚ ½insurance ¿Ã‚ ½scheme, began constructing solar powered ¿Ã‚ ½alarm fences, watch towers, search lights, and has provided fodder and salt licks ¿Ã‚ ½outside human settlement areas to encourage animals to stay away. ¿Ã‚ ½Bhutan has also sought assistance from the United Nations Development Programme in combating crop and livestock losses. Waste Disposal Memelakha waste disposal site in thimphu Bhutan In May 1993, Thimphu established a waste disposal site at Memelakha, developed by the Thimphu City Corporation (TCC) with assistance from the Danish government (DANIDA). It is currently the only landfill site in Bhutan. The site is situated about 12 km away from the city thereby eliminating any health hazards within the city area. TCC(Tashi commercial cooperation) is the sole agency responsible for the waste management within Thimphu municipality. Domestic waste is collected and managed by the respective city/municipal corporations,The waste management includes waste collection and disposal system without waste segregation at source. Other than informal waste pickers/scavengers and minor scrap dealers, no significant waste recycling plans were initiated. Whatever wastes that could be collected and transported by the waste pickers/dealers were traded across the border to India and Bangladesh. According to (Population and housing census of Bhutan, PHCB, 2005), Thimphu ¿Ã‚ ½s population was 79,185 and the daily waste collection was 36.7 tonnes for Thimphu . Daily, more than seven (7) trucks of waste is transported to the site according to the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) ¿Ã‚ ½s survey in 2005.Thimphu ¿Ã‚ ½began a subsidized pilot project for sorting between biodegradable and non-biodegradable refuse. Thimphu municipal authorities also addressed the ubiquitous plastic in its refuse with a shredder for pet bottles to facilitate transport to recycling in India. The residents are informed to keep separate bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Shop and house owners are compelled to place bins/containers alongside the shops n outside of houses in most dzongkhags and failing to do so are levied fines. Clean Bhutan project The ¿Ã‚ ½Clean Bhutan ¿Ã‚ ½project is a concerted effort of RSPN and various other relevant stakeholders using recommendations from the Solid Waste Management Policy Framework to bring about collaboration in addressing the urgent needs and identify measures to combat the increasing solid waste issues at individual, household, institution and community levels (Royal Society For Protection Of Nature [RSPN[, 2006). The campaign is subdivided into four components: ¿Ã‚ ½Launching with Awareness programs, Solidarity show, Development of Education and awareness material such as Posters, StickersNewspapers, Radio programs, TV programs an Integration into video/movie shows. Mobile advocacy visiting the dzongkhags ,Urban and rural areas. Physical Cleaning of the Nation through coordinated and public support clean up, research on alternative to garbage disposal facilities, suggesting alternatives to plastic bags, research dustbins and costing, management systems for urban and rural and the Organization would like to solicit support from members, individuals, communities and agencies in showing solidarity to the cause. The recent implementation of green tax of 20 percent for vehicles above 1,800cc and five percent below for the environment is a good cause which can be used for environment development. It will also help curb the problem of more imports of vehicle which can create a safe environment. Electric cars were axed out of taxes as it has no ill effects on the environment. The move of pedestrian day on june5th  ¿Ã‚ ½ world environment day on all Tuesdays from 8am to 6pm pushed by Five agencies namely: The National Environment commission Secretariat, Thimphu City Corporation, Road Safety and Transport Authority, Traffic Division and Bhutan Post to protect the environment, promoting human health and community interaction .All the people of Thimphu dzongkhag are compelled to walk or use bi-cycle and even electric cars allowed to ply in and around the city for schools, offices, for personal works. Police personals are stringent about the move and found at the junction of the city to implement the laws. General principles behind the national environment strategy of Bhutan National Environment Commission The national environment commission (NEC) is a high- level independent government organization of Bhutan and responsible to look after all the issues impacting the environment. Its high-level commission ensures it receive support from all other government bodies. The commission also studies the developmental impacts on the environment and aims to place control, norms and perks to the private/public sectors to achieve sustainable development through the judicious use of natural resources. The coordination of inter sectoral programmes, the implementation of policies and laws with regard to the environment is also another important mandate of the Commission. The NEC Secretariat plays a key role in promoting sound environmental policies and investments. This Secretariat is responsible for ensuring that the country follows a sustainable development path and that all projects be it public or private, take into consideration of the environmental aspects. The objective of the commission or its successive agencies is to implement the principles enshrined in this act. i.e. to Protect and promote a safe and healthy environment, Prevent ,control and decrease environmental harm and decrease pollution, Conserve and make sustainable use of resources, Through implementation of Environmental Assessment Act,2000, institutionalize the environmental assessment process as the main part of the development plans and to discuss and implement bilateral and multilateral environmental agreements. Introduction Bhutan ¿Ã‚ ½s age old tradition of living in harmony with nature supported by the decision of the parliament to maintain a minimum of sixty percent of country ¿Ã‚ ½s land under forest cover in perpetuity. Fourth king King Jigme Singye Wangchuk ¿Ã‚ ½s policy of  ¿Ã‚ ½Gross National Happiness ¿Ã‚ ½ which denotes sustainable development as an essential element. Bhutan ¿Ã‚ ½s homage for the international environment laws and agreeing to major international environment and sustainable development. Honour for the visionary aspirations of our beloved kings and to fore fathers for the passing of moral, cultural and ecological values to ensure sustainable socio-economic development. The National Environment Protection Act, 2007 It came into force on the 16th day of the 6th month of the Female Fire Pig Year of the Bhutanese calendar, corresponding to 31 July 2007 which extends to whole Bhutan.All other acts and policies governing the use of land, water, forest, minerals and other natural resources will be in agreement with this act. And provision of all existing laws relating to environment which disagrees with this act can no longer have any legal force. The purpose of this act. is to protect and conserve the environment by the National Environment Commission by implanting an effective system ,designation of competent authorities and constitution of other advisory committees, so as to independently regulate and promote sustainable development in an equitable manner. Environmental principles. The people and the government one after the other shall continue to strive to consider and adopt its developmental policies, plans and programs in harmony with the following environmental policies: The policy of fundamental right and duty states that every being has equal right to live in a safe and healthy environment but he even have to protect and promote the environment for the wellbeing of the country. The inter-generational equity says that it is the responsibility of the present generation to maintain and enhance the health, diversity and productivity of the environment for the well-being of future generations. The middle path strategy states that the natural resource such as air, water, biodiversity, soil, minerals, forest shall not be compromised for the economic development achieving the policy of sustainable development. According to Government ¿Ã‚ ½s Middle Path Strategy  ¿Ã‚ ½economic development and environmental conservation shall receive equal priority ¿Ã‚ ½. The precautionary principle compels any developmental activity taking place should be well planned and executed in harmony with the nature and must foresee its potential to overcome the damages. Any person using the natural resource from the environment or deriving economic benefits must ensure sustainable use and manage them well and their ecology. Making excuses at the time of environment damage to be managed later shall not be accepted. The principle or 3RsEach states that each and every activity shall be planned and made operational in ways causing the least possible change on the environment, with least jeopardy and minimize the consumption of raw materials and energy during construction, production, distribution and utilization at the best considering the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle and prevent or limit environmental impacts at first. The polluter pays principle obliges any person polluting the environment or causing harm to the ecology is liable to pay the cost for containment, avoidance, abatement, medical compensation, mitigation, remediation and restoration. The local government departments , institutions, persons, businesses and the organisation protecting the rules regarding environment must cooperate with each other. The uniformity of the system (environmental protection) shall be guaranteed by the government, state authorities, and the private sectors via appropriate policies, plans and Program such as environmental assessment processes, norms, incentives, fiscal policies and other instruments. The right to information policy allows every person the right to know about the state of the environment and all activities which are intended to do that could have adverse effects on the environment. The access to justice allows person to seek legal redress for any harm or that could cause negative effect to a person ¿Ã‚ ½s right of a safe and healthy environment. The sovereign rights principle states that the state has power over renewable and non-renewable natural resources within the limits of its national jurisdiction. The principle of payments for environment services states any person using or extracting natural resources shall be liable to pay for ecosystem m/environmental services. Examples of successes in protecting environment in Bhutan The implementation of pedestrian day on june5th (world environment day) on all Tuesdays from 8am to 6pm in the recent years to protect the environment by reducing pollution, promoting human health and community interaction have come up as a big success. The move was appreciated by many other dzongkhags and some evenhad implemented it albeit showdowns by many peoples. Implementation of green tax encourages people to buy environment friendly or electric cars as no taxes are levied on those because of no pollution being produced. It reduces the demand for motor vehicles due to high cost which eventually reduces environmental pollution. According to chophel, k. (2012) the NEC is being stringent by full time monitoring whether mining quarries are complying with the rules and by implementing corrective measures. They are also going to train private miners for better knowledge regarding mining that would cause less environmental damages. The RSPN protecting the Phobjika Valley (Wangdue Phodrang District), home to many endangered species such as the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) have led to increase in the number of such species that makes the country looks unique and aesthetic. The Memelakha waste disposal site in Thimphu has proved to be best method of waste management within Thimphu municipality and because of the success , the authorities have identified a landfill site in Phuntsholing similar to that in Thimphu and it is expected that this site will get developed shortly. Government has also identified landfill sites for 10 other urban centres. The process of logging which was detrimental to the environment is no longer prevalent. The government laws that penalize the offender helps maintain the forest cover. Bhutan imposed a ban on timber exports, though domestic timber harvesting remains heavily regulated under a network of foresters and road checkpoints. The government of Bhutan that had banned certain agriculture practices regarding to Tsheri ¿Ã‚ ½agriculture which is especially prevalent among Sharchops and Lhotshampas since 1969 has reduced the impact on environment and is such practices are rare to find in this modern times. The Clean Bhutan project of RSPN and various other relevant stakeholders to bring about collaboration in addressing the urgent needs and identify measures to combat the increasing solid waste issues at individual, household, institution and community levels has been a success. Most of the times it ¿Ã‚ ½s given in Bhutanese news papers and Bhutan Board Casting Service (BBS) that many people are lending their leisure time in helping collecting bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste in and around city, at scared sites and prime places. The new policy of making the country clean and green in which every house owner and shopkeepers compelled to keep a waste/trash bin outside the house/shop and even cleaning the surroundings have come up as big success. Peoples failing to provide bins and found with dirty surroundings were levied fined by the respective authorities. Shortcomings in environment protection Four years ago, the country had initiated a measure with the intriguing acronym HEHE Helping our environment, health and economy ¿Ã‚ ½to be implemented in Sarpang. The move failed to sustain, and died after a few months. The increase in the number of vehicles has enormous effect on the ecology. The level of pollution emitted by those vehicles is tremendous and detrimental to not only to ecology but to the living beings. Albeit knowing the harmful effects of over-utilization of the natural environment , Human beings prefer development prime. They promote deforestation and construction of roads through the jungles to live a comfortable and easy life(easy transport of crops and vegetables). Bhutan being a developing country with most of its people illiterate unaware of consequences throw non-degradable waste such as papers, plastics and bottles in rivers, surroundings at ease that harms environment. In some parts of the country, people have to walk for 10 kilometres or more to fetch water because their water sources have dried up and some have access to water based on timings which keeps people disgruntled. The reasons they cite for water shortages are: More people than they used to have before i.e. overpopulation leading to environment problems and Landslides causing blockages and breakages. According to Chophel, k. (2012) lack of qualified manpower(professional miners),inspectors and operators in mining field is causing more devastation to environment and peoples complain of dust emissions from the factories and the gargantuan trucks plying on the road emitting lots of dust not only affects the environment but also the human health and growth of crops. References used for the assignment Jarbie (2012) ,In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Bhutan Tshewang,D. (2010,march25).Japan ¿Ã‚ ½s qsp implementation report . Retrieved from http://www.env.go.jp/chemi/saicm/forum/100325/mat03-1.pdf National Environment Commision(n.d.).Principles of applicable to environmental protection. Retrieved from http://www.nec.gov.bt/legislation/NEPA%20_ENG.pdf Yeshey,P. (n.d.). MEMELAKHA WASTE DISPOSAL SITE IN THIMPHU, BHUTAN. Retrived from http://www.3rkh.net/3rkh/files/03%20MEMELAKHA%20WASTE%20DISPOSAL%20SITE,%20THIMPHU,%20BHUTAN.pdf Food And Ariculture Organization Of The United States (n.d.). Principles of applicable to environmental pritection. Retrieved from http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/bhu78334E.pdf Gyeltshen,N. ( 2012, September 12). Green tax slashed to 20%.Retrieved from http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=33101, Batra,A. (June6,2012). Central Thimpu becomes pedestrian zone on World Environment Day. Retrieved from http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/tuesdays-are-pedestrians-day-out-bhutan

Intertwined Themes of Margaret Atwoods Dancing Girls Essay -- Margare

The Intertwined Themes of Margaret Atwood's Dancing Girls  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dancing Girls is a collection of Margaret Atwood's short stories. Each story captures a different aspect of society, different people of different ages, culture and status, with different attitudes, emotions and behavior; all in different locations and life circumstances. Yet there are many connections between the stories and these links are primarily found in Atwood's portrayal of women. As Atwood says: By and large my novel's center on women...None of them are about miners in the mines, seamen on the sea, convicts in the jail, the boys in the backroom, the locker rooms at the football game†¦How come? Well, gee, I don't know! Maybe because I am a woman and therefore I find it easier to write as one.    Each story focuses on a different female character and explores her thoughts and her reactions to her social environment. Throughout the collection of stories there are a number of underlying themes that reveal Atwood's insight and understanding of why men and women are different. These themes include the questionable definitions of femininity proposed in society, the idea of escapism through fantasy and the conflict that exists between men and women. One concept Atwood explores to explain the differences between men and women is simply that there are biological differences between each gender. This difference is highlighted throughout a number of the stories, significantly in "Giving Birth". Atwood comments that for women there is some salvation from a male dominated society in that, through the process of giving birth a woman is allowed some connection with her body which men simply cannot experience. They still have some connection with their o... ... capable of seeing connections between apparently disparate circumstances. Ingersoll-Earl.G., Margaret Atwood: Conversations, Virago Press, London, 1992, pg. 195 Ibid., pg.17 Atwood-Margaret., Dancing Girls, Vintage, London, 1996, pg. 225 Ibid., pg. 227 Ibid., pg. 229 Ibid., pg. 229 Ibid., pg. 240 Ibid., pg. 239 Ibid., pg. 239 Ingersoll-Earl.G., op. cit., pg.141 Ibid., pg. 142 Aspin-Lois.J., Focus on Australian Society, Longman, Australia, 1996, pg. 14 Ingersoll-Earl.G., op. cit., pg. 102 Atwood-Margaret, op. cit., pg. 63 Ibid., pg. 69 Ibid., pg. 69 Ibid., pg. 69 Ibid., pg. 131 Ibid., pg. 138 Ibid., pg. 143 Ingersoll-Earl.G., op. cit., pg. 32 Ibid., pg. 31 Ibid., pg. 245 Atwood-Margaret, op. cit., pg. 98 Ibid., pg. 98 Ibid., pg. 87    Intertwined Themes of Margaret Atwood's Dancing Girls Essay -- Margare The Intertwined Themes of Margaret Atwood's Dancing Girls  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dancing Girls is a collection of Margaret Atwood's short stories. Each story captures a different aspect of society, different people of different ages, culture and status, with different attitudes, emotions and behavior; all in different locations and life circumstances. Yet there are many connections between the stories and these links are primarily found in Atwood's portrayal of women. As Atwood says: By and large my novel's center on women...None of them are about miners in the mines, seamen on the sea, convicts in the jail, the boys in the backroom, the locker rooms at the football game†¦How come? Well, gee, I don't know! Maybe because I am a woman and therefore I find it easier to write as one.    Each story focuses on a different female character and explores her thoughts and her reactions to her social environment. Throughout the collection of stories there are a number of underlying themes that reveal Atwood's insight and understanding of why men and women are different. These themes include the questionable definitions of femininity proposed in society, the idea of escapism through fantasy and the conflict that exists between men and women. One concept Atwood explores to explain the differences between men and women is simply that there are biological differences between each gender. This difference is highlighted throughout a number of the stories, significantly in "Giving Birth". Atwood comments that for women there is some salvation from a male dominated society in that, through the process of giving birth a woman is allowed some connection with her body which men simply cannot experience. They still have some connection with their o... ... capable of seeing connections between apparently disparate circumstances. Ingersoll-Earl.G., Margaret Atwood: Conversations, Virago Press, London, 1992, pg. 195 Ibid., pg.17 Atwood-Margaret., Dancing Girls, Vintage, London, 1996, pg. 225 Ibid., pg. 227 Ibid., pg. 229 Ibid., pg. 229 Ibid., pg. 240 Ibid., pg. 239 Ibid., pg. 239 Ingersoll-Earl.G., op. cit., pg.141 Ibid., pg. 142 Aspin-Lois.J., Focus on Australian Society, Longman, Australia, 1996, pg. 14 Ingersoll-Earl.G., op. cit., pg. 102 Atwood-Margaret, op. cit., pg. 63 Ibid., pg. 69 Ibid., pg. 69 Ibid., pg. 69 Ibid., pg. 131 Ibid., pg. 138 Ibid., pg. 143 Ingersoll-Earl.G., op. cit., pg. 32 Ibid., pg. 31 Ibid., pg. 245 Atwood-Margaret, op. cit., pg. 98 Ibid., pg. 98 Ibid., pg. 87   

Subjects of International Law Essays -- International Law

In any kind of legal relations, subject always play an important role, and it is one of the signals to determine the relation that pertaining the adjustment of any legislation system. International law is a legislation system that is a set of thousands of documents from various sources. The research about the subjects is necessary since it helps to find out the source of law, which relation pertains the adjustment of law. The subjects of international law include sovereign states and analogous entities, intergovernmental organizations, the individuals, and multinational corporations. First of all, we need to know the definition of the subjects of international law. In the perspective of legal theories, to identify the subjects of international law must be based on these following basic signals: The participation in international legal relations that be adjusted by the international law; having the will of independence in international activities; having a full rights and obligations severally toward other objects under the scope to adjust of international law; ability of shoulder the international legal responsibility for the acts executed by object. Generally, objects of international law are the entities that are participating in, or may have the ability to participate in the international legal relations independently. They have the full legal international rights and obligations for the acts executed by object. About the power of the subjects of international law, it is the basic properties, the special legal ability of the subjects that inherited the rights and shoulder the obligations, legal responsibility in international legal relations. Subjects' power includes two aspects, and only when ones get all these two aspec... ...References Acquaviva, G, 2005, 'Subjects of international law: a power-based analysis', Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, viewed 7 January 2011, . Hamid, AG, 'The subjects of international law', viewed 7 January 2011, SUBJECTS%20OF%20INTERNATIONAL.pdf>. Queen's University Belfast 2011, Subjects of International Law, Northern Ireland, viewed 7 January 2011, Library/>. Wikipedia Contributors 2011, 'International law', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 6 January, viewed 7 January 2011, .

The Oppression of Women and Their Movement Toward Individuality :: Essays Papers

The Oppression of Women and Their Movement Toward Individuality The theme of individual and society can be looked upon in many different manners. There is the concept of people separating themselves from society in order to become individuals and express their individuality. There is the concept of individuality and the consequences its expression may have. The situation exists in which individuality is limited by society. Each of these ways of looking at the theme of individuals and society is something that has affected women since the beginning of recorded time. Throughout history, women have been suppressed and undermined by those who claim superiority over them based solely on a difference in chromosomes, not a difference in intelligence, talent, or ability. These claims have been made based on ideas from Biblical representations of men and women to protecting women and ensuring their mental and physical well-being. Still, women formed a unity that had clear goals, valid supporters, and strong leaders that enabled them to overcome their oppressions. Many ideas of male superiority come from and began with the Bible. It can be noted that woman, in the second creation story in Genesis, is made from that which is man. It can also be noted that it is a woman who, in the Garden of Eden story in Genesis, initially commits the first act against God's wishes and therefore causes herself and her companion to be judged and punished. Throughout the Bible, women are rarely referred to by an actual proper name. Women are referred to as property, a mere woman in a world of men. Also in the Bible, women are presented to be focused entirely around the home and are property of men with the sole purpose of bearing children, as in the Abraham, Sarah, and Haggar cycle in Genesis in which the two women are property of Abraham, there only to provide him with an heir. However unfortunate, in the context and time it was written, this was the case. Still, today we cannot believe the Bible to be a guideline for the roles of women. Many ideas may be false concerning what has been inferred and what was actually written and its purpose. A closer reading of the text will prove that women played a vital role in many of the treasured beliefs of believers. Even without names, women had a voice and were a force to be reckoned with.

Case Analysis Texas V. Johnson

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES ________________________________________ 491 U. S. 397 Texas v. Johnson CERTIORARI TO THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS ________________________________________ No. 88-155 Argued: March 21, 1989 — Decided: June 21, 1989 This case analysis of Texas v. Gregory Lee Johnson was a Supreme Court case that overthrew bans on damaging the American flag in 48 of the 50 states. Gregory Lee Johnson participated in a political demonstration during the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, where he burned the American flag.Consequently, Johnson was charged with violating the Texas law that bans vandalizing valued objects. However, Johnson appealed his conviction, and his case eventually went to the Supreme Court. Facts And Procedural History In 1984, the Republican Party convened in Dallas, Texas for their national convention. President Ronald Regan, seeking a second term in office, was to be officially delegated as the GOP (Grand Old Party) candidate for President. Scores of individuals organized a political protest in Dallas, which voiced opposition to Reagan administration policies, and those of some Dallas-based corporations.Among these protesters was a man by the name of Gregory Lee Johnson, who participated in a political demonstration, called the â€Å"Republican War Chest Tour. † As the demonstrators marched through the streets, chanting their message, a fellow protestor handed Johnson an American flag that had been taken from a flag pole at one of their protest locations. Upon reaching the Dallas City Hall, Johnson doused the flag with kerosene and set it on fire. In addition, Johnson and his fellow demonstrators circled the burning flag and shouted â€Å"America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you. No one was hurt or threatened with injury by the act, but many who witnessed it were deeply offended. Therefore, Johnson was arrested, charged and convicted under Texas â€Å"desecration of a v enerated object† statue, sentenced to one year prison, and fined $2000. Moreover, Texas was not the only state to have anti-flag burning laws on the books, 47 other states also criminalized flag desecration (Joel, 2011. ) Principles to the case A principle to the case is mens rea accompanying â€Å"Symbolic expression â€Å"which is a phrase often used to describe expression that is mixed with elements of conduct (Cline, 2011. The issues argued were the 1st Amendment, and protest demonstrations. The Supreme Court has made clear in a series of cases that symbolic expression (or expressive conduct) may be protected by the First Amendment (Cline, 2011. ) However, of the approximately 100 demonstrators, Johnson alone was charged with a crime. Johnson appealed his conviction and his case eventually went to the Supreme Court. The principle to the case is burning a U. S. flag in protest was expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment.In determining the case, the court first considered the question of whether the First Amendment reached non-speech acts, since Johnson was convicted of flag desecration rather than verbal communication, and, if so, whether Johnson's burning of the flag constituted expressive conduct, which would permit him to invoke the First Amendment in challenging his conviction. The First Amendment literally forbids the abridgment only of ‘speech,’ but has long recognized that its protection does not end at the spoken or written word.If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea; simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable (Find Law, 2011. ) In addition, Johnson argued that the Texas flag desecration statute violated the First Amendment, which says â€Å"Congress shall make no law †¦ abridging the freedom of speech †¦ or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government f or a redress of grievances. † Consequently, the state of Texas argued that it had an interest in preserving the flag as a symbol of national unity.Analysis Of The Court Findings I agree to some extent with the ruling, since it claims that its interest in preventing breaches of the peace justifies Johnson's conviction for flag desecration. However, no disturbance of the peace actually occurred, or threatened to occur because of Johnson's burning of the flag. Johnson deliberately chose to burn the American flag in order to demonstrate his deep distress over the nation’s policies. His gesture was an attempt to cry out to the government for a redress of grievances, and not to commit an act of juvenile vandalism.The 1st and 14th amendments protect Johnson’s symbolic protest. Also, the only evidence offered by the state at trial to show the reaction to Johnson's actions was the testimony of several persons who had been seriously offended by the flag burning. This case sparked years of debate over the meaning of the flag, including efforts to amend the Constitution to allow for a prohibition of the â€Å"physical desecration† of the flag. The only evidence offered by the State at trial to show the reaction to Johnson's actions was the testimony of several persons who had been seriously offended by the flag burning.They rejected the claim that the ban was necessary to protect breaches of the peace due to the offense that burning a flag would cause. Burning a U. S. flag in protest was expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment. â€Å"The First Amendment literally forbids the abridgment only of ‘speech,’ but we have long recognized that its protection does not end at the spoken or written word†¦. If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable. (Find Law, 2011. ) Another fact I find interesting is that Johnson was prosecuted because he knew that his politically charged expression would cause a â€Å"serious offense. † If he had burned the flag as a means of disposing of it because it was dirty or torn, he would not have been convicted of flag desecration under this Texas law; however, federal law designates burning as the preferred means of disposing of a flag â€Å"when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display,† 36 U. S. C.  § 176(k), and Texas has no quarrel with this means of disposal (ACLU, 2011. Johnson was convicted for engaging in expressive conduct. The State's interest in preventing breaches of the peace does not support his conviction, because Johnson's conduct did not threaten to disturb the peace; nor does the State's interest in preserving the flag as a symbol of nationhood and national unity justify his criminal conviction for engaging in political expression. Therefore, the jud gment of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals was affirmed. Conclusion To put it briefly, grunts and howls do not inspire laws banning them; owever, a person who grunts in public is looked at as being strange, but laws do not punish them for grunting instead of communicating in whole sentences. If people are irritated by desecration of the American flag, it is because of what they believe is being communicated by such acts. Thus, amending the Constitution to permit bans on flag burning is not just a solution in search of a problem. Instead, I believe it is also a â€Å"solution† which will likely serve to create the problem it is trying to solve in the first place. References ACLU (2011. Burn the Flag or Burn the Constitution? Retrieved September 1, 2011 from http://www. aclu. org/blog/tag/flag-burning. Cline, A. (2011) Can Flag Burning Send a Political Message Be Made a Crime? Retrieved September11,2011fromhttp://atheism. about. com/od/flagburningcourtcases/a/TexasJohnson. ht ml. Find Law (2011. ) Cases and Codes. Retrieved September 1, 2011 from http://caselaw. findlaw. com/wa-supreme-court/1102265. html. Joel, S. (2011. ) Texas v. Johnson. Retrieved September 1, 2011 from book Criminal Law, tenth Edition, Page47.