Silent Dancing

Demarcus Spears Wei Chen ENGL. 1013 5-3-10 Drinking Age According to â€Å"Why Do Adolescents Drink† internet source teens believe drinking is the way to avoid the real world. They tend to think that it avoids stress related problems and peer pressure from others. Yet some people feel they are well old enough, and should be treated as an adult when it comes to drinking or lowering the drinking age to eighteen. Standing up going against lowering the drinking age is the way to stand because it is the wrong proposal to agree on for lowering it.The current drinking age should stay at twenty-one because eighteen year olds are not mature enough to consume alcohol and be able to be responsible for what happens. Many eight-teen year olds bodies are affected physically because they are not ready for the consumption of alcohol. If they began to drink at such an early age, alcohol can cause memory lapses, loss of coordination and slower reflexes. Alcohol is absorbed in the bloodstream an d can damage every organ in the body. At eight-teen life is just begging and to suffer from one of the many long term complications it offers would be devastating at that age.Teens would not be able to play sports, remember child hood stories to someday tell or you could end up in the hospital constantly on machines. At eight-teen teen should maintain a healthy diet to a longer healthier life. Drinking at the age of eighteen or younger could cause many long-term complications as well. Some of these effects include neurological dangers, cardio logical problems, respiratory dangers, liver disease, and psychological dangers. Dangers that include impaired vision, memory effects, and seizures that could lead to permanent damage to the brain.Damages also include respiratory depression and failure. Additionally alcohol increases the risk of mouth and throat cancer which could lead to bad effects. Cardio logical problems include elevated blood pressure and an increase on the heart rate. Liv er disease can also be cause by chronic alcohol abuse. Other physiological dangers include damage to the gastrointestinal system. Alcohol can cause deteriorate relationships with family, friends and co- workers. So ask yourself again at eighteen are you prepared to suffer the long-term complications at such an early age somewhere down your age line if starting to soon.Every twenty-two minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related accident that relates to many reasonable mental issues. Figuring the all a high number of those deaths and accidents come in the fifteen to twenty- four age group. Statistics show that seventy percent of all teenagers drink alcohol yet sixty percent of all teen deaths in cars are alcohol related. Young drivers are involved in driving accidents at higher rates than older drivers. Teens tend to be inexperienced drivers and inexperienced consumers of alcohol.With the information provided, if the age of alcohol were to be lowered, more teen deaths would occur much higher due to the drunken driving issue. Many teens today drop out of school due to the issue of alcohol abuse to the brain. Alcohol abuse is an excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic drinks in which has no reason to drink. A great amount of our teens are dropping out of school due to the use of alcohol. Some students who tend to drink may show up at school thinking it is cool to show it off. Then what happens is they encourage others to do the same and it creates more teens to want to become cool so they try it.What they don’t know is alcohol could become an addiction and create mental issues as of giving up on class work. Maybe not even attending class thinking it is cool. Or maybe even doing things you would do if you were not drunk. After awhile many students would think going other places such as jobs, interviews, public places would be the best way to go if you were drunk. So drinking at the age of a teen may cause them to drop out I see because their mind is not stron g enough to do the right thing when under the influence of alcohol. Some teens become frustrated and think it is the only way to go.Alcohol could also lead to the use of drugs which is a weak mind way and could lead to mental stages as well. At eighteen it is illegal to buy alcohol and if you are a daily drinker how else would people be able to get that same feeling if you were drunk. Teens could begin to become frustrated and need a back-up. Drugs such as marijuana, heroin is both illegal but yet people still use them as if they were legal. There is not an age limit for buying drugs. As a young teen under the influence of alcohol they have no control in what they do.So drinking with a group of friends may lead to an act of them doing drugs they have been doing in the past to a new alcoholic that’s a teen wants to try. Now days it becomes worse because they populations has grown an more teens are following the wrong foot steps in the wrong path and takes them off track an bef ore they know it it will be too late and they have come addicted to using a drug that never occurred to them until alcohol was brought to the picture. Just thinking of using alcohol or drugs to solve problems that have other ways around it is just not the way to go.So do not make the choice to start drinking because it will get very much out of hand before even noticed and may lead to many more dangerous stunts and accidents that we do not want to come across in the future. Lowering the drinking age could lead to mental stages such as committing suicide as well. Committing suicide is the easiest way out some teens may vary to see. Teens that tend to drink around other friends that are not big fans of drinking makes them become anti-social and make that group of people not want to hang with one particular person because he or she drinks.Before you know it the person who was singled out because of drinking may come to the senses of no one wanting to be around them. The teen drinker wi th such a week mind may endeavor that no one wants him around so he tends to lose focus on doing what’s best for them. Most teens often think if no one wants them around that committing suicide is the best way to handle it but it’s not. There are other ways around it like counseling and other obstacles. So lowering the drinking age would not be good because it could lead to senseless minds in teens and make them lose control and do something that is not worth it.The number of death rates would increase in teens and cause more pain to families. Teens are just not responsible enough to know that drinking could lead to hazardous deaths and changes in the body and make you keep having an instinct on committing such things that you thought you would never come to. However, many people today believe that if at eighteen you are old enough to join the army why should not you be able to buy alcohol at that age. Some people believe that fighting is better than just sitting aroun d drinking as a teen is the right way to go if you have to.Lowering the drinking age to eighteen will make people feel way more comfortable to just walk in the liquor store and buy alcohol. Instead as a teen drinking alcohol just takes it slowly down but is killing the inside of the body physically. Fighting in the army shows that a eighteen year old is dedicated to fight for his country showing honor. Drinking for no reason at eighteen is not showing honor it is showing ignorance. As it mean the law could be made but what teen is going to abide by it and not drink at the age of eighteen.If they are doing things besides listening to the law if it has not stopped now what would make it in the future. The talk upon the media would just be against making what is right better. But knowing that fighting at eighteen is a totally different thing at drinking at eighteen because people do not seem to understand the known facts of why fighting is more important. The drinking age should not be lowered no matter how much facts they have put to be proven because it is not going to stop young eighteen year olds to stop killing their bodies for no reason.Some parents would seriously think lowering it would harm society as well maybe because they have children out there that could be influenced at some young age and it could reduce life expand over one small drink leading to a couple more which could lead to trying more and more. So parents would agree more with being able to join the army than lowering the drinking age maybe. Some may be for lowering but everyone has their own opinion and the freedom of speech. If they believe eighteen year olds are old enough and responsible enough to buy alcohol then let it be.But they should think of how much more trouble it would cause if this happens. The drinking age should be change to twenty-five if more people had say so because most twenty-one year olds are not even mature enough with alcohol until this day. In conclusion, the age for drinking should not be lowered to eighteen. It is quite clear that an eighteen year old is not clearly mature enough to consume any alcohol at that age. Their bodies are not fully developed to hold as much alcohol. More drinking and driving accidents may occur more often.Many more teens would make it through school without the alcohol killing their brains. An eighteen year old is not near as responsible because it would make them do things they should not be doing. Agreeing or Disagreeing makes no differences in this argument. Having principles bagging up your information as of why the drinking age should be lowered to eighteen. It could cause many more problems in the economy. This economy has been destroyed enough due to the typical issues that have been brought to this world because of unofficial details explaining why such a thing has to be done.Laws have been set to standards that the age twenty-one should be kept instead of eighteen. Just as it was mentioned earlier commit ting suicide is not what we need to be dealing with. It is one of the main causes of teen deaths so why would you consider lowering the age drinking what more harm do we need. So as we can see the drinking age is at it moderate level and should not be changed due to controversy reasons. Today people are very influenced by any type of easy way out and we should not base it on alcohol because of the numbering of alcohol drinks of teen accidents and the rate of taking a last drink leading to death.

Process Design for Riordan

Process Design for Riordan Manufacturing OPS/571 February 18, 2013 Robin Hundley-Solomon Process Design for Riordan Manufacturing Riordan Manufacturing, and its parent company Riordan Industries, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company (University of Phoenix, 2013). Riordan’s future is focused on remaining profitable while ensuring that financial and human capital is available for continue growth (University of Phoenix, 2013). Remaining financially viable and competitive in the global environment requires the manufacturing plant in China to evaluate current processes and address multiple aspects of the company’s design process.Primary in the process redesign is the Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), the supply chain, accurate forecasting, and a viable implementation process with quality management components. Removing bottlenecks, incorporating Just-in-Time (JIT) inventories, minimizing waste, and including global opportunities will preposition Riordan Manufacturing for cont inued success. Manufacturing Resource Planning Manufacturing resource planning systems are a common resource in almost all manufacturing plants, large and small.MRP systems provide an easily understood approach to determining number of parts, materials, and schedules for ordering and production of these components (Chase, Jacobs, & Aquilano, 2006). Because Riordan produces parts in batches using the same equipment, an MRP system will provide an avenue to optimize Riordan’s strategy for decreasing variance and waste in the supply and demand of their electric fans. The plant in China produces the plastic fan blades and fan housings.The electric fans are purchased from a local plant, shipped to Riordan and assembled to be sold as a finished product. The fan supplier has a 93% rate for on-time deliveries, delaying production if not available. Riordan keeps inventory and safety stock of easily obtained material, which incurs costs. Concern with scrap materials and a reduction in w aste is imperative for Riordan’s China plant as it moves to implement new processes. Managing these inefficient processes by the use of an MRP system will reduce raw materials and finished goods inventory costs.The implementation of the MRP system will meet the goals of providing a master schedule for production, manage inventory levels, automate the ordering process to reduce waste, and reduce variability in supply and demand. These components must be managed effectively if Riordan is to remain competitive in the global market. Process Design The current process of Riordan Manufacturing is not optimal and must be significantly modified to remain a global leader. Because the delivery and supply of electric fans is inconsistent, bottlenecks can occur, delaying production.Stocking easily obtained polymer products increases inventory costs. Selecting alternative suppliers for fans will enable Riordan to ensure delivery of fans to meet production requirements and customer orders. The use of multiple sources reduces the need to have an inventory of fans. This implementation of a Just-in-time (JIT) inventory management system reduces inventory and storage costs, reduces waste products and improves the manufacturing process. This lean production and process is â€Å"based on the logic that nothing will be produced until it is needed† (Chase, Jacobs, & Aquilano, 2006, p. 71). Optimization of strategic capacity planning, inventory management, and the production and scheduling of the products in the right place, at the right time, in the right amount increases revenue and efficiencies for the company (Shields, 1999). The use of flow management, which combines JIT and the capabilities of MRP produces a mix of products based on orders, and using the stream of parts supplied just-in-time (Chase, Jacobs, & Aquilano, 2006). Supply Chain Companies can gain competitive and strategic advantage with an efficient, streamlined supply chain process.To be cost-efficien t companies eliminate non-value-added activities, create the best capacity utilization in production and distribution, and pursue economies of scale (Chase, Jacobs, & Aquilano, 2006). Supply chain management performs the core function of product flow through the process of receiving raw materials to shipment of the final product. The China plant process is currently disjointed, without a central system to oversee receipt, inventory, production numbers, orders, and shipment.The implementation of a lean process with Just-in-Time inventory, automated accounting of raw materials, orders, invoices, and shipping schedules will minimize paperwork logjams, waste, and bottlenecks. Outsourcing and seeking global opportunities, such as assembly and shipping of the final product, in a location with less costs allows Riordan to focus only on the production of parts. Global product sourcing can help in lowering costs by purchasing the required material from other countries where it is available a t low price.Multi-sourcing of electric fans allows for consistent delivery and competition among providers, also decreasing costs. Production Forecast The plant’s production forecast is based on the theory of moving averages. China’s manufacturing unit takes care of plastic polymers and electric motors required for production of fans. To calculate demands for next year production Riordan averages sales for the last three years. This average is the projection for the coming year (Riordan, 2006). Riordan also produces custom fans based on periodic orders from customers on a year to year basis.These forecast numbers are inaccurate and unpredictable and can lead to excess inventory and waste. The adoption of the lean process and Just-in-Time inventory is a best practice business strategy and concept to optimize capacity planning, inventory management, and production and scheduling of the products in the market at the optimal times and location. These processes plus the ana lysis of economic conditions will increase revenue for the company to meet corporate goals. Implementation Plan Adequate planning is necessary for success in the implementation of the new process.Evaluation at regular intervals with responsive and timely modifications enables Riordan to minimize resource utilization toward non-essential activities. Role definition and clear guidance are key in process design changes and Riordan must delineate carefully its implementation plan. For the JIT training project, it is best to divide the employees into two groups. Group one will start training with the education portion on Monday, February 18 through Wednesday, February 20. Group one can apply this learning in simulation training on the second half of the day on Wednesday, February 20 through Friday, February 22.The second week starting Monday, February 25 through Friday, March 1 Group one will apply learned knowledge and skills in an actual work setting. Supervisors will be on hand to hel p and employees can discuss any input, questions, and review any processes with the training supervisors. Group two will begin the education part of the training on Monday, February 25-Wednesday, February 27. Group two will apply this learning in simulation training on the second half of the day on Wednesday, February 27-Friday, March 1.The second week beginning Monday, March 4 through Friday, March 8, Group two will apply learned knowledge and skills in the actual work setting. Group two will do the same as Group one regarding the provision of input, questions, and review any processes as well. Automation has been added for the JIT process because this is a continuous process. The entirety of the first day is required to go through the receiving and molding processes. This links to the next process of trimming and assembly processes for the next two days. This allows more time to carefully put the products together.On the fourth day, it links the process to review and check for any product defects and count the excess waste. On the final day, it links with the previous process for packaging, cleanup, and recycle processes. Excess waste can be checked to determine what can be recycled into the raw materials inventory or given to the Chinese partners to dispose of the excess waste. Table one has been added for an illustration of the processes. Table One Cover Letter February 18, 2013 Riordan Manufacturing One Riordan Plaza San Jose, California 95112 Dear CEO:Team A is honored with the opportunity to introduce the proposal for implementation of Lean production and Total Quality Management (TQM) for improving the Process Design of Riordan Manufacturing. There are various options to track the current operational process in the firm. The selection of the right tools for Lean Production and Quality Management can provide insight regarding the material requirement planning and strategic needs to meet the demands of intermittent orders in addition to the current forec asting based on yearly demand.The proposal will identify the bottlenecks in the process of forecast demand and production plan, which will achieve the balance needed to satisfy the quantity of Riordan electric fans for the demand. TQM will determine the materials and personnel needed to produce the electric fans according to forecasted demand and assure that Riordan is producing quality products in an efficient manner. This implementation consisting of incorporating TQM, Just-in-Time inventories, minimizing waste, and including global opportunities, helps to extract the results of the project and provides the ability to forecast demand in an optimal way.Any kind of feedback will be greatly appreciated and any member of our team will readily be available to respond to any questions. Do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or e-mail. The team will readily make any changes you suggest. We look forward to continue working together in the future as Riordan positions itself for cont inued global success. Sincerely, Learning Team A Conclusion To achieve the objectives of Riordan Industries, it is essential to identify processes requiring modification correctly and successfully implement a new process design.Optimizing operations require identifying bottlenecks, streamlining the supply chain, implementing JIT inventory management, and maximizing profits while increasing customer satisfaction is imperative. Aggregate planning and total quality management assists in keeping Riordan Industries China plant on track and positions Riordan for continued success as a global leader. References Chase, R. B. , Jacobs, F. R. , & Aquilano, N. J. (2006). Operations management for competitive advantage (11th ed. . New York, NY: McGraw Hill/Irwin. Retrieved from the University of Phoenix ebook Collection database. Shields, T. (1999). Tutorials-lean production/lean manufacturing. Defense Acquisition University. Retrieved from http://www. dau. mil/educdept/mm_dept_resources/navbar /lean/ 01rdg-lean. asp. University of Phoenix (2009). Riordan manufacturing virtual organization. Retrieved from Apollo Group, Inc. , OPS571- Operations Management.

Gay Rights and the Constitution

Gay Rights and the Constitution â€Å"I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being†¦ by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant. †Ã‚   ~Paul Newman Can the courts or the law tell the people in what way they can be intimate with their partners?Throughout the history of the United states there has been some constitutional controversy concerning which rights we possess that are protected under the constitution. Controversy has also surrounded who the constitution protects. At one time it was said that no person of African American race was or would ever be citizens of the united states. This was changed with the Fourteenth Amendment to the constitution. This fact leads me to beli eve that gay rights will continue to progress even though it has been a slow moving process.For decades there has been the issue of Gay rights and some of the courts controversial decisions have stemmed from cases regarding gay rights. A couple of these controversial cases have been of the cases the 1986 case of Bowers vs. Hardwick, and the 2003 case of Lawrence vs. Texas. All three of these case involve gay rights and virtually the rights of adult individuals to engage in sexual activities with other consenting adults of the same or opposite sex.Many cases have gone to the supreme court to decide the constitutionality of these issues pertaining to gay rights, Even though it is in the power of the supreme court to interpret the laws and the constitution, sometimes the Supreme Court makes the wrong decision. There was a point in time when the Supreme Court gave consent to the states to criminalize the act of adult males to engage in sexual sodomy in the privacy of their own homes. In the case of Bowers v. Hardwick the supreme court ruled against Hardwick stating that Georgia’s anti sodomy law was constitutional, however in the case of Lawrence v.Texas the Supreme Court overturned the Bowers decision and declared that such laws are in fact unconstitutional under due process and equal protection. Today the gay community still struggles to attain the same rights as heterosexual couples, but they get closer everyday. First, at one point in time the United States Supreme Court gave the States consent to criminalize the acts of adult males to engage in sexual activities within the privacy of their own homes (Garvey, 2010). A prime example is found in the result of the case of Bowers vs.Hardwick. In August of 1982 Atlanta, Georgia police officer Torick issued a citation for public drinking to Michael Hardwick. Hardwick a bartender had merely thrown out a beer bottle into the dumpster out side of the gay bar where he worked. The police officer processed the tick et and marked out the actual court date which was on a Tuesday and wrote in Wednesday. When Hardwick failed to appear that Tuesday an arrest warrant was issued and the police officer decided to serve the warrant personally, however Hardwick was not home.When Hardwick came home and realized that officer Torick had been to his apartment, he went to the courthouse and paid the ticket. The arrest warrant was re-called, however officer Torick went to Hardwick’s apartment again a few weeks later to serve the warrant. When the officer got to the apartment a guest of Hardwick’s answered the door and allowed the officer into the apartment. â€Å"Officer Torick noticed that Hardwick’s door was ajar opened it further and proceeded into the room where Hardwick and a male companion were engaged in mutual consensual oral sex.Both men were then arrested for the act of sodomy which is defined in Georgia state law as â€Å"the carnal knowledge and connection against the order of nature, by man with man, or in the same unnatural manner with woman Ga. Code, Tit. 1, Pt. 4,  § 4251 (1861) (Google Scholar,2010)†. After being arrested Hardwick and his partner were jailed for twelve hours before being released. At a preliminary hearing, the district attorney decided not to pursue the case unless further evidence developed (Conway, 2003).Hardwick decided to challenge the constitutionality of his arrest because he was arrested on an invalid warrant. Hardwick filed his first suit with the federal district court, however the courts ruled against him. When Hardwick appealed with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, they agreed that â€Å"the Georgia statute violated respondent’s fundamental rights because his homosexual activity is private and intimate association that is beyond reach of state regulation† (Conway, 2003). It was the state of Georgia who appealed to the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court granted certiorari on November 4, 1985 to r eview the case (Wikipedia,2010). Hardwick argued that this law infringes on his right to privacy as outlined in the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The legal issue presented in this case was whether or not the constitution confers a fundamental right for homosexuals to participate in sodomy (Conway, 2003). The court held that the Georgia law classified homosexual sex as illegal sodomy was valid in that there was not constitutional protection for the right to engage in homosexual sex.Justice Byron White wrote the majority opinion answering this question. He stated that â€Å" to claim that a right to engage in such conduct is deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition or implicit in the concept of ordered liberty is at best facetious (Google Scholar, 2010). † The result of this decision was that it seemed as if the Supreme Court had given the States consent to criminalize the act of adult males to engage in consensual sex of any kind in the pri vacy of their homes. This case is an example of how sometimes the Supreme Court can make a bad decision.Even though the Georgia Sodomy law applied to both heterosexual and homosexual persons, Justice White’s decision had been restricted to homosexuals. It took nearly fifteen years for the Supreme Court to overrule their decision in this case. Additionally, in another case the supreme court has decided that the state in fact can not make laws infringing the type of sexual acts people can have in the privacy of their homes. In 2003 the case of Lawrence v. Texas was brought to the Supreme Court. Like in Bowers v.Hardwick, Lawrence and his partner were arrested for engaging in homosexual sodomy. The state of Texas had an anti- sodomy statute called the Homosexual Conduct Law which prohibits the engagement in deviant sexual intercourse with another individual of the same sex. A police officer entered the apartment of Lawrence under probable cause, being that a neighbor had called the police stating that a man with a gun was robbing his neighbor. The man was lying and had been harassing Lawrence. Upon entering the apartment the police officer found Lawrence and his artner violating the anti sodomy or Homosexual conduct law that the state of Texas had in place. The couple pled no contest to the charges and were convicted, however they decided to exercise their right to a new trial before a Texas Criminal Court. They asked the court to dismiss the charges claiming they were protected under the Fourteenth Amendments equal protection grounds. Lawrence claimed that the law was unconstitutional because it prohibits sodomy for homosexuals only and permits heterosexuals to engage in such activities.The courts rejected their request and proceeded with misdemeanor charges. Lawrence’s case was argued at the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals and the Texas Homosexual Conduct law was initially held to be unconstitutional under the 1972 Equal Rights Amendment of the Texas state Constitution. This amendment prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, color, creed or national origin. However the full court voted for reconsideration of that decision and upheld the constitutionality of the law.The case was then submitted to the highest appellate court in Texas, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals but was rejected for review. The case was then filed with the U. S. Supreme Court where the Court ruled to strike down the Texas law. The court held that this law did indeed violate the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. Also Justice Sandra Day O’Connor found that the law also violated equal protection under the constitution. The majority opinion in this case overruled the decision in Bowers v.Hardwick along with a series of other similar laws within other states. Sometimes the courts make poor decisions, but it is comforting to know that they can overturn their bad decisions and make them right as Justice Steven's stated in the majority opinion, â€Å"Bowers was not correct when it was decided, it is not correct today and is hereby overruled (Lawrence v. Texas). † When the laws of the united states protect sexual liberties, they do so on the grounds of our right to privacy, but it was up until 2003, Lawrence v.Texas that the constitutional right to sexual liberty applied only to hetero sexual sex. Now that gay rights have been expanded to include sexual liberty in the privacy of their homes, the gay community still fights for their right to marriage. Some states have passed laws to allow same sex marriages. Currently only five out of the fifty states have granted same sex marriages; Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D. C. California should be on this list, however the California gay community is still in battle with the state Legislature over gay marriage.In California gay marriages were performed for a span of five months, after the California Sup reme Court held that the statutes that prevented same sex marriage violated the state constitution. The same sex ban went into effect after the passing of Proposition 8, however on August 4,2010 U. S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker held that the banned same sex marriage was based on moral disapproval of gay marriage and ordered the state to stop enforcing the ban. ( Dolan & Williams, 2010).In the Court’s opinion written by Judge Walker he referred to the ban on gay marriage as being the result of moral and religious views that same sex couples are any different that opposite sex couples. He deemed that the Proposition 8 was a violation of federal constitutional guarantees of Equal protection and due process. Unfortunately those opposed to same sex marriages have filed appeals to overturn the courts ruling yet again. California has had a long battle with the courts for their rights. In other states, there have been issues regarding the label put on same sex marriage.In the Vermont case of Baker v. State the Vermont State Supreme Court decision merely required that the state legislature find a means of granting same sex couples the same benefits as marriage (Garlinger, 2004). In Massachusetts the Senate proposed to create a civil union status for same sex couples in place of marriage, however the courts declared that the substitution of civil union for civil marriage was not acceptable. They declared that the choice of language â€Å"reflects a demonstrable assigning of same-sex, largely homosexual couples to a second class status (Garlinger,2004). The people of the states will continue to fight for what they believe is right. The gay community for equal rights in all aspects of their lives and relationships, and those against the gay community attaining these rights. In conclusion, many cases have gone to the supreme court to decide the constitutionality of these issues pertaining to gay rights, Even though it is in the power of the supreme court to interpret the laws and the constitution, sometimes the Supreme Court makes the wrong decision.There was a point in time when the Supreme Court gave consent to the states to criminalize the act of adult males to engage in sexual sodomy in the privacy of their own homes. In the case of Bowers v. Hardwick the supreme court ruled against Hardwick stating that Georgia’s anti sodomy law was constitutional, however in the case of Lawrence v. Texas the Supreme Court overturned the Bowers decision and declared that such laws are in fact unconstitutional under due process and equal protection. Today the gay community still struggles to attain the same rights as heterosexual couples, but they get closer everyday.When the courts were first confronted with a prosecution for homosexual sodomy, it looked to whether the Constitution specifically protected the right to engage in that conduct rather than analyzing the issue in terms of the right to privacy in intimate sexual situations (Be ntele, 2010). The cases of Bowers v. Hardwick and Lawrence v. Texas, both were cases that were very similar in what they were trying to accomplish. It took the supreme court fifteen years to overrule a bad judgement when they ruled against Hardwick in 1986.Many people who are opposed to equal rights for homosexuals stem from moral and religious views. Which gives the courts basis to deem these bans and laws unconstitutional. Regulation of sexual liberty comes at the expense of repressing sex and sexuality as behaviors exercised only in private. Creating a legal privilege for sex in the private domain leads to greater stigmatization and regulation of non-normative sexuality or sexual preference that does not manifest in private (Stark, 2010). The decision in Lawrence v.Texas not only overturned the Bowers decision but it also prevents any other states with laws similar to those that were deemed unconstitutional. Gay Rights have come far since 1986 in that they have more attained thei r right to sexual privacy and in some states their right to get married. It will not be long until the California ban on same-sex marriage is lifted completely and other states will soon follow. It is ultimately up to the Courts to interpret the constitution and they will make less than perfect decisions, but sometimes hey make perfect decisions that remand their previous mistakes.REFERENCES Conway, G. (2003). Inevitable Reconstructions† Voice and Ideology in Two Landmark U. S. Supreme Court Opinions. Rhetoric ; Public Affairs, 6(3), 487-507. doi:10. 1353/rap. 2003. 0058 Garlinger, P. (2004). In All But Name: Marriage and the Meaning of Homosexuality. Discourse, 26. 3, 41-72 doi: 10. 1353/dis. 2005. 0027 Bowers v. Hardwick. (2010, August 18). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 30, 2010, from http://en. wikipedia. rg/w/index. php? title=Bowers_v. _Hardwick;oldid=379495984 Lawrence v. Texas (2003) Retrieved August 30, 2010 from http://law. cornell. edu/supct/h tml/02-102. zs. html Stark, E. L. (2010, Summer). GET A ROOM: SEXUAL DEVICE STATUTES AND THE LEGAL CLOSETING OF SEXUAL IDENTITY. George Mason University Civil Rights Law Journal. Retrieved from http://campus. westlaw. com Dolan, M. , ; Williams, C. J. (2010, August 4). Judge strikes down Prop. 8, allows gay marriage in California. LA Times, pp. 1-2. Retrieved from http://articles. atimes. com/2010/aug/04/local/ Bowers v. Hardwick. (n. d. ). Bowers v. Hardwick. Retrieved August 30, 2010, from Google Scholar website: http://scholar. google. com/scholar_case/bowersvhardwick Bentele, U. (2010, Summer). THE NOT SO GREAT WRIT: TRAPPED IN THE NARROW HOLDINGS OF SUPREME COURT PRECEDENTS . Lewis ; Clark Law Review. Retrieved from http://westlaw. edu Garvey, T. (2010, Summer). God vs. Gays? The Right of Sexual Minorities in International Law. Denver Journal of International Law. Retrieved from http://westlaw. edu

Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 4

Project Management - Essay Example Fourth is the evaluation phase. The initiation phase entails definition of the scope, objectives, purpose, deliverables, resources, the structure of the project and the timescales while in the planning phase, there is the creation of a comprehensive project plan. This project plan is essential to the project since it acts as the reference for the project manager throughout the project for the control and monitoring cost, time and quality. In the project execution phase, the project manager controls and monitors the project delivery while the project team produces the deliverables. Once the consumer accepts the deliverables, the phase review is carried out to ensure that the project objectives have been achieved. The project is therefore ready for closure. After its closure, an evaluation should be carried out to determine the overall success of the project and find out whether the stated benefits in the original business case have been realized. The management should finally document any lessons learned for future projects (Griffin, 2010). Project management is an important activity among the overall business operations. In many organizations, team work has been a common aspect due to the great need for methods that would diagnose and solve problems that arise within the organization. Forecasting has also been applied in an attempt to take care of the arising problems in an organization before they have truly developed. On the other side, the project management has got many benefits to an organization. First, it provides and ability for the utilization of the forecasting methods in an organization. The organization therefore obtains an ability to look at situations by using various driven computer applications. Project management enables better teamwork. In any organization, teamwork is an important part of the entire aspect of its success. The more employees work

Consider the strengths of any civil claims that may be available for Essay

Consider the strengths of any civil claims that may be available for Jane, Bob, Sam, Dave and Mel to pursue - Essay Example He also adds that the car had only done 10,000 miles. These facts about the car impress Andy, and another seconding from his best friend Sam on the car, he accepts to purchase it for  £8,000. Andy leaves HOTMOTORS happy after getting what he wanted and thinking it was a hot bargain, only to later realize that the sales representative fooled him into buying an old junk. For instance, that very day he causes an accident when he bumps into Jane, the motorist in front of him at a road junction near his home, after the brakes of the car failed to work properly, and thus, he has to pay up Jane for the damages caused on her car. In addition, he experiences more problems with the car in a four weeks period after its purchase, inclusive of an unusual wear of the tyres, which then requires a replacement with four new ones at the cost of  £360. The HOTMOTORS garage also fails to fix the problems on Andy’s car when he takes it to them owing to the backlog of work. After this incident, Andy realizes the true condition of his car when an experienced mechanic at the garage looks and examines its state. Dave confirms that to Andy everything contrary to what he previously believed was the true condition of the car. For starters, the car is worth nothing, but a mere  £40 as scrap because of its old conditions and demanding repairs such as a 100,000 mileage, requirement of a new engine and a gearbox. Andy refuses to pay the mechanic’s bill of  £150 out of anger, and drives out to his friend’s house who advised him to buy the car. He smashes his friend’s car, a new BMW causing him damages worth  £3,000 in retribution, and then drives to HOTOMOTORS where, finding the sales representative, punches him in the nose causing him to bleed for lying to him about the condition of the car. The wife of the sales representative faints after witnessing the bloody state of her husband falls down and suffers a concussion leading to a perm anent memory loss. Although the

Children Language Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Children Language Development - Essay Example Traditionally, before a child could turn eighteen months after birth, there are manifestations that the child is already introduced with naming insights. Although children usually pass this at various times, parents, most of the times, hardly notice it since they assume that it is just normal since things have really their names. I would like to agree that naming insight, indeed, sets the stage for vocabulary explosion. For most of the youngster, this naming discovery could be really shocking as proven by those kids to arrive at this stage at a later phase. One famous example would be Helen Keller. She was blind and deaf since she was two years of age, thus, naming insight as a stage of her development was really a tough challenge to pass through. When she was six years old, her pre school teacher asked her to put her hand under flowing water. And she was also asked to spell out w-a-t-e-r. She realized since then that "the mystery of language was revealed to her." For the past decades, researchers have already language as a natural part of evolutionary processes. And language, with no doubt plays a vital role in our own development; and we know that naming insight is actually the start of such. Naming insight can be the beginning of vocabulary explosion since a child already has the idea of naming things, thus, there is already a concept of words or vocabulary, at that sense. If a child is exposed to a lot of things, along with their respective names, there is of course a high tendency of a vocabulary explosion on the part of the child. Even a single or an indirect exposure to a novel word, for instance, already gives information that we could use in mapping the word going to its referent. Naming sigh has been proven by a number of studies to be a factor in the explosion of a child's vocabulary. A child can learn a word only after hearing it once from the people around him or her. There are actually researches claiming that children can gain new insights into language and words when they reach their eighteenth month, on the average. Most of the researches of this field things that children actually realize two things. First, words are used to name for objects; and second, every object has its own name (Gopnik & Meltzoff, 1997). This is called naming insight. The process of naming insight actually happens before a child can utter a word that represents an object. The child, in this specific stage, is just starting to learn the things that are around him or her and later on realizes that everything in the environment is given a name. The names, later on are learned by a child as he or she hears them from the people around. The beginning of vocabulary explosion is an important event for a child. It is with no doubt that naming insight preludes the vocabulary explosion since this is the stage before the child can finally utter his or her words. After the naming sight stage, particular names come popping out of children like stars as a result of fireworks. Some of common words are mommy, daddy, milk, and so on. Also, if under the vocabulary explosion, the child can also acquire more words that he or she often hears from the environment. The more frequent a word is uttered, the higher the

Merger and acquisition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Merger and acquisition - Essay Example Mergers may result into a stronger company with combined assets, competencies or into a dilution of financial strengths of one of the companies. Some of the examples of mergers that made deadlines include the one between British Salt and TATA Chemicals. This article focusses on the Disney and Pixar merger that saw Disney acquiring shares worth $ 7.4 billion in Pixar. This merger was more than a necessity for Disney especially because of Pixar’s creative force. According to Barnes (2008), Pixar was founded as the Graphics Group in 1975 with initial intention of making the first completely digital movie. Pixar started as a high end computer hardware company and one of their customers were Disney Studios who bought their Pixar Image Computer that never sold well. Due to poor sales, Pixar began animations and in 1990, the company’s hardware division was sold by Steve Jobs although Pixar still maintained her relationship with Walt Disney Feature Animation (Baid, 2012). Pixer then made a $26 million deal with Disney to produce some animated feature films that included Toy Story that went on to gross more than $350 million worldwide in 1995 and later became a major controversy between the two companies. Pixar became Hollywood’s first fully computer-generated feature film which made it become a household name overnight. All along, there was a close business relationship between Pixer and Disney that saw Disney’s acquisition o f Pixer on May 5, 2006 (Baid, 2012). Barnes (2008) explains that Disney has been preeminent in the field of family entertainment that began as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to the current global corporation. The company still provides quality entertainment for many families across the world Disney began with Alice comedies where he created a character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit before another character known as Mickey Mouse. Disney began animated feature film in 1934 with the story of

The Arguments and Propels for Disciplining New Media Research Paper

The Arguments and Propels for Disciplining New Media - Research Paper Example Cinematic critic Lev Manovich has analysed the techniques of digital cinema and has argued that contemporary digital cinema is marked by the pre-cinematic movement of image techniques which shows a return to earlier cinematic methods. Contemporary digital cinema seems to be characterised by interactive narrative (Manovich, 1996). Manovich, however, claims that the digital media helps to present narratives in a new way yet considering the discussion of the central focus of digital media, narratives according to Manovich is far from the essential elements of digital storytelling (Manovich, 1996). Digital cinema seems to have redefined the identity of cinema as with digital cinema, simulation of all real events could be done without necessitating real physical space events to occur and be recorded within photographic limitations. Cinema has been seeing what is widely called a digital revolution in which the computer is used more extensively to create fictional forms and moving images in a specialised manner. According to Manovich, the essence of cinema is in ‘recording and storing visible data in a material form’ (Manovich, 1996). Just like a computer, a film camera records cinematic data onto a film and the film projector reads it as the computer is controlled by a program and records input data. To show the essential similarities between the cinematic process and the recording of data in a computer, Manovich has claimed that digital cinema thrives on these similarities as in case of cinematic techniques; distinct mages are recorded in celluloid strips whereas, in case of the computer, data is stored electronically in the form of a binary code.

Pathogencity and Immuneology Host resistence and the immune response Essay

Pathogencity and Immuneology Host resistence and the immune response - Essay Example The bacterium has the ability to cause problems for people who use catheters and heart valve implants. It forms biofilms on these catheters and implants. Over time the bacteria has become resistant to antibiotics and it is because of this resistance that the bacteria has evolved in highly virulent forms. It has the ability to cause infections if removed from its ecological niche. It can also be said to be an opportunistic bacteria because it has the ability to cause pathology in people whose immunity is decreased. Variola Virus On the other hand Variola virus is a virus which causes small pox. Small pox is the only disease which has been eliminated from earth. The virus is brick shaped with a double stranded DNA. It also has an enzyme known as RNA polymerase which helps it to replicate when entering the body. Unlike Staphylococcus epidermidis the variola virus is transmitted through the external world. It does not reside in the normal flora or act as opportunistic bacteria. It can be transmitted through respiratory passageways and skin lesions unlike the bacterium staphylococcus epidermidis which resides inside the body. Staphyloccocus epidermidis may not be harmful in its ecological niche whereas the Variola virus is always harmful because of the disease that it can cause.

Mercantilism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mercantilism - Essay Example All the countries that practiced mercantilism had one  economic  motivation  which was the consolidation of power centers in that region.  Spain  was not left  behind,  and it made sure all its colonies in the Caribbean  were rigidly controlled  to protect the  commerce  and industry of her empire.  First, they barred foreign ships from accessing her colonial ports in the Caribbean. Second, she designed the colonies  to economically complement  to Spain, and forbade  certain  colonies to  manufacture  so as to  leave  their  market  open for imports. Finally, she channeled all colonial  trade  through one port so that she got all the benefits (Magnusson, 1996). The main positive aspect of mercantilism was the  creation  of wealth for the  merchants and  rulers  of the countries involved. Another positive aspect is that this system provided the greatest inspiration to the  growth  of economics as a scientific division. The local inhabitants of these colonies were the ones who bore most of the negative aspects of mercantilism. First the locals  were exploited  to the  core  whereby they either became slaves, or bonded laborers. Second, the economic status of these colonies weakened a lot, and the local people  were left  highly  demoralized (Magnusson,

Philosophy- Philosophy and Psychiatry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Philosophy- Philosophy and Psychiatry - Essay Example Not every suicidal patient survives, even when a psychiatrist does everything in their power. If a patient wants to die, they will find a way. When a person commits suicide, the word means more than just one killing oneself. When suicide: as self-killing was viewed as an act, language only had verbs and verbal nouns with which to name it. Absent the word suicide, people viewed the self-killer as a moral agent, responsible for his deed. By contrast, we now think of suicide as a happening or result, attribute it to mental illness, and view the agents as a victim (patient).1 breaking the spirit of their profession. Psychiatrists are supposed to help suicidal patients. It is true not all patients can be helped, but a doctor, even psychiatrists, are supposed to do no harm. Assisted suicide does more harm than good. The psychiatrist in effect gives up on the patient. Psychological pain cannot be determined with an hundred percent accuracy by anyone other than the patient. It is a psychiatrist job to work with mentally ill people, but they can only see the symptoms, not the actual problem. This is why a psychiatrist should never assist in suicide. The condition under which doctors, and only doctors, may practice euthanasia: the decision to die must be the voluntary and considered decision of an informed patient; there must be physical or mental suffering which the suffer finds unbearable; there is no other reasonable (i.e. acceptable to the patient) solution to improve the situation; the doctor must consult another senior professional.3 In terminally ill patients, a doctor can judge a patients pain and disease. For example, an inoperable cancer spread through out the body can be judged through tests. Doctors can predict how long a patient has to live by studying the proof of the bodys failing, like tumors and other tissue samples. The brain can still be a mystery at times. CAT scans can

Comparison and Contrast Essay Example for Free

Comparison and Contrast Essay If you were to compare and contrast going to a community college verses going to a university, they can be very different but also one in the same. Some similarities include activities and, class choices. Differences between these two subjects are class size, living, and cost. Going away to school can be a lot different from going to a community college, but in some ways they can be similar also. The first point in which I will discuss is class size. When going to a community college, the class sizes are much smaller than going to a university. With a small class size, it is easier to get more help understanding the subject because there aren’t so many students. Teachers can give their students more one on one attention this way. A similarity between community college and a university is that some universities do have smaller class sizes. There are some classes at universities that aren’t lectures, making class sizes smaller than the usual 100 or more students. Class size at a university is usually much larger because there are a lot more students, with fewer classes. The second point to make in regards to comparing going to a community college and going to a university is the costs are very different. At a university you are paying for all four years whereas at a community college, you only have to pay for a minimum of two years, which makes for saving a lot more money. At a community college, you don’t have to pay anywhere near what you have to pay at a university. Also, at a community college, you aren’t paying for dorm living, which adds on thousands more of dollars. The only similarity between these two different schools costs is the online classes. You have to pay for taking an online class, but of course with a university it will still cost a lot more. They both offer online classes however. Another similarity between going to a community college verses going to a university is you have to pay if you want to be on a sport team. Both schools require money. Participating in activities at school such as sports, clubs, and concert events can be different when going to a community college and a university. Some ways they can be different is at a community college, some based on the size, don’t have football teams. All universities have football teams and stadiums. Community colleges, since they are smaller don’t have big stadiums or a football team. Going along with not having football teams, this means that community colleges don’t have marching bands either. Also, universities have famous people who give concerts and community colleges don’t do that either. Some similarities between school activities are both schools have some kind of clubs where students can join groups and become friends with the people in their clubs. Both colleges offer clubs. They also both have music programs as in band or orchestra or chorus. Both colleges offer music in the music departments. They may not be as large of a group as a university, but they are still offered. As you can see, if you go to a community college you won’t be able to participate sometimes in football, or marching band. Also, if you attend a community college, you can save a lot of money from not living on campus. The other topic I mentioned was class size and how much smaller the class size is compared to a university. The differences between both colleges that I mentioned were at a university there are larger classes, football stadiums, dorm living, and you have to pay much more money for attending a university for four years. Finally, the last thing I talked about were how going to a community college and a university have some things in common such as both having chorus, band, and orchestra. Also, they both have online classes and similar subjects that a student can take. Both colleges have similar activities such as clubs and after school activities. Since attending a community is much smaller, and a university is much larger, there are going to be many differences between these two colleges. But since they are both colleges, there are some similarities between the two of course as well. Regardless, you can now see exactly what they have in common, and what they don’t more clearly now.

A Story Titled Unbelievable English Literature Essay

A Story Titled Unbelievable English Literature Essay In our world everything is related. Who are we? How did we appear on this tiny comfortable planet? These questions stay unanswered. We can make up different stories for ourselves, but they stay fairytales. I will now tell you a short story, which happened to one simple guy, who was same as me, same as any of my friends. Yet, his life differed from ours from the birth, even though we have own story of ours. This boy was found at the door of the orphanage. He laid in little basket and it looked like life was fading away from him. It was dark around, scary and uncomfortable. Orphanage was empty already, everybody was gone already, and it seemed that nobody was able to help the small dying kid already, even though he needed not much: heat and some milk. Today Natalie Pavlovna had a difficult day, a lot of work, that is why she is late home, but the lady wanted to finish everything fast and go home where children were waiting for her. Under the thought of her Sasha and Zhenya Natalie Pavlovna made a worm smile. She had wonderful kids who loved her and cared for her. It wasnt difficult to take care of them, even though she raised them alone. When her man, nine years ago unexpectedly left her, Sasha and Zhenya stayed the only point of her life. Kids became her friends and helpers. So now she has finished her job and hurries home. As she had passed the hall, she pushed the door with power and stepped in the direction of cold, piercing wind. Sudden sound commanded her to stop and look around. What is this? She saw a small basket. When she saw what is in it, the hair on her head started to move. Newborn child!!! In the basket was a small, newborn, and freezing child!!! The heart of a woman shrinked because of pity! Natalie Pavlovna saved his life, took care of him, gave him his warmth, and after all legal procedures, their family became bigger on one person. Natalie Pavlovna gave him the name Viktor- the winner. That is how Vitya gained family, and who knows is it an accident or not. Vitya grew up like the simple child: kind, polite, and funny. His brother and sister loved him very much; they played different games with him, cooked for him-he is the youngest in the family. When he became seven, he went to school. Studying was giving to him really easy, and sometimes it looked like he did not study, but he knew it and he just forgot it. In general their life was silent and happy! That night Vitya was not sleeping, bad presentiments did not allowed him to fall asleep. It was seemed that even the air from around was very heavy. In the morning his mood was not good, but Vitya put his coat on and went to school as usually did. Only when he started to concentrate on the lesson, in their class opened door and teacher silently started to talk with somebody. Vitya was sure that something happened. When the teacher closed -1- the door, she found Vitya with her eyes. She asked him to leave the class. Vitya went and he understood that some changes are happening in his life. Near the window the director of their school was standing. He slowly came to Vitya and said that in their family had a big grief- his mum has got to a serious car accident, so she is in the hospital, and she wishes to see him. The director took Vitya with his hands, and went with him to the courtyard. They came to his car, and director opened the door for Vitya. The boy has sat down in it, and while they were going he thought of his mum, he recollected the holidays of his family and campaigns in parks, forests, on the lake, and when they were on the Black sea in Crimea. They came to the hospital very quickly. Here is a hospital. The cold, grey, and thick walls in the hospital oppressed. Unexpectedly Vitya started to think of, why are the walls in the HOSPITAL are such grey and thick. In the hospital are people who want something fresh and bright, because they feel very bad, but instead there are grey walls, which are making y our mood bad. And also why do the walls need to oppress sick people? If he could change something, he would change the color of walls. With this thoughts he came to the chamber were his mother was lading. Vitya pushed the door and entered the chamber were his mother laid on pillows and looked at the window. When she heard that somebody came to her chamber, she turned and saw Vitya, she tried to smile but she could not. Vitya came to his mum and he took her hand. The same time he did that, he started to feel the unbelievable pain, and the pain was so hard, that he even had choked. In some ten or even less seconds Vitya understood, that that it is not his pain- he feels his mothers pain. He was feeling the sufferings of his mum. He did not know why is it like this, but he knew that he is not wrong. In horror he ran out of the chamber! He was standing near the window, and he tried to understand what has happened to him. Then he heard the talking of two men, they were talking about his mum, the car accident, that her mum does not have any chances to live, because all of her bones are broken. He understood that it is true and also he understood that only he can help his mum. With true feeling of big love, he entered the chamber, approached to the bed, and looked in his mother face. It looked like she looked at him, but she did not see anything. Uncertainly he took his mothers hand, his body pierced the acute pain, but he did not release his mums hand, and than he suddenly felt that the pain of his mother passes. He stood like that some ten more minutes, and than unexpectedly understood that all terrible things are behind. Lifeless he sat down near his mum, and waited when his mom will wake up. How? Why? Vitya wished to think, but he could not. Could not yet! One man from the corridor came to the chamber, and sat near his mum. He turned to Vitya, and asked to leave for a while; he wished to examine Natalie Pavlovna once again. The boy left and even when he was tired , everything was warm and quiet on his heart. Vitya was sure that now with his mum everything would be good. He could not explain from where he has this confidence, but he was sure that he is not wrong. The doctor went back from the chamber, and the deep expressions on his face make Vitya laugh. But he was shocked of what he saw, that he just started to run to the other doctor. When he reached the other doctor, he said that out of thirty years, which he was working in this hospital, the situation like this was the first time. The woman that had just a half of percent, feels well, and that all her bones are not broken. She wants to go back home with her son. -2- How could it be like this? Can you explain this? -The voice of another was very excited and guarded. No. I do not have any explanations. I think they can go! In twenty minutes Vitya with his mum went from the hospital and went home. In the evening everybody from the family were seating near the fireplace and reading. It seemed like his mother did not remember anything. She told to Sasha and Zhenya that she had a small accident, and some good people put her in hospital, they told her that she does not have any serious traumas, then Vitya came took her and they left the hospital. Vitya listened to her, and he was feeling really good. He knew that today he rescued his mum. The boy could not explain how he did that, but has been assured that it managed to return his mum to life. When everybody came to the different rooms, Vitya lay down to sleep, but his mother came. Thanks sonny! I knew that you are special. She gently kissed him and left. Special?! Vitya was lying on the floor with closed eyes, and many different thought went through out his mind. Special! What else he can do. Slowly he has fallen asleep. He dreamed about the green field. Far there were many trees, and their leaves were bright lilac color. Near him were flying multicolored birds. It seemed like all the colors of rainbow painted even the air. All of a sudden there appeared the woman, which starched hands to him. Vitya wanted to run to her, but all of a sudden the loud voice thundered. Ilona! He is not ready yet! He is really small! The woman lowered her hands and started to melt, some two or three seconds passed and woman disappeared. Vitya woke up. His heart was beating really fast, and he could not breathe normally. The dream did not leave him, it seemed like the voice was in his ears even now. Vitya was lying on the bed, but still could not sleep. The woman has put down her hands and started melting. Several seconds passed away and she was gone. Vitya woke up. Heart was beating wildly in his chest. This dream didnt leave his mind! It looked like the voice still rang in his ears. Vitya lay long time without sleep, but progressively he did fall asleep and woke up in the morning fresh. All events, which happened to him yesterday became a background and werent that amazing anymore. Vitya as always went to school, met his friends and started living like an average eight-year-old boy. Two years flew by. Vitya studied, played. Also. Vitya loved dogs a lot. He wanted to buy a puppy, but his mom didnt allow him. His mom explained him that they show up home rarely and couldnt play with him much. Vitya understood it, but he still wanted it a lot! So once Vitya and his friends were walking back from school through the park. It was spring, nature woke up after hibernating in winter. -3- Suddenly kids heard a horrifying barking. Kids ran at the sound and saw a terrible picture. A gigantic dog attacked another dog. The gigantic dog was scary. From the huge jaws spilled sticky saliva, eyes were shining with red light. Kids were far yet, but felt the awful aroma, which surrounded the beast. Kids were frightened and they have stopped. The monster had slaughtered the other dog, which was defending something till its last breath. But here was its last breath and the victim, bloody, wounded, and scowled last time. The monster didnt calm down! It needed something the dead dog has protected with the value of own life. Very shortly kids saw what was the target of the monster. A puppy! Little helpless puppy! One more second and its tiny body will be bitten in two parts by the filthy fangs of this titanic dog. Vitya couldnt hold it and he screamed! Slowly. Very slowly the monster has turned his horrible face towards the kids. It looked like the dog smiled. Suddenly he turned and sprinted towards kids. Several meters separated kid from the dog, in fear they watched, how the dog was getting closer. They clearly saw the mad, blood filled, eyes. They understood that their faith is what of the killed dogs. Monster ran towards the kids and prep ared to jump. Unexpectedly it started watching Vitya straight in the eyes. It looked like it was trying to understand something. -Go away! Leave us alone! Said Vitya. And suddenly the dog appealed! He turned away and slowly staggered away. Kids in fear watched this furious fight of Vitya against the dog. While Vitya in this time already held the puppy in his arms and walked home. He knew that two never going to be separated. When mother heard the story of Jack, this name Vitya chose for his four- legged friend, she wasnt against the fact that the puppy would stay and live with them. Puppy grew fast. It looked, like him and Vitya understood each other without any words. Two more years past away. Nothing special happened to Vitya. At last here he sees a dream. He is again at the field, but the air smells like something has burned, and Vitya feels pain, someones pain! Again there is a woman in front of him, which he had seen before. She looks at him extremely gently. -Hello Vitya! she doesnt say anything, but Vitya hears her. -Vitya, you were born on this planet. Earth needs help and you were sent there to save humanity from devastation . We are not alone in the galaxy. There are many more planets with life on them and not all of them are kind. Planet Kloakie is full of evil creatures. They have destroyed many intelligent races and now want to destroy people on Earth. They need Earth, because on this planet is very pleasant environment for the life of Kloakans. They are about to bring virus to Earth, which will destroy the humanity. You have a lot of power; you can heal people only with touch. Your goal is to help people and prevent spreading of the diseases. They are going to try to stop you, but you have to save the people. Now you have to learn everything. You still have time. -4- Vitya woke up. He remembered, how he healed his mother, how strange did the monster-dog acted in front of him. He thought about that he always felt special. He thought about his mother, about how strong is his love towards her, towards his brothers. From this moment he had looked at his life values. If hes got faith, he accepts it! Vitya had studied, studied, and studied! Chemistry, physics, anatomy. All these science Vitya studied day by day. Time passed by. Many years passed. Vitya became a doctor. Very good doctor. He cured people, grasped on most hopeless cases. Patients said, that he healed even with his sight, even with his touch. Yet, Vitya remembered his mission every minute, he knew, that major battle for lives of people is to be fought. Once Victor went to the museum. He went there time from time. He liked to spend his time wisely, He liked to discover something new. In the museum he accidentally heard the speech of a man and young boy. -Dad, tell me, why do these monsters appear? Are they scary? I am afraid of them! Son, these are not monsters! These are dressed actors! You dont need to be afraid of them! If i only knew who could show this kind of circus to kids. Victor didnt pay much attention to the speech that time, but when he left the museum, he had a flashback of this speech for some reason. Clearing these thoughts, Victor rested. Suddenly, his attention was captured by two men of about 30-40 years old, wearing the suits and ties, which walked on the road with cars in bold manner, risking to get under the wheels of the automobile. The car had desperately ringed at them. One of the men made a vulgar hand sign and kicked the car, leaving a crack on the wing. When the angry car driver jumped out of car, these hooligans beat him with their fists. The driver jumped back in and shut the door. Two men gave high five to each other and continued their path towards the museum. When they reached the alley, one of them grabbed a rock and pointed towards the museum. While they walked towards the museum they have bullied people on their way. Fights appeared, but even police couldnt bring the justice to the street. People screamed, fought, fell, spill ed with blood. What happened to these men? Who are they and why are they behaving themselves like they are mad? Victor was extremely amazed by the fact, that they had passion to bring pain. Most people did not have this lust to bring pain to people just like selves. Furthermore, their feeling of self-defense was absent. Police with enormous effort finally separated the hooligans from the raging mob. They were beaten hard in this quarrel, thats why the cops brought them straight to the hospital. Victors day, which had such a wonderful start, was hopelessly messed up. Victor thought that he needs to understand the behavior of these men so he headed to the closest hospital. He thought that -5- the hooligans and their victims might be going there and is guesses proved to be right. In the hospital all the empty places were filled with the wounded. While Victor walked the hall, trying to find the hooligans, he had luck to discover something from the parts of speech. These men were famous people; they did a lot of good to the people of the town, especially to kids. Now, they are getting back from circus, which was made especially for kids. Nobody could explain their behavior now. Victor found their room and went inside. Dirty, bloody, men lay at tables, doctors tried to help them. One of them was unconscious. The face of the other one captured victors attention. The eyes of the man went glass, and the jaw hanged. His eyes were dead. Victor decided to talk to the doctor, which helped the man, to find out in what shape was the patient. How can you explain their extraordinary behavior? i dont understand. They dont understand, it looks like they are machines created to kill. We had to give them calming pills,- doctor desperately looked at Victor and continued with the wounded. -What is this? Doctor turned towards Victor. When Victor and Doctor looked at the wounded, they were already dead. With the filling of melancholiness Victor has exit the hospital with numerous questions, for which answers he didnt have. When he arrived home, he relaxed and decided to think out everything calmly. Making himself cup of coffee, he turned on the TV. Instantly his attention went towards the announcement. Young woman told about the strange, unexplained deaths in her town. -Today, his father killed the little child. How did he deserve it?- questioned himself doctor. Blood covered child appeared on the screen. The handle of knife was sticking from his neck. Victor jumped up! It was a boy from museum! What could make father make such a heartless action?- the woman went on.- We are now going to visit the father and we will ask him, what have he done, woman has turned towards the cops, who held the villain. The young guard of law in confusion looked at the camera. He is dead. He has died;-thats all he could say. Victor has turned off the TV and went deep into his mind. What is happening? He couldnt answer this question. He had difficult sleep this night. Some unmatchable thought flew in his mind but he couldnt capture it. Suddenly he woke up. The circus! The hooligans from museum, and the boy with his father went to the circus. Maybe, it was just a coincidence, but vicar felt, that he needed to visit the circus. With such a thought he -6- went back to sleep. To his luck he woke up completely rested. After he ate fast, he went to circus. The weather was bad, rain dropped, freezing wind blew. The circus was built at the edge of a town near the forest. The main part of circus looked sad. Everything was old and breakable. Victor had looked over the audience. Mostly parents with their kids had visited. Moving along the hall, Victor had looked at the artists of the circus. There were a lot of real freaks: the wolfman, snakeman, birdman, who flapped his wings. The main part yet was that Victor felt the pure evil in this place. Evil was everywhere, it ate mind, whispered, surrounded. -Its all my nerves! Thought Victor and looked around. Victor stopped near the dwarf named Echo. -Hello!-greeted him little girl. Hello you too answered Echo with her voice. -Oh mommy he talks like me! Screamed the girl. Victor noticed, that woman gave a fake smile, while in her eyes some strange emotion blinked, she shook her head, like she was trying to get rid of some thoughts. -Whats your name?- asked Victor the dwarf. Victor didnt answer, he was afraid, that the dwarf will hear his voice. His fear was conscious, like with his voice the dwarf could steal his soul. Go away. Go as fast as possible. Thought victor, heading towards the exit with fast steps. At the exit out of circus he was paying attention on the visitors. They pushed each other, moms shouted at their kids roughly. Victor knew for certain, that this circus is evil, and he knew that he will be back here. The shock he had experienced was replaced by cold boldness. He knew what to do. Evil has to be destroyed! Late evening Victor was waiting near the circus already. Only fire can destroy the evil, thought Victor. In his hand he had a canister with fuel. Young man wanted to wait till night, when all devilish artists are going to be asleep, he will combust this cursed circus. Suddenly he felt, how someones ice-cold hand dropped on his shoulder. Turning around he saw one of the actors. He was short, with wide shoulders, almost without no neck. He had short hair and tiny ears. It was senseless to run from him, so victor allowed to capture himself. They went into little room. In the room it was half dark, but he understood, that -7- he was in directors office, the director of this inhumane, cruel circus. The horrifying creature was right in front of Victor. Victor stepped back. This is probably how the offspring of shark and monkey would look. Dark-blue skin, body covered with abs, no neck and ears, two cuts instead of nose, and hands with knife-sharp curved nails. Yellow eyes stared at Victor. The lower part of fish head suddenly opened, and from his jaws sparked razor-sharp teeth, which grew with several rows. Creature has raised on its legs and slowly headed towards Victors direction. -Oh, thats you. Its impossible to hide from you. You visited my circus today. I feel attendance, obstacles. Victor, you cant stop us. In order to stay alive you have to join Kloake. The Earth is doomed. Victor needed all his self-determination, so he could gloriously watch his enemy in the face. -You have to answer now! Life or painful death? You cant save the people, evil is already present and they will kill each others themselves, continued the director. Speedily grabbing the canister with fuel, Victor spilled the fuel at different sides on the floor and lighted the match. The circus got on fire instantly. The soul-piercing howl. Viktor had jumped out of the door fast as lightning. He ran towards the forest. His instincts told him that the monster was still alive. On the edge of the field the sand had moved suddenly and started rising. No, this is not the sand. Its something huge and dark. Director, Victor stepped back and froze on place. His heart was beating wildly. His faith gives him a chance. Viktor has taken out an icon from church. The monster was right above it. Its wicked hand started towards Victor. Victor was defenseless. During his last seconds of life Victor could only make one last pre death scream full of horror and despair. Yet, the malice nails didnt rip his throat. The monster froze. Victor stood up and saw the shiny ray of light. From this ray showed up Ilona and several other people. Their faces were positive and kind. Lady looked at victor and smiled. -You made it, sonny! You stopped the evil and saved the Earth. We never doubted you and always believed in you. Now we take the Kloak to jail, and you have a choice: you can fly away with us or stay on Earth. -I would rather stay home. My home- Earth! Answered Victor. Ilona came close slowly and wiped her hand across Victors face gently. -Goodbye, sonny! People need you, they need your help!- she watched him gently and melted. Soon Victor stayed alone. Slowly he marched out the forest. His heart was light and glad. -8-

How The Nuclear Agenda Influenced American Popular Culture History Essay

How The Nuclear Agenda Influenced American Popular Culture History Essay August 6th, 1945, ushered in the beginning of a new era, one to be forever known as the Atomic Age. The dropping of the worlds first atom bomb over Hiroshima signalled a defining moment in human history. From that moment on the nuclear agenda would come to influence not only international affairs, but the everyday lives of people all around the world. The 17 year period from 1945-62 saw huge changes for American society, in particular the development and expansion of popular culture. How in fact popular culture was influenced by this new nuclear agenda holds the basis for this essay. It will focus on both the direct influences of a new atomic culture, as well as the indirect influences that a new nuclear world had on the popular arts. For the purpose of this essay it is essential to have a working definition for popular culture, in this instance popular culture will be defined as a commercial culture based on popular tastes. From Hollywood movies to comic books, a new nuclear technol ogy became an important characteristic in portraying the lives of everyday Americans. Along with a new kind of nuclear diplomacy theses influences would show themselves in some of the greatest pieces of twentieth century popular culture. What this meant for a nuclear generation and how it showed the signs of a cultural revival will be additional themes to explore. The atomic bomb revolutionised American life. In all areas economic, social, political it challenged old assumptions and forced reconsideration of accepted standards (Winkler, 1999: 9). The dropping of the first atomic bomb on that historic day insured at least one thing, a changed world. Rosenblatt neatly describes it, as a moment where nothing has ever been the same since. From that moment everything changed: subsequent wars, subsequent peace, art, culture, the position of science, the role of the military, international politics, and the conduct of lives; all changed. Other ages in history were characterized by heroes or by ideas. The atomic age is characterized by a weapon and a threat. (Rosenblatt, 2005:1) The end to fighting in World War II brought a period of relative peace in which popular culture was allowed to flourish. Boyer (1985) reveals that this new popular culture encompassed most areas of recreational life, although there were many alterations in interests and tastes. During the 50s and 60s particularly, popular culture appealed to a younger generation who had become an increasingly significant social group. Rock nRoll had become the main focal point for a young generation, and the novel realization of breaking away from childhood, caused the teenagers to become a defined social group in their own right. Teenagers began to reject the old fashioned attitudes and conventions of their parents and rebel against conformity. As stated by Shapiro (2002) this new generation of teenagers started developing a culture from the American teenage way of life, and alongside the behaviour got themselves part-time jobs to help them earn money to spend on movies, fashion, music and other ent ertainment. Boyer (1985) agrees adding that teenagers could now secure a good amount of money for their wants and needs like making trips to the movies and the purchasing of commercial goods, which became big business for the advertisement and film industries, which duly swooped in on their opportunities. Films which were produced and targeted by the teenage audience solely served to unite the teenage image more extensively. With films like Rebel without a Cause (1954) and The Wild One (1953) movies presented a separate image for the teenage rebel. The indirect effect of a growing nuclear agenda, seemingly allowed a world free from direct military conflict to find its voice again. War time popular culture had been heavily centred around the war effort, yet in this brief period popular culture begun to revolutionise. It became increasingly important for a post World War II America to enjoy this time of relative peace. Subsequently this saw a huge rise in a new consumerism in which tr ends and fashions; that had seemingly been put on hold during the war years, could dominate popular culture once again. The changing dynamics of a nuclear agenda began to have a more direct influence on popular culture, this period created what Zeman and Admundson (2004) call the early atomic culture. This distinct period saw an escalation in the nuclear agendas influence on the shaping of popular culture. Both the enthusiasm and fear surrounding new nuclear weapons would be portrayed in this expansive new arena. From the secrecy of the Manhattan Project to its introduction on a world stage in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this new technology offset an atomic culture. It would be wrong to say that after its first military use the bomb became a subject for fear and anxiety. In truth the majority of Americans at that time were unaware nuclear weapons even existed. For many this was the weapon that had ended the war, saved thousands of American lives and brought forward a longed for epoch of peace. As Winkler agrees, Americans first reaction overwhelmingly was one of euphoria and the bomb became celebrated in popular culture in a well-liked country western song, When the Atom Bomb Fell, recorded in December 1945, which attested to this view as it declared the bomb the answer to our fighting prayers boys(in Zeman and Amundson, 2004:3). Many Americans set aside lurking fears of the new nuclear weapon as they contemplated the golden age of abundance that beckoned after World War II. They were further persuaded by the speeches of President Truman who hailed the atomic bomb as a god given tremendous discovery and one to bring together one human community. Others like David Lilienthal where also quick to speak out over the limitless beneficial applications of atomic energy (Winkler, 1999: 137). The atomic bomb continued throughout the period to be closely linked with its positive benefits and government programs attempted to educate the public about the science behind the bomb. An educational video produced by none other than Walt Disney was commissioned in 1957 entitled Our Friend the Atom, which attempted to demonstrate the benefits of the nuclear age and the wonder of this new technology. This film was shown in schools throughout America and became increasingly significant in showing nuclear power in a favourable lig ht. Other videos such as A is for Atom sponsored and paid for by General Electric were also produced to try and help explain the benefits of nuclear technology. This is not to say that the dropping of the bomb in Hiroshima went unnoticed. As mention by Gamson; H.V.Kaltenborn, the dean of radio news commentators, warned his NBC audience on the very same day, For all we know we have created a Frankenstein! We must assume that with the passage of only a little time, an improved form of the new weapon we use today can be turned against us. (1987:15) The continued promotion of the nuclear agenda also expanded to the American commercial markets, and the wonders of the bomb became tied in with consumerism. 1946 saw the General Mills Corporation expansion into Atomic Bomb Rings with the Kix cereal boxtop. Advertised as a gleaming aluminium warhead, see real atoms SPLIT cried the advert, and some 750,000 American children inundated General Mills for their own Atomic Bomb Ring. Boyer (1985) identifies this move from a promotional premium, to that which actually premeditated several cultural themes that would obsess America in the years ahead. Another example from Boyer reveals that only days after the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima, retail shops were offering atomic sales and products offering atomic results. (1985: 9) This type of cultural consumerism seems void of the true fear that would come to surround the nuclear agenda. Instead it highlights the apparent ease into which America welcomed the birth of the atomic bomb; although this was not always the case. This period in American history coincided with attempts at a new world order and the emergence of the United States as a global superpower. Political, social, economic and ideological issues became not only domestic but international issues. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan in particular were set up to help fund an American friendly Europe. The movement of the nuclear agenda began to change with the American foreign policy of Containment, an uneasy separation both geographically and ideological, which would see Churchill talk up fears of an Iron Curtain. These international fears would spark a concern of a superpower rivalry and after the Soviet tests of 1949; two countries with conflicting ideologies now had the most destructive weapon ever invented. Hollywood was quick in using the new found nuclear agenda for film ideas. The Manhattan project was dramatized in the 1947 film The Beginning or the End, one of the first of several films on the subject. The film tackled the creation of the atomic bomb and its subsequent use in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Filmmakers saw this new nuclear agenda, as a story waiting to be told. One of the trailers produced at the time to promote the film showed an interviewer asking movie goers for their thoughts on what theyd just seen. You cant ignore this picture one women said and the most important motion picture I have ever seen said another. These along with taglines such as the men, the magic the machines saw an increased interest in the development of the bomb. The subject matter was of course both dramatic and dangerously fascinating to a new generation. It talked about the secrecy behind the Manhattan Project and the destructive power behind the bomb. It led many to pose questions in particu lar like that within the films title; was this the beginning or the end? The film industry could now see the need and want of the people to know about the bomb. Much of the film was of course a sensationalised view, and alot of what the Manhattan Project was actually about was unknown by those making the films. Although the sentiment and an increased interest around the bomb would see that the nuclear agenda would continue to influence film. A particular genre within Hollywood that would see a rise in popularity at this time was film noir. As Kakutani identifies in the wake of World War II and with anxieties created by the dawning of the atomic age, film noir a sometimes nihilistic genre became galvanised. The likes of Kiss Me Deadly and Fallen Angel found success at the box office. The genre with its partiality to outsiders and deeply rebellious themes inevitably appeared and emblematized at a time of deep stress. (2001: 1) These kinds of Hollywood films began to show a prevailing attitude that the nuclear agenda had brought about. Hunner (in Zeman and Amundson) describes the nuclear agenda as a totally new age, one full of promise and peril. People searched for a new way of living under this new age thus creating this new culture. And the reason why the nuclear agenda began to find its way into popular culture had a lot to do with the changing nature of nuclear importance. From the creation of the atom bomb moving to the advances with the first nuclear power plant, the science behind the bomb began to spread to new technologies. Nuclear powered aeroplanes and submarines were just some of the uses that that the Unites States found for nuclear energy. Even with these new advances a key turning point for the bomb would come in 1949. Zeman and Amundson (2004) identify this development from the early atomic culture morphing into the high atomic culture of 1949 to 1963. The following years were seemingly different from the earlier phases, as one key turning point would stress. This period saw the American nuclear mo nopoly which had been expected to last until the 1960s, come to an abrupt end in August of 1949. The Soviets after Hiroshima had been working from the American design to build an atom bomb for itself, and the first Soviet test in Kazakhstan steppe signalled a build up of arms. The Soviet atomic test ensured a changing nuclear agenda from the wonder of technology to a characterization of an enemy. A two superpower world would change the very nature of popular culture. The change in nuclear agenda saw an alteration in the types of films being produced in Hollywood. In the 1950s and 1960s, a number of movies attempted to make social commentaries on the war. As Day reveals Films like On the Beach, Fail Safe and The Bedford Incident all took a grim tone about humanitys future, wagging a finger at world leaders who held the fate of the world in their hands and implying that words like democracy and communism had little meaning when the world was teetering on the brink of Armageddon. (Day, 2004: 1). The shift in agenda also introduced the introduction of the B movies which entertained the fear of mutilation. Films such as Them where giant ants mutated by atomic radiation threaten US cities in the South West, and Attack of the Crab Monster were becoming increasingly popular to an American audience. The links to events in the international community such as the nuclear accident in Castle Bravo and Chelyabinsk in 1957 brought about a sense of anxiety. The idea of being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation further influenced the idea of mutation. One of the most recognised films of this period and one that would inspire numerous re-makes was Godzilla. The original Hollywood version in 1954 is considered to be the correspondence of the nuclear weapons which were dropped in Japan. The film unlike its B movie counterparts had a bigger budget and became instantly popular. Other films such as Mickey Rooneys Atomic Kid (1954) which appeared to disassociate the potential of nuclear radiation, failed to do so well at the box office. Later films such as Dr Strangelove would also focus on the idea of a doomsday advice. Other signs that showed the increasing significance of the nuclear agenda were no more apparent than in the Laurel and Hardy motion picture Atoll K. A well loved and admire comedy duo choose for their last screen outing to portray a shipwreck on an island rich in Uranium deposits. It was a far cry from there simplistic and po pular humour which had served them well earlier in their careers. In truth Hollywood had become infiltrated by a collection of A and B movies each adding their representations to the nuclear agenda. As well as Hollywood films the American Civil Defence began producing advice videos such as Burt the Turtle and Duck for Cover. They were clearly designed to help to combat the fear of nuclear catastrophe, and were used to reassure the general public about the dangers of nuclear weapons. They would usually involve drills for mass departure to fallout shelters, and popularized the likes of Duck and Cover. The drills with their indications of dissonantly empty streets and the hiding activity from the nuclear bomb under the schoolroom desk, would later could turn into symbols of the expected inescapable and popular fate formed by those weapons. Most Americans were affected by these videos, especially amongst those in the richer classes who could afford the back-yard fallout shelters which offered a diminutive protection from the direct attack and could keep away from the wind-blown fallout, for some days or weeks. Popular culture within America increased extensively in the early 1950s and 60s, with widespread tensions growing amongst segregated groups in society. The cultural significance of such movements as the non violent rebellion 1955-60, brought the hope of peace and equality for many Americans. The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the influence of charismatic race leaders such as Martin Luther King promoted the need for non-violence; such a belief directly opposed the violent and intermediating prospect of nuclear war. As King himself was quoted in a speech denouncing atomic warfare entitled Time to Break Silence, Communism will never be defeated by the use of atomic bombs or nuclear weapons. These are days which demand wise restraint and calm reasonableness. Whilst King was a strong figure fighting for an end to segregation and civil rights the effect of the nuclear agenda was still quite evident in all aspects of American life. Fairclough points out if it were not for the nuclear agenda; th e case and call for civil rights might have been addressed a generation earlier. (2001: 249) The effect of previous atomic tests and the sight of great chemical explosions found itself positioned in kitsch art. Titus (in Zeman and Amundson) recognises how the mushroom served as symbol for weapons themselves. Pictures on the nuclear weapons never became public until 1960 and even those were only the mock-ups for the Fat Man and the Little Boy. Diagrams of the bombs interior working have been obtainable only for the last few years since design for nuclear weapons became the most strictly guarded secret. These all had an impact of fear on society has well as the nuclear diplomacy that developed between the United States and the Soviet Union. The nuclear agenda found itself quickly ingrained within American life. The nuclear agenda that followed the end of fighting in WWII took on a life of its own, and yet was not the first time popular culture had embraced nuclear technology. Ironically the first reference to the nuclear agenda comes not after its first military use but it can be traced back to 1908 in H.G Wells, The War in the Air as well as his subsequently work The World Set Free. The novels first explored the prospect of a nuclear holocaust and an atomic bomb that would be used in war. Perhaps even more telling was the influence it would have on one Leo Szilard. The nuclear agenda might have started life as science fiction but its influence would most definitely lead to science fact. At a time of a new found fascination in the science behind the bomb, it would seem inevitable that the science fiction genre would experience an increased popularity, and it did. Suddenly the question of what the future might hold, the question of what if, gained a horrible new importance. Now, instead of l ooking a thousand years ahead, humanity was looking at the hands of a Doomsday Clock that were edging closer to midnight. (Plested, 2009:1). Nuclear weapons would become a fastener element in the science fiction novels. The phrase atomic bomb predated their continuation when scientist had realized the ending of radioactivity had a potential implication of limitless energy. Until then, the word atomic had been nothing more than a convenient gimmick in science fiction, a buzzword that provided power for everything from pistols to robots to spaceships. Once the atomic bomb had been used, it proved this scientific leap forward, a leap which proved that science fiction authors were not such wild-eyed dreamers as had been thought' (Plested, 2009: 1). However, the science fiction novels began to follow and treat the threat of potential nuclear fallout and its implications for society. Newman, K. (2000) notes the various popular novels like the Babylon, Alas and On the Beach reviewed the af termath of the nuclear war. Other science fiction novels like A Canticle for Leibowitz exposed the long-standing consequences of a nuclear war. Hand in hand with the immediate perils of thermonuclear death, science fiction introduced the public to the other horsemen of the new Apocalypse: Fallout, Nuclear Winter, and Mutation. The latter provided heady fare for the filmmakers of the 1950s, with screens filled with shambling monstrosities of every shape, size and species. (Plested, 2009:1) The crisis of the Cold War coincided with the emergence of the Television, it grew in stature and with the growth of consumerism by the 1950s the TV quickly became a technological novelty an inescapable medium that quickly rivalled the power of movies, radio and mass circulation magazines (Whifield, 1991:153). In 1946 around 7000 American owned their own television set and by 1960, 50 million sets had been purchased and over 530 stations were available by 1961. Yet the reality of nuclear weapons haunted not just photographs and newsreels of Hiroshima and Nagasaki but visions of the future. In 1950 LIFE predicted the growing likelihood of World War III in the essay How U.S. Cities Cab Prepare for Atomic War. Colliers described a hypothetical atomic attack on New York in Hiroshima U.S.A: Can anything be done about it? (Boyd, 1985: 23) Nuclear anxieties boosted the popularity of psychoanalysis an probed the subconscious. Signs of the impacted nuclear agenda also found their way into the music industry. Many songs such as Skip Stanleys Satellite Baby pleaded: Nuclear baby dont fission out on mewere gonna rock it, were gonna rock it.Isotope daddys found out what you are worth. As well as the likes of Bob Dylan with his 1962 song A Hard Rains Gonna fail which was thought to have alluded to an upsurge in the possibility of a nuclear fallout. Through the progression of the nuclear period protest songs in particular became more frequent, such as 99 red balloons, and Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. These songs became opposition against a nuclear build up and warning songs while others utilized the theme like allusion to a huge destruction in general. This period also began to see the rise in the popularity of tranquillity organizations such as the CND. Newman, K. (2000) said the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) was one of the principle organizations campaigning in opposition to the bomb. Its symbo l, a grouping of the semaphone symbols for D (disarmament) and N (nuclear) came into the modern culture as icon for peace. 1962 saw a flashpoint in the course of the Cold War, a socialist revolution in Cuba would bring the world closer to nuclear war than ever before. The Cuban Missile Crisis illustrated how fragile the balance between a nuclear war and peace had become. The period of time saw a shift in public opinion towards the bomb, how close the world had come to catastrophe had shown Americans the true terror of a nuclear attack. Popular culture moved into a new era of fear and more open criticism of the nuclear programme (Zeman and Amundson, 2004: 4) The scale of influence the nuclear agenda had on popular culture became elevated as the threat of nuclear war become more possible. The time frame saw a great deal of change within America. It becomes apparent that the early atomic culture had a huge influence on popular culture, but the ways in which it affected it were various to say the least. From civil defence videos to sci-fi b movies, the period generated a phenomenal amount of popular culture. The significance is perhaps the diversity of the materials and the changes the nuclear agenda brought into popular culture. The strength of the nuclear culture insured it was impossible for outlets to ignore, instead the bomb in sorts became commercialised and the threat of apocalypse became a somewhat side point. In truth, it would appear in an era of progression and change the nuclear agenda became quite dominant in popular culture. It affected the lives on not only Americans but those in a global community. The turning point perhaps comes at the end of this period during the 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the nuclear agenda hatched up the fear and tensions of an American society who had been blissfully unaware of the true dangers happening behind closed doors.