Persuasive Essay On Bullying - 1011 Words

Bullying, bullying has been around for a long time. Bullying has been in America since the country’s founding. Created from a competitive environment, bullying has remained a relevant issue throughout the years. Cyberbullying, has allowed the problem to expand, the thought to survive is an instinct and is common among all humans. Survival is associated with competition due to the large amount of species and limited resources on the planet. Since the dawn of time there has been a constant thought to do better than others and overcome obstacles. This survival instinct, along with a competitive atmosphere, has stayed the same as the human race has evolved. Both of these forces have flowed over into the educational, and social environment,†¦show more content†¦Preforming cyber bullying is very easy and that is why it happens so often, cyber bullying happens over the internet when you text people bad things or say bad things online. Bullying can happen from a variety of things. One of those things is race, if someone is racist they may shun you for your race. For example, lets say that your race is whatever your race is at this point, there will always be racial slang against whatever race you are. Another root of bullying could be a dysfunctional home where the child because of problems with the parents relationship. Problems with the relationship could include a child being neglected or not treated as a child from anyone should be. One root is also low self-esteem. When a bully has low self-esteem they will sometimes bully other children to make the bully feel better about themselves, though it is sad it usually works for the bully and the bully feels better about themselves. One of the effects of bullying is suicide. Suicide is when someone or something hurts you to the point of wanting to kill yourself and for a bully to sit and hurt someone so bad where they want to kill themselves, that is just terrible. Another effect of bullying is depression, depression is when you feel so sad that it isnt even sadness anymore, its like when you are so sad... it gets to the point where you dont feel like living anymore, and you dont really feel like waking up in the morning. Another side-effect of bullying is notShow MoreRelatedBullying Persuasive Essay730 Words   |  3 PagesBullying is a problem that happens in almost every single school and it can have many different reasons and ways. Bullying can happen online or at schools. It is becoming a big problem because it is worldwide and it is not good for kids to get bullied. Kids can become depressed when they are being bullied. Also they can have mental health problems later on. It already has a lot of attention but it needs more so it can be stopped. Bullying needs a lot more attention because too many kids are beingRead MorePersuasive Essay On Bullying1203 Words   |  5 Pagesfather had been jailed for hitting her† (Goad). Bullying has been a major problem in our society. The power of bullying can ruin someone’s life. Nothing good can ever come from bullying no matter how it happens. Bullying has been around for a long time, and it must come to an end. Bullying should be stopped because of the terrible and heartbreaking outcomes. To begin, the power of bullying is disgraceful land will always have a negative outcome. Bullying occurs when someone is repeatedly harmed by someoneRead MorePersuasive Essay On Bullying865 Words   |  4 PagesThis was said during a period of time where bullying was not as big of an issue as it currently is. Whether someone has been bullied, been a bully, or have seen bullying happen, it has come up in some way at a point in their life. Bullying has affected various generations of people in many ways, causing a lot of different problems throughout the world. Some of these may include mental and physical health issues which can also lead to suicide. Bullying must be stopped in order to improve our livesRead MoreBullying Persuasive Essay718 Words   |  3 Pagescommunities filled with individuals who are being affected by bullying from a range of young children to adults. According to the internet, bullying is the use of superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typic ally to force him or her to do what one wants. Therefore, bullying can affect everyone for those who are affected by the bullying, those who cause the bullying, and those who witness the bullying. In other words, bullying can have a crucial influence on mental health and in extremeRead MorePersuasive Essay on Bullying1241 Words   |  5 Pagesthey think about classes, friends, and books. They think about the minor struggles of drama and studying for next week’s big test. For them, school is just school. It’s something that has just become a part of life, not good or bad. For victims of bullying, school is a living nightmare. School is harassment, and pain, and a whole series of struggles too much for the normal person to comprehend. Schools have created this image of â€Å"normal† that many people strive to fit into. But when there is someoneRead MorePersuasive Essay On Bullying1259 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout my childhood, I was bullied. This bullying lef t physical and mental scars, as well as me lacking self-confidence. Whenever I attempted to defend myself or tell someone of the situation, it never worked. Either I would get bullied more by both students and teachers, or be ignored completely. This is when my father grew tired of me coming home sad and injured, he consulted the school, but they suggested settling it out with the bully’s parents. This resulted in my father meeting the parentsRead MoreBullying Persuasive Essay1247 Words   |  5 Pagessame† - Thirteen Reasons Why. Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year. Bullying is a serious offence and shouldn’t be taken lightly, students around the world should be aware of what bullying does and how it affects the other person. Seventeen percent of American students report bullying two to three times a month or more within a school semester. Bullying has been occurring for years and bullying in schools was one of the first manifestations. Kids go home every dayRead MorePersuasive Essay On Bullying834 Words   |  4 Pagesenvironment. Bullying effects millions of students in schools each year. This can lead to heartbreaking consequences to the victim and their families. Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers College, took his own life by jumping off the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River in New York City, after two of his fellow classmen allegedly streamed live video on the internet of him and another fellow student, who was male, in a sexual encounter (Billiterri, â€Å"Preventing Bullying† 1015). ThisRead MorePersuasive Essay On Bullying841 Words   |  4 Pagesbecause they don’t agree with who they are. Bullying LGBTQ is wrong because no one should be subjected to cr uel treatment. Many LGBTQ human rights are being violated through harassment and cruel treatment. By bullying LGBTQ people are taking away many LGBTQ’s human rights. And as article 5 states that â€Å"No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.† Studies show that LGBTQ students receive 24% more bullying per day than a non LGBTQ. Because some LGBTQRead MorePersuasive Essay On Bullying1352 Words   |  6 Pagesgetting bullied, would you try to stop it, or would you ignore it and walk away? Bullying is a big problem, especially in the United States. There are active efforts to stop it, but many studies show that a simple intervention from a bystander can work wonders. In fact, a study done by Hawkins and Pepler from York University, along with Craig from Queen’s University, shows that a whopping 57% of interventions (in bullying situations) are effective. A few days ago, during my stay at the Avera-McKennan

Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail - 1340 Words

On April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter from Birmingham Jail after he had been arrested for nonviolent protests. In this letter he addressed a few of his fellow clergymen who had commented on King’s work in Birmingham and how they perceived it to be â€Å"unwise and untimely.† He told them that he had, in fact, been issued an invitation to help the people of Birmingham and that he was â€Å"compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond [his] hometown.† King assured the clergymen that he and his comrades were using the proper approach and are thinking out their movements very carefully. He then gave the clergymen the reasons behind the laws that had been broken. King then moved into a section where he â€Å"called out† white moderates,†¦show more content†¦This sentence was intended to make the white moderates feel truly guilty, almost dirty, for their lack of support. King was able to put so much emotion into a few sentences. He exuded copious amounts of disappointment in the white moderates that present day readers must also feel some amount of shame for what the people of the past did, or rather did not, do. King continued his guilt trip with one simple sentence, â€Å"Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection† (432). He used a single sentence to make the entire group of white moderates feel guilt for their lack of action. He stated that outright rejection made more sense to him than sideline acceptance. He showed that they would be better off shunning the movement completely instead of confusing everybody by showing half support occasionally. King did not hide his chagrin for their very limited support. He wanted their full support or nothing from them. King then circled back around to using shame as an appeal. He must have really wanted to push this feeling in deep because he said â€Å" I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension of the South is merely a necessary phase of theShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail839 Words   |  4 Pages1960’s one of the most well- known civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and was placed into a jail in Birmingham Alabama for eleven days (Westbrook 1). Martin Luther King did not commit a crime that was in violation of any law in the U.S Constitution. King was arrested for taking a direct action for the Black community that was harassed and judged every day for there color of their skin. In King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail on the 16th of April 1963 he illuminates the daily brutalityRead MoreRev. Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail950 Words   |  4 Pages15 November 2017 â€Å"No, baby, no, you may not go, for the dogs are fierce and wild, and clubs and hoses, guns and jails, aren’t good for a little child.† (Allusion - referring to another work to apply symbolic meaning). This quote from â€Å"Ballad of Birmingham† illustrates the horror and cruelty of how African Americans were treated at that time, as no place was safe or free from racism; there was no limits to the violence that came with it. The 1950’s and 1960’s was an era where the Civil RightsRead MoreSummary Of Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail1159 Words   |  5 Pages Martin Luther King lived in a time where Negro people were faced with a multitude of social injustices. King was actively participating in passive protests opposing the laws which upheld these injustices. In his â€Å"Letter From Birmingham Jail† King replies to the criticism of eight clergymen, who called him and his companions extremists and law breakers (King 18 7). In his letter of response, King both shows his disappointment with these men, as well as plead with them to see his side. King wantsRead More Martin Luther Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail Essay1241 Words   |  5 PagesRhetorical Analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter from Birmingham Jail In his essay Letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. disproves the assumptions of people that believe racism is acceptable when he compares the maltreatment of blacks to the inhumane treatment of the Jews by Hitler. King establishes a relationship with his audience by connecting on a level that is larger than the exploitation of African Americans rights. He forces his readers to think aboutRead MoreEssay on Martin Luther Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail1176 Words   |  5 Pagestechniques were used to gain the civil rights for the black people in a series of which came the â€Å"Letter form Birmingham jail† written by Martin Luther King himself. Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail was a profound and persuasive written argument which captured the emotions of many people encompassing rigid life experiences, educated observances, and deeply rooted spiritual beliefs. In this letter King freely expressed his position concerning the injustice that black people fa ced in America. Read MoreReaction Of Martin Luther Kings Letter From A Birmingham Jail1061 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail† Reaction â€Å"We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.† In 1963, Martian Luther King Jr was protesting for blacks to have equal rights in Birmingham, Al. The city administration found out about these protests and ordered the police to arrest them. Now in jail was confronted by a court and ordered not to protest in Birmingham. In response King wrote what is now known as the â€Å"LetterRead MoreAntigone And Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail831 Words   |  4 Pages54 years ago, and even during the BC ages was it a problem. Dr King’s letter explains how he knew he broke the law by blocking a road, but did it due to the racism and injustices that were happening. In Antigone, she buries her brother even though he was not meant to, and due to she is a female and that she broke the law that was unjust her consequence is to die. Sophocles’ Antigone and Martin Luther Kingâ⠂¬â„¢s â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† explore a common theme that law sometimes conflicts with justiceRead MoreAnalysis of Martin Luther Kings â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†973 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther King Jr, an civil rights activist, fought for the rights of African Americans in 1963. King organized various non-violent demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama that resulted in his arrest. While in jail, King received a letter from eight Alabama clergyman explaining their distress and opposition to King and his followers actions. This letter occasioned his reply and caused King to write a persuasive letter justifying his actions and presence in Birmingham. Although King’s reply wasRead MoreAnalysis Of Martin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail925 Words   |  4 PagesIn April of 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. found himself in a small cell in Birmingham Alabama, arrested for his participation in the peaceful protest of discrimination agains t African-Americans. King firmly believed that non-violent protest, in the form of sit-ins, boycotts, and picketing, would raise awareness of the prejudices African-Americans suffered and, in turn, lead to progress in gaining equal rights between the races. His â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† which he wrote during his incarcerationRead MoreMartin Luther Kings Letter From Birmingham Jail1707 Words   |  7 PagesThrough the span of Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963) Martin Luther King Jr., makes stretched out implications to various logicians, among them Aquinas and Socrates. His correlation would appear to show that he imparts a liking to them. In any case, the clearness with which he makes his contentions and the commitment to a solitary start strikes most firmly of Kant. Similarly, as Kant s artful culmination, Critique of Pure Reason, endeavored to totally overturn a formerly acknowledged method of

What Is a Grand Jury and How Does It Work

A grand jury is a legal body comprised of laypeople that determines whether there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges to trial. During grand jury proceedings, a prosecutor presents an accusation and supporting evidence to the grand jury. The grand jury then decides whether or not the  prosecutor can proceed with a  criminal trial. Why Cases Go to a Grand Jury The concept of a grand jury originated in England and  became enshrined in the U.S. legal system through the  Fifth Amendment, which  requires all potential federal cases to proceed through a grand jury. Only about half of U.S.  states recognize grand juries as a way to pursue state criminal charges. In states that use grand juries, a grand jury indictment is the primary way to start criminal proceedings. Their importance and usage vary between states. States that dont use grand juries use preliminary hearings for felony cases. Instead of impaneling a grand jury, a prosecutor files a criminal complaint which lists the name of the defendant, facts of the case, and relevant charges. After the complaint is filed, a judge reviews it in a public preliminary hearing. During this hearing, lawyers are present and the judge decides whether or not to indict the defendant. In some states, a person who has been accused of a crime can request a preliminary hearing. How Grand Juries Are Selected Grand juries are made up of randomly-selected laypeople. The grand jury members are asked  to appear in court for varying lengths of time: some grand jury sessions last for months, but only require jury members to sit in court for a few days each month. Grand juries are generally composed of 6 to 12 people just like a trial jury, but when a federal grand jury is called, 16 to 23 people  may be  required to show up for jury duty. What Grand Juries Do When a grand jury is convened, the jury members evaluate the strength of the prosecutors evidence to determine if there is  probable cause  to issue an indictment. Probable cause means that there are enough objective facts to support the prosecutors claim. The grand jury has tools at their disposal to find out if there is  probable cause. They can subpoena witnesses to testify in court. In a grand jury, witnesses are typically questioned by the prosecutor and cannot have counsel present during questioning. If jury members think there is enough evidence, they vote to issue an indictment: a document that signals the start of criminal proceedings by listing the crimes the defendant is accused of and explaining the jurisdiction of the court. This act requires a majority vote, which is either two-thirds or three-fourths,   depending on the jurisdiction. In many ways, the grand jury acts as a check on the power of a prosecutor. Grand jury proceedings may also benefit prosecutors by giving them a chance to see if their evidence will be convincing for a future trial jury.   Unlike most other court proceedings, grand jury proceedings take place in secret, which serves a few purposes: An accused person may present a flight risk if he or she knows a grand jury has been convened. By keeping the proceedings a secret, the court reduces this risk.  Secrecy ensures that no one who eventually gets  cleared  of any crime suffers from premature and wrongful damage to their reputation. The names of grand jury members are also kept secret to prevent bias. While secrecy can be helpful for maintaining confidentiality, it also makes the grand jury process somewhat of a mystery to most members of the public and raises questions about transparency in the court. Grand Jury vs. Trial Jury Grand juries function differently from trial juries. Trial juries are presented with evidence from the defense and the prosecution. The accused person is present in court and has a legal right to a defense attorney. In a criminal case, the judge asks the trial jury to decide whether someone is innocent or guilty of a crime  beyond a reasonable doubt, which is is the highest burden of proof in the American legal system. A grand jury, on the other hand, needs only to decide whether there is probable cause to put someone on trial—a much lower burden. The accused does not have the right to appear before the grand jury and contest evidence brought by the prosecutor. Lastly, a grand jury has no power to convict someone of a crime—they can only issue an indictment. Sources Grand jury.  Britannica Academic, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2018.  academic-eb-com.resources.library.brandeis.edu/levels/collegiate/article/grand-jury/37676. Accessed 21 Jun. 2018.United States, Congress, â€Å"Handbook for Federal Grand Jurors.†Ã‚  Handbook for Federal Grand Jurors, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.â€Å"How Courts Work.†Ã‚  American Bar Association, www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/pretrial_appearances.html. Secrecy Supreme Court created Anyone being investigated cannot interfer with witnesses or otherwise tamper with the investigation. Secrecy decreases the likelihood someone who is about to be indicted will escape before indictment. Reluctant witnesses can speak more freely when their remarks will not be made public nor reach the target of an investigation. Secrecy protects anyone who might be implicated, but who is not indicted. testimony before a Length of the Grand Jury Oath of the Foreman You, as foreman of this inquest, for the body of the County of ____ , do swear, (or affirm) that you will diligently inquire, and true presentment make, of such articles, matters, and things as shall be given you in charge or otherwise come to your knowledge, touching the present service; the commonwealths counsel, your fellows and your own you shall keep secret; you shall present no one for envy, hatred or malice; neither shall you leave any one unpresented for fear, favor or affection, hope of reward or gain, but shall present all things truly as they come to your knowledge, according to the best of your understanding (so help you God.) Returning An Indictment probable cause double jeopardy Sources: American Grand Jury Foundation Behind the Locked Door of An American Grand Jury California Grand Juries Dayton University School of Law Frequently Asked Questions About the Jury System The Grand Jury: An Essay (1906) Grand Jury Secrecy Preface to The Grand Jury

The Effects Of Malnutrition On Educational Disparities

The Impact of Malnutrition on Educational Disparities in Africa By: Merette Khalil and Blessing Kuebee, African Students Association At the start of the millennium, various United Nations (UN) partners came together to tackle some of the world’s deadliest and most pressing social and economic problems, and in doing so, established the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In the past 15 years, the MDGs have been evaluated and re-evaluated. This year the UN has declared a new set of 17 goals for the next 15 years called the Sustainable Development Goals. The first issue on both agendas is the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, a problem that is specifically significant for the entire continent of Africa. Clarifying a few terms based on the World Food Program’s definition is essential to understanding the scope of the problem. Hunger is â€Å"not having enough to eat to meet energy requirements.† It can lead to malnutrition, which is a condition when one’s diet â€Å"does not provide adequate nutrients for growth and maintenance or when a person is not able to adequately utilize the food consumed due to illness.† Undernutrition, being nutrient deficient, being underweight and even being overweight are all complications that result from hunger. Undernourishment is when â€Å"a person is not able to acquire enough food to meet the daily minimum dietary energy requirements, over a period of one year.† Wasting is â€Å"rapid weight loss or a failure to gain weight and is strongly relatedShow MoreRelatedAnnotated Bibliography : Literacy As Foreign Aid704 Words   |  3 PagesAfrica. Journal Of Development Studies 38.4 (2002): 27. Business Source Complete. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. Appiah and McMahon analyze the connection of social outcomes and feedback effects on personal and communal economic growth in sub-Saharan African countries. The authors attempt to estimate how net education comprehensively effects, directly and indirectly, the process of economic stability and sustainability in these countries. Christopher, Nkechi M. Literacy Growth And Book Development In Africa:Read MoreHealth Care Services And The Health Of The Belizean People1614 Words   |  7 Pages Today, in Belize, there is a lack of development in regards to health care, which has a great effect on the access to care. This is, in turn, has a large effect on the health of the Belizean people. We should care because the health of any population contributes to the status of the country as a whole. With health problems comes along high numbers of reports of morbidity and mortality rates here. This can be attributed to the fact that there is a decreased amount of hospitals, clinics, and otherRead MoreThe International Olympic Committee ( Ioc ) Essay1583 Words   |  7 Pages(Varadharajan et al., 2013, p.327). With this incredibly high level of poverty comes many problems for both India and its people. One such problem is the direct link between poverty and malnutrition. Currently it is reported that 57% of ‘under-five deaths’ within India are due to the current state of poverty and malnutrition (Varadharajan et al., 2013, p.328). This is largely due to the current state of food security within India. Food security is measured by the availability, access, utilization andRead MoreMaternal And Childhood Malnutrition On Low And Middle Income Countries2036 Words   |  9 Pageschildhood malnutrition in low and middle-income countries presents a global public health challenge and threatens attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)i. Encompassing both under nutrition and obesity as well as vitamin and mineral deficiency, malnutrition can be caused by multiple factorsii. These factors are closely linked to general standards of living, education, environment and the ability of a population to meet its basic needsiii. Malnutrition has profound effects on healthRead MoreChild Poverty And Its Effects On Children s Adjustment1473 Words   |  6 PagesChild poverty is a major issue in the United States. Poverty can be associated with violence, abuse, malnutrition, problems with learning ability and school achievement and inadequate healthcare, which can negatively affect the developmental process of a child. Poverty indirectly impacts children’s adjustment and the ability to successfully adapt in the environment. This can affect the health of children and lead to psychological disorders. While it seems impossible to completely eliminate childhoodRead MoreA Brief Note On Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health1590 Words   |  7 Pagesemotional wellbeing have significantly impacted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, causing the wide gap in Indigenous disadvantage. (Brennan 2015) Socioeconomic factors such as social gradient, employment and education can have a great effect on the health of individuals throughout life. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015) Due to lower income and unemployment experienced by Indigenous Australians, they are forced to live in poor, remote or overcrowded housing conditions,Read MorePoverty, Education, Sanitation, Malnutrition, And Child Mortality900 Words   |  4 Pages hunger, and child mortality. Several non-government organization (NGO), charitable establishments, and non- profit corporations work to advance impoverished countries and decrease disparities. These agencies partner with local, national, and international institutions to promote their particular health or educational agenda. Although, these establishments face financial shortfalls at times, they have managed to improve condition around the world in some areas. Bolivia is a country with manyRead MoreThe Health Of A Health Care System1892 Words   |  8 Pagesenvironment, educational attainment, health behaviors, childhood development, access to care, and government policy. International collaboration of ideas on the progression of transnational health is greatly endorsed for the benefit of complete global health care. Health care has social, governmental, and financial implications that affect all members of the health care system and in countries within the Central American region specially, citizens have fallen victim to health disparities that have resultedRead MoreThe Effects of Poverty on Children Essay1217 Words   |  5 Pagesgrowing up in poverty a lot of factors come into play such as their physical, psychological and emotional development. To grow up in poverty can have long term effect on a child. What should be emphasized in analyzing the effects of poverty on children is how it has caused many children around the world to su ffer from physical disorders, malnutrition, and even diminishes their capacities to function in society. Poverty has played a major role in the functioning of families and the level of social and emotionalRead MoreHealth Education in Schools1199 Words   |  5 PagesHealth Education in Schools By Paul Favors, eHow Contributor I want to do this! Whats This? Health education is the formal inclusion of the principles of wellness in the curriculum of a particular educational institution. Among the concepts taught to students are information on illness and their prevention, substance abuse and sexual relations. The ultimate purpose of health education is to allow students to have an understanding of their bodies and develop beliefs related to health. Facts

Youth Violence on the Possession of Firearms in School Free Essays

Despite nationwide gun-free school laws that prohibit possession of a firearm on or near the property of a public or private school, students are bringing guns to school and using them against their fellow students and teachers with increasing frequency. What possesses these students to gun down their classmates? How are these students getting access to firearms? Who is ultimately responsible for these tragedies? What stresses contribute to these shootings? And how are parents and educators missing the warning signs that these children have reached the breaking point? Over the past few years, there have been an astronomical number of school shootings across the country, sending policy makers, parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens into a tailspin. These events are becoming more frequent and have shattered the sense of safety that children should have when they are in school. We will write a custom essay sample on Youth Violence on the Possession of Firearms in School or any similar topic only for you Order Now Shootings by students, some as young as 10, have occurred at sickeningly regular intervals in urban towns like Pearl, Mississippi, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Fayetteville, Tennessee and most recently Littleton, Colorado, where 12 students and 1 teacher lost their lives at the hand of two teen shooters who took their own lives. Firearm violence falls second only to automobile-related deaths, as the leading cause of injury-related death, in the United States. By the year 2003, firearm fatalities are projected to become the United States leading cause of injury-related death, unless the violence is curbed. In 1991, Texas and Louisiana saw firearm fatalities surpass automobile fatalities, and Virginia and Nevada also have continued this trend. In fact, the firearm death rate is increasing faster than any other cause of death except AIDS related fatalities. Recent public attention has focused on the problem of gun violence in the nation†s schools. A 1994 Gallup poll of Americans, for the first time, fighting, violence, and gangs have moved to the top of the list to tie with lack of discipline as the biggest problem facing schools. It is difficult to determine what effect the threat of violence has upon the learning of each student, but clearly education takes a back seat to one†s own sense of security and well being. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, one in 20 high school students carry a gun and one in five students would tell a teacher if he or she knew of another student carrying weapons to school. Theories differ about where young people get their guns. School security experts and law enforcement officials estimate that 80% of the firearms students bring to school come from home, while students estimate that 40% of their peers who bring guns to school buy them on the street. The United States has weaker firearm regulations and higher numbers of deaths involving firearms than all other industrialized nations. The greatest tragedy of gun violence is the tremendous numbers of children and youth killed or injured each year by firearms. These numbers continue to increase at alarming rates. According to Gunfree.Org, in 1985, the number of firearm homicides for youth 19 years and younger was 1,339, in 1995, it was 2, 574. In 1995, guns accounted for 84% of homicides of persons 13 to 19 years of age. Averages of 14 youth each day are killed by gunshots. A group studying juvenile violence in Multhomah County, Oregon identified the inadequate response of the juvenile justice system to students expelled for possessing weapons in schools, the need for additional efforts to detect weapons, and anti-violence education in schools as primary concerns. We must, as a society, recognize that there is a cycle of violence and that violence breeds more violence. There is no single answer to the problem of violence. A multi-faceted approach is needed. Prevention must be a priority. According to a ‘Public Health† Approach, recognition of three levels of prevention activities is essential: Primary prevention: These are interventions directed at people who have no obvious risk factors for development of violence. An example would be teaching grade school children to deal constructively with anger and conflict. Secondary prevention: These activities are directed to those who show clear-cut risk factors for violence. An example would be training in anger management for people who have a history of arguments or fighting. Tertiary prevention: These activities are directed toward minimizing the danger caused by those who have displayed violent behavior. Examples include interventions to allow gang-established patterns of serious or repeated violence. Any approach to violence must include education carried out in various ways and settings including collaboration among community groups, businesses, the schools, and government. Most of all, the parents must get involved. Schools offer the opportunity to reach a substantial percentage of the youth population and teach them skills aimed at the reduction of violence. Teachers are able to identify early on problem youth and families. Schools represent an important site to convey the message of society against weapons and violence. An important part of the anti-violence prevention strategy aimed at all youth is increasing the efforts to detect weapons in schools. While schools are already vigilant about responding to individuals when specific knowledge is available about weapons possession, this approach has not addressed concerns and perceptions that a number of weapons are present in schools undetected. Expanding the commitment to zero tolerance for weapons in schools would also better communicate to youth community standards, assuming that adequate consequences are in place. Most weapons are found through reporting by a concerned student. Such reporting should be praised. How to cite Youth Violence on the Possession of Firearms in School, Essay examples

Enrons Code of Ethics free essay sample

This writing will analyze Enron’s Code of Ethics and examine the sections on values and corporate responsibility, it will also use applicable theories and concepts and will detail Ken Lay’s view of ethics and Enron’s corporate social performance, as well as reflect Enron to be socially irresponsible to everyone with any type of financial investment in Enron because of the deception it practiced with employees and investors about its true financial status, despite having stated in its company code of ethics that transparency, integrity, and respect for the law would be the cornerstones of its daily operations.Enron’s values, as stated in the 2000 code of ethics, include the following: respect for others; openness and integrity; a premium on communication; a commitment to organizational excellence; and a commitment to non-discrimination. As it pertains to corporate responsibility, Enron’s code states that it (or its representatives) will do the foll owing: it will comply with all relevant health and safety laws. It will emphasize safe operations because the company is devoted to protecting the environment, human health and natural resources; and the company pledges to enter into productive partnerships with the communities in which Enron is a part partnerships geared towards creating healthy families, and geared towards making the community stronger via education and environmental stewardship (Enron, 2000, pp. 5-6). Applicable concepts and theories explain Ken Lay’s view of ethics.For example, the wording of the document is aspirational; it demands that people hold themselves to the highest ethical and moral level and work constructively with partners to forge better communities (for a definition of aspirational, please see Ethics Resource Center, 2009). As well, the code of ethics and it’s values-centered insofar as its ethical ideals are among the first things discussed in the code; the code of ethics also stresses sustainability because of its focus on environmental and community stewardship (for a definition of both terms, please see Ethics Resource Center, 2009).None of the websites discussed in this paper take note of specific ethical theories when talking about what is acceptable or unacceptable for a company to do. However, there are two broad ethical theories deontology and utilitarianism that can be applied. Deontology holds that one must do right for the sake of doing right; utilitarianism holds that something is only ethical if it creates the greatest good for the greatest number(for a definition of both terms, please see Dictionary. com 2009). Put another way, the outcome is all that matters when it comes to corporate actions.In the case of Enron, speaking the truth about its financial situation in1999 would have hurt the company by depressing stock value; it is also clear that company investors might have been forced to sell off stocks or take a financial â€Å"hit. † On the other hand silence would keep people investing in the stock, therefore increasing the stock holdings of employees. A deontological approach would have favored full disclosure; a utilitarian approach would presumably favor not saying anything and hope that things turn around.Without question, Enron was socially irresponsible when it lied about its income and failed to reveal that its equity value was lower than its balance sheets said. At the same time, the company used its â€Å"partnerships† with the many companies it created to hide its losses and its debts. Enron executives also ignored accounting irregularities and calmly kept millions in stock-market gains, even though they knew company employees who had stock in the organization were going to suffer when things came out (National Public Radio, 2009).Without a doubt, Enron betrayed its shareholders (its employees most of all) because it went against its own stated commitment to integrity; it eschewed communication for greed; and its creative accounting showed its real contempt for local and international business laws even though Enron (2000) claimed to respect the law (please see page 5 of the Code of Ethics). In retrospect, it is not clear that Enron had a compliance officer in place in 2000 when it formulated its code of ethics.However, it would appear that senior officials in the company would have the same responsibilities as any compliance officer: to ensure that the company upheld all relevant laws and regulations; to be leaders in the formation of ethical business practices ; and disclose any information required by law or by company policy (Ethics and Compliance Officer Association, 2009). The leaders at Enron violated every one of their obligations and betrayed stakeholders.This paper reflects the sections on values and corporate responsibility highlighted in Enron’s code of ethics; the paper then looked at the pertinent concepts and theories that apply to the situation and answered the question of whether or not Enron was being socially responsible. The ultimate answer is no, Enron was not being responsible; the company hurt many people even though it undoubtedly thought that keeping things secret would serve the greater good insofar as it would give senior staff time to reorganize things without causing a depression in the stock holdings of employees. In the end Enron destroyed its credibility and ruined many lives; all because it declined to follow its own code of ethics. Enrons compensation and performance management system was designed to retain and reward its most valuable employees, the setup of the system contributed to a dysfunctional corporate culture that became obsessed with a focus only on short-term earnings to maximize bonuses. Employees constantly looked to start high-volume deals, often disregarding the quality of cash flow or profits, in order to get a higher rating for their performance review.In addition, accounting results were recorded as soon as possible to keep up with the companys stock price. This practice helped ensure deal-makers and executives received large cash bonuses. The company was constantly focusing on its stock price. Management was extensively compensated using stock options, similar to other U. S. companies. This setup of stock option awards caused management to create expectations of rapid growth in efforts to give the appearance of reported earnings to meet Wall Streets expectations.

Continental Carriers free essay sample

Continental Carriers is a general commodity motor carrier and has been since 1952, and they recently experienced successful growth since Mr. Evans focused on improving service, as well as an extensive marketing effort to boost their revenues in their already existing routes. He also implemented a way to reduce costs through computerization of operations as well as an improvement in terminal facilities to improve the company’s structure. This has since made CCI become a much larger company and has become extremely profitable by posting an income after taxes of $15. 36 million dollars alone in the year of 1988 of and is now looking to expand. Ms. Thorp, the treasure of CCIs now proposed an acquisition of Midland Freight Inc. to expand their business by 50% and increase their EBIT by 8. 4 million dollars per year. They have ran into the problem whether to finance solely on debt or by issuing common stock to obtain the 50 million dollars in cash they need to acquire Midland Freight Inc. The directors of the company have selected Midland Freight, Inc which they believe would fit seamlessly with their current operations, the agreed acquisition price is $50 million in cash which would have to be financed externally. The purpose of this analysis is to analyze financing strategies for CCIs acquisition of Midland Freight and decide which would be in the best interest of Continental Carriers, Inc and its stakeholders. Analysis Ms. Thorp has proposed two financing options that she has found suitable for their current situation, both of which she finds plausible for the company to be able to execute in a timely manner. Ms. Thorp believes that if they choose to issue common stock and issue it at $16. 75 with a dividend of 1.50 it could possibly dilute the stock and cost CCI by more than 9% but has proposed this as one of the potential strategies. She has also proposed that they could sell 50 million dollars in bonds and finance through long-term debt, which would be a first for CCI because they have never had to raise this much capital prior and therefore have never financed in debt before We have evaluated their two ways to finance their current acquisition of Midland Freight Inc and have come up with the following appraisal costs. Bond Issue During the two decades that Continental Carriers, Inc has been in business they have always maintained a standing policy of avoiding long term debt; and is currently one of the few companies in this industry that have no long-term debt in their capital structure, their current debt ratio lies at about . 2 (Kester, 1991). In addition to foregoing a long standing point of pride, issuing debt is another concern to the company because of the large cash requirements that are included with this option, namely the $12. 5 million due at maturity for the sinking fund. An advantage of debt financing was that the earnings per share was projected to increase to $3. 86 with $. 56 of that amount would be contributed to the sinking fund (Kester, 1991). The net EPS would be roughly $3. 20 which is $0. 21 less than the EPS in 1988, however this is still a favorable situation for the company as they have no other substantial debt. Another positive aspect of this option is the tax advantage derived from debt financing, the interest paid on bonds is deductible from the company’s tax return; this $2 million annual tax shelter can offset the sinking fund of $2.5 million per year for 10 years. There is also the option of buying back bonds to reduce the interest price. Long term Debt: N=15 years Periods= 30 (based on the assumption that a bond makes semi-annual payments) Interest=10% Paid annually Present Value of Principle=$2,865,427. 67 Present Value of Annuity=$45,454,545. 45 Total Cost of Bond Financing = $48,319,973. 12 *Plus an additional 2. 5 million dollars per year in sinking fund costs. Over 15 years that additional cost will be 37. 5 million dollars Total Cost of Long Term Debt Financing: Plus an additional $12. 5 million dollar still due at maturity. Stock Issue Based on their current business, the estimated additional after-tax revenue post-acquisition of Midland Freight, Inc would be $5 million. If the company issues an additional 3 million shares, dividend payments would amount to at least $4. 5 million. In addition to this with respect to book value and retained earnings the current stock is currently undervalued by approximately 61%. If the 3 million shares are sold the already undervalued stock will not only be further diluted to $2.72 earnings per share, but it would also dilute managements controlling vote within the company. However an advantage of issuing new common stock is that a principal does not need to be repaid and neither do interest payments when compared to financing through debt. Common Stock: Cost of Common Stock issue: Ordinary stock issuance: 4,500,000 shares $1 par value $17. 75 a share; proceeds of $16. 75 a share ($1 disparity) Dividend: $1. 50 a share New issuance: 3,000,000 shares Diluted EPS: $2. 72 $2. 72 x 7,500,000 shares = $20,400,000 Transaction Cost of Issuance= $3,000,000 x $1 $23,400,000 Total Cost of Common Stock=$20,400,000 +$23,400,000= 43,800,000 Preferred Stock Issue An option for preferred stock is to issue 500,000 shares at a $10. 50 DPS with a par value of $100 (Kester, 1991). Being preferred stock, CCI would have to pay $5. 25 million in dividends each year to preferred stockholders only, this would decrease the dividend that is currently paid out to those who own common stock, to less than a $1. 00 per share. A decrease that would likely lead to a decrease in overall stock price as well. This action would have a negative impact on the EPS dropping it to $3. 36 (Kester, 1991). This action would be unlikely for management for two main reasons. First, the stock is owned primarily by the management itself. Second, it is the managements’ duty to act in the best interest of its shareholders; a move like this would act in opposition of this fundamental duty. Recommendation Effective and aggressive yet responsible management has been essential to the success of Continental Carriers, Inc along with a sound business and healthy financials. They have relied on the revenue from their IPO in 1982 and infrequent short-term bank loans to finance their operations until now, and are only in need of considerable external financing because they want to further expand their business by acquisition. The acquisition of Midland Freight, Inc would increase CCI’s earnings by a projected $8. 4 million a year before interest and tax, which would be a little more than $5 million after taxes and interest. Although CCI is a profitable business under excellent management their stock has not performed well in the market, undervalued as mentioned before by about 61%, with respect to their book value, and traded infrequently. CCI prides itself being one of the few businesses in its industry that have been able to steer clear of accumulating substantial long term debt, however in our estimation this tradition has to end in order for the company to achieve its expansion goals. Debt financing for this acquisition is the best option for Continental Carriers, Inc for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the $1. 15 difference in earnings per share between debt and equity financing, favors the debt option. Their debt and current ratios are only . 2 and 67 respectively and after debt financing will only increase to . 4 and 1. 34, which are still healthy ratios. The company’s annual after tax income has been steadily growing at an approximate 10% rate for the past 5 years, ranging between $7. 2 15. 7 million, accompanied with the $2 million tax shelter and the additional $8. 4 million cash flow after the acquisition; CCI should pursue issuing debt to finance its acquisition.