The Arab Spring: Implications for US Policy and Interests

Introduction The political uprisings in the Arab world during 2011 undeniably transformed the Middle East and the North of Africa (MENA) (Dalacoura, 2012: 63). An explosive mix of deepening political grievances and a series of socio-economic problems, such as: high unemployment, especially among youth, corruption, internal regional and social inequalities, and the deterioration of economic conditions were the common causal factor behind all the uprisings (ibid: 66-67). Internationally, these uprisings have had profound consequences for the pursuit of long-standing United States (U.S.) policy goals and interests in the region, with regard to: regional security, energy supplies, military access, bilateral trade and investment, counter-proliferation, counterterrorism, and the promotion of human rights (Arieff et al. 2012). The profound changes in the region may alter the framework in which these goals are pursued and challenge the basic assumptions that have long guided U.S. policies in the international system (Keiswetter, 2012: 1). Regionally, the contagious nature of the uprisings, which started in Tunisia in December 2010 and later on spread to Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain or Syria (Dalacoura, 2012: 63), led either to the overthrow of dictators or to internal fracturing (ibid: 66). While Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Tunisia underwent troubled transitions away from authoritarian regimes, in Jordan, Morocco, and Oman, modest protests produced tentative steps toward reform (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 41). In view of such differences, policy makers in the U.S. have adopted case-by-case (and highly unequal) approaches, which range from tacit support to outright military intervention (Shore, 2012). For instance, in countries such as Yemen or Saudi Arabia, the U.S. has turned a blind eye to governmental corruption and human rights violations. In non-allied countries, however, like Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, the U.S. has condemned dictatorial practices, issued sanctions and even wars in the name of democracy (Shore, 2012). It could be argued, thus, that the U.S.’ response to the events of the Arab Spring has been cautious and contradictory at the same time. On the one hand, Obama’s Administration has been criticized for its apparent lack of a coherent approach, and its willingness to talk of democratic ideals while protecting national interests. On the other hand, supporters have praised both the pragmatism and principle as a smart approach to international affairs (Kitchen, 2012: 53). Within this framework, this paper will assess the impact of the so-called Arab Spring on the US objectives regarding political and economic reform prospects for the Middle East peace negotiations, energy issues, and security concerns. The main hypothesis of this paper is, thus, that as part of the current international system, where the concept of security acquires multiple and more complex dimensions that go beyond military terms, the U.S.’ policies in the Middle East are extremely â€Å"shy† and cautious. This paper argues that this obvious â€Å"cautiousness† and what many call a contradictory foreign policy of the U.S. is the result of a series of economic interests to maintain oil-flows and global security concerns that cannot be forgotten in the political international arena. The U.S., thus, faces the difficult position of supporting its ideal of democracy and values on the one hand, and its long-term interests and security concerns on the other. This essay, thus, is divided in two main sections. On the one hand, a brief theoretical background on International Relations (IR) theories will serve as a basis to understand the motivations and approaches of the U.S. foreign policy in the region. On the other hand, an analysis of the old and current U.S.’ interests and policies in the Middle East will reveal the contradictions and concerns of the current U.S. Administration and the possible outcomes.Foreign Policy through the Lenses of International RelationsIn order to understand the U.S. foreign policy in the international system and more specifically in the Middle East, with its wide encompassing spectrum of foreign policy decisions, this paper shall approach the issue from the theoretical framework of International Relations (IR) (Vale, 2012: 6).The International SystemThe international system, driven mainly by states, power, and anarchy, has had a profound effect on the United States since its inception (Vale, 2012: 8). It could be said that there are three main different forms of the international system: the multipolar, the bipolar and the unipolar system. Tin the multipolar system, there are several great powers influencing international politics and competing for dominance (Vale, 2012: 10). Bipolar systems, could be described as a battle of titans of sorts –as it happened between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War-, namely, where two major powers oppose one another for dominance in the system. Finally, the unipolar system, is when there is one superpower and no other major powers in the international system –such as the Roman Empire or the United States after the fall of the Soviet Union until arguably the beginning of the 2003 War in Iraq (ibid: 10). It can be said that contemporary international politics does not fit any of these models. Nevertheless, during the last decade a new structure seems to have appeared: the uni-multipolar system. This system has a single world superpower but with several major powers around it in the system which constrains the superpower so that it cannot act as if it were within a unipolar international system (Vale, 2012: 10). Some authors, like Huntington, argue that this scenario is closest one to the current international system; where the settlement of international issues requires action by the single superpower, the United States, but always with some combination of other major states (1999). Indeed, 21st century scholarship within IR moves away from the primacy of the state and second order analyses towards the relationship that individuals have within the international system. This intellectual movement reflects experiences in international history that diminish the role of the state and reinforce the humans and humanity into the heart of a discipline whose origins lie in the motivation for action. This change is a 21st century phenomenon with experiential roots in the terror attacks of 9/11, the Global Financial Crisis, the Arab Spring uprisings, and the rise of hacktivism. These global, historical experiences are fostering the rise of cutting-edge and revolutionary IR theory that embraces complexity and multidisciplinarity (Oprisko, 2013). In other words, â€Å"the trend within IR theory is mirroring the shared experiences of the 21st century: renewed emphasis on terror, revolutions against inequality and social-immobility, and the success of hacktivism† (ibid. ). According to the Neoclassical Realism theory of IR, the international system determines how states act and behave towards each other because the international system is anarchic and states compete for status quo power (Rose, 1998:146). In other words, â€Å"the scope and ambition of a country’s foreign policy is driven first and fore most by its place in the international system and specifically by its relative material power capabilities† (ibid.). The 21st Century, however, is marked not with the political maneuvering of great states with competing visions, but with the elite few accumulating power, on the one hand, and the general public, rejecting such elitism, on the other. The first movement toward a revision of the status quo interpretation of the international system was the 9-11 terrorist attacks. The reaction against this â€Å"new kind of enemy† and the â€Å"war on terrorism† exemplified â€Å"an important reengagement with the social contract ; the state, the sovereign authority of the people, was no longer the only independent actor in the international political arena† (Oprisko, 2013). Closely related to the emergence of the above-mentioned â€Å"new enemies† there is the change of the security concept during the last decades. Authors such as Ole Waever or Barry Buzan were some of the most predominant constructivists who define security after the Cold War, which included non-traditional elements such as human rights (Layman, 2012: 4). The place of human rights in security is widely debated. Although before the Cold War security was traditionally defined in military terms, since Realism was the main school of thought, Constructivism argued for different perspectives, permitting the most thorough definition for security and national interests due to its ability to allow for change in the perception of what defines threats (Layman, 2012: 6). Indeed, as Barry Buzan argues, social norms and cultural phenomena dictate what is a security threat (Layman, 2012: 6). Waever and Buzan define security â€Å"as perceived threats to anything such as the traditional view of a state to non-traditional views of threats† (Buzan et al. 1998: 7) which include society, the environment, and economic laws. Threats are, thus, divided into different sectors: the military sector, concerned with the armed capabilities of a state; the political sector, concerned with the stability of a state; the economic sector, concerned with the accessibility to resources and the market; the societal sector, concerned with the security and sustainability of culture; and the environmental sector, concerned with the security of resources (Layman, 2012: 8). Thus, the Financial Crisis in 2008 and the subsequent austerity endured by common citizens hit a breaking-point with the suicide of Tarek al-Tayeb Mohammed Bouazizi in Tunisia in 2010. â€Å"Dignity-filled rage erupted across four continents as the Arab Spring spread across the Middle East and North Africa and Occupy protests engulfed Europe and North America† (Oprisko, 2013). As we progress from the competing idealist traditions of the 20th Century, the emphasis from structural impositions are waning (ibid.). â€Å"Human social agents and social structures are mutually constitutive, and social change can proceed causally in both directions [simultaneously] from agents to structures and from structures to agents† (Bennett, 2003: 489)U.S. Contradictory Approach to the Middle EastBearing in mind the previously described theoretical framework, the core American national interests at stake in the Middle East over decades should not come as a surprise; namely: protecting the U.S. homeland from the threats international terrorism and weapons of mass destruction; ensuring the free flow of oil, vital to the U.S., regional, and global economies; ensuring the security of Israel (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 48); discouraging interstate conflict that can threaten allies and other interests; ensuring transit and access to facilities to support U.S. military operations; countering terrorism; and stemming the proliferation of weapons (Arieff et al., 2012: 1). Over the years, these interests have resulted a series of U.S. policy objectives – advancing Arab—Israeli peace, protecting key oil-producing states, limiting the spread of regional conflicts, or ensuring U.S. military access and freedom of action within the region. Consequently, to ensure these objectives, the US has usually behaved as a status quo power in the Middle East, prioritizing the regional balance of power and a certain order over backing political change (ibid). During the past 50 years, â€Å"the U.S. has played two dueling roles in the Middle East, that of a promoter of liberal ideals, willing to wage war to build democracy, and that of a supporter of dictators who adhere to American interests and ensure stability† (Shore, 2012). It can be said, thus, that the U.S. reaction to the Arab Spring uprisings has exemplified these two opposing policies. While the US was quick to defend the peaceful protesters in Egypt and oppressed citizens of Libya, taking any necessary measures to prevent gross humanitarian crimes, the U.S. has issued little more than formal warnings to the fact that Syrians are being killed under Assad’s rule, Bahrain is cracking down on protestors, and Yemen is moving towards disaster (ibid.). However, the U.S.’ commitment to stability and the status quo partly sustained the regional stagnant economic, political and social systems, leading to the rise of Islamism and Salafism. After failing to overthrow the authoritarian regimes of the region, from the 1990s, terrorism came to focus. Thus, and particularly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the hegemonic interest in the Saudi monarchy -as the largest oil producer- came into conflict with American national security priorities (Kitchen, 2012: 54). However, after 9-11 the U.S.’ determined that the region’s authoritarian regimes were actually the root of the terrorist problem, prescribing, thus, democracy as the solution to the Middle East’s socio-economic issues (Kitchen, 2012: 54). Thus, in 2003, the Bush Administration launched the ‘Freedom Agenda’, asserting that stability could not be purchased at the expense of liberty, emphasizing that promoting democracy was not just about promoting American values, but was in the American national interest, since oppressive regimes created the conditions for radicalization and terrorism (ibid). However, the â€Å"Freedom Agenda† as part of the wider â€Å"war on terror† had obvious contradictions. While on the one hand the US was seeking short-term counter-terrorism measures through the security apparatus of allied authoritarian regimes, on the other hand, it was prioritizing the long-term emancipation of Middle Eastern societies to address the deeper roots of marginalization and underdevelopment (Kitchen, 2012: 54). It could be argued that these contradictions were the background to the US’ response to the events of the Arab Spring (Kitchen, 2012: 55).The Obama Administration and the U.S. Strategy In The Middle EastEven though the uprisings and political change in the Arab world have challenged many of the assumptions that have long informed U.S. policy makers, it can be said that many long-standing U.S. goals in the region endure (Arieff et al. 2012: 1). The Bush administration’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, overturned this preference for the status quo. The invasion of Iraq created a power vacuum in the Gulf that Iran tried to fill. The war exhausted the U.S. military, spread sectarianism and refugees throughout the region, and unleashed a civil war. The ‘‘Global War on Terror’’ also brought the US into far more collaboration with Arab security services (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 48). The Bush administration failed to match its rhetoric on democracy with meaningful support for democratic change (ibid). The legacies of Obama’s predecessor’s war on terror had to be addressed, in order improve the US’ credibility and standing in the MENA region (Kitchen, 2012: 55). Thus, during President Obama’s first term, the U.S. announced its desire for a fresh start with the Muslim world, which started by withdrawing the U.S. military presence from Iraq and scaling down the worst excesses of the War on Terror, while maintaining a lower-key counter-terrorism campaign. While the administration has not managed to resolve the Iranian nuclear challenge, it has assembled an international consensus and rigorous sanctions to pressure Tehran. Obama also made the peace process a top priority, although his efforts proved no more successful than his predecessor’s. Then the Arab Spring erupted, reshaping the regional agenda (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 49). It has been said that the events of the Arab Spring took Obama’s Administration by surprise and underprepared (Kitchen, 2012: 55). While the political reform was in the overarching interests of the US, and was both sustainable in the region and compatible with America’s other priorities (ibid: 56), the White House, however, was worried that over-enthusiastic American support could undermine the revolutions’ authenticity. Thus, Obama’s rhetoric in public was cautious, as he sought to balance competing interests in the context of uncertain events, while at the same time the administration used its long-developed relationships in the region to try to shape developments (ibid.). Egypt constitutes a clear example of this delicate situation. While the clear win for the Muslim Brotherhood did not fall within the U.S. ‘s â€Å"expectations† and interests in that country in particular, the following military coup, although morally questionable (at least in the 21st Century), has hardly been challenged. Indeed, having a military regime that wants to maintain the peace with Israel, is probably the most comfortable option for the U.S. in a region where nothing is settled so far. Despite the massive changes across the Middle East ever since 2011, there are still several rapidly evolving dynamics that any viable U.S. strategy must account for. First, the so-called Arab Spring has altered key regional dynamics, regime perceptions of internal and external threats, and the role of different political actors, whereby a mobilized public opinion has an unprecedented role in regional politics. Second, Iranian nuclear and hegemonic ambitions continue to worry its neighbors, Israel, and the West. Third, while al-Qaeda has suffered organizational and political setbacks, its affiliates have adapted in disconcerting ways. Fourth, the Israeli—Palestinian issue continues to be a core element of regional instability and a source of potential violence (Khal and Lynch, 2013: 41).The Arab Spring and the US Interests; Challenges and OpportunitesIn response to the Arab uprisings, the Obama Administration has taken a reactive approach, trying to adjust U.S. regional pol icies while coping with multiple ongoing crises (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 49). In 2011, when addressing the impact of the Arab Spring on U.S. interests, Obama admitted the unsustainability of the status quo and advocated relations based not only on mutual interests and mutual respect but also on a set of principles, including: opposition to the use of violence and repression; support for â€Å"a set of universal rights; and support for political and economic reform in the MENA region that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region (Keiswetter, 2012: 4). However, contradictions were again inevitable. Although the administration recognized the importance of seeking to change in Egypt and across the region, it was quickly pulled up at the prospect of confrontation with Saudi Arabia over a possible political transformation in Bahrain (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 49). Similarly, while the administration recognized the need for democratic change in the region, allowing, thus, the democratic process to develop even when elections produced Islamist victors (as it happened in Tunisia and Egypt), it always resisted calls for a more costly and risky intervention in Syria (ibid.). Despite the Administration embracing democratic reform and public engagement, a workable strategy to implement these principles has yet to be put in place (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 49). Indeed, even when sensible policies were pursued, they have frequently not been communicated strategically, which transmits uncertainty about American priorities in the region. Given the current environment in the Middle East, any attempt to draw a more coherent approach must consider five strategic dilemmas: First, maintaining the free flow of oil may require robust security ties with Gulf regimes, which would increase the U.S. dependence on the least democratic and iron-fist ruling governments in the region. This dependence would undermine the U.S. soft power with the Arab public and may contribute to the emerging Sunni—Shiite Cold War in the region (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 51). The Saudis, among others, have been able to compensate for the disruptions caused by the Libyan events. Thus, a strong US commitment to the security of the Gulf will be vital to oil market stability in the future (Keiswetter, 2012: 2). It could be said, thus, that the main challenge for the U.S. here will be being able to maintain traditional allies while supporting the democratic values it has been forever defending. Second, while a U.S. presence throughout the region and close cooperation with partner governments’ security services may be necessary for combating terrorism, this American military presence in the Arab world will continue to provide extremists with propaganda and recruitment opportunities (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 51). The Arab Spring uprisings, based on universal values and rooted in the demand for jobs, justice and dignity, highlight the bankruptcy of Islamic extremism sanctioning violence as the only way to obtain societal changes (Keiswetter, 2012: 2). While none of the 2011 uprisings in the Middle East was led by Islamist movements or had an Islamist agenda (Dalacoura, 2012: 74), Islamist movements have proved to benefit from them politically (ibid: 75). Indeed, the upheavals provide opportunities, as it happened in Yemen, for Islamic extremists to gain ground (Keiswetter, 2012: 2). As exemplified before with the case of Egypt, the U.S. faces the challenge of having Islami st regimes freely elected in stagnant countries, whereby radical movements are like to mushroom, or take an active role in the future political direction of the region, which will probably lead to international criticism. Third, tilting toward Israel in the Palestinian conflict may be essential to reassure Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 50). However, Israeli leaders argue that the wave of unrest in the Arab world is endangering Israel’s security by potentially replacing relatively friendly neighboring governments with Islamist and potentially hostile governments (Arieff et al., 2012: 3). Fourth, a forceful military U.S. intervention in Syria could hasten the demise of Assad’s regime, reduce humanitarian suffering, demonstrate leadership, and weaken Iran. However, such intervention would also require a major investment of military resources, returning the US to the protracted commitment that it just escaped in Iraq, and consuming resources necessary to deal with Iran and other global contingencies (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 50). Fifth, the unclear prospects for democratic change. The consensus in Washington from the 1990s has been that democratization will lead to the emergence in the Middle East of regimes which are supportive of the U.S. (Dalacoura, 2012: 78). However, the Middle East has been described as immune to the waves of democratization which have transformed other regions. Moreover, focusing attention on democracy in the Middle East has been criticized for reflecting the priorities of western and in particular American political science (ibid: 71). On political and economic reform, the nature of the democratic political systems in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya remains to be seen (Keiswetter, 2012: 2). Indeed, one of the U.S.’ greatest fears is credibility in what â€Å"new† Middle East will emerge from the current turmoil (Shore, 2012). Sixth, it can be said that Iran’s nuclear and regional hegemonic aspirations are one of the major ‘‘pre-Arab Spring’’ concerns for the US. It is feared that â€Å"a nuclear-armed Tehran would increase its support for militancy, terrorism, and subversion in the Levant, Iraq, and the Gulf, which would further destabilize the region† (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 43). Thus, Iran’s nuclear program could have a decisive impact on regional politics (ibid.). Seventh, the Arab Spring has shown the limits of American power in the Middle East. Both the U.S. and Europe are missing the necessary financial resources to shape prospects in the Arab Spring countries. Thus, investment will also have to come from countries, such as the Gulf states or China, who do not share to the same extent the Western interest in reinforcement of democratic values (Keiswetter, 2012: 2). In any case, the ultimate strategic effects of these changes are not clear. â€Å"Many fear the emerging power of Islamist movements, elected or violent† (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 43). The anti-American protests in September 2012 in response to a YouTube video, and the uneven governmental responses to the crisis were a clear sign of the underlying turbulence which might complicate future U.S. policy in the region. In other words, the emerging regional order combines a complex array of contradictory new trends (ibid.). In light of the Arab uprisings, it is highly important to prioritize political and economic reform. However, pushing reform complicates ties with key autocratic partners, may cause a nationalist backlash in some democratizing states, and may also risk empowering Islamist groups less inclined to cooperate with the US (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 51).ConclusionA major question that remains to be answered is whether the uprisings will eventually lead to the democratization of the Middle East and the end of the authoritarianism that has undermined its political life (Dalacoura, 2012: 79). On the one hand, the most immediate prospects for the Arab Spring are: continuing instabilities as states try to solve their political and economic situations, as well as their relations with other countries; rising influence for those countries with the necessary resources to back up their policies; and the continuation of a visible but attenuated role for the U.S. (Keiswetter, 2012: 2). The long-term prospect, on the other hand, includes also the possibility Middle East with a much higher degree of freedom, more democratic, prosperous and accountable, less abusive of human rights, and thus a net positive outcome for U.S. interests (ibid.). With the dramatic rise in popular activism empowered by the new technologies, it is clear that long-term stability in the region will require meaningful steps by all governments towards a genuine political and economic reform (Kahl and Lynch, 2013: 42). The U.S. has had to tread a fine line between support for its values and long-term interests à ¢â‚¬â€œ represented by political reform in the region-, and the protection of its core regional interests (Kitchen, 2012: 57). If the U.S. is serious about turning off its Middle detour, then in the Middle East and North Africa the US needs to prioritize long-term trends over short-term concerns, which may not always mean pushing for revolutionary change in support of democratic values in the region (Kitchen, 2012: 58). The recent revolutions pose an opportunity to establish a new status quo in the Middle East, free an oppressed and jobless youth, increase economic standing and trade, and give democracy a chance to flourish. While the U.S. remains limited in the impact it can have in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, it has an opportunity to change its negative standing in the Middle East; an opportunity to change a stoic, ineffective foreign policy (Shore, 2012).References Andrew Bennett, (2003) â€Å"A Lakatosian Reading of Lakatos: What Can We Salvage from the Hard Core?,† inProgress in International Relations Theory: Appraising the Field, ed. Colin Elman and Miriam Fendius Elman. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Arieff, A., Danon, Z., Katzman, K., Sharp, J. M., & Zanotti, J. (2012) â€Å"Change in the Middle East: Implications for US Policy†.Congressional Research Service. [On-line], Available: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R42393.pdf [21 April 2014] Buzan B, Waever O, de Wilde J. (1998 ) â€Å"Introduction, security analysis: Conceptual apparatus, the military sector, the political sector†. In: Security: A new framework for analysis. Colorado: Lynne Reinner Publishers; 1998. ISBN 1-55587-603-X Dalacoura, K. (2012) â€Å"The 2011 uprisings in the Arab Middle East: political change and geopolitical implications†.International Affairs, 88(1), 63-79. [On-line], Available: http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/International%20Affairs/2012/88_1/88_1dalacoura.pdf [21 April 2014] Huntington, S. P. (1999). The Lonely Superpower. Foreign Affairs, 35-49. Kahl, C. H., & Lynch, M. (2013). US Strategy after the Arab Uprisings: Toward Progressive Engagement.The Washington Quarterly, 36(2), 39-60. [On-line], Available: http://67.159.45.21/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/TWQ_13Spring_Kahl-Lynch.pdf [21 April 2014] Keiswetter, A. L. (2012) â€Å"The Arab spring: Implications for US policy and interests†.Middle East Institute. [On-line]. Available: http://www.mei.edu/content/arab-spring-implications-us-policy-and-interests [21 April 2014] Kitchen, N. (2012) â€Å"After the Arab Spring: power shift in the Middle East?: the contradictions of hegemony: the US and the Arab Spring†, [On-line], Available: http://www.lse.ac.uk/IDEAS/publications/reports/pdf/SR011/FINAL_LSE_IDEAS__UnitedStatesAndTheArabSpring_Kitchen.pdf [21 April 2014]. Layman, C. K. (2012). Conflictual Foreign Policy of the United States: Between Security and Human Rights. [On-line], Available: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1497&context=cmc_theses&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.es%2Fscholar%3Fq%3D%2522theory%2Bof%2Binternational%2Brelations%2522%2B%2522the%2BArab%2BSpring%2522%2B%2522US%2Binterests%2522%26btnG%3D%26hl%3Des%26as_sdt%3D0%252C5%26as_ylo%3D2010#search=%22theory%20international%20relations%20Arab%20Spring%20US%20interests%22 [23 April 2014] Oprisko, R. L. (2013). â€Å"IR Theory’s 21st Centur y Experiential Evolution†.E-International Relations (2013).[On-line], Available: http://www.e-ir.info/2013/05/25/the-fall-of-the-state-and-the-rise-of-the-individuals-ir-theorys-21st-century-experiential-evolution/ [23 April 2014] Rose, G. (1998). Neoclassical realism and theories of foreign policy.World politics, 51, 144-172. Shore, S. M. (2012) Great Decisions 2012 Preview: After The Arab Spring, [On-line], Available: http://www.fpa.org/features/index.cfm?act=feature&announcement_id=88 [21 April 2014] Vale, K. R. (2012).US foreign policy in the post-Cold War era (Doctoral dissertation, Office of Graduate Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston). [On-line], Available: http://crhsgg-studentresources.wikispaces.umb.edu/file/view/KVale_US_Foreign_Policy_PColdWar_2012.pdf [23 April 2014]

Why Our Life Is Being Dominated by Technology?

————————————————- Our life is being dominated by technology. This is a good trend. Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technologies create many kinds of products – computers, cloning technology, and video games etc. Technology today has made life better and quicker.In our modern society, people can't see themselves without computers, cell phones, voice mail†¦ etc†¦ As we look at technologies, questions are risen. The Technological progress make our society more convenient and safe. Making impossible things possible are similar features of the change which previous people have experienced by social change, like shifting from a hunting societ y to an agricultural society and establishing a commercial society due to the invention of new tools.To consider these advantages and change of society, modern technology, which we use today, might be not only a new tool but also the tool, which makes a dramatic change in history. However, the contribution of modern technology to society should not be eliminated and should be distributed evenly. Some positive aspects of technology * It makes our work easier. * We can use it for entertainment. * It saves our time. * It provides information about new things. * It develops the country. ————————————————————————————Conclusion At last I would like thank my teacher subash sir for giving this kind of project work. I would also thank to my parents for helping me to do this project work. This kind of project work will increase our mind. ——————————————————————————————– Remarks * Excellent ( ) * Very good ( ) * Good ( ) * Bad ( ) Why Our Life Is Being Dominated by Technology? ————————————————- Our life is being dominated by technology. This is a good trend. Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technologies create many kinds of products – computers, cloning technology, and video games etc. Technology today has made life better and quicker.In our modern society, people can't see themselves without computers, cell phones, voice mail†¦ etc†¦ As we look at technologies, questions are risen. The Technological progress make our society more convenient and safe. Making impossible things possible are similar features of the change which previous people have experienced by social change, like shifting from a hunting societ y to an agricultural society and establishing a commercial society due to the invention of new tools.To consider these advantages and change of society, modern technology, which we use today, might be not only a new tool but also the tool, which makes a dramatic change in history. However, the contribution of modern technology to society should not be eliminated and should be distributed evenly. Some positive aspects of technology * It makes our work easier. * We can use it for entertainment. * It saves our time. * It provides information about new things. * It develops the country. ————————————————————————————Conclusion At last I would like thank my teacher subash sir for giving this kind of project work. I would also thank to my parents for helping me to do this project work. This kind of project work will increase our mind. ——————————————————————————————– Remarks * Excellent ( ) * Very good ( ) * Good ( ) * Bad ( )

Critical Reading, Writing, & My Learning Patterns Essay

When I was reading the four stories from the learners in chapter three, I noticed that each of them used different patterns to write their papers. Makayla was one learner that used sequence first. She was very inquiring when it came down to what she was asked to do. Makayla needed to know too much and in this case it led her to have a duel and repetitious assignment. The advice I would give Makayla would be to field fit this, trying to focus using a different learning pattern or approach. Makayla should have written her thoughts down first and not worried so much about being correct, so she would be able to provide new information and a more clearly written paper. Another way for Makayla to field fit would be to start in the middle and not focus on a specific laid out plan. Begging and end come last. While reading about the second learner John, I read that he had used precision first. In using precision first, he stumbled over everything he was trying to say and also had written too much unnecessary information. With John doing this, it led his family to confusion and made it hard to plan anything. Seeing as how this was the only way of communication for him at the time, John should have written a more simple direct message and paid more attention to whom his audience was. Field Fitting this situation can be a difficult process in the since that without all the information needed, it is hard to rearrange anything . As for his family, I would have told them to take out the extra things he had to say and try to focus more on the importance. My advice for john would be that when writing anything, make sure you know your audience, and to pay attention to what you’re writing and who you are writing it to; especially if it’s the only form of communication you have available to you. Reading the third learners stories, I see that they used technical reasoning . Paul was more concerned about completion than accuracy. In this case, I would have suggested that he try to use precision when gathering all of the data and facts, instead of just using his own thoughts and opinion s. Seeing as how he uses technical reasoning, another way for Paul to field fit this would be to draw pictures and make graphs as he was reading. This would have helped him better understand and also would have given him a visual on how to start writing his paper. With the fourth learner, Raheem relied on confluence and  took too many risks when writing his paper. He didn’t have enough information and failed to use another learning pattern that would have helped make a better paper. My advice for Raheem would be to first make sure that all of the data is collected for the assignment, then try using a different pattern when writing the paper and also tell him to ask for help if he is uncertain about the tools provided to him. Take time to prepare and use your weaknesses as a model to help find your strengths. Based on my learning patterns ( S 31 , C 20 , P 28 , TR 27 ,) the challenges I feel I will face with reading and writing at a college level is when reading, I tend to use t echnical reasoning more. I jump around and skim through content just to get the main idea. Because I do this, I overlook important pieces of information. When looking at what I can do to fix this, I see that I need to make sure I have the time to focus on what I am reading and why. Also, I need to make sure to write it all down so I am not only obtaining the information, but I am also visualizing it to get a better understanding of it as a whole. When it comes to writing, I feel that I am a strong writer. Writing is something I love to do. I always like to express my thoughts, focus on the audience, and use as much information I can. With saying that, I may sometimes use too much information, or I will use sequence and be meticulous with if it is correct or not. One way that I can help get through this is practice and make sure I’m just getting all of my thoughts out. Going back and re-reading is a good way that not only lets me see my mistakes, but it also helps me to learn from them. The three things I keep in mind to make my writing go by easier, is to write free of the rules, get all of my thoughts out first and pay attenti on to grammar and spelling last.

Danforth Donnalley Laundry Products Company Integrative Problem Assignment

Danforth Donnalley Laundry Products Company Integrative Problem - Assignment Example If the company will not assume or include the $2 million rental cost, it will understate the cost of Blast, and gave an erroneous costing, and so also on the final price. This is usually done through the so-called â€Å"shadow pricing† method, in which the impact of any project is fully reflected in its valuation. This will also give a more accurate idea of the project viability. Shadow pricing is a very useful tool in cases where there is no definite market price yet. From the viewpoint of the project feasibility evaluation, the hypothetical and additional cash inflows from the erosion of sales from current laundry detergent products should not at all be included in the projected cash inflows, as shown in Table 1 (Titman, Martin & Keown, 2011, p. 411). Including these cash flows gives a wrong impression that the proposed project is viable, when in fact, it might not be that feasible because from the standpoint of the company, there are no new cash inflows coming in (no net addition to sales revenue). In marketing industry parlance this is merely a â€Å"cannibalization† of an existing product, or transferring monies from one pocket to the other pocket, to use an analogy. But on the other hand, if there is a distinct possibility that competitors will introduce a product similar to Blast, then that would impact on the project as it can introduce other factors into the equation, such as grabbing or retaining market

Locating Bony Landmarks Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Locating Bony Landmarks - Coursework Example To locate the bony structure that engulfs the chest is known as the thoracic cage or rib cage and is made up of 25 different bones: 24 ribs and1 sternum. The sternum is a thin horizontal bone that is made up of three joined bones namely of the xiphoid process, the gladiolus, and the manubrium. The manubrium is the most superior fragment of the sternum and has a unique concave superior design called the suprasternal notch. One can feel the suprasternal notch by inserting the middle finger of your hand straight in the frontal midline at the back of the neck. The horizontal facet of the manubrium, note the coastal aspect of the first pair of rib and the demi facet for the second pair rib. The frame of the sternum is the central, elongated section of the sternum whose horizontal margins are concave six times. Once with a demi facet for the second pair of rib and five times with coastal surfaces for third pair ribs and pair numbers seven. The sternal outlook the brim of merging between th e body and the manubrium is an essentially quantifiable landmark as it is the location of connection of the second rib, lesser to which is the second intercostal space. At this particular points, auscultation of distinct heart valves can best be felt. The xiphoid process is the lower-most section of the sternum and has no coastal surfaces linked with it. Normally the xiphoid process is a small sword-like however occasionally it is bifid and from time to time it has a foramen or hole in it. In both males and females, there are 12 pairs of ribs.

Ordeal by Fire The Civil War and Reconstruction by James McPherson and Essay

Ordeal by Fire The Civil War and Reconstruction by James McPherson and James Hogue - Essay Example The Free Soil Party argued that unlike in slavery, a free society provided greater moral and economic gains. In light of the clear cut agenda, the party worked to press for a repeal of existing slavery laws in Ohio, and New York among other states (Byrne, 2006). The Wilmot Proviso is one of the key historical developments that led to the American Civil War. The proviso would have outlawed slavery in all the new areas annexed from Mexico or from any other place later on. However, conservatism elements were eventually pitted against the advocates for a free society during the American Civil War. The Compromise of 1850 comprised a set of legislation endorsed by Congress in an effort to resolve slavery, which threatened to divide the country (Byrne, 2006). Despite the incorporation of controversial clauses in it, it was successfully passed by Congress and immediately united the country on slavery (Mitchell, 2001). The law kept the Union stronger by stemming cases of an imminent split, thus delaying the eruption of the Civil War by a decade. The Kansas–Nebraska Act, enacted in 1854 established Kansas and Nebraska states. This expanded the American territory for civilian occupation and effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise, which had been adopted three decades earlier. The new law granted people the authority to decide slavery issues. As a result, pro-slavery settlers came from Missouri to Kansas to exercise this right. Their political clout in territorial polls was usually boosted by Missourians who made their way into Kansas mainly to take part in the polls. They created strong movements such as the Blue Lodges. Eventually, abolitionist settlers arrived in Kansas from the East with the sole aim of freeing the state of slavery.

Tabacco use Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tabacco use - Essay Example 250 billion this has outpaced the growth in national income and foreseeable future. Tobacco is mostly used by the young generation or the youth in the community. This population are the most focused group that have become addicts of the use of tobacco. The role of population in the community depends highly on upon the goals of the initiative, the context and leadership of the community, and the capabilities and resources available. T population is responsible for development aspects that address long term needs and promotes the community development. This would require a long term outlook on drug usage as well as paying particular attention to the group in the early years. Integrators role is not one size fits all, but rather must be flexible to adapt in response to the needs of the needs of the community or population it serves (McGuire, Leypoldt & Ward, 2007). The population availability is important to be considered since they provide basis for research of the effects of usage of tobacco I the community. With the growing population the government of the USA has passed the health care reform bill that have created incentives for health care organizations to manage more health and financial risks that are associated with the use of tobacco in the society. Discussion The youth group are found beyond any boundaries of any community therefore they exist within the available neighbourhood. But in some areas there are geographic boundaries that separate these communities, but the only thing that makes the difference is the difference in the state regulation within these geographical boundaries. The group’s characteristics do not change despite the geographical boundary. This community is not limited to any setting since the state regulation lies within the US statutes therefore the effect of limit is not available. The group of teenagers that are highly involved in the use of tobacco are located in Miami in Florida since it is a beach that is more exposed to drug importation. Community assessment can be done at any time and to some extend the community need assessment so to provide local stakeholders with the information they need to prioritize their most pressing needs and to identify approaches to address the available concerns. The population of the Miami was found to be 399,457 in 2012 compared 362,563 in 2000. This has indicted a population increase of 10.2% from 2000 to 2012. When discussing the demographic of the community it is important to consider the language that is being spoken in the discussed community. There are 25% of people speaking English, 67% speaking Spanish, while 46.7% are married. Understanding the community requires basic demographic results, many of which are available in the US Bureau of the census. The comparison of this population within the periods will enable the community to assess short term trends in the age and distribution of the available resources in the society. To assess the community values you are as well required to have an up-to-date profile of the community. The data available should be able to compare city level information. After identification of key questions that regards the geographical boundaries of a community it is important to answer through the community needs assessment, considering the best data collection option that can be used to verify

Feasibility study for Creating my own business where I buy and sell Research Paper

Feasibility study for Creating my own business where I buy and sell homes, I will hire employees and need the funding - Research Paper Example Currently the concept of entrepreneurship is widely accepted and is judged as a vital part of the contemporary world and a well established erudite discipline (Thompson 35-50). Moreover, government of a number of countries also judge entrepreneurship as a mantra for success and development of the economy. The present study aims to evaluate feasibility of a new business venture. it will include buying and selling of homes and will come under real estate sector. Also, employees will be recruited for the business and funding will be provided with government institutions such as banks. The study will evaluate the various factors influencing a real estate business. These include operations, economical, marketing, financial etc. Also support services required for overall establishment of the business will be discussed. The target market for the business will be discussed and a systematic analysis of business strategies will be done. Target market One of the foundations of building a good b usiness is finding out clients. As it is commonly said, until we know whom to sell, it is almost impossible to know how to sell. Choosing a target market not only helps to focus on a niche segment, but also helps in fine tuning the support services to suit the target market needs. In order to define a niche target market, two broad categories can be established. Income levels and life stage The first target groups in this category are first time sellers or buyers. The probable home they seek will be of basic design and construction and afterwards working their way up in the property ladder as their income, family and needs grow. The next target group will be customers purchasing a second home who either are looking to downside or upsize. Other target group will be high end expensive and luxury seller or buyer. Doing business with these clients will mean higher commission, high amount of hand-holding and personal involvement, monetary risk and expensive collaterals (Beri 46-69). Apar t from the above, there are recreational buyers who need highly specialized and unique areas of focus. Demographics According to age demographics, clients can be divided into seniors, gen X and gen Y. accordingly, different business tactics can be made in order to attract these demographics into the business. While it is clear that seniors will look for a more traditional and ethnic style, gen X will be contemporary and evolving while gen Y will be technologically oriented (Croft 35-50). Each of the groups discussed above have their collective individuality, cultural icons, memories that can be worked with. Another criterion which can be added is through philosophy and lifestyle which may include country or city, a detached or fully integrated lifestyle, an eco-friendly environment or a home with full amenities (Hoagland and Williamson 57-75). Apart from that, business can also consider factors such as current location of the clients, real estate as well as educational levels of cli ents. In order to facilitate the process of acquiring right target market, the business can also

Homeland Security Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Homeland Security - Coursework Example The paper tells that signed by George Bush, The Patriot Act aims for uniting and strengthening America by providing appropriate tool required intercepting and obstructing terrorism. The United States Northern Command or NORTHCOM is a branch of the US military that defends the US against any possible mainland invasion. This unified Combatant Command is responsible for safeguarding the US from any air, land or sea attack that could potentially come from Mexico, Canada, Alaska or Puerto Rico. The National Infrastructure Protection Plan or NIPP is plan developed by the Department of Homeland security. The plans aims to bring together critical infrastructure and key resources in the country to act as protection for the country against any potential attacks According to this plan, the public and private sector needs to form a unified front in order to minimize risk for the country. Risk Management is a systematic task of identifying, evaluating, prioritizing and minimizing risk while also taking into consideration financial and other resource constraints that an organization may face. Signals Intelligence o SIGINT, as opposed to HUMINT, is intelligence gathered through the help of technology or more specifically signals. This includes both communications intelligence and electronic intelligence. National Response Framework or NRF is a part of the strategy developed by the Department of Homeland Security to bring the country together in the case of a disaster or emergency. The framework aims to improve the country's ability to manage incidents by covering all aspects of a disaster. The Posse Comitatus Act is an Federal law act enacted by the Congress in 1878. This act prevents the US military personnel to act as law enforcement agents within the United States. In this capacity, the law limits the power of the Federal government to enforce any state law in US.

The Metamorphosis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Metamorphosis Paper - Essay Example Right at the beginning of the story, prior to his physical metamorphosis, Gregor already appears to be alienated in some way. This initial suggestion of alienation surrounds his external environment; his work, social life and to some extent, his family. He reflects over the monotony of his life in terms of his job, a monotony he endures due to the pressure of having to support his family financially. He appears to have no friends or social life to speak of, and his family seem to take his support for granted. Even the duty of caring for his family seems to be something strange to him, as he hardly realizes it when he loses this duty by the end. After establishing Gregors alienation from his societal environment and duties, we begin to see the process of deeper alienation from his family, his immediate environment, his emotions and his body. When he wakes to find his body changed, he is so disconnected from it he hides away from those closest to him. As his family become aware of the situation, they cease speaking to him altogether, eventually determining that the animal they see before them is not Gregor, â€Å"You must just try to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor. The fact that we’ve believed it for so long is the root of all our trouble†, (Kafka part 3). After the metamorphosis Gregor undergoes total alienation from his house and environment. Symbolic of this, Gregor cannot even view his street through the window and hence he slowly becomes a foreigner in his own family and home, without a productive role to play, as his family treat him with neglect and revulsion, as suggested by Kafka (1). The metamorphosis Gregor undergoes, changes him from an active social being to a useless and non active person within his family and society. More importantly, it represents a physical manifestation of the alienation process he has

The Case of Donald Rumsfeld and Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib Essay Example for Free

The Case of Donald Rumsfeld and Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib Essay The report on the case of Donald Rumsfeld starts off with Rumsfeld’s hearing (May 7, 2004) with the Senate Armed Services Committees. His response to the question of whether he should resign or not; is â€Å"If I felt I could not be effective, I’d resign in a minute. † The report also gives an account of General Antonio Taguba’s investigation results of Abu Ghraib. He gives a report on the following: Conditions, training, Standard Operating procedures, prison crowding, culture and accountability. In Federalist 41 Madison notes in the Constitution two specific concerns about government power: total power of government over the people and the allocation of power among the entities of government. He states that he does not want unnecessary or improper power given to government be it state or federal. In the case of Donald Rumsfeld and the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib; the soldiers believe they have the power to inflict harsh techniques on the detainees in order to get them to talk. This article will analyze General Taguba’s report. I will examine the problems in this case through the use of theories. CBS’s Sixty Minutes II releases a video with images of torture and abuse; the prisoners endure at the hands of the American soldiers. The video displays naked prisoners crawling on the floor. Some forced into sexual positions; while others are naked and blooded. The media brings this to public awareness worldwide through internet, television and radio shows. Bush and his administration allege that they have no knowledge of the problems or the allegations prior to the CBS airing to television audiences. The Americans and the Arab people express their concern with questions. Who should be accountable for the guards’ actions? Are they instructed to abide by the Geneva Convention? What signals are they receiving from superiors that this behavior is tolerable? DeVreese suggest that how the media frames issues affects how the public perceive the issues. This involves looking at an issue from different perspectives (DeVreese 2004, 36-52). The Taguba Report Major Antonio Taguba is given a directive to investigate the allegations of abuse, the failure in accountability and the escapes. In March 2004, Major Taguba reports that there is a problem in leadership. He confirms the allegations of abuse and disorder in the prison. The Geneva Convention The United States and Iraq is in agreement to the Geneva Convention. Therefore they have obligations to: (a) Treat everyone humanely, regardless of sex, beliefs, race, or status (b) Take no hostages (c) Not engage in treatment of humiliating or degrading (d) Impose executions without court approval While Military officials and most members of Congress, the public and Secretary Rumsfeld are in agreement that the United States Army is in violation of the Geneva Convention at Abu Ghraib, what is uncertain is the question what encourage the actions? Conditions at Abu Ghraib Although (BK) Janis Karpinski is commander of the 800th Military Police Brigade; Taguba’s reports that the brigade is lacking leadership and operational integrity. Taguba findings suggest that top military brass, officials in the Department of Defense or the Bush Administration is closing their eyes or encourage the soldiers’ behavior. Mosher believes that the public sector must maintain a higher standard of integrity and professionalism. (Mosher 1938, 332-342). Training Taguba learns that from the MP personnel to the 320th MP Battalion and the 372nd MP Company has very little to no training or instruction in neither detention/internee operation nor the rules of the Geneva Convention. Although the soldiers say they are trained regularly, there is no documentation to support their statements. Box’s article Running Government Like a Business, shrinking government by contracting out services or returning them to the private sector on the premise that the private sector s more efficient or the assertion that the public sector should simply be smaller(Box 1999,19-43). by the government trying to save money by contracting out; contracting companies are trying to cut cost. Training their workers would cost more money Standard Operating Procedures Within the 800th MP Brigade and its subordinate units there is a lack of knowledge, implementation of the standard operating rules and procedures. Each facility detention, compound, encampment and shift for handling of detainees and criminal prisoner’s procedures differs. There is a need for a check and balance system to maintain compliance. Coopers gives a primary example of accountability problem in war privatization, i. e. , the legal status of contractors. Neither civilian nor military laws cover inappropriate contractor behavior such as torture or unnecessary force resulting in loss of non-combatant life. This is particularly problematic in the Iraq situation where contractors are exempt from local law and they are not bound by U. S. civilian or military law. In some contracts, but not all, contractors who commit a felony are subject to U. S. urisdiction; however, this law does not clearly apply to subcontractors or to third-party nationals and the Pentagon has not written the implementation regulations for the law. In addition, because the contractor has control over day-to-day information concerning the behavior of the employees working in another country, it could be difficult for government prosecutors to secure evidence necessary to investigate an allegation of wrong doing. This is why Tagua saw a lack of training and accountability. The U. S. relieves the responsibility up to the Contracting Companies to train their workers. Prison Crowding Taguba’s report shows the overcrowding of the prisoners is one of the reasons for the poor living condition. The overcrowding is causing identification problem among the leaders in the detainee population who may be organizing the detainee’s escapes and riots. The unrest and overcrowding is due to the lengthy screening and processing and release of detainees who should not be in custody. There are three categories for releasing detainees. (1. ) A detainee can be release if it is determine that detaining them is no longer warrant. 2) If it is determine that a criminal detainee has not part of a terrorist group and that they will not be a danger to society. (3) Detainees accused of committing a crime against the coalition can be release if it is determine that they are no longer a threat to the Coalition Forces. The Detainee Release Authority grants recommendation for releases, but MG Fast regularly denies the board’s recommendations. Culture Operational Journals at different compounds and the 302th Battalion TOC reveal a lot of unprofessional documentations and no chain of command to review them. US civilian contract personnel are not supervising properly. The contractors have open access to the detainees. Accountability The detainees can move from location to another and not be accounted for; due to falsification of process sheets. BK Karpinski reports her findings and recommendations with follow ups and changes regarding the escapes and accountability lapses. Taguba reports that if Karpinski is accurate then the abuse, escapes and accountability lapses may be prevented. Prisoners of War, Terrorists and Enemy Combatants The new era of foreign policy and the promise to define the Bush presidency is a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Bush promise to find and punish the terrorists. The need for the Intelligence to pursue and prevent the terrorist from further attacks on the U. S. puts pressure on the interrogators to accomplish the mission. This relates to Eshbaugh-Soha and Peakes argument that chief executives are rather powerful in setting the policy agenda because Congress, the news media, and the public look to the president for this fact. In order for the president to set the policy agenda, he must command the medias attention so that the media is able to provide information to the public in regards to the presidents initiatives. The best way to do this is in the form of speeches or press conferences, which Bush did. | Because the Taliban and AlQaeda fighters are not under the Geneva Convention; the Administration recommendation to Donald Rumsfeld is to approve 35 full range techniques. Only nine are for exceptional use. the Military lawyer express how that the beginning of these recommendations will cause their ivilian counterparts within the Department of Defense will give approval for getting information about terrorist activity as top priority. Rumsfeld is given a memo by the same Administration warning him of a possible backlash if the nine techniques be used. The Administration also says that if the treatment becomes public, exaggeration and distorting by the media. The media will undermine the support for the war on terrorism. The U. S. officials will be facing human rights prosecution abroad and will be a ploy to have a reason for mistreatment of captured American Soldiers. Weeks later Rumsfeld denies 11 of the 35 techniques. The Media The Financial Times report accusations that official in the Bush Administration set a precedent for abuse and torture. The report reveals congress accusing Bush Administration of sanctioning torture by preparing legal documents that states harsh treatment of detainees is permissible under the United States and International Laws. Financial Times also reports the Statement of U. S. Military Lawyers regarding how they felt shut out of the prison policy. Some of the soldiers say that they are getting mix messages about the rules on prisoners. De Vrees says that news framing involves seeing the issue from either a conflict or an economic consequences perspective He suggests that this framing process determines whether the voter sees the issue as a conflict or economic issue. Here the Financial Times frame the report from a conflict. The government is seen as the ones who gave directives to abuse the detainees. This can hurt the president next election. Bilder and Vagts believes that government attorneys obligations greater than those of private sector attorneys. The client is the entire agency, the entire U. S. government, and the American public. An important difference between the government and private attorney is that the government attorneys advice does not have definitive judicial review. Because of the lack of a safety net in decision making process; there is a greater burden on the government attorney. The Military Lawyers shares with Financial Times how they felt left out of the prison making policy. In Conclusion Although the soldiers were discipline for their participation in the detainee’s abuse; U.  S. government is responsible for the detainees suffering. The U. S. soldiers should have kept their oath and agreement to abide by the Geneva Convention. Donald Rumsfeld did the right thing by resigning. Wilson theory on authority, he suggests that power and discretion must accompany responsibility and that power and discretion need to be provided to the public administrator. He adds that more power creates greater visibility which in turn creates more accountability. As the Defense Secretary he was given more power over the U. S. oldiers; therefore is more accountable. As an Administrator, I would ensure that the soldiers are trained; procedures are in place and adhere to. I would visit the prisons myself and question the detainees, their visitors and other staff to make sure that operational needs are met. Wilson theory on authority, he suggests that power and discretion must accompany responsibility and that power and discretion need to be provided to the public administrator. He adds that more power creates greater visibility which in turn creates more accountability.

Database Usage Memorandum Essay Example for Free

Database Usage Memorandum Essay Database means a compilation or collection of data and information in defined or meaningful manners. This compilation of data or information concerning a specific theme or topic, in a distinct, well-organized and compacted way is known as database. The data and information salvaged and kept in database is extremely related and create data recovery simple and quick. Few examples of database are Airplane Timetables, Library card index and personal address books. (What is database? a definition from Whatis. com) Database Management System or DBMS are the soft wares or application soft wares which are used in organizations or companies of all sizes to pile up, keep, recover and process database regularly and quickly. Therefore, the definition of Database Management systems can be written as: The computer program or application software which is written particularly to generate, keep and access database in compact and useful styles. These days there are numerous types of soft wares which are excellent and quality database management systems. Oracle, Microsoft Access and DB2 are few examples. However, Oracle is one of the hugely used Database management systems in industry, companies or organizations these days. The functioning and characteristics of other database management systems are good and effective but Oracle is more vastly used database software in use in organizations. (White) The importance or suggestion of oracle is mostly based on its characteristics and reputation. Oracle users are extremely pleased and comfortable with the setting, facilities and characteristics supplied by Oracle. Banking Industry or Banks are one of the largest and growing organizations in a world. Without any disbelief banks has the largest number of clients or customers. Therefore, banks need and wants such database application software which should perform the necessities of banks. Oracle is software which performs and fulfills all the needs and wants of employees of banking industry. These are the few common characteristics of Oracle which proves its importance and dependability in the banking industry. (Financial Banking) In banks, one of the major and main problems or thread is the shortage or limitation of time. Banks are the organizations that have a largest amount of branches network. Therefore, in this circumstances oracle provide the facility to process data and information at a highest speed available today. Moreover, oracle provides the access to the relevant data by identifying the authority of employees. This facility increases the speed of network and reduces the work load on the servers and networks. (Financial Banking) Oracle is an object rational database and object to oriented database. This is one of the most important features of Oracle. Oracle has a capability to take care of data and information of any organization as objects and can show relation among different objects. In banking industry, there are several types of bank accounts based on the nature of banks offers. Therefore, oracle can treat these sorts of accounts separately. Moreover, oracle executes and works at a high speed which reduces the time consumption. Another facility is that oracle can describe the standard functions and procedure that can act upon them. (Financial Banking) For the success or complete working of any database system, it is very important to have enough man power who can work on database. As far as Oracle is concerns, there is a huge amount of people who are expert in using oracle. Moreover, in universities and colleges students prefer to learn Oracle more than any other database management system. Therefore, presence of oracle experts is another major point which makes oracle the first choice in banking industry. (Financial Banking) Security is another problem for banks these days. Banks are responsible of providing security to the money of their clients. Moreover, it is also very important to secure the personal data of their clients too. Oracle provides the facility of security more than other database management systems available today. Oracle ensures the access of important data to the authorized and relevant users only. However, all unauthorized users can view a small amount of information but the main and vital information is secured in oracle. (Financial Banking) Banks are commonly having branches all over the especial region or area and these branches are usually linked through computer networks. Therefore, it is very vital to consider that each bank branch have same data about the entity. So, when some entity gets updated the main database is updated, and then it triggers to update an event for its entire replicates region wide. In this way all branches get updated and all have the latest and the most recent information about entity is available. (Financial Banking) Maintaining database can create problems when it comes to treat with a huge amount of data. Employees in any organization can face problems when they came across a huge amount of data. This huge amount of data contains a lot of irrelevant data too. However, Oracle can reduce the irrelevant data by itself. Oracle deletes the repetition or duplication of data. If more than one relation of an entity is to be considered, the separate relational table is created. In this way an entity remains unique with in the table. (Financial Banking) Oracle database due to its powerful characteristics, lower waste of time, user friendly environment, un ambiguous data use and storage, security and safety of data and capacity to control data efficiently could be considered as a right choice for the complex systems for instance Banking System. Work Cited White, David. What is a Database Management System?. 11 Aug 2008 http://www. wisegeek. com/what-is-a-database-management-system. htm. What is database? a definition from Whatis. com. SQL Server: Covering todays SQL Server topics. 22 Jul 2008. 11 Aug 2008 What is database? a definition from Whatis. com. Financial Banking. Oracle 11g, Siebel, PeopleSoft | Oracle, The Worlds Largest Enterprise Software Company. 11 Aug 2008 http://www. oracle. com/industries/financial_services/banking. html.

Causes and Effects of Abortion

Causes and Effects of Abortion INTRODUCTION: Abortion means termination of pregnancy – it can either be spontaneous or induced. Spontaneous is known as miscarriage, while induced simply means termination of a pregnancy which is planned. Recently, the statistics have shown an increase in abortion rate year after year. Abortion can cause by social, economic or pregnant women health condition as well. However, it will lead to a number of negative effect toward pregnant women’ health, and social as too. Abortion is an activity banned in certain country, such as North Carolina and Hawaii (Nationwide abortion procedure ban update 1998). This activity can define as a termination of pregnancy; it can be either spontaneous or induced. Spontaneous is known as miscarriage, while induced simply means that termination of a pregnancy which is planned (Abortion 2001). The latest statistics have shown an increase in abortion rate year by year, it is unfavorable fact. It can cause by social, economic or pregnant women health condition as well. However, it will lead to a number of negative effects toward pregnant woman’s health and social too. Social issue can be one of the big factors which cause abortion rate increase day after day, such as crime act. We are unable to deny that the frequency of crime cases in our nation is slightly high. There is a real case which takes place in the previous month, April, which a student from Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman (Ktar) was rape by the college’s security guard, the victim is only eighteen years old, because of this bad experience, the victim it will be confront with long term influence, which mean that she will not only affect in the aspect of physically but also physiology, and it probably need to take some time to cure towards the bad incident and unfortunate. For those pregnancies result from rape or insect, these women who are victims of the assaults often seen abortions (Abortion- Reasons for abortions 2007). Incest can be defined as sexual relations between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal or forbidden by custom (Incest 2001). The probabi lity of the fetus get from incest will be deformity is slightly high because the parties may have blood-relation between themselves. Most of the women, however, decide to have an abortion because the pregnancy will represents a problem in their future and current lives as well. Besides that, there is also an evidence abounds that a high proportion of women become pregnant unintentionally, in both developed and developing countries. In the United States and in some Eastern European countries for which data are available, about on-half to three-fifths of all pregnancies are unintended, and a large proportion of these are resolved through abortion. And in many developing countries, the proportion of recent births that are unintended exceeds 40%. The level of unintended pregnancy for developing countries would be even higher if more accurate abortion information were available, since most abortions represent, by definition, unintended pregnancies (Reasons why women have induced abortion s: evidence 1998). Education level in a certain country may affect the idea of the abortion practice in the public mind. However, lower level of education possibly will encourage the people enter into a casual sexual relationship which will leads to pregnancy with no prospect of marriage. Even if the sexual relationship is more than casual, abortion is may be needed because a woman decides that the social status of the male is improper (Abortion- Reasons for abortions 2007). Sexually active teenagers are at an immediate risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted infection. Young sexually active teens are much less likely than older teens to use contraception consistently, however, the vast majority of teenage pregnancies are unintended, and close to half of those accidental pregnancies which is 45% end in an abortion. Teens may choose to have an abortion because they have concerns about how the baby would change their lives, for example completing their education, and they will worry about the financial problems, or they feel that they are not mature enough to become a parent, abortion levels can decline if the high rate of unintended pregnancies is reduced or if more pregnant teens are carrying their pregnancy to term (Teen abortions 2003). In addition, young pregnant women will be short of experience in taking care the baby, and so they also unable to foreseen the baby’s later life, because of that, they may decide to terminate the pregnancy rather than carry on the fetus. In certain country, such as China, they have carried out a policy which the government tend to control the population in their country, which is one child per family policy, this policy was applying in year 1980 (Abortion in China 2001). Introduction of this policy has contributed to the increased rapidly in the number of abortion and there are reports show that forced abortions are uncommon nowadays. In several unique circumstances, the pregnancy women can be leg alizing by obtaining the approval from the population authorities. Therefore, those women who are from urban area in China show higher possibility to attain the permission to carry more than a child (Illegal births and legal abortion – the case of China 2005). Besides, abortion is a legal practice in Brazil if it is the only means to save the woman’s life or if the pregnancy is the result of rape. Although this has been the law for over 60 years, it has almost never been applied until recent years. In the past five years, the number of hospitals providing care to women victims of sexual violence has increased from 4 to 63, of which 40 people are currently providing legal abortion (Making legal abortion accessible in Brazil 2002). Furthermore, condition of an economic in certain country will give an impact to the statistic of abortion in a nation, such as during unemployment, inflation and deflation. A simply define that inflation is where a situation that ‘too much money chasing too few goods’, and this will influenced directly toward the distribution approach in the market (Inflation 2000). On the other hand, unemployment is where a situation the worker wants to work, but is unable to work and it may have advantages as well as disadvantages for the overall economy, notably, it may help turn away from inflation, which will negatively affects almost everyone in the economy (Unemployment 2007). During a high unemployment rate, there will be recession in market, which the employee will face financial difficulty to afford an additional child and as well as the parents and the existing children. If this happen, the pregnant women will think about whether they should carry on or terminate the pregnancy . In contrast, while there is boom in the economic, and so there will be a different choice on the pregnant women. While sometimes the parents will make a decision to take on an abortion, where there is a prospect in their career and they are unwilling to sacrifice the precious opportunity. Some will think the parents are cruel and selfish, but we are not them and we will not know the situation and feeling on them. Yet, economic boom will promote international business in the country, and the people will gain benefit through it, such as advanced in technology. International businesses encourage exchange of knowledge and experience between the countries, and it will built good relation between nations. As we know, Japan always adopting and possessing the advance technology and technique among the countries; many people in our country are fancy to get trained from them. Unable to deny that, failure rate in our country have been minimized by the advancing of medical technique in our co untry’s which compare to previous stage and currently the people are become more assurance with our country’s medical system, and technique and they are willing to carry out some high risk operation, such as heart operation. Recently, our country ex-prime minister has successfully done the heart operation in Malaysia. Subsequent to this incident, some of the pregnant women will possibly more confidence, and fewer anxious toward the possibility of failure in an abortion, and so they are able to make a quicker decision when they in the choice of either terminate or carry on the pregnancy. A worst health condition of the pregnant women may not encourage to carrying on the pregnancy, because there will be a risk to the fetus and the pregnant women too. Women who use drugs often will suffer from serious health problems, sexually transmitted diseases, and mental health problems. Studies have found that at least 70 percent of women who are drug users have been sexually abused by the age of sixteen. Drugs use is a serious health problem for many reasons. Women who use drugs may at the risk of becoming infected with HIV, which it is a virus that causes AIDS. These viruses can be spread through needless used to inject drugs. As a result, women who inject drugs and share needles are especially at the risk. A mother who uses drugs may possibly threat her life and her baby’s. When a pregnant woman uses drugs, she and her unborn child may face serious health problems. For instance, during pregnancy, the drugs used by the mother can enter the baby’s bloodstream. The effect on the baby can be HIV infection, AIDS, prematurely, low birth weight, small head size, poor motor skills and behavior problems. The mother who is continuing drug use will puts her children at risk for neglect, physical abuse and malnutrition (Pregnancy and drug use 2001). In addition, drug abuse may also cause underweight babies, birth defects or withdrawal symptoms after birth. For those pregnant women who are infected with serious harms of health, and they will be advice by doctor which come to an end of the pregnancy rather than bring on, because the virus possibly will transmit to the baby during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and through breastfeeding. If the pregnant women no take any preventive drugs and breastfeeds then the chance of her baby becoming infected by the virus is around 20-45% (HIV AIDS Pregnancy 2007). Although pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of great joy, that is not reality for all women. At least one in ten pregnant women will be suffers with depression. For years, experts mistakenly believed that pregnancy hormones protected against depression, leaving women more in danger to the illness only after the baby was born and their hormone levels plunged. They now believe that the brain chemistry will be interrupt in the rapid increase in hormone levels at the start of pregnancy and lead to depression. Hormonal changes will make the pregnant women feel more anxious than usual. Anxiety is another condition where that can and should be treated during pregnancy (Depression during pregnancy 2005). In these days, there are many young women in high school or college find out themselves pregnant and they are confront with emotional difficulties, which is due to that they are unprepared to enter parenthood and raise a child, or they are too young to do so and not have a reliable partner with who to raise a child. Besides that, they are required to choose either continuing education which can survive economically in their later life or dropping out to have the baby. Young couples who are just starting their lives together and want children might prefer become financially secure first to provide better care for their future children. In addition, the health of the baby will be affected if the pregnant women are dealing with mentally difficulties, such as anxiety and stress. In contrast, condition of a fetus during the pregnancy period will not only due to mental illness of the pregnant women, the lifestyle of the pregnant women will give a big impact toward the baby’s strength. For those pregnant women who take in alcohol regularly, smoking and any others bad habit will all provide a serious impact to the baby, which the possibility of carry an abnormal baby is extremely high. While the pregnant women smoking during pregnancy period will passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to the baby and smoke will also keeps the baby from getting nourishment and raises the risk of stillbirth or premature birth. On the other hand secondhand smoke exposure will cause disease and premature death in children and adult who do not smoke. For those children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased in the risk for sudden infant death syndrome, ear problems, and more severe asthma (Health harms from secondhand smoke 2007). Alcohol can cause life long physical and behavioral problems in the children, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which mean it will cause the baby mental retardation, abnormal facial features, growth problems, vision or hearing problems, all this causes will be lasts for a life time, and there is no cure for this. So, if the pregnant women are doing so, the health care provider can recommend programs, such as abortion, to help you quit and so the pregnant women and the baby will be better off (Pregnancy and substance abuse 2007). In contrast, relationship with husband or partner and family members will affect the pregnant women judgment. Nearly all of the teenage pr egnancy, will not support by their family members, because they believe that though of the teenage pregnancy are still immature and they are unable to educate their child in the right way, due to this the family members will suggested them to terminate the pregnancy. Because of opposition of the young pregnancy will feel homeless and though of terminate the baby’s life even suicide. In addition, if the relationship with partner or husband had broken up before or since pregnancy discovered it will as a result of why women have abortions (Reasons why women have abortions 2002). If there is a problem in the relationship between pregnant women and the husband or partner and will lead to the pregnant women decides to abort the child because she does not want to be a single parent (Abortion: Pros and cons 1999). On the other hand, if in a family which the husband is contributing the main financial support, and once they have broke up or divorce, the pregnant women may think to abor tion instead of carrying on which due to the pregnancy women will not be able to work for a certain period and so she will have no sufficient financial support during and after pregnancy time. Moreover, abortion may also cause by the husband or partner or the pregnant women are in jail or prison because violation of discipline, which this incident is force to terminate the baby and not abort with willingness. In the opinion of Pro-life people, they believed ‘psychological harm’ is one of the effects of abortion. They argue that women will get horrible nightmares of their children after they have abortion, and they will regret and feel guilty about their decision. They physical effects from the abortion usually appear in the future, such as tubal pregnancy and sterility. People from the pro-life group have evidence that abortion can breast cancer and the worst physical effect is death, it’s recoded that 200 women have died from legal abortion since 1973 (Abortion: Pros and cons 1999). For those women who decide to take on an abortion, they must be willing to bear the effects after the abortion neither it is physiology nor psychological. The worst physical effect is death, in record, there are 200 women have died from legal abortion since 1973 (Abortion: Pros and cons 1999). In addition, approximately 60 percent of women who experience of abortion follow-up a report with suicidal ideation, with 28 percent actually attempting suicide, of which half attempted suicide two or more times. Researchers in Finland have identifies a strong statistical association between abortion and suicide in a records based study. They identified 73 suicides associated within one year to a pregnancy ending either naturally or by induced abortion. The mean annual suicide rate for all women was 11.3 per 100,000. The suicide rate associated with birth was significantly lower at 5.9 per 100,000 (Abortion hurts women psychologically and emotionally 1999). There is another case where too much blood run off during abortion may lead to both mother and the baby or either one death. There is a risk in performing abortion, and if the pregnant women decide to take the risk, and so she must keen to tolerate the implication which due to abortion. According to Cr. M. C. Pike, at University of Southern California in 1981, he has demonstrated a direct association of induced abortion with breast cancer. He studies 163 women who developed breast cancer before age 33, and compared them with 272 controls. He showed that if a woman had aborted her first pregnancy, her change of developing breast cancer was increased by a factor of 2.4 times (Breast cancer 2006). While there is another view with risk of abortion, which in February 2003, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) held a workshop of more than 100 of the world’s leading experts who study pregnancy and breast cancer risk. The experts’ assessment existing human and animal studies on the relationship between pregnanc y and breast cancer risk, including studies of induced and spontaneous abortions. Among their conclusion, breast cancer risk will increased after a term pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that results in the birth of living child or abort it (Can having an abortion cause or contribute to breast cancer 2007). In another word, breast cancer may due to hormonal changes during pregnancy; furthermore, change in hormone will cause the handicapped of the newborn in later pregnancies. Post abortion syndrome (PAS) is a term that has been used to describe the emotional and psychological cost of abortion, in order to cope with the emotional pain that accompanies abortion; woman may develop a set of resistance mechanisms to defend their decision. They may include rationalization, repression, and compensation. Moreover, there may have several symptoms of PAS, where some will occur immediately after an abortion and other may take months or even years to surface. One of it is strong feeling of guilty , which is a normal reaction that usually surface after the woman recognize that abortion is wrong and that she is responsible for committing her own abortion (Physical and psychological complications of abortion 2002). For those who are feeling extremely guilty, they will repeat and persistently dreams or even nightmare which is about the child. In addition, where a new research from New Zealand has confirmed that abortion substantially increases the risk for mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression in young women. According to David Fergussen, psychology professor, had found a relative rate of mental health-related concerns, such as a tendency to suicide, and drug and alcohol abuse were all significantly increased in women with a past history of abortion (New research supports abortion-mental health risk claims 2007). Â  A social will straightforwardly influence ones behavior, and there are some people who are arguing that abortion is morally wrong on the basis that a fetus is an innocent human being, however, there are still a group of people who are not agree with that (Abortion debate 2007). If a society allows the people to carry out abortion legally, the peace in a nation will be affected, because the people will now become more cruel and unethical, which they will never feel any guilty after the doing any crime act, such as abortion, and so the society will be terror. On the other hand, the performing of crime will increase unconsciously due to the immorality of the human. Besides that, in the developing country, there may possibly arise an incident where the citizens are lack of information about the sexually intercourse, thus the people there are unaware regarding the cause and effect of abortion and casual sexual practice. Because of the ignorant, will confidence the public to carry out casual sexual relationship among the teenagers. Moreover, this will boost up in the of infection venereal disease due to violence in sexual activity, such as AIDS, which are common in these days (Nine reasons why abortions should be illegal 2001). In summary, issues arise in social, economic and health condition of pregnant women will cause an abortion activity taking place. Besides, the will be some specific impact which due to the abortion. Crime rate in a nation is slightly related to the abortion, because pregnancy result from rape will be an unwanted child, and the pregnant women will decide to abort it. Additionally, knowledgeable in a certain nation will affect the idea of abortion in the public, and rule and regulations of a country will give an impact to the people as well. However, tendency of economic will illustrate in the rate of the abortion rate, for example, during high unemployment rate, the abortion rate will go high as well, and it may due to the financial problem which will confront by the family later. Next, technology advancing in a country, will encourage the people to take on an abortion, because the risk of failure can be minimize, and so their concern. In fact, lifestyle and health condition of pregna nt women are linked, for instance, those women who are drug abuse will present an impact toward the fetus, which is a life long impact. Abortion may take place where there is a matter arise either with husband or family member and it will influence the sensation of the pregnant women. Nonetheless, abortion could come along with the implication either mentally or physiology or both affection, such as feeling guilty and depression. Besides that, they will also be infected with breast cancer, or even death during or after the abortion. Subsequently, social will also be affected if the abortion carries out legally in a certain homeland. As a conclusion, abortion will surely lead to a bad tendency in society, so government should play their role, which control the abortion activities, ensure that, there is a good reason for abortion, and not the reason of feeling curious toward sexual intercourse. Also, pregnant women should aware about the cause and effect of abortion and ensure that yo u and your partner are free from venereal disease, which mean that carry out the sex in a safe condition. R E F E R E N C E Abortion 2001. Retrieved: October 31, 2007, from http://www.answers.com/abortion Abortion debate 2007. Retrieved: 2 November, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Abortion_debate#Ethical_debate Abortion hurts women psychologically and emotionally 1999. Retrieved: 31 October, 2007, from http://www.optionline.org/Fact%20Sheet%20on%20abortion emotional%20risks.pdf Abortion in China 2001. Retrieved: October 28, 2007, from http://www.abortiontv. com/Misc/ChinaAbortions.htm Abortion: Pros and cons 1999. Retrieved: 1 November, 2007, from http://www.lclark. edu/~krauss/advwrf99/causeeffect/felixcause.html Abortion- Reasons for abortions 2007. Retrieved: October 30, 2007, from http://family. jrank.org/pages/2/Abortion-Reasons-Abortions.html Breast cancer 2006. Retrieved: 1 November, 2007, from http://www.abortionfacts. com/online_books/love_them_both/why_cant_we_love_them_both_23.asp Can having an abortion cause or contribute to breast cancer 2007. Retrieved: 31 October, 2007, from http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Can_Having_ an_ Abortion_Cause_or_Contribute_to_Breast_Cancer.asp Depression during pregnancy 2005. Retrieved: 31 October, 2007, from http://www.baby center.com/0_depression-during-pregnancy_9179.bc#articlesection0 Health harms from secondhand smoke 2007. Retrieved: 1 November, 2007, from http://tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0103.pdf HIV AIDS Pregnancy 2007. Retrieved: 1 November, 2007, from http://www.avert. org/pregnancy.htm Illegal births and legal abortion – the case of China 2005. Retrieved: October 28, 2007, from http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1215519 Incest 2001. Retrieved: November 1, 2007, from http://www.answers.com/incest Inflation 2000. Retrieved: October 31, 2007, from http://www2.resbank.co.za/internet/ Glossary.nsf/b551f2529ff409b742256b41004c6a7e/b6de54fdff3ee35442256b430 02f6fc7?OpenDocument Making legal abortion accessible in Brazil 2002. Retrieved: October 29, 2007, from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94126274.html New research supports abortion-mental health risk claims 2007. Retrieved: 2 November, 2007, from http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jan/06010507.html Nine reasons why abortions should be illegal 2001. Retrieved: 31, October, 2007, from http://www.mrdata.net/books/9reasons.htm Nationwide abortion procedure ban update 1998. Retrieved: October 31, 2007, from http://www.now.org/issues/abortion/wisctalk.html#nationwide Physical and psychological complications of abortion 2002. Retrieved: 31 October, 2007, from http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/tul/pap1.html Pregnancy and drug use 2001. Retrieved: October 29, 2007, from http://www.pregnancy. org/article.php?sid=1201 Pregnancy and substance abuse 2007. Retrieved: 1 October, 2007, from http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlineplus/pregnancyandsubstanceabuse.html Reasons why women have abortions 2002. Retrieved: 2 November, 2007, from http://www.postabortionpaths.org.nz/ReasRisk.asp Reasons why women have induced abortions: evidence 1998. Retrieved: October 29, 2007, from http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2411798.html Teen abortions 2003. Retrieved: October 29, 2007, from http://www.childtrendsdata bank.org/indicators/27TeenAbortions.cfm Unemployment 2007. Retrieved: October 25, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Unemployment