Coca cola Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Coca cola - Essay Example John Pemberton died within two years of invention and the brand was then purchased by Asa Candler in 1889. The beverage was initially sold at 5 cents for each glass in Jacob’s Pharmacy. The company expanded its operations mostly within 1900 to 1920. The marketing strategy of Asa Griggs Candler has helped the product to lead the market of soft drinks all throughout the twentieth century (â€Å"The Chronicle of Coca-Cola: The Candler Era†). The Coca Cola Company manufactures concentrated coca cola or coke. This concentrated product is sold to all the licensed bottlers of Coca Cola who sell these products all over the world (â€Å"Overview†). The bottlers have territorial contract with Coca Cola Company and they produce the finished products of the company in bottles or cans from their initial concentrated state and then sell them all over the world. Occasionally there are other cola drinks available which are sold under the same brand name of ‘Coca Colaâ€⠄¢. The most common drinks in this form are Caffeine free Coca Cola, Coca Cola Cherry, Diet Coke Caffeine free, etc. The Coca Cola brand has been ranked as the most valuable brand in the world on the basis of Interbrand’s best global brand in the year 2011. ... Moreover, the reason behind choosing coca cola is its unique taste and saltiness (â€Å"Family, Food and Coca Cola†). However, presently it has been seen that the customer preferences towards non alcoholic drinks like Coca Cola is changing because of the increasing health concerns, demand of other alcoholic competitive products in the market and changes in the life style of the consumers (â€Å"The Five Mega-Trends Shaping Tomorrow's Customers†). The five mega trends of the customer’s preferences would be driving the beverage industry. They are: mass urbanization, aging population; rise of the middle class globally, changing technology and concern of people related to sustainable society (â€Å"COKE CEO: These Five Consumer Mega Trends Are Changing the World†). Among all top beverage producing companies PepsiCo is having huge demand among the consumers. Thus, Coca Cola faces high competition from PepsiCo. There has been increasing demand of Coke Zero produ ct of the Coca Cola Company in the market in order to satisfy the health conscious customers (â€Å"How Coca Cola Keeps Up with Shifting Consumers Demands†). This product is found to have higher penetration in the market because of men rather than women. However, it has also been found that the college students have great affinity towards varieties of Coke like Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Coca Cola Classic. The next portion of the study would be conducting a primary open ended survey by means of an interview of the potential customers of the brand ‘Coca Cola’. The customers who were focused while conducting the research belonged to the young age group. Primary Research Do you think that packaging, taste and calories are three important

Peptic Ulcer Disease Gastrointestinal Tract Disorder

Peptic Ulcer Disease Gastrointestinal Tract Disorder Peptic ulcers are one of the most common gastrointestinal tract disorders. The recent past few decades have witnessed an increase in the rate of peptic ulcers occurrence in our human community (Thompson, 1996). It has evidently been shown from available statistics that an approximated over 10 percent of the human population are extremely at risk of suffering from the disease at some point in their lifetime (Cohen, 2007). Such statistics have also identified that peptic ulcers is more common in men than in women. This is attributed by many to the higher numbers of men engaged in alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking in the society compared to women (NDDIC, 2004). A peptic ulcer is a sore wound or red erosion area on the coating lining of the stomach called (gastric ulcer) or the small intestine called (duodenal ulcer). Duodenal ulcers tend to occur between the ages of 25 75, while gastric ulcers peak between the ages of 55 and 65. Other causes which have been associated with the dis ease include infections by helicobacter pylori. This is a bacterium which is known to attack the gastrointestinal tract thus leading to ulcers. However, it should be noted that genetic factors have also been claimed to cause peptic ulcer. There are many effects of peptic ulcer in the human body. Such include recurrent pains along the gastrointestinal tract, vomiting heartburns poor appetite and weight loss among others (The American College of Gastroenterology, 2009). It should however be realized that with our modern advancements in the medical field the treatment of peptic ulcers is now effective and sufficiently reliable. Such treatments might involve medication, dictated lifestyle, dietary supplements and undergoing surgical operation depending on the severity of the condition. Peptic ulcer disease had a great effect on morbidity and mortality until the last decades of the 20th century, when epidemiological trends started to point to a remarkable fall in its incidence. In addition, two important developments are associated with the decrease in rates of peptic ulcer disease: the discovery of effective and strong acid suppressants, and of Helicobacter pylori. The treatments of peptic ulcer disease have been changed with the discovery of the causes of peptic ulcer (Malfertheiner, P. Chan, F. McColl, K. 2009). Although significant advances in sciences, this disease remains an important medical problem, because the large use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), excessive smoking, increase alcohol consumption, and life style that increase the risk of the disease. Therefore, this explains the reason for choosing this topic in order to promote healthy behavior and improve health outcomes throughout lifespan by giving attention to the preventive measures. This paper is written as a critical analysis and discussion of peptic ulcers disease. It gives a discussion on the causes and effects of peptic ulcers in the human body. Still discussed are the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease as well the common types of peptic ulcers that are found in the society. Peptic Ulcers Overview First is a definition of peptic ulcer and its types. An ulcer can be defined as; an area in digestive system where the tissue has been damaged or destroyed by stomach acid and other digestive enzyme. Peptic ulcer disease is a common term for ulcers that occur either in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. A peptic ulcer is a lesion or open sore in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The digestive enzyme which is acidic and is secreted by the stomach cells oxidized the lining of the stomach or upper part of the small intestine (duodenum) causing ulcer. Therefore, eroding can be seen in the mucous membrane which is lining the digestive tract. Moreover, this will lead to cause a gradual breakdown of tissue. This breakdown causes a concerning or burning pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen (Stratemeier, 2009). Even though most of peptic ulcers are small in size, ulcers average between one-quarter and one-half inch in diameter they can cause a significant amount o f symptoms and discomforts. It is to be noted here that the pain caused by peptic ulcers is recurrent and may come and go for a few days or weeks but mainly goes after eating. In addition, there are two different types of peptic ulcers namely; duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers. Stomach or gastric ulcers is the type of peptic ulcers which mainly affects the stomach while duodenal ulcers affect the upper most part of the small intestine near the stomach. Ulcers can happen at any age, although they are rare in children and teenagers. Duodenal ulcers usually occur twice as common in men more than women. On the other hand, stomach or gastric ulcers usually occur in people older than 60 years and are more common in women (Stratemeier, 2009). It is difficult to estimate exactly how common peptic ulcers are because so many people they will not suffer from any symptoms. However, a study that tested 1,000 adults at random found that four per cent of them had a peptic ulcer (NHS Choices, 2009 ). Causes Second is a discussion on the causes of peptic ulcers. To start with, in the normal lining of the stomach and small intestines there are a protective process from auto digestion by the gastric mucosal barrier, this gastric mucosal barrier will prevent the irritating acids from diffusing back to the underlying tissue. This defensive process can stop working properly, and the lining of the stomach or intestine breaks down for different reasons. Scientific evidence has sufficiently proved that peptic ulcers are caused by the malfunctioning of the stomachs natural lining protection mechanisms against the damage effects of digestive juices (NDDIC, 2004). Such malfunctioning have been claimed to be caused by a number of factors, like is the helicobacter pylorus, a bacterial organism which is the most frequent cause of peptic ulcers. This bacterium mainly eats the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This allows the digestive juice produced by the human body to damage the inner and sensitive part of the stomach or duodenum lining thus causing pain. Just to be stated here is the evidence that though helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of peptic ulcers, there are many people in our population living with the bacteria but do not exhibit signs of the disease (Thompson, 1996). Still clear is that H. pylori is believed to be transmitted through oral to oral contact, so those living in crowed areas increases ones chances of contracting the infection. Another common cause of peptic ulcers is the continuous use of painkiller drugs such as, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Scientific evidence has clearly shown that such drugs are highly acidic and thus can easily lead to the wearing out of the digestive system lining (NDDIC, 2004). Still evident is the fact that this type of drugs blocks the flow of prostaglandins in the human body. It should be understood that this is the substance which is responsible for helpin g the flow of blood in the stomach and thus it helps in protecting the stomach from injury. This means that such drugs can compromise the stomach lining protection mechanism of the body and thus risking the occurrence of peptic ulcers in the body (Lanza, Chan, Quigley, 2009). Other causes of peptic ulcers include Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. This is commonly said to be a condition in which the pancreas and duodenum which are responsible for the production of gastric acid have a tumor. Such leads to the excessive production of gastric acid which is responsible for digestion of food in the stomach, a factor which might risk causing ulcers (Dugdale, D. Zieve, D. 2008). In adding together, it has been evidently noted that peptic ulcers are genetic. Therefore, if you have a family history of ulcers or the blood type O, you are more likely to get a duodenal ulcer (Shayne Miller, 2009). Still established is the fact that cigarette smoking and excessive intake of alcohol are not only a ca use of peptic ulcers but also a great threat to the efficient treatment of ulcers. Apart from the many causes of peptic ulcers, are any thing that leads to the direct damage of the digestive wall lining. Such might include physical injury or even radiation therapy. Likewise, a very sick patient who is on a ventilator support is at high risk for a condition called stress ulceration. It is here to be noted that unlike many belief, diet has not been scientifically proven to cause peptic ulcers (Dugdale, D. Zieve, D. 2008). The last and most common factor to peptic ulcers is living in chronic stress or depression (Shayne Miller, 2009). This has been claimed to lead to the excess production of digestive acids thus eating out the stomach lining. Sign and Symptoms Thirdly is a discussion on the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcers. The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is having recurrent abdominal pains which are marked with a burning sensation. Such pains are located in the upper middle part of the abdomen. Also it can be felt like burning or gnawing and it may radiate to the back. It can be aggravated when the stomach is empty, and can worse at night and early morning. Another sign is the constant experiencing of heartburns and indigestion. It is to be noted that though peptic ulcers are more painful when the stomach is empty, such are a leading cause of lack of appetite and vomiting on the individual. Peptic ulcers are also attributed to the sudden loss of body weight in (gastric ulcer) because eating does not relieve the pain and could still worsen it. Yet (duodenal ulcers) will lead to gain weight because the patient eats to relieve pain (Lanza, Chan, Quigley, 2009). Other symptoms of peptic ulcers include the following: discomfort, B loating, and feelings of fullness. Added more symptoms are, feeling of an empty in the stomach, regurgitation (feeling of acid backing up into the throat), and belching. Still to be noted is that peptic ulcers have been closely associated with chest pains and feelings of fatigue. It should however be noted that some symptoms like sudden increase in abdominal pains, vomiting of blood and blood in stool are considered as critical signs of chronic peptic ulcers. All this signs are symbolic of the possibility that ulcers have either broken a blood vessel or perforated the stomach or duodenum walls. Such could also be as a result of the blockage of food from moving from stomach into the duodenum and thus causing vomiting (The American College of Gastroenterology, 2009). Effects of Peptic ulcer Peptic ulcers have many effects in the victims life. The most common is the fact that ulcers in most cases can not be full treated. They are usually recurrent particular to alcohol abusers and smokers. Just to be stated is that the majority of people with chronic ulcers experience considerable pain and sleeplessness; this can have a remarkable and adverse impact on their quality of life (Thompson, 1996). Another effect of peptic ulcers in the body is that they can lead internal bleeding especially when they perforate the stomach lining or break a blood vessel. Peptic ulcers can cause the ultimate obstruction of the gastric outlet, stomach and intestines as well as leading to the inflammation of tissues lining the abdomen. This leads to a serious health complication which might call for a surgical operation or even death (Cohen, 2007). Peptic ulcers if not treated early enough can penetrate into other internal body parts like liver as well as the pancreas and cause severe back pain. I t has also been found out that peptic ulcers can lead to perforation of the wall of the digestive system thus leading to the spilling of digestive system contents into the abdominal cavity. Such are very catastrophic to the patients life as can lead to acute peritonitis (The American College of Gastroenterology, 2009). It should also be noted that peptic ulcer can lead to the swelling of the abdominal wall thus compromising the free flow of food in the digestion system. Lastly, it has been established that peptic ulcers are a great contributing factor in causing peptic cancer. Such could mean a lifetime health complication on the person. This is because even after undergoing surgery operation for treating the problem, it is rarely possible for the individual to fully assume his or her normal lifestyle (NDDIC, 2004). Diagnosis Owing to our modern advancements in technology and medical research, the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of peptic ulcers has been made easier and more reliable. The diagnosis of peptic ulcers mainly involves an interview by the doctor to identify the presence of the many symptoms and signs of the condition. Such include recurrent abdominal pains, vomiting and blood in the patients stool (Cohen, 2007). It should however be noted that for a doctor to qualify a patient to be suffering from peptic ulcer requires for a number of medical tests. The first is the esophagogastroduodenoscopy which involves the insertion of a thin tube attached to a camera through the patients mouth into the digestive system. This helps the doctor to see the presence of sore in the stomach and small intestine walls. It should be noted here that helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of peptic ulcers (NDDIC, 2004). It is due to this reason that the doctor might take a biopsy from the patients stomach walls to test for the presence of the bacterium. Another test which is conducted is the upper G1 test. This involves a series of x-rays on the patients abdomen and is usually conducted after the patient has taken barium (Shayne Miller, 2009). It should be understood that the doctor might also request for a laboratory test of both blood and stool. The stool test seeks to establish the presence of blood in the patients stool while the hemoglobin test checks for anemia. All this tests are conducted as a way of ascertaining the level of the condition which helps in deciding the type of medication to be used. Treatment Treating of peptic ulcers has been greatly improved not only due to our medical advancements but due to the identification of the two major causes of disease among other risk factors. The treatment of peptic ulcers is mainly conducted as a concern for eliminating the underlying causes of the disease. This is because such an approach prevents any further damage and thus reducing chances of reoccurrence of the condition. Therefore, medication is mainly given for eliminating the helicobacter pylori bacteria as well as helping the body overcoming the symptoms of peptic ulcers. Many antacids are available without a prescription, since they are the first drugs suggested to alleviate heartburn and mild digestive disorders. Antacids are not useful to prevent or heal the ulcers; however they are able to assist in the neutralizing stomach acid. When the cause for the ulcer is H. pylori infection, a three-drug course of therapy for two weeks is the standard therapy for curing. This three-drug c ourse of therapy consists of two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The most common antibiotics usually used to treat H. pylori infections are amoxicillin, or metronidazone. Proton pumps inhibitor (PPI) therapy (such as omeprazole or lansoprazole) these are drugs that reduce acid secretion by inhibiting the gastric acid pump. Other medications may include one or more of the following: Acid blockers (such as cimetidine or ranitidine) (NDDIC, 2004). However, if a peptic ulcer bleeds severely, an Endoscopy might be needed to stop the bleeding. Otherwise if the bleeding cannot be stopped with an Endoscopy, surgery might be essential. This involves the physical removal of the sores in the stomach or duodenum through endoscopy. A further surgical procedure is vagotomy which is cutting one or more branches of the vagus nerve to reduce hydrochloric acid secretion (Dugdale, D. Zieve, D. 2008). Apart from medication and surgery as ways of treating peptic ulcers, doctors usually a dvice on self-control from risk factors by the patient. These mainly include alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking as well as changes in diets. It has been evidently proved that taking of foods rich in fibers greatly reduces chances of sustaining peptic ulcers Prevention It should be noted that prevention is better than cure. It is therefore mainly advised that people avoid risk factors which can lead to peptic ulcers. In the past, it was broad way to tell people with peptic ulcers to change the way of eating habits by consuming small amount of meals, and frequent amounts of bland foods. Also people can stay away from peptic ulcers by avoiding things that increase stomach acid secretion and break down the stomachs protective barrier. These things include alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with aspirin. For preventing H. pylori caused peptic ulcers, people are advised to avoid living in crowded places, avoid contaminated water or food, and stick to strict principles of precautions as well as personal hygiene (NDDIC, 2004). Furthermore some evidence suggests that exercise may help reduce the risk for ulcers in some people. Other than, stress relief programs have not been shown to promote ulcer healin g, but they may have other health benefits (Stratemeier, 2009). In conclusion, it has been evidently established that peptic ulcers is becoming a common disease across the globe. Which can affect quite a lot of people especially Cigarette smokers and alcohol consumers. In addition the main causes of this disease are helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It has however been clear recognized that there are many risk factor to the disease. Men are more victims to the disease as opposed to women (NDDIC, 2004). Such have been mainly attributed to genetic and hormonal composition of men as well as to the high prone rate of men to risk factors as compared to women. It was also clear that the ulcer caused by numerous reasons, and these reasons leading to several effects such as bleeding, perforation, and obstruction. However, peptic ulcers can be cured and even prevented if the patients are ready to modify their lifestyle and stick to their drug remedy. At last, the need for health educational activities is compulsory to increase the perception and awareness about the disease in the society.

Traveling Experiences in Gulliver’s Travels vs. Oronooko :: Jonathan Swift Aphra Behn

Traveling Experiences While reading both stories of travel and misfortune for these characters several points came to my mind, wondering if other readers might have thought as well as me. Aphra Behn in Oronooko presents the reader with a story of disgrace, but at the same time full of love. She also lets the reader see a little farther because she gives a lot of description on the characters and the places trying to place the reader in the correct mood and spot as she wanted. Oronooko lives a life of pleasure, but after, a moment of change takes place, which will give his life a spin. On the other hand, Jonathan Swift in Gulliver’s Travel presents the reader with a travel narrative in which the main character is experiencing constant emotional changes in which he knows not who he really is and if he wants to return home or not. Both Behn in Oronooko and Swift in Gulliver’s Travel present the main characters as lost in worlds which are unknown to them, looking for acceptance and trying to fin d who they really are. Oronooko is placed in a terrible situation in which he is deserted from his homeland by his grandfather, the King. This situation makes him feel lost because being his only family and betraying him that way had no possible excuse. He was also separated from his love Imoinda whom to which he declared eternal love. Oronooko is then again betrayed and sent as a slave to Surinam. In this occasion this makes him suffer more emotionally because he knows he is not a slave, but as soon as he gets there his name is changed so he does not feel so much a prince and starts feeling more a slave. His life by now seems like it has no sense until he sees Imoinda again and marries her. He might have thought that his life was about to change, but he did not know it would be for the worse. He would soon be father of a sibling and that child would be born a slave because both Oronooko and Imoinda were slaves at the time. He tries to look for other opportunities to leave that world behind and search for his homeland, but things do not happen as expected.

A Look at Megan’s Law

Issues of crime and punishment are often at the center of controversy.   In part, this is certainly because often, the issues raised in matters of crime and punishment do not have easy answers and sometimes, there may not be any solution at all.   Certainly, each time a legal matter arises, even with similar circumstances, the resolution to such matters can be complex and can differ with each and every case.   We can gain some understanding as to the difficulty in deciding how to view and treat such matters by considering the case of Megan's Law.On July 29, 1994 Jesse Timmendequas, already a convicted sex offender at the time, is believed to have used a puppy to lure Megan Kanka, the 7-year-old daughter of his neighbors, into his home in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, NJ and brutally raped and murdered her (Flanagan, 2004; Vachss, 1994).  Ã‚   Once inside, Timmendequas is said to have slammed Megan’s head into a dresser and suffocated her with a plastic bag before s trangling her to death with a belt.   Subsequently, he moved and raped Megan's dead body again before dumping the body in a nearby park in West Windsor, NJ.Timmendequas was convicted of murder and sentenced to death for his crime.   After his conviction, New Jersey passed a law that has come to be known as Megan's law.   The law was designed to protect a community when dangerous sex offenders move into the community.   Some states require notification only for certain types of sexual assaults while other states extended the requirement to individuals convicted of sodomy or consensual sodomy, an act that was illegal in some states even between consenting adults before the U.S. Supreme Court declared such laws unconstitutional in June 2003.Timmendequas’ actions and the subsequent legal proceedings raise questions as to just how such a situation, or any similar serious legal situation should be handled.   Was he treated fairly?   Did the Kanka family receive proper l egal restitution for the crime?   How should such cases be handled?   We want to use the Megan Kanka/Jesse Timmendequas case to ask four basic questions and seek the answers to similar questions.   First, what are the goals of punishment?Is it actually the â€Å"punishment† of the individual who committed the crime, protection of the community, both, neither or more?   Second, in situations of serious crimes of this nature, should offenders be subjected to a lifetime of repayment for their crimes after serving their allotted term of imprisonment?   Third, when considering punishment, are the rights of the victim, the community or the offender more important; are all the rights equally important?   Finally, what goal(s) was(were) the Criminal Justice System attempting to achieve by instituting Megan's law.Megan's Law has been the focus of considerable controversy and heated debate.   After Megan’s rape and murder, there was considerable controversy regardi ng the question of whether the Kanka family may indeed have known that a sex offender (not necessarily Timmendequas, however) lived in the house across the street.   Although the Kanka family denied having any knowledge of Timmendequas' criminal past as a sex offender, there was evidence to suggest that it was common knowledge that at least one of the residents of the house where Timmendequas lived had a criminal past that included sexual assault, rape and gang shootings. (Vachss 1994)Even before Megan's rape and murder, law enforcement officials knew that three convicted sex offenders lived in the house where Timmendequas lived.   Although Megan's parents' claimed not to have been aware of this fact, some of their neighbors did know of the three men's past.   Even so, Maureen Kanka, Megan's mother, felt that people should not need to rely on gossip and rumors in order to learn about the presence of convicted sex offenders in their neighborhood.Perhaps first and foremost in an y legal situation is the question as to the goal(s) of punishment.   What exactly are the goals of punishment?   Punishment for crimes is supposed to be to deter crime.   Punishment penalties and law are based on utilitarianism, the idea that there should be no unnecessary punishment (UBSBA).   This idea says that we should evaluate laws on the basis of future consequences and suggests that punishment is always bad because it causes pain.Thus, â€Å"The reason to punish is to prevent future crime and the limit is to punish only if the pain is outweighed by the happiness it creates.†Ã‚   Crime and Punishment theory proposes the four questions should be asked when analyzing legal theories of punishment.   They are, 1) Is the punishment to prevent future crimes or to punish past misconduct, 2) Does the theory of punishment assume that the crime was caused by the individual or social problems, 3) Does the theory express blame for the proscribed act and actor and4) What is the relationship between the criminal and the rest of society?   That is, is the criminal part of society or excluded from society?   The threat of punishment is believed to stop rational people from doing something that ultimately will not be to their benefit, but the deterrent value of punishment is only thought to be effective if people are aware of the punishment prior to committing crimes.Megan's law was not meant to be a form of punishment.   Rather, it was designed to be an act that would provide information to prevent potential crime in situations where the potential may be real.   Some have argued that the law may lead to vigilantes formed against convicted sex offenders and the harassment of those offenders, but that was not the intension of the law.   Its purpose was to enhance public safety.   Although former sex offenders may be harmed by the law, supporters of the law claim that whatever incidental inconvenience or harm the former sex-offender may suffer as a result of the law is an unavoidable consequence of their own past illegal behavior.   It does not outweigh the community's right to know the possible danger of their presence.This case raises the question, â€Å"Should offenders be subjected to a lifetime of repayment for their crimes after serving a term of imprisonment?†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This is not an easy question to answer.   Theoretically, a person should not need to continue to pay for past crimes a second time, or continue paying for them once they have paid, but that idea is fraught with problems and more or less impossible to enforce.   In fact, it is also impossible to determine what actually constitutes â€Å"payment for crime.†In life, individuals may pay for things they have done long after they have done whatever it was even if their legal payment has been completed.   We may pay in terms of paranoia, feelings of guilt and other mental and psychological payments long after any legal payment or e ven without legal payment.   So, psychological repayment for crimes may continue for a lifetime even if social and legal repayment do not.   A person's own mental and psychological retribution for their acts may continue indefinitely.Many psychological situations are viewed as diseases even though we don't really have a definition for (or officially believe in the existence of) the soul.   Psychology, for example, is, by definition, the study of the soul, but if asked, most people, including psychologists and psychiatrists would state that psychology is the study of the mind.   Ironically, psychologists do not officially believe in the existence of the mind either!Furthermore, sex offenses are often treated as if such crimes were caused by a disease or were a disease themselves.   However, even with real or other diseases (if we allow, just for the sake of argument, that some such offenses are the results of disease), there is no hard and firm definition of a disease even in situations where virtually everyone would agree that the situation (such as with cancer of cardiovascular disease) is a disease.The â€Å"retribution† theory of punishment holds that individuals should only be punished if they have done something wrong and their punishment should be in proportion to the wrong they have done.   This theory proposes that it is right to inflict pain, but recognizes that the innocent can get punished for things they did not do.   This is certainly a very serious consideration in any case of capital punishment.In other situations, an alleged criminal may eventually get a reprieve and be exonerated for a crime he or she did not commit even though their exoneration might come until after they have lost a few or even many valuable years in prison serving a term for a crime they did not commit.   However, in capital cases, exoneration is of little value after the alleged individual has been executed, and certainly, the criminal justice system must have executed many innocent individuals over the years.In such cases, both the known victim(s) of the crime and the individual accused of the crime become victims while the guilty party may permanently escape justice.   No one is punished for the crime because the individual who is punished is innocent.   So, the actual criminal has more or less committed an additional crime and gotten away with it.Whose rights are most important?   This question cannot be answered as asked.   The answer is not merely a matter of rights, but more a matter of safety.   The intent is to err on the side of safety, so the initial question has more to do with, â€Å"What will render the individuals of a community safe† than â€Å"Whose rights are most important†, certainly an important issue as well.   Some feel that Megan's law gives a false sense of security.   Statistics from the Bureau of Justice indicate that the overwhelming majority of sexually assaulted minors we re victimized by family members or acquaintances rather than by strangers.In fact, these statistics suggest that those who appear on a sex offenders registry would not really significantly resolve the problem of sex offenses against minors.   Thus, laws directed against the occasional stranger who might sexually assault minors would be like the tip of an iceberg in dealing with the actual problem.   Most victims will still be victimized and most of those guilty of the offense will never serve justice.   With the guilty party still free, laws similar to Megan's law would not really make most people any safer even if made people feel that way.However, statistics from the Bureau of Justice also indicate that sex offenders discharged from prison or sentenced to probation generally have a lower rate of re-arrest than other violent offenders but are substantially more likely than other violent offenders to be rearrested for a new violent sex offense (U.S. Department of Justice Press Release).   In cases of rape alone, execution is not an option.   Some have proposed that rapists be castrated (Vachss, 1993).   Castration is thought to emanate the male sex drive, but castration won't prevent murder as was the case in Megan Kanka's situation and some individuals get a vicarious thrill from the act of murder itself.Ultimately, the questions raised here are neither easy or straightforward.   Society may find those individuals who have committed violent sex offenses, try them, convict and sentence them and the accused individual, whether or not actually guilty, may pay for the crime.   However, it is certain that some guilty individuals will never be found, some innocent individuals will pay for sex (and other) crimes they have not committed and the laws designed to make society safer will work successfully at times and not at others.Perhaps we must live with the realization that answering the difficult questions raised here will not resolve our dilemma no matter what decisions we are ultimately to make.   All that we can actually do is to put laws in place that we believe will achieve a goal and then deal with every situation that arises on a case by case basis.   If we are honest and fair with our assessment, we will not trample the rights of victims nor victimize criminals any more than is necessary, if at all.   Our goal must be to try to be fair while protecting the safety of communities and those who live in them.   While we will never get the balance completely right, fairness is the key.ReferencesFlanagan, Russ.   â€Å"Megan's legacy, A child's death serves as a call to action†.   The Express Times, February 26, 2004.Vachss, Andrew.   â€Å"How Many Dead Children Are Needed to End the Rhetoric?†Ã‚   New York Daily News, August 12, 1994Vachss, Andrew.   â€Å"Sex Predators Can’t Be Saved.†Ã‚   New York Times, January 5, 1993Wikipedia, February, 7, 2007. ;https://en.wikipedia.org/wik i/Murder_of_Megan_Kanka#Jesse_Timmendequas; 4 January 2007.

“Little Warrior” by Lucille O’Neal Essay

Lucille O’Neal wrote â€Å" Little Warrior†. The story is about the way Shaquille O’Neal got his name. A young single mother, strict grandparents house, and it was a racist time. A racist time was happening and Martin Luther King was killed. Giving her child a Muslim name with great meaning. Raising a child by yourself is hard to do and she gave her son the best foundations while growing up. The responsibilities and together in order to survive. Andy Greenberg wrote â€Å" A Step Beyond Human† .The story is about Hugh Herr both Herr’s legs were amputated six inches below the knee after a rock climbing trip ended in severe frostbite. His goal to build artificial limbs that are superior to natural ones. He lost both his legs as an adult and a man died saving his life. This Motivated him to help others by creating better prosthetic limbs. Nearly thousand soldiers who have lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Paralympics athletes will regularly outperform Olympic athletes. May need special disability laws for humans who decline to have their bodies mechanically enhanced, Herr says. The theme of the short story â€Å" Indian Education† by Sherman Alexie is despair, poverty, and alcoholism amongst the lives of the Native American people. In the beginning of his school, he was weak and always bullied and beaten by higher grade students, and punished by his teacher because of his race. As he was growing up, Victor was demanded by his teacher preparing to be a doctor in the future. However, he knew that all Indians had their own dream. Later, he talked more about his life, about how he learn to obey teacher’s order, his kiss to a white girl, his poor life, death of another Indian and the lost of football his game. At last, he finished his school year with a good ending, but his most of his former classmates learned almost nothing. Victor education was spend in an poor, tragic and full-of-discrimination life, and ended in a numb stoic. He was not the only one, but one among all the Indian tribe whom were called â€Å"Indians† during the past time . I can imagine that it was hard for the O’Neal family during a racist time and Ms. O’Neal was the only provider for the family. I would have been just like Shaquille by obeying my mother and striving for the best. I can’t relate to Hugh Herr awful mishap of loosing both legs. However, I like how he turned a awful accident into a great invention by inventing prosthetic legs. Victor definitely had a hard-life ass a Native American, He had dreams just like many of us today, however we have a greater chance of fulfilling or dreams.