Public Policy Essay Example for Free

Public Policy Essay Public policies are tools of governments used satisfy certain wants and needs of the citizenry that they cannot effectively satisfy individually or that are better served through collective action. Public Policy is governmental laws, rules and regulation, funding and courses of actions that are measured by the government. Public policies can be complex and can rapidly change under most circumstances. According to Medical University of South Carolina, Individuals and groups often attempt to shape public policy through education, advocacy, or mobilization of interest groups ( MUSC, 2012). The study of public policies is the examination of the creation, by the government, of the rules, laws, and goals, and standards that determine what government does or does not do to create resources, benefits, costs, and burdens. There are many different areas related to Public policy that affect every one individual by way of education, economic development, health care, housing, employment income, and immigration just to name a few. There are also international policies as well that affect the US such as importing and exporting goods that go out into the economy, weapons, and terrorism. any level of government, whether federal, state, or local may be involved in a particular policy effort because social problems, and the public demand for action on them, manifest themselves from the local to the national level. All areas of public policies are important and should be addressed as top priority because some policies such as education are just not a top priority. Schools, recreational centers, and teachers are being closed and laid off daily due to public policies and politicians trying to figured out ways to cut cost and meet budget requirements. Without parks and recreational centers for our children, crime is more likely to increase among our youth as well as the unemployment rate increasing among our teachers and without teachers, how are our youth going to grow and learn what is needed to become tax paying cit izens in society? Public policy is defined by Websters as the The basic policy or set of policies forming the foundation of public laws, especially such policy not yet formally enunciated. The United States Government has many policies in the area of the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in 1970 to help identify environmental problems in our nation, and to set policy on how to deal with those problems. Yet, with so much money spent by the government to deal with problems with the environment, it must be noted that problems still exist, even within the bureaucracy that was meant to help in the first place. During the presidential campaign of the last election, an issue arose concerning the energy crisis that was driving gasoline and oil prices up throughout our country. Vice President Al Gore supported President Clintons ideology of waiting for the proper legislative initiatives to pass through Congress, and when the situation merited, provide some limited releases of oil from the national oil reserve. Candidate George W. Bush, on the other had, favored drilling in the government protected lands of Alaska to find future oil reserves so that America would no longer be so dependent on foreign oil. The problem with Bushs plan, according to Gore, was that this could be devastating to the environment of the scarcely populated Alaskan wilderness. Regardless of the political, legal or moral implications of such drilling, there are problems dealing with multiple types of rationality in this issue. Others have noted the growing evidence that the increase in recent years in the frequency of such mega-hurricanes as Katrina is a result of global warming. A checklist of environmental policy failures must also include the administrations head-in-the-sand approach to global warming. The Bush administration has aggressively undermined international efforts to forcefully address such potentially catastrophic changes in the worlds climate as a result of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States and other industrialized nations. It is impossible to say whether even a responsible approach to climate change would have lessened Katrinas fury. But the fact remains that scientists believe global warming will make future hurricanes more severe. The presidents policy of blocking meaningful efforts to reduce global warming emissions no doubt means that future storms will do greater damage than they would otherwise. Huffington Post reported that Bush was heavily criticized at the time for the governments response to Katrina, a storm that caused 1,833 fatalities, damaged an estimated $81 billion in property, and ranks among the five deadliest hurricanes in United States history. He remained on vacation in Texas as the hurricane rocked the Gulf Coast, before belatedly cutting his trip short and returning to Washington (Huffington Post, 2013). References A Third Of Louisiana Republicans Blame Obama For Hurricane Katrina Response Under Bush. (2013). Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/21/obama-hurricane-katrina_n_3790612.html Definitions of Public Policy and the Law. (2012). Welcome to the Medical University of South Carolina. Retrieved from http://www.musc.edu/vawprevention/policy http://www.musc.edu/vawprevention/policy/definition.shtml Dictionary and Thesaurus Merriam-Webster Online. (2013). Dictionary and Thesaurus Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Workplace Violence Essay -- Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Violence Workplace violence has existed throughout history. However, historical documentation of workplace violence is vague and sometimes non-existent. Documented workplace violence is believed to have existed during the Roman Empire, the Renaissance Era, and it continues today. It seems unfortunate, but as long as a â€Å"society† exists, workplace violence will more than likely exist. Therefore, employers must understand: the history of workplace violence, the effects it has on the organization, the reasons why it occurs, the warning signs, and ways to prevent it from occurring. Most importantly, it is the responsibility of the Manager, to not only understand workplace violence, but to ensure that all employees understand the seriousness of workplace violence and to make sure that they have a safe working environment. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. It includes, but is not limited to beatings, stabbing, suicides, shootings, rapes, near suicides, psychological traumas such as threats, obscene phone calls, an intimidating presence, and harassment of any nature such as being followed, sworn at or shouted at. Before 1980, the American job-site was relatively safe and there were not many people concerned with violence in the workplace. Unfortunately, this has changed. Workplace violence has become a serious issue, especially since many people spend most of their time at work. Today, television and radio bombard the public with graphic depictions of violent workplace scenes. Violence occurs everywhere and it has even trickled ... ...s.† http://www.all-biz.com/articles/violence.htm U.S. Office of Personnel Management Author: Mary P. Tyler., A Manager’s Guide: Traumatic Incidents at the Workplace., 1993. Workplace Violence Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Resources on the web. Information on Workplace Violence, guidelines and training materials are available. http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence Workplace Violence- a Bibliography Books dealing with workplace violence, prevention, protection, management, containment, liability, etc., are listed here with hyperlinks to Amazon.Com where they can be reviewed and ordered online. http://www.growing.com/accolade/viol/w_place.htm In addition, portions of a group project, in which I participated in, was used as a reference for completing this report.

Escapism and power as entwined themes in Anouilh’s Antigone and Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Essay

Escapism is the ability of a person to leave his or her physical surroundings, and transcend into a world of their own, in order to flee the harsh truth of reality. This ability can give an individual power, or make them lose it. This concept is highlighted in Anouilh’s Antigone and Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, through the subtle use of symbols, foreshadowing, and imagery. In this light, escapism and power can be seen as themes with a linked purpose; to drive the play forward by building up emotions that culminate in acts of rebellion at the end of each play. With reference to this, escapism as a means to gain and lose power, and power as a trigger for escapism will be analyzed in this essay. Escapism as a means to gain power is portrayed in Anouilh’s play Antigone through his protagonist. Although mentioned only once, the ‘grey world’ that Antigone is so fascinated with serves as a symbol for her escapist persona. She says ‘It was beautiful. The whole world was grey when I went out. And now – you wouldn’t recognize it. It is like a post card: all pink, green, and yellow.’1 The colour grey alludes to bleakness, imagery of a world without colour, which could connote to a world without men or human interference. Her dislike for the world with colour suggests that she is not content with the mortal world of man, and wishes to go beyond it. This idea is perpetuated when she says ‘Have you ever thought how lovely a garden is when it is not yet thinking of men?’ Hence, her longing to leave the world of men is one of the motivating factors towards her decision to defy her uncle Creon, bury her brother and thus make her uncle sentence her to death. Her strong will to die, indicated by her vehement assertion, ‘I want to die!’ gives her power over Creon, as he is helpless to change her decision. Indirectly, she brings about the death of Haemon and Eurydice, as her suicide causes Haemon to join her in death, which causes his mother Eurydice to commit suicide in turn. Thus, Antigone’s escapism defines and strengthens her will to die, which gives her considerable power over other characters in the play. However, in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Nora is seen to create an idealistic world which is filled with activity, colour and gaiety. This is her form of escapism, which contrasts to Antigone’s, as hers is grey, dull and empty. Nevertheless, both these forms of escapism serve to drive the play forward, although in different ways. Antigone’s escapist nature propels her power, while Nora’s escapism hampers her power. Escapism as a means to lose power is depicted in both Antigone and A Doll’s House, although in strikingly different ways. In Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Nora’s escapism hinders her ability to accept the truth of her situation and achieve self liberation, and thus power. She envisions an idealist world of marital bliss, and in all but the end of the play, she constantly strives to uphold this facade. This is evident when she says ‘†¦ so snug and happy here in our peaceful home, and have no cares †¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ in Act II, during a conflict between herself and Torvald. She is trying to maintain her unrealistic world, as she is aware that this conflict is close to shattering it. This prevents her from gaining any sort of influence over her husband, as she is not able to assert her independence by breaking free of her idealistic, although restrictive world. Thus, by attempting to conform to the expectations of the rigid post war society that the play is situated in, Nora hampers her ability to gain power. This is similar to the loss of power in Antigone; however, it is brought on by Antigone’s absorption in the past which leads her to reject her maturity, and thus her power as an adult in society. This brings to light a minor, although significant undercurrent in both plays; the theme of childhood. This is linked to escapism, as it is a technique that Anouilh and Ibsen use to further their protagonists’ escapist natures, and thus restrict their ability to gain power. Both female protagonists are depicted as child women, although Antigone’s child like character stems from her reluctance to emerge from the past, Nora’s is imposed upon her by her domineering husband, Torvald. For both women, this image causes them to lose power by fueling their escapist tendencies. For Nora, it is part of the character she plays for Torvald, and thus a part of her unrealistic world. Hence, it is not her true character. Thus, she is able to overcome it to gain power, by abandoning her sense of idealism, and consequently the childlike image that her husband created for her. However, for Antigone, it is part of her innate persona, for she was never meant to be feminine, or adult -like. This is seen when she is described at the very beginning of the play, as a ‘thin little creature’. This aspect of her character is developed through the play, particularly significant during her conversation with her Nurse. The nurse addresses her as ‘my sparrow, my lamb’ and other such names appropriate to a child. This makes her yearn for her childhood even more. Her reminiscence makes her reluctant to die, and thus momentarily vulnerable. In stark contrast to this, escapism and power have a different function when manifested in the male characters of each play. Rather than escapism giving rise to or hindering power, power is seen to be a trigger for escapism. In A Doll’s House, Torvald is a man in a patriarchal society with considerable social standing. Despite this, he indulges in an idealistic world in which he denies his failing marriage, and at the very end of the play, struggles to hold on to it, even after being shattered by his wife’s departure. This is clear in his disbelief when he says ‘But to part! – to part from you! No, no, Nora, I can’t understand that idea.’ He fails to grasp the fact that the reality of his and Nora’s marriage has been finally revealed, as he has spent so much time absorbed in his unrealistic version of it, he has convinced himself it is real. Thus, his escapist world is shattered; this renders him powerless to cope with Nora’s dep arture. Although Torvald seems to enjoy his power, Creon does not. He makes an analogy of his role as King to the role of a manual laborer, someone who uses their physical strength for work that he describes as ‘dirty’. He deems it as something he is compelled to do, as he is responsible to the state by the power vested in him as a member of the royal family. His reluctant acceptance of power indicated by the line ‘God knows, there were other things I loved in life more than power’ leads him to advise his page ‘Never grow up if you can help it.’ This suggests a certain attachment to the past, when life was simpler and free of the constraints of responsibility. The page himself is a symbol of this attachment, as he represents Creon as a young boy. Additionally, he is always by Creon’s side, reinforcing his subtle connection with the past. Thus, he exhibits a minor form of escapism induced by the weighty responsibility of having the power of the state. The themes of escapism and power, when linked, can prove to be a powerful tool to convey thoughts, and foreshadow character development. When combined with hints of childhood as a sub theme, these two motifs are revealed to be effective literary techniques in both plays, unveiling aspects of character that would at first glance pass undetected. Ibsen and Anouilh have shown escapism to moderate and amplify power, and in relation to this, power as a trigger for escapism. It is this interweaving of themes through symbols and imagery that truly enhances a piece of literary work, and gives it layers of depth.

Crime Young People - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1645 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Law Essay Type Cause and effect essay Tags: Crime Essay Did you like this example? Under schedule 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, an Offence committed solely by a Juvenile, a Juvenile being a young adult aged 10-17, will commence in the Youth Court. Max Greentree is categorised as a Juvenile because he is of the age of 15, however the crime has not been solely committed by him therefore his trial would not commence in the Youth Court. If a Juvenile is charged jointly with an adult the case inaugurates in the Magistrates Court the usual way. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Crime Young People" essay for you Create order The magistrates then will have to decide if the two defendants should be kept together or if the adult should be dealt with in Magistrates Court and the young person in the Youth Court. The adult will determine jurisdiction throughout the trial process until sentencing where the case MAY be remitted to the Youth Court. Where a youth offender is jointly charged with an adult, the charge shall be heard in the adult magistrates court: Section 46 (1) CYPA 1933.  [1] What factors will the court take in consideration when considering whether to grant bail to Max Greentree whilst awaiting trial? On the facts stated above, conclude your answer to this question by indicating whether you consider he will be granted bail and why. The Bail Act 1976 applies to juveniles. The Bail Act 1976 states the criteria for granting and refusing bail. There is always a presumption that the offender has a right to bail. However there are some exceptions. The court is obliged to consider the interests of the youth which is stated under section 44 Children and Young Persons Act 1933  [2]  . In deciding whether to grant Max Greentree bail and impose any conditions on the bail the court will consider his previous convictions. Max has previously been convicted of taking a bicycle without permission where he pleaded not guilty. The court if made aware of this conviction could possibly deny him bail under the Bail Act 1976 or impose conditions on his bail. In addition to the conviction he also has a reprimand for shoplifting this also if brought to the attention of the court may affect his chances of receiving bail. He has a previous charge of theft of a leather jacket however; he failed to attend an appointment with the youth offending team and failed to attend sentencing. Based on his previous convictions, bad attendance record and his apparent dishonest character there appears to be an extensive bad previous history which most probably will negatively affect his right to bail. The only factor which could positively affect his right to bail is his family ties. The family he has consist of his parents and his two siblings this would look good as it shows that he has connections which could keep him under guard. There appears to be strong evidence against him in regards to this charge of theft. The security guard gave his description to the police so it is possible that the security guard may have seen him during the act. At the time of arrest he was found in position of the stolen digital camera. In the event that the court is made aware of his full previous criminal history, i.e. conviction and reprimand the court most likely will deny him bail as he appears to be very untrustworthy and d ishonest. If bail is refused, where will Max Greentree be detained whilst he awaits trial? If bail is refused to a Max, the Court shall remand him to local authority accommodation, unless he is remanded to a remand centre or prison. The Criminal Justice Act 1991 abolished remands to prison and remands centres for offenders under 17, and replaces them by remands to secure accommodation. The Court shall select the local authority that is to take care of Max and may require any condition on behalf of the local authority that could be obligatory  [3]  , even though it must ask the authority prior to action. Until the Home Secretary is content that local authorities can meet the requirement to provide secure accommodation the provision for 15-16 year old boys stated in the Criminal Justice Act 1991 permits remand centres and prisons to remand them. Where the court is contented that the security obligation is met but agree on that: it is undesirable to remand a 15 or 16 year old boy to remand centre or prison because of his physical or emotional immaturity or a propensity of his to harm himself (sec 23 (5A) Children and Young Persons Act 1969), and the local authority, YOT or probation officer has been consulted, and a bed in secure accommodation is available  [4]   The remand will be not to a remand centre or prison but to a secure accommodation.  [5] Comment on the no comment interview. Then, what are the implications for Max Greentrees trial if he maintains his plea of not guilty in respect of mode of trial Max in spite of advice from his solicitor to give a full interview by answering all questions he listened to his mother and gave a no comment interview. Max had the right to remain silent under s.34 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and therefore he is allowed to answer no comment to any questions put to him by the officer. The fact that he gave a no comment interview may harm Maxs defence in court if he wants to rely on facts that he did not mention in the interview. This is as the court may ask why he did not mention the facts in the interview. The court may conclude that facts Max failed to mention in the interview were facts that he should have been expected to reasonably remember, in this case the court may draw such inferences which appear proper. The court then may conclude that Max gave a no comment interview because he had nothing to say that would stand against examination and has since invented his case to fit the prosecution evidence. In additio n Max may not use his solicitor as a reason for his no comment interview. This is as his solicitor did not advice him to do so. If he solicitor had advised him to give a no comment interview max could give evidence that he did so on the advice of his solicitor which does not thereby waive his privilege to use facts in court not given in the interview.  [6] If the case is listened to in the Magistrates Court and the adult defendant pleads not guilty to the accusation, the Magistrates will ask Mr Greentree if he wants to plead guilty or not guilty. As Mr Greentree pleads not guilty, he and the adult defendant will be tried in the Magistrates Court. Nevertheless if Mr Greentree were to plead guilty, the Magistrates Court would remit him to the Youth Court for sentence if the sentences offered to the Magistrates Court are unsuitable. However, if the adult were to plead guilty and the Mr Greentree pleads not guilty, the adult Magistrates Court will try Mr Greentree or remit him t o the Youth Court for trial. If Mr Greentree were to plead guilty, the Magistrates Court will remit him to the Youth Court for sentence if none of the sentences available to the Magistrates Court are appropriate  [7]  . If Max Greentree pleads guilty or is convicted of the latest theft offence, what is the likely sentence he would receive, and which court will sentence him? In determining the sentence, the key elements for consideration are, the age of the offender (chronological and emotional), the seriousness of the offence, the likelihood of further offences being committed and the extent of harm likely to result from those further offences  [8]  . Therefore, the approach to sentencing is individualistic, which means the sentencing will be given according to Max Greentrees personal attributes and history. From the information given we can see that he has an extensive history of criminal behaviour however we can also see that he appears to be emotionally affected I was frightened, I have been really stupid which may indicate, comprehension and apprehension of his acts. In addition he claims to have been influenced by an adult, which may indicate lack of will to commit crime and vulnerability. If the court will take such considerations in mind they may empathise and be lenient on Mr Greentree. Mr Greentree is most likely to receive a Discretio nary Referral Order.  [9]  This is as he does not satisfy the conditions needed for a Mandatory Referral Order as he has been previously convicted. However, although he has been convicted he has never been sentenced to a referral order before and therefore the courts have the discretion to sentence him to one. In addition Mr Greentree has pleaded guilty to the theft offence which is a condition that needs to be satisfied. A referral order can only be made in the youth court or adult magistrates court, not the Crown Court.  [10]  Mr Greentree will most likely be sentenced in the Youth Court if he has pleaded guilty. What action should Max Greentree be advised to take with regards to the outstanding warrant? There are no special request requirements for juveniles. Neither the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 nor the Code G of the D makes special provision. Subjectively Mr Greentree should be advised with regards to the outstanding warrant to bring it attention to the courts if they are not yet aware of it. It would look better on Max Greentrees behalf to be honest from this point onwards about any previous criminal history he may have. His honesty may potentially mitigate his sentence and take aggravation away from the situation. Upon being asked why he did not surrender to the warrant if he explains how he emotionally felt the courts may have an empathetic approach with him. In addition having confessed the warrant at this stage will allow everything to be dealt with all together and avoid the police and the courts having to pursue him.