Patriotism Essay Example for Free

Patriotism Essay Bader main thesis is that patriotism is neither good nor evil, depending on how its ‘name’ is called upon. Bader asserts that patriotism has numerous forms, and yet the author expresses that all these forms share common psychological underpinnings – that of meeting the needs of safety and connectedness. The author begins by saying that he metaphors of patriotism have been likened to family, that accords individuals with security and attachment. He further expounds on the idea of patriotism is a psychological means to address connectedness and safety needs. On one end, patriotism provides protection and strength which are virtues associated with paternity; on the other, patriotism is also symbolic of caring which are traits linked with motherhood. A second idea would be acknowledging that while patriotism is influenced by a host of factors apart from the unconscious, its potency stems from its being psychological – embedded in the recesses of our unconscious. In this sense, it is a way of addressing the psychological needs of attachment and recognition, and the failure to sufficiently meet such needs lead to psychosis or mental dysfunction. In discussing these psychological needs, he has used the example of an infant who has virtually full dependence on its caregivers – the latter being the embodiment of power and authority. The manner of protection received by children determines their sense of insecurity and developing trust in others. The quest for security is also constant, even as we feel a perennial lack of safety and protection. In his third idea, he says that given these metaphors of family, it is now easier to comprehend the psychological dynamics behind patriotism. One’s affiliation with the United States brings a strong sense of safety and connectedness to its citizens. It is also able to â€Å"bind† and bring together people who share the same sense of safety and connectedness because of a common affiliation of citizenship. A fourth point is that the manner in which patriotism satisfies these psychological needs take on more potency since these are very difficult to find in our daily social lives. Society is depicted as highly individualistic. This social experience further reinforce the insecurity and lack of safety that parents have developed in people as children. These pent up thoughts and feelings are then stored in the unconscious as frustrations. A fifth point of the author is that patriotism seems to address these unconscious frustrations in being an ideal representation of national pride, historical purpose, and collectivism – which are all constructs related to safety and connectedness. Political parties leverage on these frustrations, trying their best to project the image of protector in appealing to people. They take advantage of the ‘parent’ paradigm, presenting themselves as caring, nurturing, and protective. This exploitation of psychic needs are used to advocate both liberal and conservative ends. In his sixth point, he proposes that the Left seem to be more effective at furthering its agenda. A perfect example would be the way in which police and surveillance powers were justified in the name of protecting the nation. Moreover, the author expresses tht conservatives have been more skilled at using prejudice and the concept of an ‘enemy’ in furthering its ends. Educational institutions’ influence may exert impact in addressing these psychological needs, teaching empathy, recognition, and other values that may intend to gratify these needs. Finally, he says that the psychological dynamics that underlie patriotism are global in nature, driven by the needs of safety and connectedness. These needs may be addressed in both healthy and unhealthy means and may be done so towards immoral ends. In itself, it is neither good nor evil, and these value judgments are made depending on the use or purpose for which the name of patriotism is used. Bader’s main strength in this article is the fact that he gave the much needed logic and connection to the ideas he presented – man’s needs, the collective feeling of people, and the rationale behind the use of patriotism as a tool for political motivation. He has also found basis for the conclusion that patriotism is neither good or bad. This moral judgment on the goodness or evilness of patriotism lies in the purpose for which it is used; for example, political parties use them to take control of people’s political choice. However, a weakness that can be seen is that the author also stressed to many points against conservatives. He may be pointing out his opinions but have put the conservatives into a bad light. In trying to be more objective in his assessment of the issue, he may have looked into the liberal side as well, presenting cases similar to what he did for conservatives. This way, he will not be perceived as biased. Another weakness that may be seen is that the resolution just took on a very short note. It just went on a short notice that it hardly qualified as a resolution. Although the author has a point on the matter, he failed to expound on it and define the steps to be taken, why they should be taken and to whom should the action be devoted to. There was also very little pragmatic value based from the recommendations of the author. The only direct action step he has proposed is for schools to leverage on their influence the satisfaction of these psychological needs. The article is very detailed that it is hard at first not to agree with the writer. I agreed with the point that man indeed has the necessity of wanting to feel secured and safe at all times, even wanting to find their necessities amidst the insecurities that they have experienced. I also do agree that the value of patriotism is used in politically motivated ways to achieve the means needed by the parties to gain trust among the people and be recognized as a truth bearing entity. I also agree that although patriotism should be upheld during the times of the 9/11 and the Hurricane Katrina, it should not be a venue for people moving with political agendas and using the â€Å"sacred† value as a means of it. And lastly, I do believe that the educational institutions should have a hand in directing the people, especially the youth towards the ways of non-discriminating, unbiased people. They should also teach people about how they would filter information being fed to them on the grounds of racism, bias and discrimination. The educational system is one of the institutions that a person attends to. It is hard to imagine that one would try to go to school and learn, only to come out and be tainted and blinded by other people’s political agendas – when in fact, they should be helping us in the assimilation stage of our studies, not changing what we learned to what political people would want us to think. That would be driving us away from what patriotism is really about. The kind of patriotism that each citizen has practiced and witnessed during in times of grief and misery, like the times of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Patriotism, at its very core, is about satisfying the psychological needs of people. It becomes a very strong and influential factor specially since its roots are deeply embedded in our psyche – our collective psyche at that. However, care must be taken about how the concept may be taken advantaged of by those who have personal agendas – such as politicians – for meeting their own selfish ends. This prudence and tact may be influenced strongly by schools. They can concretely draft activities that are meant to develop a strong sense of safety and connectedness. In sufficiently addressing these psychological needs, the probability of being exploited – through an appeal to emotion and psyche – is effectively reduced. People can be more critical and discriminating about what to believe. They then do not fall victim into these opportunistic ways of evoking patriotism’s name.

Rock Music :: essays research papers

Rock is a popular form of music that has evolved over the past couple of decades starting in the 1950s until present day. Rock music has been know to be used as a form of expression over the years. Despite its sometimes negative and defiant lyrics, rock is a form of art that allows one to release his/her feelings through singing in an expressive tone. I personally don’t see problem with people expressing their emotions and that is in part why I dont’t agree with Richard Brookhiser in stating that,‘‘Rock is a popular culture that aims downward in terms of class and age instead of aiming up. Rather than aspiring, it desire.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I feel that everyone should have a way of expressing themselves in any way or art form that they feel is necessary. Rock music is just a form of letting people let out their anger and agression and not hold it inside. I’d rather see our society release our troubles in a musical form rather than in a violent one. There are much more things to worry about than to stress over rock music bringing culture down.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this day and age I strongly believe that Rock music helps more than it harms those who listen to it. Unlike Mr. Brookhiser’s views I see rock as being an outlet rather than a downfall. Rock music should be taken for nothing more than just a form of music. Whether its R&B, rap, jazz or rock music is just music and it shouldn’t be held accountable for peoples wrong doings. Rock, just like other types of music should be given the same freedoms and rights to be played and heard by those who want to listen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People who have the same views as Mr. Brookhiser would be best to just not listen to Rock music at all and not comment on it. To say rock is responsible for aiming downward in class and age is putting too much responsibility on music rather than the people. We all have brains and the ability to distinguish from right and wrong. I understand that some of the lyrics that are said in rock music may be offensive but that should not make it be blamed for bringing down the society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If you want to sit down and discuss whats bringing down the society, issues such as drugs and single parent families would be more relavent.

Rubik’s Cube Instructional Speech

In 1974, a twenty-nine year old Hungarian named Erno Rubik was trying to solve a structural design problem. He was working on a model that would help him explain a three-dimensional geometric when he finally ended up creating the famous, colorful cubical form we know as a Rubik’s cube!However, Rubik did not give the cube his name—he called it the â€Å"Magic Cube.† It was renamed the Rubik's Cube by the Ideal Toy Corporation in 1980. Little did Rubik know that his cube would become a sensation around the world with the first world championship held in his native, Budapest, in 1982, with a sixteen year old Vietnamese girl winning the competition, unscrambling the Cube in 22.95 seconds. Solving a Rubik’s Cube requires some study and decision-making.There are a variety of methods used to solve a Rubik’s Cube, but the most popular and the most effective is called the Fridrich method. In the next few minutes, I would like to share with you how to solve t he Rubik’s Cube. As I said before, there are many different algorithms and ways to solve a Rubik’s cube. But the one that I have found to be easiest to understand was the Fridrich Method. Now today, I’m only going to explain how to solve one face of the cube due to the limited amount of time. Start with solving the cross. I like to start with the color white, so I will describe the steps according to starting with the white cross.Each side of the cube has a different color center. The center color determines the color of the side. I chose to start with the white center piece on the bottom and the opposite side yellow piece on the top, simply because that’s the way I learned.1.Look around the cube for white edge pieces, not corner pieces but pieces that outline the cross shape. Move the pieces to the top of the cube around the yellow piece.†¢ Each white piece of the cross will have a color adjacent to it.2.You want to match up the, say white blue piec e to the blue center piece and the white red piece to the red center piece and so on.3.Then you want to make sure the white piece is matched up with the bottom white center piece and flip the from face 180 degrees clockwise.†¢ Do so for every color until you get the all-white cross.4. Now each white piece should still be matched to the same color center piece.5.Next you will solve the corners.†¢The next 2 steps are the hardest to follow but I will try my best to explain clearly.6.Look around the cube for white corner pieces. If you have a white corner piece on the top you have to memorize a move. Up clockwise, to 180 degrees, then right goes right back down. This move can be used on any side.7.Now look at the other color that is adjacent to the white on its side, not top. Match the adjacent color diagonally to its same color by moving only the top layer. Then do the following move: move the right side clockwise, top clockwise, right counter clockwise.8.Do the same steps wi th the other white pieces. It could take a few tries to get it right but keep repeating it until you get it.Now you should have the bottom of the cube solid white and the bottom layer of each side filled with one color.If you’ve ever tried to solve the Rubik’s cube and given up, I encourage you to try it again now using the Fridrich method I began to explain. For further instructions you can visit http://www.wikihow.com/Solve-a-Rubik's-Cube-(Easy-Move-Notation). But first let me warn you; as â€Å"Cubing† infects people of all ages around the globe, there has actually been a name given for those that are obsessed with a Rubik Cube. They are called â€Å"Cubaholics†. Many of real Cubaholics are said to suffer from ‘Rubik's wrist' and ‘Cubist's thumb'! Beware!

Analysis Of Treton Communication, Inc. - 1247 Words

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to analyze Treton Communication, Inc. regarding possible employee discrimination. The objective will be examined by explaining what is legally required in order for religious discrimination to exist, is Treton Communication, Inc. guilty of religious discrimination, and what is legally required for racial harassment to exist. In order to gain a deeper understanding the actions of the Human Resources (HR) director will be evaluated in response to a possible discrimination complaint. In conclusion, this paper will outline the important aspects of employee discrimination, religious discrimination, racial harassment, and the proper way to report as well as rectify discrimination complaints within the†¦show more content†¦In an effort to prevent such intolerable acts Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was created. Title VII makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing, an d other terms and conditions of employment, such as promotions, raises, and other job opportunities (Reference). Title VII federal law requires covers all employees from being discriminated against regarding religious preference. In addition to the intolerable acts within Title VII which classify religious discrimination. Title VII also disallows religious harassment of any employees, such as offensive remarks about a person s religious beliefs or practices (Reference). Religious harassment is illegal, improper, and when it is so frequent or severe in nature that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment resulting in an adverse employment further action must be taken. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a government agency in which adverse action go to ensure all forms of discrimination are being investigated per the current policies and procedures within the agency. Upon closure of an internal investigation the EEOC office will provide the HR department a copy of the results as well as the necessary actions to take regarding religious discrimination. Is Treton