Who is above the law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Who is above the law - Essay Example The Rule of Law is unarguably the cornerstone of a democratic society and its’ basic tenet is the acknowledgement that the law is supreme. The law itself reflects the will of the citizens, and the judiciary is authorized to hold all government officials accountable for their actions. It is encapsulated in the conviction that â€Å"no man is above the law† (Dicey, qtd. in Li). Its’ major principles are (a) The law is the regulator of government power. (b) All men are equal before the law. (c) The law is based on a judicial system which uses fair, transparent, consistent and documented procedures and decisions. In certain circumstances, individuals are held to be free from liability to answer to the law. This legal status is referred to as ‘immunity from the law,’ and includes: diplomatic immunity, conferred on government representatives on foreign soil; sovereign immunity, which originated with kings and now includes the federal government and its’ officials; judicial immunity, which protects a judge from liability for his decisions. Immunity is also extended to witnesses in exchange for their assistance during a trial (Criminal Law Web site). As a rule, officials are granted ‘qualified immunity,’ which shields them from prosecution when they act in good faith. The advocates of immunity allege that it is essential to shield government officials from the law, so that they can execute their duties and make decisions based on the evaluation of the common good, without being influenced by the need to protect themselves from prosecution. Other arguments are the heavy costs of litigation against officials, the distraction of officials from their duties, their hesitancy to exercise independent judgment and the discouragement of capable people from joining government service (everything2 Web site). Contrary to the above arguments, it is only when every government

Clime letter Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Clime letter - Assignment Example Pizza Hut prides itself in 30 minute deliveries or the order is free. However, my pizza was delivered very late and was lacking a few of the other food items that I did place with my order. Not only that but the delivery guy insisted that I pay for the food when your advertising clearly states that when my order is delivered after 30 minutes, I get the food free of charge. Is there a case of false advertising existing here? I am hoping that my experience will serve as a wake up call for your branch of Pizza Hut. Your service is not at par with the other Pizza Hut branches in our area and will destroy the good company name that the company has worked hard to build. To resolve this situation, I would appreciate it if your staff would reimburse the amount I paid as per the â€Å"30 minute delivery guaranteed† promise that Pizza Hut gives all its delivery customers. Enclosed is a copy of my receipt for the transaction in question. I am looking forward to your response and resolution of this situation. I will wait 14 days before seeking help from the consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau. Please contact me at my above address pr by phone at (mention your phone

The Use Of Torture In Guantanamo Bay Philosophy Essay

The Use Of Torture In Guantanamo Bay Philosophy Essay Since the opening and the use of the Guantanamo Bay as a military prison that was allowing the use of torture to get information from prisoners there has been a rise in public debate over whether there the use of torture on prisoners is right (Greenberg, 3). This paper looks into these public debates through the eyes of Plato, Aristotle and Karl Marx some of the well renowned thinkers that have come to pass. To some the use of torture in Guantanamo bay is morally and incorrect while to some it is an end to a means, which is necessary so as to ensure that America is safe from terrorism and danger. From Plato, Aristotle and Marx the former view is wrong and uncalled for. The former view can be likened to the theory of ethical relativism which both Plato and Aristotle were both against. It can also be likened to the ulitarism principle, which Marx was against. For the ethical relativism theory, it claimed that moral judgment and acts vary from one society or culture to another. It also proposes that moral judgment varies depending on the situation that an individual or group of individuals are placed in (Peters, 138). The theory proposes that in one culture an action can be viewed to be morally correct while in another the action can be viewed as inappropriate. If applied in the current situation the theory upholds the use of torture if the American society does not view it as wrong then it is right for the torture in Guantanamo bay to continue. The theory proposes that no one set of moral values in any society is better than the other. However, Plato and his student Aristotle were not for this view (Huard, 20). Plato and Aristotle were for the ethical objectivism theory, which states that. In Platos dialog, titled The Republic the conflict between the two theories becomes apparent. In the dialog Socrates is seen trying to engage Thrasymac hus about his thoughts on what justice is. Thrasymachus a large proponent for the relativism theory argues that justice is in the interest of the strong and there is nothing more to it. He further explains how he has travelled to so many countries around the world and all the laws have been tailored so as to suit the strong while oppressing the weak (Plato) In Platos and Aristotles view however this is not correct. In the present situation, Plato and Aristotle would be view the use of torture in Guantanamo bay as ethically wrong and lacking in moral judgment. In Platos argument, the use of torture and the detention of criminals is not justice. The strong that Thrasymachus is referring to can be viewed to be the United States of America and the weak are those who have been detained in the camp. Plato and Aristotle did not agree with the view that justice and law were tailored to the benefit of those in power while disregarding the human nature of those being oppressed. Plato in the dialog believes that justice is universal, that it was a constant, and that it applied to everyone. According to Plato and Aristotle, all men were created equal. This is stated in the declaration of independence and is gifted with a number of unchallengeable rights, which are the right to life, the right to liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. This is contra ry to what is going on in Guantanamo bay. The prisoners right to liberty and their pursuit of happiness have been curtailed by their detention as well as the use of torture on them (Malcolm, 89). The view of Karl Marx is also against the use of torture and the detention of prisoners without trial. Marx is known for his teachings in his work that human were different from animals and that they could not behave in the way animals do. In his argument, he argues that the main difference between man and animals is the human conscience, religion and a host of other factors that are present in everyday life. In his argument, he says that humans distinguish themselves from animals the moment they start producing for their own survival and organizing themselves in social groups (Wood, 30). Therefore, his argument can be interpreted to mean that he does not expect human beings to behave and act like animals. The torturing and detention of military prisoners in Guantanamo Bay can be interpreted into animalistic behavior which according to Karl Marx is not human. Karl Marx further argues that human beings have the will and conscience to do what is right unlike animals, which only act on their basic instinct of survival. The torturing of inmates in the Guantanamo bay prison can be viewed as Americas basic instinct to try and survive just like the animals in the jungle (Rejali, 98). This is because every human being has his or her basic human rights, which are not being upheld in the prison. The life of the prisoners in the prison can be compared to that of animals, which Karl Marx is against. Marx is also known for his fight against the unitarianism theory, which is a theory that looks into the moral merit of a deed and determines the merit of the deed depending solely on the usefulness of the deed in maximizing what an individual is to gain out of that deed. The theory proposes that the moral worth of any action that a human being takes can be judged by the outcome of the deed. This is in line with the end justifies the means (Allen Wood pp 33). Karl Marx was largely against this mode of thinking arguing that it was against his theory that human nature was different from that of animals and that free will was the main control when it came to the measurement of the moral merit of an action. If the unitarianism theory is placed in the present Guantanamo bay situation, the theory proposes that if the product of the use of torture on the detainees produces a good outcome that was beneficial to the American people then the actions are justified. Karl Marx was however against this theory and he argues that human nature is dynamic and he argues that the theory is just a measure for present situations. For example if torture is used effectively to the benefit of the United States government it does not mean that it is opposing human progress. His argument is that not all the merit of any action can be placed on the outcome since actions like torture, which may lead to a positive outcome, are not human and they go against the basic human nature (Smith, 4).

A Sense of Hope in Miltons Sonnet XIX Essay -- Sonnet essays Milton 1

A Sense of Hope in Milton's Sonnet XIX      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John Milton's contemplative "Sonnet XIX" reveals the idea of man in adversity coming to terms with fate. Milton reflects upon the condition of his own soul in physical blindness through his ideas of service, duty, and talent in order to explore his relationship with God and his art: writing. Milton's use of diction and structure provide clues to the sonnet's interpretation and help resolve the thematic dilemma presented. The sonnet's imagery connotes multiple meanings. An examination of Milton's allusions to biblical verse and historical parallels help give important insight towards understanding the sonnet. Milton divides this sonnet into two structural parts of iambic pentameter in the Petrarchan style. The octave is concerned with Milton's contemplative state which flows from, "When I consider how my light is spent" (line 1). Milton links the words spent, light, death, and soul through the heavy stress of their syllables. According to Steven Wigler, the egocentric tone of the octave is revealed in the use of the pronouns I, me, and my, which appear eight times in the first eight lines (Wigler 156). Milton's obsessive concern with whether he will be expected to fulfill the demands of his service builds until the first part ends with his question, "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied," (line 7) followed by, "I fondly ask but Patience to prevent"(line 8). Milton has capitalized the word patience. He is deifying the word to help transform the tone in the sestet. Milton foreshadows a resolution by associating the qualities of patience with God. Milton seems consumed with emphasizing his serious intention and concern for himself as a writer in the octave, but later balances ... ...necessarily imply extinguished light. It can simultaneously represent the burning of light in the present. Milton has left his reader with a sense of hope.    Works Cited Honigmann, E.A.J. "Sonnet XIX." Milton's Sonnets. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1966. 169-76. Nardo, Anna K. Milton's Sonnets & the Ideal Community. Lincoln: U of Nebraska P, 1979. 145-51. Parker, William R. Milton: A Biography. Vol. 1. London: Oxford UP, 1968. 2 vols. 469- 72. Stringer, Gary A. "Milton's 'Thorn in the Flesh': Pauline Didacticism in Sonnet XIX." Milton Studies 10 (1977): 141-54. Wigler, Steven."Outrageous Noise and the Sovereign Voice: Satan, Sin, and Syntax in Sonnet XIX and Book VI of Paradise Lost." Milton Studies 10 (1977): 155-65. Wilcox, Joel F. "'Spending the Light:' Milton and Homer's Light of Hope." Milton Quarterly. 18.3 (1984): 77-8.

“We are not created equal in every way” by Joan Rayn

Nature or nurture? This question has baffled scientists and human beings in general for a long time. The logical answer is both. It might seem simple, but looking closer at almost every situation shows that both play a key role in the outcome. Joan Rayn (2000) introduces her article â€Å"We are not created equal in every way† with a similar situation. The author logically argues that institutions have the right to have certain admission standards, she also brings up a few concerns regarding the students. Although lacking unity and sufficient evidence, Ryan brings about a logical argument.In â€Å"we are not created equal in every way†, Joan Rayn (2000) upholds the right of institutions in setting admission standards, however she presents a pressing concern for current students. Firstly the author asserts that we are not created equal, therefore institutions need standards of admission to increase their chances of success. Moreover she discusses a major problem that mig ht occur to ‘young adults’. Since certain institutions require a young age to admit students, parents have to decide for their children.Several parents have the tendency to be living their dreams through their children. It is important for a writer to stick to one subject. If not the reader will be confused, his concentrationtorn to bits, and the author will loose credibility. Those are the effects of Rayn’s lack of unity in her article. She begins with the question in paragraph three with â€Å"Does the San Francisco Ballet School have the right to give preference to leaner body types† later she proposes another topic by saying â€Å"But for me, the more disturbing issue in this story isn’t about weight but age.†Furthermore Rayn fails to provide evidence for her claim in paragraph five when she says â€Å"But most who practice the art disagree, which is their right†. For these two reasons Rayn does not seem credible or knowledgeable a bout the subject at hand, Joan Rayn reaches a logical conclusion about institutions having specific criterion to accept students, on the other hand, some of the issues concerning the children seem extraneous. She mentions that â€Å"selecting 300 students from this year’s 1400 applicants†. When faced with scarcity the best usually have the pleasure of getting what they want.That is how it has always been, nature’s way. In contrast Rayn’s concerns about parents having full control over their children’s decision is unsound for two reasons. First, at a young age parents know their children more than they know themselves and should be making their decisions for them. The second point is most people don’t know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. So even if parents decide to live their lives through their children when they are old enough they will choose their own path.

Book Report †Fault in Our Stars Essay

Meaning of the title: â€Å"The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.† was said in Shakespeare’s play ‘Julius Caesar’. Saying that it is not fate that decides our future, but instead our own failings. That you are to blame for the bad thing that happen in your life. But the title ‘The Fault in our Stars’ says that sometimes it’s not our fault; things happen in life, sometimes we can’t control it; there will be problems along the way, and we just have to deal with it. Brief summary: Hazel, an average teenager who thinks she is going to die. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was young, and has trouble with her lungs. She then met a boy called Augustus in the Support Group. Augustus only had one leg because he had had osteosarcoma (A type of bone cancer). Hazel also made another friend called Issac who eventually went blind. Augustus and her shared common interests like the book called‘An Imperial Affliction’. They went on adventures to Amsterdam to visit an author that Hazel idolizes. On their trip, they had some physical relations. However meeting the author wasn’t exactly what Hazel and Augustus had expected. Later on Issac dies, then Augustus’s cancer later returns†¦ Style of Writing: The story is written in Hazel’s point of view – who is the narrator of the story. The writing in this book is easy to follow because it’s written in a conversational way. As if the reader was the protagonist. The book uses a lot of fascinating sentences and phrases to express the feelings and thoughts of Hazel Grace. The author likes using dialogues to tell the story. Character: The characters are quite believable because they are like any type of average teenager. However they have to deal with a small problem in their health affecting a big part of their life. The characters are very realistically portrayed and I think the author did a great job in describing the different characters. Plot: The plot is quite believable as it is not fiction. As readers, we can sometimes relate to the situations or even feel what the characters are feeling throughout the book. There are a lot of plot twists in the novel, so the reader would not know what is about to happen. This gives the story line more suspense and builds tension throughout the scenario. Recommendation: I would recommend this book to young adults, because there is an incredible plot twist in the book which mesmerizes the reader and gives them grief. Making them want to be the protagonist of the story. The characters are about our age, and sometimes us teenagers or young adults can connect to what the characters in the book are going through. This book has a powerful story line which emphasize the life of how two teenagers are fighting cancer, which has inspired and touch the teens heart.