Essay on Legalizing Marijuana A Dangerous Drug or a Powerful Cure

Legalization of cannabis has been a very controversial issue in the United States for a long time; even more so after several states have already passed the legislation lifting the ban. Should all marijuana be legal? Is it dangerous? What are the possible implications of this? It is one of these topics that people just cannot help but have diametrically opposite viewpoints on. For decades marijuana was considered to be a dangerous drug, leading to criminal behavior and personal degradation. However, by now most of these beliefs have been discredited – there is little to no proof that cannabis in and of itself has any adverse effects. Some studies even show that it is far less dangerous than many completely legal prescription drugs – both for its users and those around them. In addition to that, there is corroborative proof of marijuana’s positive medical effects. Cannabis is beneficial for epilepsy patients, it eases nausea caused by chemotherapy and shows good results when used by people suffering from AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and a number of other conditions. In other words, legalization of cannabis can greatly improve the quality of life of all these people, while proof of its lasting or even temporary adverse effects remains more than scarce. But even if we take medical use of cannabis aside, let’s ask ourselves a simple question: the war on drugs has been raging for decades, billions of government spending have been poured down this sinkhole, hundreds of thousands of people were convicted on drug charges, tens of thousands are getting killed in drug wars in Mexico and South America – yet the results are less than nil. Drug trade is running rampant, tens of thousands die in drug-related shootings and gang warfare, prisons are overfilled with people charged with possession or selling drugs (and a large percentage of them has been arrested over finding a tiny amount of marijuana on them), time in prison makes it difficult for these people to find proper jobs later on, again pushing them towards criminal activities, thousands of addicts die due to overdose. It seems that Prohibition era should have taught us that criminalizing an activity doesn’t make it disappear – it simply procreates organized crime. Most narcotic drugs are relatively simple and cheap in production – their high prices are caused by their illegal status and dangers accompanying producing and selling them. The war on drugs is exactly what causes drug mafia to exist in the first place – and in the long run, losses from the war on drugs by far exceed any positive effects it may have. That is the prime reason to legalize marijuana and, ideally, drugs in general. It is impossible to eliminate them. It is impossible to protect people from themselves. If somebody wants to follow his or her self-destructive tendencies, it is not the state’s job to be his or her nanny. If drugs are legalized and cheap, a drug addict is very unlikely to harm anybody but himself – and we should take into account a greatly diminished risk of overdose, infection and other dangers accompanying illicit drugs.

The Issue of Affirmative Action Essay - 816 Words

The Issue of Affirmative Action A major controversy encompassing the country is the issue of affirmative action. Many believe that the abolition, or at least restructure, of affirmative action in the United States will benefit the nation for many logical reasons. Originally, affirmative action began as an attempt to eliminate discrimination and provide a source of opportunity; affirmative action did not begin as an attempt to support just minorities and women. In addition, affirmative action naturally creates resentment when the less qualified are preferred instead of the people actually deserve the admission or job. Another reason that has existed since the abolition of slavery is the myth that women and ?minorities? cannot compete†¦show more content†¦There are three applicants for the job offering. One applicant is a white male age 35 who has six years of on the job experience. The other three are an Asian female, black male, and white female. Two of these minority applicants have no practical experie nce and the other only a few years. In order for the company to meet the quota, the company must automatically reject the white male and only look at the other three applicants. The company now is no longer looking for good experienced employees; instead, they are trying to appear fair. This so called ?equal opportunity? is not what it says. This means that they provide ?equal opportunity for minorities.? They are now discriminating against majorities, which goes against the original initiative for civil rights. Affirmative action is actually dividing the country into two different racial categories: all minorities against the majority. This causes severe resentment towards those minorities who are less qualified yet are preferred because they feel sympathy or pity towards them. When trying to apply and qualify for scholarships an applicant will find that the majority of the scholarships are for minority or specific race only descendants. This disqualifies everyone who needs the sch olarship, but was not born under a certain type of ancestry. One major misunderstanding encompassing the people today is the myth that women and other ?minorities? cannot compete withShow MoreRelatedThe Issue Of Affirmative Action Essay1667 Words   |  7 Pagesthe content of their character† for this reason affirmative action in higher education admission should be altered for it creates a perpetually racial preference in admission. Affirmative action is controversial due it s issue of whether the generation of today should pay for the past injustices done to certain ethnicities. It questions the constitutionality of its existence and whether it perpetuates racial discrimination. Although affirmative action is a great start in promoting diversity and exposingRead MoreThe Issue Of Affirmative Action2006 Words   |  9 Pagesultimate goal for our generation. We want to see equal opportunities for everyone regardless of sex, race, or nationality. The term affirmative action has been the center of national debate in the recent history with liberals, both black and white, arguing that affirmative action levels the playing field and makes up for historical prejudice and discrimination. Affirmative action means minorities that are any underrepresented group defined by race, ethnicity, or gender are preferably admitted to universitiesRead MoreThe Issue Of Affirmative Action950 Words   |  4 Pages On the contrary, s upports of affirmative action feel that this law is still needed in America to help places of higher education have more diversity which will benefit companies in the long run and it also helps companies be more diverse and it helps them thrive. In the past few decades the number of minorities and females in places of higher education and companies have been rising at a slow rate. During 2012, the health care industry was suffering from lack of medical personal in the medicalRead MoreLegal Issues Of Affirmative Action1528 Words   |  7 Pagesmust be familiar with legal obligations in regards to their diversity efforts policies in order to be fully compliant and successful in their endeavors. Legal Issues Pertaining to Diversity in Higher Education Today When addressing legal issues of diversity in the modern day era, one main topic is brought to discussion, affirmative action. It was put into place by the federal government in the 1960’s and was initially developed to close the gap in relation to the privileged majority and the unprivilegedRead MoreWhy Is Affirmative Action Such a Divisive Issue?2126 Words   |  9 PagesAFFIRMATIVE ACTION: WHY IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SUCH A DIVISIVE ISSUE? Affirmative Action: Why is Affirmative Action Such a Divisive Issue? Introduction â€Å"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed: â€Å" We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.† Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King stated this in his famous â€Å"I have a Dream† speech in Washington, D.C. in 1963. Is affirmative action still necessary in UnitedRead Moreaffirmative action1695 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Abstract What is affirmative action? Affirmative action is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, esp. in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination. In the 1940s: President Roosevelt signed an order making discrimination illegal in defense contracting. 1954: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that separate but equal facilities on the basis of race were unconstitutionally discriminatory. The Act of 1964: CongressRead MoreThe Most Important Social Issue in America Today870 Words   |  4 PagesSocial issues have plagued the women and minorities of our country for decades upon decades, degrading them as if emotions and morals were not evident amongst them. The article entitled Affirmative Action states that as representation of minorities and women became more and more necessary, a movement called affirmative action became an important issue. Affirmative action is not limited to the uplifting of certain genders an d races, but it focuses on establishing standards of certain ethicalRead MoreEssay about Affirmative Action1384 Words   |  6 PagesAffirmative Action has been an issue of contention since its inception during the Civil Rights struggles of mid 20th century America. Discrimination could no longer be tolerated and the Unites States government had an obligation to encourage equality at all levels of the social infrastructure. The main type of discrimination being addressed by Affirmative Action programs was racial discrimination. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines racism as: ‘a belief that race is the primary determinant ofRead MoreAffirmative Action1559 Words   |  7 PagesRESEARCH PAPER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INTRODUCTION Affirmative Action is an employment legislation protection system that is intended to address the systemized discrimination faced by women and minorities. It achieves this by enforcing diversity through operational intrusions into recruitment, selection, and other personnel functions and practices in America. Originally, Affirmative Action arose because of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s desire to integrate society on educationalRead MoreAffirmative Action: Equality for All? Essay1741 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative Action: Equality for All? Affirmative action in the United States has become a misused and misguided practice in modern times. In the current form of affirmative action, it is impossible to create a truly equal society. It was originally used as an equal opportunity measure to allow qualified minorities into positions they were denied because of race. However, affirmative action has become a system of racial quotas that lowers standards for minority applicants in order to give them

San Miguel Corporation free essay sample

For generations, the Company has generated strong consumer loyalty through brands that are among the most formidable in the Philippine food and beverage industry – San Miguel Pale Pilsen, Ginebra, Monterey, Magnolia, and Purefoods. Flagship product, San Miguel Beer, holds an over 95% share of the Philippine beer market. In addition to its leadership in the Philippine food and beverage industry, San Miguel has established a significant presence overseas. The Company’s operations extend beyond its home base of the Philippines to China (including Hong Kong), Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia. Through strategic partnerships it has forged with major international companies, San Miguel has gained access to managerial expertise, international practices and advanced technology, thereby enhancing its performance and establishing itself as a world-class company. San Miguel’s partners are world leaders in their respective businesses. Kirin Brewery Co. , Ltd. is a major shareholder of San Miguel Brewery. The Company also has successful joint venture relationships with US-based Hormel Foods Corporation, Nihon Yamamura Glass and QTel, a telecommunications company in Qatar. In the Philippines, San Miguel’s corporate strategy is at aimed capitalizing on new growth markets through acquisitions and further enhancing its competitive position by improving synergies across existing operational lines. The company has significantly expanded its participation in both its core businesses of food, beverage and packaging, as well as heavy industries including power and other utilities, mining, energy, tollways and airports. Mission/Vision/Objectives of the Company Vision SMC’s fundamental and historical  philosophy— Proft with Honor The following are SMC’s objectives: * To be constantly aware of the aspirations of the people and of the nation, and to ensure that San Miguel continues to make a major contribution towards the achievement of these  aspirations. * To  manufacture,  distribute  and  sell  throughout  the  Philippines  food products, beverages, packaging products and animal feeds, being  ready at all times to add, modify or discontinue products in accordance with changes in the market. To diversify into fields, which will ensure optimum utilization  of management resources and a  substantial contribution to  corporate profits * To seek and develop export markets for new products as well as for those already being produced by the Corporation. * To generate a return on funds employed sufficient to ensure an adequate rate of  growth  for  the  Corporation,  and  to  provide  sati sfactory  returns  to stockholders. To provide an environment which is conducive to the development of the individual and which encourages employees to realize their full capabilities * To adopt a flexible and objective attitude towards change and to pursue an active policy of innovation. Mission San Miguel Foundation, Inc. is committed to the empowerment of San Miguel host  communities  and  various  stakeholders  by  harnessing  corporate  social responsibility among the various San Miguel businesses in pursuing mutually beneficial programs that lead to  self-reliance and sustainability. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, San Miguel Foundation Incorporated, San Miguel Corporation proactively reaches out to others to bring forth change that will enable communities to live better lives. San Miguel Foundation, Inc. has crafted various programs and projects that address contemporary issues on livelihood, health, education, the environment and disaster relief following its overall direction of Enterprise, Education and the Environment. The San Miguel Foundation Team Camille B. Buenaventura Executive Director Jennifer E. Rodriguez Ken B. Reston Program Officers Rona Mei Y. Tanchico Faustino F. Olaguera Program Assistants Vision To take the lead in realizing San Miguel Corporation’s commitment to social development in the Company’s effort to contribute towards the improvement of life in the communities in which it operates and the public it serves. Mission San Miguel Foundation, Inc. is committed to the empowerment of San Miguel host communities and various stakeholders by harnessing corporate social responsibility among the various San Miguel businesses in pursuing mutually beneficial programs that lead to self-reliance and sustainability. Goals San Miguel Foundation, Inc. will initiate, manage and support social development initiatives that: Promote education to youth from low income families through scholarships, literacy classes and support programs like supplemental feeding, book donations, etc. Strengthen communities through capability building activities and the provision of basic social services; Support local enterprises that bring livelihood opportunities to community groups, dependents, San Miguel retirees and other stakeholders; Provide assistance to disaster-stricken communities through relief and ehabilitation programs; and protect, preserve and regenerate the environment. A corporation’s initiatives in social responsibility broaden with the growth of its business. This is especially true when social responsibility is woven into the fabric of its corporate structure. San Miguel is a company of people who care – about people and the communities we serve and partner with, as well as the busines ses we manage. We have a proud history of doing business honorably, of working to improve the quality of life, and giving something back. Social responsibility exemplifi es our spirit of caring. We care for our environment, our stakeholders, our customers and investors, our host communities, and our own people because they are integral to our growth. Our programs are designed to enhance the relevance of our social responsibility endeavors as we partner with these vital linkages to our various businesses. Social responsibility is a commitment we pursue for the long term as we continue to honor our social covenant with our various key publics. It is part of our corporate character. Eduardo M. Cojuangco, Jr.

Sense And Sensibility Essays (1617 words) - Literature, Jane Austen

Sense And Sensibility ook Report - Sense and Sensibility 1.) In Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, the title is a metaphor for the two main characters Elinor and Marianne. Elinor represents sense and Marianne represents sensibility. We find out early that Elinor does not share her feelings. When Edward comes into the story, there was an immediate attraction. She tells no one of her feelings. It was just assumed that they are meant for each other. When Edward has to leave, Elinor says nothing. Edward does promise he will come down and give Margaret an atlas. When the atlas comes and not Edward, the one who ends up crying was Margaret and not Elinor. We do learn, however, that Elinor can get emotional too. When Marianne was playing the piano at their new cottage, Elinor cries as she listens. She said the song was her late father's favorite. Later on in the story, Marianne kept on nagging Elinor for not sharing her feelings. Finally, Elinor shows her emotions by telling her that she did have a broken heart after she found out that Edward had a fiancee - Lucy. Elinor would definitely represent sense. She keeps her thoughts to herself. Maybe it is because she thinks she will not end up hurting so bad as Marianne did. Marianne, on the other hand, represents sensibility. She follows her heart. She does not let anything come in the way of showing her emotions. When she first met Colonel Brandon, it is obvious that he was in love with her at first sight. Marianne, shows very clear that she was not interested in such an old man like him. However, when Marianne meets Willoghby, it was like a hero rescuing his princess. They fall in love with each other. Marianne does not hide her emotions about Willoughby to anyone, However, in the society that they were in, Willoughby did not think he could marry Marianne because of the social class. In the end, this almost kills Marianne. As Marianne realizes that the Colonel has always been there, she falls in love with him. 2.) My favorite character is Colonel Brandon. I think in a way he is very much like Elinor. He does not show his emotions a whole lot, but he does talk to people about his problems. There were so many instances when he asks Elinor about the relationship between Marianne and Willoughby. He was always depressed to hear and to know that there was no way of getting his lover from Willoughby. However, that does not stop his passion for her. I admire his integrity and dignity. Despite his sadness and jealousy perhaps, he was never tempted or intended to destroy their relationship and never tried to break them up. He was always silently wishing in his heart that Marianne someday will notice him. I think he is sophisticated and does not deserve a brat like Marianne. Even now, I still do not understand why a rich and sophisticated like him would want an immature and na've lady like Marianne? I guess maybe the opposite attracts!! 3.) My favorite scene of the story is in the ending. The story ends happily with Elinor marrying Edward, and Marianne marrying the Colonel. There is a gentle irony in the outcome of Marianne's life. Marianne was born to extraordinary fate. She was born to overcome an affection formed so late in life as at seventeen, and with no sentiment superior to strong esteem and lively friendship, voluntarily to give her hand to another-and that other, a man who had suffered no less than herself under the event of a former attachment, whom, two years ago, she had consider too old to be married, and who still sought the constitutional safeguard of a flannel waistcoat!(pg. 304) I feel most happy for Colonel Brandon because, he was now as happy as hose who best loved him believed he deserved to be; in Marianne he was consoled for every past affliction. Marianne could never loves by halves; and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband as it had once been to Willoughby.(pg. 305) As for Willoughby, he could not hear of her marriage without a pang; He long thought of Colonel Brandon with envy and of Marianne with regret! As for Elinor and Edward, I think it's especially comforting for Elinor. I can imagine how happy and joyful she must have felt. After all those days of wondering and doubting