Fascism Essay Example for Free

Fascism Essay Fascism is â€Å"a form of extreme right-wing ideology† (Lyons, 2007) that promotes nationalism or the staging of own race as the superior in the world. It urges the people of a country to unite for nation-building after times of downfall and destruction, and scrap traces of individualism, materialistic attitudes, and foreigners. It especially believes in the capability of violence to change the landscape of the country and let it grow for the better. This form of government was established by Benito Mussolini of Italy, and later influencing Adolf Hitler of Germany. King Victor Emmauel III of Italy feared the occurrence of civil war in the country if the next prime minister was not a Socialist or a Fascist. This was the reason why Mussolini was given seat in the government to be the head of the Council Ministers. However, after two years, he established himself as the new â€Å"head of the government† taking over several ministries and headed on his way to start dictatorship. He kept power in his hands and prevented resistance by starting a police state. He created an imaginary free press by not allowing people who did not have certificate of approval from the Fascist Party to practice journalism, and that all editors were personally chosen by himself. He privatized several institutions to keep up with his financiers. He also commenced the invasion of some countries of the world, especially the Mediterranean region. Hitler, on the other hand, gained respect and salutation from many politicians including the then President Paul von Hinderburg. He appealed largely to the farmers, war veterans and the rest of middle class for a reconstruction of the economy and military components of the country, and simultaneously promoting nationalism and anti-communism, like what Mussolini did. Though lost in presidential election in 1932, he established himself as a good alternative for a new and more stable government, clamoured by the people. It was in 1933 when he was appointed by the President as the new Chancellor of the country. When the President died in 1934, all the roles and tasks of the head of the state was transferred to him. This made him supreme and do whatever he wanted. With the continuing growth in the number of believers of fascism, they had moved up to be the controller of their country during their time. Both have used the common people to start a massive base of supporters. Both of them were also endorsed and seated to their high positions by higher ranking officials: the King of Italy for Mussolini; while the President of Germany for Hitler. With their hold on the primary ministries of their respective countries, they were able to deploy their military components to bring war against Britain and France, which also declared war against them when they tried to get additional states for their country. When Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, and defeated several other countries, Mussolini was convinced to campaign for war against the Allied Powers of France and Britain. Their team-up led to further outrage by the other powerful nations in the world like the United States of America and the Soviet Union. Both of their dreams of expanding their territories led to failures because they chose to stage war against more powerful countries. Mussolini failed on making Italy self-sustaining because the country lacks the basic resources. Hitler failed in building the country he dreamed of because of the multiple counts of human rights violation, most notably exemplified in the Holocaust.

Mandatory Sentencing Essay examples -- Criminal Justice

Mandatory sentencing is not anything new. It began in the 1970s. The main purpose for mandatory sentencing was to try to get rid of the drug lords and to eliminate most of the nation’s street drug selling. It was to impose that the same crime would have the same sentence all over the nation. Some of the negatives that rose from mandatory sentencing were nonviolent drug offenders and first time offenders who were receiving harsh sentences. Inmate populations and correction costs increased and pushed states to build more prisons. Judges were overloaded with these cases, and lengthy prison terms were mandated to these young offenders. Mandatory sentencing is an interesting topic in which I would like to discuss my opinions in going against mandatory sentencing. I will show the reasons for this topic, as well as give you my personal brief on which I support. To begin, Mandatory minimum sentences result in prison overcrowding, and based on several studies, it does not alleviate crime, for example crimes such as shoplifting or solicitation. These sentencing guidelines do not allow a judge to take into consideration the first time offender, differentiate the deviance level of the offender, and it does not allow for the judge to alter a punishment or judgment to each individual case. When mandatory sentencing came into effect, the drug lords they were trying to stop are not the ones being affected by the sentences. It is the nonviolent, low-level drug users who are overcrowding the prisons as a result of these sentences. Both the U.S. Sentencing Commission and the Department of Justice have determined that mandatory sentencing is not an effective way to deter crime. Studies show that mandatory minimums have gone downhill due to racial a... ... OUT OF GET TOUGH JUSTICE? Criminology & Public Policy, 5(1), 37-43. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 1016637721). DELIBERATING CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: A WAY OUT OF GET TOUGH JUSTICE? Criminology & Public Policy, 5(1), 37-43. Retrieved November 23, 2010, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 1016637721). Oct 1993. Retrieved November 18, 2010. Vol. 79. 134 pages (Document ID: 0747-0088) Published by American Bar Association Mandatory Sentencing Laws and Drug Offenders in New York State. Retrieved November 15, 2010, from http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/factsheets/mandatory_ny.cfm. Compiled by Anonymous , The Correctional Association of New York. March 1999. Cindy Swirko. (2010). Florida drug sentences too harsh? Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100814/articles/8141011.

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The 29th Annual French Quarter Festival of New Orleans New Orleans is a city where festivals are a way of life. There are festivals showcasing almost every cultural aspect of the city. However, The French Quarter Festival stands out as the largest free local music festival in the state of Louisiana. The 29th annual French Quarter Festival showcased a wide variety music, food, and special events that provided insight to what makes New Orleans so unique and full of life compared to other to cities in the county.The biggest aspect of the French Quarter Festival was the music that was showcased, the most prominent genres being Jazz, Cajun-Zydeco, and Blues. A variety of Jazz music was heard during the festival. Traditional Jazz sounds from bands such as the New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings and the Smoking Jazz Club could be heard on Friday. Saturday included a modern Jazz style with acts such as Big Daddy ‘O’ and Kermit Ruffins. The brass sounds of Jazz, such as the Treme Brass Band and the Stooges Brass Band were heard on the last day of the festival. There were also several Blues music acts present.The first day brought performers such as ‘Wolfman’ Washington and ‘Big Al’ Carson. The next day, Eharmonic Souls and John Lisi and the Delta Funk were among the artists. The Blues music that closed out the festival was from acts such as Vagabond Swing and Amanda Wallace. Lastly, Cajun-Zydeco music could also be heard at the festival. Some of the Cajun-Zydeco bands that opened for the festival were Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe and also Brandon Moreau and Cajungrass. The following day, Tank and the Zydeco Codebreakers and the Lost Bayou Ramblers were among the acts.Also, The Big Easy Playboys and Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots were among the Cajun-Zydeco acts on the final day of the festival. The traditional, modern, and brass Jazz musicians listed were just a few of the acts, but they provide examples of the talent at the 29th Ann ual French Quarter Festival. The French Quarter Festival had local vendors featuring the cuisines of the French Quarter, some of which were Cajun, Creole, and Po’boys. Cajun food was a cuisine that was prominent at the festival. Crawfish was a popular ingredient that was featured in several Cajun dishes at the festival such as in Crawfish Etouffee or Crawfish Cakes.Andouille sausage, found in gumbo and jambalaya was another aspect of the festival cuisine. Alligator, as kebabs or sausages, was also among the many Cajun dishes. Creole food also had a presence in the festival’s cuisine. Rice dishes, such as Dirty Rice and also Red Beans and Rice, were among the Creole cuisine featured at the festival. There were also many Creole seafood dishes, such as Shrimp Jambalaya and Grits or Shrimp Remolaude available. Creole desserts such as King Cake or beignets were also among the dishes offered at the festival. Additionally, several varieties of Po’boy were staples of th e cuisine at the festival.Seafood Po’boys, such as the Shrimp Caminada Po’boy and the BBQ Oyster Po’boy, were among the Po’boys offered. Also available were Creole style Po’boys, such as the Cochon de lait Po’boy or Creole Hot Sausage Po’boy. Finally, Po’boys such as the Alligator Sausage Po’boy or the Blackened Catfish Po’boy were some Cajun- style Po’boys at the festival. Whether you were looking for Cajun, Creole, or Po’boys, the 29th Annual French Quarter Festival had the dishes discussed above along with many more available to choose from. Finally, the French Quarter Festival also held events such as educational lectures, kids events, and dance lessons.The French Quarter Festival strived to educate people on the impact that the local musical community provides. Super Sousaphone was a lecture by local sousaphone virtuoso Matt Perrine about the impact his career in many influential New Orleans ban ds created. Another lecture was Groove Interrupted, which focused on behind-the-scenes makings of the modern-day Jazz album. Funkify Your Life discussed The Meters, a New Orleans funk band, impact on New Orleans music. There were also several children’s events at the festival. The Kid’s Music Stage introduced children to festival’s musical genres in a child-friendly way.The Satchmo collage project was another event where children decorated pieces of a collage of Louis Armstrong. Children were also able to create Victorian-style jewelry at the many crafts station at the festival. Also, several dance lessons were offered at the festival. NOLA Zydeco group hosted a class that taught the traditional Zydeco moves. BrassXcise, with Dancing Man 504, taught dance and exercise moves that are used in Second-Line parades. Also, the NOLA Jitterbugs taught traditional jazz dances such as the Jitterbug and the Charleston.The lectures, children’s events and dance classe s at the French Quarter Festival helped to add the educational and cultural aspect of the festival. The 29th annual French Quarter Festival provides a special aspect to festivals of New Orleans. It sought to showcase strictly the local aspects of the culture of New Orleans. Also unlike other festivals, it was also made free to the public. Those aspects and also the music, food, and events of the festival combined to create an experience unlike other festivals in New Orleans, one that is focused on the people of the city rather than just the city itself.

TSA Screening System Draws Criticism

Are the airlines getting a free ride on the taxpayers dime thanks to the Transportation Safety Administrations (TSA) new high-tech and high dollar system to detect fake boarding passes?In these days of print-at-home boarding passes and programs like Photoshop, the number of people illegally boarding planes and flying for free by using fake boarding passes and IDs has increased significantly. To the airlines, this is fraud that results in lost income. To honest, paying passengers, its an insult that results in higher ticket prices. To the TSA, its a gaping hole is security that could result in another terrorist attack.To the rescue comes the TSAs high-tech and high-cost CAT/BPSS -- Credential Authentication Technology and Boarding Pass Scanning System - now being tested at George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Luis Muà ±oz Marà ­n International in San Juan, and Washington, D.C. Dulles International at an initial combined cost of $3.2 million.In testimony before the House Committe e on Homeland Security, Stephen M. Lord, director of homeland security and justice issues at the Government Accountability Office, reported that the estimated 20-year life cycle cost of the CAT/BPSS system is approximately $130 million based on a nationwide deployment of 4,000 units.What CAT/BPSS DoesCosting $100,000 each, and with multiple systems to eventually be installed by the TSA at all U.S. airports serving commercial flights, the CAT/BPSS system automatically compares the passengers ID to an extensive set of security features. Most modern forms of state-issued identification include encoded data, such as barcodes, holograms, magnetic stripes, embedded electrical circuits, and computer-readable text.CAT/BPPS also validates the authenticity of the passengers boarding pass at the first TSA security checkpoint using bar code readers and encryption techniques. The system is compatible with any barcode and can be used with paper boarding passes printed on a home computer, boarding passes printed by the airlines, or a paperless boarding passes that are sent to passengers mobile devices.br/>The system temporarily captures and displays the photograph from the passengers ID for viewing only by TSA agents to help them compare the photo to the person carrying the ID.Finally, CAT/BPPS compares the encoded data on the passengers ID to data on the boarding pass. If they match, they fly.Encountering the CAT/BPSS SystemAccording to the TSA, actually using the CAT/BPSS system will work like this: At the first TSA checkpoint, passengers will hand their ID to the TSA Travel Document Checker (TDC). The TDC will scan the passengers ID, while the passenger scans his or her boarding pass using a built-in scanner. TSA says that testing has shown the CAT/BPSS process takes no longer than the current process in which the TDC visually compares the passengers ID to the boarding pass.In response to concerns about the CAT/BPSS system and personal privacy, the TSA assures that the CA T/BPSS system automatically and permanently deletes all information it has gathered from the ID and the boarding pass. TSA further states that the picture on the passengers ID can be viewed only by TSA agents.Also See: TSA Defends Boarding Gate Drink ChecksIn announcing the development of the CAT/BPSS system, TSA administrator John S. Pistole stated in a press release, This technology will help facilitate risk-based security, while making the process more effective and efficient.What the Critics SayCritics of the CAT/BPSS argue that if the TSA is effective at its primary job - screening for Weapons, Incendiaries, and Explosives - another computer system dedicated only to verifying passenger identity is an unnecessary waste of money. After all, they point out, once passengers have passed the TSA scanning checkpoints, they are allowed to board planes without showing their IDs.Also See: Congressman Takes On Rogue TSA Airport ScreenersWhen the LA Times on June 30, 2011, reported the sto ry of a Nigerian airline stowaway who succeeded in flying from New York to Los Angeles by presenting an expired boarding pass in another persons name and was found to be in possession of at last 10 similar boarding passes, the TSA issued the following statement:Every passenger that passes through security checkpoints is subject to many layers of security including thorough physical screening at the checkpoint. TSAs review of this matter indicates that the passenger went through screening. It is important to note that this passenger was subject to the same physical screening at the checkpoint as other passengers.While the stowaway succeeded in stealing from the airline by flying free on a clearly fraudulent boarding pass, no evidence was ever found relating the incident to terrorism.In other words, say critics, the CAT/BPSS is another expensive taxpayer-funded solution to something that, if TSA is doing its job properly, should not be a problem in the first place.