Benefits Of Same Sex Marriage - 1687 Words

Benefit of homosexual Marriage in the U.S.A How do we look at the gay marriage? Did they have freedom in the U.S? What are their rights? In 1958, the supreme court of the United States said they can’t support gay marriage. Through this journey from that time until now, American change a lot of rules for the gay marriage as a legal protection against discrimination, they can marry in at least seventeen states and adopt children (Walter Frank 1).In additional they can get married at most in 36 states(Stewart, Catriona). I do not look at the same-sex marriage as a sin like a lot of religious people. Because they are human like me just their hormones are different. Also, we live in a civilized country. They have rights to live like others and have a normal life. The other thing people can’t tell they should get married or not? In my essay, I will argue how U.S.A gives a lot of rights to the gay people. I am not against of same-sex marriage. My purpose of this essay is to look at in general what are the gay rights for adopting a child, job opportunity, and death and taxes rights. I want to discuss why I agree with the gay marriage and how the U.S gives to the gay people a lot of rights. In the other words, homosexual people can express their feeling without fear in the United States. Firstly, in the gay marriage, the question of adoption always arises, making it one of the biggest issues. At the moment, Adoption in the gay community is now legal in the United States. AdoptionShow MoreRelatedBenefits Of Same Sex Marriage1697 Words   |  7 PagesIndividuals slowly realize, as well as companies that it is a suitable to instate same-sex benefits to same-sex spouses; in the same way, traditional marriages are receiving benefits. Several of the employment benefits that our federal government provides to its employees and their families remain tied to a person’s marital status. Employers who offer benefits for domestic partners support an employee of culture, diversity, and social acceptance, which can be used as a marketing tool for the companyRead MoreBenefits Of Same Sex Marriage1054 Words   |  5 Pages Benefits of Same Sex Marriage in Society By: Katherine Collins PSY 2510 Abstract Introduction In 2014, same sex marriage has been legalized in thirty-five US states (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MN, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, and WY) and the District of Columbia. There is also fifteen states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, TN, TX, WY) have same sex marriage bans through eitherRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1403 Words   |  6 PagesSame-Sex Marriage â€Å"I now pronounce you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  At some point in a person’s life, they have heard or will hear those words. What follows, however, has changed somewhat over the years; although, the commitment has remained the same. Those words historically indicate that until the death of a spouse, that couple shall remain together. Who should be able to determine whom that spouse is for that person? Some people judge others for their sexuality and how it is affecting them, but they never stop andRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Is A Fundamental Right870 Words   |  4 PagesUnited States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, held that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right guaranteed by the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. In consequence, many new legal implications have arose from this decision. For example, now there’ll be same-sex divorces, same-sex spousal rights for life insurance, wills, and the lik e. What does this all mean legally for same-sex couples? As time progresses, it will become clearer howRead MoreMarriage Law : The Legal Union Of A Couple As Spouses1642 Words   |  7 PagesMarriage is defined as the legal union of a couple as spouses. The elements of marriage include: (1) the parties legal ability to marry each other, (2) mutual consent of the parties and (3) a marriage contract as required by law. (Legal Information Institute, 2014, n.d.). In the United States, marriage law is regulated by the individual state. Standards such as age, residency, relation, mental capacity, and gender are requirements regulated on a state-by-state basis. Until recent changes, the DefenseRead MoreSame Sex Marriage1418 Words   |  6 PagesGay Couples Should Have the Same Rights As Married Couples Professor PHI 210 June 6, 2013 Same-sex marriage is a topic that has become increasingly more debatable throughout time. America has been said to be the â€Å"land of the free,† but when it comes to homosexual couples, it is far from that. If same-sex marriage was legalized, many positive outcomes could emerge from it; the society would be closer to equality, adoption would increase, gained social support for families would developRead MoreThe purpose of this policy brief is to recommend to the State of Florida a policy that will1200 Words   |  5 Pagesof Florida a policy that will legalize same-sex marriage and acknowledge same-sex marriages recognized by laws in other states. This policy is necessary because current laws in Florida that restrict marriage to different-sex couples violate the US Constitution’s commitment to equal protection under the law and because the Due Process Clause protects individuals freedoms of personal choices, which includes their choice to marry and have a family. The benefits of this proposal far outweigh the disadvantagesRead MoreGay Marriage Essay1744 Words   |  7 Pages 02/02/2012 Legalizing same-sex marriage has been a debate going on for quite some time. The recognition of such marriages is a civil rights, political, social, moral, and religious issue in many nations. Since 2001, ten countries have begun allowing same-sex couples to marry nationwide. In the United States the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage, but such marriages are recognized by some individual states. Proposition 8 in NovemberRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal Essay1348 Words   |  6 PagesMarriage is a commitment between two people who love each other and have chosen to spend the rest of their lives together, this is a pretty standard view of marriage. How that commitment looks from culture to culture can be very different. In the United States, today, marriage is viewed as a commitment of love and loyalty. Legally it is a binding contract between two people giving them the benefits of marriage i.e. tax benefits and legal decision making benefits. The bi g controversy facing theRead MoreEssay on Recognizing Same-Sex Marriage1565 Words   |  7 PagesRecognizing Same-Sex Marriage Same-sex marriage is a huge controversy between Americans across the Country. In thirty-three states marriage is defined as a â€Å"union between a man and a woman†. For seventeen states in the U.S. this definition has been changed because every citizen should be treated equally according to the constitution and this also violates the Equal Protection Clause. It became possible for people of the same-sex to marry when it was stated to be unconstitutional. Denying marriage is denying

Human Flourishing Project Drug Abuse Essay - 1749 Words

Human Flourishing Project: Drug Abuse in Adolescents †¢ Introduction Drug abuse among young people has generated debates and responses from people all around the world. Since this problem has become a universal concern it has piqued the interest of parents, teachers, pediatricians, and youth group leaders alike. In this paper, I will be examining different statistics and articles about drug and substance abuse in adolescents. Not only that, I will also be providing a response and solution using a Christian approach. My solution will be supported by my personal life experiences and biblical scripture. Prayerfully, my views will offer an effective solution to this issue by â€Å"cherishing character,† â€Å"challenging culture,† and â€Å"serving the world.† †¢ Historical Context/ Contemporary Overview During my extensive research, the very first statistic that grasped my attention was found on drugabuse.com. In an article entitled Popular Drugs by Demographic, the following statement was made: â€Å"Unfortunately, teenagers make up the largest group of drug users in the country.† (2016) Illegal drugs being used by young people include marijuana (including synthetic), inhalants (hairspray, markers, spray paint, etc.), and bath salts. It is also found that teens have also abused prescription medications such as: pain relievers, tranquilizers, and ADHD medications. 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Illegal prostitution is unsafe, with women being mistreated by pimps. Pimps, as reported by prostitutes, employing â€Å"daily physical abuse, emotional dominance, and lie about caring†. Illegal prostitutes are on average 14 years old, and the majority of them are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Prostitution can be safe if legalized. Prostitution, contrary to popular belief, has no victims. The fact that prostitutes consent to selling their bodies and clients payingRead MoreHuman/sex trafficking in Amsterdam1901 Words   |  8 Pages†Å"We thought slavery was a thing of the past. We haven’t been paying attention† (Atlanta Hosts Passion 2012). There is trafficking all around the world, whether society likes it or not, several kinds such as trafficking in drugs, other supplies and even trafficking in people. 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The inner goal of this whole project is to replace andRead MoreShould Prostitution be Legalized in the United States? Essay1984 Words   |  8 Pageswill fear going to the police when raped. Illegal prostitution is unsafe, with women being mistreated by pimps. Pimps, as reported by prostitutes, employing â€Å"daily physical abuse, emotional dominance, and lie about caring†. Illegal prostitutes are on average 14 years old, and the majority of them are addicted to alcohol or drugs 6. Prostitution can be safe if legalized. Prostitution, contrary to popular belief, has no victims. The fact that prostitutes consent to selling their bodies and clients payingRead MorePSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION AND MENTAL HEALTH: SACRAMENT OF PENANCE IN PERSPECTIVE3120 Words   |  13 Pagesfar as can be chronicled of man’s history, religion has always occupied and influenced human behaviour. Through history, we find scholars who at one point or the other made allusion to this fact. 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Lamb The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 8 Free Essays

Chapter 8 I’ve managed to sneak into the bathroom long enough to read a few chapters of this New Testament that they’ve added to the Bible. This Matthew fellow, who is obviously not the Matthew that we knew, seems to have left out quite a little bit. Like everything from the time Joshua was born to the time he was thirty!!! No wonder the angel brought me back to write this book. We will write a custom essay sample on Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 8 or any similar topic only for you Order Now This Matthew fellow hasn’t mentioned me yet, but I’m still in the early chapters. I have to ration myself to keep the angel from getting suspicious. Today he confronted me when I came out of the bathroom. â€Å"You are spending a lot of time in there. You don’t need to spend so much time in there.† â€Å"I told you, cleanliness is very important to my people.† â€Å"You weren’t bathing. I would have heard the water running.† I decided that I needed to go on the offensive if I was going to keep the angel from finding the Bible. I ran across the room, leapt onto his bed, and fastened my hands around his throat – choking him as I chanted: â€Å"I haven’t been laid in two thousand years. I haven’t been laid in two thousand years. I haven’t been laid in two thousand years.† It felt good, there was a rhythm to it, I sort of squoze his throat a bit with every syllable. I paused for a moment in choking the heavenly host to backhand him across his alabaster cheek. It was a mistake. He caught my hand. Then grabbed me by the hair with his other hand and calmly climbed to his feet, lifting me into the air by my hair. â€Å"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow,† I said. â€Å"So, you have not been laid in two thousand years? What does that mean?† â€Å"Ow, ow, ow, ow,† I replied. The angel set me on my feet, but kept his grasp on my hair. â€Å"So?† â€Å"It means that I haven’t had a woman in two millennia, aren’t you picking up any of the vocabulary from the television?† He glanced at the TV, which, of course, was on. â€Å"I don’t have your gift of tongues. What does that have to do with choking me?† â€Å"I was choking you because you, once again, are as dense as dirt. I haven’t had sex in two thousand years. Men have needs. What the hell do you think I’m doing in the bathroom all of that time?† â€Å"Oh,† the angel said, releasing my hair. â€Å"So you are†¦You have been†¦There is a†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Get me a woman and maybe I won’t spend so much time in the bathroom, if you get my meaning.† Brilliant misdirection, I thought. â€Å"A woman? No, I cannot do that. Not yet.† â€Å"Yet? Does that mean†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh look,† the angel said, turning from me as if I was no more than vapor, â€Å"General Hospital is starting.† And with that, my secret Bible was safe. What did he mean by â€Å"yet†? At least this Matthew mentions the Magi. One sentence, but that’s one more than I’ve gotten in his Gospel so far. Our second day in Jerusalem we went to see the great Rabbi Hillel. (Rabbi means teacher in Hebrew – you knew that, right?) Hillel looked to be a hundred years old, his beard and hair were long and white, and his eyes were clouded over, his irises milk white. His skin was leathery-brown from sitting in the sun and his nose was long and hooked, giving him the aspect of a great, blind eagle. He held class all morning in the outer courtyard of the Temple. We sat quietly, listening to him recite from the Torah and interpret the verses, taking questions and engaging in arguments with the Pharisees, who tried to infuse the Law into every minute detail of life. Toward the end of Hillel’s morning lectures, Jakan, the camel-sucking husband-to-be of my beloved Maggie, asked Hillel if it would be a sin to eat an egg that had been laid on the Sabbath. â€Å"What are you, stupid? The Lord doesn’t give a damn what a chicken does on the Sabbath, you nimrod! It’s a chicken. If a Jew lays an egg on the Sabbath, that’s probably a sin, come see me then. Otherwise don’t waste my friggin’ time with that nonsense. Now go away, I’m hungry and I need a nap. All of you, scram.† Joshua looked at me and grinned. â€Å"He’s not what I expected,† he whispered. â€Å"Knows a nimrod when he sees – uh – hears one, though,† I said. (Nimrod was an ancient king who died of suffocation after he wondered aloud in front of his guards what it would be like to have your own head stuck up your ass.) A boy younger than us helped the old man to his feet and began to lead him away toward the Temple gate. I ran up and took the priest’s other arm. â€Å"Rabbi, my friend has come from far away to talk to you. Can you help him?† The old man stopped. â€Å"Where is your friend?† â€Å"Right here.† â€Å"Then why isn’t he talking for himself? Where do you come from, kid?† â€Å"Nazareth,† Joshua said, â€Å"but I was born in Bethlehem. I am Joshua bar Joseph.† â€Å"Oh yeah, I’ve talked to your mother.† â€Å"You have?† â€Å"Sure, almost every time she and your father come to Jerusalem for a feast she tries to see me. She thinks you’re the Messiah.† Joshua swallowed hard. â€Å"Am I?† Hillel snorted. â€Å"Do you want to be the Messiah?† Joshua looked at me as if I might have the answer. I shrugged. â€Å"I don’t know,† Josh finally said. â€Å"I thought I was just supposed to do it.† â€Å"Do you think you’re the Messiah?† â€Å"I’m not sure I should say.† â€Å"That’s smart,† Hillel said. â€Å"You shouldn’t say. You can think you’re the Messiah all that you want, just don’t tell anyone.† â€Å"But if I don’t tell them, they won’t know.† â€Å"Exactly. You can think you’re a palm tree if you want, just don’t tell anyone. You can think you’re a flock of seagulls, just don’t tell anyone. You get my meaning? Now I have to go eat. I’m old and I’m hungry and I want to go eat now, so just in case I die before supper I won’t go hungry.† â€Å"But he really is the Messiah,† I said. â€Å"Oh yeah,† Hillel said, grabbing my shoulder, then feeling for my head so he could scream into my ear. â€Å"What do you know? You’re an ignorant kid. How old are you? Twelve? Thirteen?† â€Å"Thirteen.† â€Å"How could you, at thirteen, know anything? I’m eighty-four and I don’t know shit.† â€Å"But you’re wise,† I said. â€Å"I’m wise enough to know that I don’t know shit. Now go away.† â€Å"Should I ask the Holy of Holies?† Joshua said. Hillel swung at the air, as if to slap Joshua, but missed by a foot. â€Å"It’s a box. I saw it when I could still see, and I can tell you that it’s a box. And you know what else, if there were tablets in it, they aren’t there now. So if you want to talk to a box, and probably be executed for trying to get into the chamber where it’s kept, you go right ahead.† The breath seemed to be knocked out of Joshua’s body and I thought he would faint on the spot. How could the greatest teacher in all of Israel speak of the Ark of the Covenant in such a way? How could a man who obviously knew every word of the Torah, and all the teachings written since, how could he claim not to know anything? Hillel seemed to sense Joshua’s distress. â€Å"Look, kid, your mother says that some very wise men came to Bethlehem to see you when you were born. They obviously knew something that no one else knew. Why don’t you go see them? Ask them about being the Messiah.† â€Å"So you aren’t going to tell him how to be the Messiah?† I asked. Again Hillel reached out for Joshua, but this time without any anger. He found Joshua’s cheek, and stroked it with his palsied hand. â€Å"I don’t believe there will be a Messiah, and at this point, I’m not sure it would make a difference to me. Our people have spent more time in slavery or under the heels of foreign kings than we have spent free, so who is to say that it is God’s will that we be free at all? Who is to say that God concerns himself with us in any way, beyond allowing us to be? I don’t think that he does. So know this, little one. Whether you are the Messiah, or you become a rabbi, or even if you are nothing more than a farmer, here is the sum of all I can teach you, and all that I know: treat others as you would like to be treated. Can you remember that?† Joshua nodded and the old man smiled. â€Å"Go find your wise men, Joshua bar Joseph.† What we did was stay in the Temple while Joshua grilled every priest, guard, even Pharisee about the Magi who had come to Jerusalem thirteen years before. Evidently it wasn’t as big an event for others as it was for Josh’s family, because no one had any idea what he was talking about. By the time he’d been at it for a couple of hours he was literally screaming into the faces of a group of Pharisees. â€Å"Three of them. Magicians. They came because they saw a star over Bethlehem. They were carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Come on, you’re all old. You’re supposed to be wise. Think!† Needless to say, they weren’t pleased. â€Å"Who is this boy who would question our knowledge? He knows nothing of the Torah and the prophets and yet berates us for not remembering three insignificant travelers.† It was the wrong thing to say to Joshua. No one had studied the Torah harder. No one knew scripture better. â€Å"Ask me any question, Pharisee,† Joshua said. â€Å"Ask anything.† In retrospect, after having grown up, somewhat, and having lived, died, and been resurrected from the dust, I realize that there may be nothing more obnoxious than a teenager who knows everything. Certainly, it is a symptom of the age that they think they know everything, but now I have some sympathy for those poor men who challenged Joshua that day at the Temple. Of course, at the time, I shouted, â€Å"Smite the sons-a-bitches, Josh.† He was there for days. Joshua wouldn’t even leave to eat, and I went out into the city to bring him back food. First the Pharisees, but later even some of the priests came to quiz Joshua, to try to throw him some question about some obscure Hebrew king or general. They made him recite the lineages from all the books of the Bible, yet he did not waver. Myself, I left him there to argue while I wandered through the holy city looking for Maggie, then, when I couldn’t find her, for girls in general. I slept at the camp of my parents, assuming all the time that Joshua was returning each night to his own family, but I was wrong. When the Passover feast was over and we were packing up to leave, Mary, Joshua’s mother, came to me in a panic. â€Å"Biff. Have you seen Joshua?† The poor woman was distraught. I wanted to comfort her so I held my arms out to give her a comforting embrace. â€Å"Poor Mary, calm down. Joshua is fine. Come, let me give you a comforting embrace.† â€Å"Biff!† I thought she might slap me. â€Å"He’s at the Temple. Jeez, a guy tries to be compassionate and what does he get?† She had already taken off. I caught up to her as she was dragging Joshua out of the Temple by the arm. â€Å"You worried us half to death.† â€Å"You should have known you would find me in my father’s house,† Joshua said. â€Å"Don’t you pull that ‘my father’ stuff on me, Joshua bar Joseph. The commandment says honor thy father and thy mother. I’m not feeling honored right now, young man. You could have sent a message, you could have stopped by the camp.† Joshua looked at me, his eyes pleading for me to help him out. â€Å"I tried to comfort her, Josh, but she wouldn’t have it.† Later I found the two of them on the road to Nazareth and Joshua motioned for me to walk with them. â€Å"Mother thinks we may be able to find at least one of the Magi, and if we find that one, he may know where the others are.† Mary nodded, â€Å"The one named Balthasar, the black one, he said he came from a village north of Antioch. He was the only one of the three that spoke any Hebrew.† I didn’t feel confident. Although I’d never seen a map, â€Å"north of Antioch† sounded like a large, unspecific, and scary place. â€Å"Is there more?† â€Å"Yes, the other two had come from the East by the Silk Road. Their names were Melchior and Gaspar.† â€Å"So it’s off to Antioch,† Joshua said. He seemed completely satisfied with the information his mother had given him, as if all he needed were the three Magi’s names and he’d as much as found them. I said, â€Å"You’re going to go to Antioch assuming that someone there will remember a man who may have lived north of there thirteen years ago?† â€Å"A magician,† Mary said. â€Å"A rich, Ethiopian magician. How many can there be?† â€Å"Well, there might not be any, did you think of that? He might have died. He might have moved to another city.† â€Å"In that case, I will be in Antioch,† Joshua said. â€Å"From there I can travel the Silk Road until I find the other two.† I couldn’t believe my ears. â€Å"You’re not going alone.† â€Å"Of course.† â€Å"But Josh, you’re helpless out in the world. You only know Nazareth, where people are stupid and poor. No offense, Mary. You’ll be like – uh – like a lamb among wolves. You need me along to watch out for you.† â€Å"And what do you know that I don’t? Your Latin is horrible, your Greek is barely passable, and your Hebrew is atrocious.† â€Å"Yeah. If a stranger comes up to you on the road to Antioch and asks you how much money you are carrying, what do you tell him?† â€Å"That will depend on how much I am carrying.† â€Å"No it won’t. You haven’t enough for a crust of bread. You are a poor beggar.† â€Å"But that’s not true.† â€Å"Exactly.† Mary put her arm around her son’s shoulders. â€Å"He has a point, Joshua.† Joshua wrinkled his brow as if he had to think about it, but I could tell that he was relieved that I wanted to go along. â€Å"When do you want to leave?† â€Å"When did Maggie say she was getting married?† â€Å"In a month.† â€Å"Before then. I don’t want to be here when it happens.† â€Å"Me either,† Joshua said. And so we spent the next few weeks preparing for our journey. My father thought I was crazy, but my mother seemed happy to have the extra space in the house and pleased that the family wouldn’t have to put up a bride price to marry me off right away. â€Å"So you’ll be gone how long?† Mother asked. â€Å"I don’t know. It’s not a terribly long journey to Antioch, but I don’t know how long we’ll be there. Then we’ll be traveling the Silk Road. I’m guessing that that’s a long journey. I’ve never seen any silk growing around here.† â€Å"Well, take a wool tunic in case it gets cold.† And that was all I heard from my mother. Not â€Å"Why are you going?† Not â€Å"Who are you looking for?† Just â€Å"Take a wool tunic.† Jeez. My father was more supportive. â€Å"I can give you a little money to travel with, or we could buy you a donkey.† â€Å"I think the money would be better. A donkey couldn’t carry both of us.† â€Å"And who are these fellows you’re looking for?† â€Å"Magicians, I think.† â€Å"And you want to talk to magicians because†¦?† â€Å"Because Josh wants to know how to be the Messiah.† â€Å"Oh, right. And you believe that Joshua is the Messiah?† â€Å"Yes, but more important than that, he’s my friend. I can’t let him go alone.† â€Å"And what if he’s not the Messiah? What if you find these magicians and they tell you that Joshua is not what you think he is, that he’s just a normal boy?† â€Å"Well, he’ll really need me to be there, then, won’t he?† My father laughed. â€Å"Yes, I guess he will. You come back, Levi, and bring your friend the Messiah with you. Now we’ll have to set three empty places at the table on Passover. One for Elijah, one for my lost son, and one for his pal the Messiah.† â€Å"Well, don’t seat Joshua next to Elijah. If those guys start talking religion we’ll never have any peace.† It came down to only four days before Maggie’s wedding before Joshua and I accepted that one of us would have to tell her we were leaving. After nearly a whole day of arguing, it fell upon me to go to her. I saw Joshua face down fears in himself that would have broken other men, but taking bad news to Maggie was one he couldn’t overcome. I took the task on myself and tried to leave Joshua with his dignity. â€Å"You wuss!† â€Å"How can I tell her that it’s too painful to watch her marry that toad?† â€Å"First, you’re insulting toads everywhere, and second, what makes you think it’s any easier for me?† â€Å"You’re tougher than I am.† â€Å"Oh, don’t try that. You can’t just roll over and expect me to not notice that I’m being manipulated. She’s going to cry. I hate it when she cries.† â€Å"I know,† Josh said. â€Å"It hurts me too. Too much.† Then he put his hand on my head and I suddenly felt better, stronger. â€Å"Don’t try your Son of God mumbo jumbo on me, you’re still a wuss.† â€Å"If it be so, so be it. So it shall be written.† Well, it is now, Josh. It’s written now. (It’s strange, the word â€Å"wuss† is the same in my ancient Aramaic tongue as it is in this language. Like the word waited for me these two thousand years so I could write it down here. Strange.) Maggie was washing clothes in the square with a bunch of other women. I caught her attention by jumping on the shoulders of my friend Bartholomew, who was gleefully exposing himself for the viewing pleasure of the Nazarene wives. With a subtle toss of my head I signaled to Maggie to meet me behind a nearby stand of date palms. â€Å"Behind those trees?† Maggie shouted. â€Å"Yeah,† I replied. â€Å"You bringing the idiot?† â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"Okay,† she said, and she handed her washing to one of her younger sisters and scampered to the trees. I was surprised to see her smiling so close to the time of her wedding. She hugged me and I could feel the heat rise in my face, either from shame or love, like there was a difference. â€Å"Well, you’re in a good mood,† I said. â€Å"Why not? I’m using them all up before the wedding. Speaking of which, what are you two bringing me for a present? It had better be good if it’s going to make up for who I have to marry.† She was joyful and there was music and laughter in her voice, pure Maggie, but I had to turn away. â€Å"Hey, I was only joking,† she said. â€Å"You guys don’t need to bring me anything.† â€Å"We’re leaving, Maggie. We won’t be there.† She grabbed my shoulder and forced me to face her. â€Å"You’re leaving? You and Joshua? You’re going away?† â€Å"Yes, before your wedding. We’re going to Antioch, and from there far into the East along the Silk Road.† She said nothing. Tears welled up in her eyes and I could feel them rising in mine as well. This time she turned away. â€Å"We should have told you before, I know, but really we only decided at Passover. Joshua is going to find the Magi who came to his birth, and I’m going with him because I have to.† She wheeled on me. â€Å"You have to? You have to? You don’t have to. You can stay and be my friend and come to my wedding and sneak down to talk to me here or in the vineyard and we can laugh and tease and no matter how horrible it is being married to Jakan, I’ll have that. I’ll at least have that!† I felt as if I’d be sick to my stomach any second. I wanted to tell her that I’d stay, that I’d wait, that if there was the slightest chance that her life wasn’t going to be a desert in the arms of her creep husband that I could hold hope. I wanted to do whatever I could to take away even a little bit of her pain, even up to letting Joshua go by himself, but in thinking that, I realized that Joshua must have been feeling the same thing, so all I said was â€Å"I’m sorry.† â€Å"And what about Joshua, wasn’t he even going to say good-bye?† â€Å"He wanted to, but he couldn’t. Neither of us can, I mean, we didn’t want to have to watch you marry Jakan.† â€Å"Cowards. You two deserve each other. You can hide behind each other like Greek boys. Just go. Get away from me.† I tried to think of something to say, but my mind was a soup of confusion so I hung my head and walked away. I was almost out of the square when Maggie caught up to me. I heard her footsteps and turned. â€Å"Tell him to meet me behind the synagogue, Biff. The night before my wedding, an hour after sunset.† â€Å"I’m not sure, Maggie, he – â€Å" â€Å"Tell him,† she said. She ran back to the well without looking back. So I told Joshua, and on the night before Maggie’s wedding, the night before we were to leave on our journey, Joshua packed some bread and cheese and a skin of wine and told me to meet him by the date palms in the square where we would share supper together. â€Å"You have to go,† Joshua said. â€Å"I’m going. In the morning, when you do. What, you think I’d back out now?† â€Å"No, tonight. You have to go to Maggie. I can’t go.† â€Å"What? I mean, why?† Sure I’d been heartbroken when Maggie had asked to see Joshua and not me, but I’d come to terms with it. Well, as well as one ever comes to terms with an ongoing heartbreak. â€Å"You have to take my place, Biff. There’s almost no moon tonight, and we are about the same size. Just don’t say much and she’ll think it’s me. Maybe not as smart as normal, but she can put that down to worry over the upcoming journey.† â€Å"I’d love to see Maggie, but she wants to see you, why can’t you go?† â€Å"You really don’t know?† â€Å"Not really.† â€Å"Then just take my word for it. You’ll see. Will you do this for me, Biff? Will you take my place, pretend to be me?† â€Å"That would be lying. You never lie.† â€Å"Now you’re getting righteous on me? I won’t be lying. You will be.† â€Å"Oh. In that case, I’ll go.† But there wasn’t even time to deceive. It was so dark that night that I had to make my way slowly through the village by starlight alone, and as I rounded the corner to the back of our small synagogue I was hit with a wave of sandalwood and lemon and girl sweat, of warm skin, a wet mouth over mine, arms around my back and legs around my waist. I fell backward on the ground and there was in my head a bright light, and the rest of the world existed in the senses of touch and smell and God. There, on the ground behind the synagogue, Maggie and I indulged desires we had carried for years, mine for her, and hers for Joshua. That neither of us knew what we were doing made no difference. It was pure and it happened and it was marvelous. And when we finished we lay there holding each other, half dressed, breathless, and sweating, and Maggie said, â€Å"I love you, Joshua.† â€Å"I love you, Maggie,† I said. And ever so slightly she loosened her embrace. â€Å"I couldn’t marry Jakan without – I couldn’t let you go without – without letting you know.† â€Å"He knows, Maggie.† Then she really pulled away. â€Å"Biff?† â€Å"Uh-oh.† I thought she might scream, that she might leap up and run away, that she might do any one of a hundred things to take me from heaven to hell, but after only a second she nuzzled close to me again. â€Å"Thank you for being here,† she said. We left at dawn, and our fathers walked with us as far as the gates of Sepphoris. When we parted at the gates my father gave me a hammer and chisel to carry with me in my satchel. â€Å"With that you can make enough for a meal anywhere you go,† my father said. Joseph gave Joshua a wooden bowl. â€Å"Out of that you can eat the meal that Biff earns.† He grinned at me. By the gates of Sepphoris I kissed my father for the last time. By the gates of Sepphoris we left our fathers behind and went out into the world to find three wise men. â€Å"Come back, Joshua, and make us free,† Joseph shouted to our backs. â€Å"Go with God,† my own father said. â€Å"I am, I am,† I shouted. â€Å"He’s right here.† Joshua said nothing until the sun was high in the sky and we stopped to share a drink of water. â€Å"Well?† Joshua said. â€Å"Did she know it was you?† â€Å"Yes. Not at first, but before we parted. She knew.† â€Å"Was she angry at me?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Was she angry at you?† I smiled. â€Å"No.† â€Å"You dog!† he said. â€Å"You really should ask that angel what he meant about you not knowing a woman, Joshua. It’s really important.† â€Å"You know now why I couldn’t go.† â€Å"Yes. Thanks.† â€Å"I’ll miss her,† Joshua said. â€Å"You have no idea,† I said. â€Å"Every detail. I want to know every detail.† â€Å"But you aren’t supposed to know.† â€Å"That’s not what the angel meant. Tell me.† â€Å"Not now. Not while I can still smell her on my arms.† Joshua kicked at the dirt. â€Å"Am I angry with you, or happy for you, or jealous of you? I don’t know? Tell me!† â€Å"Josh, right now, for the first time I can remember, I’m happier being your friend than I would be being you. Can I have that?† Now, thinking about that night with Maggie behind the synagogue, where we stayed together until it was nearly dawn, where we made love again and again and fell asleep naked on top of our clothes – now, when I think of that, I want to run away from here, this room, this angel and his task, find a lake, dive down, and hide from the eye of God in the dark muck on the bottom. Strange. How to cite Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 8, Essay examples

Recommend and Justify a Marketing Strategy That Andy Might Use to Increase Sales at Ahc free essay sample

Recommend and justify a marketing strategy that Andy might use to increase sales at AHC AHC is a health club known for its excellent health facilities which benefit their members with a wide range of exercises as well as facilities such as their cafe and beauty salon. However, the owner, Andy has come to realise that if his business ever were to expand, it couldn’t satisfy everyone and cater to each individual’s needs. AHC has many opportunities for further development and becoming an even more established health club with a wider target market but its competitors (other health clubs) pose as a threat towards them in pricing and facilities. AHC’s main objective is to increase their sales and to do that, they will need to consider each of the four functional areas within the marketing mix, and along with that, they may also need to conduct extensive market research to ensure that their aim to gain revenue is met. We will write a custom essay sample on Recommend and Justify a Marketing Strategy That Andy Might Use to Increase Sales at Ahc or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page First of all, AHC will have to look at the services they provide to members of the health club as well as potential new consumers, to see how well the business is performing and whether the services the business offers satisfy consumers. Also by doing this, AHC will be able to use market segmentation, which will divide consumers into groups so that a better customer base is established and more customers can be gained. Also , when looking at the services they provide, AHC may need to think about their products and how they differentiate from their competitors, for example, AHC may want to consider their option C which involved building more squash courts or a larger fitness studio. By increasing their services, AHC will attract more members of the public and gain more sales from members who will want to use the additional services provided. AHC could also look into the pricing of their products. Andy is currently considering other pricing approaches such as price discrimination which can enable higher prices at more demanding times of the day, depending on consumer demand. This could also attract more consumers who will want to use the services at the health club more at off-peak times due to cheaper prices. This can ensure that at ‘peak’ times of the day, AHC will be making more revenue, but there may also be an increase during ‘off peak’ times. AHC must also make sure that because of the higher prices, they don’t face a loss of consumers if they do decide to use price discrimination. Option A displays such pricing in which additional charges may be given, however if AHC wishes to maintain its customer base, as well as attract more while prices are being raised, they may need to offer consumers extra services, discounts or deals such as ‘ 3 Pilates classes for the price of 2’ for women which will help maintain good relationships and loyalty with members in the long term. AHC have limited amounts of promotion for its business and currently only rely on its website as well as word of mouth which could realistically only attract a certain number of consumers however if Andy wishes to expand or even increase the number of sales, alternative methods of advertising should be taken into account, for example, below the line promotion such as posters, local radio advertisements, local newspapers and magazines to make people aware of the business, and this way, AHC can widen their market. Andy knows that some facilities offered only target specific people, e.g. the beauty salon is aimed at mostly female members so instead of advertising within the mass market, he could implement personal selling to allow customers to receive personal and individual attention from the business. Also, as Andy sees increased competition as a threat, advertising on a larger scale within the local area can help to increase the number of consumers which can help the increase in sale s because even though it is a competitive market, promoting the business can impact a lot and possibly attract consumers from similar businesses due to prices and services offered. In AHC’s current business position, they do not have the necessary capital to expand as it can only just about afford one of the facilities in option C, but if in the long term, the business will be able to build extra facilities for the health club or maybe open up another health club in a neighbouring area. Andy should continue to run his business and put into practice ways to help the business grow. AHC can definitely do this by differentiating the services they provide because it will maintain customer loyalty and help gain more consumers because of the new services which make them different to every other health club in the Midlands. Also, they could adapt new pricing strategies to see what kind of price consumers are willing to pay, whether high or low depending on how many sales are made. An increase in promotion could also benefit the business very well as it can help aid consumers through awareness of the health club, adding to a more well- rounded reputation. It would be ideal to carry out further research on the aspects of the marketing mix, and produce short term tactical objectives in which they can achieve and in the long run, can end with the business being able to achieve an increase in sales.

Preventing Pet Theft for Cruel Purposes

Preventing Pet Theft for Cruel Purposes Organized pet thieves steal cats and dogs for two main purposes- to use as bait in dogfighting and to sell to laboratories through B dealers. Because pet theft is illegal, it is difficult to estimate the number of animals involved, but it is believed to be in the tens of thousands annually. How Are Cats and Dogs Stolen? Cats and dogs can be stolen from front yards, backyards, cars, streets, or sidewalks when the guardian goes into a store and leaves the dog tied up outside. Another popular way to steal cats and dogs is to answer free to a good home ads. The thief answers the ad, pretending to want to adopt the animal. Later, the animal is sold to a laboratory or used as bait in dogfighting. To prevent pet theft and for other reasons, it is important to always charge an adoption fee and to never give an animal away to a stranger for free. Even though the animal was given away for free, obtaining the animal in this way, under false pretenses, can be considered theft by deception which is a crime. B Dealers - Selling Animals to Laboratories B Dealers are animal dealers licensed under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C.  §2131) to sell dogs and cats commercially, including to laboratories. The regulations adopted under the AWA can be found at 9 C.F.R. 1.1, where Class B Licensee is defined as a dealer whose business includes the purchase and/or resale of any animal. This term includes brokers, and operators of an auction sale, as such individuals negotiate or arrange for the purchase, sale, or transport of animals in commerce. Class A Licensees are breeders, while Class C Licensees are exhibitors. B dealers are random source dealers who do not breed animals themselves. To prevent fraud and pet theft, B dealers are allowed to obtain dogs and cats only from other licensed dealers and from animal pounds or shelters. Under 9 C.F.R.  § 2.132, B dealers are not allowed to obtained animals by use of false pretenses, misrepresentation, or deception. B dealers are required to maintain accurate and complete records, including records on [h]ow, where from whom, and when the dog or cat was obtained. B dealers often work with bunchers who do the actual stealing in a pet theft ring. Despite federal regulations and record-keeping requirements, pet theft rings regularly steal animals in various ways and resell them to laboratories. Records are easily falsified, and animals are often transported across state lines to minimize the chances of someone finding their stolen pet. The American Anti-Vivisection Society lists B dealers and their Animal Welfare Act violations. In one notorious case, B dealer C.C. Baird lost his license and was fined $262,700, as a result of an investigation by Last Chance for Animals. LCA is the leading organization in the U.S. raising awareness about B dealers. The USDA maintains a list of licensed B dealers, organized by state. Keep in mind that not all B dealers sell stolen animals to laboratories, and most sell animals as part of the legal animal trade. Bait Animals for Dogfighting Cats, dogs and  even rabbits can be stolen and used as bait in dogfighting. In a dogfight, two dogs are put together in an enclosure and fight to the death or until one can no longer continue. Audience members bet on the outcome, and thousands of dollars can change hands at a single dogfight. Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states but is thriving among both professional dogfighters and thrill-seeking teenagers. The bait animals are used to test or train a dog to be as vicious and aggressive as possible. What You Can Do The Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2011, H.R. 2256, would prohibit B dealers from selling animals for use in research. LCA urges everyone to contact their federal legislators, in support of the bill. You can look up your representative on the House of Representatives website, while your senators can be found on the official Senate website. Find out more about the bill from the LCA website. To prevent pet theft, microchip your animals and never leave your animal unattended outside. This is common sense protection not only from pet theft but also from predators, exposure, and other threats. You can learn more about pet theft and B dealers from Last Chance for Animals, including more ways to fight pet theft by B dealers. Pet Theft and Animal Rights From an animal rights standpoint, pet theft is a tragedy, but using any animal for dogfighting or for vivisection violates the animals rights, regardless of whether the animal was stolen or used to be a pet.

Family Tree and Genealogy of Actor James Stewart

Family Tree and Genealogy of Actor James Stewart Beloved American actor Jimmy Stewart was born to typical small-town roots in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where his father owned the local hardware store. His fathers Western Pennsylvania roots date back to 1772 when Jimmys third great-grandfather Fergus Moorhead first arrived in what is now Indiana County. His mothers roots also stretch back to 1770s Pennsylvania. First Generation James Maitland STEWART, the oldest and only son of Alexander Stewart and Elizabeth Ruth Jackson, was born on 20 May 1908 in his parents home at 975 Philadelphia Street in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The family soon expanded to include two sisters, Mary and Virginia. Jimmys father, Alex (pronounced Alec) owned the local hardware store in town, J.M. Stewart Co. Jimmy Stewart married Gloria Hatrick in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, on 9 August 1949. Second Generation (Parents) Alexander M. STEWART was born on 19 May 1872 in Indiana County, Pennsylvania and died 28 Dec 1961 in Indiana Co., PA.Elizabeth Ruth JACKSON was born on 16 Mar 1875 in Indiana Co., PA and died 2 Aug 1953. Alexander M. STEWART and Elizabeth Ruth JACKSON were married in Indiana Co., PA on 19 Dec 1906 and had the following children: Jimmy Maitland STEWARTMary Wilson STEWART was born in Indiana Co., PA in 1912Virginia Kelly STEWART was born in Indiana Co., PA in 1915 Third Generation (Grandparents): James Maitland STEWART was born in Pennsylvania on 24 May 1839 and died on 16 Mar 1932.Virginia KELLY was born in Pennsylvania about 1847 and died before 1888. James Maitland STEWART married twice. First, he married Virginia Kelly and they had the following children: Ralph STEWART was born in Pennsylvania on Oct 1869Alexander M. STEWARTErnest Taylor STEWART was born in Pennsylvania Sep 1874 Following the death of his first wife, Virginia, James Maitland STEWART married Martha A. about 1888. Samuel McCartney JACKSON was born in Sep 1833 in PennsylvaniaMary E. WILSON was born in Nov 1844 in Pennsylvania Samuel McCartney JACKSON and Mary E. WILSON were married about 1868, and had the following children: Mary Gertrude Jackson was born abt 1861 in PALizzie Virginia Jackson was born abt 1862 in PAFrank Wilson Jackson was born abt 1870 in PAJohn H. Jackson was born abt Aug 1873 in PAElizabeth Ruth JACKSONMary E Jackson was born abt 1877 in PAEmily L. Jackson was born abt Apr 1882 in PA

Using the IRAC rule law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Using the IRAC rule law - Essay Example Using the IRAC rule law People always assume that riots and vandalism are not liable for compensation by insurance and the police are also not liable. However, According to commercial property coverage guide a riot is â€Å"any disturbances of the public’s peace by more than three people helping each other execute destruction of property and people by use of force and aggression in an unlawful manner†. According to this rule of law it seems the peoples assumptions are wrong yet the law states otherwise. The confusion here is that for the state to be liable for compensating Eric it must be first be investigated to find out the cause and intention. This is because for the state to compensate Eric, the law states that â€Å"the loss of his pharmacy must be accidental as intentional damages and loss and criminals acts are not liable for compensation†. According to Erick’s case, the people who looted, vandalized and burnt his pharmacy do not know him personally to be doing the damage intentionally nor are they doing it to cause damage for him. Secondly, the looting and vandalism was not done by Erick himself but a rowdy group thus the insurance is liable for compensation. The state is liable for compensation in Erick’s case since the police stood by and did not prevent the rioters from vandalizing and burning his pharmacy. Therefore, Erick must be compensated for losses incurred in his shop. Eric’s pharmacy company VCS was to be delivered pharmaceuticals by Tanya who owns a pharmaceutical delivery business.