Role of a Mental Health Nurse Essay Example

Role of a Mental Health Nurse Essay Example Role of a Mental Health Nurse Essay Role of a Mental Health Nurse Essay What is the role of a mental health nurse? As a student in mental health nurse, I can link my experience to the following articles. The first article is modeling and remodeling theory by Helen Erickson. According to the nursing theory by Helen Erickson (modeling and role-modeling theory), it has helped me in defining the career as well understanding what is required as a mental health nurse (Walsh, K. Vandenbosch T., Boehm S. 1989). From the theory, as a nurse, you should care and nurture every patient being aware that, respecting individual patients uniqueness is what keeps the career moving. Throughout my experience, I have been able to apply the aspects coined by Helen. The second article addresses the theory of health promotion model by Nola Pender which states that Health is a positive dynamic state rather than simply the absence of disease (Thibeault, R., Hebert, M. 2007). The understanding of these theories helped me in my experience to develop a personal understanding of the importance of being positive to the caree r, giving the best services for one primary goal which is recovery from a disorder or illness. Role of a mental health nurse practitioner Another article that I can link with my experience is a review of transcultural nursing theory by Madeliene Leininger. The understanding of this theory has greatly influenced my interaction with people during my experience. The understanding of this theory also helped me understand different cultures and applied the understanding to my experience (Gustafson D., 2005). The role of this paper was to illustrate my experiences as a mental health student nurse regarding the application of nursing theories. Also, from the understanding of these theories how I applied my understanding to be able to practice as a student nurse. The question I would like answered concerning the role of a medical health nurse is; how do they apply their experience to address the multidisciplinary treatment of mental disorders having in mind that mental health treatment involves different specialist? References Gustafson D., L. (2005). Transcultural nursing theory from a critical cultural perspective. ANS. Advances in Nursing Science. 28. Thibeault, R., Hebert, M. (2007). A congruent model for health promotion in occupational therapy. Occupational Therapy International. 4, 271-293. Walsh, K. Vandenbosch T., M, Boehm S. (2009). Modelling and role-modelling: integrating nursing theory into practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 14, 755-61

How Presidents Have Used Their Power To Pardon

How Presidents Have Used Their Power To Pardon The President derives the power of pardon from Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the president power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. A reprieve reduces the severity of a punishment, but the person remains guilty. A pardon removes both punishment and guilt, which is why pardons are more likely to be controversial. The process for obtaining a pardons begins with an application to the Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney. The DOJ consults with other lawyers and judges for recommendations; the FBI runs a check on the applicant. After winnowing the applicants, the DOJ provides a list of recommendations to the office of the White House Counsel. Historical Pardons Historically, Presidents used the power to pardon to heal rifts in the national psyche. As President Bush said on 24 December 1982, When earlier wars have ended, Presidents have historically used their power to pardon to put bitterness behind us and look to the future. For example, George Washington pardoned leaders of the Whiskey Rebellion; James Madison pardoned Lafittes pirates after the War of 1812; Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederate soldiers after the Civil War; Harry Truman pardoned those who violated World War II Selective Service laws; and Jimmy Carter pardoned Vietnam War draft dodgers. The modern-day pardon, however, has taken a decidedly more political turn. And it may help its recipient find a job and regain the right to vote. Nixon In modern history, the most controversial pardon is probably the 1974 pardon of former President Richard Nixon, issued by President Gerald Ford. Ford assumed the presidency on 9 August 1974, the day after President Nixon resigned over Watergate, pending impeachment. Ford pardoned Nixon on 8 September 1974. Although Carter made a campaign issue of the Nixon pardon, in retrospect Fords action was brave (it was political suicide) and helped a divided nation begin to heal. Iran-Contra On 24 December 1992, President George Bush pardoned six Reagan administration officials involved in the Iran-Contra Affair: Elliott Abrams, Duane R. Clarridge, Alan Fiers, Clair George, National Security Adviser Robert C. Bud McFarlane and Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger. He compared their actions to those pardoned by Madison, Johnson, Truman and Carter: In many cases, the offenses pardoned by these Presidents were at least as serious as those I am pardoning today. Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh was appointed in December 1986 to investigate the Iran/Contra affair; subsequently, Walsh brought charges against 14 people. Eleven were convicted; two convictions were overturned on appeal. Two were pardoned before trial, and one case was dismissed when the Bush Administration declined to declassify information necessary for trial.President Bush pardoned six Iran/Contra participants on 24 December 1992. Post-Trial Pardons Elliott Abrams   Pleaded guilty October 7, 1991, to two misdemeanor charges of withholding information from Congress about secret government efforts to support the Nicaraguan contra rebels during a ban on such aid. He was sentenced on November 15, 1991 to two years probation and 100 hours community service. The second President Bush appointed Abrams as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on the National Security Council for Near East and North African Affairs. Alan D. Fiers, Jr.   Pleaded guilty July 9, 1991, to two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress about secret efforts to aid the Nicaraguan contras. He was sentenced on January 31, 1992 to one year probation and 100 hours community service. Pardoned. Clair E. George   Indicted September 6, 1991, on 10 counts of perjury, false statements and obstruction in connection with congressional and Grand Jury investigations. Georges trial on nine counts ended in a mistrial on August 26, 1992. Following a second trial on seven counts, George was found guilty December 9, 1992, of two felony charges of false statements and perjury before Congress. His sentencing hearing was February 18, 1993. Pardoned before sentencing occurred. Robert C. McFarlane   Pleaded guilty March 11, 1988, to four misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress. He was sentenced on March 3, 1989, to two years probation, $20,000 in fines and 200 hours community service. Pardoned. Pre-trial Pardons Duane R. Clarridge   Indicted November 26, 1991, on seven counts of perjury and false statements about a secret shipment of U.S. HAWK missiles to Iran. The maximum penalty for each count was five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Trial date set for March 15, 1993. Pardoned. Caspar W. Weinberger   Indicted June 16, 1992, on five counts of obstruction, perjury and false statements in connection with congressional and Independent Counsel investigations of Iran/ contra. On September 29, the obstruction count was dismissed. On October 30, a second indictment was issued, charging one false statement count. The second indictment was dismissed December 11, leaving four counts remaining. The maximum penalty for each count was five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Trial date set for January 5, 1993, trial date. Pardoned. Dismissal Joseph F. Fernandez   Indicted June 20, 1988 on five counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstructing the inquiry of the Tower Commission and making false statements to government agencies. The case was dismissed in the District of Columbia for venue reasons on the motion of Independent Counsel. A four-count indictment was issued in the Eastern District of Virginia on April 24, 1989. The four-count case was dismissed November 24, 1989, after Attorney General Richard Thornburgh blocked the disclosure of classified information ruled relevant to the defense. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Va., on September 6, 1990 upheld Judge Hiltons rulings under the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA). On October 12, 1990, the Attorney General filed a final declaration that he would not disclose the classified information. From the  Walsh Iran/Contra Report. In addition, Bush pardoned Edwin Cox Jr., whose family contributed nearly $200,000 to the Bush familys campaigns and to Republican campaign committees from 1980 to 2000, according to documents obtained by  CNN. Cox pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 1988, served six months in prison and paid $250,000 in fines. In addition, his father (Cox, Sr.) is a Bush Presidential Library trustee who contributed between $100,000 and $250,000 to the Bush Presidential Library. A complete  list of Bushs pardons  (1989-1992) President Clintons Pardons President Clintons most controversial pardon was of billionaire financier Marc Rich. His connection with the political and business elite of both parties demonstrates that the differences among those in power are less distinct than the differences between those in power and those out of power. For  example: After hiring prominent Republican lawyers during the Reagan and Bush administrations- Leonard Garment, former Nixon White House counsel, William Bradford Reynolds, once an official of the Reagan Justice Department, and Lewis Libby, now chief of staff to Vice President Richard Cheney- Rich hired a top Democratic lawyer, Jack Quinn, to give him direct access to Clinton. Quinn, former White House counsel, runs his law practice with Ed Gillespie, a key Bush adviser and former head of the GOP. In addition, Clinton pardoned Susan McDougal (Whitewater), former Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros (lied to FBI investigators about payments to his mistress) and  ex-CIA chief  John Deutch (forced out at the CIA when he contradicted White House claims that U.S. missile strikes on Iraq were effective).Review the  list of Clintons pardons  (1993-2000) President Bushs Pardons As the end of President Bushs term drew near, he had pardoned about half as many people as his prior two-term predecessors, Clinton and Ronald Reagan. Bush has issued pardons for many petty crimes committed decades in the past, ranging from possessing marijuana to moonshining. Just before Thanksgiving 2008,  President Bush pardoned 14 and commuted the sentence  of another two. This brought his pardon total to 171 and commutations total to eight. In one of the most high profile cases of his Administration, that of Scooter Libby, President Bush did not grant a pardon. He did, however, commute Libbys sentence. Another high-profile commuted sentences was that of  hip-hop musician John Forte, who was convicted in 2001 on drug smuggling charges. In Texas. Just  before Christmas, Bush pardoned Isaac Toussie who pleaded guilty in 2001 to using false documents to have mortgages insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and in 2002 to mail fraud, admitting that he had persuaded officials in Suffolk County to overpay for land. Bush rescinded the pardon the next day after press reports revealed that his father, Robert Toussie, recently donated $30,800 to Republicans. Bush let  stand a pardon  issued for Alan Maiss, who had contributed $1,500 to the presidents 2004 re-election campaign; he served one year of probation. In 1995, Maiss failed to report a fellow gaming executives alleged ties to organized crime. Bush had  pardoned 19  and provided clemency for one. See a  list of pardons  and  commutations  granted by President George W. Bush.

Journal 16 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Journal 16 - Assignment Example He managed to make plenty of money from handling cases of poor immigrants in New York City. He attracts clients through promises and extorts theme to bits. He believes that earning money brings more pleasure. He adds that making more makes his family happier. He observes that money produces happiness and does not take the time to address his family. Tito regrets his past behavior and treatment to his family. He wishes that he had created more time to measure up to his mistakes. On the contrary, it becomes too late to accomplish all that he wanted to share. He cannot show a decent goodbye to the family. Even though, Tito had plenty of complaints against his wife, he believed that the wife had a critical role within his life in Cuba. She was the main reason that pushed him to make more money as a way of satisfying her. He was aware that this had to be the only way of holding together the relationship. Previously, Tito lived a life of misery and difficulty. His wife came into his life while his business was successful and ran advertisements on mass media. Currently, Tito considers his wife a greedy woman who constantly asks the husband to award her money to expense. The fact that she shares no feeling for her husband, she refuses to divorce him for his riches. He has difficulties relating with Ines and Jaime. Tito’s life is limited within the confines of making profit from everyone. This has strained his relationships with his wife and children. He considers making more money through doctoring birth certificates, forging employment records, thwarting deportation, securing sponsors, generating legitimate green cards and applying for political asylums. These contrasts depict how people perceive of money as a happiness equivalent. The thought of more money amounts to equal amounts of happiness is misguided. Tito’s story shows that money does not have a direct comparison with the amount of happiness derived. Politics displays the characters’ in two

Self-reliance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Self-reliance - Essay Example Emerson emphasizes on the need of knowing oneself and capabilities. It has been observed that a man who considers himself genius is often left-out or abandoned by the world. His norms or his customs become strange to the people. Emerson continues with the thought that society is the main influencing factor on the lives of such people who eventually comprise on their values, beliefs and customs to make the world and the society happy. A person should be allowed to live his life which he believes is good for him; anyone who creates a pattern in his life can be considered as defying his nature or his sphere of life. The lines explores that a person should not follow the pattern which is drawn for him by other people. He needs to think challenging steps to explore the beauty of life. Foolish people can only follow the norms and customs without knowing whether they are beneficial for him or not but wise men don’t do that. Wise men follow the logic and rationale behind everything. People pray without knowing the true essence and meaning of the prayers. A prayer is a form of faith that a person has on God. Emerson in his essay has stressed on the need of praying honestly and with all faith. In his essay, â€Å"self-reliance†, he has clearly stated that people pray to get their worldly desires to be fulfilled in a mean and selfish way. Prayers should be free of meanness; they should be pure and genuine. According to Emerson, our prayers are more focused on the fulfillment of our personal means at the cost of others. He states in his essay that our prayers can be exemplified â€Å"as a means to effect a private end is meanness and theft." Only by being self-reliance and determined we can pray with all our honesty. According to him our prayers should not be focused on attaining our personal goals; they should have a wider sphere of benefits for us and for the humanity. A self reliant soul would ask beyond his means from God. As a

Exploring The Issue Of Workplace Violence Social Work Essay

Exploring The Issue Of Workplace Violence Social Work Essay The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines workplace violence as violent acts directed toward persons at work or on duty. Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. A work setting is defined as any location, either permanent or temporary, where an employee performs work-related duties. This comprises, but is not limited to, the buildings and surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field locations, clients homes, and traveling to and from work assignments. (Anderson, D. 2008). Workplace violence ranges mostly, from unpleasant or threatening language to homicide. Elements of workplace violence includes beatings, stabbings, suicides, shootings, rapes, psychological traumas, threats or obscene phone calls, fear, irritation of any kind, as well as being confirmed at, shouted at, or followed. Nurses are at the most risk of workplace violence among health care providers .Violence inflicted on employees may come from many sources external parties such as robbers or muggers and internal parties such as coworkers and patients.( Boldt, A., Schmidt, R. 2006) There are many risk factor of work violence which affecting in nursing in this essay will discuss type of violence and how to prevent the violence in work place. The reasons for workplace violence and stress are identified at organizational, societal and individual levels, showing complex interrelationships. The accumulation of stress and tension in demanding health occupations à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ under strain from societal problems and the pressure of health system reforms à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ contribute to emerging violence. At an individual level, health workers tend to rank the personality of patients as the leading factor generating violence, followed by the social and economic situation in the country and, well behind, work organization and working conditions. (Duxbury, J. 2009). However, when categorized into individual, societal and organizational factors, all three contributing factors appear to be of equal importance in the analysis of risks of violence and stress, with organizational factors playing a key role. Examples of violence in the workplace include the following: Verbal threats to inflict bodily harm, including vague or covert threats Attempting to cause physical harm: striking, pushing and other aggressive physical acts against another person Disorderly conduct, such as shouting, throwing or pushing objects, punching walls, and slamming doors Verbal harassment; abusive or offensive language, gestures or other discourteous conduct towards supervisors or fellow employees Making false, malicious or unfounded statements against coworkers, supervisors, or subordinates which tend to damage their reputations or undermine their authority (Contrera- L., Moreno, M. 2004). Type of violence affecting in nursing: Nursing to nursing which nurse are often the first line of victims. This act of violence can include spousal abuse and child and elderly abuse. Other to nurse which violence toward health care professional is extensive, and nurse are frequency the victims. The perpetrators can include patient. Patient families and other health care worker. Nurse to nurse who is difficult for nurses to discuss violence against other nurse.horizantal aggression is define as aggressive behavior that one registered nurse commits against another in the work place.( Duxbury, J. 2009). The aggressive behavior may be verbal. Non verbal or physical. It may be expressed directly toward another person or indirectly toward their property or work. The behavior can be expressed openly or in more subtle manner. Other type is nurse to other: violence includes patient abuse and neglect with nurse as aggressor. CATEGORIES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE Workplace violence has many sources. To better understand its causes and possible solutions, researchers have divided it into four categories dependent upon the type of perpetrator like person committing the violence. The four types are: violence by strangers, violence by customers or clients, violence by co-workers, and violence by someone in a personal relationship( Felblinger, D. 2008). Type I: Violence by a Stranger: In this type of workplace violence the perpetrator is a stranger and has no legitimate relationship to the organization or its employees. Typically, a crime is being committed in conjunction with the violence. The primary motive is usually robbery but it could also be shoplifting or criminal trespassing. A deadly weapon is often involved, increasing the risk of fatal injury. Type I is the most common source of worker homicide. Eighty-five percent of all workplace homicides fall into this category Workers who are at higher risk for Type I violence are those who exchange cash with customers as part of the job, work late night hours, and/or work alone. Convenience store clerks, taxi drivers, and security guards are all examples of the kinds of workers who are at increased risk for Type I workplace violence.( Gates, D., Fitzwater, E.etal. 2004) Type II: Violence by a Customer or Client: In Type II incidents, the perpetrator has a legitimate relationship with the organization by being the recipient or object of services provided by the workplace or the victim. This category includes customers, clients, patients, students, and inmates. The violence can be committed in the workplace or, as with service providers; outside the workplace but while the worker is performing a job-related function. (Hughes, H. 2008). Violence of this kind is divided into two categories. One category involves people who may be inherently violent, such as prison inmates, mental-health service recipients, or other client populations. Attacks from unwilling clients, such as prison inmates on guards or crime suspects on police officers, are examples of this type of workplace violence. The risk of violence to some workers in this category may be constant or even routine. The other category involves people who are not known to be inherently violent, but are situation ally violent. Something in the situation induces an otherwise nonviolent client or customer to become violent. Provoking situations may be those that are frustrating to the client or customer, such as denial of needed or desired services or delays in receiving such services. (Hegney, D., Tuckett, A., Parker, D., Eley, R. 2010). Service providers, including healthcare workers, schoolteachers, social workers, and bus and train operators, are among the most common targets of type II violence. A large proportion of customer/client incidents occur in the healthcare industry, in settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, or psychiatric facilities. (Woodtli, M., Breslin, E. 2006). Type III: Violence by a Co-Worker, Type III violence occurs when an employee or past employee attacks or threatens co-workers. This category includes violence by employees, supervisors, managers, and owners. In some cases, these incidents can take place after a series of increasingly hostile behaviors from the perpetrator. The motivating factor is often one, or a series of, interpersonal or work-related disputes. The perpetrator may be seeking revenge for what is perceived as unfair treatment. (Hughes, H. 2008) Type IV: Violence by Someone in a Personal Relationship, In Type IV workplace violence, the perpetrator usually has or has had a personal relationship with the intended victim and does not have a legitimate relationship with the workplace. The incident may involve a current or former spouse, lover, relative, friend, or acquaintance. The perpetrator is motivated by perceived difficulties in the relationship or by psychosocial factors that are specific to the situation and enters the workplace to harass, threaten, injure, or kill. Victims of type IV violence are devastatingly, but not exclusively, female.( Opie, T., Lenthall, S., etal 2010) This type of violence is often the spillover of domestic violence into the workplace. In some cases, a domestic violence situation can arise between individuals in the same workplace. These situations can have a substantial effect on the work environment. They can visible as high absenteeism and low productivity on the part of a worker who is enduring abuse or threats, or the sudden, prolonged absence of an employee fleeing abuse. (Woodtli, M., Breslin, E. 2006). RISK FACTORS Healthcare and social service workers face an increased risk of work-related assaults stemming from several factors. These include: The prevalence of handguns and other weapons among patients, their families, and friends The increasing use of hospitals by police and the criminal justice system for criminal holds and the care of acutely disturbed, violent individuals The increasing number of acute and chronic mentally ill patients being released from hospitals without follow-up care (these patients have the right to refuse medicine and can no longer be hospitalized involuntarily unless they pose an immediate threat to themselves or others) The availability of drugs or money at hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, making them likely robbery targets Factors such as the unrestricted movement of the public in clinics and hospitals and long waits in emergency or clinic areas that lead to client frustration over an inability to obtain needed services promptly (Lisboa, M., de Moura, F., Reis, L. 2006). The increasing presence of gang members, drug or alcohol abusers, trauma patients, or distraught family members Low staf fing levels during times of increased activity such as mealtimes, visiting times, and when staff are transporting patients Isolated work with clients during examinations or treatment Solo work, often in remote locations, with no backup or way to get assistance like , communication devices or alarm systems, this is particularly true in high-crime settings Lack of staff training in recognizing and managing hostile and high-risk behavior as it escalates Poorly lit parking areas. (Nelson, H., Cox, D. 2004) WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM A workplace violence prevention program demonstrates an organizations concern for employee emotional and physical safety and health. The program encompasses the following elements: Management commitment and a system of accountability Employee involvement Worksite analysis Hazard prevention and control Training and education, Recordkeeping and evaluation of the program The first two elements, management commitment and employee involvement, are complementary and essential to a successful workplace violence prevention program. Management commitment provides the motivating force for dealing effectively with workplace violence. (Whitley, G., Jacobson, G., Gawrys, M. 2007). Employee involvement enables workers to develop and express their commitment to safety and health. Employee involvement should include: Understanding and complying with the workplace violence prevent program and other safety and security measures Participating in employee complaint or suggestion procedures covering safety and security concerns Reporting violent incidents promptly and accurately Participating in safety and health committees or teams that receive reports of violent incidents or security problems, make facility inspections and respond with recommendations for corrective strategies Taking part in a continuing education program that covers techniques to recognize escalating agitation, high risk behavior or criminal intent and discusses appropriate responses A key element of the workplace violence prevention program is the threat assessment team, or safety committee. (Whitley, G., Jacobson, G., Gawrys, M. 2007). The primary function of the team is to provide a thorough workplace security/hazard analysis and establish prevention strategies. An effective team will assess the organizations vulnerability to w orkplace violence, make recommendations for preventive actions, develop employee training programs in violence prevention, establish a plan for responding to acts of violence, and evaluate the overall workplace violence prevention program on a regular basis (Stanley, K. 2010). Violence in the healthcare workplace threatens the delivery of effective, quality care and violates individual rights to personal dignity and integrity. Assaults on nurses and other healthcare workers occur in all areas of practice and constitute a serious hazard. Current literature suggests that to ensure a safe and respectful workplace environment, mandatory protections must be provided such as zero-tolerance policies against violence in the workplace, as well as comprehensive prevention programs, reporting mechanisms and disciplinary policies. (Woodtli, M., Breslin, E. 2006). Under occupational health and safety laws, all health care facilities are required to have in place strategies to proactively, prevent and manage occupational violence. An occupational health and safety risk management framework, consistent with, occupational health and safety legislation, Work Safe guidelines and contemporary knowledge, will assist health care facilities, to achieve legislative compliance. (Nelson, H., Cox, D. 2004). Violence and Abuse Prevention Task Force members that A Workplace Violence Prevention Program is one step in the process of protecting nurses and other, healthcare workers from violence and abuse. Violence and Abuse Prevention Programs must be supportive, to workers and avoid blame and retaliation. Further recommends that violence aftercare. Plans identify a debriefing process that includes all workers impacted by a violent incident whether, or not they were personally involved in the incident. (Hughes, H. 2008).

The Katrina Breakdown

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina may be remarked as a very important aspect to understand the relationship between federal, state, and local governments when it comes to major catastrophe. In Katrina’s case, federalism is seen as central to what was largely a government-created disaster. Numerous scientific articles are trying to offer various interpretations of what went wrong and why; however, out of all perspectives, I find Stephen Griffin’s argument most persuasive. Yes, I may agree with Martha Derthick that there were both success and failures in governmental responses to the disaster, but I also find this idea less persuasive because there were more failures than successful responses. I may agree with Marc Landy’s position that federalism was put to a difficult test that required effective decisions, speed and coordination, and I agree that some citizens were not cooperating with the mandatory evacuation orders and consequently were the ones to blame. However, Griffin’s examples of governmental failure show something valuable about the nature of federalism. First of all, he proves that federalism is not simply about the fact of the existence of federal and state governments. Federalism is also about localism. Despite being dependent for their legal authority on state governments, local governments have substantial legal and political authority. Prior to Katrina, federal disaster policy had been based formally on the idea that local governments knew local conditions best. However, one of the most unusual characteristics of Hurricane Katrina was how it blasted away the entire local government infrastructure in New Orleans. It challenged assumptions as to how the federal structure needed to operate, not just during a crisis, but also in preparing for crisis situations. It also removed the basis on which the National Response Plan was built. Second, the failure to respond to the disaster exposed one of the few real structural weaknesses in the U. S. Constitution – a mechanism to coordinate the work of local, state and national governments. While Washington had difficulty making long-range plans, coordinating its actions and political decisions, local, state and federal officials were debating over who was in charge. The fractured division of responsibility – Governor Blanco controlled state agencies and the National Guard, Mayor Nagin directed city workers, and the head of FEMA, Mr. Brown, served as the point man for the federal government – meant no one was in charge. For example, the evacuation was delayed unnecessarily because the federal and state governments could not communicate effectively about who was supposed to provide transportation. It meant that officials were unaware that there were thousands of people without food, water, or bare necessities. The consequences of this governmental paralysis were appalling human suffering and the humiliation of the U. S. government in the eyes of the nation and the whole world. Another part of the problem was that the scale of devastation was vast. It appeared that Katrina was beyond the capacity of the state and local governments, and it was beyond the capacity of FEMA. Federal authorities were waiting for state authorities who were supposed to combine local decisions to request resources in an emergency. However, when local governments and communications had been wiped out, state authorities did not know what to request. The extent of the crisis meant that state officials were unable to cope. In other words, when the crisis hit, different agencies could not communicate with one another due to different types of systems. When in fact, Katrina was a national problem and could only be solved by a national mandate. It seems that the federal system must be a certain way because it has always been that way – it is a system that the founding generation designed and thought was well-justified. Among other effects, this saves officials from having to fully confront their own responsibility for how the system is run. In Katrina’s case, for instance, there was no justification for allowing local and state authorities to fight for years over who was going to buy which communications system. They should have not fight over the idea of how the block grants needed to be distributed. Indeed, they would not have been able to fight at all were it not for the federal dollars they were receiving. Unless some institutional and constitutional lessons of Katrina are learnt, if another terroristic event, or a massive earthquake, or even another hurricane happens, we will get the same ill-coordinated response. We need to stop our customary thinking about what federalism is and what it requires in order to prevent another disaster. The formal structure that does carry over from the eighteenth century is misleading because it has been supplemented and subtly altered by continuous institutional change. To quote Stephen Griffin: â€Å"The federal system as it exists today is our system, not that of the founding generation. â€Å"We† – generations still alive – created it and we are continuing to change it. † In any event, if this system is ours, we are responsible for its successful operation and we can decide to change it for good and sufficient reasons.

Essay on Various Civil Rights Movements in the United States

The African-American Civil Rights Movement was started in 1955, and was lead by many great African Americans who will never be forgotten in history. Many Americans who were born in the U.S. were not 100% American but had different ethnic background which meant many of these Americans had different skin colors, different nationality and because of this they were outcasts in the U.S. Many of these ethnic groups were not outcast just because of their background many were also segregated because of their sex. Many lives have been lost in this civil war we call segregation, many children lost and send back to their foreign land, and great leaders sacrificed just to make a dream come true. One voice was heard and billions heard. The Women’s†¦show more content†¦African-Americans opened a window to a better society so then others had a chance to better themselves in this society and fight for a dream, for their rights. Another minority in the U.S was Chicano’s who was Mexican-Americans who didn’t have their civil rights or freedom. The Chicano Civil Rights Movement was also part of the 1960’s movements. Many of these Chicano’s were treated with disrespect and many were different just like the African-American society. Chicano’s are Hispanics and most of their ancestors came to the U.S illegally to escape Mexico to the â€Å"Freedom Land† which was not really free at all. Many Chicano’s couldn’t get the education they deserved in the U.S many couldn’t get the benefits many Americans have in this Society. So they fought for their civil rights just like how Martin Luther King Jr. fought for his dream a dream of a better world a world without segregation. A.I.M was better known as The American Indian Movement, a movement that was fighting for their rights, and land. This movement mainly took place in the late 60’s and 70’s in California. Many Indians from many tribes back then had lands that were founded by their ancestors and were kept in perfect conditions. Years later their land were taken from them forcibly by Americans our forefathers. Now because of the way African-Americans were able to fight for their rights and freedom and winShow MoreRelatedThe American Civil War And The Civil Rights Movement1725 Words   |  7 PagesAfter the American Civil War (1861-1865), major changes which were crucial to the establishment of African Americans in the American society took place. Before the bloody war, slaves were comprised of thirteen percent of the total population of the United States. The treatments they receive from their masters ranged from generous to abusive. The issue of slavery was becoming more and more apparent in social, economic, and most importantly political aspects of the country. In fact, even before theRead MoreThe Cold War Civil Rights Movement1660 Words   |  7 Pagesmind, their pride played a heavy factor in the determination of them reaching that goal or falling short. In many instances, the pride of many outweighed that of the main contributor and history was changed in the course of it. The Cold War Civil Rights movement is an excellent example of when pride gets the best of us and we act on it without thought.† The external struggle of two powerhouse nations led all attention to the elaborate details of those countries, while the internal struggle within thoseRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement Essay1180 Words   |  5 PagesThe civil rights movement was a span of time when the African Americans endeavor was to acquire their constitutional rights of which they were being deprived. A commendable bearing of the civil rights movement was the unachievable triumph that t he blacks sought after and built. Through courage, persistence, and determination, the African Americans won their independence (enotes, 2010). The civil rights evolution was a period when society was oppressed for many years, rose up against the disadvantageRead MoreThe Fight For Equality : The Black Power Movement1671 Words   |  7 Pagesthroughout history. The war created by African Power movement was slightly different; the fight was not only to have equal opportunities and rights as other citizens but also to attain the American dream. While the United States of America faced civils wars many years ago as a storm brewed that led to the emergence of the black movement that shocks the world by advocating for the black rights. The Black Power movement was simply a political movement that was formed in the 1960s with the intention ofRead MoreShould America Have Been America Without Her Negro People?1426 Words   |  6 Pagescountry that accommodates a variety of people from var ious ethnic backgrounds. African Americans are one of a kind who are inhabiting the United States since a long time.The question â€Å"Would America have been America without her Negro people?† by W.E.B.Dubois is a strenuous one and has arisen many debates in the past. People say that the answer to this question would merely be a personal opinion, but I think the question itself reflects the right answer. The answer that the question points out isRead MoreThe Civil Rights Era Of The United States1141 Words   |  5 Pagesis mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.† (Gandhi). The Civil Rights era was filled with a slew of various protests attempting to bring equality to the African American race in the United States. During this period in history, African American people of all social classes and places across the country were racially oppressed and were denied basic rights that were available to their Caucasian counterparts. Pe ople began to protest this oppression and decidedRead MoreEnvironmental Justice and Toxic Racism900 Words   |  4 PagesEnvironmental Justice movement has become one of the most important topics in the media. Europeans have used Marxist philosophy on class laddering, while non-Western countries required its encouragement in the criticism of colonialism. In the United States, The Civil Rights Movement was its forerunner. The notion of â€Å"Environmental Justice†, nevertheless, has its genesis in the resistance of black culture and lower income-communities in opposition to uneven ecological trouble in the United States during theRead MoreEssay on Anne Moodys Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement1375 Words   |  6 Pagestalked extensively about the civil rights movement that she had participated in. The civil rights movement dealt with numerous issues that many people had not agreed with. Coming of Age in Mississippi gave the reader a first hand look at the efforts many people had done to gain equal rights.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anne Moody, like many other young people, joined the civil rights movement because they wanted to make a difference in their state. They wanted their freedom and the same rights as the white people had. ManyRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement : Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.1168 Words   |  5 Pagespositive gains that have been achieved by the civil rights movement. In this speech King provided his audience with several facts on how the people have came a long way from where they began and that the civil rights movement has made a great progress in its struggle for equal treatment under the law. In King s speech, he begins by claiming that they have come a long way from where they began. As he starts to speak about the growth of the Negro community he states, Now let us notice first that we veRead MoreThe Impact of James Baldwins Writing on the Civil Rights Movement1323 Words   |  5 PagesJames Baldwin is looked upon by many as the first of the great Black writers to have had a significant impact on the Civil Rights movement. James Baldwin work was very important to the civil rights movement and he was influenced by the civil rights movement. Born in 1924, Baldwin moved to Paris, France in his early twenties and it was from there that he did most of his important writing (Boyd). Baldwin began his writing career as a novelist and his personal goal was always to attain a status as a