Strossen a Strong or Weak Argument Essay Example

Strossen a Strong or Weak Argument Essay The title of Strossens essay, Sexual Speech and the Law, is simultaneously indicative and of the issues discussed in the article (and the substance of Strossens   thesis) and   obfuscatory regarding the   essential conclusions forwarded by Strossen in her essay. While Strossen, indeed, places emphasis in her discussion on the ramifications of sexually connotative free speech and expression or the censorship thereof by federal courts or other government institutions, the article, when taken as a whole, relates more appropriately to the issue of free speech itself; most specifically, the concept of bad tendencies in free speech as defined by the United States Supreme Court.Strossens thesis is fairly simple: the maintenance of liberal free speech standards will lead to the healthy social absorption of pornography much more efficaciously than suppression of pornography, under MacDworkinism, which Strossen argues   would ultimately lead to a slippery slope of legislation and court -rulings destined to undermine all institutions of free speech which, in turn, would lead to the disastrous erosion of the democratic principles on which America was, itself, founded. Strossens argument appears well reasoned and persuasive; however,   it is in many ways specious and suffers from examples of logical fallacy, most notably those which pertain to slippery slope, false dilemma, and post-hoc (or doubtful case) elements of rhetoric and argument.Throughout the essay, Strossen forwards what are seemingly valid and well-reasoned points; however, she often obscures the most important of these points by way of weak argument and rhetoric which suffers from traditional logical fallacies. Her argument, taken in total, is largely founded   on a slippery slope fallacy, one which pertains to domino effect erosion of free speech institutions based on admission of any form of censorship of pornographic free speech. Strossen also invokes a number of unsupported claims in her essay, notably the root assumption at the essays opening that Americas Puritanical heritage has placed an undue emphasis on sexual activity as an indication of personal morality. However appealing such a generalization may appear on the surface, the claim is entirely unsupported, here, and Strossens ensuing argument is deeply colored by this initial instance of weak argument and logical fallacy. This assumption can also be regarded as an example of post-hoc fallacy in that Strossen is in effect saying: because America has an historical connection to Puritanism and Christianity, all Americans are sexually repressed and prudish.Strossens weak argumentative tendencies continue with her positing of   MacDworkinism as the primary counter-argument to her own ideas. This constitutes a straw-man fallacy in that Strossen fails to admit alternative counter-viewpoints to her own and instead allows her inquiry to devolve into a considered point-by-point demolition of MacDworkinism without bothering to define the MacDworkin doctrine by any standard other than those of potential negative consequences.   Rather than examining MacDworkinism as the central issue of the essay, Strossen utilizes the straw man technique to elevate her argument to more general, and less easily defined, issues: such as those of free speech itself.The entirety of Strossens thesis is predicated on the aforementioned domino theory that any suppression of free speech other than that which emerges from an issue of public safety will ultimately lead to suppression of free speech itself, without exception, which will undermine democracy.   In order to rebut the all-but-inevitable response to this slippery slope argument: the notion of nuanced or incremental controls over the dissimenation of free speech (rather than its censorship) are avoided by Strossen, who, instead batters away at MacDworkinism and in so doing commits another rhetorical fallacy, that of false dilemma.: there is merely a choice between Mac Dworkinism or free speech and nothing in-between.Although Strossens assertion that control of free speech based on the Supreme Courts ruling involving bad tendencies would ultimately lead to the suppression of all free speech is emotionally   fluent, her logical and rhetorical strategies actually do more to undermine the validity of her assertions than to elucidate them in many instances. Though Strossen attempts to   draw a direct connection between free-speech controls involving pornography and larger issues of civil liberties, her argument is based almost solely on the straw man and slippery slope concepts of MacDworkinism and the erosion of civil liberties. She states explicitly that if MacDworkinism should prevail in the courts, it would jeopardize all of the foregoing free-speech precedents and principles. (Strossen 464) .Strossens fairly thorough examination of the Brandenberg V. Ohio Supreme Court Case and its ultimate resolution offers one of the most well-reasoned and persuasive sections of the essay. For this particular element of her argument, Strossen should be credited with presenting a compelling and adequately substantiated constitutionally based argument for   the present day interpretation of   the bad tendency paradigm.   However, her conclusion, that modern feminist are, indeed, seeking a return to the now-discredited bad tendency paradigm is an instance of oversimplification. In point of fact, there is nothing to suggest that a future Supreme Court interpretation of inciteful speech or even of the bad tendency paradigm would lead to the specific events Strossen cites from the past or for the specific events Strossen posits as likely outcomes in the future should such legislative and judicial interpretations are admitted. It is of course useful to look to historical precedent for contemporary interpretations of law and even of   social norms; however, the nightmarish scenario which Strossen extrapolates from her otherwise co gent study of specific case-histories in the Supreme Court is largely, if not wholly, unsubstantiated.By resorting to logical and rhetorical fallacies in the midst of an otherwise well-reasoned and well-researched essay, Strossen not only undermines her own political and social points, she obscures them which results in a weak presentation of her thesis and its ensuing conclusions. By resorting to the use of the straw man, slippery slope, Post Hoc, and oversimplification, among the other fallacies which have been cited above, Strossen allows her potential reader to engage emotionally with her argument but not consistently rationally. Because the nature of the argument is, itself, based at least partially on the emotional resonance and volatility of the issue of free-speech itself, Strossen undermines her most poignant and meaningful points relevant to the issues of censorship and pornography and reduces what might have been eloquently stated principles to fallacies.Perhaps the most compelling element of Strossens argument is that idea that free speech is, itself, the best measure against the misogynistic and offensive nature of pornographic free speech. her positing of the idea that the guarantee of free speech for women and feminists would be more efficacious in the long run than censorship of pornography, is a deeply appealing and intensely provocative idea. Unfortunately, it, like many of Strossens other points in thee essay, is delivered without evidence or example, so it is both a generalization and and unsupported claim. Strossen, overall, presents a compelling argument,but one which is obfuscated behind her unfortunate choice of and rhetorical strategies.;

Simple Rules for Rounding Numbers Correctly

Simple Rules for Rounding Numbers Correctly Rounding numbers is important to preserve significant figures in calculations and to record long numbers. In everyday life, rounding is useful in calculating a tip at a restaurant and dividing the bill among diners. or in estimating the amount of cash required for a trip to the grocery store. When rounding whole numbers there are two rules to remember: First, you must understand the term rounding digit. When asked to round to the closest 10, your ​rounding digit is the second number from the right, or 10s place, when working with whole numbers. When asked to round to the nearest hundred, the third place from the right is the rounding digit or 100s place. Rules for Rounding Whole Numbers Determine what your rounding digit is and look to the right side of it. If the digit is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, do not change the rounding digit. All digits that are on the right-hand side of the requested rounding digit will become 0.If the digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, your rounding digit rounds up by one number. All digits that are on the right-hand side of the requested rounding digit will become 0. Rounding Rules for Decimal Numbers Determine what your rounding digit is and look to the right side of it. If that digit is 4, 3, 2, or 1, simply drop all digits to the right of it.If that digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 add one to the rounding digit and drop all digits to the right of it. Some teachers prefer another method, which provides more accuracy and is sometimes referred to as the Bankers Rule. When the first digit dropped is 5 and there are no digits following or the digits following are zeros, make the preceding digit even (i.e., round off to the nearest even digit). Following this rule, 2.315 and 2.325 both round to 2.32- instead of 2.325 rounding up to 2.33- when rounded off to the nearest 100th. The rationale for the third rule is that approximately half of the time the number will be rounded up and the other half of the time it will be rounded down. Examples of How to Round Numbers 765.3682 becomes: 1,000 when asked to round to the nearest 1,000800 when asked to round to the nearest 100770 when asked to round to the nearest 10765 when asked to round to the nearest one (1)765.4 when asked to round to the nearest 10th765.37 when asked to round to the nearest 100th765.368 when asked to round to the nearest (1,000th) Rounding comes in handy when you are about to leave a tip at a restaurant. Lets say your bill is $48.95. One rule of thumb is to round to $50 and leave a 15 percent tip. To quickly figure out the tip, say that $5 is 10 percent, and to reach 15 percent you need to add half of that, which is $2.50, bringing the tip to $7.50. If you want to round up again, leave $8- if the service was good, that is.

How to Open a Genealogy GEDCOM File

How to Open a Genealogy GEDCOM File If youve spent much time online researching your family tree, then it is likely that youve either downloaded a GEDCOM file (extension .ged) from the Internet or received one from a fellow researcher. Or you may have an old GEDCOM file on your computer from research you entered years ago into a now-defunct family history software program. In other words, you have a nifty family tree file which may contain vital clues to your ancestors and your computer cant seem to open it. What to do? Open a GEDCOM File Using Stand-Alone Genealogy Software These instructions will work to open GEDCOM files in most family tree software programs. See your programs help file for more specific instructions. Launch your family tree program and close any open genealogy files.In the top: powellgedcomClick Save or Import.The program may then ask you to make a few choices regarding the import of your GEDCOM file. Just follow the directions. If youre not sure what to select, then just stick with the default options.Click OK.A confirmation box may appear stating that your import was successful.You should now be able to read the GEDCOM file in your genealogy software program as a regular family tree file. Upload a GEDCOM File to Create an Online Family Tree If you dont own family tree software, or prefer to work online, you can also use a GEDCOM file to create an online family tree, allowing you to easily browse the data. However, if you have received a GEDCOM file from someone else, you should be sure to get their permission before using this option as they may not wish the information they have shared with you to be available online. Most online family trees do offer the option to create a completely private tree (see below). Some online family tree builder programs, most notably Ancestry Member Trees and MyHeritage, include an option to start a new family tree by importing a GEDCOM file. From the Upload a Family Tree page on Ancestry, click on the Browse button to the right of Choose a file. In the window that comes up, browse to the appropriate GEDCOM file on your hard drive. Select the file and then click the Open button.  Enter a name for your family tree and accept the submission agreement (read it first!).From the main MyHeritage page, select Import Tree (GEDCOM) under the Get Started button. Navigate to the file on your computer and click Open. Then select Get Started to import the GEDCOM file and create your family tree (dont forget to read the Service Terms and Privacy Policy!). Both Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com offer options to create a completely private online family tree, viewable only by you, or the people you invite. These are not the default option settings, however, so if you want a private family tree you will need to take a few extra steps. See What are the Privacy Options for My Family Site? on MyHeritage or Privacy for Your Family Tree on Ancestry.com for step-by-step instructions.

1.Should the United States act alone and begin carbon cap and trade or Essay

1.Should the United States act alone and begin carbon cap and trade or should we only do it if the rest of the world does as well - Essay Example With the debate ensuing regarding the US taking the first step towards environment protection and its possible implications on global impact, economic growth and possible trend setting role, there are many angles to study this concept from. This paper is aimed at highlighting the various aspects of imposing a carbon cap in the US, its pros and cons and the feasibility of taking such step in the long and short term. It is not a new fact that the pollutants that are exhausted into the atmosphere as a result of industrial activities damage and human activities cause climatic changes and other greenhouse effects. Carbon dioxide is the leading greenhouse gas and comes not only from industrial operations and human activities like burning of fossil fuels and in energy but also from some other natural sources such as animal respiration, volcanic eruptions and decay of plants. The accumulation of large amount of carbon dioxide from the diverse sources in the atmosphere results into catastrophic impacts of climate change in the environment. To tackle climatic changes and the negativities that emerge as a result of pollutants, it has become imperative for countries to strive on their level to minimize their contribution towards environmental harm. Carbon Cap is one such concept that has emerged as a result of this changing trend towards environment friendliness. It basically restricts the extent of carbo n emissions into the atmosphere and exceeding the prescribed limit makes the operating firm liable to pay a carbon tax (Shapiro, 2007). Carbon cap and trade is an approach to curb environmental destruction by greenhouse gases. This approach is environmentally and economically feasible and practical which is centrally driven by global warming. â€Å"Cap† and â€Å"trade† terms imply setting limits for greenhouse emissions and

Four functions of management case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Four functions of management - Case Study Example However, you did not put some of the management functions in place. It was the reason for the business failures as the business grew in size. The management skills, which accrue to a business’s success that you did not put into consideration, include controlling, planning, organizing, and directing skills that accrue to a successful business. Directing: One of the reasons that affected the business’ success was your directive skills. According to your business statistics, you employed Lisa and entrusted her with all the business operations. Irrespective of you two being friends for a long time, you should not have trusted her with all the directive orders. She would report to work, wash the office and tidy up then start her daily chores. This was a lot for her and what she had not expected. She had to check all the tax forms and serve all the customers. For a business to be successful and achieve the goals and objectives, it should ensure a proper channel of communicati on between the workers (Richman 2012). Lisa had confidence that she was doing the right thing even after adding the three new employees. You should have controlled all of them since you are the senior manager. You should have given your orders to the employees in case of any changes, which should have been directly, or indirectly through According to Directive Path Theory, a business leader should give freedom to his/his employees for them to realize their job expectations. In reference to the theory, your management should do a follow up on employees’ tasks to ensure that they achieve the required job standards and set goals. Remarkably, members of the management are required to involve the subordinate staff in the process of making strategic decisions. You should have involved your employees in decision-making processes that would have helped produce effective workplace union. Employees can also motivated by awarding them accordingly after excellent progress in their work. Awards can be through issuing of presents and souvenir just as you did in your case. Additionally, you did not put your supervisions skills into consideration hence led to your employees taking advantage of the situation. As for Lisa’s case, she would not let you down due to your close relationship but the other employees would due to lack of an employee-employer relationship. It was the cause for the embezzlement of funds by your accountants. Communication is an essential measure in business management and should be employed to ensure a communication between top management and the junior staff (Richman, 2012). Communication avenues includes vertical and horizontal. In your case, you only emphasized on vertical communication. It entailed her communication skills with Lisa but not the other accountants. However, you did not consider horizontal type of communication. Good management skills allow both horizontal and vertical communication that entails an open office where commun ication occurs from all sides. These sides include communication from the senior management to the junior staff and the vice versa. Management should ensure an open office relationship where you allow your staff to make suggestions on issues before making decisions. Planning: On the issue of planning, you had good plans while establishing the job. You hired just one employee to cut costs that would boost the capital needed. However, according to management theories on planning, duties should be

The Night that Changed My Life :: essays research papers

The Night that Changed My Life The night’s darkness blanketed the cabin and the landscape like a mother and her newly born child. The winter snow on the ground illuminated the moon’s light and made it very easy for seeing into the distance, but there was nothing to see; for miles and miles tall pines and rolling terrain contained nothing but Mother Nature. I lay silently in my bed and watched out my window the snow drifting methodically to the ground. The tall pines stood watching over the cabin and their shadows seemed to have a life of their own. The howling wind caused an occasional screech and moan of the old wooden door. I was alone in my cabin except for the wicked cold, which made me a number of times reach for my blanket as it nipped at my exposed body. I trembled and my teeth began to chatter as I read my newspaper by the candlelight. As I began reading I came across an article about an escaped madman from a Maine jail. I looked at the picture and for some reason I thought I knew the man, bu t in reality I knew I did not. I continued to read as I tried to pass time as I expected the arrival of my girlfriend, Michelle, who like myself, was looking for an escape from this harsh world. This isolated spot in Northern Maine had great privacy and seldom had visitors. I lay patiently awake and a wait a knocking on my door. Suddenly, without warning, the candle blew out and a chill came across my body that was indescribable. I quickly rose to my feet to relight the candle, but I soon realized that I was out of matches. I hesitated to move, I hesitated to breathe, but then there was a knocking on my door and my heart suddenly dropped into my stomach. BANG, BANG, BANG. I stood frozen in the middle of the room like a deer caught in a car’s headlights. I practically crawled to the door to see who it was. I prayed after each step that it was Michelle, but for some reason I knew it was not. I went to the door and stood silent, almost like I was waiting for that person on the other side to open the door before I did, but they didn’t. I searched for the handle in the darkness, but I need not to find it.

Physical and Chemical Properties Essay

Purpose: The Physical and Chemical Properties lab provides the opportunity to investigate the physical and chemical properties of pure chemical substances and analyze the experiment results. Procedure: In the beginning of the experiment, I filled two 24-well plates half way with the given chemicals and sucked up these chemicals into their labeled pipets for later use. Following this, I performed a number of steps on each of the four test tubes and recorded observations of the different substances including odor, color, reaction to heat, the effects on the red and blue litmus paper and HCI reactions. Observations: As most of the observations are noted on the table above, it is a fair assumption that all of these substances went through some sort of change whether it was a chemical or physical change except for Zinc. This may be because I had dropped my Zinc sample and had a tough time retrieving the contents but never the less; it had very little to no reaction to the tests. Also, regarding the boiling point and melting point of different substances; some had no reaction at all. Questions: Did you observer any chemical changes in this experiment? Yes, Litmus paper is an example of chemical solely and was effected by all the substances except for Zn. What evidence did you use to decide that something was a chemical change? Chemical compounds of the litmus paper reacted with the chemical compounds of the substance tested to create a new compound resulting in a change of color of the litmus paper. No evidence was visibly seen when MgO Mg(OH)2. Give at least two examples of chemical changes you observed. One example was the reaction on the litmus paper and the second example was Magnesium oxide’s change into Magnesium hydroxide when introduced to water. Classify the following properties of sodium metal as physical or chemical †¢ Silver metallic color: Physical †¢ Turns gray in air: Physical †¢ Melts at 98oC: Physical †¢ Reacts explosively with chlorine gas: Chemical Classify the following changes as physical or chemical †¢ Water freezes at 0oC: Physical †¢ Baking soda when combined with vinegar produces bubbles: Chemical †¢ Mothballs gradually disappear at room temperature: Physical †¢ Ice cubes in a freezer get smaller with time: Physical †¢ Baking soda loses mass as it is heated: Physical †¢ Tarnishing of silver: Chemical F. How would you show that dissolving table salt is a physical change? By boiling the water and using a distillation process to extract the pure salt. Once all water is retracted, you can see that the salt never went through a chemical change. Conclusions: By conducting this lab, it can be seen that physical and chemical changes are an everyday occurrence among many different substances. Using prepared lab techniques, we can make qualitative observations on the appearance, smell, and reactions of different substances. The Physical and Chemical Properties lab provides the opportunity to investigate the physical and chemical properties of pure chemical substances and analyze the experiment results within the guiding principles and techniques. By doing so, the following can be learned though the experiment: Chemical properties describe the tendencies of a substance to undergo chemical change and physical properties commonly used to characterize pure substances are color, odor, hardness, density, melting point, boiling point, and solubility in various solvents.