Blowback, And American Foreign Policy Essays -

Blowback, And American Foreign Policy BLOWBACK, AND AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY America prides itself on being the worlds largest superpower, and the American public rarely hears about wrongdoings made by the American government. On the occasional occurrence when the media has delivered such controversial news, it is gone before the public really has a chance to absorb all the information. American foreign policy is often times possibly doing more harm than good to foreign nations and the way in which certain matters are handled reflects on the American nation as a whole. In Chalmers Johnsons book, BLOWBACK, he criticizes the American government for not taking full responsibility for its actions, and ignoring major problems that we create. One major criticism of American foreign policy is the way we handle certain events that affect our relations with foreign nations. A fairly recent occurrence at Okinawa, an island located at the southernmost tip of Japan, reflects a bad example of American military personnel. In September of 1995, two marines, Pfc. Rodrico Harp and Pfc. Kendric Ledet, along with Seamen Marcus Gill, raped a twelve-year-old girl at random. Apparently this is not uncommon, and the punishments for crimes like these are often delayed and lenient. High-ranking military officials seem to downplay the effects and seriousness of these crimes if not condone them. Another major concern regarding this incident is the amount of military bases in Japan, and their purpose. At the time of the rape, there were 42 American military bases on Okinawa. The cold war had been over for nearly ten years, and relations were assumed peaceful. Are all of these bases necessary? The United States government believes that American military presence in Okinawa is benefiting the Japanese more than Americans. Other incidents involving military personnel and Japanese civilians include, many auto accidents, drunk driving, hit and runs, and the use of chemical weapons testing on neighboring islands. Each mini-crisis like this is in itself a mini-example of blowback.(BLOWBACK, p50) The way in which these events are handled reflects upon the American Government and its policies. This also affects the attitude of the Japanese towards Americans. In recognition to the previous arguments that America needs to shape up its foreign policies, I somewhat agree with Chalmers Johnson. I believe that we do not necessarily need as many military bases on foreign soil, and I believe that we should take more responsibility for our actions when negligence is to blame. Johnson persuaded me to agree with him, when he discusses crimes such as rape, and hit and run accidents due to drunkenness. I believe that our government should punish anyone who is convicted of rape, military personnel or civilian, accordingly. I feel that the military should take more action in policing its own people, and regulate substance induced criminal behavior. I believe that it is in our nations best interest to secure peace with friendly countries and gain respect from them not based on fear, but based on the fact that we are just and dependable, as well as sensible. Our military should punish those responsible for crimes on and off the bases, and we should stand behind our word. When a marine killed three women who were walking on the sidewalk, with her car, the United States agreed to pay a solatium to the family for their loss. The military paid a total of forty percent of what they said they would, and made the grieving family sign a document giving up all claims against the United States. This affects our relation with Japan since paying a solatium is a Japanese custom and the government of Japan ended up paying the difference to the family. This is not good foreign policy. (BLOWBACK, p45) On the other hand, I agree with the current situation where neither Japanese courts nor police have jurisdiction over our bases on their soil. I do feel that we are helping to keep the Japanese safe with our presence in Okinawa and other areas. I have never enlisted in the military so I do not feel that I can cast judgment towards military bases and their procedures. I feel that we should govern our bases, while still upholding American values and laws, however I do

Free Essays on Hearing Loss

, 6 infants out of 1,000 will have a hearing loss in a least one ear that will affect communication, cognition, and educational development. Twenty to thirty percent of hearing loss in children occurs during infancy and early childhood. Some children will suffer hearing loss in one ear or possibly both. There are different types of hearing loss. A conductive hearing loss occurs in the middle ear. This is where three small bones involved in hearing are located. A hearing loss that occurs in this part of the ear is usually temporary. Chronic or recurrent ear infections may cause a hearing loss in the middle ear. There are cases where there is a malformation in this area that can be improved or corrected through surgery. There are occasions when a problem in the middle ear cannot be corrected. A sensori-neural hearing loss occurs in the middle ear and indicates that there is nerve damage. This type of loss is not reversible. There are different natures of hearing loss some that can be corrected or others that are irreversible. Parents sometimes ask, â€Å"Why did this happen to my child?† In some cases, the cause of a child’s hearing loss may be easy to trace. There may be a family history of deafness, a congenital condition, an illness, an accident, a prescribed medication that may be the cause of hearing loss. In many cases, there may be no obvious reason for the hearing loss. Parents must come to ... Free Essays on Hearing Loss Free Essays on Hearing Loss This paper is based on a disability that many Americans have, hearing loss. The nature, causality, assessment, prevention, and accommodation are things that will be discussed. This paper will also discuss some of my personal experiences of hearing loss through experiences my friend has encountered. According to Gallaudet University, approximately 1 of every 1,000 infants is born deaf while 6 of every 1,000 are born with some degree of hearing loss. Permanent hearing loss at birth annually affects 24,000 infants in the USA. In other words, 6 infants out of 1,000 will have a hearing loss in a least one ear that will affect communication, cognition, and educational development. Twenty to thirty percent of hearing loss in children occurs during infancy and early childhood. Some children will suffer hearing loss in one ear or possibly both. There are different types of hearing loss. A conductive hearing loss occurs in the middle ear. This is where three small bones involved in hearing are located. A hearing loss that occurs in this part of the ear is usually temporary. Chronic or recurrent ear infections may cause a hearing loss in the middle ear. There are cases where there is a malformation in this area that can be improved or corrected through surgery. There are occasions when a problem in the middle ear cannot be corrected. A sensori-neural hearing loss occurs in the middle ear and indicates that there is nerve damage. This type of loss is not reversible. There are different natures of hearing loss some that can be corrected or others that are irreversible. Parents sometimes ask, â€Å"Why did this happen to my child?† In some cases, the cause of a child’s hearing loss may be easy to trace. There may be a family history of deafness, a congenital condition, an illness, an accident, a prescribed medication that may be the cause of hearing loss. In many cases, there may be no obvious reason for the hearing loss. Parents must come to ...

Comparative Federalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Comparative Federalism - Essay Example The distribution of power among the central and the states is derived from the written constitution. Both forms of the government rule directly over the people. It is also sometimes seen as a compromise between the extreme concentration of power and loose confederation of independent states for governing a variety of people living in a large territory. Similarities and Dissimilarities with India and USA’s Federal Form of Government USA being the largest democratic countries in the world became the Federal republic state in the year 1789 by promulgating its constitution and India on the other hand in the year 1950 by launching its constitution. Smaller states by forming a union got affiliated with the strong central government that came to be called as Federal government in USA and central government in India. Both the countries have a written form of constitution. Secondly, USA has got its bill of rights to protect the fundamental rights of the people and India has guaranteed the fundamental rights in the articles 14 to 34 in part iii. Thirdly both the countries have Federal forms of government at the centre. The law enacted by the centre is much more superior to the law passed by the state. Both the countries have three basic divisions of labor and power in the Federal system of government; they are known as executive, legislature and judiciary. The executive governs the country, legislature enacts law, and the judiciary administers justice. Both the countries have bicameral form of legislature. In USA president is the chief executive head whereas in India prime minister is the head. USA has got the House of Senate and the House of Representatives as the upper and lower house of legislature while India has Rajya sabha and Loksabha as the upper and lower houses. A well organized judiciary is present in both the countries as apex and Supreme Court. Lastly, both the countries have a threat to democracies so the divisions of power are somehow or the other c hecked by the other houses of power. Firstly, USA’s constitution is very rigid and has undergone amendment only 27 times but the Indian constitution on the other hand is very voluminous and flexible has been amended 94 times. In USA all the states have their own constitution while in India all the states follow the Indian constitution. Secondly, USA has the presidential form of government but India has the parliamentary form of government. USA follows the bi-party system whereas India has got multi party system. President of USA can hold his office for only two terms whereas in India nothing as such rule is there. In India, Loksabha or the lower house is much more powerful while in USA the upper house i.e., house of senate is more powerful. A senate member is directly elected whereas in India, Rajyasabha members are indirectly elected. Last but not the least, USA has got the advanced judicial system while India is rapidly developing in its judicial system (Lingam) Possible Re forms for the US Government Adopting from India: India has always followed and encouraged in peace keeping operations but on the other hand USA has tried to maintain peace with the help of machinery and men. India has shown real patience to its rival countries by providing timely help to those in need. It had also undergone friendship agreement with its enemy countries like China & Pakistan, timely help to Bangladesh when Pakistan tried to overtook it. These are the policies which the US government may adopt from India (Schaffer, 73; Kesselman, Krieger and Joseph, 286) Possible Reforms for the Indian Government Adopting from the US Technology transfer is what India can learn from US Federal government. It is quite evident from the history