The American Constitution and Drug War Essay -- American Government, L

The consensus with regards to drug laws favors more stringent and draconian laws, with the attempt to stifle use and punish crime. There are many claims used against drug legalization, such as, moral degradation, crime, the destruction of inner cities; along with families, diseases, such as AIDS, and the corrupting of law enforcement. When one examines the effects of prohibition, one has to inquire: has the cost been worth it? Certainly, an argument for the abolition of prohibition doesn’t include the favoring of drug use, but merely recognizes the vain and utopian attempt to control individual choices. Along these lines, the unintended consequences of these attempts may preclude any benefits. Further, one has to wonder: are these laws—at the federal level—constitutional or not? This paper will examine the issue of drug prohibition from a constitutional standpoint, an economic perspective, and the societal effects these laws have. The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land. While this statement seems axiomatic, it’s essential to discern the explication and implication of this with regard to the drug war. It’s been assumed that whatever the federal government passes is by the fact itself constitutional, notwithstanding the Supreme Court. However, to the dismay of some, this statement is blatantly false. The Constitution was ratified on the condition that only the powers the federal government would possess were the ones specifically delegated to it by the states. This is reinforced by the 10th amendment (Mount, 2010). This view stipulates that the federal government is limited and defined; and, for the government to garner new powers, the correct approach would be through Article V’s amendment process. ... ...this construction of the words â€Å"necessary and proper,† is not only consonant with that which prevailed during the discussions and ratification of the constitution, but is absolutely necessary to maintain their consistency with the peculiar character of the government, as possessed of particular and defined powers, only; not of the general and indefinite powers vested in ordinary governments. (Tucker, 2010) To take a step beyond these powers would cripple the constitution and thus cripple our democratic principles and process. In order for changes to be made—which there have been—the proper arrangement would be the amendment process. If it took the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919 to outlaw alcohol, it would seem logical and constitutional to outlaw drugs (Vick, 2010). In sum, any laws at the federal level that outlaw drugs, based on these facts, are unconstitutional.

Intense Factory Farming

Eng 102 Ms. Williams March 1st, 2012 Essay # 2 Intense Farming In our world today we no longer are able to farm clean natural products for others to consume. A factory farm is where animals are bred and fattened using modern industrial methods. This method allows more farming jobs to stay in the US. If we had to do it the way a farm has been run in the past, farmers wouldn't be able to compete with prices of food from China because their labor costs are much lower.According to The Scientific Veterinary Committee of the European Commission has stated, â€Å"Since the extent of the inactivity and unresponsiveness indicates abnormal behavior, the sows may well be depressed in the clinical sense and poor welfare is indicated. † Although factory farming produces more of the product to be mass distributed among countries, animals are being treated as an object instead of a living creature. These methods are rather cruel and can be harmful to these animals. These living things are he re for humans to have domain over them but the nature that these factory farmers are pursuing it is unethical and wrong.There are many more facts to be explored and through these resources one can develop the opinion whether or not these actions are right or wrong. Factory farming is something that has evolved over time. Without the advancements in medicine there would be no way our livestock would end up like this. CAFO is known for specializing in the raising of domestic pigs to be slaughtered when they have reached the proper weight. This system of pig production, grower pigs are housed indoors in group-housing or sheds. Pregnant pigs are housed sow stalls or pens and give birth in these crates.A gestation crate is only 7 feet by 2 feet; it is enclosed so the pigs aren’t able to move around freely. Animal welfare supporters see the use of gestation crates as one of the most inhumane features of animal production. More than ninety percent of pigs in the U. S. today are rais ed on factory farms. These pigs spend their entire lives in cramped, filthy warehouses under the constant stress of intense confinement. Their natural ways are denied through this system that supposedly produces more in the cost of the happiness and welfare of an animal. When the time comes for slaughter, pigs are forced onto transport trucks that travel for many miles through all weather extremes. Many die of heat exhaustion in the summer or arrive frozen to the inside of the truck in the winter. According to industry reports, more than 1 million pigs die in transport each year, and an additional 420,000 are crippled by the time they arrive at the slaughterhouse. Because of improper stunning methods, many pigs are still conscious when they are dumped into scalding-hot water, which is intended to remove their hair and soften their skin. †

The San Vitale in Ravenna and The Dome of the Rock in...

Monuments such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and San Vitale in Ravenna, perform a great importance in Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Both of these structures did not exclusively represent the main place of worship, but most importantly as a symbol of achievement and growth within the current times of construction. Starting in 524, under the influence of Orthodox bishop Ecclesius, the development of San Vitale was to represent the achievements of the emperor Justinian. Julius Argentarius was the sponsor for this structure and it was dedicated by Bishop Maximian in 547. The Dome of the Rock is built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in 692 with the help of Abd al-Malik with the suspected intention to symbolize Islams influence in†¦show more content†¦On the lower half is an organization of geometric forms. However, the most important mosaic is the representation of Emperor Justinian and Emprise Theodora. Justinian is presented holding a bowl of Eucharistic bread as Theodora carries a chalice or vessel of Eucharistic wine. Due to the orientation of these figures and the ones that surrounds them, it could be suggested that they represent bringing Eucharistic elements into the church. Perhaps even as an offering to christ which is reinforced by the three magi bearing gifts on Theodoras rob. The Dome of the Rock is constructed with a wood structure encased with marble and stone mosaics. The octagonal plan has a large central space which is separated with two surrounding ambulatories. Supporting the tall cylindrical dome is four masonry piers and twelve Corinthian columns. With tie beams separating columns from their capitals, is twenty-four Corinthian columns and piers in an alternating pattern mimicking the central circle support. The interior of this space is embellished lavishly with veined marble, gilded glass, and coloured stone. On lower half of the arcades are fitted marble with intricate patterns as above is decorative with mosaics of tr ees, plants, fruits, jewels (such as breast plates and necklaces), chalices and crowns. The gold gilded wood dome is decorated with red and gold floral