ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
In the modern societies, inequality appears to remain a challenge despite the fact that the ideal of equality has long been proclaimed. As stated by Ginsberg et al., the diversity of the American nation has been increasing together with its historical development (17). As a result, the racial diversity of the modern US is notable, with the Hispanic population reaching 16% in 2010 (Ginsberg et al. 17). At the same time, as stated by Ginsberg et al., even nowadays, the race does appear to “matter” when it should not (195). An example is the fact that Hispanic people are very likely to be incarcerated (22% of the imprisoned in the US are Hispanic) despite the fact that they are obviously a racial minority (136). We live in a diverse society, and the implications of discrimination are immense, which is why this topic was chosen for the essay. The website of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is devoted to a particular aspect of inequality: racial discrimination. The League was created in 1929 which makes it the oldest organization with the mission of promoting racial equality (“LULAC History” par. 1). This goal is supposed to be achieved by protecting and advancing the rights of the Hispanic population of the US and improving their conditions and opportunities (“Frequently Asked Questions” par. 2, 8). According to Ginsberg et al., the Hispanic population used to be discriminated until the 1970s (20). It is obvious that the role of LULAC before that date was crucial: the Hispanic were a vulnerable group that did not enjoy the equality of opportunity (“LULAC History” par. 2). As stated by Ginsberg et al., for example, LULAC contributed to the increase in the education opportunities equality and worked to eliminate school segregation (181). However, even after the official acceptance of Hispanic people as citizens with the full access to the civil rights and liberties, LULAC is still essential for the promotion of racial equality. Nowadays, LULAC’s efforts to promote racial equality include but are not limited to the investigation of the cases of discrimination; encouragement of the active participation of the Hispanic population in voting; monitoring and supporting or opposing the new and revised legislation that can affect equality. Apart from that, LULAC creates and participates in the creation and funding of various Hispanic organizations that offer educational programs (including English learning and patient awareness programs), housing and healthcare opportunities, legal support, and other aid. LULAC is also famous for its college scholarships (“2015-2016 LULAC National Policy Platform” par. 1-62). In general, the League believes that educational opportunities are the key to equality promotion. Similarly, LULAC regularly provides updates on relevant news and significant historical d
Psychedelics are drugs and chemical compounds that are typically used to affect a user’s perception, mood, and the way they are thinking, for new experiences and pleasure. They have the potential to affect all five senses, alter thinking patterns, manipulate emotions, and have an individual behave unnaturally. The effects on the senses are typically described as hallucinations – seeing, hearing, and feeling things that are not there. There are numerous psychedelics are known to humankind, some of them being natural while others being artificially produced. The most common drugs of this order are LSD, Psilocybin, NBOMes, and Ayahuasca. The physical effects on the individual under the influence of psychedelics include euphoria, dizziness, feelings of relaxation and numbness, vomiting, sweating, chills, and the inability to concentrate for prolonged periods. These effects are moderated by several individual parameters, such as the user’s size, weight, health status, and familiarity with the drug. The presence of other drugs, the amount consumed, and the strength of the compound in comparison to others can influence the physical effects on the person taking them. Some of the behavioral changes that occur include “bad trips,” during which the individual’s behavior shifts from the expected relaxation and euphoria to stress, fear, and anxiety. Influenced by disturbing hallucinations, a user may attempt to harm themselves or commit suicide. Another type of behavioral change is induced by flashbacks – experiences of the effects of the drug long after it had been taken, the memory of the event usually triggered by a strong emotional experience. In those situations, the user starts acting as though influenced by the drug, which includes changes of personality and the impaired ability for judgment.
Smoke Signals is a film telling the story of two Native Americans making their way across the country and across their identities. This movie is remarkable in terms of sociology due to its focus on people’s values and norms. Although the protagonists of the story are Native Americans who cherish their heritage, the focus is on universal values related to the family. The two young men have quite similar attitudes towards the existing norms and morals that are similar in their culture as well as the dominant one, which is, in this case, the American culture. The way these representatives of indigenous people interact with the dominant group is also worth consideration. The scene in the bus is thought-provoking as it displays the way American society addresses some situations. The cultural group with limited resources has quite a limited set of options. Hence, such people as Victor and Thomas choose to avoid direct conflicts with the dominant group but question this dominance by celebrating their uniqueness (by signing aloud and making others listen). At the same time, the film in question is also interesting in terms of the evaluation of such a sociological framework as functionalism. According to this approach, societies seek stability that is achieved through the collaboration of their members, in contrast to the conflict theory which maintains that progress is a result of the struggle for resources. The two protagonists are actually placed in the position of this kind of struggle where they fight for the love of one man, their father. This struggle is supposed to make them rivals to a certain extent, but instead, they become close friends who help each other regain conciliation with themselves and their traumatic past. Thus, functionalist’s ideas are relevant and applicable in the real world as individuals, as well as society at large, can and do collaborate rather than struggle.
Enron Corporation was founded in 1985. This was after a merger of two natural gas pipeline companies. The company grew rapidly in the next fifteen years. It became one of the largest companies in the world in terms of revenues by 2000. It recorded more than $100 million in earnings and revenues. The corporation expanded into other business areas such as fiber optic and communication allowing it to improve its financial performance. However, in the late 2001 Enron Corporation collapsed after becoming bankrupt. The share value of the company had drastically dropped leading to losses that amounted to millions of dollars. This was due to reduced investor confidence and creditors’ trust. The corporation suffered accusations of deliberately excluding debts from its financial reports and inflating its apparent profits. This led to a sharp increase in share value. The collapse of Enron Corporation occurred owing to the lack of business ethics in the senior leadership. This lack of business ethics by the senior management corrupted the corporate culture of the entire organization. The company omitted substantial amount of liabilities and losses in its financial statements. Most of the company’s high-risk deals went sour in early 2001 superseding the risk control ability of the corporation. It is important to note that the major cause of the collapse of the giant corporation was due to
Introduction To begin with, it should be emphasized that the development of the legislative sphere for regulation of the IT-sphere and cybernetics is far beyond the realities of technical advances. In other words, the legal framework lays behind technological advances, acts that we would not hesitate to call “wrong” or “immoral” are not always considered illegal. Originally, it is associated with the notion, that cyber technologies are developing faster than the legislative sphere can get adapted to these changes. Cyber Crimes Originally, there are several types of cybercrimes:   * Against persons   * Against Business and Non-business organizations   * Crime targeting the government The fact is that all the three types are described in the legislation, nevertheless, it should be emphasized that the only common feature of all the crimes is to steal the hidden information and use it with the aim of personal advantage. Another fact that should be pointed out, is associated with that there is no proper definition of Cyber Crimes in the legislation, and, consequently, the defense against cybercrime is poor. Originally, the problem is aggravated by the concept that cyber laws are developing too slowly in comparison with the tools and techniques of performing cybercrimes. Nevertheless, the solid basis has been already founded, and the problems, which are closely associated with cybercrimes, are persisted. Thus, following Balkin (2007), the sphere of cybercrimes is one of the most burning issues in criminology. The following notion should be emphasized: Loss of evidence is a very common & expected problem as all the data are routinely destroyed. Further, the collection of data outside the territorial extent also paralyzes the system of crime investigation. Cyber savvy judges are the need of the day. Judiciary plays a vital role in shaping the enactment according to the order of the day. One such case, which needs appreciation, is the P.I.L. (Public Interest Litigation), which the Kerala High Court has accepted through an email. (Taylor, 2006, p. 284) It is often emphasized, that the sphere of cyber criminology requires the improvement of investigative responsibility. The fact is that confusion often appears within the agencies, engaged in investigating these crimes, which causes delays and confusion in further legislative development. Taking into consideration the fact that the investigation of cybercrimes requires specialized skills, nevertheless, they are different from the skills, required for the investigation of computer-related crimes. It is evident, that the investigator will have to search the necessary information in the database or involve internet resources. The cybercrimes experts must be trained for handling sophisticated crimes, using specialized computer equi
Introduction In his book, The End of History and the Last Man Francis Fukuyama (1992) expresses the view that liberal democracy is the most optimal form of government and in the future, more and more countries will adhere to its principles. This essay is aimed at discussing this hypothesis by looking at such a country as China that passes through a period of economic growth without adopting a fully democratic system of government. Overall, it is possible to argue that this particular state contradicts Fukuyama’s ideas since it shows that the leaders of a country may prefer an authoritarian regime if they believe that this regime is effective. Although Chinese markets have indeed become more liberalized, one cannot say the same thing about the political system of this country. More importantly, there is no compelling evidence showing that in the future, their political system will undergo significant changes. Fukuyama’s hypothesis is based on the premise that the course of history has a certain logic, but societies can be affected by a variety of factors, and scholars cannot accurately predict their effects. The most important issue is that a non-democratic state such as China may not change its form of government if the ruling elites do not have any internal or external incentives to do it. Authoritarian regimes may prevail if they are believed to be effective by people or governments. The complexity of China’s development The examples provided by Francis Fukuyama (1992) emphasize the idea that liberal democracy is the most effective form of government that has ever existed (p. 4). In his book, he stresses the point that China could achieve some progress only by liberalizing its market and reducing its intervention into economic relations (Fukuyama, 1992, p. 41). It should be noted that in the late seventies, the Chinese government began to carry out a series of reforms that could help integrate the country into the global economy (Burgio 2007, p. 181). More importantly, a great number of people came to the belief that this society would inevitably become democratic. The surveys of Chinese population indicate that many people in this country have a positive attitude toward the d
Kristen’s Law is a prominent example of the relatively new tradition of naming new pieces of legislation after crime victims. In 2014, Kristen Coutu, a drug addict with multiple mental disorders, purchased a large dose of fentanyl from Aaron Andrade, a drug trafficker operating in Rhode Island (Rhode Island Government, 2018). Coutu believed that the substance was heroin, and her subsequent drug use activities resulted in overdosing and death (Rhode Island Government, 2018). The case gave rise to a state-level act to make punishments for illicit drug trafficking stricter, thus reducing drug-related deaths. The abovementioned Law has been proposed to hold drug dealers in Rhode Island more accountable for their commercial transactions’ consequences. Signed into Law four years ago, the legislation aims to deter drug trafficking by enabling prosecutors to hold drug dealers liable for murder if their activities result in fatal overdose cases (Rhode Island Government, 2018). The victim’s death made Suzanne Coutu, the victim’s mother, seek the most severe punishment for the drug dealer, which resulted in Kristen’s Law. Thus, the story surrounding it illustrates the concepts of “primary victims” and “secondary victims” that Karmen (2020) explains to introduce the victimology field (p. 5). Another idea aligned with the selected example is that “sorting out the victims from villains” can be challenging for the public or investigators (Karmen, 2020, p. 12). In the case above, Coutu’s status as a victim of murder became a debatable issue since injecting the substance was the woman’s decision (Rhode Island Government, 2018). Despite raising the question of whether drug users are pure victims, the Law can make drug selling even riskier for dealers. Therefore, Kristen’s Law aims to draw parallels between the illicit drug trade and murder. This piece of legislation is particularly interesting from the viewpoint of victimology since it challenges society’s perspective on drug users’ guilt for the consequences of their addictions. At the same time, it clarifies that the distributors of potentially deadly substances should not be seen as passive offenders that simply support their clients’ choices without any pressure.
Fighting COVID-19 has become one of Joe Biden’s top priorities since taking office as president. The memorandum, signed in the winter of 2021, was initiated by the presidential administration to determine 100% responsibility of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the costs aimed at combating the pandemic (The White House, 2021). FEMA is not part of the executive branch, and orders from the president reflecting work priorities are binding on that body (FEMA, 2021). Therefore, the signed memorandum obliged FEMA to follow the terms of this document. At the same time, since FEMA is not a non-profit organization and is included in the list of national agencies, its revenues are completely dependent on the federal budget. In this regard, the conditions of the previous presidential administration, which assumed the imposition of a quarter of the total costs on administrative units (states), were objective and reasonable. A relevant bill could be ratified so that the costs of fighting the pandemic could be shared between the states and the federal government. This will reduce the financial burden on FEMA and help keep a portion of the treasury while maintaining a course to counter the consequences of COVID-19. The decision to ratify such a bill will be considered at the Congress level. As the standing committees to introduce the bill to, the budget committees of the House and the Senate will be involved (Congress.gov., n.d.). This bill is likely to go through each chamber as its passage requires the approval of various authorities and includes an assessment of budgetary funds at several levels, including both state and federal governments. In such conditions, this is impossible to coordinate activities within one chamber, and the bill has to be considered in Congress to propose a corresponding initiative to the presidential administration. The likelihood of the bill being vetoed would exist if it were passed. Failure to pass the law by any of the standing committees would mean the need to create a special commission and prepare the bill to report directly to the president. However, decisions of this level require coordination with national agencies since, in addition to FEMA, other parts of the Department of Homeland Security might be opposed to such an initiative. Moreover, an appeal to the Supreme Court is mandatory, which also does not guarantee a positive outcome. As the factors determining whether the Supreme Court is acting with restraint or not, one can examine the legal background of a particular decision, as well as cite precedents from judicial practice. According to Millhiser (2021), the Supreme Court can challenge any president’s decision since fed
Introduction Oil and gas companies face a variety of risks in the process of their operations. Many occurrences that happen outside a company may have an effect on the firm and the financial decisions that it makes. Changes in interest rates, prices of oil, and exchange rates among others are likely to alter the financial decisions of a firm. It is therefore imperative for firms to ensure that no potential economic changes pose a threat to their business. According to Taylor and Kathleen (2013, p. 80), corporate financial managers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that any past, current, and future fluctuations will not affect the economic standing of the firm. McShane and Anil (2011, p. 641) affirm that companies use various risk management tools known as derivatives to manage risks. The tool used should caution the firm from negative impacts of various risks that may happen in its environment. According to Smistad and Igor (2012, p. 46), in western Canada, oil companies apply future derivatives to buy certain goods or services at a price that is agreed upon today. Chanmeka et al. (2012, p. 259) argue that some companies make use of options where a firm gains the right to sell or buy certain goods or services at a certain price in the future. McShane and Anil (2011, 641) confirm that risk information is crucial to investors and the entrepreneurs themselves. The oil and gas industry is likely to face various risks. For example, political risks, geological risks, price risks, supply and demand risks, and cost risks amongst others. This paper will discuss risk management in various gas and oil companies presenting a detailed literature review of risks in general followed by a detailed discussion of the in the oil and gas firms. Risks The subject of risks is quite pivotal when it comes to the running of various organisations. Companies need to be aware of the possible or rather potential risks that they are likely to encounter in a bid to develop mechanisms of mitigating them in real time once they occur to ensure continued operation rather than untimely closure of such firms due to their failure to take the necessary precautionary measures. Various risks are likely to affect different investments. Such risks include political risks, price fluctuations, and changes in supply and demand, natural calamities, geological risks, economic recessions, and government control risks amongst others. Entrepreneurship is a risky undertaking and every entrepreneur has to risk some of these factors and get into business. According to Taylor and Kathleen (2013, p. 83), in the world of business, general risks affect literary every company in business though at varying intensities. Risks have various implications on business depending on the level of their impacts and predisposition of a particular business on them. In some instances, risks may lead to complete loss of business. For example, if a business is exposed to fire and explosives risks, it can be completely wiped out in case of an
Montgomery Cunningham Meigs (1816-1892) was among the most prominent historical figures that had a dramatic influence on the outcomes of the Civil War. His role was particularly tangible during George B. McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign that involved the movement of over a hundred thousand soldiers by over four hundred ships to reach Washington. Meigs designed a stable logistical structure that helped in supplying the army with the necessary provision until the war ended. Often referred to as America’s Quartermaster, Meigs is now considered the epitome of a strategic leader that took upon the logistical challenges that the Union Army faced and refused to give up even during the most heated conflicts. Because the Union lacked contributions from prominent and accomplished engineers or architects that could address the needs of the army, Meigs became the ‘shining light’ of many campaigns and thus became the most accomplished and renowned contributor to strengthening Washington. He put the cast-iron dome on the Capitol, oversaw the Washington Aqueduct’s construction, and designed the Pension Building (“In Civil War-era bridge’s history,” 2010). Thus, not only did he manage to develop a flawless logistical system to provide for the troops across the country but also took notice of the engineering needs of the city. It must be mentioned that when the Civil War is discussed, the public praises generals who planned battles and achieved victory. However, Meigs should be commended not for his battlefield skills but for the talent to design and implement a flawless system of logistics that allowed the troops to stay warm, fed, and clothed. It is the ‘behind the scenes’ work that matters the most because without it, there is no point in planning battle strategies. Reference In Civil War-era bridge’s history, a breach that couldn’t be spanned. (2010, April 21). The Washington Post . Web.