Mortgage Essay Example for Free

Mortgage Essay 1. In 1932, the federal government’s intervention in the market for home ownership was desirable. Not only was it desirable, but it was needed. It has been the federal government’s desire to have every American become a part of the American dream and be a homeowner. In 1932 President Hoover signed the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to establish a series of discount banks for home mortgages. This would assist in increasing the likelihood of Americans owning a home and not feeling that they were restricted because of financial pressures. Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac were created to help bail out banks that had a growing number of defaults in mortgages. These three enterprises made it possible for banks to offer mortgages to riskier clients who normally would not qualify. This greatly expanded homeownership. It also shaped lending practices at banks and other mortgage lending firms by creating new forms of financing and creating the market of secondary mortgages. 2. Why did the U.S. Congress enact:Â  * Community Reinvestment Act – passed in 1977 requiring banks to lend in the low income neighborhoods * Mortgage Disclosure Act – passed in 1975 to provide the public with loan data that can be used to determine whether or not financial institutions are serving the needs of their community, identify possible discriminatory lending patterns and make this data publicly available * Depository Institution Deregulation and Monetary Control Act – passed in 1980 to provide gradual elimination of limitations on the rates of interest payable on deposits and accounts; authorize interest bearing accounts * Housing and Community Development Act – amended to create section 8 housing These methods were effective in expanding homeownership by making it easier and providing greater methods to become a homeowner. The government’s promotion of subprime mortgages created more problems that assistance. It was the initial cause of the 2008 financial crisis due to the rise in delinquencies and foreclosures. Basically many people were approved for houses that were not financially stable or capable of the long term obligation of buying a home. As subprime lending expanded, so did the crisis due to the over-regulation, deregulation and failed regulation that the government brought on. 3. Subprime mortgages made a contribution to the housing bubble. Since there were several more individuals approved to purchase homes, the demand for houses increased. This demand created many financial institutions and creditors to attempt to make a profit by approving loans, selling or enforcing short term buying. Once people got caught up in homeownership, but were beyond what they could afford and interest rates as well as lending practices went bad, the demand decreased, which resulted in a surplus, reduction of prices, rise in interest rate and the bubble burst. Borrowers will struggle with financing the purchase of a house, loan originators suffer from debt , MBS will suffer since the cash flow is not know in advance, the MBS investors may not receive payment and CDO holders because of the use of reserve funds due to the lack of incoming cash flow.

Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communication Overview

Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communication Overview Tara Rushdi Haydar Sinar Selahaddin Merdan Rojgar Mewlud Murad Contents (Jump to) Introduction What is GSM? GSM Network Architecture What is Roaming? What is GRAN? Requirement need for building GSM Generation of GSM Conclusion References Introduction GSM is a connection between two people − a caller and the called person – is the basic service of all telephone networks. To apply this service, the network must has ability to set up and maintain a call, which includes some tasks: identifying the called person, determining the location, routing the call, and ensuring that the connection is continued until conversation lasts. After the transaction, the connection is terminated. In a fixed telephone network, providing and managing connections is an easy process, because telephones are connected by wires to the network and their location is permanent from the networks’ point of view. Whereas, in a mobile network, the establishment of a call is more complex task, because it doesn’t have wire and permanent location. It enables the users to move by wireless (radio) connection. What is GSM? GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication and is an open, digital cellular technology transmits mobile voice and data services. It is a  digital  mobile telephony system that is widely used technology in the world. The GSM market has more than 70 percent of the worlds digital cellular subscribers. The GSM makes use of narrowband  Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)  technique for transmitting signals. The GSM was developed by using digital technology. It has an ability to carry 64 kbps to 120 Mbps of data rates. GSM operates at either the 900  MHz  or 1800 MHz frequency band. In Europe, operates in the 900MHz and 1.8GHz bands and in US, operates 1.9GHz and 850MHz bands. The GSM is a circuit-switched system that divides each 200 kHz channel into eight 25 kHz time-slots. Cell phones use GSM network by searching for cell phone towers in the nearby area. GSM carriers have roaming contacts with other GSM carriers and typically cover rural areas more completely. GSM also has the advantage of using SIM (SubscriberIdentityModule) cards. The SIM card, which acts as your digital identity, is tied to your cell phone service carrier’s network rather than to the handset itself. This allows for easy exchange from one phone to another without new cell phone service activation. Today, more than 690 mobile networks provide GSM services across 213 countries and GSM represents 82.4% of all global mobile connections. According to GSM World, there are now more than 2 billion GSM  mobile phone users worldwide. GSM World references China as the largest single GSM market, with more than 370 million users, followed by Russia with 145 million, India with 83 million and the USA with 78 million users. GSM network architecture The GSM network is divided into three major systems: The operation and support system (OSS) The switching system (SS) The base station system (BSS)     Ã‚   GSM network architecture The Operation and Support System (OSS) The OSS stands for operation and support system. The function of OSS is that monitors and controls the system. The aim of OSS is that customer cost-effective support for centralized, regional, and local operational and maintenance activities that are needed for a GSM network. An important task of OSS is to ensure a network overview and support the maintenance activities of different operation and maintenance organizations. The Switching System The switching system (SS) is responsible for performing call processing and  Subscriber-related functions. The switching system (SS) includes some functional units: Home location register (HLR)—The HLR is a database used for storage and management of subscriptions. The HLR stores permanent data about subscribers, including a subscribers service profile, location information, and activity status. When a person buys a subscription, he/she is registered in the HLR of that operator. Mobile services switching center (MSC)—The MSC performs the telephony switching functions of the system. It controls calls to and from other telephone and data systems. Also, it performs toll ticketing, network interfacing, common channel signaling, and others functions. Visitor location register (VLR)—The VLR is a database that contains temporary information about subscribers that is needed by the MSC in order to service visiting subscribers. The VLR is always integrated with the MSC. When a mobile station roams into a new MSC area, the VLR connected to that MSC will request data about the mobile station from the HLR. Later, if the mobile station makes a call, the VLR will have the information needed for call setup without having to interrogate the HLR each time. Authentication center (AUC)—A unit called the AUC provides authentication and encryption parameters that verify the users identity and ensure the confidentiality of each call. The AUC protects network operators from different types of fraud found in todays cellular world. Equipment identity register (EIR)—The EIR is a database that includes information about the identity of mobile equipment that intercepts calls from stolen, unauthorized, or defective mobile stations. The Base Station System (BSS) All radio-related functions are performed in the BSS, which consists of base station controllers (BSCs) and the base transceiver stations (BTSs). BSC—The BSC provides all the control functions and physical links between the MSC and BTS. It is a high-capacity switch that provides functions such as handover, cell configuration data, and control of radio frequency (RF) power levels in base transceiver stations. BTS—The BTS handles the radio interface to the mobile station. The BTS is the radio equipment (transceivers and antennas) needed to Service each cell in the network. BSC controls a group of BTSs. MS MS stands for Mobile Station. It is a combination of terminal equipment and subscriber data. The terminal equipment is called ME (Mobile Equipment) and the subscribers data is stored in a separate module called SIM (Subscriber Identity Module). Therefore, ME + SIM = MS. The SIM card contains an identification number of the user and list of available networks. What is Roaming? Roaming allows a mobile subscriber to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services when travelling outside the geographical coverage area of their home network, by means of using a visited network. Roaming is technically supported by mobility management, authentication and billing procedures. Establishing roaming between network operators is based on – and the commercial terms are contained in – dedicated roaming agreements. If the visited network is in the same country as the home network, this is known as national roaming. If the visited network is outside the home country, this is known as international roaming. If the visited network operates on a different technical standard than the home network, this is known as inter-standard roaming. GSM Roaming, which involves roaming between GSM networks, offers the mobile subscriber the convenience of being able to use a single number, a single bill and a single phone. The convenience of GSM Roaming has been a key driver behind the global success of the GSM Platform. The GSMA’s  GSM Coverage Maps  are a unique resource containing information supplied and approved by the members of the Association. The network, services and roaming information are continually updated to reflect the evolving situation worldwide. Interactive coverage maps, updated quarterly, allow you to navigate to see where exactly you can use your phone. What is GRAN? GRANis an abbreviation of  GSMRadio Access Network. It consists of  Base Transceiver Stations  (BTS) and  Base Station Controllers  (BSC). Its purpose is to manage the radio link between  mobile phones  and a  telecommunicationcore network. This access network provides access to both  Circuit switched  (CS) and  Packet switched  (PS) core networks. Aradio access network(RAN) is part of a mobile  telecommunication  system. It implements a  radio access technology. Conceptually, it resides between devices like a mobile phone, a computer, or any remotely controlled machine and provides connection with its  core network  (CN). Depending on the standard, mobile phones and other wireless connected devices are varyingly known as user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), etc. RAN functionality is typically provided by a silicon chip residing in both the core network as well as the user equipment. Network Management Subsystem (NMS) The Network Management Subsystem (NMS) is the third subsystem of the GSM network in addition to the Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) and Base Station Subsystem (BSS). The purpose of the NMS is to monitor various functions and elements of the network. The operator workstations are connected to the database and communication servers via a Local Area Network (LAN). The database server stores the management information about the network. The communications server takes care of the data communications between the NMS and the equipment in the GSM network known as â€Å"network elements†. These communications are carried over a Data Communications Network (DCN), which connects to the NMS via a router. The functions of the NMS can be divided into three categories: Fault management Configuration management Performance management These functions cover the whole of the GSM network elements from the level of individual BTSs, up to MSCs and HLRs. Fault management The aim of fault management to detect different type of problems then solve them rapidly. Fault management provides the network operator with information about the current status of alarm events and maintains a history database of alarms. The alarms are stored in the NMS database and this database can be searched according to criteria specified by the network operator. Configuration management The purpose of configuration management is to maintain up-to-date information about the operation and configuration status of network elements. Specific configuration functions include the management of the radio network, software and hardware management of the network elements, time synchronization, and security operations. Performance management In performance management, the NMS collects measurement data from individual network elements and stores it in a database. On the basis of these data, the network operator is able to compare the actual performance of the network with the planned performance and detect both good and bad performance areas within the network. Requirement need for building GSM Hardware and software A typical GSM base station, can’t do anything without a suite of components that maintain databases, perform call- ­switching functions, and so forth. This infrastructure is expensive (typically around $250,000) and complicated to configure, and it needs to be stored in an air-conditioned room. Obviously, that’s impractical in the kinds of places  ­OpenBTS is designed for. As a result, the system replaces much of the physical infrastructure of the core network with VoIP software–in this case, an open-source program called Asterisk that can be installed on any off-the-shelf PC. IP Connection Cell-phone users on an OpenBTS network can reach each other even if the system isn’t connected to the Internet, but reaching someone outside the network requires an Internet connection. On Niue, the group used five-gigahertz IP radios to link the BTS unit to Telecom Niue’s wired Internet infrastructure, four kilometers away. Burgess says that response time can get a bit sluggish if the Internet connection isn’t very good, but it doesn’t take much bandwidth to make the system functional. Power supply The system deployed on Niue draws about 60 watts of power, supplied by three marine batteries of the type that many locals use on their boats. Because the system’s power requirements are so low, Burgess says, a base station could also run on solar or wind power. GSM  handset OpenBTS re-creates the technology behind GSM (the global system for mobile communications), which is used by the majority of mobile phones in the world. Any GSM phone will â€Å"see† an OpenBTS network as a standard cell network and interact with it normally. Antenna Like any cell network, an OpenBTS system requires an antenna to facilitate signaling. Different types of antennas can be used, according to the range the operator wants the network to have. Generation of GSM First generation technology(1G) First-generation mobile systemsused analog transmission for speech services. It offered handover and roaming capabilities, but it was unable to interoperate between countries. So, this is disadvantage of first-generation. Second generation technology(2G) Second generation mobile system used digital transmission. It able to use handover and roaming capabilities. It uses FDMA, TDMA, and CDMA. Third generation technology(3G) Third generation technology has fast data transfer rate. It enables to add services like mobile television, GPS, and video conferencing. Services include a wide area wireless voice telephony, video call, and broadband wireless data, all in mobile environment. Fourth generation technology(4G) Fourth generation technologyhas more bandwidth and services than 3G. The expectation for the 4G technology is the high quality audio/video streaming overend to end Internet Protocol, and work at 100 Mbps for mobile users and upto 1 Gbps over fixed stations. The word â€Å"MAGIC† also refers to 4G wireless technology which stands for Mobile multimedia, Any-where, Global mobility solutions over, integrated wireless and Customized services. Fifth generation technology (5G) Fifth generation technology has changed the means to use cell phones within very high bandwidth, high connectivity, and has extraordinary data capabilities. User never experienced ever before such a high value technology. The 5G technologies include alltype of advanced features which makes5G technology most powerful and in huge demand in near future. 5G technology including camera, MP3 recording, video player, largephone memory ,dialing speed, audio player and much more you never imagine. 5G technology going to be a new mobile revolution in mobile market, so may be incoming days 5G technology takes over the world market. Conclusion Year by year, the GSM system improves and its subscribers increases around the world. It divides into three main parts that are OSS, SS, and BSS. These parts include some important department that manages the system, stores information of users, and another tasks. GSM has ability to roam worldwide and has roaming agreements in place with foreign operators globally. So, users can easily use their same SIM in another cities or countries. GSM network facilitate easier access to cellular and satellite platforms across international lines. Using digital technology, it employs both speech and data channels in its system. In addition, GSM has network management subsystem that detects problems and solves them, maintains information up to date, and detects good and bad performance of a network. References http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/GSM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_radio_access_network http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_access_network http://www.gsma.com/aboutus/gsm-technology/roaming https://www.eff.org/files/filenode/global_system_for_mobile_communication_technology.pdf http://www.tutorialspoint.com/gsm/gsm_overview.htm http://cellphones.about.com/od/phoneglossary/g/gsm.htm http://www.academia.edu/3099956/Generations_of_Wireless_Communication._From_0G_to_5G_Abhi http://www.technologyreview.com/hack/418552/build-your-own-cellular-network/

Mother Night Essays -- Literary Analysis, Kurt Vonnegut

Life is a Snake which Bites its Tail Vonnegut uses the cyclical nature of life to counteract the perceived definitive nature of it. Vonnegut believes that all real life events, history, and time are circular; they have no determinable beginning or end. Each of Vonnegut’s novels stresses the notion that life is cyclical. In Breakfast of Champions, Vonnegut states that time, â€Å"Is a serpent which eats its tail† (205). This imagery shows Vonnegut’s depiction of time as a circle. According to Vonnegut time has no beginning, middle, or end, thus it is impossible to depict it in any linear form. In Slaughter House Five, Vonnegut introduces the Tralfamadorians concept of time, which emphasizes the cyclical return embodied in Billy’s time travels (Wayne D. McGinnis, 118). Vonnegut believes that people perceive life in terms of an old fashion story book, â€Å"With leading characters, minor characters †¦ and a beginning, middle, and an end† (215). However Vonnegut proves in his novel, Breakfast of Champions, that this is certainly not the case. He states, â€Å"I resolved to shun storytelling. I would write about life. Every person would be exactly as important as any other. Nothing would be left out† (215) and that is exactly what he does. Vonnegut believes that â€Å"People have this illusion that when beginning, middle, and end are strung together in one story, a causal and teleological development is implied, and the identification of the cause driving events is what gives meaning to the story† (Daniel Cordle). Vonnegut’s goal is to eliminate this illusion and attempt to prove to his readers that it is not the structure of time or events which gives meaning to the story, it is all the moments combined which give the story its meaning. Just as Von... ...ally rescued by his â€Å"blue fairy god mother† right when he finally accepts his fate as a war criminal. Vonnegut’s use of irony, exaggeration and ridicule in Mother Night is constant throughout the book, from beginning to end, this novel is told in Vonnegut’s unique satirical tone, which he uses to expose and criticize people’s stupidity and willingness to conform and throw their ideas out the window for the sake of survival and acceptance. Literary critic Peter J. Reeds states that Vonnegut’s â€Å"painful comic rendering of the form acknowledges not just the suffering that existence may impose, but the essential absurdity of the situation in which its randomness and incomprehensibility frequently place us† (37). The comedy in Vonnegut’s fiction is meant to express the depths and tragedies of the world in a way which is bearable enough for the reader to comprehend.

Essay --

Same-sex marriage does not harm society or anyone particular; marriage is a relationship between two people. How is society hurting when society is not involved in their marriage? The exordium-We allow rapists, murders, child abusers, and irresponsible parents to get married; why do we have a problem with same-sex marriages? Same-sex marriage does not harm society or anyone in general. Marriage is a relationship between two people and is not defined by the gender of the two that are united. Marriage is important in our society a civil and emotional bond between two people that is sacred. We cannot deny Americans this right. America is known as the land of free, but we deny people of freedom because they are a same-sex couple. According to John Schwartz, the United States has made a huge gain towards the approval gay’s marriages in all our fifth states. Many states such as New York, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington D.C have already passed same-sex marriage laws, making marriage possible between two people of the same gender. Other states in the nation still have voted to ban partnership of same-sex, which the court feels, is unfa ir to the gay community. The narratio-In Baker v Nelson in 1970, a couple tried to apply for their marriage license and was denied. This did not stop them from filing a suit in the state court. Baker argue that the law is unconstitutional because denies petitioner a fundamental right guaranteed by the ninth amendment to the U.S constitution arguably made applicable to the states by the fourteenth amendment petitioner are deprived of liberty and property without due process and are denies the equal protection of the law. Many think that they can rationalize their opinion about same-s... ...because of their partner. Reason three denying gay is couple to adopt. Confirmatio –Denying same-sex couples the right to adopt is against their rights as an American. People stated that same-sex couples cannot provide proper care or a conducive environment to raise a child, but we can let convicted felons, murders, or unfit parents have children. If gays can provide a safe and nurturing environment then where is the harm? I think this would help decline the number of child who need a family. According to the research guide from the Georgia States University College of Law. Gay adoption number just about one quarter of children adopted has been to same-sex couples in the United States. However, in some states such as Florida, they have over- turned a ban that prevented same-sex couples from adopting children. The Supreme Court has ruled the ban unconstitutional.

Hamilton and Limited Government :: Federalists American History

Hamilton and Limited Government  ·The proposed band would raise $10 million through a public stock offering. The Treasury would hold one fifth of the stock and name one fifth of the directors, but four fifths of the control would fall to private hands. Private investors could purchase shares by paying for three quarters of their value in government bonds. In this way, the bank would capture a significant portion of the recently funded debt and make it available for loans; it would also receive a substantial and steady flow of interest payments for the Treasury. Anyone buying shares under these circumstances had little chance of loosing money. Hamilton and Limited Government  ·Hamilton’s plan to establish a permanent national debt violated the principle of equality among citizens; it seemed to favor the interests of public creditors over those of other Americans. Hamilton’s critics also denounced his proposal for a national band, interpreting it as a dangerous scheme that would give a small, elite group special power to influence the government.  ·Opponents’ strongest argument against the band was their claim of its unconstitutionality. The Constitution gave Congress no specific authorization to issue charters of incorporation  ·Unless Congress adhered to a strict interpretation of the Constitution, critics argue, the central government might oppress the states and trample individual liberties, just as Parliament had done to the colonies  ·The president accepted Hamilton’s cogent argument for a loose interpretation of the Constitution  ·Tariffs doubly injured the majority of citizens, first by imposing heavy import taxes that were passed on to consumers and then by reducing the incentive for American manufacturers to produce goods at a lower cost than imports HAMILTON’S LEGACY  ·Despite the Federalists’ effort to associate themselves with the Constitution they actually favored a â€Å"consolidated† (Centralized) national government instead of a truly federal system with substantial powers left to the states  ·Resentment ran high among those who felt that the government appeared to be rewarding special interests  ·Southern reaction to Hamilton’s program was overwhelmingly negative  ·The Band of the United States had few southern stockholders and it allocated very little capital for loans there THE WHISKY REBELLION  ·Hamilton’s financial program not only sparked an angry political debate in Congress but also helped ignite a civil insurrection called the Whiskey Rebellion  ·Hamilton had recommended an excise tax on domestically produced whiskey. He insisted that his proposal would distribute the expense of financing the national debt evenly across the United States  ·The law furthermore specified that all trials concerning tax evasion be conducted in federal courts Hamilton and Limited Government :: Federalists American History Hamilton and Limited Government  ·The proposed band would raise $10 million through a public stock offering. The Treasury would hold one fifth of the stock and name one fifth of the directors, but four fifths of the control would fall to private hands. Private investors could purchase shares by paying for three quarters of their value in government bonds. In this way, the bank would capture a significant portion of the recently funded debt and make it available for loans; it would also receive a substantial and steady flow of interest payments for the Treasury. Anyone buying shares under these circumstances had little chance of loosing money. Hamilton and Limited Government  ·Hamilton’s plan to establish a permanent national debt violated the principle of equality among citizens; it seemed to favor the interests of public creditors over those of other Americans. Hamilton’s critics also denounced his proposal for a national band, interpreting it as a dangerous scheme that would give a small, elite group special power to influence the government.  ·Opponents’ strongest argument against the band was their claim of its unconstitutionality. The Constitution gave Congress no specific authorization to issue charters of incorporation  ·Unless Congress adhered to a strict interpretation of the Constitution, critics argue, the central government might oppress the states and trample individual liberties, just as Parliament had done to the colonies  ·The president accepted Hamilton’s cogent argument for a loose interpretation of the Constitution  ·Tariffs doubly injured the majority of citizens, first by imposing heavy import taxes that were passed on to consumers and then by reducing the incentive for American manufacturers to produce goods at a lower cost than imports HAMILTON’S LEGACY  ·Despite the Federalists’ effort to associate themselves with the Constitution they actually favored a â€Å"consolidated† (Centralized) national government instead of a truly federal system with substantial powers left to the states  ·Resentment ran high among those who felt that the government appeared to be rewarding special interests  ·Southern reaction to Hamilton’s program was overwhelmingly negative  ·The Band of the United States had few southern stockholders and it allocated very little capital for loans there THE WHISKY REBELLION  ·Hamilton’s financial program not only sparked an angry political debate in Congress but also helped ignite a civil insurrection called the Whiskey Rebellion  ·Hamilton had recommended an excise tax on domestically produced whiskey. He insisted that his proposal would distribute the expense of financing the national debt evenly across the United States  ·The law furthermore specified that all trials concerning tax evasion be conducted in federal courts

American Civil War and United Fruit Company Essay

In, â€Å"Testimony: Death of a Guatemalan Village,† Victor Montejo describes events surrounding the military regimes occurring throughout Guatemala. The book itself is an eyewitness account detailing one instance of violence between the indigenous peoples village’s â€Å"civil patrol† and the army. This occurrence leads to the execution and imprisonment of many villagers. Even though the book is mainly a testimony by one person, in which he discusses the personal conflicts and struggle between himself and the army, the account is structured around the Guatemalan civil war and the conflict between the government and civilians. The Guatemalan Civil War occurred between the years 1960 to 1996. It was a battle between the government of Guatemala and the numerous leftist rebel groups who were supported by the Mayan indigenous, poor, and working class. This civil war began as the many poor realized that their government had little concern for them, as the elites in the country owned most of the land. Much of the land was also owned by multinational corporations, such as the U. S. wned â€Å"United Fruit Company† in the 1940s and 50s. The result of this unequal land ownership, which also contributed to an unbalanced distribution of wealth, led to an oppressed population living in extreme poverty. These local hardships were ultimately the driving force behind the rebellious leftist groups As military leaders began to have control of the government by the 1960’s and through the 1970s, physical violence became a method used to overthrow political opposition. As other countries in Latin America had their own revolutions; Guatemalan citizens looked to them as a source of inspiration for their attempts to take control of their country. The example of Cuba became a stepping stone and a clear example for Guatemala as Fidel Castro was successful throughout the Cuban Revolution in Cuba and was able to overthrow the Batista family. Other examples included the Sandinista guerilla movement who successfully completed a revolution in Nicaragua in 1979, and in El Salvador where the FMLN guerillas also appeared to be having similar results. However, these regimes are appealing at first, but after having them continue for long periods, much conflict ensued which contributed to much loss for the poor rebels and their fight for sovereignty. Looking at Montejo’s testimony, Maria Lupe’s testimony, and the cold war in Guatemala; we will examine how these violent regimes appeared to the civilians, their effects on society, and their connection to the civil war. Victor Montejo describes several political instances that have led to the people’s desire for a revolt against the acting government. He mentions that former president Lucas Garcia left many things â€Å"undone;† though not much information is given for background information of Garcia, we can conclude that he was responsible for the growth of the military’s power and an initial cause for the dissent of the poor. He also mentions Garcia’s successor, president Efrain Rios Montt and his lack on taking the government out of the hand of the military. Montejo states â€Å"no president would be able to control the situation because the military were the ones in charge. Later on Montejo reveals that under Lucas Garcia’s administration’s military; â€Å"paramilitary, police, and priests, were kidnapped, tortured, and killed; or rather anyone who had influence in the town who spoke out against the government. † As the government paved ways to try to economically stabilize the state, many of its poor suffered, and regimes occurred to support the poor, leading many to suspect communistic or socialist identities, and a desire for government change. With the military being in control, with help and support coming from the U.  S. , the army was used to stamp out the leftist guerrillas who were pushing for a new government that would support the people. Looking at Montejo’s testimony, we see the creations of civil patrols, a group of men designated by the military government to protect their town from the guerillas. However, some of these patrolmen were thought to also secretly support the guerrillas and under a confused set of operations, attacked the army and; according to Montejo’s testimony, many villagers were killed. The army also rob and burn down parts of the village. In one case, a young man who was part of the patrols is shot and as he laid dying, reveals that the uniform worn (in that particular day) by the army was similar to the ones the guerrillas would wear, except that the guerrillas didn’t cause any harm as they walk through the village. This has a lot to say about how the civilians saw the government’s military, and how they saw their repressive state; being something they had to do without question due to fear. Taking a look at the testimony alone, we can also see how society was effected. Out of Montejo’s brief background detailing the ailures of the presidents and the absolute repression faced by the civilians, we can conclude that the governments force to keep the guerillas unsuccessful was limited and pushed society into rebellions. In other words, as the army continued to torture and persecute the innocent, many found it necessary to fall into the hands of the guerrillas in order to stamp out their oppression. Maria Lupe’s account is similar to Montejos. She describes her hardships as a house wife, working on a plantation of a rich land owner. Her husband worked for 50 cents per day, and her payment was in food. She mentions moving closer to the north in a town called Ixcan, hoping for better jobs. At about two years the member of the guerrilla army for the poor began entering the town, recruiting people, and telling them that they were fighting so that they could all live better lives. After she had met with the guerrillas, she realized that their interests were aligned with hers. The guerillas and â€Å"companeros† as the group was called, effected society for the better; they were able to construct support within the community, almost â€Å"communistic† in style; sharing food, selling materials, and taking care of each other. She mentions that spies were beginning to infiltrate the village and set up a military commissioner. Just as Montejo, suspicion of guerrilla collaboration was dangerous and could lead to death. She eventually becomes involved with this group which enables her to feel secure, and at some point is given arms for protection. She also mentions that the †companeros† made efforts to include women and support women’s roles in society, outside of the home, giving women more of a say in the community. We see an opposite reaction as to how the civilians felt about the guerrillas that is only slightly mentioned in Montejo’s testimony through the eyes of the dying patrolmen when he mentions that the guerrillas never attack them. The government military’s efforts was to remove any dissent, particularly those of the guerrillas. The hatred for them is revealed in Montejos testimony, as he is constantly beaten by the army because of the suspicion of him being a guerrilla. He eventually flees the country for fear that they may target him again under false pretenses. In Lupe’s account the military is the enemy, and when suspicion arises, she is arrested and detained for several months, leaving behind her children; she later flees and leaves the community, having to work for low wages again in another town. Lupe’s case shines a light upon the guerrillas, they are almost portrayed as saviors. She never discusses the government’s military repression into great detail, but we see here that civilians showed a bit of amnesty toward the guerrillas and favored their motives against the repressive government. The history of these conflicts stem from the effects of the Guatemalan civil war. Initially, it began as a â€Å"social revolution,† a stance against neo-colonialism. Through 1944 to 1954, Guatemala experienced the â€Å"Ten Years of Spring† a time when two democratically elected Presidents; Arevalo and Arbenz, stressed reform, nationalism, and new constitutions. The Arbenz reforms stressed the importance to remove any outside corporations and instead focused on independent commerce within the country. He was able to move Guatemala from a semi-colonial system to an independent country. He did this by moving the country’s economy from a feudal system to a more capitalistic one. He was also able to raise the standard of living for most of the population. In order to do so, he confiscated large estates and redistributed them to the peasants, he also seized unused â€Å"United Fruit Company† and railroad lands to benefit his people. His most controversial step was his opposition to the â€Å"Declaration of Caracas,† which aligned all of Latin America with the United States to ensure the â€Å"success† of democracy. He instead supported solidarity against U. S. interventions. This lead to wide speculation by the Eisenhower administration, and concluded that Guatemala was moving toward communism. This led to a huge U. S. infiltration on the Guatemalan government. The U. S. trained and armed proxy forces in Honduras who later joined the conservative Guatemalan military to overthrow Arbenz. These coups are the ones who will become responsible for the military takeover that plagued Guatemala for many years, and which are highlighted in Montejo’s and Lupe’s accounts. By June 1954 a new military junta in Guatemala formed, supported by the U. S. nd established the â€Å"National Committee of Defense Against Communism,† which allowed for the arrest and death penalty of â€Å"subversive† activities. By September 1954, General Carlos Castillo Armas, who was supported by the U. S. becomes president of Guatemala. He then forces society to reverse many of the Abrenz reforms; revoking voting rights for illiterates, which made up half of the population, forced peasants to leave the acquired lands, banned political parties and peasant organizations, and restored the secret police. By the 1960s, a 36 year civil war had begun, with the U. S. supporting the authoritarian government. With the onset of the civil war, we see the outcomes which shaped Montejo’s and Lupe’s testimony, and the hardships the civilians faced and the effects on society; being banished from lands that were given to them, having to abandon jobs and a thriving economy due to outside efforts to contain â€Å"communism. † For three decades the civil war was fought, a fight, one might say, to reclaim what belonged to Guatemala from greedy outsiders and those wanting to ensure their own success, while the poor Indians had no say in government and were forced to remain loyal to a government that did not share in their interests. Luckily, the civil war came to an end and the violent regimes once waged ceased. However, through the eyes of Montejo and Lupe, we are able to see the lives of the civilians that had to live under the repressed state and the attitudes these people shared for their government, leaving an important legacy for all people to witness, that regimes started by the poor where necessary in order to create a society where everyone had an equal share to the same rights as the elites.

Alcoholism in Youth

Alcoholism in Youth Expectation, are they making things difficult? It seems that what is expected has not been achieved neither been integrated in mind and heart of the youth, being dubbed to as hope of the motherland. Did the famous national hero of ours, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, just had been mistaken with his proposition then? Or, is it because the influential matters in the society that dominates that is why those coined words by him do not materialized? Which is which? We could not escape from the facts that there is a bunch of malignant issues that bound the society. Yes, indeed, reality bites!Such social issues are fatal act into quoting that the youth is slowly killing the final stand of the country’s progress. What is the problem then? Or should I say problems? Alcoholism is considered as a widespread problem in the society since it can harm the individual’s health, relationships and status in life. It is definitely a disease which means an uncontrollable and obsessi ve consumption of alcoholic beverages. It detriments the physical and mental components of a person and causes the brain to change in some point that the person becomes dependent and abusive.The alcoholism in youth is out of subtlety. It is really obvious now! Youths are unstoppable and always thrilled when talking about alcohol. They seem to be excited in the experience and proud in some point when drinking. Actually, the bond between alcohol and youth is really a complicated matter that everybody should need to understand to solve this this legal matter is way over ignorance, then underage drinking is common. Generally, young Filipinos start to drink at the age of 16 or 17. But there are some cases that they drink as young as 12 years old.Family, friends, and the mass media can be influential factors. With this matter, out of school youth could divert themselves seeing them at the end of the day, drinking alcohol and taking up drugs. Pursued by curiosity, they do what is not suppo sed to be done. If these deeds will be tolerated, then there will be just a little hole along the tunnel that will light up the dark pathways of life. It is the same as saying as the case gets worse, the result gets dark. With that they do, they vividly mirror what awaits tomorrow. Then what waits it then?Simple, a day full of miserable undertakings, full of regrets and a day that embraces darkness. In the stage of puberty, there are some huge changes and adjustments that the youths are experiencing and undergoing. These adjustments are crucial that they find the comfort in using drugs and alcohol. We can see that these on-going developmental changes are some factors that should be dealt by them. As they grow and expose to the outside world, peer pressures and thrill seeking activities lead to them to test their limit and their ability to go on what they can see.They try everything and anything even if it is harmful just to be accepted by the society they choose to be a part of. The se causes should be controlled and every youth should seek responsibility on what is morally and legally accepted. Character strength is tested during this kind of stages since every action has its own consequences. As stated earlier, there are so many harmful effects alcoholism can bring. In youths, the most difficult to avoid is the serious drinking problem which may be alcohol dependency or alcohol abuse.When a person starts to drink in a younger age, there is huge possibility that the person will become alcoholic. In a rebellion phase, of course, dangerous behavior can be amplified by alcohol. Since they are used to this kind of actions and environment, they tend to engage in much hazardous move like use of harmful drugs and risky behaviors. Finally, alcohol has an enormous effect in brain and body development. Underage drinkers may suffer and have difficulties in long term memory or critical thinking in later years. Hormonal imbalance will soon be observed which have a negative impact in reproduction.Drinking alcohol is a primitive practice of Filipinos as what history shows. Now we are in a modernized world, but this practice has never been avoided successfully. Alcohol is not really at fault but the person who abuse alcohol. Youths are risky in these abusive actions bu we should not criticize them. Nevertheless, we should be the model and the helpers of these youths as they move towards critical transitions. And at the end, the relationship between the youths and alcohol is not really a mystery. Its solution are not vague and if we just open our eyes wide enough, the solutions are just in front of us.