Recent orders
Hazards and Effects of the earthquake
Hazards
Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc380999519 h 1Causes of the disaster PAGEREF _Toc380999520 h 1Effects of the earthquake PAGEREF _Toc380999521 h 2Tsunami warnings PAGEREF _Toc380999522 h 3Disaster responses PAGEREF _Toc380999523 h 4
IntroductionThere exist various biological, mechanical, chemical, physical or environmental agents that have the potential of causing damage or harm to people or other organism. These are known as hazards and exist in the day to day life and eventually lead to disasters. This paper will therefore look at a hazard that that lead to a particular disaster, the cause of the event and the consequences that came with the event.
Disasters are risk hazards that have the potential of causing significant societal, personal as well as damage the environment. Disasters manifest themselves in a way that threatens the people or environment. The recent earthquake that resulted to a tsunami in the Indian Ocean that took place on 26th of December flood is an example of a natural hazard that was disastrous and devastating effects on India.
Causes of the disasterThe tsunami was caused by an earthquake that struck at around 7.58 am. This earthquake was caused by the subduction of the oceanic plate known as Indo-Australian plate under the continental plate known as Eurasian plate approximately 240Kms off the coast of Indonesia. It was a mega thrust earthquake that involved an uplift of the sea floor about 20meteres up all the way to a fault line that was about 1000Kms in length. This uplift of the sea floor resulted to the displacement of tones in billions that set into motion a tsunami wave that hit the Indonesian coast in just under half an hour of the occurrence of the earthquake.
Effects of the earthquakeDespite the fact that the seismic waves took place 240kms off the coast the waves from the earthquake caused damage to houses that were build poorly and even those buildings that were better over 3 storeys. There were primary effects and secondary effects of the tsunami. The primary effects of the tsunami were loss of lives. A huge wave of people lost their lives in the different countries that are found along the Indian Ocean. These were 14 countries and the total death tall came to about 250,000.the highest death tall was recorded in the island of Indonesia (Planetgeography ,2010).Many people was also reported missing as others were left homeless as their houses were destroyed .there was also serious damage to ports, roads, hospitals, bridges, hospitals, forests and crops that were found within a kilometer from the shore. There was also loss of many public buildings as destruction of villages completely as well suffering significant damages (Ames, 2012). There were also areas like Sri Lanka were there was derailing of a train by forces of the waves which resulted to too many deaths. There was also loss of important public buildings, services as well as workers that were skilled. Among the secondary effects of the tsunami were diseases like dysentery and cholera these diseases were rampant and spread easily since there was a challenge of clean water and sanitation. Many people in the refugee camps succumbed to death due to these pandemics. There were income losses since fishing boats were destroyed. The marine fishing industry contributed greatly to the local economies in several countries. After the tsunami the industry has underwent a decline because there was a significant loss of fish in the local waters and damage of fishing vessels. There was also a significant impact on the economies of countries such as Thailand since they relied on tourism. The damage on the coastline as well as coral reefs that had previously served as tourist attractions brought about this impact. Soil and water were also contaminated that resulted to continuous economic problems for countries that are agricultural. In the initial stages, the greatest environmental impact of the tsunami was the damage on ecosystems like coral reefs, coastal areas, plants and animals. These natural features however protected countries from further effects inland. Environmental problems were felt further when buildings and facilities that were used for storage containing chemicals, sewage and materials that were hazardous were destroyed. These dangerous substances were carried together with debris that lead to contamination of various areas.Ground and water supplies were contaminated and in effect drinking water and organisms were affected (Ames, 2012).
Tsunami warningsIn the past the tsunami warnings forecasted have been ignored. This is largely because the alerts do not come from sources that have huge impacts that will necessitate necessary responses. The voices that give these warnings are often questionable when it comes to sincerity and urgency. The warnings have been common from scientists for a long time but most people believe that if it has not happened yet it will never happen. Therefore the warnings on tsunami are not taken to heed. Proper precautions are therefore not taken when a warning is made .its only until warnings are made by government officials or if they are publicized on local or international levels. Prior to the disaster there is said to have been warnings made many years before the event happened but people just took the warning as mere scientific speculations. Even on the actual day of the tsunami people did not get the warnings that could be useful to them and that they needed. The unfortunate part is that the warnings that finally came minutes before and this as to late for many people (Disaster, 2013).
Disaster responsesIn the event of disasters there are ways that people respond to the disaster this are short term and long term responses. Short term responses included the burying of dead in mass graves so that they could stop the spread of the pandemics. There was also money set aside for reconstruction of the destroyed areas by governments and non governmental organizations. A lot of time as taken before the process of rebuilding stared due to the clearing of debris .There was also relocation of people in temporary refugee camps where they were provided with shelter and food. Long term responses included the relocation of the refugees into actual homes where they could start their lives.
References
Ames, H. (2012). The Effects of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.Retrived march 9, 2013 from http://www.ehow.com/info_8251241_effects-indian-ocean-tsunami.htmlDisaster. (2013). Tsunami Warnings. Retrieved march 9, 2013 from http://www.tsunamispecialenvoy.org/tsunami-warnings.htmlPlanetgeography. (2010).Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004.retrieved march 9, 2013 from http://www.slideshare.net/PLANETGE0GRAPHY/indian-ocean-tsunami-case-study
American experiences in World War 2
American experiences in World War 2
Professors Name:
Institution:
Date Due:
Introduction
The world war two created an opportunity for working together. Though some communities had been segregated and given odd tasks to perform, the war presented an opportunity for them to show their skill min representing America (Stein 2003). Members of the less advantaged communities also took the opportunity brought by the war to bring out their skills in protecting this country. This paper will highlight the experiences that Americans had during the World War 2, a war which was fought at the battlefield and tactically. The paper will also discuss the role of various social groups during the war.
Explain how ww2 created an opportunity for minorities and women in the United States, both at home and in the military.
The war presented a situation in America where unity was greatly needed in order for Americans to triumph through the war. Though members of minority groups had been given odd duties in the past, at this time they were needed to offer their services to the military (Stein 2003). Men from minority groups joined the army and went to war in the battle field. Those who couldn’t fight were made service men in the battle field. They were not part of the war but they helped those who were in the war. Men joined the military as mechanics and plumbers, to offer these services to the people who were in the war.
Women also helped the men who participated in the World War 2. They served as nurses in the battle field and also cooked for the men who went to war (Stein 2003). Women were a pillar of social and moral support. They boosted the morale of the men who were in the battlefield. The war presented an opportunity for women to rise and show that they could also help out in the process of protecting the sovereignty of the land.
After the war, women would then rise to form civil rights groups to fight for equal opportunities. They had the right to equal and fair opportunities since they had proved themselves during the war (Stein 2003). Men from minority groups also stood up as strong and formed civil rights groups to fight for their rights as members of minority groups and citizens. They also wanted to have equal opportunities to public amenities like schools and hospitals. They wanted to have a strong and common voice that could be heard by everybody. This is why civil rights groups were formed.
How did African Americans, Mexican Americans and women prove themselves worthy in the workplace and in the war?
America was able to win the war; this was the best way to prove them during the war (Stein 2003). The interaction at such a close level between, African Americans, Mexican Americans and Women had never taken place before. However, during the war, the members from minority groups had interacted with native whites at a very personal level and this was a good sign for better relations after the war.
African Americans and Mexican Americans proved themselves as important assets in the war. Without these assets, Americans alone would not have won the war. Members from minority groups fought the war as if it was their own war (Stein 2003). The fought the war with passion and a desire to win. It could be said that they fought the war with a desire to prove that they were capable to take up more demanding tasks.
How did these opportunities and accomplishments plant the seeds for the civil rights and women movements of the 1960’s?
The war made members of minority groups aware that they were capable of doing what Native Americans would do. They had fought a good fight and were now aware that they could reach out for greater roles in the country (Stein 2003). Women were now aware that they played and important role in the society. As soon as they came from the war, they were eager to get fair treatment. The interactions with white men during the war inspired them to fight for their rights. Joining the military had been a reserve priority for White Americans. However, after the war, and the involvement of African Americans in the war it was now clear that they would perform similar roles. The war made African Americans and Mexican Americans feel important and needed in America.
The opportunity for Navajo men and Japanese American men and explain their achievements in the military. Japanese Americans took part in the war; their greatest achievement was bombing the Pearl Harbor (Stein 2003). Before the war, they had not been provided with fair opportunities to join the army. They had been classified as class 4-C which was a reserve of men in the army who were not allowed to stay with their weapons for long periods of time. However after they were able to showcase their heroism, the constitution was breached to have Japanese American men participate fully in the war. They were allowed to carry their weapons as other army men.
Bibliography
Stein, R. Conrad. The home front during World War II in American history. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers, 2003. Print.
AMERICAN EXCEPTIONAL
AMERICAN EXCEPTIONAL
STUDENT’S NAME
AFFILIATION
COURSE
DATE
ABSTRACT
American exceptionalism describes United States as an extraordinary nation (its identity) with an exceptional role to play in human history; a nation that is superior and with a lot of power. This can be tracked from the colonial times. The United States considers itself different from the other countries because it is originated upon a national principle rather than on the societal bonds of civilization and history that usually cement other people’s countries together. America’s political system, values, and history are exceptional and worthy of worldwide admiration. United States is envisioned and eligible to play a distinctive and positive roles within the world stage. The values of Americans are complex because of paradoxes within their culture that allow pernicious and valuable social phenomena to rise simultaneously from analogous basic beliefs.
Defining American Exceptionalism
The United States is an exceptional country with citizens united by an allegiance to shared set of ideals, anti-statism, equality, individualism, liberty, egalitarianism and populism.
America as an exceptionalism is declared on the certainty that the United States is an exceptionally a virtuous nation, the one that loves peace, encourages liberty, embraces the rule of law and respects human rights.
The United States had fought various wars and conquered in most of them. So it considers itself as a powerful nation. The United States enjoys remarkable success, and they tend to reveal their rise to world power as a direct outcome of the partisan foresight of the Establishing Fathers, the features of the U.S. Constitution, the importance to put on personal liberty, and the inspiration and hard work of the American people. The United States in modern day enjoys an exceptional global position since it is well exceptional.
U.S. primacy has always been considered as a central to the future of democracy, freedom, international order and open economies in the world. America contributes to the promotion and spread of democracy within a liberal world order. Americans view their country as a tremendously positive force in the world affairs.
The United States has made the effort of contributing to peace and stability within the world over the past era for instance the marshal plan. So far the United States is the main producer of greenhouse gases for a long time and it is the principal cause of adversative changes that alters the global environment. American is proud of its role in defending and creating Israel as well as in battling global anti-Semitism.
Discussing the importance of American Exceptionalism
The United States sought after trading with Europe in order to establish regional control over its own range of power. This was to ensure that the Europeans did not impede in what was known as an American sphere of power. This helped in protecting Latin America from excessive European intervention, however it assured America kept itself out of the tussles to announce a “balance of power” in Europe.
It is understood that the US was compassionate to Britain tactfully, as it played a little part in the extreme game of European diplomacy.
The United States views itself as basically unlike other European powers in its dodging of imperial ambitions. There has been critical tensions between the actual political practice and the American rhetoric on the evils of empire.
The policy of “manifest destiny” has been deliberately imposing program that involves exercising power over, or simply removing, other people. In addition, the U.S. exercised control over a number of overseas territories, such as Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam and the Philippines.
Paradoxically, Americans’ exceptional nature helped to enlighten in the acquisition of this type of colonies. This is because Americans alleged they were exceptionally appropriate to ruling foreign peoples compassionately.
The American exceptionalism guaranteed that Allende Castro, Chávez and Pinochet got into power.
American exceptionalism led the US to engage democratic rhetoric and idealistic, even when involving itself in blatant “sphere of interest” or geopolitical activities, like the several coups in Latin America.
The US military is considered as a naturally a worldwide force for goo
The American has mixed traditions and cultures and this gives America strength.
American Exceptionalism: Challenges
The desire for empire, the feeling of power and the besetting up of debt threatens the existence of the US system.
America has always desired to remake the world in its image however this has led to tarnishing its exceptional image of once shinning upon hill.
America lags behind in its investments in science technology, health care, education and infrastructure.
American Exceptionalism: Solutions
America should stop being extravagant on spending over its capacity to avoid debts. This places and economic burden to taxpayers to be able to be taxed to pay country’s debt.
America should innovate, invest and create ties in order to keep its role as a world leader.
Racism as a challenge
According to lipset the American Exceptionalism expounds why socialism has not taken hold in the United States, why Americans are resilient to complete quotas as a form of integration of the blacks and other minorities, as well as why foreign policy and American religion have a moralistic, battling streak.
The black live in fear of being viewed as traitors of the society and they have to reconcile with the whites and gain forgiveness for one another.
The leaders in America’s administration contribute in the tearing of blacks and whites.
Solution
The whites and the blacks should forgive one another.
America should elect wise leaders that will promote peace, reunion and the one that considered America’s welfare.
Faith and political action challenges
A fundamental of American exceptionalism is its belief that it is divinely designed to lead the rest of the world. They believe God has placed the vocations of afflicted mankind in American’s palms.
Since God created all men equal, each and every person has absolutely the right to liberty, life and property.
The enforced secularism within the classroom and the court establishment clause that declines the teaching of the bible in schools
The government has launched some programs that force its citizens to go against Christian beliefs for instance the Obama care Act of usage of contraceptives to control birth.
The government has made legal of same sex marriage which is against Christianity. The same sex may raise a child as a family in itself
Homosexuality is now taught in schools while Judeoism in Church
Solutions
For America to consider itself as a country that gives freedom of rights, it must protect unborn children by illegalizing abortion and protecting marriages.
Good morals should be taught in school and advice given on societal right influences that are not according to the ethics. In addition, the parents have the most responsibility to teach their children essential values in life.
Same sex marriage is condemned in the bible
God extremely rules over the universe. He created man to obey his way of justice. The Americans are over confident they forget God has Sovereignty on the citizens and not on the government.
§ Education challenges
Americas public school perform poorly and they lag behind compared to other countries public school Academic performances
There are common core programs that are offered to the students. The curriculum has been left in the hands of the government and is made to achieve mediocrity and not to strive for excellent.
The school curriculum no longer includes Gods teachings
Solution
Parent should choose an alternative choice of education since the public system does not provide enough programs for its students and even moral discipleship. Parents can choose home training their children to avoid liberal education.
The parents and the states should be in control of education and they should be able to choose the best institutions with the best programs for their children
The Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act Allows the states to stop subsidizing to the failed No Child Left Behind Act and place their funds to the programs that work the best for their citizens.
Social issues
The US. Legalizes abortions it allows programs such as Strategic Parenthood that increases the number of abortions meaningfully since they were established.
Obama has planned to illegalized Immigration whereby the immigrants will not require abide by the American laws or to adopt the American culture and this places American Exceptonalism.
Judges rule against the law since they believe in an evolving constitution and not the framers intention. The judges over step their boundaries seizing power from the citizen and maintaining unconstitutional system.
Solution
The government should burn abortion as well as bring up Christian welfares that provide a better option for mothers and their children.
The government should not interfere on the immigrating agencies work of updating and reporting accurate immigration data. Any business that will employ an immigrant should follow the law processes. American citizens should be protected by deporting the unlawful immigrants back home to keep up on American Exceptionalism.
A judge qualified to work should be elected when they can represent and protect the citizen’s rights. American citizens should stand for themselves in case the judges do not represent their interests while the judges remain powerless.
Bibliography
Edwards, Jason A. The Rhetoric of American Exceptionalism: Critical Essays. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland &, 2011.
Ignatieff, Michael. American Exceptionalism and Human Rights. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2005.
Lipset, Seymour Martin. American Exceptionalism: A Double-edged Sword. New York: W.W. Norton, 1996.
Murray, Charles. American Exceptionalism: An Experiment in History. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, 2013.
Parafianowicz, Halina. “Exceptionalism of America: Some Reflections.” Białostockie Teki Historyczne 9 (2011): 213-224.
Tyrrell, Ian. “American Exceptionalism in an Age of International History.” American Historical Review 96, no. 4 (October 1991): 1031–1055; Michael