The drugging of our children Essay Example for Free

The drugging of our children Essay Are young children early on exposed to psychotropic medications due to lack of medical attention? Do millions of children in these countries really have ADD or ADHD? These questions arise all over North America, Great Britain, and Australia. Drugging of children at young ages is the result of self-diagnoses, teacher diagnoses, and lack of medical care and treatment for children with the â€Å"disease† of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the documentary The Drugging of our Children, Gary Null, Forever Living Products, 2005, DVD Web, brings about the argument. Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s children began to be put on many different drugs for their behavior in school, the main drug being Ritalin. In the documentary, Null speaks out to parents of children that are on medication by interviewing many different parents, physicians, and education committees about the use of Ritalin and other psychotropic medications in young children. All of these things that are being evaluated of the child’s behavior is at school, and is compared to the expected behavior of that particular teacher’s classroom. The film goes on explain how teachers diagnose those more challenging students with either ADD or ADHD and have them forced to put their kid on a medication to â€Å"cure† their so called disease. After showing each case and their stories, the film also reflects the long term effects of the medications also. The process of diagnosing a child with ADD or ADHD starts in the school environment. Teachers early on look for flaws in students in regards to classroom disruption. There is a list of nine elements including: can’t sit in seat, fidgets, jumping out of chair, doesn’t wait his turn, blurts out answer before question is finished being asked, careless mistakes in schoolwork etc. If the teacher can identify at least six out of the nine characteristics, then she has the authority to tell the parent that their child will be sent to a special needs school program. They will also tell parents that their child needs to be medicated for this disease. Dr. James Schaller of the Medical College of Pennsylvania (Life Script; James Louis Schaller, MD) believes that one must rule everything out first and then see the actual problem before considering medication. It is common in this day and age for people to accuse the hyperactive child of their parents not knowing how to raise or control them. Dr. Michael D. Fraser states that parenting style is not a cause of ADD and ADHD but that it’s hereditary and can even have to do with things like low birth weight, diet, and allergies. Needleman stated that, â€Å"It has also been claimed that exposure to lead can cause delinquent behavior in children†. The number one symptom of ADD or ADHD is â€Å"Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat†, stated by Peter Breggin, MD. Null only gets facts and stories from people that have been negatively affected by the use of psychotropic medications and doctors that are against the use of them. The audience is only able to wrap the mind around tragic situations that’ll lead to agreement with the argument presented. It was observed that as children got older, school shootings became more common. The cause of this was claimed to be that children now days had easier access to guns in the home. Researchers looked further into this answering their own questions like â€Å"Weren’t guns easy to access in the 1950’s and 1960’s? † In fact, yes, it was just as easy, if not easier for children to get their hands on guns then also. Physicians looked further into the children committing these acts. Miguel Humara, Ph. D states that, â€Å"The most effective form of treatment for ADD and ADHD are cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychotropic medication†. All of the children featured in the film had a history of being on some sort of psychotropic medication, the most common being Ritalin. These drugs are most commonly meant for people ages eighteen years or older, but doctors were being lazy and just prescribing these drugs to small children also. Comparing an eighteen year old on Ritalin to a seven year old on it, they had different side effects. While the eighteen year old was experiencing headache and vomiting, the seven year old was hallucinating and unconsciously doing violent acts. Obvious to viewers that these had long term consequences to younger aged children. This information makes sense and is valid from people with first-hand experience, but what about the people with no horrendous side effects? What about the doctors that do rule out everything before trying out medicine? These things should have also been addressed throughout the film for accurate accusation. The argument is strong and makes the audience think about medicating young children and is definitely persuasive in making them agree. This argument makes the audience think more in depth of the side effects of medication on young children in both their short term and long term effects. Null, throughout the entire film, speaks to the audience through the credibility of doctors, educators, and parents that have lived through experiences. This is an effective way to grab the attention of the audience with real life stories of victims. It makes the audience feel as if they know the victim and can have sympathy for their experience and therefore be able to agree with the argument, making the argument effective. In reality, young children are going to be a bit hyper and squirmy in their childhood and shouldn’t be look at as diseased or troubled. They need time to grow up and understand acceptable behavior. Though teachers and parents quickly make the assumption that there is something wrong, doctors need to be the ones to make the ultimate decision. Therefore, drugging of young children is the result of self-diagnoses, teacher diagnoses, and lack of medical attention and care for those with ADD and ADHD.

Symptoms Of Gastrointestinal Inflammatory Diseases Health And Social Care Essay

Symptoms Of Gastrointestinal Inflammatory Diseases Health And Social Care Essay Inflammation is a type of defence mechanism that the body exhibits in response to damage to part or all of its tissues. Depending on the severity of the insult and consequent damage to cells, the inflammatory response involves recruitment of varying proportions of neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes (both T and B cells), natural killer cells and cells of the monocyte macrophage lineage. Inflammation normally seeks to eliminate the cause of the insult and repair the damage caused. However, if the damage persists, persistent recruitment of inflammatory cells to the injured area will lead to further damage leading to chronic inflammation. [9] The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a hollow muscular tube running from the mouth to the anus. It is about 7 to 9 meters long in adult. The enormous mucosal surface, which is the innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract, is constantly exposed to a plethora of antigenic, mitogenic, mutagenic, and toxic stimuli thus clearly making th e gastrointestinal tract vulnerable to such inflammatory responses. [10] Gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases Inflammation can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory Bowel Disease The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. IBD encompasses two forms of intestinal inflammation, namely ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. Crohns Disease may affect all parts of the gastrointestinal tract, but more commonly it involves the distal part of the small intestine and the colon. On the other hand, ulcerative colitis results in colonic inflammation which can affect only the rectum, or can progress proximally to involve the colon, either partly or entirely [11]. Currently, the etiology of IBD is unknown, but recent investigations have identified contribution of genetic, environmental as well as immunological factors underlying the disease [12]. Susceptibility to disease is thereby determined by genes encoding immune responses which are triggered by environmental stimuli [13]. Figure 1.1 shows a combination of genetic and environmental culprits triggering activation of intestinal immune and non-immune syste ms which culminate in inflammation and tissue damage. [14] Figure 1.1: Etiology and pathogenesis of IBD. Current medical therapy of IBD consists of salicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and immunomodulators. However, their use is associated with severe side effects and complications, such as an increased rate of malignancies or infectious diseases. [15] Gastritis (Inflammation of stomach lining) Gastritis represents a group of disorders characterized by gastric epithelial cell injury and regeneration together with the induction of inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa [16]. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa occurs as a result of an imbalance between mucosal defensive and aggressive factors. It is now well established that H. pylori infection is the cause of the most common form of chronic gastritis [17]. Studies have established that H.pylori directly contributes to abundant inflammatory response and cause injury to gastric epithelial cells through elaboration of cytotoxic factors and it may also make gastric epithelial cells more susceptible to carcinogenic conversion [18]. There is also evidence that drugs and alcohol may cause gastritis. Iron therapy has also been implicated as a cause of gastritis. Iron-pill gastritis involves mucosal erosion which is accompanied by acute and chronic inflammation and marked regenerative epithelial changes [19]. Autoimmune and hype rsensitivity reactions may also be culprits in gastritis. [20] Esophagitis (Inflammation of the oesophagus) Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory condition whereby presence of dense eosinophilic inflammation of esophageal mucosa contributes to esophageal dysfunction. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a newly acknowledged disease whose incidence and prevalence is rapidly increasing in developed and developing countries [21]. The disease is a major cause of gastrointestinal morbidity among children and adults. It is thought to be immune mediated, whereby food or environmental antigens trigger a T-helper (Th)-2 inflammatory response. [22] Pancreatitis Chronic pancreatitis is well-known as a persistent inflammatory disorder of the pancreas, characterized by destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma, maldigestion, chronic pain and diabetes mellitus. Susceptibility to chronic pancreatitis is inherited in a complex manner, involving mutations in several genes conferring various degrees of risk. [23] Although the exact etiology of acute and chronic pancreatitis is unknown, studies have revealed that they are most frequently caused by a high consumption of alcohol and tobacco [24]. Other common causes include gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperparathyroidism, trauma, pancreatic tumors, and intra-abdominal and non-abdominal surgery. Drugs constitute a relatively infrequent cause of acute pancreatitis and account for 1.4 to 2% of the cases in the general population. [25] Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis refers to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, involving the stomach and intestines. Acute gastroenteritis is a common disease occurring worldwide, which affects all age groups and leading to an estimated three million deaths annually. In many patients the causal agent cannot be identified, but research has implicated bacteria and parasites as well as viruses such as rotavirus, adenovirus, and caliciviruses as major culprits in causing gastroenteritis. [26] Symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases Table 1.1: Symptoms of GI inflammation Gastrointestinal Inflammatory Disease Symptoms Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Diarrhoea Blood in stools Gastrointestinal bleeding Abdominal pain Fistulas (usually around the rectal area, may cause draining of pus, mucus, or stools) Constipation Weight loss [11] Gastritis Nausea Vomiting (possibly with blood) Abdominal pain and bloating Indigestion Loss of appetite Blood in the stools. [27] Esophagitis Food impactions Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Nausea Vomiting Heartburn chest pain or abdominal pain [28] Pancreatitis Abdominal pain Nausea Vomiting Weight loss Mild yellowing of skin (jaundice) Fatty stools [29] Gastroenteritis Abdominal pain Nausea and vomiting Diarrhoea Joint stiffness or muscle pain Poor feeding and weight loss [30] Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal inflammation Inflammatory activities occurring within the gastrointestinal tract can be assessed using a variety of techniques. Presently, the most reliable means to assess intestinal inflammation is endoscopy with mucosal biopsy. However, this technique is expensive, invasive, time-consuming and is not popular with patients [31]. Moreover, this technique requires a skilled operator and an uncomfortable preparatory regimen. Other techniques constitute measurement of conventional non-invasive acute-phase inflammatory markers in plasma and faeces. [32] Blood inflammatory biomarkers Serological biomarkers are principally produced when the intestine is exposed to the normal commensal bacteria and their increased levels might be indicative of an impaired or wrongly regulated inflammatory response. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are well-established indicators of inflammatory conditions within the intestine. [33] C-reactive protein (CRP) CRP is one of the vital acute phase proteins in humans, which is normally produced in low quantities by hepatocytes (/= 30 kg/m2. However, this method has been subjected to criticism because it does not distinguish fat from fat-free mass such as muscle and bone [76]. In addition, it has also been observed that for the same value of BMI, women are, on average, fatter than men, and Asians are, on average, fatter than Caucasians [77]. Distribution of body fat is highly important in evaluating obesity-related health risks. It has been well-established that accumulation of intra-abdominal fat, that is central obesity, shows stronger correlation with disease states in comparison with total body fat [78]. According to a recent study, waist circumference, and not BMI, explains obesity-related health risk. [79] Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation. The inflammatory process originates and resides mainly in adipose tissue, as it is responsible for production and secretion of various proteins involved in development of obesity related adverse health effects [80] . Through this mechanism, increasing obesity leads to reduction of adiponectin levels, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and to elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and results in systemic inflammation, including gastrointestinal inflammations. Intestinal inflammation is a key feature in severe obesity [81]. A study has established diet-induced intestinal inflammation as an early biomarker and mediator of obesity [82]. Findings in adult humans and in animals have suggested that the inflammatory status at mucosal surfaces of various organs including the adipose tissue, ooesophagus, pancreas, colon, which are associated with the increase of fat mass, may be involved in the pathogenetic pathways of obesity compli cations [81]. In addition, animal studies showed that obese mice display enhanced intestinal permeability [83]. Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that obesity is associated functional bowel disorders, which may have resulted from a low-grade inflammation [81]. Furthermore, obesity has been found to increase the severity of acute pancreatitis through amplification of the immune response to injury [84]. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, was also found to be a significant risk factor for erosive esophagitis [85]. Very recently, an association of obesity with endoscopic gastritis was demonstrated. [86] Results of a recent study pointed that circulating neutrophils are greatly activated in severely obese subjects, thereby indicating the association between obesity and activation of the innate immune response. In addition, elevated levels of faecal calprotectin, which is a non-invasive biomarker of intestinal inflammation, have been reported in individuals with high BMI [87]. Another study demonstrated a strong correlation between circulating calprotectin levels with abdominal adiposity in Japanese men, and also showed that weight loss in the subjects led to decreased circulating calprotectin. [88] Genetics Gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases may also be influenced by genetic components. Family studies have revealed strong familial association and high sibling risk ratio in etiology of eosinophilic esophagitis. [89] Genetic factors also play a role in pancreatitis. [90] In addition, increased familial risk has also revealed a genetic basis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease [91], and an increased faecal calprotectin concentration has also been demonstrated in asymptomatic first-degree relatives of IBD patients, thus indicating a high prevalence of subclinical intestinal inflammation in them. [92] Gender Gender may play a role in gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. Animal studies in mice have demonstrated  that females  develop more severe intestinal inflammation than do males [93]. On the other hand, a study has shown that bile reflux gastritis was more frequent to male gender [94]. Another study found a positive correlation between the male sex and pancreatitis [95]. Additional studies found that there is a slight preponderance of colitis ulcerosa in men and of Crohns disease in women [96]. Lifestyle factors Smoking Cigarette smoking affects ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohns disease (CD) in very different ways. According to recent studies, smoking cigarettes has a negative effect on the course of CD, and that smoking cigarettes may have a protective effect in some patients with UC [97]. Conversely, smoking cessation aggravates ulcerative colitis and improves CD [98]. Furthermore, studies showed that smoking conferred a strong, independent and dose-dependent risk of pancreatitis that may be additive or multiplicative when combined with alcohol. [99]. Alcohol Most cases of chronic pancreatitis are alcohol-related. [100] However, a recent study showed that faecal calprotectin concentrations in active-drinking alcoholics were not significantly different from the healthy controls thereby indicating the absence of a subclinical intestinal inflammation involving activation of neutrophils in the alcoholics. [101] Diet Pro- or prebiotics will directly influence the microbial flora, while immunonutrition, including omega-3 fatty acids and certain polyphenols, including green tea polyphenols, may reduce the symptoms of gut inflammation [102]. Studies have shown that lycopene, an antioxidant which is abundantly found in foods that have a natural red color such as tomato and watermelon, may play a role in attenuating the inflammatory process [103]. A study showed that intestinal bacteria and high fat diet interact to promote proinflammatory changes in the small intestine [104]. Certain studies suggested that refined sugar consumption might be a risk factor for Crohns Disease, but not Ulcerative Colitis. Fat intake is reportedly positively associated with ulcerative colitis [105], whereas vegetables and fiber consumption seem to decrease GI inflammatory process as shown by decreased faecal calprotectin [106]. Stress Psychological stress reportedly increases disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease by both direct and indirect mechanisms as shown below. [107] Figure 1.2: Direct and indirect ways by which stress can aggravate Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Socioeconomic status Epidemiological studies have demonstrated Inflammatory Bowel Diseases to be more prevalent among people of high socioeconomic status. Such an occurrence was explained by the hyegiene hypothesis, according to which individuals with higher standards of living may be living in cleaner environments and thus are more protected from childhood infections, but however exposure to infectious agents later in life makes them more vulnerable to chronic intestinal inflammation in adulthood [108]. A study in China demonstrated that levels of faecal calprotectin were significantly increased in the rural infants as compared to urban ones. [5] Gastric surgery Partial gastrectomy increases the risk for chronic pancreatitis in male alcoholics [109]. Appendectomy has possibly protective effects in ulcerative colitis but it is suggested as a risk factor in Crohns disease. Tonsillectomy is a risk factor for developing Crohns disease. [110]

Pharmacologic Advances Essay -- bioservices, anti-body

Aligning to IBT BioServices’s business model and core competency, the top four critical needs and requirements have been identified from Model 1 assessment. These criteria are compared and contrasted to the company’s model and key strengths to develop a strategic roadmap for further expansion of the market position and share. The key learning from this assessment includes (Figure 4): 1. Need of surrogate assays model that are reliable (in-vitro and in-vivo assays) and predictive of protective immunity against RSV and DEN. This is a demonstrated key strength area for IBT BioServices with their cotton rat model. The company successfully tested RSV vaccine and therapeutic candidates that led to IND and clinical development (IBT BioServices). Their in-vitro assay platform, particularly CPE assay, provides high correlation of inhibitory and efficacy measurements of vaccine candidates to human subject. This is essential preliminary data needed to design pre-clinical and clinical trials direction. 2. Develop new assays platform that is compatible for next generation technology and approach e.g. structural-based design to develop RSV vaccines (vaccine research center- NIAID-NIH). This approach utilized atomic-level details of RSV protein to detect binding mechanisms of fusion glycoprotein needed to neutralize human RSV antibody (Oplinger, 2013). The assays must be able to measure and follow the activity of the protein-antibody complex to develop higher efficacy vaccine. 3. Compliance and data integrity. Early phase R&D programs do not require GLP certification; however, there are benefits in establishing such programs. In this industry the concept of speed to market is essential and critical for market share and profit generation. The th... ...o 2016, Stockpile Analysis, Competitive Benchmarking and Pipeline Analysis. Retrieved from: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/1195531/the_future_of_global_vaccines_market_forecasts (n.d.). Services for respiratory syncytial virus research. Retrieved from IBT BioServices website: www.ibtbioservices.com (n.d.). Services for dengue virus research. Retrieved from IBT BioServices website: www.ibtbioservices.com Thomas, S. (2011). The Necessity and Quandaries of Dengue Vaccine Development. J Infect Dis., 203 (3), 299 303. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiq060 WHO. (2014). Dengue. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/dengue/en/ Wilson, P. (2010). Giving developing countries the best shot: An overview of vaccine access and R&D. Retrieved from: http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/giving-developing-countries-best-shot-vaccines-2010-05.pdf

Iagos Revenge in Shakespeares Othello :: Othello essays

Iago's Revenge in Othello      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Iago has a large appetite for revenge.   In his perspective, he believes that it is he who should be in charge, not Othello the moor.   This creates an anger in Iago, who entraps Othello in a web of deceit.   He does this through a series of suggestions and hesitations that entice and implant images in Othello's head that lead to his demise.   But what is more important is that he gives Othello the motive to murder innocent Desdemona.   Iago is constantly like a puppet master, pulling the strings of the people around him.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are many instances in the play where Iago is left by himself.   He utilises these opportunities by telling his future plans to the audience.   It would seen that he likes talking to himself about himself, which suggests he has much inner turmoil that he harbors close to his chest, but when the opportunity arises, he describes his deeds with a passion.   In the first of these monologues, he makes his intentions perfectly clear.   He implies that Othello has had an affair with his wife by stating "I hate the moor, And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets He's done my office".   The irony of this statement is that in the next line he says that he does not know it for a fact, but because he suspects it, he will act as if for certain!   This gives me the impression from the beginning, that Iago is insane and exceedingly paranoid, going so far as to set up a cache of murders, just on the suspicion of adultery.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Iago was also jealous of the open and loving relationship that Othello had.   When Othello and Desdemona are reunited after the journey to Cyprus, he kisses her in full view of everyone.   Iago treats his wife as an object and she knows it.   In Act three, Scene four, she tells Desdemona "They are but stomachs, we are but food, and when they are full, they belch us".      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Iagos' racist mind, he views his superior, Othello, as being of an inferior creed.   He sees him as possessing an evil mind and soul, and having no right to marry the very white and very naive Desdemona.

Factors Associated with Divorce :: Divorce Marriage Relationships Essays

Factors Associated with Divorce Research shows there are 4 major factors that increase the likelihood of divorce A. Divorce Caused By Age At Marriage 1. As age when married decreases, likelihood of divorce increases - Couples under the age of 18 are much more likely to divorce than couples who marry at any later age 2. Younger Couples Are: - Unprepared for marriage - Unaware of what is expected of them - Not mature enough to handle responsibilities 3. Drawbacks - The younger you are the less dating experience you’ve had - Not sure what you really value in a partner - Being young they may get bored and prefer a new marriage as opposed to their current one - Young couples have few reasons not to divorce - May have married without parents permission, so divorce may be supported by family - Likely do not have property together 4. Marrying due to pregnancy - Having a child before or early in marriage - Gives couple little time to adjust to each other and demands of marriage - May limit the parents’ educational and occupational goals - Increases financial strain on relationship B. Race 1. Studies show African Americans have higher divorce rates than Whites or Latinos - African Americans also much more likely to remain in a â€Å"separated† status - Their greater likelihood of being unemployed and living in poverty contribute to marital disruption 2. African American women are: - Less likely to marry - More likely to separate or divorce - Less likely to remarry On average African American women spend only about half the amount of time white women spend in marriage. C. Socioeconomic Status 1. Lower socioeconomic strata of society: - Lower levels of education, Lower incomes, Lower-status occupations - Higher marital instability rates Poor families are twice as likely to breakup as nonpoor families. - Lower-status married couples may have higher divorce rates because they

A Thousand Splendid Suns Essay

â€Å"Come. There is a way to be good again,† said Rahim Khan to Amir. In the novel the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Amir, the main character, expresses his thoughts and actions due to his baneful choices. The tribulations he faced were all repercussions of the sin committed by his disdainful youth. His sins ravaged the early stages of his life and gave him a troublesome memory full of guilt. As the novel progressed, Amir attempted to disengage the memory of his sin and forget about it. Amir soon faced the long over due road to redemption. Khaled Hosseini’s novel the Kite Runner is about redemption, and that the lifelong pursuit of happiness will never be fulfilled without it. At a young age Amir and Hassan were best friends, even though Amir was roughly expressing it. Amir and Hassan enjoyed many activities together as Khaled expressed in his novel: â€Å"I spent most of the first twelve years of my life playing with Hassan. Sometimes, my entire childhood seems like one long lazy summer day with Hassan, chasing each other between tangles of trees in my father’s yard, playing hide-and-seek, cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, insect torture†¦ We saw our first Western together, Rio Bravo with John Wayne, at the Cinema Park†¦,† stated Amir. Amir stated all these â€Å"friend-like† activities, yet witnessed the sexual abuse administered by Assef and his goons on Hassan without a peep from his mouth. At this point Amir’s lust for obtaining the kite, so he could finally enjoy love from his father had over come his friendship. That temporary love given to Amir by his father was enough for Amir to attempt to get rid of Hassan permanently, which worked. Amir’s sin committed in his early years set the stage for the rest of his life, for he would seek redemption for his acts. Many years passed, Amir was on his own now in America, with his wife Soraya that could not bare children. Amir received a call from Rahim Kahn who was dying and wanted a last visit from Amir. Amir had jumped at the chance to visit an old friend/father figure and flew to see Rahim. Little did Amir know he was about to face all of the tribulations he had seemed to forget of his past ten fold. Rahim Khan reveals â€Å"Hassan, Amir’s childhood friend, the presumed son of the family servant was in reality, Amir’s half-brother, his father’s illegitimate son with Ali’s wife. † He also reveals that the prolonged redemption is just around the Taliban by saving Amir’s half-nephew Sohrab (Hassan’s son) from Kabul. Amir was in a state of confusion, he expressed his plead to Rahim: â€Å"I can’t go to Kabul,† I had said to Rahim Khan. â€Å"I have a wife in America, a home, a career, and a family. † But how could I pack up and go and go back home when my actions may have caused Hassan a chance at those very same things (talking to himself)? I wished Rahim Khan hadn’t called me. I wished he had let me live on in my oblivion. But he had called me. And what Rahim Khan revealed to me changed things. Made me see how my entire life†¦had been a cycle of lies, betrayal, and deceit. ‘There is a way to be good again’ he’d said. Thus started Amir’s road to redemption. Amir searched through Kabul for Sohrab and an orphanage leader had stated that Sohrab had been sold to a Taliban leader. The Taliban Leader who showboated John Lennon glasses and conducted the stoning ceremony at halftime of the soccer game was the man that Amir had to speak with. As Amir conversed with the Taliban lead he learned of his cruel ways of massacring the Hazaras. Then the Taliban leader revealed, â€Å"What did you think? That you’d put on a fake beard and I wouldn’t recognize you? †¦ I never forget a face. Not ever. † The Taliban revealed himself as Assef, Amir’s childhood enemy. Assef created an ordeal stating that if Amir were to overcome him in a blood brawl, then Sohrab would be Amir’s boy to take. Assef completely demolished Amir by breaking several ribs with his brass knuckles. Amir was barely able to stand, but he withheld the beating for he knew that destiny had brought him to this moment. The moment came when Sohrab had pierced Assef’s eye and he and Amir escaped. Amir had finally accomplished his self-turmoil and had almost completed his redemption by saving his half-brother’s son, and almost dying for him. Amir knew that he had to adopt Sohrab when they got back to a safe haven. This caused some trouble with the embassy for they required legal documents of the orphaned child. Sohrab believed that there was no possible way for him to come to America and he did not want to return to an orphanage, so he attempted suicide. Amir had gone through a father’s worst nightmare when he thought his soon to be adopted son would die. Sohrab survived though, leaving a reckless, unrighteous Muslim, self- centered Amir behind. Amir’s pursuit of happiness was fulfilled as he and his son were flying kites in America. He had redeemed himself as he said to Sohrab, â€Å"Do you want me to run that kite for you? †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦A nod from Sohrab†¦ â€Å"For you, a thousand times over,† and a smile cracked open on Sohrab’s face.

Entertainment Industry in Mexico

Overview of Entertainment Industry in Mexico By: Jennifer Tarleton Date: November 15, 2010 GEO 111 World Regional Geography Instructor: David Harris South Piedmont Community College TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Actors and ComediansP. 1 II. Singers and MusiciansP. 2 III. Production CompaniesP. 3 IV. BibliographyP. 5 Business is booming for Mexico's entertainment industry. Mexico promotes itself as choice destination for filmmakers, but problems threaten to stunt industry's growth. The entertainment industry in Mexico faces two serious challenges.The first challenge is to generate an environment that the entertainment industry can prosper and second, to protect intellectual property. A stable business environment is vital to the success of the entertainment industry in Mexico. I. Actors, Comedians, Films The history of Mexican cinema goes back to the ending of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th but some movies have rediscovered just recently. The â€Å"silent film† industry in Mexico produced several movies; however, many of the films up to the 1920s have been lost and were not well-documented.The Mexican cinema golden era occurred during the 1940s. The origin of early filmmaking is generally associated with Salvador Toscano Barragan. Toscano compiled the country's first fictional film, titled Don Juan Tenorio. By 1906, 16 movie salons opened their doors to accommodate the popularity of cinema in Mexico City. Actors such as Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Cantinflas, Joaquin Pardave, Maria Felix, and Dolores del Rio gained their recognition. The themes during these years touched all aspects of Mexican society. The majority of the productions were comedies and dramas.Mexico's most famous contribution to popular cinema is perhaps the beautiful Mexican actress Salma Hayek who has endeared herself to thousands of fans across the world. Hayek is the first Mexican national to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. She is one of the most prominent Mexican figures in Hollywood. Some of today’s most popular comedians also have Mexican roots. George Lopez is one of the top five highest grossing comedians in the world. Lopez, a Mexican-American, was deserted by his father at birth but was raised by his maternal grandmother.Lopez has received several honors for his work and contributions to the Latino community. In September 2004, George was honored with the â€Å"Spirit of Liberty Award† presented by People for the American Way. In August 2005, Time magazine recognized George as one of â€Å"The 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America†. Another large sector of the entertainment industry in Mexico is the adult entertainment industry. The adult entertainment industry in Mexico is worth around one billion US dollars, and employs around 20,000 in direct and indirect jobs.While this entertainment industry produces revenue it also causes problems. Many film stars were diagnosed with various sexually transmitted di seases, including HIV. II. Singers and Musicians Mexico has a rich musical history. Mexico has a musical history that is full of cultural contrasts, with many different musical styles and influences. The popularity of the Mexican music goes back to the 16th century. Mexico's musical tradition shows strong folk as well as modern influences. However, the various music traditions have managed to unite Mexican society into one popular musical culture.Modern Mexico's music lovers are equally swayed by the tunes and rhythm of traditional music like mariachi and ranchero songs as well as by the Latino beats of hip-hop and salsa. The music industry has also brought considerable economic advancement to Mexico-generating jobs, bringing long-term investment and spawning a number of parallel businesses related to the industry (e. g. , recording studios and radio stations). Mexican music is popular in not only in Mexico but also in America and Europe.The famous Mexican American singers and music ians are playing a crucial role in keeping their traditions alive. The Mexican music is lively and offers pure entertainment. The singers like Jade Esteban Estrada, Selena, La Mafia, Roy Benavidez, Freddy Fender, Hector P. Gracia are some of the famous contemporary singers. III. Production Companies Mexico has a flourishing film industry and has produced a number of internationally acclaimed film directors. â€Å"There's no question that Mexico is one of the brightest hopes for the future of our company †¦ It's one of five key global markets. (Sumner Redstone) Redstone is the chairman and CEO of the entertainment conglomerate Viacom. Viacom’s holdings include MTV, Nickelodeon and Blockbuster Video. Redstone is optimistic about the prospects of connecting with Mexican audiences and growing with the market in coming years. Mexico is also building its reputation as a destination for filming. According to Kevin Trehy, executive producer for Warner Brothers Productions, the real value of Mexico being used as a location shoot is that the local community reaps benefits at a rate four times the cost of production.Miguel Angel Davila, president of Cinemex, a national chain of movie theaters, sees growth potential for his business in Mexico too. Many films raise many unanswered and perhaps unanswerable questions about where Mexico has been and where its people, politics, and culture are headed.V. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www. museumstuff. com/learn/topics/Mexico_City::sub::Culture http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/George_Lopez http://latinmusic. about. com/od/countrie1/p/PROBASICS17. htm http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Film_industry