Persuasive research paper Essay Example for Free

Persuasive research paper Essay Everyday as we commute down the road we see motorcyclist drive past us. What is the one thing that we can all agree individuals riding motorcycles have in common? It is not a trick question. The answer is very simple; they all share the commonality of riding a motorcycle. What is in fact is very distinct however, are the choices of attire when operating their motorcycle. Some individuals are brave enough to wear shorts, tank tops, and sandals. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have some of the wiser ones that chose to wear a helmet, gloves, protective jacket, eye protection etc. Why the distinct difference? The fact is that a great percentage of riders refuse to wear the proper protective equipment. Due to an increase in motorcycle riders within the recent years, a national protocol requiring certain equipment, such as a helmet, to be worn when riding a motorcycle should be instituted. There are many contributing factors to motorcycle fatalities, however there can be a culture of change, specially with the proper knowledge on how each piece of safety equipment can help at preventing injury or death Every year that passes by, notice that more and more motorcycle share the road with our  automobile drivers. We might wonder why there has been a shift in choice of transportation. Is this a trend or fad that the population is going through? According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, â€Å"National data from 1976 to 2012 suggest that motorcyclist fatalities track motorcycle registrations quite closely and that registrations track inflation-adjusted gasoline prices. If the economy continues to improve and gasoline prices remain high, then motorcycle 1 Tenorio registrations, travel, and fatalities will continue to rise unless active measures are taken†. (Hedlund). Not only do we think there are more motorcycle riders on the road, they have proven this to be true. Motorcycles are generally more fuel-efficient than cars, making them a very good alternative mode of transportation when gas prices stay at a consistent high price. It is basic mathematics; if there are more motorcycles there is more individuals susceptible to accidents. Additionally, they have proven that motorcycles are more apt to be involved in a motor vehicle accident than any other vehicle. Data collected in 2007 proved that per vehicle mile driven,motorcyclist were approximately 37 times more apt to die in a motor vehicle accident and nine times more probable to be injured in an accident. They also researched the ability of a helmet to protect against fatal injuries in motorcycle accidents. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 823 lives could have been saved. (Motorcycles: Traffic Safety Facts 2008 Data). As motorcycles become more abundant, it is imperative that we reduce the probability of death as much as  possible. As proven above, helmet wear can be a life or death-determining factor. You can force motorcycle operators to wear helmets by implementing laws, but the combination of alcohol and motorcycle operation can have a devastating impact despite helmet wear. When operating a motorcycle an operator needs all of their senses at full capacity. Alcohol is central nervous system suppressant substance, causing you body to have a reduced reaction time when the situation arises. The reported helmet use rate for motorcycle riders with BAC levels higher than  the legal limit killed in traffic crashes was 46 percent, compared with 66 percent for those with no alcohol (Motorcycles: Traffic Safety Facts 2008 Data). Not only does alcohol reduce reaction times, it also has an impact on your ability to make rational decisions. It makes individuals push the limits of their motorcycle and their riding ability to levels they normally 2 Tenorio would not, and the majority of the time while not wearing the equipment they should. In 2011, the NHTSA calculated 4,323 motorcyclists were killed, and 33% (1426) of the riders were under  the influence of alcohol (Watson). How can the country as a whole help reduce the amount of fatalities we currently have due to motorcycle accidents? It is not a very simple answer. It would require involvement from both the people and the government to make this happen. One way the government can aid in the reduction of motorcycle fatalities is through the implementation of regulations, which require and enforce the wear or motorcycle protective equipment. Dating back to 1966 the government tried to impose the requirement of helmet wear by the states. They tried to do this by threatening with the reduction of federal-aid highway construction funds for the states that did not comply with the implementation of universal helmet use law by 1967. By 1975 all but 3 states had adopted and implemented such laws. Unfortunately the Supreme Court deemed this law unconstitutional. Shortly after revoking the Act, states gradually began to weaken helmet wear laws, since it was no longer a federal requirement (Helmet Laws). Much like seat belt laws have been implemented across the majority of the states due to increased survivability rate when  involved in an accident, the wear of helmets when operating a motorcycle should be mandated. The responsibility should not only be weighted only on the federal and state governments, individuals should take responsibility also. Many non-profit organizations work diligently to tray and raise motorcycle safety awareness with thinks like bumper stickers, fund-raising rides, and bike meets. Additionally insurance companies have aided in the increased awareness by handing out information pamphlets at locations like Bike Week in Daytona Beach. Another factor that  aids in the reduction of motorcycle fatalities is proper operation education. Florida is one of many states that require the operator to take a Motorcycle Basic Riders course in order to be able 3 Tenorio to receive the motorcycle endorsement on their licenses. Without this endorsement you cannot legally operate a motorcycle. With this course even people that have never been on a motorcycle can learn the basic in order to operate it on the roads. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) offers motorcycle rider education and training programs and courses, and supports governmental  programs by participating in research and public awareness campaigns and providing technical assistance to state training and licensing programs (Morris). The Department of Defense, more specifically the United States Air Force, uses courses from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to teach the military riders how to operate a motorcycle. In order for an individual to operate a motorcycle they have to complete the basic riders course. Within one year of the completion of the initial course they are required to complete an intermediate course such as the basic riders  course 2, advanced riders course, or the sport bikes handling course. Once these two requirements are complete, they are required to do refresher training every five years. In addition to the training, the department of defense requires all members, military and civilian, to wear protective equipment while driving on any DOD installation. That protective equipment consists of: helmet, gloves, durable over the ankle footwear, long sleeve shirt or jacket, long durable pants, and eye protection. If not properly equipped, individuals are not allowed to enter the installation. If the DOD is doing this to help keep the members of the military community safe, why shouldn’t the rest of the country follow in those footsteps? When we think motorcycle safety, 90 percent of the time the first image that comes to mind is a helmet, as it should. The helmet is the single-handedly the most important piece of safety equipment that a motorcycle rider shouldn’t go without. However, there are many other rider protective equipment components that play a vital role in the safety of the person. Between 2001 and 2008, more than 34,000 motorcyclists were killed and an estimated 1,222,000 persons. 4 Tenorio were treated in a U. S. emergency department for a non-fatal motorcycle-related injury (Motorcycle Crash-Related Data). This data supports the thought process that even though helmets are crucial at protecting against head injuries, there are many other portions of the body that are at harms way if not properly covered. 75 percent of the non-fatal emergency room visits involved parts other than the head. The other attire that might contribute to a safer ride includes, but not limited to, long durable pants, durable top, gloves, durable over-the-ankle footwear, and reflective equipment. Despite that it will probably never be deemed mandatory to wear these items, it is important for riders everywhere to understand the devastating effects an accident can have on their bodies when choosing not to wear the proper gear. There is a common misconception that the gear makes the ride more uncomfortable and, it is believed that it makes it more difficult to operate and maneuver the motorcycle. That is a myth! Properly fitted helmets of decent quality not only will it protect your head, but also a full-faced helmet will make for a more comfortable ride. The helmet does this by preventing foreign objects and debris from  constantly hitting the riders face, and most importantly from landing in the eye. Gloves that fit snug the hand will protect it from road rash in the event that you make contact with the pavement and it also improves handgrip with the handlebars aiding with better handling. There are gloves out on the market that have additional padding in the palm of the hand, to help with comfort and provide support and a barrier in the event of a fall. The same concept can be applied to footwear. It is unbelievable that there are people out there that would ride a bike in flip-flops and think it is comfortable. Not only does it not protect the appendages, but also it makes it harder to control the bike. When choosing footwear you have to find a medium between protection and comfort. Wear something that provides the proper amount of protection but does not hinder your ability to control or maneuver the motorcycle. 5 Tenorio Choosing comfort over safety should never be an option. More specifically when you are talking about the portion of your body that controls all bodily functions. With the implementation and enforcement of a universal helmet law, the fatality rate of motorcycle accidents would  decrease. In the past the universal helmet law failed. With that in mind, we can learn from our mistakes and see trough an effective and legal legislation. The ultimate goal is not to interfere with he rights of individuals, but to help protect the citizens so they can continue to enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States. The amount of information revolving around motorcycle safety out for public access is almost overwhelming. Therefore, there shouldn’t be an excuse why people refuse to wear gear that will only help protect them and their bodies from the dangers of riding a motorcycle. Works Cited 6 Tenorio Hedlund, James. Spotlight on Highway Safety. Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State: 2012 Preliminary Data. Governors Highway Safety Association, 1 Apr. 2013. Web. 09 July 2014. Helmet Laws. State Motorcycle and Bicycle. Governors Highway Safety Association, 1 July 2014. Web. 06 July 2014. Morris, C. C. , Ph. D. Motorcycle Trends in the United States | Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Motorcycle Trends in the United States | Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Bureau If Transportation Statistics, 14 May 2009. Web. 07 July 2014. Motorcycle Crash-Related Data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 June 2012. Web. 06 July 2014. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcycles: Traffic Safety Facts 2008 Data (2008): 1-6. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSAs National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1 Dec. 2008. Web. 22 June 2014. Watson, Tim. What The Latest NHTSA Fatality Stats Reveal About Motorcycle Safety. Ride Apart RSS2. Ride Apart, 29 May 2013. Web. 09 July 2014. Workman, Danny. Deadly Motorcycle Accident Statistics. Examiner. com. The Examiner, 28 May 2009. Web. 09 July 2014. 7.

play review :: essays research papers

Play Review   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"COPS† When I found out that I had to attend theater Play’s [plays] for class I was looking forward to attending them. I told my wife that I had to attend and she had to go with me. Since I was not too excited about going to a play I let my wife pick out the play.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We decided to see â€Å"COPS† at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood. The two main characters are undercover Chicago police officers. They would always come to the diner early in the morning and tell stories of there experiences in the police department. But this particular night was going to be different from any other night. As we proceeded to enter the theater we walked up a flight of stairs to the second floor of the theater. As I entered the theater I was surprised how small it was. The stage was set up as a diner in City of Chicago in the 1970’s at approximately two in the morning. The diner consisted of a working stove, frying area, and all the working restaurant equipment. As I walked into the theater I noticed one of the actors standing by the stove cooking what appeared to be bacon. The smell of bacon filled the air. The cook, was also playing the part of the owner of the diner, was interacting with the waitress like we did not even exist. As I was seating and waiting for the performance to begin I was looking at the stage area and was very impressed to the detail they put into the set. The set was a small area with about five tables, 4 bar stools, and wood panel walls. I noticed their [there] where [were] three actors on stage: the waitress, the cook, and a customer reading a newspaper and eating his omelet. The lighting was art deco design with fluorescent round balls that hung below the ceiling. The door opened in the diner, an actor walked into the diner drenched in water. I could hear the sound effects of the rain. The actor sat on one of the bar stools in the counter. The door opened again and there was one of the main characters of the play. This character was one of the undercover police officer’s [officers] that was a regular at the diner. This actor gave a great performance. His interaction with the other actors was, as they really were not acting at all.

World Religions – Buddhism

The idea of a â€Å"union of opposites† pervades Taoist writings and exerts a tremendous influence over the root philosophical concepts of Taoism, encompassing issues which may be considered metaphysical or even mystical, but also influencing issues of applied ethics and personal behavior.The idea of conjoined opposites begins at the root, metaphysical level of Taoist thought which asserts that â€Å"being and non-being give rise to each other†; a stark departure from Christianity which posits that God is eternal and so has always been (Chen, 1989, p.  55).This metaphysical assertion continues from the macrocosmic (universal) to the microcosmic (personal) levels, where opposites are seen to give rise to the world of motion and being: â€Å"The difficult and easy complement each other, The long and short shape each other, The high and low lean on each other, Voices and instruments harmonize with one another, The front and rear follow upon each other† (Chen, 1989 , p. 55).Following up on the universally derived union of opposites from a macrocosmic level, the Taoist asserts a union of opposites, also, within the self and in regards to personal conduct: â€Å"the sage manages affairs without action,† and therefore should practice â€Å"creative quietude† in pursuit of personal wisdom and even ambition. The idea that opposites are, in nature, united through the Tao means that moral divisions are also damaging and artificial.The true sage accomplishes merit † without claiming merit† and since â€Å"he does not claim merit, His merit does not go away† (Chen, 1989, p. 55). Such seeming paradoxes are often difficult for Westerners to understand The idea that the universe itself could be comprised of a union of opposites, rather than a pervading and omnipotent single-Creator is not compatible with idea of Christianity which elevates a dualistic vision of the universe with good and evil at odds with one another and a single, benevolent God.Taoism seems to reflect a much more organic and complete of vision, at least in my opinion although the extension of Taoist philosophies into western religion is probably not something which will happen any time soon, such a â€Å"union of opposites† would provide a rich synthesis of spiritual and philosophical ideas. References Chen, E. M. (1989). The Tao Te Ching: A New Translation with Commentary (1st ed. ). St. Paul, MN: Paragon House.

Ethnic Minority Education in China Finding a Path...

Ethnic Minority Education in China: Finding a Path between Tradition and Development Introduction Educating a nation is no simple task. Even in the United States—which boasts a substantial tradition of public education, political stability, economic prosperity and a strong middle class—issues such gender and racial equality, diversity, and budget reality still cause continuous debate. For a nation like China, the task of educating its people is even more daunting. China has a population of 1.3 billion, an economy that is still developing, and thus even more stringent budget constraints. And although abandoning command economics for the free market in 1977 allowed double-digit economic growth through the 90’s, the now-uneven†¦show more content†¦It is no coincidence that many of the poorest and least-educated areas in China today are heavily populated by ethnic minorities. To begin with, not all minority groups are motivated to seek education—for some, such as nomadic tribes, the uniform national curriculum in China has little bearing on l ife within the minority society. Others, such as the Tibetans, traditionally favor religious education for boys, and discourage education for girls (Lee, 40). For minorities who are not indifferent to formal education, structural barriers persist. Minority children often grow up speaking their native tongue, which puts them at a disadvantage in the Mandarin-oriented system of formal education. Many fall behind early, and drop out because they lose hope in ever catching up. Poverty is another barrier against educational advance, especially given the fact that market reforms have taken away many of the services that used to be provided by the state. Public education is no longer free, so many children leave school because greater output on the farm results in more income for the family. 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