American Post-War Occupation of Japan Essay -- Economics Economy Essay

American Post-War Occupation of Japan The intent of the United States’ occupation of Japan was to neutralize the threat of another war, to nourish the Japanese economy back to health, and to provide a stable democratic government for the defeated nation. With General Douglas MacArthur acting as the supreme commander in charge of the occupation, Japan changed drastically. Special attention was paid to the areas of military, economy, and government. The effects of the United States’ occupation of Japan were profound almost beyond reckoning, and have had enormous impacts on modern Japanese society as well as on almost every other society in the modern world and throughout the course of history. The original occupation plan, conceived by President Roosevelt, was to split Japan into four quadrants. The United States, Great Britain, the USSR, and China would have each controlled a section. Upon his death, however, President Roosevelt’s plan also died. In its stead was placed a new plan, which called for a one hundred percent American operation. America had insufficient manpower to make a military government of Japan possible; so, it was decided that they would act through the existing Japanese government. America’s top priority following the initial occupation in 1945 was the complete demilitarization of the Japanese imperial forces. This was actually the quickest phase of the occupation. Beginning immediately after the occupation, complete demilitarization was reported as being complete by October 15, 1945. In his report dated the same day, General MacArthur said the following: â€Å"Today the Japanese armed forces throughout Japan completed their demobilization and ceased to exist as such. These forces are now completely abolished. I know of no demobilization in history, either in war or peace, by our own or any other country, that has been accomplished so rapidly or so frictionlessly. Everything military, naval or air is forbidden to Japan† (Headquarters 1) The United States disarmed Japan to guarantee its war objective: That Japan never again become a threat to the United States. As one considers how this affected the state of affairs in postwar Asia, however, it could be viewed as a significant mistake. Due to the American fear of the spread of communism, Japan was allowed a limited standing force, beginning in 1953, for defending their homeland. In ... ...y went into effect in April 1952, officially terminating the United States occupation and restoring full independence, plus government and economic stability, to Japan. What is extraordinary in the occupation and its aftermath was the insignificance of the unpleasant compared to the huge social, economic, and political gains for Japan. The nobility of the American ideals and their non-violent presence assuaged much of the bitterness of the Japanese defeat, which gave the Americans room to promote peace and democracy. Consequently, the occupation served to firmly plant a substantial capital of good will, on which both America and Japan would both draw in years to come. Bibliography: Dower, John. Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1999 Schaller, Michael. The American Occupation of Japan. Oxford: Oxford U.P., 1985 General Headquarters. Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and U.S. Army Forces. Pacific. Summary of the Month of October 1945. War Department Record Branch, A.G.O., The Adjutant general’s Office, 15 October 1945. Sheldon, Walt. The Honorable Conquerors. New York: The Macmillan Company., 1965

“Liquidity Management Via Interest Rate Corridor in Pakistan- and Experience of Other Countries’ Emerging Markets”

STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROJECT REPORT 2011 â€Å"Liquidity Management via Interest Rate Corridor in Pakistan- and Experience of Other Countries’ Emerging Markets† Submitted to: Sir Mubarak By: Tooba Sarfaraz Rafia Parvez Sumbul Masood Introduction to State Bank of Pakistan: State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank of the country was established in July 1948 I. e. , within one year after Pakistan gained independence. Being the central bank, it regulates the monetary policy and the credit system of the country to foster its growth in the best national interest with a view to secure monetary stability and to fully utilize the productive resources of the country. The bank’s operations also include preserving the value as well as maintaining stability in the Banking system. Vision: â€Å"To transform the SBP into a modern and dynamic central bank, highly professional and efficient, fully equipped to play a meaningful role in sustainable basis in the economic and social development of Pakistan. † Mission: To promote monetary and financial stability and foster a sound and dynamic financial system, so as to achieve, sustained and equitable economic growth and prosperity. † Introduction to Domestic markets and monetary management department (DMMD): Domestic Markets and monetary management department was created in Sept 2006 as a result of comprehensive restructuring within State Bank of Pakistan with the objective of transforming the central bank into a dynamic institution more responsive to the growing sophistication in the financial markets. DMMD is an offshoot of the previous Exchange and Debt Management Department (EDMD), which was established in Feb 2000. Vision: â€Å"To illustrate a proactive, professional and planned approach for effective management of exchange and debt markets so as to contribute towards accomplishment of exchange and monetary policy objectives. † Mission: DMMD strives to set performance benchmark within SBP and Pakistan’s financial markets. Departmental goals: The core objective of DMMD is to implement the monetary policy objective of the State bank of Pakistan by using the available tools in both the money and foreign exchange markets. Departmental objectives: * Monetary Policy Implementation: a. Maintenance of stable interest rates in inter-bank money market through proactive management of money market liquidity. b. Raising short term government debt and developing yield curve through auction of market treasury bills c. Proactive management of money market liquidity through open market operations d. Liquidity management through interest rate corridor system. * Exchange Rate Policy Management: a. Stable exchange rates and Forward premiums at appropriate /sustainable levels b. Sale and purchase of third currencies at optimum prices c. Smooth and sufficiently liquid foreign exchange markets d. Optimal accumulation of foreign exchange reserves and forward portfolio * Reserve Management: a. Optimal utilization of reserve portfolio and maximum returns on investment of surplus reserves. Hiring of investment consultants and fund managers for optimizing returns. * Debt Management a. Domestic debt i. Developing the markets for government securities ii. Coordination between monetary and fiscal policies iii. Raising short term and long term domestic debt for the government v. Data base management of permanent and floating debts. b. External debt i. Monitoring and ensuring prompt payment of external debt installments through state bank of Pakistan and commercial banks. Introduction of an Interest Rate Corridor In order to reduce the volatility in short term interest rates and to bring more transparency in the implementation of monetary policy, State Bank of Pakistan has decided to introduce an interest rate corridor for the money market overnight repo rates. The corridor will operate through standing overnight repo / reverse-repo facilities (i. . floor & ceiling), setting a formal corridor for the money market overnight repo rates consistent with the monetary policy of State Bank of Pakistan. The salient features of the interest rate corridor are as follows: 1. The interest rate corridor will consist of two end-of-day Standing facilities offered by State Bank of Pakistan: Existing SBP 3-day Repo Facility will be renamed as SBP Overnight Reverse-Repo Facility, which will become the ‘Ceiling’; and a new SBP Overnight Repo Facility to absorb excess funds from the market will serve as the ‘Floor’ of the corridor. . The procedure for availing the end-of-day financing facility from State Bank of Pakistan at the ‘Ceiling’ rate in case the market is short of funds will continue to be in accordance with the existin g practices and instructions issued by State Bank of Pakistan from time to time in reference to the ‘SBP 3 day Repo Facility (now renamed as SBP Overnight Reverse-Repo Facility) against Government of Pakistan Market Treasury Bills and Federal/Pakistan Investment Bonds. 3. The overnight end-of-day standing repo facility at the ‘Floor’ rate will be available to scheduled banks and primary dealers which are left with excess funds in the interbank market. These funds can be placed with State Bank of Pakistan in the form of an overnight repo against Treasury Bills at the   Ã¢â‚¬ËœFloor’ rate. Some of the operational details are as under: a. Only scheduled banks and primary dealers will be eligible to place the funds at the ‘Floor’ rate with State Bank of Pakistan . This facility will only be available at the end of the day, when it can be ascertained that the market has excess funds. c. The time for intimating this amount to the State Bank of Pakistan will be between 2:30pm to 3. 30pm from Monday to Friday and between 12:00pm to 1. 00pm on Saturday. (Specimen format is enclosed). d. The minimum amount for the Overnight Repo/Reverse Repo Facility will be PKR. 100 million, and in multiples of PKR. 50 million thereof. e. The Treasury Bills acquired under the Standing Overnight Repo facility from State Bank of Pakistan will be SLR eligible. 4. The ‘Floor’ and the ‘Ceiling’ rates (and the width of the corridor) will be advised by the State Bank of Pakistan from time to time as deemed necessary. 5. State Bank of Pakistan will continue to conduct term Open Market Operations (OMOs) in the form of repos/ reverse-repos as per current practice in addition to these standing facilities. 6. The interest rate corridor will be applicable from 17Aug, 2009. i. MONETARY POLICY: Monetary policy is the mechanism or the process through which the government, the central bank or the monetary authority of any country controls or determines the (a) supply of money, (b) the availability of money, (c) the cost of money or the interest rate, keeping in mind the broad strategic objectives of the state regarding price level, growth and stability in an economy and the overall policies that supports or u nder which people would want to start businesses and provide employment. When the incident of 9/11 happened, the overall economic environment of the world was affected very seriously and an impact of tightening monetary policy also falls. After the incident the foreign investment shoot up and flow of money continuously increased, although the value of money was stabilized but it causes inflation in many countries as well as in Pakistan. The inflow of foreign remittances resulted in inflationary pressure. In 2001, SBP revised its policy to control the flow of money. Since 2004, SBP in continuously issuing monetary policy statement biannually from Jan-June and second from July-Dec. TOOLS FOR IMPLEMENTING MONETARY POPLICY: To implement its objectives , some tools are required: 1. Direct Instruments 2. Indirect Instruments DIRECT INSTRUMENTS: * Cash Reserve Requirements (CRR) * Statutory Liquidity Requirements (SLR) CASH RESEVE REQUIREMENTS (CRR):

The Evolution of English Churches

The development of English churches The English churches which are emerged during the epoch of different reigns and its architectural features are a alone country of survey. It varies in many facets from other manners of architecture every bit good as the stuffs used. The period from 600 AD to 1900 AD was the period in which the different architectural manners were emerged. It starts with the Anglo Saxon period to Victorian period. It is a huge country of survey in which the picks of construction were selected based on many grounds like influence of households or swayers, handiness of stuffs etc. Each and every period was landmarks of the architecture which influenced in the building of English churches within the cultural boundaries. During the reign of different emperors, the fortunes for doing different assortments in the building of churches became a tendency and it created different architectural manners. Every manner has difference in many facets and the workers followed the forms in similar mode on all the buildings in that period. Anglo Saxon period The Anglo Saxon period started from 600 AD to 1066 AD. The plants which carried out during this period depicts the influence of Roman business in the Britain. Later it became the far making manner of architecture spread to some other parts of Europe. The relatively geographical isolation, the distribution and handiness of edifice stuffs and workingmans contributed to this manner of British architecture which we call now as Anglo Saxon period. The influences can be seen particularly in the Basilica program, the Celtic program, etc. All the earliest churches which were built here whilst Britain belonged to the Roman Empire and in the southern parts where the influence of the Christianity predominated for long afterwards were in the basilican manners. Outside the southern England these were seldom found during the terminal of 7th century. The digging work which was carried out at the Roman town of Silchester, Hampshire, revealed a 4th century Christian church of this type. Augustine’s foremost cathedral at Canterbury has similar characteristics of St Peters basilica at Rome. Each Anglo Saxon church had its ain distinctive characteristics which is the ground the current province of each church is different other than its land program. The churches were low, unpretentious and purely functional. That is the difference of Anglo Saxon edifices with the replacements. The best sanctum crosses are done with rock in this period which are shown as an illustration of early Christian art in the northern portion. The favorite subjects of the Anglo Saxons were animate beings, birds, foliages, vines and scriptural characters. The workers chiefly worked with cocks and chisels. The church walls look strong and solid though they were non truly thick. Quoining was another characteristic of the Anglo Saxon walls in which the rocks will be placed on top of the other at the point where two walls met. Towers at this period were square, rectangular or round in form. It reaches a upper limit of 70 pess. They were non professional in building techniques that they could construct traversing towers on pies and arches. The Windowss were little and the church was affected by conditions jobs. Glass was available but it was really expensive because of its foreign beginning. Most of the Windowss were directly sided and unit of ammunition headed. There were cells built under the organic structure of the church which is called as the crypts. These were found in the edifices which were built by the well traveled missionaries. This was a convenient topographic point to hive away, exhibit and were besides used to conceal hoarded wealths or sacred relics which were collected during the pilgrim's journey. The crypts walls were thick and were divided into differentiated countries. These were the peculiar characteristics which were subsequently became treatments and hallmarks of the Anglo Saxon architectural manner. During its broad heritage of more than 5 centuries the manner made its grade in the history of British church building every bit good as the overall architecture of the British edifices, though it varied in assorted countries of England. The Norman and Transitional period These were another noticeable period which played a major function in doing the elegant manner of the British architecture. The Norman period extended from 1066 AD to 1160 AD and the Transitional period was 1150 AD to 1200 AD. Like the Anglo Saxons, the architecture in Normandy where they developed a manner of Romanesque which has its ain regional and local features. Edward the Confessor made the Norman architecture implemented in the ecclesiastical affairs. The Council of London, 1075, moved dioceses to big Centres and at that topographic point cathedrals were started in Norman manner. This tendency was ended by the male monarch William II who made great demands on the church architecture. Until 12th century the Anglo Saxon church art and sculpture was far advance than the Norman architecture. The first church which is built in Norman manner after the conquering of were solid looking and solemn, and was virtually barren of any coloring material or ornament. Norman architecture was developed in the late 30 old ages of the 11th century as it did in Normandy, but the church edifice rushed in front. The overall thought was to supply every small town with a topographic point of worship and as a consequence every medieval church will stay Norman in beginning. The ornamentations were unusual including the beak caput which was a favorite signifier of ornament, which take us into which is used in adorning truss tabular arraies. The caputs of firedrake, birds, animate beings etc were given a long beak or pointed mentum which extended over a convex modeling to turn over below. The Norman walls were holding rubble infilling between the teguments of appareled rocks and were looking midst and solid. The faces had shots which were made during the carving of the axe. Buttresss were introduced in this period which was meant chiefly for projecting from land degree against the exterior wall, in contrast to the Saxon pilasters which appeared at many points on wall surfaces. They were rather apparent built in one phase with upper surfaces inclining towards the corners. The towers were no longer provided as the chief entryway to the church, whereas it is used as the domination portion of the church which is noticeable than anything in the environment. The Normans developed a technique for back uping the cardinal tower with wharfs which is placed merely at the angles, which became the best advantage of the tower design. Towers were fundamentally built in rectangular or square base but may be built round where there is a deficiency of stuffs. The Windowss were extremely setup carbon monoxide related with the exterior wall surface, but were used as a natural visible radiation beginning. The doors were decorated with sanctuary arches which were the most dramatic characteristic of the eleventh and 12th century architecture. The perpendicular boards of oak were used as the door elements which was battened horizontally and press sets were given outdoors. The chief designs used by the Normans for their founts were round unmounted, round mounted on a cardinal root with several other supports which his either used for functional capacity whereas the square unmounted is normally thick cornered and is holding cardinal root. They carved the objects which they were most afraid of every bit good as the objects they like the most with lasting stuffs. In this period legion cosmetic thoughts were developed which was begun with petroleum carving and a figure of regional manners were evolved. In the transitional period the builders and the Masons were seeking for new ways of showing their development accomplishments. The usage of axe was replaced by chisels and cocks which made a new tendency and gave good consequences. The first transitional pointed arches were constructional which was non seen earlier. Sometimes the unit of ammunition headed arches and the pointed arches were placed side by side in such a manner that one can see how short a infinite of clip that latter took consequence. The highs of towers in this period increased and the gaps which were round in form besides contained some pointed arches. The transitional period may be otherwise called as the transmutation period from Norman to the Early English period. The Early English period It was the period in which the Victorians liked the least but for which they accorded the descriptive term ‘first pointed’ was curious to England in the old ages between Romanesque and geometrical Gothic. This period extended from 1200 AD to 1300 AD and was a glorious age where the British ecclesiastical plants started to do its English manner. In this period the barbarian enthusiasm in the architectural positions and beliefs were dominated by the echt spiritual ideas. It was influenced by the reigns of Richard ( 1189-99 ) and John ( 1199-1216 ) and their ideas made much alteration in the buildings at that clip. By the starting of 13th century the church has become rectangular or cruciform in its land program. The builders have got an thought how to manage burden and structural strains by the clip of this period in 13th century. They did experiments on the burden facets and a new assortment in the building techniques was created. The most abiding design in this period was crocket. The design was influenced by the classical capitals of abroad which was altered and made in the concave hook form with shafts and had a lobbed visual aspect. On the borders of arches and goons the Canis familiaris caput was sculptured and was the precursor of the designs in the 14th century. In some countries the churches were little and tower less. The wall doesn’t have much greater thickness to maintain them up and back up the weight from above. The walls still had a rubble masonry construction but the cognition gained by the Masons helped to better a batch in the structural parametric quantities. The realization of the mistakes in the old building plants made noticeable alteration in the walls and even in the arrangement of window. The form of window was changed to indicate headed and it extended to the tracery. The buttresses projected more from the wall than earlier and were extended above the land degree to an extent. They were largely straight sided and the borders were chamfered. The twine classs were little and elegant which can be seen throughout the edifice and had about tantamount characteristics which they were resembled. The Decorated The first Edwardian epoch was another aureate period which the Victorian loved the most for its pureness. They called this period as in-between or 2nd pointed when the church architecture resembled the Gallic constructions in the 14th century. This period started by the terminal of 13th century, to be specific 1300 AD and ended at 1377 AD. Though it has similar characteristics of Gallic manner of architecture, it doesn’t peculiarly resemble that in the concluding phase. The imaginativeness and wild thought of the emperors every bit good as the creative persons made the churches more adorned than earlier. They included more seats to the church and made it more secular than earlier. Inside the church societal events took topographic point and became more unfastened to the populace. The internal walls were coloured decently and they covered more with cosmetic elements, whereas the services were made of ritual. Overall cosmetic result of this clip was ne'er been realised. During this clip the building of many churches remained unfinished because of decease of Masons and builders due to blight. Even though these calamities happened, the term decorated genuinely depicted in largest churches. There was non much promotion in the program or executing of the church edifice, but the basic programs of aisled nave, sanctuary, western tower, north and south porch had great alterations in 14th century. Largely the new ornaments were seen in the outside. Large Windowss were inserted in to the sanctuary walls. Normally a big church was constructed with three floors named arcade, triforia and clearstory, whereas in smaller 1s the in-between bed was omitted. There were legion moldings in the 14th century, but were much less undercut than earlier. Crockets became more attractive as they implemented a natural incurvate manner. Interior walls became more decorated in coloring material, whereas the surfaces were non prepared good. Another characteristic was the cyma reversa arch which was applied every bit widely as possible. Buttresss achieved the maximal flawlessness in footings of its proportions every bit good as cosmetic beauty. They were wider than earlier and were holding more jutting visual aspect at the base. Roofs were largely built in lumber and were covered with rock tiles, lead or herpes zosters. Builders tried better ways of structural agreements which was another advantage of this period. It was non until this period and even so none excessively shortly in most countries, that full advantage began to take topographic point of the clearstory, and it became a standard characteristic. Builders started adding parapets which were better treated and has became a major component of ornament. Although some octangular towers were put up, two, three or four phase square program was largely preferred. Cornice was decorated with ball flower, rolling four leaf ornament or little caputs. Windows became another separating characteristic of the church in both figure and size, in a proportion to the available sizes. Windows of little churches had four visible radiations and may widen up to 9 in larger edifices. The outside porches were made reasonably apparent with its roofing at sensible highs and exterior gaps similar to interior room accesss. They may or may non incorporate parapet walls. But will be decorated with heraldry. Some of them were unfastened work lumber porches which were built on rock or wooden base. Doorways became more pointed whereas it varied in size. Pedestals were made in different phases like unit of ammunition, square or octangular with smaller base country. Another flowery illustration was the sides of the bowl which was divided by either the buttress or shaft, which were topped by pinnacles. The base of these was frequently on caputs or knots. Perpendicular age This age was between 1377 AD and 1547 AD when a curious English manner of church architecture was born. This period was the longest in the history than any other periods and had batch of single typical characteristics. In parish churches this tendency was executed by Masons who were non the best but who could get by with its simple lines. They had elegant manners which had beautiful proportioning. The basic perpendicular run alonging continued to widen throughout the edifice. When compared to the cosmetic age, the plants were looking plainer and the inside of the churches became colder. The form of the shadiness, shadow and visible radiation was non affected for the sculpture detailing and Masons concentrated in doing big Windowss in high walls. The shell of the church had become a topographic point for puting dominant characteristics which can be given as an illustration for originative excellence. There was an astonishing rise for the wood worker whose plants were considered every bit as Masons. Voluntary administrations came for supplying community services in the 14th century. Some of them were rich trading administrations who have the capacity to construct their ain chapels or take over a portion of church. The program of the church was made alterations harmonizing to the demands of clubs and persons for chapels and chantries. The nave walls which had protruded from the roof were taken down and reconstruct to include a clearstory. This became an ineluctable standard characteristic of perpendicular churches. Surface was decorated widely where some twine classs were omitted in small town churches smaller in size. Dripstones or label Michigans were returned at the springing of the arch, which were on occasion curved towards the wall and embattled. Walls were built high and was constructed of skillfully shaped ashlars, but weakened in themselves by the extent to which the surface country was reduced to a lower limit in order to suit big Windowss. Spouts were provided for transition of H2O from the parapet keeping. George masons experimented with different parapets and a great assortment of parapets were introduced in this clip. The parapet was constructed in elaborate ornamentation spliting into three parts named get bying set and valance. One of the disadvantages of the dilutant walls was to take slender buttresses still from the walls surface. Diagonal buttresses climbed the tower and corresponded with the phases, be givening to decease into the wall merely below the parapet. Flying buttress was non widely accepted in the state and was on occasion put up the whole length of the nave. The most beautiful roofs were built unfastened and appeared high and broad, had an absence of tie beam. The cock beam roof was considered sole for the eastern states. It support arch bases widening from the horizontal stations to the church caput. Sometimes the larger churches tried to hold a dual cock beam roof and they remained the richest among the extremely decorated 1s. The complicated vaulting was experimented during this period even though it was relatively rare.

Hester Prynne essays

Hester Prynne essays Sense prevails over sensibility. Characters in a novel often achieve the object of their desire because they possess good sense. While those who become disillusioned with life are easily carried by their emotions. Austen displays some degree of satire in Sense and Sensibility, effectively used in exposing the hypocrisy of individuals and society. Elinor is the ideal woman, being affectionate, pragmatic and prudent. She possesses good sense. On the other hand, Marianne embodies sensibility. She is charming and clever, but impulsive. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen shows how the conflict and the setting express the theme of the novel. Both Elinor and Marianne are the protagonists of Sense and Sensibility. They are wooed by the men of their choice, but later they are let down by these men. This is the conflict of the novel. As a result, they both face disappointments and rejection. However, Elinor lets her good sense guide her, and she is ultimately united with her lover. Marianne gets carried away by her sensibility and emotion and becomes despondent. She is ultimately rewarded with a competent husband when she recovers her sense of judgement. Both Elinor and Marianne achieve the object of their desire. They just had to possess good sense. Clearly, the conflict helped Elinor and Marianne use or find their good sense. The novel is set in London and its surrounding districts. The opening of the novel is in Sussex. Henry Dashwood is living on his uncles estate in Norland. However, after the death of Henry, Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters move to Devonshire. Their cottage, overlooking the Barton Valley, is a pleasant, fertile spot, well-wooded, and rich in pasture. In this part and the last part of the novel, the characters are shown living in the contryside, where they are content and expect happiness. Then the setting moves to London, when Elinor and Marianne accompany...

Freedom Through Lawlessnes essays

Freedom Through Lawlessnes essays The film Thelma and Louise, written by Callie Khouri, is a story about two ordinary women living under male domination in small-town Arkansas. Louise (Susan Sarandon), an unhappy waitress, and her best friend Thelma (Geena Davis), an unloved housewife, decide to go away for the weekend to get away from the monotony of their everyday lives. Louises plan is to drive until they reach their destination, which is a cabin in the mountains. But, during a stop at a bar along the way, Louise fails to consider that Thelma has no experience with heavy drinking and sweaty aggressive cowboys. As events unfold, Thelma is nearly raped and Louise, in rescuing her, shoots and kills the drunken male aggressor. Instinctively, the two women run while trying to comprehend what had just happened to them. Before and after the shooting, the two main characters are surrounded by male figures that are sexist, domineering, and crude. Thus, the rhetorical criticism of Thelma and Louises domination by a p atriarchal society will be critiqued through the model of feminist criticism. This criticism will require in-depth analysis, which will examine gender roles as well as how patriarchy is constructed and maintained during the film. How Thelma and Louise are treated because of their womanhood is important to the progression of the storyline. Thelma and Louises role in society is established as insignificant because of their gender. This is shown through their various encounters with men, such as when they speak with the men in their lives, when they are insulted in a bar, or even when they are sexually harassed as they are driving down the street. During the films opening scenes, Thelma is shown to be a submissive Barbie-doll type housewife, accustomed to everyone else thinking for her. Her friend, Louise is revealed as a thirty something waitress whose musician boyfriend is afraid of commitment. Thus, throughout ...

The Crimes of Scorecard Killer Randy Kraft

The Crimes of Scorecard Killer Randy Kraft Randolph Kraft, also known as the Scorecard Killer, the Southern California Strangler, and the Freeway Killer, is a  serial rapist, torturer, and killer who was convicted for the mutilation and deaths of at least 16 young males from 1972 through 1983 throughout  California, Oregon, and  Michigan. A cryptic list found at the time of his arrest linking him to 40 additional unsolved murders became known as Krafts Scorecard. Early Life Born on March 19, 1945, in Long Beach, California, Randolph Kraft was the youngest child and only son of four children born to Opal and Harold Kraft. As the baby of the family and the only boy, Kraft was showered with attention from his mother and sisters. However, Krafts father was distant, preferring to spend most of his non-working time with his mother and sister. Krafts childhood was mostly unremarkable. He was, however, prone to accidents. At the age of 1, he fell from a couch and broke his collarbone. A year later, he was knocked unconscious after falling down a flight of stairs but a trip to the hospital determined that there was no permanent damage. Krafts family moved to Midway City in Orange County, California when he was 3. His parents purchased a former Womens Army Corps dormitory located in a commercial zone within 10 miles of the  Pacific Ocean and converted the structure into a three-bedroom home. Although the house was modest, both parents worked to pay the bills. Early Education At the age of 5, Kraft was enrolled in the Midway City Elementary school. Although a working mother, Opal was was a member of the PTA, baked cookies for Cub Scout meetings, and was active at church, making certain that her children received Bible lessons. Kraft excelled at school where he was recognized as an above-average student. In junior high school, he was placed in the advanced curriculum program and continued to maintain excellent grades. It was during these years that his interest in conservative politics grew and he proudly declared himself a diehard Republican. By the time Kraft entered high school, he was the only child still living at home. His sisters had married and moved into homes of their own. Since both his parents worked and were not often around, Kraft was fairly independent. He had his own room, his own car, and money he earned working part-time jobs. Kraft seemed like a typical fun-loving kid. While he was academically gifted, Kraft got along well with his peers. He played the saxophone in the school band, enjoyed tennis, and was a founder and participant in a student club focused on conservative politics. Kraft graduated high school at the age of 18, ranking 10th in his class of 390 students. College Years and Homosexual Awakening During his final year of high school and unbeknownst to his family, Kraft began cruising gay bars. After graduating, Kraft enrolled at Claremont Mens College on a full scholarship where he majored in economics. His interest in conservative politics continued, and he often attended  pro-Vietnam war  demonstrations. Kraft joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps, and in 1964, was a staunch supporter of Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. During his sophomore year of college, Kraft became involved in his first openly homosexual relationship. He also changed his political affiliation from conservative to left-wing liberal. (He would later explain his years as a conservative as merely an effort to be like his parents.) Although Krafts homosexuality was not a secret at Claremont, his family was still unaware of his orientation. In an effort to clue his parents in, Kraft often brought homosexual friends home to meet his family. Remarkably, they failed to make the connection and remained unaware of Krafts sexual preferences. While still in school, Kraft took a part-time job as a bartender at The Mug, a popular gay bar located in Garden Grove. During this time, Krafts sexual appetites flourished. He began cruising for male prostitutes at known pickup spots around Huntington Beach. In 1963, he was arrested after propositioning an undercover police officer but the charges were dropped because Kraft had no previous arrest record. Change in Lifestyle In 1967, Kraft adopted more of a hippie look. He let his hair grow long and started sporting a mustache. He also became a registered  Democrat and worked on the Robert Kennedy campaign. It was at about this time that Kraft also began suffering from recurring headaches and stomach pain. His family doctor prescribed tranquilizers and pain medicine- which he often mixed with beer. Between his bartending job, his own drinking and drugging, his sexual experimentation, and heavy political campaigning efforts, Krafts interest in academia declined. In his final college year, rather than studying, he spent his time getting high, gambling, and hustling. As a result, he didnt graduate on time. It took him eight additional months to earn a Bachelor of Arts in economics, which he received in February 1968. U.S. Air Force and Coming Out In June 1968, after scoring high marks on the Air Force aptitude tests, Kraft enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He threw himself into his work and quickly advanced to the rank of Airman First Class. It was at this time that Kraft finally decided to come out to his family. His ultra-conservative father flew into a rage. While she did not approve of her sons lifestyle,  Krafts mother continued to show love and support for him. His family eventually came to terms with the news, however, the relationship between Kraft and his parents was never the same. On July 26, 1969, Kraft received a general discharge from the Air Force on medical grounds. He later claimed the discharge came after he told his superiors that he was gay. Kraft briefly moved back home and took a job as a forklift operator and also worked part-time as a bartender- but not for long. Relationships with Jeff Graves and Jeff Seelig In 1971, after deciding to become a teacher, Kraft enrolled at Long Beach State University. While there, he met fellow student Jeff Graves. Kraft moved in with Graves and they stayed together until the end of 1975. It was Graves who introduced Kraft to bondage, drug-enhanced sex, and threesomes. The open relationship between Kraft and Graves grew more volatile as time went on. They frequently argued. Kraft had grown less interested in cruising for one-night stands and was looking to settle down into a monogamous relationship. Graves wanted just the opposite. Kraft met Jeff Seelig at a party in 1976, about a year after he and Graves split up. At 19, Seeling, who worked as an apprentice baker, was 10 years younger than Kraft. Kraft took on the mantle of a mentor in the relationship. He introduced Seelig to the gay bar scene and taught him about cruising a nearby U.S. Marine base for partners to engage in threesomes. Kraft and Seelig advanced in their careers. Eventually, the couple decided to purchase a small home in Long Beach but after Kraft landed a computer job with Lear Siegler Industries, he began spending a lot of time away from home on business trips to Oregon and Michigan. Tensions between the pair grew. The age gap, as well as the disparity in their educational backgrounds, and general personalities differences began to take their toll. The couple split up in 1982. The Tip of the Iceberg: Krafts First Murder Charge On May 14, 1983, two California highway patrol officers spotted a car weaving down the road. The driver was Kraft. The officers signaled for him to pull over but he continued driving for a short distance before coming to a stop. When Kraft finally pulled over, he quickly emerged from the car and walked toward the patrolmen. He smelled of alcohol and his fly was open. After failing a standard field sobriety test, the patrolmen went to take a look at Krafts car, where they found a young man, his pants pulled down and barefoot, slumped over in the passenger seat. The victims genitals were exposed, his neck showed signs of strangulation marks, and his wrists were bound. After a brief examination, it was determined the young man was dead. The victim was identified as a Marine stationed at the El Toro Marine Airbase, 25-year-old Terry Gambrel. Gambrels friends later reported that the young Marine had been hitchhiking to a party on the night he was murdered. His autopsy revealed hed been killed by ligature strangulation, and also indicated that his blood contained excessively high levels of alcohol and tranquilizers. The Scorecard and Other Key Evidence During the search of Krafts vehicle, patrolman found 47 Polaroid photos of young men, all nude, and all appearing to be unconscious- or possibly dead. The photographs were likely viewed by Kraft as trophies he could use to revisit the murders. Perhaps even more alarming was evidence found inside a briefcase taken from the trunk of Krafts car that contained a list of 61 cryptic messages. Investigators came to believe the messages- later dubbed Krafts infamous scorecard- formed a list of Krafts murder victims. Further evidence gathered at Krafts apartment- including clothing owned by victims, fibers from a rug matching fibers found at murder scenes, and Krafts fingerprints were later linked to various unsolved murders. Police also found pictures next to Krafts bed matching three cold-case murder victims. Krafts Modus Operandi All of Krafts known victims were  Caucasian males with similar physical characteristics. Some were gay, some were straight. All were tortured and murdered but the severity of torture varied by degree from victim to victim. Most were drugged and bound; several were mutilated, emasculated, sodomized, and photographed postmortem. The severity of the violence his victims endured seemed to correspond with how Kraft and his lover were getting along at the time of the incident. When Kraft and his lover were on the outs, the victims would often pay the price. Investigators learned that Kraft often traveled to Oregon and Michigan while employed at an aerospace firm from June 1980 through January 1983. Unsolved murders in both areas coincided with the dates that Kraft was there. This, along with decoding some of Krafts cryptic scorecard messages, added to the growing list of Krafts victims. Possible Accomplice Some of the investigators working the case believed Kraft must have had an accomplice. As damning as the evidence was, they couldnt ignore the fact that many of the victims had been pushed out of a car traveling at about 50 miles an hour- a feat that would be next to impossible to do achieve alone. Jeff Graves became the  main person of interest. He and Kraft had lived together during the time that 16 of the known murders took place. Graves backed up Krafts statement to police about his whereabouts on March 30, 1975, the night that 19-year-old Keith Daven Crotwell disappeared. Crotwell and his friend Kent May had gone on a drive with Kraft that evening. Kraft supplied both the teens with drugs and alcohol. Kent passed out in the back seat. Kraft pushed Kent out of the car. Crotwell was never seen alive again. Witnesses who saw May being thrown from the car helped police track Kraft down. When questioned, Kraft maintained that  he and Crotwell went for a drive and that the car had gotten stuck in the mud. He said he called Graves to come help but Graves was 45 minutes away so he decided to walk and  find help. When he returned to the car, Crotwell was gone. Graves corroborated  Krafts story. After Krafts arrest for murder, Graves, then in the advanced stages of AIDS, was questioned again. He told investigators, Im really not going to pay for it, you know. Graves succumbed to his illness before revealing anything incriminating. The Trial Kraft was initially arrested and charged with the murder of Terry Gambrel but as forensic evidence linking Kraft to other murders piled up, additional charges were filed. By the time Kraft went to trial, he was charged with 16 murders, nine counts of sexual mutilation, and three counts of sodomy. Kraft went to trial on September 26, 1988, in what turned out to be one of the longest and most costly trials in the history of Orange County. After 11 days, a jury found him guilty and he was given the death sentence. During the penalty phase of the trial, the state called Krafts first known victim, Joseph Francher to  testify  about the abuse hed suffered at Krafts hands when he was just 13, and how it had impacted his life. Kraft is currently  on death row in San Quentin. In 2000, the California Supreme Court upheld his death sentence.

Heather MacDonald's Hispanic Family Values Essay

Heather MacDonald's Hispanic Family Values - Essay Example Social workers and government policies are at a great quandary on how to deal with such a problem and various solutions and proposals had been put forward but it seems to no avail. This paper is a short discussion of the so-called â€Å"Hispanic problem† and the Latinization of America. Discussion Heather MacDonald's rather lengthy article delves on the growing Hispanic class of unwed mothers living in America today. The article â€Å"Hispanic Family Values?† questions the assumptions inherent in the Spanish-American society in which being a single parent has been considered as culturally acceptable but this has serious implications for American society as a whole because the Spanish-descent population of America is the fastest-growing segment and this has a profound impact on American society today and in the foreseeable future. To help in her arguments, MacDonald relied greatly on the appeal of logos (logical based on knowledge) rather than on the other two appeals in an argument, which are the ethos (ethical) and pathos (emotional). Along this line, she cited a lot of facts and figures derived from statistical studies. The structure of the essay is being expository by using strong and clear claims about the serious implications of a large population sub-segment that is unwed, reliant on the social welfare services and finds nothing objectionable to having unwed mothers, often very young. There is strong evidence for her claims and it is therefore hard to argue against these claims. A large portion of her essay was devoted to citing incontrovertible evidence using statistics and a host of anecdotes and vignettes regarding actual lives of its study subjects. Any person who had read this article would come out fairly convinced of her point of view regarding the social crisis facing Hispanic society in America today based on warrants that are essentially valid. A lot of supposedly â€Å"Hispanic family values† had instead worked against this immigrant section of the population like having a tight-knit family conducive to raising a kid without a father. A case in point is the citation regarding how fast the Spanish-American population is growing compared to other ethnic groups in America. A high birth rate (female fertility) that is coupled with an accepting and tolerant culture towards having illegitimate children had been a great contributory factor to the main social problem. The author cited these alarming statistics to show the extent of the problem: â€Å"The rate of childbirth for Mexican teenagers, who come as from by far the largest and fastest-growing immigrant population, greatly outstrips every other group. The Mexican teen birthrate is 93 births per every 1,000 girls, compared with 27 births for every 1,000 white girls, 17 births for every 1,000 Asian girls, and 65 births for every 1,000 black girls. To put these numbers into international perspective, Japan’s teen birthrate is 3.9, Italy’s i s 6.9, and France’s is 10. Even though the outsize U.S. teen birthrate is dropping, it continues to inflict unnecessary costs on the country. . .† and although the author maybe did not want to sound alarmist, the dimensions of the problem boggles the mind. Many of Spanish grandmothers are single and never wed, so their daughters never got married