Bush and the Patriot Act: Declaring War on Our Rights? When I decided to write this essay, I knew without hesitation that I would write about Washington’s response to the terrorist attacks that struck New York and Washington. I did not realize how difficult such an undertaking would be, as I find myself in a somewhat an uncomfortable position. Forcing myself to confront the issues at hand means deciding which freedoms are acceptable casualties in this war and for whom. To allow Attorney General Ashcroft to lead us into a new era of American justice that resembles McCarthyism or the internment of Japanese-Americans a half-century ago would be regrettable. I do not mean to imply that the US response should be weak; to the contrary, I support an expansion of this effort into Iraq. I’ve always had a passion for government, ours in particular. The difficulty comes from choosing how to defend that government, as it is our secular and modern way of life that is under attack. And though quoting ancient Greek is cliché, I find the rule of law to be reassuringly passion-free and just. My support for the ACLU stretches back ten years, which is considerable as I am only twenty years old. I also strongly support strengthening our law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The inability of the FBI, CIA, Justice Department, INS or NSC to detect the terrorist attacks before they were executed was grossly delinquent; to borrow a phrase from The New York Times’ Maureen Dowd. This breach in intelligence is even more shocking when the amount of money poured into national security annually is considered. That we need added protections in this time of national crisis is indisputable. However, the manner in which we defend our wa… … middle of paper … …et military tribunals] at my finger tips.viii” The White House’s justification has been a mere declaration that the principles of law on rules of evidence are impracticable. This sort of explanation is hardly adequate. The Bushies’ policies seem to be reverting to their “trust us” mantra. Congress needs to get the government back in check. Few congressmen have yet to challenge any legislation tied to terrorism for fear of political consequences. I predict, however, that the political consequences suffered will be far greater for those who remain too afraid to speak out against the President, than for those who defend the Constitution. Sources i (Segev, NYTimes) ii (ACLU report) iii (NYTimes 10/26, B1). iv (Levy, WSJ, 11/27). v (NYTimes). vi (NYTimes 11/18. A1). vii (NYTimes 12/1, A1). viii (NYTimes 11/28, A25).
Macbeth – Images and Imagery
MacbethL Imagery
One of the most important tools in literature is imagery. It is not
just in there to fill up paper; rather, there is at least one dramatic purpose
for each image and there are many different types of imagery. This essay seeks
to prove that in the play Macbeth the author William Shakespeare uses darkness
imagery for three dramatic purposes. Those three purposes are, to create
atmosphere, to arouse the emotions of the audience and to contribute to the
major theme of the play.
The darkness imagery in Macbeth contributes to its ominous atmosphere. In
the very beginning of the play the three witches are talking and the first witch
says “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?”
(Macbeth 1. 1. line 1). This is a good example of darkness imagery because when
you think of the crashing thunder, lightning and rain, they all remind you of
evil and ominous things. Later on the Sergeant is talking with Duncan and
Malcolm when he states “Ship wrecking storms and direful thunders break” (1. 2.
l26). Again this darkness imagery contributes to the ominous atmosphere of the
play, having reference to thunder and dark storms. Finally, Lady Macbeth and
Macbeth are talking in the scene just before the murder of Banquo and Macbeth
says “Light thickens, and the crow makes wing to the rooky wood: Good things of
day begin to droop and drowse, whiles night’s black agents to their preys do
rouse” (3. 2. l50-53). This example of darkness imagery is saying that the day
is turning into night, all the good things are going to sleep, and the evil
creatures are coming out . The evil in this previous quotation and the two
before adds to the ominous atmosphere. Since the imagery creates an ominous
atmosphere it would then lead to the second dramatic purpose, to arouse the
emotions of the audience. Darkness imagery is a very good tool for arousing
the emotions of the audience. It enables people to create a mental picture of
the what they are reading. For instance, in this instance of darkness imagery
Duncan and Macbeth were talking when Macbeth says aside “Stars, hide your fires!
Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1. 4. l50-51). When words like
dark and desire are put in that context it creates many horrible mental
pictures about murders and fights which arouses peoples emotions. Ross is later
talking with an old man when he states “By the clock `tis day, and yet dark
night strangles the traveling lamp” (2.
