Website Speed Optimization 6 Best Techniques for 2019

Website speed optimization can feel overwhelming. You just want your WordPress site to load faster, and people are talking to you about all this technical stuff like CSS minification, render-blocking JavaScript, and HTTP requests.In this post, were going to make website speed optimization a lot simpler by focusing on just the techniques that offer you the biggest bang for your buck.This is not every single tip to speed up WordPress, but by following the tips in this post, you should get a site thats plenty fast without needing to pull your hair out or become an expert developer. First:💠¡ Two big reasons why your websites speed mattersLets start with the big one, which really doesnt need explaining because you already know the feeling:Waiting for a website to load sucks.Making your website faster can have positive effects on everything from user experience to bounce rate, time on site, and other important metrics.Its not just about making your website better for humans, though. Your sites page load times also matter for search engines. Google uses page load times as a ranking factor in both its desktop and mobile indexes, and slow load times can also make it harder for Google to crawl your site.So whether you care about your human visitors or Google (or ideally both!), website speed optimization is important.📈 How to tell if you have a website speed optimization problemOk, so website speed optimization matters. Now, how do you tell where youre at?That is, is your site slow? Is it in the middle? Is it already lightning fast (congrats then, you can probably stop reading!).The only way to know is to test it. There are tons of great free tools that make it really easy to run website speed tests. Weve written about some of the best speed test tools already, but here are the two most accessible options:PingdomGTmetrixAll you do is plug in your sites URL and the tool will spit back how long it takes your site to load.While theres no hard rule about the c utoff for a fast vs a slow website, a good rule of thumb is that you want your site to load in under 2-3 seconds if possible thats what John Mueller of Google Search fame recommends.🚀 Six website speed optimization tips that make a real differenceIf you found that you have a slow website, nows when we show you how to speed it up.There are a lot of ways to speed up your website weve written about five quick speed tips here, and five more wins for page load times.However, like a lot of things in life, website speed optimization follows the Pareto principle (AKA the 80/20 rule). Thats just a fancy way of saying that a small number of tweaks are going to have the biggest effect on your sites load times.1. Use a caching pluginA caching plugin can make a big impact on your sites load times by serving up static HTML instead of dynamically building a page with PHP on each visit.You dont really need to understand the under-the-hood technical stuff long story short, its not uncommo n to see your page load times cut in half when you move to a caching plugin.Weve collected some of the best caching plugins. And if you want a really simple option to get you started, check out WP Super Cache from Automattic, the same company behind WordPress.com: WP Super Cache Author(s): AutomatticCurrent Version: 1.7.0Last Updated: August 16, 2019wp-super-cache.1.7.0.zip 86%Ratings 30,859,198Downloads WP 3.1+Requires 2. Optimize your imagesAccording to the HTTP Archive, the file size of an average website is comprised of about 50% images. So if you can shrink the size of the images you use on your site, you have a chance to make a meaningful dent in your sites file size.Thats important because:Smaller site file size = faster-loading websiteThe easiest way to optimize images on WordPress is with a WordPress image optimization plugin. For example, Optimole handles compressing your images and serving the proper size based on visitors devices: Image optimization Lazy Load by Optimole Author(s): OptimoleCurrent Version: 2.1.2Last Updated: September 25, 2019optimole-wp.zip 96%Ratings 211,971Downloads WP 4.7+Requires 3. Move to a faster hostSwitching hosts is never fun, but if your core hosting is slow, all of these other website speed optimization tips are just putting lipstick on a pig.So if youre currently using cheap hosting and you find that your site is loading slowly, that might be a sign that youve outgrown your current host.If thats the case, consider upgrading to managed WordPress hosting. While its a little pricier than cheap shared hosting, youll get better performance, and a good managed WordPress host will have implemented server-level configurations to make WordPress load faster.For example, most managed WordPress hosts implement caching for you, which means that you might be able to skip the caching plugin we mentioned in the first tip.To see some good options, check out our post on the best cheap managed WordPress hosting companie s.4. Pick a lightweight themeYour theme is your sites foundation. As such, it has a pretty big effect on your sites load times.On a personal note, moving from a regular theme to a lightweight theme once cut my already-optimized sites page load times by over 40%  by itself.Most lightweight themes are built to work well with page builders and still offer you a good amount of flexibility to design your site.Some good options to consider are:NeveGeneratePressAstraOceanWPThe Neve theme5. Limit WordPress plugin bloatLets first dispel with a myth more plugins does not automatically mean a slower site it depends on what each plugin is doing, and how well each plugin is coded.However, as a general rule of thumb, adding more plugins that are active/visible on the front-end of your site will probably start to have a negative effect on your sites page load times.Unless you have some technical skills, its hard to assess the exact impact of each plugin thats why we still recommend this as a rule of thumb.So if you absolutely need the plugin sure, go ahead and use it. But if you can take or leave a feature, consider leaving it and keeping your site more streamlined.6. Consider a CDN if you have global trafficIf you want to receive visitors from around the world, a content delivery network (CDN) is a great option to speed up your page load times for visitors who are located far away from your hosts datacenter.Why? Because the laws of physics exist! And as fast as the light in fiber optic cables travels, physical distance is still always going to play a role in how quickly your site loads for visitors.Cloudflare is a free CDN option thats pretty easy to get started with, and KeyCDN is another good option.The Optimole plugin we mentioned earlier also acts as a CDN for your websites images, which makes it one of the easiest ways to get started with a CDN on WordPress.Go to topConclusionOnce again, this isnt every single website speed optimization tip. But if you put these six tips into action, you should have a site thats plenty fast, and well under the 2-3 second limit.Remember, you need to:Use a caching pluginOptimize your imagesChoose a fast WordPress hostUse a lightweight WordPress themeBe judicious with the number of plugins you useConsider a CDN if you have global visitors Learn how to #speed up your #WordPress site with the 6 tips that really matter Click To Tweet Do you have any questions about how to speed up WordPress? Let us know in the comments!Free guide5 Essential Tips to Speed Up Your WordPress SiteReduce your loading time by even 50-80% just by following simple tips.

Congress of Vienna essays

Congress of Vienna essays The Congress of Vienna, the organizing conference of coalition against Napoleon and France, was a major building block in the future of Europe for years to come. The Conservative Political and Social views of the leaders of the time lead to a successful peace settlement to end this Napoleonic The first act to end Napoleon's rule was to create some new unity after the coalition had marched in Paris and defeated Napoleon. Each country was beginning to pursue their own interests and drift apart from establishing a method to prevent the power in France from ever growing to such a magnitude again. The British foreign secretary Robert Stewart (Viscount Castereagh) brought about the Treaty of Chaumont, restoring the Bourbon Dynasty from France's past. It was then decided for all allies to remain at peace until there was a reorganization of land that was to be laid out during a Congress of Vienna, to be held on September of 1814. Much of the organizing in the Congress of Vienna was not difficult. The Kingdom of Netherlands was established, adding Belgium and Genoa. Prussia received land along the Rhine river(a protection against a future French threat). Austria was given much of Northern Italy. The only conflict came when the control of Eastern Europe came to the table. Alexander I of Russia was firm in that he wanted all of Poland under his rule, Austria was not willing to give up it's share of Poland either, and Prussia was interested in the land of Saxony. This conflict came to it's height and there was even the fear that a new war might erupt over the control of these lands. This was changed by the clever Talleyrand, who represented France, he suggested that Austria and England might ally themselves to take the land that was up for debate. Under fear, Prussia and Russia both gave in and there was an equal distribution of land. ...

Verificar estatus de caso migratorio con el USCIS

Verificar estatus de caso migratorio con el USCIS Verificar el estatus del caso de inmigracià ³n en Estados Unidos es un derecho de todas las personas con un caso ante el Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). En ocasiones la demora puede ser tan grande que uno acaba preguntndose si es que algo va mal o comienza a tener nervios imaginando lo peor y que su caso no va a ser aprobado. Lo cierto es que casi siempre lo que sucede es que las demoras son muy grandes, particularmente para cierto tipo de trmites. Por ello, en este artà ­culo se explica cà ³mo se puede conocer quà © est pasando con la solicitud migratoria por medio de Internet, por telà ©fono o en persona. Adems, hacia el final del artà ­culo hay un enlace para averiguar los tiempos promedio que se estn tardando para tramitar peticiones de familia, naturalizaciones, casos en corte e incluso peticiones de visas no inmigrantes.   Opciones para verificar estatus migratorio con USCIS Internet: Por medio de la pgina oficial USICS https:egov.uscis.gov/casestatus. Se necesita el nà ºmero de identificacià ³n del caso, el cual consta de 13 caracteres (3 letras seguidas por 10 nà ºmeros).Por telà ©fono: 1-800-375-5283. Las personas con problemas de audicià ³n pueden marcar al 1-800-767-1833.En persona: Puede presentarse en cualquier oficina migratoria (solo migrantes con estatus legal). Utilice el sistema InfoPass para concertar una cita previamente.  ¿Cà ³mo verificar el estatus del caso con el USCIS? La pgina de Internet del Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) ofrece un servicio en inglà ©s y en espaà ±ol para revisar cà ³mo se va procesando el caso migratorio de cada inmigrante. Debe introducirse en la casilla apropiada el nà ºmero de recibo del caso que se quiere verificar y est compuesto por 13 caracteres. Esto es, tres letras seguido por diez nà ºmeros. Las letras pueden ser cualquiera de las siguientes: EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC. Es muy importante que al introducir no se escriba ningà ºn sà ­mbolo de guion (-). Sin embargo, si el nà ºmero incluye otros sà ­mbolos, como por ejemplo asteriscos (*), sà ­ deben incluirse. El nà ºmero que pide la pgina del USCIS es el que corresponde a un determinado caso migratorio. Se encuentra en el recibo de confirmacià ³n que envà ­a a cada inmigrante que realiza una peticià ³n o solicitud antes las autoridades migratorias. En el caso de peticiones de tarjeta de residencia para un familiar o de visa de prometido (novio o fiancà ©), ese nà ºmero est en el documento conocido como NOA1. Despuà ©s de introducir el nà ºmero de recibo, presionar la tecla de verifique estatus. Se abrir una pantalla en la que se pueden comprobar los pasos por los que ya ha pasado la solicitud del inmigrante y cules estn todavà ­a pendientes.  ¿Cà ³mo recibir actualizaciones de estatus de caso electrà ³nico? Cada inmigrante que tiene un caso pendiente con el USCIS puede solicitar que se le mantenga al dà ­a sobre cà ³mo se va procesando su solicitud mediante correo electrà ³nico. Para este caso es preciso crear previamente una cuenta en la pgina del Servicio de Inmigracià ³n presionando en inscribirse como cliente solicitante. A continuacià ³n, debe aceptar los tà ©rminos y condiciones de uso de este servicio y ya se puede darse de alta en este servicio. Informacià ³n electrà ³nica para planillas N-400 e I-90 Solo para los casos de los formularios N-400, para solicitar la ciudadanà ­a estadounidense por naturalizacià ³n, o I-90, la solicitud para reemplazar la tarjeta de residente permanente o green card, es posible verificar el estatus del caso mediante el denominado e-request. Para poder utilizar este servicio es necesario que ya haya transcurrido el tiempo normal de procesamiento de estos documentos y no se tenga respuesta. Por ejemplo, en la actualidad para el N-400 est entre 12 y 20 meses, variando enormemente segà ºn la oficina encargada para su procesamiento. Por otro lado, para el I-90, de 4 meses a 10 meses y medio. Si pasado este tiempo no tiene noticias, puede plantear su pregunta. Si sigue sin obtener respuesta, debe dejar pasar 30 dà ­as antes de volver a pedir una explicacià ³n. Solicitud de informacià ³n sobre el estatus del caso en persona Los inmigrantes con estatus migratorio legal pueden verificar el estatus del caso presentndose en las oficinas del USCIS y, tras esperar en fila a que llegue su turno, preguntar por su caso. O tambià ©n es posible concertar una cita para un dà ­a y una hora en concreto mediante el servicio InfoPass. Es muy importante que los migrantes indocumentados no se presenten voluntariamente en persona en las oficinas del USCIS ya que pueden ser detenidos. Sin embargo, en los casos en los que han sido previamente citados sà ­ deben presentarse, pero es altamente recomendable que vayan acompaà ±ados de abogados migratorios. Solicitud por telà ©fono de informacià ³n sobre estatus de caso Los migrantes tambià ©n pueden comunicarse con el Servicio de Inmigracià ³n por telà ©fono, marcando al 1-800-375-5283 o al 1-800-767-1833, si se sufre de algà ºn problema de audicià ³n. Se brinda servicio en inglà ©s y en espaà ±ol. Se puede llamar a cualquier otra para recibir informacià ³n automatizada, es decir, ofrecida por una computadora. Para hablar con una persona es preciso realizar la llamada en horas de oficina (8am a 6 pm) de lunes a viernes, si el inmigrante se encuentra en cualquiera de los estados de EUA excepto Hawaii (8am-4pm) o Alaska (8am-5pm). Recuerde tener a mano toda la informacià ³n necesaria, como el nà ºmero de caso, el Alien Registration Number, si se tiene, el pasaporte o cualquier otro documento que contenga informacià ³n importante sobre su situacià ³n de inmigracià ³n en USA. Verificar estatus de caso con el CENTRO NACIONAL DE VISAS Despuà ©s de que el USCIS apruebe una peticià ³n de visa no inmigrante, si la tramitacià ³n debe seguir un procesamiento consular (cuando la persona pedida est fuera de EEUU o, si est aquà ­, no puede ajustar su estatus) la solicitud pasa al Centro Nacional de Visas (NVC, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Y aquà ­ se va a recibir un nuevo nà ºmero de caso, que es el que se debe utilizar para comunicarse con el NVC. Es muy importante entender, adems, que en los siguientes casos la tramitacià ³n va a quedar dormida por un tiempo: peticià ³n de ciudadano de green card para hijos casados, hijos solteros mayores de 21 aà ±os y hermanospeticià ³n de residentes para cà ³nyuges e hijos solteros (menores y mayores de 21 aà ±os)peticiones de green card patrocinadas por empleador Esto se debe a que es necesario que haya tarjetas de residencia disponibles para la categorà ­a por la que se aplica. Asà ­, es posible obtener la aprobacià ³n en unos meses pero tener que esperar incluso aà ±os por la green card. Una vez que hay nà ºmero de visa disponible, comienza la fase final de la tramitacià ³n. La disponibilidad de tarjetas de residencia o determinadas categorà ­as de visas se puede verificar en el à ºltimo boletà ­n de visas  del Departamento de Estado, para ello hay que tener a mano la fecha de prioridad que aparece en la carta que se conoce como NOA2, y que envià ³ el USCIS. Por el contrario, las peticiones de ciudadano para cà ³nyuge, hijos solteros menores de 21 aà ±os y padres no tienen que esperar, por lo que una vez que lleguen al NVC se proceder a su tramitacià ³n sin demora. Tiempos de demora en tramitacià ³n y quà © hacer con retrasos. Es posible informarse de cunto aproximadamente se estn demorando los casos similares ante el USCIS dependiendo de la oficina de tramitacià ³n, visas no inmigrantes, migrantes, NVC e incluso en  Corte etc. Adems, en casos de demoras ms all de lo habitual para el mismo tipo de casos, se puede demandar mediante lo que se conoce como un writ of mandamus. Para ellos, consultar antes con un abogado. De interà ©s para obtener confiable informacià ³n para resolver inquietudes Para obtener ms informacià ³n sobre telà ©fonos o pginas webs en los que acudir para encontrar informacià ³n oficial, denunciar fraudes migratorios o encontrar asesorà ­a legal a buen precio y reputada se puede consultar esta lista importante de recursos para migrantes. Este es un artà ­culo meramente informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

The value and meaning of the arts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The value and meaning of the arts - Essay Example Modern artists reflect upon different incidents, political incidents, and other happenings. For example, in the 1980s, neo expressionism was created by German Expressionist artists like Emil Nolde, Max Beckmann, George Grosz, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, etc. In this style, recognizable objects were painted or sculpted in an abstract manner. Bold colors and depictions of violence were also common. These artists reflected the turmoil of that period. The government needs to support art and culture in order to help it move on to the next step of advancement. If the government had not backed up artists of the neo expressionism era, it would not have been accepted into the world of art. For example, After World War II, Nolde was honored and received the German Order of Merit, West Germany's highest civilian decoration. Emil Nolde, The Prophet, woodcut, 1912 Art has always evolved with time and different variations and new styles have come up. The works of iconic artists of the different periods have always been affected by the happenings, social and economic situations of the respective times. Presently, the most popular style of art is post modernism. Post-modernism is a general sense of the state of the western society, culture and modern art. In the special sense it is a political-scientific-artistic direction that is opposed to the institutions, methods, concepts and basic assumptions of modernity and aims to resolve and overcome it. Post modernism has social consequences. In the modern age, the Meta narratives or social institutions that legitimize political practices, ethics and ways of thinking, are lost in the postmodern era. This consensus dissolves into a multitude of mutually incompatible truth and justice concepts. At the same time takes a tolerant awareness of differences, diversity and plurality, and thus, has the ability to endure the inconsistency of language games. Marcel Duchamp, Fountain, 1917. Photograph by Alfred Steiglitz Not only artists but there a re many non-profit organizations like orchestras, museums, dance troupes, theaters, opera companies who are badly need for money. Huge amount of money needed for each and every dance troupe or opera company to promote their talent. Non-profit organizations are mainly dependent on the money they receive from public and government. They provide the services that we need in order to live nicely in our lives. People cannot live only with their jobs and their busy daily work schedule. They need some recreational activities to some extent for entertainment and these non-profit organizations help us to entertain but they do not get the amount of money they deserve. There are many cases where people do not need to pay a single penny to enjoy an opera show or to enter a museum. Most of the museums across UK or any other country are free for public but they spend a huge cost to maintain the buildings and the things kept inside the museum. There are many examples of shut down of museums as a r esult of insufficient funds. So, federal government should try to arrange some kinds of grant money for these non-profit organizations. One thing government must keep in mind that an individual is an important part of society because a number of individual make a society and the

Refugees Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Refugees - Research Paper Example This process can be dated back 3 500 years ago to the times of the Hittites, ancient Egyptians, Assyrians and Babylonians (The UN Refugee Agency, n.p). Presently the UN refugee agency’s sole purpose is to protect refugees in the midst of a war in their motherland. The 1951 Geneva Convention is the main international agreement concerning the protection of refugees. It illustrates the definition of a refugee and the rights he is entitled to whilst in the guardianship of the country which signed the Geneva Convention agreement (The UN Refugee Agency, n.p). Refugees are people who are under threat for reasons such as, political opinion, religion, race, membership of a certain movement or nationality. These individuals can not return to their home country in fear of losing their lives. In the year 2005, Palestine, Somalia, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Iraq and Sierra Leone were among the leading sources of refugees (Rosenburg, n.p). Most refugees are accommodated in camps, which are usually highly concentrated with people. These camps are either built by the state or Non government organizations. These camps supply the refugees with food and the appropriate medical aid until it is safe for them to return to their own country. This can last for years and in a situation where the host country feels it will never be safe for these individuals to return home, they are resettled to another country known as the ‘third country’, which is different from their country of origin. However, refugees are rarely resettled and usually remain in their camps. As previously mentioned, the camps which refugees are settled are highly concentrated. They are also not sanitation friendly as the large number of people makes it difficult to maintain a hygienic environment. Whilst in these camps, refugees are prone to contracting many diseases. These include cholera, dysentery, tuberculosis and HIV Aids. Contagious diseases are likely to spread very fast in a refugee camp (The UN Refugee Agency, n.p). Refugees are also prone to sexual and physical violence from the guards in their camps or from individuals amongst them. This also enhances the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (Seagul, n.p). The also face problems with adjusting to the culture of the places they are relocated. In addition, it is also very difficult for them to find employment as many locals have a negative opinion about refugees. Due to the fact that they have no employment options to sustain themselves, they are prone to joining terrorist groups or other rec ruitment programs because they have no other choice. Many refugees are often put under the pressure from migrating form rural areas into urban centers of developed countries. In addition, they might not be familiar with the language and have difficulty in communication and expressing themselves. This can also lead to depression and suicide. Refugees are assisted by the government of the country which they are given asylum. They provide them with the basic necessities they require. They are also assisted by Non Governmental Organizations which are created by different charities and receive funds from donations. Volunteers also help the refugees, by bring food to the camps, teaching them the local language, giving them emotional support or giving monetary donations. Refugees can also be closely related to as homeless individuals. They have unstable housing and may require relocation at any time. They own no personal property in their place of residence. According to Hollister et al., refuges face many barriers when they are seeking for housing and are at great risk of homelessness (n.p). Most refugees are sett

Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter Essa

Symbolism   in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne isn't noted for perfecting any famous literary style, for writing multiple best sellers, or even for contributing largely to classic American literature.   His only real claim to fame is The Scarlet Letter: a novel that was originally only meant to be yet another Hawthorne short story.   Because of this, it actually possesses many short story characteristics.   "It is simpler and more complete than his other novels." (James 285)   It also has an excellent plot backed by an expert use of literary techniques.   One technique Hawthorne used was borrowed solely from drama: the use of the aside.   Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale delivers an aside in the midst of the action in chapter three, incorporating the reader into his personal thoughts and feelings directly.   Many other things in The Scarlet Letter weren't so direct, though.   Typically, Hawthorne left the reader implying events by being vague and not answering posed questions.   An example of this technique is through the women's discussion about Hester Prynne in chapter one.   But, among all of his techniques used in The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne truly mastered only one.   He refined the art of symbolism.   Symbolism is found throughout all of The Scarlet Letter.   Nearly every person or object is symbolic of some other thing or idea.   The scarlet letter, the black glove Dimmesdale leaves on the scaffold, and the scaffold itself all have deeper significance.   This makes the theme of The Scarlet Letter even more ever-present.   It aids in illustrating the true intolerance and hypocrisy of Puritan customs. At first reading, one might safely say that the scarlet letter means "Adulteress."   Although this is partially correct, it lacks in-... ...tely mastered. Works Cited Bruckner, Sally.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Masterplots.   Vol. 10 Ed. Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem, Press, 1996.   5849-51. Feidelson, Jr., Charles.   "Hawthorne as Symbolist."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:   Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1996.   64-71. James, Henry.   "Densely Dark, with a Spot of Vivid Color."   The Scarlet Letter.   Ed. Norton Critical.   1978.   287-91. Van Doren, Mark.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.   129-40. Winters, Yvor.   "Maule's Curse, or Hawthorne and the Problem of Allegory."   Hawthorne. Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. 11-24. Ziff, Larzer.   "The Ethical Dimension of 'The Custom House.'"   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: P2 Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter Essa Symbolism   in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne isn't noted for perfecting any famous literary style, for writing multiple best sellers, or even for contributing largely to classic American literature.   His only real claim to fame is The Scarlet Letter: a novel that was originally only meant to be yet another Hawthorne short story.   Because of this, it actually possesses many short story characteristics.   "It is simpler and more complete than his other novels." (James 285)   It also has an excellent plot backed by an expert use of literary techniques.   One technique Hawthorne used was borrowed solely from drama: the use of the aside.   Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale delivers an aside in the midst of the action in chapter three, incorporating the reader into his personal thoughts and feelings directly.   Many other things in The Scarlet Letter weren't so direct, though.   Typically, Hawthorne left the reader implying events by being vague and not answering posed questions.   An example of this technique is through the women's discussion about Hester Prynne in chapter one.   But, among all of his techniques used in The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne truly mastered only one.   He refined the art of symbolism.   Symbolism is found throughout all of The Scarlet Letter.   Nearly every person or object is symbolic of some other thing or idea.   The scarlet letter, the black glove Dimmesdale leaves on the scaffold, and the scaffold itself all have deeper significance.   This makes the theme of The Scarlet Letter even more ever-present.   It aids in illustrating the true intolerance and hypocrisy of Puritan customs. At first reading, one might safely say that the scarlet letter means "Adulteress."   Although this is partially correct, it lacks in-... ...tely mastered. Works Cited Bruckner, Sally.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Masterplots.   Vol. 10 Ed. Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem, Press, 1996.   5849-51. Feidelson, Jr., Charles.   "Hawthorne as Symbolist."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:   Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1996.   64-71. James, Henry.   "Densely Dark, with a Spot of Vivid Color."   The Scarlet Letter.   Ed. Norton Critical.   1978.   287-91. Van Doren, Mark.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.   129-40. Winters, Yvor.   "Maule's Curse, or Hawthorne and the Problem of Allegory."   Hawthorne. Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. 11-24. Ziff, Larzer.   "The Ethical Dimension of 'The Custom House.'"   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: P2

Capital Punishment Essay

As a society we have an established set of rules and norms that are enforced by our justice system which we as a people have deemed as the highest power to determine when these rules and norms are broken and what appropriate punishment should be given. We live in a world filled with diversity. Not only diversity in cultures but diversity with people in terms of character and morals. Society is filled with both good upstanding people but also those people who find it less than necessary to follow any norms or rules society has created but instead find a life in crime. Crimes can range from something minimal such as theft to the most serious which is murder. This introduces us to capital punishment or more commonly termed, the death penalty. Though openly controversial, capital punishment has its share of opponents and supporters. Many philosophers have discussed issues in relation to violence, laws and punishment. Malcolm X is one such philosopher. His beliefs in violence in terms of self defense can relate to the issue of capital punishment. Malcolm X believed that one should defend themselves by all means necessary when it means self defense. He believed in non violence unless one’s life was at risk and needed defending. In such cases self defense should be practiced. In his famous speech â€Å"The Ballot or the Bullet† delivered on April 13, 1964 he introduces his principle of self defense and his intentions to work â€Å"non violently as long as the enemy is nonviolent† but also be â€Å"violent when the enemy gets violent†. These are examples of his principles. There are other philosophers that approach the issue of capital punishment in more depth. Hugo Adam Bedau and Ernest van den Haag are two such philosophers who present their arguments to capital punishment. Bedau and Haag offer compelling arguments that as a reader one may find it difficult to choose a side. The fact of the matter is that capital punishment is the most extreme form of punishment and because of its severity and irreversibility; its usage must be very stringent. Both Bedau and Haag discuss capital punishment and take relatively different sides about similar issues. Both construct their arguments discussing issues such as capital punishment and its unjust application, its deterrence ability and the possible execution of innocent people. Haag takes on the position of pro capital punishment and argues his position in his article â€Å"In Defense of the Death Penalty†. Bedau on the other side takes on the position of pro abolition and discusses his arguments in his article â€Å"Capital Punishment†. We’ll begin with Haag and his arguments. Haag argues that the execution of innocent people believed to be guilty is a miscarriage of the justice system and should be stopped but it does not warrant the abolishing of capital punishment. Killing innocent people is not enough to abolish capital punishment and thus risking the innocent lives that may be saved by these â€Å"murderers†. These advantages in turn outweigh the disadvantages of killing innocent â€Å"criminals† and the punishment of capital punishment is just. In executing a murderer it is concluded by Isaac Ehrlich’s 1933-1969 study that one execution may result in 7 or 8 fewer murders because the execution acts as deterrence for future murders (pg. 351). Haag presents us with two choices in regards to deterrence. The first choice he presents is that to trade the life of a convicted murderer and save the 7 or 8 innocent victims whose murder is probable unless the murderer is executed. The second choice is to allow the murderer to live and possibly lose the 7 or 8 innocent people who the murderer can possibly kill. Most of us would choose the first choice and Haag agrees. He argues that it would be irresponsible not to execute the murderer simply because there is no guarantee that their execution would help save the lives of potential innocent victims. It seems immoral to allow murderers to live on even if there is even the slightest possibility that innocent lives are at risk. Haag supports this argument by stating that â€Å"more severe penalties are more deterrent than less severe penalties† (pg. 352). People are less likely to commit severe crimes if the punishment is just as severe. With that said it only seems logical to say that the most severe crime warrants the most severe punishment. Thus, murderers should be punished with the death penalty. Haag also uses the situation with current prisoners to elaborate his point of how capital punishment is a deterrent. Prisoners serving life sentences and who are not sentenced to execution relatively follow prison rules and norms because the possibility of a more severe punishment or sentence does exist. Haag states that without the death penalty, prisoners would find no reason to avoid committing more crimes towards fellow prisoners or guards because the abolishment of the death penalty presents them with a sort of immunity. They can freely commit more crimes knowing they will not get additional punishment. Not only within the prison context but criminals on the outside world and who anticipate that their crime will result in a life sentence may be compelled to murder as many people as necessary to facilitate their escape. No death penalty threat would stop them from committing more crimes. This is where death penalty plays the deterrent role. Whether capital punishment is at fault for sometimes executing innocent people or positively deterring other criminals from committing murder, the death penalty and its application is the third issue we will discuss. According to Haag the death penalty is separate from its moral characteristic. If the death penalty is perfectly distributed but morally unjust, it would be unjust in each case. In the same manner if the death penalty was morally just but applied discriminatorily it would remain just in each case. Guilty people do not all of a sudden become innocent because they escaped it or innocent people don’t deserve punishment because others suffer it. Justice and equality are not hand in hand and though equality should be important and practiced it should not affect the hand of justice. Bedau stands on the other side of the capital punishment issue. His arguments try to prove why the position of abolition is better. In respects to the same issues that Haag presents I will discuss Bedau’s arguments Both Haag and Bedau discuss how it is possible that with capital punishment innocent people deemed guilty are executed. However, Bedau presents this argument in a cost benefit analysis. Haag states that the execution of innocent people is a miscarriage of justice and that its advantages of possibly saving future innocent victims because of the execution of the murderer outweigh the drawbacks of executing an innocent person. Therefore Haag uses the lives of future innocent victims as the advantage of capital punishment whereas Bedau though agreeing with Haag about the possibility of executing innocent people, identifies the risks as â€Å"social costs† (pg. 367). Bedau proceeds to discuss the economic costs that the death penalty incurs. Cost of housing the prisoner while on death row, cost of the capital trial and of the appeals. Bedau discusses the risk of executing innocent people just as Haag but Bedau finds different aspects of it to elaborate and approaches the matter in terms of costs to society. Haag makes two points in regards to deterrence for which Bedau has an argument he presents. According to Haag, capital punishment deters other criminals from committing murder and per the Ehrlich study 1 execution saves 7 or 8 innocent lives and not executing the murderer is a form of irresponsibility when the only reason is that there is no guarantee that their execution will lengthen or save future innocent victims who would be murdered had the murderer be spared. Bedau argues that capital punishment cannot deter murder but instead it can possibly only prevent it. Bedau draws a distinction between the death penalty as a crime preventive and death penalty as a crime deterrent. Haag does not make a distinction and instead only discusses the death penalty as a crime deterrent. It is only reasonable that the distinction be made. Executing a murderer can be seen as a crime preventive if the execution prevents the murderer from killing again. It can also be seen as a crime deterrent if the execution serves as an example and results in frightening off others from committing murder. Now according to Haag capital punishment serves as a deterrent for murderers but on the contrary Bedau argues that capital punishment can never deter the murderer from further crimes but rather it can at most prevent them from committing them. It is impossible to determine what deterrence the death penalty proves for the person has already been executed. There is no way of measuring the number of crimes the murderer did not commit because of the death penalty threat. Bedau presents us with an alternative. He argues that because it is impossible to know what or how many crimes a murderer will be deterred from committing with a death penalty threat, it is just as likely the same crimes be deterred by a lesser punishment such as long-term imprisonment. This fails to show that the death penalty is a better deterrent than the less severe penalty of long-term imprisonment for the crime of murder. Bedau then reinforces this by concluding that if death penalty and long-term imprisonment have an equal effectiveness or ineffectiveness as deterrents to murder, then arguing for capital punishment as deterring murder is flawed and weakened. In congruence to his stand on abolition Bedau then argues that there is no reason for choosing the death penalty when a lesser punishment can be just as effective. After discussing capital punishment as a deterrent and the risks of executing innocent people that it creates, Bedau presents a different approach and perspective to Haag in terms of the death penalty and its application. Haag states that unequal justice is still justice and that equality before the law should be enforced but never at the expense of justice. Bedau offers a different perspective. According to Bedau, the death penalty is a â€Å"poor man’s justice† (pg. 375). Both opponents and supporters of the death penalty agree that capital punishment should be practiced fairly, equally and evenly and that it is a fundamental dictate of justice. The only dispute lies with the actual use of capital punishment. Bedau further elaborates how capital punishment is unfairly distributed. People are sentenced to death not because of their release risks or poor parole but because they have poor defense at trial; they have inexperienced or overworked counsels or they are just without the funds for an appeal trial. This reinforces the street saying â€Å"those without the capital get the punishment† (pg. 375) as Bedau quotes. People are not convicted based on their nature or violent behavior but rather on how much money they both have and are willing to spend on their trial. Bedau and Haag present different arguments to similar issues and though Bedau can agree with Haag on an issue or two, he finds a different approach to it and elaborates it differently. Haag and Bedau present very compelling arguments and it is not difficult to understand each of their points. However, personally I would have to say that I take a much harsher and tougher stand in capital punishment. One that is not discussed by either philosopher. Of course in a perfect world murder would not exist and capital punishment would not be needed, but in this world murder and those who commit murder are very much real. Capital punishment should mean a life for a life; Lex talionis as Bedau briefly mentions. In the most literal terms if a person has the heart and willingness to murder another human being then they should be willing to lose their life the same exact way. I do believe in capital punishment being a deterrent to murder but the fact that not every murder results in the death penalty as punishment I believe is a reason why some criminals are sometimes reckless with their decisions. However, if there was some way of knowing how a trial was to end and know that the punishment would be the death penalty, it would have to make the criminal think twice. Some argue that the death penalty is just an easy way out for the murderer. This is why I further will elaborate my point. The death penalty should be specific to the murder. If a murderer tortures his victim then they too should be tortured. If the murderer shoots his victim they too should be shot to death and if the murderer burns his victim they too should be burned. Now I would like to clarify that this should be applied to murders that are premeditated or intended and not accidental deaths. This should apply to those criminals that had an obvious intention to cause harm to their victims and resulting in death. I can understand the moral and ethical questions this would bring up and the issue of stooping to the level of murderers but those are just issues and opinions, the fact of the matter is you take a life you give your life. This approach will of course never happen so I will offer a different one. Considering that it is argued that capital punishment is unfairly applied and that an accused murderer’s innocence or guilt is determined based on how much funds they have to afford good counsel and appeals then as a way to eliminate this risk every single person who si accused of murder should have the best counsel available to them regardless of whether they can afford it or not. This will allow every single person to get a fair trial and the possibility of executing someone who is actually innocent will no longer exist. A person will no longer be executed with the possible doubt that they may be innocent but just could not afford to be defended fairly. If someone murderers another human being then they should be punished just as severely, but also until their guilt is proven they should be defended like anyone else, regardless of how much money they have. Innocence and guilt should never have a price tag. Capital punishment is our society’s way of keeping moral boundaries and norms in place. We as a people can have different opinions about the severity of the death penalty but that is all they are, opinions. Whether we agree with the death penalty or oppose it we must learn to recognize other points of views and educate ourselves. Murder is the most severe of crimes and the death penalty is the most severe of punishments. Therefore, each one of us has a choice to decide whether they go hand in hand.