Research paper about The US Patriot Act and the records, metal detectors, and scanning machines at airports.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The US Patriot Act and Airport Security Measures: Balancing National Security and Civil Liberties
Introduction
The USA PATRIOT Act, passed in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, granted the government expanded powers to combat terrorism. One area where these powers have been prominently utilized is in enhancing security measures at airports. This research paper delves into the implications of the USA PATRIOT Act on airport security, specifically focusing on the use of records, metal detectors, and scanning machines, and the delicate balance between national security imperatives and civil liberties.
The USA PATRIOT Act and Records Collection
One of the key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act is the authorization for the collection of a wide range of records and data, including passenger information and travel records. This information is used by government agencies and security personnel to identify potential threats and prevent terrorist activities. While this data collection has undoubtedly enhanced security measures at airports, it has also raised concerns about privacy rights and the potential for abuse of power. Critics argue that the broad scope of record collection authorized by the Act infringes upon individual liberties and opens the door to unwarranted surveillance.
Metal Detectors and Screening Machines
Metal detectors and scanning machines have become ubiquitous features of airport security checkpoints, implemented in response to the heightened threat of terrorism. These technologies are designed to detect weapons, explosives, and other prohibited items that may pose a danger to passengers and airline staff. While metal detectors and scanning machines are essential tools for ensuring the safety of air travel, they have also been subject to criticism for their intrusiveness and potential health risks associated with radiation exposure.
Balancing Security and Civil Liberties
The implementation of stringent security measures at airports, authorized in part by the USA PATRIOT Act, has sparked debates about the balance between national security imperatives and civil liberties. Proponents argue that these measures are necessary to protect citizens from terrorist threats and ensure the safety of air travel. They contend that the sacrifice of some privacy rights is a small price to pay for enhanced security. On the other hand, critics raise concerns about the erosion of civil liberties, arguing that unchecked government surveillance and invasive screening procedures infringe upon constitutional rights.
The Role of Oversight and Accountability
In light of these concerns, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of oversight and accountability in the implementation of airport security measures authorized by the USA PATRIOT Act. Government agencies must adhere to strict guidelines and protocols to safeguard individual rights and prevent abuses of power. Transparency in record collection practices, regular audits of screening procedures, and mechanisms for redress in cases of misconduct are essential to ensuring that security measures do not come at the expense of civil liberties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the USA PATRIOT Act has had a profound impact on airport security measures, leading to the implementation of records collection, metal detectors, and scanning machines to enhance safety and combat terrorism. While these measures play a crucial role in protecting national security, they also raise important questions about privacy rights, civil liberties, and government oversight. Striking a balance between security imperatives and individual freedoms is a complex challenge that requires careful consideration of legal, ethical, and practical implications. By upholding transparency, accountability, and respect for constitutional rights, it is possible to strengthen security measures at airports while safeguarding the principles of democracy and freedom.
