Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Act - 1354 Words

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act) is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation to ever pass through the US Senate. Its critics use fear mongering tactics to scare people into opposition of an intrusive police state which they believe is inevitable given the government’s new powers. They consider the Act an assault on civil liberties and an invasion of the privacy of innocent American citizens. Yet the real issue is not that the government now has new powers, it’s that the American people do not trust our intelligence agencies to handle these new powers properly while still respecting their rights. The main criticisms of the†¦show more content†¦He called this collection a â€Å"logical program† (qtd. In Isikoff), although when pressed for any examples of this database being used to stop terror attacks, Stone replied simply, â€Å"We found none .† The thing about the Patriot Act that is truly terrifying, is â€Å"the lack of government candor in describing its implementation† (Lithwick and Turner). This means that the American people don’t trust their government to use their powers as the people were told they would be. While many claim that the Patriot Act is an attack on Americans’ civil liberties, there is a strong case for the Act and the changes it brings. An article published in the Washington Post looks at the claims made by the ACLU and systematically pokes gaping holes in them. For one, the claim that NSLs can be issued without a judge’s approval is only partially true. While a normal search warrant is issued to law enforcement by a civilian judge, â€Å"the FBI can do nothing under Section 215 without the approval of a federal court.†(Mac Donald, In Defense). The idea of a federal judge issuing an NSL to spy on someone who â€Å"wrote a letter to the editor that criticize d government policy(Mac Donald, In Defense) as the ACLU claims, is inconceivable. Another critique made by the ACLU is against the Act’s â€Å"Sneak and Peek† provision. While described as a blatant power grab by the government, there is a long precedent for the delay of notice regarding a search warrant. Especially when such aShow MoreRelatedPros And Cons Of The Patriot Act1304 Words   |  6 Pageson September 11th.The USA patriot act came into effect in order to safeguard the nation from the possible terrorist activities after the dreadful that dreadful day. The USA Patriot act allowed for the various security officers to search homes or business enterprises of any suspect without the owner’s consent, and also allows the FBI to wiretap and have access to certain financial information without the individuals consent. There has been a lot of controversy over the act, because some say it is aRead MorePros And Cons Of The Patriot Act1875 Words   |  8 Pagesth is essay I will discuss the pros and the cons of the Patriot Act, how it affected the lives of US citizens and the world, and whether or not it fits within our democratic form of government. The Patriot Act was a rapidly drafted and approved Act of Congress which was intended to increase the security of US citizens by combatting terrorism. Although granting increased security to an extent, the Act was and still is extremely controversial due to certain parts of the Act limiting the freedoms of AmericanRead MorePros and Cons on the Patriot Act Essay730 Words   |  3 PagesUSA Patriot Act This Act may be cited as the Uniting and Strengthening America Act by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism. President Bush signed the Patriot Act on October 29, 2001. It passed and with no debate voted on; many members of congress did not fully read the act. Due to the anthrax scare many Congressman did not have access to their offices. Attorney General John Ashcroft silenced any debate by warning that anyone who contested the Act would beRead MoreThe Patriot Act; Agree of Disagree877 Words   |  4 PagesThe Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree Amanda Collier ENG/215 August 27, 2012 Bruce Massis The Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001 The USA PATRIOT Act. The title of the Act is a letter acronym: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (PUBLIC LAW 107–56—OCT. 26, 2001) This Act was written to prevent and punish terrorist acts here in the United States as wellRead MoreWhere Do You Stand on the Usa Patriot Act?1068 Words   |  5 PagesAmerica s core freedoms. Congress passed the USA Patriot Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) in 2001 just weeks after the attacks, with the intention of helping law enforcement act more effectively in investigating potential terrorists. However, this act may do more harm than good. Some groups, such as the American Library Association, state that the act infringes on Fourth Amendment rights guaranteed to us inRead MoreMinorities and Women in Criminal Justice1064 Words   |  5 PagesStates. Sexism against women is shown in the media and indicates that sexism still pervades in our society. Another key issue is the overrepresentation and disparities among minorities in the criminal justice system. After the act of September 11, racial profiling and other acts of racial hate crimes suggests that racism occurs. Another key issue that indicates that racial disparities occur in the criminal justice system is the overrepresentation of minorities in the Juvenile Justice system. Read MoreThe United States Patriot Act1533 Words   |  7 PagesKaylyn Dailey 11/27/16 Professor Carter American Gov. Term Paper Patriot Act On September 11, 2001, the Unites States suffered massive destruction caused by terrorism. Four planes were hijacked by terrorist. Nearly, three thousand lives were lost when two planes crashed into the World Trade Towers, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the final plane crashed in Pennsylvania before it could reach its final destination. An immense fear spread across the country and out of this fear came the UnitingRead MoreGrand Canyon Jus 505 All Week Discussions - Latest 2015748 Words   |  3 Pageswhether the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976 after a 4-year hiatus did or did not result in an empirically verified deterrent. Explain if you are in favor of or against the death penalty. Support your position What would be the pros and cons of abolishing the death penalty? Support your answer with specifics. week 6 Does parens patriae truly still exist under the current U.S. juvenile justice system? Explain why you feel the way you do. Give examples to support your claims. Read MoreTechnology Has Become An Important Factor For Day1903 Words   |  8 Pagesthe government invading that bubble of personal space. The Patriot Act legalized mass surveillance in America in 2002. The Act was passed by President W. Bush, and remains a relevant controversial topic. The government s point of view of the Act is, â€Å"The Patriot Act allows investigators to use the tools that were already available to investigate organized crime and drug trafficking, according to the government’s justice website. The Act was passed a month and a half after the devastating 9/11 terroristRead MoreTaking a Look at Government Surveillance2224 Words   |  9 Pagesrepeal The Olmstead v. United States in Katz v. United States were the court considered that any possessions of that person is now off limits, even calls or messages unless they have a warrant. Which in 1968, The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets act was passed by congress that restricts wiretapping, adding an exception to that rule if the president orders it and if it is to protect America. 1972, President Nixon gets caught for his involvement with the Watergate scandal, and was the first president

Tattoos in Todays Society Free Essays

Tattoos In Today’s Society Preparation Outline: Informative Speech on Tattoos in today’s society. Specific Purpose: The purpose of my speech is to inform my college speech class about the stigmas, obsessions, and acceptance of tattoos in today’s society. Thesis: After listening to my speech, each person in my audience should be informed about how tattoos have taken on a different meaning from previous generations and are becoming more accepted in today’s society. We will write a custom essay sample on Tattoos in Todays Society or any similar topic only for you Order Now Introduction I. People with tattoos come from many different culture backgrounds. I personally have tattoos and find it to be an art. In addition to having tattoos, I researched this topic extensively by consulting sources such as The Journal of American Culture, StatisticBrain. com, and The Journal of Popular Culture. II. Tattoos are no longer the purview of bikers, punks, and thugs, tattooing is increasingly practiced and appreciated by mainstream, middle class individuals. III. Tattoos are a form of art that allows individuals to express themselves in ways other than using words. The media has played a big part in why tattoos are more accepted today then 10-15 years ago. Transition: Let’s start with the stigma associated with tattoos. Body I. Even though not nearly as bad as previous generations, having a tattoo does come with stigmas. A. Religious groups, cults, and gangs have tattoos as a symbol of their dedication to one’s specific group or belief. B. It’s believed if you have tattoos you are rebellious and are more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol at a younger age. C. Individuals with tattoos are associated with having mental issues and damaged egos, who engage in deviant behavior. Transition: Now that I have told you about the stigmas that go along with having a tattoo, lets discuss the obsessions with tattoos. II. Despite the fact that millions of individuals have tattoos, not all bodies are equal in American culture. There is indeed, a difference between people who have tattoos and the tattooed people. (Bell 55-56) It’s a collection of art on ones body. A. A person’s first tattoo is the start of their collection. It can be compared to a drug, an instant addition. B. Tattooed people say by getting tattoos it allows them to express themselves though body art. C. Tattoos have meaning, some spiritual, some sentimental and some just express their personality in the form of art. It can be explained as a montage of one’s life. Transition: Now that I’ve told you about stigmas and obsessions associated with tattoos, now lets discuss the acceptance of tattoos in today’s society. III. America has become a tattooed nation. A. 45 million Americans have tattoos. B. The annual amount of US spending on tattoos is $1. 65 billion a year. C. Everywhere you turn you are hearing or seeing tattoos in television, magazines, movies, actors, models, musicians, and idolized athletes. In conclusion, today we have discussed the stigmas, the obsessions, and the acceptance of tattoos in today’s society. Conclusion Although there are still stigmas associated with tattoos, with the help of media and Hollywood, there are still individuals who find comfort in being able to express themselves through body art. References . Tattoo Statistics. Pew Research Center, Tattoo Finder, Vanishing Tattoo, 23 Jul 2012. Web. 24 Feb 2013. . John Roberts, Derek. â€Å"Secret Ink: Tattoo’s Place In Contemporary American Culture. † Journal Of American Culture 35. 2 (2012): 153-165. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. Koust, Mary. â€Å"An Ironic Fad: The Commodification And Consumption Of Tattoos. † Journal Of Popular Culture 39. 6 (2006): 1035-1048. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. Bell, Shannon. â€Å"Tattooed: A Participant Observer’s Exploration of Meaning. † Journal of American Culture 22. 2 (1999): 53–58. Print. How to cite Tattoos in Todays Society, Essay examples

X Barbiturate use in the pre

X Barbiturate use in the pre-benzodiazepine period Essay xBarbiturate use in the pre-benzodiazepine period was such that, in the United Statesalone, production of these drugs reached, in 1955, the quantity necessary for the treatment of 10 million people throughout an entire year (Lopez-Munoz,Ucha-Udabe, and Alamo 336).While Bradburys novel was being written, the Durham-Humphrey Amendment (1951) to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (1938) divided medicines into two categoriesas a reaction to this problem: prescription and over-the-counter.By 1952 and 1956, the Narcotics Expert Committee of the WorldHealthOrganizationrecommended that barbiturates should only be available on prescription.The novelssalient overdose episode argues thatsedative abuse is the individuals response to a culture hostile to memory and the cultivation of thought. Cultural hostility to critical thought is revealed by structures of formal education. Schooling isan hour of TV class, an hour of basketball or baseball or running, another hour of transcription history or p ainting pictureswe never ask questionsthey just run the answers at you,bing,bing,bing, and us sitting there for four more hours of film-teacher.Thats not social to me at all(37).Schools of the future exploit the televisionseffect ofquick and wide spreading of current and often emotionally charged information which is designed and destined to be forgotten at the instant of its reception (Mockel-Rieke9).History, thecurriculumslaudatortemporisacte, is reduced torote transcription, areductioadabsurdam, a simulation of memory.As a curricular subject, Historythe narrative of actual events and speculation about their causes, derived from meditative acts of reading andquestioningother representations of the past, and composing new materialabouteventsis purposelyrendered impotent. We will write a custom essay on X Barbiturate use in the pre-benzodiazepine period specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now

Facilities Management Case Study Essay Example

Facilities Management Case Study Essay Example Facilities Management Case Study Essay Facilities Management Case Study Essay Biotech Case Study: Implementing Predictive Maintenance for Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers Submitted By: Regina Gracia E. Sandoval Carolyn Pulanco Glaiza Bustria Joyce Domingo Jeralyn Barrios Arabelle Loresto OM4A RND Biotech Case Study: Implementing Predictive Maintenance for Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers October 2008 CHALLENGE: * RND Biotech operates 300 ultra-low freezers (-80 °C) that frequently fail, even though maintenance activities are performed on a quarterly basis. RND Biotech is currently replacing freezers as they fail, rather than trying to repair them, to keep up with the required freezer capacity. * When freezers fail, RND Biotech potentially loses product development samples that represent months of research. * RND Biotech would like to implement a predictive maintenance strategy and continuously monitor freezer function, which they believe will improve uptime, and free up skilled labor for other tasks. * However, they have not found a comprehensive method that is cost-efficient and non-invasive to implement a predictive maintenance strategy. Most alternatives only monitor freezer temperature which is not enough for predictive monitoring. SOLUTION: RND Biotech installed a new automation technology which did not incur any disruption to ongoing processes and required minimal installation cost. The solution, a non-invasive wireless sensor system, allowed RND Biotech to monitor multiple freezer data points, including chamber temperature and compressor amperage. RESULTS: * RND Biotech immediately found distressed freezers and were able to prevent failures. The freezers were able to be repaired, as opposed to replaced, saving approximately $7,000 per freezer. RND Biotech is now able to implement a predictive maintenance strategy for their freezers. Challenge RND Biotech is a biotechnology research and development company. The company has 300 ultra-low freezers (-80 °C), used to store research samples. These freezers are critical to RND Biotech because the samples stored in them represent ongoing research that comprises the co mpany’s product pipeline. Failures of these freezers could potentially result in a loss of years’ worth of research for new products that could be worth billions of dollars in revenue. The facilities group reports that it spends a significant amount of time addressing freezer failures. Records show that approximately twenty work orders per month are freezer related. Additionally, researchers complain that frequent freezer failures impact their ability to focus on their research. When a freezer fails, researchers have to scramble to find space in other freezers to store samples. If the failure occurs during non-working hours, both facilities and research personnel have to come to the facility in order to address the failure. If the failure is not addressed in time, the freezer contents critical research samples or products are lost. The empty freezers have to be defrosted and decontaminated before they can be moved to the maintenance area for troubleshooting and repairs. This process alone can take up to a week. Failures have occurred frequently enough that it is now more convenient for RND Biotech to simply replace the freezers as opposed to repairing them, even though it is not a cost efficient solution. The primary failure mode on ultra-low freezers is at the compressors. The ultra-low freezers each have two compressors. Failure of either compressor directly impacts the freezer’s ability to maintain temperature. Simply monitoring the temperature of the freezer is not enough to preventatively catch failures. By the time the temperature rises, everyone has to react to the impending failure as opposed to preventing it. The primary function of the preventative maintenance procedures is to ensure that the compressors are functioning efficiently. To accomplish this, specific maintenance activities include: * measuring compressor amperage on a quarterly basis to ensure that the compressors are operating within specification and are not overworked * de-icing the door gasket on a quarterly basis so that the freezer chamber is properly sealed * maintaining the filters on a semi-annual basis so that proper air flow and temperature is achieved around the compressors * defrosting and de-icing the freezer on an annual basis to prevent ice buildup in the freezer chamber Even with such rigorous maintenance of the ultra-low freezers, there are still a significant number of failures occurring and disrupting operations. The facilities group is looking for a way to be able to detect potential problems with freezers before they fail so that the impact on operations is minimized. Implementing Predictive Maintenance RND Biotech would like to implement a predictive maintenance strategy for their ultra-low freezers. Their goal is to get ahead of their failures and maximize equipment uptime. In order to accomplish this, the facilities group would need to be able to monitor the freezer compressors on a frequent and regular basis, in order to observe the normal mode of operation of the freezers. Current preventative maintenance procedures only allow facilities to take a snapshot of compressor operation at the time the maintenance is performed. The Cypress Solution Cypress Systems offers a Wireless Freezer Monitor (WFM) designed to check the overall health of the freezers. This battery operated device can be installed on a freezer to monitor compressor amperage and freezer temperature on pre-defined intervals. The data is wirelessly transmitted back to the Cypress server, where it can be trended via a web interface. Wireless data collection allows the freezers to be moved if needed without reinstalling hard-wired sensors. The battery operated device eliminates the need to have additional power available for monitoring tools. Results RND Biotech tested the Cypress wireless freezer monitor solution and installed WFMs on a pilot of twenty freezers, at a cost of $2000 per freezer. At the onset of the project, the expectation was that 10% of the freezers were not performing optimally. RND Biotech immediately found 20%, or four, of their freezers that were now monitored were not functioning optimally. Problems they saw included compressors not cycling off or compressors cycling on and off too frequently. Both situations indicated that the freezers were working harder than they should and needed to be repaired. All four freezers were all eventually repaired rather than replaced. The replacement cost per freezer would have been $12,000. The repair cost was approximately $5,000 per freezer. RND Biotech was able to save $28,000. Additionally, if a researcher had to reproduce lost samples, it could potentially cost $7,000 or more in labor and material costs. The initial investment in the Cypress solution for the twenty freezers was $40,000. The financial payback was under two years. RND Biotech was greatly impressed with the ability they gained to coordinate the repair activities without having to scramble. Value of Predictive Maintenance for Freezers The immediate benefit of the Cypress Wireless Freezer Monitor system was that the facilities group could plan their repair activities with research, rather than have to scramble to find freezer space for their samples. They were able to prioritize which freezers were more critical to address. Financially, the project had an immediate payback, based on the number of freezers that were in distress and the new capability for RND Biotech to coordinate repairing their freezers before they fail as opposed to purchasing new ones. The value that they see includes: reducing the frequency of freezer failures nd emergency response situations mitigating the risk of loss in RND Biotech’s product pipeline troubleshooting freezer work orders more easily by viewing amperage and temperature trends and even reducing the number of work orders submitted for freezer problems minimizing required maintenance activities, reducing maintenance time having the ability to plan maintenance and repair acti vities around research activities becoming more â€Å"green† by replacing fewer freezers saving energy by repairing compressors as soon as problems becomes evident, rather than only observing problems during maintenance or when failures occur Based on these overall benefits and proven utility, RND Biotech now plans to install the Cypress wireless freezer monitors on all their ultra-low freezers.

Battle of Glorieta Pass in the Civil War

Battle of Glorieta Pass in the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass - Conflict: The Battle of Glorieta Pass occurred during the American Civil War. Battle of Glorieta Pass - Dates: Union and Confederate forces clashed at Glorieta Pass on March 26-28, 1862. Armies Commanders: Union Colonel John P. SloughMajor John Chivington1,300 men Confederates Major Charles L. PyronLt. Colonel William R. Scurry1,100 men Battle of Glorieta Pass - Background: In early 1862, Confederate forces under Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley began pushing west from Texas into the New Mexico Territory. His goal was to occupy the Santa Fe Trail as far north as Colorado with the intention of opening a line of communication with California. Advancing west, Sibley initially sought to capture Fort Craig near the Rio Grande. On February 20-21, he defeated a Union force under Colonel Edward Canby at the Battle of Valverde. Retreating, Canbys force took refuge at Fort Craig. Electing not to attack the fortified Union troops, Sibley pressed on leaving them in his rear. Moving up the Rio Grande Valley, he established his headquarters at Albuquerque. Sending his forces forward, they occupied Santa Fe on March 10. Shortly thereafter, Sibley pushed an advance force of between 200 and 300 Texans, under Major Charles L. Pyron, over the Glorieta Pass at the southern end of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The capture of the pass would allow Sibley to advance and capture Fort Union, a key base along the Santa Fe Trail. Camping at Apache Canyon in Glorieta Pass, Pyrons men were attacked on March 26 by 418 Union soldiers led by Major John M. Chivington. Battle of Glorieta Pass - Chivington Attacks: Assaulting Pyrons line, Chivingtons initial attack was beaten back by Confederate artillery. He then split his force and two and repeatedly flanked Pyrons men forcing them to retreat twice. As Pyron fell back a second time, Chivingtons cavalry swept in and captured the Confederate rearguard. Consolidating his forces, Chivington went into camp at Kozlowskis Ranch. On the following day the battlefield was quiet as both sides were reinforced. Pyron was augmented by 800 men led by Lieutenant Colonel William R. Scurry, bringing Confederate strength to around 1,100 men. On the Union side, Chivington was reinforced by 900 men from Fort Union under the command of Colonel John P. Slough. Assessing the situation, Slough planned to attack the Confederates the next day. Chivington was given orders to take his men in a circling movement with the goal of striking the Confederate flank as Slough engaged their front. In the Confederate camp, Scurry also planned an advance with the goal of attacking at the Union troops in the pass. On the morning of March 28, both sides moved into Glorieta Pass. Battle of Glorieta Pass - A Close Fight: Seeing the Union troops moving towards his men, Scurry formed a line of battle and prepared to receive Sloughs attack. Surprised to find the Confederates in an advanced position, Slough realized that Chivington would not be able to assist in the assault as planned. Moving forward, Sloughs men struck at Scurrys line around 11:00 AM. In the battle that followed, both sides repeatedly attacked and counterattacked, with Scurrys men getting the better of the fighting. Unlike the rigid formations used in the East, the fighting in Glorieta Pass tended to be focused on small unit actions due to the broken terrain. After forcing Sloughs men to fall back to Pigeon Ranch, and then Kozlowskis Ranch, Scurry broke off the fighting happy to have achieved a tactical victory. While the battle was raging between Slough and Scurry, Chivingtons scouts succeeded in locating the Confederate supply train. Out of position to assist in Sloughs attack, Chivington elected not to rush to the sound of the guns, but rather advanced and captured the Confederate supplies after a brief skirmish at Johnsons Ranch. With the loss of the supply train, Scurry was forced to withdraw despite having won a victory in the pass. Battle of Glorieta Pass - Aftermath: Union casualties at the Battle of Glorieta Pass numbered 51 killed, 78 wounded, and 15 captured. Confederate forces suffered 48 killed, 80 wounded, and 92 captured. While a tactical Confederate victory, the Battle of Glorieta Pass proved to be a key strategic win for the Union. Due to the loss of his supply train, Sibley was forced to withdraw back to Texas, ultimately arriving at San Antonio. The defeat of Sibleys New Mexico Campaign effectively ended Confederate designs on the Southwest and the area remained in Union hands for the duration of the war. Due to the decisive nature of the battle, it is sometimes referred to as the Gettysburg of the West. Selected Sources CWSAC Battle Summaries: Battle of Glorieta PassBattle of Glorieta Pass: A Shattered DreamPhotographs of Glorieta Pass

Novel Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Novel Response - Essay Example However, somehow despite the hostile environment and state, immediate sense of awe and wonder that is evoked is felt.  The members come to realize that they play a vital role individually and corporately to return the land. P. 72  "Shall we head up further for him, to the crags? Theres an Ogre or two and could introduce a Hag to it, up there." "Certainly not," said Caspian. "I should think not, indeed," said Truffle-hunter. "The same variety needs nothing on the minor." Besides the appropriate requirements. The imagination of the sense of unity and responsibility drives them to stand up for change in something real. P. 187 â€Å"However, the new bout went well. The shield may have certainly been used well by Peter and make use his feet skillfully. He almost played Tig with Miraz; shifting his ground to keep out of range, making the enemy work.† It is all about taking steps driven by the desire for change in order to attain the destroyed glory. (Lewis) The main conflict in the book is leadership tussle between a prince who is fighting for his crown and a false king who has taken the mantle. The prince was dethroned because he was young. Therefore, he was seen as not capable of leading. It narrows down to a battle of only two men who are to determine the fate of the entire world. This conflict is an external conflict that later involves all the members of the land. The conflict is resolved through battle and unity amongst the members of the land ending up in victory. The most favorable part is when Miraz is challenged by Peter to a High King duel. Peter become victorious as Miraz had tripped over a tussock and could never get up. Lord Glozelle whom he had earlier insulted in revenge killed him. The Narnians did the consequent battle with the help of Aslan. Finally Caspian is crowned as King of Narnia by Aslan, and this resulted to the door opening at the edge of the cliff. Telmarines who had gathered were give an option to choose to

Homosexuality and LGBT rights in Vietnam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Homosexuality and LGBT rights in Vietnam - Essay Example The country hosts highly talented people belonging to a variety of professions including artists, scientists, lawyers, and economists. Still, the discrimination of the society toward the LGBT community in general is overt. Vietnam is just another country among a range of conservative countries in which homosexuality is perceived as a taboo. While people hold different views about it, the view against homosexuality is carried by a vast majority of people in the society. Although a Google search over the keywords â€Å"Dong tinh† leads an individual to more than 250 million links in a fraction of a second, yet most of the links reveal the negative stance of the society of Vietnam over the topic of homosexuality. Most people in Vietnam express curiosity and distress over the topic, and articles citing cases of discrimination against the homosexuals in different ways can be readily found. However, the situation has started to change recently in favor of the LGBT community in Vietn am, even though the country has to go a long way before equality of rights of the LGBT community can be established. A major hurdle in the way of social acceptance of the LGBT community in Vietnam is certain misunderstandings. At a conference organized for gay-rights, Le Quang Binh, the think-tank leader mentioned that while 57 per cent of the Vietnamese thought of homosexuality as a social fad, 48 per cent of them thought that it was a curable condition. Nguyen Thanh Tam, the Viet Pride founder recalled the curiosity shown by people to see the rainbow flags at the last year’s event in these words, â€Å"People were running up to us asking why we were carrying rainbow flags. They wanted to know what product we were marketing† (Tam cited in Phillips). According to the LGBT activist Tam, life for the lesbians is made particularly complicated by the police as the police hauls them in for questioning on charges that while their gender is mentioned as female on their identity cards, they look like boys to the cops. A major barrier in the way of the LGBT movement is social conformity. Peopl e belonging to the minority are understood by others with difficulty since people tend to follow the norm that being different is bad. Rights of the LGBT community in Vietnam is a pleasant outlier among the human-rights statistics’ bleak set. The police has arrested many dissident bloggers in 2013 whereas the total number of political prisoners in detention in Vietnam surpasses 150 (Phillips). The case of Dieu Cay, the campaigning journalist is one of the most high-profile cases in Vietnam. â€Å"Suffering a raft of serious health problems that require round-the-clock care, the activist is serving a 12-year sentence for â€Å"disseminating antistate information and materials,† and on June 22, embarked on an ongoing hunger strike to protest his treatment† (Phillips). Same-sex couples in Vietnam have been fined for many decades for holding the relationship ceremonies in the past. Contrary to the decades-long history of anti-gay sentiment in Vietnam, circumstances have started to change in favor of the LGBT community as a result of alteration in the laws. Gay and lesbian couples are likely to soon be allowed to conduct ceremonies of relationship in Vietnam. Lawmakers in Vietnam have started to conduct a debate regarding the hope of the advocates of gay rights and their allies that Vietnam might permit same-sex marriages in near future. Of late, the National Assembly of Vietnam has scheduled the commencement of a debate regarding amendment of the Law of Marriage and the Family which would, in effect, annul the ban placed over same-sex marriage, though the law would not allow