Diwash Bhusal
Jason S Kirkmeyer
International English 1210
9th September 2009
Nepal is a culturally rich country . There are people from different religions , casts and ethnic having different lifestyle , food , beliefs , language and food . It has a variety of festivals celebrated by different people every year . There are different religions like Hindu , Muslim , Buddhist , Sikh and Christian . Nepal has a great number of Hindu people so it is believed to be Hindu country . There are many temples all over the country that represents different religions of our country .
Being a Hindu country , there are uncountable festivals of Hindu celebrated each year and Maha Shivaratri is one of the important festival which occurs in the month of February . It is a festival where lord shiva is worshipped . In Hindu epic lord Shiva is believed to be creator of this world , Nature , living beings and other gods. so people from India and other countries come to Nepal to visit the Pashupatinath temple of lord Shiva . There will be a long queue to worship lord Shiva at Pashupatinath temple. Pashupatinath is even termed as one of the biggest Hindu temple of lord Shiva. So , me and my friends used to visit Pashupatinath to see the crowd and enjoy the festival.
There is a festival of water and color known as Holi which is celebrated on the month of February . This festival is especially enjoyed by young people . On this day people wander in streets on groups with different colors smeared all over them . People also carry water balloons to throw at each other and people walking down the streets . They meet their friends, throw colors and water balloons on them and wish them shouting Happy Holi . We also used to gather in groups and visit our friends home to wish them Holi . Its a three day festival which is a good way to enjoy with friends.
As lord Buddha was born in Nepal so there is large population of Buddhist people celebrating Lhosar as their biggest festival . Lhosar means new year of Buddhist community . The different monasteries of our country are decorated with colorful flags and they also rhyme their holy songs and perform dances . They welcome their new year with family gathering and wearing new clothes, jewelries and also by giving gifts . I had alot of Buddhist friends who used to invite me in Lhosar . The best thing I love about this festival was the food , cultural dances and the colorful flags all around.
Buddhist also celebrate Buddha Jayanti . it is celebrated on the birth date of lord Buddha . it is also known as Buddha Purnima . it falls on the month of April . lord budhha is the founder of Buddhism and was born in Lumbini that lies in the western region of nepal . so on Buddha purnima the place will be crowded by monks and Buddhists . So it is awesome to be at Lumbini celebrating Buddha Purnima because the place with monks is so peaceful . I would prefer everyone to visit lumbini on Buddha Purnima with their loved ones.
Nepal has its official calendar . The first month is Baisakh that falls on mid of April . This very first date of Baisakh is known as “Navavarsha” which means Newyear . People prefer to celebrate it by their ownways . Some like to drink while other organize picnics , parties , dance events . People send card and gifts to beloved ones so that the coming year will be full of happiness and prosperity for them.
There is Gaijatra which is celebrated on the month of August. It lasts for 10 days . This Festival is famous for singing dancing and comedy . People visit to different comedy, singing & dancing events to enjoy this festival . We can even watch shows on tv on this festival but I would watch it live .
Dashain is the believed as the main and biggest festival of people in Nepal . The belief behind this festival was the victory of goddess Durga who killed the evil . So , it is celebrated as a win on evil . Dashain is celebrated in the month of September / October . It lasts for ten days . The 1st day is called Ghatasthapana , 7th is called Fulpati , 8th day is called Astami , 9th day is called Nawami . On this day people gift goats , buffaloes , vegetables or birds to goddess . Lastly , the final 10th day is Bijaya Dashami or Dashain . People wear new clothes and go to temple to worship goddess Durga . then at home we receive Tika from our elders . We also get a lot of cash as gifts from our elders . This festival brings home all the members who are far away from their home and family . The whole country will be in enthusiastic holiday mood during this festival. Different people have their own style of celebrating this festival. Some people like to celebrate with family by talking to them or making different foods at home . While other like to celebrate with friends by playing cards and drinking . I also enjoy this festival because each of our relatives are home for this festival so I get a chance to hang around with my cousins . We get new clothes , variety of foods , and lots of cash which is the main reason we like it .
The other festival is Deepawali which is also known as Tihar . It lies just after Dashain on mid of October . This festival last for four days . The 1st day is called Kaag Tihar where we worship a crow . The 2nd one is Kukur Tihar where we worship dogs . The 3rd one is Goru Tihar where we worship cow and the final day is called Bhai Tika . It a festival for sisters who pray for their brother’s safety and prosperity . I don’t celebrate this festival because I don’t have any sisters to celebrate it . The most interesting act in this festival is on evening which is known as Dheusi-Bhailo program where people make a group and visit others home to sing songs and dance and they get reward for that . This is what I like about this festival.
We also have a festival where we worship snakes and that is known as Naag Panchami . in Hindu culture they own a prominent place because of the stories and fables in Hindu Mythologies . it is believed that lord Bishnu reclines on snake while sleeping in the sea . People feed milk to snake so that the snake won’t harm them all their life and they worship it in honor of snakes .
I have just mentioned some of our big festivals but beside this we also have many festivals that is not celebrated by all people . The main thing I like about this festival is we get public holidays . We can spend time with our relatives who are far from us . We can hang out with friends like a get together . People are always busy with their busy schedule so festivals are the only time when we can find everyone spending time with their families and friends . So , I always used to look forward for this festival . Now , I am miles away from home , relatives , friends . I know it will not be the same what I had at Nepal . Festival celebrated at Nepal are not celebrated here or we don’t have any holiday for it but being in a small community of Nepali over here it will be fun to celebrate festivals over here .
Friday, October 23, 2009
Country Pride
Lenyn Leonce
Jason S Kirkmeyer
English 1210
October 9, 2009
Blue, black, white and gold; put these colors together in a certain order and you will get the flag of my home country, the beautiful island of St.Lucia. I was born and raised on this island, of course with the exception of regular travelling occasions, having being a national athlete; but no moment in any other country could ever come close to the jubilant ones I had in my home town. The blue reflects our tropical sky and also our emerald surrounding waters— the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The gold represents the sunshine. The white and black signify the races of the affable people it shelters. The flag is organized in an intricate isosceles triangular shape which represents the land on which the people of St.Lucia walk on a daily basis, but more specifically, the triangles represent our World Heritage Sites, the twin pitons.
Saint Lucian artist Dunstan St. Omer who is a personal friend of mine created this exquisite masterpiece, one which I look at everyday and reminisce on the times which I shared with my friends , neighbors, track team mates and most importantly , my family. The island of St.Lucia, located in the West Indies, which is also called the Helen of the West, is known for its tropical climate, many white sand beaches and for its World Heritage sites, the twin Pitons- Gros Piton and Petite Piton. For any patriotic individual, whether living in the island or living abroad, there is always a sense of pride and allegiance to their country. As an athlete representing my country around the World, I have come to acknowledge the importance of my own national flag, especially when I see it hoisted up among the many flags of the countries around the world when I attend a track meet.
The frequent traveling I did representing my country as an athlete has also allowed me to conjecture my own feelings and meanings to our different national symbols, particularly, our National Flag. I came from the small city of Castries, to be specific, a community called Carellie Gardens, which can be described as a very active and social place. This is what the land part of the flag reminds me of. The many times I tumbled on the hard dusty surface, not at all similar to the land of Wyoming ( my current residence ), while at track practice or at the regular cricket matches which I shared with my classmates or neighbors. The frequent visits to the beach were one of my many personal favorite natural ventures. I could still feel the salty cool water brushing against my face or entering my mouth and ears, and the sand trapped between my toes, while running, hands extended with clustered sand particles in them, usually aiming towards my friends back or head on the more violent occasions. I remember the one time of my eighteen years of existence ,that I climbed one of the twin peaks ,Gros- Piton which mean “ big peak “ in English. It was a very ecstatic adventure having seeing and hearing all the birds and other creatures chirping was a wonderful feeling. The trees swaying in the early morning breeze, and me, being at the higher points where the wind was really strong, was an experience I would never forget. The best part of the hike was reaching the summit of the mountain and seeing the whole southern side of the island right at my feet but mainly seeing the only drive-through volcano in the world bubbling a few miles away.
Like all other national flags, there is heavy symbolism in the design of the flag and its colors. The designer of the flag has described it as “A device consisting of a white and black triangular shape, at the base of which a golden triangle occupies a central position. The triangles are superimposed on one another; the black on the white and the gold on the black. The black ends as a three pointed star on the centre of the flag” (contributors). The black and white of the National Flag represents the kind, peaceful, helpful, and neighborly people who reside in this Helen of the West. As is seen on the flag, the triangular black area is evidently larger than the triangular white area. This signifies that here in St.Lucia, the majority of people who reside here are of African origin, therefore, giving them their rich, dark color. The white represent the small number of Caucasians who also reside there. Together, living in harmony, the people are the most important aspect of the growth of this developing country. However, personally and from experience, the black and white of the flag signifies the diverse races which I come into contact with every time I travel. This shows that talent has no color or race and this outlook has enabled me to form many lifelong friendships.
In connection with the people, comes the aspect of culture. My grandparents would always teach me (the rituals) of their time so that their traditions would continue for many generations to come. Grandparents were the best, they can always relate to any problem I had which made me very comfortable and secure in their presence, of course with the exception of the recent technological improvements of the world which they have no knowledge of. I remember the many times my family and I attended the numerous national festivals and traditions which were celebrated on the island, such as the La Rose and La Maguerite celebrations, Jounen Kweyol, which means Creole Day, among many others which would go into the wee hours of the morning. These festival activities could be considered to be dangerous, but in St.Lucia this is not the case. I always felt safe during these times. In my small island, where ‘everybody knew everybody’ and where it takes a community to raise a child, safety, being important in any place, can be taken for granted. Doors could be left unlocked, even pots being on fire with the certainty that the house would be taken cared of by members of the community. All this reflection on community and traditions has instilled in me a greater appreciation towards my county; not only in the aforementioned ways but it made me more appreciative towards our year round sunshine.
Being here in Wyoming has affected my own appreciation for the climate of my country. For some, the island is blessed with a tropical climate, resulting in sunshine all year round, but for others, this sunshine can become scorching heat and very crippling, causing everything and everyone to be slowed down. However, the tropical climate has allowed for beautiful and natural flora and fauna. This greenery beautifies the country all year round. Hence, the gold part of the flag represents the prevailing sunshine that shines on the country, causing everything to be green and fresh. Also, this gold signifies the prosperity in St.Lucia and the Caribbean. The blue backdrop of the flag represents the many oceans and seas surrounding this Helen of the West, as well as the blue sky.
I am a very proud St.Lucian and everywhere I go I try my best to bring a little bit of my country with me. Whether it be sharing our culture with others, or simply speaking about this little island of the West to my colleagues, I represent my country in everything I do. Just like the islands’ famous twin Peaks, rising out of the sea towards the sky, symbolizing the hopes and aspirations of me and the people of my country, I too will rise and shine.
Works Cited
contributors , Wikipedia. "Saint Lucia." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. , 2009. Web. < title="Saint_Lucia&oldid="319708167">.
Jason S Kirkmeyer
English 1210
October 9, 2009
Blue, black, white and gold; put these colors together in a certain order and you will get the flag of my home country, the beautiful island of St.Lucia. I was born and raised on this island, of course with the exception of regular travelling occasions, having being a national athlete; but no moment in any other country could ever come close to the jubilant ones I had in my home town. The blue reflects our tropical sky and also our emerald surrounding waters— the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The gold represents the sunshine. The white and black signify the races of the affable people it shelters. The flag is organized in an intricate isosceles triangular shape which represents the land on which the people of St.Lucia walk on a daily basis, but more specifically, the triangles represent our World Heritage Sites, the twin pitons.
Saint Lucian artist Dunstan St. Omer who is a personal friend of mine created this exquisite masterpiece, one which I look at everyday and reminisce on the times which I shared with my friends , neighbors, track team mates and most importantly , my family. The island of St.Lucia, located in the West Indies, which is also called the Helen of the West, is known for its tropical climate, many white sand beaches and for its World Heritage sites, the twin Pitons- Gros Piton and Petite Piton. For any patriotic individual, whether living in the island or living abroad, there is always a sense of pride and allegiance to their country. As an athlete representing my country around the World, I have come to acknowledge the importance of my own national flag, especially when I see it hoisted up among the many flags of the countries around the world when I attend a track meet.
The frequent traveling I did representing my country as an athlete has also allowed me to conjecture my own feelings and meanings to our different national symbols, particularly, our National Flag. I came from the small city of Castries, to be specific, a community called Carellie Gardens, which can be described as a very active and social place. This is what the land part of the flag reminds me of. The many times I tumbled on the hard dusty surface, not at all similar to the land of Wyoming ( my current residence ), while at track practice or at the regular cricket matches which I shared with my classmates or neighbors. The frequent visits to the beach were one of my many personal favorite natural ventures. I could still feel the salty cool water brushing against my face or entering my mouth and ears, and the sand trapped between my toes, while running, hands extended with clustered sand particles in them, usually aiming towards my friends back or head on the more violent occasions. I remember the one time of my eighteen years of existence ,that I climbed one of the twin peaks ,Gros- Piton which mean “ big peak “ in English. It was a very ecstatic adventure having seeing and hearing all the birds and other creatures chirping was a wonderful feeling. The trees swaying in the early morning breeze, and me, being at the higher points where the wind was really strong, was an experience I would never forget. The best part of the hike was reaching the summit of the mountain and seeing the whole southern side of the island right at my feet but mainly seeing the only drive-through volcano in the world bubbling a few miles away.
Like all other national flags, there is heavy symbolism in the design of the flag and its colors. The designer of the flag has described it as “A device consisting of a white and black triangular shape, at the base of which a golden triangle occupies a central position. The triangles are superimposed on one another; the black on the white and the gold on the black. The black ends as a three pointed star on the centre of the flag” (contributors). The black and white of the National Flag represents the kind, peaceful, helpful, and neighborly people who reside in this Helen of the West. As is seen on the flag, the triangular black area is evidently larger than the triangular white area. This signifies that here in St.Lucia, the majority of people who reside here are of African origin, therefore, giving them their rich, dark color. The white represent the small number of Caucasians who also reside there. Together, living in harmony, the people are the most important aspect of the growth of this developing country. However, personally and from experience, the black and white of the flag signifies the diverse races which I come into contact with every time I travel. This shows that talent has no color or race and this outlook has enabled me to form many lifelong friendships.
In connection with the people, comes the aspect of culture. My grandparents would always teach me (the rituals) of their time so that their traditions would continue for many generations to come. Grandparents were the best, they can always relate to any problem I had which made me very comfortable and secure in their presence, of course with the exception of the recent technological improvements of the world which they have no knowledge of. I remember the many times my family and I attended the numerous national festivals and traditions which were celebrated on the island, such as the La Rose and La Maguerite celebrations, Jounen Kweyol, which means Creole Day, among many others which would go into the wee hours of the morning. These festival activities could be considered to be dangerous, but in St.Lucia this is not the case. I always felt safe during these times. In my small island, where ‘everybody knew everybody’ and where it takes a community to raise a child, safety, being important in any place, can be taken for granted. Doors could be left unlocked, even pots being on fire with the certainty that the house would be taken cared of by members of the community. All this reflection on community and traditions has instilled in me a greater appreciation towards my county; not only in the aforementioned ways but it made me more appreciative towards our year round sunshine.
Being here in Wyoming has affected my own appreciation for the climate of my country. For some, the island is blessed with a tropical climate, resulting in sunshine all year round, but for others, this sunshine can become scorching heat and very crippling, causing everything and everyone to be slowed down. However, the tropical climate has allowed for beautiful and natural flora and fauna. This greenery beautifies the country all year round. Hence, the gold part of the flag represents the prevailing sunshine that shines on the country, causing everything to be green and fresh. Also, this gold signifies the prosperity in St.Lucia and the Caribbean. The blue backdrop of the flag represents the many oceans and seas surrounding this Helen of the West, as well as the blue sky.
I am a very proud St.Lucian and everywhere I go I try my best to bring a little bit of my country with me. Whether it be sharing our culture with others, or simply speaking about this little island of the West to my colleagues, I represent my country in everything I do. Just like the islands’ famous twin Peaks, rising out of the sea towards the sky, symbolizing the hopes and aspirations of me and the people of my country, I too will rise and shine.
Works Cited
contributors , Wikipedia. "Saint Lucia." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. , 2009. Web. < title="Saint_Lucia&oldid="319708167">.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Friendship between Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine
In 1923 Hu Shih cogently remarked that “ever since the beginning of reform tendencies in China, there is not a single person who calls himself a modern man and yet dares openly to belittle science.” 1All of China’s modern intellectuals accepted Hu Shih’s ideas on what constituted science.2 Starting from the late 19th century, some politicians and Chinese scholars with background in Western medicine have been trying to phase out Traditional Chinese Medicine totally in China. They thought Chinese medicine is a kind of pseudoscience. Chinese medicine does not have background about modern science. However, nobody can say the curative effect from Chinese medicine is really bad. On the other hand, there is something in western medicine better than Chinese medicine. Making up the friendship between them will help people who need a health care to get their original health back.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
The clinical diagnosis and treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine are mainly based on the yin-yang and five elements theories. These theories apply the phenomena and laws of nature to the study of the physiological activities and pathological changes of the human body and its interrelationships. The typical Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong exercises.3 This is why so many modern intellectuals disagree with the traditional medicine. The terms, yin-yang, five elements and qigong, are not real tangible. Those are from the imagination from our ancestors who study traditional medicine. This is not a kind of science. However Dr. Croizier said the most obvious value is that Chinese medicine has survived for thousands of years because in many cases it actually works.4
What is western medicine?
Western medicine, instead of Chinese medicine, is an absolute science. It is a study of the symptom of the disease and the treatment it directly. It can cure the disease very fast just like having an operation or taking an injection. However, the problem is you cannot get your original health back.
What to do with them two?
Chinese medicine and western medicine also have something in common. Chinese medicine always use herbal medicine which is from the nature, and the western medicine always use the pills which using the modern technique to synthesize the compound they need. Chemistry is from nature, and the nature has more kinds of compounds than the compounds synthesize in the lab. Why not using the nature compound instead of lab compound?
Within China, there has been a great deal of cooperation between Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and Western medicine, especially in the field of ethno medicine. Outside of China, the relationship between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine is more contentious. While more and more medical schools are including classes on alternative medicine in their curricula, older Western doctors and scientists are more likely than their Chinese counterparts to skeptically view Traditional Chinese Medicine as archaic pseudoscience and superstition.
Chinese medicine’s main point is to see the phenomenon of the disease and consider the balance of your human body, then try using some medicine to repair your healthy balance. For example, there is a room full up with rubbish and attract numerous flies, and this room is just like your sick body. Because of those rubbish, numerous flies fly into that room. What should you do if you want let those flies leave that room? For Chinese medicine, people should clean the room first, and then the flies must disappear after the room got clearly. But do not you think that treatment is too slow? The room is getting more and more clearly which is just like your health is getting more and more balance. However, the flies are breeding all the time. You cannot let those flies disappear immediately. This is the treatment from Chinese medicine. It works well, but it needs a long time. For some emergency, it cannot treat very well.
Western medicine sees the inspection results as standard. If you got something wrong with your body, their treatments face it directly. The same example, there is a room full up with rubbish and attract numerous flies. What should a western doctor do? He must take a powerful pesticide here, and kills those flies immediately. Of course, it works very fast. However, after a well some other flies fly towards the rubbish again. It is just like a patient get a cancer, and then he takes an operation which cut his cancer cells off. But the balance of his body damaged by the operation that means he cannot get his original health back again. Maybe he will got the cancer again and again.
By the way, both Chinese medicine and western medicine are not perfect. Both of them have their special side, and we cannot say which one is better. Just like the difference between a landscape painting and an oil painting, the Buddhism and the Catholicism, coffee and tea, a mathematician and a poet. Thinking from different side you maybe like different things. Scientist cannot integrate them together, but you can let them coordination.
We can let them coordination that is the friendship between the Chinese medicine and the western medicine. Both of them use their significant advantages to treat the disease. The western medicine kills the flies by their powerful pesticide firstly, and then the Chinese medicine cleans the dirty room immediately. By the way, the disease will recover very soon. The contradiction between Chinese medicine and western medicine is a problem of perception which having no contact with medical science.
Considering both the different and common sides of western medicine and Chinese medicine, they have their own special aspects. Each has its bright qualities and their dull qualities. There is no way to say that which one is not a science. Making up the friendship between them will help us to get our original health back.
Bibliography:
Chang Chunmai, Ting Wenchiang, K’e-hsueh yu jenshang kuan. Science and philosophy of life. Shanghai, 1923. P.3
Croizier Ralph, Traditional Medicine in Modern China, Boston: Harvard UP,1968.p.1
Shui, Qing, Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine. 23 Mar.2003 <http://www.tcmpage.com/>
Croizier Ralph, Traditional Medicine in Modern China, Boston: Harvard UP,1968.p.3
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
The clinical diagnosis and treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine are mainly based on the yin-yang and five elements theories. These theories apply the phenomena and laws of nature to the study of the physiological activities and pathological changes of the human body and its interrelationships. The typical Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong exercises.3 This is why so many modern intellectuals disagree with the traditional medicine. The terms, yin-yang, five elements and qigong, are not real tangible. Those are from the imagination from our ancestors who study traditional medicine. This is not a kind of science. However Dr. Croizier said the most obvious value is that Chinese medicine has survived for thousands of years because in many cases it actually works.4
What is western medicine?
Western medicine, instead of Chinese medicine, is an absolute science. It is a study of the symptom of the disease and the treatment it directly. It can cure the disease very fast just like having an operation or taking an injection. However, the problem is you cannot get your original health back.
What to do with them two?
Chinese medicine and western medicine also have something in common. Chinese medicine always use herbal medicine which is from the nature, and the western medicine always use the pills which using the modern technique to synthesize the compound they need. Chemistry is from nature, and the nature has more kinds of compounds than the compounds synthesize in the lab. Why not using the nature compound instead of lab compound?
Within China, there has been a great deal of cooperation between Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and Western medicine, especially in the field of ethno medicine. Outside of China, the relationship between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine is more contentious. While more and more medical schools are including classes on alternative medicine in their curricula, older Western doctors and scientists are more likely than their Chinese counterparts to skeptically view Traditional Chinese Medicine as archaic pseudoscience and superstition.
Chinese medicine’s main point is to see the phenomenon of the disease and consider the balance of your human body, then try using some medicine to repair your healthy balance. For example, there is a room full up with rubbish and attract numerous flies, and this room is just like your sick body. Because of those rubbish, numerous flies fly into that room. What should you do if you want let those flies leave that room? For Chinese medicine, people should clean the room first, and then the flies must disappear after the room got clearly. But do not you think that treatment is too slow? The room is getting more and more clearly which is just like your health is getting more and more balance. However, the flies are breeding all the time. You cannot let those flies disappear immediately. This is the treatment from Chinese medicine. It works well, but it needs a long time. For some emergency, it cannot treat very well.
Western medicine sees the inspection results as standard. If you got something wrong with your body, their treatments face it directly. The same example, there is a room full up with rubbish and attract numerous flies. What should a western doctor do? He must take a powerful pesticide here, and kills those flies immediately. Of course, it works very fast. However, after a well some other flies fly towards the rubbish again. It is just like a patient get a cancer, and then he takes an operation which cut his cancer cells off. But the balance of his body damaged by the operation that means he cannot get his original health back again. Maybe he will got the cancer again and again.
By the way, both Chinese medicine and western medicine are not perfect. Both of them have their special side, and we cannot say which one is better. Just like the difference between a landscape painting and an oil painting, the Buddhism and the Catholicism, coffee and tea, a mathematician and a poet. Thinking from different side you maybe like different things. Scientist cannot integrate them together, but you can let them coordination.
We can let them coordination that is the friendship between the Chinese medicine and the western medicine. Both of them use their significant advantages to treat the disease. The western medicine kills the flies by their powerful pesticide firstly, and then the Chinese medicine cleans the dirty room immediately. By the way, the disease will recover very soon. The contradiction between Chinese medicine and western medicine is a problem of perception which having no contact with medical science.
Considering both the different and common sides of western medicine and Chinese medicine, they have their own special aspects. Each has its bright qualities and their dull qualities. There is no way to say that which one is not a science. Making up the friendship between them will help us to get our original health back.
Bibliography:
Chang Chunmai, Ting Wenchiang, K’e-hsueh yu jenshang kuan. Science and philosophy of life. Shanghai, 1923. P.3
Croizier Ralph, Traditional Medicine in Modern China, Boston: Harvard UP,1968.p.1
Shui, Qing, Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine. 23 Mar.2003 <http://www.tcmpage.com/>
Croizier Ralph, Traditional Medicine in Modern China, Boston: Harvard UP,1968.p.3
"Roman Polanski: To Free, or Not to Free? That is the Question"
Kara Healey
Professor Jason Kirkmeyer
English 1010
12 October 2009
Roman Polanski: To Free, or Not to Free? That is the Question
On August 18, 1933 Raimund Polanski was born in Paris, France. Three years later, little Raimund and his parents moved to his father’s hometown of Krakow, Poland. Unfortunately, tragedy found the family in 1941 when both of Raimund’s parents were sent to Nazi concentration camps; his mother eventually dying at Auschwitz. Young Raimund stayed with several Polish families until his reunion with his father in 1944. As he grew, Raimund developed a love for creating movies and enrolled in the National Polish Film Academy in 1954. In 1968, after directing two successful films in Europe, Polanski married a popular actress named Sharon Tate and moved to Hollywood. Again, Polanski’s world was shattered when in 1969 his pregnant wife was murdered by the Charles Manson Family (“Roman Polanski – Biography”). After the incident, Polanski came to despise the media for the way they had portrayed his wife’s murder (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
After his wife’s death, Roman developed a reputation for being a partier and a womanizer (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired) and in 1977, was convicted of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl (Howell). On February 1, 1978 (Howell) – the eve of his sentencing – Polanski fled to Paris and has never returned (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). Recently, on September 27, 2009, Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on his way to the Zurich Film Festival and is currently being held in custody there awaiting extradition to the United States (“Polanski Arrested…”).
Since his trial in 1977, new evidence has come to light of corruption and mishandling of Polanski’s original case. This evidence, coupled with Polanski’s current age of 76 and background as a critically acclaimed director, has some people calling for Polanski’s release. Others believe Polanski should be brought back to the United States to face his crime and be punished. While the details of the Polanski saga are not always clear, what is clear is that Roman Polanski’s case history, court room proceedings, and moral decisions must all be examined and addressed to devise a solution that satisfies not only Polanski’s supporters, but also those who wish to see him atone for his crimes through the administration of the United States judicial system.
Roman Polanski’s case began on March 11, 1977 in Los Angeles, California, when he was arrested and charged with six counts of illegal conduct, including 1) furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, 2) committing a lewd or lascivious act on a child, 3) unlawful sexual intercourse, 4) rape by use of drugs, 5) perversion, and 6) sodomy. The victim’s name was Samantha Gailey, and the incident took place during a photo shoot at the home of actor Jack Nicholson in Beverly Hills. Nicholson was out of town at the time, but had given Polanski – who had been asked to “shoot photos of girls from around the world” for Vogue magazine – permission to conduct the shoot at his home. It was the second photo shoot Polanski had done with Gailey, and the two were let in to Nicholson’s home by the caretaker (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
According to testimony given by both Polanski and Gailey at the trial, after going inside the house, Polanski produced a bottle of champagne and a quaalaude tablet and offered them to Gailey. She took them. As Polanski was taking photos of the teen near the bay window, he asked her to remove her shirt, which she did “without hesitation” according to Polanski. He said he felt an “erotic tension” between them. Awhile later, Gailey stripped to the nude and got into the Jacuzzi. Polanski claimed there wasn’t enough light to take pictures in the hot tub, and they left the water and began to dry themselves and one another. Polanski testified that he then “very gently began to kiss and caress her.” Gailey testified that she told Polanski, “No, keep away,” but Polanski claimed that “she wasn’t unresponsive” and there was no doubt about her experience and “lack of inhibition.” Gailey told the court that she had felt dizzy and blurry, and she had trouble remembering parts of the experience. Roman Polanski never believed that he had broken the law by having sex with the teenager (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Roman Polanski’s trial gained worldwide recognition. The American media portrayed the director as a villain, while the European press viewed Polanski as a victim of bad circumstances. Not surprisingly, the courtroom turned into a media frenzy (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Laurence J. Rittenband – the senior judge in Santa Monica – presided over Polanski’s case. Rittenband had always taken special interest in celebrity cases and asked to be assigned to Polanski’s. It was well known that Rittenband loved the media and always had comments for the press when asked. Marilyn Beck, a Hollywood gossip columnist who spoke to judge Rittenband frequently, claimed that “he [Rittenband] liked being among the stars” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). Former public defender Michael Caine agreed saying, “I don’t know any judge that liked publicity as much as Rittenband did” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He even went so far as to have his bailiff keep a scrapbook containing any newspaper article that mentioned Judge Rittenband’s name. Rittenband was also known for being a womanizer in public and a tough punisher on the bench (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
At the time of his arraignment, Polanski plead not guilty to all charges. Gailey’s attorney, Laurence Silver, tried to protect his client’s anonymity by attempting to arrange a plea deal. After the district attorney, Roger Gunson, refused Silver’s suggestion of a plea bargain, Silver went directly to Douglas Dalton – Polanski’s attorney. However, Dalton refused the idea, believing Polanski would be cleared of all charges. It was only after a pair of Gailey’s panties – a very damning piece of evidence – had been introduced into the case, that Dalton called Silver and agreed to negotiate for a plea deal. Roman Polanski would plead guilty to the lowest count of unlawful sexual intercourse, and his sentence would be based on the probation report and council arguments. Judge Rittenband accepted the plea agreement (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
At that time, the punishment for unlawful sexual intercourse was an indeterminate sentence, meaning the guilty party could be sent to a state prison for anywhere from six months to fifty years. However, Polanski’s probation report recommended no incarceration time and only “straight probationary sentences” for the esteemed director. Judge Rittenband decided to order Polanski to be examined by two psychiatrists to determine his soundness of mind, and that the sentencing would be determined after the psychiatric reports. On these terms, Polanski could have faced a number of sentences, including an assignment to a mental hospital, one year in county jail, fifty years in state prison, deportation, or probation (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
One of the psychiatrists who examined Polanski was Dr. Ronald Markman, who described Polanski as “a very congenial, yet somewhat reserved guy, who was very straightforward in the interview” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He went on to say, “As experiences go, Roman Polanski has had more than what would impact on a dozen people… It was my opinion that Mr. Polanski did not qualify as a mentally disorder sex offender and should not be handled as such” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
After receiving these psychiatric evaluations, Rittenband was still unsure of how to sentence Polanski and asked for advice from outside sources (an illegal practice for a judge.) Rittenband wanted to look good in the eyes of the media, so in order to give himself more time to think, the judge ordered Polanski to 90 days at California’s Chino State Prison for diagnostic observation. Legally, a diagnostic observation sentence is not to be used as punishment and is not a final sentence. Final sentencing follows the results of the observational period (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Rittenband called Dalton, Gunson, and Silver to his office to hand down the Chino sentence. He told the attorneys, “I don’t want to send Mr. Polanski to county jail because I don’t want to be responsible if he were to be injured or killed.” Because Polanski was in the middle of filming, Rittenband told Dalton to apply for “stays”, or deferments, of the observational period in 90 day increments, and that he would grant the stays for up to a year. Rittenband thought that granting a 90-day stay would sound better to the press than a one-year deferment. He then told the attorneys to pretend to argue the case in open court – in other words, put on a show for the press – and that he would hand down the Chino sentence at the end. Rittenband told Dalton, “If you do not tell the press about this, and if Polanski receives a good report from the probation department, which we all are quite sure he will, that will conclude his punishment” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). So when it came time for court, Dalton argued for probation and Gunson for prison, even though the victim and her family asked for no incarceration time for Polanski (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
According to the details of his plea bargain, Polanski was allowed to travel out of the country. The distributor for the movie that Polanski was filming invited the director to Munich to discuss the movie and have some fun. While there, Polanski was photographed partying at Oktoberfest. It came as a surprise to Judge Rittenband and the attorneys, who believed that Polanski was in Paris filming. Enraged and embarrassed, Rittenband ordered Polanski back to the United States and refused to grant any more stays. Polanski was ordered to begin his observational period at Chino immediately (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Authorities at Chino placed Polanski in protective custody. The director spent his time on cleaning detail and prepping for his new movie. After 42 days, Polanski was released with a recommendation for probation on his observation report. Rittenband read the report and declared it a “whitewash.” He once again called the attorneys to his chambers and announced that he would not keep his promise to release Polanski because he was receiving too much criticism from the media. Rittenband told Dalton that Polanski needed to make up the 48 days in custody that he missed by being released early, but when Gunson suggested 48 days in county jail Rittenband dismissed the idea, claiming that “the perception of a prison sentence” needed to be maintained for the press (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Once again, Rittenband told the attorneys to put on a show for the press. Rittenband told Dalton that at the hearing, he would hand down the 48-day prison sentence, but that if Dalton would come back to the courtroom after everyone had left, he would recall Polanski and have him released. However, Rittenband would also have Polanski deported, and wanted the director to waive any rights he had to a deportation hearing. Judge Rittenband had no authority over matters such as these and was once again showing illegal conduct. “It is illegal to impose an illegal condition upon somebody serving time in custody,” said Dalton (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He told Rittenband that if he wanted to deport Polanski, there would be a deportation hearing. Judge Rittenband responded saying that if Dalton insisted on having a hearing, he would withdraw his promises of Polanski’s release. Feeling that he could no longer trust the judge, Polanski boarded a plane to Paris, France and never returned (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
In an interview, Stephen Trott, the Chief Deputy District Attorney, described why Polanski could not be extradited from France:
“The treaty [with France] only specifies, number one, rape. As you know, Mr. Polanski was not convicted of rape; he was convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse and that’s a different crime than rape. Secondly, the treaty specifies that it’s discretionary on the part of France to return French citizens. In other words, they have an option. They can or they can’t, depending on how they feel about a particular case, or maybe even possibly, a particular person” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
After Polanski’s flight to France, Judge Rittenband immediately held a press conference on the pending case, also illegal judicial conduct. Rittenband announced that he planned to sentence Polanski in absentia. Dalton immediately prepared a challenge to disqualify a judge. This requires that an attorney proves that a judge holds prejudices against his client and that a fair trial cannot be had before him. Dalton showed the declaration to Gunson, who said that he would attest to everything written there. Judge Rittenband removed himself from the case on February 24, 1978, but never admitted to any of the accusations (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Everyone involved in the case agreed that Polanski had not received fair treatment. Gailey settled a civil suit with Polanski and publicly forgave him in 1997. That same year, Dalton and Gunson presented Polanski’s case to another Los Angeles superior court judge. The judge agreed that if Roman Polanski would return to the United States he would serve no more time in custody. However, Gunson and Dalton reported that the judge would want the proceedings televised. If so, Polanski refuses to participate (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Despite the plethora of evidence claiming that Polanski’s case was mishandled, many people still believe he should be punished. The pro-prosecution side claims that the rape of Gailey using drugs and alcohol has been widely overlooked by Polanski sympathizers. Not only was Polanski charged with the crime, he also pled guilty – another reason why he should be punished. They also point to the fact that Polanski’s 32 years in exile were spent at his multiple homes in Europe, continuing his movie career, winning an Oscar, remarrying, and fathering two children – hardly an unbearable punishment. They believe that Polanski’s story has been skewed by his sympathizers and that he should face justice because he broke the law; plain and simple (Harding).
While it is true that Polanski did not receive a fair trial the first time, I believe he should be returned to the United States to try to sort out the mess within the judicial system. If Polanski were to return, he would finally face sentencing for his 1977 crime. After the sentence was handed down, Polanski could file an appeal which may or may not be reviewed by an appellate court. If the case was reviewed, the court would either overturn Judge Rittenband’s earlier ruling or grant Polanski a retrial. However, because he skipped the country in 1978, if retried Polanski would be incarcerated for the duration of his retrial.
If he were to be found guilty again, Polanski’s current age would not play a role in the sentencing process. This is largely because a crime of manipulation over adolescence is not necessarily affected by the “aging out” – or maturing out of a behavior – process. Also, because he crossed international borders, Polanski would face new charges in federal court for evading justice. So while this course of action may appease the people who wish to see Roman Polanski face justice and his sympathizers who wish to see him treated fairly, it may also extend the Polanski saga because of the new federal charges he would face. Given the director’s advanced age, there is a good chance we may never see the resolution of Polanski’s case. One thing is for sure, the victim, Polanski’s family, and the rest of the world are waiting with baited breath to see exactly what will happen now that Roman Polanski has finally been caught.
Works Cited
Harding, Kate. "Reminder: Roman Polanski Raped a Child." Salon.com 28 Sept. 2009. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Oct. 2009. http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/us/lnacademic/auth/checkbrowser.do?rand=0.8579715754756315&cookieState=0&ipcounter=1&bhcp=1.
Howell, Peter. "Crime, Punishment and Roman Polanski." The Toronto Star 25 July 2008, Entertainment sec.: E04. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Oct. 2009. http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T7495498899&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T7495499302&cisb=22_T7495499301&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=8286&docNo=14.
Morton, James. "Opinion: Celebrities and Juries." Journal of Criminal Law 69.5 (2005): 365. EBSCOhost. Web. 5 Oct. 2009. http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=18367720&site=ehost-live.
"Polanski Arrested in Connection with 1970s Sex Charge." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 27 Sept. 2009. Web. 05 Oct. 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/27/zurich.roman.polanski.arrested/index.html.
"Roman Polanski - Biography -." Biography.com. Web. 05 Oct. 2009. http://www.biography.com/articles/Roman-Polanski-9443411.
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired. Dir. Marina Zenovich. Perf. Roman Polanski and Mia Farrow. Antidote Films, 2008. ITunes. 2009. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.
Professor Jason Kirkmeyer
English 1010
12 October 2009
Roman Polanski: To Free, or Not to Free? That is the Question
On August 18, 1933 Raimund Polanski was born in Paris, France. Three years later, little Raimund and his parents moved to his father’s hometown of Krakow, Poland. Unfortunately, tragedy found the family in 1941 when both of Raimund’s parents were sent to Nazi concentration camps; his mother eventually dying at Auschwitz. Young Raimund stayed with several Polish families until his reunion with his father in 1944. As he grew, Raimund developed a love for creating movies and enrolled in the National Polish Film Academy in 1954. In 1968, after directing two successful films in Europe, Polanski married a popular actress named Sharon Tate and moved to Hollywood. Again, Polanski’s world was shattered when in 1969 his pregnant wife was murdered by the Charles Manson Family (“Roman Polanski – Biography”). After the incident, Polanski came to despise the media for the way they had portrayed his wife’s murder (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
After his wife’s death, Roman developed a reputation for being a partier and a womanizer (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired) and in 1977, was convicted of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl (Howell). On February 1, 1978 (Howell) – the eve of his sentencing – Polanski fled to Paris and has never returned (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). Recently, on September 27, 2009, Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on his way to the Zurich Film Festival and is currently being held in custody there awaiting extradition to the United States (“Polanski Arrested…”).
Since his trial in 1977, new evidence has come to light of corruption and mishandling of Polanski’s original case. This evidence, coupled with Polanski’s current age of 76 and background as a critically acclaimed director, has some people calling for Polanski’s release. Others believe Polanski should be brought back to the United States to face his crime and be punished. While the details of the Polanski saga are not always clear, what is clear is that Roman Polanski’s case history, court room proceedings, and moral decisions must all be examined and addressed to devise a solution that satisfies not only Polanski’s supporters, but also those who wish to see him atone for his crimes through the administration of the United States judicial system.
Roman Polanski’s case began on March 11, 1977 in Los Angeles, California, when he was arrested and charged with six counts of illegal conduct, including 1) furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, 2) committing a lewd or lascivious act on a child, 3) unlawful sexual intercourse, 4) rape by use of drugs, 5) perversion, and 6) sodomy. The victim’s name was Samantha Gailey, and the incident took place during a photo shoot at the home of actor Jack Nicholson in Beverly Hills. Nicholson was out of town at the time, but had given Polanski – who had been asked to “shoot photos of girls from around the world” for Vogue magazine – permission to conduct the shoot at his home. It was the second photo shoot Polanski had done with Gailey, and the two were let in to Nicholson’s home by the caretaker (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
According to testimony given by both Polanski and Gailey at the trial, after going inside the house, Polanski produced a bottle of champagne and a quaalaude tablet and offered them to Gailey. She took them. As Polanski was taking photos of the teen near the bay window, he asked her to remove her shirt, which she did “without hesitation” according to Polanski. He said he felt an “erotic tension” between them. Awhile later, Gailey stripped to the nude and got into the Jacuzzi. Polanski claimed there wasn’t enough light to take pictures in the hot tub, and they left the water and began to dry themselves and one another. Polanski testified that he then “very gently began to kiss and caress her.” Gailey testified that she told Polanski, “No, keep away,” but Polanski claimed that “she wasn’t unresponsive” and there was no doubt about her experience and “lack of inhibition.” Gailey told the court that she had felt dizzy and blurry, and she had trouble remembering parts of the experience. Roman Polanski never believed that he had broken the law by having sex with the teenager (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Roman Polanski’s trial gained worldwide recognition. The American media portrayed the director as a villain, while the European press viewed Polanski as a victim of bad circumstances. Not surprisingly, the courtroom turned into a media frenzy (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Laurence J. Rittenband – the senior judge in Santa Monica – presided over Polanski’s case. Rittenband had always taken special interest in celebrity cases and asked to be assigned to Polanski’s. It was well known that Rittenband loved the media and always had comments for the press when asked. Marilyn Beck, a Hollywood gossip columnist who spoke to judge Rittenband frequently, claimed that “he [Rittenband] liked being among the stars” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). Former public defender Michael Caine agreed saying, “I don’t know any judge that liked publicity as much as Rittenband did” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He even went so far as to have his bailiff keep a scrapbook containing any newspaper article that mentioned Judge Rittenband’s name. Rittenband was also known for being a womanizer in public and a tough punisher on the bench (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
At the time of his arraignment, Polanski plead not guilty to all charges. Gailey’s attorney, Laurence Silver, tried to protect his client’s anonymity by attempting to arrange a plea deal. After the district attorney, Roger Gunson, refused Silver’s suggestion of a plea bargain, Silver went directly to Douglas Dalton – Polanski’s attorney. However, Dalton refused the idea, believing Polanski would be cleared of all charges. It was only after a pair of Gailey’s panties – a very damning piece of evidence – had been introduced into the case, that Dalton called Silver and agreed to negotiate for a plea deal. Roman Polanski would plead guilty to the lowest count of unlawful sexual intercourse, and his sentence would be based on the probation report and council arguments. Judge Rittenband accepted the plea agreement (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
At that time, the punishment for unlawful sexual intercourse was an indeterminate sentence, meaning the guilty party could be sent to a state prison for anywhere from six months to fifty years. However, Polanski’s probation report recommended no incarceration time and only “straight probationary sentences” for the esteemed director. Judge Rittenband decided to order Polanski to be examined by two psychiatrists to determine his soundness of mind, and that the sentencing would be determined after the psychiatric reports. On these terms, Polanski could have faced a number of sentences, including an assignment to a mental hospital, one year in county jail, fifty years in state prison, deportation, or probation (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
One of the psychiatrists who examined Polanski was Dr. Ronald Markman, who described Polanski as “a very congenial, yet somewhat reserved guy, who was very straightforward in the interview” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He went on to say, “As experiences go, Roman Polanski has had more than what would impact on a dozen people… It was my opinion that Mr. Polanski did not qualify as a mentally disorder sex offender and should not be handled as such” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
After receiving these psychiatric evaluations, Rittenband was still unsure of how to sentence Polanski and asked for advice from outside sources (an illegal practice for a judge.) Rittenband wanted to look good in the eyes of the media, so in order to give himself more time to think, the judge ordered Polanski to 90 days at California’s Chino State Prison for diagnostic observation. Legally, a diagnostic observation sentence is not to be used as punishment and is not a final sentence. Final sentencing follows the results of the observational period (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Rittenband called Dalton, Gunson, and Silver to his office to hand down the Chino sentence. He told the attorneys, “I don’t want to send Mr. Polanski to county jail because I don’t want to be responsible if he were to be injured or killed.” Because Polanski was in the middle of filming, Rittenband told Dalton to apply for “stays”, or deferments, of the observational period in 90 day increments, and that he would grant the stays for up to a year. Rittenband thought that granting a 90-day stay would sound better to the press than a one-year deferment. He then told the attorneys to pretend to argue the case in open court – in other words, put on a show for the press – and that he would hand down the Chino sentence at the end. Rittenband told Dalton, “If you do not tell the press about this, and if Polanski receives a good report from the probation department, which we all are quite sure he will, that will conclude his punishment” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). So when it came time for court, Dalton argued for probation and Gunson for prison, even though the victim and her family asked for no incarceration time for Polanski (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
According to the details of his plea bargain, Polanski was allowed to travel out of the country. The distributor for the movie that Polanski was filming invited the director to Munich to discuss the movie and have some fun. While there, Polanski was photographed partying at Oktoberfest. It came as a surprise to Judge Rittenband and the attorneys, who believed that Polanski was in Paris filming. Enraged and embarrassed, Rittenband ordered Polanski back to the United States and refused to grant any more stays. Polanski was ordered to begin his observational period at Chino immediately (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Authorities at Chino placed Polanski in protective custody. The director spent his time on cleaning detail and prepping for his new movie. After 42 days, Polanski was released with a recommendation for probation on his observation report. Rittenband read the report and declared it a “whitewash.” He once again called the attorneys to his chambers and announced that he would not keep his promise to release Polanski because he was receiving too much criticism from the media. Rittenband told Dalton that Polanski needed to make up the 48 days in custody that he missed by being released early, but when Gunson suggested 48 days in county jail Rittenband dismissed the idea, claiming that “the perception of a prison sentence” needed to be maintained for the press (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Once again, Rittenband told the attorneys to put on a show for the press. Rittenband told Dalton that at the hearing, he would hand down the 48-day prison sentence, but that if Dalton would come back to the courtroom after everyone had left, he would recall Polanski and have him released. However, Rittenband would also have Polanski deported, and wanted the director to waive any rights he had to a deportation hearing. Judge Rittenband had no authority over matters such as these and was once again showing illegal conduct. “It is illegal to impose an illegal condition upon somebody serving time in custody,” said Dalton (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired). He told Rittenband that if he wanted to deport Polanski, there would be a deportation hearing. Judge Rittenband responded saying that if Dalton insisted on having a hearing, he would withdraw his promises of Polanski’s release. Feeling that he could no longer trust the judge, Polanski boarded a plane to Paris, France and never returned (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
In an interview, Stephen Trott, the Chief Deputy District Attorney, described why Polanski could not be extradited from France:
“The treaty [with France] only specifies, number one, rape. As you know, Mr. Polanski was not convicted of rape; he was convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse and that’s a different crime than rape. Secondly, the treaty specifies that it’s discretionary on the part of France to return French citizens. In other words, they have an option. They can or they can’t, depending on how they feel about a particular case, or maybe even possibly, a particular person” (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
After Polanski’s flight to France, Judge Rittenband immediately held a press conference on the pending case, also illegal judicial conduct. Rittenband announced that he planned to sentence Polanski in absentia. Dalton immediately prepared a challenge to disqualify a judge. This requires that an attorney proves that a judge holds prejudices against his client and that a fair trial cannot be had before him. Dalton showed the declaration to Gunson, who said that he would attest to everything written there. Judge Rittenband removed himself from the case on February 24, 1978, but never admitted to any of the accusations (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Everyone involved in the case agreed that Polanski had not received fair treatment. Gailey settled a civil suit with Polanski and publicly forgave him in 1997. That same year, Dalton and Gunson presented Polanski’s case to another Los Angeles superior court judge. The judge agreed that if Roman Polanski would return to the United States he would serve no more time in custody. However, Gunson and Dalton reported that the judge would want the proceedings televised. If so, Polanski refuses to participate (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired).
Despite the plethora of evidence claiming that Polanski’s case was mishandled, many people still believe he should be punished. The pro-prosecution side claims that the rape of Gailey using drugs and alcohol has been widely overlooked by Polanski sympathizers. Not only was Polanski charged with the crime, he also pled guilty – another reason why he should be punished. They also point to the fact that Polanski’s 32 years in exile were spent at his multiple homes in Europe, continuing his movie career, winning an Oscar, remarrying, and fathering two children – hardly an unbearable punishment. They believe that Polanski’s story has been skewed by his sympathizers and that he should face justice because he broke the law; plain and simple (Harding).
While it is true that Polanski did not receive a fair trial the first time, I believe he should be returned to the United States to try to sort out the mess within the judicial system. If Polanski were to return, he would finally face sentencing for his 1977 crime. After the sentence was handed down, Polanski could file an appeal which may or may not be reviewed by an appellate court. If the case was reviewed, the court would either overturn Judge Rittenband’s earlier ruling or grant Polanski a retrial. However, because he skipped the country in 1978, if retried Polanski would be incarcerated for the duration of his retrial.
If he were to be found guilty again, Polanski’s current age would not play a role in the sentencing process. This is largely because a crime of manipulation over adolescence is not necessarily affected by the “aging out” – or maturing out of a behavior – process. Also, because he crossed international borders, Polanski would face new charges in federal court for evading justice. So while this course of action may appease the people who wish to see Roman Polanski face justice and his sympathizers who wish to see him treated fairly, it may also extend the Polanski saga because of the new federal charges he would face. Given the director’s advanced age, there is a good chance we may never see the resolution of Polanski’s case. One thing is for sure, the victim, Polanski’s family, and the rest of the world are waiting with baited breath to see exactly what will happen now that Roman Polanski has finally been caught.
Works Cited
Harding, Kate. "Reminder: Roman Polanski Raped a Child." Salon.com 28 Sept. 2009. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Oct. 2009. http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/us/lnacademic/auth/checkbrowser.do?rand=0.8579715754756315&cookieState=0&ipcounter=1&bhcp=1.
Howell, Peter. "Crime, Punishment and Roman Polanski." The Toronto Star 25 July 2008, Entertainment sec.: E04. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Oct. 2009. http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T7495498899&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T7495499302&cisb=22_T7495499301&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=8286&docNo=14.
Morton, James. "Opinion: Celebrities and Juries." Journal of Criminal Law 69.5 (2005): 365. EBSCOhost. Web. 5 Oct. 2009. http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=18367720&site=ehost-live.
"Polanski Arrested in Connection with 1970s Sex Charge." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 27 Sept. 2009. Web. 05 Oct. 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/27/zurich.roman.polanski.arrested/index.html.
"Roman Polanski - Biography -." Biography.com. Web. 05 Oct. 2009. http://www.biography.com/articles/Roman-Polanski-9443411.
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired. Dir. Marina Zenovich. Perf. Roman Polanski and Mia Farrow. Antidote Films, 2008. ITunes. 2009. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.
Since resigning my position at my last employer I have come to realize how much my hard hat reminds me of all of my best and worst times in the oil patch. Covered in stickers from all of the different companies we worked with and for, it is a visual journal of sorts. Each takes me to a memory of what I was doing and who I was with. Every time it was covered in mud, grease, or oil, I most likely was too. Overall it is a symbol of that community and chapter of my life.
At this point in life, five years after high school graduation, there are few communities in which I feel a sense of camaraderie or fellowship. I have gone from being the “the kid in all of those punk rock bands” to being a productive member of society plagued by “the man.” The group in which I most fit in with these days would be the individuals who work for the company that I recently resigned from. We were all experienced hands for an oil field service company. For the most part we all worked our way up to our positions from the same starting point; a “worm” on the rig floor. As this earned us admiration from each other, it also granted us respect from the various rig crews we worked with. This allowed for very tight bonds and friendships to be built and flourish. Looking back on the “punk rocker” days of my youth I realize that the traits I look for in friends or a community are vastly different now.
I must explain the conditions in which we worked for one to understand the bond it created. When a drilling rig gets to a certain part of its well our services are called upon. The time period that it will take to finish a well is always unknown and generally many things go wrong along the way. There would commonly be three to four employees from our company on location at all times. While there, we lived, cooked, cleaned, worked, and reported to many other individuals, as a team. This is far different than the “friends at work” that one makes at a job where they are allowed to return to their home each night. At a “normal” job, one has time apart from individuals to reflect on their interactions. In our situation all interactions either built upon or tore down the previous exchange in real time. Spending this much time together created bonds and differences. In the end we all had common objectives and goals. For the most part everyone had unique view and expertise to offer to the experience.
The oil field is usually seen as a rowdy bunch of “rough necks” that are foul mouthed and dirty in all senses. That is truly not the case. The oil and gas industry has grown in leaps and bounds as far as technology and complex processes to become more efficient. For example just the B.H.A. (bottom hole assembly) or the part of the drill string doing the actual drilling is vastly different than those of the past. We have discovered how to use certain tools down hole to drill directionally, and how to use the mud as an energy source to propel the bit at speeds not imagined in the past. The tools that I was responsible for were used to determine inclination, azimuth, temperature, gamma ray, and tool face direction. In combination it was used to decide which way to drill and how to get there based on the many variables it reported to us. Drilling a well is not only dirty, but also, extremely technical and beautiful in some ways too.
While the production of oil and gas is often perceived as a dirty and crude process; the beauty of a North Dakota morning on a drilling rig is often overlooked. There are so many sights, sounds, and smells that it is impossible for the senses to be bored. As one walks closer to the stairs they would start to feel the hum in the diesel motors that they have been hearing since arrival. Deep breaths of the mingling smells of diesel exhaust, drilling mud, and gasses burning off the flare stack are unique to this place alone. One can see the steam rising off the mud tanks, black diesel smoke billowing into the air, and the sun starting to break over the horizon making a vivid orange glow emit from behind the derrick. Once the ascent to the floor is started the vibrations underfoot immediately signify that rotary drilling is underway. Even though oil field work is considered to be dumb iron, it is an unparalleled sensory experience.
As I rigged down all of my computers, sensors, cables, and instruments, I took in everything I could. It was my last job working in the field as an LWD Engineer. While packing up my gear in the command center I felt great and ready to be home. Rigging down the satellite I couldn’t wait to be done. Starting towards the rig floor to break out my sensors I started to fell the gravity of the situation. While I pulled my MWD tool out of the collar I looked around to see the faces of those who would be the last to make “waitin’ on you” jokes at my expense. Laying down the tool and breaking it down for shipping was my last task to complete before the journey home, and back to reality.
While I will miss these sights and sounds every day, I feel that what I have chosen for now is correct. The decision to leave my close-knit community of oil field workers was one of the most difficult and yet so far most rewarding decisions I have made. I am ecstatic to learn how and why we did the things the way we did and hopefully how to improve upon those processes. Earning a BS in Petroleum Engineering will be my next step towards a lifetime in the oil and gas industry. I always have my hard hat to remind me where I have been, what I have learned, and what to focus on.
-Sam Antrim
At this point in life, five years after high school graduation, there are few communities in which I feel a sense of camaraderie or fellowship. I have gone from being the “the kid in all of those punk rock bands” to being a productive member of society plagued by “the man.” The group in which I most fit in with these days would be the individuals who work for the company that I recently resigned from. We were all experienced hands for an oil field service company. For the most part we all worked our way up to our positions from the same starting point; a “worm” on the rig floor. As this earned us admiration from each other, it also granted us respect from the various rig crews we worked with. This allowed for very tight bonds and friendships to be built and flourish. Looking back on the “punk rocker” days of my youth I realize that the traits I look for in friends or a community are vastly different now.
I must explain the conditions in which we worked for one to understand the bond it created. When a drilling rig gets to a certain part of its well our services are called upon. The time period that it will take to finish a well is always unknown and generally many things go wrong along the way. There would commonly be three to four employees from our company on location at all times. While there, we lived, cooked, cleaned, worked, and reported to many other individuals, as a team. This is far different than the “friends at work” that one makes at a job where they are allowed to return to their home each night. At a “normal” job, one has time apart from individuals to reflect on their interactions. In our situation all interactions either built upon or tore down the previous exchange in real time. Spending this much time together created bonds and differences. In the end we all had common objectives and goals. For the most part everyone had unique view and expertise to offer to the experience.
The oil field is usually seen as a rowdy bunch of “rough necks” that are foul mouthed and dirty in all senses. That is truly not the case. The oil and gas industry has grown in leaps and bounds as far as technology and complex processes to become more efficient. For example just the B.H.A. (bottom hole assembly) or the part of the drill string doing the actual drilling is vastly different than those of the past. We have discovered how to use certain tools down hole to drill directionally, and how to use the mud as an energy source to propel the bit at speeds not imagined in the past. The tools that I was responsible for were used to determine inclination, azimuth, temperature, gamma ray, and tool face direction. In combination it was used to decide which way to drill and how to get there based on the many variables it reported to us. Drilling a well is not only dirty, but also, extremely technical and beautiful in some ways too.
While the production of oil and gas is often perceived as a dirty and crude process; the beauty of a North Dakota morning on a drilling rig is often overlooked. There are so many sights, sounds, and smells that it is impossible for the senses to be bored. As one walks closer to the stairs they would start to feel the hum in the diesel motors that they have been hearing since arrival. Deep breaths of the mingling smells of diesel exhaust, drilling mud, and gasses burning off the flare stack are unique to this place alone. One can see the steam rising off the mud tanks, black diesel smoke billowing into the air, and the sun starting to break over the horizon making a vivid orange glow emit from behind the derrick. Once the ascent to the floor is started the vibrations underfoot immediately signify that rotary drilling is underway. Even though oil field work is considered to be dumb iron, it is an unparalleled sensory experience.
As I rigged down all of my computers, sensors, cables, and instruments, I took in everything I could. It was my last job working in the field as an LWD Engineer. While packing up my gear in the command center I felt great and ready to be home. Rigging down the satellite I couldn’t wait to be done. Starting towards the rig floor to break out my sensors I started to fell the gravity of the situation. While I pulled my MWD tool out of the collar I looked around to see the faces of those who would be the last to make “waitin’ on you” jokes at my expense. Laying down the tool and breaking it down for shipping was my last task to complete before the journey home, and back to reality.
While I will miss these sights and sounds every day, I feel that what I have chosen for now is correct. The decision to leave my close-knit community of oil field workers was one of the most difficult and yet so far most rewarding decisions I have made. I am ecstatic to learn how and why we did the things the way we did and hopefully how to improve upon those processes. Earning a BS in Petroleum Engineering will be my next step towards a lifetime in the oil and gas industry. I always have my hard hat to remind me where I have been, what I have learned, and what to focus on.
-Sam Antrim
Art At Its Finest
JoLynn Fletcher
Professor Kirkmeyer
English 1010
25 September 2009
Art At Its Finest
Professor Kirkmeyer
English 1010
25 September 2009
Art At Its Finest
It is imperative that funding for the arts be maintained at appropriate levels in order to provide a well-balanced visual and performing arts curriculum to school children. The arts are pivotal to the development of self expression, individualism, sense of community, communication, and creativity in all fields. In addition, the arts provide an avenue by which we can better understand ourselves, our culture and our history, as the arts (jazz, blues, gospel, slave songs) have been present at each defining moment of our young nation’s development.
Art history spans from the earliest drawings/sketches of mankind in caves, to current day happenings all over the world. From the patriotic songs that fill the air on days of national pride, to the most beautiful paintings and sculptures that grace museum and gallery walls, the history of art is inevitable everywhere you turn. Through these artifacts we understand our history, our culture, and what it is that makes us uniquely human and American. As Wynton Marsalis noted in the 2009 Nancy Hanks Lecture at the Kennedy Center, it is through art that we remember, identify and relate to our circumstances, history and culture.
Many people believe that art programs are a luxury – that they are elitist and serve no justifiable place in an educational institution. These people use reasoning’s such as: the arts are frivolous, art programs do not serve as a core subject and they have no necessary application in the real world. Additionally, opponents often misunderstand art and therefore claim it be offensive (remember the elephant dung on the Virgin Mary at the MOMA?!).
The arts serve as not only a critical component to a complete education, but have become a proven statistic that young people who consistently participate in comprehensive, sequential and rigorous programs are not only more likely to be recognized for academic achievements, positive school attendance and the participation in math and science fairs, but also for holding offices throughout their educational years and the writing of essays, poems and other artistic outlets (Americans for the Arts). As it has come to show, the arts play a crucial role in not only academic success throughout a great percent of the student population, but also individual success. Students are given confidence and a burning passion to excel at something in which they truly enjoy.
Public schools across the nation aren’t just centers for educational excellence but also a place in which communal ties are formed. Children continue to learn of and experience “community” in the school environment. It is in public (and private) instruction that students learn to relate to one another, share common and unique experiences, and communicate – something that is often done through the arts and other creative means.
Schools are playing a large role in the integration of formal art instruction for America’s youth. Well-designed educational advances will give students the ability to peak at their academic consummation as well as move forward in a positive direction with the necessary skills acquired to be successful in the workplace as well as be a positive influence among their peers. The arts help children develop literacy skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The arts encourage divergent thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling students to think creatively (Americans for the Arts).
Much of today’s research states that a great portion of a child’s academic and social development can be attributed to education through the arts. In addition, research and formative evaluation of successful arts programs have demonstrated that access to and participation in the arts helps decrease and prevent negative behavior by at-risk youth (Americans for the Arts).
According to the American’s for the Arts Advocacy Day: The 2009 National Arts Action Summit Congressional Arts Handbook; not only does involvement in the arts increase academic performance as well as standardized test scores, but it also lowers dropout rates. By the 10th grade, students with a high involvement in the arts have a 1.4% dropout rate compared to the 4.8% of students who aren’t involved in the arts in any significant way (Dr. Shirley Brice Heath). Constant participation in art and music classes throughout all four years of high school has also been statistically proven to raise SAT results to 85 points higher than students who only take one-half year or less (The College Board).
There has been a significant amount of research done on arts education and how it directly relates to cognitive development. “Neuroscientists from seven universities across the country used brain imaging studies and behavioral assessments to advance our understanding of the effects of music, dance, and drama education on other types of learning. The findings from their coordinated three-year study suggest that children motivated in the arts develop attention skills and strategies for memory retrieval that also apply to other academic subject areas” (LEARNING, ARTS, AND THE BRAIN, The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition). Throughout the duration of these studies, the scientists have come up with many interesting findings that can better explain the impact that the arts have on a growing mind. Interests in performing arts often lead to a higher state of motivation and the training of attention that both lead to individual improvements in these areas. Specific links were also discovered between interaction with high levels of music training and the ability to manipulate information in other areas such as geometry and other forms of numerical expression. Several correlations were also identified between music training and the positive effects that it had on reading and sequence learning (LEARING, ARTS, AND THE BRAIN, The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition). All of this research and more can help stabilize the arts as a whole and bring forth all of the positive attributes art programs possess for all who are involved.
The National Endowment for the Arts is another organization that focuses all of its attention and energy on the beneficial aspects of art programs. The organization realizes the many ways in which public school art programs help students of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and levels of intellect come together for the sole purpose to create and re-create so much of what our American culture is based upon. With a goal of providing leadership in arts education as well as recognizing the contributing role in which the arts play in the overall educational process as well as opportunities brought forth is the mission upon which this organization thrives.
“Today, the Arts Endowment's focus is on identifying and supporting model programs and projects that provide in-depth knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts to children and youth in schools and communities. Research strongly suggests that young people who learn about and participate in the arts acquire skills that help them in decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, and teamwork. An increasing number of studies also find that arts programs motivate children to learn, assisting in improving performance in core academic subjects. For some children, the arts provide the impetus to stay in school until graduation and, for others, the inspiration to pursue college education. Arts education programs will continue to play a pivotal role as the nation struggles to improve high school graduation rates, develop pre-kindergarten programs, and counter the achievement gap in urban communities” (National Endowment For the Arts).
A great majority of students look to their public schools for ways to participate in many art programs; although, without appropriate funding for these programs, students are often left with few other options in which they can participate in aforementioned programs. Art programs are funded through federal agencies, grants and private donors, however, art education funds are generally limited in comparison to other educational program funding. In 2005, the United States Department of Education received approximately $40 million in appropriations for arts education grants (Americans for the Arts).
The arts, as a whole, are written into Federal law as a core subject in all K-12 public schools through the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Americans for the Arts). While the Federal government asserts that the arts are indeed a core subject, that doesn’t mean that school districts are required to offer such programming. While many states are mandates for art education, it is up to the individual school districts to decide whether they will implement or allow funding for the programs to function.
People come together on many different levels to discuss and interact with the issues that face the arts community today. As we continue to grow within ourselves, we need to keep steadfast what is really important to American culture: the arts. Art advocates, such as National Arts Policy Roundtable, come together to address recommended policies, among other things, through forums and conferences and provide knowledge to all who are interested in preserving art programs for future generations.
The fate of the continuation of art programs lies solely within the hands of administrators, school board faculty, educators and parents. It is through the commitment of multiple persons that the arts can receive the representation necessary to carry on its goal of reaching millions of kids per year within their public schools and communities. It is crucial for administrators to take notice of the great achievements that accompany art programs, it is the school boards job to allocate and secure the funds necessary for these programs to continue and it is the educator’s responsibility to properly provide students with the academic environment in which they can acquire their artist and creative identity.
Applaud and take note of the remarkable advances that have been made in association with art education up until this point, but don’t shy away from the responsibility that now lies before each and every one of us to keep the academic torch burning for the funding of art programs across the United States. Not only will the arts assist us in understanding who we are, but they will provide a solid foundation for our future endeavors, most of which are bound to need an injection of creativity in order to keep us competitive in a global marketplace.
Works Cited
Americans for the Arts. 07 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2009.
The College Board. "2008 College-Bound Seniors: Total Group Profile Report." (2008). Abstract.: n. pag. Print.
Dana Press. "LEARNING, ARTS, AND THE BRAIN, The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition." (2008). Print.
Dr. Shirley Brice Heath. "Carnegie Foundation for The Advancement of Teaching." N. pag. Print.
"Grants for Arts Education." National Endowment for the Arts. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.
"Nancyhanks09." Americans for the Arts. 07 July 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2009.
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