Bordering on the Insane an Example by

Bordering on the Insane There has been a lot of controversy surrounding immigration in the United States over the past few years. There have been a lot of groups protesting the entry of illegal immigrants as well as the naturalization of these immigrants (Knox 203). Most of the controversy, however, surrounds the fact these immigrants are supposedly taking the jobs away from Americans and contributing to the deteriorating welfare condition of the United States (Ngai 253). Another effect of illegal immigration according to certain government officials is the fact that it also increases the risk of terrorist attacks (Campbell & Flourney 377). As such, this brief discourse will discuss the problems of implementing border security as a method of curbing illegal immigration into the United States as well as the challenges that lie ahead for border security. Need essay sample on "Bordering on the Insane" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The American-Mexican Border remains to be the largest concern since it remains as the largest security vulnerability of the United States. The porous domestic border could provide much greater problems than that of illegal immigration. It could lead to the entry of illegal immigrants into the United States on a massive scaled (Campbell & Flourney 372). The only way that any country can effectively prevent illegal immigration through border crossing is by improving the local security on a domestic scale. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the protection of borders and ports of entry are vital to the success of this campaign (Campbell . The issue here, however, is that by imposing stricter immigration laws and beefing up border security, the rich American legacy of legal immigration becomes threatened. As more and more people and politicians alike cite the pressing need to improve border security, that rich legacy comes to mind. According to Dave Camp, former Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Borders and Infrastructure, while there is a need to protect the borders and ports of entry, any new policies regarding this matter do not have to intervene with the avowed American history of legal immigration (1). What the policies do suggest is that if there are those who violate the immigration and border laws, they will be dealt with strictly (Campbell & Flourney 377). Plans such as a REAL ID act or the removal of certain asylum laws that have loopholes are certainly plans that deserve a serious consideration. The consideration for border security is much more than just illegal immigration but also touches upon the negatives effects that it has. The entry of the attackers of 9/11 was greatly facilitated by the lax immigration standards and other legal loopholes. These allowed the terrorists to secure drivers licenses and other permits that allowed them to move around the country freely and make the preparations that they needed to do (Campbell & Flourney 377). If the border security measures were not as lax those days, it might have even led to the prevention of 9/11. Campbell A large step in curbing the possibility of terrorist attacks lies in improving border security (372). It could lead to the entry of terrorist groups into the United States on a massive scale, leading to the proliferation of a large number of terrorists in the United States and possibly the establishment of a network that would make them extremely difficult to apprehend (Campbell & Flourney 372). Many critics have continually cited that the first step in winning the war against terror is by first preventing the happening of any future attacks. It has clearly been established at this point that in order to be effective in dealing with illegal immigration and the other ill effects it brings border security needs to be improved. The government must take a firm stand on the policies that will be implemented in the area of border security. While such policies may threaten certain precepts that America is known for such as the legacy of legal immigration, it must be remembered that sacrifices are sometimes necessary to protect the greater interests of the American public (Taylor 12). If it means that legal immigration may be throttled to a certain extent in order to ensure the safety of the American public, it is certain that there are more than a few Americans who would stand by that decision. Works Cited: Aizenman, N.C Young Migrants Risk All to Reach U.S. Thousands Detained After Setting Out From Central America Without Parents retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/27/AR2006082700771.html Campbell, Kurt and Flourney, Michelle. To Prevail: An American Strategy for the Campaign Against Terrorism. Washington, DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies. 2001 Carafano, James. Statement before the Subcommittee on Management, Integration and Oversight, House Committee on Homeland Security. Heritage Foundation. March 2005 Donnelly, Paul. "H-1B Is Just Another Government Subsidy", Computerworld Magazine, July 22 2002 Issue.

The Matryoshka and Other Symbols of Russia

The Matryoshka and Other Symbols of Russia The Matryoshka, also known as the Russian nesting doll, is one of the most instantly recognizable symbols of Russia. Other common symbols include include the birch tree, the troika, and the Russian samovar. Discover the origins of these symbols, as well as their significance to Russian cultural heritage. The Matryoshka Doll Nalin Nelson Gomes / EyeEm / Getty Images The Russian Matryoshka doll, also called a nesting doll, is perhaps the best-known symbol of Russia around the world. In Russia, the doll is thought to symbolize traditional values of Russian society: respect for the elderly, unity of the extended family, fertility and abundance, and the search for truth and meaning. In fact, the idea that the truth is concealed within many layers of meaning is a recurring motif in Russian folk tales. In one such folk tale, a character named Ivan searches for a needle representing the death of an evil character. The needle is inside an egg, the egg is inside a duck, the duck is inside a hare, the hare is inside a box, and the box is buried under an oak tree. Thus, the Matryoshka, with its many layers concealed within the larger doll, is a perfect symbol for Russian folk culture. As for the first Matryoshka doll, the most popular theory is that the Matryoshka was conceived in 1898, when the artist Malyutin visited the Mamontov family estate in Abramtsevo. At the estate, Malyutin saw a Japanese wooden toy that inspired her to design a series of sketches reflecting the Russian version of the nesting doll. In Malyutins sketches, the largest doll featured a young woman dressed in townspersons attire holding a black rooster. Smaller dolls depicted the rest of the family, both male and female, each with their own object to hold. Malyutin asked a local wood craftsman Zvyozdochkin to create the wooden dolls. The finished set of eight dolls was called Matryona, a popular name at the time that matched the widely accepted image of the strong, calm, and caring Russian woman. The name suited the dolls, but Matryona was considered too solemn a name for a childrens toy, so the name was changed to the more affectionate Matryoshka. The Birch Tree Tricia Shay Photography / Getty Images Birch is the most ancient and well-known symbol of Russia. It is also the most prevalent tree on Russian territory. Birch is associated with the Slavic goddesses Lada and Lelya, representing female energy, fertility, purity and healing. Objects made out of birch have been used in rituals and celebrations in Russia for centuries. During Ivan Kupala night, young women braided their hair ribbons into the branches of the birch tree in order to attract their soul mates. Birch was often kept in the home for protection from jealousy and bad energy, and when a baby was born, birch brooms were left outside the front door of the familys house to protect the baby from dark spirits and illness. Birch has inspired many Russian writers and poets, particularly Sergei Yesenin, one of Russias most beloved lyric poets. The Troika Aleksander Orlowski, Traveler in a Kibitka (Hooded Cart or Sledge), 1819. Lithograph. Public Domain /  The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia The Russian troika was a harness method for horse-drawn vehicles, used during the 17th-19th centuries. The troika was driven so that the middle horse trotted while the other two horses cantered, keeping their heads turned to the sides. This meant that troika horses took longer to fatigue and could travel much faster. In fact, the troika could reach speeds of 30 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest vehicles of its time. Originally, the troika was used to transport mail, with tired horses being exchanged for fresh ones at regular intervals. The Troika was later used to carry important passengers, at which point it became a cultural icon: featured in weddings and religious celebrations and decorated with bright colors, bells, and gold. Because of its innovative design and impressive speeds, the troika came to be associated with the Russian soul, which is often called bigger than life (Ã'ˆÐ ¸Ã'€Ð ¾Ã ºÃ °Ã'  Ð ´Ã'Æ'Ã'ˆÐ °, pronounced sheeROkaya dooSHAH). The symbolism of the number three, which has significance throughout traditional Russian culture, also played a role in the troikas popularity. According to some accounts, the troika was adapted by the Russian government from secret rituals of the Russian North. Every year on St. Elijah the Prophets Day, ritual troika races took place in northern parts of Russia, with the troika symbolizing the fiery chariot that carried Elijah to heaven. To crash in one of these races was considered an honorable way to die- it was said that Elijah himself took those who died in the races to heaven. The Samovar Nikolai Petrovich Bogdanov-Belsky, The Teachers Guests.. Heritage Images/Getty Images / Getty Images A samovar is a large, heated container used to boil water, especially for tea. The samovar is an iconic symbol of Russian tea-drinking culture. Traditional Russian families spent hours chatting and relaxing around the table with traditional preserves, Russian pretzels (Ð ºÃ'€Ð µÃ ½Ã ´Ã µÃ »Ã' ), and a hot samovar. When not in use, samovars remained hot and were used as an immediate source of boiled water. The word samovar (pronounced samaVARR) means self-brewer. The samovar contains a vertical pipe filled with solid fuel, which heats the water and keeps it hot for hours at a time. A teapot containing a strong tea brew (Ð ·Ã °Ã ²Ã °Ã'€Ð ºÃ °) is placed on top and heated by the rising hot air. The first official samovar appeared in Russia in 1778, though there may have been others made even earlier. The Lisitsyn brothers opened a samovar-making factory in Tula in the same year. Soon, samovars spread across Russia, becoming a much-loved attribute of everyday life for Russian families of all backgrounds.