Internal Displacement and Recovery from a Missouri Earthquake Essay

A major earthquake along the New Madrid fault in SE Missouri could result in at least 42,000 Missouri homes being destroyed with another 83,000 or more suffering at least moderate damage. That figure is just for the state of Missouri, which will be competing for resources after the quake with seven other states in the region that will also sustain damage. The culmination of displaced persons for all eight states, at three days after the event, has been predicted to be as high as 7.2 million due to the lack of utilities knocked out by the earthquake on top of the damages of the quake (Elnashai, Jefferson, Fiedrich, Cleveland and Gress, 2009). The United States will face an unprecedented crippling disaster on the scale of disasters that have only occurred in other countries and the widespread devastation possible from a large New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) event will dwarf even the recovery efforts of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. According to various reports, upwards of 1 million people along the Gulf Coast were displaced by the ravages of Katrina (Greater New Orleans Community Data Center, 2011). Many of the displaced have yet to return to their former homes and communities. Some of them because they have resettled in other areas, many because there is not available, affordable housing to return to and others because their former homes will not be rehabilitated and they lack the financial means to rebuild (Cutter et al, 2006). Hurricane Katrina and the flooding caused by failed levees severely decreased the population of New Orleans and wiped out neighborhoods and sections of the city that housed the most vulnerable populations, the poor, elderly and ill. Many poor, rural residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were also af... ... 555-566. Accessed at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2496928/pdf/phr123000555.pdf?tool=pmcentrez Kirgis, F.L., (2005). Hurricane Katrina and Internally Displaced Persons. American Society of International Law (ASIL) Insights. Accessed at http://www.asil.org/insights050921.cfm Lindell, M.K., Prater, C. & Perry, R.W. (2007). Introduction to Emergency Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Micale, B.L. (2012). Planning for the worst case for a mid-America quake. Research Magazine. Accessed at http://www.research.vt.edu/resmag/2012winter/earthquake.html Vervaeck, A., and Daniell, J.E. (2012).Japan – 366 days after the Quake†¦19000 lives lost, 1.2 million buildings damaged, $574 billion. Earthquake-Report. Accessed at http://earthquake-report.com/2012/03/10/japan-366-days-after-the-quake-19000-lives-lost-1-2-million-buildings-damaged-574-billion/

The Harmful Effects of Timbering

How does the role of politics and legislation that affect the timber industry today compare to that of a hundred years ago? In the early years of West Virginia†s statehood there was a government that tried to build it†s own identity. Starting out as an underdeveloped state that was rich in natural resources, there was an urgency to erect industry within West Virginia. Upon examination of West Virginia today, one can see the same desire to maintain and increase industry in the state. It is my belief that today, as well as a hundred years ago, the government views industry as it†s top priority versus state residents and the safety of the environment. I will now attempt to compare and contrast the role politics and legislation has played in the growth and development of the timber industry in the state of West Virginia for the last 100 years. In the early years of West Virginia statehood a definite emphasis was put on industrial growth. Before this industrial growth there was a revolution that took place. As a result of the Constitution of 1863, the law became more industry oriented and moved away from being a protector of philosophy and culture. Following the Constitution of 1872, there was a facilitation to allow the â€Å"transfer of land from smallholders to the coal and lumber companies (Lewis p.103-105).† One of the main goals in the early years of statehood in West Virginia was to establish a strong, striving capitalistic economy. However, their ideas on how to achieve this varied throughout the state. Should the state remain an agricultural society, or move to an industrial society? This struggle continued, and this is when the role government played in the economy was determined (Lewis p. 106). As the timber industry grew in West Virginia â€Å"lumbermen began to demand that the law help them to overcome their lack of capital so they could develop the state†s resources.† The greatest problem at this time was the lack of transportation. The government began to accommodate the timber industry. Corporations were given the right to dam streams or change their flow, with legal permission (Lewis p.107). Ronald Lewis, author of Transforming the Appalachian Countryside, writes that: Public subsidy to improve water transportation for lumber was never undertaken in West Virginia, especially in comparison to with the public assistance provided to railroads. The lumber industry during this period developed no giant corporations that could compare with the railroads, and so its ability to exert political power was comparatively limited. It was through indirect stimulus that the law promoted investment in the lumber industry, which conformed the theme of nineteenth century policy (Lewis p.108). The timber industry flourished through an â€Å"indirect stimulus† of breaks given and provided to the railroads. Legislators gave entrepreneurs many rights to assist with industrial growth, such as building dams across streams or changing the path of a stream, so long as it did not interfere with steamboats and other lumber companies. If a log washed up on someone†s personal property and they disturbed it within the first ten days, they were punishable by law (Lewis p.108). According to Ronald Lewis it is the belief of James Willard Hurst, a prominent legal scholar and I concur, that the government sided with business and exploited the people. There is enough evidence of court decisions and legislation that favors industry and business over the common man, to validate Hurst†s belief. The previous paragraphs depict an industry that thrived although it has slowed down somewhat in the last 100 years. Now, I am going to examine the timber industry in West Virginia today. My source will be Ken Ward†s articles that have appeared in the Charleston Gazette about the regulations imposed on the timber industry. Ward†s articles, in my opinion, are biased in favor of the timber industry. However, when writing upon a subject that is so controversial, it is nearly impossible to not show a bias. An examination of how things have changed, will not show a great deal. However, it is safe to say that more money changes hands today. Today there are more regulations, mostly where permits and licenses are concerned than 100 years ago. â€Å"Anyone who is conducting timber operations, purchasing timber, or buying logs for resale has to obtain a permit from the division of Forestry (Ward, State timbering law).† To attain and keep this license, applicants have to pay $50 a year. At every timber operation there has to be at least one person who has completed a certification course from the Division of Forestry. This person is trained in first aid, soil erosion prevention, and safe conduct of timbering (Ward, State timbering law). The Forestry Division is supposed to be notified within three days of any and all timbering operations. The notification should include the names of those who own the timber. There should also be included a sketch map of the location complete with roads used for the hauling and stream crossings (Ward, State timbering law). In Ken Ward†s article, †¦Critics say more rules are necessary, but backers say present law is sufficient, a Morgantown geologist, Richard diPretoro stated that he believes the timber industry is under-regulated, comparatively speaking. The coal industry, which is much bigger than timbering in West Virginia today, has much stricter regulations. Strip Miners have to return the land to previous contour when they are finished. Those in the timber industry can leave the land any way they so desire (Ward, Critics say more rules†¦). Loggers are supposed to follow a set of guidelines known as â€Å"best management practices.† These are a set of voluntary guidelines set up to protect the environment. Environmentalist would like to see regulations for the timber industry become more stringent. However, the director of the state Division of Forestry, Bill Maxey, feels that they have more regulations than they need. I†m not sure that Bill Maxey†s statement is free of prejudice, because the Division of Forestry is responsible for overseeing loggers and well as promoting the growth of wood product businesses. In my opinion, that would be conflict of interest. Many people interviewed in Ward†s article discuss how the environmental damage done by the coal industry is more harmful and will last longer than that of the timber industry. Joel Stopha, a wood products marketing specialist, states, â€Å"Poor timber harvesting practices will cause only a few years of water quality problems(Ward, Critics say more rules†¦).† We have the means to ensure that we have no water quality problems whatsoever. So, how does the role of politics and legislation compare in regards to the timber industry today to that of 100 years ago? I believe that the state government is still mainly focused on the growth of industry in West Virginia just as we were in the beginning of our statehood. Today we see more regulation in the form of different fees and licenses required. As with everything else in this world, things change. Of course, the timber industry is no different. However, other than the natural changes that occur, there really has not been a huge change in the fact that the state government still favors industry over the state residents and this is reflected in the way the state government is failing to enforce the laws that protect the bodies of water in this state by allowing the timber industry to contaminate bodies of water even if it is for â€Å"only a couple of years.†

The War Of Vietnam War Essay - 1924 Words

The way American wars have been fought and how the men and women fighting those wars were affected have changed throughout the history of the United States. Soldiers have gone from being treated as the lowest class of society all the way to being the most respectable citizens in the country, with no linear progression leading them to this recognition. Since the foundation of the United States soldiers have been gaining more recognition for their sacrifices, with one major event standing out from this trend. The war in Vietnam was different from all wars before it, in turn causing Vietnam War veterans to be treated the worst of any soldiers previous. A mix of several factors makes this clearly evident. Those stationed in Vietnam were significantly less supported by the general population of the U.S than in any previous war. The soldiers who did make it home did not receive the homecomings that the older generations had; they were brought home to a country that disapproved of the sacri fices these soldiers made. The significant differences separating the service in the Vietnam War came before the fighting, the problems began in the draft. The deferment process for previous wars, such as World War II, were much less lenient on potential draftees. For instance, there were absolutely no educational deferments (deferments for those enrolled in a college as a full-time student) given during World War II. James Wright quotes Colonel Lewis Hershey, the deputy director ofShow MoreRelatedThe War Of Vietnam And The Vietnam War1525 Words   |  7 PagesThe war in Vietnam is The United States and other capitalist bloc countries supported South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) against the support by the Soviet Union and other socialist bloc countries of North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and the Vietcong of war. Which occurred during the Cold War of Vietnam (main battlefield), Laos, and Cambodia. This is the biggest and longtime war in American history during the 1960s (Best 2008). It is a lso the most significant war after World War IIRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1475 Words   |  6 Pageson one such event, the Vietnam War, came from entertainment-based programs and the play Miss Saigon. Despite heavy coverage in such well-known comedic films as Forrest Gump and Good Morning Vietnam, the true events were anything but a laugh for those involved. In spite of the relative recentness of the events in Vietnam, many of today’s youths know little about the topic. The events in Vietnam raise the ever-present question on the ethics of third party involvement in a war otherwise unrelated toRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1729 Words   |  7 Pagesspread of communism all around the world. This is what lead to the gruesome war that lasted over a decade in Vietnam. A great deal of social changed happened all over the world, but particularly in America as the Vietnam War dragged on. As people became more aware of the atrocities going on in Southeast Asia, the end less domestic support turned into widespread explosive protest. During the first few years of the Vietnam conflict, Americans full heartedly supported the United States and its governmentRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1379 Words   |  6 Pagestensions over the Vietnam war caused many americans to become divided on the actions taken by the government across seas. Americans questioned whether the government could be trusted. The feeling of betrayal and government secrecy created the â€Å"Credibility Gap,† in which many americans believed that the government no longer was for the people, but for anything else that would benefit the government. The Vietnam War exacerbated the gap between the pro-war traditionalists and anti-war liberals along withRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1430 Words   |  6 Pagesended in 1989, the Vietnam war is still being fought, but on a different battlefield, one of public opinion. Some call this war an atrocity, a war the United States should never have joined. Others call it a crime, committed by the power hungry politicians of the U.S. Now that new information from both sides of the war has surfaced and the wounds of battle have had more time to heal there is yet another opinion emerging. The Vietnam War was in fact only one of many proxy wars fought under the umbrellaRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1155 Words   |  5 PagesThe Vietnam War cost many Americans their lives in the 60s and 70s. Many were drafted into the war by choice and others selectively chosen to join to help America. The contributions made had a major impact on the American side of the Vietnam War. Though many contributions were made none stand out any more than others. It is sometimes said there is always a hero in the war who helped the victory. Wars, however, do not have war heroes because a hero is making an undeniable contribution to the war andRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1592 Words   |  7 PagesThe Vietnam War was said to be one of the most significant wars in the twentieth century. This w ar took place from November 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975. It was at the time, the longest war in American history. Much of the conflict was centered in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. During that time, approximately 58,219 US troops were killed in action. The reason America got involved in the Vietnam War was to stop the spread of communism in South East Asia and beyond. â€Å"America’s involvement in Vietnam derivedRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1204 Words   |  5 Pagesus†¦ When that is the way you are, how do you conduct your life?† The Vietnam War killed over fifty eight thousand Americans and over 61% of the men killed were 21 years or younger. Most Americans are conflicted with the fact whether the Anti War Movement played a factor in prolonging the Vietnamese War. â€Å"In every story there are two sides and in between lies the truth.† Anonymous The United States become involved in Vietnam after the French withdrew when the Republican President Dwight EisenhowerRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War877 Words   |  4 PagesAnother big difference in this war was that the Vietnam War was had more disapproval and was more expressive within the American public, unlike the Korean War. The ANITWAR MOVEMENT started in the 1960s this group was never enacted until this era. There was not a group like this in Vietnam, but there were many groups that opposed the war. The main object of these revolts was the American military presence in Indochina. The ANITWAR MOVEMENT caused an influence not only socially, but also in the realmRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1421 Words   |  6 PagesIn July and August of 1972, Jane Fonda made radio broadcasts from Hanoi that changed the way Americans thought of the Vietnam war and of her. To this day, many people view her as a traitor and criticise her actions in Vietnam; however, some people we re truly inspired by her words and what she had to say. Despite people s personal opinions, Fonda was a powerful speaker and knew how to convey her message to her audience. She tried to convince people that the American government and military were the