The Infamous Watergate Scandal Essay Example For Students

The Infamous Watergate Scandal Essay The Watergate Complex is a series of modern buildings with balconies that looks like filed down Sharks Teeth (Gold, 1). Located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. it contains many hotel rooms and offices. What happened in the complex on June 17, 1972 early in the morning became a very historical event for our nation that no one will ever forget. The Watergate Scandal and constitutional crisis that began on June 17, 1972 with the arrest of five burglars who broke into the Democratic National Committee (DMC) headquarters at the Watergate office building in Washington D.C.It ended with the registration of President Richard M. Nixon on August 9, 1974. (Watergate)At approximately 2:30 in the morning of June 17, 1972 five men were arrested at the Watergate Complex. The police seized a walkie-talkie, 40 rolls of unexposed film, two 35-millimeter cameras, lock picks, pensized teargas guns, and bugging devices. (Gold, 75) These five men and two co-plotters were indicated in September 1972 on charges of burglary, conspiracy and wire-tapping. Four months later they were convicted and sentenced to prison terms by District Court Judge John J. Sercia was convinced that relevant details had not been unveiled during the trial and offered leniency in exchanged for further information. As it became increasingly evident that the Watergate burg lars were tied closely to the Central Intelligence Agency and the Committee to re-elect the president. (Watergate) Four of these men, who were arrested on the morning of June 17, 1972, came from Miami, Florida. They were Bernard L. Barker, Frank A. Sturgis, Virgillio R. Gonzalez, and Eugenio R. Martinez. The other man was from Rockville, Maryland named James W. McCord, Jr. The two co-plotters were G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt. (Watergate)The senate established and investigative committee headed by Senate Sam Ervin, Jr., to look into the growing scandal. As they were investigating, they related that the famous break-in was far more involved than what everyone had expected. (Watergate) The White Houses involvement of that morning first became evident when James McCord wrote a letter to Judge Sirca. In this letter McCord explained that he wanted to disclose the details of Watergate. He made it apparent that he would not speak to a Justice department official of a FBI agent. Altho ugh his letter did unveil details, it made server chargers. McCord justified that Political pressure (Westerfled 36) had generated many defendants to plead guilty and remain silent. He also claimed that there had been whiteness at the trail who had committed perjury in order to protect the people who headed the brake-in. McCord declared that he, his family, and his friend might be in danger if he spoke out. (Westerfled 36-37)The Senate Watergate Committee saw their chance to unravel the mystery of this scandal. The offered James McCord a chance to speak publicly. In his first meeting with representatives of this committee he named two more people that he claimed were involved in the burglary and cover-up. Theses two men were John Dean and Jeb Margruder. Margruder was the second in charge of the CRP and Dean was a White House aid. After hearing these substantial accusations the Senate Watergate Committee promptly subpoenaed John Dean and Jeb Margruder. (Westerfled 37-38). We will write a custom essay on The Infamous Watergate Scandal specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now After the next session with James McCord he took the whiteness stand and explained how Liddy had promised him an executive pardon if he would plead guilty. This began to question the White House involvement since only the president could present such a pardon. (Westerfled, 40) Jeb Margruder was the next witness to testify. He admitted his own perjury to the Grand Jury and verified what McCord had said. While on the stand he also revealed another name to add to the list of those involved, John Mitchell. (Gold, 246-247)The next witness scheduled to appear was John Dean. In Deans testimony he exposed that the Watergate burglary had been only a part of a greater abuse of power. He said that for four years the White House had used the powers of the presidency to attack political enemies. They spied on and harassed anyone who did not agree with Nixons policies. If a reporter wrote stories criticizing the White House they would be singled out for tax investigations. The White House also kep t an Enemies List (Westerfled 43) of people that the presidents men wanted revenge on. After being fired, dean kept official documents that supported his statements. (Westerfled 43-44; Gold 309-330)John Dean said, is his opening statement, that he had discussed the cover-up with president Nixon in several meetings. At the first meeting, in September 1972, he told the president how he and other members of the White House had handled the cover-up so far. Dean claimed that in another important meeting with Nixon, on March 21, 1973, the president agreed $1 million should be raised to silence the burgalers. However Dean said that he dealt with the president mostly through H.R. Haldman and John Ehrlichman. (Gold 266-308; Westerfled 43)Dean faced the committee for four days of Questioning, after his opening statement. During these four days the republicans focused on what happened in these meetings between Dean and the president, which was the only evidence the president. The question that Senator baker asked and was being wondered throughout the nation was, what did the president know and when did he know it? (Westerfled, 43) The Nixon administration tackled Deans reports of the two meetings. They claimed that the March 21, 1973 meeting was the first Nixon had heard of the cover-ups. The White Houses version was they the president had rejected the burglars blackmail. (Hearings 02)For the first time in this intriguing scandal the president himself had been accused. This was the greatest blow the Nixon White House had sustained. polls showed that 70 percent of TV viewers believed Deans version of the event (Westerfled, 43). But who was to be believed? It was John Deans Word against Richard Nixons. (Gold 669-670; Westerfled, 43) The committee then made a shocking discovery, only a few weeks after Deans testimony. As the committee was managing a routine aid, they asked him how the White House administration came up with their version of what happened in the meeting s of Dena and Nixon. His response was that the meetings had probably been recorded on tape. (Westerfled 43)Alexander Butterflied explained that the White House had been equipped with a recording system. They were installed in his two offices, the Oval Room The taping device was spring load to a voice actuation situation. (Gold 436) In Alexander Butterfields testimony he said that the recording system was installed to help preserve all documents. The only people who knew of these recording devices were the president, Haledman, Kigbe, Butterfield, and the secret service people. (Gold 434-442)Now the committee had stumbled across exactly what they were looking for, a way to prove the presidents innocence of guilt. The tapes of the meeting s between Dean and Nixon were lying some where in the White House. These tapes would show which of these men were lying and if the president of the united States had been involved in a criminal conspiracy. Although when the senate asked him for the tapes the President refused, but why?On July 17, 1973 the Senate Committee went directly to the president about their request. Congress wanted the tapes of all the important meetings. President Nixon refused. The Committee decided to subpoena the tapes that afternoon. (Westerfled 45) On the same day, July 17, 1973, special Prosecutor Archibald Cox had also subpoenaed the tapes. He declared that they were significant for the grand jurys criminal investigation. This was the first time anyone had ever subpoenaed the president of the United States, and Nixon has two subpoenas in one day. Although the White House claimed that neither Congress nor the special prosecutor had the right to demand evidences from the executive branch and refused to obey. (Westerfled 45)This started a powerful struggle. The Senate Committee wondered if they could find the president in contempt of congress that would be a serious legal charge. But they didnt know who would be a serious legal charge. But they didnt kno w who would arrest him since the president controlled the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Armed Forces. The committee had to think quick and come up with another way to get the tapes. Cox and the grand jury was going to sue for the tapes in federal court. The committee decided to follow the special prosecutors lead. (Westerfled 43) Both lawsuits went to Judge John Sirca, the same judge who presided the trials of the Watergate burglars. Judge Sirca charged the president to turn over the tapes to the special prosecutor. When the White House Appealed the decision the case went to the Federal Court of appeals. (Westerfled 43)Another scandal in the White House shocked the nation. The Department of Justice announced that they had been investigating Vice President Spiro T. Anew for taking large bribes in return for government contracts. He then resigned from office October 10, 1973. (Westerfled 47)On October 15, 1973 the court of appeals sustained Judge Sircas ruling and demanded t hat the president give the subpoenaed tapes to the Special Prosecutor, Archibald Cox. Nixon ordered Cox not to subpoena any more tapes, although Cox said he would do so. Cox also told him that if he refused he would find him in contempt of the court. (Westerfled 45) Nixon was beyond furious. Cox was an employee of the executive branch and questioning the authority of the president. Nixon ordered Richardsons deputy attorney general William D. Ruckelshavs to fire Cox. He also refused and was fired. The third-ranking Justice Department official, Solicitor General Robert H. Bork, was now acting as Attorney General. He agreed to fire Cox. This event was called the Saturday Massacre. (Westerfled 48)The nation raged in anger. So Nixon agreed to hand the tapes over to Sircas court and appoint a new Special Prosecutor. The new prosecutor was Leon Jaworski. Jaworski was a very well known lawyer and accepted the offer on the one condition that Nixon could not fire him. (Westerfled 48-49) As th e presidents lawyers were going over the tapes preparing them for the special prosecutor they made an alarming discovery. During a conversation between Nixon and Haldman there was an 18-minute gap. This made the nation lose even more faith in their president. (Westerfled 49)On April 11, 1974 Special Prosecutor Jaworski demanded the White House turn over 69 more tapes. Once again the Supreme Court ruled that Nixon had to supply the subpoenaed tapes. (Westerfled 51-54)On July 27-30, the House Judiciary Committee, whose public hearings had disclosed evidence of illegal White house activities, recommended that Nixon be impeached on three charges: obstruction of Justice, abuse of presidential power, and trying to impede the impeachment process by defying committee subpoenas. (Watergate) Millions of people watched the committee vote on television. There were twenty-seven votes for the impeachment and only eleven against it. He was accused of misuse of his authority and also violating the constitutional rights of citizens by ordering the FBI and Secret Services to spy on American citizens. The last thing he was charged with was refusing to obey congresss subpoenas. Nixon had broken his oath to up hold the law. (Watergate)With the impeachment vote against him, Nixon would have to stand trial before the U.S. senate. Two-thirds of the senate would have to vote for impeaching the president. Nixon would be removed from office. (Westerfled 46) On August 5, 1974 the White House released an overdue transcript of the tapes. The recording was from June 23, 1972, only a week after the break-in. This tape told how Nixon ordered Haldeman to tell the CIA to cease the FBIs investigation of Watergate. These tapes made it clear that Nixon was involved in the cover-up from the beginning. (Westerfled 56)At nine oclock August 8, 1974 Nixon made his last speech as president Richard M. Nixon. He only admitted loosing the support he had from Congress. He said I have never been a quitter, t o leave office before my term is complete is abhorrent to ever instinct in my body. But, as president, I must put the interest of America first. America needs a full-time president and a full-time Congress. Therefore, In shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow. (Westerfled 57)The next morning Nixon addressed a tearful White House staff. He then boarded a helicopter and began his journey home to San Clemente, California. (Westerfled 57) At noon the Vice President, Gerald R. Ford, was inaugurated. He became the thirty-seventh president of the United States. He told the American people in his first speech Our long national nightmare is over. (Westerfled 57)BibliographyGold, Gerald ed. Watergate hearings. New York: Bantam books, 1978. .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 , .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .postImageUrl , .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 , .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45:hover , .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45:visited , .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45:active { border:0!important; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45:active , .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45 .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u02b3e6efd17249fa8c321cd2d62f5e45:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Angela'S Ashes Poverty EssayWesterfled, Scott. Watergate. Englewood Cliffs: Silber Burdett, 1991. Watergate. Grolier Electronic Publishing. 1992. The New grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Danbury, CT: Grolier Electronic Publising Inc., 1993. Microsoft Encarta. Microsoft Corporation: Funk Wagnalls Corporation, 1993.

Frankenstein and Models essays

Frankenstein and Models essays He was a monster, no one enjoyed him. They knew not what to do about the terrible creature, so they chased him from the world. He was so distraught by this and the fact that his creator abandoned him because of his appearance; he disappeared into the darkness of the North Pole. He was unable to connect with society because of his appearance. What does this say about humanity! Humanity is so based on how someone looks, that the people are unable to fit in with society and should basically walk into the freezing cold areas and waste away. This certainly doesn't say much about how well "ugly people" can live in our society. The ripping action of the modern peoples shows how biased they are. If you look into a magazine, you can see how terrible times have gotten. No one can live with the sickly thin models that show up in those awful areas. They have no meat on them, and would be better off just lying down and eating a couple boxes of chocolate. The digitally altered women in the magazin es do nothing to help with mentally distraught teenagers in todays society. The people make me sick. They cant even stick with the reality of the situation. If the population is going to live on fast food and boxed meals, how do they expect people to look the way the people do in magazines! The inability to ascertain the reality of the situation is thoroughly disturbing. It is almost annoying to hear the people complain that they are fat or ugly. When will society realize that they are all ugly in some way, that the models in those magazines are just pretty pictures with airbrushed bodies and faces. ...

Dq6-Terence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Dq6-Terence - Essay Example A decision support system (DSS) is a computer-based information system designed to help a manager choose one of the several possible solutions to a problem (Tripathi, 2011). Today, it is possible for an organization to automate certain decision-making processes in a huge, computer-based DSS that is sophisticated enough to analyse a huge amount of information quickly. As a system, some of the elements that constitute a DSS are models for collecting data, personnel, databases, processes, software and equipment. It helps an organization to increase its market share, cut costs, increase profits and improve the quality of services and goods. For instance, a national revenue authority may use a DSS to bring more citizens into the tax bracket, thereby increasing its tax revenue collections. Similarly, a manufacturer of detergent can use the DSS to determine the market segment that his competitor pursues. Once armed with this information, he can then choose to concentrate on the segment that least appeals to his opponent. The knowledge worker brings many benefits to his organization. Under this section, I’m going to discuss some of his/her roles and illustrate how a DSS relates to them. First, the knowledge worker analyzes data in order to establish links or relationships between/among phenomena (GSA Enterprise Transformation, 2011). For example, in processing applications for scholarships, a school administrator may want to check a student’s academic performance against his/her family background. Should the school have a DSS in place, this task should be relatively easy. The only the administrator will be required to do is to look at the student database, which is a key component of the DSS. Another role of the knowledge worker is to brainstorm, that is to think broadly. For instance, a town planner who is faced with the task of preparing a redevelopment plan for a declining area of inner city has to evaluate and

Secession of a Federal State Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Secession of a Federal State - Term Paper Example One who swore to override laws and constitution in order to reach his legitimate goal to divide the union between the South and North, and the ever-compromising force in executing charters beyond human demand. Republican viewed the strengths from slavery as values objectionable to Northern voters' republican ways. Leadership from Southerners was seen as a mere handful to the nation represented by the paradox of republican government, which, in essence, a minority rules the majority awaring that Lincoln was withheld from providing declaration on strategies, fearing that they would be perverted in both North and South. He declared that people would find him as his records earlier stated. I find this well demonstrated in the controversy on administration and enactment of laws, which brought wrinkles in Northern faces as they defied to honor guarantee to return slaves to the South. Lincoln was clearly stating, â€Å"I will not impose fugitive slave laws† (Wright 11). A constitutio nal crisis arose, as the federal states were not ready to embrace the laws, which would rather favor the Southern people. Failure to abide by the majority feeling at the brink of division crisis led the Southern people to extreme reputation not to surrender to people they had beaten in the election, unless the government broke up. Lincoln was unable to find good, capable generals in the beginning of the division. He tended to favor the Southern people as he felt they were more martial and occupied higher ranks, unlike the Northern people. Abraham Lincoln never supported the slave as he tells Douglas â€Å"I have no purpose, either directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery where it exists† (Current 7). When the states seceded, many generals left their ranks; however, the people from North sat underneath them. Lincoln was devastated in choosing men like Sir Grants so that he could use them, being aware that surrendering would lead to losing all office s they held and prohibition against holding more territories. In this era, Lincoln seemed relentlessly upbeat about the union and rationalist of secession. It is true to say that neither of the sides had a favorable advantage or the ability to enforce submission of the other’s will. Southerners gathered into gangs that fought as armed mobs. Lincoln’s victory was used, by secessionists, to excuse themselves to act, on threats, to abandon the union of federal states and save the power of slave politically, which was viewed as proponent of minority rule. Lincoln could not believe that Southern people meant secession and war, although frequently told by his royal states-men. He became skeptical and wondered if he would be inaugurated in Washington. He was provoked and could publicly announce that he gained no credit to himself for his power, but he was blind to view the stormy wide cloud, which no machines could overturn. Abraham Lincoln certainly understood the nature of the black republican who had no sympathy on him. Events in the South were comprehensible. Animosity was widely spreading while temperament was flawed. The republican followers were young and unknowledgeable. Lincoln stated â€Å"I intent to unite both the south and north for the sake of country’s unity† (Cline 13). After the election, he was determined to show a former face of the Republican Party a

Law Reflection Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Law Reflection - Coursework Example Overview of the concepts One of the course’s concepts is formation of a contract that follows the legal definition of a contract as a legally binding agreement that is enforceable by a legal system. Such enforceability however depends on formation of a contract that meets essential legal elements. One of the elements is an agreement between the involved parties. This includes an offer by one party and acceptance, subject to legal provisions, by the other party, known as the offeree. There are however a number of principles that governs offer and acceptance such as communication of an offer or acceptance, termination of an offer and communication of such a termination. Another essential element that defines formation of a contract is transfer of consideration from the offeree to the offeror. Consideration, like agreement, is also governed by legal principles such as the doctrine of past consideration and the existence of an offer to be supported by the consideration. Other elem ents in the formation of a contract are the parties’ â€Å"intention to create legal relations,† â€Å"reality of consent,† contractual capacity of the parties and legality of the subject matter (Mead, Sagar and Bampton, 2009, p. 44). A formed contract, based on the elements, can therefore be enforceable, unenforceable ab initio or voidable at a party’s discretion (Mead, Sagar and Bampton, 2009). Another learnt concept from the course is a person’s legal capacity to form a valid contract. Even though every individual is generally presumed to have a contractual capacity, there are exempted categories of people whom law presumes to lack contractual capacity. Such groups are minors; people bellow legally recognized majority age, those who are mentally incapacitated, and those who are substantially under influence of intoxicants. Minors, due to their lack of capacity are only legally liable for being a party to contracts for supplies of their necessiti es while the mentally ill or intoxicated are legally liable when they become parties to contracts for provision of necessities or at a time of insignificant degree of insanity or intoxication. Any other contract by the parties, whose subject matter is legal, is therefore unenforceable unless affirmed by the parties upon gaining contractual capacity. The contracts however bind the other party, if it has contractual capacity unless the contract is avoided. Principles of the doctrine of legal capacity also have a number of exceptions (Twomey and Jennings, 2010). Relevance of the concepts to my career The concepts are relevant to my intended career of venturing into business as they regulate the profession. My career will for example involve formation of contracts with both my suppliers and my buyers for sale of the cloths. Establishment of promises and their enforceability will therefore rely on the essential elements of a contract and contractual capacity of my customers and suppliers . The concepts are therefore relevant in regulating agreements that will exist between my buyers and suppliers, and my business (Mead, Sagar and Bampton, 2009). How the concepts will help me prepare for my career The concepts will help me prepare for my career through developing my knowledge in the career’s legal environment. Being informed of formation of enforceable contracts will for example help me to avoid losses due to unenforceable contra

Theories for Optimistic Personality Traits: A Reflection

Theories for Optimistic Personality Traits: A Reflection Eunice Khong Ee Thian Question 2 (a) I am an optimistic person. Optimism is an individual variable. It embodies the extent to which individuals hold generalized expectancies for their future. Persons with high level of optimism have better subjective well-being when facing adversity. Researches also pointed that optimism has been associated to higher levels of engagement coping and lower level of avoidance. Optimism also linked with health-protective behaviors (Carver, Scheier, Segerstrom, 2010). I always believe that there are always good thing waiting for me ahead. I always look thing in the bright side. No doubt that disappointments and sadness will happen sometimes but I prefer to face challenges and difficulties positively and believe all the problems can be solved one day instead blamed on the problems and others. I always find ways and take actions to solve problems rather than avoid facing them. For instance, during exam, I believe myself can do well in the papers instead of failing them. As optimism also highly associated with resilience which is bouncing back power when facing adversity, I found that the intensity of my optimistic behavior is high and this lead me to have high level of resilience because I do not easily bow to difficulties. (b) I have born in a positive family environment. My parents are also very optimistic. No matter how difficult the situations were, they always showed me and taught me to face adversity positively when I small until now. I am the only child in my family; no doubt my parents will put the most care and attention on me. However, they do not too pamper me. They like my friends and let me make my own decisions. They respect my decisions and also will give me suggestions when I’m making decisions as some guidelines for me. The respect that they gave me made me have confident to face all the challenges positively. As an example, they let me to choose the course that I want to study and which university I want to go to further my study. They do not restrict my freedom but encourage me to pursue my own dreams. Thus, my optimistic behavior has to thank for my parents as they made me have the courage to enrich my life. Besides that, the environment I join is supportive. I like to join with persons who have positive thinking because they make me feel active, fresh and energetic. When in school, I prefer to join friends with positive behaviors. The supports and encouragements that they gave me also is one of the reasons that made me have optimistic behavior. For instance, I have a group of friends who I used to organize events with them in secondary school. I enjoyed the moment when we organized events because no matter how tired we were, we will support each other to across the difficulties together happily but not blame on each other. This also influenced me to be optimistic. (c) Biopsychosocial model integrates biological, psychological and sociocultural factors for explaining a behavior. Optimistic behavior can affect a person biologically. Plenty of researches figured out that optimists have higher survival rate from illness than pessimists. Optimists tend to have better physical health and mental health compare to pessimists. This may because of optimists have greater persistent goal pursuit and active coping with stressors while confronting adversity (Carver, Scheier, Segerstrom, 2010). According to the study of Schou, Ekeberg, Ruland (2005), optimists have greater fighting spirit when facing illness hence they may have better quality of life compare to pessimists (as cited in Carver, Scheier, Segerstrom, 2010). I have skin allergies since I am 9 years old. It is very itchy and irritated when it started. Optimistic behavior braces me up to fight with this disease bravely as I realized that I should not tie by this issue since I have other more signifi cant things are waiting for me to complete rather than always depress on this disease. I feel more relax and less burden when I started to view the disease from the bright side. Besides that, optimistic behavior also helps in coping stress. Individuals with optimistic behavior can cope with stress better and less depresses and has less adverse impact on their physical health (Carver, Scheier, Segerstrom, 2010). For instance, optimistic behavior helps me to survive through many exams. Exams are stressful event. I can cope with the stress during exams with optimistic behavior such as learn to relax instead of nervously prepare for exams. Optimistic behavior also will affect a person psychologically. People will have different feelings and reactions when encountering problems such as enthusiasm or anxiety. How a person feels is related to the differences level of optimism. Optimists expect good outcomes while pessimists expect bad outcomes (Carver, Scheier, Segerstrom, 2010). This will influence a person attitude and behavior. Optimists will have positive attitude and behavior such as hopeful, helpful, enthusiasm and persistent. However, pessimists will have negative attitude and behavior such as hopelessness, easily give up and fragile. Optimistic behavior has helping me a lots in shaping me to become positive. According to my friends, I am the kind of happy-go-lucky and cheerful person. This behavior has helped me earn a lot of precious friendships. Furthermore, according to the study of Sdberg Ness and Segerstrom (2006), optimists are using various types of coping strategies in confronting adversity such as problem- focused coping and engagement coping to solve problems. However, pessimists are always using avoidance coping and disengagement coping while facing challenges (as cited in Carver, Scheier, Segerstrom, 2010). Optimists always learn how to solve problems while pessismists always avoid to face problems and prefer to stay in their comfort zone. For example, me and my parents tried a lot of ways to cure my allergies problem rather than doing nothing and keep on depress. From sociocultural perspective, optimistic behavior is associated with the social environment and culture around an individual. Optimists have better social connections and easier be accepted by others than pessismists as people like someone who express positive thinkings rather than negative expectations (Carver, Scheier, Segerstrom, 2010). Optimists gain more social support from the surrounding. I accepted by my frirends as I always express positive thinkings and feelings to them hence I gain supports from them. Culture will also influence a person’s behavior, believe and thought. Individuals who in a culture which full of negative thoughts, anxiey and sadess are easily become pessimists. In the other hand, if a culture always promote positve, enthusiasm and hopeful atmosphere, individuals are more optimistic. For instance, in my family culture, my parents always encourage me to view thing from the positive side. Therefore, I learn to be optimistic after be edified by my parents. In conclusion, my optimistic behavior is not caused by only one factor. Parents, peers and the people surroundings play an important role in helping me to build optimistic behavior. Hence, people should work together and take in every aspect such as biological, psychological and sociocultural factors as consideration in building children positive characteristics. References Carver, C., Scheier, M., Segerstrom, S. (2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychology Review, 879-889.

David Letterman :: Biography Biographies Bio

David Letterman David Letterman grew up in a small town in eastern Indiana. He was born to Joseph and Dorothy Letterman. After reading the novel, "David Letterman: On Stage and Off" by Rosemarie Lennon, I have learned about all his struggles and joys. Because of this book, I feel sorry towards one of the funniest people on Earth, David Letterman. I also admire him for his good acts and abilities. To realize why I feel what I feel toward Letterman, you have to look at some of the main points in his life. First of all, Dave was exactly an A student. He struggled all of his life through grade school to college. He also wasn't very popular. He stated, " I remember standing around. . . with the other losers, watching all the athletes play sports. All we could do is make fun and ridicule them." He was never good at anything until high school. "All I ever knew how to do was to make people laugh. In high school I was the class clown, making fun of everything and everyone." This personality trait was what gave him his thousands of faithful fans, watching his show every night to see Dave rip to shreds anyone who dare challenge him. Another thing that was important to him was his mother and father. His father, Joseph Letterman, and Dave went fishing quite often when he was young. Dave looked up to his father tremendously. When Joseph had his first heart attack when he was thirty-six, Dave and his father started to drift away. Later, Dave's Dad died when he was fifty-three. One of David's top regrets was never spending a lot of time with his dad. As for his mother, she is the classical conservative mother of the fifties. She was always very hard on Dave when he got into mischief in school-- which was quite often. She is still a part of Dave's life, and can be seen quite often on his show, doing a comedy sketch, or telling audience members what the temperature was in Lillihammer during the Winter Olympics. The Reason I feel sorry for Letterman is because of his tragedies of his past. His Dad's passing was hard enough, but he had other trials to deal with. Like his mother. She was never really proud of David, constantly reminding him he was going to fail, and not encouraging him to take his natural ability to