Lets take Cesare Borgia as an example of how dangerous jealousy is to human.

As the oldest son of the powerful Pope Alexander VI of Vatican, Cesare is said to have everything, from wealth to land and power. Compared to his brother Giovanni, however, Cesare himself felt inferior. He was sick of seeing Giovanni taking away from him beautiful women and more affection from the Pope, as well as losing more important military duties and national honor in to his brother. In situations like this, it is human nature to feel jealous, but Cesares extreme envy led him to kill his brother. Now having gained absolute power, it is ironic that Cesare was still not happy. His father was so upset that he imprisoned himself in a palace for a long time, and Cesare was detested by Giovannis wife and many family members. From the story, it is startling how jealousy can make people do crazy things and turn brotherhood into rivalry, degrading moral values and causing agony to everyone.

The prompt: Describing his vision for the world's future, President Franklin D. Roosevelt told Congress in 1941 that "...we look forward to a world founded upon for essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression.... The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his [or her] own way.... The third is freedom from want.... The fourth is freedom from fear." Assignment: All four freedoms are crucial in a free society. Yet, Roosevelt may be faulted for not adding a fifth, a sixth, or even more freedoms to the list. Given the opportunity to add another freedom, what would you choose? Feel free to invent a new freedom or simply pick one that already exists in the Bill of Rights or elsewhere. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your observations, experience, studies or reading. ESSAY Can we ever truly separate church and state in society? Can politics really exist outside the realm of religion? As long as religious fundamentalism proliferates, I doubt it. While freedom of the government from obstructing religion has been long sought, freedom of religion from obstructing government is far less ostensible but far more exigent. The catastrophe on September eleventh, 2001, a day the world will never forget, epitomizes the danger of the influence of fundamentalist regimes in government. Fatal are the consequences of any mass movement which advocates homicide and brutality; thus, the Taliban who exemplify such a movement should not ever rise to power or myriad lives might be devastated. How can any society function effectively when the heads of state preach murder and hatred? When religious radicalism becomes out of hand in a region and infiltrates the government, it is unlikely any progress can be made. For example, the formerly Taliban infested Iraq has been anything but productive during the last several years. Instead it is war torn and leveled in many areas. Consequently, there should be safeguards in government that can truly desist any religious minority from speaking and acting for the majority. Although religious fundamentalism may only seem to affect only foreign countries like Iraq, it is closer than people might think. During the Bush administration (lol), Conservative Christian values often influenced many political decisions. More than any other controversy, gay marriage has sparked a powder keg of political animosity and further stratified opposing political parties. Ardently opposed by Bush and his sympathizers, gay marriage is seen as immoral through the lens of the bible. As a result, gays are deprived of their right to a pursuit of happiness, which is cited by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence as a fundamental, innate right. Religious principles should not dictate the decisions of political leaders not only because they

often have destructive consequences but because they defy the very logic that our country espouses. So how is it possible that religion could have such a stronghold in politics! In the United States of all places, religious fervor continues to cloud the minds of those in power. Their decisions not only have political ramifications but scientific ones, too. In the field of medicine, the advent of stem cell research holds immeasurable promise but inflames much debate over its religious considerations. As piquing as a fully body rash, debates between stem cell research pundits and religious "scholars" over the extent to which scientists "play god" only waste time that could be used to save lives. But even still, Senators, Governors, Mayors, City Councilmen and representatives with any form of political power deny scientists of their much needed grants to continue research. Religion and government really only cause people to butt heads about matters that would take merely a fraction of a second to decide in a more logical body politic. Might a Senator be stricken with incurable liver cancer one day god forbid, it would be a pity for him to realize that he petered his own chances of survival when he struck down grants for stem cell researchers. It is no surprise that when religious extremists be it the Taliban or a Congressman of the Bush Administration seize power, a wake of destruction follows in their path. Freedom from religion, thus, is indescribably vital to any society. Therefore, the "United" States of America that FDR had in mind will forever be a misnomer if we continue to let religion in government tear us apart.

In the famed Greek play Oedipus Rex by Euriphedes, Oedipus defies the authority of King Lalibea of Corinth, an unjust and tyrannical ruler. Oedipus believed in freedom and a pristine world free of corruption. On numerous occasions when King Lalibea held public ceremonies and rituals, Oedipus defiantly questioned the decisions of King Lalibea such as invading the innocent Persians, and murdering the East Orthodox Pope of Constantinople. Oedipus voice and magnetic personality inspired the numerous peasant class and powerful merchant class to obtain a wider view and perceive King Lalibea as he truly is: a tyrant. Shortly after, social reform followed which freed the City of Corinth from the authoritarian rule of King Lalibea. For another 150 years the land was bliss and uncorrupted. Hence, Oedipus defiant and obdurate skepticism of the government had many bright and positive effects

Topic: Should people take the responsibility to solve problems that affect their communities or nation? Ever since the dawn of time, man has become less and less self reliant. The invention of technology and the creation of government has undermined our independence and self sufficiency. It is crucial that people take the responsibility to solve problems that affect their communities or nation. Throughout society, literature, and films, the evidence to support my viewpoint is pervasive. Through the actions of Kevin Boateng, poor families in southern Lousiana are receiving gifts for the holidays and the necessities of food such as food and drinkable water. During the famed press conference, Kevin Boateng told his motives for creating the LEHA (Lets feed and help America). He proudly stated "One day I was walking through walmart and an austere and astute boy asked his mother to buy him a snickers bar, a mere snickers bar. His mom sadly told him that they did not have enough

money to afford it. Then the poor boy began to cry. This incident propelled me to create the LEHA because I realized the hardships in life and the little effort outside forces are doing to help families like these" As of 2010, the LFHA has raised over $450,000 through fundraisers, donations, and community festivals, to donate to impoverished families. Hence, Kevin Boateng's action of taking the responsibility to help destitute families in his community has enlightened the lives of many families and individuals. In the famed play Oedipus Rex, Oedipus took it upon himself to rid the City of Corinth from thieves. In Corinth the theft rate was at an enormous 45%, a dazzling number. Unfortunately, the King of Corinth, King Lalibea, was not an advocate of arresting the robberies; infact, nobody really cared until they were robbed and many of the robbed did not stand up and do anything. When Oedipus was robbed, he decided it was time to take action, to make a difference. In his plot, he set up many sly and deceiving traps. The robbers literally walked into the traps because they had not faced any opposition in years. Every night he would behead every man he found caught in his traps. The people of Corinth were joyous and gay. The news spread to King Lalibea and he immedietly took note of Oedipus' action. As a result, Oedipus was appointed Head of the Chamber of Defense of Corinth. As one can clearly see, Oedipus' action of reducing the theft rate has made Corinth a peaceful and idyllic city. In the blockbuster film Equilibrium by Roy Hendriksory, the State of Isabell was in frantic disarray. There were no laws prohibiting any act. There was no government, just a hereditary king that truly had no power. There were robberies, assassinations, mockery, heresy and not one man decided to do anything about it; even the king refused to help in fear of being assassinated. One dutch-man Nigel de Jong decided the time to wait was over and the time to act has come. He immediately pursued action. He set up committees, or miniature governments, throughout the land to govern a small section. Over time this grew into a large feudal system that had law and order. The citizens now lived in bliss and were fearless of crime because it was very rare because Nigel De Jong decided to take the responsibility to solve a major problem or crisis in his nation. After a careful analysis of Kevin Boateng, Oedipus Rex, and Nigel de Jong, one can see that it is indeed crucial for people to take responsibility for solving problems that affect their communities and their nation. The world might not be where it is today if people like Kevin Boateng or Nigel de Jong did not take responsibility for solving problems and become mavericks of their time. Topic: Is it necessary to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority Ever since the dawn of time, man has been reluctant to follow the decisions and believe the ideas of people in positions of authority. This unique attitude has led to many rebellions and social reforms. In my opinion, it is crucial to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority. Throughout literature, society, and films, the evidence to support my viewpoint is pervasive. In the famed Greek play Oedipus Rex by Euriphedes, Oedipus defies the authority of King Lalibea of Corinth, an unjust and tyrannical ruler. Oedipus believed in freedom and a pristine world free of corruption. On numerous occasions when King Lalibea held public ceremonies and rituals, Oedipus defiantly questioned the decisions of King Lalibea such as invading the innocent Persians, and murdering the East Orthodox Pope of Constantinople. Oedipus voice and magnetic personality inspired the numerous peasant class and powerful merchant class to obtain a wider view and perceive King Lalibea as he truly is: a tyrant. Shortly after, social reform followed which freed the City of Corinth from the authoritarian rule of King Lalibea. For another 150 years the land was bliss and uncorrupted. Hence, Oedipus defiant and obdurate skepticism of the government had many bright and positive effects.

Also, one should take note of Huang Du Li, a reformist in the 1400s during the Haji Shogunates rule of Japan. Huang Du Li lived in a major city named Astentine; there were no laws circumscribing the actions of the people and one was free to do whatever one pleased. The only form of punishment was personal revenge and the Shogun Ali Squan decided he did not want to abolish his current method of government. However, Huang Du Li did not prefer Ali Squans form of government and decided to find a new way to govern the country of Japan. Therefore, after making an educational trip to the splendid city of Shen namaste in China, Huang Du Li noted the orderly system of government and the equanimity present in China. He returned to Japan in hopes of implementing what he learned. Therefore, he began preaching in the city square of Tanzantia, the economic and political capital of Japan. By using sophistry, he won the favor of the strong merchant class and the powerful samurai class. Soon many other reformists such as the future shogun Ju li Hann joined his assault on Ali Squans totalitarian form of government. After the famed 40 year war, Japan became a democracy by destroying the earlier unadvocated tyrannical government. As one can clearly see, Huang Di Lis questioning of the government proved to be a catalyst for important social reform. In the film Equilibrium by John R Renyolds, everyone is required to take a daily injection of Intenside, a drug the blocks all human emotion temporarily. One day, Garret Taylor inscrutably loses his daily dose of Intenide. He began to view the world in a completely arcane way. After carefully analyzing the supreme leader, Father, he decides to make a rebellion for social reform. Taylors epiphany propelled him to make clandestine videos demonstrating the caustic behavior of Father because Father made many inhumane and bizarre decisions such as to eliminate all handicaps and to kill anyone who speaks against him. 50 years after Taylors death, a fellow rebel discovered Taylors videos and revealed them to the public. Soon after, many powerful people were beginning to realize how oblivious they had been to Fathers actions and they immediately overthrew him. In perspective , Garret Taylors ability to challenge the decisions of Father, even in the face of danger, proved to be sufficient in creating a pristine and idyllic world. After a careful analysis of Oedipus Rex, Huang Du Lim and Garret Taylor, one can see that questioning the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority is crucial to maintain equanimity and bliss.