Organic vs Non-Organic Essay Example for Free

Organic vs Non-Organic Essay What should I eat? That is the question on millions of American minds in the recent years. For years we have fallen for hype, forgoing one food type in favor of another, only to hear months or years later were doing it all wrong. More recently, the nations attention has turned to organic foods in our quest to eat healthy, get slim and live a long and active life. Pesticides, websites and newspapers warn, are leading to an unhealthy America. The use of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, otherwise known as DDT, is brought up time and time again. Prior to 1973, the use of DDT was widespread and our main weapon against the war on pests. We now know the use of DDT led to massive effects on wildlife and humans (DDT- a Brief History, 2012). Who’s to say one of the many other pesticides and insecticides we spray today won’t take a similar turn down the road, articles ask? While it’s true any pesticide we use in traditional farming can lead to health problems in humans if consistently exposed, safeguards are put in place and testing is standardized by the United States government to prevent illness and death from the foods we eat. The same cannot be said about organic produce and meat. Organic foods do not have to withstand the same amount of rigorous testing as non-organic and what testing does take place is not even standardized (Tenser, 2013). This can lead to an increased threat of health problems for those who thought they were making the healthier choice. Studies have shown there is no real significant advantage, health wise, in choosing organic over non-organic and that label, and the higher price that accompanies, might not actually be worth it. Proponents of organic foods say they are free from pesticides and hormones used by companies to produce larger animals faster, thus leading to increased profits. Several of the pesticides used today have come under scrutiny of regulatory agencies. More of the vitamins and complex micro nutrients our bodies need to survive are retained when synthetic pesticides are not used. Using natural and biological pest control, organic foods are safer and a healthier alternative to commercialized fruits and vegetables. In actuality, it’s all a myth. There is no organic product on the market today that is free of synthetic pesticides. Over the years, the soil has retained some of the pesticide runoff, which keeps all foods today from being completely free of chemicals (Hom, 1992). The increase in manure usage that accompanies the shunning of synthetic fertilizers leads to an increased risk of E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks (Griswald, 2013, p. 1). This is because manure consists of a greater amount of bacteria and its use runs the risk of cross contamination. The rise in organic farming has led to many of the food borne illnesses that plagued much of the 2000s. The use of hormones is grossly overstated; commercial chicken is not injected with hormones, contrary to what organic food suppliers want you to believe. The use of hormones does nothing to help the chicken become larger or grow faster. Hormone use would simply be a waste of money since no profit is gained from it (Poultry Housing Tips, 2012). In regards to the argument fruits and vegetables grown organically have more of the vitamins and nutrients retained in them, this is true, however a person focused on a well-rounded and healthy diet has no fear of missing certain nutrients their body needs. Not to mention, often times a scrubbing of soap and water cleans off all pesticide residue from any fruits and vegetables you are going to enjoy. If you can afford them, buy them, recommends New York University professor Marion Nestle, PhD (Zelman, n. d. ). Spending a few dollars more for that organic chicken will save mountains of hospital bills down the road, organic food marketers say. Consumers of organic foods spend on average $4000 more a year, convinced the extra expenditure is well worth it in the long run. Also, by spending more, youre told you’re helping save the environment; by not using synthetic pesticides the soil and streams cannot be contaminated. It is true a lean toward more organic farming leads to a more stable growing environment and an increase of local food production (Berger, 2013, p. 1). Still, organic foods are often trucked across state lines to groceries throughout the country. What the use of natural agents saves environmentally is canceled out by the exhaust spewed into the atmosphere and the fossil fuels used during the journey. The cost of organic foods is just not worth the payout. There have been many studies showing there is no real health benefit to eating organic foods (Watson, 2008). Fruits such as bananas and oranges and vegetables such as peas are not eaten whole; they require peeling which means they require less pesticide, meaning the higher price tag on the organic bananas just aren’t worth it. And as the price of organics rises, organics are seen as a status symbol, an â€Å"elitist stratification. † Organic food marketers capitalize on the class divide, marketing organics as a way to lead the beautiful, healthy life of the wealthy. They stress organics are healthier, better, worth the cost (Sprague, 2013, p 1). This is just simply not the case. A well rounded diet is all anyone needs to stay healthy and lead an active life. With this in mind, the higher price tag is just not worth the hype. It has been shown time and time again that organic foods do not have a greater health benefit compared to commercial foods. The label doesnt justify breaking the bank. A well rounded diet is just as beneficial to a healthy society, with or without the use of synthetic pesticides. Organic foods are not the guiding light they claim to be. There is one tried and true method to end most health concerns. Eat a varied diet. Getting all the vitamins and nutrition you need is up to you, not up to a label. References Berger, A. (2013). Organic foods are a healthier alternative. In Points of view reference center (p. 2). Retrieved from http://web. ebscohost. com. proxy. devry. edu/pov/ detail? sid=9b34ea84-d9c3-4c4a-8cf5- 2fe5b8ae172f%40sessionmgr112vid=1hid=113bda ta=JnNpdGU9cG92LWxpdmU%3d#db=pwhAN=43286303 DDT- A brief history and status. (2012, May 9). Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://www. epa. gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/ddt-brief-history-status. htm Griswald, A. (2013). Organic food: Overview. In Points of view reference center (p. 1). Retrieved from http://web. ebscohost. com. proxy. devry. edu/pov/ detail? sid=e32326f0-2d1a-4489-9176-71e40074d5be%40sessionmgr113vid=1hid=113bda ta=JnNpdGU9cG92LWxpdmU%3d#db=pwhAN=43286302 Hom, L. (1992). About organic produce. Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://www. ocf. berkeley. edu/~lhom/organictext. html Poultry housing tips. (2012, April). Retrieved May 25, 2013, from The University of Georgia website: http://www. poultryventilation. com/sites/default/files/ tips/2012/vol24n4. pdf Sprague, N. (2013). Organic food is unnecessary and the current food.

dante :: essays research papers

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) The greatest Italian poet and one of the most important writers of European literature. Dante is best known for the epic poem COMMEDIA, c. 1310-14, later named LA DIVINA COMMEDIA. It has profoundly affected not only the religious imagination but all subsequent allegorical creation of imaginary worlds in literature. Dante spent much of his life traveling from one city to another. This had perhaps more to do with the restless times than his wandering character or fixation on the Odyssey. However, his Commedia can also be called a spiritual travel book. "It were a shameful thing if one should rhyme under the semblance of metaphor or rhetorical similitude, and afterwards, being questioned thereof, should be unable to rid his words of such semblance, unto their right understanding." (from Vita Nuova, c. 1293) Dante Alighieri was born into a Florentine family of noble ancestry. Little is known about Dante's childhood. His mother, Bella degli Abati, died when he was seven years old. His father, Alighiero II, made his living by money-lending and renting of property. After the death of his wife he remarried, but died in the early 1280s, before the future poet reached manhood. Brunetto Latini, a man of letters and a politician, became a father figure for Dante, but later in his Commedia Dante placed Latini in Hell, into the seventh circle, among those who were guilty of "violence against nature" - sodomy. Dante received a thorough education in both classical and Christian literature. At the age of 12 he was promised to his future wife, Gemma Donati. Dante had already fallen in love with another girl whom he called Beatrice. She was 9 years old. Years later Dante met Beatrice again. He had become interested in writing verse, and although he wrote several sonnets to Beatrice, he never mentioned his wife Gemma in any of his poems. One of his early sonnets Dante sent to the poet Guido Cavalcanti, which started their friendship. Dante also dedicated his first book to Cavalcanti. The work, LA VITA NUOVA (1292), celebrated Dante's love for Beatrice. The nature of his love had its roots in the medieval concept of "courtly love" and the idealization of women. According to another theory, Beatrice was actually a symbol of 'Santa Sapienza', which united secret societies of the day. Harold Bloom in The Western Canon (1994) sees Beatrice as Dante's greatest muse, his invention, who saved him "by giving him his greatest image for poetry, and he saved her from oblivion, little as she may have wanted such salvation.

Presidential Speech Essay

In Barrack Obama’s Second Inaugural Address he mentioned how he wants to improve the United States by having better education, having woman’s right, gay rights, virtue programs for the retired and disabled, the importance of tackling global warming, and immigration reform. In the speech he gave he talked about what brings this country together is not the race or beliefs of people but the idea articulated in the declaration of independence and how the founding fathers of this country did not mean to become deprived by the constitution and that patriotism was not the preserve of the right. After everything that has happened in this country we are recovering, our future is looking brighter. He wants to grow government in order to remake our country along his progressive vision. He also wants to increase our taxes instead of reforming medicare and social security. This speech is also about how the ones who died in the army or in 9/11 are the ones who have paid for our freedom we have in this country. Everyone in the United States is given a chance to succeed, no matter how poor they may be because they are an American and we are free and equal. This speech is also about how we should be aware of those who want to harm us and do bad and show courage and defend each other peacefully. He believes equal pay for women, equality under the law for gays,voting rights, immigration reforms and higher employments are the keys to further America’s journey towards its highest ideals. He promise to further the journey as part of his oath and asked for us to accomplish the same oath. He also promised to keep existing alliances strong, emphasized the end of wars and the economic recovery. Obama’s second Inaugural Address took place on the national day that celebrates the civil rights leader, Martin Luther king Jr. In his speech he had mention â€Å"we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half slave and half free.† Obama’s Inauguration theme was â€Å"Faith in America’s Future† which was about the 150th anniversary on Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation, this was when Abraham Lincoln announced slavery illegal and wanted equal rights for everyone. I think the speech Barrack Obama gave was good and bad at the same time  because he probably lost a lot of people when he mention the gay rights and immigration reform. But also gained some votes from the Hispanics and young adults because young people accept gay rights than most of the country. I think he does make a point in wanting to pass the pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants instead of mass deportation because a lot of people come to the united states to find a better future for their children. Those immigrants see this country as a land of opportunity. Since Barrack Obama gave this speech, nothing has really occurred ,other than Obama’s residential order which is similar to the dream act. The people who qualify for this must be between the ages 12-35,arrived in the United States before the age of 16, lived in the United States for at least 5 years, and have graduated a highs school and obtained their diploma or GED. This allows a dreamer to get their work permit for two years, and a driver’s license. Even though immigration reforms are not passing and are having issues with it, it is moving forward.

Prohibition Of The Former Flint Brewery Building - 1138 Words

Ralph sits in the Pere Marquette rail depot in Flint, fidgeting with the lose button on his overcoat, and looking down at his shabby brown shoes. The morning sun is low and catches dust in its light as it shines through the windows. His eyes dart to the door every time it opens. He is expecting a cop to walk in at any moment. He is getting desperate and would look suspicious if it wasn’t for his overall gentle appearance. He gets up and checks the time tables for the fourth time and debates if he should inquire why the train is late. He walks to the window and watches the congregation gathering outside the Lakeview Methodist Episcopal Church, which ironically is housed in the former Flint Brewery building and has been since 1915, when†¦show more content†¦Walking that morning, something in Smith-Bridgman s Co store window caught his eye, in the display where a pair of red alligator skin shoes. These shoes intoxicated him and without a second thought Ralph went in t o buy them. The salesman said that they were one of a kind, sure to be the only pair in Flint. Ralph paid cash for the shoes and as store policy directed, a sales recite including Ralphs name and address was retained in the men’s departments as a record of sale. Ralph had gotten home and put the shoes on. They were a size to large and without question the nicest thing he had ever owned. Ralph needed to deliverer some gin to a house around noon and was excited to wear the new shoes out. Though he had never done a delivery before, he had sold to this guy plenty of times at Atwood. He packaged up the gin and headed out just before noon to travel the few blocks to the customer’s house wearing the new red shoes. About a block from the house Ralph saw the two foot patrol cops step out of Alvord’s Market. They waited for him to pass then flowed behind him. Ralph was worried but talked himself down. He had packaged the gin to look like bread and the house was just around the corner, besides he didn’t recognize them and they likely didn’t recognize him. He got to the house and went through the gate and around to the side door and knocked; no answer. He knocked again and stepped back to make sure the cops had passed. They were standing justShow MoreRelatedEssay on Heineken Business Analyses15259 Words   |  62 Pagesstill closely involved in the company. Globally, Heineken is in the top 5 of the largest breweries and in Holland they are the largest brewer. Heineken NV is a Dutch multination in the beer- and beverage sector and operates in more than 170 countries. With a total beer volume of 125.8 million hectoliters in 2008, Heineken belongs to the largest breweries of t he world. The production takes place in 125 breweries in more than 70 countries. 1 1.2 Areas of current activities There are a few key reasonsRead MorePre-Columbian Period9302 Words   |  38 Pagesto the later development of the democratic United States government, a departure from the strong monarchies from which the Europeans came.[citation needed] [edit] North Americas Moundbuilder Culture A Mississippian priest, with a ceremonial flint mace. Artist Herb Roe, based on a repousse copper plate.Mound Builder is a general term referring to the American Indians who constructed various styles of earthen mounds for burial, residential and ceremonial purposes. These included Archaic, Woodland