The First Amendment and Conservative Rulings of the Supreme Court :: Politics Political Essays

The First Amendment and Conservative Rulings of the Supreme Court The authors of the Constitution of the United States created a magnificent list of liberties which were, at the time ascribed, to most people belonging to the United States. The main author, James Madison, transported the previous ideas of fundamental liberties from the great libertarians around the world, such as John Lilburne, John Locke, William Walwyn and John Milton. Madison and other previous libertarians of his time were transposed into seventeen different rights which were to be secured to all those in the United States. These seventeen civil liberties were compressed into ten different groupings which were designated as the "Bill of Rights." In this document lay the First Amendment which stated that the people of the United States had the "freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government..." The First Amendment was drafted by federalist Madison mainly as a political tactic to abolish anti-federalist resistance to the Constitution. After its passage in December of 1791, the First Amendment remained more idealistic than realistic. The First Amendment remained a set of ideals which were not to be carried out during its first century, then progressed to more realistic terms during its latter half of utilization. During the first century of the First Amendment, the First Amendment was paid a glance by all when it came to actually carrying out the freedoms guaranteed by this amendment. For example, in 1794, Pennsylvanian backcountry farmers protested a whiskey tax. The protesters were not violent such as those of the previous Shay's Rebellion. George Washington sent in a militia to crush the rebellion denying them of their First Amendment right to "peaceably assemble." Later, in 1836, antiÄ sl avery newspaper editor James G. Birney had been warned that his newspaper "The Philanthropist" was not desirable in the city of Cincinatti. When Birney refused to cooperate, mob action took rule and, "scattered the type into the streets, tore down t he presses and completely dismantled the office." This contradicted the First Amendment which stated that, "freedom...of the press," is a constitutional right. The Supreme Court could do nothing about these situations when in Barron v. Baltimore, t he Court ruled that, "These amendments contain no expression indicating an intention to apply them to state governments. This court cannot so apply them." Thus, the Supreme Court could not interfere when First Amendments The First Amendment and Conservative Rulings of the Supreme Court :: Politics Political Essays The First Amendment and Conservative Rulings of the Supreme Court The authors of the Constitution of the United States created a magnificent list of liberties which were, at the time ascribed, to most people belonging to the United States. The main author, James Madison, transported the previous ideas of fundamental liberties from the great libertarians around the world, such as John Lilburne, John Locke, William Walwyn and John Milton. Madison and other previous libertarians of his time were transposed into seventeen different rights which were to be secured to all those in the United States. These seventeen civil liberties were compressed into ten different groupings which were designated as the "Bill of Rights." In this document lay the First Amendment which stated that the people of the United States had the "freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government..." The First Amendment was drafted by federalist Madison mainly as a political tactic to abolish anti-federalist resistance to the Constitution. After its passage in December of 1791, the First Amendment remained more idealistic than realistic. The First Amendment remained a set of ideals which were not to be carried out during its first century, then progressed to more realistic terms during its latter half of utilization. During the first century of the First Amendment, the First Amendment was paid a glance by all when it came to actually carrying out the freedoms guaranteed by this amendment. For example, in 1794, Pennsylvanian backcountry farmers protested a whiskey tax. The protesters were not violent such as those of the previous Shay's Rebellion. George Washington sent in a militia to crush the rebellion denying them of their First Amendment right to "peaceably assemble." Later, in 1836, antiÄ sl avery newspaper editor James G. Birney had been warned that his newspaper "The Philanthropist" was not desirable in the city of Cincinatti. When Birney refused to cooperate, mob action took rule and, "scattered the type into the streets, tore down t he presses and completely dismantled the office." This contradicted the First Amendment which stated that, "freedom...of the press," is a constitutional right. The Supreme Court could do nothing about these situations when in Barron v. Baltimore, t he Court ruled that, "These amendments contain no expression indicating an intention to apply them to state governments. This court cannot so apply them." Thus, the Supreme Court could not interfere when First Amendments

Physical therapy intervention with a stroke patient Essay

The clinical manifestations of neurologic disease are as varied as the disease processes themselves. Symptoms can be subtle or intense, fluctuating or permanent, an inconvenience or devastating. First clinical manifestation is Pain, it is considered an unpleasant sensory perception and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. Pain is therefore considered multidimensional and entirely subjective. Seizures are the result of abnormal paroxysmal discharges in the cerebral cortex, which then manifest as an alteration in sensation, behavior, movement, perception, or consciousness. The alteration may be short, as in a blank stare lasting only a second, or of longer duration, such as tonic- clonic grand mal seizure that can last several minutes. Dizziness, an abnormal sensation of imbalance or movement. It is fairly common in the elderly and one of the most common complaints encountered by health professionals. Visual Disturbances, visual defects that cause people to seek health care can range from the decreased visual acuity associated with aging to sudden blindness. Weakness, specifically muscle weakness is a common manifestation of CVA. Weakness frequently co exists with other symptoms of disease and can affect a variety of muscles, causing a wide range of disability. Weakness can be sudden and permanent, a sin stroke, or progressive, as in many neuromuscular diseases. Abnormal sensation, numbness, abnormal sensation, or loss of sensation is a manifestation of cerebrovascular accident. Altered sensation can affect small or large areas of the body. It is frequently associated with weakness or pain and is potentially disabling. Both numbness and weakness can significantly affect balance and coordination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Assessment of cortical motor integration is carried out by asking the patient to perform a skilled act like asking a patient to throw a ball, move a chair. Successful performance requires the ability to understand the activity desired and normal motor strength. Failure signals cerebral dysfunction. Examining the Motor System, a thorough examination of the motor system includes an assessment of the muscle size, tone and strength, coordination, and balance. The patient is instructed to walk across the room while the examiner observes posture and gait. The muscles are inspected, and palpated if necessary, for their size and symmetry. Resistance and Abnormalities are documented after. Assessing the patient’s ability to flex or extend the extremities against resistance test muscle strength. Once the leg is straightened, it is exceedingly difficult for the examiner to flex the knee. Conversely, if the knee of the patient is flexed and is asked to straighten the leg against resistance, a more subtle disability can be elicited. For example, the right upper extremity is compared to the left upper extremity. In this way, subtle differences in muscle strength can be more easily detected and accurately described. Coordination in the hands and upper extremities is tested by having the patient perform rapid, alternating movements and point-to-point testing. First the patient is instructed to pat his or her thigh as fast as possible with each hand separately. Then the patient is instructed to alternately pronate and supinate the hand as rapidly as possible. The n lastly, the patient is asked to touch each of the fingers with the thumb in a consecutive motion. Speed, symmetry, and degree of difficulty are noted. Coordination in the lower extremities is tested by having the patient run the heel down the anterior surface of the tibia of the other leg. Each leg is tested in turn. The motor reflexes are involuntary contractions of muscles or muscle groups in response to abrupt stretching near the site of the muscle’s insertion. The tendon is struck directly with a reflex hammer or indirectly by striking the examiner’s thumb, which is placed firmly against the tendon. Testing these reflexes enables the examiner to assess involuntary reflex arcs that depend on the presence of afferent stretch receptors, spinal synapses, efferent motor fibers, and a variety of modifying influences from higher levels. Common reflexes that maybe tested include the deep tendon reflexes like biceps, brachioradialis, triceps, patellar, and ankle reflexes and superficial or cutaneous reflexes like abdominal reflexes and plantar or Babinski response.    References: Brunner, K., Suddarith, L. (2003) Medical- Surgical Nursing.   J. G. Ferguson Publishing Company.

Women s Impact On Women Essay - 2266 Words

The 1800’s redefined who, what, and how women would continue to be represented in the United States. Prior to this era women’s roles in America were very limited; women had to abide by laws such as coverture. Men were the dominating force in social events, political events and in the economy. Nonetheless, women continued to fight these injustices and set multiple milestones during the 1800’s and the 1900’s. Several significant people and movements would attribute to these noteworthy milestones that women would overcome. For the duration of this time women were not staying silent about the inequalities regarding women and African Americans in America. Women like Clarina Irene Howard Nichols took an early stance on the injustice women faced during this time, focusing on the Temperance Movement and later moving in the direction of Women’s Suffrage as well as focusing on the injustice African Americans faced. In addition to Clarina Irene Howard Nichols, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott would continue to take a more radical stance and hold the first women’s convention in Seneca Falls, New York. These women are predominating figures in the impending movement for women. Women’s Suffrage and Temperance is often a bridge for the women’s movement of the time. In addition to focusing on women’s movements, these women were also movers and shakers in the anti-slavery issues. These types of crusades empowered women to fight for the injustice they experienced in addition to fightShow MoreRelatedWomen s Impact On Women1406 Words   |  6 Pagesprocreate. However, in the years before hospitals and physicians, women were forced to give birth within the confines of their homes with the help of midwives. Midwives were people who had been through what the soon-to-be mother has been through. This changed when midwives gave way to physicians who spent their lives studying all the ins and outs of childbirth. Physi cians were strictly men at the time, and it was recently that women became physicians as well. This caused much controversy because menRead MoreWomen s Impact On Women1305 Words   |  6 PagesFrom its beginning childbirth had been a thing between women. Childbirth as a social event created an impenetrable support system of women rooted in the common song between those who give birth. Before the medicalization of childbirth, women knew a more autonomous procedure. Why did men decide that childbirth needed them? Almost instinctually, I believe that men saw the power of a united female population and trembled in its wake. The same way that white men trembled in the eye of flourishing blackRead MoreWomen s Impact On Women1407 Words   |  6 Pagesdiscrepancy is due to women taking extensive time off due to caring for children. Ultimately, what this study shows is that men who have children do not earn any less because of it. Yet women who have children, who work in the same fields a s these men, do suffer. Research done in countries with paid maternity leave, and American companies who offer paid leave, show that when women have access to paid maternity leave, a year later they work more with higher earnings. Women who would like to workRead MoreWomen s Impact On Women1023 Words   |  5 Pageshistories progression in the 1970’s, women have had very limited chances, if any, through time towards their Intelligence worth and educations claim. Adrienne Rich’s delivered speech in 1977 at the assembly of Douglas College Entitled â€Å"Claiming an Education† aggressively approached towards female students by urging them to change their mindset, breaking free off taboo, sexist stereotypes, and the feminine inferiority mindset, even though her speech was geared towards women, any gender, especially formsRead MoreWomen s Impact On Women2986 Words   |  12 Pagesonly made history but have produced consequences that women today have to face in their day to day lives. Not only were women used and seen as properties and commodities, but society made some of their experiences to be remembered and carried on by other women throughout history in a negative way. Butler, Goldman, Perkins Gilman and Hartmann explore women in the areas of prostitution, disease, economic status and medical treatment to prove that women are being treated as property in both the role ofRead MoreWomen And Women s Impact On Society1417 Words   |  6 Pagesalso been instances in history where men and women embodied specific roles in their relationships and households. During in the 1800’s, women were expected to be the caretakers of the home, to produce children, to never really have professional jobs of their own, and to do as they were told by their husband. During this time men were the leading figure of â€Å"dominance† in the household due to their social and professional images. The freedoms that women have today were basically as far out of sightRead MoreWomen s Impact On Society1054 Words   |  5 Pages Women have been a key part in United States history since the beginning, whether that means in economics, politics, or the social sphere. Women have continually been put below men as the â€Å"second sex.† However, without women every aspect of American life would be different. Women play a crucial role in consumerism, reform, and culture, which are all main parts of United States domestic life. A lot of women unintentionally participate in consumer culture and economics daily. In early America, womenRead MoreWomen s Impact On Young Girls And Adult Women1438 Words   |  6 Pages Having insecurities and flaws impacts almost anyone and also commonly on young girls and adult women. Many people think that having insecurities is just a phase that every young teen goes through that will eventually turn into confidence, but that isn’t always the case. Many women struggle daily with the way their appearances and even try to seek for approval as a way to boost their confidence. In today’s society, majority of young adults especially women are constantly on social media, lookingRead MoreWomen s Impact On Society2931 Words   |  12 PagesMary Astell was primarily known for her impact on the role of women in society, her views on education, religious views, and her ideas of reason and the nature of man. During Astell’s time, men believed that women were infe rior; in addition they believed that women were only put on earth to bear her children and take care of the children while managing the household. Because women were considered inferior, they were not given the same jobs or life opportunities as men had received, and thereforeRead MoreWomen s Right s Movement And Its Impacts887 Words   |  4 PagesThe Women’s Right’s Movement and Its Impacts Susan B Anthony, one of the first women to participate in the women s right movement said â€Å"I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.† For a long time women were seen as inferior to men. They weren t capable of the things that men were. They were expected to stay in the household and tend to the children. They were subjects to their own oppression and for a

Essay on Was the Civil War in Face Inevitable (Dbq)

Was the Civil War Inevitable or Not? â€Å"A house divided against itself cannot stand.† Abraham Lincoln uttered these words on June 17, 1858 at the Republican state convention in Illinois. Three short years later, the first shots of the Civil War would be fired at Fort Sumter. Brothers fighting brothers, killing 620,000 of their own. This would be the start of the bloodiest war in American history. The debate over popular sovereignty, the conflicting opinions on slavery, and the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin all lead to the inevitable declaration of a civil war. In Lewis Cass was the first to introduce the idea of popular sovereignty, or the belief that the people chose the laws of the society. When the United States acquired†¦show more content†¦Slavery had always been an issue in the United States, and some will argue that it was the main reason the Civil War broke out in 1861. When Harriet Beecher Stowe published her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, in 1852, the Southerners reacted by defending their way of life. They claimed that Stowe was exaggerating, and that the way they were portrayed in the book was false. â€Å"Didn’t I pay down twelve hundred dollars, cash, for all there is inside yer old cussed blackshell? An’t yer mine now body and soul?... we’ll see-we’ll see!... give this dog such a breakin’ in as he won’t get over this month!† (Doc C). Over 300,000 copies were sold in the first year of circulation, proving to be the most popular book in the 19th century. Abraham Lincoln greeted Stowe, the first time they met in 1862, by saying there is â€Å"the little women who wrote the book that made this great war.† Uncle Tom’s Cabin unveiled all the details that the South tried to cover up, and just added fuel to the abolitionist’s claims and protest. Although some believed that the Union would never split, many issues lead to the bloodiest war in American history. The conflicting beliefs on popular sovereignty, slavery, and the publication of Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin all proved that the Civil War was in fact inevitable, and that brothers fighting brothers never endsShow MoreRelatedDiscuss the Relationship Between Lincolns Goals of Preserving the Union and Freeing the Slaves.1455 Words   |  6 PagesDBQ Civil War Essay In the time period of 1862 to 1865, when Lincoln takes office in March 4th to his assassination, the United States was dealing with the issues of preserving the Union. In determining whether Lincoln’s goals to preserve the Union by freeing the slaves, one must assess the knowledge of their relationship. Politically, President Lincoln tried to convince the political groups that abolishing slavery would help preserve the Union; intellectually, he gave the idea of ending slaveryRead MoreSouthern Secession1218 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Jake Wild Period 7 DBQ Essay Southern Secession of 1860 and 1861 â€Å"If slavery must not expand in your mind, it’s settled, we as a state secede from the governing of the Union and join a greater power, the Confederacy. We will no longer be hampered in your hatred towards our way of living. †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Then be on your way, I shall not dabble in your cruel pro-slavery reasoning. Just bear the knowledge in mind, we are stronger as a whole.† The Missouri Compromise kept inevitable split of the Nation at bayRead MoreDBQ for AP US History Essay2093 Words   |  9 PagesChapter 6: The Duel for North America 1. Why was the French Empire ultimately so much less successful than either the Spanish or the British Empires? The French were less successful then both the Spanish and the British because they were late to jump to the gun on the race to claim land in the new world, by time the French stared colonizing the new world the British had already settled on the east coast, and the Spanish in south America, so basically they had to take what is now known as Canada

`` Idiot Nation `` By Michael Moore - 1591 Words

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we (Bush).In a society notorious for its oblivious politicians, questionable educational system, and money hungry big corporations, this senseless quote made by the forty-third president of the United States George W. Bush, is only one of the many incidents validating Moore’s claim that we as Americans lack sufficient articulation and education. If there could be a spokesperson for criticizing American politicians, the educational system, globalization, large corporations, the war in Iraq, and many other debatable issues, American author of â€Å"Idiot Nation†, Michael Moore would be the ideal candidate. In this piece, Moore argues that America is a nation built upon a clueless, illiterate society of people, a sub-par educational system, and manipulative corporations. All which are governed by brainless politicians. Moore effectively creates his argument by offering personal anecdotes, statistical data, cause and effect examples, and a call to action for what students can do to stand up to educational subservience. Textual context is important in understanding the author’s argument. Moore’s life, works, and purpose affected his argument in that it drew from his personal experiences as a student and was effective for an audience of students, board members, teachers, and politicians. Michael Moore is a major advocate for betterShow MoreRelatedThe, Idiot Nation, By Michael Moore1421 Words   |  6 Pagespublications who spread the idiocy of these politicians, and influences the American people to buy into their idiocy and elect and re-elect more idiots into power, keeping the American people ignorant and stupid. In Michael Moore’s article, â€Å"Idiot Nation,† he presents us with several high-ranking officials, throughout America’s history, who represented us as a nation despite an acute lack of knowledge for the positions there were to hold: Maxwell Gluck, ambassador to Ceylon in 1956, William Clark, deputyRead MoreIdiot Nation, Michael Moore, Critical Essay Critique1280 Words   |  6 PagesCritical Essay In Rereading America an excerpt by Michael Moore entitled â€Å"Idiot Nation† focuses on the collapsing educational system in the United States of America. Moore brings to light his view on the failures of the educational system and the lack of financing that has been caused from the top of the food chain. Politicians as well as American corporations contribute to the decline in education according to Moore. He attempts to give the reader a clear picture of where America places theRead MoreExamination of the Education System in Idiot Nation, by Michael Moore 1351 Words   |  5 PagesIn his essay, â€Å"Idiot Nation,† Michael Moore directly conveys the horrid truth behind American education when he utters the sheer words, â€Å"the knowledge (students) acquire in school is not going to serve them throughout their lifetimes. Many of them will have four to five careers in a lifetime. It will be their ability to navigate information that will matter† (Moore 141 ). According to Moore, American education today is by no means preparing students for the real world of work. In fact, he infers thatRead MoreThe Degrading Quality of Education in America: Idiot Nation by Michael Moore and Against School by John Taylor Gatto996 Words   |  4 Pagesschool. However, in the articles, â€Å"Idiot Nation† by Michael Moore and â€Å"Against School† by John Taylor Gatto, the authors express their concerns about the degrading quality of education. There are many problems the education system is facing today, and several of them are having negative effects on the quality of the education that the students are receiving which are highlighted aptly by the effective use of rhetorical strategies by Moore and Gatto. The purpose of Michael Moore’s article is to focus uponRead MoreAmeric Land Of The Free And Home1076 Words   |  5 PagesAmerica: Land of the Free and Home of the Dumb ? Michael Moore, author of the essay Idiot Nation, is as anti-Republican as they come and not at all afraid to express his beliefs with overflowing passion. Over the past 20 years, both Moore’s popularity and notoriety have boomed to new heights as a film maker, writer, and social critic. From winning Oscars and Academy Awards for his films and documentaries to co-writing 8 renowned books, Moore has not stopped producing ways of expressing his thoughtsRead MoreIdiot Nation : Draft 1 Essay1325 Words   |  6 PagesAndrew Romero Prof. Cathy Arellano ENGWR 300 Purple 28 September 2016 Idiot Nation: Draft 1 Across America, you d be hard pressed to find a person that doesnt agree that everyone should receive a free education. Because of this, most everyone goes to high school, or at the very least receives an equivalent education. However, after this free education is done, many high school graduates are pushed to continue their studies in colleges and universities. And while these facilities are believed toRead MoreIdiot Nation Essay995 Words   |  4 Pagesurged to go on to college. This leads many people to believe that it will help our country reach the goal of becoming a smarter nation. However, in his essay Idiot Nation, Michael Moore argues that the exact opposite is occuring. We are becoming a nation full of idiots. Sadly, Michael Moore is correct. The majority of the people in this country are, indeed, idiots. This is due to the nation’s poor educational system and the people’s lack of gratitude and motivation. First of all, America’sRead MoreEssay about Idiot Nation886 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Idiot Nation,† Michael Moore discourses on the collapse of American education system and the three main reasons behind it: politicians’ ignorance, shortage of teachers, and the rise of Corporate America. Moore first points out how ignorant the President and politicians are by stating that the President cannot simply identify whether Africa is a nation or a continent. Next, Moore attributes the lack of funding in education to the fact that politicians prefer to build bomber than to improve ourRead MoreAmerican Public Education Essays1553 Words   |  7 Pagesour knowledge and open doors for opportunities to the path of having a good future. In the five readings, each written by a different author, there was a lesson learned and something to take away from each one. Reading through the passages by Mann, Moore, Malcolm X, Gatto, Rose, and Anyon, each author contributed h is or her point of view on general public education. This topic can be very argumentative depending on the quality of education people receive. Education today is the single most importantRead MoreThe Inequality And Segregation Of The Public Educational System Essay1431 Words   |  6 Pagessocially and economically. However, in America, a nation that is the world’s superpower, fails to provide proper and equal education to its children. Many public schools across America lack the proper funding, qualified teachers, and necessities. The people affected by these problems belong in low-income communities and are minorities. Many have taken their voices to shine light on this issue. Writers such as Michael Moore in his essay â€Å"Idiot Nation† reveal the frustration regarding the downfall of

CheckPoint Conflict Free Essays

Conflict is an inevitable part of life whether it is in relationships, socially, or between nations. Most conflicts arise from differing points of view on actions or goals and how they are handled can lead to a ceasefire or the breakup of one’s relationships. Conflict resolution skills are needed when navigating the stormy waters of conflict. We will write a custom essay sample on CheckPoint: Conflict or any similar topic only for you Order Now How one perceives the goals and intentions of others can lead to misconceptions. When an individual or group perceives another’s intentions are harmful conflict will arise. It is human nature to believe that one’s group is different or better than another group. Forming an â€Å"in-group bias† will lead one to look for evidence to support one’s negative opinions of others. Stereotyping is often behind negative opinions and misconceptions that lead to conflicts. Perceptions are the way a person thinks or views another so, perceptions would factor greatly into conflicts. A negative mirror-image perception will cause one to over exaggerate the differences often held by parties in conflict; for example, each party may view itself as ethical and peaceable and the other as wicked and hostile. Viewing others in this light will only inflame the controversy and lead to more conflict. Learning how to view conflict differently can bring about peaceable solutions. Certain methods must be employed for reconciliation to occur. Exposure and close proximity will lead to learning more about the other person. A better understanding helps to foster closeness and common interest. If one is around someone regularly, one will learn how to get along with the other person. When parties whom are at odds with each other work together on a common goal, they each learn to develop comradeship. Cooperation can facilitate in conflict resolution as well. Communicating effectively in conflict is huge in learning to resolve issues and have reconciliation. Negotiations when resolving conflicts should include bargaining, mediation and coming to an understanding with each other. If you cannot communicate with someone properly, this will lead to more conflict. How to cite CheckPoint: Conflict, Papers

Patriotism in Islam free essay sample

All Praise is due to Allah, We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, he is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad, sws, is His servant, and His messenger. Today’s khutbah is about Patriotism: love for one’s country. Is it wrong to love one’s country? Should we love our country more than we love Justice, or God? Should our love for country blind us to what’s right and what’s wrong? In our mass media there are frequent questions as to whether we Muslims can be trusted, whether we are loyal to this country or whether our loyalties lie elsewhere. . We have a duty set out clearly what Islam has to say about Patriotism so that we can remove unfounded fears and phobias about our presence here in India. Islam does not forbid a Muslim to love his homeland or the country in which he lives or grew up. What is reprehensible is basing one’s feelings of loyalty and disavowal and loving and hating should always be based on islam and piety. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to love Makkah because it was the most beloved land to Allaah, but he did not love the kaafirs who lived there, rather he fought them because they fought against Islam and killed Muslims. Neither he nor his companions ever gave precedence to their love of Makkah over the laws of Allaah, so when Allaah forbade those who had migrated from Makkah to go back to it, except for Hajj and three days after it, they adhered to that and did not stay there for longer than that period. Their love for Makkah did not make them disobey Allaah. Islam orders us to do our best to become good citizens in the countries we live in. Muslims have to honor the laws of the country where they live as long as such laws do not contradict the teachings ofIslam. Muslims living in the contemporary world should be realistic enough to adopt a policy of harmony and peace as far as possible. According to Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, deputy chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, Muslims living in non-Muslim countries are to respect the symbols of those countries such as the national anthem, national flag, etc. This is part of what citizenship dictates as per modern customs. †¦ Thus, standing up for the national anthem is not a form of prohibited loyalty. If a Muslim is to change a wrong action in a majority non-Muslim country, let him do that through da`wah, wisdom, and fair exhortation. At the same time, he should not obey any rules that involve disobedience to Allah. Note: The Holy Quran urges Muslims to ‘enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong’ and it describes the Believers as â€Å"†¦the best of people, those who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and who have faith in Allah. [sura 3:110] . Loyalty to a country should never be a simple matter of ‘my country right or wrong’. That’s basically immoral, unethical and ultimately disloyal and un-patriotic. The most loyal thing a citizen can do is to speak out when things are going the wrong way. When politicians wage unjust wars it is our duty to speak out. We must be witnesses t o fair dealing. We must be just, not only when it’s easy, but also when it’s unpopular and risky. We must always be fair and just, even to our enemies â€Å"O ye who believe! tand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others towards you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you doâ€Å". Sura 5:8 al-Maa’ida. 0Allah commands justice. It’s not an option. It’s an obligation. Muslims are called upon to the highest of callings†¦ to follow in the footsteps of the Prophets, to be witnesses to fair dealing, even if it be against our families and our own interests our first loyalty is to Allah, creator of the heavens and the earth. This means upholding the truth and being faithful to our conscience. This should make us the most patriotic of all citizens, not simply blind followers of capricious politicians. As Allah has said: â€Å"Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just† [Sura 60:8, al-Mumtahina] Prophet Muhammad sws once declared that: The best jihad is to speak a word of truth in the court of an unjust ruler† Muslims are reminded to put wrong things right with their hands, and if they cannot do that, they must speak out against it, and if they are too weak to do so, then they must at the very least, hate the injustice in their hearts. A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe, and a true Believer is one in whom all of mankind has a sanctuary for life and property. † We are not allowed to undermine the security or integr ity of the countries we live in. We must earn the trust of our neighbours. We are obliged to remind our fellow citizens, and our governments, to be consistent on human rights issues, and to be even handed with people living inside and outside our national borders. Let us pray to Allah and ask for His divine Mercy and intervention. O Allah, help us to become worthy and valued citizens of every land where Muslims live. Help us to earn the respect and affection of our neighbours, through our adab, our good conduct and through our service to society which we render out of love and gratitude to You.