About the National Security Agency

About the National Security Agency The National Security Agency is a highly specialized and vital unit of the American intelligence community that works to create and break secret codes, a science known as cryptology. The National Security Agency, or NSA, reports to the U.S. Department of Defense. The work of the National Security Agency is done in secret and in the name of national security. The government did not even acknowledge the NSA existed for some time. The National Security Agencys nickname is No Such Agency. What the NSA Does The National Security Agency gathers intelligence by conducting surveillance on its adversaries through the collection of phone-call, email and Internet data. The intelligence agency has two primary missions: preventing foreign adversaries from stealing sensitive or classified national security information from the United States, and collecting, processing and disseminating information from foreign signals for counterintelligence purposes. History of the National Security Agency The National Security Agency was created on Nov. 4, 1952, by President Harry S. Truman. The intelligence agencys foundation has its genesis in the work U.S. forces conducted during World War II in breaking German and Japanese codes, which it describes as a crucial factor in the Allied success against German U-Boats in the North Atlantic and victory at the Battle of Midway in the Pacific. How the NSA is Difference From the FBI and CIA The Central Intelligence Agency deals mostly with gathering intelligence on Americas enemies and conducts covert operations overseas. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, on the other hand, operates within the U.S borders as a law-enforcement agency. The NSA is primarily a foreign intelligence agency, meaning that it is authorized to collect data to prevent threats from foreign countries. However, in 2013 it was revealed that the NSA and FBI had allegedly been collecting phone-call data from Verizon and other information from servers operated by none U.S. Internet companies including Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, AOL, Skype, YouTube, and Apple. Leadership of the NSA The head of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service is appointed by the secretary of the Department of Defense and approved by the president. The NSA/CSS director must be a commissioned military officer who has earned at least three stars. The current director of the intelligence agency is U.S. Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander. The NSA and Civil Liberties The surveillance activities of the NSA and every other intelligence agency often raise questions about civil liberties, and whether Americans are being subjected to unconstitutional invasions of privacy. In a statement published on the NSAs website, agency deputy director John C. Inglis wrote: Im often asked the question, Whats more important – civil liberties or national security? Its a false question; its a false choice. At the end of the day, we must do both, and they are not irreconcilable. We have to find a way to ensure that we support the entirety of the Constitution – that was the intention of the framers of the Constitution, and thats what we do on a daily basis at the National Security Agency. Still, the NSA has publicly acknowledged that it has inadvertently collected communications from some Americans without a warrant in the name of national security. It has not said how often that happens, though. Who Oversees the NSA Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Government surveillance agencies are also subject to review by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which was created by Congress in 2004.

Principal Components and Factor Analysis

Principal Components and Factor Analysis Principal components analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA) are statistical techniques used for data reduction or structure detection. These two methods are applied to a single set of variables when the researcher is interested in discovering which variables in the set form coherent subsets that are relatively independent of one another. Variables that are correlated with one another but are largely independent of other sets of variables are combined into factors. These factors allow you to condense the number of variables in your analysis by combining several variables into one factor. The specific goals of PCA or FA are to summarize patterns of correlations among observed variables, to reduce a large number of observed variables to a smaller number of factors, to provide a regression equation for an underlying process by using observed variables, or to test a theory about the nature of underlying processes. Example Say, for example, a researcher is interested in studying the characteristics of graduate students. The researcher surveys a large sample of graduate students on personality characteristics such as motivation, intellectual ability, scholastic history, family history, health, physical characteristics, etc. Each of these areas is measured with several variables. The variables are then entered into the analysis individually and correlations among them are studied. The analysis reveals patterns of correlation among the variables that are thought to reflect the underlying processes affecting the behaviors of the graduate students. For example, several variables from the intellectual ability measures combine with some variables from the scholastic history measures to form a factor measuring intelligence. Similarly, variables from the personality measures may combine with some variables from the motivation and scholastic history measures to form a factor measuring the degree to which a stude nt prefers to work independently – an independence factor. Steps of Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis Steps in principal components analysis and factor analysis include: Select and measure a set of variables.Prepare the correlation matrix to perform either PCA or FA.Extract a set of factors from the correlation matrix.Determine the number of factors.If necessary, rotate the factors to increase interpretability.Interpret the results.Verify the factor structure by establishing the construct validity of the factors. Difference Between Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis are similar because both procedures are used to simplify the structure of a set of variables. However, the analyses differ in several important ways: In PCA, the components are calculated as linear combinations of the original variables. In FA, the original variables are defined as linear combinations of the factors.In PCA, the goal is to account for as much of the total variance in the variables as possible. The objective in FA is to explain the covariances or correlations among the variables.PCA is used to reduce the data into a smaller number of components. FA is used to understand what constructs underlie the data. Problems with Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis One problem with PCA and FA is that there is no criterion variable against which to test the solution. In other statistical techniques such as discriminant function analysis, logistic regression, profile analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance, the solution is judged by how well it predicts group membership. In PCA and FA, there is no external criterion such as group membership against which to test the solution. The second problem of PCA and FA is that, after extraction, there is an infinite number of rotations available, all accounting for the same amount of variance in the original data, but with the factor defined slightly different. The final choice is left to the researcher based on their assessment of its interpretability and scientific utility. Researchers often differ in opinion on which choice is the best. A third problem is that FA is frequently used to â€Å"save† poorly conceived research. If no other statistical procedure is appropriate or applicable, the data can at least be factor analyzed. This leaves many to believe that the various forms of FA are associated with sloppy research.

Introduction to European Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Introduction to European Studies - Essay Example (Mukherjee, 22) But it should be remembered that the idea of Europe, as we know it today, was still in its infancy dealing in ideologies and fundamentals that are not much different from the rest of the known and civilized world. As late as the beginning of the 1700 AD there were still the practice of feudalism in one form or another, there were states that used bonded labours and encouraged slavery, woman rights were not known and structural academic movements were still at bay. This society needed a thrust to start off. And that thrust was inspired from a political movement in England. The Act of Union was passed in British Council whereby four states, England, Ireland, Scotland and Welsh came together to form a political union know as United Kingdom of Great Britain. Subsequent Act of Union was passed in 1707 and 1800 and this was the point of a growing concept which ultimately is on its way towards a unified European Union in the 21st Century. The perception of a common fiscal policy has been granted by most of the states of Europe and Union of European could be within striking distance. However, this modern concept of unification of states is a step towards a better and mutually prosperous situation but at the same time it should be kept in mind the development of Europe as a concept or idea started with other variables too. (Mukherjee, 81) The concept of Europe as a unified cultural sect started along the path of the 1700s and the basic idea of Europe is that unified perception of thought process bounded by cultural, social, religious and political homogeneousness. There are other variables to develop this homogeneousness of states in Europe whereby the idea could be put forward. Religion One such variable is the growth of Christianity as a binding force. It is obvious that religion played an enormous part as the determining factor of conceptualising the unified idea of Europe. The Eight Crusades were just a beginning of this bonding. Though Christianity has changed face along with time and space and at present there are three major distributaries of the religion viz. Roman Catholic, Protestant and Greek Orthodox it cannot be denied that Christ as a Prophet, despite being Semitic by anthropological diversity, it should be noted and the fact that should indulged in this conception, influenced all the tribes of Europe be it Nordic, Alpine or Caucasian. Although, no one can ignore that during the inquisition period this religion did enough to set back the clock for Europe, at least scientifically. But this same inquisition period can be put forward to ensure the bondage that that spread across Europe with the substantial feel of brotherhood. Political Apart from the Act of Union in Great Britain there came another exemplary act that forced all Europe to reconsider their usual concept of life and perception of politics all at the same time all over Europe. This was the French revolution of the late 18th Century. On 20 September 1792 the National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Due to the emergency of war the National Convention created the Committee of Public Safety, controlled by the Jacobin Robespierre, to act as the country's executive. Under

Summary & Close Reading of Paulo Freires Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Summary & Close Reading of Paulo Freires - Essay Example In Pedagogy of the oppressed, Paulo Freire uses a combination of political, educational and philosophical theories in order to address the real source of oppression as well as liberation for the oppressed. He advocates for the awakening of critical and creative thinking as the only medium of liberation which takes place through a new and a more dynamic approach to education. This new approach to education focuses on a close partnership between the teacher and the student by seeking to empower the student to be involved in a dialogue process and adoption of human qualities evident in the thought process and its correlative action. The book begins by introducing the idea of developing critical awareness among the oppressed people in the society. The oppressed normally have the fear of freedom which increases the chances of then being oppressed. According to Paulo Freire, those who are under oppression must strive to see the bigger picture outside them so that they develop an understanding of their situation in order to begin thinking about their own world. Such a process can only be attained through dialogue in education in which one has to adopt change as the only tool for transformation. The only way towards reclaiming humanity is by critical consciousness which leads to synthesis of thought and actions. As a result only those who are being oppressed have got the power to save themselves from such kind of oppression and the only approach is through critical analysis as well as understanding of reality that guides them to action. The term, â€Å"banking education† has been adopted by Freire to refer to the traditional relationship between the teacher and the student owing to its oppressive nature. In such a case, the teacher possesses control thus playing the role of the oppressor while the student who is always passive in the learning process assumes the position of the oppressed. The role of the teacher is to deposit information into the student who

Solving Violence in the Media Essay -- Social Issues

This game is so cool! I can do whatever I want. I can rob the bank, I can hit other people with a baseball bat, and I can kill people. Why do I kill? Because I'm the boss and because I can! This is just a game! These are some thoughts that come into my mind when I play Grand Theft Auto. Many kids in America play many violent games. In fact, forty-two percent of children play at least an hour per day ("Video Games Cause Aggressive†¦ 2). Many people believe that violence in the media doesn't affect a child's behavior at all. Well, I am opposing that viewpoint. Getting rid of some violence in the media will greatly affect children behavior. Many people don’t believe that viewing some violent acts in the media doesn't really influence the way a person acts. Children learn by observing, imitating, and making behaviors by themselves, which are greatly influenced by the media (Clark 1). Children learn very easily. They spend many of their free time in front of the T.V. Parents tend to use T.V. as a babysitter for kids. Televisions are colorful and fun! Most human are drawn into the mysterious world of the media, starting since they were a little baby. "When television debut in the 1990's, two-third of television sets were owned by families with children less than twelve years of age". Children are theoretically more susceptible to behavioral  influences when they are actively participating than when they are observers ( Clark 2). I spend most of my after school time locking myself in my room, playing video games. Not just fun video game, but I play violent video games. The amount of time that children spend playing video games is increasing. Research shows that sixty percent of children report that they can play video game longer th... ...heir bedroom  (Violent Video Games Are†¦" 1). So, when a parent thinks that their child is asleep in his room dreaming of sweet dreams, he might actually be playing games that involve hurting other people. Parents do not pay attention to relevant researches, and ratings. Every single parent should start using the ratings. They will join the ninety four percent of parents that find the rating helpful (Video Games Cause Aggressive†¦" 4). There are many other options than viewing violent entertainment. A kid should play sports and enjoy outdoor. For example, a kid can lose can calories playing tennis than watching movies that are violent. Bloods and gores are for adults who are mature enough to handle them. It is not appropriate for children. So, make kids active rather than making them violent. It will be great for children to grow healthy and violence less.

The Pathways of Plant Water Movement

Experiment 6- The Pathways of Plant Water Movement Aim: To investigate the movement of materials in xylem Materials: ?Fresh celery stalk with leaves ?Eosin solution (1%) ?A plastic container with tap water ?A sharp scalpel ?Hand lens ?A light microscope ?Two glass slides ?A cover slip Risk Assessment and Safety Precautions: Risk AssessmentSafety Precautions Eosin solution- can cause stainsAlways use gloves when handling Scalpel is dangerous and can cause cutsAlways handle carefully, with blade facing down. Be especially careful when walking with a scalpel.Glassware can break easilyBe careful with all glassware. If cut, wash with water and seek advice to avoid infection. Method: 1. Obtain a fresh celery stalk and used a sharp scalpel to make a 45 degree angle cut under water, to prevent the air bubbles from blocking the xylem. Immediately placed the celery stalk in eosin solution and left it overnight. 2. Removed celery stalk from the eosin solution and used a scalpel to cut a very th in, transverse section of the celery stem. 3. Placed the thin sample on a clean slide and covered it with a cover slip.Observed the sample under high magnification using a light microscope. 4. Drew the observation under a high power. 5. Located one vascular bundle and peeled it longitudinally in the stained region. Made a wet mount of the longitudinal tissue and observed it under a microscope. Results: Transverse (Low):Transverse (High): X40X400 Longitudinal (High): X400 Questions/ Discussion: 1)What general stem structures were stained? What tissues in these structures were most heavily stained? The general stem structures stained were the cell walls of the xylem. The base of the celery stem was most heavily stained. )What statement can you make regarding the transpirational pathway of water in a plant? Even root distribution is important for both water and nutrient uptake, because of the movement of water and nutrients in the soil and in the plant xylem,, even root distribution is important. The The xylem pathway is a continuous column of water, which is not broken by bubbles, and contained in a cellulose pipe which the walls are porous in places. 3)What was the purpose of this exercise? The purpose of this exercise was to observe and investigate the movement of materials (in this case, water) in xylem.

Analysis Of The Book Unaccustomed Earth By Jhumpa...

In the short story collection, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri, immigrants and memories have a very particular relationship because their memories surrounding a large part of their identities are derivative of diaspora. Somehow they are able to have this double consciousnesses, the memories and thoughts as immigrants, and the memories and thoughts as Americans. The time spent in their native country or in their host country cannot be replaced, even if the experiences immigrants encounter are negative. Even if the immigrant misses what they have lost migrating to another country, what is lost cannot come back. There is a constant battle between how much and how little memories do the Indian-American characters in the book have of being either Indian or American to be â€Å"Indian-American.† In Year’s End, whether or not memories are â€Å"too excessive† or â€Å"not enough† is a question that is explicitly asked. Kaushik criticizes his father for gettin g rid of too much evidence of his mother’s life, but after finding her pictures, too little. While his mother was alive, people criticized his father for giving her too much, but after learning that she is dying from cancer, there seems to never be enough that he can do for her. Kaushik tries his best to be â€Å"okay† with his mother’s death, and that his father’s remarriage didn’t spite him. But his true feelings come out after he finds his step-sisters opening up his mother’s album of photos that he tried to lock out of sight, out of