Antibacterial Soap Essay -- Critical Thinking Essays

Antibacterial Soap Dial antibacterial soap advertises that it is "over 10x more effective at killing disease-causing germs than ordinary liquid hand soaps"(1). To the average consumer a soap with the ability to kill more germs seems to be more effective. But is a more powerful antibacterial soap always better? Various studies suggest that antibacterial soaps can be harmful and may lead to problems like super bugs, dry skin, and hand eczema. According to current research antibacterial soaps are no better than traditional soaps when it comes to house hold use. Antibacterial cleaning agents have fast become a popular alternative to traditional cleaning products. These soaps, shampoos, dishwashing detergents, and toothpastes are marketed as antibacterial products and have become popular household items. In fact 75% of liquid soaps and 30% of bar soaps on the market are considered antibacterial(2). These antibacterial products are so popular because they are intended to decrease bacteria. They wipe out more germs than regular soap. This means that they should decrease a person's chance of getting sick. As Janet Donohue of www.germsmart.com suggests "they kill germs, thus breaking the cycle of infection"(3). In addition to killing germs some antibacterial products are easier to use than traditional soap and water. For example, there are many hand sanitizers that do not require water. A user simply applies the soap to his hands and the dirt "disappears". These products seem magic, but as we know magic does not exist in science. To fully understand how antibacterial products work one must learn how soap works. Soap consists of an acid and a base(4). The acid known as triglycerides mixes with the base sodium hyd... ...than trying to wipe bacteria out we should work on limiting our exposure to too many harmful bacteria with traditional soaps, shampoos, dish detergents, and toothpaste. Internet Sources: 1)How Stuff Works Site, This site gives answers to simple science questions. http://www.howstuffworks.com/question692.htm 2)Health at OZ site, http://www.healthatoz.com/atoz/healthupdate/alert09192000.html 3)United States Health and Human Services, This is a copy of the report given on antibiotic http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/NEW00736.html 4), Germ Smart site, http://www.germsmart.com/ 5), Doctors Guide, http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/F3d6a.htm 6) Nurse Week Article , http://www.nurseweek.com/features/98-10/soap.html 7) MSNBC Report , Buissness Journal, http://msnbc.msn.com/news/608082.asp?cp1=1 8) Dial Soap Site, http://www.dialsoap.com/

Since even before President Barrack Obama’s

Since even before President Barrack Obama’s first day in office, all eyes have been on him as a bastion of change and a way to get out of the economic conundrum America has gotten itself into.While the most recent presidents would have focused on the economy and how to revamp it, President Obama has taken the old school approach of fellow Democrat and former President Kennedy had employed during his term. His was a call to the whole population of America as well as to the leaders who direct its course – a call for action at the grassroots level of the country, while trying to shed light on his achievements and the direction he wants for Wall Street, Main Street and the whole country (Shear & Branigin).President Obama’s speech focused on the â€Å"irresponsibility and poor decision-making† of America’s institutions and individual attitudes, labeling greed and quick-profits as the culprits to the economic wreck (â€Å"Full Text† par 6).He blame s the mismanagement of the bigwigs of Wall Street trickling down to its rank and file memebers, the people’s wanton will to spend, and the insufficient policies of the government against the greedy behavior of the financial institutions (ibid par 3-7). He claims that these factors were the ones that started the domino-effect recession of America and affecting other countries’ economies as well.The case-in-point in his speech is that people should be more responsible and disciplined – not to live beyond their means and keep on spending and borrowing, but rather to get back to the basic values of saving and investing, and exporting rather than importing (ibid par 35).He believes that it is about time to lay down â€Å"a new foundation for growth and prosperity†¦built upon five pillars that will grow our economy and make this new century another American century† (ibid par 35-36). His vision is to have America continue as the world’s foremost nat ion in all aspects, especially economically, and bring back the trust of other nations.While he lamented about Wall Street’s and the financial corporate mogul’s attempts at gaining riches fast (therefore, costing them the future), he laid out his current plans and his plans for the future, though without detail. It was easy to get lost in the speech owing to the many things the President wants done in his term.It was like trying to solve every single problem that has plagued every past administration in one go. This is not to say that he’s bitten off more than he can chew and that he’s going to barf all of it in a matter of moments, that is a matter that only the future can say.What his speech suggests, however, is that the multitude of reforms that he envisions for America is not only a rebuilding of a rock-solid foundation, but also of renovating (though, I believe, not rebuilding as some critics would adamantly point out) the entire house.For sure, the speech has put to light many concerns that the country has had for the longest time, and Whitehouse believes that quick fixes, like those done in administrations past, are not enough to stop a roof from leaking when the storms come, much less get swept away by the winds and floods (Seib).Whether the president’s visions of a stronger America altogether remains to be seen, and, as the speech says, it depends on the people acting whether they can make things happen or not (â€Å"Full Text† par 61-62). A review of his speech tells us that it is up to the government to initiate reforms, but it is up to the people to reform themselves and help the government make the economic surgery a successful one.The speech has given people a new insight on America’s current economic situation (perhaps with the exception of his critics, opponents and those who reviled his act of covering Jesus’ name) that many are seeing the issue in a different light other than just point ing a finger at Wall Street.

Italian Book Club Linguality - Parallel Text

Reading Italian literature can be demanding for non-native speakers. Frequently referring to a dictionary becomes tedious, and, unless you wear blinders, resorting to the parallel-text version (Italian and English side-by-side) of a particular work becomes an exercise in futility as you try to avert your eyes from the English translation. With the constant safety net of an English translation just a glance away, its difficult to commit your brain to the exclusive task of absorbing Italian. Fortunately, theres a new way to read recently published Italian fiction and nonfiction almost as effortlessly as reading books in English—the Linguality Italian Book Club. Italian Literature? Ma, Oui!Linguality, based in Cambridge, MA, was founded by a team with extensive experience in foreign-language publishing, university teaching, and pedagogical research. Linguality’s French Book Club debuted in 2007 and quickly earned accolades from readers and language experts alike. Six times a year, contemporary French books are republished with an English introduction, extensive English glossaries, and author interviews in French on audio CD. Given the success of that venture, the company decided to branch out, and launched an Italian Book Club. No Dictionary RequiredThe innovation in Lingualitys Italian Book Club series is the format. The original foreign-language text is placed on every right-hand page, and an extensive English glossary, on the opposite page, allows readers to see the definition of bolded words in context. When the first selection was released, Walter Veltroni, renowned Italian author, journalist, former Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage, and former mayor of Rome, proclaimed that: Its the literary equivalent of a subtitled movie! In fact, the glossary entries act more like turbocharged subtitles, boosting readers comprehension and vocabulary. Typically there are over 2,000 entries per book defining every difficult word and expression, eliminating the need for a dictionary. As Lingualitys publisher, Wes Green, says: ...a non-fluent speaker doesnt need a complete translation...or a dictionary. He or she just opens the book and starts reading in the foreign language. Italian Book Club Membership Has PrivilegesAnother advantage of the Linguality Italian Book Club is that all books are complete, unedited texts—the original version that native Italians read too. Subscribers also receive an audio CD with a 30- to 45-minute conversation in Italian with the author, including a transcript with glossary of the dialogue as an appendix in the book. The publisher recommends that readers have completed the equivalent of two years of college Italian. While each title is amply annotated, beginners may still find it difficult to contend with the texts. With their specially annotated editions of Italian books, the Linguality Italian Book Club offers a unique method for those looking to dramatically improve their Italian language skills. Instead of waiting for the English version of a popular Italian book (few foreign-language titles are ever translated into English anyway), Italian language learners can take off the blinders and read the original without having to resort to the dictionary. Italian Book ListA subscription to Lingualitys Italian Book Club includes six hard-bound books with author interviews on CD. Titles in the series include: Va dove ti porta il cuore (Follow Your Heart) by Susanna Tamaro La scoperta dellalba (The Discovery of the Dawn) by Walter Veltroni Mamma Mia! by Fabrizio Blini Nel momento (In an Instant) by Andrea De Carlo LOrda (The Hoard) by Gian Antonio Stella Il buio e il miele (The Darkness and the Honey) by Giovanni Arpino