Computer Ethic and Privacy

Computers and the world of information technology are advancing quickly in this generation. Moor in his 1985 article â€Å"What is Computer Ethics? † stated that, â€Å"Computers provide us with new capabilities and these in turn give us new choices for action†. Hence, arguments about privacy and ethics in computer technology arise. With the birth on computers there â€Å"was concern right away that computers would be used inappropriately to the detriment of society†(Herold, 2006). I believe that the good is outweighing the bad when it comes to computers.I also believe there is a degree of user Alana Northrop states in her paper that, â€Å"Computerized search systems have been one of the most widely deployed management science technologies in the fight against crime†(1993). Police officers use computers in their cars now. The computers gives them access to information on citizens and also has the ability to give them directions to where they want to go. E verybody benefits from the use of GPS. At some point everyone has used Google Maps and perhaps even Google Street View to find an address.But is Street View seen as an invasion of privacy? Or is it just another stride in computer and information advancement? I believe the way people use computers and information play a big role in the social benefits. People and corporations alike use computers and information as a tool for more information or for leverage. What users do not often understand is that â€Å"they also have a responsibility to consider the ramifications of their actions and to behave accordingly†(Herold, 2006).Software piracy and plagiarism are examples of what happens when computer users decide to ignore ethics and use the computer and information for their own personal gains and/or pleasure. Hackers believe that it’s acceptable to do anything with a computer as long as the purpose is to learn. This utilitarian way of thinking, that anything is ok as long as it is for the greater good (Beauchamp, Bowie, Arnold, 2009), contributes to harming the social good. Hacking, piracy, plagiarism; these are the things happen because of how a person decided to use information.The information in and of itself is not harming the social good. That being said; the benefits of computers and the information they gather and store will always outweigh the harming of the social good. If you look at how far mankind has come with the help of computers and information technology, you will find evidence of this. Hospital records and now easier to access and store. Credit reports no longer takes weeks to obtain. We could go on and on with examples of how computers benefit society. I’m not sure that there is a way to effectively embrace computers while preventing the harm of the social good.With good things come the bad. We just need to accept that. Laws and regulations are in place to help minimize damage to the social good but even those have their li mits. It really leans heavily on the moral character of the people that live in today’s world. Yes, without computers we wouldn’t have these issues. But we do have them and they mostly make our lives easier and simpler and I would say the trade-off is fair. References: Beauchamp, T. L. , Bowie, N. , & Arnold, D. (2009). Ethical Theory and Business, (8th ed. ).Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Herold, R. (2006). Introduction to computer ethics. Retrieved from http://www. infosectoday. com/Articles/Intro_Computer_Ethics. htm Moor, J. (1985). What is computer ethics?. Metaphilosophy, 16(4), 266. Northrup, A. (1993). Police use of computers. Informally published manuscript, Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, California. , Available from Escholarship. org. (qt71x0h7hb)Retrieved from http://escholarship. org/uc/item/71x0h7hb

Homework 6

According to the dependency theory, the high-income, more-developed nations can improve their standard of living only with a period of intensive economic growth and accompanying changes in people’s beliefs, values, and attitudes toward work. False According to social scientists, absolute poverty exists when people may be able to afford basic necessities but are still unable to maintain an average standard of living; it is measured by comparing the actual income against the income earner’s expectations and perceptions. FalseAnalysts using a development framework typically view industrialization and economic development as essential steps that nations must go through in order to reduce poverty and increase life chances for their citizens. True * Of all age groups, persons aged 65 and over are the most likely to be uninsured in the United States. False * * Global stratification refers to the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and prestige on a global basis, resulting i n people having vastly different lifestyles and life chances both within and among the nations of the world.True * * Intragenerational mobility is the social movement experienced by family members from one generation to the next. Intragenerational mobility may be downward as well as upward. False * * Most low-income countries in Africa and South America are core nations that are dependent on peripheral nations for capital, have little or no industrialization, and have uneven patterns of urbanization.False * * According to sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein’s world systems theory, the capitalist world economy is a global system divided into a hierarchy of three major types of nations in which upward or downward mobility is conditioned by the resources and obstacles that characterize the international system. True * * Educational opportunities and life chances are directly linked. Symbolic nteractionists view education as the â€Å"elevator† to social mobility. Improvement s in the educational achievement levels of the poor, people of color, and white women have been cited as evidence that students’ abilities are now more important than their class, race, or gender. False * * Low-income countries are primarily hunting and gathering nations with some industrialization and moderate levels of national and personal income. False * *

I have three topic you can choose anyone Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

I have three topic you can choose anyone - Essay Example Involuntary servitude became a federal crime that was punishable and male suffrage became guaranteed, while the US congress became the protector and enforcer of the amendments, as well as sustainer of the national government. Despite congress having the above roles, a number of things saw the rights of the black people being violated on a massive scale; moreover, this congress saw the people being violated. In this light, congress was made up of a majority of people from the north, who were voted into government by a majority. Therefore, for the northern people, the rights of the newly freed African Americans did matter much as their main idea was to have the United States resume their status as a union, as they were before the civil war. With this in mind, the rights of African Americans did little to achieve this goal thus; they were ignored for their bigger goal of restoring the union. This was in spite of having African Americans receive some degree of freedom and rights that the y could practice, but political ambitions crowded the congress and saw them denied of that which they required most, rights. To enjoy the freedoms and rights warranted to them during the reconstruction period, there was the Ku Klux Klan Act that was set against states and individuals that came between freed men and their rights that the federal government enforced with vigor. Some of the limitation to their rights and freedoms during this period included punishments that were a lot stricter than those given to white people for the same crimes were. As such, African Americans were harshly punished for breaking their contracts in that they were beaten, arrested, and forced into labor, in spite there being laws against people who offered higher amounts of money for the African Americans to break their contract. This shows how much they were violated in the labor scene as the law that the people applied only worked on one side, which was against the newly freed African Americans. In add ition, despite African Americans being in a position to testify in a court of law and state their case, African American women were violated and denied the chance to do so. This happened especially in cases where white men raped black women, as the law did not recognize black women as being in a position to attract white men, as they were even viewed by society as being vulgar and drawing attention to themselves. In addition to the issue of work, some employers forced African Americans to work in gangs, which was out rightly against their freedoms and rights, as they could choose where to live and how to work. These violations, based on the analysis of historical facts and occurrences were the result of mass election of northern people into congress, which saw public opinion shift to southerners being viewed as radicals. This is because the southerners spearheaded the reconstruction of African American lives by fighting for their and ensuring that they were protected. The violations also happened due to the presence of terrorist organizations that kept people away from the polls to elect their own candidates, which was further aggravated by the presence of black codes. These codes were in place since democrats did not want African Americans

The Influence of Islam on GCC Businesses and their Ethical Behavior Essay

The Influence of Islam on GCC Businesses and their Ethical Behavior - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that all Islamic countries within the GCC are expected to be ethical in ways alike to their conformist counterparts.   As mentioned in their associations, these ethics include additional working operations with skills and integrity, diligence, care, avoiding the conflict of interest just to mention but a few. As ethics and values link to the ideas of what is wrong and right in the organizational context, for Islamic countries it will also be impacted by the Islamic principles of morality and legality. As such, Islamic states of the GCC will have extra ethical dimensions coming from their adherence to the morals and laws of Shari’ah. Though major Islamic businesses have discussed problems linked to the application of laws and rules to ethical practice, the association between ethics and morality has at some limit been neglected. In GCC business transactions, when the legal and ethical values are presumed to exist, some might argue, as particular Shari’ah scholars do, that as long as the needs and stipulations of the agreement are satisfied, the business deal will be both ethical and legal. Nevertheless, this argument might not have credence as the result of business transactions can cause adverse effects on the moral and social welfare of the citizens. A particular way of relating ethics to morals is in examining the impacts of actions of companies on the society. As mentioned by Carroll and Schwartz: â€Å"a business will be ethical only if it encourages good in the society.† That same logic is used to determine the ethical activities and transactions of the GCC. Precisely, activities of the GCC business will be ethical when it enables welfare (maslahah) and morality of persons within the society. On the contrary, a particular business that poses adverse effects on either Islamic morals or welfare of the people would be seen as unethical.

Wendy's Hamburgers Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Wendy's Hamburgers - Case Study Example His desire to control his life and business is a good illustration of some of the basic entrepreneurial traits. Also, he has demonstrated open mindedness and innovation traits when decided to open burger restaurant with new innovative and creative ideas. When he has made a decision to shift to hamburgers, he made a decision to shift to the thing which he really liked. In such a way he has demonstrated his passion to do what he loves. Despite the skepticism and negative forecasts of experts he has made a decision to move forward with his idea. Thus, Dave has demonstrated optimism and belief in himself and his expertise, which is also critical for successful entrepreneur. 2. Dave’s success with the first Wendy’s restaurant can be attributed to an idea to offer fresh hamburgers of high quality. This was something new as the competitors offered hamburgers made from a frozen meat. Even though the market was saturated he has managed to find a unique selling point or the so called competitive advantage, which enabled his business to develop and grow despite fierce competition on the market. It is possible even to suggest that he has broken some stereotypes, as fast food is usually associated with bad quality and unhealthy food. Thus, fresh high quality fast food offered in Dave’s restaurant has contributed to shift in consumer’s perceptions about fast food. He has managed to satisfy customers’ needs and even exceed their expectations, making the restaurant profitable within the first weeks after the opening. 3. The phrase about the most difficult thing in running business is â€Å"being willing to listen to customers then doing whatever it takes to make your dream (and their wants) a reality† could be interpreted as Dave’s vision of his role as an entrepreneur. Dave is an entrepreneur who pursues his own dream, and chooses optimal

An Intuitive Scrutiny of the White Noise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

An Intuitive Scrutiny of the White Noise - Essay Example Novel Characters The male protagonist in the novel is Jack Gladney who is founder and a professor of Hitler studies at the educational institution named College-on-the-Hill (Delillo 1-326). The current wife of Jack in the novel is named Babette who is the mother of Denise, Wilder and Eugene (Delillo 1-326). The other principal characters in this novel are Heinrich, the son of Jack and Janet Savory who is a pseudo-philosopher and media fanatic; Denise, the daughter of Babette and Bob Pardee, who frequently exerts the most effort in aiding her mother work out her problems; Steffie or Stephanie Rose, the daughter of Jack and Dana Breedlove; Wilder, the son of Babette and Jack and the youngest of all the children, who barely says anything though he is oftentimes missing; and Murray Jay Siskind, who is a professor fascinated with car crashes and Elvis and frequently seen in the grocery store (Delillo 1-326). The other characters in the novel namely, Howard Dunlop, the German instructor of Jack; Dana Breedlove, Jack’s first and fourth wife and who works as a part-time spy; Mary Alice, the oldest child of Jack, who is the result of the first marriage of Jack to Dana, she works with whales in Hawaii; Janet Savory, the second wife of Jack who works as a foreign currency analyst and an ashram member; Tweedy Browner, the third wife of Jack and the mother of Bee; Bee, the child of Tweedy and Jack; Willie Minks known also as Mr. Gray, the Dylar doctor who conducts the affair with Babette; Vernon Dickey, the father of Babette who Jack mistaken as Death one morning; Eric Massingale who is a computer science professor; and Alphonse Stompanato who is a popular culture professor (Delillo 1-326). Novel Plot and Summary The novel is divided into forty chapters and the said chapters are divided into three parts. The first part is labelled Waves and Radiation which consists of Chapters 1-20. The second part is termed as The Airborne Toxic Event which involves Chapter 21. Fina lly, the third part is called Dylarama which encompasses Chapters 22-40 (Delillo 1-326). The story commences with the occurrence of an Airborne Toxic event that hits the small college town where Jack Gladney resides. This crisis had led to the evacuation of the Gladneys but eventually later in the story, they were permitted to go back to their home. During the said incident, Jack was exposed to Nyodene D, which is said to be possibly detrimental and fatal; conversely, Simuvac is not contented with the data that they have obtained from the incident and wishes that a simulation is necessary to prepare the town. On the contrary, Jack’s present wife named Babette has been furtively taking an experimental drug called Dylar, as an exchange she provides sex to the drug inventor named Willie Minks (Delillo 1-326). Eventually, Jack finds out about the affair of his current wife and confronts her; in the end, Jack will also confront Willie and will also shot himself in the process (Del illo 1-326). Novel Scrutiny The novel focuses on death wherein it is shown that the characters fear, obsesses or is fascinated with the concept of death as evidenced by Murray’s line â€Å"He looks like a man who find dead bodies erotic† (Delillo 1-326). Other issues were also tackled in the novel which will be analyzed in this paper. An ethic as defined ecologically by Leopold (214-226) is a limitation on freedom of action in the struggle for existence. Conversely, Leopold (214-226) also define ethics philosophically as a differentiation of

Technology determinism and media convergence Research Paper

Technology determinism and media convergence - Research Paper Example In media convergence, the strategy involves three elements; corporate concentration, digitization and government deregulation. This strategy allows companies to cut labour cost by transmitting the same media content over the other media outlets. The purpose of this would be attracting increased advertisement simply by providing better package for advertisers. For the company, material and administrative costs are reduced since they transmit similar things in many media station the company owns. It also helps in increasing brand recognition and brand royalty. Furthermore, it also raises the barriers for new customers seeking a chance to enter the media markets hence limiting advancing competition from other companies (Jorda 2008). An example of media convergence could be could be the merger between Warner Brothers and Time Inc in 1989 in order to create the world’s largest media house. The merger also had businesses in the entertainment sector, magazine publishing, film production, music recording and distribution. In 2001, AOL bought Time Warner in an attempt to expand the merger to accommodate the internet (Jorda 2008). Another example of media convergence is BCE Inc, a telephone company that expanded into the television industry, purchased the national CTV network, expanded to publishing newspapers, acquired The Globe and Mail: plus a new media together with a family of websites.

Cost of Poor Quality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cost of Poor Quality - Essay Example Theoretically there are two costs of quality related with the production and R&D. Firstly, the cost of the good quality and the cost of poor quality. The cost of poor quality affects the internal and external costs resulting from failing to meet the requirements whereas the cost of good quality affects the cost of investing in the prevention of non-performance to requirements and cost of appraising a product for conformance to the requirements. The costs related with the internal failure are the costs that are caused by non conformance to what the customer wants and these costs are found before the delivery of the product or service. This would off course lead to the customer dissatisfaction and demotivation of R&D staff. These internal costs will result in re-works, delays, re-designing etc. External failure costs are costs that are caused by deficiencies found after delivery of products and services to external customers, these costs will result into complaints, repairing and re-do ing services, warranty claims as well as losses due to sales reduction and which lead to customer dissatisfaction. By launching the product before the complete testing of the product, our company has made a tradeoff between generating sales and compromising on the quality. It was a gore mistake on the part of Mr. George Chadwick to start the production before the complete testing of the material for its fine-tuning. Backed by more of ambitions and less of reality, this decision has now seems to backfire as the company is facing strong quality costs. One of the important quality control tools is called Pareto Analysis.  

Defining philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Defining philosophy - Essay Example Philosophy is divided into sub fields since it is very wide and this depends on the sub-field an individual is interested in, for example an individual can study on epistemology, logic, metaphysics and ethics among other sub-fields. A sub-field of epistemology is scope of knowledge such as relationship between the truth and beliefs of certain community or group and how the philosopher can justify one theory depending on how the community or the group perceives it. Skepticism is highly valued in philosophy since it questions the possibility of justifying the truth and still regress the argument, meaning that one must support the argument with another justification. Munchhausen Trilemma perceive the study as a chain of infinitism where the chain of justification can go on forever, the next chain is foundationalism where this chain relies on basic beliefs of individual and lastly is coherentism where the chain keeps on moving in circular manner and the chain has its own chain of justifi cation (Munchhausen 56). The question of epistemology differ from scientific facts since according to scientist that knowledge is true belief that has been given account of by individual, and states that if something is actually known then categorically it is not false. Another question on philosophy according to Thomas berry is the universe being a communication of subjects and not a collection of objects. The foundation seeks to carry out great work of flourishing of the earth community; the theory promotes and distributes ideas on the great work, evening thoughts, the sacred universe, the Christian future and the fate of the earth. Thomas berry perceives the universe as a self-referential reality in the phenomenal world. Thomas terms the universe as text without context. The universe is seen as a story to many and the significance of the story is known, and still the universe story is quintessence of reality. Philosophers and scientist do perceive the story that

Examine sociological explanations of the difference in the educational performance of ethnic minorities in Britain Essay Example for Free

Examine sociological explanations of the difference in the educational performance of ethnic minorities in Britain Essay The connection between ethnicity and educational accomplishment is very complicated as there is a great deal of difference between achievements between each of the ethnic groups. In previous studies, such as those carried out to compile the Swann report (1985), used very simplistic classifications of each of the ethnic groups, Afro-Caribbean, Asian and All others (including white). There was clear ranking between these groups with all others at the top, followed by Asians, and then Afro-Caribbean. Later on more complex classification systems were introduced and so a more detailed picture of the relationships between class and education emerged. For example, Kysel (1988) used eleven classifications to measure success at 16. This study placed Indian, African, Asian and Pakistani pupils at the top, followed by South East Asian and Greek students. Students of UK origin came in the middle of the range, followed by pupils from Turkish, Arab and Caribbean origin. At the bottom were Bangladeshi pupils. Most sociological explanations point to home back ground, educational experiences and factors to do with society. However studies dont usually apply such sophisticated classifications, as used by Kysel, so making it difficult to explain distinctions between the categories. There are three main reasons for different ethnicities achieving differently in the cultural factors, social class and school factors. Cultural factors are thought by sociologists to have a large influence on the difference in attainment of the ethnic groups. Findings of those such as Douglas have provided support for what came to be known as cultural deprivation theory. This theory states that many of the values, attitudes and skills needed for high educational success are missing in the culture of certain ethnic groups. This was a particularly popular theory in the 1960-70s, it was notably supported by the Swann committee (1985), however evidence can be seen as weak, even the Swann report said this argument was sketchy. Driver and Ballard adopted this explanation in their study of children with parents of South Asian origin. They found that these parents quickly developed high expectations of their childrens abilities and such attitudes may have attributed to their success. Ken Pryce rejected theory. He did a study of the Afro-Caribbean community in Bristol (1979) and although he described their way of life as turbulent he also said that Afro-Caribbean parents have great aspirations for their children, and that they were not socially deprived because their parents are supportive, interested and provide all of the educational aid the can. Rex and Tomlinson also rejected the cultural deprivation theory in their study in Handsworth. Their rejected the theory because the data they collected points to Asians achieving highest at school and yet their parents go into school the least, indicating that they are not as interested as Afro-Caribbean parents who go into school the most. In spite of their parents frequent visits to school Afro-Caribbean are achieving the least in school. Another important theory is cultural difference theory, this about children being disadvantaged because their culture differs from the schools, the main example of this is if a child go to an English speaking school and speaks a different language at home, this means that they will not be as practiced as the children for whom English is their first language, they will be subjected to constant correction by teacher and their confidence and self esteem may suffer as a result. This theory is rejected by Driver and Ballard who found that by sixteen Asian childrens command of English is at least as good as their class mate, and in some cases, much better. The Swann report also noted that linguistic factors held back some Afro-Caribbean students but most did not have a problem. Social class is another important factor to consider. Some research suggests that much of the differential educational advantage that Afro-Caribbeans face is due to the fact that most Afro-Caribbeans are working class, disproportionately so. Swann said social class adds up to half of the reason behind educational achievement. Smith and Tomlinson agreed with this with their study of inner city junior schools and found a large variation due to class but a much smaller discrepancy due to ethnicity. The only problem with this is Asian pupils are primarily working class yet they achieve better that their white middle class counterparts. Many researchers have looked at the impact a range of school factors; this idea takes the stance that the difference in attainment between the ethnic groups is due to school environment. In studying school factors researches may have looked at curriculum content, teachers attitudes, ethnocentric resources, banding, language and many other things. Mac and Ghaill found that there was no clearly defined relationship between students who have been the victims of racism and the ones who have been predicted a fail. What he found was how well students did was influenced mainly by the schools they had come from. Pupils from suburban schools did better than pupils from inner city schools. Most studies showed that teachers were not racist to ethnic minorities. Taylor saw that many teachers were very sensitive in their handling of cultural issues and Hammersley went on to say most racist teachers did not bring this into the classroom. Wright studied primary schools and noticed how Asian pupils were largely invisible to the teacher and was treated insensitively by both staff and peers. Coard said that institutional racism lead to ethic minority children having self-esteem problems, which developed into low achievement. This is extremely apt with Afro-Caribbean students who are seen as a threat to classroom management and because they have been treated like this they start to conform to the labels they have been given. The DfEE found in a recent study that Afro-Caribbean pupils were four times more likely be permanently excluded from school than white children. To conclude, the area of ethnicity is a very delicate one and it is important to view it in the context of individuals and not stereotype people. More research is needed in to the experience of small, specific racial groups, not just Asian or White. It is also important to note that it can never be seen as just one factor, it is always going to be a combination of factors and also age and gender can not be ignored, no one factor can never be measured accurately on its own.

The Basque Country In Spain Cultural Studies Essay

The Basque Country In Spain Cultural Studies Essay Basque Country (el Pais Vasco in Spanish) is small enclave country located in the heart of Pyrenees Mountains, which divide Spain and France from each other, the northern coastline of the Country lies in the Bay of Biscay on the Cantabrian sea. The Basque Country is made up of 6 traditional regions. The three regions to the south, within Spain forms Hegoalde (south zone), while the three to the northeast, within France, form Iparralde (north zone). The three provinces in Spain side are Vizcaya, Alava and Guipuzcoa centered around the cities of Bilbao, Vitoria and San Sebastian. Perhaps surprisingly to some, the capital of community is Vitoria, even though it is only just over half the size of the somewhat better known Bilbao city. In some resources it shows that there are four provinces in south zone. The fourth province is called Navarre, a region which Basque nationalists want to incorporate into Euskadi, but whose people want to continue being a separate entity. Navarre is just one of the territories that the Basque nationalist parties claim as Basque territory; there are also two enclaves surrounded by Basque territory Trevino and Valle de Villaverde, which belong to fellow neighboring communities of Castile de Leon and Cantabria. In French side there are three provinces: Labourd, Basse-Navarre, and Soule. Basques call these territories collectively, Euskal- Herria (Land of the Basques) or Euskadi. The region covers nearly 21.000 square kilometers, of which about 3,000 lie on French side. The 18.000 square kilometers on the Spanish side constitute about 3.6 percent of Spains total land area. Basque region has a wonderful mild climate with few extremes of temperature or weather conditions when the seasons changes. The climate, the influence of the sea, and an attractive mixture of village, mountains, hills and abundant greenery, all makes Basque Country a place of natural surprises. Around 3 million people live in this community. Almost all Basques are Roman Catholic. Traditionally, an unusually high percentage chooses to become priests and nuns. The region operates as an autonomous region; today region has its own parliament and police force, controls education and collects its own taxes. The Basque Autonomous Community is currently the wealthiest region in Spain. About 20 percent of population is engaged in agriculture. Fishing is a significant Basque industry. The Basque country has long been known as a center of Spanish industry especially the city Bilbao. The regions history as the nations iron and steel capital has led to the development of automobile and machine tool manufacturing. Shipbuilding is another profitable industry. One constant tradition that has always been strong in the Basque country is the wine-making. The areas wineries produce some of the riches wines in the world for example Rioja or Alava wines. The Basque people have preserved unique culture, the jewel of which is its language, Euskera, a pre Indo-European tongue whose mysterious origin has never been established. The fact that it is not and Indo-European language, and shows no resemblance to languages in neighboring countries has led to formulation of varieties of hypotheses to explain its existence. Owing to some similarities with the Georgian language, some linguists think it could be it could be related to languages from the Caucasus. Other relates the language to non-Arabic languages from the north of Africa. Throughout history, the Basque language has taken up words not only from French, Latin and Castilian, but also from Celtic and Arabic. On the other hand some of the words in Castilian, French and English come from Basque language. Rural communities have kept the language alive for centuries. It is estimated, nowadays, that more than 600.000 people speak Basque in seven provinces. There are 520.000 Basque speaking people in the Basque provinces in Spain, which is 25% of their total population. The Basque language is extremely difficult and complex .In addition there are number of different dialects. The Basque language was not written until the 16th century .Things has not been easy for the Basque language. Apart from having to compete with two powerful neighboring languages like French and Castilian, Basque was forbidden language during the dictatorship that followed by Civil War. For decades children had to study in an unfamiliar language and were severely punished when they spoke in Basque, even at play time. At that time an important movement to open Basque schools started. And these schools are the only ones which provide teaching in Basque. Through centuries of storytelling, the Basques have evolved a rich and colorful mythology. Basque folklore also encompasses various rituals and dances. The Basques maybe are the oldest ethnic group in Europe. They are thought to have inhabited the southwestern corner of the continent since before Indo-European peoples came to the area approximately 5.000 years ago. Surviving invasions by the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, French and Spanish, they resisted domination by outsiders until the Middle Ages (AD 476-1450). At that time much of their territory was seized by Spaniards, Gascons and Catalans. In 1516 the Basques on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees Mountains agreed to Castilian rules but won the rights to keep degree of self-government. By the 1876 all Basque land were divided between the France and Spain. During the regime of General Francisco Franco (1939 75) the Basque language was banned and culture in the Spain provinces were ruthlessly suppressed, the Basque activists and intellectuals imprisoned and tortured for their political and cultural belief. By the 1950s, resistance groups had formed, most notably the Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) Basque Homeland and Liberty. ETA was founded in 1959 by young national activists. ETA is a Basque separatist organization. Since the creation of ETA in the Franco dictatorship, for fifty years ETA has tried achieve full independence from the Spanish country for the four Basque provinces Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa, Alava and Navarra in the eastern area of Spain and the south western areas of France of Labourd, Basse-Navarra, and Soule. ETA has been trying to become an independent state through their tactics of bombing and assassinations. Since 1959 the group has been held responsible for a number of bombings, shootings and kidnappings or killings of high profile European government figures, and its activities have claimed over 800 lives in four decades. Though believed to be a small terrorist group (with approximately 20 main activists and several hundred supporters), in December 2001, the European Union declared ETA a terrorist organization. ETA members are believed to have received training in Lebanon, Libya, South Y emen, Nicaragua and as well as to have fled to Cuba. The group also allegedly maintains close ties with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) through the both groups political wings.