Substance Abuse Among Teenagers A Survey - 1201 Words

Substance Abuse Among Teenagers Hannah is a fifteen year old girl who was recently sent to a rehabilitation center for the result of abuse of prescription medication. 6.1 million high school students currently use addictive substances, and like Hannah, 1 in 3 of them are addicted (â€Å"National Study Reveals,†2011). Although the number of teens using these drugs are decreasing, the numbers are still dangerously high. Due to it’s high risk of addiction, dangerous consequences, and growing availability, substance abuse among teenagers is a serious trend being presented among all United States adolescence. A survey entitled â€Å"Monitoring the Future† was conducted among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders throughout the United States in 2014 (â€Å"Monitoring The Future 2014,†2014). Compared to 2009, the results showed a decrease in alcohol use, showing 9% of eighth graders, 23.5% of sophomores, and 37.4% of seniors have drank alcohol in the past month. Whereas there has been a decrease in binge drinking also, for since 1998, where 31.5% of seniors consumed five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks, the 2014 results showed a decrease to 19.4% (â€Å"Monitoring The Future 2014,†2014). Along with these positive declines in results, cigarette smoking is at it’s lowest rate in the survey s history. Unfortunately, while these results all show a positive decline and an optimistic future for the teenagers of America, not all results turned out this way. Other forms of tobacco use are gainingShow MoreRelatedDrug Abuse Essay1546 Words   |  7 PagesThesis: Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Many teens turn to marijuana, prescription drugs, club drugs, alcohol, or other substances as a means of coping with stress, peer influence, and failure of parents to prevent their children from making unreasonable decisions. According to the yearly â€Å"Monitoring the Future† survey of high school age teenagers in theRead MoreTeen Abuse Prescription Drug Abuse1422 Words   |  6 Pagesdrugs used and abused by teenagers in America. According to Elizabeth Larsen, â€Å"The Centers for Disease Control classifies prescription drug abuse as the worst drug epidemic in United States history† (Larsen p.4). This is the worst drug epidemic in history because of the percentage of teenage usage. Based on different studies, pills are the most commonly abused drug among twelve- and thirteen- year olds because of how easy they are to access. In fact, many teens that abuse prescription medication hasRead MoreJuveniles and Drug Abuse946 Words   |  4 PagesJuveniles and Drug Abuse America Abstract A drug is a substance that modifies one or more of the bodys functions when it is consumed. Therefore, many common foods qualify as drugs. According to this definition, some of our most cherished beverages such as tea, coffee, and cola are drugs. However this paper focuses on drugs that are abused by teenagers. Surveys show that cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and inhalants are the most commonly used drugs among teenagers age thirteen through eighteenRead MoreThe Negative Effects of Teenage Dating1512 Words   |  7 Pagesinability to maintain a relationship. Teenagers mostly, do not understand the necessity of sustaining a relationship over a period of time. Therefore, frequent break ups and arguments lead to attempts of suicide, teenage pregnancy, STD’s, teen violence, and substance abuse. This happens due to lack of experience and a broader understanding of what relationships are (Dasgupta, 2011). The problems of teen dating involving violence, sex, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide are primarily caused by stressfulRead MoreTeenage Drug Use Of Drugs1560 Words   |  7 PagesVictoria Hoverman Teenage Drug Use In today’s society, one of the common problems among teenagers is the use of drugs. Teen age is probably one of the most challenging periods in life. It is a stage of self identity crisis that leads to great confusion amongst the teens. Belonging and being accepted in a group is very important in the minds of the teens; where many regard the act as cool. During these years of growth, teenagers encounter their share of positive and negative experiences. Peer pressure, curiosityRead MoreDrug Abuse Among Teenagers And Young Adults1114 Words   |  5 PagesFor several generations now drug abuse among teenagers and young adults has been a major problem in American society. To address the problem successfully in term of diminishing the amount of illegal drug use among this age demographic, we must first understand the patterns and trends over time in terms of what drugs teenagers use, how they obtain them and then use them, and what factors cause or influence them to engage in such activities. First we should define our terms and limits of discussionRead MoreAdolescent Drug Abuse1306 Words   |  6 PagesAdolescent Drug Abuse I.) Introduction: Crack, booze, pot, crystal- from the inner city to the suburbs to small towns, the world of the adolescent is permeated by drugs. When a little harmless experimentation becomes addiction, parents, teachers, and clinicians are often at a loss. For this age group (roughly ages 13 to 23), traditional substance abuse programs simply are not enough (Nowinski, inside cover). Today s society provides many challenges for adolescents that ourRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society Essay1416 Words   |  6 PagesInstagram, provide opportunities for people to connect with each other and have become exceedingly popular in recent years. However, there are increased numbers of mental health problems such as mood problems, emotional issues, and addiction in teenagers as they overuse social media. Advocates of social media may claim that social networking platforms benefit adolescents by increasing connectivity, helping people make friends, and giving young adults a sense of belonging. However, they overestimateRead MoreDrug Abuse And Addiction Among Teenagers1704 Words   |  7 PagesStudies have shown that prescription drug abuse and addiction among teenagers is on a steady incline. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, â€Å"prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescr ibed, of for the experience or feelings elicited.† This is a pervasive problem that is in fact consuming the lives of many teens, primarily because prescription drugs are easily accessible in their environment. There are several interpersonalRead MoreAlcohol and Drug Abuse Essay1671 Words   |  7 PagesAlcohol and Drug Abuse Alcohol is a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent. (Online Dictionary) Although it is legal in the United States it is still illegal to those who aren’t twenty one years of age and other. This includes those persons of age purchasing alcohol for those under age. To some college students, heavy drinking that leads to vomiting is not alcohol abuse but simply having a good time. Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a chronic disorder characterized by compulsive

The Challenges African Americans Faced in America - 963 Words

The Challenges African Americans Faced In America Raymon Rice ETH125 March 11, 2012 The Challenges African Americans Faced In America African Americans had a turbulent history in the United States ever since they were brought to the country as slaves. â€Å"Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, to aid in the production of such lucrative crops as tobacco. (Slavery in America, 2012) During the 17th and 18th centuries, slavery was practiced throughout most of the American colonies. (Slavery in America, date). During these times, the amount of slaves that were brought to America enormous and could possibly be near the 10 million mark in the 16th†¦show more content†¦This act occurred during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were the constitutional amendments that gave African Americans a new start in life. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery; the 14th amendment gave former slaves rights of citizenship and equal protection under the U.S. Constitution, and the 15th amendment g ave former slaves the right to vote. (Slavery in America, 2012) It would not be for another hundred years after the Civil War until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights of 1965 was passed by the U.S. Congress. These two laws were a direct response to the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and early 1960s. â€Å"Such movements have not only secured citizenship right’s for blacks but have also redefined prevailing conceptions of the nature of civil rights and the role of government in protecting these rights. (Civil Rights Movement, 2012) The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 did more for minorities and women by providing them a voice against discrimination. References Civil Rights Movement. (2012). The History Channel website. Retrieved 2:58, March 12, 2012, from http://www.history.com/topics/civil-rights-movement. Peoples, K. (2008). The History of The Black Codes of 1865 Read more at Suite101: The History of The Black Codes of 1865: Jim Crow Laws Kept African American New-Found FreedomsShow MoreRelatedThe War On The Home Front1112 Words   |  5 PagesIn a very short amount of time, America went a serious of events which had great influence on the home front. Those two events were WWII and the Cold War. Civil rights, the cultural norms, and society at large, had changed greatly during a short amount of time due to these events. The United States was fight a war on two fronts, both at home and overseas. The wars overseas had great influence and impact on the successes that would come over time on the home front. Without these wars and times ofRead MoreThe Superiority Complex: Suketu Mehta Essay544 Words   |  3 PagesIn his article, The Superiority Complex, Mehta focuses his analysis on Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld’s book, The triple package: How three unlikely traits explain the rise and fall of cultural groups in America. Suketu Mehta is the author of Maximum City: Bombay lost and found and a teacher at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism institute at New York University. Mehta compares this book to several others books written in previous years like Passing of the Great Race by Madison (1916) and The Clash of CivilizationsRead MoreBeing An African American Woman1052 Words   |  5 Pagesa woman living in America is not only a task but a daily job. Women in the United States are not held to the same standards as men but are expected to work just as hard as a man to work in a higher role that has normally dominated by men. Women have to appear just a tough as a man if not tougher, show no emotion and also think like a man. Being an African American woman is even more of a daily challenge. Not only are you expected to be smart, but also as an African American woman you have toRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement During World War II955 Words   |  4 PagesDuring World War II, America as a nation faced many challenges both at home and abroad. Some of these challenges at home included Strikes and protests in war production factories, which was due to increasing differences between the government and employers, with the workers/labor unions. Another was the Civil rights movement for African-Americans, which advocated for equal rights for all Americans, when African Americans joined the war efforts by both joining the military and working in the war factoriesRead MoreAmerica Is Not A Democracy1592 Words   |  7 Pages How America is not a Democracy â€Å"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America...and to the republic for which it stands...one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.† (â€Å"Is the United States a Democracy?†) The United States’ pledge is taught to children of all ages, plays an active role in the patriotism of the people, and it symbolizes the citizen’s promise to never violate the Republic of the United States of America. The founding fathers built the foundationRead MoreStill I Rise By Maya Angelou Essay1649 Words   |  7 Pagesshows a repetition of strength stanza after stanza. African Americans were faced with the challenges of oppression and slavery. African American women not only as a minority of African American race, but as a female, were faced with all those challenges, along with woman’s rights. It took 55 years after the abolishment of slavery for females to finally have the right to vote, under the 19th amendment. Maya Angelou’s poem expresses these challenges and overcoming them, in contrast. The 1st lineRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Negro Soldier 938 Words   |  4 Pagesthe short film, â€Å"The Negro Soldier,† the whole focus was to get African Americans to join the military. With the use of propaganda, the U.S. government hoped to promote getting African Americans to want to fight for their country. It hoped to instill patriotism in them. It showed that Germany and the Nazis had no respect for them and considered them the scum of the earth. It also portrayed them being accepted as equals into the American society. It was used to make them think they were wanted and playRead MoreEssay Letter From Birmingham Jail1025 Words   |  5 PagesThe â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† written by one of the key figures of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., is one of the most powerful and influential writings in american history. The letter was written while he and fellow protestors were being held in custody for protesting in the city of Birm ingham, Alabama. King was a very passionate and selfless man. He only had love in his heart for all living beings regardless of their race or religion. He believed in a peaceful way of protestRead MoreThe Challenges Of Stereotypes Within Africa1513 Words   |  7 PagesThe Challenges of Stereotypes within Africa Between America and other European nations, stereotypes and misrepresentations have ultimately plagued the continent of Africa. To every side there is often another story, yet unfortunately for the many countries of Africa, they are ultimately victimized and suffer through further oppression. According to Curtis Keim’s book Mistaking Africa, Keim suggests that Africa is essentially under the public microscope, it tends to be scrutinized, and compared toRead MoreAfrican American Dancers With Pink Ribbons1392 Words   |  6 Pagesthat provides insight into the obstacles/challenges encountered by African American dancers with regards to being successful in the world of dance and key figures that have overcome this struggle. There are many major obstacle facing African American dancers that contribute to racial segregation in the dance world. For instance flesh coloured shoes with pink ribbons are the traditional foot wear for ballet which dates back the 1820’s. Many African American dancers have questioned major dance wear

OSHA Lawsuit Free Essays

In this article, there are no details given on what was the nature of the complaints filed by the employee originally, however, searching the internet for other related articles, I found one of a reason for which the employee may had been ruminated, â€Å"OSHA says the employee was fired after complaining about a potentially unsafe situation of finding the building unsecured when she arrived, alone, to open the store. The worker also filed a safety and health complaint with OSHA, which triggered an OSHA inspection that identified two unrelated violations. (Two Whistler’s†¦ , n. We will write a custom essay sample on OSHA Lawsuit or any similar topic only for you Order Now D. , p. Xx-xx). In my opinion, the employer, Xebec Inc. Could have done a lot to address the situation as soon as It learned of the complaint. First of all, securing the doors of the business should have been of outmost priority, not only to Insure the safety of the employees, but to safeguard the equipment, Inventory and other Items that may been left In the store overnight. Launching an Investigation to find out why the door was not secured, should not have been a major issue as it was. Making sure the employee’s was heard and safety precautions put in place should be a first priority to every employer, these safeguards could not have been costly at all either, there should not have been any excuse. Secondly, the employer should have reassure the employee once the safeguards were put into place, that a situation such as this would be addressed every time she rough it up, to make her feel secure on the performance of her duties. Also, if the employee had any suggestions as to how to better guard her well-being when she enter the store first-thing In the morning, should have been part of a plan of action. Often, employers are not present at all times to Insure that everything goes smoothly during business hours and they must rely on their employees to be their eyes and ears during their absences. Lastly, terminating the employee was not going to end the employer’s responsibility to other employees and their community. If the store’s door was constantly left open overnight, word could have gone out the undesirable members of community as a place where they could commit crimes, therefore, putting the rest of the business owners at risk. References; Todd, E. , Rodriguez,J. (201 3, January 31 Us department of labor files whistle- blower lawsuit against Helena, Mont. Based xebec Inc.. Retrieved November 8, 2013, Unknown (n. D. ). Two Whistler’s Lawsuits Filed over Workplace Violence Allegations Ð’Â » Safety’s. Retrieved November 8, 2013, from http://safety’s. Com/ Article How to cite OSHA Lawsuit, Papers

The philippine is a government of laws and not of men free essay sample

American lawyer, politician and 2nd President of the United States In his 7th â€Å"Novanglus† letter, published in the Boston Gazette in 1774 The concept of â€Å"a government of laws, and not of men† reflects a political philosophy that dates back to the ancient Greeks. But the phrase itself was enshrined in history and quotation books by John Adams. Prior to the start of the American Revolution, Adams used it in one of his â€Å"Letters of Novanglus,† which argued that Great Britain’s treatment of American colonists violated their rights under British law. In the seventh Novanglus letter, Adams wrote that â€Å"the British constitution is much more like a republic than an empire a government of laws, and not of men. † http://www. quotecounterquote. com/2010/08/government-of-laws-and-not-of-men-is. html Government of Laws The Corona impeachment case seems to be shaping up as a publicity contest between the Lower House of Representatives represented by 188 Congressmen/women who signed the Complaint and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who is the accused in said complaint. We will write a custom essay sample on The philippine is a government of laws and not of men or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The course of the action has turned into how to win the hearts and minds of the populace through press releases showing the strength or weakness of their case, rather than on how to win the case through presentation of convincing proofs of facts and the applicable law. This case is indeed one of the few, if not the only case where both parties see the need of hiring a PR man to serve as their mouthpiece in presenting to the public their own versions of the blow by blow account of the trial inside the halls of the Upper House. Apparently this need arises mainly because the entire nation will be intently watching the proceedings which may be quite difficult for the common man to understand. The foreseeable problem and danger here is that the contending spokespersons will necessarily depict their side as â€Å"leading or winning in the game† when they explain the developments of the case. There is also the very proximate possibility that the case will be decided in the streets rather than inside the chambers of the Senate. Here Corona will be at a great disadvantage mainly because of his low trust rating and the adverse publicity he has been getting as a result of the continued criticisms and attacks against him and the judiciary by the highly popular P-Noy. Besides, it is highly likely that the intricate and too technical rules in the presentation and appreciation of evidence which are hard to fathom, will not be strictly observed or will even be completely disregarded if they are unpopular and against the swelling public opinion shaping up in the case. If this happens, the whole truth that is supposedly determinable through established rules will never come out. Of course, it has been repeatedly argued that impeachment is more of a political process rather than a judicial one. So in a democratic and republican state like ours where sovereignty ultimately resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them, their â€Å"voice† must reign supreme: â€Å"salus populi est suprema lex†. The problem with this argument is that when our Constitution says that â€Å"sovereignty resides in the people† (Article II Section 1), it does not mean that the most numerous and boisterous among them, whose voices sound the loudest, should be heeded. Neither does the â€Å"voice† here refers to the results of popularity surveys. While sovereignty indeed resides in the people, that sovereignty is exercised not directly through the mass action of an indeterminate number of faceless people but through their representatives and leaders in the Legislative and the Executive Departments of government and in the local government units chosen in an election officially conducted. They are chosen on the basis of their competence, qualification and ability to represent the people, articulate their voice and promote their interest in accordance with the fundamental law of the land and the statutes enacted pursuant thereto. They are precisely chosen because they are more knowledgeable in the workings of a government of laws and not of men. Sovereignty is therefore asserted either through the ballot in the exercise of the right of suffrage (Article V) or directly through peoples’ initiative in proposing amendments to the Constitution or enacting or amending statutes (Article XVII). Opinion ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In the unfolding events we are now witnessing, it is becoming clearer that certain basic principles embedded in our Constitution are forgotten or ignored all in the name of an avowed objective to clean and reform the government specifically the judiciary which has been pictured and assailed as putting up the biggest stumbling blocks to attaining those â€Å"noble† aims. There seems to be a dangerous tendency to arouse the ire of the people and stir them into action against certain officials in the government particularly in the SC who are perceived as the enemy of this administration and therefore also enemy of the people who catapulted it to power. The times indeed require some counter moves that will uphold and preserve the principles in our Constitution providing for a government of laws and not of men. And the only institution that can adopt those moves are the courts, ultimately the Supreme Court (SC) pursuant to its power of judicial review or the power to interpret the Constitution and to declare any legislative or executive act invalid because it is in conflict with it. (Article VIII Sections 4 [2,3] and 5 [2 a. b. ]). Through this power, the judiciary, particularly the SC, is not asserting its supremacy over the other departments of government but merely enforcing and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution. Ironically, the credibility of the judiciary particularly the SC is now at its lowest because of attacks and criticisms; and its independence is threatened by moves of the executive and the legislative branches particularly the impeachment of its Chief Justice whose appointment is still being questioned up to now. If the judiciary is no longer credible, independent and free then there is no more assurance of having a government of laws. Fortunately, the SC still has the opportunity to assert its independence and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution through its actions on the four petitions filed before it asking for the dismissal of the impeachment rap against its Chief Justice on the ground of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Lower House of Congress. To be up to the task it should take cognizance of the petitions and determine whether a grave abuse of discretion has indeed been committed. If it believes the Constitution has been violated, then it should dismiss the impeachment complaint even if it is an unpopular and seemingly awkward decision. The administration and the supposed majority should respect such ruling. If they do not agree with it, they should blame the lawmakers and the framers of the Constitution and take steps to amend it by removing that power of judicial review from the SC or limiting it. This is how a government of laws works. http://www. philstar. com/opinion/762929/government-laws It means that laws are to be interpreted objectively, not reread by individuals and are to be applied to everyone without regard for their positions, reputations or personal relationships with others. A government of men, on the other hand, would be one that is subjective, depending on the relationship of those enforcing the laws and those against whom the laws might be enforced.

The philippine is a government of laws and not of men free essay sample

American lawyer, politician and 2nd President of the United States In his 7th â€Å"Novanglus† letter, published in the Boston Gazette in 1774 The concept of â€Å"a government of laws, and not of men† reflects a political philosophy that dates back to the ancient Greeks. But the phrase itself was enshrined in history and quotation books by John Adams. Prior to the start of the American Revolution, Adams used it in one of his â€Å"Letters of Novanglus,† which argued that Great Britain’s treatment of American colonists violated their rights under British law. In the seventh Novanglus letter, Adams wrote that â€Å"the British constitution is much more like a republic than an empire a government of laws, and not of men. † http://www. quotecounterquote. com/2010/08/government-of-laws-and-not-of-men-is. html Government of Laws The Corona impeachment case seems to be shaping up as a publicity contest between the Lower House of Representatives represented by 188 Congressmen/women who signed the Complaint and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who is the accused in said complaint. We will write a custom essay sample on The philippine is a government of laws and not of men or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The course of the action has turned into how to win the hearts and minds of the populace through press releases showing the strength or weakness of their case, rather than on how to win the case through presentation of convincing proofs of facts and the applicable law. This case is indeed one of the few, if not the only case where both parties see the need of hiring a PR man to serve as their mouthpiece in presenting to the public their own versions of the blow by blow account of the trial inside the halls of the Upper House. Apparently this need arises mainly because the entire nation will be intently watching the proceedings which may be quite difficult for the common man to understand. The foreseeable problem and danger here is that the contending spokespersons will necessarily depict their side as â€Å"leading or winning in the game† when they explain the developments of the case. There is also the very proximate possibility that the case will be decided in the streets rather than inside the chambers of the Senate. Here Corona will be at a great disadvantage mainly because of his low trust rating and the adverse publicity he has been getting as a result of the continued criticisms and attacks against him and the judiciary by the highly popular P-Noy. Besides, it is highly likely that the intricate and too technical rules in the presentation and appreciation of evidence which are hard to fathom, will not be strictly observed or will even be completely disregarded if they are unpopular and against the swelling public opinion shaping up in the case. If this happens, the whole truth that is supposedly determinable through established rules will never come out. Of course, it has been repeatedly argued that impeachment is more of a political process rather than a judicial one. So in a democratic and republican state like ours where sovereignty ultimately resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them, their â€Å"voice† must reign supreme: â€Å"salus populi est suprema lex†. The problem with this argument is that when our Constitution says that â€Å"sovereignty resides in the people† (Article II Section 1), it does not mean that the most numerous and boisterous among them, whose voices sound the loudest, should be heeded. Neither does the â€Å"voice† here refers to the results of popularity surveys. While sovereignty indeed resides in the people, that sovereignty is exercised not directly through the mass action of an indeterminate number of faceless people but through their representatives and leaders in the Legislative and the Executive Departments of government and in the local government units chosen in an election officially conducted. They are chosen on the basis of their competence, qualification and ability to represent the people, articulate their voice and promote their interest in accordance with the fundamental law of the land and the statutes enacted pursuant thereto. They are precisely chosen because they are more knowledgeable in the workings of a government of laws and not of men. Sovereignty is therefore asserted either through the ballot in the exercise of the right of suffrage (Article V) or directly through peoples’ initiative in proposing amendments to the Constitution or enacting or amending statutes (Article XVII). Opinion ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In the unfolding events we are now witnessing, it is becoming clearer that certain basic principles embedded in our Constitution are forgotten or ignored all in the name of an avowed objective to clean and reform the government specifically the judiciary which has been pictured and assailed as putting up the biggest stumbling blocks to attaining those â€Å"noble† aims. There seems to be a dangerous tendency to arouse the ire of the people and stir them into action against certain officials in the government particularly in the SC who are perceived as the enemy of this administration and therefore also enemy of the people who catapulted it to power. The times indeed require some counter moves that will uphold and preserve the principles in our Constitution providing for a government of laws and not of men. And the only institution that can adopt those moves are the courts, ultimately the Supreme Court (SC) pursuant to its power of judicial review or the power to interpret the Constitution and to declare any legislative or executive act invalid because it is in conflict with it. (Article VIII Sections 4 [2,3] and 5 [2 a. b. ]). Through this power, the judiciary, particularly the SC, is not asserting its supremacy over the other departments of government but merely enforcing and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution. Ironically, the credibility of the judiciary particularly the SC is now at its lowest because of attacks and criticisms; and its independence is threatened by moves of the executive and the legislative branches particularly the impeachment of its Chief Justice whose appointment is still being questioned up to now. If the judiciary is no longer credible, independent and free then there is no more assurance of having a government of laws. Fortunately, the SC still has the opportunity to assert its independence and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution through its actions on the four petitions filed before it asking for the dismissal of the impeachment rap against its Chief Justice on the ground of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Lower House of Congress. To be up to the task it should take cognizance of the petitions and determine whether a grave abuse of discretion has indeed been committed. If it believes the Constitution has been violated, then it should dismiss the impeachment complaint even if it is an unpopular and seemingly awkward decision. The administration and the supposed majority should respect such ruling. If they do not agree with it, they should blame the lawmakers and the framers of the Constitution and take steps to amend it by removing that power of judicial review from the SC or limiting it. This is how a government of laws works. http://www. philstar. com/opinion/762929/government-laws It means that laws are to be interpreted objectively, not reread by individuals and are to be applied to everyone without regard for their positions, reputations or personal relationships with others. A government of men, on the other hand, would be one that is subjective, depending on the relationship of those enforcing the laws and those against whom the laws might be enforced.