Taming Globalization as Painted by Rodrik

The Effects Of Fresh Garlic Extract On Acetaminophen Essays

The Effects Of Fresh Garlic Extract On Acetaminophen Essays The Effects Of Fresh Garlic Extract On Acetaminophen Essay The Effects Of Fresh Garlic Extract On Acetaminophen Essay Introduction Oxidative emphasis and lipid peroxidation play cardinal functions in the pathogenesis and patterned advance of several upsets. Cancer, ageing, coronary artery disease, and inflammatory procedures have all been linked to the coevals of reactive O species and toxic metabolites of lipid peroxidation reactions. 1, 2, 3 In many theoretical accounts, depletion of liver glutathione shops and other antioxidant molecules constitute an of import mechanism for the initiation of oxidative emphasis and the attendant harm to biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, and the activation of atomic written text factors that may be of import in the coevals of proinflammatory cytokines. Several anti-oxidants have been used in the intervention of oxidative stress-mediated diseases, including vitamins ( C and E ) , carotenoids, and minerals such as Se. 9, 10, 11,12 Besides, ethnomedical patterns have relied on the usage of works merchandises which are now known to incorporate antioxidant secondary metabolites.13 Garlic and garlic merchandises have been employed in medical pattern since antiquity. Assorted pharmacological surveies have besides reported on the benefits of its infusions and merchandises on critical physiological maps including their antioxidant, 14 cardioprotective, 15 hepatoprotective, 16 anticancer 17 and anti-inflammatory effects. 18 However, most of these surveies focused on the usage of aged garlic infusion ( AGE ) or other commercial merchandises. Here we report on the anti-oxidant and anti-lipid peroxidative belongingss of fresh ethanolic infusion of local Ugandan cultivars of Allium sativum in mice theoretical accounts of Datril induced lipid per oxidation and oxidative emphasis. We hypothesize that regular ingestion of fresh Allium sativum could forestall oxidative emphasis and protect against diseases associated with oxidative emphasis and lipid peroxidation reactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS 1. Collection, Identification, and Processing of Garlic Bulbs. Bulbs of a local assortment of garlic ( Allium sativum L. ) were obtained from Ishaka Town in Western Uganda, and identified by a qualified taxonomer. Cold extraction of the Allium sativum was carried out at room temperature ( 18-22 O C ) as follows: Fresh Allium sativum bulbs were land to a all right paste utilizing a mechanical bomber and 50 g of the paste was put in a 250 milliliter conelike flask and covered with 100 milliliters of 80 % ethyl alcohol, stoppered with cotton wool, and allowed to stand in the dark at room temperature for 48 hours. The ethanolic infusion was filtered off with a Whatman no. paper into pre-weighed evaporating dishes, while the residue in the flask was washed with a farther 100 milliliter of 80 % ethyl alcohol and added to the infusions in the evaporating dishes. The filtrates were so evaporated to a syrupy residue utilizing a rotary extractor at 40 O C. The dishes were so weighed once more on a ternary beam balance and the per centum output was calcula ted as follows: Weight of extract = weight of vaporizing dish after vaporization weight of dish before add-on of infusion ; Percentage output = entire weight of extract ? weight of paste used ( 50 g ) A- 100. The infusions were pooled together into an airtight container and stored refrigerated ( at -4 oC ) until required for usage. For usage, a part of the infusion was weighed and dissolved in normal saline solution. Fresh readyings were made on each twenty-four hours of the experiment. The resulting solutions were injected intraperitonially into the mice. 2. Lab Animals Swiss mice 6-8 hebdomads old weighing 18-32 g were obtained from the Pharmacology Department of the Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda. They were maintained and habituated in plastic coops in the carnal house of the School of Health Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus for one hebdomad, and so after used for the surveies. The mice had free entree to H2O and were fed standard gnawer pellets ( purchased from a local commercial provider ) ad libitum. Addiction conditions were 12 hour dark/light rhythms, and mean environmental temperature of 20 o C. 3. Acute Toxicity Test and Determination of LD50 The LD50 of the infusion was determined in the mice by the process described by Bernas et Al. ( 2004 ) .19 The assurance interval of the LD50 was estimated by the Litchfield Wilcoxon method utilizing a computing machine software.20 4. Experimental Design Thirty Swiss mice of both sexes were used for the experimental survey. The animate beings were grouped indiscriminately into 6 groups of 5 each and administered with the drugs/extracts as follows: Group I received physiological saline i.p. merely ; group II received acetaminophen 250 mg/kg i.p. individual dosage merely ; group III was given garlic infusion 250 mg/kg for 5 yearss before a individual i.p. dosage of acetaminophen 250 mg/kg ; group IV received 500 mg/kg garlic infusion for 5 yearss before 250 mg/kg Datril ; group V were given 750 mg/kg garlic infusion for 5 yearss before 250 mg/kg Datril ; group VI received 25 mg/kg silymarin for 5 yearss before a individual i.p dosage of acetaminophen 250 mg/kg. The infusion was administered as a individual one time day-to-day dosages, while Datril was administered after 12 hours fast. 5. Sample Collection The mice were sacrificed under quintessence anesthesia, and their livers were obtained from the mice washed with ice cold normal saline, followed by 0.15 M Tris-buffer ( pH 7.4 ) , blotted and weighed. The liver was so homogenized in 0.15 M Tris buffer to a concentration of 10 g per 100ml of homogenate and used for TBARS, glutathione, catalase, and SOD checks. 6. Biochemical Assays Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) in the liver homogenates were estimated by the method of Ohkawa et al 21 as a step of lipid peroxidation reactions. Catalase activities in the homogenates were estimated by the method of Johansson and Borg, 22 ( which depended on the reaction between methyl alcohol and catalase in the presence of H peroxide ) with kits obtained from Calbiochem USA. Superoxide dismutase check was estimated by the method of Kakkar et Al, 23 utilizing kits obtained from Calbiochem. The NWLSS GSH spectrophotometric assay kit was used for the appraisal of glutathione in the homogenates ( Northwest Life Sciences Specialties LLC, USA ) . In this method, 5-5 dithiobis ( 2-Nitrobenzoic acid ) DTNB, reacts with glutathione to organize 5-thionitrobenzoic acid ( TNB ) which has optimum soaking up at a wavelength of 412 nanometers. The maker s protocol was purely followed. 7. Datas Analysis Datas were presented as average AÂ ± criterion mistake of the mean. Statistical analysis was by the one manner analysis of discrepancy ( ANOVA ) utilizing the SPSS version 10 package, and a P value lt ; 0.05 was considered important. Consequence Administration of toxic doses of Datril produced pronounced depletion of the liver glutathione shops and the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, and important lift of lipid peroxidation merchandises estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) . Liver glutathione degree in group II was significantly lower than in the negative control ( p lt ; 0.005 ) as are SOD ( P lt ; 0.001 ) and catalase ( p lt ; 0.05 ) . The liver TBARS degree in group II was significantly higher than in group I ( P lt ; 0.005 ) . The disposal of fresh Allium sativa infusion and silymarin protected against these alterations in a dose dependent mode and brought the values to degrees comparable to those of the negative controls ( P gt ; 0.01 ) as shown in table 1 and in figure 1. Table 1:Liver TBARS, GSH, SOD, and CAT of mice in the six groups Group Treatment TBARS ( mM/Kg ) GSH ( ug/mg protein ) Turf ( U/g liver ) CAT ( U/g liver ) I. NEG CONTROL 0.5 Master of Library Science Normal saline i.p. 11.5 Â ± 2.5 48Â ± 4.6 85Â ±6.8 85Â ±4.4 II. POS CONTROL 250 mg/Kg APAP i.p. 26.2 Â ± 1.8 P lt ; 0.005 12Â ±2.4 P lt ; 0.001 14Â ±3.6 P lt ; 0.001 50Â ± 3.9 P lt ; 0.05 III. 250 mg/Kg APAP + 250 mg/Kg garlic infusion 20 Â ±1.2 P lt ; 0.01 27Â ±4.1 P lt ; 0.01 californium. group I P lt ; 0.005 californium. group II 38Â ±2.1 P lt ; 0.001 californium. group I P lt ; 0.005 californium. group II 65Â ± 2.0 P lt ; 0.01 californium. group I P lt ; 0.05 californium. group II Four 250mg/Kg APAP + 500 mg/Kg garlic infusion 15.1 Â ±0.8 P gt ; 0.05 californium. group I ; p lt ; 0.01 californium. group II 32Â ±3.1 P lt ; 0.05 californium. group I P lt ; 0.001 californium. group II 44Â ±1.8 P lt ; 0.01 californium. group I P lt ; 0.0001 californium. group II 74Â ± 1.8 P lt ; 0.05 californium. group I P lt ; 0.005 californium. group II Volt 250 mg/kg APAP + 750 mg/Kg garlic infusion 12.2 Â ± 0.6 P gt ; 0.1 californium. group I ; P lt ; 0.001 californium. group II 38Â ±2.8 P lt ; 0.05 californium. group I P lt ; 0.001 californium. group II 62Â ±2.5 P lt ; 0.05 californium. group I ; P lt ; 0.001 californium. group II 82Â ± 2.4 P gt ; 0.1 californium. group I ; P lt ; 0.01 californium. group II Six 250 mg/Kg APAP + 25 mg/Kg silymarin 10.8 Â ±0.8 P gt ; 0.1 californium. group I ; P lt ; 0.005 californium. group II 45Â ±2.9 P gt ; 0.1 californium. group I ; P lt ; 0.0001 californium. group II 76Â ±4.8 P gt ; 0.1 californium. group I ; P lt ; 0.005 californium. group II 78Â ±2.5 P gt ; 0.1 californium. group I ; P lt ; 0.000 californium. group II Discussion Natural antioxidants play important functions in the bar and intervention of many organic and inflammatory diseases associated with oxidative stress.24 Polyphenols and flavonoids that are present in plant-derived merchandises are widely reported to exercise important influences on the remotion of reactive O and N species and have been utile in such diseases as diabetes mellitus and artherosclerosis.25 This survey demonstrated that fresh Allium sativa infusion exerted important protection against oxidative emphasis and lipid peroxidation induced by Datril overdose. It besides showed that fresh Allium sativa preserved liver GSH, and up-regulated superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the liver. These observations are consistent with the ascertained effects of infusions from other workss in continuing liver GSH 26, and more so agrees with the study of Sabaya and others 27 in the relation to the action of Allium sativa infusion on valproic acid induced hepatotoxicity. In this re gard, Allium sativa mimics the activities of cysteine prodrugs such as N-acetyl cysteine ( NAC ) and S-adenosyl methionine ( SAM ) , which are known to continue liver GSH degrees in Datril hepatotoxicity 28, 29. It is besides possible that the infusion prevented GSH depletion by forestalling NAPQI formation in Datril overdose. The mechanism here could be suppression of enzymes of stage I metabolism, notably CYP2E1 and CYP3A, which are the primary enzymes responsible for acetaminophen biotransformation into NAPQI. Greenbaltt et al30 have shown that certain H2O soluble components of aged Allium sativum can suppress CYP3A in normal human liver microsomes. It has been suggested that drugs which can cut down cytochrome P450 mediated NAPQI formation such as Co chloride, Tagamet, and piperonyl butoxide could protect the liver against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity 31, 32. Several studies have besides shown that isothiocyanate and allyl sulphide compounds of Allium sativa inhibited cytochrome P450 enzymes such as CYP2E1 that act in stage I metamorphosis of acetaminophen 33, 34 Besides, several other surveies have reported that Allium sativa and Allium cepa ( onion ) organic sulfides are capable of hei ghtening glutathione S transferase activity in the liver,35 and isothiocyanate is a really powerful inducer of stage II metabolizing enzymes such as quinone reductase and glutathione -S transferase.36, 37 Allium sativa may besides speed up NAPQI elimination by supplying substrates that are required for its junction. Such substrates may include thiol ( organosulphure ) compounds, aminic acids, and sulphate ions. It may besides accomplish this by increasing NAPQI binding to glucuronic acid.38 Investigation of these possibilities requires surveies of the pharmacokinetics of NAPQI in animate beings having Allium sativa infusion, and the effects of Allium sativa infusion on cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for NAPQI metamorphosis. GSH saving could ensue from the supply of substrates for GSH biogenesis by the Allium sativa infusion. Allium sativa is known to incorporate organic sulfides such as S-allyl cysteine ( SAC ) and S-allyl mercaptocysteine ( SAMC ) which could be utilized for GSH biogenesis ( 221,222 ) . Allium sativa infusion besides contains dially sulphide ( DAS ) and diallyl disulphide ( DADS, known to hold strong cut downing belongingss ) , and allixin, antioxidant minerals ( e.g. Se ) , and fructosyl amino acids such as fructosyl glutamic acid and fructosyl arginine.39, 40 Administration of fresh Ugandan Allium sativum infusion prevented lipid peroxidation and depletion of liver glutathione shops and antioxidant enzymes in mice. Regular ingestion of Ugandan Allium sativum would therefore protect the organic structure against the toxic effects of oxidative emphasis and protect from assorted diseases which are known to be associated with oxidative emphasis. Mentions Waris G, Ahson H. Reactive O species: function in the development of malignant neoplastic disease and assorted chronic conditions. J Carcinog 2006 ; 4:14. Dugan LL, Quick KL. Reactive O species and aging: Evolving inquiries. Sci Aging Knowl Environ 2005 ; 2005 ( 26 ) :20. Prasad K, Kalra J. Oxygen free groups and hypercholesterolaemic coronary artery disease: consequence of vitamine E. Am Heart J 1993 ; 125 ( 4 ) :958-73. Battino M, Bullon P, Wilson M, Newman H. Oxidative hurt and inflammatory periodontic diseases: The challenge of anti-oxidants to free groups and reactive O species. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 1999 ; 10 ( 4 ) :458-576. Berlett BS, Stadtman ER. Protein oxidization in aging, disease and oxidative emphasis. J Biol Chem 1997 ; 272:20313-20316. Henle ES, Linn S. Formation, bar and fix of DNA harm by iron/hydrogen peroxide. J Biol Chem 1997 ; 272:19095-19098 Jacobson MD. Reactive O species and programmed cell decease. Swerve In Biochemical Sciences ( TIBS ) 1996 ; 21:83-86. Morimoto RI. Cells in emphasis: transcriptional activation of heat daze cistrons. Science 1993 ; 259:1409-141. Braughler JM, Pregenzer JF. The fresh 21-aminosteroid inhibitors of lipid peroxidation: reactions with lipid peroxyl and phenoxy groups. Free Radic Biol Med 1989 ; 7:125-130. Nweke I, Ohaeri OC, Ezeala C. Effect Of Vitamin On Malondialdehyde And Glutathione Levels In Type 2 Diabetic Nigerians.The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness.2009 Volume 7 Number 2. Paiva SA, Russell RM. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids as antioxidants. J Am Coll Nutr.1999 ; 18 ( 5 ) :426-33 Burk RF. Selenium, an antioxidant food. Nutr Clin Care.2002 ; 5 ( 2 ) :75-9 Wolfe KL, Kang X, He X, Dong M, Zhang Q, Liu RH. Cellular antioxidant activity of common fruits. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry2008 ; 56 ( 18 ) :8418-842. Borek C. Antioxidant wellness effects of aged garlic infusion. Journal of Nutrition.2001 ; 131:1010S-1015S. Mukherjee S, Banerjee SK, Maulik M, Dinda AK, Talwa KK, Maulik SK. Protection against acute adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity by Allium sativum: Function of endogenous antioxidants and suppression of TNF-a look BMC Pharmacol.2003 ; 3: 16. Ezeala CC, I. N. Nweke IN, Unekwe PC, El-Safty IA, Nwaegerue E. Fresh Garlic Extract Protects The Liver Against Acetaminophen-Induced Toxicity.The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness.2009 Volume 7 Number 1 Green OC, Polydoris NG. Garlic, malignant neoplastic disease and bosom disease: Reappraisal and recommendations. Chicago, IL: GN Communications ; 1993. p. 21-41. Sohn DW, Han CH, Jung YS, Kim SI, Kim SW, Cho YH. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobic effects of garlic and interactive consequence between Allium sativum and Cipro in a chronic bacterial prostatitis rat theoretical account. Int J Antimicrob Agents.2009 Apr 16. [ Epub in front of print ] . Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19375896 Bernas GC, Gonzales RE, Solevilla RC, Ysrael MC. Pharmacology-Toxicology. In: Guevara BQ, editor. A guide book to works showing: Phytochemical and biological. Santo Tomas Philippines: Research Centre for Natural Sciences, university of Santo Tomas ; 2004. P. 103-132. Litchfield JT, Wilcoxon F. A simplified method of measuring dose-effect experiments. J Pharm Exp Ther 1949 ; 96 ( 2 ) :99-113. Ohkawa H, Ohishi N, Yagi K. Assay for lipid peroxides in animate being tissues by thiobarbituric acerb reaction. Anal Biochem 1957 ; 95:357-358. Johansson LH, Borg LAH. A spectrophotometric method for finding of catalase activity in little tissue samples. Anal Biochem 1988 ; 174:331-336. Kakkar P, Das B, Viswanathan PN. A modified spectrophotometric check of superoxide dismutase. Ind J Biochem Biophys 1984 ; 21:130-132. Barclay L, Lie D. Antioxidants cut down hurting, oxidative emphasis in chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology 2009 ; 136:149-159. Kamalakkannan N, Ponnalan SMP. Antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant effects of rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid in streptozotocin-induced diabetic winster rats. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2006 ; 98 ( 1 ) :97-103 Jagatha B, Mythri RB, Vali S, Bharath MM. Curcumin intervention alleviates the effects of glutathione depletion in vitro: curative deductions for Parkinson s disease explained via in silico surveies. Free Rad Biol Med 2008 ; 44 ( 5 ) :907-17. Sabayan B, Foroughinia F, Chohedry A. A postulated function of garlic organosulfur compounds in bar of valproic acerb hepatotoxicity. Med Hypotheses 2007 ; 68 ( 3 ) :512-4. Corcoran GB, Wong BK. Role of glutathione in bar of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by N-acetyl-L-cysteine in vivo: surveies with N-acetyl-D-cysteine in mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1986 ; 238 ( 1 ) :54-61. Smilkstein MJ, Knapp GL, Kulig KW, Rumack BH. Efficacy of unwritten N-Acetylcysteine in the intervention of acetominophen overdose: analysis of the national multi-center survey ( 1976 to 1985 ) . New Engl J Med 1988 ; 319:1557-1562. Greenbaltt DJ, Leigh-Pemberton RA, von Molthke LL. In vitro interactions of H2O soluble garlic constituents with human cytochrome P450. J Nutr 2006 ; 136:806S-809S. Madhu C, Gregus Z, Klaassen CD. Biliary elimination of acetaminophen-glutathione as an index of toxic activation of Datril: consequence of chemicals that alter acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1989 ; 248 ( 3 ) :1069-1077. Dalhoff K, Poulsen HE. Inhibition of acetaminophen oxidization by Tagamet and the effects on glutathione and activated sulfate synthesis rates. Pharmacol Toxicol 1993 ; 73 ( 4 ) :215-218. Ioannides C. Effect of diet and nutrition on the look of cytochromes P450. Xenobiotica 1999 ; 29 ( 2 ) :109-154. Park KA, Kweon S, Choi H. Anticarcinogenic consequence and alteration of cytochrome P450 2E1 by dietetic garlic pulverization in diethylnitrosamine-initiated rat hepato-carcinogenesis. J Biochem Mol Biol 2002 ; 35 ( 6 ) :615-622. Guyonnet D, Belloir C, Suschetet M, Siess MH, Le Bon AM. Mechanisms of protection against aflatoxin B1 genotoxicity in rats treated by organosulfur compounds from garlic. Carcinogenesis 2002 ; 23:1335-1341. Andorfer JH, Tchaikovskaya T, Listowsky I. Selective look of glutathione S-transferase cistrons in the murine GI piece of land in response to dietetic organosulfur compounds Carcinogenesis 2004 ; 25 ( 3 ) :359-367. Davies MH, Schnell RC. Oltipraz-induced betterment of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in hamsters. II. Competitive shunt in metamorphosis via glucuronidation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1991 ; 109 ( 1 ) :29-40. Ide N, Lau BH. Garlic compounds protect vascular endothelial cells from oxidized low denseness lipoprotein-induced hurt. J Pharm Pharmacol 1997 ; 49:908-911. OBrein J, Gillies DG. Merchandise of the milliard reaction in aged garlic infusion are antioxidants. Newport Beach CA: Nutrition and Health Benefits of Garlic as a Supplement Conference ; 1998. P. 66 ( Abstract ) .

Song of hummingbird Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Song of hummingbird - Essay Example Presently, scholars refer this ancient ruler using numerous and varying names due to divergence in spellings, which include Montezuma and montecuhzoma (â€Å"Aztec-history.com†). Born approximately around 1466, presently stands being among the most esteemed kings of that region before Spanish invading his region and rendered it into ruins in terms of influence he had. Some of the aspects scholars cite to have enabled this icon to be distinguishable was his wisdom and territory he managed to instill order. This is because of his controversial nature coupled with fine and critical judgeme4nts concerning the future though the emergency of Spanish was somehow tricky to him. However, his mode of aggregating power under him was extremely remarkable and uncommon during his time, which leaders of today and scholars remember him for. Contrary to numerous political icons, he was an industrious person an attribute that enabled him achieve much during his time. However, his demise was disgrace whereby up to date no one knows exactly what was its cause. Some contend it was his people because of having lost power of the empire whereas others cite it was the

War on Drugs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

War on Drugs - Essay Example On the one hand, the "war on drugs" helps criminal justice system to control illegal drug trade and reduce a number of drug addicts. The creation of the threat estimate is a logical and orderly examination of all the factors which when combined give shape to the threat. The circularity of effects should be dear. As American communities changed, fear of the unfamiliar and unknown, and consequently that of crime, rose. As a result, when people encounter illegal acts they are more likely to call the police, out of fear, whereas in the past, when the situation did not contain the element of unfamiliarity, the issue would be handled informally. So increasing fear is a cause of acceleration in reported crime when the actual incidence of crime has remained stable. In contrast to this view, "many critics claim that current drug control strategy is not only unnecessarily punitive but also largely ineffective". The majority of survey respondents str not satisfied with the present situation, ch aracterizing information/intelligence exchange as being "hit or miss," with actual "intelligence business" being conducted by personal contact and investigator meetings-in short, on a case by case basis. They cited limited connectivity between existing and planned networks and limited integration of federal efforts with those of state and local. Some investigators query systems but are reluctant to provide information to input. Fears of 'claim jumping' lucrative cases have prompted previously cooperative agencies to act much more cautiously." Additionally, "guarding drug intelligence and concealing major. â€Å"The current "prosecute-or-extradite" system functions through national prosecutions aided by ad hoc international cooperation. It leaves the enforcement of narcotics laws to individual nation-states, as nations may choose to assert jurisdiction and prosecute drug traffickers within their national justice systems, to extradite them to a requesting state, or to avoid taking an y action" (Mcconville 2000, p. 75). In addition, "the war on drugs" becomes a real burden for criminal justice system and prisons. Crowding in penal institutions may produce the most volatile situation of all. Many prisoners do not have a chance to be put on parole, so the effects of crowding apply steady pressure on them. That pressure is exacerbated by the violence, racism, and sense of hopelessness found in prisons. Crowding affects prison life in two ways: control of the prison population is more difficult as individual disciplinary problems and major disturbances increase, and individual deterioration is fostered (Miller, 2004). Prisoners living in crowded facilities for sustained periods commit suicide, die, are murdered, create disturbances, become ill, and have interpersonal problems more often than inmates not living in crowded surroundings. Both the actual amount of living space available to each inmate and the total number of men or women incarcerated are related to the negative impacts of imprisonment. Larg e institutions produce more severe physical and psychological effects than smaller facilities (The War on Drugs

Obesity in children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Lisbon Treaty and EU Constitution

Lisbon Treaty and EU Constitution To what extent do the reforms enshrined by the Lisbon Treaty enhance the legitimacy of the European Union? The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the Van Gend en Loos- case pointed out that he European Union (EU) is and remains a ‘new legal order of international law.[1] Therefore we cannot achieve legitimacy in the same way as nation states, where concepts such as a collective identity and a constitution are present. The EU is sui generis of its own kind, peculiar and unique in the world, fundamentals like supremacy, direct and indirect effect, and state liability are present so neither the way in which other international organisations derive their legitimacy is suitable in the case of the EU.[2] Throughout my readings I found out that there are many theories, and difference of opinions of what legitimacy in the context of the EU would involve because of its complex internal structure and way of functioning. I shall aim to explore why legitimacy in the context of the EU is so sufficient and how, from a legal perspective, this is been reached by the Lisbon Treaty. The integration of the EU from the beginning of the 1950s when the Treaty of Paris was signed, especially the increasing of EU competence since 1992, till the current Treaty of Nice, has been developed so far that the member states share its decision-making powers with the EU as well as accept policies coming from the EU. When a system has decision-making powers in a wide range of policy competence it is important that it possess legitimacy.[3]The failed Constitutional Treaty referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005 were an unexpected event that had damaging effect to the plans of the EU for its integration and prior to this the citizens for instance of Denmark (Treaty of Maastricht 1992), Ireland (2001Treaty of Nice) and Sweden (EMU 2003) had also voted negatively which had the effect that developments for EU citizens gave the image that the EU institutions are inefficient, not transparent and unaccountable.[4] This and the fact that the EU keeps reforming its Treaties, espec ially since 1986 Single European Act, presumes a legitimacy crisis.[5] Amongst scientists many theories developed to attempt to justify the ‘legitimacy of the EU.[6] There has been a tendency to combine the concepts of ‘democratic deficit and ‘legitimacy crisis.[7] Democratic deficit is that where decisions are moved from national Parliaments and the citizens; where decisions are taken by civil servants behind closed doors and laws are made via agreements between all member states whereby it is impossible for an individual country, acting alone, to make or change an EU law; where citizens vote and influence at national level has no guaranteed effect upon what occurs at EU level.[8] Its remarkable that most scientists could not agree on the existence of a democratic deficit despite the concern of EU officials and national politicians. In 2001 the Commission published its seminal White Paper on European Governance in which it based its sweeping proposals for EU institutional reform on â€Å"principles of good governance,† includin g openness, participation and accountability. [9] These principles were described as the underpinning of democracy, not only for the Member States, but also for the Union. Also in this year the Laeken Declaration on the future of the EU was adopted which noted that the EU â€Å"derives its legitimacy from the democratic values it projects, the aims it pursues and the powers and instruments it possesses† as well as from its â€Å"democratic, transparent and efficient institutions.†[10] Nevertheless, the document set forth a lengthy list of questions illustrating the need to â€Å"increase the democratic legitimacy† of the EUs institutions.[11] The Member States recognized ‘the need to improve and to monitor the democratic legitimacy and transparency of the Union and its institutions, in order to bring them closer to the citizens of the Member States.[12] They agreed to convene a new intergovernmental conference (IGC) in 2004 in order to agree the necessary changes in the Treaties.[13] According to Sharpf, a political scientist who is basically in the for front of European studies and whos concepts are often used in literature when legitimacy is discussed, legitimacy is the relation between the ruler and the ruled. ‘Citizens values must be reflected and incorporated in the decision-making system.[14] Political systems can only reach legitimacy when they have the competence or the power to decide how it will be governed, which guarantees that the government is of the people, by the people and for the people.[15] Sharpf thus has identified three important types of legitimisation with regard to the EU. ‘Output legitimacy refers to government for the people where support is granted on the basis of improved efficiency in provision of goods and services, as well as an increased European problem-solving capacity and where the legitimacy is derived from interest of the people.[16] ‘Input legitimacy refers to government by the people with main features lik e direct legitimation through the elected European Parliament; citizens participation and consultation; and better transparency in taking decisions so where policies and choices must be a reflection of the will of people.[17] ‘Borrowed legitimacy refers to government of the people where indirect legitimation through the member states and their democratic representatives operating at different levels.[18] The ‘borrowed and the ‘output theories are difficult to justify legitimacy in the light of the EU though there are scientist who disagree, as we will see later on.[19] And from the above mentioned we can draw among others a conclusion that more emphasis to decrease ‘democratic deficit will increase the legitimacy of the EU. Therefore a need for a greater ‘input legitimacy which is related to increased citizen participation, better representation, improved accountability and efficient and transparent decision-making procedures has been viewed as one poss ible solution. The EU can be divided into two parts. An intergovernmental structure[20] which includes the European Council and the Council of Ministers and the regulatory structure[21] which includes the European Parliament, European Central Bank (ECB) and the ECJ. Moravcsik and Majone emphasizing that effectiveness is one of the proper means to legitimise the EU, so the ‘output legitimacy is the best way to do this.[22] An intergovernmental component, where international features dominate (European Council, Council of Ministers, and the second and third ‘pillars of the TEU), and a communitarian component where supranational features are most evident (European Parliament and Courts, Commission, and the policies and activities included in the first ‘pillar of the TEU). Now, even if it is true that the democratic character of the Member States is According to Moravcsik the EU does not deal with democratic deficit in the intergovernmental part[23] simply because of its distinctive objectives where the preferences and the power of the states are important, where the policies are the result of states bargaining and where supranational elements are of less importance to policy outcomes. The EU is either a state nor a federation or a confederation and it avoids any risk of becoming a ‘technocratic superstate.[24] That makes the outlook and requirement of legitimacy different. The legitimacy of the EU system is derived from ‘indirect accountability of the nation state where ‘indirect democracy is enforced through the ratification from the treaties by democratically accountable governments.[25] ‘Constitutional checks and balances, indirect democratic control by national governments, and the increasing powers of the European Parliame nt are sufficient to ensure that the EU policymaking is, in nearly all cases, clean, transparent, effective and politically responsive to demands of European citizens.[26] Moreover because of its simple and limited organisation, EU does not need the ‘input legitimacy to become legitimate. ‘The EU, broadly speaking, does not tax, spend, implement, coerce or, in most areas, monopolistic public authority. It has no army, police, and intelligence capacity, and a miniscule tax base.[27] Yet the EU enjoys sufficient democratic support. The institutions are supported by either direct or indirect accountability. The European Parliament is comprised by directly elected representatives and it is increasingly taking over powers from the Commission. Moreover it can control the legislative proposals from the Commission, by rejecting or proposing amendments to the Council. The Council of Ministers, which is more powerful, also enjoys democratic accountability and responsibility for policy outputs. Commissioners and the judges of the European Court of Justice are chosen by directly elected national governments. The power is also vertically divided between the Commission, Council, Parliament and Court, and then horizontally between local, national and transnational levels. Thereby a concurrent majority is necessary for any action to be initialised. The ability of the EU to operate within the areas of its competence is also constrained. The powers of the executive, legislative and judiciary are separate in order to prevent abuse of power. The multi-level construction of decision-making and the plurality of executives all constitute checks and balances established to prevent arbitrary actions. The democratic deficit discussion has only emerged because of applying idealistic views of input dimensions of democracy on the EU. The legitimacy is sufficient in the current situation because of member states democratic legitimacy and the numerous procedures installed to prevent the EU from bolting away to become a technocracy. There are however elements that are not supported by indirect democracy. The regulatory element of the EU refers to these institutions. According to Majone the regulatory element achieves legitimacy by non-majoritarian forms of democracy. This model has to do with protecting minorities from the majority by distributing the powers between institutions instead of placing it in the hands of the majority. The European regulators neither seek nor take instructions from any Government. They are independent from direct democratic control simply because they are not elected and have little or no direct accountability. Although this implies a democratic deficit it still can be legitimate. National governments, which has power for a specific period, focus on short term problems which usually do not bring long term effect. The energy to produce the best policies lacks because of the time aspect. This causes credibility problems within the member states, hence it was better that decision-making powers have been delegated to independent institutions of the EU. The areas where the powers have been delegated to these institutions, are the same areas as on national level. At the same time, acts of government can be perceived as legitimate for what they achieve which is called the ‘substantive legitimacy. ‘Independent agencies can produce legitimate decisions as long as they create welfare for all, whilst only elected officials can make legitimate decisions where welfare is re-distributed. F. Scharpf, Governing in Europe Effective and Democratic? (Oxford 1999) IN LIBRARY Adam Smith Library Politics F100 SCHAR A. Arnull, Introduction: the EUs Accountability and Legitimacy Deficit in A. Arnull D. Winscott, Accountability and Legitimacy in the EU (Oxford, 2002), D. Chalmers et al., European Union Law: Text and Materials (Cambridge, 2006), D. Chalmers G. Monti, European Union Law: Updating Supplement (Cambridge, 2008), P. Craig G. de Burca, EU Law: Text, Cases and Materials 4th edn. (Oxford, 2007), A. Moravcsik, ‘In Defence of the ‘Democratic Deficit: Reassessing Legitimacy in the EU (2002) 40 Journal of Common Market Studies 603. Majone, G. (1998) ‘Europes Democratic Deficit. European Law Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 5-28. Scharpf, Fritz (1994) â€Å"Community and Autonomy: Multilevel Policy-Making in the European Union†, Journal of European Public Policy 1(2): 219-42 Scharpf, Fritz (1997) â€Å"Economic Integration, Democracy and the Welfare State†, Journal of European Public Policy, 4(1): 18-36 Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 191-221 Roles in the legislative and executive processes need to be clearer; Eu institutions and all those involved in developing and implementing EU policy at whatever level must explain and take responsibility for what it does in Europe; it implies that institutional and decision-making structures should be kept as simple as possible: see A. Arnull, Introduction: the EUs Accountability and Legitimacy Deficit in A. Arnull D. Winscott, Accountability and Legitimacy in the EU (Oxford, 2002), 2-3. Efficiency (institutions): Easier decision-making Use of qualified majority voting (QMV) is extended to new areas, and becomes the general rule which means an increasing decision-making of the Union.[28] Redefined as 55% of member states, comprising at least fifteen of them, representing 65% of the population and a blocking minority must include four Member States.[29] This new QMV will not become effective before 2014, and Member States may continue to have recourse to the Nice voting rules until 2017.[30] However, the ‘Ioannina compromise applies, and ‘emergency brakes are made available in selected areas.[31] This means member states right of veto despite the application of the co-decision procedure, for instance in relation to the coordination of national social security systems: a Member State may refer the matter to the European Council where important aspects of its social security system would be affected by a legislative draft.[32] One Union The Lisbon Treaty confers legal personality expressly on the EU, giving it the capacity to enter into legal relationships with other parties in its own right. But the European Community (in relation to the first pillar) has always had express legal personality and the EU implicitly has had legal personality to the extent that it has the power to enter into international agreements under articles 24 and 38 of the current TEU. Conferring legal personality expressly on the Union will have the effect that the other attributes such status, such as the ability to join international organisations or to take, or be subject to, proceedings in international tribunals, will apply to the EU in the areas currently covered by the second and third pillar.[33] Enhanced cooperation Already exists under the current Treaties were it is possible for a group of Member States to harmonise law and integrate further than all of the member states as a collective group.[34] The most important changes in the Lisbon Treaty which are reflections of changes already made in other contexts, namely the fact that the rules on enhanced cooperation are consolidated in the TFEU (instead of having a specific set of rules for enhanced cooperation in each pillar), is due to the fact that the pillars are absorbed into the EU.[35] Regarding the role of the institutions in the procedure for enhanced cooperation, it can be said that the Commission and the European Parliament gain powers, especially in the field of PJCCM (consent of the EP instead of mere consultation). However, a separate procedure remains in place for the CFSP. [36] A truly new element is the ‘emergency exit procedure in the area of PJCCM.[37] European Council Is a newcomer in the list of formal EU institutions.[38] The President of the Council is elected for 2.5 years (renewable once) by the European Council on QMV.[39] The President chairs the European Council, ‘drive(s) forward and ensures the preparation and continuity of its work.[40] ‘At his level and in that capacity, s/he ensures the external representation of the Union on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the powers of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.[41] Commission Ensures the Unions external representation, ‘with the exception of the common foreign and security policy, and other cases provided for in the Treaties.[42] President is elected by European Parliament, and nominated by the European Council by QMV taking account of the result of parliamentary elections.[43] The number of Commissioners will be reduced to two-thirds of the number of Member States after 2014, unless the European Council decides otherwise.[44] The college includes the New High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR CFSP) as one of Commission Vice President (VP).[45] The HR CFSP/ VP of the Commission is double-hatted. It combines functions of current HR for CFSP and Commissioner for External Relations, though his/her exact portfolio remains to be clarified, both within the Commission and the Council, and in relation to the presidents of the Commission and the European Council, respectively.[46] HR is head of the new European External Action Servic e whose activities remain to be determined by a specific Council decision.[47] Parliaments: National Parliaments Become ‘guardians of the subsidiarity principle. It may force the Commission to reconsider a legislative proposal on the grounds of a breach of subsidiarity (‘yellow card).[48] The matter may end up being referred to the Council and Parliament (‘orange card), and may even lead to proceedings before the Court of Justice[49] Involved in the scrutiny of Europols activities and the evaluation of Eurojusts activities[50] European Parliament Expanded legislative powers thanks to the extension of the co-decision procedure and through enhanced influence in a renewed budgetary procedure.[51] It has a decisive role in electing the President of the European Commission and also installs the whole Commission, including the HR CFSP/ VP.[52] Its composition is 750 members maximum + 1 president. Revised distribution of seats which entails a degressive proportionality, minimum threshold of six MEPs per Member State, and maximum of ninety-six seats.[53] Exact distribution to be decided by the European Council[54] Accountability: Clarification of competences The Lisbon Treaty is much more explicit in attributing competences. Arts. 4(1) and 5 TEU state the fundamental principles relating to competences. In addition, it is stated (twice!) that competences not given to the EU remain with the Member States. The TFEU contains a special title on ‘Categories and areas of Union Competence.[55] This title mentions, and defines, different types of competences and it lists the (most) relevant areas. Like the present Treaties, the Lisbon Treaty does not provide a list of negative competences, i.e. of areas where EU law can never have any influence.[56] Simplification of the Unions instrument The main changes provided for in the Lisbon Treaty are on the one hand, the various legal instruments that are used in the present 2nd and 3rd pillars are abolished, while on the other hand, a distinction is made between legislative and non legislative acts.[57] The instruments are listed in Art. 288 TFEU ‘regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions were only the definition of ‘decision is amended. Citizen values: Citizens rights in elections The only change made to Art. 19 EC consists of the fact that the words ‘acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission are replaced by ‘acting unanimously in accordance with a special legislative procedure.[58] Citizens initiative The following picture emerges from a comparison between the current article 21 EC and its equivalent in the TEU and TFEU: Art. 21 EC: ‘Every citizen of the Union shall have the right to petition the European Parliament in accordance with Article 194. Every citizen of the Union may apply to the Ombudsman established in accordance with Article 195. Every citizen of the Union may write to any of the institutions or bodies referred to in this Article or in Article 7 in one of the languages mentioned in Article 314 and have an answer in the same language. Art. 11(4) TEU: ‘No less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. Art. 24 TFEU: ‘The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt the provisions for the procedures and conditions required for a citizens initiative within the meaning of Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union, including the minimum number of Member States from which such citizens must come. Every citizen of the Union shall have the right to petition the European Parliament in accordance with Article 227 TFEU. Every citizen of the Union may apply to the Ombudsman established in accordance with Article 228 TFEU. Every citizen of the Union may write to any of the institutions, bodies, offices or agencies referred to in this Article or in Article 13 of the Treaty of European Union in one of the languages mentioned in Article 55(1) of the Treaty on European Union and have an answer in the same language. Transparency: A new Title II of the TEU concerns democratic principles.[59] It requires the EU institutions to give ‘citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views regarding ‘all areas of EU action.[60] It expressly requires an ‘open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society.[61]It requires also, among other things, that the Commission shall carry out consultations with parties in order to ensure that EU actions are ‘transparent.[62] As for the institutions, it requires the Council to ‘meet in public when it deliberates and votes on a draft legislative act, with no exceptions provided for.[63] Article 15 of the TFEU which replace Article 255 of the current EC Treaty, would deal in more detail with the issue of openness. First of all, all of the ‘institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the EU has to ‘conduct their work as openly as possible, ‘in order to promote good governance and ensure the participation of civil society.[64] The European Parliament has to meet in public, as well as the Council when considering and voting on legislative acts.[65] The rules concerning the adoption of legislation on access to documents will now apply to all EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, instead of just the Council, Commission and European Parliament.[66] The current article 286 EC Treaty which requires the European Parliament and the Council to adopt data protection legislation applying to the EU institutions within the scope of the ‘first pillar only applies now to the current ‘third pillar as well, along with the public authorities of M ember States.[67] However, the new Treaty Article does not apply to the adoption of legislation governing the private sector. The new Article 298 TFEU would provide first of all that EU ‘institutions, offices, bodies and agencies shall have the support of an open, efficient and independent European administration. Next, there is a new legal power to adopt regulations to that end. This could be a legal base to adopt rules on access to EU information as distinct from access to EU documents, and to adopt rules relating to other aspects of the EUs current ‘Transparency Initiative, including rules on the regulation of lobbyists and on consultations. Some of these issues are addressed in the European Ombudsmans proposed Code of Conduct on good administration, which has been approved in some form by some EU bodies and institutions already. Finally, the Treaty of Lisbon would specify that the EUs Charter of Rights will have the same legal value as the Treaties (Article 6 TEU). The Charter includes the right of access to documents, the right to good administration (which arguably encompasses the right to open administration, including access to information) and the right of data protection. This could possibly enhance the enforceability of those rights within the EU legal system. C-26/62 Van Gend en Loos v Nederlandse Administratie der Belastingen (1963) ECR1. D. Chalmers et al., European Union Law: Text and Materials (Cambridge, 2006), 52 Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 193 Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 192-193 1951/52 Paris, 1957/58 Rome, 1986/87 SEA, 1992/93 Maastricht, 1997/99 Amsterdam, 2001/03 Nice, 2007/09 Lisbon D. Chalmers et al., European Union Law: Text and Materials (Cambridge, 2006), bekijk dit ff Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 191-221 Een van de boeken dat uitlegd wat democratic deficit is (majone 14/15) European Commission (2001a) European Governance: a White Paper, COM (2001) 428 final Laeken Declaration (2001) â€Å"Laeken Declaration on the Future of the European Union†, 15 December 2001, SN 300/01 ADD1 ibid P 9 of accountability sharp sharp sharp sharp sharp expert agencies that are independent of direct political control where international features dominate (European Council, Council of Ministers, and the second and third ‘pillars of the TEU), P 605 Moravcik Article 16(3) TEU, Article 294 TFEU D. Chalmers and G. Monti, European Union Law: Updating Supplement (Cambridge University Press, 2008) 27. Article 16 TEU, Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, Articles 3 and 4. Declaration No 7 on Article 48 TFEU. Article 48 TFEU. By Great Britain: European Union Committee, The Treaty of Lisbon: an impact assessment (10th report 2007-08 Volume 1: Report), 33. See above n. 31, p 6 Article 20 TEU referring to Articles 326-334 TFEU. Articles 82(3), 83(3), 86(1), 87(3) TFEU. Article 15 TEU, Articles 235 and 236 TFEU. Article 27(3) TEU. Article 15(6) TEU. ibid (Art. 17(1) TEU) Article 17(7) TEU, Declarations No 6 and 11. (Art 17(5) TEU, Declaration No 10) ibid Article 18 TEU, Declarations No 6 and 12 Article 27(3) TEU. Art. 12(b) TEU): Art. 8 of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. Articles 88(2) and 85(1) TFEU respectively. (Art. 314 TFEU); TEU; Declarations No 6 and 11 See above n. 31, p 28 14(2) TEU; Declaration No 4 (Arts. 2-6). TFEU Articles 288, 289 and 290 TFEU. Art. 22 TFEU See above 31, p6 Article 11(1)TEU Article 11(2) TEU Article 11(3) TEU Article 16(8) TEU Article 15(1) TFEU Article 15(2) TFEU, Article 16(8) TEU Article 15(3) TFEU Article 16 of the TFEU

Troubled Youth :: Essays Papers

Troubled Youth Despite many obstacles in my life, my experience performing community service stands out as the most memorable. I was sixteen at the time, and just beginning my first job at a fast food restaurant. I had to learn how to balance between community service in the morning and my employment at the local Wendy’s. It was very stressful and influential at the same time. I performed my community service at a local elementary school. I chose this place because of its relative ease, and it was also an area I could easily get to and from. I started my first day very confused and out of character. The school was very bland, and it brought back memories of the time that I had attended elementary school. Upon first arrival I met the principal of the school. He was my superior and his first impression explained to me what he was all about. He was a fairly easy going man, and was straightforward. I found these qualities to be true with many people that I have met who are of his same stature. He was about the size of the students attending. The irony of this anomaly was the vehicle he drove, a station wagon raised with massive tires and exemplified even more by large round lights placed in between the headlights. I would see the principal’s machine on a regular basis and always think, â€Å"How in the hell does he get in?† After meeting the principal I was taken to meet my fellow co-workers. I met first the head janitor, named Jim. He was very tall, and not very muscular. He was an amazingly friendly man, and I could tell he was passionate about his job, but was very restrained socially because of the people he was forced to communicate with on a daily basis. There were two other janitors who were followers of the head janitor. One was a short black man, named Carl. He had been originally from Kenya, his English was horrible but he was a very life loving man. When he would sporadically speak, it was mainly just to mock his associate janitor. The associate janitor was very enthralling person, his name was Rick. Everybody around me poked fun at at him, sometimes to his face and other times behind his back. This really didn’t matter to him due to the fact that he was mentally unstable. Troubled Youth :: Essays Papers Troubled Youth Despite many obstacles in my life, my experience performing community service stands out as the most memorable. I was sixteen at the time, and just beginning my first job at a fast food restaurant. I had to learn how to balance between community service in the morning and my employment at the local Wendy’s. It was very stressful and influential at the same time. I performed my community service at a local elementary school. I chose this place because of its relative ease, and it was also an area I could easily get to and from. I started my first day very confused and out of character. The school was very bland, and it brought back memories of the time that I had attended elementary school. Upon first arrival I met the principal of the school. He was my superior and his first impression explained to me what he was all about. He was a fairly easy going man, and was straightforward. I found these qualities to be true with many people that I have met who are of his same stature. He was about the size of the students attending. The irony of this anomaly was the vehicle he drove, a station wagon raised with massive tires and exemplified even more by large round lights placed in between the headlights. I would see the principal’s machine on a regular basis and always think, â€Å"How in the hell does he get in?† After meeting the principal I was taken to meet my fellow co-workers. I met first the head janitor, named Jim. He was very tall, and not very muscular. He was an amazingly friendly man, and I could tell he was passionate about his job, but was very restrained socially because of the people he was forced to communicate with on a daily basis. There were two other janitors who were followers of the head janitor. One was a short black man, named Carl. He had been originally from Kenya, his English was horrible but he was a very life loving man. When he would sporadically speak, it was mainly just to mock his associate janitor. The associate janitor was very enthralling person, his name was Rick. Everybody around me poked fun at at him, sometimes to his face and other times behind his back. This really didn’t matter to him due to the fact that he was mentally unstable.