Internet Civil Liberties in the U.S. and the Protection of the Modern Terrorist

This capstone examines the civil liberties of the modern terrorist and explicates the right to freedom of speech for terrorist organizations and their use of the internet. Terrorist organizations use the internet to promote ideas, recruit members, organize the flow of information, and coordinate actions. During the war on terror the US Patriot Act became law allowing for U.S. government censorship and surveillance of internet traffic and many believe these acts are a threat to civil liberties. Terrorist organizations have the right to express their views, however unpopular, and censoring or restricting web sites diminishes civil liberties for all, which democracies and liberal societies are founded upon.

Solar Photovoltaic Energy Project Development on Brownfields: Leveraging Policy Incentives and Project Financing Mechanisms

This study evaluates the practice of redeveloping Brownfields with solar photovoltaic renewable energy technology. Utilizing renewable energy as a strategy to reuse contaminated or potentially contaminated property is a relatively new convention. While the benefits of redeveloping Brownfields are well established, ongoing challenges and limited literature on the subject complicate the practice. Challenges, opportunities, and benefits related to renewable energy development on Brownfields are identified and analyzed. Strategic leveraging of federal, state, local, and utility incentives for renewable energy and Brownfield revitalization, and gap finance tools is explored and evaluated. A comparison of three photovoltaic Brownfield projects is analyzed for critical success and failure factors, and lessons learned. A recommendation of best practices is made based on findings and results.

Microcredit Financing Organizations: Global Players Empowering Women and Alleviating Poverty Worldwide

World poverty is a global issue and a development issue. Poverty reduction and women's empowerment are deeply connected to regional stability and long lasting peace. Nations will continue to be plagued by poverty, and top-down government agency aid programs to date have been unsuccessful. Encouraging news resides in innovative microfinance initiatives that alleviate poverty and impact millions of impoverished people around the globe. Microfinance organizations provide small loans, primarily to women otherwise excluded from the formal banking sector, for entrepreneurial endeavors. Myriad social, educational, and health programs accompany microfinance loan services. It is a powerful poverty-fighting tool with socioeconomic benefits. Evidence suggests that while imperfect, microfinance goals and successes are inspiring given the paucity of realistic alternatives in today's global development arena.