Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Abu Ghraib Case Study free essay sample

A policy centered issue it would definitely become, as an inadequate a half year stayed before the presidential political race. The war in Iraq previously end up being a focal topic, and an energized electorate took steps to amplify the political ramifications. Frequenting pictures of torment and maltreatment at Abu Ghraib, the jail once infamous for Iraqi despot Saddam Hussein’s cold-bloodedness to his own kin, were first discharged during the airing of CBS’s Sixty Minutes II, on April 28, 2004. Troopers had accumulated and shared these photos on plates, by means of email, and even utilized them as screen savers on PCs inside cross examination rooms. The pictures portrayed bare detainees constrained into sexual positions, creeping on the floor, cuffed to other exposed detainees, or remaining with their arms made sure about over their heads for a considerable length of time or days on end. The pictures additionally uncovered troopers undermining exposed detainees with military canines and detainees wearing hoodsâ€their privates connected to electric wires. Some were wounded, sliced, and even shot to death. The picturesâ€utterly realistic, stunning, and undeniableâ€evoked instinctive responses around the globe. President Bush and individuals from Congress guaranteed they were not informed about the issues or claims before CBS discharged pictures o TV crowds, news associations, and web watchers around the world. As situations kept on creating in the news, inquiries regarding the preparation and management of the jail monitors rose. From Senate hearings and bring in radio shows, American partners and Arab populaces, a volley of voices requested answers. Who ought to be considered responsible for the guards’ activities? Is it safe to say that they were told to submit to the Geneva Conventions? For what reason would they say they were taking pictures? What sign did they have from bosses this was proper conduct? What suggestions would the disclosures have for American help for the war in Iraq, for the presidential political race, and maybe more significantly, for 1 Donald Rumsfeld video cut, CNN Larry King Live, Transcript #050700CN. V22, p. 5, May 7, 2004. This case has been given to individuals from the Electronic Hallway, with the express assent of the creator, Angela Day, arranged under the general oversight of Jon Brock, Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. Extraordinary a debt of gratitude is in order for the master publication commitment by John Boehrer. This case was made conceivable by an uncommon educational program advancement finance made sure about by Dean Sandra Archibald. This case is set up for study hall conversation just The Electronic Hallway is directed by the University of Washingtons Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs. This material may not be modified or duplicated without composed consent from The Electronic Hallway. For authorization, email [emailprotected] washington. edu, or telephone (206) 616-8777. Electronic Hallway individuals are conceded duplicate authorization for instructive purposes per the Member’s Agreement (www. lobby. rg). Copyright 2004 The Electronic Hallway Donald Rumsfeld and Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib America’s picture on a worldwide scale? These inquiries incited numerous pundits, for example, CNN’s Larry King to ask, â€Å"Does somebody enormous need to go? †2 The Taguba Report While high ranking representatives and lawmakers evidently stayed uninformed of situations that would before long develop in a political emergency, military authorities had just started continuing with examinations. On January 19, 2004, Combined Joint Task Force Seven (CJTF-7) Lieutenant General (LTG) Ricardo Sanchez, authority of U.S. military powers in Iraq, mentioned that higher specialists at U. S. Headquarters designate an Investigating Officer to â€Å"conduct an examination concerning the charges of prisoner maltreatment at the Abu Ghraib Prison, which was otherwise called the Baghdad Central Confinement Facility. †3 According to the New York Times, the examination came about because of pictures and a report submitted secretly only six days sooner by Army Specialist Joseph Darby, a reservist serving in the 372nd Military Police (MP) Company at Abu Ghraib. The request to examine from Central Command charged Major General Antonio Taguba with researching claims of misuse, just as guiding him to ask into responsibility slips by and escapes at the jail, general preparing and principles, inward techniques and order arrangements inside the 800th MP Brigade, accountable for the jail framework in Iraq. The report, finished toward the beginning of March 2004, uncovered an upsetting record of administration disappointment, and raised doubt about how high the degree of culpability would rise. MG Taguba’s report commonly validated operational disappointments laid out in a previous report by Major General Donald Ryder, submitted November 5, 2003. As Commander of the U. S. Armed force Criminal Investigation Command, MG Ryder provided details regarding jail activities in Iraq. In spite of the fact that the two reports affirmed comparable operational issues, they separated on two significant focuses. The Ryder Report demonstrated that no maltreatment or abuse had occurred, and presumed that â€Å"military police were not approached to help get ready detainees for interrogations† as affirmed in the later Taguba Report. MG Taguba’s Report was spilled to the press in May 2004, and definite the maltreatment as of late uncovered to people in general as follows: â€Å"That among October and December 2003, at the Abu Ghraib Confinement Facility (BCCF) various occurrences of perverted, unmitigated, and wanton criminal maltreatment were incurred on a few prisoners.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Does the rise in online shopping mean the end for retail high street Essay

Does the ascent in internet shopping mean the end for retail high road shops - Essay Example The points of this examination were to recognize the marvel of web based shopping and test the different elements that either advance it or ruin it. The examination likewise tended to the issue if web based shopping would successfully supplant road shopping. This was tried to be done through the examination of existing writing in the territory and through essential research including an example of online customers. The writing survey likewise included investigation of optional information and introducing of significant discoveries and contentions from such auxiliary information separated from searching for major hypothetical and observational contentions which may supersede the discoveries of essential research in this examination. Essential research configuration was phenomenological with center around examining the wonder of web based shopping. The exploration strategy was triangulation wherein two quantitative overviews were regulated to a typical example of respondents to test we b based shopping conduct as a rule and explicitly concerning on the web acquisition of printers' cartridges. The discoveries writing survey set up that web based shopping has been developing significantly over the globe. US and UK markets, specifically were inspected and both displayed developing volumes of online business and internet business.

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Crotchets and Quavers

Crotchets and Quavers [by Patrick 09] On Tuesday, I went to Trinity College chapel for evensong. I expect most people are unfamiliar with this tradition, so it deserves some explanation: There are 30+ constituent colleges to Cambridge, each meant to serve the every need of its students. Most of them have a chapel, a dean, and a choir. According to Anglican tradition, there should be prayers every evening, and the choir gives it voice (hence, evensong). In reality, only one college (Kings) manages to do it every day, but everyone else sings Sunday and at least one other day. A good choir is a thing of great pride for a college, and they will entice good musicians with scholarships, free dinners, etc, etc. Some choirs have reputations all their own Trinity happens to be one of them. Since I sing with my own college choir most days, I rarely get to go hear others. But I had time off this week. So at 6.15 Tuesday, I walked into Trinity chapel with all the pretense of being a real Trinity student and sat down in one of the long, sideways stalls. **Sorry I dont have any pictures of the actual thing its not nice to take pictures during the service, but I have some informal pictures that I will post very soon.** Everything is candle lit. The choir process in in two neat rows, followed by the dean and cantor, all dressed in long robes. They sing a lot of the same texts every day but to different music. In fact, most of our job is constantly learning new music; we may repeat a few favorites, but generally, the program is fresh throughout the year. On this particular day, they sang the Byrd Second Service (yes, its a lovely piece). Choir is one of the truly special things that I would never get to do in America (youve already heard about punting and formals). Most singers are not known for being able to learn music, but quick rehearsals and sight-reading are routine here. Our conductor says its an English thing, although I think its just a difference in training. In any case, I am rapidly expanding my musical knowledge with every service. Its all part of this *other* education that were supposed to be getting at Cambridge; frankly, its the one I prefer.

Friday, May 22, 2020

The Biggest Gulf War Ever Happened - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 562 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/10/31 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: Gulf War Essay Did you like this example? The gulf war is considered the biggest gulf war that happened because of the damaged that it cost and the countries that were involved. The Gulf War started on 2 August 1990- 28 February 1991. While the Operation Desert Shield (The battle between Iraq and Kuwait)   happened on 2 August 1990- 17 January 1991, and the Operation Desert Storm (The battle between the U.S vs. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Biggest Gulf War Ever Happened" essay for you Create order Iraq battle ) happened on,17 January 1991- 28 February 1991. The countries that got involved location wise are Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Israeli, and the Persian Gulf. The belligerents that were involved are Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United States, United Kingdom, and France vs. Iraq. The strength is 956,600 soldiers, including 700,000 US troops vs. 650,000 soldiers. President Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq at the time of the war. The war started with Iraq invading Kuwait. There was a couple of incidents causing the invasion of Kuwait. The first is that Iraq claims to Kuwait as Iraqi territory, but historically Kuwait had been a part of the Ottoman Empires. As a result of that incident, the UK drew the border between the two countries in 1922, making Iraq virtually landlocked. Also, Kuwait rejected Iraqi attempts to secure further provisions in the region. The second is that Iraq also accused Kuwait of exceeding its Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quotas for oil production. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait were consistently overproducing; the latter at least in part to repair losses caused by Iranian attacks in the Iran–Iraq War and to pay for the losses of an economic scandal, as a result, was a slump in the oil price resulting loss of $7 billion a year to Iraq. Iraq was heavily debt-ridden and tensions within society were rising. Most of its debt was owed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Iraq pressured both nations to forgive the debts, but they refused. The third incident was in early July 1990, Iraq complained about Kuwaits behavior, such as not respecting their quota, and openly threatened to take military action. Background info about the military actions: Iraq had invaded Kuwait putting over the fifth of the worlds oil within his reach. Hussain refused to remove his troops from Kuwait. He also moved his troops on the borderline between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. If Hussain would have attacked Saudi Arabia the Saudi army would not stand a chance. At that moment he wouldve had control over have of the worlds oil. One of the ways to protect Saudi Arabia was to put the US and British troops on the border, but there was a problem, Saudi Arabia was a Muslim country. The main issue for the American troops was that Sadam unleashing his chemical weapons as in for gas, Saudi Arabia was never attacked. On January 18, 1991, Iraq attacked Israel with a chemical weapons attack. He used the Arab hatred towards Israel to collapse the coalition which didnt work. The U.S army launched 2 Laser-guided bombs in Iraq. In response, Saddam Hussein blew up the oil fields of Kuwait. The US and the coalition army attacked the Iraqi troops in Kuwait. The last atta ck of the Iraqi army was that they fired a Scud missile towards the coalition and the U.S troops. The U.S and the coalition armys had their final attack and they won the war.   (Why would the coalition join the U.S army, add more details about Saudi Arabia)

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Special Education for Disabilities Free Essays

Disabilities affect every race, culture, sex, and religion. It is non-discriminatory. Almost everyone can think of someone they have come into contact with or are related to that has a disability, and we can all think of some torment or discrimination that has affected their life. We will write a custom essay sample on Special Education for Disabilities or any similar topic only for you Order Now Asylum, prison, basement, attic Sorry, allowed to exist but only as outcasts. Became a part of society but were not encouraged or allowed to participate in an attempt to gain their independence. Bill of right for disabled people-laws at the federal level Qualified Handicapped individual- a person who with reasonable accommodations can perform the essential functions as required for employment or education. Architectural Transportation Barrier Compliance Board Established legal channels to handle this Lead to Americans with Disabilities Act Moved to include State and Local Govt. Ensure a free and appropriate education Ensure and access effectiveness of the program Defines who provides services needed Today we have laws and they are enforced by strict guidelines. Our society as a whole accepts and allows for inclusion although some individuals still look down on special individuals and poke fun at them. Through education and exposure it is hoped that all of society will view each other as equal and unite. The greatest injustice to any individual is treating everyone the same. Everyone is an individual and should be treated in a way that recognizes their individuality and should be provided all the supports needed for them to gain and maintain independence and equality without discrimination. How to cite Special Education for Disabilities, Papers

Thursday, April 30, 2020

White Women and the Abolitionist Movement free essay sample

A discussion of white womens involvement in the movement against slavery. The paper begins with a description of the abolitionist movement. The role of white women in the movement is then discussed, including motivations for involvement, such as empathy with others considered second-class citizens, and personal relationships with slaves. During the 1800s when the anti-slave movement began the main champions for the ending of slavery other than slaves themselves were white women. White women sympathized and even helped slaves; one notable example was the Underground Railroad, where some white women risked their homes and possibly even their lives to help slaves escape to the North. Some white women stood side by side in full public view with slaves proudly demonstrating their support for the anti slavery movement. On the surface it would seem that white women and slaves would have very little if anything at all in common. However, such an assumption would be far from the truth. We will write a custom essay sample on White Women and the Abolitionist Movement or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The abolitionist movement was about human suffering and human rights, the quest for justice, liberty, equality and freedom resounded within the hearts and minds of women who silently longed to be free themselves. While it was whites that enslaved Blacks, it was primarily white men who involved themselves in the business of buying and selling slaves, it was white men who owned the property and the land that the slaves toiled on day and night. At the same time, white women had few if any rights. White women felt as if the same shackles that bound the slaves bound them as well. The words orated by slaves who spoke of the yearning to be free also struck a cord among women. Women begin to take issue with slavery and later as history revealed women began to fight for freedom for themselves. It was the above-mentioned reasons that women were so attracted to the anti slavery movement, and pursued the cause with a vengeance.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Radio-frequency identification Essays

Radio-frequency identification Essays Radio-frequency identification Essay Radio-frequency identification Essay Capital Safety Is the global leader of fall protection, confined space and rescue equipment. RIFF (radio frequency Identification) Is a wireless data collection technology. RIFF technology has the ability to Identify, track and assign Information to unique items without direct contact or line-of-sight scanning. I-Safe TM consists of passive RIFF tags (transponders) that can be scanned by mobile readers (receivers) that synchronize data to a web-based secure information portal. Abstract 1. The project at hand being studied is on how radio frequency identification yester (RIFF) has been implemented to help better manage capital safety fall protection equipment. The information system being used has become an Important role on how they manage their product to help, cost, Improve safety compliance, reduce risk, and enhance safety within government regulations. Capital safety has become the global leader In fall protection. With the use of radio frequency Identification device they can tr act and malting their equipment In timely manner. 1. 2 Author and Team Member Group Project Assignment #5 Mohamed Mohamed, Lei Thanksgiving Travis Boyd, Each Jones Carl Basilica, Young Yang Table of content 1. 3 Target of study 1. 4 Capital safety Is the organization being studied In our group. They can be identified by their NAZIS and SIC codes that put them In Industries like: oil and Gas, construction, transportation, utilities, wind energy, general and residential fall protection. They are the global leader In manufacturing fall protection for these various companies that are In need of safety protection that are working above ground and below with their confined space equipment . Capital safety sales are Latin America and Australia Capital Safety has to be well organized. That is why they have adopted the radio frequency identification device to help better-manage their products. Capital Safety is the first company to implement radio frequency identification system on their fall protection equipment. When they introduced their software I-safe 2. 0 and then made improvement to I-safe 3. 0 to help scan these RIFF tags. The I-safes. O helps track, maintenance and recall when expired. With the use of radio frequency identification system, improvement to their company meant striving o be the best. The radio frequency identification device helped reduce cost, time, safety and reducing risk has made it more controllable The information system radio frequency identification device RIFF is technology that is easily available in market. Capital safety however uses its own custom designed technology developed in -house. The business process of the system is that each product comes with the circular devices built into the product. The business process of the system is that each product comes with the circular device built into the product. The products are scanned at the factory by the inspector that did the final inspection or person who finalized the devices. Each product is assigned and ID number to the system. The system is able to record and count the products automatically, and alert the company when the products are due for inspection. Use of RIFF Has increased rapidly and can now be found in cell phone, government IDS, Passport, some firearms, packages handled by the postal system Etc. Capital safety is one of the first companies to implement this technology to their fall protection equipment. By increasing the speed and the efficiency in their protection and warehouse areas capital safety has managed to become not only more profitable but also provide better customer service by maintaining proper hands on service and issuing timely recall when needed. Capital Safety has made their company more profitable with the use of radio frequency device. With the use of radio frequency identification device this information system has become a key factor on how they utilize this management tool to help organize their company structure with their product. Executive summary 1. 2 It is highly recommended for other companies to utilize this type of information system to help with the organization of their company product. I know that radio frequency identification device is a very useful tool that could be used in different aspects of business organization. It can be used in different aspects of business, weather the use of ID tags for employees, assembly line workstation, tracing parts, and inventory. Emerson process is another company that has utilized this type of information with their business process. They have radio urgency ID tags for their employees for entrance to and out of the building. They have associated this type of information along with their assembly workstation. They use radio frequency identification device to log in and out of each workstation. That way they know if there is an issue they can tract which employee is associated with that particular assembly. For years RIFF devices have been used in many different areas (Clayton Boyce, 2003). One such area has been as an anti-theft device. Most consumers have purchased products that have held RIFF devices. Stores at the local malls have been using hard plastic tag anti-theft devices on merchandise for at least she knows it is not a good idea to walk to close to the entrance way. Many patrons have suffered the embarrassment of walking around a clothing rack near the front door with items to be purchased and hearing an ear splitting sound. This was caused by the RIFF device on the clothing coming into contact with the electromagnetic field at the door. Other past and present uses for RIFF include: automatic toll booth passes, animal tracking chips, and company access badges.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Timeline of Events in Ancient Babylonia

Timeline of Events in Ancient Babylonia [Sumer Timeline] Late 3rd Millennium B.C. Babylon exists as a city.Shamshi-Adad I (1813 - 1781 B.C.), an Amorite, has power in northern Mesopotamia, from the Euphrates River to the Zagros Mountains. Â   1st Half of 18th Century B.C. 1792 - 1750 B.C. Collapse of Shamshi-Adads kingdom after his death. Hammurabi incorporates all of southern Mesopotamia into the kingdom of Babylon. 1749 - 1712 B.C. Hammurabis son Samsuiluna rules. The course of the Euphrates River shifts for unclear reasons at this time. 1595 Hittite king Mursilis I sacks Babylon. Sealand Dynasty kings appear to rule Babylonia after the Hittite raid. Almost noting is known of Babylonia for 150 years after the raid. Kassite Period Mid-15th Century B.C. The non-Mesopotamian Kassites take power in Babylonia and re-establish Babylonia as the power in the southern Mesopotamian area. Kassite-controlled Babylonia lasts (with a short break) for about 3 centuries. It is a time of literature and canal building. Nippur is rebuilt. Early 14th Century B.C. Kurigalzu I builds Dur-Kurigalzu (Aqar Quf), near modern Baghdad probably to defend Babylonia from northern invaders. There are 4 major world powers, Egypt, Mitanni, Hittite, and Babylonia. Babylonian is the international language of diplomacy. Mid-14th Century Assyria emerges as a major power under Ashur-uballit I (1363 - 1328 B.C.). 1220s Assyrian king Tukulti-Ninurta I (1243 - 1207 B.C.) atttacks Babylonia and takes the throne in 1224. Kassites eventually depose him, but damage has been done to the irrigation system. Mid-12th Century Elamites and Assyrians attack Babylonia. An Elamite, Kutir-Nahhunte, captures the last Kassite king, Enlil-nadin-ahi (1157 - 1155 B.C.). 1125 - 1104 B.C. Nebuchadrezzar I rules Babylonia and retakes the statue of Marduk the Elamites had taken to Susa. 1114 - 1076 B.C. Assyrians under Tiglathpileser I sack Babylon. 11th - 9th Centuries Aramaean and Chaldean tribes migrate and settle in Babylonia. Mid-9th to End of the 7th Century Assyria increasingly dominates Babylonia.Assyrian king Sennacherib (704 - 681 B.C.) destroys Babylon. Sennacheribs son Esarhaddon (680 - 669 B.C.) rebuilds Babylon. His son Shamash-shuma-ukin (667 - 648 B.C.), takes the Babylonian throne.Nabopolassar (625 - 605 B.C.) gets rid of the Assyrians and then strikes against the Assyrians in a coalition with Medes in campaigns from 615 - 609. Neo-Babylonian Empire Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadrezzar II (604 - 562 B.C.) rule the western part of the Assyrian Empire. Nebuchadrezzar II conquers Jerusalem in 597 and destroys it in 586.Babylonians renovate Babylon to suit the capital city of an empire, including 3 square miles enclosed in city walls. When Nebuchadnezzar dies, his son, son-in-law, and grandson assume the throne in rapid succession. Assassins next give the throne to Nabonidus (555 - 539 B.C.).Cyrus II (559 - 530) of Persia takes Babylonia. Babylonia is no longer independent. Source: James A. Armstrong Mesopotamia The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. Brian M. Fagan, ed., Oxford University Press 1996. Oxford University Press.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Managing Information Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing Information - Essay Example XV. Govt. regulations/ registration procedures to be taken care of. A publishing house itself comprises of a number of departments like; News Gathering Section: This section requires information about the sports correspondents working for snow skiing, details of sports bodies, information sources of the rival's magazine. Editorial Section: This section requires information about news gathering as well as editors available on snow skiing. At times we need to hire the services of experts and guest editors having the background of the concerned sport. Content Development Section: This section requires information about the quality of paper to be used, advertisement sources, content developers, etc. Subscription Department: This section requires information concerning the rates of subscription prevalent in the market, so that it can decide about the price of the magazine and subscription schemes to attract new subscribers. Publicity/ PR Section: This section is supposed to tell the target market about the availability of one more (if there are already some magazines in the market) HR & Admin Department: This department is to keep the finances and manpower available for successful running of the magazine. Sources of Information: Magazines available in market: Just go through the magazines available in the market and surf the content. This will provide the requisite information about its content and quality. This will also provide information about the subscription schemes. Rules, regulations and registration procedures: Notified gazette notifications of the respective state and federal governments. Snow skiing facilities: All such information can be gathered by getting...At times we need to hire the services of experts and guest editors having the background of the concerned sport. Subscription Department: This section requires information concerning the rates of subscription prevalent in the market, so that it can decide about the price of the magazine and subscription schemes to attract new subscribers. Magazines available in market: Just go through the magazines available in the market and surf the content. This will provide the requisite information about its content and quality. This will also provide information about the subscription schemes. Mailers to Existing Readers/ Patrons: Sending mailers/ other communication to existing subscribers (since the publishing house is already having some magazines under its fold) will help in getting a feel about the salability of a new magazine. Word of mouth campaigns: Talk to your own employees (as they are an integral part of the society) and try to gather their responses towards starting yet another magazine, as to whether they are cool or enthusiastic about the idea. Processing of Information: All such information is analyzed at the managerial level and once we have concrete knowledge (information analysis leads to knowledge) about the market requirement, budgeting, promotional requirements, staff requirements etc, such information/ guidelines can be passed on to the c

Monday, February 3, 2020

Climate change debate - anthropogenic or natural Essay

Climate change debate - anthropogenic or natural - Essay Example As every person has its on view, there are people who think that climatic changes in this world are due to man made technologies and industries but on the other hand there is a school of thought that thinks that these climate changes are due to the natural processes and there is no intrusion of the human progress that has evolved the climate changes in this world. The objective of this dissertation is to prove what does drive climate to change it ways, is it the fast paced human progress or is it a natural course that is completing its cycle. Nomenclature H2O: Water; here mostly H2O is referred to water vapor. SO2: Sulfur Dioxide CO2: Carbon Dioxide H2S: Hydrogen Sulfide HCL: Hydrochloric Acid HF: Hydrofluoric Acid CFC : Chloro fluoro Carbons Introduction Climatic changes and how the weather is behaving nowadays do not seem to be an exception for the mankind, and the prime factor which has the guilty tag upon it is â€Å"nature†. When it is discussed that what are the anthropo genic factors which can contribute in climate change?, the first thing which emerges into mind is all this manmade development that has progressed with the advent of industries. If the process of pollution is not stopped it can alone be the reason to end this civilization. In case of natural causes mostly the biggest source is the constant warmth from the sun which is causing climate changes even before human civilization existed. Natural and anthropogenic climatic affects are important because in one way or the other both of them do contribute to the climatic changes our world is facing. But who takes the lion’s share has to be discussed. If the causes of the climatic change are not identified then this world would actually suffer to an indefinable extent. Bill Clinton proposed that â€Å"I worry about the Climate Change; it’s the only thing I believe has the power to fundamentally end the march of civilization as we know it† (Tabor 45). The only duty is not to just identify the cause but also to amend it, especially the factors which are in the human hands need to be eradicated at any cost. It is a common practice among people to mix global warming with climatic changes that taking place. But global warming just indicates the temperature changes, where as climatic change works upon temperature upheavals and other factors, for example alteration in earth’s energy etc (Burroughs 8). This dissertation would be helpful in understanding that how much naturally occurring effects can be a part of climatic consequences and how much is the human hand involved in producing these changes. Those changes can vary from the green house effect to volcanic eruptions, use of aerosols, earth quakes, depletion of ozone layer etc. Needs Statement The problem statement for this dissertation will be: â€Å"A study carried out to analyze the issue of climate change due to natural and anthrop

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Influences on Peer Groups and Friendships

Influences on Peer Groups and Friendships Peer groups, social competence and friendship. Indicate the relevance or not of the following: Theory, Cultural differences, Age differences, Gender differences and methodological issues. Introduction It has been established that humans are social creatures. It has also been established that humans have an inclination to form social groupings for a myriad of psychological reasons, such as friendship, acceptance, comfort, togetherness and so forth. However, the ways in which these grouping takes place are rather more complex than one might expect. An examination of group development paying particular regard to the effects of age, culture, gender and theoretical bias on the concepts of peer groups, social competence and friendship was embarked upon. An evaluation was conducted of some key research that has attempted to examine and explain much of the core concepts and issues involved in social grouping and development. Group Alignment, Group Development and Group Dynamics Levine et al (1998) indicated that groups were more likely to accommodate new members if there was an established relationship between newcomers and already established members. This was believed to be due to the need to establish socialisation of new members through mentors. The relationship of newcomer to mentor was heavily dependant upon age difference (Levine et al, 1998). Research on socialisation effects conducted by Irons and Moore (1985) revealed that the significance of a mentor in including subjects that were formerly excluded. They suggested that these formerly excluded subjects were people such as women and people of alternate colour (Irons Moore, 1985). It should be noted that the theoretics used by Irons and Moore are based upon patriarchy and racial prejudice. Tuckman (1965) devised five stage theories in group development theory and later with his colleague Tuckman and Jenson (1977) extended this concept further. Forming Potential members align themselves to a group. Storming Members try to influence the group. This creates conflict within the group. Norming Members try to reconcile conflicts. Norms and roles are established. Performing Members perform tasks in accordance to group need. Adjourning Members become distanced from the group and group activities due to the perception that group costs outweigh group benefits. Social Facilitation Zajonc (1965) suggested three important factors in the significance of social groups. The presence of others generates arousal in the subject and stimulates behaviour. Arousal increases the tendency to perform a desired response from the subject. The quality and success of this response is dependant upon the type of task. Zajonc concluded that a dominant response was perceived as being required from the subject within a group. This affected the performance of easy tasks in a positive manner and difficult tasks in a negative manner. Mere Exposure Theory, Evaluation Theory and Distraction/Conflict Theory The idea of mere presence is integral to Zajonc’s findings on social facilitation. That is to say that effects of others as stimuli are dictated to by presence alone. However, others have suggested otherwise. Cottrell (1968), Henchey and Glass (1968), put forward evaluation theory which suggested that the success of social facilitation is dependant upon those who are perceived to be able to evaluate performance. For instance, those in a subjects peer group with certain perceived traits, such as competence, would have either positive or negative effects on the subject’s performance. Put forward by Baron (1986) and Sanders (1981) distraction/conflict theory suggests that the presence of distractive stimuli will effect social facilitation. For instance, the subject will produce social facilitation effects when others, such as friends, create distraction or attentional conflict. Group Roles, Norms and Cohesion Forsyth (1990) Levine and Moreland (1990) suggest that there are three major contributors to the dimension of social groups: Social roles, social norms and group cohesion. Roles a set of expected behaviours that are evaluated by a subjects established group role (established by either formal title or informal appreciation). Norms a set of established rules of conduct defined by the group dynamic. Cohesion the forces that push a group closer together in terms of purpose, attitude and goal (Cartwright Zander, 1960). Using a methodology supporting the idea of biologically predetermined group roles and norms Bales (1958) suggested that group roles and norms were based upon the traditional family dynamic i.e. the elite male role of the breadwinner and the submissive female role of caretaker. Examination of his methodological approach revealed that gender difference was not a predefining factor. Wood and Karten’s (1986) experiments into role performance of cross sex groups, was revaluated by Dovidio et al (1988). It was found amongst men and women who felt equally as competent, that the roles adopted were often similar (Dovidio et al, 1988). The Effects of Group Cohesiveness and Friendship Following on from Cartwright and Zander (1960), Carron et al (1985) suggested that group cohesiveness was comprised of two significant factors: a group’s orientation towards a goal and a group’s orientation towards its social relationships. It was observed by Carron (1985) that goal setting was a much more important part to success than social relationships. He determined that the successful completion of goals would increase self esteem and belief in the roles and norms of a group, whereas social relationships, such as friendship, would be more likely to distract the group from its collective goals. Carron (1982) defined a cohesive group as having a collective identity, a sense of shared purpose and structured patterns of communication (Carron, 1982). These were considered essential elements to the effectiveness of a group’s success and to it‘s cohesion. Collective identity the identity of a group seen in terms of its roles and norms. Sense of shared purpose an understanding of the importance of roles and the goals that they achieve Structured patterns of communication group acknowledgement, understanding, appreciation and communication of each roles needs and requirements. Conclusion The need for social groups drives the subject to undergo many developments in terms of social facilitation. It would seem from our examination that these factors are driven through a variety of factors. From the research we can see that group alignment is dependant upon relationships based upon age difference. It would also appear that group development requires challenges and subsequent reconciliation’s from certain subjects. It also appears that group dynamics are not necessarily composed of culturally or racially defined roles. Rather, it would appear that roles are intrinsic to socially defined goals and needs. The subject within the group would appear to be driven by other members in a way that is not quite as simple as, say, group conformity or peer competitiveness. It would also appear that group success is dependant upon the successful achievement of role defined goals. Furthermore, these role defined goals seem to be effected negatively by intimate individual relationships, such as friendship. In essence, theory, age, gender, culture and methodology are relevant to the way in which we understand peer groups, social competence and friendship and have psychological impact upon the development of social groupings and the very concept of ourselves as social creatures. Bibliography Bales, R, F., (1958) Task roles and social roles in problem-solving groups. In E. E. Maccoby, T.M. Newcomb, E. L. Hartley (Eds.), Readings in Social Psychology (3rd Ed., p. 437-447). New York: Holt. Baron, R, S., (1986) Distraction-conflict theory: Progress and problems. In L, Berkowitz (Ed.) Advances in experimental social psychology. Orlando: Academic Press. Carron, A.V., Widmeyer, W.N., Brawley, L.R. (1985). The development of an instrument to assess cohesion in sport teams: The Group Environment Questionnaire. Journal of Sport Psychology, 7. Carron, A.V. (1982). Cohesiveness in sport groups: Interpretations and considerations. Journal of Sport Psychology, 4. Cartwright, D., Zander, A., (1960) Group Dynamics: Research and Theory. (2nd ed. p. 69-94) Evanston: Row Peterson. Cottrell, N, B., (1968) Performance in the presence of other human beings: Mere presence, audience, and affiliation effects. In E, C., Simmel, R, A, Hoppe, G, A, Milton (Eds.) Social Facilitation and Intimate Behaviour (p. 91-110). Boston: Allyn Bacon. Davidio, J, F, Ellyson, S, L., Keating, C, F., Heltmen, K., Brown, C, E., (1988) The relationship of social power to visual displays of dominance between men and women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 233-242. Forsyth, D, R., (1990) Group Dynamics (2nd ed.) Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole. Henchy, T., Glass, D, C., (1968) Evaluation apprehension and the social facilitation of dominant and subordinate responses. Journal of personality and social psychology, 10, 446-454. Irons, E, D., Moore, G, W., (1985) Black Managers: The Case of the Banking Industry. New York: Praeger. Levine, J, M., Moreland, R, L., (1990) Progress in small groups research. Annual Review of Social Psychology, 41, 585-634. Levine, J, M., Moreland, R, L., Ryan, C, S., (1998) Group Socialisation and Intergroup Realtions. In C,Sedikides, J, Schopler, C, A, Inscko (Eds.) Intergroup Cognition and Intergroup Behaviour. Mahaw, NJ: Erlbaum. Sanders, G, S., (1981) Driven by distraction: An integrative review of social facilitation theory and research. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 17, 227-251. Tuckman, B, W., (1965) Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 63, 384-399. Tuckman, B, W., Jenson, M, A., (1977) Stages of small group development revisited. Group and Organisation Studies, 2, 419-427. Wood, W., Karten, S, J., (1986) Sex Differences in interaction style as product of perceived sex differences in competence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 341-347. Zajonc, R, B., (1965) Social Facilitation. Science, 149, 269-274.

Friday, January 17, 2020

The Vampire Diaries: The Fury Chapter Twelve

Stefan looked at Elena, snow crystals dusting his dark hair. â€Å"What about Matt?† â€Å"I remember-something. It's not clear. But that first night, when I wasn't myself -did I see Matt then? Did I-?† Fear and a sick sense of dismay swelled her throat and cut her words off. But she didn't need to finish, and Stefan didn't need to answer. She saw it in his eyes. â€Å"It was the only way, Elena,† he said then. â€Å"You would have died without human blood. Would you rather have attacked somebody unwilling, hurt them, maybe killed them? The need can drive you to that. Is that what you would have wanted?† â€Å"No,† Elena said violently. â€Å"But did it have to be Matt? Oh, don't answer that; I can't think of anybody else, either.† She took a shaky breath. â€Å"But now I'm worried about him, Stefan. I haven't seen him since that night. Is he okay? What has he said to you?† â€Å"Not much,† said Stefan, looking away. † ‘Leave me alone' was about the gist of it. He also denied that anything happened that night, and said that you were dead.† â€Å"Sounds like one of those individuals who can't cope,† Damon commented. â€Å"Oh, shut up!† said Elena. â€Å"You keep out of this, and while you're at it, you might think about poor Vickie Bennett. How d'you think she's coping these days?† â€Å"It might help if I knew who this Vickie Bennett is. You keep talking about her, but I've never met the girl.† â€Å"Yes, you have. Don't play games with me, Damon-the cemetery, remember? The ruined church? The girl you left wandering around there in her slip?† â€Å"Sorry, no. And I usually do remember girls I leave wandering in their slips.† â€Å"I suppose Stefan did it, then,† Elena said sarcastically. Anger flashed to the surface of Damon's eyes, covered quickly with a disturbing smile. â€Å"Maybe he did. Maybe you did. It's all the same to me, except that I'm getting a little tired of accusations. And now-â€Å" â€Å"Wait,† said Stefan, with surprising mildness. â€Å"Don't go yet. We should talk-† â€Å"I'm afraid I have a previous engagement.† There was a flurry of wings, and Stefan and Elena were alone. Elena put a knuckle to her lips. â€Å"Damn. I didn't mean to make him angry. After he was really almost civilized all evening.† â€Å"Never mind,† said Stefan. â€Å"He likes to be angry. What were you saying about Matt?† Elena saw the weariness in Stefan's face and put an arm around him. â€Å"We won't talk about it now, but I think tomorrow maybe we should go see him. To tell him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena lifted her other hand helplessly. She didn't know what she wanted to tell Matt; she only knew that she needed to do something. talk about it now, but I think tomorrow maybe we should go see him. To tell him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena lifted her other hand helplessly. She didn't know what she wanted to tell Matt; she only knew that she needed to do something. Elena looked at him hard. â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"But-will you be all right? I should stay with you-â€Å" â€Å"I'll be fine, Elena,† Stefan said gently, â€Å"Go on.† Elena hesitated, then nodded. â€Å"I won't be long,† she promised him. Unseen, Elena slipped around the side of the frame house with the peeling paint and the crooked mailbox labeled Honeycutt. Matt's window was unlocked. Careless boy, she thought reprovingly. Don't you know some-thing might come creeping in? She eased it open, but of course that was as far as she could go. An invisible barrier that felt like a soft wall of thickened air blocked her way. â€Å"Matt,† she whispered. The room was dark, but she could see a vague shape on the bed. A digital clock with pale green numbers showed that it was 12:15. â€Å"Matt,† she whispered again. The figure stirred. â€Å"Uh?† â€Å"Matt, I don't want to frighten you.† She made her voice soothing, trying to wake him gently rather than startle him out of his wits. â€Å"But it's me, Elena, and I wanted to talk. Only you've got to ask me in first. Can you ask me in?† â€Å"Uh. C'mon in.† Elena was amazed at the lack of surprise in his voice. It was only after she'd gotten over the sill that she realized he was still asleep. â€Å"Matt. Matt,† she whispered, afraid to go too close. The room was stifling and overheated, the radiator going full blast. She could see a bare foot sticking out of the mound of blankets on the bed and blond hair at the top. â€Å"Matt?† Tentatively, she leaned over and touched him. That got a response. With an explosive grunt, Matt sat bolt upright, whipping around. When his eyes met hers, they were wide and staring. Elena found herself trying to look small and harmless, nonthreatening. She backed away against the wall. â€Å"I didn't mean to frighten you. I know it's a shock. But will you talk to me?† He simply went on staring at her. His yellow hair was sweaty and ruffled up like wet chicken feathers. She could see his pulse pounding in his bare neck. She was afraid he was going to get up and dash out of the room. Then his shoulders relaxed, slumping, and he slowly shut his eyes. He was afraid he was going to get up and dash out of the room. â€Å"Yes,† she whispered. â€Å"You're dead.† â€Å"No. I'm here.† â€Å"Dead people don't come back. My dad didn't come back.† â€Å"I didn't really die. I just changed.† Matt's eyes were still shut in repudiation, and Elena felt a cold wave of hopelessness wash over her. â€Å"But you wish I had died, don't you? I'll leave now,† she whispered. Matt's face cracked and he started to cry. â€Å"No. Oh, no. Oh, don't, Matt, please.† She found herself cradling him, fighting not to cry herself. â€Å"Matt, I'm sorry; I shouldn't even have come here.† â€Å"Don't leave,† he sobbed. â€Å"Don't go away.† â€Å"I won't.† Elena lost the fight, and tears fell onto Matt's damp hair. â€Å"I didn't mean to hurt you, ever,† she said. â€Å"Not ever, Matt. All those times, all those things I did- I never wanted to hurt you. Truly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Then she stopped talking and just held him. After a while his breathing quieted and he sat back, swiping his face with a fistful of sheet. His eyes avoided hers. There was a look on his face, not just of embarrassment, but of distrust, as if he were bracing himself for something he dreaded. â€Å"Okay, so you're here. You're alive,† he said roughly. â€Å"So what do you want?† Elena was dumbfounded. â€Å"Come on, there must be something. What is it?† New tears welled up, but Elena gulped them back. â€Å"I guess I deserve that. I know I do. But for once, Matt, I want absolutely nothing. I came to apologize, to say that I'm sorry for using you-not just that one night, but always. I care about you, and I care if you hurt. I thought maybe I could make things better.† After a heavy silence, she added, â€Å"I guess I will leave now.† â€Å"No, wait. Wait a second.† Matt scrubbed at his face with the sheet again. â€Å"Listen. That was stupid, and I'm a jerk-â€Å" â€Å"That was the truth and you're a gentleman. Or you'd've told me to go take a hike a long time ago.† â€Å"No, I'm a stupid jerk. I should be banging my head against the wall with joy because you're not dead. I will in a minute. Listen.† He grabbed her wrist and Elena looked at it in mild surprise. â€Å"I don't care if you're the Creature from the Black Lagoon, It, Godzilla and Frankenstein all rolled up into one. I just-â€Å" â€Å"Matt.† Panicked, Elena put her free hand over his mouth. â€Å"I know. You're engaged to the guy in the black cape. Don't worry; I remember him. I even like him, though God knows why.† Matt took a breath and seemed to calm down. â€Å"Look, I don't know if Stefan told you. He said a bunch of stuff to me -about being evil, about not being sorry for what he did to Tyler. You know what I'm talking about?† â€Å"I know. You're engaged to the guy in the black cape. Don't worry; I remember him. I even like him, though God knows why.† Matt took a breath and seemed to calm down. â€Å"Look, I don't know if Stefan told you. He said a bunch of stuff to me -about being evil, about not being sorry for what he did to Tyler. You know what I'm talking about?† Matt nodded. â€Å"So it was your basic crap. I should have known.† â€Å"Well, it is and it isn't. The need is strong, stronger than you can imagine.† It was dawning on Elena that she hadn't fed today and that she'd been hungry before they'd set out for Alaric's. â€Å"In fact-Matt, I'd better go. Just one thing-if there's a dance tomorrow night, don't go. Something's going to happen then, something bad. We're going to try to guard it, but I don't know what we can do.† â€Å"Who's ‘we'?† Matt said sharply. â€Å"Stefan and Damon-I think Damon-and me. And Meredith and Bonnie†¦ and Alaric Saltzman. Don't ask about Alaric. It's a long story.† â€Å"But what are you guarding against!† â€Å"I forgot; you don't know. That's a long story, too, but†¦ well, the short answer is, whatever killed me. Whatever made those dogs attack people at my memorial service. It's something bad, Matt, that's been around Fell's Church for a while now. And we're going to try to stop it from doing anything tomorrow night.† She tried not to squirm. â€Å"Look, I'm sorry, but I really should leave.† Her eyes drifted, despite herself, to the broad blue vein in his neck. When she managed to tear her gaze away and look at his face, she saw shock giving way to sudden understanding. Then to something incredible: acceptance. â€Å"It's okay,† Matt said. She wasn't sure she'd heard correctly. â€Å"Matt?† â€Å"I said, it's okay. It didn't hurt me before.† â€Å"No. No, Matt, really. I didn't come here for that-â€Å" â€Å"I know. That's why I want to. I want to give you something you didn't ask for.† After a moment he said, â€Å"For old friends' sake.† Stefan, Elena was thinking. But Stefan had told her to come, and come alone. Stefan had known, she realized. And it was all right. It was his gift to Matt-and to her. But I'm coming back to you, Stefan, she thought. As she leaned toward him, Matt said, â€Å"I'm going to come and help you tomorrow, you know. Even if I'm not invited.† Then her lips touched his throat. December 13, Friday Dear Diary, I know I've written that before, or thought it at least. But tonight is the night, the big one, when everything is going to happen. This is it. Stefan feels it, too. He came back from school today to tell me that the dance is still on-Mr. Newcastle didn't want to cause a panic by canceling it or something. What they're going to do is have â€Å"security† outside, which means the police, I guess. And maybe Mr. Smallwood and some of his friends with rifles. Whatever's going to happen, I don't think they can stop it. I don't know if we can, either. It's been snowing all day. The pass is blocked, which means nothing gets in or out of town on wheels. Until the snowplow gets up there, which won't be until morning, which will be too late. And the air has a funny feeling to it. Not just snow. It's as if something even colder than that is waiting. It's pulled back the way the ocean pulls back before a tidal wave. When it lets go†¦ I thought about my other diary today, the one under the floorboards of my bedroom closet. If I own anything anymore, I own that diary. I thought about getting it out, but I don't want to go home again. I don't think I could cope, and I know Aunt Judith couldn't if she saw me. I'm surprised anybody's been able to cope. Meredith, Bonnie-especially Bonnie. Well, Meredith, too, considering what her family has been through. Matt. They're good and loyal friends. It's funny, I used to think that without a whole galaxy of friends and admirers I wouldn't survive. Now I'm perfectly happy with three, thank you. Because they're real friends. I didn't know how much I cared about them before. Or about Margaret, or Aunt Judith even. And everybody at school†¦ I know a few weeks ago I was saying that I didn't care if the entire population of Robert E. Lee dropped dead, but that isn't true. Tonight I'm going to do my best to protect them. I know I'm jumping from subject to subject, but I'm just talking about things that are important to me. Kind of gathering them together in my mind. Just in case. Well, it's time. Stefan is waiting. I'm going to finish this last line and then go. I think we're going to win. I hope so. We're going to try. The history room was warm and brightly lit. On the other side of the school building, the cafeteria was even brighter, shining with Christmas lights and decorations. Upon arriving, Elena had scrutinized it from a cautious distance, watching the couples arrive for the dance and pass by the sheriff's officers at the door. Feeling Damon's silent presence behind her, she had pointed out a girl with long, light brown hair. â€Å"I'll take your word for it,† he replied. Now, she looked around their makeshift headquarters for the night. Alaric's desk had been cleared, and he was bent over a rough map of the school. Meredith leaned in beside him, her dark hair sweeping his sleeve. Matt and Bonnie were out mingling with the dancegoers in the parking lot, and Stefan and Damon were prowling the perimeter of the school grounds. They were going to take turns. â€Å"You'd better stay inside,† Alaric had told Elena. â€Å"All we need is for somebody to see you and start chasing you with a stake.† â€Å"I've been walking around town all week,† Elena said, amused. â€Å"If I don't want to be seen, you don't see me.† But she agreed to stay in the history room and coordinate. It's like a castle, she thought as she watched Alaric plot out the positions of sheriff's officers and other men on the map. And we're defending it. Me and my loyal knights. The round, flat-faced clock on the wall ticked the minutes by. Elena watched it as she let people in the door and let them out again. She poured hot coffee out of a Thermos for those who wanted it. She listened to the reports come in. â€Å"Everything's quiet on the north side of the school.† â€Å"Caroline just got crowned snow queen. Big surprise.† â€Å"Some rowdy kids in the parking lot-the sheriff just rounded them up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Midnight came and went. â€Å"Maybe we were wrong,† Stefan said an hour or so later. It was the first time they'd all been inside together since the beginning of the evening. â€Å"Maybe it's happening somewhere else,† said Bonnie, emptying out a boot and peering into it. â€Å"There's no way to know where it's going to happen,† Elena said firmly. â€Å"But we weren't wrong about it happening.† â€Å"Maybe,† said Alaric thoughtfully, â€Å"there is a way. To find out where it's going to happen, I mean.† As heads raised questioningly, he said, â€Å"We need a precognition.† All eyes turned to Bonnie. â€Å"Oh, no,† Bonnie said. â€Å"I'm through with all that. I hate it.† â€Å"It's a great gift-† began Alaric. â€Å"It's a great big pain. Look, you don't understand. The ordinary predictions are bad enough. It seems like most of the time I'm finding out things I don't want to know. But getting taken over-that's awful. And afterward I don't even remember what I've said. It's horrible.† know. But getting taken over-that's awful. And afterward I don't even remember what I've said. It's horrible.† Bonnie sighed. â€Å"It's what happened to me in the church,† she said patiently. â€Å"I can do other kinds of predictions, like divining with water or reading palms†-she glanced at Elena, and then away-â€Å"and stuff like that. But then there are times when -someone-takes me over and just uses me to talk for them. It's like having somebody else in my body.† â€Å"Like in the graveyard, when you said there was something there waiting for me,† said Elena. â€Å"Or when you warned me not to go near the bridge. Or when you came to dinner and said that Death, my death, was in the house.† She looked automatically around at Damon, who returned her gaze impassively. Still, that had been wrong, she thought. Damon hadn't been her death. So what had the prophecy meant? For just an instant something glimmered in her mind, but before she could get a grasp on it, Meredith interrupted. â€Å"It's like another voice that speaks through Bonnie,† Meredith explained to Alaric. â€Å"She even looks different. Maybe you weren't close enough in the church to see.† â€Å"But why didn't you tell me about this?† Alaric was excited. â€Å"This could be important. This-entity-whatever it is-could give us vital information. It could clear up the mystery of the Other Power, or at least give us a clue how to fight it.† Bonnie was shaking her head. â€Å"No. It isn't something I can just whistle up, and it doesn't answer questions. It just happens to me. And I hate it.† â€Å"You mean you can't think of anything that tends to set it off? Anything that's led to it happening before?† Elena and Meredith, who knew very well what could set it off, looked at each other. Elena bit the inside of her cheek. It was Bonnie's choice. It had to be Bonnie's choice. Bonnie, who was holding her head in her hands, shot a sideways glance through red curls at Elena. Then she shut her eyes and moaned. â€Å"Candles,† she said. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Candles. A candle flame might do it. I can't be sure, you understand; I'm not promising anything-â€Å" â€Å"Somebody go ransack the science lab,† said Alaric. It was a scene reminiscent of the day Alaric had come to school, when he'd asked them all to put their chairs in a circle. Elena looked at the circle of faces lit eerily from below by the candle's flame. There was Matt, with his jaw set. Beside him, Meredith, her dark lashes throwing shadows upward. And Alaric, leaning forward in his eagerness. Then Damon, light and shadow dancing over the planes of his face. And Stefan, high cheekbones looking too sharply defined to Elena's eyes. And finally, Bonnie, looking fragile and pale even in the golden light of the candle. â€Å"I'm just going to look into the candle,† Bonnie said, her voice quivering slightly. â€Å"And not think of anything. I'm going to try to-leave myself open to it.† She began to breathe deeply, gazing into the candle flame. And then it happened, just as it had before. Bonnie's face smoothed out, all expression draining away. Her eyes went blank as the stone cherub's in the graveyard. She didn't say a word. That was when Elena realized they hadn't agreed on what to ask. She groped through her mind to find a question before Bonnie lost contact. â€Å"Where can we find the Other Power?† she said, just as Alaric blurted out, â€Å"Who are you?† Their voices mingled, their questions intertwining. Bonnie's blank face turned, sweeping the circle with sightless eyes. Then the voice that wasn't Bonnie's voice said, â€Å"Come and see.† â€Å"Wait a minute,† Matt said, as Bonnie stood up, still entranced, and made for the door. â€Å"Where's she going?† Meredith grabbed for her coat. â€Å"Are we going with her?† â€Å"Don't touch her!† said Alaric, jumping up as Bonnie went out the door. Elena looked at Stefan, and then at Damon. With one accord, they followed, trailing Bonnie down the empty, echoing hall. â€Å"Where are we going? Which question is she answering?† Matt demanded. Elena could only shake her head. Alaric was jogging to keep up with Bonnie's gliding pace. She slowed down as they emerged into the snow, and to Elena's surprise, walked up to Alaric's car in the staff parking lot and stood beside it. â€Å"We can't all fit; I'll follow with Matt,† Meredith said swiftly. Elena, her skin chilled with apprehension as well as cold air, got in the back of Alaric's car when he opened it for her, with Damon and Stefan on either side. Bonnie sat up front. She was looking straight ahead, and she didn't speak. But as Alaric pulled out of the parking lot, she lifted one white hand and pointed. Right on Lee Street and then left on Arbor Green. Straight out toward Elena's house and then right on Thunderbird. Heading toward Old Creek Road. It was then that Elena realized where they were going. They took the other bridge to the cemetery, the one everyone always called â€Å"the new bridge† to distinguish it from Wickery Bridge, which was now gone. They were approaching from the gate side, the side Tyler had driven up when he took Elena to the ruined church. Alaric's car stopped just where Tyler's had stopped. Meredith pulled up behind them. â€Å"Where are you taking us?† she said. â€Å"Listen to me. Will you just tell us which question you're answering?† â€Å"Come and see.† Helplessly, Elena looked at the others. Then she stepped over the threshold. Bonnie walked slowly to the white marble tomb, and stopped. Elena looked at it, and then at Bonnie's ghostly face. Every hair on her arms and the back of her neck was standing up. â€Å"Oh, no†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she whispered. â€Å"Not that.† â€Å"Elena, what are you talking about?† Meredith said. Dizzy, Elena looked down at the marble countenances of Thomas and Honoria Fell, lying on the stone lid of their tomb. â€Å"This thing opens,† she whispered.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

What is Compound Interest Calculate Compound Interest

There are two types of interest, simple and compound. Compound interest is interest  calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated  interest  of previous periods of a deposit or loan. Learn more about compound interest, the math formula for calculating it on your  own, and how a worksheet  can help you practice the concept. More About What Compound Interest Is Compound interest is the interest you earn each year that is added to your principal, so that the balance doesnt merely grow, it grows at an increasing rate. It is one of the most useful concepts in finance. It is the basis of everything from developing a  personal savings plan to banking on the long-term growth of the stock market. Compound interest accounts for the effects of inflation, and the importance of paying down your debt. Compound  interest can be thought of as â€Å"interest on interest,† and will make a sum grow at a faster rate than  simple interest, which is calculated only on the principal amount. For example, if you got 15 percent interest on your $1000 investment the first year and you reinvested the money back into the original investment, then in the second year, you would get 15 percent interest on $1000 and the $150 I reinvested. Over time, compound interest will make much more money than simple interest. Or, it will cost you much more on a loan.   Computing Compound Interest Today, online calculators can do the computational work for you. But, if you do not have access to a computer, the formula is pretty straightforward. Use the following formula used to calculate compound interest: Formula M = P( 1 + i )n M Final amount including the principal P The principal amount i The rate of interest per year n The number of years invested Applying the Formula For example, lets say that you have $1000 to invest for three years at a  5 percent compound interest rate.  Your $1000 would grow to be $1157.62 after three years. Heres how you would get that answer using the formula and applying it to the known variables: M 1000 (1 0.05)3 $1157.62 Compound Interest Worksheet Are you ready to try a few on your own? The following worksheet contains 10 questions on compound interest with  solutions. Once you have a clear understanding of compound interest, go ahead and let the calculator do the work for you. History Compound interest was once regarded as excessive and immoral when applied to monetary loans. It was severely condemned by   Roman law  and the  common laws  of many other countries. The earliest example of a compound interest table  dates back to a merchant in Florence, Italy, Francesco Balducci Pegolotti, who had a table in his book Practica della Mercatura in 1340. The table gives the interest on 100 lire, for rates from 1 to 8 percent for up to 20 years. Luca Pacioli, also known as the Father of Accounting and Bookkeeping, was a Franciscan friar and collaborator with Leonardo DaVinci. His book Summa de Arithmetica in 1494 featured the rule for doubling an investment over time with compound interest.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

The Debate Over Illegal Immigration - 1651 Words

The debate over illegal immigration has been a constant and ongoing struggle in the United States. Millions of illegal immigrants are living among us in the country, we have more entering daily. Recently, President Barack Obama touched on the topic with his immigration executive order. Unfortunately, with the republican takeover of the white house, many of his actions are not being supported. This is viable evidence that there are people who want to help fix the immigration system in a way that will benefit illegal immigrants and give them a fighting chance to prosper here in the United States. With that being said, there are also powers who do not want to see that happen because they believe that it is not in the best interest of the United States to open their borders to illegals. This puts to question what the next steps for the United States will decide and how that will affect Americans across the country. My goal of this essay is to enlighten the moral concerns in the debates p ertaining to immigration. In order to provide a viable standpoint, we must first begin by asking what immigration is. Immigration is the movement of people from one country to another for the purpose of living there. Immigration restrictions prevent property owners from one country to allow outsiders and have them work for the owner. However, there is no appropriate moral foundation for this type of government control. So now the question is how the government can actually say that they regulateShow MoreRelatedIllegal Immigrants Are Good For The Economy Of The United States1250 Words   |  5 Pagesimmigrants from different parts of the world. Illegal immigrants form the larger proportion of the immigrants into the United States. Policy analysts, government officials, as well as scholars have sought to ascertain the political, social, and economic impacts of the illegal immigrants (Hanson 11). Particularly, there has been raging debate regarding the economic impact of illegal immigration to the United States of America. It has become a matter of debate and study as it relates considerably to theRead MoreOn March 22, 2016, The Library Of Congress Issued A Press1739 Words   |  7 PagesOn March 22, 2016, the Library of Congress issued a press release outlining their decision to alter their subject heading pertaining to immigration. In the official press release, the Library of Congress outlined their reasoning behind changing their pejorative headings. â€Å"Alien† and â€Å"illegal alien†. The Public and Standards Division of the Library of Congress cited outcry from the immigrant community, as one of their major reasons for their reevaluation. In response, on May 10, Tea Party RepublicRead MoreImmigration Reform During The United States925 Words   |  4 PagesSince the early 1990’s, the immigrant population in America has doubled to over 40 million. The population could be higher factoring in illegal immigrants with the number estimated to be over 11 million. M ajority of these immigrants both legal and illegal are mainly from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Uncontrolled immigration has been blamed on loss of jobs, higher crime rates and housing problems in the US. While these immigrants play a unique role in the economy, the executive andRead MoreMedia Reaction to Immigration1471 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Reaction to Immigration Name Course Date Submitted Media Reaction to Immigration: The issue of illegal immigration is one of the hotly debated topics in almost every facet of society, especially among political leaders. This topic has also received huge media attention and reaction in the recent past including an article written by William Finnegan and published by The New Yorker. The article focuses on addressing the issue of borderlines and is based on the move by 17 Congress membersRead MoreImmigration : A Concept At Odds American Culture998 Words   |  4 PagesImmigration: A concept at odds in American Culture On any given day, any media connected American will be bombarded by numerous views and commentaries on the immigration debate. On this Saturday morning, the 30th of January 2016, a perusal of CNN main homepage leads to 6 direct or indirect (political due to the upcoming election) references to the immigration debate. It is a hot topic in the media and it is a source of constant argument and rhetoric for and against with very little resolutionRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of The United States1101 Words   |  5 Pagesin a new one. Immigration is a large group or number of immigrants. Some other words that are also known as immigrants are an outsider, settler, alien, newcomer, and foreigners. People often get legal and illegal immigrants confused on which one mean which. Legal is newcomers who have entered a country by law. Illegal is forbidden by law or statute. Emigrant is a person who emigrates from his or her native country or region. Personally, legal outsiders need to stay her e while illegal outsiders shouldRead MoreThe Framing Of Immigration By George Lakoff And Sam Ferguson906 Words   |  4 Pagesthe article â€Å"The Framing of Immigration† the authors, George Lakoff and Sam Ferguson, claim that the United States of America has poor and inefficient discussions on immigration because when the nation frames immigration, this broad subject is inadequately simplified and therefore the debates and arguments are one sided and unfair. Lakoff and Ferguson further support this claim by using hard evidence to demonstrate that the nation is framing immigration by using the illegal frame, the security frameRead MoreThe Immigration Of Illegal Immigrants1643 Words   |  7 Pagesfreedom which ultimately form the famous â€Å"American dream,† in which so many individuals desire. While this country’s reputation and culture was built on the basis of immigration, the ideals and viewpoints of this topic have strayed far from welcoming over the ye ars. Both the Democratic and Republican parties find faults in the overflow of illegal immigrants coming into America, but differ in their strategies of devising a solution to this issue. In short, Democrats believe in giving immigrants the opportunityRead MoreIllegal Immigration Is A Problem For The United States1361 Words   |  6 PagesIllegal immigration has been a problem for the United States for a long time. This is not a new phenomenon and thousands of illegal immigrants have come into US through either the Mexico border, the Pacific Ocean, or through many other ways. Some people entered in country legally through a visit visa, but then have stayed illegally and are working in various places. Illegal immigration is a double enclosed sword; one hand it provide the local economy with cost benefits as the illegal immigrants areRead MoreSupport Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act1560 Words   |  6 Pagesanti-immigration law’s in history was heavily disputed a nd extremely controversial nation-wide. The conversation surrounding current United States immigration regulations and issues that are aimed to be ‘addressed’ by Arizona’s infamous SB 1070 are currently at a standstill. By changing ways in which opposing parties view the ‘issues’ of illegal immigration in the United States and the effects caused by SB 1070, there is hope for the advancement of not only Arizona’s struggle with immigration, but