Conference&event management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Conference&event management - Assignment Example Moreover, expertise in the field of event management and adequate understanding of the purpose for the event to be conducted is also quite necessary for its successful completion (Tassiopoulos & Damster, 2005). Based on these notions of event management, this paper will intend to provide an overview of the event organised for the students who have completed their first year in the college. The discussion will further intend to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the event and the strategic process adopted for its completion which in turn would assist to develop a few recommendations for the betterment of such initiatives. The event which has been titled as the â€Å"Big Day Out† emphasises on a full day recreational program for the first year students in the college. As the foremost concern of the event is to provide the students with recreational tour, the event will be organised in a renowned park located in UK, the Thorpe Park. Notably, the program will continue for the entire day with the view to entertain the students and also to give them an opportunity to socialise with the other students as well as with the tourists and the employees in the park. This will not only facilitate the confidence level of the students but also assist them to enhance their communication skills by a large extent. Concerning the four W’s of the event, i.e. ‘Why’, ‘Who’, ‘When’ and ‘Where’, it must be noted that the event has been organised to provide the students with an opportunity to refresh their minds and to enjoy with friends and socialise with other community members. The event will be hosted by a group of five people, namely, Kyaw Sein, Katherine Delgado, Matab Ahmed and Katherine Bur Bur Burrachi with their leader as Moiz Khan making use of their innovative ideas and creativity along with their inspiration thought. With the mission to ensure exceptional results and the vision of creating a long-lasting memory amid the

Domestic Violence among African Americans Essay Example for Free

Domestic Violence among African Americans Essay Domestic violence is abuse that occurs within a personal relationship. It can occur between former or current spouses or significant others. Domestic violence doesn’t have a name it affects both men and women of any race, religion; gay or straight; upper class or low class; adolescents, adults, or seniors. But most of its victims are women rather men. While domestic violence is present in all races, the existence among African Americans is significantly higher in the United States. There are many elements that have been shown to stimulate a person to engage in domestic violence examples are failing relationships, lack of employment, poor school systems, violent communities, drug use and the multitude of nearby accessible liquor stores. Experiencing any these situations can lead to strong emotions that can ultimately result in domestic violence. People who experience domestic violence are deeply affected and often live in fear. This plague has broken down and destroyed many African American communities. There are serious physical and mental health risks involved in domestic Violence. Abortion, stress, unconsented sexual encounters, possible suicides, complicated pregnancies and murder are few possible physical results from domestic violence. (Bent-Goodley, 2004) Abuse, control and violence are components of domestic violence. Neither the abuser nor the person being abused are winners in these type of situations. The abuser actions shows characteristics of controlling, anger, oppressor, possessiveness, power and liar. The abusers victims are usually people that can be manipulated, scared and shielded by the abuser. Although the abuser may be an adult most often their mental capacity displays child like behavior. A child will typically throw fits and become angry when things don’t go their way or they didn’t get what they wanted. This anger that possess is shown through mental and physical abuse . Abuser are usually not very open people and they believe that are right in every situation. However, they never take the blame for their actions and tend to blame others, most often their spouse. The victims  of abuse tend to show characteristics of having low self-esteem, sadness and being unconfident about themselves. Often the victim believes that this type of physical and verbal abuse should be inflicted upon them. (Agazie, 2011) Generally, a victim or spouse show signs of previously experiencing an unstable and hostile childhood, and possibly being abused as a child. As a result, they feel like an unwanted and scared child who is weak, instead of like an adult. African Americans who survive domestic violence, child abuse and community violence consistently engage in various types substance abuse at higher rates. (Hill, et al, 2012) African American abusers who has previously used a weapon or threatened their spouse with one during arguments, will more than likely kill them by lethal violence. It is stated that 80% of African American women who have murdered their partners had a history of abuse. Violence and nonviolence have been proven behaviors that are learned. Social and cultural beliefs, outlooks on life, examples, role models influences on whether a person decides to engage in volatile or nonvolatile behavior. It is very key to know how a person elects to use violence or nonviolence. (Wimberly, 2000) Statistics have shown that African American women are more prone to leave an abusive relationship and then return to it compared to white women. (Agazie, 2011) African American women suffer mistreatment over a long period of time and have a tendencies fight back. Close to 50% of victims that attempt to leave their abusive relationship are killed by their partners. (Williams, et al, 2008) African American women are brought up as younger girls under strong religious belief and family values. They are taught at a young age that once you get married you do what it takes not to become a victim of divorce. They are told that it may not be easy but you are married for life once you have made that commitment. With this type of upbringing African American women tend to procrastinate and often hesitate leaving an unhealthy marriage due to their beliefs. Most people don’t not understand the reasoning behind women staying in this form of relationship. While the reasons for their reluctances to leave an abusive relationship are uncertain, some likely justifications would be (1) when searching for a spouse African American women have a smaller amount of choices than White women; (2) African American women’s income is normally lower than of most  White women; (3) Black women are reluctant to call the police due to the trust that African American in the justice system. Unfortunately, most battered and abused Black women find no other way out of the relationship and resort to killing their partners. Losing financial means may also contribute to the reason why African American women of lower class are reluctant to report abuse. The abusing spouse may take care of the victim financially by providing a place to stay, clothes and food and, in order to keep their current living status so they remain quiet about the abuse. Reputation may play a part in why African American women of higher class hesitate to report abuse because they don’t want to put their reputation at risk. Another reason why abused victims remain quiet is because they may not be taken serious by law enforcement. It has been confirmed that domestic violence is treated more like a private family matter rather than serious matter. Typically when law enforcement is called to a domestic violence scene, no arrest is usually made and if they are ever prosecuted the case is usually dismissed. (Hampton, et al, 2008) In many cases I have found that the African American community seems to accept, if not encourage, the domestic violence that exists within it. While it is easy to blame education or social rank for a couple’s behavior or society’s reaction to it, these factors are often not as important as one might expect. A woman with multiple degrees or at the highest level of social strata is as vulnerable to domestic violence as the woman who did not graduate form high school. It equally as likely for a man who is born to an upper middle class family and a man born to a family tha t lives in poverty to participate in an abusive relationship. The Black church has always and continues to be a pillar of strength to Black families and communities. The Black church has been a powerful force in the Black community. Domestic violence is a tough situation to endure, so many African Americans turn to prayer to cope with the difficulties in their lives. (Watlington Murphy, 2006) The Black church has been unreliable and, at times, inadequate in reacting to domestic violence situations. (Bent- Goodley, et al, 2012) For instance on August 22, 2007, Bishop Thomas Weeks, pastor of an independent ministry that worked out of the Global Destiny Church (Haines, 2007) assaulted his wife, Juanita Bynum. This assault is significant not only for the positions held by the participant, but also for the actions taken by the African American  community itself. According to Haines (2007) the community did not speak out against the pastor after the beating. Rather, some members of the community spoke in support for the pastor. Haines quotes one individual as posting a message to Weeks’ MySpace page that read, Bishop Weeks, dont be discouraged, but be encouraged. Stand firm and know that the Lord is mighty in battle†. Haines reports that another community member asked her own pastor about the Weeks domestic abuse case, only to find that â€Å"he had no reaction to the abuse and only provided him with scriptures.† making her wonder what he could offer her if she were a victim of domestic abuse (Haines, 2007). While this situation may be distressing, it is not unusual. According to Jordan (2005) â€Å"When African American men act as bullies toward African American women they tend to engage in active-passive renunciation†, which leaves abused women the choice of speaking out or being ostracized. What kind of message does this send? As a young girl I watched my mother be abused countless times by my very own father. She endured this abuse for many years and it appeared as though she would never leave him. It was as if she was accepting of it or had merely gotten used to it. Then one day after 13 years she left and didn’t look back. Although she didn’t speak out about it, she removed herself from the situation. Most of my family knew about the situation but never brought it up. Years later my father eventually changed for the better. I believe that change has to come from within. You can acquire help and assistance but until you want to change no one can help you. It is difficult to create successful programs and mediation approaches that are geared towards domestic violence without fully understanding how African Americans grasp and distinguish this disease. (Bent-Goodley, 2013) Domestic abuse is not distinctive to the African American community. As it stands, whether an African American woman is rich or poor, educated or not, she is at grave risk of being abused by her partner. As it stands, that woman is also at grave risk of being rejected by her community and even her family, if she speaks up about her abuse. Domestic abuse is not limited to only woman but the percentages are outstandingly high compared to an abused make victim. This violence must come to an end. Through education from within, it might be possible to initiate change. References Williams, Oliver J.; Oliver, William; Pope, Marcus. (2008). Domestic Violence in the African American Community. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment Trauma, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p229-237. 9p. Agazie, Maxine. (2011). Cultural Considerations Impacting Domestic Violence Among African American Women: Implications for Social Work. Conflict Resolution Negotiation Journal, Issue 1, p138-141. 4p. Watlington, Christina G.; Murphy, Christopher M. (2006). The roles of religion and spirituality among African American survivors of domestic violence. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 62 Issue 7, p837-857. 21p. Bent-Goodley, TB. (2013). Domestic Violence Fatality Reviews and the African American Community. HOMICIDE STUDIES, Vol. 17, Issue 4; p375-p390. Bent-Goodley, Tricia B. (2004). Perceptions of Domestic Violence: Health Social Work, Vol. 29 Issue 4, p307-316. 10p. Hill, Nicholle; Woodson, Kamilah; Ferguson, Angela; Parks, Carlton. (2012). Intimate Partner Abuse among African American Lesbians : Prevalence, Risk Factors, Theory, and Resilience. Journal of Family Violence, Vol. 27 Issue 5, p401-413. 13p. Campbell, Jacquelyn; Campbell, Doris W.; Gary, Faye; Nedd, Daphne; Price-Lea, Patricia; Sharps, Phyllis W.; Smith, Cheryl. (2008). African American Womens Responses to Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination of Cultural Context. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment Trauma, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p277-295. 19p Bent-Goodley, Tricia; St. Vil, Noelle; Hubbert, Paulette. (2012). A Spirit Unbroken: The Black Churchs Evolving Response to Domestic Violence. Social Work Christianity. 2012, Vol. 39 Issue 1, p52-65. 14p. Wimberly, Edward P. (2000). The Civil Rights Movement as a Potential Mentoring Model for Ending Domestic Abuse. Journal of Religion Abuse, Vol. 2 Issue 1, p33. 16p. Hampton, Robert L. LaTaillade, Jaslean J.; Dacey, Alicia; Marghi, J. R. (2008). Evaluating Domestic Violence Interventions for Black Women. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment Trauma, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p330 -353. 23p. Haines, E. (2007). Charges against husband put new focus on televangelist. USA Today.com. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-09-01-ynum_N.htm Jordan, L. M. (2005). Domestic violence in the African American community. Retrieved from http://new.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/RoleoftheBlackChurch.pdf

The Case for Introducing a Property Tax, Collected at Local Government

I propose that an annual residential property tax be introduced and collected at central government for an introductory period with a view to control being handed over to local government and the revenues generated by the tax to be used solely for local publicly provided goods. But for this to be an efficient and effective method of funding local authorities and not adversely affect the balances of the exchequer there needs to be an overhaul as to how local authorities are currently funded and run. Introducing a property tax will hopefully broaden the tax base and go some way to overhauling how the tax system works in Ireland and how local authorities are funded. Rationale for a residential property tax in Ireland Stability There are many reasons in support of a residential property tax. Firstly, it will provide a stable and less volatile income for the exchequer, as is the case with a transaction such as stamp duty, and generally improve macroeconomic stability. The tax income collected by stamp duty made a huge contribution to the exchequer, but as we can see from Fig 1.1, it tended to fluctuate, making it more difficult to budget long-term and susceptible to market forces, as is the case currently. A â€Å"recurring annual tax is less economically distortionary than the imposition of tax on either income or capital† (TSG 09/07) and a more reliable and stable tax income achieved from a proposed residential property tax would help with investment planning, as an â€Å"over-reliance on expenditure and transaction taxes has resulted in tax revenue dropping more quickly than (nominal) GNP† (Commission on Taxation Report 6:2.2). As we can see from the data contained in the ‘Commission o n Taxation Report 2009’ (Fig 1.1), revenues from sta... ...t such scenarios and ensure the equitable nature of the tax is maintained and â€Å"serious administration and avoidance problems arise when rates differ between jurisdictions† (McDowell 1988). Bibliography Research Papers McDowell, M. 1988. University College Dublin, Department of Political Economy. Financing Local Authorities: The Questionable Viability of a Local Property Tax. Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Gurdgiev, Dr.C. 2009. Trinity College, Dublin. Macroeconomic Case for a Land Value Reform in Ireland. Dublin 2, Ireland. Reports Tax Strategy Group. 2009. Property Taxation. Dublin. Ireland Commission on Taxation. 2009. Report 2009. Dublin, Ireland: Stationary Office Online Resources Collins, S. 2011. Property Tax Brought Forward. The Irish Times, 21st December. Available at: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1221/breaking6.html

Yum Brands

Porters 5 Forces Model is a valuable tool in evaluating the condition of the Yum! Brands China Division and the fast-food industry that Yum Brands is actively dominating. While there is much competition in China in the food industry, it is undeniable that with the CEO’s guidance, Sam Su, the growth that they have accomplished over the years is exponential. This growth is due to the fact that Su looks at the bigger picture, imaging what he wants the company to be like in five to ten years, and making that dream happen immediately.Porter shaped this strategy to give a thorough analysis of the condition of any given industry and determine the feasibility of entering, but also to determine the level of competition being dealt with by current established participants in the industry in order to reposition themselves for further growth and development. Thus, Porter gives the 5 Basic Competitive Forces and suggests analyzing each one in the scope of the industry. 1. Barriers to Entry In China’s fast-food industry, largely dominated by Yum! Brands, the barriers to entry are high due to several key factors. First, a company trying to break into the Yum!Brands market must compete with their restaurants, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, which have a combined total of over 3600 stores in their market. Economies of scale come into play because most fast-food companies have the capital and production abilities to produce their product and additional products for much cheaper than a beginning fast-food restaurant that is entering into the market. A major factor in the Yum! Brands China Division and the fast-food industry in China is now differentiation and the altering of the product is order to suit the Chinese people’s tastes rather than American’s tastes.The restaurants in the market are attempting to find new ways to appeal to consumers without drifting away from their key products who have brought them lots of success. For example , compared to Americans, Chinese people like spicier things and a more variety of things, so Yum! Brands decided to extend each menu and alter recipes to fit this requirement. The recent, rapid growth of the fast-food industry in China is a good area of focus for existing American fast-food companies wanting to expand their business, but the product must be easily altered to catch the Chinese people’s likes and to have resistance to competing restaurants.Another barrier to entry could potentially branch from the government to control health standards. Companies must invest in research and development to determine ways to address health concerns and tabulate a healthier product. Ultimately, Yum! Brands in China have dominated the market share and are making it difficult for new entrant to expect a profitable gain upon entry. However, in order for Yum! Brands to continue their success steady innovating and investing need to be accomplished in order to stay ahead in the industry . 2. RivalryIn this industry, the competition is rigorous and several large companies hold majority of the market. The barriers to entry are very easy, which in turn means many competitors. Yum! Brands main competitors are McDonald’s Corp, Burger King Holdings, Subway, Dairy Queen, Starbucks, and Papa John’s Intl (PIZZA). Though there may be many competitors, economies of scale can cause smaller competitors to get crowded out or bought out by a larger company. Yum! Brands have to continually be competitive and shift their strategy in response to other companies’ new ideas and business strategies.Yum! Brand’s restaurants had to develop more menu specific items and a wider variety to tap into the Chinese food market. This also allowed them to stay one step ahead of competitors such as McDonald’s. In 1987, Yum! Brands opened the first KFC in Beijing and since then, have built the largest restaurant company in mainland China due to the large population growth. It is a costly market to enter and once in it, a company needs to realize at least their fixed costs before exiting, making Yum! Brands’ restaurants even more dominate in the market. Yum Brands Porters 5 Forces Model is a valuable tool in evaluating the condition of the Yum! Brands China Division and the fast-food industry that Yum Brands is actively dominating. While there is much competition in China in the food industry, it is undeniable that with the CEO’s guidance, Sam Su, the growth that they have accomplished over the years is exponential. This growth is due to the fact that Su looks at the bigger picture, imaging what he wants the company to be like in five to ten years, and making that dream happen immediately.Porter shaped this strategy to give a thorough analysis of the condition of any given industry and determine the feasibility of entering, but also to determine the level of competition being dealt with by current established participants in the industry in order to reposition themselves for further growth and development. Thus, Porter gives the 5 Basic Competitive Forces and suggests analyzing each one in the scope of the industry. 1. Barriers to Entry In China’s fast-food industry, largely dominated by Yum! Brands, the barriers to entry are high due to several key factors. First, a company trying to break into the Yum!Brands market must compete with their restaurants, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, which have a combined total of over 3600 stores in their market. Economies of scale come into play because most fast-food companies have the capital and production abilities to produce their product and additional products for much cheaper than a beginning fast-food restaurant that is entering into the market. A major factor in the Yum! Brands China Division and the fast-food industry in China is now differentiation and the altering of the product is order to suit the Chinese people’s tastes rather than American’s tastes.The restaurants in the market are attempting to find new ways to appeal to consumers without drifting away from their key products who have brought them lots of success. For example , compared to Americans, Chinese people like spicier things and a more variety of things, so Yum! Brands decided to extend each menu and alter recipes to fit this requirement. The recent, rapid growth of the fast-food industry in China is a good area of focus for existing American fast-food companies wanting to expand their business, but the product must be easily altered to catch the Chinese people’s likes and to have resistance to competing restaurants.Another barrier to entry could potentially branch from the government to control health standards. Companies must invest in research and development to determine ways to address health concerns and tabulate a healthier product. Ultimately, Yum! Brands in China have dominated the market share and are making it difficult for new entrant to expect a profitable gain upon entry. However, in order for Yum! Brands to continue their success steady innovating and investing need to be accomplished in order to stay ahead in the industry . 2. RivalryIn this industry, the competition is rigorous and several large companies hold majority of the market. The barriers to entry are very easy, which in turn means many competitors. Yum! Brands main competitors are McDonald’s Corp, Burger King Holdings, Subway, Dairy Queen, Starbucks, and Papa John’s Intl (PIZZA). Though there may be many competitors, economies of scale can cause smaller competitors to get crowded out or bought out by a larger company. Yum! Brands have to continually be competitive and shift their strategy in response to other companies’ new ideas and business strategies.Yum! Brand’s restaurants had to develop more menu specific items and a wider variety to tap into the Chinese food market. This also allowed them to stay one step ahead of competitors such as McDonald’s. In 1987, Yum! Brands opened the first KFC in Beijing and since then, have built the largest restaurant company in mainland China due to the large population growth. It is a costly market to enter and once in it, a company needs to realize at least their fixed costs before exiting, making Yum! Brands’ restaurants even more dominate in the market.

“Death Of Constable Scanlon” †Sidney Nolan Essay

When Sidney Nolan painted the Ned Kelly series, he was interested in an ‘authentic national vision’. The first series was made up of 27 paintings from 1946-1947. The paintings all-together form a storyboard, telling the legend of Ned Kelly. One of them in particular is ‘Death of Constable Scanlon’. The series, including this one, were all painted with Ripolin enamel on hardboard. You can see the many brushstrokes but some objects are painted completely solid for example Ned Kelly himself and the clothes of the constable. The painting is full of things, and it is a scene from the bush land. No buildings can be seen but there are many trees and shrubs on a bare, yellow ground. The constable has fallen from his horse and they both are in mid air, while Ned Kelly is standing to the left holding a smoking rifle. The painting is very out of proportion, this is evident in how the constable is placed. If you look at the two rifles, the constable is in front and therefore should be larger than Ned’s, but isn’t. Ned is the largest object, followed closely by the constable and the horse to the right, they together make up the foreground. Going back further into the painting there is a fence, distant trees, a tent and another horse and policeman. The figures themselves are very oddly shaped, like 2D objects cut out from paper. Ned is a simple, black silhouette with his eyes closed and hand holding the rifle. The trees and objects in the background seem to have more shape to them and show shadows that help. The painting is made up of very warm colours, of browns, yellows and oranges. There is an interesting patch of blue sky in the to right hand corner, and definitely doesn’t match the rest of the sky which is very dark and almost like a sunset. The constable looks very out of place with his formal uniform, quite opposite to Ned Kelly who seems like a natural part of the scenery. The focal point of this painting is the Constable falling to his death. Ned  Kelly though is considered the main focus of all the paintings, and all the events that happened around him. The painting is very flat and you are lead into the work by first observing the falling man. The foreground is the first focus and then you go backwards and notice the smaller objects and people in the background. The mood is quite hard to describe, even though it shows the last few seconds of Constable Scanlon’s life before hitting the ground and dying instantly, its almost comical in its appearance. Nolan was trying to capture a moment in Australian History. The legend of Ned Kelly and his gang is well known and the series followed their story. He was trying to ‘depict a national myth’. He portrays Ned Kelly as a legend, not the man himself. Nolan talked of this particular painting, he said, â€Å"In a sudden, violent accident time seems to stand still. I have exaggerated, the bridle must have been long, but that at the levitated horse and constable increase the unreality of violent events. Kelly seems to be present only as a force of destiny.† The Ned Kelly series now belong to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. They are a perfect example of the once then growing Expressionism and emerging Modernism. They would best fit into the Expressivism category as Nolan interpreted the legend into his own personal style.

Hitlers Statement Before His Suicide

Hitler's Statement Before His Suicide On April 29, 1945, in his underground bunker, Adolf Hitler readied himself for death. Instead of surrendering to the Allies, Hitler had decided to end his own life. Early in the morning, after he had already written his Last Will, Hitler wrote his Political Statement. The Political Statement is made up of two sections. In the first section, Hitler lays all blame on International Jewry and urges all Germans to continue fighting. In the second section, Hitler expels Hermann Gà ¶ring and Heinrich Himmler and appoints their successors. The following afternoon, Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide. Part 1 of Hitlers Political Statement More than thirty years have now passed since I in 1914 made my modest contribution as a volunteer in the first world war that was forced upon the Reich. In these three decades I have been actuated solely by love and loyalty to my people in all my thoughts, acts, and life. They gave me the strength to make the most difficult decisions which have ever confronted mortal man. I have spent my time, my working strength, and my health in these three decades. It is untrue that I or anyone else in Germany wanted the war in 1939. It was desired and instigated exclusively by those international statesmen who were either of Jewish descent or worked for Jewish interests. I have made too many offers for the control and limitation of armaments, which posterity will not for all time be able to disregard for the responsibility for the outbreak of this war to be laid on me. I have further never wished that after the first fatal world war a second against England, or even against America, should break out. Centuries will pass away, but out of the ruins of our towns and monuments the hatred against those finally responsible whom we have to thank for everything, International Jewry and its helpers, will grow. Three days before the outbreak of the German-Polish war I again proposed to the British ambassador in Berlin a solution to the German-Polish problem - similar to that in the case of the Saar district, under international control. This offer also cannot be denied. It was only rejected because the leading circles in English politics wanted the war, partly on account of the business hoped for and partly under influence of propaganda organized by International Jewry. I have also made it quite plain that, if the nations of Europe are again to be regarded as mere shares to be bought and sold by these international conspirators in money and finance, then that race, Jewry, which is the real criminal of this murderous struggle, will be saddled with the responsibility. I further left no one in doubt that this time not only would millions of children of Europes Aryan people die of hunger, not only would millions of grown men suffer death, and not only hundreds of thousands of women and children be burnt and bombed to death in the towns, without the real criminal having to atone for this guilt, even if by more humane means. After six years of war, which in spite of all setbacks, will go down one day in history as the most glorious and valiant demonstration of a nations life purpose, I cannot forsake the city which is the capital of this Reich. As the forces are too small to make any further stand against the enemy attack at this place and our resistance is gradually being weakened by men who are as deluded as they are lacking in initiative, I should like, by remaining in this town, to share my fate with those, the millions of others, who have also taken upon themselves to do so. Moreover I do not wish to fall into the hands of an enemy who requires a new spectacle organized by the Jews for the amusement of their hysterical masses. I have decided therefore to remain in Berlin and there of my own free will to choose death at the moment when I believe the position of the Fà ¼hrer and Chancellor itself can no longer be held. I die with a happy heart, aware of the immeasurable deeds and achievements of our soldiers at the front, our women at home, the achievements of our farmers and workers and the work, unique in history, of our youth who bear my name. That from the bottom of my heart I express my thanks to you all, is just as self-evident as my wish that you should, because of that, on no account give up the struggle, but rather continue it against the enemies of the Fatherland, no matter where, true to the creed of a great Clausewitz. From the sacrifice of our soldiers and from my own unity with them unto death, will in any case spring up in the history of Germany, the seed of a radiant renaissance of the National Socialist movement and thus of the realization of a true community of nations. Many of the most courageous men and women have decided to unite their lives with mine until the very last. I have begged and finally ordered them not to do this, but to take part in the further battle of the Nation. I beg the heads of the Armies, the Navy and the Air Force to strengthen by all possible means the spirit of resistance of our soldiers in the National Socialist sense, with special reference to the fact that also I myself, as founder and creator of this movement, have preferred death to cowardly abdication or even capitulation. May it, at some future time, become part of the code of honor of the German officer - as is already the case in our Navy - that the surrender of a district or of a town is impossible, and that above all the leaders here must march ahead as shining examples, faithfully fulfilling their duty unto death. Part 2 of Hitlers Political Statement Before my death I expel the former Reichsmarschall Hermann Gà ¶ring from the party and deprive him of all rights which he may enjoy by virtue of the decree of June 29th, 1941; and also by virtue of my statement in the Reichstag on September 1st, 1939, I appoint in his place Grossadmiral Dà ¶nitz, President of the Reich and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Before my death I expel the former Reichsfà ¼hrer-SS and Minister of the Interior Heinrich Himmler, from the party and from all offices of State. In his stead I appoint Gauleiter Karl Hanke as Reichsfà ¼hrer-SS and Chief of the German Police, and Gauleiter Paul Giesler as Reich Minister of the Interior. Gà ¶ring and Himmler, quite apart from their disloyalty to my person, have done immeasurable harm to the country and the whole nation by secret negotiations with the enemy, which they have conducted without my knowledge and against my wishes, and by illegally attempting to seize power in the State for themselves. . . . Although a number of men, such as Martin Bormann, Dr. Goebbels, etc., together with their wives, have joined me of their own free will and did not wish to leave the capital of the Reich under any circumstances, but were willing to perish with me here, I must nevertheless ask them to obey my request, and in this case set the interests of the nation above their own feelings. By their work and loyalty as comrades they will be just as close to me after death, as I hope that my spirit will linger among them and always go with them. Let them be hard but never unjust, but above all let them never allow fear to influence their actions, and set the honor of the nation above everything in the world. Finally, let them be conscious of the fact that our task, that of continuing the building of a National Socialist State, represents the work of the coming centuries, which places every single person under an obligation always to serve the common interest and to subordinate his own advantage to this end. I demand of all Germans, all National Socialists, men, women and all the men of the Armed Forces, that they be faithful and obedient unto death to the new government and its President. Above all I charge the leaders of the nation and those under them to scrupulous observance of the laws of race and to merciless opposition to the universal poisoner of all peoples, International Jewry. Given in Berlin, this 29th day of April 1945, 4:00 A.M. Adolf Hitler [Witnesses]Dr. Joseph GoebbelsWilhelm BurgdorfMartin BormannHans Krebs * Translated in the Office of United States Chief of Counsel for the Prosecution of Axis Criminality, Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1946-1948, vol. VI, pg. 260-263.

Editing of a Gangster Film Essays

Editing of a Gangster Film Essays Editing of a Gangster Film Paper Editing of a Gangster Film Paper Stephanie Guzman #0714293 Film 1 | Professor Daughdrill 16 November 2011 Capture. Feel. Enhance. The Secret? Editing. Bonnie Clyde portrays the love filled action story of an amazing duo. This movie was one of the first to depict actual violent scenes, as well as intensely frisky ones. During the 1960’s, the French New Wave directors began influencing a vast majority of films, Bonnie Clyde being one of them in 1967. With so many tones and action filled scenes, the technique and style of the editing in the film is an important factor which helps set up the entire tone of the movie. The film Bonnie Clyde, by Arthur Penn, utilizes pace, rhythm, and certain French New Wave editing techniques to portray and enhance tranquil, frisky, intense and even violent tones in scenes throughout the movie. The rhythm of slow paced shots in the film are used several of times to illustrate scenes which do not include much action, more over include tranquil moments. This would include scenes when Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were simply driving or waiting in their car, for example, when they were waiting in the car for C. W. Moss to get back from buying the â€Å"light bulbs† for his dad. That scene started with a long lengths medium long shot. In addition, the movie opens with Bonnie Parker standing and wandering around in her room. As she roams around, there is a series of close-up shots, which run slower-paced than most shots. Then, the moment Bonnie spots Clyde Barrow, an extreme-close-up of her eyes occurs. The calmness and boredom of Bonnie Parker is portrayed through the steady but slowly paced close-up shots. The following immediate shot to her eyes show and mark one of the most important moments of the film, when Bonnie and Clyde first lay eyes on each other. The use of shots in this sequence enhanced the projection of the tone as well as the tranquil, calm moods of the story. In order to create a frisky, affection filled scene, Arthur Penn uses a mixture of medium long shots and medium close-ups to capture the intense atmosphere of the romance filled scenes. The part of the film where Bonnie and Clyde attempt to make love for the first time, really gave viewers an inside look at what each individual thought at the moment, bringing the viewer to a deeper understanding of the atmosphere that was taking place. During that scene, the couple is disputing about what is safest for Bonnie, when she decides that she does not care what is right, she just wants to be with him. Clyde suddenly attempts to give making love a try and begins to caress Bonnie. Eventually he realizes he could not proceed and turns away from her. Throughout the scene, a series of fairly medium and faster paced shots begin to sequence, showing medium close-ups of each characters face, with medium long shots in between. By doing so, viewers are able to see and feel each character’s emotions, bringing the viewer into the tone of the film through its style and choice of edited shots and sequences. Since the Movie was produced in 1967, the French New Wave was of some influence on the editing of Bonnie Clyde. The style of jump cuts is seen sporadically through out the movie. The first time is from the start, when Bonnie is at her house, bored and roaming around her room naked. As Bonnie lies down on her bed, a jump cut occurs and she is suddenly banging on the metal frame of her bed. Penn uses the jump cut technique to take away time that is pointlessly and slowly passing by, as well as to show the boredom of Bonnie Parker. Another place was on the scene where Clyde was wrestling the butcher man from the market, and they ended up falling on top of some boxes and groceries. As Clyde and the Butcher Man attempt to stand back up, the scene automatically jumps from being on the floor, to Clyde standing up and running out of the store, on his way. Jump cuts are noticeably used throughout the movie and are there to strengthen certain tones, which scenes are trying to portray and aware the audience of what is going on. Lastly, Penn’s movie truly displays the new intense tones of the century’s violence through its various rapid, short length cuts. The best example is at the very end of the film when Bonnie and Clyde are trapped and meet their final end. On their way from leaving the town center, they run into C. W. ’s papa Ivan Moss out on the road. During the entire ride from the market place, Clyde is driving while Bonnie is eating an apple and sharing it with him. When the duo sees Ivan Moss stranded by the roadside, they park their vehicle and Clyde walks over to help Moss. Seconds after, right before another car is about to cross paths with them, Ivan turns suspicious and as he looks around, black crows fly out of the bushes, Ivan runs under his truck to duck, and Bonnie and Clyde realize that there is someone in the bushes and that their ends had finally come as they attempt to run to each other and be together once more before they breathe their last breaths. That scene begins with long length shots of medium close-ups which show them just driving down happily, not much going on. Moving forward to the end of the scene, their bodies are completely being shot at all over, and the entire scene is all being played by a series of several medium long, medium close up, and a couple of long shots. Combining those series of shots and by making them fast-paced short length shots, Penn was able to create an intense edit to enhance the violence, making one feel as if they were there first hand to witness it themselves and giving the viewer a full and thorough understanding and perspective. Again, clearly setting the intense and dramatic tone of the story for that particular scene. By using several of the editing techniques such as the pace and patterns of shots, including the types of shots, and the French New Wave editing techniques, Penn is able to create several tones throughout the film, which relate to the situations or to the attitude/moods of the given circumstances. For action scenes, fast-paced close-ups are ideal to reveal a detailed picture to the viewer so that they can feel that adrenaline rush and the action or violent tones of the scene. As well as for scenes, which have more dull characteristics, longer lengthened shots are put together to enhance the simplicity of the scene. Even the jump cut technique is put into action in scenes to skip time and enhance whichever tone the scene may portray. These editing techniques and use of shots have created the moods which Penn envisioned the viewer to feel, capturing the viewers attention and enhancing the excitement, rush, or other feelings simply through the technique and style of editing.

Foreign Intervention in Latin America

Foreign Intervention in Latin America Foreign Intervention in Latin America: One of the recurring themes of The History of Latin America is that of foreign intervention. Like Africa, India and the Middle East, Latin America has a long history of meddling by foreign powers, all of them European and North American. These interventions have profoundly shaped the character and history of the region. Here are some of the more important ones: The Conquest: The conquest of the Americas is probably the greatest act of foreign intervention in history. Between 1492 and 1550 or so when most native dominions were brought under foreign control, millions died, entire peoples and cultures were wiped out, and the wealth gained in the New World propelled Spain and Portugal into golden ages. Within 100 years of Columbus First Voyage, most of the New World was under the heel of these two European powers. The Age of Piracy: With Spain and Portugal flaunting their newfound wealth in Europe, other countries wanted to get in on the action. In particular, the English, French and Dutch all tried to capture valuable Spanish colonies and loot for themselves. During times of war, pirates were given official license to attack foreign ships and rob them: these men were called privateers. The Age of Piracy left profound marks in the Caribbean and coastal ports all over the New World. The Monroe Doctrine : In 1823, American President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine, which basically was a warning to Europe to stay out of the western hemisphere. Although the Monroe Doctrine did, in fact, keep Europe at bay, it also opened the doors for American intervention in the business of its smaller neighbors. French Intervention in Mexico: After the disastrous â€Å"Reform War† of 1857 to 1861, Mexico could not afford to pay off its foreign debts. France, Britain and Spain all sent forces to collect, but some frantic negotiating resulted in the British and Spanish recalling their troops. The French, however, stayed, and captured Mexico City. The famous Battle of Puebla, remembered on May 5, took place at this time. The French found a nobleman, Maximilian of Austria, and made him Emperor of Mexico in 1863. In 1867, Mexican forces loyal to President Benito Jurez re-took the city and executed Maximilian. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: Due in part to the French intervention and also to a German incursion into Venezuela in 1901-1902, US President Theodore Roosevelt took the Monroe doctrine one step further. Basically, he reiterated the warning to European powers to keep out, but also said that the United States would be responsible for all of Latin America. This often resulted in the United States sending troops to countries that could not afford to pay their debts, such as Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, all of which were at least partially occupied by the US between 1906 and 1934. Halting the Spread of Communism: When fear of spreading communism gripped the United States after World War II, it would often intervene in Latin America in favor of conservative dictators. One famous example took place in Guatemala in 1954, when the CIA ousted leftist president Jacobo Arbenz from power for threatening to nationalize some lands held by the United Fruit Company, which was owned by Americans. The CIA would later attempt to assassinate Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro in addition to mounting the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion. There are many more examples, too numerous to list here. The US and Haiti: The USA and Haiti have a complicated relationship dating back to the time both were colonies of England and France respectively. Haiti has always been a troubled nation, vulnerable to manipulation by the powerful country not far to the north. From 1915 to 1934 the USA occupied Haiti, fearing political unrest. The United States has sent forces to Haiti as recently as 2004 with the purpose of stabilizing the volatile nation after a contested election. Lately, the relationship has improved, with the USA sending humanitarian aid to Haiti after the destructive 2010 earthquake. Foreign Intervention in Latin America Today: Times have changed, but foreign powers are still very active in meddling in the affairs of Latin America. France still owns a colony (French Guyana) on mainland South America and the United States and Britain still control islands in the Caribbean. The United States has sent forces to Haiti as recently as 2004 with the purpose of stabilizing the volatile nation after a contested election. Many people believed that the CIA was actively trying to undermine the government of Hugo Chvez in Venezuela: Chvez himself certainly thought so. Latin Americans resent being bullied by foreign powers: it is their defiance of the United States that has made folk heroes out of Chvez and Castro. Unless Latin America gains considerable economic, political and military might, however, things do not look to change much in the short term.

Computer Security Information Risk Assessment & Security Management Essay

Computer Security Information Risk Assessment & Security Management - Essay Example Before computers became ubiquitous, confidential information was stored in documents, photographs, audio or video tapes, etc. The confidentiality was ensured by keeping these items in locked safes, bank vaults, dual control safes, etc. This is prevalent to some extent even today. With Computers becoming ubiquitous, documents are now largely electronic. To preserve their integrity and confidentiality, recourse is made to password protection, data encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection software, etc. (Parker. B, Donn. Microsoft Encarta, n. d.) This is the age of the World Wide Web. Nowadays, almost every person having a vehicle loan, a housing loan, a credit or debit card, and automated teller machine card, a social security number, a passport, a driving license, a telephone connection, etc, has to provide detailed personal information to the agency or authority, which provides that particular facility or service. Most if not all such information is in electronic form and stored in some centralized Computer's Database. The crux of the problem is this electronic form of personal data. If a hacker succeeds in his hacking attempt then all such confidential data can be viewed, changed or destroyed by the hacker. There exist a vast number of such co... software such as automatic computer virus generators, internet eavesdropping sniffers, password guessers, vulnerability testers and computer service saturators to further their criminal ends. Adoption of such methods makes identity theft, fraudulent withdrawals from a bank account, fraudulent electronic funds transfer, etc, possible. A vast amount of confidential data is regularly exchanged between governmental agencies and financial institutions like banks and other corporations. This transfer of information usually takes place between computers located in different and far off places. In the 1970's Horst Fiestel of IBM, developed an encryption system known as Lucifer. In 1977, the U.S National Bureau of Standards developed an encryption standard known as the Data Encryption Standard. In 1997, the NIST developed the Advanced Encryption Standard. The use of these methods makes the encrypted message almost impossible to decipher. Unfortunately, this is used by terrorists and international criminals to plan and execute their nefarious activities. (Sutton. G, William, Rubin .D, Aviel, Microsoft Encarta, n. d.) The world is becoming increasingly networked. In this scenario, data encryption algorithms of increasing complexity are ensuring the secure transmission of information across Computer Networks. Password protected logins, firewalls, anti - spy ware like intrusion detection systems, anti - virus, application safeguards like generation of checksums, use of maker checker concept in financial transactions, authentication message source, use of roles and privileges, limit on transaction amount, redundancy of backups, parallel databases and the physical security of hardware. In addition to this, a mock disaster recovery drill should be conducted on a regular

Islam and Muslims in the western Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Islam and Muslims in the western Media - Essay Example Muslim community sees western Media as a representative of America and its European friendly member countries as enemies by and large. Although there have been independent Muslim bodies like the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which is although not an incorporated association, founded in 1997 yet one can fathom its importance when its Secretary General, Iqbal Sacranie was awarded a knighthood in the 2005 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for the services he rendered to the Muslim community and inter-religious talks. In this regard, it is worth noting the comments of Sunny Hundal, editor of Asians in Media – an online media and current affairs magazine – â€Å"Dump the media circus,† instigating media not to propagate the boycott of MCB on Holocaust Memorial, explaining "The MCB actually enjoys this controversy and the stance it takes because it helps maintain credibility with extremist supporters who think everything is a big 'Zionist conspiracy'ï â€º....ï  It also diverts attention from their own lack of power and influence". On the other hand, the Islamic world due to its poor performance in foresight and clarity of thought becomes a soft target by western journalists although vast population and natural resources of Islamic countries are quite enough to make them a formidable world power. In his book – Islam In the Age of Western Media – Akbar S Ahmed writes on Islam And The West: Confrontation or Consensus? – blaming western media of labeling Islamic countries as â€Å"an arc of crisis† or â€Å"an Islamic crescent of crisis,† referring it as a â€Å"journalistic clichà ©Ã¢â‚¬ . This enmity of western media towards Islamic world gives a negative impression of two so-called infamous â€Å"Oriental prejudices† as called by Akbar S Ahmed, namely instable political scenario and ill-treatment of women in Islam by its male counterparts.

The calculations for the capital gains tax Case Study

The calculations for the capital gains tax - Case Study Example The calculations for the capital gains tax are shown in the appendix. From the calculations it may be observed that it is advisable to sell off the business building before 05th April 2008 as you can avail the indexation allowance and taper relief which are no more available. It may be noted that the indexation and taper relief are the allowanced granted by the government to provide for the increase in the asset value due to inflation (Chris Horne). In case you decide to sell of the property after 05th April 2008 you many have to pay higher CGT of 18,000. However in the case of the personal paintings since they have been acquired only in the year 2005 they do not stand eligible for any allowances and the capital gains will simply be the difference between the sale proceeds and the cost. Hence in this case it is advisable to sell the paintings after 05th April 2008 as the CGT on the chargeable gains can be paid at lower tax rate of 18 percent. Income from employment is subjected to income tax as well as Class 1 National Insurance Contributions NIC). Payment of the Tax and NIC are normally undertaken by the employer through the PAYE system. However the employee who has other incomes subjected to tax and whose tax is not fully paid by the employer may complete a tax return and pay the NIC. Contributions to NIC are being made by both the employer and employee. The employee has to make contributions to NIC at 11percent or 9.4 percent between the primary threshold limit and the upper earnings limit. A charge of 1 percent is payable for earnings above the upper earnings limit. No NIC is payable by the employee or employer on the earnings up to the primary threshold limit. Depending on whether the employee is within the State Second Pension (S2P) or whether he has contracted out using a final salary (FS) or money purchase scheme (MP) the rates of NIC payable on earnings are determined. Particulars Contracted in Within S2P Contracted Out Other than S2P Primary Threshold to Upper Earning Limit 11.0% 9.4% Above Upper Earning Limit 1.0% 1.0% As per the calculations shown in the appended income statement assuming that you have contracted out of the state pension scheme, you may have to contribute 9.4 percent of 23,760 i.e. 2233.44 towards the National Insurance Contribution. Additional Tax Burden on Cigarettes and Wines We understand that you and your wife are both heavy smokers and drinkers. Beware that the budget for the year 2008 has put additional tax burden on the cigarettes, wine, and beer to the extent of 0.14p on a bottle of wine, 0.4p on a pint of beer and 0.11p on a pack of cigarettes and to this extent the cost of these items would go up. We do hope you will revise your consumption of these items in view of increased burden on your income. Other Tax Credits The budget for the year 2008 has made the following changes in other Tax Credits for which you are entitled. Tax Credits 2007-08 2008-09 Child Tax Credit - Family Element 1,845 2,085 Working Tax Credit - Basic 1,730 1,800 Married Couple Allowance 2,440 2,540 We have provided

Greece is finding it difficult to manage its public sector deficit as Essay

Greece is finding it difficult to manage its public sector deficit as a tool to improve its economy. What alternatives are open - Essay Example The figures 1a below shows the evolution of some key macroeconomic indicators for Greece from 2006 to 2010 Figure 1a GDP growth and Unemployment for Greece from 2006 – 2010 Source: IMF The Economic problems for Greece The macroeconomic problems for Greece are aplenty. The GDP is contracting and unemployment rising. Most importantly, its debt has been constantly increasing for the last many years and as of end 2010, it was 143% of its GDP (as shown in Figure 1b below) with current deficit at 13% of the GDP. The current financial mess in Greece came to the open when the newly elected government announced in October 2010 that its current deficit had been falsely reported for the last few years. This revelation led yields on Greek government bonds and interest rates for new credit to rise astronomically, meaning that it was no longer viable for Greece to raise money from the market to maintain the levels of government spending that it had been doing since many years. The key prior ity now for Greece to overcome its economic woes is to bring its debt to more sustainable levels with a first target of not more than 100% of GDP. Figure 1b Gross debt as percentage of GDP for Greece 2006 to 2010 Source: IMF Option for Greece to alleviate its economic woes The Greek economy enjoyed growth from 2003-2007 largely due to high government spending. Historically, public spending accounted for a large part (>40%) of the GDP. Since public spending is not a luxury that Greece enjoys anymore, it needs to bring the economy back to growth through other means with the top priority of bring debt levels down to instil investor confidence in Greece. Because Greece is a member of the EMU, it has no longer the option to devalue its currency (to help make exports more competitive) or to control its monetary policy that best suits its own economy (interest rates and inflation). Given this, Greece could consider exiting the EMU - by exiting the EMU and dropping the Euro as its currency, Greece would revert to its original currency, the Drachma. It would no longer be under the control of the ECB for its monetary policy and it can devalue its currency and let its exporters get the competitive advantage. However, this would bring largely negative effect on the investors in Greece and would affect the investment coming into Greece. The overall effect may be a little to no change in the GDP but a largely disgruntled EU. So, Greece must look at options (with staying in the EMU in mind) aimed at reducing its overall sovereign debt and improving the economy. The possibilities for Greece then are: a) Reduce sovereign debt by restructuring the debt Clearly, sovereign debt is the biggest economic problem for Greece today. It is at a highly unsustainable level of 143% of the GDP. This means that any new loans for Greece would come at very high interest rates. Now, Greece could either simply default on its debt or it could try to restructure its debt. A debt default would mean even lower investor confidence which may not be a very positive sign for Greece. It could however, try to restructure its debt by: 1) Extending the maturity of its debt 2) Reducing the face value of the debt 3) Combination of both 1 and 2 above Extending the mat

Hollywoods success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Hollywoods success - Essay Example In addition, many critics of Hollywood perceive that the film industries played a big principal role towards the attack that happened in United States in the year 2001 (Godawa, & Winter, 2009:25). The political class blame the Hollywood for typecasting corporations as bad characters and for rejecting women who are thirty years and over. Critics hold that Hollywood exploits child audiences; the movies depict hyper-violence, for their openness to multiple styles of sexuality, and stereotyping people’s culture. Despite the strong wave of criticism, the Hollywood studios continue to penetrate the global film market. The Hollywood studios capitalise on their blockbusters films globally to develop programs that calls for buyers to take several and less desirable properties. Hollywood has an increasing and fair reception from different parts in the globe. This implies that Hollywood is in every aspect of the cinema. This paper supports the arguments of Hollywood conglomerates. Conglo merates assertions of the success of Hollywood are well founded. For many years, Hollywood has prospered in the past and it is moving on well. There is a substantial evidence to concur with the conglomerates claims that Hollywood is doing fine. ... Hollywood is a global leader in the entertainment industry providing products and services for leisure to the audience around the globe. It is a giant in the financing, producing, and distribution of entertainment content. In addition, the Hollywood gives audience identification of youngsters. People widely acknowledge that Hollywood has undergone a tremendous change and contributes to the economy of United States. This industry is not just an entertainment industry but also is a great venture to make money. Hollywood has expanded beyond boundaries and the customers have received it with wide appreciation. Sound distribution, marketing, and exhibition of movies are principal factors for the success of Hollywood. Hollywood movies make a lot of money all over the world. This puts Hollywood as a pioneer and leader in movie-making industry. It defines many directions of development for the world movie industry. The competitors of the Hollywood who majorly comprise of private film studios cannot withstand the competitive advantage of this film company. The widespread of the Hollywood movies in the world has captured people’s attention and therefore many people demand more of the movies on daily basis. Moreover, the strong home base of production and distribution networks has seen Hollywood advance to reach high level of success (Miller, et al, 2005:75). The conglomerates claim of their success is attributable to the prudent marketing strategy is well founded. With the unparalleled technological advancement, Hollywood has invested a lot in the television, and internet. All Hollywood products are in the international cinemas, exhibitions, and even in educational programs. Hollywood uses

Greece is finding it difficult to manage its public sector deficit as Essay

Greece is finding it difficult to manage its public sector deficit as a tool to improve its economy. What alternatives are open - Essay Example The figures 1a below shows the evolution of some key macroeconomic indicators for Greece from 2006 to 2010 Figure 1a GDP growth and Unemployment for Greece from 2006 – 2010 Source: IMF The Economic problems for Greece The macroeconomic problems for Greece are aplenty. The GDP is contracting and unemployment rising. Most importantly, its debt has been constantly increasing for the last many years and as of end 2010, it was 143% of its GDP (as shown in Figure 1b below) with current deficit at 13% of the GDP. The current financial mess in Greece came to the open when the newly elected government announced in October 2010 that its current deficit had been falsely reported for the last few years. This revelation led yields on Greek government bonds and interest rates for new credit to rise astronomically, meaning that it was no longer viable for Greece to raise money from the market to maintain the levels of government spending that it had been doing since many years. The key prior ity now for Greece to overcome its economic woes is to bring its debt to more sustainable levels with a first target of not more than 100% of GDP. Figure 1b Gross debt as percentage of GDP for Greece 2006 to 2010 Source: IMF Option for Greece to alleviate its economic woes The Greek economy enjoyed growth from 2003-2007 largely due to high government spending. Historically, public spending accounted for a large part (>40%) of the GDP. Since public spending is not a luxury that Greece enjoys anymore, it needs to bring the economy back to growth through other means with the top priority of bring debt levels down to instil investor confidence in Greece. Because Greece is a member of the EMU, it has no longer the option to devalue its currency (to help make exports more competitive) or to control its monetary policy that best suits its own economy (interest rates and inflation). Given this, Greece could consider exiting the EMU - by exiting the EMU and dropping the Euro as its currency, Greece would revert to its original currency, the Drachma. It would no longer be under the control of the ECB for its monetary policy and it can devalue its currency and let its exporters get the competitive advantage. However, this would bring largely negative effect on the investors in Greece and would affect the investment coming into Greece. The overall effect may be a little to no change in the GDP but a largely disgruntled EU. So, Greece must look at options (with staying in the EMU in mind) aimed at reducing its overall sovereign debt and improving the economy. The possibilities for Greece then are: a) Reduce sovereign debt by restructuring the debt Clearly, sovereign debt is the biggest economic problem for Greece today. It is at a highly unsustainable level of 143% of the GDP. This means that any new loans for Greece would come at very high interest rates. Now, Greece could either simply default on its debt or it could try to restructure its debt. A debt default would mean even lower investor confidence which may not be a very positive sign for Greece. It could however, try to restructure its debt by: 1) Extending the maturity of its debt 2) Reducing the face value of the debt 3) Combination of both 1 and 2 above Extending the mat

Artificial Intelligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Artificial Intelligence - Essay Example Alan Turing, then, modified the ‘imitation game’ and put a man or woman, and a computer in another separate room. The judge’s job was to decide who is a man or machine among the two contestants. Based on the second version of the experiment, Turing argued that if the ‘judge’ can pick a computer or a human using his mind, then, the computer is a simulation of a human and hence it is intelligent. The Turing has been modified further in that the imitation game has changed where there is a single contestant, a human or a computer. The judge’s job in this test is to decide whether the single contestant is a human or a machine (Moor 143).  Alan Turing proposes that the definition of intelligence can be passed to machines (computers) in that he believes that computers can be programmed to act like humans. He advocates for the question and answer method because it includes the human behaviour of talking by responding to queries. In his 1951 paper, Tu ring writes that â€Å"in fifty years’ time, computers can be programmed to play the imitation game such that any average interrogator (judge) will have less than 70% chance of identifying the correct contestant after asking questions for five minutes.† The Turing test supports the fact that if a human being is replaced by a computer and the game’s results remain unaffected, then, the machine would be equally intelligent as a human and capable of thought (Moor 144).  Turing supports his arguments by stating that machines are capable of thought if only they cannot be distinguished.

The Internet And The Democratic Process Essay Example for Free

The Internet And The Democratic Process Essay The Internet has literally revolutionized the way we live, radically changing the way we receive and disseminate information. It has had dramatic effects on business, education, and society in general, but the focus of this paper will be on how the Internet has affected the democratic process of election. In recent years, the way campaigns have been run by candidates has changed dramatically, as they have had to shift a large percentage of their resources and attention to the Internet and its many venues for reaching potential voters. Beyond campaigning, however, the Internet has also affected the way people vote. Just as how the Internet helps consumers decide on product choice, it has also aided political aspirants to market their credentials, and at the same time, help the voters know more about the candidates. During the 1994 mid-term elections, thousands of voters preferred the electronic mail as the vehicle for asking questions from candidates than television appearances which were often dependent on sound bites, and did not comprehensively present the positions of the candidates on important issues. Special interest groups have also joined the campaign by providing online information about candidates such as the League of Women Voters and the California Online Voter Guide (Tapscott, 1999). In 2000, the role of the Internet in politics was elevated to a higher and more serious level when it was used in the democratic presidential primary in Arizona. During this primary, almost half of the voters cast their votes through the Internet (Weare, 2002). They were the first state in our country (and this was 8 years ago now) to implement what is called â€Å"e-voting,† which was intended to simplify the voting process, making it easier for votes to be cast from anywhere where there is an Internet connection. The implications are staggering, as e-voting would result in many votes being cast that previously would not have been, simply because so many people did not take the time to actually make their way to the polls. Apart from increasing participation in the most important democratic process, which is the elections, the Internet may also decrease the cost of political transaction not only on the part of the voters but also on the part of the politicians. Specifically, election campaign through the Internet can prove to be less costly in a state-wide or nation-wide campaign, and even more effective in terms of getting the politician’s message across to the voting public since discussions are open and there are no constraints in providing campaign information through e-mails. True enough, the Internet also allows for more simplified communication between the people and their representatives. According to the Center for Governmental Studies, an organization that researches ways to improve government, â€Å"the Internet can revitalize American democracy by encouraging two-way communications: from candidate to candidate, from voter to candidate, and from voter to voter† (Shane, 2004).   It is also interesting to note that Internet can also be used in generating campaign funds. For instance, Howard Dean became a frontrunner during the 2004 Democratic primaries due to the millions he was able to raise through an e-mail campaign (Wheeler, 2004). Equally important in a meaningful democracy is the freedom of the people to articulate their interests and opinions, that is made possible by the social forums on the Internet that provide places for political discussions and debates. There are literally millions of sites, discussion boards, and forums that are mediated by the people themselves for the purpose of disseminating information and contributing to the discussion of political issues (Saco, 2002). Because there is no guidance or control, like there is with the media, we see a wider range of opinions being expressed. Yes, there is more ignorance, but there is also more opportunity to be heard, and there is less fear that an underlying bias is behind the source of every message. Essentially, the Internet has become a place of extremely open communication where millions of people are now going to get their information about politics and the election process. This â€Å"openness† has become the new driving force behind our democracy, and today’s presidential hopefuls have certainly taken notice of this, using the Internet to their advantage as often as they can. In a YouGov America Survey of 3,500 internet users a week before the 2004 presidential elections, it was noted that â€Å"about 12% of Americans who had internet access sent an e-mail on the elections, voters under the age of 24 trusted online media than the television, and even senior voters actively visited political websites† or weblogs by politicians (Wheeler, 2004). Interestingly, there are many who are more conservative and skeptical about the impact of the Internet on democratic processess. For example, there is supposedly a cultural divide between the people who use the Internet and those who do not, as some can afford it and some cannot. Essentially, it is argued that there is an Internet class, and a non-Internet class of U.S. citizens – so what happens on the Internet is not a true representation of the country’s collective opinions and people (Shane, 2004). However in an advanced economy wherein the Internet becomes a public good, this argument may no longer be tenable. There is also a question about the authenticity of the communication process because we can never be sure if we are dealing with genuine people or with those who are only taking advantage of the anonymity in the Internet. Users should also be cautious about the authenticity of the information that is also found in the Internet, because, being too â€Å"open†, it had also been used to propagate lies, unhealthy propaganda and misinformation. Poll surveys have also become an instant and daily occurrence in the internet which was supposed to â€Å"represent† opinions on certain issues, even though there are not enough checks on the authenticity of the voter. Still, these polls are being used to shape public opinion. Though it is true that the Internet can be easily be subjected to abuse, what is important is that through this media, more political preferences are being articulated by the people and the people have access to the political information that they need it is only up to their political wisdom how to make this technology more beneficial to them. References Saco, D. (2002). Cybering Democracy: Public Space and the Internet. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Shane, P. M. (Ed.). (2004). Democracy Online: The Prospects for Political Renewal through the Internet. New York: Routledge. Tapscott, Don. (1999). The Digital Economy: Promise and Peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence. The Industrial Age Democracy by the Alliance for Converging Technologies. Accessed at http://www.virtualitaet.de/stadt/internet/indage_bureaucracy on 03/03/2008. Weare, C. (2002). The Internet and Democracy: The Causal Links between Technology and Politics. International Journal of Public Administration, 25(5), 659+. Wheeler, Bryan. (2004, August 12). The Internet and Elections. BBC News Online. Accessed at http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk on 03/03/2008.

Attitudes Towards Implementation of Evidence Based Practice

Attitudes Towards Implementation of Evidence Based Practice Introduction The term of evidence based practice (EBP) was firstly used in medicine as evidence based medicine, after that the term developed and being used in nursing with purpose of build up scientific database to improve nursing as science (Colyer and Kamath, 1999). Evidence based practice was passed through three stages; in which the EBP was appeared in Old Testament which was the first form and appearance of EBP; after that the EBP was developed in different form in middle ages, in which the period of middle ages was considered a stage of renaissance of the EBP which characterized by beliefs-related methods of treatment; the third stage of EBP was the modern stage, in which the modern stage considered the last version of EBP that began at 1972; in which the modern version of EBP was the EBP that widely known form among highly educated and professional nurses (Claridge and Fabian, 2005). The Bible was the oldest known source in EBP documentation, in which the Bible contains a story that was represented as an interventional research that progress for ten days (Weingarten, 2003); the story in the Bible said Then Daniel said to the guard whom the master of the eunuchs had put in charge of Hananiah, Miscael and Azariah and himself .Submet us lo this rest for ten days. Give us only vegetables to eat and water to drink: then compare our looks with those of the young men who have lived on the food assigned by the king and be guided in your treatment of us by what you see. The guard listened to what they said and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days they looked healthier and were better nourished than all the young men (Claridge and Fabian, 2005, P. 548). During the second stage of EBP (1700s-1900s), the EBP was restricted to believes-related methods of treatment; in which Blood-letting was the main treatment for many diseases in middle age period (Klar and Donner, 2002). Physicians and priests were used Blood-letting; in which Physicians and priests were believed that diseases caused by wicked souls; in which the diseased patients should be injured to expel the wicked souls with blood outside of patients bodies (Klar and Donner, 2002). During the last four decades, the EBP was featured in a modern form; in which the borderline for modern period of EBP was began in 1972 by Archie Cochrane (Klar and Donner, 2002). Cochrane (1972) published a paper with title of Effectiveness and efficiency: random reflections on health services; in which the paper was discuss and evaluate the effect of randomization (the randomization was regard to patients and regard to intervention) on the outcomes of the patients health. The Cochranes paper was the first paper reflects the importance of randomized clinical trials; in which Cochrane was found that the randomization of the sample and intervention will exhibit evidence with high quality which improve the quality of health care provided and improve health outcomes of the patients (Cochrane, 1972). Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2005) defined EBP as a knowledge-based conflict-resolving strategy that performed by adapting best available evidence to provide best possible care for patients and their families. Furthermore, Evidence Based Practice is a process of integration of research-based results which contribute to achieve best practice (Institute of Medicine, 2001). In addition, Sackett, Rosenberg, Gray (1996) estimated that evidence based practice is synchronous combination of professional nursing experience and research with high level of evidence under patients believes and values consideration. Besides that, Ingersoll (2000) documented that evidence based practice is meticulous, unambiguous, and well-judged theoretical information and reliable research-findings to provide effective decisions about patients care regard to patients and organizational needs (P. 152). Furthermore, evidence based practice defined as Explicit and judicious decision making about health care deliver y for individuals or groups of patients based on the consensus of the most relevant and supported evidence derived from theory-derived research and data-based information to respond to consumers preferences and societal expectations (Driever, 2002, p. 593). Evidence based practice is considered as a magical solution for complicated health problems (Institute of Medicine, 2001). Furthermore, evidence based practice considered wide discipline term used as a solution to clinical-related problems which began to provide findings and basics of clinical decision on best reliable and evident researches with purpose of improving health care provided (Sackett, Strauss, Richardson, Rosenberg, and Haynes, 2000). The Institute of Medicine (2001) was illustrated that EBP process provide intensive care to patients, using effective recent researches to achieve desired outcomes, and provide cost effective standard care. In addition, another study found that EBP enhance nurses professions by improving nurses knowledge and skills to analyze, understand and develop research (Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt, 2005). Evidence Based Practice improves nurses ability to be excellence profession in areas of practice, and improves patients health outcomes by providing high qualified nurses (Institute of Medicine, 2001). Evidence based practice improve patients outcomes within four dimensions; clinical dimension (improve signs and symptoms of patients diseases), life quality dimension (improve patient satisfaction upon to life), functional dimension (improve patients ability to achieve daily living activity), and economic dimension (using EBP was prove ensure of cost effectiveness for patient and hospital) (Weaver, Warren, and Delaney, 2005). In addition, Newhouse, Dearholt, Poe, Pugh, and White (2005) demonstrated that the evidence based practice improve efficacy of health care provided to achieve pleasurable patients outcomes, save patients/nurse time, and use of EBP considered cost effective for patients, families, and hospitals. Melnyk, Fineout-Overholt, Sadler, and Green-Hernandez (2008) documented that implementation of evidence based practice can be achieved by improving nurses knowledge and skills about research and evidence based practice, improve and strengthening nurses beliefs to reinforce nurses to be integrated within evidence based practice environment. Evidence based practice education allow nurses to formulate and answer any research question raised from clinical area by recent and reliable researches, allow nurses to critique and evaluate any research according to level of evidence, allow nurses to conduct researches according to patients needs; family; nurse; and hospital needs, and allow nurses to share research findings as journal club activity (Melnyk, Fineout-Overholt, Sadler, and Green-Hernandez, 2008). Another study conducted by Wolf and Greenhouse (2007) documented that using of EBP is significantly needed in clinical practice, in which EBP pleasured to achieve improvement in patientfamilynurse education regard to condition and treatment, improve quality of health care provided by nurse and hospital, improve using new technology in clinical setting as computers, and build nurses community prepared with recent scientific information. Most of health care provided by nurses nowadays is based on traditional practice with observable lacking in evidence-based practice (Mariano, Caley, Eschberger, Woloszyn, Volker, Leonard, et, al. 2009). Furthermore, an Iranian study was conducted to identify the Iranian nurses perception toward EBP, the Iranian study was conducted by using convenience sample of 21 nurses who undergone within qualitative research design; in which the Iranian study was documented that 21 participants from nurses did not listen about the concept of evidence based practice before and they did not implement EBP in clinical area (Adib-Hajbaghery, 2009). American and Netherlandic studies conducted at 1998 and 2001 respectively; was estimated that about 35% of hospitalized patients do not receive evidence based care (the nurses treat patients according to traditional care that was not based on researches) (Schuster, McGlynn and Brook, 1998; Grol, 2001); in which Estrada (2009) conducted a descriptive study to assess nurses knowledge and attitudes toward EBP, in which the Estradas study was founded that 25% of sample did not hear about EBP previously. Moreover, Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2007) was conducted a study to develop two scales; attitude toward EBP scale and implementation of EBP scale, in which Melnyks and Fineout-Overholts study was estimated that 40% of collected sample did not listen and dealt with the concept of EBP previously. Evidence based practice improve patients outcome; in contrast, lack of nurses prepared evidence based practice will affect patients outcomes negatively (Institution of Medicine, 2001); in which, about 25% of health care provided was not sufficient to meet patients needs and the health care provided was not safe for hospitalized patients (Schuster, McGlynn and Brook, 1998; Grol, 2001). Furthermore, Pravikoff, Pierce, and Tanner (2005) conducted a study to evaluate nurses perception to integrate within EBP which conducted by random sample of 1,097 nurses, the researchers were found that more than half of the sample did not listened about EBP previously, more than half of the sample had a negative attitudes toward EBP and those nurses was not integrated within EBP activities, 73% of the nurses had not ability to use electronic database, and all 1,097 nurses had not sufficient information about choosing best researches. The problems that impede of EBP for nursing and medical societies has been reported by Institution of Medicine (2001) in which around 45% of patient did not received professional health care; the implementation of new discovered evidence needs about two decades at least to let the recent of evident researches to be handled and public with nurses and medical stuff worldwide, and health care providers were not adequately prepared to translate recent researches in clinical practice. Hunt (1996) concluded that there is a wide whole between using the findings of researches and clinical practice; in which an interventional study was conducted to evaluate the effect of educational intervention on nurses knowledge and attitudes toward EBP, the pre- test of these educational study was showed that 50% of 49 convenience sample of nurses did not listen about EBP and professional health care provided previously (Varnell, Haas, Duke, and Hudson, 2007). In addition, Melnyk (2006) concluded that the implementation of evidence based practice was little in nursing that explained by Hunt (1996) who documented that there are several factors prevent evidence based practice implementation as: disorientation toward research, lack of beliefs (attitudes) exhibited toward using research, and lack of understanding of research elements. There are some barriers to EBP were appeared; these barriers limit nurses engagement within evidence based practice (Weaver and Sorrells-Jones, 1999). Funk, Champagne, Wiese, and Tornquist (1991) estimated that these barriers had been originated from different sources and organized within four categorical origins; characteristic of the nurse, characteristic of setting, characteristic of research and characteristic of presentation of research. Furthermore, Funk, Champagne, Wiese, and Tornquist (1991) documented that nurse can be considered as a barrier to implement EBP; in which nurses were unaware about principles of research and research process, and nurses had not sufficient time to implement EBP . Moreover, Funk, Champagne, Wiese, and Tornquist (1991) concluded that practice setting can be considered as a barrier to implement EBP; in which hospitals were not provided sufficient facilitation to implement EBP activity within clinical setting, and nurses had not ability to change pat ient-care procedure without getting permission from hospitals authority to change guidelines. Indeed, Funk, Champagne, Wiese, and Tornquist (1991) documented that research and research presentation can be considered as barrier to implement EBP; in which nurses were believed that research elements as introduction, literature review, methodology, statistical analysis, and conclusion were not understandable clearly within articles. Melnyk (2006) concluded that nurses need applicable teaching strategies to provide nurses with adequate evidence based practice knowledge and skills and provide nurses with positive beliefs (attitudes) toward integration within evidence based practice activity. Di Leonardi (2007) documented that lecture presentation for educational intervention was considered most effective and appropriate teaching strategy; lectures were widely-spread and known perfectly to all universitiescolleges-certificated persons. In addition, Hart, Eaton, Buckner, Morrow, Barrett, Fraser, et, al. (2008) were conducted an educational intervention to teach nurses about nursing research and evidence based practice by using computer-based modules strategy; in which the result was exhibit that the educational intervention improve nurses knowledge and skills about using research and evidence based practice, and improve nurses attitude toward evidence based practice. Lacey (1996) was evaluated 870 courses of the English National Board which contain materials enable student nurses to understand research and evidence based practice, with convenience sample of 30 nurses student; 65% of the students were demonstrated that knowledge, skills about research and evidence based practice were significantly improved after the educational intervention. Furthermore, Hundley, Milne, Leighton-Beck, Graham, Fitzmaurice (2000) compared between long term research course (six months) and short term research course (one month); the study conducted by convenience sample of 481 nurses and midwives; the result showed that nurses who integrated within long term research course were exhibited more knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward evidence based practice than respondent received short term research course. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of educational intervention about evidence based practice and nursing research lectures on the beliefs toward using evidence based practice, to evaluate the effect of educational intervention about evidence based practice and nursing research lectures on the frequency of the implementation of evidence based practice, to determine any differences between two groups (experimental and control group) regard to variables (age, gender, level of education, the experience in clinical area, and the effect of educational intervention that will be implemented), to investigate the variation among socio-demographic variables in response to evidence based practice beliefs and frequency of evidence based practice implementation, and to fixing first block in building EBP team in King Abdulla University Hospital.

Financial Ratios for Dell Inc. Essay -- Finances Accounting Computer S

Financial Ratios for Dell Inc. Team D selected Dell Inc. as our company for the team project. Why was Dell chosen? Dell Inc. with annual revenue of $41.4 billion, is a premier provider of computing products and services. Because of its direct business model, Dell was the leading seller of computer systems worldwide and the number one seller in our customer segments in the United States during calendar year 2003. Michael Dell founded the company in 1984 on a simple concept of selling computer systems directly to customers. Using this technique, Dell could best understand customer needs and efficiently provide the most effective computing solutions to meet those needs. Dell’s climb to market leadership is the result of a relentless focus on delivering the best customer experience by selling computer system and services directly to customers. Dell, a Delaware corporation, is based in Round Rock, Texas and conducts operations worldwide through wholly owned subsidiaries. The company’s business strategy combines its direct customer model with a highly efficient manufacturing and supply chain management organization and an emphasis on standards-based technologies. This strategy enables Dell to provide customers with superior value high quality, relevant technology customized systems; superior service and support; and product and services that are easy to buy and sell. (Form 10K, 2004) A company with an annual revenue of $41.4 billion must be financially sound, right? The answer is†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"not necessarily!† However, there are tools available that will help determine if our selected company is financially sound. Ratio analyses are those tools used to evaluate the performance of a business and identify potential problems. Financial Ratios Financial ratio analysis can teach so much about Dell’s accounts and business. For example, using ratio analysis, we can conclude the profitability of Dell. We can also determine if Dell has enough money to pay its bills. Ratio analysis can check whether Dell is performing better this year than it was last year. Additionally, ratio analysis can alert us if Dell is doing better or worse than other businesses selling the same or similar products. http://www.bized.ac.uk/compfact/ratios/intro1.htm Table 1.1 lists the ratios we feel are important for our selected company. Dell Incorporated Profitability Ratios 01/30/2004 ... ...05 from http://www.133.americanexpress.com/osbn/tool/ratios/htm Financial Ratios-Formulas and Examples. (2004). Retrieved on March 3, 2005 http://beginersinvest.about.com/od/financial ratio/ Form 10-K, (2004). Dell Inc. Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Retrieved on March 5, 2005 from Mergent database. Net Profit Margin Ratio. (2005). Retrieved on March 4, 2005 http://beginersinvest.about.com/od/financial ratio/ Quick Ratio. (2005). Retrieved on March 5, 2005 from http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/biz/bizcalcs/ratioquick.asp University of Phoenix (ED.) (2001). Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. {University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-text}. New York: McGraw-Hill Custom Publishing. Retrieved on March 6, 2005 from the University of Phoenix, resource, FIN/544-Finance for Managerial Decision Making website: https://mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp. Welcome to Ratio Analysis! (2004). Retrieved on March 3, 2005 from http://www.bized.ac.uk/compfact/ratios/intro1.htm Working Capital Ratio. (2005). Retrieved on March 5, 2005 from http://www.investopedia.com/university/ratios/workingcapital.asp.

Christmas in Mexico Essay

Introduction Thesis (Purpose Statement): The purpose of this paper is to define what Christmas is, explain how it is celebrated in some parts of Mexico, and describe some typical Christmas foods associated with it. Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: Studying the definition of the word â€Å"Christmas† can help us understand the background behind this holiday. Supporting Sentences Christmas, coming from Old English Cristes maesse or â€Å"Christ’s mass,† is a celebration of the nativity of Jesus Christ. Celebrations of the winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere have been a time of rejoicing among many ancient cultures. The reason for celebrating Christmas on December 25th is still unclear. Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence: Cultural traditions have had an influence on the Christmas celebrations of today in Mexico. Supporting Sentences The celebration of the winter solstice in Mexico even proceeded the arrival of the Spanish who brought Christianity with them. One of the oldest traditional events in Mexico, Las Posadas (meaning â€Å"lodgings†). Other non-religious activities are also held during that season including parades and pià ±atas. Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence: In addition to Christmas activities, many food dishes are served during this period. Supporting Sentences Perhaps the most popular of all Christmas foods in Mexico are tamales. Other pastries are also eaten as well. Conclusion As you can see from my paper, Christmas is an important in the lives of the Mexican people. References California Mall. (1999). MEXICO â€Å"Feliz Navidad†. [Online]. Available: http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-mexico.htm (2000, April 16). The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. (2001). Available: http://www.bartleby.com/65/ch/Christms.html (2001, March 29) Collins, C. (1999). An introduction to â€Å"A Christmas kitchen in Mexico†. [Online]. Available: http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/recipes/christmasintro.html (1999, November 1). Devlin, W. (1999). History of the pià ±ata. [Online]. Available: http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/wdevlin/wdpinatahistory.html (2000, April 16). Gonzales, Juanita (juanita@compuserve.com.mx). (1998, November 30). Games at Christmas. E-mail to Masako Arai (arai@hotmail.com). Klebanow, B., & Fischer, S. (1986). American holidays. Brattleboro, VT: Pro Lingua Associates. Marshall, A. (1999). Christmas In Mexico. [Online]. Available: http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/nacimnto.htm (2000, April 15). Jasmine, J. (1994). Multicultural holidays. Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials. Palfrey, D. H. (1996). Feliz Navidad – Making merry in Mexico. [Online]. Available: http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/christmas.html (1999, November 3). Perez, Jose (perez@mexl.com). (1998, December 17). Christmas in my city. E-mail to Masako Arai (arai@hotmail.com). Perton, Marvin. (1998). Celebrating Christmas in Mexico. [Online]. http://www.mexonline.com/xmas.htm (December 15, 1998). The Presidency of Mexico (2000). Christmas in Mexico. [Online]. Available: http://world.presidencia.gob.mx/pages/culture/note_christmas.html (2000, April 16).

Succubus Heat CHAPTER 14

Instinct made me drive back to Queen Anne. I operated on autopilot, my mind blank. It was only when I'd parked and gotten out of the car that my senses slowly began to return to me. Still, I tried my best to stay numb, to not think about anything right away. My stomach was growling, so I decided to focus on basic needs. I walked over to a Thai restaurant between my apartment and the bookstore, seeking the comfort of a corner table and green curry. Once I was settled, there was no avoiding it. What had happened back there? Part of me could still feel Greg's hands on me, still feel the sickening sensation of being utterly and completely helpless. But the rest of me was slowly starting to analyze the stove exploding. I'd noticed the gas stove upon my initial inspection, but I'd noticed no smell until right before it caught on fire. With gas leaks, didn't a place usually fill up over time? This had been sudden. An out-of-the-blue surge of gas, and BAM! No warning, no anything. I supposed it could have been coincidence. Lucky timing. But in my world, coincidences didn't happen. They were usually guided by a stronger power. The question was: who or what was responsible? I had too much to worry about now without some unseen arsonist on the scene. â€Å"Why so pensive, Daughter of Lilith?† I looked up from my half-eaten food. â€Å"Carter!† I was pretty sure I'd never been so happy to see the angel in my life, except for maybe when he'd rescued me from Helena the crazy nephilim last fall. He wore the same clothes he'd had on in Vancouver. They appeared to stay in a perpetually consistent state of dishevelment-never getting worse, never getting better. He slid into the chair opposite me. â€Å"You gonna finish that?† he asked, pointing at my plate. I shook my head and slid the curry over to him. He immediately dug in, practically inhaling it. â€Å"What's going on?† he asked between mouthfuls of rice. â€Å"You know what's going on. Seattle's gone to hell. Literally.† â€Å"Yeah, I've noticed. How's it feel to be footloose and fancy free?† â€Å"It sucks. For some reason, my hair's always frizzy. I used to style it myself before this happened, and it never did that.† Carter grinned. â€Å"I doubt you were doing it all yourself. You may have still done all the labor, but some subconscious part of you was probably tweaking it just a little bit to keep it perfect.† I pulled a face. â€Å"Well, even if that's true, I've got a few bigger problems.† I gave him a brief recap of my adventures this morning and what had happened with Greg. Even speaking about it still sent a chill down my spine. I expected Carter to laugh and make some quip at my expense, but his face stayed serious. â€Å"You need to be careful,† he said gravely. â€Å"Everything's different now. It'll only be for a short time, true, but even if you can't die, you're still locked in a dangerous game.† â€Å"We have to find Jerome. Do you know where he's at?† Carter shook his head. â€Å"Nope. He disappeared off our radars too. I don't know anything more than you do.† â€Å"You probably know more about demon summoning than I do,† I pointed out. â€Å"Depends,† he said. â€Å"What do you know?† â€Å"Pretty much what I already told you. Dante didn't have much more to offer than who he thought could do it. And those other losers didn't give up anything at all-except attitude.† Carter flagged down a waitress and ordered a plate of panang curry and Thai iced coffee. Afterward, he tapped the table lightly with his finger, face drawn and thoughtful. â€Å"I can tell you how it's done,† he said at last. â€Å"But I can't do much more. This is your side's business, not ours. We're not supposed to interfere.† â€Å"Dispensing information isn't the same as interfering,† I said. He smiled. â€Å"Depends on your definitions. And your people are great at finding loopholes and technicalities.† â€Å"Yeah, but†¦Carter†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I sighed. â€Å"I don't really have anyone else.† Even if I'd had full succubus charisma going, I don't think it would have worked on him. But I still had some sort of Georgina charisma that he was susceptible to. He liked me and was concerned about my life, even if he had a funny way of showing it sometimes. The Thai iced coffee appeared, and he paused to take a drink. â€Å"Okay. Here's how it works. Basically, a demon gets summoned into an object, and with enough magic, the demon becomes bound to that and is trapped. You've heard stories about genies, right? Well, they're kind of variations on this principle. Humans who summon demons into objects can then occasionally release the demon and make them run errands.† â€Å"But this one's keeping Jerome locked up.† â€Å"Right. Which makes it harder. What makes it harder still is that if this human has any sense at all, they've got the object hidden in a place of power.† He took another sip and waited for me to process this. I knew what he was talking about. The earth was covered in places of power-sacred sites, ley lines, magic-infused spots. Anyone sifting through mythology would come across countless references to them and the roles they'd played in human history. There was just one problem with it. â€Å"There are dozens of those in Seattle,† I said slowly. Carter nodded. â€Å"Yup. And even if you find the right one, the power in that place is going to help mask the power coming from the bound demon. For you? Gonna be nearly impossible without your usual senses. You need another immortal to help, the stronger the better. Or possibly a human psychic.† I groaned. â€Å"But you can't help, and none of the demons will.† The panang curry arrived, and Carter devoured it with enthusiasm. â€Å"Putting that aside, let's suppose I find this object, whatever it is. Then what?† â€Å"Mmm, that's hard too,† he said. â€Å"A greater immortal could just break it open.† â€Å"But not me.† I was beginning to see how this worked, and it wasn't encouraging. â€Å"No, not even if you were in your normal state. The summoner probably put a lock on it-a seal. That'll keep a lesser immortal out. The seal's used in the binding, then it's broken into two pieces that are kept separated for safekeeping. The practitioner most certainly keeps one. If he or she had a demon's help, I'm guessing the demon has the other. Or else the practitioner would hide it.† â€Å"Do you think another demon was involved?† He swallowed. â€Å"Most definitely. If you can recover the pieces of the seal, though, then you could unlock the object and set Jerome free.† When I'd first seen Carter standing over my table, I'd been filled with hope, convinced this miserable situation was going to resolve soon and we'd get Jerome back. Now? I was more pessimistic than before. â€Å"So, let me get this straight. All I have to do is find this mystical object that Jerome's locked in, an object I have no way of even sensing. Once I have it, I then simply have to force the pieces of the lock away from the summoner and a demon .† â€Å"Yup,† said Carter, licking his fork. â€Å"That pretty much sums it up.† â€Å"Fuck.† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"Well, the info's good, but I can't do anything. I have no leads on any part of this, nowhere to start.† His gray eyes twinkled. â€Å"The seal has to be made of quartz.† â€Å"Okay†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hand-carved by human hands.† I raised an eyebrow, curious as to where this was going. â€Å"By someone familiar with magic and runes.† He looked at me expectantly. â€Å"So?† â€Å"How many people do you think that describes in the Seattle area?† He didn't wait for me to finish. â€Å"Not many.† Carter and his riddles. â€Å"You're saying I should find who made the seal, in the hopes they can tell me who commissioned it.† â€Å"Right. And they can also tell you what the seal's specifics are. It's almost always a disc about this big.† He used the fingers of one hand to make a circle about the size of a quarter. â€Å"But the color and designs will be different and provide clues as to what kind of place it's been hidden in.† â€Å"God, this is complicated.† â€Å"You're trying to find a demon that's been captured and bound as part of a larger political power play, Georgina,† Carter said. â€Å"What do you expect?† â€Å"Fair point,† I murmured. â€Å"I have one more question, though. It has nothing to do with the seal, though.† â€Å"Shoot.† â€Å"Why'd the stove at Greg's blow up?† â€Å"Because of a gas leak.† â€Å"One that came on out of nowhere?† He shrugged. â€Å"Compared to what we see every day? A lot stranger things happen.† I eyed him for a moment, wondering if I should press him with my real question. He'd said he couldn't directly interfere in this, but Carter had saved my life once before. His showing up here now was awfully coincidental†¦Was it possible he'd been following me all day? Had he helped expedite the stove's incineration to save me? One might argue that touching Greg would have been direct interference†¦but harming the stove wouldn't be, if you wanted to use demon-worthy technicalities. And, in a typically angelic way, Carter hadn't actually denied his involvement. I decided to let the matter go. If Carter was keeping his help a secret, there was a good reason. With a sigh, I glanced at the clock to my right. â€Å"Well, I'm still technically on leave, so I should probably take advantage of that and hunt down this seal maker.† â€Å"Good luck,† said Carter. â€Å"But joking aside, I meant what I said earlier. You've got to be careful. At the very least, don't do this stuff alone.† â€Å"You sure you can't break the rules and come with me, then?† I asked a bit wistfully. â€Å"Nope, but why do you need me when there are plenty of other candidates?† With a grin, he nodded at something beyond me. I glanced back and saw Seth standing at the take-out counter. I jerked my head back toward Carter. â€Å"Hey! How'd-â€Å" Carter was gone. Just then, the waitress set down the bill, which included Carter's meal. â€Å"Fucking angels,† I muttered, fumbling for my credit card. Turning back around, I studied Seth, feeling my stomach twist in that usual way. As though sensing me, he suddenly turned and made eye contact. Surprise registered on his face, and then he held up his hand in a hang on a second kind of way. A few agonizing minutes later, he walked over to my table holding a take-out bag. â€Å"Hey,† I said. â€Å"Hey.† â€Å"Is that lunch?† I was suddenly embarrassed by the fact that I had two plates in front of me. â€Å"Yeah, I'm actually heading home to work. The caf? ¦ at the store's too crowded and noisy.† â€Å"I thought you could work through anything.† He shook his head. â€Å"These days I'm more†¦distractible than usual.† His eyes studied me for a moment, and then he looked away. But in that moment, I'd felt a tingle run through my skin. Seth cleared his throat. â€Å"So†¦what about you?† He forced himself to look back at me. â€Å"You look†¦I don't know. Uneasy. Not as bad as yesterday but still troubled. More immortal intrigue?† A good portion of my present uneasiness was simply due to his proximity. â€Å"Yeah, afraid so.† â€Å"So, you haven't found Jerome yet, and you're still†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Now it was my turn to look away. â€Å"Yeah. I followed some leads on Jerome this morning, and it was kind of†¦um, well, it's not important. Let's just say it wasn't a pleasant experience, and I didn't find out anything anyway.† I glanced back in his direction, making sure I kept my eyes on his Blondie T-shirt and not his face. â€Å"I've got one more thing to check into, then I guess I can call it a day.† â€Å"Well, that's good, I guess.† He shifted uncomfortably, and that awkward tension that was so characteristic for us multiplied. I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came. â€Å"So†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he began at last. â€Å"I know what you said before†¦but I still have to ask. Is there anything†¦anything I can do?† The retort was on my lips, to tell him I didn't need him, not anymore. But an image of Greg flashed into my mind, and I hated myself for the fear it invoked. I didn't want to be a damsel in distress. I didn't want to live in fear and need a man to watch over me. Greg's weight and element of surprise had shown that self-defense wouldn't always work. Sometimes it was hard to face danger alone. Carter's words repeated in my head: Why do you need me when there are plenty of other candidates? I blurted out my question before I had time to reconsider. â€Å"Would you go with me?† It was hard to say which of us was more surprised by this. â€Å"On†¦your errand?† he asked. I nodded. â€Å"Yeah. But I mean, if you've got stuff to do†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'll go,† he said quickly. He held up his take-out bag. â€Å"Can I eat in your car?† â€Å"You can eat right now,† I said. â€Å"Seeing as I don't know where we're going yet.† Leaving Seth to eat at the table, I stepped outside to make a couple of phone calls. The first was to Dante. He answered, fortunately, but had no clue about what I needed. â€Å"Someone who carves crystal?† he asked incredulously. â€Å"I don't do fluffy New Age stuff.† â€Å"Yeah. I found out more about demon summoning. Apparently there's some kind of seal involved that only a master artisan can make.† â€Å"I don't know anyone like that,† he said. â€Å"As much as it pains me to admit a lack of knowledge about anything.† â€Å"Well, I guess even you have limits.† â€Å"You are so in trouble for that the next time I see you, succubus.† After we hung up, I tried Erik. He too answered, and in his usual way, he never bothered to ask why I needed the information. â€Å"There is someone,† he mused. â€Å"I've acquired crystal jewelry from her before, carved into assorted sacred symbols-ankhs and crosses. I don't know if she works with the arcane or spellcraft, but she's the only one I know in the area who comes close.† I took down her name and address and went back inside. Seth had nearly finished his meal, rivaling Carter for speed. â€Å"Do we have a mission objective yet?† I nodded. â€Å"Yup. Out to the hinterlands, even.† Okay, Carnation wasn't exactly the hinterlands, but it was well outside the Seattle urban and even suburban sprawl. It was one of several small rural communities that clung to western Washington's edge before giving way to the wilderness of the Cascade Mountains and the desert on the other side. I made a Starbucks stop along the way so that I could acquire some caffeine. It seemed requisite to get through this. When Seth asked me to order him a mocha Frappuccino, I nearly crashed into the drive-thru window. â€Å"That's got caffeine in it,† I said. â€Å"I know. But they're really good. Maddie got me hooked on them.† We drove in utter silence for ten minutes after that. If not for Jerome's summoning, I would have said this was the most astonishing thing to happen to me in the last twenty-four hours. Seth was drinking caffeine. It was unheard of. He'd abstained from it for years, and despite my clear addiction and coaxing throughout our relationship, he'd never shown any interest of cracking. Yet, Maddie- Maddie! -had somehow gotten him to change? I don't know why I took such offense at that. Honestly, it was an inconsequential thing in the greater scheme of the universe. Still†¦I couldn't help feeling hurt. Well, maybe hurt wasn't the right word. Inadequate, perhaps. She'd gotten him to do something I couldn't. Why? Why her and not me? Was she more inspiring? Did he care about her more? â€Å"Is something wrong?† Seth finally asked. My silence and death grip on the steering wheel had probably tipped him off. â€Å"Nope,† I lied. â€Å"Just worried about all of this.† â€Å"You are not.† â€Å"I'm not worried about all this?† â€Å"Okay, you are. But that's not why you're upset right now. You're upset about this.† Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him wave the Frappuccino. After all this time, he still knew me. â€Å"That's stupid. Why would I care about that?† He sighed. â€Å"Because I know you. You're irritated that I did something I never said I'd do.† â€Å"Why should I care?† I replied stiffly. â€Å"I'm happy you're expanding your horizons.† The look he shot me told me he knew better. We reached the address Erik had given me without further argument, largely because we didn't talk. The house was an older rambler set on a huge yard that would have held an entire subdivision back in Seattle. Lawn ornaments-a deer and a gnome, to name a few-cluttered the grass, and wind chimes dangled on the porch. We knocked on the door, and several moments later, a woman in her late forties or early fifties answered. She had hair dyed an unnatural shade of red that put me in mind of Tawny's current hue. Her tight-fitting top pressed a lot of cleavage into her scoop neckline and was also not that far off from something Tawny might wear, albeit a little less tacky. The look the woman gave us wasn't unfriendly so much as curious. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Hi,† I said. â€Å"Are you Mary Wilt-â€Å" † Oh my God! † she squealed. She had just done a double-take on Seth. â€Å"You're Seth Mortensen!† Seth stiffened and exchanged looks with me. â€Å"Well, yeah†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her blue-shadowed eyes bugged as she practically drooled over him. â€Å"I can't believe it. I can't believe it! Seth Mortensen's on my porch! I recognize you from your website. I look at it every day. Every day . Oh my God. Oh my God ! I'm your biggest fan. Come in!† Seth looked like he wanted to bolt then and there, but I nudged him forward. This turn of events was a bit unexpected-and creepy-but could possibly work to our advantage. We stepped through the doorway. There was nothing particularly extraordinary about the inside of her house. The d? ¦cor was more modern than the outside suggested, all done in neutral shades. There was a bit of normal lived-in clutter and far more figurines than I found tasteful, but overall, it was a nice place. Some of the figurines were carved out of crystal, which I took as a good sign. â€Å"Come in, come in,† Mary gushed, beckoning toward the living room. â€Å"Sit, sit! Can I get you anything? Iced tea? Coffee? Tequila?† â€Å"Er, no. I'm fine,† said Seth, who was clearly becoming more and more uncomfortable with all of this. â€Å"Thank you.† He and I sat down on the couch, and Mary sat in an armchair across from us, leaning forward in a way that afforded an ample view of her breasts. â€Å"What can I do for you?† she asked. â€Å"Are you here to buy something? I'd do anything for you. Anything .† She grinned at Seth, making her â€Å"anything† intentions obvious. â€Å"You're so much cuter than I expected. Will you sign my books while you're here? I own all of them.† She gestured toward a set of shelves on the wall, and sure enough, Seth's books stood out prominently. I had been a longtime fan girl of Seth's before we started going out, and I wondered uneasily if I'd sounded this crazed and desperate way back when. She probably would have passed out if she'd known about the advanced copy Seth gave me. â€Å"Sure,† said Seth. â€Å"I'd, um, be happy to.† He elbowed me, no doubt in an effort to get me to state our business and save him. Still a little irritated from our car argument, I almost enjoyed watching him in her clutches. â€Å"We're actually not here to buy anything,† I told her. â€Å"We wanted to find out about a piece you might have recently made for someone.† Mary turned toward me, seeming to notice me for the first time. Her gleeful, ravenous expression dimmed and even turned a little suspicious. â€Å"Who are you again?† â€Å"Georgina. We're wondering if you recently made a piece for a client. A carved disc about this big with some sort of arcane symbol on it.† I approximated the size Carter had shown me. Her face grew more wary and pinched. â€Å"I can't say.† I frowned. â€Å"You don't remember?† She shook her head. â€Å"I keep records of all my pieces. But that's confidential. I can't give that kind of information away.† â€Å"This is really important,† I said. â€Å"We think†¦there may be a crime involved.† â€Å"Sorry, Giselle. I can't tell you about that. Not unless you're with the police or something.† â€Å"Georgina,† I corrected. Her adherence to client confidentiality was perfectly understandable-but well, I wasn't really concerned with what was morally correct right now. Giving Seth an elbow poke of my own, I hoped he'd jump in and use his author god power. It took him a few moments, but he did. â€Å"It would help us so much, Mary. We'd- I'd -really appreciate it.† He stumbled over the words a little, but from the way her face lit up, you'd think he'd just murmured the sexiest thing in her ear. â€Å"Oh, Seth,† she sighed. â€Å"I really would do anything for you†¦but, well, I do try to respect my clients' privacy. Surely a man like you understands that.† â€Å"Well, yeah, of course I-† I elbowed him again. He shot me a quick glare and then returned his gaze to her. â€Å"That is, I do understand, but like I said, this is really important.† Indecision warred on her face, and I kind of admired her principles. She actually looked uncrackable, and I had a feeling Seth wasn't going to be too much more assertive. Glancing beyond her, I noticed a hallway leading off to another part of the house. I keep records of all my pieces . â€Å"You're right,† I said abruptly. â€Å"We can't expect her to give out that kind of information. Right, Seth?† He turned to me again, giving me a curious glance. â€Å"Right?† It was more of a question than an agreement. Mary nearly melted in relief, her eyes all over Seth. â€Å"Oh, I knew you'd understand. I could tell right away that we think just alike. Kindred spirits and all that, you know? Just from the way you write I-â€Å" â€Å"Hey, Mary?† I interrupted. She looked over at me, again seeming astonished that I was still there. â€Å"Do you have a bathroom I could use?† â€Å"Bathroom?† she repeated, like it was a crazy concept. â€Å"It was a long drive,† I explained sweetly. â€Å"Besides, that'll give you and Seth a chance to get to know each other while he signs your books.† Her face brightened again, and she turned to Seth without another glance for me. â€Å"Oh, sure! That's a great idea, Georgia. It's down the hall.† I stood up. â€Å"Thanks.† Seth and I made brief eye contact. There was a look of both panic and wariness. He didn't want to be left alone. And he also knew I wouldn't give up the fight so easily. He suspected that I was up to something. He was right. I was about to go break into Mary's records.