Do We Need More or Less Regulation Research Paper

Do We Need More or Less Regulation in the Internet - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the United States is the top-ranked country with the highest host density1in cyberspace, ranked at 65.3%. It is a country that allows a high degree of competition to its new users, and so carries a great deal of responsibility on its shoulders. More importantly, in the US, IP telephony is unregulated because it is considered to be an information service. And given the high population of the internet community of the United States, regulation is not only a recommendation but a valid requirement. Unless properly regulated, the trends of internet usage promise a disastrous picture in the long run for the United States - both economically as well as socially. Socially, because the United States legislation, known for its strict regulatory framework on the international front, would prove to be a negligible threat to the ever-increasing community of Internet hackers, thieves, virus-creators, and so on. However, the economic numbers are far mo re intimidating. Hacking costs the United States economy close to $400 million every year2. Given the ever-multiplying community of internet unscrupulous minds, this number is a cause for grave concern. This dangerous figure of $400 million is the testimony to the fact that the security of cyberspace in the United States stands dangerously exposed, and unless serious steps are taken to amend the prevailing situation, cyberspace faces the risk of unscrupulous domination in the years to come. We live in a digital age. Most of our world is comprised of data and bytes instead of flesh and blood. In such a case, the need for internet regulation becomes imperative. The lack of internet regulation will lead to a state of cyber anarchy, a state of complete lawlessness where we will have no one else to blame except ourselves. The time has come for us to decide which is more important to us: Digital safety or artificial freedom. The main reason for internet regulation is its great influence o n our life - whether it is starting a business, getting legal advice, understanding the theory of relativity, or doing some jewelry shopping. The internet's presence is all-pervasive. For the sake of our expressions and thoughts, we prefer blogs (online internet diaries) instead of conventional methods (it is claimed that there are over 14 million blogs on the internet and one blog is created every half a second!). For starting a business, we prefer an online business as compared to the traditional brick-and-mortar. And for buying something, we prefer e-bay to the store on Regent Street. Yes, the internet has given us what we always wanted - absolute freedom. But is freedom all that is required Unless there is a sense of responsibility accompanying it, freedom will be a synonym of lawlessness. And in the present circumstances, we are witnessing a dangerous event of cyber anarchy. Just like anything else, the internet is to be used in a responsible manner.

Critical Lens for Romeo and Juliet and Of Mice and Men Essay Example for Free

Critical Lens for Romeo and Juliet and Of Mice and Men Essay Duff Brenna once said, All literature shows us the power of emotion. It is emotion, not reason that motivates characters in literature. To me, this quote means that it is emotion that causes characters to make decisions, not reason. I agree with this quote because characters in literature do what they feel is right at the time, not what they feel is logically right. In William Shakespeares tragedy Romeo and Juliet and John Steinbecks novella Of mice and Men, the characters demonstrate how emotion can overpower reason. In Romeo and Juliet, this statement is proven right. As the characters make decisions based on emotion, many literary elements are intertwined by William Shakespeare. Conflict is not only a literary element but also is a theme that is used throughout the whole playwright. For example, the passion of hate causes the Capulets and Montagues to constantly fight and feud. This External conflict interferes with Romeo and Juliets love and causes them not to tell their parents about their marriage. They have to constantly meet in secret and them not being able to see each other causes more major conflicts. For example, they feel so deeply for each other that they feel that they cannot live without the other. These strong emotions lead to many misunderstandings and eventually the death of the two star crossed lovers. If Romeo and Juliet were thinking within reason, they would have told their parents about their love and possibly may not have committed suicide. The death of Mercutio also causes problems between the characters. When Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo feels vengeance and anger towards Tybalt. If Romeo would have been thinking realistically, he would have told Prince Escalus about the killing and Tybalt would have gotten in trouble. Instead, Romeo makes a rash decision and kills Tybalt and later faces the consequence; being banished from Verona. In Addition, Shakespeare also uses the literary element of Characterization in Romeo and Juliet. After Tybalt dies, Capulet feels that he has the responsibility to lift the spirits of his family. He quickly arranges to have Juliet to marry Paris, a man whom she does not wish to marry. When Capulet does this, he follows his own feelings and doesnt reason with Juliet. After his actions, Capulet is looked upon as harsh, ridiculous and insensitive. Additionally, when Romeo kills himself on impulse,  characterization is used. As soon as Romeo sees that Juliet, the woman that he is deeply in love with, he feels that he cannot live with out her and commits suicide. As a reader, I thought that he could have gone on with out her but he kills himself anyways. Romeo is looked characterized as immature, irrational, and impractical. Conflict is also an effect of characters acting based on feeling, not reason in the story Of Mice and Men. For example, although Lennie is not the brightest bulb in the box, he should have had enough reasoning skills and know not to touch a womans skirt. However, his feeling of desire and attraction to touch the red skirt causes the woman to tell the police on Lennie and Lennie and George are run outta weed. After they are run out, they face having to move to a new ranch, and hopefully having no one find out the real reason why they left weed. Another example of a conflict is Curleys wife. She has an internal conflict. She wanted to feel happy and content with her life and she rushed into the marriage with Curley. In the end, she was unhappy and lonely because she was often times left alone all day while Curley worked or at night when the men went into town. The literary element of characterization is also used in Of Mice and Men. For example, when Lennie is run out of weed, George decides to go with him because he really cares about Lennie. He disregarded anything that he had in Weed and left. In this case, it is good that George followed what his feeling said because Lennie would have not been able to survive with out the help of George. As the bond between Lennie and George strengthens, George is characterized as accepting and tolerant. George also acts on feeling when he decides to kill Lennie himself. George does not want to put Lennie through the pain of dealing with Curley. George cares so much for Lennie that he puts him out of his misery right away instead of taking the risk of trying run away or move on to a new ranch with Lennie. George is looked upon as mature and understanding after his actions. In conclusion, in literature, characters are driven by the power of emotion, not reason. In William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet and John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men, many characters are shown as following their emotions  instead of reason. Sometimes the outcome was good, and other times, the outcome was not so good. In my opinion, when characters follow their emotions and do not reason, the author is trying to show the reader the good and bad consequences that can occur if there is no reason behind the actions that we make. Bibliography: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare- the book/playwrightOf mice and Men by John Steinbeck- the novellawww.sparknotes.com

Rise of Hitler :: World War II WWII WW2 Nazi Germany

Origins of the Nazi Party The Nazi Party was formed in January 1919 by Anton Drexler. Originally it was named the German Workers Party (DAP). Hitler joined in Autumn of 1919. He quickly rose to become the leader of the party. The party was transformed by Hitler and became a political party rather than the discussion group that it had been when he joined. The SA (Brownshirts) was formed to protect Hitler and other party leaders at meetings. It also disrupted the meetings of the Nazi’s political opponents. Appeal of the Nazi Party The military uniform of the SA appealed to many former soldiers. The aggressive berating of the Weimar leadership for signing the treaty of Versailles appealed to the disaffected and to former soldiers. Use of force and the parties strict discipline appealed to those who longed for a return to the old, militaristic rule that had preceded the First World War. Munich Putsch The party attempted to take control of the government by force. This failed as the Nazi’s did not enjoy widespread support at the time. The government was capable of controlling the armed forces and police. Hitler was imprisoned as a result of the Putsch (Uprising). In Prison Hitler thought about the methods he had used to try and take control. He realised that the Nazi’s would need to use legitimate, electoral means to assume power and that the appeal of his party would need to be widespread in order to achieve this. As a result he wrote â€Å"Meine Kampf†. This book outlines Hitler’s beliefs. Upon being released from prison Hitler started to reorganise the party. The SS (Blackshirts) were introduced as his own personal bodyguard: they later became a much larger organisation with many functions. People were employed within the party to work on strategy and the delivery of an aggressive advertising campaign (propaganda). This included Goebbels. Campaigning and the Rise to chancellorship The Nazi’s rise can be linked with the economic problems faced by Germany. They offered radical solutions to the economic crisis. Ignoring the treaty of Versailles and protecting the country from communism appealed to a wide range of people. Other policies included, but were not restricted to: Public works, anti-semiticism, reorganisation of the labour corps (workers), redistribution of wealth (welfare policies, how they help those in need). Economic policy was focussed on big business and manufacturing. The majority of the policies were populist (appealed to many people). The policies were advertised on the radio, at rallies, through leaflet distribution and through a show of strength. Rise of Hitler :: World War II WWII WW2 Nazi Germany Origins of the Nazi Party The Nazi Party was formed in January 1919 by Anton Drexler. Originally it was named the German Workers Party (DAP). Hitler joined in Autumn of 1919. He quickly rose to become the leader of the party. The party was transformed by Hitler and became a political party rather than the discussion group that it had been when he joined. The SA (Brownshirts) was formed to protect Hitler and other party leaders at meetings. It also disrupted the meetings of the Nazi’s political opponents. Appeal of the Nazi Party The military uniform of the SA appealed to many former soldiers. The aggressive berating of the Weimar leadership for signing the treaty of Versailles appealed to the disaffected and to former soldiers. Use of force and the parties strict discipline appealed to those who longed for a return to the old, militaristic rule that had preceded the First World War. Munich Putsch The party attempted to take control of the government by force. This failed as the Nazi’s did not enjoy widespread support at the time. The government was capable of controlling the armed forces and police. Hitler was imprisoned as a result of the Putsch (Uprising). In Prison Hitler thought about the methods he had used to try and take control. He realised that the Nazi’s would need to use legitimate, electoral means to assume power and that the appeal of his party would need to be widespread in order to achieve this. As a result he wrote â€Å"Meine Kampf†. This book outlines Hitler’s beliefs. Upon being released from prison Hitler started to reorganise the party. The SS (Blackshirts) were introduced as his own personal bodyguard: they later became a much larger organisation with many functions. People were employed within the party to work on strategy and the delivery of an aggressive advertising campaign (propaganda). This included Goebbels. Campaigning and the Rise to chancellorship The Nazi’s rise can be linked with the economic problems faced by Germany. They offered radical solutions to the economic crisis. Ignoring the treaty of Versailles and protecting the country from communism appealed to a wide range of people. Other policies included, but were not restricted to: Public works, anti-semiticism, reorganisation of the labour corps (workers), redistribution of wealth (welfare policies, how they help those in need). Economic policy was focussed on big business and manufacturing. The majority of the policies were populist (appealed to many people). The policies were advertised on the radio, at rallies, through leaflet distribution and through a show of strength.

Gravity: Meaning of Life and Crystal Bowl Essay

Symbolism is a good tool to use when we come across difficult abstract concepts such as life and death. For example, in her article entitled â€Å"Gravity†, David Leavitt tells us a story about how a mom named Sylvia encourages her HIV infected son Theo to live longer. When Theo started to have bad eye sight in his childhood Sylvia just let him wear her flamboyant glasses despite that people around them all think that Theo looks strange. After Theo grew up, between a drug that could sustain his life and a drug that could save his sight, Theo chose the second one. Sylvia worried that Theo would give up the hope for living, so she tried to encourage Theo to live by a strange way which similar to the way she help him with his sight when he was a child. She threw a very heavy crystal bowl to Theo when they were shopping in a gift store. Theo caught the bowl without thinking. Theo realized that by throwing the bowl, on one side, Sylvia tended to prove that he is still alive. On the other side, Sylvia wanted to encourage him to live longer. The crystal bowl in the story represents exactly what Theo was going through. It symbolizes both life and death. It represents life because it was heavy and valuable â€Å"(The crystal bowl is) Four hundred and twenty- five dollars† (l. 88) This shows that the crystal bowl is very valuable just like that human’s life is very precious. In the same time, crystal bowl represent death because it could easily been shattered. Theo was surprised that he actually did not shatter the bowl â€Å"Theo looked at the floor, still surprised not to see shards of glass around his feet. † (l. 96-97) If the crystal bowl were broken, it would have not value or meaning just like it has lost its life. So, the Crystal bowl in the story represents death. If the bowl shattered, it just like a person lost his/her life. The crystal bowl also represents the character and hopes of Sylvia. The crystal in the story is very showing and pricy. â€Å"(The crystal bowl is) a large ridges crystal bowl, a very fifties sort of bowl, stalwart and square-jawed. † (l. 84-86) It represents Sylvia’s flamboyant and materialism characters. The author tells us that Sylvia has a flamboyant character by describing Sylvia’s bold and flashy glasses†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ harlequins with tiny rhinestones in the corners†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (l.9) The author also implies that Sylvia is quite materialism by showing us that she care a lot about the price of a graduation gift her sister given to her son â€Å"Don’t you remember that cheap little nothing Bibi gave you for your graduation? It was disgusting. †(l. 50-51) On the other hand, the crystal bowl represents the strength of Sylvia’s hope for Theo to live because the crystal bowl is heavy â€Å"’That’s heavy,’ Sylvia said, observing with satisfaction how the bowl had weighted Theo’s arms down†(l. 93-94) The heavier the stronger, so the heaviness of the crystal bowl represent the strong will and hope of Sylvia. The author shows us that Sylvia is a strong willed woman who has done extremely stressful things in a role â€Å"The DHPG injections she (Sylvia) took in stride—she’s seen her own mother through her dying, after all, Four times a day, with the equanimity of a nurse, she cleaned out the plastic tube implanted in his chest, inserted a sterilized hypodermic a Sylvia and slowly dripped bag of sight-giving liquid into his vein†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (l.17-20) It shows that Sylvia has tremendous strength just like the toughness the crystal bowl appeared to be. The author also shows us that Sylvia’s hope for Theo to live is very strong. Even though Sylvia was stressed out †Yet she (Sylvia) had also, at about three o’clock one morning, woken him up to tell him she was going to the twenty-four- hour supermarket, and was there anything her wanted†(1. 122-124) This shows that Sylvia was on the edge of mental broken-down. But Sylvia still keeps strong hope for Theo to live â€Å"†¦ it had occurred to him (Theo) that she (Sylvia) was trusting his two feeble hands, out of the whole world, to keep it from shattering. † This shows that after all, Sylvia strongly hoped that, showing Theo that he was still strong by throwing the crystal bowl and letting him catch it, Theo would not continue on giving up his life but choose to live longer. The crystal also symbolized the general message which the author is trying to convey to the readers: life should be fully lived. The author shows that Theo was dying and tended to giving up his life. He felt â€Å"†¦wide and unswimmable the gulf was becoming between him and the evereceding shoreline of the will †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (l. 35-36) Even though he felt that way, he still caught the heavy crystal bowl without thinking. It shows the underlining deep and significant meaning of the story â€Å"There are certain things you’ve already done before you even think how to do them†¦ the bowl, which Theo was holding before he could even begin to calculate its brief trajectory†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (l. 131-133) This shows us that all human have an instinct for living. By showing us this, the story conveys a message to the readers that even though life is violable like the fragile crystal bowl; it doesn’t mean that we should give up. Instead, we should look at the positive side of life. Just like the crystal bowl also heavy and strong side, human lives also have a strong side because very one have instinct for living. Therefore, we should have faith to ourselves and stop complaining our own misery but start to look at life in a positive way, and realize that our lives should be fully lived.

Black People and American Dominant Culture Essay

* A sign is anything that could be used to stand for something else. The two parts are a recognizable signifier (form that the sign takes) with a signified (the concept that it represents) 2. According to Howard Zinn, whose voices are the ones often neglected by/ left out of history? * The voices left out are done by those who are not popular, the common man. 3. Zinn discussed the language used in the Declaration of Independence, and that used in the United States Constitution to describe the rights to which everyone is entitled. How do they differ and what greater conflict does this discrepancy represent? * ‘Our people are basically decent and caring, and our highest ideals are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which says all of us have an equal right to â€Å"life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ * The America that we â€Å"know is a country that had slavery and still has racism, had a president who was seen as a hero who loved war and 4. Describe Ronald Takaki calls the â€Å"Master Narrative† of American history. What two assumptions does this version of American history rely upon, and what problems does this pose for the study of America’s history and contemporary understandings of who/what is American? * Master narrative: the â€Å"power and popular but inaccurate story† declaring that â€Å"our country was settled by European immigrants, and Americans are white. † * A filter through which we learn history * Leaves out all the other cultures that live in America 5. How does James Hoopes define oral history vs. oral tradition? Does American dominant culture have a strong oral tradition? Why/why not? * Oral history: documents collected by tape recorder. Used by social scientists in â€Å"participant observation† studies * Oral tradition: Usual name for verbal stories passed on from one generation to the next 6. What are the strengths/advantages of oral history as a methodology? What are the limitation/weaknesses of oral history? How can these limitations/weaknesses be supported? * Strengths: it can find the point of view of the people who originally had no voice before. It can be used to find more details that may otherwise prove what is traditionally taught as wrong or different. Can be used to make documentation stronger * Weaknesses: Memory is fallible, needs documentation to provide validity, people may lie, bias, only living people, reluctance 7. What group of people was the subject of study in Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold? Why do the authors argue it was important to study these women? Were they part of a political movement? In what way(s) did they contribute to social change in the U. S.? * Subject of study: Working class lesbians from the mid-1930’s to the early 1960’s in Buffalo, New York * The focus revealed the centrality of butch-fem roles. * Women’s openness about their lesbianism was crucial not only to the communities they helped form in their own time but to all lesbian communities which they have provided a model for that have emerged since. * They even go so far as to posit that these older lesbians and their lives constitute a prepolitical stage of the 1970’s gay rights movement. 8. What kinds of challenges did the women in Storming Caesars Palace face growing up in the South? What was the name of the organization that they created and ran together? What kinds of services were they able to make available to residents on the west side of Las Vegas? * The women faced racism, discrimination, lack of jobs, welfare, income, fathers leaving, marriages failing. Women saw marrying early as a way to get out of this but turned out to be wrong. The organization that they created was called Operation Life which created community programs that included a medical center, library, senior citizen housing and daycare. 9. What stereotypes are often associated with those who collect welfare? When welfare was created, who did it primarily benefit? Who was excluded from receiving benefits? * Stereotypes are often associated with poor people, have kids only for more welfare, lazy, can’t find work, too lazy to find work. Cheating the system, getting paid too much. â€Å"driving Cadillacs†, too many kids * Black women were denied birth control, doctors encouraged black women to have sex at a young age * When it was created it primarily benefited the white community (white widows and orphans) *social security and unemployment: excluded domestic work and agricultural) * Blacks were denied welfare (Domestic work and agricultural work) most black women ended up doing those jobs. 10. According to the film Crips and Bloods: Made in America, how have Black men typically been characterized in American dominant culture? How is this reflected by the proportion of Black men in America who end up jailed/imprisoned during their lifetimes? How did those we heard from in the film characterize the penitentiary system and law enforcement efforts to wage a â€Å"war on drugs/crime? † * Black men are typically characterized in American dominant culture as having a tendency to do crime and that the life they live is the life they chose and want. * 1 in 4 black men are incarcerated in their lifetimes in the area. However this isn’t the life that they chose for themselves. The life that the white people, law enforcement has placed upon them forced them into the life that they were trying to avoid. * They said that the â€Å"war on drugs/crime† ended up being a war on black people 11. According to the film, what factors contributed to these rise of urban street gangs in Los Angeles? What kinds of opportunities were not available to young people in these neighborhoods? Why do young people join gangs, and what do they get out of being in a gang? * Territorial boundaries, discrimination, gangs, police force forced them into this life. No father figures, police force incarcerating black fathers * They were not able to join organized groups and as a result joined a gang to feel accepted. They did that to get some sense of family and they looked after one another, and protection, fed one another 12. How were the actions of African American residents during the Watts Rebellion characterized by media and law enforcement? How did they describe themselves? * The media and law enforcement saw it as a â€Å"riot† that it was unorganized chaos * They perceived it as a â€Å"rebellion† that they knew fully well what they were doing and that it was organized and that white people didn’t think black people had the capable thought of organizing together. 13. How is violence characterized/interpreted differently depending on who commits acts of violence? When is violence deemed acceptable/unacceptable? * LAPD/National Guard: Supposed to keep the police. * Black community: Characterized differently. * Before civil war: Black men seen as foolish. * After civil war: Seen as dangerous, naturally brutes, slavery helped civilized them, seeing as a threat to the entire social fabric (white women in particular) * Allowed justification for lynching black men by whites * 14. How does Anderson define â€Å"nation? † What are the 4 defining characteristics of the nation? * Nation: â€Å"an imagined political community – and imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign. † 1. Limited 2. Community 3. Sovereign 4. Imagined 15. Explain the concept of American exceptionalism. In what ways in an emphasis on American exceptionalism reflected in American culture? What founding myths promoted this idea? What two central weaknesses have criticisms of American exceptionalism focused on? * American Exceptionalism: The idea that America is unique, special, â€Å"City upon a Hill. † Essentialize American identity. Isolation from within. * Manifest Destiny: Encouraged expansion * Frontier Thesis: Rugged individualism, crucial experience, closing of the frontier, bring forth imperialism, spread freedom and democracy * City upon a Hill (society would be an exemplar of God’s will) * Weaknesses: Makes America close minded to other ways of culture or life. We believe that our way of doing things is the best and that we must spread our ideas onto other countries makes us seem imperialistic. 16. Describe how the stock minstrel show characters like the Sambo, Mammy, Coon, and Uncle were portrayed. What function did these portrayals play in Antebellum American culture? What did these images say about the institution of slavery? How did images of Black Americans (and Black men in particular) change following the Civil War? What did this reflect/justify? How was Emancipation portrayed in popular media? How were Black children, or â€Å"Pickaninnies,† often represented? What was the purpose/function of such stereotypes? * Sambo – Happy slave, docile, slave in their natural placed, used to seem to resolve the moral and political in the conflict of having slavery in a free country * Mammy – woman version of the Sambo, fat woman, docile does not have the qualities of the white woman (beauty), worked for the white man, never evoked sexual feeling, seen as the controller in their own family. Men are weak, women are strong. * Coon –ignorant black man, tries to act intelligent, dresses like a white man but acts like a fool, gambler after the civil war. * Uncle – existed before Civil War. Old slave, fond of the master’s family, loyal. After Civil War, misses slavery, goes back to visit master to reminisce * Pickaninnies – black children as animal like, always by a river, messy hair, having alligators pursuing children 17. How does the United States Constitution characterize the relationship between government and religion? How is the significance of religion, particularly Protestant Christianity reflected in American public life? * 1st Amendment talks about separation between church and state * However we always have the image of God. â€Å"In God we trust† â€Å"God bless America† â€Å"One nation under God† Presidents always reference Him 18. In what ways did the emergence of an American middle class in 19th century transform the American family? What is the Ideology of Separate Spheres? According to the Cult of Domesticity, what are the four virtuous attributes that the Victorian True Woman was expected to embody? * Body of ideas reflecting the social needs and apparitions of an individual, group, class or culture. * Women were expected to stay home and watch over the children and teach them religion while the men went out to work * Ideology of Separate Spheres: * Public: Work, education, business, economics, toughness, educated, confident, aggressive and competitive * Private: Childrearing, cleaning, cooking, seeing, submissive, kind, caring, loving, nurturing. * Cult of Domesticity: 1. Piety (religious devotion) 2. Purity (chaste/sexual purity/virginity) 3. Submissiveness (Obedient as little children) 4. Domesticity (â€Å"Home Sweet Home†, refuge for husband) 19. How does George Ritzer describe the â€Å"McDonaldisation† of society? Identify and describe the four key concepts of â€Å"McDonaldisation. † * Process of rationalization, taken to extreme levels * Culture possesses the characteristics of a fast food nation 1. Efficiency – The optimum method of completing a task. The rational determination of the best mode of production. Individuality is not allowed. 2. Calculability – Assessment of outcomes based on quantifiable rather than subjective criteria. Quantity over quality. 3. Predictability – the production process is organized to guarantee uniformity of product and standardized outcomes 4. Control – The substitution of more predictable non-human labor for human labor, either through automation or deskilling of the work force. Key Terms: 1. Semiotics – The study of signs and symbols 2. Oral History – tape – recorded historical information obtained in interviews concerning personal experiences and recollections. 3. Oral Tradition – Verbal stories passed on from one generation to the next 4. Nation (as defined by Benedict Anderson) – â€Å"an imagined political community [that is] imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign† 5. Myth – a traditional story, esp, one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, 6. Ideology- a systematic body of concepts of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture. 7. American Exceptionalism – Essentialize American identity. Isolation from within. America is superior society 8. City Upon a Hill – The society that would be an exemplar of God’s will 9. Manifest Destiny – America was superior and they offered the best. Indians were primitive in comparison. As a result America expanded westward to bring education, technology, and religion and drive the Indians out of their land and bring expansion. God’s plan to expand from coast to coast. Bring progress to a virgin land 10. Frontier Thesis – Frederick Jackson Turner: The wellsprings of American exceptionalism and vitality have always been the American frontier, the region between urbanized, civilized society and the untamed wilderness. The frontier created freedom, â€Å"breaking the bonds of custom, offering new experiences, and calling out new institutions and activities. † 11. Patriarchy – social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line. Control by men of a disproportionately large share of power 12. Imperialism – The policy practice of extending the power of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining indirect control by the political or economic life of other areas. 13. Globalization – process of increasing connectivity, services are transported though borders.

Funny Quotations About Paying Taxes

Funny Quotations About Paying Taxes Like it or not, you have to pay your taxes. The trouble is that understanding taxation requires more than a genius mind. Even Albert Einstein admitted, The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax. So, if its that time of year when youre drowning in reams of paperwork and trying to make sense of all the mumbo-jumbo, its time to take a break. Read these funny tax quotes over a cup of coffee and share a laugh with someone wholl appreciate the humor. If the caffeine doesnt work, these tax quotes will surely perk you up. Amusing Taxation Quotes Throughout History Mark TwainThe only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. Will RogersIt is a good thing that we do not get as much government as we pay for. James MadisonI cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents... Will RogersAlexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even. Robert A. HeinleinThere is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him. Arthur GodfreyI am proud to be paying taxes in the United States. The only thing is I could be just as proud for half of the money. H. L. MenckenUnquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes as he formerly got in wages. Albert Einstein[on filing for tax returns] This is too difficult for a mathematician. It takes a philosopher. John S. ColemanThe point to remember is that what the government gives it must first take away. Herman WoukIncome tax returns are the most imaginative fiction being written today. Dr. Laurence J. PeterAmerica is a land of taxation that was founded to avoid taxation. Milton FriedmanCongress can raise taxes because it can persuade a sizable fraction of the populace that somebody else will pay. John Maynard KeynesThe avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that carries any reward. Winston ChurchillThere is no such thing as a good tax. Will RogersThe income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has. Plato When there is an income tax, the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same amount of income. Albert EinsteinThe hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax. Benjamin TuckerTo force a man to pay for the violation of his own liberty is indeed an addition of insult to injury. Will RogersThe difference between death and taxes is death doesnt get worse every time Congress meets. Ronald ReaganThe taxpayer: thats someone who works for the federal government, but doesnt have to take a civil service examination. Robert A. HeinleinBe wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss. Winston ChurchillWe contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. G. Gordon LiddyA liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money. Barry GoldwaterThe income tax created more criminals than any other single act of government. Calvin CoolidgeCollecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery. Dan BennettTheres nothing wrong with the younger generation that becoming taxpayers wont cure. Martin A. SullivanThere may be liberty and justice for all, but there are tax breaks only for some. Jewish ProverbTaxes grow without rain. Thomas Jefferson The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our own money for unexplained projects forbids it in the dispensation of the public monies. Robert DoleThe principle involved here is time-honored and true: and that is its your money. Robert DoleThe purpose of a tax cut is to leave more money where it belongs: in the hands of the working men and working women who earned it in the first place.   Rob KnauerhaseIsnt it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fools Day and ends with cries of May Day!? Roger JonesI guess I think of lotteries as a tax on the mathematically challenged. Jean-Baptiste ColbertThe art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest amount of feathers with the least amount of hissing. Benjamin Franklin, ​Poor Richards Almanac​It would be a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their income.

Literature Research Worksheet Essay Example

Literature Research Worksheet Essay Example Literature Research Worksheet Essay Literature Research Worksheet Essay Nursing Research and Practice June 18, 2012 Jacquelyn Zirbes University of Phoenix Material Literature Search Worksheet * Select a literature search topic relevant to your practice. The topic must be sufficiently delineated in scope without being trivial. You will revisit this article in the Week Five presentation. Possible topics include but are not limited to: * * Non-pharmacological pain relief with childbirth * Effects of shift work and fatigue on medication errors Best practices for pin site care * Nurse satisfaction in magnet hospitals * Accurate temperature assessment methods in neonates * Pain assessment in the cognitively impaired * Childhood type II diabetes and obesity * Complementary and alternative therapies for control of menopausal symptoms * Best practices in nurse-led smoking cessation classes * Thermoregulation in the operating room * Best practices for pain assessment and management in specified area of practice * * Complete the table below: * * Which topic did you choose? * Best practices for pain assessment and management in specified area of practice * , for relevant research on this subject. What key words did you use in the Search Strategy fields? Include all attempts and limitations used to refine your search. * 1. I used the key words: Pain assessment and management; Pain management orthopedic surgery; NSAIDs use in orthopedic surgery; 2. I limited my search to peer reviewed journals only. 3. I also refined my search by using full text journals that were published between 2001-2012. * | * * Report the number of citations identified from each database in the number of articles found field. * * 1. EBSCOhost: 9 * 2. ProQuest: 9064 * 3. PUBMED: 2154 * | * Select one article from a peer-reviewed nursing journal published within the last three years- or a germinal article which may contain an earlier publication date- and provide the citation in APA format. * Leach, D. , amp; Bonfe, M. (2009). The effectiveness of Femoral/Sciatic nerve blocks on postoperative pain management in total knee arthroplasty. Orthopaedic Nursing,  28(5), 257-62. http://search. proquest. com/docview/195964994? accountid=35812 * | * Answer the following questions using your selected research article: * 1. Is this qualitative or quantitative? What is the study design? What criteria did you use to determine the study design? * * My article is a quan titative research. The researchers used an experimental research design which includes a total of 130 patients who had total knee replacements. The controlled group of 65 patients received general or spinal anesthesia with conventional narcotic management postoperatively, while the intervention group of 65 patients received general or spinal anesthesia with femoral/sciatic nerve block post-operatively. * The criteria I used to determine the study design is looking at what kind of study the research is. In descriptive and correlational studies, there are no treatments involved (Burns amp; Grove, 2011). Since this study has treatments involve and the researchers have control over the treatments, it is experimental. Experimental study also uses a smaller sample size like the sample size in the article. It also involves 3 characteristics namely: (1) controlled manipulation of at least one treatment variable (independent variable); (2) exposure of some of the subjects to the treatment (experimental group), and no exposure of the remaining subjects (control group); and (3) random assignment of subjects to either the control or experimental group (Hopkins, 2008). 2. How did you confirm that the journal you selected was peer-reviewed or germinal? * * According to Burns amp; Groves, there are clues to know if an article is peer-reviewed. Some of the clues are finding out where the article originated, the number of references they used in the study and if the journal goes through a review process through their editorial board (2011, p. 191). I confirmed that the journal I selected was peer- reviewed based on the where my article originated. I found this article using ProQuest which gave me an option in searching only peer-reviewed articles. Aside from this, the article has 15 references which are from journals, nationally accredited organizations and textbooks. The article is from Orthopaedic Nursing Journal which is an international journal providing continuing education for orthopaedic nurses and focuses on a wide variety of clinical settings. It also provides departmental sections on current events, organizational activities, research, product and drug information, and literature findings. Articles reflect a commitment to professional development and the nursing profession as well as clinical, administrative, academic, and research areas of the orthopaedic specialty (NAON, 2011). The Orthopaedic Nursing Journal also has an editorial committee that reviews their articles before publishing them. 3. Does this research article generate support for evidence-based practice? If not, state why it does not. * * Using the critical appraisal guide, I believe that my research article generates support for evidence-based practice. The purpose of their study was clearly stated: To evaluate the effectiveness of femoral/sciatic nerve blocks on post-operative knee replacements. The inclusions and exclusions criteria were also reported. Patients were excluded if they had a history of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis or drug/alcohol dependence. In addition, patient who had received antiemetic prior to surgery, those with documented evidence of pre-operative cognitive impairment, or those who required admission to a critical care unit during their postoperative course were also excluded (Leach amp; Bonfe, 2009). The conclusion of the study was supported by the data from their research. The femoral/sciatic group members experienced less pain and increased functional range of motion. Their findings also support the research done by Cook et al. (2003) – that the use of femoral/sciatic blockade produces less pain and use of adjunct narcotics. Our facility uses evidence-based practice in our treatment plans. Finding this article validates why our orthopedic surgeons uses femoral/sciatic blocks on our total knee replacement post-operatively. It is interesting to find out literature that supports our practice.

Ethics and Values in Social Work Essay Sample

Ethics and Values in Social Work Essay Sample Social Work Values and Ethics Essay Ethics and values often go hand in hand. There is always some form of correlation between one’s actions and a doer of actions. It is a combination of the two that can play a crucial role in the determination of one’s values, standards, and subsequently, morality. Social work, to a great extent, entails the interaction between individuals. In social work as a field, the code of ethics always plays an important role. It forms the basis of everything that the field is all about. A value carries various meanings and definitions but generally, entail the combination of reasons and drive that are behind every action that an individual does, be it right or wrong. Values in social work can be exemplified by respect to everyone, as well as the aspect of self-determinism. Since social work traces much of its existence in the various interactions between people, it also recognizes the complex nature of such interactions, especially when it comes to doing with human beings and the surrounding. It has taken a great deal of its knowledge body from such complexities, in order to influence individual change in one way or another. Subsequently, such values play a key role in helping the social worker to be able to make wise decisions when it comes to sociocultural challenges and injustices. Social work professionals aim at empowering members in the society who are vulnerable, oppressed or impoverished. Ethics and values in social work outline that social work entails various core values for instance dignity, social justice, integrity, valuing human interrelationships and competence. The core of the social work profession is the social work code of ethics and values which helps the workers make sound judgments while handing clients if caring ethnicity, race or religion. Value and actions link directly, and thus we are judged according to the values we express through an action once we perform it. Ethics and values in social work dictate how we can interpret and resolve dilemmas between different values in a professional manner. The article grants guidelines on some ethical practices and their roles in the determination of actions basing on the social work significance. Ethics and values in social work illustrates how we can access the ethics concept and show how it is employed to examine daily operations in the social work practices. These two aspects of social work also allows us to analyze the major role of governance among the representative bodies within the social work activities. Ethics and value in social work describe values as set guidelines and rules in the wrong or right decisions individuals make. It’s evident that values facilitate the recognition of the actions as valuable or worthy and thus we can evaluate what is vital and what is less important in case a conflict of values erupts. Ethics and values in social work explain that the core values within a social work practice inform our understanding of diversity. The values and ethics in social work are not just part of the whole field, they actually constitute the entire field. They literally dictate how social workers interact with real life problems or challenges, by providing them with the set platform through which they can use to do it. From a sociocultural point of view, this helps in understanding the complexities of human interactions, while helping to make sense out of it.

The experience of child-soldiers upon their return in the local Essay - 1

The experience of child-soldiers upon their return in the local communities (Nepal case) - Essay Example Demobilisation is the withdrawal of soldiers from armed groups, and reintegration implies the return of soldiers to civilian life. Reintegration is usually viewed to be an indefinite economic and social mechanism that occurs in communities locally (Wessells, 2006). This essay analyses the experience of child soldiers in Nepal upon their return in the local communities. The first section explains the social and psychological issues of redistributed child soldiers, followed by an analysis of the initiatives taken by the Nepal government and other organisations to help in the process. And the final section presents suggestions for possible alternative approaches. The United Nations considers the return of child soldiers in their local communities a complicated, continuous process that necessitates substantial resources. The urgent task is finding the families of the child soldiers in order to bring them back to their families and communities (Kuper, 1997). Although this may seem easy, it is often filled with difficulties. In numerous cases, the families and communities may have been severely damaged by war, are in dismal financial condition, and cannot take care of or support returning combatants. According to Gates (2010), even though it is at t imes claimed that child soldiers must be capable of regaining their ‘lost childhood,’ this is practically unattainable. The Maoists’ practice of enlisting children for combat or military assistance is one of the most troubling realities of the civil war in Nepal. The Maoists have exploited various methods for recruiting children (e.g. use of misleading campaigns, kidnapping of children) (Aryal, 2011). At the peak of the civil war, in territories strongly ruled by Maoists, the rebels enforced a ‘one family, one child’ policy in which every family had to offer a recruit or suffer serious punishment (Human Rights Watch, 2007, p. 5). The

Trategic Marketing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Trategic Marketing Plan - Essay Example Today, thi form of global marketing i referred to a the hybrid trategic approach, or "glocalization." The trategic intent i to ue a centralized trategic "footprint" to build global brand identity, while allowing country-pecific flexibility in the executional or tactical and communication mix deciion. When determining what the trategic implication are for global interactive advertiing under thi form of marketing, one find that the concept of global marketing and global interactive advertiing are no longer utilizing an ethnocentric perpective. Intead, global marketing hould be conidered polycentric or geocentric (outward looking). Global marketing acknowledge and ue trategic intent to coordinate the combination of centralized corporate or brand directive with more localized adaptation in interactive advertiing placement and executional deciion-making. Thu, global marketing doe ugget that reaching global conumer i a trategically intended outcome of a hybrid trategic approach. In more de tail, four main factor included in the above-mentioned approach are product, price, place, and promotion. In other word, when marketing their product, whether locally or globally, firm need to create a ucceful mix of: A product i defined a: "Anything that i capable of atifying cutomer need". Then the product i the central point on which marketing energy mut focu. Finding out how to make the product, etting up the production line, providing the finance and manufacturing the product are not the reponibility of the only marketing function. However, it i alo concerned with what the product mean to the cutomer. Marketing therefore play a key role in determining uch apect a: * the appearance of the product - in line with the requirement of the market * the function of the product - product mut addre the need of cutomer a identified through market reearch. Buinee need to regularly develop new product and market for future growth. A ueful way of looking at growth opportunitie i the Anoff Growth Matrix which ugget that there are four main way in which growth can be achieved through a product trategy: (1) Market penetration - Increae ale of an exiting product in an exiting market (2) Product development - Improve preent product and/or develop new product for the current market (3) Market development - ell exiting product into new market (e.g. developing export ale) (4) Diverification - Develop new product for new market Analyi and Interpretation One thing hould be pointed out i how a product appear in relation to other product in the market, or how importance the brand of a product i. Brand i a mixture of tangible and intangible attribute ymbolized in a trademark, which, if properly managed, permit a buine to differentiate it product and ervice from thoe of it competitor, add extra value for conumer who value the brand and improve profitability. Profeor David Jober identifie even main factor in building ucceful brand: Quality Quality i a vital ingredient of a good brand. Remember the "core benefit" - the thing conumer expect. Thee mut be delivered well, conitently, etc... Reearch confirm that, tatitically, higher quality brand achieve a higher market hare and higher profitability than their inferior competitor. Poitioning Poitioning i about the poition a brand occupie in a

The Portrayal of AIDS in Mexico Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Portrayal of AIDS in Mexico - Research Paper Example Portraying the message in the correct manner will make a difference in the promotion of protection and safety of AIDS while providing a stronger basis for the communication and messages received by the public. Before developing an advertising campaign for AIDS in Mexico, there needs to be an understanding of the target market. The perceptions about AIDS and the affiliations that are a part of the cultural and social concepts of the area will make a difference in the ability to respond effectively to the current trends in AIDS. More importantly, the understanding of the cultural and social aspects will create a response from society in a positive manner. The more that the message can communicate about the importance of understanding the disease, without a sense of offense or other complications, the more successful it can become in creating prevention and safety measures within Mexico. The beginning of the AIDs epidemic was focused on the individual relationships and practices that were a part of society. Specifically, there was a strong association with the way that individuals carried out specific relationships and the different concepts related to sexual practices. However, it was later found that there are also relationships to cultural and social attitudes toward AIDs and the practices that are a part of society. More importantly, the amount of information and the presentation of knowledge through the media make a difference in understanding of HIV, as well as the transmission of the disease. Different cultures will respond to the information differently and will have a different perception of the disease. The main attitudes that are a part of the Mexican culture are important to examine, specifically because the information that is presented will make a difference in how it is perceived by the public, as  well as what the responses will be in society as a response for prevention and safety measures (Parker, 2001).

Group Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Group Behavior - Essay Example Successful management of the conflict makes the team stronger. Knowing the origin of a conflict helps a leader determine whether it is functional or dysfunctional. Functional conflicts are productive while the dysfunctional conflicts are disruptive. Common sources of conflict in the team are the limitation of resources and the values, attitudes, goals, roles, personalities, interdependency and interaction of the team members. Allan C. Amazon has identified two types of conflict, namely the cognitive conflict and the affective conflict. Amazon’s research suggests that both types of conflicts are necessarily present in any kind of group, with the cognitive conflict being productive and the affective conflict being disruptive. Cognitive conflicts lead to the personal growth of the team members, identification of a workable solution, increased integration and cohesiveness of the team members whereas the affective conflicts lead to unresolved problems, waste of energy, decline in t he team’s morale and team division. Training of the team members in such core competencies as knowledge of conflict resolution methods, entrustment and cooperation are fundamental to the success of a team. The Monmouth University proposes a five-stage conflict management strategy. The five stages are awareness of the conflict resolution, training of conflict resolution, mediation, reinforcement workshops and program institutionalization. Conflict resolution requires a leader to remain impartial and promote mutual understanding among the team members. To help prevent the conflict from occurring, the leader should establish ground rules at the outset, develop team agreement on the way to resolve conflict, train the team members on communication skills, and focus on the team’s objectives. There are numerous reactive strategies that a leader may adopt to resolve the conflict. The leader can either adopt an authoritative style, a splitting

What do you think is the most significant change in correctional Essay - 2

What do you think is the most significant change in correctional policy in the last 100 year and why important - Essay Example Violators of social norms, rights and freedom are referred to as offenders. The correctional policy is designed to address the resultant conflict that emerges when the justice system is jeopardized by individuals or groups of people. One of the significant changes that have been realized in the correctional policy is the embracement of the fact that offenders have rights. In the early stages of the implementation of the policy, the rights and freedoms of individuals subjected to the policy were often curtailed and therefore not observed. However, over the years, the fact that the offenders have rights too have been upheld, leading to from time to time reforms that account for the welfare of both the offenders and the community prior to the interests of the policy. Secondly, the policy has evaluated and assessed punishment mechanisms in a bid to realize the required corrections. In this regard, diversity and dynamism in modes and mechanisms of punishments have been adopted over the years. While strict and specific procedures of corrections were employed in the earlier years of the practice of the policy, reforms, rehabilitation, reintegration and restraint are common in the policy today (Roberts & Springer 32). On the same note, the policy’s diversity has made it possible for its practice to encompass alternative programs that ease pressure in correctional facilities. Sentencing guidelines prior to the desired goals and objectives of the correctional policy have significantly changed over the last 100 years. Uniformity and proportionality are the two primary aspects that have characterized this change (Cole & Smith 495). Offenses of the same or similar magnitude are critically matched to carry the same sentences, as provided for by the policy. With regard to proportionality, the policy differentiates between offences and

Group Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Group Behavior - Essay Example Successful management of the conflict makes the team stronger. Knowing the origin of a conflict helps a leader determine whether it is functional or dysfunctional. Functional conflicts are productive while the dysfunctional conflicts are disruptive. Common sources of conflict in the team are the limitation of resources and the values, attitudes, goals, roles, personalities, interdependency and interaction of the team members. Allan C. Amazon has identified two types of conflict, namely the cognitive conflict and the affective conflict. Amazon’s research suggests that both types of conflicts are necessarily present in any kind of group, with the cognitive conflict being productive and the affective conflict being disruptive. Cognitive conflicts lead to the personal growth of the team members, identification of a workable solution, increased integration and cohesiveness of the team members whereas the affective conflicts lead to unresolved problems, waste of energy, decline in t he team’s morale and team division. Training of the team members in such core competencies as knowledge of conflict resolution methods, entrustment and cooperation are fundamental to the success of a team. The Monmouth University proposes a five-stage conflict management strategy. The five stages are awareness of the conflict resolution, training of conflict resolution, mediation, reinforcement workshops and program institutionalization. Conflict resolution requires a leader to remain impartial and promote mutual understanding among the team members. To help prevent the conflict from occurring, the leader should establish ground rules at the outset, develop team agreement on the way to resolve conflict, train the team members on communication skills, and focus on the team’s objectives. There are numerous reactive strategies that a leader may adopt to resolve the conflict. The leader can either adopt an authoritative style, a splitting

Paper Cash vs. Accrual Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Paper Cash vs. Accrual Accounting - Essay Example Only cash payments and cash receipts are recorded. The two methods are similar in the sense that their balance sheets include both liabilities and assets. The cash accounting is common among small business owners. For businesses that record annual sales of more than five million dollars or keep an inventory of items they to sell to the public, the accrual method is prescribed (Pinson, 2007). It is easier to grasp the principles of cash accounting as compared to accruals accounting. It is also cheaper to hire accountants for cash accounting as opposed to the accruals method. In planning tax, the cash accounting is preferable by businesses because they are taxed basing on their present cash flow and not accounts receivables (Pinson, 2007). Question Two The benefit of the accrual method is that it is good at matching expenses and revenues. This method also presents a more accurate status of a company’s financial position since its financial statements are more detailed (Bragg, 20 10). The balance sheets also contain more entries because they list non cash entries too. However, the disadvantage is that it is poor at keeping track of cash. Since revenues are recorded when a business transaction takes place, the business statement will indicate that revenue is generated even without the bank account having money. The situation is more made complex by slow paying clients. The accruals method is tedious in the amount of work needed to acquire data. It also needs more resources to operate (Bragg, 2010). Conversely, the benefit of the cash accounting method is that it is good at tracking cash flow. It is also easier to work on data and produce statements in the cash accounting. However, its disadvantage is that it is poor at matching money put out for expenses with earned revenues (Bragg, 2010). This situation poses a difficulty when a company buys items in one month and sells them in a different month. For example, a business buys an item in January intending to s ell it then later pay USD 100 in cash. However, it is sold in February at USD 150 and the cash is also received in February. At the end of January when the books were closed, the USD 100 had to be reflected, although there was no revenue to match it, hence, indicating a loss. February will, therefore, indicate USD 150 as profit, yet the true profit is USD 50. Question Three Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) prescribe the accruals method as opposed to the cash method because accruals method conforms to recognition of revenue, cost and match principles (Pinson, 2007). The accruals method is also practical because it captures financial implications of economic activities in the accounting periods they occur, whether cash is received or not. Accruals method is also the method of choice for GAAP because of the accuracy of its financial reporting in complex business transactions. The accruals method acknowledges that projects and credit sales impact a business’ financ ial status at their time of occurrence, hence the need to reflect such transactions on the financial statements of same period within which they take place. The accruals method recognizes a sale when a client takes up ownership of a product or a service is delivered and increases the company’s revenue at that time even if cash is not yet the account (Pinson, 2007). Question Four The United States Federal

Interagency disaster management Essay Example for Free

Interagency disaster management Essay Introduction: A disaster can be defined as a serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceed the ability of affected society to copy using only its own resources. Disasters are often classified according to their speed of onset (sudden or slow), or according to their cause (natural or man-made). Recent disasters like Hurricane Katrina have exposed the vulnerability of the nation in times of disaster and this has lead to discussions on disaster management. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, ice storms, severe weather, and wildfires can strike any time. They can build over days or weeks, or strike suddenly without warning. Throughout history, people in various parts of the world have suffered due to the unpredictability of natural disasters. Some disasters can be predicted such as floods in valleys, droughts in areas of low rainfall and oil spills in shipping lanes. There can also be manmade unpredictable disasters such as bioterrorism that involves the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Disaster Management: Disasters are inevitable but the destructive impact of disasters can be substantially reduced by adequate preparation, early warning, and swift, decisive responses. Disaster Management encompasses all aspects of planning for and responding to disasters. It applies to management of both risks and consequences of disasters. However, disasters need to be declared to secure the release of government resources for intervention. Government through its various agencies plays a huge role in such prevention and mitigation. This is done through legislation, through resource allocation and through rational planning and sustainable development. State and local governments are closest to those affected by natural disasters, and have always been the lead in response and recovery. The federal government acts in a supporting role, providing assistance, logistical support, and certain supplies. Local government is responsible for providing for the safety and security of citizens in advance of a hurricane. That means they are in charge of developing emergency plans, determining evacuation routes, providing public transportation for those who can’t self-evacuate, and setting up and stocking local shelters with relief supplies. State government is responsible for mobilizing the National Guard, pre-positioning certain assets and supplies, and setting up the state’s emergency management functions. They are also in charge of requesting federal support though the formal disaster declaration process. Federal government is responsible for meeting those requests from the state – before, during and after the disaster. This includes providing logistical support for search and rescue, providing food, water and ice, establishing disaster centers and processing federal disaster claims, and participating in short and long-term public works projects, such as debris removal and infrastructure rebuilding. National Response Plan: The National Response Plan, published on May 25, 2006, by the DHS, provides an all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the nation to manage domestic disasters. The plan includes best practices and procedures from incident management disciplines—homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, firefighting, public works, public health, responder and recovery worker health and safety, emergency medical services, and the private sector and integrates them into a unified structure. It forms the basis of how the federal government coordinates with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector during incidents. The National Response Plan aims to save lives and protect the health and safety of the public, responders, and recovery workers and thereby ensure security of the homeland. The National Response Plan establishes a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents. It forms the basis of how federal departments and agencies will work together and how the federal government will coordinate with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector during incidents. It establishes protocols to help protect the nation from terrorist attacks and other natural and manmade hazards; save lives; protect public health, safety, property, and the environment; and reduces adverse psychological consequences and disruptions to civilian life. The Plan identifies police, fire, public health and medical, emergency management, and other personnel as responsible for incident management at the local level. The Plan enables incident response to be handled at the lowest possible organizational and jurisdictional level. The Plan ensures the seamless integration of the federal government when an incident exceeds local or state capabilities. There are some new Coordinating Features in the National Response Plan such as: †¢ Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC): The HSOC serves as the primary national level multi-agency hub for domestic situational awareness and operational coordination. The HSOC also includes DHS components, such as the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), which has primary responsibility for coordinating communications with the Nation’s critical infrastructure during an incident. †¢ National Response Coordination Center (NRCC): The NRCC, a functional component of the HSOC, is a multi-agency center that provides overall federal response coordination. †¢ Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC): At the regional level, the RRCC coordinates regional response efforts and implements local federal program support until a Joint Field Office is established. †¢ Interagency Incident Management Group (IIMG): A tailored group of senior federal interagency experts who provide strategic advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security during an actual or potential Incident of National Significance. †¢ Joint Field Office (JFO): A temporary federal facility established locally to provide a central point to coordinate resources in support of state, local, and tribal authorities. †¢ Principal Federal Official (PFO): A PFO may be designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security during a potential or actual Incident of National Significance. While individual federal officials retain their authorities pertaining to specific aspects of incident management, the PFO works in conjunction with these officials to coordinate overall federal incident management efforts. The Department of Homeland Security/Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in close coordination with the DHS Office of the Secretary, will maintain the National Response Plan. The Plan will be updated to incorporate new Presidential directives, legislative changes, and procedural changes based on lessons learned from exercises and actual events. The Department of Homeland Security: In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. The department is responsible for providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. According to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 the mission of the Department of Homeland security is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; and minimize the damage, and assist in the recovery, from terrorist attacks that do occur within the United States. Biohazards: Biohazards are biological agents or substances that present or may present a hazard to the health or well-being of the worker or the community. Biological agents and substances include infectious and parasitic agents, noninfectious microorganisms, such as some fungi, yeast, algae, plants and plant products, and animals and animal products that cause occupational disease. Generally, biohazards are either infectious microorganisms, toxic biological substances, biological allergens or any combination of the above. Today, biohazards ar also used as weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists – the use of anthrax virus to spread disease, death, fear and panic among the public is a case in point. As such, biohazards not only come under the purview of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) but also under Department of Homeland Security.

Supervision And Training Skills In The Hospitality Industry Tourism Essay

Supervision And Training Skills In The Hospitality Industry Tourism Essay As per the case study the courthouse hotel is a privately owned establishment which is considered as the major hotel in the city. As it is a three star hotel it needs to control its cost so that the hotel runs on profit margin and not on the loss side. Keeping these things into mind the hotel keeps its cost low as compared to others hotels operated in the city. Only few managers and staff members of the hotel use to work once a week in comparison to a month. As the management wants to restaff its organization they need to keep in mind certain factors as the the person should be having good communication skills, should give good level of service to the guest, well gained with good qualifications. In this case study the hotel is moving from three star to four star hotel so he needs to follow the managerial functions which will lead a organizations to high limits. SUMMARY: Staffing is a term that refers to the management of employee schedules. For many retail businesses, staffing is monitored hourly because the cost of employee pay checks is a significant cost driver for the organization. (MANAGING HOTELS EFFECTIVELY, EDDYSTONE C.NEBEL,3 EDITION,PAGE NO.159) Staffing also says that the persons should be recruited in such a manner that the organisation should get ample level of service that a hotel wants from them in order to run on profit margins. No. of staff in the hotel is one of the main key point so that in order to run a company or organisation there is ample staff to run so that it should provide good level of service. Staffing is one of the most vital functions in the function of management. As staffing is all about recruiting the people whenever a new hotel opens. It also acts as ongoing functions because of high rate of employee rate and management turnover. As this turnover rate the hotel needs to restaff its hotel with proper selection of employees keeping in mind that they are well trained enough to run the hotel and leads the hotel towards profits. Properly designing jobs staffed by employees well suited to their work is an important first step in providing superior guest service.(MULLENS 1985) (MANAGING HOTELS EFFECTIVELY,EDDYSTONE C.NEBEL,3 EDITION,PAGE NO.159). As the courthouse is changing his level of service and recruiting more peoples he needs to keep in mind some of the key points which need to run the hotel and to maintain the profit margin. The following key points or staffing issue are as follows: Training and development:- Training is designed to improve the knowledge or skills of the hotels staff . It is obvious to train the staff in order to do the required job or say task.(Hotel operations management,david k.Hayes,jack d.ninemeir, edition 2,115,116). As the hotel is recruiting new staff for the upcoming four star hotel he need to keep several things in mind that the employee should be enough skillfull so that he can run the organisation in profit margin and his recruitment is also depends on the qualification he holds. Training also plays a vital role in the development of the employee as the hotel is allocated to Germans there is a need of training to be developed in them that how to welcome them and the way of communication. It is important to develop the training program both for the benefit of the staff and the organisation.(supervisory management, Robert w.eckles,Ronald l.carmicael, Bernard r. sarchet IInd edition,338). In order to maintain the standard and level of service the hotel needs to give the same level of service to the German peoples and this is possible by training the staff more efficiently and making them enough skilful so that they can caters the needs of them. Directing: The second key point which a hotel needs to keep in mind is the directing as it is a managerial function which initiates action. Its primarily means issuing instruction, assignment ,and directives (orders). Directing also includes building an effective work force encouraging each employee to work willingly and enthusiastically towards the accomplishment of the desired objectives. (Supervision: concept and practices of management,theo haimann, Raymond l. Hilgert,edition 4th ,305). As the hotel is changing from three star to four star hotel so it needs to follow some strategies which can take them to high sky so that it can make profit out of it. Directing in this case study plays an important role as the hotel is changing his level of service as the German is allocated to the courthouse hotel. The hotel has to direct the staff in order to meet the challenge they are about to accept. Giving right direction to the employees can result into profit for the organisation. Directing employees according to the needs of the Germans can result into good customer satisfaction. Directing can also be defined as the art of encourage for the staff to work more effectively and efficiently. In order to do any task we need to have some direction or say planning so that we should know that the work we are doing is going on the right direction or not. Directing to the staff boosts themselves to earn more confidence in what they are doing and the result they want to cater to them is also on the right direction. .(supervision: concept and practices of management,theo haimann, Raymond l. Hilgert,edition 4th ,305). Time management and activity planning: In order to complete the task we need to keep in mind the time factor which plays an important role in doing the activity or a task. In order maintain time management we need to do a certain planning by which the task can be completed. working smart is more important then working hard. To be effective or in order to maintain the time management and activity planning u need to keep some factors in mind:- Devising action plans. Delegating the actions needed to achieve the objectives. Providing support and help whenever needed. (Hospitality retail management, Conrad lashley, ed 2000, 209). As in the case study the hotel is moving from 3 stars to 4 stars and in the coming months the hotel is setting up a plan for opening the banquet halls and room service. In order to run smooth organisation we need to manage the time factor which is very important. Doing the work in the specified period of time is what success all about is in hotels. In order to run a smooth organisation we need to manage all the activity in time. As the banquet is opening so the staff should be more specific about the time management and in that time they need to plan a activity which should be completed in the required time. (Hospitality retail management, Conrad lashley, ed 2000, 209). 2(A) Existing staff may react to the following changes in the following ways: Overtime : As the staff requires ample amount of training in there development so they need to cope up with the skills which can run the smooth organisation. As in the case study first there was only few staff working and that only one weekend in a month. So the new staff might have problem as they have to give extra hours to there work. The problem can be the work pressure on them as they were if working for 10 hrs but now they are working for 20 hrs. (managing change, carnall,1991,92 ) Work load or stress on employees: Changes creates anxiety, uncertainty and stress, even for those managing change. Even peoples are fully committed to change may experience stress .( managing change, carnall,1991,92). As per the case study first the worker were doing their job as per the requirements but now as the new facilities are introduced in the hotel they need to give more attention to their work and this might can take them to stress and overtime in their duty rota. Mutual understanding between the employees: If there will be no understanding between the employees there can be a situation of disputes regarding the wages as the people of the hotel which are new are not familiarise. Planning, organising and staffing can be used as preparatory or preliminary managerial function. The problem of directing can also come into this as everyone has its own way of doing the work. As earlier there was no one to tell them what the best way of doing work is. But now they are pointing out different queries that this is not the way to do the work. (Supervision: concepts and practices of management,4th edition,305) As if there will be no planning no organising and no proper staffing then will be no proper directing towards the work. Even more without these management problems the organisation cannot run properly and proper planning=proper organising=proper staffing= proper directing staff. Every one has its own way of working and if someone impose some thing on them then there is a problem which arises in the organisation and to them also. Steps could a supervisor take to minimize the impact of these reactions are: A supervisor can change the individuals who work in the organisation. In order to follow the managerial functions the supervisor need to follow them on the workers as if the supervisor is planning a strategy then the staff should implement it as a supervisor will not tell something else which will lead a organisation towards the negative level..(managing change 2nd edition, Christopher mabey, bill mayon-white, 165 ) working smart is more important then working hard.(hospitality retail management,2000,Conrad lashley,209). This is what a supervisor wants to tell his employees that dont be in any hesitations jus ask the problem which you want to. Dont jus do the work but should know that what work are doing. Planning for each organisation and time management allow to run the organisation more efficiently and more effectively.(hospitality retail management,2000, Conrad lashley,210). The supervisor maintains the time in which the certain task have to be fulfilled and for doing so the supervisor do a meeting in which he get assured by all the worker to finish there task according to the time give by him. Conclusion After the discussion on the staffing issue and to the proposed changes the conclusion comes that the in order to run a smooth organisation we need to follow the important or say relevant steps for the profit margin. Staffing a right employee and motivating him towards his work is more important if a organisation want to be success in future. As courthouse is moving from three star to for star he need to develop certain strategies and need to be implemented. After developing these implement on them the hotel will be running in profits in the coming future and there will be good level of service which will cater to the guests. The more skillfull the staff will be the more quick service he will be catering to the guest.

What Is Abnormal Psychology? What Is Normal Psychology? Essay

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is Psychology? In my research of Psychology and its meaning I have come up with many definitions. To sum all of the definitions into one it’s the study ones feelings, thoughts, and their way of thinking and using all of there senses rather its cognitive, physical, or mental. Some other questions that came to mind during my research are what is normal psychology and what is abnormal psychology?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is normal psychology? Most people consider one to be normal if they seem to have no problems physically or mentally. Are you O.K. the way you are? Should you be different? Most of us tend to roles that are acceptable behavior in society. Society expects us all to play certain roles. Health and science guide says that normality is only questioned when there is a conflict between roles. Why do we conform to these roles? We do it because in most societies, including ours, there are rewards for conformity. People tend to treat us with respect when we play roles that others are comfortable with.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is abnormal psychology? I think it could be the study of mental illness as some journals stated. Overall it’s the study of mental illnesses and of how people with mental illnesses can be treated. Stated in Health and Science guide mental illness is a much-debated topic in the world of psychology to which a lot of research is still needed. Problems usually come up when people try to define what is normal. Sigmund Freud was considered to be the father of Psychoanalysis, said there was no such thing as a normal person.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mental illness is considered to be an illness of the mind, which makes it difficult for people to carry out a normal, productive lifestyle. Mental illnesses range from depression to schizophrenia (a very serious mind disorder). It is important to remember that people with such disorders ate stricken with an illness. They have no more control over their illness than when a person gets flu or a cold. When I am sick with a fever or flu I would either try or treat with an over the counter product or go to a doctor. A person with a mental disorder may go to a medical doctor, or to a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in treating mental problems through therapy and medication) or to a psychologist (who is not a... ...cts the other. Thatcher stated that â€Å"we often manifest emotional disturbances through out bodies.† He says that 20 to 40 percent of patients seen by a typical family practitioner involve mental illness. Its important that we try to destigmatize mental illness and get people the help we now have available.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Treatment options for those with emotional, behavioral and mental difficulties include psychotherapy, drug therapy, and a combination of drugs and psychotherapy. Some patients require more supportive psychotherapy, in which the therapist makes suggestions and offers direction, educating the patient about his illness and how it affects his everyday interpersonal interactions, relationships and job.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my research of what is normal and abnormal psychology, I have learned that behavior affects the way society perceives you rather you think your normal or abnormal. That everyone suffers from some type of mental illness whether it’s a problem you are dealing with or how you feel. It may not be long term but when you are suffering with that problem there is a slight chance that you can be considered mentally ill at that time.

Thorn Queen Chapter Twelve

Kiyo took off as soon as we got back to Tucson, saying he had to go to work. He also added that I shouldn't expect him later that night since he'd promised Maiwenn he'd come visit. Normally, that would have set my mood plummeting-and I won't lie, I wasn't thrilled as it was-but after last night, I felt superior and confident in my position with him at the moment. Somehow, I doubted he'd be looking at Maiwenn with the same awe he kept regarding me after I'd ridden him to exhaustion last night. If the crossroads in Yellow River-which we'd visited before heading out of town-had only yielded some answers this morning, I would have considered the trip a resounding success. â€Å"Nice of you to spend some time around here,† Tim told me when I emerged from the shower. As usual, he appeared to be cooking something. â€Å"What's that?† I asked, watching him roll out dough. â€Å"Cinnamon rolls,† he replied. â€Å"The second batch I've had to make, thanks to someone raiding the kitchen while they cooled.† He shot a glare over in the direction of one of the dogs-Yang, I thought-lying under the table. Yang looked extremely pleased with himself. â€Å"Sorry,† I said, even though it wasn't exactly my fault. Tim finished rolling out the dough and sprinkled the surface with a mixture of cinnamon and brown sugar. â€Å"And don't think you're going to change the subject about never being around.† I found a Coke in the refrigerator and sat down, a little irritated over the scolding. â€Å"Well, sorry you miss my company, but I don't really see how it matters. Our deal is you live here rent-free in exchange for cooking and cleaning. Me not being here means you have less work. Besides, I've had things to do.† He scowled. â€Å"Yeah, I suppose. But do your ‘things' actually involve your job-the one that gets the mortgage paid? Your secretary called last night and said you missed an appointment. And you know, dealing with her isn't part of my rental agreement.† Despite having never met, Tim and my receptionist, Lara, had an antagonistic relationship over the phone. I had no time to give to their drama today, though. The other news was too startling. â€Å"I did what?† I took out my phone, which also doubled as my planner. In addition to two missed calls from Lara, I discovered I had indeed missed an appointment for a banishing last night. I'd been so fixated on my quest in Yellow River that I'd totally forgotten I had it. â€Å"Shit,† I muttered, dialing Lara's number. As keen as I was on these missing girls, Tim had a point-my human jobs paid the bills. Not the gentry ones. â€Å"What happened?† demanded Lara as soon as she answered. No hello. â€Å"I got distracted by something else,† I said. â€Å"I'm really sorry. You think we can reschedule? Give them a discount or something?† â€Å"Probably,† she conceded. â€Å"I mean, it's not like they've got many other options to get rid of a ghost. In the meantime, though, I've got some other pending clients.† I hesitated. Normally, I wouldn't think twice about accepting as many jobs as I could. It was good for my bank account and a good deed for the world. With as much as the Otherworld was preoccupying me, however, I couldn't afford losing the time right now-or possibly missing another appointment. â€Å"Reschedule the one I missed and book only one of the others. Tell the rest we have to wait-list them.† Lara was silent for several seconds. â€Å"Are you serious?† â€Å"Afraid so.† She sighed. â€Å"Okay. You can still pay my salary, though, right?† â€Å"Yes,† I laughed. â€Å"I haven't gone bankrupt yet.† â€Å"Okay then.† She sounded only moderately pacified. â€Å"But for the record? Your roommate needs to learn some manners. He was a total asshole when I called last night.† Before we disconnected, Lara made sure to remind me about two jobs I had later that day. She wouldn't get off the phone until I repeated the times and places back to her. I was just as eager to take care of them as she was, as sort of a mental retribution for the missed one from last night. I'd never forgotten a job before. My career might be an unusual one, but I still considered myself a professional and didn't want to start falling into bad habits as a result of all this Thorn Queen business. And yet†¦as soon as I finished those jobs, I had to send myself back to the Otherworld. I only intended it to be a quick visit, though. I simply needed to check Shaya's progress and find out if the runaway girl had been located. Questioning her would make this whole search and rescue a lot easier and let me get on with my human life. The news wasn't good, however. â€Å"No sign,† said Rurik, once I hunted him down in the castle. I'd found him in a compromising position with one of the cooks. â€Å"We've got people scouring the area but haven't had any luck. We did, however, find where those bandits have relocated. Do you want us to go after them?† I hesitated. I did want to round them up, both to take the pressure off the villages and see if they knew anything about the girls that my prisoners hadn't. In the end, I shook my head. If they still had that fire demon summoner, I didn't want to go after them until we had an overwhelming show of strength. â€Å"No. Not yet. Just keep looking for the runaway.† I gave a sidelong glance toward the kitchen, into which the woman whose skirt he'd just had his hand up had disappeared. â€Å"You know, if it's not too much of an inconvenience.† At least the news from Shaya was good. The supplies Dorian had sent me home with had been shipped out, and apparently Leith had contacted her to say that after going through the irrigation book, he had some ideas for us. Naturally, he wanted to meet with me again. I suspected an ulterior motive, but it was something I'd happily endure to keep the food coming. I at least felt like Leith's intentions were easier to understand than Dorian's-and that I was a lot less likely to yield to temptation along the way. I sent the young prince a message back, saying I'd love to meet with him. On impulse, I also asked if he had anyone who might be capable of summoning water demons. Once that chore was done, I made motions to go back to Tucson. â€Å"Well? Are we going to get this done with or not?† I turned around, surprised to see Ysabel standing there in the hallway, hands on her hips. I'd been heading out toward the courtyard to do a little communion with the land before returning home. The heat was sweltering, as usual, and most of the women around here had taken to wearing light, gauzy gowns, often with short or no sleeves-not unlike the dress I'd worn to Maiwenn's party. Ysabel had made no such concessions and stood clothed in a green velvet gown, complete with long bell sleeves. The color looked stunning with her hair, but I knew she had to be miserable. â€Å"Get what done with?† She threw up her hands in exasperation. â€Å"This†¦tutorial. Or whatever it is my lord sent me here to do.† Oh, right. I hadn't forgotten Ysabel, exactly. I'd just kind of tried to pretend she didn't exist, in a feeble (and futile) hope that she might just disappear. No such luck. â€Å"Sorry,† I said, returning her hard look. â€Å"I don't really have time.† â€Å"You promised Dorian,† warned Ysabel. â€Å"And until you do this, I can't leave this godsforsaken place. I want to go home.† I shrugged and turned away. â€Å"We can't always get what we want. Kind of like that song. God knows I haven't.† I'd barely taken one step when a huge gust of wind shot toward my back, whipping my hair in front of me and rustling the tapestries on the wall. I immediately came to a halt and looked back at her. Her expression was both smug and hostile. â€Å"What's the matter? Afraid you can't keep up with me?† Charming. The old baiting tactic. She was hoping to get her way by playing on my pride. It was like the lamest trick in the book†¦except, well, it was kind of working. Okay, it was more than just my pride here. I was succumbing to temptation. With hardly any effort, Ysabel had just nearly knocked me over. It was more than I could do-much more-and her power nowhere near matched mine. If I had that kind of mastery, I could create hurricanes and blow apart buildings. Being in full possession of my magic would make me a god. That shouldn't have mattered. I shouldn't have wanted that†¦but some secret part of me did. Well, not the god part. But certainly the rest. Power like that could help my people, I tried to convince myself. â€Å"Okay. Let's get this over with then.† I acted like getting rid of her was my only concern-not that that wasn't a huge motivating factor. This castle, I was finding, was filled with rooms-most of which didn't seem to have much use. Most of the servants and guards had their own quarters, still leaving a ton of rooms unoccupied and gathering dust. I really only had need of my meeting room and parlor when I was there, and the rest had thus far stayed unused. The parlor was apparently being cleaned, so on impulse, I led Ysabel to one of the abandoned rooms. It had a river-rock fireplace that wasn't going to see use anytime soon, but the striped brocade furniture hadn't accrued too much dust. I flounced down onto a chair, arms crossed and posture defensive. â€Å"Okay. Make this fast.† Ysabel examined her sofa carefully before easing down and spreading her voluminous skirts around her. She crossed her hands on her lap, and if not for the expression on her face that said she wanted to rip me apart, I would have said she looked dainty and ladylike. â€Å"Dorian says I'm to teach you to improve your power with air.† â€Å"Something like that.† She eyed me critically. â€Å"Before we begin, I want it made abundantly clear that I am not doing this by choice.† â€Å"Really? I hadn't noticed.† Her lips curled into a sneer at my sarcasm. â€Å"I don't know what Dorian sees in you. You think you're so clever and witty when really, you're just a plain, uncouth human.† â€Å"Half-human,† I corrected. â€Å"And plain or not, your boyfriend-and, like, every other guy around here-would give up his right arm to get me into bed.† I really shouldn't have provoked her like that. Not only was it mean, it was also going to make this whole magic lesson probably even more unbearable. â€Å"Believe me, it's through no charm of your own. It's only the prophecy and your alleged breeding ability, and once that's run its course, well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She demurely smoothed the wrinkles out of her skirt, not that there really were any. â€Å"It's only your child anyone will have interest in, not you.† â€Å"Sorry to disappoint you, but there isn't going to be a child.† Not as long as my doctor kept prescribing me birth control pills. Ysabel looked up, face filled with skepticism. â€Å"Oh? Then why are you with the†¦kitsune?† She said kitsune like it was a dirty word. Dorian often did too, though he did it mostly to irritate me. I think Ysabel legitimately looked down on Kiyo. â€Å"If you really are a queen†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She looked skeptical over this as well. â€Å"†¦then why lower yourself by taking him as a consort? The only reason you would have is in the hopes of him fathering a child on you, just as he did Maiwenn. Clearly, he's proven his virility†¦which might be of particular concern to you. You claim you're trying not to conceive, but perhaps that's a lie to hide the fact that you can't.† â€Å"What? That's insane!† â€Å"Whereas I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She ran her hands proudly along the sides of her hips. â€Å"†¦have already bore two children.† Whoa. That was startling-and a point of pride for her, no doubt, considering the gentry fertility issue. â€Å"To whom?† For some reason, the thought that it might be Dorian bothered me. â€Å"My husband. He was killed years ago in battle.† She frowned slightly, the first sign of soft emotion I'd seen on her. In a flash, her normal bitchy expression returned. â€Å"They live with my parents right now and are healthy and strong. My lord Dorian knows I can undoubtedly have more. That's why he cast you aside for me, forcing you to turn to the kitsune for your fleeting chances of offspring.† â€Å"That's not what Dorian and I-never mind. Look, for the last time, I'm not with Kiyo to get pregnant, okay? I'm with him because I love him.† She sniffed. â€Å"I find that unlikely. If you just wanted a lover for pleasure, you would pine for my lord. No other man can match his skills in the bedroom. When he binds my hands in ropes or paints my flesh, I find no greater ecstasy than-â€Å" â€Å"Whoa, just stop,† I said, holding up both hands. This entire conversation was grating on my last nerve. â€Å"I do not want to hear any details about your sex life with Dorian, okay? That is not part of this deal. No part at all. I don't want to-wait. Did you say something about painting?† A sly smile lit her features. â€Å"My lord has a great appreciation for art. Often, before we make love, I'll lie naked before him and let him use my body as a canvas. He will spend hours adorning my flesh with color and design, often using the paintbrush as a means to pleasure me and-â€Å" â€Å"Okay, okay. I'm sorry I asked.† As the words left my lips, though, it shocked me that I could envision what she was describing perfectly. Dorian's magic lessons had often involved tying me up-the necessity of which I was never 100 percent certain of-and he would spend a large amount of that time weaving the silken cords that bound me. He'd arrange them in interesting patterns and color formations, consumed by the process itself. Somehow, I imagined him being the same with paint. I could see his face lost in thought as he painted flowers or suns or whatever, his clever, sensual hands taking their time as they lightly touched my body†¦. No, not my body. Ysabel's. I had no part of this. â€Å"Let's get this done with,† I said gruffly, hoping she wouldn't guess my thoughts. â€Å"Then we can both go home.† â€Å"Very well then. So, you need my help because you're weak.† â€Å"That's not entirely true.† Jesus Christ. It was all going to be like this, wasn't it? â€Å"I have a lot of power. I know how to control and use water magic-though I guess I could be better. Everyone assumes I must have inherited wind magic too, but so far†¦well, I've only been able to use it once.† â€Å"You may simply be deficient,† she said lightly. Her eyes flicked to my chest. â€Å"Like in so many other ways. But we shall see.† It kind of went on like that for a while. Every other sentence of hers was a barb. Yet, a lot of what she explained to me sounded similar to what Dorian had said, which at least gave me some confidence that she wasn't bullshitting me. In particular, she kept trying to describe how I could reach out and feel different types of air-just as Dorian used to encourage me to do with water. Unfortunately, it had taken a very long time to do that with water, and I felt a little pessimistic about history repeating itself. â€Å"There are different types,† she kept saying. â€Å"Don't try to sense them all. Focus small.† â€Å"What do you mean different types of air?† About an hour had gone by at that point, and I was growing weary and longing for Tucson. â€Å"Air is air,† I argued. â€Å"Spoken like a savage,† she remarked. â€Å"Perhaps we should just end this and tell my lord we fulfilled our promise to try.† I gritted my teeth. â€Å"Just explain it one more time.† She shrugged. â€Å"There are different types of air.† When she offered no more, I began to agree with her. It might be best to abandon this after all. A few moments later, though, she elaborated. â€Å"There is different air around plants. Different air after we exhale. Different air when the land is foggy. Not that you'd understand that in this wretched place.† My eyes widened. â€Å"Gas. Molecules. That's what you mean.† Now she was the one wearing the confused expression. â€Å"The different types of air,† I continued, excited in spite of myself. â€Å"You're saying the magic depends on feeling each kind†¦oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide†¦.† I was speaking a foreign language. Ysabel seemed as confused as ever, but by this point, I was running away without her. It made sense. Dorian's entire teaching method had been built on baby steps. It had started with me sensing a bucket of water and culminated in me using the water in Aeson's body to blow him apart. Starting at the molecular level with air seemed daunting, but the human in me clung to the science. And as I sat there, I began to expand my mind out, much as I did when preparing to use water magic. Air had always remained blank and untouchable, yet as I began to simply focus on a tiny part of it, it became more manageable. I thought about Ysabel's breathing-oxygen in, carbon dioxide out. The world slowed down to a heartbeat, one breath at a time†¦. I'm not sure how long I sat like that. I lost track of where I was or even if she said anything else to me. Only her breathing mattered. At last, I could sense the differences, the changes in the air coming in and coming out. As she exhaled, my mind scooped up the air-the carbon dioxide-leaving her lips and flung it as I would a ball. My control was imprecise; I had no real target. The air brushed past her shoulder, ruffling her hair. â€Å"You†¦you touched it,† she said grudgingly, clearly surprised. I was alive and burning with energy now, too consumed by what I was doing to answer her. Using magic always set my senses ablaze, made the world seem more vibrant and real. I wanted to do the trick again but decided to see if I could work it the opposite way and exert control over a different type of air-oxygen. I waited again to get a feel for her breathing, letting my mind actually sense the different particles in the air. When I felt certain I could grasp the oxygen, I did-just as she was about to inhale. Ysabel began to cough, her hands going to her throat as she tried to draw breath. Sucking the oxygen away meant, well, that she couldn't inhale it. I froze in my surprise at the obvious yet not entirely unreasonable consequences-so much so that I couldn't stop what I did. I was just†¦stunned. I was controlling air. The magic burned through me, and her oxygen just kept flowing away and away. It obeyed my commands, and I didn't have the coherent reasoning to cut it off. After several seconds that felt like years, the realization of what I was doing suddenly penetrated my higher reasoning. I finally cut off the magic, letting go of my hold on her oxygen. By then, Ysabel had fallen to her knees in a desperate attempt to get air-and probably because she was starting to lose consciousness too. At last, free of the magic, she drew a large, shaking breath, face pale and terrified. A few moments later, when she'd recovered herself, she looked at me accusingly. â€Å"You-you tried to suffocate me!† â€Å"No!† I exclaimed, aghast. â€Å"I†¦I didn't. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I was just trying to control the air†¦.† She stood up, and where once her face had been pale, it was now flushed with anger. She was shaking. â€Å"You deceived Dorian. You already know how to use this kind of magic. This is all part of some elaborate plot.† â€Å"No, no,† I said, standing as well. â€Å"I've never used it before-except once and only for a few seconds.† â€Å"I don't believe you. What you just did†¦you couldn't have done that if you were as inexperienced as you pretended to be!† What I'd done-aside from the fact it could have killed her-didn't seem like it was that big a deal. I'd sensed air and moved it. It was hardly a hurricane, and it had taken a lot of concentration-so much so that I didn't think I could repeat it anytime soon. I hardly had the effortless control she exerted over the wind. â€Å"I'm sorry†¦I really am. I didn't mean to hurt you. It was an accident.† Ysabel's only answer was a scowl, just before she stormed out of the room. As she passed me, I thought I saw both fear and tears in her eyes. Despite her bravado, I realized that what had seemed more like anger in her was actually terror. She was in the home of someone she saw as a rival, someone with a reputation as a warrior and a tyrant-and someone who had just tried to kill her. She was trapped here by Dorian's orders. â€Å"A terrifying feat, your majesty,† a voice near the doorway said. I took a few steps forward and saw Shaya standing just outside in the hall, her pretty face grim. â€Å"It was an accident,† I said, surprised at the trembling in my voice. â€Å"I don't like her, but I don't want to hurt her.† â€Å"I know.† Shaya's expression turned both gentle and sad. â€Å"But her fear isn't unfounded. You learned that too quickly and too well.† â€Å"It was easy! It's the same as moving water around or any other type of air.† â€Å"From what I understand, stealing someone's breath-denying them air-is harder than simply creating breezes. You're fighting against life itself. Those who suffocate others in this way usually require great strength and stamina. For you to be able to do it already†¦well, it's a testament to your power-and that's nearly as frightening as the act itself.† The full impact hit me. â€Å"Wait†¦there are people who do that on purpose? Steal someone's air so they can't breathe?† She shrugged. â€Å"Well, to those with the skill, suffocation's an effective weapon.† â€Å"It's sick†¦it's an inhumane way to die.† â€Å"I agree. And most people don't have that kind of strength, so it's not an issue. Among those who do have the strength, most would never consider doing it to another person, enemy or no.† I groaned. â€Å"Well, if that's true, then she has to understand that I wouldn't purposely do it to her either. She has to believe that it was an accident.† â€Å"I don't think you're going to have a lot of luck with that.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Because while most consider such torture unusually cruel, there was one person who enjoyed denying someone their breath-and who frequently used it as a form of execution and entertainment.† Shaya's look was meaningful. â€Å"Tirigan Storm King.†