Bloody Mary Essay - 916 Words

Bloody Mary Mary I, Queen of England was a very prominent figure in European history. Her reign as queen was filled with many trials and tribulations that were not accepted by most of England. Many of Mary’s rash decisions were most likely do to her upbringing and her lack of will power. Whether it is being declared a bastard as a young child by her tyrannical father, Henry VIII, or her marriage to Phillip of Spain, Mary was easily influenced by others and it showed as she grew older and took over the thrown. Mary was born the daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine. Henry had failed again to bear a son to retain the thrown after him. His annulment from Katherine was not granted so Henry decreed that the Church of†¦show more content†¦Philip returned to England with two friars, leaders of the Spanish Inquisition. They encouraged Mary to take charge of her own desire and reestablish Catholicism in England(Liston 193). For what Mary thought was for the good of all the English people, she mercilessly killed more than three hundred of her subjects. Most of these victims were burned at the stake by incompetent executors. Gunpowder bags wouldn’t explode, wet wood would burn slowly, and spectators were forced to watch innocent Protestants become martyrs. This all only strengthened the religion Mary hoped to destroy(Weir 219). Mary was further weakened by famine that set in while the burnings continued. All of England grew to hate her and she adopted the name â€Å"Bloody† Mary which is still commonly known today. She then became a laughing stock when she begged for Philip’s return and claimed more pregnancies. She faced death realizing that Elizabeth would succeed her, she imprisoned her and threatened her with execution, but much like Henry VIII did not want Mary to inherit the thrown; her wishes ceased to matter when she died(Trease 227). Mary’s sheer naivety made her very gullible for anyone who wanted something from her. The influence of her mother was simply exploited by Philip and the leaders of Spain, she would have neverShow MoreRelatedQueen Mary Of A Bloody Mary Essay1503 Words   |  7 PagesThomas Salter Mrs. Lusk Parrish English 11 Accelerated 11 March 2016 Queen Bloody Mary Did you know that the legend of Bloody Mary is real and originated with Queen Mary I of England, the source of over 300 deaths? Over 400 years ago, Queen Mary Tudor ruled in England from 1553, until her death in 1558. Mary was a Catholic and so were her parents, but when her Mother and father got divorced, her father switched to a Protestant faith. When she became Queen she quickly reformed her Father religiousRead MoreMary Tudor: Bloody Mary612 Words   |  2 Pagesand start chanting Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, and etc. Do it 3 to 30 times and legend has it that you will see a ghost in the mirror and then that ghost will kill you or bruise you emotionally or physically really abominably. This legend is called â€Å"Bloody Mary† and many people are assured that the legend is not true because they allege that their friends did it before and nothing happened. This legend came to be because of one infamous queen, Mary Tudor or known as Mary I of England. TheRead MoreM ary Tudor s Bloody Mary1412 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Mary Mary quite contrary. How does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockleshells. And pretty maids all in a row.† This is a nursery that is believed to be associated with Mary Tudor, most commonly known as â€Å"Bloody Mary†. Sounds like an innocent nursey rhyme, right? But really, according to Gillies, the garden in the nursery rhyme is a reference to graveyards which were increasing in size, with those who dared to continue to follow the Protestant faith. The silver bells and cockleshells wereRead MoreDid Mary I deserve the title bloody mary?1488 Words   |  6 PagesDid Mary I deserve the title ‘Bloody Mary’? The question of this essay is ‘Did Mary I really deserve the nickname ‘Bloody Mary’? This essay will show the reasons why she does and why she doesn’t deserve the nickname. Mary I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. She was claimed illegitimate by her father and was forced to sign papers saying that he had never married her mother (Catherine of Aragon). Mary wasn’t allowed to see her mother and was sent away by Henry VIII. She followedRead More Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary): The True Story Essay1424 Words   |  6 Pages she was a king’s wife, she was a queen, and by the same title a king also† # Mary Tudor was an influential women of her time period. Many in modern society know her for her particularly bad reputation as Bloody Mary, however they do not realize the contributions she made, or her influence on history . The story behind Mary’s reputation gives insight as to her true accomplishments as England’s first queen. When Mary Tudor was born on February 18, 1516, she was the only child that King Henry VIIIRead MoreEssay about Bloody Queen Mary: Whats in a Name?1072 Words   |  5 Pagesto better understand their personalities. In order to understand whether Queen Mary deserves her nickname we must first look at her history. Mary I of England was born on February 18th 1516. She was the only surviving child of Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Due to her gender and her mother’s incapability to produce a male heir, they were both cast away. It was after the death of Edward VI in which Mary made a bid for her birthright as heir to the throne. Edward VI and his council intendedRead MoreThe Mary Summary : Bloody Mary1112 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary.† Have you ever said these three words in front of a mirror in the dark? Well you don’t want to see what happens if you do. Bloody Mary has many things involved in her such as he r looks, where she lives and how she got her name, how she died, the legend and the curse, the different versions of her, and even peoples own experiences. There are a lot of facts about Bloody Mary but those are the main ones. Bloody Mary was always a mysterious woman. Everyone wasRead MoreBloody Mary and The Virgin Queen1970 Words   |  8 PagesBloody Mary and the Virgin Queen Mary and Elizabeth Tudor were both, by all accounts, strong and intelligent women endowed with many of the qualities that mark a successful ruler. However, only Elizabeths legacy is a positive one; her reign has been called the Golden Age of England, and she remains a heroine in popular history and even modern film. Marys reign is scowled at, and seen by most as a brief unpleasant period preceding the glorious ascension of Elizabeth. To account for thisRead More The Urban Legend of Bloody Mary Essay1219 Words   |  5 PagesBloody Mary Version 3 The story of Bloody Mary is told in different versions all around the world has been included in nine different movies (three in the past two years) (The Internet Movie Database). This particular version of the popular urban legend of Bloody Mary originates locally from North Potomac, Maryland. The storyteller is a female 19-year-old Caucasian sophomore student, currently studying psychology at the University. The story was collected in the spring on the University campusRead MoreQueen Elizabeth I Of England1040 Words   |  5 Pageslong and confusing years of switching between rulers, Queen Mary I, also known as Bloody Mary, came into power. Mary was the first child of King Henry VIII (Elizabeth s father if you forgot) but King Henry changed the religion of the country from Catholic to Protestant just so that he could divorce Mary s mother. After the divorce, Mary was declared illegitimate, same as Elizabeth. After some rather confusing years in England s history, Mary rose to p ower and claimed the throne in 1553 as what the

Substance Abuse And Low Education - 1002 Words

It is no doubt that the Appalachian region is discredited of its merits, despite the perceived negative social problems associated with the area. What many outsiders of the area fail to acknowledge is that many of the same problems of Appalachia plague other regions of the United States as well. In Appalachia, there are many problems that can be associated with the area and usually the people from the area are grouped into a poor environment—a lower socioeconomic class. Across the region there is a wide social problem on low education rates and relatively high substance abuse statistics. What others also fail to see is that the Appalachian region has a plethora of services to offer along with a rich heritage embedded in its people. The good people of the community have worked together to overcome the past and current issues of substance abuse and low education by forming different groups to offer for the public to take part in. Substance abuse is heavily associated with the region of Appalachia. Appalachian people are looked at negatively for being categorized with drug and alcohol addictions. The issue has increased since coal mining and other industrial work places are declining in the area (Sodomick, 2014). People resort to drug trade to make profit since the career field is declining in the area. Because substance abuse has become so popular, overdose and countless deaths have occurred more often as well. The past few years, it has been a horrific trouble with theShow MoreRelated Substance Abuse Within the Nursing Profession Essay1230 Words   |  5 Pages As Heise states, substance abuse among nurses a growing problem that is often overlooked by society. Addiction has been a problem in the nursing profession for over one hundred years (as cited in Monroe Kenaga, 2010). According to the American nurses association, it is speculated that 6%-8% of nurses have a drug or alcohol related problem (as cited in Trinkoff Storr, 1998). Substance abuse not only affects the individual abuser, but also can negatively impact those around them, most significantlyRead MoreThe Condition Of Homelessness For A Pregnant Woman890 Words   |  4 Pagesgreatly around prenatal health, nutrition, mental health, substance abuse and physical abuse screenings. A very important issue with homeless pregnant women is lack of access to medical care, and lack of support overall. Pregnancy rates of homeless women are upwards of 22%, and 75% of those pregnant and impoverished women reported having obstacles to receiving care, according to a study done by Thomas Jefferson University (Rand, 2011). Low-income, impoverished, and completely homeless women remainRead MoreSubstance Abuse : A Public Health Problem Among American Children And Adolescents1561 Words   |  7 PagesSubstance use and abuse is a definitely a public health problem among American children and adolescents. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, substance abuse is the excessive use of a drug or the use of a drug without medical justification. There are various different substances that adolescents are abusing. Alcohol is the most abused in adolescence with four in ten high school seniors consuming some type of alcoholic beverage in the past month and more than one in five e ngaging in bingeRead MoreThe Impact Of Childhood Obesity In Trigg County1671 Words   |  7 Pagesrate of adults which were physically inactive in Trigg County was at 28% (Kentucky Health Facts, 2016). Because of the population of low-income, there is a lack of accessibility to resources. Trigg County has a poverty rate of 17.8% (reference). When individuals are low-income, it is more difficult for them to buy healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. Low-income individuals also have limited opportunities available for them to exercise. Resources available in Trigg County to help withRead MoreEducation Is An Integral Part Of A Child s Upbringing785 Words   |  4 PagesAcademia Education Academia education is considered an integral part of a child’s upbringing, and therefore it remains highly important to require academic institutions to educate and inform students regarding substance use and its consequences. SAMHSA recommends instituting programs at an early age, for example, the Good Behavior Game introduced in elementary schools, is a management strategy aimed at reducing aggressive, disruptive classroom behavior, a risk factor for adolescent and illicitRead MoreJ. S Family Determination Of Health1191 Words   |  5 PagesThere are many factors affect our health such as income, living condition, environment, education, genetic, relationships with family and friends and supporting a child (World Health Organization, 2013). In them, many factors affect our health that which is call determination of health. In this essay, I am going to discuss Riley, J. s family determination of health which negatively affects the family and need to be solved. Jessica Riley is a seventeen years old single mother who is living with herRead MoreIntroduction Of Drugs And Alcohol Essay1392 Words   |  6 PagesContents Introduction to Drugs and Alcohol 2 Overview 2 I. Workplace Factors 3 II. Workplace Performance Behavior 4 III. Workplace Role 5 RECOMMENDATION 6 Workplace Policies and Drug Testing 7 Policy and Regulations on Alcohol and drug abuse 7 Employee Education/Health Promotion 8 Works Cited 9 â€Æ' Employer’s Guide for a Drug-free Workplace Introduction to Drugs and Alcohol In order to understand drug and alcohol use, it is important to be clear about what we mean by the terms ‘drugs’ and ‘alcoholRead MoreThe Legalization Of Marijuana And Cannabis Programs854 Words   |  4 Pagespublicity the legal process of the petition generated within the drug culture of the 1960 s through the 1970 s in America, it likely convinced state authorities to reassess the restrictions against marijuana (Huntington’s Outreach Project for Education at Stanford, 2012). In 1982, 31 states and the District of Columbia had passed legislation granting the prescription of marijuana. In 1996, California voters passed Proposition (215) making it the first state to allow medical marijuana, Since thatRead MoreA Substance Abuse Recovery Home1498 Words   |  6 PagesThe need for a substance abuse recovery home in Starke County, Indiana is a need that is unmistakable in the county based on the hefty number of individuals that suffer from substance abuse an d dependency in the county which is clearly displayed by the recent number of crimes that are related to or involve illicit and prescription drugs. In attempt to meet this need and create an opportunity for individuals suffering from substance abuse and dependency to receive local substance abuse treatment inRead MoreMany Women Across The World Cause Complications To Their1657 Words   |  7 Pagestheir unborn child when they choose to abuse substance. There are many types of substance abuse such as alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse. Most likely when women choose to engage in these types of activities it causes harm to the child and birth defects. Long term and short term deformities and conditions are present in the child. Other factors play a part into why women abuse, substance such as stress, depression, and mental issues. More treatment and pre-education should be provided to women to inform

E Pauline Johnson’s Poems Free Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the E. Pauline Johnsons Poems. Answer: Pauline Johnson has a diversified and ethnic background which is clearly depicted in her poetry. She also used the pen name Tekahionwakewhich again has its Mohawkorigin this name was used along with her European name and she chose it to emphasize her position as an Aboriginal. In a time when women authors used pseudonym of men to publish literary work, Johnson not only chose to stand up for her gender but also her ethnicity. She respected and had great honor for both the cultures she represented and that is depicted in her poem over and over again. As a stage performer the drama reflected in her poetry as well. She is well-known as the Mohawk poet in the literary world; she became the first Native American author to be published in Canada. Her bookThe White Wampumgave her literary recognition. She also received a lot of goodwill and fame owing to her performance skills, her image always reflected and demanded respect for her ethnicity. Her poems are all a condensed form of the experi ences she has been through (Goertz 2015). In the poem The Song My Paddle Sings, is metaphor of life sailing in a musical. The poem has a melodious tone to it and represents the hardships of life that she had to face. The absence of wind and the struggle of the man to canoe through the river are the representation of life testing her patience as she sails through. It also shows her respect for nature and the course that has been chosen for her, she wades through the tough time to move ahead in the direction of future. The rhythm of the poem is very captivating and charming as it mimics the paddle strokes of the sailor breaking the monotone of the milieu. The solitude and remoteness of her life is been depicted by the lonely sailor wadding through a serine backdrop (Jones and Ferris 2017). Another popular poem by E. Pauline Johnson is A Cry from an Indian Wife, is based on the Riel Rebellion of 1884. The poem exhibits how Aboriginal thinking processes were being made mandatory to adapt to European perspectives and demand. A Cry from an Indian Wife is written in iambic pentameter and is represented by her increasingly vocal concerns about the aboriginal people and an advocate for their rights; the thoughts of the narrator are placed into a linear descriptive sequence in a monologue. This poem depicts a strong base of bloody, political, and non-hesitant to reveal racism and despicable behavior by Europeans. In this poem the character is having an unbiased perspective and can see from both the side of the conflict, as a symbolic incentive to her listeners to understand and look into the matters from the perspective of a native. The soliloquy is presented as Middleton's troops are marching west to crush the Riel Rebellion (Dickinson 2017). It explains the dilemma and the h ardships a wife has to endure while she recommends her husband to join the fight against the troops from Ontario(Jones and Ferris 2017). She the changes her mind, imagining that the lands were owned by the Indians and the whites would have no sympathy for her or her husband as she does not want to lose her husband as well. She then reconciles thinking that the people who are the other troop are also someones husband or son and how could she ask her husband to cause someone elses grief. But lastly she gives up and sends he husband off to fight for the troops (Goertz 2015). The wife does not compromise in her decision there is a part within her which is proud of her husband being a part of the troop. The use of the rhythmic couplet form in the poetry to illustrate the judgment of the Aboriginal narrator gives evidence to the infringement of the European culture upon the aboriginal (Johnson 2015). Her poetic style is a representation of her considerate personality and her articulate knowledge about the politics around aboriginal people. Through her work and literature she constant she reciprocated to the stress enforced on those of her ethnicity and gender with great critical and commercial success. Her approach to place the concerns related to aboriginal people to the European settlement was successful as she had immence understanding of both the cultures on an equal stand point. She was successful in her endeavor in reaching out to the people as her audience and her readers gained a lot of knowledge about the hardships of aboriginals through her work. References: Dickinson, S., 2017. To Hear the Call of the Singing Firs:(Re) Reading E. Pauline Johnsons Lost Lagoon as Eco-Elegy.Making Nineteenth-Century Literary Environments. Goertz, K., 2015. The Mohawk Princess Writes and Recites: How Pauline Johnson Battled Negative Indian Stereotypes through her Performances and Prose.The Albatross,5(1), pp.36-51. Johnson, E.P., 2015.Tekahionwake: E. Pauline Johnson's Writings on Native North America. Broadview Press. Jones, M. and Ferris, N., 2017. Flint, Feather, and Other Material Selves: Negotiating the Performance Poetics of E. Pauline Johnson.American Indian Quarterly,41(2), pp.125-157.

Taiwanese Development Model Essays - Taiwanese Culture, Republics

Taiwanese Development Model According to Thomas Gold Taiwan offers a text book case of an elite-led revolution leading to social transformation. The stability of hard authoritarianism of the Taiwanese government laid the groundwork for Taiwanese development. The KMT's cohesiveness and political domination plus the economic development aid supplied by the United States also helped to provide good conditions for Taiwanese growth in the beginning. Once the KMT gained control of Taiwan they redistributed the land and launched a program of rehabilitation and industrialization. This period was responsible for the nationalization of many businesses formerly owned by the Japanese and the start of industrial production in Taiwan marked by a shift away from agriculture to industry. During the early period of industrialization Taiwan tried to create domestic markets for its goods. During the period from 1960 to 1973 Taiwan pursued export expansion in the area of industrial goods. During this period U.S. aid directed at Taiwan declined as did the islands geopolitical significance. To make up for this decline Taiwan focused on increasing its exports. The growth of the Taiwanese economy during this period according to Gold laid the ground work for the growth of opposition movements and loosening of the KMT"S grip on power. According to Gold this was because the changes in the Taiwanese economy brought about a middle class, a better educated populace, and a dispersion of industry through out the country. The Period from 1973 to 1984 Gold calls the time of industrial upgrading and the emergence of a political opposition. During this period Taiwan faced the oil shock, and increase in export prices due to a labor shortage that doubled workers salaries, a further loss of geopolitical prestige, and the growth of dissent and political opposition. Taiwan industrially during this time improved the quality and quantity of its exports. The Taiwan industrial model was that of a elite run bureaucracy that tightly controlled its nations citizenry in authoritarian ways. This authoritarian government was able to effectively channel the energies of Taiwan toward modernization. This authoritarian government became a victim of its own success because as living and education ezdards rose the citizenry demanded a shift away from hard authoritarianism. Taiwan is not a very good industrialization model for other countries to use outside of East Asia. This is because many of the factors that allowed Taiwanese industrialization were unique to Taiwan. First, Taiwan was colonized before 1950 by a developmentalist power, Japan to which is had close ties even after 1950. Second, Taiwan was the recipient of financial aid during its critical early years because of a inter-core competition for hegemony between China and the United States. Third, Taiwan benefited by having a implacable foe with a very different vision of development. Fourth, Taiwan was given breathing space following 1949, this enabled Taiwan to revive production and consolidate power without foreign powers interfering. All these factor make Taiwan unique from other nations that would try to copy it. One of the elements that nations should not copy from the Taiwan Model according to Gold is Taiwan's harsh authoritarian government which was much too strictly authoritarian and had a hard time changing as the attitudes of the Taiwanese people changed. (Gold's book was published years before the 1996 democratic elections in Taiwan) But Gold does say that Taiwan's development model does have some lessons that could be copied in other nations seeking to industrialize. These are a official commitment to development, land redistribution, fostering of agriculture, creation of extra-ministerial ministries to guide development, strategic credit allocation, collection and efficient management of data concerning the economy, investment in infrastructure and human capital, and proper allocation of foreign assiezce. Taiwan's development model was a combination of an orwellian state and effective ways of industrializing. Taken as a whole the repressiveness of the Taiwanese model makes it undesirable for government to adopt; but other aspects of Taiwan's industrial policy could prove effective for countries outside of the pacific rim.

textile mills in the south essays

textile mills in the south essays Why did the textile workers union in the southern United States spread so rapidly? The textile industry was, at one time, one of the largest industries in the south. Starting in the late 1800s with small local looms and spreading to become corporations controlling the south and whose influence stretched internationally. One of the souths first textile corporations originated in Gaston County, North Carolina, and its huge success led to the opening of mills across the Carolinas and Virginia. As these industries grew they began to control more and more of their employees lives. These huge corporations were permitted to take advantage of their workers because of the individuals inability to fight back. The employees of these mills lived in conditions resembling that of slaves before the civil war. They were worked grueling hours in inhospitable prisons called textile plants, yet were paid on average less than any other industrial worker in America. In the early twentieth century a sentiment of contempt began to grow between the laboring class and the all-pow erful corporation. The masses began to push for union representation. The industrys numbers represents the importance of this industry. Textiles were the foundation of southern economy. In 1900 there were one hundred seventy-seven mills in North Carolina, but by the early nineteen twenties, that number had grown to over five hundred. Fifty were in Gaston County alone, and by 1929 there were more than one hundred mills in Gaston County which could process cotton, with nearly seventeen thousand workers earning their living exclusively from the mills (Williams 29). Textiles were a booming industry in the south. South Carolina employed only 2,053 people in the industry at the turn of the century, but by 1920, nearly 50,000 people worked in mills, one sixth of South Carolinas population. Virginias textile industry grew just as q...

Steps to Take to Get Into Law School

Steps to Take to Get Into Law School Getting into law school can feel like an overwhelming process, especially at the beginning. You might feel like youre looking at a mountain way too high to climb. But scaling a mountain begins with just one step, then another and another, and eventually, those steps take you to the top. Here are a few that will lead you to acceptance by a law school.   Difficulty: N/A Time Required: 4 years Heres How Go to college.All law schools require that entering students hold at least a bachelors degree. You should attend the best college you possible and achieve the highest grades possible. Your GPA will be one of the two most important factors in your application, but you dont have to major in prelaw.Choose your undergraduate major and courses  in areas in which you think youll excel. Lay out a  timeline for how you can best prepare for law school during your undergrad years.Take the LSAT.The second most important factor in your law school application is your LSAT score. If youre currently in college, the best times to take the LSAT are the summer after your junior year or the fall of your senior year. is the best time to take the LSAT. Take it the summer or fall before the fall during which you want to start law school if youve already graduated.Prepare well and be sure to read up on how schools handle multiple LSAT scores before you decide to retake the LSAT. You should also registe r with LSDAS at this time. Choose where youre going to apply.There are many factors you should consider when youre deciding where to apply to law school. Consider visiting schools that interest you and pay at least some attention to law school rankings.Write your personal statement.Your personal statement comes in third in importance behind your LSAT score and your GPA. Start by brainstorming with some writing prompts and get writing! Research some tips for writing a great personal statement, being sure to avoid certain topics and common mistakes.Finish your applications well in advance of the deadline.Make sure to ask for recommendations early enough that your referees have plenty of time to write outstanding letters. Also, write any additional statements you might need, such as a Why X Law School Statement and/or an addendum. Request transcripts and make sure everything the law schools want in your application files is in there well in advance of the deadline.After youve completed all the above steps in an orderly fashion, you can be confident that you have maximized your chances of getting into law school. Good luck! Tips Start preparing for applying to law schools as soon as youve decided to do so.Dont wait until the last minute to send in applications. Many schools have rolling admissions policies, which means they accept students throughout the admissions process.Have someone with a good eye for detail proofread your application packet, especially your personal statement.

International currenies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International currenies - Essay Example Additional disclosure FACTAs new reporting requirements are much broader than the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). This means that individuals who may not have been subject to FBAR filing obligation may still be subject to the new reporting requirement. The major differences between FACTA and FBAR are: (1) FACTA has a higher asset threshold for disclosure at $50,000; (2) FACTA applies to a wider range of assets; (3) FACTA must be filed as an attachment to an individual tax return unlike FBAR which is filed independently of tax returns with the Treasury Department. In addition to that, FACTA added a new withholding system that requires foreign financial institutions with substantial US owners to disclose information regarding the US taxpayers. Increased penalties For starters, FACTA favors the IRS with a presumption that it is the obligation of the taxpayer to file her disclosure if she has specified foreign financial assets (Packman and Rivero 45). It also requ ires shareholders in a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) to file an annual information return disclosing their ownership regardless. The minimum penalty for failure to submit the required disclosure without reasonable cause is $10,000 which would increase by $10,000, for every 30-days of failure to submit the required disclosure, to a maximum of $50,000.

What if history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What if history - Essay Example Abraham Lincoln occupies the most elevated place in the pantheon of American presidents and consistent polls show him occupying the first place in the ranks of most popular Presidents in the USA. On the basis of his leadership qualities, accomplishments, dealing with crises, political skills, oratory, upright character, he towers above all others, by any measure that is applied. Lincoln had promised the southerners a magnanimous peace, marked by charity to one and all. But this Reconstruction plan was derailed by his assassination. If Lincoln had not been killed, just after being re-elected, he would have led the nation forward with his exemplary zeal. He was a man who stood on principles and was not guided by public opinion. After his death, the leaders of the North became vindictive towards the fallen south. They imposed laws which crippled the Southern States, economy, polity as well as society. The Black Codes Bill of 1866-1867 was also passed, which forbade slaves from owning land or leaving their present employment. His successor Johnson vetoed the Freedmens Bureau as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1866 which gave blacks the right to vote. Most historians agree that such punishment as was meted out to the Southerners would not have seen the light of day under the stewardship of Lincoln Jan 1st 1863, that freed slaves in the Confederate states. But to the misfortune of the slaves, the man who would lead them to complete freedom was gunned down. It is a most compelling motion, that had Lincoln been alive, after the surrender of General Lee, the integration of African-American, or the slaves, into the mainstream would have been quicker and absolute. The Affirmative Action policy of the 20th century would not have been required, because Lincoln was emphatic that all human beings should be treated as equals. Lincoln has been hailed as the

Enchantment and Exploitation Essay Example for Free

Enchantment and Exploitation Essay The pages of human history daubed in bloodshed related to conflicts of culture, race, and territorial ambitions coupled with economic interests, ask the crying question. How to make this Planet Earth heaven like? The answer is simple and straightforward. Eyes full of understanding, hearts full of love and mutual respect for each other’s way of life-enough, these alone are enough! The history of northern New Mexico is the example of the abovementioned exploitative behavior of successive waves of settlers. The mindless, aggressive and violent deeds relating to the historical past to defeat and unsettle the natives and destruction of the forest wealth, have created a new issue of environmental problems. The living style of the natives was one of deep respect for the Nature, imbibed with their own spiritual values. Nothing much is known about the people who lived in high Sangres. The archeologists and the intellectuals of the modern materialistic civilization fail to appreciate the modes and contented living styles of the native people. â€Å"They were gatherers and hunters whose closest cultural contacts lay with the Oshara tradition of the Desert Culture, centered to the west. Their living arrangements were flexible and mobile. They had few possessions, built most of their shelters to last only weeks or months, and irregularly congregated in groups of several dozen or dispersed in small family bands†(deBuys,William,1985,p,31) They wandered from place to place, were part-time agriculturists by profession. What they produced, like maize, squash, beans in canyon bottoms was less than adequate to meet their family needs. They protected themselves against flood, drought and other hazards with their traditional methods. The prime task of an aggressor is to take possession of as much land as is possible to establish a firm foot holding. Such people will employ every mean method to subdue the original settlers, legally if possible, illegally if necessary. History is the witness— there are always black sheep among the natives who are willing to betray the interests of their brethren for corrupt considerations. When the so-called moral and principled Americans came to this new land, they found the conditions favorable for them. â€Å"By exploiting the discordances between Spanish and American codes of law, Anglo speculators, often assisted by native New Mexican ricos and politicos, managed to buy up many tens of thousands of acres of valuable land grants for very little money.†(deBuys, p, 171) The civilized man needs to know that he can become master of his environment temporarily and then get ready to face the disastrous consequences. But the aggressors succeeded in stripping most of the Territory’s Hispanic villagers of their patrimony and their main source of wealth. Land disputes led to bitterness, rivalry and troubles in New Mexico even now. When people abuse land, whether it is in the backward Mexico hill range, or the forward America, the results are the same—inviting disaster for the life of humanity and the livestock as a whole. Nature does not condone its exploitation. â€Å"Through the late 1800s similar die-offs of livestock, caused always by a combination of overstocking, range deterioration, and bad weather, became common throughout the West. And in parallel fashion, westerners rapidly cut down their mountain forests in order to build towns, prop mine tunnels, and lay thousands of miles of railroad track.†(deBuys, p, 235) The modern man is not willing to experience himself as part of nature but as competitive outside force, destined to dominate it and conquer.   He does not realize that if he wins the battle against the nature he will soon find himself on the losing side. Look what happened in USA, a country that boasts of modern civilization. In the Civil War years, appalling conditions prevailed in California. Cattle and sheep perished in thousands, when nothing was left after overgrazing the rangelands and the perennial grasses was totally destroyed. Arizona, Wyoming, Montana and other cattle-growing regions did not learn lessons from the events in California. Man, whether savage or civilized, is a child of nature and this fact should be understood and accepted before it is too late, when the nature begins to react. The end of the natural resources is not the end of the story. With the deterioration of environment, the civilization declines. The wise saying goes, â€Å"civilized man has marched across the face of the earth and left a desert in his footprints.† Americans, Anglo speculators, assisted by the local rich class, destroyed the natural resources in Mexico. Usable timber was burnt, forested valleys and hillsides were systematically destroyed.   They killed most of the wide life. And finally the exploitation of the area reached the non-sustainable level and elk, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, ptarmigan and pine marten were totally extinct. The protective topsoil was eroded. The resultant silt reached reservoirs, streams, irrigation canals, and harbors. They followed the road to ruin and it resulted in deep fissures within the conquering society and the natives. Historical records mainly contain accounts of battles, exploits of the kings and queens, their grandeur and wealth etc. They should have studied the historical importance of geography! The land use was an important factor on which destinies of civilizations and empires were largely determined. The existing competition among the various sections of the society for employment is another addition to the historical list of problems. The differences in the Anglo and Hispanic cultures on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico have not been ironed out totally up to his day. The three principle cultures, Anglo, Hispanic and Native American continue to be at loggerheads on many issues related to their interests. At the same time there is awareness among these groups about the advantage of living in unity amongst the cultural diversity. One of their common causes is ecology. Restoring the balance in the natural resources is everybody’s concern for which a solid framework is worked out. When you take care of the mountains, they will take care of all races of humanity in more than one way, irrespective of their historical backgrounds and the present conflicts. With such a restoration process in swing, the past wounds of the natives will heal to some extent and they stand vindicated as for their custom and traditions of accepting nature in utter reverence. Any boastful materialistic achievements of the 2000s should not prevent the native people of northern New Mexico to fight to respect and hold on to their history, land and cultural way of life. Conclusion: The wise saying goes—every action has the reaction and the intensity of the reaction is in proportion to the intensity of the action. The spiritualist and the scientist, both agree on this issue. Whenever the human being tried to define nature, it has co-operated, as for his investigative genius. Whenever he tried to defy nature, is has invariably awarded him with appropriate punishment. Economic ambitions are good servants, but they are bad masters; the man will destroy the natural flora and fauna at his own peril! The environmentalists need to go through the history of the Life and Hard Times of a New Mexican Mountain Range for a while.   The examination of the historical facts will highlight the increasing exploitative behavior of successive waves of settlers that resulted in disastrous consequences. Having done the worst, it is now time to find solutions to the region’s environmental problems. References: deBuys, William: Book: Enchantment and Exploitation: The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Mountain Range Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: University of New Mexico Press; 1 edition (September 1, 1985) Language: English ISBN-10: 0826308201 ISBN-13: 978-0826308207

Pre registration contracts Essay example -- essays research papers

The common law view of pre-registration contracts was that the company did not exist for legal purposes until it had been formally incorporated (registered). This common law view resulted in company’s being unable to enter a binding contract until they had been registered.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  However â€Å"given the delays which can be encountered in the registration process, the promoter of a company may wish to enter into contracts `for’ the company prior to its incorporation† . An example of this may be a promoter wanting to ensure a company will have stock on hand so it will be ready to operate when its registered. He might order stock and sign the contract in the unregistered company’s name. Since a company did not exist before registration it could not sign a contract itself or appoint an agent to sign on its behalf. Therefore promoters could not be seen as the company’s agent. Circumstances such as this are problematic and raise difficult questions as to the enforceability of the contract and the availability of damages for its breech.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At common law, a company was also incapable of ratifying a pre-registration contract after it was registered. â€Å"This was because under the law of agency , ratification has a retrospective effect and the contract was regarded as being made at the time it was entered into by the agent when the company was not in existence† . A company could only be held liable for a pre-registration contract if it entered into a new contract with the same terms as the pre-registration contract after it was registered. This is called ‘novation’.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Seeing as though a company would not be held liable on a pre-registered contract, the courts recognised that innocent third parties could be prejudiced. Accordingly â€Å"the courts were prepared on occasions to infer an intension by the promoter to assume personal liability on the contract†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An important case is Kelner v Baxter (1866) where the promoters who had signed the contract on behalf of an unformed company were held to be personally liable. In this particular case the promoters of an unformed company agreed to purchase stock and signed an agreement, which stated ‘on behalf of the Gravesend Royal Hotel Alexandra Hotel Company Limited’. A difficultly had arisen as since the company had not yet been for... ...is case an accountant who was one of the companies four promoters entered into a contract on behalf of a unformed company. The company failed to ratify the contract and the supplier attempted to sue all four promoters. The Supreme Court of New South Wales found that only the account was liable since he was the only person who had signed the contract. The court also made it aware that the accountant has a separate right to claim against the other promoters if he acted as their agent in regards to the contract.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å" While the promoter is primarily liable in these circumstances, the company does have a potential secondary liability. Hence â€Å"where the company is registered but does not ratify the pre-registration contract within the prescribed time, the court may ‘do anything it considers appropriate in the circumstances’. The courts powers include the option of ordering the company to rectify the unfairness† . The courts are able to this by ordering the company to pay for part or all of the damages for which the promoter is liable, transferring property received under the contract to a party to the contract or paying an amount to a party to the contract.

American vs. French Revolution

Compare and Contrast Essay American vs. French Revolution Throughout the years, our world has faced drastic and far-reaching changes in the way people think and behave. Countries have managed to constantly change their way of viewing things and started by placing action of what they thought. Two great examples about these conversions are the American and the French Revolution. This times in history, where vital for the formation of nations all over the world and was able to leave a legacy until today.Whereas some people consider these changes as minimal, the American and French Revolution changed the way governments were formed around the world. The French Revolution started in France 1789 which turn out to be a period of radical social and political up heal in France. France was left really poor after helping with the American Revolution a few years before. One of the main conflicts found between the government and the people was that they were charging the poor for taxes while the nobles weren’t paying at all. When the citizens realized it, the governed decided to overthrow the government which at this time was ruled by Louis XVI.More and more people joined the opposition to the existing governing constitution. The Girondin was one of the most important devices in the French revolution due to the fact that many executions of the national party took place there. It was considered a scary time in the country because of the many executions that were held to back up any revolutionary activities. A few years later, Napoleon Bonaparte established an end to the revolution by declaring himself the ‘First consul’ of France, however didn’t quite develop a stable government for later.In the other hand, the American Revolution years earlier back in 1775. The main reason for why this war took place was because the 13 American colonies wanted to break apart from their â€Å"mother land†, Great Britain. Unlike the French, the American battl e was fought as a war with guns and canons in where troops seize to obtain power for their country. After 3 years of war, the French and the United States created the Franco-American Alliance in 1778. This was one more step towards the Americans gaining power over their land.This finally concluded in 1783 when they signed the Treaty of Paris which ended the war. However, Independence Day in the United States is celebrated the 4th of July because that same date back in 1776 was when the famous piece written by Thomas Jefferson was signed by the one of the most important people in American history. The declaration stated their freedom as a legit nation and grants them the title of the United States of Americas. As you can see, both revolutions have their differences among with their similarities.One of the obvious ones is that the American Revolution was the one who created this revolutionary movement in world history and inspired other nations who were struggling for their rights (in this case France). France returned them the favor of inspiration by helping them fight against the British and contributing in what was needed. Another similarity was that they both had a written piece (Declaration of Independence and The rights of man) which introduced how the people wanted to be treated. In this fight for what the people believed was right, I’m sure you noticed various differences among the two.First of all, the American Revolution took place an ocean away from the country of origin and the French Revolution was held in France itself. Another difference mentioned before is that the American Revolution was developed through war and battle. France in the other hand was more of executions and conflicts between the people and the government. One of the most important contrarieties was that the United States incarnated America as a state of democracy and created a long lasting government that is still held today.The French tried to do something similar however they weren’t able to. As you can see, the Revolutions, with their differences and similarities, managed to reform their countries in their own way. Weather it was through war or through executions, the people managed to say how they wanted to be ruled and accomplished it. In my opinion I think that the revolutions were and will continue to be one of the most important events in world history and that we will forever have an effect on how our world can behave.

If We Go Through The Poem We Will Get The Glimpse

Animism was the first Indian poet to catch and voice these trends in his poetry. As a modern poet in India, he started to voice his own thoughts and opinions, his own experiences, which were the experiences of the every man.. In all his creative works he was very keen to select Indian situations and present them with a purely Indian attitude. He was not for idealism and romanticism, the soft and beautiful aspects of life. He highlighted the reality of Indian life with its bitterness ,hypocrisy and bits of sweetness through the lives of common people.The characters of is poems are from different walks of life but without a bit of exaggeration. We feel and experience the Indians and Indian culture, Indian temperament through each and every character and situation in the poems. If we go through the poems we will get the glimpse about south Asian society and their cultures and politics. Animism Ezekiel creates an authentic flavor of India by his use of Indian English. The Indian flavor h as created by stressing various mistakes which Indians commit in their use of English. Animism Ezekiel is entirely Indian not only in sensibility but also in proper use of Indian attitudes.In the â€Å"Very Indian Poem In Indian English† the common mistakes committed by Indians in using English and other Indians are freely employed to create the typical flavor with an artistic purpose In a realistic way. This has started giving with a ironic title. In this poem, very sit few lines indicate that there is going on political unrest or chaotic moment in society. â€Å"l am standing for peace and non violence. Why world is fighting fighting' After uttering these line he tells that why we are not following Mahatma Gandhi.He has taken the great Indian character in his poem who stood for peace. He also tells us that we are totally away from our ancient culture. He also used 200%, 100% and very colonial words to satire and to indicate that modern generation are so far away from our a ncient culture. Modern generation are cherishing foreign cultures, fashion and neglecting their own culture. So he uses these Irony towards modern generation. † But modern generation is neglecting – Too much going for fashion and foreign thing' He also satire the political leaders ,because their allured speech much than their works.Perhaps he has wanted to say that whatever they tell, they doesn't turn it into org. He also stairs their way of behaving and he is also taken glimpse of their speech that â€Å"Friends, Romans, countrymen, am saying Lend me the ears. The regrettable thing in the modern world is the act of violence and anti – social tendencies proving to be a menace. Still the positive aspects like regeneration, remuneration and contraception could be thought of as a way out of the present muddle. One can certainly hope for the better and propagate the best that is thought as unique.He has also very aptly shown us the Indian picture-Lassie can be take n as equivalent to he western wine if only a little salt is added to make it a lovely drink. The poet confesses that he is the total abstainer from drinks while it is taken by addicts to gun themselves, he for his part would turn to simple drinks like lassie. Thus, the poet tries to receive the old Gandhi days. We can assume by this poem that there are clash between county to county, and country to country to rule over one another. It has become a trend of every country.So to come out from this poet is urging that if only one consider the other as the brother then the trend could be changed.. He gives the hand of friendliness to the visitor and expects him to come again. The poet is optimistic when he says that he enjoys every moment of good company. So, he ends the poem by saying that he does not feel the necessity of celebrating ceremonies. Animism Ezekiel has picked up the typical picture of Indian subcontinent very dexterously through the poem ‘Conga'. By depicting conga h e has shown us how wealthy class people fell pride on lower class people treating them very badly as their goods.Animism Ezekiel has depicted very common and true future Of society in very much interesting and funny way that how wealthy people neglecting harassing, torturing on their servant. The poem â€Å"Conga† has started that we pride for our generosity to servant and their generosity is that they give a chance to a prostitute woman to work at their houses. Miss Ezekiel ironically has given a pathetic description of servant how they are treating in the society. But even in our society servant are the victim of sexual harassment. So there is a question arise that is it pride that a prostitute works at wealthy men houses.It is a poke to upper class people. They give them a cup of tea which they eve preserved from previous evening. They give tem stale ‘chapatti' and give old clothes by which they could exchange a cup,etc. They give one coins and take it return. So it has been a trend of upper class that they feel comfort, enjoy by dominating them like that way. But these men never learn because of their poverty. Perhaps poet wants to tell though we are seeming greater man by possessing these things but we are in darkness. Because we are wanting to be civilize reaming them unlearned and uncivilized So it is a slap to moral civilization.The poem ‘Guru' portraits the modern picture of the Gurus who are more terrestrials than ever and above ordinary men – â€Å"the lesser considered as holy men while they totally lack all the virtues of saints. They make a sharp discrimination between the rich and the poor, men and women, countrymen and foreigners. The following lines show characteristically Indian touch which becomes an irony on our part: The saint, we are told, Once lived a life of sin nothing spectacular, of course, Just the usual things. We smile, we are not surprised. Unlikely though it seem, we too one day May grow up like him, d ropping our follies like old clothes or creeds.

Night Patrol by Alan Ross, War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen Essays

Night Patrol by Alan Ross, War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen Essays Night Patrol by Alan Ross, War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen Paper Night Patrol by Alan Ross, War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen Paper Essay Topic: Carol ann Duffy Poems Dunkirk Poetry All of these poems are about the effects of war, and how people feel about it. `Night Patrol` by Alan Ross. This is about a soldier that goes out on a night patrol, he is on a boat that leaves port at last light, and returns to the port at dawn. It shows the daily routine of a patrolling soldier at war. `War Photographer` by Carol Ann Duffy. This poem isnt first hand experience, she is writing as a male photographer that goes to report the war. The man realises the issues of war and death. `Dulce et Decorum Est` by Wilfred Owen, this poem is about a man on the front lines. He faces and describes the dangers or war, gunfire, gas and shelling. Night Patrol, this poem is told from a soldiers point of view. The soldier goes on his night shift patrolling the channel by boat. The first three lines are about his view on going to war, he describes it as if he was forced to go to war. He describes the headland so well that it seems he doesnt want to leave it, but it is disappearing in his view. He talks about the docks, the cranes, and railways. In his shift he sails south from land, he sees the moon as `a rouged face`. He is talking about all this as if hes not going to see it again, this could be the case though, as in the end he is going to war. He describes it so passionately, and as it disappears out of his view, he then looks at the `sea crumpled in the spray-flecked blackness`, meaning the waves and spray created at the back of the boat. `Towards midnight the cold stars, high over Europe, freeze on the sky This is a very descriptive line that gives the reader a lot of information. He is confirming that he is on a night patrol on a boat. He is also saying that he is somewhere in Europe, the North Sea. The way that he worded the line makes you feel the coldness that he is experiencing. He uses the expression of the stars freezing in the sky, giving it a cold feeling, a clear sky without clouds indicates a very cold night. I feel that he finds his day tedious and must have seen it many times before. He sees `stigmata in the sky, meaning Anti-Aircraft guns firing away piecing holes in the sky. He also hears gunfire, this I think scares him as his life is at stake. It is made worse by that he can only hear them, not see them. Then from Dunkirk he sees `red flames opening fanwise`, or an image of death, the fire then burns out and he is back to normal. As the shift is coming to an end they pass another patrol boat coming from England. Heading back he sees some clouds overhead, and back in early light he sees minesweepers going out. He is trying to get across that the daily routine starts all again, but for another man. War Photographer was written by Carol Ann Duffy, it is not a first hand piece of writing, she has written about a male photographer that has gone to war to take photos. As this is not a first hand piece she may have not got all the detail correct, unless she has spoken to a photographer that went to the war. In the first line it says that he is in his dark room and `finally alone, this suggests that he has been waiting for this moment for a long time. `With Spools of suffering set out in ordered rows The pictures taken were war photographs, most pictures taken in war had horrific outcomes, people dying or injured. What she is saying is that loads of pictures are set out in rows (each negative of the film). She then goes on to give you a little description of what the room looks like red lights that softly glows. It is quiet and he is alone, as we know. He is taking his time, and carefully developing the film. Taking photographs is his livelihood, so he was very professional about it, `his hands did not tremble then though seem to now. When he took the photograph he did not have the time to think of the horror and see the proper effect of war, he was there just to take photographs, as a professional. Now that he is in the comfort of his home, his emotions have caught up with him. `Something is happening, one of his photos is coming through, and he sees it as a stranger. He remembers how and when the photo was taken. The woman crying, lying there bleeding on the floor, `blood stained into foreign dust`. A very descriptive piece. Hundred agonies, these are the photographs showing the horrors of the war zones but only five or six will make it into the Sunday supplement. Discarding the photographs in theory is like discarding the stories and tragedies. The readers will be moved by the photographs, but, as they are between the bath and the pre-lunch beers, they are obviously more interested in their own lives. In the final two lines the photographer is on a plane heading presumably, for another war zone. What he sees from this point is the landscape where he works, full of people who feel nothing for the subject that earns him a living. Dulce et Decorum Est`, is written by Wilfred Owen, he has done many other well-known war poems and was tragically killed during the great war. Dulce et Decorum Est is about a battalion going to war and facing a daily routine of being at the front lines. `Bent double, like old beggars under sacks`, this is a very powerful first line that gets the reader thinking straight away. The message that he is trying to get across that these fine young soldiers have been worn down and are acting like old women. A flare is set off, and the whole battlefield is lit, meaning that they can see and be seen by the enemy. Men were so tired that they were marching asleep, some had lost boots, but that was the last thing on their mind. Swaying as theyre marching, `drunk with fatigue`. Gas hit them, they are all fumbling to get their masks on, the large clumsy things that they are. Someone wasnt quick enough and was burnt, by the `fire and lime`. Everyone staring out of there gas marks, a green mercy sight, as if under water. `In all my dreams before my helpless sight he plunges towards me`, what he is trying to say here is that he is haunted by the memories of what he had seen, of the terrible effects of the gas making the man choke, drowning in his own blood. In the last stanza, he is describing it as if he is there, saying that you have to be there to experience it. He describes the vision of the dead person clearly. `His hanging face, like a devils sick of sin`. It may look like hes been hung. The body having been exposed to the gas is rotting away, his corrupted lungs, bleeding, `bitter as cud`. He is saddened by the fact that all these people have lost their lives, but he may also be happy that the battle is over. To sum up this poem he uses a strong finish, Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. Meaning it is noble to die for your country. It does not necessarily mean that hes not afraid of death, just that he thinks it is noble to die for his country. All of these poems have the relationship of war. The main message that all these poems are trying to get across is that war isnt good. In all the poems there is a sign of fear, either first hand or not, the writer still knows that theres fear. In all of the poems there is no positive part to it. In the `War Photographer` the photographer hasnt got the time to realise what is really happening, hes only there to get a front-page snap. When hes home he can have all the time to recollect his thoughts. The photographer cannot be part of his home setting because of the horrors he has witnessed, and the people for whom he works cannot fully appreciate the photographers work because they have no idea of the real circumstances of war. `Night Patrol`, the soldier that goes out on patrol seems to be scared, and wants to stay on land. He also seems fed up of the shift and continuous patrol that risks his life.

Understanding the Basics of Prepegs

Understanding the Basics of Prepegs Prepreg composite materials are becoming increasingly common in the composite industry due to their ease of use, consistent properties, and high-quality surface finish. However, there is much to understand about prepregs prior to committing to using this material. Prepreg The term prepreg is actually an abbreviation for the phrase pre-impregnated. A prepreg is an FRP reinforcement that is pre-impregnated with a resin. Most often, the resin is an epoxy resin, however other types of resins can be used, including the majority of thermoset and thermoplastic resins. Although both are technically prepregs, thermoset and thermoplastic prepregs are dramatically different. Thermoplastic Prepregs Thermoplastic prepregs are composite reinforcements (fiberglass, carbon fiber, aramid, etc.) that are pre-impregnated with thermoplastic resin. Common resins for thermoplastic prepregs include PP, PET, PE, PPS, and PEEK. Thermoplastic prepregs can be provided in unidirectional tape, or in fabrics that are woven or stitched. The primary difference between thermoset and thermoplastic prepreg is that thermoplastic prepregs are stable at room temperature, and generally, do not have a shelf life. This is a direct result of the differences between thermoset and thermoplastic resins. Thermoset Prepregs More commonly used in prepreg composite manufacturing is thermoset prepregs. The primary resin matrix used is epoxy. Other thermoset resins are made into prepregs including BMI and phenolic resins. With a thermoset prepreg, the thermosetting resin starts as a liquid and fully impregnates the fiber reinforcement. Excess resin is precisely removed from the reinforcement. Meanwhile, the epoxy resin undergoes partial curing, changing the state of the resin from a liquid to a solid. This is known as the B-stage. In the B-stage, the resin is partially cured, and usually tacky. When the resin is brought up to an elevated temperature, it often returns briefly to a liquid state prior to hardening completely. Once cured, the thermoset resin which was in the b-stage is now fully cross-linked. Advantages of Prepregs Perhaps the greatest advantage of using prepregs is their ease of use. For example, say one is interested in manufacturing a flat panel out of carbon fiber and epoxy resin. If they were to use liquid resin in a closed molding or open molding process, they would be required to obtain a fabric, the epoxy resin, and the hardener for the epoxy. Most epoxy hardeners are considered hazardous, and dealing with resins in a liquid state can be messy. With an epoxy prepreg, only one item needs to be ordered. An epoxy prepreg comes on a roll and has the desired amount of both resin and hardener already impregnated in the fabric. Most thermoset prepregs come with a backing film on both sides of the fabric to protect it during transit and preparations. The prepreg is then cut to the desired shape, the backing is peeled off, and the prepreg is then laid into the mold or tool. Both heat and pressure are then applied for the specified amount of time. Some of the most common types of prepregs take an hour to cure, at around 250 degrees F, but different systems are available at both lower and higher cure temperatures and times. Disadvantages of Prepregs Shelf Life: Since the epoxy is in a B-stage, it is required to be stored either refrigerated or frozen prior to use. Additionally, the overall shelf life can be low.Cost Prohibitive: When manufacturing composites through a process such as pultrusion or vacuum infusion, the raw fiber, and resin are combined on-site. When using prepregs, the raw material must first be prepregged. This is most often done off-site at a specialized company that focuses on prepregs. This added step in the manufacturing chain can add increased cost, and in some instances close to double the material cost.

Equal Treatment of All Irrespective of Sex, Race or Ability Essay

Equal Treatment of All Irrespective of Sex, Race or Ability - Essay Example Judith Sargent Murray looks into detail the bodily superiority of men and the mental superiority of women. Murray vehemently asserts that the faculty of imagination has been unquestionably bestowed on women. This is exemplified by the power of the females so enormous at their readiness to act on their first thoughts. With the females imaginative faculties, they tend to reason on only what they know which is quite dangerous. The creative powers they possess make up stories which could be really destructive. However, she accepts that the judgment of the females not so strong due to the partialities of custom which are traced from the disparities of education background. The female is depressed, confined and domesticated while the male is exalted and encouraged to aspire being led through prosperous paths yet nature provides for equal minds. This disparity leaves a void to the unexploited abilities of the women folk while those that get the opportunity to pursue their dreams through boo ks are attached to style and indignity and are no happy since they are left to pursue men for sexual enjoyment. This inferiority still trails them and they cannot improve. She, however, asserts that since nature treats everyone equal and has seen both successful males and females have all got crowns and fame. With the females imaginative faculties, they tend to reason on only what they know which is quite dangerous. The creative powers they possess they make up stories which could be really destructive.

The effect of China's less stringent trade policies on the global Essay

The effect of China's less stringent trade policies on the global economy - Essay Example rogress in conforming to WTO norms has been slow and a number of issues still to be resolved before China can be considered fully integrated into the international trade regime. Both China and her trading partners are reaping full advantage of their trade liberalisation but not to an extend due to a liberal trade regime and strong protection for foreign intellectual property requirements. Moving China’s economic system from central planning and command to market socialism has had to undergo several changes making her international trading and domestic regulatory regimes to undertake fundamental changes as a result of its WTO accession commitments. In this way, China has had to reduce or eliminate a wide range of trade barriers and open its domestic industries to increased competition, the modification and addition of sections of her domestic legislation such as those relating to the protection of intellectual property in order to be in compliance with WTO protocols (USTR, 2003a). The central government has also committed itself to reduce the state’s role in the economy in order to satisfy both domestic and international calls for a more and better market-based system. These changes will mean separating government from business, leading to the privatizing additional state enterprises, fostering a more independent central banking system and reducing corru ption (The Economist, 2001a). The Chinese economy is expected to grow by 9% per year from 2006 – 2015 (even though a slow in growth is expected in 2015 – 2020) since her government began dismantling its command economy in favour of markets and opening its markets to foreign goods and investment. It is further predicted that by 2020 China’s GDP would have grown to US$10 trillion. Since 1990, the Chinese economy has not witnessed a GDP of less than 4%. In 1992, the growth rate peaked at 14 percent (The Economist, 2000). Between 1997 and 2000, the economy grew by 24.7 percent. The growth rate for each year

Macroeconomic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Macroeconomic - Essay Example The volatility in the expenditures made by the consumers can be explained by the volatility in the terms of trade. The economy of Australia can be characterized by less volatile terms of trade after the period of 1980s. It can be judged that economic growth shares close association with terms of trade. An economy moving along the growth curve is expected to witness terms of trade while the economy under the growth curve will face the declining terms of trade line. Question a The global prices of the exports as well as the imports and the goods basket offered to the consumers are the two prime components that make up the terms of trade. Australia can be treated to be the country that has the potential to affect the world prices of the goods. The terms of trade can also get influenced by the geographic boundary of an economy. Coal is abundant in the country and therefore Australia engages itself in coal export (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2011). A rise in the prices of coa l relatively to the prices of the other ICT goods will shed the effect in rising the terms of trade. The exchange rate of the economy and the terms of trade are closely associated. The nominal exchange rate got reduced being the resultant of financial crisis of 1990s. The influences with the geographical boundaries can play a part in volatility of import prices but the prices of the exports are influenced only by changes in world prices of the goods. In the short time period the fall of imports are steeper than the price of exports. The unstable growth in productivity in the sectors of tradable or non tradable goods played a part in boosting the exchange rate. The phase after the 1980s led to rapid productivity growth in the sectors of finance as well as insurance. The inflows of capital paved the way for strengthening of the U.S. dollar and this can be accounted to be the second factor. In the short run the exchange rate remained lower than the market rate. The economic growth rema ined at more or less at relatively stable state as the volatility in terms of trade played a major role. The less volatility in the terms of trade also contributed in keeping the rate of inflation at a lower level. In the initial phases of the new millennium the terms of trade began to rise. Over the last decade and a half Australia shifted from exporting price impulsive properties towards exports of goods whose price can be anticipated. Australia now engages itself in exporting the rural goods. It offers a wide variety of goods for export and experts are of the opinion that the export of the rural goods is an effective strategy for the country as exports of such goods can be assumed to capture a proportion of foreign market (Australian Government Productivity Commission, 2012). Therefore foreign capital will plight in into the country. The exports of the rural goods have taken the steep rising curve over the course of time and the exports of the goods comprises of vegetables and da iry products. Question b The terms of trade is influenced by the factors that are summarized below. The fluctuation in the levels of demand on the global platform The shocks in the market of commodities Globalization shock The fluctuations in the levels of demand on the global arena and the shocks on the commodity markets plays their part in raising the prices of the

Effects of Bio fuels on the Environment Essay Example for Free

Effects of Bio fuels on the Environment Essay Bio fuel is a type of fuel that is made out of both living or lifeless biological material and specifically, the plants as per the definition given by Shepardson, (2009). According to Shepardson, most bio fuels are in the form of esters, alcohols among others and a good example of this type of fuel is bio ethanol and bio diesel. This fuel is mostly used in vehicles and for it to be considered as a bio fuel according to Connor Steve (2008), it must consist of about 80% of renewable materials. The production of this kind of fuel has been said to be impacting negatively on the environment however though this is the case, the benefits of bio fuels cannot be dismissed altogether. As a result of this disagreement, a lot of discussions have been held over this issue something that has polarized the society between those who argue that it does not impact negatively on the environment and those that maintain that it does. This becomes the basis of this essay where the paper will take a stand and support the claims that indeed bio fuels impact negatively on the environment. According to Mongobay. com (2008), there are various types of bio fuels and one of these is E10 which over time has been greatly improved in terms of quality in that initially it contained about 90 percent of petroleum and 10 percent of ethanol but of late it is called E100 because it is almost made up of ethanol alone and about 4 percent of water. The invention of this type of fuel according to Shepardson (2009) is something that has greatly revolutionised the transport industry. These fuels have particularly been cited as one of the best ways to reduce green house gas emissions unlike it is the case with other types of fuel especially fossil fuels. Even though they are praised for this, the negative environmental consequences they have are innumerable. One of these effects according to a scientific study that was conducted in 2008 contradicts the alleged potential of this fuel to reduce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide among others; this is as per the Mongobay. com (2008). As per this study, Mongobay. com (2008) argues that growing crops with an aim of producing bio fuel leads to an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This claim according to the Green Website. co. uk is given weight by reports that were published in a science journal known as Journal Science that showed that plants that are specifically grown for the production of this fuel produce more carbon dioxide than what these plants can naturally absorb. According to these scientists Mongobay (2008), it would take decades to reverse the trend or to balance what they termed as ‘carbon debt’. Or in other words the amount of oxygen released to the atmosphere in the course of growing these crops and is yet to be absorbed. The US and the European Union have particularly been on the forefront in propagating the idea for the production of biomass as the surest way of controlling global warming (Shepardson, 2009). According to Shepardson this has forced researchers from all over the world who aims at protecting the environment to conduct researches in their bid to understand better how this would impact on the environment. One of the researches that were conducted as per the report compiled by Connor, (2008) shown that clearing Amazon’s forested land to grow soybeans would create a carbon debt that would take 319 years to be restored not mentioning the magnitude in which forests and bushes would be destroyed to grow these crops Production of biomass is labour intensive and requires a big land according to Sawahei (2009), what this means is that a lot of bushes and forests are cleared to produce raw materials for bio fuel thereby leaving the ground with no cover thereby increasing the possibility of soil erosion taking place. To Sawahei, the world requires large tracts of land for it to feed its population now amounting over six billions. By growing biomass as an alternative source of fuel would require more land that what is needed for growing crops as per the Action for Global Health (2008) and eventually there will be no natural vegetations as all land will either have been cultivated for crop production or biomass production or both. According to the Action for Global Health (2008), this greatly destroys the environment considering that vegetation cover protects soil erosion and again it is a habitat to millions of animal species (Sawahei, 2009). Apart from this, the risk of polluting water sources with phosphates and nitrates from fertilizers that are applied to boost crop production are very high (Biofuel, 2003). Water is also polluted by chemicals that are used in the production of biomass such as pesticides sprayed to get rid of pests that attack and destroy these plants. These chemicals not only pollute water but they also kill micro organisms present in the soil that in one way or the other keep the eco system working (Action for Global Health. 2008). Rogercopenh (2008) contends that by the United States embarking on campaigns to push for the use of bio fuels might mislead many third world countries into substituting land meant for growing food crops for biomass production because of the money this business would bring. According to Rogercopenh (2008) this might in turn lead to the encroachment of forests and other natural habitats which are home to millions of wild animals. It should also not be forgotten that when this green matter is harvested, there are chances that some will rot thereby producing a very bad smell and apart from rotting, some of these plants produce bad odour naturally and thus they are an environmental hazard in that they pollute the air. As per the evidence given by Franke and Reinherdt (1998), Bio fuel also kills biodiversity in terms of the variety of plants growing in a field. For biomass to be produced in large quantity, enough to keep the world going, then its production must be professionally done. What this means according to Franke and Reinherdt (1998) is that a whole field is filled with only one type of plants leading to what is known as monoculture and by doing this, other types of plants are not given a chance to grow something that indirectly leads to their extinction (Franke and Reinherdt, 1998). In doing this according to Randooke (2009), animal are also not spared in that deforestation must take place, grasslands must be cleared and wetlands are destroyed. The truth is that these areas are habitat to many species of animals and thus what this means is that these species will be killed while others are displaced. Trees naturally preserve water catchments areas and thus when land is prepared for the cultivation these reserves are destroyed (Randooke, 2009). According to the Action for Global Health, (2008) the whole bio fuel production process requires a lot of energy and basically the type of energy that is used is fossil fuel. The argument raised by the Action for Global Health (2008) is that the amount of carbon that is emitted by burning bio fuels is absorbed by crops that are grown purposely for bio fuels production but the problem is that the amount of carbon that is emitted during their production considering that carbon emitted during planting, spraying, treating and harvesting season where machines that uses fossil fuels is not cleared from the air. This claim is supported by Sawahei, (2009) who argues that even after these crops are harvested, more carbon is emitted to the atmosphere in that coal or other forms of fossil fuels such as gas are used to heat the raw materials that are used in the production of bio fuels. Though bio fuels are heavily criticised in that they cause serious negative environmental ramifications according to Connor (2008), there are other various researches that have been done which prove otherwise. Researches show that production of other forms of fuel such as fossil fuel leads to the release of more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than it is the case with bio fuels (Science for environmental policy, 2008). One research that strongly supports this claim is the one that was done in the United Kingdom. According to the same source, what they call first generation process Life Cycle Analysis, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by over sixty percent unlike other forms. As per Biofuels (2003), the second generation process carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by over 80 percent. Generally according to this report, carbon dioxide emissions can be saved by an average of about 50 to 60 percent. Another advantage of using this kind of fuel according to the Greencar website (2009) is that bio fuel does not contain sulphur which is one of the main components that causes acid rains. Also considering that it is made by bio degradable materials, its chances of destroying the soil are low unlike other fuels such as fossil fuels which contaminate water sources and destroy soil when they leak into them (Science for environmental policy, 2008). In consideration of the massive evidence that is provided here above, one is justified to say that biofuels are an environmental hazard. There are a lot of researches that have been done by different researchers and most of them point to the fact that the production of bio fuels produces many effects that in one way or the other destroys the eco system for example, fertilizers that are applied on crops meant to produce biomass releases phosphates and nitrates thereby destroying soil and water. Another way through which biofuels destroys the environment is that despite the fact that a lot of forests and bushes have already been cleared for crop production, more land is snow needed for biomass production something that leads to soil erosion due clearance of bushes and the destruction of habitats that are home to many species. This indirectly leads to the extinction of these species whether plant or animals. Bibliography: Action for Global Health. 2008. New study demonstrates bio fuels negative impact on poverty, hunger and environment. Available at http://docs. google. com/gview? a=vq=cache:elry2KJk0UgJ:ec. europa. eu/environ ment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/1si4. pdf+biofuels+,+negative+impacts+,e nvironmenthl=engl=ke Biofuel, 2003. Bio diesel Impacts on the environment. http://www. biofuelus. com/biofuel/biodiesel/biodiesel-impact-on-the- environment. php Connor Steve, 2008. Biofuels make climate change worse, Scientific Study concludes. Available at http://www. independent. co. uk/environment/climate-change/biofuels- make-climate-change-worse-scientific-study-concludes-779811. html

Affirmative Action :: essays research papers

The first website, http://www.infoplease.com/spot/affirmative1.html, discussed the history and timeline of affirmative action. The first discussion of affirmative action was in Executive Order 10925 on March 6, 1961. President Johnson introduced this policy as a method of redressing discrimination that continued even with the civil rights laws and constitutional guarantees. Affirmative action was enforced for the first time on September 24, 1965. The focus of this policy was to make sure active measures were being taken to give blacks and other minorities the same opportunities for promotions, raises, scholarships, school admissions and financial aid that whites enjoyed. Initially, this policy was to be temporary until the playing field was level for all Americans.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the late 70s, flaws of the policy were becoming evident in the course of its good intentions. Reverse discrimination was becoming an issue, such as the Bakke case. A medical school rejected Allan Bakke, a white male, two years in a row. The school had accepted less qualified minority applicants instead. They had a separate admissions policy for minorities, reserving 16 out of 100 places. The Supreme Court banned inflexible quota systems in connection with affirmative action programs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A backlash by angry white men began to mount against affirmative action. To conservatives, the system opened doors for jobs, promotions or education for minorities while shutting it for whites. Needless to say, the debate over affirmative action has grown more cloudy and difficult, as society has come to realize its complexity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second website, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/affirm/affirm.htm, discussed what affirmative action is. It was put into law three decades ago to give minorities and women special consideration in employment and education. Generally, goals and timetables are set within the institution for increased diversity. With today’s form of affirmative action, an admissions officer faced with two equally qualified applications can choose the minority over the white or a manager can hire a women instead of a man. These decisions are not to be made based on quotas, give preferential treatment to unqualified candidates, nor harm anyone due to reverse discrimination.

American Connector Company Essay

American Connector Corporation makes electrical connectors at a plant in Sunnyvale, California. With applications from military, aerospace to consumer electronics and appliances, there is great difference in terms of specifications also. Standard designs were established by International Institute of Connectors and Interconnect Technology, the National Electronics Distributors Association or by the end user. There is rumor of entry of DJC Corporation of Japan which was a dominant supplier of electrical connectors in Japan. DJC had not established itself in the US as it had no plants in the US and but a small sales force. This created problem for ACC who also had problems of their own with regard to Sunnyvale plant where costs were increasing and quality of production was decreasing. Threat of DJC to American Connector Company Due to the operational excellence that DJC has, ACC should be extremely concerned with their entrance to the US. DJC will be willing to operate at smaller margins to capture the market share. The intensity of the market competitiveness can result in compounding of the threat of the lower prices. ACC will have a limited amount of time for the realization of this threat and to evaluate the next course of action. Main threat to ACC from DJC comes from the operational efficiency and static cost difference and hence disregarding the arrival of unnerving competitor like DJC can immediately disrupt ACC’s pricing strategy and long term profitability. Following factors reinforces the threat of DJC to ACC- (1) Lower Material products cost – Following table shows that cost incurred by DJC as compared to ACC is lower in both the years 1986 and 1991. In 1986, DJC had 7% more COGS incurred as compared to ACC while at the end 1991, they were reduced by 40%. If DJC sets up manufacturing base in US Landscape, there will be substantial raw material cost reduction for DJC as compared to ACC. (2) Lower defect rate and greater efficiency- The quality losses for ACC is 1.6% against 0.7% of DJC. The defect rates at Sunnyvale’s are as high  as 26000ppm of production and its quality control is end product inspection as compared to process centric quality control in DJC. (3) Higher Fixed Asset utilization- The effective utilization of fixed assets (in %) for DJC is 75.4% as compared to mere 30.2% of ACC. (4) Lower Work In process inventory- Kawasaki Plant of DJC had processing lead times and work-in-process inventories averaging for only two days against high inventory levels of ACCâ⠂¬â„¢s Sunnyvale Plant. (5) Lower Raw Material Inventories- The raw material inventories of ACC averaged for 10.8 days which is more than double than DJC’s average of only 5 days, which in results in less inventory cost and reduced finished good cost. (6) Higher responsiveness to customer order delivery- Because of highly automated production process at Kawasaki plant of DJC, the speed of order delivery is one day whereas ACC works on batch production process which produces about 4,500 varieties of connectors, hence they have more than one day However, DJC will face a number of challenges in implementing its Kawasaki Factory model in USA which are mentioned below- (1) Customer Contacts- DJC would not be able to leverage its strength to the fullest in USA as it would have to compete in a new market with no major contacts. (2) Flexibility of Production process- Batch production process of ACC renders it great flexibility in terms of customization of products to its customers as compared to DJC. (3) Production and Inventory Control- There are 700 standard connector product lines in North America alone and ACC makes 4500 SKU’s and some product lines were run on almost continuously basis. So it would be very difficult for DJC to be able to maintain such long run times when they need to produce almost 8 times the number of varieties of connectors they produce at Kawasaki. (4) Finished Goods Inventory- DJC carries 56 days of finished goods inventory as compared to 38 days of ACC and given the short life cycles of electronics, DJC faces high risk of being obsolete. (5) Demand Variability- DJC’s product oriented layout operated on high volumes and low variety production, thus reducing costs. However USA does not have a certain demand for such high volume products. How big are the cost differences between DJC’s plant and ACC’s Sunnyvale plant? Consider both DJC’s performance in Kawasaki and its potential in the United States. To study the cost difference between DJC’s Plant and ACC’s  Sunnyvale plant, we need to remember the important fact that the two plants operate in an entirely different scenarios (Countries). Thus in order to bring in a direct comparison between the two the cost indices between United States and Japan in 1991 comes very handy. The various indices that compare Japan with US are given in the foll owing table Cost Indices (Us to Japan)

Succubus Shadows Chapter 16

Really, when you thought about it, what I was going through wasn't that much different from dying after all. They always said you saw your life flash before your eyes, and that's how it was for me. Dream after dream. I relived the most painful moments of my life, true dreams where I'd done terrible things and seen terrible things done to those I loved. More â€Å"realities† that had never happened were shown to me as well. In one, Roman's recent display of affection turned out to be a scam. It was a front to punish me for my role in the death of his sister. Only, he didn't go after me directly. He went after all my friends, mortal and immortal. I watched him kill them one by one as he ignored my pleas to just finish me off instead. The Oneroi latched onto how I was bothered more by the suffering of those I loved than of myself. They mocked me, claiming that Roman's rampage was a vision of the future that had come through the gate of horn. I didn't believe it†¦at least, I didn't think I did. Nyx could see the future. Could they? Or were they maybe in contact with her, despite her imprisonment? My higher reasoning was giving way to paranoia as I was stripped further and further of my essence. I even began to dread the true dreams from the mortal world, the ones that showed me my friends. They were no longer a comfort; they only plunged me further into darkness. Because as the Oneroi had predicted, there seemed to be no hope of rescue in sight. Still, I kept dreaming†¦. Roman, Hugh, and the vampires were in a van. Peter was driving, and the clock on the dashboard read two o'clock in the morning. No one spoke in the small space, giving me no clue as to what was transpiring. Their headlights illuminated a sign along the freeway that indicated an exit for Idaho State Route 41. Idaho? â€Å"Can you change the station?† asked Hugh. â€Å"I hate talk radio.† â€Å"Because you might learn something?† asked Peter. â€Å"Because I'm trying to stay awake.† â€Å"It's a rule of the road: driver controls the radio.† â€Å"What rule book says that?† â€Å"Enough,† said Roman. His voice was weary, his face more so. He looked like he hadn't been sleeping much, but considering the time of night, that wasn't a surprise. He unfolded a map and then checked a piece of paper with some notes scrawled on it. â€Å"It should be the next exit.† â€Å"How'd Carter even find this guy?† asked Cody. â€Å"Because Carter moves in mysterious ways,† said Hugh. â€Å"Hard-drinking, hard-smoking mysterious ways.† â€Å"Yeah, but if he knew, why didn't he tell Jerome?† â€Å"Because Jerome would go into blasting mode if he found out. I guess Carter was keeping it on the down-low as some sort of compassionate act. He's an angel and all.† â€Å"Oh, right.† Cody seemed to have forgotten about that. It was an easy mistake. â€Å"Jerome'll blast us too if he knows what we're doing,† warned Peter. â€Å"He's too distracted. He thinks we're just following a vampire lead.† â€Å"That's the point,† said Peter. â€Å"If he finds out we lied to him – â€Å" â€Å"He won't,† interrupted Roman impatiently. â€Å"Not if we just get what we need from this guy and get out of here. This is it – take that exit.† Hugh veered off onto what hardly seemed like a road at all. It had no businesses and only one streetlight to illuminate an intersection, just before darkness swallowed everything. Roman continued giving directions, steering them farther and farther into the countryside. â€Å"You can't do anything to him,† said Hugh, craning his head to look at Roman in the backseat. â€Å"Show any flare of power in another demon's territory, and you're dead – probably along with the rest of us.† â€Å"Do you think I'm stupid?† demanded Roman. â€Å"Not exactly. But I do think you're short-tempered, have poor impulse control, and would do anything for Georgina.† I expected Roman to deny all of that – or at least the last part – but he said nothing. Silence fell again until Roman at last pointed to a narrow gravel driveway. It was so hard to see that Peter drove past it, squealed the brakes, and backed up. They parked near the driveway's end and began walking up it. I saw then that the back of the van had blacked-out windows, and it was a safe bet that the vampires' coffins were likely back there in case daytime travel was required. Out here in the middle of nowhere, stars clustered the sky, and night insects rained down a symphony of chatter. The faint outline of a house appeared. No lights were on within. â€Å"Can we do it SWAT team style?† asked Cody eagerly. â€Å"Surround the house and swoop in?† â€Å"I don't think that's necessary,† said Roman. He gave the door a sharp kick. It shuddered but didn't come close to breaking apart action-movie style. Keeping his nephilim powers in check meant he had the same abilities as a human. Peter sighed. â€Å"Let me.† He took Roman's place, repeated the kick, and this time the door did burst in and break apart. With their goofy attitudes, it was easy to forget sometimes that both Cody and Peter had super fast reflexes and enhanced strength. Peter stepped back, brushing splinters off his pants. The foursome entered, and a light turned on in the back of the house. â€Å"What the hell?† a voice demanded. What the hell, indeed. Dante entered the room. He took one look at my friends and said, â€Å"Oh, shit.† Then he bolted back toward the room he'd come from, no doubt heading for a window. He was too slow, though. In a flash, Cody had Dante by the scruff of his shirt and dragged him back to the living room, shoving my ex-boyfriend into a chair. Dante immediately started to rise, noticed how my friends had closed rank around him, and then thought better of it. Dante sighed. â€Å"Well, I knew this had to happen some day. Why didn't your boss come himself?† He peered at Roman. â€Å"And haven't I seen you somewhere?† Dante had seen Roman on a beach when we rescued Jerome from the summoning. There'd been a fair amount of chaos, so I wasn't surprised Dante's memory was sketchy – especially since he'd been beaten up by a demon. â€Å"We're not here because of Jerome,† snapped Hugh. Then, he reconsidered. â€Å"Well, we are, but not for the reasons you think.† â€Å"Answer our questions, and you might live another day,† said Peter. Apparently, the action-movie theme was still going strong. â€Å"Where's Georgina?† demanded Roman. It was interesting that every time my immortal posse interrogated someone, they phrased the question that way first, instead of, â€Å"Do you know where Georgina is?† When you worked for Hell, everyone was guilty until proven innocent. Dante's face lost some of its fear and took on its usual cynical look. He tossed messy black hair out of his face. â€Å"In Seattle, sleeping with that fucking writer.† â€Å"No,† said Roman. â€Å"She's not.† â€Å"She's not what? In Seattle or sleeping with the writer?† Dante arched an eyebrow. â€Å"And who are you exactly?† â€Å"The muscle,† said Hugh dryly. â€Å"Georgina's gone. Vanished. And if anyone's got reason to make her disappear† – he paused and glanced uneasily at Roman – â€Å"it's you.† â€Å"I'm not the kind of magician that pulls rabbits out of my hat. Or makes them disappear.† Dante was growing more and more confident, now that he knew Jerome wasn't going to send him to the torture pits of Hell. â€Å"If you can't find her, ask your archdemon. Unless he's been summoned again, he'll know.† â€Å"He doesn't,† said Cody. â€Å"But maybe you already knew that.† Dante rolled his eyes. â€Å"You think I'm going to go anywhere near Seattle when there's a price on my head? Do you think I'm hiding out in the fucking sticks because I want to? The best I can do is sell charms and fake fortunes to tourists in Coeur d'Alene.† â€Å"Carter should have come with us,† said Hugh in exasperation. â€Å"He should have known that too after sending us here.† Dante stiffened, his arrogance faltering. â€Å"That angel knows where I am? Then Jerome has to know.† â€Å"He's keeping it from Jerome. For now.† Peter was still using that melodramatic voice. â€Å"That can change if you don't help us.† â€Å"I don't know where she fucking is, okay? I told you: I can't make a succubus disappear.† Roman's hand closed around Dante's neck in a fair approximation of Jerome. Even without supernatural abilities, Roman was still strong. â€Å"You've worked with immortals before. You could do it again and have them do the dirty work.† â€Å"I show my face to any immortal, and I'm a dead man,† choked Dante. Roman fixed Dante with a dark glare that reminded me of the time Roman had tried to kill me. And when he had killed me in a recent Oneroi dream. At last, Roman let go. Rubbing his neck, a puzzled Dante asked again, â€Å"Who are you?† Cody glanced at the others. â€Å"Do you think he's lying?† â€Å"Wouldn't surprise me,† said Hugh. He crossed his arms across his broad chest. â€Å"But maybe you can be useful. What could make a succubus disappear?† â€Å"What'll you give me for helping you?† asked Dante slyly. Yes, that was my ex. Always looking for an advantage. â€Å"We won't call Jerome,† growled Peter. This time, the anger in his voice was not faux movie style. It was real, again a reminder that at the end of the day, he really was a vampire who could break necks easily. This sobered Dante up. â€Å"Fine. Not that I care what the fuck happens to her. How did she disappear?† Again, the story was recounted, something that was beginning to depress me – largely because everyone seemed to emphasize just how depressed and miserable my life was. â€Å"It's a lure,† said Dante with certainty. â€Å"We know that,† said Roman. â€Å"Erik told us.† Dante scowled at the mention of his nemesis. â€Å"Of course he did. It's a wonder you need me with his almighty wisdom at your disposal.† â€Å"What would lure her?† said Peter, no doubt interrupting Dante from asking again who Roman was. â€Å"All sorts of things,† said Dante. â€Å"Anything could create a lure, but visions like that would most likely be tied to dreams. Did you guys lose Nyx again?† â€Å"No,† said Hugh. Dante shrugged. â€Å"Then look for something else that can control dreams, maybe try a – â€Å" I stood in the village I'd grown up in. The transition was so abrupt that I was dizzy for a moment. There hadn't been a transition, no fragmenting of the image or a fade to black. It had been a quick movie cut. A bad editing job. I stared around, seeing again the place that had caused me so much torment. I wondered what else the Oneroi had to show me here and why I'd come here so suddenly. I'd already relived the false wedding accusations. At one point, they'd even had me dream the true story of how my infidelity had led to me selling my soul. I was probably now in store for some new contrived horror. The world spun around me, the buildings and people moving around in rough-spun clothes dizzying me. â€Å"Are you all right?† a voice asked. Turning around, the scenery settled a bit and I found myself looking into the face of an ancient man. Bushy eyebrows stretched across a heavily lined brow, nearly obscuring dark brown eyes. â€Å"Yes†¦I'm fine.† I frowned and did a double take. â€Å"Gaius?† Those eyebrows rose. â€Å"Have we met?† I stared, unable to speak for a moment. I'd known Gaius since the time I could walk. He was a blacksmith, the brawniness of his arms proving as much. But he'd been young the last time I'd seen him, a man in his prime. With no control, words spilled off my lips, words I'd spoken before when I'd lived this event the first time. This was a true memory. So far. â€Å"We met a very long time ago,† I said. He chuckled. â€Å"Girl, I'd remember you. And ‘a very long time ago' could only have been a few years for you.† I became aware of my body, knowing what I looked like even without a mirror. I had shape-shifted just before entering the village, taking on a form I had sworn I would never, ever wear again. And, in fact, after this day, I never would wear it again. I was in my original body: fifteen-year-old Letha, too tall with thick, tangled black hair. I'd come here to find out something. Something I had to know. I gave Gaius a weak nod. My old self had been as shocked as my current self at what time had done to him. How long since I'd become a succubus and left my village? Thirty years ago? â€Å"Can you tell me†¦is there a man here – a fisherman – named Marthanes? Does his family still live here?† â€Å"Sure,† he said. â€Å"Same house they've always been in, out past the – â€Å" â€Å"I know where it is,† I said quickly. He shrugged, not minding my interruption. â€Å"He's probably down at the bay, though. He's too old to still be working but swears his sons-in-law can't get by without him.† Sons-in-law. Of course. My sisters would have gotten married long ago. â€Å"Thanks,† I said. I began to walk away. â€Å"It was nice seeing you again.† He gave me a puzzled look but said nothing more. I walked toward the bay, where the water glowed with such a vivid, teal-tinged blue that it seemed to be some Technicolor vision. Surely nothing in nature could produce such beauty. Longing and nostalgia welled up within my watching self. The town was busy at midday, and I recognized more faces than I expected. Children I'd known grown to adulthood, adults I'd known now in their golden years. The waterfront was just as busy, with ships loading and unloading goods that made commerce in the Mediterranean boom. It took me a while to find my father, and here, I earned more looks than I had in the village. Women were rare in this district, choosing to avoid the rough sailors and workers. I located my father largely because of his voice, shouting orders just as he had in my youth. â€Å"Are you trying to cost me a fortune? What do you do out there all day? My granddaughter could catch this many fish wading by the beach!† He was yelling at a man I didn't know, his face sheepish and cowed as he displayed what must have been today's meager catch. I wondered if this was one of my sisters' husbands. The man promised to do better and then scurried away. â€Å"Fa – Marthanes?† My father turned at my approach, and I tried not to gasp. Like Gaius, the years had carved away Marthanes the fisherman as well. How old would he be now? Sixties? Seventies? Time had grown blurred since I became immortal. â€Å"What do you want?† he snapped. â€Å"I've got no use for prostitutes anymore. Go down to Claudius if you're looking for business. He hasn't slept with his own wife in ten years. Not that I blame him. That woman's a harpy.† Age might have grayed and thinned out his hair, lines might have creased his face†¦but my father's tongue was still the same. â€Å"N-no. That's not why I'm here. I met you†¦a few years ago.† He frowned, looking me up and down. â€Å"Never seen you in my life. Pretty sure I'd remember someone as tall as you.† As a succubus, I could change into any man's fantasy, taking on the shape of a woman whose beauty transcended words. Yet, even with that ability, the old remarks about my height still stung. â€Å"Well, I remember you.† Seeing his eyes shift impatiently to his workers, I asked, â€Å"Do you know a musician named Kyriakos? He'd be my age – er, about thirty years older than me. He used to live south of town.† My father snorted. â€Å"That Kyriakos? He's no musician. He took over his father's business when he died. Does okay with it, even though the rates he demands for my fish are ridiculous.† â€Å"Does he still live in his same house?† â€Å"You mean his father's house? Yes. Like you said, in the south.† My father's restlessness was palpable now. He didn't know me. He had no use for me. â€Å"Thank you,† I said. I was about to tell him it was nice to see him, as I had Gaius, but my father was gone before I could. With a heavy heart, I walked back through town but instead of heading south, I took a detour to my old home, wondering what I'd discover. What I found was my mother, hanging clothing outside, humming as she did. Off to the house's side a middle-aged woman dug herbs out of the ground. It took me a few moments to recognize her as my younger sister. My mother's face was different, but her kind eyes were still the same as she gave me directions to a place I already knew. My sister glanced up and watched a moment, then returned to her work. Neither recognized me. Just like with my father, I was a brief interruption to their day. I'd known this would happen. It was what I'd sold my soul for. My contract with Hell had erased all memories of me from everyone who had ever known me. The Oneroi had shown me a lie on my wedding day. I'd been a virgin, faithful to Kyriakos. But a couple years later, weakness had struck me. I'd betrayed him, and it had devastated him more than anyone could have imagined. He'd wanted to kill himself over the heartache, and only my bargain had saved him. That was the truth. Still†¦some part of me had thought maybe, just maybe someone might recognize me. Just the faintest spark of remembrance. Kyriakos could have been down near my father, overseeing his fleet, but something told me he'd be doing administrative tasks, not manual labor. My hunch was correct. Before I'd become a succubus, Kyriakos and I had had our own house. He must have moved back to his family's home after Hell erased his memories. I braced myself to meet the lady of the house, the woman Kyriakos must have undoubtedly married. But when he came out to see who was visiting him, I found him alone. Seeing him made my heart stop. He too had been touched by age, but he was still young enough that the lines were few. Only the faintest of gray graced his hair, and like my mother, his eyes were the same. Dark and wonderful and full of goodness. â€Å"Do you need help?† he asked, voice friendly and curious. For a moment, I couldn't speak. I was drunk from seeing him, filled with a mix of love and pain. I wished so badly that I had stayed with him, that I had never committed such sins. I wished I didn't wear this youthful face. I should have grown old with him. My ability to conceive children had seemed sketchy at the time, but maybe we would have eventually had a family. Just like with everyone else, I claimed to need directions, stammering out the first random place I could think of. He described the way in detail, though I already knew it. â€Å"Do you want me to escort you there? This is a safe area†¦but you never know.† I smiled but felt no joy. The same Kyriakos. Infinitely kind to others, even a stranger. â€Å"I'll be fine. I don't want to take you from your work.† I hesitated. â€Å"We met†¦a few years ago.† â€Å"Did we?† He studied me, apparently searching for the memory. His eyes remained blank, though. No trace of recognition. I was a stranger. I had never existed for him. I wondered if he'd even remember me when I left here. He shook his head, sounding sincerely apologetic. â€Å"I'm sorry. I don't recall it†¦.† He was waiting for my name. â€Å"Letha.† The word burned on my lips. Like this shape, the name was dead to me. Only Hell ever used it. â€Å"I'm sorry,† he said again. â€Å"It's okay. Maybe I'm wrong. I thought†¦I thought you were a musician.† When we'd been married, he worked for his father but had hopes of giving that up and playing music full-time. Kyriakos chuckled. â€Å"Only as a hobby. Most of my days are hunched over numbers.† The loss of his ambition made me almost as sad as his lack of memory. â€Å"Well†¦your wife must be glad to have you home.† â€Å"Not married, I'm afraid.† He was still smiling. â€Å"My sister keeps house for me when she's around.† â€Å"Not married?† I asked incredulously. â€Å"But why? At your age†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I blushed, realizing how rude I sounded. â€Å"I'm sorry.† He wasn't offended. â€Å"At your age, marriage is all girls think about, huh? You probably have a dozen suitors with as pretty as you are.† Typical. Few had found me pretty while mortal; he had always believed me beautiful. â€Å"I just never found the right woman. I'd rather be alone than spend my life with the wrong person.† A dreamy, sad look filled his features, and then he shook his head and laughed. It was an uneasy laugh. â€Å"Anyway, you don't want to hear some old man babbling about romantic nonsense. Are you sure you don't want me to show you the way?† â€Å"No, no†¦I think I know where it's at now. Thank you.† I started to turn away and then paused. â€Å"Kyriakos†¦are you†¦are you happy?† This question from someone less than half his age caught him by surprise. And I was surprised he answered. â€Å"Happy? Well†¦content, I guess. I have a good life. Better than most. A very good life, really. Sometimes I wonder†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My breath caught. â€Å"Wonder what?† â€Å"Nothing,† he said, giving me another good-natured smile. â€Å"More nonsense. Yes, Letha. I'm happy. Why do you want to know?† â€Å"Nonsense of my own,† I murmured. â€Å"And you're sure you don't remember me?† I had my answer before I spoke. No. Those eyes had never laid sight on me before. I was just an odd, passing girl. I was no one. â€Å"I'm sorry, I don't.† He winked. â€Å"But I'll remember you now.† Somehow, I doubted it. Leaving him, I felt my heart break. Really, my heart was breaking all the time. You'd think it could only happen once. This was what I'd wanted. What I'd gambled eternity for. Kyriakos was happy. I'd saved him and should be happy in return. Yet, I felt unhappier than I had since becoming a succubus. I decided at that moment I'd never use Letha's shape or name again. I wanted to wipe her from my mind too†¦. â€Å"It's so easy with you,† hissed the Oneroi. It was Two, I thought. I was back in the box. â€Å"We don't even need the ivory gate.† I was so scarred from that memory of Kyriakos, by the truth of what it really meant to be erased from someone's life, that I was inclined to agree with Two. Then, a tiny spark within me glimmered just a bit. I studied the two Oneroi carefully. â€Å"What was the other dream?† I asked. â€Å"Before the one about my husband? Why didn't you let it finish?† â€Å"It did finish,† said One. Their blue, blue eyes were the same, revealing nothing. â€Å"It didn't,† I argued. â€Å"You cut it off. It didn't go the way you planned, did it? My friends found out something from Dante – something you didn't want them to know.† â€Å"They found nothing,† Two replied. â€Å"It was a lie. We gave you false hope, hope that will turn to ashes when you find yourself spending the rest of eternity here.† â€Å"You're the lie,† I said. The spark within my ragged, worn body flared just a little more. â€Å"The dream was true.† One continued the denial. â€Å"The only truth is that you can't tell the difference. And that there is no hope.† â€Å"You're lying,† I said, but as those cold sets of eyes surveyed me, my spark wavered. Uncertainty spread within me. I'd been through so much, a mental rape of sorts, that I questioned once more if I trusted myself. My words were bold, but I no longer knew if I could believe them. Two smiled, able to see into my mind. â€Å"Dream,† he said.