Life On The Outside The Prison Odyssey Of Elaine Bartlett

Over the last half-century, the United States has turned more and more frequently to the use of incarceration as a form of punishment. Sentencing policies and stricter laws requiring mandatory minimums for certain offenses, no matter the conditions of the offense, have boosted the incarceration rate in this country to staggering heights. The typical issues that affect America’s prison systems are reflected in Jennifer Gonnerman’s book, Life on the Outside: The Prison Odyssey of Elaine Bartlett. Elaine Bartlett’s life, along with the lives of surrounding family and friends, is forever changed by her 16 years of incarceration. Elaine Bartlett is only one of many Americans that have been wronged by the cruel and unusual punishments implemented by a society claiming to have a fair, balanced, and equal justice system. A fair and balanced justice system that convicts people who carries the right amount of drugs in weight to have a mandatory incarceration for a minimum of 15 years to life, yet those who commit murder or rape may receive a lesser sentence. There is also the issue of transitioning back into society after being incarcerated for so many years. Incarceration does not just punish the offender; the offender’s family and friends are also negatively affected by the conviction and imprisonment of a loved one. Children could be put in the system or need to be raised by other members in the family. This could lead the children to deviate down the same path as their parent whoShow MoreRelatedThe Rockefeller Drug Laws: Americas War on Drugs: a War We Are Causing, a War We Can Solve1814 Words   |  8 Pagesoffenders in New Yorks prisons. Whites make up only 8%. (Duane, 2) Furthermore, black men are admitted to prison on drug charges at eleven times the rate of white men. The Justice Policy Institute recently released a comprehensive study on the issues of race, poverty, unemployment and selective prosecution within the context of th e war on drugs. The statistics on women, particularly women of color, in New York State Prisons is alarming. More than 83% of women sent to state prison report alcohol or

Starbucks Risk Management Essay - 1110 Words

Starbucks Risk Management FIN 415 March 25, 2013 Starbucks Risk Management In this documentation Team B will discuss different risk management benefits and techniques, and how companies use these benefits and techniques to further their financial goals and prevent future losses. There are two distinct risk management benefits categories: hard and soft. Hard risk management benefits are contingencies, decisions, control, and statistics. Hard benefits support the strategic business planning and effective use of the company resources. While soft risk management benefits are effective communication and a greater sense of morals and responsibility between management and his or her staff. The risk management techniques used in this†¦show more content†¦This technique identifies and addresses the risk level for management, staff, and everyone involved in the project. Project managers can identify and resolve the problem before it becomes a risk factor. Quantitative technique compares the outcomes based on data such as numbers and projections. Computer models are used in assessing quantitative techniques. This technique implement safety measures in order to avoid risk. Qualitative techniques take brainstorming, assumption analysis, Delphi, interviews, hazard and operability studies, failure modes and effects critically analysis, checklists, prompt lists, risk registers, risk mapping, probability impact tables, risk management chart, and project risk management mapping to assess the final project. Qualitative technique has been considered to be more valuable than quantitative techniques. It is recommended as the initial risk assessment for any projects. Quantitative techniques take decision trees, controlled interval memory techniques, Monte Carlo simulation, sensitivity analysis, and probability impact grid analysis to form models (Merna amp; Al-Thani, 2008). Starbucks Corporation is an open public company; therefore it is obligated to file form 10-K for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This risk assessment will bring a careful financial examination so that precautions will weigh up more than to prevent future losses. Also is important to consider the differenceShow MoreRelatedThe Risk Management Plan For Starbucks880 Words   |  4 PagesVariety of risks every day. These risks usually have a negative impact on performance and financial condition. Without an effective risk management plan, organizations would not grow and thrive. In this paper, we developed a risk management plan to help us identify, evaluate and treat all potential risks faced by an organization. The risk management process will focus on the frequency and severity of potential losses, with a view to risk control or risk finance. Introduction: Starbucks, foundedRead MoreEssay on Starbucks Risk Management1233 Words   |  5 PagesINTRODUCTION Starbuck Corp is well known as one of the world’s largest coffee chains. From original Seattle stores, Starbucks has grown to a multi-national company with more than 17,000 stores across the globe in less than 40 years. Starbucks going deep in Asian markets because of the emerging markets in Asia. Asian consumers’ disposable wages is growing as their countries’ economies nurture, as well as for the most part of all, people over there are open to Western lifestyles. Starbucks decided toRead MoreCase Study : Qso 600 Milestone Three Essay1375 Words   |  6 Pagesinherent risk when a company attempts to introduce a new product to the market, and most of the risk is associated with the initial risk mitigation strategy as well as management strategies for how manage the new product’s launch. Research shows that roughly 75% of consumer packaged goods and retail products fail to earn at least $7.5 million during their first year, and much of these failures can be attributed to poor strategy (Schneider Hall, 2011). Starbucks is not immune to the same risks thatRead MoreUop Mgt/598 Essay2142 Words   |  9 Pagesproposal. This next phase in the evaluation includes an outline of the project scope, project risk management plans, and contingency plans. Also included in this project plan is the project budget and strategies to execute this plan. The learning team will not only highlight these areas but include specific details around these outlined topics. Project Scope Company Mission, Values, and Objectives Starbucks mission is a visionary statement that outlines the company’s objectives as follows: â€Å"toRead MoreRisk Analysis of Starbucks and Dunkin Brands5369 Words   |  22 Pages 1. Starbucks 1.1 Business and Industry Risk factors. 3 1.2 Financial Risk factors. 3 1.3 Economic Risk factors. 4 1.4 Political Risk factors. 4 1.5 Global/International Risk factors. 4 1.6 Management Risk factors. 5 1.7 Technology Risk factors. 5 1.8 Operation Risk factors. 5 2. Dunkin Brands 2.1 Business and Industry Risk factors. 5 2.2 Financial Risk factors. 6 2.3 Economic Risk factors. 8 2.4 Political Risk factors. 8 2.5 Global/International Risk factors. 8 2.6 Management RiskRead MoreMcdonald s Supply Chain Management Essay929 Words   |  4 PagesSupply Chain Management in the Service Industry Firms such as McDonald’s and Wallmatt, which operate in the service industry, have branches internationally and nationally. They open stores in various regions of the globe with the primary objective of providing their target client’s with seamless experiences while utilizing this opportunity to expand their business in emerging markets. Compared to manufacturing industries, intangible sales characterise service industries as they greatly rely on people’sRead MoreBusiness Analysis : Rhubarb Bakers1326 Words   |  6 Pagesbusiness is concerned the company will not only focus on selling its product yet will also sell the company as franchises likewise Starbucks or Bengusto . The firm will also offer not only a dessert show where people can see their anticipated desserts being prepared in front of them yet beyond that will offer the service of the team that is friendly and knowledgable. Management summary: Team Expertise John Callum (Head chef) Pastry chef for more than 25 years at Langham hotel, Auckland Navjot kaurRead MoreStarbucks Corporation1716 Words   |  7 PagesStarbucks Corporation By Oybek Salimov Outline Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 1. Background of the company†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 2. Starbucks’s expansion.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 3. Risks associated with expansion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 4. Capital structure of the company†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 9 Reference †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦10 Appendix †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 11 Introduction GlobalizationRead MoreStarbucks Corporate Strategy Essay1314 Words   |  6 PagesStarbucks Corporate Strategy Corporate Strategy fundamentally is concerned with the selection of businesses in which the company should compete and with the development and coordination of that portfolio of business.[1] In the case of Starbucks the corporate strategy they have implemented is unique to their industry which has allowed them to differentiate from their competitors and is summarized best by Howard Schultz CEO of Starbucks, â€Å"We’re in the people business serving coffee,[2]† high qualityRead MoreStarbucks International Operations1580 Words   |  7 PagesStarbucks International Operations Starbucks started to decide on expansion by about the mid 1990 s, when the market became saturated. Market saturation is when a company or firm has covered an area so thoroughly with its presence, that it can no longer experience growth. Because of the market saturation, there were declining sales throughout stores. The company s original marketing strategy was to blanket a region with new stores. The idea behind this was to reduce a customer s wait in

Symbol Of The Forest Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Symbol Of The Forest Essay, Research Paper In Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter, life is centered on a Puritan society. In this society, people are non allowed to show their ideas and feelings. Every human being needs the chance to show their ideas and feelings ; otherwise the emotions become bottled up until they begin to ache a individual. In this Puritan town, they were non allowed to make that. Fortunately, for the chief characters, Hawthorne has created a wood to give them a shelter. The forest offers a sanctuary from the abrasiveness of mundane Puritan life, symbolizes the character of Pearl for their wilderness and represents evil to all the Puritans life in the town because of its cryptic ambiance. The forest offers a sanctuary from the abrasiveness of mundane Puritan life. In the forest, many characters can convey forth concealed emotions and ideas. The forest trail leads characters off from the Puritan colony, and out into the cryptic and dark wood. We will write a custom essay sample on Symbol Of The Forest Essay Research Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This is the lone flight for the Puritans, the lone topographic point where the people can be free from Torahs and codification. It is here, in the wood that Dimmesdale can show his love for Hester and where she can make the same for him. The wood is a topographic point of freedom. Here, cipher tickers to describe misbehavior, as they do in the colony. Here, people may make as they wish. Hester takes advantage of the wood when she meets Dimmesdale. She openly negotiations with Dimmesdale about topics that would neer be mentioned in any other topographic point but the forest. She tells Dimmesdale What we did Hester reminds him, Had a consecration of its ain. We felt it so, we said that to each other ( Hawthorne 179 ) Shocked, Dimmesdale rapidly hushes her, for this is the first clip in the book they have mentioned this issue. He finally realizes that he is in a safe environment. Here in the forest they can bury about the Torahs and be themselves. The forest provides a # 8220 ; security # 8221 ; for the chief characters. The forest, being a cryptic topographic point, represents Pearl in the novel because she is non to the full understood. It is hard to state why she does certain things, and what she is believing when she does them. When aliens in the town speak to Pearl, she does non reply them. Alternatively She gazed intently, but neer sought to do familiarity ( Hawthorne 86 ) . Pearl neer mad vitamin E familiarity with the other kids because her female parent prohibited her. Pearl slightly felt that she was different from the other kids. Other times, Puritan kids would garner around her, funny and desiring to interact with her. Alternatively of talking to them, she shouts at them, She snatched up rocks and flung them at the guiltless kids ( Hawthorne 86 ) . Cipher understood her or why she did such atrocious things. Like the forest, Pearl is cryptic and wild. The kid could non be made conformable to the regulations ( Hawthorne 83 ) . In the wood, Pearl would run rampantly. She would swing mediate trees and ballad in the grass. She had energy and natural sleight ( Hawthorne 82 ) . Pearl did non belong in the Puritan society. They were non ready for such a large alteration at this clip. Pearl was extremist. Pearl and the forest go together because they are both cryptic and wild. The wood besides represents immorality. The Puritans believe that the wood and anything associated with it are evil. This means that the Black Man, Mistress Hibbins and the enchantresss were all immoralities for the Puritans. Throughout the novel, there is a changeless mention to the Black Man, who is described to us as the Satan. While in the wood, Pearl asks Hester, Tell me a narrative a narrative about the Black Man ( Hawthorne 169 ) . Pearl admirations about the Black Man. Hester tells her that he is evil and that he lives in the wood. Mistress Hibbins can besides be seen in the wood during her witch meetings. She asks Hester, will thou travel with us tonight I good neigh promised the Black Man ( Hawthorne 107 ) . Hester does non desire to hold anything to make with the immorality, and tells her no. The wood is a dark topographic point where immorality and anarchic people run rampantly. The Puritans reject Pearl, who is like the forest but non evil. They besides reject the Black Man and the enchantresss. Puritan society is rough and can deteriorate people s lives. Hawthorne created the forest to give characters a topographic point to get away, to show their emotions and beliefs. The wood was a topographic point where thoughts and feeling could flux infinitely. The forest played an of import function in the novel ; it is the centre of socialisation free from the Puritans regulations. It provided a # 8220 ; security # 8221 ; for the characters when they needed privateness, symbolized Pearl and represented evil to people who didn Ts know the forest really good.

My Room free essay sample

I love my room. It has become my sanctuary to return to anytime I need comfort. I can toss my shoes onto the floor and lie back on my soft cloud of a bed. All the famous people look at me from the pieces of paper on the walls. Each one has had an impact on my life. My room tells my story. It’s who I am and what I’ve become. Scattered pictures of childhood reminding me of good times sit frozen on my desk. My trophy shelf; with its hardwood finish and two glass doors that creak open reveal my accomplishments. Everything from a second grade soccer award to the cum laude award I earned from the National Latin Exam my freshman year. Then there are my clothes; scattered about my room ready to be selected to spend the day with me. Whether it be dress khakis and a polo or those old fleece pants I would never wear out in public. We will write a custom essay sample on My Room or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I even keep all my old school books. If I ever want to remind myself of what I learned in 7th grade English class my notes are there, sitting in a dusty corner of my room, ready at my disposal. My room is everything. The way things are assembled show how my life is progressing. A bad week probably means clothes thrown eschew all over the floor while a good one allows me to see my entire carpet clear of scattered accessories. My room also allows me to travel back in time by delving into the annexes of my old self. My room is my cocoon, a place that revolves around me. It’s a place where I can gain some piece of mind and a place where time stands still. Whenever I need it, my room is there for me. It stands alone, secluded from the rest of the world in its own tiny, tiny pocket in the universe. This time next year my room will be empty but I will forever remain here. Everything I’ve become has embedded itself into all the nooks and crannies of this small square. My room is my home, my room is me.

We believe PC Depot will be a great venture for Thompson Essay Example

We believe PC Depot will be a great venture for Thompson Essay Example We believe PC Depot will be a great venture for Thompson Essay We believe PC Depot will be a great venture for Thompson Essay In September, Barbara Thompson started PC Depot, a retail store for personal computers, with initial startup costs in the amount of $158,115 (Anthony, 2004, p.108). During the month various transactions occurred resulting in a net income for the month of September in the amount of $5,054. Financial transactions for the month of September have been recorded in the general journal, which also includes adjusting and closing entries. NC Gold has prepared the balance sheet and income statement for PC Depot for the month of September. A financial analysis of the balance sheet and income statement was conducted and areas of concern were identified. One area of concern for PC Depot is the amount of inventory they are carrying for a start up business. During the month of September, PC Depot purchased merchandise for inventory in the amount of $187,440 on credit from suppliers. Cost of sales for the month of September was $38,140 resulting in an ending inventory of $149,300. Another area of concern is the amount of debt PC Depot has incurred through bank loans in the amount of $100,000 and purchases from creditors in the amount of 187,440. NC Gold feels that PC Depot should focus on reducing inventory costs and reducing their short tem and long term debt. Some suggestions for reducing inventory costs include implementing the Just In Time or consignment method of inventory. Just In Time (JIT) is a comprehensive inventory and manufacturing control system in which no materials are purchased and no products are manufactured until they are needed (http://services.eliteral.com/glossary/glossary-of-quality-improvement-terms.php The JIT inventory method could eliminate financial risk. By keeping inventory stored for long periods, companies may experience high storage and investment costs and also obsolete inventory. These costs may hinder the companies profitability. For JIT to prove beneficial for PC Depot, the company needs to choose suppliers carefully. Companies may risk sales due to untimely deliveries or damaged merchandise by suppliers when using the JIT inventory method. Thompson needs to research and consider all possible suppliers when considering delivery on an as needed basis. Another option for PC Depot is the consignment method of inventory. Consignment inventory can be defined as goods placed at a customers location, with ownership of these goods remaining with the supplier. Payment is not made until the item is actually used. (Czarnecki, 2004, p. 24) By applying this method, PC Depot would not incur losses due to unused or unsold merchandise. The consignment method would eliminate upfront costs and allow PC Depot to maintain inventory on hand. The company would also be able to return unused inventory to the supplier within a reasonable amount of time. Dell Computers serves as an example of a company that uses consignment inventory. Dells Michael Gray credits the companys success to the low levels of inventory and says companies run risk of managing inventory that becomes obsolete (A Reminder, 2005). The consignment method of inventory, while potentially beneficial to PC Depot, requires proper management with suppliers. PC Depot must recognize the importance of relationships with suppliers who may make returning merchandise difficult. Czarnecki says, contracting with the vendor to keep track of inventory and allowing for return of supplies that are not used or are no longer current can help make this purchasing method more user-friendly (2004, p. 28). The amount of debt incurred by PC Depot to purchase inventory for the company is a major concern. Currently, Thompson is paying interest to creditors for inventory which is not being sold. Also, Thompson has a $100,000 bank loan at 15% interest which was used to start the business. In total PC Depot currently has $192,571 of combined debt. Considering the costs incurred to obtain inventory and how much inventory is currently being maintained, an alternative inventory control method such as JIT or consignment would work best for PC Depot. We recommend that for future inventory needs PC Depot establish a relationship with suppliers that can provide them inventory utilizing the JIT method. The JIT method is preferred over the consignment inventory method because it eliminates storage issues. If PC Depot were to use the consignment method of inventory, they may still incur costs associated with the housing and returning unused merchandise. NC Gold recommends that PC Depot reduce as much cost as possible by eliminating inventory overage. Thompson should also consider a line of credit as opposed to paying interest on the $100,000 bank loan. With a line of credit, Thompson will be able to borrow money as needed and pay interest only on the amount used. To accomplish this, Thompson should use the initial cash investment, paid-in capital, of $65,000 to pay towards the $100,000 note payable and utilize the line of credit when needed. Applying the standard 8% rate on a line of credit, Thompson would pay $4,800 in interest as opposed to $15,000 annually (moneycafe.com/library/prime.htm). We believe PC Depot will be a great venture for Thompson as evident by a net income of $5,054 for the companys first month of operations. We feel that our recommendations to reduce inventory costs and debt will be beneficial to PC Depot and provide them an opportunity to be more profitable in the future. Our findings and recommendations can be supported by the following financial exhibits.

Love and Feelings - French Canadian Vocabulary

Love and Feelings - French Canadian Vocabulary Michel is French and Canadian. He lives in the gorgeous island of Belle-Isle in Brittany where he offers French immersion. He also taught at McGill in Montreal where he also spends a few months each year. Today, Michel is going to teach us typical Canadian French expressions to talk about love and feelings.   1 - Tomber en amour - to fall in love, Also Être en amour - to be in love. This structure is probably influenced by English syntax; in love. In France, wed say: tomber amoureux, à ªtre amoureux. A phrase which is very  «Ã‚  quà ©bà ©coise  Ã‚ »Ã‚  : Ils sont en amour par-dessus la tà ªte - theyre in love over their head. In France, one would rather say  : ils sont amoureux fous - they are crazy in love. 2 - Mon chum, ma blonde - Mon chum (my boy-friend) - Ma blonde (my girl-friend). This was once an expression used in France, such as a 18th century still famous song indicates it : Auprà ¨s de ma blonde, qu’il fait bon dormir Nowadays, a song by a very famous Quà ©bec singer, Diane Dufresne, would give you a good idea of the actual pronunciation of the word  «Ã‚  chum  Ã‚ » in quà ©bà ©cois:  «Ã‚  J’ai besoin j’ai besoin d’un chum J’ai besoin j’ai besoin d’un homme  Ã‚ » 3 - Cest un mà ©chant pà ©tard ! About some sexy girl (or some sexy boy), you will hear  : c’est un mà ©chant pà ©tard!  (he/she is a nasty firecracker!) 4 - Tes beau comme un ptit coeur! To your lover, you can say : â€Å"t’es beau/belle comme un p’tit coeur! (you are beautiful like a little heart) 5 - Donne-moi un bec Un bec (say the final c) in quà ©bà ©cois means a kiss (French people would say donne-moi un baiser, or un bisou. Un bec in France means a beak, like a birds beak) Another Anglicism used in quà ©bà ©cois : un French kiss. This is an expression which is not used in France at all! Quà ©bà ©cois have even built up a verb : â€Å"frencher quelqu’un†.   In France, wed say rouler un patin quelquun - its quite slang though. Now, lets practice your French kissing vocabulary in this realistic and fun learn French in context story - you will also learn how to avoid a HUGE faux-pas! For more articles about French in Quà ©bec and France, daily mini lessons and tips, I invite you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:- Dialogue in French Canadian ≠  Franà §ais de France English translation - My favorite French Canadian Expressions - 7 Best French Canadian Idioms You may also like: French Love VocabularyDialogue About Kissing - Easy Bilingual StoryHow To Say I love You in FrenchFrench Valentines Day Traditions and Vocabulary - Easy Bilingual Story

Operation management Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Operation management - Dissertation Example In order to achieve sustainable competitive advantage, the organization will have to set benchmark by comparing its operational management strategies with those of industry’s best it was found that management skills and competencies are as important as the technical competencies. It was also found that in order to successfully complete a project, management as well as leadership skills of a project manager is an essential trait. Contents Contents 3 Introduction 4 OrganizationBackground: 4 The Assignment Objective 4 Approach and Methodology 4 Literature Review 5 Application to the organization 8 Analysis and Conclusion 9 Recommendation 9 Potential costs and benefits 9 Timescales and Resources 10 Risks or potential barriers to implementation 11 Appendix 14 Introduction OrganizationBackground: Occidental Petroleum Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company. It is an international company and it has two oil fields within Oman in both south and north areas. Ox y mukhaizna filed recorded high progress interm of production. In 2012 the gross daily oil production was 120,000 barrels per day which is 15 times higher than the production in 2005. There are some competitors companies in the same sector working in Oman such as Daleel petrolum, Petrogas, Oman Oil Company Exploration & Production and CCED. However, the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the major competitor to OxyOman. The Assignment Objective The objective if the assignment is to evaluate an operational management theory of Oxy Corporation and application of the theory to provide solutions for the specific issue. The report will help in evaluating the current trends and issues pertaining to operations management and what are the reliable strategies through which operational enhancement can be achieved. Approach and Methodology Aqualitative as well asd quantitative approach has been used for the completion of the project. The report is an extensive application based review of the operational theory encompassing topics such as project management, quality management, skills and competency management and their various uses pertaining to oil and gas sector. The various sources used for getting information will include primary observations as well as secondary data from the company at study and extensive literature review of journals and articles. Some fundamental information about the organisation is as followed; Founded in the year 1920 (Oxy Corporation, 2013a). International gas and oil production and gas exploration organisation. Operates in United States, Latin America and Middle East Region (Oxy Corporation, 2013b). Headquarters in Wilshire, Los Angeles. Literature Review Operational management is one of the critical aspects influencing the successful competitiveness of any service or manufacturing organisation. Multiple queries and organisational issues such as product choice, manufacturing technology, capacity utilization, quality maintenance and material sourcing and costing and customer management are associated with operational management theories. Operational management can be defined as â€Å"a management systems in which several activities are performed to transform a set of inputs into a useful output using a transformation process† (Turner, 1999). Operational management of an organisation covers various aspects. Few of the important aspects include inventory management, supply chain and logistics management, facilities and

Pavarotti Fashions Brand Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Pavarotti Fashions Brand - Case Study Example The paper "Pavarotti Fashions Brand" discovers case with the Brand of Pavarotti Fashions. In the first case, Amanda ordered a pair of jeans from Pavarotti’s mail order catalogue on the 5th of December. She received a notice on the 12th of December that the jeans are no longer available for the advertised price, but for the revised price of J300, introduced on the 8th of December. While Pavarotti offered a complete refund, Amanda refused the offer and insists that Pavarotti sell the merchandise for J250, as advertised. The relevant issue therefore is whether Amanda’s rights were violated as a result of Pavarotti’s refusal to sell her the merchandise based on the advertised price; and whether she can compel Pavarotti to sell her the merchandise based on the advertised price. In determining whether Amanda’s rights were violated, one must assess her rights as Pavarotti’s customer, in particular and as a consumer, in general. As Pavarotti’s custom er, Amanda’s rights depend on her contractual relationship with Pavarotti, such that a contract binding the two to specific performance must first exist. However, the courts may find that a contract does not exist. Looking unto Partridge v Crittendon , Pavarotti’s advertisements in the catalogue can be treated as an â€Å"invitation to treat† as opposed to an offer. By ordering, Amanda is simply making an offer. However, in introducing the revised price, Pavarotti makes a counter-offer, which is tantamount to a rejection of Amanda’s offer, ending the current negotiations.... While Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co7 illustrates a contrary situation, where if applied to Amanda's case leads to a valid contract and existing obligations between the two parties8, this application is unlikely. Unlike in Carlill, Pavarotti, through the mail order catalogue did not illustrate a willingness to be bound by the advertisements, such that the company was merely supplying information to prospective customers. The lack of contractual intent on Pavarotti's part makes his advertisements merely an invitation to treat, as opposed to an offer. Furthermore, looking at the nature of Pavarotti's business where the merchandise is always subject to the availability of stock9 and the fact that mail order catalogues are already dated once released, such that it does not reflect price changes made within the company's physical office days after the release; Amanda cannot rely on the catalogue's certainty. Thus, the lack of contractual intent on the part of Pavarotti, and the lack of certainty, as illustrated in the facts given regarding the mail order catalogue, illustrates that no binding contract was formed, such that Amanda cannot hold Pavarotti to sell her the merchandise based on the adver tised price because no contractual relationship or obligation exists between the parties. Insofar as contractual obligations are concerned, Amanda therefore has no claim against Pavarotti. However, as a consumer, she can claim that Pavarotti's action violates her civil rights. Based on the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987, Pavarotti can be subject to criminal liabilities. Amanda can argue that even though there is no contractual obligation between her and

The impact on Life Expectancy Essay Example for Free

The impact on Life Expectancy Essay AIDS has also caused the life expectancy rate to fall by 5 years since the start in 1900s. In Swaziland life expectancy has fallen to 33 which would have been 66 if there was no AIDS. Life expectancy also affects child mortality as there are many children who are born with the infection. Adults between the age group of 20 and 49 years are the worst affected. This group is about 60% of the sub-Saharan population which has increased from 20% between 1985 and 1900. This affects the prime working years of an adults life. This also removes the very people who could be responding to treatments and healthcare. The Economic Impact AIDS has affected the human development by impacting laborers, households and companies. It therefore damages the economy and the country finds it difficult to handle the epidemic. HIV and AIDS reduces the labour supply and increases mortality and illnesses. The government income also falls, tax revenues are cut and they are forced to spend more on dealing with the spread of the economy. The epidemic affects diversification of industries, exports and foreign investments which is very important for a country’s progress. Most of the countries struggle to meet their economic measures because they are still struggling with the epidemic as their GDP is affected which builds over a period of time. The ARV coverage of the drug needs to expand and reach more people than the economic growth rate will not reduce that fast. The Future impact of HIV/AIDS In future the aids epidemic will continue to expand because work in progress has not been able to sufficiently arrest the spread of the crisis. Domestic as well as international agencies are doing their best to extend healthcare and treatment to the millions affected with aids worldwide. Many people affected with AIDS are still not receiving the necessary treatments and campaigns have been unsuccessful in preventing new infections. The progress of the general development of infrastructure largely depends on problems such as poverty and poor public health. The main barrier to Africa’s progress and development is the impact of AIDS on all areas of functionality as discussed before. Africa can look forward to the future only if they can prevent and treat the HIV AIDS epidemic effectively and also care for the people affected by it. Science and Research According to UNAIDS Following are some of the steps in research that is being undertaken to prevent the spread of the HIV AIDS epidemic. The area of biomedical research makes use of humans to test drugs, vaccines and techniques that can be used to cure the epidemic. There are many ethical issues that is attached to it as complexities and advances in the research takes place. The 1964, Declaration of Helsinki sets out ethical guidelines and code of conduct for the research involved such as the use of animals for testing. The use of female condom, help prevent unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases including the spread of HIV. These cheaper brands available have the capacity to be accepted and utilized worldwide. Male circumcision also helps in reducing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases from men to women if it is implemented in the safe way where there is consent. Research also involves the development of microbicide which is a gel or cream which can be applied to the vagina giving women greater control when men don’t want to use condoms. These microbicides will help prevent unwanted pregnancies as well will prevent the spread of the HIV. The other area of research is the use of vaccines. However there are many laboratories and companies involved in its development and are working towards making a breakthrough in the field. Conclusion The impact of the HIV AIDS epidemic is not only restricted to sub-Saharan and African countries but it is an international crisis. The international community along with research companies needs to get more involved in preventing the spread of the epidemic as well as the rehabilitation of the patients that are affected. We need to work more aggressively to arrest the disaster that is waiting to spread across the globe. Works Cited AVERT. ORG. Impact of HIV AIDS on Africa. Viewed on 12 February 2008 and https://www.avert.org/global-hiv-and-aids-statistics

Essay on the Conflicts, Climax and Resolution in Rappaccini’s Daughter

The Conflicts, Climax and Resolution in â€Å"The Rappaccini’s Daughter†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   This essay will analyze Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Rappaccini’s Daughter† to determine the conflicts in the tale, their climax and resolution, using the essays of literary critics to help in this interpretation.    In the opinion of this reader, the central conflict – the relation between the protagonist and antagonist usually(Abrams 225) - in the tale is an internal one within Giovanni between his love for Beatrice and his Puritan belief in the depravity of man. His love for the beautiful daughter blinds him to various indications of her poisonous nature, to the evil nature of her father and to the intent of her father to involve Giovanni as a subject in his sinister experiment. An assortment of lesser conflicts ensue: Professor Baglioni’s battle against Rappaccini; Beatrice’s fight against her father; Beatrice’s battle against her power to kill and in favor of the power to love, etc.    The tale takes place in Padua, Italy, where a Naples student named Giovanni Guascanti has relocated in order to attend the medical school there. His modest room is in an old mansion watched over by the landlady, Dame Lisabetta, a two-dimensional character given to religious expletives like, ``Holy Virgin, signor!'' She seeks to make the customer content with his lodging; she answers Giovanni’s curiosity about a garden next-door: ``No; that garden is cultivated by the own hands of Signor Giacomo Rappaccini, the famous doctor. . . .†    Giovanni in his room can hear the water gurgling in Dr. Rappaccini’s garden, from an ancient marble fountain located in the center of the plants and bushes; of particular interest to Giovanni is â€Å"one shrub i... ... Beatrice dies, â€Å"the poor victim of man's ingenuity and of thwarted nature,† at the feet of her father and Giovanni. The catastrophe is that everyone loses except Beatrice; the doctor loses a daughter and â€Å"specimen†; Giovanni loses a lifetime partner and requires isolation from people as Beatrice did; Baglioni loses an intelligent student; even the landlady loses a renter.    WORKS CITED    Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms, 7th ed. New York: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1999.    Hawthorne, Nathaniel. â€Å"Rappaccini’s Daughter.† ElectronicText Center. University of Virginia Library. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/browse-mixed-new?id="HawRapp"&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public    Kazin, Alfred. Introduction. Selected Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne. New York: Fawcett Premier, 1966.   

Corporation and Consolidated Cash Flow Essay

ASC 830-230-55-1: This reference shows how to format and account for cash flows when a company has subsidiaries operating in foreign countries. It gives an example of a consolidated cash flow statement from a US based company and its two subsidiary companies. The reference explains how excess cash should be disclosed. A majority of the reference deals with the local currency and how it should be shown with the parent company, in this case a US company based on the dollar. So for both foreign companies it needs to be formatted with both local and US. b) ASC 926-330-35-1: This references how an entity can evaluate their inventory at the end of a period. Manly to do with products help for sale, meaning items that are in inventory and that your business is going to be selling to clients. The inventory can be evaluated at the net realizable value, meaning the sale of the product minus the cost associated with it. c) ASC 954-440-25-2: This references how a continuing care facility can attain some loss when calculating its cost to its clients. These care facilities are required to show annual their future facility and service cost. They do this to see if there will be any liability that needs to be recognized. d) ASC 505-20-50-1: This references how a stock dividend can be described to the public and the corporation should try to by all means not to describe it as a stock split. It gives an example of how a corporation because of a legal requirement may be able to describe it. e) ASC 710-10-05-6: This section references deferred compensation with regards to a Rabbi Trust for their employee. It gives the three ways through which the trust can be settled, with cash, shares of stock, and with diversified assets.

Succubus Blues CHAPTER 10

Jesus. What had I been thinking? I had to work today. Not only that, I had to work in ten minutes. I had no time for â€Å"real† clothing or makeup. With a sigh, I shape-shifted form, my robe giving way to gray slacks and an ivory blouse, hair and makeup suddenly done to my normal, immaculate perfection. Brushing my teeth and adding perfume could not be faked, and after performing those tasks, I grabbed my purse and sprinted out. When I reached my lobby, the desk clerk called out to me. â€Å"Got something for you.† He handed over a flat parcel. Still conscious of the time, I quickly tore at the wrapping and stifled a gasp at what I found. Black Velvet Paint by Number Kit, read the package. A subheading proclaimed: Create Your Own Masterpiece! Contains Everything You Need to Paint Just Like a Real Artist! The â€Å"masterpiece† I could create depicted a desert landscape with a giant cactus to one side and a howling coyote on the other. An eagle soared in the sky, and a ghostly, disembodied Native American head floated nearby. Terribly stereotyped and cheesy. A small piece of paper had been taped to it. Start small, the note said. Love, Roman. The writing was so perfect as to be unreal. I was still chuckling when I got to work. In my office, I settled in front of the computer and discovered a second morning surprise: another e-mail from Seth. It had been sent at five in the morning. Georgina, A few years ago, while writing Gods of Gold, I met a woman at a class I took on South American archaeology. I don't know how it is for women; it's probably not even always the same for us men. But for me, when I meet someone I'm attracted to, time stands still. The planets come into alignment, and I stop breathing. The angels themselves descend to sit upon my shoulders, whispering promises of love and devotion while less heavenly creatures whisper promises of an earthier, baser nature. I guess that's part of being a man. Anyway, that was what happened with this woman. We fell pretty hard for each other and dated off and on for a very long time. Some days we wouldn't be able to leave each other's side for more than a minute, and then later, months would go by without any sort of contact. I have to confess, this latter behavior was more my fault than hers. I mentioned before that Cady and O'Neill are demanding. During phases when I was hot into my writing, I wouldn't be able to think about or do anything else that didn't involve my novel. I knew it hurt her – knew she was the kind of person who wanted to settle down and start a family, live a quiet and committed life. I was not that kind of person – I'm not even sure I am now – but I liked the idea of always having someone around, someone reliable who I could call up when I was finally ready to make time. It really wasn't fair to do that to her, always leave her hanging like that. I should have ended things early on, but I was too selfish and too comfortable. One day, after not having spoken to her in a few months, I called her up and was astonished to hear a man answer the phone. When she came on the line, she told me she'd met someone else and wouldn't be able to see me anymore. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I started rambling, going on and on about how much I cared for her, how she couldn't throw away what we had. She took it all pretty nicely, considering what a psycho I must have sounded like, but in the end, she closed things by saying I shouldn't have expected her to wait forever. She had her own life to live. The reason I share this embarrassing tale from the canon of Seth Mortensen is twofold. First, I need to apologize to you for what happened tonight. In spite of my grumblings, I really did intend to meet you. A couple hours before the game, I ran home to get something and suddenly thought of a solution to the snag that had been blocking me all day. I sat down to write, only planning to spend an hour on it. As you might be guessing by now, it took a lot longer than that. I got so caught up that I completely forgot about the game – and about you. I never heard my phone ring. I wasn't aware of anything else except getting the story out on paper (or rather, my screen). This, I'm afraid, is a problem I frequently have. It happened with my ex, it happens with my family, and unfortunately, it happened with you. Don't even get my brother started about how I nearly missed his wedding. The worlds and people in my head are so alive to me that I lose track of the real world. Sometimes I'm not even convinced Cady and O'Neill's world isn't the real one. I never mean to hurt people, and I feel terrible afterward, but it is a failing I can't seem to overcome. None of this justifies abandoning you last night, but I hoped this might offer some insight into my unbalanced worldview. Please understand how very sorry I am. My second reason for the memoir is to address your comment about Cady â€Å"getting some.† In thinking about her and O'Neill, I decided that Cady wasn't the kind of person who would wait around forever either. Now, don't get me wrong: I don't think Cady and my ex-girlfriend have a lot in common. Cady isn't looking to settle in the suburbs and pick out curtains with O'Neill. But, she is a bright and passionate woman, who loves life, and wants to live it. A lot of people were upset to see her break out of her devoutly chaste, puppy-at-O'Neill's-side role, but I think she had to do it. Let's face it: O'Neill takes her for granted, and he needed a wake-up call. Now, does this mean steps are being made to finally bring them together, as so many readers have asked? Naturally, as their creator, my lips are sealed on that, but I can say this: I have a lot more books with them in mind, and readers tend to lose interest when protagonists hook up. – Seth P.S. – By the way, I bought the condo. Mistee was so excited that she took me on the spot, and we made love all over the granite countertops. P.P.S. – All right, I'm making up that last part. Like I said, I'm a man. And a writer. My eyes still heavy with sleep, I sluggishly pondered the letter's message. Seth had had a serious girlfriend. Wow. That shouldn't have surprised me, especially considering the sex scenes he wrote. I mean, he couldn't have pulled them all out of imagination. Still, it was hard to picture introverted Seth participating in all the social exchanges normally required of a long-term relationship. And then the other part, his reasons for not showing. What to think of those? He was right in saying his burst of inspiration was no excuse for what he had done. The explanation did take away some of the sting, however, moving him from rude to simply thoughtless. No, maybe thoughtless was too harsh. Scattered, that was it. Perhaps scattered wasn't such a bad thing, I mused, since ignoring the real world allowed him to work on the written one. I just didn't know. I pondered all this for the rest of the morning, my anger from last night growing cold in the wake of time passing and my speculation on a brilliant writer's mind. By the time lunch rolled around, I realized I had gotten over the hockey mishap. He had not intended the neglect, and it wasn't like my night had turned out too badly after all. Around late afternoon, Warren came trolling around. â€Å"No,† I said immediately, recognizing the look in his eyes. I hated his presumption, yet always found myself eerily drawn to it. â€Å"I'm in a terrible mood.† â€Å"I'll make you feel better.† â€Å"I told you, I'm too bitchy.† â€Å"I like you bitchy.† The succubus feeding instinct began waking up. I swallowed, annoyed at it and my own weakness. â€Å"And I'm really busy. There are†¦ things†¦ I should do†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My excuse sounded halfhearted, though, and Warren apparently recognized that. He walked over to me and knelt by my chair, running a hand over my thigh. I wore thin, silky slacks, and the feel of his fingers stroking me through that smooth material was almost more sensual than on bare skin. â€Å"How was your date the other night?† he murmured, moving his mouth up to my ear and then my neck. I arched my head obligingly, in spite of my best resistance, liking the way his mouth grew fiercer against my skin, his teeth just teasing me. He was far from being a boyfriend but was still the closest I had to any sort of consistent relationship. That meant something. â€Å"Fine.† â€Å"Did you fuck him?† â€Å"No. I slept alone, alas.† â€Å"Good.† â€Å"He's coming back tonight, though. For the dance lesson.† â€Å"Really?† Warren unbuttoned the top two buttons of my blouse, revealing a pale pink lace bra. His fingertips traced the shape of one of my breasts, following its inner curve down to where it met the other one. Then he moved his hand up to that breast, playing with the nipple through the lace. I closed my eyes, surprised at my swelling desire. After helping Hugh close the contract with Martin, I wouldn't have thought I'd need a fix so soon. Yet, the hunger tugged ever so slightly within me, mingled with lust. Pure instinct. â€Å"We'll introduce him to Maria.† Maria was Warren's wife. The thought of passing Roman off on her was too funny. â€Å"You sound jealous,† I teased. I pulled Warren toward me, and he responded by pushing me on top of the desk. I moved my hands down to unfasten his pants. â€Å"I am,† he grunted. Leaning over, he pulled the bra down to bare my breasts and lowered his mouth to one of the nipples. He hesitated. â€Å"Are you sure you didn't fuck him?† â€Å"I think I'd remember something like that.† A knock sounded at the door, and Warren hastily sprang away from me, pulling up his pants. â€Å"Shit.† I, too, sat up and returned to my chair. With Warren's eyes on the door, I quickly used some more shape-shifting to neaten myself up and rebutton my blouse. Satisfied we were both decent, I called, â€Å"Come in.† Seth opened the door. I clamped down on my jaw, lest it drop open in astonishment. â€Å"Hi,† said Seth, looking back and forth between Warren and me. â€Å"I didn't mean to interrupt.† â€Å"No, no, you aren't,† Warren assured him, clicking into public relations mode. â€Å"We were just having a quick meeting.† â€Å"Not a very important one,† I added. Warren gave me a droll look. â€Å"Oh,† said Seth, still appearing like he wanted to bolt. â€Å"I just came by to see if maybe†¦ you wanted lunch. I†¦ e-mailed you about what happened.† â€Å"Yeah, I read it. Thanks.† I smiled at him, hoping to silently communicate that all was forgiven. The worried look on his face was so heart-wrenching that I felt certain his conscience had suffered more than my ego last night. â€Å"Excellent idea,† boomed Warren. â€Å"Let's all go get some lunch, shall we? Georgina and I can meet again later.† â€Å"I can't.† I reminded him about how short-staffed we were and how I was needed for coverage. He scowled when I finished. â€Å"Why haven't we hired anyone?† â€Å"I'm working on it.† Warren ended up just taking Seth out – something the writer seemed highly uneasy about – and I was left alone, feeling abandoned. I would have half liked to hear what else Seth had to say about writing taking over his life. I might have even liked getting laid. Neither was to be. Ah, the injustices of the universe. I apparently had one karmic favor left, however. Around four, Tammi – the red-haired girl from Krystal Starz – showed up to solve my staffing problem. As suggested, she brought a friend. After a quick interview, I felt satisfied by their competency. I hired them on the spot, pleased to have one task taken off my list. When the store finally closed later, those few hours of sleep were catching up with me more fiercely. I felt in no mood to teach a dance lesson. Realizing I needed to change, I closed the office door and shape-shifted my outfit for the second time that day. It felt like cheating, as always. For dancing I selected a sleeveless dress, clingy through the bodice and flowing through the skirt – just right for twirls. Colored in blending hues of peach and orange, I hoped the dress would warm my mood up. I also hoped no one had noticed I hadn't carried a change of clothes in with me this morning. On the overhead speakers, I heard one of the cashiers make the announcement that the store had closed, just as another knock sounded on my door. I called an entry, wondering if it might be Seth again, but Cody appeared this time. â€Å"Hey,† I said, forcing a smile. â€Å"Are you ready for this?† I had taught Cody to swing dance a year or so ago, and he had picked it up remarkably well, probably half due to vampire reflexes. As a result, I had – against his better judgment – recruited him to be my coteacher in these impromptu lessons for the staff. He kept claiming he was no good, but in both lessons so far, he'd proven remarkably efficient. â€Å"What? Dancing? Yeah. No problem.† I glanced around, ascertaining we were alone. â€Å"Any more weird occurrences?† Cody shook his head, blond hair framing it like a lion's mane. â€Å"No. It's been pretty quiet. Maybe I was overreacting.† â€Å"Better safe than sorry,† I advised, feeling like somebody's cliched grandmother. â€Å"What are you doing after this?† â€Å"Meeting Peter at a bar downtown. You want to come with us?† â€Å"Sure.† We'd all be safer as a group. The door pushed open, and Seth stuck his head inside. â€Å"Hey, I – oh, I'm sorry,† he stammered, catching sight of Cody. â€Å"I didn't mean to interrupt.† â€Å"No, no,† I said, waving him inside. â€Å"We were just talking.† I gave Seth a curious look. â€Å"What are you still doing here? Are you staying for the lesson?† â€Å"Er, well I, that is, Warren invited me to†¦ but I don't think I'll actually dance. If that's okay.† â€Å"Not dance? What are you going to do then, watch?† I demanded. â€Å"Be like a voyeur or something?† Seth gave me a sage look, appearing for the first time in a while like the guy who had written the comic observations about real estate agents and old girlfriends. The guy I'd once engaged in a stumbling flirtation with. â€Å"I'm not that desperate. Not yet, anyway. But it's really safer if I don't dance. For those around me.† â€Å"That's what I used to say until she made me try it,† remarked Cody, clapping me on the shoulder. â€Å"Just wait until you've been in Georgina's capable hands. You'll never be the same.† Before any of us could acknowledge that suggestive comment, Doug appeared behind Seth, outfitted as his grunge band self rather than assistant manager self. â€Å"Hey, are we getting this party started or what? I came back here today just for this lesson, Kincaid. You better make the trip worth my while. Hey, Cody.† â€Å"Hey, Doug.† â€Å"Hey, Seth.† â€Å"Hey, Doug.† I groaned. â€Å"All right. Let's do this.† We left en masse for the cafe, where tables were being moved to give us space. I introduced Cody and Seth along the way. They shook hands briefly, the young vampire looking at me meaningfully when he realized just which Seth this must be. â€Å"You sure you aren't going to dance?† I asked the writer, still puzzled by his obstinacy. â€Å"Nope. Just doesn't feel right.† â€Å"Yeah, well, after the shitty day I've had, running this shindig doesn't feel right to me either, but we all endure. Put on the happy face and go, you know?† Seth looked like he didn't know, only giving me a small, bemused smile. A moment later, that smile dimmed slightly. â€Å"You said you got the e-mail†¦ did it†¦ do you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It's fine. Forget about it.† His bizarre social habits might not mesh with mine, but I couldn't stand seeing him worry anymore about last night. â€Å"Honestly.† I patted his arm, gave him my Helen of Troy smile, then turned my attention to the scene upstairs. Most of the staff who'd worked today milled around, along with a few others who, like Doug, had come back. Warren and his wife waited with them, and so did Roman. He approached with a smile when he saw me, and I felt a faint wave of lust sweep me, independent of any succubus feeding. As good-looking as ever, he wore black slacks and a teal shirt that gleamed like his eyes. â€Å"Group date, huh?† â€Å"For my safety. I've always found it best to keep a few dozen chaperones on hand.† â€Å"You'll need a few dozen more in that dress,† he warned in a low voice, those eyes molesting me from head to toe. I flushed, taking a few steps away from him. â€Å"You'll have to wait your turn, like everyone else.† Turning away from him, I inadvertently made eye contact with Seth. He had obviously overheard the brief exchange. My blush deepening, I fled both of them for the center of the floor, Cody in tow. Putting on the so-called â€Å"happy face,† I pushed my long day out of my mind and grinned at my coworkers' whoops and cheers. â€Å"All right, gang, let's get going. Doug's in kind of a hurry and wants to finish this up as quickly as possible. I understand that's pretty standard for him in a lot of matters – especially romantic ones.† This elicited both positive and negative catcalls from the crowd, as well as an obscene gesture from Doug. I reintroduced Cody, who was less comfortable with the attention than I was, and began sizing up the group. We had more women than men, per usual, and a wide range of skill levels. I split couples up accordingly, putting especially adept women with other women since I felt confident they could dance the male part for this practice and switch effortlessly later. I didn't have such faith in everybody; some of them still struggled to follow a beat. Consequently, I started the lesson by reviewing from last time, turning on the music and making everyone practice basic steps. Cody and I monitored, making minor adjustments and suggestions. My tension from the long day eased slightly as I worked the crowd. I loved swing dancing, had loved it when it first emerged in the early twentieth century, and had been thrilled when its revival came around recently. I knew it was going out of style again, which was part of the reason I wanted to pass on the knowledge to others. Not knowing Roman's level of expertise, I'd placed him with Paige, a pretty skilled dancer. After watching them a minute or so, I shook my head and approached. â€Å"You hustler,† I chastised. â€Å"You acted all nervous about dancing, but in reality, you're a pro.† â€Å"I've done it a few times,† he admitted modestly, taking her into a turn I hadn't taught them yet. â€Å"Stop that. I'm splitting you guys up. Your skills are needed elsewhere.† â€Å"Oh come on,† pleaded Paige. â€Å"Let me keep him. It's about time we had a man around here who knows what he's doing.† Roman cut me a glance. â€Å"She said it, not me.† I turned my eyes heavenward and reassigned them to new partners. After a bit more supervising, I grew satisfied with the whole group's prowess, convinced I'd see little change. Deciding to move on, Cody and I taught them lindy kicks next. Not surprisingly, chaos soon broke out. The gifted in the group picked the move up right away, those who had struggled previously continued to struggle, and some who had performed fine with the basic steps and turns now fell completely apart. Cody and I moved through the dancers, doing damage control, offering our words of wisdom. â€Å"Keep the tension in your wrist, Beth – not too much, though. Don't hurt yourself.† â€Å"Count, damn it! Count! The beats are still the same as before.† â€Å"Keep facing your partner†¦ don't lose track of her.† My role as teacher consumed me, and I loved it. Who cared about vampire hunters and the eternal struggles of good and evil? I caught sight of Seth sitting off to the side, just as he'd vowed. â€Å"Hey, voyeur, still just want to watch?† I chided, breathless and excited from running all over the makeshift dance floor. He shook his head, a faint smile playing across his features as he studied me. â€Å"Plenty to see from here.† Standing up from his chair, he leaned forward in a familiar sort of way, startling me when his hand reached out and pushed up a dress strap that had slipped off my shoulder down to my arm â€Å"There,† he pronounced. â€Å"Perfect.† Goose bumps rose on my flesh at his touch, his fingers warm and gentle. For just a moment, a look I hadn't seen before crossed his face. It made him look less like the distracted writer I'd come to know and more†¦ well, male. Admiring. Considering. Maybe even predatory. The look was gone as quickly as it had come, though I still felt taken aback. â€Å"Keep an eye on that strap,† warned Seth mildly. â€Å"You've got to make him work for it.† He inclined his head slightly toward some dancers, and I followed the motion to see Roman walking one of the baristas through a complex step. I admired Roman's graceful moves a moment before turning back to Seth. â€Å"It's not that hard. I can teach you.† I held up a hand by way of invitation. He looked as though he might agree but shook his head at the last second. â€Å"I'd make a fool of myself.† â€Å"Ah yes, and sitting here alone, while everyone else dances and we're short of men – yes, that doesn't make you look foolish at all.† He gave a soft laugh. â€Å"Maybe.† When no other explanation came, I shrugged and returned to the dance floor, continuing my instruction. Cody and I added a couple new tricks, assisted in more practice, and finally stood off to the side admiring our pupils. â€Å"Think they'll be ready for the Moondance ?† he asked. The Moondance Lounge was a ballroom dance club that hosted monthly swing dance nights. We considered this group's appearance there to be the ultimate triumph of graduation. â€Å"One more lesson, I think. Then we can take them out in public.† An arm caught me around the waist, pulling me onto the dance floor. I recovered my footing quickly, falling in step with Roman as he spun me into an intricate turn. A few people nearby stopped to watch. â€Å"It's my turn to be teacher's pet,† he admonished. â€Å"I've hardly seen you all night; I don't think this counts as a date.† I let him lead me around flamboyantly, curious as to just how good he really was. â€Å"You're always changing what you want,† I complained. â€Å"First you just want to go out, now you say you actually want to be alone with me. You need to pick a story and stick with it. Be more specific.† â€Å"Ah, I see. No one told me that.† He led me into a reverse whip, and I followed through flawlessly, earning a grudging look of approval from him. â€Å"I don't suppose there's a Georgina Kincaid Instruction Manual around somewhere to help me avoid these embarrassing blunders in the future.† â€Å"We sell them downstairs.† â€Å"Oh yeah?† He began improvising steps now, and I enjoyed the challenge of second-guessing where he would go. â€Å"Is there a page on how to woo the fair Georgina?† â€Å"Page? Hell, there's a whole chapter.† â€Å"Required reading, I'd imagine.† â€Å"Definitely. Hey, thanks for the paint by number.† â€Å"I expect to see that on your wall the next time I'm over.† â€Å"With that horrible Native American stereotype? The next time you see it will be on the ACLU's hit list.† He spun me out into a flourish-filled ending, much to the delight of everyone else. They had long since stopped dancing to watch me make a spectacle of myself. I felt slightly self-conscious but shrugged it off, savoring the moment, taking Roman's hand to bow luridly to my coworkers' applause. â€Å"Get ready,† I announced, â€Å"because that's going to be next week's exam.† Cheers and laughter continued, but as they faded and the group dispersed for the night, Roman persisted in holding on to my hand, his fingers laced with mine. I didn't mind. We walked around, making small talk and saying goodbyes. â€Å"You want to go get a drink?† he asked me, once we were momentarily alone. I turned toward him, standing close, studying those gorgeous features. In the now-warmed-up room, I could strongly smell his perspiration mingled with cologne, and it made me want to bury my face in his neck. â€Å"I want to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I began slowly, wondering if alcohol and raw animal lust would be a wise combination with someone I wanted to avoid sleeping with. Looking beyond him, I caught Cody's eye. He was talking earnestly with Seth, which I found odd. Suddenly, I remembered my earlier promise to go meet the vampires at the bar. â€Å"Damn,† I muttered. â€Å"I don't think I can.† Still holding Roman's hand, I led him over to Cody and Seth. They stopped talking. â€Å"I feel left out,† joked Cody a moment later. â€Å"I saw you do some stuff just now that you never taught me.† â€Å"You were supposed to have been doing it for homework.† I cocked my head in consideration. â€Å"Have you met Roman, Cody? Or you Seth?† I made quick introductions around, and they all politely shook hands, guy-style. Once that was done, Roman settled his hand comfortably on my waist. â€Å"I'm trying to get Georgina to have a drink with me. But I think she's playing hard to get.† Cody smiled. â€Å"I don't think she's playing.† I looked apologetically at Roman. â€Å"I told Cody I'd meet him and another friend tonight.† The young vampire made a wave of dismissal. â€Å"Forget about it. Go have fun.† â€Å"Yeah, but – † I cut myself off and made significant eye contact with him  §?la Jerome and Carter. I didn't want Cody to go off alone, lest he be targeted by the vampire hunter, but I could hardly say that in front of the others. â€Å"Take a cab,† I said at last. â€Å"Don't walk.† â€Å"Okay,† he said automatically. Too automatically. â€Å"I mean it,† I warned. â€Å"Yes, yes,† he muttered. â€Å"Do you want to call it for me?† I rolled my eyes at him, then suddenly remembered Seth's presence. Feeling kind of embarrassed with him standing there while we all made plans, I wondered if I should offer to invite him along or send him with Cody. As though reading my mind, Seth bluntly declared, â€Å"Well, I'll see you guys later.† He turned around and left before any of us could answer. â€Å"Is he mad or something?† asked Cody after a moment. â€Å"I think that's just the way he is,† I explained, not sure I'd ever understand the writer. â€Å"Weird.† Roman turned back to me. â€Å"Ready to step out?† Seth quickly left my mind. Roman and I walked over to a small restaurant across the street from Emerald City, sitting together on one side of a booth. I ordered my vodka gimlet, and he got brandy. When our drinks arrived, he asked, â€Å"Should I be jealous of anyone back there?† I chuckled. â€Å"You don't know me well enough or have any claims on me to worry about jealousy yet. Don't jump the gun here.† â€Å"I suppose not,† he agreed. â€Å"Still, famous writers and suave, young dance partners are certainly exalted company.† â€Å"Cody's not that young.† â€Å"Young enough. Is he a close friend?† â€Å"Close enough. Not romantically close, if that's what you're still driving at.† Roman and I had snuggled together in the booth, and I gave him a playful poke in the ribs. â€Å"Quit worrying about my acquaintances. Let's talk about something else. Tell me about the world of linguistics.† I meant it half-jokingly, but he complied, explaining his specialty – classical languages, ironically enough. Roman knew his material well, speaking about it with the same wit and cleverness used in his flirtations. I followed these explanations avidly, enjoying the opportunity to engage in a topic few others knew anything about. Unfortunately, I had to taper my participation, lest I show just how well versed in the subject I truly was. It might look a little weird if a bookstore manager knew more about an area of study than someone who had made a career out of it. Throughout this whole gripping discourse, Roman and I stayed in contact – arms, hands, and legs touching. He never tried to kiss me, for which I was grateful, as that would have been walking into dangerous territory. We were really on an ideal date for me: stimulating banter and as much physical contact as a succubus could safely handle. Our flirty conversation flowed effortlessly, like reading from a script. Our drink flew by in an eye blink, and before I knew it, we stood back outside, parting ways and making arrangements for another date. I attempted my protests, but both of us could see how weak they were. He kept claiming I owed him a real, unchaperoned outing. Standing there with him, warmed by his presence, I felt surprised at how badly I wanted that date. The thing about sparing nice guys was that I always ended up lonely. Looking up at Roman, I decided then that I wanted to put off being lonely again – just for a little while. So I agreed to go out again, ignoring the mental warning bells this decision set off. His face lit up, and I thought he would definitely try a mouth kiss now. My heart thumped loudly at the prospect, scared and eager. Apparently my previous neurotic rants about not getting too close hit home, however. He merely held my hand, finally brushing his lips across my cheek in a kiss that was barely a kiss. He wandered off into the streets of Queen Anne, and a moment later, I walked the half-block back to my apartment. When I reached my door, I discovered a note taped to it. My name, done in beautiful, heavily inked calligraphy, lay scrawled across the surface. An apprehensive coldness ran through me. The note read: You are a beautiful woman, Georgina. Beautiful enough, I think, to even tempt angels into falling – something that doesn't happen nearly as often as it should anymore. Beauty such as yours is effortless, however, when you can make it anything you like. Your large friend, unfortunately, doesn't have such luxury, which is a damned shame after what happened today. Fortunately, he works in the right business to correct any damage to his appearance. I stared at the note like something that might bite me. It bore no name, of course. Ripping it off the door, I hurried into my apartment and picked up the phone. I dialed Hugh's number without hesitation. With the references to â€Å"large† and â€Å"right business,† he was the only one the note could be referring to. His phone rang and rang before giving way to an answering machine. Annoyed, I dialed his cell number. After three rings, an unknown female voice answered. â€Å"Is Hugh Mitchell there?† There was a long pause. â€Å"He†¦ can't talk right now. Who is this, please?† â€Å"This is Georgina Kincaid. I'm his friend.† â€Å"I've heard him talk about you, Georgina. This is Samantha.† The name didn't mean anything to me, nor did I have the patience for this runaround. â€Å"Well, can I please talk to him then?† â€Å"No†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her voice sounded strained, upset. â€Å"Georgina, something bad happened today†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 

The Thirteenth Tale Book Club Discussion Questions

'The Thirteenth Tale' Book Club Discussion Questions The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a rich story about secrets, ghosts, winter, books and family. These book club discussion questions on The Thirteenth Tale will help you explore Setterfields masterfully created story. Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Finish the book before reading on. Books play an important role in The Thirteenth Tale. Discuss Margaret and Miss Winters relationships to books and stories. Could you relate to them? What is your relationship to books? Do you agree with Miss Winter that stories can reveal truth better than simply stating it?The two houses in The Thirteenth TaleAngelfield and Miss Winters estateare prominent in the story. How do the houses reflect the characters who live in them? What do you think they represent?Why do you think Margaret obeyed Miss Winters summons?Miss Winter asks Margaret if she would like to hear a ghost story. Who are the ghosts in the story? In what ways are different characters haunted (Margaret, Miss Winter, Aurelius)?Why do you think Margarets sisters death affected her so profoundly? Why do you think she was able to move beyond it at the end of the novel?After Mrs. Dunne and John Digence die, Miss Winter says the girl in the mist emerges. Did you believe that Adeline had matured? If not, did you suspect the t rue identity of the character? When did you first suspect Miss Winters true identity? Were you surprised? Looking back, what clues did she give you?Do you think Adeline or Emmeline was saved from the fire?What is the significance of Jane Eyre to the story?Do you think it is harder to keep a secret or confess the complete truth?Were you satisfied with the way the story ended for various charactersAurelius, Hester, Margaret?Rate The Thirteenth Tale on a scale of 1 to 5.

A Short History of Bluetooth

A Short History of Bluetooth If you own a smartphone, tablet, laptop, speakers or any of the array of electronic devices on the market today, theres a good chance that, at some point, youve paired at least a couple of them together. And while virtually all our personal devices these days are equipped with Bluetooth technology, few people actually know how it got there. The Somewhat Dark Backstory Strangely enough, Hollywood and World War II played a pivotal role in the creation of not only Bluetooth, but a multitude of wireless technologies. It all began in 1937 when Hedy Lamarr, an Austrian-born actress, left her marriage to an arms dealer with ties to Nazis and fascist Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and fled to Hollywood in hopes of becoming a star. With the support of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio head Louis B. Mayer,  who promoted her to audiences as the worlds most beautiful woman, Lamarr notched roles in films such as Boom Town starring Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, Ziegfeld Girl starring Judy Garland, and 1949 hit Samson and Delilah.   Somehow she also found time to do some inventing on the side. Using her drafting table, she experimented with concepts that included a reworked stoplight design and a fizzy instant drink that came in tablet form. Although none of them panned out, it was her collaboration with composer George Antheil on an innovative guidance system for torpedoes that set her on a course to change the world. Drawing on what she learned about weapons systems while she was married, the two used paper player piano rolls to generate radio frequencies that hopped around as a way to prevent the enemy from jamming the signal. Initially, the U.S. Navy was reluctant to implement Lamarr and Antheil’s spread-spectrum radio technology, but would later deploy the system to relay information about the position of enemy submarines to military aircraft flying overhead.   Today, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are two variations of spread-spectrum radio. Bluetooth’s Swedish Origins So who invented Bluetooth? The short answer is Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson. The team effort began in 1989 when the Chief Technology Officer of Ericsson Mobile, Nils Rydbeck, together with a physician named Johan Ullman, commissioned engineers Jaap Haartsen and Sven Mattisson to come up with an optimal short-link radio technology standard for transmitting signals between personal computers to wireless headsets that they were planning to bring to the market. In 1990,  Jaap Haartsen was nominated by the  European Patent Office for the European Inventor Award.   The name Bluetooth is an anglicized translation of Danish King Harald Blà ¥tands surname. During the 10th century, the second King of Denmark was famous in Scandinavian lore for uniting the peoples of Denmark and Norway. In creating the Bluetooth standard, the inventors felt that they were, in effect, doing something similar in uniting the PC and cellular industries. Thus the name stuck. The logo is a viking inscription, known as a bind rune, that merges the kings two initials.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lack of Competition Given its ubiquity, some may also wonder why there arent any alternatives. The answer to this is a little more complicated. The beauty of Bluetooth technology is that it allows up to eight devices to be paired together via short-range radio signals that form a network, with each device functioning as a component of a larger system. To achieve this, Bluetooth-enabled devices must communicate using network protocols under a uniform specification. As a technology standard, similar to Wi-Fi , Bluetooths isnt tied to any product but is implemented by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, a committee charged with revising the standards as well as licensing the technology and trademarks to manufacturers. For instance, Bluetooth 4.2 (released in 2014) uses less power and features improved speeds and security compared to previous versions. It also allows for internet protocol connectivity so that smart devices can be linked.   That isn’t to say, however, that Bluetooth doesn’t have any competitors. ZigBee, a wireless standard overseen by the ZigBee Alliance was rolled out in 2005 and allows for transmissions over longer distances, up to 100 meters, while using less power. A year later, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group introduced Bluetooth low energy, aimed at reducing power consumption by putting the connection into sleep mode whenever it detected inactivity.

Biomasses energy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Biomasses energy - Assignment Example Hence, there is increased release of carbon to the atmosphere. On the other hand, the reliance of biomass such as cutting whole tree will lead to a reduced intake of carbon. Most of the biomass is generally received from the forest (Greene and Lyutse 1). Forest is said to play a significant role as carbon sinks. It absorbs large amount of carbon that protects from global warming. Hence, cutting trees as a source of biomass will mean reduced carbon sink and hence more amount of carbon will not be absorbed. The Kaya concept is an equation used to determine the rate of carbon dioxide release to the environment based on the economic activity of nay given country. The rate of energy use of the country is shown to have a strong link to carbon intensity of that energy use (FREE 1). As most of the countries join the league of emerging economies, it is expected that there will be an increased emissions of products the most significant being carbon dioxide. This is because an increased out put per capita is expected to occur over an increased use of energy. Because of the increase, the concept makes various suggestions to the emerging economies. One of the significant suggestions is for these countries to engage in ways of reducing energy intensity. One alternative for the countries is to adopt increased efficiency in energy use. The other suggestion is to change consumer behavior when it comes to energy use. The changes are said to be real through adoption of ‘green energy’ in th e future. The wood industry is a legitimate player in biofuels due to its heavy carbon content. First, the wood industry has more reliable energy in the name of biopower as compared to other sources of energy that have been heavily used in the past (Union of Concerned Scientist(UCS) 1). The energy is beneficial to society once it is used in a sustainable way. The use of this form of power in a sustainable way means that

T S Eliot The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock Essay

T S Eliot The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock - Essay Example Prufrock is depicted as a damned person who seeks to woo a woman. The world seen in the poem through the epigraph is dull and boring. Prufrock is not hopeful that the surroundings will offer his the conditions that he wants to win the love of a woman. His inability to perceive the world as a better place is seen in the second verse where he says, â€Å"Like a sole patient etherized upon a table† (Eliot 1). The allusion to a historical prophet is evident and reinforces the theme of inadequacy with the world. He sees himself as a person who cannot achieve the goals he had visualized in the beginning. Allusion has been used to convey Prufrock as a character who does not believe in himself because of his wretched situation. The title of the poem symbolizes the love concerns in the poem. The reader expects Prufrock to pursue his love interest after setting the environment in the first verse. However, he is portrayed as a man who cannot act on feelings because of the questionable mindset. The strong attraction of love does not grow in the process because Prufrock does not act on his infatuation with the woman. He has fears rejection, obsessions, and anxieties he has about the world. The title is anchored on the theme of love, but Prufrock does not succeed because of the people in the world who prevent him from interacting maximally. Prufrock ends up being condemned in a world of loneliness isolation. The speaker struggles with the self-identity in the poem. Use of repetitive questions, for example, â€Å"Do I dare disturb the universe?†(Eliot 5) has been used to depict a person who is struggling with finding himself and his real identity as a man. Eliot was a modernist who was concerned with addressing issues that revolved around self-identity but within the larger universal context. Questions of finding meaning in the speaker are evident and the speaker wants the universe to walk

Crisis Of Famine In Bengal. Peter Singer's Views On Our Duties Of Research Paper

Crisis Of Famine In Bengal. Peter Singer's Views On Our Duties Of Foreign Aid And Charity - Research Paper Example Peter puts these arguments forward by way of two principles; one of them proposes the extent to which death and suffering is bad irrespective of the cause, which ranges hunger, deficient housing and inadequate. Secondly, he argues that one is obligated to mitigate morally bad state of affairs if they are able to do that without having to sacrifice that with another with the same moral importance (Singer, 1972). In his argument, Singer proclaims that it is only moral to help those in need with disregard to causing the same impact on the people. The three counter-arguments given by Peter considering the ideas and facts of his moral reasoning entail the argument that the manner in which the affluent in Bengal are reacting towards the same issue is forthrightly unjustified concerning morally acceptable behaviors (Singer, 1972). The affluent as observed above have the moral responsibility of assisting the needy and trying what they can to bring them out of the situation. The counterargume nts are presented in brief as follows: - that it is a bad occurrence that death and suffering are caused by malnourishment, home dwelling and issues to do with healthcare. Secondly, that it is advisable for one who is in the position of helping by way of preventing a bad occurrence from taking place if this can happen without them giving up something of equal importance. Lastly, in such efforts one is required to have a say as a good deal as they can in the efforts to alleviate the plagues (Mulroney and Kingston, 2012). Marginal utility is a concept that describes the additional satisfaction that a consumer gets from benefiting from the consumption of one extra unit of any form of benefit. Peter in his argument urges those in the position of helping to give up to the point of marginal utility and in this case, it is he point whereby if the individual gives up more it would cause them or their dependents as much suffering as they would be in the position of preventing a crisis in Ben gal. Peter Singer therefore advises that only those in the position of preventing bad from happening without giving up something of equal importance are advised to do so (Singer, 1972). This is because if everyone went ahead and came in to help, there would be many excesses some of which could not be used and would simply go to a waste. Peter does not think that is a problem but argues that it is not advisable for people to give at the same time but some form of organization should be formulated. The worst happens in a case where everyone came in to give but they gave less than they ought to have given (Mulroney and Kingston, 2012). Actually, the ideas of duty and charity are dynamic in Singer’s world and it begins from the Singer’s argument of the cause of suffering and death, which he attributes to lack of necessities like food, shelter and medical care. He says that is it is within our powers to prevent these then surely we should (Singer, 1972). Sacrifice here mean without causing a significant bad thing to happen as the example he gives of a sight to a drowning child which ought to be saved as opposed to the cloths being ruined. The article is recognized as a fascinating experience for the art of giving and not the reverse,

Causes Of The Cold War Summary And Analysis History Essay

Causes Of The Cold War Summary And Analysis History Essay The Big Picture: Who, What, When, Where (Especially) Why. In 1945, the United States and Soviet Union were allies, jointly triumphant in World War II, which ended with total victory for Soviet and American forces over Adolf Hitlers Nazi empire in Europe. Within just a few years, however, wartime allies became mortal enemies, locked in a global struggle-military, political, economic, ideological-to prevail in a new Cold War. How did wartime friends so quickly turn into Cold War foes? Who started the Cold War? Was it the Soviets, who reneged on their agreements to allow the people of Eastern Europe to determine their own fates by imposing totalitarian rule on territories unlucky enough to fall behind the Iron Curtain? Or was it the Americans, who ignored the Soviets legitimate security concerns, sought to intimidate the world with the atomic bomb, and pushed relentlessly to expand their own international influence and market dominance? The tensions that would later grow into Cold War became evident as early as 1943, when the Big Three allied leaders-American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Josef Stalin-met in Tehran to coordinate strategy. Poland, which sits in an unfortunate position on the map, squeezed between frequent enemies Russia and Germany, became a topic for heated debate. The Poles, then under German occupation, had not one but two governments-in-exile-one Communist, one anticommunist-hoping to take over the country upon its liberation from the Nazis. Unsurprisingly, the Big Three disagreed over which Polish faction should be allowed to take control after the war, with Stalin backing the Polish Communists while Churchill and Roosevelt insisted the Polish people ought to have the right to choose their own form of government. For Stalin, the Polish question was a matter of the Soviet Unions vital security interests; Germany had invaded Russia th rough Poland twice since 1914, and more than 20 million Soviet citizens died in World War II. (The Soviets suffered nearly sixty times as many casualties in the war as the Americans did.) Stalin was determined to make sure that such an invasion could never happen again, and insisted that only a Communist Poland, friendly to (and dominated by) the Soviet Union, could serve as a buffer against future aggression from the west. Stalins security concerns ran smack into Anglo-American values of self-determination, which held that the Poles ought to be allowed to make their own decision over whether or not to become a Soviet satellite. At Tehran, and at the next major conference of the Big Three at Yalta in 1945, the leaders of the US, UK, and USSR were able to reach a number of important agreements-settling border disputes, creating the United Nations, organizing the postwar occupations of Germany and Japan. But Poland remained a vexing problem. At Yalta, Stalin-insisting that Poland is a question of life or death for Russia-was able to win Churchills and Roosevelts reluctant acceptance of a Communist-dominated provisional government for Poland. In exchange, Stalin signed on to a vague and toothless Declaration of Liberated Europe, pledging to assist the peoples liberated from the dominion of Nazi Germany and the peoples of the former Axis satellite states of Europe to solve by democratic means their pressing political and economic problems. The agreements allowed Churchill and Roosevelt to claim they had defended the principle of self-determination, even though both knew that Poland had effectively been consigned to the Soviet sphere of interest. The provisional Communist government in Poland later held rigged elections (which it, not surprisingly, won), nominally complying with the Declaration of Liberated Europe even though no alternative to Communist rule ever really had a chance in the country. In the end, the Yalta agreements were not so much a true compromise as a useful (in the short term) misunderstanding among the three leaders. Stalin left happy he had won Anglo-American acceptance of de facto Soviet control of Eastern Europe; Roosevelt and Churchill left happy they had won Stalins acceptance of the principle of self-determination. But the two parts of the agreement were mutually exclusive; what would happen if the Eastern Europeans sought to self-determine themselves out of the Soviet orbit? Future disputes over the problematic Yalta agreements were not just likely; they were virtually inevitable. And the likelihood of future conflict only heightened on 12 April 1945, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt unexpectedly died of a brain hemorrhage. Vice President Harry S. Truman-a former Missouri senator with only a high-school education, who had served just 82 days as vice president and had not been part of FDRs inner circle-suddenly became the President of the United States. Truman, who may not have ever known just how much Roosevelt had actually conceded to Stalin at Yalta, viewed the Soviets later interventions in Eastern Europe as a simple violation of the Yalta agreements, as proof that Stalin was a liar who could never be trusted. Truman quickly staked out a hard-line position, resolving to counter Stalins apparently insatiable drive for power by blocking any further expansion of the Soviet sphere of influence, anywhere in the world. Under Truman, containment of Communism soon came to dominate American foreign policy. The Cold War was on. So who started the Cold War? In the early days of the Cold War itself, American historians would have answered, nearly unanimously, that the Soviets started the Cold War. Josef Stalin was an evil dictator, propelled by an evil Communist ideology to attempt world domination. Appeasement hadnt worked against Hitler, and appeasement wouldnt work against Stalin either. An innocent America had only reluctantly joined the Cold War to defend the Free World from otherwise inevitable totalitarian conquest. In the 1960s, a new generation of revisionist historians-disillusioned by the Vietnam War and appalled by seemingly endemic government dishonesty-offered a startingly different interpretation. In this revisionist view, Stalin may have been a Machiavellian despot but he was an essentially conservative one; he was more interested in protecting the Soviet Union (and his own power within it) than in dominating the world. Americans erroneously interpreted Stalins legitimate insistence upon a security buffer in Poland to indicate a desire for global conquest; Americans subsequent aggressive efforts to contain Soviet influence, to intimidate the Soviets with the atomic bomb, and to pursue American economic interests around the globe were primarily responsible for starting the Cold War. More recently, a school of historians led by Yale professor John Lewis Gaddis have promoted what they call a post-revisionist synthesis, incorporating many aspects of the revisionist critique while still insisting that Stalin, as a uniquely powerful and uniquely malevolent historical actor, must bear the greatest responsibility for the Cold War. In the end, it may be that Who started the Cold War? is simply the wrong question to ask. World War II destroyed all other major rivals to American and Soviet power; the US and USSR emerged from the conflict as the only two nations on earth that could hope to propagate their social and political systems on a global scale. Each commanded powerful military forces; each espoused globally expansive ideologies; each feared and distrusted the other. In the end, it may have been more shocking if the two superpowers had not become great rivals and Cold War enemies. What was the Cold War The Cold War is the name given to the relationship that developed primarily between the USA and the USSR after World War Two. The Cold War was to dominate international affairs for decades and many major crises occurred the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Hungary and the Berlin Wall being just some. For many the growth in weapons of mass destruction was the most worrying issue. Do note that USSR in 1945 was Russia post-1917 and included all the various countries that now exist individually (Ukraine, Georgia etc) but after the war they were part of this huge country up until the collapse of the Soviet Union (the other name for the USSR). Logic would dictate that as the USA and the USSR fought as allies during World War Two, their relationship after the war would be firm and friendly. This never happened and any appearance that these two powers were friendly during the war is illusory. Before the war, America had depicted the Soviet Union as almost the devil-incarnate. The Soviet Union had depicted America likewise so their friendship during the war was simply the result of having a mutual enemy Nazi Germany. In fact, one of Americas leading generals, Patton, stated that he felt that the Allied army should unite with what was left of the Wehrmacht in 1945, utilise the military genius that existed within it (such as the V2s etc.) and fight the oncoming Soviet Red Army. Churchill himself was furious that Eisenhower, as supreme head of Allied command, had agreed that the Red Army should be allowed to get to Berlin first ahead of the Allied army. His anger was shared by Montgomery, Britains senior military figure. So the extreme distrust that existed during the war, was certainly present before the end of the warà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..and this was between Allies. The Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, was also distrustful of the Americans after Truman only told him of a new terrifying weapon that he was going to use against the Japanese. The first Stalin knew of what this weapon could do was when reports on Hiroshima got back to Moscow. So this was the scene after the war ended in 1945. Both sides distrusted the other. One had a vast army in the field (the Soviet Union with its Red Army supremely lead by Zhukov) while the other, the Americans had the most powerful weapon in the world, the A-bomb and the Soviets had no way on knowing how many America had. So what exactly was the Cold War? In diplomatic terms there are three types of war. In diplomatic terms there are three types of war. Hot War : this is actual warfare. All talks have failed and the armies are fighting. Warm War : this is where talks are still going on and there would always be a chance of a peaceful outcome but armies, navies etc. are being fully mobilised and war plans are being put into operation ready for the command to fight. Cold War : this term is used to describe the relationship between America and the Soviet Union 1945 to 1980. Neither side ever fought the other the consequences would be too appalling but they did fight for their beliefs using client states who fought for their beliefs on their behalf e.g. South Vietnam was anticommunist and was supplied by America during the war while North Vietnam was pro-Communist and fought the south (and the Americans) using weapons from communist Russia or communist China. In Afghanistan, the Americans supplied the rebel Afghans after the Soviet Union invaded in 1979 while they never physically involved themselves thus avoiding a direct clash with the Soviet Union. The one time this process nearly broke down was the Cuban   Missile Crisis. So why were these two super powers so distrustful of the other? America Soviet Union Free elections No elections or fixed Democratic Autocratic / Dictatorship Capitalist Communist Survival of the fittest Everybody helps everybody Richest world power Poor economic base Personal freedom Society controlled by the NKVD (secret police) Freedom of the media Total censorship This lack of mutually understanding an alien culture, would lead the world down a very dangerous path it led to the development of weapons of awesome destructive capability and the creation of some intriguing policies such as MAD Mutually Assured Destruction. Cold War chronology 1945 : A-Bomb dropped on Hiroshima + Nagasaki. USA ahead in the arms race. 1947 : Marshall Aid to the west of Europe. Stalin of USSR refused it for Eastern Europe. 1948 : start of the Berlin Blockade ended in 1949 1949 : NATO established; USSR exploded her first A-bomb; China becomes communist 1950 : Korean War started. 1952 : USA exploded her first hyrogen bomb. 1953 : Korean War ended. USSR exploded her first hydrogen bomb. Stalin died. 1955 : Warsaw Pact created. Peaceful coexistence called for. 1956 : Hungary revolts against USSR. Suez Crisis. 1957 : Sputnik launched. 1959 : Cuba becomes a communist state. 1961 : Military aid sent to Vietnam by USA for the first time. Berlin Wall built. 1962 : Cuban Missile Crisis. 1963 : Huge increase of American aid to Vietnam. 1965 : USA openly involved in Vietnam. 1967 : Six-Day War in Middle East. 1968 : USSR invades Czechoslovakia. 1973 : Yom Kippur War. 1979 : USSR invaded Afghanistan. 1986 : Meeting in Iceland between USSR (Gorbachev) and USA (Reagan). 1987 : INF Treaty signed. The Iron Curtain http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/clear.gif http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/clear.gif http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/uploads/pics/winston_03.jpg http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/clear.gif On March 5th 1946, Winston Churchill made his iron curtain speech at Fulton, Missouri, USA. The speech was officially entitled The Sinews of Peace but became better known as the Iron Curtain speech. It set the tone for the early years of the Cold War. Some saw it as unnecessary warmongering while others believed it was another example of how well Churchill was able to grasp an international situation. I am glad to come to Westminster College this afternoon, and am complimented that you should give me a degree. The name Westminster is somehow familiar to me. I seem to have heard of it before. Indeed, it was at Westminster that I received a very large part of my education in politics, dialectic, rhetoric, and one or two other things. In fact we have both been educated at the same, or similar, or, at any rate, kindred establishments. It is also an honour, perhaps almost unique, for a private visitor to be introduced to an academic audience by the President of the United States. Amid his heavy burdens, duties, and responsibilities unsought but not recoiled from the President has travelled a thousand miles to dignify and magnify our meeting here to-day and to give me an opportunity of addressing this kindred nation, as well as my own countrymen across the ocean, and perhaps some other countries too. The President has told you that it is his wish, as I am sure it is yours, that I should have full liberty to give my true and faithful counsel in these anxious and baffling times. I shall certainly avail myself of this freedom, and feel the more right to do so because any private ambitions I may have cherished in my younger days have been satisfied beyond my wildest dreams. Let me, however, make it clear that I have no official mission or status of any kind, and that I speak only for myself. There is nothing here but what you see. I can therefore allow my mind, with the experience of a lifetime, to play over the problems which beset us on the morrow of our absolute victory in arms, and to try to make sure with what strength I have that what has been gained with so much sacrifice and suffering shall be preserved for the future glory and safety of mankind. The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American Democracy. For with primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future. If you look around you, you must feel not only the sense of duty done but also you must feel anxiety lest you fall below the level of achievement. Opportunity is here now, clear and shining for both our countries. To reject it or ignore it or fritter it away will bring upon us all the long reproaches of the after-time. It is necessary that constancy of mind, persistency of purpose, and the grand simplicity of decision shall guide and rule the conduct of the English-speaking peoples in peace as they did in war. We must, and I believe we shall, prove ourselves equal to this severe requirement. When American military men approach some serious situation they are wont to write at the head of their directive the words over-all strategic concept. There is wisdom in this, as it leads to clarity of thought. What then is the over-all strategic concept which we should inscribe today? It is nothing less than the safety and welfare, the freedom and progress, of all the homes and families of all the men and women in all the lands. And here I speak particularly of the myriad cottage or apartment homes where the wage-earner strives amid the accidents and difficulties of life to guard his wife and children from privation and bring the family up in the fear of the Lord, or upon ethical conceptions which often play their potent part. To give security to these countless homes, they must be shielded from the two giant marauders, war and tyranny. We all know the frightful disturbances in which the ordinary family is plunged when the curse of war swoops down upon the bread-winner and those for whom he works and contrives. The awful ruin of Europe, with all its vanished glories, and of large parts of Asia glares us in the eyes. When the designs of wicked men or the aggressive urge of mighty States dissolve over large areas the frame of civilised society, humble folk are confronted with difficulties with which they cannot cope. For them all is distorted, all is broken, even ground to pulp. When I stand here this quiet afternoon I shudder to visualise what is actually happening to millions now and what is going to happen in this period when famine stalks the earth. None can compute what has been called the unestimated sum of human pain. Our supreme task and duty is to guard the homes of the common people from the horrors and miseries of another war. We are all agreed on that. Our American military colleagues, after having proclaimed their over-all strategic concept and computed available resources, always proceed to the next step namely, the method. Here again there is widespread agreement. A world organisation has already been erected for the prime purpose of preventing war, UNO, the successor of the League of Nations, with the decisive addition of the United States and all that that means, is already at work. We must make sure that its work is fruitful, that it is a reality and not a sham, that it is a force for action, and not merely a frothing of words, that it is a true temple of peace in which the shields of many nations can some day be hung up, and not merely a cockpit in a Tower of Babel. Before we cast away the solid assurances of national armaments for self-preservation we must be certain that our temple is built, not upon shifting sands or quagmires, but upon the rock. Anyone can see with his eyes open that our path will be difficult and also long, but if we persevere together as we did in the two world wars though not, alas, in the interval between them I cannot doubt that we shall achieve our common purpose in the end. I have, however, a definite and practical proposal to make for action. Courts and magistrates may be set up but they cannot function without sheriffs and constables. The United Nations Organisation must immediately begin to be equipped with an international armed force. In such a matter we can only go step by step, but we must begin now. I propose that each of the Powers and States should be invited to delegate a certain number of air squadrons to the service of the world organisation. These squadrons would be trained and prepared in their own countries, but would move around in rotation from one country to another. They would wear the uniform of their own countries but with different badges. They would not be required to act against their own nation, but in other respects they would be directed by the world organisation. This might be started on a modest scale and would grow as confidence grew. I wished to see this done after the first world war, and I devoutly trust it may be done forthwith. It would nevertheless be wrong and imprudent to entrust the secret knowledge or experience of the atomic bomb, which the United States, Great Britain, and Canada now share, to the world organisation, while it is still in its infancy. It would be criminal madness to cast it adrift in this still agitated and un-united world. No one in any country has slept less well in their beds because this knowledge and the method and the raw materials to apply it, are at present largely retained in American hands. I do not believe we should all have slept so soundly had the positions been reversed and if some Communist or neo-Fascist State monopolised for the time being these dread agencies. The fear of them alone might easily have been used to enforce totalitarian systems upon the free democratic world, with consequences appalling to human imagination. God has willed that this shall not be and we have at least a breathing space to set our house in order before this peril has to be encountered: and even then, if no effort is spared, we should still possess so formidable a superiority as to impose effective deterrents upon its employment, or threat of employment, by others. Ultimately, when the essential brotherhood of man is truly embodied and expressed in a world organisation with all the necessary practical safeguards to make it effective, these powers would naturally be confided to that world organisation. Now I come to the second danger of these two marauders which threatens the cottage, the home, and the ordinary people namely, tyranny. We cannot be blind to the fact that the liberties enjoyed by individual citizens throughout the British Empire are not valid in a considerable number of countries, some of which are very powerful. In these States control is enforced upon the common people by various kinds of all-embracing police governments. The power of the State is exercised without restraint, either by dictators or by compact oligarchies operating through a privileged party and a political police. It is not our duty at this time when difficulties are so numerous to interfere forcibly in the internal affairs of countries which we have not conquered in war. But we must never cease to proclaim in fearless tones the great principles of freedom and the rights of man which are the joint inheritance of the English-speaking world and which through Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Habe as Corpus, trial by jury, and the English common law find their most famous expression in the American Declaration of Independence. All this means that the people of any country have the right, and should have the power by constitutional action, by free unfettered elections, with secret ballot, to choose or change the character or form of government under which they dwell; that freedom of speech and thought should reign; that courts of justice, independent of the executive, unbiased by any party, should administer laws which have received the broad assent of large majorities or are consecrated by time and custom. Here are the title deeds of freedom which should lie in every cottage home. Here is the message of the British and American peoples to mankind. Let us preach what we practise let us practise what we preach. I have now stated the two great dangers which menace the homes of the people: War and Tyranny. I have not yet spoken of poverty and privation which are in many cases the prevailing anxiety. But if the dangers of war and tyranny are removed, there is no doubt that science and co-operation can bring in the next few years to the world, certainly in the next few decades newly taught in the sharpening school of war, an expansion of material well-being beyond anything that has yet occurred in human experience. Now, at this sad and breathless moment, we are plunged in the hunger and distress which are the aftermath of our stupendous struggle; but this will pass and may pass quickly, and there is no reason except human folly of sub-human crime which should deny to all the nations the inauguration and enjoyment of an age of plenty. I have often used words which I learned fifty years ago from a great Irish-American orator, a friend of mine, Mr. Bourke Cockran. There is enough for all. The eart h is a generous mother; she will provide in plentiful abundance food for all her children if they will but cultivate her soil in justice and in peace. So far I feel that we are in full agreement. Now, while still pursuing the method of realising our overall strategic concept, I come to the crux of what I have travelled here to say. Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise of world organisation will be gained without what I have called the fraternal association of the English-speaking peoples. This means a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States. This is no time for generalities, and I will venture to be precise. Fraternal association requires not only the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society, but the continuance of the intimate relationship between our military advisers, leading to common study of potential dangers, the similarity of weapons and manuals of instructions, and to the interchange of officers and cadets at technical colleges. It should carry with it the continuance of the present facilities for mutual security by the joint use of all Naval a nd Air Force bases in the possession of either country all over the world. This would perhaps double the mobility of the American Navy and Air Force. It would greatly expand that of the British Empire Forces and it might well lead, if and as the world calms down, to important financial savings. Already we use together a large number of islands; more may well be entrusted to our joint care in the near future. The United States has already a Permanent Defence Agreement with the Dominion of Canada, which is so devotedly attached to the British Commonwealth and Empire. This Agreement is more effective than many of those which have often been made under formal alliances. This principle should be extended to all British Commonwealths with full reciprocity. Thus, whatever happens, and thus only, shall we be secure ourselves and able to work together for the high and simple causes that are dear to us and bode no ill to any. Eventually there may come I feel eventually there will come the principle of common citizenship, but that we may be content to leave to destiny, whose outstretched arm many of us can already clearly see. There is however an important question we must ask ourselves. Would a special relationship between the United States and the British Commonwealth be inconsistent with our over-riding loyalties to the World Organisation? I reply that, on the contrary, it is probably the only means by which that organisation will achieve its full stature and strength. There are already the special United States relations with Canada which I have just mentioned, and there are the special relations between the United States and the South American Republics. We British have our twenty years Treaty of Collaboration and Mutual Assistance with Soviet Russia. I agree with Mr. Bevin, the Foreign Secretary of Great Britain, that it might well be a fifty years Treaty so far as we are concerned. We aim at nothing but mutual assistance and collaboration. The British have an alliance with Portugal unbroken since 1384, and which produced fruitful results at critical moments in the late war. None of these clash with the general interest of a world agreement, or a world organisation; on the contrary they help it. In my fathers house are many mansions. Special associations between members of the United Nations which have no aggressive point against any other country, which harbour no design incompatible with the Charter of the United Nations, far from being harmful, are beneficial and, as I believe, indispensable. I spoke earlier of the Temple of Peace. Workmen from all countries must build that temple. If two of the workmen know each other particularly well and are old friends, if their families are inter-mingled, and if they have faith in each others purpose, hope in each others future and charity towards each others shortcomings to quote some good words I read here the other day why cannot they work together at the common task as friends and partners? Why cannot they share their tools and thus increase each others working powers? Indeed they must do so or else the temple may not be built, or, being built, it may collapse, and we shall all be proved again unteachable and have to go and try to learn again for a third time in a school of war, incomparably more rigorous than that from which we have just been released. The dark ages may return, the Stone Age may return on the gleaming wings of science, and what might now shower immeasurable material blessings upon mankind, may even bring about its total destruction. Beware, I say; time may be short. Do not let us take the course of allowing events to drift along until it is too late. If there is to be a fraternal association of the kind I have described, with all the extra strength and security which both our countries can derive from it, let us make sure that that great fact is known to the world, and that it plays its part in steadying and stabilising the foundations of peace. There is the path of wisdom. Prevention is better than cure. A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory. Nobody knows what Soviet Russia and its Communist international organisation intends to do in the immediate future, or what are the limits, if any, to their expansive and proselytising tendencies. I have a strong admiration and regard for the valiant Russian people and for my wartime comrade, Marshal Stalin. There is deep sympathy and goodwill in Britain and I doubt not here also towards the peoples of all the Russias and a resolve to persevere through many differences and rebuffs in establishing lasting friendships. We understand the Russian need to be secure on her western frontiers by the removal of all possibility of German aggression. We welcome Russia to her rightful place among the leading nations of the world. We welcome her flag upon the seas. Above all, we welcome constant, frequent and growing contacts between the Russian people and our own people on both sides of the Atlantic. It is my duty how ever, for I am sure you would wish me to state the facts as I see them to you, to place before you certain facts about the present position in Europe. From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia, all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject in one