Language is the only homeland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Language is the only homeland - Essay Example These women were searching for independence and Kingston describes independence in speaking up rather writing. It became her identity and made her look at herself and her family from a new perspective that is in a more mature manner. Similarly Marshall finds independence in spoken word and in writing with emotions. Marshall and Kingston see their stories as inspiration to black women writers and those Chinese emigrants who are afraid to speak up about their values and culture. Marshall connects himself to the African American ancestors. Both writers believe their writing can be linked to unsaid words of Chinese and African American women. It states what the women were always longing to say but they did not had the independence to do so. Their writings are related to the cultures they were exposed to throughout their lives. Paule Marshall talks about her experience in growing up a family that immigrated to America from Barbados in West Indies.In her essay "Poets in the Kitchen she not only talks about what experiences shaped her personality but also the inspiration behind her writing.History of Barbados explains a lot about the background of thi8s essay.The inhibition of island by ArawakIndians and then Carib Indians greatly describe about the traditions told by Paule at her house.For instance Indians would tie their children's forehead to slope them up.This tradition is quite similar to one discussed by Paule in her essay: â€Å"the bellyband that is tied around the stomach of a newborn baby to keep the navel pressed in† (Marshall1). .Therefore indicating where the traditions discussed by Paule actually originated from. Marshall’s relation to African-American ancestors directly involves her mother and friends of mother. In that era when black women were just viewed as labors, Marshall viewed them as a piece of art. Therefore Marshall uses the kitchen and home setting she was exposed to in her childhood, to describe the African American tradition. All day labor, hard work gave these women no time for any other activity. They resided to their language and freedom of expression as the only way to self express themselves. (Marshall1).While relating to her mother, Marshall talks about how her mother resorted to oral communication and she on the other hand adapted written form of communication to express her creative desires and emotions. She talks about how the language transformed daily wit the evolution of new words such as tumbling big for a pregnant woman, free bee for one with freedom for sexual favors (Marshall1).Marshall identifies with her mother’s personal experiences, stories and writes a record of it all. Identity can be defined in several different ways.It is way more diverse and complex than one's identification card simply.Orientalism defines identity in quite a new perspective.It talks about how West perceives East.The West is always seen as the dominating superior power while East are considered weak, suppr essed and uncivilized nations.This point of view has been rooted in our traditions since centuries and it has shaped the people's way of thinking.As a result East has adapted the mindset of being powerless in front of West.In the chapter a Song for Barbarian Reed Pipe in the Book "The Woman Warrior" by Kingston, the issue of

Waiting for the Barbarians by J. M. Coetzee Essay Example for Free

Waiting for the Barbarians by J. M. Coetzee Essay All this erotic behavior of mine is indirect: I prowl about her, touching her face, caressing her body, without entering her or finding the urge to do so. But with this woman it is as if there is no interior, only a surface across which I hunt back and forth seeking entry. Is this how her torturers felt hunting their secret, whatever they thought it was? pg.43. One of the central figures in J. M. Coetzees Waiting for the Barbarians is the barbarian girl. The Magistrate finds the girl maimed and nearly blind after being interrogated and tortured by the ruthless Colonel Joll, and takes her in. The Magistrates relationship with the girl revolves around his search for the girls significance; he questions her about her torture, he attempts to understand her through her physical surface, and tries to use her as the key to unlocking his own meaning. Ultimately, the Magistrates treatment of the barbarian girl mirrors her treatment by Colonel Joll; they both use her as a tool in their respective searches for knowledge. The parallels between Joll and the Magistrates behavior towards the barbarian girl can be seen in the selected passage. The Magistrate is going over his conduct towards the girl in his head, and expressing some puzzlement as to the motivation behind his actions as well as over their lack of fruition. He puts effort into making romantic gestures towards her, but does not sleep with her, nor does he really want to. He seems to want something from her, but is unsure about what that is or how to go about getting it. This makes the woman seem mysteriously full of meaning and yet impenetrable to him, in more ways than one. His last thought is to compare his search for meaning in his relationship with the girl to her torturers search for an elusive secret from her. By describing his own behavior as indirect, we get a sense of the Magistrates own lack of clarity towards the subject. He makes erotic overtures towards the girl, but he makes them indirect[ly], implying that his goal is not to seduce the girl but what his true intentions are remain unclear, even to him. The Magistrate does not understand his fascination with the barbarian girl. This can be illustrated on pg. 40 where  he asks her not only why she is with him, but also, why do I want you here? He tries to analyze his relationship to the girl and use it to somehow get a better understanding of who he is. However, his philosophical questions get few answers from her, and none that satisfy him. He focuses his interest on her scars and what transpired during her torture sessions, questioning her incessantly. He bathes her and massages her with almond oil, paying special attention to her injuries. Using his hands to feel all over her body, repeatedly he tries to recreate in his mind the whole of what she was like before the torture, the whole of the person she is and was. Yet it seems to him as if she has no interior, only a surface across which I hunt back and forth seeking entry. Because he cannot find her interior, or the meaning that she holds for him, he blindly searches the physical surface for meaning. The Magistrate tries to interpret his own meaning through the girls body. Like the wooden slips covered in barbarian characters that the Magistrate polished and pored over for so many hours, her oiled body becomes a text to decipher his own meaning. When she grudgingly reveals some of the torture methods used on her, it does not bring her and the Magistrate any closer together, neither does it bring the Magistrate any closer to understanding her; interestingly enough, it functions to give the Magistrate more insight into Jolls character and his relationship to him. Her scars are like the ugly truth of the Magistrates quiet complicity in the atrocities committed in the name of Empire that he must bring himself to reconcile with, by looking at them and feeling them over and over again. Once the Magistrate begins to realize the role he had in facilitating the acts of torture, and how horrendous they truly were, he also begins to see the similarities between Joll and himself. The verbs the Magistrate uses to describe his own actions towards the girl in the selected passage, such as prowl, hunt, and even seeking create an image of a furtive predator rather than a lover. This is a manifestation of the guilt he feels for his part in her injuries. But we do not get a real sense of threat or danger from the Magistrate because he states that this hunter is non-invasive: he does not enter her and has no urge to do so. Even the phrases touching  her face, and caressing her body, which normally would invoke intimacy, when put in the context of prowling give the impression of a hunter thoroughly examining the pelt of its prey. It is easy to make the connection between this image and the image of the Magistrate examining the barbarian girls broken ankles and scars. Joll and the accomplice torturers are also referred to as hunting the girl; while Joll was aggressively searching for a secret he never found, the Magistrate hunts for how to figure her out and enter her surface, which he also fails to find. However, they both hunt for some sort of meaning from this girl, suggesting Jolls use of her is similar to the Magistrates use for her. Joll tortures her to try to get secret information about an impending barbarian offensive attack (which turns out to be nonexistent information in the first place). However, he still hunts the truth from her until she is left blinded and crippled. The Magistrate presses for details of her torture, harasses her with philosophical questions, and engages in his cryptic washing and oiling rituals while searching for meaning through her body. In his various ways he also tries to hunt out meanings from the girl, and he comes to realize his relationship to the girl thus mirrors that of Jolls. They both use the girl as a means to some desired end of knowledge, whether it be a secret of war or a secret of why. Furthermore, the Magistrate comes to see his mirroring of Joll might not just end with the barbarian girl. The girl ultimately serves as the interface for the Magistrate to see the parallels between himself and Joll. It is significant that the Magistrate takes up with the girl only after Joll has discarded her- the fact that the Magistrate must have overseen her arrival with the soldiers was a recurring thought of his. However, he had no interest in her until after Joll had left her permanently handicapped. The Magistrate eventually comes to see that his attempt to connect with the woman was an attempt to retrace Jolls footsteps; to understand the man  and his actions by putting himself into an intimate relationship with the barbarian girl. But he also does this to distinguish himself as different from Joll; he regretted he could not engrave [himself] as deeply (p.135) on her as Joll had, but he wished to leave the mark of his pseudo-loving on her rather than the marks of pain and torture she had from Joll. The relationships the barbarian girl has with Colonel Joll and the Magistrate are similar in that both use her as a tool in their respective quests for knowledge. Joll tries to coerce her into saying something to justify an attack on the barbarians, while the Magistrate tries to use her to interpret himself and his role in the Empire, but they both believe that she is the key to unlocking some truth they seek. They both use the girl for their own purposes, without any regard for her as a person, and Joll treats her very cruelly. The Magistrate cares for her physical well-being, but he does not truly attempt to get to know beyond her surface, and only attempts to understand her through what function she serves in his life. Eventually he realizes through his relationship with her how many parallels exist between him and Joll. The girl stands between the two men as a one-way mirror that they both use, but gradually becomes two-way for the Magistrate, allowing him to see the Joll alter ego mingling with his own reflection. Coming to accept this also means collapsing some of the distance that he had mentally established between himself and Joll, and likewise accepting a certain share in the responsibility for all the atrocities committed by Joll in the name of the Empire.

Theme In Antigone :: essays research papers

Antigone, by Sophocles, is a play that has three major themes. All three of these themes play a very important part in this play. The three major themes are fate, love, and pride. Oedipus had killed his father, king of Thebes, not knowing it was his father and then took over Thebes. He married Iocaste, queen of Thebes (his mother), and had four children; one was a girl named Antigone. When Oedipus had figured out who he was and what he had done he moved away and cut out his eyes. Iocaste's cousin, Creon, had taken over as king of Thebes. He had made Oedipus' two sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, enemies of each other and they killed each other. Creon denied Polyneices proper burial because he was an enemy and that where this play begins.Fate is what had gotten the family of Oedipus where we begin this play. Fate is why Oedipus had killed his father, marry his mother, and then find out all about it. Fate then tortured Oedipus and he cut out his eyes. Fate had made Creon new king of Thebes and then have Oedipus' sons kill each other. Antigone's fate was to die trying to honor her dead brother and be loyal her family. In the first paragraph of the play it reads, "My darling sister Ismene, we have had a fine inheritance from Oedipus. God has gone through the whole range of sufferings and piled them all on us, -grief upon grief, humiliation upon humiliation". This tells just how bad fate had treated the family of Oedipus. Creon's fate though was to lose all of his family and live the rest of his life knowing it was his entire fault. In the end of the play Creon says, " Nobody else to share the blame. Just me... I killed you. I killed you my dear.Love is what had gotten Antigone in this problem. Her love for her brother was so great that she sacrificed her life for the respect that his deserved. Haemon's love for Antigone had made him kill himself when he found her dead body. Creon's wife's love for Haemon had made her kill herself when she found out Haemon had killed himself. In the end because of all this Creon was the one that was denied love.Pride is what had gotten Creon in the mess that he was in. His pride was so great that he couldn't even admit that maybe he was wrong.

Ernest Hemingway: Prelude To A Tragedy :: essays research papers

Ernest Hemingway’s suicide was foreseen by most who knew him well. During his lifetime, he was a very well-rounded, yet seemingly unsatidfied man. He appeared to be afraid of nothing, not even death. In fact, in many of his poems and short stories conceited on death. His hobbies included bullfighting, big game hunting, and war, which all included the same risk: death. Hemingway saw that he was predestined to die, and his only hope was to face the inevitable stoically. He set colassal expectations for himself, and he looked at himself as a failure whenever he achieved a â€Å"less than great† status. Hemingway was very accident prone, and also inclined to become ill rather frequently. Also, his father committed suicide in 1928 due to depression and health problems.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hemingway was brought up in a somewhat prestigious family, and he was urged to follow the footsteps of his parents. His mother taught him music, and made sure he was well-educated in the arts, while his father wanted him to study medicine. His parents ran a strict household, and disciplined his well as his other siblings. In his youth years, Hemingway loved to go hunting and fishing and engage in war games with his friends.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When World War I began, Hemingway wanted to go fight, but his father forbade him to. Despite his father’s wishes, he went anyway. Unfortunately, because he had less than perfect eyesight, he was not allowed to fight. Instead he accepted a job as an ambulance driver in Italy, where he got a first-hand look at death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hemingway traveled all over the world during his lifetime, writing about his experiences and everything he saw. He married four times, his longest relationship lasting only about twelve years. As mentioned before, Hemingway was very accident prone. In World War I, he was hit by some Austrailian artillary and seriously injured his leg. After numerous operations, he ended up with two hundred and twenty-seven scars on his leg. In another incident, he was involved in a plane crash, but no one was seriously injured. They managed to call out another plane, and as soon as it took off, it also crashed. In this accident, he lost virtually all use of his kidneys, which resulted in extremely high blood pressure. He was administered drugs to keep his blood pressure down, but one of the major side effect they had on him was depression. Hemingway developed a very withdrawn, moody personality, and often talked of suicide. His last wife, with whom he was still married, was very concerned about him and sent him to the Mayo clinic to treat

How Much Influence Does the President Have over the Legislative Process?

How much influence does the President have over the legislative process? (15) Many powers that the President has, Congress will be able to check due to the checks and balances imposed by the Founding Fathers. The fact that the Government has separation of powers, it is hard to gain the agreement between the legislative branch and the executive branch which the President needs. One could argue that the president does have influence over the legislative process to an extent, but it is significantly restrained by the checks and balances put in place which the Founding Fathers imposed. A key part of the legislative process is having a bill proposed. Whilst the President does have the power to do this, we must question how much influence he has over this. Congress has the power to amend, delay and even block the bills. The power to set the legislative agenda does not mean that the process will go according to plan. Even flagship legislation can fail, such as Congress defeating President Clinton’s flagship legislation which was intended to reform the health care system in 1994. Congress can also delay a bill through filibustering, which is where any senator/senators can talk for as long as they can on a bill (essentially talk a bill to death) unless 60 of 100 Senators vote to bring the debate to a close. A President may choose to veto a bill, which would exercise the Presidents influence. However, Congress could choose to override it, which then questions how much influence the President then has over the legislative process The president has some choices as to what to do with the bill before it is passed. The President could simply just sign it into law, which is what could happen if he wanted to take some credit for the bill and agree on it all. However, he could just leave the bill on his desk, which shows he would have very little influence on the process, and could indicate that he may know a veto would be overridden. Overall, the President does have some influence over the legislative process, however if he were to veto legislation, he could face criticism in the media and this could affect his popularity and therefore to an extent, the President has some influence over the legislative process.

Facts About the Order Cetacea

Facts About the Order Cetacea The Order Cetacea is the group of marine mammals that includes the cetaceans - the whales, dolphins and porpoises. Description There are 86 species of cetaceans, and these are divided into two suborders - the mysticetes (baleen whales, 14 species) and odontocetes (toothed whales, 72 species). Cetaceans range in size from just a few feet long to over 100 feet long. Unlike fish, which swim by moving their heads from side-to-side to swing their tail, cetaceans propel themselves by moving their tail in a smooth, up-and-down motion. Some cetaceans, such as the Dalls porpoise and the orca (killer whale) can swim faster than 30 miles per hour. Cetaceans Are Mammals Cetaceans are mammals, which means they are endothermic (commonly called warm-blooded) and their internal body temperature is about the same as a humans. They give birth to live young and breathe air through lungs just like we do. They even have hair. Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: MammaliaOrder: Cetacea Feeding Baleen and toothed whales have distinct feeding differences. Baleen whales use plates made of keratin to filter out large quantities of small fish, crustaceans or plankton from the sea water. Toothed whales often gather in pods and work cooperatively to feed. They prey on animals such as fish, cephalopods, and skates. Reproduction Cetaceans reproduce sexually, and females usually have one calf at a time. The gestation period for many cetacean species is about 1 year. Habitat and Distribution Cetaceans are found worldwide, from tropical to arctic waters. Some species, like the bottlenose dolphin may be found in coastal areas (e.g., southeastern U.S.), while others, like the sperm whale, may range far offshore to waters thousands of feet deep. Conservation Many cetacean species were decimated by whaling. Some, like the North Atlantic right whale, have been slow to recover. Many cetacean species are protected now - in the U.S., all marine mammals have protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Other threats to cetaceans include entanglement in fishing gear or marine debris, ship collisions, pollution, and coastal development.

11 Writing Exercises to Inspire You and Strengthen Your Writing

11 Writing Exercises to Inspire You and Strengthen Your Writing 11 Writing Exercises to Inspire You and Strengthen Your Writing 11 Writing Exercises to Inspire You and Strengthen Your Writing By Ali Hale Whether you’re writing just for fun, for school, or with professional goals in mind, these exercises can all help you to improve your writing. Some will give you inspiration, others will help you avoid editing as you write, and many of them will help you pay closer attention to your word choices. I hope you’ll enjoy giving them a go! #1: Cover Your Screen While You Write If you find yourself doing more editing than actual writing, then try covering up (or, on a laptop, turning down) your screen while you draft. If, like me, you can touch-type – try closing your eyes instead. I find it surprisingly relaxing! (Though I tend to stop every sentence or two to make sure I’ve hit the keys I thought I was hitting) At first, it might seem odd not to be able to see the words that you’re typing – but you might well find that you write faster and express your thoughts more freely this way. #2: Set a Daily Writing Goal and Track Your Progress Writing, as most other crafts, only gets better with practice. If you want to improve, therefore, you will need to write pretty much every single day. The best strategy to achieve this objective is to set a goal of how many words you want to write per day, and then to track your progress over time. A simple notebook or spreadsheet should be enough for you to record your daily statistics. The Prolifiko blog has a great piece with more tips to set writing goals and resolutions and to make sure you achieve them. #3: Use a Writing Prompt to Get You Going If you want to write, but you don’t know what you want to write, try using a writing prompt. This could be anything from a story scenario (â€Å"write about someone who gets caught in a lie†) to a blog post title (â€Å"Ten Things I Wish I Could Tell My 15-Year-Old Self†). Here are a couple of sources of prompts to keep you busy for a while: 25 creative writing prompts, a list of prompts you can use to start writing a simple story or even a novel. 365 Creative Writing Prompts, from Think Written – a mixed bag of prompts, with some for stories and some for poems; many would also work for blogging. Even if you’re working on a longer piece, like a novel, prompts can be helpful. A line of dialogue, for instance, might give you just the inspiration you need for your next scene. #4: Don’t Start at the Beginning Start at the End There’s no writing rule that says you need to begin at the beginning. In fact, many writers find it more effective to start at the end. You can do this in a couple of different ways: Start your story (or blog post, etc) close to the chronological end – e.g. you might begin with â€Å"As I stared down the mountain, I couldn’t believe I was actually here† You can then jump back in time and narrate the events that led up to that point. Write the end of your blog post (or story, etc) first. Once you’ve written your concluding paragraphs or final scenes, you’ll know what you’re leading up to. If you prefer not to write it out in full, you could make notes. #5: Rewrite a Masterpiece or a Famous Story Choose a famous masterpiece or classic novel (like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet) and write your own version. This is a great exercise because you can do it at almost any level: you could write a short story for children, or you could write a whole novel or screenplay. (Bridget Jones’s Diary, for instance, borrowed heavily from Pride and Prejudice; the children’s movie Gnomeo and Juliet is based, as you might guess, on Romeo and Juliet.) You can do this with fairytales, too, like the story of Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood. You might decide to bring the stories into the modern world – or you might switch to a completely different genre, like a Western version of Little Red Riding Hood or a sci-fi version of Cinderella. Hopefully, you’ll think of some interesting ways to present an old story in a new way – great practice for avoiding clichà ©s and stereotypes in your own writing. #6: Create a Found Poem from Your Spam Folder A â€Å"found poem† is one created from text that already exists – and some writers enjoy repurposing spam emails for this! Check your spam folder. I’m sure that, like mine, it’s full of emails with some strange wording and dubious promises like: I did not need to find a winning product. he gave it to me Just drinking 1 cup of this delicious hot beverage in the morning sets you up to burn more fat than 45 exhausting minutes on the treadmill. Hello %E-mail_address%, I know your very love Engineer Jobs and want have T-Shirt for Engineer Jobs. It is vital  to have a telephone system that has all the specific functions (All of these are taken verbatim from my own spam folder) Could you pick out a few lines (they don’t have to be consecutive ones) to create your own found poem? Feel free to add some words if needed. There are some wonderfully odd examples here. #7: Write Something Inspired By a Piece of Writing, Music or Art Inspiration can come in all sorts of ways – but if you’re struggling to find an idea, try turning to other people’s creative works.  In my blogging, I’ve often been inspired by other people’s post structures, by an idea of theirs that I want to take further – or even by something they’ve written that I disagree with. You can use music and art in a similar way: they can be particularly potent sources of ideas for stories. If you have a favourite song or artist, what in their work speaks to you? How could you craft a story using some of those themes or thoughts? Alternatively, look through some photos of artworks, and choose one or more to use as the basis for a story. #8: Interview Your Novel’s Characters This is a fun exercise that a lot of writers use to dig into who their characters are: the character interview. You can work through a pre-set list of questions, or you can come up with your own in advance, or you can just start typing and go with the flow! You might do this essentially like a character questionnaire or checklist, or you might want to write it more like a mini-story, with you as the author inviting your character to sit down and talk. Depending on the sort of fiction you write, the setting for your interview could be almost anything – perhaps you’re enjoying a casual chat over coffee and cake with your character, or maybe you’re interviewing them as a journalist, or even in court. Or, if you’re into rather darker fiction, you might be conducting an interrogation However you do this, it’s a great exercise to have fun with, and you might discover a whole backstory to your character that you’d never thought about before. #9: Use the Alphabet This is a fun exercise that can work for almost any type of writing: craft a piece where each sentence starts with the next letter of the alphabet. Here’s the start of one to show you what I mean: At six oclock, Josie woke up. Before shed even opened her eyes, she knew what had woken her: she could hear it, just like shed heard it every Friday morning for months. Cliff, her neighbour, was out  in his garden. Despite all the times shed gone round and asked him, through gritted teeth, to please wait until at least seven, he was mowing the blasted lawn again. â€Å"Excuse me!† she called, over the fence. For a moment, she thought he hadn’t heard her over the sound of the mower. (Yes, it’s tricky once you get to X! You might find this list helpful, or you might choose to use a sentence-starting word that merely contains an X.) #10: Write with a Sentence Length Limit in Place Can you limit every sentence you write to ten words? (Or fewer!) This might be tricky. It’s a great exercise for bloggers and online marketers, though. Short snappy sentences and paragraphs work well online. You might want to draft as normal, then edit ruthlessly. Or you could count the words as you type. Whatever works for you! (Yes, the sentences in this section are ten words max) #11: Write Without Using Any Adverbs This is a common exercise advised for fiction writers: write a whole scene without using a single adverb. Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives and adverbs. They often (though not always) end with –ly. Here are a few sentences with the adverbs indicated in bold: The girl walked quickly to school. (â€Å"Quickly† is modifying the verb â€Å"walked†.) Slowly, the fairly tall man stood.   (â€Å"Slowly† is modifying the verb â€Å"stood†, and â€Å"fairly† is modifying the adjective â€Å"tall†) On the bus, the baby cried dismayingly loudly. (â€Å"Dismayingly† is modifying the adverb â€Å"loudly†, and â€Å"loudly† is modifying the verb â€Å"cried†.) Writing without adverbs forces you to write crisper, clearer (and shorter!) sentences, which often have more impact. In particular, you’ll find yourself choosing stronger verbs. All of these sentences could replace â€Å"The girl walked quickly to school† – and each has a slightly different nuance: The girl strode to school. The girl hurried to school. The girl power-walked to school. Of course, adverbs aren’t bad in themselves – so I don’t recommend avoiding them in all your writing! This exercise can help you, though, to be more aware of when you’re using adverbs unnecessarily. Pick one of the above  exercises to try out during your writing time this week. (If you’re feeling up for it, pick two and combine them – how about rewriting a classic without using any adverbs?) Have fun! Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:4 Types of Gerunds and Gerund Phrases60 Synonyms for â€Å"Trip†6 Foreign Expressions You Should Know

Quotes for Remembrance Day

Quotes for Remembrance Day In 1915, Punch magazine published a John McCrae poem titled, In Flanders Fields. McCrae, a Canadian soldier, had served in the Second Battle of Ypres in Flanders, Belgium. He wrote, In Flanders Fields after a friend died in battle and was buried with a simple wooden cross as a marker. The poem described similar mass graveyards on the fields of Flanders, fields that were alive with red poppies but now filled with the corpses of dead soldiers. The poem highlights the irony of war, where a soldier dies so that a nation of people lives. John McCraes poem made poppies a symbol of the First World War, representing bloodshed. As a mark of respect, people lay wreaths of poppies on the graves of those who died at war. Many people wear red poppies on their lapels as a sign of remembrance. People also observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, Remembrance Day. Most places hold a special Remembrance Day service, where hymns and national anthems are played in honor of war heroes. Here are some quotes to share in honor of our past fallen  soldiers and to take a moment to remember them. Jose Narosky In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.Aaron KilbournThe dead soldiers silence sings our national anthem.Richard HoveyOur cheer goes back to them, the valiant dead!Laurels and roses on their graves to-day,Lilies and laurels over them we lay,And violets oer each unforgotten head.Joseph DrakeAnd they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldiers tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.Benjamin DisraeliThe legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.William HavardThe greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children.Joseph CampbellA hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.Douglas MacArthurIn my dreams, I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.Publilius SyrusValor grows by daring, fear by holding back.Billy GrahamCourage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. MuhammadFour things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.Elizabeth Barrett BrowningAnd each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can.Carol Lynn PearsonHeroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.Michel de MontaigneValor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.Napoleon BonaparteValor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it till the test comes. And those having it in one test never know for sure if they will have it when the next test comes.William PennFor death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.Lucy LarcomLife hangs as nothing in the scale against dear Liberty!George F. KennanHeroism...is endurance for one moment more.Rudyard Kipling, The Old IssueAll we have of freedom, all we use or know- This our fathers bought for us long and lon g ago.Albert EinsteinWe must be prepared to make heroic sacrifices for the cause of peace that we make ungrudgingly for the cause of war. There is no task that is more important or closer to my heart.Louis PasteurIt is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes.John H. JewettOur battle-fields, safe in the keepingOf Natures kind, fostering care,Are blooming,- our heroes are sleeping,- And peace broods perennial there.Omar BradleyBravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.Randy VaderThe story of America’s quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots.Benjamin DisraeliNurture your minds with great thoughts, to believe in the heroic makes heroes.Henry Ward BeecherThey hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation.Schuyler ColfaxThese martyrs of patriotism gave their lives for an idea.William Makepeace ThackerayBravery never goes out of fashion.G. K. ChestertonBrave men are all vertebrates; they have their softness on the surface and their toughness in the middle. Rose Kennedy It has been said, time heals all wounds. I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone. William Shakespeare Praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear. Alexander Henry On what rests the hope of the republic? One country, one language, one flag! Cynthia Ozick We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. Arthur Koestler The most persistent sound which reverberates through mens history is the beating of war drums. Michael N. Castle These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor- and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror. Philip James Bailey Man is a military animal, glories in gunpowder, and loves parade. Maya Angelou How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! Oliver Wendell Holmes Lord, bid wars trumpet cease; Fold the whole earth in peace. George William Curtis A mans country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle. Mark Twain In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. Thomas Dunn English But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for, Is their monument to-day, and for aye. Jeannette Rankin You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake. Czeslaw Milosz, The Issa Valley The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them. Sara Zarr When the remembering was done, the forgetting could begin. Thomas Campbell To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. Robert Reich True patriotism isnt cheap. Its about taking on a fair share of the burden of keeping America going. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war. Gary Hart I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot. Eve Merriam I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, Mother, what was war? Terry Pratchett, Going Postal Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken? G.K. Chesterton Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.

Islamic Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Islamic Finance - Essay Example The paper tells that despite the upheavals and mayhem that exists between the Islamic world and the United Kingdom, as peculiar as it may seem, it is wise to say that Islamic banking and finance has found its way in the United Kingdom. Islamic finance is the basis of Islamic banking system. Laying its foundation on the rules and principles of Sharia, commonly known as the Islamic law, this offers Islamic finance its very unique and competent features. As much as Islamic Banking has its challenge and opportunity, many western bankers have sort to involve themselves in this growing business. Their guiding principles and rules state that Allah owns everything in this world and that man has only been rendered permission to use it. In the United Kingdom, London has emerged itself to be the core ad centre of Islamic banking. In the United Kingdom, a decade ago, the business was perceived to be in its infancy this being the reason as to why its extent is limited. A decade later, Islamic ban king and finance has prevailed in the United Kingdom due to its unique characteristics. One of the most distinct characteristics that have made Islamic banking and finance business to grow is the fact that Islamic banking does not offer interests, which is commonly referred to as riba in the Islamic world. The reward for money deposited as perceived is done by not charging or paying interest. As a way of curbing the loss and profits occurred, Islamic banking use the technique of sharing both the profit and loss occurred. This is commonly known as mudarabhah, which in lay man’s term means profit sharing. In cases that involve mortgage buying, the bank itself buys the mortgage from the seller then giving it to the buyer making profits thus allowing the buyer to pay the money in installments. The mortgage is registered under the buyers name from the start to avoid any suspicions. This kind of arrangement is known as Murabah. The entrepreneur feature of the Islamic banking and f inance is another characteristic that has made this type of banking to stand out. Putting its focus not only on financial expansion but on also physical expansion of economic services and production, this has made many western bankers to use the Islamic banking and finance services. Trade financing and equity financing have led the way for the Islamic banks. No wonder the growing trend of people enjoying their banking services. The United Kingdom being one of the worlds’ most sophisticated and complicated banking and financial systems, this has helped the Islamic banking and finance to prevail. The main reason as to why Islamic banking and finance has prevailed more in London than in any other cities of the world is due to the fact that London is much closer to Middle East than any other cities. In fact, London is estimated to have hosted the world’s largest Islam’s in all the cities of the world (Anwar, 1995). In the center of London, the Arab community is rank ed among the most affluent Arabs in the world. To add on to that, Arabs restaurants and hotels exists in London center to cater for the Arabs that visit the city every now and then. There has been an increasing number of doctors, engineers, and students in the United Kingdom. London emerges to be the leading market in the world for foreign currency exchange, dollar being the popular currency trade. In the recent years, the retail level banking in the United Kingdom has gone down. This is due to the introduction of the Banking Act of 1987, which allowed external banking to exist. The big four banking players dominance namely Barclays, Lloyd, NatWest and the Midland bank, the latter being the only one that has managed to secure its market share. Evolving from a small niche bank in the Middle East in the last four decades, Islamic Banking and finance have grown in to a dynamic, profitable, and resilient competitor to all major banks in the United Kingdom. By the end of 2008, Islamic ba nks are estimated to be over $850 billion and

UK Economy as the Seventh Largest Economy Worldwide When Measured Essay

UK Economy as the Seventh Largest Economy Worldwide When Measured Using the GDP and the Eighth Largest Worldwide When Measured Using the Purchasing Power Parity - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the UK economy ranks the seventh largest economy worldwide when measured using the GDP, while it ranks the eighth largest worldwide when measured using the purchasing power parity. During the 18th century, UK was the first country worldwide to industrialize, hence contributing positively towards the world economy in the 19th century especially through employment. Consequently, unemployment refers to the rate at which people within a given economy are willing and able to work but cannot find a job because of the prevailing situations. In the UK, the section of the population that is not willing or unable to work based on varied reasons does not count towards unemployment. This is because they are economically inactive and may not participate in processes that focus on improving the economic conditions. However, it is true that when a given country has an elevated level of unemployment, such country is not utilizing the available resourc es as expected. Unemployment significantly influences the social cost of the affected country because persons with familial commitments may have trouble trying to meet their responsibilities. This is based on the dependency ratio, which may be high. Â  However, unemployment can cause boredom and rejection, thus increasing social problems in the society. In addition, unemployment can result in increased criminal activities in the society. Interestingly, suicide rates and poor health among individuals may also rise. The UK unemployment influences both the economy and societal history of the country. During the 1950s and 1960s, the UK experienced low rates of unemployment. This is because the service members who participated in the Second World War got full employment as a reward for their victory. However, the rate of unemployment in the UK remained low until 2005 when it started to increase.

LEADERSHIP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

LEADERSHIP - Essay Example ording to the case study, "each had their own primary spheres of responsibility, but they all worked very closely together, doing whatever it took to get the job done" (Suesse 79). Todd Krasnow, in particular, seemed to embody three elements that were present and necessary for the effective evolution of this particular team: 1. optimism, 2. dedication, and 3. perspective. As Suesse phrased it, "Krasnows optimism, exceptional dedication, and "big picture" perspective often helped keep even the most heated debates substantive, rather than personal" (79). A major element that influenced the effective functioning of this core team can be designated under Bartolomà ©s number one guideline for building and maintaining trust--communication. According to Professor Bartolomà ©, one needs to "Keep team members and subordinates informed by explaining policies and decisions and providing accurate feedback" (Kreitner 408). Looking at Staples background, one sees that according to Suesse, "they [the founders core team] hashed out virtually every decision together, early on developing the discipline to back up their intuitions with hard data" (79). Other important guidelines for building trust among team members include support, respect, fairness, predictability and competence (Kreitner 408). One can see respect in the shared decision-making authority within this team, fairness in their willingness to "hash out" important decisions as equals, instead of a timeframe getting imposed from above, and competence in each members consummate professio nalism. One mistake that Lewis made with her transition to the marketing merger team fall under category number two: failed to build group cohesion and trust. This is often a problem when a manager makes a lateral transition into a new department. People within the new department have their own culture, rituals, and expectations. Lewis demonstrated a lack of sensitivity to these cultural variables when she challenged a marketing

Social Change Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Social Change - Term Paper Example er, in modern life and through almost all cultures is now subject to the ability of a cultural group to either create monetary value from their resources, or to hunt and gather from local resources, a type of survival that is all but lost as governments have taken over almost all lands across the world. In environments that are inhospitable to agricultural growth, the problem of hunger is frightening. However, hunger exists in urban environments in well developed countries just as readily as it does in undeveloped lands. Through repositioning the philosophical framework on human rights, charity, and food, the problem of global hunger could be ended through cooperation and sharing of resources. The ideal world would be one in which every person was given access to those aspects of existence that best supports their overall health, which would be food, health care, water, and housing. If those problems were eliminated, the minds that are stifled through a fight for survival that includes hunger and poor health would have the potential to develop and contribute to the world through innovation and intellectual pursuits. In a world where no one struggled for the basic survival problems, great creativity and innovation could come from unexpected resources which are now lost because the difficulty of life suppresses creative thought. The greatest losses to humanity are being realized by the number of people who are being lost because they are never given the tools with which to reach their full potential. As an example, imagine what might have happened if Steven Hawking had grown up in another time period where his illness had prevented his survival or in another place where lac k of health care had shortened his remarkably long life, considering the nature of his ALS which has a much shorter life expectancy. The same mind in a body that exists in a place with less quality food and health care may never have had the opportunity to contribute so significantly to the

The Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The Neutron Electric Dipole Moment - Essay Example A concise introduction and explanation of the different experimental techniques used in the study of neutron EDM are provided in this research work. These techniques include the room-temperature experiment, Ramsey’s technique, and the mercury magnetometer. A brief discussion of the prevailing systematic uncertainties such as the geometric phase effect is also included. A recent neutron EDM experiment, which is more sensitive and still in progress is also incorporated and detailed in this study. For over 50 years, the quest for an electric dipole moment (EDM) of a neutron has been a great endeavor in the field of physics.3 4 5 Ramsay’s search for a permanent EDM in the 1950’s leads the way to what seems to be an endless pursuit. Experimental sensitivity has increased significantly; in fact, it improved by more than 106 factor.6 An impressive breakthrough in improving the experimental sensitivity, accountable for every eight years or so, is shown in Figure 1.7 Despite such remarkable accomplishment, there was no EDM ever observed. The reason for this apparently obsessive behavior by a small group of dedicated physicists is that the observation of a nonzero neutron EDM would be evidence of time reversal violation and for physics beyond the so-called standard model of electroweak interactions. An essential point is that the standard model predictions of the magnitude of time reversal violation are inconsistent with our ideas of the formation of the universe; namely, the production of the presently observed matter-antimatter asymmetry requires time reversal violation many orders of magnitude greater than that predicted by the standard model. According to Steven Weinberg, the electric dipole moments may offer one of the most thrilling prospects for progress in particle physics; a bright future awaits prospective experiments because calculating electric dipole moments have been progressive recently.

Social Change Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Social Change - Term Paper Example er, in modern life and through almost all cultures is now subject to the ability of a cultural group to either create monetary value from their resources, or to hunt and gather from local resources, a type of survival that is all but lost as governments have taken over almost all lands across the world. In environments that are inhospitable to agricultural growth, the problem of hunger is frightening. However, hunger exists in urban environments in well developed countries just as readily as it does in undeveloped lands. Through repositioning the philosophical framework on human rights, charity, and food, the problem of global hunger could be ended through cooperation and sharing of resources. The ideal world would be one in which every person was given access to those aspects of existence that best supports their overall health, which would be food, health care, water, and housing. If those problems were eliminated, the minds that are stifled through a fight for survival that includes hunger and poor health would have the potential to develop and contribute to the world through innovation and intellectual pursuits. In a world where no one struggled for the basic survival problems, great creativity and innovation could come from unexpected resources which are now lost because the difficulty of life suppresses creative thought. The greatest losses to humanity are being realized by the number of people who are being lost because they are never given the tools with which to reach their full potential. As an example, imagine what might have happened if Steven Hawking had grown up in another time period where his illness had prevented his survival or in another place where lac k of health care had shortened his remarkably long life, considering the nature of his ALS which has a much shorter life expectancy. The same mind in a body that exists in a place with less quality food and health care may never have had the opportunity to contribute so significantly to the

Research Proposal a Study on Web Portals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Research Proposal a Study on Web Portals - Essay Example Web portals enable people to connect with each other on the internet and share ideas, access useful information and other resources online. Portals are usually available throughout and can be accessed at any time by users. The databases are often updated regularly with the latest information. This study seeks to find out more information about web portals, their use and role in education and business as well as their impact on human communication. A Study on Web Portals Introduction The World Wide Web has been experiencing unprecedented growth since its inception and has been reinvented regularly to meet new demands and requirements of the business and social life making it to become the leading internet application (Erl, 2005). To many people, the World Wide Web has even become synonymous with the internet. One of the biggest reinventions of the World Wide Web is the introduction of web portals. Web portals have had a huge impact on creation of web pages for both corporate businesse s and education institutions such as universities and colleges (Hazra, 2002). Web portals have also greatly altered the way people access information on the internet through the web pages. There are various types of web portals, each serving a different purpose. The most common types of web portals include corporate portals, vertical and horizontal portals, regional and government portals, hosted and domain specific portals. Horizontal portals are those that cover a wide area while vertical portals are only based on one functional area. Regional portals are used for accessing local information about a place such as the weather forecast. Government portals on the other hand are used for storing government records Businesses can use web portals to interact with their clients and customers, or let their customers interact with one another, sharing information about available products. Clients and customers can easily access the businesses website and make enquiries about products and s ervices, place orders or make recommendations to the business (Erl, 2005). This has made online businesses easier to manage and helps corporate organizations interact with the outside world. The fact that web portals are available on the internet gives businesses an edge in that their customers and clients will still be able to access business information beyond working hours. The government can also use the web portal to keep its records and make them available to the public, especially in this era of democracy where people feel the urge to access government information. Government records can safely be stored online and accessed by interested individuals. Another area where Web portals have had a huge impact is in education. Web portals are very effective tools for inculcating scientific knowledge and other information in schools. Users can connect with one another on web portals to form learning communities where they can access relevant information, resources and expert knowledg e and assistance. Web portals also allow users to share and exchange ideas, engage in useful discussions and conduct activities that promote their learning. Online libraries and catalogues are often regularly updated with the latest information. Web portals have made simulation of education in real life much easier as compared to other types of web pages. A web portal can serve as scientific as well as an educational tool for its uses. It provides a platform whereby resources, information, and experts in science can meet and exchange ideas. Moreover, it will create an online opportunity for researchers to further their fieldwork and establish a bridge between class work and field work. The web portal is aimed at enriching its information through accepting contributions from people

Industrial Revolution Essay Example for Free

Industrial Revolution Essay Industrial Revolution is regarded as a very important period in human development which occurred in the period towards the end of the 18th century stretching to the 19th century. Industrial revolution is said to have begun in the United Kingdom and later spread to other parts of the world including the rest of Europe, North America amongst other parts of the world. During this period there were major transformations in the agricultural sector, transportation, and manufacturing among other spheres of life. These changes were to have profound impacts on the social, economic, and cultural life of the people in Britain which was the cradle of the revolution. This paper shall examine the central ways in which the Industrial Revolution changed the western societies. Impacts of the Industrial Revolution The inception of the Revolution is regarded as a crucial turning point in the history of mankind as it led to alterations in virtually every aspect of life. The Revolution started towards the end of the 18th century when there was mechanization of the textile industry, emergence of new iron making skills, and an increase in the utilization of polished coal. There were improvements in the transport network which facilitated exchange of goods and services. Generally, a growth in various industries was witnessed and manual labor was replaced by mechanization which led to increased production . The textile industry was among the first to feel the impacts of the industrial revolution. The invention of the cotton gin in 1794 brought efficiency in separating of cotton seeds from fiber. The discovery of the sewing machine in 1846 further revolutionized the textile industry as the making of clothes moved from homes to industries. Apart from the impacts of the industrialization on the domestic industries, the revolution led to increased productivity in the farms due to mechanization of agriculture. With increased productivity in the farms, industries cropped up and individuals clustered in particular regions working in the industries or engaged in trade. This eventually led to the development of towns and cities . Advancement in technology during this period led to the growth of capitalism as the owners of the means of production grew richer. There was an increase in the economic growth which was due to the new technologies of the industrial revolution as seen in the doubling of the UK’s purchasing power and a rise in the total national income during the 19th to 20th century . The revolution also brought about changes in the country’s political structures in Britain as capitalists begun replacing the land owners of the agrarian period to become influential in the country’s economic and power structure. There were also alterations in the working conditions as factories provided the workers with poor working conditions. These included poor ventilations, overcrowding, child labor was on the rise, and individuals were poorly paid and worked under dangerous and unsafe environments . The laborers were paid less wages that led to development of slums since they could hardly afford decent housing. The workers were generally working under extreme conditions which forced the government of the day to pass legislations that would govern the interests of the workers. The workers also initiated efforts that resulted in the creation of trade unions which agitated for their interests . The Industrial Revolution also led to developments in the transport and communication sector. Several inventions led to the efficiency in this sector as road networks were improved, water transport boosted through the invention of steam engines, and communication made easier especially with the discovery of telegraphic machines. Railway transport was also developed and this eased the transport of bulk goods, products, and raw materials to the industries . Conclusion There is no doubt that industrial revolution was a defining moment in human history. There were great advancements and innovations that were aimed at making life more efficient at the same time increasing production. Though the revolution came up with its challenges, it remains to be a crucial part of human history as it totally revolutionized the world into a new order.

Theories Regarding The Latitudinal Diversity Gradient Biology Essay

Theories Regarding The Latitudinal Diversity Gradient Biology Essay Aim Different publications theories regarding the latitudinal diversity gradient were examined and analysed to attempt to show how theories explaining the latitudinal diversity gradient have changed in the period 1980-2010. Method In total, six main theories were identified from the literature and resources studied by searching abstracts and articles for relevant key words. Main Conclusions The main conclusion drawn was that no single theory can adequately explain the latitudinal diversity gradient. Species diversity is ultimately controlled by a combination of factors and until there is conclusive proof or agreement on this subject biogeographers and biologists will continue to hypothesize on the matter of the driving factors behind the latitudinal diversity gradient. Key Words Latitudinal Diversity Gradient, Geographical, Species, Species Richness, Taxa, Hypothesis, Biotic, Historical Perturbation, Climate Stability, Climate Harshness, Mid-Domain, Evolutionary Rate, Evolution. Introduction The latitudinal diversity gradient is the term used to describe the decrease in species richness as one moves away from the equator. [1] Discovered by Alexander von Humboldt in 1799, it has remained one of the key questions in Evolutionary Ecology. Understanding the latitudinal diversity gradient is essential in our understanding of the spread of invasive species, disease and more pertinently, the effects of global climate change (Bradford et al 2006) Hillebrand (2004) identified that this subject has received great attention but the majority of studies have concentrated on only one or a small number of organisms. An example of this being Krebs (1985) who examined snake and ant species throughout America. In the past 30 years there have been many different theories that attempt to explain the latitudinal diversity gradient, from further reading into each individual theory it became apparent that no individual theory is entirely self supporting, rather a combination of each is perhaps the best way to try and answer the question of what is the driving factor behind the latitudinal diversity gradient. Theories Species-Energy The species-energy theorem centres on the hypothesis that it is the amount of available energy that governs the potential species richness of the system. Fraser and Currie examined this hypothesis in their 1995 paper The Species Richness-Energy Hypothesis in a System Where Historical Factors are Thought to Prevail: Coral Reefs. They found that the best environmental predictors of diversity were temperature and biomass and also that there was little supporting evidence for other hypotheses such as environmental stability. Turner et al (1987) found that the diversity of butterflies, measured as the number of species is highly correlated with sunshine and temperature during May to September, with these two variables accounting for nearly 80% of the variance in diversity. Mid-Domain Effect Originally proposed by Colwell and Hurtt, (1994) this hypothesis works on the basis that it is geographical constraints that contribute to species richness. Colwell et al (2004) state that if species ranges are shuffled randomly within a bounded geographical domain free of environmental gradients, ranges overlap increasingly toward the centre of the domain, creating a mid domain peak of species richness. There is still debate over whether or not the Mid Domain Effect is responsible for the latitudinal diversity gradient as empirical support for it is often weak. Zapata et al (2005) Effective Evolutionary Time Effective evolutionary time hypothesizes that it is evolutionary time and the factors associated with it, such as environmental energy, mutation, generations and selection that are responsible for the diversity gradient. Rhode (1992) Climate Harshness and Climate Stability The Climate Harshness theory speculates that fewer species are found at high latitudes due to their inability to cope with the pressures that the environment places upon them. Climate Stability proposes that the reason for the diversity gradient is due to species specializing into narrower and narrower niches due to stable climate conditions, resulting in increased speciation and therefore resulting in temperate areas at high latitude having a low diversity as they experience more changeable weather events throughout the year. Climate stability is even observed in marine environments with strong latitudinal gradients being observed. Kaustuv et al (1999) as well as in terrestrial environments. Lima-Ribeiro et al (2009). Evolutionary Rate Cardillo et al (2005) argue that the increased diversity observed at lower latitudes is due to high evolutionary rates resulting in increased speciation. Mettelbach et al (2007) found that there was evidence for higher rates of diversification in the tropics, with studies of latitudinal variation suggesting greater speciation at lower latitudes. The results from these studies show that there is indeed a link between low latitudes and evolutionary rate resulting in increased speciation. Discussion Since the 1980s there have been suggestions of new theories and re examinations of others, for example Zapata et al (2005) re examine the mid domain effect and address its criticisms. Each of the individual theories discussed earlier proposes its own explanation for the latitudinal diversity gradient. Some hypotheses are circular and some are founded on insufficient evidence, Rhode (1992). In the past 30 years theories purporting to explain the latitudinal diversity gradient have changed from supporting one viewpoint as the sole cause of the latitudinal diversity gradient to being more inclusive of other hypotheses, the Evolutionary time theory is the most inclusive of other theories as it recognises that no single factor can be the cause of such a complex system. References and Literature Cited 1. On-Line Biology Book, L, Latitudinal diversity gradient http://mac122.icu.ac.jp/biobk/BioBookglossL.html Accessed on 17-08-2010 Hawkins, B.A, Diniz-Filho, J.A.F, Jaramillo, C.A., Soeller, S.A., 2006. Post-Eocene climate change, niche conservatism, and the latitudinal diversity gradient of New World birds. Journal of Biogeography. Cardillo, M. Orme, C. D. L., Owens, I.P.F. 2005. Testing for Latitudinal Bias in Diversification Rates: An Example Using New World Birds. Ecology. Colwell, R.K. Hurtt, G.C 1994. Nonbiological Gradients in Species Richness and a Spurious Rapoport Effect. The American Naturalist, Vol. 144, No. 4 October 1994 Colwell, R,K. Rahbeck,C. Gotelli, N,J. 2004 The Mid-Domain Effect and Species Richness Patters: What have we learned so far? Vol. 163. No.3 March 2004 Fraser, R.H, Currie, D.J. 1995. The Species Richness-Energy Hypothesis in a System Where Historical Factors are Thought to Prevail: Coral Reefs. The American Naturalist Vol.148, No. 1 July 1996 Hillebrand, H. 2004. On the Generality of the Latitudinal Diversity Gradient. The American Naturalist, Vol 163, No. 2. 2004. Kaustuv, R., Jablonski, D., Valentine, J. W. 1999. Dissecting Latitudinal Diversity Gradients: functional groups and clades of marine bivalves. The Royal Society Krebs, C.J.1985. Ecology. The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance. Third edition. HarperRow, New York. Lima-Ribeiro, M., Diniz-Filho, J. A. F., Barberi, M. 2010. Climate Stability and the Current Patterns of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Richness on the Brazilian Cerrado. Quaternary International, Volume 222, Issue 1-2. August 2010 Mittelbach, G. G., Schemske, D. W., Cornell, H. V., Allen, A. P., Brown, J. M., Bush, M. B., Harrison, S. P., Hurlbert, A. H., Knowlton, N., Lessios, H. A., McCain, C. M., McCune, A. R., McDade, L. A., McPeek, M. A., Near, T. J., Price, T. D., Ricklefs, R. E., Roy, K., Sax, D. F., Schluter, D., Sobel, J. M. and Turelli, M. 2007. Evolution and the latitudinal diversity gradient: speciation, extinction and biogeography. Ecology Letters Rhode, K. 1992. Latitudinal Gradients in Species Diversity: The search for the primary cause. Oikos. Vol. 65, No. 3. December 1992 Turner, J.R.G. Gatehouse, C.M and Corey, C.A. 1987. Does Solar Energy Control Organic Diversity? Butterflies, Moths and the British Climate. Oikos, Vol. 48. No.2 Zapata, F.A., Gaston, K. J., Chown, S. L. 2005 The Mid-Domain Effect Revisited. The American Naturalist, Vol. 166, No. 5 November 2005.

Scops: A Living History :: English Literature Dictionary Essays

Scops: A Living History A scop is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "an Old English poet or minstrel." However, scops were simply so much more than that to the medieval world. They were the only means of entertainment for the people of the time. There was no television or Internet to escape to, and books were not readily available. Most medieval people in the eighth through twelfth centuries could not read or write,so the scops would tell amusing stories or tales of heroic deeds to the music of their harps. The stories would be chanted, giving great honor to those mentioned in the oral recitations, and the scop's song also provided a memory of the culture for those who would come after. According to Kemp Malone, â€Å"At an early date Germanic kings began to keep professional poets.† (p.75) These scops would travel the kingdom, telling their stories and singing their songs. They would have a harp or later a lute; these were the tools of their trade. Creating worlds and places many Anglo- Saxons never saw because few people ever left the place they were born, scops were important fixtures to the medieval world. The scops opened up the outside world to medieval people and engaged the imagination too. In Beowulf, scops are mentioned in recounting Beowulf’s deeds and amusing the men in the mead- halls. Like courtly fools, they would make their audience laugh. However, unlike the fools or court jesters, a scop was not there merely to entertain. They were a living history of the times and places of the past and present. Their ability to memorize many lines of poetry or stories has kept them alive throughout the ages so that we still have them today. The stories were sometimes embellished and altered to be more interesting to the listeners. For example, in Beowulf, there is the story of our hero fighting sea monsters as he swims across an ocean and spending seven days and night in the cold sea. â€Å"The Wanderer† is a tale that mostly likely would have been recited by a scop. The stories that the scops would tell often were elegies for the heroic dead.

Mini Position Paper Essay

Many schools exist that don’t create student success. In too many school systems today, students are deprived of the education they need to become successful in life. What is society doing to make sure these students find their way? What does it take for them to become successful participants of society? After reading Freire’s, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, I must say there is some truth to students being oppressed for they are being forced to matriculate in an educational environment they aren’t familiar with; can’t survive in; or don’t want to be in. Students who are in the predicament noted above are not able to thrive in a strong academic environment because, as Freire states, they don’t know their reality. If they knew their reality, they would be better prepared to adjust to what they need for academic success. My position is that students that will better succeed in vocational or magnet schools. The vocational option is best suited for students that are not college bound and need to learn hands-on job skills to work right out of high school. For the nontraditional student the magnet option can work well. As a dancer, I attended magnet performing art school and this opportunity allowed me to learn about my craft and move on to earning a scholarship to Temple University in dance and theater. It allowed me the option to get involved in a field that I love and having a love for what you do makes the difference in which you become. There is no denying that people are mentally in different places at different times in their lives. Whether they have been raised in a single parent home, or whether they grew up in an environment that isn’t conducive to learning, it is important that students know what they can handle in an educational setting. For some students, an advanced math class or AP courses may not be reasonable. There are some students that understand where they stand academically and know that they aren’t able to learn under the same conditions as other students. These students need to develop other avenues in which to become successful. Vocational and Magnet schools are a great source for students that aren’t ready for a rigorous academic curriculum. Although students will still get the core courses they need to graduate, they will also have a trade that will at least keep them employed and able to take care of them after graduating. There are students that have a love for cosmetology, auto mechanics or even plumbing. One important fact is that there are colleges that offer two year degrees in these vocational trades. It is crucial that today’s generation know that there are options outside of becoming a doctor or lawyer. While we always need lawyers, doctors, and teachers, the world also needs mechanics to fix cars, a plumber to fix leaks the correct way or even a specialist to make sure a heating or air conditioning system is properly working. It is important that today’s student be comfortable in knowing that being academically challenged is okay, and that choosing a vocational education is an option. Vocational Magnet educations are just as important and should be interjected in all of today’s schools for they too serve a vital function in preparing our students in life. â€Å"The Guardian†, a newspaper printed in the U. K. , ran an article in 2013 regarding vocational educations. It questioned the validity of the concept of vocational educations by asking the public if they value vocational skills. The article allowed people to give their opinions. Although most people were in support of vocational education, there were some that weren’t. One person commented that though he didn’t look down on vocational education, he would not consider the vocational route if he didn’t get the grades needed to attend a university. He finished by explaining he would definitely go for A-levels because in his opinion, â€Å"they are far more respected by employers and universities†. In his opinion, having a career rather than a skill is more esteemed. After reading the article, I was stunned at the idea that vocational educations aren’t respected. That a plumber or custodian is not valued is a disrespectful and cocky position to take. Society will always needs someone to make sure offices are clean and bathroom toilets run properly. People underestimate that diverse careers are needed for the world to effectively revolve. Unfortunately vocational skills like plumbing, carpentry, and electricians have been downgraded in social status over the years. One of the biggest issues in education today is low graduation rates, low college entry and a growing rate of unemployment. Vocational education can be the resolution to this problem. What are missing in schools are alternatives like a technical baccalaureate, which offers valuable learning and real skills, and leads to real jobs for young people. Getting children in the right program for their learning needs is what leads to success. Vocational qualifications serve a need for particular kinds of students and are very important skills. Vocational education training provides career and technical education for students interested in jobs that are based upon labor-intensive or real-world jobs. The plus side to vocational education is that students have the opportunity to work in their field while in school; it requires less education than four year degree programs; the vocational fields are vast and varied such as, pharmacy and medical technicians, paralegals, medical assistants, office assistants, cosmetologists, mechanics and construction workers; it assists in higher graduation rates; increased employment; and overall student achievement. The objective in education is to assist students in their quest of having a stable life. A vocational education reinforces the connections between secondary and postsecondary education, and improves accountability for students.

Causality and New Town

Cause and Effect: Of Moving The effects of moving to a new town or city Nowadays, as a result of looking for better conditions of life many people have been moving from their own city to another city or country. People in all over the world are developing the necessity of find their happiness, education and a better work. Moving to a new town or city can bring some negatives and positives effects to the person who is moving. The first effect of moving to a new town or city can be found in educational life.Since people are looking to a better education, they move to a country that can give them the possibility of be a good professional. For example, in Angola my country, if you want find a great job; you have to have an international certificate. This means that the people who are living in another country have more possibility to achieve the work. Sometimes the companies on my country prefer consider people who are from another country. In short, I am the exactly example because I mo ved from my country to U. S.A to look for a spectacular certificate. The second effect of moving to a new town or city can be found in psychologist state of a person. For example, when I arrived here I had some mental problems because always I was thinking about my family that I left in Angola. A person who is homesick suffers the consequences alone and thinks a lot about the family that is away from her. In my opinion, think about the family who people left causes serious problem and the person cannot concentrate on her real objective there.In addition, people have to be strong and control all their feelings when they are in another town. The third effect of moving to a new town is that people spend a lot of money. To start a new life sometimes because of work or studies when people move they spend a lot of money with car, house, and school until adjust the new life with the new city. Starting a new life is kind of complicated because at first time you don’t have where buy a nd find everything†¦.

Peace in Eastern Religions Essay

All Eastern religions have their own ideas about engendering peace within individuals and society. Jainism and Buddhism insist on the protection of all life. Confucianism permits war whenever reality would not allow for absolute peace within society. Daoism, on the contrary, rejects war by almost equating tranquility with the true nature of humanity. It is reasonable, therefore, to pose the following questions: Do all people love peace? If so, why do we have to discuss the subverting of hatred? As a matter of fact, all people cannot find peace until and unless they have come to believe in certain peace-inducing thoughts, such as ahimsa of the Buddhists. All religions propose peace with their particular sets of beliefs. Followers of the religions are required to know the thoughts of their peace-loving leaders, however, before they can find absolute peace within themselves. There is no religion without knowledge, which is why a Jain must know the basic beliefs of his or her community before peace could be practiced in the form of complete nonviolence. I believe that the â€Å"inner peace† proposed by Buddhism is the most important definition of peace. This is the kind of peace that is available to all, regardless of our levels of education. Even before an individual has realized the peace-inducing thoughts of the Buddha, or another religious leader, â€Å"inner peace† is essentially available. Moreover, nonviolence is best practiced with â€Å"inner peace. † If this kind of peace is not available to an individual, he or she may find it difficult also to understand the nonviolent practices of the religion. After all, an agitated and wrathful mind would not be able to practice nonviolence in the best possible way. Despite the fact that Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism, Smith-Christopher (1998), the editor of Subverting Hatred: The Challenge of Nonviolence in Religious Traditions, has positioned the chapter on Buddhism before the chapter on Hinduism. This allows the reader to understand the origins of Buddhism after reflecting on the religion. Most importantly, however, the placement of the chapter on Buddhism before the chapter on its origins allows the reader to be introduced to the concept of â€Å"inner peace† earlier on. This is an indispensable form of peace without which no concept of nonviolence is possible to be understood. Seeing that the subject of the book is the practice of peace, it would have been appropriate also to place the chapter on Buddhism as the first chapter in the book – simply for an understanding of â€Å"inner peace. †

Sport Diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Sport Diplomacy - Essay Example Sport provides a tool for governments to preserve and reinforce their international cohesion and retain their international prestige, and that is the main reason why the majority of states consider their participation in the Olympic Games mandatory, using the latter as an opportunity to enhance their economic and cultural images and to deliver political messages (Jaffe and Nebenzahl, 2006, p.68). Sport as well reflects trends occurring in ideological politics (Jaffe and Nebenzahl, 2006, p.71). As vividly explained by Jaffe and Nebenzahl (2006), during 1924 Olympic Games US rugby football team experienced significant aggression, which illustrated the German propaganda, impact of international politics on public opinion and the reversing side of sport events as diplomatic tool, a counter-diplomatic in this particular case (Jaffe and Nebenzahl, 2006, p.71). Furthermore, sport constitutes a mirror for international conflicts, relations, dilemmas and solutions, since one has only to take a look on the images and representations from big international competitions like The Football World Cup or the Olympic Games to identify depending on the historical period a certain national pride (the United States during most of the Olympic Games) or national malaise (Iraq Olympic Team in the last two Olympic Games). This particular paper aims to examine different situations on how sport is used as a part of political diplomatic strategy and how communicative tactics are utilized to enhance application of sports as a diplomatic and political tool. The first part of the paper discusses the role and scope of sport diplomacy, and communication and ethical dimensions of sport diplomacy. Simultaneously, the second part examines the origin of sport...From the theoretical perspective, sport diplomacy is defined as the utilization of sport to pursue political objectives (Senn, 1999, p.35). The scope of sport diplomacy ultimately depends on what political objectives should be met, therefore, sport diplomacy can be used as a tool of state internal affairs or a method aimed to enhance or worsen diplomatic relations between countries. Analyzing the application of sport as a diplomatic tool, it is necessary to emphasize that for many nations sports have served as a form of national identity. Successes by individuals have become symbolic of the nation (Ilmarinen, 1984, p.9). It seems that international sporting activities have been especially important when nations were either struggling for independence or consolidation (Lowe et al, 1978, p.51). As an example of the national importance of sport achievements, one can refer to the medals received by the South Korean athletes in the Seoul Olympics (Guttman, 1992, p.43). Their medals were regarded as valuable and signified national prestige in the country, which during that period was trying to i mprove its international and economic status. One might rationalize that sport diplomacy plays an important role in enhancing the social mobility of underdeveloped countries in the international arena. It would seem that the nationalistic character of sport diplomacy has become even more important to developed nations. The historical facts which identify the close relationship between sport diplomacy and political ideology are abundant

First World War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

First World War - Essay Example This is a reflection of the large numbers of deaths, which finally made the war unpopular on all sides. None of this means, however, that the war was unpopular in some countries to begin with. The European powers were still rivals for the spoils of Africa, and certainly Britain suffered from 'Jingoism' (A popular term for what is almost outward-directed xenophobia, extreme rivalry and bigotry aimed at Britain's economic rivals), and the majority of the other nations involved in the war did so too. Perhaps the only member of the Great War who was not a willing combatant is Russia, who entered into battle almost by accident, having become a third party in the Anglo-French Entente. Even there, however, public feeling was partially aroused by the 'neo Slav' movement "The Neo-Slavs envisaged truly independent Slavic nations in a free association"2. Other nations, such as America, also mobilised, but here the conditions of the popular movement are not always clear. While Woodrow Wilson's government swept into action: "People were ordered to 'work or fight'. Every adult male registered with a draft board"3. Although America joined the war too late to count as a subject for analysis here, the support which the war received when they finally joined provides an interesting parallel with the nations of Europe. In addition to the loss of life, the Great War had a number of consequences for all of the nations involved. Britain was obliged to grant women the vote after their war contribution; Russia collapsed into the Bolshevik Revolution, and then Communism; and Germany was damaged so severely that it also effectively disintegrated, and of course the mighty and powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire was finished. None of these consequences could have been foreseen at the beginning of the war. Britain The war in Europe came as no real surprise to anyone in Europe. For most of the first decade of the twentieth century, the continental powers were involved in a rapid series of peace talks and treaties. England and France became allies in 1905, with the Entente Cordial (Which became the Triple Entente when Russia joined). Forces such as the National Service League ensured that the general populace was prepared for war: " Unbelievably glib assertions that 'war is not murderwar is sacrifice - which is the soul of Christianity"4.In many ways, Britain was well placed for a short, sharp war with her continental rivals: the last decade of the nineteenth century has produced "An increase of 98.3 per cent in the size of the Army and a 70.9 per cent in the Navy"5. Marsh suggests the reason for this was the South African (Boer) War, but the ultimate result of this massive increase is that there were a large number of servicemen in the British Army at the outbreak of the war. Furthermore, there were pressing needs to develop a distraction for the British populace: the situation in Ulster was growing increasingly tense. As late as May 1914, the government was passing Home Rule legislation in order to contain the threat of war6. In a game of consequences with the Irish Nationalists, the Prime Minister Asquith was prepared to force a state of war in order to keep as much power in English hands as he could. Asquith was in trouble at home too, where the 1913 act that enabled Suffragettes to be force-fed was coming under fire.7 The additional problems of "intensified industrial unrest"8