Memorial to Imaginary Choson King Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Memorial to Imaginary Choson King - Essay Example The largest population of Korea comprises of secondary people with the citizens being recognized as the owners of the country, since they influence the future. In this case, discrimination can result to rebel against the king, which may lead to undesired outcomes. Therefore, the secondary status groups act as a buffer between the ruling aristocracy and the numerous numbers of commoners; thus, they are significant for facilitating social stability. Prohibition against Remarriage of Women Marriage has been considered as an affair between two people, which should last beyond the death of the husband. In fact, the Confucians have an emphasis on exclusiveness of marital relationships; the legislators argue that there is need to prohibit remarriage of women, as a custom, during the Koryo. This is a form of discrimination, since there is no sound base for barring women from remarrying after the death of their husband. Moreover, there is the law that constraints the sons and grandsons of wom en, who have been married thrice from attaining a bureaucratic position, taking national examinations and receiving a post in administrative offices. This hinders them from effectively contributing to the economic development of the country. Discrimination can be considered sensitive, given that it is addressed in the State Code of 1485 without a direct outlaw of remarriage in women. In fact, sons and grandsons of remarried women are denied a chance to be eligible for civil military office. Therefore, the law hinders them from involvement in higher or lower civil service examinations. Consequently, it results to legal implications and facilitate the impossibility for remarriages in women. Nevertheless, women who have been remarried twice are not mentioned in this law, since the law is based on the basic law and ritual decorum related to human feelings. Therefore, this law is discriminating against poor women who live without supportive relatives, whereby they have trouble in maintai ning their chastity in a situation of being windowed in their early years. In this case, they are bound to make a decision of marrying for the second time, and there is no harm on ritual decorum. Therefore, laws barring their sons and grandsons from receiving high office should be expunged. Discrimination against Secondary Sons Since the beginning of the dynasty, there was a distinction between the main wife and concubines, which led to severe implications on the social status of the concubine’s sons. Consequently, the sons have been regarded as superfluous member in relation to the main descendant line, since their mothers are in the lower status in the society, which is attributed to being socially despised. They have been barred from examinations and becoming officials due to their personal initiatives; there are structural constrains of lineal consideration because of social imbalances. Barring secondary sons and their descendants from taking civil service examination and attaining a bureaucratic position is not a traditional law in Choson society. In fact, the law was compiled along with the State Code [1485], and since then, the law has been passed for a century. In fact, this form of discrimination has never been experienced in other counties such as China or other territories surrounding Choson society. Nevertheless, the reason behind barring of secondary sons from taking bureaucratic position is inappropriate maternal line in their generations. Consequently, they end up being frustrated and dying in the countryside, whereby their talents end up being wasted to the society. Peasants and Slaves Social differentiation has been accepted by the Confucians, whereby there are four categories comprising of

The Religious Roots of the Festival of Halloween Essay Example for Free

The Religious Roots of the Festival of Halloween Essay Halloween is an extremely enjoyable festival that occurs every year on October 31st. It is mostly celebrated in the United States and Britain and my talk today is associated with the British version of this holiday. Today many people see Halloween as a pleasurable holiday, for both adults and children. The celebrations of the ancient Celts are still evident in modern festivities as you can see from the old traditions still practiced today. October 31st today is a time for dressing up, eating sweets, scaring both ourselves and each other and holding parties. Many people consider it to be their favourite holiday of the year. Modern Halloween is all about dressing children in their favourite costumes, walking from house to house, collecting sweets and treats. Many families also decorate their homes and gardens with cobwebs, skeletons and jack-o-lanterns. However, the true origins of Halloween have become almost unrecognisable in todays celebrations, although they do include many traditions that I will outline.  ·Costuming The Celts wore these to ward of evil entities that were believed to be roaming the earth on that night. They could also be worn in some ceremonies as a symbol of becoming closer to their Gods. Later, when the festival turned to the Christian All Hallows Eve, people were still extremely superstitious and continued to disguise themselves by dressing in costume to confuse the spirits. Today, costumes of modern themes are worn on Halloween by children going trick or treating and by adults seeking fun and amusement. Many parties that are held in honor of this festival are themed and ask for the guests to dress in costume.  ·Trick Or Treating Our modern custom of trick or treating may have originated from several similar old customs. I will just concentrate on one of these, a ninth-century European custom called souling. Children would walk from village to village begging for soul cakes, made out of square pieces of bread with currants. For every cake that a child collected, he or she would have to say a prayer for the dead relatives of the person who gave the cake. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for some time and that a prayer, even said by a stranger, could send the soul to  heaven. Today, children walk from house to house asking for sweets, but not in exchange for prayers.  ·Bobbing For Apples In Celtic tradition, apples were associated with female deities who controlled the ways of love and fertility. This may have had something to do with the pentagram (a star with five points) shape that you see when you slice an apple in half. The pentagram was an important shape for the Celts and it was largely recognised as a Goddess symbol. The pentagram today is still used in fortune telling and spell casting. The apples were used by the Celts in fortune telling in two main ways. The first is where we got the modern tradition of apple bobbing from. It was for young unmarried people, who would try to bite into an apple floating in water. The first person to bite into the apple would be the next one to marry. Peeling an apple was also a way to predict your life expectancy. If you cut off one long peel, you would live to an old age. If you only cut off a small peel, you would die young. Apples are still a big part of Halloween celebrations. In addition to apple bobbing, people also drink apple cider, make candy apples and hand out apples to trick or treaters.  ·Pumpkin Carving or Jack-O-Lanterns Although the Celts would bring home and ember from the communal bonfire in a hollowed out turnip, the direct tradition of jack-o-lanterns dates from 18th century Ireland. As told in a very popular Irish folk tale, the originator of the modern Jack-O-Lantern was a character named Stingy Jack. The story goes that that he convinced Satan to climb up a tree for some apples, and then cut crosses all around the trunk so that the devil couldnt climb down. The devil promised to leave Stingy Jack alone forever, if he would let him down out of the tree. When Jack eventually died, he was turned away from heaven, due to his trickery and life of sin. But, in keeping with their agreement, the devil wouldnt take Jack either. He was cursed to travel forever as a spirit in limbo. As Jack left the gates of hell, the devil threw him a hot ember to light the way in the dark. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed-out turnip, and wandered off into the world. Folk Tradition held that they would ward off Stingy Jack and Other Spirits on Halloween, and they also served as representations of the souls of the dead. Later, when Halloween festivals  were brought to America by the Irish, turnips were replaced with pumpkins which where much more plentiful and easier to carve. People began to cut frightening faces and other designs into their Jack-O-Lanterns, as they still do today. The festivities of modern Halloween are thought to be a combining of two separate celebrations. The first is a pre-Christian Celtic feast associated with the Celtic New Year. The second is the Christian celebration of All Saints Day (November 1st). The Celtic Feast of the New Year was celebrated on what would be November 1st on our calendar. This festival was known as All Hallowtide and was held to celebrate the New Year and would also signalize the close of the Harvest and the initiation of winter. But this Celtic festival was also a celebration to commemorate Samhain, the Feast Of The Dead. It was known as the Feast of The Dead because the Celts believed that on the last day of the year, (October 31st) the souls of the dead could return to their familys homes. It was believed that evil spirits, demons, ghosts and witches were also free to roam around on this night and could be mollified with a feast. These frightening creatures would also leave you alone if you dressed like them and thus appeared to be one of them. The Christian Feast of All Saints transpired as a result of the many martyrs who died for their faith in Jesus Christ due to the persecutions of the Roman State against the Church. The most renowned of these were honored locally by the preservation of their relics and by the celebration of the anniversary of their death, as a feast in honor of their birth into eternal life. At the end of the third century the martyrs became so many that in some places it was impossible to commemorate even the most significant of them. The need for a common feast of all martyrs was becoming evident. Beginning with Gregory III the celebration of a feast of All Saints was commemorated at St. Peters on November 1st. Halloween today is widely regarded as one of the most enjoyable ( if not frightening) festivals of the year.

Immigration in America Essay -- essays research papers

Coming to America†¦Maybe Immigration has been a part of the United States ever since its inception. When Christopher Columbus made his way across the Atlantic Ocean he discovered a land that was almost entirely inhabited. The colonists, essentially the first immigrants to what would be the United States, began to come over group after group until they finally decided that there were enough people living in America that they were a strong enough power to be a separate entity. In 1776 the Americans declared their independence from Great Britain and through the revolutionary war, created the United States. Views from varying sources as well as some insight from North Dakota representatives will be used in order to examine current immigration laws, explain how and why changes should be made, and determine who will be affected by the changes. Early in its history, the United States was often called a melting pot because it was a new nation with no distinctive culture at the time it was established. As immigrants came to the United States, oftentimes they quickly lost their original culture and integrated into the new nation rapidly. Although the United States has been shaped by successive waves of immigrants, Americans have often viewed immigration as a problem. Established Americans often look down on new immigrants. The cultural habits of immigrants are frequently targets of criticism, especially when the new arrivals come from a different country than those in the established community. This type of behavior towards immigrants can be found throughout the nation. When interviewing my district representatives what they were currently doing with immigration laws I received a very common answer from all three of them. They all said that currently they weren’t dealing with any immigration laws because they are usually determined at a national level. Representative Ole Aarsvold said in an e-mail response, â€Å"Immigration is primarily a federal concern but we have had a couple of bills dealing with this issue, very generally, in this legislative session in ND. I will do some research for you.† This led me to open my eyes to the national scope of immigration laws. The United States had no type of immigration laws during its colonial years. Leonard Dinnerstein is a Professor of American History and Director of Judaic Studies at University of Arizona. His Encarta entr... ... Americans declared their independence from Great Britain and through the revolutionary war, created the United States. Views from varying sources as well as some insight from North Dakota representatives were used in order to examine current immigration laws, explain how and why changes should be made, and determine who will be affected by the changes. Work Cited Aarsvold, Ole. â€Å"Re: Thoughts on Immigration.† E-mail to State Representative 22 Mar. 2001. â€Å"American Presidents Talk About Immigration.† American Immigration Law Foundation 1997. 27 Feb. 2001. . Dinnerstein, Leonard. â€Å"Immigration.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 2000. â€Å"Ellis Island Lesson Plan (Immigration).† MSNBC Pencil News. 2000. 27 Mar 2001. . Goldsborough, James. â€Å"Out-of-Control Immigration.† Foreign Affairs. Sept. 2000: 89 Hicks, Chester. â€Å"Remaking the political landscape: how immigration redistributes seats in the House.† Spectrum: the Journal of State Government. Spring 1999: 17. Vialet, Joyce. â€Å"Immigration Legislation and Issues in The 106th Congress.† Migration World Magazine. Sept 1999: 41.

Definitions of biological science Essay

1) Cite 3 definitions of biological science. Why is it significant to include it in your curriculum? a) Science of life b) Transcends such as sciences as chemistry, physics, mathematics and geology c) Study of living things * We can have information’s about the workings of living systems, turning the discoveries into medical treatments, methods of growing food and innovative products. We can learn organic structure, properties and chemical mechanism as we apply biological systems. It will empower us to understand and even predict about living things and other related to science. 2) Analyze the timeline of biology presented and discussed previously. What do you think are the 5 major inventions or discoveries of all time? Prove your point. a) 1961 – Leonard Hayflick demonstrated that a population of normal human fetal cells in a cell culture divide between 40 and 60 times then enter a senescence phase. b) 1970 – Geerat â€Å"Gary† Vermeij, a blind scientist, while studying mollusks in Guam, discovered that predators play a major role in determining how and why specie change. In 1992 he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship and in 1996 published â€Å"Privileged Hands: A Scientific Life†. c) 1974 – Albert Claude, a Belgium-born biologist, won the Nobel for his work on the sub-structure of the cell. d) 1977 – Robert Ballard and John B. Corliss found unknown creatures thriving on bacteria from that depended on sulfur from volcanic vents. e) 1981 – Lynn Margulis wrote â€Å"Symbiosis in Cell Evolution†. She proposed that three types of prokaryotes fused biologically to create the first living cells with nucleic structures. 3) Name 5 approaches/disciplines that are related to biology and make connections why you consider them related to biology. a) Botany – study the ways in which we can manipulate the growth of plants and genetically alter them for nutritional or environmental benefits. Plants will lead you to study their individual structures, how plants are alike and how they differ, and how to identify and classify plants of all kinds. b) Cell Biology – Cell biology is the sub discipline of biology that studies the basic unit of life, the cell. It deals with all aspects of the cell including cell anatomy, cell division and cell processes such as cell respiration, and cell death. c) Herpetology – the field of herpetology may include studies related to behavior, genetics, anatomy, physiology, ecology, health, and reproduction. d) Integrative Biology – the study and research of biological systems. It does not simply involve one discipline, but integrates a wide variety of disciplines that work together to find answers to scientific questions. e) Physiology – it is a broad sub-field in biology. It may be categorized into animal and plant physiology depending on the organisms described. It determines the relative functions of parts, it crosses another important sub-field in biology. The biological processes and functions of the parts of an organism.

Chapter 18 The Weighing of the Wands

When Harry woke up on Sunday morning, it took him a moment to remember why he felt so miserable and worried. Then the memory of the previous night rolled over him. He sat up and ripped back the curtains of his own four-poster, intending to talk to Ron, to force Ron to believe him – only to find that Ron's bed was empty; he had obviously gone down to breakfast. Harry dressed and went down the spiral staircase into the common room. The moment he appeared, the people who had already finished breakfast broke into applause again. The prospect of going down into the Great Hall and facing the rest of the Gryffindors, all treating him like some sort of hero, was not inviting; it was that, however, or stay here and allow himself to be cornered by the Creevey brothers, who were both beckoning frantically to him to join them. He walked resolutely over to the portrait hole, pushed it open, climbed out of it, and found himself face-to-face with Hermione. â€Å"Hello,† she said, holding up a stack of toast, which she was carrying in a napkin. â€Å"I brought you this†¦.Want to go for a walk?† â€Å"Good idea,† said Harry gratefully. They went downstairs, crossed the entrance hall quickly without looking in at the Great Hall, and were soon striding across the lawn toward the lake, where the Durmstrang ship was moored, reflected blackly in the water. It was a chilly morning, and they kept moving, munching their toast, as Harry told Hermione exactly what had happened after he had left the Gryffindor table the night before. To his immense relief, Hermione accepted his story without question. â€Å"Well, of course I knew you hadn't entered yourself,† she said when he'd finished telling her about the scene in the chamber off the Hall. â€Å"The look on your face when Dumbledore read out your name! But the question is, who did put it in? Because Moody's right, Harry†¦I don't think any student could have done it†¦they'd never be able to fool the Goblet, or get over Dumbledore's -â€Å" â€Å"Have you seen Ron?† Harry interrupted. Hermione hesitated. â€Å"Erm†¦yes†¦he was at breakfast,† she said. â€Å"Does he still think I entered myself?† â€Å"Well†¦no, I don't think so†¦not really,† said Hermione awkwardly. â€Å"What's that supposed to mean, ‘not really'?† â€Å"Oh Harry, isn't it obvious?† Hermione said despairingly. â€Å"He's jealous!† â€Å"Jealous?† Harry said incredulously. â€Å"Jealous of what? He wants to make a prat of himself in front of the whole school, does he?† â€Å"Look,† said Hermione patiently, â€Å"it's always you who gets all the attention, you know it is. I know it's not your fault,† she added quickly, seeing Harry open his mouth furiously. â€Å"I know you don't ask for it†¦but – well – you know, Ron's got all those brothers to compete against at home, and you're his best friend, and you're really famous – he's always shunted to one side whenever people see you, and he puts up with it, and he never mentions it, but I suppose this is just one time too many†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Great,† said Harry bitterly. â€Å"Really great. Tell him from me I'll swap any time he wants. Tell him from me he's welcome to it†¦.People gawping at my forehead everywhere I go†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'm not teiling him anything,† Hermione said shortly. â€Å"Tell him yourself. It's the only way to sort this out.† â€Å"I'm not running around after him trying to make him grow up!† Harry said, so loudly that several owls in a nearby tree took flight in alarm. â€Å"Maybe he'll believe I'm not enjoying myself once I've got my neck broken or -â€Å" â€Å"That's not funny,† said Hermione quietly. â€Å"That's not funny at all.† She looked extremely anxious. â€Å"Harry, I've been thinking – you know what we've got to do, don't you? Straight away, the moment we get back to the castle?† â€Å"Yeah, give Ron a good kick up the -â€Å" â€Å"Write to Sirius. You've got to tell him what's happened. He asked you to keep him posted on everything that's going on at Hogwarts†¦.It's almost as if he expected something like this to happen. I brought some parchment and a quill out with me -â€Å" â€Å"Come off it,† said Harry, looking around to check that they couldn't be overheard, but the grounds were quite deserted. â€Å"He came back to the country just because my scar twinged. He'll probably come bursting right into the castle if I tell him someone's entered me in the Triwizard Tournament -â€Å" â€Å"He'd want you to tell him,† said Hermione sternly. â€Å"He's going to find out anyway.† â€Å"How?† â€Å"Harry, this isn't going to be kept quiet,† said Hermione, very seriously. â€Å"This tournament's famous, and you're famous. I'll be really surprised if there isn't anything in the Daily Prophet about you competing†¦.You're already in half the books about You-Know-Who, you know†¦and Sirius would rather hear it from you, I know he would.† â€Å"Okay, okay, I'll write to him,† said Harry, throwing his last piece of toast into the lake. They both stood and watched it floating there for a moment, before a large tentacle rose out of the water and scooped it beneath the surface. Then they returned to the castle. â€Å"Whose owl am I going to use?† Harry said as they climbed the stairs. â€Å"He told me not to use Hedwig again.† â€Å"Ask Ron if you can borrow -â€Å" â€Å"I'm not asking Ron for anything,† Harry said flatly. â€Å"Well, borrow one of the school owls, then, anyone can use them,† said Hermione. They went up to the Owlery. Hermione gave Harry a piece of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink, then strolled around the long lines of perches, looking at all the different owls, while Harry sat down against a wall and wrote his letter. Dear Sirius, You told me to keep you posted on what's happening at Hogwarts, so here goes – I don't know if you've heard, but the Triwizard Tournament's happening this year and on Saturday night I got picked as a fourth champion. I don't who put my name in the Goblet of Fire, because I didn't. The other Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory, from Hufflepuff. He paused at this point, thinking. He had an urge to say something about the large weight of anxiety that seemed to have settled inside his chest since last night, but he couldn't think how to translate this into words, so he simply dipped his quill back into the ink bottle and wrote, Hope you're okay, and Buckbeak – Harry â€Å"Finished,† he told Hermione, getting to his feet and brushing straw off his robes. At this, Hedwig fluttered down onto his shoulder and held out her leg. â€Å"I can't use you,† Harry told her, looking around for the school owls. â€Å"I've got to use one of these.† Hedwig gave a very loud hoot and took off so suddenly that her talons cut into his shoulder. She kept her back to Harry all the time he was tying his letter to the leg of a large barn owl. When the barn owl had flown off, Harry reached out to stroke Hedwig, but she clicked her beak furiously and soared up into the rafters out of reach. â€Å"First Ron, then you,† Harry said angrily. â€Å"This isn't my fault.† If Harry had thought that matters would improve once everyone got used to the idea of him being champion, the following day showed him how mistaken he was. He could no longer avoid the rest of the school once he was back at lessons – and it was clear that the rest of the school, just like the Gryffindors, thought Harry had entered himself for the tournament. Unlike the Gryffindors, however, they did not seem impressed. The Hufflepuffs, who were usually on excellent terms with the Gryffindors, had turned remarkably cold toward the whole lot of them. One Herbology lesson was enough to demonstrate this. It was plain that the Hufflepuffs felt that Harry had stolen their champion's glory; a feeling exacerbated, perhaps, by the fact that Hufflepuff House very rarely got any glory, and that Cedric was one of the few who had ever given them any, having beaten Gryffindor once at Quidditch. Ernie Macmillan and Justin FinchFletchley, with whom Harry normally got on very well, did not talk to him even though they were repotting Bouncing Bulbs at the same tray – though they did laugh rather unpleasantly when one of the Bouncing Bulbs wriggled free from Harry's grip and smacked him hard in the face. Ron wasn't talking to Harry either. Hermione sat between them, making very forced conversation, but though both answered her normally, they avoided making eye contact with each other. Harry thought even Profes sor Sprout seemed distant with him – but then, she was Head of Hufflepuff House. He would have been looking forward to seeing Hagrid under normal circumstances, but Care of Magical Creatures meant seeing the Slytherins too – the first time he would come face-to-face with them since becoming champion. Predictably, Malfoy arrived at Hagrid's cabin with his familiar sneer firmly in place. â€Å"Ah, look, boys, it's the champion,† he said to Crabbe and Goyle the moment he got within earshot of Harry. â€Å"Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, because I doubt he's going to be around much longer†¦.Half the Triwizard champions have died†¦how long d'you reckon you're going to last, Potter? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet.† Crabbe and Goyle guffawed sycophantically, but Malfoy had to stop there, because Hagrid emerged from the back of his cabin balancing a teetering tower of crates, each containing a very large Blast-Ended Skrewt. To the class's horror, Hagrid proceeded to explain that the reason the skrewts had been killing one another was an excess of pent-up energy, and that the solution would be for each student to fix a leash on a skrewt and take it for a short walk. The only good thing about this plan was that it distracted Malfoy completely. â€Å"Take this thing for a walk?† he repeated in disgust, staring into one of the boxes. â€Å"And where exactly are we supposed to fix the leash? Around the sting, the blasting end, or the sucker?† â€Å"Roun' the middle,† said Hagrid, demonstrating. â€Å"Er – yeh might want ter put on yer dragon-hide gloves, jus' as an extra precaution, like. Harry – you come here an' help me with this big one†¦.† Hagrid's real intention, however, was totalk to Harry away from the rest of the class. He waited until everyone else had set off with their skrewts, then turned to Harry and said, very seriously, â€Å"So – yer competin', Harry. In the tournament. School champion.† â€Å"One of the champions,† Harry corrected him. Hagrid's beetle-black eyes looked very anxious under his wild eyebrows. â€Å"No idea who put yeh in fer it, Harry?† â€Å"You believe I didn't do it, then?† said Harry, concealing with difficulty the rush of gratitude he felt at Hagrid's words. â€Å"Course I do,† Hagrid grunted. â€Å"Yeh say it wasn' you, an' I believe yeh – an' Dumbledore believes yer, an' all.† â€Å"Wish I knew who did do it,† said Harry bitterly. The pair of them looked out over the lawn; the class was widely scattered now, and all in great difficulty. The skrewts were now over three feet long, and extremely powerful. No longer shell-less and colorless, they had developed a kind of thick, grayish, shiny armor. They looked like a cross between giant scorpions and elongated crabs- but still without recognizable heads or eyes. They had become immensely strong and very hard to control. â€Å"Look like they're havin' fun, don' they?† Hagrid said happily. Harry assumed he was talking about the skrewts, because his classmates certainly weren't; every now and then, with an alarming bang, one of the skrewts' ends would explode, causing it to shoot forward several yards, and more than one person was being dragged along on their stomach, trying desperately to get back on their feet. â€Å"Ah, I don' know, Harry,† Hagrid sighed suddenly, looking back down at him with a worried expression on his face. â€Å"School champion†¦everythin' seems ter happen ter you, doesn' it?† Harry didn't answer. Yes, everything did seem to happen to him†¦that was more or less what Hermione had said as they had walked around the lake, and that was the reason, according to her, that Ron was no longer talking to him. The next few days were some of Harry's worst at Hogwarts. The closest he had ever come to feeling like this had been during those months, in his second year, when a large part of the school had suspected him of attacking his fellow students. But Ron had been on his side then. He thought he could have coped with the rest of the school's behavior if he could just have had Ron back as a friend, but he wasn't going to try and persuade Ron to talk to him if Ron didn't want to. Nevertheless, it was lonely with dislike pouring in on him from all sides. He could understand the Hufflepuffs' attitude, even if he didn't like it; they had their own champion to support. He expected nothing less than vicious insults from the Slytherins – he was highly unpopular there and always had been, because he had helped Gryffindor beat them so often, both at Quidditch and in the Inter-House Championship. But he had hoped the Ravenclaws might have found it in their hearts to support him as much as Cedric. He was wrong, however. Most Ravenclaws seemed to think that he had been desperate to earn himself a bit more fame by tricking the goblet into accepting his name. Then there was the fact that Cedric looked the part of a champion so much more than he did. Exceptionally handsome, with his straight nose, dark hair, and gray eyes, it was hard to say who was receiving more admiration these days, Cedric or Viktor Krum. Harry actually saw the same sixth-year girls who had been so keen to get Krum's autograph begging Cedric to sign their school bags one lunchtime. Meanwhile there was no reply from Sirius, Hedwig was refusing to come anywhere near him, Professor Trelawney was predicting his death with even more certainty than usual, and he did so badly at Summoning Charms in Professor Flitwick's class that he was given extra homework – the only person to get any, apart from Neville. â€Å"It's really not that difficult, Harry,† Hermione tried to reassure him as they left Flitwick's class – she had been making objects zoom across the room to her all lesson, as though she were some sort of weird magnet for board dusters, wastepaper baskets, and lunascopes. â€Å"You just weren't concentrating properly -â€Å" â€Å"Wonder why that was,† said Harry darkly as Cedric Diggory walked past, surrounded by a large group of simpering girls, all of whom looked at Harry as though he were a particularly large Blast-Ended Skrewt. â€Å"Still – never mind, eh? Double Potions to look forward to this afternoon†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Double Potions was always a horrible experience, but these days it was nothing short of torture. Being shut in a dungeon for an hour and a half with Snape and the Slytherins, all of whom seemed determined to punish Harry as much as possible for daring to become school champion, was about the most unpleasant thing Harry could imagine. He had already struggled through one Friday's worth, with Hermione sitting next to him intoning â€Å"ignore them, ignore them, ignore them† under her breath, and he couldn't see why today should be any better. When he and Hermione arrived at Snape's dungeon after lunch, they found the Slytherins waiting outside, each and every one of them wearing a large badge on the front of his or her robes. For one wild moment Harry thought they were S.P.E.W. badges – then he saw that they all bore the same message, in luminous red letters that burnt brightly in the dimly lit underground passage: SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY- THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION! â€Å"Like them, Potter?† said Malfoy loudly as Harry approached. â€Å"And this isn't all they do – look!† He pressed his badge into his chest, and the message upon it vanished, to be replaced by another one, which glowed green: POTTER STINKS! The Slytherins howled with laughter. Each of them pressed their badges too, until the message POTTER STINKS was shining brightly all around Harry. He felt the heat rise in his face and neck. â€Å"Oh very funny,† Hermione said sarcastically to Pansy Parkinson and her gang of Slytherin girls, who were laughing harder than anyone, â€Å"really witty.† Ron was standing against the wall with Dean and Seamus. He wasn't laughing, but he wasn't sticking up for Harry either. â€Å"Want one, Granger?† said Malfoy, holding out a badge to Hermione. â€Å"I've got loads. But don't touch my hand, now. I've just washed it, you see; don't want a Mudblood sliming it up.† Some of the anger Harry had been feeling for days and days seemed to burst through a dam in his chest. He had reached for his wand before he'd thought what he was doing. People all around them scrambled out of the way, backing down the corridor. â€Å"Harry!† Hermione said warningly. â€Å"Go on, then, Potter,† Malfoy said quietly, drawing out his own wand. â€Å"Moody's not here to look after you now – do it, if you've got the guts -â€Å" For a split second, they looked into each other's eyes, then, at exactly the same time, both acted. â€Å"Funnunculus!† Harry yelled. â€Å"Densaugeo!† screamed Malfoy. Jets of light shot from both wands, hit each other in midair, and ricocheted off at angles – Harry's hit Goyle in the face, and Malfoy's hit Hermione. Goyle bellowed and put his hands to his nose, where great ugly boils were springing up – Hermione, whimpering in panic, was clutching her mouth. â€Å"Hermione!† Ron had hurried forward to see what was wrong with her; Harry turned and saw Ron dragging Hermione's hand away from her face. It wasn't a pretty sight. Hermione's front teeth – already larger than average – were now growing at an alarming rate; she was looking more and more like a beaver as her teeth elongated, past her bottom lip, toward her chin – panic-stricken, she felt them and let out a terrified cry. â€Å"And what is all this noise about?† said a soft, deadly voice. Snape had arrived. The Slytherins clamored to give their explanations; Snape pointed a long yellow finger at Malfoy and said, â€Å"Explain.† â€Å"Potter attacked me, sir -â€Å" â€Å"We attacked each other at the same time!† Harry shouted. â€Å"- and he hit Goyle – look -â€Å" Snape examined Goyle, whose face now resembled something that would have been at home in a book on poisonous fungi. â€Å"Hospital wing, Goyle,† Snape said calmly. â€Å"Malfoy got Hermione!† Ron said. â€Å"Look!† He forced Hermione to show Snape her teeth – she was doing her best to hide them with her hands, though this was difficult as they had now grown down past her collar. Pansy Parkinson and the other Slytherin girls were doubled up with silent giggles, pointing at Hermione from behind Snape's back. Snape looked coldly at Hermione, then said, â€Å"I see no difference.† Hermione let out a whimper; her eyes filled with tears, she turned on her heel and ran, ran all the way up the corridor and out of sight. It was lucky, perhaps, that both Harry and Ron started shouting at Snape at the same time; lucky their voices echoed so much in the stone corridor, for in the confused din, it was impossible for him to hear exactly what they were calling him. He got the gist, however. â€Å"Let's see,† he said, in his silkiest voice. â€Å"Fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention each for Potter and Weasley. Now get inside, or it'll be a week's worth of detentions.† Harry's ears were ringing. The injustice of it made him want to curse Snape into a thousand slimy pieces. He passed Snape, walked with Ron to the back of the dungeon, and slammed his bag down onto the table. Ron was shaking with anger too – for a moment, it felt as though everything was back to normal between them, but then Ron turned and sat down with Dean and Seamus instead, leaving Harry alone at his table. On the other side of the dungeon, Malfoy turned his back on Snape and pressed his badge, smirking. POTTER STINKS flashed once more across the room. Harry sat there staring at Snape as the lesson began, picturing horrific things happening to him†¦.If only he knew how to do the Cruciatus Curse†¦he'd have Snape flat on his back like that spider, jerking and twitching†¦. â€Å"Antidotes!† said Snape, looking around at them all, his cold black eyes glittering unpleasantly. â€Å"You should all have prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting someone on whom to test one†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Snape's eyes met Harry's, and Harry knew what was coming. Snape was going to poison him. Harry imagined picking up his cauldron, and sprinting to the front of the class, and bringing it down on Snape's greasy head – And then a knock on the dungeon door burst in on Harry's thoughts. It was Colin Creevey; he edged into the room, beaming at Harry, and walked up to Snape's desk at the front of the room. â€Å"Yes?† said Snape curtly. â€Å"Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter upstairs.† Snape stared down his hooked nose at Colin, whose smile faded from his eager face. â€Å"Potter has another hour of Potions to complete,† said Snape coldly. â€Å"He will come upstairs when this class is finished.† Colin went pink. â€Å"Sir – sir, Mr. Bagman wants him,† he said nervously. â€Å"All the champions have got to go, I think they want to take photographs†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Harry would have given anything he owned to have stopped Colin saying those last few words. He chanced half a glance at Ron, but Ron was staring determinedly at the ceiling. â€Å"Very well, very well,† Snape snapped. â€Å"Potter, leave your things here, I want you back down here later to test your antidote.† â€Å"Please, sir – he's got to take his things with him,† squeaked Cohn. â€Å"All the champions†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Very well!† said Snape. â€Å"Potter – take your bag and get out of my sight!† Harry swung his bag over his shoulder, got up, and headed for the door. As he walked through the Slytherin desks, POTTER STINKS flashed at him from every direction. â€Å"It's amazing, isn't it, Harry?† said Colin, starting to speak the moment Harry had closed the dungeon door behind him. â€Å"Isn't it, though? You being champion?† â€Å"Yeah, really amazing,† said Harry heavily as they set off toward the steps into the entrance hall. â€Å"What do they want photos for, Colin?† â€Å"The Daily Prophet, I think!† â€Å"Great,† said Harry dully. â€Å"Exactly what I need. More publicity.† â€Å"Good luck!† said Colin when they had reached the right room. Harry knocked on the door and entered. He was in a fairly small classroom; most of the desks had been pushed away to the back of the room, leaving a large space in the middle; three of them, however, had been placed end-to-end in front of the blackboard and covered with a long length of velvet. Five chairs had been set behind the velvet-covered desks, and Ludo Bagman was sitting in one of them, talking to a witch Harry had never seen before, who was wearing magenta robes. Viktor Krum was standing moodily in a corner as usual and not talking to anybody. Cedric and Fheur were in conversation. Fheur looked a good deal happier than Harry had seen her so far; she kept throwing back her head so that her long silvery hair caught the light. A paunchy man, holding a large black camera that was smoking slightly, was watching Fleur out of the corner of his eye. Bagman suddenly spotted Harry, got up quickly, and bounded forward. â€Å"Ah, here he is! Champion number four! In you come, Harry, in you come†¦nothing to worry about, it's just the wand weighing ceremony, the rest of the judges will be here in a moment -â€Å" â€Å"Wand weighing?† Harry repeated nervously. â€Å"We have to check that your wands are fully functional, no problems, you know, as they're your most important tools in the tasks ahead,† said Bagman. â€Å"The expert's upstairs now with Dumbledore. And then there's going to be a little photo shoot. This is Rita Skeeter,† he added, gesturing toward the witch in magenta robes. â€Å"She's doing a small piece on the tournament for the Daily Prophet†¦.† â€Å"Maybe not that small, Ludo,† said Rita Skeeter, her eyes on Harry. Her hair was set in elaborate and curiously rigid curls that contrasted oddly with her heavy-jawed face. She wore jeweled spectacles. The thick fingers clutching her crocodile-skin handbag ended in two-inch nails, painted crimson. â€Å"I wonder if I could have a little word with Harry before we start?† she said to Bagman, but still gazing fixedly at Harry. â€Å"The youngest champion, you know†¦to add a bit of color?† â€Å"Certainly!† cried Bagman. â€Å"That is – if Harry has no objection?† â€Å"Er -† said Harry. â€Å"Lovely,† said Rita Skeeter, and in a second, her scarlet-taloned fingers had Harry's upper arm in a surprisingly strong grip, and she was steering him out of the room again and opening a nearby door. â€Å"We don't want to be in there with all that noise,† she said. â€Å"Let's see†¦ah, yes, this is nice and cozy.† It was a broom cupboard. Harry stared at her. â€Å"Come along, dear – that's right – lovely,† said Rita Skeeter again, perching herself precariously upon an upturned bucket, pushing Harry down onto a cardboard box, and closing the door, throwing them into darkness. â€Å"Let's see now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She unsnapped her crocodile-skin handbag and pulled out a handful of candles, which she lit with a wave of her wand and magicked into midair, so that they could see what they were doing. â€Å"You won't mind, Harry, if I use a Quick-Quotes Quill? It leaves me free to talk to you normally†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"A what?† said Harry. Rita Skeeter's smile widened. Harry counted three gold teeth. She reached again into her crocodile bag and drew out a long acid-green quill and a roll of parchment, which she stretched out between them on a crate of Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover. She put the tip of the green quill into her mouth, sucked it for a moment with apparent relish, then placed it upright on the parchment, where it stood balanced on its point, quivering slightly. â€Å"Testing†¦my name is Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter.† Harry hooked down quickly at the quill. The moment Rita Skeeter had spoken, the green quill had started to scribble, skidding across the parchment: Attractive blonde Rita Skeeter, forty-three, who's savage quill has punctured many inflated reputations – â€Å"Lovely,† said Rita Skeeter, yet again, and she ripped the top piece of parchment off, crumpled it up, and stuffed it into her handbag. Now she leaned toward Harry and said, â€Å"So, Harry†¦what made you decide to enter the Triwizard Tournament?† â€Å"Er -† said Harry again, but he was distracted by the quill. Even though he wasn't speaking, it was dashing across the parchment, and in its wake he could make out a fresh sentence: An ugly scar, souvenier of a tragic past, disfigures the otherwise charming face of Harry Potter, whose eyes – â€Å"Ignore the quill, Harry,† said Rita Skeeter firmly. Reluctantly Harry looked up at her instead. â€Å"Now – why did you decide to enter the tournament, Harry?† â€Å"I didn't,† said Harry. â€Å"I don't know how my name got into the Goblet of Fire. I didn't put it in there.† Rita Skeeter raised one heavily penciled eyebrow. â€Å"Come now, Harry, there's no need to be scared of getting into trouble. We all know you shouldn't really have entered at all. But don't worry about that. Our readers hove a rebel.† â€Å"But I didn't enter,† Harry repeated. â€Å"I don't know who -â€Å" â€Å"How do you feel about the tasks ahead?† said Rita Skeeter. â€Å"Excited? Nervous?† â€Å"I haven't really thought†¦yeah, nervous, I suppose,† said Harry. His insides squirmed uncomfortably as he spoke. â€Å"Champions have died in the past, haven't they?† said Rita Skeeter briskly. â€Å"Have you thought about that at all?† â€Å"Well†¦they say it's going to be a lot safer this year,† said Harry. The quill whizzed across the parchment between them, back and forward as though it were skating. â€Å"Of course, you've looked death in the face before, haven't you?† said Rita Skeeter, watching him closely. â€Å"How would you say that's affected you?† â€Å"Er,† said Harry, yet again. â€Å"Do you think that the trauma in your past might have made you keen to prove yourself? To live up to your name? Do you think that perhaps you were tempted to enter the Triwizard Tournament because -â€Å" â€Å"I didn't enter,† said Harry, starting to feel irritated. â€Å"Can you remember your parents at all?† said Rita Skeeter, talking over him. â€Å"No,† said Harry. â€Å"How do you think they'd feel if they knew you were competing in the Triwizard Tournament? Proud? Worried? Angry?† Harry was feeling really annoyed now. How on earth was he to know how his parents would feel if they were alive? He could feel Rita Skeeter watching him very intently. Frowning, he avoided her gaze and hooked down at words the quill had just written: Tears fill those startlingly green eyes as our conversation turns to the parents he can barely remember. â€Å"I have NOT got tears in my eyes!† said Harry loudly. Before Rita Skeeter could say a word, the door of the broom cupboard was pulled open. Harry looked around, blinking in the bright light. Albus Dumbledore stood there, looking down at both of them, squashed into the cupboard. â€Å"Dumbledore!† cried Rita Skeeter, with every appearance of delight – but Harry noticed that her quill and the parchment had suddenly vanished from the box of Magical Mess Remover, and Rita's clawed fingers were hastily snapping shut the clasp of her crocodile-skin bag. â€Å"How are you?† she said, standing up and holding out one of her large, mannish hands to Dumbledore. â€Å"I hope you saw my piece over the summer about the International Confederation of Wizards' Conference?† â€Å"Enchantingly nasty,† said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. â€Å"I particularly enjoyed your description of me as an obsolete dingbat.† Rita Skeeter didn't look remotely abashed. â€Å"I was just making the point that some of your ideas are a little old-fashioned, Dumbhedore, and that many wizards in the street -â€Å" â€Å"I will be delighted to hear the reasoning behind the rudeness, Rita,† said Dumbledore, with a courteous bow and a smile, â€Å"but I'm afraid we will have to discuss the matter later. The Weighing of the Wands is about to start, and it cannot take place if one of our champions is hidden in a broom cupboard.† Very glad to get away from Rita Skeeter, Harry hurried back into the room. The other champions were now sitting in chairs near the door, and he sat down quickly next to Cedric, hooking up at the velvet-covered table, where four of the five judges were now sitting – Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Mr. Crouch, and Ludo Bagman. Rita Skeeter settled herself down in a corner; Harry saw her slip the parchment out of her bag again, spread it on her knee, suck the end of the Quick-Quotes Quill, and place it once more on the parchment. â€Å"May I introduce Mr. Ollivander?† said Dumbledore, taking his place at the judges' table and talking to the champions. â€Å"He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the tournament.† Harry hooked around, and with a jolt of surprise saw an old wizard with large, pale eyes standing quietly by the window. Harry had met Mr. Ollivander before – he was the wand-maker from whom Harry had bought his own wand over three years ago in Diagon Alley. â€Å"Mademoiselle Delacour, could we have you first, please?† said Mr. Ollivander, stepping into the empty space in the middle of the room. Fleur Delacour swept over to Mr. Olhivander and handed him her wand. â€Å"Hmm†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he said. He twirled the wand between his long fingers like a baton and it emitted a number of pink and gold sparks. Then he held it chose to his eyes and examined it carefully. â€Å"Yes,† he said quietly, â€Å"nine and a half inches†¦inflexible†¦rosewood†¦and containing†¦dear me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"An ‘air from ze ‘ead of a veela,† said Fleur. â€Å"One of my grandmuzzer's.† So Fleur was part veela, thought Harry, making a mental note to tell Ron†¦then he remembered that Ron wasn't speaking to him. â€Å"Yes,† said Mr. Ollivander, â€Å"yes, I've never used veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands†¦however, to each his own, and if this suits you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mr. Ollivander ran his fingers along the wand, apparently checking for scratches or bumps; then he muttered, â€Å"Orchideous!† and a bunch of flowers burst from the wand tip. â€Å"Very well, very well, it's in fine working order,† said Mr. Ollivander, scooping up the flowers and handing them to Fleur with her wand. â€Å"Mr. Diggory, you next.† Fleur glided back to her seat, smiling at Cedric as he passed her. â€Å"Ah, now, this is one of mine, isn't it?† said Mr. Ollivander, with much more enthusiasm, as Cedric handed over his wand. â€Å"Yes, I remember it well. Containing a single hair from the tail of a particularly fine male unicorn†¦must have been seventeen hands; nearly gored me with his horn after I plucked his tail. Twelve and a quarter inches†¦ash†¦pleasantly springy. It's in fine condition†¦You treat it regularly?† â€Å"Polished it last night,† said Cedric, grinning. Harry hooked down at his own wand. He could see finger marks all over it. He gathered a fistful of robe from his knee and tried to rub it clean surreptitiously. Several gold sparks shot out of the end of it. Fleur Delacour gave him a very patronizing look, and he desisted. Mr. Ollivander sent a stream of silver smoke rings across the room from the tip of Cedric's wand, pronounced himself satisfied, and then said, â€Å"Mr. Krum, if you please.† Viktor Krum got up and slouched, round-shouldered and duck-footed, toward Mr. Ollivander. He thrust out his wand and stood scowling, with his hands in the pockets of his robes. â€Å"Hmm,† said Mr. Olhivander, â€Å"this is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm much mistaken? A fine wand-maker, though the styling is never quite what I†¦however†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He lifted the wand and examined it minutely, turning it over and over before his eyes. â€Å"Yes†¦hornbeam and dragon heartstring?† he shot at Krum, who nodded. â€Å"Rather thicker than one usually sees†¦quite rigid†¦ten and a quarter inches†¦Avis!† The hornbeam wand let off a blast hike a gun, and a number of small, twittering birds flew out of the end and through the open window into the watery sunlight. â€Å"Good,† said Mr. Ollivander, handing Krum back his wand. â€Å"Which leaves†¦Mr. Potter.† Harry got to his feet and walked past Krum to Mr. Ollivander. He handed over his wand. â€Å"Aaaah, yes,† said Mr. Ohlivander, his pale eyes suddenly gleaming. â€Å"Yes, yes, yes. How well I remember.† Harry could remember too. He could remember it as though it had happened yesterday†¦. Four summers ago, on his eleventh birthday, he had entered Mr. Ollivander's shop with Hagrid to buy a wand. Mr. Ollivander had taken his measurements and then started handing him wands to try. Harry had waved what felt like every wand in the shop, until at last he had found the one that suited him – this one, which was made of holly, eleven inches long, and contained a single feather from the tail of a phoenix. Mr. Ollivander had been very surprised that Harry had been so compatible with this wand. â€Å"Curious,† he had said, â€Å"curious,† and not until Harry asked what was curious had Mr. Olhivander explained that the phoenix feather in Harry's wand had come from the same bird that had supplied the core of Lord Voldemort's. Harry had never shared this piece of information with anybody. He was very fond of his wand, and as far as he was concerned its relation to Voldemort's wand was something it couldn't help – rather as he couldn't help being related to Aunt Petunia. However, he really hoped that Mr. Ollivander wasn't about to tell the room about it. He had a funny feeling Rita Skeeter's Quick-Quotes Quill might just explode with excitement if he did. Mr. Ollivander spent much longer examining Harry's wand than anyone else's. Eventually, however, he made a fountain of wine shoot out of it, and handed it back to Harry, announcing that it was still in perfect condition. â€Å"Thank you all,† said Dumbledore, standing up at the judges' table. â€Å"You may go back to your lessons now – or perhaps it would be quicker just to go down to dinner, as they are about to end -â€Å" Feeling that at last something had gone right today, Harry got up to leave, but the man with the black camera jumped up and cleared his throat. â€Å"Photos, Dumbledore, photos!† cried Bagman excitedly. â€Å"All the judges and champions, what do you think, Rita?† â€Å"Er – yes, let's do those first,† said Rita Skeeter, whose eyes were upon Harry again. â€Å"And then perhaps some individual shots.† The photographs took a long time. Madame Maxime cast everyone else into shadow wherever she stood, and the photographer couldn't stand far enough back to get her into the frame; eventually she had to sit while everyone else stood around her. Karkaroff kept twirling his goatee around his finger to give it an extra curl; Krum, whom Harry would have thought would have been used to this sort of thing, skulked, half-hidden, at the back of the group. The photographer seemed keenest to get Fleur at the front, but Rita Skeeter kept hurrying forward and dragging Harry into greater prominence. Then she insisted on separate shots of all the champions. At last, they were free to go. Harry went down to dinner. Hermione wasn't there – he supposed she was still in the hospital wing having her teeth fixed. He ate alone at the end of the table, then returned to Gryffindor Tower, thinking of all the extra work on Summoning Charms that he had to do. Up in the dormitory, he came across Ron. â€Å"You've had an owl,† said Ron brusquely the moment he walked in. He was pointing at Harry's pillow. The school barn owl was waiting for him there. â€Å"Oh – right,† said Harry. â€Å"And we've got to do our detentions tomorrow night, Snape's dungeon,† said Ron. He then walked straight out of the room, not looking at Harry. For a moment, Harry considered going after him – he wasn't sure whether he wanted to talk to him or hit him, both seemed quite appealing – but the lure of Sirius's answer was too strong. Harry strode over to the barn owl, took the letter off its leg, and unrolled it. Harry – I can't say everything I would like to in a letter, it's too risky in case the owl is intercepted – we need to talk face-to-face. Can you ensure that you are alone by the fire in Gryffindor Tower at one o'clock in the morning on the 22nd ofNovember? I know better than anyone that you can look after yourself and while you're around Dumbledore and Moody I don't think anyone will be able to hurt you. However, someone seems to be having a good try. Entering you in that tournament would have been very risky, especially right under Dumbkdore's nose. Be on the watch, Harry. I still want to hear about anything unusual. Let me know about the 22nd ofNovember as quickly as you can. Sirius

Biography of Vlad the Impaler, Inspiration for Dracula

Biography of Vlad the Impaler, Inspiration for Dracula Vlad III (between 1428 and 1431–between December 1476 and January 1477) was a 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, an east European principality within modern Romania. Vlad became infamous for his brutal punishments, such as impalement, but also renowned by some for his attempt to fight the Muslim Ottomans, even though Vlad was only largely successful against Christian forces. He ruled on three occasions- 1448, 1456 to 1462, and 1476- and experienced new fame in the modern era thanks to links to the novel Dracula. Fast Facts: Vlad III Known For: East European 15th-century rule who was the inspiration for DraculaAlso Known As: Vlad the Impaler,  Vlad III Dracula, Vlad Tepes, Dracuglia, DrakulaBorn: Between 1428 and 1431Parents: Mircea I of Wallachia, Eupraxia of MoldaviaDied: Between December 1476 and January 1477Spouse(s): Unknown first wife, Jusztina SzilgyiChildren: Mihnea, Vlad  Drakwlya Early Years Vlad was born between 1428 and 1431 into the family of Vlad II Dracul. This nobleman had been allowed into the crusading Order of the Dragon (Dracul) by its creator, the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, to encourage him to defend both Christian east Europe and Sigismund’s lands from encroaching Ottoman forces and other threats. The Ottomans were expanding into eastern and central Europe, bringing with them a rival religion to that of the Catholic and Orthodox Christians who had previously dominated the region. However, the religious conflict can be overstated, as there was an old-fashioned secular power struggle between the Kingdom of Hungary and the Ottomans over both Wallachia- a relatively new state- and its leaders. Although Sigismund had turned to a rival of Vlad II’s soon after initially supporting him, he came back to Vlad and in 1436 Vlad II became voivode, a form of prince, of Wallachia. However, Vlad II then broke with the Emperor and joined the Ottomans in order to try to balance the rival powers swirling around his country. Vlad II then joined the Ottomans in attacking Transylvania, before Hungary tried to reconcile. Everyone grew suspicious, and Vlad was briefly ousted and imprisoned by the Ottomans. However, he was soon released and reconquered the country. The future Vlad III was sent along with Radu, his younger brother, to the Ottoman court as a hostage to ensure that his father stayed true to his word. He didn’t, and as Vlad II vacillated between Hungary and the Ottomans, the two sons survived simply as diplomatic collateral. Perhaps crucially for Vlad III’s upbringing, he was able to experience, understand, and immerse himself into Ottoman culture. Struggle to be Voivode Vlad II and his eldest son were killed by rebel boyars- Wallachian noblemen- in 1447, and a new rival called Vladislav II was put on the throne by the pro-Hungarian governor of Transylvania, called Hunyadi. At some point, Vlad III and Radu were freed, and Vlad returned to the principality to begin a campaign aimed at inheriting his father’s position as voivode, which led to conflict with boyars, his younger brother, the Ottomans, and others. Wallachia had no clear system of inheritance to the throne. Instead, the previous incumbent’s children could equally claim it, and one of them was usually elected by a council of boyars. In practice, outside forces (mainly the Ottomans and Hungarians) could militarily support friendly claimants to the throne. Factional Conflict What followed were 29 separate reigns of 11 separate rulers, from 1418 to 1476, including Vlad III thrice. It was from this chaos, and a patchwork of local boyar factions, that Vlad sought first the throne, and then to establish a strong state through both bold actions and outright terror. There was a temporary victory in 1448  when Vlad took advantage of a recently defeated anti-Ottoman crusade and its capture of Hunyadi to seize the throne of Wallachia with Ottoman support. However, Vladislav II soon returned from crusade and forced Vlad out. It took nearly another decade for Vlad to seize the throne as Vlad III in 1456. There is little information on what exactly happened during this period, but Vlad went from the Ottomans to Moldova, to a peace with Hunyadi, to Transylvania, back and forth between these three, falling out with Hunyadi, renewed support from him, military employment, and in 1456, an invasion of Wallachia- in which Vladislav II was defeated and killed. At the same time Hunyadi, coincidentally, died. Ruler of Wallachia Established as voivode, Vlad now faced the problems of his predecessors: how to balance Hungary and the Ottomans  and keep himself independent. Vlad began to rule in a bloody manner designed to strike fear into the hearts of opponents and allies alike. He ordered people to be impaled on stakes, and his atrocities were inflicted on anyone who upset him, no matter where they came from. However, his rule has been misinterpreted. During the communist era in Romania, historians outlined a vision of Vlad as a socialist hero, focused largely around the idea that Vlad attacked the excesses of the boyar aristocracy, thus benefiting the ordinary peasants. Vlad’s ejection from the throne in 1462 has been attributed to boyars seeking to protect their privileges. Some chronicles record that Vlad bloodily carved his way through the Boyars to strengthen and centralize his power, adding to his other, and horrific, reputation. However, while Vlad did slowly increase his power over disloyal boyars, this is now believed to have been a gradual attempt to try and solidify a fictionalized state beset by rivals, and neither a sudden orgy of violence- as some of the stories claim- or the actions of a proto-communist. The existing powers of the boyars were left alone, as just the favorites and enemies who changed position. This took place over several years, rather than in one brutal session. Vlad the Impaler’s Wars Vlad attempted to restore the balance of Hungarian and Ottoman interests in Wallachia  and swiftly came to terms with both. However, he was soon assailed by plots from Hungary, who changed their support to a rival voivode. War resulted, during which Vlad supported a Moldovan noble who would both later fight him and earn the epithet Stephen the Great. The situation between Wallachia, Hungary, and Transylvania fluctuated for several years, going from peace to conflict, and Vlad tried to keep his lands and throne intact. Around 1460 or 1461, having secured independence from Hungary, regained land from Transylvania, and defeated his rival rulers, Vlad broke off relations with the  Ottoman Empire, ceased paying his yearly tribute, and prepared for war. The Christian parts of Europe were moving toward a crusade against the Ottomans. Vlad may have been fulfilling a  long-term  plan for independence, falsely buoyed by his success against his Christian rivals, or planning an opportunistic attack while the sultan was east. The war with the Ottomans began in the winter of  1461-1462  when Vlad attacked  neighboring  strongholds and plundered into Ottoman lands. The response was the sultan invading with his army in 1462, aiming to install Vlad’s brother Radu on the throne. Radu had lived in the Empire for a long time and was pre-disposed to the Ottomans; they did not plan on establishing direct rule over the region. Vlad was forced back, but not before a daring night raid to try to kill the sultan himself. Vlad terrified the Ottomans with a field of impaled people, but Vlad was defeated and Radu took the throne. Expulsion from Wallachia Vlad did not, as some of the pro-communist and pro-Vlad historians have claimed, defeat the Ottomans and then fall to a revolt of rebel boyars.  Instead,  some of Vlad’s followers fled to the Ottomans to ingratiate themselves to Radu when it became apparent that Vlad’s army could not defeat the invaders. Hungary’s forces arrived too late to aid  Vlad- if they had ever  intended to help him- and  instead  arrested him, transferred him to Hungary, and locked him up. Final Rule and Death After years of  imprisonment,  Vlad was released by Hungary in 1474 or 1475 to seize back the Wallachian throne and fight against a forthcoming invasion by the Ottomans, on the condition he converted to Catholicism and away from Orthodoxy. After fighting for the Moldavians, he regained his throne in  1476  but was killed shortly after in a battle with the Ottoman claimant to Wallachia. Legacy and Dracula Many leaders have come and gone, but Vlad remains a well-known figure in European history. In some parts of Eastern Europe he is a hero for his role in fighting the Ottomans- although he fought Christians just as much, and more successfully- whereas in much of the rest of the world he is infamous for his brutal punishments, a byword for cruelty, and bloodthirstiness. Verbal attacks on Vlad were spreading while he was still very much alive, partly to justify his imprisonment and partly as a result of human interest in his brutality. Vlad lived at a time when print was emerging, and Vlad became one of the first horror figures in printed literature. Much of his recent fame has to do with the use of Vlad’s sobriquet Dracula. This literally means Son of Dracul and is a reference to his father’s entry into the Order of the Dragon, Draco then meaning Dragon. But when British author ​Bram Stoker named his vampire character Dracula, Vlad entered a whole new world of popular notoriety. Meanwhile, the Roman language developed and dracul came to mean devil. Vlad was not, as is sometimes assumed, named after this. Sources Lallanilla, Marc. â€Å"Vlad the Impaler: The Real Dracula Was Absolutely Vicious.†Ã‚  NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 31 Oct. 2013.â€Å"10 Fascinating Facts About The Real Dracula.†Ã‚  Listverse, 11 Oct. 2014.Webley, Kayla. â€Å"Top 10 Royals Who Would Have Been Terrible on Facebook.†Ã‚  Time, Time Inc., 9 Nov. 2010.

Detecting Lies in Negotiations

Detecting Lies in Negotiations Negotiators utilize various strategies to achieve their goals. These include those that explore difference in interests, among others. In general, all negotiators have an objective, which is to reach an acceptable decision. However, it is quite necessary to note that negotiation tables are usually intense.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Detecting Lies in Negotiations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In fact, conflict of interest is quite predominant in negotiations. In this regard, it is necessary that negotiators employ strategies that are effective and inclusive. This paper will explore negotiation strategies in the two articles as well as their similarities, differences and applications (Jones, 2009, p. 1). The first article, which is written by Steve Jones, provides an insight into strategies of detecting lies in negotiations. It starts by emphasizing the fact that negotiators lie in order to prevent exploitati on by the other party. In this regard, Jones suggests various strategies that can be utilized to detect lies in different kinds of negotiations. These include looking for anomalies, listening all the time, being completely aware of the other party’s behaviors and asking right questions. In the process, Jones outlines importance of psychological aspect of negotiations. Moreover, he emphasizes need for physical and psychological observation (Jones, 2009, p. 1). The second article, which is written by Cathy Cronin-Harris, emphasizes need for proper planning before getting into a negotiating table. In this regard, she highlights the fact that negotiation theory has changed over the years. In fact, she insists that negotiations should be based on interest based bargaining instead of assertion of demands and positions. According to her, careful consideration of underlying issues is more important than previous strategies. She therefore suggests strategies for providing effective ne gotiation. These include prioritizing interests, assessing the other party’s priorities, planning factual inquiries, planning of moves based on principle objectives and using money as an option to settle some interests (Cronin-Harris, 2004, p. 44). The two articles explore strategies for effective negotiations. In addition, they both profess need to understand the other party’s interests in negotiations. For instance, Jones emphasizes need for careful observation and understanding of the other party through both psychological and physical means. This is aimed at understanding their behavior as well as unveiling hidden agendas. Similarly, Cronin-Harris also concurs by insisting that negotiators should assess the other party’s interest and priorities.Advertising Looking for report on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A number of differences can also be drawn from these article s. Firstly, even though they both profess need to understand the other party’s interests; Jones uses observation strategies to achieve this. On the other hand, Cronin-Harris uses interest based bargaining strategies to understand the other party. Clearly, it can be noted that the latter is more open and transparent than the former. In essence, in jones’ strategies, one party tries to unveil what the other is hiding while in the second case, both parties present their interests and bargain based on priorities. It is also paramount to note that the second article emphasizes proper planning before negotiations. This differs from Jones view, which emphasizes scrutiny of the other party. The two articles are important as they dig into various strategies needed for effective negotiations. For instance, Jones strategies are very instrumental in identifying major issues of concern in negotiation table. This is paramount when dealing with cunning negotiators who hide their moti ves. Similarly, Cronin-Harris’s strategies are very important when dealing in open negotiations (professional negotiations) where underlying issues are analyzed to reach a common ground. In essence, Jones strategies are applicable in aggressive negotiations while the latter is instrumental in soft or professional negotiations (Cronin-Harris, 2004, p. 44). Reference List Cronin-Harris, C. (2004). Negotiation Strategy: Planning Is Critical. Web. Jones, S. (2009). Detecting Lies in Negotiations. Web.

Get the Lead Out of Hunting

Get the Lead Out of Hunting The Lead Problem Throughout modern firearms’ evolution, lead has been the material of choice in the manufacture of ammunition. The high density of lead and its deformation characteristics give it desirable ballistic properties. For hunting purposes, lead is used to make the small, round shot packed in shotgun shells, and is the main component in the bullets used in rifles. What makes lead less than ideal, however, is that it is quite toxic. In 1991 in the United States (and in 1997 in Canada) lead shot was banned for waterfowl hunting. Up until that point, tons of lead shot had been raining on wetlands all over the continent each hunting season. As ducks were foraging for food in the sediments at the bottom of wetlands, they would ingest lead shot and many would eventually die of acute lead poisoning. Bird hunting upland, for example for pheasant, grouse, or quail, was not included in the 1991 ban. With upland hunting, the shot used does not become concentrated in discrete locations and it was not believed to be problematic to the degree waterfowl shot was. The same might have been believed for rifle bullets, which are to this day mostly made of lead. However, there are real environmental and health hazards associated with the use of lead for any type of hunting, and many hunters are changing their habits accordingly. How Lead Bullets Work In hunting rifles, the lead bullet is shot at high pressure into the target. At that point the collision with the flesh of the animal deforms the bullet, turning it into a wide, flat blob, killing the animal quickly if the shot is well placed. However, there is a key problem with lead bullets: when the bullet hits its target, it looses energy by deforming and breaking up, with dozens of small lead fragments ending up lodged in the entrails and the meat of the animal. These fragments can be as small as sand grains, and they are often found over a foot from the wound channel. Environmental Effects When a hunter guts a large mammal, the lungs, kidneys, digestive track, and other organs are left in the field, and with them tiny lead particles. These â€Å"gut piles† are fed upon by scavengers like foxes, coyotes, ravens, red-tailed hawks, eagles, and many other birds and mammals. The small lead bits are accidentally ingested as well. A very small lead fragment in an animal’s gut will be dissolved by the digestive juices, elevating blood lead levels to several parts per million, which is enough to kill a bird as large as a bald eagle. Anyone who has been in rural areas on opening day of a deer hunt can appreciate how many gut piles are left behind in the woods and imagine how many scavengers must have elevated lead levels in their blood.   Health Effects Traditionally, when big game hunters butcher their quarry they carve out the meat about two inches around the entry and exit wounds. When researchers used portable x-ray equipment to look at deer carcasses killed by rifle, they found very small lead fragments far away from the bullet wounds. These fragments then end up in the meat consumed by humans. Even packaged ground venison examined with x-ray technology showed a peppering of very small lead particles, small enough to be unnoticed by the unsuspecting eater, but large enough to cause dangerous health effects. Even at low concentrations, lead in adult humans interferes with renal function, affects learning and thinking, and disrupts our reproductive system. In children, nervous system development is impacted, and there is no such thing as a safe blood lead level. In communities getting a substantial proportion of their protein from wild meat, blood levels with significant lead levels are commonly found. The Solution For shotgun shells, various non-lead materials are now available for upland small game hunting, including steel, bismuth, and tungsten. For large game hunting, all-copper rifle bullets are now on the market for most calibers, and are gaining rapidly in popularity. These bullets retain their mass when entering an animal, without losing small pieces like lead does. Non-lead ballistic characteristics are very acceptable for most hunting situations, and the modern copper bullets have been field proven to be at least as lethal as conventional bullets. The only disadvantage of non-lead bullets is their cost, which is on average about 40% higher. In 2008, California banned lead ammunition in areas where California Condors live, as lead was identified as one of the major threats to that species’ existence. The ban will be extended to the entire state by 2019. For More Information Web resource discussing the science: Hunting with Non-lead. United States Geological Survey. Lead Poisoning in Wild Birds.

A Personal Matter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A Personal Matter - Essay Example In spite of the fact that Bird is considered further on as an existential hero, his life wanderings and life searching for his self-identity can be referred to realists. The issue of existentialism in the Eastern culture is not properly studied. More often researchers and philosophers were focused on the issues of spirituality and religion in Japanese literature, but not on the existential issues. Oe confesses that he was greatly influenced by the works of French philosopher Sartre. Therefore, it is interesting to find out existential basis of the main character of the novel by Oe. At first Bird is represented as an escaper, the man who wants to escape from his family, his problems and his country and rush into African jungles. His existential wanderings in his inner world should be separated from his adventurous spirit. Still, it is interesting to trace existential and realistic aspects of Bird’s life. ... These â€Å"falls† into the past for Sartre coincide with â€Å"descend into the darkness† for Bird. Thus, one of the basic concepts for existentialists, such as death is interpreted by Bird in the best traditions of existentialism. Another concept â€Å"freedom† mean "openness, readiness to grow, flexibility, and changing in pursuit of greater human values" for existentialists (Yoshida, 1995). The ability to choose is the crucial issue of this concept. Freedom is accompanied by responsibility. This principle is reflected by Bird. At first he is tortured by his inability to make a right choice. Firstly, he prefers life of his child, then he escapes from this monstrous child-vegetable and finally he changes his mind claiming that a child has a right to live. Thus, in terms of existentialism, Bird goes through a thorny path from freedom of choice to his responsibility (Havel, 2002). The fundamental principle for existentialists is the absence of God. Bird does not believe in God himself as well. The existence in the absurd world is the largest existentialist problem. Bird is not referred by his name throughout the novel; he has only a nickname. It looks as if this man is thrown into an absurd world and is subjected to eternal sufferings. Throughout the novel Bird wants to escape from reality (Schneider and Gabriel, 1999). Moreover, it looks as if Bird goes around in circles: at first he wants to escape from his family and nation, but lastly he finally returns to these two basic pillars of his life (Schneider and Gabriel, 1999). Still, it may be argued that existential nature of Bird can be questioned. The readers are fascinated while observing a life struggle of Bird. Moreover, opponents

The Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

The Internet - Essay Example The World Wide Web is ccessible vi the Internet, s re mny other services including e-mil, file shring, nd others described below. Virtully ll of the services nd products relted to the Internet were originlly defined to stisfy demnds emnting from the cdemic nd reserch world. We re only just entering into the er where the min driving force for new developments is coming from the commercil sector. The originl users of the Internet were drwn from nrrow segment of the populce. They hve recently been joined by the new genertion of users with wider rnge of bckgrounds thn cdemi nd reserch. The club-like nture of the Internet is fst disppering s the ese nd cost of ccess mkes it ccessible to much greter udience. (John, 2001) The two Internet pplictions tht re most likely, in the short term, to hve n impct on the non-IT mnger re e-mil nd the world wide web (WWW). E-mil provides very simple nd effective wy of sending both simple text messges nd computer files (for exmple spredsheets nd word processed documents) to one or number of recipients. The WWW enbles individuls nd orgnistions to provide globl udience with full gmut of multimedi informtion tht cn be ccessed esily. ... The WWW enbles individuls nd orgnistions to provide globl udience with full gmut of multimedi informtion tht cn be ccessed esily. The benefits of ll of these Internet services re vilble t locl telecommunictions chrge rtes. The Internet's potentil to chnge the wy we conduct business is only just beginning to be understood. lredy it is cler tht mngers must orientte their thinking to dpt to the opportunities (nd threts) tht re being creted. 3. Security on the Internet Internet security, or more ccurtely the lck of it, is one of the topics most likely to generte concerned comment from the press. The volume of medi coverge given to computer hckers nd the potentil dmge they cn cuse, tends to be out of proportion to the relity of the sitution. This not to suggest tht the issue of security is not extremely importnt. When breches occur they cn cuse finncil loss nd severe embrrssment. The British Lbour Prty, currently forming the UK government, ws forced to close its WWW site temporrily becuse of mlicious tmpering with the contents. (Hrtmn, ckermnn, 2005) n inventive mind hd chnged both the text nd grphics with the im of cusing severe embrrssment. There hve lso been mny instnces where finncil institutions hve suffered finncil loss due to their security being compromised, lthough losses re very smll when compred to other sources of frud. 4. dvntges of the Internet The Internet hs the potentil to deliver unique set of business benefits over nd bove existing IT technologies. There re number of resons for this: 1. It is simple to use compred to most of the ppliction softwre tht we normlly encounter in the business environment. This ese of use spns the different types of computer nd operting system

There are limitations, but financial management accounting perform a Essay - 1

There are limitations, but financial management accounting perform a fundamental role in the measurement of performance within the organisation'' Critically evaluate the statement - Essay Example Financial accounting on the other hand is the use of financial data within a company to analyse the performance of the company. Financial accounting encompasses the use of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to produce financial statements that critically evaluate the financial performance of a given company over a certain period of time (usually a year). During the course of financial accounting, a record is kept for all the business transaction of a company and that record is formally produced in the form of formal statements. These financial statements are used by to facilitate external users such as the shareholders, lenders and suppliers of an organisation (Bushman et al, 2001). Both these methods of performance management and evaluation may seem identical as per their definitions but in reality they both are quite different from each other. Management accounting is basically information generated and used by the employees and the management of that company, the information and the data generated within the management accounting scope is future oriented and carries forecasting value to the management of the organisation. Financial accounting on the other hand involves the use of Accounting Standards (mainly IASs); which are a set of principle issued by different countries. Financial accounting information is generally used by many different people such as the lenders, shareholders, employees, etc. This information is easily available to everyone, in contrast, the managerial accounting information is not that easily available. The nature of management accounting is forward looking i.e. it tends to focus on future issues and the reports are generally produced whenever they are needed whilst the financial accounting nature is concerned with the past performance of the company and the reports involved are usually time bound i.e. they are usually produced yearly, half yearly, quarterly, etc. (Bacidore et al, 1999;

Social work essay- community care and vulnerable user groups Essay

Social work - community care and vulnerable user groups - Essay Example Health care provisioning in Scotland has been integrated at both the basic primary level and the advanced secondary stage. Moreover, for ease of convenience and excellence in health services delivery, the regional boards have narrowed down to provide the services at community level. Localized subgroups of community health partnerships are very effective in health care provision at the ground level here. All classes of health workers are well represented in the healthcare framework in Scotland. Also in existence are the â€Å"extended community care teams† who work hand in hand with the system of health care and social care teams. They were introduced to ensure the effectiveness of service delivery and management of resources to ensure equitable and efficient utilization of resources at the community level. The health care provisions have been centralized as regards the funding. It is the role of the government to fund the services and as such, the public health care is free. H owever, this does not refute the existence of private sector in medical healthcare provision in Scotland. There is equally a well-pronounced private healthcare system in the country, which helps regulate the public sector and thus control monopoly. The nationals are thus not restricted to the choice of the services that are wholly offered by the public system (Gibbins, 2007, 1-5). These are strategic for those who require the hospitalization services or well too those who cannot access the community health care services when needed. Therefore, the public hospital system, the community based care system and the private sector work hand in hand to guarantee basic health care to the population of Scotland. The NHS (National Healthcare System), providers are commissioned to provide high quality services to the deserving population. By quality, the sector is expected to offer safe, efficient and patient sensitive services. According to â€Å"a Health Services

Did the Constitutional Treaty Answer the Laeken Questions Essay

Did the Constitutional Treaty Answer the Laeken Questions - Essay Example The main matters dealt with during the Laeken Council held in Belgium included new measures in the area of Justice and Home Affairs which emphasized on the European Arrest Warrant, a common definition of terrorism, and the European Justice the seats of 10 new EU agencies. As a guide for the citizen's expectations raised in the summit, poll evidence in other countries suggest that the citizens want a more effective EU in terms of foreign and security policy, environment and a more clear fight against organized crime. September 11th has stretched the pace of integration of external and internal security. The treaty's provisions in the internal security policies is the "affirmation on the respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule and respect for human rights including minorities, non-discrimination and equality between men and women"3. Common policies on border checks; asylum and immigration are provided under the treaty where cooperation is expected on judicial matters and police implementation scheme. Under this power, the Commission will have the power to take the member states to court for "failure to implement legislation on most justice matters like infringement procedures"4. The treaty is aiming to facilitate recognition of judgments and judicial decisions in criminal matter having a cross-border dimension. Such rules may cover mutual recognition and admissibility of evidence between member states in their criminal procedures. The Council acting by an unanimous vote with its members intends to specifically address crimes like terrorism, trafficking of humans and sexual exploitation, drug trade and arms, money laundering, corruption, counterfeit, computer and organised crime. The concerns specifically expressed regarding security measures were catered for in the treaty. The Constitutional Treaty has addressed the several questions raised during the Laeken council but the new solidarity clause specifies that any member state which becomes a victi m to a terrorist attack or other disaster will receive assistance from other member states. The question on the clear distinction on the exclusive competence of the Union and the member states and the particular the powers assigned by the treaties to the union was raised. The European convention in answer has submitted a proposal that underlines "a catalog of competences is not the aim of the exercise and that the five countries prefer a flexible approach to the issue of competences, but explicitly stating that the Union has no competences other than those conferred on it by the Member States through the treaties"5. More precisely, the powers of the EU may be widespread but is also narrow where exclusive competence is nowhere defined. There is no rigid demarcation line between the EU and its member states. Where EU and its member states have a more forceful power in trade and monetary policies- in other aspects it is playing second fiddle to the member states. Where EU enjoys no general competence and nobody is arguing that it requires one, "the five member states propose t he creation of a new political body, consisting of national parliamentarians mandated by the council, to ensure scrutiny of proposals by EU institutions"6. For the most part, as a proposing body a

Allied Health, Information and Informed Consent Essay

Allied Health, Information and Informed Consent - Essay Example Multidisciplinary care ensures that the team members are able to discuss every aspect of psychological and physical needs of each patient. Multidisciplinary care approach fulfils the best and evidence-based practices for all the patients (Pozgar, 2012) The multidisciplinary care is carried out since it represents the best practice of treatment planning for the patients. It entails a focus on continued care, the development of relevant referral networks that include appropriate pathways to enhance the psychological needs, the development of protocols and pathways for care and treatment. It includes the patients whose cases are discussed by multidisciplinary team. Effective multidisciplinary care entails the improved coordination of the services, great opportunities for participation in clinical trials, improvement in treatment planning and outcomes, improvement in information sharing between the multidisciplinary team members, enhanced management and detection of the patients psychological and emotional needs, and the improved functioning of the team (Pozgar, 2012). The multidisciplinary care has been incorporated in the national clinical practice frameworks, guidelines, frameworks and plans. The multidisciplinary team is focused in treatment planning where the health professionals meet and recommend a treatment plan. Not all the professional treat the patient; as a result, the issues on liability if the patient’s condition worsened derail the multidisciplinary approach. As a result, before any multidisciplinary approach, they had to be the consent of the patient prior to the multidisciplinary meeting, the meeting outcomes should be documented, and the liability implication of the professional team members depended on recommendations of the individual practitioner (Magee, Laroche & Gilligan, 2001). Patients should be informed about the multidisciplinary procedures and meetings, and they should have the

Did the Constitutional Treaty Answer the Laeken Questions Essay

Did the Constitutional Treaty Answer the Laeken Questions - Essay Example The main matters dealt with during the Laeken Council held in Belgium included new measures in the area of Justice and Home Affairs which emphasized on the European Arrest Warrant, a common definition of terrorism, and the European Justice the seats of 10 new EU agencies. As a guide for the citizen's expectations raised in the summit, poll evidence in other countries suggest that the citizens want a more effective EU in terms of foreign and security policy, environment and a more clear fight against organized crime. September 11th has stretched the pace of integration of external and internal security. The treaty's provisions in the internal security policies is the "affirmation on the respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule and respect for human rights including minorities, non-discrimination and equality between men and women"3. Common policies on border checks; asylum and immigration are provided under the treaty where cooperation is expected on judicial matters and police implementation scheme. Under this power, the Commission will have the power to take the member states to court for "failure to implement legislation on most justice matters like infringement procedures"4. The treaty is aiming to facilitate recognition of judgments and judicial decisions in criminal matter having a cross-border dimension. Such rules may cover mutual recognition and admissibility of evidence between member states in their criminal procedures. The Council acting by an unanimous vote with its members intends to specifically address crimes like terrorism, trafficking of humans and sexual exploitation, drug trade and arms, money laundering, corruption, counterfeit, computer and organised crime. The concerns specifically expressed regarding security measures were catered for in the treaty. The Constitutional Treaty has addressed the several questions raised during the Laeken council but the new solidarity clause specifies that any member state which becomes a victi m to a terrorist attack or other disaster will receive assistance from other member states. The question on the clear distinction on the exclusive competence of the Union and the member states and the particular the powers assigned by the treaties to the union was raised. The European convention in answer has submitted a proposal that underlines "a catalog of competences is not the aim of the exercise and that the five countries prefer a flexible approach to the issue of competences, but explicitly stating that the Union has no competences other than those conferred on it by the Member States through the treaties"5. More precisely, the powers of the EU may be widespread but is also narrow where exclusive competence is nowhere defined. There is no rigid demarcation line between the EU and its member states. Where EU and its member states have a more forceful power in trade and monetary policies- in other aspects it is playing second fiddle to the member states. Where EU enjoys no general competence and nobody is arguing that it requires one, "the five member states propose t he creation of a new political body, consisting of national parliamentarians mandated by the council, to ensure scrutiny of proposals by EU institutions"6. For the most part, as a proposing body a

Financial Performance of Pace Leisurewear Ltd Case Study

Financial Performance of Pace Leisurewear Ltd - Case Study Example Financial statement analysis involves, comparing the performance with that of other firms in the same industry and evaluating trends in the firm's financial position over time. These studies help management identify deficiencies and then take actions to improve performance. For evaluating the financial performance of the firm ratio analysis and Du Pont system are used. According to Fraser, L. (2001) & Ormiston, A. (2001) the subordinate classifications of ratio analysis are: According to Fraser, L. (2001) & Ormiston, A. (2001) The available cash resources to satisfy the current obligations must come primarily from cash or the conversation to cash from of other current asset. For interpreting the liquidity of the firm, several types of ratios have been depicted. Current ratio, quick ratio, cash flow liquidity measures the firm's short-term solvency. Firm's ability to meet the current obligations can be judged. Liquidity position or effects of using debt can be evaluated. The available cash resources to satisfy the current obligations must come primarily from cash or the conversation to cash from of other current asset. To judge the long-term financial position of the firm, financial leverage ratios are used. Brigham, E. (2007) & Houston, J. (2007) mentioned that these ratios indicate mix of funds provided by owner and lender. According to Fraser, L. (2001) & Ormiston, A. (2001) the amount and proportion of debt in a company's capital structure is extreme ly important because of the trade off between risk and return. Gross profit margin, operating profit margin, and net profit margin represent the firm's ability to translate sales dollars into profits as different stages of measurement. Administrative efficiency can be judged through this. Brigham, E. (2007) & Houston, J. (2007) assessed the fixed asset turnover ratio measures how effectively the firm uses its fixed assets and total asset turnover measures the turnover of the entire firm's asset. So, Debt ratio, debt to equity ratio, long tem debt to total capitalization ratio have been drawn. Ratio Analysis: Liquidity Ratio: Short-term Solvency Year before last Last year Current 1.76 1.13 Quick 1.10 0.47 Cash flow liquidity 0.30 The current ratio of the firm indicates that at the end of year current asset covered current liabilities 1.13

The freedom to live Essay Example for Free

The freedom to live Essay The freedom to live Gandhi once said, An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, very much truth can be found in this statement. Is it really moral to give the same punishment to someone that we are punishing them for? The death penalty is a very touchy subject to most for a good reason, in my eyes the death penalty is injustice. For reasons such as money, religion, the principal of knowing right from wrong as well as the wrongly accused, and the prolonging suffering of the victims’, families and loved ones. Promoting the death penalty as a punishment promotes that killing is an okay solution to a difficult problem, that’s not something I wish to teach our youth. It costs far more to execute a person than to keep him or her in prison for life without parole. Millions of dollars could be spent on violence-prevention efforts, solving unsolved cases, and increasing victim services. Executions cost two million dollars per person, keeping the criminal in prison for life cost around five hundred thousand dollars per person. As a tax paying American citizen I find it a waste of good tax payer’s money. The money saved could be spent on programs that actually improve the communities in which we live. This country has religious freedom, which is wonderful in more ways than one. Most religions such as Catholic, Presbyterian, Quaker, Amish, Buddhist, and Interfaith forbid the death penalty. Although isolated passages of religious scriptures have been quoted in supported of the death penalty, almost all religious groups in the United States regard executions as immoral. However the court doesn’t take religion into consideration, in turn, takes away a person religious freedom, which is something the country, stands proudly for. Inadequate legal representation plays a major role in determining ones sentence. Perhaps the most important factor in determining whether a defendant will receive the death penalty, is the quality of the representation he or she is provided. Almost all defendants who face capital charges cannot afford an attorney and rely on the state to appoint one for them. Many death row inmates were convicted and sentenced the death penalty while being defended by court appointed lawyers who are often the worst- paid, the most- inexperienced, and the least- skillful lawyers. Death row inmates today face a one-in-three chance of being executed without having the case properly investigated by a competent attorney and without having any claims of innocence or unfairness presented or heard; injustice at its finest. Protests have been going on in many states for the abolishment of the death penalty, families and loved ones of the murder victims included. They support alternatives to the death penalty for reasons such as the death penalty being a traumatizing experience dealing with the constant pain and remembrance for many years. Negative attention is directed on the crime and the accused, instead of where it belongs — on the family and loved ones of the murder victim and on the community. Life without parole provides certain punishment and suffering without the constant reopening of wounds; it punishes the criminal without putting him or her in the headlines, making it slightly easier for the families. Only eighteen states have abolished the death penalty, making the other thirty two will bring the good people of America better use of their money, their time, and effort. For those families and loved ones of the murder victims it will give them peace of mind, and hopefully make their rattled lives calmer. If we find it wrong to murder one another, then what makes it any different from the death penalty? We are not god; we do not decide who lives and who dies. However we do decide on what this country stands for, and what we as the people of the United States of America stand for. The freedom to live Gandhi once said, An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, very much truth can be found in this statement. Is it really moral to give the same punishment to someone that we are punishing them for? The death penalty is a very touchy subject to most for a good reason, in my eyes the death penalty is injustice. For reasons such as money, religion, the principal of knowing right from wrong as well as the wrongly accused, and the prolonging suffering of the victims’, families and loved ones. Promoting the death penalty as a punishment promotes that killing is an okay solution to a difficult problem, that’s not something I wish to teach our youth. It costs far more to execute a person than to keep him or her in prison for life without parole. Millions of dollars could be spent on violence-prevention efforts, solving unsolved cases, and increasing victim services. Executions cost two million dollars per person, keeping the criminal in prison for life cost around five hundred thousand dollars per person. As a tax paying American citizen I find it a waste of good tax payer’s money. The money saved could be spent on programs that actually improve the communities in which we live. This country has religious freedom, which is wonderful in more ways than one. Most religions such as Catholic, Presbyterian, Quaker, Amish, Buddhist, and Interfaith forbid the death penalty. Although isolated passages of religious scriptures have been quoted in supported of the death penalty, almost all religious groups in the United States regard executions as immoral. However the court doesn’t take religion into consideration, in turn, takes away a person religious freedom, which is something the country, stands proudly for. Inadequate legal representation plays a major role in determining ones sentence. Perhaps the most important factor in determining whether a defendant will receive the death penalty, is the quality of the representation he or she is provided. Almost all defendants who face capital charges cannot afford an attorney and rely on the state to appoint one for them. Many death row inmates were convicted and sentenced the death penalty while being defended by court appointed lawyers who are often the worst- paid, the most- inexperienced, and the least- skillful lawyers. Death row inmates today face a one-in-three chance of being executed without having the case properly investigated by a competent attorney and without having any claims of innocence or unfairness presented or heard; injustice at its finest. Protests have been going on in many states for the abolishment of the death penalty, families and loved ones of the murder victims included. They support alternatives to the death penalty for reasons such as the death penalty being a traumatizing experience dealing with the constant pain and remembrance for many years. Negative attention is directed on the crime and the accused, instead of where it belongs — on the family and loved ones of the murder victim and on the community. Life without parole provides certain punishment and suffering without the constant reopening of wounds; it punishes the criminal without putting him or her in the headlines, making it slightly easier for the families. Only eighteen states have abolished the death penalty, making the other thirty two will bring the good people of America better use of their money, their time, and effort. For those families and loved ones of the murder victims it will give them peace of mind, and hopefully make their rattled lives calmer. If we find it wrong to murder one another, then what makes it any different from the death penalty? We are not god; we do not decide who lives and who dies. However we do decide on what this country stands for, and what we as the people of the United States of America stand for.