The Role Of The Imf In Financial Crisis Finance Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1180 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? INTRODUCTION The International Monetary Fund came into formation in July 1944 when representatives of 45 countries met together in the town of Bretton Woods, New Hampshire in north-east of United States. They agreed to establish a framework for the international economic cooperation after the Second World War. It was believed that such a framework for the economic cooperation was necessary to avoid the recurrence of the disastrous economic policies which lead to the great depression for the countries  [1]  . Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Role Of The Imf In Financial Crisis Finance Essay" essay for you Create order In December 1945 International Monetary Fund formally came into existence when 29 member states signed the articles of agreement and on 1st March 1947 IMF began its operations. The main purpose of IMF was to guarantee stability of economic growth and the maintenance of living standards and therefore to accomplish this purpose it was very important for the countries to exchange goods and services from each other. The IMF if also known as a social institution, whose central role is to provide primary social goods: access to currency reserves, cost to such access, exhaustible social resource and trade currencies.  [2] ROLE OF IMF In 1970s the banks lent billion of dollars to the poorer nations specifically to Latin America and Asia but this process of lending of money lead to crisis. In 1982 Mexico announced that it could no longer pay the money owed until a special arrangement had been made that allowed it to postpone the payment and borrow back part of its interest. Following Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and other small countries also found themselves self caught in the same problem. If we see the position from a broader perspective it could be observed that the developments on the international economic in 1970s exposed the economic difficulties which were being faced by developing world. Both the internal and external problems of the developing countries were exposed; the internal problems of the developing countries manifested themselves in growing economic deficits and rising in external current account deficits. External factors included sharp increase in the real prices of the energy products, fluct uations in the world market prices of primary products produced by the non oil developing countries and slow growth in the industrial countries.  [3] In this situation the Bretton Woods institutions, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) argued that the problems were being caused mainly by mismanagement in the developing countries. As a result of this sufferance of economic instability by the developing countries the institutions launched stabilization and structural programs to overcome the problems of macroeconomic distortions and to strengthen the economic structure in these countries. The role of IMF has been transforming vigorously since 1970s, when the gold standard fixed rate system was changed to a flexible exchange rate the original purpose of IMF to maintain the exchange rate alignment was departed. In 1980s IMF gave more attention towards the Latin America debt problem via structural adjustments. In early 1990s it was forced to play a role by helping to form market- based economies, by the end it was also dealing with financial sector reforms and systems financial crisis. However now IMF in poorer developing countries has been assisting to establish macroeconomic conditions for the poverty reduction. With the vigorously changing role of IMF the client base has also been affected; the membership has increased from 45 to 185 countries today. However the new countries which joined the IMF membership are more economically diverse and have wider needs and priorities than the existing members. Initially IMF was operating as a Credit union, all the members states use to borrow from time to time, Nowadays the IMF have structural creditors and debtors. The developed countries are less likely to borrow from the IMF and prefer to borrow directly from the private market, which does not allow IMF to interfere in their policies. Where as the developing countries are more likely to borrow continuously from IMF and must submit to their poli cy demands, however nowadays the IMF programme is mostly conducted in developing countries and emerging market countries. CRITICISM ON ROLE OF IMF IMF plays a vital role to improve and stabilise financial crisis, however its role has been under great scrutiny and has been criticised for many reasons. It has come into discussion that IMF loan causes more harm than good to member states. Many criticised on the IMFs insistence on deflationary fiscal policy  [4]  and higher interest rates.  [5]  It was argued that IMF turned a minor crisis into a major one by creating economic recession with unemployment rates in the countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. IMF has been demanding for the same economic policies for everyone regardless of the situation. Devaluation of the exchange rates may help many countries but it doesnt mean its always the solution. Some policies like privatisation and deregulation may work better in developed countries but will be more difficult to be implemented in the developing countries. It has been argued that IMF takes away the political autonomy of the countries. Countries such as Jamaica states that it takes away ability for the member states to decide their national policies, instead they have to follow the economic dictates of an unelected body. IMF has also been criticised by free market economist, they argue that IMFs intervention creates moral hazard  [6]  . They intervene on the bases of poor information and fail to deal with economic problems; it is argued that countries should take the responsibilities themselves rather than giving their responsibilities to IMF. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT The IMFs fund authority is based on an international treaty called Articles of Agreement  [7]  which came into existence in December 1945.The articles of agreement outline the main purpose of the fund  [8]  , however the articles of agreement have been amended three times in the last 47 years  [9]  but article one which states the main purpose has never been altered. IMF observes the compliance of its members states with certain obligations specified in the articles of agreement; it is regulatory in nature rather than financial.  [10]  These articles lay down the rules which are of great importance in structural growth and function of the IMF , the funds keeps a check that rules are not only being followed by the member states but also the fund is working in compliance with the rules. By laying down a complete set of rules in the articles of agreement the fund makes sure that its main purpose and procedure is straight forward without creating any confusion for th e members states. Article one states the purpose of the IMF in a very wide prospect as it was states by Lastra: the broad record has authorized the institution to endure over the years, adjusting and re adjusting its role in response to varied economic circumstances.  [11] By joining the IMF and accepting the articles of agreement member states accepts the obligations that limit their monetary sovereignty and in return they receive benefits, however if the member states comply with the required conditions of the agreement they receive financial assistance in crisis situations. However it could be seen that there is a mutual responsibility on the both sides to deal with the circumstances as required by IMF procedure, which helps for international cooperation.

Dr. Stephen Laberge s The Art Of Lucid Dreaming Essay

-dream ========================== Dreams have always occupied a curious place in human history. Granted, the modern day westerner might look at dreams as simply fantasies, hallucinations, illusions of the mind that rapture us in the night. But throughout history we find no shortage of cultures who have held an interesting relationship to dreams. Countless tribal cultures (such as the Aborigine’s of Australia, for one) found tremendous value in dreams; giving dreams an especially important place in their society and its rituals. And of course Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, the founding thinkers of psychoanalysis, saw dreams as expressing â€Å"the language of the unconscious†; and (for them) it was through dreams that we came to work out our psychological struggles, or confront our most primal impulses. Still others such as Dr. Stephen LaBerge (author of â€Å"The Art of Lucid Dreaming†) see dreams as avenues for our continued conscious development—even when we are sleeping. Lucid dreaming (a term denoted by LaBerge) is the practice of becoming conscious in one’s dreams—without physically waking up from them—enabling one to â€Å"take control† of their dreams. And still others will go so far as to assert some sort of â€Å"paranormal† significance to dreams, at least in cases when (for instance) someone dreams about a relative in trouble, only to find upon wakening that, in real life, they were. ========================== Are they omens? Prophecies? Are they the language of our

Act One Scene One of Measure for Measure Free Essays

Act One Scene One of ‘Measure for Measure’ is a scene surrounded in ambiguity and complex character motives. In this scene the Duke of Vienna meets with his aged advisor Esacalus to discuss his immediate and unexplained departure from Vienna and his plans to appoint Angelo to rule in his stead. The play simply starts with the Duke saying â€Å"Esacalus†[1]. We will write a custom essay sample on Act One Scene One of Measure for Measure or any similar topic only for you Order Now Using the noun in an almost imperative form is an indication of how much power the Duke really has and how much power the Duke will be handing over to someone as inexperienced as Angelo. This instantly begs the question why is he not leaving Escalus in charge? One opinion, which I support, is that the Duke is a Machiavellian Character who is hoping that Angelo fails so that when he returns the people will love him. Due to this manipulative attitude he cannot select Escalus as he may believe that Escalus may actually do a better job than him, something he cannot risk. This concept of deceit and manipulation is backed up by the fact that throughout the initial speech by the Duke he seems to actively aim to make Escalus feel of less value than he is worth. An example of this is â€Å"But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able†[2]. The use of words such as â€Å"sufficiency† appear to be designed to make Escalus feel like he is only just good enough and nothing more than that. That way the Duke does not disenchant him completely with the world of politics but instead keeps him in his place. This theory is backed up once more by Escalus’s response to the dukes rhetorical questioning in which he says â€Å"If any in Vienna be of worth [†¦] It is Lord Angelo†[3]. This line, I believe, would be read in an almost sarcastic way as if he is mocking Angelo and the Duke. Once Angelo arrives; the Dukes tone, while no less powerful and demanding, becomes more focussed on flattering Angelo than it does demoralising Escalus. The Dukes attempts at flattery such as, â€Å"Thyself and thy belongings are not thine own so proper as to waste†[4], promote the idea that the Duke really wants Angelo to take the position; perhaps he fears that if Angelo won’t then he will have to promote Escalus to the position instead. This section of the scene also introduces the idea and theme of Actions versus Words. This is primarily shown when Angelo says â€Å"Let there be some more test made of my metal†[5] implying that, while he is simply employing fake modesty, he is saying he should be tested further before he is given this position. The way the Duke says â€Å"We have with leavened and preparà ¨d choice proceeded to you†[6], I believe, is his way of saying we have talked enough on the matter brings the play back to Actions versus Words. Some people are of the opinion that the Duke is simply a bad leader who is fleeing when times turn bad. â€Å"Our haste from hence is of so quick condition that it [†¦] leaves unquestioned matters of needful value†[7] is one such occasion where this point is made as the Duke is leaving them and it appears he has not even come up with a valid reason to tell even his closet advisors and Lords. I believe that, while one cannot escape the fact that he is displaying all the qualities of a terrible ruler, this is not the primary reason for him leaving. On balance I believe that the Duke’s departure in this scene is due to the manipulative nature of his character and is driven by his desire to be loved by the people. The Duke does however claim that he does â€Å"not like to stage [himself] to their eyes†[8] but I believe this to be simple lies told by him to make himself look better and more modest in front of the other Lords, more people who he wants to love him. I believe this theory encompasses other plausible theories such as the idea that he is simply a bad leader and the theory that suggests he fears the people do not need a Duke anymore as through this theory the people would think him a great leader and they would realise that they did need a Duke. Due to this I believe it is the best theory to explain the Duke’s sudden departure. How to cite Act One Scene One of Measure for Measure, Papers

Verbal and Nonverbal coding worksheet free essay sample

Is a smile a universal nonverbal form of communication? Why or why not? Provide specific examples in your answer. Yes a smile is a universal nonverbal form of communication. A smile is a facial expression that shows happiness. People can smile for several reasons such as happiness, excitement, if something is funny, or even out of embarrassment. For the most part across the globe, smiling is a natural reaction to a happy feeling. However, in some cultures babies are taught to smile at strangers, while other babies are taught to smile only in certain circumstances (Lustig Koester, 2010). Culture is taught at an early stage such as teaching babies of when to smile. Cultures should remember this when speaking to others from different cultures. Although, here in America we smile at everyone as a courtesy, it doesn’t mean a woman from another culture is being mean if she doesn’t smile back. It could be that in her culture woman do not smile to strangers. The answer to the question is yes it is universal and communicates a form of happiness, but we still need to be mindful of other cultures and their non-verbal communication. 2. What are some of the ways that you, as an American or an international student, have been taught, or unconsciously learned, to synchronize your nonverbal behaviors? If I am understanding the question the right way I think I learned nonverbal behaviors such as shaking my head no when I say no or nodding it yes when I say yes. You learn these things at a very young age of 2 or 3. I also learned to point at someone (although my mom always said don’t point at people) it was a natural thing that you learned as a kid. Another thing I know I do is I talk with my hands. My family is a big Italian family and with loud talking comes big hand motions. The louder the conversation the bigger the hand motions. In chapter eight of the text book, it describes the awkwardness between an American and Japanese as they bow. The Japanese bow is very synchronized and when and American bows it becomes awkward because we do not have the same synchronization they do circumstances (Lustig Koester, 2010). Part B: Verbal Instructions: There are five interrelated sets of rules that combine to create a verbal code or language. In the middle column, define the five verbal rules that create the verbal code in a minimum of two sentences for each rule. In the last column, provide an example from both American culture and an international culture for each of the five rules of verbal codes. Then answer the questions on the following page. Rule set Definition (2 or more sentences) Examples (1 American culture example and 1 international culture example) (1) Phonology (rules for word sounds) Phonology is the rules for combining phonemes in a language. Phonemes are the basic sounds units of the language. An American example would be â€Å"K† it makes a hard K sound. An international example would be the Spanish â€Å"LL†. Take my last name is Castillo. Because I am American I would pronounce the two L’s together as L, but it is a Spanish word so my name pronounced phonetically would be: Ka-Stee-YO†¦. The two L’s sound like YO. (2) Morphology (units of meaning in a word) Morphemes refer only to meaning units. Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language. All words have a least one morpheme (meaning) while others can have three. The Chinese use the word â€Å"ma† which can mean four different things depending on how you pronounce it. It can mean mother, toad, horse, or scold. In America, the word SWEET can be used in the context of taste, or meaning â€Å"kind†. Such as Miranda is such a sweet girl. Or the candy is very sweet. (3) Semantics (distinct meaning of words) The study of the meaning of words. It is the study of the relationship between words and what they stand for or represent. In America, the word Boot refers to a shoe, however in Britain, Boot refers to the trunk of a vehicle. (4) Syntax (relationship of words to each other) This is the study of the relationship of words to one another. This is learning to combine words together to create phrases or eventually sentences. The order of the words help build the accuracy meaning of the phrase or sentence. In English we would say â€Å"The red rose†. In Spanish, its â€Å"La rosa rojo† – which translated just like that would be: â€Å"The rose red. † Different cultures have different placement of their words to create a phrase. For us Americans, the phrase seems reversed, but for people who speak Spanish this is the right way. (5) Pragmatics (effect on human perception) Pragmatics is the effect language on human perceptions and behaviors. This can include how language effects taking turns in conversations, organizational communication, or casual language. In America, we use phrases like how are you? , or what are you doing? In almost the beginning of every conversation, whether we really want to know or not. This is the culture of our communication and may be rude if you didn’t ask how someone was doing. In other cultures, saying no can be considered rude – especially when it comes to food. In the Hispanic culture they are always serving you and always want you to eat more. Even if you say you just ate or your not hungry – it is in the culture to serve you a plate of food. No is almost unacceptable when it comes to food. 1. What is one possible drawback of phonology if a nonnative speaker has poor accuracy? What might be done to master a new phonology? The drawback of phonology for a nonnative speaker who has poor accuracy would be they might be using the wrong pronunciation of words. When you are learning a new language you are reading the new language but thinking of how you would pronounce in your culture. It is a hard transition to remember to consciously think about how this new language pronounces the letters. The best way to master this new phonology is to recognize and differentiate between the different sounds. Once you can recognize the different sounds you can begin to picture them as you learn to pronounce the new words. I think also learning how to pronounce every letter in the alphabet is a must and will help with understanding the language phonology. 2. What happens in the course of conversation when semantics causes confusion between you and the receiver? Provide a recent example. A conversation can take a turn for the worse and end up going out into left field. If worse came to worse one of the parties would end up offended. A recent example was with my husband and he didn’t understand the meaning of human trafficking. I was trying to tell him that I had a training at work coming up next month and it should be interesting because it was about human trafficking. We started talking about it and then he made a comment and I realized we were not on the same page because he wasn’t properly informed on what human trafficking was. It was actually very funny. My husband was thinking that human trafficking was transporting people back and forth illegally from Mexico to here. After we discussed it, he said he did know but in his had he had things mixed up. For us, this was a casual conversation where no one was offended. I do wonder if it could have been a cultural mix up as well. My husband is Mexican so maybe he was thinking of the term in Spanish and was confusing it in our conversation. 3. Based on the examples in your text, what do you think Ludwig Wittgenstein meant when he said that â€Å"the limits of my language are the limits of my world†? I think by this he means that the ability and limit in his language will limit what can happen in his life. We think in language and therefore our thoughts are constrained by the frame of the language of what we think of. His phrase reminds of another one which is: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Just like that phrase language can be seen in the same fence. If we don’t know something then we don’t know. If we don’t know language, how can we go further through life? The only good thing about language is we usually associate with people from all cultures whether its at work, the bank, or the Dr’s office. We are constantly picking up language whether we are trying to learn or not.

LUXEMBOURG Location Luxembourg Is Located In Europe And Is Bordered By

LUXEMBOURG Location Luxembourg is located in Europe and is bordered by Belgium, Germany and France. On a map, it is located at 50 N latitude and 6 E longitude. Luxembourg is very small. It is only 998 square miles, which is roughly the size of Orange County, California. All the country is inhabited, with most people living in the southern part. The Flag The flag of Luxembourg was adopted in 1845. The colors come from the Coat of Arms of Luxembourg and are red, white and blue. The flag is simply three horizontal stripes from top to bottom. The Land and People Luxembourg has two distinct regions. The Ardennes, or northern region, is mountainous. The Bon Pays, or southern region, is mostly fertile farmland. The climate is cool and moist, with snow in the mountains. There are rich deposits of iron ore creating many jobs in the steel industry. There is also fertile farmland to the south, also creating many jobs in farming. The people of Luxembourg have no native costume. T hey borrow much of their culture from Belgium, Germany, and France. Today, modern Luxembourgers dress like other Europeans. The people of Luxembourg like to eat smoked pork and beans, and sometimes saurkraut. Smoked ham is available all year round, and pastries are a Luxembourg favorite. Some of these pastries include rolls, muffins, cupcakes, and a special dry cake translated "Random Thoughts". Luxembourg makes beer and wine which is sold there and in other nearby countries. The buildings in Luxembourg vary from place to place. Some villages have charming old houses hundreds of years old, though in the cities there are many modern apartment and office buildings. For recreation, a Luxembourger might ride a bike, or hike in the countryside. A favorite sport of the people is volleyball. For transportaion they have railroads and highways for cars and buses. There are bike trails and hiking paths as well. Luxembourg doesn't have a culture all its own, because it ties in with its neighbo ring countries, Belgium, Germany, and France. The natural resources of Luxembourg are: iron ore, which is processed into steel, farm products such as wheat, corn and livestock, and grapes which are grown for winemaking. Technology The main industries of Luxembourg are steel and winemaking. Farming is also an important industry, especially with such crops as corn, wheat and livestock. The steel is exported and crops are exported, as well as used in Luxembourg. Also the wine made in Luxembourg is exported and sold there. Culture There is a lot of culture in Luxembourg. There are many art galleries featuring work from the expressionist painter, Joseph Kutter, and also that of Edward Steichen, a well known photographer. Both of these artists are from Luxembourg. The cathedrals are examples of some of the beautiful architecture found in Luxembourg. In the villages, there are buildings dating back to the 1100's, 1300's, 1700's, as well as the early 1900's. A trip through the villages is like taking a trip through time because of these old homes that are still lived in. As far as music, every village, suburb and town has at least a band, orchestra or choral group. Luxembourgers love parades, and have them often. Every parade has at least half a dozen bands. Their enjoyment of music is so great, that at the end of every summer, Luxembourg has a music competition that involves the whole country. Government The government of Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy. The grand duke or duchess serves as monarch and chief executive. The monarchy is a hereditary office, and the sixty-four member parliament, called the Chamber of Deputies, makes the laws. The monarch appoints the prime minister and all of the ten Cabinet ministers to carry out government operations. The twenty-one member advisory body, or the Council of State, are appointed for life. The local government is carried out by dividing Luxembourg into districts, which are headed by the commissioner. The districts are divided into cantons, and these are divided into communes, which are headed by elected officials. The monarch presently in charge is Grand Duke Jean, who has been in power since 1964. Jacques Santer has been the Premier of Luxembourg since 1984. The monarch's

Nicholas Fraser and Marysa Navarros biography Evita Essays

Nicholas Fraser and Marysa Navarros biography Evita Essays Nicholas Fraser and Marysa Navarros biography Evita Paper Nicholas Fraser and Marysa Navarros biography Evita Paper Nicholas Fraser and Marysa Navarros biography Evita is a cogent work that incorporates the childhood, acting career, political emergence, and subsequent adoration of the Argentine populace. Arguing that Evitas underprivileged childhood is the explanatory variable for her future actions, goals, and ambitions, the authors assert that Evita shou7ldered the burden of Argentinas poor workers, or descamisados, and by doing so, solidified the regime of her husband Juan Peron. Utilizing a thematic and chronological style, Fraser and Navarro clearly demonstrate that politically, socially, and economically Evita Maria Duarte de Peron strove her entire life to overcome the scarring poverty induced by her childhood and prevent others from suffering a similar fate. Evita was born on the featureless pampas in the hinterland of Argentina in 1919 a bastard child. Such a second marriage between her mother and an already married public servant were not unusual in the era,1 yet her father Juan Duartes return to his first family in a neighboring town impoverished mother dona Juana and her five illegitimate children. 2 Determining to abandon such a dismal life, and the unpromising future that poverty on the pampas entailed, Eva left her small town of Junin in 1935 to pursue a dream of becoming an actress when she was merely fifteen. Evita, even at this tender age, was ambitious, for she ad no money, little education, and no proven talents, but she wanted to conquer the city and be a star. 3 Experiencing little success, Evita scraped by as a mediocre actress in theatre, radio soap operas, and even starred ina few motion pictures until her star crossed with that of Juan Peron, an up and coming military officer in the military government that had ousted civilian rule in 1943. They met during a fundraiser for the destitute families of an Andean earth quake that had rocked the western city of San Juan, and she shortly thereafter became his mistress. Again demonstrating her resolve and desire to make something of herself, Evita had merely loaded up a truck with her own possessions, took them to Perons apartment, and told the girl who was living with the colonel to leave. 4 Again and again, as the authors demonstrate, Evita sought to alter her prescribed position in the social strata of Argentina. So, as it was, for the first year and a half of their life together Peron and Evita lived not as collaborators, but as colonel and mistress,5 which was not an approved action by Perons military contacts. This unsavory relationship contributed Evita to become a liability, both militarily and politically, and even led to Perons brief imprisonment by the Navy in 1945. However, the authors point out that, even at this early stage of Peronism, Evita was becoming an integral part of Perons propaganda machine, using the experience and contacts garnered through radio to slant the medias portrayal of events in a favorable light towards her lover. 6 When Peron and Evita emerged victorious overlooking the crowd of shirtless working-class supporters in the Plaza de Mayo in 1945, Evita achieved the dream of shedding her past. She was soon married to Peron (for no Argentinean head of state had ever blatantly lived with a mistress), president of one of the richest nations that arose out of the ashes of the Second World War. Evita even doctored her birth and marriage certificates to hide her illegitimacy, thus fully transforming herself from rags to riches. She consciously wore extravagant jewelry and clothing in an effort to convey this image. As the woman once said to a critic, Look, they want to see me beautiful. Poor people dont want someone to protect them who is old and dowdy. They all have their dreams about me and I dont want to let them down. 8 Evita took this personal belief even further by using her influence with Peron and his new labor party to help out the destitute. After returning from a highly publicized tour of Europ e (further signifying her socio-economic transformation), Evita began to take a greater interest in the politic of her husbands regime. Actively seeking to become the Bridge of Love between Peron and his constituency, she established the Eva Peron Foundation, funded by the government, to aid the destitute. 9 It is the role that she had the most lasting political influence, for the system of patronage that Evita established continually delivered the working class vote to Peron. By virtually forcing unions to donate gifts to her foundation, Evita gained a considerable amount of capital for her social programs an estimated 200 million (USD) in 1973. In fact, giving was so widespread that it had to be viewed as an alternative form of taxation. 10 Some of this money was given as direct aid to those that wrote her and came to her office,11 some for basic necessities like shoes and pots,12 and some was used for ambitious projects like nursing homes and primary schools in Buenos Airess poorest barrios. 13 However, all were used to further the political career of Peron, even though Evita was genuinely concerned about the welfare of the masses. For example, Perons image was on each wall of every hospital or home built by the Foundation. 4 Yet the results were undeniable, for many citizens entered what Fraser and Navarro deemed the New Argentina through these ambitious programs. Through a personal desire to eradicate poverty based on her own childhood circumstances, Eva became the integral link between unions, the masses and Peron, and was thus just as integral to Peronism as Peron himself. Evita Perons life and political ambitions of becoming vice president were cut short, however, in 1952 by cancer of the uterus. Millions idolized their beloved Evita and her death even spurred one union to lobby Rome for her canonization. 5 There is much strength in Fraser and Navarros book, one being the relative objective stance taken by the authors. Making not drastic claims about their subject, the authors avoided both the deification and vilification of the women. They accurately portray Evita as a multi-faceted person who struggled with her past, was mesianically devoted to her husband, yet also erred, completely recreating her past and blatantly lying in her autobiography. Fraser and Navarro do not choose sides in the sinner/saint debate, but merely distill the myth s from the truths. For example, the authors carefully noted that Evita, during her acting career, had on one rare occasion slept with the producer to obtain a role. 16 But she became quite successful by 1939 out of hard work and establishing connections at the office of a movie magazine, not by becoming a putita. 17 Another example of the authors carefully weighing of the historical evidence is the books treatment of her slow demise. Evitas increasingly disjointed public utterances toward the end of her life were not a call for the use of political violence as some critics claim, but merely because of the pain induced by her cancer. 8 Fraser and Navarro do not merely produce a one-sided, polarized debate on the life of Evita, but a nuanced, balanced, and accurate portrayal of her rise to international fame. Additionally, the authors sustain their argument from the introduction to the epilogue. Although each chapter deals with a specific theme or era in the life of Evita, all address the womans desire t o change her social status. Not only do the authors construct a cogent argument about the life of Evita, but also give the reader a holistic picture of post-World War Two Argentina. Through the protagonist, her husband, descriptions of the international political setting, Argentinas ISI economic model, and the class and political alliances developed during Peronism, all facets of Argentine society are addressed. The life of Evita is admirably not portrayed in an economic, political, or sociological vacuum. Another laudable feature of the biography is the style. The diction is easily understood and is not packed with convoluted academic jargon that leads to confusion (most likely due to Frasers journalistic background). The authors are direct, clear, and animated. For example, the aforementioned quote concerning Evitas Cinderella portrayal paints a vivid portrait in the readers mind of the womans determination to transform herself. Additionally, the assigning of individual chapters specific categories (such as wife of the President or the gift of giving) creates a work that allows the reader to focus on one issue at a time and thus understand the isolated chronology of her childhood, struggles in Buenos Aires, and political contributions that does not sacrifice the readers perception of historical time. Other features of the book aid the reader, namely the addition of an index, illustrations, and a concise bibliography for those interested in a more in depth study of the subject. Perhaps the greatest asset of the work is Fraser and Navarros use of sources. They use first hand accounts like priests conversations with Evita, newspaper articles of the era, personal interviews conducted by the authors, and original documents written by Evita and Juan Peron. In short, the reader can be assured that Evita is a reliable and scholarly work. The authors took great pains to be thorough and researched many different kinds of sources. The book is not without its flaws however. In my opinion, the authors treatment of the worlds reaction to Evita, particularly that of other Latin American nations, was neglected. Although it may be beyond the scope of the biography, it would have been useful to compare Evita with other Latin American women who achieved considerable political power or who were involved with mass movements. It would have also been useful for Navarro and Fraser to further develop Evitas personal life beyond extreme devotion to Peron, for they merely state: she was perpetually on guard on Perons behalf19 and that she was loyal to him because she loved him. The biography does not deal with, save the character of Lilian, any of Evitas relationships besides that of her husband. Interaction with her family, confidants, and inner circle of friends are largely ignored. However, the aforementioned criticisms do not detract from the quality of this biography. It is an intriguing work that should be read by all those interested in Latin American history. It is a stellar academic source of Eva Peron that has separated out the truth from the myth and accurately depicts Argentine society in the mid twentieth century.

Case Study on Swindodn plc Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Case Study on Swindodn plc - Research Paper Example Thus, fundamentals of accounting tells us that the cost of an assets includes cash paid outright when the assets is bought plus the amounts that will be paid in the future. Such future amounts also includes interest expenses paid for the use of borrowed money(Brigham, 1985) For there are two ways to get an asset, through investment of cash and through creation of loans or long term debts or bonds. In addition, the cost of the assets includes all other cash outlay that will put such assets into operation. Meaning, the additional cost includes trial runs, hauling or delivery expenses to deliver the drills from the supplier's warehouse to the purchaser's factory or place of business(Ross, 1996). For, the cost of capital here includes the drill and platform cost of 14,000,000 and the 1,000,000 additional costs. Evidently, the cost of amount that the company will have to pay in order to put the long term investment into operation. The prior accelerated cost recovery system had been the product of the economic recovery tax act of 1981. Also, the MACRS was a complete going away from the prior tax depreciation procedures instituted by fundamentals of financial accounting. Meaning, the prior depreciation methods took cognizance of including the salvage value or scrap value of the assets(Ross, 1996). The prior depreciation methods include the straight line method, the sum of the years digits, the double declining method, the 150 percent declining method, the units of production method, the hours of production used method and tools expense methods among others. This prior system that had been closely similar to the financial accounting depreciation methods has now been changed to mechanical computation called MACRS. Distinctly, the MACRS c) The project's Operating Cash Flows (inflows) (15 marks) Cash inflows Year Cash inflows 1 3,500,0000.88503,097,500 2 4,000,000 0.7831 3,132,400 3 6,000,000 0.6931 4,158,600 4 8,000,000 0.6133 4,906,400 5 12,000,000 0.5428 6,513,600 Total for 5 yrs 33,500,00021,808,500 Less depreciation 5 yrs 14,130,000 Cash inflows before tax 7,678,500 Tax 40% 3,071,400 Cash inflows after tax 4,607,100 Add back depreciation14,130,000 Cash inflows 18,737,100The cash inflow for the first year is 3,500,000 multiplied by the present value factor of 1 of .8850 results to cash inflow of 3,097,500. on the second year, the 4,000,000 multiplied by the present value factor of 1 of .78831 results to cash inflow of 3,132,400. on the third year, 6,000,000 multiplied by the present value factor of 1 of .6931 results to cash

Tests of Intelligence Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tests of Intelligence - Assignment Example ildren between the age group 6 to 16, meant to generate scores of IQ based on a comprehensive test model that includes ten core subtests and five supplemental tests. All these tests are verbal, and each of them carries equal weightage. The main testing spheres include verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, processing speed, and working memory. Application of WSIC in the sphere of IQ testing has been more successful than in clinical testing for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other learning disabilities in children. This test was founded by Alfred Binet, and has undergone many modifications, the present one being 5th edition. This intelligence test is modeled to test using both verbal and nonverbal methods, aimed to assess reasoning, knowledge, analytical reasoning, visual-spatial processing and memory. The SB-5 is proven to be better in terms of assessing individuals and is more reliable (Becker, 2003). Based on a study conducted by Watkins et al. (1998), it was inferred that the WSIC test cannot distinguish between children with learning disabilities and those without disabilities. Further, the test could not predict academic achievement among children with learning disabilities. In this regard, the SB-5 is more suitable as it distinguishes children with different levels of intelligences and learning abilities. Research indicated weak reliability scores for WSIC, with low internal consistency reliability criterion; inconsistent results across time were also observed, thus complicating individual decisions and assessments. Owing to the deviation of subtest measurements from normative methods, ipsative methods based on transformation to person-relative metrics have been opted. However, these are not empirical, and are intuitive; because of this, the results so obtained are psychometrically incongruent. Instability of subtests measurements makes the test less reliable. Statistical differences of group mean scores will not help in

Internal Audit Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Internal Audit - Research Proposal Example The concept of timeliness in internal audit processes means adherence to prescribed deadlines. Internal auditors usually work with a timetable where inception and termination of procedures are definitely stated. Typically, auditing involves interviewing of employees, review of an organization’s operation documents and administration of survey questionnaires to relevant stakeholders. Occasionally, a given procedure like examination of documents in an office may take longer than prescribed (Krishnan, 2013, p. 231). In such cases, employees working inside the office under examination will be restricted from accessing their respective work stations. On the other hand, those restricted employees have duties and responsibilities which need completion before a stipulated deadline. In this context, the hitch of workplace restriction experienced by employees causes substantial inefficiencies that can negatively impact on an organization’s practices. Aside from workplace restriction, undue disruption of work environments manifest in form of safeguarding logistical tools of operation. As acknowledged earlier, the main aim of internal auditors is to examine actual operational practices of an organization. In order to execute this task, auditors must access documents and related files containing information regarding individual workflows. In the case of limited clarity, auditors may be forced to mix up documents from different departments as a means of facilitating reconciliation of ledgers (Kothari & Smith, 2004).

Cathedral Short Story Written By Raymond Carver English Literature Essay

Cathedral Short Story Written By Raymond Carver English Literature Essay Cathedral is a short story written by Raymond Carver. The story unfolds as a first person narrative of a main character named Bub. The story is short and slow paced. . In fact, the whole conversations and drama in the story is an event that took place in one day. The story beautifully depicts the process of an individual who transforms from this unknowledgeable, ignorant being into a knowledgeable soul. The story was written more than three decades ago and still is relevant today. The story is fashioned in such a way that this timeless beauty will continue to awe and inspire people generations onwards. The cathedral, in this story is a mere subject brought up at the end of this story which becomes the object of Bubs enlightment. All in all this short story Cathedral tells a tale of Bub who through a blind man receives an eye opening experience. The beginning of the story describes Bubs feeling as a blind person is visiting his home for the first time. This blind man was a good friend of Bubs wife. Bub The blind man is visiting the trite emotions and thoughts going inside Bubs head as a Blind person is visiting his house for the first time. Through this mundane example of a cathedral through The story starts narrative story Cathedral he sheds light on the motif of ignorance through the first person narrator. The narrator starts as being intolerable but towards the end of the story, he gets an eye opening experience, ironically with the assistance of a blind man that makes him open minded. The author has chosen the right theme of physical and psychological blindness to beautifully achieve the goal of his exploration of the baseness and rawness of the narrator Bubs condition. Carvers treatment of this issue is proficient and he has the ability to stir up psychological dilemmas within the reader. Like other readers would consen t it is the narrator who is actually blind but not Robert the visually disabled. Appearance as it would seem is deceptive, the narrator could see externally and the blind man was the one without sight. However, the narrator was the one blinded by his own ignorance. This first instance of his ignorance is passing judgment on Robert before even meeting him despite knowing very little about him. And his being blind bothered me. My idea of blindness came from the movies. In the movies, the blind moved slowly and never laughed (202). Apparently it is evident he is unknowledgeable about Robert when he says, Id always thought dark glasses were a must for the blind or I remembered reading somewhere that the blind didnt smoke (206). He foolishly looked for any reason to detest the man, whether it was because he had married a colored woman named Beulah or because he had a beard on his face. Another example that shows the husband is blind in the beginning of the story is refering to Robert as This blind man (203) when Bub talks to his wife and never uses Roberts name or ass igns any human attributes to him. This shows that the husband does not really see Robert as a person, but just as a blind man who is different because he has a handicap. The blind man however antagonizes the narrator. He keeps an open mind to new experiences and states that he is always learning something because learning never ends, thus emphasizing his lack of ignorance. Roberts arrival at the couples house further brings out the narrators ignorance; the husband does not know what to say to him. He therefore begins to ask stupid questions about the view from the train: Which side of the train did you sit on? (205). The husband knows that Robert cannot see the view, but he asks him these questions anyway. Also, the husband thinks to himself, I didnt know what else to say (205), which is a clear indication that he is unable to establish a relationship with Robert. Both of these quotations show that the husband does not know what to talk about with Robert because he only sees Roberts handicap, instead of seeing him as a complete human being who has emotions, thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. Not only does the husband not know how to communicate with Rober t, but also he does not know how to act around him either. A good example of this, shown after dinner, is when all three of them go into the living room. This is how the husband portrays what happens when they first enter the room: Robert and my wife sat on the sofa. I took the big chair. We had us two or three more drinks while they talked about the major things that had come to pass for them in the past ten years. For the most part, I just listened. Now and then I joined in (206). The husbands discomfort is revealed through his actions when the wife went upstairs to put on her robe. I didnt want to be left alone with a blind man. I asked him if he wanted another drink and he said sure. Then I asked if he wanted to smoke some dope with me. I said Id just rolled a number. I hadnt, but I planned to do so in about two shakes (207). He shows that he does not know how to act around Robert because again he does not see Robert as a person, but only as a blind man. The narrator is asked to describe a cathedral later in the story by Robert. There is a need in the blind man to see, but there is nothing that will ever be able to fulfill that need. The narrator struggles to find the right words, the signifier that will provide a bridge to the thought in the blind mans head of the actual cathedral, the signified. When his language failed him, he relied on symbolism by drawing while holding the old mans hand to communicate to the blind man what he couldnt say with words. At this point he is introduced into the blind mans world and begins to see what it is like for him to have no sight. This allows the narrator to step outside of his own boundaries and give himself freedom from the ignorant world he used to live in. In the last few sentences of the story, he realizes for himself that he is free. My eyes were still closed. I was in my house. I knew that. But I didnt feel like I was inside anything (211). Bub was not only blind to his own ignorance but also blind to his wife and her feelings and needs. On the contrary, the blind man held a close relationship with the narrators wife, allowing himself to be an outlet for her to vent her feelings on the tapes she sent him. Her husband seemed insensitive to her feelings when he brushed off the poem she had written about the experience of the blind man touching her face. As a result of his insensitivity, the wife is easily angered by the narrator on a couple different occasions and sometimes shouts at her husband. Goddamn it, his wifes just died! Dont you understand that? The mans lost his wife.(203) In addition to his indifferent attitude towards her wifes feelings, the narrator appears to be jealous of the relationship between his wife and Robert. The jealous narrator expresses his envy when the three sit down after dinner to talk. I waited in vain to hear my name on my wifes sweet lipsBut I heard nothing of the sort. More talk of Robert (206). His jealousy even bleeds on Roberts relationship with his former wife. He contemplates and decides that it is beyond his comprehension that Robert could marry a woman and love a woman he has never seen (205). But the narrator himself, who can see his wife clearly with his own eyes, cannot see the depth of her feelings the way Robert is able to. His blindness to his wifes feelings isolates him from her and seems to drive him to use mind-altering substances in attempt to escape reality. He says that he smoked dope and stayed up as long as I couldMy wife and I hardly went to bed at the same time (209). Bubs conversation with Robert became clumsy but instead of dealing with them, he asks Robert if he would like to smoke dope. The narrator uses the drugs to achieve a sense of satisfaction. When people are starved of real love or a sense of satisfaction in their lives, they will repeatedly use material things in an attempt to fill this empty void which never becomes full. While th e narrator gets his self satisfaction from drugs and alcohol, Robert finds his from being with his former wife. The narrators wife called Robert and his former wife inseparable and recalls that she died in a Seattle hospital room, the blind man sitting beside the bed and holding her hand (204). The blind man seems to understand that time invested in people is much more worthwhile than any high one can get from a drug. Raymond Carvers choice of theme of blindness makes his goal of offering a deeper understanding of the nature of human a success. He is able to tell readers that there is physical blindness and psychological blindness. Those with the physical disability could see well than those who are not. This motif is accentuated by these examples from the storythe first is the demeanor of Bub which shows signs of disapproval of the imminent visit of his wifes blind friend, the second is his contemplating the basis of his wifes friendship with Robert, and the third is his verbal and sensory interaction with the blind man when he draws a cathedral on a paper bag.

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Essay -- Hyperactivity C

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You have probably heard and may even have used the term hyperactivity. The notion is a modern one: there were no hyperactive children 50 to 60 years ago. Today, if anything, the term is applied too often and too widely. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) estimates that all teachers have in their classrooms at least one child with ADHD (Simmons, RG. 1993).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Actually, hyperactivity is not one particular condition: it is â€Å"a set of behaviors† such as excessive restlessness and short attention span that are quantitatively and qualitatively different from those children of the same sex, mental age, and socioeconomic status (Gutskey, T.R. 1991).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Today most psychologists agree that the main problem for children labeled hyperactive is directing and maintaining attention, not simply controlling their physical activity. The American Psychiatric Association has established a diagnostic category called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to identify children with this problem. What are the signs of ADHD   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Professionals who diagnose ADHD use the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association (1994) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: the fourth edition of this manual, known as the DSM-IV, was released in May 1994 (Soar, R.S. & Soar, R.M. 1994).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The primary features associated with the disability are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. A child with ADHD is usually described as having a short attention span and as being distractible. In actuality, distractibility and inattentiveness are not synonymous.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Distractibility refers to the short attention span and the ease with which some children can be pulled off task. Attention, on the other hand, is a process that has different parts. We focus (pick something on which to pay attention), we select (pick something that needs attention at that moment), and we sustain (pay attention for as long as is needed). We also resist (avoid things that remove our attention from where it needs to be), and we shift (move our attention to something else when needed). When we refer to someone as distractible, we are saying that a part of that person’s attention process is disrupted.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Children with ADHD can have difficulty with one or all parts of the attention process. Some children may... ...to become effective. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Deliver negative consequences in a firm, business-like way without emotion, lectures, or long-winded explanations (Cohan, E.G. 1986).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that teachers and parents need to be aware of the symptoms of ADHD. It is essential to understand how those symptoms impact the child's ability to function at home, in school, and in social situations. When the adults in the child's life understand the nature of the disorder, they are better able to structure situations to enable the child to behave appropriately and achieve success. It is important to remember that the child who has difficulty with attention, impulse control, and in regulating physical activity needs help and encouragement to manage these problems. I feel that a classroom environment that is rich in structure, support and encouragement can nurture success in all students. Completing this research paper has been an effective tool in reinforcing these concepts. Brain scan images produced by positron emission tomography (PET) show the differences between an individual with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (right) and someone without the disease (left) (Zametkin et. al. 1990).

200 Million Girls: Female Infanticide in China and India Takes Many Lives Essay

It is a girl. The four deadliest words in Asia. In the past 5 decades 200 million girls went ‘missing’ in India and China. In Asia the horrible phenomenon female infanticide occurs on a large scale. According to M. P. , â€Å"Female infanticide is the intentional killing of baby girls due to the preference for male babies and from the low value associated with the birth of females†. Research shows that female infanticide happens all over the world, but especially in Asia. Girls are being aborted, killed or abandoned. China and India are the two most populous countries in the world where female infanticide is a very big issue. These two countries have similar but also different reasons for female infanticide and these reasons will not cease to exist soon. In 1978 China introduced the one-child policy. The Chinese population was growing too fast and already was enormous. The government introduced this policy to slow down the growth of the population of China. This encouraged female infanticide even more. Before the introduction of the one-child policy female infanticide already existed. According to Ansley J.  Coale and Judith Banister, a missionary (and naturalist) observer in China in the late nineteenth century who interviewed 40 women over age 50, who reported to have given birth to 183 sons and 175 daughters, of whom 126 sons but only 53 daughters survived to age 10. By their account, the women had destroyed 78 of their daughters. To Chinese families the son is the most important child. They believe that the son can work, carry the family name and look after elderly parents. Only after the desire of having a son or two has been met, do Chinese families prefer having a girl. The question that needs to be answered is whether this preference for sons is caused by culture or economics. According to Confucius there are some rituals that can only be performed by boys. But this is not the major reason for female infanticide. â€Å"The major factor is patrilocality, which refers to the firmly entrenched cultural norm for elderly parents to co-reside with their adult children, and for the son to have a woman â€Å"marry in† and assist him in this function. Patrilocality is an economic factor affecting almost every country that participates in sex-selective abortion. (Avraham Ebenstein) Due to the one-child policy and the son preference population, statistics suggest there are 118 boys born for every 100 girls. (Sherry Karabin) In India there is also an unbalanced sex ratio. In India female infanticide is also a big issue. India and China do have similarities as to why families prefer boys. To Indian families, the son is also the most important child. In India sons have long been prized over daughters. Sons preserve the family name and traditionally look after elderly parents. Daughters are often seen as an expensive burden. Parents are faced to pay a costly wedding dowry when they get married; this amount is equivalent to three years of earnings. If they have a daughter and do not have the money to pay the dowry they would also lose pride. Most interviewed Indian women have a similar reason of why they abort, kill or abandon their daughters. They rather abort, kill or abandon them than let them suffer. (Ashok Prasad) In China the groom will give the bride’s family betrothal gifts and a sum of money. In return the parents of the bride will deliver the bride’s dowry to the groom’s family. If one of the families cannot offer gift or the dowry, they would also lose pride. But for Chinese families this is not a reason for not having a girl. Not only poor families have a preference for boys but even educated middle class women face pressure to produce sons. Indian people feel that they will need a son for everything. Indian women call this â€Å"the son obsession†. Due to the son preference in India, population statistics suggest there are 940 girls per 1000 males in rural areas, whereas in urban areas there are 900 girls per 1000 males. Samar Halankar) Unfortunately this horrible phenomenon will not end soon. Both countries have a strong and long history, which means an old tradition. Their preferences for sons will not change soon. In both China and India the government tries to prevent female infanticide by taking certain measures. In China the government tries to ban sex-selective abortion but at the same time they declare that the care of old people is the task of the family and not the state. In India the government has banned dowries under the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961; still few get married without the dowry. Female infanticide in India and China) Despite of this government interference, female infanticide has not stopped. Statistics show that over 200 million girls went ‘missing’ in the past fifty years. Research shows that the number of girls is still declining. (Ashok Prasad) Not only the government tries to stop this, also people who got aware of this fact are trying to stop female infanticide. In 2006 Rita Banerji founded The 50 Million Missing Campaign in order to raise awareness of the phenomenon in India. Although female infanticide has a long history, a lot of people over the world are not aware of this fact. In September 2012 a new documentary film It’s a girl will be released. This documentary film explores female infanticide in India and China. It tells the stories of abandoned girls, of brave mothers trying to save their daughters, of mothers who would kill for a son and women who suffer extreme violence. Global experts and grassroots activists put the stories in context and advocate different paths towards change, while collectively lamenting the lack of any truly effective action against this injustice. Marie Vlachova) To conclude, female infanticide in China and India is still a serious issue and will not end soon. In both countries the preference for sons has similar but also different reasons. This son preference will not change soon due to the old family tradition. They truly believe that sons can bring prosperity, continuity and valuable support and care. Which means that female infanticide will not end soon. Statistics support this fact by showing that the number of girls is still declining and will keep declining.

A systematic process Essays

A systematic process Essays A systematic process Essay A systematic process Essay Definitions of research vary from person to person and hence almost every generalized definition has faced criticism from some or the other quarters. The exact definition does not have any consensus among the various theorists (Owojori, 2005). However, a basic definition of research can be as follows: â€Å"a systematic process of discovery and advancement of human knowledge† (Gratton, Jones, 2003, pp. 4). According to Leedy (1985) and Walliman (2001), there are many characteristics of research which help to make the term more clear, such as: it is generated by a specific hypothesis or question, it follows a specific plan or procedure, it requires arguments to support conclusions, it is reiterative etc (as cited in Gratton, Jones, 2003, pp. 5). This chapter describes the notions of the research methodology ensuring that the research is planned and executed systematically. The research philosophy, research design, data collection, sampling group selection and limitation and bias of the research method are pinpointed as the core issues. The chapter also details the research strategies used for ascertaining the research questions and served as a prelude to the analysis chapter of the research.

The eNotes Blog A Year in Review Top Literary Moments of2017

A Year in Review Top Literary Moments of2017 Literarily speaking, 2017 was packed with as much drama as a bestselling novel. We saw dire dystopian books fly off the shelves, a piece of short fiction break the internet, and a trollish alt-right personality battle it out with an ex-publisher. There was scandalous bestseller manipulation- caught red-handed in real time- and gloves torn off for the soul of our countrys libraries. Read on for the top literary moments of the last year. photo via The New Yorker 1. Kazuo Ishiguro Wins the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature British author Kazuo Ishiguro won the Nobel Prize in Literature this year. Nominated alongside authors Margaret Atwood and Haruki Murakami, Ishiguro won unexpectedly, most shockingly to himself. Despite his fairly small literary output, the author of The Remains of a Day and Never Let Me Go is now in the company of legendary literary figures including Toni Morrison and Pablo Neruda. While the win is a personal victory for Ishiguro and a huge step in his career, it also symbolizes the progress of untraditional, speculative fiction- a genre that is often overlooked, especially in a literary community that values realistic fiction. So what’s next for Mr. Ishiguro? Well, between a new novel, several film adaptations of his books, and a couple of theater projects in the works, it’s safe to say that we will be seeing and reading a lot more of Kazuo Ishiguro. 2. Overwhelming Success of Atwood’s (and Hulu’s)  The Handmaid’s Tale Over 30 years after its original publication, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale seems to be influencing every corner of pop culture. From the runway to the women’s march, Atwood’s novel has resurged to the top of various bestseller lists. With book sales rising above 200 percent, it is one of the most widely read and talked about books of the year. Part of its success can be attributed to Hulu’s award-winning adaptation of the novel as well as its chilling relevance to the current political climate. With a second season already in the works, it’s safe to say that we’ll be hearing and seeing a lot more of The Handmaid’s Tale in 2018. photo via amNewYork 3.   Dystopian Novels Dominate Bestseller Lists   After the presidential inauguration, dystopian novels have become quite comfortable atop multiple bestseller lists. Nearly 70 years after its initial publication, George Orwell’s 1984 found its way to the number one spot on Amazon’s bestseller list for weeks. A notable surge began after advisor to the president Kellyanne Conway defended the use of â€Å"alternative facts† (also known as lies, untruths, or total fabrications- take your pick), which readers were quick to point out echoed Orwellian language. In 1984, facts are suppressed and distorted, and lies are manufactured by the â€Å"Ministry of Truth.† Origins of Totalitarianism*, Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451  also soared to the top of bestseller lists. Uneasy about the future, readers are gobbling up decades-old works that are undoubtedly speaking volumes to them at this point in time. *While not a novel, this important, non-fiction work by Hannah Arendt topped bestseller lists as well. photo via APR 4.     Scandalous New York Times Bestseller Manipulation Controversy Lani Sarem’s debut book, Handbook for Mortals, was pulled from the number one spot on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list after accusations of the authors buying her way onto the coveted list. Never heard of it? Neither did anyone else until it topped the list with book sales skyrocketing to over 18,000 copies. Young Adult author Phil Stamper was the first to question the sudden success of the novel due to its unusual trend in book sales and its overwhelming out-of-stock status on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Ultimately, it was concluded that the author or publisher made a strategic effort to place bulk orders for the book amongst book distributors that influence the Times bestseller reports. While this whole situation is awfully suspicious, Sarem and her team continue to deny all allegations. You will not see Handbook for Mortals on the Times bestseller list, but rumor has it that the film franchise is coming soon. photo via The Inquirer 5. The First-Ever Translation of The Odyssey  by a Woman is Published One of the oldest and longest poems in the Western tradition, Homer’s The Odyssey, was first composed in Latin around 700 BCE. Several centuries later, Emily Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, is now the first woman to publish an English translation of the ancient epic. While there have been multiple English translations of the text, Wilson is the first one to adapt it to a woman’s perspective. In 400 years of versions of the poem, no translator has made the kinds of alterations Wilson has. Wilson explored the dynamic of the female characters and how they are presented in the poem. While most translations place the female characters into a singular category empowered by beauty and seduction, Wilson illuminates the dynamic, complex nature of these women that dismiss traditional gender roles. Wilson’s translation goes far beyond just a feminist interpretation of the text- offering contemporary insight into a timeless piece of literature that continues to be referenced and researched across the world. photo via SCMP 6. A Nationwide, Impassioned Fight for Libraries Began The Trump administrations budget proposal for 2018 included drastic cuts for domestic programs regarding the arts, humanities, and public media. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the source in which a majority of federal programs are distributed by each state. Federal funding is crucial in giving libraries across the country financial support for their communities. If the budget is implemented, the proposed budget cuts would diminish programs that support student literacy, job training, business expansion, entrepreneurship, veterans’ assistance, high†speed internet access, and millions of library patrons in communities everywhere. Individuals all around the country are vowing to fight these prospective changes for the sake of the current and future generations. photo via Study Break 7. â€Å"Cat Person† Broke the Internet   Kristen Roupenian’s short story â€Å"Cat Person† set the internet aflame since its online publication in early December in The New Yorker. The story recounts a young female student’s disappointingly lackluster sexual encounter with a 30-year-old man. The praise and criticism of the story dominated online discussions for weeks since publication. Many women feel that this story is relatable and shines light on bigger issues regarding the stigmas and stereotypes attached to a woman’s exploration of her sexuality. Regardless of how one may interpret â€Å"Cat Person,† it undoubtedly inspired countless constructive discussions that have contributed to our current national discourse. No matter what, were totally here for thoughtful dialogue around a piece of fiction on Twitter. photo via Elle 8.   Simon Schuster vs.  Milo Yiannopoulous Right-wing personality Milo Yiannopoulous sued Simon Schuster for $10 million dollars after they canceled his contract for his controversial book  Dangerous. Yiannopoulous decided to self-publish the memoir after Simon Schuster dropped him back in February (after ongoing criticism that they had granted him a book deal in the first place). After news spread of Yiannopoulous’s initial six-figure advance with the publishing company, editors, authors, and readers began threatening to boycott Simon Schuster if they continued to support the project. The author of Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay, pulled her upcoming title, How To Be Heard, to avoid any association with Yiannopoulous- or any publishing company that would support his work. While Dangerous ended up getting published in July, sales were low and unwelcomed. Editors everywhere also had their moment in the spotlight when Yiannopoulouss  editors comments on the manuscript were released. Viva la editors! photo via Business Insider 9. The #MeToo Movement Becomes a Powerful Storytelling Force The #MeToo movement was voted Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2017. While the hashtag was created over ten years ago by activist Tarana Burke, it was this year that the hashtag rose to prominence in the wake of accusations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and other accusations against many powerful men in media and politics. The movement has inspired numerous individuals to break their silence and share their haunting experiences with the public. Women have come forward from all walks of life to share their personal accounts of sexual harassment and assault- most notably in the workplace. While each individual’s story is unique to their experience, their voices would not be recirculated and shared to the extent it has without the help from countless journalists, writers, and publishers who are dedicated to promoting a culture of truth. We may have crawled our way to the finish line, but the good news is 2017 is officially over. We embrace the fresh start of a new year and try to establish an optimistic perspective on what’s ahead. While it’s difficult to find comfort in our current political climate, we can look forward to many things on the literary horizon. Some of our favorite books like Ready Player One and A Wrinkle In Time will be hitting the big screen, new work will surface from some of our most beloved writers including Zadie Smith and George R.R Martin, and surely  new voices will strive to make their imprint on contemporary culture. As 2018 starts to unfold, we’re crossing our fingers that this lap around the sun will be brighter (and even more bookish) than the last. (Featured image by  freddie marriage  on  Unsplash.)

The Days Of The School Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Days Of The School Life - Essay Example Well, bullies usually feel good about their actions while the victims, on the other hand, are tied to the beliefs that they cannot escape this fate/bullying. I came to believe that this is what keeps bullying going at school and in other environments. While interventions are great, I know that from my experience that bullies are tied to social groups that crown these bullies with dominance and success. The society at large also believes in aggressive and controversial maneuvers as ways of achieving dominance and success. I believe that despite this, it is possible to end bullying. The best way to do this is to make bullies aware of their aggressive actions, and the pain the actions cause on their peers. In addition, victims should also be encouraged and made aware that change can always happen.Change in the bullying culture can be spearheaded by all of us. Even fourth graders can do it. Parents too can take part in effecting this change. We can all partner and promote campaigns again st bullying. These campaigns can allow kids and even adults who have once undergone bullying in their lives or are undergoing bullying to tell their stories so as to create awareness to everyone on the damaging effects of bullying, thus encourage them into taking action against this act. Young people can also hold meetups and discuss the impact of bullying, as well as create more solutions to bullying. The solution to bullying is a community-wide thing. Blaming bullies or being on their necks is not the way out of this problem.

The advantages and disadvantages of using solar panels and where it Essay

The advantages and disadvantages of using solar panels and where it used - Essay Example According to Gevorkian (2007, p. 57), these hitches have led humans to seek alternative energy sources such as wind, wave, and solar energy. Solar energy is basically the energy derived from the sun. One way of harnessing this energy is through solar panels. Solar panels are simply devices that convert light energy into electric energy as noted by Mayer, Scully, Hardin, Rowell and McGehee (2007, p. 29). Another name for solar panels is photovoltaics which simply means light- electricity. Yet another name for the solar panel is solar module. More specifically, a solar module refers to a group of solar cells put together and packaged in a frame, and these can be grouped into larger arrays. Even the most primitive generation of man was aware of the power stored in warmth of the sun. Some early uses of solar energy included home heating, solar cookers, and water desalinations. In the last couple of centuries, humans have been able to make great advancements related to harnessing the immense energy from the Sun. Though just a small percentage of the sun’s energy reaches the earth, it is still possible to create massive power plants that receive energy from it. In 1839 Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered how to explain the means by which photovoltaic effect can be used to create energy. The next century saw the development of solar cells, in 1921 Albert Einstein received Nobel price for his work on photovoltaic effects and in 1941 the first solar cells were invented by Russell Ohl (Energy Matters 2012; PRLOG 2009). Solar cells are made of materials which are special in function known as semi-conductors. The most common material semiconductors are made of is silicon. When the semiconductor comes into contact with light, it absorbs a portion of it, meaning the light energy absorbed is transferred to the semiconductors (Nelson 2003, p 25). This energy causes a knock on the electron making them to move freely. There are one or more electric fields that force

Differences of Perceptions of the Amount of School Bullying Between Research Paper

Differences of Perceptions of the Amount of School Bullying Between Students and Staff - Research Paper Example The results of the study were illustrated by the answers to the following questions provided by 129 respondents from students and 32 respondents from school staff. The range of questions illustrated different representations of the issues connected with bullying, its prevention and post-reactions for it. In the result of the survey, both teachers and students reflected the presence of bullying at school. First of all, both male and female students confirmed that there were possible fights at school. The students were often arguing among each other. The most interesting fact was that some students were often beaten up by other students or are teased more often than other students. Therefore, it could be seen that both male and female students underlined the presence of a special group or victims of bullying. Moreover, the girls confirmed the presence of arguments or fights more readily than males do. What was important to note was that both males and females felt safe on the playgroun ds and in cafeterias, hallways and school bathrooms, classrooms (more than 70%). Therefore, it can be seen that there were cases of bullying, but students feel safe at school in general. The students were aware of behavior they were expected to show (more than 70%). Fortunately, the students showed a lot of trust for their teachers and principals concerning the issue of school safety. The principles were too severe and strict in their rules of order and teachers were reliable to keep the order at school (69% and 18, 6% respectively). The next set of questions concerned verbal threats at school or cases of physical violence. There were no cases of verbal or physical violence at the school. No alcohol or drug consumption. But there were cases when students... This essay approves that the divergence between the students’ and teachers’ perceptions of bullying was evident. It should be noted that despite the limitations this study might have, it provided new information regarding teachers’ and students’ perceptions of bullying. Both teachers and students agreed upon the presence of bullying at school. It should be noted that teachers were more concerned on evident types of bullying, while students were more aware of concealed forms of bullying. It is possible to underline the necessity of school based interventions for bullying in order to prevent social and emotional problems among students and teachers. This report makes a conclusion that the implementation of anti-bullying programs means determination of the engagement level of interest among students and teachers concerning bullying. Therefore, it is relevant to develop anti-bullying programs at schools and promote intervention policies directed on elimination of bullying practices. Prevention practices are more effective than post-bullying negative outcomes experienced both by the teachers and the students. With the help of this research it is possible to bridge the gap between students and teachers perceptions of bullying by implementation of informing strategies directed on bullying prevention. Practical implications of the study in relation to the recent developments in the research of bullying at school are a perfect basis for logical developments and inventions in this field.

Speech On Environment Essay Example for Free

Speech On Environment Essay Good morning to the Excellencies, my respected teachers and my dear friends. The topic of my speech is Environment. Environment is the surrounding in which we live. It is the source of life. Our whole life is dependent to the environment. It directs our life and determines our proper growth and development. Good or bad quality of social life depends on the quality of our natural environment. The need of human beings for food, water, shelter and other things depends on the environment around us. There is a balanced natural cycle exists between environment and lives of human beings, plants and animals. Human society is playing vital role in degenerating the natural environment which in turn negatively affects the lives on this planet. All the human actions in this modern world directly impact the whole ecosystem. All the actions have brought a big change in this planet which resulted in many environmental problems. Increasing demand of technologies and industries in the modern time impacts the nature. The increasing invention of new technologies has changed the interaction of people with environment which permits more population to grow. The modern technologies have immense power which has altered the whole environment in an unimagined way. The indiscriminate use of environment is the root of ecological crisis. Such continuous increase in the technologies and human behaviour are correspondingly very serious. Such amazing technologies have become the reason of economic growth in 20th century however it had dramatically affected the natural resources. Some of the environmental problems are rapid growth in world population, deteriorating natural resources, diminishing forests and wetlands, erosion of soil and coral reefs, depleting underground water, regular shortage of fresh drinking water, vanishing plants, salinization in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Middle East. Some other issues are loss of biodiversity, rapid extinction of some important animal species, collapse of fisheries, rising air and water pollution, rise in atmospheric temperature, thinning of ozone layer, spoiling rivers, seas and underground resources. Even though science and technology have radically altered the terms of adaptation to the nature, we still need to adapt to the environment. Human society is embedded in an environment. We must not forget that the human being is first and foremost an animal, sharing living space with other animal species in an environment on which they are mutually dependent. It is our responsibility to save our environment and earth and  make the possibility of healthy and happy life here.

The X-Files :: essays research papers

The X-Files The X-Files is generally acclaimed as the television cult hit of the 1990’s. The pilot that aired in September of 1993 introduced FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Together the two work to uncover the truth behind unsolved cases that defy normal investigation, the cases that the government has buried or ignored, labeling them the â€Å"x-files.† The two agents are wonderful examples of modernism and post-modernism world views. First in order to understand the reasons Scully and Mulder portray the two world views, we must understand what modernism and post-modernism mean. Modernism was the era that was dominated by Freud and Marx, a belief that humans are purely material machines, a belief that we live in a purely physical world and nothing exists beyond what our senses perceive. Modernists believe that people should be rationalistic optimists and depend only on the data of their sense of reason. Scully strongly displays the modernist world view throughout the show even after the two agents have been through many fantastic adventures. In the show as a whole there are modernist aspects because both Scully and Mulder are truth seekers. The shows motto is â€Å"the truth is out there† so this produces a strong concept of truth. However the show as a whole is very post-modern because it questions the modernist world view with its themes. It is interesting the show continually suggests that â€Å"th e truth is out there† but it is hidden under many different interpretations and perspectives. Post-modernism rejects the modernist ideals of rationality, virility, artistic genius and individualism, in favor of being anti-capitalist and scornful of traditional morality. Mulder strongly displays the post-modern world view. Scully is the modernist in the show, she is constantly doubting Mulder and always making a new plot or rationalization for what is happening. Scully often makes fun of or laughs at Mulder’s insistence of the existence of the supernatural or paranormal. Scully values science and rationality and even though the events seem to be unbelievable she never gives in and believes in Mulder’s theories. The main reason Scully was assigned to the x-files project was because she was a skeptic, they trusted her to write a clear scientific analysis of the cases. In the pilot Mulder asks Scully if she believes in extraterrestrials, she replies with "Logically I would have to say no. Given the distances need to travel from the of reaches of space the energy requirements would exceed a spacecraft's capabilities —".

To Autumn by John Keats Essay -- To Autumn John Keats Poetry Essays

To Autumn by John Keats â€Å"To Autumn† is one of the most famous, and perfect odes written by John Keats, and any modern writer. It is quite fitting that his greatest piece was the last one that he ever wrote before he met with his unfortunate end. However, this ode has some significant differences to the other odes that he has written. Firstly, there is no flight from reality, or deviation into imagination or dream, in fact there is no narrative voice at all. Secondly, it has an unprecedented emphasis and commemoration of change and progress, not only through autumn, but through all mortal events. While the title implies a progression through autumn, the ode also has references to an aging day, and even personal maturity. The first stanza is brimming with specific vivid visual imagery. The first which relates to the change in the season and day is the â€Å"maturing sun.† This sun makes the fruit ripen and cause the burst of ripe food for harvesting. He then goes on to describe the outburst of ripening fruit to an excruciating intensity. The apples are so plentiful that... To Autumn by John Keats Essay -- To Autumn John Keats Poetry Essays To Autumn by John Keats â€Å"To Autumn† is one of the most famous, and perfect odes written by John Keats, and any modern writer. It is quite fitting that his greatest piece was the last one that he ever wrote before he met with his unfortunate end. However, this ode has some significant differences to the other odes that he has written. Firstly, there is no flight from reality, or deviation into imagination or dream, in fact there is no narrative voice at all. Secondly, it has an unprecedented emphasis and commemoration of change and progress, not only through autumn, but through all mortal events. While the title implies a progression through autumn, the ode also has references to an aging day, and even personal maturity. The first stanza is brimming with specific vivid visual imagery. The first which relates to the change in the season and day is the â€Å"maturing sun.† This sun makes the fruit ripen and cause the burst of ripe food for harvesting. He then goes on to describe the outburst of ripening fruit to an excruciating intensity. The apples are so plentiful that...

American Involvment in World War I Essay

This investigation assesses American involvement in World War I before military intervention, and how this led to military intervention. In order to assess these causes, one must examine America’s involvement in the war before combat, the events that launched America’s military intervention in the war, American sentiments about the war before military intervention, and Woodrow Wilson’s actions before the war. Two sources used in the essay, America’s Great War: World War One and the American Experience by Robert H.  Ziegler and Woodrow Wilson’s speech to congress on April 2nd, 1917 are evaluated for their origins, values, purposes and limitations. The investigation does not asses the pre-war situations of any countries but the United States, and does not asses American military involvement during the First World War Summary Of Evidence Prior to 1917, America was already deeply involved in the First World War, though they did not have troops fighting in the trenches overseas. First, American involvement in the war was purely as a producer and creditor to the Allied Powers. The war, while catastrophic for the countries involved in its atrophied trench battles, provided America with an astronomical boost to its economy, from 2 billion dollars in exported materials in 1913 to nearly 6 billion dollars in exports in 1916. This economic boom was mainly brought on by Britain’s dependency on American foodstuffs and manufactured goods.. The economic ties between America and Britain tightened with public subscription loans. By 1917, Britain had borrowed 2. 7 billion dollars from American creditors. Historian Paul Koistinen wrote â€Å"Without American supplies, Britain could not continue the war; without American financing of almost 10$ million a day †¦ Britain would exhaust its reserves of gold and securities by March 1917. Its dependence was total. Cutting back procurement . . . would produce disaster in England† Originally, America did nothing but reap the reward of â€Å"neutrality†. When Americas turned their eyes to the stage of war in Europe, they were truly terrified. One Chicago newspaper joked â€Å"A hearty vote of thanks to Columbus for having discovered America†. This sentiment was echoed by many American citizens, who showed pride in President Woodrow Wilson’s decision to declare America a neutral state in the war. Americans thoughts on the war lied in their bloodlines, as a majority of Americans were descendants from either Allied or Central Powers nations. Most Americans, early in the war at least, didn’t understand the war or why it was being fought, and were glad that America wasn’t involved. However, these robust Anti-Involvement sentiments began to fade after May 7 1915, the day of the Lusitania crisis. German U-Boats torpedoed and sunk a passenger liner in British waters, killing nearly 1,200 civilians, including 128 American citizens. The murder of these innocents set off the first widespread pro war feelings in Americans. This outrage was justified, but was also heightened by yellow journalism that demonized Germans as barbarians and deranged killers. President Woodrow Wilson, taking note of this event and the outrage it caused, warned the Germans that any further violation of American rights would result in â€Å"Strict Accountability† for these actions. This, as well as the bloody war dragging on in Europe, brought up the question of military preparedness in the United States. By 1916, pro-preparedness sentiment was widespread, as 135,000 supporters of expanding the military marched on New York City’s 5th Avenue, for 12 hours. In Chicago, 130,000 telephone operators moved in the shape of an American flag, goose-stepping down State Street. In the election of 1916, Woodrow Wilson ran against Charles E. Hughes, who was backed by Theodore Roosevelt, former president and staunch Allied Powers supporter, as well as an advocate for military preparedness. Woodrow Wilson won the election by only about 600,000 popular votes. However, these sentiments were met with an equally strong anti-militarism force, saying that in a chaotic world, America must be a beacon and resist entrance into war, and resist building an enormous military. Strong anti-militaristic sentiments began to fade when British intelligence officers intercepted a telegram sent from Foreign Secretary of the German Empire Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador of Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt. This infamous proposal, known as the Zimmermann note, proposed that Mexico wage war against the United States. Throughout America’s neutrality in World War 1, President Wilson had acted as a mediator, but with tension building to a terminal level and with the Zimmermann note, Wilson was forced to ask congress to bolster America’s military forces on April 2nd 1917. Later in the same year, America sent its first military forces oversees Evaluation Of Sources Robert H Zieger: America’s Great War: World War One and the American Experience Origins- (2000) Zieger is a respected labor historian Purpose- Provides an in-depth look at American involvement in the war. Value- The economic statistics and quotations from various primary and secondary sources allow the reader to evaluate the validity of the claims Zieger makes. Limitations- does not provide any new opinions or claims Woodrow Wilson, April 2nd 1917 to congress to persuade congress to bring the United States Origin- German hostile actions towards the United States Purpose- Persuade congress to declare war on Germany and the Central Powers Value- clearly outlined Wilson’s reason’s for entering war Limitations- doesn’t explain the underlying causes of military intervention or pressure from big business to declare war for entry  Analysis America’s involvement in World War One began with producing vital weapons and foodstuffs for the Allied Powers, as well as economically supporting the Allied nation’s governments. Throughout the war, the German Empire repeatedly acted belligerently towards the neutral United States, sinking passenger lines, killing Amer ican civilians. Tension with Germany also rose after the proposal to Mexico asking the Mexican army to wage war on the United States. These belligerent German acts, however, would not have held as much effect as they did if American political opinions had not been shifted by the German actions, the economic pressure of close ties to the Allied nations, or social pressure brought along by shifting political attitudes. These all contributed to tensions growing regarding American military involvement I World War One President Woodrow Wilson was a stalwart proponent of American neutrality in the First World War for the almost all of the war, but the American political climate at the time forced his hand.. He was able to win this election because most voters at the time had pro-neutrality sentiments. However, Wilson took into account his slim margin of victory, and the Republican’s yearning for a prepared military. These yearnings were brought on mainly by the Lusitania sinking. A major proponent for intervention, the previously mentioned Theodore Roosevelt, denounced these acts of the German Empire as acts of piracy. Roosevelt’s popularity made these statements extremely well heard. This shift in public opinion helped force President Wilson’s hand. America’s involvement in World War One before it entry in combat was extremely vital, producing millions of dollars’ worth of material for Britain and France, as well as financing the war through small loans. This dependency was built by J. P Morgan, who traded nearly 3 billion dollars’ worth of goods with the allied powers. By 1917, America had invested 2. 7 billion dollars in Britain alone. Historian Paul Koistinen’s quote regarding British dependency on American trade shows how deeply entrenched America was with the war’s affairs pre involvement. These statistics show that the allied powers were completely dependent on American economic support American corporations had an immense amount of wealth in the war, and if they Allied powers lost the war, all of their investments would be worth nothing, because the countries that had been responsible for repaying these debts would no longer exist. The war was taking a detrimental toll on the populations of the warring nations, and the war was almost completely atrophied. It was only a matter of time before one side lost, and it was essential to American business that it was the Allied Powers. Had the allied powers lost to the central powers, American financers would have lost 2. 7 billion dollars as a whole, 2. 7 billion dollars that were needed to give to American business, 2. 7 billion dollars that banks needed to stay in business. Throughout pre-involvement America, as early as the dawn of the war, so called â€Å"hyphenated Americans†, had opinions on what side of the war to support, dependent on their country of origin. German-Americans, the largest ethnic group at the time , supported what they thought of as their motherland, Germany, therefore supported the Central Powers. The second largest ethnic group, Irish-Americans, saw Great Britain as an oppressor, therefore were also supporters of the central powers. However, most Americans at the time were still pro-neutrality. A Chicago newspaper, expressing thanks to Columbus, wrote an article on the blessing of the Atlantic Ocean. This was a popular sentiment at the time, and many Americans were proud of Wilson’s decision to be neutral. After the sinking of American ocean liner Lusitania the support of neutrality began to fade. Before the Lusitania disaster, however, 92 ships had been sunken by aggressive German action. None of these attacks had gained as much publicity, partially due to the fact that the previous sinking’s hadn’t been as destructive. But this was also due to the fact that the Lusitania sinking was grabbed onto by yellow journalists. â€Å"The blood of these murdered victims cries for vengeance. If that cry is unheard, the people of the United States will always bear upon them the stigma of the greatest humiliation ever put upon a nation. Writes a reporter from the Toronto Telegram. President Wilson demanded that German U-Boats stop sinking civilian liners, and if they continued to do so, they would be met with military retaliation. This didn’t stop Germans from sinking boats, and Wilson’s failure to take action against them infuriated Americans. Observing the protests in American cities at the time, one can judge that huge masses of people were strongly in favo r of interventionism. Conclusion The process of the American military joining the Allied Powers seemed inevitable from the start of the war, but still took hostile action and over reaction to spark military involvement. America’s pre-war economic ties to Europe and America’s reliance on trade with these nations during the war made America’s involvement with these nations too deep to let them lose the war, therefore forcing combat. Woodrow Wilson’s strong stance on neutrality couldn’t stand up to the enormous pressure he faced from the people of the United States.