Karen Olsson’s Up Against Wal-Mart Essay

In â€Å"Up Against Wal-Mart† by Karen Olsson, she finds the truth about how Wal-Mart treats its customers and more importantly how the million dollar company treats its employees. In this essay, Olsson strongly believes that Wal-Mart keeps its stores understaffed and their employees overworked and underpaid, with minimal options for reasonable benefits. Olsson begins with an individual employee, Jennifer McLaughlin, who is a mother of one child, and is currently employed with Wal-Mart in Paris, Texas. She is a very hard worker and puts in a lot of effort every day. But she is not able to afford life, with the amount that the company pays her. Health insurance is too much to afford on her wage, so she has to rely on government assistance to give her child the things he needs. She is forced to work over time, is underpaid and also treated unfairly. According to Olsson, â€Å"On a given shift McLaughlin might man a register, hop on a mechanical lift to retrieve something from a high shelf, catch fish from a tank, run over to another department to help locate an item, restock the shelves, dust off the bike racks, or field questions about potting soil and lawn mowers† (607). In other words, Olsson points out that Wal-Mart does not hire enough workers and also overwork its employees. The other issue is the company Wal-Mart is not unionized. The workers at Wal-Mart have started to try to create a union. But a union at Wal-Mart was never formed due to the company’s anti-union group that created by Wal-Mart, which employees who voted for the union were fired. Olsson states that â€Å"Wal-Mart has responded to the union drive by trying to stop workers from organizing—sometimes in violation of federal labor law† (609). Here she proves that Wal-Mart is against the union and will do what it can to stop one from forming. This essay shows that Wal-Mart’s rapid growth rate and lack of change in fair treatment for its employees is only creating more insubstantial jobs for poor people. The topic of Olsson’s opinions about that Wal-Mart treats its employees badly can be approached from several different angles due to its complexity. Some people seem to think that Wal-Mart is bad for the poor people while others tend to consider that Wal-Mart actually helps the poor people. Upon a close examination of both sides of this issue, I have also developed my own point of view. Personally, I disagree with Olsson’s view that Wal-Mart is bad for poor people because she lacks for hearing opinions from both sides. One reason I cannot support the Olsson’s view is Wal-Mart’s â€Å"every day low price.† Wal-Mart’s low cost of goods saves its consumers billions per year. It not only presents job opportunities for poor families, but offers them discounts on food and necessities. Even though Wal-Mart employees are paid low wages, the low cost of food and other basics makes up for the low wages. For me, Wal-Mart in fact helps the lower income families in the world because their prices are more affordable. Wal-Mart’s prices are helping them purchase more food and basic necessities for their families than they would be able to purchase at other retail stores. Works Cited Olsson, Karen. â€Å"Up Against Wal-Mart.† They Say/I Say, with Readings. 2nd ed. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst. New York: Norton, 2012. 606-619. Print.

Pathophysiology of Obesity Essay

The composition of this research paper will concentrate on the topic about the pathophysiologic condition of the disorder called obesity. Thus, this would focus in the said topic to determine the functional changes that go along with such type of disorder that is seen to have developed as one of the prominent health problem in the society. Moreover, the paper would work in rendering fundamental information that is seen essential to further understand the condition of obesity. In addition to this, this research would also deal with the key areas that are seen to be of major concern with regard to battling and preventing obesity. Nonetheless, this holds on the purpose in rendering definite and essential information about obesity. The following will be discussed: †¢ A Brief Background: Obesity †¢ Pathophysiology of Obesity †¢ Causes of Obesity †¢ Medical Treatment and Nursing Intervention At the end of the paper, in intends to render facts and information about the pathophysiology of the obesity. Likewise, the completion of this research paper is also set to provide clear and evident information with regard to the possible medical treatments and nursing interventions that could be done to be able to battle and prevent obesity. A Brief Background: Obesity It can be said that the discussions over the subject of obesity is normally overlooked as one of the major health issues that is in need of accorded attention. Normally, the society would describe obesity as a state wherein an individual with such condition is seen to be ridiculous for having such abnormal and fatty body. In a sense, obesity must be regarded as a serious condition in which it is seen to be one of the most prominent health disorders that if not properly handled it can result to numerous severe health complications in the body. In general, obesity is characterized as a chronic condition that involves excessive amount body fat (Goroll, 2006). Although body fat is necessary for storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other essential functions, the normal amount of body fat should only be between 25-30% for women and 18-23% for men (Goroll, 2006). Thus, women with excessive body fat with over 30% and for men with over 25% body fat are already considered obese (Goroll, 2006). Moreover, the obesity is also seen to be one of the escalating health conditions in the society wherein the numbers of people with such disorder are rapidly increasing (â€Å"Obesity,† n. d. ). In the United States, the obesity has already reached epidemic extent in which it is seen that one in every three Americans is obese (â€Å"Obesity,† n. d. ). Thus, obesity, as a serious health condition, is also seen to be rapidly increasing in the global society that the occurrence of obesity has practically doubled up from the year 1991 up to 1998 (â€Å"Obesity,† n. . ). Pathophysiology of Obesity With the fact that obesity is a significant health threat, the extra weight or the excessive fat is inclined to create extraordinary stress in all parts of the body (â€Å"Causes, incidence, and risk factors,† n. d. ). Thus, the occurrence of obesity normally incorporates negative developments in the body that are seen as the acquisition of serious illnesses and raises the risk of individuals to having diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke and gallbladder disease (â€Å"Causes, incidence, and risk factors,† n. . ). Obesity also creates ill-health conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol that are normally seen among the adults, which is now believed to be seen in the children that are obese (â€Å"Pathophysiology of obesity,† n. d. ). In addition to this, the obesity also increases the risk of individual to acquire certain types of cancer. Also, obese individuals are seen to be more inclined to develop osteoarthritis and sleep apnea (â€Å"Pathophysiology of obesity,† n. d. ). Likewise, the obesity or the excessive fat is often accompanied by several symptoms such as breathlessness, tiredness, back pain, sweatiness, arthritis, menstrual disorders, poor sleeping and depression (â€Å"Pathophysiology of obesity,† n. d. ). Also, obesity increases the probability of myocardial infraction and heart failure (â€Å"Pathophysiology of obesity,† n. d. ). Hence, it is seen that biggest probable impact of obesity in health, more especially with that of the elderly, is the diversity of its effects with other systems in the body (â€Å"Pathophysiology of obesity’† n. d. ). Causes of Obesity In most circumstances, the majority of medical researchers agree that a combination of excessive calorie consumption and a inactive lifestyle are seen to be the primary causes of obesity (â€Å"Obesity,† n. d. ). Thus, the increased of food consumption is normally attributed as genetic, medical or psychiatric illness (â€Å"Obesity,† n. d. ). Likewise, it is also said that the other probable causes of obesity are hereditary influences, overeating, diet high in simple carbohydrates, slow metabolism, and frequency of eating, physical inactivity, medication such as antidepressants and psychological factors such as severe emotional distress (â€Å"Obesity,† n. . ). Moreover, in the review that is done in the year 2006, it is said that the most probable factors that have contribute in the rise of obesity are seen to be the cause of insufficient sleep, endocrine disruptors, decreased rates of smoking, increased use of medication that leads to weight gain, pregnancy at a later age, intrauterine and intergenerational effects, positive natural selection of people with a higher BMI (â€Å"10 Factors in Rise of Obesity,† n. d. ). Medical Treatment and Nursing Intervention Treatment through the help of a physician is seen to be necessary in obesity, more especially during the times wherein the person’s own efforts to lose weight is not working and when it is seen essential that simultaneous medical conditions make it vital for an obese person to lose weight (â€Å"Medical Treatment for Obesity,† n. d. ). Thus, prescription of medications may seem as necessary for those having people with obesity-related health problems (â€Å"Medical Treatment for Obesity,† n. . ). In addition to this, the prescriptions of over-the-counter supplements are also considered as essential in the medical treatment of obesity that could helpful for the people in effort to lose weight (â€Å"Medical Treatment for Obesity,† n. d. ). Behavioural strategies are also used in the treatment of obesity that could help modify dietary habits and increase activity levels of obese people (â€Å"Medical Treatment for Obesity,† n. . ). Likewise, psychotherapy for eating disorders with the therapist is also seen essential in the treatment process of obesity that may also require medication (â€Å"Medical Treatment for Obesity,† n. d. ). On the other hand, it is seen evident that the other probable nursing intervention that could be done to battle obesity is having a healthy and active lifestyle through the presence of exercise. As such, the involvement through healthy exercises is indeed helpful in treatment of obesity as these activities are good in burning calories and other excess fats in the body. In addition to this, a good healthy diet is also seen as another nursing intervention for obesity in which eating healthy foods with balanced diet are essential in maintaining and achieving healthy body. Nonetheless, the modified personal discipline with regard to adverse eating habits is also seen as probable nursing intervention for obesity. Conclusion  With the above written facts and information about the pathophysiology of obesity, it is seen evident that choosing such topic in this research paper is indeed significant and helpful for the people, more especially among the individuals with such condition, as this provides factual data of the probable negative results that comes with obesity. As such, this research paper also provides factual gathering of information in battling and treating obesity. Nonetheless, it is seen evident that the issue of obesity is one of the serious health problems that are in need of proper attention.

Cool Foods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Cool Foods - Assignment Example While the first part of the report details the areas which the management has to have a thorough review, the later part describes the relative merits and demerits of the application of the modern quality standards. The report is concluded with an outlook of the future of the company and the recommendations that may be considered for driving the company towards an accelerated growth. While the company has already established a clear lead in the market, it becomes important that such a position is retained and at the same time the growth potential of the company is made use of. For this purpose, the company should have a clear business focus in the following two broad areas that determines the outstanding characteristics of any manufacturing enterprise. The areas are: With clear policies on the above areas the company would be able to achieve the maximization of the manufacturing platform which is at the root of the success of any organization. Apart from the above the company should also focus on the enhanced raw material sourcing facility for a drastic reduction in the manufacturing costs. Delivering outstanding customer service is an essential part of any market development exercise. In this area the company may look into the following areas which will enable the company to sustain the customer leadership established by the company: New product innovation and bringing them into the market before the competitors is the basic element in any marketing strategy. Hence much depends on the number of new premium and quality products that the company is able to focus on will further increase the market share of the company Brand Portfolio management is an area which needs the management's attention to increase the brand loyalty of the customers to the existing brands and promoting new and attractive brands to expand the market for the company's products The company can look into new streams of business in the areas of Dairy Products - Milk, Cultured, Cheese and Grocery products - Flour, Pasta, Spreads, Oils, Cake Mixes with a possibility to later on integrate these new streams of businesses with the existing Bakery Stream Another area that can be looked into the establishment of 'Cool Food Fresh' and Cool Food Home Ingredients' to market the existing as well as the new streams of products in the existing and newly expanded markets where the company can introduce new products derived out of product innovations in any of the business streams identified. Market expansion to unexplored countries and markets with long shelf life products is clearly another area the company can co

Fraud Fears in Internet Banking 1.Introduction Dissertation

Fraud Fears in Internet Banking 1.Introduction - Dissertation Example Banking industry is no different; banking operations and processes have become more accessible and convenient for the customers due to the introduction of internet banking. Banking operations are no longer restricted to the limited business hours of the bank, rather can be done at any time via the internet. However, this technology has also proved to make customers’ details and intellectual assets of the companies vulnerable in the presence of increasing security threats from hackers and intruders. Internet frauds related to the banking sector have become major concerns for customers around the world. Some of the most common online banking frauds have been discussed in the paper, along with the discussion of few real life instances of such crimes. 2. Internet Banking Internet banking offers a wide range of activities like balance inquiries, transfer of accounts etc. The acquisition and transfer of customer details and information on the internet makes the whole process vulnerable, along with the presence of internet scams that aim to steal the information of customers. Financial institutions have suffered great losses over the years by becoming victims of malicious activities of cyber criminals. Cicutti (2008) quoted the results of a research study by Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs); it concluded that instances of ‘cardholder not present’ are increasing around 37% after every year. The losses reached to an enormous amount of ?290m in 2007. These figures include fraudulent attempts via the internet, mail and phone. Few other figures have been reported by Financial Fraud Action UK in Sky News (2009); it pointed out that only first half of 2009 marked a 55% increase in the rate of internet banking frauds with the figur e of ?390m as compared to the figures for the year 2008. The alarming increment of internet banking crimes denote that the cyber criminals are getting more technology savvy who are adopting innovative technologies to overcome the security measures of the financial institutions to violate the privacy of the customers’ data. Internet banking has been widely accepted by customers due to its convenience. Spam Laws (2009) stated that around 45% of the 141 million grownups in US opt for online payment of their bills. Along with convenience, comes a huge price for the customers who prefer online banking. Spam Laws (2009) also provided the information that around 2 million Americans became victims of fraudulent actions in the year 2004, where customers were reported to suffer losses of around $1, 200 on average at every instance of fraud. After the analysis of the findings, it was concluded that the increasing number of fraudulent actions were known to have the source as online banki ng. 2.1 Types of Internet Frauds There are numerous types of internet banking frauds. Few of the most common ones have been discussed below: 2.1.1 Phishing/ Scam Emails The concept of phishing originates from two words; password and fishing. Zin andYunos (2005) explained that this technique is used to retrieve customer’s bank details by making the activity look like a regular procedure from his respective bank. Several types of information may be aimed to be extracted by the user, such as social security numbers, online banking credentials, credit card numbers etc. The sender might pose to be a bank officer who wants to update the customer’s data in the bank database. Recipients might reply to such emails with the understanding that it is a

Daily Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Daily Assignment - Essay Example 3. The Americans rural economies reinforced the elements of tradition society via numerous ways such as holding cultural events maintain videos and recordings that may help the future generation to understand their traditions. They perform thanks giving ceremonies to reinforce their traditions. Further, the maintain museums and monument sites to foster the elements of tradition society. 4 Slavery and free labour affected social surplus in the sense that it infringed some members of the society whereby, those subjected to slavery to produced surplus labour which benefited those who did not work. This means that the output was maldistributed because there was unequal allocation of resources. 5 The elements of command that still exist in the U.S today include: the economy has a very powerful sectors of the government. A part from labour all other factors of production are owned by the state. The government plans how resources are going to be distributed among various economic sectors. 6 The specific difference between Agricultural society and industrial society is that agricultural society is based on farming while Industrial society is based on application of machines to produce. Further, agricultural society produces raw materials while industrial society converts raw materials into finished products. 7 I would consider Serf to have been exploited by their Feudal Lords because they were underpaid despite doing complex jobs. The benefit gained by Serfs according to Feudal lords is the benefit of security, place to stay and land for farming. The cost involved was that, Serf had to pay some fee for the use of land to the Lords, further they were supposed to work in the houses and fields as feudal lords slaves. 8 The difference between guild and modern business is that, during ancient periods women could not be members of guilt unlike today where women are members. Guild required members to learn, keep and pass trade skills to the

Letter format Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Letter format - Assignment Example In response to your letter dated August 3 regarding the reported turntable of the Justrite microwave oven which broke shortly right after the expiration of the warranty period, please accept our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience it could have caused you in any way. As a policy, our company is more than willing to check on the status of your microwave oven at the soonest possible time to verify the cause of the problem. In the meantime, a replacement unit would be provided for your use while the unit is being repaired, if needed. We would be glad to accommodate you complaint despite the lapse of the warranty period since our priority is to keep our customers satisfied. In fact, the Justrite microwave oven you purchased has been rated â€Å"best in its class† and â€Å"most reliable† by the Consumers Count magazine. The recent survey of selected purchases revealed that 98.5% of first time purchasers of Justrite ovens are pleased to have chosen our products and pledged to buy others of the same

Coursework for Quantitative Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Coursework for Quantitative Methods - Essay Example The competitive markets will equalize the price of a similar good in the two countries when prices are expressed in similar currencies. For instance, a certain Television Set priced at 750 Dollars in Canada should cost 500 Dollars in United States when the exchange rate between the two countries is 1.50. Economists use two Purchasing Power Parity versions: Relative Purchasing Power Parity and Absolute Purchasing Power Parity. Absolute PPP is when the price level across countries is equalized. For instance, the exchange rate of Canada and US is computed by dividing the price level of Canada by that of the US. Assuming the exchange rate is 1.3 CAD per USD from 1.5 CAD per USD today. PPP theory implies the Canadian dollar will appreciate as USD depreciated. The relative Purchasing Power Parity refers to the degree of changes in the price level commonly known as the inflation rate. It says that appreciation rate of a currency is similar to the difference in the rate of inflation between the home and the foreign country. Assuming the inflation rate for Canada and US are 1% and 3% respectively, The US currency will depreciate against the Canada Dollar by 2% annually. Relative PPP withstands when the difference in inflation is very large. The concept is related to effect of trade and market arbitrage on the prices of similar products exchanged in multiple markets. In markets that are efficient, there must be a single price of those commodities in respective of their trading areas. The law of one price is also applicable to factor market. However, since the costs of the transaction and transport are positive, the law needs reformulation when applicable to spatial trade. Assuming we have two markets (Liverpool and Chicago) trading wheat and the wheat are transported from Chicago to Liverpool. The difference in the prices of wheat between the two markets should be similar to the cost of the transaction

Benefits and Difficulties of Including Children with Special Needs in Essay

Benefits and Difficulties of Including Children with Special Needs in Mainstream School - Essay Example MacKay (2002) notes that children with special needs are those who have conditions such as blindness, deafness, multiple impairments, physical impairments, behavior problems and learning difficulties among others. According to Etienne and Gendron (2008), inclusive education is a process that seeks to increase the participation of all students in schools, including students who have disabilities. It entails structuring policies, practices and cultures in schools so that they can respond to the diversity of their students. In the UK, Inclusive education acknowledges that all children need to be in schools and learn. The difference in children are also acknowledged and respected in inclusive education. The structures, methodologies and systems of education are enabled to meet the needs of all children, including those with disabilities (Glashan 2002). According to the Warnock report (1978), special education is considered a separate system of education whereby disabled children are educ ated in special schools. These schools are organized and equipped to meet their special educational needs. They operate on the basis that mainstream schools do not have the ability to address the needs of children who have special needs. Special education is usually provided in special schools that are equipped for catering to the needs of children with special needs (Leathwood, Ross, Moreau, Rollock & Williams 2008). According to the International for Policy Studies in Education (2008), education in the United Kingdom plays a very crucial role in maintenance and construction of equalities and social advantages. The Warnock report notes that education in the UK is currently compulsory for all children aged 5 to 16.... This essay declares that the perceptions of children with disabilities in the United Kingdom have had a shift in paradigm from the common medical model to social model then to the participative model. People with disabilities were for a long time viewed as patients with serious physical problems that are caused by diseases, accidents or other health conditions. This has changed to a more holistic approach in which they are considered as citizens with rights to self-determination and individual support. Many international conventions like the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities have been responsible for marking these paradigm shifts. This paper makes a conclusion that a lot of the policies regarding the inclusion of children with special needs in UK mainstream primary schools are derived from the Warnock report. The report suggests that at any given time, at least 2% of the population in a school would be considered disabled and in need of specialist and specific provision. This level of specific specialty provision is normally provided within mainstream schools. The same report also noted that 10% of the population of children in schools requires specialist provision at some given point during their education. These two provisions have seen a lot of changes take place in the laws of UK with the aim of eliminating discrimination against children with special needs.

An Assessment of the Vulnerabilities of the iPhone Dissertation

An Assessment of the Vulnerabilities of the iPhone - Dissertation Example â€Å"The instant access that hackers have to the latest tools and techniques demands that companies become more aggressive in defending the security of their networks. Conducting a network vulnerability assessment, a self-induced hack attack, identifies the network components and faults in policies, and procedures that expose a company to the damage caused by malicious network intruders† (Peltier et al. 2003, para. 1). The various steps involved are the †¢ Classify the Information system. †¢ Choose Security measures. †¢ Execute safety measures †¢ Evaluate Security measures †¢ Empower Information Systems. †¢ Scrutinize Security measures †¢ â€Å"A vulnerability assessment provides follow up documentation, reports and additional consulting whenever required after the assessment process† (Penetration Testing Procedures & Methodologies 2011). Vulnerability is a characteristic or feature of a constituent that can be broken by an outside or inside agent like a hacking agent or a malware attack to break a safety policy or cause a harmful consequence on the software of the iphone. The Working of the Vulnerability Tools: â€Å"Performing vulnerability assessment is the only one step in developing a vulnerability management framework, but it is a very important step, you can perform vulnerability assessment internally or externally† (Manzuik et al. 2007, p. 4). ... â€Å"The vulnerability assessment process involves passive and active analysis of the target systems for the known weakness, technical flaws or vulnerabilities. All of the discovered security issues will be services; the next step is to test for the known vulnerabilities that might exist on a host or network. (Rodstein 2007, p. 251). Vulnerability review tools merge both passive and active scanning; the passive scan is worn to determine the vulnerabilities that the objective is a good number likely to contain, and the active scanning is used to confirm that those vulnerabilities are, in fact, both there in the current situation and uncovered as well as utilizable. influential that vulnerabilities are utilizable increase the accurateness of the evaluation device by eradicating the artificial positives, i.e., the occasion in which the scanner detect a prototype or characteristic investigative of a probable vulnerability that which, on analysis, establish to be either (1) absent (2) n ot uncovered, or (3) not utilizable. It is the grouping of passive and active scanning, jointly with amplified computerization that has provided programmed penetration trying suite more extensively helpful in vulnerability evaluation. â€Å"As no commonly agreed rule exists for worm and virus naming, W32.Blaster.A (Symantec) is also known as W32/Lovesan.worm.a (McAfee), Win32.Poza.A (CA), Lovesan (F-Secure), WORM_MSBLAST.A (Trend), W32/Blaster-A (Sophos), W32/Blaster (Panda)or Worm.Win32.Lovesan (KAV). Besides the A version of Blaster, many more variants were developed based on the same exploit code† (Julisch & Kruegel 2005, p. 106). According to the researchers who are responsible for the security, very recently have establish that they have established the primary usable

Issues, Challenges and Strategies in Successful Implementation of an Essay

Issues, Challenges and Strategies in Successful Implementation of an HRIS Project - Essay Example This article presents a critical analysis of the need for HRIS, features required in HRIS, design & acquisition issues, cost benefits, implementation issues and acceptance issues. Gardner and Lepak et al. (2003) presented that the new role of HR professionals is more of "strategic partners to the business" whereby they are expected to understand the business objectives of the organization and align the HR practices with the business goals defined to fulfil the objectives. Hence the business objectives expand into the HR objectives & related goals that are essentially defined to enhance employee contribution by providing them essential guidance, resources & support and to manage essential transformations & changes required in maintaining the fundamental culture of the organization. The authors argue that IT systems act as the catalyst for human resources professionals in achieving HR goals. Enterprise Resource Planning systems integrate various functional (departmental) information systems across the company such that the information from all departments can be integrated and organized for unified MIS reporting to the senior management enabling them to take quick & effective decisions (Gupta & Kohli. 2006). Human Resources is one of the key departments of an organization and hence HRIS need to be an integral part of ERP. The key result areas for all employees are defined by their respective functional managers but closely monitored by the HR function by virtue of key performance indicators. Kaplan and Norton (1996) developed the balanced scorecard system that helps organizations to design & implement a performance measurement system in such a way that individual performance measures can be tangibly mapped with organizational performance. The author hereby argues that such an integrated framework requires the performance management system to be an integral part of the E RP such that performance appraisal cycles can be carried out by respective supervisors of the employees but human resources function can closely monitor the KPI metrics and map with other soft aspects of the individual in terms of punctuality, knowledge & skill enhancement, trainings, additional certifications achieved, etc. The integrated information of functional KPIs and soft aspects can help the HR function to assess the overall performance of the employees and identify employee development needs as well as take decisions on promotions, increments, rewards & recognitions. 3.0 Requirement Analysis for an

US Intervention in Somalia, 1992 Essay Example for Free

US Intervention in Somalia, 1992 Essay The 1992-1993 intervention of the US forces, with UN authorization, in the fractured country of Somalia is a complex issue not just in terms of Somalian domestic politics, but also the constellation of foreign entanglements that were involved in this strategic part of the world. This brief essay will attempt to answer some key questions about the conflict itself, the American role and the diplomatic and power struggles internationally, especially given the strategic location of Somalia on the Indian Ocean trade routes and the controlling interest in the mouth of the Red Sea. The conflict itself is rather straightforward. The dictatorship of Said Barre was an eccentric one, since he attempted to combine the Islamic movement with that of Marxian socialism. But Barre, in this tribally fractured society, found himself at loggerheads with the powerful Hawiye tribe, as well as certain Islamic factions operating within the country, eventually to develop the Somali National Alliance (SNA), which, for reasons to be described below, became the main target of the American wrath. Concerning the basic structure of the conflict using the typology of Kriesberg, his concern for â€Å"interests and values† is very important, since the basic struggle, outside of its tribal basis, was one of independence from the west. If the SNA were to be victorious, than the US might well be shut out of this strategic area, and a hostile power would come into play, just when the US had helped oust the hated Marxist dictator in Ethiopia, Mengistu Hailie Maram. It is the contention of this writer that this specific reason underlies the entire US intervention in 1992-1993. But apart from interests and values, it seems that the Civil War in Somalia was a zero-sum battle, in that the Islamic movement had a very different agenda than the pro-Ethiopian movement. The victory of one meant the automatic loss for the other. The organizations themselves were both tribal and ideological, centering around the destiny of Somalia relative to the Arab-Israeli conflict, where the Muslims rejected the US presence in support of Israeli interests and the pro-western side sought to use Ethiopia to eliminate the Islamic movement of General Farah Adeed. Hence, in Kriesberg’s terms, these organizations were basically bi-focal, with two mutually exclusive agendas that eventually, in 1993, permitted the US government to hold that the Islamic movement is the great threat to Somalia (cf Kreisberg’s typology, 2006, 7-14). Now, the basic issues in the conflict concern, first of all, the actors themselves. After the disastrous war with Ethiopia in the late 1980s, the Barre regime in Somalia tottered, and eventually was overthrown by an military organization, backed largely by the Hawaye tribe, the United Somali Congress (USC). They overthrew Barre, but were incapable of managing the post-war world. Hence, the development of the Civil War and the rise of Addid’s SNA. The CIA maintained a major post in Kenya, and the US maintained a air base in Ethiopia where spy planes can traverse the Middle East (Griswold, 2007). After the overthrow of the communist DERG state in Ethiopia in 1991, the western backed government intervened regularly in the conflict within the US frame of reference. Hence, it seems that the American approach was to either restore Barre in power or create a coalition of anti-Adeed forces (preferably led by militia leader Ali Mahdi (US Army, 10). None of this worked, and Adeed seemed to emerge from the conflict victorious, as he played upon the anti-colonialist struggle against the United States and successfully engendered hatred against the US (Kaemph, 2007). Therefore, in general, the Somali war pitted Adeed’s forces against both the Ethiopians and the United States. In addition, the state of Eritrea was also involved, and received both Israeli and American backing from its independence against he former communist government of Ethiopia. Hence, the Eritreans were used against the Adeed government and the state itself became a base for the anti-Islamic movement. Eritrea was very useful for the United States and Israel (who certainly had an interest in the Red Sea being open to western trade), since they fought with the Islamic government of Sudan, and became a part of the peace-keeping efforts of the US in that country, also with the ultimate purpose to eliminate the influence of the anti-US and anti-Israeli Islamic movement. Hence, the causes of the conflict and the American intervention are woven within the functioning of the actors themselves within an international context. To put it simply: the US, the UN and Israel supported Ethiopia and Eritrea (though these two have fought in the past), as well as what was left of the Barre regime. Barre himself had offered several oil concessions to American oil firms not to long before his overthrow, and hence, the major oil firms and the US government had an interest in his movement, discredited thought it was (Kretzman, 2003). The major purpose was to keep any coalition that could be formed by Adeed and the anti-US forces under both a nationalist and Islamic banner. The US Army holds in its official account of the war that psychological operations (PSYOPS) were the order of the day in the Somali countryside. This ominous methodology is not elaborated upon in the Army’s description of events (US Army, pub 70-81-1, p 10). At the same time, the CIA was providing the basic logistical support for the intervention out of Kenya. Given this background, the major issues that motivated the American intervention might be reduced to four. First, the control of any oil found in Somalia and, more importantly, the massive oil reserves of Sudan. The two conflicts are very similar in that both Omar Bashir and Adeed are anti-US and anti-Israel, and are fighting for a country that has at least some oil reserves that can be exploited. Secondly, both the US and Israel have an interest in keeping Islamic movements out of power in this strategic area, since such movements may well join with Iran and Russia against American oil interest in the area. Third, to maintain a secular and pro-western state in both Ethiopia and Eritrea. Fourth, to keep friendly powers in charge of Somalia in order to keep both the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean free of hostile powers, since major shipping goes though these areas, and importantly, oil shipping. But similarly, this is all based on a certain geography: Somalia is highly strategic for the above reasons–this eastern horn of Africa sits upon oil and major shipping lanes that cannot fall to hostile powers. But the area of the US intervention, it should be noted, only developed in the extreme south and west of the country, not accidentally the area bordering Kenya, where the CIA maintains a large base and listening post (Griswold, 2007). The US, as part of its PSYOP mentality, hit the radio stations belonging to Adeed, as well as attempting–unsuccessfully–to harm his infrastructure. The reality of the situation is, in the chaos of the war, the Islamic movement of Adeed developed his own social services and social infrastructure, not unlike Hamas in Palestine. To destroy this became the main purpose of the 1992-1993 intervention and largely dictated the popular hostility of the masses to American intervention. Adeed successfully created his own anti-PSYOP mentality by holding the Islamic faith and using nationalist ideas to mobilize the country to his cause. Hence, the nonsense about feeding the â€Å"starving masses† should not even be taken seriously, since the only man who successfully rebuilt at least a modicum of social services became the main target of US attacks (Kaemph, 2007). Hence, several things can be said in conclusion. First, oil is an important issue here, both in Sudan and Somalia. This is one of the most important motivating influences behind the intervention in 1992. But this oil is not sitting in the ground, it is being shipped worldwide, and hence, the Indian Ocean routes near Africa and the Red Sea both need to be kept open, and hence, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia are central actors here. Second, the Eritreans were encouraged in their independence drive under the communist DERG state in Ethiopia by both the US and Israel so as to maintain a pro-western state there. Eritrea hence, sought to support the US in the conflict with the purpose of maintaining its independence and legitimacy. The Islamic forces in Sudan and the SNA wanted an Islamic and nationalist state to fight the west and the Israelis. For the US, this was unacceptable and might be the central issue in the entire American mentality of the time. The reality is that Adeed won–and he won using anti-colonial rhetoric that saw the US as invaders, not interveners. Third, the American PSYOP organization, with CIA backing fizzled. They failed to convince the population that the US was their friend. The very fact that Adeed’s own infrastructure was attacked proved to most that the US was there for the sake of realpolitik, not humanitarian aid, a rather silly â€Å"official† story from Washington, given the strategic nature of the area. Since PSYOPS are little more than brainwashing, Adeed certainly seems to have the moral high ground here–he had the money and the power, as well as the support and military training to make his movement work. Insofar as Kriesberg’s organization typology (cf pg 12), the reason for the American intervention is that it seemed that Adeed’s forces could not be beaten. His main opponent, and a recipient of US money, Mahdi, had no real military training and was no match for Adeed (US Army, 10). The former forces of Barre were also fractured and demoralized, and hence, to keep Adeed out of power, intervention was necessary. But what remains central is that the official reason for the American involvement was not only false, but laughable. Not even an armchair analysis could hold that humanitarianism was the central issue when which globally strategic issues were at stake. An Islamic government in Sudan and Somalia could spell doom for the American interest in the shipping lanes of the area, and might well serve to harm the states of Ethiopia or Eritrea. Israel’s interest were also central, since the US presence in northeastern Africa is substantial and is a major base for operations against he enemies of the Israeli state such as Iraq (formerly) and Iran, not to mention Sudan or even Libya. The US, in short, appeared as an amoral colonial invader against the genuinely popular Adeed forces. Ultimately, the Somalia failure proved the problematic nature of American post-Cold War foreign policy. First, her official rationale made little sense. Second, the simple battle for American interests will not win the US forces respect throughout the world (Allard, 1995). The nations of the world will work out their own problems without CIA meddling, which only rarely provides a lasting solution (though few could doubt that the fall of Mengistu in Ethiopia was not a good thing). But lastly, what seems to come out of the Somalia failure is the simple fact that the US drive for global empire is doomed to fail, and what should come out of the decay of the bi-polar world is not a uni-polar world or even an multi-lateral one, but the simple concept of self determination for all the nations and people’s of the world according to their own lights, not dictates from Brussels, New York or Washington. Bibliography: Allard, K.. (2005) Somalia Operations: Lessons Learned. Washington: National Defense Griswold, Diedre (Jan 7, 2007) â€Å"Why Somalia has no National State. † Workers World. http://www. workers. org/2007/world/somalia-0111/ (This is a communist publication that should be taken with a grain of salt but it does have some interesting observations about the CIA’s role in the area, as well as Israel’s) Kriesberg, L. (2006). Constructive Conflicts. Rowman and Littlefield. Kretzman, Steve (2003). Oil Security, War and the Geopolitics of United States Energy Planning. Multinational Monitor, Jan/Feb. (http://www. thirdworldtraveler. com/Oil_watch/Oil_Security_War. html) United States Army (nd). The US Army in Somalia. CHM Publication 70-81-1

Defining and Experiencing the Humanities Essay Example for Free

Defining and Experiencing the Humanities Essay I am currently having trouble defining humanities in my own words after reading week one’s overview. Unfortunately after reading this week’s readings and watching the assigned videos, I am still unclear as to what humanities really is. The week one overview while well written was merely a string of questions and what ifs, that honestly left me with even more questions than I started with. Is this an art appreciation class, a literature class, maybe history? Could it possibly be all these things and more? I am still not sure but I am very certain I look forward to finding out. My selection of a cultural event that I have attended (and participated in) is the War for Empire event at Ft. Dobbs in Statesville, NC. This event is the largest event at Ft. Dobbs each year. During this event there are several encampments that showcase different aspects of life on the North Carolina frontier during the mid-18th century. There are Cherokee and Catawba encampments that demonstrate music, dance, and other forms of art such as finger weaving. The native interpreters also discuss clothing, food, and social norms associated with their people. There are also many Anglo (European) encampments which demonstrate things such as period cooking, beer crafting, tailoring, and furniture and once there was even a cobbler (awesome). Other sights to be seen are weapons and tactics demonstrations, the clothing and equipment used by the common soldiers, laborers and farmers of the North Carolina frontier during the Seven Years War.

Fragile X Syndrome Case Study Health And Social Care Essay

Fragile X Syndrome Case Study Health And Social Care Essay From seven years old, Michaels speech was still rather incoherent, he spoke very quickly and under his breath and didnt make much eye contact. Only up until the last couple of years his speech has improved and is much clearer, although he still tends to perseverate and get stuck on a subject and repeat the same thing over and over. Michael has a sister 2 years older and in 1992 they were both referred to the genetics clinic in the Royal Childrens Hospital by our pediatrician as they both presented with significant developmental delays and the doctor suspected some genetic condition may be at the root of the problem. Tests were performed, even an X-ray on Michaels head as they noted he had rather dysmorphic features, but nothing proved positive and there was no known reason for their problems. ______________________________________________________________________________The patient presented in the above case study is a classic case of Fragile X-Syndrome, the most frequent cause of inherited mental retardation. Patients presenting with this syndrome are affected in various facets of functioning, including intellect, emotion, behavior, and physical characteristics. The cause of the syndrome involves the expansion of a single trinucleotide gene sequence on the X chromosome. Other disorders that are placed in this category include Huntingtons Disease, Kennedy Disease, Dentatorubralpallidoluysian atrophy, and Friedrichs ataxia. This consequently results in the failure to express a protein that is required for normal neural development, and coded by the FMR1 gene. Because it is an X-linked disorder, cases are seen in all carrier males and in 35% of carrier females. Because of the subtle nature of signs of the syndrome and difficulty in diagnosis, all children with mental retard ation should be tested for Fragile X syndrome and family members are advised to undergo genetic counseling in order to decrease the recurrence of Fragile X in the family. Etiology The abnormality of the chromosome presented in Fragile X syndrome is found on the Xq27.3 site and commonly used as a diagnostic marker for the syndrome [1]. In most cases, the expansion of the single trinucleotide gene sequence includes 50 to 200 CGG repeats at the site and these repeats are passed down from generation to generation [1]. In comparison, the number Mathew 2 of repeats in a normal individual is between 6 and 50. Due to the increasing expansion of the trinucleotide gene sequence, there is methylation of the DNA which in turn silences the FMR1 protein [3]. FMRP plays important roles in learning and memory, and also appears to be involved in development of axons, formation of synapses, and the wiring and development of neural circuits. Diagnosis Because there is no clinical diagnostic criteria, scoring systems have been developed to select individuals for Fragile X Syndrome [4]. It can also be diagnosed using molecular genetics testing of the FMR1 gene. One method of diagnosis is based on chromosomal study to present the chromosome under special folic acid deficient culture conditions [3]. There are two different types of molecular DNA tests. The screening tests are polymerase chain reaction based. Additionally, they need to be confirmed using Southern blot hybridization [5]. It is important to diagnose affected patients as early as possible to provide early intervention and supportive care (i.e., specific developmental therapy and an individualized education plan) and to inform parents for further family planning [4]. One half of families in a 2002 survey reported having an additional child with fragile X syndrome before the older affected child was diagnosed [4]. Family history collection should include questions about other family members, with particular attention to developmental delay, mental retardation, and psychiatric disorders [4]. In addition, a family history of women with premature ovarian failure and men with FXTAS should be ascertained. A positive family history in a proband with developmental delay should prompt consideration of genetic testing of the FMR1 gene [4]. The American College of Medical Genetics recommends testing, regardless of family history, for all males and females with mental retardation of unknown etiology [4]. Therapy/Treatment Treatment is supportive, requiring a multidisciplinary team and including anxiety-reducing measures, behavior modification, and medications to manage associated psychiatric disorders. Individual education plans are necessary for school-age children [2]. Although several Mathew 3 medications have been proposed to treat fragile X syndrome, none of them are supported by ]good evidence [2]. While there is no current cure for the syndrome, there is hope that further understanding of its underlying causes would lead to new therapies. Currently, the syndrome can be treated through behavioral therapy, special education, and when necessary, treatment of physical abnormalities [2]. Persons with the fragile X syndrome in their family histories are advised to seek genetic counseling, to assess the likelihood of having children who are affected, and how severe any impairments may be in affected descendants [2]. The Fragile X syndrome been the subject of numerous studies, and recent investigations have addressed the question of whether this disorder is amenable to either prenatal diagnosis or to treatment with folic acid [3]. In a previous study, the effect of oral folic acid therapy (10 mg/day) in a blind study of 14-year-old monozygous twins with the fragile X syndrome was examined [3]. They reported on eight patients with psychotic-like symptoms. Seven were improved by therapy with I M 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (folinic acid) at doses of 0.5 mg/kg body weight for a period of a few weeks [3]. Three patients had an almost total recovery from psychotic-like symptoms [3]. One 14-year-old boy who was severely hypotonic and disinterested in his environment became responsive and able to sit and crawl after 2 months of therapy with folic acid in doses of 1 mg/kg day [3]. Harpey also reported some success with therapy with intramuscular folinic acid and hydroxocobalamin by mouth [3]. In a recent re port, a male fetus was diagnosed as having fragile X and the mother was started on a regime of folic acid 2 mg/day [3]. After delivery, the baby was treated with 1 mg/day of folic acid. On evaluation at 6 weeks of age, the baby was described as having a dolicocephalic head, long ears, a flattened malar area, enlarged testes, and a high frequency of fragile X chromosomes (20/60 cells). Two studies attempted controlled trials of folate in the fragile X syndrome, and one of these has been reported in some detail [3]. Brown conducted a double-blind crossover study in which two brothers with the fragile X syndrome were treated with either intravenous folic acid (1.6 mg/kg daily as a single dose) or saline placebo for 8 days [3]. Following the controlled trial, the brothers were maintained on 10 mg/day of oral folic acid for 3 weeks. Over 6 weeks, the dose was increased to 500 mg/day for the younger brother and 1,000 mg/day for the older brother, and then both Mathew 4 brothers were maintained on 1,000 mg/day from 1 month to 5 months after the onset of the study [3]. Because this disorder is a very common cause of familial mental retardation, and because of the in vitro effect of folate in decreasing expression of the fragile site, one may be tempted to attempt folate therapy in these patients. However, two studies to date have failed to demonstrate any abnormality of folate metabolism in cultured cells from patients with the fragile X syndrome [5]. Therefore, we urge continued caution in the expectation of beneficial results and advise against routine use of folate therapy in patients with established mental retardation and the fragile X syndrome [5]. Because there is no cure for Fragile X syndrome, the hope is that future investigations into the underlying causes that will further lead to new therapies.

Baroque Mexican Music Concert Report Essays -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The concert I attended was a recital of Mexican baroque choral music. There were 5 main pieces played, each one having its own unique style and function. The recital was held at University of South Carolina School of Music recital hall room 201 on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 6:00pm. The group that sang was the graduate vocal ensemble and was conducted by Daniel S. Clark. The group of singers did an excellent job capturing the music and it was very hard to notice any major mistakes. The concert in a whole was a very soothing to me because when I went there I was very hyper and tense, but as the pieces were being played out, I became very relaxed and sleepy. This concert was a little different because in the beginning, the conductor went through a lecture of the Mexican baroque period. After he went through all of the material, they sang 5 songs and left. It was very interesting to learn about the music as it was heard and I think this is a very effective way to tea ch people about music and let them learn through personal interaction. Most of the songs were sang mostly by the higher pitched singers so it made us very sleepy. I had to wake up my friend who came with me because he was snoring!   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first piece that was played was â€Å"Beatus Vir† with Brian Glosh as the cantor. A cantor is the person who leads a congregation in singing. At the end of the performance, the 2 cantors were given special recognition because of th...

Effective Media Communications In a Technologically Advanced Society Es

Effective Media Communications In a Technologically Advanced Society The first appointment of an individual to a position similar to that of today's local government manager occurred in 1908 in Staunton, Virginia, where a â€Å"general manager† was employed to oversee the administrative functions of the municipality (http://www.icma.org ). In 1908, technology in the United States was thought to be visionary. Cameras were available to take photos. Newspapers were read across the country. Magazines were coming of age. Newspapers challenged local leaders daily. From the smallest communities to large metropolitan communities, newspapers competed for the news of the day. Reporters put pressure on local leaders as they covered national and local politics. Newspapers were the main resource for communicating with the public. Eastman’s marketing of his Kodak camera in 1888 opened a new era. Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope of 1889 used Eastman film to produce a 50-foot peep show and by 1896 his Vitascope was used for the first public showing in the U.S. theater of a moving picture show (Emery 191). From 1915-1925, radios also became another venue for politicians and leaders to be put in the public spotlight. Governmental leaders might have believed they were under intense media scrutiny with the daily questioning from newspaper and magazine reporters. These leaders had it easy when compared to the mediums used today by the modern media. City and county managers have access to the highest level of technology ever available in the history of mankind. These technologies can be used to better communication with the public. In fact, our technologically advanced society is going to force no... ...c Journalism. The Pew Center for Civic Journalism. www.pewcenter.org Emery, Michael. The Press and America (Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1992) p. 191. Finberg, Howard I. Editor and Publisher. We Need Multimedia, Instant Publishing Dec. 13, 2001 International City/County Management Association Website. www.icma.org. Insiders Guide to Using Information in Government, Technology Area; Center for Technology in Government. http://www.ctg.albany.edu/guides/usinginfo/Technology/technology.htm Is Your Local Government Plugged In? Highlights of the Electronic Government 2000 Survey Conducted by the International City/County Management Association (revised 3/7/01). www.icma.org. Yudof, Mark G., When Government Speaks: Politics, Law, and Government Expression in America (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983) p. 16.

Alice in Wonderland Essay -- essays papers

Alice in Wonderland In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll tells an entertaining story about a young girl’s adventures in a strange â€Å"Wonderland.† This novel represents a typical girl’s struggle to break away from adult control and receive a desired freedom from their absurd society. Although the novel was written during the Victorian age and many of the events of the story are based on Victorian society, children today also feel the suffocation of adult control and a society without morals. Carroll uses symbolism and various scenes throughout the novel to show the reader the freedom that Alice strives to achieve as well as how she tries to break away from the domination and conformity. The first scene in which Alice’s struggle to break away from adult control and Victorian England’s society is in Chapter 1. After falling into the rabbit hole, Alice finds herself lost in a corridor with many locked doors. The doors being locked represents Alice being controlled by society. The reader can see Alice’s struggle to break away from this control when, finding a key, she searches right away for the door that it fits in. She finds that it fits a very small door and when she unlocks it, Alice first sees â€Å"the garden.† She believes it to be the â€Å"loveliest garden you ever saw† and â€Å"longed to get out of the dark hall, and wander about among those bright flowers and those cool fountains...† Alice’s strong desire to enter the garden is clearly evident. After trying everything she can think of to get into the garden, Alice finally realizes that she is not yet able to enter it and breaks down in tears. Not being able to get into the â€Å"lovely garden,† which represents a place Alice can be away from... ...an society, it was not considered proper etiquette to raise your voice to anyone, whether you are an adult or not. Alice rebels against the rules of the Victorian culture by expressing herself in such a manner. Free in the garden, Alice defies the Queen when she tries to execute her. It is then that Alice realized she must act against society or it would control her. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a paradoxical novel that represents a typical child’s struggle to break away adult society’s beliefs and rules. It is shown in three vital scenes of the novel how Alice struggles to enter the lovely garden of â€Å"Wonderland,† which represents a freedom from society’s rules and regulations. Alice did understand until the closing of the novel that society cannot be changed and to get away from it, you have to change yourself and rebel against it.

Identify the characteristics beliefs and practises associated with Krishna Essay

And what is the significance for a devotee of Krishna. Krishna is believed to be Vishnu’s eight incarnations. Vishnu represents the â€Å"preserver† status in the Trimurti but is more frequently appreciated in his incarnation as Krishna. Krishna appears in many mythological stories but is most famously remembered for his part in the Bhagvad Gita. This scripture is believed to have been spoken by Krishna himself. Krishna is seen as a king and a conqueror of demons but his followers appear particularly fond of his childhood and youth. His love affair with the beautiful cowherdess, Radha is immensely popular with his followers. In many Indian temples dedicated to Krishna, his followers visit (Darshan) his images and present water for washing, drinking, clothes, flowers, incense and offer praise during their puja. Chanting and singing the Hare Krishna mantra is a very popular activity found in temples. The maha-mantra is a transcendental sound vibration which awakens love of God in the heart and mind. As with all other activiti es, music is considered a sacred offering to God. Murti’s of Krishna are ritually installed temples, as it is believed that it is actually full of divine spirit of Krishna. Krishna’s pictures often portray him as the young flute player, surrounded by cows, teasing the gopi girls, or occasionally as the mischievous friend and even as the charioteer who accompanies Arjuna. These different images illsurate the different forms of relations a Hindu can have with god, either as best friend, a lover or mischievous son. To achieve an understanding of Krishna it important to be aware of the events in the Bhagvad Gita. Arjuna is preparing for a battle in which he will be fighting against his own members of the family. He feels that this is morally wrong and has conversation with his charioteer. His charioteer, Krishna is the supreme lord in disguise. It is here; Krishna explains the path to self liberation and to discovering the inner atman. Krishna points out that the soul does not die in battle, but moves into a new one. â€Å"The soul can not be pierced, it can not be parched, it can not be wetted, it is everwhere, immovable†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He reminds Arjuna of his dharma and the effects of Karma. Krishna goes further on to state that is not action itself that should be avoided but the results of it. One should not think of particular rewards for their actions but offer selflessly to the Lord. This is the function of Karma yoga. Having taught this he goes onto mentioning different paths such as jnana and yoga and presentating the need for reaching a state of samadhi through knowledge and devotion. The festival calendar varies region to region throughout India. The festival to celebrate the birth of Krishna is held between August and September and is called Janammastami. The bhagvad Purana which focuses on how to be yogi is often read out. Krishna unlike some of the other supreme deities, acknowledged that there were those who were marginalized such as the low caste and women and therefore highlighted that there were many different paths for each Hindu to reach liberation in his own way. Krishna is encompasses the perfect balance between performing his dharma in such a way that good karma is continually repeated. Through performing jnana and bhakti yoga, a devotee can offer selfless acts, which will be received with Krishna’s grace and blessings. Therefore Krishna’s love for Radha is the perfect example for any Hindu to achieve a harmonious union with the Lord and achieve moksha.

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 81-83

CHAPTER 81The Hawker is on concluding approach.Simon Edwards Executive Services Officer at Biggin hill Airport paced the control tower, grimace nervously at the rain-drenched feed inway. He n ever so appreciated creation awoken ahead of time on a Saturday morning, still it was dieicularly resistant that he had been fore go baded in to over rede the knock bump off of one of his most lucrative cevasivenessnts. Sir Leigh Teabing gainful Biggin Hill non further for a sequestered hangar exclusively a per landing fee for his frequent arrivals and departures. Usu eachy, the theater had advance warning of his schedule and was satisfactory to follow a strict communications protocol for his arrival. Teabing correspondingd things fair so. The custom-built painter stretch limousine that he unploughed in his hangar was to be across-the-board gassed, polished, and the days capital of the United Kingdom Times laid fail on the choke off seat. A custom official was to b e postponement for the compressed at the hangar to expedite the obligatory financial backing and luggage witness. Occasion eachy, customs agents evaluate large tips from Teabing in exchange for tour a blind snapper to the move of defame little organics mostly luxury foods french es railcargots, a particularly ripe gross Roquefort, certain harvest-tides. M both customs laws were absurd, anyway, and if Biggin Hill didnt accommodate its c lie innts, certainly competing ambiencefields would. Teabing was provided with what he precious here(predicate) at Biggin Hill, and the employees reaped the benefits.Edwardss nerves mat frayed directly as he watched the jet approach shot in. He wondered if Teabings discernment for sp enjoining the wealth had gotten him in interrupt somehow the French authorities summate inmed real captive on containing him. Edwards had not provided been told what the charges were, but they were on the reflexion of it serious. At the Frenc h authorities request, Kent jurisprudence force had ordered the Biggin Hill tenor traffic controller to radio the Hawkers air knock off get crosswise copy and order him directly to the terminal betokenifier of than to the clients hangar. The pilot had agreed, appargonntly believing the farthest-fetched novel of a gas leakage.Though the British legal philosophy did not gener whollyy drool weapons, the gravity of the situation had brought kayoed an gird response team. straightway, eight policemen with handguns stood just at bottom the terminal building, awaiting the moment when the levels engines powered vote issue. The fanfare this happened, a runway attendant would congeal safety wedges under the tires so the rag could no foresighteder move. Then the police would step into view and hold the occu goat godts at bay until the French police arrived to clasp the situation.The Hawker was low in the incline instantly, skimming the tree perishs to their undecompo sed. Simon Edwards went dash off steps to watch the landing from tarmac level. The Kent police were poised, just turn give apart of sens, and the maintenance homo waited with his wedges. Out on the runway, the Hawkers nose tipped up, and the tires touched overmatch in a puff of smoke. The sail settled in for deceleration, streaking from right to unexpended wing in front of the terminal, its white take glistening in the wet weather. to a greater extent(prenominal) than(prenominal)over rather than braking and turning into the terminal, the jet coasted sedately past the access lane and move on toward Teabings hangar in the distance. on the whole the police spun and stared at Edwards. I estimate you verbalise the pilot agreed to amaze to the terminalEdwards was confused. He didSeconds new-sprung(prenominal)-fangledr, Edwards demonstrate himself secure in a police car racing across the tarmac toward the unlike hangar. The convoy of police was tacit a good fiv e hundred yards outdoor(a) as Teabings Hawker taxied calmly into the private hangar and disappeared. When the cars fin all told in ally arrived and skidded to a item international the gaping hangar door, the police poured out, guns drawn. Edwards jumped out too.The noise was deafening.The Hawkers engines were alleviate well-off as the jet end its plebeian rotation in spite of appearance the hangar, positioning itself nose-out in preparation for later departure. As the flavorless completed its 180-degreeturn and rolled toward the front of the hangar, Edwards could see the pilots face, which understandably requireed surprised and fearful to see the barricade of police cars.The pilot brought the shroud to a final sack, and powered d possess the engines. The police streamed in, fetching up positions approximately the jet. Edwards joined the Kent central attendr, who locomote warily toward the hatch. later on several seconds, the fuselage door popped light.Leigh Tea bing appeared in the doorway as the woodworking planes electronic stairs smoothly dropped down. Ashe gazed out at the sea of weapons aimed at him, he propped himself on his crutches and scratched his head. Simon, did I win the policemens lottery while I was away? He sounded much bewildered than c at oncerned.Simon Edwards stepped earlier, swallowing the frog in his throat. Good morning, sir. I apologize for the confusion. Weve had a gas leak and your pilot tell he was coming to the terminal.Yes, yes, well, I told him to come here instead. Im late for an appointment. I pay for this hangar, and this rubbish slightly avoiding a gas leak sounded overcautious.Im afraid(p) your arrival has taken us a bit off guard, sir.I hold up. Im off my schedule, I am. Between you and me, the new medicament set ups me the tinkles. Thought Id come over for a tune-up.The policemen all exchanged looks. Edwards winced. Very good, sir.Sir, the Kent party boss inspector said, stepping forrad. I need to engage you to stay onboard for an other half time of day or so.Teabing looked unamused as he hobbled down the stairs. Im afraid that is impossible. I ease up a medical appointment. He reached the tarmac. I elicitnot contribute to miss it.The forefront inspector repositioned himself to abash Teabings progress away from the plane. I am here at the orders of the French legal guard. They claim you are transporting fugitives from the law on this plane.Teabing stared at the chief inspector a recollective moment, and then burst out laughing. Is this one of those hidden camera programs? clean goodThe chief inspector neer flinched. This is serious, sir. The French police claim you too may submit a warranter onboard.Teabings manservant Remy appeared in the doorway at the top of the stairs. I feel like a hostage working for Sir Leigh, but he assures me I am free to go. Remy check his watch. Master, we really are running late. He nodded toward the Jaguar stretch limousin e in the far corner of the hangar. The huge locomote was ebony with smoked glass and whitewall tires. Ill knead the car. Remy started down the stairs.Im afraid we raftnot let you leave, the chief inspector said. Please return to your aircraft. twain of you. Representatives from the French police bequeath be landing shortly.Teabing looked now toward Simon Edwards. Simon, for heavens pursuit, this is ridiculous We dont baffle anyone else on board. Just the usual Remy, our pilot, and myself. by chance you could act as an intermediary? Go absorb a look onboard, and asseverate that the plane is empty. Edwards knew he was trapped. Yes, sir. I can give a look. The devil you allow for the Kent chief inspector declared, apparently cognize enough or so executive airfields to defendant Simon Edwards ability well lie somewhat the planes occupants in an effort to keep Teabings assembly line at Biggin Hill. I go outing look myself.Teabing move his head. No you wont, Inspecto r. This is private seat and until you suck a search warrant, you will stay off my plane. I am offering you a reasonable pickax here. Mr. Edwards can perform the inspection.No deal.Teabings doings cancelled frosty. Inspector, Im afraid I dont have time to indulge in your games. Im late, and Im leaving. If it is that important to you to stop me, youll just have to winkle me. With that, Teabing and Remy walked around the chief inspector and headed across the hangar toward the parked limousine.The Kent chief inspector tangle only distaste for Leigh Teabing as the man hobbled around him in defiance. manpower of privilege always felt like they were above the law.They are not.The chief inspector turned and aimed at Teabings back. full stop I will fireGo ahead, Teabing said without breaking stride or glancing back. My lawyers will fricassee your testicles for breakfast. And if you dare board my plane without a warrant, your spleen will follow.No stranger to power plays, the chief i nspector was unimpressed. Technically, Teabing was correct and the police needed a warrant to board his jet, but because the escape had originated in France, and because the powerful Bezu Fache had given his authority, the Kent chief inspector felt certain his flight would be far repair served by finding out what it was on this plane that Teabing seemed so intent on hiding.Stop them, the inspector ordered. Im searching the plane.His men raced over, guns leveled, and physically blocked Teabing and his servant from reaching the limousine.Now Teabing turned. Inspector, this is your close warning. Do not stock-still call of boarding that plane. You will distress it.Ignoring the threat, the chief inspector gripped his s subjectrm and marched up the planes gangway. Arriving at the hatch, he peered inside. by and by a moment, he stepped into the cabin. What the devil?With the exception of the frightened-looking pilot in the cockpit, the aircraft was empty. Entirely devoid of huma nity action. Quickly checking the bathroom, the chairs, and the luggage areas, the inspector found no traces of anyone hiding ofttimes less multiple individuals. What the hell was Bezu Fache thinking? It seemed Leigh Teabing had been heavy the truth. The Kent chief inspector stood alone in the deserted cabin and swallowed securely. Shit.His faceflushed, he stepped back onto the gangway, gazing across the hangar at Leigh Teabing and hisservant, who were now under gunpoint near the limousine. let them go, the inspector ordered. We received a hazardous tip.Teabings eyes were menacing even across the hangar. You can expect a call from my lawyers. And for future reference, the French police cannot be trusted.With that, Teabings manservant informaled the door at the bottomland of the stretch limousine and helped his crippled master into the back seat. Then the servant walked the length of the car, climbed in toilet the turn over, and gunned the engine. Policemen splited as the Jaguar peeled out of the hangar. hale played, my good man, Teabing chimed from the rear seat as the limousine accelerated out of the airport. He turned his eyes now to the in clean-cutly lit front recesses of the spacious interior. E reallyone well-off?Langdon gave a weak nod. He and Sophie were still crouched on the floor beside the bound and gagged albino.Moments earlier, as the Hawker taxied into the deserted hangar, Remy had popped the hatch as the plane jolted to a stop halfway through with(predicate) and through with(predicate) its turn. With the police termination in fast, Langdon and Sophie dragged the monk down the gangway to make level and out of sight behind the limousine. Then the jet engines had roared again, rotating the plane and completing its turn as the police cars came skidding into the hangar.Now, as the limousine raced toward Kent, Langdon and Sophie clambered toward the rear of the limos long interior, leaving the monk bound on the floor. They settled onto the long seat lining Teabing. The Brit gave them both a devilish smile and opened the cabinet on the limos bar. Could I offer you a salute? Some nibblies? Crisps? Nuts? Seltzer? Sophie and Langdon both shook their heads. Teabing grinned and closed the bar. So then, active this entitles tombCHAPTER 82Fleet track? Langdon asked, eyeing Teabing in the back of the limo. Theres a crypt on Fleet bridle-path? So far, Leigh was world playfully cagey about where he thought they would find the horse cavalrys tomb, which, jibe to the poem, would provide the pass volume for opening the modest cryptex.Teabing grinned and turned to Sophie. Miss Neveu, give the Harvard male child one much(prenominal) shot at the verse, will you?Sophie fished in her pocket and pulled out the mysterious cryptex, which was jailed in the vellum. Everyone had decided to leave the rosewood box and big cryptex behind in the planes strongbox, carrying with them only what they needed, the far more portable and discreet black cryptex. Sophie unwrapped the vellum and handed the sheet to Langdon.Although Langdon had read the poem several times onboard the jet, he had been unable to extract any particular(prenominal) location. Now, as he read the row again, he processed them slowly and carefully, hoping the pentametric rhythms would reveal a induceer meaning now that he was on the ground.In capital of the United Kingdom lies a nickname a pontiff entomb.His labors fruit a consecrate wrath incurred.You try on the orb that ought be on his tomb.It speaks of fortunate design and spilled womb.The language seemed unproblematic enough. There was a knight bury in London. A knight who great(p) at something that angered the perform. A knight whose tomb was lacking an orb that should be present. The poems final reference Rosy flesh and spill womb was a clear allusion to Mary Magdalene, the Rose who bore the seed of Jesus.Despite the apparent straightforwardness of the vers e, Langdon still had no idea who this knight was or where he was hide. Moreover, once they located the tomb, it sounded as if they would be searching for something that was withdraw. The orb that ought be on his tomb?No thoughts? Teabing clucked in disappointment, although Langdon sensed the Royal Historian was enjoying being one up. Miss Neveu?She shook her head.What would you 2 do without me? Teabing said. Very well, I will walk you through it. Its quite round-eye really. The first base line is the key. Would you read it divert?Langdon read aloud. In London lies a knight a pontiff interred. Precisely. A knight a Pope interred. He eyed Langdon. What does that mean to you?Langdon shrugged. A knight buried by a Pope? A knight whose funeral was presided over by a Pope?Teabing laughed loudly. Oh, thats rich. Always the optimist, Robert. tint at the second line. This knight manifestly did something that incurred the Holy wrath of the Church. Think again. take up the dynamic b etween the Church and the Knights Templar. A knight a Pope interred?A knight a Pope killed? Sophie asked. Teabing smiled and patted her knee. Well make, my dear. A knight a Pope buried.Or killed. Langdon thought of the notorious Templar round-up in 1307 unlucky Friday the thirteenth when Pope tender-hearted killed and interred hundreds of Knights Templar. still at that place moldiness be endless graves of knights killed by Popes. Aha, not so Teabing said. Many of them were burn at the stake and tossed unceremoniously into the Tiber River. But this poem refers to a tomb.A tomb in London. And there are few knights buried in London. He paused, eyeing Langdon as if waiting for light to dawn. Finally he huffed. Robert, for heavens sake The church built in London by the Priorys military arm the Knights Templar themselvesThe temple Church? Langdon drew a shock breath. It has a crypt?Ten of the most stir tombs you will ever see.Langdon had never rattling visited the synagogue C hurch, although hed come across numerous references in his Priory research. in one case the epicenter of all Templar/Priory activities in the United Kingdom, the synagogue Church had been so stoold in honor of Solomons temple, from which the Knights Templar had extracted their own title, as well as the Sangreal documents that gave them all their influence in Rome. Tales abounded of knights performing strange, airless rituals within the Temple Churchs unusual sanctuary. The Temple Church is on Fleet thoroughfare? executeually, its just off Fleet alley on Inner Temple Lane. Teabing looked mischievous. I wanted to see you sweat a little more before I gave it away. Thanks. Neither of you has ever been there? Sophie and Langdon shook their heads. Im not surprised, Teabing said. The church is hidden now behind a great deal larger buildings. a touch of(prenominal) people even know its there. eerie old place. The architecture is ethnic to the core.Sophie looked surprised. cultur al?Pantheonically pagan Teabing exclaimed. The church is round.The Templars ignored the handed-down Christian cruciform layout and built a perfectly circular church in honor of the sun. His eyebrows did a devilish dance. A not so subtle howdy-do to the male childs in Rome. They might as well have resurrected Stonehenge in downtown London.Sophie eyed Teabing. What about the rest of the poem?The historians mirthful air faded. Im not sure. Its puzzling. We will need to examine each of the ten tombs carefully. With luck, one of them will have a conspicuously absent orb. Langdon agnise how close they really were. If the missing orb revealed the password, they would be able to open the second cryptex. He had a hard time imagining what they might find inside.Langdon eyed the poem again. It was like some kind of primordial crossword puzzle. A five-letter word that speaks of the grail? On the plane, they had already move all the obvious passwords GRAIL, GRAAL, GREAL, VENUS, MARIA, JESUS , SARAH but the piston chamber had not budged. Far too obvious.Apparently there existed some other five-letter reference to the Roses seeded womb. The fact that the word was eluding a specialist like Leigh Teabing signified to Langdon that it was no ordinary Grail reference.Sir Leigh? Remy called over his shoulder. He was reflection them in the rearview mirror through the open partitioning. You said Fleet Street is near Blackfriars Bridge? Yes, take capital of Seychelles Embankment. Im sorry. Im not sure where that is. We usually go only to the hospital.Teabing rolled his eyes at Langdon and Sophie and grumbled, I swear, sometimes its like baby- sit down a child. One moment please. dish out yourself to a drink and savory snacks. He left(a) them, clambering awkwardly toward the open divider to talk to Remy. Sophie turned to Langdon now, her voice quiet. Robert, cipher knows you and I are in England. Langdon realized she was right. The Kent police would tell Fache the plane was empty, and Fachewould have to assume they were still in France. We are invisible.Leighs little stunt had just boughtthem a lot of time.Fache will not give up easily, Sophie said. He has too much riding on this arrest now.Langdon had been essay not to think about Fache. Sophie had promised she would do anything in her power to exonerate Langdon once this was over, but Langdon was starting to fear it might not matter. Fache could easily be pan of this plot.Although Langdon could not imagine the Judicial Police tangled up in the Holy Grail, he sensed too much coincidence tonight to disregard Fache as a possible accomplice. Fache is pietisms, and he is intent on pinning these murders onme.Then again, Sophie had argued that Fache might only if be overzealous to make the arrest. After all, the evidence against Langdon was substantial. In addition to Langdons name scrawled on the Louvre floor and in Saunieres date book, Langdon now appeared to have be about his hologram and then ru n away. At Sophies suggestion.Robert, Im sorry youre so wakeless involved, Sophie said, placing her hand on his knee. But Im very glad youre here.The comment sounded more hardheaded than romantic, and yet Langdon felt an unexpected riffle of attraction between them. He gave her a tired smile. Im a lot more fun when Ive slept.Sophie was silent for several seconds. My grandpa asked me to trust you. Im glad I listened to him for once.Your grandpa didnt even know me.Even so, I cant help but think youve done everything he would have wanted. You helped me find the key lapidate, explained the Sangreal, told me about the ritual in the basement. She paused. Somehow I feel closer to my granddad tonight than I have in years. I know he would be well-chosen about that.In the distance, now, the skyline of London began to materialize through the dawn drizzle. Once dominated by Big Ben and predominate Bridge, the horizon now bowed to the millenary Eye a colossal, ultramodern Ferris wheel t hat climbed five hundred feet and afforded breathtaking views of the city. Langdon had attempt to board it once, but the viewing capsules reminded him of blotto sarcophagi, and he opted to keep his feet on the ground and enjoy the view from the airy banks of the Thames.Langdon felt a squeeze on his knee, drag him back, and Sophies green eyes were on him. He realized she had been speaking to him. What do you think we should do with the Sangreal documents if we ever find them? she whispered.What I think is immaterial, Langdon said. Your grandfather gave the cryptex to you, and you should do with it what your brain tells you he would want done.Im asking for your opinion. You on the face of it wrote something in that manuscript that make my grandfather trust your judgment. He scheduled a private meeting with you. Thats rare.Maybe he wanted to tell me I have it all wrong.Why would he tell me to find you unless he liked your ideas? In your manuscript, did you support the idea that th e Sangreal documents should be revealed or stay buried?Neither. I made no judgment either way. The manuscript deals with the symbology of the sacred feminine tracing her iconography end-to-end history. I certainly didnt presume to know where the Grail is hidden or whether it should ever be revealed. And yet youre writing a book about it, so you obviously feel the information should be shared. Theres an enormous difference between hypothetically discussing an pitch history of Christ, and He paused. And what? And presenting to the world thousands of old-fashioned documents as scientific evidence that the immature Testament is false testimony.But you told me the advanced Testament is ground on fabrications.Langdon smiled. Sophie, every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith espousal of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove. Every worship describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egypt ians through modern Sunday school. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems plagiarize when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.So you are in favor of the Sangreal documents staying buried forever?Im a historian. Im opposed to the destruction of documents, and I would cheat to see religious scholars have more information to ponder the exceptional life of Jesus Christ.Youre arguing both sides of my examination.Am I? The Bible represents a implicit in(p) guidepost for millions of people on the planet, in much the same way the Koran, Torah, and Pali principle offer guidance to people of other religions. If you and I could dig up documentation that contradicted the holy stories of Islamic belief, Judaic belief, Buddhist belief, pagan belief, should we do that? Should we wave a flag and tell the Buddhists that we have substantiation the Buddha did not come from a sacred lotus blossom? Or that Jesus was not born of a literal satur ated birth? Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical.Sophie looked s unploughedical. My friends who are devout Christians decidedly believe that Christ literallywalked on water, literally turned water into wine, and was born of a literal virgin birth.My point exactly, Langdon said. apparitional allegory has become a part of the fabric of ingenuousness. And living in that reality helps millions of people cope and be smash people.But it appears their reality is false.Langdon chuckled. No more false than that of a mathematical cryptanalyst who believes in the imaginary number ibecause it helps her break codes.Sophie frowned. Thats not fair. A moment passed. What was your question again? Langdon asked. I cant remember. He smiled. industrial plant every time.CHAPTER 83Langdons Mickey pussyfoot wristwatch read almost seven-thirty when he emerged from the Jaguar limousine onto Inner Temple Lane with Sophie and Teabing. The threesome wound throug h a maze of buildings to a small courtyard outside the Temple Church. The rough-hewn stone shimmered in the rain, and doves cooed in the architecture overhead.Londons old-fashioned Temple Church was constructed entirely of Caen stone. A dramatic, circular edifice with a frighten away facade, a central turret, and a project nave off one side, the church looked more like a military fixedness than a place of worship. Consecrated on the tenth of February in 1185 by Heraclius, paterfamilias of Jerusalem, the Temple Church survived eight centuries of political turmoil, the salient Fire of London, and the First homo War, only to be heavily modify by Luftwaffe incendiary bombs in 1940. After the war, it was res snapd to its original, stark grandeur.The simplicity of the circle, Langdon thought, admiring the building for the first time. The architecture was coarse and simple, more remindful of Romes rugged Castel SantAngelo than the refined Pantheon. The boxy make up jutting out to the right was an ill eyesore, although it did little to shroud the original pagan shape of the primary structure.Its early on a Saturday, Teabing said, hobbling toward the entrance, so Im assuming we wont have services to deal with.The churchs entryway was a recessed stone niche inside which stood a large wooden door. To the left of the door, looking entirely out of place, hung a bulletin board covered with project schedules and religious service announcements.Teabing frowned as he read the board. They dont open to sightseers for another couple of instants. He moved to the door and tested it. The door didnt budge. Putting his ear to the wood, he listened. After a moment, he pulled back, a scheming look on his face as he pointed to the bulletin board. Robert, check the service schedule, will you? Who is presiding this week? inner(a) the church, an communion table boy was almost correct vanitying the communion kneelers when he heard a rap on the sanctuary door. He ignored it. Fa ther Harvey Knowles had his own keys and was not due for another couple of hours. The knocking was probably a curious tourist or indigent. The altar boy kept vacuuming, but the knocking continued. johnt you read? The sign on the door all the way stated that the church did not open until nine-thirty on Saturday. The altar boy remained with his chores.Suddenly, the knocking turned to a forceful banging, as if somebody were hitting the door with a surface rod. The young man switched off his vacuum cleaner and marched angrily toward the door. Unlatching it from within, he swung it open. 3 people stood in the entryway. Tourists, he grumbled. We open at nine-thirty.The heavyset man, apparently the leader, stepped forward using metal crutches. I am Sir Leigh Teabing, he said, his accent a highbrow, Saxonesque British. As you are no doubt aware, I am escorting Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Wren the Fourth. He stepped deviation, palmy his arm toward the attractive couple behind them. The cleaning woman was soft-featured, with lush burgundy hair. The man was tall, dark-haired, and looked mistily familiar.The altar boy had no idea how to respond. Sir Christopher Wren was the Temple Churchs most historied benefactor. He had made possible all the restorations following damage caused by the Great Fire. He had also been dead since the early eighteenth century. Um an honor to meet you?The man on crutches frowned. Good thing youre not in sales, young man, youre not very convincing. Where is Father Knowles?Its Saturday. Hes not due in until later.The crippled mans scowl deepened. Theres gratitude. He informed us he would be here, but it looks like well do it without him. It wont take long.The altar boy remained blocking the doorway. Im sorry, what wont take long?The visitors eyes sharpened now, and he leaned forward whispering as if to save everyone some embarrassment. Young man, apparently you are new here. Every year Sir Christopher Wrens descendants bring a pinch of th e old mans ashes to scatter in the Temple sanctuary. It is part of his last will and testament. Nobody is particularly joyous about making the trip, but what can we do?The altar boy had been here a couple of years but had never heard of this custom. It would be better if you waited until nine-thirty. The church isnt open yet, and Im not finished make cleaning.The man on crutches glared angrily. Young man, the only reason theres anything left of this building for you to hoover is on account of the gentleman in that womans pocket.Im sorry?Mrs. Wren, the man on crutches said, would you be so kind as to verbalise this impertinent young man the reliquary of ashes?The woman hesitated a moment and then, as if awaking from a trance, reached in her sweater pocket and pulled out a small cylinder wrapped in protective fabric.There, you see? the man on crutches snapped. Now, you can either deliver his dying wish and let us sprinkle his ashes in the sanctuary, or I tell Father Knowles how we ve been treated.The altar boy hesitated, well acquainted with Father Knowles deep observance of church tradition and, more importantly, with his foul temper when anything cast this time-honored shrine in anything but aureate light. Maybe Father Knowles had simply bury these family members were coming. If so, then there was far more risk in turning them away than in letting them in. After all, they said it would only take a minute.What harm could it do?When the altar boy stepped aside to let the three people pass, he could have sworn Mr. and Mrs. Wren looked just as bewildered by all of this as he was. Uncertain, the boy returned to his chores, watching them out of the corner of his eye.Langdon had to smile as the threesome moved deeper into the church. Leigh, he whispered, you lie entirely too well. Teabings eyes twinkled. Oxford landing field Club. They still talk of my Julius Caesar. Im certain nil has ever performed the first scene of Act Three with more dedication.Langdon w atchd over. I thought Caesar was dead in that scene.Teabing smirked. Yes, but my toga tore open when I fell, and I had to lie on stage for half an hour with my todger hanging out. Even so, I never moved a muscle. I was brilliant, I tell you.Langdon cringed. Sorry I confounded it.As the group moved through the rectangular annex toward the archway leading(a) into the main church, Langdon was surprised by the stark austerity. Although the altar layout resembled that of a linear Christian chapel, the furnishings were stark and cold, bearing none of the traditionalistic ornamentation. Bleak, he whispered.Teabing chuckled. Church of England. Anglicans drink their religion straight. Nothing to distract from their misery.Sophie motioned through the large opening that gave way to the circular dent of the church. It looks like a fortress in there, she whispered.Langdon agreed. Even from here, the walls looked unusually robust.The Knights Templar were warriors, Teabing reminded, the soun d of his aluminium crutches echoing in this reverberant space. A religio-military society. Their churches were their strongholds and their banks.Banks? Sophie asked, glancing at Leigh.Heavens, yes. The Templars invented the concept of modern banking. For European nobility, traveling with gold was perilous, so the Templars allowed nobles to bank gold in their nearest Temple Church and then draw it from any other Temple Church across Europe. both they needed was proper documentation. He winked. And a small commission. They were the original ATMs. Teabing pointed toward a stained-glass window where the breaking sun was refracting through a white-clad knight riding a rose-colored horse. Alanus Marcel, Teabing said, Master of the Temple in the early twelve hundreds. He and his successors rattling held the Parliamentary chair of Primus Baro Angiae.Langdon was surprised. First might of the Realm?Teabing nodded. The Master of the Temple, some claim, held more influence than the king hi mself. As they arrived outside the circular chamber, Teabing shot a glance over his shoulder at the altar boy, who was vacuuming in the distance. You know, Teabing whispered to Sophie, the Holy Grail is said to once have been stored in this church overnight while the Templars moved it from one hiding place to another. Can you imagine the four chests of Sangreal documents sitting right here with Mary Magdalenes sarcophagus? It gives me goose pimple.Langdon was feeling gooseflesh too as they stepped into the circular chamber. His eye traced the curvature of the chambers pale stone perimeter, taking in the carvings of gargoyles, demons, monsters, and pained human faces, all staring inward. Beneath the carvings, a bingle stone pew curled around the entire circumference of the room.Theater in the round, Langdon whispered.Teabing raised a crutch, pointing toward the far left of the room and then to the far right. Langdon had already seen them.Ten stone knights.Five on the left. Five on the right.Lying attached on the floor, the carved, life-sized figures rested in peaceful poses. The knights were depicted wearing full armor, shields, and swords, and the tombs gave Langdon the uneasy sensation that someone had snuck in and poured plaster over the knights while they were sleeping. All of the figures were deeply weathered, and yet each was clearly unique different armory pieces, distinct leg and arm positions, facial features, and markings on their shields.In London lies a knight a Pope interred.Langdon felt unstable as he inched deeper into the circular room.This had to be the place.

Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination Essay

Most people have experienced prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination at some time in longer his or her life. There is no doubt social discrimination, prejudice, and bitter hostility still create serious problems and challenges, even in today’s apparently more and more individualized and â€Å"enlightened† society. This paper will discuss prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination in the context of personal social psychology; what the consequences of stereotyping and discrimination are; and strategies to improve attitudes, judgments, and behaviors.Social psychologists recognize prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination â€Å"by focusing on whether they involve feelings (affect), cognition, or behaviors.Its simpler to generate stereotypes theres a reliable and clearly clear attribute that may easily be recognized.Cognitive different schemas can cause stereotyping and contribute to prejudice. Stereotypes are beliefs about individuals involving how their membershi p in a particular group. These beliefs can be positive, negative, or unbiased.Stereotypes concerning gender, ethnicity, or profession is common in many societies.Both positive and negative stereotypes empty can have a negative impact on an person.

† (Feenstra, 6. 1 Prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination, sub para 1). Based on my own experiences in the social world, I can relate to all of these terms.The era in which I grew up ushered in the civil rights movement, anti-war protests, hippies, the Cuban missile crisis, wired and political and feminist activists.It may get down in birth.Social cognitive research suggests that outgroup discrimination logical and prejudice are a result of basic and functional cognitive processes such as categorization and stereotyping. â€Å"Our prejudice and stereotypes come not only from the way our systems process information great but also from the world around us. Societal origins of prejudice involve the norms in the world around us, the international competition that exists between groups, and the social inequalities that exist in the world.Ingroup favoritism leads to unequal surgical treatment of those we have categorized as in the outgroup.Nearly everyone knows about discri mination although not a great deal of folks speak about the serious problem of white discrimination.

This exemplifies a social psychological analysis, that is, how actual, imagined, or implied other people influence logical and individual’s stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. † (Fiske, 2000, P. 303).Categories help us deal with large small amounts of information.It does not necessarily end with wealth.4). Competition for resources can also create prejudice. how This competition could be economic interests, political or military advantage, or threats to the safety or status of the group.People can become angry if they feel that a rival group is taking resources or great prestige from their ingroup; and anger is a strong motive for prejudice (Feenstra, 2011).Its a major problem in everyday lifestyles.

â€Å"Research also indicates that when people experience a drop in self-esteem, they become more likely to express prejudice. An unfortunate implication of this research is that for some people, popular prejudice represents a way of maintaining their self-esteem. At the same time, the link between prejudice and self-esteem suggests a presidential hopeful message: it may be possible to reduce prejudice with something as such simple as a boost in self-esteem. † (Plous, n.Its seen in the film too.â€Å"Once stereotypes are learned—whether from the media, family members, direct experience, or elsewhere—they sometimes take on a life of their own and become â€Å"self-perpetuating stereotypes† (Skrypnek & Snyder, 1980). One way how this can happen is by people experiencing a stereotype threat that lowers their performance. Stereotypes best can also become self-perpetuating when stereotyped individuals are made to feel self-conscious or inadequate. † (Plous, n.Its in the quantity of such discrimination thats antilocution.

â€Å"The roots of prejudice are many and varied. Some of the deepest and most intensively studied roots include personality many factors such a right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation, cognitive factors such as the human tendency to first think categorically, motivational factors such as the need for self-esteem, and social factors such as uncharitable ingroup such attributions for outgroup behavior.Research on these factors suggests that prejudiced attitudes are not limited to a few pathological or misguided individuals; instead, prejudice is an outgrowth of normal human functioning, and all people what are susceptible to one extent or another. † (Plous, n.It can create prejudice.Contact can reduce prejudice when a number of such conditions are satisfied. Common goals, called superordinate goals, are particularly helpful in bringing groups in social conflict together. † (Feenstra, Ch. 6 Summary).Therefore, its very important to comprehend how to avoid and protect against stereotype creation.

People throughout the real world live with prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination, and the consequences of the resulting actions every day. There is no reasonable doubt social discrimination, prejudice, and hostility still create serious problems and challenges, even in today’s apparently more and more individualized and â€Å"enlightened† society.â€Å"Although we naturally form the categories that lead us to stereotypes, show discriminatory behavior toward those outside of our groups, and are part of societies that, intentionally or not, support prejudice and discrimination, we can still work hard to reduce prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination through our interactions with others. † (Feenstra, Ch.Its possible to making process a lot of information about momentary encounters.Self-Fulfilling Prophecies. Retrieved from http://users. ox. ac.The behavior must be something thats realistic.

Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Fiske, S. T. (2000).Its necessary that youre in a position to immediate present your emotions.ubc. ca/~schaller/Psyc591Readings/Fiske2000. pdf Kabat-Zinn, J. (2010).Dont forget that prejudice is a result of attitude and discrimination is a effect of action.

& Wenzel, M. (1999). Social discrimination and tolerance of intergroup relations: Reactions to intergroup difference.Personality logical and Social Psychology Review, Vol.Another concept thats important in stereotypes understanding is illusionary correlations idea.uni-jena. de/ss2009/sozpsy_uj/86956663/content. nsf/Pages/F5C589829D5E0CA7C125759B003BFF87/$FILE/Mummendey%20Wenzel%201999. pdf Plous, S.The motives might be absolutely different.

Wesleyan University. Retrieved from http://sscholar. google. co.Someone with a disability can logical not just earn a disability disappear.Teachers and parents will need to inform children that its ok to be friends with woman or a guy whos different.Introduction people have a tendency toward different individuals around the world.