Techniques Alan Bennett uses in a Lady of Letters Essay Example For Students

Techniques Alan Bennett uses in a Lady of Letters Essay This new environment is completely different from her home life. Miss Ruddock seems content. For the first time throughout the monologue she admits Im so happy. She has plenty to do and has made many new friends, something she never had before. The women she has befriended laugh at her and when they comment on her not minding being in prison she replies prison! This is the first taste of freedom Ive had in years. Miss Ruddock spends her time learning new skills like bookbinding and dressmaking and has completed a secretarial course. We will write a custom essay on Techniques Alan Bennett uses in a Lady of Letters specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now She still enjoys writing letters but cant find time to keep her diary up to date and says Im three days behind Im that busy. She has a much more positive outlook on life and the future and believes that prison is geared up to new horizons and also mentions that she would like a little job in an office somewhere using the new skills she has learnt. Miss Ruddock shares a room with a woman called Bridget and feels needed. She enjoys looking after people as she sits and holds Bridgets hand when she has nightmares. As well as learning new practical skills, Bridget teaches her about life. Bridget tells her about men and takes her through the procedures of sex, something she knew nothing about and she sees the whole philosophy of the place is acquiring skills and that its nice have another string to your bow. Miss Ruddock has become much more accepting towards others and is mixing with younger people. She is living with women who have committed crimes and she doesnt judge them she accepts them for who they are. Miss Ruddock comments that Bridget did away with her kiddy, accidentally, when she was drunk and upset, and this doesnt seem to bother her at all. Alan Bennett uses a variety of techniques in the monologue, including irony. Miss Ruddock is very judgemental. She mentions that prison, is just a holiday camp and then we find Miss Ruddock there herself. Her home life appeared more like prison as she sat in her room and spent much of the day looking through the window. Prison gives Miss Ruddock a new lease of life. She makes friends and is no longer letter writing anymore which was the main focus of her life after the death of her mother. She even lets people call her Irene, something she wouldnt let anyone do before after the death of her mother. In the past, Miss Ruddock was always concerned about the welfare of children and people doing things to them. In prison the type of people she has criticised previously, she befriends, women like Bridget who had been a prostitute and even killed her child. She didnt like people smoking and then she smokes herself in prison. Another technique used is tragedy. It is sad that Miss Ruddock has lost her mother and is alone, and that a woman of her age ends up in prison. Other tragic incidents include the death of a child. There is also the use of humour in the monologue. Miss Ruddock finds a hair in the sausage shes bought, sticking it under a bit of sellotape, she sends it to the manufacturer with a letter of complaint. Miss Ruddock has never sworn and when she does and gets in wrong the women in prison scream with laughter. I enjoyed both listening to, and reading the monologue by Alan Bennett. The techniques Bennett uses keeps the reader interested throughout the monologue as we see Miss Ruddocks character changing.

Explaining Public Relations Degrees

Explaining Public Relations Degrees Students in a public relations degree program learn what it takes to create and manage a strategic communication campaign for different types of companies and government agencies. They study the different methods that can be used to garner positive media attention and learn what it takes to shape public perception. Many people confuse public relations with marketing or advertising, but they are different things. Public relations is considered earned media, whereas marketing or advertising is something that you need to pay for. Students in a public relations program focus on persuasive communication. They learn how to write press releases and letters and master the art of public speaking so that they can host press conferences and speak at public meetings.   Types of Public Relations Degrees There are three basic types of public relations degrees that can be earned from a college, university, or business school: Bachelor Degree in Public Relations: Takes approximately four years to complete.Masters Degree in Public Relations: Takes approximately two years to complete.Doctorate Degree in Public Relations:  Usually takes three to five years to complete, though program length can vary. An associate degree may be enough for individuals who are looking for entry-level employment in the public relations field. However, a bachelors degree is usually the minimum requirement for anyone who wants to work as a public relations specialist or public relations manager. A masters degree or MBA with a specialization in public relations could increase an individuals chances of getting more advanced positions. Public relations specialists who are interested in teaching at the college or university level should consider a doctorate degree in ​public relations. Where Can I Earn a Public Relations Degree? There are a number of campus-based programs that award public relations degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level. You can also find online programs that are similar in quality. If you are intent on attending a campus-based program but cannot find one in your area that focuses on public relations, you should look for a good advertising or marketing degree program. These programs will allow you to study many of the same things you would in a public relations degree program, including advertising campaigns, marketing strategies, promotions, public speaking, communication, and public affairs. Other degree program options for aspiring public relations professionals include degree programs in communication, journalism, English, or general business. What Can I Do With a Public Relations Degree? Many people who earn a public relations degree go on to work for advertising, marketing, or public relations firms. Some also choose to work as independent consultants or open their own public relations firms. Common job titles for public relations professionals include: Promotions Assistant: Sometimes known as an advertising assistant, a promotions assistant may work in the public relations, advertising, marketing, or sales department of a company. These entry-level public relations professionals typically focus on promotional campaigns and may handle clerical duties, telephone operations, client communication, and other office-related responsibilities.Public Relations Specialist: Also known as communication specialists or media specialists, public relations specialists work directly with the media. They may be responsible for helping clients communicate with the public. They may answer media questions or contact media outlets to market information or share news. Writing press releases is also a typical job duty. U.S. News recently ranked public relations specialist as one of the best jobs of the year.Public Relations Manager:  Public relations managers or directors are similar to public relations specialists. However, they often have more respons ibilities. In a large company, they may supervise one or more public relations specialists. Public relations managers may also be responsible for writing speeches, designing campaigns, or creating, maintaining, and managing a companys image. Learning More About Public Relations The  Public Relations Society of America  (PRSA) is the world’s largest organization of public relations professionals. Members include everyone from aspiring PR professionals and recent college graduates to seasoned communications professionals. The organization is a great resource for anyone who is considering a public relations degree. When you join the Public Relations Society of America, you get access to education, networking, certification, and career resources. Networking with other people in the organization will give you a chance to learn more about the field so that you can determine whether or not a public relations degree is right for you.

Rewards Strategy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Rewards Strategy - Assignment Example No matter how well the awareness campaign is planned, the role of line managers is most important in making the total rewards plan a success, hence it is important to take each line manager in confidence and explain the overall increased benefits to them along with the reasons for change. 9 Discouraging the Entitlement Mentality 10 Rewards Arrangement and Flexibility between divisions 11 Responsibility and readiness of Line Managers 11 Sequence or Timeline for implementation of a total rewards Strategy 12 Change Management 12 Total Reward Framework 13 References 15 Meyers, J. 2010, ‘How Does a Contingent Payment Work?’, Viewed 29 November 2012 15 Introduction The London Provincial Bank is undergoing the same phase of growth that every organization witnesses after it balances both the internal efficiencies and performance in the market. The concern now for the Bank is to retain, reward and develop their staff resulting in a competitive advantage in the banking industry. T o achieve this it is important for the bank to attain a consistency in the workforce performance with better retention techniques applied to prevailing workforce while attracting the best talent from the market. The Total Reward approach draws together all the financial and non-financial investments an employer makes for its workforce. It emphasizes all aspects of reward as an integrated and coherent whole, from pay and benefits through flexible working hours, learning and development, quality and challenge of the work itself (Manas & Graham, 2002). Total reward strategy includes everything the employee perceives to be of...To achieve this it is important for the bank to attain a consistency in the workforce performance with better retention techniques applied to prevailing workforce while attracting the best talent from the market. The Total Reward approach draws together all the financial and non-financial investments an employer makes for its workforce. It emphasizes all aspects of reward as an integrated and coherent whole, from pay and benefits through flexible working hours, learning and development, quality and challenge of the work itself (Manas & Graham, 2002). Total reward strategy includes everything the employee perceives to be of value resulting from the employment relationship. All of the tools available to the employer that may be used to attract, motivate and retain employees (Armstrong, 2010). The selected approach adopted for compilation of a total rewards policy is the Towers Perrin model of Total rewards, which explains the reward distribution in to communal and individual rewards with tangible and intangible nature, hence: Pay + Benefits + Learning and Development + Working Environment = Total Rewards Objectives †¢ Improved organizational performance – helping organizations balance their investment with employee expectations and needs, to source and retain high quality staff, winning their commitment by optimizing motivation and morale, and thereby securing better value for money and greater productivity (Armstrong, 2010).

Surf Culture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Surf Culture - Research Paper Example Although surfing as we perceive it today became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, the sport is much older. Surfing was both a pastime as well as a training module and exercise regimen in the ancient Hawaiian culture, where priests would engage in ritual dances and chants to please the sea so as to provide good waves for surfing. Surfing for the ancient Hawaiians was also a means of resolving conflicts and they took great pride in testing their skills in fierce contests. As it became popular in California and Australia, in the early twentieth century, the invention of new varieties of lighter, better-designed surfboards with improved maneuverability made the sport more accessible to greater numbers of people. What revolutionized the sport perhaps more than any other invention was that of the wetsuit that allowed surfers to experiment with new and daring surfing maneuvers and enjoy the sport in all weathers. Today the subculture of surfing has become a way of life in many parts of the wo rld especially Hawaii, California, Florida and Australia. Surfing has numerous characteristics that tend to contribute to group cohesiveness. The beach which is the natural meeting ground of surfers is a place that all can share. Since surfers meet at particular places where the waves are rideable, their interactions help form connections on the basis of the shared interest, and the excitement and intensity of the sport adds a special bond of belonging to the group.

Selling Our Future - Sense of Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Selling Our Future - Sense of Place - Essay Example This is mostly so especially in the developing countries like Kenya where land is scarce and the population is constantly growing (Brown, 2009). Economically the figures show that the economy of such a country is growing through the measure of GDP. However, if the trend in population growth being experienced continues then this would be like we are poaching from the future. This is because as it is currently, the resources are already at a strain as illustrated by Brown (2009) and in future then this GDP growth will start to decline. This greatly relate with me as an accounting student in that it helps understand how ecological factors affect the growth of economy. The Kenyan experience is an interesting one because surprisingly, in the past Kenyans have enjoyed good rich soils and rainfall patterns. This has however changed due high population that in turn has cleared a huge part of land that was previously forest cover for settlements. This has led to changes in rainfall pattern and drought occurrences are very common and thus hurting the country even more economically. This thus greatly relates to what Brown (2009) says that trees are very valuable in terms of rainfall and the environment in general. Land is viewed as a property that is mainly for economic gain and ethically there are no rules that guide the owners of the land on how to use it (Leopold, 1948). The conservation ethics should be steered to each and every person if the trend is to change for the better. The animals are also part of this population because as the human population increase, so is the animal population and this occupancy has led to less and less space available. This has caused the continuous the depletion of the lands and in the long run the economy. Like Brown (2009) expresses that the world’s economy behaves like a ponzi economy in that at a glance the economy may improve. This may be due to certain activities like excessive fishing where the lives of the

Power Abuse in Government

Power Abuse in Government Question: You have been introduced to several definitions of power. How do these definitions help you to understand power as you see it exercised in the world around you? Please give examples to illustrate your answer. At the creation of time, as per the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, a command was given to Adam and Eve to not eat of the Tree of Knowledge. As they both did so, they became acutely aware of â€Å"right† and â€Å"wrong† and were subjected to the punishment of their Almighty, Powerful God; and so began the understanding of power. How power is used often reflects the values and beliefs of the user. As a noun, the word â€Å"Power† has numerous meanings. The Oxford Dictionary (2013) defines power as the capacity to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events. Hobbes (in Nagel, 1998) identifies power as a person’s means to obtain some future good and Heywood (2007: 456) posits that power is â€Å"the ability to influence the behaviour of others, typically through the power to reward or punish†. This essay is an attempt to enlighten the reader of the concept of power and will explore this rationale further with specific concen tration on the teachings of Heywood and of Kenneth Boulding in conjunction with his book The Faces of Power, where he reveals his premise that there are three categories of power: threat power, economic power, and integrative power. At some point in time, every person wishes to possess power in some degree. Whether that is power over a brother or sister, the ability to influence friends or work colleagues, or, perhaps, running for political office. Because power is, at its core, the ability to obtain a described outcome, at some level the objective, according to Russell (1938), of all members of an organization is to obtain power. In his book Politics, Heywood (2007:11) comments that â€Å"Power can be said to be exercised whenever A gets B to do something that B would not otherwise have done. However, A can influence B in various ways†. It is these ways or â€Å"faces of power† that Heywood (2007) describes the first face of power as that of decision making and how actions, in some shape or form, influence decisions. Decision making is an ongoing process that occurs on a daily basis. On a small scale, a local shop owner is constantly making decisions that will have a direct impact on the success o r demise of his/her business. On a much larger scale, is the decisions making of a government. It is here that the teachings of Boulding (1989) have the most influence when he claims that power has three categories or faces. The first face is the power of threat—the stick—the power to destroy. Boulding goes on to state that the existence, and especially the possession, of the means of destruction, such as weapons, enhances the probability that they will be used and a very good example of the power of threat is to look at a situation in 2010 by Mexican drug cartel members on the families living in El Porvenir, Mexico. The cartels, according to an article written by Gibson and published on Examiner.com in 2010, threatened to kill every child in the border town unless the parents paid a fee for their protection or left the town. As a result of this threat, the families either paid the fee or, as a majority indeed did, fled for a neighbouring town. Another of Boulding’s faces of power that conforms to Heywood’s theory is Economic Power—the carrot—the power to produce and exchange. Globalisation has made trade with foreign nations a much easier opportunity compared to previous decades. However, tensions can, and do, run high in businesses and governments. An illustration of economic power could be that of China. It could be said that China has an economic power over a large portion of the World in that a majority of consumer products are produced in China. If international relations between China and the U.S.A. were to take a turn for the worse and in turn China were to place an embargo on exports to the United States, one of China’s largest importers, this could have a crippling effect on the U.S. economy. Boulding’s (1989) third face of power is that of integrative power—the hug—the power to build relationships. He explains that integrative power is when B does an act for A out of love or respect or want and not because A has the power of making B do said act. A very good case to demonstrate integrative power is that of a volunteer wishing to enlist in military service. Although there are countries where conscription is still in place, the majority of States rely on men and women volunteering to serve their country. It is improbably, but still possible, that an individual decides to dedicate X amount of years being browbeaten or vituperated to learn a trade or to achieve professional qualifications. Indeed, this could be obtained by attending university or a local trade school with much less difficulty. The individual enlists his or her service out of love or from a sense of duty to their nation. Yet another concept of power that is introduced by Heywood (2009) in his thesis is the power of agenda setting. The media seems to be one of the major players when agenda setting is the issue. Fox news in the United States is commonly referred to as a right-wing media outlet. As Ackerman (2001) explains, â€Å"When it comes to Fox News Channel, conservatives dont feel the need to work the ref. The ref is already on their side.† Alternatively, MSNBC is typically described as left-wing opinionated. An illustration of the type of coverage that is reported is the topic of Obamacare in the U.S.A. When Fox News covers the topic, the primary information that is passed along to its viewers is how much Obamacare will cost the U.S. citizens via way of taxation and that the Democratic President is trying to force unconstitutional laws on the American public. On the opposite side of the spectrum, when MSNBC reports on the subject, the argument is how the healthcare bill will benefit the p oor and the individuals that presently cannot afford primary care. This, undoubtedly, swings in the favour of President Obama. The final argument that Heywood posits is the power of thought control which he describes as influencing others in what they think, want, or need. To demonstrate this, attention is turned to television; children’s television to be more specific. Children’s television channels are consistently bombarded with commercials for the latest toys and any parent dealing with a child pleading for them to buy that latest toy knows perfectly well how influential those commercials can be. When watching these commercials, the parent is typically harassed with comments such as â€Å"Dad, I want that!† or â€Å"Mom, I NEED that!† when in reality, the product being advertised could simply be the identical doll or toy truck that the child currently owns but in a different coloured dress or paint style. As declared by Barnes (1988:1), â€Å"Power is one of those things, like gravity and electricity, which makes its existence apparent to us through its effects, and hence it has always been found much easier to describe its consequences than to identify its nature and its basis†. It has been put forth in this essay that power, as described by Heywood and Boulding, has numerous faces and the development when these powers are enacted has positive and negative consequences. It is assumed by many that governments use and abuse their power on a continual basis. However, as it can be seen from this work, governments are not the only actor to use and occasionally abuse their power. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ackerman, S. (2001) ‘The Most Biased Name in News’, FAIR [online], 01 July, available at: http://fair.org/extra-online-articles/the-most-biased-name-in-news/ [accessed 12 January 2013]. Barnes, B. (1988) The Nature of Power, Cambridge: Policy Press. Boulding, K. (1989) Three Faces of Power, London: Sage Publications. Gibson, D. (2010) â€Å"Drug cartel threatens to kill every child in Mexican border town† Examiner [online], available at: http://www.examiner.com/article/drug-cartel-threatens-to-kill-every-child-mexican-border-town [accessed 10 January 2014]. Heywood, Andrew (2007). Politics, 3rd ed., Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Nagel, J. (1975) The Descriptive Analysis of Power, London: Yale University Press. Russell, B. (1938) Power: A new social analysis, New York: Norton.

High Fidelity and Music Essay -- High Fidelity Music Musical essays

High Fidelity and Music In High Fidelity, Rob, the protagonist and narrator, says â€Å"I find myself worrying away at that stuff about pop music again, whether I like it because I’m unhappy, or whether I’m unhappy because I like it† (168). It is obvious to the reader that Rob has a very strong relationship to pop music but also that this relationship is not as simple as the either-or dichotomy he describes it as. At first, it is an obsession that is almost pathological; by the end, it is an aid to his relationships and his idea of who he is. Rob’s relationship to music helps us understand Rob as a character through the different ways he uses it to interact in his environment – either as a crutch inhibiting his growth or as a way to aid his self-development. At the beginning of the novel, music serves as the former. Rob does not know himself. He relies on his relationships with women to define who he is, which basically comes down to if they are willing to sleep with him, he is happy, and if they are not, he wants to know why. In this stage of his life, Rob’s relationship to music is one of dependence; it is more or less a substitution for a healthy sense of self. One manifestation of this problem is how Rob uses music to take the place of social interaction. For example, instead of expressing interest in a woman through conversation, Rob would make her a mix-tape to show her he likes her. This is what he does with Laura and again with Caroline, the woman who interviews him. When Laura catches him making the tape for this woman, Rob tries to make up an excuse but knows she doesn’t believe it; â€Å"she of all people knows what compilation tapes represent† (313). Also, the songs he puts on the tapes are the songs he likes. He obv... .... This is how we know he is starting to get an idea of who he is and that he realizes that this is different from who Laura is. Rob says, â€Å"It seems to me that if you place music (and books, probably, and films, and plays, and anything that makes you feel) at the center of your being, then you can’t afford to sort out your love life, start to think of it as the finished product. You’ve got to pick at it, keep it alive and in turmoil, you’ve got to pick at it and unravel it until it all comes apart and you’re compelled to start all over again† (169). When music was at Rob’s center, when he was using it to define himself, it was a destructive force. The definition was an illusion, and this strained his relationships. But when he realized he was the one who needed to define himself, music became a symbol of understanding of himself and of his relationship with Laura. High Fidelity and Music Essay -- High Fidelity Music Musical essays High Fidelity and Music In High Fidelity, Rob, the protagonist and narrator, says â€Å"I find myself worrying away at that stuff about pop music again, whether I like it because I’m unhappy, or whether I’m unhappy because I like it† (168). It is obvious to the reader that Rob has a very strong relationship to pop music but also that this relationship is not as simple as the either-or dichotomy he describes it as. At first, it is an obsession that is almost pathological; by the end, it is an aid to his relationships and his idea of who he is. Rob’s relationship to music helps us understand Rob as a character through the different ways he uses it to interact in his environment – either as a crutch inhibiting his growth or as a way to aid his self-development. At the beginning of the novel, music serves as the former. Rob does not know himself. He relies on his relationships with women to define who he is, which basically comes down to if they are willing to sleep with him, he is happy, and if they are not, he wants to know why. In this stage of his life, Rob’s relationship to music is one of dependence; it is more or less a substitution for a healthy sense of self. One manifestation of this problem is how Rob uses music to take the place of social interaction. For example, instead of expressing interest in a woman through conversation, Rob would make her a mix-tape to show her he likes her. This is what he does with Laura and again with Caroline, the woman who interviews him. When Laura catches him making the tape for this woman, Rob tries to make up an excuse but knows she doesn’t believe it; â€Å"she of all people knows what compilation tapes represent† (313). Also, the songs he puts on the tapes are the songs he likes. He obv... .... This is how we know he is starting to get an idea of who he is and that he realizes that this is different from who Laura is. Rob says, â€Å"It seems to me that if you place music (and books, probably, and films, and plays, and anything that makes you feel) at the center of your being, then you can’t afford to sort out your love life, start to think of it as the finished product. You’ve got to pick at it, keep it alive and in turmoil, you’ve got to pick at it and unravel it until it all comes apart and you’re compelled to start all over again† (169). When music was at Rob’s center, when he was using it to define himself, it was a destructive force. The definition was an illusion, and this strained his relationships. But when he realized he was the one who needed to define himself, music became a symbol of understanding of himself and of his relationship with Laura.

Emancipation Proclamation in 1863

To what extent were African-American slaves â€Å"free† after the abolition of slavery by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863? What challenges did they face after their emancipation? This is a subject of continued interest. History is rife with records of decades of untold torture and harrowing experiences. African-American slaves suffered at the hands of their captors and masters. They were denied all natural rights as human beings and forced to live like animals. A slave was viewed as one-third of a person and the property of their owner(s) and treated as objects, mere things.One would therefore assume that after their emancipation, life would become significantly better because the slaves were free to move away from the torturous hands of their masters. Indeed these slaves were truly hopeful to live as free people in their new land of opportunities. Regrettably, many of them faced incredible opposition and discrimination even after emancipation. Being emancipated from sla very did not, for instance, make the former slaves enjoy equal treatment as the white population. Life continued to be unbearable for them. Thus by and large, the emancipation of the African-American slaves did not truly free them nor directly lead to an increased quality of life or standard of living. It was only the beginning of that dream. Investigation Over the course of many centuries the idea of freedom has been tossed back and forth, constantly being modified to fit the standards of those times. This ideology has also steadily progressed through history. As far back as history can tell us, freedom was virtually non-existent. People were under the absolute rule of kings and monarchs. As revolts and rebellions occurred against these monarchs the idea of freedom gradually evolved. Citizens began to recognize that they were equal as human beings and had rights, thus refused to blindly follow their incapable leaders any longer. With this change also came a revolution in the government. Other forms of leading a nation were being considered besides the ever so popular and rominent monarchy, such as a constitutional monarchy in which the people were given significantly greater freedom and involvement in decision making processes, which would eventually become a rough design for our modern day democracy. But in the case of African slaves in the United States, this hierarchy of absolute power and control appeared insurmountable. Forced to live terrible lives on plantations at the hands of their masters in horrendous conditions, being free someday was all they had to keep them going. This wish was fulfilled in 1863 with the creation of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln. The slaves were now free to become independent and lead their own lives. But emancipation, as a matter of fact, was only a large stepping stone for the slaves. But for a few ‘privileged’ slaves who served as house servants, the â€Å"sunrise-to-sunset† back-breaking jobs on farms and plantations became their vocation for which many were unaccustomed to. They were punished for any flimsy reason with a variety of objects and instruments including whips, knives, guns and field tools. They were hanged, forced to walk a treadmill, placed in chains and shackles or in various contraptions such as thick and heavy metal collars with protruding spikes that made fieldwork difficult and prevented the slave from sleeping while lying down. Even the most kindly and humane masters used the threat of violence to force these field hands to work from dawn to dusk. Runaways were also heavily punished, mercilessly flogged in the presence of all the slaves assembled from the neighboring plantations, chained with heavy weights round the neck, or chained to another person, sometimes of the opposite sex for an extended period and flogged repeatedly. As if that were not enough, the wounds of the slaves whipped were burst and rubbed with turpentine and red pepper. Enslaved black women were raped by their owners, members of their owner's families, or their owner's friends, and children who resulted from such rapes were slaves as well. Being pregnant did not spare a slave woman the whip or rod. A hole was dug for her to rest her belly while being whipped. They were also at constant risk of losing members of their families if their owners decided to sell them for profit, punishment, or to pay debts. Slavery indeed was dehumanizing in every sense of the word. The Declaration of Emancipation was monumental, and came with the renewed sense of hope that life after their emancipation would become significantly better. Being free, the former slaves envisaged being able to live with a sense of purpose and pride in a land ripe with a cornucopia of opportunities waiting to be capitalized on. Spirits were high and celebration took place as ideas and fantasies of a rich lifestyle with a good standard of living were being formulated. [1] For some ex slaves, their dreams became somewhat of a reality as their fight for survival during slavery helped them develop the wits needed to succeed in their new found world. Unfortunately, there were many tragic disappointments, as nearly all the slaves that were emancipated were forced to return back to their old masters after leaving the plantations, starving and diseased. [2] Many were not able to survive on their own. This came as a result of both internal and external forces – being somewhat trapped by their own helplessness, insecurities, lack of knowledge[3] and still viewed as slaves by the whites. Even though former slaves became free to travel throughout the south daring to leave the plantation to visit or search for loved ones from whom they had become separated was no small feat. Other challenges also included deciding on a name as well as the more elusive task of creating an identity with no sense of one's ancestry, making choices for themselves about where they labored and the type of work they performed, the use of public accommodations, providing for one's daily needs and pursuing an education. When one lives at the hands and mercy of a master who controls every aspect of one’s life, starting fresh in a ‘foreign country’ can prove to be a difficult task. For many of them, the dream was short-lived. In many respects, the slaves were not solely responsible for their burdens or inability to rise to freedom. Simply declaring that the slaves were free did not go far enough to enable them become self-determined. They needed the help and guidance of those in control not only to survive but also to thrive. Without much land, money, materials or no legal title to aid them, they soon became ‘freed’ in name only, rather than as legal citizens who were entitled to the most basic liberties. It was no wonder news about the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment in January 1865, was greeted with euphoria and relief. This new chapter in American history was to fully abolish slavery in the United States, ‘freeing’ four million African Americans. Men and women – black and white, and in the North and South began the work of rebuilding the shattered union and of creating a new social order called Reconstruction that would hold many promises. Many young blacks also joined the army upon encouragement from military generals, lured in by the prospect of earning money and the being accepted by the whites. [4] Furthermore, with the protection of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1866, citizenship was to be granted to all people born or naturalized in the United States and guaranteeing that no American (including the freed slaves) would be denied the right to vote on the basis of race. With that, the freed Southern black men began to exercise this right to vote and actively participate in the political process, many being elected to the United States Congress and local offices. Racial lines seemed to begin to diminish as coalitions of white and black Republicans passed bills to establish the first public school systems in most states of the South, although sufficient funding was hard to find. Freedom truly seemed to fill the air. They also met in annual conventions across the nation and issued heart-felt addresses to the people of the United States, to affirm their status as citizens and implore the support of fair-minded white people. In spite of the daunting challenges, former African-American slaves were determined to succeed in their new found freedom; and they did – making significant strides in establishing their own churches, towns and businesses. Their quest for equality, and the opportunity to live in harmony with any other ethnic group in the country[5] prompted their swift rejection of President Lincoln’s 1862 offer to segregate them to the District of Columbia, which they could colonize. Even with the winds of the Thirteenth Amendment on their backs, the ride to freedom was everything but smooth. Opponents of this progress soon rallied against the former slaves' freedom and began to find means for eroding the gains for which many had shed their blood. Some Whites were even skeptical in the first place, stating that the slaves should have – at least – been in some way educated or prepared for freedom, before it was so suddenly thrust upon them so they didn’t become an evil and menace to the welfare of the entire country. White supremacists sought to return blacks to their subordinate status under slavery. They resurrected barriers and enacted new laws to segregate society along racial lines. They limited black access to transportation, schools, restaurants and other public facilities. The groundbreaking advances of Reconstruction were quickly being reversed. Extreme racist Southerners hated them just as much if not more than before they were freed. Forming anti-black groups such as the Klu Klux Klan they continued to harass and persecute them with unimaginable acts of violence. As rioting increased by enraged white people against African Americans – whom they accused of stealing their jobs – millions of these former slaves began living in a constant state of anxiety and fear.. While most blacks were denied their right to keep and bear arms and therefore unable to protect themselves or their families, lynching increasingly became the weapon of white mob terror. A combination of similar acts of oppression such as fraud and intimidation were also employed to reduce black voting and regain control of state legislatures. Laws or provisions passed such as poll taxes, residency requirements and literacy tests made voter registration and elections more complicated which overwhelmingly disadvantaged blacks. Litigation to challenge such provisions at the state and national levels were to no avail as the Supreme Court upheld the states’ decisions. Their treatment and accommodations became inferior to those provided for white Americans, systematizing a number of economic, educational and social disadvantages. Black soldiers for instance, were not given as much pay as their fellow white soldiers, and it was only until they appealed through a letter to Abraham Lincoln that this policy was changed to even the pay scale. [6] Segregation in all public facilities, with a supposedly â€Å"separate but equal† was also mandated. Conclusion The crux of the Emancipation Proclamation – which advocated abolition of slavery – was easier said than done. It simply raised the hopes of many enslaved African Americans about the prospect of freedom only to leave them still despairing. African Americans continued suffer from segregation, lack of education, and political disenfranchisement. Freedom for them appeared to be superficial, if at all existent– only fulfilling their desire to truly make lives for themselves, while ignoring or depriving them of the means to achieve it. They were still unprotected from the brutal attacks suffered at the hands of anti-Negro groups[7] who still despised them, and granted no help in developing a new lifestyle. The lack of equality, legal or human rights made achieving anything remarkably unfair and near impossible. Life was just as it was under the bondage of slavery. Hence for all the good intentions for the abolition of slavery , the Declaration of Emancipation did not truly spell freedom and equality for all African-American slaves, nor did it directly lead to a lasting increased quality of life or standard of living. It was a huge step towards the beginning of a long, painful struggle for freedom – far longer and more difficult than anyone could realize. The ruling government could and should have done more to quell the uprisings the emancipation triggered, and worked towards helping the former slaves establish themselves while integrating them with other groups to live in peace. It was the thirteenth amendment passed after the end of the American Civil War which permanently abolished slavery and also paved the way for further amendments to the constitution that would brought complete freedom for the former slaves.

Gideon Mantell - Profile of the Famous Paleontologist

Gideon Mantell - Profile of the Famous Paleontologist Name: Gideon Mantell Born/Died: 1790-1852 Nationality: British Dinosaurs Named: Iguanodon, Hylaeosaurus About Gideon Mantell Trained as an obstetrician, Gideon Mantell was inspired to hunt for fossils by the example of Mary Anning (who unearthed the remains of an ichthyosaur in 1811, on the English coast). In 1822, Mantell (or his wife; the details are murky on this point) discovered strange, giant teeth in the county of Sussex. Intrigued, Mantell showed the teeth to various authorities, one of whom, Georges Cuvier, initially dismissed them as belonging to a rhinoceros. Shortly thereafter, it was established beyond any dispute that the teeth were left by an ancient reptile, which Gideon named Iguanodonthe first example in history of a dinosaur fossil being discovered, analyzed, and assigned a specific genus. Although hes best known for Iguanodon (which he initially wanted to name Iguanasaurus), Mantell specialized in Englands late Cretaceous fossil deposits, which yielded the remains of numerous (non-dinosaur) animals and plants. In fact, one of his limited-edition books, The Geology of Sussex, received a terse bit of fan mail from none other thank King George IV: His majesty is pleased to command that his name should be placed at the head of the subscription list for four copies. Sadly for Mantell, after his discovery of Iguanodon, the rest of his life was anticlimactic: in 1838, he was forced by poverty to sell his fossil collection to the British Museum, and after a long illness he committed suicide in 1852. Weirdly, one of Mantells paleontological rivals, Richard Owen, got hold of Mantells pickled spine after his death and displayed it in his museum! (Owenthe coiner of the word dinosaur who never gave Mantell the credit he deservedis also believed to have written an anonymous, damning obituary of Mantell after the latters death, which didnt prevent a future paleontologist from naming a genus in his honor, Mantellisaurus.)

President Theodore Teddy Roosevelt

President Theodore Teddy Roosevelt Introduction Born on 27th October, 1858, Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States of America. He took over as president at the age of 42 years after the assassination of President William McKinley. He is remembered by many as the most active American President who lived a very exciting life. Roosevelt was funny, smart, hardworking and very brave (Potts 5).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on President Theodore â€Å"Teddy† Roosevelt specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Roosevelt’s Personality Theodore Roosevelt was a very popular President who cared about all people regardless of their status in society. He loved people and in his service to the Americans, he used powers given to him to seek help for others. It is him love for people that motivated him to study law. He also cared so much about nature and desired so to save it for the future generations (McKay 2). His strong interest in nat ure led him to Harvard University in Massachusetts where he studied to be a naturalist; a scientists who studies plants and animals (McKay 5). During his tenure as a civil service commissioner, he made attempts to change the way government hired its employees. According to President Roosevelt, government employees were expected to provide services to the public impartially and it was very critical to have them trained properly to carry out their duties (Potts 11). Roosevelt led the police commission in New York City at a time when the public had completely lost trust in the police force. He fired any police officer who was not good at his or her job and slowly but surely, he managed to restore the public’s confidence in the police and the police commissioner (Potts 11). Roosevelt’s Greatest Achievement According to Hooton (1), Roosevelt was the most effective conservationist that American has ever seen. He lived up to his dream of preserving nature for the future and b ecause of his relentless efforts, Americans now have water, food and forest lands (Hooton 1). In my opinion, this is a very remarkable achievement considering that climate change and environmental degradation is and will continue to be a real menace to the survival of mankind. Presently, many countries are paying a high price because of poor natural resource management policies. Because of man’s never ending ambitions and destructive activities, we keep hearing stories about extended drought periods and people dying of hunger. When President Roosevelt finally came to power as the President of the United States, his first agenda was to ensure that the nation’s resources were preserved. In his maiden speech to the Congress he made his intentions quite clear when he declared that Americans had to stop thinking that the nation’s resources were unlimited.Advertising Looking for essay on biography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OF F Learn More Subsequently, he proclaimed a policy to invalidate the historic thought that America’s resources should be exploited for the sake of nation building (Hooton 1). The federal government later participated actively to reinforce the new policy. In his view, Roosevelt was convinced that a good nation must be able to pass its resources to the future generation increased and not depleted (Hooton 1). Conclusion Clearly, Theodore â€Å"Teddy† Roosevelt left a mark in the American History. A part from positively impacting the lives of many Americans, Roosevelt worked hard to conserve America’s natural resources. Today, his conservation efforts can be seen in a number of ways. The presence of 150 forests and 24 reclamation projects speak volumes about what he did for American. He believed that the federal government was responsible for conserving and protecting natural resources and ensured that they did so to the benefit of the nation (Hooton 1). Hooton, LeRoy W. President Theodore â€Å"Teddy† Roosevelt, America’s Conservationist. Salt Lake City, UT: Salt Lake City Corporation. 2009. Web. McKay, Sindy. President Theodore Roosevelt. San Anselmo, CA: Treasure Bay, Inc., 2006. Print. Potts, Steve. Theodore Roosevelt. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2006. Print.

FIIN 501 MoD 1 SLP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

FIIN 501 MoD 1 SLP - Essay Example Its future performance will depend upon the possibility of oil discovery and potential reserves in the proven oil fields. Some of the important financials of the company are tabulated as per the following. Annual year ended data all numbers in thousands Financials Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011 Dec 31, 2010 Sales/Revenue Nil Nil Nil Net Income (282,999) (133,637) (136,476) Total Assets 4,011,459 2,527,944 1,746,443 Total Liabilities 1,322,241 449,030 27,409 Owner’s equity 2,689,218 2,078,914 1,719,034 Change in Cash 1,133,269 (10,174) (790,380) Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=CIE+Income+Statement&annual http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bs?s=CIE+Balance+Sheet&annual The reason for choosing the company is to show that the company's shares can trade in the stock market even when the company has neither made any sales nor any profit so far. The company continues to make operating expenses necessary for oil exploration activiities for last several years. This also shows that investors continue to demand shares of Cobalt because they are quite optimistic on its oil finds and once, the company is successful in oil discovery; its stock price may flare up exponentially. Initial Public Offering Going public is a significant decision for any company. The advantage is that it opens up a new avenue for the company to garner funds for its expansion requirements. The process is certainly time-consuming and the company needs to be cautious in meeting several statutory requirements. While going ahead for a public issue, the important thing is to be noted that as per the US securities laws, it is incumbent upon issuer to disclose all material information accurately and completely so that investor can make an appropriate decision. Misstatement or any omission of a fact can lead to a huge liability to the issuer, underwriters, board of directors and controlling persons. IPO in the US market necessitates that the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has taken due care in establishing the effective internal control over financing reporting to the general public. The company who is planning to go public needs to take a series of steps that can be described as per the following (Going Public in the US, 2008). The Company Board Resolution First of all, Cobalt's board needs to pass a resolution giving their consent to make an Initial Public offering by the company (A Guide to going public, 2013). Independent Auditors The company needs to appoint independent auditors as approved by the SEC. The company and its auditors need to prepare all financial statements as per the US GAAP or IFRS (A Guide to going public, 2013). SEC Registration The company needs to complete registration with the SEC and take approval for an IPO by submitting all relevant information in the prescribed format (A Guide to going public, 2013). Appointment of Counselor This is required so that counselor begins preparing prospectus related to the IPO offering. Subseque ntly, the company needs to prepare presentation material for the "Road Show" for institutional investors (A Guide to going public, 2013). Appointment of Underwriters In order to take the company public, Cobalt needs to appoint underwriters or the investment banks as they will

Filibustering Within the Senate Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Filibustering Within the Senate - Research Paper Example The Supreme Court, in 1892, ruled that Senate rules could be changed through a simple majority, although this could occur only in March or January’s first day session. On this day, rules are determined anew with the rules not automatically continuous to the next session. Proponents refer to this as the constitutional option while opponents call it the nuclear option. Rule changes can be filibustered under rules currently in force in the US Senate, with two thirds of voting Senators needed to break it (Arenberg & Dove, 2012). In the US Senate, the process will still take floor time even if it is unsuccessful in the first attempt. Filibustering, however, is not a preserve of the US Senate. In particular, the Senate in Texas has a tradition of obstruction with over one hundred filibusters in the last seventy years (Newell, 2011). The State also has the longest filibuster in US history, lasting over forty-three hours in 1957. In fact, in 2003, Texas Senators fled the State in orde r to deny a quorum for the majority party. This shows that filibustering is not an anomaly of the US Senate, being a general phenomenon that also exists in Texas with Senators exploiting the rules in existence to gain leverage and block measures. The Texas state uses various filibustering forms, including prolonged speaking, quorum breaking, and dilatory motions that are meant to kill time (Brown, 2012). In addition, the Senate in Texas limits debate using a previous question motion, although this does not make it impossible to filibuster. Unlike the situation in the US Senate, Texas Senators need to apply actual effort in their filibustering. Texas Senators in a filibuster are limited to relevant topics with regards to the bill in the Senate and are not allowed to use the restroom, drink, or eat when presenting their speech (Maxwell et al, 2012). Texas Senate rules also prohibit leaning on chairs or sitting at any time under any circumstances when a Senator is on the floor of the h ouse and addressing the resolution or bill. The filibuster will end when there is voluntary withdrawal by the Senator or if the Senator violates the debate and decorum rules three times. The Senate will then vote after the third violations on a point of order that, if sustained, will see the Senator involuntarily yield his/her floor-time (Janda et al, 2013). In both the US and Texas Senate, it is worth noting that the manner in which Senators filibuster subtracts or adds from the difficulty of a filibuster that is active (Santos, 2011). It is easier for Senators to filibuster when seated, or even making repeated calls, quorum calls, or sending documents for loud reading by the chamber clerk. Speaking and standing is a taxing activity with the two Senates limiting the power of obstruction through interpretation of rules to ensure that filibustering is difficult. It also ensures that it is easier to call Senators to order (Beth, 2011). One instance in the Texas Senate saw three strike s against Senator Wendy Davis because another Senator helped her to re-strap her back brace. The other two violations involved germaneness requirements in the discussion of a Texas law that needed sonograms prior to abortions