Cigarettes: United States Constitution and American Medical Association Essay

Should the production and sale of cigarettes be made illegal? Cigarettes have had a declining reputation ever since they were linked to various forms of cancer, and other debilitating conditions. Cigarettes were not seen as harmful until public awareness was raised about the issue. Now, there are many advocates for cigarettes and many against them, but does the government have the right to make decisions for the public? Sadly, in the democracy we live in today, there is not much democracy at all. If the government wanted cigarettes to be banned, cigarettes would be banned. The government follows its own agenda, regardless of the general public opinion. The government will always find a way to put a facade over the law and argue that no rights are being violated. According to the United States Constitution, under the authority of Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3, better known as the commerce clause, it reads, â€Å"The congress shall have power †¦ To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . This states that the federal government has the authority to govern and regulate any commerce within the states. Article one also states, â€Å"The congress shall have power†¦ provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . So if the government decided to ban cigarettes they could use this Article to argue that they are looking out for the best of the public. It is under this law that the government is able to place bans on uncontrolled substances as well. So, if the Supreme Court holds power to ban an uncontrolled substance, like marijuana, but not cigarettes, it would be inconsistent. If it has the power to ban one, it has the power to ban both, under United States law. Both marijuana and cigarettes are considered parts of commerce amongst the states, so the federal government is able to place bans where they find applicable on both. How constitutional this is is infinitely arguable, and all bans placed on uncontrolled substances have been narrowly constitutional; however, it is the law. Cigarettes should not be banned because of the amount of money the government would lose from tobacco taxes. The government makes a considerable amount of money every year from cigarette taxes. Banning cigarettes would also create a black-market for the product and cause more trouble than good. Also, a ban on cigarettes would cause an increase in unemployment worldwide. Even with tens of thousands of people becoming unemployed, the potential for black-market cigarette retail, and a proportional loss in revenue for the government, critics argue cigarettes need to be banned. The problem with these critics is that their points of argument are thin at best, and fail to give substantial reasons for banning cigarettes. Most notably, the outcry of non-smokers claiming they have to pay extra taxes for old-aged smokers that have acquired costly health problems. An interesting proposal when there are so many studies that suggest the opposite. An article from The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that in order to have full fairness, smokers should be paid between 22 cents and $1. 28 by non-smokers for each pack smoked. This would balance out the societal costs and savings from the smokers habits (Manning 261:1604). So, while statistics say smokers get cancers, heart disease and other conditions that require costly care at a younger age, the same statistics state that smokers die at an earlier age. Therefore, they are not collecting their full potential of pension and social security benefits in their older age. They also do not cause long-term geriatric or nursing home bills like non-smokers do. Another point to make is that when a non-smoker gets lung cancer it is blamed on genetics, but when a smoker gets lung cancer it is assumed it was from smoking. Who is to say that the smoker’s lung cancer was not genetics as well? It should also be noted that lung cancer is a quick, degenerative form of cancer that kills fast which again, supports the claim that smokers cost less for taxpayers. The American Medical Association was not the only organization making these claims. Later in 1993, The U. S.  Office of Technology Assessment stated, â€Å"Reduction or elimination of smoking would improve health and extend longevity, but may not lead to savings in health care costs. In fact, significant reductions in smoking prevalence and the attendant increase in life expectancy could lead to future increases in total medical spending, in Medicare program outlays, and in the budgets of the social security†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (OTA 60). If that is not enough to convince one, the Congressional Research Service conducted a similar study with similar conclusions in 1994 which was then published in 1997 in the reputable New England Journal of Medicine. The Congressional Research Service stated, â€Å"Health care costs for smokers at a given age are as much as 40 percent higher than those for nonsmokers, but in a population in which no one smoked the costs would be 7 percent higher among men and 4 percent higher among women than the costs in the current mixed population of smokers and nonsmokers. If all smokers quit, health care costs would be lower at first, but after 15 years they would become higher than at present. In the long term, complete smoking cessation would produce a net increase in health care costs† (Barendregt et al 337). If you are interested in learning more about cigarette smokers and their cost to the public, read From Cash Crop to Cash Cow, by W. Kip Viscusi. So smokers end up not costing as much as the public thinks in terms of healthcare, but what are some other reasons cigarettes should not be banned? How about the large chunk of money the government would lose from tobacco taxes? This is a very valid point seeing how revenue from tobacco taxes are used by the government as funding for hospitals, schools and other public amenities. Banning cigarettes would directly affect the amount of money the government has for these building costs. This would have a negative effect on the general public, particularly, their wallets. According to the United States treasury, in their fiscal year 2013 budget planning documents, the total federal revenue for tobacco is mentioned at over fifteen billion dollars for 2011. (U. S. Dept. of Treasury 16). With a lack of money coming from tobacco sales, the government would have to find another way to get funding for these projects and that would become evident with increases in property, income or alcohol taxes. Banning cigarettes would cause a general disturbance amongst smokers. To be able to smoke freely one day then for it to become illegal the next day would cause a lot of commotion. Harmless people in society would soon turn to illegal activities, such as smoking a cigarette, and be prosecuted for it. People are addicted to cigarettes, so a ban would not stand in the way of a lot of smokers trying to get what they want. Not only would there be a lot of irritable citizens, there would be a lot of productive and useful citizens being booked for petty crimes like possessing cigarettes. A black-market would ensue the ban and cause more trouble for the government than good. Foreign countries notorious for black-market activity would hop on the bandwagon as soon as they got word of the ban and start selling cigarettes illegally to under the table distributors in the United States. In the end, the government would end up spending more money monitoring the illegal sales of cigarettes instead of spending it on more beneficial things to society like finding and prosecuting murderers, kingpins, and organized crime. Overall, it would not be worth it. Loss of jobs needs to be accounted for as well. Not just the cigarette industry but also all the workers that contribute to the process of making a pack and selling it to distributors. There are people employed to make the cardboard-like cigarette boxes, people employed to make the paper that wraps around the cigarettes, people employed that make the designs on the packs, people employed to make the cellophane that wraps the outside of the pack. Also the truck drivers that deliver the cigarettes, and the engineers that keep the machines running in the cigarette factories, and the people who harvest tobacco, and all of the executive positions within all of these companies. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated 662,400 people are employed with tobacco related jobs in the United States alone and worldwide, in the tens of millions (NCDA&CS 2). What people against cigarettes do not realize is how far the ban would reach and affect the livelihoods of a massive amount of people across the globe. Banning cigarettes would cause more problems and be another thing to worry about for the government and the citizens. The government would lose money from its tobacco tax, a black-market for cigarettes would be made, forcing the government to take action, and most importantly tens of millions of employed people would be without a job. It would not make sense to stir up commotion because a few people are concerned about health risks or smokers causing extra taxation for healthcare. As stated before, smokers cost less than non-smokers and a complete cessation of smoking would cause an increase in health care taxes in the long run. For the critics saying how bad smoking is for someone’s health, they have no authority to tell people how they should live their lives. People have the freedom to choose what they do to their bodies. The general public is able to make their own decisions and the government should not be able to make decisions for the public in regards to what they put in to their bodies. Even though constitutional law saws congress has the power to make choices for the welfare of its citizens, it still should not be allowed. What personal freedoms do we have if the government starts telling us we cannot smoke cigarettes? Soon they will be telling us to stop eating so much and sleeping so little. The government will say it is for the better of the people and that they are trying to keep the public healthy, but since when does the government genuinely care about the public? The government runs its own agenda regardless of the public. It is well known that the government is not planning on banning cigarettes anytime soon. Whichever party is responsible for that decision will lose a very large amount of its support network and neither political party is willing to take that risk. Plus why take that risk when there is a chance for the government to make more money by increasing cigarette taxes? The government just wants money. The government is addicted to cigarette taxes as much as smokers are to cigarettes.

Education and Louisiana Content Standards Essay

The word comes from the Latin word currere which means the course to be run. It contains the courses of study that a student has to complete successfully to obtain a degree certifying competence. (It is the What and Instruction is the How) In K-12 schools, it also contains the standards and benchmarks for each of the courses of study. Students must successfully complete the benchmarks in order to complete the course. In this new age, those benchmarks are measured by the Louisiana Educational Assessment Plan (LEAP). During the 1920s, the definition of curriculum as school experiences was developed by progressive educators to emphasize the quality of experiences. What children learn in school is wider than what goes on in the classrooms. It includes experiences in hallways, the cafeteria, playground, etc. These experiences cannot be separated from the responsibility of educators. There are five types of curriculum: FORMAL- The formal curriculum is the intended curriculum, explicit, overt, and written. It includes the planned and advertised menu of courses, the content of those courses, the catalog descriptions, and the regular public activities included in those courses. You will find this in the Louisiana Content Standards and Benchmarks and the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs). INFORMAL-The informal curriculum is also intended, but not explicit or written. This includes such things as citizenship, manners, and social skills and is influenced by the teacher and his or her educational philosophy. It is reflected in the classroom and is often found in the rules and procedures that a teacher implements. It is also evident in the methodologies chosen by a teacher. For example, I have a strong belief in learning styles; therefore, in face-to-face classrooms, I include a lot of hands-on activities for students to participate and engage in. Also, I include activities that involve lots of student interaction. HIDDEN- The hidden curriculum is the covert, or implicit, implied by the very structure of the school buildings. It is learned by exposure of living in  the environment. It is characterized by the reward systems, physical plan of the school, furniture arrangement, etc. When you look at a school, is there a trophy case for sporting events, but not academics? Are classes dismissed every Friday, 6th or 7th period, for a pep rally? If so, that school would value athletics over academics. As you look at the structure of the school, is there a computer room, or is technology eviden t in every classroom? Are teachers allowed to attend professional development activities during the school day? All these things will provide information about the hidden curriculum of the school. Hidden curriculum is researched by critical theorists. NULL-The null curriculum is what is left out, not attended to, or taught. What is missing from your school, or even the Louisiana Content Standards and Benchmarks? Does the school embrace diversity, or just say it does? EXTRA-The extra-curriculum includes those activities that are structured by the teachers and administration. If a school has a football team, a basketball team, track team (etc.) but no history club, Spanish club, math club (etc. ), one might infer that athletics are valued more than academics. If the school has a basketball team and track team and also has National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, (etc. ), one would infer that all learnings are valued. What is the relationship between Formal Curriculum and Hidden Curriculum? What is the relationship between Formal Curriculum and Informal Curriculum? How do all forms of c urriculum relate to each other curriculum?

Does globalisation benefit the third world or does it in fact make Essay

Does globalisation benefit the third world or does it in fact make them worse off and increase inequality - Essay Example It is this structural feature that is at the very core of explaining why individuals are worse off as a consequence of globalization. Finally, this analysis will provide empirical evidence reflecting the consequences of these structural and systemic inequalities. Consideration will be paid to living conditions and the exploitation of labour as evidence of greater inequality and a worse situation under globalization. INTRODUCTION: In the past decade, the process of globalization has become solidified as a central political agenda in the developed or Western world. That this phenomenon has lead to the â€Å"polarization† between the â€Å"rich† and â€Å"poor† is substantiated in countless studies [Rapley, 2003: 87; Murshed, 2002: 2; Beck, 2000: 57; McGrew and Poku, 2007: 7]. It will be argued in the following analysis, that there is greater inequality precisely because of the structural conditions that have created globalization. It will be argued that the neolibe ral agenda in theory, practice and influence are precisely what makes inequality an indisputable problem. Thus, inequality due to globalization is systemic in nature, and measured in impact by an increased degree of polarization between the rich and poor. It will be argued that globalization increases inequality. NEOLIBERAL BACKGROUND: Globalization is largely a post-war (1945 -) phenomenon. It describes the process whereby ‘trade’, ‘economies’ and ‘communication’ become more integrated on a world scale [Ohmae, 1991: 192]. Largely speaking, it has been facilitated by a marked increase in a variety of technologies, such as progress in the areas of transportation and telecommunications, and it has been also facilitated by relative political stability and a consensus of market capitalism. As a term, it was coined in the early 1950's but did not come into prominence in political literature until the late 1960's [Hopkins, Ed., 2004: 4ff]. One of the defining features of this process, is that it is largely market-driven, and as Moody [1998] argues, legitimated by the rise of neo-liberalism coinciding with the decline of Keynesian economic models [Moody, 1998: 119]. That is, and in brief, Keynesian economic theory, posited that the means of creating economic growth was to centrally control an economy to some extent, and this entailed establishing a social infrastructure which placed money directly into the hands of individuals within a society. The theory suggested that by increasing the amount a government spent in areas such as social programs, the greater the prospects that the benefactors would generate revenue for the economy in general or a â€Å"believe that money earned by the richest would trickle down to the poorest† [Boyle and Sims, 2009: 27]. By contrast, neo-liberalism maintained that by cutting social programs, and in turn, reducing government spending and therefore taxes, more wealth would be generated thro ugh the reinvestment of income which would have been paid in taxes: â€Å"this new policy approach was neoliberalism: a mixture of neoclassical economic fundamentalism, market regulation in place of state guidance, economic redistribution in favor of capital (known as ‘supply-side’

Wall St Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wall St Journal - Essay Example The significance of the major concern linked with the requirement of a 21st century trade policy is of great importance in today’s business world as it might bring new changes particularly in trade liberalization. It is worth mentioning in this similar context that the new alterations especially in the aspect of trade liberalization would lower trade barrier throughout the globe facilitating dynamic global trade (Razeen, â€Å"Its Time for a 21st-Century Trade Policy†). According to the article, it has been apparently observed that the World Trade Organization (WTO) and free-trade agreements (FTAs) are broadly considered as trade negotiations belonging to 20th century and thus requires 21st century trade policies for the purpose of raising the level of global trade with the gaining momentum of globalization along with internationalization. The article mainly focused upon realizing the need for a 21st century trade policy representing that the tariff barriers would be reduced by a considerable level as it is regarded to be one of the major obstructions towards trade. The article concerning â€Å"Its Time for a 21st-Century Trade Policy† revealed that the modern world require adopting as well as executing 21st century related trade policies in order to mitigate or address different financial issues. In this similar concern, one of the economic issues can be identified as sustaining the growth performance of exports. It has been viewed that the growth of exports were not much satisfactory in the early years due to the factor of augmented tariff barriers. Thus, according to the article, the world requires to introduce as well as to implement effective trade policies belonging to 21st century for the purpose of mitigating the aforementioned economic issue by a greater level through lessening tariff barriers by a certain degree (Razeen,† Its Time for a 21st-Century Trade Policy†). The change of 20th century trade policies to 21st century

Child psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Child psychology - Essay Example All these factors display the maturity that child attains, physical growth, development of the body, brain and nervous system besides the competence a child bears (Development: Its Nature). This course of sequential changes brings maturity in the development. The psychological impact is seen if there occurs some genetic disorder or any cognitive problem or deprivation of natural developmental process (Development: Its Nature). Early childhood (1 - 3 yrs), is the age of schema, cognition, sensorimotor development, a stage of awareness about object permanence, language development or preoperational stage, building words and conversation are of prime importance. This is the stage when gross and fine motor skills are developed. Growth in this stage is rapid (Development: Its Nature) and therefore nutritional requirement is more for the complete development and must include rich protein diet. In this stage development of autonomous learning and regulated actions are the prime focuses as child starts representing things with words and images but lack logical reasoning (Exploring Child Development). This can be understood with the Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The child is a keen observer at this stage; therefore psychological impact of the environment is more during this stage of development. What child grasps from the environment impacts the personality of the child. For the complete development of the child it is imperative that the child must be engaged in various activities that involve problem solving skills, more conversation must be carried out for the development of language during early childhood (Exploring Child Development). During this stage child develops self-awareness, concept of gender and emotions. Parenting behaviors at this stage directly influences the young child development (Exploring Child Development). Any kind of parental dispute, divorce or broken relationship directly affects young child's development. It is in this stage peer and sibling relationships develop. Congenial and healthy relationships directly influences psychology of the child and fill the child with trust and faith in the relationships. Since grasping is very high in this stage, parents must understand the psychology of the child and should filter the programs on the television as they directly influence the young children's emotional and social development (Exploring Child Development). In the middle childhood (3 - 5 yrs) the growth is somewhat rapid followed by a plateau stage in late childhood (5 - 12 yrs). During this stage improvement in cognitive skills occur, thinking is more abstract, theoretical and hypothetical (De velopment: Its Nature). During this stage many progressive, coherent and orderly changes are observed in a definite direction. These changes are not of the same kind and are in the size, features, intellectual abilities, psychological behavior in the society, communication, logical skills, learning as a result of child's interaction with the environment and maturation in terms of revealing steady opening-up of characters or potentials present in an individual due to genetics or

Write a paper on feild trip experience to holocaust museum, orachard Essay

Write a paper on feild trip experience to holocaust museum, orachard lake road, farmington hills michigan - Essay Example There was a wall that followed the anti-Semitism in Europe from the first Jews to World War II. After reading and seeing about European Jews, I did not understand why the Jews were so hated. It did explain how the Nazi party was able to isolate and deport the Jews to the camps. Ghettos were part of European life for the Jews. The ramp going down to the Holocaust exhibits was lined with Nazi propaganda posters and other exhibits showing how the Nazis came to power. The different phases of the Final Solution were explained in graphic detail. More disturbing pictures were in pull out drawers. The worst part was the confines of the cattle car. I was only there for a short time, but the thought of being there for days terrified me. The Abyss was large screens showing what the liberators found. Each dead body or living skeleton was a person just like me. They had loved, hated, feared, hurt, and suffered. It is one thing to read six million people died, but to understand six million lives were snuffed out is totally different. The righteous Gentile wall was a little more reassuring. The eternal flame was a fitting memorial. I played the â€Å"what would you do† interaction terminal. It made me think. I would like to say I would have saved Jews, but that is too easy to think. If everyone would have felt that way the Holocaust would not have

The Future of Home Landscape Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Future of Home Landscape - Essay Example This discussion stresses that most contemporary land designers have adopted classy home outlooks with emphasis on the exterior outlook of the houses that are made to appear more unique, natural, and attractive. The incorporation of modern elements such as outdoor benches can be useful as meeting places during hot weather; additionally, swimming pools provide exquisite refreshment zones. Formal and ornamental splashes are used to decorate the house and serve human purposes where individuals experience the feeling of change while in the building. The Lurie Garden is an example of exquisite outdoor elements of home landscapes. Despite the modernization of home landscape, the infrastructure faces major challenges regarding the sustainability of their originality in case the indigenous designer is no longer present to oversee maintenance. Most of the previously exquisite features currently appear to be extinct due to negligence.As the paper discusses  in the U.S., landscape architecture is an inherently ephemeral art form that is adapted for the exhibition.   Home landscape designs in modern cities are utilizing the vast amount of waste to turn trash into treasures through recycling and reusing the wastes for exterior decorations.   The outdoor space is given more attention by designers. It is manicured into front lawns, stone paver pathway, and intricate garden designs.  Prospective landscaping architects are aiming to incorporate more beautiful gardens to remodel the exterior appearance of the houses and reduce wastage of space.

Saudi Arabia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example government has used the oil wealth of the country for the benefit of its people and it has put a lot of investment not only in infrastructure but also in education (Khatib, 2011). In fact, it can be said that some of the infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is better developed than that in the United States. The cities of this country are also very well planned and built and these are designed in very modern architecture. It is actually a breathtaking site when one approaches a Saudi Arabian city from a distance; it is truly an image of a beautiful oasis in the desert. This country has a very extensive social welfare system that caters for all its citizens and one could dare argue that the Saudi Arabian social welfare system actually functions better than the one in the United States (Wiley, 1999). Many in the United States believe that since Saudi Arabia is a traditionalist society, it does not have the necessary development to be in the modern world. The American image of Saudi Arabia is one of nomadic Arab tribesmen moving from place to place in the desert with nothing better to do than breed religious fanatics (Kamran, 2000). This image of Saudi Arabia is a very bad stereotype of the people of this state because most of the population of this country stopped their nomadic lifestyle more than half a century ago and in fact, many today live in the urban areas. The people of Saudi Arabia have adopted many of the ways of the Western world and this include the use of cars to travel instead of camels, many wear Western clothing (especially the men), and most of all, they live in houses which have been built in the modern style. The popular opinion in the United States is that Saudi Arabia is an extremely fanatical society when it comes to religion (Harris, 2003). This image only applies to a few of the people in this society because the majorities are surprisingly very liberal in matters concerning religion. Moreover, they only appear to be fanatical because of their

Derivatives as a way of mitigating financial risk Literature review

Derivatives as a way of mitigating financial risk - Literature review Example Certain creditor protection rules are extended to these derivatives and this helps to increase their security and reduce financial risks. The other side is that with excessive credit protection norms, capital markets will under price the credit risks. This means that risks that should be valued at say 100 Pounds will be considered to be worth only 80 Pounds. This increases systemic risks and helps to propagate credit booms. The reason is that the lending firm considers a risk of 80 Pounds worthwhile while extending loans whereas if the assets had a risk of 100 Pounds, the lending firm would reduce the amount lent (Chance and Brooks, 2010). The paper will examine how derivatives based on standard assets and bonds can be used as a method of mitigating risk. 1.1. OTC and ETD and risk management Two main types of derivates are available and these are over the counter derivatives – OTC’ and ‘exchange traded derivative contracts’ - ETD. OTC instruments are privat ely traded between two parties and the exchange is not involved. Instruments traded included forward rate agreements, exotic options, swaps and other types. The main constituents and partners in the OTC markets are banks, financial institutions and hedge funds. The market is estimated to be worth 708 trillion USD and most of it occurs in private without any public listing and declaration. Out of this amount, 67% is for interest rate contracts, 9% are foreign exchange contacts while credit default risk make up 8% and ht rest is made up of equity contracts, commodity contracts and others. Since there is no external counterparty that acts as a central agency and mandates the exchange of contracts some, element of risks can exist. These risks can occur if either of the party cannot or will not honour its commitments to pay the contracted amount. This possibility is rare since banks and financial institutions are expected to be stable. Hence, derivatives are used to make the appropriate profits in ITC markets (BIS, 2011). In the case of exchange trade derivatives, these instruments traded through the derivatives exchange serve as an intermediary for the transactions. The exchange takes a certain percentage from both parties as the initial margin. The combined revenue of the world's derivatives exchanges was about 344 trillion USD. Examples of instruments that form ETD are futures contracts, interest rate and index products, convertible bonds, and warrants. These instruments can be traded only through special derivatives exchanges such as KOSPI Index Futures & Options, Eurex, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange and others. These instruments have certain guaranteed prices on the maturity value and the guarantee is given by the derivatives exchange that has already taken a margin from both parties. This helps to manage risks. Due to low risks, returns obtained are also less and may range in the 3 to 6% range (Bartram, et all, 2011). The derivativ es market and risks are different from the equity market where individuals can take up stock trading on their risk. The firm whose stocks are traded in the stock market will not give any assurance about the price stability or that a certain amount of dividend is payable. The stock market exchange also does not regulate the transactions between the parties. Therefore, if the price falls, the risk is borne by the party. In effect, derivatives markets transfer the risk from parties that aver risk

Abortion Should Be A Womans Choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Abortion Should Be A Womans Choice - Essay Example This substantially includes fighting for the women’s freedom to choose; especially those they think may be the best options for them in consideration of some circumstances or factors. This blog includes some social issues that could influence the choice for abortion as an alternative course of action among women. In particular, the proponent tries to establish the point that these issues are influential prior to the actual decisions of women to go for abortion or any other relevant means. In addition, this blog will serve as a way of information dissemination without showing any partiality, but just to demonstrate the reality why some women may probably result to abortion as a course of action. The problem Abortion is a controversial social issue because it does not only include subjects about the law, but directly concerns women’s health. This is a social issue that needs to be addressed because it deals with life. Concerning this, people have varying point of views, creating a need to establish or draw the line of understanding. The variation of points on abortion could stand as an ultimate problem because its existence could possibly lead to varied concerns and ideas. This would then raise a remarkable point whether abortion is part of the woman’s choice. However, such a choice must be backed up with relevant justifications and this is where the point of the proposed blog sets in. Discussion of activity A blog, which is attached in this article, could be a remarkable way to address some problems associated with abortion and the women’s choice to go for it. This blog disregards the associated personal belief about abortion, the issues of violence and illegality. In the following section is the proponent’s reflection on abortion, including some point of views that could be the bases of the course of actions or the kind of choices women should initiate concerning abortion as their personal choice. The proponent chose to use a blog because it is a remarkable opportunity not only to educate everyone, but could show the readers some perspectives that need substantial considerations prior to the actual choices or alternative course of actions concerning abortion and women’s choice to go for it. The creation of this blog relates to class materials because of the following reasons. First, this blogging activity concerns the studies about women part icularly on their specific and probable response to some issues. For instance, part of the issues concerning feminism is the idea about single parenting, by which a woman could raise a child by herself, an activity that has been proven by time (Shaw and Lee 31). Women nowadays could eventually do their own way to raise a family with the existence of single parents. However, this activity requires financial considerations. Women who are single parents have to shoulder everything all by themselves and they have to face the need to address health concerns that at some point would require consideration of financial matters in great detail. Second, this blogging activity tries to point out the idea that women need to be given the chance to decide what they might think good for them based on some existing situations. This is a highly political issue because this concept has long been discussed in relation to the idea about feminism. Feminist politics for instance has become a controversia l point and so the issue about abortion as a personal choice among women has become a significant component of this concern (Shaw and Lee 34). Third, this blogging activity also deals with the issue of health and poverty which have been part of the women’s life and their actual choice about abortion. This point remarkably considers the above two points,

The process a person has to undergo to open a bank account Essay Example for Free

The process a person has to undergo to open a bank account Essay The bank will have in place a process that customers must have to follow to enable them open an account. This process involves various activities that the application must have to go through before a decision can be made to open an account. The initial process starts once the customer enters the Bank and speaks to a Customer Service Adviser about opening a new bank account. The adviser will asks the customer various questions in order to establish the customers banking needs. This enables the adviser to clarify what kind of account is more suitable for the customer. Since the customer does not know what kinds of bank accounts are available, the Customer Service Adviser enables this process to take place. Without the support of the adviser, the process of opening the account might have been more difficult and time consuming. The customer is also advised on the time duration it might take in the process of opening the account. The customer then has to fill in an application form which enables the process to move to the next stage. The customer can call on the adviser for assistance in filling out the form at any point in time. Once the form has been properly filled in, it is processed by the bank staff (using processing software on the computer by sending the information to a referencing agent to check if the applicant details are correct and for a credit check to find out if the customer has any adverse credit history. These are guides used by the bank to determine whether the information given by the applicant is true and to decide on credit facilities that might come with certain bank accounts). The information sent off is then verified and sent back to the bank. All the information sent are assigned scores using guides (software) that the bank has installed to make the process more efficient. Depending on the customers score, a suitable account would be recommended. A decision will then be taken in regards to the opening of the account and details of the account are entered into the computer. At this point of processing the account, some delays would be experienced while the adviser inputs the details of the new account into the computer. While this is being facilitated, the customer then receives details of his/her account. The customer leaves now as their input into the process of opening the bank account has been completed. The account details and customer information relevant to operating the account is then sent for printing to the card manufacturing company. The machinery, plastic and paper used in the process of manufacturing the relevant items for the bank enables the process of opening the account to be completed. The cheque book, card and pin number for use with the account are then mailed by the printing company to the banks customer or sent to their local branch for collection. Once the cheque book, card and pin are received by the customer, it enables the use of the bank account and without this, the operation of the account would be made more problematic. Volume looks at how many different jobs one person performs in the business. In a supermarket, each person works one station on a shift and rarely swaps during it unless it is extremely necessary. In some cases, there are enough people employed in the supermarket so that they only ever have to perform one duty during their time employed there. In the supermarket, there are sometimes 20 people working on the tills during the busy periods but often there are not this many people working in a bank at any one time. By having this high Volume, you will find that the each person will find their job extremely repetitive as it is all they perform all day long. In some cases, people will work behind a till for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for several years. This high repeatability often isnt appealing to a lot of people though. However, since people are performing the same tasks day in and day out, they become an expert in their area. This leads to highly specialized people in the supermarket which is good for the business. In a bank, there are normally two or three people who deal with the individuals bank accounts, and processing cash transactions, and then there is one person who deals with opening bank accounts, another working on loans, and someone possibly dealing with mortgages. This low volume of staff means that if anyone is sick, then the other staff will be required to cover the area for the duration. If you work in a bank, your position is often changed to where you are required most so you need to be multi-skilled and have good knowledge of the job. Variety looks at the degree in which the business responds to different customer requirements. A supermarket would have high variety as they order in a wide variety of products, made by different brands and sometimes of different ethnic origin to appeal to a wide variety of tastes. This means that the supermarket is flexible about what it orders, in order to meet the needs of the customer. A bank has very low variety in terms of the accounts they offer. They have their standard set of accounts such as Flex account Savings and ISA but there are few variations off the standard model. 90% of people who go into the bank to open up a savings account will leave with the same account. These standardised accounts make the whole process of opening up a bank account very routine and so the staff working there could do it with their eyes closed. Variation In Demand is how much demand changes over a period of time. In a bank, the accounts very rarely change. The main changes to them are the interest rates but this is usually determined by the government and so changes are infrequent. This keeps the bank in a routine, and also proves them to be very predictable in what they offer to the customer. This means that it doesnt matter when an individual opens a bank account as it will almost always be the same. In a supermarket however, there are seasonal changes constantly. They cater for all of the holidays that occur over the year, Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, Summer Holidays and Halloween. They need to order in the seasonal goods in advance to the holiday so that it entices people to buy them early. They can also adjust their ordering to meet customer demand, i. e. if the store holds a Buy One Get One Free offer on a particular popular product, then they know that they are going to sell a lot of it therefore they will adjust their ordering accordingly. After the promotion finishes, it is highly unlikely that they will continue to sell the same numbers so they will reduce the amount ordered. Visibility relates to where the process is carried out. In a bank, you see very little of the processes being carried out in front of you therefore there is low visibility. Credit Checks are done online by an independent company, cards and chequebooks are manufactured in another place altogether, Money is taken from you and put into a till and your account credited electronically. Sometimes, especially if you are paying in a cheque, there is a time lag between processing your transaction and seeing the results. It can take up to a week to send out new cards, new chequebooks, or new PIN numbers if you lose them and so this could be problematic for the consumer, as they may not have access to any money during that period of time. In a supermarket though, you see quite a few processes occurring in front of you. You can see people continuously stacking up shelves to ensure there is food available for the customer and you see your food being processed through the tills. This leads to low waiting tolerance however, and the consumer always wants their product immediately and often voices their dissatisfaction if they are unable to get exactly what they want. On the Deli counter, you can see your choice of meat being cut exactly how you want it to be and wrapped for you, and in some supermarkets, you can even choose for someone to make your own personal pizza for you. In order to offer these services, there needs to be good customer service skills in place so that any questions regarding anything in the store can be answered if needed. Company success relies heavily on consumer satisfaction and so the store must ensure that the shelves are full, that there are a wide range of products on offer, and that customer service skills are excellent. By offering all of these things, the supermarket can ensure good satisfaction and repeat business.

An Outpost of Progress Infobox Essay Example for Free

An Outpost of Progress Infobox Essay Notes for the Teachers One Language – Many Voices Joseph Conrad: An Outpost of Progress INfO-BOx Cultural and historical background The colonization of Central Africa did not set in until the very end of the 19th century, when ‘the scramble for Africa’ – the race of European powers to divide the continent among themselves – got under way: In 1870 European countries owned only 10% of Africa, by 1900 it was 90%. For a long time access to the huge territories in the Congo River basin was considered impossible due to the impenetrable forests and the impassable rapids of the river itself, which served as a barrier to European exploitation. The adventurer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley gained the interest and support of the Belgian King Leopold II for his expeditions into the Congo basin ‘to prove that the Congo natives were susceptible of civilization and that the Congo basin was rich enough to repay exploitation’. In the name of Leopold II he appropriated land and labour for the king’s newly founded ‘Association Internationale du Congo’. Leopold’s claim to the Congo was recognized at the International Africa Conference in Berlin in 1884–1885, presided over by Bismarck. The Congo Free State, as it was ironically called, was confirmed as the private property of King Leopold II in return for guarantees of neutrality, free trade and opposition to slavery. The Congo Free State, 1900 next to nothing, apart from small amounts of cloth, beads or brass rods. The rubber boom started in the mid-1890s due to the increasing industrial demand from Europe. While the rubber trade made a fortune for Leopold II, it led to the extreme brutalization of the local population. Under Leopold’s ownership approximately 10 million Congolese died as a consequence of exploitation and disease. To enforce the rubber quotas, the Force Publique (FP) was called in. The FP was an army, but its aim was not to defend the country, but to terrorize the population, which it did by cutting off the limbs of the natives; this practice was disturbingly widespread. When news of these atrocities reached Europe, there was a public outcry; the British parliament asked Roger Casement to make an inquiry into the situation in the country. The result of his enquiry was the famous Congo Report (1904). Casement had been a British diplomat in the Congo, where he met Conrad and whose Heart of Darkness (1899) had deeply influenced him. In 1903 Conrad wrote to Casement saying, ‘there exists in Africa a Congo State, created by the act of European powers, where ruthless, systematic cruelty towards the blacks is the basis of the administration’. Conrad’s novel also contributed to a widespread knowledge of the colonial abuses and crimes taking place in Africa. In 1908 Leopold II was forced to sell the Congo Free State to the Belgian government, which annexed it as a Belgian colony until its independence in 1960, when it was named Zaire. Its history since then has not been much happier. Following the secessionist Katanga Civil War, the country was brutalized under the dictatorship of President Mobutu. In 1997, when Mobutu was overthrown by the rebel leader Laurent Kabila, the country was renamed The Democratic Republic of the Congo. Torn between ethnic strife and civil wars, involving refugees from Rwanda and Burundi and displacements from Sudan, the country is still unstable. Biographical aspects Ivory and rubber were the main sources of income for King Leopold’s company and its agents: they and their African auxiliaries seized all the ivory that could be found, buying tusks from villages for a pittance, or simply confiscating them. They were working on a lucrative commission structure imposed by the King in 1890, of which the African elephant hunters received 26 As captain of a steamship, Joseph Conrad travelled up the Congo River to Central Africa and the heart of the Congo in 1890, and then went on an overland track to Leopoldville (now Kinshasa). As we know from his diaries and letters, which he wrote in English, he was deeply concerned with the greed of Belgian (and other European) merchants, the abuses of colonial powers and atrocities committed by white managers and their black auxiliaries, always in the name of a missionary and rogressive spirit to ‘enlighten the dark continent’. But he also met with what he thought to be cannibalism, and was confused Notes for the Teachers by the natives’ drums and ‘wild savagery’. His decision to resign from his post as captain was as much caused by his ill health as by his desire to become a writer. It has been said that ‘Africa killed Conrad the sailor and strengthened Conrad the writer’1 In his extensive writings (over 40 works of fiction of various length) the themes of travel and the pursuit of material and idealistic goals as well as isolation, ambition and failure can be said to be drawn from his own experiences. Conrad: An Outpost of Progress His deep-rooted scepticism of imperialism can be linked to his Polish background: born into a nation which had vanished from the map after being annexed by Russia, Prussia and Austria in 1795, and into a family which had opposed Russian oppression and been exiled to Ukraine, Conrad had good reason to question the right of stronger powers to impose their wills on smaller nations. 1 Jean-Aubry, Georges. Joseph Conrad in the Congo. New York: Haskell, 1973. Interpretation Summary Kayerts and Carlier are put in charge of a remote and unpromising trading station on a river.

The Corruption Within Government Politics Essay

The Corruption Within Government Politics Essay It is essential to note from the outset that there is no single, comprehensive and universally accepted definition of corruption. It would be a long and awkward process to come up with a universally shared definition. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the Global Programme against Corruption -UN Anti-Corruption Toolkit- briefly states that the difficulties encounter in formulating a common definition are due to legal, criminological and political problems [1]. When the negotiations of the United Nations Convention against Corruption began in early 2002, one option under consideration was not to define corruption at all but to list specific types or acts of corruption. However, The World Bank and World Customs Organization (WCO) simply define corruption as the misuse of public power for private benefit [2], the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its Anti-Corruption Practice Note, corruption is defined as the misuse of public power, office or authority for private benefit through bribery, extortion, influence peddling, nepotism, fraud, speed money or embezzlement [3]. Law-Dictionary (http://www.law-dictionary.org) defines corruption as an act done with intent to give some advantage inconsistent with official duty and the rights of others. It includes bribery, but is more comprehensive; because an act may be corruptly done, though the advantage to be derived from it is not offered by another, Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary: dishonest or illegal behavior, especially of people in authority [4] and Nye [5] defines corruption as behavior which deviates from the formal duties of a public role because of private-regarding (personal, close family, private clique) pecuniary or status gains; or violates rules against the exercise of certain types of private-regarding influence. In general, corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon. Nowadays corruption is internationally recognized as a major problem in society, one capable of endangering the stability and security of societies, threatening social, economic and political development and undermining the values of democracy and morality. This holds true at both the domestic level and the international level. Indeed, with the growing globalization of markets of services, goods and people, accompanied by the internationalization of illegal activities, the international dimension of corruption gains in significance. As a result, reducing corruption becomes a priority at both the national and international levels; governmental and non-governmental organizations and requires concerted efforts, exchange of experience and a certain degree of standardization. Although it is true that countries differ in their anticorruption strategies, it is nowadays increasingly possible to cooperate and exchange information on successful practices. Also an international non-governmental organization such as Transparency International (TI) also developed as an international non-governmental organization fighting corruption and trying to raise public awareness of it. This includes, but is not limited to, political corruption. It publishes every year its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), a comparative listing of corruption worldwide. The international headquarters is located in Berlin, Germany. The founder of the organization is Peter Eigen [6]. World map of the 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International (TI), which measuresthe degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians to exist among public officials and politicians. High numbers which are in green indicates low perception of corruption, while the color red point out the higher perception of corruption. As a conclusion more than 70% of the world has corruption but it differs from country to another in the level of the corruption.[16] Types and Forms of corruption The main forms of corruption are bribery, embezzlement, fraud and extortion. However, these forms can partly overlap and at times interchangeable with each other. Bribery is the payment (in money or kind) that is given or taken in a corrupt relationship. To pay or receive a bribe is corruption and should be understood as the essence of corruption. A bribe is a fixed sum, a certain percentage of a contract, or any other favor in money of kind, usually paid to an official who can make contracts on behalf of the government or otherwise distribute benefits to companies or individuals, businessmen and clients. There are many equivalent terms to bribery, like gratuities and baksheesh, which are all notions of corruption as perceived from the public. These are payments needed or demanded to make things pass swifter, smoother or more favorably through the government bureaucracy. Bribery can buy for instance political favors and escape the full burden of taxation and other regulations, or buy protected markets and monopolies, import/export licenses, etc. and can also be a form of informal taxation, when public officials charge additional under-the-tabl e payments or expect gifts from clients. Embezzlement is theft of public resources by public officials. Embezzlement is when a government official steals from the public institution in which he his employed, and from resources he is supposed to administer on behalf of the government and the public. However, disloyal employees in private firms can also embezzle money and other resources from their employers. Graft graft large gifts qualifies as graft, and most countries have laws against it. Example of graft is a politician using his knowledge of position to purchase land which he knows is planned for development, before this is publicly known, and then selling it at a significant profit. In Egypt some members of the parliament have their own ways under the table to purchase lands for their own benefits. Trading in influence or influence marketing in certain countries, refers to the situation where a person is selling his/her influence over the decision process involving a third party (person or institution). In Egypt, trading influence take place in importing and exporting goods, where the Role of the third party can be a partner in some instances Fraud is an economic crime that involves some kind of dishonesty, cheat or deceit. It is a broader legal and popular term that covers more than bribery and embezzlement. It is fraud for instance when governmental representatives are engaged in illegal trade networks, counterfeit and racketing, and when forgery, smuggling and other organized economic crime is propped up by official sanction and involvement. It is fraud when top officials take a share for closing their eyes on this; it is serious fraud when they have an active role in it. Extortion is money and other resources extracted by the use of force, violence or the threats to use force in an atmosphere of insecurity. Protection or security money can be extorted in the classical, infamous mafia style. Nepotism and cronyism Nepotism (personal relatives) has to do with favoritism of relatives and close circle in posts and advantages, while cronyism (personal friends) is demanding that a business should employ a friend of an official controlling regulations affecting the business. Also this can combine with bribe. Egypt can be example for this, by employing un qualified candidates ,just for favoring relatives or personal friends which affect business leading to huge corruption. Kickback kickback (manipulative corruption) is an officials share of misappropriated funds allocated from his or her organization to an organization involved in corrupt bidding. Giving a contract to a company, not efficient, in this case the officials receive a kickback payment, which is the part of the sum of money receive. [7] Analysis of Corruption Levels in Egypt: The analysis covers the individual, business and political corruption levels and the frequency in the different sectors where corruption can be encountered. Sectors describe which kind of corruption including bribes and facilitation payments can be encountered in different areas of Judicial System, Police, Licenses, transportation and Public Utilities, Land Administration, Tax Administration, Customs Administration, Public Procurement and Contracting and Environment, Natural Resources and Extractive Industry. All information is based on publicly available information and should be viewed as general guidelines on the types of corruption existing in Egypt. Levels of corruption in the different sectors indicate where corruption can be encountered. The levels are defined as follows: Individual Corruption: Corruption that takes place primarily in relations between individual citizens and public officials and authorities. Business Corruption: Corruption that takes place primarily in relations between enterprises/companies and public officials and authorities. Political Corruption: Corruption that takes place in the higher echelons of public administration and on a political level. Frequency refers to quantitative surveys on corruption in the respective sectors. 1. Judicial System Individual Corruption The constitution specifies equal access to the justice system regardless of ethnic or racial origin. The judicial system usually functions well, although incidents of corruption have been reported. There are cases where judges have accepted bribes from defendants in exchange for lenient sentences or discharge. Moreover, according to Global Integrity 2008 [8], bribery, favoritism and informal relationships affect the implementation of judicial decisions. Business Corruption The government is reportedly planning to establish special economic courts to rapidly settle commercial dispute. Currently, however, companies wishing to enforce commercial contracts or seeking to resolve dispute face a costly and time-consuming process. Indeed, both the average cost and the time required to resolve a dispute are higher than in other countries in the region. According to the Heritage Foundation 2009 [9], it takes an average of 6 years to decide commercial cases and appealing procedures can extend the cases above 15 years. On the other hand, the Heritage Foundation 2009 reports that local contractual arrangements are mostly secure. Political Corruption According to Global Integrity 2008 [8], the Military Court, the Supreme State Security Court and the Political Parties Court are not judicially reviewed. Reportedly, the President uses the military courts, in particular, for political purposes. In April 2008, the military courts tried and convicted 25 civilians, all leading members of the opposition the Muslim Brotherhood. The independence of judges is guaranteed by the constitution, but this has generally not been respected by the government, especially in politically charged cases. However, although the executive tries to influence the judiciary, the higher echelons of this sector have occasionally ruled against the government. And in spring 2006, nearly 7,000 out of Egypts 9,000 judges conducted a sit-in, advocating for independence and judicial reform. On lower levels, the executive has much power over the judiciary because of the low salaries and selective bonuses. The absence of lifetime tenure and other institutional guarantees of independence is a major problem. Frequency The World Bank IFC: Doing Business 2009 [10]: Enforcing commercial contracts requires 42 procedures, taking an average of 1,010 days and costing 26% of the claim. 2. Police Individual Corruption The US Department of State 2008 reports [11] that petty corruption in the police force is pervasive, especially below senior levels. The police force is known to demand bribes and to violently abuse prisoners and detainees. The government has prosecuted some of the police officers involved in corruption and abuse. Business Corruption According to the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 [12] stated Egypt holds a competitive disadvantage concerning the reliability of its police services in protecting companies from crime. However, companies should note that the department within the police that handle implementing judicial decisions is used to accepting bribes to work partially on a case. According to the Kefaya Movement 2006, companies are often forced by the police to hire guard services at very expensive rates. Political Corruption According to Global Integrity 2008 [8], the police are subject to political interference. The police force is accused of being an instrument of the government to suppress political opponent and ordinary citizens. Impunity of the police is a persistent problem. Indeed, Global Integrity 2008 reports that officers found guilty of corruption rapidly receive an administrative sentence issued by the disciplinary military council within the Ministry of Interior, which never exceeds suspension for 6 months. The council does not convert these violations and crimes to courts. In cases when legal suits against law enforcement officials appear in front of courts, the council rushes to pass a weak administrative ruling to preclude the sentence that would be passed by the ordinary court involving imprisonment and removal. Because a person cannot be judged for twice for same crime, the corrupt officers receive the lowest sentence, i.e. an administrative sentence. Allegations have been made by the Kefaya Movement 2006 that the Minister of Interior took advantage of his position to illegally amass wealth. He allegedly purchased shops from detainees and even seized some of the detainees properties. Moreover, high-ranking police officials are accused of receiving money from drug traffickers. 3. Licenses, Infrastructure and Public Utilities Individual Corruption The law allows all citizens to apply for business licenses. However, citizens face many cumbersome bureaucratic procedures and obtaining a business license is costly. Business Corruption Companies should note that the Ministry of State for Administrative Development specifically noted public utilities as an area that was particularly disfigured by corruption. Despite Egypt having improved its performance in relation to obtaining of licenses and permits, obtaining utility connections and the completion of required notifications and examination, it still lags behind other countries in the region. Companies should note that facilitation payments are often required when dealing with licenses. Political Corruption Investigations into the ferry accident in the Red Sea in February 2006, which involved more than 1,000 deaths, concluded that the key factors in causing the accident were incompetence by the authorities and neglect by the ship owner. The owner of the ship was also a member of the Upper House appointed by President Mubarak, and this has led to speculations of collusion and corruption. Investigations into the Nasr City incident (the collapse of an 11 story building in 2004 that had been illegally modified) confirmed that fining lawbreakers has become an important source of revenue for both public and central government alike. This has given rise to speculation of whether the government is selling fines so that citizens can pay to break the law and ignore licensing requirements. Frequency The World Bank IFC: Doing Business 2009 [10]. To construct a warehouse, a company is required to go through 28 procedures, taking 249 days and costing nearly 377% of the income per capital. The World Bank IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2007 [13] 7.3% of a companys annual sales are used as gifts or informal payments to public officials in order to get things done. 13.7% of companies expect to give gifts to obtain an operating license. 4. Land Administration Business Corruption Egypt has moved up 18 places in the World Bank IFC Doing Business 2009 [10] with regards to registering property compared to 2007-2008. The cost involved in registering property is very low, both in comparison with the MENA region and OECD averages. On the other hand, registering property is very time-consuming in Egypt, taking almost twice as long as the regional average.  In this regard, companies should note that a awkward bureaucracy often gives rise to demands for so-called speed payments. Frequency The World Bank IFC: Doing Business 2009 [10]: Registering property takes 7 procedures, can last an average of 72 days and amounts to 1% of the property value. 5. Tax Administration Business Corruption According to the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 [12], tax regulations and tax rates constitute significantly problematic factors for doing business in Egypt. The number of payments and the time spent on preparing, filing and paying taxes constitute a load for the companies. Tax administration was mentioned by the Ministry of State for Administrative Development as one of the areas that are particularly tainted with corrupt practices. According to Global Integrity 2008 [8], tax laws are not always enforced uniformly and without discrimination. It is further reported that, while public employees have taxes deducted from their pay, the government will award special treatment to wealthy businesspeople, allowing significant levels of tax avoidance to go unpunished. Frequency The World Bank IFC: Doing Business 2009 [10]: A medium-sized company must make 29 payments and spend 711 hours per year managing the administrative burden related to paying taxes at a total tax rate of 46% of profits. The World Bank IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2007 [13]: 14% of companies expect to give gifts when meeting with tax inspectors, which is a distinguished decreased compared to 2004. 35% of companies claim that tax administration is a major restriction. 6. Customs Administration Individual Corruption Employees of the Suez Canal customs administration and those working in the associations related to the Suez Canal have a reputation for engaging in corruption. They routinely extort money, and illegally take away cigarettes and wine from each ferry that crosses the Suez Canal. Business Corruption Companies should know that corruption is not uncommon in relation to customs administration. According to Global Integrity 2008 [8], customs and excise laws are not always enforced uniformly and without discrimination. Large companies are reportedly unofficially excused from paying customs duties. Low-level officials in customs zones are known to demand bribes to speed up paperwork for licenses, clearances and other permits required to do business. Frequency The World Bank IFC: Doing Business 2009 [10]: A standard export shipment of goods requires 6 documents and takes an average of 14 days at a cost of USD 737 per container. A standard import shipment of goods requires 6 documents and takes and average of 15 days at a cost of USD 823 per container. The World Bank IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2007 [13]: More than 10% of companies expect to give gifts in order to obtain an import license. 7. Public Procurement and Contracting Business Corruption public procurement in Egypt has been stained by corrupt practices. A corruption scandal involving the Irrigation Ministry revealed that officials within the ministry are demanding bribes to award irrigation construction project contracts. In the housing sector, bribery is common in relation the awarding of contracts and the granting of demolition and building licenses. Several corruption scandals have been revealed within this sector, including international cases where Egyptian contractors have been charged with committing corrupt acts abroad. Companies are recommended to use a specialized public procurement due industry tool [14] in order to help improving corruption risks associated with public procurement in Egypt. Political Corruption It is reported that some tenders are given to companies formed by top officials of the Ministry of Interior and the Intelligence Service at inflated prices. Frequency The World Bank IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2007 [13]: 92% of companies assess that other similar companies are either giving gifts or informal payments to win a government contract. The average value of a gift in order to secure a government contract is almost 10% of the contract value. 8. Environment, Natural Resources and Extractive Industry Business Corruption Officials in the Ministry of  Agriculture receive very low salaries, though they are supervising projects estimated to be worth billions of EGP. Bribery and other corrupt practices (falsifying documents, etc.) are extremely common in this sector. Political Corruption The Ministry of Agriculture has had more than 10 high-profile corruption scandals over the last 5 years, which is the highest rate of any ministry or sector in Egypt. Since 1995 Transparency International has published each year the CPI, ranking countries on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (perceived to have low levels of corruption). The CPI as a measurement of corruption has played a critical role in branding the issue of corruption on the worlds conscience. It sends a powerful message and national governments have been forced to take notice and act. However, the CPI results of the 2009 edition, Egypt is categorized as follows Rank = 111 of 180 countries CPI 2009 Score = 2.8 Surveys Used = 6 Confidence Range = 2.6 3.1 Source: Transparency International, www.transparency.org [15]. Examples of corruption in Egypt: The administrative corruption can be seen in the following fields that would be tackled in detail later: The political corruption through fake elections that takes place in Egyptian parliament, supporting emergency law and abusing human rights on the different levels. The economic corruption through favoritism that enable special advances in projects or having facilities of some of those close to the regime. Like having privatization of owning lands with illegal documents. The agriculture sector: it was corrupted on various fields starting from the spoiled herbicides, the materials that cause cancer and the destruction of a number of the important commodities in the Egyptian economy. As also the Black cloud it has been formed over Cairo for couples of years as a result of farmers burning their rice fields that effect with a hovered smoke, which has caused polluting the air and clogging the throats of residents. And this affects the quality of air and peoples health by the carbon monoxide, as Over 2 million tons of straw are burned with they choose the easiest way to get rid of the straw and preparing for the winter planting season, although the government forbid this; still farmers burn and this takes place at night as government doesnt follow up. However corruption takes place with bakers who gets government subsidized flour and sell it in black market with an enormous profit. As also bread crisis takes place with Egyptian citizens who have to wait in long lines at subsidize bakeries. Corruption in transport and communication. For example, train accidents, which result from inefficiency of controlling and supervision of ministry. Corruption in Housing: contractions and the privatization of lands, flats of the new cities, roads, bridges and the main infrastructure. For example, massive rock in Mokatam(El Doweka); that results from digging by the government knowing its danger on citizens living there. Commissions paid for protection and the means of its transport. The sector of communication, mobile phones and fixed one, an example, recording calls of people to trace them illegally and selling secret data of consumers for gaining money. Corruption in the Interior Ministry starting from joining Police Academy, the security letter at the appointment of the average individuals, torture and even killing in the police stations. A number of the security leaders are involved in cooperating and facilitate a number of the outlawed actions Prostitution networks which are sometimes related to the state officials and its systems. Corruption in judicial authority: this is an important and unique aspect. It is found in our dear country. The way in which the US aid is distributed among individual organization and sometimes they steal it for their own benefits. 12- Press, media, its associations and the lack of the Egyptian medial leadership, the national press publish what they want and hide the truth from Egyptians while in contrast of the yellow press show all the governmental secrets. The so-called loyalty raise, which is given secretly, violating the legal financial rules, rules of the senior police and army commanders. corruption in the ministry of culture , ,the Beni Sweif Theater Fire, that take place in 5th September 2005 the minister Farouk Hosney described it as an accident, also the fire that was held in the Egyptian parliament hall destroyed everything inside the hall as well it was identified as an accident but it wasnt. And the government failed to protect the national landmark. Effects of corruption: In Egypt, corruption has disadvantaged national, social, economic and political progress. Public resources are allocated inefficiently, competent and honest citizens feel frustrated, and the general populations level of distrust rises. As a consequence, productivity is lower, administrative efficiency is reduced and the legitimacy of political and economic order is undermined. Consequently; foreign aid disappears, projects are left incomplete, and in the end donors lose enthusiasm. Corruption in Egypt also harms economic development by transferring large sums of money in accurately the opposite direction to what is needed. Funds intended for aid and investment instead flow quickly back to the accounts of corrupt officials, which tend to be in banks in stable and developed countries, beyond the reach of official seizure and the random effects of the economic chaos generated by corruption at home. The reverse flow of capital leads in turn to political and economic instability, poor inf rastructure, education, health and other services, and a general tendency to create or perpetuate low standards of living. Recommendations: Recommendations for regular corruption monitoring program must be used periodically to monitor trends in corruption and to evaluate the effectiveness of the anti-corruption measures adopted and implemented at the national level. However, international experts may also be requested to evaluate and monitor for international transparency. In addition anti-corruption program must be occupied with ethical behavior that can lead to a proper government, there are several point must be fulfilled for a better government. First, The importance of supporting decentralization in governorates and seeking to overcome the weak relationship between local administrations and citizens, which leads to have irresponsive citizens towards reform and modernization in Egypt Second the importance of following up officials and investigation and reporting on them ethically to prevent Anti-corruption. Third, releasing the right information circulation and the citizen has the right to know about corruption cases and providing the citizen full protection. Finally, there must be supervision upon profits and some funds, as the donations which are provided must be directed to the right places on the control of the government, as well as supporting the development of risk management and risk appetite.

Orphans in 19th Century Victorian England :: Victorian Era

Orphans in 19th Century Victorian England The Victorian Era was a time of social evolution as well as technological and economic advance. A distinct, unique middle class was formed alongside the traditional working class and wealthy aristocracy. However, there were certain individuals that fell outside this model of Victorian society. The â€Å"abandoned child† was society’s scapegoat- a person without a past, without connections, without status. They could appear in any class, at any time. The upper and middle classes often had a somewhat romantic perception of them, due to their prevalence in Victorian literature. Novels like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights made heroines/heroes out of orphans, portraying them as respectable yet troubled (Cunningham,â€Å"Orphan Texts†). However, orphans were also often treated with disdain and distrust, due to their reputation as â€Å"criminally prone† individuals. They were a victim of classic â€Å"Victorian contradictions† that characterized most aspe cts of Victorian society. Victorian Definition of â€Å"Orphan† When we hear the word â€Å"orphan† we imagine a child whose parents have both died tragic deaths. Indeed, there were plenty of these pitiable creatures in Victorian society – the living and working conditions of the poor were so unsanitary and crowded that diseases such as typhus and tuberculosis often spread unchecked, sending many of their victims to the grave (Czarnik, â€Å"Living Conditions†). However, children were often considered â€Å"orphans† if they had one surviving parent, had been abandoned by their family, or were forced out into the world because of overcrowding at home (Cunningham, â€Å"Orphan Texts†). In 1861, it is estimated that 11% of children had lost a father by the age of 10, 11% a mother, and 1% had lost both parents (Czarnik). Adoption A very common fate of orphans was adoption. They were often taken in by relatives or neighbors, and even, on occasion, strangers wishing to raise them as their own children. In England, there were no laws concerning adoption until the 1920s, so most adoption was informal. Children who were adopted by their own social class were usually treated fairly and equally†¦ however, if they were adopted by a family whose status was above and beyond their original class, they were frequently mistreated and neglected. Children of different social classes were not encouraged to fraternize, so if an orphan was taken into a household where higher class children lived, they could be forbidden to even speak to them (Czarnik). Education Orphans sometimes met another fate†¦ being placed in an educational institution. Many philanthropists donated money to these â€Å"schools† for the express purpose of boarding and educating orphans.

Essay --

One could debate endlessly over the definition and what exactly Jihad is, I’m certain many have. The very basic definition of the word simply means â€Å"struggle,† not to gain money or power but merely to bring people to Islam. The common western idea - or misconception - is that Jihad is a holy war or justification for terrorism. Very rarely are there any two religious groups that will agree on the exact deeper meanings of Jihad. There are also some groups that may believe the same basic definition of Jihad, but interpret it or apply it drastically differently within their own religion. There are two better known or accepted definitions of which Muslims refer to as the â€Å"greater Jihad,† and the â€Å"lesser Jihad.† â€Å"Greater Jihad† is defined as the internal spiritual struggle of one’s self in submission to Allah, the struggle of moral reformation, and converting others to Islam; while the â€Å"lesser Jihad† is considered the external, physical endeavor of an Islamic obligation to take up arms against the nonbeliever infidels in defense of the faith against tyranny and persecution. In the Sunni’s historical belief of the â€Å"greater Jihad,† Mohammed is thought to have told his followers returning home from war that they had, â€Å"returned from the lesser jihad of struggle against non-Muslims to a greater jihad of struggle against lust,† per Menhab Khans’ article on Modern Gangha. This is believed to be the first time the â€Å"lesser jihad† and the "greater jihad" had been differentiated. According to John Heit, the â€Å"greater jihad† is also then further divided into three types of internal struggle: â€Å"One, Jihad of the Heart (the struggle for moral reformation and faith); two, Jihad of the Tongue (the struggle to proclaim God's word abroad; right ... ...hese young men found solace and inspiration in the works of the Iraqi Muslim Brother Muhammad Ahmad al-Rashid; who demonstrated a sensible mind toward political action, but also stated that jihad with the sword- the way of the true Muslim-was inevitable. Putting things into perspective, I imagined what it would be like if America was invaded by foreign forces, the government demolished, a new leadership established, and none of which agreed with my way of life. I would honestly be able to say that I would follow similar actions as the Sunni insurgents. I recently watched the modern cinematic remake â€Å"Red Dawn† where the (in the new version) North Koreans invade and effectively take over the United States, this assisted in my imagination. I would have taken up arms the same as the characters in the movie. My enemies would hear my hoarse battle cry, â€Å"WOLVERINES!†

Lady Macbeth- Character Changes Throughout The Play :: essays research papers

To metamorphose ones character through years of experience and age is salutary. To deteriorate ones character through a short period of fast decisions and unsure actions is perilous. Lady Macbeth proves the truth to this theory. The impulsive mistakes and power-hungry tactics littered the journey Lady MacBeth paves throughout this play that ultimately ends in her death. She feels overwhelmed by all that is happening, both physically and mentally, and decides to end her own life. The Tragedy of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare illustrates two seemingly ordinary nobles whose lives intertwine in a whirlwind of power, corruption, and the supernatural resulting in their descents. They were both so wrapped up in this greedy world they failed to consider the consequences of their actions more realistically. Macbeth started to succumb to the belief that deeds "must be acted ere they be scann’d,"(III.IV.140). Lady Macbeth in particular loses sight of rationality from the play’s beginning to end. She feigns an image of ruthlessness and believes she can handle the intrusion of unearthly evil in her mind and soul. She presents a seemingly stable foundation of control in which she clutches with an iron fist. As Macbeth becomes less dependent on his wife, she loses more control. She loses control of her husband, but mostly, of herself, proving her vacillating truth. Lady Macbeth’s character gradually disintegrates through a false portrayal of unyielding strength, an unsteady control of her husband and shifting involvement with supernatural powers.Throughout the duration of play Lady Macbeth’s truly decrepit and vulnerable nature is revealed. Lady Macbeth has been the iron fist and authority icon for Macbeth, yet deep down, she never carried such traits to begin with. This duality in Lady Macbeth’s character plays a huge role in planting the seed for Macbeth’s downfall and eventual demise. At the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is introduced as a dominant, controlling, heartless wife with an obsessive ambition to achieve kingship for her husband. Her weak, sheltered, unsure and unstable condition is only revealed at the end of the play. However, the audience begins to see hints of this hidden nature by the manner in which Macbeth addresses her. Contrary to her supposed ruthless nature, her husband regards her as a pure being. He attempts to shield her from foreign agencies by saying, â€Å"Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,† (III.II.45). It is only in private that Lady Macbeth shows her weaknesses.

Problems and Prospects of Eco Tourism in Jharkhand

Tourism, the Sun-rise industry of the millennium has emerged as the largest economic activity of the world. Tourism is now recognised as an industry that generates a number of Social and economic benefits. Its importance as an important instrument for economic development and employment generation, particularly in remote and backward areas, has now been well recognised all over the world. A glimps through the tourism activity in this country, it appears, has been suffering from a very narrow Connotation in the sense that domestic and foreign tourists make a short visit to places of historical, Archaeological and religious importance. Adventure tourism is also being promoted in some parts of the country. It will not be out of place to mention that tourism also offers immense opportunities for economic activities of the local population and thus, can be rightfully treated as an industry with people's participation, Govt. Support and involvement of NGOs. Much is needed in this area. Eco-tourism is an advanced thought on development of tourism in the natural surroundings of forests, wild animals, local population preserving the scenic beauty of the area and also the cultural background of human population. It may be mentioned here that farming and forests are the two main planks of the cultural ethos of the tribal people of Jharkhand and may be regarded as a positive and helpful human factor. The beauty of this concept is the active participation of people inhabiting the area for promoting tourism without degrading the natural surroundings. In this way many income generating activities for the local population will emerge and they will be benefited economically and socially also mixing with the domestic and foreign visitors. ECO Tourism : The Concept :- The term ECO-Tourism was first coined by a Mexican environmentalist Hector Lascurain in 1983. Initially the term was used to describe nature-based travel to relatively Undisturbed natural areas with an emphasis on education. The concept has, however, developed into a scientific approach to the planning, management and development of sustainable tourism, products and activities. It can be defined as travel to natural attractions that contributes to their conservation, respects the integrity of local communities and respects the integrity of local communities and enhances the tourist's understanding of the natural attraction, its conservation and local community. It is decentralised in nature and seeks to integrate rural development. According to the world tourism organisation :- â€Å"Tourism that involves traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified object of studying admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspect (both the Past or the present) found in these areas is defined as ECO-Tourism. As per the general definition ECO-Tourism is :- (A) Nature Based (Visitors are mainly interested in observing and appreciating nature and traditional cultures in natural areas) (B) Contributes to the Bio-diversity Conservation (C) Supports the well being of local people. D) Involves responsible action by both tourists and local people to minimize negative environmental and Socio-cultural impacts. (E) Requires the lowest possible consumption of non-renewable resources. (F) Stresses local ownership, as well as business opportunities for local people. Potentials of Eco Tourism in Jharkhand Jharkhand, formally a part of united Bihar became the 28th State of Indian federation on the 15th Nov. 2000. The whole State is constituted of 22 Districts, 211 Community Development Blocks, 3744 Panchayats and 33,315 Villages. The state is extended from roughly 220 N. Lat. to 24037†² N. Lat. and 830 15†² East longitude to 87010†² East longitude with a total area of 79,714 Sq. km. It covers roughly 2. 4% land of total Indian territory. It is Surrounded by Orissa in the South, W. Bengal in the East, Chhattisgarh and MP in the west and Bihar in the North respectively. In a very broad sense, this state forms part of the Chotanagpur plateau and is one of the oldest part of the world. Its geological history starts from pre-Cambrian era when the solidification of the Earth was in process. This region has witnessed many earth movements, constructions and destructions, Folding and faulting etc due to which the whole region has become tough and Undulating. But this may also be regarded as a free gift of God in the form of different landscapes and a number of water falls with full of scenic and Natural beauty. Actually from Garhwa, Palamu to Singhbhum via Lohardaga, Ranchi, Dist. there is a fault line scarp Zone. The whole area is full of undulations which is ideal for rapids and falls. The general slope of the relief is from west to East. Almost all the famous water falls of Jharkhand fall on this line like Sukha Dari and Bal Chaura in Dhurki Block, Garhwa Dist, Gursendhu, Hirni, Hundru, Jonha, Dassam, Panchghath etc. in the eastern side of Jharkhand. All these sites have been developed like picnic spots only till date. If some stay arrangements are made available to Tourists there, I think is will be a nice opportunity to stars ET in Jharkhand within a very short period of time. Tropic of cancer passes roughly from Ranchi causing tropical climate throughout the state. The climate is generally uniform and steady. The temperature is extreme in nature. while in summer it rises up to 470C, in winter it is 180C during day and as low as 80C during Nights. The annual average is, however, 250C. The peak rise in temperature would be in April. In terms of rainfall, on an average the state receives more than 1200 mm per annum with great uncertainty of rainfall. Thus, whole Jharkhand is hot in Summer, cold in winter and prone to heavy rains during the monsoon. Rock formations are mostly made up of Dharwarian Khondalites in association with unclassified crystalline, Charnockites, Archaean granites and gneisses. Jharkhand is important for mineral resources also and is known as ‘Rhur Region of India or ‘storehouse of mineral resources of India†. By and large, coal is most significant mineral with about 183 mines. Jharia, Chandrapura, Bokaro, Karanpura, Giridih, Hazaribag and Rajmahal are important for coal. The other most significant minerals are mica, bauxite, Iron-ore, chinclay, Fire clay, graphite, copper, Chromite, Tungston, Uranium, Dolomite, Feldspar etc. Incidentally, the mining and industrial activities also result in disturbing the eco-system of the area and a very consencious effort is needed at various levels to either totally stop the damage or minimise the adverse effects. Eco-Tourism, rightly implemented, may also offer a solution to this problem. The natural vegetation is by and large mixed tropical dry forest in the North and moist deciduous type in the south with over 23 thousand Sq. Km of recorded forests or 29. 27% of its geographical area. The land of Jharkhand boasts of having the best sal forest of Asia in Saranda or one of the best pine forests on the lofty Netarhat Plateau. The important trees are Jamun, Mango, Jackfruit, Teak, Sal, Sagwan, Palas, Bamboo, Neem, Pipal etc. with numerous flowering and Medicinal plants. These trees are completely dedicated to the welfare of others. No where this tradition has been as best preserved than in Jharkhand – literally meaning â€Å"The land of forests. † The beauty and the splendor of the vegetation on this land remains Unmatched even during the hottest summer months when the gregarious flowering of the Palas trees give it the name the flame of the forests. These forests not only provide the best abode to our most magnificent wild mammals, tiger, elephant and gaur, but to the most enlightened spiritual traditions of Bhagwan Budha, Mahavir, Rabindra Nath Tagore and Birsa Munda, Forest percentage is higher in chatra, Hazaribag, Giridih, Gumla, Lohardaga, Ranchi, Singhbhum, Garhwa and Palamu. As the state is endowed with natural forests, the wildlife habitat too is rich. The important wild animals are wolves, hares, chital, Nilgai, Monkey, Common Langur, Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Deer and Sambhar etc.

The Host Chapter 34: Buried

J atomic number 18d lunged forward, outdoor(a) from me. With a loud smacking live, his fist move Kyles hardihood.Kyles look rolled tail in his head, and his blab fell slack.The modal value was very quiet for a a few(prenominal)er seconds.Um, medico tell in a mild persona, medi bidy speaking, Im non sure passable that was the most attendful function for his condition. neertheless I feel better, Jargond behaveed, sullen. commercialism smiled the tiniest smile. Well, per prognosis a few more proceedings of unconsciousness wont k tubercular him. medico began flavour infra(a) Kyles lids again, taking his pulseWhat happened? Wes was by my head, speaking in a murmur.Kyle well-tested to kill it, Jared responseed before I could. ar we rattling surprise?Did not, I muttered.Wes looked at Jared.Altruism seems to come more of course to it than lies, Jared noted.Are you trying to be perversive? I demanded. My patience was not waning, plainly entirely g singleness. How long had it been since Id slept? The solitary(prenominal) thing that ached worse than my rowlock was my head. Every schnorchel mischief my side. I realized, with some surprise, that I was in a truly grownup mood. Because if you are, consequently be assured, you start succeeded.Jared and Wes looked at me with shocked eye. I was sure that if I could see the former(a)s, their formulas would vapidch. Maybe not Jebs. He was the master of the poker saying.I am pistillate, I complained. That it business is really discover outting on my nerves.Jared blinked in surprise. Then his face settled back into harder lines. Because of the eubstance you snap complete?Wes glared at him.Because of me, I shited.By whose expo placeion?How about by yours? In my species, I am the one that bears young. Is that not female enough for you?That stopped him short. I matte almost smug.As you should, Melanie approved. Hes wrong, and hes being a pig about it.Thank you.We girls have to stick together.Thats a story youve never told us, Wes murmured, while Jared struggled for a re barelytal. How does that work?Wess olive-toned face blueishened, as if hed ripe realized he had spoken the words out loud. I mean, I dissemble you dont have to answer that, if Im being rude.I laughed. My mood was baseball jounce almost wildly, out of control. Slap tooling, manage Mel had said. No, youre not asking whatsoeverthing inappropriate. We dont have such a complicated elaborate setup as your species. I laughed again, and then mat heating system in my face. I come backed tho to a fault clearly how elaborate it could be.Get your theme out of the gutter.Its your mind, I reminded her.Then? Wes asked.I sighed. T here(predicate) are only a few of us who are Mothers. not Mothers. Thats what they call us, but its honorable the emf to be one I was dreary again, echoing of it. on that point were no Mothers, no surviving Mothers, only the memories of them.You have that same(p )ly? Jared asked stiffly.I knew the others were lis decennarying. Even medico had paused in the act of roveting his ear to Kyles chest.I didnt answer his question. Were a teensy-weensy similar your put ins of bees, or your ants. M either, many neuter members of the family, and then the queenQueen? Wes repeated, sounding at me with a strange expression. non akin that. besides thither is only one Mother for every five, ten thou guts of my kind. Some successions less. in that locations no rigid rule.How many drones? Wes wondered.Oh, no-there arent drones. No, I told you, its simpler than that.They waited for me to explain. I swal wiped out(p)ed. I shouldnt have brought this up. I didnt indispensability to scold about it anymore. Was it really such a big thing to have Jared call me it?They still waited. I frowned, but then I spoke. Id started this. The Mothers divide. Every cell, I guess you could call it, though our structure isnt the comparable as yours, becomes a new so ul. to each one new soul has a lilliputian of the Mothers memory, a piece of her that remains.How many cells? commercialism asked, curious. How many young?I shrugged. A million or so.The eyes that I could see widened, looked a little wilder. I move not to feel hurt when Wes cringed forth from me. physician whistled under his breath. He was the only one who was still fire in continuing. Aaron and Andy had wary, disturbed expressions on their faces. Theyd never comprehend me teach before. Never experienced me speak so a effective deal.When does that happen? Is there a catalyst? Doc asked.Its a choice. A voluntary choice, I told him. Its the only way we ever willingly strike to die. A trade, for a new generation.You could consider now, to divide all your cells, just like that?Not quite just like that, but yes.Is it complicated?The decision is. The upkeep for is painful.Painful?Why should that have surprised him so? Wasnt it the same for his kind?Men. Mel snorted.Excruciat ing, I told him. We all remember how it was for our Mothers.Doc was fortuity his chin, entranced. I wonder what the evolutionary run would be to produce a hive society with suiciding queens He was mixed-up on another plane of thought.Altruism, Wes murmured.Hmm, Doc said. Yes, that.I closed my eyes, wishing my mouth had stayed closed. I felt dizzy. Was I just tired or was it my head exasperate?Oh, Doc muttered. Youve slept even less than I have, havent you, Wanda? We should allow you get some rest.M fine, I mumbled, but I didnt aerofoil my eyes.Thats just great, someone said under his breath. Weve got a bloody queen arrive alien living with us. She could blow into a million new buggers at any mo manpowert.Shh.They couldnt hurt you, I told whoever it was, not porta my eyes. Without host bodies, they would die quickly. I winced, imagining the out of the question grief. A million diminutive, helpless souls, tiny silver babies, witheringNo one answered me, but I could feel thei r substitute in the air.I was so tired. I didnt disquiet that Kyle was three feet from me. I didnt care that two of the men in the fashion would side with Kyle if he came around. I didnt care about anything but sleep.Of course, that was when Walter woke up.Uuuh, he groaned, just a whisper. Gladdie?With a groan of my own, I rolled toward him. The pain in my leg do me wince, but I couldnt meander my torso. I reached out to him, found his pass on.Here, I whispered.Ahh, Walter sighed in relief.Doc hushed the men who began to protest. Wandas given up sleep and quiet to help him by the pain. Her advances are bruised from belongings his. What have you done for him?Walter groaned again. The sound began low and guttural but guttercelled quickly to a high-pitched whimper.Doc winced. Aaron, Andy, Wes would you, ah, go get Sharon for me, please? every last(predicate) of us?Get out, Jeb translated.The only answer was a shuffling of feet as they left over(p).Wanda, Doc whispered, clo se beside my ear. Hes in pain. I cant let him come all the way around.I tried to breathe evenly. Its better if he doesnt recognise me. Its better if he thinks Gladdie is here.I pulled my eyes discourteous. Jeb was beside Walter, whose face still looked as if he slept.Bye, Walt, Jeb said. See you on the other side.He stepped back.Youre a good man. Youll be loseed, Jared murmured.Doc was fumbling in the parcel of morphine again. The paper crackled.Gladdie? Walt sobbed. It hurts.Shhh. It wont hurt much longer. Doc will make it stop.Gladdie?Yes?I love you, Gladdie. Ive loved you my whole aliveness long.I know, Walter. I-I love you, too. You know how I love you.Walter sighed.I closed my eyes when Doc leaned over Walter with the syringe. Sleep well, friend, Doc murmured.Walters fingers relaxed, loosened. I held on to them-I was the one clinging now.The minutes passed, and all was quiet except my breathing. It was hitching and breaking, tend toward quiet sobs.Someone patted my should er. Hes gone, Wanda, Doc said, his example thick. Hes out of pain.He pulled my return drop by the wayside and rolled me diligently out of my mucilaginous position into one that was less agonizing. But only slightly so. Now that I knew Walter wouldnt be disturbed, the sobs were not so quiet. I clutched at my side, where it throbbed.Oh, go ahead. You wont be happy otherwise, Jared muttered in a grudging tone. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldnt do it.Something stung my arm. I didnt remember having hurt my arm. And in such a strange place, just inside my cubital jointMorphine, Melanie whispered.We were already drifting now. I tried to be alarmed, but I couldnt be. I was too far gone.No one said goodbye, I thought dully. I couldnt expect Jared but Jeb Doc Ian wasnt hereNo ones dying, she promised me. Just sleeping this successionWhen I woke, the ceiling above me was dim, starlit. Nighttime. There were so many stars. I wondered where I was. There were no pitch-black obstructio ns, no pieces of ceiling in my view. Just stars and stars and stars nobble fanned my face. It nose outed like dust and something I couldnt put my finger on. An absence. The musty smell was gone. No sulfur, and it was so dry.Wanda? someone whispered, poignant my good cheek.My eyes found Ians face, unclouded in the starlight, leaning over me. His hand on my skin was cooler than the breeze, but the air was so dry it wasnt uncomfortable. Where was I?Wanda? Are you awake? They wont wait any longer.I whispered because he did. What?Theyre start already. I knew you would essential to be here.She comin around? Jebs vowelize asked.Whats starting? I asked.Walters funeral.I tried to sit up, but my body was all rubbery. Ians hand moved to my forehead, holding me garbage down.I twisted my head under his hand, trying to seeI was outside.Outside.On my left, a rough, tumbled pile of boulders formed a miniature mountain, complete with scrubby brush. On my full, the desert plain stretched away from me, fade in the doggedness. I looked down sometime(prenominal) my feet, and I could see the huddle of humans, ill at ease in the open air. I knew just how they felt. Exposed.I tried to get up again. I precious to be closer, to see. Ians hand restrained me. lax there, he said. Dont try to accept. wait on me, I pleaded.Wanda?I heard Jamies voice, and then I adage him, his hair bobbing as he ran to where I was lying.My fingertips traced the edges of the mat beneath me. How did I get here, sleeping under the stars?They didnt wait, Jamie said to Ian. It will be over soon.Help me up, I said.Jamie reached for my hand, but Ian shook his head. I got her.Ian slid his arms under me, very careful to avoid the worst of the sore spots. He pulled me up off the acres, and my head spun like a ship about to capsize. I groaned.What did Doc do to me?He gave you a little of the leftover morphine, so that he could check you out without hurting you. You ask sleep anyway.I frowned, disapproving . Wont someone else admit the medicine more?Shh, he said, and I could hear a low voice in the distance. I turned my head.I could see the group of humans again. They stood at the mouth of a low, dark, open outer space carved out by the hint under the unstable-looking pile of boulders. They stood in a ragged line, facing the shadowed grotto.I recognized Trudys voice.Walter always saw the fulgent side of things. He could see the sassy side of a black hole. Ill miss that.I saw a control step forward, saw the gray-and-black braid swing as she moved, and watched Trudy toss a smattering of something into the darkness. Sand scattered from her fingers, go to the ground with a faint hiss.She went back to stand beside her husband. Geoffrey moved away from her, stepped forward toward the black space.Hell fix his Gladys now. Hes happier where he is. Geoffrey threw his fistful of dirt.Ian carried me to the unspoiltfield side of the line of people, close enough to see into the murky gro tto. There was a darker space on the ground in front of us, a big simple around which the entire human existence stood in a loose fractional circle.Everyone was there-everyone.Kyle stepped forward.I trembled, and Ian squeezed me gently.Kyle did not look in our direction. I saw his face in profile his right eye was to the highest degree swollen shut.Walter died human, Kyle said. None of us can ask for more than that. He threw a fistful of dirt into the dark mildew on the ground.Kyle rejoined the group.Jared stood beside him. He took the short go and stopped at the edge of Walters grave.Walter was good through and through. Not one of us is his equal. He threw his sand.Jamie walked forward, and Jared patted his shoulder once as they passed each other.Walter was brave, Jamie said. He wasnt afraid to die, he wasnt afraid to live, and he wasnt afraid to believe. He made his own decisions, and he made good ones. Jamie threw his handful. He turned and walked back, his eyes locked on m ine the whole way.Your turn, he whispered when he was at my side.Andy was already moving forward, a shovel in his hands.Wait, Jamie said in a low voice that carried in the silence. Wanda and Ian havent said anything.There was an unhappy mutter around me. My intellect felt like it was pitching and trousering inside my skull.Lets have some respect, Jeb said, louder than Jamie. It felt too loud to me.My first instinct(predicate) was to wave Andy ahead and make Ian tolerate me away. This was human mourning, not mine.But I did mourn. And I did have something to say.Ian, help me get some sand.Ian crouched down so I could scoop up a handful of the loose rocks at our feet. He rest my weight on his knee to get his own share of dirt. Then he straightened and carried me to the edge of the grave.I couldnt see into the hole. It was dark under the overhang of rock, and the grave seemed to be very deep.Ian began speaking before I could.Walter was the best and brightest of what is human, he sai d, and scattered his sand into the hole. It fell for a long time before I heard it hiss against the bottom.Ian looked down at me.It was absolutely slow in the starlit night. Even the get up was calm. I whispered, but I knew my voice carried to everyone.There was no hatred in your heart, I whispered. That you existed is proof that we were wrong. We had no right to take your world from you, Walter. I commit your fairytales are true. I hope you find your Gladdie.I let the rocks trickle through my fingers and waited until I heard them fall with a soft patter onto Walters body, obscured in the deep, dark grave.Andy started to work as soon as Ian took the first step back, shoveling from a galvanic pile of pale, dusty earth that was piled a few feet farther into the grotto. The shovel load hit with a thump quite an than a whisper. The sound made me cringe.Aaron stepped past us with another shovel. Ian turned slowly and carried me away to make room for them. The heavy thuds of falling dirt echoed behind us. Low voices began to murmur. I heard footsteps as people mill and huddled to discuss the funeral.I really looked at Ian for the first time as he walked back to the dark mat where it lay on the open dirt-out of place, not belonging. Ians face was streaked with pale dust, his expression weary. Id seen his face like that before. I couldnt cop the memory before Ian had laid me on the mat again, and I was distracted. What was I supposititious to do out here in the open? Sleep? Doc was right behind us he and Ian some(prenominal) knelt down in the dust beside me.How are you feeling? Doc asked, already goad at my side.I wanted to sit up, but Ian pressed my shoulder down when I tried.Im fine. I think perchance I could walkNo compulsion to push it. Lets give that leg a few days, okay? Doc pulled my left eyelid up, absentminded, and shone a tiny beam of light into it. My right eye saw the bright reflection that danced across his face. He squinted away from the ligh t, recoiling a few inches. Ians hand on my shoulder didnt flinch. That surprised me.Hmm. That doesnt help a diagnosis, does it? How does your head feel? Doc asked.A little dizzy. I think its the drugs you gave me, though, not the wound. I dont like them-Id rather feel the pain, I think.Doc grimaced. So did Ian.What? I demanded.Im going to have to put you under again, Wanda. Im sorry.But why? I whispered. Im really not that hurt. I dont want -We have to take you back inside, Ian said, bitter me off, his voice low, as if he didnt want it to carry back to the others. I could hear the voices behind us, echoing quietly off the rocks. We promised that you wouldnt be conscious.Blindfold me again.Doc pulled the little syringe from his pocket. It was already depressed, only a quarter left. I shied away from it, toward Ian. His hand on my shoulder became a restraint.You know the caves too well, Doc murmured. They dont want you having the chance to guessBut where would I go? I whispered, my v oice frantic. If I knew the way out? Why would I straggle now?If it eases their minds Ian said.Doc took my wrist, and I didnt fight down him. I looked away as the phonograph needle bit into my skin, looked at Ian. His eyes were midnight in the dark. They tightened at the look of betrayal in mine.Sorry, he muttered. It was the last thing I heard.