The Role of Older Australians in Family Life Assignment

The Role of Older Australians in Family Life - Assignment Example Contrary to other countries which are giving little importance or no importance at all to older people, Australia recognizes the essential role that older people assume in the society. They specifically believe that older Australians play an active and significant role in family life. This recognition serves as a proof that Australians are indeed family-oriented. As such, for the purpose of this essay, the older Australian’s family life, living arrangements and inter-generational role shall be discussed. Also, the change of their roles and activities beyond eighty years of age shall be analyzed. Generally, when one reaches the old age, he or she is somehow considered as irrelevant to the economic growth of a community. One may base this argument on the fact that old people often retire from work and are eventually left at home. This consequence is viewed by some as disadvantageous to one’s family as well as to the government. The reason of which primarily revolves around the idea of â€Å"financial cost.† On the part of the family concerned, the presence of old people at home means â€Å"additional dependents.† With regard to the government’s side, an increase of the aging population which is higher than the rate of those newly born means lesser workforce and more funding for services like healthcare and medicine. In connection, Australia is observed to have been experiencing a problem with â€Å"aging population† (De Vaus, Gray & Stanton, 2003). For older Australians (aging sixty-five years and older), family life consists of two important matters, living arrangement, and inter-generational role.  

Question Conservation of Energy Essay Example for Free

Question Conservation of Energy Essay Missy Diwater, the former platform diver for the Ringling Brothers Circus had a kinetic energy of 15 000 J just prior to hitting the bucket of water. If Missys mass is 50 kg, then what is her speed? Solution: According to energy conservation, the kinetic energy at the bottom of the dive (15,000J) is equal to her gravitational potential energy before the dive. We can use this fact to find her dive height: PE = mgh h = PE/mg = 15,000J / (50kg)(9. 81m/s? ) 31m (rounded) Her speed can also be found from energy conseration: E(final) = E(initial) 0. 5mv? = mgh v = v[2gh] = v[2(9. 81m/s? )(31m) = 25m/s 2. A 750-kg compact car moving at 100 km/hr has approximately 290 000 Joules of kinetic energy. What is the kinetic energy of the same car if it is moving at 50 km/hr? Solution: KE =v^ 2 (Kinetic Energy = speed ^2 If the speed is reduce by a factor of 2 (as in form 100 km/hr) then the KE will reduce by a factor 4. Thus,the new KE = 290 000 J / 4 KE = 72 500 J 3. A cart is loaded with a brick and pulled at constant speed along an inclined plane of an angle of 30o to the height of a seat-top. If the mass of the loaded cart is 3. 0 kg and the inclined distance of the seat top is 0. 45 meters, then what is the potential energy of the loaded cart at the height of the seat-top? Solution : PE = mgh PE = 3 kg x 10 m/s/s x 0. 45m PE = 13. 5 J 4. A 75kg trampoline artist jumps vertically downward from the top of a platform with a speed of 5m/s. How fast is he going as he lands on the trampoline 2m below? If the trampoline behaves like a spring of spring constant 5. 2E104 N/m, how far does he depress it? Soluiton : a) s = 1/2(u+v)t 2. 0m = 0. 5 * 5m/s * t 2. 0m = 10 * t t = 2. 0m/20 t = 0. 1s b) Hookes Law states F=kx x is the displacement of the spring (depression) F = Restoring force k = spring constant Rearrange. x = F/k What is the force upon hitting the trampoline? We have the mass so lets work out the acceleration. Acceleration = velocity/time Acceleration = 5/0. 1 = 50m/s^2 F=ma F = 75*50 = 3750N Substitute into Hookes Law x = 3750/(5. 2*10^4N-m) = 0. 072m of depression

The Great War And The Shaping of the 20th Century Essay -- Essays Pape

The Great War And The Shaping of the 20th Century Another man is killed; Another family receives a telegram saying that a loved one was killed in battle; The family will never be the same again without the presence of this man. This is an effort to explain some of the impact that World War I had on millions of individuals. This sequence of events was conducted over and over millions of times during WWI. So why were there so many deaths?Who were the instigators of a war that caused so much suffering, not just in family life, but in society in general? What were some of the effects that war had on society? To answer these questions, it is necessary to look at history, prior to the war, and examine the actions of certain individuals and explain the effects that these actions had on European society. For example, the â€Å"Black Hand†, the Serbian nationalists who assassinated Austria’s Archduke Francis Ferdinand, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Count Leopold von Berchtold all are specific individuals who greatly contributed to the beginning of the war.[i] The first instigator of WWI to be discussed is the "Black Hand." The Black Hand was a group of Serbian Nationalists that were convinced that Serbia was not receiving the attention that they deserved from the bigger country of Austria-Hungary, led by Austria’s Archduke Francis Ferdinand. The tension between Serbia and Austria-Hungary had greatened when Austria- Hungary took over the two provincesof Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908, before Serbia could claim the land. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the "Black Hand," assassinated Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 when he went into Sarajevo to review the newly acclaimed territories. The price he paid for refusing to give "a bigger place in the su... ...otten during its reign.†[xiv] [i] Camille Bloch, The Causes Of The World War (New York: Howard Fertig Inc., 1968), p. 9. [ii] S.L.A. Marshall, The American Heritage of World War I (American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., 1964), p. 17. [iii] Marshall, p. 17. [iv] Marshall, p. 8, 9. [v] Bloch, p. 48. [vi] Bloch, p. 49. [vii] Bloch, p. 59. [viii]Marshall, p. 26. [ix] Marshall, p. 25. [x] Rene Albrecht-Carrie, The Meaning of the First World War (New Jersey: Prentice- Hall Inc., 1965), p. 57. [xi] Marshall, p. 28. [xii] Anver Offer, The First World War: An Agrarian Interpretation (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989), p. 345. [xiii]Offer, p. 342. [xiv] Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy, The War and German Society: A Testament of a Liberal (New York: Howard Fertig, 1971), p. 15.

Political And Economic Globalization Essay

Globalization in whichever form has received different view from different people all over the world. It has always portrayed two faces in any field in which it was applied. Generally, globalization has its roots in economic and political concerns. These two areas are key factors which touches the lives of people in any country, hence, globalization in either economic or politics will most if not always affect the ways of life in any given country. The consequences of economic and political globalizations are thus paramount in the induction of particular changes in the cultural ways of these communities. The economic and political globalization has an impact on culture while at the same time the cultures have enormous impacts on the globalization of both. This is because there is an intimate interrelationships and integration of the three human activities which builds the human life. Thus, from the historical view of the three things, they have gone hand in hand for complete human life existence. Globalization of politics and economic are two key factors which are affecting the culture of modern world bringing about cultural homogeneity rather than cultural diversity. In reality, this has made crowds of people to remain perplex on which ways is these economic and political globalizations is driving the culture. (Mudimbe-boyi, 2002) Meanwhile, globalization has also allowed the cultural diversity tpo surface as countries started to accept the globalized views and ways of life. The more global influences get in the culture, the more chance that the community acknowledges the uniqueness of its culture. First and foremost are that many people having experiences obstacles of understanding what is culture and the compositions of culture. Michael Amaladoss gave any efforts of defining culture. He said â€Å"culture is the way of a life of a people through which they humanize and socialize nature. † In his further elaboration, he mentioned that it implies the world-view, a value system and a network of social relationships. There are key areas in which during economics and political globalization, they are obviously affected. The effects are felt when many people changes their values system and the original products which were once used by their forefathers. This phenomenon is not rare in most parts of the world where many people have gone under the transition of economic and political globalization. There are numerous alarming cultural practices which the world’s leaders are now struggling to ban as result of this two globalizes factors. (Cowen, 2002) In some instances however, globalization becomes a driving force for people to realize how cultural affinities are being ignored. As people in different communities strive to adopt into the globalized world, they start to be more keen on its effects in the culture, thus the rise of groups concerned with protecting and/or preserving the cultural heritage. It has also served as the venue for countries to showcase the unique culture to the entire world. Globalization of economy and politics are not bring along with cultural diversity. Generally, each globalization processes are working ways out to have homogeneity of cultures. For instance, in terms of economic globalization in the sectors of agriculture sectors, the world’s organizations which deal with the problems of foods shortages do not address the problem from root cause of the shortages. Their models hardly emphasizes on the available establishment of these local food stuff in the particular countries. Instead, they widely and vast get involved in the use of imports to solve the problems of hungers. Through such means the cultural foods products of the native communities in these states are set into extinction as the local are encouraged to embark on sowing new types of crops. This portrays that there is expansion of the culture from one point of country to another through these aids creating a homogenous cultures. (Adam, 2002) But because of the uniqueness of the cultures of each country, cultural differences will most likely affect how a country reacts to a globalized world, or how a country respond to globalization. Globalization can sometimes tend to be too Westernized that countries from Asia or from other part of the world will find it hard to adopt, thus resulting to further cultural diversity rather than homogeneity. Their global information infrastructures which as come on the ways of technology and industrialization has made trade increases. In addition, to trade many countries have been subjects to comply with unnecessary economic condition. This has especially affected those developing countries where resources and job opportunities are limited. The unfavorable economic environments in those states have created a loophole for the exploitation of the people. The people are being forced by worse survival means to adapts the foreign culture so that they can attain their goals in life. As the adage goes â€Å"power and wealthy and there to conquers and dominates the weak†. (Cowen, 2002) Meanwhile, globalization has also helped developing countries. An example is for developing countries in Asia such as Philippines and India who have become an ideal venue for the support needs of the economies of the US and other countries in Europe. This has paved the way for the booming business processing outsourcing (BPO) industries in these countries due to globalization. The political globalizations are largely affecting the culture of these different communities of the world in the pretence of fighting for human rights. The politics from the westerns and Americans have spreads in all corners of the worlds in which the Americans are fighting to have democratic political area. Political globalists has intervened in issues of marriages and other matters which touches family affairs. Argument such as homosexuals and other related family matters have been widely politicized debates which have been accelerated by political globalization. The consequences of this embarked in the developments countries which are majority pro- globalisms. The final result is that, the continued interaction of the people in the economic dispersions in the trades industries wits such peoples has enables the spreading of the vices to thousands of countries in other continents. Gayism and lesbians are two vices which did not exist in African continents in date of the previous two centuries back. The perpetual globalization on economic and politics has spread this scourge disease to the continent in the last four to five decades. This vividly demonstrates, that the cultures which had rooted values in the continent has been absorbed creating some support of homogeneous culture rather than cultural diversity. (Mudimbe-boyi, 2002) In the same way, the share of culture had also positive effect on other communities. People become more informed of how things are done in the other parts of the world, and thus they are able to establish benchmarks. These will then become a basis of the right way of doing things by using these as models on how to successfully deal with political and economic concerns. Reference: Adam, D. (2002): Community, Culture and Globalization: Rockefeller Foundation Cowen, T. (2002): How Globalization is changing the World’s Culture: Princeton University Press. Greenaway, D. (2005): Adjusting to globalization: University of Nottingham Mudimbe-boyi, E. (2002): Histories, Identities, Cultures, and the Challenge of Globalization: University of New York Press

Determine the refractive index of glass

Hypothesis: The incident ray, the normal and the refracted ray all lie in the same plane. Also, according to Snell's law, for 2 particular media, the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction should be a constant: Sin i Sin r Apparatus: 1. A rectangular prism 2. Four 1 inch pins 3. A protractor 4. A ruler 5. An A4 size cardboard 6. An A4 size sheet of plain paper 7. 4 bits of blue tack 8. A pencil Method 1. A table is drawn at the top left side of the A4 size paper with column titles: â€Å"Angle of Incidence† and â€Å"Angle of Refraction†. The table should contain 8 rows excluding the column titles. 2. The rectangular prism is placed at the middle of the top of the page and its perimeter is traced with the help of the ruler and pencil. The normal is soon after marked out in the approximate centre of the perimeter using the protractor at the 90 degrees point. The operation is then repeated at the middle of the bottom of the page and finally to the back of the page. 3. 4 perimeters with a normal on each should already be drawn at that stage. Next, an angle should be measured and traced from the point where the normal touches the perimeter line from any of the 4 sketch. The angle is noted at the table as an angle of incidence. This step is repeated five more times with different angles each time. 4. The page is placed on the piece of cardboard and stabilised using the blue tack bits. 5. 2 pins are stuck on any incident lines and the rectangular prism in placed fitting the perimeter marked previously. 6. The pins should be observed at a parallel and opposite side of the rectangular prism and the cardboard should be moved so that 1pin covers the other totally and 2 more pins should be stuck. 7. The pins are removed together with the page and a line is drawn from the 2 recent holes caused by the pins. 8. A new normal is outlined out of the new line and the angle is measured and noted as the emergent ray. 9. A line is drawn from the emergent ray to the incident ray and the angle from the normal is measured using the protractor. 10. Steps 4 to 8 are repeated 7 more times varying on the 4 perimeters. 11. The page should resemble the following: Results Conclusion The results seem satisfying enough to support the hypothesis, hence supporting the idea of the law of refraction. Evaluation and precautions * Blue tack was used so as to keep the paper stable while working to prevent errors. * A double check with another protractor was performed to ensure its accuracy. * Mistakes such as not perfectly vertical pins stuck or not exactly parallel positioning of the eye could have been performed relying on the results. * Parallax errors or other mistakes such as too bumpy cardboard may have lead to not accurate enough results. * Another method of performing the experiment yet roughly the same precision would be to use light beams which would be more accurate than our eyes' positioning therefore reducing parallax error.

Free Essays on Twelfth Night- Disguise VS Identity

Disguise in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night has many purposes. Even though disguising one's gender is a common theme in Shakespeare, some say it is instates bonding and allows a way for it to happen. It is known that it is used as a necessity for survival. In Twelfth Night, Disguise and Identity is shown in feelings, appearances and decisions. Disguise is an occasionally seen force which drives one’s mind into believing in something unrealistic. Disguise and Identity get mixed up which causes confusion. Both factors are compared in the meaning of Truth. Viola contributes a great deal to the theme of Disguise versus Identity in Twelfth Night. Viola must bundle up her personal emotions which she has for Orsino. â€Å"Love sought is good, but given unsought is better† (Act iii, Scene I). The quotation describes Viola’s love for Orsino and her effort to disguise it causing false identity. The false identity confuses the characters’ in the novel as well as the readers. Viola’s distinct personality of her own individuality is that she is madly in love with Orsino and her effort to hide it. In Act V, Scene I, Viola reveals her hidden love for him which proves the fact that Identity overcomes Disguise. Viola has affected others by her attempt to disguise her love for Orsino which relates to what Viola went threw which was disguising her appearance to be with the one she loved. As Cesario, Viola learns a lot about Orsino that he might not have revealed otherwise. Thinking Cesario is a normal man, which he is not, Orsino confided to him about his love for Olivia. â€Å"If music be the food of love, play on... â€Å"(Act I, Scene I). This quotation describes Orsino’s aching love for Olivia. As for her appearance, she disguised herself as a man. She wore man clothes, cut her hair, put on a moustache and pretended she had a deeper voice. She did this because she wanted to work for Count Orsino. The difference of Identity and Disguise is that if... Free Essays on Twelfth Night- Disguise VS Identity Free Essays on Twelfth Night- Disguise VS Identity Disguise in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night has many purposes. Even though disguising one's gender is a common theme in Shakespeare, some say it is instates bonding and allows a way for it to happen. It is known that it is used as a necessity for survival. In Twelfth Night, Disguise and Identity is shown in feelings, appearances and decisions. Disguise is an occasionally seen force which drives one’s mind into believing in something unrealistic. Disguise and Identity get mixed up which causes confusion. Both factors are compared in the meaning of Truth. Viola contributes a great deal to the theme of Disguise versus Identity in Twelfth Night. Viola must bundle up her personal emotions which she has for Orsino. â€Å"Love sought is good, but given unsought is better† (Act iii, Scene I). The quotation describes Viola’s love for Orsino and her effort to disguise it causing false identity. The false identity confuses the characters’ in the novel as well as the readers. Viola’s distinct personality of her own individuality is that she is madly in love with Orsino and her effort to hide it. In Act V, Scene I, Viola reveals her hidden love for him which proves the fact that Identity overcomes Disguise. Viola has affected others by her attempt to disguise her love for Orsino which relates to what Viola went threw which was disguising her appearance to be with the one she loved. As Cesario, Viola learns a lot about Orsino that he might not have revealed otherwise. Thinking Cesario is a normal man, which he is not, Orsino confided to him about his love for Olivia. â€Å"If music be the food of love, play on... â€Å"(Act I, Scene I). This quotation describes Orsino’s aching love for Olivia. As for her appearance, she disguised herself as a man. She wore man clothes, cut her hair, put on a moustache and pretended she had a deeper voice. She did this because she wanted to work for Count Orsino. The difference of Identity and Disguise is that if...

Free Essays on The Beast Of The Lord Of The Flies

â€Å"The Beast† – English 11 Final Exam Essay Throughout time, authors have been using various elements in their writings to symbolize other, deeper figures. In the literary pieces we have come across this year, there have been several bold cases of symbolism. In the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer uses symbolism to signify the decline of the church. William Golding uses this narrative technique on several different occasions in The Lord of the Flies. The biggest illustration of symbolism in The Lord of the Flies is in relation to â€Å"the beast†. The beast is seen as a real object on the island which frightens the boys. In reality, the beast is something internal. The fear of the beast is in soul and mind of the boys, leading them to the natural chaos of a society with no reasoning adults. Throughout the story, William Golding expresses the need for civilized order to maintain the cruel savage beast in us all. Jack's tribe and fear of the beast contribute to the overwhelming belief that savagery, not order, and is needed to survive on the island. Symbolism was just as vivid in Shakespeare’s MacBeth. MacBeth had a tragic flaw which ultimately restricted him from conquering his goal. MacBeth was a tragic hero who fell from a position of honor and respect due to a flaw in his character. Macbeth was once a noble man, but unfortunately chooses to follow the advice and future telling of witches. Macbeth finds himself King, abuses his power and then gets killed. Macbeth goes through four stages until he reaches the end of his life; the first being his original state, his tragic flaw, his downfall and finally his suffering. These four stages help to justify Shakespeare's tragic hero symbolism. Both Golding’s Lord of the Flies and Shakespeare’s MacBeth use symbolism to convey their literary messages. â€Å"The Beast† and the witches in MacBeth symbolize potential destruction for civilizations. Both Lord of the Flies and ... Free Essays on The Beast Of The Lord Of The Flies Free Essays on The Beast Of The Lord Of The Flies â€Å"The Beast† – English 11 Final Exam Essay Throughout time, authors have been using various elements in their writings to symbolize other, deeper figures. In the literary pieces we have come across this year, there have been several bold cases of symbolism. In the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer uses symbolism to signify the decline of the church. William Golding uses this narrative technique on several different occasions in The Lord of the Flies. The biggest illustration of symbolism in The Lord of the Flies is in relation to â€Å"the beast†. The beast is seen as a real object on the island which frightens the boys. In reality, the beast is something internal. The fear of the beast is in soul and mind of the boys, leading them to the natural chaos of a society with no reasoning adults. Throughout the story, William Golding expresses the need for civilized order to maintain the cruel savage beast in us all. Jack's tribe and fear of the beast contribute to the overwhelming belief that savagery, not order, and is needed to survive on the island. Symbolism was just as vivid in Shakespeare’s MacBeth. MacBeth had a tragic flaw which ultimately restricted him from conquering his goal. MacBeth was a tragic hero who fell from a position of honor and respect due to a flaw in his character. Macbeth was once a noble man, but unfortunately chooses to follow the advice and future telling of witches. Macbeth finds himself King, abuses his power and then gets killed. Macbeth goes through four stages until he reaches the end of his life; the first being his original state, his tragic flaw, his downfall and finally his suffering. These four stages help to justify Shakespeare's tragic hero symbolism. Both Golding’s Lord of the Flies and Shakespeare’s MacBeth use symbolism to convey their literary messages. â€Å"The Beast† and the witches in MacBeth symbolize potential destruction for civilizations. Both Lord of the Flies and ...

Overview of the Medulla Oblongata

Overview of the Medulla Oblongata The medulla oblongata is a portion of the hindbrain that controls autonomic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart and blood vessel function, swallowing, and sneezing. Motor and sensory neurons from the midbrain and forebrain travel through the medulla. As a part of the brainstem, the medulla oblongata helps in the transferring of messages between various parts of the brain and the spinal cord. The medulla contains myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Myelinated nerves (white matter) are covered with a myelin sheath composed of lipids and proteins. This sheath insulates axons and promotes more efficient conduction of nerve impulses than unmyelinated nerve fibers (gray matter). A number of cranial nerve nuclei are located in the gray matter of the medulla oblongata. The upper region of the medulla forms the fourth cerebral ventricle. The fourth ventricle is a cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid and is continuous with the cerebral aqueduct. The lower portion of the medulla narrows forming portions of the central canal of the spinal cord. Function The medulla oblongata is involved in several functions of the body including: Control of autonomic functionsRelay of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cordCoordination of body movementsRegulation of mood The medulla is the control center for cardiovascular and respiratory system activity. It regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. The medulla also controls involuntary reflex actions such as swallowing, sneezing, and gag reflex. Another major function of the medulla is the control and coordination of voluntary movement. A number of cranial nerve nuclei are located in the medulla. Some of these nerves are important for speech, head and shoulder movement, and food digestion. The medulla also aids in the transfer of sensory information between the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system. It relays sensory information to the thalamus and from there is sent to the cerebral cortex. Location Directionally, the medulla oblongata is inferior to the pons and anterior to the cerebellum. It is the lowest portion of the hindbrain and is continuous with the spinal cord. Features Some anatomical features of the medulla oblongata include: Median fissures - shallow groves located along the anterior and posterior portions of the medulla.Olive - paired oval structures on the medulla surface that contain nerve fibers which connect the medulla to the pons and cerebellum.Pyramid - two rounded masses located on opposite sides of the anterior median fissure. These nerve fibers connect the medulla to the spinal cord, pons, and cerebral cortex.Fasciculus gracilis - a continuation of the bundle of nerve fiber tracts that extend from the spinal cord to the medulla. Injury to the Medulla Injury to the medulla oblongata may result in a number of sensory-related problems. These include numbness, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, acid reflux, and lack of movement control. Because the medulla controls vital autonomic functions, such as breathing and heart rate, damage to this area of the brain can be fatal. Drugs and other chemical substances can impact the medullas ability to function. An opiate overdose can be deadly because these drugs inhibit medulla activity and the body becomes unable to perform vital functions. The chemicals in anesthesia work by acting on the medulla to decrease autonomic activity. This results in a lower breathing rate and heart rate, relaxation of muscles, and  loss of consciousness.​

Phil Company Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Phil Company - Research Paper Example Advertising can also refer to the promotion by a firm or non personal presentation of the company’s products to its potential customers as well as the existing customers. This paper will discuss the advertising strategies employed by Phil Company and how they align with its marketing goals, how the company determines the effectiveness of its advertising strategies, the different promotional strategies used apart from advertising, the best marketing research approaches that Phil Company uses to measure customer satisfaction and lastly how the company addresses gaps in customer expectation . In advertising, many companies come up with different strategies in order to provoke shoppers to purchase, obtain customer attention and even provoke shoppers to use a specific product. In this context, Phil Company has used many advertising strategies in order obtain customer attention and at the same time increase the sales volumes of their electronic products. The company has used different ways of thinking in order to come up with catchy slogans to capture the customers and consumers attention. Its creative strategies have promoted personal selling, public relations, and publicity. The advertising techniques are powerful as they increase Phil Company’s market share and at the same time edging out other firms and companies in the industry. The other advertising strategy used by Phil Company is offering lowest prices in the industry. This strategy has enabled the company to easily highlight its competitive benefits. The advertising strategies have aligned well with the marketing goals of Phil Company since the company has been able to implement and control its business activities and at the same time, the strategies have brought together the buyers and the customers in a mutual exchange of the products offered by the company. It is evident that measuring the effectiveness of advertising is not easy and sometimes it is very expensive especially

Napoleon as a Child of the Enlightenment and the First Modern Dictator Research Paper

Napoleon as a Child of the Enlightenment and the First Modern Dictator - Research Paper Example This was an indication of his devotion to the enli. With scholastic and scientific advancements came the so called â€Å"opening of great minds†. Shortly after the advent of enlightenment, the revolution and civil war broke out in France from 1879 to 1899. This period required a strong leader and Napoleon’s leaning towards enlightenment’s principal-called the minds of the French, middle class (Posner 12). He displayed this in his policies and attitudes, resulting from his enlightened social reform agenda and religious ideas. Enlightenment taught principles of religious tolerance via the lessening of God and religion in everyday life. Napoleon was able to isolate himself from the devout and use religion for the furthering of his goals and political ideas. For example, he took the religion of the lands that he conquered. In France, he was a Catholic, but in Egypt, he took up Islam. It is difficult to reconcile whether Napoleon's political acumen was his source of e nlightenment or whether the enlightenment made him a political strategist (Posner 16). Regardless, Napoleon is considered a despot of the enlightenment. Though by today’s standards, Napoleon’s ideals, such as a puppet parliament and clergy would seem unenlightened, the 18th-century enlightenment despot was one able to introduce rational thought and reform while ignoring the minority. Napoleon’s most interesting enlightened social reform involved the institution of a law system that treated the citizens as individuals, without recognition of social class. Napoleon also instituted enlightenment principled reforms in the education sector by promoting scholarships for those with scholastic promise, as education became increasingly important in the enlightenment world. His enlightenment era actions and ideas led to the codified law system that was embraced all over Europe and continues to influence constitutions all over the world to date. Napoleon was a child of the enlightenment who followed the ideas that the period presented through his strategy and policies. Napoleon can be considered as the first modern dictator. Most dictators usually come to power during war or a state of emergence, just as Napoleon did. As an army general during the French Revolution, France witnessed a period of great political and social upheaval. From 1789, France evolved from being a monarchy to a republic and finally to an empire. In the middle of bloody coups, executions, and confusion, Napoleon rose to the high consul in the provisional government (Woloch 34). Because of his status as an undefeated commander, he enjoyed great popularity. He went on to write the Napoleonic code, which is still the basis for French civil law to this day.  Ã‚  

The role and function of the Front office in hotel Essay

The role and function of the Front office in hotel - Essay Example Hence, it is the duty of the front desk to inform the housekeeping department whenever new guests arrive (Rajput, 2013). In addition, the front desk also is the one that manages meetings, answer phones, make appointments, maintain record, and also make data entry as well as management of other communications (Rajput, 2013). In connection to this, to run a successful hotel business the front desk has to be run well because as stated they are the face the hotel. This is because they are the ones that receive the visitors hence they are the ones who determines the direction the business will take in the future (Rajput, 2013). The reserve section acts as a nerve center for the department. It is the section where all room reservation requests are received and then processed. Reservation is the act of booking rooms in advance, and most hotels rely on effective bedroom letting for profits. These reservations may be in the form of telex, letters, telegram, telephones, fax and emails (Kumar, 2013). Rajput, T. (2013, January 13). How important is Front Desk Management in a hotel business. Retrieved from

Article Review II Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Review II - Article Example The second topic is the negative impacts that result from implementation and expansion of Medicaid. The third issues covered in the article high are requirements that are needed for individuals to qualify for the insurance. People with a low income can access federal tax credits thereby subsidizing private health insurance. However, those living below the poverty line will not benefit from the health insurance, Medicaid or other tax credits. The instances of unfairness resulting from the policy have been experienced in a number of states. For instance, The Kansas Medicaid program offers no coverage for adults without children (Robert). The intended audiences for this article are the general public, administration, public and private health care providers as well as all stakeholders in health care. The author has involved the audience in a though provoking way. There could be bias in the article as the author is a Republican and this article may be interpreted as a criticism of the Democrat administration. Although the public might blame President Obama for the current woes in health care, the Republicans are the ones responsible for fighting against the expansion of Medicaid (Health Policy Briefs). In the health care law approved in 2010, Congressional Democrats were determined to expand Medicaid in all states. The administration has been urging people who are in need of health insurance to register on the government website to receive information of the available insurance options. The student should be evaluate the current care policies and establish whether they are effective and fair to all members of society (Virginia Gray, David and Jennifer 135). This article is important since it has the relevant information concerning the roles of various government agencies in health care. It provides explanation on the negative impacts of states’ refusal to develop Medicaid. The article spells out the states that are likely to be marginalized by this policy.

Statue of Liberty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Statue of Liberty - Essay Example The statue entitled "Liberty Enlightens the World" was shipped to America in 214 separate crates in 1886 and re-assembled on tiny Bedloe Island, which was soon renamed Liberty Island. (Schamel 299-302) For more than a century, the Statue f Liberty has stood as a symbol f the American ideals f freedom, equality, and opportunity, and has greeted millions f immigrants at the entrance to New York Harbor. Given by the people f France to the people f the United States to commemorate the friendship between the two countries during the American Revolution, the 151-foot-tall statue was shipped in pieces from France and assembled and dedicated in 1876. Over the years, world events have added new layers f meaning to the statue as a symbol. During two World Wars, it endured as a reminder f the sacrifices involved in maintaining freedom, and in 1989, Chinese students constructed a plaster "Goddess f Democracy" inspired by the Statue f Liberty during political protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. (Bender 60-62) The idea for a monument to commemorate the achievement f America's independence originated with the French scholar and abolitionist, Edouard de Laboulaye, in 1865. French intellectuals admired America's democratic ideals and its recent defeat f slavery, and aspired to create a French republican government modeled on the American constitution to replace the empire f Napoleon III. De Laboulaye suggested to F.A. Bartholdi, a 31-year old sculptor, that he travel to America to explore the possibility f a monument to French-American friendship. Bartholdi's vision for the Statue f Liberty solidified when he first saw New York Harbor. The tallest structure in the New York metropolitan area when it was dedicated, the Statue f Liberty rests on a granite and concrete pedestal to rise to a total height f over 300 feet. The statue's uplifted right arm raises a torch which is lit at night, and her left hand holds a tablet bearing the date "July 4, 1776." A broken shackle lies in front f her right foot as she strides forward, although it is difficult for visitors to see from the ground. A plaque with the words f a sonnet by Emma Lazarus titled "The New Colossus" was added to an interior wall f the pedestal in 1903. Lazarus had written the poem in 1883 to assist in fundraising for the pedestal, and her words, "...Give me your tired, your poor,/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free/The wretched refuse f your teeming shore./Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,/I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" have become inextricably linked with the Statue f Liberty. Body- Case study presentation and analysis Design and Construction The statue is constructed f copper sheets hand-hammered onto wooden molds, but over the years the originally shiny copper has acquired a light-green hue. The engineer Gustave Eiffel, who later built the Eiffel Tower, designed the iron framework supporting the statue. Each section f the framework, and the copper sheets covering it, is attached separately to the central tower, enabling the sheets to move independently in varying weather and temperatures. (Hansen 34-35) Funds to build and transport the statue to the United States were raised entirely by the French people, not by the French government. An organization, the Franco-American Union, was formed in 1875 to raise money and

Article Review II Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Review II - Article Example The second topic is the negative impacts that result from implementation and expansion of Medicaid. The third issues covered in the article high are requirements that are needed for individuals to qualify for the insurance. People with a low income can access federal tax credits thereby subsidizing private health insurance. However, those living below the poverty line will not benefit from the health insurance, Medicaid or other tax credits. The instances of unfairness resulting from the policy have been experienced in a number of states. For instance, The Kansas Medicaid program offers no coverage for adults without children (Robert). The intended audiences for this article are the general public, administration, public and private health care providers as well as all stakeholders in health care. The author has involved the audience in a though provoking way. There could be bias in the article as the author is a Republican and this article may be interpreted as a criticism of the Democrat administration. Although the public might blame President Obama for the current woes in health care, the Republicans are the ones responsible for fighting against the expansion of Medicaid (Health Policy Briefs). In the health care law approved in 2010, Congressional Democrats were determined to expand Medicaid in all states. The administration has been urging people who are in need of health insurance to register on the government website to receive information of the available insurance options. The student should be evaluate the current care policies and establish whether they are effective and fair to all members of society (Virginia Gray, David and Jennifer 135). This article is important since it has the relevant information concerning the roles of various government agencies in health care. It provides explanation on the negative impacts of states’ refusal to develop Medicaid. The article spells out the states that are likely to be marginalized by this policy.

Business Strategic Management Executive Summary of Starbucks Essay

Business Strategic Management Executive Summary of Starbucks - Essay Example The existing specialty shops to serve as a threat. However, outlets outside would have existent players who understand the cultural aspect better, thereby posing a threat. Starbucks can deal with these mild threats by including other beverages in its menu (which it already does, but add variety to the non caffeine products being catered) and by entering into agreements with few large suppliers to seal the cost of inputs. Based on the SWOT analysis, we can say that diversification (outlets in USA and in many countries outside) is a positive aspect in Starbucks but if the process is not synchronized and planned well it may act as a deterrent to the image. The group also believes in introducing newer products in shorter duration of time, this helps retain customers, but may cause confusion in the customer’s mind. The price paid is higher than its competitors, but the elite ambience helps negate the price difference. Starbucks has a unique way of treating its employees and care for all its employees as partners in the company, with every employee having the option to stocks and health insurance; thereby, keeping the employee turnover rate higher at 70% (industry standard 30%).The structure is not driven by the hierarchy instead every employee is given the power to enhance the decision process. Employees are also given training before they start administering their work to assure quality of service. Starbucks is also well paced with the current trends of e-marketing which makes it more accessible. Lastly, the research and development team is very active constantly forming new products to introduce to the menu list. Starbucks can take either (1) sustain the aggressive growth plan and harness the services provided at the existing outlets (2) invest the proposed $40 million annually to help achieve higher customer satisfaction (3) modify the products on offer, based on the demographic position of the outlet (4) continue with

Mechanism of Labor Essay Example for Free

Mechanism of Labor Essay A good midwife will always aid in conduction of a vaginal delivery and not hastily conduct it without knowing about the mechanism that is occurring inside the pelvis. Hence it is very essential to learn about mechanism of normal labor, its principles and steps to distinguish it from an abnormal one Definition: The series of movements that occur on the head in the process of adaptation, during its journey through the pelvis, is called mechanism of labor. 1 Principles The principles are common to all mechanisms 1. Descent occurs throughout 2. The part that leads and first meets the resistance of the pelvic floor will rotate until comes under the symphysis pubis 3. The part that escapes under the symphysis pubis will pivot around the pubic bone 4. During the mechanism, the fetus turns slightly to take advantage of the widest available space in each plane of the pelvis, i. e. transverse at the brim and antero-posterior at the outlet 2 Mechanism In normal labor, the head enters the brim more commonly through the available transverse diameter and to a lesser extent through one of the oblique diameters. Accordingly, the position is either Occipito lateral or oblique Occipito anterior. The left Occipito anterior position is commoner than the right Occipito anterior position as the left Occipito diameter is encroached by the rectum. 1 The engaging antero-posterior diameter of the skull is suboccipito bregmatic (9. 5 cm) and the engaging transverse diameter is biparietal 9. 5 cm. 1 As the Occipito Anterior position is the commonest the mechanism of labor will be described for Left Occipito Anterior or Right Occipito Anterior position When the fetus presents in left or right Occipito anterior position the way the fetus is normally situated can be described as follows: * The lie is longitudinal * The presentation is cephalic * The position is ROA or LOA * The attitude is one of flexion * The denominator is the occiput * The presenting part is the posterior part of the anterior parietal bone 2 Positional movements There are several basic positional movements which take place when the fetus is in a cephalic vertex presentation. These are as follows: 1. Engagement 2. Descent throughout 3. Flexion 4. Internal rotation of the head 5. Crowning 6. Delivery of the head by extension 7. Restitution 8. Internal rotation of the shoulders 9. External rotation of the head 10. Birth of the shoulders and body by lateral flexion Although the mechanisms of labor are listed separately, some of these overlap or occur simultaneously (internal rotation of the shoulders and external rotation of the head) 1. Engagement Engagement takes place when the biparietal diameter of the fetal head has passed through the pelvic inlet. In primigravidae, it usually occurs during the latter weeks of pregnancy. In multigravidae, as the muscle tone is lax engagement may not occur until labor actually begins. 2. Descent Descent occurs throughout the mechanisms of labor and is therefore both requisite to and simultaneous with other mechanisms. Descent is a result of a number of forces including contractions and maternal pushing effort with contraction of her abdominal muscles 3. Flexion Flexion is essential to further descent. The pressure exerted down the feta l axis will be transmitted to the occiput. The effect is to increase flexion, which results in the substitution of the smaller suboccipito bregmatic diameter 9. 5 cm. the occiput becomes the leading part. Flexion occurs when the fetal head meets the pelvic floor resistance which increases with descend. 4. Internal rotation of the head Internal rotation brings the anteroposterior diameter of the fetal head into alignment with the anteroposterior diameter of the maternal pelvis. This is accomplished by rotation of the occiput to the anterior portion of the maternal pelvis. In a well flexed vertex presentation, the occiput leads and meets the pelvic floor first and rotates anteriorly through one- eighth of a circle (45 degrees) this causes a slight twist in the neck of the fetus, as the head is no longer in direct alignment with the shoulders. As the fetal head now lies in the widest (anteroposterior) diameter of the pelvic outlet, an easy escape is facilitated. The occiput slips under the pubic arch and crowning occurs when the head no longer recedes between contractions and the widest transverse diameter i. e. biparietal is born. 5. Crowning After internal rotation of the head further descent occurs until the subocciput lies underneath the pubic arch. At this stage, the maximum diameter of the head (biparietal diameter) stretches the vulval outlet without any recession of the head even after the contraction is over. This is called â€Å"crowning of the head†. 6. Delivery of the head by extension Once crowning has occurred, fetal head can extend. The suboccipital region impinges under the symphysis pubis and acts as a pivotal point. The fetal head is now positioned so that further pressure from the contracting uterus and maternal pushing serves to further extend the head as the vaginal orifice opens. A couple of forces act on the fetal head. The driving force pushes the head in a downward direction while the pelvic floor offers a esistance in the upward and forward direction. The downward and upward forces neutralize and remaining forward thrust helps in extension. The successive parts of the fetal head to be born through the stretched vulval outlet are vertex, brow and face. 7. Restitution It is the visible passive movement of the head due to untwisting of the neck sustained during internal rotation. With restitution the occiput moves 45 degrees or one eighth of a circle towards the side from which it started and is again in alignment with the shoulders1 8. Internal rotation of shoulders The anterior shoulder reaches the pelvic floor and rotates anteriorly by one eighth of a circle. The shoulders come to lie in the anteroposterior diameter of the pelvic outlet 9. External rotation of the head External rotation of the head occurs as the shoulders rotate 45 degrees internally causing the head to rotate another 45 degrees. The movement can be seen clearly as the head turns at the same time. External rotation occurs in the same direction as restitution. 10. Birth of the shoulders and body by lateral flexion The anterior shoulder comes into view at the vaginal orifice, where it impinges under the symphysis pubis, while the posterior shoulder distends the perineum. This enables a smaller diameter to distend the vaginal orifice than if both the shoulders were born simultaneously. After the shoulders are delivered, the remainder of the body is born by lateral flexion. The mechanism of labor is different for different positions. Most of the movements in the mechanism occur simultaneously and at times may not be clearly visible during the delivery. Hence the midwife should be very careful and cautious and keep in mind the steps of normal mechanism of labor while conducting delivery References 1. D. C Dutta, Textbook of Obstetrics, 6th Edition, New Central Book Agency, Calcutta 2004, Pp: 125-129 2. Annamma Jacob, A Comprehensive Textbook of Midwifery, 2nd Edition, Jaypee brothers Medical Publishers, New Delhi, 2009, Pp :187-190 3. www. wingkingskull. com cited on 31st January 2012 4. http://pregnancy. about. com/od/laborbasics/ss/fetalpositions_2. htm cited on 27th January 2012

Business Ethics of India and China

Business Ethics of India and China Globalization has not only brought countries closer together, but it has also created a unified ethical perspective for countries doing business with one another. Management teams are finally realizing that there is a world of ethical challenges just waiting to be discovered through the increasing development of globalization. Ethics are a problem for every country individually; but just imagine the added challenges brought about by language and cultural differences on a global scale. In this paper I will discuss two articles which detail the ethical perspectives of India and China, how these articles contribute to the understanding of global ethics, and how the business ethics of India and China compare to those of the United States. Santa Clara University published an article by Stephen Rothlin entitled Business Ethics in the Chinese Context which discussed the progress in business ethics made by China in 2006 and 2007. In January of 2008 Rothlin, the general secretary of the Center for International Business Ethics in Beijing, China, updated the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Business and Organizational Ethics Partnership with the progress he had witnessed since his previous visit in 2006. Rothlin discussed six categories including consumer rights, anti-corruption activity, environmental sustainability, community contribution, and criteria for ethical companies. In each of these six categories, Rothlin discussed the improvements he had witnessed and his recommendations for the areas that he felt needed improvement (Business Ethics in the Chinese Context , 2008). Workers rights and labor standards have improved in China through the development of the Labor Contract Law. This law now protects Chinas long-term employees from being fired without specific cause. It requires that companies contribute to employee social security accounts and has enhanced employee safety by improving the regulation of working conditions. This new law also protects Chinas children with child-labor regulations. The largest challenge is in ensuring that China follows these new laws and regulations (Business Ethics in the Chinese Context , 2008). In 2007, China faced a major setback from a wave of product recalls. Rothlin spoke on how China should improve product safety, advertising, and the problems of ethics. Rothlin also discussed Chinas anti-corruption activities and how the firing of Mayor Chen Liangyu (which was part of the crackdown on corruption) sent a shockwave throughout China. Rothlin stated, We have to rely on the commitment of top officials to combat corruption, and they [the top officials] lose credibility by doing nothing. A major corruption problem in China is bribery through gift-giving. Rothlin believed that refusing a gift would be against the cultural norm in China, but that officials needed to focus on how a code of conduct could set specific limits to giving gifts (Business Ethics in the Chinese Context , 2008). Rothlin discussed environmental sustainability and how the 2008 Olympics being held in Beijing had enticed officials to clean up the public transportation system, conserve energy, and clean up the water and air pollution problems. The Chinese people were encouraged to help through a new tax system that was developed. As a result, social responsibility had become a growing interest, especially in the importance of education. The last point that Rothlin discussed was how his company would develop new ethics criteria that would be used to help identify the most ethical companies in China (Business Ethics in the Chinese Context , 2008). Rothlin developed the 18 Rules of International Business Ethics (Schulman, 2006). These rules are: Rule 1 If you strive to understand the values of different cultures, you will find common points. Rule 2 If you analyze the facts, you will realize that honesty and reliability benefit you. Rule 3 If you analyze case studies from different perspectives, you will discover the benefits of fair play. Rule 4 Respecting your colleagues is the smartest investment you can make. Rule 5 To increase productivity, provide safe and healthy working conditions. Rule 6 To inspire trust, make your performance transparent. Rule 7 Your loyal dissent can lead your institution in the right direction. Rule 8 Downsizing your labor force is only beneficial when you respect each stakeholder. Rule 9 To establish your brand name, act as a fair competitor. Rule 10 Reduce the gap between the rich and poor by developing a new social security system. Rule 11 If you act against discrimination, you will increase your productivity and profitability. Rule 12 If you protect intellectual property, all stakeholders will receive their due share. Rule 13 Ongoing changes in information technology require new forms of loyalty. Rule 14 Your public relations strategy will only secure your reputation if it witnesses your drive for quality and excellence. Rule 15 Your economic achievements will only stand on firm ground if you diminish corruption. Rule 16 Long-term success urgently calls you to constantly care for the environment. Rule 17 To become a refined player, sharpen your discernment and cultivate good manners. Rule 18 Care for your business by caring for society. The second article I reviewed was also found on the Santa Clara University website. It was written by Margaret Steen, a freelance author. Her article entitled Business Ethics in a Global World: Indias Changing Ethics reviews an address to the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics by Jagdish Sheth. Sheth, the executive director of the India, China, and America Institute and a professor of marketing at Emory University, discussed Business Ethics in a Global World (Steen, 2007). Sheth discussed ways in which Indian business practices are unique. He stated that he believed Indias unique business practices would encourage the ethical behavior of the popular western viewpoint. Some of Indias unique business practices include corporate social responsibility, favors, clanship, and friendship (Steen, 2007). Sheth believed that the collapse of communism was a major factor in the shift from 20th century business ethics to the current 21st century business model. He argued that some formerly communist countries have become well-run capitalist countries. Some other factors in shifting business ethics into the 21st century are that affluent nations are aging and the traditional industries do not generate as many jobs today as they did in the past. People in positions of power have discovered that economics play a vital role in the results of elections. The major factor that has helped shift business ethics into the 21st century though is the evolution of information technology, which has leveled the playing field for all economies (Steen, 2007). In the article, Sheth believed that both China and India are on the verge of becoming innovative economies and are not just alternative locations for our low-end jobs. He believed that when this happened, the shift would ultimately redefine business practices. Indias business practices are unique and may be compatible with western business practices one day, but India believes that favors, clanship, and friendship are important in business, while western business ethics believe this to be a conflict of interest. After reviewing these two articles, I can see that the business ethics of India and China are much different than those of the United States. China understands now that economics are a crucial part of elections, and Sheth explained that the reason George Bush Sr. lost his re-election bid was due to the faltering economy. Sheth also explained his belief that the 21st century will be considered the Asian century. Sheth believed that the Asian culture puts a premium on friendship, clanship, and favors but in American business ethics, this would be considered a huge conflict of interest (Steen, 2007). Sheth stated that western business has its own version Procurement departments in U.S. companies are more likely to buy from the companys customers (Steen, 2007). Sheth believed that nations are shifting their focus to stakeholders rather than focusing on shareholders. In the future, Sheth stated that ethics will be anchored to the idea of business as a profession, similar to the way the field of medicine is now. There will be global standards of governance, but their application will be adapted to local conditions (Steen, 2007). So when it comes to Globalization, India and China are expected to be the leaders in the 20th century. Some believe that the 19th century, or the American century has finally come to an end. Through globalization, China and India have discovered that the area of business ethics is an ever-changing environment and as a result, management teams within these countries have developed an ethical program that enables them to work together ethically. Even though there are barriers such as different languages, diverse cultures, and a growing number of people involved China and India have been able to overcome them in order to work together. In this paper I reviewed two articles from Santa Clara University that discussed the business ethics of India and China and how their business ethics compare to that of the United States of America.

Catcher In The Rye :: essays research papers

The book Catcher in the Rye tells of Holden Caulfield's insight about life and the world around him. Holden shares many of his opinions about people and leads the reader on a 5 day visit into his mind. Holden, throughout the book, made other people feel inferior to his own. I can relate to this because although I do not view people inferior to myself, I do judge others unequally. Holden and I both have similar judgements of people from the way they act and behave. We also share feelings about motivation as well as lack of it. After reading this book, I came to the conclusion that Holden and I are much more similar than I initially believed. Holden portrayed others to be inferior to his own kind all throughout the book. He made several references as to how people aren't as perfect as he was. "The reason he [Stradlater] fixed himself up to look good was because he was madly in love with himself." (pg. 27) Holden had an inferiority complex. He was afraid of not having any special talents or abilities and used other methods to make him out to be a rough tough boy. "Boy, I sat at that goddam bar till around one o'clock or so, getting drunk as a bastard. I could hardly see straight." (pg. 150) Holden tried all he could to fit in. He drank, cursed and criticized life in general to make it seem he was very knowing of these habits. I myself have found me doing this at times, also. I, at times, feel the need to fit in to a group and do things similar to what others do in order to gain acceptance by them. I smoked a cigar once with two friends of mine because they kept going on and on about how great cigars were, but that was only once. Holden and I both place people on levels other than our own for amount of knowledge and likeness to ourselves. Holden used the term 'phonies' to describe more than a few people in this book. He used the term to be what a person is if they don't act naturally and follow other people's manners and grace. Holden didn't like phonies, he thought of them as if they were trying to show off. He didn't like it when they showed off because it seemed so fake and unnatural every time they would do so. "At the end of the first act we went out with all the other jerks for a cigarette. What a deal that

Global Internet Censorship

What aspects of the internet make global censorship difficult? Why might a government be inclined to impose internet censorship on its citizens? Is global internet censorship moral? Internet Censorship has been a topic of much debate and growing concern in the past decade. According to the OpenNet Initiative, the number of countries seeking to control access of content on the internet has been rising rapidly (Documenting Internet Content Filtering Worldwide n. d). Reporters Without Borders published a list of thirteen countries as ‘internet enemies’ in 2006. The list consisted of Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam (List of the 13 Internet Enemies in 2006 Published 2006). The Chinese government has restricted internet access so heavily that it is called the ‘Great Firewall of China’ (Healy, 2007: 158). Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also have heavy restrictions on gambling, pornography, homosexuality and anti-Islamic sites. According to the OpenNet Initiative, the four main reasons why a government imposes censorship are securing Intellectual Property (IP) rights, protecting national security, preserving cultural norms and religious value and shielding children from pornography and exploitation (Documenting Internet Content Filtering Worldwide n. d). Global censorship may not be as easy as it sounds. Many aspects of the internet make global censorship difficult. The absence of a centralized hub is one of the main reasons why global internet censorship may not be feasible. As of now only individual countries have imposed censorships through their Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The internet is extremely vast and there is no way people can be employed to check on every single content that is put up on the web. Automated checking tools are not as effective and can only filter content to some extent. The internet is a many-to-many media and people all around the world can post web pages. It is thus quite difficult for one agency or government to curb all activities on the internet that may be deemed offensive to them. Along with all its benefits the internet also brings with itself a lot of harms. Hacking, identity theft, pedophilia etc are just some of them. In September 2006, Time. com reported that Brazilian prosecutors claimed that a number of pedophiles, anti-Semites and racists lurk around the country’s most popular social networking site, Google’s orkut (Downie, A. 2006). There has been a recent uproar in Dubai, regarding orkut where some members of the public questioned why the site was not banned and that certain communities were posting immoral material. Dubai-based lawyer Abdul Hamid Al Kumity, of Al Kumity Advocates, said according to Article 15 of the UAE's cyber crime laws, people risked a jail term of between six months and three years, and a fine of up to Dh30,000, for making, constructing, exhibiting, showing, circulating, inducing or impelling people to watch a website with obscene, immoral, pornographic or erotic material. Article 15(4) puts those who publicise suc h websites for others to watch or attract people to such websites at risk of a fine or a jail term. According to Article 13, anybody who allows youngsters to access such websites or helps them in viewing them will be punished with a fine or a jail term of up to five years’ (Bardsley 2007). Thus after a huge public uproar, orkut has been blocked by the country’s most popular ISP – Etisalat. The main reasons why a government might be inclined to impose internet censorship on its citizens are to protect the regional moral values, to protect children and to protect the country. Preserving moral values of the country would include the censorship of any site deemed offensive in the context of religion, culture and relationships. Homosexuality is considered an offence in the UAE and all sites related to the topic are blocked in the region. Most dating service sites are also blocked. Anti-Islamic and Pro-Christian sites such as those preaching conversion to Christianity are also blocked by the ISPs. The second reason of protecting children would include keeping adult content from children and keeping the children safe from paedophiles. National security is the other main reason why a country would be forced to impose internet censorship. The political sentiments of a country are likely to be kept a secret by the government. On the other hand we do have countries like China whose suppression of important information has led to not only national but international problems. ‘The SARS crisis in 2004, and the contamination of the Songhua River in 2006, which affected millions of lives in China and Russia, serve as particularly deadly examples’ (New HRIC Report Details State Secrets System 2007). Terrorism is another reason. The governments of most countries are keeping a strict watch out for any material posted on the internet linking to terrorism. ‘The National Institute of Justice defines computer crime as any illegal act for which knowledge of computer technology is used to commit the offence’ (Stamatellos 2007:11). On the fifth of July 2007, three â€Å"cyber-jihadis† who used the internet to urge Muslims to wage holy war on non-believers were jailed for between six-and-a-half and ten years in the first case of its kind on Britain (Gulf News, 2007:20). The governments also censor content to protect the political sentiments of the country. In Belarus, for example, ‘in March 2006, several websites critical of President Alexandre Lukashenko mysteriously disappeared from the Internet for several days’ (List of the 13 Internet Enemies in 2006 Published 2006). Similar acts by the governments are seen in most other countries listed by the Reporters Without Borders. Governments also impose censorship so that none of its secrets are disclosed. The governments do so to control and maintain their power. People around the world, adults and teenagers alike have created virtual characters or avatars for online gaming purposes. Sites like ‘Xfire’ and games like ‘World of WarCraft’ have people from around the world addicted. These games have led to crimes in the real and virtual worlds. There was an incident of a murder in Shanghai over a virtual sword used in the online game ‘Legend of Mir 3’. When the dispute had started between the two individuals, the authorities were informed but they could not acknowledge virtual properties. In South Korea these kinds of violence and murders are so common that the police call it ‘offline PK’ which stands for offline player killing. The game ‘Lineage: The Blood Pledge’ is so popular in South Korea that the number of acts of violence aggravated by this game came to a point where the authorities had to create a special cyber-crime unit to patrol both online and offline. These interventions of the government are totally justifiable since the safety of the public is at stake. ‘Kantian ethics is the moral theory of Immanuel Kant or any theory that ncorporates some of Kant’s central claims or claims similar to Kant’s. Kant’s most basic claim is that nothing can be conceived to be good unconditionally and without qualification except a good will’ (Werhane et al. , 1998: 356). From the Kantian perspective, internet censorship is legal in the sense that the government is only protecting its citizens from possible harms an d other data that maybe be deemed sensitive or offensive as far as the religion or the governing body of that country is concerned. In the above mentioned example of setting up online communities on orkut in Dubai, most people in Dubai do not know the laws against it and they think that they are anonymous on the Internet whereas that is not the case. The government can get the IP addresses from Google server and track down the person easily. Since the main intention of the government is to protect the people, from the Kantianism point of view, internet censorship is moral. Contractarianism has been identified to have its origins from Plato’s ‘Republic’ (Sayre-McCord, 2000: 247). Social Contract Theory which is a part of contractarianism is based on rights. People have a right to information which is blocked by the government. Along with offensive sites, the governments also block sites which may be educational or useful otherwise. The government of UAE, for example, has blocked Yahoo’s web album site Flickr due to some indecent content, but most people use the site to share photographs with friends and family around the world. In addition to right to privacy internet censorship denies people their freedom of expression. According to a report by Reporters Without Borders, 52 people in China were in prison for expressing themselves too freely online at the time of publishing the report (List of the 13 Internet Enemies in 2006 Published 2006). Thus self-censorship would also be in full-force, in addition to all the other governmental censorship. From the citizen’s perspective, evaluating with the social contract theory, global internet censorship is immoral. Frey defines Act-Utilitarianism as a view that ‘an act is right if its consequences are at least as good as those of any alternative’ (2000: 165). The main advantages of global internet censorship may be protecting children from inappropriate content, protecting moral values of the general public, protecting individual countries and their political sentiments and securing IP rights. The main harms may include the fact that important information that the public deserves to know may be with held. Secondly blocking sites such as Flickr due to some explicit content may not be justified keeping in consideration the public at large because most people use it to share photos with their kith and kin around the world. Thirdly sometimes biological information may be with held because it is deemed explicit. Sometimes sites related to topics that are acceptable in some countries may be blocked because they are considered offensive in other countries. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) sites such as skype was banned by the UAE’s ISP Etisalat so that the people are forced to use their telephone for long distance calls and they would not lose out on their profits. This is also a harm in the sense that the government is denying the public of new technology for monetary benefit. Since the harms of internet censorship outweigh their benefits, internet censorship is immoral. ‘Rule-consequentialism holds that any code of rules is to be evaluated in terms of how much good could reasonably be expected to result from the code’ and good stands for whatever has non-instrumental value (Hooker, 2000:183). According to him Utilitarians are the most prominent type of consequentialists and they believe that utility is the only thing with non-instrumental value. ‘The term â€Å"rule-utilitarianism† is usually used to refer to theories that evaluate acts in terms of rules selected for their utility – i. . for their effects on social well-being’ (Hooker, 2000: 185). From the rule-utilitarian point of view, the main benefits remain the same, securing IPs, protecting political sentiments, protecting children and protecting religious and moral values. The harms, on the other hand, are violation of the public’s right to information , their right to freedom of expression, their right to decide for themselves as to what is right and what is wrong and their right to new technology. Moreover in a few years time, it is possible that people will be relying completely on the internet for news and entertainment. So the laws pertaining to newspapers should be applicable to the internet as well. Thus since the harms outweigh the benefits, global internet censorship is immoral from the Rule-Utilitarian perspective. We have seen that all countries do not filter the same content. When China filters out all pro-democracy sites, the concept is unthinkable of by most other countries. When homosexuality and same-sex marriages are acceptable in countries like UK and some states of the US, it is looked down upon by most other parts of the world. Thus filtering these content on the internet may not be accepted by all. What may be normal in some countries may be completely offensive in some other. Therefore global internet censorship is not a panacea. References Bardsley,D. , 2007. Orkut users should report offensive material. Gulf News, 4 July. p. 2. Downie, A. , 2006. Google and the Pedophiles. Time [online] 6th September, Available: http://www. time. com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1531986,00. html, [cited 4th July 2007] Frey, R. G. , 2000 ‘Act-Utilitarianism’ in The Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory [e-book] ed. Lafollette, H. Blackwell Publishers, Malden Massachusetts USA, pp. 165-182 Available: http://www. etlibrary. com [cited 29th June 2007] Healy, S. , 2007. ‘The great firewall of China. (Looking at the Law)’ Social Education [online] 71(3), p 158 Available from Expanded Academic ASAP via Thomson Gale http://www. galegroup. com [cited 28th June 2007] Hooker, B. , 2000 ‘Rule Consequentialism’ in The Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory [e-book] ed. Lafolle tte, H. Blackwell Publishers, Malden Massachusetts USA, pp. 183-204 Available: http://www. netlibrary. com [cited 29th June 2007] N. A, 1998 The Blackwell Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Business Ethics [e-book] ed. Werhane, P H. & Freeman R. E. Blackwell Publishers, Malden Massachusetts USA p. 356 Available: http://www. netlibrary. com [cited 29th June 2007] N. A, 2006, ‘List of the 13 Internet Enemies in 2006 Published’, Reporters without Borders [online], 7th November, Available: http://www. rsf. org/article. php3? id_article=19603 [cited 6th July 2007] N. A. , 2007, ‘New HRIC Report Details State Secrets System’ Human Rights in China [online] 12 June Available:http://hrichina. org/public/contents/press? revision%5fid=41505%5fid=41500 [cited 4th July 2007] N. A. , 2007, ‘Three jailed for using Web to wage war’ Gulf News 6 July. . 20. N. A. , n d ‘Documenting Internet Content Filtering Worldwide’ OpenNet Initiative [online] Available:http://www. opennetinitiative. org/modules. php? op=modload=Sections=index=viewarticle=1 [cited 20th June 2007] Sayre-McCord, G. , 2000 ‘Contractarianism’ in The Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory [e-book] ed. Lafollette, H. Black well Publishers, Malden Massachusetts USA, pp. 247-267 Available: http://www. netlibrary. com [cited 29th June 2007] Stamatellos, G. , 2007, Computer Ethics, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Massachusetts, USA. p. 11.

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 38

Bonnie knew that she was going to die. She had had a clear premonition of it just before thosethings – the trees that moved like humans, with their hideous faces and their thick, knotted arms – had surrounded the little band of humans in the Old Wood. She had heard the howl of the black weir dog, turned, and just caught a glimpse of one vanishing in the glare of her flashlight. The dogs had a long history in Bonnie's family: when one of them howled, a death was soon to come. She'd guessed then that it would be hers. But she hadn't said anything, even when Dr. Alpert had said, â€Å"What in the name ofheaven wasthat ?† Bonnie was practicing being brave. Meredith and Matt were brave. It was something built into them, an ability to keep going when any sane person would run away and hide. They both putthe group's good ahead of their own. And of course Dr. Alpert was brave, not to mention strong, and Mrs. Flowers seemed to have decided that the teenagers were her own special charges to take care of. Bonnie had wanted to show that she could be brave, too. She was practicing holding her head up and listening for things in the bushes, while simultaneously listening with her psychic senses for any sign of Elena. It was hard to juggle the two kinds of hearing. There was a lot to hear with her real ears; all kinds of quiet chucklings and whisperings from the bushes that didn't belong there. But from Elena there wasn't a sound, not even when Bonnie called her name over and over:Elena, Elena, Elena! She's human again, Bonnie had realized sadly, at last. She can't hear me or make contact. Out of all of us, she's the only one who didn't miraculously escape. And it was then that the first of the Tree-Men loomed up in front of the group of searchers. Like something out of a nursery-tale nightmare, it was a tree and then – suddenly – it was athing , a treelike giant that suddenly moved swiftly toward them, its upper branches bunching together to become long arms, and then everyone was screaming and trying to get away from it. Bonnie would never forget how Matt and Meredith had tried to help her run then. The Tree-Man wasn't fast. But when they turned and ran from it they found that there was another one behind them. And more to the right and the left. They were surrounded. And then, like cattle, like slaves, they were herded. Any of them that tried to resist the trees were slapped and cuffed by hard and sharp-thorned branches, and then, with a lithe branch wound around the neck, weredragged . They'd been caught – but they hadn't been killed. Instead they were being taken somewhere. It wasn't hard to imagine why: in fact Bonnie could imagine a whole lot of different whys. It was just a matter of picking which was the scariest. In the end, after what seemed like hours of forced walking, Bonnie began to recognize things. They were going back to the boardinghouse again. Or rather, they were going back to thereal boardinghouse for the first time. Caroline's car was outside. The house was again lit from top to bottom, but there were dark windows here and there. And their captors were waiting for them. And now, after her outburst of weeping and pleading, she was trying to be brave once more. When that boy with the strange hair had said that she would be the first, she'd understood exactly what he meant, and how she was going to die – and suddenly she wasn't brave at all – inside. But she wouldn't scream again. She could just see the widow's walk, and the sinister figures on it, but Damon hadlaughed when the Tree-Men had begun to pluck her clothes off. Now he waslaughing as Meredith held the garden shears. She wouldn't beg him again, not when it wouldn't make any difference anyway. And now she was on her back, with her arms and legs tied so she was helpless, clothed in strips and rags. She wanted them to kill her first, so she wouldn't have to watch Meredith cut her own tongue to pieces. Just as she felt a last scream of fury welling up inside her like a snake climbing a pole, she had seen Elena high above her in a white pine tree. â€Å"Wings of the Wind,†Elena whispered as the ground rushed up toward her, very fast. The wings unfolded instantly from somewhere inside Elena. They weren't real, they spanned some forty feet and were made of golden gossamer, the color ranging from deepest Baltic amber at her back to ethereal pale citrine at the tips. They were almost still, barely rising and falling, but they held her up, the wind rushing under them, and they got her to exactly where she needed to go. Not to Bonnie. That was what they would all be expecting. From her height, she just might be able to snatch Bonnie free, but she had no idea how to cut Bonnie's bonds or whether she could lift off again. Instead Elena swerved toward the widow's walk at the last moment, snatched the pruning shears out of Meredith's upraised hand, and then caught a handful of long, silky black-and-scarlet hair. Misao shrieked.And then†¦ Thatwas when Elena really needed some belief. So far she had really just been gliding, not flying. But now she needed uplift; she needed the wings towork†¦and once again, although there was no time, she was with Stefan, and feeling†¦ †¦the first time she had kissed him. Other girls might have waited until it was the other way around, letting the boy take the lead, but not Elena. Besides, at first Stefan had thought that all kissing meant was seducing prey†¦. †¦the first timehe had kissed her, understanding that it wasn't a predatory relationship†¦ And now she needed toreally fly†¦. I know I can†¦. But Misao was just so heavy – and Elena's memory was faltering. The great golden wings trembled and became still. Shinichi was trying to climb a creeper to get to her, and Damon was holding Meredith motionless. And, too late, Elena realized that it wasn't going to work. She was alone, and she couldn't fight this way. Not against so many. She was alone, and pain that made her want to shriek was lancing through her back. Misao was somehow making herself heavier, and in another minute she would be too heavy for Elena's trembling wings to hold up. She was alone, and like the rest of the humans, she was going to die – And then, through the agony that was causing fine sweat to break out all over her body, she heard Stefan's voice. â€Å"Elena! Let go! Fall and I'll catch you!† How strange, Elena thought, as if in a dream. His love and panic had distorted his voice somehow – making him sound different. Making him sound almost like – â€Å"Elena! I'mwith you!† – like Damon. Shaken out of her dream, Elena looked below her. And there was Damon, standing protectively in front of Meredith, looking up at her, with his arms held out. He was with her. â€Å"Meredith,† he went on, â€Å"girl, this is no time to be sleepwalking! Your friend needs you!Elena needs you!† Slowly, dully, Meredith turned her face up. And Elena saw life and animation restored to it as her eyes focused on the trembling of the great golden wings. â€Å"Elena!† she shouted, â€Å"I'm with you! Elena!† How did she know to say that? The answer was – that she was Meredith – and Meredith always knew what to say. And now the cry was being taken up by another voice: Matt's. â€Å"Elena!† he shouted, in a sort of acclamation. â€Å"I'm with you, Elena!† And Dr. Alpert's deep voice: â€Å"Elena! I'm with you, Elena!† And Mrs. Flowers, surprisingly strong: â€Å"Elena! I'm with you, Elena!† And even poor Bonnie: â€Å"Elena!We're with you, Elena!† While deep in her heart, the real Stefan whispered, â€Å"I'm with you, my angel.† â€Å"We're all with you, Elena!† She didn't drop Misao. It was as if the great golden wings had caught an updraft; in fact, they almost lifted her straight up, out of control – but somehow she managed to keep herself steady. She was still looking down and she saw the tears spill from her eyes and fall toward Damon's outstretched arms. Elena didn't know why she was crying, but part of it was sorrow for ever having doubted him. Because Damon wasn't just on her side. Unless she was wrong, he was willing to die for her – was courting death for her. He threw himself into the entangling creepers and vines, all reaching for Meredith or for Elena. It had only taken an instant to get hold of Misao, but Shinichi was already leaping toward Elena, in fox form, lips drawn back, aiming to tear her throat out. These were no ordinary foxes. Shinichi was almost as big as a wolf – certainly the size of a large dog – and as vicious as a wolverine. Meanwhile the entire widow's walk burst into a maze of vines, creepers, and fibrous tendrils, and Shinichi was beinglifted by them. Elena didn't know which way to dodge. She needed time, and she needed a clear shot out of here. All Caroline was doing was screaming. And then Elena saw her opening. A gap in the creepers that she threw herself at, knowing in her subconscious that she was throwing herself over the railing as well, and somehow keeping her hold on Misao's hair. In fact, it must have been an extremely painful experience for the female kitsune as she swung back and forth like a pendulum below Elena. The one glance Elena was able to give over her shoulder showed Damon, still moving faster than anything Elena had ever seen. He had Meredith in his arms now and was hurrying her through a gap that led to the cupula door. As soon as she stepped in, she appeared down on the ground and ran toward the altar where Bonnie was lying, only to slam into one of the Tree-Men. For a moment, as Damon glanced toward Elena, their gazes met and something electric passed between them. It made Elena tingle all over, that look did. Then she refocused: Caroline was screaming again; Misao was using her whip to get a grip on Elena's leg and was calling on Tree-Men to give her a lift. Elena needed to fly higher. She had no idea how she was controlling her golden gossamer wings, but nothing seemed to snarl them; and they obeyed her slightest whim as though she had always had them. The great trick was to not think ofhow to get somewhere, but just to imagine being there. On the other hand, the Tree-Men were growing. It was like some childhood nightmare of giants, and at first it made Elena feel that it was she who was shrinking. But the hideous creatures were actually overtopping the house now, and their upper, snake-like branches slashed into her legs while Misao lashed out with her whip. Elena's jeans were in shreds now. She swallowed a cry of pain. I have to fly higher. I can do it. I'm going to save you all. Ibelieve. Faster than the swoop of a hummingbird, she was darting up in the clear air again, still holding Misao by her long black-and-red hair. And Misao was screaming, screams that Shinichi echoed even as he fought with Damon. And then, just as she and Damon had planned, just as she and Damon hadhoped , Misao turned into her true form and Elena was holding a large and heavy, writhing vixen by the scruff of its neck. There was a difficult moment while Elena got the balance right. She had to remember that there was more weight in back because Misao had six tails and was heaviest where a real fox would be lightest. By then she had swooped back to her perch in the tree, and she stood there, able to look down on the scene below, the Tree-Men too slow to keep up. The plan had gone perfectly, except that Damon, of all people, had forgotten what he was supposed to be doing. Far from retreating into possession, he had fooled Shinichi and Misao beautifully – and Elena, too. Now, according to their plan he was supposed to be taking care of any innocent bystanders, letting Elena lure Shinichi on. Instead something inside him seemed to have snapped; and he was methodically beating the human-shaped Shinichi's head against the house, shouting: â€Å"Damn†¦you! Where†¦is†¦my†¦brother?† â€Å"I – could kill you – right now – † Shinichi shouted back, but he was short of breath. He wasn't finding Damon an easy opponent. â€Å"Do it!† Damon returned immediately. â€Å"And then she† – pointing to the perching Elena – â€Å"will cut your sister's throat!† Shinichi's contempt was scathing. â€Å"You expect me to believe that a girl with an aura likethat willkill – â€Å" There comes a time when you have to make a stand. And for Elena, blazing with defiance and glory, this was that time. She took a deep breath, begged the Universe's forgiveness, and leaned down, positioning the pruning shears. Then she squeezed as hard as she could. And a red-tipped black vixen's tail fell twisting to the ground, while Misao shrieked in pain and rage. As the tail fell it writhed, and it lay in the middle of the clearing, squirming like a snake that wasn't quite defeated yet. Then it became transparent and faded away. That was when Shinichi really screamed, â€Å"Do you know what you've done, you ignorant bitch? I'll bring this place down on top of you! I'll tear you apart!† â€Å"Oh, yes, of course you will. But first,† Damon spoke each word deliberately, â€Å"you have to get past me.† Elena barely registered their words. It hadn't been easy for her to squeeze those shears. It had meant thinking about Meredith with the shears in her own hands, and Bonnie lying on the altar, and Matt, earlier, writhing on the ground. And Mrs. Flowers, and the three lost little girls, and Isobel and – a great deal – about Stefan. But as for the first time in her life she drew another's blood with her own hands, she had a sudden strange sense of responsibility – of newaccountability . As if an icy wind had blown her hair back sharply and said into her frozen, gasping face:Never without reason. Never without necessity. Never unless there's no other solution available. Elena felt something inside her grow up, all at once. Too fast to say good-bye to childhood, she had become a warrior. â€Å"You all thought I couldn't fight,† she called to the assembled group. â€Å"You were wrong. You thought I was powerless. You were wrong there, too. And I'll use the last drop of my Power in this fight, because you twins are real monsters. No, you're – abominations. And if I die I'll rest with Honoria Fell, and I'll watch over Fell's Church again.† Fell's Church will rot and die writhing with maggots, a voice near her ear said, and it was a deep bass voice, nothing like Misao's shrill screaming. Elena knew even as she turned that it was the white pine tree. A hard scaly bough, laden with those serrated, resin-sticky needles, slammed into her midriff, throwing her off balance – and making her involuntarily open her hands. Misao promptly escaped, and burrowed into the Christmas-tree-like branches. â€Å"Bad†¦trees†¦go†¦to†¦Hell,† Elena cried, throwing her entire body weight into digging the shears she held into the base of the branch that had tried to crush her. It tried to pull away, and she twisted the shears in the wounded dark bark, relieved when a large piece fell off, with only a long string of resin left to show where it had been. Then she looked for Misao. The fox wasn't finding it as easy as she might have thought, navigating a tree. Elena looked at the cluster of tails. Strangely, there was no stump, no blood, no sign that the fox had been injured. Was that why she wasn't turning human? The loss of a tail? Even if she were naked when she changed back to her human self – as some stories of werewolves had it – she'd be in better condition to climb down. Because Misao seemed finally to have chosen the slow but sure method of descent – to have branch after branch take hold of her fox body and pass it down to the next. Which meant she was only about ten feet below Elena. And all Elena had to do was to coast over the needles down to her and then – by wings or other means – stop. If she believed in her wings. If the tree didn't throw her off. â€Å"You're too slow,† Elena shouted. Then she began the coast to overcome the distance – not far in human body-lengths – to her goal. Until she saw Bonnie. Bonnie's slight body was still lying on the altar, pale and cold-looking. But nowfour of the hideous Tree-Men had hold of her, one at each hand and one at each foot. They were already pulling so hard that she was lifted up into the air. And Bonnie was awake. But not screaming. Not making a noise to attract attention to herself; and Elena realized with a rush of love and horror and desperation thatthat was why she hadn't been making a fuss before. She wanted the major players here to fight their fight without the bother of rescuing her. The Tree-Men leaned back. Bonnie's face contorted in agony. Elenahad to get to Misao. Sheneeded the double fox key to free Stefan, and the only people who could tell her where it was were Misao and Shinichi. She looked up at the darkness above and noticed that it seemed a little less dark than when she had last seen it, the sky a dark swirling gray instead of dead black – but there was no help there. She looked down. Misao, making a little better time with her escape. If Elena let her get away†¦Stefan was her love. But Bonnie – Bonnie was her friend – ever since childhood†¦. And then she saw Plan B. Damon was fighting Shinichi – or trying. But Shinichi was always an easy centimeter away from where Damon's fist was. Shinichi's fists, on the other hand, always connected solidly with their targets, and right now Damon's face was a bloody mask. â€Å"Use wood!†Misao was coaching in a shriek, her childlike manner having suddenly vanished. â€Å"You men, youidiots, all you think of is yourfists !† Shinichi broke a pillar support from the widow's walk one-handed, showing his true strength. Damon smiled beatifically. He was, Elena knew, going to enjoy this, even though it meant all the many little wounds those wooden splinters would entail. It was in the middle of this that Elena shouted, â€Å"Damon, look down!† Her voice seemed weak over the cacophony of shrieks and sobs and screams of fury all around. â€Å"Damon! Look down – atBonnie !† Nothing so far had been able to break Damon's concentration – he seemed determined to find out where Stefan was being kept – or to kill Shinichi trying. Now, to Elena's slight surprise, Damon's head jerked around immediately. He looked down. â€Å"A cage,† shouted Shinichi. â€Å"Build me a cage.† And tree branches leaned in from all sides to pin him and Damon into their own little world, a lattice to keep them contained. The Tree-Men leaned back farther. And despite herself, Bonnie screamed. â€Å"You see?† laughed Shinichi. â€Å"Each of your friends will die in that agony or worse. One by one, we will take you!† That was when Damon really seemed to go crazy. He began moving like quicksilver, like a leaping flame, like some animal with reflexes far faster than Shinichi's. Now there was a sword in his hand, undoubtedly conjured up by the magical housekey, and the sword slashed through the branches even as the branches reached out to trap him. And then he was airborne, leaping over the railing for the second time that night. This time Damon's balance was perfect, and far from breaking bones, he made a graceful, catlike landing just beside Bonnie. And then his sword was flashing in an arc, sweeping all around Bonnie, and the tough, fingerlike tips of the branches that held her were cut cleanly away. A moment later, Bonnie was being lifted, being held by Damon as he leaped easily off the rough-hewn altar and was lost in the shadows near the house. Elena let out the breath she'd been holding and turned back to her own affairs. But her heart was beating more strongly and faster, with joy and with pride and with gratitude, as she slid down the painful, cutting-edged needles, and almost flashed past Misao, who was being whisked out of her way – not quite in time. She got a good grip on the nape of the fox's neck. Misao keened a strange animal lament and sank her teeth into Elena's hand so hard that it felt as if they were going to meet. Elena bit her lip until she felt blood come, trying not to scream. Be crushed, and die, and turn to loam,the tree said in Elena's ear.Your kind can feed my kin for once. The voice was ancient, malevolent and very, very frightening. Elena's legs reacted without pausing to consult her mind. They pushed off hard and then the golden butterfly wings unfurled again, not beating but undulating, holding Elena steady above the altar. She pulled the snarling vixen's muzzle up – not too close – to her own face. â€Å"Where are the two pieces of the fox key?† she demanded. â€Å"Tell me or I'll take off another tail. Iswear I will. Don't fool yourself – it's not just your pride that you're losing, is it? Your tails are your Power. What would it feel like to have none at all?† â€Å"Like being a human – exceptyou , you freak.† Now Misao was laughing again in her panting-dog way, her fox ears flat to her head. â€Å"Just answer the question!† â€Å"As if you would understand the answers I could give. If I told you that one was inside the silver nightingale's instrument, would that give you any kind of idea?† â€Å"It might if you explained it a little more clearly!† â€Å"If I told you that one was buried in Blodwedd's ballroom, would you be able to find it?† Again the panting grin as the fox gave clues that led nowhere – or everywhere. â€Å"Are those your answers?† â€Å"No!†Misao shrieked suddenly and kicked with her feet, as if they were dog's legs scrabbling in the dirt. Except that the dirt was Elena's midriff, and the scrabbling legs felt as if they might well puncture her entrails. She felt her camisole tear. â€Å"I told you; I'm not playing around here!† Elena cried. She lifted the vixen with her left arm, even though it ached with tiredness. With her right hand, she positioned the shears. â€Å"Where is the first part of the key?† Elena demanded. â€Å"Search for yourself! You only have the whole world to look through, and every thicket besides.† The fox went for her throat again, white teeth actually scoring Elena's flesh. Elena forced that arm to hold Misao higher. â€Å"I warned you, so don't say that I didn't or that you have any reason to complain!† She squeezed the shears. Misao gave a squeal that was almost lost in the general commotion. Elena, feeling more and more tired, said, â€Å"You're a complete liar, aren't you? Look down if you want. I didn't cut anywhere close to you. You just heard the shears click and screamed.† Misao very nearly got a claw into Elena's eye. Oh, well. Now, for Elena, there were no more moral or ethical issues. She wasn't causing pain, she was simply draining Power. The shears wentsnap, snap, snap , and Misao screamed and cursed her, but below them the Tree-Men were shrinking. â€Å"Where is the first part of the key?† â€Å"Let me go and I'll tell.† Suddenly Misao's voice was less shrill. â€Å"On your honor – if you can say that without laughing?† â€Å"On my honor and my word as a kitsune. Please! You can't leave a fox without a real tail! That's why the ones you cut didn't hurt. They're badges of honor. But my real tail is in the middle, it's tipped with white, and if you cut me there; you'll see blood and it will leave a stump.† Misao seemed thoroughly cowed, thoroughly ready to cooperate. Elena knew about judging people and intuition, and both her mind and her heart were telling her not to trust this creature. But she wanted so much to believe, to hope†¦. Making a slow curving descent so that the vixen was close to the ground – she would not give in to the temptation to drop her from sixty feet up – Elena said, â€Å"Well? On you honor, what are the answers?† Six Tree-Men came to life around her and plunged at her, with greedy, grasping finger branches. But Elena wasn't taken completely off guard. She hadn't let go of her grip on Misao; only slackened it. Now she tightened the grip again. A wave of strength buoyed her so that she lifted fast and swept by the widow's walk and a furious Shinichi and weeping Caroline. Then Elena met Damon's eyes. They were filled with hot, fierce pride in her. She was filled with hot, fierce passion. â€Å"I am not an angel,† she announced to any of the group who hadn't quite managed to grasp this yet. â€Å"I am not an angel and I am not a spirit. I'm Elena Gilbert and I've been to the Other Side. And right now I'm ready to do whatever needs to be done, which seems to include kicking some ass!† There was a clamor below that at first she couldn't identify. Then she realized it was the others – it was her friends. Mrs. Flowers and Dr. Alpert, Matt and even wild Isobel. They were cheering – and they were visible because suddenly the backyard was in daylight. Am I doing that? Elena wondered, and realized that somehow she was. She was lighting up the clearing in which Mrs. Flowers' house stood, while leaving the woods around dark. Maybe I can extend it, she thought. Make the Old Wood into something younger and less evil. If she had been more experienced, she would never have attempted it. But right here and right now she felt that she could take anything on. She looked at the four directions of the Old Wood around her quickly, and she cried, â€Å"Wings of Purification!† and watched the huge, frosty, iridescent butterfly wings spread high and wide, and then wider, and then spread some more. She was aware of a silence, of being so enrapt in something she was doing that even Misao's struggles didn't matter. It was a silence that reminded her of something: of all the most beautiful strains of music coming together into one, single, powerful chord. And then the Power blasted out from her – not destructive Power like that Damon had sent many times, but a Power of renewal, of springtime, of love, youth, and purification. And she watched as the light spread farther and farther, and the trees grew smaller and more familiar, with more clearings in between thickets. Thorns and hanging creepers disappeared. On the ground, spreading out like a circle expanding, flowers of all colors bloomed, sweet violets in clumps here and banks of Queen Anne's lace there, and wild roses climbing everywhere. It was so beautiful that it made her chest ache. Misao hissed. Elena's trance was finally broken, and she looked around to see that the shambling, hideous Tree-Men had disappeared in the full sunlight and in their place was a wide patch of sorrel dotted with fossilized trees in odd shapes. Some looked almost human. For a moment Elena regarded the scene, puzzled, and then she realized what else was different. All the real humans were gone. â€Å"I never should have brought you here!† And that, to Elena's surprise, was Misao's voice. She was speaking to her brother. â€Å"You spoiled everything because of that girl.Shinichi no baka!† â€Å"Idiot, yourself!† Shinichi shouted at Misao. â€Å"Onore!You're reacting just the way they want – â€Å" â€Å"What else am I supposed to do?† â€Å"I heard you giving the girl clues,† Shinichi snarled. â€Å"You'd do anything for the sake of your looks, you selfish – â€Å" â€Å"You can say that to me? While you haven't lost even one tail yourself?† â€Å"Just because I'm faster – â€Å" Misao cut him off. â€Å"That's a lie and you know it! Take it back!† â€Å"You're too weak to fight! You should have run long ago! Don't come crying to me about it.† â€Å"Don't youdare speak to me like that!† And Misao leaped from Elena's grasp and attacked Shinichi. He had been wrong. She was a good fighter. In a second they were a destruction zone, rolling over and over as they fought changing forms all the while. Black and scarlet fur flew. Out of the ball of turning bodies came scraps of speech – † – still won't find the keys – â€Å" † – not both of them, anyway – â€Å" † – even if they did – â€Å" † – what would it matter?† † – still have to find the boy – â€Å" † – I say it's only sporting to let them try – â€Å" Misao's horrible shrill giggle. â€Å"And see what they find – â€Å" † – in theShi no Shi !† Abruptly the fight ended and they both became human. They were battered, but Elena felt that there was nothing more that she could do if they chose to fight again. Instead Shinichi said, â€Å"I'm breaking the globe.Here ,† he turned to Damon and shut his eyes, â€Å"is where your precious brother is. I'm putting it into your mind – if you can decode the map. And once you get there, you'll die. Don't say I didn't warn you.† To Elena he bowed and said, â€Å"I regret that you'll be dying, too. But I've memorialized you in an ode. Wild rose and lilac, Bee's balm and daisy, Elena's smile chases The winter away. Bluebell and violet, Foxglove and iris, Watch where she treads And then watch the grass sway. Wherever her feet pass, White flowers part the grass – â€Å" â€Å"I'd rather hear a straight explanation of where the keys are,† Elena said to Shinichi, knowing that after that song she wouldn't get any more from Misao. â€Å"Frankly, I'm sick and tired of all yourbullshit .† She noticed that once again everyone was staring at her and she could feel why. She could feel a difference in her voice, in her stance, in her patterns of speech. But mostly,inside , what she felt was freedom. â€Å"We'll give you this much,† Shinichi said. â€Å"We won't move them. Find them from the clues – or by other means, if you can.† He winked at Elena and turned away – to meet a pale and trembling Nemesis. Caroline. Whatever else she'd been doing for the last few minutes, she had been crying, and rubbing her eyes, and wringing her hands – or so Elena guessed from the distribution of her makeup. â€Å"You, too?† she said to Shinichi.†You, too?† Shinichi smiled his lazy smile. â€Å"And what two am I?† He held up two fingers in the V symbol to differentiate his two from Caroline's. â€Å"You've fallen for her, too? Making up songs – giving her clues to find Stefan – â€Å" â€Å"They're not very good clues,† Shinichi said comfortingly and smiled again. Caroline tried to hit him, but he caught her fist. â€Å"And you think you're leaving now?† Her voice was pitched at a scream – not as high as Misao's glass-splintering shriek, but with its own fearsome vibrato. â€Å"Iknow we're leaving.† He glanced at the sullen Misao. â€Å"After one more item of business. But not with you.† Elena tensed up, but Caroline was trying to attack Shinichi again. â€Å"After what you said to me? After all that yousaid ?† Shinichi looked her up and down, seeming to actually see her for the first time. He also looked genuinely bewildered. â€Å"Saidto you?† he asked. â€Å"Have we spoken before tonight?† There was a high-pitched giggle. Everyone turned. Misao was standing, giggling, her hands over her mouth. â€Å"I used your image,† she said to her brother, her eyes on the floor as if confessing to a minor fault. â€Å"And your voice. In the mirror, when I would give her orders. She was on the rebound from some guy who'd dumped her. I told her I'd fallen in love with her and that I wanted to get revenge on her enemies – if she'd just do a few little things for me.† â€Å"Like spreading malach through little girls,† Damon said grimly. Misao giggled again. â€Å"And a boy or two. I know what it feels like to have those malach inside you. It doesn't hurt at all. They're just – there.† â€Å"Have you ever had one force you to do something you didn't want to?† Elena demanded. She could feel her blue eyes blazing. â€Å"Do you thinkthat would hurt, Misao?† â€Å"It wasn't you?† Caroline was still looking at Shinichi; she obviously couldn't keep up with the script. â€Å"It wasn'tyou ?† He sighed, smiling slightly. â€Å"Not me. Golden hair is my undoing, I'm afraid. Golden†¦or fiery red against black,† he added hastily, glancing at his sister. â€Å"So it was all a lie,† Caroline said, and for a moment, desperation was written on her face larger than anger, with sadness larger than both. â€Å"You're just another Elena fan.† â€Å"Look,† Elena said bluntly, â€Å"I don't want him. I hate him. The only guy I care about is Stefan!† â€Å"Oh, he's the only guy, is he?† Damon asked, with a glance toward Matt, who had carried Bonnie up close to them while the fox-fight was going on. Mrs. Flowers and Dr. Alpert had followed. â€Å"You know what I mean,† Elena told Damon. Damon shrugged. â€Å"Many a golden-haired lassie ends as the rough yeoman's bride.† Then he shook his head. â€Å"Why am I spouting drek like this?† His compact body seemed to tower over Shinichi. â€Å"It's just a residual effect†¦from being possessed†¦you know.† Shinichi fluttered his hands, his eyes still on Elena. â€Å"My thought patterns†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It looked as if another fight was brewing, but then Damon just smiled and said, narrow-eyed, â€Å"So you let Misao have her way with the town while you went after Elena and me.† â€Å"And – â€Å" â€Å"Mutt,† Damon said hastily and automatically. â€Å"I was going to say Stefan,† Elena said. â€Å"No, I would guess that Matt was the victim of one of Misao and Caroline's little schemes before he and I ran into you when you were completely possessed.† â€Å"And now you think you can just walk away,† Caroline said, in a shaking, menacing voice. â€Å"Weare walking away,† Shinichi said stiffly. â€Å"Caroline, wait,† Elena said. â€Å"I can help you – withWings of Purification. You're being controlled by a malach.† â€Å"I don't need your help! I need ahusband !† There was utter silence on the roof. Not even Matt stepped up to the plate on this one. â€Å"Or at least a fianc ¦,† Caroline muttered, one hand on her abdomen. â€Å"My family would acceptthat.† â€Å"We'll work it out,† Elena said softly – then, firmly, â€Å"Caroline, believe it.† â€Å"I wouldn't believe in you if†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Caroline's answer was obscene. Then she spat in Elena's direction. And then she was silent, by her own choice or because the malach inside her wanted it. â€Å"Back to business,† Shinichi said. â€Å"Let's see, our price for the service of the clues and the location is a little block of memory. Let's say†¦from the time I first met Damon until now. Taken from Damon's mind.† He smiled nastily. â€Å"You can't do that!† Elena felt panic shoot through her, starting in her heart and flying out to the farthest reaches of every limb. â€Å"He's different now: he's remembered things – he's changed. If you take that memory away – â€Å" â€Å"So will all the sweet changes go,† Shinichi told her. â€Å"Would you rather I took your memory?† â€Å"Yes!† â€Å"But you were the only one who heard the clues about the key. And in any case I don't want to see things from your eyes. I want to see you†¦throughhis eyes.† By now, Elena was ready to start another fight on her own. But Damon said, distancing himself already, â€Å"Go ahead and take what you like. But if you don't get out of this town right after, I take off yourhead with these shears.† â€Å"Agreed.† â€Å"No, Damon – â€Å" â€Å"Do you want Stefan back?† â€Å"Not at that price!† â€Å"Too bad,† Shinichi put in. â€Å"Thereis no other bargain.† â€Å"Damon! Please – think about it!† â€Å"I have thought. It's my fault that the malach spread so far in the first place. It's my fault for not investigating what was going on with Caroline. I didn't care what happened to humans as long as the new arrivals kept away fromme . But I can fix some of the things I did to you by finding Stefan.† He half turned to her, the old devil-may-care smile on his lips. â€Å"After all, taking care of my brother is my job.† â€Å"Damon – listento me.† But Damon was looking at Shinichi. â€Å"Agreed,† he said. â€Å"You have yourself a deal.†