Tuesday, October 15, 2019
American history Essay Example for Free
American history Essay In American history, there have been numerous instances in which a greater degree of damage and death which visited out shores. In the three day battle of Gettysburg, more than 51,000 soldiers fell. (Burns, 1989) The invasion of France on June 6, 1944 took more than 6,000 lives. Pearly Harbor claimed more than 2300 lives and introduced Americans to a war that would take more than 400,000 lives. However, the events which transpired on September 11, 2001 will always serve as one of the defining moments for those who lived through it. As with the assassin ion of John F. Kennedy was to our parentsââ¬â¢ generation, September 11, 2001 will be for our generation. The news is filled with a multitude of calamities. The Asian tsunami in December of 2004 which claimed 200,000 lives or any number of events which take a toll on the human population, due to the fact that the evening news is saturated with events which should horror us but which really donââ¬â¢t as we have become apathetic against its stimulus, there are sometimes, national tragedies which affect the average American in ways that are hard to explain and fathom for those who are on the outside and looking in. This was the case for Natasha Jackson; a 27 year old African American female who lost two family members on September 11. For her, the day is more than just a time to rally behind the troops and to take time out of oneââ¬â¢s day to remember those who died. For Natasha Jackson, 9/11 does not stop but continues 365 days a year. Natasha Jackson grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Her father was a police chief in DuPage County Illinois. Natasha was in college while the events of September 11 were transpiring. At the end of her 8am class, which ended at 9:15, and upon walking to her next class, she was overheard some talk about a major news event. She did not realize exactly what had happened until the professor in her next class, told her and the rest of the class what had happened. All of the details would not be known until months and years later. However, by the time the second plane hit the tower, it had become obvious that this was no accident. We had hoped that all of the more than 50,000 people, who, on a daily basis, worked in the Twin Towers, would have been able to vacate the building while it was still standing. This was not the case for nearly 3,000 people who perished when the towers fell. (Burns, 2003) Since I had not known anybody in New York or who were on those planes that were hijacked, I was glad that as for me, the event did not take any of my loved ones. However, I knew that was not the case for thousands of families across the country. America was now at war to defeat terrorism and this would take an additional four thousands American lives to date with more casualties being reported daily. I did not know that the events of September 11 would affect somebody so close to me as I would eventually find out to be the case. Towards the end of September, 2001, as clean up crews were still busy picking up the twisted metal from the site of Ground Zero and plans for a strike against Iraq were being discussed, I learned that two of Natashaââ¬â¢s relatives, were not only affected by 9/11, but were actually killed when the first tower fell. It was something that was hard to realize had hit so close to home even when it was not my relatives that had been affected. More than six years later, Natasha sat down to talk to me about the events of that day and what she felt then as well as now. Natasha commented: ââ¬Å"That day is one that I will never forget for as long as I live. â⬠I was horrified by what I saw on television. However, my reaction was one filled with a bit more panic than my classmates who were watching the same thing as I was. I knew that my aunt, Marilyn Jackson worked in Tower One at Canter Fitzgerald. I would later find out that nearly 800 employees of that firm would die on September 11. (Burns, 2003) â⬠When asked exactly what her initial reaction was, Natasha still finds it difficult to accurately explain what she was feeling. ââ¬Å"I though that I was seeing a movie and that the events in New York was an examples of special effects or something. I really didnââ¬â¢t know what to think. I sat transfixed at what I was seeing and I didnââ¬â¢t get around to calling my father until a couple hours after the towers fell. I just didnââ¬â¢t know how to react. â⬠In the immediate hours after the first tower fell, I actually ran into Natasha. We were not our jovial self for obvious reasons but I assumed that it was due to the events in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon earlier that day. I did not think to ask Natasha if she had known anybody who was killed that day. I knew that she had always had a love affair with New York and hoped to complete her Masterââ¬â¢s Degree at New York University one day. I did not know that she had two relatives who lived there in the city. Natasha then explained what her immediate actions were in the hours following the destruction of the first tower and then the second. ââ¬Å"I called my father to ask him the whereabouts of my aunt. He said that he didnââ¬â¢t know and that he would not know for some time. Not only was the event very chaotic, but the fact that he was a police chief in a Chicago suburb, his force went on high alert as there was rumors that The Sears Tower might be targeted. People didnââ¬â¢t know what to think. Everything was a mess. I was a mess as well. I pride myself on being a rational and independent person. I never get anxious but am rather calm and have a strong demeanor. That day, I was not able to contain my composure which only compounded my feelings of anxiety as I did not know how to gather my thoughts. â⬠Natasha then comments on the time when she heard that her aunt was missing and then, a few days later, believed to be dead. ââ¬Å"The next few days, nobody knew where my aunt or many of the other were. I waited by my phone and could not go to class. I tried to separate myself from the various news accounts as there was no shortage of coverage on television. I tried to go for a walk or to go and work out. My attempts did not come to fruition and it only served as a momentary respite from the inner pain and confusion that I was feeling. Eight days later, I received a call from my father who told me that my aunt was probably dead and the possibility of there being any survivors of the attack from those who were in the towers at the time it fell, was very unlikely. The country would later learn that there would not be a single survivor from the fall of the Twin Towers. It seemed unlikely, even before being told that was the case, that anybody could survive that. I still held out hope until I received that call. â⬠The terror that Natasha would feel, would not be confined to only the loss of her aunt, who alone, would be more than anybody could really fathom. What served as a source of added stress, not only was Natashaââ¬â¢s aunt murdered on 9/11, but so too was her uncle. The aunt was from her fatherââ¬â¢s side and her uncle came from her motherââ¬â¢s side. Gerald Smith was a firefighter and one of the 343 New York City firefighters who died trying to save others in the Twin Towers. (Burns, 2003) ââ¬Å"It is really hard to fathom such a combination punch that misguided and evil people gave to our family. I had been close to my uncle as a child but when he moved to New York, we lost touch. However, as it is the case with most people, those who touch their lives as a child, even though communications might have dropped off, they still reside in an important part of that personââ¬â¢s heart. I had not known that my uncle was still a New York firefighter. However, when my mother called me, not more than two days after being told that my aunt had died, I was told that my uncle died as well. There are no words that could describe what I felt that week. I could not go to class, I barely ate and did not take any visitors at all for the rest of the year. If somebody told me that they I had their condolences and that they understood how I felt, I was so angry inside, that I had to restrain myself from simply punching them in the face. And I am not a violent person by any means. I have strong opinions but usually respect others and would much rather avoid an insulting argument than to engage in one. I just became a very angry and bitter person. â⬠In perspective, I asked Natasha how she now viewed 9/11 and all of the ramifications that it has now had for the country. ââ¬Å"I have considered myself a Democrat for most of my life. However, even though the war in Iraq has been mishandled on a dozen different fronts, I become so angry when I hear politicians from both political parties proclaim that we should simply leave Iraq and that terrorism is really not worth fighting. It seems to me that since America is a very disposable society, people have forgotten what happened on 9/11. I will never forget seeing people jumping 1000 feet to their deaths while the towers burned. When I hear reports of Glasgow, London, Bali and Madrid being victims of more terrorist attacks from a small portion of the Muslim community who have been steered the wrong way, I become very frustrated. Does one have to lose two members of their family in a terrorist attack to remember that America is a very dangerous place and that there are millions of people who would love to attack this country. I still am a Democrat and believe in the principles of the party. I just feel so frustrated, as does most Americans, about the level of unity and as a result, progress that is being achieved in this area. â⬠Natasha spent most of the Fall of 2001, dealing with the deaths of her family members. ââ¬Å" Since there were no remains that were found of both my aunt and uncle, I really didnââ¬â¢t know what to do. I still go to their grave sites but I know that their body is not there. In time, the body would slowly disappear but I wanted to have the same experience that anybody would want who receive some comfort in visiting the gravesite of their loved ones. At least, I wanted to experience that but have been unable to. However, I feel additionally cheated by the fact that the only place where I can visit my aunt and uncle is in my mind. â⬠When asked, Natasha speaks about her life since 9/11. ââ¬Å"I eventually graduated college and even though my plans to receive my Masterââ¬â¢s Degree at New York University did not pan out, I still feel close to that city and always will. I went to Boston to work for the Democratic National Convention in the months leading up to the 2004 election. With a degree in political science, I always have been politically aware of my surroundings. I knew that I needed to expand my sphere of influence beyond college and felt that my effort in the DNC, although not successful, still did prove some good. I honored my aunt and uncle in that respect. â⬠It was a trying but successful time for me as I actually got to meet President Clinton while dining at a restaurant in Boston. I walked up to both him and his wife Hillary and introduced myself beyond the Secret Service and Mr. Clinton actually said that he had heard that we were doing good work. Perhaps that was just lip service but it was a great honor for me nevertheless. ââ¬
Monday, October 14, 2019
Should Turkey be allowed to join the European Union?
Should Turkey be allowed to join the European Union? Executive Summary The membership of Turkey is one of the most controversial external relations issues of the European Union (EU).à Turkey is an important trading partner for the EU and provides many economic advantages to the union.à Additionally, it has a strategic location, allowing it to play an important regional and foreign policy role.à However, there are issues related to Turkeyââ¬â¢s accession, such as large migration flows to more economically developed EU-15 countries as well as a substandard human rights situation within the country (Gerhards and Hans, 2011: 751).à Overall, this policy note recommends that Turkey should be allowed to join the EU on the basis of EU economic development and foreign policy advantages.à Despite the issues related to accession of Turkey into the EU, this paper argues that EU-membership will work as a catalyst for Turkish institutional reforms. Introduction Turkish entry into the European Union is a highly contentious issue.à Turkey has progressed on the way to EU membership in spite of persistent and increasing divergence of membership preferences (Schimmelfennig, 2009: 413-415).à Turkey, with its large, dynamic economy, is an important trading partner for the EU, it also has a strategic location, including on energy security, and plays an important regional role. Equally, the EU remains an important anchor for Turkeyââ¬â¢s economic and political reform (Progress Report, 2013: 1).à This paper will first provide an analysis and outline of the different factors relating to the accession of Turkey into the EU.à It will explore economic factors, cultural factors and political factors.à Finally, this paper will recommend that Turkey should be allowed to join the EU due to its positive affect on EU economic development, as well as the fact that Turkey has made good progress in meeting a lot of the Accession criteria set out in the Copenhagen agreement. à This paper will also make recommendations on what Turkey must do in order to fully meet EU standards for accession. Context Turkey first became affiliated with the EU in 1963 after signing an associate membership agreement with the then European Community.à The decisions to give Turkey a membership perspective and to open accession negotiations have been highly controversial among member state governments and have tended to produce long and conflictive negotiations as well as uneasy compromises (Schimmelfennig, 2009: 414).à A major breakthrough came at the Helsinki meeting of the European Council in 1999, when Turkey attained status as a candidate for membership. It now has a so-called Accession Partnership with the EU, which means that the EU is working together with Turkey to enable it to adopt the acquis communautaire, which is the legal framework of the EU (Togan, 2004: 1013). The Copenhagen Criteria cover a stateââ¬â¢s ability to take on the acquis communautaire, the economic criteria for a functional market economy, and above all, ââ¬Ëstability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minoritiesââ¬â¢ (Schimmelfennig, 2009: 420).à Overall, Turkey has made significant efforts to fulfil requested accession criteria through socio-economic and cultural convergence with EU Member States. Analysis Economic Factors Many studies have shown that economic factors play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards different aspects of European integration. Turkeyââ¬â¢s progress on meeting the requirements of the Copenhagen Criteria is confirmed by socioeconomic indicators that describe the level of modernization of the country (Alber, 2007).à Turkey is the 17th largest economy globally, and the most current EU progress report states that Turkey has sufficient macroeconomic stability and the medium-term capability for integration into the single European market (Gerhards and Hans, 2011: 744).à Turkey is a large and fast expanding market, it is the largest market in the Middle East, Balkans and Caucasus. According to the World Bank, Turkish GDP is as large as 80 per cent of Russian GDP (Togan, 2004: 1043).à Turkey, located at the crossroads between Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East, has the potential to act as a major link between these markets.à With harmonization of commercial legislation, EU companies will be able to use Turkey as a joint investment and export base for the Middle East and Eurasia.à Moreover, Istanbul is emerging as transnational corporationsââ¬â¢ headquarters for operations in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The EU will derive potential gains from increased trade in the region (Togan, 2004: 1043-1044). Overall, the Progress Report on Turkeyââ¬â¢s EU Accession (2013: 4) states that Turkey is a functioning market economy, and should therefore be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union in the medium term.à Additionally, with Turkish accession current members will derive welfare gains from standard comparative advantage sources and also from growth effects of integration. This report argues that accession of Turkey to the EU will bring economic benefits for Turkey as well as to the EU itself.à The largest economic gains can be obtained through reforms of national institutions in Turkey that improve the functioning of the public sector and provide transparency to investors and traders (Lejour and Mooij, 2005: 117).à Integration will remove the distortions in the price system, boosting the allocative efï ¬ ciency in the economy, which in turn will make the country a better place to invest.à Furthermore, with accession Turkey will be eligible for EU structural funds. The increase in infrastructural investments will contribute to economic growth in Turkey. In addition, Turkey will reap beneï ¬ ts from monetary integration, and ï ¬ nally, Turkey will beneï ¬ t from migration of Turkish labour to the EU (Togan, 2004: 1042). The key theoretical constructs investigated to explain opposition to Turkeyââ¬â¢s EU membership are related to rational economic self-interest and group-level interests and concerns (McClaren, 2007: 251).à Turkey is relatively poor and agricultural, it can therefore be argued that Turkish membership is likely to increase the divergence of living standards in the EU, create a high potential for labour migration and instigate demand for high net payments from the structural and agricultural funds.à Welfare gains that will be derived by Turkey from integration will have a price. The price will be the adjustment costs associated with the attainment of macroeconomic stability, adoption of CAP, liberalization of services and network industries, and complying with EU environmental directives (Togan, 2004: 1042). Migration/Cultural Factors In addition to direct fiscal implications, EU member states are subject to another possible economic consequence of Turkish accession, immigration.à Hostility to Turkeyââ¬â¢s candidacy can be explained by the threatening context of Turkish migration (McClaren, 2007: 251).à It can be argued that migration flows could have negative economic consequences, such as increased competition in particular segments of the labour market.à In particular, countries in the more economically developed EU-15 are likely to be affected to the highest degree (Gerhards and Hans, 2011: 751), moreover it will likely take decades before Turkey attains an income level comparable to these countries.à This will continue to be a strong incentive for migration from Turkey to other EU countries, EU-15 countries fear that the immigrants will ââ¬Ëdepress wages, boost unemployment and cause social friction and political upheavalsââ¬â¢ (Togan, 2004: 1031-1032). However, one assumption in the analysis of Turkish migration is that all labour is homogenous.à In reality labour is highly differentiated according to many factors, which results in the effects of migration for income distribution and social welfare becoming less clear-cut.à The empirical research on the economic effects of immigration indicates fairly small and on the whole positive effects.à ââ¬ËEmployment opportunities are not affected much, the wage of low skilled labour is depressed somewhat but that of skilled labour is raised, and the net present value of public transfers is positiveââ¬â¢ (Togan, 2004: 1043). à Therefore, this paper argues that with appropriate measures, immigration is not necessarily a negative consequence of Turkeyââ¬â¢s accession into the EU. It is not just the threat to resources presented by Turks that affects feelings about the Turkish candidacy, threats to culture and way of life are likely to be particularly strong in the Turkish case (Ivarsflaten, 2005).à In addition to the possible problem of being perceived as traditional or backward, Turkey faces the potential difficulty of being predominantly Muslim (McClaren, 2007: 258).à The recent drawbacks in the negotiations of the EU with Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey have been caused by issues of national identity related to legacies of ethnic conflict that are likely to create high political costs to the target governments. As a result, whereas consistency has remained high, effectiveness is reduced (Schimmelfennig, 2004: 918).à Nevertheless, sociostructural differences between Turkey and the EU Member States have been shrinking.à The percentage of the Turkish population working in agriculture has sunk, education levels have risen and the overall standard of living has increased (Gerhards and Hans, 2011: 744). The commission critiques Turkey on its human rights situation, on its limited freedom of speech and on its lack of gender equality.à However, according to the Freedom House Index, Turkey has improved consistently in its level of democratization, political freedom and civil liberties over recent years (Gerhards and Hans, 2011: 744).à Overall, these improvements represent measurable developments regarding Turkeyââ¬â¢s convergence with the EU and its fulfilment of EU accession criteria.à Additionally, Freedom in the Press has improved, however, it still has a long way to go in order to reach the levels of freedom held by EU-15 countries.à Key provisions of the Turkish legal framework and their interpretation by members of the judiciary continue to hamper freedom of expression, including freedom of the media (Progress Report, 2013: 2). Foreign Policy The commission emphasized Turkeyââ¬â¢s increasingly important foreign policy significance for Europe, for example its intermediary role between Syria and Israel, its diplomatic approaches with Armenia, and above all, its role in the military conflict between Russia and Georgia (Schmid, 2008).à Turkey has continued to play an important role in its wider neighbourhood, for example expanding its activities as a non-traditional donor in the Horn of Africa, supporting democratic transition in North Africa, and enhancing cooperation with and between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It has played a particularly important role on Syria, supporting the development of a more unified opposition and providing vital humanitarian assistance to large numbers of Syrians fleeing their country (Progress Report, 2013: 3).à This suggests Turkey is meeting criteria of the Copenhagen Agreement such as the rule of law and the respect for and protection of minorities.à According to the Commission (2008b), expansion in general and Turkish membership specifically would strengthen the EUââ¬â¢s foreign policy weight in the world.à Furthermore, Turkeyââ¬â¢s geographic location makes it well-suited as a transit country for oil and natural gas and it could therefore play a strategic role in securing the EUââ¬â¢s energy supply (Gerhards and Hans, 2011: 744).à Turkish membership could help to secure stability and security in the Balkans and Caucasus. The EU could then increase its energy security and also decrease its defence expenditures (Togan, 2004: 1043-1044).à This paper argues that this is indication that Turkey should be allowed to join the EU. Recommendations In order to maintain its impact on political reform under the conditions of political unrest, the EU will need to reassure applicant governments of the credibility of its commitment to enlargement and move negotiations with Turkey closer to the endgame.à Creating uncertainty about admission even after full compliance destroys this credibility and will reduce the effectiveness of conditionality even further (schimmelfennig, 2008: 933).à Overall, this policy note recommends that Turkey should be allowed to join the EU on the basis of EU economic development and foreign policy advantages provided it agrees to make continued efforts in the realm of human rights.à The issues with regards to human rights in Turkey underline the importance for the EU to enhance its engagement with Turkey.à This paper recommends that the overall legal framework and practice on the intervention of law enforcement officers should be brought in line with European standards to guarantee under all circumstances the right to freedom of assembly.à Additionally, an ECHR-compatible legal framework has yet to be established on matters of faith and conscientious objection.à Substantial efforts are needed to effectively guarantee the rights of women, children and LGBT individuals (Progress Report, 2013: 2).à These shortcomings need to be addressed in order for Turkey to be a successful member of the EU. In regards to immigration associated with the accession of Turkey to the EU, this paper recommends that government leaders will need to adopt measures to allay fears among EU citizens, perhaps including provision for a waiting period on the free movement of labour provision (McClaren, 2007: 274, Gerhards and Hans, 2011: 763). In conclusion, this report argues that EU-membership will work as a catalyst for Turkish institutional reforms.à Turkey has made progress towards meeting a good amount of the accession criteria, and by becoming a member of the EU, Turkey has to conform to all EU legislation and enforcement by the European Court of Justice.à Furthemore, via the method of open coordination, Turkey will regularly be assessed by the European Commission and other member countries on its economic policies.à EU membership can thus trigger institutional reform in Turkey and reduce widespread corruption (Lejour and de Mooij, 2005: 101).à Bibliography Alber, J. (2007) ââ¬ËWhere Turkey Stands in Europa and why it Should Be Admitted to the EUââ¬â¢. Discussion Paper SP I 2007-205, Social Science Research Center. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/6628025.pdf Accessed 11 Nov 2016. Commission of the European Communities (2008b) ââ¬ËEnlargement strategy and main challenges 2008ââ¬â2009. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliamentââ¬â¢. COM. Pp. 1-66. http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/press_corner/keydocuments/reports_nov_2008/strategy_paper_incl_country_conclu_en.pdf Accessed 7 Nov 2016. European Commission working document (2013) ââ¬â ââ¬ËTurkey 2013 Progress Reportââ¬â¢. http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/724824/mod_resource/content/1/European%20Commission%20working%20document%20-%20progress%20on%20Turkeys%20EU%20accession%202013.pdf Accessed 2 Nov 2016. Gerhards, J. and Hans, S. (2011) ââ¬ËWhy not Turkey? Attitudes towards Turkish Membership in the EU among Citizens in 27 European Countries.ââ¬â¢ Journal of Common Market Studies. Vol. 49 (4), pp. 741ââ¬â766. http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/724823/mod_resource/content/1/j.14685965.2010.02155.x.pdfà Accessed 5 Nov 2016. Ivarsflaten, E. (2005) ââ¬ËThreatened by Diversity: Why Restrictive Asylum and Immigration Policies Appeal to Western Europeansââ¬â¢. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties. Vol.15(1), pp. 21ââ¬â45. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13689880500064577 Accessed 8 Nov 2016. Lejour, A. M. and de Mooij, R. A. (2005) ââ¬ËTurkish Delight: Does Turkeyââ¬â¢s Accession to the EU Bring Economic Benefits?ââ¬â¢ Kyklos. Vol. 58 (1), pp. 87-120. http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.lib.exeter.ac.uk/doi/10.1111/j.0023-5962.2005.00279.x/epdf Accessed 6 Nov 2016. McClaren, L.M. (2007) ââ¬ËExplaining opposition to Turkish membership of the EU.ââ¬â¢ European Union Politics. Vol. 8 (2), pp. 251-278. http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/724821/mod_resource/content/1/European%20Union%20Politics-2007-McLaren-251-78.pdf Accessed 1 Nov 2016. Schimmelfennig, F. (2008) ââ¬ËEU political accession conditionality after the 2004 enlargement: consistency and effectivenessââ¬â¢. Journal of European Public Policy. Vol. 15 (6), pp. 918-937. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13501760802196861 Accessed 8 Nov 2016. Schimmelfennig, F. (2009)ââ¬â¢Entrapped again: The way to EU membership negotiations with Turkeyââ¬â¢, International Politics. Vol. 46 (4), pp. 413-431. http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/724822/mod_resource/content/1/ip20095a.pdf Accessed 3 Nov 2016. Schmid, F. (2008) ââ¬ËStrategiepapier zur EU-Erweiterung. Brà ¼ssel lobpreist die Tà ¼rkeiââ¬â¢. Financial Times Deutschland, 28 October. Togan, S. (2004) ââ¬ËTurkey: Toward EU Accessionââ¬â¢, The World Economy. Vol. 27 (7),à pp. 1013ââ¬â1045. http://0onlinelibrary.wiley.com.lib.exeter.ac.uk/doi/10.1111/j.03785920.2004.00641.x/abstract;jsessionid=915358403C934900F4FE9BD17D95BEE2.f02t04 Accessed 12 Nov 2016
Sunday, October 13, 2019
The Necessary Lie in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essays -- Heart
The Necessary Lie in Heart of Darkness In his narrative, Marlow declares, "You know I hate, detest, and can't bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it appalls me. There is a taint of death, a flavour of mortality in lies, - which is exactly what I hate and detest in the world - what I want to forget" (Longman 2210). In spite of these strong words, he lies to Kurtz's "Intended" when he visits her and tells her, "The last word he pronounced was - your name" (Longman 2246). Marlow's words, spoken in Part I to the audience, seem to contradict his words spoken in Part III to the Intended. Upon closer examination however, it is clear that it was keeping to his beliefs that caused Marlow to lie to the Intended. Marlow was initially hired for this job by using connections his Aunt had. After trying in vain on his own, he approached her and she "pulled a few strings", and got him hired. He then commences to explain to the audience that; "It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never ...
Saturday, October 12, 2019
The Curious Style of Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown :: Young Goodman Brown YGB
The Curious Style of ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠à à à à à à à à à à à à à à The multi-faceted style found in Nathaniel Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Young Goodman Brownâ⬠has many features of interest. It is the intent of this essay to elaborate on these features, with support from literary critics where available. à Herman Melville in ââ¬Å"Hawthorne and His Mosses,â⬠(in The Literary World August 17, 24, 1850) has a noteworthy comment on Hawthorneââ¬â¢s style: à Nathaniel Hawthorne is a man, as yet, almost utterly mistaken among men. Here and there, in some quiet arm-chair in the noisy town, or some deep nook among the noiseless mountains, he may be appreciated for something of what he is. But unlike Shakespeare, who was forced to the contrary course by circumstances, Hawthorne (either from simple disinclination, or else from inaptitude) refrains from all the popularizing noise and show of broad farce, and blood-besmeared tragedy; content with the still, rich utterances of a great intellect in repose, and which sends few thoughts into circulation, except they be arterialized at his large warm lungs, and expanded in his honest heart. à How beautifully does this critic capture the basic attitude of Hawthorne, who avoids the ââ¬Å"noise and showâ⬠and emphasizes his ââ¬Å"rich utterances.â⬠Could Hawthorneââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"rich uterancesâ⬠be the reason for Henry Seidel Canby in ââ¬Å"A Skeptic Incompatible with His Time and His Pastâ⬠to talk about the ââ¬Å"dignityâ⬠of his style? ââ¬Å"And indeed there is a lack of consistence between the scorn that our younger critics shower upon Hawthorneââ¬â¢s moral creations and their respect for his style. They admit a dignity in the expression that they will not allow to the thing expressedâ⬠(62). Canby continues: à Hawthorneââ¬â¢style has a mellow beauty; it is sometimes dull, sometimes prim, but it is never for an instant cheap, never, like our later American styles, deficient in tone and unity. It is a style with a patina that may or may not accord with current tastes, yet, as with Browne, Addison, Lamb, Thoreau, is undoubtedly a style. Such styles spring only from rich ground, long cultivated, and such a soil was Hawthorneââ¬â¢s. . . . Holding back from the new life of America into which Whitman was to plunge with such exuberance, he kept his style, like himself, unsullied by the prosaic world of industrial revolution, and chose, for his reality, the workings of the moral will. You can scarcely praise his style and condemn his subjects.
Friday, October 11, 2019
Apple iPhones – Not “Made in America”
What is meant by the globalization of human capital? Is this inevitable as firms increase their global operations? The globalization of human capital refers to the fact that employees are now spread out across the world by their employers. This including, the companies, employed, unemployed, stockholders, consumers, contractors, supply chain, firms and economies. Companies branch out because labor costs are cheaper and productivity is faster.It is inevitable if firms increase their global operations because every country has something different to offer, something new, and without the current innovation being promoted to the market, the company will start to lose its edge on competition. How does this case illustrate the threats and opportunities facing global companies in developing their strategies? Cost and Human Capital is the most important consideration for Global Companies. When President Obamaââ¬â¢s inquired about Apple brining the job back to US, it was practically not po ssible for Apple.The break down in the case study was that it cost a total of $179 to produce an IPhone and it retailed at $500 leaving a profit of $321. This would mean more profit for the global company. For Global company price and profit is the most important consideration to stay competitive. They can use the cheap labor in other countries to be price competitive This gave the perception that Apple did not care about its country. It also gives the perception of greed which a global company can face. 3. Comment on the Apple executive's assertion that the company's only obligation is making the best product possible.ââ¬Å"We don't have an obligation to solve America's problems. â⬠All though it is a harsh comment but I think it makes sense. Apple is a Global company with its offices around the world. It is in business to make money. It is not possible for Apple to solve Americaââ¬â¢s problem. Apple is just trying to be the best company out there in order to be on top wit h innovation and success. It is not Appleââ¬â¢s responsibility to solve Americaââ¬â¢s problems with employment; their responsibility is to form the best product. 4. Who are the stakeholders in this situation and what, if any, obligations do they have?There are two stakeholders in this situation and they are: the companies Apple and Foxconn as well as the Chinese government. Apple has obligations to their employees both domestic and global. They need to be mindful that a corporation is only as good as its products as well as, its image. They need to be mindful that since its headquarters are in the United States, it should do all that it can to maintain a positive image. It is also important to make sure that the products they sell are quality products while keeping the price as low as possible. Foxconn has a stake in its people and the products they export.The unfair and inhumane working conditions forced the government to step in. Foxconn also needs to be mindful of the issue s presented previously for Apple (the difference they are headquartered in China). The fact that labor violations were taking place, Chinaââ¬â¢s government had an obligations to its people. They need to protect their citizens from hazardous work conditions and hold Foxconn accountable for their actions. 5. How much extra are you prepared to pay for an IPhone if assembled in the United States? Personally I feel that the IPhone is already over price as is. The fact that they make $321 of profit off each phone is ridiculous.If the phone is fully assembled in the United State I do not feel the price of the phone should increase at all. There are many products that are specifically made in America that cost the same amount as their global counterparts. Clothes are an example, all things being equal, a t-shirt made overseas cost relatively the same as a t-shirt made in the US. Why should an IPhone be any different? I feel that although the profit from each phone would be decreased, the y would sell the same amount of phones if not more. 6. How much extra are you prepared to pay for an IPhone assembled in China but under better labor conditions or pay?What kind of trade-off would you make? This also deals with the question previously asked. I have not changed my stance on IPhone; however, if they were to charge more to have it assembled in China, why couldnââ¬â¢t or wouldnââ¬â¢t they just produce it in America. It would not make sense if they had to increase cost to better working conditions in another country. I believe it would be cheaper to bring some of the laborers here to the US and open a plant here. 7. To what extent do you think the negative media coverage has affected Appleââ¬â¢s recent decision to ask the FLA to do an assessment and the subsequent decision by Foxconn to raise some salaries?What do you think will happen now? I believe that the negative media coverage has inspired Apple to be more cautious about their corporate image. Subsequently , it affected their way of thinking so that they had to ask for an FLA assessment. They could ill-afford to continue to be seen in a negative light and heartless. They already stated that ââ¬Å"They donââ¬â¢t have an obligation to solve Americaââ¬â¢s problems, only to make the best product possibleâ⬠, after the unfair working conditions and labor violations were discovered it only added to the idea that the company was greedy and didnââ¬â¢t care about their employees.Foxconn took pride in being one of the countryââ¬â¢s most effective and efficient manufacturers. It could not allow the perception that they were running a ââ¬Å"sweat shopâ⬠in which their employees were working 60 hours a week for little pay. The employee suicides did not help companyââ¬â¢s image. They had to raise some salaries in order to save face in the public eye. Also, both companies had to show that although mistakes happened, once they were discovered they were fixed quickly. I belie ve now that the story is out they will have many follow up inspections to insure that both companies never come under scrutiny again.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Analysis of Shakespeare Sonnet 60
Like As The Waves Make Towards The Pebbled Shore Time is a common theme throughout Shakespeare's Sonnets, this is most apparent in Sonnet 60. This sonnet is about the ravages of time. How time never stops and is constantly changing. Also how time is aging us, and eventually takes what is has given us. But Shakespeare poetry will stand the test of time: Like as the waues make towards the pibled shore, So do our minuites hasten to their end, Each changing place with that which goes before, In sequent toile all forwards do contend. Natiuity once in the maine of light.Crawles to maturity, wherewith being crownââ¬â¢d, Crooked eclipses gainst his glory fight, And time that gaue, doth now his gift confound. Time doth transfixe the florish set on youth, And delues the paralels in beauties brow, Feedes on the rarities of natures truth, And nothing stands but for his sieth to mow. And yet to times in hope, my verse shall stand Praising thy worth, dispight his cruell hand. Sonnet 60 starts w ith a very relatable illustration of a waves constantly traveling towards the shore. This is like time in that there are minutes constantly, continuing, going to their end.Each minute or wave replacing the one that just happened, in a continuous march. Just like every wave is building in strength and then crashing again only to be followed by another in its place. Time cannot be stopped, one minute is always followed by the next in a never ending cycle. The second quatrain says that a new sun rises and with time it rises to maturity, noon, where the sun is its highest and king of the sky. Then the sun starts to set and now what once gave the sun its glory is now taking that glory back, time. This is a metaphor of a sun having a human life.The sun starts out being born ââ¬Å"Nativityâ⬠and then crawls like a baby until it reaches its highest point where it is ââ¬Å"crownedâ⬠with maturity. Then the sun continues to fall back to darkness or death. ââ¬Å"And time that gaue , doth now his gift confoundâ⬠this last line concludes the metaphor with the assertion that time both gives the gift of life and then takes in away. The final quatrain goes on to explain that time destroys the perfection of youth, and carves wrinkles in a beautiful face. ââ¬Å"And delues the paralels in beauties brow. If you replace delues with deludes and beauties brow with our forehead, then you can see that its stating that times makes wrinkles or lines across your forehead. So, time is aging us. Times also feeds on the rarities of natures perfection, and lays waste to all in its path. ââ¬Å"And nothing stands but for his sieth to mow. â⬠Seethe is constantly used as a metaphor for death, this is saying that nothing stands in times way, or deaths. Again the metaphor of time giving you life and then taking it away is expressed in this quatrain, though it being much darker and showing how relentless and unforgiving time can be.This metaphor is also more relatable since it is about us and how time ages us and eventually leads to our death. ââ¬Å"And yet to times in hope, my verse shall stand Praising thy worth, dispight his cruell hand. â⬠These last couple of lines go on to explain that his verses shall stand the test of time, praising your worth in spite of time's cruel hand. These last lines are saying that even as time takes him, makes him old, and eventually even kills him, his poetry will live on, not affected by time's cruel hand. It looks like he was right because over five hundred years later and here we are today still reading and analyzing these works.Time is a very relatable thing, and this sonnet explains time very well. It explains what time is, it's just seconds building on minutes continually going to their end. Time is giving, giving someone life and power, raising that person to their prime. Time is also very cruel, it takes that power and life away from that person. Time is such a simple thing, it's only seconds and then m inutes, but through this sonnet it has been personified to something more, something greater. It is a giver and taker, it is life but is also death, and in the end it is time that takes us.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
PERSONAL GOALS & REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT BUSINESS ETHICS Essay
PERSONAL GOALS & REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT BUSINESS ETHICS - Essay Example After evaluating my time audit sheet, I can say with confidence that I am maintaining the values that matter to me in my daily activities. The two most important influences in my life are religion, and education, and so it is appropriate that related activities (class, study, and prayer) occupy the majority of my days. I would not change any aspect of the way I fill these time periods, except for extending them if it were a realistic option. If I were conducting myself as a business with the values equivalent to those described in the memorandum, then the usage of my time is very efficient. It promotes the building of personal skills, spiritual health, social activity, and a very productive, happy life. Of course, some play time does creep into my days, but it is a necessary release of stress that surely contributes to my success during the day. I wouldnt expect my employees to spend their entire day without any fun. It would surely exhaust them in a short amount of time. If I were to make a single change to my routine, I would try to eliminate about an hour from my night of sleep. There has been evidence that seven hours or even less can be more than sufficient for some people, and the extra time could certainly be used for a more productive purpose. Though sleep is definitely important, I would be interested to see if I can be awake for longer without a major negative impact to daily
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