Salem Trials: A Lesson from History

Salem was taken from the word, â€Å"Jerusalem†, seat of Christianity. This is where Christ trudged on and lived a holy life but became ironically symbolized in America by people become crazy. It has gained notoriety due to cruelty that pervaded in 1692 in that village in Massachusetts. â€Å"Time is the Mother of Truth and Truth the Daughter of Time† (Hale), scholars have studied documents surrounding that incident in Salem. The truth was told through documented events of those fateful days when those innocent people were tagged as ‘witches’. The people of Salem acted on suspicion without substantial bases for accusing one hundred fifty villagers of a crime that is ‘witchcraft’. They have admitted to a mistake that was horrible, became a controversy for ages, and a lesson for humanity. (Hale) Several factors influenced the villagers to act in such frenzy: politics, religion, and hysteria. For lack of a strong leader who can effectively give direction to the people’s thinking, the incident went out of hand. Even the leaders themselves were controlled by the situation, perhaps, due to hidden interests as well. P. S. Nissenbaum) Internal bickering in the community is not exceptional for it also occurs in other New England communities at that time. Add to it a weak institution that can handle the population. They were claiming to see an apparition of the witches at their beds. (P. B. Nissenbaum) Having them hanged will not make any difference using that argument. The devil can harm them in whatever form us ing their kind of thinking. It is incomprehensible how individuals can be united to wreak havoc upon other individuals. People of such ignorance have been put together to teach humanity how extremism and stupidity can cause such a tragedy. The lives of the people who were innocent of a crime that is witchcraft which was not proven enough were put to waste due to the cruelty that beset upon them. They had to suffer in jail and have to go through torture because their co-villagers were obsessed with the idea of a devil that is lurking around their lives and is causing an illness which they do not understand. They used the words: â€Å"fits†, â€Å"odd postures†, â€Å"foolish, ridiculous speeches†, â€Å"distempers†, etc. o describe what are being manifested by the victims of witchcraft as they said. (P. S. Nissenbaum) One was seen crawling on the floor during an attack. (P. S. Nissenbaum) The symptoms that were being manifested by the said victims of witchcraft could be epilepsy. This illness has always been associated with demonic possession which can not be cured. The stig ma that can be brought upon the individual experiencing this can be enormous that it is convenient to blame it on somebody performing witchcraft upon him/her experiencing it. This can be genetic and in Salem during that time, having fifteen children in a family was the average. It is not negligible to note that this disease could be running in families. Not to mention the hysteria that came with it. Children were manipulated by adults to say things or even their musings were interpreted to mean according to how they wanted it to mean. (P. S. Nissenbaum) The colonies of England included Massachusetts which was under the laws that govern these colonies. In England, witchcraft was a capital crime as declared in 1641. Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) Anyone suspecting of witchcraft activities were hanged by the stake. The colonial village of Salem was a staunch believer of the Bible. They took to the letter every bit of the Scriptures. They have become extremists that they have forgotten that ‘love’ was taught by Christ primarily. The ministers who were at a loss in governing the villagers conveniently blame witchcraf t as the culprit in the disunity eminent among the folks. Disputes led the villagers to falsely accuse innocent citizens in response to the hysteria that pervaded them. The early ministers who led them were also blinded by their desire for territory. It was a difficult time for this colonial town. Land was getting scarce while families were becoming big. They work very hard on their farms only to be obliterated by blights. (P. S. Nissenbaum) Children were not allowed to play: girls were taught to spin yarn and help in the household while the boys were brought by the men to help them to hunt. They did not have the opportunity to play as normal children would. These children were deprived of the happiness of childhood. It is not surprising if they would deliberately act out abnormal behavior because opportunities to play were rare. It is possible that acting out those eccentricities was a form of ‘play’ for these deprived children. Their sense of awe and wonder were suppressed by the adults. Their words were twisted by the older ones to serve their purpose. (P. B. Nissenbaum) They lived at a time when there were no other forms of entertainment but chores. It was also a time for New England to be established. Institutionalizing law and order was especially difficult in this part of the colony. Political disputes were prevailing in terms of who would minister the community. They were like a flock in need of a shepherd. But the shepherds who should be taking care of them also have vested interests. They carry within them their wants and needs. The chronology of events is very telling about man’s desire for power and control. The judicial system was used and manipulated according to the whims of the judges. (Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) The humble investigation of John Hale speaks of how erroneous the system is in handling the cases in Salem. With all humility he explained that what transpired in Salem was a lesson learned for humanity. Quoting from the Scriptures, he reiterated that the innocent must not suffer. (Hale) The evidence against them was obviously weak based on spectral evidence that Governor Phipps opposed. (Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) He was able to save lives due to be hanged in the Gallows. After fourteen years, one of the accusers, Ann Putnam, publicly apologizes for her actions in 1692. The event in 1692 was very unfortunate for the people in Salem. Hysteria emanated in that village due to numerous factors. One would see how religious extremism can drive people to do harm towards others which are contrary to the teachings of religion. Greed and desire for power can attribute to people’s insensitivity and delusions. It was formally admitted as a mistake by the government of Massachusetts in 1957 (Chronology of Events Relating to the Salem Witchcraft Trials) and a good reminder for everyone of the cruelty that occurred centuries ago. This is a lesson learned which must be avoided. It is important that judicial system must be respected by honoring facts; biases must be avoided; and the right to be represented must be observed. Law and order are present for people’s protection. These should not be used to cause harm to a nation’s citizens. Leaders appointed are also responsible of the people’s safety. They must safeguard the lives entrusted them. It is important for them to ensure that due process must be served in the courts. This incident must never happen again.

Indoor vs Outdoor

Well games should be such that they give us some sort of entertainment and also physical exercise.I prefer outdoor games to indoor games.I have the following reasons for my choice. At first,outdoor games give me more physical exercise than indoor games.I can do a lot of body work and movement in the outdooor games.They would help me keep my cholesterol level in control and also keep me aloof from all kinds of cardiovascular problems. Second,these would give me a more of exposure to the nature.I can enjoy the cool breeze and sizzling rainfall only during the outdoor games though not all the time.It is not at all possible in the indoor games like the computer games or the video games.Third,these can be done at all places and whenever required.Because a simple walk or jogging or playing badminton can be done at all places and some of them donot even require any devices. And also these would help me develop my social circle as I can get into contact with several people who have similar i nterests and from different walks of life. So for the above reasons I prefer outdoor games and enjoy playing them. Games should be such that they give us some sort of entertainment and also physical exercise.I prefer outdoor games to indoor games. I have the following reasons for my choice.At first,outdoor games give me more physical exercise than indoor games. I can do a lot of body work and movement in the outdoor games. They would help me keep my cholesterol level in control and also keep me aloof from all kinds of cardiovascular problems.Second, these would give me more exposure to nature. I can enjoy the cool breeze and DRIZZLING rainfall only during outdoor games, though not all the time. It is not at all possible in the indoor games like the computer games or the video games.Third, these can be done at all places and whenever required. Because A simple walk or jogging or playing badminton can be done at all places(,) and some of them do not even require any devices. And also t These would help me develop my social circle as I can COME into contact with several people who have similar interests and from different walks of life.So for the above reasons I prefer outdoor games and enjoy playing them.

The Future of Jakarta

Jakarta faces a number of problems as it develops. They include traffic congestion, flooding, waste disposal and ensuring a supply of clean water to Jakarta’s inhabitants. How serious are these problems? Will you want to live in Jakarta in 2025? Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia has suffered many problems for decades. Recent years have seen increasing concern about some problems in Jakarta. The major problems are traffic congestion, flooding, waste disposal and ensuring a supply of clean water to Jakarta’s inhabitants. These problems are interconnected.Jakarta is the best destination for Indonesians to get a better life, but this can result in traffic jams because of the overpopulation. It appears that the people of Jakarta have a bad attitude towards garbage disposal, and this contributes to the problem of flooding. Even though Jakarta has many problems, some people choose to live here and some have no other choices. As Jakarta develops, the problems are also gett ing bigger. They have to be eliminated as soon as possible to create a better future for Jakarta. Jakarta is the capital and largest city in Indonesia.Located on the northwest coast of Java, it is the most populous city in Indonesia and in Southeast Asia. The official metropolitan area, known as Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi), is the second largest in the world. By this definition, I understand that Jakarta is the focus of Indonesia. Jakarta is a center of economic, cultural, education and political that can enable Jakarta to develop. We also know that Jakarta has one of the largest populations in the world. This is one of the factors of the ever-increasing major problems. This essay has been divided into three parts.The first part deals with the overpopulation in Jakarta. The second part looks at the traffic jam and flooding that are the major problems of Jakarta. The third part of this essay considers the positive things that are developing in Jakarta as a metropolitan city. Finally, I will conclude my ideas. These help us to the purpose of this essay which is deciding to live in Jakarta in 2050 or not. According to Jakarta Post (Jakarta’s growing numbers, 2010), Jakarta’s population is increasing at an alarming level. According to the recent national census, the capital city is inhabited by nearly 9.6 million people.The city’s population is 4 percent of the country’s total population of 237. 6 million people. With the new figures, we can see that the city’s population has grown 4. 4 percent over the last 10 years, up from 8. 3 million in 2000. Jakarta is a busy, overcrowded city with traffic chaos every day and slums in many areas. Currently, less than 10 percent of the city is dedicated to open spaces. We can easily guess that urbanization is the biggest factor of population growth in Jakarta because Jakarta attracts people with its advantages.For example, Young farmers prefer to leave their hom etowns to work in the city due to a lack of government incentives in the agricultural sector, while people with higher education prefer to work in Jakarta because Jakarta has the best education and job opportunities than other provinces. The problem can be solved by reducing disparities between Jakarta and other provinces. One of the major problems in Jakarta is traffic jams. Nowadays the traffic jams become worse it is difficult to go anywhere without delay. Since the modern era, everybody needs transportation to live and we cannot separate transportation and traffic.As Balie (2009) points out, statistic show total vehicles in Jakarta now are about 4,9 million, of which 2,8 million have two wheels and 2,1 million have four wheels. We almost see traffic chaos every time especially at works and school time which is at 7 am and 6 pm. There are some factors that cause traffic jams. The first one is too much private transportation such as cars and motorcycles. We can get motorcycle easi ly with only 1 million rupiah in Jakarta. People think that using public transportation may lose their privacy and uncomfortable. The second one is the bad conditions of public transportation.Jakarta has some public transportation such as buses, trains, the busway system, taxis and others, but in general it is not in a good condition so people do not want to use it. There is no definite schedule for Transjakarta or trains and both are very crowded. There are many accidents with trains or buses in Jakarta so it is unsafe too. That is why people choose private transportation. Finally, there is frequent violation of traffic regulations. People tend to break the rules because they just think about themselves, and they do not think about others.For example, if students are late for school, they will break the rules or regulations by riding fast even though it is in traffic. On the other hand, the police can be bribed easily so people will repeat their mistakes again and again. Flooding i s also a major problem in Jakarta. This occurs in Jakarta repeatedly every rainy season. Jakarta was built below sea-level. The land is below the water, creating a city that is very familiar with the problems of flooding. The government still cannot resolve that problem until now. There are some other factors that cause floods in Jakarta.The first one is a lack of awareness of people in Jakarta to obey rules. People in Jakarta appear selfish and they do not care about others. They often litter everywhere and never think about the damage they cause. For example, they throw garbage in the river or irrigation. It makes the river full of garbage and when it is rainy, it will overflow. In addition, people do not care about their environment in Jakarta. Second reason is natural factors. Heavy rain can cause flooding in Jakarta. Moreover, almost every area in Jakarta is under water and there is no area for water absorption.Flooding gives many disadvantages such as diseases and destroyed ne ighborhoods. Many children and adults are affected by malaria and other diseases, which are quite dangerous to their safety. Usually the diseases occur in the slums of Jakarta neighborhood where people do not heed the rules. In contrast, Jakarta is a metropolitan city that offers many advantages. Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo (as cited in Smith, 2009) said that Jakarta is not only as Indonesia capital city, but also center of economic, culture, and education.At this moment, Jakarta is growing strongly but its population is at the buffer zones. We can see that Jakarta is a good place for trading and manufacturing. There are lots of foreign companies in Jakarta. Jakarta is the most luxurious and busiest city in Indonesia. The other advantages are entertainment. Jakarta has modern office towers, luxury shopping malls, night clubs, restaurants and cafes, theme parks and many more. It is really comfortable and enjoyable to live in Jakarta. For example, Plaza Indonesia mall offers a theater , luxury cafes and stores that attracts many people to go there.Beside the disadvantages, Jakarta can be a comfortable place to live. It can be concluded that Jakarta as an overpopulated city has some advantages and disadvantages. Jakarta is a beautiful city and it is a good place to live if we know how to live properly there. Besides that, the problems occur every day in Jakarta because it is a busy city. We face traffic chaos every day and flooding every rainy season. The problems are still unsolved by the government and the citizens. They still put their effort to find the best solutions for Jakarta.In the future, I personally do not want to live in Jakarta if the problems are unsolved. I think Jakarta already has good entertainment and lifestyle but the traffic is too chaotic and the flooding is too dangerous. It is unsafe to live here for a long time with the pollution, diseases, crime, and much more. In 2025 if the government still does not have solutions, Jakarta will be more overpopulated and the traffic will be everywhere. So I would prefer to live in another city that is more comfortable and safe where traffic jams and flooding are not big problems. The Future Of Jakarta Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia has suffered many problems for decades. Recent years have seen increasing concern about some problems in Jakarta. The major problems are traffic congestion, flooding, waste disposal and ensuring a supply of clean water to Jakarta’s inhabitants. These problems are interconnected. Jakarta is the best destination for Indonesians to get a better life, but this can result in traffic jams because of the overpopulation. It appears that the people of Jakarta have a bad attitude towards garbage disposal, and this contributes to the problem of flooding.Even though Jakarta has many problems, some people choose to live here and some have no other choices. As Jakarta develops, the problems are also getting bigger. They have to be eliminated as soon as possible to create a better future for Jakarta. Jakarta is the capital and largest city in Indonesia. Located on the northwest coast of Java, it is the most populous city in Indonesia and in Southeast As ia. The official metropolitan area, known as Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi), is the second largest in the world. By this definition, I understand that Jakarta is the focus of Indonesia.Jakarta is a center of economic, cultural, education and political that can enable Jakarta to develop. We also know that Jakarta has one of the largest populations in the world. This is one of the factors of the ever-increasing major problems. This essay has been divided into three parts. The first part deals with the overpopulation in Jakarta. The second part looks at the traffic jam and flooding that are the major problems of Jakarta. The third part of this essay considers the positive things that are developing in Jakarta as a metropolitan city.Finally, I will conclude my ideas. These help us to the purpose of this essay which is deciding to live in Jakarta in 2050 or not. According to Jakarta Post (Jakarta’s growing numbers, 2010), Jakarta’s population is i ncreasing at an alarming level. According to the recent national census, the capital city is inhabited by nearly 9. 6 million people. The city’s population is 4 percent of the country’s total population of 237. 6 million people. With the new figures, we can see that the city’s population has grown 4. 4 percent over the last 10 years, up from 8. 3 million in 2000.Jakarta is a busy, overcrowded city with traffic chaos every day and slums in many areas. Currently, less than 10 percent of the city is dedicated to open spaces. We can easily guess that urbanization is the biggest factor of population growth in Jakarta because Jakarta attracts people with its advantages. For example, Young farmers prefer to leave their hometowns to work in the city due to a lack of government incentives in the agricultural sector, while people with higher education prefer to work in Jakarta because Jakarta has the best education and job opportunities than other provinces.The problem ca n be solved by reducing disparities between Jakarta and other provinces. One of the major problems in Jakarta is traffic jams. Nowadays the traffic jams become worse it is difficult to go anywhere without delay. Since the modern era, everybody needs transportation to live and we cannot separate transportation and traffic. As Balie (2009) points out, statistic show total vehicles in Jakarta now are about 4,9 million, of which 2,8 million have two wheels and 2,1 million have four wheels. We almost see traffic chaos every time especially at works and school time which is at 7 am and 6 pm.There are some factors that cause traffic jams. The first one is too much private transportation such as cars and motorcycles. We can get motorcycle easily with only 1 million rupiah in Jakarta. People think that using public transportation may lose their privacy and uncomfortable. The second one is the bad conditions of public transportation. Jakarta has some public transportation such as buses, train s, the busway system, taxis and others, but in general it is not in a good condition so people do not want to use it. There is no definite schedule for Transjakarta or trains and both are very crowded.There are many accidents with trains or buses in Jakarta so it is unsafe too. That is why people choose private transportation. Finally, there is frequent violation of traffic regulations. People tend to break the rules because they just think about themselves, and they do not think about others. For example, if students are late for school, they will break the rules or regulations by riding fast even though it is in traffic. On the other hand, the police can be bribed easily so people will repeat their mistakes again and again. Flooding is also a major problem in Jakarta. This occurs in Jakarta repeatedly every rainy season.Jakarta was built below sea-level. The land is below the water, creating a city that is very familiar with the problems of flooding. The government still cannot re solve that problem until now. There are some other factors that cause floods in Jakarta. The first one is a lack of awareness of people in Jakarta to obey rules. People in Jakarta appear selfish and they do not care about others. They often litter everywhere and never think about the damage they cause. For example, they throw garbage in the river or irrigation. It makes the river full of garbage and when it is rainy, it will overflow.In addition, people do not care about their environment in Jakarta. Second reason is natural factors. Heavy rain can cause flooding in Jakarta. Moreover, almost every area in Jakarta is under water and there is no area for water absorption. Flooding gives many disadvantages such as diseases and destroyed neighborhoods. Many children and adults are affected by malaria and other diseases, which are quite dangerous to their safety. Usually the diseases occur in the slums of Jakarta neighborhood where people do not heed the rules. In contrast, Jakarta is a metropolitan city that offers many advantages.Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo (as cited in Smith, 2009) said that Jakarta is not only as Indonesia capital city, but also center of economic, culture, and education. At this moment, Jakarta is growing strongly but its population is at the buffer zones. We can see that Jakarta is a good place for trading and manufacturing. There are lots of foreign companies in Jakarta. Jakarta is the most luxurious and busiest city in Indonesia. The other advantages are entertainment. Jakarta has modern office towers, luxury shopping malls, night clubs, restaurants and cafes, theme parks and many more. It is really comfortable and enjoyable to live in Jakarta.For example, Plaza Indonesia mall offers a theater, luxury cafes and stores that attracts many people to go there. Beside the disadvantages, Jakarta can be a comfortable place to live. It can be concluded that Jakarta as an overpopulated city has some advantages and disadvantages. Jakarta is a beautif ul city and it is a good place to live if we know how to live properly there. Besides that, the problems occur every day in Jakarta because it is a busy city. We face traffic chaos every day and flooding every rainy season. The problems are still unsolved by the government and the citizens.They still put their effort to find the best solutions for Jakarta. In the future, I personally do not want to live in Jakarta if the problems are unsolved. I think Jakarta already has good entertainment and lifestyle but the traffic is too chaotic and the flooding is too dangerous. It is unsafe to live here for a long time with the pollution, diseases, crime, and much more. In 2025 if the government still does not have solutions, Jakarta will be more overpopulated and the traffic will be everywhere. So I would prefer to live in another city that is more comfortable and safe where traffic jams and flooding are not big problems.

Relationship Between Buildings Shape And Energy Conservation Essay

Relationship Between Buildings Shape And Energy Conservation - Essay Example Since centuries, humans continued to benefit from unlimited resources of the planet earth while remaining unaware of adverse effects of human intervention on different aspects of human lives. However, since few decades, a huge number of countries have shown their concern regarding the issue of energy conservation that now poses threats and risks to human lives adversely. In order to save the planet, experts (Williams, pp. 23-25, 2002) now believe that besides creating advanced technologies for zero emissions, it has now become very imperative that construction industry should incline towards sustainable designs and shapes of buildings that play a crucial role in conserving energy largely. For this reason, energy conservation has now become one of the foremost priorities of architects, builders, and other stakeholders in the building industry that are now putting efforts to acquire sustainable shapes of buildings for the highest conservation of the energy. From this perspective, the p roposed research will be a minute contribution in the series of such efforts.Research StatementIn this regard, the proposed research will focus on the following purpose statement:â€Å"To analyze the relationship between Buildings’ Shapes/Designs and Energy Conservation†Research QuestionsIn particular, the proposed study will focus on the following research questions:ïÆ' ¼What is Energy Conservation?ïÆ' ¼What falls under the category of buildings’ shapes?

Nothing But Death by Pablo Neruda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nothing But Death by Pablo Neruda - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that the poem "Nothing But Death" is full of pathos, anguish, pain, desolation, and isolation or rather alienation of Neruda with the world, in general, and with himself, his inner trials and tribulations, in particular. In the second phase, we discover a new Neruda, like a sphinx that is reborn from its own ashes. In the second phase, Neruda has discovered his mission as a poet, whose ultimate aim and responsibility is to give encouragement to man. This poem begins on a bleak note, continues in this dark vein and ends in utter desolation. "Nothing But Death" has an elegiac character and overall gives an impressionistic picture of doom and gloom. It has a hermetic tone and sketches a metaphysical meditative picture on the grim reality and final tyranny of death. The omniscient narrator is in a dream-like state and with him also hypnotically takes the reader into this stance. Moreover, the poem is replete with dark allegor ical imagery, which at times is almost corporeal. The symbols employed by Neruda in this poem are surreal, while the oxymoron ( silence-sound ) used to have more than their common, mundane rhetorical value. Essentially, the whole mood and tone of the poem is dark__ a black hole like vacuum fills the poetic canvas and draws the reader into it, who is engulfed by darkness, that pervades the entire creation. In the damp darkness, the heart of the reader sinks like the illusionary ship of the poem.

Comparing different philosophical theory Research Paper

Comparing different philosophical theory - Research Paper Example The main weakness of the idea is that it may justify an action that is carried out under free will and personal selection. Roberts points out that the idea eliminates the use of free will as a causing factor of an activity (35). Compatibilism on the other hand provides that the argument presented by determinism and free will are viable (Bobzien 28). The idea is of the assumption that a person may take part in an activity out of free will. Consequently, the person may take part in an activity an influence by another event. The concept differs from determinism in that it embraces free will. The concept may be used effectively in a court case where the actions of a person should be determined either as an action from free will or influenced by another activity. This creates the strength of the concept and makes it reliable when understanding human behavior. However, the concept does not justify the influence of nature on human behavior. Bobzien is of the assumption that nature is inevitable thus it makes it a requirement to adjust and embrace free will as a source of intent (33). Libertarianism is a concept that tends to embrace the argument that free will dominates the society (Ronald 17). In addition, the concept promotes the domination of free will. The concept is created from the argument on liberty. Liberty refers to the ability of a person to make independent decision and all institution the society respects the decision. Moreover, the concept tends to approve the personal ownership of natural resources without the interference of the state. One major weakness of the concept is that it eliminates the role of social institutions in the society. It perceives as free will as the most significant factor in the society. However, it creates an advantage that provides power to the people (Ronald 23). The three concepts have major differences. The differences are created in their ability to

Gametogenesis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gametogenesis - Essay Example In the early stage of embryonic development, groups of cells become committed to differentiate into various cell types such as liver cells, nerve cells and muscle cells. One group of cells becomes committed to form the germ cell line, cells that eventually develop into eggs if the embryo is female or sperm if the embryo is male. These are the only cells that undergo meiosis. These committed cells, primordial germ cells increase in number through mitotic cell division. Later, they divide meiotically to produce mature sperm or eggs. The process of forming mature eggs is called oogenesis (Aberts et al, 2002; Snustad and Simmons, 2002). The primordial germ cells that migrate to the developing ovary during early embryogenesis become oogonia. They multiply rapidly, undergoing several rounds of mitotic cell division and eventually differentiate into primary oocytes. The primary oocytes begin meiotic cell division and complete the diplotene stage of prophase I and then division stops. They remain in this suspended prophase. During this period, the oocyte undergoes many changes that prepare it for the completion of meiosis and for fertilization. It acquires a special coat that protects the developing egg from mechanical damage and in many cases acts as a barrier to sperm from other species. Just beneath the membrane cortical granules develop that alter the egg coat so that only a single sperm fertilizes an egg. In addition, the primary oocyte accumulates large quantities of nutrients and other molecules that nourish the early embryo and coordinate as well as direct its early development. With the attainment of sexual mat urity, the next stage of oocyte development occurs, triggered by hormones. The oocyte completes meiosis I and two haploid nuclei are formed, each containing one member of each chromosome pair in a replicated state. But cytokines are very asymmetrical. One cell, called secondary oocyte gets virtually all the cytoplasm and is ancestral to the mature egg. The other cell, called a polar body, gets very little cytoplasm. Both of these cells , the secondary oocyte and the polar body undergo meiosis II to produce four haploid nuclei. Again cytokinesis is asymmetrical: Meiosis II in the secondary oocyte produces one large cell, the ovum, or egg, which has virtually all the cytoplasm and a small polar body with very little cytoplasm. Thus, of the four meiotic products, only one forms the mature egg. the polar bodies, which are small with little cytoplasm to support their metabolism, eventually degenerate (Aberts et al, 2002; Snustad and Simmons, 2002). Oogenesis occur in the ovaries of the f emale. Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a spherical cluster of cells in a cavity or sac called the primary or Graafian follicle. In response to hormone signals, the primary oocyte completes meiosis I to become a secondary oocyte. the follicle then ruptures, releasing the secondary oocyte into the oviduct, where it begin the second meiotic division. in humans, the oviduct is called the Fallopian tube. the release of the secondary oocyte from the Graafian follicle is called ovulation (Aberts et al, 2002; Snustad and Simmons, 2002). As the secondary ooc

Industry Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Industry Analysis - Essay Example One of the things which I would like to achieve in the future is the ability to understand how each impact is measured in relation to critical success factors for a certain industry. This is because some critical success factors are more important than others in any industry. Additionally, I would like to measure how each of the critical success factors relate to a certain business individually. Within every industry, each and every individual firm is affected by critical success factors in different ways. Being able to rank these factors for each and every business would be more important since every business relates to these factors in a different way. In future, I would like to be more accurate in knowing how the success factors for the related industry affect the success factors in the main industry being analyzed. This would help in making sure that everything has been taken care of and that there is enough analysis in determining the success factors in the industry. The research approach I used was qualitative with regard to looking at the factors which can hinder or support the growth of a firm in the cosmetic manufacturing industry. What I was looking for is any factor which may indicate that the firm will have any challenge. In this regard, I was looking at regulation issues, cultural issues and market visibility issues. One major factor that came up as a success factor in the industry was the regulation of the industry by the government. Lintner (2009) was one author whose work I read and he was discussing the regulatory factors in the cosmetic manufacturing industry, not only in Canada, but actually around the world. Malkan (2013) was also looking at some of the main issues which the cosmetic industry faces. In her book titled Not Just a Pretty Face: the Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry, she looks at the internal

Customer Relationship Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Customer Relationship Management - Essay Example Customer relationship management also serves to evaluate the consumer as a means of providing them with the products which would be most suited to their demographic or psychographic profile (Coravue Inc., 2007). Generally this is accomplished by reviewing browsing habits stored in mass databases or reviewing comments left by customers on company websites. In the bricks-and-mortar sales environment, evaluating customer habits can sometimes be as easy as reviewing a credit card statement or sales history over a period of days or weeks. However, who really cares about customer relationship management' PepsiCo should, as there is little evidence that the company maintains a focus on CRM other than through brand-building exercises which appear to give the impression that PepsiCo products are more commodities than tools for building customer satisfaction and loyalty. Evidence suggests that PepsiCo, despite their extended, global reach and wide variety of subsidiaries and brand varieties, requires significant adjustment to existing CRM policies. This paper assesses the overall importance of customer relationship management whilst applying CRM literature to the current marketing environment at PepsiCo. Recommendations for improvements in CRM focus at the firm will also be proposed. Technological develo... elopments are generally the key to successful CRM programmes, allowing for business communications regarding CRM focus to be distributed as well as maintaining an adequate database of consumer-related information. The Internet, additionally, allows organisations to use real-time customer interaction, through a series of integrated communications messages, to support the brand's image (Turner, 2008). From the technological perspective, customer relationship management is about having the software support necessary to extend the brand/company experience into new areas of streamlined payment systems or interactive, entertaining product websites. PepsiCo is quite competent in its interactive marketing focus, developing a wide variety of contest websites, interactive product design websites (allowing consumers to interact in a virtual design environment), and countless others. For instance, the company utilised a promotional incentive by printing various codes on the tops of its Pepsi brand products, allowing customers to visit the corresponding website to win various prizes (Harwood, 2006). In this particular campaign, PepsiCo received 15 million entries, which suggests that the campaign was a tremendous success. It would be a likely assessment that much of the registration information regarding consumers was stored in a database in the event of requiring information for other promotional offers or incentives. Some might argue that promotional literature and interactive contest websites would not be included in CRM, however in terms of the successes of the Pepsi-Cola brand, these types of promotional activities are creating connection with consumer lifestyle and with the company itself. One need only visit a legitimate PepsiCo product website to witness an enormous

Social and Political Implication of Social Media Essay Example for Free

Social and Political Implication of Social Media Essay Communication is as old as humankind, it is the basis of social interactions and life blood of human societies, we can say without communication. Each individual would merely be an island isolated from all other such islands, communication in a simple sense is the process of transferring meaning in the form of ideas or information from a person called the sender to another or people called receivers. The human life depends on communication to attain their full potentials, communication is also a social necessity without it there cannot be real community or society because it is the link between individuals who constitute a community and the link between community in the formation of a larger whole-a metropolis, a province or a nation, society as a whole cannot survive today if they are not properly informed about political affairs, international and local events, all these functions are perform through a media which are the vehicles of transmitting information. In essence, when people communicate with one another, they do so by a medium, some device or process through which they convey information, these means which people use is called social media. 2 This paper will pretend a short historical back ground of social media, the development of social media will be summarized, and much attention will be on the current means of such media which has taken a paradigm shift as a result of technological advancement and modernism such as internet, home video, news paper, magazines, e. . c the social and political implications will be critically explored, for the umpteenth time we should have it in mind that social media has ethical end epistemological implication in human kind and the society, in fact some of its implication could be said to be negative while some could be describe as positive, the implication affects all aspect of human life, belief, religious and even the socio-economic status, most importantly the governance of this great country Nigeria. Social medial technologies take on many different forms including magazine, internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, microbloggind, wikis, social networks, podcast, photographs or pictures, video, rating and social bookmarking, Technologies include: blogs, picture-sharing, wall-postings, email, instant messaging, to name a few, many of these service are integrated via social network aggregation platform by applying a set of theories in the field of media research (social presence, media richness) and social processes (self-presentation, self-disclosure) Kaplan and Haenlein created a classification scheme with different types of social media, they are ;collaborative projects for example, Wikipedia, blogs and microblogs like Twitter, content communities for example, YouTube, social networking sites like Facebook, and virtual social worlds, however, the boundaries between the different types have been increasingly blurred. Social media refers to the means of interaction among people in which they create, share and exchange information and ideas in communities and network. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content,5 social media depend on mobile and web-based technologies to create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content, It introduces substantial and pervasive changes to communication between organizations, communities and individuals. Media is as old as human kind as said earlier, from the ancient time, history make it know that our great grand-fathers make use of gong, songs e. t. to communicate, pass information and transfer beliefs, there was paradigm shift as a result of education and civilisation, gong now change to written literatures such as news paper, then technology now help in developing telecommunication such as Television station, radio station, and the current social media, while other media such as magazine, published works also developed, today social media is the leading means and is now in various form, internet website that post information to the whole world in second such as facebook, twitter, 2go, Ebuddy and sites and blogs. 7 Social media differentiates from traditional/industrial media in many aspects such as quality, reach, frequency, usability, immediacy and permanence. There are many effects that stem from internet usage, according to Nielsen, internet users continue to spend more time with social media sites than any other type of site 8. Social media in sum is the communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data or promotional messages are disseminated this includes every day broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspaper, magazine , T. V, radio, bill boards, direct mail, telephone, fax and internet, social media offers innovative opportunities for people, in a democratic society like Nigeria, social media offers innovation to political actors, political institutions and the public to interact with one another. As said from the beginning that social and political implication of social media could be ethical and epistemological, Cultivational theory expose some ethical issues is a theory that also provide justification about the implication of social media, this theory states that the media is essential with the responsibility for the way in which people view the world,9 this theory explain that media heavily impacts society by influencing the normal view of gender roles, body image and normality, the theory attributes extreme social power to the media and hold that people are taught over time to respond to situations based on what they think is the appropriate way, this theory in essence show some epistemological and ethical implication of social media on human kind, , media teaches normality through television, video, music e. t. , this theory assumed the life we live as a reflection of media ideals that have been portrayed to us since childhood for example we tend to see small children im itating and practising what they watch in movies, most ladies watch Nollywood movies on the internet to sharpen their romantic styles and learn some other necessities of life, styles of dance either good or bad example is the idea of sagging of trouser common among people all these media influences. The truth is we generate belief from media and perceived that it is normal way to live, various advertisement tell woman how to dress, cook and soon on, a recent study in University of Washington found that the amount an adolescent watches soup operas and musical videos is directly correlative with negative body image. Psychological egoism is another implication of social media, psychological egoism is the view that people act in their own interest even what seem to be acts of altruism11, owing to the fact that social media is used as a tool for some people, in a democratic setting like Nigeria, politicians and government use social media for their egoistic nature, the media publish orchestrated information to either promote image or give wrong destroy image, here we realized that the epistemic belief that most of this social media project to the world are cooked, biased and distorted, and these are registered in the mind of people in the society, no doubt also that this info sometimes reveal certain secret, recently through social media Nigerians known that the so called spokesperson of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos command do not know the official website of the Corps he is working for, this popular scenario is tagged my oga at the top courtesy Channels television The corollary of the above is that media circulate information, beliefs and knowledge, either acknowledge or not, to the society in a very speedy rate, the question now remains the authenticity and genuineness of this information. Social media are becoming increasingly popular among politicians and organisations as a means to disseminate political message, learn about the interest and needs of constituents and broader public, raise funds and build network support, these activities often take place is private run social networking site or stations that allow political figures and institution to communicate with the public in unmediated, society media are being used by Citizen also to connect with the public, influences decision makers and hold legislature and government to account, take the case of January 2013 subsidy removal, many people could not get to Abuja but somehow they made their opinion known to people through the website one way or the other in form of internet gossiping, example is a social site called Niaraland, people chat there, gossip, make connections either for business or another thing maybe like love affairs and so on, in essence this site through the gossips of it member evaluate the activ e the politicians or government of the country is. Since social media give anyone with internet access an opportunity to disseminate their ideas, the mainstream media sources no longer ,monopolize information channels, in turn new issues and ideas that might otherwise be ignored by the mainstream media can receive public attention, given the vary level of expertise, individual users have unequal right to full potential of social media as a publishing platform, what this implies is that social media help in exercising freedom as a component of modernism, liberalism and democracy. Another social and political implication of social media is that it enables citizen to become more effective political actors, social media remove barriers to collective action and empower citizen to influence and monitor the work of policy makers through a long distance participation, social medial also allow citizens to interact with public institutions and figures in an informal and interactive manner, through social media who are avid users of social media often discuss political issues interactively online with the opportunity to reach a large audience with criticisms of political figures and institutions, another similar social and political implication is that it provides opportunity for synthetic lobbying 12, well crafted and executed social media campaigns led by special interest groups can dominate online exchanges with political figure and institution to the point where decision makers are misled about the actual extent to which ideas are shared via these campaigns as repr esentative of a widely held point of view, such advocacy tactics are often referred to as synthetic lobbying, this occur when coordinated letter writing campaigns have long been an element of politics and the policy process and policy makers have developed mechanisms that identify online submission from the public that form part of coordinated advocacy campaigns by weeding out these particular submission whether email to representative or submitted to an online forum. The use of social media by public institution and figures may lead to surveillance state, by monitoring the information shared citizens on a special media sites, policy makers and representative can gain a better understanding of citizens interest and needs, also government can also use this to work against those they see as opposition, as reported by virtually all Nigerian Newspaper on April 25, 2013, the president of Nigeria Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, awarded a contract over forty million US Dollars to one Israeli company to monitor emails and social network communications, this is part of the implication of social media we are talking about, it implies that the freedom of the people in the society is somehow restricted, I should be aware now that my so called private email message is monitored if one way or the order I radically against the government , it could be hazardous, though this surveillances could also help in checking certain fraudulent activities like yahoo fraudste rs, organised crime and terrorism networks, and so on, but the implication of this is that the negative freedom as Isaiah Berlin postulated, that is, absence of external constraint in individual to act the way they want example is freedom of speech 13, this negative freedom is will now be limited, whatever this implication (surveillance state) appears either positive or negative, data shared by citizens via social media including sexual orientation, religious belief, political affiliation and other sensitive information will be monitored and used in ways that breach privacy right. A cursory survey of this work shows a philosophical discourse on media and social media, its social and political implication has been so far discussed, in sum the implications are both ethical and epistemological, social media has become instrument that create awareness, publicise beliefs and transmit norms, it could be said that most of the action of human kind if not all is an imitation from the media, the implication of social media is undoubtedly positive and negative. In addition the picture of a society is painted to the world through social media, some years back when Dr Dura Akuyili was still the minister of information, she embarked on a project called rebranding with the slogan Nigeria good people, great nation, this was to change the bad image of the country and most of the activities she used to perform this crusade were majorly on media and social media. Much of the criticism of social media are about its exclusiveness as most sites do not allow the transfer of information from one to another, disparity of information available, issues with trustworthiness and reliability of information presented, concentration, ownership of media content, and the meaning of interactions created by social media. However, it is also argued that social media has positive effects such as allowing the democratization of the internet while also allowing individuals to advertise themselves and form friendships Most people associate social media with positive outcomes, yet this is not always the case. Due to the increase in social media websites, there seems to be a positive correlation between the usage of such media with cyber bullying, online sexual predators and the decrease in face-to-face interactions, social media may expose children to images of alcohol, tobacco, and sexual behaviours. Whether the implications are beneficial or risky, what is clear is that social media are quickly becoming standard communications tools for political figures and institutions and the citizens they serve, this paper recommend whoever is still lacking the knowledge of using social media to do that without wasting time, above all apply Descartes methodic doubt to every information the social media provided, that is subject social media information to thorough scrutiny before taking them as beliefs, also this paper remind the public of the dangers and vices of social media hence, the wise be more wise and the less wise should upgrade not be a victim of the bad influences.

Hybrid Model of Crisis Intervention Case Study

Hybrid Model of Crisis Intervention Case Study Frances Roulet The assignment: (3-4 pages) Provide an analysis of the crisis depicted in the Case Study in this weeks Learning Resources. Explain how you would apply the Hybrid Model to the crisis in the Case Study. Integrate Maslows model into your evaluation and explain how you did so. In 1972 a military infantryman flew home alone from Vietnam. When he arrived in his hometown, San Antonio, TX, no one was there to greet him. His return was not communicated to his family, and his wife was at work in the mayor’s office while his six-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son were at school. Feeling confused and without family, friends, or military support, he took a bus to a nearby stop and walked the remainder of the way home. He searched out two guns in his home and asked his neighbor if he could borrow her car. He then left to pick up his children at school and walked into the school firing at faculty and students. Several teachers and students were gunned down. He found his two children, took them, and left for the San Antonio mayor’s office to find his wife. At that time he left his children in the car, re-loaded his guns, and went into his wife’s office, again firing his guns and apparently killing several individuals including a number of counc ilpersons, police officers, and the mayor. You are a Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision at a university in San Antonio, TX. Apply the Six-Step Model of Crisis Intervention for responding in this community. Case study: Vignette. Analysis. In the Case Vignette No. 1, the soldier had been deployed back to his hometown in San Antonio, Texas. Hoge, Lesikar, Guevara, Lange, Brundage, Engel, Orman, Messer (2002) explained that researches conducted after military conflicts, deployment stressors and exposing soldiers to combat were considered risks factors of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, [PSTD], major depression, substance abuse, impairment in social functioning and in the ability to work and the increase use of health care services. In this case, although there is insufficient information about the infantry soldier; and, we do not know if he faced directly combat, this soldier and part of his comrades were exposed to danger, injuries and death on a daily basis. Although not everyone exposed to violence or traumatic events may develop PTSD, factors, such as, the intensity of the trauma and proximity to the circumstances can increase the propensity of developing the disorder (Phillips, LeardMann, Gumbs Smith, 2010). According to Phillips, LeardMann, Gumbs Smith (2010) when a person is exposed to combat, and have constant threats of death or witness to it, serious injury or witness to it become significant risk factors for screening positive for postdeployment PTSD among soldiers as well as, violence exposures prior entering the infantry. Hoge, Castro, Messer, McGurk, Cotting, Koffman (2004) explained that soldiers and marines presented new onset PTSD after returning from combat several months later. These investigators explained that in their study a 7.6% was revealed with probable new onset PTSD. In the Case Vignette No. 1, he definitely was presenting new onset symptoms for PTSD because he felt confused, alone without support and no communication. There is a probability that he might have been impacted and presented symptoms of PTSD before being deployed to Vietnam, and returned traumatized with his experience in Vietnam. The infantry soldier of this case, was impacted, and presented symptoms of PTSD apparently before being deployed to Vietnam, and returned even more traumatized with his Vietnam experience. These same investigators explained that one study was conducted before the military operation with Iraq and Afghanistan and they discovered that a 6 of all US military service personnel on active duty received treatment for mental disorders each year (Hoge, Castro, Messer, McGurk, Cotting, Koffman, 2004). Based on my analysis, this case has greater risk for developing a combat related psychological disorder, not to mention criminal charges for hurting and killing innocent people. And, at his return, he found out that there was no communication was done before his arrival, no family member’s to receive. Phillips, LeardMann, Gumbs Smith (2010) explained that when a person is exposed to combat, and, have constant threat of death or witness to it, serious injury or witness to it become significant risk factors for screening positive for post-deployment PTSD. Hybrid Model to the crisis in the Case Study TRIAGE ASSESSMENT FORM: CRISIS INTERVENTION CRISIS EVENT. Identify and describe briefly the crisis situation: The identified male is a Vietnam infantry soldier rushed in emergency during morning hours. There were direct witness to several traumatic events and victims of a shooting. Some of these traumatic events were: The lost of coworkers, friends and neighbors of the community. The impact of an extreme loud noise impacting their physical being. AFFECTIVE DOMAIN Identify and describe briefly the affect that is present. (If more than one affect is experienced, rate with #1 being primary, #2 secondary, #3 tertiary.) No. 1. Feeling of fear and anxiety: The victims remain with a high level of fear that could be badly hurt or killed. After being a direct witness to the whole event of shooting and seeing people he knew from the community and how they were falling and dispersing. The victims may present a possibility of not being able to remember details of how they managed to escape from the traumatic event. No. 2. Feeling of being confused: Feeling confused of what happened or not being able to comprehend the traumatic event. No. 2. Feeling of guilty: Feeling guilty of running away from the event when they could of helped a neighbor, friend or co-worker. No. 2. Feeling anguished when speaking of the traumatized events. No. 2. Feeling sad. No. 3. Anger feelings completely repressed. Affective Severity Scale Circle the number that most closely corresponds with client’s reaction to crisis. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Moderate Impairment à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  7 Affect may be incongruent with situation. Extended periods of intense negative moods. Mood is experienced noticeably more intensely than situation warrants. Affects may be obviously incongruent with situation. BEHAVIORAL DOMAIN Identify and describe briefly which behavior is currently being used. (If more than one behavior is utilized, rate with #1 being primary, #2 secondary, #3 tertiary.) APPROACH: Direct witness to several traumatic events, such as the scene of bodies of people around the victims. The tendency of the victims is running as far as they can from the traumatic and noxious event. AVOIDANCE: Victims may not want to avoid meeting new friends in order to develop and maintain a social circle. And, also may avoid having the opportunity of a new relationship. IMMOBILITY: The victims may constantly be re-experiencing the traumatic event of Vietnam. Their spontaneous memories of the traumatic events, recurrent dreams about the mornings where he was exploded the attacks, that killed several people and injured others were rushed that same morning. They might present flashbacks of the dramatic and traumatic events of the morning. The victims explained especially when they turn around to see what had happened. And, they see others being abused and terrorized. They immediately remember the traumatic event and they keep seeing more people dead. Then, they begins feeling scared and non trustful from all people that surrounds them. They present a prolonged distress. Behavioral Severity Scale Circle the number that most closely corresponds with client’s reaction to crisis. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Moderate Impairment à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  7 Behaviors are maladaptive but not immediately destructive. Behaviors are difficult to control even with repeated requests. Behavior is becoming a threat to self or others and increasingly difficult to control. Ability to perform tasks necessary for daily functioning may be noticeably compromised. COGNITIVE DOMAIN Identify if a transgression, threat, or loss has occurred in the following areas and describe briefly. (If more than one cognitive response occurs, rate with #1 being primary, #2 secondary, #3 tertiary PHYSICAL (food, water, safety, shelter, etc.): During the escape from the shooting, and although they do not recall how they managed to escape or how they managed to get to the opposite side of the affected area, they suffered deprivation of safety and medical and psychological attention for several minutes. According to Gilliland (2013) the transgression, threat, loss or the three may be perceived as an association to whatever the person physical needs are. ___1___ TRANSGRESSION ___1____THREAT ___1____LOSS PSYCHOLOGICAL (self-concept, emotional well being, identity, etc.): They present a persistent and distorted sense of confusion or guiltiness of not able to help others. They may present arousal when presenting sleep disturbance, hyper-vigilance during the following weeks. ___1___ TRANSGRESSION ___1____THREAT ___1____LOSS SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS (family, friends, co-workers, etc.): Some of the victims may have lost friends, family members, and neighbors when they were forced to run for their lives in order to continue living after the traumatic event suffered. They may markedly diminished interest in activities, such as their social life and interpersonal relationships. Gilliland (2013) explains that the disturbance, regardless of its triggers causes clinical significant distress and at times impairment in her social interactions and capacity to work. ___1___ TRANSGRESSION ___1____THREAT ___1____LOSS MORAL/SPIRITUAL (personal integrity, values, belief system, etc.): They might questioned their spiritual believes, or may want to see a representative of their religious community in order to feel reassure their spiritual believes ___1___ TRANSGRESSION ___1____THREAT ____1___LOSS Cognitive Severity Scale Circle the number that most closely corresponds with client’s reaction to crisis. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Moderate Impairment à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  7 Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event may differ in some respects with reality of situation. Intrusive thoughts of crisis event with limited control. Problem solving and decision-making abilities adversely affected by obsessiveness, self-doubt, confusion. Client experiences recurrent difficulties with problem-solving and decision making abilities. Problem-solving and decision making abilities minimally affected. Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event substantially match with reality of situation. DOMAIN SEVERITY SCALE SUMMARY Affective à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  7 Cognitive à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  7 Behavioral à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  7 Total à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  21 Developmental Ecological Assessment Approach. Stage of Psychosocial Development. In this particular case, the developmental psychosocial stages of all the victims were working class adults in their working environment and during normal working hours. And, school students in an early morning studying period hours of a regular weekday. References Hoge, C., W., Castro, C., A., Messer, S., C., McGurk, D., Cotting, D. I. Koffman, R., L. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1): 13-22. Hoge, C., W., Lesikar, S., E., Guevara, R., Lange, J., Brundage, J., F., Engel, C., C., Orman, D., T. Messer, S., C. (2002). Mental Disorders among US military personnel in the 1990s: Association with high levels of Health care utilization and early military attrition. American Journal Psychiatry, 159: 1576-1583. James, R. Gilliland, B. (2013). Crisis Intervention Strategies. (7th Edition). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. Phillips, C. J., LeardMann, C. A., Gumbs, G. R., Smith, B. (2010). Risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder among deployed US male marines. BMC Psychiatry, 10(1): 52. Vogt, D. S., Tanner, L. R. (2007). Risk and resilience factors for posttraumatic stress symptomatology in Gulf War I veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20(1): 27-38.

Juvenile Justice :: essays research papers fc

Juvenile Justice Though crime, in general, is on the decline there are specific crimes and group offenders that are actually increasing. Specific crimes such as hate crimes, those crimes motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group, based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation, and juvenile crimes have become escalating debates. Lionel Tate, a 12-year-old boy at the time of his actions, is a suitable case to investigate. Using his case, I will address the increase in juvenile delinquency, the contributions to the malice acts, the severity of the crimes being committed by youth, and possible, yet reasonable repercussions. Lionel Tate, now 14, was charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole on March 9, 2001. This harsh conviction was founded on the basis of the beating and death of 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick. Tate defense lied in the hands of his television heroes, professional wrestlers, whom he claimed he was simply imitating. This argument was not enough to convince the jurors that his actions were an accident. If a defense team was not able to convince a select group of individual that violence on television is becoming more of an issue with youth violence, then how is a nation of parents going to be convinced that television, video games and other public violence is affecting their children. Is every parent going to have to experience what Lionel Tate or Tiffany Eunick's parents experienced to see the effects of a violent society in which children are being raised? Understand that there are more than one cause to juvenile violence. Media and television related violence is only one of the factors. Addressing and trying to correct one issue at a time is going to be the most productive. Take television for example. Lionel Tate was obviously influenced by actions he saw from people, adults, on television. Though not all blame can be put in the hands of the entertainment industry. Other factors including parent control and limitation, and previous behavioral patterns could have prevented Tiffany's death. In the book, Children in a Violent Society, Joy Osofsky makes a strong case about kids and the negative effects of witnessing violence. "Children learn what they see†¦and they do not learn that violence is bad. Too often, they learn that violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflict†¦"(Osofsky, 4). Take a hypothetical situation about Johnny.

Representation of Women in Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart and Perfect Days by Liz Lochead :: Weep Stewart Perfect Lochead Essays

Representation of Women in "Men Should Weep" by Ena Lamont Stewart and "Perfect Days" by Liz Lochead Both plays portray women as very independent people. In â€Å"Men Should Weep†, Maggie is the main female character. She is a housewife living in a male dominated society. The main theme of the play is her journey form oppressed housewife to self-empowered women. Whereas in â€Å"Perfect Days† Barbs the main female character is an extremely independent woman from the start and has worked hard to earn herself her own hairdressers. Maggie’s husband John is a very self-centred character; he doesn’t have a job or any notion to ever help around the house. Yet he thinks that is perfectly acceptable. Due to the way society was in that day and age then it said that once a woman wedded they automatically became their husband’s property. This meant that they had no choice but to obey their husbands every demand. What they said went. â€Å"I’d an idea a wis heid o this hoose† This demonstrates that even though John doesn’t contribute to the family he still feels he is superior to them all. Maggie takes this though she doesn’t argue with him as she believes that he is head of the household and she constantly stands up for him. Lily, Maggie’s independent single sister is very much against men she thinks ‘there aw dirty beasts’. As she argues with Maggie about John but Maggie straight away stands up for her husband. â€Å"You leave John alane! He does his best for us† Even though Maggie knows John doesn’t do anything for her and her children she still stands strongly by her husband as that was the right thing to do. Not only does Maggie have her husband to run around after her and look after her, but she also has five children. â€Å"If you’ve got wee ans, you’ve got tae put up wi the fella that gie’d ya them† The women in the play are constantly making excuses for the men and their behaviour. Maggie is particularly bad at doing this. This is a prime example of this behaviour as Mrs Bone her neighbour gets domestically abused and this is Maggie’s attempt to offer her support. As the play progresses Maggie gradually starts to see sense and comes to realise how weak men really are. â€Å"They canna staun up tae things like a wummen† This shows female strength and is the start of a major turning point for Maggie as she becomes more and more disenchanted with her life. Jenny, Maggie’s eldest daughter runs of at the beginning of the play but returns at the end with money and the opportunity for Maggie and

The Lake :: essays research papers

The Lake   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was early July and my friend Chad and I decided to join his family at the lake. Chad’s family was already up at the lake, and had some extra room in the condo. So we figured, what the hell, we could go for some boating. Right. The lake the only about a two-hour drive away. We were driving in Chad’s father’s convertible sports car, so the drive was quite pleasant. We drove through twisting canyons and long straight roads going just slightly over the speed limit. We arrived at our destination at record-breaking time, which didn’t seem to make his parents too happy. Along with Chad’s family, which consists of four brothers and one sister, were some neighbor friends of theirs and their five-year-old son Nick. The rest of the day was spent miniature golfing and playing catch with Chad’s little brothers. On the following morning we went with Chad’s parents to rent the boat. We got the boat and loaded it up with the gear. We broke the family into groups so each one could have their own time on the boat. Our group was the one that wanted to ski, wake board, ride on the tube, and throw each other off the tube. The other group consisted of people that either didn’t want to ski or were too young. All the younger kids were in this group. Our group was the first to have the boat. We spent hours and hours out on the lake and had an awesome time, even though I got one of the worst sunburns in my life. We returned with the boat so the other group could take their turn. As the second group left on the boat we decided to just go lounge in the swimming pool. After about a half-hour, Chad’s mom came running in and said they had an accident with the boat and that little Nick was knocked unconscious. We ran from the pool to see what exactly happened. Chad’s sister told us that another boat was traveling way too fast in the no-wake zone while not paying attention and struck the front of our boat. When the boats collided it took everyone a few minutes to notice that Nick was lying face down on the floor of the boat. Panic arose when his mother noticed him lying there motionless. It turned out the other boat actually hit this little boy in the head when

Goals and Objectives Tied to Mission and Value Statements Essay

Apollonia have their goals and objectives tied to their mission and value statements. They ensure goals and objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. This is crucial in their business because it is a high demand, and with a plan to follow and the ability to recognize the point that they achieve success. They update their goals and objectives when necessary, as business plans always have an ending date. The goals they set for the first year of business varies from the goals and objectives for year three or year 10. The planning stage is important in their business to make a good events location and a good restaurant for people to come to. Although planning is crucial in developing a good service, marketing is probably the most important aspect of their business. Their aims say that it is important to retain their existing customers base while growing the restaurant by attracting new customers. An example of a marketing goal might be to attract new customers from a particular area. Near or far. They include using social media to engage potential customers in conversations about food. They offer deals to come try out their food, sometimes free, sometimes deals that could benefit the potential customer. Aims and Objectives Apollonia have their goals and objectives tied to their mission and value statements. They ensure goals and objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. This is crucial in their business because it is a high demand, and with a plan to follow and the ability to recognize the point that they achieve success. They update their goals and objectives when necessary, as business plans always have an ending date. The goals they set for the first year of business varies from the goals and objectives for year three or year 10. The planning stage is important in their business to make a good events location and a good restaurant for people to come to. Although planning is crucial in developing a good service, marketing is probably the most important aspect of their business. Their aims say that it is important to retain their existing customers base while growing the restaurant by attracting new customers. An example of a marketing goal might be to attract new customers from a particular area. Near or far. They include using social media to engage potential customers in conversations about food. They offer deals to come try out their food, sometimes free, sometimes deals that could benefit the  potential customer. Aims and Objectives Apollonia have their goals and objectives tied to their mission and value statements. They ensure goals and objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. This is crucial in their business because it is a high demand, and with a plan to follow and the ability to recognize the point that they achieve success. They update their goals and objectives when necessary, as business plans always have an ending date. The goals they set for the first year of business varies from the goals and objectives for year three or year 10. The planning stage is important in their business to make a good events location and a good restaurant for people to come to. Although planning is crucial in developing a good service, marketing is probably the most important aspect of their business. Their aims say that it is important to retain their existing customers base while growing the restaurant by attracting new customers. An example of a marketing goal might be to attract new customers from a particular area. Near or far. They include using social media to engage potential customers in conversations about food. They offer deals to come try out their food, sometimes free, sometimes deals that could benefit the potential customer.

Halting the wheels of hope Essay

The concept of governmental tyranny is often difficult to grasp to those living in more democratic nations, and media output and literature become key in growing to understand it’s implications. Serving to heighten this political perspective is â€Å"The Wheels of Freedom: Bicycles in China† by Fred Strebeigh, which describes China’s bicycle ban in 1989 and subsequent protests in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. The bicycle provided significant growth and freedom within Chinese culture, and Strebeigh endeavors to communicate this to readers. Illustrating this, he defends the will of the people to preserve their right to ride them in the face of government opposition, and the tragedy imposed by political oppression. Upon the bicycle’s introduction to the people of China in the early 20th century, many looked to it through eyes of bewilderment. A fascinating and not yet popularized machine, it was most commonly ridden by members of affluent societies. As it’s newness wore off, however, it slowly became available those of the more humble classes, and in place of the word â€Å"bicycle†, the term â€Å"foreign horse† found it’s use in the minds and mouths of the masses. Strebeigh includes that the term â€Å"foreign† communicated the people’s feelings of admiration for the bicycle while alluding to the fact that it was modern. The peasantry of China found themselves with the deepest sense of admiration for the â€Å"foreign horse†. To them, the thought of owning one brought to mind the ease it could bring to their everyday lives, as they often carried burdensome loads on their backs. Yet, the low supply and thus high cost of the bicycle made it’s acquisition impractical for them. In response to the desire, the government later began regulating higher production rates of the bicycle to readily supply them to the impoverished and raise morale. However, the term â€Å"foreign horse† was banned in light of it’s glorification of another nation’s ingenuity, highlighting the extremes of the Chinese government to exercise their sovereign of the people. In it’s place, the name â€Å"self-running cart†. This served to express the government sentiment that the people could have what they wanted, but only at it’somplete jurisdiction. The people tolerated the name change of their beloved bicycles, as the trade-off of name for it’s widespread distribution was easy enough, and many still used it’s original moniker in private. Following it’s popularization, the lives of many saw an enrichment in quality. The dignity of the people improved, as it granted them new freedoms and eased the stress of everyday tasks, al lowing for flourishing business and connectedness within communities. Perhaps stated best, Strebeigh wrote of it’s wide use, â€Å"Everywhere, cycles kept life rolling† (Strebeigh). In addition to heightening the commerce of societies, it introduced the occupation of bicycle repair, which Stebeigh revered as perhaps the â€Å"freest† job in China. In it’s praise, he wrote, â€Å"A hard worker needed only a street corner and a few tools. Before his eyes bikes would inevitably break down and, if he was skilled, clients would multiply. Bicycle repair seemed to offer an extension of what the bike itself offered and what so many Chinese sought: modest dignity, new choices, ample freedom. † (Strebeigh). Bike repair was a choice outside of the typical, and entirely pursued as an individual pleased. Sadly, it was the bicycles issuance of dignity, choices, and freedom that that ultimately inflicted threat upon the Chinese government. They understood that with bike ownership, the people were growing to a height of advantage. It was their supposition that, if the people continued in such a fashion, government control perhaps had the potential to become menial. To ensure that their ultimate authority was not being overlooked, a ban was placed on bicycles within China. News of this did not come amicably to the people, and their response was protest. It was Tianenmen Square in Bejing which saw the organization of a large-scale demonstration which rallied for government reform. It lasted weeks, and ended upon the mobilization of troops to the area. Their invasion was destructive and resulted in the loss of many lives as troops initiated the use of tanks and weaponry to control the people. In media coverage, it was not the bloodied bodies of victims that were aired on television screens in Chinese homes, but rather the depiction of bicycles which had been crushed by the military. Of it, Strebeigh writes, â€Å"They wanted to show crushed dignity, crushed humanity, crushed freedom–so much that the bicycle means in China. † (Strebeigh). This image was a wise devise of the government. They knew what the bicycle represented to the people, and knew that to show it destroyed would communicate their dominance and triumph. The concept of tyrannical rule and its implied bleakness are often incomprehensible, or altogether unrecognized by the people of more democratic countries given their many freedoms. With the words of Fred Strebeigh, however, perspective expands. The honor of an object as seemingly simple as a bicycle becomes worthy of defense, even dying for, and the tragedy of oppressive rule becomes very real. Works Cited

Maternal and Paternal Inheritances Essay

Our very existence in this world begins from both maternal and paternal inheritance. Both are very similar in characteristics; however the real difference is only in the gender. The definition of both communicates as; originates either from the mother or the father’s side, motherly or fatherly bonds, received or inherited from ones mother or father, every one of us also has someone in their lives who shows these characteristics but are of no relation. The majority of women have maternal instincts; which is passed down from mother to daughter. It originates from your mother’s side and will be continued to be passed down in generations to come however if a women was not to have children the can still pass on their maternal instincts on to their nieces and nephews, an adopted child, step children, and even their friends children. Maternal refers to the mother and child bonds, these bonds can form at any time in life. They can last for many years but can also be broken very quickly. Motherly is a description of maternal, which can mean caring, accepting, embracing, comforting and this is the tip of the iceberg of characteristics that could be mentioned. It’s not only traits that a mother can pass down it’s teachings like cooking and sewing. Paternal originates from you dads side of the family and can be passed down. Not even man will have children but he can still pass on his paternal instincts to the players on the team that they couch, their nephews, and their friend’s children. The instincts that they can pass on are different than the ones from a female figure. Paternal is also recognized as fatherly. Fatherly can be the knowledge on sports begin passed on and how to play them, and being there for the players. The bond of a father and child is simpler for the son because it can be through watching football every Sunday night, or playing catch in the backyard. On the other hand with the father and daughter bond it may be a bit more complicated because of the different interests between daughters and their fathers. There are many things that you can receive from paternal such as traits like hair color, eye color, body build. They can also pass on their knowledge, wisdom, and their drive to succeed. We all know someone who’s in our life by choice not by force. These people are the non-maternal and non-paternal friends that aren’t related to you in any way but still show and give the maternal and paternal characteristics. These are the people, which may be closer than actual family and that you may relay on the most during the good and bad situations in life. We deal everyday with maternal and paternal situations that have helped us become the person we are today. These may originate from the mother’s or the father’s side, including bonding with either mothers or fathers and we can receive or inherit traits from both sides of the family. There are also many non-family relationships that give us the same traits and characteristics.

You Suck: A Love Story Chapter 19~20

Chapter Nineteen Our Dead Homeys The vampires sat side by side on the bare futon frame, watching as a five-legged bug limped up the big front window of the loft. Tommy thought that the rhythm of the bug's steps made a for a danceable backbeat – thought he might be able to set music to it, if he knew how to write music. Suite for Angst and Limping Bug, he'd call it. â€Å"Nice bug,† Tommy said. â€Å"Yeah,† Jody said. We should save it for Abby, Jody thought. She was feeling guilty about having bitten the girl – not so much because of the violation, because obviously the kid had been willing, but because she felt as if she really didn't have any choice. She had been injured and her predator nature told her to survive, whatever the cost, which is what bothered her. Was her humanity drifting away? â€Å"The Animals are going to come for us now,† Tommy said. He was feeling angry, betrayed by his old crew, but most of all he felt separate from them now. He felt separate from everyone. Tomorrow was Christmas and he didn't even want to call his parents because they were a different species now. What do you buy for an inferior species? â€Å"It's just the Animals,† Jody said. â€Å"We'll be safe.† â€Å"I'll bet that's what Elijah thought, too, and they got him.† â€Å"We should go get him,† Jody said. She imagined Elijah Ben Sapir, standing in the full sun by the Ferry Building, tourists passing him, wondering why someone would put a statue there. Would the brass protect him? Tommy checked his watch. â€Å"We'd never get there and back in time. I tried that yesterday.† â€Å"How could you do that to him, Tommy? He was one of us.† â€Å"One of us? He was going to kill us, if you remember. He kind of did kill us. I resent that. Besides, if you're covered in bronze, what does it matter if you're underwater? I was just trying to get him out of sight so we could think about our future without him being part of it.† â€Å"Right. Okay,† Jody said. â€Å"Sorry.† Future? She'd lived with a half-dozen guys, none had ever willingly talked about the future before. And she and Tommy had a supersized buttload of future ahead of them as long as someone didn't catch them sleeping. â€Å"Maybe we really should leave the City,† she said. â€Å"No one would know about us in a new city.† â€Å"I was thinking we should get a Christmas tree,† Tommy said. Jody looked away from the bug. â€Å"That's a thought, or we could put some mistletoe up, put on Christmas carols, and stand outside waiting for Santa until the sun comes up and incinerates us. How's that sound?† â€Å"Nobody appreciates your sarcasm, missy. I'm just trying to get a handle on normal. Three months ago I was stocking groceries in Indiana, looking at community college, driving around in my crappy car, wishing I had a girlfriend, and wishing that there was some potential for something to happen beyond getting a job with benefits and living the same life as my dad. Now I have a girlfriend, and superpowers, and a bunch of people want to kill me, and I don't know how to act. I don't know what to do next. And it's going to be that way forever. Forever! I'm going to be scared out of my mind forever! I can't deal with forever.† He'd been barking at her, but she resisted the urge to snap back. He was nineteen, not a hundred and fifty – he didn't even have the tools for being an adult, let alone being immortal. â€Å"I know,† she said. â€Å"Tomorrow night, first thing, we'll hire a car, go get Elijah, and pick up a Christmas tree on the way back. How's that sound?† â€Å"Hiring a car? That sounds exotic.† â€Å"It'll be like prom.† Was she being too patronizing? â€Å"You don't have to do that,† he said. â€Å"I'm sorry I'm acting like a weenie.† â€Å"But you're my weenie,† Jody said. â€Å"Take me to bed.† Still holding her hand, he stood, then pulled her up into his arms. â€Å"We'll be okay, right?† She nodded and kissed him, feeling for just a second like a girl in love instead of a predator. She immediately felt a resurgence of shame over feeding on Abby. The doorbell rang. â€Å"Did you know we had a doorbell?† â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"You can't beat a dead whore in the morning,† said Nick Cavuto cheerfully, because apparently, everyone loves a dead hooker, despite what certain writer types might think. They were standing in the alley off Mission Street. Dorothy Chin – short, pretty, and whip-smart – snorted a laugh and checked the thermometer probe she'd stuck in the deceased's liver like a meat thermometer into a roast. â€Å"She hasn't been dead four hours, guys.† Rivera rubbed his temples and felt his bookstore slipping away, along with his marriage. He'd known the marriage had been going for a while, but he was feeling a little brokenhearted about the bookstore. He figured he knew, but he asked anyway. â€Å"Cause of death?† â€Å"Toothy blow job,† Cavuto said. â€Å"Yes, Alphonse,† said Dorothy with a tad too much sincerity, â€Å"I'd have to concur with Detective Cavuto, she died of a toothy blow job.† â€Å"It just pisses some guys off,† Cavuto added, â€Å"a professional without skills.† â€Å"Guy just snapped her neck and took his money back,† said Dorothy with a big grin. â€Å"So a broken neck?† said Rivera, mentally waving goodbye to a whole set of first-edition Raymond Chandlers, ten-to-six workdays, golfing on Mondays. Cavuto snorted this time. â€Å"Her head's turned around the wrong way, Rivera. What did you think it was?† â€Å"Seriously,† Dorothy Chin said, â€Å"I have to do the autopsy to be sure, but offhand that's the obvious cause. I'd also say she's probably lucky to go that way. She's HIV positive and it looks like the disease had developed into full-blown AIDS.† â€Å"How do you know that?† â€Å"See these sarcomas on her feet.† Chin had removed one of the hooker's shoes – she pointed to open sores on the corpse's foot and ankle. Rivera sighed. He didn't want to ask, but he asked anyway, â€Å"What about blood loss?† Dorothy Chin had done the autopsies on two of the previous victims and cringed a little. It was a pattern. They'd all been terminally ill, they'd all died of a broken neck, and they'd all shown evidence of extreme blood loss, but no external wounds – not even a needle mark. â€Å"Can't tell out here.† Cavuto had lost his cheery manner now. â€Å"So we spend Christmas day canvassing dirtbags to see if anyone saw anything?† At the end of the alley, uniforms were still talking to the grimy homeless man who had called in the murder. He was trying to get them to spring for a bottle of whiskey – because it was Christmas. Rivera didn't want to go home, but he didn't want to spend a day trying to find out what he already knew. He checked his watch. â€Å"What time was sunrise this morning?† he asked. â€Å"Oh, wait,† Cavuto said, patting down his pockets, â€Å"I'll check my almanac.† Dorothy Chin snorted again, then started giggling. â€Å"Dr. Chin,† Rivera said, tightening down now, â€Å"could you be more precise about the time of death?† Chin picked up on Rivera's tone and went full professional. â€Å"Sure. There's an algorithm for the cooling time of a body. Get me the weather from last night, let me get her back to the morgue and weigh her, and I'll get you a time within ten minutes.† â€Å"What?† Cavuto said to Chin. â€Å"What?† This time to Rivera. â€Å"Winter solstice, Nick,† Rivera said. â€Å"Christmas was originally set at the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It's eleven-thirty now. I'm betting that four hours ago the sun was just coming up.† â€Å"Uh-huh,† Cavuto said. â€Å"Prostitutes have shitty hours – is that what you're saying?† Rivera raised an eyebrow. â€Å"Our guy didn't travel far after sunrise, is what I'm saying. He's going to be around here.† â€Å"I was afraid that's what you were saying,† Cavuto said. â€Å"We're never going to get the bookstore open, are we?† â€Å"Tell the uniforms to look anywhere it's dark: under Dumpsters, in crawl spaces, attics – anywhere.† â€Å"Getting warrants on Christmas day might be a problem.† â€Å"You won't need warrants if you get permission from the owners – we're not looking to bust anyone living here, we're looking for a murder suspect.† Cavuto pointed to the eight-story brick building that composed one wall of the alley. â€Å"This building has something like eight hundred ministorage units in it.† â€Å"Then you guys had better get started.† â€Å"Where're you going?† â€Å"There was a missing person report on an old guy in North Beach a couple of days ago. I'm going to check it out.† â€Å"Because you don't want to go Dumpster diving for v – â€Å" â€Å"Because,† Rivera cut him off before he could say the V-word, â€Å"he had terminal cancer. His wife assumed he just wandered off and got lost. Now I'm not so sure. Call me if you find anything.† â€Å"Uh-huh.† Cavuto turned to the three uniforms who were interviewing the bum. â€Å"Hey, guys, have I got a merry Christmas detail for you.† The Animals decided to hold a small memorial service for Blue in Chinatown. Troy Lee was already there, as was Lash, who wouldn't go home to his apartment until Blue's body was removed, and Barry, who was Jewish, would be coming there for dinner with his family, as was the tradition in his faith. Plus, the liquor stores in Chinatown were open on Christmas, and if you slipped some money under the counter, you could get firecrackers. The Animals were fairly sure that Blue would have wanted firecrackers at her funeral. The Animals stood in a semicircle, beers in hand, on a playground off Grant Street. The deceased was being honored in absentia – in her place was a half-eaten pair of edible panties. From a distance, they looked like a bunch of wastrels mourning a Fruit Roll-Up. â€Å"I'd like to start, if I may,† said Drew. He wore a long overcoat and his hair was tied back with a black ribbon, revealing the target-shaped bruise on his forehead where Jody had hit him with the wine bottle. Out of his coat he pulled a bong the size of a tenor sax, and using a long lighter designed for lighting fireplaces, he sparked that magnificent mama-jama up and bubbled away like a scuba diver having an asthma attack. When he could hold no more, he raised the bong, poured some water on the ground, and croaked, â€Å"To Blue,† which came out in a perfect smoke ring, the sight of which brought tears to everyone's eyes. â€Å"To Blue,† everyone repeated as they placed one hand on the bong and tipped a bit out of their beers. â€Å"To Broo, my nigga,† said Troy Lee's grandma, who had insisted upon joining the ceremony once she realized there would be firecrackers. â€Å"She will be avenged,† said Lash. â€Å"And we'll get our fucking money back,† said Jeff, the big jock. â€Å"Amen,† the Animals said. They had decided on a nondenominational ceremony, as Barry was a Jew, Troy Lee was a Buddhist, Clint was an Evangelical, Drew was a Rastafarian, Gustavo was a Catholic, and Lash and Jeff were heathen stoners. Gustavo had been called in to work that day because someone had to be in the store as long as the front was only boarded up with plywood, so in deference to his beliefs, they had bought some incense and holders and placed a picket fence of smoldering joss sticks around the edible panty. The incense also worked within Troy and Grandma's Buddhist tradition, and Lash pointed out during the ceremony that although they have their differences otherwise, all gods like a good-smellin' ho. â€Å"Amen!† said the Animals again. â€Å"And they're handy for lightin' firecrackers off of,† added Jeff as he bent over an incense stick and set a string cracking. â€Å"Hallelujah!† said the Animals. Each offered to share some kind of memory of Blue, but all of their stories quickly degenerated to orifices and squishiness, and no one wanted to go there in front of Troy's grandma, so instead they threw firecrackers at Clint while he read from the Twenty-third Psalm. Before they cracked the second case of beer, it was decided that after dark, three of them – Lash, Troy Lee, and Barry – would take Blue from Lash's apartment, load her into the back of Barry's station wagon, and take her out in the middle of the Bay in Barry's Zodiac. (Barry was the diver of the bunch, and had all the cool aquatic stuff. They'd used his spearguns to help take down the old vampire.) Lash braced himself as he opened the apartment door, but to his surprise, there was no smell. He led Barry and Troy into the bedroom, and together they wrestled the rolled-up rug out of the closet. â€Å"It's not heavy enough,† Barry said. â€Å"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit,† Troy said, trying furiously to unroll the rug. Finally Lash reached down, grabbed the edge of the rug, and whipped it up over his head. There was a thudding sound against the far wall, followed by the jingle of metal, like coins settling. The three Animals stood and stared. â€Å"What are those?† Asked Barry. â€Å"Earrings,† answered Troy. Indeed, there were seven earrings settling on the hardwood floor. â€Å"Not those. Those!† Barry nodded toward two clear, cantaloupe-sized, gelatinous lozenges that quivered on the floor like stranded jellyfish. Lash shivered. â€Å"I've seen them before. My brother used to work in a plant in Santa Barbara that made them.† â€Å"What the fuck are they?† Said Troy, squinting through a drunken haze. â€Å"Those are breast implants,† Lash said. â€Å"What are those wormy things?† asked Barry. There were two translucent sluglike blobs of something stuck to the rug near the edge. â€Å"Looks like window caulk,† said Lash. He noticed that there was a fine blue powder near the edge of the rug. He ran his hand over it, pinched some on his fingers, and sniffed it. Nothing. â€Å"Where'd she go?† asked Barry. â€Å"No idea,† said Lash. Chapter Twenty It's a Wonderful Life Gustavo Chavez had been born the seventh child of a brick maker in a small village in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. At eighteen he married a local girl, the daughter of a farmer, herself a seventh child, and at twenty, with his second child on the way, he crossed the border into the United States, where he lived with a cousin in Oakland, along with a score of other relatives, and worked grueling, twelve-hour days as a laborer, making enough to feed himself and send more money home to his family than he could possibly have made in his father's brickyard. He did this because it was the responsible and right thing to do, and because he had been raised a good Catholic man who, like his father, would provide for his family and no more than two or three mistresses. Each year, about a month before Christmas, he would sneak back across the border to celebrate Christmas with his family, meet any new children that might been born, and make love with his wife, Maria, until they were both so s ore it hurt to walk. In fact, the vision of Maria's inviting thighs would often begin haunting him around Halloween and the hapless night porter would find himself in a state of semiarousal as he swung his soapy mop, to and fro, across fifteen thousand square feet of linoleum every night. Tonight he was in the store alone, and he was feeling far from aroused, for it was Christmas night, and he could not go to mass or take Communion until he confessed. He was feeling deeply ashamed. Christmas night and he hadn't even called Maria – hadn't spoken to her for weeks, because like the rest of the Animals, he had gone to Las Vegas, and had given all his money to the blue whore. He had called, of course, after they'd first taken the vampire's art and sold it for so much money, but since then, his life had been a fog of tequila and marijuana and the evil attentions of the blue one. He, a good man, who cared for his family, had never hit his wife, had only cheated with a second cousin and never with a white woman, had been undone by the curse of the blue devil's pussy. La maldicin de la cocha del diablo azul. This is the saddest, loneliest Christmas ever, thought Gustavo as he dragged his mop past the canvas doors leading into the produce-department cooler. I am like the poor cabrn in that book The Pearl, where by simply trying to take advantage of some good fortune, I have lost all that I care about. Okay, I did get drunk for a week and my pearl was a blue whore who fucked the chimichangas out of me, but still, pretty sad. He thought these things in Spanish, so they sounded infinitely more tragic and romantic. Then there came a noise from the cooler, and he was startled for a second. He wrung out his mop, so as to be ready for anything. He didn't like being in the store by himself, but with the front windows broken out, someone had to be here, and because he was far from home, had nowhere else to go, and the union would see that he was paid double time, Gustavo had volunteered. Perhaps if he sent home a little extra, Maria might forget the hundred thousand dollars he'd promised. There, something was moving behind the plastic doors of the cooler, which were waving slightly. The stout Mexican crossed himself and backed out of the produce department, swinging his mop now in quick swaths, leaving barely a hint of dampness on the linoleum. He was by the dairy case now, and a stack of yogurts fell over inside the glass doors, as if someone had shoved them out of the way to look through. Gustavo dropped the mop and ran to the back of the store, saying a Hail Mary peppered with swearwords as he went, wondering if those were footsteps he heard behind him, or the echoes of his own footfalls resounding through the deserted store. Out the front door and away, he chanted in his head. Out the front door and away. He nearly fell rounding the turn at the meat case, his shoes still wet from the mop water. He caught himself on one hand and came up like a sprinter, while reaching back on his belt for his keys as he went. There were footfalls behind him – light, slapping – bare feet on linoleum, but fast, and close. He couldn't stop to unlock the door when he got there, he couldn't look back, he couldn't turn to look – a second of hesitation and he would be lost. He exhaled a long wail and ran right through a rack of candy and gum by the registers. He tumbled over the first register in an avalanche of candy bars and magazines, many of which displayed headlines like I MARRIED BIGFOOT, or SPACE ALIEN CULT TAKES OVER HOLLYWOOD, or vampires hunt our streets, and other such nonsense. Gustavo scrambled out of the pile and was crawling on his belly like a desert lizard scrambling to get across hot sand, when a heavy weight came down on his back, knocking the air out of him. He gasped, trying to get his breath, but something grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head backwards. He heard crackling noises in his ear, smelled something like rotten meat, and gagged. He saw the fluorescent lights, some canned hams, and a very happy cardboard elf making cookies as he was dragged down the aisle and through the doors into the dark back room of the deli like so much lunch meat. Feliz navidad. â€Å"Our first Christmas together,† Jody said, kissing him on the cheek – giving his butt a little squeeze through his pj bottoms. â€Å"Did you get me something cute?† â€Å"Hi, Mom,† Tommy said into the phone. â€Å"It's Tommy.† â€Å"Tommy. Sweetheart. We've been calling all day. It just rang and rang. I thought you were going to come home for Christmas.† â€Å"Well, you know, Mom, I'm in management at the store now. Responsibilities.† â€Å"Are you working hard enough?† â€Å"Oh yeah, Mom. I'm working ten – sixteen hours a day sometimes. Exhausted.† â€Å"Well good. And you have insurance?† â€Å"The best, Mom. The best. I'm nearly bulletproof.† â€Å"Well, I suppose that's good. You're not still working that horrible night shift, are you?† â€Å"Well, sort of. In the grocery business, that's where the money is.† â€Å"You need to get on the day shift. You're never going to meet a nice girl working those hours, son.† It was at this point, having heard Mother Flood's admonition, that Jody lifted her shirt and rubbed her bare breasts against him while batting her eyelashes coquettishly. â€Å"But I have met a nice girl, Mom. Her name is Jody. She's studying to be a nun – er, teacher. She helps the poor.† It was then that Jody pantsed him, then ran into the bedroom giggling. He caught himself on the counter to keep from tumbling over. â€Å"Whoa.† â€Å"What, son? What's the matter?† â€Å"Nothing, nothing, Mom. I just had a little eggnog with the guys and started to feel it.† â€Å"You're not on the drugs, are you, honey?† â€Å"No, no, no, nothing like that.† â€Å"Because your father has rehab benefits on you until you're twenty-one. We can have one of those interventions if you can find a cheap flight home. I know that Aunt Esther would love to see you, even if you are strung out on the crack.† â€Å"And I her, and I her, Mom. Look, I just called to say Merry Christmas, I'll let you – â€Å" â€Å"Wait, honey, your father wants to say hi.† † – go.† â€Å"Hey, Skeeter. Frisco turned you into an ass bandit yet?† â€Å"Hi, Dad. Merry Christmas.† â€Å"Glad you finally called. Your mother was worried sick about you.† â€Å"Well, you know, the grocery business.† â€Å"You working hard enough?† â€Å"Trying. They're cutting back on our OT – union will only let us work sixty hours a week.† â€Å"Well, as long as you're trying. How's that old Volvo running?† â€Å"Great. Like a top.† The Volvo had burned to the wheels his first day in the City. â€Å"Swiss sure can build some cars, can't they? Can't say much for those little red pocketknives they make, but sonsabitches can build a car.† â€Å"Swedes.† â€Å"Yeah, well, I love the little meatballs too. Look, kid, your mother's got me deep-frying a turkey out in the driveway. It's starting to smoke a little. I probably oughta should go check on it. Took an hour to get the oil up to speed – it's only about ten degrees here today.† â€Å"Yeah, it's a little chilly here, too.† â€Å"Looks like it's starting to catch the carport on fire a little. Better go.† â€Å"Okay. Love you, Dad.† â€Å"Call your mother more often, she worries. Holy cats, there goes the Oldsmobile. Bye, son.† A half hour later they were sipping coffee laced with William's blood when the doorbell rang again. â€Å"This is getting irritating,† Jody said. â€Å"Call your mom,† Tommy said. â€Å"I'll get it.† â€Å"We should get some sleeping pills – knock him out so he doesn't have to drink all that booze before we bleed him.† The doorbell rang again. â€Å"We just need to get him a key.† Tommy went to the console by the door and pushed the button. There was a buzz and the click of the lock at street level. The door opened – William coming in to settle on the stairs for the night. â€Å"I don't know how he sleeps on those steps.† â€Å"He doesn't sleep. He passes out,† said the undead redhead. â€Å"Do you think if we gave him peppermint schnapps the coffee would have a minty holiday flavor?† Tommy shrugged. He went to the door, threw it open, and called down. â€Å"William, you like peppermint schnapps?† William raised a grimy eyebrow, looking suspicious. â€Å"You got something against scotch?† â€Å"No, no, I don't want to mess up your discipline. I was just thinking of a more balanced diet. Food groups, you know.† â€Å"I had some soup and some beer today,† William said. â€Å"Okay then.† â€Å"Schnapps gives me mint farts. They scare the hell out of Chet.† Tommy turned to Jody and shook his head. â€Å"Sorry, no way, minty farts.† Then to William again: â€Å"Okay then, William. I gotta get back to the little woman. You need anything? Food, blanket, toothbrush, a damp towelette to freshen up?† â€Å"Nah, I'm good,† William said. He held up a fifth of Johnny Walker Black. â€Å"How's Chet doing?† â€Å"Stressed. We just found out our friend Sammy got murdered in the hotel on Eleventh.† Chet looked up the stairwell with sad kitty eyes, which he sort of always seemed to have since he'd been shaved. â€Å"Sorry to hear that,† Tommy said. â€Å"Yeah, on Christmas, too,† William said. â€Å"Hooker got killed across the street last night, same way. Neck was snapped. Sammy has been sick for a while, so he splurged on a room for the holiday. Fuckers killed him right there in bed. Just goes to show you.† Tommy had no idea what it went to show you. â€Å"Sad,† Tommy said. â€Å"So how come Chet's stressed but you're not?† â€Å"Chet doesn't drink.† â€Å"Of course. Well then, Merry Christmas to you guys.† â€Å"You, too,† said William, toasting with his bottle. â€Å"Any chance of a Christmas bonus, now that I'm a full-time employee?† â€Å"What'd you have in mind?† â€Å"I'd sure like a gander at Red's bare knockers.† Tommy turned to Jody, who was shaking her head, looking pretty determined. â€Å"Sorry,† Tommy said. â€Å"How about a new sweater for Chet?† William scowled. â€Å"You just can't bargain with The Man.† He took a drink from his bottle and turned away from Tommy as if he had something important to discuss with his huge shaved cat and couldn't be bothered with management. â€Å"Okay then,† Tommy said. He closed the door and returned to the counter. â€Å"I'm The Man,† he said with a big grin. â€Å"Your mom would be so proud,† Jody said. â€Å"We need to go see about Elijah.† â€Å"Not until you call your mom. Besides, he's waited this long, it's not like he's going anywhere.† Jody got up and came around the breakfast bar and took Tommy's hand. â€Å"Sweetie, I need you to play what William just said back in your mind, really slowly.† â€Å"I know, I'm The Man!† â€Å"No, the part about his friend being killed by a broken neck, and how he has been sick, and how someone else was killed the night before, also by broken neck. I'll bet she was sick, too. Sound like a pattern you've heard before?† â€Å"Oh my God,† Tommy said. â€Å"Uh-huh,† Jody said. She held his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. â€Å"I'll get my jacket while you fluff up your little brain for traveling, ‘kay?† â€Å"Oh my God, you'll do anything to get out of calling your mom.†