Changes to the United States from 1770-1870 Essay

The United States changed so many things from 1770 to 1870. The population increased drastically, from 2,148,100 in 1770 to 38,558,371 in 1870. The increase in population is caused by immigration of people to the US and slavery was another cause. Slavery and population had a big affect on the next 100 years of the United States history. The US also changed diversely with new innovations like roads, waterways, railroads, steam boats, and refrigerated railroad cars. A few new innovations that changed or improved from 1776 to 1870 are the roadways, waterways, railroads, steam boats, and refrigerated railroad cars. Roadways were an innovation that created a way for easier, and faster transportation. Waterways were also a way for transportation, to cut out a lot of land, and cut out time. Waterways are a faster way for trade and barter. Steam boats were what pioneers used to travel down the waterways to trade and sell goods. Railroads were still used for closer travel, with items that did not need to get there as fast as possible, because railroad cars do not move very fast, although the steam engine improved the speed of transportation also. The United States did make rather large changes over 100 years, from 1776 to 1870. It all started with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which lead to us fighting for our freedom. During this period of time the constitution was ratified, the Revolutionary war ends, and the Louisiana Purchase takes place. Factories advanced and cities were industrializing, and many different machines were invented that changed the way the industrial world worked. Women played an important role in the changes that were made in the US during this century. Women were not just the â€Å"stay at home and clean† women anymore, they were aloud to join the workforce and take on roles that before, only the men were aloud to have. The constitution was ratified during this time also. The United States changed in so many ways over a century. People grew in knowledge and ability to create these machines that changed the workforce. Factories were improved and the cities industrialized and caused many people to migrate to the US causing the population to increase drastically. Slavery had always been a big issue in the US, and it was decreased immensely, although the blacks were still segregated. The machines that were built innovated the way the people thought and created a new ball park for new innovators to create new things to keep the world moving forward.

Health Promotion in Realtion to a Midwife Essay

In 1946 the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined health as â€Å"a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity†. This definition integrates the main concepts of health and identifies that health can be viewed differently by individuals and groups (Bowden, 2006). Health and well-being are the result of a combination of physical, social, intellectual and emotional factors (Dunkley, 2000a). The concept of health promotion has emerged with the increasing realisation in society that our health is one of our most valuable personal assets, as well as an asset for society (Crafter, 1997). The Health Promotion Agency (2008) describes health promotion as a process enabling people to exert control over the determinants of health and thereby improve their health. Similarly, the WHO identifies that health promotion involves equipping people to have more power, enabling them to make choices in regard to improving their well-being (WHO, 1984). Ewles and Simnett (2003) determine from this that the fundamental elements of health promotion are improving health, empowerment and education. Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for infants and so is an important topic in the context of health promotion (Dearling, 1999). Health promotion is not an extended role of the midwife but a core competency. In its Code of Professional Conduct (2008), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) outlines the role of the midwife to include supporting people in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their health. Midwives must work with others to protect and promote the health and well-being of those in their care (NMC, 2008). Midwives meet and influence individual women and their families on a day-to-day basis, and can make real differences to how those people deal with health issues during their childbearing years and beyond (Crafter, 1997). Davis (2002) points out that every interaction with a woman is an opportunity to improve long-term health as midwives are trusted as authoritative figures in the delivery of health promotion. The Royal College of Midwives’ â€Å"Vision 2000† describes the midwife as a public health practitioner, and relevant models and approaches can enhance the way that midwives deliver care. A health promotion approach can be described as the vehicle used to achieve the desired aim (Dunkley-Bent, 2004). Ewles and Simnett (2003) suggest that health promotion is commonly characterised as having five different approaches: the medical approach; the behaviour change approach; the educational approach; the empowerment approach; and the societal change approach. A summary of these approaches can be found in Appendix One. A model of health promotion seeks to represent reality and demonstrates how these different approaches connect in practice (Dearling, 1999). This assignment applies Beatties (1991) model of health promotion to breastfeeding; analyses the challenges midwives may encounter when promoting breastfeeding and evaluates the effectiveness of the midwife in promoting breastfeeding. Beattie’s (1991) model is appropriate as it provides a structured framework to guide, map and contextualise health promotion intervention related to breastfeeding (Seedhouse, 2003). Beattie’s (1991) model has two dimensions; â€Å"mode of intervention† and â€Å"focus of intervention†. The â€Å"mode of intervention† ranges from authoritative which is top-down and expert-led; to negotiated, which is bottom-up and values individuals autonomy. The â€Å"focus of intervention† ranges from a focus on the individual to a focus on the collective. The model uses these dimensions to generate four strategies for health promotion – health persuasion technique, legislative action, personal counselling and community development (Tonnes and Tilford, 2001). The health persuasion technique utilises the medical and educational approaches to inform women of the research-based health benefits of breastfeeding. This intervention is top-down, directed at individual women and led by midwives as health experts (Perkins et al, 1999). It relies on persuasive tactics to ensure compliance. Being medical-based, it aims to reduce morbidity and reduce premature mortality and is conceptualised around the absence of disease. As midwives do not regard pregnancy and child-birth as states of ill-health, its validity in midwifery care must be questioned (Dunkley, 2000a). The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented (Appendix Two), however difficulties arise in making this information relevant and personal to each woman. Often, simply giving women ‘information’ makes little difference to them (Dunkley, 2000b). Positive messages about breastfeeding should be evident in the midwife’s practice room (Ewles and Simnett, 2003). Literature and posters that promote breastfeeding can be prominently displayed. All magazines and literature in the waiting room can be examined to ensure that there are no unwanted advertisements or promotions of formula. Health persuasion is based on an assumption that women make rational, conscious decisions about how to feed in response to factual health-related information (Crafter, 2002). Personal attitudes will affect the woman’s decision more than anything; and changing beliefs, values and attitudes is difficult and requires more time, resources and dedication than most midwives have due to over-load of work (Crafter, 1997). Naidoo and Wills (2000) identify four stages in the behaviour-change process, and these can apply to choosing to breastfeed. First, the woman must understand the benefits, accept the relevance of this information to her situation, weigh up the benefits and disadvantages for herself, and finally make her decision on how to feed. Women are advised that if they breastfeed their health and that of their baby will benefit (Piper, 2005). If a woman chooses not to breastfeed, she may experience guilt feelings and start to avoid the midwife, or not share future issues of concern because she is reluctant to receive advice which is inconsistent with her own beliefs and ideas (Battersby, 2000). Non-judgmental support of breastfeeding rather than loaded advice-giving may be more appropriate as it is unethical for the midwife to coerce and persuade women into breastfeeding (Cribb and Duncan, 2002). It is not the role of the midwife to persuade, but to inform (Davis, 2002). The health persuasion technique may be useful in the short-term to raise awareness, but it is unlikely to be effective in itself as it is not enough to simply tell women why breast is best and expect them to choose to breastfeed (Entwistle et al, 2007). There is no opportunity for women to ask questions, follow long conversations or direct the dialogue to areas where they need knowledge (Dunkley, 2000a). Language barriers may also arise, midwives and women may not share the same first language, or women may not understand the medical terms related to the health benefits of breastfeeding (Bright, 1997). Health persuasion can increase the feeling of powerlessness in women; the total opposite of empowerment, which is the core principle of midwifery practice (Royal College of Midwives, 2000). Legislative action attempts to promote breastfeeding at a national level, therefore incorporating the societal-change approach. This is a benevolent, top-down intervention led by professionals in the role of â€Å"custodians† in knowing what will improve the nations’ health (Dunkley, 2000). Legislative action involves making environmental, social and economic changes by policy planning, political action and widespread collaboration with decision makers (Ewles and Simnett, 2003). The Breastfeeding Strategy Group for Northern Ireland was established by the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) in 1997 as a result of legislative action to try and improve breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland. The Innocenti declaration (WHO/UNICEF, 1990) and the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative provide a national framework for best practice to support breastfeeding in maternity units and other healthcare facilities nationwide. Although not based on the actions of individual midwives, midwives can utilise this aspect of health promotion by lobbying power holders through their professional organisations and specialist forums, such as the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (AIMS) (Crafter, 2002). These organisations can align themselves together to address issues such as facilities for breastfeeding in public places, marketing of breastfeeding substitutes and improving maternity leave. Legislative action is an effective long-term way of promoting breastfeeding by making breastfeeding socially acceptable and the natural choice for women, thereby positively influencing the concept of breastfeeding within society (Bowden and Manning, 2006). Midwives can help develop strategies for intervention, act as advocates, promote the health of women indirectly and achieve collective improved breastfeeding rates at a level removed from individual interaction (Bowden and Manning, 2006). However, as Acts of Parliament use utilitarian principles they are unlikely to meet equally the needs of everyone (Cribb and Duncan, 2002). Midwives are also faced with a challenge in that the Government is setting targets to be met, which in a way dictates the information to be provided to women (Seedhouse, 2003). Legislative action takes time to achieve its aims, and can be an expensive form of health promotion (Bright, 1997). Community development uses the empowerment approach to enhance breastfeeding support among local communities and bring about local changes relating to breastfeeding facilities. Examples of community development include breastfeeding support groups and Sure Start Initiatives. Peer support in breastfeeding support groups has been found to be more effective in health promotion than the influence of health professionals (Barrowclough, 1997). Midwives can inform women of local groups and initiatives available to them (Barrowclough, 1997). Many women have to sit on public toilet seats or in inappropriate rooms to breastfeed their baby as restaurant proprieters and clientele are often intolerant of breastfeeding. Support groups offer women a comfortable, welcoming place to breastfeed their babies and can campaign locally to change negative attitudes towards breastfeeding (Barrowclough, 1997). Empowering community groups generates norms and social support which will reinforce breastfeeding. The nature of community development encourages autonomy, responsibility and interdependence rather than dependence on a more prescriptive form of care (Piper, 2005). Community development meets women’s needs for emotional and practical care that midwives may be unable to provide due to lack of time, and increases information and support available to breastfeeding mothers (Dunkley-Bent, 2004). Community development can also empower women to determine wider health needs and challenge medical and midwifery services through service user focus groups and participating in patient panels (Dunkley-Bent, 2004). Limitations to community development include lack of government funding for local initiatives, which can be improved through campaigning to raise awareness. Support groups are commonly only accessible to a select group of women, and it is up to midwives to ensure they work to deliver information that reaches all women in their care (Dunkley, 2000a). Midwives are ideally situated to help develop community support networks alongside women and their families (Piper, 2005). Personal counselling involves the empowerment and educationalist approaches. It is a process of active listening and reflection to empower women, based on their current knowledge and behaviour, to become more capable of making genuine informed choices (Dunkley, 2000b) The midwife’s role within this process is purely as a facilitator and enabler rather than an expert, offering guidance and support (Dunkley, 2000b). Being listened to makes individuals feel as though they have some control in planning their lives (Crafter, 2000). Rather than telling women what to do, midwives work with them to identify their needs and empower them to have the skills and confidence to breastfeed (Bright, 1997). Specialised lactation midwives can offer personal counselling if they are available, but in general midwives may have insufficient time to utilise opportunities for personal counselling in the postnatal ward or when women have been discharged back out into the community (RCM, 2002). Discussing the details of skin-to-skin contact and the importance of the first feed antenatally can encourage women to try breastfeeding (RCM, 2002). Many midwives draw on their own experience to support breastfeeding, and while this can sometimes assist good practice, it can cause difficulties as where women report neutral or negative breastfeeding messages, breastfeeding initiation can be affected (Entwistle et al, 2007). If a woman has been given the message that she is worth listening to, and is trusted to make the right decision, she will feel more confident and empowered to breastfeed (RCM, 2000). Time spent helping to establish correct attachment and positioning of the baby at the breast will in the long-term minimise continued dependence on midwifery care (Dunkley-Bent, 2004). An empowered woman would be able to participate more fully in community development, and could help promote breastfeeding by sharing her own positive experience with peers and relatives (Entwistle et al, 2007). The success of this approach is determined by a number of factors including good communication (Crafter, 2002), which can only be achieved with adequate time (Dunkley, 2000b) and the midwife’s personal attitude towards breastfeeding (Entwistle et al, 2007). Antenatal support, good hospital management and subsequent postnatal community visits are all-important components of breast-feeding promotion. Antenatal education and encouragement increases breast-feeding rates and identifies potential problem areas (Barrowclough, 1997). Hospital practices should focus on skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, early and frequent breast-feeding, skilled support and avoidance of artificial nipples, pacifiers and formula (UNICEF, 2000). Postnatal visits should not be rushed and should include information on support groups available locally. Witnessed breast-feeding is an important part of follow-up because many breastfeeding problems are caused by improper latch-on or positioning that can be detected and corrected (RCM, 2002). Health promotion is an integral part of the midwife’s practice (NMC, 2008). The advantage of using Beattie’s (1991) model in promoting breastfeeding is that it allows midwives to question what actions are really useful in reaching and impacting on women. Beattie’s model helps midwives to review their own actions and critically analyse current methods of promoting breastfeeding (Dunkley-Bent, 2004). Breastfeeding promotion activities must cross each of the four strategies identified within the model if they are to be effective (Piper 2005). Crafter (1997) identifies challenges to implementing these strategies effectively within midwifery practice including time constraints, personal attitudes, inconsistent advice and lack of resources. Midwives must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to participate confidently in the management and promotion of breastfeeding, and thus empower women to breastfeed their babies successfully (Bowden, 2006). An awareness of the wider cultural influences and attitudes to breastfeeding can help midwives to implement effective health promotion strategies (Dunkley, 2000b).

Operations Management at Rolls Royce

Automobile sector is one of the most competitive and technological driven sector of the world, taking an advantage edge on Innovation and technology the automobile companies such as Ford, Honda, BMW etc. have successfully implemented these changes into its product as well process and introduced differentiated product in the market. To remain competitive, it is important for the organization to focus on its operations and supply management with which they are able to achieve competitive advantage over the other company. The CEO of Rolls Royce has strongly focused on enhancing the operations management in 2006 so as improve on its production. Facilities: In 2006, the company commenced its operations at Derby, Hucknall, Barnoldswick and Bristol. These facilities are equipped with the modern working facilities along with the old repair and overhaul workforce in Montreal. With this the operations and the productivity of the company will improve which will help the company is producing more effective cars in 2007. Inventory: The inventory of the company was increased in 2006 because of the growth and demand of the products. The company needed raw material to build the end product . The inventory is also expected to increase further in 2007 which will help in improving on the productivity of the company. For this it is important for the company to manage its working capital adequately. Information: The company enhanced on technology as well as learning in 2006. The company used its process excellence programme so as to continue to improve on its quality and production. With this the company was able to improve on its quality by 20% in 2006 as compared with 2005. Read also Exam Operations Management With this the company will be able to further enhance quality and productivity of the company. The company also implemented and standardised ERP system to its unit in Europe, this is going to expand to the other units as well in 2007 which will help in improving the operations of the company. The company will be implementing its remaining IT ERP across its facilities which will help in enhancing its global supply chain management. Sourcing: With a strong focus on building supply chain management, the company is able to improve on its sourcing and having low cost production. With the enhancement in the supply chain the company will be able to further improve on its supply chain, operations and cost. Pricing: Even with the increase in the prices of the fuel and some metals, the company has aligned its operations and activities with such a way that it has been able to focus on reducing the overall cost of overhead as well as value activities. The company also increased the number of employees so as to increase the productivity of the company. Even despite of all these measure, the per unit cost of the product is expected to increase in 2007 which might affect the sales of the company.

Information Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Information Systems - Essay Example This may mean that there will be some adjustment to prioritizing incoming messages. Nurses will be expected to be more efficient in the way they manage their time, so it is important that this is part of their training too as the technology becomes more universal. 2. IT should be used not just to automate repetitive tasks and ease communications. It should also be used to re-engineer in-efficient administrative and managerial processes with the focus on quality of life for personnel and the well being of patients. The advantage of a WLAN over a LAN is that medical staff do not have to be fixed at a desk to view, modify and evaluate information. It should be accessible as soon as it has been input. If the WLAN is being used for data entry then there will be a time saving. Medical staff could benefit by sharing knowledge, to improve their personal skills and to add to the organization's knowledge.

Personal Development Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Personal Development Plan - Essay Example In an investigation to identify the effects of culture shock on minority students, Ostrove and Long (2007) and Greenfield (1994) found out that culture shock negatively affects academic performance of the students. The research focused on the black students who were the first generation students. Similarly, Grossmann and Varnum (2011) considered college to be an alien planet where young people from both poor and middle class families are the first to attend college.   Consequently, the social atmosphere results to culture shock on the black students from the said backgrounds, and it influences their adjustment to college.   Inherently, the new social atmosphere also has direct effects on ones personality.   The difference between the social class between the first generation students and the continuing generation is also believed to influence academic performance (Phinney and Haas, 2003).  Induction experience and points for improvement  When I was inducted in Wolverhampton College, I found out that the social atmosphere was quite different from my former university, in America where I studied my undergraduate degree. Firstly as a student I came to know communication between the campus people in Britain was a lot. The university pushed students to talk to each other and develop friendship which gave me a sense of belongingness as soon as I started my program here. Secondly, I came to the university with the notion that it was a very serious institution of learning. Another significant transformation that I was forced to go.... The research focused on the black students who were the first generation students. Similarly, Grossmann and Varnum (2011) considered college to be an alien planet where young people from both poor and middle class families are the first to attend college. Consequently, the social atmosphere results to culture shock on the black students from the said backgrounds, and it influences their adjustment to college. Inherently, the new social atmosphere also has direct effects on ones personality. The difference between the social class between the first generation students and the continuing generation is also believed to influence academic performance (Phinney and Haas, 2003). Induction experience and points for improvement When I was inducted in Wolverhampton College, I found out that the social atmosphere was quite different from my former university, in America where I studied my undergraduate degree. Firstly as a student I came to know  communication between the campus people  in Britain was a lot. The university pushed students to talk to each other and develop friendship which gave me a sense of belongingness as soon as I started my program here. Secondly, I came to the university with the notion that it was a very serious institution of learning. To my disappointment I found out that most the university students preferred partying more than studying. Unfortunately, trying to beat this will only make one to lose friends, and consequently, one has to manage to cope with such a situation. Subsequently, due to time consumed in partying and actually, to adapt to these changes my overall performance was actually affected in by first year in

Altered and disordered physiology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Altered and disordered physiology - Essay Example If the secretion is not proper such as hyper secretion [increase in secretion], or hyposecretion [decrease in secretion] might resuly in growth disorders. The secretion is classified as hyper secretion and hypo secretion depending on the amount of hormones secreted. The results ends in affceting the growth. For example hyper secretion reults in gigantism in chidren, and acromegaly in adults. Hypo secretion of hormones happens in glands like piptutory gland , the disordered secretion results in dwarfism during childhood, and also reduses long bone growth. The disorder in pancreas leads to diabetes insipidus. Etc. Tradionally scientisits classified the endocrine disorders into hyper and hypo secretion according to the imbalance in hormones and glands secretion and disorders into primary and secondary disorders. The thyroid glands has the disorder of hyothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Similarly the insulin secretion resuots in primary and secondary diabets level. The primary hyperthyroiism results in a stage where excess of parathyroid But now a days with the advent of molecular biology the classifaction that was insisted based on hyper and hypo secretion of glands and hormones seem to be inappropriate as the scientists review the endocrine secretion in terms of the genes that is present in the cells. This method helps in the detailed analysis of the glands with the help of the characteisitcs of the particular gene. Molecular biologists discovered the mehanism of the chromosomes pairng and seperation that helped them in understaning what are the techniques that could be appointed to review the genes. To be more precise the invention of DNA helix, the gene expression was understood clearly and this included the protein synthesis also. So the molecular biology helps a lot in understanding the pattern of the secretion with the help of the DNA in the chromosomes. Wikiepedia [2006] says that â€Å"Molecular biology chiefly

Liability & Negligence Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Liability & Negligence - Case Study Example There are various reasons why the entities mentioned above can be found liable for the pilot’s accident. The manufacturer of the aircraft would have been found liable for the pilot’s accident under the strict liability act. Liability can be imposed on the manufacturer of the Cessna 337 without finding a fault such as negligence. In this case, the pilot who now becomes a claimant needs to prove that n accident occurred and that the aircrafts manufacturer was responsible. The law can impute strict liability in a situation like this, which can be considered dangerous (Edward, 2009). The manufacturer will be liable for the accident if he did not discourage the pilot against reckless behavior, which led to the accident. No matter how good the aircraft is, in a case of an accident like this, the manufacturer of the aircraft can be held liable. This is because; the pilot can accuse the manufacturer of a faulty product in case of product liability (Bernhard, 2012). The pilot however does not need to prove that the aircraft was faulty. In this case, strict liability will make the manufacturer of the Cessna 337 liable for the pilot’s accident. The manufacturer can also be liable for the pilot’s accident as a result of negligence. If the manufacturer did not provide enough warnings of the dangers of the flight, he will be held liable for the accident. The manufacturer is also liable for the pilot’s accident because he could have taken the flight for a test to ensure that it was in good condition. The pilot will be found liable for his accident due to various reasons. The main reason why he will be liable for his accident is negligence. In the presented case, the pilot has shown negligence in various issues. First, he decided to fly the aircraft when it did not have enough fuel. The pilot can also be considered to be negligent because he flew the flight when he was not comfortable with the night conditions. The pilot can also be sued for negligence because of

Commissioner Of Internal Revenue Research Paper

Commissioner Of Internal Revenue - Research Paper Example Conducting the event in a tournament setting did not transform the poker activity into something other than wagering. Further, the act of betting is intrinsic to poker, regardless of whether it occurs in tournament poker or "live action" poker. Finally, the taxpayer's argument that tournament poker should be treated the same way as sports such as golf or tennis was rejected. Congress's decision to draw clear distinctions can mainly be viewed as a reasonable form of setting out the distinction without violating due process or equal protection. At trial, petitioners concurred that Mr. Tschetschot was not a professional gambler but argued that Mrs. Tschetschots professional tournament poker playing is not gambling and thus not subject to the limitations of section 165(d) on losses from gambling. The Internal Revenue Code (IRC), as cited fromen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Revenue_Code is the domestic portion of federal statutory tax law in the United States, published in various volumes of the United States Statutes at Large, and separately as Title 26 of the United States Code (USC).It is organized topically, into subtitles and sections, covering various types of taxes as well as procedure and administration. Its implementing agency is the Internal Revenue Service. In reference to the Black’s law dictionary, gaming is defined as the act or practice of playing games for stakes or wagers; gambling; the playing at any game of hazard (re Stewart (D. C.) 21 Fed. 398). (2) An agreement between two or more persons to play together at a game of chance for a stake or wager which is to become the property of the winner, and to which all contribute(People v.Todd, 51 Hun, 440, 4 N. Y. Supp. 25;)

Future career Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Future career - Essay Example important especially if one has to deal with a large number of people everyday who belong from different cultural backgrounds, as in the field of fashion designing. Fashion designing is a business which deals with international clients which explains why English-speaking employees are more readily hired (Romano). Mastering the English language skills in fashion designing is also important because not everyone can necessarily understand a particular language other than the globally recognized language, which is why English is known now as the language of business (English in international business). Hence many ideas introduced by a fashion designer remain unappreciated and misunderstood, if he or she happens to remain unable to attach credible reasons to those creative fashion ideas with the help of good English language skills. English language can help one in adding coherence to his or her ideas (Sanchez). On my part, I intend to use English language skills in my job when communicat ing with my supervisors or customers and more importantly, when introducing my innovative ideas to the common public by way of advertisement in simple English which could be understood by

The New Jim Crow Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The New Jim Crow - Essay Example Any statement that doesn’t concide with what it implies is hypocrisy even if it is in the form of a law. A law not implemented sincerely and judiciously is self negating. Spare the rod and spoil the child is not valid today as the contrary is more likely to spoil the child. This is in fact what is happening in our society today. Our laws target to prevent the crime and through a vicious circle of incarceration end up in promoting it simply because of the real focus being upon segregation of those whom we don’t want to be in the mainsream of our society. How incarceration can be counter effective and promote discrimination is the point to ponder upon. This was the point that flashed across the mind of Michelle Alexander, an associate professor at the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University, while he happened to quickly glance at a roadside bill reading, "The Drug War is the New Jim Crow." His reaction to this poster, in his own words was, "Yeah, the criminal-justi ce system is racist in many ways, but making such an absurd comparison doesn't help. People will just think you're crazy." (Alexander) Right as he was, this thought required thorough probe and research to establish what he thought was a fact. He did so and after a lapse of good enough time delivered an illuminating speech at Constitution Day, during an event hosted by the Constitution Project and the Georgetown Center on National Security. He stated conclusively, â€Å"the system of mass incarceration is now immunized from judicial scrutiny for racial bias, much as slavery and Jim Crow laws were once protected from constitutional challenge.† Jim Crow is iconic for laws pertaining to discrimination. In the early days of our history such laws were proclaimed openly like Fugitive Slave Act of 1793. It was a pro-slavery clause in the U. S. Constitution and provided that, â€Å"persons held in service of labour in one state, escaping into another ... shall be delivered up on clai m of the party to whom such service of labor may be due."  (Ronald and Davis) Further to it â€Å"Those who refused could be fined and jailed. Slave catchers were paid a bounty for each slave captured.† (Ronald and Davis). We do not have such harsh laws today because now we are better equipped with the use of legal terms to express our illicit thoughts. Discrimination of colour and creed, not pronounced though, is embedded in the subconscious of our society and those at the helms of legal affairs do not spare any opportunity to imprison and reimprison the ‘defaulters of color or creed’on one or the other pretext. Crux of the thinking is that we want to keep some of the society, away from society on pretence of some legal ground, mostly prompted by political motives. Living in a truly free society, the black and white feel attracted towards one another like the opposite poles well known for their intrinsic affinity, when however constrained to live together they act like similar poles and tend to repel one another. Imprisonment has been a favourite mode of punishment in the history of law. The stated objectives of imprisonment are to punish the criminals followed by their training and education to reintroduce them in the society as useful and respectable citizens. Facts that come in light through research do not approve the realization of these objectives, for example statistics show that most of the persons once charged and imprisoned are charged and

Analysis of the marketing promotion of the Beverage Company Coca-Cola Essay

Analysis of the marketing promotion of the Beverage Company Coca-Cola worldwide - Essay Example From this research it is clear that the design and the implementation of a marketing strategy is a challenging task. Communication should be regarded as a priority in any successful marketing policy. Towards this direction, Moore supported that â€Å"what is strategic in the communication is not that it is designed to be manipulative, but instead that it is designed to advance particular policies or organizational strategies by making them comprehensible and by enlisting the support and cooperation of those who must work together to produce the intended result†. On the other hand, the professionals in the relevant area should have specific competencies in order to achieve the required targets. In accordance with a statement of Thomas, presented in Lewis et al. â€Å"we [the marketing profession] must recognise that, in addition to high standards of objectivity, integrity and technical competence, we must, in responding to the changing environment, demonstrate that we can and will serve society in general; this requires a clear and articulate demonstration of our ability to be relevant in the political sense†¦if we remain tied to the forces of manipulation and hype, if we are seen merely to be servants of our capitalist masters, we will remain marginal and untrustworthy†. The success of a marketing strategy of any firm around the world is highly depended on the competencies of its managers dealing with the specific sector.

Some Good Marketing Funda Essay Example for Free

Some Good Marketing Funda Essay Some good marketing Funda! you can find much more at the link provided in the end.. Do read.. Marketing GD me mast points hai bolneko! When we think of marketing, we often think of Marketings efforts to acquire customers. The world, however, is moving toward relationship-based business, including subscription services and subscription commerce—but also most other business. Consider consumer packaged goods companies that used to have no direct relationship with customers, who bought in box stores. Many CPG companies are now using online and social mediums to build direct relationships with their customers. In this world, customer retention is just as important as customer acquisition. So how do the 7 Ps of marketing apply to customer retention marketing? 1. People are the most important. Retaining customers is about building relationships, and relationships are about people. Treat your customer as a person, and not a customer; start by hiring people who show they care about others. Compare how you behave driving in rush-hour traffic with how you drive down your own street past your neighbors. When you know you will see people again, or if you want to see them again, you treat them better. The whole company needs to care about customers and customer retention, and one executive must be responsible to ensure thats so—hence the rise of the chief customer officer. 2. Product is a very close second in importance to People. If your product is off, you will have a difficult time with the rest of the Ps. However, if the product is on target, you will accomplish the rest of the Ps much more easily. When designing your product or service for maximum customer retention, provide quick time to value, continued value over time, and high quality (those are what Apple does so well). Sometimes there is another P: Packaging. I include packaging as part of the product (or service), and the key to it is polish. 3. Place obviously matters when you are figuring out where to put your physical store, but what about when youre online? Does it matter there? Yes. If I am looking to communicate with my customer and offer them an upsell, I could send them an email or message them right while they are shopping, browsing, or working on my site. The first communication is out of context and has a low chance of response. The second is in context and has a higher likelihood of response. â€Å"Place† is context, and context matters. 4. Price. In any good relationship, people take care of each other. That is now the expectation in the customer-business relationship as well. Our customers assume that we will look after them. That is what they pay us to do. In an e-commerce business, that sort of relationship means providing deals for our recurring customers. In a subscription business, that means rolling new features (some, not all) into the service, over time, without charging more. 5. Promotion. How should you promote your product or service to customers to retain them, upsell to them and keep them for the long haul? Quite differently from how you promote to a prospective customer. Why? Because the person is your customer. You know, or should know, him or her. You know what the customer bought from you or how he or she uses your service. You can use that information to message customers in a more targeted, appropriate, helpful, and effective way. Dont spam them with the same generic info you send to everyone else. Send them targeted emails and in-context messages. 6. Processes. To succeed in all of the previous Ps, and for this success to be more than a one-time fluke, you need good processes, such as monitoring social media and engaging customers there, surveying customers for satisfaction, and implementing marketing automation. My company uses its own customer engagement solution to understand how each customer is engaging with the business. We look for positive or negative patterns and respond accordingly, sometimes by person or email but often right in our application with a targeted message based on behavior. 7. Positioning. If you want to retain your customers, you have to know who you are and communicate that clearly and repeatedly to them so they know who you are as well. Foremost, however, is this: Your actions must communicate your positioning. Those actions are showcased in the people you hire, the product you ship or service you deliver, the price you charge and the discounts you provide, the place and promotions you choose, and the processes you put in place. Combined, your words and actions say This is who we are and what you can expect of us. By acting on the 7 Ps of Customer Retention Marketing, you can keep your customers; make their interactions with your business successful; and in so doing make your business more successful.

Human resource management and Employee Voice

Human resource management and Employee Voice Employee Voice Ensures Effective Performance Introduction Talking from the perspective of Human Resource Management (HRM), Employee Voice (EV) signifies the involvement of employees in organizational decision making. EV is an offshoot of the Participative Management Model which aims at achieving corporate goals through management-employee harmony. The chief ingredients of EV are Employee Participation and Employee Involvement. From the works of many management scholars it has been observed that though EV is a growing management concept, it has to go a long way before being universally accepted as a management practice. According to a research report, very few managers consider EV from the viewpoint of collective representation, though many are of the opinion that it contributes towards organisational performance (CIPD, 2001 P. 19). The concept is based on collective decision making by management and employees. Though its very difficult to implement this idea in a bureaucratic structure, a participative management can very well adopt it provided it is open to the idea of sharing decision making status with subordinates. In the course of this report I will try to justify the premise whether Employee Voice is a prerequisite to ensure effective performance of employees as well as that of organisations. Definition of Employee Voice Though it doesnt have any formal definition, Employee Voice has been explained in different ways by various scholars. While some of them have opined that it is a collection of employee activities that intend to forcefully modify the management policies and practices, others have suggested that it is a voluntary expression of employees ideas that aim at influencing organisational activities (Greenberg Edwards, 2009 P. 25-26). As has been conceptualised by some managers, EV may be defined as enhanced employee communications that facilitates exchange of opinions and ideas and upward problem-solving through collective representation and commitment (CIPD, 2001 P. 20). Purposes of Employee Voice The general purposes that Employee Voice serves in an organisation are as the following:  § Expression of employee dissatisfaction. This helps in solving problems with the management and also helps in maintain good relations.  § Collective expression helps in providing management with countervailing power.  § Employees contribute to the decision making process thereby make their requirements clear to the management.  § Mutual harmony is harnessed through EV. This in turn secures viability of the employees as well as the organisation (Armstrong, 2006 P. 808). From the purposes mentioned above, it is clear that EV contributes towards the overall growth of the organisation and also helps in enhancing its development in terms of work environment, quality and, above all, productivity. Owing to these facts, EV should be patronised by the management and it should also be ensured that employees feel free to voluntarily express their ideas and expectations on a regular basis. The management should also take measures to put the information generated from EV to the best use of the organisation in order to develop it on a regular basis. Classification of Employee Voice Employee Voice has immense corporate significance from the perspective of Industrial Democracy (ID) (Hyman Mason, 1995 P. 1-2). Generally, EV stems into two organizational phenomena Employee Participation (EP) and Employee Involvement (EI). Employee Participation Employee Participation can be conceptualised as the management initiatives which attract the employees to participate voluntarily in organisational activities through various awards and rewards. EP is manifested in the following ways: Employee Ownership Through various schemes, employees can hold shares of the organization and thus enjoy the usual rights of a shareholder (Lee, 1991 P. 2-5). This enhances the mutual responsibilities of both the organization and employees. On account of being shareholders, employees perform optimally towards greater scales of organisational success as that would reflect in their individual value as well. â€Å"ESOPs in the U.S. and U.K. are frequently cited as having a triad of objectives: to broaden the ownership base, stimulate investment and improve performance† (Lee, 1991 P. 4). Profit Sharing This is generally done in the form of payment of bonus in proportion to the organizations annual profit. This is a form of employee incentive which intends to enhance employees commitment (Lee, 1991 P. 5-6). Employee Involvement As the name suggests, the objective of Employee Involvement is to involve employees to a greater extent in the administrative activities of the organization. This helps in empowering the employees and also enlightens them to understand the corporate policies and activities in a better light. EI facilitates the psychological divide between employer and employees and endows the latter with some degree of decision making capacity. It has two major benefits firstly, through empowerment and decentralization the management is relieved of some portion of its administrative responsibilities and secondly, on being empowered the employees responsibility for organizational success increases and so does their accountability and commitment. EI also helps in uplifting employee morale and job satisfaction. Thus it enhances performance (Schafer Economic Policy Institute, 1996 P. 126-128). Workers Participation in Decision Making This is a self explanatory method of Employee Involvement in which a decentralised and participative management seeks employees contribution towards organizational decision making. It increases transparency and also enables both the employer and employees to identify and respect their mutual expectations. The objectives of EI are manifested through Quality Circles, Production Teams, Employee Directorship and Workers Council (Lee, 1991 P. 7). Employees Perception of Voice Employees generally feel threatened by a common notion that the management uses them as mere resources without any concern for their personal enrichment. They are also driven by the fear of losing their jobs. It is irrespective of the size and nature of the organisation, that employees are worried about job security and career development. EV gives the employees a common platform for uniting and conveying their views. Hence, employees primarily perceive EV as a mode of expression which helps them in sending across their message to the management. Managements View towards Employee Voice Though Employee Voice has been conceptualised through the works of various management authors, it is yet to gain global importance. The success of EV depends to a great extent on the management style (Dundon Rollinson, 2004 P. 57). Managements openness towards accepting EV as a developmental tool is crucial in shaping its outcomes. If and only if management encourages employees to voice their opinions and fosters a feeling of interdependence, the employees can express their ideas. The managers should also utilize the voice mechanisms in order to making their decision making easier. It is apparent that unless a proper participative management model is implemented in an organization, it is difficult for the managers to fully appreciate the importance of EV. It can come into being only when a company works towards achieving industrial democracy (Boxall, Boxall, Purcell Wright, 2007 P. 231-233). United We Stand, Divided We Fall This is the fundamental paradigm behind Employee Voice. The management should brace itself to decentralise power and control and should take employees ideas into serious consideration because the latters contribution toward organisational throughput is immense. Owing to fact that employees are invaluable resources, it is just to empower them so that they may provide the management with finer ingredients to enhance performance. It has been largely suggested that healthy labour relations plays an important role in shaping organisational productivity (Pfeffer, 1998 P. 228). Participative management has been proven to be the healthiest of management styles owing to the fact that it though employee empowerment, it enhances the speed of communication and thus other organisational processes are also enhanced proportionally. Employee Voice and Organizational Performance Generally, lack of proper communication leads to organisational conflicts. Employee Voice helps in bettering employer-employee relationship through information flow. It has been observed that though different measures of Employee Participation and Employee Involvement are necessary for organisational performance, management employee interrelationship plays an equally important role in enhancing job satisfaction and hence in enhancing organisational productivity (Brown Heywood, 2002 P. 103). In the context of EV, we may also analyse the psychological contracts that are involved with employment. Management employee interrelationships are largely based upon exchange of services and compensation. This often leads the employees psyche to be uncooperative with the managements growth strategies. The situation can be made favourable through a synergistic relationship that will exist in a wider â€Å"zone of negotiability† (Anderson, Ones, Sinangil Viswesvaran, 2002 P. 133-136). Though EV ensures better performance, the management must take proper initiatives in order to make it a sustainable trend. We should appreciate EV as a collective manifestation of good management practices, industrial democracy and employee unity. The management should introduce self management training modules for the employees. Training and education helps in developing the value system and perceptions of individuals. The voice of developed employees will be in sync with that of the management in issues related to organisational development and profitability, or at least they wont feel alienated and exploited during such discussions (Smither London, 2009 P. 377-379). Since 1980s, employee relationships have undergone a lot of change in the U.K. mostly there have been emphasis on non-union employee representation (NER) and partnership. These have also been developments whereby the management has to inform the employees in regular intervals matters pertaining to organizational performance as well as strategic planning (Gollan, 2005 P. 238-239). It is worth noting that high performance comes with high levels of commitment. The same concept also applies to employees. Highly motivated and committed employees tend to identify with the organisation and hence perform optimally. It goes beyond saying that enhanced commitment is a result of employee satisfaction. Thus, a goal oriented organisation should continually try to empower its employees through various ways patronising EV being one of them (Beer, 2009 P.276). Another study shows that unionised employees show lesser trends of attrition. EV imparts a sense of collective security to the employees and thus management faces lesser problems regarding their retention (Barrett Mayson, 2008 P. 468). Again, thinking more practically, we find that in general productivity and performance are not the primary interests of employee unions. They are more concerned about compensation and benefits, employees rights, etc. According to Kelley and Harrison, increased productivity is a by product of unions and is different from their central goals (Kaufman, Kleiner Industrial Relations Research Association, 1993 P. 191). Various works in the recent decades have suggested ways to reduce employee anxieties such as job security, which can be adopted by the management. Restrictions on downsizing the employee base may enhance employee loyalty which in turn will have positive effects on job satisfaction and performance (Cooke, 2003 P. 76). Apart from being provided with alternative arrangements such as flexible working hours, job sharing and telecommuting, employees should also form an integral part of the performance appraisal system. A successful performance appraisal system should be participative and transparent (Nelson, 2007 P. 173-174). Irrespective of the organisational size and the state of unionisation, employees tend to deliver their best when they have a proper knowledge about their duties and rights and also have an opportunity to address their views to the management. As management structures are becoming increasingly flatter, it is important for each employee to have a comprehensive knowledge as to how to be sel sufficient at work (Gennard Judge, 2005 P. 185). As a matter of fact, when management employee interrelationship operates at a high level thereby strengthening the process of communication, the organisation will be able to solve nearly all its internal issues without any third part involvement. This enhances the integrity of the organisation (Schafer Economic Policy Institute, 1996 P. 127). Communication can be successful only when EV is patronised. Communication is largely a managerial function and responsibility. The managers should ensure that information flows both in the upward as well as downward directions and also through collective channels. Staff communication policy should be formulated and improvised as per requirements (Brewster, Hegewisch, Price, Waterhouse Co. Cranfield School of Management, 1994 P. 163-165). Another way to enhance EV is through harmonisation whereby differences in status are reduced. This encourages employees to freely express their ideas (Marchington, Wilkinson, Sargeant CIPD, 2002 P. 187). This measure calls for the flattening of management structure and also requires counselling across hierarchies to make the change acceptable. As it is being greatly clear that successful EV is an outcome of well coordinated communication, it is important to minimise the common barriers to communication and to develop a general climate that advocates as well as facilitates communication across hierarchies (Roodman Roodman, 1973 P. 57). EV endows employees with the right to control their career. This is a basic human need which needs to be satisfied in order to ensure commitment to work. At the same time it also reduces the supervisory responsibilities of the management and allows them more time for strategising (Pendleton, 2001 P. 108-113). This is reflected in the words of the Production Director, Weaveco, â€Å"it probably started by preaching to our employees, then we started talking to them but then the next thing is to start listening, and I think the listening is more through the DITs where they get involved in solving problems† (Stuart Martinez-Lucio, 2005 P. 33). Participation is further enhanced though employees representation in the Board of Directors. This consolidates the stand of the employees as an inseparable element in organisational success. Apart from this the corporate policy should support individual self determination, codetermination and collective bargaining for employees to voice their ideas and necessities. There should be a symbiotic association between the management and employees to work towards a common goal (Wilkinson, Gollan Marchington, 2010, P. 487 496). Employee participation in any organisational activity tends to increase with their personal involvement. With an increase in involvement the employees naturally perform optimally thereby proving that EV is of immense importance in enhancing organisational performance and productivity (Kirkman, Lowe Young, 1999 P. 42). According to a research by the U.S. General Accounting Office Employee Ownership, together with Employee Participation in organisational decision making, can improve the overall performance of the organisation (Harris, National Research Council (U.S.), Committee on Human Factors, National Research Council (U.S.) Panel on Organizational Linkages, 1994 P. 83). Thus it is justified that employees being key elements in the organisational processes should be taken into serious consideration from the perspective of management decision making for the betterment of organisational practices. This helps in widening the spectrum of decisional alternatives and facilitates the process through the collective approach. Management employee harmonisation also helps in bringing the two entities closer and the mutual understanding thus achieved, helps in identifying common goals. Negative Impact of Employee Voice Unabated EV, if not monitored carefully may lead to an upsurge of collective emotions and employees try to devise outrageous mechanisms to vent out the same. To avoid such eruptions, the management should by empathetic in listening to the employees on a regular basis and also allow room for collective bargaining in order to arrive at moderated conclusions wherever possible. Otherwise, EV may take to hostility against the organisation and disrupt its operations through non cooperative activities such as strikes, etc. Conclusion In the course of the report we have found that EV plays an important role in shaping the organisational processes and enhancing the overall efficiency, performance and productivity. It is a tool which can best be used by a participative management model wherein it is the aim of the management to empower the employees through providing certain degree of autonomy in terms of decision making. Thus EV also reduces the managements decision making burden. In flattened organisations it is highly necessary that individual employees have voice. This is necessary because it helps the employees to express their dissatisfactions too the management. Any corrective response by the management acts as a grievance management tool, increases employee job satisfaction, enhances their morale and commitment and thereby helps in enhancing organisational performance. Through the enhanced flow of information, administrative and process related activities become faster. It also enhances overall coordination among departments and across hierarchies. References Anderson, N., Ones, S. D., Sinangil, K. H. Viswesvaran, C. 2002. Handbook of Industrial, Work Organizational Psychology: Organizational Psychology. 2nd ed. SAGE. Armstrong, M. 2006. A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. 10th ed. Kogan Page Publishers. Barrett, R. Mayson, S. 2008. International Handbook of Entrepreneurship and HRM. Edward Elgar Publishing. Beer, M. 2009. High Commitment High Performance: How to Build a Resilient Organization for Sustained Advantage. John Wiley and Sons. Boxall, F. P., Boxall, P., Purcell, J. Wright, M. P. 2007. The Oxford Handbook of Human Resource Management. Oxford University Press. Brewster, C., Hegewisch, A., Price, Waterhouse Co. Cranfield School of Management. 1994. Policy and Practice in European Human Resource Management: The Price Waterhouse Cranfield Survey. Routledge. Brown, M. Heywood, S. J. 2002. Paying for Performance: An International Comparison. M. E. Sharpe. CIPD. 2001. Management Choice and Employee Voice. CIPD Publishing. Cooke, N. W. 2003. Multinational Companies and Global Human Resource Strategies. Greenwood Publishing Group. Dundon, T. Rollinson, D. 2004. Employment Relations in Non Union Firms. Routledge. Gennard, J. Judge. G. 2005. Employee Relations. 4th ed. CIPD Publishing. Gollan, J. P. 2005. Voice and Non-Union Workplace. 27th vol. 3rd issue. Emerald Group Publishing. Greenberg, J. Edwards, S. M. 2009. Voice and Silence in Organizations. Emerald Group Publishing. Harris, H. D., National Research Council (U.S.), Committee on Human Factors, National Research Council (U.S.) Panel on Organizational Linkages. 1994. Organizational Linkages: Understanding the Productivity Paradox. National Academies Press. Hyman, J. Mason, B. 1995. Managing Employee Involving and Participation. SAGE. Kaufman,E. B., Kleiner,M. M. Industrial Relations Research Association. 1993. Employee Representation: Alternatives and Future Directions. Cornell University Press. Kirkman, L. B., Lowe, B. K. Young, P. D. 1999. High-performance Work Organizations: Definitions, Practices, and an Annotated Bibliography. Center for Creative Leadership. Lee, W. B. 1991. Should Employee Participation be Part of Privatization? World Bank Publications. Marchington, M., Wilkinson, A., Sargeant, M. CIPD. 2002. People Management and Development: Human Resource Management at Work. 2nd ed. CIPD Publishing. Nelson, B. 2007. The Management Bible. Wiley India. Pendleton, A. 2001. Employee Ownership, Participation and Governance: A Study of ESOPs in the UK. Routledge. Pfeffer, J. 1998. The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First. Harvard Business Press. Roodman, H. Roodman, Z. 1973. Management by Communication. Taylor Francis. Schafer, T. Economic Policy Institute. 1996. Reclaiming Prosperity: A Blueprint for Progressive Economic Reform. M. E. Sharpe. Smither, W. J. London, M. 2009. Performance Management: Putting Research into Practice. John Wiley and Sons. Stuart, M. Martinez-Lucio, M. 2005. Partnership and Modernisation in Employment Relations. Routledge. Wilkinson, A., Gollan, J. P. Marchington, M. 2010. The Oxford Handbook of Participation in Organizations. Oxford University Press. Bibliography Armstrong, M. Stephens, T. 2005. A Handbook of Employee Reward Management and Practice. Kogan Page Publishers. Beaumont, B. P., Hunter, C. L. CIPD. 2003. Information and Consultation: From Compliance to Performance. CIPD Publishing. Bennett, T. J. Kaufman, E. B. 2002. The Future of Private Sector Unionism in the United States. 7th ed. M. E. Sharpe. Gospel, H. Pendleton, A. 2006. Corporate Governance and Labour Management: An International Comparison. Oxford University Press. Marshall, F. R. Marshall, R. F. 2000. Back to Shared Prosperity: The Growing inequality of Wealth and Income in America. M. E. Sharpe. Nicotera, M. A. 1995. Conflict and Organizations: Communicative Processes. SUNY Press. Winstanley, D. Woodall, J. 2000. Ethical Issues in Contemporary Human Resource Management. Palgrave Macmillan. Wunnava, V. P. 2004. The Changing Role of Unions: New Forms of Representation. M. E. Sharpe.

Islam in the Ottoman Empire

Islam in the Ottoman Empire THE ISLAMIC CHARACTER OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE â€Å"In what ways was the Ottoman Empire Islamic?† ________________________________________________________________________ Part I: Introduction: This paper seeks to make an analysis of the ways in which the Ottoman Empire was Islamic. It seeks to establish the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Islam, the religion on which it was founded. Part II: Summary: At the core of this narration is the fact that the nature of enforcement of Islamic tenets in the length and breadth of the Empire kept shifting with time. Although Islam and the Ottoman Empire were inseparable, since the very foundation of the Empire was Islamic, the actual manner in which Islam was enforced in the Empire varied in relation to time and geographical space. The pattern in which Islam was enforced altered from that of a brutal version at the beginning of the Empire to one that moderated greatly as the decades and centuries progressed. In other words, the dispensation shifted from Jihad to Dhimma. [1] The nature and reasons for this metamorphosis forms the heart of the paper. Moreover, Islam in its unadulterated form could not be enforced in a monolithic, homogeneous fashion in all the centuries of Ottoman rule, because the territories they governed were vast and disparate. In view of this complex scenario, this paper, due to the severe constraint of space, tak es up only two important aspects of Islam that were more or less a constant in the Empire as it grew –the treatment of non-Muslim subjects, and of women. In these, an overwhelmingly large part is devoted to the former, because administration enjoyed greater primacy, while the latter is referred to in passing. On account of this dearth of space, a unique element of the Ottoman Islamic military, the Janissaries, is left out. Part III: Discussion: The ascendancy to power of the Ottomans took place in the backdrop of the waning of authority of the Seljuk dynasty, the dominant power of Asia Minor until then.[2] In the given situation, since the political situation was very volatile, and opportunity was afforded to building an empire to one who succeeded in this unstable milieu, what was needed was brute force to achieve these ends. The period saw a novelty –the formation of a band of savage and predatory men calling themselves the Ghazis. Fanatically dedicated to Islam, these warriors derived their authority from the Islamic notion of Jihad –Holy War. The earliest Ottomans were typical examples of Ghazis. This concept enabled the Ottomans, who till then had been an insignificant vassal of the Seljuk dynasty, to now establish their authority in the region. This is how the establishment of the Ottoman Empire was based entirely on a primitive interpretation of and resort to militant Islam. (Turnbull, 2003, p. 10) From these beginnings, over the years, the Ottomans displayed towards non-Muslim subjects a sense of tolerance that would put Europe to shame. During the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, when events such as the Inquisitions were becoming milestones in Europe’s history[3], the Jews found refuge in the Ottoman Empire. This was the predominant destination to which the persecuted Jews milled, and were able to practice their way of life without any hindrance. A Hapsburg ambassador in the court of Suleiman the Magnificent had this to say about the Ottoman Sultan’s attitude towards his empire’s non-Muslim subjects: It is by merit that men rise in the service, a system which insures that posts should be assigned to the competent . . . . They do not believe that high qualities are either natural or hereditary . . . , but that they are partly the gift of God, and partly the result of good training, great industry, and . . . zeal . . . . Honors, high posts and judgeships are the rewards of great ability and good service. This is the reason that they are successful in their undertakings. (Levy, 1992, p. 15) Reasons for the change in attitude: Some major reasons can be attributed for this benign treatment of these subjects. As inheritors of the pristine tenets of Islam, these rulers considered Christian and Jewish people their theological predecessors; on account of this, although the Koran was considered the final and purest revelation, the same Koran, the ultimate fountainhead of wisdom to the Muslims, also placed upon Muslim rulers an obligation to protect their non-Muslim subjects, under the covenant of the Dhimma. (Levy, 1992, pp. 15, 16) For this protection, these subjects had to pay a tax, and were required to live under some restrictions, such as acceptance of Muslim superiority, being banned from riding animals that Muslims rode, and being made to wear distinguishing dresses or badges. (Lewis, 1982, p. 5) Other restrictions included being obliged to build houses lower than those of Muslims, being proscribed from residing in the neighbourhood of a mosque, and allocation of the pl ace of dispute resolution between minorities.[4] (Gà ¶Ãƒ §ek , 1996, p. 35) However, essentially, as pointed out by Lewis (1982), during the course of their history, the Ottoman Turks outgrew their initial tendency to maraud and slaughter at will, and were predisposed towards building an empire through a well-knit system of administration that derived from the Koran; over the years, they graduated to retaining their warm relationship with non-Muslims out of practical considerations. (Lewis, 1982, p. 5) For example, in most of the lands the Ottomans ruled, Christians and Jews had lived for centuries. Where conversion of these people, especially the numerically superior Christians was impossible, forcing conversion would almost certainly have invited revolt; because of this, most Ottoman rulers decided that it was wiser to leave these minorities to their own religion. In addition, allowing them to practise their own religion also gave the administration much needed taxes. In this sense, the presence of the minorities was actually an advantage to some Ottoman s ultans. These minority religious groups usually were classified under a system of local administration called the millet. Literally translating to nation, these units were helpful in keeping the Sultan informed about the state of affairs of the minorities. (McCarthy, 1997, pp. 127, 128) As a result, although there were some infrequent tensions in the form of humiliation and derision, by and large, the relationship between the Muslims and non-Muslims in the entire length and breadth of the Ottoman Empire, almost throughout the six centuries of its existence, was characterised mostly by goodwill, making the Empire a medley of various religions and cultures. This contrasted starkly with the ghettos and exile of the Jews in Europe. The occasional strains that arose were more for economic and social reasons rather than purely religious. (Lewis, 1982, pp. 5-7) Women in the Ottoman Empire: When it came to their treatment of women, the Ottomans derived from the various traditions they inherited, and Islam was one of them. While the lineage was patriarchal, their regional and tribal inheritance showed up in various aspects of their relationship with women, as precisely described here: â€Å"the Ottomans did make rational choices and draw upon a number of traditions in establishing the imperial household. The legacy of acquiring women through â€Å"raids† most likely came directly from a central Asian tradition; the employment of polygyny, that is multiple wives, probably derived from Islamic sources; the Ottomans may have learned of concubinage from the Persians; and they may have adapted from the Byzantines the idea of securing alliance and treaty through marriages.† (Goffman, 2002, p. 40) Part IV: Conclusion: Islam was the soul of the Ottoman system of governance; yet, this was by no means a repressive regime. Contrary to the treatment of non-Muslims in most parts of the world that came under Muslim rule[5], the Ottoman Empire, the largest Islamic empire in history, (Karsh, 2003, p. 25) displayed a fair degree of tolerance towards its non- Muslim subjects. Whatever may have motivated this, the fact is that this speaks of the completeness of their evolution from the days of the Ghazi to that of a rule that had a generally salutary effect on the minorities of the empire. Overall, the Ottomans turned out to be a relatively far more tolerant empire than the Christian regimes of Europe of the same period. This perhaps was to lay the foundations of the modern Turkey as we know it today. References Goffman, D., (2002), The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England. Gà ¶Ãƒ §ek , F. M., (1996), Rise of the Bourgeoisie, Demise of Empire: Ottoman Westernization and Social Change, Oxford University Press, New York. Karsh, E., (2003), Rethinking the Middle East, Frank Cass, London. Levy, A., (1992), The Sephardim in the Ottoman Empire, Darwin Press, Princeton, NJ. Lewis, B., (1982), Introduction, in Christians and Jews in the Ottoman Empire: The Functioning of a Plural Society, Braude, B. Lewis, B. (Eds.) (pp. 1-32), Homes Meier Publishers, New York. McCarthy, J., (1997), The Ottoman Turks: An Introductory History to 1923, Longman, London. Turnbull, S., (2003), The Ottoman Empire, 1326-1699, Routledge, New York. ZeEvi, D., (1994), â€Å"The Sufi Connection: Jerusalem Notables in the Seventeenth Century† in Papers from CIEPO IX, Jerusalem Papers from CIEPO IX, Jerusalem, Singer, A. Cohen, A. (Eds.) (pp. 126-142), Hebrew University, Jerusalem. 1 [1] This blend of militarism and religious doctrines is best illustrated by Marshal Hodgson, in whose words the basic feature of the Ottoman Empire was that it was â€Å"a military- sharÄ «a alliance† (ZeEvi, 1994, p. 136) [2] Information on the early history and the structure of governance of the Ottoman Empire is neatly summed up in the following link: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/OTTOMAN/ORIGIN.HTM Although this site cannot be treated as a great scholarly work, it is a good account that can be used as a kind of concise guide to this aspect of the power vacuum in the founding of the Empire, and the relationship of the state and its structure with Islam. [3] The following link is an excellent source for a detailed account of the blood-soaked history of the Inquisitions: http://www.sundayschoolcourses.com/inq/inqcont.htm [4] On the subject of jurisdiction of dispute settlement between members of the minority communities, this author offers an interesting recorded instance, in which there is no contradiction about a situation such as this: â€Å"if Zeyd the Jew goes from Istanbul-proper to Galata to conduct business and if Amr the Christian, claiming (Zeyd the Jew) needs to settle a transaction, takes him to the Islamic court of Galata, would Zeyd the Jew have the right to state that he wants the case heard instead by the Islamic court in the neighborhood of Galata-proper.†(Gà ¶Ãƒ §ek, 1996, p.35) [5] An interesting case for the study of treatment of non-Muslim subjects in a state ruled by Muslims is that of India. The Muslims were the dominant ruling class for about 10 centuries, but this reign was far from even. Islamic kings’ treatment of the majority Hindus saw no uniformity, and is a matter of heated and emotive debate to this day in the country.

Beowulf (Christianity vs. Paganism) Essay -- Epic of Beowulf Essays

Christianity vs. Paganism   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the story of Beowulf, there is a noticeable struggle between Christianity and Paganism, and the characters personal battle between the two. Throughout the story the characters display actions that lead towards Paganism and Christianity. Contrary to Pagan belief Beowulf is seen as the epitome of good and beneficent to all of mankind. In Beowulf, the people showed their faith and love in God, however due to horrific events, paranoia caused them to look for a quick fix and turns them to Paganism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. Beowulf is depicted as a superhero. Beowulf takes it upon himself to save the Danes from Grendel. In his battle with Grendel, Beowulf chooses not to use weapons; he relies on his super strength. During the fight, Beowulf's strength takes over, and Beowulf wrestles with Grendel until he is able to rip one of the monster's arms out of its socket. Superhuman feats also appear in the fight with Grendel's mother. When Beowulf enters the water, he swims, without the use of oxygen, downward for an entire day before he sees the bottom. During the battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf realizes that Unferth's sword is useless against the monster’s thick skin. He grabs an enormous sword made by giants, almost too heavy to hold, and slashes through the monster's body. This superhero strength continues into t...

Their Eyes Were Watching Essay -- Literary Analysis, Zora Neale Hurst

Oftentimes, the quest for self discovery centers on the search for one’s voice. In Zora Neale Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching Gd the reader learns about Janie, the novel’s protagonist and hero, as she tells her friend Phoebe how she found her identity. Early on the reader learns that language is an important motif in the novel, yet, Zora Neale Hurston deliberately leaves out Janie’s voice in the scene where she uses it to save her life (acquit her of murder). In this scene, Janie does not speak through direct discourse or free mixed indirect discourse; her testimony is relayed to the reader through the narrator. Zora Neale Hurston did this to clarify the meaning of the novel: voice is best used for story telling (to people who will listen). It is used to tell stories that will be passed around and help others grow. It is a means of passing down history. It is a vehicle for story-telling (folklore). ***include a line or 2 that states and organizes my arguments***** At first the novel seems as if it is about Janie’s quest for love. But a deeper look reveals a more profound message. The real story is about Janie overcoming the struggles that keep her from finding her identity. Her identity is tied with her ability to become a storyteller, which she cannot become until she finds her voice. Janie’s evolution occurs as she â€Å"grows to understand the loneliness of silence [and] how morality is required for community† (Meese 47). Her voice is who she is, and just like folklore, it is shaped by beliefs, experiences, and dreams. (i.e. another hint that folklore is the identity of her culture). However, having a voice is only half of the battle, knowing when and how to use it is just as important. At the store opening in ... ...Hurston added this scene to show the importance of culture. By not accepting her heritage, Mrs. Turner leads a miserable life because she is rejecting her identity. Janie is not influenced by the white standard of judgment. Unlike Mrs. Turner’s marriage, Janie’s is real; she truly admires her husband and his ability to â€Å"take most any lil thing and make summertime out of it when times is dull.† (173). Hurston wants the people of her culture to be proud of who they are. By not doing so, they lead miserable lives like Mrs. Turner’s. Conclusion: present day folklore is story telling through music. Not all rap and hip hop songs are about sex and drugs. Many artists write songs with meaning. Like Jay Z’s â€Å"Can I live†. Include some lyrics and what they mean, telling the black folk of today some morals he learned along the way that helped me become and stay successful.

The Value of College Education

The Value of College Education Getting an education is something that is very important and is essential for the growth and development of an individual. By getting an education, a person is able to rise above the rest and is able to achieve so much more in life. This does not mean just in terms of monetary or career oriented way, education serves to enlighten the body, the mind, as well as the soul. College education is a step further and takes a person into realms that can only be understood and appreciated by someone who has earned a college degree.So many benefits exist for a college education, all of which are impossible to list in the course of this essay. This classification essay shall attempt to classify some of the benefits that a person can reap from a college education. College education has a profound effect on a person and his or her life. It helps people choose their careers more wisely and the college experience makes people become more confident and can make better a nd well-judged decisions. To get a higher education is perhaps crossing the biggest milestone of your life.A college education is a very valuable thing and everyone should get one so that we can all be enlightened and help make our society a better place. A college is a place where people come together in an environment that helps nurture their educational and professional curiosities. People learn to read, reflect, explore, listen, argue, and especially, stretch their known boundaries. A college education helps people and prepares them for the entry into the real world of economics and social bindings.Students learn what exactly personal freedom is and then they learn how to enjoy that freedom in the real world once the education has been completed. College teaches people to dream of, to reach their highest aspirations, to choose well, and to choose wisely. It is sometimes very perplexing to think that many people undermine the value of a college education. A college is where peopl e go so that their mental capabilities can be thoroughly challenged, where they can grow and mature as individuals and as future carriers of the society.People who complete their college education can be spotted out from a group instantly. Such people appear more poised and confident in every aspect of their lives. I believe that people who complete their college education are the ones who are most responsible in making a society a better place to live in. If everyone in a society gets a college education, the society can be improved tenfold because of the values and the traditions that a person learns in college.A college education can teach a person about his or her moral obligations and helps the people to realize what it is that is missing from their lives. It has also been noted that people who have had a college education are generally happier in life and that they appear more sophisticated and enlightened. Such people have a better quality of life as they understand more abou t the world and can appreciate the finer things in life such as art, music and theatre much more than a non-graduate.It has also been noted that people who have a college education tend to be more satisfied as individuals as it helps them to achieve a greater sense of personal development. They are more at ease within themselves and enjoy more prosperity than others enjoy. They find great satisfaction in the knowledge that they have achieved their education in life and they tend to take great pride in that. People meet many different kinds of people at college and this helps prepare them for the life in the field where one has to interact with all sorts of people who are working.This aids in a person's personal development as well. Students attending a college learn to write more effectively and to express themselves more clearly. Studying with students from all different kinds of economic, ethnic and social backgrounds also help the person attending college into learning more about the world and this brings the people of the world closer as well. People at colleges come from every aspect of life; a person going to college is bound to interact with his classmates who can come from all sorts of different countries, cultures and generations.This interaction is another valuable aspect of a college education and it helps shape a person's personality in a way that is unmatched by any other kind of an institution, whether it be a church or a home. A person, perhaps, learns the most throughout his or her college years and this not only includes academic education but also education in the social and political realms. All these things combined are very useful and very necessary for a person to obtain if he or she wants to lead a happier and brighter life.

Modern Technology Effects Essay

With advances in technology, student study habits have dramatically changed. It’s affected the way classes are taught, students learn theories and the way information is presented. Gone are the days of slaving over books in the library and scribbling down notes on paper. Technology is changing the way kids learn in schools and at home. Students are now able to bring their work with them wherever they go because of laptop computers and handheld tablets, like the iPad. Having these electronic tools seems essential to all of us, including kids, nowadays and we wonder how we ever survived without them. Not too long ago, students were lucky to have one computer in their classrooms and the teacher wrote the lessons on a chalkboard. Now it is much more common to see each student with their own laptop or iPad and the teachers writing on smart-whiteboards that connect to these computers. With the way the world is becoming dependent on the use of technology in day-to-day life, it is good for the younger generation to learn a basic understanding of these tools, even though the software systems will most likely change by the time they enter the work force. Students are also able to do more complex tasks earlier on because of the capabilities of technology. However, this does present the problem of becoming dependent on these devices to solve these challenges, especially those above their learning level. Don’t you remember having to learn how to do math in your head before you were given a calculator to solve an equation? If students don’t learn how to problem-solve on their own, it may present challenges for them down the road because they expect to have the answer right at their fingertips. Recently psychologists at Columbia University released an article on the effect search engines and the Internet are having on our ability to memorize. which concluded that we are less likely to remember discrete information than we are where we found it, and that we only commit something to memory if we think we won’t be able to access it later, when we need it. While students are becoming more digitally advanced than the prior generation, it is good to learn the basics as well. Having a child read a book, write out a math problem, or do research in a library may not appeal to them as much as â€Å"playing† on an iPad, but it can only add to their education. Scope and Limitations Modern technology has always been considered as a gauge for an awareness of how developed a society is. With the influx of technological gadgets, modern technology is definitely beneficial to mankind. But, as with other scientific and technological discoveries, these gadgets have also taken its toll on those who are the main users of thee discoveries – the students. Twenty or so years ago, students would have to spend hours, and even days in the library, if they are to complete a research work. Answering assignments means that one will have to read chapter after chapter in their textbooks. Nowadays, vital information may be obtained by merely a click of the mouse. Everything is readily available at their fingertips, so to speak. Oftentimes, students say, â€Å"Thank God for the internet†. While this may be true, there are also harmful effects on students which may fall under the physical, psychological, emotional, mental and social aspect. Basically, students make use of the internet in answering assignments and doing research work. However, students would often be making use of social networking sites while simultaneously doing their assigned tasks. This means that the student is not a hundred percent focused on accomplishing what is required. It also takes them a longer time in completing the assigned task. As a result, the student therefore, is more physically exhausted, often spending the wee hours in the morning due to the fact that he or she is actually multi-tasking. It has been observed that almost every week, more updated gadgets are being introduced in the market. For the adolescent, who is in the third plane of development, there is this need to belong to a certain group. More often than not, social cliques mean dressing alike, thinking alike, and even having similar gadgets are some of the basis in order to be part of a specific group. Hence, the adolescent is psychologically, emotionally and even mentally affected if and when an updated version of these gadgets is out in the market. There is this need to have these gadgets in the hope of being â€Å"in† with the group. It is one way of satisfying the need to belong to a social group which means that it also affects the social aspect of the student. Having seen both sides of the coin, are modern gadgets beneficial or harmful to students? I would say both – there are beneficial and harmful effects not only to students but to anyone for that matter. The key is still in our hands. Remember that anything in excess could have negative results. Modern technology – including modern gadgets – has been invented for mankind’s convenience. Let us show gratitude to the men of the past who have painstakingly invented and devised ways to make life easier. Let us make use of modern technology effectively, wisely and responsibly.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 17. What Do I Look Like? …

17. What Do I Look Like? The Wizard Of Oz? You Need A Brain? You Need A Heart? Go Ahead.Take Mine. Take Everything I Have. HEART? GO AHEAD. TAKE MINE. TAKE EVERYTHING I HAVE. I sort of had a plan as I ran to the Cullens' garage. The second part of it was totaling the bloodsucker's car on my way back. So I was at a loss when I mashed the button on the keyless remote, and it was not his Volvo that beeped and flashed its lights for me. It was another car – a standout even in the long line of vehicles that were mostly all drool-worthy in their own ways. Did he actually mean to give me the keys to an Aston Martin Vanquish, or was that an accident? I didn't pause to think about it, or if this would change that second part of my plan. I just threw myself into the silky leather seat and cranked the engine while my knees were still crunched up under the steering wheel. The sound of the motor's purr might have made me moan another day, but right now it was all I could do to concentrate enough to put it in drive. I found the seat release and shoved myself back as my foot rammed the pedal down. The car felt almost airborne as it leaped forward. It only took seconds to race through the tight, winding drive. The car responded to me like my thoughts were steering rather than my hands. As I blew out of the green tunnel and onto the highway, I caught a fleeting glimpse of Leah's gray face peering uneasily through the ferns. For half a second, I wondered what she'd think, and then I realized that I didn't care. I turned south, because I had no patience today for ferries or traffic or anything else that meant I might have to lift my foot off the pedal. In a sick way, it was my lucky day. If by lucky you meant taking a well-traveled highway at two hundred without so much as seeing one cop, even in the thirty-mile-an-hour speed-trap towns. What a letdown. A little chase action might have been nice, not to mention that the license plate info would bring the heat down on the leech. Sure, he'd buy his way out of it, but it might have been just a little inconvenient for him. The only sign of surveillance i came across was just a hint of dark brown fur flitting through the woods, running parallel to me for a few miles on the south side of Forks. Quil, it looked like. He must have seen me, too, because he disappeared after a minute without raising an alarm. Again, I almost wondered what his story would be before I remembered that I didn't care. I raced around the long U-shaped highway, heading for the biggest city I could find. That was the first part of my plan. It seemed to take forever, probably because I was still on the razor blades, but it actually didn't even take two hours before I was driving north into the undefined sprawl that was part Tacoma and part Seattle. I slowed down then, because I really wasn't trying to kill any innocent bystanders. This was a stupid plan. It wasn't going to work. But, as I'd searched my head for any way at all to get away from the pain, what Leah'd said today had popped in there. That would go away, you know, if you imprinted. You wouldn't have to hurt over her anymore. Seemed like maybe getting your choices taken away from you wasn't the very worst thing in the world. Maybe feeling like this was the very worst thing in the world. But I'd seen all the girls in La Push and up on the Makah rez and in Forks. I needed a wider hunting range. So how do you look for a random soul mate in a crowd? Well, first, I needed a crowd. So I tooled around, looking for a likely spot. I passed a couple of malls, which probably would've been pretty good places to find girls my age, but I couldn't make myself stop. Did I want to imprint on some girl who hung out in a mall all day? I kept going north, and it got more and more crowded. Eventually, I found a big park full of kids and families and skateboards and bikes and kites and picnics and the whole bit. I hadn't noticed till now – it was a nice day. Sun and all that. People were out celebrating the blue sky. I parked across two handicapped spots – just begging for a ticket – and joined the crowd. I walked around for what felt like hours. Long enough that the sun changed sides in the sky. I stared into the face of every girl who passed anywhere near me, making myself really look, noticing who was pretty and who had blue eyes and who looked good in braces and who had way too much makeup on. I tried to find something interesting about each face, so that I would know for sure that I'd really tried. Things like: This one had a really straight nose; that one should pull her hair out of her eyes; this one could do lipstick ads if the rest of her face was as perfect as her mouth___ Sometimes they stared back. Sometimes they looked scared – like they were thinking, Who is this big freak glaring at me? Sometimes I thought they looked kind of interested, but maybe that was just my ego running wild. Either way, nothing. Even when I met the eyes of the girl who was – no contest – the hottest girl in the park and probably in the city, and she stared right back with a speculation that looked like interest, I felt nothing. Just the same desperate drive to find a way out of the pain. As time went on, I started noticing all the wrong things. Bella things. This one's hair was the same color. That one's eyes were sort of shaped the same. This one's cheekbones cut across her face in just the same way. That one had the same little crease between her eyes – which made me wonder what she was worrying about___ That was when I gave up. Because it was beyond stupid to think that I had picked exactly the right place and time and I was going to simply walk into my soul mate just because I was so desperate to. It wouldn't make sense to find her here, anyway. If Sam was right, the best place to find my genetic match would be in La Push. And, clearly, no one there fit the bill. If Billy was right, then who knew? What made for a stronger wolf? I wandered back to the car and then slumped against the hood and played with the keys. Maybe I was what Leah thought she was. Some kind of dead end that shouldn't be passed on to another generation. Or maybe it was just that my life was a big, cruel joke, and there was no escape from the punch line. â€Å"Hey, you okay? Hello? You there, with the stolen car.† It took me a second to realize that the voice was talking to me, and then another second to decide to raise my head. A familiar-looking girl was staring at me, her expression kind of anxious. I knew why I recognized her face – I'd already catalogued this one. Light red-gold hair, fair skin, a few gold-colored freckles sprinkled across her cheeks and nose, and eyes the color of cinnamon. â€Å"If you're feeling that remorseful over boosting the car,† she said, smiling so that a dimple popped out in her chin, â€Å"you could always turn yourself in.† â€Å"It's borrowed, not stolen,† I snapped. My voice sounded horrible – like I'd been crying or something. Embarrassing. â€Å"Sure, thatW hold up in court.† I glowered. â€Å"You need something?† â€Å"Not really. I was kidding about the car, you know. It's just that†¦ you look really upset about something. Oh, hey, I'm Lizzie.† She held out her hand. I looked at it until she let it fall. â€Å"Anyway†¦,† she said awkwardly, â€Å"I was just wondering if I could help. Seemed like you were looking for someone before.† She gestured toward the park and shrugged. â€Å"Yeah.† She waited. I sighed. â€Å"I don't need any help. She's not here.† â€Å"Oh. Sorry.† â€Å"Me, too,† I muttered. I looked at the girl again. Lizzie. She was pretty. Nice enough to try to help a grouchy stranger who must seem nuts. Why couldn't she be the one? Why did everything have to be so freaking complicated? Nice girl, pretty, and sort of funny. Why not? â€Å"This is a beautiful car,† she said. â€Å"It's really a shame they're not making them anymore. I mean, the Vantage's body styling is gorgeous, too, but there's just something about the Vanquish___† Nice girl who knew cars. Wow. I stared at her face harder, wishing I knew how to make it work. C'mon, Jake – imprint already. â€Å"How's it drive?† she asked. â€Å"Like you wouldn't believe,† I told her. She grinned her one-dimple smile, clearly pleased to have dragged a halfway civil response out of me, and I gave her a reluctant smile back. But her smile did nothing about the sharp, cutting blades that raked up and down my body. No matter how much I wanted it to, my life was not going to come together like that. I wasn't in that healthier place where Leah was headed. I wasn't going to be able to fall in love like a normal person. Not when I was bleeding over someone else. Maybe – if it was ten years from now and Bella's heart was long dead and I'd hauled myself through the whole grieving process and come out in one piece again – maybe then I could offer Lizzie a ride in a fast car and talk makes and models and get to know something about her and see if I liked her as a person. But that wasn't going to happen now. Magic wasn't going to save me. I was just going to have to take the torture like a man. Suck it up. Lizzie waited, maybe hoping I was going to offer her that ride. Or maybe not. â€Å"I'd better get this car back to the guy I borrowed it from,† I muttered. She smiled again. â€Å"Glad to hear you're going straight.† â€Å"Yeah, you convinced me.† She watched me get in the car, still sort of concerned. I probably looked like someone who was about to drive off a cliff. Which maybe I would've, if that kind of move'd work for a werewolf. She waved once, her eyes trailing after the car. At first, I drove more sanely on the way back. I wasn't in a rush. I didn't want to go where I was going. Back to that house, back to that forest. Back to the pain I'd run from. Back to being absolutely alone with it. Okay, that was melodramatic. I wouldn't be all alone, but that was a bad thing. Leah and Seth would have to suffer with me. I was glad Seth wouldn't have to suffer long. Kid didn't deserve to have his peace of mind ruined. Leah didn't, either, but at least it was something she understood. Nothing new about pain for Leah. I sighed big as I thought about what Leah wanted from me, because I knew now that she was going to get it. I was still pissed at her, but I couldn't ignore the fact that i could make her life easier. And – now that I knew her better – I thought she would probably do this for me, if our positions were reversed. It would be interesting, at the very least, and strange, too, to have Leah as a companion – as a friend. We were going to get under each other's skin a lot, that was for sure. She wouldn't be one to let me wallow, but I thought that was a good thing. I'd probably need someone to kick my butt now and then. But when it came right down to it, she was really the only friend who had any chance of understanding what I was going through now. I thought of the hunt this morning, and how close our minds had been for that one moment in time. It hadn't been a bad thing. Different. A little scary, a little awkward. But also nice in a weird way. I didn't have to be all alone. And I knew Leah was strong enough to face with me the months that were coming. Months and years. It made me tired to think about it. I felt like I was staring out across an ocean that I was going to have to swim from shore to shore before I could rest again. So much time coming, and then so little time before it started. Before I was flung into that ocean. Three and a half more days, and here I was, wasting that little bit of time I had. I started driving too fast again. I saw Sam and Jared, one on either side of the road like sentinels, as I raced up the road toward Forks. They were well hidden in the thick branches, but I was expecting them, and I knew what to look for. I nodded as I blew past them, not bothering to wonder what they made of my day trip. I nodded to Leah and Seth, too, as I cruised up the Cullens' driveway. It was starting to get dark, and the clouds were thick on this side of the sound, but I saw their eyes glitter in the glow of the headlights. I would explain to them later. There'd be plenty of time for that. It was a surprise to find Edward waiting for me in the garage. I hadn't seen him away from Bella in days. I could tell from his face that nothing bad had happened to her. In fact, he looked more peaceful than before. My stomach tightened as I remembered where that peace came from. It was too bad that – with all my brooding – I'd forgotten to wreck the car. Oh well. I probably wouldn't have been able to stand hurting this car, anyway. Maybe he'd guessed as much, and that's why he'd lent it to me in the first place. â€Å"A few things, Jacob,† he said as soon as I cut the engine. I took a deep breath and held it for a minute. Then, slowly, I got out of the car and threw the keys to him. â€Å"Thanks for the loan,† I said sourly. Apparently, it would have to be repaid. â€Å"What do you want now?† â€Å"Firstly†¦ I know how averse you are to using your authority with your pack, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I blinked, astonished that he would even dream of starting in on this one. â€Å"What?† â€Å"If you can't or won't control Leah, then I – â€Å" â€Å"Leah?† I interrupted, speaking through my teeth. â€Å"What happened?† Edward's face was hard. â€Å"She came up to see why you'd left so abruptly. I tried to explain. I suppose it might not have come out right.† â€Å"What did she do?† â€Å"She phased to her human form and – â€Å" â€Å"Really?† I interrupted again, shocked this time. I couldn't process that. Leah letting her guard down right in the mouth of the enemy's lair? â€Å"She wanted to†¦ speak to Bella.† â€Å"To Bella?† Edward got all hissy then. â€Å"I won't let Bella be upset like that again. I don't care how justified Leah thinks she is! I didn't hurt her – of course I wouldn't – but I'll throw her out of the house if it happens again. I'll launch her right across the river – â€Å" â€Å"Hold on. What did she say?† None of this was making any sense. Edward took a deep breath, composing himself. â€Å"Leah was unnecessarily harsh. I'm not going to pretend that I understand why Bella is unable to let go of you, but I do know that she does not behave this way to hurt you. She suffers a great deal over the pain she's inflicting on you, and on me, by asking you to stay. What Leah said was uncalled for. Bella's been crying – â€Å" â€Å"Wait – Leah was yelling at Bella about me?† He nodded one sharp nod. â€Å"You were quite vehemently championed.† Whoa. â€Å"I didn't ask her to do that.† â€Å"I know.† I rolled my eyes. Of course he knew. He knew everything. But that was really something about Leah. Who would have believed it? Leah walking into the bloodsuckers' place human to complain about how /was being treated. â€Å"I can't promise to control Leah,† I told him. â€Å"I won't do that. But I'll talk to her, okay? And I don't think there'll be a repeat. Leah's not one to hold back, so she probably got it all off her chest today.† â€Å"I would say so.† â€Å"Anyway, I'll talk to Bella about it, too. She doesn't need to feel bad. This one's on me.† â€Å"I already told her that.† â€Å"Of course you did. Is she okay?† â€Å"She's sleeping now. Rose is with her.† So the psycho was â€Å"Rose† now. He'd completely crossed over to the dark side. He ignored that thought, continuing with a more complete answer to my question. â€Å"She's†¦ better in some ways. Aside from Leah's tirade and the resulting guilt.† Better. Because Edward was hearing the monster and everything was all lovey-dovey now. Fantastic. â€Å"It's a bit more than that,† he murmured. â€Å"Now that I can make out the child's thoughts, it's apparent that he or she has remarkably developed mental facilities. He can understand us, to an extent.† My mouth fell open. â€Å"Are you serious?† â€Å"Yes. He seems to have a vague sense of what hurts her now. He's trying to avoid that, as much as possible. He†¦ loves her. Already.† I stared at Edward, feeling sort of like my eyes might pop out of their sockets. Underneath that disbelief, I could see right away that this was the critical factor. This was what had changed Edward – that the monster had convinced him of this love. He couldn't hate what loved Bella. It was probably why he couldn't hate me, either. There was a big difference, though. I wasn't killing her. Edward went on, acting like he hadn't heard all that. â€Å"The progress, I believe, is more than we'd judged. When Carlisle returns – â€Å" â€Å"They're not back?† I cut in sharply. I thought of Sam and Jared, watching the road. Would they get curious as to what was going on? â€Å"Alice and Jasper are. Carlisle sent all the blood he was able to acquire, but it wasn't as much as he was hoping for – Bella will use up this supply in another day the way her appetite has grown. Carlisle stayed to try another source. I don't think that's necessary now, but he wants to be covered for any eventuality.† â€Å"Why isn't it necessary? If she needs more?† I could tell he was watching and listening to my reaction carefully as he explained. Tm trying to persuade Carlisle to deliver the baby as soon as he is back.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"The child seems to be attempting to avoid rough movements, but it's difficult. He's become too big. It's madness to wait, when he's clearly developed beyond what Carlisle had guessed. Bella's too fragile to delay.† I kept getting my legs knocked out from under me. First, counting on Edward's hatred of the thing so much. Now, I'd realized that I thought of those four days as a sure thing. I'd banked on them. The endless ocean of grief that waited stretched out before me. I tried to catch my breath. Edward waited. I stared at his face while I recovered, recognizing another change there. â€Å"You think she's going to make it,† I whispered. â€Å"Yes. That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about.† I couldn't say anything. After a minute, he went on. â€Å"Yes,† he said again. â€Å"Waiting, as we have been, for the child to be ready, that was insanely dangerous. At any moment it could have been too late. But if we're proactive about this, if we act quickly, I see no reason why it should not go well. Knowing the child's mind is unbelievably helpful. Thankfully, Bella and Rose agree with me. Now that I've convinced them it's safe for the child if we proceed, there's nothing to keep this from working.† â€Å"When will Carlisle be back?† I asked, still whispering. I hadn't got my breath back yet. â€Å"By noon tomorrow.† My knees buckled. I had to grab the car to hold myself up. Edward reached out like he was offering support, but then he thought better of it and dropped his hands. â€Å"I'm sorry,† he whispered. â€Å"I am truly sorry for the pain this causes you, Jacob. Though you hate me, I must admit that I don't feel the same about you. I think of you as a†¦ a brother in many ways. A comrade in arms, at the very least. I regret your suffering more than you realize. But Bella is going to survive† – when he said that his voice was fierce, even violent – â€Å"and I know that's what really matters to you.† He was probably right. It was hard to tell. My head was spinning. â€Å"So I hate to do this now, while you're already dealing with too much, but, clearly, there is little time. I have to ask you for something – to beg, if I must.† â€Å"I don't have anything left,† I choked out. He lifted his hand again, as if to put it on my shoulder, but then let it drop like before and sighed. â€Å"I know how much you have given,† he said quietly. â€Å"But this is something you do have, and only you. I'm asking this of the true Alpha, Jacob. I'm asking this of Ephraim's heir.† I was way past being able to respond. â€Å"I want your permission to deviate from what we agreed to in our treaty with Ephraim. I want you to grant us an exception. I want your permission to save her life. You know 111 do it anyway, but I don't want to break faith with you if there is any way to avoid it. We never intended to go back on our word, and we don't do it lightly now. I want your understanding, Jacob, because you know exactly why we do this. I want the alliance between our families to survive when this is over.† I tried to swallow. Sam, I thought. It's Sam you want. â€Å"No. Sam's authority is assumed. It belongs to you. You'll never take it from him, but no one can rightfully agree to what I'm asking except for you† It's not my decision. â€Å"It is, Jacob, and you know it. Your word on this will condemn us or absolve us. Only you can give this to me.† can't think. I don't know. â€Å"We don't have much time.† He glanced back toward the house. No, there was no time. My few days had become a few hours. don't know. Let me think. Just give me a minute here, okay? â€Å"Yes.† I started walking to the house, and he followed. Crazy how easy it was, walking through the dark with a vampire right beside me. It didn't feel unsafe, or even uncomfortable, really. It felt like walking next to anybody. Well, anybody who smelled bad. There was a movement in the brush at the edge of the big lawn, and then a low whimper. Seth shrugged through the ferns and loped over to us. â€Å"Hey, kid,† I muttered. He dipped his head, and I patted his shoulder. â€Å"S'all cool,† I lied. â€Å"I'll tell you about it later. Sorry to take off on you like that.† He grinned at me. â€Å"Hey, tell your sister to back off now, okay? Enough.† Seth nodded once. I shoved against his shoulder this time. â€Å"Get back to work. I'll spell you in a bit.† Seth leaned against me, shoving back, and then he galloped into the trees. â€Å"He has one of the purest, sincerest, kindest minds I've ever heard,† Edward murmured when he was outof sight. â€Å"You're lucky to have his thoughts to share.† â€Å"I know that,†! grunted. We started toward the house, and both of our heads snapped up when we heard the sound of someone sucking through a straw. Edward was in a hurry then.He darted up the porch stairs and was gone. â€Å"Bella, love, Ithought you were sleeping,† I heard him say. â€Å"I'm sorry, I wouldn't have left.† â€Å"Don't worry. Ijust got so thirsty – it woke me up.It's a good thing Carlisle is bringing more. This kid is going to need it when he gets out of me.† â€Å"True. That's a good point.† â€Å"I wonder if he'll want anything else,† she mused. â€Å"I suppose we'll find out.† I walked through the door. Alice said, â€Å"Finally,† and Bella's eyes flashed to me. That infuriating, irresistible smile broke across her face for one second. Then it faltered, and her face fell. Her lips puckered, like she was trying not to cry. I wanted to punch Leah right in her stupid mouth. â€Å"Hey, Bells,† Isaid quickly. â€Å"How ya doing?† â€Å"I'm fine,† she said. â€Å"Big day today, huh? Lots of new stuff.† â€Å"You don't have to do that, Jacob.† â€Å"Don't know what you're talking about,† I said, going to sit on the arm of the sofa by her head. Edward had the floor there already. She gave me a reproachful look. â€Å"I'm so s – † she started to say. I pinched her lips together between my thumb and finger. â€Å"Jake,† she mumbled, trying to pull my hand away. Her attempt was so weak it was hard to believe that she was really trying. I shook my head. â€Å"You can talk when you're not being stupid.† â€Å"Fine,I won't say it,† it sounded like she mumbled. I pulled my hand away. â€Å"Sorry!† she finished quickly, and then grinned. I rolledmy eyes and then smiled back at her. When I stared into her eyes, I saw everything that I'd been looking for in the park. Tomorrow, she'd be someone else. But hopefully alive, and that was what counted, right? She'd look at me with the same eyes, sort of. Smile with the same lips, almost. She'd still know me better than anyone who didn't havefull access to the inside of my head. Leah might be an interesting companion, maybe even a true friend – someone who would stand up for me. But she wasn't my best friend the way thatBella was. Aside from the impossible love I felt for Bella, there was also that other bond, and it ran bone deep. Tomorrow, she'd be my enemy. Or she'd be myally. And, apparently, that distinction was up to me. I sighed. Fine!I thought, giving up the very last thing i had to give. It made me feel hollow. Go ahead. Save her. As Ephraim's heir, you have my permission, my word, that this will not violate the treaty. The others will just have to blame me. You were right – they can't deny that it's my right to agree to this. ‘Thank you.† Edward's whisper was low enough that Bella didn't hear anything. But the words were so fervent that, from the corner of my eye, I saw the other vampires turning to stare. â€Å"So,†Bella asked, working to be casual. â€Å"How was your day?† â€Å"Great. Went for a drive. Hung out in the park.† â€Å"Sounds nice.† â€Å"Sure, sure.† Suddenly, she made a face. â€Å"Rose?† she asked. I heard Blondie chuckle. â€Å"Again?† â€Å"I think I've drunk two gallons in the last hour,† Bella explained. Edward and I both got out of the way while Rosalie came to lift Bella from the couch and take her to the bathroom. â€Å"Can I walk?† Bella asked. â€Å"My legs are so stiff.† â€Å"Are you sure?† Edward asked. â€Å"Rose'llcatch me if I trip over my feet. Which could happen pretty easily, since I can't see them.† Rosalie set Bellacarefully on her feet, keeping her hands right atBella's shoulders. Bella stretched her arms out in front of her, wincing a little. â€Å"That feels good,† she sighed. â€Å"Ugh, but I'm huge.† She really was. Her stomach was its own continent. â€Å"One more day,† she said, and patted her stomach. I couldn't help the pain that shot through me in a sudden, stabbing burst, but I tried to keep it off my face. I could hide it for one more day, right? â€Å"All righty, then. Whoops – oh, no!† The cup Bella had left on the sofa tumbled to one side, the dark red blood spilling out onto the pale fabric. Automatically, though three other hands beat her there, Bella bent over, reaching out to catch it. There was the strangest, muffled ripping sound from the center of her body. â€Å"Oh!† she gasped. And then she went totally limp, slumping toward the floor. Rosalie caught her in the same instant, before she could fall. Edward was there, too, hands out, the mess on the sofa forgotten. â€Å"Bella?† he asked, and then his eyes unfocused, and panic shot across his features. A half second later,Bella screamed. Itwas not justa scream, it was a blood-curdling shriek of agony. The horrifying sound cut off with a gurgle, and her eyes rolled back into her head. Her body twitched, arched in Rosalie's arms, and then Bella vomited a fountain of blood.