Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Libyan Conflict Involvement

NATO means the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; it is an Intergovernmental military alliance based on North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on April 4th 1948. It comprises of 28 nations, and its headquarter is in Brussels in Belgium (Marco, 2009). Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Libyan Conflict Involvement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is the world largest military alliance, and its member states agreed to offer a joint defense in reaction to any external attack by any external enemy. Example of interventions, where NATO has been involved include: Kosovo Intervention 1999, Afghanistan war, Iraq training Mission on August 2004, Gulf of Aden anti-piracy on August 2009 and Libyan Conflict 2011 (Peter, 2000). Libyan conflict started on 12th and 13th 2011 where violence broke out between protesters and the government under Colonel Muamar Gadaffi who came into power in 1969.The Libyan revolt quickly developed into an insurgency and then into civil war (Itamar, 2012). On 17th March 2011, United Nations Security Resolution of 1973 was enacted, and it authorized a cease fire and military action to protect civilians. Consequently NATO forces enforced no fly-zone and enforced an arms embargo against Libya. A leader of a member country of NATO would consider the following before participating in the Libyan conflict. There are some risks involved, since it is vital for the leader to evaluate the risks that would affect his nation negatively before deciding to participate or not in the Libyan conflict. For example, loss of a significant relationship with other countries and the cost involved (Peter, 2000). Revenge is also a factor to be considered. Here, a nation would consider past damages caused by Libya against its interests. In addition, an evaluation would be carried out to determine the need of the revenge (Marco, 2009). Trade relations between Libya and the nation would also be a weighty factor to deliberate on before deciding whether or not to participate in the conflict. For example, if the country is dependent on Libyan products such as oil, hydrocarbon which is of high quality and extraction is easy and profitable the leader could decide to participate in the war to safeguard the imports and exports (Itamar, 2012). Another factor is the vulnerability to terrorism. The conflict would lead to a fallen state and terrorist would take advantage of the conflict to spread terrorism propaganda and recruit more people to join their group. This would in turn be a threat to the international peace (Itamar, 2012).Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The stability of the government is also a crucial factor. Here, a leader would consider the stability of government back home, for example, threats from opposition parties as it would be better to sol ve internal problems first (Peter, 2000). A leader is that person who inspires people to achieve a particular objective. A leader in addition must have a dream, obligation and energy to ensure that the dream is achieved. Leadership skills are tools, capabilities and conducts that a person requires to be successful in motivating and directing others (John, 2010). The following leadership skills would be significant and relevant for a leader while deciding on whether to join the Libyan conflict or not. Leaders need to communicate effectively and efficiently. Thus, a leader should communicate to other decision makers effectively in order to move them toward achieving the chosen goal (Terry, 2002). A leader must have a will to take the risk. The leader must be willing to take calculative risks since the decision to participate in the conflict is risky as the outcomes are uncertain (John, 2010). A leader should be a problem solver. It is crucial that a leader knows how to handle various problems since the decision to participate in the conflicts should be thought of carefully. Therefore, a leader should identify the problem tactfully, and in this case the problem is the Libyan conflict and makes the final decision on whether to participate in the conflict (John, 2010). Ability to achieve a tangible result is a must. To portray this, the leader must be committed to achieving results and have a drive to move toward achieving a common goal. This will ensure that the citizens agree with the decision made by their leader (Terry, 2002). A leader must have the capacity to motivate people to achieve the common goal. A leader therefore should motivate other decision makers in the government to come up with thoughts that would aid in deciding whether or not to participate in the Libya conflict (Terry, 2002).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Libyan Conflict Involvement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn M ore A leader should be a proven planner. Planning is very crucial as the interests of the country would be endangered in case of poor planning. Thus, a leader should come up with various achievable strategies that would keep everyone moving together toward achieving the common goal (John, 2010). In conclusion, a leader should consider various factors before participating in the Libya conflict and to do so, the leader must have the above leadership skills. This is important since a leader is a representation of the country’s interests. Therefore, uncalculated move would be a catastrophic. Reference List Itamar, R. (2012).The Lingering Conflict: Israel, the Arabs, and the Middle East 1948– 2012. U.S.A: Brookings Institution Press. John, A. (2010). Develop your Leadership Skills. U.K: Kogan Page Publishers. Marco, R. (2009). The A to Z of NATO and Other International Security Organizations. U.S.A: Scarecrow Press. Peter, D. (2000). NATO: Its Past, Present, and Future. U .S.A: Hoover Press. Terry, G. (2002). Leadership Skills for Boosting Performance. U.K: CIPD Publishing.Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This research paper on Libyan Conflict Involvement was written and submitted by user Elyse Robinson to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Outsourcing And Its Advantage And Disadvantage Essays - Outsourcing

Outsourcing And Its Advantage And Disadvantage Essays - Outsourcing Outsourcing And Its Advantage And Disadvantage Introduction : Nowadays, many organisation are outsourcing their non- core activities to an external agents. Distribution is one of these activities as distribution consider as a non-core activity for many firms. Although, there are many advantage for outsourcing, there are also risks and disadvantage in this process. In this essay I would explain the term outsourcing and explain why organisations are preferring to outsource some of its functions in todays environment. Also, in this essay it has been tried to analysis the advantage and disadvantage of the outsourcing process and its risks towards the organisation. The word outsourcing could be described as the contractual relationship with a specialised outside service provider for work traditionally done in-house. Outsourcing could also be defined as the use of external agents to perform one or more organisational activities. In the last decade or so there has been a trend, particular among large scale companies, to hand over the whole or part of the distribution function to the external agents. One should emphasis that outsourcing is an issue that is not specific to distribution. Many other organisational functions, such as information system, building maintenance, etc, have been outsource for many years in organisations. There are different reasons for organisations outsourcing their distribution function. More and more organisations today face a dynamic and changing environment. This, in turn, is requiring these organisations to adapt. Competition is also changing. The global economy means that competitors are likely to come from across the ocean as from across town. Successful organisations will be the ones that can change in response to the competition and changing environment. In other words, they will be flexible. Therefore, todays organisation stand in sharp contrast to the typical bureaucratic organisations that have many vertical levels of management and where control is sought through ownership. In such organisations, Research and Development are done in-house, production occurs in company-owned plants, and sales and distribution are performed by the companys own employees. To support all this, management has to employ extra personal including accountants, human

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Business game modified assignmen Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Business game modified assignmen - Essay Example This company has gained great praise due to its ability to maintain its name in Europe as a car-manufacturing corporation. The corporation has endeavoured to produce high quality cars by using high technology. The company has also managed to remain stable in the competitive European market. In order to fit in the market, the company created an initiative of assessing its target customers, with the aim of acquiring maximum profits from their business initiative. Effective marketing ensures competitive advantage by appealing to consumer values and preferences (Porter 1985; Porter, 1987). At the commencement of the project, our team embarked on a mission to maximise the company’s profits by weighing the shareholders’ investment. At the end of Round 4, our group had managed to acquire about four percent of the market share inclusive of the City and Large car. Our company is keen to check the profit and losses incurred by VICA. Focus on the workers’ demands is among t he company’s major concerns, which it does in order to develop a rapport between the management and the workers, as well as to keep the company on its toes. The target group of the company’s City car falls below 25 years of age while the Large car is aimed at persons between the ages of 41-55 years. In terms of the City car the vehicle is suitable for short distances and is affordable for young people. On the other hand, the Large car is suitable for older people who need to carry luggage of varying sizes and move over longer distances. The forecast for Round 1 can be summarised in the table on the following page. The table is inclusive of sales, profits and balance. The forecast for the City car stood at 53300b while that of the large car was 40950b. CASH FLOW FORECAST Cash In Cash Out Opening Bank Balance ?500,000,000.00 Sales Income ?1,628,805,750.00 Total Material Cost ?1,211,774,167.50 Total Labour Cost ?47,000,000.00 Total Overheads ?242,508,062.56 Factory Cost ? 650,000,000.00 Automation Expenditure ?17,500,000.00 Tax Payment ?38,392,055.98 Net Interest Payment ?0.00 Bank Balance before Loan -?77,918,536.04 Loan Requested ?200,000,000.001 Closing Bank Balance ?122,081,463.96 Company Performance Round 1 Forecast Model based on production, sales and bank balances pre- and post-loan Production 94,250 Sales ?1,630 m Post-Tax Profit ?86.9 m Bank Balance Before Loan ?- 77 m Bank Balance After Loan ?123 m The process of launching the cars into the European market was a complex task that needed to consider elements of establishing an appropriate pricing model, determining manufacturing capacity, the volume of labourers required, and profit/loss projections based on cost recognition. Strategies for launch included first identifying key market characteristics associated with lifestyle and preferences for small/large cars along with environmental attitudes. Market Share Analysis, Gross Margin and Post-tax Profit Round 1 Overheads Overheads Income Cost Fixed Overheads ?128,958,062.56 Market Promotion ?55,000,000.00 Research & Development ?48,700,000.00 Training Cost ?940,000.00 Total Overheads ?233,598,062.56 Budget capabilities, which maintained oversight related to loan procurement as a failure to include loan capital in the figures, dictated limited production capabilities due to overhead and other associated factors related to economies of scale and capital availability. The first production run for Citzen cars was 53,300 whilst larger cars were to be produced

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Motivational Needs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Motivational Needs - Essay Example This includes food, sleep, water, exercise, clothing shelter and so forth (Iigo, 2000). Coon (2000) stated the three major categories of motives. Primary motives- which are based on biological needs that must be met for survival. The most important primary motives are hunger, thirst, pain avoidance, and needs for air, sleep, elimination of wastes, and regulation of body temperature. Love and Belongingness Needs. When the individual has minimum satisfaction of his survival and security needs, belongingness needs become important to him. The need for love, acceptance and approval by others - his family, friends those with whom he works (Cawaon, 1999). Cognitive Needs. We live in a decade where the source of power is information and education. Never in the lifetime of man has learning resources exploded and expanded to a phenomenal degree as today. Knowledge is everywhere and technology is facilitating our means of getting to it and using it (Puangco, 2005). Bandala et al. (1996) students motivation in general is high although students achievement motivation had a higher degree of motivation than the other areas. This suggests that students are continually striving, changing and trying to achieve their goals in life.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Financial Analysis of M&S Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Financial Analysis of M&S - Essay Example An important point to make here is that M&S is a UK based brand with 50% of its stores being in the UK. Its revenue generation is mostly derived from UK operations which accounts for 90% of the total revenue of the company. The company has shown a steady increase in the revenues in the last three years. In 2011 the revenue increased by 2%, followed by the same in the year 2012. However, the operating profits in the last two years haven’t increased in the same line. In the year 2011, the operating profit was  £836.9m which fell to  £746.5m, resulting in operating profit margin of 9.53% in 2011 and 8.84% in 2012. This clearly shows that company’s cost control is weak and the cost of goods sold hasn’t increased in the same line as revenues. The reason for such instability in profits for 2012 is the expansion and improvement plan the company is implementing till 2013 which will result in increased sales and satisfied consumers in the future. Because of the very r easons the company has experienced the increased cost of sale, interest expense, administrative and selling expenses. Similarly, the company’s net profit margin has also decreased from 8.13% in 2011 to 7.54% in 2012. The company’s return on capital employed (ROCE) has been increasing at a slow pace from being 17.24% in 2010, 19.0% in 2011 which declined to 18.8% in 2012. The reason for declining ROCE can be linked to declining PAT of the company accompanied by an increase in the total assets. (MARKSANDSPENCER. 2012) The company’s gearing ratio has decreased in last three years. In 2010, the company had a gearing ratio of 108.6% which was a lot, in the year 2011, the company reduced its long-term liabilities and the ratio fell to 76.91% which further was decreased to 74.54% in 2012. The reason for falling gearing ratio is the fall in the total liabilities of the company, which is beneficial as it will reduce in lower interest payments.

Friday, November 15, 2019

An Overview On The Mysterious Creature

An Overview On The Mysterious Creature Bigfoot is a mysterious creature that is characteristic features very large, with feathers that cover the entire body. Bigfoot reportedly found in the regions of Canada and North America since the 19th century. In view of the trail leg is estimated weighed 400 pounds. Bigfoot is also known as Sasquatch or Skunk also sometimes called monkey. Sasquatch is a legend that circulated animals in North America. Bigfoot, which means big feet are huge creatures the remnants of ancient times. Predictably, these animals still live in snowy mountainous areas, including in the United States and the Himalayan mountains of China, and people believe these creatures can be found all over the world with the names of different, like the Yeti in Tibet and Nepal, Yeren in China and Yowie in Australia. Description Bigfoot experts suspect is a gorilla and a half men. Height two until four feet, walking upright on two feet. Fur thin gray with black head reddish. Numbered five toes, similar to humans and apes. Its weight reached 230 pounds. These animals have intelligence on the monkey, but far below the human. Bigfoot does not malignant, and even tend to shy. His face was friendly, as well as tame monkeys. These animals moved quickly away when meeting people. Viewed from the anatomy, the scientists suspected Bigfoot is Gigantopithecus animal species. This huge animal fossils are found in China. But there is also a declared Bigfoot is Homoerectus (apes walked upright). Bigfoot is considered omnivores because he ate the plants wild crops such as mushrooms, fruits, etc, fish, insects and animal flesh. Nickname Bigfoot Bigfoot named because no one had managed to see the original form. So far, people can only find traces of the giant legs. The giant footprints were first discovered a journalist from California, the United States in March 1999. That night he was driving to Oregon. In a lonely place, he stopped at a diner. Suddenly there was uproar. He ran to his car. A printed giant footprints around the car. He looked around, vaguely giant beast of about 2.5 meters tall in the middle of running the thick night. Since then the legend of Bigfoot began. There have been many kinds of names used to refer to a Bigfoot, among others: Bad Idians Mountain Devils Omaha Bushman Sasquatch Yeren Yeti (special for Bigfoot was living in Alaska who has a white fur). Footprints Bigfood Footprints of course very different from other animal footprints, because its much different characteristics, but Bigfoot footprints are very similar to human footprints, except that hers bigger Bigfoot. There have been many cases where people have found the large footprints of what are thought to be from the bigfoot. They are generally found to resemble human footprints, except they are much larger. If the footprints are not man-made for the purpose of hoaxing, then it can be assumed in many cases that the creature that made them are quite large. In 1958 and 1959, Bob Titmus found several tracks in the area of Bluff Creek, California, later to be made famous by the Patterson / Gimlin film footage. In 1988, wildlife biologist John Bindernagel found many tracks, some of them 16 inches long. Most recently, on the Science Fiction channels television show called Destination Truth, host Josh Gates found a large track in the Himalayas. Smells and Sound Many people who claim to have had close encounters with Bigfoot say that there is quite a stench associated with the creatures. The smells have been described as a cross between that of a skunk and rotting meat. In one case a man by the name of Sean Fries claimed to have such a meeting in June of 1988. He said that something woke him up one night while camping, and that when he went outside he was assailed by an unbelievable smell. He says he believes Sasquatch was nearby. Sometimes people claim to have heard the sounds of Bigfoot. They say the noises are not like anything heard in nature. Some people say that the noises are different for different geographical areas. There have also been claims made that people have heard these creatures communicating with one another with a series of whoops and chirps. People around the Himalayan Mountains are often heard roaring sound. KAPPA In the mythology of Japans Shinto religion, there is a legend about a creature identified as the god of water. The creature called Kappa. However, unlike any other mythological creatures, this time, there are at least 4 mummy Kappa stored neatly in Japan and the Netherlands. Description Kappa story first appeared in the Nihon Shoki ancient records from the year 720 AD. In the document, Kappa called Kawa no kami. In the Edo period, Illustrations of Kappa appeared in anthologies and paintings. In 1910, Kappa started getting popularity after a story titled Tono Monogatari published. In the telling of stories about the legendary creatures, including some Kappa. But at this time, Kappa is described as more of a cartoon character with a funny character. Kappa sometimes described as an evil creature, but many legends told about Kappa as being a good and intelligent treat. If he was captured and asked to promise not to harm people again, he would keep his promise. Nickname Kappa Kappa is often identified as the god of water has a variety of titles. Another name from this creature of them is Kawataro (water boy), Kawaka, Kawaranbe, Kyuusenbou, Masunta, Mu Jima and Ningyo. Characteristics of Kappa Kappa is described as having the shape of a snake, dragon, eels or turtles. Kappa bodied like a child, faced monkey, a shell in the back, long hair and scaly skin is yellow green. Despite its size as a child, Kappa is a great strength. He dared to attack a horse and able to attract prey larger in the water. Some records say this creature can change colours like a chameleon body. This creature also has a smell like fish and hates loud and metal objects. One unique feature of the Kappa is the existence of a cavity without a cap on his head. This round cavity filled with water becomes a source of strength Kappa. Kappa can be found in lakes, rivers, springs and even the irrigation canal. The main habitat in the region spread Kappa Kyushu and Honshu river in Sarugaishi. Short people are the most famous creatures in cryptozoology Indonesia. It is said that according to witnesses he had a body like an ape, but walk like a human. Unlike the American Bigfoot, the short person really fit with his name. This creature has only a high less than 1 meter. Description Short People are creatures who believe life cryptozoolgy spread in some areas such as Sumatra, Bengkulu, Palembang and Jambi. Legend of short people began to sound early 20th century. On August 21, 1915, Edward Jacobson found a set of mysterious tracks at the edge of the lake Bento, in the southeastern mountains Kerinci, Jambi Province. Guide called Mat Getoep said that traces of 5 inch long is the property of Short People. In December 1917, a plantation manager named Oostingh Short People met in a forest near Bukit Kaba. When the creature saw him, he stood up and calmly walked a few yards and then climbed into the tree and disappeared. Nickname Short People Other names often associated with short people, among others: Atu Short, Ijaoe, Sedabo, Sedapa, Sindai, Uhang Pandak, People Letjo and People Gugu. Characteristics of Short People This creature has a high only around 70 cm, surrounded by dark fur. But his face was not covered with feathers relative. Sometimes the witnesses heard strange noises coming from his mouth. At first, many researchers suspect that this creature really is a monkey or ape. But the witnesses description of the behavior and way of operation is not in accordance with the behavior of apes or gibbons. Moreover, the footprints are found suggest that these creatures are not classified into the known primates. CADBOROSAURUS Cameron Lake is a popular lake located in British Columbia, Canada. The extent of approximately 4.5 km2 and the depth of about 70 meters. In the lake are living different kinds of fish such as salmon and trout. This lake does not freeze during the winter and the lake is also the tourists and residents about reports of mysterious creature that is sometimes visible to the surface. Description Many people say that the creature in the lake is cadborosaurus Cameron. Cadborosaurus is a mysterious creature shaped sea snakes. Its name is derived from Cadboro Bay in Victoria, British Columbia, and the Greek root word sauros meaning lizard or reptile. In 1937, a fisherman found the carcass of a Cadborosaurus in the belly of a pope in Cadboro Bay in Victoria. Characteristics of Cadborosaurus Cadborosaurus is said to resemble a serpent with vertical coils or humps in tandem behind the horse-like head and long neck, with a pair of small elevating front flippers, and a pair of large webbed hind flippers fused to form a large fan-like tail region that provides powerful forward propulsion. Story At that time, a woman and her father who was driving the car at the side of the lake said she saw a long black creature swimming in the lake. But the appearance of the report was not too memorable to the public until other sightings were reported on July 30, 2007. At that Bridgette Horvath was driving his car when he saw a suspicious water turbulence in the lake. He did not see any boats on the lake. So it must have been caused by turbulence in the water something. Horvath pulled over his car and walked toward the lake with camera in hand. Then, he returned to see the turmoil in the water. Without wasting time, Horvath took a picture immediately. Shaped like a snake. He said. The object was not a log, nor the waves because there is no ship at the time. In fact, you could see something like a large fish, the object was a living thing he went again. Photographs taken immediately decorate Horvath headlines-headlines in the media world. Since then, a mysterious lake creature Cameron got a name, Cammy. But according to the opinion of some other Cryptozoologyst, there is a Cammy possibility Cadborosaurus. TENGU In Japan, there are legends about a mysterious alien, which is being considered as the devil and the body is described as having half bird and half human. This creature is called by the name of Tengu. Remarkably, a Tengu mummies stored neatly in Aomori prefecture. Museum of Hachinohe in Aomori, northern Japan, is home to a supposedly Tengu mummy was originally owned by Nambu Nobuyori, Nambu clan leader who ruled Hachinohe in the mid-18th century. Tengu who has become a mummy is believed to come from the city of Nobeoka (Miyazaki prefecture) in southern Japan. Some theories say that the mummy was reached northern Japan after a passed to several family members of the ruling Japanese Samurai, until at last reached the Museum of Hachinohe in Aomori. Description Tengu mythology originated from around the 6th century AD in line with the arrival of Buddhism to Japan from China. Tengu considered a goblin who lived in the woods and mountains. They called to have such supernatural powers can be transformed into the human or animal, can talk to people without opening his mouth and capable of moving from one place to another quickly use their wings. Tengu word actually means dog heaven. In Chinese mythology, this creature has its place with the name of Tien Kou (Tiangou) which means the sky dogs. This name is not in accordance with the description of Tengu. This creature has no way as a dog, but more like a bird. Characteristics of Tengu Tengu has a human head, but has hairy legs and wings like a bird. Tengu has two physical forms. The first is called Karasu tengu who has a head and beak like a bird. The second was a Konoha tengu who has a form like men but have wings and a long nose (sometimes called Yamabushi tengu). CRISTAL SKULL There is a genuine American legend that says the 13 human skulls made of crystal that can talk and sing. According to legend, the crystal skull contains answers to some mysteries of the world and life. The legend also says that one day, when mankind experienced a major crisis, then the 13 skulls will be rediscovered and once again collected to provide knowledge and information vital to humanity. Story Crystal skull was first discovered in the ruins of Maya cities and buried deep in dense forests. In 1924, British explorer, Frederick Mitchell-Hedges and his colleagues are adventurous, trying to find the remains of the legend of Atlantis in Belize, Central America. One day, when they were walking through dense forest, they found a pile of rocks covered with thick grass and bushes. The rest is history. The group found a city that has long Lubaantun lost, which in Mayan language means the city tumbled stone. Throughout the excavations at the site, adopted son of Mitchell-Hedges, who called her said that she had found a skull made of crystal buried under the altar in one of the ruins of a pyramid-shaped temple. Told, when the skull was found, the Mayan workers immediately filled with a leap of joy. They immediately put the skull above the altar, ritual and dance around it. Apparently, an ancient and supernatural power has returned into the lives of these people. The skull is entirely m ade of transparent crystal. Its size just like a human skull size and very accurate in the anatomy shown with a separate jawbone. Anna Mitchell Hedges skull was found died in 2007 at the age of 100 years. He had kept the skull in his life. Anna believes that the skull had given him strength and health until she was 100 years old. Some people who have spent time with the skull was also admitted to having some strange experiences, like the sound of soft, like a humming out of the skull. And sometimes they could see flashes of images of the past and future are reflected from the skull. Surprisingly, the crystal skull of Anna Mitchell Hedges, not only crystal skull was found. Since this discovery, several other skulls had been found as foretold by ancient legends. Currently there are at least six other skeletons that are stored in museums world-renowned. All these skulls are still unknown origin. Most owners believe that the skull came from Middle America, whether it is from the Maya, A ztecs, or even interest from the period before the Maya is a mysterious tribe of Atlantis. MOTHMAN On September 11, 2001, the WTC twin towers were hit by two airplanes. The twin towers collapsed, flat on the ground. All eyes of the world look at the event. Of course, these events changed the world of terrorism. However, when the collapse of the twin towers, a mysterious creature caught on camera was flying around the building. Description Mothman is the name given to a creature that was reported seen in Point Pleasant, West Virginia among 12 November 1966 until December 1967. Many witnesses stated that the Mothman is a winged creature like the moth, the size of a human high and the most prominent are the two red eyes glowing. Sometimes there are several witnesses who say that the creature had no head and eyes in the chest. Story The first testimony about the Mothman came on 12 November 1966 of 5 men who were in a local cemetery to prepare a burial ceremony. When theyre working, they realize that there is a human-shaped creature that emerged from the dark between the trees and then flew over their heads. Another report came from two pairs of young couple from Point Pleasant named David and Linda Scarberry and Steve and Mary Mallette. One night on November 15, 1966, they are traveling on the night with Scarberrys car. They passed a factory area in western Virginia named TNT. The name was given because during the Second World War, the plant was used as an ammunition manufacturing location. As they passed the area, they saw the two big red eyes in the darkness of the night near the factory gate. They stopped the car and finally realized that both the red light is a single pair of eyes belonged to a strange creature. In the description, they say, The creature has a height and shape as humans, probably about 1.8 meters tall and has wings folded on its back. The next testimony came from Couple Raymond Wamsley and Mrs. Marcella Bennett. When they were about to drive to visit their friend Ralph Thomas, they are aware of a figure appeared behind their car was parked. According to Mrs. Bennett seems the creature was lying and then slowly rose from the ground. Its looks great with a gray pair of glowing red eyes and wings folded on its back. Mrs Bennet was so frightened that she dropped the babys arms. While Wamsley phoned the police, the creature disappeared. Mothman appearance outside Ohio and Virginia that are in the UK recorded along the road near the village of Sandling Park, Kent on November 16, 1963. Four of the farmers see the animals moving from the sky and disappeared behind the trees not far from them. Because of fear, they ran, but stopped after seeing the oval of golden light floating a few feet above the field. They described the object as a UFO. Suddenly, accompanying the appearance of it, a dark shadow walked and went to the breeders. The shadow was the property of a dark black creature, as tall as humans, without a head and wings like bats. They were so scared and could not move, and then the creature vanished. EL CHUPACABRA Description The most common testimony about the chupacabra is a creature like reptiles, have skin glaucous and flow back from the neck to tail. Height of about 1-1,2 meters and standing or jumping like a kangaroo. At least one appearance reported that he jumped as high as 6 meters. Other testimony said the creature resembled a dog / panther without fur and fangs long and smells of sulfur. History chupacabra According to the reliefs found in Europe, some researchers connect the chupacabra with gargoyles, creatures that are part of European history and associated with evil spirits. Currently chupacabra have a place in the legends of Latin society. In 2005, Isaac Espinoza spent about $ 6 million from his pocket to investigate the chupacabra. He stayed for eight months in Latin America in the woods with her team. Several times they had encounters with strange creatures like chupacabra. They filmed the creature several times and took samples of hair and skin that had obtained to the University of Texas for analysis. The result is that the creature is not of a kind known today. Report Appearance In April 2006, MosNews reported that the chupacabra seen in Russia for the first time. The report mentions the existence of a strange creature that attacks cattle and sucking their blood. The next report came from a neighboring village who said that 30 sheep were killed and their blood becomes dry. On January 2008 chupacabra reported seen in the province of Capiz in the Philippines. Some local residents believe that the chupacabra has been killed eight chickens. The owners of the chickens are seeing an animal resembling a dog that attacked his chickens. NESSIE Nessie is a familiar call for the Loch Ness Monster, which beings are not yet identified, is said to live on a lake in Scotland called the State Lake Loch.Nessie usually categorized as Lake Monster. This monster is one of the estimated beings purabakala can survive the extinction of the dinosaur era and there earth. Nessie also one of the mysteries of animal other than Bigfoot and Yeti Monster. Description Nessie many close relatives associated with Plesiosaur, which is kind of long-necked dinosaur that lived in water. Its including carnivorous species. Because their habitats in the water made them eat fish. Story One set of researchers from the BBC in July 2003 and arrived at the edge of Lake Loch Ness, Scotland. Their presence in the lake area of 56.4 square miles that aims to uncover the mystery that has for too long confused the public, not just the population in Scotland but throughout the world. It was a very long mystery sounds, dozens of sightings have been made the story from the mouths of witnesses, but the actual existence of a giant lake at the bottom of Loch Ness is still the enigma that is not endless. Some time, the researchers enjoy the view of reconciling the lake Loch heart. In silence, they may ask questions, there is really a giant lurking beneath the surface of the lake water? Is a giant lake that is often called Nessie really exist?. He had long been charged inhabit the lake Loch and many local residents claimed to have seen him since his first appearance around the sixth century. However, more often hide Nessie herself. Centuries passed, Nessie eventually become local le gend. The story of the legend that started back when the worlds attention on July 22, 1933, when a man named Spicer and his wife startled to see a huge creature crossed in front of them. They saw the giant long-necked creature moved toward the lake before disappearing in the thick bush on the contrary. The story of the couple is then spread rapidly, not only throughout Scotland but that all over the world. Parties interested in the story of a giant lake, Loch began offering a tempting prize for anyone who can capture the mysterious creature, living or dead. Even a tycoon, Bertram Mills offered a sum of money of   £ 20,000 to anyone who caught and handed over to him. Since then, reports by successive reports made by the witnesses who claimed to come back to see the giant creature Nessie. Among them are reports of a resident named Grant, he claimed to have seen a huge creature figure at 1 am, January 5, 1934. When the area along the lake, Grant recounts seeing a large object ca me from the edge of the lake. However, these creatures then became aware of Grant and immediately headed toward the lake. Grant then rushed off the boat and motorcycle chase him, but he was only able to see the ripples on the lake after the creature dive into it. OGOPOGO Ogopogo is an intimate call for a lake monster named Canadas Lake Okanagan. Topics for discussion about the existence of mysterious creatures Okanagan Lake has been heard the story since 1850, where at the beginning of the year for the first Ogopogo reveal itself to the tourists and local residents. Description According to witnesses who saw it said that a creature with a large build, dark colour and has a long body shape have emerged surface water and swim down the middle of the lake. It happened in a long time, so they can be freer to observe and identify the creature. According to them, the creature is not a snake, even though few have the same shape on his body. That snake has no registration body size and all these creatures. Many people who listened to the witnesses actually booed them, maybe the creature was indeed a snake, but exaggerated the drawing figures, which became a sensational thing. Report Appearance 1872 Ogopogo appears in this year, two American tourists Mr. and Mrs. Allison is a person who reported appearance. 1947 Ogopogo again reveal itself, but its appearance at this year is remarkable because it moves toward the side of the lake to show you how to swim like a moving body, but not until a few moments later the creature back into the bottom of the lake. This incident was witnessed by at least a dozen witnesses FLYING ROD Rod, sometimes referred to as fishing heaven, is a new interest in the field of cryptozoology. He is a creature who flew and spun at high speed so elusive to the naked eye. The only evidence of the rod is catching images by the camera because the cameras ability to capture a more accurate movement. Rod sightings occurred in almost all the world. Description Rod called because the shape of his body likes a stick. From the observation by the camera, it can be concluded that the long-Rod between 10 cm to 5 meters. And Rod can also control the direction of flight just like birds or insects. Rod has a body like a thin membrane like a jellyfish, including their axis bones. Some claim that Rod is the animal that has not known and probably still flying anomalocarids family. Results Appearance Human Blue Legend of Blue-skinned man who was recorded in the history of Kentucky, America is a thing that interested me. Especially if associated with a variety of beliefs about the blue people from various parts of the world. Story This happened 6 generations ago, when it was a French orphan named Martin Fugate got a land grant in 1820 and moved to Eastern Kentucky area, known as the Troublesome Creek. Martin married American woman, Elizabeth Smith, who had red hair and very white skin, white as snow. Fugates family has 7 children, and 4 of them blue-skinned. This family grew in number, as fellow members of Fugates family to marry one another. Marriage between cousins is often the case, Fugates family also married with families of their neighbours. These communities live in remote areas that do not have the infrastructure. The children of blue-skinned Martin finally married to the brother of their mother. Zachariah, a blue-skinned son, married to the mothers siblings, and produce combinations of genes that 100 years later became the cause of Benjy Stacys birth with a purplish blue colour! As a family doctor was astonished at Benjys condition, they explain the story of Benjys great-grandmother, the Luna Fugate. Family says, Luna is a woman who very blue, the blue woman who ever lived. Lunas father is a Levy Fugate, son of Zachariah. Levy married a Ritchie girl and family 200 are purchased land in Ball Creek. The couple had 8 children, including Luna. A young man named John Stacy met Luna at worship weekly at a local Baptist church. Stacy Luna then married and they moved to Ball Creek. Stacy still remembers a father figure-in-law, Levy Fugate who has blue skin colour. All men from the blue-skinned were Luna family. And they dubbed The Blue Fugates. Carrie Lee Kilburn, a nurse at the hospital, recalled Home place Centred Luna and his family as the blue-skinned people. Lunas blue-skinned. Colour dark blue lips, like a bruise. Women were blue Ive ever seen . Stacy Luna has a health condition, gave birth to 13 children and died in old age, 84 years old. Luna is known as an energetic and rarely went to the clinic for treatment. Benjy Stacy was born in a modern hospital near Hazard, Kentucky, not far from Troublesome Creek. Benjy inherited the red hair colour of the mother. But, his great-grandfather of skin colour also declined her! Benjys blue skin. The doctor was surprised, but Benjys parents did not. The doctors send Benjy to be tested at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kentucky. After 2-day inspection, found no cause for the blue colour. After a history of skin Benjys blue in the family is known, the doctors concluded that this condition decreased. However, the blue gene in Benjys body is not as strong as his great grandfather. In a few weeks, the colour of Benjys blue skin began to fade and become normal. However, in a state of anger or too cold, nail and lip colour purple Benjy. OARFISH In the past, when cars and airplanes not exist, the travellers explore the world by ship. And since then came the legendary sea monsters extraordinary. Do these monsters really exist? or just a fantasy of a drunken sailor? Although science cannot determine with certainty the identity of these monsters, but at least there are some prime suspects who could be considered. This is one of them, Regalecus Glesne or Oarfish. Description These fish belong to the category of rare and very seldom seen. So rare that the fish is never caught camera alive until the year 2001. He belongs to the family who has Regalecidae four species. One species, Regalecus Glesne, were talking about this, never entered into the Guinness Book of World Records because it has found that living with a body length up to 11 meters. The food is plankton and sea creatures small. He was able to live to a depth of 1000 meters. Strangely, this fish has no scales. His body was covered only by a kind of membrane, called guanine. This fish has a red single fin and includes a loner fish. However, when these fish are sick or dying, like the loner is not want to die in loneliness. So he climbed into the top surface of the sea and stay there until death. Maybe they want to attract the attention of the sailors, or just want to look at the sun for the last time.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 13

Micha I'm determined to have a party tonight, even though I'm not a fan of parties. Never really have been. I just like how they block out all the noise inside my head and what I'm hoping is that tonight's will block out the sound of my dad's voice. Ella bailed on me when we got back to our houses, muttering something about finding her father. I offered to go with her, but she declined and took Lila instead. I let her be because I sensed she needed space. I was fine with her taking some time as long as it wasn't the space of five hundred miles. Ethan and I take a break from working on the car to plan the party. After a massive amount of text messages are sent out and a couple of keggers ordered by Ethan, we're good to go. We're hanging around in the kitchen, waiting for people to start showing up when clouds start rolling in and thunder rattles at the windows. â€Å"Can I ask you something?† Ethan asks abruptly. I take out a frozen burrito from the freezer and drop it on a plate. â€Å"Sure. What's up?† â€Å"Don't take this the wrong way.† He tips back in his chair. â€Å"But what is it with Ella? Why are you so fixated on her? You have like a ton of girls falling at your feet all the time and you used to totally be all into it. Then suddenly you weren't and it was all about her.† â€Å"I wasn't ever into the girls falling at my feet. I was just bored.† I pop the plate into the microwave and press start. He grabs a handful of chips from a bag on the table. â€Å"Okay, but that still doesn't answer my question.† I cross my arms, uncomfortable with the awkward heart-to-heart moment. â€Å"I'm not sure, but why do you care?† â€Å"I'm just curious because you've never talked about it.† â€Å"Yeah, but we don't talk about a lot of stuff.† He lets the chair legs reconnect to the floor. â€Å"Look, I'm not asking you to open up and spill your feelings out to me, so quit being weird. I just want to understand because I've known both of you practically forever.† The microwave beeps and I turn to it. â€Å"It was the night of the snowboarding incident. That's when I realized things were different.† â€Å"When she broke her arm?† he asks. â€Å"And you had to take her to the hospital.† I nod. â€Å"You remember how she fell off the roof and then didn't get up right away and certain people were yelling that she was dead.† â€Å"Hey, I was drunk,† Ethan gripes because he was the one yelling. â€Å"And she looked dead to me.† â€Å"Well, that's when I knew.† I take the burrito out and set it on the counter. â€Å"Thinking she was dead was seriously the most terrifying thing that's ever happened to me. More than the idea of my father never returning. More than my own death.† Ethan nods, trying to make sense of my babbling. â€Å"Okay†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I slam the microwave door shut and sit down at the table. â€Å"Hey, you asked.† He taps his phone on the table. â€Å"What do you think of Lila?† â€Å"She seems nice.† I get up and grab a soda from the fridge and then toss one to Ethan. â€Å"And she seems to be into you, I guess.† He taps the top of the can, and then flips the tab. â€Å"Yeah, but she barely knows me.† Sipping my soda, I sit back down. â€Å"Everyone barely knows you.† He shrugs, staring out the window. â€Å"I never really understood the point of that whole get-to-know-you thing.† The house phone rings and our conversation ends. I inhale the rest of the burrito as the answer machine beeps. â€Å"Um, hi†¦ this message is for Micha.† It's my father's voice. I freeze, gripping the edge of the table. â€Å"Look, Terri, I understand that he's pissed at me, but I need to talk to him. It's important, okay? And he hung up on me yesterday morning†¦ I thought maybe if you encouraged him to call me?† He sounds frazzled. â€Å"I don't know†¦ look, I'm sorry.† He hangs up. I release the table from my death grip, get up, and delete the message from the phone. When I turn around, Ethan is on his feet. The hole that I punched in the wall hasn't been fixed and I think about hammering my fist through it again. â€Å"We should get our shit picked up before it rains,† Ethan says, staring at the sky through the window. I pop my knuckles and walk for the door. â€Å"Sounds like a plan.† Ella I find my dad at the bar. It's the first place I look, but it's disappointing that it was so easy. Lila waits for me in the car, because I ask her to. When I walk in, I spot him slumped over in a barstool with an empty cup in front of him. Denny, the bartender, is wiping down the counters with a rag. When he sees me in the entryway, he holds up his hand. â€Å"You're going to need to show me your ID, before you come in any further.† He drapes the cleaning rag over his shoulder and walks around the counter toward me. â€Å"It's me, Denny,† I say. â€Å"Ella Daniels.† His eyes widen. â€Å"Holy shit. You're back.† I nod. â€Å"I am, but only for the summer.† He rakes his hands through his curly brown hair. â€Å"Where were you anyway? No one really seemed to know.† â€Å"In Las Vegas, going to school.† I point at my father. â€Å"I should probably take him home, I'm guessing.† Denny glances back at my father. â€Å"He stumbled in here early this morning. I wasn't even opened up yet, but he was already too drunk to understand when I tried to explain to him that we were closed.† â€Å"I'll take him home,† I tell him and he lets me by. â€Å"I'm sorry he's been so much trouble for you.† He drops the rag on the counter and helps me get my dad to his feet. He smells like he showered in a bottle of Jack Daniels. â€Å"I don't mind him being here, Ella,† Denny says. â€Å"But I'm starting to feel guilty about it. For the last few months, he's been showing up more and more. I think he might have a problem.† â€Å"He's had one for a while.† I drape my dad's arm over my shoulder and Denny does the same with his other arm. My dad mumbles an incoherent objection and then something about missing her and wanting it to all go away. We drag him outside and Lila hops out of the car. She doesn't say anything as Denny and I lie my dad down in the back of the Firebird. It's starting to sprinkle and lightning snaps across the sky. â€Å"Thanks for helping me get him out,† I tell Denny, shielding my eyes from the raindrops. Denny rubs his neck tensely. â€Å"Have you ever considered getting him some help?† â€Å"What do you mean? Like rehab?† I shout over the thunder. He shrugs. â€Å"Or AA. Something that will help him get his life together.† I scratch my head, confused. Why hadn't it occurred to me? Panic starts to claw up my throat and guilty feelings about my mother's death consume. â€Å"Just think about it,† Denny says, giving me a pat on the arm. â€Å"And if you need any help, you know where to find me.† I thank him again and jump into the car. I wait for Lila to say something, but when she opens her mouth, it's not what I was expecting. â€Å"My older sister was a drug addict,† she says quickly. â€Å"For like a year.† I stop chewing on my gum. â€Å"I didn't know that.† â€Å"I know. Not a lot of people do. My family is very firm on keeping our dirty laundry to ourselves.† She rotates in her chair to look at my dad snoring on the backseat. â€Å"But I wanted to tell you so that you know that I understand how hard it is to watch someone you care about hurt themselves.† I turn the car down my street and the tires splash puddles onto the hood as they hit the potholes. â€Å"Why did you never tell me before?† â€Å"Why didn't you tell me about your dad?† â€Å"I don't know.† Who is this girl sitting next to me? â€Å"So my life doesn't scare you?† She arches her eyebrows and sits forward in her seat. â€Å"I wouldn't go that far, but your personal life doesn't.† *** There are three large Keggers on Micha's back porch when we pull up to my house. The garage door is wide open and his car is missing. The rain is pouring down and flooding the sidewalk and the tree next to the house sways in the wind. â€Å"They must have got the car fixed,† I say, unbuckling my seatbelt. â€Å"Dang it.† Lila smacks her hand on her knee and a smile expands across her face. â€Å"I was so looking forward to watching Ethan bent over the hood.† I snort a laugh. â€Å"Well, that wasn't really my point,† I say when I stop laughing. â€Å"We somehow have to get him out of the car and into the house and I was going to have Micha help.† Lila and I turn toward the backseat, trying to figure out a way to get my dad out. â€Å"Maybe we could ask your brother?† Lila suggests. My eyes roam to the Porsche parked in front of us. â€Å"I'm not sure he'll help even if we ask him.† â€Å"It doesn't hurt to try.† â€Å"Yeah, you're right.† I sigh and text Dean to come help. He doesn't answer, but a few minutes later the back door swings open. Dean steps out, barefoot, with a hoodie pulled over his head. He doesn't say anything when he swings the door open. Lila hops out of his way and he ducks inside the car and drags our father out. I scramble out of the car and hold the back door open for him. He lets my dad lean his weight on him and he aides him to the living room sofa. â€Å"Where did you find him?† Dean asks me as he turns my dad to his side in case he throws up. â€Å"At the bar.† I place the duvet from the back of the couch over my dad and he snuggles up to it like a child. â€Å"Denny helped me get him to the car.† Dean presses his lips together, and bobs his head up and down. â€Å"That's where I figured he was, but I didn't want to go looking for him.† â€Å"You know I'm not even old enough to be in a bar, right?† â€Å"And I'm old enough to know that I don't want to deal with this crap anymore.† I open my mouth to yell at him but zip my lips and shake my head, regaining power of my temper. He backs toward the stairway. â€Å"I've had enough. I'm moving on with my life and you should do the same.† He leaves me in the room alone with a heavy feeling in my heart. I'd love to move on, but I'm not sure how. Running away to Vegas for eight months sure as hell didn't help because I'm almost back to where I started. *** Lila and I decide to go to Larry's Diner, the local fast food drive-in, to get some lunch. It's a seventies themed restaurant where the waitresses wear roller skates and skate up the cars to take orders. After they hook the food tray to the window, we eat in the car and listen to music. The rain is still beating down, but softer, although the roof is draining onto the front of the hood. We're chatting about the group of guys sitting on the tables underneath the canopy, when Lila focuses the conversation to somewhere I don't want to go. â€Å"So where did you and Micha run off to this morning?† she asks, sipping her soda and batting her eyelashes innocently. I dip a fry in the ranch cup balanced on the console. â€Å"Nowhere. He just chased me down the street.† She dumps some more ketchup onto her chicken sandwich. â€Å"Then why did both of you come back soaking wet?† My body tingles at the memory of Micha and me rolling around in the grass. â€Å"One of the neighbor's sprinklers turned on while we were running across it.† â€Å"Seems like you were awfully wet just from being in the sprinklers for a few minutes.† She dabs her lips with a napkin. â€Å"And you look really happy right now.† I force back a smile and pick the pickles off my burger silently. â€Å"If you don't want to tell me,† she says. â€Å"Then you don't have to.† â€Å"I'm just not comfortable talking about Micha,† I explain. â€Å"When I don't even know how I feel about him.† â€Å"Okay, well you could talk to me about it. That's how friends help each other figure things out.† She pauses, cleaning up some grease that dripped on her shirt. â€Å"Didn't you ever have a friend that you could talk to about everything?† I shrug and take a bite of my burger. â€Å"Micha maybe, but I can't talk to him about him.† She looks at me sadly. â€Å"Try talking to me then.† I chew on a fry, trying not to choke. Once it's out there, it's real. â€Å"I'm not sure I can.† â€Å"Just try,† she urges. â€Å"What's it going to hurt?† I stir the ranch with a fry. â€Å"Micha kissed me on the front lawn. That's why we came back all wet. We were lying on the grass, getting soaked by the sprinklers and making out.† â€Å"Did you like it?† â€Å"Like what?† She rolls her eyes. â€Å"The kiss.† â€Å"I like it every time he kisses me,† I say nonchalantly. â€Å"Yet at the same time, I don't. My feelings are conflicted.† â€Å"Because you don't know what you want?† she asks. â€Å"No, I think I do know what I want,† I mumble, stunned by my own answer. â€Å"I just won't admit it.† She says, â€Å"I think you just did.† I continue thinking out loud. â€Å"I think I might have figured it out that night on the bridge†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My mind starts to drift back to that night as I stare at the rain pattering against the windshield. She slurps her soda. â€Å"What happened the night on the bridge?† â€Å"I kissed Micha.† I shut my eyes, drifting back to the memory, not on the bridge but somewhere else we went that night. We're in his car talking. He seems happy and so do I. She giggles. â€Å"I knew it. I knew he wasn't just a friend. So tell me the details, like what happened after the kiss.† My eyes open to a veil of rain on the window as the images drift away from my mind. â€Å"Nothing. I left for college.† She balls up the sandwich wrapper and sets it in the bag. â€Å"You just left? God, no wonder you two visually undress each other. The sexual tension between you is probably about ready to burst.† I start to deny it, but realize she's right. I want Micha so badly it physically hurts sometimes, however if it hurts to want him this much, then how bad would it be to lose him? â€Å"Speaking of the devil.† She rolls down the window as Micha's Chevelle pulls up beside us. â€Å"What are you like stalking us or something?† Ethan leans over from the passenger side and hollers, â€Å"How did you ever guess?† Micha's extremely quiet, as he reads the menu on the marquee. The waitress skates over and ducks her head into the cab of the car, sticking out her butt. Rain falls on her back as she jots down their orders and then giggles at something either Micha or Ethan said. Either way, it's annoying. I pile all the garbage onto the tray, start up the car, and rev up the engine, startling the waitress and everyone else. Lila gapes at me. â€Å"Ella, what are you doing?† â€Å"Sorry,† I apologize, feeling kind of bad, and put a tip on the tray. The waitress gives me a tight smile as she collects the tray and skates off to the order window. Micha hops out of the car and his boots splash in the puddles. He stretches his long legs and arms, and then winds around the back of my car and to my door. He taps his fist on the window. Sighing, I roll it down. He crouches down so we're eyelevel and rests his arms on the seal of the window. â€Å"Do you want to explain what that was about?† â€Å"An accidental slip of the foot,† I say, knowing he's going to read straight through my bull shit lie. â€Å"Sometimes it happens.† â€Å"Not with you.† His eyes twinkle like sapphires as raindrops bead down his face. â€Å"If you want my attention, just say so.† â€Å"I want your attention.† The truth falls from my lips, shocking us both. He kisses me on the forehead with his wet lips. â€Å"See, that wasn't so hard.† â€Å"Yes, it was,† I surrender, defeated. â€Å"But I'm tired.† â€Å"Of being someone you're not?† â€Å"That among other things.† He lets out an unsteady breath and lowers his voice as he leans close to my ear. â€Å"Are you ready to talk about it?† I shake my head. â€Å"Not yet, but maybe soon.† â€Å"I'm here when you're ready.† He gives a soft suck on the sensitive spot right below my ear, and his tongue tastes my skin before he pulls away. â€Å"You want to race home?† He wiggles his eyebrows, teasing me. â€Å"Loser owes the other one a favor.† I scrunch up my nose and glance over at his Chevelle. â€Å"I'm not stupid enough to think I could ever win that bet.† He laughs, sucking his lip ring into his mouth. â€Å"I promise I'll go easy on you.† A naughty feeling dances inside me. â€Å"What if I don't want you to go easy on me?† He's speechless, which is rare. His gaze bores into me and then he strides forward and kisses me. It's quick, but it steals my breath away.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Drug Policy Reform Essay

The use of mandatory minimums within our judicial system is not winning the war on drugs. This country needs drug law reforms to turn the tide on the war on drugs, and minimize their impact on our society. This comes from rehabilitation programs that are more effective and less costly for our government. Introduction Our country has gone to extremes to try and win the war on drugs. There is no evidence to show that they have made any real impact in ending or even lowering the use of drugs in this country. In1986 the federal government enacted mandatory minimum drug sentences. These laws force judges to comply with a minimum prison sentence based on the nature of the drug crime. By doing this, the federal government has tied the hands of our judges to use their judgment depending on the case. Their argument for this is it will deter people from committing drug crimes in the future. My argument is that we are treating an addiction which needs both medical and psychological help to resolve, not longer prison sentences. Argument for Mandatory Minimums In 1986 mandatory minimums were enacted to put an end to the cocaine and crack epidemic that was going on in our nation’s inner cities. The focus was if they could apprehend the drug kingpins and lock them away for many years in prison, they would lose their realm of control of the drug world. The reality of the situation is that many gang leaders are in prison today, and have just as much control over the drug trade as they did when they were free men. Many say that the laws have inadvertently become a racial problem within this country. Laws on mandatory minimum sentences are much harsher on crack than cocaine. Since crack is predominantly used among African Americans within this country, they received much harsher punishments than cocaine users who are predominantly white. Argument against Mandatory Minimums We are not simply dealing with a bad behavior that is a scourge on society. We are dealing with extremely addictive drugs that a prison sentence will do almost no good in helping people kick their habits, and thus their old way of life. These people need medical and psychiatric help in order to rehabilitate them into the nine to five taxpaying Americans that our country wants them to be. Many drug dealers started out as users and began to sell the drug in order to pay for their own habit. Mandatory minimum prison sentences for people who are sadly destroying their lives to maintain their own personal habit are not going to be reformed in our nation’s prisons. Most of the people within our prison system are their because of non-violent drug crimes. They are not horrible people who are their because of rape, murder, armed robbery, etc†¦ People who argue in favor of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses say it is working by putting dealers behind bars. The fact is though that most of the people behind bars due to these laws are low level dealers. â€Å"In fiscal year 2005, 61. 5% of all federal crack cocaine defendants were low-level offenders such as mules or street dealers. Only 8. 4% were high-level dealers. † (Mandatory Minimums) Mandatory minimums only go by the weight of the substance that you were selling. It is clear by this data that the weights set in our current laws do not target high-level dealers as well as they were intended to. Rehabilitation Centers vs. Prison Rehabilitation of our country’s drug users not only has a higher success rate than that of our prisons, it is also more cost efficient. It is what you refer to as a win-win. The amount of people within our jail and prison systems is estimated to be above six million people. Approximately half of these inmates used drugs regularly the month prior to their apprehension. It is fair to say then that nearly half of our prison population is candidates for drug rehabilitation programs rather than prison systems. The average cost for incarcerating an individual for a year is $20,000. The average cost of treatment at a rehabilitation center is around $9,000. It currently costs our government around one billion dollars annually to incarcerate its prison population. By taking the half of the prison population that are habitual users and putting them in treatment centers, the government could save a quarter of a million dollars a year. Not only that, but the repeat offender rate for those that have gone through the treatment centers is only a fourth of that for prison sentences. Drug courts are a new movement going across our nation. A court system set up to deal with drug crimes only. Drug courts are set up to give first time offenders a second chance. Conditions of sentencing typically involve mandatory drug testing along with therapy. If first time offenders can successfully complete the treatment program in most cases their crime is removed from their criminal record. Since many first time offenders are juveniles or young adults, this allows them to receive federal aid through FAFSA. In turn it makes it easier for them to receive higher education services, which gives them a better chance at getting the skills they need for jobs. This in turn makes it more unlikely that they will revert to their old lifestyles of drug dealing now that they are treated for a drug addiction and have been given the tools they need to succeed. Drug courts are very strict though. If a participant in the program fails to attend a therapy meeting or has a positive return on a drug test, they are sent directly to jail. The program is only for those who want to change their lives. It is true that there are some people who do not want to change and they should be in jail if they do not want to reform to the laws of this country. The idea of drug reform in this country may be a daunting task, but it needs to be done. If we do nothing about the problem it will never go away, and as it has shown so far it will only get worse. The old ways of thinking are clearly not working. Something needs to be done about this problem. There is a reason why we have the highest incarceration rate of all industrialized nations. It is because half of our incarcerated citizens are non-violent drug offenders. If we can move towards treating an illness instead of punishing a crime, our country will be better off. Less people will be incarcerated and will be productive, moving our country towards a better tomorrow. Mandatory Minimum laws within this country need major reform due to the injustice that they create. While most of the injustice was done inadvertently, nonetheless it is still there. Our country has failed to take one step closer in winning the war on drugs. It is time for America to realize it has a drug addiction problem that cannot be fixed with lengthy prison sentences. Our country needs to change the mandatory minimum laws. Cocaine and crack need to be punishable equally. In this country it is estimated that there are four million people with addictions to either crack or cocaine. About half of the nation’s prison population is in there for non-violent drug offenses. With a prison population of one and a half million people, that’s three quarters of a million non-violent drug offenders not receiving the correct treatment. Cocaine use has continued to rise since the 1980’s while crack use has stayed steady. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in this country. It has had research to show that it is a gateway drug. Users of marijuana are more likely to try drugs like crack and cocaine. Studies show that most users of marijuana have tried the drug before their sophomore year in high school. Educational systems such as D. A. R. E. are already in place as good educational tools against drugs. Our society needs to be honest about the dangers of drugs. Many anti-drug commercials of the past could go as far as to say a hit of marijuana will make you kill your parents. Many commercials of today are starting to show more honesty. Instead of saying that buying pot is the same as putting money into the hands of terrorists, they are stating the truth that it does typically make you less active. This in turn usually leads to people not completing goals, and not completing any of their goals. Alcohol is the second most illegally used drug by minors. Education about the dangers of alcohol is equally important. Alcoholism is a major problem within this country, which typically has major effects on families. Alcoholism can lead to violent households. More teens die from drinking and driving than any other way of death. Alcohol like marijuana is considered a gateway drug. This is why it is so important that we attempt to stop irresponsible drinking behaviors. Essentially drug addicts are addicted to the feeling of euphoria that comes upon them when endorphins flood the brain with the use of the drug. Drug rehabilitation centers have found great success at treating people with addiction to crack and cocaine with anti-depressants. The National Institute of Drug Abuse is taking a different approach to the problem. They are developing a cocaine-vaccine that virtually eliminates all effects of the drug. This would ensure that even if an addict were to have a relapse, the drug would have no effect, and the incentive to do the drug is taken away. Dealers of crack and cocaine usually were crack and cocaine users first. These drugs are incredibly addictive. For users to support their habits many of them turn to dealing the drug. If our society can find a way to break the cycle of addiction there is hope that we can start to turn the tide on the war on drugs. Our government simply has to recognize that we are dealing with an addiction crisis, and not necessarily bad people who are the scourge of society. Drug courts are a new movement going across our nation. A court system set up to deal with drug crimes only. These courts are now operating or have plans to be operating in all fifty states. The first drug court was established in Dade County in 1981. Drug courts are set up to give first time offenders a second chance. Conditions of sentencing typically involve mandatory drug testing along with therapy. If first time offenders can successfully complete the treatment program in most cases their crime is removed from their criminal record. Since many first time offenders are juveniles or young adults, this allows them to receive federal aid through FAFSA. In turn it makes it easier for them to receive higher education services, which gives them a better chance at getting the skills they need for jobs. This in turn makes it more unlikely that they will revert to their old lifestyles of drug dealing now that they are treated for a drug addiction and have been given the tools they need to succeed. Drug courts are very strict though. If a participant in the program fails to attend a therapy meeting or has a positive return on a drug test, they are sent directly to jail. The program is only for those who want to change their lives. It is true that there are some people who do not want to change and they should be in jail if they do not want to reform to the laws of this country. Along with anti-depressants and revolutionary new research being done to address this nation’s addiction to drugs the twelve step process is the most used system for drug rehabilitation. The twelve step process forces the user to admit he or she is powerless over the drug and that a higher power can help them restore their sanity. This has its own constitutional conflictions with the separation of church and state. The twelve step process is only one option that can be taken towards drug rehabilitation though. It could be set up where defendants could choose a faith based rehabilitation program through the state or a non faith based rehabilitation program. There is no one strategy that works for every addict. Each case needs to be dealt with on a personal basis. They need to get to the bottom of why they want to use drugs. There is typically an underlying issue in a user’s life that causes them to search for an escape. The escape that ends many people in prison for lengthy sentences happens to come from crack and cocaine for too many people. Our rehabilitation centers need to work closely with the patients’ family whenever this is possible. Most drug users have families that are drug users as well. It is a perpetual cycle that continues to go on. It continues to go on because the underlying problems within the family are not addressed and they continue to turn to drugs in an attempt to escape the issues. Families are typically the best support system for a user trying to go clean. Without the help of the family or a family like atmosphere, users find it difficult to see a reason why they should quit. They need to see the impact that it makes on their loved ones to make it real to them. The ugliness needs to be shown in order for the user to see the full consequences of his or her actions. I am not proposing that we get rid of prison sentences for drug offenders by any means. We should only offer rehab to first time offenders who will be able to show whether they truly wish to change their lives for the better. If you have been through the program once and reverted back, then you have not proven to society that you are willing to be a productive law-biding citizen. Everyone deserves a second chance, but not necessarily a third or fourth. Rehabilitation of our country’s drug users not only has a higher success rate than that of our prisons, it is also more cost efficient. The amount of people within our jail and prison systems is estimated to be above six million people. Approximately half of these inmates used drugs regularly the month prior to their apprehension. It is fair to say then that nearly half of our prison population is candidates for drug rehabilitation programs rather than prison systems. The average cost for incarcerating an individual for a year is $20,000. The average cost of treatment at a rehabilitation center is around $9,000. It currently costs our government around one billion dollars annually to incarcerate its prison population. By taking the half of the prison population that are habitual users and putting them in treatment centers, the government could save a quarter of a billion dollars a year. Not only that but the repeat offender rate for those that have gone through the treatment centers is only a fourth of that for a prison sentence. Rehabilitation centers have a success rate of sixty to seventy five percent. When those figures are applied to the prison population that means that at the lowest success rate twenty five percent of our prison population would become productive members of society. While the repeat offender rate for rehabilitation centers is between forty and twenty five percent, prison are seventy five percent. With our current system over half a million of our non-violent offenders will be back in prison for the same crime, while with rehabilitation at worst it would be around three hundred thousand. The key to success with our rehabilitation centers is to provide long term assistance. It will be much better off for the nation as a whole to treat the triggers of addiction before it gets out of hand. Yes it is the addicts fault the he or she is addicted, but this does not mean that we should let society hurt on a principle of stubbornness. We should help our fellow man stay clean if he wants to be clean. With long term assistance programs for patients of rehabilitation programs, the success rate can reach as high as ninety five percent. I am not naive enough to think that this high of a number will work just as well for prisoners. Some prisoners simply do not want to break their addiction. If they do not want to change their lives, there is very little that rehab will do for a patient. Society has treated the drug problem within this country with extremely harsh punishments. We have been blind to see that we have been approaching the problem with the wrong strategy. Rehabilitation and education are the two strongest weapons in the war on drugs. If we change the lives of drug offenders, we will be able to exchange a large portion of our prison population into productive members of society. This would turn people who used to be a burden on taxpayers into taxpayers themselves. This would ultimately help the economy of America and the overall quality of life. The idea of drug reform in this country may be a daunting task, but it needs to be done. If we do nothing about the problem it will never go away, and as it has shown so far it will only get worse. The old ways of thinking are clearly not working. Something needs to be done about this problem. There is a reason why we have the highest incarceration rate of all industrialized nations. It is because half of our incarcerated citizens are non-violent drug offenders. If we can move towards treating an illness instead of punishing a crime, our country will be better off. Less people will be incarcerated citizens are non-violent drug offenders. If we can move towards treating an illness instead of punishing a crime, our country will be better off. Less people will be incarcerated and will be productive, moving our country towards a better tomorrow.

Friday, November 8, 2019

along came a spider essays

along came a spider essays A long came a spider was written by James Patterson an is now a major movie from paramount. The book is about a black detective, Alex Cross who is assigned to a case on a serial killer and kidnapper who has taken two rich kids from their school in Washington and is holding them for a $10 million ransom. Before assigned to the kidnapping Alex is on the case of a black family in their home but when the two white rich kids were kidnapped Detective Alex Cross was forced to forget about the family murder and was made to investigate the kidnapping. James Patterson has made a point on how black people are treated unfairly and that racial prejudice is very prominent even in the 20th century. Alex is working with a great number pf expert detectives and one of them is Jezzie Flanagan a young and attractive secret service agent who is one of the only women agents and is constantly treated badly by the men in her agency. The book takes many twists and turns and was an incredibly well done novel. James Patterson also writes about the difference in social class. When the black family is just forgotten about Alex Cross is determined to be on there case but because he has no say in the matter he is forced to work on what the other detectives consider more important. However the two cases end up being connected and the detective is given the chance to work on both but the two kids are still the major priority before a savagely murdered black family. Gender is represented very well and shows how it is much harder for a women in a job like the secret service not because of physical incapability but because of the way they are treated by male co-workers. Most of the main characters in the novel are male which is to show that women are not respected as much as males are in government jobs. The society within the novel is very much like an ordinary American society and social class is depicted as a very important thing in the n ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The One Day Of The Year essays

The One Day Of The Year essays The One Day Of The Year, an influential play written by Alan Seymour, takes a contentious look at ANZAC Day and the emotions provoked amongst the people of Australia in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The reactions of the day amongst the characters were very similar to the emotions developed amidst the people in that era. ANZAC Day was officially designated as a day to recognise the efforts of those who fought for Australia and New Zealand in Gallipoli, and to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for our country between 1915 and 1918. This sacred day has not always been acknowledged as a day of solemn remembrance. In the 1950s, in particular, this day was recognised as a celebration, when all the old diggers got inebriated at the local pub. Today the people of Australia observe that ANZAC Day has steadily acquired additional layers of symbolism and meaning over the previous years. The One Day Of The Year portrays two crucial aspects of contexts. The historical context of the play demonstrates the era of change in the world that Australia was beginning to be affected by. The social context in the play establishes a powerful portrait of generational hostilities. Alan Seymour created two principal characters that reflect and challenge very different ideologies, as a result of the generational tensions. Alf, one of the primary characters, embodies everything that Seymour disapproves about ANZAC Day and it is textually evident throughout the play. Throughout this essay I will endeavour to outline the main issues surrounding ANZAC Day in accordance to the plays perspective of ANZAC day and the reality of the event. The controversial play, The One Day Of The Year, differentiated Australians according to the viewpoints and beliefs they once, or may still, obtain. The play demonstrates the two principal views Australians held within the 1950s. In this era, it was considered to be intellectually fashi...

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Political Theories Class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Political Theories Class - Essay Example This led to her detainment and interrogated by the Gestapo. Fearing for her life in Germany, she fled to France. In chapter three, she majors on why the Nazi government hated the Jews. She claims that the government spread this hatred because most of the Jews properties in Germany. In a bid for the German government to gain control of its citizens, they had to create a common enemy. She states that the holocaust was not about eliminating Jews but about consistency and megalomania among the Germans. In chapter 4, Hannah writes about a junior Jewish officer in the French army convicted of high treason. There was no extensive examination of the extension presented. Dreyfus was the soldiers name; this affair caused a significant scandal in the French government. The actual French officer who was a traitor was a senior officer acquitted after two hearings of his trial, and his name cleared. This shows how the government can make mistakes in trying to control the activities of its people. After his hearing in Paris, a considerable scandal arose, and that led to his reinstating in the army as principal. In conclusion, Hannah focuses on the effects the Jews suffered from totalitarianism. Her Jewish background helps her in

Friday, November 1, 2019

Science lab 3.11 Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Science 3.11 - Lab Report Example This paper outlines a procedure for cleaning up oil spills in the sea. All the four methods helped in cleaning up the water. The feather dipped in oil and water mixture was different from the one dipped in the oil spill cleaned water. There were challenges of what to do with the oils spill after it was collected from the water. The cotton balls absorbed water as well as the oil. The dish detergent only broke the oil and it does not remove the oil from the water while use of Styrofoam is time consuming, and they also act as pollutants. The home clean-up process is easier as compared to the one in the ocean since there are wind and currents in the ocean which causes the oil spill to move and at times mix with the water making the clean up difficult. Use of paper towels in cleaning up oil spills is more effective as compared to other methods. They absorb the oil without absorbing water as compared to the cotton balls. They are also faced with the challenge of what to do with the collected oil spills, which may be broken down using the dish detergent. Oil spill in oceans and seas is a universal tragedy that is causing environmental pollution and death of marine creatures. There is a need to adopt an oil cleaning procedure that will clean oil spills as soon as they occur and prevent their adverse impacts. I would recommend modification of the paper towel to enable application in large ships and water vessels to enable clean up which will not only be cheap but also