11 Extraordinary Life Lessons of Highly Successful People

11 Extraordinary Life Lessons of Highly Successful People If you were to follow the daily routines of super successful people, what might you find out? Here are 11 lessons you can learn from doing what the richest and most famous do, sometimes before breakfast. 1. Get Enough ExerciseThis is a common element across most routines of highly successful people. The endorphins give your brain a boost, plus the physical strength you build help with endurance. Exercise will make you more productive and more focused.  It’s a habit to cultivate and keep.2. MeditateStop telling yourself you don’t have ten minutes once or twice a day to sit and be still and to breathe. You might surprise yourself at just how much a difference this little habit can make in your mental clarity and productivity. Try it for a while, then stop for a week. Notice a difference?3. Push Through the Mid-Week SlumpYou might find that you’re ready for new good habits and setting new goals on Mondays, but by midweek, those habits might get harder to keep. May be the rush of the new habit’s benefits might be wearing off a little. Try and persevere through this natural slump in your own excitement about your new routine.4. Understand that Sleep MattersYou’ll find that getting enough sleep will really make a big difference, no matter what your routine. Never get out of bed and feel a wave of dread to see your briefcase or your work-out clothes. Imagine waking up and  not being exhausted! It will set the tone for your whole day.5. Set Up a Bedtime RoutineYou can’t just turn off your laptop, brush your teeth, and expect a restful and even night’s sleep. Try building a bedtime ritual (baths, no screens, herbal tea) to get your body and brain into the proper mindset. You’ll find you fall asleep faster and get a better quality rest.6. Don’t Keep Habits that Don’t Serve YouIf a new habit simply doesn’t work for you, toss it. Chances are you can modify it or find something entirely differen t that suits your lifestyle best. Don’t waste your time cultivating habits and routines that don’t help you accomplish your own goals.7. Track Your TimeIf you start tracking how you spent the hours in a day, you might learn a lot about where you could be more productive, or where you’re just plain wasting time. Cut out the fat! You can also determine which parts of the day are your most and least productive- and start scheduling yourself more intelligently for better results.8.  Stick to Your Routines as Much as PossibleIf you have a good morning and bedtime ritual in place, and you get asked to do something that would require you to compromise that for a day or week, that’s a great way of helping you to figure out how much you really want to do that thing. Listen to your gut. If you’d much rather just be at home sipping tea at 10pm than at that club opening, it’s probably not the right event for you. Wait for something that really makes y ou want to make an exception to your established routine.9.  Establish Your Life PrioritiesRather than filling your days with shoulds, you might be able to figure out what activities, tasks, and goals in your life are actually things that matter to you. Figure out what your priorities and desires are, and follow those. Not just what everyone else is doing. And if something doesn’t interest you? (And you can afford to?) Skip it.10. Trust Your SubconsciousIf you try out a lot of new habits, you might find you naturally veer towards keeping the ones that work for you and tossing the ones that don’t. That’s great. That means you’re listening to yourself. Keep it up.11. Try New ThingsThe best part of trying new habits and routines is that it gives you a real chance to figure out if things could be running more smoothly and productively in your life. Give yourself a chance to be your best self!

Best Things to Do and Places to Stay in Savannah, Georgia

Best Things to Do and Places to Stay in Savannah, Georgia SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips â€Å"Savannah... looked inward, sealed off from the noises and distractions of the world at large...The ordinary became extraordinary. Eccentrics thrived. Every nuance and quirk of personality achieved greater brilliance in that lush enclosure than would have been possible anywhere else in the world.† John Berendt wrote these words about Savannah and its people in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, his bestselling book that put Savannah on the map. Largely due to Berendt’s colorful love letter to the city, over 13.5 million travelers head to the riverside capital of Georgia every year. I’ve driven down the east coast to Savannah several times, lured by the city’s fading antebellum mansions, the graceful Spanish moss that hangs in curtains from huge oak trees, and the artistic influence of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Savannah’s historic district is uniquely arranged around 22 squares in an arrangement that forces you to take your time, relish your surroundings, and consider the idea that the best way to travel between two points doesn’t necessarily involve a straight line. This travel guide will share the top 10 things to do in Savannah, GA, along with some recommendations for inns and hotels. Read on to learn more about this evocative Southern city perched beside the languid Savannah River. Fun Things to Do in Savannah, GA: Table of Contents Here’s the full list of the best things to do in Savannah, GA. Click on each attraction to learn more about it, or continue to scroll down to learn about what to do in Savannah, GA. Explore the Squares of Savannah Wander through Forsyth Park Cross the Cobblestones of River Street Visit the Historic Telfair Museums Look for Apparitions on a Haunted Savannah Tour Support Savannah Artists at shopSCAD Eat Southern Barbecue, or Try Exotic Meats Drink Mint Juleps and Artillery Punch Tour Oak-Shaded Plantations Hit the Beach on Tybee Island After you finish reading about the top Savannah attractions, continue on for some recommendations for the best hotels in Savannah, GA across a range of budgets. For now, let's start with Savannah's famous squares. #1: Explore the Squares of Savannah Miguel Vieira/Flickr It’s easy to see what makes Savannah so unique and atmospheric. The city is organized around 22 squares, the first of which was laid by the city’s founder, James Oglethorpe, in 1733. Most of these squares are filled with lush gardens and lined by oak trees and dogwoods. Many have statues and monuments that honor soldiers from the American Revolution and Civil War. The picturesque squares are popular spots for visitors, walkers, joggers, picnics, and couples doing photo shoots for their weddings. The following five squares stand out as the most beautiful and historically noteworthy: Johnson Square - This square dates back to 1773 and was laid out by Savannah’s founder, James Oglethorpe. The square features an obelisk dedicated to the Revolutionary war hero, Nathaniel Greene. If you visit in the summer, you might stumble upon a jazz, Dixieland, or big band concert. Monterey Square - This picturesque square features a 55-foot Italian marble monument dedicated to General Pulaski, a Polish nobleman who was killed in battle in Savannah in 1779. Wright Square - This much-visited square contains the burial site of Tomochichi, a leader of the Creek nation who forged an alliance with Oglethorpe. Franklin Square- Named after Benjamin Franklin, this square has a monument for Haitian soldiers who fought at the Siege of Savannah in the American Revolution. On the edge of the square sits the First African Baptist Church, the oldest black church in North America. The church was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Madison Square- This square is often filled with students thanks to its location beside SCAD, the Savannah School of Art and Design. It also honors the American Revolution with a large statue of noted American soldier, William Jasper. Because of its squares, Savannah’s uniquely designed historic district is supremely walkable. Whether you find yourself in a residential or commercial area, you’ll be strolling through a pedestrian-friendly downtown draped in lush greenery and flowers. #2: Wander Through Forsyth Park Savannah’s lovely Forsyth Park stretches across 30 acres of the city. Built in 1858, the park hosts concerts, sports games, and fairs, along with a crowd of sunbathers. Every Saturday, there's a farmer’s market in the park that sells fresh produce, baked goods, and flowers. Vendors roam about selling flowers and baskets weaved together from dried palm fronds. The park also has a charming cafe where you can stop for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or a glass of wine. Forsyth Park’s most notable stop is the white iron fountain in the north end of the park. Prominently featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, this two-tiered fountain has been the subject of many a photograph. Like Savannah’s historic squares, Forsyth Park has several large monuments and statues. The largest ones commemorate Southern soldiers who fought in the Spanish American War and the Civil War. Forsyth Park is especially beautiful in the evenings, when street lamps cast golden light across the winding paths, flowering trees, and old oak trees draped with Spanish moss. #3: Cross the Cobblestones of River Street W/Flickr One of the oldest streets in Savannah, River Street still sports its original, 200-year-old cobblestones. This one-way street spreads alongside the Savannah River as 19th century steamboats drift past. To get to River Street, you walk down stone stairs or ramps from the adjacent, elevated streets. One of River Street’s top draws is the River Street Marketplace, an open-air market where local artists and craftspeople sell their creations. Beyond local talent, the market also attracts vendors from all over the world who sell global crafts from Ireland, Costa Rica, Australia, Nepal, Peru, Japan, Vietnam, and China. You can also go shopping in small artisan and souvenir shops, some of which sit inside restored 19th-century cotton warehouses. There are a bunch of restaurants, as well as lively bars featuring live music after the sun goes down. As for historical sights, look for the Waving Girl statue and the Olympic Cauldron monument. The Waving Girl statue honors Florence Martus, a woman who was said to wave at ships leaving and entering Savannah port everyday for 44 years. According to legend, she waved her white handkerchief hoping to reunite with a sailor she had fallen in love with. The more recent Olympic Cauldron monument was lit as part of the Olympic torch relay when Savannah hosted the Olympic yachting events in 1996. River Street is a popular stop for anyone visiting Savannah. It’s definitely worth a visit for the open-air market, views over the Savannah River, and historic charm of the cobblestoned street and passageways through 19th-century warehouses. #4: Visit the Historic Telfair Museums JRP/Flickr Savannah puts great efforts into preserving its history and celebrating art and artists, a commitment that you can see in the city’s many historic monuments and the influence of SCAD. These two commitments unite in the Telfair Museums, elegant landmarks with exceptional collections of historic and contemporary art. Two of the three buildings that make up the Telfair Museums are housed in elegant mansions that are now historic landmarks. One is the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, a grand 19th century residence and the oldest public art museum in the southern U.S. The second is the Owens-Thomas House, an English Regency-style mansion built in 1816. The third Telfair Museum is located in the recently constructed Jepson Center for the Arts, an impressive example of contemporary architecture. The Jepson Center holds permanent collections of modern art, the Owens-Thomas House mainly has decorative arts, and the Telfair Academy features 19th and 20th century paintings and sculptures. Visit the Telfair Museums to view Southern art, stroll through sculpture gardens, and browse the museum stores. The Jepson Center also has a 3,500 square foot interactive space for kids to explore art. One unique feature is the magnet wall where anyone can assemble sculptures from various common items. The museums are open from 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 12 PM to 5 PM on Sunday and Monday. Tickets cost $20 and grant you access to all three museums. #5: Look for Apparitions on a Haunted Savannah Tour As anyone devoted ghost-hunter will tell you, Savannah is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in the world. Much of Savannah was built atop the burial grounds of Native Americans, slaves, and colonists. The embattled city has seen war, disease, fires, gruesome murders, violent pirates, and destruction from hurricanes. Today, one of the top things to do in Savannah, GA is to take a ghost tour. You can find a variety of ghost tours to take you around Savannah’s old cemeteries, voodoo ritual sites, and haunted hotels and bars to hear the legends and history of the darker side of Savannah’s past. One of the main attractions is Bonaventure Cemetery, a Southern Gothic cemetery that sprawls over 100 acres. As you walk past elaborate burial vaults and moss-covered angel statues, you’ll start to see why Savannah is considered a center of paranormal activity. Another featured spot on Savannah ghost tours is the Mercer House, the site of the alleged murder investigated in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The nearby Marshall House is another common stop, a hotel that was used as a hospital during the Civil War and outbreaks of yellow fever. Finally, most ghost tours take you to the Moon River Brewing Company, where people swear that ghosts have flung silverware at them. Some of the best ghost tours in Savannah are Legends of Savannah Ghost Tour, Grave Tales Ghost Tour, Beyond Good and Evil Tour, and the Dead of Night Ghost Tour. For a tour with less gravity and more craft beer, sign up for Savannah’s Ghost Pub Crawl. These spooky tours range between $10 and $14. The pub crawl costs $25. #6: Support Savannah Artists at shopSCAD Savannah is a city filled with artists and students thanks to the renowned Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). You can browse students’ creations at shopSCAD, a gallery retail space that curates the best creations from SCAD students out of thousands of submissions each year. The teeming shop displays new items on a daily basis. You can find eclectic, one of a kind items, including original paintings, photography, sculptures, clothing, jewelry, and handbags. Anything you purchase goes toward supporting artists and the shop. ShopSCAD is located at 340 Bull Street beside Madison Square. #7: Eat Southern Barbecue or Try Exotic Meats Savannah has a lively food scene with some of the best barbecue and weirdest meats in the country. Wiley’s Championship BBQ, with its menu of barbecued and smoked meats, fried pickles, okra, cornbread, and cole slaw, has won several national awards. You can find it at 4700 Highway 80. Some other great spots for barbecue are Angel’s BBQ, Babe’s BBW, Wall’s BBW, and Johnny Harris BBQ. If you’re looking for culinary adventure, check out Alligator Soul. The ever-changing menu has featured a variety of unusual meats, including alligator, bison, elk, antelope, kangaroo, ostrich, game birds, rattlesnake, and wild boar. If you’d rather go traditional, you can find some more common meat and vegetarian options on the menu, too. This locally sourced, farm to table restaurant can be found at 4 Barnard Street in downtown Savannah. #8: Drink Chatham Artillery Punch and Other Southern Cocktails Savannah’s contribution to the world of cocktails was the Chatham Artillery Punch, a mix first concocted in the 1800s for a visiting military unit. This super-strong drink consisted of cognac, bourbon, Jamaican rum, lemon, sugar, and champagne. The punch has weakened some since the 1800s, as David Wondrich quotes from a 1907 recipe in his book, Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl, â€Å"Its vigor in those days was much greater than at present, experience having taught the rising generation to modify the receipt of their forefathers to conform to the weaker constitutions of their progeny.† If you're one with a "weaker constitution," you can skip the Chatham Artillery Punch completely and enjoy another Southern cocktail, like the mint julep, sazerac, Ramos gin fizz, or brandy milk punch. These are some of the best bars for tasty cocktails in Savannah. Sparetime- Come to Sparetime for the chic interiors with floor to ceiling windows and the rotating seasonal drink menu. Sparetime takes a modern and fresh approach to traditional cocktails, Address: 36 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. Jen’s Friends- This popular spot offers over 100 specialty martinis, including blood orange, birthday cake, white chocolate, Swedish fish, and lemon drop, Address: 34 Bull Street. Lulu’s Chocolate Bar- Anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy Lulu’s decadent dessert martinis, with flavors that include salted caramel, pineapple upside down, raspberry truffle, and peanut butter cup. If you want to skip the alcohol, you can choose from a selection of cakes and cheesecakes. Address: 42 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. Rocks on the Roof- This sophisticated rooftop bar sits atop the Bohemian Hotel. Sip fresh cocktails here while enjoying views over the Savannah River. Address: 102 West Bay Street. Pinkie Master’s Lounge- If you want more of a dive bar atmosphere, head to Pinkie Master’s Lounge. You can drink inexpensive drinks with a mix of locals and SCAD students. Address: 306 West Upper Factors Walk. Savannah also has a smattering of microbreweries, like Moon River Brewing Company or Southbound Brewing Company. You’ll also find over 500 brews at the World of Beer, or you can head to The Distillery for a large selection of craft beers. #9: Tour Historic Mansions and Oak-Shaded Plantations Outside of Savannah's city center sit restored historic homes and former plantations. You can take a day trip to walk the grounds, explore the stately mansions, and get a sense of 18th and 19th century life. Wormsloe House is a mid-18th century mansion that belonged to one of the first Georgia settlers. The site, which is partly in ruins, is open to self-guided tours. One of the most impressive features of the estate is the long oak-lined drive and old stone gate at its entrance. To tour a restored mansion with furnished period rooms, head to Rose Hill Mansion. Built in 1860, this house is an impressive example of Gothic Revival style. Outside of the home, you can explore Rose Hill’s pretty grounds, which feature expansive lawns, hundred-year old trees, and a lagoon. If you don’t mind traveling a little further afield, head north to Magnolia Plantation, which sits just outside Charleston, South Carolina. This famous estate, founded in 1676, has beautiful gardens, a petting zoo, and delicate red bridges that evoke a Monet painting. Its exhibit, From Slavery to Freedom: the Magnolia Cabin Project Tour, shows visitors the cabins once occupied by slaves. #10: Hit the Beach on Tybee Island Tybee Island has over three miles of public beach, along with salt marshes full of birds and other wildlife. You can easily access Tybee by bridge from Savannah. The island is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and dining on fresh seafood. You can rent a deep sea charter, explore the marine science center, and enjoy a tour of the picturesque Tybee Island lighthouse at sunset. In addition to beach-goers, Tybee Island also attracts sea turtles every year. They return annually between May and October to nest on the beaches. The Tybee Sea Turtle project protects the turtles from human interference and habitat destruction. If you’re visiting Savannah during the summer, Tybee Island can be a welcome relief from the heat and humidity. Stroll along the shoreline, shop in the glass studios and art galleries, and enjoy some crawfish or scallops at a seaside restaurant. As the â€Å"Hostess City of the South,† Savannah has lots of things to do and places to stay. Where should you call home base as you explore this atmospheric city? Read on for a few suggestions for the best hotels in Savannah, GA across all budget levels. Ken Lund/Flickr Where to Stay: Guide to Savannah Hotels Where are the best places to stay in Savannah? Below are recommendations for the top Savannah, GA hotels that span a range of price points, from budget to mid-range to upscale to luxury. Let’s start with the least expensive hotels in Savannah, GA. Budget Hotels in Savannah Thunderbird Inn- This revamped motor lodge is decked out in a 1960s theme, with retro furniture (think white leather armchairs) and Moon Pies on your pillow when you arrive. You’ll get modern amenities at low rates. The Thunderbird Inn perches right on the edge of the historic district, so you have easy access to this quarter. You can also bring pets for an additional $50. Eliza Thompson House- This 1847 mansion is filled with antiques and gilt mirrors. You can stay in the main house or find more reasonably priced rooms in the adjacent carriage house. Just be warned that the Eliza Thompson House is rumored to be haunted (but this isn’t so uncommon in Savannah). Mid-Range Hotels in Savannah Catherine Ward House Inn- This cozy bed and breakfast is located in an 1886 home close to Forsyth Park. The antiques and gilt mirrors give the inn a historic, luxurious feel. The inn also have a relaxing garden with a fountain and koi pond. Kehoe House- This 1890s mansion will impress you with its 14-foot ceilings and elegant fireplaces. The Kehoe House has a Victorian feel with its antiques and other ornate furnishings. The inn features a courtyard garden and a music room with a grand piano. Mansion on Forsyth Park- This red brick mansion is filled with eccentricities, from its room bursting with antique hats to its floor-to-ceiling â€Å"water wall.† The Mansion has a full-service spa, large marble pillars, and a large collection of art on the walls. You can enjoy fine dining at its in-house restaurant, 700 Drayton, and then go next-door for live jazz at Casimir’s Lounge. Upscale Hotels in Savannah Ballastone Inn- The Ballastone Inn dates back to 1838. Its sumptuous furnishings recall the Victorian era, and most rooms have working gas fireplaces and exposed brick and beamed ceilings. Azalea Inn and Gardens- This 1889 mansion exudes Southern charm with its slowly rotating ceiling fans and wicker furniture on outdoor verandas. You can relax by the pool in the inn’s tropical gardens and easily access the nearby Forsyth Park. Hamilton Turner Inn- This 1873 mansion overlooks the pretty Lafayette Square. Guests enjoy an afternoon reception with fine wine and hors d’oeuvres. You can also get exceptional scones in the morning from the inn’s in-house bakery. Luxury Hotels in Savannah The Bohemian- Voted one of the top 30 hotels in the South by Conde Nast Traveler, The Bohemian offers modern luxury with 18th century style. This luxurious hotel sits beside the Savannah River. The Gastonian- This historic inn dates back to 1868. The spacious rooms are furnished with antiques and fresh flowers, and all of them have working fireplaces. Guests enjoy complimentary wine and cheese and an afternoon tea, as well as room service. Andaz Inn- This new, trendy hotel overlooks Ellis Square a couple blocks from the Savannah River. Expect exposed brick walls, a pool on the outdoor terrace, and farm to table dining in the Andaz Inn restaurant. Savannah is a popular destination for both US and international travelers, so Airbnb is another increasingly popular option. You can rent a single room or entire apartment for a couple of days or weeks at a time. Whichever type of accommodation you choose, you should make your reservation well in advance. Get ready for a romantic Southern city with history and art around every corner- and perhaps a few ghosts, as well! Traveling to Savannah: Final Thoughts Savannah is a city that exudes American history and Southern charm. Its urban layout is unlike that of any other city, with 22 oak-shaded squares throughout the historic center. Savannah's well-preserved mansions and evocative streets and greenery date back to the city’s beginnings. In fact, some say that Savannah surrendered immediately to General Sherman during his destructive Civil War march to the sea to protect Savannah’s architecture. Because of its efforts at preservation and restoration, Savannah is a beautiful city and one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S. When you visit, you’ll enjoy Savannah's evocative atmosphere, thriving food scene, and commitment to art, creativity, and design.

Legal foundations in business and the discovery of limited liability Assignment

Legal foundations in business and the discovery of limited liability company - Assignment Example As such, the concept of LLC has since prompted several states and countries to adopt legal provisions and control statues that would pave way for active business investments in otherwise risky ventures that individuals could not ordinarily undertake single handed. The main focus of this discovery revolves around the ideals of protection accorded to members of the LLC in their corporate investment endeavours, especially with borrowed capital. With that in mind, this paper examines the significance of the aforesaid quote of Nicholas Murray with reference to relevant case law and legislative provisions. In particular, the paper looks at how private law exerts legal control on business entities. Besides, the essay examines a variety of legal structures that LLCs adopt in reality to support their business interest in pursuit of profitable ventures that are typically risky and capital intensive. The paper concludes with an epigrammatic analysis of the extent of liability that the LLC or it s members may owe indirect investors like banks, other creditors and customers and victims of tortuous acts of the LLC members. Limited Liability Company According to Grossman (1995, p.63), a limited liability company commonly denoted as LLC refers to a legally incorporated business entity with an infinite number of members enjoying protection of liability to the extent of their investment contribution in the business. Technically, an LLC is not a corporate entity per se but a type of unincorporated association that enjoys limited liability. In practice and legal context, LLC has a definite lifetime upon which the business must dissolve on expiry of the stipulated period (Dmitry & Plekhanov 2008, p.18). In terms of structural formation, a limited liability company may also be defined as a business entity that replicates certain features of a company and partnership. As a corporation, the LLC is characterised by limited liability. Whereas the business is more flexible than a typical corporation, a limited liability company possess that the partnership component of pass-through income taxation modalities as reiterated by Hannigan (2003, p.79). Although all its members enjoy limited liability, an individual member of a limited liability company may personally be held responsible for tortuous acts committed by him or by agents specifically under his direct supervision (Lobban 1996, p.401). Of course, this provision is only applicable for torts committed in the normal course of duty and for activities directly related to the business of the LLC. If follows therefore that the law shall protect other members from the liabilities of the responsible individual member or members, whichever is applicable. In even that significant liability has arisen in lieu of the LLC activities, the entity may be subjected to the theory of piercing the corporate veil (Keatinge et al. 1992, p.377). This is however less common when dealing with LLC as opposed to classic corporations due to the fact that limited liability companies do not have several complex formalities to observe. Nevertheless, an LLC may not circumvent the doctrine of piercing the corporate veil when its members had initially commingled their capital in the risky venture for which liability has risen (Halpern et al. 1980, p.122). Depending on the context of its operating agreement, the charging order mechanism

Why has it become necessary to ask moral (ethical) questions in the Essay

Why has it become necessary to ask moral (ethical) questions in the present global economic conditions - Essay Example This is attributable to the fact that when making business decisions, managers have to take into account the views and beliefs on the working of the world and the social consequences of development, with particular significance in developing countries. Companies are not merely faced with issues about the morality of their actions and practices but also have to consider the impact of the actions on the reputation, legal exposures and competition amongst other aspects (Feigenbaum). Businesses are faced with moral quandaries from various levels of organizational decisions. The wage and labour conditions are critical factors in the economic growth of the company. Businesses that have maintained high standards of worker conditions and have paid the workers well are met with challenges in maintaining the same standards when they expand. For the long-term profitability of business ventures and continuing profitability, managers need to consider the impact of the business on the local workfo rce. Ethical issues may arise on the grounds of discrimination, rights of the workers and their tasks. Businesses are also starting to give more importance to the effects of their activities on the environment in particular reference to the pace and effects of economic globalization (Panayotou 2000). As public awareness rises and there is increasing pressure for social corporate responsibility, businesses who fail to comply with the standards for environmental sustainability are meeting grave consequences in national and international media. Business decisions also have political implications, with differing opinions amongst theorists on the effects of business on the political and economic framework of the country (Feigenbaum). This paper looks into the moral issues of a corporation and seeks to analyse them using moral frameworks including the social contract model and deontology. The Moral Problem: Enron Ethics is defined as the art of guiding the actions of men towards the produ ction of the maximum degree of happiness (Bentham 1823). People who run the business or an organization are responsible for conducting the business in a way that is yields the maximum benefits to not only the company but also the employees and the stakeholders. The ethical practices of Enron became a high-profile ethical scandal because the executives at the company did not give any regard to the interests of the employees and the stakeholders. The unethical practices of the executives of the company led to the company going bankrupt, with all of the shareholders losing their money and the employees being deprived of their jobs. Kenneth Lay, former Enron CEO, and Jeffery Skilling were involved in unethical activities that led to the fall of the entire company. The Executives were involved in manipulating the financial statements of the company (Collins 2006). Amongst other ethical issues, one issue also was whether it was ethical of the women, who took the case to the media, to whis tleblow on the Executives (Kinicki & Kreitner 2009). The Enron crisis gave rise to the â€Å"infallibility of the capitalistic economic system† (Conrad 2010). Analysing the Moral Problem According to a business ethicist, Manuel Velasquez, the reasons for ethical shortcomings of Enron can largely grouped into personal, organizational and systemic causes. Personal causes tend to explain the intent behind the actions that the executives took. The executives appeared greedy and interested in increasing their personal wealth. They did not give any consideration to the ethical implications of their actions and their actions represented a lack of compassion to the employees and the stakeholders (Santa Clara University 2010). When analysing their actions from a moral

Relationships In A Time That This Novel Is Set Essay Example for Free

Relationships In A Time That This Novel Is Set Essay How does Steinbeck present ideas of relationships in a time that this novel is set? Steinbeck portrays a world dominated by authoritative white males. It is the attitude of this social structure that permeate ranch society and those who come from outside these expectations are inferior. Of Mice and Men describes the plight of which women, disabled people, black people and people with mental difficulties endure and suffer simply because they do not fit into the ideal category which we see whilst they interact with each other. Lennie’s brief interaction with Crooks reveals the complexity of racial prejudice during the ranch life. Like many of the men on the characters in the story, Crooks admits to being very lonely. â€Å"This here’s my room. Nobody got any right in here but me.† When Lennie visits him in his room, Crooks turns him away, in hope that he will prove a point that if a black man cannot enter a white man’s room then it is unacceptable for the reverse to occur. However, his desire for company ultimately wins out and he invites Lennie to sit with him. In addition, he seems very suspicious of any kindness he receives. The fact that he doubts Lennie being kind to him refers to the strong racism on the ranch. Crooks is not sure how to react to Lennie and his instant reaction is for Lennie to leave. This outsider status causes him to lament his loneliness, but we can see the corrosive effects it has on him as he seems delighted in seeing loneliness in others. For example, he suggests that George is gone for good and it is not until Lennie threatens Crooks with physical violence does he relent. We cannot blame Crooks. On the other hand, this evokes sympathy as the origins of his cruel behaviour are made evident. We can infer that he is jealous and lonely that he wants to see someone else hurt just like he is. Curley and his wife have an unstable marriage, lacking in respect, compassion and communication. Curley believes that his wife is his posse ssion and shows her off to the other men. Throughout the novel we see Curley asking the other men where his wife is and likewise we see Curley’s wife looking for him. This could be a metaphor that although they are together they are still lonely. Their relationship is unhealthy as he manipulates and intimidates his wife. However, Curley seems very selfish and he did not seem to care for his wife. He used her for sex. Furthermore, the fact that she is referred to as â€Å"Curley’s wife† suggests that women did not have an identity. Curley is too protective over his wife as he knew she flirted with the other men and  Curley felt threatened, especially as she was the only woman on the ranch. There is not trust between them which is very unhealthy and not good. I think she enjoyed flirting because she felt isolated and lonely. Most of the ranch hands looked down upon her and thought she was a â€Å"slut.† This was the typical attitude towards women during this time period. They were seen as possessions of their husband. At the end of the novel, Steinbeck said that when she died, she was released and â€Å"discontent and the ache for attentions were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet.† When she was alive, she was wearing a mask and no one knew her true identify, as there was no one there to understand or get to know the real her but now she is dead, and the mask is off she looks better: â€Å"Her reddened lips made her seem alive.† Finally, in death, she could find the peace and calm that evaded her when she was alive in the harsh society. Ironically, her corpise is praised more in death than she was life. We begin to question Steinbeck’s intentions in giving us an unsympathetic view of this women and in women in general. Whenever she expresses her loneliness they are followed by acts of manipulation or violence. He seems to characterise women as trouble and they are â€Å"the downfall of man.† She is the catalyst of the drama which links to that point also. I don’t necessarily think that Steinbeck was sexist and is instead making a point about society’s sexism. She is the only character without a name, and even Crooks- who at that time was a member of a even more hated social group and if she talks to anyone â€Å"he gets mad.†

Isolation in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay -- English Literature M

Isolation in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, has several themes imbedded in the text. One major theme is of isolation. Many of the characters experience some time of isolation. The decisions and actions of some of these characters are the root cause of their isolation. They make choices that isolate themselves from everyone else. However, other characters are forced into isolation for reasons that are not in their control. The actions of another cause them to experience loneliness. The story begins with Robert Walton writing to his sister, Margaret, about his voyage to an undiscovered place. In these letters, as the voyage gets underway, he writes of his loneliness. Letter II states, ?I have no friend (Hunter 16; ch 1). He describes how his ?enthusiasm of success? will be experienced alone and also how he must suffer his disappointments alone. He states, ?I desire the company of a man? (Hunter 10; ch. 1 ). In another letter, Walton is telling his sister about a conversation he had with Frankenstein about friendship. Frankenstein tells Walton, ?I once had a friend (Hunter 16? ch. 1), implying that he no longer has any friends. Isolation is evident from the very beginning. Robert Walton chooses his isolation. He chooses to take this voyage. Walton has planned this trip for six years. He states in his first letter, ?I am required not only to raise the spirits of others, but sometimes to sustain my own (Hunter 9; ch. 1). He understands exactly what he is getting into and he chooses to continue anyway. George Levine states in his critical essay, ?Frankenstein and the Tradition of Realism,? that Walton is ?isolated from the rest of mankind by his ambition (... ...t is to come before he forces himself and his crew to experience this isolation and eventual death. Bibliography Hunter, J. Paul. ed. Frankenstein: Contexts, nineteenth century responses, criticism. By Mary Shelley. Norton Critical Edition. New York: New York. 1996. Levine, George. ?Frankenstein and the Tradition of Realism?. A Forum on Fiction, Vol. 7, no. 1 (1973): 17-23. Rpt. in Frankenstein: Contexts, nineteenth century responses, criticism. By Mary Shelley. Ed. J. Paul Hunter. Norton Critical Edition. New York: New York. 1996. 208-14. Poovey, Mary. ?My Hideous Progeny: The Lady And the Monster.? The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer. Chicago: U of Chicago P. (1984): 121-31. Rpt. in Frankenstein: Contexts, nineteenth century responses, criticism. By Mary Shelley. Ed. J. Paul Hunter. Norton Critical Edition. New York: New York. 1996. 251-61.

The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Fifteen

As she headed for the door of her dorm room, Elena rummaged through her bag, checking off a mental list: wallet, keys, phone, lip gloss, eyeliner, hairbrush, student ID. As she swung the door open, something fluttered to the ground. A perfect white daisy had fal en to the floor. Elena reached down and picked it up. Turning it in her hand, she felt a sudden sharp ache in her chest. God, I miss Stefan. She had no doubt the daisy was from him. It was just like him to let her know he was thinking of her while stil respecting her space. The ache in her chest was slowly replaced with a sweet glowing feeling. It seemed so sil y and artificial to avoid talking to Stefan. She loved him. And, beyond that, he was one of her best friends. Elena pul ed out her phone to cal him. And then she stopped. Taking a deep breath, she put the phone back into her bag. If she talked to Stefan, she would want to see him. If she saw him, she would want to touch him. If she touched him, it would al be over. She would find herself fal ing into him, entangled in love. And then she would look up and see Damon's dark unfathomable eyes watching them and feel that pul toward him. And then the brothers would look at each other, and love and pain and fury would pass over their faces, and everything would start up again. It had felt good to walk away from them for a while, even though it was heartbreaking and awful and terribly lonely, too. But, since then, Elena had felt a calm settle over her. She wasn't happy, exactly – it was like she was covered with bruises, and if she wasn't careful, pain would flood over her as she remembered what she had done. But she also felt as if she had been holding her breath for weeks and now was able to exhale. She knew that Stefan would be waiting for her when she was ready to face him again. Wasn't that what the daisy meant? She tucked the flower inside her bag and set off down the hal , her heels clicking firmly. Elena was going to go out with her friends, she was going to have fun, and she wasn't going to think about Stefan, or Damon. Or even the disappearances, or Christopher's death. Elena sighed under the weight of it al . For days, they had been mourning, and now Elena and her friends needed to embrace life again. They deserved an evening of freedom. They needed to remember what they were fighting for. â€Å"There she is,† Elena heard Bonnie say as she entered the crowded bar. â€Å"Elena! Over here!† Bonnie, Meredith, and a girl Elena didn't know were sitting at a smal table near the dance floor. They had invited Matt to come out with them, but he'd said he had to study, his face politely closed off, and they knew he wasn't ready yet and that he needed some time alone. Meredith, graceful and relaxed, gave Elena a cool smile in greeting and introduced her friend Samantha. Samantha was lean, bright eyed, and alert. She seemed like she had energy to spare, shifting from side to side, chatting without stopping. Bonnie, too, was clearly on tonight and started talking as soon as Elena reached the table. Bonnie was brave, Elena thought. Christopher's death had shocked her, and she was as worried about Matt as any of them, but she would stick out her chin and smile and gossip and go on with life just as hard as she could, because they had decided that was what tonight would be about. â€Å"I got you a Coke,† Bonnie said. â€Å"They carded me, so I couldn't get anything else. Guess what?† She paused dramatical y. â€Å"I cal ed Zander, and he said he'd definitely try to make it here tonight. I can't wait for you guys to meet him!† Bonnie was practical y bouncing out of her seat with excitement, red curls flipping everywhere. â€Å"Who's Zander?† asked Samantha innocently. Meredith gave Elena a sly glance. â€Å"You know, I'm not sure,† she said with mock confusion. â€Å"Bonnie, tel us about him.† â€Å"Yes,† Elena added, smirking. â€Å"I don't think you've mentioned him at al , have you?† â€Å"Shut up, you guys,† Bonnie said amiably, and, leaning over the table to Samantha, started to extol al of Zander's virtues to her fresh audience. Elena let her mind wander. She'd heard it al , night after night in their dorm lately: Zander's eyes, Zander's smile, Zander's bashful charm, Zander's very hot bod (Bonnie's words). How Zander and Bonnie studied together in a tucked-away corner of the library and Zander brought Bonnie secret snacks even though it was totally against the library rules. The way they talked on the phone every night, the long velvety pauses when it seemed like Zander was on the verge of whispering something intimate, something no one but Bonnie could know, but then instead he would make a joke that made Bonnie laugh like crazy. There was something so sweet about Bonnie with a crush. Elena real y hoped this guy was worthy of her. â€Å"He hasn't kissed me yet,† Bonnie added, eyes wide. â€Å"Soon, though. I hope.† â€Å"The very first kiss,† Samantha said, and wiggled her eyebrows. â€Å"Maybe tonight?† Bonnie just giggled in response. That ache was back in Elena's chest, and she pressed her hand against her sternum. During her first kiss with Stefan, the world had fal en away and there had been just the two of them, lips and souls touching. Everything had seemed so clear then. She took a deep breath and wil ed away tears. She wasn't going to remember anything tonight; she was just going to have a good time with her friends. Having Samantha there, Elena soon realized, was going to be a huge help with that. If it had been just Elena, Meredith, and Bonnie, they would have ended up discussing Christopher's murder and the disappearances on campus, combing obsessively over the very few things they knew and theorizing about everything they didn't. But with Samantha there, they had to keep the conversation light. Somehow Bonnie got off the topic of wonderful Zander and on to palm reading. â€Å"Look,† she said to Samantha. â€Å"See the line that crosses down your palm, across the other three lines? That's a fate line, not everybody has that.† â€Å"What does it mean?† Samantha said, gazing at her own palm with great interest. â€Å"Well,† Bonnie said, her brow furrowing, â€Å"it changes direction a lot – see here? and here? – which means that your destiny is going to change because of outside forces influencing you.† â€Å"Hmm,† Samantha said. â€Å"How about love? Wil I meet somebody amazing tonight?† â€Å"No,† Bonnie said slowly, and her voice changed, taking on a flat, almost metal ic, tone. Elena glanced up quickly to see that Bonnie's pupils were dilated, her eyes looking away from Samantha's palm into the distance. â€Å"Not tonight. But there's someone waiting for you who wil change everything. You'l meet him soon.† â€Å"Bonnie,† Meredith said sharply. â€Å"Are you okay?† Bonnie blinked, and her eyes snapped back into focus. â€Å"Of course,† she said, sounding confused. â€Å"What do you mean?† Elena and Meredith exchanged a glance – had Bonnie slipped into a vision? Before they could question her, a whole group of guys was suddenly at their table, laughing, shouting, swearing. Elena frowned up at them. â€Å"Hey, gorgeous,† one said, staring down at Elena. â€Å"Wanna dance?† Elena started to shake her head, but another of the guys dropped into the seat next to Bonnie and threw his arm around her. â€Å"Hey,† he said. â€Å"Did you miss me?† â€Å"Zander!† Bonnie exclaimed, her cheeks pink with delight. So this was Zander, Elena thought, and watched him covertly as his three friends settled at the table, too, introducing themselves cheerful y, seeming to make the maximum amount of noise dragging chairs over and jockeying to sit next to the girls. Zander was cute, sure, she had to admit that. Pale blond hair and a gorgeous smile. She didn't real y like the way he was pul ing Bonnie close, turning her head toward him, his hands running restlessly over her shoulders even as he talked over her head to his friends. It seemed real y possessive for a guy who hadn't even kissed her yet. Elena looked over at Meredith to see if she was thinking the same thing. Meredith was listening, with an amused smile, to the guy next to her – Marcus, she thought his name was – Zander's friend with the shaggy brown hair, explaining his weight-lifting routine. â€Å"Shots,† another friend of Zander's said succinctly, joining them with a tray ful of shot glasses. â€Å"Let's play quarters.† Bonnie giggled. â€Å"They're not al owed to serve us here. We're underage.† The guy grinned. â€Å"S'alright. I paid for them, not you.† â€Å"Wanna dance?† Spencer, the one who had asked Elena a minute before, said again, asking Samantha this time. â€Å"Sure!† she said, and jumped to her feet. The two were quickly lost in the crowd on the dance floor. â€Å"God, I was so drunk last night,† the guy next to Elena, Jared, said, tipping his chair back on two legs and regarding her cheerful y. His friend on his other side gazed at him for a minute, then poured a shot into his lap. â€Å"Hey!† In a moment, they were on their feet and shoving each other, the guy who had poured the drink laughing, Jared red-faced and angry. â€Å"Knock it off, you guys,† Zander said. â€Å"I don't want to get kicked out of here, too.† Too? Elena raised her eyebrows. This guy and his friends were definitely too wild for innocent little Bonnie. Elena looked at Meredith again for confirmation, but she was stil lost in jock world, now giving her opinion on the best weight training for martial arts. Bonnie squealed with laughter and bounced a quarter directly into one of the shot glasses. Al the guys cheered. â€Å"Now what?† she said breathlessly, her eyes bright. â€Å"Now you choose someone to drink it,† the guy who had brought the drinks said. â€Å"Zander, of course,† Bonnie said, and Zander gave her a long, slow smile that even Elena had to admit was devastating and drank, then winked at her as she laughed again. Bonnie looked †¦ real y happy. Elena couldn't remember the last time she had seen her laughing like this. It must have been at least a year ago, before things had gone crazy in Fel ‘s Church. Elena sighed and looked around the table. These guys were rowdy – tussling and shoving at one another – but they were friendly enough. And this was the kind of thing people did at col ege, wasn't it? If it made Bonnie happy, Elena ought to at least try to get along with them. Samantha and Spencer came back to the table, both laughing, and Samantha col apsed in her seat. â€Å"No more,† she said, raising her hands to fend him off. â€Å"I need a water break. You're a madman, you know that?† â€Å"Wil you come dance with me, then?† Spencer said pleadingly to Elena, widening big brown puppy-dog eyes at her. â€Å"He'l try to pick you up,† Samantha warned. â€Å"And dip you. And spin you around. But don't worry, I'l be back out on that floor in no time.† â€Å"Pretty please?† Spencer said, making an even more pathetic face. Bonnie laughed triumphantly as she bounced another quarter into the glass. Dancing with a group of friends isn't betraying anyone, Elena thought. Besides, she was single now. Sort of, anyway. She should try to enjoy col ege, to embrace life. Wasn't that the whole point of tonight? She shrugged. â€Å"Sure, why not?†

The Great Gatsby Research Paper

During the Roaring twenties, social class was an important aspect of society. All different classes were for the most part separated by where people lived. In other words, by no means would anyone from a lower class be caught in an uptown setting. There are a variety of characters in the novel that come from different economic backgrounds. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald successfully uses location to differentiate social status amongst his characters while the weather and seasons of those locations help guide them.Each character helps represent and support the differences of social class and the four main locations, The East Egg, the West Egg, the Valley of Ashes, and New York City. In The Great Gatsby geographical locations separate social classes. East Egg represents old wealth. The characters from East Egg are wealthy but empty inside. Their lives are shallow and unfulfilled. Jordan Baker is beautiful on the outside but is only interested in cheating her way th rough life to get what she wants. The Buchanans look perfect on the outside but are dysfunctional on the inside.The characters in East Egg are arrogant. â€Å"Tom Buchanan is wealth brutalized by selfishness and arrogance† (Cowley 71). â€Å"Tom’s restlessness is an arrogant assertiveness seeking to evade in bluster the deep uneasiness of self knowledge† (Dyson 62). Daisy Buchanan is really only interested in herself and will use any means that will ultimately benefit her. West Egg represents new wealth. The characters that live in West Egg have made their money more recently. Nick Carraway is educated at Yale and starts a job in the bond business when he moves to West Egg.Nick is honest and listens to others’ problems. In the novel, Nick Carraway is always trying to help his girlfriend Jordan Baker. Her problems revolve around her cheating and being self centered. The characters can also find new wealth through desperate and dishonest means. Jay Gatsby g ains most of his wealth through inheritance. Gatsby thinks that wealth will buy him the love of Daisy and the life which he dreams of. In addition Gatsby has also made his fortune through criminal activity, as he is willing to do anything to gain the social position he thinks necessary to win Daisy.The Valley of Ashes represents the socially unaccepted. The characters in the Valley of Ashes represent poverty. â€Å"This is the Valley of Dry Bones, the Waste Land, The dusty replica of modern society, where ash-grey men are crumbling, like Eliot’s hollow men† (Bicknell 98). Myrtle and George Wilson both live in a run down garage in the Valley of Ashes. Myrtle Wilson tries desperately to improve her life and get out of the Valley of Ashes. The Valley of Ashes also represents doom and death. Myrtle is found as the victim of a hit and run caused by Daisy and Gatsby.The Valley of Ashes represents the death and dreams for Jay Gatsby, Myrtle Wilson, and George Wilson. These ch aracters die in the novel due to misconception and anger. The characters go through the Valley of Ashes to get to New York City. New York City represents glitz and immorality. While in New York City Tom Buchanan has an affair with Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle Wilson doesn’t care about anyone except those who will direct her on the correct path to improve her life. This is one of the reasons why she has an affair with Tom.Tom Buchanan has no moral doubts about his own extramarital affair with Myrtle but when it comes to other people such as Daisy and Gatsby he becomes outraged and forces a confrontation. During a party in New York City, Myrtle Wilson drinks too much and begins to taunt Tom about Daisy. Tom responds to this by hitting Myrtle and breaking her nose. New York City represents a passion for money and inhibited pleasure. West Egg represents dreams while East Egg represents the devastation of reality. Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway both come from the mid-west.The mid-west repr esents everything that is associated with warmth and home. After leaving the mid-west both Gatsby and Nick move to West Egg which is similar to the mid-west. In contrast, the east represents everything that is shallow and uncaring. Jordan Baker is a prime example of someone who lives a shallow life in East Egg. F. Scott Fitzgerald incorporates color, weather, and seasons into The Great Gatsby. The green light that Gatsby sees every night from Daisy’s dock represents his future with her. Involuntarily I glanced seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock† (Fitzgerald 21). Every night Gatsby reaches out for the green light in hopes that his longed for dream will finally come true. The green light is in East Egg and even though it is barely visible from his West Egg home he looks for it every night and hopes it will some day be his future. Weather guides the characters actions in The Great Gatsb y. Gatsby and Daisy reunite with each other in the pouring rain.This represents the awkwardness of seeing each other again. They fall in love again in the fair weather when the sun begins to come out. This shows that their relationship is blossoming. Seasons also guide actions in The Great Gatsby. Tom Buchanan confronts Jay Gatsby about his affair with Daisy in the heat of the summer. This is similar to the fatal encounter between Mercuito and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. George Wilson kills himself and Gatsby when summer turns to fall. In conclusion, The Wilsons and Jay Gatsby never fulfill their dreams of wealth.The Wilsons meet their doom just as the Valley of Ashes symbolizes when George Wilson kills himself and Myrtle Wilson is a victim in a hit and run. Jay Gatsby’s dream is never fulfilled because money and desperation control him. â€Å"Gatsby’s death is brought about by Daisy, who first lets him shield her and then deserts him; by Tom, who directs the demented Wilson to the place where he is to be found; and by Wilson himself-a representative of the ash-grey men who comes to Gatsby, in his disillusionment, as a terrible embodiment of the realities which have killed his dream† (Dyson 65). For Tom and Daisy retreat back into their money or their vast carelessness† (Burnam 112). Tom Buchanan lets George Wilson believe it was Gatsby who had an affair with Myrtle and it was his car who killed her. Daisy Buchanan doesn’t care that she is the one who actually killed Myrtle, allowing Gatsby to take the blame. The Buchanans continue to live behind a facade, never allowing anyone to see their emptiness inside.They blame their actions on others, never taking the blame. The Wilsons are not missed by anyone since their lives represent those that are socially unaccepted. Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker split up and Jordan gets engaged to another man. Nick decides to move back to the mid-west because he is sick of East Egg and its emp ty values. In each case, location has separated the characters economically, socially, and eventually defined their fate.

How actions portray the personality of the characters essays

How actions portray the personality of the characters essays The way a person reacts to another can sometimes give a little idea as to what their personality is like. In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, this is displayed by the presence of Mr. Collins. Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Philips, Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth and Lady Catherine de Bourgh all reacted to the arrival of Mr. Collins. Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Philips and Elizabeth are all part of the same family and they all reacted to the arrival of Mr. Collins. ...Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children... (60) This quote represents how Mrs. Bennet reacted to Mr. Collinss visit. She is worried about the estate being taken out of the family. It shows that she is the kind of person to hold a grudge and to be hateful towards people whether it be their fault or not. It is not Mr. Collinss fault that the estate will be handed over to him, but Mrs. Bennet only sees what she wants to see. In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the gentleman joined them; and he found in Mrs. Philips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his consequence increa sed with what she heard, and who was resolving to retail it all among her neighbors as soon as she could. (73) This quote describes Mrs. Philips in a way that she is easily flattered and she likes to be complimented. She feels very honored that her house is compared with that of Lady Catherines and cant wait to brag to the other people of the community. I cannot make him out. There is something very pompous in his style. And what can he mean by apologizing for being next in the entail? We cannot suppose he would help it, if he could. Can he be a sensible man, sir? (62) When Eliz...

The Second Congo War

The Second Congo War In the First Congo War, the support of Rwanda and Uganda enabled Congolese rebel,  Laurent Dà ©sirà ©-Kabila, to overthrow Mobutu Sese Sekos government.  However, after Kabila was installed as the new President, he broke ties with Rwanda and Uganda. They retaliated by invading the Democratic Republic of the Congo, starting the Second Congo War. Within a few months, no less than nine African countries were involved in the conflict in the Congo, and by its end nearly 20 rebel groups were fighting in what had become one of the deadliest and most lucrative conflicts in recent history. 1997-98 Tensions Build When Kabila first became president of the Democratic Repubilc of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, who had helped bring him to power, exerted considerable influence over him. Kabila appointed the Rwandan officers and troops who had participated in the rebellion key positions within the new Congolese army (the FAC), and for the first year, he pursued policies in regard to the continued unrest in the eastern part of the DRC that were consistent with Rwandas aims. The Rwandan soldiers were hated, though, by many Congolese, and Kabila was constantly caught between angering the international community, Congolese supporters, and his foreign backers. On  July 27, 1998, Kabila dealt with the situation by summarily calling for all foreign soldiers to leave the Congo. 1998 Rwanda Invades In a surprise radio announcement, Kabila had cut his cord to Rwanda, and Rwanda responded by invading a week later on August 2, 1998. With this move, the simmering conflict in the Congo shifted into the Second Congo War.   There were a number of factors driving Rwandas decision, but chief among them was the continued violence against Tutsis within the eastern Congo. Many have also argued that Rwanda, one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, harbored visions of claiming part of the eastern Congo for itself, but they made no clear moves in this direction. Rather they armed, supported, and advised a rebel group comprised mainly of Congolese Tutsis, the  Rassemblement Congolais pour la Dà ©mocratie  (RCD). Kabila saved (again) by foreign allies Rwandan forces made quick strides in eastern Congo, but rather than progress through the country, they tried to simply oust Kabila by flying men and arms to an airport near the capital, Kinshasa, in the far west part of the DRC, near the Atlantic ocean and taking the capital that way.The plan had a chance of succeeding, but again, Kabila received foreign aid. This time, it was Angola and Zimbabwe who came to his defense. Zimbabwe was motivated by their recent investments in Congolese mines and the contracts they had secured from Kabilas government. Angolas involvement was more political. Angola had been engaged in a civil war since decolonization in 1975. The government feared that if Rwanda succeeded in ousting Kabila, the DRC might again become a safe haven for UNITA troops, the armed opposition group within Angola. Angola also hoped to secure influence over Kabila. The intervention of Angola and Zimbabwe was crucial. Between them, the three countries also managed to secure aid in the form of arms and soldiers from Namibia, the Sudan (who was opposed to Rwanda), Chad, and Libya. Stalemate With these combined forces, Kabila and his allies were able to stop the Rwandan-backed assault on the capital. But the Second Congo War merely entered a stalemate between countries that soon led to profiteering as the war entered its next phase. Sources: Prunier, Gerald.  .Africa’s World War: The Congo, Rwandan Genocide, and the Making of a Continental Catastrophe  Oxford University Press: 2011. Van Reybrouck, David.  Congo: The Epic History of a People. Harper Collins, 2015.

Compare and contrast the views of authorities as part of building an Essay

Compare and contrast the views of authorities as part of building an analysis of the work of postmodern practitioners - Essay Example The main idea behind ‘postmodernism’ is that it criticizes the basic notions of modernism. Lyon’s (1999) study shows that postmodernism was a movement which was aimed at the rejection of the concepts, introduced in the Modernist era. Postmodernist works were different from the Modernist ones in many ways. According to Smart (1993), postmodernist works included mostly ironic comments on modernism. This was done through applied decoration. The modernists had previously based a lot of their works on science and rationality was something that was very essential to them. For the post modernists, however, the rational was something that was quite dehumanizing. Postmodernism sought ideas that could not be explained by the realm of science and rationality. Modernism had also focused mainly on the universality of things. According to Smart (1993), postmodernism, as a resistance to this notion, concentrated more on the individuality of people. Creative expression and individualistic ideas were preferred and favored over universalistic ones. It was an approach that was quite different because people were judged due to their own capabilities. Postmodernists also had a keen interest in the rejection of the traditional norms that had been prevalent after the modernist Era. For example, through their works, the postmodernists criticized the generally held concepts of beauty and taste as Sparke (2004) relates. Rather than considering beauty of a person they judged people by their talents. Further, Postmodernists focused on the use of different materials and new mediums so to increase diversity. Now that the paper has given a brief overview of the postmodernist era, it is important to consider the works of two postmodernist practitioners, namely Robert Venturi and Charles Jencks. First the paper discusses the works of Robert Venturi. Robert Venturi was an American postmodern

Policy memo to the President on Sino-American relationships Essay

Policy memo to the President on Sino-American relationships - Essay Example One of the greatest challenges facing the US is possibility of nuclear attacks from defiant North Korea and similar attacks on US allies such as South Korea and Japan. The United States bilateral partnerships with East Asia nations like Japan aim at defending such nations in case of military confrontation from hostile neighbors (Shambaugh, 2013). Another challenge facing the US in East Asia is the increased integration and cooperation of East Asia countries in trade and formation of regional economic blocs that determine the trade flows in the region (Lin & Roy, 2010). The rise of China as an economic and military power has dwindled the influence of United States in geopolitical issues affecting East Asia. China has the potential to influence East Asia trading activities and determine the capacity of the US to find strategic partners and allies in the region (Shambaugh, 2013). Nationalism, unresolved historical issues and territorial borders is another challenge that limits the abili ty of the US to interfere with East Asia issues (Lin & Roy, 2010). Territorial border tensions have fueled military confrontation and led to high military build-up and spending by some East Asia nations thus limiting their capability to focus on trade and investment spending. In this case, the US must use a careful and diplomatic approach in its comments relating to territorial disputes in order to avoid diplomatic tensions in the region (Shambaugh, 2013).