The Bay Of Pigs Invasion Essays - CubaUnited States Relations

The Bay of Pigs Invasion The story of the failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs is one of mismanagement, overconfidence, and lack of security. The blame for the failure of the operation falls directly in the lap of the Central Intelligence Agency and a young president and his advisors. The fall out from the invasion caused a rise in tension between the two great superpowers and ironically 34 years after the event, the person that the invasion meant to topple, Fidel Castro, is still in power. To underezd the origins of the invasion and its ramifications for the future it is first necessary to look at the invasion and its origins. Part I: The Invasion and its Origins. The Bay of Pigs invasion of April 1961, started a few days before on April 15th with the bombing of Cuba by what appeared to be defecting Cuban air force pilots. At 6 a.m. in the morning of that Saturday, three Cuban military bases were bombed by B-26 bombers. The airfields at Camp Libertad, San Antonio de los Ba?os and Antonio Maceo airport at Santiago de Cuba were fired upon. Seven people were killed at Libertad and forty-seven people were killed at other sites on the island. Two of the B-26s left Cuba and flew to Miami, apparently to defect to the United States. The Cuban Revolutionary Council, the government in exile, in New York City released a statement saying that the bombings in Cuba were ". . . carried out by 'Cubans inside Cuba' who were 'in contact with' the top command of the Revolutionary Council . . . ." The New York Times reporter covering the story alluded to something being wrong with the whole situation when he wondered how the council knew the pilots were coming if the pilots had only decided to leave Cuba on Thursday after " . . . a suspected betrayal by a fellow pilot had precipitated a plot to strike . . . ." Whatever the case, the planes came down in Miami later that morning, one landed at Key West Naval Air Station at 7:00 a.m. and the other at Miami International Airport at 8:20 a.m. Both planes were badly damaged and their tanks were nearly empty. On the front page of The New York Times the next day, a picture of one of the B-26s was shown along with a picture of one of the pilots cloaked in a baseball hat and hiding behind dark sunglasses, his name was withheld. A sense of conspiracy was even at this early stage beginning to envelope the events of that week. In the early hours of April 17th the assault on the Bay of Pigs began. In the true cloak and dagger spirit of a movie, the assault began at 2 a.m. with a team of frogmen going ashore with orders to set up landing lights to indicate to the main assault force the precise location of their objectives, as well as to clear the area of anything that may impede the main landing teams to be added when they arrived. At 2:30 a.m. and at 3:00 a.m. two battalions came ashore at Playa Gir?n and one battalion at Playa Larga beaches. The troops at Playa Gir?n had orders to move west, northwest, up the coast and meet with the troops at Playa Larga in the middle of the bay. A small group of men were then to be sent north to the town of Jaguey Grande to secure it as well. When looking at a modern map of Cuba it is obvious that the troops would have problems in the area that was chosen for them to land at. The area around the Bay of Pigs is a swampy marsh land area which would be hard on the troops. The Cuban forces were quick to react and Castro ordered his T-33 trainer jets, two Sea Furies, and two B-26s into the air to stop the invading forces. Off the coast was the command and control ship and another vessel carrying supplies for the invading forces. The Cuban air force made quick work of the supply ships, sinking the command vessel the Marsopa and the supply ship the Houston, blasting them to pieces with five- inch rockets. In the end the 5th battalion was lost, which was on the Houston, as well as the supplies for the landing teams and eight other smaller vessels. With some of the invading forces' ships destroyed, and no command and

Serial Comma in Business Writing

Serial Comma in Business Writing In nearly every business writing course I lead, the subject of whether or not to use a serial comma (also called an oxford comma) comes up. There is always strong opinion. I actually dreaded writing this article. I was scarred by this subject while in graduate school studying composition and rhetoric, when I had to write a 10-page paper on the history and merits/detriments of the serial comma. I had to present my research and opinion to my classmates, who not surprisingly loved to debate grammar. The argument about whether the serial comma should or should not be included lasted over two hours. We never did come to any consensus. This controversy probably exists because there is no grammar â€Å"rule.† Just convention. And, style guides differ. To define: a serial comma is the optional comma used at the end of a list. The most common conjunctions in a list are â€Å"and† and â€Å"or.† The serial comma is the comma that comes before the conjunction: I like cookies, cupcakes(,) and gumdrops. (The comma before and is the serial comma.) TED Talks provide an excellent illustrative summary: Let me tip my hand, and give you my opinion on this business grammar issue, and then I’ll explain why: The customary convention in business writing is to use the serial comma. The customary convention in journalism is to omit it, historically to conserve space. The British tend to use serial commas less than Americans. It is both correct to use or not use a serial comma, so what is most important is consistency. (And, be prepared for some editors to correct you, regardless of which option you choose.) I recommend using the serial comma in business writing, since it is the customary convention. And, to me, it is much easier to consistently follow this convention, than to omit it most of the time and add it in when clarity is needed. Keep it simple. Let’s look at examples where the serial comma clarifies: When stocking your desk, be sure you have pens, pencils, paper clips(,) and pins. (The comma after pens in parentheses is the serial comma.) If you do not use a serial comma in this sentence, meaning is still quite clear, but you might wonder if you need to buy a box of paper clips and pins mixed together: When stocking your desk, be sure you have pens, pencils, paper clips and pins. Let’s examine a more ambiguous example: The job involves restocking shelves, cleaning and serving customers. (Without a serial comma before and, the sentence suggests the person doing this job will be responsible for cleaning the customers in addition to serving them.) Another example illustrating confusion that results by omitting the serial comma: â€Å"To reduce stress, I like running, yoga, meditation and visualization and quiet time alone.† Notice I omitted the serial comma here. Let’s see how this example works: No comma: To reduce stress, I like (running,) (yoga,) (meditation and visualization and quiet) time. Comma: To reduce stress, I like (running,) (yoga,) (meditation and visualization,) and (quiet) time. Recommendation Use the serial comma consistently in your business writing. Only omit it in those rare instances when it muddies meaning. Grammarians love to debate this issue, and there will never be full agreement, but for business writing, the convention is clear: use the serial comma. What is your opinion on this hotly debated grammar issue? Yes or no for the serial comma?

Proposal and Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Proposal and Report - Assignment Example I have attached presentation details with my proposal which illustrate meaningful experience of education. Students are quite more rational in today’s world than ever. They are highly concerned with the cost they spent on studies and the expected benefits that they would fetch from it. They would also keep an eye on the possible fields that their education would take them. A research showed that students having bachelor’s degree expected to earn more dollars than with a high school education. has an embarked global fleet of development and research in information technology and computer science, which will increase potentially among students and pursue them to achieve professional goals. The real experiences of professionals who showed their competency in their specific field would help students to understand the essentials of education. would offer students to graduate with major in Information Technology and Computer Science. The student can contribute to his/her nation to a long run after passing higher education. They would also get other benefits like handsome salaries , knowledge and expertise. In presentation, the focal point would be on career pathways in higher education information technology and computer science. I will discuss with your students the professional point of views in education field. Their opinion will help students to make their mind to face the challenges in their field. I will also discuss the demands and salaries scale with your students. My presentation would not be stressful or boring for students, I would like an interactive environment with students. I extremely appreciate and encourage them to ask questions or queries related to topic whenever they like. My requirement composed of technology like Internet access and a data projector so that it would be feasible for students to see the presentation. Later, I will provide leaflets for students to

Practical Implication of Balance Scorecard on Essay

Practical Implication of Balance Scorecard on - Essay Example In their studies, they described the balanced scorecard as a management system for strategic planning that enables both profit and non-profit-organisations to state clearly their visions and underlying strategies and then transform them into actions. Smith (2005) in his studies described the balanced scorecard as a performance management tool that is used by organisations to align their activities along with their strategy and vision, secondly, to improve external and internal communication of the organisations and thirdly to monitor performance against the sets goals/ objectives. The report will use the Apple Inc as the case study and it is of essence to note that Apple Inc is largely an information and technology company that mainly specializes in designing, manufacturing, and selling of computer hardware and software, and consumer electronics such as personal computers, phones and television pads, among others. The company presently, has its headquarters at the state of California in the United States of America but it has a wide branch network of over 300 stores located in 14 countries across the world. According to OGrady (2008), Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne originally formed the company in 1976 and by 1980; the company marked a major milestone by being listed at the stock exchange. Mr. Arthur Levinson as the chairperson currently heads Apple Inc while Mr. Tim Cook is the chief executive officer of the company. The critical analysis of the critical implications of the balanced scorecard in Apple Inc will help to explain how the management system contributed to the company’s current success and how it intendeds to further propel the company into greater success. The charts below demonstrate how each of these products and others performs or sells in the market in terms of the revenue they generate, and the revenue generated by the company from different regions or markets where it has

How have African-Americans worked to end segregation, discrimination, Research Paper

How have African-Americans worked to end segregation, discrimination, and isolation to attain equality and civil rights - Research Paper Example lace for ever since the spirited struggle against such a corrupt social regime would come to an end and several decades later today, one of the African American descendants is president. How this became a successful story is through a tough battle which could only be won with special dedication and commitment. Strategies to end segregation in America began specific with steps such as on transport system, job opportunities, protestations and violent reiteration, repatriation and lobbying for legislation to allow equality. One of the most potent channels where segregation became rooted in the USA was through the use of public amenities, particularly the transport system. Segregation was manifested in several forms where initially, African Americans would not share a bus with the White. Train transport could not allow mixing of these two races and separate cars were provided, with the conditions of transport exposing the African American community to suffering and humiliation beyond explanation. Several other public amenities systems had similar discrimination policy which deliberately isolated and banished the African American people from a pleasant public life. For instance, hotels, schools and theatres would not permit free mixing of these races. Later on, where the two mixed, the African Americans were reserved for the back sits to make them feel inferior to the White people. This backdrop implies that the African American had no human and civil rights when compared to other Americans. This had to be stopped by the African American community assisted by humane Whites who sympathized with their plight during the regime. A spirited fight was launched beginning with the sensitization and mobilization of the African American community to rally their support for the plight of their civil and human rights. Angry scenes of resistance from the regime’s mechanisms such as judiciary are on record, with courts giving ridiculous rulings and retrogressive laws being passed

Cylinder Taper and Cylinder Out of Round

Cylinder Taper and Cylinder Out of Round Aditya Patel Equipment Utilized An assortment of hand tools, pullers and specialty measuring tools were used during this assignment Health and Safety Precautions Safety boots and glasses were mandatory in the shop Proper lifting techniques, and getting help lifting was very important Unit Identification GM 3100 Engine References GM 3100 service manual, and our classroom text book were used. Lab notes and internet were used for some of the notes. Method 1. List all the steps needed to measure cylinder taper and out of round. a bore gauge calibration unit was set up by using fixture and calibration unit the bore gauge was placed in this unit and calibrated using the micrometre scale on the unit. To calibrate for specific bore, use the standards. For example, for 4.406 bore, install 4.000+ standard and set the scale to 0.406. Bore gauge is calibrated until the dial shows 0 on it. Or more adjustment should be done. the bore gauge was then placed inside the cylinder at Top thrust surface and rock the bore gauge front and back until dial goes up and comes back. Note the highest reading, the dial reaches. Do same for bottom thrust surface. To measure the cylinder out of round, measure top thrust surface of the cylinder but perpendicular to the first measured. Now compare both reading for top thrust surfaces readings. If the difference between the measured reading is more than 0.0005 then the cylinder is out of round or else, it is good. To measure the taper, subtract the reading of bottom thrust surface from top thrust surface. If the reading is more than 0.0008 then cylinder is not good. Cylinder Taper is the difference of the diameter between top of the cylinder bore under the ridge and bottom of the cylinder Cylinder out of Round is the difference of diameter when measured parallel to crankshaft and then perpendicular to the same at top of the cylinder using bore gauge. Method Continued   Ã‚   2. Document 2 methods of measuring piston to cylinder bore clearance. Feeler Strip Method Remove all compression and oil control rings from pistons Invert the piston and place it back in the cylinder in upside down position with feeler strip. The feeler strip should not be on the piston pin hole. After piston is placed in the cylinder slowly take the filler gauge out. While taking the filler gauge out, if it feels too hard or loose the try different size of the gauge until you get the perfect size. The perfect size of filler gauge should not feel too tight or smooth while taking it out. (Measuring clearance using feeler strip) Calculated Method Measure the diameter of the piston across the skirt with well calibrated micrometre. Note the reading. Now using the bore gauge measure the cylinder diameter under the ridge. Record the reading. Now subtract the piston diameter from cylinder diameter. The measurement achieved is the piston to cylinder clearance. Note that before taking any reading the micrometre should be well calibrated and the surfaces should be cleaned. (Bore gauge measuring the cylinder diameter) (Measuring piston diameter using Micrometre) 3. Construct a chart listing cylinder, piston ring and crankshaft clearances. Located under observations heading 4. Record how to check ring clearances. (side and end) Side Clearance Remove all compression and oil control rings from pistons Clean the piston ring groove before measuring. For measuring the ring clearance, the ring doesnt need to be installed in the piston. Gently place the ring in the groove. After placing the ring measure the clearance with the help of feeler gauge between the ring and upper edge of the groove. Compare the measured ring clearance with the manufacturers specification. If the measured clearance is more then the manufacturers specification the change the ring. (Measuring Ring Clearance using Feeler Strip) End Gap Remove all compression and oil control rings from pistons Place the ring in the same cylinder from which piston come out. Using the piston slowly push the ring in the cylinder. Then measure the gap between the two ends of the rings with filler strip. The filler strip should not too hard or too smooth to pass between the two ends of the rings. Then do same for the second ring and note the measurement. Compare this measurement with the manufacturers specification. If the measured end gap is more then the actual specification the change the ring. (Measuring piston ring end gap using feeler strip) 5. Describe 2 methods of measuring crankshaft bearing clearance. Plastigauge Method remove the main bearing caps from the block and clean the surface of the crankshaft journals with a clean rag. Now place a piece of plastigauge according to the width of the journal. Install back main bearing caps on their same position as before. Check that the bearings are in the correct direction. Install the bolts and tighten them with torque wrench at the manufacturers specification. Now remove the main bearing caps and check the spread of plastigauge. Compare with the marking given on the cover of the plastigauge and note the reading. Now compare this reading with the actual specification. Before installing main bearings back, carefully wipe the plastigauge marks. (Measuring the Crankshaft bearing clearance using plasti gauge) Calculated Method Measure the crankshaft journal diameter using a well calibrated micrometre. Measure every journal two times both perpendicular at each other. Note every reading. Now put the bearing journals back on. Use torque wrench to tight the bearings with specified torque. Using inside micrometre or bore dial gauge measure the diameter of the bearing. Note the reading. To measure bearing clearance, subtract the crankshaft journal diameter measurement from bearing journal diameter. The allowable clearance for crankshaft is between 0.0008-0.0025. 6. Explain what causes cylinder taper and cylinder out of round Cylinder Taper is caused by wear caused by friction and combustion cause the bore to be cone shaped. Cylinder Out of Round is caused by pressure created by piston rings to the cylinder walls. Observations Cylinder Measurements Cyl #1 Cyl #2 Cyl #3 Cyl #4 Cyl #5 Cyl #6 (Thrust Surface Under Ridge) A 0.0016 0.0018 0.0018 0.0015 0.0015 0.0014 (Thrust Surface Bottom) B 0.0013 0.0014 0.0012 0.0014 0.0011 0.0013 (90  ° Under Ridge) C 0.0012 0.0015 0.0012 0.0013 0.001 0.0011 Taper (Subtract B from A) Measurements Cyl #1 Cyl #2 Cyl #3 Cyl #4 Cyl #5 Cyl #6 (Thrust Surface Under Ridge) A 0.0016 0.0018 0.0018 0.0015 0.0015 0.0014 (Thrust Surface Bottom) B 0.0013 0.0014 0.0012 0.0014 0.0011 0.0013 Taper 0.0003 0.0004 0.0006 0.0001 0.0004 0.0001 Specification 0.0008 Out of Round ( Subtract C from A ) Measurements Cyl #1 Cyl #2 Cyl #3 Cyl #4 Cyl #5 Cyl #6 ( Thrust Surface Under Ridge ) A 0.0016 0.0018 0.0018 0.0015 0.0015 0.0014 ( 90  ° Under Ridge ) C 0.0012 0.0015 0.0012 0.0013 0.0010 0.0011 Out of Round 0.0004 0.0003 0.0006 0.0002 0.0005 0.0003 Specification 0.0005 Observations Continued Piston Ring Clearance Measurements Specs #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Ring End Gap: Top Ring 0.006-0.014 0.24 0.24 0.24 0.27 0.17 0.19 Second Ring 0.0197-0.0280 0.30 0.16 0.20 0.18 0.16 0.19 Ring Groove Clearance: Top Ring 0.002-0.0033 0.002 0.0025 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 Second Ring 0.002-0.0035 0.002 0.002 0.0025 0.002 0.002 0.002 Bearing Clearance Checks Specs #1 #2 #3 #4 Bearing Bore Dia. (A) 2.6472 2.6502 2.649 2.652 2.648 2.650 Journal Diameter (B) 2.6473 2.6483 2.647 2.646 2.647 2.645 Clearance (A B) 0.0008 0.0025 0.002 0.006 0.001 0.005 Plastigauge Clearance 0.0008-0.0025 0.0015 0.0020 0.0010 0.0020 Conclusions Upon completing the measurements and visual inspections, I would recommend that due to the excessive wear and out of round cylinder, the cylinder should be bored. While measuring the piston ring clearance we noticed that the piton rings were replaced and were both of same size on one piston.      

Cognitive Artifacts & Windows 95 :: essays research papers

Cognitive Artifacts & Windows 95 The article on Cognitive Artifacts by David A. Norman deals with the theories and principles of artifacts as they relate to the user during execution and completion of tasks. These principles and theories that Norman speaks about may be applied to any graphical user interface, however I have chosen to relate the article to the interface known as Windows 95. Within Windows 95, Microsoft has included a little tool called the wizard that guides us through the steps involved in setting up certain applications. This wizard is a very helpful tool to the non experienced computer user, in the way that it acts like a to-do list. The wizard takes a complex task and breaks it into discrete pieces by asking questions and responding to those questions based on the answers. Using Norman's theories on system view and the personal view of artifacts, we see that the system views the wizard as an enhancement. For example, we wanted to set up the Internet explorer, you click on the icon answer the wizard's questions and the computer performs the work. Making sure everything is setup properly without the errors that could occur in configuring the task yourself. The wizard performs all the functions on its little to-do list without having the user worrying about whether he/she remembered to include all the commands. On the side of personal views the user may see the wizard as a new task to learn but in general it is simpler than having to configure the application yourself and making an error, that could cause disaster to your system. The wizard also prevents the user from having to deal with all the internal representation of the application like typing in command lines in the system editor. Within Windows 95 most of the representation is internal therefore we need a way to transform it to surface representation so it is accessible to the user. According to Norman's article there are "three essential ingredients in representational systems. These being the world which is to be represented, the set of symbols representing the world, and an interpreter." This is done in Windows by icons on the desktop and on the start menu. The world we are trying to represent to the user is the application, which can be represented by a symbol which is the icon. These icons on the desktop and on the start menu are the surface representations the user sees when he goes to access the application not all the files used to create it or used in conjunction with the applications

My Parents Were Right

Narrative Writing : My Parents were right â€Å"Honey ,don’t do this ! Honey , don’t do that ! † Everyday,In my life I have to suffered with all that word . Its so annoying . I am a naughty son . I love hang out with my friends than spending time at home . Sometimes my parents not allowed me just because I must study and score a great result. But, I never listen of what they said . I do feel like they are disturbing my life . Everything I do was wrong from their eyes . Nothing is good . When they scold me ,they say that they are advicing me . However, I can’t accept their ways although they say the rights . Mom, next week is my birthday . Can you make some delicious cake for me with a grand birthday party for me? â€Å", ask me . She just nodded and smile . â€Å"But dear, you must promise me to get a great result in your study ,okay ? † She asked me back with a simple question but hard for me to answer . I just nodd half-heartedness . Then, I got my father at the living room . He was relaxing while read a few of newspapers . â€Å"Dad , can I borrow your motorcycle? I want to go to my friend’s house for invinting them to my party . † â€Å" It’s alright but remember don’t be so late . Your final exam is around the corner . â€Å"Alright,Dad . Don’t worry â€Å",said me while rushing to get the key . My mind is only thinking about the enjoyness of the party will be.. On my birthday party ,I was so enjoyed with my friends . I have got many presents and birthday wishes from them . I think I am the happiest person at that time. I can see everyone are enjoying themselves so as my parents . My mouth incessantly say ‘thank you’. Well it is a blessing nurture from my parents, I admit it . â€Å"Andy , look at this . This is present from us .. ,†said Dad . A huge box of present ,I really don’t know what is inside . I look at my mom and dad ,smiling . â€Å"Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad . † After we gathering prayer Maghrib, Dad starting the conversation . I have smell something fishy . â€Å"Andy, If you are thinking that we are shackling you ,it is not like so. We love you so much . Tomorrow, I will send you to another person that I believe more . Talaqqi and take a lot of experiences from him . Knowledge if not sought, you are nothing . Remember what I said . † â€Å"But ,Dad .. I’ve got many friends here ,I really like to stay here better than there . Are you want to separate me from my own life ? † I sobbed . Separate from my own life same like turn off my life . â€Å"Andy ,soon life will be getting more harder than now. Sometimes we must sacrifice now and we will get easier life soon .Believe me . †He calms me although I still not agreeing with him . Mom gently nodded with her gently smile . After five years, I am working as an engineer of chemical at well-known companies and in addition work as professional motivator. Today, I am good in all sort of thing . I have learned beside happiness and difficulty accompanied by blessing . Now , I understand what my parents wants me to being . I knew my parents were right .

The United Nations and Global Security †Political Science Essay

The United Nations and Global Security – Political Science Essay Free Online Research Papers The United Nations and Global Security Political Science Essay The question on whether the UN can provide adequate framework and tools in dealing with global security concerns, presents the complexity of the immense number of variables to be considered. The United Nations have been created according to the realists’ power-politics principles and has progressively covered economic, social and environmental fields. The recent protest at Seattle in December 1999, and in Washington D.C in April this year, showed that the potential impact of globalisation on a very wide range of contemporary social, political, cultural and economic relationships. It represents an issue of considerable importance to the conduct of the international system and the UN, addressing a sustainable human development and the promotion and protection of international human rights. After the fall of the Soviet Union, more than 90 armed-conflicts took place in more than 60 countries, involving more than 60 governments. This means that a third of the States members of the United Nations have been involved in a war in the last ten years. In Rwanda and in the Balkans, we have witnessed atrocities of a horrible and deadly magnitude. In many regions, the exploitation of ethnic and cultural divisions is fostering instability, strangling growth, slowing or stopping reforms and creating refugees and deaths. Even though it can be extremely difficult to identify the deepest roots of these conflicts, there are a series of trends and common points that show the changing of potential threats at global level. The United Nations have shown its limits at Decision-Making level, both with inequalities in composition of the Security Council and deficiencies in power of the General Assembly (it detains only marginal responsibility in security matters), and because of its dependence on finance provided by its members. (Countries, such as US have used the â€Å"weapon† of not paying the supposed fees as tool for influencing the Organisation. At present days, the UN needs to be reformed, the majority of the States, if not all, agree on it. But people disagree sharply on what kind of reform is needed and for what purpose. NGO leaders aim for a more democratic UN, with greater openness and accountability. Delegates favour reforms that follow the realist national interests and promote national power. Idealists offer plans for a greatly expanded body that would reduce State sovereignty, whilst conservatives push for a downsized UN with sharply reduced powers . The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in its public documents reported that world-wide instability and the increased use of violence for political purposes would continue into the 21st century and these external phenomena will pose, in future, pressure on States and threats on public safety of their citizens . In the first part of this study we will analyse the changes in structure and security matters of the international system after the end of the Cold War and the new threats the UN will be facing in the 21st century. Once done that, we will point at the discussions for reforms of the UN in the last four years and the point 2 of the Millennium Declaration with Kofi Annan’s suggestions. The reform process of the UN and the question on whether it can be an adequate organisation to pursue global security implies a positive approach, as the consequences of its failure will fall on the whole International community. The post Cold war period has seen important changes in the structure of the international system: the step from an ideological bipolarity of the East-West confrontation to a no-ideological multi-polarity has brought to a decrease in importance of military alliances (crisis of identity of NATO and disappearance of the Warsaw Pact) The end of nuclear monopoly of the five recognised powers (China, US, USSR, France, UK) has experienced a dramatic illegal spreading of nuclear components and expertise from the former Soviet Union (Bielorussia, Kazakistan, Ukraine) and from some communist countries (China, North Korea) to several different buyers (countries, terrorist groups). Japan, United States and Europe play the role of world’s superpowers in terms of science, information technology, industry, finance and communication while there is a rise in importance of macro-regional alliances regrouped around recognised, or not recognised economic blocks (MERCOSUR, NAFTA and South Africa, Brazil, India, China). The break of the ideological cohesion of the confrontation capitalism/communism has lead to a new rise of different kinds of identity (race, religion, ethnicity), with different social structures, which, at times threaten the configuration of particular States (Yugoslavia) The explosion within states of wars between ethnic and religious groups results particularly difficult to be addressed. For many countries, the change from interstate to intrastate conflict has increased the danger for the non-combatants. â€Å"At the beginning of the twentieth century between 85 and 90 percent of war deaths were military†¦At the end of the twentieth century, about three quarters of war deaths are civilians† . â€Å"Civilians are no longer just victims of war today – they are regarded as instrument of war. Starving, terrorising, murdering, raping civilians- all that is seen as legitimate† . Ethnic cleansing has been attempted recently in Chechnya, East Timor, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, in conditions described by the former head of Medecins sans Frontieres as â€Å"a new age of barbarism† In addition to that, according to the Interdisciplinary Research Programme on Causes of Human Rights Violations (PIOOM) , the number of Low Intensity Conflict (between 100 and 1000 deaths per year) and Violent Political Conflicts (less than 100 deaths per year) has increased sharply during the past five years. (Respectively from 31 in 1995/96 to 77 in 1999/00 and from 44 to 151 for the same period. Armed conflicts generally occur in the world’s poorest countries, nullifying any chance of improving the already low standards of living. The deliberated destruction of crops or the posing of landmines for strategic purposes can drive into famine (Ethiopia, Eritrea) or impossibility to cultivate vast areas or no access to clean water with the consequent spread of diseases. In some cases, governments are not strong enough to provide Law and Order within their territory to their citizens. This can provide a basis of impunity for criminal organisations dealing with drugs, children and women prostitution, expired medical drugs, (mass destruction, chemical and light) weapons smuggling, that will then influence the global market and the rich Nations. Intra-continental power struggles can also present environment threats. For example, nuclear and missile testing in India and Pakistan, as intensification of the dispute over Kashmir, as well as the ongoing modernisation of China’s military forces and its commitment to use force to recover Taiwan, if necessary. The political instability of a part of that region could seriously damage the whole international community. As tensions and conflicts within States rise, the number of displaced peoples as well as political and religious refugees will also grow, bringing with it social, economic, political and, therefore, security challenges. The globalisation of the world economy can create immense tensions both with and within states, which can pose a serious threat in a long term. Globalisation tends to be selective, jerarchical and leave behind not only entire parts of the globe (Sub-Saharan Africa), but also regions within developed countries. Finance sector liberalisation has opened borders to the free flow of capital (but not free flow of people, for which the visa is needed), so that an estimated $1.5 trillion in world currency markets is been moved. However, 90% of this amount is speculative and benefit mainly the giant hedge funds and banks. These short-term capitals, as Asia found during the financial crisis of 1997, can fly out of a country in a relatively short time and with little warning. This process limits the power of states to protect neither their economy nor their currencies from international speculators. Thanks to the liberal â€Å"contribution† of Reagan and Tatcher in the past two decades, states are facing the impossibility/inability to retain control over their national policies, eroding their in fields traditionally under their direct control: welfare, education†¦ With a quarter of the World’s people (some 1.4 billion) in deep poverty and nearly the same number malnourished and lacking in the most basic health care, the neoliberal system is highly unstable. Currency speculation has created a series of deep crises such as Mexico 1995 and Asian Tigers 1997. The most important factor of the crisis of the modern Sovereign States comes, according to Levi , from the internal contradiction between the national dimension of the State and the internationalisation of production, which, in turn is the consequence of an evolution in the mode of production, based on scientific revolution. The United Nations The Preamble of the UN Charter states that the organisation is â€Å"to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.† Art. 55 says: â€Å"With a view to the creation of conditions of stability and well-being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations.† the United Nations shall promote â€Å"higher standard of living, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress and development† as well as †solutions of international economic, social, health, related problems† , as well as (recently) global environmental threats. The founder members (mainly USA, France and England) hoped to create an international structure that could avoid the problems of the League of Nations and the chaos that followed WWI. They believed that, through Keynesian policies of intervention in the world economy, they could deliver a better life-condition to people and so, improving their security . The purposes of the organisation are declared in UN Charter and its structure consists of a Security Council of five permanent members (China, France, Russia, UK and US) and 10 non-permanent members elected for two years term, a General Assembly, a secretary general and a Secretariat, an Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and a Trusteeship Council. Connected to the United Nations there are several specialised agencies and bodies: Food and Agriculture Org. (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Labour Organisation, the World Health Org (WHO) and so on. Among them, there are also organisations, whose contribute to a better life quality of the people can be questioned: the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the WTO. The assumptions on which the rules of WTO are based are grossly unfair. Those rules also reflect an agenda that serves only to promote dominant corporatist interests that already monopolise the arena of international trade If one could say that the principles are agreed by all states, the practices and, at times the goals, have failed to address common threats to security through a unified action. There has been difficulty in reaching and implementing decisions and â€Å"there has been a tendency on the part of the major powers to dominate the economic institutions as well as the Council, rendering it as an institution for the imposition of the will of the strong upon the weak, of the large over the small, and the rich over the poor† While the developed nations have a monopoly of seven permanent and non-permanent seats in the Council of 15 members, the vast majority of developing countries have to share the seven non-permanent seats. Among 185 members of the United Nations, 79 have not served in the Council. The five permanent members along with ten rotating member states do not constitute a representative, legitimate or authoritative voice for a United Nations of 185 . The current permanent membership comes from events that shaped the organisation five decades ago and the political and strategic basis to hold this position no longer exists. Specifically, Britain and France are no longer global powers and therefore any reform should introduce a new balance according to the international realities of today. There are several proposals for reforms. The first proposal consists in giving a permanent seat to Germany and Japan (which are among the biggest contributors). The second is in favour of an enlargement of the Security Council to 5 new members (Germany, Japan, and one state respectively from Africa, Asia and Latin America) without any veto power and an increase of the number of the non-permanent members. The last proposal (presented by Italy) is based on the creation of 10 â€Å"semi-permanent† seats that would cover the main world regions. The common point of these proposals would be to widen the composition of the Security Council to the strongest states that would, in turn, represents as well the interests of the smaller states belonging to the same region (ex. Germany and Benelux, Japan and Philippines). The veto power also creates a sharp disagreement. The right of veto was accorded to a realist view. The main assumption was that one of the Superpowers could stop a resolution or an action (except from particular cases such as the case of one of the member being involved in a dispute) that was in contrast with its national interests, and in doing so, preventing the dispute to escalate to threat international security. Eliminating the veto power looks impossible because any permanent member can block the proposal and, in some cases, blocking any discussion dealing with it (double veto). The failure of the member states, especially the United States, to fulfil their duties in founding the Organisation (for several reasons, strategic, economic and political) has had a particularly severe impact on the solvency of the United Nations. This crisis has been aggravated by what appear to be a â€Å"double standards† of intervention among some of the permanent member countries. (Rwanda, Yugoslavia) â€Å"Some critics were concerned that the concept of â€Å"humanitarian intervention† could become a cover for gratuitous interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. Others felt that it might encourage secessionist movements deliberately to provoke governments into committing gross violations of human rights in order to trigger external interventions that would aid their cause.† However, the respect for basic Human Rights, in accordance to the principles of the UN Charter, could elevate the quality of life of all people, regardless their race, colour or religion. Our world will be as safe as we will decide it to be The United Nations Charter, for its character of multilateral international Treaty is unique in world affairs and can be described as a real World Constitution. Environmental and political threats, nuclear and biological pollution, massive killings and cleansing have been seen in this century like never before. Globalisation has incremented the inequalities with and within states, the gap between rich and poor is increasing and religious and ethnic extremism have seen a new rise. Global diseases such as HIV are spreading all over the world, but are the poorest countries to pay most and while one part of the world is experiencing the IT era, other parts are approaching the industrial revolution. The United Nations alone are not able to meet these challenges. They affect the entire international community, and they require that all nations sincerely act in accord to the spirit of the Charter. Without a strong and effective Organisation, the whole international community will find immeasurably more difficult to meet these challenges and the consequences will fall on the whole community. The emergence of several new states since the creation of UN shows that the tendency is toward an ever-increasing fragmentation â€Å"Whether the world’s peoples have such an organisation at their disposal depends ultimately, now as in the past, on the commitment of their governments to it. Now, as then, the Member States are the very foundation of the United Nations and its will can traduce in action in the right direction† . Research Papers on The United Nations and Global Security - Political Science EssayAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropePETSTEL analysis of IndiaAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Relationship between Media Coverage and Social andThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationDefinition of Export QuotasOpen Architechture a white paperInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfBringing Democracy to Africa

Reason for the Length of the French Wars of Religion Essay Example

Reason for the Length of the French Wars of Religion Essay Example Reason for the Length of the French Wars of Religion Essay Reason for the Length of the French Wars of Religion Essay French Wars of Religion: Result of a weak monarchy, fragile peace agreements, and the battle of social worlds The reason for the length of the French wars of religion was attributed to the power vacuum that opened up during the reign of the minor Charles IX, as the Catholic Guises battled for power between the Protestant factions, the Bourbons and the Chatillons. Because the king’s vulnerable regent, Catherine de’ Medici wanted to keep the peace in order to protect her son’s power, watered down peace agreements were drawn up and the monarchy was constantly switching sides of loyalty between the Protestants and the Catholics. This in turn dragged out the Wars of Religion since there was no solid monarchy to keep everyone in check. The intensity of the battles were furthermore enhanced by the severe hostility and suspicion that lay in-between the Catholic community of believers and the Protestant community with regards to the way they practiced religion and lived their lives. The weak authoritative government begins to create chaos when Charles IX takes over the crown as a young boy and reigns until 1574 with the help of his mother and regent, Catherine de’Medici. The Guise family takes over the governmental administration within the first few days of the young boy’s reign, which includes the church, military affairs, foreign diplomats, and the treasury. A three way political battle develops between the Protestant Bourbons controlling the southern and western France, the Montmorency Chatillons controlling the center of France, and Catholic Guise faction in control of Eastern France. The fact that the aristocrats are being converted to Protestantism creates a severe threat to the Catholic Church and therefore the state itself. Catherine de’ Medici does not necessarily have religious loyalty towards the Guise clan and is only concerned with protecting the monarchy of her son, Charles IX, so she allies herself with the Protestants in 1562 and gives them the right to worship in public outside of towns in the January edict. This action in turn provokes the Guise family in anger to strike back against the Protestants by coordinating a surprise attack on the Protestant worshipers in the Vassy of Champagne. This is an example of how a brutal battle is roused due to the disagreement between the susceptible authority of Catherine de Medici and a powerful government faction striving for power. In this situation, the battles could have been stopped if there had been a powerful absolute monarchy in charge of the court. Instead, Catherine goes back and forth between the two sides. Case in point, in 1563, Catherine changes her alliance in favor of the Guises out of fear and the Protestants are forced to complete surrender. After the third war, the crown becomes more Protestant under the influence of Coligny. Catherine again changes her loyalty to the Protestants. When she begins to fear Coligny’s move into the Netherlands, she joins with the Guises to assassinate Coligny. When this fails, she tells her son that there was going to be a Huguenot uprising so that she doesn’t get in trouble with her son and the court. After convincing him, many Huguenots including Coligny were destroyed in the Saint Bartholomew’s Day massacre. Again, there is a battle fought due to the ambivalent court and Catherine’s failure to pick loyalty on either side. The inadequate peace agreements are another critical aspect of why the wars drag on for so long. The edict of Amboise, for example is doomed to fail due to the resisting Guise family in the court and because the king is only fifteen years old. Because of this weak legitimacy, the parlement of Paris and the provisional parlements are against the toleration of Protestants and refuse to register them. They finally do only because they attach a proviso that limits authotiry of the edict until the king is of age, when the national court can resolve the dispute. With such weak power held in the monarchy, peace agreements throughout the war continue this pattern and provoke more disagreements among the court, which do not help with ending the war. Another example of a weak peace agreement is Henry III’s peace of Monsier in 1576 where Catholics immediately question whether or not the new king was interested in disposing heresy. In result of this, the League of 1576 was organized in letting Catholics act independently of the throne. Here is an example of a wobbling authority when they are trying to settle the peace between the groups. Things improve however with the beginning of Henry IV’s reign in 1593 where he renounces the Protestant faith and becomes a Catholic. He sets in stone the Edict of Nantes which is the â€Å"that temporary expedient imposed by thirty years indecisive warfare†¦. † There were still parts of resistance throughout France angry about the religious wars such as members of the Catholic league controlling big cities such as Rheims, Huguenots living on the defensive and Spanish troops living on the French land in Paris. The edict was successful since Henry IV stressed unity over toleration. No theological questions raised or debated. He decided to stay switch to Catholicism, but yet still supported both sides. Along with the political strife, there was incredible suspicion and hostility among the Catholic community and Protestant community with regards to the beliefs and practices, which attributed to the intensity of the wars. The differences made it a battle of culture. Just as Georges Livet states, each community viewed the other as â€Å"pollutants of their own particular notion of the body social, as threats to their own conception of ordered society. The Catholics viewed the king as the â€Å"Rex Christianissimus,† in that they were ordained from God and even are to an extent God himself. On the other hand, John Calvin and the early Protestants thought that the amount of control that the kings had was a form of corruption. They questioned the sale of indulgences and the way the clergy were elected. For example, they were appalled that of 129 bishops Henry II appoints, 102 were princes of the blood or members of the nobility of the sword. The vital opposing difference was the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eurcharist, otherwise known as Transubstantiation, understood literally in orthodox Catholic principles but refused, or understood figuratively in the Reformed Church. Protestants also believe that getting pardons is no replacement for acts of love. If people are purchasing them rather than buying food for the poor, than it makes no sense. Point 42 States, â€Å"Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying pardons. This of course angers the Catholics tremendously and makes them defensive. Starting with the edict of Chateaubriant of 1551, Henry puts a legalistic ban on Protestantism. Catholics see them as rebels who threatened society from the lower ends of the social ladder. These religious differences aggravate the two communities and therefore cause major hostility. An example of such social hostility is when Catholic Baron, Francoi s de Fumel, forbades his Calvinist peasants from worshipping. They revolt with weapons and were joined by hundreds of catholic persons to seize his home. This makes it clear that religion wasn’t necessarily the theme of the revolt. Both the ultra-Catholic Parlement of Bordeaux and the Calvinist synod that met at nimes disrecarded the Catholics that participated and both groups assumed it was a Calvinist revolt and that the murder was a â€Å"seditious disturbers of the public order and â€Å"totally perverse people only superficially instructed in religion who think the gospel promises them agrarian freedom and enfranchisement. † Here is where one sees the Protestants as rebels. Another anecdote of this social hostility is an episode presented to the king along with 55 other instances demonstrating violence against Huguenot nobles. The one that sticks out is that of Marguerite de Hurtelon where she was massacred in her house and shot five times in her breasts. This maltreatment is not necessarily having to do with religion, but rather theft, robbery and sexual abuse. Overall, Catholics in parts of Frances make little effort to treat the lives of Protestants with respect that the edict wanted. Clearly, Catholics view Protestants as an â€Å"impurity to be purged, a blemish to be excied, or indeed, nothing but garbage to be fed to pigs. † Through these instances, it is clear that religious division is aggravated by social tensions in the hierarchical society of the old regime. Because the communities were so tightly knit, they therefore became suspicious quickly. Overall, historian Etienne Pasquier, puts it perfectly when he states that â€Å"nothing to be more feared in a state than civil war†¦particularly when a king, due to his minority, does not have the power to command absolutely†¦. He predicts that the civil war will end in a â€Å"tragedy,† and he is correct. The catalyst that sparks the seemingly endless amount of wars is the weak authoritative monarchy that opens up as the various factions battle for power. Catherine de’ Medici cannot remain stable on one side or the other due to fear of losing her son’s power. Consequently w eak peace agreements are made and the government is left flustered. The harsh tension among the civilians during this time and sensitivity within the two groups is due to the differences between the two communities. A weak monarchy becomes even weaker when two cultural communities are constantly on the defensive. Work Sited Armstrong, E. The French wars of religion, their Political Aspects. Oxford, 2005. Baumgartner, Frederic. France in the Sixteenth Century. NY: St. Martins Press,1995 Holt, Mack P. The French wars of religion, 1562-162. Cambridge University Press, 1995. Baumgartner, Frederic J. Radical Reactionaries: the political thought of the French Catholic League. Geneve, 1975. See, David. The French Wars of Religion, 16 October 2010, http://webcache. oogleusercontent. com Streich, Michael. The Edict of Nantes and King Henry IV, 20 October 2010, suite101. com/content/the-edict-of-nantes-and-king-henry-iv-a90529 The University of Virginia Library. The Gordon Collection and French Wars of Religion. 27 October 2010, http://www2. lib. virginia. edu/rmds/portfolio/gordon/religion/ K. Aland, ed. , Martin Luthers 95 Theses; H. Grimm, ed. , Luthers Works, XXXI; E. Iserloh, The Theses Were Not Posted; F. Lau, The Posting of Luthers Theses, Legend or Fact? CTM 38:691-703.

Exam 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Exam 2 - Essay Example Also, he said that he would be willing to sell the Dealership to a third party. The loan officer verbally said that the Bank would not foreclose or sue on the promissory note as long as the note was paid when the Dealership was sold, but not later than September 1, 2010. Analysis: The promissory note and the deed of trust both contained the following clause: â€Å"Any amendment hereto or modification hereof must be in writing signed by both parties. Any waiver or indulgence of any default by Dealer shall not operate as a waiver of any subsequent default. Time is of the essence hereof.† Clearly, the Dealer was able only to reach a verbal settlement with the bank officer, so his liability exists and he can be prosecuted for not making a written negotiation. Issue 2: The promissory note called for monthly payments of interest but 16 of the 24 interest payments due under the note had been made untimely. Moreover, the last three payments had not been paid at all. Analysis: It is astonishing that the bank did not take action in time. The bank could have sought legal help against the Dealer earlier too. In such circumstances, the role of the concerned lean officer should be examined by the court. as stated by the website â€Å"Cornell Law School †¦ Lawyers in the Best Sense† under the auspices of the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on United States Laws. Needless to say, this article is equipped with a strong framework to prevent unfair and unreliable financial action and prosecute the wrong doer. â€Å"U.C.C. – ARTICLE 3 – NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS.† Cornell Law School †¦ Lawyers in the Best Sense. The American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on United States Laws, 2005. Web. 7 Aug. 2010.

B300 TMA05 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

B300 TMA05 - Essay Example In a competitive industry, the powerful will exploit the powerless to their advantage in the relentless pursuit of self interest. Buyers exert power through their ability to switch suppliers and/or demand more favorable terms and conditions of their transactions. Suppliers exert power by virtue of their control of important resources, and the resulting ability to raise prices or reduce quality. Technology, although critical to the success of a business, is common in all segments and has lost its core function. Services, software and hardware are easily replicated by suppliers, hampering innovation and decreasing the strategic importance of technology. However, the role of technology in competitive advantage cannot be denied. It is important to note that it is not the technology itself, but how the technology is used and integrated into the business process that creates the competitive advantage among firms. Both iRobot and Dyson belong to an industry which is triggered by consistent innovation of new products. Strategic alliances play an important role in developing competitive advantage in these firms. Strategic alliances play an important part in product development and distribution strategies. They rely on strategic alliances to provide technology, complementary product offerings and speedier access to markets. In a highly competitive market, technology acts as the differentiating factor that sets innovative firms apart from the others. Porter (2001) argues that, companies will gain the competitive advantage only if the use technology to complement their existing business strategies, products and best practices. Companies should use technology as a valuable corporate asset and should differentiate itself from competitors by achieving a sustainable competitive advantage by having low operational costs, value added products, low production costs and excellent customer service. Dyson bulids vaccum cleaners that guarantee no loss of suction by using Root Cyclone technology that separate the dirt from air. Bargaining power of buyers There are a large number of companies competing against each other, in a constant struggle to innovate products that suit customer needs in the varying environment. Customers, therefore, have a variety of products to choose from. Companies differentiate from one another through product innovation and customer service. iRobot strives to continuously improve their robots and exceed customer expectations by delivering highly reliable, high performance robots and providing world class support and service. Dyson makes vaccum cleaners that are guaranteed a life over 5 years by developing them to resist rough circumstances with no extra costs involved. Since buyers are large, they exhibit very little control over the market with lower bargaining power. Firms compete with innovating products that provide unique solutions to customer needs. Firms also provide complimentary products to gain better customer base for their existing products. Bargaining power of suppliers Suppliers for specialized innovative products may not be very large in number and therefore may exhibit much bargaining power. Bargaining power is high for major suppliers of specialized materials and equipment who are