Arctic Fox Facts (Vulpes lagopus)

Arctic Fox Facts (Vulpes lagopus) The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is a small fox known for its luxurious  fur and entertaining hunting antics. Photographs of the fox usually show it with a white winter coat, but the animal may be a different color depending on genetics and season. Fast Facts: Arctic Fox Scientific Name: Vulpes lagopus (V. lagopus)Common Names: Arctic fox, white fox, polar fox, snow foxBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 20 inches (female); 22 inches (male), plus a 12 inch tail.Weight: 3-7 poundsDiet: OmnivoreLifespan:  3-4 yearsHabitat: Arctic tundraPopulation: Hundreds of thousandsConservation Status: Least Concern Description The scientific name  Vulpes lagopus  translates to fox hare-foot, which refers to the fact that the arctic foxs paw resembles a rabbits foot. It is the only canid whose foot pads are completely insulated by fur. An arctic fox has thick fur covering the soles of its feet. Wayne Lynch / Getty Images Arctic foxes are about the size of a house cat, averaging about 55 cm (male) to 52 cm (female) in height, with a 30 cm tail. The foxs weight depends on the season. In the summer, a fox puts on fat to help it survive the winter, essentially doubling its weight. Males range from 3.2 to 9.4 kg, while females weigh from 1.4 to 3.2 kg. The arctic fox has a low surface area to volume ratio to protect it from  the cold. It has a short muzzle and legs, compact body, and short, thick ears. When the temperature is warm, an arctic fox radiates heat through its nose. There are two arctic fox color morphs. The blue fox is a morph that appears dark blue, brown, or gray year-round. Blue foxes live is coastal regions where their fur serves as camouflage against the rocks. The white morph has a brown coat with gray abdomen in the summer and white coat in the winter. The color change helps the fox blend in with its surroundings to avoid predators. Habitat and Distribution Like its name implies, the arctic fox lives in the tundra of the Arctic region of the Northern Hemisphere. It is found in Canada, Alaska, Russia, Greenland, and (rarely) Scandinavia. The arctic fox is the only native land mammal found in Iceland. Adaptations for Life in the Arctic Circle When an arctic fox hears a rodent beneath the snow, it leaps into the air to silently pounce upon prey from above. Steven Kazlowski/Nature Picture Library / Getty Images Life on the tundra isnt easy, but the arctic fox is well adapted to its environment. One of the most interesting adaptations is the foxs hunting behavior. The fox uses its front-facing ears to triangulate prey location under the snow. When it hears a meal, the fox leaps into the air and pounces into the snow to reach its prize. An arctic fox can hear a lemming under 46 to 77 cm of snow and a seal lair beneath 150 cm of snow. Foxes also use their keen sense of smell to track prey. The fox can track a polar bear to scavenge its kill or smell a carcass from 10 to 40 km away. The foxs coat color helps it avoid predators, but the coats main adaptation is its high insulation value. The thick fur helps the fox stay warm even when the temperature drops well below freezing. The fox doesnt hibernate, so the coat makes it possible to conserve heat and hunt in the winter. However, recent research indicates the fox quickly burns its stored fat when the temperature drops well below freezing. Foxes live in burrows, preferring warrens with multiple entrances/exits to aid in escaping predators. Some foxes migrate and will tunnel in snow to make a shelter. Reproduction and Offspring If food is abundant, an arctic fox may give birth to up to 25 pups!. Richard Kemp / Getty Images Arctic foxes are mostly monogamous, with both parents caring for offspring. However, social structure depends on predator and prey abundance. Sometimes the foxes will form packs and be promiscuous to increase pup survival and guard against threats. Although red foxes prey upon arctic foxes, the two species are genetically compatible and have been known to interbreed on rare occasions. Foxes breed in April or May with a gestation period of approximately 52 days. Blue foxes, which live on the coast and enjoy a consistent food supply, typically have 5 pups each year. White arctic foxes may not reproduce when food is scarce, yet can have as many as 25 pups in a litter when prey is abundant. This is the largest litter size in order Carnivora. Both parents help care for the pups or kits. The kits emerge from the den when they are 3 to 4 weeks old and are weaned at 9 weeks old. When resources are abundant, older offspring may remain within their parents territory to help guard it and aid kit survival. Arctic foxes only live three to four years in the wild. Foxes with dens near a food supply tend to live longer than animals that migrate to follow larger predators. Diet and Behavior This arctic fox, midway between its summer and winter coats, is stealing an egg. Sven Zacek / Getty Images The arctic fox is an omnivorous predator. It preys on lemmings and other rodents, seal pups, fish, birds, eggs, insects, and other invertebrates. It also eats berries, seaweed, and carrion, sometimes tracking polar bears to eat the remains of their kill. Arctic foxes bury excess food in a cache to store for winter and rearing kits. Arctic foxes are preyed upon by red foxes, eagles, wolves, wolverines, and bears. Conservation Status The blue fox variant of the arctic fox is highly valued in the fur trade. lambada / Getty Images The IUCN categorizes the conservation status of the arctic fox as of least concern. The global population of arctic foxes is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. However, the species is acutely endangered in northern Europe, with fewer than 200 adults remaining in Norway, Sweden, and Finland combined. Even though hunting has been prohibited for decades, the animals are poached for their valuable fur. The population on Medny Island, Russia is also endangered. Threats The arctic fox faces severe challenges from hunting and climate change. Warmer temperatures have made the foxs white winter coloration readily visible to predators. The red fox, in particular, threatens the arctic fox. In some areas, the red fox has become dominant as its predator, the grey wolf, has been hunted to near extinction. Disease and scarcity of prey affect arctic fox populations in some parts of its range. Can You Have a Pet Arctic Fox? Red foxes are more common pets than arctic foxes. All images taken by Keven Law of London, England. / Getty Images Foxes, like dogs, belong to the family Canidae. However, they are not domesticated and do not make ideal pets. They mark territory by spraying and need to be able to dig. While there are examples of foxes kept as pets (particularly within their natural range in the Arctic), the red fox is more popular because its better adapted to co-exist at a temperature comfortable for humans. Keeping a fox is illegal in some regions. The arctic fox is a prohibited new organism according to New Zealands Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. While you may be able to befriend an arctic fox if you live in the Arctic, the creatures are unwelcome in the Southern Hemisphere because they would upset the ecology. Sources Angerbjà ¶rn, A.; Tannerfeldt, M. Vulpes lagopus. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2014: e.T899A57549321. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-2.RLTS.T899A57549321.enBoitani, Luigi . Simon Schusters Guide to Mammals. Simon Schuster/Touchstone Books, 1984. ISBN 978-0-671-42805-1Garrott, R. A. and L. E. Eberhardt. Arctic fox. In Novak, M.; et al. Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America. pp. 395–406, 1987. ISBN 0774393653.Prestrud, Pal. Adaptations by the Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) to the Polar Winter. Arctic. 44 (2): 132–138, 1991. doi:10.14430/arctic1529Wozencraft, W.C. Order Carnivora. In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 532–628, 2005. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0

No Embassies - Countries Without Diplomatic Relations

No Embassies - Countries Without Diplomatic Relations These four countries and Taiwan do not have official diplomatic relations with (nor an embassy in) the United States. Bhutan According to the Unites States Department of State, The United States and the Kingdom of Bhutan have not established formal diplomatic relations; however, the two governments have informal and cordial relations. However, informal contact is maintained through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi to the mountainous country of Bhutan. Cuba Although the island country of Cuba is a close neighbor to the United States, the U.S. only interacts with Cuba via a U.S. Interests office at the Swiss Embassy in Havana and Washington D.C. The U.S. broke diplomatic relations with Cuba on January 3, 1961 Iran On April 7, 1980, the United States broke diplomatic relations with theocratic Iran, and on April 24, 1981, the Swiss Government assumed representation of U.S. interests in Tehran. Iranian interests in the United States are represented by the Government of Pakistan. North Korea The communist dictatorship of North Korea is not on friendly terms with the U.S. and while talks between the two countries are ongoing, there is no exchange of ambassadors. Taiwan Taiwan is not recognized as an independent country by the U.S. since the island nation claimed by the mainland Peoples Republic of China. Unofficial commercial and cultural relations between Taiwan and the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington D.C. and 12 other U.S. cities.

Comparative Economic Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Comparative Economic Systems - Essay Example In order to deal with the loss experienced by recession, each nation implemented certain monetary and fiscal policies applying distinct frameworks to stabilize their economy. However, the level of growth and recovery has been noticed at an uneven rate in every nation. Hence, it can be assumed that the economic policies applied, might have evidently worked in different principles for each nation. Introduction At present, the US economy is continuing to undergo an average growth and recovery from its recessionary consequences. The recovery started with the growth of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but has been decelerated significantly throughout 2011. Several economists referred that to date, the economic recovery of the US is uncertain and disappointing (Byun & Frey, 2012). Furthermore, the GDP rate of the UK is expanding at a modest rate. Confronted with the slow economic growth and recovery, Americans have started to suspend formation of families, acquisition of homes and vehicle s among others. Although four years have passed since the recession, the US economy has not observed the superfluous growth that often triggers retrenchment (Miller & Matthews, 2013). Based on this aspect, the essay describes about the economic problem faced by the US. Furthermore, the essay also explains the policy alternatives of the UK and Germany for attaining economic recovery and growth. Policy Responses for the US Economic Growth and Recovery Monetary Policies In order to boost economic stability within the US, the government has utilized conventional monetary policies by reducing the federal funds to about zero for stimulating the economic activity. Subsequently, the rate of federal funds reduced from 5.25% in 2007 to 0.16% in 2008. Since the unemployment rate increased, the government reacted by implementing numerous policies for soothing the financial market and increasing the availability of credit for people and organizations. For example, the US government boarded large -scale asset purchase program and quantitative easing scheme in order to drive down the mortgage rate. These policies resulted in better channel for liquidity and encouraged better confidence among investors (Byun & Frey, 2012). Fiscal Policies The fiscal policies of the government majorly included functions in two grounds namely spending and tax policy. In order to ensure economic growth and recovery, the US government also sanctioned Economic Stimulus Act in 2008, which was intended to deliver tax discounts to households and quicker depreciation regulations for business. With respect to extraordinary actions, the government also enacted Emergency Economic Stabilization Act in 2008 for improving the aggregate capital position of banks and removing troubled assets from balance sheet. Furthermore, government has also extended the unemployment benefits and temporarily reduced the payroll tax to support its failing economic growth (Elwell, 2013). Economic Growth and Recovery in the US The economic recession that was strategically engrossed by the US economy has alleviated due to the adoption of unparalleled policies. During 2010, the deep and long international recession has bottomed out and economic recovery of the US has proceeded. Apart from the US, in Europe, the UK and Germany has also returned to positive economic growth, however applying a distinct policy framework (Cronin, 2013). After the global economic recession, the US economy returned to a positive growth in the third

Research proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research proposal - Essay Example This is to facilitate communication and formulation of superior performance policies that focus on the participation of everyone. Employee engagement remains a hot issue with most professionals posting diverse opinion on its suitability in measuring performance in institutions. One school of thought reports that employee engagement indices criteria form a fundamental element that provides relevant incentives for measuring performance. It acts as a scorecard guideline that measures the satisfactory level of employees and consumers in service delivery. However, another school of thought faults its use since it fails to provide clear benchmarks that can be applied to facilitate credible measurement of performance. Ideally, employees hold the requisite capacity of influencing performance in institutions (Macey, Schneider & Barbera, 2009, p. 224). To ensure superior innovation and creativity in product development, proper employee engagement is essential. It ensures adequate sharing of id eas and formulation of policies with innovative ideals. It is crucial to note that, employee performance can be achieved when their morale is enhanced through adequate engagement in diverse aspects. This paper evaluates the imperativeness of employee engagement as a performance measure and advancement of cordial relations in business institutions. Objectives I. To ascertain the relevance of engagement indices in improving cordial relations between employees and employers II. To establish the factors that improve good relationship between employees and employers III. To evaluate the relevance of engagement indices as a performance measure in institutions IV. To establish the influence of employee engagement in enhancing productivity and efficiency in institutions V. To establish whether employee engagement contribute to employees’ wellbeing Definition Employee engagement indices provide institutions with relevant capacity to focus on diverse factors that hinders employee perfo rmance and coordination with employers. It is coordinated through a survey questionnaire that identifies workers efforts and enthusiasm in execution of activities. Evidently, inferior relations between employees and employers hold far reaching effects on performance in institutions (Macey, et al, 2009, p. 229). It may results to dismal performance or reduced output, low working morale and increased worker turnover that can severely influence productivity in corporations. According to Macey, et al, (2009, p. 225), superior engagement through adoption of excellent communication channels is vital in boosting understanding in institutions. Engagement fosters idea formulation and coherence at work that defines team spirit. This is vital since team spirit is an essential element that drives execution of activities based on strong shared norms and objectives. Consequently, engagement between employees and employers contributes in performance measurement together with other performance para meters. It is significant to state that poor worker engagement with employers influences individuals’ wellbeing at work and reduces output levels Methodologies The study adopts purposive research technique that gives clear guidelines of conducting a detail study with specific goals. The technique is relevant since it has the potential of steering the purposive nature of the study, which investigates the relevance of employee en

Project On NCO Essay Example for Free

Project On NCO Essay INTRODUCTION I have worked for the army as an NCO for the last 13 years and I have always tried to be accountable as much as I can, to live up to the standards of this base and carry out all my responsibilities abiding in the set out rules and regulations. As an Non Commissioned Officer I must be empathetic and positive.   And, as always, must set the standard for integrity and character. However in the recent past I found myself on the wrong side of the matter when over speeded in the base. ABSTRACT The script uses a global array to filter, consolidate, and sort the timing violations. The contents of the global array are then presented in a report of consolidated timing violations. There is illustrated a block of an exemplary global array. The global array includes a plurality of records. Each record includes fields for warning type, time of event, data events, setup time limit, hold time limit, amount of violation, time of last warning. Because experience teaches us that there are some people that only learn by stripping them of their funds. There are others that the mere threat of that loss will keep them on the straight and narrow for 20years to come. And the officers that I know that are the biggest benefactors of professional courtesy deliberately disobey laws because they believe they can do so with impunity. A warning isnt going to do it for them. An example is a Passaic County Sheriffs Office incident. The Virginia deputy stopped them, advised them of the applicable law, asked them to obey it, and did not cite anyone. Everyone agreed that he was polite in doing this. The guys pulled back onto the highway resumed doing exactly what they were doing before, and then tried to get the deputy fired when they got home. I hereby submit my Post Violation Report due to my misconduct. Over speeding is the main cause of so many accidents in the army base and other areas in the United States of America. I strongly believe that I was not supposed to go against the ethics, rules and regulations in the base. As an NCO am supposed to set out a good example to all other ground men. However in every day world, we sometimes find ourselves in such situations. In most cases it is not due to our own will but we accidentally find ourselves between a rock and a hard place and therefore try to get ourselves out of it. This being the first time I have done this, I know I have not done such a big criminal activity. I never said that I dont commit traffic violations. I think Im pretty careful, but I have missed stop signs, exceeded the speed limit, failed to signal a turn, etc., like everyone else. So far, either I have been lucky or my violations were not so flagrant that they merited a stop. But after pushing a patrol car around for 13 years, I have to say that I cant remember even once forgetting which car I was in, the patrol car or my personal car. And even in the patrol car, if I committed an intentional traffic violation, it was to accomplish some job-related task, like get turned around to chase a violator or in the field and have to ignore some rules to in order to hit the target. It has never occurred to me to try this in the field of work nor in my private missions without a good reason. If your situational awareness is so poor that you cant remember whether youre on or off duty or which car youre driving, your problems go way past an officers’ discretionary decision making, and your head is definitely in the clouds. I think its interesting that you claim that you would have no problem with ignoring a lawful direct order from a superior officer, but you would fear retaliation and would decline to take enforcement action on a clear violation of the law if an officer was involved. If this is truly the situation youre working in, your agency is in serious trouble. Maybe so, but so what? You never had a brain fart, or were on automatic pilot, you unfortunately can’t control all this. I admit however that on several occasion, when driving off duty in my private vehicle I have driven in the midnight hours because I forgot I was driving in my personal vehicle. Missed to obey the signs and instructions to the drivers. I am not advocating for over speeding in any way, and never have advocated for the same, writing every Amy officer you stop. That is just as much an abuse of discretion as not writing anyone who is an NCO. RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN NON COMMISSIONED OFFICER The duties and responsibilities of NCOs has remained the same for quite a longtime.As an NCO I should be responsible for the following:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Should know where your soldiers live and how to contact them Use the unit to accomplish, as many missions as possible and at all cost never give out volunteer troops. Managing a specific launch vehicle System administration with decision-making authority. Training new Operations Safety Technicians In fact sometimes it has never been a prudent thing to do some of the following: Sending food back to the kitchen. Telling your significant other you have had better. Commenting in front of your boss I can find a better job tomorrow! Dating a co-worker/boss/bosses daughter. At one point I found myself over speeding just because I could not let it go or because I needed to hit some deadlines. Because most of the violations were not all that grave and my impression was that I had a wake-up call from the stop itself. Was I driving safely? Mission accomplished. But the guy that clearly knows what I was doing got me stopped, and who will resume that same activity as soon as were done because we thought he had the right to do that, if not a ride in the back seat. As I qualified many times prior, anyone can talk themselves into a ticket. Just because you are military or physician does not mean I don’t run your driving license. I never said that every one of these members gets a pass, I have written military, physicians and other army officers. Here are the facts, I would like to assume that a member of our armed forces is a reasonably decent individual service that few would undertake and regardless of station they deserve my respect and appreciation. Discression is a funny thing. Where you might exercise it, I might not. Where you think me lax, I might think you unnecessarily harsh. Though you are correct in the spirit of your argument, its execution is not so easy. If this were easy, anyone could do it. I made discretionary decisions every day, and I dont think I was harsh with them. The difference is that I used criteria that were relevant to the situation and that I could defend to anyone that questioned why I had done what I did. You want to bring in criteria of your own choosing that are based on your fears and biases. Overcoming fear and bias is something every one of us has to do in order to be an army officer. , or you get out. I could have shined on any or all of these people, and no one would have known except them and me. As for is Fort Jackson SC cop that I didnt know was a cop until after I had issued the ticket, he probably deserved a warning, as he was an out-of-towner who was unfamiliar with the intersection and turned left in violation of a posted sign. The cop part of it had nothing to do with whether it was a bad decision or not. One of the sergeants tried to condemn me within the department for comforting another ground officer and that upset me very much. One more thing: say youre driving around tomorrow in your private vehicle running errands, and you run a red light. No intent to break the law; you just got distracted for a second, make decision without influence, and accept whatever consequences follow your conduct. Some examples where premeditation discretion, in and of itself, doesnt make sense: there comes a time when you have to attend to an emergency, and here is where our perspectives diverge. All of those applications of premeditated discretion to use your term are enacted pursuant to due process of law and legislation, formulated in compliance with the set out rules and regulations in the base, and is promulgated to the citizenry. As noted above, a large number of substantially contemporaneous timing violations in a particular module can be the result of a single cause. The violation time is the difference between the given speed limit and speed you have exceeded, and is calculated from the limits (setup or hold) and the difference in time between the clock and data events. The first warnings are used by the script to report consolidated information regarding multiple timing violations that occur at a particular module. ACCOUNTABILITY OF AN NCO Senior leaders, must afford these to junior troops: Responsibility, to instill a sense of worth, pride and accomplishment; Authority, to effectively carry out tasks they are responsible for; Accountability, for actions right and wrong; and Assistance, to help junior troops learn from leaders experience and expertise. Such actions by leaders are vital to developing junior troops who will be tomorrows leaders. Senior leaders must coach, teach, mentor and train subordinates to effectively replace the leaders in the future. EXPECTATIONS Looking at what American military officers expect from their senior NCOs and vice versa. Officers in the U.S. military expect their senior enlisted leaders to be tactically, technically and strategically proficient; to be professional beyond reproach; and to be the eyes and the ears for the commander the voice of service members and their families. Senior NCO leaders should expect several things from their commanders and carry out the following: Trust and accord respect. Direct and open communication. No one has permission to stop me from seeing General Pace These are not a right, but must be earned through consistently professional and proficient actions. Freedom of movement throughout the command. You need to tell that commander, Sir, I need to have freedom of moment throughout my area of responsibility. The only way I can advise you is if I see it, Senior U.S. NCOs are empowered in many ways. However, empowerment is not about having power per se, but about influencing junior troops to do the right things. Infact power is not an issue; the big concern is how leaders exercise influence over their subordinates. Maintaining good order A person assigned as an NCO should be responsible for a defined common area within the barracks, e.g., hallways, laundry rooms, dayrooms etc., in writing and post this NCOs name. Conspicuously in the vicinity of the assigned area. This NCO will, at a minimum, be responsible for reporting common area deficiencies to the Battalion RU NCO. This person will sign for any furnishings and other accountable property located outside of individual soldier rooms. Maintain room assignment rosters for the barracks. Assign soldiers to barracks by requesting that the FMO issue barracks furniture to occupants. Units may appoint a barracks manager or similar person to assist in managing this function. Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs). NCOs have the primary duty of maintaining the health, safety, welfare and discipline of the soldiers assigned to them. These duties extend to: Ensuring that their soldiers have a healthy and safe living environment that complies with the Army values and enhances unit readiness and discipline. NCOs are the key element of command. Presence in the barracks. NCOs may exercise this leadership as common area NCOIC, SDNCO, And CQ. NCOs will also exercise this leadership as first line and higher supervisors of soldier’s Living in the barracks. At a minimum, NCOs will: Conduct inspections IAW Chapter 4 below. Monitor all barracks activities to ensure compliance with the letter of this regulation and the spirit of the Army values. Ensure the barracks are the safe, healthy environment for soldiers and other NCOs. Inspect barracks furnishings for accountability and serviceability. Barracks Commanding Common areas. Assign an NCO to be responsible for a defined common area within the barracks, e.g., hallways, laundry rooms, dayrooms etc., in writing and post this NCO’s name conspicuously in the vicinity of the assigned area. This NCO will, at a minimum, be responsible for reporting common area deficiencies to the Battalion RU NCO. This person will sign for any furnishings and other accountable property located outside of individual soldier rooms. Maintain room assignment rosters for the barracks. Assign soldiers to barracks by requesting that the FMO issue barracks furniture to occupants. Units may appoint a barracks manager or similar person to assist in managing this function. Supervision Under supervision the NCO is required to motivate and control the following: Counsel soldiers and maintain counseling records. Conduct corrective training when required Keep soldiers informed during their work and events taking place and exercises. Enforcing the equal opportunity program in the forces CONCLUSION As a Non Commissioned officer I understand that by over speeding in the base posed a srious danger to me and also to the other officers on duty. This was actually putting my life at risk. Also as an officer who is supposed to be a good example to my subordinates, I acted in a manner trying to suggest that is not a good example. I strongly  believe that this was a great mistake and am determined to rectify any harm that may have been caused by my misconduct    REFERENCES. Robert Sterling Rush (2006) Non Commissioned Officer Guide Stackpole Books, United States. 2. United States Court of Claims, (1988) Federal Reporter, West Pub. Co 3.Braham Clark Freeman, The American states report,   Ã‚   Published 1895, Bancroft-Whitney Co. Publishers 4.By Lawyers Co-operative, (1905) Lawyers’ Reports Annotated, Publishing Company Lawyers Co-operative Pub. Co.

The Visual Culture Essay -- Technology Internet Essays

The Visual Culture Over the past few decades, enhancements in the visual fields have greatly improved, giving weight on the importance of visual material in text. Something that is more visually stimulating can usually make a text more convincing or credible. The term â€Å"seeing is believing† proves this fact. As humans, we tend to believe something if we can actually see it, which is why Jay David Bolter has referred to this phenomenon of the changed role of text and graphics as the â€Å"visual culture† in his book Writing Space. â€Å"Mere words no longer seemed adequate; they had to share their space with images.† (Bolter, 69). As Bolter describes the visual culture that we are immersed in, in this day and age, he discusses various terms and components of this idea of the changed role of graphics and pictures. The idea is that a visual and a text are complementary to each other, however can coexist together or separately to interpret the same thing. â€Å"The main point is that the relationship between word and image is becoming increasingly unstable, and this instability is especially apparent in popular American magazines, newspapers, and various forms of graphic advertisements† (Bolter, 49), he says. An interesting idea that was brought up by Bolter is that of â€Å"picture writing,† which is the idea that the signs, symbols, pictures and stylized images comprise their own language allowing no language barriers. Even though the writer and reader many use words to interpret the picture, different people could interpret and explain the same message in different words and people who speak different languages can share the same system of picture writing. Since the Internet is such a visual space,... ...es using the images as a way of â€Å"enhancing and conveying meaning.† It’s really interesting to see the changes that technology has come to. The advancements in technology in just the past decade have been astounding. It’s hard to think that there really was life without high-speed Internet, e-mail, and AOL Instant Messenger. However, not only have there been so many advancements in technology, but also with it came advancements in the visual field, in that our culture and society became so much more driven with such a visual drive. Works Cited: Bolter, J.D. (2001). Writing Space: Computers, Hypertext, and the Remediation of Print. London, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers. KAIROS: 7.2. Zeliner, M.â€Å"New Media and the Slow Death of the Written Word† http://english.ttu.edu/kairos/7.2/binder.html?sectionone/zeltner/NM. (March, 2004).

Constantine vs Ashoka

Tamika Wright Constantine vs. Ashoka World Civilization: Jackson State University Dr. Susan S Maneck When reviewing the histories of the religions of Christianity and Buddhism, you can not help but come across the names of Ashoka and Constantine the Great. Even though Ashoka and Constantine aided in the spread of their empires and respective religions they had different reasons for doing so. Constantine, the son of a Roman Army officer was trained as a solider early on in his life. While he was growing up the role of emperor changed hands many times.Until and Roman general name Diocletian seized the throne During the leadership of Diocletian, he made a reform where he appointed Maximian, as a co emperor and two others co-rulers who became known as the Caesares. One of the Casesares was Constantius, Constantine the Great’s father, to a section of the empire that he divided into four territories. The rules of this new division of land came to be called the Tertiary. With this ne w older of power, the Roman Empire became stable again. Although many years had passed since Diocletian came to rein, he still had one problem that he had not dealt with.He somewhat despised that Christian population of the empire because they would not worship that Roman Emperor as a divine figure. This was a major issue for Diocletian because the Christian population had been steadily growing and if they started to outnumber those who worshipped the emperor as a godly figure then that would put a damper on the Tertiary’s leadership. Also, the Christians would not declare their loyalty to the state through sacrifices, taxation or imperial service. To fix this dilemma, Diocletian proclaimed that any person that worshipped the Christian faith was an enemy of state.He ordered his subordinates to persecute bishops and priests trying to compel the Christians to become loyal to him. Many Christians stood their grounds, refusing to surrender regardless the ruthless acts of Diocleti an and his subordinates. This battle went on until Diocletian died. Soon after the death of Diocletian, Constantius followed thereafter. Because he had become a skilled fighter, the soldiers under Constantius’s rule awarded Constantine the role of their new leader. Constantine lead them to many victories, one in particular, the battle of Milan Bridge.After the battle of Milan Bridges, there was only one enemy left name Licinius. Because of Constantines’s victory against Maxenius at the Battle of Milan Bridge, Licinius decided to accept Constantine as authority and ended the long fought war. The only thing left for Constantine to deal with was the Christian population of his empire. My opinion is that he basically said you cannot beat them join them. According to an artivle I found, â€Å"In 313, Constantine releases an edict for Milan that shocked the Roman world, The Edict of Milan stipulated that henceforth, all religions, including Christianity, would be tolerated by Roman authorities. By doing this, Constantine put himself in a position where he was well liked by the majority of the population. True enough they would not worship him as a god but by accepting their beliefs it gave him another type of power. It was basically like the saying you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Constantine stopped the killing of Christians started by previous leadership, which made the Christian community grateful. This also put them in Constantine’s corner. So from then on, they mostly agreed with anything he wanted to do.He built on the organization of the empire government by mimicking the chain of power in the Christian leadership. He also assigned some of the positions of leadership in the empire to bishops and priests of the Christian Religion because they already understood how to lead and how important a chain of command is to a thriving culture. By doing this would also increase his political control. He exempted the Bishops and ma ny of the churches from imperial taxation. He also pushed the Christian community to come up with one centralized idea of what a Christian is and rules they should live by.Now Ashoka on the other hand, unlike Constantine The Great, did not agree with war at all. He saw war as a waste of time and resources. â€Å"According to his own accounts, Ashoka conquered the Kalinga country in the eighth year of his reign. The sufferings that the war inflicted on the defeated people moved him to such remorse that he renounced armed conquests. It was at this time that he came in touch with Buddhism and adopted it. Under its influences and prompted by his own dynamic temperament, he resolved to live according to and preach the dharma. Ashoka used his power as ruler to spread the teachings of Buddhism by word of mouth. He also wrote some of them down. In my view or opinion, Ashoka was very sincere when it came to the acceptance and spread of the Buddhism religion. He did not necessarily want the power, but he used it in a way that bettered the people he was appointed to control. â€Å"Ashoka Repeatedly declared that he understood dharma to be the energetic practice, of the sociomoral virtues of honestly, truthfulness, compassion.Mercifulness, benevolence, considerate behavior toward all, â€Å"little sin and many good deeds, â€Å" nonextravagance, nonaxquistiveness, and noninjury to animals. : â€Å" He spoke of no particular mode of religious creed or worship, nor of any philosophical doctrines, He spoke of Buddhism only to his coreligionists and not to others. : Like Constantine, Ashoka used the priests and highly appointed people to help him build the empire and the spread of the religion. They both also aiding in the building of hospitals and roads.Ashoka was well liked and remembered because of his leadership and his many writings like the quote; â€Å"All men are my children. As for my own children I desire that they may be provided with all the welfare and happ iness of the worlds and of the next, so do I desire for all men as well. † In conclusive resolution, Ashoka and Constantine are very much similar in which they are very strong leaders who were typically well liked by the people they ruled, their empires thrived with the growth of the religion but in some ways they differ like I believe that Ashoka was more sincere in his belief in Buddhism.Whereas, Constantine I think used the Christian religion to advance his position of power. By tolerating Christianity, he gained the trust of the majority of the population of his empire. So this made them, the people who practiced Christianity like him. There for in a way they still did what he wanted them to do without technically forcing them to do it. It like when you ask someone to do something rather than forcing them or demanding them they are more likely to do what you asked. 1

Be Careful of the Hidden Clause in Contract

We use contracts to handle a lot of things in our life. Such as, we need contract to rent an apartment, to get a wireless phone service, to install a cable TV, to get a job, to open a bank account etc. However, the contract is not simple and straightforward. There are many hidden dangers that we are not conscious. We must be careful of the hidden clause in contract in order to protect the benefit of us. At the first glance, you may feel eased since there are a lot of tedious clauses in contract to protect you if the service does not get delivered in time with good quality as promised, if another pay does not pay you on time. You may feel that the contracts are wordy and unreadable so you don’t have to study it cautiously. I am even thinking why all the person like to make the contracts so wordy? I open a bank account only. Why give me contract more than 10 pages? I just rent an apartment; does it need a contract like a book? I know that the longer contract can make the rights and the obligations clearer than the short one. But just because it is wordy, I don’t read it all; and because I don’t read it all, I fail to know the most important thing to me in the contract and lost a lot. However, contracts do not always protect you, especially the pre-prints from service providers, if you ready contract carefully with enough patience, you will find a number of areas you can unknowingly find yourself getting into trouble or being taken advantage of. For example, some contract may look like to give you a large rebate, but you will find you are bounded to the server provider for two years just after you signed it, you can get out of it unless you pay a large penalty. In the contract like this, the part of rebate usual is written in the easy-find-way and the part of unconscionability used euphemistic description. So, my mind is full of the benefits I can get and forget what I need pay for that. Whatever, the clause you ignored maybe the very critical. Read the contract carefully and patiently is very important.

Personal Review of Avatar

Personal Review of Avatar Avatar is the mower which has opened the new epoch in the movie development. The idea of the movie has appeared many years ago, but only the innovative development of nowadays allowed the director to shot it. I would like to say that the idea of the movie is not new as well. Those who watched Pocahontas cartoon can easily recognize the main idea. Of course, the cartoon was a little bit different, however, the main characters and the main ideas were the same.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Review of Avatar specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Considering the movie Avatar, it may be said that everything was fantastic, the play of the characters, the presentation and specially the format. 3D is a new format of the movies which allows to see the whole picture, better and more entertaining. The best scene is when the main characters are near the tree. I suppose that these are the most exciting moments, as it was the time when people understood that hey could trust each other. This is really important. There are many themes in the movie which coincide and differ at one and the same time. The problems of courage, trust, love, relationships, jealousy, greed, devotion to traditions and the relation to the customs of other nations, and other particular problems which may bother people in the modern world. The confrontation of the innovative technologies with the traditional settings may lead to the devastating wars. The movie impresses with the specific effects which add to the whole impression from the movie. The ideas and their implementation on the screen are ideal. Jeremy Wheeler’s Review of Avatar on Rotten Tomatoes Web Site Jeremy Wheeler, in his review, pays attention to the general description of the plot and the innovative technologies which allowed the face impressions of the characters to be captured. It is possible to agree and accept the discussion of the plot, however, the revi ew is more about the alien forces aimed at winning the territory. However, I cannot fully agree with it as the place of the relationships between people from two alien civilizations is important as well. It is very difficult to begin to trust a person whose civilization is trying to destroy yours. I suppose, the movie is more about personal relationships and the desire to show that it is possible to agree on some particular issues. Greed is central in this movie as trying to get the treasures of Pandora, strangers do not understand that different people value absolutely different things. Money is not the main treasure which may interest people. Soul and the corners of human mind are more important. The citizens of Pandora have managed to understand this, but those who live in our innovative world where money has become too valued have lost that feeling and cannot even imagine other values.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mali Elfman’s Review of Avatar on Screen Crave Web Site Mali Elfman states that generally the movie is worth seeing, however, in her opinion, Cameron has chosen a simple story where bad gays enter the home of good ones and then, one good man feels sympathy to the one who is a bad gay and, as a result, the bad gay takes the side of the victims and does all possible to help them. The plot is rather primitive and Mali Elfman is sure that Cameron could choose something better and more impressive. However, the presentation is amazing and I absolutely agree with Mali Elfman who says that Cameron has opened the new period in the movie development. Underlining the weak sides of the movie Mali Elfman points at the primitive plot, too early footage and inappropriate music. I do not agree about the music as I suppose it is great and perfectly fits the situation. Additionally, I am sure that that the music creates additional mood which supports during the whole movie. James Rocchi’s Review of Avatar on MSN Movies Web Site James Rocchi pays much attention to the technique of the movie development and its price comparing and contrasting it with The Matrix and Transformers 2 calling those silly. Omitting the discussion of other movies and turning to the consideration of the Avatar, I would like to agree with the author of the review that the movie’s population is more connected with its presentation and the form of performance than its plot. Many people have already seen this story in Pocahontas and they are not really impressed with its novelty. But the way the movie is shot, the 3D format and the effects are the central in this movie. I absolutely agree with the author of the review that the special effects have made the movie popular, otherwise, it would be one more love story which does not deserve much attention. James Rocchi says that Avatar is not something new, but if one gets rid of prejudices and watches the movie, he/she will be impressed. Manohla Dargis’s Review of Avatar in The New York Times The movie reviews in The New York Times have always impressed with the detailed discussion of the scene and the behind scene episodes. The review by Manohla Dargis is not an exception. To summarize the Manohla Dargis’s review in a couple of words, it is possible to paraphrase his words saying that Cameron is able to create a movie which can raise WOW in heads of others. Again, like other film reviews, Manohla Dargis points at the primitiveness of the plot but the great interest of the society in it. It is possible to consider several reasons and the name of the director and the specific effects in combination with the 3D technologies are some of them. I agree with this statement and apart from the original plot in such movies as Titanic and The Matrix directed by Cameron, the story about Pandora is not new, it is just perfectly decorated and this makes others watch it. Catherine Shoard’ Review of Avatar in The Guardian Catherine Shoard opposite to Mali Elfman (the review was presented on Screen Crave Web Site) states that the footage was not early and it did not spoil the effect from watching the movie. The author of the review compares and contrasts the success of Avatar with the success of Titanic. I am not sure that the comparison is appropriate, but I have noticed that many reviewers remember other movies by Cameron writing about Avatar.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Review of Avatar specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Shoard is sure that there is only one particular reason which may prevent Avatar from topping Titanic at the box office is the absence of the digital screens all over world and not all people will be able to see it in 3D. The review was written before the movie had been released that makes it possible to check the expectations and compare tho se with the movie which has already been released. Catherine Shoard was absolutely correct saying that Cameron has a lot of ideas which can impress. Peter Rainer’s Review of Avatar on The Christmas Science Monitor Peter Rainer calls the movie the state of the art and it is impossible to disagree with this idea. I am sure that those who have managed to watch the movie and have read the Peter Rainer’s review can absolutely agree with him. Even though many authors call the plot of the movie primitive, Peter Rainer is sure that there should be more movies with such plot to remind people about their essence, to show then that treasures may be uncountable and that the possession of a good heart is the only valued item in the world. The author of the review stresses on the interest of Cameron on the old clichà ©s, but the way of presentation always impresses. Apprising and stressing on the movie success, Peter Rainer wants to show that he is positive about the movie and the may it is presented on the screens. Roger Eber’s Review of Avatar on Rogerebert.com Roger Ebert’s review is considered to be the most impressive and the most positive. Calling Avatar a â€Å"technical breakthrough†, the critic states that the movie is not that long how it may seem from the first sight. There are a lot of different stories and the plot is really varied that one cannot get tired of the movie up to the last scene. When the movie is over, one even cannot understand what the movie is about. It contains too much from the pint of view of Eber and I absolutely agree. The plot is varied and therefore attracting. One may say that it is about love and trust, others may point at the customs and traditions value. However, the director wanted to show the technology and their abilities and the plot was just the cover for this. Cameron is able to make an impressive story from anything and even though the plot is not new, more and more people watch this film and admire its magnificence. Anne Brodie’s Review of Avatar on Monsters Critics Web Site Anne Brodie’s review contains too much sarcasm. Believing in the talent of Cameron, Anne Brodie states that the plot is primitive and the movie is attended only because of the name of Cameron and his ability to make a sensation. The format of the movie and the way it is presented is exactly why people watch it, but the plot does not deserve attention only because it is not new. I absolutely disagree with the author of the review and one should have a great talent to be able to create a new story out of the old plot. Not everyone is able to create a sensation on the basis of the already known plot and only a great movie can top Titanic and give the viewers so much impression. The sarcasm of Anne Brodie is inappropriate as being the master of the movies Cameron has just done his work. That is all.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Definition and Examples of Paralepsis in Rhetoric

Definition and Examples of Paralepsis in Rhetoric Paralepsis  (also spelled paralipsis) is the rhetorical strategy (and logical fallacy) of emphasizing a point by seeming to pass over it. Adjective: paraleptic or paraliptic. Similar to apophasis and praeteritio. In The English Academy (1677), John Newton defined paralepsis as a kind of irony, by which we seem to pass by, or take no notice of such things which yet we strictly observe and remember. Etymology From the Greek  para-  beside   leipein  to leave Pronunciation:  pa-ra-LEP-sis Examples Lets pass swiftly over the vicars predilection for cream cakes. Lets not dwell on his fetish for Dolly Mixture. Lets not even mention his rapidly increasing girth. No, no- let us instead turn directly to his recent work on self-control and abstinence.(Tom Coates, Plasticbag.org, Apr. 5, 2003)The music, the service at the feast,The noble gifts for the great and small,The rich adornment of Theseuss palace . . .All these things I do not mention now.(Chaucer, The Knights Tale, The Canterbury Tales)We get [in Oprah by Kitty Kelley] the obligatory discussion of whether or not Oprah and Gayle King, her best friend of thirty-four years, are lesbians. There was no foundation for the rumors of a lesbian relationship, except for their constant togetherness and Oprahs bizarre teasing of the subject, Kelley writes, and then, like a conspiracy theorist squinting to see the pyramids on dollar bills, trots out unconvincing insinuations.(Lauren Collins, Celebrity Smackdown. The New Yorker, April 19, 2010) Mark Antonys Paralepsis But heres a parchment, with the seal of Caesar;I found it in his closet; tis his will:Let but the commons hear this testament- Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read . . ..Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it.It is not meet you know how Caesar lovd you.You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar,It will inflame you, it will make you mad:Tis good you know not that you are his heirs;For if you should, oh, what would come of it!(Mark Antony in William Shakespeares Julius Caesar, Act III, scene two) A Form of Irony Paralipsis: a form of irony in which one gets ones message across by suggesting the outlines of the message that one is struggling to suppress. We are not going to say that paralipsis is . . . the habitual refuge of the courtroom mechanic, who abuses it in order to suggest to the jury what he can very well deny to the judge ever having said.(L. Bridges and W. Rickenbacker, The Art of Persuasion, 1991) The Paraleptic Strike-Through The so-called strike through mode of type has come into its own as a standard device in opinion journalismeven in print. . . .As New York Times blogger Noam Cohen commented a while back, [I]n Internet culture, the strike-through has already taken on an ironic function, as a ham-fisted way of having it both ways in type a witty way of simultaneously commenting on your prose as you create it. And when this device appears in print, its being used exclusively for this kind of ironic effect. . . .The paradox is that crossing something out highlights it. The ancient Greek rhetoricians had a whole vocabulary of terms to refer to different forms of mentioning by not mentioning.(Ruth Walker, Highlight Your Errors: The Paradox of the Strike Through Mode. The Christian Science Monitor, July 9, 2010) Political Paralepsis Obama characterized Clintons remarks as tired Washington politicians and the games they play.She made an unfortunate remark about Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson, he said. I havent remarked on it. And she offended some folks who thought she diminished the role about King and the civil rights movement. The notion that this is our doing is ludicrous.Obama went on to criticize Clintons interview, saying that she spent an hour focused on attacking him rather than telling people about her positive vision for America.(Domenico Montanaro, Obama: Clinton MLK Comments Ludicrous, NBC First Read, Jan. 13, 2008) Paralepsis (or Omission), 1823 Paralepsis, or Omission, is a figure by which the orator pretends to conceal or pass by what he really means to declare and strongly to enforce.Whatever we seem to give up, as a matter of small consequence, we generally pronounce in a higher and softer tone of voice than the rest: this is accompanied with an air of indifference that seems to make light of what we mention, and this indifference generally leads us to end the particulars with the suspension of voice, properly called the rising inflection. Thus Cicero, in his defense of Sextius, introduces his character in the following manner, with a design of recommending him to the favour of the judges: I might say many things of his liberality, kindness to his domestics, his command in the army, and moderation during his office in the province; but the honour of the state presents itself to my view, and calling me to it, advises me to omit these lesser matters. The first part of this sentence should be spoken in a soft high tone of voice, with an air of indifference, as if waving the advantages arising from his clients character; but the latter part assumes a lower and firmer tone, which greatly enforces and sets off the former.(John Walker, A Rhetorical Grammar, 1823)

Marijuana Legalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marijuana Legalization - Essay Example The most important reason for anyone to debate on the subject of marijuana legalization is because of its relevance to young people. Advocates of marijuana legalization in Washington, DC have voted on the legalization of marijuana and approved the move by an overwhelming majority. Kleiman mentions in his article that the district officials of the states are now looking to create a market for buying and selling of marijuana which was previously prohibited from selling under the ‘grow and give’ framework. In the article, Kleiman points out his argument against the creation of a profit motivated market for marijuana. It is true that commercialization of marijuana is disadvantageous. For one, it can cause many problems for states where marijuana is still illegal. Legalization of marijuana in Washington alone is likely to have its repercussions on other states where the drug is prohibited, a risk which also pointed out by Kleiman. Creation of an official market for marijuana will spark its trafficking to other states through underground channels. The most obvious impact is the rise in inter-state travelling in Washington for recreational usage of the drug. As such, there is a great likelihood that marijuana availability in Washington will result in easy acquisition and trafficking of the drug to other states. In his article, Mark Kleiman has argued against the commercialization of marijuana. Marijuana legalization comes at great social costs especially for the young user base of the illicit drug.