Sc300: Big Ideas in Science: from Methods to Mutation

Jennifer Rivera SC300: Big Ideas in Science: From Methods to Mutation Professor: Shalon Bull August 14, 2012 1. List all of the components of two of your meals. Meal #1 – Breakfast For breakfast I had a Tuna fish sandwich, with lettuce, two slices of tomato, sauteed onions, and Hellmann's mayonnaise. I also had approximately 10 ounces of Minute Maid Tropical fruit Juice. Meal #2 – Lunch My Lunch consisted of a grilled Tyson chicken breast fillets, with steamed mix vegetables, and 8 ounces of bottle purified Dasani water. 1A. Where did each component of your meal originate?List the country that each part of your meal came from. Meal #1 – Breakfast The origin of the Tuna fish sandwich is as follows; The bread for the sandwich was two slices of Holsum whole wheat bread which is made in Puerto Rico, one 5 ounce chicken of the sea tuna can which is made in San Diego California, The lettuce and tomato was locally grown on the US Virgin Islands St. Croix by local farmer s, the Hellmann’s Mayonnaise was made in New York and the Minute Maid Tropical fruit Juice is produced by the Coca Cola Bottling Co. f Atlanta, GA. Meal #2 – Lunch The Tyson Chicken Breast Fillets are from Springdale, Arkansas and the mix vegetables are locally grown on the US Virgin Islands St. Croix by local farmers. The Dasani water is produced by the Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Atlanta, GA. 1B. List where you purchased the products from. Being the St. Croix US Virgin Islands is only 84 square miles and has a population of about 60,000 people we only have two main grocery stores which are the same just two different locations, Plaza Extra East and Plaza Extra West.I do all my shopping for grocery in Plaza Extra East for the last 20 plus years. So Meal #1 – Breakfast, and Meal #2 – Lunch were all purchased from Plaza Extra East on St. Croix USVI. 1C. Consider the chain of events that took the product to get from the farm/laboratory to your table Being tha t St. Croix is located in the Caribbean, most of our foods supply come from the State of Florida and is ship by containers on ships. The fresh produce and bread are shipped from the island of Puerto Rico where they are made.The only thing that is grown on the Virgin Islands is fresh vegetables and some fruits. 2. What are some of the benefits of a global market and why? List at least 2 benefits, weighing any short-term and long-term impacts. Some of the benefits of global marketing would be that consumers would have a larger range of products to choose from. Another would be the opportunities to small companies which can expand to serve a global market instead of a small country. This would give consumers the opportunity to buy better products at lower cost.Another benefit would be that opening offices in other countries would provide jobs for locals in that country and for the country that is opening the office this means that they will be getting cheaper labor than that which they would pay in their home country for the same job. 3. What are some of the impacts of this global market and why? Considering both short-term and long-term impacts, provide at least 2 negative impacts. Some of the negative impacts that the global market can experience can be caused by poor management of these international markets and others can occur naturally like for example bad weather.Weather and natural disasters can affect the global market in many ways, for example a country like China which exports Rice, can experience bad weather for a year which would affect the production of rice, this would not only affect China economically but cause the global price of rice to rise and the availability of the produce to diminish. So can we as a Country trust the global market as our primary source of food? I would suggest developing the nation’s agriculture programs and the production of foods in our nation the United States of American, and all other countries should do the sa me.This would be like an emergency reserve in other words. Another negative impact would be regulating the rates of taxation from one country to another. For instance if the rates of taxes are higher in Mexico for an American company then the United States might then move that office to Brazil for example. This would affect the investments market for others which would affect the global market tremendously. 4. Consider the phrase Think Globally, Act Locally. What does it mean to you?This phrase in my opinion means that you are thinking beyond the horizon and understand the issues and needs of the entire world, but need to master and fix the issues of your own country before you can get involved with the rest of the world. I think that if we improve and expand our food production capabilities then we can move on to the global market and work together for the same cause which is to bring food to those places that lack it and so much desires it. 5. Has your research on the global marke t changed the way you will choose goods in the future?Why or why not? After my research on the global market I would say that I will not be changing the way I choose my goods in the future. I would still choose the things that I like and would not change these things just because a nation or country might be benefiting from my purchase more than another. The one thing that I now understand after my research is the reason why certain name brands of products are more expensive than others. The prices of products in the global market fluctuate based on the economical state of the producing country and the markets demands.I learned that the more money a country has the more food and better quality they get, this is why poor countries lack food, and even more have a smaller variety in the food choices. References J. C. Chavis. (April 2010) Negative Impacts of a Global Market for Investment. Retrieved from http://www. brighthub. com/money/investing/articles/69512. aspx â€Å"Economic Glo balization† UC Atlas of Global Inequality. Retrieved from http://ucatlas. ucsc. edu/economic. php Global Marketing. Retrieved from http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/global-marketing. html

Conventional Accounting Essay

Conventional accounting may not be suitable for environment and social applications. When company’s economic benefits are at odds with environmental and social benefits, conventional accounting concentrates only on the enterprises’ benefits and does not pay attention to the natural environment and human society. (Hooper et al., 2008). Conventional accounting merely presents the information about enterprise’s financial position and performance so as to meets the objective of shareholders and investors. Such approach does not satisfy other stakeholders’ interests and information needs (Dana, 2008). Conventional accounting often treats the environmental impacts from business activities as externalities, such as the pollution of industrial emissions. It will not disclose the information about environmental damages and social costs of pollution, only if the environmental impacts lead to penalties or the cost of cleanup (Stefan and Roger, 2000). In order to improve enterprise’s profitability, conventional accounting suggests managers to use machinery or technology instead of labor force, which result in some negative impacts on society. High unemployment often causes a decrease in quality of life and a rise of crime rate, and also may bring about interpersonal conflicts in company (John, 2009). Conventional accounting usually ignores these costs of unemployment in the account of company. However, conventional accounting may be applicable to environmental and social issues, when the costs of business activities are redefined by containing their environmental and social costs. Such as the activities’ costs is to the enterprise instead of environment or society. This reclassification can help enterprises to decrease the costs of environment and society and thus improve enterprises’ environmental and social performance.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 49

Assignment Example For example, students can be unwilling to participate if classroom conditions are poor or teaching methods are ineffective. c) Personality dimension will be measured using degree of participation and knowledge of the need to share with others. Learning environment dimension will be measured using knowledge of the impact of classroom and school conditions on participation, as well as the extent to which students, parents or teachers will go to protect this dimension. d) Operationalization of participation is a vital issue in the social science because it touches on the content validity of research frameworks and the accuracy of all variables. Lack of conceptual agreement makes participation an ambiguous idea in research, and this ambiguity complicates the direction of evidence-based research in enhancing participation. For this study, a quantitative survey design was selected to help achieve the objectives of the study. The conditions for this research include the use of simple random sampling. The simple random sample will be used to test the hypothesis by focusing on a specific number of people (n). The sample will also have to consist of a specific number of people (n). The final condition is that all possible samples of (n) objects share the same probability scale. The importance of these conditions is that they provide a consistent basis on which to conduct the research. Simple random sampling will allow me to employ statistical techniques to analyze sample results and test the hypotheses to the maximum. For example, given a random sample, I can use statistical methods to determine a confidence interval in the sample mean and use it to test the hypotheses. Ethical considerations involved maintaining the confidentiality of feedback obtained. Additionally, prior consent was obtained from all th e respondents to conduct the research; all respondents were informed about the research and what it would

Creating a Bankruptcy Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Creating a Bankruptcy Plan - Essay Example assets and liabilities, a liquidation plan of reorganization stating the financial benefits for creditors, and approval of the plan by the company creditors. Within 20 days after filing, debtor meets the appointed bankruptcy trustee to discuss details of the reorganization plan. Within 30 to 45 days after filing, debtor meets creditors in a meeting presided over by trustee to agree on the payment plan proposed by debtor. Discussions, approval, or rejections by the creditors on the disclosure statement, proposed payment plan and analysis of the liquidation plan should be finalized not more than 120 days after filing. When the plan is approved, the debtor is discharged from any debt that arose before confirmation. After confirmation of plan, debtor is required to make payments as stated in the reorganization. A new contractual right replaces the pre-bankruptcy contracts. (Chapter 11) is â€Å"when one is unable to pay his debts any more. The bankruptcy law gives a person who is burdened with debts to have a new start by wiping out his/her debts.†(Maller-Barnes-Bowers-Langvardt, Chap. 20) A debtor is not given a discharge if he has not paid debts for taxes and debts related to committed crimes. or if there are â€Å"debts covered by a waiver of discharge executed by the debtor and approved by the court. An order of discharge cannot also be given to a debtor who has a judicial order to pay domestic support obligations unless he can certify that he is up to date in payments. (Mallor-Barnes-Bowers-Langvardt, Chap. 20) A debtor who has a confirmed plan for reorganization is allowed to request for modification of the plan anytime after its confirmation. According to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy code, modification is allowed if he/she has met some requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. This request will require the creditors’ consensus and approval of the court. Flynn, E, Bermant, G. and Burke, Virginia (2000). â€Å"Bankruptcy by the Numbers†. Executive Office for the

Marketing Mix for U.S.A car market Chery Cars China Essay

Marketing Mix for U.S.A car market Chery Cars China - Essay Example Strategic Planning: A strategy outlines the game plan of an organisation for its success. An effective marketing plan requires sound strategic planning at many levels in an organisation. At the top level and mid level planners deal with the strategic decisions which focus on long term development of the product (Kapferer, 2008, p. 182). Research and Analysis: Strategic planning is dependent on availability and interpretation of information and hence it is considered to be the lifeblood of an organisation. Thus it is important for marketing planners to have right information for making right product. Thus marketers regularly conduct and analyze the opinions, needs and attitudes of their customers. In addition to it, there is internal analysis and external analysis for getting useful information for the company (Chery, 2014, p. 1). Developing Competitive Advantage: Competitive advantage is important to set the tone or strategic focus of the entire marketing program. With this the firm can offer customers a compelling reason for them to purchase their product. Without competitive advantage, the company and its products are just like any other company offer commoditized products (Jobber, 2012, p. 172). Product: Product is developed to meet the needs and demands of the consumers. It must be developed at the right level of quality to meet the present and future needs. Thus the perfect product must create value for the consumer and it is not necessary for a product to be tangible. Price: The price of a product is actually the perceived price of the product in the eyes of the customers. A company must make the price competitive, not necessarily the cheapest. A company can compete with large companies by offering better value to the customers for their money (Henry, 2008, p. 112). Place: The place indicates the location where customers buy their products. It is crucial for a company to make the

Integrated system design for cloud enterprise network and a secure Essay

Integrated system design for cloud enterprise network and a secure BYOD - Essay Example A cloud enterprise network is a network that leverages cloud services for an organization to enable organizations to store and transfer information through a closed network. Cloud enterprise networks only require the organization to have an internet connection and either wired or wireless private physical infrastructure (such as computers and mobile devices). A cloud enterprise network allows employees to access files, applications and printers from any location and on any device. BYOD is a phrase that has gained wide adoption in reference to employees who bring their personal devices to work in order to use them for connectivity and use on the company’s secure corporate network. Employees use their own smartphones, PDAs, laptops and tablets for use at the workplace. Surveys indicate that allowing employees to use their personal devices to access the organization’s private information and applications contributes to an increase in convenience and productivity of employees (Hayes & Kotwica, 2013, 26). An integrated computing system is a system involving an organization combining component subsystems with software applications both functionally and physically to function in coordination. Organizations use the integrated computing system together with their cloud network in BYOD to store information as well as transfer files in a secure way. Unauthorized persons are restricted from accessing organizations’ integrated computing systems through different measures. Security of the organization’s network is an important factor to consider in the implementation of BYOD (Hayes & Kotwica, 2013, 28). Despite the fact that using personal devices for BYOD causing security concerns, many organizations that have adopted BYOD implement a security policy for their networks to assist their respective Information Technology teams to quell such concerns. Organizations have implemented several measures to boost their BYOD security. Such

The role of strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The role of strategic management - Essay Example Orgniztions operte in rpidly chnging environment, nd for this reson it is vitl step to stipulte minor detils nd predict ll chnges needed for strtegy implementtion. BMW is Europen utomotive leder operting on the mrket since 1922. t the beginning of the 21st century, BMW is influenced by interntionl economic integrtion, removl of brriers to business nd trde nd incresed competition (BWM Home Pge. 2007). Following Hill & Jones (2004) strtegic mngement is importnt for successful orgniztionl performnce becuse it involves pre-determined course of ction which helps to provide purpose nd direction for members of n enterprise. The plnning process is ided by working in n environment which is conducive to it. Strtegic mngement influences its orgniztionl structure, processes nd reltions. BMW orgniztionl structure cn be identified s mtrix structure. Within the compny, the performnce of ll deprtments is closely relted to delegtion of uthority, but it includes ll res of mngement nd requires gret del more thn hnding uthority to subordintes (Hill & Jones 2004). The dvntge is tht it is esy to control ll ctivities nd implement generl nd unified policy. The disdvn tge is complicted "bureucrtic" structure which slows decision-mking nd chnge processes. Production nd sles re the first functions to be decentrlized nd finnce nd humn resources the lst. The degree of centrliztion is not esy to determine. Some decisions must be tken loclly nd mngement must decide wht re vitl decisions nd keep these, then delegte the rest. High degree of decentrliztion tkes plce in some production res where less checking is needed on decision, especilly if few people need be consulted on decision, or if the greter the number of functions ffected by decisions mde t lower levels (Hill & Jones 2004). Following Ry Zimmermn, Executive Director of BMW: The nine person Board of Directors establishes policy and overseas the overall operations of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. The Board holds the Executive Director responsible for the execution of the policies and daily operation of the club. there is also a "dotted line" relationship between some of the staff members and the different members of the Board. For example, our Treasurer and the Accountant work hand-in-hand on a number of projects related to financial reporting". This type of orgniztionl structure benefit overll well-being of business becuse it determines the nture of reltions, mkes possible the ppliction of the process of mngement nd cretes frmework of order nd commnd through which the ctivities of the orgniztion cn be plnned, orgnized, directed nd controlled (Hitt et l 2006). For instnce, size, geogrphicl seprtion of the deprtments or extended ctivities of BMW require decentrlized structure. Thus, BMW needs centrliztion to estblish common policies, but when employees know ll trditions they cn ct more independently (BWM Home Pge 2007, See ppendix Chrt 1). In this cse, strtegic mngement nd plnning gives the compny only sense of direction for the ctivities. Strtegic plns give brod guidelines towrds which more detiled nd specific plns re directed. The greter the time spn, the greter the number of mistkes. Present conditions re usully dominnt in the plnner's mind when the orgniztion initites pln nd these my be overstressed. lso, mny events re obviously unforeseen, but plnning cn be ided by techniques

Theories in mythology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Theories in mythology - Essay Example All mythic heroes are invariably ethical and moral. Most of the stories depict his hardship and travails in pursuit of a morally acceptable equilibrium. His persistence in the face of adversity and his dedication to his convictions are the other hallmarks of a mythic hero. But most importantly, irrespective of the human or super-human quality of the Hero, the mythology surrounding him is constructed to enlighten people on appropriate behavior and give them a sense of direction during phases of ambiguity. During the times of its conception and application, mythologies were intricately woven into the fabric of society. It is to be noted that for primitive people mythologies were the predominant source of information and entertainment. Hence, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the theoretical and practical sides of these stories. In the context of this uncertainty, it is inevitable that various and often conflicting interpretations of the meaning and significance of mythologies are formed. So no particular interpretation is universally acceptable. This leads to definitions that are only valid within a certain social and cultural unit of organization. At the time of its origins, human societies were largely feudalistic and paternalistic. This reality is also reflected in much of the literature of these times, which were again component parts that comprise the mythology. Every social order has had its ruling class. And mythologies were frequently employed as a means of keeping the status quo. Hence, the nobility, which is generally assigned the task of creating much of the mythology, did not adhere to principles of good scholarship. They were given a free hand to twist and tweak the tales to suit the ruling interests. This makes futile all attempts to arrive at a generally agreed definition for Mythology. Dardel assertion that myths are neither true nor false can be explained the following way. Many mythologies are

Phonology and the Teaching of Pronunciation Essay

Phonology and the Teaching of Pronunciation - Essay Example In English, most connected speech processes are unimportant when distinguishing between speakers of all accents (Roach, 2004:1). Native speakers have many tools for dealing with unclear words and sounds that are caused by connected speech for they are already familiar within that context. But native speakers also experience stumbling over their words because of their lack of awareness of the little tricks or the rules in avoiding the difficulties in speech. Studying connected speech is important because of two essential factors (Basquille, n.d.:4). First, native speakers of the English language do not pause between each sound or word, as already mentioned, but they move effortlessly from one sound or word to the next. Second, English is considered as a malleable language, meaning not all syllables within a word are equal. There are weak syllables that disappear or not heard at all and strong syllables that are stressed and lengthened. An example is the question: "How long have you been living here" where the "how" is hardly pronounced, "have you been" contracts, and "long" and "living" expand. Because English has been described as "stress-timed as opposed to a syllable-timed language", meaning stressed and unstressed syllables may extremely vary at irregular intervals of time, sentences are quite elastic (Basquille, n.d.:4). ... These refer to the different aspects of connected speech: 1) vowel weakening, 2) assimilation, 3) elision, 4) intrusion and linking. This paper aims to find out the rules that native speakers of English follow to string words together that brings confusion and problems to students who are learning English. Vowel weakening, assimilation, elision and intrusion and linking are the features of connected speech that are necessary for learning English, whether a native or a non-native speaker. Aspects of Connected Speech Vowel Weakening In the phonetics of English, weak forms refer to the group of words which have one pronunciation: strong when isolated and weak when not stressed within a phrase (Brett, 2007; Roach, 2004:2). Weak forms are recognized by an alteration in vowel quality from a border position on the vowel quadrilateral to a central position. The common vowel in a weak form is the schwa // and they are pronounced at a faster rate and a lower volume than stressed syllables and they are not central to changes in intonation. Weak forms can be seen in words which are necessary to construct a phrase but they do not deliver much information for they are not content words (Brett, 2007; Roach, 2004:4). An example is the sentence: I went to the hotel and booked a room for two nights for my father and his best friend (/a went t h tel n bkt ru:m f tu: nats f ma f:r n hz best frend/). In the sentence, the words that are central to the message are emphasized: went, hotel, booked room, two nights, father, and best friend. If the weak forms or the words that are not emphasized are eliminated from the sentence, the set of phrases may be a little difficult to interpret but they can still

Womens Political Participation in Afghanistan Essay Example for Free

Womens Political Participation in Afghanistan Essay â€Å"As a global trend, rising number of women in politics will indicate that human beings are making progress towards a more humane world-not because women are necessarily more humane than men, but because any society that categorically excludes half of its members from the process by which it rules itself will be ruled in a way that is less than fully human† Kathlene Introduction The world over women are struggling to break the shackles that bind them challenging the unequal distribution of power in society. Transforming the existing in egalitarian pattern of gender relationships necessitates leadership in the state, markets and civil society- the key centers of power in the present globalizing economy. It is, therefore, imperative for women to be in the corridors of power and have the power to negotiate a better deal for themselves, if they are to influence policy decisions which have an impact upon them. Empowerment of women in all spheres, in particular the political sphere is crucial for their advancement and foundation of a gender-equal society. It is central to the achievement of the goals of equality, development and peace. Women’s political empowerment is premised on â€Å"three fundamental and non-negotiable principles: a) the equality between women and men; b) women’s rights to self representation and self determination.†(1) In empowerment, the key indeed is ‘power’; it is power to ‘access, ‘control’ and make ‘informed choices’. According to the Jakarta declaration â€Å"empowerment of women is not only an equity consideration, it was also a necessary precondition for sustainable economic and social development. Involvement of women in the political arena and in decision-making roles in an important tool for empowerment as well as monitoring standards of political performance.† (2)The application of the philosophical underpinnings of Jakarta Declaration are necessary ,because in the countries where women have gained near equal representation such as in Scandinavian countries, they have begun to alter the very nature of politics. Women are, however, virtually invisible in the political sphere. The notions of a distinct public/political sphere have been used to legitimize the exclusion of women from the public sphere. Under-representation or invisibility of women in decision-making reinforces their deprivation, leading to an unequal distribution of resources, neglect of their interests, needs, perspectives and priorities and no say in policy making. Their voices fall on deaf ears, and as Alida Brill vehemently insists, â€Å"without our own voices being heard inside the government arenas and halls of public policy and debate, we are without the right of accountability _ a basic entitlement of those who are governed â€Å".(3) To effectuate feminization of politics a critical mass of women in the decision-making bodies is yet to emerge. The substantial gains made by the women’s movement over the decades, are not adequately reflected in representation of women in positions of power. The 30 percent target of women’s representation fixed by the Economic and Social Council is not included in the International Development Targets. (4) The world average of women in legislative bodies continues to be merely 12-13 percent; only a few countries have 30 percent or more women in decision-making posts. (5) According to the United Nations Division for the advancement of women (UNDAW), Fact sheet on women in government of 1996, the percentage of women in both ministerial and sub-ministerial levels ranges from 0 percent (in about 15 countries, to 30 percent in 2 countries. 15 countries had 0 percent of women in governmental positions in 1996, out of which 8 were Arab countries. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) statistics, from 1945 to 1995, the percentage of women MPs worldwide has increases four-fold. Their latest statistics indicate that, in 2000, the world average of women in parliaments (both houses combined) is 13.8 percent. The regional variations, however, are significant. The highest percentage of women in parliaments in the Nordic countries at 38.8 percent, followed by Europe (including the Nordic countries) at 16.0 percent, Americas at 15.5 percent, Asia at 15.0, Europe OSCE member countries (excluding the Nordic countries) at 14.1 percent, Sub-Saharan Africa at 11.6 percent, Pacific at 8.3 percent and the lowest in the Arab states at 3.3 percent. (6) Among the individual countries Sweden ranks first with 44.7%percent of women in Parliament, followed by Denmark at 39.1%percent and Finland at 36.5 percent. Afghanistan ranks 37 With mere a 27.7% Percent of women in parliament. It is noteworthy that at least 9 states including Kuwait and United Arab Emirates have no women in Parliament. Given this factual background , there is a need for examining the existing power structures, the extent of women’s participation in the political process and suggest measures to increase the ‘critical mass’ or the member of women in politics, thereby paving the way for transformative politics. The issue is vast and to attempt to compress it within the confines of one paper is like putting an ocean into a jar. The present paper attempts to identify some of the key issues relating to women’s political empowerment, thereby helping to clarify and advance the debate. There are no claims here to produce an exhaustive analysis. The paper, keeping in view editorial guidelines, is structures along the following lines: * A review of international actions for women’s empowerment * A n overview of national efforts * Analyze the challenges faced by women in attaining de facto equality in Afghanistan * Identify future steps to enhance women’s political participation International Initiative for women’s empowerment The question of women’s political participation is now on the international agenda, and permeating many regional and national plans of action. Much hope has been invested in the United Nations and it has consistently been the engine for keeping the gender issues on political rights of women in 1952.Since 1975 four international conferences on women have been held under its auspices; all the conferences have emphasized women’s political empowerment as a key concern. (7) The issue of women’s political empowerment, while attracting considerable attention earlier, actually came to the forefront of the global debate for women’s rights at the time of Fourth World Conference on women held at Beijing in 1995.Henceforth, the issue continued to hold centre-stage of all discussions on gender justice and equality. Women’s equal access to, and full participation in decision- making was emphasized in the platform for action, as one of the critical areas of concer n. It unequivocally declared, â€Å"Women’s equal participation in political life plays a pivotal role in the general process of the advancement of women. women’s equal participation in decision-making is not only a demand for simple justice or democracy but can also be seen as a necessary condition for women’s interests to be taken into the account† .(8) A detailed set of recommendations were issued therein to all governmental and non-governmental communities, nationally and internationally , to enhance women’s political participation and decision-making.it recommended governmental commitment to gender balance in all spheres, reform of electoral systems, monitoring and evaluation of progress in women’s representation, revamping of party structures to remove barriers to women’s political participation, incorporation of gender issues and initiatives in the agenda of political parties, affirmative action, create or strengthen mechanisms to monitor women’s access to senior levels of decision-making among others. (9) it affirmed that women should have at least a 30 percent share of decision-making positions. However, recommendations are exactly that; they rarely, if ever, can be enforced with full authority and extent of law. Women’s political participation was equally focused upon at the Asia Pacific Regional NGO Symposium (1999) held in Thailand on the theme ‘Asia Pacific Women 2000: Gender Equality Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century† too focused on women’s political participation as one of the critical areas of concern recognized in BPFA. It noted the gains but recognized that power structures continue to be dominated by men; women’s representation continues to be low and recommended that timeframes be set and monitors to meet assigned quotas on women’s representation in politics. Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) has launched a campaign for 50-50, that is, equal representation. This brief review reveals that women’s political empowerment is at the centre-stage of all discourse on women’s issues at the international level. Corresponding to the international efforts, various initiatives have been/ are being taken for the purpose at the national level too. Women political empowerment in Afghanistan The status of women in Afghanistan has been of deep concern since they were stripped of their fundamental rights under Taliban rule. Today, The Asia Foundation works to promote opportunities for Afghan girls and women through collaboration with a broad range of local partners, including government agencies and influential non-state actors, including civil society, and tribal and religious leaders. The Foundation provides growing support for girls to access education and programs that increase women’s economic participation and access to justice. The Foundation is helping build the capacity of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to be an effective advocate for policy reform and provision of services to women. Although Afghan women still face significant challenges, there have been some notable achievements, including a national constitution that guarantees women’s equal rights, the adoption of the National Plan of Advancement of Women of Afghanistan 2008-2018, and the growth of civil society organizations working to advance women’s rights and deliver much-needed services for women. There has also been significant progress in getting girls, who were banned from attending school under the Taliban, enrolled in public schools. Today, more than two million girls attend school, representing 35 percent of the total K-12 student population, and women’s university enrollment is also increasing. Four hundred women contested the 2010 parliamentary elections and for the first time, women served as election observers in all 34 provinces in Afghanistan. According to Women’s â€Å"Empowerment† in Post Conflict Afghanistan, After decades of war, among the many challenges of post-war reconstruction in Afghanistan, is women’s â€Å"empowerment†. But what does â€Å"Empowerment† mean? â€Å"Empowerment† is a very dynamic and context dependent concept. It can be conceived on different levels and domains, as debated by different development agents and feminists (Afshar, 1998). However, in feminist discourse, â€Å"power† is de fined in a more relational form. It is not defined in isolation but in consideration of the role and relationship of women with women, men and the wider community. The emphasis is not on the â€Å"power over†, as observed by Rowland (1998), which is a more traditional interpretation of â€Å"empowerment†. Rowland reflects on different interpretations of â€Å"power†, with the most possible different connotations, which change the terms of women’s â€Å"empowerment† out of its usual interpretation of being threatening to the power of the opposite sex. Some of the other interpretations, instead of â€Å"power over†, that she uses are: â€Å"power with†; â€Å"power to†; and â€Å"power within†. The interpretations in these other cases are in a more generic form, such as, â€Å"power with† refers to the collective action of tackling a problem together, â€Å"power to† as generative or productive power, which creates new possibilities and actions. Before I go further into women’s emancipation and their participation in social and political life of the country as cit izens, it is important to look at the power structure in a traditional society. What does women’s â€Å"empowerment† mean in a country where the question of â€Å"women† has been part of clashes between the modernists and the traditionalists, throughout the history? Considering the complexity of the â€Å"power† structure within the Afghan society and womens status within the family, community / tribe and finally the state, this research highlights the fact that womens â€Å"empowerment† cannot be discussed in terms of individuality, but, according to a feminist definition â€Å"in relation to men, women† and the community, not in isolation (Rowland, 1998). Afghan women are not a homogenous class. There are a number of significant socioeconomic factors, which contribute to the diversity of womens emancipation in the Afghan society, such as, age; educational level; and, the urban-rural divide. However, in general, Afghanistan is a traditional society where the notion of power is embedded in the patriarchal nature of the culture: reinforcing male supremacy and control over women to uphold family â€Å"honor† with conformity to accepted â€Å"behavioral norms†, which limits women’s life choices (Dupree, 199 8). As in other contexts, womens empowerment in Afghanistan cannot be discussed in a void, but should develop, through an understanding of the complexity of power and control structures in different layers around women. Stumbling Blocks and stepping stones The problems facing women wishing to run for parliament have been described as the ‘four Cs’- culture, childcare, cash and confidence. (10) The unequal participation of women in power and decision-making structures as the local, national, regional and international levels reflects structural, attitudinal and cultural barriers prevailing in all societies. Stereotypical gender roles remain a major obstacle in women’s political empowerment. On the one major obstacle in women’s political empowerment. One the one hand women are considered unfit for leadership. The public-private domain theory has been used as Vicky Randall observes, â€Å"ideologically to justify women’s exclusion from public politics, while women’s actual confinement to a narrow domestic sphere has been a major brake upon effective political participation. At the same time the public-private convention has masked the crucial interdependence of these spheres. Not only have women’s private roles limited and largely defined their public contribution, but public policies have confirmed their ‘private’ obligations. The impact is that political parties are hesitant to select women candidates from â€Å"winnable† seats. Women are usually fielded from ‘losing’ constituencies where the party does not want to waste a male candidate. â€Å" Male equivalence† the assumption that women access political life with the support, backing and contacts of family, in particular, that of the husband has been a dominant explanation for how women enter political life. It is difficult for women to establish a foothold without patronage from powerful men in the party- that too through close personal relations, as wives, daughters or sisters. The criterion for selection of women in constituency , but other apolitical considerations. Very few of the women in politics have an independent base as their entry point. Most enter politics as a sister, daughter, and wife of some men, who for some reason cannot contest election. A compartmentalization of the stumbling blocks leads us to the following points: social barriers include double responsibilities of women; traditional division of labor where women’s roles are ascriptive; lack of social services and support network; illiteracy; and socialization into gendered roles. Economic barriers may categorized as changes in a global economic market; biased theories and practices of development ; and feminization of poverty. Political barriers include type of electrol system; structures and agendas of political parties; lack of sufficient training and communication skills; and access to technology. Strategies Despite all the roadblocks that are clearly evident, it is possible to imagine and revision a more inclusive political system that allows for all the citizens to be democratically present in the political processes. In view of the need to ensure accommodation of the voice, ideas and the needs of women and to rectify imbalances in political representation, participation as the pre-requisite for facilitating and nurturing leadership is essential. The government must create an enabling environment for active leadership generating participation, which would ensure that women’s voices are heard in Afghanistan. Leadership too needs to be transformational, effecting changes in institutions of governance. Special mechanism must be introduced in order to induct women at all levels of decision-making to ensure that they form a critical mass and contribute to policy planning and implementation. The need is formulate institutional mechanisms and work out concrete measures to ensure and enhance women’s involvement and representations in positions of power and decision-making. Enhancing women’s political representation also entails reviewing of the process of selection of candidates within the political parties. The Beijing +5 Outcome Document too recognized the need to â€Å"encourage the nomination of more women candidates through political parties, quotas or measurable goals, or the other appropriate means for election to parliaments and other legislative structures, to increase their share and contribution in formulation of public policy†. The political parties must honour their commitment to gender justice and equality and ensure women’s representation all all levels of party hierarchy. Women, moreover, need to be actively involved in defining the political, economic, and social agenda. 26 This necessitates enhancing the performance and political skills of those women already in decision-making positions through imparting of formal as well as formal training, which could impart the art of lobbying, raising funds, networking as well as campaigning. Some systematized politicians would benefit new entrants to the political field. Women in senior positions, those who are already at the zenith of power could act as role models and mentors for the struggling ones. A massive grassroots movement must be initiated to change the perceptions of both decision-makers and voters. In this context, there is a need to develop strong linkage with already elected nearly one million grass root women. Lastly, it is absolutely essential to have a fixed time frame for achieving gender parity in political representation, without which governments and political parties cannot be held accountable. Conclusion â€Å"It’s not about simply mainstreaming women. It’s not about women joining the polluted stream. It’s about cleaning the system, changing stagnant pools into fresh flowing waters†. 27 when the interests and voices of half of humanity are not reflected in decision-making processes, the very legitimacy of the institutions, legislative and executive becomes questionable. Women are marginalized in the political process through co-operation, repression, socialization and sabotage. Women have been unable to find or create a space for themselves in decision-making sphere. The discourse, procedures, structures and functioning of political institutions remain heavily skewed in favor of men, as evident from disproportionately small number of women in decision-making bodies. The level of political participation among women in any society acts as a reliable barometer of the health of its system; it is clear that there is a systemic disease. Afghan women’s qualitative as well as quantitative participation at all levels of governance structures is absolutely essential for their empowerment. Bringing women into power is not only a matter of equity, of correcting an adjust and unrepresentative system, but is a means of addressing wider social issues of poverty eradication, employment, health and like, in short, facilitating a just , peaceful and humane social order. It is not an end itself, but a means to effectuate a change in the system. References: 1. CAPWIP , â€Å" Issues in Women’s Political Empowerment in the Asia-Pacific Region†, Proceeding of women in Asia and the Pacific: High-Level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, ESCAP, Manila, October 26-29,1999,p.281. 2. Jakarta declaration For the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific, Second Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Women in Development, Jakarta, June 7-14, 1994. 3. Brill Alida. (ed), A Rising Public Voice : Women in Politics Worldwide, New York, N.Y.: The Feminist Press, 1995, p.1. 4. UNIFEM, Progress of the World’s Women 2000: UNIFEM Biennial Report, New York, N.Y.: UNIFEM, 2000, P.9. 5. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands are a few examples of countries having more than thirty percent of women in decision-making posts. 6. IPU Website, http://www.ipu.org 7. In 1975, The World Plan of Action, adopted in the First World Conference held in Mexico City, put forward various suggestions, for the recruitment, nomination and promotion of women in various branches of government, public bodies, trade unions and pressure groups: In Copenhagen, in 1980, further steps were recommended to promote international cooperation and strengthen peace through women’s participation. The Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies, adopted in the Third World Conference on Women, Nairobi (1985) stresses that â€Å"Women by virtue of their gender, experience discrimination in terms of equal access to the power structure that controls society and determines development issues and peace initiatives† (Para 46) It was further pointed out that â€Å"For true equality to become a reality for women, the sharing of power on equal terms with men must be a major strategy.† ( para 51) the importance of governmental and non -governmental organizations in educating women to exercise their newly-own civil, political and social rights was emphasized. In this process of consciousness rising, efforts would have to be made to fix definite time-bound targets and even resort to be quota system. 8. Beijing Platform for Action , p 109 9. For details see Beijing Platform for Action, p 109-115. The goal of equal participation of men and women in decision-making as a crucial element to strengthen democracy was equally emphasized by commission on the Status of Women at its 41st session in 1997. The efforts for women’s political empowerment made by governments of Asia and the Pacific were also analyzed at the ESCAP High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of Beijing Platform for Action , October 26-29,1999, The report reveals that of the 40 countries in region, the proportion of women in the national legislatures increased in 28 countries, declined in 8 and remained the same in 4.Yet women remained in a minority in the legislatures.( Report of ESCAP High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, October 26-29, 1999 , p.86) 10. The best man for the job? The Selection of Women Parliamentary Candidates,† Finding of the Fawcett Society, February, 1997. Presented at listen to Women’s Vote. 1998, p. 19

Masculinity In Hong Kong Action Films Film Studies Essay

Masculinity In Hong Kong Action Films Film Studies Essay The study of film masculinity still tends to concern itself with the products of local society. The focus of the essay is to represent a close approach to masculinity in Hong Kong cinema. Chinese old traditional genres such as Kung Fu, historical costume drama, and the Chinese opera had been the staples of Hong Kong cinema since it has been established (Kei, 1994). This essay analyses two films of a uniquely Hong Kong perspective. The two main titles referred in this essay are A Better Tomorrow (Woo, 1986), the gangster image that revitalized the filmmaker s career by the success of his first gangster movie, and City on Fire (Lam, 1987), produces a city on fire season of new type of undercover agent movie early time in Hong Kong. Each film represents typical and modern Hong Kong gangster movie on earlier 80s. Both of these two directors created a new gangster and cop character in films, they defined a local cultural identity in Hong Kong filming industry and influence the stylist of west action cinema (Vesia, 2002). This essay approaches the study of masculinist text of my emotion tone and feels of the two films, and attends to address ideology of male relationship and gender difference as a masquerade. A Better Tomorrow tags with Hong Kong gangster leaders whose name are Ho (cast by Lung Ti) and Mark (cast by Yun-Fat Chow), and Ho was double-crossed and arrested in Taiwan. After he was released, Mark tries to persuade him to go to their old criminal life. But, Ho is more concern about his brother Kit (cast by Leslie Cheung) who is a Hong Kong police officer, and his responsibility for the death of their father. And Ho s gang leader was replaced by his old subordinate, Shing (cast by Waise Lee) who plays brother against brother Ho. At the end, Mark and Shing die, while Ho and kit were reunited and head back to prison. City on Fire concerns Ko Chow (cast by Yun-Fat Chow) is an undercover agent who betrayed his criminal friend to the police force. The criminal boss Fu (cast by Danny Lee), whose gang is terrorizing the town with numerous robberies and the forthcoming, big robbery of a jewelry store. Ko and Fu become friends as Kos mission is again to go undercover to Fus gang and give details to the police about the robbery. so the criminals could be arrested and sent to prison. Unfortunately, Ko notices it is too late to undo what hes done again, again he finds himself betraying a friend, but this time the results are more horrific. As described above, these are some features in common in these two films: both of them are extremely violent; both starred by Yun-Fat Chow who was the most famous Asian character; both revolve around the story of gangster and police; and both are talk about individual friendship and loyalty of male character. It is possible that gangsters and cops have something in common in our real world. It is also possible that an undercover has true friendship with a gangster while they are in the opposite position of the law. Furthermore, It is not surprising that the relationship between gangster and cop can reduced by true friendship. It is clear that the brave police and thriller gangster other side of them. If the main elements are cop and gangster, then it dig the deep inside of unknown natural character is the key point to solve. However, from Man on the Brink (Cheung, 1981) to On the Edge (Yau H. , 2006), undercover film seems trapped in a frame set an undercover agent end with a tragic death. However, there is no specific detail on describing the agent s mental activities that how to convince themselves to become an undercover agent, while they have a mission. Most of this genre of film only pays attention to the strategy and courage of agent. There is not on the characters actor on deep inside activities. While the undercover film has already manipulated by director nowadays, City on Fire is one of the transition or a stage that undercover film goes to a higher levels of representing. It is earlier to be accepted by the audience as these undercover become a real part of film. Ringo Lam and John Woo both are likely to represent the brotherhood in the film. Woo s undercover philosophy mind is If there is something reason may not from themselves, they have to do is to do , while Lam s philosophy is I would ra ther not to do it instead of Betraying my friends . Furthermore, the lighting and color of these undercover films are cold, Woo s film presenting a romantic atmosphere, whereas Lam always manifest warm and funny scene. For example, the last police chase scene in City on Fire, the background music is the allegro of Christmas songs, and originally the preceding is very depressed. These two directors are also good at editing some humor and plot on the film, such as By throwing food to attract beautiful women pay attention to small scene to rich a film so-called giant inside, detail outside in Lam s film. In my opinion, the difference between Lam and Woo is the theme of each film. Woos theme always is to revenge for friendship, brother, and lover, and this routine will never end with. While Lam s theme is to bury alive with the dead for friendship, brother, and lover, it is enough for regretless while lives. Different from Woo s films, they tended to romanticise the gangster figure without any moralistic judgment (Vesia, 2002). It is the main reason Lams film conveys this message to audiences. Finally, the myth letter in City on fire, Ko s lover to leaves audience an message that does she wait for Ko in Hawaii? Instead of the issue if China is relevant to lead and guide Hong Kong s future after 1997. Then, it can be said that nothing is perfect to make up to audience taste. Thus, Lam s films achieve the success of Yun-Fat Chow, and Chows performance is accomplishing Lams film. Yi-Qi (Code of Brotherhood) in Hong Kong gangster films: Codes such as brotherhood, filiality and loyalty are not just one sign to look at the masculinity onscreen, it also is familiar to the Chinese cinema which links to the social order both in the film and the society outside. Fuery points that code order signs as well as provide rules of exclusion, combination, and hierarchy (Fuery, 1997). As such, code in the social order of Chinese films representation is a social justice and the moral domain within different national and non-national settings (Berry Ann, 2006). It represents the symbols of ethnic heritage and the myth old tradition of a nation. The concept of YiQi ( ) is Code of Brotherhood which includes: Loyalty (Zhong ), Filiality (Xiaoà Ã‚ ¢), Benevolence (Ren ), Brotherhood (Yi ) to explore the wide debates around social structure, gender and nation in Chinese nation. These codes are the core of Chinese law and custom that the ordered nation refer to the debates within the Chinese moral health and local structure of the social problems. The Code of Brotherhood reflects reciprocal family-based relationships which with male privilege (Berry Ann, 2006). The family code related to the social and nation networks of power. It focuses on codes of behavior between subject and ruler, between father and sons, and between brothers.These rules often operates the Chinese mythic underworld-JiangHu ( )-it have its own rules in this world but it does not exist in the real world. There, Woo s gangster movies value Chinese traditional rules of family and friendship in Hong Kong modern society, brotherhood involves strong customary ru les that translate into a range of genres, from revolutionary comrade films to martial arts and gangster movies. And the code of honor applies to heroes on both sides of the law. In A Better Tomorrow, Ho and Mark are at ease only in all-male societies: the gang, or the taxi company in where Ho found the job. On the family ties, Kit refuses his gangster brother because of Ho s responsibility to their father s death, so Mark becomes Ho brother, in other words is to replace kit to be a substitute. Ho is trying to be a good man, but kit does not trust him. They father die for his son Ho. and Ho save Shing, Mark is crippled when he is revenged Ho. It is a sensibility that is well illustrated through Woo s characterization of Mark as a humble hero representing traditional codes of honour and bravery in a modern era (Vesia, 2002). Then, Ho and Mark steal the tape for Kit to risk their lives. This is a chain rule around Mark, Ho and Kit indicates the Code of Brotherhood that is typical Chin ese hero. Furthermore, the Code of Brotherhood has mythic status in terms of the contemporary Chinese culture and the order of society. Joseph wrote that the rules such as Filiality (Xiao) were right in Chinese old tradition (Needham, 1954). In City on Fire, the protagonist undercover employs death defying stunts. But, Lam ends his gangster film for memories the death of Ko Chow to executed criminals. In the last battle scene, Ko said to Fu (Danny lee Sau-Yin): I was an undercover agent, please shoot me, you still have time for it, because i own you too much. It was a kind of humanitys struggle with the friend and brother. They opposite position have been upgrade to a new level of the friendship. Ko resists on his bottom line of the distinction between gangster and undercover. But its a human debt on the friendship have never been fixed. Thus, at the end of City on Fire, Kos death perhaps is the best way to end his friendship debt. Because Ko was suffered by betrayed a friend earlier, his nigh tmare of intense fear, horror and distress feeling leads to He always blames himself due to betray his friends. It perhaps to arrange this death of character is to explain the injustice, violence as ongoing features of society. Both of the death of Mark and Ko is to the result of Loyalty (Zhong) to his friendship. And also it explains the Righteousness (Yi) why the true friendship is worth to risk their lives or sacrifices themselves for their brothers and friends. Finally, the Code of Brotherhood of Chinese masculinity, in other words, male bonding is one metaphor way to presents the Hong Kongs future relationship with China. Specifically, these films seem to represent the fantasy of a relationship between equals (analogous to a relationship between men) rather than between unequals (i.e., between men and women); and it is a fear of China that makes the homoerotic element such a compelling fantasy (Sandell, 1994). Male and man power can be seductive and attractive indorse to focus on the representation of Chinese cinema.the balance between sexual difference in cinemas which indicates fair relationship of brotherhood and unfair relationship between men and women. In A Better Tomorrow, The result to plot only one woman who is Kits wife and she is facing sharing suffering, and hinges on a male ethos of loyalty. In contrast, City on Fire is around the theme of loyalty and friendship between gangster and undercover agent at opposite position of the law. Kos lover appears in the film is slowing down the tension of the undercover, and it prevents the normal progress towards in terms of approach the reality of personal inter-relationship. Thus, it is successful to treat women in similar depth. When a woman is discussed, it becomes a wider study in Chinese cinema. Influence to the west: Reid point out that Woo has remade traditional martial arts genres by replacing swords and knives with guns (Reid, 1993-4). Woo said his action film was most inspired by earlier Hong Kong martial arts. Especially his mentor Zhang Che, his film is not only representing strong masculinity, loyalty, chivalry figures on the martial art action, but also he is emphasis on the symbolic slow motion to express this movement. However, Woo s stylistic influence upon Reservoir Dogs (Quentin, 1992) and True Romance (Scott Tarantino, 1993). Quentin also inspired from City on Fire (Lam, 1987) and it is upon the themes of city on fire season to express his passion and admiration to Hong Kong filmmakers. One might certainly conclude from this that Hong Kong action film industry achieves an oversea and cross-culture to such international visibility. Therefore, Kung Fu was the most popular elements both in Eastern and Western films. Kill Bill I II (Tarantino, 2003-4) describes how a woman overthrows patriarchal authority to revenge for her daughter. In the coffin box, Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman) was bury by Budd (Michael Madsen), then she use her learning from Chinese martial arts master Bai Mei (Chia Hui Liu) and gather all strength on one hand for breaking the coffin and then she can escape outside. Within the martial artists performance, clarity can be achieved not only through the precision of the movement but also an effort to focus the entire bodys energy in each gesture (Yau E. C., 2001). To compare earlier Hong Kong film patriarchal society, Tarantino s film represents the punishment of patriarchal hegemony. His work aims to explore the origins of the cool and the way in which images (or reputations) are echoed in the realm of popular culture (Poleg, 2004). And he is showing that there is no different between man and woman in our modern society. It also critics the corresponding to patriarchal authority of Hong Kong cinemas to arousing people conscience and social justice then seeking for the solution of the gangster in sin city. For instance, the yellow suit of protagonist Beatrix Kiddo in Kill Bill is to show his admiring to martial arts master Bruce Lee. Conclusion: Chinese cinematic imaginary provides a rich store of regimes of justice and power through which men relate to, and fight with each other (Berry Ann, 2006). Both Woo and Lam are dealing with the tension of loyalty and friendship and social order of Chinese traditional heritage, and also apply to heroes on both side of law. The difference is the theme Woo s revenging and Lam s burying for friendship, brother, and lover, they heroes from both side of the law is to justice the male bonding related to the unsteady society tone and the anxiety of Hong Kong s future after recover it in 1997. Both Woo and Lam focus on the relationship of male to indicate the changing representation of Hong Kong cinema. They are the new wave pioneering directors in order to balance the theme of the human relationship and entertainment with vision and sound effects. Moreover, western critics and film scholars also began to take Hong Kong action into mainstream theatre cinema seriously and made many key figure s and films part of their canon of world cinema. In short, Hong Kong cinema defines a new genre of hero image in action film valuing traditional distinctive feature of patriarchal authority. It also produces superstars such as Yun-Fat Chow who became a worldwide popularity star due to his cool performance. However, as the development of the modernization, directors pay attention to these women who are economic independence and autonomy character in order to appealing audience taste of female onscreen.

language evaluation :: essays research papers

Speech and Language Evaluation Background History Sally A. S., a three year, two month old female was seen on September 15, 2004 for a speech and language evaluation at the University of Washington Speech and Hearing Clinic. It was requested that Sally be seen by the Snowside County Children’s Services because of her speech and language delay. Mary Doe was the caseworker. She was taken into a foster home at the age of eighteen months. At that time, she was said to be non-communicative. It took several weeks for the foster parents to get her to smile and at 23 months of age she said â€Å"mommy†. Up until the age of 18 months, it was noted that Sally hadn’t received the proper nutrition for a developing child. Her mother passed away, from the cause of a stroke when she was 13 months old. Informally, it has been ascertained that the mother’s health was quite poor during pregnancy. The cause of death was a stroke so we might get some hint of some of the problems that she had from this. Evidently the home situation was terrible. She has been seen at Snowside Medical Center and they have stated that she has delayed bone age. However, according to the foster mother, she has been progressing nicely as of late. The foster mother seems to be quite quick to explain Sally’s slowness as functional and is quite adamant about the fact that she is not retarded. At present, she is beginning to put words together. Her intelligibility is quite poor. Therefore, I could not obtain much in the way of an articulation sample. I was able to obtain a raw score of 25 on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test- Third Edition (PPVT-III) (Form B). She obtained a standard score of 75 and a percentile rank of 5 which converted to a language age of 18 months. It is felt that Sally can hear well since no history of ear infections has been reported. The hearing screening that we did was essentially normal. Certainly, from the history that we obtained, it seems as though we are dealing with a case of delayed speech and language acquisition that may certainly be explained in part or in its entirety by the very poor situation in which this child found herself for the first 18 months of her life during which the linguistic foundation should have been built.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Essays -- History, Herodotus, List

While the ancient world left little written record, the evidence that we do have depicts it as far more advanced and culturally rich than many would expect. From the Phoenicians in Mesopotamia to the Mayans in Central America, technological advancements and complex theories drove the ancient civilizations ahead. Great thinkers from that period like Socrates (other great thinkers) left huge marks on the literary world. Great scientists like Copernicus (other great scientists) developed theories that provided the foundations for more modern thought. Juxtaposing their technology with our own, we find their accomplishments truly amazing. Their buildings, remarkably built without cranes, bulldozers, or assembly lines, rival our greatest and create great wonder among our culture. Chief among their architectural feats, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World remind us constantly of the ancient cultures’ splendors and advancements. These landmarks, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hangin g Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria or the Walls of Babylon according to the list, left evidence of the magnificence of the ancient world. Understanding the history of the whole group as well as the history of the individual places creates a gratitude and reverence for our ancient ancestors. Herodotus created the first list of wonders in the fifth century BC but gained little notoriety for the feat and inspired few subsequent lists. His written record, a list mirroring that above with the exception of substituting the Pharos of Alexandria for the Lighthouse, was destroyed with the exception of references in the burning o... ...s. To do this, they commissioned Phidias, chief sculptor behind the Parthenon, to build a statue paying homage to this god, Zeus. Using an innovative method designed by Phidias himself, he built a wooden skeleton in the intended shape of the statue and ordered workers to adorn it (Woods and Woods, Seven Wonders 56-57). Sheets of iron and gold were cut and fashioned to cover the wooden structure. Looming over the Temple of Zeus, the statue rose 40 feet into the air and was a massive 22 feet wide. Zeus’s Statue features him sitting on a magnificent throne, with his head brushing the ceiling. The ancient historian Strabo criticized the proportions of the statue, claiming that Phidias â€Å"depicted Zeus seated, but with the head almost touching the ceiling, so that we have the impression that if Zeus moved to stand up he would unroof the temple . . .† (Unnatural Museum).

Henry Cisneros :: essays research papers

Henry G. Cisneros was born on July 11, 1947 in San Antonio. He graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelors of arts and a masters of arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning. He also earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from George Washington University.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After serving two years in the United States army in 1968, he began his career in public service by working as an administrative assistant in the San Antonio City Manager’s office, working as an assistant to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Beginning in 1974, he taught public policy at the University of Texas-San Antonio. In 1975, Henry was elected to the San Antonio City Council. As a council member, he emphasized the economic development and cooperation between the city’s Hispanic and White residents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  He served on the City council until 1981, when he was elected to be the Mayor of San Antonio, which is the nations 10th largest city, thus, becoming the first Hispanic mayor of a major U.S. city. During the time Cisneros was Mayor from 1981 until 1989, he rebuilt the city’s economic stability by increasing tourism and creating jobs in downtown San Antonio, recruiting convention business, attracting high tech industries, and expanding housing opportunities. In 1985, he was elected president of the National League of Cities. And, in 1989, he became chairman of his newly organized â€Å"Cisneros Asset Management Company,† which was a financial management firm for tax-exempt institutions. During this time, he received two awards: the first was in 1982, when he was selected as one of the â€Å"Ten Outstanding Young Men of America.† The second was four years later in 1986, when City and State Magazine named him Outstanding Mayor. In addition to thes e two awards, he was awarded with Vista Magazine’s Hispanic Man of the Year Honor in 1991.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For three years after leaving his job as Mayor, Henry hosted â€Å"Texans,† which is a one hour television show that is produced quarterly in Texas, and â€Å"Adelante,† which is a national daily Spanish-language radio commentary.

Forward the Foundation Chapter 24

8 Like any intellectual, Hari Seldon had made use of the Galactic Library freely. For the most part, it had been done long-distance through computer, but occasionally he had visited it, more to get away from the pressures of the Psychohistory Project than for any other purpose. And, for the past couple of years, since he had first formulated his plan to find others like Wanda, he had kept a private office there, so he could have ready access to any of the Library's vast collection of data. He had even rented a small apartment in an adjacent sector under the dome so that he would be able to walk to the Library when his ever-increasing research there prevented him from returning to the Streeling Sector. Now, however, his plan had taken on new dimensions and he wanted to meet Las Zenow. It was the first time he had ever met him face-to-face. It was not easy to arrange a personal interview with the Chief Librarian of the Galactic Library. His own perception of the nature and value of his office was high and it was frequently said that when the Emperor wished to consult the Chief Librarian, even he had to visit the Library himself and wait his turn. Seldon however, had no trouble. Zenow knew him well, though he had never seen Hari Seldon in person. â€Å"An honor, First Minister,† he said in greeting. Seldon smiled. â€Å"I trust you know that I have not held that post in sixteen years.† â€Å"The honor of the title is still yours. Besides, sir, you were also instrumental in ridding us of the brutal rule of the junta. The junta, on a number of occasions, violated the sacred rule of the neutrality of the Library.† (Ah, thought Seldon that accounts for the readiness with which he saw me.) â€Å"Merely rumor,† he said aloud. â€Å"And now, tell me,† said Zenow, who could not resist a quick look at the time band on his wrist, â€Å"what can I do for you?† â€Å"Chief Librarian,† began Seldon â€Å"I have not come to ask anything easy of you. What I want is more space at the Library. I want permission to bring in a number of my associates. I want permission to undertake a long and elaborate program of the greatest importance.† Las Zenow's face drew into an expression of distress. â€Å"You ask a great deal. Can you explain the importance of all this?† â€Å"Yes. The Empire is in the process of disintegration.† There was a long pause. Then Zenow said, â€Å"I have heard of your research into psychohistory. I have been told that your new science bears the promise of predicting the future. Is it psychohistorical predictions of which you are speaking?† â€Å"No. I have not yet reached the point in psychohistory where I can speak of the future with certainty. But you don't need psychohistory to know that the Empire is disintegrating. You can see the evidence yourself.† Zenow sighed. â€Å"My work here consumes me utterly, Professor Seldon. I am a child when it comes to political and social matters.† â€Å"You may, if you wish, consult the information contained in the Library. Why look around this very office-it is chock-full of every conceivable sort of information from throughout the entire Galactic Empire.† â€Å"I'm the last to keep up with it all, I'm afraid,† Zenow said, smiling sadly. â€Å"You know the old proverb: The shoemaker's child has no shoes. It seems to me, though, that the Empire is restored. We have an Emperor again.† â€Å"In name only, Chief Librarian. In most of the outlying provinces, the Emperor's name is mentioned ritualistically now and then, but he plays no role in what they do. The Outer Worlds control their own programs and, more important, they control the local armed forces, which are outside the grip of the Emperor's authority. If the Emperor were to try to exert his authority anywhere outside the Inner Worlds, he would fail. I doubt that it will take more than twenty years, at the outside, before some of the Outer Worlds declare their independence.† Zenow sighed again. â€Å"If you are right, we live in worse times than the Empire has ever seen. But what has this to do with your desire for more office space and additional staff here in the Library?† â€Å"If the Empire falls apart, the Galactic Library may not escape the general carnage.† â€Å"Oh, but it must,† said Zenow earnestly. â€Å"There have been bad times before and it has always been understood that the Galactic Library on Trantor, as the repository of all human knowledge, must remain inviolate. And so it will be in the future.† â€Å"It may not be. You said yourself that the junta violated its neutrality.† â€Å"Not seriously.† â€Å"It might be more serious next time and we can't allow this repository of all human knowledge to be damaged.† â€Å"How will your increased presence here prevent that?† â€Å"It won't. But the project I am interested in will. I want to create a great Encyclopedia, containing within it all the knowledge humanity will need to rebuild itself in case the worst happens-an Encyclopedia Galactica, if you will. We don't need everything the Library has. Much of it is trivial. The provincial libraries scattered over the Galaxy may themselves be destroyed and, if not, all but the most local data is obtained by computerized connection with the Galactic Library in any case. What I intend, then, is something that is entirely independent and that contains, in as concise a form as possible, the essential information humanity needs.† â€Å"And if it, too, is destroyed?† â€Å"I hope it will not be. It is my intention to find a world far away on the outskirts of the Galaxy, one where I can transfer my Encyclopedists and where they can work in peace. Until such a place is found, however, I want the nucleus of the group to work here and to use the Library facilities to decide what will be needed for the project.† Zenow grimaced. â€Å"I see your point, Professor Seldon, but I'm not sure that it can be done.† â€Å"Why not, Chief Librarian?† â€Å"Because being Chief Librarian does not make me an absolute monarch. I have a rather large Board-a kind of legislature-and please don't think that I can just push your Encyclopedia Project through.† â€Å"I'm astonished.† â€Å"Don't be. I am not a popular Chief Librarian. The Board has been fighting, for some years now, for limited access to the Library. I have resisted. It galls them that I have afforded you your small office space.† â€Å"Limited access?† â€Å"Exactly. The idea is that if anyone needs information, he or she must communicate with a Librarian and the Librarian will get the information for the person. The Board does not wish people to enter the Library freely and deal with the computers themselves. They say that the expense required to keep the computers and other Library equipment in shape is becoming prohibitive.† â€Å"But that's impossible. There's a millennial tradition of an open Galactic Library.† â€Å"So there is, but in recent years, appropriations to the Library have been cut several times and we simply don't have the funds we used to have. It is becoming very difficult to keep our equipment up to the mark.† Seldon rubbed his chin. â€Å"But if your appropriations are going down, I imagine you have to cut salaries and fire people-or, at least, not hire new ones.† â€Å"You are exactly right.† â€Å"In which case, how will you manage to place new labors on a shrinking work force by asking your people to obtain all the information that the public will request?† â€Å"The idea is that we won't find all the information that the public will request but only those pieces of information that we consider important.† â€Å"So that not only will you abandon the open Library but also the complete Library?† â€Å"I'm afraid so.† â€Å"I can't believe that any Librarian would want this.† â€Å"You don't know Gennaro Mummery, Professor Seldon.† At Seldon's blank look, Zenow continued. † ‘Who is he?' you wonder. The leader of that portion of the Board that wishes to close off the Library. More and more of the Board are on his side. If I let you and your colleagues into the Library as an independent force, a number of Board members who may not be on Mummery's side but who are dead set against any control of any part of the Library except by Librarians may decide to vote with him. And in that case, I will be forced to resign as Chief Librarian.† â€Å"See here,† said Seldon with sudden energy. â€Å"All this business of possibly closing down the Library, of making it less accessible, of refusing all information-all this business of declining appropriations-all this is itself a sign of Imperial disintegration. Don't you agree?† â€Å"If you put it that way, you may be right.† â€Å"Then let me talk to the Board. Let me explain what the future may hold and what I wish to do. Perhaps I can persuade them, as I hope I've persuaded you.† Zenow thought for a moment. â€Å"I'm willing to let you try, but you must know in advance that your plan may not work.† â€Å"I've got to take that chance. Please do whatever has to be done and let me know when and where I can meet the Board.† Seldon left Zenow in a mood of unease. Everything he had told the Chief Librarian was true-and trivial. The real reason he needed the use of the Library remained hidden. Partly this was because he didn't yet see that use clearly himself. 9 Hari Seldon sat at Yugo Amaryl's bedside-patiently, sadly. Yugo was utterly spent. He was beyond medical help, even if he would have consented to avail himself of such help, which he refused. He was only fifty-five. Seldon was himself sixty-six and yet he was in fine shape, except for the twinge of sciatica-or whatever it was-that occasionally lamed him. Amaryl's eyes opened. â€Å"You're still here, Hari?† Seldon nodded. â€Å"I won't leave you.† â€Å"Till I die?† â€Å"Yes.† Then, in an outburst of grief, he said, â€Å"Why have you done this, Yugo? If you had lived sensibly, you could have had twenty to thirty more years of life.† Amaryl smiled faintly. â€Å"Live sensibly? You mean, take time off? Go to resorts? Amuse myself with trifles?† â€Å"Yes. Yes.† â€Å"And I would either have longed to return to my work or I would have learned to like wasting my time and, in the additional twenty to thirty years you speak of, I would have accomplished no more. Look at you.† â€Å"What about me?† â€Å"For ten years you were First Minister under Cleon. How much science did you do then?† â€Å"I spent about a quarter of my time on psychohistory,† said Seldon gently. â€Å"You exaggerate. If it hadn't been for me, plugging away, psychohistorical advance would have screeched to a halt.† Seldon nodded. â€Å"You are right, Yugo. For that I am grateful.† â€Å"And before and since, when you spend at least half your time on administrative duties, who does-did-the real work? Eh?† â€Å"You, Yugo.† â€Å"Absolutely.† His eyes closed again. Seldon said, â€Å"Yet you always wanted to take over those administrative duties if you survived me.† â€Å"No! I wanted to head the Project to keep it moving in the direction it had to move in, but I would have delegated all administration.† Amaryl's breathing was growing stertorous, but then he stirred and his eyes opened, staring directly at Hari. He said, â€Å"What will happen to psychohistory when I'm gone? Have you thought of that?† â€Å"Yes, I have. And I want to speak to you about it. It may please you. Yugo, I believe that psychohistory is being revolutionized.† Amaryl frowned slightly. â€Å"In what way? I don't like the sound of that.† â€Å"Listen. It was your idea. Years ago, you told me that two Foundations should be established. Separate-isolated and safe-and arranged so that they would serve as nuclei for an eventual Second Galactic Empire. Do you remember? That was your idea.† â€Å"The psychohistoric equation -â€Å" â€Å"I know. They suggested it. I'm busy working on it now, Yugo. I've managed to wangle an office in the Galactic Library-â€Å" â€Å"The Galactic Library.† Amaryl's frown deepened. â€Å"I don't like them. A bunch of self-satisfied idiots.† â€Å"The Chief Librarian, Las Zenow, is not so bad, Yugo.† â€Å"Did you ever meet a Librarian named Mummery, Gennaro Mummery?† â€Å"No, but I've heard of him.† â€Å"A miserable human being. We had an argument once when he claimed I had misplaced something or other. I had done no such thing and I grew very annoyed, Hari. All of a sudden I was back in Dahl. One thing about the Dahlite culture, Hari, it is a cesspool of invective. I used some of it on him and I told him he was interfering with psychohistory and he would go down in history as a villain. I didn't just say ‘villain,' either.† Amaryl chuckled faintly. â€Å"I left him speechless.† Suddenly Seldon could see where Mummery's animosity toward outsiders and, most probably, psychohistory must come from-at least, in part-but he said nothing. â€Å"The point is, Yugo, you wanted two Foundations, so that if one failed, the other would continue. But we've gone beyond that.† â€Å"In what way?† â€Å"Do you remember that Wanda was able to read your mind two years ago and see that something was wrong with a portion of the equations in the Prime Radiant?† â€Å"Yes, of course.† â€Å"Well, we will find others like Wanda. We will have one Foundation that will consist largely of physical scientists, who will preserve the knowledge of humanity and serve as the nucleus for the Second Empire. And there will be a Second Foundation of psychohistorians only-mentalists, mind-touching psychohistorians-who will be able to work on psychohistory in a multiminded way, advancing it far more quickly than individual thinkers ever could. They will serve as a group who will introduce fine adjustments as time goes on, you see. Ever in the background, watching. They will be the Empire's guardians.† â€Å"Wonderful!† said Amaryl weakly. â€Å"Wonderful! You see how I've chosen the right time to die? There's nothing left for me to do.† â€Å"Don't say that, Yugo.† â€Å"Don't make such a fuss over it, Hari. I'm too tired to do anything. Thank you-thank you-for telling me†-his voice was weakening-â€Å"about the revolution. It makes me-happy-happy-hap-â€Å" And those were Yugo Amaryl's last words. Seldon bent over the bed. Tears stung his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. Another old friend gone. Demerzel, Cleon, Dors, now Yugo†¦ leaving him emptier and lonelier as he grew old. And the revolution that had allowed Amaryl to die happy might never come to pass. Could he manage to make use of the Galactic Library? Could he find more people like Wanda? Most of all, how long would it take? Seldon was sixty-six. If only he could have started this revolution at thirty-two when he first came to Trantor†¦ Now it might be too late. 10 Gennaro Mummery was making him wait. It was a studied discourtesy, even insolence, but Hari Seldon remained calm. After all, Seldon needed Mummery badly and for him to become angry with the Librarian would only hurt himself. Mummery would, in fact, be delighted with an angry Seldon. So Seldon kept his temper and waited and eventually Mummery did walk in. Seldon had seen him before-but only at a distance. This was the first time they would be together alone. Mummery was short and plump, with a round face and a dark little beard. He wore a smile on his face, but Seldon suspected that smile of being a meaningless fixture. It revealed yellowish teeth and Mummery's inevitable hat was of a similar shade of yellow with a brown line snaking around it. Seldon felt a touch of nausea. It seemed to him that he would dislike Mummery, even if he had no reason to do so. Mummery said, without any preliminaries, â€Å"Well, Professor, what can I do for you?† He looked at the time-strip on the wall but made no apology for being late. Seldon said, â€Å"I would like to ask you, sir, to put an end to your opposition to my remaining here at the Library.† Mummery spread his hands. â€Å"You've been here for two years. What opposition are you speaking of?† â€Å"So far, that portion of the Board represented by you and those who believe as you do have been unable to outvote the Chief Librarian, but there will be another meeting next month and Las Zenow tells me he is uncertain of the result.† Mummery shrugged. â€Å"So am I uncertain. Your lease-if we can call it that-may well be renewed.† â€Å"But I need more than that, Librarian Mummery. I wish to bring in some colleagues. The project in which I am engaged-the establishment of what is needed in the way of the eventual preparation of a very special Encyclopedia-is not one I can do alone.† â€Å"Surely your colleagues can work wherever they please. Trantor is a large world.† â€Å"We must work in the Library. I am an old man, sir, and I am in a hurry.† â€Å"Who can stay the advance of time? I don't think the Board will allow you to bring in colleagues. The thin edge of the wedge, Professor?† (Yes, indeed, thought Seldon, but he said nothing.) Mummery said, â€Å"I have not been able to keep you out, Professor. Not so far. But I think I can continue to keep out your colleagues.† Seldon realized that he was getting nowhere. He opened the touch of frankness a notch. He said, â€Å"Librarian Mummery, surely your animosity toward me is not personal. Surely you understand the importance of the work I am doing.† â€Å"You mean, your psychohistory. Come, you have been working on it for over thirty years. What has come of it?† â€Å"That's the point. Something may come of it now.† â€Å"Then let something come of it at Streeling University. Why must it be at the Galactic Library?† â€Å"Librarian Mummery. Listen to me. What you want is to close the Library to the public. You wish to smash a long tradition. Have you the heart to do that?† â€Å"It's not heart we need. It's funding. Surely the Chief Librarian has wept on your shoulder in telling you our woes. Appropriations are down, salaries are cut, needed maintenance is absent. What are we to do? We've got to cut services and we certainly can't afford to support you and your colleagues with offices and equipment.† â€Å"Has this situation been put to the Emperor?† â€Å"Come, Professor, you're dreaming. Isn't it true that your psychohistory tells you that the Empire is deteriorating? I've heard you referred to as Raven Seldon, something that, I believe, refers to a fabled bird of ill omen.† â€Å"It's true that we are entering bad times.† â€Å"And do you believe the Library is immune to those bad times? Professor, the Library is my life and I want it to continue, but it won't continue unless we can find ways of making our dwindling appropriations do. And you come here expecting an open Library, with yourself as beneficiary. It won't do, Professor. It just won't do.† Seldon said desperately, â€Å"What if I find the credits for you?† â€Å"Indeed. How?† â€Å"What if I talk to the Emperor? I was once First Minister. He'll see me and he'll listen to me.† â€Å"And you'll get funding from him?† Mummery laughed. â€Å"If I do, if I increase your appropriations, may I bring in my colleagues?† â€Å"Bring in the credits first,† said Mummery, â€Å"and we'll see. But I don't think you will succeed.† He seemed very sure of himself and Seldon wondered how often and how uselessly the Galactic Library had already appealed to the Emperor. And whether his own appeal would get anywhere at all. 11 The Emperor Agis XIV had no real right to the name. He had adopted it upon succeeding to the throne with the deliberate purpose of connecting himself with the Agises who had ruled two thousand years ago, most of them quite ably-particularly Agis VI, who had ruled for forty-two years and who had kept order in a prosperous Empire with a firm but nontyrannical hand. Agis XIV did not look like any of the old Agises-if the holographic records had any value. But, then again, truth be told, Agis XIV did not look much like the official holograph that was distributed to the public. As a matter of fact, Hari Seldon thought, with a twinge of nostalgia, that Emperor Cleon, for all his flaws and weaknesses, had certainly looked Imperial. Agis XIV did not. Seldon had never seen him at close quarters and the few holographs he had seen were outrageously inaccurate. The Imperial holographer knew his job and did it well, thought Seldon wryly. Agis XIV was short, with an unattractive face and slightly bulging eyes that did not seem alight with intelligence. His only qualification for the throne was that he was a collateral relative of Cleon. To do him credit, however, he did not try to play the role of the mighty Emperor. It was understood that he rather liked to be called the â€Å"Citizen Emperor† and that only Imperial protocol and the outraged outcry of the Imperial Guard prevented him from exiting the dome and wandering the walkways of Trantor. Apparently, the story went, he wished to shake hands with the citizens and hear their complaints in person. (Score one for him, thought Seldon, even if it could never come to pass.) With a murmur and a bow, Seldon said, â€Å"I thank you, Sire, for consenting to see me.† Agis XIV had a clear and rather attractive voice, quite out of keeping with his appearance. He said, â€Å"An ex-First Minister must surely have his privileges, although I must give myself credit for amazing courage in agreeing to see you.† There was humor in his words and Seldon found himself suddenly realizing that a man might not look intelligent and yet might be intelligent just the same. â€Å"Courage, Sire?† â€Å"Why, of course. Don't they call you Raven Seldon?† â€Å"I heard the expression, Sire, the other day for the first time.† â€Å"Apparently the reference is to your psychohistory, which seems to predict the Fall of the Empire.† â€Å"It points out the possibility only, Sire-â€Å" â€Å"So that you are coupled with a mythic bird of ill omen. Except that I think you yourself are the bird of ill omen.† â€Å"I hope not, Sire.† â€Å"Come, come. The record is clear. Eto Demerzel, Cleon's old First Minister, was impressed with your work and look what happened-he was forced out of his position and into exile. The Emperor Cleon himself was impressed with your work and look what happened-he was assassinated. The military junta was impressed with your work and look what happened-they were swept away. Even the Joranumites, it is said, were impressed with your work and, behold, they were destroyed. And now, O Raven Seldon, you come to see me. What may I expect?† â€Å"Why, nothing evil, Sire.† â€Å"I imagine not, because unlike all these others I have mentioned, I am not impressed with your work. Now tell me why you are here.† He listened carefully and without interruption while Seldon explained the importance of setting up a Project designed to prepare an encyclopedia that would preserve human learning if the worst happened. â€Å"Yes yes,† said Agis XIV finally, â€Å"so you are, indeed, convinced the Empire will fall.† â€Å"It is a strong possibility, Sire, and it would not be prudent to refuse to take that possibility into account. In a way, I wish to prevent it if I can-or ameliorate the effects if I can't.† â€Å"Raven Seldon if you continue to poke your nose into matters, I am convinced that the Empire will fall and that nothing can help it.† â€Å"Not so, Sire. I ask only permission to work.† â€Å"Oh, you have that, but I fail to see what it is you wish of me. Why have you told me all this about an encyclopedia?† â€Å"Because I wish to work in the Galactic Library, Sire, or, more accurately, I wish others to work there with me.† â€Å"I assure you that I won't stand in your way.† â€Å"That is not enough, Sire. I want you to help.† â€Å"In what way, ex-First Minister?† â€Å"With funding. The Library must have appropriations or it will close its doors to the public and evict me.† â€Å"Credits!'† A note of astonishment came into the Emperor's voice. â€Å"You came to me for credits?† â€Å"Yes, Sire.† Agis XIV stood up in some agitation. Seldon stood up at once also, but Agis waved him down. â€Å"Sit down. Don't treat me as an Emperor. I'm not an Emperor. I didn't want this job, but they made me take it. I was the nearest thing to the Imperial family and they jabbered at me that the Empire needed an Emperor. So they have me and a lot of good I am to them. â€Å"Credits! You expect me to have credits! You talk about the Empire disintegrating. How do you suppose it disintegrates? Are you thinking of rebellion? Of civil war? Of disorders here and there? â€Å"No. Think of credits. Do you realize that I cannot collect any taxes at all from half the provinces in the Empire? They're still part of the Empire-‘Hail the Imperium!'-‘All honor to the Emperor'-but they don't pay anything and I don't have the necessary force to collect it. And if I can't get the credits out of them, they are not really part of the Empire, are they? â€Å"Credits! The Empire runs a chronic deficit of appalling proportions. There's nothing I can pay for. Do you think there is enough funding to maintain the Imperial Palace grounds? Just barely. I must cut corners. I must let the Palace decay. I must let the number of retainers die down by attrition. â€Å"Professor Seldon. If you want credits, I have nothing. Where will I find appropriations for the Library? They should be grateful I manage to squeeze out something for them each year at all.† As he finished, the Emperor held out his hands, palms up, as if to signify the emptiness of the Imperial coffers. Hari Seldon was stunned. He said, â€Å"Nevertheless, Sire, even if you lack the credits, you still have the Imperial prestige. Can you not order the Library to allow me to keep my office and let my colleagues in to help me with our vital work?† And now Agis XIV sat down again as though, once the subject was not credits, he was no longer in a state of agitation. He said, â€Å"You realize that, by long tradition, the Galactic Library is independent of the Imperium, as far as its self-government is concerned. It sets up its rules and has done so since Agis VI, my namesake†-he smiled-â€Å"attempted to control the news functions of the Library. He failed and, if the great Agis VI failed, do you think I can succeed?† â€Å"I'm not asking you to use force, Sire. Merely expressing a polite wish. Surely, when no vital function of the Library is involved, they will be pleased to honor the Emperor and oblige his wishes.† â€Å"Professor Seldon, how little you know of the Library. I have but to express a wish, however gently and tentatively, to make it certain that they will proceed, in dudgeon, to do the opposite. They are very sensitive to the slightest sign of Imperial control.† Seldon said, â€Å"Then what do I do?† â€Å"Why, I'll tell you what. A thought occurs to me. I am a member of the public and I can visit the Galactic Library if I wish. It is located on the Palace grounds, so I won't be violating protocol if I visit it. Well, you come with me and we shall be ostentatiously friendly. I will not ask them for anything, but if they note us walking arm-in-arm, then perhaps some of the precious Board of theirs may feel more kindly toward you than otherwise. But that's all I can do.† And the deeply disappointed Seldon wondered if that could possibly be enough.