Wednesday, August 26, 2020

ANOTHER GREAT CUSTOM ESSAY FOR YOU

ANOTHER GREAT CUSTOM ESSAY FOR YOU Flawless Essay.com is a custom paper composing organization that is prepared to give you the best custom exposition composing today. We put forth a valiant effort for our customers to get one of a kind and unrivaled papers the entire year around. Regardless of whether it is a custom article, research paper, research task or thesis, we are prepared to achieve it most ideal way that could be available. All our group of serious scholars are prepared to compose points on every single existing subject that are being instructed in schools and colleges. Beside having a persevering group of experts, Perfect Essay.net has likewise unrivaled and courteous client assistance division that is accessible to address the entirety of your inquiries 27/4.â All custom exposition papers that we compose experience 100% copyright infringement check with the assistance of all driving counterfeiting checking programming. Our experts are prepared to deal with your examination paper venture, english article, or theory articulation. They are prepared to assist you with your bustling everyday timetable and do all the difficult work for you. We convey all the papers by the cutoff time. That is the reason Perfect Essay.net can ensure that you will get your paper when you have set in your request structure. We as an organization that gives unmatched paper composing administration, are endeavoring to underline our company’s unique world class status each and every day. So far as that is concerned, we compose all the papers with flexible peculiarity that looks for uniqueness in each paper we produce. We are intently attached to genuine realities, and we use data that is exact and point by point. In the event that you are in a need of increasingly innovative methodology, we dole out our best authors that have ability for verse and writing. There are a few choices for your custom article theme. Theme can be doled out or you need to settle on the decision of your own subject. All things considered, we have arranged a progression of inquiries that will assist you with concocting your preferred best subject.  â â â â â Think whether your exposition must be a general outline?  â â â â â Perhaps your custom paper ought to contain a unique or explicit investigation of the specific point? On the off chance that your custom article is a general review, at that point essentially move to the following stage of paper composing. In the event that, you have to give explicit examination make a point to limit your subject however much as could reasonably be expected. After you have picked a smaller subtopic then focus on giving legitimate discussion.â Example will be  â â â â â Canada is a general theme. Your goal is to compose a general diagram. For this situation, you can expound on anything reasonable for you.  on the off chance that your need to limit the â€Å"Canada† theme then you can focus on points like â€Å"Canadas Culture† or â€Å"Canadas Politics†. As you request your article from us, you will get an altogether explored point. We have every single master essayist that are proficient in wide extent of numerous scholarly fields. We ensure that our essayists will do the best occupation for you. All the underlying requirements will be followed. You will get precisely what you need and when you required. Trust us your theme will answer to the composing administrations we offer.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Industrialization And Environmental Challenge In China Environmental Sciences Essay

Industrialization And Environmental Challenge In China Environmental Sciences Essay China has encountered the universes quickest financial improvement over the previous decades. Simultaneously, it has confronted ecological debasement, and developing hindrances against advancement. Chinas most gainful city Shanghai has played an especially significant job in Chinas financial and political turn of events. Be that as it may, the city couldn't maintain a strategic distance from showdown with natural difficulties, particularly water contamination. The fast financial development and industrialisation have created high weight on the citys condition. Despite the fact that Shanghai is a beach front financial city with plenteous water sources from different streams, for example, Yangtze River and Changjiang River, the city has experienced contaminated water and water lack. The main explanation is water contamination. As indicated by Shanghai Water Authority (Shanghai Municipal Oceanic Bureau, SWA), dominant part of surface water in the city has been dirtied and the water quality doesn't meet the drinking water quality standardsâ [1]â . Additionally, just 2.3 percent of the Huangpu River, Shanghais principle water supplies, met the evaluation 1-2 of water quality and 23.0 percent achieved grade 3. The rest 73.8 percent was evaluated as evaluation 4-5 (China Water Risk Report 2010). Second, Shanghais water framework gives 56.1% of the absolute water flexibly to its industry segment, which incorporates power plants and coal-terminated production lines, 14.3% to agribusiness, and 10.1% to 23 million inhabitants of its more prominent region (UNEP, 2010)â [2]â . This exploration contends that the Shanghai government has made upgrades to take care of the water contamination issue, however these havent been adequate to determine the tireless water contamination in the city. The Shanghai authority demands that it knows about the disintegration of nature, and it has advanced increasingly adjusted examples of improvement utilizing ideas, for example, amicable society and logical turn of events. For example, the civil government propelled $586 billion monetary boost bundle in late 2008, and it put significantly in condition preservation ventures, particularly, water contamination ventures. Additionally the administration actualized the Plan of Underground Water Pollution Prevention and Control(2010-2011) which cost about %5.4 billion(IBIS, 2012)â [3]â . In any case, some exploration directed by researchers, for example, Thomas Johnson (2009) and the Chinese Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (2006) raised suspicion on the Shangha i governments ecological administration since there hasnt been a recognizable improvement. Likewise some experimental information show that the emanations of significant water toxins from the mechanical part is as yet thought to be not kidding, and the measure of wastewater released from the modern and family unit divisions keeps on expanding. In the first place, this examination accept that the Shanghai governments administration has been encountering troubles in controlling water contamination in view of the feeble legitimate instrument in limiting toxins discharge. In respect with water assurance, the administration has a few lawful estimates, for example, Environmental effect evaluation system(EIA), The Three Simultaneity System, Pollution demand framework, Pollution release detailing framework, Emission grant framework, Total emanation control framework, Enforcement of contamination reduction for rebelliousness, and Enforcement of closing down, consolidating and moving system(Xin, 2009). Regardless, the law requirement and punishment burden have not been viable practically speaking, which caused the disappointment in limiting contaminations discharge. For instance, the measure of three significant contamination discharges SO2, COD and sediment has not been effectively diminished. In SO2s case, the measure of mechanica l discharge even expanded during 1990-2006 (Wen, 2007)â [4]â . Research Question 1. Does the Shanghai government have adequate lawful measures in confining water toxin outflow? 2. If not, what are the reasons for the issue? Second, the Shanghai government doesn't appear to be completely persuaded to actualize water insurance strategies. Since the state governments significant concern is monetary development under the GDP-Â based developmentâ system, the city governments, including Shanghai, definitely have been financial development arranged influenced by the state governments system. As demonstrated above, the greater part of the water supplies in Shanghai have been assigned in the business division. Additionally, the earth branch of the legislature has experienced making sure about adequate specialized HR in light of its spending limit, which implies the administration has put its high need to the industrialization and financial development. Research Question 1. Has the water contamination issue been high on the Shanghai governments needs? Third, this exploration presumes that the availability the exact data and information and the dormant open investment have reduced the Shanghai governments adequacy in executing the natural administration. Albeit precise data and its availability and dynamic open support could play a significant job in the legislatures ecological administration, the pace of open investment is somewhat low and the openness of the exact data is as yet restricted in examination with other created nations. The general population ought to have the option to get to the precise data and information, and be associated with the observing and assessment framework. For instance, NGOs could sub for the costly specialized HR. Research Question 1. Does the Shanghai government have the simple openness for the general population to exact ecological data and information? The Shanghai governments administration with respect to water contamination issues has not been adequate. Since the legislature is driven by the financial development arranged system of the middle government, the law implementation in limiting water poison emanations have been insufficient in spite of a few lawful measures. Likewise general society doesn't have simple availability of the precise data and information. These three elements have not effectively improved the water quality in Shanghai, which will cause a genuine water lack. The water lack will have repercussion for the entire nation. It will legitimately influence the residents prosperity and obstruct China from reasonable turn of events.

Friday, August 14, 2020

wayfaring

wayfaring Earlier today I realized I havent blogged since my hack documentation more than a month ago. There are a bunch of long, thoughtful, well-considered posts Ive been meaning to write, but,  like Phoebe, Im a bit hosed right now, and I dont have the time or headspace to write them. But, like I tell our bloggers, not every blog post needs to aspire to being among the best of the blogs. As they used to tell us in grad school, done is better than good. So here are some things Ive been up to over the last few weeks. Its taking sort of list form because Im a big fan of lists as practical and theoretical devices. Perhaps you did not know that lists are theoretical devices! As Ian Bogost writes in Alien Phenomenology, Faced with such a situation, the first reaction we might have is that of the registrar, taking note of the many forms of being. Let’s adopt ontography as a name for a general inscriptive strategy, one that uncovers the repleteness of units and their interobjectivity. From the perspective of metaphysics, ontography involves the revelation of object relationships without necessarily offering clarification or description of any kind. Like a medieval bestiary, ontography can take the form of a compendium, a record of things juxtaposed to demonstrate their overlap and imply interaction through collocation. The simplest approach to such recording is the list, a group of items loosely joined not by logic or power or use but by the gentle knot of the comma. Ontography is an aesthetic set theory, in which a particular configuration is celebrated merely on the basis of its existence or, more directly, list[s] [disrupt] being, spilling a heap of unwelcome and incoherent crap at the foot of the reader. In doing so, a tiny part of the expanding universe is revealed through cataloging Right: to the (partial, incomplete, revelatory) catalog of things Ive been doing recently: Training The last few weeks have been largely consumed with staff training, which we do every year to introduce new staff (and refresh returning staff) to the professional work were about to begin. My primary role in this process is to teach our staff about the landscape of academic enrichment opportunities and summer programs to which we especially attend, as well as the Maker Portfolio, since these are my special area of focus. All of this is to prepare for reading and selection, which has already begun for  QuestBridge  and which will soon begin for Early Action. So the next few weeks Im going to be pretty buried (mostly figuratively, possibly literally) in applications. Teaching This fall Im teaching  CMS.614: Network Cultures, which is a slightly different (but substantively similar) version of  prior classes Ive taught  in CMS/W. Heres the course description: This course focuses on the social and cultural aspects of networked life through internet-related technologies (including computers, mobile devices, entertainment technologies, and emerging media forms). Theories and readings focus on the cultural, social, economic, and political aspects of internet use and design. Students taking the graduate version complete additional readings and assignments. In this course you will do a great deal of reading, writing, and class discussion, perhaps more than you have done in most of your other courses at MIT. One challenge of the courses, and the structure of the deliverables, that you will practice mapping patterns between complex ideas, both within any given class and throughout the course of the term. Your writing may often be not only expository or analytical but also exploratory: you will begin to make sense of ideas through the process of trying to write them down. The same goes for the more conventionally technical work done in the class which force you to grapple with the specifics of particular media forms. The general thesis of the class can be stated as follows: there is often a tendency to see technical systems as purely technical, designed and built by technical people for technical reasons. But technical systems are always in fact sociotechnical systems, i.e. mixed up with cultural, legal, economic, and political forces that shape the technical, even as the technical shapes them. The internet, in particular, is an artifact shaped not only by technical standards, but by the aspirations of its architects, and by the local and global communities that have adopted and reshaped it. In doing so, we will come to understand the Internet as a social artifact, the technical residue of human politics: a built thing that, like all built things, could have had alternative pasts, and still may have alternative futures. I hope to blog more about this class and some student projects from later on in the fall. But, in the interim, if you want to learn more about what an Internet Studies class at MIT might be like, you can check out the syllabus. Incidentally, last night my friend (and fellow CMS alum) Nick Seaver guest-taught a unit on algorithmic cartographies, for which he assigned this book chapter on the social/cultural aspects of lines. While reading it, I came across and highlighted the following excerpt, which really resonated with the way we talk about (and do) our work here in admissions: Exercising Ive blogged before about how training for / running the Boston Marathon played an important role in helping me study at / work at / make sense of MIT. Fitness remains a pretty big part of my life: (almost) daily exercise is a core component of how I maintain and improve my physical, mental, and emotional health. Back on Oct 1, I PRd a half-marathon up in New Hampshire, but my knees and hips are pretty beaten up from three years of an activity Im not biomechanically built for, so Im taking a bit of a break and devoting more time to yoga and powerlifting, which are my two favorite forms of training. Yoga and powerlifting are kind of weirdly isomorphic: yoga helps me with mobility and flexibility, and sometimes lets me experience an  Alan-Watts style sense of broader continuity with the universe, while powerlifting builds strength through a focused intensity that kind of re-individuates me as something in contest with an opposiitional force (e.g. the weight on the rack). They work synergistically for precisely that reason, though, and precisely because, like endurance running, they offer ways to negotiate progress without being solely achievement-focused. As Alyssa Keiko wrote for the Toast, in an essay Ive seen go around the lifting community at MIT: I do love lifting. I love it with a strength and dedication I didn’t know I was capable of. I love how much of what I learn in training is applicable to real life. The only deadlift advice I can ever remember is “it is always hard.” You add weight slowly, but progress in some way every session. Eventually you plateau and you need to do something different, more in line with your goals. This is growth. This is progress. This is not failureIt never gets easier, you just get stronger. There are other things Ive been working on too, of course, including lots of communications projects, most of which I cant tell you about yet but which youll see for yourselves soon enough. In the meantime, here are some pretty pictures Ive been taking of/around MIT recently: I have to go read more applicationsbut more to come soon!

Sunday, May 24, 2020

What are some of the key ideas and messages presented in...

What are some of the key ideas and messages presented in the novel, Fahrenheit 451? Explain your answer with examples and quotations. What are some of the key messages and ideas presented in the novella, Fahrenheit 451? Explain your answer with detailed examples and quotations. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian, science fiction novel, which is written through the perspective of Bradbury’s protagonist, Guy Montag. Fahrenheit 451 was initially published in 1953; however it is set in the twenty fourth century in a conformist society, where literature is illegal. Throughout Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury conveys some very important messages and ideas. Among these are; censorship, the influence of technology, individual†¦show more content†¦The first factor is the ever increasing popularity of entertainment and mass media. Bradbury believed that the existence of technology gradually would make books obsolete. Beatty explains this to Montag, â€Å"Speed up the film, Montag quick†¦Digests-digests-digests. Politics! One column, two sentences, a headline.(p.55)† The second factor is implied in Fahrenheit 451 as being the most important factor that led to book banning, which is â€Å"minorities† and special interest group’s objections to the content of the books. Beatty also explains this to Montag, â€Å"Don’t step on the toes of the dog lovers, the cat lovers, doctors, lawyers, merchants, chiefs, Mormons, Baptists, Unitarians, second-generation Chinese, Swedes, Italians, Germans, Texans, Brooklynites, Irishmen, people from Oregon or Mexico.(p.57)† Bradbury positions his readers, through the role that censorship plays in Fahrenheit 451, to see what can happen if a government is allowed to take total control. Through his extremist point of view, Bradbury conveys a message to the readers, explaining the consequences of censorship. For example, the government in Fahrenheit 451 has taken control and demanded that books be given the harshest measure of censorship; by methodical destruction through burning. According to Montag, the firemen’s official slogan is, â€Å"Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Fauckner. (p.8)† The radical humor of this quotationShow MoreRelatedThe Complexities of Morality and Perception in Tom Jones by Henry Fielding954 Words   |  4 Pagesthe mark. Perhaps more severely villainized for its form (the then new and lowly novel) in conjunction with its content, Tom Jones, is upon close inspection, a tale that does in fact include a certain kind of moralism. In Book III, Chapter VII, Fielding includes a kind of direct statement about the complexities of virtue and goodness. His ideas on the subject are quite realistically multi faceted, and presented as such, with his method of delivery supporting his opinion. Chapter VII of BookRead MoreBriar Rose Essay1325 Words   |  6 Pageslanguage and other techniques. The novel Briar Rose by Jane Yolen is a heart wrenching story of sleeping beauty intertwined with the horrors of the Jewish Holocaust. The structure of the novel is altered in a way to interweave three stories including Gemmas Briar Rose fairy tale, Beccas quest and Josefs story. The use of language techniques explores the idea of the characters as it gives an understanding of their circumstances and the situations they experience. Some of the techniques Yolen uses toRead MoreAdversity In To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis701 Words   |  3 PagesIn the Coming of Age novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the idea presented that adversity plays a vital role in shaping an identity. The Essay will be talking about three characters that are affected by adversity, how you know what affected them and what is their character shape? priding it does not cause you to trust anyone in the novel because the y might not be what they seem. In To Kill A Mockingbird there is one character that never really changes in the novel is Atticus. Atticus isRead MoreNo Such Thing as a Hero in the Novel, Heroes by Robert Cormier1485 Words   |  6 Pages‘No one in the novel can actually be seen as a hero.’ To what extent do you agree? In the novel ‘Heroes’ it is shown that there is no such thing as a real hero, because everyone has a weakness, Cormier uses Larry LaSalle, Francis Cassavannt and the veterans as a way to convey this message. The protagonist Francis is portrayed as having both heroic and cowardly personality; this forces the reader to consider what makes a real hero. To some people a hero might be someone with great strength or abilityRead MoreEssay about Romanticism in Frankenstein1010 Words   |  5 PagesPercy B. Shelley and Lord Byron, it is natural that her works would reflect the Romantic trends. Many label Shelley ¡Ã‚ ¯s most famous novel Frankenstein as the first Science Fiction novel in history because its plot contains the process of a scientist named Victor Frankenstein creating a living human being from dead body parts, but that is only a part of the entire novel. At its core, Frankenstein is a product of Romanticism featuring the traits of a Romantic hero on a Romantic q uest, the embracementRead MoreHolden Caulfield and the Pressures of Society: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger1286 Words   |  6 Pages molded by their authors, have been the key source of knowledge. Regardless of the subject, most works of literature often have a message or theme for the reader. Not only do authors use themes, but also well developed characters to bring a novel to life. In the bildungsroman, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, characterization is often found, especially regarding the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Salinger also includes many themes in his novel relating to growing up in a corrupt societyRead MoreThe Perks Of Being A Wallflower1390 Words   |  6 Pages includes the topic of adolescent development, the book forces itself to thrive in conflict, and the idea of loving submission is present throughout the story as the discussion of modern issues becomes apparent. As expressed In the Perks of Being a Wallflower, â€Å"I am very inter ested and fascinated how everyone loves each other, but no one really likes each other†(Chbosky.) NEW:One of the key concepts is the role of social interaction in the development of adolescents. Charlie, the main characterRead MoreThe Discipline Of Academic Writing944 Words   |  4 Pagesalso enhance the way audiences receive my ideas. Through the critique of the work of authors, followed by my own, I gained a valuable tool that will not only help me in English 1310, but also for the rest of my life. Some of the things that I had learned were the ability to persuade through the use of rhetoric, I learned the importance of syntax and various mistakes that are often made and have a tendency to be ignored by beginning writers. I learned that some of these mistakes can be detrimental toRead MoreHeroes, Heroism Exam Question1347 Words   |  6 Pageshighlights heroism as a key theme to the novel, because it is planted into the reader’s sub-conscious mind, so they identify heroism in everything they read, even if that is not the concept Cormier’s intended to presen t. Acting as an umbrella term, â€Å"heroes† represents the many values associated with heroism, repeated throughout the novel. Some may see it as an overbearing, forced title that Cormier uses to make heroism into the main focus, because he failed to do so in the novel. However, I believe thatRead MoreBusiness Guide Or Safe Methods Of Business1573 Words   |  7 Pagessociety by which they are derived. These works also demonstrate what ideals were most highly valued by a society. The ‘self-help’ guide titled The Business Guide; or Safe Methods of Business by J.E. Hansford, published in 1892, is a definite example of this rule. The book contains several short articles and listicles which give advice for how successful business should be performed as well as promoting what it meant, per Hansford, what it meant to be a good businessman. The book lists various attitudes

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Wild Water Gets Soaked - 890 Words

Wild Water Gets Soaked I believe that the macroenvironmental elements that affect the Salernos are laws and regulations and the economy. The Salernos have to abide by laws and regulations as any business in the United States. They are affected by the economy because their business is only open several months out of the year. In this time frame they have to put in extra work in order to make sufficient income in the limited amount of months that they are open. Their limited income has stopped them from upgrading the park, which is needed to stay relevant. The element of the competitive environment that the Salernos face now is customers. As with all businesses the customers are the driving force. The Salernos have a good customer base†¦show more content†¦Having more residents can be of a great advantage if they make the right moves. With an adhocracy culture they will be setting themselves up for being creative and ready when the next big change hits them. I believe that Wild Water’s should get some form of a loan or credit in order to re-invent their amusement park. They should do some research on what other up-and-coming amusement parks are doing. They should find a way to incorporate the things people look forward to in amusement parks and what they have seen loyal customers gravitate towards the most. In getting a business consultant instead of meetings with employees they can gain perspective from a professional outside source. I believe that they should make their park bigger if at all possible. This will allow them to keep the integrity of the old amusement park with additives that new residents appreciate as well. They will have to add a better restaurant and things for a person with a higher quality of taste. I believe that the business consultant will help them through the stages of decision making to come up with some solid solutions. I believe that the Salernos can still keep their loyal customers happy by keeping the integrity of the old park. By keeping some of the greatest attractions of the park loyal customers will feel like things haven’t changed completely. They can also do some kind of special pricing for loyalShow MoreRelatedWild Water Gets Soaked Essay758 Words   |  4 Pagesscreen (go here to download one) and describe the challenge Ms. Nooyi has ahead of her. As of October, 2007, she seems to be moving the company in the right direction - PepsiCo stock is up over 10% under her leadership. ( CONCLUDING CASE - WILD WATER GETS SOAKED Case Summary: This case reveals how important it is to organizations of all sizes to be prepared and ready to implement changes in business scope and even product mix in order to combat the effects ofRead MoreWild Water Gets Soaked Essay example694 Words   |  3 Pageseducated guess is that this precise fact initialized a development of condominiums. So, now, Salernos will have to come up with something to be able to sustain and to progress. In the next few years, Wild Water will be experiencing an intense constraction sight. This is when the owner of the Wild Water should take some action. (answer to the question 3) The competitive environment for the Solernos is not promising a lot. The family should invest a sufficient amount of money to stay on float. The factRead MoreMiss Havisham and Magwitch from Great Expectations Essay1035 Words   |  5 Pagespassion for the Kent marshes and docks. In a physical sense, the convict seems to mirror the marshes in many ways, â€Å"A fearful man, all in coarse grey†¦ A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The colours of Magwitch’s reflect the bleakness of the surroundings, and the way he has been â€Å"soaked in water† and â€Å"smothered in mud† emphasise how he appears to erupt violently from the marsh and be part of it. Both Magwitch and the marshes seem to terrify Pip, â€Å"I was dreadfully frightenedRead More Silk - The Queen of Fibers Essay example1617 Words   |  7 Pagesdone to his trees. When Xilingshi went out to examine the trees, she found white worms eating the leaves of the mulberry leaves and spinning shiny cocoons. She then accidentally dropped one of the cocoons into some hot water. And when she started playing with the cocoon in the water, long white strings disentangled themselves from the cocoon. It is said that this was how silk was discovered. Xilingshi then went to Emperor Huangdi to ask him to give her a grove of mulberry trees, in order for herRead MoreThe Conspiracies Associated With The Reason Why The Usa Joined The Vietnam War1538 Words   |  7 Pagesclots and the water gun and how the smell had soaked into my skin and how I couldn’t wash it away† (51). O’Brien’s loss of self-control when telling Elroy what he worked as shows O’Brien’s true self. By displaying himself as an innocent kid, O’Brien is able to bring up the random description of the blood clots and water gun. The blood clot symbolizes O’Brien’s contemplation of fleeing the Vietnam War, and the water gun symbolizes his obligation to serve society. The water gun is used to get rid of theRead MoreEndangered Tigers Essay1058 Words   |  5 PagesEndangered Tigers Today wild tigers exist in Eastern Russia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, North Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhutan, India and Nepal. In order to live in the wild, tigers need water to drink, animals to hunt, and vegetation in which to hide. As the mountains, jungles, forests, and long grasses that have long been home to tigers disappear, so too, do tigers. Agricultural expansion, timber cutting, new roads, human settlement, industrial expansion and hydroelectric dams pushRead MoreDescription of Beer in History of the Worlds in Six Glasses by Tom Standage765 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to Standage the discovery of beer was around 10,000 BCE, it was made from grain that grew in the region called Fertile that could be stored and made wet or soaked to turn into beer (p 15). Beer was shared with several people and goes on to become a social drink. Standage goes on to explain about another beverage made with wild grapes vines produced between 9000 and 4000 BCE in northern Iran (p 47). Wine became a symbol of social differentiation and a form of conspicuous consumption. In thisRead MoreMaking Yeast Doughs1805 Words   |  7 PagesThere are four basic ingredients used in making yeast doughs – flour, water, yeast and salt. Lean doughs contain these four, with or without addition of little sugar or fat. So how come there are so many kinds of different breads: crunchy baguette, chewy bagel, soft rolls†¦? Proper manipulation of these same ingredients can result with large variety of breads. If you add some more fat, sugar and eggs to this mixture, you will make enriched yeast dough. Making Yeast Doughs There are nine basicRead More7 Ocean Essay812 Words   |  4 Pagesreels in 7 Oceans, but in this instance set it under the sea. Retro in its major aspects, the reels are vintage and the screen holding the game depicts starfish, miscellaneous tropical fish, clown fish, and beautiful coral finding itself in deep blue waters. With a simulated 3D set of 3 reels utilising glared lighting, the effect is not very remarkable, so video slots of today need not worry about competition when it comes to the UI from 7 Oceans. Symbol wise, there is a lot that will look familiar hereRead MoreI Have More Than A Day1307 Words   |  6 Pagesyou feel hotter because you’re pregnant.† Joan understood the discomfort of strolling along in the heat during an advanced state of pregnancy all too well. Carina was due to deliver within a week or so, and Joan wagered her friend would be happy to get it all over with, just as Joan had been. They arrived at the market and headed straight for the herb and oil tent, which offered shade from the relentless sun. Carina paused and sniffed a bottle. â€Å"Oh, field balm. Nice and minty. I might†¦ Ooo!† She

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Jack Daniels Free Essays

Jack Daniel’s Case Analysis I. Identify Symptoms 1. Jack daniel traditionally gave the slop for free for decades, then established a price of $2 per thousand gallons, and then raised to $4. We will write a custom essay sample on Jack Daniels or any similar topic only for you Order Now Because of the low prices and availability of the feed, farmers began to expand their business. Water was being polluted by the excess amount of cattle being raised. 2. Jack Daniel informed farmers it would stop delivery until proper environmental improvements are made. However, there was no formal written contract stating Jack Daniel will continue delivering the slop. . A low demand of whisky occurred, because consumers turned to lighter beverages. This resulted in Jack Daniel’s â€Å"dry house† method which disposes of thick slop.4. Layoffs were made in Jack Daniel. 5. Angry employees may form a union 6. Farmers were angry, having no slop to feed their cattle. 7. The farmers moved the feedlots and improved the environmental conditions. Farmers state that Jack Daniel promised them slop if they fixed the water pollution problem. 8. Jack Daniel denies making such promise. II. Root Cause . There is no written contract between the farmers and Jack Daniel stating the terms and commitments they have for each other, such as, Jack Daniel providing the thick slop for the farmers for affordable prices, and the farmers preserving the environment. III. Stating the issue 1. What actions should be implemented in order to meet each side’s needs, while keeping both Jack Daniel and the farmers’ businesses afloat? IV. Alternatives 1. Jack Daniel could return to selling its traditional whiskey with thick slop. In doing so, it could raise the price of thick slop to the farmers to cover the expenses it takes to make it. Positive: The farmers can feed the cattle. Negative: a. The feed will not be at a bargain price which will lead to farmers looking for alternatives. This result to more tension between the farmers and Jack Daniel. b. Jack Daniel will only be wasting its time and money in making the whiskey because demand for it has dropped. . The farmers should find an alternative feed for the cattle. Positive: a. Jack Daniel will continue to make its dry house method with no thick slop and keep its business afloat. b. The tension between the tow might break. Negative: a. Farmers will have to seek alternative means of feeding the cattle and may have to down size its recent growth. b. Tension might only increase. 1.Jack Daniel could hold to its promise that it would stop delivery unless the farmers made environmental improvements, which the farmers invested heavily on doing so. Positive: a. Tension will clear between the two. b. The farmers will have their feed. Negative: a. No written contract made. Jack daniel is not obligated to support the farmers. The free ride never lasts forever. V. Best Alternative There was no formal contract between the two. JD and the farmers should sign an ethical and legal contract stating their terms if any.But again JD is not obligated to do anything. VI Recommended action and follow up If the farmers like to take legal action, it will only trigger more tension and go no where in court because there is no written claim to back them with. JD might be seen as unethical on breaking their promise but there was no proof that they had a promise and they have been doing a favor to the farmers up until now. If the farmers find no other alternative to feed cattle, they should form a business proposal for JD that fit their needs while keeping their own business afloat. How to cite Jack Daniels, Papers

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Westpac Institutional Banks for Westpac Place - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theWestpac Institutional Banks for Westpac Place. Answer: Introduction Westpacs Institutional Bank is an Australian bank as well as the financial services providers, which has headquarters in Westpac place in Sydney. It is one of the Australia big four financial institution. Its name is a portmanteau of the western pacific. As at of November of 2015 the organization had 13.1 million clients and it is the Australia biggest branch network, having 1429 branches and a network of over 3800 ATMS (Avkiran, 2000). It is Australian second largest bank in term of the assets and it is the second largest bank in the New Zealand. On 29 January 2015 the Bank south pacific they announced that there had entered into an agreement to acquire the Westpacs banking operations in Samoa, Solomon Island as well as Tongs for 125 million Australian dollars. Westpac institutional Bank offers corporate finance services to the corporations, government customers and institutions in both Australia and New Zealand. They offer services such as mergers and acquisitions, debt and the equ ity structuring, strategic advice as well as valuations to organizations (Avkiran, 2000). Moreover, they also provide security brokerage and underwriting services that focusses on a fixed interest and debt security, interest derivatives, and the foreign exchange as well as the trading commodities with major emphasis on products such as base metals and the crude oil. The WIB is majorly based in Auckland, in New Zealand but they have additional offices in London, Sydney, Australia. This research will focus on the Westpac credit process chain that determines on the speed to market new deals and the opportunities (Conway and Franulovich, 2002). The purpose is identifying and research why the steps from origination, credit processing via execution have been too slow with the critical breakdown to this process of credit and the on-boarding stage. Moreover, the research will discuss on the process as well as their effective control to make the operation to be a success. Focus of study Process management and operations The operations management in the Westpac institutional bank include the control of the costs, enhancing the level of service as well as improving on the quality of the service, which are offered to the clients (Conway and Franulovich, 2002). The credit process in this institutional have been slow from the origination by the front, credit processing up to the execution. The operations management will focus on the practices that are designed to monitor as well as manage on the processes within the distribution of the services. The creation process and the service development has been slow in this institution. The organization need to analyse on their internal processes (Sager, 1988). This organization has been undergoing some changing especially in the acquisition on some their branches with a merger from the Bank south pacific. These changes have impacted on some of their processes and they are trying to adopt to the new management and operation of the business. Process or control of the operation of the organization The credit processing in the bank is slow because of the core banking process that are complicated and cumbersome. Moreover, the core banking system are some of the oldest banking technology (Schaad, Lotz and Sohr, 2006). The core banking system which are used in the Australia are regarded as prehistoric in the technological age. There are issues of the maintenance costs as well as the manual workarounds they consumes a lot of precious resources that could be invested to be able to further the digital channels improvement or other use in this banking institution (Schaad, Lotz and Sohr, 2006). There have been other issues of the flat file mainframe database as well as the overnight batch processing have impeded on the real time transaction processing as well as the data updates which the consumers could demand. The financial institution also want to provide services, lower on the processing costs, manage on the financial assets and compete. The core systems makes the bank process to s low and become vulnerable to the new competitors, new business models and their operational. Figure 1: process-flow map of that operation Research Questions What control process will Westpac institutional bank embark on to effectively operate successfully? What has made the credit process chain to be slow for the Westpac bank? What mechanism will Westpac institutional bank put in place to prevent the critical break down in their credit process and the on boarding stage? What is the extent of the adequacy of the credit management for efficient and sustainable credit delivery? Project Related Literature Summary Operation and Process Management On the process design issues payback for having a good process is very significant. The Westpac institution bank has devoted time and effort in the design process, assessing the performance for the alternative design in regards to efficiency, quality, and the overall time they put (Schaad, Lotz and Sohr, 2006). On the aspect of the quality being able to achieve the benefits of the cost for the slick process, design without the compromise for the quality will give the organization a significant competitive advantage. Sometimes, it can be difficult to separate on the design for the process from the various design of the services, which they provide. The credit process is designed with the constraints as well as capabilities of drive through the process in mind. There is need to adapt on their design marginally to be able to facilitate on their operation (Teten and Farmer, 2010). The processes should be designed in order to be appropriate to the market they are services. It is important to note that the various market strategies could require different process of the design (Cohen, Gan, Yong and Chong, 2007). A good starting point for any of the operation would be to understand on the direct relationship that exists between the strategic and the process for the performance objectives. Understanding on the current processes in this organization would help make improvement especially in the credit processes based on the reality of what happens in practice. It will be about allocating on the tasks as well as the associated capacity very carefully to the appropriate parts for the process to work (Togher, Dunne and Hartheimer, Ebs Dealing Resources, 2000). For most of the processes, It will involve the design which is capable of taking into the consideration with the variability that exists to most of the human tasks. Planned Research Methodology In this research study, will be conducted in the consultation with the staff in the credit operations at the head office of the Westpac bank using the survey design with structured self-administered questionnaires. Research Design To be able to achieve on the objective of the study, the research will undertake a descriptive approach using both qualitative and quantitative data. In doing so the study will intend on describing, comparing, contrasting as well as interpreting on the existing facts and be able to puts the status in relation to different variables that could help us in understanding the issues and lead to the causal analysis (Lynch, McNair, Polito, D'urbano, Riseman and Kaiser, American Home Credit, 2005). The research further would employ survey as a research method. The secondary data would be obtained from the various publication of the banks and other financial institutions. Moreover, the relevant data will be grasped from the numerous books, research papers, magazines, the newsletters and the website of this organization (Pauly, 1987). The primary data will be collected via the questionnaires that will be distributed to the respondents which will involves the department managers and the senior officers working on the credit processing of the organization, these group are such as the credit analysts, credit follow up, monitoring officers, and the credit directors. Ethical Considerations The ethical consideration I will look at are confidentiality and privacy disclaimers for internal sources. The ethical issues especially in the financial institution affect everyone especially on the privacy aspect (Beck and Davis, 2005). It will be important to determine the information that is collected and how it would be used. Sometime we may not be aware of what data is being collected about us or perhaps how it would be used. When carrying the research it would be important to keep private the information of the bank secure to prevent it being passed to the third parties. The information, which will be given in the questionnaire, will be for the purpose of the research only and should be secure to fall in the hands of the competitors firms. Schedule for Completion Tasks Details of the approach Days Introduction The 7 days Focus of study components The research would be done on various analysis on the design and the core theories, which link on process performance. 14 days Formulation of research questions The drafting on the research questions based on the research problem. 10 days Projected literature review The review will use descriptive approach 21 days Planned research methodology The research design will be done to formulate the best technique to use. 5 days Data collection and analysis The data will be collected from the various departmental head and staff of the organization 10 days Outcome to evaluate on the Recommendations will be provided on how to improve the credit processing. 3 days References Avkiran, N.K., 2000. Rising productivity of Australian trading banks under deregulation 19861995. Journal of Economics and Finance, 24(2), pp.122-140. Beck, D. and Davis, E., 2005. EEO in senior management: Women executives in Westpac. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 43(2), pp.273-288. Cohen, D., Gan, C., Yong, H.H.A. and Chong, E., 2007. Customer retention by banks in New Zealand. Banks and Bank Systems, 2(1), p.40. Conway, P. and Franulovich, R., 2002. Explaining the NZ-Australian exchange rate. Westpac Occasional Paper. Jones, R., Nielsen, J. and Trayler, R., 2002. The bank selection process and market definition in Australia. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 10(1), pp.22-30. Lynch, J., McNair, J.H., Polito, S.J., D'urbano, R.E., Riseman, M. and Kaiser, W., American Home Credit, Inc., 2005. System and method for automated process of deal structuring. U.S. Patent 6,901,384. Pauly, L.W., 1987. Foreign banks in Australia: the politics of deregulation. Australian Professional Publications in association with the Centre for Money, Banking, and Finance, Macquarie University. Sager, M.T., 1988. Competitive information systems in Australian retail banking. Information Management, 15(1), pp.59-67. Schaad, A., Lotz, V. and Sohr, K., 2006, June. A model-checking approach to analysing organisational controls in a loan origination process. In Proceedings of the eleventh ACM symposium on Access control models and technologies (pp. 139-149). ACM. Teten, D. and Farmer, C., 2010. Where are the deals? Private equity and venture capital funds best practices in sourcing new investments. The Journal of Private Equity, 14(1), pp.32-52. Togher, M., Dunne, M.F. and Hartheimer, R., Ebs Dealing Resources, Inc., 2000. Credit management for electronic brokerage system. U.S. Patent 6,014,627.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Mathematics Test Questions free essay sample

By loganbarton97 Name Square Day 1 Mathematics Test Questions 5. x2-x+ 12. 12-kx+64 Date Period Completing the For each expression, find the number you would add to make it a perfect square trinomial. Leave fraction answers as improper fractions (no mixed numbers or decimals). Then factor each trinomial. I . 12 +1 OX + 4. 12 + 12x+ 7. X2+11X+ † 6y + 3. Z2-8Z+ 6. X2+13X+ 8. 9. For each expression, find the value of k that would make the trinomial a perfect square trinomial. Then factor each trinomial. 10. 12+kx+36 11. 12-kx+49 Solve by taking the square root of each side. Move the constant, c, to the other side. X2+8X 2. In order to create a perfect square trinomial on the left side, set up your equation so that you will remember to add to BOTH sides (the equation must stay balanced). ex: 12 + 8x + 3. Calculate what must be added to BOTH sides to create the perfect square trinomial on the left side ( ). 4. Add to both sides. We will write a custom essay sample on Mathematics Test Questions or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page ex: x2+8x+ 16 = 7+ 16 5. Factor the left side of the equation and simplify the right side. 6. Solve by taking the square root. Equation in ax2 + bx + c ex: 3X2+30x-5=o = O form + 30X . Factor out the a coefficient on the left side. ex: 312+30x 3(X2+10X Set up your equation to add. Remember that whatever you add to the left side is being multiplied by a and so the right side must also be multiplied by a. ex: 3(x2+10x+ ) 4. Calculate what must be added to BOTH sides to create the perfect square trinomial on the left side (middle term, divided by 2 and then squared). 5. Add to both sides. ex: 3(x2+10x+ 25 25 ) 6. Factor the left side of the equation and simplify the right side. 7. Solve by dividing and taking the square root.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Free Essays on The Millers Tale by Chaucer

How Does Chaucer Present The Characters Of Nicholas And Absolon? The Miller’s tale by Chaucer presents the reader who two characters, Nicholas and Absolon. It can be said that the pair are opposites of one another. It is also open to interpretation to who out of the pair is the ‘Courtly Lover’. Some may say that it is Nicholas and others Absolon. It can be said that this idea of the pair is not easy to understand and will be able to convey. The character of Nicholas is an important character in the tale. This is because the prologue presents the reader with the suggestion that the tale will reflect the Miller. The Miller is a drunk who loves to tell rude stories which draw people’s attention especially those of men. It can be said that Nicholas is in the forefront of this idea. The character of Nicholas is an extremely private man, â€Å"alone, withouten any compaigne†, as he lives alone in a rented bedroom. We can presume that he has a single bed as he has no company and that he and Alison don’t sleep together in this room. Another suggestion for Nicholas being a private and sly character is because the reader doesn’t receive any physical description of him. The reader finds out more information about Nicholas’ room then they do him. Some argue that Chaucer has done this deliberately to reinforce the idea that he is a private man. We never see Nicholas anywhere bar the Carpenterâ€⠄¢s house. He plays his music on his own, â€Å"So sweetly that all the chamber rong†, which is significant because it shows he is gifted and doesn’t want others to hear his gift. It can also be seen to be a way of wooing women as music is romantic. Furthermore Nicholas is a well educated man. He is very interested in astrology, â€Å"his astrelabie longinge for his art†; this is a subject which many at the time wouldn’t have understood. He has the ability to predict events, â€Å"to deman by interogacious†, especially the weather. Another ... Free Essays on The Miller's Tale by Chaucer Free Essays on The Miller's Tale by Chaucer How Does Chaucer Present The Characters Of Nicholas And Absolon? The Miller’s tale by Chaucer presents the reader who two characters, Nicholas and Absolon. It can be said that the pair are opposites of one another. It is also open to interpretation to who out of the pair is the ‘Courtly Lover’. Some may say that it is Nicholas and others Absolon. It can be said that this idea of the pair is not easy to understand and will be able to convey. The character of Nicholas is an important character in the tale. This is because the prologue presents the reader with the suggestion that the tale will reflect the Miller. The Miller is a drunk who loves to tell rude stories which draw people’s attention especially those of men. It can be said that Nicholas is in the forefront of this idea. The character of Nicholas is an extremely private man, â€Å"alone, withouten any compaigne†, as he lives alone in a rented bedroom. We can presume that he has a single bed as he has no company and that he and Alison don’t sleep together in this room. Another suggestion for Nicholas being a private and sly character is because the reader doesn’t receive any physical description of him. The reader finds out more information about Nicholas’ room then they do him. Some argue that Chaucer has done this deliberately to reinforce the idea that he is a private man. We never see Nicholas anywhere bar the Carpenterâ€⠄¢s house. He plays his music on his own, â€Å"So sweetly that all the chamber rong†, which is significant because it shows he is gifted and doesn’t want others to hear his gift. It can also be seen to be a way of wooing women as music is romantic. Furthermore Nicholas is a well educated man. He is very interested in astrology, â€Å"his astrelabie longinge for his art†; this is a subject which many at the time wouldn’t have understood. He has the ability to predict events, â€Å"to deman by interogacious†, especially the weather. Another ...

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Finance For Managers Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words - 1

Finance For Managers - Assignment Example The management of any firm is faced with the task of dealing not only with the short term challenges faced by the business, but they must also have a long term vision for the company. Each company has its own internal advantages called Strengths that enable it to do better than some others in the industry. Likewise, each company also has its own internal deficiencies called Weaknesses that prevent it from making full use of its resources and abilities. Like it or not, all firms operating within a particular industry are similarly faced with uniform challenges from the external environment like the legal, social, economic and technological changes that may emerge as Opportunities for the industry if they give it an advantage, or Threats for an industry if they challenge its well being and continuity in the business environment. Jools Furniture Industries Ltd. likewise has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, and is also faced with opportunities and threats from the external enviro nment. It is clear that it must take some action to offset these internal and external challenges if it is to survive and prosper as a continuing business enterprise. This paper is divided into three parts. ... In Part III, we shall assess the proposal for an ?1.8 million loan to be taken by the Kitchens Division of the business, based on the current gearing and ROI criteria as traditionally maintained by the company, and also suggest two other alternatives in this regard. PART I Brief Analysis of the Present Position of the Furniture Business Looking at the industry scenario given in the case, it appears that the furniture industry in the UK is highly specialized and moving towards maturity. In this stage of the product life cycle, there are a whole lot of producers and manufacturers of a product and the competition is intense, hence every firm is looking at ways to enlarge its business and increase its capacity in different areas. Jools Furniture Industries Ltd. has also done the same over the years and has managed to create four different divisions, each dealing in a different type of product or delivering to a different market. We have the Kitchens Division, the Quality Division, the Be drooms Division and the Office Division. The marketplace can also be classified into the Domestic, the Office and the Contract market. The domestic market is geared towards serving the public, mainly through retail outlets and making products for household use. The domestic market constitutes 58 percent or the major chunk of the market demand. On the other hand, the office market deals mainly with products concerning desking, seating, tables, cabinets and other items for the office environment. The office market consists of 13 percent of the total market demand. The contract market caters to the needs of furniture for public areas such as hotels, schools, residential accommodation and airports. The contract market constitutes 29 percent or little less

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Finite element analysis2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Finite element analysis2 - Essay Example It can be used to analyze either small or large-scale deflection under loading or applied displacement. It and can analyze determine elastic deformation, or "permanently bent out of shape"permanent plastic deformation. The Widespread use of personal and mainframe computers in the second half of the 20th century catalyzed applications involving FEA is required because ofdue to the astronomical number of calculations needed to analyze analyse a large structure. Today, FEA is an integral part of nearly all design and development projects. As mentioned, thisThis report has been complied compiled to document the results of of tensile testing on a buckle connection simulated by the Finite finite Element element Analysis analysisof a buckle connection. The function objective of the FE Analysisanalysis was to obtain determine the maximum stress max of the buckle connection, which is based must be designed to resist withstand a 450 Kg kg of tensile loadon, as written in assignment. It is also important to note that although the method of finite elements is a powerful analysis tool that is widely applied, it is still simply an approximate numerical estimate. In other words, although results accurate enough for engineering purposes are obtainable via precise modelling and adequate numbers of elements, exact solutions are highly unlikely.The buckle connection was designed to be made from Stainless Steel plate. A comprehensive set of properties for the specified material is shown in table 1 Material properties of Stainless Steel The next section discusses the assumptions made in preparing for the analysis; then the modelling is described. The subsequent sections include the finite element analysis calculations, a discussion and then conclusions and recommendations are provided. ASSUMPTIONSAssumptions: As in any engineering problem, the first step is to develop a list of assumptions which will be used as guidelines to help bound the physical problem. Assumptions necessary for finite element analysis are divided into four categories: geometry, properties, mesh, and boundary conditions. In the begging of doing this report in FEA Package there are numbers of assumptions were made which give create more imaginations as key in testing any design before test it in real life. First, in terms of the geometry, it is assumed that the drawings provided are accurate representations of the buckle and also that the determination of pass/fail judgement for the part is based simply on the tensile test of the flat plate of the buckle and that no other variations in the standard belt assembly come into play, e.g. length of the belt, etc. Shell elements are utilized and it is assumed that they can adequately model the part. Thickness of the buckle was assumed to be constant across the part and the element type chosen was selected in part because its input data allows incorporation of thickness values. ly Material properties were the next consideration whereby it was assumed that all material properties supplied provided by the designerin the problem statement were correct accurate and provided a true representation of the material specifiedto be analysed. . Ambient temperature and pressure are assumed to have no effect on the analysis results. Another basic assumption made was that the material was homogeneous and isotropic and had no discontinuities or residual

Monday, January 27, 2020

Physical Abuse Of Women In The Home Criminology Essay

Physical Abuse Of Women In The Home Criminology Essay The role of women in the development of any country cannot be overemphasized. Women play significant roles in the upbringing of children and in the maintenance of family harmony. Violence perpetrated on women in the home and outside the home has adverse effects on individuals within the family and society in general both in emotional and physical wellbeing. Sexual abuse is a significant aspect of domestic violence. If unchecked, the goal of having a healthy and balanced society is deeply threatened. Variables and factors which occur in varying proportions act as catalysts in determining or influencing human behaviour and actions in general and human behaviour in the home in particular. In examining physical and sexual abuse of women in the home, concepts and definitions are explored. In addition to the review of relevant literature, which would cover both international and Nigerian studies, this article examines perspectives and theories that seek to explain this social problem and c rime as applicable. These perspectives have been grouped into the following historical (to identify the origins of domestic violence); psychological which includes psychiatric approaches (concentrating on the individual offender and victim); sociological or socio-cultural (emphasis on institutions, structures, socialization, subculture of violence; and economic explanations. Feminist perspectives are incorporated in these explanations. Through the use of interviews, current opinions of stakeholders on this subject (legal practitioners, interest groups and the police) with regard to the Nigeria experience are discussed. Finally, possible remedies and treatment of the abused, and batterer shall be discussed. THE CONCEPT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE The physical abuse of women in the home falls under the umbrella of domestic violence. However, in any relationship or family, the physical dwelling or home is a residential unit, abuse can occur in any location. On domestic violence, according to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2012): Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence (IPV), is a pattern of behavior which involves the abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, cohabitation, dating or within the family. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical aggression or assault (hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, slapping, throwing objects, battery), or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation. The focus of this article is mainly the female victim in the home. Other victims of abuse within the home include children, males or husbands, the elderly and domestic helps. Violence against children and women get reported to authourities more often than those associated with males. Domestic violence against a male victim is difficult to determine, as the male victim is usually reluctant to get help or report incidents for a variety of reasons such a negative response and attitude from law enforcement agencies, including the notion that there appears to be a high degree of acceptance of aggression against men by women (Wikipedia, 2012). What is physical and sexual abuse? Domestic violence covers physical and sexual violations for which there are provisions in the statute books for offences associated with it. Other forms of domestic violence such as child abuse and the abuse of the elderly are not part of the subject for discussion in this article, though relevant examples from other victims of abuse in the home shall be highlighted. In this paper, attention is on the physical and sexual abuse of women or the wife. The Real Life Dictionary of Law (Hill and Hill, 1995) defined the following concepts and offences: Domestic violence The continuing crime and problem of the physical beating of a wife, girlfriend or children, usually by the womans male partner (although it can be female violence against a male); Assault the threat or attempt to strike another, whether successful or not, provided the target is aware of the danger; and Battery the actual intentional striking of someone, with intent to harm, or in a rude and insolent manner even if the injury is slightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦It is often coupled with assault (which does not require actual touching). A form of domestic violence on women in the home is sexual abuse. Sexual violations or offences can be categorized into buggery, indecent assault, indecency between males, rape, unlawful intercourse with a girl under 13 and under 16 years, incest, procreation, abduction, bigamy, soliciting by a man, and gross indecency with a child (Hanmer and Saunders, 1984). In a Dictionary of Law, A husband can be convicted for raping his wife, and a boy under the age of 14 can be guilty of rape. The maximum penalty for rape or attempted rape is life imprisonment, but this is rarely imposedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Martin, (ed.), 1994). In England and Wales, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (amended), defines rape as forced penile penetration of the victims vagina or anus by a male where the female is not consenting. This definition now includes sexual acts such as anal intercourse, oral sex, or penetration of the vagina by other objects (Painter and Farrington, 1997). Other forms of violence within the domestic domain honor killings, acid attacks and dowry violence. According to Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, (2012) an honor killing is the homicide of a member of a family or social group by other members, due to the belief of the perpetrators that the victim has brought dishonor upon the family or community. It is also noted that dishonour could include refusing to enter into an arranged marriage or the woman committing adultery. Also, another form is dowry violence and bride burning, which is known to occur in places such as South Asia, and bride burning is a form of the man or husbands discontent over the dowry provided by her family. It is said to be a problem in countries such as India. Another form of violence or abuse against women which has also been occurring in Nigeria involves the use of acids or corrosive chemicals. Acid bathe is the pouring of corrosive substance on someone. According to Eze-Anaba, (2007) this could cause permanent disfigurement of the victims, and unfortunately acids are readily available on the streets for purchase. She noted that acid baths first gained public attention in 1990 when a former beauty queen was attacked by her boyfriend because she refused to renew their relationship. Acid attack or vitriolage could occur out of jealousy or revenge, and the acid is usually thrown on the face, with long term effects such as blindness and permanent scarring of the face and body (Wikipedia, 2012). Certain countries with reports of such attacks include Pakistan, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India. LITERATURE AND RESEARCH ON THE ABUSE OF WOMEN IN THE HOME A number of studies have been carried out on the abuse of women in the home. These studies include that of the effects of domestic violence or wife abuse on the family in general and the woman in particular. Some research has also been carried out on possible remedies and treatment for the victims and the offenders. Historically, prior to the mid-1800s, most legal systems accepted wife beating as a valid exercise of a husbands authority over his wife. Later, political agitation during the nineteenth century led changes in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States. For instance, in 1850, Tennessee became the first state in the United States to explicitly outlaw wife beating. Womens movement of the1970s especially as it concerned feminism and womens rights gained a lot of attention. In England and Wales for the years 1885-1905, out of 497 murders committed by men, 124 were women murdered by their husbands, 115 were mistresses or lovers of their assailants and over 50% of all murdered victims were women with long relationships with the male murderer (MacDonald, 1911). The work of Wolfgang (1958) in Philadelphia revealed that during the 1950s the number of wives assaulted by their husbands constituted 41% of all women who were killed. In his study, only 10% of the murder cases were committed by wives. Wolfgang (1958) concluded that the home was the most frequent setting for severe violence. In another study, Dobash and Dobash (1979) revealed that 109 women interviewed reported 32,000 assaults during their marriages, but only 517 of these assaults (less than 2%) were reported to the police. They discovered that women rarely reported to friends, neighbours, doctors and social workers because of their expectation that the violent acts would soon discontinue, the anti cipated family shame, and desire to save the marriage especially because of the children. Other reasons include anticipated financial difficulty and psychological pressure in divorce proceedings. The national Survey of Wives in Great Britain carried out to determine the prevalence of violence by husbands and rape of wives in and outside marriage revealed that out of a quota sample of 1,007 wives, 228% of wives had been hit by their husbands, while 13% of them had sexual intercourse with their husbands against their will. Lower class wives and separated or divorced wives were likely to have been assaulted. In total, 22% of wives had been raped inside or outside marriage (Painter and Farrington, 1997). Further, based on 19,301,000 ever married women in Great Britain aged 18-54 in 1991 (Office of National Statistics, 1997), it was estimated that between 2,483,000 and 3,162,000 women have been hit by their husbands. Also, between 1,761,000 and 2,379,000 women have been threatened by their husbands, and between 2,936,000 and 3,657,000 have been hit or threatened by their husbands (Painter and Farrington, 1997). On rape, it was analysed that one in seven British wives had been rape d, and nearly all the raped wives (94.4%) were raped by their husbands when they lived together and on different occasions (painter and Farrington, 1997). A study in Papua New Guinea in 1982 revealed tht in the 19 villages sampled, 67% of rural wives had been hit by either their husbands and 66% of rural husbands accepted that they had hit their wives. Marital rape was said to be very common and is allowed by law (Bradley, 1994). In Brazil, reports gathered from the womens Delegacias (special police unit formed to address issues of domestic violence and other related cases) in a 1987 study of over 2,000 battery cases registered at the Sao Paulo delegacia from August to December 1985 revealed that over 70% of all reported crime against women occurred in the home (Thomas, 1994). In India before the abolition of the Sati rite practice in 1829 by the British, Narasimhan (1994) recounts, saying violence is not only attributed to physical battery or rape, and that culturally before 1829 in India, widows burned themselves to death on the late husbands pyre (pile of wood) to become a stati, exalted and deified. Surprisungly, in 1987 an 18 year old girl performed this rite. Furthermore, dowry deaths are common in situations where the woman commits suicide or endures whatever abuse in the home rather than have her parents disgraced by returning to their home or leaving the husband. Narasimhan (1994) noted that there still exists a pervasive belief governing the social perception of women as complete servants to their husbands. In African and Nigerian societies in particular, Eze-Anaba, (2007) observed that many of the victims do not speak out about violations of their rights because of the poor response from society. However, she noted that the situation has improved over the years through international and local policies and laws. She cites the examples of documents, the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform for Action at the international level. Eze-Anaba, (2007) noted that Nigeria has incorporated the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic law. The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights has also been incorporated in Nigeria. However, she observed that Nigeria is a country where international human rights instruments have yet to be incorporated into domestic laws. According to Eze-Anaba (2007) examples of research in Nigeria include that of a survey carried out by Project Alert in 2001 women and girls in Nigeria were asked about abuses within the family unit. This survey revealed that in a particular state, Lagos, more than half of the participants confirmed their partners, boyfriends, or husband had beaten them. Reasons for the assault included drunkenness, financial problems and refusing to have sex with the perpetrator. A good number of the participants had reported the abuse to family members, the perpetrators family and to their religious leaders while some just endured the abuse. Interestingly there was no report of any respondent filing a complaint with the police or seeking redress in court (Eze-Anaba, 2007). Research conducted within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja by Owonibi (2008) revealed that the mean age of respondents who have experienced domestic violence within the home was 32 years. It was also observed that incidents of domestic violence decreases with age for instance from 41 years and above. This study highlighted that within the home, children and women are often victimized compared to males. Awusi, Okeleke, and Anyanwu, (2009) in a study on the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy in the Oleh community in Nigeria observed that domestic violence against pregnant women could expose victims to higher risk of complications during pregnancy. Using a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study, from 400 pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic of the Central Hospital at Oleh., 92% of the women showed complete knowledge of domestic violence, and 36% had experienced domestic violence during pregnancy. Further, domestic violence experienced were verbal (58%), physical (31%) and sexual (11%) abuses. The husband was the main offender (92%), and 77% of the women would rather keep the experience of domestic violence during pregnancy secret. Awusi et al (2009) noted that domestic violence against women cuts across ages, ethnicity, religion and educational status. Also, common risk factors include low socio-economic and educational status, early marriage, alcohol and s ubstance abuse by the partner and unemployment. They assert that the impact of domestic violence on pregnant women is increasingly being recognized as an important public health issue. Idogo, (2011) studied the effects of domestic violence on pre-school children She noted that some empirical studies show that children growing up in violent families are vulnerable to low cognition, and are likely to engage in youth violence, adult violence tendencies, and other forms of criminality. She also observed that in Nigeria, pre school children are tutored and raised up under the culture of violence. For instance, physically abused, punished and beaten for any misbehaviour in the home and in the classroom. Starvation is also employed as a form sanction in some families. Also children are often given adult tasks, such as going to the farm and market, and even used as guardians of younger children. Further, family violence could be transferred to the children especially from their mothers who tend to express their frustrations on their children. Thus, pre school children regress developmentally, and exhibit various forms of behavioural disorders, such as insomnia, nightmare , anxiety and violence towards their mates. The male perpetrator This is difficult to come by as men do not usually file complaints officially. However, information about the male batterer usually comes from the staff and residents of shelters of battered women (Roberts, 1981). The childhood experience and other variables are not normally taken into consideration in describing the batterer (Smith, 1989). In his treatment of 42 men, Smith observed certain features of male batterers, some of which were that as children, 21% of them were physically abused, 7% were sexually abused, 45% saw their mothers abused, 93% had battered previous partners, 62% were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, 50% were currently involved with the Criminal Justice System, and 45% have been violent with others outside the family. Batterers usually deny their violent behavior due to embarrassment, guilt and shame (Walker, 1978). Some are also known to have low self-esteem (Falk, 1977), and project their anger from previous experiences into marriage. Societal responses to spousal abuse The effects of wife abuse can be categorized into physical i.e. extensive injuries to death (Dobash and Dobash, 1974) and psychological like symptoms of stress, weight loss or gain (Smith, 1989). This could result to thoughts of suicide (Stanko, 1985). Gayford (1978) revealed that suicide attempts were common and often repeated by battered women in his sample. Children are also known to suffer physically (miscarriages, still birth and other injuries) and psychologically from domestic violence with boys being most affected behaviourally (Jaffe, et al. 1986 and Wolfe, et al. 1985). How society responds to domestic violence is significant for treatment and rehabilitation. On Social Responses and Treatment, in the laws, changes have occurred in statute books in most parts of the world deliberately addressing domestic violence. For example, in Britain, The Homeless Persons Act of 1977-78 makes battered women a priority group for housing. However, Smith (1989) noted that the problems with legal remedies are in its complexity and delays in civil matters (especially in the burden of proof) unlike the criminal laws governing domestic violence. Closely associated with the law is the police who usually exercise their discretion in handling violent offences in the home in particular (Black, 1971). It was observed that the police are more likely to wave arrests of husbands for various abusive offences and the judicial responses usually neglects the same pattern in treatment and sanctions which are usually mild like fines and probation (Dobash and Dobash, 1979). The main argument being that prosecution and arrests may destroy the marriage coupled with the fact t hat most women do not usually press charges and testify in court. For Dobash and Dobash (1979) the system actually discourages and frustrates women with deliberately prolonged court proceedings and on the contrary, most women in their study actually followed up their case up to the final adjudication. According to Smith (1989), vigorous arrest policy would demonstrate social disapproval and might act as a deterrent to further violence. Welfare associations formed by the government and interested groups also play important roles in counseling, provision of refuge accommodation, and assisting in pursuing complaints to a logical conclusion. Maye and Timms (1970) observed that the orientation of staff or members of a welfare association can determine which cases they think are serious since they usually lack sufficient resources for their activities. The Womens Aid Federation of England declares its objectives as follows to eradicate and inform the public, the media, the police, the courts, the social services and other authourities with respect to the battery of women, mindful of the fact that this is a result of the general position of women in society (Smith, 1989). Other important groups relevant to remedies are the medical practitioners who usually treat injuries of abused women. They could intervene by counseling and other necessary actions within the law. For Dobash and Dobash, a conspiracy of silence often exis ts between doctor and patient. Family and friends are useful especially in giving emotional support to the victim. Citing examples from the Laws of Northern Nigeria, Criminal Code Act (1990), Cap 77 Eze-Anaba, (2007) noted that some provisions of the law, rather than protecting women from domestic violence, could encourage offenders by giving them opportunities to escape sanctions. She further stated that for instance, in Sec. 55 (1)d of the Penal Code a man is empowered to correct children, pupil, servant or wife. For Eze-Anaba (2007: 37), since there is no law against domestic violence in Nigeria, at best a victim who seeks protection under the law will rely on the provisions of the Criminal Code on common assault. The Criminal Code considers assault on a woman as a misdemeanor while assault on a man is a felony. Laws concerning domestic violence differ between countries. According to Wikipedia, (2012) most countries in the western world regard it as illegal, but this is not the case in some developing countries. The country Russia is cited where there is no law specifying domestic violence as a crime, even though physical violence is illegal. Another example is from the United Arab Emiratess where in 2010 a Supreme Court ruled that a man has the right to physically discipline his wife and children as long as he doesnt leave physical marks. The Encyclopedia also notes that social acceptability of domestic violence also varies between country. Eze-Anaba, (2007) observed that impediments to legal redress by women in Nigeria include lack of access to justice as they are not aware of their rights and do not have access to institutions that can remedy violations of such rights. Illiteracy is said to be one of the reasons for this situation. The formal legal system in Nigeria is said to be exorbitant for most Nigerians and especially poor women. Also, poor law enforcement riddled with corruption and stereotypes in favour of males are problems to contend with. Further, the tripartite legal system has its issues as elucidated by Eze-Anaba (2007:55) as follows: The Nigerian legal system is made up of three different systems of law: the statutory law, religious law, and customary law. Statutory laws include the Constitution, laws made by the government, and government policies. There are different types of religious groups in Nigeria with different laws for their members. The common ones are Christianity, Muslim/Islamic, and traditional religious laws. Customary laws include laws of diverse people of Nigeria, which govern personal matters like marriage, children, and inheritance. These three types of law are enforced by three types of courts namely the formal courts: customary courts in Southern Nigeria and Shari a courts in Norther n Nigeria. In principle, statutory law takes precedence over all other laws. In practice however, things are different. In the Northern part of the country, the predominant religion is Islam. Statutory laws are not necessarily more protective of women. The judicial system is male dominated and reflects the prejudices and stereotypes of the wider societyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ THEORIES/THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Why are women abused in the home? The various explanations have been categorized into the historical, psychological, socio-cultural, feminist and multi-dimensional or integrative perspectives. From a historical perspective, studies reveal that wife abuse emanated from the enabling environment in the history of most cultures and societies which encouraged and condoned it. For Dobash and Dobash (1979), the physical abuse of women more especially wives is an expression of patriarchical (male headship of an organization or institution) domination. Since the legal, political, economic and ideological structures supported this, men used these avenues to possess, control and oppress their wives. For example, with regard to religion, the Christian account of mans creation, and the creation of the woman to meet his needs created a moral ideology that justified the subjugation of women especially in the marriage institution which provides a conducive atmosphere for the assault and physical abuse of women (Dobash and Dobash, 1979). In most traditional communities especially in Arica, women are viewed as part of the husbands asset or property. Thus, her treatment depends on his discre tion. Sexual violence relates to contempt of female qualities and rape is part of the culture of male dominance (Sanday, 1979). Akin to the emphasis on patriarchy is the feminist perspective. With regard to violence against women, this perspective draws attention to patriarchal societies that encourage patriarchal family structures that ascribes power in the home and in other areas of human endeavour to men (Power, 1988: 133). This creates the environment and opportunity for abuse and exploitation. The psychological perspective focuses its explanation on anomalies in the personalities of the offender and victim in this discussion these are the male batterer and the abused woman. In other words, under the psychological perspective, psychoanalytical theories focus on the individuals psychological makeup that encourages and accepts abusive behavior. Hyde-Nolan and Juliao (2012) draw attention to psychodynamic theories, one of which is the Object Relations Theory associated with character molding. According to Fairbairn (1952), this theory suggests that humans are motivated early in their childhood by the need of significant relationships with people in and out of the family unit. Thus, early relationships play a role in the individuals psychic development and consequently forms an enduring psychological template for future interactions and relationships (Hyde-Nolan and Juliao, 2012). They also state that first experiences usually comes from ones primary caregiver. For Zosky (1999) initial life experiences, if positive and adequate contributes significantly to the emotional health of the individual later in life. Thus individuals that experience poor nurturing during infancy and childhood may grapple with issues such as self-esteem, poor anxiety management and the inability to regulate emotions or emotional responses in the course of their lives. According to Zosky, (1999) it has been found that somen that engaged in intimate partner violence (IPV), had inadequate nurturing in their early years of development. Dutton et al (1996) also found that parental rejection and violence in the family was highly correlated to intimate partner violence in adulthood. From another perspective, it has been argued that people adapt to abusive situations having acquired the skills from childhood, and this may encourage victims to remain in an abusive relationship or household in their adulthood (Blizard and Bluhn, 1994). In sum in studies, Faulk (1974) and Gayford (1975) presented the male batterer as mentally ill, neurotic or disturbed. For Smith (1989), the focus on the pathological aspect of the abuser neglects the social, cultural and situational factors. Walkate, (1989) noted that this explanation does not bring into focus the recurring patterns of victimization since it focuses mainly on the individual in particular situations. The sociological or socio-cultural explanation consists of other sub-perspectives such as the subculture of violence, social learning, socio-cultural, control theory, conflict and economic inequality theories. According to Goode, (1971) if force does not exist, the structure of the family will be destroyed and the family like other social institutions requires or depends on force or its threat for its control. Husbands are most likely to use such force. Strauss (1973 and 1976) laid emphasis on deviant authourity cultures as the source of violence in homes as likely reaction when the wife is dominant in decision making. Smith (1989) using socio-cultural analysis explains violence in the home as a response to frustration, stress and blocked goals like in relative poverty, unemployment and poor working conditions. Hence, control theorists argue that the need to obtain power and control within the family or within relationships is a source of conflict. Hence, the threat of force is a common tool used against weaker members of the family such as women, children and the elderly. Thus in an attempt to secure and maintain control, the abuser may adopt methods such as intimidation, coercion, isolation, denial of personal responsibility or blame and economic abuse. Resorting to violence as a result of loss of control could occur as result of the influence of substances for example alcohol causes people to lose control, in addition to the inability to control anger and frustration. In turn, the abused or victim in an attempt to survive modify their behavior to suit their abuser (Bostock, et al 2002). This can also be referred to as learned helplessness the outcome of repeated abuse, which eventually prevents the victim from resisting the violence or leaving the relationship. On the subculture of violence, Wolfgang and Feracuti (1967) view violence as the outcome of a socialization process or subcultural patterns existing in certain societal groups. For Levi (1994), this theory does not adequately explain the origin of the subculture in the first place. However, Box (1994) argued that the existence of a culture of masculinity and within that, a subculture of violence creates these abuses of women as within our culture to be a real man is to be strong, powerful, independent, being able to always overcome resistance, and other attributes often measured by the number of sexual conquests. In socio-learning theory, social theories give attention to the learning process of abusive and violent behavior and how they are transferred to members of the family or group as the case may be. Closely associated with social learning theories are the cognitive behavior explanations that focus on the learning and transfer of abusive, violent and aggressive behavior between individuals. According to Capell and Heiner, (1990) research has found that young adults who witnessed and experienced domestic violence as children are more likely to be in an intimate relationship as either an abuser or victim. It is believed that criminal behavior is learned and the use of violence is a learnrd response from the company of others, gangs, groups or police enforcement techniques (Sutherland and Cressey, 1966). For Bandura (1973), aggression is learned through imitation (modeling) and sustained through reinforcements during the individuals life. Other socio-learning theorists are Schultz (1960), Snell, Rosenwald and Robey (1964). These proponents believe that he source of violence is a s a result of unfulfilled childhood experiences and deviant marital relationships (Dobash and Dobash, 1979). Studies that have focused on children suggest that experiences throughout life influence an individuals propensity to engage in family violence (either as a victim or as a perpetrator) (Wikipedia, 2012). Thus, researchers have identified childhood socialization, previous experiences in couple relationships during adolescence, and levels of strain in a persons current life are likely explanations for domestic violence. Thus domestic violence is a learned behavior through observation, experience and reinforcement. It can be learned in cultures, within families and in communities, such as schools, peer groups and workplaces. Hyde-Nolan and Juliao (2012) drew attention to the Violence as Trauma Theory, which argues how the victim of abuse process their traumatic experience in life can have an impact in their behavior and how the cope

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 13

You know, he probably only loved you because of the yemonja,† Blaise said. Thea looked up from her seat in the empty chemistry lab. It was morning break, and this was the most private place they could find at school. â€Å"Thanks, Blaise. I needed that.† But maybe it was true. She'd almost forgotten that she'd used a spell to get him in the first place. That should make a difference, she told herself. If it was all artificial, I shouldn't even miss it. She still felt as if she were encased in ice. â€Å"Did you get it?† â€Å"Sure.† Blaise tossed a ring on the high table. â€Å"I asked her if I could look at it, then pretended I dropped it in the bushes. She's still out there searching.† Thea pulled the binding spell out of her backpack. Two anatomically correct dolls, both made with the blue wax Blaise used for her jewelry. Beautiful little creatures-Blaise was an artist. The male one contained the Kleenex with Eric's blood and a single sandy hair Thea had found clinging to her shoulder. Thea put Pilar's turquoise ring around the feet of the female doll and tied it with a red thread to keep it on. She held out a hand. From her backpack, Blaise produced a corked hexagonal bottle. The liquid inside was made up of all sorts of disgusting things, including ground bezoar stone. Thea held her breath as she poured it over the two figures, which immediately began to smoke. â€Å"Now bind them together,† Blaise said, coughing and waving a hand to clear a space to breathe. â€Å"I know.† Thea took a thin scarlet ribbon seven feet long and patiently began winding it around the two figures. It wrapped them like mummies. She tucked the loose end into a loop. â€Å"And there they are,† Blaise said. â€Å"Bound till death. Congratulations. Let's see, it's ten fifteen now, so he should have forgotten your existence by about†¦ say, ten sixteen.† She reached up and her hair ran like black water through her hands as she stretched. Thea tried to smile. The pain was bad. It was as if some part of Thea's physical body had been cut off. She felt raw and bleeding and not at all able to deal with things like French or trigonometry. There must be more to life. I'll go somewhere and do something for other people; I'll work in third world countries or try to save an endangered species. But thinking about future good works didn't help the raw ache. Or the feeling that if the ache stopped she would just be numb and never be happy again. And all this for a human†¦ It didn't work anymore. She couldn't go back to her old way of thinking. Humans might be alien, but they were still people. They were as good as witches. Just different. She managed to get through the schoolday without running into Eric-which mainly meant scuttling around corridors after bells rang and being tardy for classes. She was scuttling after the last bell toward Dani's U.S. government class when she almost collided with Pilar. â€Å"Thea!† The voice was surprised. Thea looked up. Deep amber-brown eyes, framed by spiky black lashes. Pilar was looking at her very strangely. Wondering at your good luck? Thea thought. Has Eric proposed to you yet? â€Å"What?† she said. Pilar hesitated, then just shook her head and walked off. Thea ducked into the history classroom. Dani said, â€Å"Thea!† Everybody sounds the same. â€Å"Where've you been? Eric's looking all over for you.† Of course, I should have realized. Blaise was wrong-he's not just going to forget about me and walk away. He's a gentleman; he's going to tell me he's walking away. â€Å"Can I go home with you?† she asked Dani wretchedly. â€Å"I need some space.† â€Å"Thea†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Dani dragged her to a corner and looked her over with anxious eyes. â€Å"Eric really wants to find you†¦ but what's wrong?† she whispered. â€Å"Is it something about Suzanne? The old gym's still closed, isn't it?† â€Å"It's nothing to do with that.† She was about to suggest they get moving when a tall figure walked in the door. Eric. He walked straight to Thea. The kids hanging around the teacher's desk were looking. The teacher was looking. Thea felt like a freak show. â€Å"We have to talk,† Eric said flatly. She'd never seen him look quite like this before. He was pale, glassy-eyed, hollow-cheeked. He somehow managed to look as if he'd missed a week's worth of sleep since that morning. And he was right. They had to talk to end it. She had to explain that it was okay, or he'd never be able to go. I can do that. â€Å"Somewhere private,† Thea said. They left Dani and walked through the campus, past the old gym with its yellow ribbon of police tape hanging limp and still. Through the football field. Thea didn't know where they were going, and suspected Eric didn't either-they just kept moving until they were out of sight of people. The green of the tended grass gave way to yellow-green, and then brown, and then desert. Thea wrapped her arms around herself, thinking about how cold it had gotten in just a week and a half. The last trace of summer was gone. And now we're going to talk about it, she thought as Eric stopped. Okay. I don't have to think, just say the right words. She forced herself to look at him. He turned the haggard, haunted face on her and said, â€Å"I want you to stop it.† Funny choice of words. You mean end it, break it off, put it quietly out of its misery. She couldn't get all that out, so she just said, â€Å"What?† â€Å"I don't know what you're doing,† he said, â€Å"but I want it stopped. Now.† His green eyes were level. Not apologetic, more like demanding. His voice was flat. Thea had a sudden sense of shifting realities. All the hairs on her arms were standing up. Caught without a working brain, she said, â€Å"I- what are you talking about?† â€Å"You know what I'm talking about.† He was still looking at her steadily. Thea shook her head no. He shrugged. It was a you-asked-for-it shrug. â€Å"Whatever you're doing,† he said with terrible distinctness, â€Å"to try and make me like Pilar, it has got to stop. Because it's not fair to her. She's upset right now because I'm acting crazy. But I don't want to be with her. It's you I love. And if you want to get rid of me, then tell me, but don't try and foist me off on somebody else.† Thea listened to the whole speech feeling as if she were floating several feet above the ground. The sky and desert seemed too bright, not warm, just very shiny. While her brain ran around frantically like Madame Curie in a new cage, she managed to get out, â€Å"What could I possibly have to do-with you liking Pilar?† Eric looked around, found a rock, and sat on it. He stared down at his hands for a minute or so. Finally he looked up, his expression helpless. â€Å"Give me a break, Thea,† he said. â€Å"How stupid do you think I am?† Oh. â€Å"Oh.† Then she thought, don't just stand there. You bluffed him before. You talked him out of knowing he'd been bitten by a snake. For Earth's sake, you can talk him out of whatever he's thinking now. â€Å"Eric-I guess we've all been under a lot of stress†¦.† â€Å"Oh, please don't give me that.† He seemed to be talking to a clump of silver cholla, eyeing the halos of awful spines as if he might jump into them. â€Å"Please don't give me that.† He took a deep breath and spoke deliberately. â€Å"You charm snakes and read guinea pigs' minds. You cure rattler bites with a touch. You tap into people's brains. You make up magical potpourri bags and your insane cousin is the goddess Aphrodite.† He looked at her. â€Å"Did I miss anything?† Thea found another rock and backed up to it blindly. She sat. Of everything in the universe, right then what she was most aware of was her own breathing. â€Å"I have this feeling,† Eric said, watching her with his green eyes, â€Å"that you guys are in fact the descendants of good old Hecate Witch-Queen. Am I dose?† â€Å"You think you win a prize?† Thea still couldn't think, couldn't put a meaningful remark together. Could only gabble. He paused and grinned, a wry and painful grin, but the first one she'd seen today. Then the smile faded. â€Å"It's true, isn't it?† he said simply. Thea looked out over the desert, toward the huge, bare cliffs of rock in the distance. She let her eyes unfocus, soaking in the expanse of brown-green. Then she put her ringers to the bridge of her nose. She was going to do something that all her ancestors would condemn her for, something that nobody she'd grown up with would understand. â€Å"It's true,† she whispered. He breathed out, a lonely human figure in that vastness of the desert. â€Å"How long have you known?† she asked. â€Å"I†¦ don't know. I mean, I think I always sort of knew. But it wasn't possible-and you didn't want me to know. So I didn't know.† A kind of excitement was creeping into his haggardness. â€Å"It's really true, then. You can do magic.† Say it, Thea told herself. You've done everything else. Say the words to a human. â€Å"I'm a witch.† â€Å"A Hearth-Woman, I thought you called it. That's what Roz was telling me.† At that, Thea was horrified out of her daze of horror. Stricken. â€Å"Eric-you can't talk about this with Roz. You don't understand. They'll kill her.† He didn't look as shocked as she might have expected. â€Å"I knew you were scared of something. I thought it was just that people might hurt you-and your grandma.† â€Å"They will; they'll kill me. But they'll kill you and Roz, too-and your mom and any other human they think may have learned about them-â€Å" â€Å"Who will?† She looked at him, floundered a moment, and then made the ultimate betrayal of her upbringing. â€Å"It's called the Night World.† â€Å"Okay,† he said slowly, half an hour later. They were sitting side by side on his rock. Thea wasn't touching him, although her whole side was aware of his presence. â€Å"Okay, so basically, the descendants of Maya are lamia and the descendants of Hellewise are witches. And together they're all this big secret organization, the Night World.† â€Å"Yes.† Thea had to fight the instinct to whisper. â€Å"It's not just lamia and witches, though. It's shape-shifters and made vampires and werewolves and other things. All the races that the human race couldn't deal with.† â€Å"Vampires,† Eric muttered to the cholla, his eyes going glassy again. â€Å"That's what really gets me, real vampires. I don't know why, it follows logically†¦.† He looked at Thea, his gaze sharpening. â€Å"Look, if all you people have supernatural powers, why don't you just take over?† â€Å"Not enough of us,† Thea said. â€Å"And too many of you. It doesn't matter how supernatural we are.† â€Å"But, look-â€Å" â€Å"You breed much faster, have more children-and you kill us whenever you find us. The witches were on the verge of extinction before they got together with the other races and formed the Night World. And that's why Night World law is so strict about keeping our secrets from humans.† â€Å"And that's why you tried to hand me over to Pilar,† Eric said. Thea could feel his eyes on her like a physical sensation. She stared at a patch of rock nettle between her feet. â€Å"I didn't want you dead. I didn't want me dead, either.† â€Å"And they'd really kill us for being in love.† â€Å"In a minute.† He touched her shoulder. Thea could feel warmth spread from his hand and she had to work to make sure she didn't tremble. â€Å"Then we'll keep it a secret,† he said. â€Å"Eric, it's not like that. You don't understand. There's nowhere we could go, no place we could hide. The Night People are everywhere.† â€Å"And they all follow these same rules.† â€Å"Yes. It's what allows them to survive.† He breathed for a moment, then said in a voice that had gone husky, â€Å"There's got to be a way.† â€Å"That's what I let myself think-for a while.† Her own voice sounded shaky. â€Å"But we have to face reality. The only chance we have of even living through this is for us to just go our separate ways. And for you to try as hard as you can to forget me and everything I've told you.† She was trembling now, and her eyes had filled. But her hands were balled into fists and she wouldn't look at him. â€Å"Thea-â€Å" The tears spilled. â€Å"I won't be your death!† â€Å"And I can't forget you! I can't stop loving you.† â€Å"Well, and maybe that was just a spell, too,† she said, sniffling. Tears were falling straight off her face and onto the rock. Eric looked around for something to give her, then tried to wipe her wet cheeks with his thumb. She whacked his hand away. â€Å"Listen to me. You did miss something when you were adding up what I did. I also make love spells for me. I put one on you, and that's why you fell in love in the first place.† Eric didn't look impressed. â€Å"When?† â€Å"When did I put the spell on you? The day I asked you to the dance.† Eric laughed. â€Å"You-â€Å" â€Å"Thea.† He shook his head. â€Å"Look,† he said gently, â€Å"I fell in love with you before that. It was when we were out here with that snake. When we just looked at each other and†¦ and†¦ I saw you surrounded by mist and you were the most beautiful thing in the world.† He shook his head again. â€Å"And maybe that was magic, but I don't think it was any spell you were putting on me.† Thea wiped her eyes on her sleeve. Okay, so the yemonja had nothing to do with it. Anyway, love spells just seemed to bounce off Eric-even the dolls hadn't worked†¦. She bent suddenly and picked up her backpack. â€Å"And I don't know why this didn't work,† she muttered. She took out a quilted makeup bag, unzipped it, and reached inside. The dolls came out as a bundle. At first glance they looked all right. Then Thea saw it. The male doll had turned around. Instead of being face-to-face with the female doll, it had its back to her. The scarlet ribbon was still wound tightly around them. There was no way that it could have slipped, that this could have happened by accident. But the dolls had been inside the case, and the case had been inside her backpack all day. Eric was watching. â€Å"That's Pilar's ring. Hey, is that the spell on me and Pilar? Can I see it?† â€Å"Oh, why not?† Thea whispered. She felt dazed again. So it couldn't have been an accident, and no human could have done it. And no witch could have done it either. Maybe†¦ Maybe there was a magic stronger than spells. Maybe the soulmate principle was responsible, and if two people were meant to be together, nothing could keep them apart. Eric was gingerly unwinding the scarlet ribbon. â€Å"I'll give the ring back to Pilar,† he said. He reduced the binding spell to its constituent parts, put them gently back in the makeup bag. Then he looked at her. â€Å"I've always loved you,† he said. â€Å"The only question is†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He broke off and looked like the shy Eric she knew again. â€Å"Is, do you love me?† he finished at last. His voice was soft, but he was looking at her steadily. Maybe there are some things you just can't fight†¦. She made herself look at him. The image wobbled and split. â€Å"I love you,† she whispered. â€Å"I don't know what's going to happen, but I do.† They fell-slow as a dream, but still falling-into each other's arms. â€Å"There's a problem,† Thea said some time later. â€Å"Besides all the other problems. I'm going to be doing something next week, and I just need you to give me some time.† â€Å"What kind of something?† â€Å"I can't tell you.† â€Å"You have to tell me,† he said calmly, his breath against her hair. â€Å"You have to tell me everything now.† â€Å"It's magic stuff and it's dangerous-† A second too late she realized her mistake. â€Å"What do you mean, dangerous?† He straightened up. His voice told her the peaceful interlude was over. â€Å"If you think I'm going to let you do something dangerous by yourself†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He wore her down. He was good at that-even better than his sister-and Thea was no good at refusing him. In the end she told him about Suzanne Blanchet. â€Å"A dead witch,† he said. â€Å"A spirit. And a very angry one.† â€Å"And you think she's coming back,† he said. â€Å"I think she's been here all along. Maybe hanging around the old gym, which hasn't done her any good since nobody's been there assaulting dummies. But if they open it to have the Halloween party†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It'll be full of humans, all visiting those booths, all reminding her of what she hates. She can pick them off like ticks off a dog.† â€Å"Something like that. I think it could be bad. So what I've got to do is quietly lure her somewhere else and then send her back where she came from.† â€Å"And how are you going to do that?† â€Å"I don't know.† Thea rubbed her forehead. The sun was dipping toward the cliffs and long afternoon shadows had fallen across the desert. â€Å"You've got a plan,† Eric said matter-of-factly. Not you, Thea thought. I promised myself I wouldn't use you. Not even to save lives. â€Å"You've got a plan you think is dangerous for humans. For me, since I'm going to be helping you.† I will not use you†¦. â€Å"Let's make this easy on everybody. You know I'm not going to let you do it alone. We might as well take that as given and go on from there.† This is the crazy guy who ignores snakebites and attacks people with punch, she reminded herself. Do you really expect to talk him out of helping you? But if something were to happen to him†¦ The voice came back again, and Thea didn't understand it and she didn't like it at all. Would you give up everything?