Barriers to Communication Essay

The correspondence subject that I have decided to expound on is The Barriers to Communication in the in the work environment. My emphasis will be on the Apple Organization just as different associations that have had interchanges issues. My enthusiasm for this subject stems from the way that I’ve experienced numerous boundaries to compelling correspondence while in the work place. I see by and by how ineffectual correspondence by all degrees of an association can prompt the diminishing work ethics, profitability and so on. I am additionally intrigued by this theme in that as a Business Management significant I might want to be as full of feeling in my correspondence with the association I will join just as with the people that will include the organization. In view of an exploration done In July 2011, a Maritz Poll, a yearly representative mentality overview led by Maritz Research, announced that 25 percent of workers showed having less trust in their administration than they did the earlier year. Terrible correspondence separates trust. Obstructions to correspondence in the work spot can be exceptionally inconvenient to the supportability, life span and accomplishment to the association. There are various obstructions that impact correspondence in the work place. As per skillsyouneed.com, these obstructions run from nonverbal correspondence, absence of criticism and social contrasts. These obstructions to correspondence may and can happen at any phase in the correspondence procedure. Boundaries may prompt your message getting misshaped and you hence chance burning through both time and additionally cash by creating turmoil and misconception. Powerful correspondence includes beating these obstructions and passing on an unmistakable and compact message. References Hindrances to viable correspondence. (n.d.). Recovered from http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/boundaries communication.html Duggan, T. (n.d.). Correspondence issues in a business. Recovered from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/correspondence issues business-2828.html

Explain what the current situation is, what problems are in evidence Essay

Clarify what the present circumstance is, the thing that issues are in proof and how those issues ought to be tended to - Essay Example There are diverse stock models and approaches for single provider and various providers and partnered benefits just as disadvantages for every one of them which would be assessed in the report. Certain proposals identified with buying and stock capacities would likewise be rendered so the current troubles can be reduced by a significant degree. List of chapters Executive Summary 2 Introduction 4 Conclusion 13 References 14 Introduction Inventory is characterized as the load of materials or whatever other thing that is being utilized by an association. It is additionally characterized as the inactive asset of any sort that has an extensive financial worth. It has been seen that inventories are administered so as to fulfill the future needs of the procedure of creation. The term ‘inventory management’ is viewed as the way toward keeping up the completed merchandise, and the semi-completed crude materials of organizations or some other business. It has been discovered that productively overseen stock would bring about an expansion in the income by chopping down the expense of the organization. The procedure of stock administration initiates when the organization begins its creation and requests the necessary crude materials for the equivalent. If there should be an occurrence of a retailer, the procedure begins when it puts in a request to the distributer. ... faces certain challenges in buying and overseeing inventories for the parts and materials of different brands for offering types of assistance to the clients. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organization is worried about the future prerequisites of vehicles parts and materials to meet the ever-expanding requirements and requests of the clients. In light of the comprehension of the contextual investigation, the report plans to show the distinctions in stock strategies when there are numerous providers included. The report would additionally talk about the shortcomings in the present stock administration practices of Lancaster Motor Group and prescribe fitting measures to handle the challenges especially identified with buying and stock capacity. Q.1. In what manner Might Purchasing And Inventory Management Policies And Procedures Differ Because The Dealerships Purchase Different Types Of Service Parts And Materials (E.G. Ointments Versus Genuine Parts) From Different Types Of Suppliers? Galena Markovic was very worried about the future possibility of the organization. She didn't need the organization to confront the issue that different organizations are looking with respect to dealing with the acquisition of fluctuated portions of autos in future. As it has been seen that the organization had a decent notoriety regarding the liberation of administrations, she turned out to be progressively worried about its activities. Therefore, she started thinking with respect to flexibly affix and stock administration to determine a touch of her interests and weights. Be that as it may, as she is selling the result of four organizations, she would need to purchase the parts from different providers (for example various providers). In such manner, she would need to follow stock strategies unique in relation to that of the typical stock administration approach of single provider. At the point when a

Free Spirit Publishings Social-Emotional Resources, Part II

Free Spirit Publishings Social-Emotional Resources, Part II Our latest updates for the week of August 6, 2017. As part of our back-to-school updates on TeacherVision, we've added more social-emotional learning and character education materials for teachers, students and parents. Use the six Free Spirit Publishing pieces found belowâ?which deal with bullying, learning from past mistakes, and identifying student learning preferencesâ?to guide your students towards becoming their best selves. Warning Signs of Bullying Designed to help both teachers and parents, this resource covers 14 physical, emotional, and behavioral warning signs that indicate that a child is being bullied or at risk for bullying. oung people encounter, Free Spirit has had the same mission for more than 30 years: to provide children and teensâ?and the adults who care for and about themâ?with the tools they need to think for themselves, overcome challenges, and make a difference in the world. If you missed Part I, you can find it here. Let's connect! Follow TeacherVision on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.

Hillforts Ancient Fortresses in Iron Age Europe

Case Study Employee And Manager - 881 Words

The purpose of this memo is to analyze and reflect upon a scenario in which an employee and his manager are presented with an unruly customer whose request is in violation of company policy. Austin, the employee, does his best to politely explain to the customer why he cannot fulfill their request. Once Suzette, the customer, begins to make a scene, Austin’s manager gets involved. Phil, Austin’s manager, resolves the situation by complying with Suzette’s request. After the exchange, Suzette is now satisfied while Austin is angry. Although the customer was happy, both Austin and Phil could have handled the situation better. Phil, in particular, should make use of the KEYS process to improve his ability to handle tough customer service situations in a fashion that reduces the risk of upsetting his employees and customers. Following Phil’s resolution to the situation, Austin is understandably upset since his decision not to process a refund was reversed by his manager. Phil’s decision to allow Suzette to return the merchandise was against store policy, which Austin was abiding. If Austin had allowed the return of the merchandise without supervisor approval he could have been reprimanded. Instead, he took every step to explain to the customer in a calm, professional manner why he could not accept her return. Once Phil was involved, however, everything Austin had previously communicated with the customer was discarded. Phil showed blatant disregard for Austin’s effort toShow MoreRelatedThe Business World, The Outside Environment Essay943 Words   |  4 PagesHIS Case Study Analysis In the business world, the outside environment is always changing. There are new technological advances, recessions, and more that can encourage a business to adapt. Not only is the business encouraged to adapt, but it is necessary if they want the business to continue to run smoothly and not crash and burn. 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Myanmar Free Essays

This essay will investigate the role of images in the media’s presentation of current events using the example of Myanmar/Burma protests. It is a well-known scientific fact that humans absorb the greatest amount of information through the visual channel; therefore, contemporary media places a significant emphasis on the use of effective images in the presentation of news. Images coupled with specific vocabulary are the most powerful tool of framing public discourse concerning current events. We will write a custom essay sample on Myanmar or any similar topic only for you Order Now As for the background information about the crisis in Myanmar/Burma, there has been a series of protests against human rights abuses and crackdown on ethnic minorities going on in the country since late August. The protests have been started by monks and supported by ordinary citizens. In late September, the military government of Myanmar/Burma responded with the police violence and arrests. Such a response sparked a wave of international indignation, and both Myanmar/Burma activists and their supporters abroad call upon the international institutions to take a decisive action to solve the crisis that has not been fully settled yet. For the purposes of this essay, three most influential news media providers were selected, namely CNN, BBC, and Reuters. There is little variation in their representation of the events in Myanmar/Burma, yet each news provider uses its own set of images to communicate its message to its target audience. CNN launched a series of articles tracking down all the developments of the situation in Myanmar/Burma. The article ‘Satellite photos may prove abuses in Myanmar/Burma, researchers say’ (CNN, 2007) is accompanied by a photograph showing a crowd of monks on a demonstration who are surrounded by other citizens. Deep red apparel of the monks contrasts with predominantly white clothes of other citizens, yet this photograph communicates a powerful message that many Myanmar/Burma citizens are united around the noble cause of confronting their government because of human rights abuses. The photograph is probably taken from the plane or any spot high above the Earth surface. This very fact reminds the Western viewer that many media channels are banned from doing on-the-ground reporting from Myanmar/Burma. It further amplifies the perception of the Myanmar/Burma government as authoritarian and undemocratic one. The thing that is probably missing from the image is the presence of authorities. It is well-known that streets of major Myanmar/Burma cities are flooded with the police and sometimes special forces. While the image effectively captures the peaceful spirit of the protests and high level of self-organization, it fails to convey the atmosphere of confrontation between citizens and authorities. BBC frames the story with a noticeable human touch. British media is known to focus on the human factor before examining international political implications of a certain event. The story titled ‘Monks trying to escape Rangoon’ (BBC, 2007) goes together with a photograph of two young monks fleeing away at the top of a truck. In the background it is possible to spot several other trucks carrying other exiles away. This image communicates a dual message: first of all, it persuasively portrays Buddhist monks as innocent victims of the oppressive regime rather than violent protesters; secondly, it indicates that the number of exiles exceeds the number of transport facilities available to them. Furthermore, it makes viewers think about the future of the protesters who are forced to leave their home country because of their political beliefs. It also puts the story in the wider regional context, since the conflict in Myanmar/Burma will also affect all the neighboring countries if exile becomes mass. The inscription under the image reads ‘Many monks are desperate to leave Rangoon, witnesses say.’ The image advances the story by showing that the protesters are ready to trade the risk and insecurity of fleeing to another country from relative political freedom they can enjoy abroad. Another BBC story, ‘Burmese play tense waiting game’ (BBC, 2007), also features an effective use of visual images. One of the images that accompany the story features Gen Than Shwe who heads the ruling junta and controls the army. The facial expression of Gen Than Shwe is conspicuously aggressive and hostile. To the Western viewer, such an image reminds of other historical forms of military dictatorship, ranging from Soviet-era military buildup to juntas in Latin America. Perhaps the most effective use of visual images has been done by the Reuters (2007). Together with a series of stories, it offers a slideshow of 25 photographs representing the course of development of events in Myanmar/Burma. One of the photographs features a Buddhist monk standing by a placard that reads ‘Free Political Prisoners, Listen to the People.’ Young man is wearing glasses (the fact that resonates with the collective image of ‘intelligentsia’ from developing countries) and has a very determined expression on his face. While there is a grammatical mistake in the word ‘Political,’ the image still credits the protesters for their brave attempts to attract the attention of international community. In such a way, Western media frames the public discourse about the events in Myanmar/Burma is a sympathetic way and calls upon Western governments and international organizations to render necessary support to the peaceful protesters and population of the country. References CNN. ‘Satellite photos may prove abuses in Myanmar, researchers say.’ September 28, 2007. October 3, 2007. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/28/myanmar.satellites.ap/index.html BBC. ‘Monks ‘trying to escape Rangoon’.’ October 3, 2007. October 3, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7025357.stm BBC. October 3, 2007. ‘Burmese play tense waiting game. October 3, 2007. October 3, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7025357.stm The Reuters. ‘Myanmar junta arrests more.’ October 3, 2007. October 3, 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSGOR22843620071003    How to cite Myanmar, Essay examples Myanmar Free Essays Myanmar is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Despite its lush natural resources, the country formerly known as Burma has remained among Asia’s struggling economies, notwithstanding the fact that its neighbor, Thailand, has periodically rebounded from the boom-bust cycle of the international economy, including 1990s Asian Financial Crisis. Even if there be economic pitfalls like these, Myanmar has always been known for its two social pillars – the Buddhist monks and the Burmese military. We will write a custom essay sample on Myanmar or any similar topic only for you Order Now For years, the these two socio-political institutions have always been embroiled in a love-hate relationship especially in amassing the support of the Burmese people, as evidenced in the current political crisis engulfing all of Myanmar today. On the other hand, it is important to note that Myanmar was a former direct British colony, from 1824-1886 and subsequently became a province of India until it gained full independence in 1948. Burmese history post-independence though may be best described as a waltz between the exercise of democracy and the iron grip of the Burmese military institution, as the Burmese military junta has always wielded political and economic power in Burma since the time of Gen. Ne Win until today, under the leadership of Gen. Than Shwe. Presently, several indicators may serve to show the level of development Burma has reached – the Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (PCGDP), Literacy Rate, and the Life Expectancy. These three are very important indices in determining whether or not the Burmese government and its people are successful in substantially improving the lives of members of their society. The Burmese PCGDP is pegged at $1,800 (2006 est.), a far cry from the $9,200 (2006 est.) PCGDP of its neighbor Thailand and even its similarly situated neighbor Laos whose PCGDP is at $ 2,200. (cia.gov) On the other hand, Burma has been successful in ensuring that majority of its population can read and write, as its 89.9% literacy rate is only a few percentages lower than Thailand’s 92.6%. Life expectancy in Burma is also very low at 62.52 years old, while Thailand’s life expectancy is at 72.55 years old. Actually, the life expectancy in more underdeveloped neighbor Bangladesh is slightly higher than the Burmese average, at 62.84 years old. (cia.gov) Over and above the usual economic explanations as to the depressing levels of poverty in Burma, a major basis for the continuing economic underdevelopment in Burma shall always be the authoritarian rule of the Burmese government and the patent lack of democracy and freedom in the country. A main factor for the stunting of the Burmese economy is the strict government controls on all sectors of the economy by the ruling junta. Even as the world has already started embracing the principle of eliminating barriers to international trade, the Burmese economy continues to institute questionable economic policies such as a distorted interest rate regime and multiple official exchange rates. (cia.gov) Moreover, the discredited image of the Burmese military junta to the world has also resulted in a lukewarm investment climate, diminishing foreign assistance by developed countries, and economic sanctions, especially due to its protracted and continued crackdown on pro-democracy dissidents including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Such an unfortunate economic and political situation would definitely lead to dire results insofar as human development is concerned, the result of which would be the low life expectancy of the Burmese people. To a certain extent, it is very safe to surmise that the low life expectancy can be logically attributed to the failures of years of military junta rule in delivering basic social services to the people. Had the Burmese government been very effective in delivering primary healthcare to its impoverished countryside notwithstanding ensuring sustained food security, the necessary consequence of such a situation would perhaps lead to a higher life expectancy rate than what Burma currently faces. Apparently, if one looks at the CIA world ranking on life expectancy, Burma at 168th place would find itself in the company of countries and states which had histories of problematic governments and states which do not necessarily hold the interest of their peoples at heart due to pervasive corruption, civil strife, among others. (cia.gov) On the other hand, it would seem surprising that an impoverished country like Burma would have such a high literacy rate of 89.9%, especially as similarly situated underdeveloped countries such as Haiti and Cambodia have very low literacy rates, at 52.9% and 50.2%, respectively. The explanation for this would perhaps lie on the fundamental interest of the Burmese junta to educate and consolidate the people towards assimilating themselves to the legitimacy of the authoritarian regime, as an uneducated people would definitely plant the seeds of civil unrest and challenge the regime. This conjecture is offered in the light of similarly high literacy rates in other authoritarian yet impoverished regimes the world over, such as Cuba and North Korea, both of which have literacy rate of 99%. (cia.gov) The primordial prerequisite for the economic development of Burma today needs more than a simple implementation of liberalization measures in its economy, as the basic problem lies in the very structure of its institutions, particularly the manner by which the Burmese government wields power. If there is no room for discussion of different economic theories and policies which have worked for countless other impoverished nations, no shift towards economic liberalization and deregulation policies can ever be hoped in Burma as an authoritarian government shall always tend to believe only the policies and theories which it would want to pursue and implement. While a vast majority of the Burmese people is literate enough, it cannot be said fully at this point whether their literacy actually amounts to the development of countless professionals, scientists, engineers and skilled workers, as their poorly planned economy remains in shambles. In the ultimate analysis, prior to any economic cure which may be instituted to jumpstart its economic for the development of its resources and its people, a political solution must decisively be done if Burma is to move progressively and proactively forwards as a nation. Works Cited: Burma. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  November 20, 2007. November 15, 2007. Thailand. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/th.html,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   November 20, 2007. November 15, 2007. Rank Order – GDP – per capita (PPP). CIA World Factbook.       November 20, 2007. November 15, 2007. Rank Order – Life expectancy at birth. CIA World Factbook.             November 20, 2007. November 15, 2007. How to cite Myanmar, Essay examples

War of Words the Ability of Language to Tell a True War Story Essay Example

War of Words: the Ability of Language to Tell a True War Story Paper The world of fiction is thought to be just that: fictional. It is supposed to be a time and place that a reader can escape with the closing of a book. There is, however, a fine line between fact and fiction in some literary works that cannot be avoided or ignored; especially in war stories. In Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, a compilation of short stories about the Vietnam War, the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. In O’Brien’s case, the task at hand is to tell a true war story while pondering whether it is possible to ever uncover the real truth. Throughout the short stories found in O’Brien’s novel, specifically â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story† and â€Å"Good Form,† O’Brien grapples with the notion of what makes a â€Å"true† war story. He is also torn about whether or not language can fully convey the facts due to all the contradictions that war poses. Despite the fact that these are stories about the failure of language, O’Brien still captures the truth about the Vietnam War by employing literary techniques such as metafiction and imagery. Metafiction is â€Å"a term given to fictional writing which self-consciously and systematically draws attention to its status as an artifact in order to pose questions about the relationship between fiction and reality† (Waugh, 2). O’Brien uses this technique throughout his story in order to blur the line between what a reader believes to be the world of fiction and the actual world of the Vietnam War. This technique is used to instruct readers on how a true war story is defined while bringing the reader back to the present, as well as to tell a reader what writing is true and what is fictional. We will write a custom essay sample on War of Words: the Ability of Language to Tell a True War Story specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on War of Words: the Ability of Language to Tell a True War Story specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on War of Words: the Ability of Language to Tell a True War Story specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The technique inserts the author into the text, and gives him the authority to tell a reader his version of the truth of Vietnam. O’Brien does this in a very obvious manner. O’Brien gives his readers guidelines for deciphering a true war story which he emphasizes with various tales in â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story. † He states, â€Å"You can tell a true war story if it embarrasses you. If you don’t care for obscenity, you don’t care for the truth†¦Listen to Rat: ‘Jesus Christ, man, I write this beautiful fuckin’ letter, I slave over it, and what happens? The dumb cooze never writes back† (O’Brien, 69). O’Brien warns the reader that true war stories will be crude, and he immediately follows it with Rat Kiley’s use of foul language. He does this many times in an effort to inform the reader that true war stories don’t have a moral; a true war story cannot be believed (68, 71). This is immediately followed by Mitchell Sanders telling the narrator a story about a group of soldiers who were sent to the mountains to spy on their enemy. They wound up thinking they heard their enemy all over, and millions of dollars in weaponry was wasted. He attempts to tell O’Brien what the moral is, and he says â€Å"Hear that quiet, man? That quiet – just listen. There’s your moral† (77). There is no moral; if there was a moral to the story, Sanders would have been able to tell it to O’Brien. Instead, he told O’Brien to listen to the silence because that was the moral†¦no moral that could ever be spoken. While O’Brien uses obvious examples of metafiction in â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story†, he also, much more subtly, approaches the inability of language to tell a true story. One of the most effective ways that he does this is by the telling and retelling of the same story, especially that of Curt Lemon’s death. When he retells the story, he elaborates more on the details of what happened; he reveals Curt Lemon’s death in pieces throughout the story, but always ending or beginning with his death and the detail of stepping on a landmine. It is not until later that O’Brien states, â€Å"you can tell a true war story if you just keep on telling it† (85). By continually telling Curt Lemon’s story, O’Brien is making it a true war story even if it never happened. It works in the same way as Old Wives Tales; society continually tells them as if they are true, and people follow what they say even though the stories have never been proven. Whether it actually happened or not is irrelevant in the context of O’Brien’s work. O’Brien is not necessarily presenting the facts: â€Å"what we learn as children to be â€Å"telling the truth† [but] allows the reader to experience the â€Å"truth† of Vietnam through self-conscious assertions of authorial identity and performances of narration† (Silbergleid, 147). In his novel, he continually tells the reader â€Å"this is true. Other times he will say that it is mostly true. By saying something is true; it’s similar to admitting the tale is fictional. If it was true, why would the story-teller feel the need to confirm this truth? The reality of war stories is such that the stories do not all need to be factual. O’Brien uses metafiction as a means to j ustify why not every story has to be exactly true. In his short story, â€Å"Good Form,† he instructs the reader to believe that there are two truths: â€Å"story-truth† and â€Å"happening-truth† (O’Brien, 179). Story-truth is what is written in a iterary work with the purpose of allowing the reader to feel what the characters and writer are feeling. Happening-truth is the reality (such as O’Brien really having served in the Vietnam War) (Silbergleid, 133). It is not necessary to get every detail correct; it is not important to tell every story exactly as it happened, but it is important to set the correct tone for the story and the war which O’Brien does by using â€Å"story-truth. † Story-truth will give grim details in order to set the tone and bring the reader into the way. This is the truth that â€Å"makes the stomach believe† (O’Brien, 77). To do this, O’Brien uses a great deal of imagery which does not allow the reader to escape the reality of the war. This is most prominently witnessed in one of O’Brien’s telling of Curt Lemon’s death. He writes, I watched Curt Lemon turn sideways. He laughed and said something to Rat Kiley. Then he took a peculiar half step, moving from shade into bright sunlight, and the booby-trapped 105 round blew him into a tree. The parts were just hanging there, so Dave Jensen and I were ordered to shinny up and peel him off. I remember the white bone of an arm. I remember pieces of skin and something wet and yellow that must’ve been intestines. (O’Brien 82-83) With this imagery, the reader is forced to see a young soldier take a strange step, and then the next moment, there are body parts in a tree. The same technique is used when describing the shooting of the baby water buffalo. The readers are forced to watch as Rat Kiley pet the baby buffalo, tried to feed it, and then â€Å"stepped back and shot it through the right front knee. The animal did not make a sound. It went down hard then got up again, and Rat took careful aim and shot off an ear† (O’Brien, 78) and so on and so forth until the baby buffalo was shot into pieces and suffering. It makes the reader’s stomach queasy. This cruel act, the cruelty of war, is known and believed because the sick feeling the reader has in his stomach. But did this event happen? Is it in the record books anywhere as actually taking place? This ambiguity means that this may not be an actual event from the war, but it leaves the reader with a very visual and grim image of the atrocities of war. In story-truth, it is always possible that the event happened or that it never happened. There is no certainty, just like there is no certainty in war. Even if the death of Curt Lemon or the baby water buffalo never happened, that doesn’t mean similar events didn’t happen to countless numbers of soldiers; it doesn’t mean that this fighting style of war is not factual. O’Brien could have chosen any animal running around Vietnam, but instead he chose a baby water buffalo which is a â€Å"symbol of Vietnamese innocence†¦an emblem of the culture, not an agent of the war, and a baby† (Wesley, 7). Just like the baby water buffalo, Curt may not have been an actual person, but a number of innocent, young people on both sides of the war were sent to fight and die. Curt may or may not have been a real person, but the truth in the story is not important because it still reveals a truth about the cruelty of the Vietnam War. As O’Brien says, â€Å"a thing may happen and be a total lie; another thing may not happen and be truer than the truth† (O’Brien, 83). When there is this ambiguity between fact and fiction, metafiction becomes increasingly important. By inserting this point after telling Curt Lemon’s story, O’Brien is trying to â€Å"come to terms with the discrepancy between art and the Real† by affirming â€Å"the artificial element in art†¦and to make the artifice part of your point† (Tuttle, 1097). By stating that the story may be fictional and hold more truth than what society is told is true, O’Brien is blurring the line between the real world and the fictional world in his art. He is making this fiction a part of the reality of the Vietnam War. In addition it becomes necessary to blur the lines between fact and fiction because: In any war story, especially a true one, it’s difficult to separate what happened from what seemed to happen. What seems to happen becomes its own happening and has to be told that way. The angles of vision are skewed. When a booby trap explodes, you close your eyes and duck and float outside yourself. When a guy dies, like Curt Lemon, you look away and then look back for a moment and then look away again. The picture gets jumbled; you tend to miss a lot. And then afterward, when you go to tell about it, there is always that surreal seemingness, which makes the story seem untrue, but which in fact represents the hard and exact truth as it seemed. (O’Brien, 71). In other words, even the soldier telling the story may not have seen every action because of his own reactions. If a soldier closes his eyes, does that mean his friend didn’t die? No. O’Brien’s character, even if he closed his eyes, still saw the parts of his friend in a tree. The reader is also shown this, but, unlike the soldier, the reader is not able to look away. The reader is forced to see what the soldier would have seen had his first reaction not been one of his own survival. In addition, war stories need to be fictional because â€Å"what happened in the hearts and minds of the soldiers who fought that battle is not conveyed by clinical data. To uncover that is the task of fiction† (Timmerman, 101). In a war with so many deaths, who is left to tell the true war story? Not only does a writer not know what every soldier was feeling or thinking, but in an interview, O’Brien admits, In war, the rational faculty begins to diminish†¦and what takes over is surrealism, the life of the imagination. The mind of the soldier becomes part of the experience – the brain seems to flow out of your head, joining the elements around you on the battlefield. It’s like stepping outside yourself. War is a surreal experience, therefore it seems quite natural and proper for a writer to render some of its aspects in a surreal way (qtd. in Timmerman, 103). In other words, war is surreal or dreamlike. It is like a fictitious story that needs to be told in the same way. He also admits that the soldier’s brain becomes a part of the action; this is something that cannot be separated from the story of war, and begs to be told. It is a story that may or may not have absolute truths as they were, but to tell the story of the war means including the brain, or thoughts, of the soldier which, according to O’Brien, are now a part of the battlefield. By telling and retelling Curt Lemon’s story and the shooting of the baby water buffalo, the reader is allowed access to the thoughts of a soldier. Rat watched his friend die, and he was upset. After mutilating the baby water buffalo, O’Brien states that â€Å"Rat Kiley was crying. He tried to say something, but then cradled his gun and went off by himself† (O’Brien, 77). Rat was distraught at what happened to his friend, and he wound up shooting the baby water buffalo as a way to release his emotions. Whether the reader feels the same as Rat Kiley when they hear the details of Curt’s death, or whether it’s when they see the suffering of this baby water buffalo, it is the same. The reader can now feel similar pain to that of the soldiers. Whether the reader has ever been in a war or not, O’Brien directed the reader how to uncover a true war story by direct and indirect methods. He drew the reader in by having the narrator address himself as â€Å"I† instead of by name. He did that by telling the reader what was true and what wasn’t. He did it by bringing the country and the war alive to the reader by the use of imagery. O’Brien may have doubted the ability of language to tell a true war story, yet he did just that. He showed the reader that the war was immoral; that there were blood, guts, and cruelty, and yet the war was still beautiful. In O’Brien’s last description of the death of Curt Lemon, it is almost poetic. He writes, I can still see the sunlight on Lemon’s face. I can see him turning, looking back at Rat Kiley, then he laughed and took that curious half step from shade into sunlight, his face suddenly brown and shining, and when his foot touched down, in that instant, he must’ve thought it was the sunlight that was killing him†¦But if I could ever get the story right, how the sun seemed to gather around him and pick him up and lift him high into a tree, if I could somehow re-create that fatal whiteness of that light, the quick glare†¦ (O’Brien 84). It seems almost contradictory with the rest of his story, and yet, he writes about the death in a beautiful way. Despite all the tragedy, he still writes as if the sunlight was the cause of Curt’s death. He uses words of light (sunlight, shining, whiteness, light) which sound almost pure and innocent which is in stark contrast with the rest of the war. It is in the contradictions and paradoxes O’Brien presents that leave the reader confused and seem to confirm his premise about the inability of language to tell the truth. It is in this ambiguity of language, however, that allows the reader can discern fact or fiction for himself; it is within these opposing ideas that the truth exists. The truth that O’Brien points out is that there are no absolutes in war. War is beautiful and yet war is cruel. Death is both beautiful and dark. There are no constants; there is no steady ground to stand on just like a war. Works Cited OBrien, Tim. Good Form. The Things They Carried. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1990. 179-80. Print. OBrien, Tim. How to Tell a True War Story. The Things They Carried. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1990. 67-85. Print. Silbergleid, Robin. Making Things Present: Tim OBriens Autobiographical Metafiction. Contemporary Literature 50. 1 (2009): 129-55. Web. 03 Dec. 2010. Timmerman, John H. Tim OBrien and the Art of the True War Story: Night March and Speaking of Courage Twentieth Century Literature 46. 1 (2000): 100-14. Web. 03 Dec. 2010. Tuttle, Jon. How You Get That Story: Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle and the Literature of the Vietnam War. Journal of Popular Culture 38. 6 (2005): 1088-098. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. Waugh, Patricia. Metafiction: The Theor y and Practice of Self-Conscious Fiction. New York: Methuen, 1984. Print. Wesley, Marilyn. Truth and Fiction in Tim OBriens If I Die in a Combat Zone and The Things They Carried. College Literature 29. 2 (2002): 1-18. Web. 03 Dec. 2010.

18th Century European Enlightenment Essays - Age Of Enlightenment

18th Century European Enlightenment Essays - Age Of Enlightenment 18th Century European Enlightenment The Enlightenment is a name given by historians to an intellectual movement that was predominant in the Western world during the 18th century. Strongly influenced by the rise of modern science and by the aftermath of the long religious conflict that followed the Reformation, the thinkers of the Enlightenment (called philosophes in France) were committed to secular views based on reason or human underezding only, which they hoped would provide a basis for beneficial changes affecting every area of life and thought. The more extreme and radical philosophesDenis Diderot, Claude Adrien Helvetius, Baron d'Holbach, the Marquis de Condorcet, and Julien Offroy de La Mettrie (1709-51)advocated a philosophical rationalism deriving its methods from science and natural philosophy that would replace religion as the means of knowing nature and destiny of humanity; these men were materialists, pantheists, or atheists. Other enlightened thinkers, such as Pierre Bayle, Voltaire, David Hume, Jean Le Rond D'alembert, and Immanuel Kant, opposed fanaticism, but were either agnostic or left room for some kind of religious faith. All of the philosophes saw themselves as continuing the work of the great 17th century pioneersFrancis Bacon, Galileo, Descartes, Leibnitz, Isaac Newton, and John Lockewho had developed fruitful methods of rational and empirical inquiry and had demonstrated the possibility of a world remade by the application of knowledge for human benefit. The philosophes believed that science could reveal nature as it truly is and show how it could be controlled and manipulated. This belief provided an incentive to extend scientific methods into every field of inquiry, thus laying the groundwork for the development of the modern social sciences. The enlightened underezding of human nature was one that emphasized the right to self-expression and human fulfillment, the right to think freely and express one's views publicly without censorship or fear of repression. Voltaire admired the freedom he found in England and fostered the spread of English ideas on the Continent. He and his followers opposed the intolerance of the established Christian churches of their day, as well as the European governments that controlled and suppressed dissenting opinions. For example, the social disease which Pangloss caught from Paquette was traced to a "very learned Franciscan" and later to a Jesuit. Also, Candide reminisces that his passion for Cunegonde first developed at a Mass. More conservative enlightened thinkers, concerned primarily with efficiency and administrative order, favored the "enlightened despotism" of such monarchs as Emperor Joseph II, Frederick II of Prussia, and Catherine II of Russia. Enlightened political thought expressed demands for equality and justice and for the legal changes needed to realize these goals. Set forth by Baron de Montesquieu, the changes were more boldly urged by the contributors to the great Encyclopedie edited in Paris by Diderot between 1747 and 1772, by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Cesare Beccaria, and finally by Jeremy Bentham, whose utilitarianism was the culmination of a long debate on happiness and the means of achieving it. The political writers of the Enlightenment built on and extended the rationalistic, republican, and natural-law theories that had been evolved in the previous century as the bases of law, social peace, and just order. As they did so, they also elaborated novel doctrines of popular sovereignty that the 19th century would transform into a kind of nationalism that contradicted the individualistic outlook of the philosophes. Among those who were important in this development were historians such as Voltaire, Hume, William Robertson, Edward Gibbon, and Giambattista Vico. Their work showed that although all peoples shared a common human nature, each nation and every age also had distinctive characteristics that made it unique. These paradoxes were explored by early romantics such as Johann Georg Hamman and Johann Gottfried von Herder. Everywhere the Enlightenment produced restless men impatient for change but frustrated by popular ignorance and official repression. This gave the enlightened literati an interest in popular education. They promoted educational ventures and sought in witty, amusing, and even titillating ways to educate and awaken their contemporaries. The stories of Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle or Benjamin Franklin, the widely imitated essays of Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, and many dictionaries, handbooks, and encyclopedias produced by the enlightened were written to popularize, simplify, and promote a more reasonable view of life among

Dry Thunderstormsâ€Their Causes and Dangers

Dry Thunderstorms- Their Causes and Dangers A dry thunderstorm is one that produces little or no rain. While it might seem like a contradiction in terms to have a thunderstorm without precipitation, its actually quite common in areas of the western United States where the heat index can be very high, particularly in late spring and early summer months with low humidity.   How a Dry Thunderstorm Occurs A thunderstorm can be called dry  when temperature and heat gather  below the cloud cover, called the aerial canopy. It will rain, but the rain and other forms of precipitation never manage to reach the ground. The storms rain and any moisture evaporate as they fall and near the earth. In meteorology, this event is called virga.   The #1 Natural Cause of Wildfires Dry thunderstorms  are often the culprits behind massive wildfires when lightning ignites a dry fuel source on the ground during  fire weather  season, which is the hot summer months. Although theres no rain, at least at ground level, these storms still pack plenty of lightning. When lightning strikes in these arid conditions, its called dry lightning and wildfires can easily erupt. Vegetation and flora are often parched and readily ignitable. Even when a light rain does manage to survive and hit earth, this moisture is typically nowhere near enough to have any effect on the fires. These storms can additionally produce severe, strong winds called microbursts that can whip the fires about and shift them, making them hard to battle. The Potential for Dust Storms Dry microbursts are another weather phenomenon associated with dry thunderstorms. When  precipitation evaporates as it nears ground level, this cools the air, sometimes radically and suddenly. This cooler air is heavier and it tends to plummet quickly to earth, creating strong winds. And remember- theres little to no associated rain and moisture here. Thats already evaporated, causing the microburst in the first place. These winds can kick up dust and other debris in arid regions, resulting in sand and dust storms. These storms are called ​haboobs  in the western states that are prone to them.  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Ã¢â‚¬â€¹ Staying Safe in a Dry Thunderstorm   Dry thunderstorms can typically be predicted well in advance of the storm so officials can warn residents in vulnerable areas. Incident meteorologists, called IMETs, go on full alert. These specially-trained meteorologists look for the fuels that will help a wildfire spread. IMETs have training in microscale forecasting, fire behavior, and fire operations. They also act as managers who can help coordinate control efforts. Decisions are made on how to best control and contain wildfires based on  predictions of wind speed and direction. Even if you do not receive an alert that the weather in your area is prime for a dry thunderstorm, youll know because you should hear thunder. If rain doesnt arrive before the thunder, simultaneously, or shortly thereafter, a dry thunderstorm- and the potential for fire- is probably imminent. If theres thunder, there  will  be lightning, although the severity of the lightning can vary depending on the storm system. As with any storm, seek shelter if youre outdoors.

Duties of the noble society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Duties of the noble society - Essay Example What can be said of the document is that it does represent the global rights to which all human beings are entitled. The core values of Saint Leo’s (2011) have a number of similarities to the UDHR (1948). Saint Leo’s (2011) stresses the development of every person's mind, spirit and body for a balanced life and all members of the Saint Leo University community must demonstrate their commitment the character of our community. Upon examination of article 29 in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) it was declared that â€Å"Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. It does not take a stretch to see that these two points closely align however, how this is interpreted from both perspectives seems to be largely up to the individual. It remains the case that both documents stress that we have a ‘duty’ to our community. However a further condition of article 29 (UDHR , 1948) are limitations which are determined solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others with concerns for morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. In the sphere of international and domestic politics it was argued by the New York Times (2010) that this issue came to the forefront during the Lars Vilks Mohammed Drawings Cartoon Controversy. Many people began serious discussions as to where the right to artistic expression ends and the right to be free from religious persecution. The next major alignment between these two organizations comes through article 26 (UDHR, 1948) stipulates that â€Å"Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.† In many ways this aligns with Saint Leo’s (2011)commitment to community insofar as the value encourages students to strive to foster t heir commitment to excellence. Ultimately the core value (Saint Leo’s, 2011) strives to have a strong community and this depends on the unity and diversity of people with a free exchange of ideas and on learning, living, and working harmoniously. How this pertains to domestic politics in countries around the world is that this issue has dominated discussions of diversity and multiculturalism. On one end of the spectrum come statements from politicians who believe that multiculturalism failed (BBC, 2010) yet on the other hand I believe that one of the core strengths of my community is that we not only embrace multiculturalism but recognize that there are strengths to societies that draw from people of many different opinions. As a final example I believe that there are many parallels that can be drawn between Saint Leo’s (2011) and article 26(UDHR, 1948) insofar as our institution makes the statement that we value all individuals’ unique talents, respect their di gnity and strive to foster their commitment to excellence through the spirit of Jesus Christ. Although it may be that not everybody in our community is Christian we must respect our community members for who they are and recognize their unique strengths whilst respecting their beliefs and they are as free to receive all the benefits of working hard for our community as well. Without question there are a number

Global Branding Strategies Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global Branding Strategies - Research Paper Example As the paper outlines, the world is becoming increasingly global. Companies are not just focusing on local markets in their service and product provision. They are now looking for new and more promising markets outside their borders and also need to incorporate market forces coming from their global competitors. The corporate world is now characterized by a fast flow of products internationally, an advertisement is also done across borders and there is a need to ensure that marketing strategies reflect these changes. (Kapfer, 1997)  Brands are a fundamental part of any company's key strategy. This is because brands give firms an identity. Keller (1998) asserts that brands help to strengthen their customer base and also to take away power from retailers alone. Aaker and Keller (1990) go on to add that a brand helps to solidify ones position in any market. However, there are some key questions that arise when dealing with the issue. Firms need to ask themselves whether they would lik e to maintain the same brand name in different countries and locations. Firms who choose to do this could justify their actions by claiming that this allows them to maintain their identity throughout. On the other hand, some firms may decide to take up different brands within the different countries that they will choose to operate. Such firms may believe that brand names need to reflect demand and the needs of a particular country. These questions need to be addressed so as to ensure that a given company take advantage of all the opportunities available in the international market. Some companies may have made quite a name for themselves in the domestic markets. Their products may have such a unique place in their product markets such that they have considerable influence there. It would, therefore, be advisable to maintain the same brand for such companies when venturing into global markets. Caller (1996) asserts that this will go a long way in ensuring that such companies are abl e to leverage their power in the domestic market to international markets. A good example of such a company is Coca Cola. It started with a very strong image in its domestic market and decided to maintain its name throughout its market.  Another aspect that could make certain companies stick to the same brand name is the integration of regional markets. For example in Europe, there are numerous countries that are now operating under the same currency and targeting each other. Consequently, it would be advisable to create brand names that can accommodate numerous countries all at once. The European Union has changed the traditional approach of locally-centered products. There is a need to incorporate brands for the EU markets. (Featherstone, 1990)  Some companies may be dealing with certain products that have relatively equal levels of demand in the target markets they are dealing with. A good example of such a company is Shell. The Company deals with various petroleum products. These are items that are in high demand in different parts of the world.  

My Childhood Autumns in a Nutshell. . . or an Apple :: Essays Papers

My Childhood Autumns in a Nutshell. . . or an Apple As a native Vermonter, I have spent every autumn driving out of Burlington and into the rust and golden mountains of Stowe to admire the foliage and to take advantage of nearby orchards. I have visited probably every orchard, mill, factory and farm over my lifetime. Through these excursions, freshly made apple cider, warm cider doughnuts, cool, crunchy apples picked right off the branch, and the smell of these apples have all become imbedded into my memories of my childhood here in Vermont. Despite all of my experience with Vermont apples and their by-products, I have never taken the time to really get to know the fruit. There are so many varieties of apples, and although I’ve most likely eaten them all, I could only surely identify one: the Granny Smith. I feel that, as a Vermonter, telling one apple from another is something that I should be able to do. As this passing autumn will be my last consecutive one in Vermont before college, I made it my duty to learn about one of my home state’s largest exports, and set of in search of the best Vermont apple. I figured that before I began tasting apples, I should first have a list of ideal apple qualities to measure my candidates against. My criteria for being considered a good apple: not too sweet but also not too tart, juicy, but not so juicy that it’s embarrassing to bite into it in front of others, not yellow on the inside, no brown spots or bitter bit, not so soft that your bite extends down into the seeds and core, but also not so hard that it hurts your gums to bite into it. A good apple is not mushy or bruised, it has a stem, it’s nicely shaped, and it’s not small- it’s a nice big apple, but not so big it makes you sick to eat the whole thing. A good apple must be flavorful, have a nice aroma, and, very importantly, be crunchy enough that it makes a crisp sound when you bite into it. Also, a perfect apple must be very round, not tall and oval shaped with four big humps on the bottom. I don’t like this kind. I figured that the best place to buy the freshest apples would be at a co-op, so I went to the City Market in Burlington and bought a bag of Vermont apples grown at a local orchard.

Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-one

THERE WAS LITTLE MORE MIKHAIL and I could say to each other after that. I didn't want him to get in trouble for what he'd done, and I let him lead us out of the guardians' building in silence. As we emerged outside, I could see the sky purpling in the east. The sun was nearly up, signaling the middle of our night. Briefly flipping into Lissa's mind, I read that the Death Watch had finally ended, and she was on her way back to her room–worried about me and still annoyed that Christian had shown up with Mia. I followed Lissa's example, wondering if sleep might ease the agony that Dimitri had left in my heart. Probably not. Still, I thanked Mikhail for his help and the risk he'd taken. He merely nodded, like there was nothing to thank him for. It was exactly what he would have wanted me to do for him if our roles had been reversed and Ms. Karp had been the one behind bars. I feel into a heavy sleep back in my bed, but my dreams were troubled. Over and over, I kept hearing Dimitri tell me he couldn't love me anymore. It beat into me over and over, smashing my heart into little pieces. At one point, it became more than a dreamlike beating. I heard real beating. Someone was pounding on my door, and slowly, I dragged myself out of my awful dreams. Bleary-eyed, I went to the door and found Adrian. The scene was almost a mirror of last night when he'd come to invite me to the Death Watch. Only this time, his face was much grimmer. For a second, I thought he'd heard about my visit to Dimitri. Or that maybe he'd gotten in a lot more trouble than we'd realized for sneaking half of his friends into a secret funeral. â€Å"Adrian†¦ this is early for you†¦.† I glanced over at a clock, discovering that I'd actually slept in pretty late. â€Å"Not early at all,† he confirmed, face still serious. â€Å"Lots of stuff going on. I had to come tell you the news before you heard it somewhere else.† â€Å"What news?† â€Å"The Council's verdict. They finally passed that big resolution they've been debating. The one you came in for.† â€Å"Wait. They're done?† I recalled what Mikhail had said, that a mystery issue had been keeping the Council busy. If it was finished, then they could move on to something else–say, like, officially declaring Dimitri a dhampir again. â€Å"That's great news.† And if this really was tied into when Tatiana had had me come describe my skills†¦ well, was there really a chance I might be named Lissa's guardian? Could the queen have really come through? She'd seemed friendly enough last night. Adrian regarded me with something I'd never seen from him: pity. â€Å"You have no idea, do you?† â€Å"No idea about what?† â€Å"Rose†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He gently rested a hand on my shoulder. â€Å"The Council just passed a decree lowering the guardian age to sixteen. Dhampirs'll graduate when they're sophomores and then go out for assignments.† â€Å"What?† Surely I'd misheard. â€Å"You know how panicked they've been about protection and not having enough guardians, right?† He sighed. â€Å"This was their solution to increasing your numbers.† â€Å"But they're too young!† I cried. â€Å"How can anyone think sixteen-year-olds are ready to go out and fight?† â€Å"Well,† said Adrian, â€Å"because you testified that they were.† My mouth dropped, everything freezing around me. You testified that they were†¦ No. It couldn't be possible. Adrian gently nudged my arm, trying to shake me out of my stupor. â€Å"Come on, they're still wrapping up. They made the announcement in an open session, and some people are†¦ a little upset.† â€Å"Yeah, I'll say.† He didn't need to tell me twice. I immediately started to follow, then realized I was in my pajamas. I quickly changed and brushed my hair, still scarcely able to believe what he'd just said. My preparation only took five minutes, and then we were out the door. Adrian wasn't overly athletic, but he kept a pretty good pace as we headed toward the Council's hall. â€Å"How did this happen?† I asked. â€Å"You don't really mean that†¦ that what I said played a role?† I'd meant my words to be a demand, but they came out with more of a pleading note. He lit a cigarette without breaking stride, and I didn't bother chastising him for it. â€Å"It's apparently been a hot topic for a while. It was a pretty close vote. The people pushing for it knew they'd need to show a lot of evidence to win. You were their grand prize: a teen dhampir slaying Strigoi left and right, long before graduation.† â€Å"Not that long,† I muttered, my fury kindling. Sixteen? Were they serious? It was ludicrous. The fact that I had been unknowingly used to support this decree made me sick to my stomach. I'd been a fool, thinking they'd all ignored my rule breaking and had simply paraded me in to praise me. They'd used me. Tatiana had used me. When we reached it, the Council hall was in as much chaos as Adrian had implied. True, I hadn't spent a lot of time in these kinds of meetings, but I was pretty sure that people standing up in clusters and yelling at each other wasn't normal. The Council's herald probably didn't usually scream himself hoarse trying to bring order to the crowd either. The only spot of calm was Tatiana herself, sitting patiently in her seat at the center of the table, just as Council etiquette dictated. She looked very pleased with herself. The rest of her colleagues had lost all sense of propriety and were on their feet like the audience, arguing amongst themselves or anyone else ready to pick a fight. I stared in amazement, unsure what to do in all this disorder. â€Å"Who voted for what?† I asked. Adrian studied the Council members and ticked them off on his fingers. â€Å"Szelsky, Ozera, Badica, Dashkov, Conta, and Drozdov. They were against it.† â€Å"Ozera?† I asked in surprise. I didn't know the Ozera princess–Evette–very well, but she'd always seemed pretty stiff and unpleasant. I had new respect for her now. Adrian nodded over to where Tasha was furiously addressing a large group of people, eyes flashing and arms waving wildly. â€Å"Evette was persuaded by some of her family members.† That made me smile too, but only for a moment. It was good that Tasha and Christian were being acknowledged amongst their clan again, but the rest of our problem was still alive and kicking. I could deduce the rest of the names. â€Å"So†¦ Prince Ivashkov voted for it,† I said. Adrian shrugged by way of apology for his family. â€Å"Lazar, Zeklos, Tarus, and Voda.† That the Voda family would vote for extra protection wasn't entirely a surprise, considering the recent slaughter of one of their members. Priscilla wasn't even in her grave yet, and the new Voda prince, Alexander, seemed clearly unsure what to do with his sudden promotion. I gave Adrian a sharp look. â€Å"That's only five to six. Oh.† Realization dawned. â€Å"Shit. Royal tiebreaker.† The Moroi voting system had been set up with twelve members, one for each family, and then whoever the reigning king or queen was. True, it often meant one group got two votes, since the monarch rarely voted against his or her own family. It had been known to happen. Regardless, the system should have had thirteen votes, preventing ties. Except†¦ a recent problem had developed. There were no Dragomirs on the Council anymore, meaning ties could occur. In that rare event, Moroi law dictated that the monarch's vote carried extra weight. I'd heard that had always been controversial, and yet at the same time, there wasn't much to be done for it. Ties in the Council would mean nothing ever got settled, and since monarchs were elected, many took it on faith that they would act in the best interests of the Moroi. â€Å"Tatiana's was the sixth,† I said. â€Å"And hers swayed it.† Glancing around, I saw a bit of anger on the faces of those from the families who had voted against the decree. Apparently, not everyone believed Tatiana had acted in the best interest of the Moroi. Lissa's presence sang to me through the bond, so her arrival a few moments later was no surprise. News had spread fast, though she didn't yet know the fine details. Adrian and I waved her over. She was as dumbfounded as we were. â€Å"How could they do that?† she asked. â€Å"Because they're too afraid that someone might make them learn to defend themselves. Tasha's group was getting too loud.† Lissa shook her head. â€Å"No, not just that. I mean, why were they even in session? We should be in mourning after what happened the other day–publicly. The whole Court, not just some secret part of it. One of the Council members even died! Couldn't they wait for the funeral?† In her mind's eye, I could see the images from that grisly night, where Priscilla had died right before Lissa's eyes. â€Å"But was easily replaceable,† a new voice said. Christian had joined us. Lissa took a few steps away from him, still annoyed about Mia. â€Å"And actually, it's the perfect time. The people who wanted this had to jump at their chance. Every time there's a big Strigoi fight, everyone panics. Fear'll make a lot of people get on board with this. And if any Council members were undecided before this, that battle probably pushed them over.† That was pretty wise reasoning for Christian, and Lissa was impressed, despite her troubled feelings for him right now. The Council's herald finally managed to make his voice heard over the shouts of the audience. I wondered if the group would have quieted down if Tatiana herself had started yelling at them to shut up. But no. That was probably beneath her dignity. She was still sitting there calmly, like nothing unusual was going on. Nonetheless, it took several moments for everyone to settle down and take their seats. My friends and I hurriedly grabbed the first ones we could find. With peace and quiet achieved at last, the weary-looking herald yielded the floor to the queen. Smiling grandly at the assembly, she addressed them in her most imperious voice. â€Å"We'd like to thank everyone for coming today and expressing your†¦ opinions. I know some are still unsure about this decision, but Moroi law has been followed here–laws that have been in place for centuries. We will have another session soon to listen to what you have to say in an orderly fashion.† Something told me that was an empty gesture. People could talk all they wanted; she wouldn't listen. â€Å"This decision–this verdict–will benefit the Moroi. Our guardians are already so excellent.† She gave a condescending nod toward the ceremonial guardians standing along the room's walls. They wore typically neutral faces, but I was guessing that, like me, they probably wanted to punch half the Council. â€Å"They are so excellent, in fact, that they train their students to be ready to defend us at an early age. We will all be safer from tragedies like that whi ch recently occurred.† She lowered her head a moment in what must have been a show of grieving. I recalled last night when she'd choked up over Priscilla. Had that been an act? Was her best friend's death a convenient way for Tatiana to push forward with her own agenda. Surely†¦ surely, she wasn't that cold. The queen lifted her head and continued. â€Å"And again, we're happy to listen to you register your opinions, although by our own laws, this matter is settled. Further sessions will have to wait until an adequate period of mourning has passed for the unfortunate departed.† Her tone and body language implied that this was indeed the end of the discussion. Then, an impertinent voice suddenly broke the room's silence. My voice. â€Å"Well, I'd kind of like to register my opinion now.† Inside my head, Lissa was shouting: Sit down, sit down! But I was already on my feet, moving toward the Council's table. I stopped at a respectful distance, one that would let them notice me but not get me tackled by guardians. And oh, they noticed me. The herald flushed bright red at my rule breaking. â€Å"You are out of line and in violation of all Council protocol! Sit down right now before you are removed.† He glanced over at the guardians, like he expected them to come charging forward right then. None of them moved. Either they didn't perceive me as a threat, or they were wondering what I was going to do. I was also wondering this. With a small, delicate hand gesture, Tatiana waved the herald back. â€Å"I daresay there's been so much breach of protocol today that one more incident won't make a difference.† She fixed me with a kind smile, one that was apparently intended to make us look like friends. â€Å"Besides, Guardian Hathaway is one of our most valuable assets. I'm always interested in what she has to say.† Was she really? Time to find out. I addressed my words to the Council. â€Å"This thing you've just passed is utterly and totally insane.† I considered it a great feat on my part that I didn't use any swear words there because I had some adjectives in mind that were much more fitting. Who said I didn't understand Council etiquette? â€Å"How can any of you sit there and think it's okay to send sixteen-year-olds out to risk their lives?† â€Å"It's only two years' difference,† said the Tarus prince. â€Å"It's not like we're sending ten-year-olds.† â€Å"Two years is a lot.† I thought for a moment about when I'd been sixteen. What had happened in those two years? I'd run off with Lissa, watched friends die, traveled around the world, fallen in love†¦. â€Å"You can live a lifetime in two years. And if you want us to keep being on the front lines–which most of us willingly do when we graduate–then you owe us those two years.† This time, I glanced back at the audience. The reactions were mixed. Some clearly agreed with me, nodding along. Some looked as though nothing in the world would change their minds about the decree being just. Others wouldn't meet my eyes†¦. Had I swayed them? Were they undecided? Embarrassed at their own selfishness? They might be the keys. â€Å"Believe me, I would love to see your people enjoy their youth.† This was Nathan Ivashkov speaking. â€Å"But right now, that's not an option we have. The Strigoi are closing in. We're losing more Moroi and guardians every day. Getting more fighters out there will stop this, and really, we're just letting those dhampirs' skills go to waste by waiting a couple years. This plan will protect both our races.† â€Å"It'll kill mine off faster!† I said. Realizing I might start shouting if I lost control, I took a deep breath before going on. â€Å"They won't be ready. They won't have all the training they need.† And that was where Tatiana herself made her master play. â€Å"Yet, by your own admission, you were certainly prepared at a young age. You killed more Strigoi before you were eighteen than some guardians kill their entire lives.† I fixed her with a narrow-eyed look. â€Å"I,† I said coldly, â€Å"had an excellent instructor. One that you currently have locked up. If you want to talk about skills going to waste, then go look in your own jail.† There was a slight stirring in the audience, and Tatiana's we're pals face grew a little cold. â€Å"That is not an issue we are addressing today. Increasing our protection is. I believe you have even commented in the past that the guardian ranks are lacking in numbers.† My own words, thrown back at me from last night. â€Å"They need to be filled. You–and many of your companions–have proven you're able to defend us.† â€Å"We were exceptions!† It was egotistical, but it was the truth. â€Å"Not all novices have reached that level.† A dangerous glint appeared in her eye, and her voice grew silky smooth again. â€Å"Well, then, perhaps we need more excellent training. Perhaps we should send you to St. Vladimir's or some other academy so that you can improve your young colleagues' education. My understanding is that your upcoming assignment will be a permanent administrative one here at Court. If you wanted to help make this new decree successful, we could change that assignment and make you an instructor instead. It might speed up your return to a bodyguard assignment.† I gave her a dangerous smile of my own. â€Å"Do not,† I warned, â€Å"try to threaten, bribe, or blackmail me. Ever. You won't like the consequences.† That might have been going too far. People in the audience exchanged startled looks. Some of their expressions were disgusted, as though they could expect nothing better of me. I recognized a few of those Moroi. They were ones I'd overheard talking about my relationship with Adrian and how the queen hated it. I also suspected a number of royals from last night's ceremony were here too. They'd seen Tatiana lead me out and no doubt thought my outburst and disrespect today were a type of revenge. The Moroi weren't the only ones who reacted. Regardless of whether they shared my opinions, a few guardians stepped forward. I made sure to stay exactly where I was, and that, along with Tatiana's lack of fear, kept them in place. â€Å"We're getting weary of this conversation,† Tatiana said, switching to the royal we. â€Å"You can speak more–and do so in the proper manner–when we have our next meeting and open the floor to comments. For now, whether you like it or not, this resolution has been passed. It's law.† She's letting you off! Lissa's voice was back in my head. Back away from this before you do something that'll get you in real trouble. Argue later. It was ironic because I'd been on the verge of exploding and letting my full rage out. Lissa's words stopped me–but not because of their content. It was Lissa herself. When Adrian and I had discussed the results earlier, I'd noted one piece of faulty logic. â€Å"It wasn't a fair vote,† I declared. â€Å"It wasn't legal.† â€Å"Are you a lawyer now, Miss Hathaway?† The queen was amused, and her dropping of my guardian title now was a blatant lack of respect. â€Å"If you're referring to the monarch's vote carrying more weight than others on the Council, then we can assure you that that has been Moroi law for centuries in such situations.† She glanced at her fellow Council members, none of whom raised a protest. Even those who'd voted against her couldn't find fault with her point. â€Å"Yeah, but the entire Council didn't vote,† I said. â€Å"You've had an empty spot in the Council for the last few years–but not anymore.† I turned and pointed at where my friends were sitting. â€Å"Vasilisa Dragomir is eighteen now and can fill her family's spot.† In all of this chaos, her birthday had been overlooked, even by me. The eyes in the room turned on Lissa–something she did not like. However, Lissa was used to being in the public eye. She knew what was expected of a royal, how to look and carry herself. So, rather than cringing, she sat up straight and stared ahead with a cool, regal look that said she could walk up to that table right now and demand her birthright. Whether it was that magnificent attitude alone or maybe a little spirit charisma, she was almost impossible to look away from. Her beauty had its usual luminous quality, and around the room, a lot of the faces held the same awe for her that I'd observed around Court. Dimitri's transformation was still an enigma, but those who believed in it were indeed regarding her as some kind of saint. She was becoming larger than life in so many people's eyes, both with her family name and mysterious powers–and now the alleged ability to restore Strigoi. Smug, I looked back at Tatiana. â€Å"Isn't eighteen the legal voting age?† Checkmate, bitch. â€Å"Yes,† she said cheerfully. â€Å"If the Dragomirs had a quorum.† I wouldn't say my stunning victory exactly shattered at that point, but it certainly lost a little of its luster. â€Å"A what?† â€Å"A quorum. By law, for a Moroi family to have a Council vote, they must have a family. She does not. She's the only one.† I stared in disbelief. â€Å"What, you're saying she needs to go have a kid to get a vote?† Tatiana grimaced. â€Å"Not now, of course. Someday, I'm sure. For a family to have a vote, they must have at least two members, one of whom must be over eighteen. It's Moroi law–again, a law that's been in the books for centuries.† A few people were exchanging confused and surprised looks. This was clearly not a law many were familiar with. Of course, this situation–a royal line reduced to one person–wasn't one that had occurred in recent history, if it had ever occurred at all. â€Å"It's true,† said Ariana Szelsky reluctantly. â€Å"I've read it.† Okay, that was when my stunning victory shattered. The Szelsky family was one I trusted, and Ariana was the older sister of the guy my mom protected. Ariana was a pretty bookish kind of person, and seeing as she'd voted against the guardian age change, it seemed unlikely she'd offer this piece of evidence if it weren't true. With no more ammunition, I resorted to old standbys. â€Å"That,† I told Tatiana, â€Å"is the most fucked-up law I have ever heard.† That did it. The audience broke into shocked chatter, and Tatiana gave up on whatever pretense of friendliness she'd been clinging to. She beat the herald to any orders he might have given. â€Å"Remove her!† shouted Tatiana. Even with the rapidly growing noise, her voice rang clearly through the room. â€Å"We will not tolerate this sort of vulgar behavior!† I had guardians on me in a flash. Honestly, with how often I'd been dragged away from places lately, there was almost something comfortably familiar about it. I didn't fight the guardians as they led me to the door, but I also didn't let them take me without a few parting words. â€Å"You could change the quorum law if you wanted, you sanctimonious bitch!† I yelled back. â€Å"You're twisting the law because you're selfish and afraid! You're making the worst mistake of your life. You'll regret it! Wait and see–you'll wish you'd never done it!† I don't know if anyone heard my tirade because by then, the hall was back to the chaos it had been in when I entered. The guardians–three of them–didn't let go of me until we were outside. Once they released me, we all stood around awkwardly for a moment. â€Å"What now?† I asked. I tried to keep the anger out of my voice. I was still furious and worked up, but it wasn't these guys' fault. â€Å"Are you going to lock me up?† Seeing as it would bring me back to Dimitri, it would almost be a reward. â€Å"They only said to remove you,† one of the guardians pointed out. â€Å"No one said what to do with you after that.† Another guardian, old and grizzled but still fierce looking, gave me a wry look. â€Å"I'd take off while you can, before they really have a chance to punish you.† â€Å"Not that they won't find you if they really want to,† added the first guardian. With that, the three of them headed back inside, leaving me confused and upset. My body was still revved for a fight, and I was filled with the frustration I always experienced whenever I was faced with a situation I felt powerless in. All that yelling for nothing. I'd accomplished nothing. â€Å"Rose?† I shifted from my churning emotions and looked up at the building. The older guardian hadn't gone inside and still stood in the doorway. His face was stoic, but I thought I saw a twinkle in his eye. â€Å"For what it's worth,† he told me, â€Å"I thought you were fantastic in there.† I didn't feel much like smiling, but my lips betrayed me. â€Å"Thanks,† I said. Well, maybe I'd accomplished one thing.

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