A Dirty Job Chapter 17

17 WAS IT GOOD FOR YOU? The next morning, Jane's girlfriend Cassie heard someone in the hall and opened the door. Charlie stood there, covered in blood, black goo, and smelling of sandalwood and almond oil; he had a cut over his ear, blood crusted in his nose, the front of his pants were in shreds, and there were tiny black feathers stuck to him everywhere. â€Å"Why, Charlie,† she said, somewhat surprised, â€Å"it appears that I underestimated you. When you decide to get your freak on, you do not mess around.† â€Å"Shower,† Charlie said. â€Å"Daddy!† Sophie called from her bedroom. She came running out with arms thrown wide, followed by two giant dogs and a lesbian aunt in Brooks Brothers. Halfway across the living room she saw her father, turned, and went squealing out of the room in terror. Jane pulled up by the couch and stared. â€Å"Jesus, Chuck, what'd you do, try to fuck a leopard?† â€Å"Something like that,† Charlie said. He stumbled by her and went through his bedroom to the master bath. Jane looked at Cassandra, who was trying to keep her smile from breaking into laughter. â€Å"You wanted him to get out more.† â€Å"You tell him about Mom?† Jane said. â€Å"Thought that news should come from you,† said Cassandra. Well, guns suck, I can tell you that,† said Babd, the most recent of the three death divas to make an appearance Above. â€Å"Sure, they look great from down here, but up close – noisy, impersonal – give me a battle-ax or a cudgel any day.† â€Å"I like to cudgel,† said Macha, who had her claws up inside Madison McKerny's severed head and was working the mouth like a hand puppet. â€Å"It's your own fault,† scolded Nemain. She had one of Madison McKerny's silicone implants – bits of fuck-puppet gore still clinging to it – and was pressing it to Babd's wounds to heal them. Even as the black flesh regenerated, the red glow in the implant dimmed. â€Å"We're wasting the power in these. And after waiting years to get another soul?† Babd sighed. â€Å"I suppose in retrospect the hand job wasn't such a great idea.† â€Å"I suppose the hand job wasn't such a great idea,† mocked Macha's hand puppet. â€Å"I did that on the battlefields of the North, what, ten thousand times?† said Babd. â€Å"A final wank for the dying warrior – just seemed like the least I could do. I'm especially good at it, you know. It takes a powerful touch to keep a soldier hard when his guts are running between his fingers.† â€Å"She is good at it,† said Orcus. â€Å"I'll vouch for that.† He leaned back on his throne to display three feet of black, bull death-wood to show his enthusiasm. â€Å"Not now, I just did my lipstick,† puppeted Macha with the head, making its eyes bug out with her claws so it appeared that the dead girl was impressed by Orcus's prodigious unit. They all snickered. She'd had Orcus and her Morrigan sisters giggling all morning with her puppet show, putting the implants on a shelf and working the head above them. â€Å"Of course they're real, he really paid for them, didn't he?† They'd been giddy since pulling the soul vessels out of the fuck puppet's grave, that victory even overshadowing Babd's failure to kill the Death Merchant. But as the light ebbed out of the implants, their mood darkened. Nemain threw the useless implant against the bulkhead of the ship and it exploded and spattered the room with clear goo. â€Å"What a waste,† she growled. â€Å"We will take the Above, and I will eat his liver while he watches.† â€Å"What is it with you and eating livers?† Babd said. â€Å"I hate liver.† â€Å"Patience, Princesses,† said Orcus as he weighed the remaining implant in his talon. â€Å"We were a thousand years coming to this place, for this battle, a few more to gather our force will but make the victory sweeter.† He snatched the head away from Macha and took a bite out of it as if it were a crisp, ripe plum. â€Å"You really could have passed on the hand job, though,† he said, spraying bits of brain at Babd. I've got us on a flight to Phoenix at two,† Jane said. â€Å"We connect there to a commuter and we're in Sedona by suppertime.† Charlie had just come out of the shower and wore only a pair of fresh jeans. He was drying his hair with a beige towel, leaving red streaks on it from his still-bleeding scalp. He sat down on the bed. â€Å"Wait, wait, wait. How long has she known?† â€Å"They diagnosed her six months ago. It had already spread from her colon to her other organs.† â€Å"And she waited until now to tell us.† â€Å"She didn't tell us. A guy named Buddy called. Evidently they've been living together. He said she didn't want us to worry. He broke down on the phone.† â€Å"Mom's living with a guy?† Charlie was staring at the red stripes on the towel. He'd been up all night, trying to explain to Inspector Rivera what had happened in the alley, without actually telling him anything. He was bleeding, battered, exhausted, and his mother was dying. â€Å"I can't believe her. She flipped when Rachel moved in before we were married.† â€Å"Yeah, well, you can yell at her for being a hypocrite when you see her tonight.† â€Å"I can't go, Jane. I have the store, and Sophie – she's too little for something like this.† â€Å"I called Ray and Lily, they've got the shop covered. Cassandra will watch Sophie overnight and the Communist-bloc ladies can watch her until Cassie gets home from work.† â€Å"Cassie's not coming with you?† â€Å"Charlie, Mom still refers to me as her tomboy.† â€Å"Oh yeah, sorry.† Charlie sighed. He was nostalgic for the days when Jane was the freak in the family and he was the normal one. â€Å"You going to try to reconcile that with her?† â€Å"I don't know. I don't really have a plan. I don't even know if she's lucid. I've been on autopilot since I heard. I was waiting for you to get home so I could fall apart.† Charlie stood up, went to his sister, and put his arms around her. â€Å"You did great. I'm back, I got it from here. What do you need?† She hugged him back, then pushed back with tears in her eyes. â€Å"I need to go home and pack. I'll come by at noon with a cab to get you, okay?† â€Å"I'll be ready.† He shook his head. â€Å"I can't believe Mom is living with a guy.† â€Å"A guy named Buddy,† Jane said. â€Å"The slut,† Charlie said. Jane laughed, which is all that Charlie wanted right then. Lois Asher was sleeping when Charlie and Jane arrived at her home in Sedona. A potbellied sunburned man wearing Bermuda shorts and a safari shirt let them in: Buddy. He sat at the kitchen table with Charlie and Jane, and professed his love for their mother, told them about his own life as an aircraft mechanic in Illinois before he retired, then recited a play-by-play of what they had done since Lois had been diagnosed. She'd gone through three courses of chemotherapy, then, sick and hairless, she had given in. Charlie and Jane looked at each other, feeling guilty that they hadn't been there to help. â€Å"She didn't want to bother you two,† Buddy said. â€Å"She's been acting like dying was something she could do in her spare time, between hair appointments.† Charlie snapped to attention. That was the kind of thing he'd thought to himself several times when he was retrieving a soul vessel and had seen people who were so far in denial about what was happening to them that they were still buying five-year calendars. â€Å"Women, what are you gonna do with 'em,† Buddy said, winking at Jane. Charlie suddenly felt a great wave of affection for this sunburned little bald guy who his mother was shacked up with. â€Å"We want to thank you for being here for her, Buddy.† â€Å"Yeah.† Jane nodded, still looking a little dazed. â€Å"Well, I'm here for the whole shebang, and then some, if you need me.† â€Å"Thanks,† Charlie said. â€Å"We will.† And they would, because it was immediately evident to Charlie that Buddy was going to hang on himself only as long as he felt he was needed. â€Å"Buddy,† said a soft female voice from behind Charlie. He turned to see a big, thirtyish woman in scrubs: another hospice worker – another of the amazing women that Charlie had seen in the homes of the dying, helping to deliver them into the next world with as much comfort and dignity and even joy as they could gather – benevolent Valkyries, midwives of the final light, they were – and as Charlie watched them at work, he saw that rather than become detached from, or callous to their job, they became involved with every patient and every family. They were present. He'd seen them grieve with a hundred different families, taking part in an intensity of emotion that most people would feel only a few times in their lives. Watching them over the years had made Charlie feel more reverent toward his task of being a Death Merchant. It might be a curse on him, but ultimately, it wasn't about him, it was about serving, and the transcendence in serving, and the h ospice workers had taught him that. The woman's name tag read GRACE. Charlie smiled. â€Å"Buddy,† she said. â€Å"She's awake and she's asking for you.† Charlie stood. â€Å"Grace, I'm Charlie, Lois's son. This is my sister, Jane.† â€Å"Oh, she talks about you two all the time.† â€Å"She does?† said Jane, a tad surprised. â€Å"Oh yes. She tells me you were quite the tomboy,† Grace said. â€Å"And you – † she said to Charlie. â€Å"You used to be nice but then something happened.† â€Å"I learned to talk,† Charlie said. â€Å"That's when I stopped liking him,† Jane said. Lois Asher was propped in a nest of pillows, wearing a perfectly coiffed gray wig tied back in the style she had always worn her real hair, a silver squash-blossom necklace and matching earrings and rings, a mauve silk nightgown that blended so well with the Southwestern decor of the bedroom that it looked as if Lois might be trying to disappear into her surroundings. And she did, except the space she'd made for herself in the world was a little bigger than she now required. There was a gap between the wig and her scalp, her nightgown hung almost empty, and her rings jangled on her fingers like bangles. It was clear to Charlie that she hadn't actually been sleeping when they'd arrived, but had sent Buddy out with the excuse to give Grace time to dress and arrange her for presentation to her children. Charlie noticed that the squash-blossom necklace was glowing dull red against Lois's nightgown and he felt a long, sad sigh rise in his chest. He hugged his mother and could feel the bones in her back and shoulders, as delicate and fragile as a bird's. Jane tried to fight down a sob as soon as she saw her mother, but managed only to produce what sounded like a painful snort. She fell to her knees at her mother's bedside. Charlie knew it was perhaps the stupidest question one could ask the dying, yet he asked: â€Å"How are you doing, Mom?† She patted his hand. â€Å"I could use an old-fashioned. Buddy won't let me have any alcohol, since I can't keep it down. You met Buddy?† â€Å"He seems like a nice man,† Jane said. â€Å"Oh, he is. He's been good to me. We're just friends, you know.† Charlie looked across the bed at Jane, who raised her eyebrows. â€Å"It's okay, we know you guys are living together,† Charlie said. â€Å"Living together? Me? What do you take me for?† â€Å"Never mind, Mom.† His mother waved off the thought as if she was shooing a fly. â€Å"And how is that little Jewish girl of yours, Charlie?† â€Å"Sophie? She's doing great, Mom.† â€Å"No, that's not it.† â€Å"What's not it?† â€Å"It wasn't Sophie, it was something else. Pretty girl – too good for you, really.† â€Å"You're thinking of Rachel, Mom. She passed on five years ago, remember?† â€Å"Well, you can't blame her, can you? You were such a sweet little boy, then I don't know what happened to you. Do you remember?† â€Å"Yeah, Mom, I was sweet.† Lois looked at her daughter. â€Å"And what about you, Jane, have you found yourself a nice man? I hate the idea of you being alone.† â€Å"Still looking for Mr. Right,† Jane said, giving Charlie the â€Å"we've got to get away and have an emergency meeting† head toss that she had practiced around their mother since she was eight. â€Å"Mom, Jane and I will be right back. We can call Sophie and talk to her then, okay?† â€Å"Who's Sophie?† Lois asked. â€Å"She's your granddaughter, Mom. You remember, beautiful little Sophie?† â€Å"Don't be silly, Charles, I'm not old enough to be a grandmother.† Outside the bedroom Jane fumbled around and in her purse and produced a pack of cigarettes, but couldn't figure out whether to smoke one or not. â€Å"Holy Motown Jesus with Pips, what the fuck is going on in there?† â€Å"She's got a lot of morphine in her, Jane. Did you smell that acrid smell? That's her sweat glands trying to take the poisons out of her body that her kidneys and liver would normally filter. Her organs are starting to shut down, it means that there's a lot of toxins going to her brain.† â€Å"How do you know that?† â€Å"I've read about it. Look, she never lived in reality completely, you know that? She hated the shop and hated Dad's work, even though it supported her. She hated his collecting, even though she was just as bad. And the thing with Buddy not living here – she's trying to reconcile who she's always thought she was with who she really is.† â€Å"Is that why I still want to punch her lights out?† Jane said. â€Å"That's wrong, isn't it?† â€Å"Well, I suppose – â€Å" â€Å"I'm a horrible person. My mother is dying of cancer and I want to punch her lights out.† Charlie put his arm around his sister's shoulder and started walking her toward the front door so she could go outside and smoke. â€Å"Don't be so hard on yourself,† he said. â€Å"You're doing the same thing, trying to reconcile all the moms that Mom ever was – the one you wanted, the one she was when you needed her and she was there, the one she was when she didn't understand. Most of us don't live our lives with one, integrated self that meets the world, we're a whole bunch of selves. When someone dies, they all integrate into the soul – the essence of who we are, beyond the different faces we wear throughout our lives. You're just hating the selves you've always hated, and loving the ones you've always loved. It's bound to mess you up.† Jane stopped and stepped back from him. â€Å"Then how come it's not messing you up?† â€Å"I don't know. Maybe because of what I went through with Rachel.† â€Å"So you think that when someone dies suddenly like that, that this face-reconciliation thing happens?† â€Å"I don't know. I don't think it's a conscious process. Maybe more for you than for Mom, you know what I mean? You feel like you have to put things right before she's gone, and it's frustrating.† â€Å"So what happens if she doesn't integrate all that before she dies. What happens if I don't?† â€Å"I think you get another chance.† â€Å"Really? Like reincarnation? What about Jesus and stuff?† â€Å"I think that there's a lot of stuff that's not in the book. In any of the books.† â€Å"Where's this coming from? I never got the impression you were spiritual. You wouldn't even go to yoga with me.† â€Å"I wouldn't go to yoga with you because I'm not bendy, not because I'm not spiritual.† They'd gotten to the door, and when Charlie pulled it open it made the same sound a refrigerator door makes. When they stepped out onto the front porch he realized why, as a wave of hundred-and-ten-degree heat hit them. â€Å"Jeez, did you accidentally open the door to hell?† Jane said. â€Å"I don't need to smoke this badly. Get inside, get inside, get inside.† She shoved him inside and closed the door. â€Å"That's heinous. Why would someone live in this climate?† â€Å"I'm confused,† Charlie said. â€Å"Did you start smoking again or not?† â€Å"I didn't really,† Jane said. â€Å"I just have one when I'm really stressed out. It's like thumbing your nose at Death. Haven't you ever felt like doing that?† â€Å"You have no idea,† Charlie said. With Charlie and Jane there, they sent the hospice nurse home at night and watched Lois in four-hour shifts. Charlie gave his mother her medication, wiped her mouth, fed her what little she would take in, but by now she was mostly having sips of water or apple juice, and he listened as she lamented losing her looks and her things, as she remembered being a great beauty, the belle of the ball at parties before he was born, an object of desire, which clearly she loved more than being a wife or a mother or any of the dozen other faces she had worn in her life. Sometimes she would actually turn her attention to her son†¦ â€Å"I loved you as a little boy. I would take you to cafs in North Beach and everyone would just dote on you. You were so sweet. Beautiful. Both of us were.† â€Å"I know.† â€Å"Remember when we dumped all of the cereal out of the boxes so you could get the prize out? A little submarine, I think? Do you remember?† â€Å"I remember, Mom.† â€Å"We were close then.† â€Å"Yeah, we were.† Charlie would take her hand then and let her remember great times that they had never really had. The time had long passed for correcting facts and changing impressions. When she exhausted herself he let her sleep, and read by a flashlight sitting in the chair at her bedside. He was there, in the middle of the night, reading a crime novel, when the door opened and a slight man of about fifty crept into the room, stopped by the door, and looked around. He wore sneakers and black jeans, a long-sleeved black T-shirt – but for the oversized wire-frame glasses, he was just short a hand grenade and a survival knife from looking like someone on a commando mission. â€Å"Just be quiet,† Charlie said softly. â€Å"She's sleeping.† The little man jumped straight up about two feet and came down in a crouch. He was breathing hard and Charlie was afraid he might faint if he didn't relax. â€Å"It's okay. It's in the top drawer of that dresser over there – it's a squash-blossom necklace. Take it.† The little man ducked behind the door, then peeked around the edge. â€Å"You can see me?† â€Å"Yes.† Charlie put his book down and got up from the chair, and went to the dresser. â€Å"Oh, this is bad. This is really, really bad.† â€Å"It's not that bad,† Charlie said. The little man shook his head violently. â€Å"No, it's really bad. Look away. Look over there. I'm not here. I'm not here. You can't see me.† â€Å"Here it is,† Charlie said. He took the squash-blossom necklace from its velvet case in the drawer and held it up. â€Å"What is?† â€Å"What you're looking for.† â€Å"How did you know?† â€Å"Because I do what you do. I'm a Death Merchant.† â€Å"A what?† Then Charlie remembered that Minty Fresh said he had coined the term, so maybe only the Death Merchants in San Francisco knew it. â€Å"I collect soul vessels.† â€Å"No, you don't. You can't see me. You can't see me. Sleep. Sleep.† The little man was waving his hands up and down in the air like he was drawing a curtain of deception before him, or possibly clearing spiderwebs out of the room. â€Å"These are not the droids you seek,† Charlie said, grinning. â€Å"What?† â€Å"You don't have Jedi powers, you git. Just take the necklace.† â€Å"I don't understand.† â€Å"Come with me,† Charlie said. â€Å"It's time for my sister to watch her anyway.† He led the little guy out of his mother's room into the living room. They stood by the front window, looking at the sun coming up and casting shadows of the broken teeth of the red rock mountains around them. â€Å"What's your name?† â€Å"Vern. Vern Glover.† â€Å"I'm Charlie. Nice to meet you. How long does she have, Vern?† â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"How long on your calendar. How many days were left?† â€Å"How do you know about that?† â€Å"I told you. I do what you do. I can see you. I can see that necklace glowing red. I know what you are.† â€Å"But you can't. The Great Big Book says that horrible Forces of Darkness will rise if I talk to you.† â€Å"See this cut over my ear, Vern?† Vern nodded. â€Å"Forces of Darkness. Fuck 'em. Fuck the Forces of Darkness, Vern. How long does my mother have?† â€Å"It's your mother? I'm sorry, Charlie. She has two more days.† â€Å"Okay,† Charlie said, nodding. â€Å"Then we'd better go get a doughnut.† â€Å"Pardon?† â€Å"Doughnut! Doughnut! You like doughnuts, don't you?† â€Å"Yes, but why?† â€Å"Because the continuance of human existence as we know it depends on us having doughnuts together.† â€Å"Really?† Vern's eyes went wide. â€Å"No, not really. I'm just fucking with you.† Charlie put his arm around Vern's shoulder. â€Å"But let's go get one anyway. I'll wake my sister for her watch.† Charlie called home from his mobile phone to check on Sophie. Then, satisfied she was safe, he returned to the booth at Dunkin' Donuts, where Vern and a cruller were waiting for him. Vern had taken off his stocking cap and had a wild mop of silver gray hair over large, aviator-frame glasses that made him look like a tan and wiry mad scientist. â€Å"So like she was really hot?† â€Å"Vern, you wouldn't believe. I'm telling you, body of a goddess. Covered with really fine feathers, soft as down.† Charlie innately recognized another Beta Male like he recognized another Death Merchant, so he nearly stumbled over himself to tell the story of his adventure with the sexy sewer harpy, knowing he had a sympathetic audience. â€Å"But she was going to put her claw through your brain, right?† â€Å"Yeah, she said she was, but you know something, I think there was some chemistry there.† â€Å"You don't think it was just that she had your crank in her hand at the time, because that can cloud a guy's judgment.† â€Å"Yeah, there's that, but still, you have to think, of all the Death Merchants in all of the cities on the planet, she chose me to share the death wank. I think she had a thing for me.† â€Å"Well, you're in the City of Two Bridges,† said Vern, brushing a little maple glaze from the corner of his mouth. â€Å"That's where it's supposed to happen.† â€Å"Where what's supposed to happen?† Charlie had really enjoyed being the senior Death Merchant, acting as the elder statesman to Vern, who had been called to recruit souls only six months ago. Now he was thrown. â€Å"In The Great Big Book of Death, it says that we can't talk about what we do, or try to find each other, or the Forces of Darkness will rise up in the City of Two Bridges and there will be a horrible battle and the Underworld will rise and cover the land if we lose. You guys have two bridges in San Francisco, right?† Charlie tried to hide his surprise. Vern had obviously gotten a different version of the Great Big Book than they got in San Francisco. â€Å"Well, two main ones, yes. Sorry, it's been a long time since I read the book. Remind me why the City of Two Bridges is so important?† Vern gave Charlie the big â€Å"duh† look. â€Å"Because that is where the new Luminatus, the Great Death, will take power.† â€Å"Oh yeah, of course, the Luminatus.† Charlie thumped himself in the side of the head. He had no idea what Vern was talking about. â€Å"You think that they won't need us anymore, after the Great Death takes power?† Vern asked. â€Å"I mean, will there be layoffs? Because the Big Book makes it sound like the Luminatus rising is a good thing, but I've been making a ton of money since I got this gig.† Yeah, that's going to be our problem, layoffs, Charlie thought. â€Å"I think we'll be fine. Like the book says, it's a dirty job, but someone has to do it.† â€Å"Right, right, right. So this cop that shot the sexy-goddess babe, he didn't do anything?† â€Å"No, not nothing. First he put me in the back of his cop car and tried to get me to tell him what had been going on when he showed up, and what had been going on for these last few years he's been checking on me.† â€Å"And what did you tell him?† â€Å"I told him that it was as much a mystery to me as it was to him.† â€Å"And he believed that?† â€Å"No. He didn't. But he did believe it when I told him that if I told him more it would get worse, so we came up with a story that justified his firing his weapon. A guy with a gun taking a shot at me, then at him – descriptions, everything. Then when he was sure we had it straight, he took me to the station and I wrote out my statement.† â€Å"That's it, he let you go.† â€Å"No, then he told me stories about his career, and the weird stuff he's encountered, and why because of that, he was going to let me go. The guy is a complete nut job. He believes in vampires and demons and giant owls – he said that he once handled a call for a polar-bear attack in Santa Barbara.† â€Å"Wow,† said Vern. â€Å"You lucked out.† â€Å"I called him before we left the city. He's going to check on my building until I get home, make sure my daughter is okay.† Charlie hadn't told Vern about the hellhounds. â€Å"You must be worried sick about her,† Vern said. â€Å"I have a kid, she's a junior in high school, lives with my ex-wife in Phoenix.† â€Å"Yeah, so you know,† Charlie said. â€Å"So, Vern, you've never seen any of these dark creatures? Never heard voices coming out of the storm drains? Nothing like that?† â€Å"Nope. Not like you're talking about. We don't have storm drains in Sedona. We have a desert with rivers through it.† â€Å"Right, but have you ever missed getting a soul vessel?† â€Å"Yeah, at first, when I got the Great Big Book, I thought it was a joke. I skipped three or four of them.† â€Å"And nothing happened?† â€Å"Well, I wouldn't say that. I'd wake up early, and look up at the mountain above my house, and there'd be a shadow there, looked like a big oil slick.† â€Å"So?† â€Å"So, it would be on the wrong side of the mountain. It would be on the same side as the sun. And during the course of the day, it moved down the mountain. Oh, if you didn't look at it, watch it, you'd look right by it, but it was coming down into the city, hour by hour. I drove out to where I saw it going, and waited for it.† â€Å"And?† â€Å"You could hear crows calling. I waited until it got a half a block from me, moving so slow you could barely see it, but it got louder and louder, like a huge flock of crows. Scared the bejesus out of me. I went home, looked up the name I'd written down during the night, and they lived in the neighborhood I'd been in. The shadow was coming out of the mountain for the soul vessel.† â€Å"Did it get it?† â€Å"I guess. I didn't.† â€Å"And nothing happened?† â€Å"Oh yeah, something happened. The next time the shadow moved faster, like a cloud blowing over. And I followed it, and sure enough, it was heading right for a woman's house whose name was on my calendar. That's when I realized that the Great Big Book wasn't bullshitting.† â€Å"But the shadow thing, it never came for you?† â€Å"Third time,† Vern said. â€Å"There was a third time?† â€Å"Oh yeah, like you didn't think this was all a load of crap when it first started happening to you?† â€Å"Okay, good point,† Charlie said. â€Å"Sorry. Go on.† â€Å"So, the third time, the shadow comes down off a mountain on the other side of town, at night, during a full moon, and this time, you can see the crows flying in it. Not like really see them, but like shadows of them. Some people noticed it that time. I got in my car again, took my dog, Scottie, with me. I already knew where the thing was going. I pulled up a couple of doors down from the guy's house – to warn him, you know. I didn't realize yet what the book was saying about us not being seen, otherwise I would have just gone for the soul vessel. Anyway, I'm at the door, and the shadow is coming across the street, all the edges shaped like crows, and Scottie starts barking like mad, and runs at it. Brave little guy. Anyway, as soon as the shadow touches him he yelps and drops over dead. Meantime, a woman comes to the door, and I look in and see a statue, like a fake Remington bronze on the table in the foyer behind her, and it's glowing red, like red-hot. And I blow by her and grab it. And the shadow evaporates. Just like that, it's gone. That's the last time I was late getting a soul vessel.† â€Å"Sorry about your dog,† Charlie said. â€Å"What did you tell the woman?† â€Å"That's the funny thing, I didn't tell her anything. She was talking to her husband in the next room, and he wasn't answering her, and she runs back to see what happened to him. Didn't even look at me. Turns out the guy was having a heart attack. I took the statue, went and picked up Scottie's body, and left.† â€Å"That had to be tough.† â€Å"I thought I was Death for a while, you know, special. Because the guy croaked with me there, but it was just coincidence.† â€Å"Yeah, that happened to me, too,† Charlie said. But he was still disturbed by the whole â€Å"great battle† revelation. â€Å"Vern, would you mind if I took a look at your Great Big Book?† â€Å"I don't think so, Charlie. In fact, I think we'd better say goodbye. I mean, if the Great Big Book is right, and I don't have any reason to believe it's not, then we shouldn't even be talking.† â€Å"But it's a different version than I have.† â€Å"You don't think there's a reason for that?† Vern said. His eyes magnified in his big glasses made him look like a madman for a second. â€Å"Okay, then,† Charlie said. â€Å"But e-mail me, okay? That shouldn't hurt.† Vern looked in his coffee cup like he was thinking, as if by telling the story of the shadow that came down out of the mountains, he'd frightened himself. Finally he looked up and smiled. â€Å"You know, I'd like that. I could use some pointers, and if something weird starts to happen, we'll stop.† â€Å"Deal,† Charlie said. He drove Vern back to his car, which was parked around the block from his mother's house, and they said good-bye. Jane met Charlie at the door. â€Å"Where have you been? I need the car to go get her floss.† â€Å"I brought doughnuts,† Charlie said, holding up the box, maybe a little too proud. â€Å"Well, that's not the same, is it?† â€Å"As floss?† â€Å"Dental floss. Can you believe it? Charlie, if I'm still flossing on my deathbed, you have my permission to garrote me with it. No, I'm leaving you instructions to garrote me with it.† â€Å"Okay,† Charlie said. â€Å"So other than that, she's okay?† Jane was digging in her purse, had found her cigarettes and was looking for her lighter. â€Å"Like gum disease is the big danger at this point. Goddammit! Did they take my lighter at the airport?† â€Å"You still don't smoke, Jane,† Charlie said. She looked up. â€Å"So what's your point?† â€Å"Nothing.† He handed her the keys to the rental car. â€Å"Can you grab me some toothpaste while you're out?† She gave up searching for the lighter and threw the cigarettes back into her purse. â€Å"What is it with this family and the compulsive dental hygiene?† â€Å"I forgot to bring any.† â€Å"Okay.† Jane braced the keys in her hand, ready to go in the ignition, and tucked her purse under her arm like a football. She dropped into a crouch and pulled down her mirrored, wraparound sunglasses that, with her short platinum blond hair and Charlie's black pinstripe suit, made her look a little like a cyborg assassin from the future getting ready to dash out into the poisonous atmosphere of planet Duran Duran. â€Å"It's fucking hot out there, isn't it?† Charlie nodded and held up the doughnut box again. â€Å"The glazed have suffered.† â€Å"Oh,† Jane said, lifting her glasses again. â€Å"Cassandra called. After you called this morning she noticed your date book on the nightstand. Well actually, she said that Alvin and Mohammed dragged her in there and pushed it at her. She wondered if you needed it.† â€Å"What about Sophie, is she okay?† â€Å"No, she's been abducted by aliens, but I wanted you to digest the bad news about forgetting your date book first.† â€Å"You know, that right there is why Mom is ashamed of you,† Charlie said. Jane laughed. â€Å"Guess what? She's not.† â€Å"She's not?† â€Å"No, this morning. She told me that she always knew who I was, always knew what I was, and that she has always loved me, just the way I am.† â€Å"Did you card her? There's an impostor in our mom's bed.† â€Å"Shut up, it was nice. Important.† â€Å"She was probably just saying that because she's dying.† â€Å"She did say that she wished I wouldn't wear men's suits all the time.† â€Å"She's not alone on that one,† Charlie said. Jane fell back into assault mode. â€Å"I'm off on the floss mission. Call Cassandra.† â€Å"Done,† Charlie said. â€Å"And Buddy needs a doughnut.† Jane threw open the door and ran out into the heat screaming like a berserker charging the enemy. Charlie closed the door behind her so as not to let the air-conditioning out, and watched through the glass as his sister ran across the zero-scaped yard like she was on fire. He looked beyond her to the red rock mesa rising out of the desert. There seemed to be a deep crevasse in it that he hadn't seen there before. He looked again, and saw that it wasn't a crevasse at all, just a long, sharp shadow. Then he ran out into the driveway and looked at the position of the sun, then at the shadow. It was on the wrong side of the mesa. There couldn't be a shadow on this side – the sun was also on this side. He shaded his eyes and watched the shadow until he thought his brains were cooking in the sun. It was moving, slowly, but moving, and not the way a shadow moves. It was moving with purpose, against the sun, toward his mother's house. â€Å"My date book,† he said to himself. â€Å"Oh, shit.†

Australian poems Essay

The First Australians is a poem expressing Troy Hopkins’ hatred towards white settlers because of how they claimed Australia and labeled the natives ‘Aboriginal’. He called it an invasion, not a settlement and he says that the natives were the first ones there so they shouldn’t call them â€Å"aboriginal†. Hopkins then tells how the white settlers spilt the native’s blood on ‘sacred ground’ and they get rewarded for it. Hopkins speaks of Lex Wotton who is an aboriginal man who helps other aboriginals in places that they struggle such as court, because the juries are white australians. Lex Wotton eventually went to prison and is now an inspiration to Hopkins. The author then goes on to talk about an aboriginal by the name of Richard Saunders, who was an aboriginal who died in prison due to poor treatment, Hopkins explains how no ‘Blacks’ are taken care of in prison because they are ‘expendable’. Hopkins says that he has ‘seen a pattern’, which is that aboriginal people are persecuted worse than white Australians and even half-cast aboriginals. Hopkins talks about how his daughter is a half-cast aboriginal and she wants to have true black skin like her father, but he tells her that she doesn’t want that because to him it is a curse. Hopkins believes that to the aborigines, Australia is a dictatorship, not a democracy. The author thanks the SBS channel for sharing the aboriginals beliefs and that it’s kept them hopeful that some white Australians believe the same. Hopkins ends with a powerful line which reads ‘Aboriginal is abbreviated, it means Abolish Original. We are The First Australians here; they are convicts, which are criminals’. ‘GAGADJU WAYS’ By Bill Neidjie: In the poem ‘Gagadju Ways’, the poet Bill Neidjie talks about the old, traditional Aboriginal way of life and how the old practices are slowly vanishing due to colonization. the poem is written in a peculiar way, a simple yet grasping format which puts across the views in a straight forward fashion. the poet first reminices that when he was growing up, he had good people around him. He says that the people now are a bit wicked. due to colonization he met have met some ‘foreign’ people living in his own country and yet not treating him nicely. there is a posibility that he misses the companionship of his own people before the ‘outsider’ stepped in and began dominating him. They tried to made him feel like a stranger in his country. Nextly he tells us how the white man brought school and the Aboriginals began losing all their knowledge. It got in the way of their traditional upbringing and acted as a binding on them. the white man’s ‘education’ brought them no good. the poet talks on the behalf of all other native people and says that they never damaged the earth. when he burns grass, new grass comes up and it leads to new life. More animals come in that area after this burning. The native’s people camped at different places during different seasons but the white man doesn’t understand this. The natives look after the earth, they do not spoil it. But once again we see that the invader is unable to understand the relationship between the natives and the nature. The white man wants to exploit the land in the country to earn money from it. But the poet says that money is nothing to them, they are not crazy for money as the white man is. The natives need the earth to live because when they die, they’ll become earth. The earth is their mother and their brother. That is why they ask the invaders to leave their sacred land alone. They cannot bear their land been taken away from them because they are given birth by the earth and when they die, their ashes are going to be a part of the earth too. This poem shows us how beloved the earth is to the Aboriginals. ‘OKAY, LET’S BE HONEST’ By Robert Walker Robert Walker’s poem ‘Okay, Let’s be Honest’ is a heart wrenching poem about the suffering of an Aboriginal boy. He tells us honestly that he is no saint, he wasn’t born in heaven. He is called a bastard, animal and trouble maker by many. He admits that he has been mean and hateful. Since the age of eleven he had been in and out of jail. He confesses that he has been dangerous and commited crimes. Then he suddenly tells us that he has always cursed his skin which is neither black nor white, just another ‘non-identity’, fighting to be Mr Tops. The accusers who have called him an animal were the silent audience when his brothers were getting smashed. His memory is still wet with his mother’s tears and by his father;s grave. His family was one among the many black families who were alona and lost in the race for money. He was made aware of his differences right from a very young age. His pains educated him to either fight or lose. He was discriminated and exploited as a stranger in his own land. The scars on his brain can never be erased now and they keep him reminding how the others abused their sacred land. He is frustrated with the white man’s way of life and resists to live like him. Full of anger and complaints, he asks the white man that why is he made to live like a slave and earn the things which were once free. He refuses to be pushed aside and tramped on. He will not close his eyes to the sufferings of his people. He can no more pretend to not know what the white people are doing to his people. He shouts out in rage and says â€Å"Why do I have to close my eyes, and make believe I cannot see just what you are doing: to my people- OUR PEOPLE- and me? He is not one side at all and wants the other to came and experience the lonliness and confusion he feels within the seven by eleven cell of the prison. He again repeats that he is no saint but then surely he wasn’t born in heaven. This is a very strong and evocative poem that depicts the anger in the minds of the blacks in Australia. FROM THE ENGLISH QUEEN By Henry Lawson: The poet addresses the English Queen as an ordinary woman. She is kept in a palace and people worship her. The poet boldly says that those people must be blind to call that ‘dull old woman’ the ‘Queen’. The reason for the poet to be so openly rude about the Queen is that she has reigned for so many years but has scarcely done a kind deed to anyone alive. It is said in scorn that the poor sre starved the same day she was born. The poet complains that yet she is praised and worshipped for being nothing more than an ordinary woman. Henry Lawson goes to the extent of calling her a ‘cold and selfish’ woman because he sees no point in praising her for she has never brought happiness to anyone. The Queen might be great for many but for the poet she is just a cold hearted woman who usurped his land and has no sympathy for the people. Thus a Queen who makes people suffers is no fit Queen in the eyes of the poet. ‘NOBODY CALLS ME A WOG ANYMORE’ By Komninos Zervos: The poet begins with the poem stating that nobody calls him a wog anymore. He is respected as an Australian, an Australian writer, poet. But this respect didn’t come on it’s own for the poet had to fight for it. He asserted himself as an Australian and as an artist. He stood up and screamed and fought for his identity. He teels Australia that it likes it or not but the poet is one of it. He saya his first name Komninos is rather unusual but now Australia is stuck with it and cannot do anything about it now. He tells Australia that they both need eachother. He concludes the poem by saying that he likes ustralia now because it has stopped calling him a wog and calls him ‘the Australian poet, Komninos! ’. This is a weird yet fun poem which shows us how the poet rightfully asserts his right on Australia and merges to become a part of it. ‘WHO ARE WE? ’ By Richard G Kennedy. Richard G Kennedy opens the poem with a question that asks where an aboriginal can truly be free in Australia, and how everything changed when the Europeans settled in Australia. The life before the white settlers was ‘Idyllic’ and that they had a ‘Oneness with nature’ and that they can never have that back. Kennedy explains how aboriginals now live in poverty and resort to crime to get through each day. The author tells how this is wrong and that nature is pained by the loss of the true aboriginal race. The aboriginals have no identity and are not heard amongst the white Australians. The punishment for white Australians is that the ‘Vengeful Spirit will awake’ and the earth will be cleansed of the white race. Kennedy says it’s destiny and that there’s no going back. Thus through these poems we see how varied in culture and history Australia is. The different aspects of the country make it unique and the love of its people make Australia their home inspite of many problems. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. TWO CENTURIES OF AUSTRALIAN POETRY: EDITED BY MARK O’CONNOR. (Oxford University Press, 1988). 2. THE GOLDEN TREASURY OF AUSTRALIAN VERSE (1918). 3. INTERNET.

Education Journal Article Essay

I have been working with children for quite some time and I have always wondered why some children were coming to school being able to communicate better than others. With that being an interest of mine, I chose the article Ways of Talking: Patterns of Parent-Child Discourse and the Implications for Classroom Learning (Roseanne L. Flores, Educational Horizons 77 no1 25-9 Fall ’98). The purpose of this article was to examine parent-child talk within two groups of parents from the New York City area. The questions posed for this study were 1) Does home environment i.e, culture or socioeconomic status, lead to different types of discourse practices, and 2) Does one type of discourse practice parallel classroom discourse better, and if so, what are the implications for education (Flores, 1998)? The research was conducted at two sites in New York City. A Bronx city public school servicing kindergarten children from a low socioeconomic status composed primarily of Latino and African-American children, and an elementary school servicing gifted children ranging from nursery school to eighth grade from a diverse economic and ethnic background. There were a total of fourteen children and their parents who participated in the study. Seven children and their parents were from the public school and seven from the gifted school. Each parent and child set were given a tape recorder and were asked to record two mealtime conversations with their child; one conversation from the weekend and one during the week. The purpose of the recordings was to examine how parents and their children talk to each other in everyday contexts. The parents were able to select the meal they wanted to record,  the location of the tape recorder, and the time the taping began and ended. The dialogue practices engaged in by parents and children from this study were dramatically different between the groups (Flores, 1998). The results/answers to the questions are as follows: 1. Does home environment i. e, culture or socioeconomic status, lead to different types of discourse practices? -The parent-child pair from the gifted program engaged in more parent-initiated, child response, parent-evaluation dialogues than did the children selected from the non-gifted program. Children from the gifted program initiated more questions and had parents who responded to their questions by probing for additional information than did the children from the non-gifted program (Flores, 1998). The conversations from the students in the gifted program were more open-ended and mirrored classroom dialogue practices. The conversations from the students in the non-gifted program were more close-ended, yes-no-style dialogues (Flores, 1998). 2. Does one type of discourse practice parallel classroom talk more than other forms? – The information from the data indicated that there were different styles of talking that children and parents engage in and that in fact one style reflected classroom dialogue practice better. The results showed the children from the gifted program engaged more in patterns of dialogue with their parents that were reflective of teacher talk. Parents replicated teacher talk at home by evaluating and pushing children to think and they engaged in more topic-centered talk mimicking what teachers do in the classrooms. While the conversations with the parents and students from the non-gifted program were more yes-no interactions and closed ended discussions (Flores, 1998). In conclusion, parents and children from different social and economic backgrounds clearly engage in different dialogue practices. Certain styles of discourse mirror classroom practices more than others (Flores, 1998). The assumption made concerning young children’s ability to enter into school during their formative years and to engage in language as a means to communication is a faulty one. The research demonstrated the communication styles are often quite different even though the basic prerequisites for communication have been met (Flores, 1998). It is important to avoid the misapprehension that the children and their parents from the non-gifted programs are incapable of engaging in teacher-type talk. They may not talk in this way because it does not have the same meanings in their community (Flores, 1998). In order for students to engage in the conversations that are going on in the schools on a level where they understand, parents will have to learn to speak the language and participate in the school more. Teachers will have to work hard in convincing parents the importance of learning and functioning within the school culture so they will instill that in their children. The article clearly states that parents and their children should not stop talking in their â€Å"home-language† they just have to learn the art of â€Å"code-switching†, being able to know when to use certain dialogue. References Flores, R. L. (1998). Ways of Talking: Patterns of Parent- Child Discourse and the Implications for Classroom Learning. Educational Horizons 77 no1 25-9 ———————– 5

Higher Education Challenges Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Higher Education Challenges - Essay Example long-standing problems such as racial inequity in education, new challenges like economic recession and falling value of dollar have only made the problem worse to such an extent that it is feared that US needs urgently to reform its higher education system or it will lose its unique position of strength and competitiveness.   (Blue Ribbon Commission) The Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher education further observes: â€Å"Out of every ten 9th graders nationally, only three will obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree on time. These results simply are not good enough. We need more people attending and finishing college with a certificate or degree in order to keep up and move up in the global economy.†Ã‚  (Blue Ribbon Commission)    In order to maintain its global competitiveness, the US society should not afford to underestimate the importance of its human resource.   This is even more so important in this new knowledge-based economy where knowledge is its main capital.   Proportion of public funding on higher education has declined over the years in many states.   For example, the state of Connecticut in 1989 received 6.6 percent of the state’s budget.   It declined to 3.9 percent in 1997 and then rose slowly to a peak of 4.5 percent in 2001.   It is again estimated to be 3.9 percent for 2010 budget, matching 1997 low of 3.9 percent.   The trend of reduction in proportional funding within the higher education over the period of 1990s was typical for many states.   This led to the rise in tuition fees for several students.   (Connecticut Public Higher Education)   Such rising costs did not serve the cause of already reeling Blacks and other economically disadvantaged class.   (Johnson)   In the meantime, US has been reduced to only two nations where young population (25-34 years old) is less educated than its older population (35-44 years old)   (Blue Ribbon Commission). This reflects how terrific the situation is, when it comes to higher education.   Over

Compensation Plan Outline Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Compensation Plan Outline - Assignment Example The following is an outline of Kellogg’s compensation plan. Kellogg is the world’s number one producer of cereal, snacks, and frozen food producer including, crackers, cookies, cereal bars, fruits, flavored snacks, toaster pastries, veggie foods, and frozen waffles. In order to motivate its employees, the company has come up with a compensation plan, which provides eligible workers with a competitive form of retirement benefits depending on the years of service and pay and improve the performance of the employees. Kellogg Company uses a variety of equity-based compensation plans to provide long-term compensation to employees (Zoltners, Sinha, & Lorimer, 2006). Currently, the company’s incentives comprise of only stock options and executive performance shares, stock grants, and restricted stock units. In addition, Kellogg Company compensates employees for tax equalization payments, travel and home leave allowances, adjustments for cost of living, moving and relocation allowances, utilities and housing allowances, and hardship pr emiums and foreign service allowances (Harding & Rovit, 2004). Kellogg Company agrees to give compensations and benefits, according to the terms and condition of the Company’s benefit and compensation rules and regulations. Employees warrant and represent that an employee has gone through the compensation plan and understood its application and meaning. For the purpose of the compensation plan, employees in Kellogg Company agree that.A worker shall receive compensation and benefits as according to the compensation plan. According to the compensation plan of Kellogg Company, employees should receive compensation pay, which is equal to two operational years of target bonus and base salary. Such compensation amount shall be paid to employees under equal install aments as from the departure date (Plunkett, Jack, & Plunkett, 2009). According to Kellogg Company, then the

Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Discussion - Essay Example Life and Styles of the Two Artists Picasso Pablo Picasso was recognized as one of the most brilliant artist in his time. He was even referred to as the genius of the century in the book written by Walther (2000). This can be attributed to the fact that his works are exceptional not only in quality but also in number. He excels in different fields of visual arts such as painting, sculpture, etching, and ceramics (Walther 7). But in all the accomplishments that he had achieved in his life, one of the most noteworthy is his contributions to the establishment of Cubism, which was considered as the most influential artistic movement in the twentieth century because it had altered the development not only of the European art but all forms of visual arts. Cubism initiated the rediscovery and the modernization of the different art forms based on the liberal and avant-garde principles inculcated in the style (Cottington 3). Picasso can be equated to Cubism. This is not only due to the fact th at he can be defined as an artist who is free from any form of categories since he can express himself through any style of art. This is similar to the definition of Cubism, which had started a new culture in terms of visual art style, since it did not conform in the classical or traditional form of art. Due to the fact that Picasso is one of the founders and forerunners of Cubism, his most influential and most memorable art works had been produced during the period. One of the paintings that contributed to the onset of Cubism is Picasso’s 1907 painting entitled Les Demoiselles d’Avignon or The Young Ladies of Avignon. The painting shows five nude female figures in provocative poses. Three of the women were portrayed with Picasso’s signature faces while the other two were portrayed with African mask-like faces. There are different points on the painting that can be related to the style of Picasso. Based on experts, it is the time when the African communities wer e discovered, thus, the fascination for the savage depicted both by the masks and the nudity can be observed (Walther 26). On a personal note, the artwork is a bold move to challenge the traditional culture. The nudity and the topic exploring prostitution is a challenge to the closed minded and traditional perspective of the European society during that time. Parallel to the said objective is the challenge of a new visual arts technique that is cubism. Prior to the said art work, the form of the human body is not ordinarily distorted. But in the said painting, Picasso attempted to use a bold method that constraints the perspective of the audience to the two-dimensional form of the canvas or the paper. The second painting is the Three Musicians which was made in 1921 as a representation of the continuous development of Cubism. The said painting was recognized as a form of Synthetic Cubism. In the painting, there are three figures described as a (Source: Walther 35) Figure 1. Les Demo iselles d’Avignon (1907). Harlequin, a Pierrot and a monk known to represent Picasso and his two friends Guillaume Apollinaire and Max Jacob (Walther 56). Based on the aesthetic review of the painting, the style used by Picasso can be compared to animated form of Cubism. In this style, the figures of the characters in the painting are not as evident. This can be attributed to the fact that the shapes of the different parts of the body are only represented in 2

Limitations in Reliability of Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap Case Study - 1

Limitations in Reliability of Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap - Case Study Example The researcher states that the use of the interest rate gap in measuring the interest rate risk has various limitations. When there is high volatility in the interest rate in the market the use of gap method does not yield desired results. In the duration gap approach, it is difficult to match the duration of assets with the liabilities. Besides, this analysis is useful only when there are small and identical changes in the short term and long term rates of interest. The grouping of assets and liabilities based on duration is difficult in the case of prepayments by the clients or default. When there is a fall in the interest rates the prepayment increases that make the bank â€Å"asset sensitive†. If the interest rates are anticipated to increase by 1 percent then to reduce the impact on earnings the corporation must keep a Positive Gap. This means that the rate sensitive assets should be more than the rate sensitive liabilities. If this is positive then the increase in intere st rates increases the net interest income. The Gap of the corporation is mostly positive for all the time periods except for the investments that are of less than six-month maturity. In all the classes with a positive gap, the corporation will benefit due to the anticipated increase of 1%. It will only lose on the negative gap because the net interest income will reduce for the assets and liabilities of six months maturity. The interest expense will be more on account of increase in the rate and the gap being negative i.e. the number of liabilities exceeding the number of assets, there will be a fall in the net income. The cumulative gap of the corporation is positive at $1194 million.

Are people becoming too dependant on computers In a well-developed Essay

Are people becoming too dependant on computers In a well-developed , argue for or against people being too dependent - Essay Example Nevertheless, with the entry of the internet in the market, people have access to information, an aspect that makes them not to strive while looking for long-lasting solutions. This has reduced the level of innovation especially among the young people. Computers have brought a lot of changes, some of which have negative impact on the users. Initially, cases of obesity were very rare. People used to perform physical work which made them to remain fit. However, in the modern world, many things have been computerized. For instance, the transport system is more effective thanks to computers. Therefore, less people are opting to walk even for short distances (Jacko and Andrew 37). This aspect is having a major impact on the health of the people. Statistics indicate that the number of people suffering from chronic diseases that result from less exercise is increasing tremendously. If the trend is not arrested, the situation is likely to worsen each day. Initially, people used to interact and share ideas and concerns. The family members used to meet and discuss on issues that affected their relationship. However, overreliance on computers and computer-enabled technologies has affected the relationship between people. This is because computers users have been unable to control the time they spend on computers. This has even been accelerated with the entry of the internet. Initially, children used to spend their time playing with their friends. This enabled them to develop physically and psychologically. However, currently, they are spending much of their time chatting with friends or playing computer games. This is having a major effect on their health. Introduction of personal computers has increased people’s reliance on these devices. People are no longer willing to use the traditional means to get information. This has led to emergence of online courses, libraries, and other important resources. Although this breakthrough has made life easier for the

Any current computer technology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Any current computer technology - Research Paper Example fers to a new class of network-based computing involving utility computing that comprises of a collection of networked and integrated software and internet facility known a platform. The technology uses internet for transport and communication. It also provides software, hardware and networking services to clients mainly through internet. According to National Institute of Standards and Technology (2011), cloud computing is a form of computing where groups of remote servers are networked in order to enhance centralized online access to resources or computer services and data storage. Cloud computing is a computing technology that enables large network servers such as large organizations to access various technological infrastructure resources from other companies without purchasing computing infrastructure. Cloud computing exhibits a number of characteristics. Some of these characteristics exhibited by cloud computing include virtualization, advanced security, service orientation, low-cost software, massive scale, resilient computing and wide geographical distribution of computing services. Essential characteristics of cloud computing include broad network access to clients, rapid elasticity, measured services and resource pooling. According to these characteristics, cloud computing is an appropriate technology that is highly beneficial to users through enhancement of access and support of computer infrastructure. In conclusion, cloud computing has a wide range of benefits to users. First, clients or users can reduce their computer cost by using cloud computing. Organizations do not require high-powered or high-priced computers to run cloud computing web-based applications. Secondly, there is improved performance through the use of cloud computing. Improved performance arises from low usage of computers memory since there are few programs and processes loading in the computer memory. Other advantages include improved document format compatibility, reduced

Factors of Civic Disengagement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Factors of Civic Disengagement - Essay Example However, changes in social structures, economic needs, and order of priorities altered several social obligations. As what Robert Putnam (2000) pointed out, residential mobility, economic hard times, and busyness are prime factors of civic disengagement. To best suit the fluidity of lifestyle of today’s Americans, â€Å"thin, single-stranded... are replacing dense, multi stranded, well-exercised bonds† (Putnam, 2000, p. 184). These bonds are more informal which suit the kind of life they lead. One would say that American civic engagement is slowly declining but this is of course, because of several logical and valid reasons. In the striving economic situation and the frequent rise of price for basic commodities, working individuals are not to blame for disengaging from social activities; however, this is not to approve of it but rather, a more considerate point to address the growing economic needs of the family. On the other hand, Putnam (2000) contends that however th ese busy people work for better financial situation, â€Å"economic good fortune has not guaranteed continued civic engagement† (p. 194); busyness does not excuse them of disengaging from civic life. Another factor is residential mobility (p. 204). The Americans’ mobility largely depends on economy; where employment opportunity is dense, they would be willing to relocate.

Sport and Exercise Are Good for Your Health Essay Example for Free

Sport and Exercise Are Good for Your Health Essay Introduction The saying ‘sport and exercise are good for your health’ appears at first to be an irrefutable fact. However in this assignment I am going to look the information and facts that agree with this statement, and then compare and contrast with the information that disagrees. To begin it would seem logical to define the words in the statement to gain better understanding of their meaning. Sport has several meanings, such as ‘one being a good sport’ by showing honesty and respect even when defeated but for the purposes of this essay sport will be defined as â€Å"an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others† (Oxford Dictionaries, 2008). Exercise is defined as â€Å"activity requiring physical effort carried out for the sake of health and fitness† yet interestingly has a second meaning that could be very relevant to the above statement; â€Å"an activity carried out for a specific purpose† (Oxford Dictionaries, 2008). Good is defined as â€Å"to be desired or approved of, and health â€Å"the state of being free from illness or injury† or a person’s mental or physical condition† (Oxford Dictionaries, 2008). The definitions of each of these words show sport would involve exercise; or rather sport is applied exercise in pursuit of a goal or result. So for the purposes of this assignment I will compare and contrast them concurrently. Sport Exercise are good for your health? Good health it would be fair to say is a desirable commodity or feature of a person. The link between physical activity and wellbeing is not a new idea or argument to promote exercise. Since the beginning of historical records the Chinese have practiced Tai Chi and other forms of physical activity to prevent diseases. Up to 1500 years ago the Roman physician, Galen was prescribing exercise to maintain good health (Brian J. Sharkey, 2006, p.14). This topic was raised by Dr Steven Blair and Harold Kohl at the American College of Sports Medicine in 1988. A study had been conducted on 1000 men to analyze the ‘all-cause’ death rate for sedentary or inactive men and those who were active. The results of the study have shaped the way we think about health and exercise to this day. They showed that a sedentary male was 5 times more at risk than an active male. (Dr Steven Blair, 1988). The study also showed that between the active males there was a trend that as the level of fitness increased the risk reduced. It has been ascertained by the above study that a sedentary lifestyle puts an individual in greater risk of developing a condition that can lead to premature death. Besides fatality a lack of exercise can also have implications to one’s health while they are living. The following areas have been highlighted by the UK National Health Service as areas that leading an active lifestyle can improve, prevent or reduce an individual’s risk of falling victim to; weight control, heart disease and stroke, cancer, mental health, immune system. (NHS National Health Service, 2008). Obesity is defined as â€Å"very fat† (Oxford Dictionaries, 2008), however has been specifically defined as an individual with a BMI score of 30 plus (National Institue of Health, 2008). The following table shows the dramatic increase in the percentage of the population with obesity since 1960. (Kopelman, 2000, p.637) â€Å"A combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy body weight† (NHS National Health Service, 2008). The NHS (2008) also state that being overweight and obese leads onto various other health related problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and osteoarthritis. Exercise also has mental implications on an individual’s health. Dramatic changes have taken place as we have emerged into the 21st century. There have been radical shifts towards technology, life expectancy has increased thanks to advances in medicine, the family and societal support networks have changed. There is support that this has contributed towards to the increase in stress and depression in today’s society (Garfinkel PE, 2000). As with the obesity epidemic exercise has been proven to improve an individual’s mental state. When carrying out any form of strenuous exercise the pituitary glan d in the brain releases chemicals called endorphins. Exercise can lead to an improved mood, a feeling of euphoria often called the â€Å"runners high† (Peak Performance, 2008). It has also been proven to increase neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons in the hippocampus in the brain. Studies have shown that humans begin to lose nerve tissue at approximately 30 years of age. The effect exercise has on the brain increases neural connections, creating a denser network so we are able to process and store information. It has also been shown to initiate brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF that acts as a protective response to stress and improve synaptic plasticity which improves the efficiency of signal transmission between neurons. This transfer is generally considered the basis for learning and memory (McGovern, 2005). Looking at the information presented there is far more support to show exercise is more beneficial than it is detrimental to an individual’s health. The negative implications could become apparent when an individual does not fully understand the way the body reacts or responds to exercise. The saying â€Å"too much of a good thing† (Shakespeare, 1623) comes in to play when planning a programme of exercise. An individual needs to take into account what effect the programme will have on his/her body and lifestyle. To achieve the best possible performance an athlete must be optimally trained so a good compromise is being achieved between achieving their potential and not fatiguing and reducing performance capacity (Richard B Kreider, 1998). The athlete who is subjected to overtraining would experience some of the following symptoms; decreased performance, prolonged recovery periods, loss of coordination, abnormal T wave ECG pattern, increased respiration frequency, chronic fatigue, muscle damage, muscle soreness and tenderness to name but a few. It can also lead to much more severe conditions such as anorexia and bulimia (Richard B Kreider, 1998). As the above information shows too much exercise and training can lead to a fatigue and reduction in an individual’s health. Sport and exercise can also have negative implications when an athlete suffers an injury during the pursuit of their chosen sport or activity. There are vast arrays of injuries an individual can pick up from partaking in exercise or sport. Anything that is used to perform the exercise can be injured for reasons such as poor technique, poor warm up or cool down procedure, lack of stretching, ill fitting or lack of required equipment, collisions including those with equipment, fixtures or other players. Most sports injuries are not the result of sudden catastrophe but occur because the individual has overused the muscles and over trained and according to research sports injuries could be reduced by up to 25% if athletes and participants took appropriate preventative action (Mac, 1997). Conclusion Taking into account all of the information the support for the statement â€Å"sport and exercise are good for your health† far outweighs the support to show it is not. The information shows that to partake in an active lifestyle is healthy; to not heed the warnings relating to overtraining and poor technique is irresponsible and can lead to a greater risk of suffering a sports injury and possibly chronic fatigue. The positive factors show that partaking in regular moderate and or strenuous exercise will help maintain a positive state of mind, improve your ability to concentrate, process and store information. It enables you to maintain a healthy, balanced weight as long as you ensure you follow a healthy diet. It reduces your risk of suffering heart disease, strokes, cancer and osteoporosis and can combat depression and stress. Exercise appears to be the wonder drug for the masses, but it is not without its perils. To fully optimise its positive effect on an individual’s life it is extremely wise to fully educate yourself on the consequences and implications it may have before embarking on a training programme to avoid putting yourself at unnecessary risk. But to lead a sedentary lifestyle and not exercise, you put yourself in even greater risk. You decide. Reference List Brian J. Sharkey, S.E.G., 2006. Fitness and Health. 6th ed. Leeds: Human Kinetics. Dr Steven Blair, H.K., 1988. Survey of physical activity habits as related to measured physical fitness. American Journal of Epidemiology, 127(6). Garfinkel PE, G.D., 2000. Mental Health Getting beyond the stigma and catagories. Bulletin of the World Health Organisation, 78(4), pp.503-05. Kopelman, P.G., 2000. Obesity as a medical problem. St Bartholomews The Royal London School Of Medicine Insight Review Article, 404, p.637. Mac, B., 1997. Injury Prevention. [Online] Available at: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/injury.htm [Accessed 10 Feb 2010]. McGovern, M.K., 2005. The Effects of Exercise on the Brain. [Online] Serendip Available at: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro05/web2/mmcgovern.html [Accessed 10 Feb 2010]. National Institue of Health, 2008. Overweight and Obesity. [Online] Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health [Accessed 10 Feb 2010]. NHS National Health Service, 2008. Why is exe rcise good for me? [Online] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1142.aspx?CategoryID=52SubCategoryID=141 [Accessed 10 Feb 2010]. Oxford Dictionaries, 2008. Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Peak Performance, 2008. Endorphins. [Online] Available at: http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0430.htm [Accessed 10 Feb 2010]. Richard B Kreider, A.C.F.M.L.O., 1998. Overtraining in Sport. Illustrated Edition ed. Leeds: Human Kinetics. Shakespeare, W., 1623. As You Like It. Comedies, Histories Tragedies ed. London: Folio.

My Personal Aspirations Essay Example for Free

My Personal Aspirations Essay When you aspire for your future career, one must consider the important factors that lead to that. Each of these is an important component towards the achievement of success and the necessary foundation towards competence. With all of these mentioned, I believe that a course in Microbiology is an important determinant towards my future profession as a pharmacist. In the end, with this subject I can obtain the necessary skills needed towards addressing the challenges of my future major. Looking closely at the subject, there are many facets in microbiology that I can extract and use in my pharmacy major. One important contribution of such subject is its relative contribution in the overall development of my profession. Since the course deals with the study of organisms, it is an important benchmark towards creating an understanding of how dispensing of medicines can be made – one of the responsibilities of a pharmacist. In addition, the course can serve as an avenue for learning the importance of organisms in the overall development of life. Bio News mentions that microbiology is â€Å"concerned with the welfare of humankind, concentrating not only on aspects of host-microbial interactions influencing disease and immunity, but also on ecological concerns impacting food production and the environment† (p. 1). By establishing a good foundation of this subject, I believe that I can efficiently cater and tackle the needs of pharmacy. Now, I wish to point out what I wish to absorb and develop at the end of the course. The first thing that I want to accomplish in this is to create an understanding of how microorganisms develop and its relative characteristics. By establishing on these precepts, I can then branch out on its other subfields. By studying the form, physiology, and its other facets, I can adequately explore its other branches such as mycology, bacteriology and other (Bio News, p. 1). Also, I want to determine how an understanding in microbiology can lead towards the creation of new and improved ways of delivering cure to diseases. With the constant enhancement of today’s technology, better avenues for cure are becoming more available. In time, there has been an increased understanding among microbiologists of how to create and diagnose bacteria and viruses accordingly (Bio News, p. 1). Due to this, by better appreciating the conditions of how a particular bacterium operates, necessary adjustments can be made. Moreover, I want to personally grow under this course. By the end of this, I wish that I can be able to have the necessary skills to determine what bacteria create diseases and what others contribute to bodily functions. In addition, I want to have at least a familiarization as to what particular organism or bacteria affect a particular part of the body. Bio News furthers that â€Å"Microbiology is responsible for identifying infectious agents in blood, urine, sputum, feces, cerebrospinal fluid, and other body fluids† (p. 1) By familiarizing myself with these concepts and how they affect each processes, only then can I pursue the skills to cope with my pharmacy degree. Lastly, I aspire to learn how to cultivate bacteria to suit my needs as a pharmacist in the future. By taking up microbiology, I can differentiate different types of bacterium and how it affects every organism in the environment. Moreover, I can actively point out the relevant catalysts and how each one can contribute to the creation or degradation of various organisms within a particular ecosystem. Bio News mentions that â€Å"these bacteria are important to humans because they play a role in the ecology of life, by decomposing wastes, both natural and man-made, for example and created nitrogen fertilizer at the root zones of certain crops† (p. 1). Surely, can greatly impact on how I practice my major. After putting my expectations in the subject, I wish to correlate it on my future major which is pharmacy. By having a background in microbiology, I can better exhaust the capabilities and horizons of the pharmaceutical profession. Since the overall goal of such profession is to provide adequate levels of dosage in medicine, having a firm and solid background about the subject can help pave the way for cure among patients in the health care system. By appreciating the two subjects relationship, only then can students taking up a pharmacy major fully comprehend and use all these relevant skills. Also, having knowledge about microbiology can cultivate better relationships among patients. It must be understood that the role of such profession does not only revolve on issues surrounding facilitating cure via compounding medicines. On the other hand, pharmacists play a more active role towards creating betterment for patients. PILLS argues that â€Å"pharmacists not only educate consumers on medication use, but also monitor their patients health to ensure that the patient is getting the full benefits of the drug† (p. 1). To conclude, the microbiology subject can greatly influence and serve as a catalyst for my major in pharmacy. It serves as a tool and a foundation towards better understanding of the scientific explanation for the occurrence of things. Having this background in mind, I can better compound medicine and be a better pharmacist for patients. As PILLS argue, â€Å"from direct patient care and guidance to the forefront of pharmaceutical research, pharmacy caters to many fields† (p. 1). With all of these, having the adequate background and skills can catapult me towards attaining my dreams and fulfilling my role towards patients. Thus, the course in microbiology is an important stepping stone towards a successful career as a pharmacist.

Referendum for Scottish Independence

Referendum for Scottish Independence The referendum for the Scottish independence will take place on the 18th of September 2014. This would most definitely lead to the breakup of the United Kingdom. There have been a series of arguments supporting the break up, and other not supporting the break up. The independence of Scotland is mainly supported by the Scottish National Party. According to this party, achieving independence from the United Kingdom is beneficial to Scotland, because the Scottish will be able to implement policies that are of great concern to them[1]. On this basis, Scotland will be able to achieve self-determination. The Scottish National Party believes that by achieving independence, the people of Scotland will be able to make the right policies, concerning their economy, and society at large. The Scottish National Party further believes that the government situated in Westminster is not a representation of the Scottish people, and this is because the many of the Scots did not vote for the government under consideration. Despite this factor, this government makes major decisions concerning issues that affect the Scottish families, and communities[2]. The Scottish National Party finds this situation unacceptable. On this basis, proponents of independence argue that with an independent government, the country can focus on issues that affect the Scottish people, and also one that would protect the interests of the Scots, and anybody living in Scotland. Furthermore, the Scottish National Party believe that the policy initiated by the UK government reducing taxes on the wealthiest is not of the Interest of the Scots, and on this basis, it aims at reversing such laws, and initiating a universal tax system that would serve the entire Scottish population. However, there are counter arguments developed by people who are strongly opposed to the independence of Scotland[3]. One reason advanced is that a strong Scottish parliament, entrenched within the political structures of the United Kingdom enables Scotland to experience the very of both world. That is the ability to make decisions in Scotland, as well as the ability to play an importan t role in creating a secure and strong United Kingdom. On this basis, people who do not support independence argue that Scotland is strong when it is entrenched withi8n the political structure of the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom is strong and secure with Scotland as its member. Furthermore, anti-independence proponents argue that important British institutions such as BBC and the Bank of England were created by Scotsmen[4]. On the other hand, the UK pension system was developed by a Briton, while the NHS was created by a Welsh man. On this basis, if the Scots and other members of the Kingdom work together, then chances are high that they would make the Kingdom a better place to stay. To accelerate the strength of the unity, the Scots, together with other members of the union fought together to destroy Nazism, fascism, and other ideologies that were a danger to the unity and prosperity of other members of the Kingdom. These proponents further argue that the Scots are justifying independence on the basis of protecting their social welfare and interests. However, this is difficult, when the Scots leave the British connection[5]. This is because chances are high that there will be barriers to trade, uncertainties, and political and economic instability. To protect themselves from these uncertainties, the best method is to maintain the British connection. This would ensure more prosperity, more jobs, and more economic growth in Scotland. Furthermore, the world is moving to regional integrations, and examples include ASEAN, and the European Union[6]. This therefore proves that states needs to corporate in the international system, and negotiate as one community, for purposes of protecting their interests. This would prove virtually be impossible if Scotland decides to gain independence. For instance gaining membership in the European Union is a very difficult process that normally takes so many years. Furthermore, the economy of UK is strong, stable, and very big. This is a very big advantage to various business organizations in Scotland, and this is because they can easily access this market, without facing an y barriers. Furthermore, the Currency of the United Kingdom is the most successful and oldest in the world, and on this basis, it is a good currency for trading with[7]. These proponents further argue that it would be very difficult for Scottish organization to competitively conduct business in the international arena. This is because other countries are negotiating as a block, and on this basis, Scotland needs to be under the UK in order to compete effectively in these foreign markets. Under United Kingdom, Scottish businesses will be able to find new markets, and improve on their existing ones[8]. Scotland security will further be strong, and this is because they will be under the protection of the British armed forces. Lon this note, the Scots will have a say in the UN Security Council, as well as NATO. These anti-independence proponents further denote that Scotland and English have interacted with each other, for many years. This interaction amongst each other promotes multi-ethnicity, and it is therefore strength for Scotland. These proponents argue that thousand of Scots, and the English have intermarried with each other, they have formed famil ies, and are neighbors. On this basis, voting for independence is not a wise decision, and this is because the disadvantages of independence outweigh the advantages of independence[9]. In conclusion, Scotland should not vote for independence. This is because the arguments brought forth by the Scottish National Party are not sincere. For instance, the British political system is democratic, and everybody is responsible for electing the person they want. On this basis, the Scots also had a chance to participate in the elections and elect their representatives. Arguing that the government at Westminster is not representation is there undemocratic and not sincere. Furthermore, the decision to gain independence from UK is not wise, and this is because Scotland will lose many trading opportunities that they enjoyed while under the UK. This would make the economy of Scotland vulnerable to manipulations from the international community, and other powerful economies. On this basis, arguments brought forth by anti-independence proponents are valid. Bibliography: BBC News. Salmond calls for independence referendum in 2014. BBC News. BBC, 1 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16478121>. Crawford, R., Bannockburns: scottish independence and the literary imagination, 1314-2014.. S.l.: Edinburgh Univ Press, 2014. Print. Gordts, E., Scotlands Secession Vote: Indecisive Independence. The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/scotland-secession vote_n_3876007.html>. Market, J., The economic implications for the United Kingdom of Scottish Independence: 2nd report of session 2012-13. London: The Stationery Office, 2013. Print. Saunders, B., Scottish Independence and the All-Affected Interests Principle. Politics 33.1 (2013): 47-55. Print. [1] J, Market., The economic implications for the United Kingdom of Scottish Independence: 2nd report of session 2012-13. London: The Stationery Office, 2013. P. 44 [2] B, Saunders., Scottish Independence and the All-Affected Interests Principle. Politics 33.1 (2013): 49 [3] J, Market., The economic implications for the United Kingdom of Scottish Independence: 2nd report of session 2012-13. London: The Stationery Office, 2013. P. 32 [4] BBC News. Salmond calls for independence referendum in 2014. BBC News. BBC, 1 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16478121>. P. 7 [5] BBC News. Salmond calls for independence referendum in 2014. BBC News. BBC, 1 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16478121>. P. 4 [6] E, Gordts., Scotlands Secession Vote: Indecisive Independence. The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/scotland-secessionvote_n_3876007.html>. p. 6 [7] Saunders, B., Scottish Independence and the All-Affected Interests Principle. Politics 33.1 (2013): 51. [8] R, Crawford., Bannockburns: scottish independence and the literary imagination, 1314-2014.. S.l.: Edinburgh Univ Press, 2014. [9] E, Gordts., Scotlands Secession Vote: Indecisive Independence. The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/scotland-secessionvote_n_3876007.html>. p. 8

Educational Philosophy :: Education Educating Teaching Essays

Educational Philosophy Growing up, I have always been surrounded by teachers. My mother, father, and stepmother are currently teachers and my grandmother is a former teacher. Automatically it was assumed that I too would become a teacher, but I had another profession in mind. I always enjoyed playing school when I was little, but I enjoyed playing house more. House may have had an impact on the profession I had in mind. I wanted to become an interior decorator because I loved decorating and arranging my house. I determined, in my mind that I would go to school to be an interior decorator. I then stopped contemplating about my future profession until high school. High school is where teachers advise you to choose a profession and gain experience in that field. Not many people pursue interior decorating as a profession in the country where I live. My guidance counselor just laughed at my dream and told me to select another profession to gain experience. As a result, I picked education because of m y family influences. I joined the Future Educators of America and that's when my professional goals and admirations altered forever. The FEA would go into surrounding elementary and middle school classrooms to bestow assistance to teachers and gain experience in the education field. I initially went into a self-contained learning disability class and fell in love with the field. I felt comfortable around the students and everything seemed to come naturally to me. I then began to look deeper into my life and realized that special education was the job I was intended to perform. I have been blessed with a handicapped and mentally impaired sister and she also encouraged me to follow my mother’s footsteps into the special education field. I love working with my sister because she is so eager to learn and loves having people work with her. She shows me that special education students want to learn, but no one wants to teach them. She always loved going to school and would even go sick so she would not have to miss. She taught me the importance of teachers, especially special education teachers. I want to make a difference in the lives of others and I believe the best profession for me to accomplish this goal is in the special education field.

The Progressive Era: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay -- Sociology History

The Progressive Era: Conflicting Viewpoints Works Cited Missing Two people witnessing the same event can have very different views on it depending on their information and perspective. The presentation of history also changes depending on the resources and prior prejudices and personal views of the historian. Four historian’s interpretations on the Progressive Era and Progressivism were reviewed to determine whether their arguments and use of evidence were sound. Also, the particular known views of the historian were occasionally taken into account. Each of these works has its own particular view on the Progressive Era and its importance in history. In The Age of Reform, Richard Hofstadter reviews both the Populist and Progressive movements from a psychological standpoint. He maintains that both were groups, Populist farmers and Progressive long- established wealthy professionals, known as mugwumps, both of which formerly had had much power and influence in the United States and were being overshadowed by the growing importance of cities and the nouveau riche, respectively. Hofstadter’s main arguments are taken from the novels, magazines, poetry, other literature, fiction and popular myths that abounded in the two groups. Hofstadter maintains that these two groups were created because the industrialization of the United States and the rise of cities and big business had resulted in a status revolution, and the Populist and Progressive movements were just attempts to retain and regain position by the farmers and mugwumps. Populism, however, was a rural movement, while Progressivism took Populism and turned it into a la rge, national movement. According to Hofstadter, the Populist movement was created mainly because... ... least believable. Although he does make some interesting psychological hypotheses, his contentions are not backed up by few solid facts, and rest almost entirely on a selective few pieces of literature, almost all of which show an extreme slant. Filene, who presents perhaps the more radical view of the progressive movement, the idea that the movement never in fact existed, uses sound evidence and statistics to support his arguments. Although he took perhaps the most radical stand on Progressivism, his arguments were the most persuasive, due to logical presentation and ample foundations on facts. Both McCormick and Baker focused on one aspect of Progressivism, McCormick on the corruption of government by private businesses, and Baker on the women’s movement. Both historians based their arguments on fact, and used rational reasoning to come to their conclusions.

High Stakes Testing Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Education Essays

High Stakes Testing In 1997, President Bill Clinton stated that the United States needed, â€Å" a national crusade for education standards - not federal government standards, but national standards, representing what all our students must know to succeed in the knowledge economy of the twenty-first century†(http://books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/13.html). The way to succeed in this journey is through standardized testing that results in consequences for teachers and students. Throughout this paper, I will be discussing how important high stakes testing is to our country. First, I will show how these tests prevent students from moving on to the next grade level or graduate without the skills necessary. Secondly, I will discuss how they improve students’ achievement. And lastly, I will describe how these tests keep teachers and schools accountable. High stakes testing prevents students from being promoted or given a diploma without the necessary knowledge. The National Academies Press states, â€Å"unless we test student’s knowledge, how will we know if they have met the standards? And the idea of accountability, which is also central to this theory of school reform, requires that the test results have direct and immediate consequences: a student who does not meet the standard should not be promoted, or awarded a high school diploma†(books.nap.edu). Social promotion is allowing a student to move up a grade just because of their age. Standardized testing is helping students by keeping them back a grade or having them attend summer school in order for them to learn the skills they need in order to succeed in school and life. Recent facts have shown how often children have been promoted without the necessary knowledge. ... ... National Academies Press. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http:// books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/164.html 3. National Academies Press. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http:// books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/13.html 4. National Academies Press. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http:// books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/115.html 5. Aims Performance Standards (High School). Arizona Department of Education. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ade.state.az.us/standards/aims/PerformanceStandards/hsperformancestan.asp 6. What’s Wrong With High Stakes Testing in General and AIMS in Particular? AZ Standards. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.azstandards.org/protestmaterials.htm High Stakes Testing Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Education Essays High Stakes Testing In 1997, President Bill Clinton stated that the United States needed, â€Å" a national crusade for education standards - not federal government standards, but national standards, representing what all our students must know to succeed in the knowledge economy of the twenty-first century†(http://books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/13.html). The way to succeed in this journey is through standardized testing that results in consequences for teachers and students. Throughout this paper, I will be discussing how important high stakes testing is to our country. First, I will show how these tests prevent students from moving on to the next grade level or graduate without the skills necessary. Secondly, I will discuss how they improve students’ achievement. And lastly, I will describe how these tests keep teachers and schools accountable. High stakes testing prevents students from being promoted or given a diploma without the necessary knowledge. The National Academies Press states, â€Å"unless we test student’s knowledge, how will we know if they have met the standards? And the idea of accountability, which is also central to this theory of school reform, requires that the test results have direct and immediate consequences: a student who does not meet the standard should not be promoted, or awarded a high school diploma†(books.nap.edu). Social promotion is allowing a student to move up a grade just because of their age. Standardized testing is helping students by keeping them back a grade or having them attend summer school in order for them to learn the skills they need in order to succeed in school and life. Recent facts have shown how often children have been promoted without the necessary knowledge. ... ... National Academies Press. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http:// books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/164.html 3. National Academies Press. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http:// books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/13.html 4. National Academies Press. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http:// books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/115.html 5. Aims Performance Standards (High School). Arizona Department of Education. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ade.state.az.us/standards/aims/PerformanceStandards/hsperformancestan.asp 6. What’s Wrong With High Stakes Testing in General and AIMS in Particular? AZ Standards. Retrieved November 10, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.azstandards.org/protestmaterials.htm