Battle of Castillon in the Hundred Years War

Battle of Castillon in the Hundred Years' War Battle of Castillon - Conflict Date: The Battle of Castillon was fought on July 17, 1453, during the Hundred Years War. Armies Commanders: English John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury6,000 men French Jean Bureau7,000-10,000 men Battle of Castillon - Background: In 1451, with the tide of the Hundred Years War favoring the French, King Charles VII marched south and succeeded in capturing Bordeaux. Long an English possession, the residents resented their new French overlords and soon were secretly dispatching agents to London asking for an army to liberate their territory. While the government in London was in turmoil as King Henry VI dealt with bouts of insanity and the Duke of York and Earl of Somerset vied for power, efforts were made to raise an army under the leadership of veteran commander John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. On October 17, 1452, Shrewsbury landed near Bordeaux with 3,000 men. As promised, the citys populace expelled the French garrison and welcomed Shrewsburys men. As the English liberated much of the area around the Bordeaux, Charles spent the winter raising a large army to invade the region. Though reinforced by his son, Lord Lisle, and a number of local troops, Shrewsbury possessed only around 6,000 men and was badly outnumbered by the approaching French. Advancing along three different routes, Charles men soon spread out to attack numerous towns and villages in the area. Battle of Castillon - French Preparations: At Castillon on the Dordogne River, around 7,000-10,000 men, under the artillery master Jean Bureau, constructed a fortified camp in preparation for besieging the town. Seeking to relieve Castillon and win a victory over this detached French force, Shrewsbury marched out of Bordeaux in early July. Arriving early on July 17, Shrewsbury succeeded in driving back a detachment of French archers. Alerted to the English approach, Bureau shifted 300 guns of various types from firing positions near the town to defend the camp. With his men stationed behind strong entrenchment, he awaited Shrewsburys attack. Battle of Castillon - Shrewsbury Arrives: As his army arrived on the field, a scout informed Shrewsbury that the French were fleeing the area and that a large cloud of dust could be seen in the direction Castillon. In actuality, this was caused by the departure of the French camp followers which had been instructed to leave by Bureau. Seeking to strike a decisive blow, Shrewsbury immediately ordered his men to form for battle and sent them forward without scouting the French position. Surging towards the French camp, the English were stunned to find the enemys lines manned. Battle of Castillon - The English Attack: Undeterred, Shrewsbury sent his men forward into a hail storm of arrows and artillery fire. Unable to personally take part in the fighting as he had been previously captured by the French and paroled, Shrewsbury charged across the battlefield pushing his men forward. Unable to break through Bureaus fortifications, the English were slaughtered en masse. With the assault faltering, French troops appeared on Shrewsburys flank and began attacking. With the situation rapidly deteriorating, Shrewsburys horse was hit by a cannonball. Falling, it broke the English commanders leg, pinning him to the ground. Sallying out from their works a number of French soldiers overwhelmed Shrewsburys guards and killed him. Elsewhere on the field, Lord Lisle also had been struck down. With both of their commanders dead, the English began falling back. Attempting to make a stand along the banks of the Dordogne, they were soon routed and forced to flee back to Bordeaux. Battle of Castillon - Aftermath: The last major battle of the Hundred Years War, Castillon cost the English around 4,000 killed, wounded, and captured as well as one of their most notable field commanders. For the French, losses were only around 100. Advancing to Bordeaux, Charles captured the city on October 19 after a three-month siege. With Henrys failing mental health and the resulting War of the Roses, England was no longer in a position to effectively pursue its claim to the French throne. Selected Sources Hundred Years War: Battle of CastillonHistory of War: Battle of Castillon

How Foreign Direct Investment Affects the Economy

How Foreign Direct Investment Affects the Economy According to the International Monetary Fund, foreign direct investment, commonly known as FDI, ... refers to an investment made to acquire lasting or long-term interest in enterprises operating outside of the economy of the investor. The investment is direct because the investor, which could be a foreign person, company or group of entities, is seeking to control, manage, or have significant influence over the foreign enterprise. Why Is FDI Important? FDI is a major source of external finance which means that countries with limited amounts of capital can receive finance beyond national borders from wealthier countries. Exports and FDI have been the two key ingredients in Chinas rapid economic growth. According to the World Bank, FDI and small business growth are the two critical elements in developing the private sector in lower-income economies and reducing poverty. The US and FDI Because the US is the worlds largest economy, it is a target for foreign investment AND a large investor. Americas companies invest in companies and projects all over the world. Even though the US economy has been in recession, the US is still a relatively safe haven for investment. Enterprises from other countries invested $260.4 billion dollars in the US in 2008 according to the Department of Commerce. However, the US is not immune to global economic trends, FDI for the first quarter of 2009 was 42% lower than the same period in 2008. US Policy and FDI The US tends to be open to foreign investment from other countries. In the 1970s and 1980s, there were short-lived fears that the Japanese were buying America based on the strength of the Japanese economy and the purchase of American landmarks such as Rockefeller Center in New York City by Japanese companies. At the height of the spike in oil prices in 2007 and 2008, some wondered if Russia and the oil-rich nations of the Middle East would buy America. There are strategic sectors which the US Government does protect from foreign buyers. In 2006, DP World, a company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, bought the UK-based firm managing many of the major seaports in the United States. Once the sale went through, a company from an Arab state, albeit a modern state, would be responsible for port security in major American ports. The Bush Administration approved the sale. Senator Charles Schumer of New York led Congress to try to block the transfer because many in Congress felt that port security should not be in the hands of DP World. With a growing controversy, DP World ultimately sold their US port assets to AIGs Global Investment Group. On the other side, the US Government encourages American companies to invest overseas and establish new markets to help create jobs back home in America. US investment is generally welcome because countries seek capital and new jobs. In rare circumstances, a country will reject a foreign investment for fears of economic imperialism or undue influence. Foreign investment becomes a more contentious issue when American jobs are outsourced to international locations. Outsourcing of jobs was an issue in the 2004, 2008, and 2016Â  Presidential Elections.

Markets, Profits and Prices Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Markets, Profits and Prices - Case Study Example If revenue is less than total variable costs, a firm should stop operating, even in the short run (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.241). The second rule applies the concept of marginal cost. The profit must rise if producing another unit of output adds more to revenues that to costs. Similarly, the profit must fall if producing another unit increases costs by more than it increases revenues. The analysis of fixed, variable and marginal costs combined with identification of the market in which Boeing operates and the concept of opportunity costs can assist in understanding how Boeing estimated the offer made to its workers in a commercial aircrafts division. In the context of production, fixed costs are costs that do not change with the level of output they produce. Whether the firm produces 1 million units of output or zero units of output, those costs must be paid (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.241). For Boeing, the plant, machinery and equipment should constitute the majority of its fixed costs in the commercial aircraft division. ... Other fixed cost components might include wages to executives, administrative and selling expenses, leases, etc. Overall, Boeing is expected to have a very high level of fixed costs. "On the other hand, any costs that do vary with output, like materials and labor, are referred to as variable costs" (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.241). The major variable costs for Boeing are materials used for aircraft production (i.e. steel), utilities and labor. It is stated in the article that there are more than 18,500 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers covered by the Boeing contracts. This number indicates that Boeing hires a large amount of workers. Therefore, labor costs might account for the majority of variable costs of Boeing in producing commercial aircrafts. The total cost of producing a given amount of output is simply the sum of costs associated with the hiring of all the inputs, both fixed and variable. The average cost for Boeing is the total cost divided by the number of aircrafts that Boeing produces. Even though average cost figure provides some useful information to the company, it does not seem to play a significant role in economics decision-making."The marginal cost of production is the increase in total costs resulting when output is increased by one unit" (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.79). Commercial aircrafts are very large products. So the marginal cost of production of Boeing should be very high in money terms, but commensurate with the prices Boeing charges for its aircrafts. Out of fixed and variable cost, only variable cost plays a role in decision-making. "Because the fixed costs do not vary with the level of output, they are irrelevant in

Epiphenomenalism a retrospective analysis Essay

Epiphenomenalism a retrospective analysis - Essay Example It suggests that mental events are caused by physical events in the brain, but in turn, the mental event has no effects upon the physical events. Epiphenomenalists argue that behaviour is a result of muscular activity resultant from neural impulses and that these impulses are triggered by other impulses that are inputs from the senses. Thus the mind has no role to play in human behavior. Huxley himself compared the mental events to the steam horns that are fitted on a steam locomotive. He said that they play no vital role on the functioning of the steam engine. Mental phenomena according to him cannot create anymore impact on the physical plain anymore than a shadow can create impacts on the footsteps of the person. All mental events can be broadly divided in to two categories according to their nature. The first one comprises of phenomenal experiences such as pain, qualia after images and tastes etc. The second kind of mental events comprises of occurent propositional attitudes such as beliefs and desires. Arguments on epiphenomenalism can concern both types of mental events and one cannot give solid evidence to its sanctity on both levels. The two types of mental events can be connected provided we assume that we have our qualia. Thus if we assume that pains have no physical effects, we could infer that (i) pains do not cause the belief that we are in pain and (ii) beliefs that we are in pain is epiphenomenal. Since if we believe that we are in pain and it leads us to some response (even indirectly) having an effect on the physical plane, then we would have to affirm that the whole proposition of epiphenomena is nothing but absurd because according to the theory, the feeling that we are in pain should have no consequence to events in our physical world. The logic though lies in the premise that events in the physical world have sufficient causes in the physical world and if men tal events were real and separate from physical events, then it would require a violation of physical law. The interactionist model proposed that the pineal gland undergoes changes according to mental events and brings about physical changes. But epiphenomena denies the involvement of any mental events and hence such physical changes of the pineal gland should have to be explained by events in the physical plane. It explicitly states that there will be no such change in the gland until a physical force would cause it to change. This is where epiphenomena disappoint us once more. Its rigidity and lack of accommodative capacity for new findings leave us with no option, but to sideline it and look for a better theory. Other arguments that are contrary to the standing of epiphenomena include the theory of natural selection. For that theory to stand, it should explain the development of consciousness. But a property by which a selection can occur in a species is relevant only when particular thoughts have effects upon specific behavior patterns. Therefore it is imperative that the conscious and the qualia should alter the course of behaviour in the physical world - quite contrary to what epiphenomenalism states. We all know that natural selection is a reality whether we like it or not and hence as a consequence epiphenomenalism fails to stand ground. It also contradicts the existence of other minds. But we do know that

Studying Language Variation in Singapore Essay Example for Free

Studying Language Variation in Singapore Essay This paper is a study of code-switching in one Singaporean Chinese household (my own). It will consider the hypothesis that age correlates significantly with proficiency and/or usage of more than one code. To test this hypothesis, three subjects, from the household, reflecting three different generations have had their speech recorded. The subjects S1, S2 and S3 are my grandfather, my uncle and my cousin respectively. General information on the subjects such as their ages, occupations and medium of education can be found in Table 1 (see appendix). Data Collection The data for this study was collected through tape recording of spontaneous conversations during a relaxed and informal family gathering held at an aunts house. Extracts from the recordings were then appropriately selected for analysis such that they will help quantify the nature and number of code-switches. In order to keep as close as possible to actual language usage, all unnatural instances of code alternation, such as deliberate code-switching resulting from an over-consciousness of the tape-recorded or a wish to impress, were excluded. Basic Terminology Code-switching is the case of multilingual speakers making switches between different languages or varieties depending on audience, setting and purpose; or the juxtaposition within the same speech exchange of passages of speech belonging to two different grammatical systems or sub-systems (Gumperz 1982: 59) The verbal repertoire of each subject, including the different languages or varieties they speak, can be found in Table 1 as well (see appendix). Subject 1: Grandfather (Age: 69) My grandfather can speak more than 4 different varieties- Teochew, Mandarin, English, Malay and most of the other Chinese dialects. Teochew is the dominant Chinese dialect which my grandfather speaks. He is very proficient in Teochew and uses it most of the time, with family members of the 1st (grandmother) and 2nd (father, mother, uncles, aunts) generations. He uses the other Chinese dialects only with his friends of a different dialect group or when talking to hawkers or shopkeepers. He communicates with the 3rd generation (myself, cousins) in Mandarin and sometimes in English, which he is not very proficient in. He uses Malay only when speaking to the maid, as she is from Indonesia and can only understand minimal English and no other languages or dialects. In my recordings, I found that he only switched between 4 of the varieties- Teochew, Mandarin, English and Malay. I suppose it was not necessary to speak in any other Chinese dialect because it was a family gathering. Speaking mainly Teochew, he code-switched quite frequently, but not as much as S2. The nature of the switches was mainly, but not solely, due to his interlocutor. I will discuss the various factors further.

Moby Dick or White Whale :: essays research papers

Ishmael, the narrator, announces his intent to ship aboard a whaling vessel. He has made several voyages as a sailor but none as a whaler. He travels to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he stays in a whalers’ inn. Since the inn is rather full, he has to share a bed with a harpooner from the South Pacific named Queequeg. At first repulsed by Queequeg’s strange habits and shocking appearance, Ishmael eventually comes to appreciate the man’s generosity and kind spirit, and the two decide to seek work on a whaling vessel together.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  They take a ferry to Nantucket, the traditional capital of the whaling industry. There they secure work on the Pequod, a savage-looking ship adorned with the bones and teeth of sperm whales. Peleg and Bildad, the Pequod’s Quaker owners, drive a hard bargain in terms of salary. They also mention the ship’s mysterious captain, Ahab, who is still recovering from losing his leg in an encounter with a sperm whale on his last voyage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Pequod leaves Nantucket on a cold Christmas Day with a crew made up of men from many different countries and races. Soon the ship is in warmer waters, and Ahab makes his first appearance on deck, balancing gingerly on his false leg, which is made from a sperm whale’s jaw. He announces his desire to pursue and kill Moby Dick, the legendary great white whale who took his leg, because he sees this whale as the embodiment of evil. Ahab nails a gold doubloon to the mast and declares that it will be the prize for the first man to sight the whale.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the Pequod sails toward the southern tip of Africa, whales are sighted and unsuccessfully hunted. During the hunt, a group of men, none of whom anyone on the ship’s crew has seen before on the voyage, emerges from the hold. The men’s leader is an exotic-looking man named Fedallah. These men constitute Ahab’s private harpoon crew, smuggled aboard in defiance of Bildad and Peleg. Ahab hopes that their skills and Fedallah’s prophetic abilities will help him in his hunt for Moby Dick.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Pequod rounds Africa and enters the Indian Ocean. A few whales are successfully caught and processed for their oil. From time to time, the ship encounters other whaling vessels. Ahab always demands information about Moby Dick from their captains. One of the ships, the Jeroboam, carries Gabriel, a crazed prophet who predicts doom for anyone who threatens Moby Dick.

Prison Term Policy Recommendation Essay

The evolution of criminal justice is to reform laws for the reason for providing protection to law-abiding citizens. Individuals that have commit crime will accept punishment for said crime when prosecuted and convicted under the court of law. Prison policies implement punitive actions for certain crimes committed, which assist the courts in sentencing accordingly. Prison policies are designed to keep violent criminals incarcerated, and possibly deter future crime. Individuals convicted of certain crimes may face lengthier sentences than that of a convicted criminal which is currently serving his or her sentence for the same crime committed in a different era. The reason for the difference in sentencing is that prison policies are constantly reforming. Therefore, prison policies pertaining to individuals convicted of armed robbery are under review, like all bills to be passed there is constant prohibition. Robbery occurs when property from a person, place, or bank is taken by force. Armed robbery is using a type of weapon to take possession of something, which results as more of a serious crime than robbery. According to â€Å"Criminal Pages† (2011), â€Å"Armed robbery is the taking of said property, but with the use of a firearm or other taking of said property, but with the use of a firearm or other weapon. Just by including a weapon in a particular robbery crime, a robbery can be viewed with a lot more seriousness.† Even if the person who committed the robbery mentions a weapon or uses a fake weapon can still be charged as committing armed robbery, and the crime is considered to be a felony. The amount of time an individual can receive incarcerated solely depends on the states tolerance for said such crime as well as the ruling from the presiding judge. The bill to be voted on is to double the maximum sentence for criminals convicted of armed robbery. Before voting on the bill, it will be a good idea for legislature officials to review the stat istics of armed robbery compared to normal robbery crimes. Citizens also have the right to be informed of the possible changes and can have his or her voices be heard toward the bill. The only consideration that must be carefully reviewed and express is the prison policy would enforce only to those who commit  robbery with a weapon in intent to harm others. Murder investigations are tied to armed robbery because the robbery was out of hand, and as a result ended with the murder or injury of victim. â€Å"The preliminary investigation has revealed that just after 9:00 p.m., three armed suspects enter the home. The suspects took various properties from the home’s occupants. Simons then arrived at the home a short time later and attempted to flee after seeing the armed suspects. At least one of the suspects shot Simons as he was trying to flee† (Criminal Pages, 2011). This bill will be good for the public by giving them security, and acquiring the public trust in the criminal justice system. The bill will also allow the judicial system to attach long sentences, and keep the violent criminal offenders in prison for the duration of their sentence. Many others would vote against the bill because first time offenders should deserve a second chance if no injury or death was a result of the robbery. With arm robbery, the second change should not apply because a weapon was used and that shows the intention of using it. A second chance should be considered if the crime is conducted by a juvenile because a juvenile has time to change, and deserves help from rehabilitation services. The recommendation as a criminologist, the state legislator would prefer to not vote for the bill governing the double maximum prison sentence for convicted armed robbery. The possible reasons for not voting in favor of the bill are based on a ethical corrupt foundation by which incarcerating an individual for half if not three quarters of their life for armed robbery is not ethical because people can be reformed, and rehabilitated. For some individuals convicted of armed robbery do it for survival, a means to an end and many convicted offenders of such said crime disclose they did not intend to hurt anyone. If murder was intended, the offender can be convicted with high possibilities of receiving a double maximum sentence. The sentence will attempt to punish the convicted criminal through incarceration, counseling by teaching the convicted offender a valuable lesson, and would attempt to provide justice to the victim or victims through restorative justice. The bill would be very ineffective for the reason for increasing maximum sentence has a poor affect in deterring criminals. Butterfield (2011), â€Å"Despite the prison-construction boom of recent years, the rate at which inmates released from prison committed new crimes actually rose from 1983 to 1994, suggesting  that the increased number of criminals put behind bars has not been an effective deterrent to crime, according to a Justice Department study released today.† Convicted criminals released from prison often commit the crime again. According to â€Å"Crime in America† (2010), â€Å"Most former convicts were rearrested shortly after getting out of prison: 30% within six months, 44% within a year, 59% within two years and 67% by the end of three years† (2002 Study). Therefore, the bill to double maximum sentence for armed robbery will be ineffective and should be denied. Prison policy writing comes in a form of a bill that must be voted on by the state legislator. The bill to be voted on is the maximum sentence for armed robbery should be doubled. The proposal of the bill will provide society with an advantage of incarcerating the criminal that allegedly commit armed robbery. The incarceration of violent offenders that commit armed robbery will provide some closure to the victims. Doubling maximum sentence for convicted criminals that have committed armed robbery is considered inhumane by the criminal society, especially for first time offenses. The bill will be considered an ineffective deterrent because repetitive offenders are usually sent back to incarceration. References Criminal Pages. (2011).Armed Robbery Charges. Retrieved from: http://www.criminalpages.com/criminal-records-classification/felony/felony-charges/armed-robbery-charges/ Criminal Pages. (2011). Armed robbery leads to homicide. Retrieved from: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/crime_checker/baltimore_city_crime/armed-robbery-leads-to-homicide/ Butterfield, F. (2011). Prison Boom Has Not Deterred Crime, Report Suggests. Retrieved from: http://threehegemons.tripod.com/threehegemonsblog/id30.html/ Crime in America. (2010). Percent of Released Prisoners Returning to Incarceration. Retrieved from: http://crimeinamerica.net/2010/09/29/percent-of-released-prisoners-returning-to-incarceration/

Personal Narrative Example Essay

You can call it following in footsteps or walking the same path, but I don’t see it like that. My grandmother calls her daughter, mother calls her sister, and I call her Aunty. She has always been my figure to look up to. She has inspired me to be the person who I truly want to be. My Aunt Marie is a strong, beautiful, and successful woman who, in spite of her work, has always been there for me when it counts in my life. I want to not only follow in her line of work, but I want to have her strength, love, and poise during everything. She is my hero, my guiding light, a woman who has taught me to stay true to myself and become the person I want to be. A conversation, one I fondly remember happened during an evening out to dinner. We had gone to this big burger place; it was one of my brother’s favorite places to eat out. It was just my middle brother, Christopher, me, and my aunt. Of course my brother ordered the biggest burger on the menu, his reasoning, â€Å"A manly man needs a manly burger.† We ladies, on the other hand, ordered a salad. Our topic for discussion was what we planned to do for our future. In my family I have always been the black sheep when it came to what my future entitled. Both of my brothers already knew what their plans were; Stephen is going into electronics and Christopher is becoming a machinist. I, on the other hand, had no clue what I wanted. Sure I had a general idea; something in the medical field, psychologist or something in law. So not very narrow, but at least an idea. At this time I hated this line of discussion. My brothers could say something, but I had nothing. I feel now this was the case since I wanted to make sure the career I chose would be one I enjoyed to work in. Without knowing from this night my aunt would teach me a valuable lesson. This was the first night I told her I was contemplating joining the Army. Out of all people, I suppose it was she I expected the acceptance from. My Aunt joined the Army at just 17 years old and became an MP. My Aunt explained to me how the military is a whole different ball field today than it was when she joined. Do not get me wrong, it is not like she put me down hard and gave me a, â€Å"what the hell would you do that for† response. I was given the best response instead. She proceeded to tell me how the military needs to be a choice I made for myself; that it was a choice I truly needed to be sure about. She also told me if this turned out to be something I wanted to do and it had to be for myself, that she would have some of her agents who work for her talk to me. Each would be from a different branch of the military, and they would explain each one to me so when I chose I would know fully what I was getting into. She wants to make sure my head is on straight before I sign any papers. It makes sense; once papers are signed you are committed for the duration of enlistment. I just hope she knows that I am not doing it because I think she wants me to, but rather I feel it will benefit me for my career choice. As I write this now, it has been four years since this conversation and I have had plenty of time now to think of my future. I can say though that it has not been until the past four months that I have actually figured out what I want to do with my life. I want to do something in Law enforcement; a career, that at the end of, I had made some sort of difference in another personâ⠂¬â„¢s life. That was the main thing for me when I was thinking of my future; I knew whatever I chose to do I wanted it to make a difference. I believe my choice in law enforcement certainly comes from her. I have always had an interest because of being surrounded by it all my life. When we were little I went to work with her and with my brother, Christopher; she showed us all the gadgets her agents used and I was intrigued. As I remember this dinner, I remember her explaining to me how my life is mine; I cannot mimic someone else’s. She told me I needed to explore my options and figure out what I truly want; take in consideration not only the job, but the life it would give to you. I remember her also saying, â€Å"It is not all about the money, sure you should be financially sound, but life is not all about having a lot of money.† These are words to live by in my point of view. So many people today are caught up in the aspect of making so much money they forget what they truly hav e. I want to live my life and be grateful for the little things while still making sure I can financially support myself so I am at least comfortable. I want a life to be proud of. The first step to this, I believe, is college. As a senior now, this has been the fous of our year. I have been so grateful for recently being accepted into my number one, top choice, college. The University of New Haven, on November 18th, 2012 the college sent me its congratulations on being accepted into the college for the fall 2013 semester. I want to go here for the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic science. I hope to major in Law Enforcement with a minor in Psychology or Sociology. My Aunt gave me the encouragement to push myself through high school so I can have the future I want. She showed me how anyone can become what she wants if they truly want it. She came from a farm house out in the boonies, into the Army at 17, and now is a renowned member at the DEA office in Washington D.C. She travels the world for her job. Her future is set; she has a 35 year pension from the military, a 401 K in place from her current job that will keep her financially sound way beyond retirement. I want this for myself, a job that will benefit me not only in the moment, but in the long run. She has taught me how when you are my age you cannot think of only right now, you have to think of your future, especially with you career and what it can provide for you in the long run. My aunt has been my role model to look up to for as long as I can remember. She has been the person who I inspire to be. She is a constant beautiful light that has always reminded me to do the right thing. On the night of that conversation I remember thinking, â€Å"Missy don’t you forget tonight, don’t you forget what she is telling you.† I will forever remember this night. Reason, it was the night she taught me the most important lesson ever; to stay true to yourself and create the life you want to live. From the man whose put them in his own words, Dr. Seuss, â€Å"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than you.†

gender issues in sri lanka essays

gender issues in sri lanka essays In general, when considering third world countries, most would say that they have some very similar characteristics. Third world countries are often thought of as places that are impoverished, have significantly high birthrates, are economically dependent on advanced countries, and have not evolved socially in regards to equal rights issues. Although many of these characteristics do apply to Sri Lanka, the latter has definitely evoked some discussion on the topic of gender issues in underdeveloped countries. Issues such as decision making in the household, educated women and their role in society, and attitudes towards women in employment will be discussed. As stated earlier, most would agree that from a distant perspective Sri Lanka would seem to be socially underdeveloped in regards to equal rights. One way that this misconception is debunked is by looking at the roles of male and female in the household. There are many variables to take into consideration when looking at roles of family members and who has the balance of power; for instance, if the wife is working or not could be considered at both ends of the scale. If she is working than her husband may feel that because she is making a financial contribution she has more of a right to make important economic decisions that may effect the family. On the other hand he may feel as though her being away from the children is a detriment to their upbringing, and in turn is placing a burden upon the family leaving the wife with few domestic decisions. Another variable that has to be considered is if the residence is with the husband's family or if it is with the wife's family. In this case one would assume that whichever house was being resided in would have the balance of the say towards family decisions. The last variable that will be considered is that of marital duration. Does a longer marriage necessarily mean that the financial and domestic decisions of the househol...

American Civil War - Battle of Oak Grove

American Civil War - Battle of Oak Grove Battle of Oak Grove - Conflict Date: The Battle of Oak Grove was fought June 25, 1862, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders: Union Major General George B. McClellan3 brigades Confederate General Robert E. Lee1 division Battle of Oak Grove - Background: After constructing the Army of the Potomac in the summer and fall of 1861, Major General George B. McClellan commenced planning his offensive against Richmond for the following spring.   To take the Confederate capital, he intended to sail his men down the Chesapeake Bay to the Union base at Fortress Monroe.   Concentrating there, the army would advance up the Peninsula between the York and James Rivers to Richmond.   This shift south would permit him to bypass Confederate forces in northern Virginia and would allow US Navy warships move up both rivers to protect his flanks and help supply the army.   This part of the operation was shelved in early March 1862 when the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia struck Union naval forces at the Battle of Hampton Roads. Though the danger posed by Virginia was offset by the arrival of the ironclad USS Monitor, efforts to blockade the Confederate warship drew off Union naval strength.   Slowing marching up the Peninsula in April, McClellan was fooled by Confederate forces into laying siege to Yorktown for much of the month.   Finally continuing the advance in early May, Union forces clashed with the Confederates at Williamsburg before driving on Richmond.   As the army neared the city, McClellan was struck by General Joseph E. Johnston at Seven Pines on May 31. Though the fighting was inconclusive, it resulted in Johnston being severely wounded and command of the Confederate army ultimately passed to General Robert E. Lee. For the next few weeks, McClellan remained inactive in front of Richmond allowing Lee to improve the citys defenses and plan a counterattack. Battle of Oak Grove - Plans: Assessing the situation, Lee realized that McClellan was forced to divide his army north and south of Chickahominy River in order to protect his supply lines back to White House, VA on the Pamunkey River.   As a result, he devised an offensive that sought to defeat one wing of the Union army before the other could move to provide aid.   Shifting troops into place, Lee intended to attack on June 26.   Alerted that Major General Thomas Stonewall Jacksons command would soon reinforce Lee and that enemy offensive action was likely, McClellan sought to retain the initiative by striking west towards Old Tavern.   Taking the heights in the area would permit his siege guns to strike at Richmond.   To accomplish this mission, McClellan planned to attack along the Richmond York Railroad in the north and at Oak Grove in the south. Battle of Oak Grove - III Corps Advances: The execution of the assault at Oak Grove fell to the divisions of Brigadier Generals Joseph Hooker and Philip Kearny from Brigadier General Samuel P. Heintzelmans III Corps.   From these commands, the brigades of Brigadier Generals Daniel Sickles,  Cuvier Grover, and John C. Robinson were to leave their earthworks, pass through a small but dense wooded area, and then strike the Confederate lines held by the division of Brigadier General Benjamin Huger.   Direct command of the forces involved fell to Heintzelman as McClellan preferred to coordinate the action by telegraph from his headquarters in the rear.   At 8:30 AM, the three Union brigades commenced their advance.   While Grover and Robinsons brigades encountered few problems, Sickles men had trouble clearing the abatis in front of their lines and then were slowed by the difficult terrain at the headwaters of White Oak Swamp (Map). Battle of Oak Grove - A Stalemate Ensues:               Sickles issues led to the brigade falling out of alignment with those to the south.   Recognizing an opportunity, Huger directed Brigadier General Ambrose Wright to advance with his brigade and mount a counterattack against Grover.   Approaching the enemy, one of his Georgia regiments caused confusion among Grovers men as they wore red Zouave uniforms which were thought to only be used by some Union troops.   As Wrights men halted Grover, Sickles brigade was repulsed by Brigadier General Robert Ransoms men to the north.   With his attack stalling, Heintzelman requested reinforcements from McClellan and informed the army commander of the situation.    Unaware of the specifics of the fighting, McClellan ordered those engaged to withdraw back to their lines at 10:30 AM and departed his headquarters to inspect the battlefield personally.   Arriving around 1:00 PM, he found the situation better than anticipated and ordered Heintzelman to renew the attack.   Union troops moved forward and regained some ground but became entangled in an inconclusive fire fight that lasted until nightfall.   In the course of the battle, McClellans men only managed to advance about 600 yards. Battle of Oak Grove - Aftermath: McClellans final offensive effort against Richmond, the fighting at the Battle of Oak Grove saw Union forces suffer 68 killed, 503 wounded, and 55 missing while Huger incurred  66 killed, 362 wounded, and 13 missing.   Undeterred by the Union thrust, Lee moved forward with his planned offensive the next day.   Attacking at Beaver Dam Creek, his men were ultimately turned back.   A day later, they succeeded in dislodging Union troops at Gaines Mill.   Beginning with Oak Grove, a week of constant fighting, dubbed the Seven Days Battles, saw McClellan driven back to the James River at Malvern Hill and his campaign against Richmond defeated.       Selected Sources Civil War Trust: Seven Days BattlesCWSAC Battle Summaries: Oak GroveHistory of War: Battle of Oak Grove

Developing for an online business in Vietnam Research Proposal

Developing for an online business in Vietnam - Research Proposal Example The online hosting makes it possible for one to establish a business, look for customers and make deals over the Internet. The integration of ICT into commercial applications has greatly changed the business sector. One can now engage in business activities with foreign countries, yet at the convenience of his / her office. Establishing, meeting and transacting business deals have now revolutionised (Phan, 2003, pp. 581–582). However, there are business ethics, conduct and regulations that must apply even to the online business dealings. As one intends to venture into this kind of trade, specific procedures are bound to apply. This ensures sanity, law and order in the execution of various business activities. Innovations in technology have not been exhaustively explored, and thus, there exist great opportunities for exploitation in business. Therefore, in the analysis of the untapped business opportunities through online trading, this business research intends to learn more of the e-business prospects existing in the country and analyse the regulations of the country and the future trends for business operations. Rationale / Thesis Trade has certainly been seen as a key pillar of any government and country’s growth and development. Exploitation of many forms of businesses is commendable in order to diversify and reduce risks of overreliance on certain sectors of the economy. Online business has been seen to thrive well in many parts of the world with the returns being enormous. However, in some regions, the field remains unexplored or underexplored. The emerging world trade trends indicate that the success of trading activities in the future may rely much on the Internet for activities such as marketing, meeting clients, striking deals and sealing up business transactions. It is thus important that the government and the people of Vietnam explore the untapped field of doing business over cyber space. Justification Many of the previous studies in t rade have concentrated more on the other modes of doing business and neglected the evolutionary trend of online business. Vietnam has in the recent past recorded commendable economic growth. Many countries, and especially the Western economies, are continuously directing their investments in trade into Vietnam. It is, therefore, of sound importance for researches to be done in order to have substantive information in this field, which would help investors in the decision making process. By having proper information on the trends taking shape in Vietnam in terms of trade, all stakeholders in the economy would be in a better position to make informed decisions as pertains to trade and business. Objectives To evaluate the effects of e-trading on the overall trade performance of Vietnam To draw policy recommendations for stakeholders in trade and development agencies Questions 1. How far has the online trade been exploited in Vietnam? 2. Who are the dominant investors in the sector: the Vietnamese or foreigners? 3. What are the other opportunities available for exploitation in terms of trade in Vietnam? 4. How are trade regulations formulated and enforced in the country and what is the role of the private sector and public sector in this? Hypothesis This research will be based on three hypotheses. These hypotheses are based on a generalisation of ideas, which will need to be substantiated by research. 1. Hypothesis: If economic performance of any economy is related to trade, then e-commerce is of importance towards