Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Character Analysis Ricky in American Beauty Essay Example
Character Analysis Ricky in American Beauty Essay Example Character Analysis Ricky in American Beauty Paper Character Analysis Ricky in American Beauty Paper Essay Topic: American Beauty Film Where is the beauty in a plastic bag, a deceased bird, a dead person? Strange questions you may think if you havent seen the film American Beauty but it is one persons obsession with beauty that creates a fascination and a particular attraction towards it that makes it all comprehensible. Ricky Fitz, the new next door neighbour to the troubled Burnham family, adds a new dimension to their mundane lives, in some cases simplifying their situation and in other cases, complicating it. Ricky is generally a very interesting character that really captures an audience and entices them to look at life from another angle. He has a poor, harmful family relationship that he looks to escape from through change, a characteristic of all the characters in the film. He shares a sensual and physical relationship with the girl next door, Jane, whilst he also has a strong relationship with her father, Lester, a some what complacent and immature character. It is Rickys vision of beauty though, that really makes him stand out and makes him so quizzical. Ricky is generally a very insightful person, curious and up front. He is very honest about his feelings and his past, illustrated many times, but particularly when Jane asked him why he was sent to a mental institution and he was able to answer calmly and confidently. He dresses in a very specific way which is ordered and neat, described by another character, Angela, as a bible salesman. This is understandable due to the regimented life he lived, ruled by an ex-army officer, his father. His house is very symmetrical and cold, a symbol of the lack of connection between family members. Everything in the house is in perfect order and very clean; the slightest thing out of place would have been recognised suggested by the situation when Rickys father was able to work out that Ricky had been in his room, violently reacting. His bedroom is very orderly, clothes neatly folded and shelves stacked very neatly. His room expresses no colour or warmth, it is just an imperfect and futile room. Emotionally, Ricky comes across as strong, saying, I dont get scared but was institutionalised for losing control and being pushed over the edge. Everything bad about Rickys character could be blamed on the morose state of his family relationship. It is worth contemplating that if Ricky didnt get out when he did he could have turned out like his mother, an abused, reclusive person. As a result she was always on edge and couldnt relax around her husband. Ricky was abused by his father, but obviously not to the extent of his mother. We know this by the two scenes when he was physically assaulted by his father, yet he just accepted it. The family is a picture of dysfunction, illustrated by the scene when they are all sitting on the couch and the mother is trying to face the other way and avoid confrontation, the father is sitting upright, trying to act as the boss and Ricky on the other end absorbing the awkward silence of the moment. Ricky is eighteen and yet his father still does not know how to act around him or hold a proper conversation with him. There is also no trust between father and son depicted by the scene when Ricky had supply a urine sample yet he deceived his father by giving him a false supply. It is like his father saw his role, solely to teach Ricky structure and discipline. When Ricky eventually leaves, although a touching moment, there is no real emotion shown, he was not sad to leave. Ricky found a rare and hidden beauty in Jane, the girl from the adjacent house. To the average person, Jane is portrayed as a confused, unattractive and depressed person. However Ricky sees a form of beauty that we cant, attracting the two toward each other. Jane is strangely comforted by the attention of being filmed by Ricky making her curious about what he found interest about her. She even believes that she is unattractive portrayed by her interested in plastic surgery. Ricky remains totally focussed on Jane. He sees that no other girl has this kind of beauty that she has represented by his filming when he avoids the stereotypical beauty in Angela and zooms in on Janes reflection in the mirror. The development of their relationship allows Jane to open up and become more honest to herself and others; she starts to develop some of the personal traits of Ricky. A good example of this is when she stands up to her father and tells him that she is embarrassed by the way he acts when Angela is staying over. Something that she wouldnt have done before she met Ricky. Despite growing in similarity, when they contemplated a life away from home, their differences become obvious as Jane still feels for her family despite not sharing a great relationship with them. Lester Burnham, a casual and unenthusiastic character, is almost brought to life and re-ignited by Ricky. Arguably it was the beauty of Angela that was responsible for the rebirth but his encounter with Ricky gave him confidence and mental strength to change depicted through the party scene when Ricky calmly and boldly quit his job, an issue that most of us would have a lot of trouble doing. Lester responded by say, You have just become my personal hero, so impressed by his actions. It was the turning point in Lesters stupid little life when he started to take responsibility for his actions and do something about his mundane life. He became more assured and gained a belief in himself that he had never had before. We can draw this conclusion due to his actions, such as buying a car he had always wanted, quit his job and started to work out. The two share a close relationship but not as close as Rickys dad thinks. It is this misunderstanding that brings about Lesters death. Therefore it is arguable to say that the relationship had a positive and negative effect for Lester. Ricky does not see beauty in a rose, perfection, or a slim blonde but in obscure, natural elements. He describes beauty as though God is looking at you. The most beautiful thing he has ever filmed was a plastic bag, describing the electricity in it and that this bag was just dancing with me. To us the bag is just swirling around in the air, but Ricky can see the beauty in the lovely transient movement of the bag. Earlier in the film Jane and Angela caught him filming a dead bird. To him this was another form of beauty as was Lesters dead body, with his head resting on the table, blood streaming from his head. It makes Ricky happy to think that Lester was now free and contented. It seems that the seductive beauty that Ricky sees is the only thing that is capable of making him drop his guard and show any sort of emotion. Teeming with tears, he explains, Sometimes there is so much beauty in the world that I feel I cant take it. It is just evidence that beauty has such a great impact on people, even the most mentally strong.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, 1911
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, 1911 What Was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire? On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out atà the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in New York City. The 500 workers (who were mostly young women)à located on the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors of the Asch building did everything they could to escape, but the poor conditions, locked doors, and faulty fire escape caused 146 to die in the fire. The large number of deaths in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire exposed the dangerous conditions in high-rise factories and prompted the creation of new building, fire, and safety codes around the United States. The Triangle Shirtwaist Company The Triangle Shirtwaist Company was owned by Max Blanck and Isaac Harris. Both men had emigrated from Russia as young men, met in the United States, and by 1900 had a little shop together on Woodster Street they named the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. Growing quickly, they moved their business into the ninth floor of the new, ten-story Asch Building (now known asà New York Universitysà Brown Building) on the corner of Washington Place and Greene Street in New York City. They later expanded into the eighth floor and then the tenth floor. By 1911, the Triangle Waist Company was one of the largest blouse makers in New York City. They specialized in making shirtwaists, the very popular womens blouse that had a tight waist and puffy sleeves. The Triangle Shirtwaist Company had made Blanck and Harris rich, largely because they exploited their workers. Poor Working Conditions Approximately 500 people, mostly immigrant women, worked at the Triangle Shirtwaist Companys factory in the Asch Building. They worked long hours, six days a week, in cramped quarters and were paid low wages. Many of the workers were young, some only age 13 or 14. In 1909, shirtwaist factory workers from around the city went on strike for an increase in pay, shorter work week, and the recognition of a union. Though many of the other shirtwaist companies eventually agreed to the strikers demands, the Triangle Shirtwaist Company owners never did. Conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory remained poor. A Fire Starts On Saturday, March 25, 1911, a fire started on the eighth floor. Work had ended at 4:30 p.m. that day and most of the workers were gathering their belongings and their paychecks when a cutter noticed a small fire had started in his scrap bin. No one is sure what exactly started the fire, but a fire marshal later thought a cigarette butt had possibly gotten tossed into the bin. Nearly everything in the room was flammable: hundreds of pounds of cotton scraps, tissue paper patterns, and wooden tables. Several workers threw pails of water on the fire, but it quickly grew out of control. Workers then tried to use the fire hoses that were available on each floor, for one last attempt to put out the fire; however, when they turned the water valve on, no water came out. A woman on the eighth floor tried to call the ninth and tenth floors to warn them. Only the tenth floor received the message; those on the ninth floor didnt know about the fire until it was upon them. Desperately Trying to Escape Everyone rushed to escape the fire. Some ran to the four elevators. Built to carry a maximum of 15 people each, they quickly filled with 30. There wasnt time for many trips to the bottom and back up before the fire reached the elevator shafts as well. Others ran to the fire escape. Though about 20 reached the bottom successfully, about 25 others died when the fire escape buckled and collapsed. Many on the tenth floor, including Blanck and Harris, made it safely to the roof and then were helped to nearby buildings. Many on the eighth and ninth floors were stuck. The elevators were no longer available, the fire escape had collapsed, and the doors to the hallways were locked (company policy). Many workers headed to the windows. At 4:45 p.m., the fire department was alerted to the fire. They rushed to the scene, raised their ladder, but it only reached to the sixth floor. Those on the window ledges started jumping. 146 Dead The fire was put out in half an hour, but it was not soon enough. Of the 500 employees, 146 were dead. The bodies were taken to a covered pier on Twenty-Sixth Street, near the East River. Thousands of people lined up to identify the bodies of loved ones. After a week, all but seven were identified. Many people searched for someone to blame. The Triangle Shirtwaist Company owners, Blanck and Harris, were tried for manslaughter, but were found not guilty. The fire and the large number of deaths exposed the hazardous conditions and fire danger that was ubiquitous in these high-rise factories. Shortly after the Triangle fire, New York City passed a large number of fire, safety, and building codes and created stiff penalties for non-compliance. Other cities followed New Yorks example.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Impact of Evangelism on the U.S. Politics Research Paper
Impact of Evangelism on the U.S. Politics - Research Paper Example The relationship between the church and the state has always been a tumultuous one and this relationship was carried on into the New World. Whilst evangelism is concerned with spreading the ââ¬Å"good newsâ⬠and proper ideals congruent to the Christian religion, its influence to American politics has been a positive one in which religion has long defended the values and norms of American democracy. Evangelism is a term mainly used by Protestants. Since Protestantism reigned at Americaââ¬â¢s founding, its impact on the politics of the nation is immense. When America was still young, Presbyterians, New England Congregationalist and Anglicans held a predominant position in the youngââ¬â¢s country religion, social and political affairs. However, over time, the Methodist Episcopal Church grew at a very fast rate introducing new ideas and new methods in spreading the gospel. Methodism in the country embraced competition, pluralism and marketing of religion in every sphere of li fe (Cromartie 4). Evangelism was adopted by Methodist and soon different religions adopted this mode of preaching in order to survive in the new competitive religious environment. American Culture-Secular and religious Ever since the English settlement, Americans have always considered themselves as part of the great stream of salvation (Lambert 17). In the New World, the settlers were totally engrossed in their mission to complete the protestant reformation. The early experiences and victories of European settlers in America extended and strengthened the idea of Americans as Godââ¬â¢s chosen people. The Protestants who settled in British North America were very diverse. People all over Europe sailed to America to escape the Catholic persecution in the 17th century. Dissenters from England, Lutherans and Calvinist from the Rhineland and Switzerland, Quakers and Anabaptists from different corners of Eastern Europe all flooded America for a better future (Lambert 18). North America turned to become a home and a refuge for individuals who covered the full spectrum of Protestantism. When the Puritans arrived, the new world was not only a refuge where they could practice their religion freely, they also considered in the Promised Land in which they could build a new covenant undisturbed by the corruption in the old world (Fowler 3). They named their mission ââ¬Å"an errand in the wildernessâ⬠and considered it as divined by God. Americans have long carried out the puritan legacies by performing special missions and destinies. When the protestants arrived in the country, they embarked on setting up a different system of government and religion than that they had lived through. Due to previous dealings with the Roman Catholic Church, the new settlers craved religious freedom and a differentiation between church and state (Lambert 21). The Declaration of Independence in 1776 drafted by Thomas Jefferson was highly influenced by both the Protestant religion and from the Enlightenment (Lambert 23). Jefferson proclaimed that the country was forged by free individuals who were possessed several rights conferred to them by the creator. By acknowledging this, America foundation was thus based on religious freedom and politics in the country would be thus closely interlinked with religion. Although religion was quite important to the country, several important issues were raised by the evangelical movement. The first issue was the role that religion should play within American public
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1
The Cold War and U.S Diplomacy - Research Paper Example Strait of Hormuz forms a bottleneck at the Persian Gulf, therefore, a strategic position to control the oil flow from the region. The Afghanistan invasion brought the Soviet Union in close proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, which could have been accessed through an invasion of Iran. Soviet actions posed threat to the stability of the entire region. The US along with other countries were dependant on the oil for the functioning of their economies. The supply was also crucial for the military to maintain its operational capabilities. Saudi Arabia, therefore, was assured of security by the US from communist adversaries.à Iran was a key ally in the region to guard against the spread of communism. Iran and Saudi Arabia were given aid to counter the Soviet Union and ensure stability in the region. The Iranian revolution in 1979 complicated the situation; therefore, a new doctrine had the to be formulated. The exclusion of Iran demanded a doctrine to present suitable threat to guard agai nst the spread of Soviets in the region and to find a reliable replacement for supply of oil to the US.à President Carterââ¬â¢s doctrine was a paradigm shift from previous doctrines of President Truman, Eisenhower, and Nixon. It was aimed to make clear the importance of the Persian Gulf as key vital interest. The doctrine made clear that any effort by the hostile power to block the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf would be considered an attack on US vital interest and would be dealt with military force.Ã
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Workout World problem Essay Example for Free
Workout World problem Essay Fourth, independent owners do not follow a unified working time of seven in the morning to seven in the afternoon. Some operates on this working but do not. It creates so much confusion. Fifth, the strength of teamwork is gone. The central problem is the ââ¬Å"huge bureaucracy developing and this is having negative effect on members and potential customers due to inconsistencies that have arisen across different services offered by Workout World. Before I offer solution or option and recommendation, it is quite important to understand what bureaucracy is. Nicos P. Monzelis said that ââ¬Å"typical administrative apparatus corresponding to the legal type of domination is called bureaucracyâ⬠(Monzelis, p. 17). In other words, bureaucracy is a legal type of domination. Monzelis noted that term bureaucracy, especially in political writings often implies an abuse of power, a situation where officials have more power than is necessary for the performance of their tasks (p. 26). Going back to the Workout World problem, based on the concept given by Monzelis, we can analyze in detail the problem. First, bureaucracy is a legal domination. The independent owners of the four other business departments of the Workout World is clearly exerting domination as they already doing business in the name of Workout World independent to the general goals and policies of Workout World under the management of Peter Watson. Their staff were no longer cooperating or contributing towards the main objectives of the Workout World. Second, owners of independent sports department are now exerting more power than is necessary for their performance as they initiate moves that runs counter to the general goals of Workout World. That is collective promotion of the Workout World not independent promotion as this creates conflict and confusion on customers. In order for Peter Watson to cope or address the problem, he has to have enormous power and influence. Jeffrey Pfeffer noted the result of the survey conducted by Canadian business school, that ââ¬Å"interdepartmental coordination, promotion and transfer decisions, and decisions about facilities and equipment allocationâ⬠¦ to be highly involve with powerâ⬠(p. 35). Pfeffer emphasized that ââ¬Å"to be successful in getting things done in organizations, it is critical that you be able to diagnose the relative power of the various participants and comprehend the patterns of interdependenceâ⬠(p. 49). It means Peter Watson must carefully analyze the present situation, the strength and weakness of the independent departments, as the saying goes ââ¬Å"to know your enemy is to win half of the battle. But where does power come? Pfeffer pointed out that ââ¬Å"power comes from being in the right placeâ⬠(p. 49). Pfeffer gave three good position to acquire power: (1) control over resources such as budgets, physical facilities, and position that can be used to cultivate allies and supporters; (2) control over or extensive access to information ââ¬â about the organizationââ¬â¢s activities, about the preferences and judgments of others, about what is going on, and who is doing it, and (3) formal authority. The Principles of Organizational Structure Helmy H. Baligh offer the concept of organization in the effort made by two persons to do some great task. Baligh said, ââ¬Å"An organization structure would have a set of two people, and one or two decisions to be madeâ⬠(Baligh, p. 2). Baligh pointed out that ââ¬Å"while they were in the process of doing what they have decided to do, they were an organizationâ⬠(p. 2). Baligh said, they were people who are connected by decision rules that they make for one another to use to determine what they are to decide or do. He noted that ââ¬Å"together, the people and the rules that connected their decisions were an organization structure which determines what was to get doneâ⬠(p. 2). Maria Burke noted that it is important to take into consideration the cultural context of an organization in order to establish a well-sounded communication. He emphasized the role of culture and its impact in the development of management system which is significant in the structure of an organization (p. 678).
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Amen: Does Prayer Play An Important Role In Our Lives Today? :: essays research papers
Amen: Does Prayer Play An Important Role In Our Lives Today? à à à à à Does prayer play an important role in our lives today? The minority would say no and that prayer shouldn't ever have played an important role in our society. But, the simple fact of the matter is that for hundreds of years, prayer in school has been encouraged by both society and government. In recent years, it has been established that prayer in schools has led to a steady moral decline. Morals must be taught, in school and at home, and they cannot be properly taught without religion as a much needed stepping stone. à à à à à Our government was based upon religious beliefs from the very beginning. The Declaration of Independence says: ââ¬Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God with certain unalienable rights. . .â⬠Certainly, it talks about God, creations, God-given moral rights, the providence of God, and the final Day of Judgment-all of which are religious teachings. And school prayer has been an important part of our religious experience from the very beginning. à à à à à Our very First Amendment didn't separate God and government but actually encouraged religion. It reads: ââ¬Å"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, nor prohibit the free exercise thereof,â⬠(Encarta 96). The first part simply says that the federal government cannot establish one religion for all of the people. The simple idea of everyone in our nation being limited to one form of religion is inconceivable. The second section insists that the government should do nothing to discourage religion. But forbidding prayer in schools discourages religion, doesn't it? à à à à à Early congressional actions encouraged religion in public schools. For example, the Northwest Treaty (1787 and 1789) declared: ââ¬Å"Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary for good government and the happiness of mankind, schools, and the means of learning shall forever be encouragedâ⬠(Encarta 96). By seeing this, religion, which includes prayer, was deemed to be necessary. Congress has prayed at the opening of every session since the very beginning. By acknowledging these facts we ask the simple question, ââ¬Å" If the government can pray in their sessions, why can't the governed pray in their (school) sessions? à à à à à Public schools had prayer for nearly 200 years before the Supreme Court ruled that state-mandated class prayers were unconstitutional in Engel vs. Vitale in 1962 (Buckley 70). How could this trail have such a huge impact on our nation and ultimately alter how we perceive our constitution? The fact that prayer was practiced for nearly 200 years alone establishes it by example as a
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Flow of Silver
In the mid sixteenth century a silver mine located at Potosi, South America was formed. This silver mine was one of the few major silver mines in the world, the others located in Northern Central America and Southern Japan. This certain mine was known for its distinctive rich black flint. Extensive excavation required more than three-thousand Indians to work away with picks and hammers to break up the ore and bring It up to the surface. Just after refining the ore, the silver Is shipped to Spain then from Spain to India, China, East Indies, Great Britain, and Imperial Russia.But all this only happened after the Spanish took over the city and put the Indians on silver mining overdrive. According to the Spanish royal records thirty-six million silver coins have been taken out of the mine since the Invasion. Meanwhile In Spain, the high process ruined Spain as prices attracted Asian commodities with silver currency flowing out nonstop to pay for them. The constant flow of silver from Po tosi made the Spanish very blind with their riches.Once the silver from Potosi was gone Spanish economy would plummet. Aslan Trading ships where so common that some Spanish oads where paved with the extra granite cobblestones taken out of the Chinese trading ships' ballast to compensate for the massive weights from the sheer load of silver. Silver economy was almost the complete opposite in the Chinese areas, for the need of silver was there, and there In large quantities. It Just seems that way because of the lack of an actual metal currency. The venerable elders of my home district explain that the reason grain is cheap despite poor harvests in recent years is due entirely to the scarcity of silver coin. â⬠This is a quote from a report given to the Emperor from a Ming dynasty official. Basically since the Chinese national government uses silver as tax payment and gives little back Into the Chinese economy cycle. Because of this, Chinese citizens are very wise with their smal l amount of funds. Spain wasn't the only place China imported silver from.Importations from Japan where there also, but not in quantities as large as Spain. Japanese silver Is mined from South Japan then shipped to China, India, and mainly Portugal. Japan doesn't ship directly to Portugal. What happens is that Portugal sends their trading ships sail over to Macao, China carrying their cargo of silk, gold, erfume, and porcelain. Then they sail over toJapan where they returned with, to the Portugal's surprise, six-hundred thousand coins worth of Japanese silver, The Portuguese use this in their favor in china.They do so by feeding Japan's silver to China to get what they want. Bring Japan resources and get silver. Bring the silver over to China to get resources and luxury goods. Bring the luxury goods back to Portugal, and the resources over toJapan. Which brings the focus back to China, Ming dynasty to be exact. Ming dynasty dye shops would allow their customers to have onsiderable a mounts of cloth and silk dyed right before deciding the actual costs of said dye.This used to be paid in rice, wheat, soybeans, or fowl, but during the dynasty everything from tools to cattle was paid In silver coins. Also, speaking of silk, Chinese officials have realized how much silver the Spanish have In relation to how much they trade for. So they did an experiment. China sent trading ships with equal amounts of goods to Luzon, located in the Philippines, and Spain. To their slight surprlse tney return Trom tne pnlllpplnes almost trlple wnat tney usually recelve Trom rading to Spain.Plus, they will also accept most native Chinese fruit, porcelain pottery, and sugar. Then there's Europe, Europe also trades with Asia. Sadly, they draw nothing of actual use, yet they pay them in valuables such as gold and silver, these commodities never return. The luxury of Asian spices have tainted the Europe population, most of them think of it as a necessary ingredient. Because of the pleasure that Asian products bring to all of Europe, including the colonies, and also to the Spaniards in America, Breaking up the trade was never a favorable idea for England.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
The Golden Lily Chapter 13
THE DAY OF THE DANCE, I seriously considered going back to the costume store and buying the flammable white costume. Lia's dress wasâ⬠¦ a bit more than I had expected. She had done a fair job copying the chiton style worn in ancient Greece, I'd give her that. The dress was sleeveless, pinned at my shoulders to drape into a neckline lower than I was comfortable with. The dress was floor length, and she'd somehow nailed my height perfectly without measuring me. That was where the historical resemblance ended. The material was some sort of silky, flowing fabric that draped around me and showed my figure better than you'd expect a dress like that to manage. Whatever the material was, it was nothing the Greeks could have produced, and it wasâ⬠¦ red. I couldn't remember the last time I'd worn red. Maybe when I was a child. Sure, the Amberwood uniform variations sometimes had burgundy in them, but it was a subdued shade. This was a brilliant, flaming scarlet. I never wore colors that intense. I didn't like the attention they attracted. Amplifying it was the amount of gold she'd worked into the dress. Gold thread danced along the edge of the red fabric, glittering in the light. The belt was golden too ââ¬â and not the cheap plastic of the costume's. The pins holding the dress were gold (or at least some high quality metal that appeared gold), as were the accessories she'd provided: a necklace and earrings made of little coins. She'd even given me a gold comb with little red crystals on it. I tried it on in my dorm room and stared at the glittering, red display I made. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I said aloud. Someone knocked at my door, and I grimaced. It would take forever to change out of the elaborate dress, so I had no choice but to answer in costume. Fortunately, it was Jill. Her mouth opened to speak and then just hung there in silence when she saw me. ââ¬Å"I know,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"It's ridiculous.â⬠She recovered herself a few seconds later. ââ¬Å"Noâ⬠¦ no! It's amazing. Oh my God.â⬠I hurried her into the room before our classmates could see me. She was also dressed for the dance, in a fairy confection of pale blue gauzy material that looked perfect on her willowy Moroi frame. ââ¬Å"It's red,â⬠I told her. In case it wasn't obvious, I added: ââ¬Å"I never wear red.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know,â⬠she said, wide-eyed. ââ¬Å"But you should. It looks amazing on you. You should burn all your gray and brown clothes.â⬠I shook my head. ââ¬Å"I can't wear this. If we leave now, there's still time to go by the costume store and get something else.â⬠Jill shook off her awed state and took on an adamant, fierce look that seemed kind of extreme for the situation. ââ¬Å"No. Absolutely not. You are wearing that. It's going to blow your boyfriend away. And you should put on a little more makeup ââ¬â I know, I know. You don't like anything crazy, but just darken the eyeliner and put on some lipstick. Just a little. You've got to match the dress's intensity.â⬠ââ¬Å"You see? Already this color is causing problems.â⬠She wouldn't back down. ââ¬Å"It'll take like a minute. And that's all we've got. If we don't leave soon, we're going to be late. Your boyfriend's always early, right?â⬠I didn't answer right away. She had me there. Brayden was always early, and as much as the costume pained me, I couldn't stand the thought of making him wait ââ¬â especially since he wouldn't be able to get into the dance without an Amberwood student. ââ¬Å"Fine,â⬠I said, with a sigh. ââ¬Å"Let's go.â⬠Jill grinned triumphantly. ââ¬Å"But first ââ¬â the makeup.â⬠I conceded to the makeup and then, at the last minute, added my cross necklace. It didn't go with the theme and was instantly swallowed by the more flamboyant gold jewelry, but it made me feel better. It was a piece of normality. When we finally left, we found Eddie waiting for us in the lobby. He was dressed in normal clothes, his only nod to Halloween being a plain white half-mask that reminded me of the Phantom of the Opera. I was half-tempted to ask if he had a second one so that I could do a quick wardrobe change and just go masked. He jumped up from his chair, his face going dreamy when he saw Jill in her blue, ethereal glory. Honestly, how could no one else see how crazy he was about her? It was so painfully obvious. He drank her in with his eyes, looking as though he might swoon then and there. Then, he flicked his gaze over to me and did a double-take. His expression wasn't lovestruck so much as dumbfounded. ââ¬Å"I know, I know.â⬠I could already see tonight's pattern forming. ââ¬Å"It's red. I never wear red.â⬠ââ¬Å"You should,â⬠he said, echoing Jill. He glanced between her and me then shook his head. ââ¬Å"Too bad we're ââ¬Ërelated.' I'd ask you guys to dance. Seeing as my cousin already wants to go out with me, though, I suppose we shouldn't start any more rumors.â⬠ââ¬Å"Poor Angeline,â⬠said Jill, as we walked out to my car. ââ¬Å"She really wanted to go.â⬠ââ¬Å"Seeing as there'll be speakers there, it's probably best she doesn't,â⬠I said. Eddie paused when we reached Latte. ââ¬Å"Can I drive? I feel like I should be a chauffeur tonight. You guys look like royalty.â⬠He grinned at Jill. ââ¬Å"Well, you're always royalty.â⬠He opened one of the back doors and actually swept her a bow. ââ¬Å"After you, milady. I'm here to serve.â⬠Practical, stoic Eddie was rarely given to such dramatic shows, and I could tell it caught Jill off guard. ââ¬Å"Th-thank you,â⬠she said, getting into the backseat. He helped her tuck her skirt inside, and she regarded him wonderingly, like she'd never noticed him before. After that, I could hardly deny his request and gave him the keys. The Halloween dance was being held at a very pretty hall adjacent to some botanical gardens. Eddie and I had checked it out this week so that he could determine its safety. Micah was meeting Jill there, though for different reasons than Brayden meeting me. Supervised buses were shuttling most students from the school to the dance. Upperclassmen like Eddie and me were allowed to take our own transportation, along with family like Jill. No one would technically know if Micah dropped her off later, but for now, she could only leave campus in the family carpool. ââ¬Å"I hope I'm ready for this,â⬠I muttered, as we pulled into the parking lot. The dress had distracted me so much that I hadn't had time to ruminate over my other concern: going to a dance. All my old social anxieties returned. What did I do? What was normal here? I hadn't had the nerve to ask any of my friends. ââ¬Å"You'll be fine,â⬠said Eddie. ââ¬Å"Your boyfriend and Micah will both be speechless.â⬠I unfastened my seatbelt. ââ¬Å"That's the third time I've heard ââ¬Ëyour boyfriend.' What's going on with that? Why won't anyone say Brayden's name?â⬠Neither of them answered right away. Finally, Jill said sheepishly, ââ¬Å"Because none of us can remember it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, come on! I'd expect that from Adrian but not you guys. It's not that weird of a name.â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠admitted Eddie. ââ¬Å"But there's just something soâ⬠¦ I don't know. Unmemorable about him. I'm glad he makes you happy, but I just start to tune out whenever he talks.â⬠ââ¬Å"I can't believe this,â⬠I said. Brayden was waiting out front for us, no doubt having been there for at least ten minutes. My stomach fluttered as he looked me over from head to toe. He didn't comment, though his eyes widened a bit. Was that good or bad? I flashed my student ID to get him in the door, and Jill almost immediately joined Micah. Eddie's brief romantic flare was gone as he shifted into business mode. A brief look of pain crossed his face, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. I touched his arm. ââ¬Å"You going to be okay?â⬠I asked softly. He smiled back. ââ¬Å"I'll be fine. Just have fun.â⬠He walked away, soon melting into the crowd of students. That left me alone with Brayden. Silence fell between us, which wasn't uncommon. It sometimes took us a few minutes to warm up and get the conversation going. ââ¬Å"So,â⬠he said, as we walked further inside. ââ¬Å"You have a DJ. I wondered if it'd be that or a live band.â⬠ââ¬Å"Our school just had a bad experience with a live band,â⬠I said, thinking of Angeline. Brayden didn't press for details and instead gazed around at the decor. Fake cobwebs and twinkling lights were strewn near the ceiling. Paper skeletons and witches hung on the walls. Over on a far table, students were scooping punch out of a giant plastic cauldron. ââ¬Å"Amazing, isn't it?â⬠said Brayden. ââ¬Å"How a pagan Celtic holiday has become such a commercial event.â⬠I nodded. ââ¬Å"And a very secular one. Well, aside from attempts to merge it into All Saints Day.â⬠He smiled at me. I smiled back. We were safely in familiar academic territory. ââ¬Å"You want to check out the punch?â⬠I asked. Some fast, bass-heavy song was on, drawing lots of people to the dance floor. Fast dancing wasn't really my style. I didn't know Brayden's take and was afraid he might want to join in. ââ¬Å"Sure,â⬠he said, looking relieved to have a purpose. Something told me he'd been to as many dances as I had: none. The punch provided us with a reason to discuss sugar vs. artificial sweeteners, but my heart wasn't into it. I was too concerned about something else. Brayden hadn't said one word about my dress, and it was filling me with anxiety. Was he as shocked by it as I had been? Was he politely holding back his true thoughts? I could hardly expect compliments if I wasn't giving them, so I decided to take the plunge. ââ¬Å"Your costume's great,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"That's from the theatrical company, right?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠He glanced down and smoothed out the folds of his tunic. ââ¬Å"Not entirely accurate, of course, but it'll do.â⬠The tunic was knee-length, pinned on one shoulder, and made of very light, off-white wool. He had a woolen cape over it dyed in a dark brown that was accurate to the time period. Even with the cape, a fair amount of his arms and chest were exposed, showing a runner's body with a lightly muscled build. I'd always thought he was cute, but it wasn't until this moment I realized he might actually be hot. I expected that to trigger a stronger feeling in me, but it didn't. He was waiting for me to say something. ââ¬Å"Mine's not entirely, um, accurate either.â⬠Brayden studied the red dress in a very clinical way. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠he agreed. ââ¬Å"Not at all. Well, the cut's not that far off, I suppose.â⬠He thought for several moments more. ââ¬Å"But I still think it's very pretty on you.â⬠I relaxed a little. Coming from him, ââ¬Å"very prettyâ⬠was high praise. While he often had a lot to say about every other topic, he was thrifty with words when it came to emotions. I shouldn't have expected anything more than a simple statement of facts, so this was a big deal. ââ¬Å"Whoa, Melbourne. Where have you been hiding?â⬠Trey strolled over to us and began liberally filling a cup with the fluorescent green punch. ââ¬Å"You look badass. And hot.â⬠He shot Brayden an apologetic look. ââ¬Å"Don't take that the wrong way. Just telling it like it is.â⬠ââ¬Å"Understood,â⬠said Brayden. I couldn't help a smile. Trey had been behaving weirdly around me for the last day or so, and it was nice to see him back to usual form. Trey gave me another admiring look and then turned back to Brayden. ââ¬Å"Hey, check it out. We both went for togas. Romans rule!â⬠He held up a hand to high-five Brayden but didn't receive it. ââ¬Å"This is a Greek chiton,â⬠Brayden explained patiently. He studied Trey's homemade toga, which looked suspiciously like it had been made from a bed sheet. ââ¬Å"That's, um, not.â⬠ââ¬Å"Greek, Roman.â⬠Trey shrugged. ââ¬Å"What's the difference?â⬠Brayden opened his mouth, and I knew he was about to explain exactly what the difference was. I quickly rushed in. ââ¬Å"Yours looks good on you,â⬠I told Trey. ââ¬Å"Looks like all those hours of weight training paid off ââ¬â and I finally get to see the tattoo.â⬠Like Brayden's, Trey's tunic was draped over one shoulder, giving a glimpse of his lower back. Trey, like half the school, had a tattoo. But unlike the rest, his hadn't been part of the high-inducing, sinister vampire blood ones that had swept the student body. Trey's was a sun with highly stylized rays. It had been done in normal, dark blue tattoo ink. Eddie had told me about it, but I'd never gotten a look at it before, seeing as Trey didn't really go shirtless around me. Some of Trey's enthusiasm dimmed, and he turned slightly, keeping his back away from us. ââ¬Å"Well, it's pretty softcore compared to yours. Nice to see it out again, by the way.â⬠I absentmindedly touched my cheek. I usually covered the golden lily with makeup at school, but I figured here at the dance, I could claim it as part of the costume if any teachers grilled me about the dress code. Another fast song came on, and Trey brightened again. ââ¬Å"Time to show off my moves. You guys coming? Or are you going to supervise the punch all night?â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't really do fast dancing,â⬠said Brayden. I nearly sagged in relief. ââ¬Å"Me either,â⬠I said. Trey gave us a rueful smile before heading out. ââ¬Å"Color me surprised.â⬠Brayden and I spent a good deal of that evening by the punch, actually, continuing our discussion of Halloween's origins and the larger subjugation of pagan holidays. Friends of mine came by occasionally, and Kristin and Julia in particular couldn't stop gushing about my dress. Every so often, I'd also catch a glimpse of Eddie patrolling the crowds, silently and covertly. Maybe he should've been a ghost. He was almost always within sight of Jill and Micah but focusing on guardian mode seemed to have saved him from pining over her too much. Both Brayden and I stopped talking when a slow song finally came on. We tensed and then exchanged glances, knowing what was coming. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"We can only avoid this for so long.â⬠I nearly burst out laughing, and he answered with a small smile. He too was fully aware of our social ineptitude. Somehow, that was comforting. ââ¬Å"Now or never,â⬠I agreed. We walked over to the dance floor, joining other couples locked in embraces. Calling what most of them were doing ââ¬Å"dancingâ⬠was kind of a stretch. Most were just kind of stiffly rocking and rotating around. A few were simply using the opportunity to plaster themselves all over each other and make out. They were quickly pulled apart by chaperones. I took hold of one of Brayden's hands, and he rested his other on my hip. Aside from the kiss, this was probably the most intimate contact we'd had so far. There were still a few inches between us, but I couldn't help but be overwhelmed at the change to my normal personal space boundaries. I reminded myself that I liked and trusted Brayden and that there was nothing weird about this. As usual, I didn't feel surrounded in hearts or rainbows, but I didn't feel threatened either. Attempting to shift my thoughts from our closeness, I listened to the song and immediately got a feel for its count. About a minute into the song, Brayden realized what I was doing. ââ¬Å"Youâ⬠¦ you can dance,â⬠he said in amazement. I looked up at him in surprise. ââ¬Å"Of course.â⬠I was hardly sweeping across the floor in some grand ballroom waltz, but all of my movements were timed to the song's beats. I couldn't really imagine how else you would dance. Brayden, meanwhile, was only one step removed from the rigid movements of most of the other couples. ââ¬Å"It's not hard,â⬠I added. ââ¬Å"It's just kind of mathematical.â⬠Once I put it into those terms, Brayden got on board. He was a quick study and counted off the beats with me. Before long, we looked as though we'd been taking dance lessons forever. Even more surprising, I glanced up at him once, expecting to see him concentrating and counting. Instead, he was regarding me with a soft expressionâ⬠¦ an affectionate one, even. Flushing, I looked away. Amazingly, the smell of coffee still clung to him, even though he hadn't worked today. Maybe no amount of showering could get rid of that scent. Yet, as much as I loved eau de coffee, I found myself thinking of the way Adrian's cologne had smelled at Wolfe's. When the next fast song came on, Brayden and I took a break, and he excused himself to go talk to the DJ. When he returned, he refused to explain his mysterious errand, but he seemed supremely pleased with himself. Another slow song soon followed, and we headed back to the dance floor. And for once, conversation between us stilled. It was enough to just dance for a while. This is what it's like to lead a simple life, I thought. This is what people my age do. No grand machinations or fights between good and ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Sydney?â⬠Jill was standing beside us ââ¬â a worried expression on her face. My inner alarms immediately went off, wondering what had caused such a sudden change from her happy, carefree attitude earlier. ââ¬Å"What's wrong?â⬠I asked. My first fear was for Adrian, that she'd sensed something through the bond. I shook the thought. I needed to be worrying about Moroi assassins, not his well-being. Jill said nothing but simply nodded toward the punch table, almost exactly where Brayden and I had been earlier. Trey was back, talking animatedly to a girl in a Venetian mask. The mask was beautiful ââ¬â an icy blue, decorated with silver leaves and flowers. The mask was also familiar. Jill had worn it in Lia's runway show and had been allowed to keep it. Equally familiar was this masked girl's outfit, a threadbare shirt and ragged jean shorts ââ¬â ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I said, recognizing the long, strawberry blonde hair. ââ¬Å"Angeline. How did she get here? Never mind.â⬠There were any number of people she could have sneaked here with. The chaperones probably wouldn't have noticed her on a shuttle bus. ââ¬Å"We have to get her out of here. If she's caught, she'll be expelled for sure.â⬠ââ¬Å"The mask does hide her features,â⬠Jill pointed out. ââ¬Å"Maybe no one will notice.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mrs. Weathers will,â⬠I said, sighing. ââ¬Å"That woman's got a sixth sense for ââ¬â oh. Too late.â⬠Mrs. Weathers was chaperoning on the other side of the room, but her eagle eyes missed nothing. Peering over the crowded dance floor, I saw her begin making her way toward the punch. I didn't think she'd made a positive ID on Angeline yet, but her suspicions were definitely raised. ââ¬Å"What's wrong?â⬠asked Brayden, glancing between Jill and me. No doubt we wore mirrored expressions of dismay. ââ¬Å"Our cousin's about to get in some serious trouble,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"We have to do something.â⬠Jill's eyes were wide and anxious. ââ¬Å"We have to get her out of here.â⬠ââ¬Å"How?â⬠I exclaimed. Mrs. Weathers had reached the refreshments table, just as Trey and Angeline began walking toward the dance floor. I saw her start to go after them, but Mrs. Weathers didn't get very far ââ¬â because the punch bowl suddenly exploded. Well, not the bowl itself. The punch inside exploded, spraying out in a spectacular shower of bright green liquid. There were shrieks as several nearby people got splashed, but it was Mrs. Weathers who took the brunt of it. I heard a sharp intake of breath from Brayden. ââ¬Å"How in the world did that happen? That must have ââ¬â Sydney? I'd cried out and jerked a few feet away, knowing exactly what had caused that bowl to explode. Brayden assumed my reaction was fear of injury. ââ¬Å"It's okay,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"We're too far away for any glass to be over here.â⬠Immediately, I looked at Jill. She gave me a small, helpless shrug that said, Well, what else was I supposed to do? My usual reaction to Moroi magic was disgust and fear. Tonight, shock and dismay were there too. We didn't need attention drawn to us. True, no one knew or would even guess that Jill had used vampire water magic to create the punch distraction, but it didn't matter. I didn't want any word of weird, unexplainable phenomena leaking out of Amberwood. We needed to stay under the radar. ââ¬Å"Are you okay?â⬠Eddie had suddenly appeared by our side ââ¬â or rather, Jill's side. ââ¬Å"What happened?â⬠He wasn't even looking at the punch. His focus was all on Jill, and just like earlier, she actually seemed to notice it. Brayden was the one who answered, his eyes alight with intellectual curiosity as he watched teachers scurry and try to clean up the mess. ââ¬Å"Some sort of chemical reaction, if I had to guess. Could be as simple as using baking soda. Or maybe some kind of mechanical device?â⬠I gave Eddie a pointed look. ââ¬Å"It was a prank,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Anyone could've done it.â⬠Eddie looked at me, then looked back at Jill. He gave a slow nod. ââ¬Å"I see. We should get you out of here,â⬠he told her. ââ¬Å"You never know what ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"No, no,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Get Angeline out of here.â⬠ââ¬Å"Angeline?â⬠Eddie's face registered disbelief. ââ¬Å"But howâ⬠¦?â⬠I directed him toward where she stood with Trey on the dance floor. They, like many others, were staring at the aftermath of the punch explosion with wonder. ââ¬Å"I don't know how she got here,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"It's irrelevant. She needs to leave. Mrs. Weathers nearly caught her.â⬠A knowing glint flashed in Eddie's eyes. ââ¬Å"But the punch distracted her?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠His attention fell back on Jill, and he smiled. ââ¬Å"Convenient timing.â⬠She smiled back. ââ¬Å"I guess we got lucky this time.â⬠Their gazes locked, and it was almost a shame to interrupt. ââ¬Å"Go,â⬠I told Eddie. ââ¬Å"Get Angeline.â⬠He cast one last look at Jill and then jumped into action. I couldn't hear the conversation as he spoke with Angeline and Trey, but the look on his face would accept no arguments. I could see Trey yielding to family authority, and after a few more arguments, Angeline gave in as well. Eddie quickly escorted her out, and to my relief, neither Mrs. Weathers nor anyone else seemed to notice. ââ¬Å"Jill,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"It might be best if you and Micah leave early. You don't have to go right this secondâ⬠¦ but soon.â⬠Jill nodded, face sad. ââ¬Å"I understand.â⬠Even if no one would connect her to this, it was best if she wasn't around. Already, I could see people gathering at the table and, like Brayden, trying to figure out what could have caused such a phenomenon. She vanished into the crowd. Brayden finally looked away from the spectacle. He started to say something to me and then suddenly jerked his head toward the DJ. ââ¬Å"Oh no,â⬠he said, face crestfallen. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠I asked, half-expecting the DJ's table to collapse or a speaker to catch on fire. ââ¬Å"This song. I requested it for youâ⬠¦ but it's almost over.â⬠I tilted my head to listen. I didn't know the song, but it was slow and romantic and made me feelâ⬠¦ well, kind of guilty. Here it was, a sentimental gesture from Brayden, ruined by my ââ¬Å"family'sâ⬠wacky hijinks. I caught hold of his hand. ââ¬Å"Well, it's not over yet. Come on.â⬠We were able to dance to the last minute of it, but it was clear that Brayden was disappointed. I wanted to make it up to him somehow and, in spite of everything that had happened, still have the normal high school dance experience I'd wanted. ââ¬Å"The night's young,â⬠I teased. ââ¬Å"I'll go request one for you, and then you can try to guess when it comes on.â⬠Considering I didn't listen to the radio, it probably wouldn't be that hard to guess. I made the request and then joined Brayden for another slow song. I was still a little anxious about what had happened earlier but told myself all was well now. Jill had left. Eddie had taken care of Angeline. All I had to do was relax and ââ¬â A vibration startled me as I danced. I was wearing a tiny, red dress purse over my shoulder. It was lost in the folds of my gown, but the buzz of my cell phone was unmistakable. Apologizing to Brayden, I stopped dancing to check the message. It was from Adrian: We need 2 talk. Great, I thought as my heart sank. Could this night be any more of a disaster? I texted back: I'm busy. His response: I'll be fast. I'm close by. A feeling of dread crept over me: How close? The response was about as bad as I could expect: The parking lot.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Human Cloning essays
Human Cloning essays Imagine a world without cancer, leukemia, baldness, kidney failure, heart disease, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and dozens of other diseases. No couple would be infertile, and gay people could have children of their own. No more endangered species would be announced, and ones that are already endangered would have their population increased to a safe level. This is a world of human cloning. All of these things and more would be possible if humans were able to create genetic copies of other humans. If you think cloning humans is nothing but science fiction, and is hundreds of years away, you are greatly mistaken. It is likely that by the year 2005 we will have the first successfully cloned human baby. Scientists have already cloned other mammals, the first being Dolly, the sheep, and tadpoles were successfully cloned by John Gurdon during the 1970s. Cloning is no longer in the future, but very much in the present. Cloning is a developing procedure in which a genetic copy is made from an existing organism. Cloning humans takes a specific procedure called somatic cell nuclear transfer. Many myths surround the idea of cloning people. There are numerous benefits and reasons to clone human beings, but there are also many detractors. There is a lot of information about cloning out there, starting with the cloning procedure. Various ways to clone organisms exist, but the procedure that humans will probably be cloned by is called somatic sell nuclear transfer. Somatic cell nuclear transfer starts with an egg donor. The donor is just a carrier and has no relation to the clone whatsoever. A doctor then extracts the egg from the donor and further extracts the nucleus from the egg, creating an egg without a nucleus. Then, a cell is taken from the person to be cloned. This can be any cell which contains DNA. It can be taken from hair, skin, et cetera. This cell is then electronically fused with the egg that is mis...
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Ten Interview Tips for Green Card, Visa Applicants
Ten Interview Tips for Green Card, Visa Applicants Many immigration cases, including requests for green cards and visas for spouses, require interviews with officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. How you handle the interview could determine whether you win or lose your case. Here are 10 tips for interview success: 1. Dress for the Occasion. Itââ¬â¢s human nature that immigration officers will form an opinion about you by the way you look. You donââ¬â¢t need to rent a tuxedo, but dress as if this is an important day in your life because it should be. Donââ¬â¢t wear T-shirts, flip-flops, shorts or tight pants. Dress conservatively and look as if youââ¬â¢re ready for serious business. Go easy on the perfume or cologne, too. Thereââ¬â¢s no law that says you have to dress as if youââ¬â¢re going to church. But if you wouldnââ¬â¢t wear it to church, donââ¬â¢t wear it to your immigration interview. 2. Donââ¬â¢t Create Complications. Donââ¬â¢t bring items to the immigration center that may violate security or cause problems for guards using scanners at the door: pocket knives, pepper spray, bottles with liquids, large bags. 3. Show Up On Time. Arrive at your appointment early and ready to go. Being punctual shows that you care and that you appreciate the officerââ¬â¢s time. Get off to a good start by being where youââ¬â¢re supposed to be when youââ¬â¢re supposed to be there. Itââ¬â¢s a good idea to come at least 20 minutes early. 4. Put Your Cell Phone Away. This is not the day to be taking calls or scrolling through Facebook. Some immigration buildings do not permit bringing cell phones inside anyway. Donââ¬â¢t annoy your immigration officer by having a cell phone ring during your interview. Turn it off. 5. Wait for Your Attorney. If youââ¬â¢ve hired an immigration lawyer to be there with you, wait until he or she arrives to start your interview. If an immigration officer wants you to do your interview before your attorney arrives, politely refuse. 6. Take a Deep Breath and Be Confident That Youââ¬â¢ve Done Your Homework. You have done your homework, havenââ¬â¢t you? Preparation is the key to a successful interview. And preparation also helps reduce stress. If you need to bring forms or records with you, make sure you have them and make sure you know what they say. Know your case better than anybody else. 7. Listen to the Officerââ¬â¢s Instructions and Questions. Interview day can get tense and sometimes you can forget to do the simple things like listening. If you donââ¬â¢t understand a question, politely ask the officer to repeat it. Then thank the officer for repeating it. Take your time and think about your response. 8. Bring an Interpreter. If you need to bring an interpreter to help understanding English, bring someone who is fluent and trustworthy to interpret for you. Donââ¬â¢t let language be a barrier to your success. 9.Be Truthful and Direct at All Times. Donââ¬â¢t make up answers or tell the officer what you think he wants to hear. Donââ¬â¢t joke with the officer or try to be evasive. Donââ¬â¢t make sarcastic remarks - especially about legally sensitive matters, such as drug use, bigamy, criminal behavior or deportation. If you honestly donââ¬â¢t know the answer to a question, it is much better to say you donââ¬â¢t know than to be untruthful or defensive. If itââ¬â¢s a marriage visa case and youââ¬â¢re interviewing with your spouse, show that youââ¬â¢re comfortable with each other. Be prepared for questions that may be specific and somewhat intimate about each other. Above all, donââ¬â¢t argue with your spouse. 10. Be Yourself. USCIS officers are trained and experienced in detecting people who are trying to be deceptive. Stay true to yourself, be genuine and stay honest.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Terrorism the Future, and US Foreign Policy Assignment
Terrorism the Future, and US Foreign Policy - Assignment Example The United States of America, in their capacity as one of the most powerful and resourceful countries, should be the world leaders in the fight against terrorism. A prime example of a terrorist attack is the attack on the World Trade Centre, which was a catalyst in causing other countries to be concerned about the global security threat. It stands to reason therefore, that 9/11 was a catalyst in the implementation of strategies to combat terrorism in the USA and other countries. The USA took some major steps in protecting the world from terrorists and acts of terrorism which were affecting other parts of the world as well. The initial step taken by the USA in the fight against terrorism was to find the leader of the terrorists, in doing that the USA took decisive action by sending forces to Afghanistan by way of Pakistan to find the group responsible for the terrorist act against the USA. The USA deployed its forces to these countries from 1999 to 2010, as a part of their policy. The services of almost 136 countries were offered for this purpose. In the month of November 2002 in an international law enforcement effort resulted in the arrests of three thousand (3,000) terrorists in over one hundred (100) countries. According to the words of Raphael Perl in ââ¬Å"Terrorism, the Future, and US Foreign Policy,â⬠the author outlined the background as that of the US foreign policy, in 1995, when there were 23% of terrorists who acted against the US citizens or their property. The second step was when they searched the entire country and found terrorists belonging to a particular religious group called Al Qaida, whose group leader was the infamous Osama Bin Ladin, who is the leader of a worldwide group of terrorists. Author Raphael Perl, in his book ââ¬Å"Terrorism, the Future, and US Foreign Policyâ⬠writes about conflicting goals and action plans. (1) To protect the people from terrorism, (2) Developing policies to fight against terrorism. The USA worked very hard to maintain world peace and was working really hard to develop anti-terrorism policies by bearing the two points outlined above in mind. For dealing with the current asymmetrical threat to global security, the author outlined both future and current threats and the capabilities of the USA as well as the opportunities which presented themselves. He also outlined how to improve the policies and systems in relation to global security both for the present and future. The USA was very instrumental in removing Saddam Hussein from being the ruler of Iraq and in so doing, gave the local residents of Iraq human rights, protection, and freedom. To summarize this, the USA which is one of the most powerful countries in the world has taken steps in order to maintain world peace. To address global security, the USA has sought the help of many countries who, in assisting the USA has also eliminated the threat of terrorism as well as the terrorists in their own countries.Ã
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