King Lear Final Paper Essay

1. The theme of this play is the relationship between parents and children. Show how Shakespeare handled this. As how Shakespeare portrayed the parent-child relationship, he diverted it in aspects of how their ruler, King Lear, was mistreated by his own children after his authority had been stripped from him. King Lear, as what took place in the play, divided his land among his three children depending on how they would be able to please him. As was not predicted by the king himself, his most beloved daughter wanted to answer him fairly for the reason that she did not want to inherit a part of his kingdom unjustly. On the other hand, the two remaining daughters of his only wanted his land, and therefore flooded the king’s ears with lies. The two villainous daughters of the king represent the children who mistreat their parents when they are not of any use to them anymore. So the ungrateful children banish their father to fend for his own while they yearn for more power. Furthe rmore, the youngest daughter of the king said the truth to her father, although it would hurt him, for the reasons that she respected her father enough to tell him the painful truth. In modern times, people call it â€Å"tough love†. Her honesty did get her banished from the land, but it is evident in the play that the daughter did not love him less for his foolishness and bitter actions afterwards. 2. Discuss the importance of the storm scenes.  The storm in the play represented the lowest points of King Lear’s life. When the king was mistreated by his two daughters, Goneril and Reagan, and shun by them, he was left out in the storm without shelter along with his fool. This scene in the play also represented his vulnerability because he had no one to run to. Luckily, Kent found him and took him in. He was willing to be taken in and cared for by his servant, since he had no power to say that he still had authority over Kent. Furthermore, the storm also represented his current state of mind and his emotions. Since he had lost all of what was his before, his mind was starting to become cloudy and his feelings were out of control. 3. Do you agree that Lear was â€Å"more sinned against than sinning†? Yes I agree that King Lear had paid more than enough for the sin he had committed against his daughter. The king only banished his most loving daughter, while he, himself, was banished by his two other ungrateful  daughters. I had once stumbled across a quote that said, â€Å"Karma hits twice as hard as the initial blow.† This is exactly what happened to the king. For the price of banishing his youngest daughter, the deed was returned twice the initial blow because it was done to him by his two elder daughters, Goneril and Reagan. 4. â€Å"This is not altogether fool, my lord.† Discuss the function of the fool in the light of the remark. This statement was released by Kent in Act 1, Scene 4, as to support what the fool was pointing out during his conversation with the king. The fool was the only one who’s criticism the king would listen to. In this conversation, the fool is trying to put some sense into the king’s head that he had turned away from everything that should have mattered to him the most, which was his beloved daughter, Cordelia, and the land he once ruled. Those decisions led him to lose the title of being a father and a ruler, which left him with a single title of which is only owned by a fool. As a result, this only made the king a bigger fool than the fool himself because at least the fool knew better than the king. 5. The language of poetry is a metaphor. Do you agree? Cite examples from King Lear. Yes, I agree that poetry is made up of metaphors as a form of expression. The use of exaggeration in a text gives emphasis, entertainment, and imagination, to the readers. Shakespeare used the metaphoric figure of speech throughout this particular work of his. One instance would be when the king described his two daughters as pelicans in the line, â€Å"’Twas this flesh begot. Those pelican daughters.†(Shakespeare, 141). This line signifies that the king described his daughters as animals, which is vile and cruel. Another example in the play was when the king compared himself as to how a dragon would rage seen in the line, â€Å"Come not between the dragon and his wrath.† (Shakespeare, 15). This sends the message to Kent that he should not enrage the monster that he already was any further.

The Bald Eagle

The bald eagle or Haliaeetus leucocephalus, a specie of sea eagles, is the only eagle that is unique to North America. Recognized for being the national bird of the United States, it can be found today over the North American expanse from northern Mexico, to Canada and to Alaska where approximately half of the estimated total population of 70,000 live (Bald Eagle Information).Together with the Golden eagle, the bald eagle or American bald eagle, is the largest of the eagles. It has a wingspan that reaches some 79 to 89 cm.  long, an average weight of around 14 pounds for males (females are slightly larger and heavier) and a strong and large hooked beak two inches long and one inch deep (Merry  ¶ 1).Classification Class: Aves (birds) Order: Falconiformes (along with falcons, hawks, old-world vultures, condors, buzzards, kites, caracars, ospreys, harriers, accipiters, secretary birds and bateleurs) Sub-family: Buteoninae (together with true buzzards, true eagles and other sea eagle s) Family: Accipitridae (hawks and eagles) Genus: Haliaeetus (all sea or fish eagles) Species: leucocephalus (derived from the Latin word â€Å"leukos† that means white)There are two sub-species of bald eagles: Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus or the traditional â€Å"southern† variety, which lives in the gulf states, south of 40 degrees north latitude and the slightly larger Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus or â€Å"northern† bald eagle, which inhabit the states north of 40 degrees north latitude across North America (Bald Eagle Information P 1-3). Living Habits Bald eagles inhabit North America because of the abundance of their diet sources. The rivers and streams in Washington, Montana and Alaska are visited by the American eagles in large numbers during the spawning seasons of salmon, shad and eulachon.The bald eagle is primarily a scavenger bird that feeds on dead, dying or weakened fish and other prey but they have the predatory skills and equipmen t when needed (Merry  ¶ 4-5). Based on radio telemetry, the American bald eagles have been shown to regularly roost right after dawn, alternatively glide and flap on its flight direct to their favorite feeding perch and roost back in the evening (Merry  ¶ 8). Maturity, Mating and Nesting At juvenile age, the American bald eagle is a mix of brown and white feathers. They attain sexual maturity when they reach four or five years of age.Adult eagles are covered with white head, neck and tail feathers and blackish-brown breast and back feathers (General Fact). They build their eyries or nests atop tall trees near bodies of water or coasts where they perch. Bald eagles, who mate for life or until the death of their partners, use and add sticks and leaves to the same eyrie year after year. Two to three eggs are laid every spring; the males help the females in incubating the eggs from 35 to 40 days. The eaglets, when hatched, are covered with grayish-white downy and will need to be fed by their parents until they become six eight weeks old.At 9 to 14 weeks, they fledge and at 4 months old, the eaglets come of their own. As Endangered Specie The American bald eagle was categorized as endangered for over half a century until the United States Fish and Wildlife Service upgraded its status to ‘threatened' in July 1995. Earlier in 1967, the specie was officially listed as an endangered species in most of the lower parts of the country because of continuing decline for several decades because of the loss of habitat, prey and the then widespread use of the pesticide DDT.In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed in a bid to halt the loss of several endangered animal species and to help reverse environmental degradation. The Endangered Species Act has been shown to be at least fairly effective at preventing the extinctions of many animal species, including the bald eagle whose number increased from under 500 in 1963 to over 9,000 pairs in 2006 (Wikipedia, Endan gered Species Act  ¶ 19). References bald eagle. (2007). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved March 5, 2007, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Online: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-9011927 Endangered Species Act. (2007, March 1).In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 12:35, March 5, 2007, from http://en. wikipedia. org/w/index. php? title=Endangered_Species_Act&oldid=111852673. General Facts About Bald Eagles. American Bald Eagle Information Site. Retrieved 05 March 2007 from http://baldeagleinfo. com/eagle/eagle-facts. html. Homepage. American Bald Eagle Information Site. Retrieved 05 March 2007 from http://baldeagleinfo. com/index. html. Merry, Sondra. Species: American Bald Eagle or Haliaeetus Leucocephalus. University of Wisconcin. Retrieved 05 March 2007 from .

Digital Fortress Chapter 76-80

Chapter 76 Outside the Seville airport terminal, a taxi sat idle, the meter running. The passenger in the wire-rim glasses gazed through the plate-glass windows of the well-lit terminal. He knew he'd arrived in time. He could see a blond girl. She was helping David Becker to a chair. Becker was apparently in pain. He does not yet know pain, the passenger thought. The girl pulled a small object from her pocket and held it out. Becker held it up and studied it in the light. Then he slipped it on his finger. He pulled a stack of bills from his pocket and paid the girl. They talked a few minutes longer, and then the girl hugged him. She waved, shouldered her duffel, and headed off across the concourse. At last, the man in the taxi thought. At last. Chapter 77 Strathmore stepped out of his office onto the landing with his gun leveled. Susan trailed close behind, wondering if Hale was still in Node 3. The light from Strathmore's monitor behind them threw eerie shadows of their bodies out across the grated platform. Susan inched closer to the commander. As they moved away from the door, the light faded, and they were plunged into darkness. The only light on the Crypto floor came from the stars above and the faint haze from behind the shattered Node 3 window. Strathmore inched forward, looking for the place where the narrow staircase began. Switching the Berretta to his left hand, he groped for the banister with his right. He figured he was probably just as bad a shot with his left, and he needed his right for support. Falling down this particular set of stairs could cripple someone for life, and Strathmore's dreams for his retirement did not involve a wheelchair. Susan, blinded by the blackness of the Crypto dome, descended with a hand on Strathmore's shoulder. Even at the distance of two feet, she could not see the commander's outline. As she stepped onto each metal tread, she shuffled her toes forward looking for the edge. Susan began having second thoughts about risking a visit to Node 3 to get Hale's pass-key. The commander insisted Hale wouldn't have the guts to touch them, but Susan wasn't so sure. Hale was desperate. He had two options: Escape Crypto or go to jail. A voice kept telling Susan they should wait for David's call and use his pass-key, but she knew there was no guarantee he would even find it. She wondered what was taking David so long. Susan swallowed her apprehension and kept going. Strathmore descended silently. There was no need to alert Hale they were coming. As they neared the bottom, Strathmore slowed, feeling for the final step. When he found it, the heel of his loafer clicked on hard black tile. Susan felt his shoulder tense. They'd entered the danger zone. Hale could be anywhere. In the distance, now hidden behind TRANSLTR, was their destination-Node 3. Susan prayed Hale was still there, lying on the floor, whimpering in pain like the dog he was. Strathmore let go of the railing and switched the gun back to his right hand. Without a word, he moved out into the darkness. Susan held tight to his shoulder. If she lost him, the only way she'd find him again was to speak. Hale might hear them. As they moved away from the safety of the stairs, Susan recalled late-night games of tag as a kid-she'd left home base, she was in the open. She was vulnerable. TRANSLTR was the only island in the vast black sea. Every few steps Strathmore stopped, gun poised, and listened. The only sound was the faint hum from below. Susan wanted to pull him back, back to safety, back to home base. There seemed to be faces in the dark all around her. Halfway to TRANSLTR, the silence of Crypto was broken. Somewhere in the darkness, seemingly right on top of them, a high-pitched beeping pierced the night. Strathmore spun, and Susan lost him. Fearful, Susan shot her arm out, groping for him. But the commander was gone. The space where his shoulder had been was now just empty air. She staggered forward into the emptiness. The beeping noise continued. It was nearby. Susan wheeled in the darkness. There was a rustle of clothing, and suddenly the beeping stopped. Susan froze. An instant later, as if from one of her worst childhood nightmares, a vision appeared. A face materialized directly in front of her. It was ghostly and green. It was the face of a demon, sharp shadows jutting upward across deformed features. She jumped back. She turned to run, but it grabbed her arm. â€Å"Don't move!† it commanded. For an instant, she thought she saw Hale in those two burning eyes. But the voice was not Hale's. And the touch was too soft. It was Strathmore. He was lit from beneath by a glowing object that he'd just pulled from his pocket. Her body sagged with relief. She felt herself start breathing again. The object in Strathmore's hand had some sort of electronic LED that was giving off a greenish glow. â€Å"Damn,† Strathmore cursed under his breath. â€Å"My new pager.† He stared in disgust at the SkyPager in his palm. He'd forgotten to engage the silent-ring feature. Ironically, he'd gone to a local electronics store to buy the device. He'd paid cash to keep it anonymous; nobody knew better than Strathmore how closely the NSA watched their own-and the digital messages sent and received from this pager were something Strathmore definitely needed to keep private. Susan looked around uneasily. If Hale hadn't known they were coming, he knew now. Strathmore pressed a few buttons and read the incoming message. He groaned quietly. It was more bad news from Spain-not from David Becker, but from the other party Strathmore had sent to Seville. Three thousand miles away, a mobile surveillance van sped along the darkened Seville streets. It had been commissioned by the NSA under â€Å"Umbra† secrecy from a military base in Rota. The two men inside were tense. It was not the first time they'd received emergency orders from Fort Meade, but the orders didn't usually come from so high up. The agent at the wheel called over his shoulder. â€Å"Any sign of our man?† The eyes of his partner never left the feed from the wide-angle video monitor on the roof. â€Å"No. Keep driving.† Chapter 78 Underneath the twisting mass of cables, Jabba was sweating. He was still on his back with a penlight clenched in his teeth. He'd gotten used to working late on weekends; the less hectic NSA hours were often the only times he could perform hardware maintenance. As he maneuvered the red-hot soldering iron through the maze of wires above him, he moved with exceptional care; singeing any of the dangling sheathes would be disaster. Just another few inches, he thought. The job was taking far longer than he'd imagined. Just as he brought the tip of the iron against the final thread of raw solder, his cellular phone rang sharply. Jabba startled, his arm twitched, and a large glob of sizzling, liquefied lead fell on his arm. â€Å"Shit!† He dropped the iron and practically swallowed his penlight. â€Å"Shit! Shit! Shit!† He scrubbed furiously at the drop of cooling solder. It rolled off, leaving an impressive welt. The chip he was trying to solder in place fell out and hit him in the head. â€Å"Goddamn it!† Jabba's phone summoned him again. He ignored it. â€Å"Midge,† he cursed under his breath. Damn you! Crypto's fine! The phone rang on. Jabba went back to work reseating the new chip. A minute later the chip was in place, but his phone was still ringing. For Christ's sake, Midge! Give it up! The phone rang another fifteen seconds and finally stopped. Jabba breathed a sigh of relief. Sixty seconds later the intercom overhead crackled. â€Å"Would the chief Sys-Sec please contact the main switchboard for a message.† Jabba rolled his eyes in disbelief. She just doesn't give up, does she? He ignored the page. Chapter 79 Strathmore replaced his Skypager in his pocket and peered through the darkness toward Node 3. He reached for Susan's hand. â€Å"Come on.† But their fingers never touched. There was a long guttural cry from out of the darkness. A thundering figure loomed-a Mack truck bearing down with no headlights. An instant later, there was a collision and Strathmore was skidding across the floor. It was Hale. The pager had given them away. Susan heard the Berretta fall. For a moment she was planted in place, unsure where to run, what to do. Her instincts told her to escape, but she didn't have the elevator code. Her heart told her to help Strathmore, but how? As she spun in desperation, she expected to hear the sounds of a life-and-death struggle on the floor, but there was nothing. Everything was suddenly silent-as if Hale had hit the commander and then disappeared back into the night. Susan waited, straining her eyes into the darkness, hoping Strathmore wasn't hurt. After what seemed like an eternity, she whispered, â€Å"Commander?† Even as she said it, she realized her mistake. An instant later Hale's odor welled up behind her. She turned too late. Without warning, she was twisting, gasping for air. She found herself crushed in a familiar headlock, her face against Hale's chest. â€Å"My balls are killing me.† Hale panted in her ear. Susan's knees buckled. The stars in the dome began to spin above her. Chapter 80 Hale clamped down on Susan's neck and yelled into the darkness. â€Å"Commander, I've got your sweetheart. I want out!† His demands were met with silence. Hale's grip tightened. â€Å"I'll break her neck!† A gun cocked directly behind them. Strathmore's voice was calm and even. â€Å"Let her go.† Susan winced in pain. â€Å"Commander!† Hale spun Susan's body toward the sound. â€Å"You shoot and you'll hit your precious Susan. You ready to take that chance?† Strathmore's voice moved closer. â€Å"Let her go.† â€Å"No way. You'll kill me.† â€Å"I'm not going to kill anyone.† â€Å"Oh, yeah? Tell that to Chartrukian!† Strathmore moved closer. â€Å"Chartrukian's dead.† â€Å"No shit. You killed him. I saw it!† â€Å"Give it up, Greg,† Strathmore said calmly. Hale clutched at Susan and whispered in her ear, â€Å"Strathmore pushed Chartrukian-I swear it!† â€Å"She's not going to fall for your divide-and-conquer technique,† Strathmore said, moving closer. â€Å"Let her go.† Hale hissed into the darkness, â€Å"Chartrukian was just a kid, for Christ's sake! Why'd you do it? To protect your little secret?† Strathmore stayed cool. â€Å"And what little secret is that?† â€Å"You know damn-fucking-well what secret that is! Digital Fortress!† â€Å"My, my,† Strathmore muttered condescendingly, his voice like an iceberg. â€Å"So you do know about Digital Fortress. I was starting to think you'd deny that too.† â€Å"Fuck you.† â€Å"A witty defense.† â€Å"You're a fool,† Hale spat. â€Å"For your information, TRANSLTR is overheating.† â€Å"Really?† Strathmore chuckled. â€Å"Let me guess-I should open the doors and call in the Sys-Secs?† â€Å"Exactly,† Hale fired back. â€Å"You'd be an idiot not to.† This time Strathmore laughed out loud. â€Å"That's your big play? TRANSLTR's overheating, so open the doors and let us out?† â€Å"It's true, dammit! I've been down to the sublevels! The aux power isn't pulling enough freon!† â€Å"Thanks for the tip,† Strathmore said. â€Å"But TRANSLTR's got automatic shutdown; if it's overheating, Digital Fortress will quit all by itself.† Hale sneered. â€Å"You're insane. What the fuck do I care if TRANSLTR blows? The damn machine should be outlawed anyway.† Strathmore sighed. â€Å"Child psychology only works on children, Greg. Let her go.† â€Å"So you can shoot me?† â€Å"I won't shoot you. I just want the pass-key.† â€Å"What pass-key?† Strathmore sighed again. â€Å"The one Tankado sent you.† â€Å"I have no idea what you're talking about.† â€Å"Liar!† Susan managed. â€Å"I saw Tankado's mail in your account!† Hale went rigid. He spun Susan around. â€Å"You went in my account?† â€Å"And you aborted my tracer,† she snapped. Hale felt his blood pressure skyrocket. He thought he'd covered his tracks; he had no idea Susan knew what he'd done. It was no wonder she wasn't buying a word he said. Hale felt the walls start to close in. He knew he could never talk his way out of that one-not in time. He whispered to her in desperation, â€Å"Susan†¦ Strathmore killed Chartrukian!† â€Å"Let her go,† the commander said evenly. â€Å"She doesn't believe you.† â€Å"Why should she?† Hale fired back. â€Å"You lying bastard! You've got her brainwashed! You only tell her what suits your needs! Does she know what you really plan to do with Digital Fortress?† â€Å"And what's that?† Strathmore taunted. Hale knew what he was about to say would either be his ticket to freedom or his death warrant. He took a deep breath and went for broke. â€Å"You plan to write a back door in Digital Fortress.† The words met with a bewildered silence from the darkness. Hale knew he had hit a bull's-eye. Apparently Strathmore's unflappable cool was being put to the test. â€Å"Who told you that?† he demanded, his voice rough around the edges. â€Å"I read it,† Hale said smugly, trying to capitalize on the change of momentum. â€Å"In one of your brainstorms.† â€Å"Impossible. I never print my brainstorms.† â€Å"I know. I read it directly off your account.† Strathmore seemed doubtful. â€Å"You got into my office?† â€Å"No. I snooped you from Node 3.† Hale forced a self-assured chuckle. He knew he'd need all the negotiating skills he'd learned in the marines to get out of Crypto alive. Strathmore edged closer, the Berretta leveled in the darkness. â€Å"How do you know about my back door?† â€Å"I told you, I snooped your account.† â€Å"Impossible.† Hale forced a cocky sneer. â€Å"One of the problems of hiring the best, Commander-sometimes they're better than you.† â€Å"Young man,† Strathmore seethed, â€Å"I don't know where you get your information, but you're in way over your head. You will let Ms. Fletcher go right now or I'll call in Security and have you thrown in jail for life.† â€Å"You won't do it,† Hale stated matter-of-factly. â€Å"Calling Security ruins your plans. I'll tell them everything.† Hale paused. â€Å"But let me out clean, and I'll never say a word about Digital Fortress.† â€Å"No deal,† Strathmore fired back. â€Å"I want the pass-key.† â€Å"I don't have any fucking pass-key!† â€Å"Enough lies!† Strathmore bellowed. â€Å"Where is it?† Hale clamped down on Susan's neck. â€Å"Let me out, or she dies!† Trevor Strathmore had done enough high-stakes bargaining in his life to know that Hale was in a very dangerous state of mind. The young cryptographer had painted himself into a corner, and a cornered opponent was always the most dangerous kind-desperate and unpredictable. Strathmore knew his next move was a critical one. Susan's life depended on it-and so did the future of Digital Fortress. Strathmore knew the first thing he had to do was release the tension of the situation. After a long moment, he sighed reluctantly. â€Å"Okay, Greg. You win. What do you want me to do?† Silence. Hale seemed momentarily unsure how to handle the commander's cooperative tone. He let up a bit on Susan's neck. â€Å"W-well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he stammered, his voice wavering suddenly. â€Å"First thing you do is give me your gun. You're both coming with me.† â€Å"Hostages?† Strathmore laughed coldly. â€Å"Greg, you'll have to do better than that. There are about a dozen armed guards between here and the parking lot.† â€Å"I'm not a fool,† Hale snapped. â€Å"I'm taking your elevator. Susan comes with me! You stay!† â€Å"I hate to tell you this,† Strathmore replied, â€Å"but there's no power to the elevator.† â€Å"Bullshit!† Hale snapped. â€Å"The lift runs on power from the main building! I've seen the schematics!† â€Å"We tried it already,† Susan choked, trying to help. â€Å"It's dead.† â€Å"You're both so full of shit, it's incredible.† Hale tightened his grip. â€Å"If the elevator's dead, I'll abort TRANSLTR and restore power.† â€Å"The elevator takes a password,† Susan managed feistily. â€Å"Big deal.† Hale laughed. â€Å"I'm sure the commander will share. Won't you, Commander?† â€Å"No chance,† Strathmore hissed. Hale boiled over. â€Å"Now you listen to me, old man-here's the deal! You let Susan and me out through your elevator, we drive a few hours, and then I let her go.† Strathmore felt the stakes rising. He'd gotten Susan into this, and he needed to get her out. His voice stayed steady as a rock. â€Å"What about my plans for Digital Fortress?† Hale laughed. â€Å"You can write your back door-I won't say a word.† Then his voice turned ominous. â€Å"But the day I think you're tracking me, I go to the press with the whole story. I tell them Digital Fortress is tainted, and I sink this whole fucking organization!† Strathmore considered Hale's offer. It was clean and simple. Susan lived, and Digital Fortress got its back door. As long as Strathmore didn't chase Hale, the back door stayed a secret. Strathmore knew Hale couldn't keep his mouth shut for long. But still†¦ the knowledge of Digital Fortress was Hale's only insurance-maybe he'd be smart. Whatever happened, Strathmore knew Hale could be removed later if necessary. â€Å"Make up your mind, old man!† Hale taunted. â€Å"Are we leaving or not?† Hale's arms tightened around Susan like a vice. Strathmore knew that if he picked up the phone right now and called Security, Susan would live. He'd bet his life on it. He could see the scenario clearly. The call would take Hale completely by surprise. He would panic, and in the end, faced with a small army, Hale would be unable to act. After a brief standoff, he would give in. But if I call Security, Strathmore thought, my plan is ruined. Hale clamped down again. Susan cried out in pain. â€Å"What's it gonna be?† Hale yelled. â€Å"Do I kill her?† Strathmore considered his options. If he let Hale take Susan out of Crypto, there were no guarantees. Hale might drive for a while, park in the woods. He'd have a gun†¦. Strathmore's stomach turned. There was no telling what would happen before Hale set Susan free†¦ if he set her free. I've got to call Security, Strathmore decided. What else can I do? He pictured Hale in court, spilling his guts about Digital Fortress. My plan will be ruined. There must be some other way. â€Å"Decide!† Hale yelled, dragging Susan toward the staircase. Strathmore wasn't listening. If saving Susan meant his plans were ruined, then so be it-nothing was worth losing her. Susan Fletcher was a price Trevor Strathmore refused to pay. Hale had Susan's arm twisted behind her back and her neck bent to one side. â€Å"This is your last chance, old man! Give me the gun!† Strathmore's mind continued to race, searching for another option. There are always other options! Finally he spoke-quietly, almost sadly. â€Å"No, Greg, I'm sorry. I just can't let you go.† Hale choked in apparent shock. â€Å"What!† â€Å"I'm calling Security.† Susan gasped. â€Å"Commander! No!† Hale tightened his grip. â€Å"You call Security, and she dies!† Strathmore pulled the cellular off his belt and flicked it on. â€Å"Greg, you're bluffing.† â€Å"You'll never do it!† Hale yelled. â€Å"I'll talk! I'll ruin your plan! You're only hours away from your dream! Controlling all the data in the world! No more TRANSLTR. No more limits-just free information. It's a chance of a lifetime! You won't let it slip by!† Strathmore voice was like steel. â€Å"Watch me.† â€Å"But-but what about Susan?† Hale stammered. â€Å"You make that call, and she dies!† Strathmore held firm. â€Å"That's a chance I'm ready to take.† â€Å"Bullshit! You've got a bigger hard-on for her than you do for Digital Fortress! I know you! You won't risk it!† Susan began to make an angry rebuttal, but Strathmore beat her to it. â€Å"Young man! You don't know me! I take risks for a living. If you're looking to play hardball, let's play!† He started punching keys on his phone. â€Å"You misjudged me, son! Nobody threatens the lives of my employees and walks out!† He raised the phone and barked into the receiver, â€Å"Switchboard! Get me Security!† Hale began to torque Susan's neck. â€Å"I-I'll kill her. I swear it!† â€Å"You'll do no such thing!† Strathmore proclaimed. â€Å"Killing Susan will just make things wor-† He broke off and rammed the phone against his mouth. â€Å"Security! This is Commander Trevor Strathmore. We've got a hostage situation in Crypto! Get some men in here! Yes, now, goddamn it! We also have a generator failure. I want power routed from all available external sources. I want all systems on-line in five minutes! Greg Hale killed one of my junior Sys-Secs. He's holding my senior cryptographer hostage. You're cleared to use tear gas on all of us if necessary! If Mr. Hale doesn't cooperate, have snipers shoot him dead. I'll take full responsibility. Do it now!† Hale stood motionless-apparently limp in disbelief. His grip on Susan eased. Strathmore snapped his phone shut and shoved it back onto his belt. â€Å"Your move, Greg.†

Disucssion question about teaching ELL learners in their own langauge, Essay

Disucssion question about teaching ELL learners in their own langauge, and do i - Essay Example In practice, this is a complicated question. Too often, students are taught exclusively in their native language, and never encouraged to learn the new language. Research bears out, it takes years to develop an understanding of a new language, so it is beneficial for the student to continue learning in their home language and allow time to solidify knowledge in the new language. One has to ask, does bi-lingual education mean teaching all ELL learners in predominant ELL language of the geographical area? If not, then how could students of more obscure languages find adequate instruction; surely, not all public schools can accommodate Vietnamese or Russian students without greatly sacrificing the quality of instruction. In theory, I don’t think there should be a question of whether it’s necessary. A democratic society doesn’t have to ask if it â€Å"believes† in multi-culturalism, as pluralism is inherent in the very foundation of our republic. What I know, is that by not encouraging bi-lingualism and progressively defined education, our nation will distinguish the flame of creativity that has carried America to international prominence over the last two

Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz - Essay Example For the third quarter the company posted net profit of â‚ ¬7.146 billion which is three times higher than the profit figure in the same quarter of the last year. The astounding company results are attributed to its investment in new products, manufacturing operations in the emerging markets like China. The company plans to invest heavily in developing markets simultaneously consolidating its position in developed regions such as Europe and Americas. (IHS global 2011) The following table represents year wise consolidated income statement of the company. Figures in Millions of Euros Items Dec 31, 2007 Dec 31, 2008 Dec 31, 2009 Dec 31, 2010 Total Revenues 108,897.0 113,808.0 105,187.0 126,875.0 Cost of Goods Sold 83,593.0 87,862.0 81,899.0 94,050.0 Gross Profit 16,399.0 16,250.0 12,733.0 20,742.0 Operating Expenses, Total 10,142.0 11,431.0 12,648.0 13,868.0 Operating Income 6,257.0 4,819.0 85.0 6,874.0 Net Interest Expense 413.0 344.0 -781.0 -626.0 EBT, Excluding Unusual Items 7,665. 0 6,688.0 863.0 7,956.0 Income Tax Expense 2,421.0 1,920.0 349.0 1,767.0 Net Income 4,120.0 4,753.0 960.0 6,835.0 Source: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?ticker=VOW:GR Balance Sheet of Volkswagen Figures in Millions of Euros Assets Dec 31, 2007 Dec 31, 2008 Dec 31, 2009 Dec 31, 2010 Total Cash And Short Term Investments 15,638.0 11,394.0 21,890.0 22,794.0 Total Receivables 8,902.0 11,372.0 10,871.0 12,811.0 Total Current Assets 68,516.0 76,163.0 77,776.0 85,936.0 Plant And Equipment 25,689.0 30,030.0 31,745.0 34,550.0 Total Assets 145,357.0 167,919.0 177,178.0 199,393.0 Figures in Millions of Euros Liabilities Dec 31, 2007 Dec 31, 2008 Dec 31, 2009 Dec 31, 2010 Accounts Payable 8,202.0 9,085.0 9,734.0 11,628.0 Other Current Liabilities, Total 14,620.0 15,330.0 14,911.0 17,043.0 Total Current Liabilities 56,068.0 64,802.0 69,534.0 76,899.0 Long-Term Debt 3,645.0 2,240.0 9,272.0 8,989.0 Pension & Other Post-Retirement Benefits 12,481.0 12,82 9.0 13,793.0 15,265.0 Deferred Tax Liability Non-Current 2,637.0 3,654.0 2,224.0 1,669.0 Other Non-Current Liabilities 12,775.0 15,863.0 17,061.0 19,522.0 Total Liabilities 113,419.0 130,531.0 139,748.0 150,681.0 Total Common Equity 31,875.0 35,011.0 35,281.0 45,978.0 Total Liabilities & Equity 145,357.0 167,919.0 177,178.0 199,393.0 Source: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?ticker=VOW:GR&dataset=balanceSheet&period=A¤cy=native Cash Flow Statement (Figures in Millions of Euros) Details Dec 31, 2007 Dec 31, 2008 Dec 31, 2009 Dec 31, 2010 Net Income 4,120.0 4,753.0 960.0 6,835.0 Depreciation & Amortization, Total 6,427.0 6,738.0 4,900.0 5,058.0 Cash From Operations 15,662.0 2,702.0 12,741.0 11,455.0 Cash From Investing -15,812.0 -11,183.0 -9,675.0 -11,048.0 Total Debt Issued 9,609.0 17,477.0 16,998.0 7,910.0 Total Debt Repaid -8,524.0 -8,485.0 -10,225.0 -12,069.0 Total Dividend Paid -497.0 -720.0 -779.0 -755.0 Cash From Financing 787.0 8 ,123.0 5,536.0 -852.0 Net Change in Cash 547.0 -471.0 8,792.0 -8.0 Source: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?ticker=VOW:GR&dataset=cashFlow&period=A¤cy=native Financial Analysis It will be interesting to analyze the company’s financials from stakeholder’s point of view as the company’s progress in last few years has been exemplary and how the stakeholders can see the Key

The investigation into effectiveness of using social media to engage Literature review

The investigation into effectiveness of using social media to engage customers - Literature review Example Paine (2011) notes that the criteria used for describing customer engagement cannot be standardized. It is explained that customer engagement can be related to different aspects of customer behavior, as for example the provision by the customer of his e-mail address so that he is informed on the new products/ services of a particular firm. Evans (2010) states that consumer engagement is a complex concept. According to the above researcher, an entrepreneur can understand that his customers are engaged when they react as follows: ‘they collaborate with each other and share the results of those efforts with other participants’ (Evans 2010, p.212). In other words, consumer engagement is characterized by collaboration and information sharing. From a similar point of view, customer engagement has been characterized as a concept reflecting ‘the engagement of customers to a particular brand’ (Tuten 2008, p.26). It is noted that the engagement of customers to a brand can be derived by the loyalty of the customers to the specific brand. Based on the above view, marketers can effectively promote customer engagement if they employ ‘tactics that enable customers to interact with the brand’ (Tuten 2008, p.26). In any case, customer engagement can be defined differently in the context of each organization, according to the priorities set and the organizational goals. Under these terms, customer engagement can be used just to emphasize on the need for ‘showing care to the customer’ (Seruca et al. 2006, p.49). When a customer feels that he is cared of at the highest possible level, then he is expected to be engaged (Seruca et al. 2006, p.49). This means that in organizations that customers’ needs are not addressed, the level of customer engagement will be quite low. Graph 1- When a customer is engaged, findings of survey developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit between December 2006 and January 2007 (Source: Economi st Intelligence Unit, 2007, p.3) In a report published by the Economist Intelligence Unit customer engagement is described as ‘a way to create customer interaction and participation’ (The Economist Intelligence Unit 2007, p.2). The characteristics of customer engagement have been further explored through a survey developed between December 2006 and January 2007 (Economist Intelligence Unit 2007, p.2). In the particular survey, about 300 executives have been asked to state their view in regard to the criteria used for characterizing a customer as engaged. The graph 1 above shows the answers of the customer in regard to this issue. These answers reflect the potential elements of customer engagement as appearing in markets worldwide. In practice, the development of an accurate definition in regard to customer engagement can be a challenging initiative. For this reason, a series of theoretical frameworks have been introduced for helping marketers to identify the potential e ffects of customer engagement on their products/ services. Using these frameworks, customer engagement can be described by focusing on different criteria. For example, if using the brand equity theory, customer engagement can be described as a concept related to ‘brand awareness, loyalty, quality, associations and competitiveness’

Critically evaluate theories of nationalism and its relationship with Essay - 1

Critically evaluate theories of nationalism and its relationship with racism - Essay Example Around Europe, the Napoleonic armies who not only idealized it but also provoked nationalist reactions through their conquests spread the idea of the legitimacy of the nation as opposed to kingdom. Despite the restoration of traditional monarchs after napoleon’s defeat, the seeds of idea had already been sowed all over Europe and the next 50 years it precipitated outbreaks of violence in support for popular nationalism. There are two main theories that explain nationalism the perennialists who argue that nations, natural or otherwise owe their existence to the fact that humans have always lived in societies posit the first. The â€Å"natural† part is inspired by the fact that many nationalist legitimize their nations as natural by virtue of the fact that they have been in existence for centuries. The position of perennialists is that nationalism can be traced to cultural characteristics and the nature of the human landscape with throughout their particular histories; th is takes to consideration every factor including those that are purely symbolic or even mythical. This argument was based on the existence of a number of large ethnic communities especially during the dark and middle ages that used the term nation to describe themselves. In this paper, the relationship between nationalism and racism will be examined with focus on the perennialist and modernist theories of nationalism; as well as the economic impacts and perception of two concepts on word nations. Racial consideration of nationalism was applied to ancient communities and civilizations such as the Egyptians Chinese, Indians and many others, under the perennial perception on nationalism the terms nation and race were interchangeable. Even later nations such as the British, German, and American were seen as races; this implied that the social political community was inherently tied up to a biological exclusiveness that was believed to transcend individuals in the different races. This p erception was and still is conducive ground for the justification or racism and other forms of xenophobia such as Aryan supremacy; communities, especially financially powerful ones used the notion to discriminate others. Racism is loosely defined as the doctrine that assumes some races are superior to others in term of physical intellectual or moral and other aspects justifying right to dominate other â€Å"lesser† races and treat them in an undignified and unequal manner (Smith 1983). For instance, in Europe during the Elizabethan age, individuals of Jewish origin were openly discriminated even by the law; Jews were not allowed to engage in the convectional business activity. From such legal restrictions, popular stereotypes such as those of Jewish â€Å"shylocks† emerged, not because they were naturally predisposed to such activity but because they were compelled by legal restriction to practice usury. This is despite the fact that many Jews were born and grew up in Europe amongst the French and Italians, for instance, by modern consideration such people would have been considered European nationals. However, the assumption them was that one would always remain of the nation, in this case race, which they were born despite cultural and geopolitical translocation. Centuries later when such notions had been discounted by most of the