Free Essays on The Plausibility Of The Parable

When appreciating a piece of fiction that pertains to the destruction of civilized society, the first criticism the book must face is whether or not the source of civilizations downfall is conceivable. The source of man’s downfall tends to be the general threat to characters existence, more often than not the adaptation to that threat being the driving force of the plot. When this criticism is directed at â€Å"The Parable of the Sower† by Octavia E. Butler, one finds a lack of a target. The effects of the destruction of civilization are widespread and rampant, however no true cause is ever revealed. Society, plagued by global warming and other detriments that Butler keeps unspecified, has collapsed. Los Angeles has devolved into â€Å"walled island neighborhoods in a sea of utter chaos,† (Butler, 23). Residents have been forced to themselves to keep from being overrun by hoards of homeless and starving just beyond the walls. Gangs of thug’s rape, pillage and, under the influence of a drug called pyro, burn whole neighborhoods to the ground for the sheer joy of destruction. Everything we take for granted today now comes with a price. No one can be trusted. Violence is a way of life. People hear gunfire so much that [they no longer] hear it, (Butler, 440). The world inhabited by the young narrator, an African-American girl called Lauren Olamina, is in an advanced state of social, economic and environmental decay. The energy crisis means you can see stars in the sky and people go around on bicycles instead of cars. But rarely do they venture out, except as armed grou ps of families, cycling out into the corpse-ridden hills for essential target practice. School is an anachronism. Lauren, a preacher’s daughter, is one of the few who can read. Her mother’s drug addiction while pregnant has left Lauren with a shameful condition – ‘hyperempathy’. If she sees a creature in pain she feels their pain and becomes temporarily disabl... Free Essays on The Plausibility Of The Parable Free Essays on The Plausibility Of The Parable When appreciating a piece of fiction that pertains to the destruction of civilized society, the first criticism the book must face is whether or not the source of civilizations downfall is conceivable. The source of man’s downfall tends to be the general threat to characters existence, more often than not the adaptation to that threat being the driving force of the plot. When this criticism is directed at â€Å"The Parable of the Sower† by Octavia E. Butler, one finds a lack of a target. The effects of the destruction of civilization are widespread and rampant, however no true cause is ever revealed. Society, plagued by global warming and other detriments that Butler keeps unspecified, has collapsed. Los Angeles has devolved into â€Å"walled island neighborhoods in a sea of utter chaos,† (Butler, 23). Residents have been forced to themselves to keep from being overrun by hoards of homeless and starving just beyond the walls. Gangs of thug’s rape, pillage and, under the influence of a drug called pyro, burn whole neighborhoods to the ground for the sheer joy of destruction. Everything we take for granted today now comes with a price. No one can be trusted. Violence is a way of life. People hear gunfire so much that [they no longer] hear it, (Butler, 440). The world inhabited by the young narrator, an African-American girl called Lauren Olamina, is in an advanced state of social, economic and environmental decay. The energy crisis means you can see stars in the sky and people go around on bicycles instead of cars. But rarely do they venture out, except as armed grou ps of families, cycling out into the corpse-ridden hills for essential target practice. School is an anachronism. Lauren, a preacher’s daughter, is one of the few who can read. Her mother’s drug addiction while pregnant has left Lauren with a shameful condition – ‘hyperempathy’. If she sees a creature in pain she feels their pain and becomes temporarily disabl...

Just Uses for English Speakers

Just Uses for English Speakers The word just is an important word in English used in many different ways. Just can be used as a time expression, to say that something is important, to emphasize words, as a synonym for only, and in a number of fixed expressions. Use this guide to just to help you use this keyword in English correctly. Just - As a Time Expression Just = Recently Just is most often used to express that something has recently happened. Use just with the present perfect tense to indicate that an action has recently occurred and influences the present moment of speaking. Ive just been to the bank.Toms just arrived. You can speak to him now.Marys just finished the report. Exception: American English vs. British English In everyday conversation American English uses just with the past simple, as well as the present perfect, to express that something recently happened. In British English, the present perfect is used. American English He just finished lunch.ORHes just finished lunch. British English Janes just been to the bank.NOTJane just went to the bank. Just = Immediately Just can also be used as a time expression to mean that something important will happen immediately. In this case, use the present continuous tense or going to to express that something is about to happen. Hes just getting ready to go now.Im just going to finish this and then we can go. Just = Close to the Time Just is also used to express that something happened at approximately to the time mentioned in phrases such as: just after, just before, just when, just as. I saw Tom just as he was leaving yesterday.Jennifer finished the report just as the boss asked her for it.Just when you think youve seen everything, something like this happens! Just - as an Adverb Meaning Only Just is also used as an adverb meaning only, merely, simply, and so on. Dont worry about that cup, its just an old thing.She said she just needed some vacation time to relax.Richard is just the spokesman. Just - as an Adverb Meaning Exactly Just can also be used as an adverb meaning exactly or precisely. Thats just the information I need to understand the situation.Alexander is just the person for the job. Just - as an Adjective Meaning Honest Just is also used as an adjective to mean that someone is honest, or fair in his judgement. Hes a just man so you can expect to be treated well.You need to be just with all your students, not just the ones you like. Fixed Expressions With Just Just is also used in a number of idiomatic and fixed expressions. Here are some of the most common: Just in Time = Ready at the Exact Moment Necessary In the business world many products are made just in time. In other words, they are ready when a customer needs them and not before. Our supplier uses just in time manufacturing to fill our orders.Using a just in time approach reduces our warehousing costs by 60%. Just off the Boat = Naive, Not Experienced Someone who is just off the boat is new to a situation and doesnt understand certain unwritten rules, or ways of behavior. Give him some time to adjust to the new position. Remember hes just off the boat and will need some time to get up to speed.They seemed as if they were just off the boat because they couldnt understand what was being asked of them. Just the Ticket = Exactly What Is Needed Just is used like exactly when expressing something that is precisely what is needed in a situation. The two weeks off work was just the ticket. I feel like a new man.I think your ideas are just the ticket for our marketing campaign. Just What the Doctor Ordered = Exactly What Is Needed Just what the doctor ordered is another idiomatic expression that expresses the idea that something precisely what is needed in a situation. I think his solution was just what the doctor ordered.The grammar review was just what the doctor ordered for getting students ready.

EMERGING MARKETS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

EMERGING MARKETS - Essay Example Banks were mostly publicly owned, although capital markets were allowed. Currently, India`s financial system is the most established in the emerging market economies. The financial systems of both countries are dominated by banks. For instance, China`s industrious savers have no choice to formal banking system. On the contrary, a significant number of Indians distrust banks but they have a preference to amass gold and real estate properties as an alternative. In addition, both governments need banks to serve social objectives, but the Indian government is more translucent concerning the shared results being worth the expense. Banks whether private or public must meet objectives for countryside access to banking services and loaning to significance sections and must distribute a needed share of their savings to public sector unions. The Chinese government`s political main concerns are to guarantee steady well-ordered liberalization of openly possessed manufacturers and economic growth adequate to captivate millions of labor force competitors, immigrants, as well as laid off employees every year. Bank loaning is still registered to finance much of this development even as banks are restructured to meet new oversea competition. Bank reforms started in earnest in 1995 when institutions and regulations were transformed to change them into commercial banks (Bosworth and Collins 2007). Practical norms for loaning were introduced, banking, secur ities as well as indemnity supervisors were developed and regulatory principles constricted. Three policy banks were established to carry on policy loaning roles and made regional heads purportedly with sufficient seniority to force bank loaning on credit worthiness criteria. The local banking system of China currently comprises of a considerable number of institutions almost all of which are under the ownership of various

How to Prevent and Reduce Stress at Cleeve Link Essay

How to Prevent and Reduce Stress at Cleeve Link - Essay Example The main findings of the research are that in Cleeve Hill staffs have been identified five categories of substantive factors that can be identified as potential cause of work-related stress: quantitative and qualitative demands, autonomy and Control, employee involvement in organisational changes, relations at work (including support from colleagues and line managements), role of the employee. This paper declares that notably in some organizations, many tasks are added to a single job description making it barely for any employee to perform without being stressed. In such circumstances, the employees find themselves with heavy workloads, infrequent work breaks, long working hours and or little shift turnover. According to Friedman, a philosopher who investigated the optimum conditions that a human being would be most productive in performing some tasks advocated that human beings perform more efficiently under less duress. Different organizations have different forms of leadership depending on their nature or objectives. However, the major management can be categorised into two main categories namely democratic and autocratic. Democratic leaders employ a bureaucratic approach to leadership ensuring that organizational decisions are made in line with the opinion of all employees. On the contrary, autocratic leaders act on their own; any decision affecting an organization is left in the hands of the top management. In line with this, the manner in which decisions are made in organizations affect employees directly.

Physico-Chemical Structure or Bonding Essay Example for Free

Physico-Chemical Structure or Bonding Essay Hydrogen bond is one of the most essential concepts in supramolecular chemistry or molecular sociology. It has significant ramifications on molecular biology and materials science. The term and concept ‘hydrogen bond’ has only emerged after 1930; however the general notion of weak but specific interaction that involves hydrides is much older (Webmaster 2005). Hydrogen bond refers to the attractive force between the hydrogen that has attached to an electronegative atom of a molecule and an electronegative atom of an unlike molecule. It is a special case of dipole forces wherein the electronegative atom is usually an oxygen, nitrogen or fluorine—elements that have a partial negative charge, except for hydrogen which possesses a partial positive side (Ophardt c. 2003). Hydrogen bonding happens when two electronegative atoms, for instance nitrogen and oxygen, interact with the same hydrogen. Normally, the hydrogen is covalently attached to an atom which is referred as the donor. But it interacts electrostatically with the other, known as acceptor. The interaction is primarily because of the dipole amid the electronegative atoms and proton (Day 1996). It is the strongest molecular force and passes on some strange properties to a myriad of substances namely water, proteins and nucleotides (Structure and Bonding: The Hydrogen Bond n. d. ). Hydrogen bond is one of the most important components of biological life. If there is no hydrogen bond, there will be no life because it holds the double helix of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) together (Emsley 2000). Hydrogen forms and structures covalent bonds with other molecules to produce and make molecules that are stable than the free atoms. The electron of the hydrogen is shared between the hydrogen and the atom to which it is bonded. The other electron from the bonded atom is also shared between the two (The Structure of DNA n. d. ). It is done through charge attractions. If hydrogen is bonded to oxygen or nitrogen, it evolves to be slightly positive charged. That fact allows the hydrogen bond to attract a center of negative charge on another molecule—it can be another oxygen or another nitrogen atom. Thus the hydrogen bond is written such as O-H=N (= signifies hydrogen bond). There are O-H=O or N-H=O and N-H=N—it is the weakest bond (Emsley 2000). That is the effect of hydrogen bonds on DNA. On the other hand, there is a study that has been conducted by Eric Kool, a professor of Chemistry from the University of Rochester, wherein a finding has been implied that â€Å"hydrogen bonds are not the key to DNA pairing after all† (Bradt 1997). The study suggests that it is more possible that the distinguishing and distinct shapes and sizes of each of the four DNA bases strengthen and suggest the 99. 9 percent accuracy of DNA replication. It has been illustrated like a space in a jigsaw puzzle wherein that space in the puzzle can only be filled by a piece that matches the shape of the space. That analogy means that there is only one base capable of squeezing into a DNA strand on its opposite given partner (Bradt 1997). According to Myron Goodman, a biologist and DNA expert from the University of Southern California, â€Å"the apparently inescapable conclusion is that hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) are not absolutely required,† this means that the results give a momentum and impetus to consider the role that the H-bonds play in stabilizing the DNA and enhancing the fidelity of DNA polymerase (Bradt 1997). Furthermore, there are still a number of factors that are responsible for the stability of the DNA double helix structure. Hydrogen bond is just among them. Although the hydrogen bond is weak, the millions of H-bonds showcase an extremely strong force that enables and keeps the DNA strand together (Rafael B. 2009). List of References Bradt, S. (1997) â€Å"Study: Hydrogen Bonds Aren’t Key to DNA Pairing After All. † Bio-Medicine [online] available from http://news. bio-medicine. org/biology-news-2/Study-3A-Hydrogen-Bonds-Arent-Key-To-DNA-Pairing-After-All-15262-1/ [13 February 2009] Day, A. (1996). â€Å"Hydrogen Bonds. † Birkbeck: University of London [online] available from http://www. cryst. bbk. ac. uk/PPS2/projects/day/TDayDiss/HBonds. html [13 February 2009] Emsley, J. (2000). â€Å"A New Way to Investigate the Hydrogen Bonds of DNA. † Science Watch [online] available from http://archive. sciencewatch. com/sept-oct2000/sw_sept-oct2000_page7. htm [13 February 2009] Ophardt, C. (c. 2003). â€Å"Intermolecular Forces: Hydrogen Bond. † El nhurst College: Virtual Chembook [online] available from http://www. elmhurst. edu/~chm/vchembook/161Ahydrogenbond. html [13 February 2009] Rafael B. (2009) â€Å"DNA Structure: Hydrogen Bonds. † Bright Hub [online] available from http://www. brighthub. com/science/genetics/articles/23384. aspx [13 February 2009] Structure and Bonding: The Hydrogen Bond. n. d. Prince Georges Community College [online] available from http://academic. pgcc. edu/~ssinex/struc_bond/hydrogen_bond. htm [13 February 2009] The Structure of DNA. n. d. Cambridge University [online] available from http://www-outreach. phy. cam. ac. uk/camphy/dna/dna11_1. htm [13 February 2009] Webmaster. (2005). â€Å"The Hydrogen Bond. † Gottingen University [online] available from http://www. hbond. de/ [13 February 2009]

Shakers :: essays research papers

Amish Documentary I.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Title:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Amish   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Date:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  12/23/04   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Time:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  12:30   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Library:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  West Linn Public Library II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I have heard very little of the Amish people. I always seem to hear jokes made about them and conversations about how crazy they are for not using electricity. I decided that I actually wanted to learn about them to test the validity of the comments I hear. III.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Besides the fact that Amish where black, flat hats and don’t use electricity, I know nothing about the Amish. IV.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this documentary the filmmakers got a hold of a very articulate old Amish man. I enjoyed hearing him speak about what his life was like as a child. He explained a lot of things about his family and how they lived. There were several accounts of certain activities that they would do. For instance, after church the boys would get together and play this ball game where one would try to hit another with a hard ball. I would not expect that many other Amish cultures would do this, yet they are implying in the video that this is what all the Amish are like. There were also many stories told that showed just how strict these people were and how closely they followed their religion. The documentary stated that in order for the Amish to still make a living, more modernized tools had to be used. One of the ones recently accepted was the machine that milked cows mechanically. Without this, the Amish man explained, the Amish could not get by. The man also explained that his family and other families in his community would ask neighbors to take them in a car somewhere on occasion. Also, as time progressed, the Amish were allowed to use pay phones located outside of the village. I think it was great the filmmakers could get a source like this, but I only really heard about the religion/ lifestyle via one persons’ stories. I am sure that many of the things his family or community did were not the same as every single other Amish family or community. Also, I constantly recognized footage that I had seen before, in that same film. They were obviously just looking at one specific community. If there are thousand of different Amish people out there, there must be hundreds of different interpretations of the religion. I would have liked to see a different community and see how they lived to see if the Amish really were alike everywhere or if each community was unique.

Early Humans Essay

What animals did the early humans hunt for food? Early humans found meat from animals that were back in the day, the meat was not so common because before they had animals they had other types of food like for example, fruits from trees, nuts and sometimes even honey and the y also got berries form the burry bushes like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and so on, but the animal that they always use to eat in the ancient times was the buffalo which was one of the most common animals in there specific villages and mostly when they would get the animals they would open them up with sharp things and then they would eat the meat and by the time they figured out fire they used fire to cook the food like we do know. How the early Human nut and got their food? Well the simple answer is that they used weapon to hunt the animals but we always thought that the early humans are stupid but the truth is that they are actually very smart because of the weapons they used for hunting and another thing they did to hunt food was that back in the early days there was a group of people called hunter gatherers and what hunter gatherers are is that basically a group of people for example from villages (mostly man) would go out to hunt for food mostly everyday and then when any of them would get food they will bring it to the group of people that they are and then the would most probably share the food with the people. And mostly the weapons would be made out of stones and wood. Also an example of the weapons they used wear spears and bows made out wood and stones. The most common food eaten nowadyaus are seeds. Also very populare is vegetables and fruits.

An Essay on the Characteristics and Development of Ancient City-States Essay

A city-state is defined as an independent or autonomous entity whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as part of a local government. Through reading the articles of Larson, Westenholz, and Neihmer it becomes apparent that city-states differ depending on the region and time they are in, and the purpose they serve. The three specific examples that come to mind are the Phoenicians, Assyrians, and the Sumerians. All three of these had unique characteristics that define each society; however, all three societies displayed enough similarities to make them definable as ancient city-states. One of the defining characteristics of a city-state is the fact that it is a self-governing and self-sufficient entity. Ancient city-states provided the first clear evidence for social stratification and most city-states contained a ruling family or dynasty, which controlled the city-state and it’s surrounding hinterlands by managing the land, water, and other natural resources. Each city state also contained a council of elders which helped the ruling family serve as a controlling body of local policy. However in Assyrian city-states there also existed a year-eponymy, which was a person who was elected for a single year to serve as the head of the city hall. He acted as the head of the city and carried out the executive orders form the higher officials suchas the king and the elders. In Sumerian city states, kings were referred to as â€Å"ensi† or â€Å"lugal† which were names that were meant to display to citizens his power and importance, and made his rule indisputable within society. Kings were relied upon to build not only monumental structures and temples for their respective deities, but also to maintain a functional infrastructure. In Phoenician city states, The king was landlord of pretentious places and sacrificial buildings. This display exists in many city- states and not only in Phoenician culture. The king demonstrated his power through buildings such as tombs and temples, but however, he was also the leading figure in charge of maintenance of public places, and in most cities, the defensive wall. There is sufficient evidence of city-walls consistently across all ancient city-states, but the reason these walls existed remains unclear. There is no archaeological evidence of warfare, or conflict between city- states. One of the most logical reasons for these walls to exist was to serve a symbolic purpose because the interior area would be posses a more clear political identity. The Assyrians, in dealing with enemies, took a unique and strict political regime that limited trade and dealings with other city-states, and as evidenced by the archaeological record, in a letter. Their particular rule stated that if any merchant traded with a Akkadian Amorite or a Subariean, then the merchant would be put to death. Laws such as this one established a clear political stance that many cities held on many issues concerning interactions with outsiders. Though The city ruler acted as the city god’s human deputy and managed the assets of the city as a whole. there is also sufficient evidence for long- distance trade. City- states developed in Phoenician, Assyrian, and Sumerian society as important trade resources and had a significant impact on culture. Prominent city-states were key to cultural development because they were able to support local artisans and were key centers of trade, which enabled different cultures to influence one another. Sumerian city-states were located in key trade locations because their own agricultural opportunities were scarce, and they heavily relied on the trade of barley, beer and textiles to other places in order to obtain food resources form elsewhere in order to support their population. In Assyrian society, the economy was controlled by ruling families and therefore, trade was regulated depending on the ruling class. These city-states productivity was dependent upon the weather for that year, so trade would fluctuate depending on the success of the season. For Phoenician city- states, there is sufficient archaeological evidence for long- distance trade, shown in the influence and presence of foreign art and style. Furthermore, archeological evidence is supplied in the discovery of cylinder seals, which were used to ensure the authenticity of the item being traded or shipped, and ensure its condition, if the seal remained unbroken. Key developments in ancient city- states are displayed in the changes of city plan’s and architecture, as well as further developments in trade. In some cases, cities were set up in tribute to a specific deity. These cities were mainly located on a hill, with a temple on the highest point, with the rest of the city built around the center temple. These temples not only served as places of religious worship and practice, but also served as cultural and economic centers. A distinguishing characteristic of many ancient city- states is, dominant palaces, temples†¦of sometimes monumental size and form†¦lie next to tightly knit living quarters traversed by an irregular network of streets, and in most cases these cities had irregular and unique city plans from one another. The proximity of the households to the temple showed the importance and the involvement of the temple in the daily life of the citizens. Furthermore, the layout of the city also demonstrates social stratification.

The Art of Receiving - Guest Post by Ann Murgatroyd-Soe

The Art of Receiving - Guest Post by Ann Murgatroyd-Soe A few weeks ago, I went to my spinal care practitioner and asked her to check some pain I’ve been having in my wrist. After completing some physical adjustments to my arm, she said, â€Å"Remember to receive. You don’t need to push all the time. Just receive.† Receiving is not something I’ve historically been great at, but I’m inspired to do more of it. That’s why I was particularly inspired by the following article by a woman leader in my community. I think you’ll be inspired too by her vulnerability and willingness to receive, when she has always been the â€Å"strong† one. When the Helper Needs Help Christie and I talk and teach often about The Art of Receiving. Most of us tend to be great givers, but we struggle with receiving.  Christie and I had just decided this would be the playshop we would be holding for our travel tribe on this trip-little did we both know how we would personally be in the need to receive on this trip! We were coming off an amazing, deeply spiritual sunrise ceremony on the sacred Ganges River.  I was in an open, loving, peaceful state as we entered the streets of Varanasi, where my senses were overtaken by the sheer magnitude of people, sounds, uncontrolled traffic speeding within inches of us, the unrelenting pace and push of the street vendors and people seemingly in need at such a level that I had never witnessed before.  We had been advised not to bring out money and had been â€Å"prepped† for what we would see and experience, but I was still completely overwhelmed in both heart and mind. My love and I were approached by a woman with a baby that appeared lethargic in her arms.  She cried and pleaded with us over and over for money for food. I tried to keep moving and look ahead for safety as we were instructed to do.  The sound of her pleading and of Joel having to say over and over he was sorry but couldn’t stop or help was just more than my heart could take. In my thoughts there was no acceptable answer or action.  If it was the truth, she and her baby were in such need and we wanted to help.  If it was that she was being exploited by men who would then collect all the money or objects she was given it was a terrible abuse and we would be enabling if we reached out. There was no way in that moment we could help.  The helper in me was devastated.  The thoughts hit me so hard I was literally stunned. I had a completely unexpected, shake me to my core, break my heart open, can’t process fast enough, can’t breathe, can’t, can’t, can’t moment on the streets of Varanasi.  I could feel the breath leaving my body and the sights and sounds begin to dim around me. I called out to Joel as we got separated and my arm got lightly clipped by a passing motorcycle. He thought I was just asking him to walk with me so he stayed his helpful course.  It was the last straw and I burst into tears calling out to him loudly that I couldn’t make it, that I wasn’t okay. Here I was, the helper, the facilitator, the leader, in such a state of vulnerability and overload that I couldn’t get my breath or my bearings. I was quickly wrapped in the safety of Joel’s arms and in the love of several of my travel companions who approached gently from behind and let me know they were right there with me. I let myself be held and protected for the res t of that long walk back to our bus. As I was crying and trying to catch my breath a young man came up likely to sell to us but he saw my pain and didn’t.  He asked Joel several times, â€Å"Why is your wife sad, why is she crying?† Joel’s reply as he held me tight and kept walking was â€Å"She is just a little sad, a little overwhelmed.† I will never forget what that young man said next and it was what quite literally brought my breath back and helped me regain my strength.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"You are a very lucky man, your wife has the most beautiful, loving heart.†Ã‚  This is the core of love in the people that we saw and experienced over and over on our journey through India. Back at our hotel, I was feeling embarrassed. I thought I had let others down. I found myself starting to apologize but was quickly met with another opportunity to receive. This is just a bit of what I heard:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"No need for sorry.  You were just in complete compassion in that moment.†Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"It was beautiful how much your heart felt.†Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"No need to apologize, you were just the one to express and release what all of us were feeling in that street today.† This was a life-changing lesson in the Art of Receiving for me and this Helper has learned on an even deeper level how to open herself to help. Ann Murgatroyd-Soe, Hot Pink University When’s the last time you found yourself apologizing for having your feelings or showing your weakness? To me, the ability to show this level of vulnerability is a true strength. As you venture further into the year 2016, I encourage you to find your own opportunities to receive. I think you’ll find that the people around you are more than willing to give. Category:Life and LeadershipBy Brenda BernsteinJanuary 25, 2016

The Appeals Process Stage of a Criminal Case

The Appeals Process Stage of a Criminal Case Anyone convicted of a crime has the right to appeal that conviction if they believe a legal error has occurred. If you have been convicted of a crime and plan to appeal, you are no longer known as the defendant, you are now the appellant in the case. In criminal cases, an appeal asks a higher court to look at the record of the trial proceedings to determine if a legal error occurred that may have affected the outcome of the trial or the sentence imposed by the judge. Appealing Legal Errors An appeal rarely challenges the decision of the jury, but rather challenges any legal errors that the judge or the prosecution may have made during the trial. Any ruling that the judge made during the preliminary hearing, during pre-trial motions and during the trial itself can be appealed if the appellant believes the ruling was in error. For example, if your lawyer made a pre-trial motion challenging the legality of the search of your car and the judge ruled that the police did not need a search warrant, that ruling can be appealed because it allowed evidence to be seen by the jury that would not have otherwise seen. Notice of Appeal Your attorney will have plenty of time to prepare your formal appeal, but in most states, you have a limited time to announce your intention to appeal your conviction or sentence. In some states, you have only 10 days to decide if there are issues that can be appealed. Your notice of appeal will need to include the exact issue or issues upon which you are basing your appeal. Many appeals have been rejected by higher courts simply because the appellant waited too long to raise the issue. Records and Writs When you appeal your case, the appellate court will receive the record of the criminal trial and all rulings leading up to the trial. Your attorney will file a written brief outlining why you believe your conviction was affected by legal error. The prosecution likewise will file a written brief telling the appellate court why it believes the ruling was legal and appropriate. Usually, after the prosecution files its brief, the appellant can file a follow-up brief in rebuttal. The Next Highest Court Although it does happen, the attorney who handled your criminal trial will probably not handle your appeal. Appeals are usually handled by lawyers who have experience with the appeals process and working with higher courts. Although the appeals process varies from state to state, the process generally starts with the next highest court in the system - state or federal - in which the trial was held. In most cases, this is the state appellate. The party that loses at the appeals court  can apply to the next highest court, usually the state supreme court. If the issues involved in the appeal are constitutional, the case can then be appealed to the federal district appeals court and eventually to the U.S. Supreme Court. Direct Appeals/Automatic Appeals Anyone who is sentenced to death is automatically given a direct appeal. Depending on the state, the appeal may be mandatory or dependent on the defendants choice. Direct appeals always go to the highest court in the state. In federal cases, the direct appeal goes to the federal courts.A panel of judges decides on the outcome of direct appeals. The judges then can either affirm the conviction and sentence, reverse the conviction, or reverse the death sentence.  The losing side can then  petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court.   Appeals Rarely Successful Very few criminal trial appeals are successful. Thats why when a criminal appeal is granted, it makes headlines in the media because it is rare. In order for a conviction or a sentence to be overturned, the appeals court not only must find that an error occurred, but also that the error was clear and serious enough to affect the outcome of the trial. A criminal conviction can be appealed on the basis that the strength of the evidence presented a trial did not support the verdict. This type of appeal is significantly more expensive and much more lengthy than a legal error appeal and even more rarely successful.

Conquest of Mexico by Spanish Conquistadors Essay

Conquest of Mexico by Spanish Conquistadors - Essay Example He offered men who served under him significant training and discipline, allowing them to operate as a unified soldiers’ unit. In addition, he ensured to burn his ships to ensure that retreat was not possible for his men (Taylor). Cortes was aware of Aztecs, realizing that they together with Montezuma II, who served as their leader, served as the key driving forces of Mexico. As such, Cortes was driven by the urge to rule over them. While marching through Mexico, he experienced several natives referred to as Tlaxcala, who served as Aztecs’ enemies. In this case, this group served as a vital ally during his Tenochtitlan siege, which was then the capital city of Aztec. Without the knowledge of Cortes, Aztec’s prophecy coincided with his arrival. Quetzalcoatl, who was the god of Aztec, who they are associated with the creation human life was about to come back to earth. Since Montezuma thought that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl, they welcomed him while showing him great h onor. Montezuma sent various representatives to welcome Cortes as he approached. The light skin of the Spaniards while riding horses amazed the Aztecs, which they considered as beasts having six legs and two heads. To intimidate as well as stun the natives further, the Spanish fired gunshots. On entry to the city, Spanish soldiers together with the Tlaxcalans dismissed it, taking Montezuma hostage. With the assistance of Dona Marina, Cortes managed to influence Montezuma to facilitate in ruling Tenochtitlan while using him.