The History of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The History of Buenos Aires, Argentina One of the most important cities in South America, Buenos Aires has a long and interesting history. It has lived under the shadow of the secret police on more than one occasion, has been attacked by foreign powers and has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the only cities in history to be bombed by its own navy. It has been home to ruthless dictators, bright-eyed idealists and some of the most important writers and artists in the history of Latin America. The city has seen economic booms that brought in stunning wealth as well as economic meltdowns that have driven the population into poverty. Foundation of Buenos Aires Buenos Aires was founded twice. A settlement at the present-day site was established briefly in 1536 by conquistador Pedro de Mendoza, but attacks by local indigenous tribes forced the settlers to move to Asuncià ³n, Paraguay in 1539. By 1541 the site had been burned and abandoned. The harrowing story of the attacks and the overland journey to Asuncià ³n was written down by one of the survivors, German mercenary Ulrico Schmidl after he returned to his native land around 1554. In 1580, another settlement was established, and this one lasted. Growth The city was well-located to control all trade in the region containing present-day Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and parts of Bolivia, and it thrived. In 1617 the province of Buenos Aires was removed from control by Asuncià ³n, and the city welcomed its first bishop in 1620. As the city grew, it became too powerful for the local indigenous tribes to attack, but became the target of European pirates and privateers. At first, much of the growth of Buenos Aires was in illicit trade, as all official trade with Spain had to go through Lima. Boom Buenos Aires was established on the banks of the Rà ­o de la Plata (Platte River), which translates to River of Silver. It was given this optimistic name by early explorers and settlers, who had gotten some silver trinkets from local Indians. The river didnt produce much in the way of silver, and settlers didnt find the true value of the river until much later. In the eighteenth century, cattle ranching in the vast grasslands around Buenos Aires became very lucrative, and millions of treated leather hides were sent to Europe, where they became leather armor, shoes, clothing and a variety of other products. This economic boom led to the establishment in 1776 of the Viceroyalty of the River Platte, based in Buenos Aires. The British Invasions Using the alliance between Spain and Napoleonic France as an excuse, Britain attacked Buenos Aires twice in 1806 to 1807, attempting to further weaken Spain while at the same time gaining valuable New World colonies to replace the ones it had so recently lost in the American Revolution. The first attack, led by Colonel William Carr Beresford, succeeded in capturing Buenos Aires, although Spanish forces out of Montevideo were able to re-take it about two months later. A second British force arrived in 1807 under the command of Lieutenant-General John Whitelocke. The British took Montevideo but were unable to capture Buenos Aires, which was ably defended by urban guerilla militants. The British were forced to retreat. Independence The British invasions had a secondary effect on the city. During the invasions, Spain had essentially left the city to its fate, and it had been the citizens of Buenos Aires who had taken up arms and defended their city. When Spain was invaded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808, the people of Buenos Aires decided they had seen enough of Spanish rule, and in 1810 they established an independent government, although formal Independence would not come until 1816. The fight for Argentine Independence, led by Josà © de San Martà ­n, was largely fought elsewhere and Buenos Aires did not suffer terribly during the conflict. Unitarians and Federalists When the charismatic San Martà ­n went into self-imposed exile in Europe, there was a power vacuum in the new nation of Argentina. Before long, a bloody conflict hit the streets of Buenos Aires. The country was divided between Unitarians, who favored a strong central government in Buenos Aires, and Federalists, who preferred near-autonomy for the provinces. Predictably, the Unitarians were mostly from Buenos Aires, and the Federalists were from the provinces. In 1829, Federalist strongman Juan Manuel de Rosas seized power, and those Unitarians who did not flee were persecuted by Latin Americas first secret police, the Mazorca. Rosas was removed from power in 1852, and Argentinas first constitution was ratified in 1853. The 19th Century The newly independent country was forced to continue to fight for its existence. England and France both tried to take Buenos Aires in the mid-1800s  but failed. Buenos Aires continued to thrive as a trade port, and the sale of leather continued to boom, especially after railroads were built connecting the port to the interior of the country where the cattle ranches were. Towards the turn of the century, the young city developed a taste for European high culture, and in 1908 the Colà ³n Theater opened its doors. Immigration in the Early 20th Century As the city industrialized in the early 20th century, it opened its doors to immigrants, mostly from Europe. Large numbers of Spanish and Italians came, and their influence is still strong in the city. There were also Welsh, British, Germans, and Jews, many of whom passed through Buenos Aires on their way to establish settlements in the interior. Many more Spanish arrived during and shortly after the  Spanish Civil War  (1936 to 1939). The Perà ³n regime (1946 to 1955) allowed  Nazi war criminals  to migrate to Argentina, including the infamous Dr. Mengele, although they did not come in large enough numbers to significantly change the nations demographics. Recently, Argentina has seen migration from Korea, China, Eastern Europe and other parts of Latin America. Argentina has celebrated Immigrants Day on September 4 since 1949. The Perà ³n Years Juan Perà ³n  and his famous wife  Evita  came to power in the early 1940s, and he reached the presidency in 1946. Perà ³n was a very strong leader, blurring the lines between elected president and dictator. Unlike many strongmen, however, Perà ³n was a liberal who strengthened unions (but kept them under control) and improved education. The working class adored him and Evita, who opened schools and clinics and gave state money away to the poor. Even after he was deposed in 1955 and forced into exile, he remained a powerful force in Argentine politics. He even triumphantly returned to stand for the 1973 elections, which he won, although he died of a heart attack after about a year in power. The Bombing of the Plaza de Mayo On June 16, 1955, Buenos Aires saw one of its darkest days. Anti-Perà ³n forces in the military, seeking to dislodge him from power, ordered the Argentine Navy to bombard the Plaza de Mayo, the citys central square. It was believed that this act would precede a general coup dà ©tat. Navy aircraft bombed and strafed the square for hours, killing 364 people and injuring hundreds more. The Plaza had been targeted because it was a gathering place for pro-Perà ³n citizens. The army and air force did not join in the attack, and the coup attempt failed. Perà ³n was removed from power about three months later by another revolt which included all of the armed forces. Ideological conflict in the 1970s During the early 1970s, communist rebels taking their cue from  Fidel Castros  takeover of Cuba attempted to stir up revolts in several Latin American nations, including Argentina. They were countered by right-wing groups who were just as destructive. They were responsible for several incidents in Buenos Aires, including  the Ezeiza massacre, when 13 people were killed during a pro-Perà ³n rally. In 1976, a military junta overthrew Isabel Perà ³n, Juans wife, who had been vice president when he died in1974. The military soon began a crackdown on dissidents, beginning the period known as La Guerra Sucia (The Dirty War). The Dirty War and Operation Condor The Dirty War is one of the most tragic episodes in all of the History of Latin America. The military government, in power from 1976 to 1983, initiated a ruthless crackdown on suspected dissidents. Thousands of citizens, primarily in Buenos Aires, were brought in for questioning, and many of them disappeared, never to be heard from again. Their basic rights were denied to them, and many families still do not know what happened to their loved ones. Many estimates place the number of executed citizens around 30,000. It was a time of terror  when citizens feared their government more than anything else. The Argentine Dirty War was part of the larger Operation Condor, which was an alliance of the right-wing governments of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil to share information and aid one anothers secret police. The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo is an organization of mothers and relatives of those who disappeared during this time: their aim is to get answers, locate their loved ones or their remains, and hold accountable the architects of the  Dirty War. Accountability The military dictatorship ended in 1983, and Raà ºl Alfonsà ­n, a lawyer, and publisher, was elected president. Alfonsà ­n surprised the world by quickly turning on the military leaders who had been in power for the past seven years, ordering trials and a fact-finding commission. Investigators soon turned up 9,000 well-documented cases of disappearances and the trials began in 1985. All of the top generals and architects of the dirty war, including a former president, General Jorge Videla, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. They were pardoned by President Carlos Menem in 1990, but the cases are not settled, and the possibility remains that some may return to prison. Recent Years Buenos Aires was given autonomy to elect their own mayor in 1993. Previously, the mayor was appointed by the president. Just as the people of Buenos Aires were putting the horrors of the Dirty War behind them, they fell victim to an economic catastrophe. In 1999, a combination of factors including a falsely inflated exchange rate between the Argentine peso and the US dollar led to a serious recession and people began losing faith in the peso and in Argentine banks. In late 2001 there was a run on the banks and in December 2001 the economy collapsed. Angry protestors in the streets of Buenos Aires forced President Fernando de la Rà ºa to flee the presidential palace in a helicopter. For a while, unemployment reached as high as 25 percent. The economy eventually stabilized, but not before many businesses and citizens went bankrupt. Buenos Aires Today Today, Buenos Aires is once again calm and sophisticated, its political and economic crises hopefully a thing of the past. It is considered very safe  and is once more a center for literature, film, and education. No history of the city would be complete without a mention of its role in the arts: Literature in Buenos Aires Buenos Aires has always been a very important city for literature. Porteà ±os (as the citizens of the city are called) are literate and place great value on books. Many of Latin America’s greatest writers call or called Buenos Aires home, including Josà © Hernndez (author of the Martà ­n Fierro epic poem),  Jorge Luà ­s Borges  and Julio Cortzar (both known for outstanding short stories). Today, the writing and publishing industry in Buenos Aires is alive and thriving. Film in Buenos Aires Buenos Aires has had a film industry since the beginning. There were early pioneers of the medium  making films  as early as 1898, and the world’s first feature-length animated film, El Apà ³stol, was created in1917. Unfortunately, no copies of it exist. By the 1930s, the Argentine film industry was producing approximately 30 films per year, which were exported to all of Latin America. In the early 1930s, tango singer  Carlos Gardel  made several films which helped catapult him to international stardom and made a cult figure of him in Argentina, although his career was cut short when he died in 1935. Although his biggest films were not produced in Argentina, they nevertheless were hugely popular and contributed to the film industry in his home country, as imitations soon popped up. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, Argentine cinema has gone through several cycles of booms and busts, as political and economic instability have temporarily shut down studios. Currently, Argentine cinema is undergoing a renaissance and is known for edgy, intense dramas.

Rights and Liberties in the Constitution

Rights and Liberties in the Constitution The US Constitution guarantees a number of rights and liberties to US citizens.   The right to trial by jury in criminal cases is guaranteed. (Article 3, Section 2)The citizens of each state are entitled to the privileges and immunities of the citizens of every other state. (Article 4, Section 2)The requirement of a Writ of habeas corpus may not be suspended except during invasion or rebellion. (Article 1, Section 9)Neither Congress nor the states can pass a bill of attainder.  (Article 1, Section 9)  Neither Congress nor the states can pass ex-post facto laws.  (Article 1, Section 9)  No law impairing the obligation of contracts may be passed by states.  (Article 1, Section 10)  No religious test or qualification for holding federal office is allowed. (Article 6)No titles of nobility would be allowed.  (Article 1, Section 9)   A Bill of Rights The framers at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 felt that these eight rights were necessary to protect the citizens of the United States. However, many individuals not present felt that the Constitution could not be ratified without the addition of a Bill of Rights. In fact, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson argued that not including the rights that would eventually be written into the first ten amendments to the Constitution was unconscionable. As Jefferson wrote to James Madison, the Father of the Constitution,,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no government should refuse, or rest on inference.†Ã‚   Why Wasnt Freedom of Speech Included? The reason why many of the framers of the Constitution did not include rights such as freedom of speech and religion in the body of the Constitution was that they felt that listing out these rights would, in fact, restrict freedoms. In other words, there was a general belief that by enumerating specific rights guaranteed to citizens, the implication would be that these were granted by the government instead of being natural rights that all individuals should have from birth. Further, by specifically naming rights, this would, in turn, mean that those not specifically named would not be protected. Others including Alexander Hamilton felt that protecting rights should be done at the state instead of the federal level.   Madison, however, saw the importance of adding the Bill of Rights and wrote the amendments that would eventually be added in order to assure ratification by the states.

Quality Management and Business Process Management Essay

Quality Management and Business Process Management - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that scholars like Apel viewed the Characteristic core of the scientific philosophy as the main alternative of modern scientific theory. Habermas’ theory of communication is of the notion that communication patterns are analyzed as well as ideal speeches are of utmost significance. Characteristics of honesty and accuracy provide a way for reflective, rational as well as moral decision making. Top quality management also consists of efforts that are aimed at installing and making a permanent condition in which a given organization continuously aims at improving its ability to deliver products and services of high quality to its clients or customers. The techniques of TQM mostly draw upon previously developed techniques and tools of quality control. This refers to a holistic approach to management to align an organization’s commercial processes with the needs of the customers. It makes use of a systematic approach in an attempt to gradually improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a business while at the same time striving to achieve flexibility, integration with technology as well as innovation. This can actually be referred to as a process optimization procedure. This form of management can positively affect the revenue generation as well as cost. As an approach to management, BPM sees processes as an organization’s strategic assets that must be managed understood as well as improved so as to deliver services and products that are value added. This is the term that is associated with thinkers from the Frankfurt school of critical and social theory like Adorno, Fromm, Marcuse, Horkheimer as well as Habermas. The sole purpose of these is to help us to recognize how dominant ideologies are unjust and uncritically accepted by the majority.

Discuss the reasons for the emergence of China as a global trading Essay - 1

Discuss the reasons for the emergence of China as a global trading power in the light of international trade theories - Essay Example There are various theories behind the rise of China as one of the strongest economies in the world. This work will look into and discuss the reasons behind the emergence of China as a global trading power in the world in the light of International Trade Theories. China has remained one of the strongest Communist countries in the world and after the fall of USSR, it has emerged as the center of the Political ideology in the world. However the subsequent reforms saw the start of the country’s transition to the market economies. The economic reforms into China started during 1978 and are considered as most successful as compared to the other controlled economies of Eastern Europe. A comparative study of the transition economies would suggest that China has been able to perform better than other transition economies of Eastern Europe mainly because of the rise of private firms into China. The emergence of Private firms into China has been extra-ordinary despite the fact that State has protected the state owned enterprises. The rise of China therefore is also attributed to the unplanned rise of private firms into the country besides the government reforms. From 1978 to 1992, the gross national product in China grew at an average rate of 9% and in 1992 and 1993, growth accelerated to over thirteen percent, giving China the worlds fastest growing economy. In 1994, even with attempts to cool down the economy, growth remained above ten percent.Error: Reference source not found. However it also must be noted that the largely held misconception that the Mao Zedong was behind the economic rise of China is not correct in its true sense as many believed that a great Opportunity to fulfill the Chinese dream remained unfulfilled during his era however the Mao era also saw the changes into health, education and other sectors of the economy however on the whole it remained largely under achieved economy during

Problem Solving Mini Project Report Essay Example for Free

Problem Solving Mini Project Report Essay 1.Introduction NTU students spend lots of time in tutorial rooms studying. However, the chairs in NTU tutorial rooms are uncomfortable. Seat pans and backrests are plastic and tables attached to right armrests are 20cm above the seat pans and too small to place taptops. Students complain about these chairs. According to our group’s survey, 70 of 72 SM2 students suffer backaches after long hours of writing sitting on the chairs. Since tables are fixed, most students are forced to bend down to write on the table for a long time, which puts a great strain on their backs and causes pain. Also, half students interviewed feel the illumination of rooms is inadequate. Therefore, we have modified the TR chairs to solve these problems. 2.Body 2.1 Criteria for solution The modified chairs should meet the following requirements: †¢Tables are adjustable and easy to fold; †¢Backrests support the back of the body; †¢Seatmats are soft; †¢Tables can generate light according to indoor lighting conditions; †¢Chairs are aesthetically pleasing; †¢Cost is low. 2.2 Description of the solution Our ‘wonderchairs’ are like glossy silver eggs made from hard glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). Chairs have three foldable layers with two wheels at the bottom. The top layer with one side stuffed with rayon can be flipped over as a backrest. The backrest is positioned at an angle of 100 °and stuffed with soft Rayon stuffing which supports the back of the body comfortably. The second layer serves as a table with a 22cm-radius, overcoming the existing defect of being too small which hinders comfortable writing. It can be easily lifted and pushed forward by 20cm by pulling or rotating a lever to suit a student’ personal need so that he can write comfortably on the table. The third layer is a relaxing 24cmÃâ€"24cm seat with a beige corduroy cover and Rayon stuffing. The tables can automatically generate light from LED lamps on the desktop. Lamps are 25cm sticks in a groove on the table when not working. By rotating them 90 °we connect the lamps to a circuit and they start working. Tables consist of three layers. The first is made from transparent GFRP to allow maximum light to pass through and be absorbed and turned into electricity by the photo-voltaic panel in the second layer. The second layer also contains a light sensor detecting lighting condition and accordingly adjusting the intensity of the lamp light. Powered by photo-voltaic panel, the lamp produces proper light according to the indoor illumination conditions. This ensures appropriate room lighting. The third layer is opaque GFRP to strengthen the table. The self-lighting system utilizes solar energy to create light, so it is energy-saving and environmentally-friendly. 2.3 Cost The wonderchairs have low cost and predict great potential for mass use in colleges. One chair: SG$ 1 (Rayon)1 SG$ 1 (Aluminum lever+wheels)2 SG$ 2 (GFRP)3 SG$ 2.5 (solar panel)4 SG$ 0.1 (light sensor)5 SG$ 1 (lamp)6 Total: SG$ 7.51 3 Conclusion Our wonderchairs are targeted at reducing present NTU TR chairs’ discomfort and harm to the human body. Their soft seatmats, supportive backrests and adjustable tables minimize backaches and maximize comfort levels for students. The lighting system provides appropriate light. Their revolutionary egg-shaped design also appeals to students. Moreover, they are cheap enough to be used on a great scale and their use can be extended to homes and offices to benefit more people.

Shakespeare’s Use of Ovids Metamorphoses and Virgils Aeneid as Basis

Shakespeare’s Use of Ovid's Metamorphoses and Virgil's Aeneid as Basis for The Tempest William Shakespeare, as did most writers of his time, took the basis for the stories he wrote from other texts. He would use source poems or mythology in order to write his own works. Romeo and Juliet, for example, can be compared to the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisby. Plays such as Richard III and Julius Caesar are artistic accounts of historic events. The Tempest, however, is commonly perceived as an original story. Many critics feel that this was the only story of his that was entirely created by Shakespeare. This is not the case. In fact, there are several sources from which he very much drew inspiration for this tale. Shakespeare used classical texts for most of his plays, and The Tempest is no exception. Two of the stories from which Shakespeare drew most of his inspiration were Ovid's Metamorphoses and Virgil's The Aeneid. Both are very often used in the construction of stories or works that have come after, and my intention here is to illustrate just how they were used in the writing of The Tempest. The Aeneid tells the story of a Trojan warrior named Aeneas, who is the son of Venus (the Roman goddess of love) and Anchises, a Trojan prince. The tale takes place in the12th century B.C., after the Trojan War, which was started when the Trojan prince Paris seduced Helen, the wife of the King of Sparta, and took her back to Troy. In retaliation, a Greek army waged a 10-year war on Troy, leaving the once great city and most of its people devastated. After the war, Aeneas, along with others that escaped the destruction, sets sail in search of a new home. Their journey takes them towards Sicily and Italy, and this i... ...07. Knapp, Charles. The Aeneid of Vergil, books I-VI, and the Metamorphoses of Ovid, with introductions, notes, and vocabulary by Charles Knapp. Chicago: Foreman and company, 1928. Mandelbaum, Allen. The Aeneid of Virgil: A Verse Translation. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1971. Miller, Frank Justus. Ovid's Metamorphoses in Two Volumes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1916. Pitcher, John. "A Theatre of the Future: 'The Aeneid' and 'The Tempest'." Essays in Criticism 34:3 (1984): 193-215. Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." The Riverside Shakespeare: Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997. 1661-86. Tarantino, Elisabetta. "Morpheus, Leander, and Ariel." Review of English Studies 48:192 (1997): 489-98. Wiltenburg, Robert. "'The Aeneid' in 'The Tempest'." Shakespeare Survey 39 (1987): 159-68. Shakespeare’s Use of Ovid's Metamorphoses and Virgil's Aeneid as Basis Shakespeare’s Use of Ovid's Metamorphoses and Virgil's Aeneid as Basis for The Tempest William Shakespeare, as did most writers of his time, took the basis for the stories he wrote from other texts. He would use source poems or mythology in order to write his own works. Romeo and Juliet, for example, can be compared to the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisby. Plays such as Richard III and Julius Caesar are artistic accounts of historic events. The Tempest, however, is commonly perceived as an original story. Many critics feel that this was the only story of his that was entirely created by Shakespeare. This is not the case. In fact, there are several sources from which he very much drew inspiration for this tale. Shakespeare used classical texts for most of his plays, and The Tempest is no exception. Two of the stories from which Shakespeare drew most of his inspiration were Ovid's Metamorphoses and Virgil's The Aeneid. Both are very often used in the construction of stories or works that have come after, and my intention here is to illustrate just how they were used in the writing of The Tempest. The Aeneid tells the story of a Trojan warrior named Aeneas, who is the son of Venus (the Roman goddess of love) and Anchises, a Trojan prince. The tale takes place in the12th century B.C., after the Trojan War, which was started when the Trojan prince Paris seduced Helen, the wife of the King of Sparta, and took her back to Troy. In retaliation, a Greek army waged a 10-year war on Troy, leaving the once great city and most of its people devastated. After the war, Aeneas, along with others that escaped the destruction, sets sail in search of a new home. Their journey takes them towards Sicily and Italy, and this i... ...07. Knapp, Charles. The Aeneid of Vergil, books I-VI, and the Metamorphoses of Ovid, with introductions, notes, and vocabulary by Charles Knapp. Chicago: Foreman and company, 1928. Mandelbaum, Allen. The Aeneid of Virgil: A Verse Translation. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1971. Miller, Frank Justus. Ovid's Metamorphoses in Two Volumes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1916. Pitcher, John. "A Theatre of the Future: 'The Aeneid' and 'The Tempest'." Essays in Criticism 34:3 (1984): 193-215. Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." The Riverside Shakespeare: Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997. 1661-86. Tarantino, Elisabetta. "Morpheus, Leander, and Ariel." Review of English Studies 48:192 (1997): 489-98. Wiltenburg, Robert. "'The Aeneid' in 'The Tempest'." Shakespeare Survey 39 (1987): 159-68.

Article Review LAW 421 Essay

The article was a proposal that tried to justify the reason that congress should repeal the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX Act) of 2002. The act is seen as a problem because individual felt that the act was only put in place so government official could feel better about addressing some issues of popular concern rather than resolving the issue. According to Niskanen the SOX act of 2002 is unnecessary, harmful, and inadequate (2006). Punishments under this act included jail time and loss of personal property. The act was viewed as unnecessary because the stock exchange has already addressed and implemented procedures to deal with most of the issues presented in the SOX act of 2002. Those implementations include accounting standards, prosecution for fraud, audits, and financial reporting procedures. Officials felt that both acts addressed the same issues therefore, congress should deem the SOX act of 2002 unnecessary. The SOX act of 2002 was viewed as harmful because it would â€Å"reduce the incentive of corporate executives and directors to seek legal advice† (Niskanen, 2006). It was also seen as harmful because it cause a ban on loans to corporate officer which would pose a problem for compensation. The act was viewed as inadequate because it â€Å"failed to identify and correct the major problems of accounting, auditing, taxation, and corporate  governance that have invited corporate malfeasance and increased the probability of bankruptcy† (Niskanen, 2006). Recommendation to make the act better included congress needed to state more clearly that criminal penalties under the SOX act of 2002 needed proof of personal involvement and criminal intent. Another recommendation was to reduce the cost it took to implement the act. LEGAL ISSUE The legal business issues raised in the article monopoly and unconstitutional. Monopoly because SOX act would have sole control over punishments. Unconstitutional because private businesses were not targeted therefore, public businesses felt that all businesses did not have the same right. MANAGERIAL PERSPECTIVE The legal issues of the SOX act of 2002 affect the way business operate. Businesses have to have certain measures of internal control with the act. The would also have to report financial accounts accurately and follow certain accounting procedure in their day to day business activities. The issued implemented in the SOX act of 2002 could have been avoided if business owners and executives would have exercised fairness and accuracy in the first place. Government would not have had to step in and make these implantations. Reference Niskanen, W. A. (2006). Congress Should Repeal the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Retrieved from http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6624

History of Halloween Essay

Close to $7 billion dollars is what consumers spent on Halloween costumes, candy, and decorations in 2011. When the temperature starts to drop, the leaves turn different colors and the sun sets earlier little by little each day, fall is the perfect season to celebrate Halloween. Millions of children dress up and go to strangers doors begging for candy. Have you ever wondered where this strange and unique tradition originated from? — The three most important points of Halloween can be summed up by looking at its origins, how it came to include jack-o-lanterns and bobbing for apples, and how it is celebrated today with trick-or-treating and haunted houses. Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, has originated from the ancient Celtic festival known as Samahin (â€Å"sow-in†) derived from the Old Irish Samuin meaning â€Å"summer’s end†. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated the end of the harvest season with the festival of Samhain and celebrated the upcoming new Year on November 1. Used by the ancient pagans, Samhain was a time to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. October 31 was the day the ancient Gaels believed the boundaries overlapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, and the departed souls would come back to life and cause mayhem such as damaged crops and sickness. The Gaels built massive bonfires and summoned the help from gods through animal and possibly human sacrifices to ward of the spirits. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which in turn attracted bats. These are additional features of the history of Halloween. Halloween is also thought to be influenced by the Christian holy days of All Saints’ Day, also known as Hallowmas, and All Souls’ Day falling on November 1 and 2. It was a time for honoring the saints and praying for the deceased who had yet to reach heaven. Traditionally it was believed that the departed souls roamed the earth until All Saints’ Day, and Hallows’ Eve delivered one last chance before moving on to the next world, to gain revenge on their enemies. Christians would  disguise themselves in costumes and masks to avoid being recognized by the wandering souls. Trick or treating is the practice of dressing up in costumes and going door to door begging for candy and resembles the late medieval practice of â€Å"souling† when the poor would proceed door to door on Hallowmas receiving food, or â€Å"soul cakes† which were pastries, and in return would pray for their dead relative’s souls. It was believed at the time the souls of the departed would wait for passage into heaven until enough people prayed for their souls. â€Å"Soul cakes† would be given in exchange for a song, performance, or another sort of â€Å"trick† in some cultures. Eventually, children embraced this practice and were given money, food, and ale. Jack o ‘lanterns are a Halloween staple today, with at least two historical roots. The first is the pagan Celtic people carved turnips and rutabagas to hold hot coal from the bonfire to light their homes and ward off the evil spirits. Another folklore tale gives jack o ‘lanterns their name. An Irish myth portrays a trickster and a drunk known as â€Å"Stingy Jack†, who asked the devil to have a drink with him. Jack persuaded the devil to change himself into a coin so he could pay for his drink, but instead he put the coin in his wallet next to a silver cross, trapping the devil and preventing him to change himself back. Jack said he would free the devil if he did not bother him for another year. The following year Jack tricks the devil into climbing an apple tree for a piece of fruit. He then carved a cross in the bark of the tree preventing the devil from climbing down. In order to get down from the tree, the devil promised Jack he would not seek his soul anymore. Because of his swindling and drunken ways, when Jack died he was not allowed into heaven. He also was not allowed into Hell because the devil kept his word. Taking pity on Jack, the devil gave him an ember to light his way in the dark, putting it into a hollowed out turnip for Jack to carry on his lonely, everlasting roaming’s around the Earth. People from Ireland and Scotland  would make â€Å"Jack o ‘lanterns† during this season to scare away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits wandering about. Over the next several centuries, superstitions about witches and black cats were added to the folklore and legends of Halloween. Cats were thought of as evil, especially black cats, and were killed by the thousands in Medieval times, possibly contributing to the Black Plague, due to the shortage of the rat’s natural enemy, the cat. During this time, the church created the belief that evil witches existed. Apples, which are a seasonal fruit, and the symbol of the Roman goddess Pomona, were thought at the time to retain qualities of knowledge, resurrection, and immorality. Bobbing for apples was thought to predict the future on the night of Samhain. (sow-in) Halloween eventually made its way over the Atlantic in the second half of the nineteenth century when America became flooded with new immigrants. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that ultimately became today’s â€Å"trick-or-treat† tradition. The 20th century saw an emergence of Halloween as a genuinely North American holiday and one that was becoming an advantage for shopkeepers and manufactures. Costuming became popular for Halloween parties for children and adults as well. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States. Halloween costumes are traditionally modeled after supernatural figures such as monsters, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. Over time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic prototypes such as ninjas and princesses. Haunted attractions are entertainment venues designed to thrill and scare patrons. Most attractions are seasonal Halloween businesses. Origins of these paid scare venues are difficult to pinpoint, but it is generally  accepted that they were first commonly used by the Junior Chamber International (Jaycees), who are a non-political youth service organization between the ages of 18 to 40, for fundraising. They include haunted houses, corn mazes, and hayrides, and the level of sophistication of the effects has risen as the industry has grown. Haunted attractions in the United States bring in an estimate $300-500 million each year, and draw some 400,000 customers. This maturing and growth within the industry has led to more technically-advanced special effects and costuming, comparable with that of Hollywood films. Halloween is currently the second most important party night in North America, and in terms of its retail potential, it is second to Christmas. Personally, Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year. Even as an adult, to dress up and be someone or something else for the night can be fun and exciting. To escape reality into a fantasy-like world where goblins mingle with princesses is definitely a strange site to see, but is well worth the money and time devoted to one of the spookiest nights of the year. So whether you celebrate Halloween or not, you now have an idea of how Halloween originated, how it came to include bobbing for apples and jack-o-lanterns, and how we celebrate it today with haunted houses and trick-or treating. The sources I cited for this information are from: www.cnbc.com www.halloweenhistory.org www.wikipedia.org www.history.com

Free Essays on Whats Being Done To Service

What’s Being Done with the Service? By Derek Raposa Table of Contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.2 What are Companies Providing to Ensure Employee Satisfaction?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3,4 Does Employee Training Play a Role in Customer Satisfaction?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦.4,5 What Does Southwest Provide Its Customers?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....8,9 What Does American Offer Better than Southwest? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9,10 What About the Internet?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦11,12 What’s In Store for the Future?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.12,13 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.13 How to Contact Each Airline†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦15,16 Comics†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦17 Table of Illustrations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..18 Index†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦19 Introduction Airlines have increasingly had to maintain good customer relations due to competition. What are certain companies such as Southwest and American airlines doing to ensure quality customer service on their flights? The purpose of this study is to examine how these two airline companies meet consumer needs, in order, to stay competitive. The airlines’ customer service will be evaluated on customer relation’s skills, types of complementary services, promotional incentives, and airline dependability. What are Companies Providing to Ensure Employee Satisfaction? The main idea that comes to mind when speaking to employees at southwest is there continued commitment to employee satisfa... Free Essays on Whats Being Done To Service Free Essays on Whats Being Done To Service What’s Being Done with the Service? By Derek Raposa Table of Contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.2 What are Companies Providing to Ensure Employee Satisfaction?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3,4 Does Employee Training Play a Role in Customer Satisfaction?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦.4,5 What Does Southwest Provide Its Customers?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....8,9 What Does American Offer Better than Southwest? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9,10 What About the Internet?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦11,12 What’s In Store for the Future?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.12,13 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.13 How to Contact Each Airline†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦15,16 Comics†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦17 Table of Illustrations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..18 Index†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦19 Introduction Airlines have increasingly had to maintain good customer relations due to competition. What are certain companies such as Southwest and American airlines doing to ensure quality customer service on their flights? The purpose of this study is to examine how these two airline companies meet consumer needs, in order, to stay competitive. The airlines’ customer service will be evaluated on customer relation’s skills, types of complementary services, promotional incentives, and airline dependability. What are Companies Providing to Ensure Employee Satisfaction? The main idea that comes to mind when speaking to employees at southwest is there continued commitment to employee satisfa...

11 Geographic Facts About the Gulf of Mexico

11 Geographic Facts About the Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, and the Gulf Coast of the United States on the north, which includes the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas (map). The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world at a width of 810 nautical miles (1,500 km). The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). Most of the basin consists of shallow intertidal areas, but its deepest point is called Sigsbee Deep and has an estimated depth of about 14,383 feet (4,384 m).The Gulf of Mexico itself and the regions surrounding it are highly biodiverse and feature large fishing economies. The economics of the area as well as the environment thus are sensitive to pollution.   To learn more about the Gulf of Mexico, visit the  Gulf of Mexico Program  from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Gulf of Mexico Geographic Facts Here are 11 facts about the geography of the region: 1) The Gulf of Mexico likely formed as a result of seafloor subsidence (or the gradual sinking of the seafloor) about 300 million years ago. 2) The first European exploration of the Gulf of Mexico occurred in 1497 when Amerigo Vespucci sailed along Central America and entered the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida (the strip of water between present-day Florida and Cuba). 3) Further exploration of the Gulf of Mexico continued throughout the 1500s, and after numerous shipwrecks in the region, settlers and explorers decided to establish a settlement along the northern Gulf Coast. They said this would protect shipping, and in the event of an emergency, rescue would be nearby. Thus, in 1559, Tristn de Luna y Arellano landed at Pensacola Bay and established a settlement.4) The Gulf of Mexico today is bordered by 1,680 miles (2,700 km) of U.S. coastline and is fed with water from 33 major rivers that flow out of the United States. The largest of these rivers is the Mississippi River. Along the south and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche,  and Yucatn. This region consists of about 1,394 miles (2,243 km) of coastline. The southeast is bordered by the northwest portion of Cuba, which includes the capital, Havana.5) An important feature of the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf Stream, which is a warm Atlantic current that begins in the region and flows north into the Atlantic Ocean. Because it is a warm current, sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are normally also warm, which feeds Atlantic hurricanes and helps in giving them strength. Climate change thats warming waters further is also making them larger, as in increased intensity and amount of water. Hurricanes are common along the Gulf Coast, such as Katrina in 2005, Ike in 2008, Harvey in 2016, and Michael in 2018.  6) The Gulf of Mexico features a wide continental shelf, specifically around Florida and the Yucatn Peninsula. Because this continental shelf is easily accessible, the Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil with offshore oil drilling rigs centered in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. Eighteen percent of the countrys oil comes from offshore wells in the Gulf. There are 4,000 drilling platforms there.  Natural gas is also extracted.7) Fisheries are also extremely productive in the Gulf of Mexico, and many Gulf Coast states have economies centered on fishing in the area. In the United States, the Gulf of Mexico has four of the countrys largest fishing ports, while in Mexico the region has eight of the top 20 largest. Shrimp and oysters are among the largest fish products that come from the Gulf.8) Recreation and tourism are also a significant part of the economy of the lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational fishing is popular, as are water sports and tourism along the coastal regions.9) The Gulf of Mexico is a highly biodiverse area and features many coastal wetlands and mangrove forests. The wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico cover around 5 million acres (2.02 million hectares). Seabirds, fish, and reptiles are abundant, as well as bottlenose dolphins, a large population of sperm whales, and sea turtles.10) In the United States the population of the coastal regions surrounding the Gulf of Mexico is estimated to number more than 60 million people by 2025, as states such as Texas (the second most populous state) and Florida (the third most populous state) are growing quickly. 11)  The Gulf of Mexico was the site of a large  oil spill  that occurred on April 22, 2010, when an oil drilling platform, the Deepwater Horizon, suffered an explosion and sank into the Gulf about 50 miles (80 km) from Louisiana. Eleven people died in the explosion and an estimated 5,000 barrels of oil per day leaked into the Gulf of Mexico from the 18,000-foot (5,486 m) well on the platform. Cleanup crews attempted to burn the oil off of the water, gather the oil and move it, and block it from hitting the coast. Cleanup  and fines cost BP $65 billion. SourcesFausset, Richard. (April 23, 2010). Flaming Oil Rig Sinks in Gulf of Mexico. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/23/nation/la-na-oil-rig-20100423Robertson, Campbell and Leslie Kaufman. (April 28, 2010). Size of Spill in Gulf of Mexico is Larger than Thought. New York Times. Retrieved from: nytimes.com/2010/04/29/us/29spill.htmlU.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (February 26, 2010). General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico: GMPO: US EPA. Retrieved from: epa.gov/gmpo/about/facts.html#resources.

Analyzing the American Revolution and the American Civil War Research Paper

Analyzing the American Revolution and the American Civil War - Research Paper Example Nonetheless, after the war, the new state had run its self in immense debts (Middlekauff 96) due to the loans it had taken in order to fight the war. The Revolution was extremely vital from a social point of view also. It proved to the world that the strong and powerful armed forces of England were defenceless. It signed an agreement with France and a lot of other countries. It would furthermore be the base of America's alliance with Britain. The American revolution was not only war. It was due to this war that America gained its independence. After the Civil war, America went through a lot of changes. The change which the Civil War brought has had a permanent effect on the strength of America. It has turned the country into a superpower. The Civil War greatly affected the nation. President Lincoln had claimed that he was not going to interfere with slavery however the south had no genuine right to withdraw from the Union. So black masters continued to own slaves even when the union army was preparing to invade South Carolina in 1864 (Koger 85). South Carolina was the first state to withdraw but other states soon followed, Lincoln knew that he would have to take this issue into his own hands and enacted his power as both the Commander in Chief and the Chief Executive. In Document A South Carolina felt differently about this issue. They felt that there isn't anything written in the Constitution that says that can't secede and because the people were unhappy they had the right, as a sovereign state, to secede. The southern states seceding was the first step towards the need for reconstruction. Not for the equal rights primarily, but for the unlawful slavery that was occurring.  

Dangers of Web 2.0 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dangers of Web 2.0 - Essay Example They may not explore a site that they do not agree with; very easily they can do another search and find what they are looking for. People tend to go to sites that have similar views or opinions as themselves.   By gaining information from traditional media sources they are exposed to many â€Å"different political and socioeconomic and cultural identities†.  Ã‚   Lanier also agrees with Keen that as Web 2.0 has progressed people have lost their individuality and joined more collective or community web sites Lanier does not like that â€Å"People tend to loose themselves in group think†. On this issue Keen and Lanier have similar thoughts on problems with Web 2.0.   It is important for people to listen and hear multiple sides of an issue.   A person should explore other theories or thoughts.   Many times they find similarities or they may even agree with the other side’s arguments if they listen to their thoughts behind their ideas.   An example of th is is a political campaign.   Many people in our society are Republican or Democrats because that is what their family’s political affiliation has been.   They have not taken the time to listen to the other political party’s thoughts on the issues and where they stand.   Many times when someone from the other party is giving a speech, they won’t listen to them.   More than likely a republican is not going to go to a democrat’s website to educate themselves on their side of the issue.