Gulliver essays

Gulliver essays The screen adaptation of Jonathan Swifts novel, Gullivers Travels, tells of what happened to Dr. Lemuel Gulliver, portrayed by Ted Danson, nine years after he set sail from England and returns home bedraggled and disoriented. His faithful wife, portrayed by Mary Steenburgen, is delighted to see him, but also troubled, for in Gulliver's absence the conniving Dr. Bates, portrayed by James Fox, has taken over Gulliver's home and practice and is also trying to force Gulliver's wife to marry him. During his recovery, Gulliver raves and acts out his fantastic adventures at sea wherein he encountered the diminutive but contentious Lilliputians, the gigantic Brobdingnag's and their egalitarian society, the Laputas, who live upon a flying island, and the Houyhnhnm land, intelligent talking horses living in a land populated by wild humans called yahoos. Scenes of his adventures are deftly interspersed with Gulliver's present predicament in which Dr. Bates, wanting Lemuel's wife and son, has pl aced the traveler in Bethlehem, London's famous insane asylum where he awaits a hearing to determine his sanity. During this trial, the doctors judging him believe him to be insane and question his stories as he states that a race of horses was superior over that of mans. Only when Gulliver's young son, Tom, shows up with proof of the existence of Lilliput do they believe him and Gulliver is then released. At first I was a little confused at the way the movie was unfolding because the scenes were shifting to the shipwreck of Gullivers boat and his voyage to Lilliput to that of his familys discovery of his return home in the stables. I then realized that the story was a flashback as Lemuel recounts his story to his son, his wife and the doctors holding him in the insane asylum. I was also a little confused with the storyline itself since I know that in the novel, Gulliver returns home after each voyage to these unknown lands...

The Smartest Job Search Strategies for Any Job Search

The Smartest Job Search Strategies for Any Job Search You may think the best way to get a job is to search online, update your resume, and blitz it out in response to as many postings as you can find. But you’d be wrong. As it turns out, about 80% of jobs are not posted online. So no matter how many applications you send out, you’re still only working with about 20% of what’s out there. There are also a number of common myths and misconceptions that can derail even the most tenacious of job seekers. Debunking these can do a world of difference. Here’s two things to remember:You don’t need a great deal of experience (or sometimes even any) to get your dream job.You don’t have to settle until you get that job.So where does that leave you and your job search?You must always be prepared with a pitchThe best thing for job seekers to do- and this won’t come as much of a surprise- is network. Network, network, network. That means first and foremost, coming up with a convincing and charming eleva tor pitch. An answer to the ubiquitous question: â€Å"So tell me about you.† You’ll need to craft this perfectly to show your goals, experience, selling points, and just how perfect you are to match a potential employer’s needs. Then you’ll need to rehearse it until it comes out of your mouth as naturally as an exhale.Be sure to include a goal statement at the end. â€Å"I’m †¦. and interested in †¦. and currently hoping to transition into †¦ ideally in the X industry.† Stating your job search need as a goal ensures that you’re never outright asking anyone for favors; you’re simply stating who you are and what you’re looking for, which won’t annoy or offend any potential contacts.The shorter and simpler, the better–just be smartWhen you’re working on your resume, be sure to err on the side of brevity. DO include bullet points to maximize easy reading, but don’t include too many - and make sure the ones you do include are each doing something for you. Make them as results-driven as possible, rather than heavy on the job description. Lead with your best bullet.Once you get an interview, be sure to be as well prepared as you were for networking. Though, there, the big question is â€Å"Tell us a little about your biggest weakness.† You may have been told that the best strategy here is to claim that you’re an incurable perfectionist. The internet, more often than not, will counsel you in this direction. But the Internet is wrong. You’ll just sound insincere. The better strategy is to choose something you’ve actually been working to improve. Explain how it was a challenge to you in the past, and what you’ve been doing, actively, to turn it into a strength instead. Give an example of your progress just to prove you’re not full of baloney.It’s okay to make demandsOnce you get an offer, be sure not to roll over and accept the salary without question. It is okay and expected to negotiate. A few tips:Don’t be the first person to suggest a number. The person who speaks first in this arena alwaysIf they ask you to give a number first, deflect. Say that you’re negotiable, but you’d like to hear their range to see whether it fits for you.Do research before going into negotiations. Figure out what is standard at that company and in that position within the industry. And don’t ask for a number extremely outside of that range.Tell them instead that you’re being considered in the range of the top third of that bracket, but ensure that you’re negotiable.If you let go of some of the most common misapprehensions and job search myths, you should have a much better, clear-eyed approach that will likely start to get you the results you need.

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Case study - Essay Example The network initiative implemented in Danone forced some of the local managers to behave like dictators. It was difficult for the employees to share the knowledge over the network without seeking the consent of the managers. Mougin deliberately allowed the local managers to take more power in order to have products that differed from market to market, to stay close to consumers. He calculated that decentralization would help Canone to compete more effectively in the market. In short, Mougin found no harm in giving more autonomy to the local managers. However the frontline managers were confused by the above strategy. â€Å"They lacked clear directions from headquarters and often didn’t know whom to turn to for advice. And, there was little horizontal communication among the large divisions† (Edmondson et al, 2008, p.6). Front line managers became less powerful or jobless because of the decentralization strategies of Mougin. On the other hand the local managers acquired more power in the absence of any centralized control. Danone has no centralized database for recoding or saving the knowledge of its employees. The network initiative helped the company only in exchanging the ideas of the workers; however the company has not taken any serious effort to save that knowledge for the future references. Moreover, the Company failed miserably in segregating between the knowledge and information. Some of the information exchanged through the network was mere information whereas some others were knowledge. Knowledge needed to be protected for future references even though some of the information can be neglected. In short, Danone has to enforce more centralized control both in their organizational functioning and in the knowledge management. Local managers should work under the frontline managers and they should perform everything after taking the permission from the front line mangers. If the company likes to continue with the strategy of giving autonomy t o their local mangers, then it is better for the company to use the frontline mangers in other areas of its functioning. Knowledge exchanged through the network should be saved for future reference. My assessment of the Networking Attitude initiative The Networking Attitude initiative was a way to share knowledge across groups in the geographically dispersed Danone Company (Edmondson et al, 2008, p.1). The networking attitude initiative was a well thought out strategy in my opinion. Danone has business units in more than 120 countries and it is necessary for the company to exchange the newly developed knowledge across its business networks. Business concepts, philosophies and climates are changing rapidly because of the knowledge explosion and it is essential for Danone to update the knowledge of its diverse workforce periodically. Danone has allowed its employees to share their knowledge between them rather than waiting for the instructions of the superiors. In other words, sharing of the knowledge between the employees helped Danone workforce to function more efficiently and that also at the right time. The consequences of the time delay in obtaining the instructions from the superiors in a rapidly paced business environment were thus avoided in Danone Company. â€Å"From 2004 to 2007, Danone employees shared almost 640 good practices with colleagues† (Edmondson et al,

The Amish Community Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Amish Community - Essay Example Significant populations of Amish reside in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and northern Indiana. However, the largest settlement is in the Holmes County, Ohio. Other Amish populations also live in Ontario, Canada and other American mid-western and eastern states. The Amish region of Lancaster, Pennsylvania is famous for two reasons. The movie ‘Witness’ was filmed there. The other reason for its fame is the region’s attraction for the tourists. (The Amish Lifestyle, not dated) Â  Most of the Amish are farmers by profession. However, many also pursue other professions like carpentry, cabinet making, or harness making. Some also chose to be blacksmiths and buggy makers. It is important to note how all of these occupations are geared toward preserving the Amish teachings and lifestyle. Because of the scarce land resources and high costs associated with the farming land, many members of the younger Amish lot are now working in the restaurants and factories closer to their homes. Some also work in the general stores from where they acquire essential commodities that they do not produce themselves. (The Amish Lifestyle, not dated) Â  The Amish way of living has close resemblance with the English ancestors’ lifestyle a century ago. Their houses and farms are different because no telephone or electricity lines are connected. Typically, the structure is comfortable too and there are a lot of rooms to accommodate the typically large Amish families. A lot of the conveniences used by Amish are the ones that were used in American houses of the 19th century or even before that. The heat is acquired from coal-fueled or wood stoves. Wood, propane, and kerosene are used to power the cooking stoves. Light is provided by the clear gas or kerosene lamps. (The Amish Lifestyle, not dated) Â  

Asynchronous and Synchronous Essay Example for Free

Asynchronous and Synchronous Essay A bit is a singular digit represented by a binary number. A character is represented in computing terms but a code called ASCII There are 7 bits to an ASCII number With parity bit added there are 8 bits, parity is added to aid in error detection. 8 bits is equal to a byte. 1 1 0 This diagram represents an 8 bit binary number (1byte). The step represents a 1 and the flat part represents nothing. This number would then look like this, 100000001. In ASCII this represents the character A. Packet Structure Instead of sending singular characters it is possible to send many in one go, this is called a packet. For example we use the ASCII code to represent a sentence and this may take up to 50 characters. When sent in the form of a packet we must split the packet up, this is done by using control characters. The control characters are; SYN = Synchronise STX = Start of text ETX = End of text Above is an example of a packet structure used with Asynchronous sending. Bit and Baud Rate When the term bit rate is used, it means the amount of bits per second that are sent. A single character is to be sent for example, the character is ASCII code is made of 7 digits and a parity bit and this is called the useful data. The standard speed for transmission sending is 8bits a second. This number or ASCII code that is sent will not only comprise of the 7 bit and parity, it contains a start bit and an end bit to represent where the character starts and stops. The bit rate is then combined to include these two extra bits and this is called the baud rate, this would then be 10 bits a second (8+2). Start bit Stop bit Parity bit Asynchronous and Synchronous Asynchronous communications do not depend on the synchronisation of a transmitter or a clock. It can be said that they are never independent. When sending individual characters there is no need for synchronisation at all. Asynchronous has a very simple interface and the data rate is normally at 64kbps. It can be used for connecting Printer, Terminal, Modem and home connections to the internet. Asynchronous protocol was one of the first around and was popular with the early invention of the tele typewriters. It requires the use of start and stop bits as previously said and this provides byte timing and overhead. No clocks are needed and a parity bit is also sent to help with error detection. Asynchronous transmission will send single bits of data at a time. There is a standard for this form and it is called RSC323C. Asynchronous represents negative voltage as 1 and positive voltage as 0. Information is sent in a packet with the start and stop bit plus parity for error detection. This method of transmission is suitable for low speed. This is because for every character that is sent a further 2 bits (start and stop) must be added. For example, 1000 characters are to be sent, there are 8 bits per character plus a start and stop for each thats a total of 10000 bits. This is very in efficient. Its packet structure is known as a packet frame. Asynchronous Transmission Start bit Stop bit Parity bit The synchronous transmission form occurs when bits are sent in the packet form. This form of data sending is normally sent through bigger Networks. To calculate the efficiency you must divide the bit rate by the baud rate and then multiply by 100. Synchronous communication is far more efficient than its counterpart. To start, there is no need for a start and a stop bit. This time however the data is grouped, and then sent with characters and the start and the end of the packet. This can be seen above with the syn x 3 which stands for synchronisation idol, stx for start of etx and etx for end of text. Synchronous can achieve much higher speeds than asynchronous and is preferably used within large network structures. It would be therefore worth bearing in mind that if large amounts of data were to be sent then the synchronous form would be far better. Less overhead means greater efficiency and asynchronous just cannot match this. However asynchronous does have its benefits and would be deemed worthy of smaller data packets. Its the lack of timing information sent with the data which restricts it so greatly. Synchronous Transmission Packet of data Effect Of Bandwidth Limitation And Noise Bandwidth is the sum amount of data being sent to a recipient in a given time through a form of communicational media. This sum is normally represented on bit per second. Bandwidth also has an alternative meaning and can represent the differing frequency ranges. All media types have their own forms of bandwidth limitation; this means we cannot transmit the same things on the differing types of media at the same speeds. If sending something with 10bits it will be sent at 10bits a second. This should apply for the bandwidth also (10 bits a second) however; it can be affected by something that is known as cross talk. This is interference on the line, also known as noise. Noise can occur in many forms and this will always affect speed. The only method of transmitting data without any electrical noise affecting it is by using a fibre optic cable. Fibre optic cables uses the use of light and mirrors, this is why it can not be affected. However it is also very expensive.

Ballad of Birmingham by Dudley Randall Essay -- Analysis Ballad Birmin

Ballad of Birmingham by Dudley Randall In 'Ballad of Birmingham,' Dudley Randall illustrates a conflict between a child who wishes to march for civil rights and a mother who wishes only to protect her child. Much of this poem is read as dialogue between a mother and a child, a style which gives it an intimate tone and provides insight to the feelings of the characters. Throughout the poem the child is eager to go into Birmingham and march for freedom with the people there. The mother, on the other hand, is very adamant that the child should not go because it is dangerous. It is obvious that the child is concerned about the events surrounding the march and wants to be part of the movement. The child expresses these feelings in a way the appears mature and cognizant of the surrounding world, expressing a desire to support the civil rights movement rather than to ?go out and play.? The desire to no longer be seen as a child and have her voice heard by those being marched against and by her mother (who can also be seen as an oppressive form of authority in this poem) is expressed by the first few lines. The opinion of the child is much like that of all young people who want to fight for their freedom. The mother, however, refuses to acknowledge the child as anything but a child is a major conflict in this poem. Because she refers to her as ?child? and calls her ?baby,? it is clear that the mother does not take the child?s pleas seriously. The mother is certain that she kn...

Dual and Multiple Relationships and Boundaries

Case study 14 is an illustration of a clinical situation that has a potential harm in terms of loss of objectivity and conflict of interest. Teresa being a professional counselor is entangled in a multiple relationship with her client. The ethical concern is on maintaining the boundaries. The potentiality of Teresa crossing them is high and precautions have to be taken. According to Herlihy and Corey,( 2006), boundaries get crossed if there is divergence from acceptable practices thus putting the client at a risk of harm. Another ethical concern is on whether Teresa will adhere to the code of ethics as expected of a professional counselor without compromising to some temptations.   Another concern is on how effective Teresa will be as a counselor in the way she handles Chris’ problem because the potentiality of her being influenced by the fact that Chris’ mother is her best friend, is high. Barbara Herlihy and Gerald Corey, (as cited from Knapp and Verdecreak, 2003) state that a sexual dual relationship is an absolutely harmful situation that should be avoided by all means because the repercussions severely affect individuals negatively. However the situation in the case of Theresa and Evelyn’s son, Chris has a low potentiality of harm especially if Teresa takes some important pre-cautions. Compared to sexual-dual relationship, counselors are also harmed or get stressed because circumstances force them to play different roles simultaneously and juggling between them can be very difficult. Gerald, Marianne and Patrick ( as cited from Lazarus and Zur, 2002) state that some multiple relationships are not harmful and are unavoidable. This can be explained by the fact that none of the codes of ethics deem non-sexual relationships unethical. This situation has a possibility of having a negative impact for instance impairment of judgment by the counselor because of the aspect of friendship between Theresa and her clients mother, alongside this is the possibility of Chris not being open enough to talk about everything that bugs him for fear of disclosure to the mother by his counselor. He may want to hide some information to protect him from the Teresa who is the mother’s friend. Efficacy in this case is questionable in the end, resulting in the client not getting the help he needs. My recommendation for Teresa would be to find another independent colleague to do the counseling. One who does not have   affiliations of any kind to both Chris and the mother. I would advice her to strongly advise Evelyn that the potential harm or risk is more intense than the hustle that comes with the 3km that she would have to do when   driving Chris to another counselor. This case can be ethically resolved by the following steps; a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Teresa has to weigh the potential harm that exists if she takes on the counseling. b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Upon commencement of the counseling session, Teresa should call upon her supervisor or colleague at work to supervise how she handles the counseling. c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another consideration is that Teresa should explain about the risks to both Chris and his mother so as not to lose her friendship to Evelyn and to make it clear why she cannot counsel Chris. She should ask herself whether According to (Gottlieb and Younggren) as mentioned by Gerald, Marianne and Patrick, Teresa should establish the necessity of entering into a professional relationship since the friendship relationship still exists. Secondly, she should find out any potentiality of harm to the client in the event that she enters into a multiple relationship i.e. both the friendly one and the professional one. Teresa should determine whether the dual relationship is going to add value to the situation and if it will influence the manner in which she will analyze the problem. Thirdly she is obliged to let the parties at stake know the risks that come with multiple relationships and let the client to have a participatory role in the decisions made. Having done all these and there being no risk of harm Teresa should put every thing in writing showing consent by the client where the latter even appends his signature. Finally the counselor should consult with her colleagues who support the decision. In circumstances where a non professional relationship is unavailable the counselor should make sure that he does not cross boundaries or rather he just holds on to practices that are beneficial to the client. He should let the clients know about the pros and cons of dual or multiple relationships and should be prepared to face arising conflicts and discuss about the same with clients. The counselor should be alert incase he finds out that he might give an impaired professional judgment or foresees   harm, in which case he should reach out to other professionals for advice on how to handle any problematic situation. Dual relationships need to be documented. The last option would be to recommend counseling services from another professional. Herlihy and Gerald, citing St. Germaine (1993), suggest the above procedures to protect the client from the harm. As I disseminate my duties I will always make sure that I avoid dealing with clients with whom I have existing relations like friends, relatives and business associates. In line with this I would strictly maintain boundaries by refusing to receive gifts from clients, or exchanging goods and services for the services I render (Gabbord, 1994, 1995, 1996; Gutheil and Gabbard; 1993). Finally, I would always refer to the code of ethics and see to it that I don’t breach any of them. I would always keep it professional through documentation and filing of proceedings for further reference. References: Barbara, H., & Gerald, C. (Eds.). ACA – Ethical Standards Casebook: (6th Edition). Gerald, C., Marianne, S, C. & Patrick, C. (Eds.). ISSUES AND ETHICS IN HELPING PROFESSIONS: (7th Edition.)

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 38-41

CHAPTER 38 Sophie scrutinized Langdon in the back of the taxi. He's joking. â€Å"The Holy Grail?† Langdon nodded, his expression serious. â€Å"Holy Grail is the literal meaning of Sangreal. The phrase derives from the French Sangraal, which evolved to Sangreal, and was eventually split into two words, San Greal.† Holy Grail.Sophie was surprised she had not spotted the linguistic ties immediately. Even so, Langdon's claim still made no sense to her. â€Å"I thought the Holy Grail was a cup.You just told me the Sangreal is a collection of documents that reveals some dark secret.† â€Å"Yes, but the Sangreal documents are only half of the Holy Grail treasure. They are buried with the Grail itself†¦ and reveal its true meaning. The documents gave the Knights Templar so much power because the pages revealed the true nature of the Grail.† The true nature of the Grail? Sophie felt even more lost now. The Holy Grail, she had thought, was the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper and with which Joseph of Arimathea later caught His blood at the crucifixion. â€Å"The Holy Grail is the Cup of Christ,† she said. â€Å"How much simpler could it be?† â€Å"Sophie,† Langdon whispered, leaning toward her now,† according to the Priory of Sion, the Holy Grail is not a cup at all. They claim the Grail legend – that of a chalice – is actually an ingeniously conceived allegory. That is, that the Grail story uses the chalice as a metaphor for something else, something far more powerful.† He paused. â€Å"Something that fits perfectly with everything your grandfather has been trying to tell us tonight, including all his symbologic references to the sacred feminine.† Still unsure, Sophie sensed in Langdon's patient smile that he empathized with her confusion, and yet his eyes remained earnest. â€Å"But if the Holy Grail is not a cup,† she asked,† what is it?† Langdon had known this question was coming, and yet he still felt uncertain exactly how to tell her. If he did not present the answer in the proper historical background, Sophie would be left with a vacant air of bewilderment – the exact expression Langdon had seen on his own editor's face a few months ago after Langdon handed him a draft of the manuscript he was working on. â€Å"This manuscript claims what?† his editor had choked, setting down his wineglass and staring across his half-eaten power lunch. â€Å"You can't be serious.† â€Å"Serious enough to have spent a year researching it.† Prominent New York editor Jonas Faukman tugged nervously at his goatee. Faukman no doubt had heard some wild book ideas in his illustrious career, but this one seemed to have left the man flabbergasted. â€Å"Robert,† Faukman finally said,† don't get me wrong. I love your work, and we've had a great run together. But if I agree to publish an idea like this, I'll have people picketing outside my office for months. Besides, it will kill your reputation. You're a Harvard historian, for God's sake, not a pop schlockmeister looking for a quick buck. Where could you possibly find enough credible evidence to support a theory like this?† With a quiet smile Langdon pulled a piece of paper from the pocket of his tweed coat and handed it to Faukman. The page listed a bibliography of over fifty titles – books by well-known historians, some contemporary, some centuries old – many of them academic bestsellers. All the book titles suggested the same premise Langdon had just proposed. As Faukman read down the list, he looked like a man who had just discovered the earth was actually flat. â€Å"I know some of these authors. They're†¦ real historians!† Langdon grinned. â€Å"As you can see, Jonas, this is not only my theory. It's been around for a long time. I'm simply building on it. No book has yet explored the legend of the Holy Grail from a symbologic angle. The iconographic evidence I'm finding to support the theory is, well, staggeringly persuasive.† Faukman was still staring at the list. â€Å"My God, one of these books was written by Sir Leigh Teabing – a British Royal Historian.† â€Å"Teabing has spent much of his life studying the Holy Grail. I've met with him. He was actually a big part of my inspiration. He's a believer, Jonas, along with all of the others on that list.† â€Å"You're telling me all of these historians actually believe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Faukman swallowed, apparently unable to say the words. Langdon grinned again. â€Å"The Holy Grail is arguably the most sought-after treasure in human history. The Grail has spawned legends, wars, and lifelong quests. Does it make sense that it is merely a cup? If so, then certainly other relics should generate similar or greater interest – the Crown of Thorns, the True Cross of the Crucifixion, the Titulus – and yet, they do not. Throughout history, the Holy Grail has been the most special.† Langdon grinned. â€Å"Now you know why.† Faukman was still shaking his head. â€Å"But with all these books written about it, why isn't this theory more widely known?† â€Å"These books can't possibly compete with centuries of established history, especially when that history is endorsed by the ultimate bestseller of all time.† Faukman's eyes went wide. â€Å"Don't tell me Harry Potter is actually about the Holy Grail.† â€Å"I was referring to the Bible.† Faukman cringed. â€Å"I knew that.† â€Å"Laissez-le!† Sophie's shouts cut the air inside the taxi. â€Å"Put it down!† Langdon jumped as Sophie leaned forward over the seat and yelled at the taxi driver. Langdon could see the driver was clutching his radio mouthpiece and speaking into it. Sophie turned now and plunged her hand into the pocket of Langdon's tweed jacket. Before Langdon knew what had happened, she had yanked out the pistol, swung it around, and was pressing it to the back of the driver's head. The driver instantly dropped his radio, raising his one free hand overhead. â€Å"Sophie!† Langdon choked. â€Å"What the hell – â€Å" â€Å"Arretez!† Sophie commanded the driver. Trembling, the driver obeyed, stopping the car and putting it in park. It was then that Langdon heard the metallic voice of the taxi company's dispatcher coming from the dashboard. â€Å"†¦ qui s'appette Agent Sophie Neveu†¦Ã¢â‚¬  the radio crackled. â€Å"Et un Americain, Robert Langdon†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Langdon's muscles turned rigid. They found us already?†Descendez,†Sophie demanded. The trembling driver kept his arms over his head as he got out of his taxi and took several steps backward. Sophie had rolled down her window and now aimed the gun outside at the bewildered cabbie. â€Å"Robert,† she said quietly, â€Å"take the wheel. You're driving.† Langdon was not about to argue with a woman wielding a gun. He climbed out of the car and jumped back in behind the wheel. The driver was yelling curses, his arms still raised over his head. â€Å"Robert,† Sophie said from the back seat,† I trust you've seen enough of our magic forest?† He nodded. Plenty. â€Å"Good. Drive us out of here.† Langdon looked down at the car's controls and hesitated. Shit.He groped for the stick shift and clutch. â€Å"Sophie? Maybe you – â€Å" â€Å"Go!† she yelled. Outside, several hookers were walking over to see what was going on. One woman was placing a call on her cell phone. Langdon depressed the clutch and jostled the stick into what he hoped was first gear. He touched the accelerator, testing the gas. Langdon popped the clutch. The tires howled as the taxi leapt forward, fishtailing wildly and sending the gathering crowd diving for cover. The woman with the cell phone leapt into the woods, only narrowly avoiding being run down. â€Å"Doucement!† Sophie said, as the car lurched down the road. â€Å"What are you doing?† â€Å"I tried to warn you,† he shouted over the sound of gnashing gears. â€Å"I drive an automatic!† CHAPTER 39 Although the spartan room in the brownstone on Rue La Bruyere had witnessed a lot of suffering, Silas doubted anything could match the anguish now gripping his pale body. I was deceived.Everything is lost. Silas had been tricked. The brothers had lied, choosing death instead of revealing their true secret. Silas did not have the strength to call the Teacher. Not only had Silas killed the only four people who knew where the keystone was hidden, he had killed a nun inside Saint-Sulpice. She was working against God! She scorned the work of Opus Dei! A crime of impulse, the woman's death complicated matters greatly. Bishop Aringarosa had placed the phone call that got Silas into Saint-Sulpice; what would the abbe think when he discovered the nun was dead? Although Silas had placed her back in her bed, the wound on her head was obvious. Silas had attempted to replace the broken tiles in the floor, but that damage too was obvious. They would know someone had been there. Silas had planned to hide within Opus Dei when his task here was complete. Bishop Aringarosawill protect me.Silas could imagine no more blissful existence than a life of meditation and prayer deep within the walls of Opus Dei's headquarters in New York City. He would never again set foot outside. Everything he needed was within that sanctuary. Nobody will miss me.Unfortunately, Silas knew, a prominent man like Bishop Aringarosa could not disappear so easily. I have endangered the bishop.Silas gazed blankly at the floor and pondered taking his own life. After all, it had been Aringarosa who gave Silas life in the first place†¦ in that small rectory in Spain, educating him, giving him purpose. â€Å"My friend,† Aringarosa had told him,† you were born an albino. Do not let others shame you for this. Do you not understand how special this makes you? Were you not aware that Noah himself was an albino?† â€Å"Noah of the Ark?† Silas had never heard this. Aringarosa was smiling. â€Å"Indeed, Noah of the Ark. An albino. Like you, he had skin white like an angel. Consider this. Noah saved all of life on the planet. You are destined for great things, Silas. The Lord has freed you for a reason. You have your calling. The Lord needs your help to do His work.† Over time, Silas learned to see himself in a new light. I am pure.White.Beautiful.Like an angel. At the moment, though, in his room at the residence hall, it was his father's disappointed voice that whispered to him from the past. Tu es un desastre. Un spectre. Kneeling on the wooden floor, Silas prayed for forgiveness. Then, stripping off his robe, he reached again for the Discipline. CHAPTER 40 Struggling with the gear shift, Langdon managed to maneuver the hijacked taxi to the far side of the Bois de Boulogne while stalling only twice. Unfortunately, the inherent humor in the situation was overshadowed by the taxi dispatcher repeatedly hailing their cab over the radio. â€Å"Voiture cinq-six-trois. Ou etes-vous? Repondez!† When Langdon reached the exit of the park, he swallowed his machismo and jammed on the brakes. â€Å"You'd better drive.† Sophie looked relieved as she jumped behind the wheel. Within seconds she had the car humming smoothly westward along Allee de Longchamp, leaving the Garden of Earthly Delights behind. â€Å"Which way is Rue Haxo?† Langdon asked, watching Sophie edge the speedometer over a hundred kilometers an hour. Sophie's eyes remained focused on the road. â€Å"The cab driver said it's adjacent to the Roland Garros tennis stadium. I know that area.† Langdon pulled the heavy key from his pocket again, feeling the weight in his palm. He sensed it was an object of enormous consequence. Quite possibly the key to his own freedom. Earlier, while telling Sophie about the Knights Templar, Langdon had realized that this key, in addition to having the Priory seal embossed on it, possessed a more subtle tie to the Priory of Sion. The equal-armed cruciform was symbolic of balance and harmony but also of the Knights Templar. Everyone had seen the paintings of Knights Templar wearing white tunics emblazoned with red equal-armed crosses. Granted, the arms of the Templar cross were slightly flared at the ends, but they were still of equal length. A square cross. Just like the one on this key. Langdon felt his imagination starting to run wild as he fantasized about what they might find. The Holy Grail.He almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of it. The Grail was believed to be somewhere in England, buried in a hidden chamber beneath one of the many Templar churches, where it had been hidden since at least 1500. The era of Grand Master Da Vinci. The Priory, in order to keep their powerful documents safe, had been forced to move them many times in the early centuries. Historians now suspected as many as six different Grail relocations since its arrival in Europe from Jerusalem. The last Grail† sighting† had been in 1447 when numerous eyewitnesses described a fire that had broken out and almost engulfed the documents before they were carried to safety in four huge chests that each required six men to carry. After that, nobody claimed to see the Grail ever again. All that remained were occasional whisperings that it was hidden in Great Britain, the land of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Wherever it was, two important facts remained: Leonardo knew where the Grail resided during his lifetime.That hiding place had probably not changed to this day. For this reason, Grail enthusiasts still pored over Da Vinci's art and diaries in hopes of unearthing a hidden clue as to the Grail's current location. Some claimed the mountainous backdrop in Madonnaof the Rocks matched the topography of a series of cave-ridden hills in Scotland. Others insisted that the suspicious placement of disciples in The Last Supper was some kind of code. Still others claimed that X rays of the Mona Lisa revealed she originally had been painted wearing a lapis lazuli pendant of Isis – a detail Da Vinci purportedly later decided to paint over. Langdon had never seen any evidence of the pendant, nor could he imagine how it could possibly reveal the Holy Grail, and yet Grail aficionados still discussed it ad nauseum on Internet bulletin boards and worldwide-web chat rooms. Everyone loves a conspiracy. And the conspiracies kept coming. Most recently, of course, had been the earthshaking discovery that Da Vinci's famed Adoration of the Magi was hiding a dark secret beneath its layers of paint. Italian art diagnostician Maurizio Seracini had unveiled the unsettling truth, which the New York Times Magazine carried prominently in a story titled† The Leonardo Cover-Up.† Seracini had revealed beyond any doubt that while the Adoration's gray-green sketched underdrawing was indeed Da Vinci's work, the painting itself was not. The truth was that some anonymous painter had filled in Da Vinci's sketch like a paint-by-numbers years after Da Vinci's death. Far more troubling, however, was what lay beneath the impostor's paint. Photographs taken with infrared reflectography and X ray suggested that this rogue painter, while filling in Da Vinci's sketched study, had made suspicious departures from the underdrawing†¦ as if to subvert Da Vinci's true intention. Whatever the true nature of the underdrawing, it had yet to be made public. Even so, embarrassed officials at Florence's Uffizi Gallery immediately banished the painting to a warehouse across the street. Visitors at the gallery's Leonardo Room now found a misleading and unapologetic plaque where the Adoration once hung. THIS WORK IS UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN PREPARATION FOR RESTORATION. In the bizarre underworld of modern Grail seekers, Leonardo Da Vinci remained the quest's great enigma. His artwork seemed bursting to tell a secret, and yet whatever it was remained hidden, perhaps beneath a layer of paint, perhaps enciphered in plain view, or perhaps nowhere at all. Maybe Da Vinci's plethora of tantalizing clues was nothing but an empty promise left behind to frustrate the curious and bring a smirk to the face of his knowing Mona Lisa. â€Å"Is it possible,† Sophie asked, drawing Langdon back,† that the key you're holding unlocks the hiding place of the Holy Grail?† Langdon's laugh sounded forced, even to him. â€Å"I really can't imagine. Besides, the Grail is believed to be hidden in the United Kingdom somewhere, not France.† He gave her the quick history. â€Å"But the Grail seems the only rational conclusion,† she insisted. â€Å"We have an extremely secure key, stamped with the Priory of Sion seal, delivered to us by a member of the Priory of Sion – a brotherhood which, you just told me, are guardians of the Holy Grail.† Langdon knew her contention was logical, and yet intuitively he could not possibly accept it. Rumors existed that the Priory had vowed someday to bring the Grail back to France to a final resting place, but certainly no historical evidence existed to suggest that this indeed had happened. Even if the Priory had managed to bring the Grail back to France, the address 24 Rue Haxo near a tennis stadium hardly sounded like a noble final resting place. â€Å"Sophie, I really don't see how this key could have anything to do with the Grail.† â€Å"Because the Grail is supposed to be in England?† â€Å"Not only that. The location of the Holy Grail is one of the best kept secrets in history. Priory members wait decades proving themselves trustworthy before being elevated to the highest echelons of the fraternity and learning where the Grail is. That secret is protected by an intricate system of compartmentalized knowledge, and although the Priory brotherhood is very large, only four members at any given time know where the Grail is hidden – the Grand Master and his three senechaux.The probability of your grandfather being one of those four top people is very slim.† My grandfather was one of them, Sophie thought, pressing down on the accelerator. She had an image stamped in her memory that confirmed her grandfather's status within the brotherhood beyond any doubt. â€Å"And even if your grandfather were in the upper echelon, he would never be allowed to reveal anything to anyone outside the brotherhood. It is inconceivable that he would bring you into the inner circle.† I've already been there, Sophie thought, picturing the ritual in the basement. She wondered if this were the moment to tell Langdon what she had witnessed that night in the Normandy chateau. For ten years now, simple shame had kept her from telling a soul. Just thinking about it, she shuddered. Sirens howled somewhere in the distance, and she felt a thickening shroud of fatigue settling over her. â€Å"There!† Langdon said, feeling excited to see the huge complex of the Roland Garros tennis stadium looming ahead. Sophie snaked her way toward the stadium. After several passes, they located the intersection of Rue Haxo and turned onto it, driving in the direction of the lower numbers. The road became more industrial, lined with businesses. We need number twenty-four, Langdon told himself, realizing he was secretly scanning the horizon for the spires of a church. Don't be ridiculous.A forgotten Templar church in this neighborhood? â€Å"There it is,† Sophie exclaimed, pointing. Langdon's eyes followed to the structure ahead. What in the world?The building was modern. A squat citadel with a giant, neon equal-armed cross emblazoned a top its facade. Beneath the cross were the words: DEPOSITORY BANK OF ZURICH Langdon was thankful not to have shared his Templar church hopes with Sophie. A career hazard of symbologists was a tendency to extract hidden meaning from situations that had none. In this case, Langdon had entirely forgotten that the peaceful, equal-armed cross had been adopted as the perfect symbol for the flag of neutral Switzerland. At least the mystery was solved. Sophie and Langdon were holding the key to a Swiss bank deposit box. CHAPTER 41 Outside Castel Gandolfo, an updraft of mountain air gushed over the top of the cliff and across the high bluff, sending a chill through Bishop Aringarosa as he stepped from the Fiat. I should haveworn more than this cassock, he thought, fighting the reflex to shiver. The last thing he needed to appear tonight was weak or fearful. The castle was dark save the windows at the very top of the building, which glowed ominously. The library, Aringarosa thought. They are awake and waiting.He ducked his head against the wind and continued on without so much as a glance toward the observatory domes. The priest who greeted him at the door looked sleepy. He was the same priest who had greeted Aringarosa five months ago, albeit tonight he did so with much less hospitality. â€Å"We were worried about you, Bishop,† the priest said, checking his watch and looking more perturbed than worried. â€Å"My apologies. Airlines are so unreliable these days.† The priest mumbled something inaudible and then said,† They are waiting upstairs. I will escort you up.† The library was a vast square room with dark wood from floor to ceiling. On all sides, towering bookcases burgeoned with volumes. The floor was amber marble with black basalt trim, a handsome reminder that this building had once been a palace. â€Å"Welcome, Bishop,† a man's voice said from across the room. Aringarosa tried to see who had spoken, but the lights were ridiculously low – much lower than they had been on his first visit, when everything was ablaze. The night of stark awakening. Tonight, these men sat in the shadows, as if they were somehow ashamed of what was about to transpire. Aringarosa entered slowly, regally even. He could see the shapes of three men at a long table on the far side of the room. The silhouette of the man in the middle was immediately recognizable – the obese Secretariat Vaticana, overlord of all legal matters within Vatican City. The other two were high-ranking Italian cardinals. Aringarosa crossed the library toward them. â€Å"My humble apologies for the hour. We're on different time zones. You must be tired.† â€Å"Not at all,† the secretariat said, his hands folded on his enormous belly. â€Å"We are grateful you have come so far. The least we can do is be awake to meet you. Can we offer you some coffee or refreshments?† â€Å"I'd prefer we don't pretend this is a social visit. I have another plane to catch. Shall we get to business?† â€Å"Of course,† the secretariat said. â€Å"You have acted more quickly than we imagined.† â€Å"Have I?† â€Å"You still have a month.† â€Å"You made your concerns known five months ago,† Aringarosa said. â€Å"Why should I wait?† â€Å"Indeed. We are very pleased with your expediency.† Aringarosa's eyes traveled the length of the long table to a large black briefcase. â€Å"Is that what I requested?† â€Å"It is.† The secretariat sounded uneasy. â€Å"Although, I must admit, we are concerned with the request. It seems quite†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Dangerous,† one of the cardinals finished. â€Å"Are you certain we cannot wire it to you somewhere? The sum is exorbitant.† Freedom is expensive. â€Å"I have no concerns for my own safety. God is with me.† The men actually looked doubtful.† The funds are exactly as I requested?† The secretariat nodded. â€Å"Large-denomination bearer bonds drawn on the Vatican Bank. Negotiable as cash anywhere in the world.† Aringarosa walked to the end of the table and opened the briefcase. Inside were two thick stacks of bonds, each embossed with the Vatican seal and the title PORTATORE, making the bonds redeemable to whoever was holding them. The secretariat looked tense. â€Å"I must say, Bishop, all of us would feel less apprehensive if these funds were in cash.† I could not lift that much cash, Aringarosa thought, closing the case. â€Å"Bonds are negotiable as cash. You said so yourself.† The cardinals exchanged uneasy looks, and finally one said,† Yes, but these bonds are traceable directly to the Vatican Bank.† Aringarosa smiled inwardly. That was precisely the reason the Teacher suggested Aringarosa get the money in Vatican Bank bonds. It served as insurance. We are all in this together now. â€Å"This is a perfectly legal transaction,† Aringarosa defended. â€Å"Opus Dei is a personal prelature of Vatican City, and His Holiness can disperse monies however he sees fit. No law has been broken here.† â€Å"True, and yet†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The secretariat leaned forward and his chair creaked under the burden. â€Å"We have no knowledge of what you intend to do with these funds, and if it is in any way illegal†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Considering what you are asking of me,† Aringarosa countered,† what I do with this money is not your concern.† There was a long silence. They know I'm right, Aringarosa thought. â€Å"Now, I imagine you have something for me to sign?† They all jumped, eagerly pushing the paper toward him, as if they wished he would simply leave. Aringarosa eyed the sheet before him. It bore the papal seal. â€Å"This is identical to the copy you sent me?† â€Å"Exactly.† Aringarosa was surprised how little emotion he felt as he signed the document. The three men present, however, seemed to sigh in relief.† Thank you, Bishop,† the secretariat said. â€Å"Your service to the Church will never be forgotten.† Aringarosa picked up the briefcase, sensing promise and authority in its weight. The four menlooked at one another for a moment as if there were something more to say, but apparently therewas not. Aringarosa turned and headed for the door. â€Å"Bishop?† one of the cardinals called out as Aringarosa reached the threshold. Aringarosa paused, turning. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Where will you go from here?† Aringarosa sensed the query was more spiritual than geographical, and yet he had no intention of discussing morality at this hour. â€Å"Paris,† he said, and walked out the door.

How Far Is the Monarchy an Outdated Institution Essays

How Far Is the Monarchy an Outdated Institution Essays How Far Is the Monarchy an Outdated Institution Essay How Far Is the Monarchy an Outdated Institution Essay Essay Topic: History The question of as to how important the monarchy stands today in todays society is one of considerable importance of more recent times. Although recent polls suggest that around 70% of Britons want to keep the monarchy we can see a huge drop in the amount of 18- to 24-year-olds who say they do not want a monarch. This essay will try to consider both pro monarchy and pro republican arguments in analysing as to just how outdated the monarchy is as an intuition. To have a greatest understanding of the question we must first understand the what the monarchy is and the alternatives to it. A republic, unlike a monarchy is a polity in which governmental power devolves by popular election, and not by heredity. In Monarchy to Republic by Winterton (1986 p2) defines Its older meaning as simply a state or polity, or a state including a monarchical one with a mixed government or balanced constitution. But after 1649 republic was often used to describe a state without a king, or a state in which power was derived from the people, it was often treated in association with democracy or commonwealth. There are four main modern theorys as to how useful the monarchy is today these are: A celebration of shared values (Shils and Young) whereby the monarchy is thought to be a key actor in creating a nation state. The monarchy seemingly has the power to bring people together for the common good of the nation. The pinnacle of the ruling class (Karl Marx) Marx suggests that the monarchy is the is the largest symbol of the bourgeoisie and is just another institution trying to control the proletariat. An outdated irrelevance (Birnbaum) this theory is that the monarchy is insignificant in todays society and even though they may well have absolute power in it would never be used to any importance. The mainstay of an archaic state system (Nairn), this suggests that the monarchy is just the foundation of whats wrong with are state system at the moment due to conservative minds unwilling to change things. The first theory has very little evidence to support itself, in fact according to the recent Guardian/ICM poll and the Independent on Sunday MORI poll. Under half those surveyed in a recent poll considered the royal family to be important to Britain. One in three believed the royals were out of touch. Less than one in four thought they were hard working. Just one in 10 thought the royal family were good value for money. I believe this do be undeniable evidence that the monarchy does not bring people together with shared values for how can we identify with someone that has nothing in common we the people they govern. It all sounds like hypocrisy to me why are the royals held up as an example for people to follow. They must be one of the worlds most famous dysfunctional families. They are ashamed of divorcees, alcoholics and possible homosexuals in their midst. Their values are completely corrupt. Marxs theory on class war is very popular with leftist theorists. He suggests that were ever there is capitalism and the need to make money they will be institutions attempting to control others for there own personal gain. A relevant quote would be that of Keir Hardie on the 1897 Jubilee: The cheering millions would be there and cheer just as lustily if the occasion were the installation of the first President of the British Republic; the soldiers are there because they are paid for coming;the statesmen are there because Empire means trade and trade means profit.In this country loyalty to the Queen is used by the profit mongers to blind the eyes of the people; in America loyalty to the flag serves the same purpose.. Birnbaums theory is one of complacency in my eyes. I agree he is right that the monarchy is irrelevant in todays society but they still cost the taxpayer money. The taxpayer spends over à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½60 million per year on services related to the monarchy. This money could be spent on hospitals or schools and until recently, the Queen paid no tax whatsoever on her property or income. Everyone should have the same rights. People who didnt pay the poll tax are still being hunted down and locked up. Nairns theory on outdated state system is most relavant to todays monarchy. The theory explains as to has outdated and undemocratic the monarchical system is. The Queen can veto an Act of Parliament, intervene in policy decisions, and even dissolve the government if she wishes. And this isnt just in theory Queen Elisabeth II has even done it in practice. In 1975, she got the Governor-General to dissolve the Labor government in Australia because she found it too left-wing. The monarch can take over the government in circumstances that threaten the state such as a general strike or mass civil unrest and they could even sell the navy and get people put in prison without a jury trial. This is obviously an undemocratic and outdated system. In conclusion the execution of Charles 1st is an inspiration for all fighting to reform the undemocratic British state. After the bloodshed on 30 January 1649, until shortly after Oliver Cromwells death Britain enjoyed a successful 12 year republic, without any Monarchy or House of Lords, a true republic can be achieved. The Monarchy which, with the House of Lords, is supposed to embody our unwritten constitution stands in the way of us having proper rights separate from the state. The creation of a written constitution would help protect those rights that have been increasingly infringed in the recent. With no bill of human rights people of Britain have no statutory line of defence against these oppressive and unrepresentative measures. What is more, it is only through the creation of a social contract can we rebuild a caring civil society, which in my eyes has been lost over the recent decades. Without a shadow of doubt the monarchy is an outdated instition.

The Halayeb Triangle

The Halayeb Triangle The Halayeb Triangle (map), also sometimes called the Hala’ib Triangle is an area of disputed land located on the border between Egypt and Sudan. The land covers an area of 7,945 square miles (20,580 square kilometers) and is named for the town of Hala’ib which is located there. The presence of the Halayeb Triangle is caused by the different locations of the Egypt-Sudan border. There is a political boundary that was set in 1899 that runs along the 22nd parallel and an administrative boundary that was set by the British in 1902. The Halayeb Triangle is located in the difference between the two and since the mid-1990s Egypt has had de facto control of the area. History of the Halayeb Triangle The first border between Egypt and Sudan  was set in 1899 when the United Kingdom  had control over the area. At that time the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement for Sudan set a political boundary between the two at 22nd parallel or along the line of 22ÌŠ N latitude. Later, in 1902 the British drew a new administrative boundary between Egypt and Sudan which gave control of the Ababda territory that was south of the 22nd parallel to Egypt. The new administrative boundary gave Sudan control of land that was north of the 22nd parallel. At that time, Sudan controlled about 18,000 square miles (46,620 sq km) of land and the villages of Hala’ib and Abu Ramad. In 1956, Sudan became independent and the disagreement over the control of the Halayeb Triangle between Sudan and Egypt began. Egypt  considered the border between the two as the 1899 political boundary, while Sudan claimed that the border was the 1902 administrative boundary. This led to both Egypt and Sudan claiming sovereignty over the region. In addition, a small area south of the 22nd parallel called Bir Tawil that was formerly administered by Egypt was claimed by neither Egypt nor Sudan at this time. As a result of this border disagreement, there have been several periods of hostility in the Halayeb Triangle since the 1950s. For example in 1958, Sudan planned to hold elections in the region and Egypt sent troops into the area. Despite these hostilities, however, both countries exercised joint control of the Halayeb Triangle until 1992 when Egypt objected to Sudan allowing exploration of the region’s coastal areas by a Canadian oil company. This led to further hostilities and an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Egypt’s then-president Hosni Mubarak. As a result, Egypt strengthened control of the Halayeb Triangle and forced all Sudanese officials out. By 1998 Egypt and Sudan  agreed to begin working on a compromise as to which country would control the Halayeb Triangle. In January 2000, Sudan withdrew all forces from the Halayeb Triangle and ceded control of the region to Egypt. Since Sudan’s withdrawal from the Halayeb Triangle in 2000, there are often still conflicts between Egypt and Sudan over control of the region. In addition, the Eastern Front, a coalition of Sudanese rebels, states that it claims the Halayeb Triangle as Sudanese because the people there are more ethnically related to Sudan. In 2010 the Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir said, â€Å"Halayeb is Sudanese and will stay Sudanese† (Sudan Tribune, 2010). In April 2013 there were rumors that Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi and Sudan’s President Al-Bashir had met to discuss a compromise of control over the Halayeb Triangle and the possibility of giving control of the region back to Sudan (Sanchez, 2013). Egypt denied those rumors however and claimed that the meeting was simply to strengthen cooperation between the two nations. Thus, the Halayeb Triangle still remains in Egypt’s control while Sudan claims territorial rights over the region. Geography, Climate, and Ecology of the Halayeb Triangle The Halayeb Triangle is located on the southern border of Egypt and the northern border of Sudan. It covers an area of 7,945 square miles (20,580 square kilometers) and has coastlines on the Red Sea. The area is called the Halayeb Triangle because Hala’ib is a large city within the region and the area is shaped roughly like a triangle. The southern border, about 180 miles (290 km) follows the 22nd parallel. In addition to the main, disputed portion of the Halayeb Triangle there is a small area of land called Bir Tawil that is located south of the 22nd parallel at the triangle’s westernmost tip. Bir Tawil has an area of 795 square miles (2,060 sq km) and is not claimed by Egypt or Sudan. The climate of the Halayeb Triangle is similar to that of northern Sudan. It is normally very hot and receives little precipitation outside of a rainy season. Near the Red Sea, the climate is milder and there is more precipitation. The Halayeb Triangle has a varied topography. The highest peak in the region is Mount Shendib at 6,270 feet (1,911 m). In addition, the Gebel Elba mountain area is a nature reserve that is home to Elba Mountain. This peak has an elevation of 4,708 feet (1,435 m) and is unique because its summit is considered a mist oasis because of intense dew, mist and high levels of precipitation (Wikipedia.org). This mist oasis creates a unique ecosystem in the region and also makes it a biodiversity hotspot with over 458 plant species. Settlements and People of the Halayeb Triangle The two major towns within the Halayeb Triangle are Hala’ib and Abu Ramad. Both of these towns are located on the Red Sea coast and Abu Ramad is the last stop for buses bound for Cairo and other Egyptian cities. Osief is the closest Sudanese town to the Halayeb Triangle (Wikipedia.org).Because of its lack of development, most of the people living within the Halayeb Triangle are nomads and the region has little economic activity. The Halayeb Triangle is however said to be rich in manganese. This is an element that is significant in the production of iron and steel but it is also used as an additive for gasoline and is used in alkaline batteries (Abu-Fadil, 2010). Egypt has currently been working to export ferromanganese bars to produce steel (Abu-Fadil, 2010). Due to the ongoing conflict between Egypt and Sudan over control of the Halayeb Triangle it is clear that this is an important world region and it will be interesting to observe whether it will remain in Egyptian control.

Strategic Management - McInerney Holdings Essay

Strategic Management - McInerney Holdings - Essay Example The issue was oversubscribed 11 times. It is in this context that the faith of the stakeholder need be respected. It calls for proper stakeholder management. UK housing and construction market saw the phase of a big collapse in 1989, subsequently the company underwent a major restructuring, following which, the company is now known as McInerney Holdings plc. McInerney Holdings plc is listed on the Dublin and London Stock Exchanges with a total of 33,160,571 listed shares as on 31st December 2005 with stakeholders ranging from Banks and trusties to the general public. Besides this the employees, related companies, suppliers etc. too are also happen to be the stakeholders in the company as their interest too is in some way linked to the well being of the company. The impact of different people and groupings determine the direction of the company. Larger corporations, Banks, etc in particular play a significant role in chalking out the strategy for the company. These very groups require special attention in stakeholder management. There are of course needs of their direct owners, various other groups, like employees, public interest groups like environmental organizations, strategic partners, journalists or public monitoring bodies. Bank of Ireland Asset Management is the biggest stakeholder in the company with 10.51% of shares. Other sign ificant shareholders being Barry O'Connor, Bri Tel Fund Trustees Limited, Norwich Union Life Insurance Irl Ltd., Quinn Direct Insurance Ltd, Standard Life Investments, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, Irish Life Investment Managers etc. The businesses operate within a complex system of interests and influences. While identifying the stakeholders the company must look beyond the formal structure of the organization. Therefore it is required to have a look at informal and indirect relationships too. The company management has to make a balancing assessment and evaluate all such external forces in order to adjust them with company's objectives. While taking crucial corporate decisions, it is necessary to know about the expectations of different stakeholders and to determine the extent to which they could and would exert their influence. Johnson & Scholes define stakeholder as, "Stakeholders are groups or individuals who have a stake in, or expectation of, the organisation's performance." Stakeholders all have power, someone has a formal power invested in a position of authority or it could be the social power of being able to persuade others to support or oppose the policies of the company. People with higher power could be the company's most useful supporters or most dangerous opponents, depending upon the prevailing dynamics. In case of McInerney Holdings plc we can do the power analysis to help us in prioritising our focus on stakeholders. To start with a comprehensive listing of stakeholders is prepared as the starting point for stakeholder mapping and analysis; Fig: Power-Interest Matrix in case of McInerney Holdings plc High Power Low Low Level of Interest High As is apparent from the above matrix the key players include Shareholders (small/ individual): He is more interested in having the higher rates of dividends or better price of its share in