The impacts of the Balearic Island’s in ‘abolishing’ the eco-tax and recommend alternative strategies to compensate for its effects

The purpose of the test is to identify the potential impacts of the Balearic Islands in destroying the eco- evaluate and recommend pick strategies to compensate for its effects. In vow to achieve this, it is necessary to shed or so light on both positive and negative impacts concerning the stopists, host community, hoteliers and the surroundings. Reasons for eliminating the eco- levy depart be highlighted, whilst too concerning its consequent effects on the Balearic Islands.It is fundamental to understand the full landmark eco which is basically, concerns of the environment. 1 way it tin can be described is through eco-tourism, which according to passion & Stewart (2002) isresponsible travel to innate(p) argonas, which conserves the environment and improves the welf be of topical anaesthetic hoi polloiThis suggests that tourists should be aware of the environment and its residents in order to play down the negative effects their tourism can countenance on a communi ty. Honey (2002) weighs that tourism can create negative ecological externalities in the mannikin of environmental revile. The tourism application is suggested to damage the natural resources that form the basis for eco-tourism. Eco-tourism can thitherfore enhance the opportunities for better management of natural resources whilst providing a satisfying experience for the visitant.It is also vital to understand the term revenue, which according to Mak (2004) isan involuntary move overment to the government that does not entitle the payer to receive a direct benefit of equivalent value in returnIn simple the aim of introducing the payment of a value is to ensure everyone is supported. The Balearic Islands achieved this by introducing an eco-tax on 1st May 2002 in order to help restore the environmental damage ca utilize by tourism. The hoteliers were responsible for compendium the payment of approximately 62p a day for individually person at a three star hotel of persons ov er 12 years old. This meant that closely 35 was added to an average family holiday. (www.bbc.co.uk)An member from touristry Concern (2002) Balearics eco-tax gets the vote stated that the eco-tax was strengthened to compact environmental impacts nevertheless the revenue get would be utilise oncleaning up the beaches, estates restored, heritage sites maintained, cycle and walking routes developed, awkward economies boosted, and hotels encouraged to implement energy and water conservation amounts.The tax was format to bring in 25 one million million Euros from the 2002 visitors with subsequent years contrisolelyion predicted to top 45 million euros.An article by Palmer (2001) Eco tax not enough to save the planet suggests thateveryone leave behind be paying eco tax or environmental tax, happy in the k like a shotledge that they are saving the planetThis article shows slight sarcasm, as although taxes are publishd, it may not be serving the environment. To some extent thi s can be valued as true, but surely paying a tax will mean by chance less people will travel to destinations hence less damage to the environment.The Balearic Islands look at been recognised as a low cost, low fictitious character package holiday destination. Therefore Spain, may have introduced the eco-tax to diminish this date and help re-educate the traveller at the same time providing funds for conservation, which would in a flash benefit the economic victimization and help local communities.The Balearic Islands have a population of approximately 800,000 residents, to that extent nearly 11 million tourists visited each year. Therefore one can imagine the negative effects caused by the mass tourism. Hunter et al., (1996) believes that the impact of tourism upon the environment can be reported as short term or long term, direct, confirming or induced into two categories of negative and positive changes.An article by Morgan (2000) A revenue enhancementing Time suggested th at the eco-tax was part of the electoral programme and most people saw it as a positive measure, recognising the importance of investing in the environment, restoring and conserving certain areas of special importance. Others assumed the tax would reduce the number of tourists missing a cheap holiday and focus on having less, higher outlay tourists.So, what were the reasons for the government of the Balearic Islands to abolish the eco-tax if the revenue received would benefit them? There are many different theories suggested a number of which will be discussed.A newlys extract from The Times stated that the Government has decided to abolish the controversial eco-tax, taking place on October 2004. The tourism Minister believed that in having the eco tax did to a greater extent harm than good. An article from The Sun Tax Axed for Holiday Isles, reinforced the negative effect on tourism. Suggesting that the eco-tax was not approbative for the Balearic Islands.Again supporting its abolition, .an article in the shew on sunlight Jeferies (2003) suggested about the eco-tax thatit is a move in the completely opposite counsel to the one the government should be working in. They need to change strategy and adopt policies to revive and boost tourismIt is understood that the Balearic Islands need to introduce other ways in which the environmental damage is minimised and ensure that visitor come are increasing at the same time.Balearics Tourism billet spokesman Jaun Vallespir suggested that the majority of tourists and foreigners were in favour of the tax, the drop in visitor numbers was down to economic problems in europium and Post September 11th. Suggesting that there were a number of other reasons affecting tourism.Nevertheless a visual sense carried out by ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) found that 64% of tourists would be willing to pay an extra 10 to 25 to ensure environment standards, associated with their holiday were met. If such(prenomin al) a high percentage of tourists were willing to pay why would the government still decide to abolish the tax?The Express on sunshine (2003) suggested that although the revenue obtained from the eco-tax could help protect the environment, it showed that visitor figures in 2002 were down by 900,000, creating a deficit of more than 800 million. Only 28 hotels out of the 100 were now staying open during the winter season.Spains Balearic Islands have been internationally famous for having experienced rapid tourism development but were now suffering following the introduction of the eco-tax. The islands depend on tourism for 84% of the Gross Domestic Product (http//www.tourismconcern.org.uk. This indicates that the Balearic Islands have been heavy reliant upon tourism.Jaimw Puig suggested having an eco-tax gave an word-painting that the islands are in undesirable conditions. (http//www.ft.com)The regional government gave the impression that the Islands were in a bad state of repair, t hat it is a terrible image to enthral abroadThis suggested that by having the eco-tax The Balearic Islands were portraying a bad image for the resorts by suggesting they needed money to improve their environment. However, this may be due to escape of knowledge and accessible information tourists require.Knight (2002) http//www.observer.co.uk they are doing a dress circle to change their image but they are coming across as greedy. Maybe the Balearic Islands could implement a tax for those tourists partaking in certain activities that are harmful to the environment. This is identified as a user charge, according to Mak (2004) it isa price charged by governments to users to pay for specific government work or privilegesUser charges are an appropriate way to finance humanity services when most or all of the benefits go to identifiable users, and non-payers can be excluded from using the services at a reasonable cost. By doing so, they would still have tourism coming in and revenue earned from taxes would be used to rejuvenate areas of that are environmentally damaged. According to Gilpin (2000) Belgium had oblige eco-taxes on products since 1993, applying them to goods considered to be harmful to the environment (Pittevils 1996- cited in Gilpin, 2000, pg 150) Alternatively the new coach tax levied in Venice is apparently an attempt by the city to reduce the number of motor coaches coming into the congested city. User charges used for such purpose are most good when demand is price elastic.Westwood (2002- http//www.travel.telegraph.co.uk)the tax could deprive the Islands economy of more than 300 million per year if tourists go elsewhereBalearic Islands are very dependent on tourism thusly need to implement something that is feasible. The Gambia Tourism Authority has introduced a tourism development levy of 5 per tourist from the 1st November 2002. The tax would be used to develop green areas, improve lighting in tourist areas, security and training for emp loyees within the tourism sector.According to Barrett (2002) Unfair yob tax or fair pay? suggested that people were annoyed with the extra costs. The Sunday Times reported, hotels are less than 40% full there has been a huge fall in visitor numbers that the tourism industry are blaming on the eco-tax. Travel Trade Gazette cited in Tourism Concern 2002 reported that hotels were handing out food and drink tokens to pacify the guests. The tax was unpopular with holidaymakers as it added an extra cost on holidays. The hoteliers didnt agree with the idea, as they were responsible for collecting the tax and tour operators felt that it had caused a lower in visitor numbers. Therefore maybe abolishing the tax would help sever some of the problems, but at the expense of the environment.Increased competition from tour operators has led to cheaper flights. There is a direct flight that British Airways have recently started, from UK to Menorca costing approximately 125 euros (www.bbc.co.uk). Having cheaper flights to Balearic Islands will mean an increment in numbers to the destination hence have a fringe on effect on the environment. The tax is being abolished yet more and more competition between airlines, means a huge enlarge in the number of visitors. To exploit this, an alternative solution would be to have customers pay an airline tax instead.According to an article from Friends of the Earth (FOE), they believe that if a charge for the UK flights was left unaltered but the charge of flights to Europe increased by 5 and other international flights by 10 the longest and damaging journeys would be taxed more heavily. This would raise an extra 700 million per year. www.foe.co.uk, by including tax via flights it would seem part of the cost rather than an surplus payment. Whilst, also reducing friction between guest and hoteliers.Additional alternative strategies could be to ensure that the carrying capacity is under control. Mathieson and Wall (198221 cited in Ho lden 2000 pg. 138)carrying capacity is the maximum number of people who can use a site without unacceptable alteration in the physical environment and without an unacceptable decline in the quality of the experience gained by the visitorsIf the carrying capacity is controlled in the Balearic Islands this could minimise the environmental damage. This could be instead of the eco-tax and may not resultant role in the fall of visitor numbers. However environmental impacts will continue, and so they could carry out environmental impact assessments (EIA), which would be beneficial to the destination, as they can assess certain areas affected.In conclusion, in order for the Balearic Islands to watch in the competitive market of tourism certain changes need to be addressed. Abolishing the eco-tax means that the alternative strategies put in place need to be carefully planned to ensure they are customer friendly, cost effective and not economically damaging. Clearly the eco-tax was intro duced to provide financial support for the damage caused through tourism. Yet it failed to predict the decline of visitors, which in the long term would have a more adverse effect on its economy, yet a promising effect on its environment.Due to the fact the Balearic Islands relied heavily on its tourism income it would be seen as a positive measure to abolish the eco-tax. However this meant other solutions would be required to conserve the environment. As suggested airline taxes, user charge and carrying capacity are just some of the strategies suggested to alleviate the problems. As these have just been newly developed it will still require time and research to see their success in relation to the Balearic Islands. Therefore whilst these measures have been recommended as solutions to the abolishment of the eco-tax one will have to wait and see its success.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Seven

And that, crap perspicacityated, was his cue to leave as easy. non that he had either great love for the duke. Indeed, hed had quite enough of his extraordinary lordliness for single day and was perfectly happy to see his prickle as he left the room. nevertheless the position of remaining here with the dowagerEven omit Eversleighs delightful company was non enough of a temptation to endure more of that.I c completely told back I shall turn in as well, he announced.Wyndham did non retire, the dowager verbalize peevishly. He went turn up.Then I shall retire, Jack give tongue to. He smiled blandly. End of sentence.Its barely dark, the dowager pointed stunned.Im tired. It was true. He was.My John use to stay up until the wee hours, she express softly.Jack sighed. He did non want to feel sorry for this woman. She was hard, ruthless, and thoroughly unlikable. simply she had, apparently, loved her son. His father. And shed befuddled him.A m opposite shouldnt surfa celive her children. He knew this as well as he knew how to breathe. It was unnatural.And so instead of pointing go forth that her John had intimately be equal n for ever so been kidnapped, strangled, blackmailed, and stripped of his (albeit paltry) livelihood, all in one day, he walked antecedent and set her ring the genuinely one he had all further snatched from her finger on the table attached to her. His own was in his pocket. He was not quite prepared to share its existence with her. Your ring, madam, he said.She nodded, past took it into her fades.What is the D for? he wondered. His whole life, hed admirationed. He might as well gain some issue from this debacle.Debenham. My birth surname.Ah. It made sense. Shed acquit given her own heirlooms to her ducky son.My father was the Duke of Runthorpe.I am not surprised, he murmured. She could decide for herself if that was a compli workforcet. He bowed. uncorrupted evening, your grace.The dowagers m come to the foreh tightened with disappoint workforcet. just she seemed to recognize that if there had been a battle that day, she was the only one who had emerged victorious, and she was surprisingly gracious as she said, I shall have s speed sent up.Jack nodded and murmured his conveys, thusly turned to exit. dud Eversleigh pull up stakes show you to your room.At that Jack snapped to tutelage, and when he looked dominate Eversleighs steering, he precept that she had, too.He had been expecting a footman. Possibly the entirelyler. This was a delightful surprise.Is that a problem, Miss Eversleigh? the dowager asked. Her voice sounded sly, a little bit t auntieing.Of course not, Miss Eversleigh replied. Her eye were clouded tho not entirely un determineable. She was surprised. He could see it by the way her lashes seemed to reach a little higher toward her brows. She was not apply to being ordered to tend to anyone except the dowager. Her employer, he copingy, did not deal to share her. A nd as his eyeball fell again to her lips, he decided that he was in complete accord. If she were his, if he had any right to herhe would not wish to share her, either.He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to touch her, just a soft brush of hand against skin, so fleeting that it could only be deemed accidental.But more than any of that, he wanted use of her name. tenderness.He equald it. He ready it soothing.See to his comfort, Miss Eversleigh.Jack turned to the dowager with widening eyes. She sat like a statue, her hands folded primly in her lap, but the corners of her mouth were slant ever so slightly up, and her eyes looked cunning and amused.She was giving aggrandise to him. As clear as day, she was ramifying him to catch up with use of her companion, if that was his desire.Good Lord. What cast of family had he fallen into?As you wish, maam, Miss Eversleigh replied, and in that signifi fecesce Jack matt-up soiled, almost dirty, because he was quite certain she had no id ea that her employer was at bid to whore her off on him.It was the most appalling sort of bribe. Stay the night, and you mickle have the girl.It sickened him. Doubly so, because he wanted the girl. He just didnt want her given to him.It is most kind of you, Miss Eversleigh, he said, feeling as if he had to be extra polite to constrain up for the dowager. They reached the inlet, and then, before he forgot, he turned back. He and the duke had utter only tersely on their outing, but on one be they had been in accord. Oh, by the by, should anyone ask, I am a friend of Wyndhams. From years gone by.From university? Miss Eversleigh suggested.Jack fought back a grim chuckle. zero(prenominal) I did not attend.You did not attend the dowager gasped. I was led to believe youd had a gentlemans education.By whom? Jack inquired, ever so politely.She sputtered at that for a moment, and then finally she scowled and said, It is in your speech.Felled by my accent. He looked at Miss Eversleigh a nd shrugged. Pommy Rs and proper Hs. Whats a man to do?But the dowager was not prepared to let the subject drop. You are educated, are you not?It was tempting to claim hed been schooled with the local lads, if only to witness her reaction. But he owed his aunt and uncle break dance than that, and so he turned to the dowager and said, Portora Royal, stick toed by two months at Trinity College Dublin, that is, not Cambridge and then six years serving in His Majestys army and protecting you from invasion. He cocked his head to the side. Ill take those thanks now, if you will.The dowagers lips split with outrage.No? He lifted his brows. Funny how no one seems to electric charge that they stillness speak English and curtsy to hefty King George.I do, Miss Eversleigh said. And when he looked at her, she blinked and added, Er, thank you.Youre welcome, he said, and it occurred to him that this was the first cartridge holder hed had cause to say it.Sadly, the dowager was not unique in her sense of entitlement. Soldiers were on occasion feted, and it was true that the uniforms were quite effective when attracting the ladies, but no one ever thought to say thank you. non to him, and especially not to the men whod suffered permanent injury or disfigurement.Tell every(prenominal)one we shared fencing lessons, Jack said to Miss Eversleigh, ignoring the dowager as best he could. Its as acceptable a ruse as any. Wyndham says hes passable with a sword?I do not know, she said.Of course she wouldnt. But no matter. If Wyndham had said he was passable, then he was almost certainly a master. They would be well-matched if ever they had to offer proof of their lie. Fencing had been his best subject in school. It was in all probability the only reason they had kept him to age eighteen.Shall we? he murmured, tilting his head toward the door.The docile silk bedroom, the dowager called out sourly.She does not like to be left out of a conversation, does she? Jack murmured, so that only Miss Eversleigh could hear.Hed known she could not answer, not with her employer so close, but he saw her eyes dart away, as if trying to hide her amusement.You may retire for the night as well, Miss Eversleigh, the dowager directed. pardon turned in surprise. You dont wish for me to attend to you? Its early yet.Nancy can do it, she replied with a pinch of her lips. Shes an acceptable hand with buttons, and whats more, she doesnt say a word. I chance upon that to be an exceptionally good trait in a retainer.As lenity held her tongue more often than not, she decided to take that as a compliment, rather than the rear-door insult it was meant to be. Of course, maam, she said, bobbing a coy curtsy. I shall see you in the morning, then, with your chocolate and the newspaper.Mr. Audley was already at the door and was holding out his hand to motion for her to precede him, so she walked out into the hall. She had no idea what the dowager was up to, giving her the rest of the ev ening off, but she was not going to argue further.Nancy is her maid, she explained to Mr. Audley once he reached her side.Id guessed.Its most odd. She agitate her head. She Mr. Audley waited rather patiently for her to finish her sentence, but blessing decided the better of it. She had been going to say that the dowager hated Nancy. In fact, the dowager complained most bitterly and at painful length each time she had a day out and Nancy served as a substitute.You were saying, Miss Eversleigh? he murmured.She almost told him. It was strange, because she barely knew him, and furthermore, he could not possibly be have-to doe withed in the trivialities of the Belgrave household. Even if he did become the duke and the thought of it still made her somewhat sick to her bear well, it wasnt as if Thomas could have identified any of the housemaids. And if asked which ones his grandmother disliked, hed current enough have said, All of them.Which, state of grace thought with a wry sm ile, was in all probability true.Youre smiling, Miss Eversleigh, Mr. Audley remarked, looking very much as if he were the one with a secret. Do tell why.Oh, its nothing, she said. Certainly nothing that would be of interest to you. She motioned toward the staircase at the rear of the hall. Here, the bedchambers are this way.You were smiling, he said again, go in step beside her.For some reason that made her smile anew. I did not say that I wasnt.A lady who doesnt dissemble, he said approvingly. I find myself liking you more with every passing minute.Grace pursed her lips, eyeing him all over her shoulder. That does not place a very high opinion of women.My apologies. I should have said a person who does not dissemble. He flashed her a smile that shook her to her toes. I would never claim that men and women are interchangeable, and thank paradises for that, but in matters of truthiness, neither call down earns high marks.She looked at him in surprise. I dont say truthiness is a word. In fact, Im quite certain it is not.No? His eyes darted to the side. Just for a plump for not even a second, but it was long enough for her to wonder if shed embarrassed him. Which couldnt be possible. He was so amazingly glib and soothing in his own skin. One did not requirement more than a days acquaintance to realize that. And indeed, his smile grew jaunty and lopsided, and his eyes positively twinkled as he said, Well, it should be.Do you often make up words?He shrugged modestly. I try to restrain myself.She looked at him with considerable disbelief.I do, he protested. He clasped one hand over his heart, as if wounded, but his eyes were laughing.Why is it no one ever believes me when I tell them I am a moral and upstanding gentleman, on this earth with the every intention of following every rule. peradventure it is because most people make your acquaintance when you order them out of a carriage with a electric ray?True, he acknowl go ond. It does gloss the relation ship, doesnt it?She looked at him, at the humor lurking in his emerald eyes, and she felt her lips tickle. She wanted to laugh. She wanted to laugh the way shed laughed when her parents were alive, when shed had the freedom to seek out lifes absurdities and the time to make merry over them.It almost felt as if something were waking up within her. It felt lovely. It felt good. She wanted to thank him, but shed sound the veriest fool. And so she did the next best thing.She apologized.Im sorry, she said, pausing at the found of the stairs.That seemed to surprise him. Youre sorry?I am. Fortoday.For kidnapping me. He sounded amused, vaguely so. Perhaps even condescending.I didnt mean to, she protested.You were in the carriage, he pointed out. I do believe that any court of law would brand you an accomplice.Oh, that was more than she could take. This would, I assume, be the identical court of law that sent you to the gallows earlier that same morning for pointing a loaded gun at a duch ess.Tsk tsk. I told you it wasnt a hanging offense. No? she murmured, echoing his earlier government note precisely. It ought to be.Oh, you think?If truthiness gets to be a word, then accosting a duchess with a gun ought to be enough to get one hanged.Youre quick, he said admiringly.Thank you, she said, then admitted, Im out of practice.Yes. He glanced down the hall toward the drawing room, where the dowager was presumably still enthroned upon her sofa. She does keep you rather silent, doesnt she?Loquaciousness is not considered becoming in a servant.Is that how you see yourself? His eyes met hers, searching her so deeply she almost stepped away. A servant?And then she did step away. Because whatever it was he was going to find in her, she wasnt so sure she wanted to see it. We should not loiter, she said, motioning for him to follow her up the stairs. The blue silk bedroom is lovely. Very comfortable, and with excellent morning light. The artistry in particular is superb. I think you will like it.She was babbling, but he was kind enough not to remark upon it, instead saying, Im sure it will be an improvement over my current lodgings.She glanced over at him with surprise. Oh. I had assumed She broke off, too embarrassed to remark that shed thought him a homeless nomad.A life of posting inns and grassy fields, he said with an affected sigh. Such is the fate of a highwayman.Do you jazz it? She surprised herself, both by asking it and also by how very curious she was in the answer.He grinned. Robbing coaches?She nodded.It depends on who is in the coach, he said softly. I very much enjoyed not robbing you.Not robbing me? She turned then, and the ice, which had been cracked, was formally broken.I didnt take a thing, did I? he returned, all innocence.You take a kiss.That, he said, leaning forward with great cheek, was freely given.Mr. AudleyI do wish youd call me Jack, he sighed.Mr. Audley, she said again. I did not She looked quickly about, then lowered her voice to an urgent whisper. I did not dowhat you said I did.He smiled lazily. When did kiss become such a dangerous word?She clamped her lips together because truly there was no way she would gain the upper hand in this conversation.Very well, he said. I shant torment you.It would have been a kind and generous statement if he hadnt followed it with Today.But even then, she smiled. It was difficult not to, in his presence.They were in the upper hall now, and Grace turned toward the family apartments where he would be staying. They moved along in silence, giving her ample time to consider the gentleman beside her. She did not care what hed said about not completing university. He was passing intelligent, unique vocabulary notwithstanding. And there was no arguing against his charm. There was no reason he should not be gainfully employed. She could not ask him why he was robbing coaches, however. It was far too forward on so short an acquaintance.It was ironic, that. Who would have t hought shed be worried about politeness and propriety with a thief?This way, she said, motioning for him to follow her to the left.Who sleeps down there? Mr. Audley asked, peering in the opposite direction.His grace.Ah, he said darkly. His grace.He is a good man, Grace said, feeling she must speak up for him. If Thomas had not behaved as he ought, it was certainly understandable. From the day of his birth, hed been raised to be the Duke of Wyndham. And now, with the flimsiest of fate twists, hed been cognizant that he might be nothing more than plain Mr. Cavendish.If Mr. Audley had had a rough day, well then, surely Thomass was worse.You admire the duke, Mr. Audley stated. Grace couldnt quite tell if this was a question she didnt think so. But either way, his tone was dry, as if he thought she was somewhat naive for doing so.He is a good man, she repeated firmly. You will agree with me, once you further your acquaintance.Mr. Audley let out an amused little puff of breath. You soun d like a servant now, starched and prim and properly loyal.She scowled at him, but he clearly did not care, because he was already grinning and saying, Are you going to defend the dowager next? I should like to hear you do it, because Im most curious as to how, exactly, one would attempt such a feat.Grace could not cypher that he might truly expect her to reply. She turned, though, so he could not see her smile.I could not manage it myself, he continued, and Im told I have a most silver tongue. He leaned forward, as if imparting a grave secret. Its the Irish in me.Youre a Cavendish, she pointed out.Only half. And then he added, Thank God.Theyre not so bad.He let out a chuckle. Theyre not so bad? Thats your rousing defense?And then heaven help her, she could not think of a single good thing to say except, The dowager would give her life for the family.Pity she has not done so already.Grace shot him a startled look. You sound just like the duke.Yes, Id noticed they had a warm and lo ving relationship.Here we are, Grace said, move open the door to his chamber. She stepped back then. It could not be proper for her to heed him into his room. Five years shed been at Belgrave, and shed never once stepped foot intimate Thomass chambers. She might not have much in this world, but she had her self-respect, and her reputation, and she plan to keep a firm hold on both.Mr. Audley peeked in. How very blue, he remarked.She could not help but smile. And silken.Indeed. He stepped inside. Youre not going to cave in me?Oh, no.Didnt think you would. Pity. Im going to have to loll about all on my own, rolling in all this silken blue splendor.The dowager was right, Grace said with a shake of her head. Youre never serious.Not true. Im quite oftentimes serious. Its up to you to figure out when. He shrugged as he wandered over to the writing desk, his fingers trailing idly along the blotter until they slid off the edge and back to his side. I find it convenient to keep people g uessing.Grace said nothing, just watched him inspect his room. She ought to go. She rather thought she wanted to go, actually all day shed been longing to crawl into bed and go to sleep. But she stayed. Just watching him, trying to imagine what it was like to see all of this for the first time.She had entered Belgrave Castle as a servant. He was quite possibly its master.It had to be strange. It had to be overwhelming. She didnt have the heart to tell him that this wasnt the fanciest or most ostentatious guest bedchamber. Not even close.Excellent art, he commented, tilting his head as he regarded a painting on the paries.She nodded, her lips parting, then goal again.You were about to tell me its a Rembrandt.Her lips parted again, but this time in surprise. He hadnt even been looking at her. Yes, she admitted.And this? he asked, turning his attention to the one underneath. Caravaggio?She blinked. I dont know.I do, he said, in a tone that was somehow both impressed and grim. Its a C aravaggio.You are a novice? she asked, and she noticed that her toes had somehow crossed the threshold of the room. Her heels were still safe and proper, resting on the corridor floor, but her toesThey itched in her slippers.They longed for adventure.She longed for adventure.Mr. Audley moved to another painting the east wall was full of them and murmured, I would not say that I am a connoisseur, but yes, I do like art. Its easy to read.To read? Grace stepped forward. What an odd statement.He nodded. Yes. witness here. He pointed to a woman in what looked like a post-Renaissance work. She was seated upon a lavish chair, cushioned in dark velvet, edged with thick, twisting gold. Perhaps a throne? Look at the way the eyes look down, he said. She is watching this other woman. But she is not looking at her face. Shes jealous.No, shes not. Grace moved to his side. Shes angry.Yes, of course. But shes angry because shes jealous.Of her? Grace responded, pointing to the other woman in the corner. Her hair was the color of wheat, and she was clad in a filmy Grecian robe. It ought to have been opprobrious one of her breasts seemed poised to pop out at any moment. I dont think so. Look at her. She motioned to the first woman, the one on the throne. She has everything.Everything material, yes. But this woman he motioned to the one in the Grecian robe has her husband.How can you even know she is married? Grace squinted and leaned in, inspecting her fingers for a ring, but the brushwork was not fine enough to make out such a sharp detail.Of course she is married. Look at her expression.I see nothing to indicate wifeliness.He lifted a brow. Wifeliness?Im quite certain its a word. more than so than truthiness, in any case. She frowned. And if she is married, then where is the husband?Right there, he said, touching the intricate gilt frame, just beyond the woman in the Grecian robe.How can you possibly know that? Its beyond the edge of the canvas.You need only to look a t her face. Her eyes. She is gazing at the man who loves her.Grace found that intriguing. Not at the man she loves?I cant tell, he said, his head tilting slightly.They stood in silence for a moment, then he said, There is an entire unfermented in this painting. One need only take the time to read it.He was right, Grace realized, and it was unsettling, because he wasnt supposed to be so perceptive. Not him. Not the glib, jaunty highwayman who couldnt be bothered to find a proper profession.Youre in my room, he said.She stepped back. Abruptly.Steady now. His arm shot out and his hand found her elbow.She couldnt scold him, not really, because she would have fallen. Thank you, she said softly.He didnt let go.Shed regained her balance. She was standing straight.But he didnt let go.And she did not pull away.

Impact of a Deaf Child on Families

Impact of a Deaf shaver on Families A bird calls and the ph ane rings. Yet the girlfriend pees no pass away to listen to one or to answer the former(a). A babys cry goes ignored and the tea kettle on the stove continues to whistle. Most, provided not all cases of tiddlerhood desensitize(p)ness and audition-impairment are diagnosed amidst the ages of 18 months and 3-years-old (Mapp 50). Some condemnations called the invisible constipation, consultation liberation explains why distinction phrase is the third most used language in the United States (Jones 54).While cognizance of sight chores or physical impairments may be triggered by speckle eye glasses or a wheelchair, deafenness must be discovered through acts of direct parley. The girl walks down the hall and does not acknowledge her friend calling her name. The term disabled has been much debated in recent years. It is both a classification of a functional confinement and a branding stereotype that scars a cert ain type of person. to a greater extent than 90 percent of deaf youngsterren are born into sense of hearing families.Before the 1970s, the tinct this group of unique clawren had on their families and how the family social organization adjusted was little study (Mapp 7). Though increase a deaf child is challenging at times for raises and influential on how siblings are treated, it can also be a reward throw and an adhesive to hold together a family. When a child is diagnosed with deafness, it is the flag marking the beginning of a serial of potentially draining chargets for his or her parents.Though umteen parents say that raising a deaf child differs in subtle yet slight slipway from the already challenging aspects of raising any child, they also agree that their childs disability tends to amplify emotions, especially in the early stages of diagnoses. in that location are find outings of disbelief, confusion, and disappointment that lead to indignation while guilt m ingles with a sense of mourning. Through all of these overwhelming responses, parents accept to deal with the seclusion, to spy the drawbacks of their situation, and to effectively develop strategies for their families.Though it is too generalizing to say that all parents play off the selfsame(prenominal) way to their childs hearing loss, some(prenominal) parents do react in similar manners. It is the hearing parents that are affected the most by the arrival of the news of hearing loss in their child. Deaf parents, on the other hand generally embrace the handicap of their child because they affirm they hasten the resources and language knowledge to help the child. In studies done analyse deaf hildren from hearing parents with those from deaf parents, the children from deaf parents significantly outscored their counterparts in areas such(prenominal)(prenominal) as vocabulary, reading, brotherly skills, and mathematics. An explanation for this may be that the children of hear ing parents experience something called language deprivation by which they are stripped of the knowledge usually passed down through the direct exposure to a language natural to their parents (Mapp 190). For this reason, the stresses of raising a deaf child fall heavier on hearing parents. numerous hearing parents feel this diagnosis shatters the illusion that their child is and pass on be perfect. This loss of innocence is a sentiment that many parents mourn. Many parents of deaf children have had little or no contact with the deaf corporation and are forced to comprehend a subject entirely orthogonal to them. Shock is a common response and works well as a defense mechanism that enables parents to begin the stages of mourning the illusionary loss of their normal child (Luterman 6). This shock gradually fades to disbelief as parents taste at the permanent and incurable meanings of the word deaf. Many ask how such a thing could happen in their family and occasionally the hearin g line is kept a hole-and-corner(a). Though she was diagnosed in kindergarten, the girl begged her parents to keep her secret for years, senselessly believing that if no one knew more or less it then the problem did not exist despite the molds she wore in her ears. On top of denial, many families feel overwhelmed and that they have been given too much information in too short of a time period and may feel either ill-equipped to face the challenges of the diagnosis.With this fear often times comes irritability and most parents of hearing impaired children feel a fundamental anger without an outlet through which to vent. There is anger at themselves, at the world, and even at the deaf child themselves. Sometimes this anger turns itself inwards and manifests itself as depression other times it is assailable of either strengthening or creating rifts within family governances and relationships. Perhaps one of the most prominent emotions felt by parents of deaf children is guilt.The future they had envisioned for their child has been violated in ship canal they n for ever expected. Many parents would agree that having a hurting child and existence helpless to assist them is one of the most distressing feelings they will ever experience (Luterman 9). Although having a deaf child can be rewarding in many ways it is very hard to see this in the beginning and the diagnosis affects parents in some very unique ways. Since the 1970s, studies have been done directly assessing the impact a deaf child has on families, especially on parents.It became clear from these studies that mothers and fathers deal with the stresses of their ill child in very different ways. Since mothers are typically invested in the daily stresses of raising a deaf child, studies have shown that they are much likely to be very involved in health and safety issues. Fathers on the other hand are typically lay out to engage in much than distant roles of parenting due to occupational time consu mption and are more successful at developing relationships with their child that does not revolve rough the childs disability (Luterman et al. 34-35).Studies have also shown that the time pursuit a childs diagnosis can be in particular trying on husbands as they are trying to reassure their wives that everything will be fine while privately attempting to deal with their own dim and ablaze grief (Luterman et al. 7). The separate roles each parent takes on concomitant each other by providing unique skills for their child. One of the most emotional taxing yet gratifying parts of raising a deaf child is that the mother is typically the one member of the family most capable of communicating with the deaf child.She becomes not only a mother, but an educator, social guidance counselor, communication specialist, interpreter, and audiologist consultant (Mapp 15). The girls mother went to the teach district when the girl entered high check hoping sign language classes were uncommitte d as a precaution in case her half deaf child continued to lose her hearing. They refused to even consider letting sign language qualify for her foreign language requirement. Another recurring estimate in the challenges faced by parents is the abundance of ignorance in the faculty of school systems themselves.One frustrated parent wrote said about mainstreaming her deaf child into a hearing school, the teacher sometimes forgetsher limits and limitationsand does something incredibly dumb, such as the time in fifth grade when the teacher gave my daughter an oral spell out test of single words (Luterman 175). Though most studies have concentrate extensively on the impact of a deaf child on parents, it is equally important to understand how it affects siblings. Family dynamics as well as parental reactions shape whether the hearing problem will strengthen the family structure or create tenuous situations.The definition of a family is a system of which all parts are inextricably inter connected (Luterman et al. 41). The sibling of a deaf child is typically forced to grow up blistering than other children their age and assume greater responsibilities. One of the greatest favors a parent can do for the sibling of a deaf child is to realize that an entire family unit cannot be healthy when revolving around the limitations of one of its members. In 70% of the cases of deaf children, there is one or more sibling involved in the familys makeup (Mapp 65).These children can acquire from having a disabled sibling because their parents may feel both physically and emotionally exhausted after caring for the child that seems to need more attention. The sibling may feel neglected and guilty that they somehow evaded deafness themselves while their brother or sister is suffering. There may be feelings of shame and embarrassment when an adolescent child draws attention by write with their sibling in public. Older children may feel a fat rooted anxiety that their own children will suffer from hearing loss.As with the relationships between parents, it is important that siblings be given a venue of open communication to vent their anxieties and frustrations. Clear communication is the key to a successful family structure. It has been found that some siblings may react with attention-seeking strategies like poor academic performance, illnesses, and continual tantrums. Other children may internalize their issues and end up with innate tartness issues when they are older (Luterman 143).While having a deaf sibling undoubtedly has drawbacks many siblings reported positive attributes as well. The recurring theme was that compassionate individuals with greater sensitivities to prejudices came from families with disabled children. These siblings also attributed the bond their family shared to their ability to form a cohesive unit during times of crisis (Luterman et al. 50). In order to thrive, it is vital that the family copes aright with the stressors associa ted with a deaf child.One of the most damaging, yet well intentioned acts a parent of a deaf child can commit is overprotection. Parents of handicapped children on a regular basis underestimate their childs abilities, thus not allowing the child to make mistakes and learn. Overprotection leads to feelings of incapability and will hinder the child later in life. It must be acknowledged and accepted that even with interpreters, communication in a mainstream school will only be at about 75 percent for a deaf child (Jones 53). Instead of protect a child from this barrier of communication, a parent must learn to mbrace it as a time of growth and a test of patience. Many parents see having a deaf child as a gift, as an opportunity to tap into strengths they never before realized they had. Though mothers of deaf children are likely to name healthcare providers as sources of support whereas hearing mothers named friends, it seems as though the levels of happiness of both women are consiste nt (Mapp 118). A parents attitude toward having a deaf child molds not only interfamily relationships, but the success of the child themselves.The original confusion of their childs diagnosis can morph into knowledge the anger becomes a steady energy and focused drive, while the guilt turns into a womb-to-tomb commitment. The most important part of having a deaf child is that it forces ever member of a family to reevaluate life and realize just how extraordinary of a gift it is. A disability only becomes a handicap when an individual allows it to skew their perception and hinder their accomplishments in life (Duckworth et al. 2). The girl smiled at her parents as she boarded the plane for college.It was through the hard work of her parents that she had do it so far. Never had they allowed her to see herself as tainted. They dealt with their issues quietly and ensured that the girls sister was never left behind. Through a sense of humor, teacher meetings, hard work, and patience t hey had shown her that her limitations led to endless accomplishments. The diagnosis was a hearing impairment and the girl is me. Works Cited Duckworth, Derek and Mark Philp. Children with Disabilites and their Families. New Jersey arts Press Company, Ltd. 1982. Print. Jones, Reginald L. , ed. Reflections on Growing up Disabled. Virginia The Council for Exceptional Children, 1983. Print. Luterman, David M. and Mark Ross. When your Child is Deaf A Guide for Parents. Michigan York Press, Inc. , 1991. Print. . Counseling Parents of Hearing-Impaired Children. capital of Massachusetts Little, Brown, and Company, Inc. , 1979. Print. Mapp, Idalia, ed. Essential Readings on Stress and Coping among Parents of Deaf and Hearing- Impaired Children. northeastward University of Nebraska Press, 2004. Print.

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte

A sunlight on La Grande Jatte, 1884 Georges Seurat A sunlight on La Grande Jatte mediums is an oil color on analyze artwork calico by Georges Seurat for two years. His technique is basically painterly. It depicts realistic experiences of lot at that time while having a relaxing Sunday in a suburban park in an island in seine River. For some, it is as if Seurat cute the characters in his work to parade in nature. The elements that are highlighted in the painting are texture, pass judgment, and color. Georges Seurat used the air of painting called divisionism or most commonly known as pointilism. He was the first to use such(prenominal) form.This form projects a genuine kind of rough texture for the artwork. The importance of value is given significance in portraying the feeling of the painting, giving it a certain feel of tranquility. Color is largely seen on how a dispassionate Sunday should feel, happy and full of positive emotions. The paintings subject matter conveys the slumber the people at that time felt, how the people just slowly walk or sit around inhaling the beauty of their surroundings. It is basically a 2D painting in form. The painting literally communicates the calmness of that particular day. aspect at it makes you calm and reminiscing.Seurats work of art portrays a serene, calm down moment where different kinds of people gather in the shoreline of an island in Seine River, taking pleasure in a Sunday afternoon. The artists seeming cast composed of soldiers, boaters, the fashionably and casually dressed, the old and the young, families, couples, and undivided man and women. It appears to be that he is trying to assemble a certain kind of community consisting of different class of people. What is notable in this canvas is the characters explicit lack of interaction suggesting that it is because of their diverse class order.Seurat suggests starting a revolution in Impressionism, making his subjects like those in ancient Greeks s crew and move in a modern setting. The artist used oil paint in order to finish his work. His reverence for the material is ostensible on how he used it in a unique mien thus creating a certain kind of style called pointillism. A Sunday on La Grande Jatte serves as the start of Neo-Impressionism at the 19th deoxycytidine monophosphate where Impressionism is widely popular. While both of them values the depiction of realism in painting and canvas, Neo-Impressionism differs because it is more defined and more conservative.As a whole, the painting exudes such immense harmony to people which particularly why I pass away fond of it. It withal gives you an expression of anonymity, making you feel like you also want to have a piece of what the characters or the people in the painting are experiencing. In all fairness, the artwork gives calmness to people and serene to troubled heart. Sources The Art Institute of Chicago http//www. artic. edu/aic/exhibitions/seurat/seurat_themes. html Artble http//www. artble. com/artists/georges_seurat/paintings/a_sunday_afternoon_on_the_island_of_la_grande_jatte

Analysis of “If” by Rudyard Kipling Essay

The fist stanza of the poem If talks about being true to yourself. thither are always people who misjudge you or dont like or respect you for one reason or the other. It tells you to dress up above those obstacles and prove them wrong and yourself right. You should not let others provoke you into doing things which you survive are wrong.The second stanza of the poem talks about overcoming obstacles that may develop your way and follow your dreams. It tells us to persevere, keep going and never transcend up even when times get rough. It is grueling to jump natural covering in after negative or hurtful things have happened in your life but the third stanza tells us not to give up. If we imagine in ourselves, we can surely redo the positive things that made us happy sometime ago over again. The writer obviously knew how hard sometimes life can become. He therefore initiated a star of hope in this stanza.The last stanza tells us that we are all impact no matter what. We shouldnt and mustnt put ourselves above or below anyone because we are just as good as anyone else. at that place is one thing you can relate to in a somebody if you really look deep down inside and try. It also teaches us to never waste time and make every second of the daylight that we have count.In a nutshell, this poem is like a rig of advice to us all to be positive and pay attention to the oddball of world we live in.

Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht Essay

This recite from Mother Courage and Her Children, by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Michael Hofmann and John Willett, is located in the prologue and the opening view of the scam, at a point where the author dispels the myths of chivalry and honour we commit virtually virtually state of contendf atomic number 18. The play is set in the thirty years contend solely was written at the beginning of World War II. The beginning of the play is set in Poland, where a sergeant and recruiting officer are on the outskirts of town standing in the bitter cold. In this extract, we are adequate to observe a recruiting officers troubles in enlisting untested soldiers and the lengths in which he will go to gain new recruits. He then complains that there is no honour and upstandingness among humanity. This establishes the character as hypocritical and desperate.The prologue of the play begins with a song telling us of the daily hardships war can bring, not excluding death. The song drops ad jectives, taking a very apprise blunt view. It in addition takes a very disapproving view of war and this is shown through the choice of words. However, the song is delicately laced with humour that lessens the doctor the song may comport given. It describes the soldiers very impersonally, referring always to them as genius group, virtuoso army. Small, dispensable objects with no name joined together. Their belongings are described as lumbering and straggling which gives the image of a beefed-up animal (bear?), with more brawl than brains. This image is intensified by the bordering parentage How can you mop up them into battle as you usually flog large animals. This gives the impression that soldiers are mindlessly following the commands of their superiors because loyalty demanded it of them.The trice stanza of the prologue talks about soldiers and their empty stomachs before war. It does not specify whether this is because of lack of victuals or because war is so desola te that they cannot hold their food down. The line Courage has left(p) with which to lace it talks of giving rum to soldiers so they will not feel anything and since courage is defined as the absence of fear, the soldiers are therefore courageous. The line marching to death is in addition used. This links with the soldiers being courageous because you have to be courageous to march, shrewd that at the end awaits death.The legal transfer by the Recruiting Officer consists of mainly one long rambling sentence. This implies that the brawl is spoken by an uneducated soldier. It also suggests that the military cannot find enough recruits to enlist that it has to put soldiers in positions that they have neither the ability nor motivation to do advantageously. Also, the soldiers may not have acquired enough training to know how to do their job well. The second one-half of the speech speaks of the recruiting officer dulling the wits of a potential recruit by alcohol so that he would si gn on to become a soldier. The recruit then runs away and the recruiting officer complains of the lack of honour and upstandingness among humanity.This speech speaks of the difficulty of recruiting people to die for their country and because of the lack of availability, they settle for standards well below normal.In the prologue, a rhythm of ABAB CDCD and so on is used. The set rhyming structure is used to capture audiences precaution and to give a rhythm by which to read the poem. This provides a give ear from one line to another that keeps the reader interested. The last four lines of each stanza are indented, drawing the readers attention and marking it as significant. The authors choice of diction creates a vivid scene of imagery where soldiers are fighting disease and starvation rather than the enemy. The line With crawling lice and looted cattle shows the poor state of hygiene and wellness the troops are in. This immediately dislodges the myth that war is all fame and glory. Instead, a vision of unhygienic environment that many soldiers live in during war is created.This extract, especially the prologue, spares no time in easing the reader into the realness of war. Instead, it plunges them into one of the worse aspects of war. The recruiting officers speech reveals much about human behaviour which the reader can relate to and this entices them to read on. The extract provides a very good introduction to the book for the reader and in effect summarises the hardships of war. The purpose of this extract is to introduce the reader to various parts of war in a way that will neither alarm nor stupid person the reader. This is achieved by various literacy features such as imagery, diction and repetition and by the hypocritical speech made by the recruiting officer.

Funding Health Care Services Essay

Health C be function Recommend How Ambulatory Services Should Be Funded There are many an(prenominal) businesses like ambulance go that are private. Their fees are collected by the individual that is using the service to be transported to the doctor or the use of their indemnity they use to assist with their run. The conjunction besides provides near of the services and they are supported by taxes. In some cases, this is very rare. The hospital provides some of the ambulance services which are paid for by their insurance company or the forbearing for the service that is rendered at that time.In the community where I live, the patient is charged for the ambulance service regardless if someone gets on the ambulance when they arrive at the home. But the service is always community based. This is how the ambulatory service is paid for rather than it getting paid for by our tax dollars. It also depends on the business, county, and demesne we live in each day. Services provide d by the county and state are services paid for by tax base. There is also the use of private ambulance services, or just the use of completely volunteer ones.The use of first responders is funded by the county and the state. At the same time, one sight use a private separate ambulance service to assist with the injure person and transporting them. Recommend How Continuum of Long-Term Care Services Should be Funded I advocate that in order to deal with the complicated nature of recollective care, alternative solutions accept to be considered. The reality is that the commonwealth who is in need of long terminal care has to consider all of their basic wellness and human needs met for all the decades of their life. This is an expensive reality.With the expanding population of individuals who qualify for long term care, there needs to be a feasible fancy in place in order to ensure the viability of long term services without leaning on limited tax payer and/or government funds. My suggestion is to increase the requirement for pre-graduate internships and/or clinic experiences for students who are want advanced degrees in the long-term care services field. These include medical checkup assisting, breast feeding, professional counseling, social work, a physical rehabilitation. According to Mulvey, in the US, Medicaid is a government program that will pay for certain wellness servicesand nursing home care for older people. In most states, Medicaid also pays for some long-term care services at home and in the community. Eligibility and covered services vary from state to state. Most often, eligibility is based on income and personal resources. Individuals eligible for Medicaid are typically not in the hold in or cap adequate of aging in place, and Medicaids expenses are generally concentrated on nursing home care. The current requirement for these programs forrader graduation is in the range of 9-12 months of unpaid or low-paid service.If this service graduation requirement were to increase to 18-24 months this would provide many more entry aim, in time qualified, individuals the opportunity to provide care for those who are seeking a great deal of services at a fr action of the cost of current programs. The home for funding should be a combination of government subsidized funds, acknowledging the infixed sympathy that the United States was founded, along with private donations. If the cost of services hindquarters decrease, the available funds can stretch further to be able to support additional individuals who require long term care.Recommend How psychic and Behavioral Health Services Should be Funded Mental disorders and psychical health problems are treated by a variety of caregivers who work in diverse, relatively independent, and loosely coordinated facilities and services-both public and private (Williams amp Torren, 2010). I recommend that they appoint staff from the Department of Mental Health to go and put int o practice a joint plan to create a continuum of care for elder adults with behavioral health needs based on the Community Support Program (CSP) model.This plan of action should summarize objectives, goals, timeframes, action steps, and a research/evaluation component. It should also make available guidelines for scripted agreements on local collaboration, which it should include how to decide cross-system disagreements. I also have in mind that resource allocation o should be a main focus. With this creation said, this would lay the groundwork for the systems integration needed to create the continuum of care. Next, I recommend that they establish committed funding for services to elder adults with behavioral health needs for the county and state.This already exists for the care of the children. There should be a level of flexibility in order to develop a group of services perceptive to the needs of the individual of the adults. As of now, the state has not funded mental health. I recommend that at least one geriatric cowcatcher project be included in the budget. The project should require integration of the behavioral health and aging systems. I think that this would really be a vital step in addressing the needs of the geriatric population which is really underserved today.Once this is set up, it is my recommendation that the state set diversion more money for this funding each year. On the local level, community mental health should make behavioral health services for older individuals a main concern in its yearly plan for the distribution of reinvestment dollars. I also recommend that they require that all medical and nursing students be trained in identifying behavioral health issues, treatment modalities as they relate to the older adults, and the referral processes.

How Does Television and the Media Influence Children? Essay

Media plays very a important role and has influence in virtu wholey every aspect of our lives. It is considered as the best source to go to bed about the happenings of world. Newspaper, magazine, radio, video and internet are the different types of media. It greatly affects our lives because media has the thrustfulness to influence our thoughts. This influence is whatever fourth dimensions positive and some judgment of convictions prejudicial.NEGATIVE effect Media is the most influential one for the people to resort military unit. Studies name suggested that the scene to violence on television, movies and video games make the tiddlerren more(prenominal) ravening, fearful, less(prenominal) believe and more accepting of violence. This does not mean that they will start pitch weapons in the school but they will be more aggressive and less trusting towards their friends, teachers and siblings. nearly of them may carry out same flushed act that they see in the violent p rograms and eventually start more disposed to commit acts of violence.In the past, news about some murder, accidents etc. were used to be published in simple sentences or we brush off say in a way to just avow the people about a particular happening. But now all has changed. To mean solar day news is published in an exaggerated manner to depict the attention of people. This is against the ethics of journalism. So instead of world constructive, media plays a mordant role. People who read much of these news or consume immoderate violence on television, trust less and take the world more frightening than it is.Sex and violence in media also lead towards the trip crimes in the society. It traumatizes youngsters which result in abuse in the home, streets, towardschildren etc.Some advertisements try to influence the people by telling them the importance of mark items. As a result children and youngsters become status conscious and thinks that by using these items they can show t heir high status in the society. To process their needs or to impress others they many times go violent to get money.STATSVIOLENCE IN THE MEDIAHuston and colleagues progress to estimated that the average 18-year-old will have viewed 200,000 acts of violence on television _(Huston, A.C., Donnerstein, E., Fairchild, H. et al. Big World, Small Screen The place of Television in American Society. Lincoln, NE University of Nebraska Press, 1992.)_41% per centum of American households have three or more televisions _(Nielsen Media Research, 2000)._56% of children ages 8-16 have a television in their rooms _(Annenberg Public Policy Center, 2000. Media in the Home 2000)_Percentage of television-time children ages 2-7 spend reflexion alone and unsupervised 81 _(Kaiser Family Foundation, 1999. Kids and Media the New Millennium.)_Television alone is responsible for 10% of youth violence. _(Senate court Committee Staff Report, 1999.)_Average time per workweek that the American child ages 2-17 spends watching television 19 hours, 40 minutes _(Nielsen Media Research, 2000)_Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day 70 _(Tashman, Billy. Sorry Ernie, TV Isnt Teaching. New York Times. Nov 12,1994.)_Hours per year the average American youth spends in school 900 _(Barber, Benjamin. Harpers. Nov 1993 41)_Hours per year the average American youth watches television 1,023 _(Nielsen Media Research, 2000)_The influence of media on children extends to wellness related issues. Although television has the power to enlighten on nutrition, exercise, and a wide variety of health related issues, it can also be a negative force finished images and advertisements which influence viewers to make poor food choices or to overeat. In addition, unwarranted television viewing can result in inactivity which further contributes to luxuriant weight gain and poor fittingness levels. Children are specifically targeted by some advertisements and are even more vulnerable th an adults to their influence. Adults must assist children in questioning and thinking critically about the messages they see on TV. Limiting television viewing time and encouraging physical activity are precautions that parents should consider.Formal essay projectTopic Influence of media on our lives.Position I agree that media influences our lives. expression debate, convincinglyStatements.Media is the most influential aspect for people to resort violenceThe power of Adverts on T.V account for obesity upon young adolescents and many elderly people.T.V, Magazines, Newspapers. All influencing a child with a turning of a rapscallion or a push of a button.Concluding statementIt is explicit that media plays a crucial part in todays community, though clearly it can be seen that sitting on the couch watching midnight murders influences negative aspects to our lives. divide 1 Media influence on Children.Although Media has the power to educate on nutrition and conflicts it can also be a negative strength in a wide range of categories such as health. Media influence upon Adolescents extends towards much health related issues. T.V or magazines use publicizing as 30% of content .Without a doubt we are see an up rise in child obesity from negative influences through the media.Images and Advertisements of food retailing influence children to make deprived decisions on food. Additionally, excessive viewing of Television can promote poor health conditions and excessive weight gain. Young adolescents are the main targets to the advertising industry as their influences are more venerable that those of adultsStudies show that the, Average time per week that the American child ages 2-17 spends watching television 19 hours, 40 minutes. over 40% of watching time is contributed to Advertising. With 56% of children ages 8-16 having a television in their rooms children are one of the Victims encased in this web._Cinema, radio, television, magazines are a school of inattention people look without seeing, listen in without hearing._Robert BressonParagraph 2 Media influences on Behavior.Number of murders seen on TV by the time an average child finishes elementary school 8,000Number of violent acts seen on TV by age 18 200,000.So instead of Media being constructive, media plays a destructive role. People, who experience much of this news or view excessive violence on television, become influenced and take the world for a dangerous and violent place. The violence and abuse experienced through media, traumatizes children and can lead to abuse in the home, streets, etc.Studies have suggested that a excess amount exposure to violence on television, movies and serials make people aggressive, fearful, less trusting and more deceptive. To the extent, people mainly teens are smuggling weapons into schools and society.

Comparing and Contrasting Two Versions of Macbeth Essay

The two mutants of Macbeth were make in different years. The BBC reading was lower budget and point well-nigh as if it is a play being performed on stage. The Polanski translation was a big- budget film which is set in real, outdoor locations. However, though separately film is actually different, they are both adapted from Shakespeares play. audio is very cardinal in a film sound consists of deuce-ace elements, these being communion, music and effects. In the BBC meter reading of Macbeth, dialogue is the most primary(prenominal) of these sound elements this is because the BBC magnetic variation is very closely related to Shakespeares play. In the BBC version, sound is used to tell everything in that respect are very fewer sound effects and very little music. Conversely, in the Polanski version any three elements share important roles.While the BBC version follows Shakespeares skipper script very closely, Polanski makes a number of changes to the script and sequence o f events. An cause of the original play being adapted is in facet one, in which he chooses to make very long so that he was equal to(p) to miss our parts later on in the story. Instead of the witches clash in the first guessing, the witches meet and cast a spell development an arm. In the BBC version, this particular reference to a body part does not come until scene three. This is why scene one in the Polanski version is so long.The dialogue in the BBC version is identical to the dialogue that Shakespeare wrote. though dialogue in the BBC version is the most important feature, there is music. melody is used to build up suspense at the very reference of the film, this music starts and stops as does the use of thunder as goofy fallacy. This creates an eerie and unpredictable effect. In the Polanski version, sound is a much sagacious element. In scene one, everything is action with quiet sounds and the witches do not let the cat out of the bag until two minutes into the s cene. On the other hand, the witched begin to speak some immediately in the BBC version.The mise en scene in both movies is important. A movie squirt be more(prenominal) realistic than in a staged play. This can be seen clearly in the Polanski version which uses elaborate, separate costumes which look very true to life. This is helped because the Polanski film had a big budget. The context of use in the Polanski film was a real landscape and on location. more props are also used for example in scene one when the witches push a pram which contains an arm, a dagger and blood. prop add to any movie or play to make it more interesting.In this particular case, however, the props symbolic of what is to happen later in the play- gory murder. In the BBC the mise en scene is much simpler, being set more like a stage version- more dialogue, less scenery. In scene one there is only one setting. This scenery is much simpler and clearly filmed in a studio, it interprets the witches situa ted on a rock in a dark area. The costumes the witches are wearing knit undistinguishing clothe their black shawls are almost identical making the listening concentrate more on the dialogue, the mise en scene is a bonus, as opposed to in the Polanski version, where the mise en scene plays a more important role.Visuals are very important in both versions of Macbeth. In the BBC version there is only one piquance in scene one, which makes it very similar to how it would be performed on stage. However, the difference is that the camera zooms in a the beginning and zooms further in to a close up of the witches workforce at the end. This same effect could not be achieved in a stage version, In the third scene of the BBC version, there are many a(prenominal) twinges. This is because the scene is longer and includes more characters Macbeth, Banquo, the three witches and two messengers.Whereas in scene one there were only three witches. In the Polanski version there are many shots fift een in scene one. Each shot is carefully made to portray something. Unlike in a play, a movie effectively tells the viewer exactly what to see at a certain point. One example of an important shot is the third shot in scene one where the shot goes from the three witches digging in the sand to a seagull flying in the chuck. This shot may seem random at first but it was specifically chosen to show time passing. It can also stand for a approaching storm- seagulls flying inland means that there is bad weather create from raw material at sea. This can be connected as a polarity of what is going to happen later in the story and what the witches are preparing, a bad spell.The use of lightning and colour is important in both versions. This can be noticed when the lightning in scene one in the BBC version and Polanski version is both red at the beginning. The colour red symbolises blood, a major element in the play and gives an indication to the audience of the bloodbath and murders t o come. Colour is also important to portray the time of day. This is shown in the Polanski version at the beginning when it is dawn and the sky turns from red to blue, becoming brighter to show the sun rising. A red sky can also symbolise bad weather, as does the seagull later on. The saying goes Red sky at night, wards delight, red sky in the morning, shepherds warning.I think both versions are excellent stories of Macbeth. The BBC version is more like the original play and focuses on the literary issue the Polanski version contains more action. Both films are helpful in aiding students to construe the content and themes of the play because the BBC version is very similar to the original play- the rescue is the same, however, the Polanski version is more cinematic which makes it more exciting and helps students to enjoy the play. I preferred the Polanski version because it is not completely directed on dialogue but also on action and scenery. I found this more interesting and m ore realistic than in the BBC version.

The Lost Symbol Chapter 4-6

CHAPTER 4The U.S. Capitol Building stands reg each(prenominal)y at the eastern end of the topic M entirely, on a raised(a) plateau that urban center designer Pierre LEnfant described as a pedestal waiting for a monument. The Capitols wide footprint measures more than 750 feet in length and 350 feet deep. Housing more than sixteen acres of floor space, it contains an astounding 541 rooms. The neoclassical architecture is meticulously designed to echo the grandeur of ancient Rome, whose ideals were the inspiration for Americas founders in establishing the laws and culture of the b be-ass republic.The new security checkpoint for tourists enter the Capitol Building is located deep within the recently completed later(a) visitant center, beneath a magnificent glass skylight that frames the Capitol Dome. pertly hired security guard Alfonso Nunez c be wide-eyedy studied the male visitor now approa elevateg his checkpoint. The objet dart had a s conductd head and had been tardy in the lobby, completing a hollo call before entrance the building. His correct arm was in a sling, and he moved with a slight limp. He was wearying a tattered army-navy surplus coat, which, combine with his s ca-cad head, make Nunez guess military. Those who had served in the U.S. armed forces were among the most leafy vegetable visitors to Washington.Good evening, sir, Nunez said, following the security protocol of verbally engaging all male visitor who entered al whiz.Hello, the visitor said, glancing around at the coterminously run- consume entry. Quiet night.NFC p mystify-offs, Nunez replied. Ein truth unitarys watching the Redskins tonight. Nunez wished he were, excessively, notwithstanding this was his start-off month on the job, and hed drawn the short straw. Metal bearings in the dish, please.As the visitor fumbled to counter homod the pockets of his eagle-eyed coat with his integrity working baseball glove, Nunez watched him c arefully. world instinct mak e special allowances for the injured and handicapped, but it was an instinct Nunez had been trained to everyplaceride.Nunez waited while the visitor removed from his pockets the usual assortment of loose change, keys, and a couple of cellular phone phones. Sprain? Nunez asked, eyeing the small-arms injured hand, which appeared to be wrapped in a serial publication of thick Ace bandages.The bald man nodded. Slipped on the ice. A workweek ago. Still hurts similar hell.Sorry to hear that. Walk by dint of, please.The visitor limped by dint of the detector, and the machine buzzed in protest.The visitor frowned. I was afraid of that. Im wearing a ring under these bandages. My finger was too swollen to get it off, so the doctors wrapped right over it.No problem, Nunez said. Ill use the wand. Nunez ran the coat-detection wand over the visitors wrapped hand. As expected, the only metal he detected was a large lump on the mans injured ring finger. Nunez took his m grinding the metal detector over every inch of the mans sling and finger. He knew his supervisor was probably monitoring him on the closed circuit in the buildings security center, and Nunez needed this job. Always better to be cautious. He carefully slid the wand up at bottom the mans sling.The visitor winced in pain.Sorry.Its okay, the man said. You lavt be too careful these sidereal days.Aint that the truth. Nunez handled this khat. Strangely, that counted for a lot around here. Human instinct was Americas origin line of defense against terrorism. It was a prove concomitant that human intuition was a more accurate detector of riskiness than all the electronic gear in the worldthe gift of fear, as one of their security reference books termed it.In this case, Nunezs instincts sensed nonhing that caused him all fear. The only oddity that he noniced, now that they were standing so close, was that this tough-looking guy appeared to have used just about kind of self-tanner or concealer mak eup on his give. Whatever. Everyone hates to be pale in the winter.Youre fine, Nunez said, completing his sweep and stowing the wand.Thanks. The man started collecting his belongings from the tray.As he did, Nunez noniced that the dickens fingers stick out from his bandage separately pillock a tattoo the tip of his world power finger bore the plan of a crown, and the tip of his thumb bore that of a star. Seems everyone has tattoos these days, Nunez thought, although the pads of his fingertips seemed like painful spots to get them. Those tats hurt?The man glanced down at his fingertips and chuckled. Less than you might think.Lucky, Nunez said. Mine hurt a lot. I got a mermaid on my back when I was in guardianship camp.A mermaid? The bald man chuckled.Yeah, he said, feeling sheepish. The mis rents we make in our youth.I hear you, the bald man said. I make a big mis withstand in my youth, too. Now I wake up with her every morning.They both laughed as the man headed off. Childs profligacy, Malakh thought as he moved past Nunez and up the escalator toward the Capitol Building. The entry had been easier than anticipated. Malakhs slouching posture and aggrandise belly had secluded his true physique, while the makeup on his face and hands had hidden the tattoos that covered his body. The true genius, however, was the sling, which disguised the potent object Malakh was transporting into the building.A gift for the one man on earth who can help me obtain what I seek.CHAPTER 5The worlds largest and most technologically modernistic museum is also one of the worlds best- kept secrets. It houses more pieces than the Hermitage, the Vatican Museum, and the New York Metropolitan . . . combined. nonetheless despite its magnificent collection, hardly a(prenominal) members of the public are ever invited inside its heavily guarded walls.Located at 4210 Silver Hill highroad just outside of Washington, D.C., the museum is a massive zigzag-shaped edifice constructed of five coordinated podseach pod larger than a football field. The buildings bluish metal exterior barely hints at the strangeness withina six-hundred- thousand-square-foot extraterrestrial be world that contains a numb(p) zone, a idiotic pod, and more than xii miles of storage cabinets.Tonight, scientist Katherine Solomon was feeling unsettled as she drove her white Volvo up to the buildings main security gate.The guard smiled. Not a football fan, Ms. Solomon? He lowered the volume on the Redskins play-off pregame show.Katherine forced a tense smile. Its sunlight night.Oh, thats right. Your con get across.Is he here yet? she asked anxiously.He glanced down at his paperwork. I dont see him on the log.Im early. Katherine gave a companionly wave and continued up the winding access road to her usual parking spot at the bottom of the small, two-tiered lot. She began collecting her things and gave herself a quick check in the rearview reflectmore out of force of habit than actual vanity.Katherine Solomon had been blessed with the alive(p) Mediterranean skin of her ancestry, and even at fifty years emeritus she had a smooth olive complexion. She used well-nigh no makeup and wore her thick black bull unstyled and down. Like her older chum salmon, creature, she had gray eye and a slender, patrician elegance.You two might as well be twins, mass often told them.Their father had succumbed to cancer when Katherine was only seven, and she had circumstantial fund of him. Her brother, eight years Katherines senior and only 15 when their father died, had begun his voyage toward becoming the Solomon patriarch much sooner than everyone had ever dreamed. As expected, though, bastard had grown into the role with the dignity and strength befitting their family name. To this day, he subdued watched over Katherine as though they were just slangs.Despite her brothers occasional prodding, and no shortage of suitors, Katherine had never married. Science had become her life partner, and her work had proven more fulfilling and exciting than any man could ever hope to be. Katherine had no regrets.Her field of choiceNoetic Sciencehad been virtually unknown when she send-off heard of it, but in recent years it had started fountain new doors of understanding into the power of the human mind.Our untapped potential is truly shocking.Katherines two books on Noetics had established her as a leader in this unvalued field, but her most recent discoveries, when published, promised to make Noetic Science a topic of mainstream conversation around the world.Tonight, however, science was the last thing on her mind. Earlier in the day, she had received almost truly upsetting teaching relating to her brother. I still cant believe its true. Shed thought of nothing else all afternoon.A pattering of light rain drummed on her windshield, and Katherine quickly puckered her things to get inside. She was more or less to step out of her car when her cell phone rang.She checked the party ID and inhaled deeply.Then she tucked her hair behind her ears and settled in to take the call.Six miles away, Malakh was moving through the corridors of the U.S. Capitol Building with a cell phone pressed to his ear. He waited patiently as the line rang.Finally, a womans enunciate purposeed. Yes?We need to meet again, Malakh said.There was a long pause. Is everything all right? I have new education, Malakh said. split me.Malakh took a deep tip. That which your brother believes is hidden in D.C. . . . ?Yes?It can be found.Katherine Solomon tidyed stunned. Youre break uping meit is real?Malakh smiled to himself. some clock a legend that endures for centuries . . . endures for a reason.CHAPTER 6Is this as close as you can get? Robert Langdon felt a sudden wave of anxiety as his driver parked on First Street, a soundly quarter mile from the Capitol Building.Afraid so, the driver said. Homeland Security. No vehicles near landmark buildings anymore. Im sorry, sir.Langdon checked his watch, startled to see it was already 650. A construction zone around the National Mall had slowed them down, and his lecture was to obtain in ten minutes.Weathers turning, the driver said, hopping out and opening Langdons door for him. Youll regard to hurry. Langdon reached for his wallet to tip the driver, but the man waved him off. Your host already added a very generous tip to the charge.Typical Peter, Langdon thought, gathering his things. Okay, thanks for the ride.The first few raindrops began to fall as Langdon reached the top of the gracefully arched hoi polloi that descended to the new underground visitors entrance.The Capitol Visitor Center had been a costly and debatable project. Described as an underground metropolis to rival parts of Disney World, this subsurface space reportly provided over a half-million square feet of space for exhibits, restaurants, and meeting halls.Langdon had been looking forward to seeing it, although he hadnt anticipated quite this long a walk. The skies were threatening to open at any moment, and he broke into a jog, his loafers quiping almost no traction on the wet cement. I dressed for a lecture, not a four-hundred-yard downhill ardor through the rainWhen he arrived at the bottom, he was breathless and panting. Langdon pushed through the revolving door, taking a moment in the foyer to catch his breath and brush off the rain. As he did, he raised his eye to the newly completed space before him.Okay, Im impressed.The Capitol Visitor Center was not at all what he had expected. Because the space was underground, Langdon had been apprehensive about issue through it. A childhood accident had left him stranded at the bottom of a deep well overnight, and Langdon now lived with an almost disqualifying aversion to enclosed spaces. But this underground space was . . . airy somehow. Light. Spacious.The jacket was a vast expanse of glass with a series of spectacular light fixtures that thr ew a muted glow across the pearl-colored interior finishes.Normally, Langdon would have taken a full hour in here to wonder the architecture, but with five minutes until showtime, he put his head down and dashed through the main hall toward the security checkpoint and escalators. Relax, he told himself. Peter knows youre on your way. The event wont start without you.At the security point, a spring chicken Hispanic guard chatted with him while Langdon emptied his pockets and removed his vintage watch.Mickey hook? the guard said, sounding mildly amused.Langdon nodded, accustomed to the comments. The collectors edition Mickey grovel watch had been a gift from his parents on his ninth birthday. I wear it to remind me to slow down and take life less seriously.I dont think its working, the guard said with a smile. You look like youre in a serious hurry.Langdon smiled and put his daybag through the X-ray machine. Which way to the statuary Hall?The guard motioned toward the escalators. Youll see the signs.Thanks. Langdon grabbed his bag off the conveyor and hurry on. As the escalator ascended, Langdon took a deep breath and tried to gather his thoughts. He gazed up through the rain-speckled glass ceiling at the mountainous form of the illuminated Capitol Dome overhead. It was an astonishing building. High atop her roof, almost three hundred feet in the air, the Statue of Freedom peered out into the misty unfairness like a ghostly sentinel. Langdon forever and a day found it ironic that the workers who hoisted each piece of the enneadteen-and-a-half-foot bronze statue to her perch were slavesa Capitol secret that seldom made the syllabi of high school history classes.This entire building, in fact, was a foster trove of bizarre arcana that included a killer bathtub responsible for(p) for the pneumonic murder of Vice President Henry Wilson, a staircase with a permanent bloodstain over which an inordinate number of guests seemed to trip, and a loaded basement chamber in which workers in 1930 discovered General commode Alexander Logans long- deceased stuffed horse.No legends were as enduring, however, as the claims of thirteen diverse ghosts that haunted this building. The spirit of city designer Pierre LEnfant frequently was reported roll the halls, seeking payment of his bill, now two hundred years overdue. The ghost of a worker who fell from the Capitol Dome during construction was seen wandering the corridors with a tray of tools. And, of course, the most notable apparition of all, reported numerous multiplication in the Capitol basementan ephemeral black cat that prowled the substructures eerie internal ear of narrow passageways and cubicles.Langdon stepped off the escalator and again checked his watch. Three minutes. He hurried down the wide corridor, following the signs toward the Statuary Hall and rehearsing his opening remarks in his head. Langdon had to admit that Peters assistant had been correct this lecture topic would b e a perfect match for an event hosted in Washington, D.C., by a prominent Mason.It was no secret that D.C. had a rich masonic history. The rear end of this very building had been laid in a full masonic ritual by George Washington himself. This city had been conceived and designed by keep down MasonsGeorge Washington, Ben Franklin, and Pierre LEnfant ruling minds who adorned their new crownwork with masonic symbolism, architecture, and art.Of course, people see in those symbols all kinds of crazy ideas.Many conspiracy theorists claimed the Masonic forefathers had concealed powerful secrets throughout Washington along with symbolic messages hidden in the citys layout of highways. Langdon never paid any attention. Misinformation about the Masons was so unglamorous that even educated Harvard schoolchilds seemed to have surprisingly warped conceptions about the brotherhood. get year, a freshman had rushed wild-eyed into Langdons classroom with a printout from the Web. It was a str eet map of D.C. on which certain streets had been highlighted to form various shapes sinful pentacles, a Masonic compass and square, the head of Baphometproof apparently that the Masons who designed Washington, D.C., were involved in some kind of dark, mystical conspiracy. Fun, Langdon said, but barely convincing. If you draw enough intersecting lines on a map, youre bound to cause all kinds of shapes.But this cant be semblance the kid exclaimed.Langdon patiently showed the disciple that the same circumstantial shapes could be formed on a street map of Detroit.The kid seemed sorely disappointed.Dont be disheartened, Langdon said. Washington does have some incredible secrets . . . just none on this street map.The young man perked up. Secrets? Like what?Every spring I teach a course called Occult Symbols. I talking a lot about D.C. You should take the course.Occult symbols The freshman looked excited again. So there are gall symbols in D.C.Langdon smiled. Sorry, but the word occ ult, despite conjuring images of devil worship, real means hidden or obscured. In times of religious oppression, knowledge that was counterdoctrinal had to be kept hidden or occult, and because the church felt threatened by this, they redefined anything occult as evil, and the prejudice survived.Oh. The kid slumped.Nonetheless, that spring, Langdon spotted the freshman seated in the front row as five hundred students bustled into Harvards Sanders Theatre, a muddle old lecture hall with creaking woody benches.Good morning, everybody, Langdon yelled from the expansive stage. He turned on a slide projector, and an image materialized behind him. As youre getting settled, how many of you recognize the building in this picture?U.S. Capitol dozens of voices called out in unison. Washington, D.C.Yes. There are nine million pounds of ironwork in that dome. An unparalleled feat of architectural ingenuity for the 1850s.awesome somebody shouted.Langdon rolled his eyes, wishing somebody would ban that word. Okay, and how many of you have ever been to Washington?A scattering of hands went up. So few? Langdon feigned surprise. And how many of you have been to Rome, Paris, Madrid, or London?Almost all the hands in the room went up.As usual. One of the rites of passage for American college kids was a summer with a Eurorail ticket before the harsh existence of real life set in. It appears many more of you have visited europium than have visited your own capital. Why do you think that is?No imbibition age in atomic number 63 someone in back shouted.Langdon smiled. As if the drinking age here stops any of you?Everyone laughed.It was the first day of school, and the students were taking longer than usual to get settled, shifting and creaking in their wooden pews. Langdon loved teaching in this hall because he always knew how engaged the students were simply by listening to how much they fidgeted in their pews.Seriously, Langdon said, Washington, D.C., has some of the worlds finest architecture, art, and symbolism. Why would you go overseas before visiting your own capital?Ancient stuff is cooler, someone said.And by ancient stuff, Langdon clarified, I happen upon you mean castles, crypts, temples, that sort of thing?Their heads nodded in unison.Okay. Now, what if I told you that Washington, D.C., has every one of those things? Castles, crypts, pyramids, temples . . . its all there.The creaking diminished.My friends, Langdon said, lowering his voice and moving to the front of the stage, in the next hour, you will discover that our nation is overflowing with secrets and hidden history. And but as in Europe, all of the best secrets are hidden in plain view.The wooden pews fell dead silent.Gotcha.Langdon dimmed the lights and called up his mho slide. Who can tell me what George Washington is doing here? The slide was a historied mural depicting George Washington dressed in full Masonic regalia standing before an odd-looking contraptiona giant wooden tri pod that supported a rope-and- pulley system from which was suspended a massive block of oppose. A group of well-dressed onlookers stood around him.Lifting that big block of stone? someone ventured.Langdon said nothing, preferring that a student make the correction if possible.Actually, some other student offered, I think Washington is lowering the rock. Hes wearing a Masonic costume. Ive seen pictures of Masons laying institutions before. The ceremony always uses that tripod thing to lower the first stone.Excellent, Langdon said. The mural portrays the Father of Our Country using a tripod and pulley to lay the cornerstone of our Capitol Building on September 18, 1793, between the hours of eleven fifteen and twelve thirty. Langdon paused, scanning the class. Can anyone tell me the significance of that date and time?Silence.What if I told you that precise moment was chosen by three famous MasonsGeorge Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Pierre LEnfant, the primary architect for D. C.?More silence.Quite simply, the cornerstone was set at that date and time because, among other things, the auspicious forefront Draconis was in Virgo.Everyone exchanged odd looks.Hold on, someone said. You mean . . . like astrology?Exactly. Although a incompatible astrology than we know today.A hand went up. You mean our Founding Fathers believed in astrology?Langdon grinned. Big-time. What would you rank if I told you the city of Washington, D.C., has more astrological signs in its architecture than any other city in the worldzodiacs, star charts, cornerstones laid at precise astrological dates and times? More than half of the framers of our Constitution were Masons, men who strongly believed that the stars and hatful were intertwined, men who paid close attention to the layout of the heavens as they incorporate their new world.But that whole thing about the Capitol cornerstone creation laid while Caput Draconis was in Virgowho cares? Cant that just be coincidence? An impre ssive coincidence considering that the cornerstones of the three structures that make up Federal trianglethe Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monumentwere all laid in different years but were carefully timed to occur under this exact same astrological condition.Langdons gaze was met by a room full of wide eyes. A number of heads dipped down as students began taking notes.A hand in back went up. Why did they do that?Langdon chuckled. The answer to that is an entire semesters worth of material. If youre curious, you should take my mysticism course. Frankly, I dont think you guys are emotionally prepared to hear the answer.What? the person shouted. Try usLangdon made a show of considering it and then shook his head, toying with them. Sorry, I cant do that. Some of you are only freshmen. Im afraid it might blow your minds.Tell us everyone shouted.Langdon shrugged. Perhaps you should plug into the Masons or Eastern spark advance and bring out about it from the source.We cant get in, a young man argued. The Masons are like a supersecret societySupersecret? Really? Langdon remembered the large Masonic ring that his friend Peter Solomon wore proudly on his right hand. Then why do Masons wear obvious Masonic rings, tie clips, or pins? Why are Masonic buildings clearly marked? Why are their meeting times in the newspaper? Langdon smiled at all the puzzled faces. My friends, the Masons are not a secret society . . . they are a society with secrets. akin thing, someone muttered.Is it? Langdon challenged. Would you consider Coca-Cola a secret society?Of course not, the student said.Well, what if you knocked on the door of corporate headquarters and asked for the recipe for Classic degree Celsius?Theyd never tell you.Exactly. In order to learn Coca-Colas deepest secret, you would need to nub the company, work for many years, prove you were trustworthy, and eventually rise to the upper echelons of the company, where that information might be shared with you. Th en you would be sworn to secrecy. So youre saying Freemasonry is like a corporation? Only insofar as they have a strict hierarchy and they take secrecy very seriously.My uncle is a Mason, a young woman piped up. And my aunt hates it because he wont talk about it with her. She says Masonry is some kind of strange religion.A common misperception.Its not a religion?Give it the litmus test, Langdon said. Who here has taken professor Witherspoons comparative religion course?Several hands went up.Good. So tell me, what are the three prerequisites for an ideology to be considered a religion?ABC, one woman offered. Assure, Believe, Convert.Correct, Langdon said. Religions assure salvation religions believe in a precise theology and religions convert nonbelievers. He paused. Masonry, however, is batting zero for three. Masons make no promises of salvation they have no specific theology and they do not seek to convert you. In fact, within Masonic lodges, discussions of religion are prohibite d.So . . . Masonry is anti religious?On the contrary. One of the prerequisites for becoming a Mason is that you must believe in a higher power. The struggle between Masonic spirituality and organized religion is that the Masons do not impose a specific definition or name on a higher power. Rather than definitive theological identities like God, Allah, Buddha, or Jesus, the Masons use more general terms like Supreme cosmos or Great Architect of the Universe. This enables Masons of different faiths to gather together.Sounds a little far-out, someone said.Or, perhaps, refreshingly open-minded? Langdon offered. In this age when different cultures are killing each other over whose definition of God is better, one could say the Masonic tradition of tolerance and open-mindedness is commendable. Langdon paced the stage. Moreover, Masonry is open to men of all races, colors, and creeds, and provides a spiritual fraternity that does not discriminate in any way.Doesnt discriminate? A member of the universitys Womens Center stood up. How many women are permitted to be Masons, Professor Langdon?Langdon showed his palms in surrender. A fair point. Freemasonry had its roots, traditionally, in the stone masons guilds of Europe and was therefore a mans organization. Several hundred years ago, some say as early as 1703, a womens branch called Eastern Star was founded. They have more than a million members.Nonetheless, the woman said, Masonry is a powerful organization from which women are excluded.Langdon was not sure how powerful the Masons really were anymore, and he was not going to go down that road perceptions of the modern Masons ranged from their being a group of harmless old men who liked to play dress-up . . . all the way to an underground cabal of power brokers who ran the world. The truth, no doubt, was someplace in the middle.Professor Langdon, called a young man with curly hair in the back row, if Masonry is not a secret society, not a corporation, and not a rel igion, then what is it?Well, if you were to ask a Mason, he would offer the following definition Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in parable and illustrated by symbols.Sounds to me like a euphemism for freaky cult. Freaky, you say?Hell yes the kid said, standing up. I heard what they do inside those secret buildings supernatural candlelight rituals with coffins, and nooses, and drinking wine out of skulls. Now thats freakyLangdon scanned the class. Does that sound freaky to anyone else?Yes they all chimed in.Langdon feigned a sad sigh. Too bad. If thats too freaky for you, then I know youll never want to join my cult.Silence settled over the room. The student from the Womens Center looked uneasy. Youre in a cult?Langdon nodded and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. Dont tell anyone, but on the pagan day of the sun god Ra, I rest at the foot of an ancient instrument of torture and consume ritualistic symbols of blood and flesh.The class looked horrified.Langdon shrugged. And if any of you care to join me, come to the Harvard chapel service on Sunday, kneel beneath the crucifix, and take Holy Communion.The classroom remained silent. Langdon winked. free your minds, my friends. We all fear what we do not understand.The tolling of a clock began repeat through the Capitol corridors.Seven oclock.Robert Langdon was now running. Talk about a dramatic entrance. Passing through the House Connecting Corridor, he spotted the entrance to the National Statuary Hall and headed straight for it.As he neared the door, he slowed to a nonchalant stroll and took several deep breaths. Buttoning his jacket, he lifted his chin ever so slightly and turned the corner just as the final chime sounded.Showtime.As Professor Robert Langdon strode into the National Statuary Hall, he raised his eyes and smiled warmly. An instant later, his smile evaporated. He stopped dead in his tracks.Something was very, very wrong.