My Closet :: essays papers

My Closet I sat quietly on the couch next to my father. His short muscular arm extended over my head as if to protect his little girl. His fingers got lost in my strands of hair, as I yanked my head forward as if to signal I did not want him to play with my hair. My new baby doll with big blonde ringlets and skin that smelled like a baby’s skin after it has just been powdered, rested in my lap. My meek hands stroked the tiny doll as if it were alive. My father knelt down and kissed my forehead as he said, â€Å"Don’t worry, Princess, Mommy will†¦.Oh here she is now!† I sprang from my warm, sheltered seat and sprinted to the front window as quickly as my tiny legs could move. My fingers grasped the long, wooden windowsill and my little pug nose pressed against the window pain. My breath delivered a frosty appearance on the glass as my eyes strained to see my mother step out of her car. My toes ached with pain as I fought to stay in view with the outside world. Too late. I could already hear my mothers graceful footsteps ascend the stairs. She carefully opened the door that entered my kitchen, and I flung myself into her arms. My mother yelped with shock and a hint of exhaustion, â€Å"Meggie honey, Mommy is very tired. Please be a little more careful next time.† â€Å"Mommy! Mommy! Daddy bought me a new dolly today, her name is, Madeline. Look! Look!† â€Å"Oh very nice sweetie. I have a surprise for you too.† â€Å"What is it? What is it?† I exclaimed as I jumped rapidly around the kitchen. My mind raced. Was it another doll? Maybe the game I had been wanting? Tinkerbell perfume! That is what it must be. I had always wanted Tinkerbell perfume. Everytime I saw it in a store I would shout and point with such excitement. I thought it had magical powers that would make me fly. My imagination always ran with ideas as most children’ always do. My mother griped my hand tightly and led me into the living room at a slow pace that indicated she was nervous yet excited. She sat me down gently next to my father. Her smile had never been so huge.

Physics of Downhill Skiing :: physics sport sports ski skiing

Skiing is a sport enjoyed by millions of people around the world. The adrenaline rush that skiers get from flying down the slopes is unmatched, but all too often the cause for this rush is overlooked. Physics plays a crucial role in skiing and without it, there would definitely be no skiing. The concept of skiing is simple. You attach a ski to each foot, go to the top of a hill or incline, and slide down, turning side to side. From this basic concept of sliding down an inclined plane, a worldwide sport has evolved. In this paper, I hope you gain a useful knowledge of the vitally important role that physics plays in the sport of downhill skiing. m = mass of skier g = gravitational force a = acceleration mu = kinetic friction coefficient  · Inertial Forces = (m)(a)  · Frictional Force = (mu)(m)(g)(cos theta)  · Graviational Force = (m)(g)(sin theta) Gravity is the force that holds the skier to the ground and is also what pulls the skier down the hill. While gravity is acting straight down on the skier, a normal force is exerted on the skier that opposes gravity. As the skier skis down the hill, he or she will encounter an acceleration. This acceleration is due to gravity caused by a change in the skiers velocity. The mass of a skier is different for every person and is easily calculated by multiplying a skiers weight in kilograms by the gravitational force exerted by the earth. These forces and more are explained throughout the rest of this paper. Gravity is a force that everybody is familiar with and is one of the simplest to understand. We all know that if you were to throw a ball in the air it would fall right back down. This force called gravity exerts a constant acceleration of 9.81 m/sec2 towards the center of the earth. Gravity is what pulls you down the hill. While gravity is being exerted downward, a normal force is being exerted on the skier opposing gravity. This normal force acts perpendicular to the earth's surface, and in this case the mountain on which the skier is skiing. Lets say for instance the skier was on a flat surface, both gravity and the normal force would be acting on the skier but in opposite directions, thereby canceling each other out and resulting in no movement. However when a skier is on the mountain, the combination of gravity and the perpendicular normal force result in the skier being pulled down the mountain at the same angle as the mountain’s slope.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, And John :: essays research papers fc

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Theocentric Studies-Part I February 2, 1996 The four Gospels are neither histories of the life of Christ nor biographies. They are portraits of the person and work of the long promised Messiah, Israel's King and the world's Savior. As portraits they present four different poses of one unique personality. Matthew by the Holy Spirit presents Christ as King, Mark as Servant, Luke as Man, and John as God. Although featuring Christ as King, Matthew sketches His role as a King in closest connection with His character as Servant, as Man, and as God (Matthew 13:53-19:30). Likewise, although featuring Him as Servant, Mark depicts Christ's servant role in closest connection with His character as King, Man and God (Mark 11:1-16:1-8). Similarly Luke focuses the spotlight on Christ as Man and John as God, but like other evangelists they do not separate Him from His full- orbed character (Luke 4:14-9:50, John 1:19- 2:50). The four Gospels narrate, largely, the same things, but with some differences. Only Matthew and Luke tell of the Birth and childhood of Jesus (Matthew 1:14-9:1, Luke 1:5-4:13). Matthew and Mark dwell on the Galilean Ministry; Luke, the Perean; John, the Judean. John omits most of the Galilean Ministry, and records visits to Jerusalem that the others omit (Luke 9:51-19:27). The others omit the Judean Ministry, except the Last Week, which all four cover rather extensively. The Last Week occupies one-third of Matthew, approximately one-third of Mark, one-quarter of Luke, and one-half of John. John devotes seven chapters, about one-third of his book, to Crucifixion Day, sunset to sunset. Thus all four writers present the one and same Person: the God-Man, Servant of the Lord, King of Israel, humanity's Redeemer. The special emphasis of Matthew is that Jesus is the Messiah foretold by Old Testament Prophets. As he quotes from the Old Testament repeatedly, he seems to have had Jewish readers in mind. Mark's special emphasis is the Superhuman power of Jesus, by demonstrating His Deity by His Miracles (Mark 1:14-9:1). Omits most of Jesus' lectures. Narrates things Jesus did rather than things Jesus said. Seems to have had Gentile readers in mind. Luke's special emphasis is the humanity of Jesus. Representing Jesus as the Son of God. Luke features His kindness toward the weak, the suffering and the outcast (Luke 9:51-18:27). He seems to have had the Greeks, who represented culture, philosophy and wisdom, in mind. John places special emphasis on the Deity of Jesus. Consists mostly of Jesus' lectures and conversations. Discusses things Jesus said rather than things He did (John 1:1-18). By describing the eternal pre-existence, human birth, death,

Saint Mark’s Basilica

Saint Mark’s Basilica, which can be found in Venice Italy, has been considered to be the most important church in the said region since the early Christian period. However, it was only in 1807 when the said basilica became the official cathedral of Venice, replacing the Church of San Pietro di Castello. Due to its remarkable and authentic design, Saint Mark’s Basilica is noted as one of Europe’s most glorious and eccentric cathedrals. As it was said, no visitor or pilgrim can remain dispassionate about the specified cathedral once confronted by it (Belford, Dunford, Andrews, and Woolfrey). However, there are others who are confused once the details of the cathedral come into perspective. Whether it may appear delightful or not, analyzing the building’s history would help in understanding its eccentricities and would also shed light on its roles in religious faith and its contributions on the politics and prestige of Venice. The Story of the Basilica Situated at the heart of Venice, Italy, Saint Mark’s Cathedral has long been recognized as the leading representation of the Venetian faith and political memoir. True enough, such adherence to their religiosity is a result of the church and government’s embrace of Christianity as the leading force behind the cathedral’s establishment and the mark of religiosity among its citizens. From the past until the present, the Venetian government’s adage â€Å"Prima di tutto Venziani, poi Cristiani,† which, when translated in English, means â€Å"First above all Venetians, then Christians,† is considered as the defining factor of the Venetian living because it widely represents the subordination of the church to the state, yet the religion maintains its power over the republic because of its capability to represent the people’s beliefs. Venetians believe that Venice is God’s chosen city wherein he infused his grace through the aid of their patron saint, Saint Mark the Evangelist (Bershad, Mangone, and Hexham 205). The strong link that binds the spiritual faith and governance of Venice had its roots from the rich history of the renowned Saint Mark’s Basilica and the legends surrounding the interment of Saint Mark’s body in the said edifice. The Legends Three notable legends were said to be responsible for the rise of Saint Mark’s Cathedral as a religious representation of the people’s faith and the force behind Venice’s political array: The â€Å"praedestinato† (predestinate), â€Å"translatio† (translation), and the â€Å"inventio† (invention). Praedestinato claims that while preaching throughout Italy, Saint Mark, together with his companion, made a stop at the Venetian lagoons and formed an immediate bond with the people within the area. Upon returning to Rome, Saint Mark and his colleague encountered a storm leading them to sought temporary shelter in the Venetian lagoon. In his state of repose, an angel came to Saint Mark and told him â€Å"Pax tibi, Marcae. Hic requiescet corpus tuum† or â€Å"Peace Mark. Here your body will rest. The angel also informed Mark that at some point in history, the settlers in Venice would build his burial spot in that area, because if they do God will be giving them graces through Saint Mark’s intercession. With the given perspective it is believed that Christianity came about in Venice through Saint Mark (Bershad, Mangone and Hexham 205-206). The founder’s of Venice were said to have been notably persuaded by the idea of the city’s sacred ordination through th e intercession of Saint Mark’s body. Hence, in order to fulfill the specified angelic prophecy, it was said that Saint Mark’s body was stolen from Alexandria and was brought to Venice. This story then encompasses the second legend, the â€Å"translatio. † According to the legend, the theft of Saint Mark’s body occurred in 828. Venetian ships were blown off course and found Alexandria. An unnamed monk and a priest were members of the church that housed the remains of Saint Mark. The two holy men were befriended by two Venetian merchants named Bruno da Malamocco and Rustico da Torcello. In one event, the Muslims within the Alexandrian region threatened to destroy the church where Saint Mark’s body can be found. Hence, such threat catapulted Malamocco and Torcello to steal the Saint’s body and brought it to Venice to present it to the doge, the elected head of the state of Venice and Genoa (Bershad, Mangone, and Hexham 206). It is worthy to note that in those days, relics were regarded as powerful objects that serve as unifiers for social and economic entities because they attract both pilgrims and merchants alike. As such, relics were all welcomed, and that of Saint Mark was highly regarded because of the first legend that surrounds the patron’s intercession’s perceived grace. With the presentation of the acquired relic of Saint Mark to Doge Giustiniano Particiaco, the gift giving formed the permanent union between the spiritual and political realms of Venice (Bershad, Mangone and Hexham 206). According to legend, soon after the arrival of Saint Mark’s relics in 829, the first structure of the Saint Mark’s Basilica was commissioned. Modeled from the church of the 12 Apostles in Constantinople, the shrine of Saint Mark was then consecrated in 832. The third and final legend, the â€Å"inventio† or the apparition did not take place until 1094. During 976, an uprising against the doge caused a great fire that ruined the Palazzio Ducale (Ducale Palace) and the church that housed Saint Mark’s relics. Although the subsequent church was rebuilt right after the incident, the relics of the patron saint remained lost until 1094 despite numerous searches. A doge ordered a fast that tested the citizens’ piety and obedience. On the third day of the fast, a miracle took place. The ghost of Saint Mark was said to have appeared and filled the church with a sweet aroma. At that point, the basilica was consecrated, and Saint Mark’s body was finally laid to rest. The â€Å"inventio† was noted to have combined the religious and civic values among the Venetian’s because it is believed that right after the previous legends; God had given the Venetians their political authority. By replacing their former patron Saint Theodore, who has a symbolic link to the Byzantium, to Saint Mark, it is said that the Venetians finally acquired their freedom from the Byzantium (Bershad, Mangone, and Hexham 207). Saint Mark’s Basilica: Religious and Political Significance Over the course of the basilica’s history, the edifice played significant roles both in the accumulation of Venice’s political prowess and religious perspective. San Marco served as the mirror of Venice’s increasing power and self-confidence. Though initially created out of a spare brick building modeled to a Byzantine edifice, the basilica became a landmark that was completely and intricately detailed of luxurious embellishment which was derived from the donations of the faithful. As Venice attained its mastery within the Mediterranean area, the city became well-known as the location of the region’s most confessional shrine, marking Venice as the city free from the autonomy of any foreign influence (McGregor). As Saint Mark’s basilica became an important edifice to the whole city, a tutelary church which represents both the commune and the community, it has then become the annex of the state, an avenue where politics and religion meet (Jones). During its earlier phase, the doge was elected at the Ducal Palace and was then presented to the citizens from the Saint Mark Basilica’s right hand pulpit, which later on, upon the doge’s tenure, would become exclusively his (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Back in the earlier part of the basilica’s development, the head of state was increasingly invested through semi-sacral powers. Hence, dogeship became an efficient and dignified part of the constitution, thereby placing the doge in the position that outranks the bishops and the patriarch. Under the banner of Saint Mark and under the leadership of the doge, the state then became a secular church which had their own traditions, iconography and feast days, enabled the people to practice patriotism and piety, and treated sovereignty as a divine possession (Jones). Saint Mark’s Basilica, being the state church, also served as an avenue for the city’s official ceremonies. Some of the notable ceremonies that took place in the basilica were the blessing of the soldiers, the 1177 Peace of Venice, 1201 assembly of Saint Mark’s crusaders from all of Europe that were about to depart to Holy Land to ask for protection and divine aid, and the 1377’s doge’s grant of leadership to defend the city addressed to Vettor Pisani. Other than these, Saint Mark’s Basilica was also considered as the rendezvous for prayer among the Venetians during moments of great pain such as the 1576 voting of building the temple of Christ the Redeemer, 1630’s prayer of intervention for the vote to build a temple for the virgin in order to free the city from plagues, and lastly during the end of Venice’s independence in 1797. The Basilica was also a reference point, for many merchants and sailors that journeyed by land and sea contributed in keeping the edifice a monumental mark of faith and a testimony of Venice’s greatness by giving out precious gifts, art treasures and marbles, which are still evident today (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). 12th of May 1797, the troops of Napoleon invaded the city of Venice. For the foregoing reason, Saint Mark’s basilica’s reign as the state church under the authority of the Doges of the Venetian Republic was brought to an end. It was in 1807 when the cathedral became the official seat for the Patriarch’s of Venice. Due to Napoleon’s orders, Saint Mark’s eventually lost the functions of the Doge’s chapel, and since then, it has been hailed as the city cathedral (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Although some of the aforementioned functions of the cathedral were lost during Napoleon’s reign over Venice, it is still evident from the given facts that Saint Mark’s Basilica was one of the main forces that drove the once fragmented island of primitive Venice into a city that is unified by belief and nationalism. With the Basilica’s history and its link to the spread of Christianity, Saint Mark Cathedral continuously attracts thousand of pilgrims to date, adding up to the prestige of present day Venice. Saint Mark’s Basilica: A site of pilgrimage In the quest for a votive purpose, pilgrimage has been an important aspect in many religions because it embodies one’s faith over the divine deity. Long journeys toward a sacred place or shrine play a significant role not only in uplifting the faith of an individual but also in serving as an avenue to seek for moral significance. The focal point of pilgrimages is inclined to celebrating religion. Saint Mark’s Basilica is among the many holy places that are embarked upon by many pilgrims. The fact that that the relics of Saint Mark can be found in the said area, thousands of pilgrims yearly flock to Venice in order to seek his intervention through prayers. Being the center of the Venetian faith and once a political entity, Saint Mark’s Basilica can be seen as an avenue where one can witness the grandiosity of Venice balanced by its deep religiosity and history. As the eternal symbol of faith and Christendom, Saint Mark’s Cathedral is also well noted as the eternal representation of the city’s wealth, power, and history, as seen with its apostolic reliquary of arts that glorify the history of Venice and its role in the interconnectedness of the church and the state. For the foregoing, one can easily assume that Saint Mark’s Basilica, aside from its religious significance, also contributes to the prestige of Venice through pilgrimages. The site serves as an area for an economic phenomenon because of its capability to motivate the pilgrims to embark on a journey through its historical and inspiring account of miracles as well as the desire of the people to keep the spirit of Saint Mark alive. However, perhaps it should not be excluded that another reason for Saint Mark’s popularity, contributing to Venice’s prestige is indebted to its detailed architecture, mosaics and enough plundered sculptures that can satisfy any human. No other church in Europe is lavishly decorated, exquisitely mosaicked and more glittering than gold other than San Marco. Hence, it is also known as the â€Å"Chiesa De Oro† or the â€Å"Golden Church. † The spiritual material and Byzantium heritage of the West inspired the architecture of Saint Mark’s Basilica. The structure stands in a Greek cross plan, and above the cross are five cupolas which are said to represent the presence of God over the church (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Covering the cathedral’s old ceilings, atriums, walls, and multiple domes are more than 8000 square meters of mosaics created between the 12th and 17th centuries by eastern masters. The mosaic represents biblical stories from the old and new testaments, allegorical individuals, and events in the lives of Christ, Virgin Mary, Saint Mark, and other saints. The interaction of the mosaics’ warm color, most especially gold with the dim light that changes color according to the time of the day, is said to promote evocative feelings among its visitors. More importantly, the mosaics serve as a significant evidence of the Venetian people’s ambitions and faith (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). The sculptures present within the church also add up to the richness of its history, as each culture is generated from different epochs and origins. Saint Mark’s treasures are also highly regarded because they are considered to be the richest documentation of the most refined items found in the basilica such as gold, silver and precious stones, which celebrate the craftsmanship of the Venetians. Pala d’Oro, the most important piece of treasure in the church, is the high altar that contains the relics of Venice’s patron saint, Saint Mark (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Other than these, almost all of the areas found within the basilica like the baptistery alcove and the Marciano Museum are truly cultural treasures that add pride to the Venetian culture and religious perspective (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Perhaps, the only disappointing aspect about the architecture of San Marco is the fact that the value of pilgrimage is undermined by the desire of the visitors to merely witness the basilica’s architecture and not to regard its spiritual value. Conclusion Based on the information provided, it can be gleaned that the Basilica of Saint Mark played a significant role in the religious and political aspect of the Venetians way of life. Religiously, the basilica was established out of the faith of the citizens that God chose the city of Venice to infuse his grace through the aid of Saint Mark. As such, the state, in its subjugation to the religion, used Saint Mark’s Basilica as the edifice that would serve as the testimony of Venetian faith and political power. Other than this, as the tutelary church of Venice, Saint Mark’s Basilica was a strong symbolism of community and commune where the state citizens, despite being run by Doges, believed that they were under God’s grace, and that the interconnectedness of the church and the state was endowed by God to be supported. Most importantly, Saint Mark’s Basilica served as an important force that unified the whole city of Venice. From a city that was once a refuge for people of dependence to the Byzantium, the basilica became the focal point of the Venetians’ freedom from Byzantium regime. Currently, the rich history and religious significance of Saint Mark’s Basilica is still evident through the maintenance of the edifice together with Saint Mark’s relics. The basilica’s spread of Christendom continued as well through the pilgrims who sought to uplift their faith and seek for their moral significance. By allowing people to venture inside the basilica, modern day people are able to take a glimpse of the face of past Christendom and would be able to imbibe within themselves the contribution of the said church in the spread of Christian faith. In this sense, Saint Mark’s Basilica then and now truly adds prestige to the Venetian culture.

Age of Exploration Essay

The age of exploration had many varied effects on the countries involved, mainly Spain, France, and England. By establishing a prosperous empire in South America by conquering the native people, Spain became vastly wealthy off of the gold collected by its native subjects. However, since the native people were dying off rapidly due to the foreign diseases brought over by the Conquistadors, as well as malnutrition and fatigue, Spain and Portugal were the first to introduce slavery to the New World by replacing them with African slaves brought over by Portuguese slave traders. The silver mining by these slaves caused world trade to increase. Often, silver brought to Europe from America was then traded with China and other Asian countries, making silk, porcelain, and Indian spices more prevalent in Europe. Products from America that became popular in Europe included corn, potatoes, pineapples, and sugar cane. Many cultures spread and combined with others: Spanish missionaries converted natives to Christianity, which then combined the new Christian beliefs with the natives’ cultural traditions. Another example, Arabian coffee with American sugar became quite popular throughout Europe. Although saying that anyone who crossed the Atlantic (at least when referring to modern theories) truly discovered America is ridiculous, I believe that the first to do so was Leif Eriksson and his group of Vikings whose settlement was found in Canada. According to the Greenlander saga and the Eric saga, his father, Eric the Red, a Viking outlaw, discovered Greenland. In order to establish himself as a man separate from his father, Leif sailed to the west in order to discover his own land. He sailed west because there had been a rumor in Greenland for the past fifteen years of a merchant sailing from Iceland to Greenland whose ship had been blown off course in a storm. According to the rumor, the merchant claimed that there were three separate lands west of Greenland. Around the year 1000, Leif purchased the merchant’s ship from the story, and obtained directions from the same merchant. He set sail only for a few days, which was reportedly was miserable due to the conditions on the open boat. On this expedition, they were seeking trees, which were scare in Greenland, but abundant in what is now northern Newfoundland, Canada, where the party landed. Leif named the new land Vinland after the wild grapes found there and the wine the grapes produced. Shortly thereafter, the settlers began to erect a settlement and scouted the land. In 1960, the archeologist and set out to find the fabled Vinland, using a four hundred year old Icelandic map and descriptions from the sagas. On the very northern tip of Newfoundland, they came across an area of mounds and ruins near a small town. Because the ruins predated the settlement of the area, the locals had always believed that Native Americans created the mounds. In fact, through almost seven years of painstaking excavations and radiocarbon testing, it was proven that the ruins were of a settlement dating back to the year 1000. Various artifacts found at the site also confirmed its Norse origins. Archeologists have gone so far as to pinpoint which ‘house’ was Leif Eriksson’s, based on size and complexity of the structure. I believe that Leif Eriksson was the first to cross the Atlantic and settle in America because of many factors. The radiocarbon dating of the site which puts it at 1000 C. E. immediately eliminates any of the explorers from the age of exploration, as well as the Chinese in 1492, in addition to the obvious implausibility of traveling above Canada in ice riddled waters in a flimsy wooden vessel. A case could perhaps be made for the merchant in the sagas who started the rumor, but as with all epic stories, the Icelanders who were the ones to transcribe the sagas based on oral stories, may have simply added him in as a fictional supporting character. Because of this and other equally plausible scenarios, I have to concede that Leif Eriksson was the first to reach the New World by crossing the Atlantic. There is confusion among certain people about whether America was colonized because of a desire for more money on the part of England or because the colonists were seeking religious freedom from the Roman Catholic Church. This confusion stems mainly from the watered down version of Jamestown and the Mayflower that we teach students at a young age. While it is true that Puritans did indeed come to the New World seeking religious freedom, the initial desire to colonize America was all about the desire for wealth. Because of Spain’s conquests in South America, the gold it had acquired from the natives and silver mining had made the country vastly wealthy and other nations were eager to get their share of the riches. America also had an abundant supply of farmland at a time when many farmers had small farms that they toiled over in an effort to merely support their families. In addition, as more settlers moved to America and created a demand for indulgences that they were accustomed to in Europe, the companies that sold such items made more money because of the higher prices the settlers had to pay in order to accommodate shipping costs. In short, while religious freedom was a noble and idealistic dream, it wouldn’t benefit anyone or make any money, which is what people were chiefly concerned with. How would America be different if it had been settled one hundred years later, in 1592? To begin with, it probably would not be called ‘America’. America is so named after Amerigo Vespucci; however, as he died in 1512, it is unlikely that we would have been named after him. Perhaps we would be named Raleigh, after Walter Raleigh, a British explorer of both North and South America in our actual history. Christopher Columbus would not be in history books, as he would not have been to Raleigh. Native Americans thus would have never been referred to as Indians. Because of our late start as a nation, it is reasonable to assume that certain historical events in our country would be delayed, let us say, fifty years or so. Because colonization was delayed, it would take longer for tensions to raise between the colonists and the French, so the French and Indian War would not have started in 1689, but around 1739 instead. This in turn would delay the Seven years war and thus the taxed imposed by the British that led to the American Revolution, which would now begin in 1825. Thus, we would have the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1826 and become our own country in 1833. Or alternatively, because of the differing technology, we might have lost the war and still been English today. But lets assume that we won and Raleigh was founded. I believe the Civil War would have been delayed as well until 1911, three years before World War One started. Both world wars, because we did not start them, would have happened the same years as they actually did, 1914 and 1939 respectably. However, I believe that the issue of civil and women’s’ rights would have been later in coming, perhaps in the 80’s. We would probably be dealing with racism more than gay rights today, if that were the case. And our music would be behind as well, so 60’s music today would then be 80’s music now.

Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is probably the single most important factor contributing to the globalization of the international economy. FDI are increasingly strong economic links between developing and industrialized countries, and also among developing countries. Foreign direct investment in developing countries (LDCs) have increased nearly four-fold in the 1990s and now account for almost 40 per cent, reaching some $120 billion in 1997. Foreign direct investment is now by far the largest source of all capital flows to the less developed world. The objective of the FDI is to encourage the flow of investments for productive purposes among member†s countries, and in particular to developing countries. To serve this objective, the WTO must provide some type of guarantees (or insurance) covering foreign direct investment for all parties† host countries, home countries and Multinational corporations† against all the obstacles like Different needs, political risks, abuse of labor, Transfer Restriction, Breach of Contract, corruption, and Tax breaks. WTO must carry out advisory and technical assistance for these parties so that their interests are protected, and must emphasis on multilateral investment agreement (MIA. ) No unilateral action or bilateral The host countries or the developing countries are interested in: (I) development of their services, communities and infrastructure that may help their industrialization and development, (III) production of exportable goods and (III) continuous technological development in their industrial production and services Once MNC has been attracted to a particular destination country, they expect a high level of facilitation services. Governments all too often give inadequate attention to servicing investors† needs, even though large sums of money may have been spent on promotion activities and success has been achieved against fierce international competition. In retune, Investors from industrialized countries want to come to developing countries for two main reasons. First, they apprehend that the return on capital in their home country is not adequate; second, they want to combine their capital with the cheap labor of the host country to reduce the cost of production. So the WTO should regulate the minimum wage for the worker in the host county. If the FDI is only for capturing the domestic market, it may still generate profit for the investor, but such profit may leave the country in foreign exchange. Where there are two serious implications. First, in profitable domestic consumption sectors, foreign investments may overwhelm domestic investors (which may generally not be as strong as the foreign counterparts) and in some cases may eliminate them. Second, some critical sectors, like land, minerals and forests, where countries often like to have effective control on ownership because of social, political and strategic reasons, may, in a big way, pass under the control of foreign nationals. Investors have freedom without any responsibility, except in respect of their own profits. The implementation of the obligations of home countries are ought to be ensured by locating the MIA in the WTO, so that for any perceived infringement, action can be taken against exports of the country. Tax breaks for multinational corporations Multinational corporations, whether American- or foreign-owned, are supposed to pay taxes on the profits they earn in their home country. For example, American companies and individuals aren't supposed to gain tax advantages from moving their operations or investments to low-tax offshore â€Å"tax havens. † But the tax laws often fail miserably to achieve this goal. Moreover, IRS data show that foreign-owned corporations doing business in the United States typically pay far less in U. S. income taxes than do solely American firms with similar sales and assets. The same loopholes that foreign companies use are also utilized by U. S. -owned multinationals, and even provide motivation for American companies to move plants and jobs overseas. As a result, the WTO must fix these problems in the current system. The WTO must oblige all multinational corporations to provide income report in the overseas operation. Also, the Home County has the right to inspect every movement of goods and services between a multinational company's domestic and foreign operations, and then attempt to assure that a fair, â€Å"transfer price† was assigned to each real or notional transaction. Host countries insist that foreign firms must meet high domestic-content requirements, take on local partners, or engage in technology-sharing agreements, by contrast, suffer lags in technology acquisition, absence of best management techniques, weak penetration of foreign markets, and flimsy development of a supplier base. Yet developing countries and economies in transition can†t find ways to protect and reward foreign investors who promise to meet domestic content, joint venture, or technology-sharing requirements. Political actions, changes in governments, events or instability may result in unfavorable changes in the value of a foreign security. A new treaty, the repeal or modification of an existing treaty or a change in formal diplomatic relations between the home and the host countries could affect the value or liquidity of investments in that country. Corruption in the developing countries The definition of corruption is misuse of power for private benefit or advantage. Corruption is to all appearances widespread in developing countries and has very serious repercussions on their peoples' quality of life – above all that of the poor and disadvantaged. This power may, but need not, reside in the public domain. Besides money , the benefit can take the form of protection, special treatment, commendation, or promotion; generally speaking corruption encompasses four main distinguishing features: Undesirable effects on third parties (home county). Also the effects of corruption in developing countries ends up as obvious ignore of community interest. The WTO should monitor the MNC operations in the developing countries so that the real objective is achieved, and to protect the other parties. Breach of Contract † home, host countries and multinational corporations† Different needs of investors and host countries Investors from industrialized countries want to come to developing countries main reason profit. The host developing countries, on the other hand, are interested in development of their services and technological development in their industrial production and services. These two objectives are not incompatible. And the interest of foreign investors and host governments may be harmonized. But it is critical that any FDI agreement meet both objectives. This can be achieved if the investors decide on the capability of specific projects, and the host governments decide on the priority sectors and conditions of FDI, consistent with their economic and development objectives. Wherever the two agree, FDI will flow. But for FDI to have a beneficial effect, it is important to realize that the roles of both sides are significant. An MIA is really not necessary for this purpose. What is needed is that governments have clarity of objectives, and these are spelt out clearly. Sets of transparent and stable criteria adopted and announced by governments can help the foreign investors to assess the viability of investments under those conditions. Naturally, governments wishing to encourage foreign investments will lay down criteria, which will welcome the investors in priority sectors rather than scare them away. If there is sufficient scope for the convergence of the interests of investors and those of the host governments and if it can be brought about by the domestic policies and measures of host governments, why is it then that some industrialized countries are pressing for a multilateral discipline? The main reason is to eliminate or, at least, constrict the powers of host governments regarding the choice of the priority sectors for FDI and obligation of conditions on such investments, so that foreign investors are able to operate unencumbered by such constraints. The main objective of the investors naturally is to earn high profit in a short time and repatriate the profit. And the objective behind bringing the proposed discipline on investments into the folds of the WTO Agreement is to utilize its dispute settlement process to enforce the discipline. The WTO, through its provision of cross-sector retaliation, will enable them to take restrictive measures against the developing countries, which may be perceived as violating the discipline. Foreign investment is often welcome to countries, as it increase the country's capital and investment stocks. But the main implication of FDI is that the returns on such investments – in the form of dividends and profits, as well as many fees including license fees, management expenses and so on – are sent out of the country in foreign exchange. Hence, if the investments do not help the country, either directly or indirectly, to earn foreign exchange, the negative effects of the outflow may be serious. A change in the exchange rate between the two countries currency may reduce the value of an investment in a security valued in the foreign currency, or based on that currency value. Foreign Direct Investment Foreign direct investment (FDI) is probably the single most important factor contributing to the globalization of the international economy. FDI are increasingly strong economic links between developing and industrialized countries, and also among developing countries. Foreign direct investment in developing countries (LDCs) have increased nearly four-fold in the 1990s and now account for almost 40 per cent, reaching some $120 billion in 1997. Foreign direct investment is now by far the largest source of all capital flows to the less developed world. The objective of the FDI is to encourage the flow of investments for productive purposes among member†s countries, and in particular to developing countries. To serve this objective, the WTO must provide some type of guarantees (or insurance) covering foreign direct investment for all parties† host countries, home countries and Multinational corporations† against all the obstacles like Different needs, political risks, abuse of labor, Transfer Restriction, Breach of Contract, corruption, and Tax breaks. WTO must carry out advisory and technical assistance for these parties so that their interests are protected, and must emphasis on multilateral investment agreement (MIA. ) No unilateral action or bilateral The host countries or the developing countries are interested in: (I) development of their services, communities and infrastructure that may help their industrialization and development, (III) production of exportable goods and (III) continuous technological development in their industrial production and services Once MNC has been attracted to a particular destination country, they expect a high level of facilitation services. Governments all too often give inadequate attention to servicing investors† needs, even though large sums of money may have been spent on promotion activities and success has been achieved against fierce international competition. In retune, Investors from industrialized countries want to come to developing countries for two main reasons. First, they apprehend that the return on capital in their home country is not adequate; second, they want to combine their capital with the cheap labor of the host country to reduce the cost of production. So the WTO should regulate the minimum wage for the worker in the host county. If the FDI is only for capturing the domestic market, it may still generate profit for the investor, but such profit may leave the country in foreign exchange. Where there are two serious implications. First, in profitable domestic consumption sectors, foreign investments may overwhelm domestic investors (which may generally not be as strong as the foreign counterparts) and in some cases may eliminate them. Second, some critical sectors, like land, minerals and forests, where countries often like to have effective control on ownership because of social, political and strategic reasons, may, in a big way, pass under the control of foreign nationals. Investors have freedom without any responsibility, except in respect of their own profits. The implementation of the obligations of home countries are ought to be ensured by locating the MIA in the WTO, so that for any perceived infringement, action can be taken against exports of the country. Tax breaks for multinational corporations Multinational corporations, whether American- or foreign-owned, are supposed to pay taxes on the profits they earn in their home country. For example, American companies and individuals aren't supposed to gain tax advantages from moving their operations or investments to low-tax offshore â€Å"tax havens. † But the tax laws often fail miserably to achieve this goal. Moreover, IRS data show that foreign-owned corporations doing business in the United States typically pay far less in U. S. income taxes than do solely American firms with similar sales and assets. The same loopholes that foreign companies use are also utilized by U. S. -owned multinationals, and even provide motivation for American companies to move plants and jobs overseas. As a result, the WTO must fix these problems in the current system. The WTO must oblige all multinational corporations to provide income report in the overseas operation. Also, the Home County has the right to inspect every movement of goods and services between a multinational company's domestic and foreign operations, and then attempt to assure that a fair, â€Å"transfer price† was assigned to each real or notional transaction. Host countries insist that foreign firms must meet high domestic-content requirements, take on local partners, or engage in technology-sharing agreements, by contrast, suffer lags in technology acquisition, absence of best management techniques, weak penetration of foreign markets, and flimsy development of a supplier base. Yet developing countries and economies in transition can†t find ways to protect and reward foreign investors who promise to meet domestic content, joint venture, or technology-sharing requirements. Political actions, changes in governments, events or instability may result in unfavorable changes in the value of a foreign security. A new treaty, the repeal or modification of an existing treaty or a change in formal diplomatic relations between the home and the host countries could affect the value or liquidity of investments in that country. Corruption in the developing countries The definition of corruption is misuse of power for private benefit or advantage. Corruption is to all appearances widespread in developing countries and has very serious repercussions on their peoples' quality of life – above all that of the poor and disadvantaged. This power may, but need not, reside in the public domain. Besides money , the benefit can take the form of protection, special treatment, commendation, or promotion; generally speaking corruption encompasses four main distinguishing features: Undesirable effects on third parties (home county). Also the effects of corruption in developing countries ends up as obvious ignore of community interest. The WTO should monitor the MNC operations in the developing countries so that the real objective is achieved, and to protect the other parties. Breach of Contract † home, host countries and multinational corporations† Different needs of investors and host countries Investors from industrialized countries want to come to developing countries main reason profit. The host developing countries, on the other hand, are interested in development of their services and technological development in their industrial production and services. These two objectives are not incompatible. And the interest of foreign investors and host governments may be harmonized. But it is critical that any FDI agreement meet both objectives. This can be achieved if the investors decide on the capability of specific projects, and the host governments decide on the priority sectors and conditions of FDI, consistent with their economic and development objectives. Wherever the two agree, FDI will flow. But for FDI to have a beneficial effect, it is important to realize that the roles of both sides are significant. An MIA is really not necessary for this purpose. What is needed is that governments have clarity of objectives, and these are spelt out clearly. Sets of transparent and stable criteria adopted and announced by governments can help the foreign investors to assess the viability of investments under those conditions. Naturally, governments wishing to encourage foreign investments will lay down criteria, which will welcome the investors in priority sectors rather than scare them away. If there is sufficient scope for the convergence of the interests of investors and those of the host governments and if it can be brought about by the domestic policies and measures of host governments, why is it then that some industrialized countries are pressing for a multilateral discipline? The main reason is to eliminate or, at least, constrict the powers of host governments regarding the choice of the priority sectors for FDI and obligation of conditions on such investments, so that foreign investors are able to operate unencumbered by such constraints. The main objective of the investors naturally is to earn high profit in a short time and repatriate the profit. And the objective behind bringing the proposed discipline on investments into the folds of the WTO Agreement is to utilize its dispute settlement process to enforce the discipline. The WTO, through its provision of cross-sector retaliation, will enable them to take restrictive measures against the developing countries, which may be perceived as violating the discipline. Foreign investment is often welcome to countries, as it increase the country's capital and investment stocks. But the main implication of FDI is that the returns on such investments – in the form of dividends and profits, as well as many fees including license fees, management expenses and so on – are sent out of the country in foreign exchange. Hence, if the investments do not help the country, either directly or indirectly, to earn foreign exchange, the negative effects of the outflow may be serious. A change in the exchange rate between the two countries currency may reduce the value of an investment in a security valued in the foreign currency, or based on that currency value.

The literary Trope of a Superfluous Man in Russian...

Russian literature was very much influenced by the literary trope known as the superfluous man. This trope was ideal for writers to describe the shortcomings of Russian high-class society. There has been a witnessed general consistency when dealing with the superfluous man such as the exhibition of cynicism and existential angst, while indulging in vices such as affairs, gambling and duelling. These individuals are typically from noble birth yet refused to fit into society and disregard the societal norms. This trend can be witnessed through many examples such as Alexander Pushkin’s â€Å"Eugene Onegin† and â€Å"Diary of a Superfluous Man† by Ivan Turgenev. The characters described by these authors reflects the lifestyles of such a man, and†¦show more content†¦Yet despite all his inherited wealth and connections he shrugs off social norms as he indulges in his sin and poetry, and because of such subversive poems in exiled. Onegin was quite entranc ed despite frivalities to find love, yet still cynical and poetic by such fate â€Å"He was convinced, a kindred creature would be allied to him by fate; that, meanwhile, pinched and glum of feature, from day to day she could but wait; and he believed his friends were ready to put on chains for him, and steady their hand to grapple slanders cup, in his defence, and smash it up† (II.VIII) Despite Pushkin’s Don Juan motifs, he settles down with a young noblewoman, Natalia, and like the typical superfluous man his love for this women leads to his misery. By enticing a duel, which he has done numerous times, another example of his idleness; he meets his fate as he is fatally wounded outside of St. Petersburg. The comparisons between the superfluous Onegin and the superfluous Pushkin push many bounds, as the superfluous man, as the trope of theShow MoreRelatedMetz Film Language a Semiotics of the Cinema PDF100902 Words   |  316 Pagesand semiologist Roland Barthe (Writ ing Degree Zero, translated by A. Lavers, London, 1967), who uses it to indicate the presence of the interaction between an author and the society he writes in and for, and which is neither literary idiom nor literary style. Within any literary form there is a general choice of tone, of ethos . . . and there is precisely where the writer shows himself clearly as an individual because this is where he commits himself (p. 19). Thus, writing is the tone, delivery,

What Were the Most Popular Roman Wines

Ancient Romans regularly enjoyed wine (vinum) of fine, aged vintage, or cheap and new—depending on the consumers finances. It wasnt only grapes and the land on which they grew that imparted their flavor to the wine. The containers and metals with which the acidic beverage came in contact also affected the taste. The wine was usually mixed with water (to reduce potency), and any number of other ingredients, to alter the acidity or improve clarity. Some wines, such as Falernian were higher in alcohol content than others. There is now no wine known that ranks higher than the Falernian; it is the only one, too, among all the wines that takes fire on the application of flame.—Pliny From Grapes to Inspiration Men, naked on bottom except for a subligaculum  (a type of Roman underwear or loincloth), stomped on ripe grapes harvested into a shallow vat. Then they put the grapes through a special wine press (torculum) to extract all remaining juice. The result of the stomp and press was an unfermented, sweet grape juice, called mustum, and solid particles that were strained out. Mustum could be used as is, combined with other ingredients, or processed further (fermented in buried jars) to produce wine fine enough to inspire poets or to add the gift of Bacchus to feasts. Doctors recommended certain varieties of wine as wholesome and prescribed some varieties as part of their healing therapies. Strabo and the Choicest Wines There was great variety in the quality of the wine, depending on factors like aging and cultivation. The Caecuban Plain borders on the Gulf of Caietas; and next to the plain comes Fundi, situated on the Appian Way. All these places produce exceedingly good wine; indeed, the Caecuban and the Fundanian and the Setinian belong to the class of wines that are widely famed, as is the case with the Falernian and the Alban and the Statanian.—Lacus Curtius Strabo Caecubum—from poplar swamps by the Gulf of Amyclae, in Latium. The best Roman wine, but it was no longer superior by the time of the elder Pliny.Setinum—hills of Setia, above the Appian forum. A wine Augustus is said to have enjoyed, the top wine from the time of Augustus.Falernum—from the slopes of Mt. Falernus on the border between Latium and Campania, from the Aminean grape. Falernum is usually cited as the best Roman wine. It was a white wine that was aged 10-20 years until it was amber-colored. Subdivided into:CaucinianFaustian (best)Falernian.Albanum—wines from the Alban Hills kept for 15 years; Surrentinum (kept for 25 years), Massicum from Campania, Gauranum, from the ridge above Baiae and Puteoli, Calenum from Cales, and Fundanum from Fundi were next best.Veliterninum—from Velitrae, Privernatinum from Privernum, and Signinum from Signia -- Volscian wines were next best.Formianum—from the Gulf of Caieta.Mamertinum (Potalanum)—f rom Messana.Rhaeticum—from Verona (Augustus favorite, according to Suetonius)Mulsum—not a variety, but any wine sweetened with honey (or must), mixed in just before drinking, referred to as an aperitif.Conditura—like mulsum, not a variety; wine mixed with herbs and spices:   The principal substances employed as conditurae were, 1. sea-water; 2. turpentine, either pure, or in the form of pitch (pix), tar (pix liquida), or resin (resina). 3. Lime, in the form of gypsum, burnt marble, or calcined shells. 4. Inspissated must. 5. Aromatic herbs, spices, and gums; and these were used either singly, or cooked up into a great variety of complicated confections.—Wine in the Roman World Sources Wine and RomeWine in the Roman WorldMartials Christmas Winelist, by T. J. Leary;  Greece Rome  (Apr. 1999), pp. 34-41.Vinum Opimianum, by Harry C. Schnur;  The Classical Weekly  (Mar. 4, 1957), pp. 122-123.Wine and Wealth in Ancient Italy, by N. Purcell;  The Journal of Roman Studies  (1985), pp. 1-19.14th book of  Plinys Natural History12th book of Columella2d book of  Virgil or Vergils GeorgicsGalenAthenaeusMartial,  Horace,  Juvenal, Petronius

French Idiomatic Expressions With Matin and Matinée

The French words matin  and  matinà ©e  both mean morning and both are used in many idiomatic expressions. The  difference between the two is that  un matin  is a straightforward expression of time (the morning), while  une  matinà ©e  indicates a duration of time, usually stressing the length of time, as in the whole morning long.  Learn how to say dawn, repeatedly, sleep late  and more with these idiomatic expressions using matin  and  matinà ©e. This is a general principle that applies as well to other confusing pairs of words, such as  an  and  annà ©e,  jour  and  journà ©e,  and  soir  and  soirà ©e.  Note that the shorter words in each case representing a straightforward period of time are all masculine; the longer words indicating a stretch of time are all feminine. In the list below, note that while  de bon matin  is an acceptable expression, bon matin is not. Non-native speakers of French sometimes make the mistake of using bon matin to mean good morning, but this construction does not exist in French. The acceptable morning greeting is always simply  bonjour. Common French Expressions With Matin and  Matinà ©e   à   prendre matin, midi et soir -- to be taken three times a day Araignà ©e du matin, chagrin; araignà ©e du soir, espoir. (proverb) -- A spider in the morning, sadness (or,  bad luck); a spider at night, hope ( or, good luck) au matin de sa vie -- at the beginning / in the first years of ones life (when everything seems possible) au petit matin -- at dawn de bon matin -- early in the morning de grand matin -- early in the morning du matin au soir -- from morning till night à ªtre du matin -- to be an early riser tous les quatre matins -- repeatedly, again and again un de ces quatre matins -- one of these days une matinà ©e -- afternoon performance une matinà ©e dansante -- dance, informal afternoon dance party dans la matinà ©e -- (sometime) in the morning fair la grasse matinà ©e -- sleep late, sleep in