Sunday, May 10, 2020
Bananas Are Radioactive (So Are Many Ordinary Objects)
You may have read about everyday objects setting off radiation alarms at border crossings between the US and Canada and Mexico. Newsweek has an article describing how medical radiation treatments (e.g., bone scans) may lead to traveling delays when they trigger radiation sensors. When the sensors are tripped, border officials conduct more intensive inspections to make sure you arent carrying nuclear weapons. There are other ways to set off the alarms. Do you carry kitty litter in your car to help provide traction in icy weather or to absorb oil? Its slightly radioactive. Do you have tile or granite in your vehicle for a home improvement project? It has a relatively high radiation signature. Do you have a lot of bananas? They are also slightly radioactive. Key Takeaways: Bananas Are Radioactive Bananas are slightly radioactive due to the presence of a natural isotope of potassium. Potassium is a key mineral in the fruit.Many other common materials are also radioactive, including potatoes, bricks, and cat litter.For the most part, these substances do not present a health risk. However, they can set off radiation sensors at ports of entry and their radioactivity is detectable using a Geiger counter. Its pretty easy to understand why tile, granite, and kitty litter are radioactive. They contain low levels of minerals that naturally decay. Bananas are radioactive for a similar reason. The fruit contains high levels of potassium. Radioactive K-40 has an isotopic abundance of 0.01% and a half-life of 1.25 billion years. The average banana contains around 450 mg of potassium and will experience about 14 decays each second. Its no big deal. You already have potassium in your body, 0.01% as K-40. You are fine. Your body can handle low levels of radioactivity. The element is essential for proper nutrition. If you have a banana in your car for your lunch you arent going to set off a Geiger counter. If you carry a produce truck full of them, you might encounter some problems. Ditto for a truck of potatoes or potassium fertilizer.The point here is that radiation is all around you. If you do an internet search, youll note significant concern (panic?) over bananas being radioactive. Are they radioactive? Barely. If you set a banana on a detector you wont hear mad clicking. It wont glow in the dark when you turn out the lights. There is a perception that radiation is bad, bad, bad. Its just a part of life. Bricks are radioactive. Anything containing carbon (you) is slightly radioactive. Bananas are radioactive and its no big thing. Well... except maybe to Homeland Security.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Night World Spellbinder Chapter 12 Free Essays
string(74) " the point is that Hellewiseââ¬â¢s people lived on, and they were free\." Fhea settled on the box springs, not the most comfortable seat. ââ¬Å"Now, this all happened back in the days when there was still magic, okay? And Helle-wise could do magic, and so could most of the people in her tribe. She was the daughter of Hecate Witch-Queen-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"She was a witch?â⬠Roz sounded intrigued. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 12 or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"Well-they didnââ¬â¢t call it that then. They called her a Hearth-Woman. And she didnââ¬â¢t look like a Halloween witch. She was beautiful: tall, with long yellow hair-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Like you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Huh? Oh.â⬠Thea grinned. ââ¬Å"Thanks, but, no. Helle-wise was really beautiful-and she was smart and strong, too. And when Hecate died, Hellewise became co-leader of the tribe. The other leader was her sister, Maya.â⬠Rosamundââ¬â¢s whole head was above the mattress now. She was listening with fierce, if skeptical, interest. ââ¬Å"Now, Maya.â⬠Thea chewed her lip. ââ¬Å"Well, Maya was beautiful, too: tall, but with long black hair.â⬠ââ¬Å"Like that girl who came to the vetââ¬â¢s after you.â⬠Thea was briefly startled. Sheââ¬â¢d forgotten Rosamund had seen Blaise. ââ¬Å"Well-uh, maybe a little. Anyway, Maya was smart and strong, too-but she didnââ¬â¢t like having to share the leadership with Hellewise. She wanted to rule alone, and she wanted something else. To live forever.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sounds like a good idea to me,â⬠Rosamund growled. ââ¬Å"Well-yeah, thereââ¬â¢s nothing wrong with being immortal, I agree. Except, see, that it all depends on how much youââ¬â¢re willing to pay to be it. Okay? Following me?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nope.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wellâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Thea floundered. Any Night Person would know immediately what she was talking about, even if by some outrageous chance they hadnââ¬â¢t already heard the story. But of course humans were different. ââ¬Å"Well, you see, it was a matter of what she had to do. No ordinary spell would make her immortal. She tried all sorts of things, and Hellewise even helped her. And finally they figured out what kind of spell would do it-but then Hellewise refused.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because it was too awful. No, donââ¬â¢t ask me,â⬠Thea added as Rosamundââ¬â¢s interest level immediately shot up. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not going to tell you. Itââ¬â¢s not a subject for kids.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"What, what? If you donââ¬â¢t tell me, Iââ¬â¢m just going to imagine even worse things.â⬠Thea sighed. ââ¬Å"It had to do with babies, okay? And blood. But thatââ¬â¢s not the point of this story-â⬠ââ¬Å"They killed babies?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not Hellewise. Maya did. And Hellewise tried to stop her, but-â⬠ââ¬Å"I bet she drank the blood.â⬠Thea stopped and looked hard at Rosamund. Human kids were ignorant, but not dumb. ââ¬Å"Okay, yes, she drank the blood. Satisfied?â⬠Roz grinned, nodded, and sat back, listening avidly. ââ¬Å"Okay, so then Maya became immortal. But the thing was, she didnââ¬â¢t know until afterward the price sheââ¬â¢d have to pay. She would live forever-but only if she drank the blood of a mortal creature every day. Otherwise, sheââ¬â¢d die.â⬠ââ¬Å"Like a vampire,â⬠Rosamund said with relish. Thea was shocked for an instant, then she laughed at herself. Of course humans knew about vampires- the same way they knew about witches. Silly legends filled with misinformation. But that meant Thea could tell her own story without fear of being believed. ââ¬Å"Just like a vampire, actually,ââ¬â¢ she said impressively, holding Rosamundââ¬â¢s eyes. ââ¬Å"Maya was the first vampire of all. And all her children were cursed to be vampires, too.â⬠Roz snorted. ââ¬Å"Vampires canââ¬â¢t have children.â⬠She looked doubtful. ââ¬Å"Can they?â⬠ââ¬Å"The ones descended from Maya can,â⬠Thea said. She wasnââ¬â¢t going to say the word ââ¬Å"lamiaâ⬠to a human. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s only the kind who get made into vampires by being bitten that canââ¬â¢t. Maya had a vampire son called Red Fern and she bit people. Thatââ¬â¢s the story, you see-Maya wanted to make everybody like her. So she started biting people in the tribe. And eventually Hellewise decided she had to stop it.â⬠ââ¬Å"How?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, that was the problem. Hellewiseââ¬â¢s tribe wanted to fight with Maya and the other vampires. But Hellewise knew if they did that, theyââ¬â¢d probably all get killed. Both sides. So Hellewise challenged Maya alone to a duel. Single combat.â⬠Rosamund pushed the mattress over with a thump. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d fight a duel with Mr. Hendries-heââ¬â¢s the boysââ¬â¢ trekleader.â⬠She jumped on the mattress and attacked a pillow with hands and feet-and teeth. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d win, too. Heââ¬â¢s out of shape.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, Hellewise didnââ¬â¢t want to fight, but she had to. She was scared, because as a vampire Maya was a lot stronger now.â⬠For a moment, Thea thought about it, visualizing the old story the way she had as a child. Seeing Hellewise in her white leather shift, standing in the dark forest and waiting for Maya to come. And knowing that even if she won the fight, sheââ¬â¢d probably die-and being brave enough to keep standing there. Being willing to give up everything for the people she loved, and for peace. I donââ¬â¢t think I could ever be that brave. I mean, Iââ¬â¢d certainly hope I would be, but I have a terrible feeling that I wouldnââ¬â¢t. And then a strange thing happened. At that instant, she seemed to hear a voice, not her usual mind-voice, but one that was urgent and almost accusatory. Asking a question as if Thea hadnââ¬â¢t just decided on the answer. Would you give up everything? Thea shifted. She didnââ¬â¢t usually hear voices. I suppose thatââ¬â¢s what Hellewise must have been thinking, she told herself uneasily. ââ¬Å"So what happened? Hey! Thea! What happened?â⬠Rosamund was war-dancing on the mattress. ââ¬Å"Oh. Well, it was a terrible fight, but Hellewise won. She drove Maya away. And the tribe was left in peace, and they all lived happily ever afterâ⬠¦ um, except Hellewise. She died of her wounds.â⬠Rosamund stopped dancing and stared in disbelief. ââ¬Å"And youââ¬â¢re telling me this to make me feel better? I never heard such a lousy story.â⬠Her chin began to tremble. Thea forgot she was dealing with a human child. She held out her arms the way she had to Bud the puppy, the way she would have to any creature in pain-and Rosamund threw herself into them. ââ¬Å"No, no,â⬠Thea said, anxiously cuddling. ââ¬Å"You see, the point is that Hellewiseââ¬â¢s people lived on, and they were free. You read "Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 12" in category "Essay examples" And that may seem like a little thing, because they were just a little tribe, but that little tribe got bigger and bigger, and they stayed free. And all the witches in the world are descended from them, and they all remember Hellewise and honor her. Itââ¬â¢s a story every mother tells her daughters.â⬠Rosamund breathed irregularly for a moment. ââ¬Å"What about her sons?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, her sons, too. When I say ââ¬Ëdaughtersââ¬â¢ I mean ââ¬Ësons and daughters.ââ¬â¢ Itââ¬â¢s just shorter.â⬠One green eye looked up from a mop of shaggy hair. ââ¬Å"like ââ¬Ëheââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ëhimââ¬â¢ are supposed to mean ââ¬Ësheââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ëher,ââ¬â¢ too?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah.â⬠Thea thought. ââ¬Å"I guess maybe neither is the best system.â⬠She shrugged. ââ¬Å"The important thing is that one womanââ¬â¢s courage kept us-them- all free.â⬠ââ¬Å"Look.â⬠Rosamund straightened up, staring through the hair. ââ¬Å"Are you just jerking my chain or is that a true story? Because frankly you seem like a witch to me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what I was going to say,â⬠an amused voice behind Thea said. Theaââ¬â¢s head snapped around. The door was open a few inches and a woman was standing there. She was tall and lanky, with little glasses and long silky brown hair. Her expression reminded Thea of a look Eric got sometimes, a look of very sweet puzzlement, as if heââ¬â¢d suddenly been struck by one of lifeââ¬â¢s overwhelming mysteries. But that didnââ¬â¢t matter. What mattered was that she was a stranger. An Outsider. A human. Thea had been blurting out the secrets of the Night World, the history of the witches, and a human adult had been listening. Suddenly her hands and feet went numb. The golden haze disappeared, leaving her in a cold, gray reality. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry,â⬠the human was saying, but to Thea the voice seemed to come from a distance. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t mean to startle you. I was just kidding. I really was enjoying the story-sort of a modern legend for kids, right?â⬠Theaââ¬â¢s eyes focused on another human behind the adult. Eric. Heââ¬â¢d been listening, too. ââ¬Å"Momââ¬â¢s such a kidder,â⬠he said nervously. His green eyes were apologetic-and intense. As if he were trying to make a connection with Thea. But Thea didnââ¬â¢t want to be connected. Couldnââ¬â¢t be, to these people. She was surrounded by humans, trapped in one of their houses. She felt like the rattlesnake in a circle of big creatures with sticks. Sheer, raw panic overtook her. ââ¬Å"You should be a writer, you know?â⬠the human woman was saying. ââ¬Å"All that creativityâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She took a step inside the room. Thea stood up, dumping Rosamund on the floor. They were coming at her-by now, the very walls seemed to be closing in. They were alien, cruel, sadistic, terrorizing, evil, not-her-kind. They were Cotton Mather and the Inquisition and they knew about her. They were going to point at her in the street and cry ââ¬Å"Witch!â⬠Thea ran. She slipped between Eric and his mother like a frightened cat, not touching either of them. She ran down the hall, through the living room, out the door. Outside, the sky was clouded over and it was getting dark. Thea only stopped long enough to get her bearings, then headed west, walking as fast as she could. Her heart was pounding and telling her to go faster. Get away, get away. Go to earth. Find home. She turned corners and zigzagged, like a fox being chased by the hounds. She was ten minutes from the house when she heard an engine pacing her. She looked. It was Ericââ¬â¢s jeep. Eric was driving and his mother and Rosamund were passengers. ââ¬Å"Thea, stop. Please wait.â⬠Eric stopped the jeep and jumped out. He was on the sidewalk in front of her. Thea froze. ââ¬Å"Listen to me,â⬠he said in a low voice, turning away from the jeep. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry they came, too-I couldnââ¬â¢t stop them. Mom feels awful. Sheââ¬â¢s crying, Roz is cryingâ⬠¦ please, wonââ¬â¢t you come back?â⬠He looked close to crying himself. Thea just felt numb. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s okay. Iââ¬â¢m fine,â⬠she said at random. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t mean to upset anybody.â⬠Please let me go away. ââ¬Å"Look, we shouldnââ¬â¢t have eavesdropped. I know that. It was justâ⬠¦ youââ¬â¢re so good with Rosamund. I never saw anybody she liked so much. Andâ⬠¦ andâ⬠¦ I know youââ¬â¢re sensitive about your grandma. Thatââ¬â¢s why youââ¬â¢re upset, isnââ¬â¢t it? That story is something she told you, isnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠Dimly, somewhere in the pit of Theaââ¬â¢s mind, a light shone. At least he thought it was a story. ââ¬Å"We have family stories too,â⬠Eric was saying, an edge of desperation in his voice. ââ¬Å"My grandpa used to tell us he was a Martian-I swear to God this is true. And then he went to my kindergarten Back to School and Iââ¬â¢d told all the kids he was a Martian, and they made these beep-beep noises at him and laughed, and I felt so bad. He was really embarrassedâ⬠¦.â⬠He was babbling. Theaââ¬â¢s numbness had receded enough that she felt sorry for him. But then a shape loomed up and she tensed again. It was his mother, silky hair flying. ââ¬Å"Look, Thea,â⬠Ericââ¬â¢s mother said. Her expression was wretched and earnest. ââ¬Å"Everybody knows your grandma, knows how old she is, how sheââ¬â¢s a littleâ⬠¦ quirky. But if sheââ¬â¢s scaring you-if sheââ¬â¢s telling you any kind of weird stuff-â⬠ââ¬Å"Mom!â⬠Eric shouted through his teeth. She waved a hand at him. Her little glasses were steamed up. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t need to deal with that, okay? No kid needs to deal with that. If you want a place to stay; if you need anything-if we need to call social services-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Mom, please, Iââ¬â¢m begging you. Shut up.â⬠Social services, Thea was thinking. Dear Isis, thereââ¬â¢ll be some sort of investigation. The Harmans in court. Gran accused of being senile-or being part of some cult. And then the Night World coming in to enforce the lawâ⬠¦. Her terror peaked and left her deadly calm. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s okay,â⬠she said, turning her gaze toward Eric. Not looking at him, but going through the motions exactly. ââ¬Å"Your momââ¬â¢s just trying to be helpful. But reallyâ⬠-she turned the same face toward his mother-ââ¬Å"everythingââ¬â¢s okay. Gran isnââ¬â¢t strange or anything. She does tell stories-but she doesnââ¬â¢t scare anybody.â⬠Is that good enough? Close enough to whatever you believe? Will it make you leave me alone? Apparently so. ââ¬Å"I just donââ¬â¢t want to be responsible for you and Eric-wellâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Ericââ¬â¢s mom exhaled nervously, almost a laugh. ââ¬Å"Breaking up?â⬠Thea made a sound that was also almost a laugh. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t worry. Iââ¬â¢d never want that.â⬠She turned a smile on Eric, looking down because she couldnââ¬â¢t meet his eyes. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry if I got- touchy. I was just-embarrassed, I guess. Like you said about your grandpa.â⬠ââ¬Å"Will you come back with us? Or let us take you home?â⬠Ericââ¬â¢s voice was soft. He wanted her to go back to his house. ââ¬Å"Just home, if you donââ¬â¢t mind. Iââ¬â¢ve got homework.â⬠She lifted her eyes, making herself smile again. Eric nodded. He didnââ¬â¢t look happy, but he wasnââ¬â¢t as upset as he had been. In the backseat of the jeep, Rosamund pushed up against Thea and squeezed her hand. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t be mad,â⬠she hissed, fierce as ever. ââ¬Å"Are you mad? Iââ¬â¢m sorry. Want me to kill somebody for you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not mad,â⬠Thea whispered, looking over the top of Rosamundââ¬â¢s shaggy head. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t worry about it.â⬠She had reverted to the strategy of any trapped animal. Wait and watch for your chance. Donââ¬â¢t fight until you see a real opportunity to get away. ââ¬Å"See you tomorrow,â⬠Eric said as she got out of the jeep. His voice was almost a plea. ââ¬Å"See you tomorrow,â⬠Thea said. It wasnââ¬â¢t time to get away yet. She waved until the jeep was gone. Then it was time. She dashed inside, up the stairs, and straight to Blaise. ââ¬Å"Wait a minute,â⬠Blaise said. ââ¬Å"Go back. So youââ¬â¢re saying they didnââ¬â¢t believe any of it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Right. At worst Ericââ¬â¢s mom thinks Granââ¬â¢s bonkers. But it was a close call. For a while there I thought she might want to get Gran declared unfit or something.â⬠The two of them were sitting on the floor by Blaiseââ¬â¢s bed where Thea had collapsed. Blaise was eating candy corn with one hand and scribbling on a yellow legal pad with the other, all the while listening attentively. Because that was the thing about Blaise. She might be vain and self-centered, quarrelsome, hot-tempered, lazy, unkind to humans, and generally hard to live with, but she came through for family. She was a witch. Iââ¬â¢m sorry I said you might be a little like Maya, Thea thought. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s my fault,â⬠she said out loud. ââ¬Å"Yes, it is,â⬠Blaise said, scribbling. ââ¬Å"I should have just found some way to keep him at a distance in the beginning.â⬠But of course, it was because of Blaise that she hadnââ¬â¢t. Sheââ¬â¢d thought Eric was safer with her than he would have been with Blaise. Sheââ¬â¢d thought that somehowâ⬠¦ somehowâ⬠¦ Things would work out. That was it. There had always been some secret underlying hope that there could be a future with Eric. Some little hiding place where sheââ¬â¢d kept the hope that things could be all right. But now she had to face reality. There was no future. The only thing she could give Eric was death. And that was all he could give her. Sheââ¬â¢d realized that, all in one terrible explosion of insight when sheââ¬â¢d seen Ericââ¬â¢s mother in the room. There was no way for them to be together without being discovered. Even if they ran away, someday, somewhere, the Night People would find them. Theyââ¬â¢d be brought before the joint Night World Council, the vampire and witch elders. And then the law would be fulfilledâ⬠¦. Thea had never seen an execution, but sheââ¬â¢d heard of them. And if the Harmans tried to stop the Council from killing her, it would start a war. Witches against vampires. Maybe even witches against witches. It could mean the end of everything. ââ¬Å"So it doesnââ¬â¢t look like we have to kill the mother,â⬠Blaise said, frowning at her scribbles. ââ¬Å"On the other hand, if we kill the kids, the motherââ¬â¢s bound to be unhappy, and might make a connection. So to be safe-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"We canââ¬â¢t kill any of them,â⬠Thea said. Her voice was muted but final. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t mean ourselves. Iââ¬â¢m going to call one of our friendly vampire cousins. Ash-heââ¬â¢s supposed to be out on the West Coast somewhere, isnââ¬â¢t he? Or Quinn, he likes that kind of thing. One quick bite, let the blood run out-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Blaise, I am not going to let vampires kill Eric. Or anybody,â⬠she added as Blaise opened her mouth. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not necessary. Nobody needs to die.â⬠ââ¬Å"So you have a better idea?â⬠Thea looked at a statue of Isis, the Queen of Egyptian Goddesses, on the desk. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ donââ¬â¢t know. I thought of the Cup of Lethe. Make them forget everything about me. But it might look suspicious-this entire family with a gap in their memory. And kids at school would wonder why Eric doesnââ¬â¢t remember my name anymore.â⬠ââ¬Å"True.â⬠Thea stared at the moon held between Isisââ¬â¢s golden horns. Her brain, which had been working so coldly and logically, helping her to survive, was stalling now. There had to be a way to save Eric and his family-or what was the point of living herself? Then she saw it. ââ¬Å"What I really think would be best,â⬠she said slowly, because it hurt like a physical pain, ââ¬Å"would be for Eric to stop caring about me. To fall in love with someone else.â⬠Blaise sat back. She stirred the candy corn with long, elegant nails. She ate a piece. ââ¬Å"I admire you,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Very sensible.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not yon,â⬠Thea said through clenched teeth. ââ¬Å"You understand that, right? A human. If he falls in love with another girl heââ¬â¢ll forget about me without any Lethe. Nobody will disappear or have amnesia; nobody will get suspicious.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay. Although I wouldââ¬â¢ve liked to try him. Heââ¬â¢s got a strong will-I think heââ¬â¢d have held out for a while. Been a challenge.â⬠Thea ignored this. ââ¬Å"I still have some of his blood. The question is, do you have something youââ¬â¢ve been holding back, some love spell that will completely blow him out of the water?â⬠Blaise ate another piece of candy corn. ââ¬Å"Of course I do.â⬠She narrowed her gray eyes. ââ¬Å"Also, of course, itââ¬â¢s a forbidden spell.â⬠ââ¬Å"I figured. Blaise, Iââ¬â¢m now the princess of forbidden spells. One more doesnââ¬â¢t matter. But Iââ¬â¢ll do the actual working, I donââ¬â¢t want you to get in trouble.â⬠ââ¬Å"You wonââ¬â¢t like it. It involves the bezoar stone from the stomach of an ibex-which I just happened to pick up while we were living with Aunt Gerdeth.â⬠Ibex were an endangered species. But this one was already dead. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll do the working,â⬠Thea said stubbornly. ââ¬Å"You really care about him, donââ¬â¢t you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠Thea whispered. ââ¬Å"I still think weââ¬â¢re soul-mates. Butâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Would you give up everything? ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t want to be the reason he dies. Or the reason a war starts between the Harmans and the rest of the Night World. And if I have to give him up, Iââ¬â¢d rather do it myself, make sure heââ¬â¢s safe with somebody else who loves him.â⬠ââ¬Å"Have you got somebody picked out?â⬠ââ¬Å"Her name is Pilar.â⬠Thea looked at her cousin suddenly. ââ¬Å"Blaise? When Luke asked you what you wanted, and you said nothing you could haveâ⬠¦ what did you mean?â⬠Blaise tilted her head back and examined the ceiling. Then she looked down. ââ¬Å"Does anybody ever want anything they can have? Really?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ donââ¬â¢t know.â⬠Blaise clasped her knees and rested her chin on them. ââ¬Å"If we can have things, we donââ¬â¢t really want them anymore. So thereââ¬â¢s always something out there that weââ¬â¢re wanting and not able to getâ⬠¦ and maybe thatââ¬â¢s good.â⬠It didnââ¬â¢t sound good to Thea. It sounded like one of those terrible lessons in Life 101 that were supposed to make you more mature. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s do the spell,â⬠she said. How to cite Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 12, Essay examples
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
John Adams, Who Became The Second President Of The United States, Has
John Adams, who became the second president of the United States, has been accused by some historians of being the closest thing America ever had to a dictator or monarch (Onuf, 1993). Such strong accusations should be examined in the context of the era in which Mr. Adams lived and served. A closer examination of the historical events occurring during his vice presidency and his term as president, strongly suggests that Adams was not, in fact, a dictator. Indeed, except for his lack of charisma and political charm, Adams had a very successful political career before joining the new national government. He was, moreover, highly sought after as a public servant during the early formation of the new federal power (Ferling, 1992). Adams was a well educated, seasoned patriot, and experienced diplomat. He was the runner-up in the election in which George Washington was selected the first United States President. According to the electoral-college system of that time, the second candidate with the most electoral votes became the Vice President (Smelser Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson, a veteran politician became the Secretary of State and Hamiliton, a young, outspoken New Yorker lawyer, became the Secretary of the Treasury (Ferling, 1992). Jefferson, like Adams, had also signed the Declaration of Independence. Hamilton, however, was the only cabinet member relatively unknown to Adams (Ferling, 1992). It was Hamilton, nonetheless, who excelled during this new administration by initiating numerous, innovative, and often controversial programs, many of which were quite successful. Adams and Hamil ton were both Federalists. Unlike Hamiliton, Adams was more moderate (Smelser & Gundersen, 1975). During this first administration, Adams and Hamilton quarreled (Washington Retires, 1995), and Adams contemptuously began referring to Hamilton as ?his puppyhood? (DeCarolis, 1995). This created a rift in the administration, for Washington generally favored Hamiliton (Smelser & Gundersen, 1975), and disregarded Adams (Ferling, 1992). Hamilton also went to great lengths to drive Jefferson out of the cabinet (Allison, 1966). Jefferson did finally, indeed, resign from the cabinet. The Federalists ?party,? of which Hamiliton was the leader (DeCarolis, 1995) was greatly divided and even violent, at times, under his leadership (Allison, 1966). This is significant in assessing Hamilton's and others' arguments of Adams being a dictator after his presidential victory in 1796 A.D. There are several traits that were conspicuous about John Adams. First, he was known as an honest man of integrity (Ferling, 1992; Smelser Smelser Wood, 1992). He was, however, quite intelligent and apparently had a secure self-esteem, being quite willing the challenge tradition (Wood, 1992). Adams was an intensely self-introspective man, though confident (Calhoon, 1976). By 1795, conflict was raging with France. Washington made it clear that he was not returning to office. This, for the first time, provided the impulse for the two differing political philosophies to align into separate parties, even though the Federalists never considered themselves to be a party (Wood, 1992). Hamilton tried to by-pass Adams by nominating Carolinian Thomas Pickney (Ferling, 1992). He had instigated a similar conspiracy to keep Adams from defeating Washington in the second national election, as Adams had discovered (DeCarolis, 1995). In spite of the divided Federalists, Adams defeated Thomas Jefferson by three electoral votes. He became the second president and Jefferson, having the second largest number of votes, became vice-president. This event, too, is significant because for the first time in office here were two men of totally different philosophies of government, attempting to run the country together. Adams' presidency was stressful from the moment of his inau guration. In his address, he sought to make it clear that he was not a monarchist (Allison, 1966). France had decreed to seize American ships. The country was divided over whether to be pro-British (as was Hamilton) or pro-France (as was Jefferson). Hamiliton eventually resigned the position of inspector general, but continued to send Adams unsolicited recommendations regarding foreign policy issues (DeCarolis, 1995). Adams resented Hamilton's meddling in his executive prerogatives. He eventually expelled two other Hamiltonian cabinet members. The height of Adam's
Friday, March 20, 2020
Using NetIQ s AppManager essays
Using NetIQ s AppManager essays J. Banks, J. Brown, E. Kimble, J. Sachsel Enterprise Network Management Solution University of Maryland, University College J. Banks, J. Brown, E. Kimble, J. Sachsel Abstract .......................................................................... 3 Management.......................................................................... 4 Biography .......................................................................... 6 Software .......................................................................... 8 Cases.......................................................................... 13 Profit Chain .......................................................................... 19 Conclusions .......................................................................... 22 References .......................................................................... 23 Architecture .......................................................................... 10 Profit Chain .......................................................................... 20 J. Banks, J. Brown, E. Kimble, J. Sachsel As 21 st century organizations depend more heavily on their information technology departments for critical business functions, management of IT resources becomes a serious strategic concern. New solutions for monitoring, allocating and troubleshooting IT resources are developed with enterprise-wide information systems in mind. One of these tools is NetIQ s AppManager. The intent of the research is not to tout the benefits of any particular software package, but rather to describe the functionality of an all-encompassing solution to enterprise network management, and analyze the benefits similar software tools can provide to an organization. The following report will provide evidence that implementation of an enterprise network management solution is essential to improving critical business processes of organizatio...
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
The Failed State of Franklin
The Failed State of Franklin Founded in 1784 with the intent of becoming the fourteenth state of the new United States, the State of Franklin was located in what is now Eastern Tennessee. The story of Franklin - and how it failed - highlights how the victorious end of the American Revolution in 1783 actually left the new Union of states in a fragile condition. How Franklin Came to Be The costs of fighting the Revolutionary War left the Continental Congress facing a staggering debt. In April 1784, the legislature of North Carolina voted to give Congress some 29 million acres of land - about twice the size of Rhode Island - located between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River to help pay its share of the war debt.à However, North Carolinaââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"giftâ⬠of the land came with a major catch. The cession document gave the federal government two years to accept complete responsibility for the area. This meant that during the two-year delay, the western frontier settlements of North Carolina would be virtually alone in protecting themselves from the Cherokee Indians, many of whom remained at war with the new nation. Needless to say, this did not sit well with the residents of the ceded region who feared that the cash-starved and war-weary Congress might even sell the territory to France or Spain. Rather than risk this outcome, North Carolina took the land back and began to organize it as four counties within the state. After the war, the frontier settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi had not automatically become part of the United States. As historian Jason Farr wrote in the Tennessee Historical Quarterly, ââ¬Å"It was never assumed.â⬠Instead, Congress gave the communities three options: become parts of existing states, form new states of the union, or become their own sovereign nations. Rather than choosing to become a part of North Carolina, the residents of the four ceded counties voted to form a new, fourteenth state, which would beà called Franklin. Historians suggest that to some extent, they may have agreed with George Washington, who suggested that they had become ââ¬Å"a distinct peopleâ⬠with cultural and political differences from those in the Atlantic states who had fought for American independence. In December 1784, Franklin officially declared itself to be an independent state, with Revolutionary War veteran John Sevier reluctantly serving as its first governor. However, as historian George W. Troxler notes in the Encyclopedia of North Carolina, Franklinââ¬â¢s organizers did not know at the time that North Carolina had decided to take it back. ââ¬Å"The December 1784 constitution of Franklin did not formally define its boundaries,â⬠Troxler wrote. ââ¬Å"By implication, jurisdiction was assumed over all of the ceded territory, and area approximating the future state of Tennessee.â⬠The relationship between the new Union, its 13 Atlantic Seaboard states, and the western frontier territories had gotten off to a rocky start, to say the least. ââ¬Å"There was little concern for western political and economic interests during the Confederation era, especially among the northeastern elite,â⬠Farr writes. ââ¬Å"Some even assumed that frontier communities would remain outside the union.â⬠Indeed, Franklinââ¬â¢s declaration of statehood in 1784 stirred fears among the Founding Fathers that they might not be able to keep the new nation together.à The Rise of Franklin A delegation from Franklin officially submitted its petition for statehood to Congress on May 16, 1785. Unlike the statehood approval process established by the U.S. Constitution, the Articles of Confederation in effect at the time required that new petitions for statehood be approved by the legislatures of two-thirds of the existing states. While seven states eventually voted to admit the territory as what would have been the 14th federal state, the vote fell short short of the required two-thirds majority. Going It Alone With its petition for statehood defeated and still unable to agree with North Carolina over several issues including taxation and protection, Franklin began operating as unrecognized, independent republic. In December 1785, Franklinââ¬â¢s de-facto legislature adopted its own constitution, known as the Holston Constitution, which closely tracked that of North Carolina. à Still unchecked - or perhaps unnoticed due to its isolated location - by the federal government, Franklin created courts, annexed new counties, assessed taxes, and negotiated several treaties with area Indian tribes. While its economy was based mainly on bartering, Franklin accepted all federal and foreign currencies. Due to the lack of its own currency or economic infrastructure and the fact that its legislature had granted all of its citizens a two-year reprieve on paying taxes, Franklinââ¬â¢s ability to develop and provide government services was limited. The Beginning of the End The ties thatà held Franklinââ¬â¢s unofficial statehood togetherà began to unravel inà 1787. In late 1786, North Carolina offered to waive all back taxes owed to it by Franklinââ¬â¢s citizens if the ââ¬Å"stateâ⬠agreed to reunite with its government. While Franklinââ¬â¢s voters rejected the offer in early 1787, several influential citizens who felt disenchanted by the lack of government services or military protection in Franklin supported it the offer. Ultimately, the offer was rejected. North Carolina subsequently sent troops led by Col. John Tipton into the disputed territory and began to re-establish its own government. For several very contentious and confusing months, the governments of Franklin and North Carolina competed side-by-side.à The Battle of Franklin Despite the objections of North Carolina, the ââ¬Å"Franklinitesâ⬠continued to expand to the west by forcibly seizing land from the Native American populations. Led by the Chickamauga and Chickasaw tribes, the Native Americans fought back, conducting their own raids on Franklinââ¬â¢s settlements. As part of the larger Chickamauga Cherokee Wars, the bloody back-and-forth raids continued into 1788. In September 1787, the Franklin legislature met - for what would be the last time. By December 1787, the loyalties of Franklinââ¬â¢s war-weary and debt-laden citizens to its unrecognized government was eroding, with many openly supporting alignment with North Carolina. In early February 1788, North Carolina ordered Washington County Sheriff Jonathan Pugh to seize and sell at auction any property owned by Franklinââ¬â¢s Governor John Sevier in order to repay taxes he owed to North Carolina. Among the ââ¬Å"propertyâ⬠seized by Sheriff Pugh were several slaves, who he took to Col. Tiptonââ¬â¢s home and secured in his underground kitchen. On the morning of February 27, 1788, Governor Sevier along with about 100 of his militiamen showed up at Tiptonââ¬â¢s house, demanding his slaves. Then, on the snowy morning of February 29, North Carolina Colonel George Maxwell arrived with 100 of his own better-trained and armed regular troops to repel Sevierââ¬â¢s militia. After less than 10 minutes of skirmishing, the so-called ââ¬Å"Battle of Franklinâ⬠ended with Sevier and his force withdrawing. According to accounts of the incident, several men on both sides were wounded or captured, and three were killed. The Final Fall of Franklin The final nail in Franklinââ¬â¢s coffin was driven in March 1788 when the Chickamauga, Chickasaw, and several other tribes joined in coordinated attacks on frontier settlements in Franklin. Desperate to raise a viable army, Governor Sevier arranged for a loan from the government of Spain. However, the agreement required Franklin to be placed under Spanish rule. To North Carolina, that was the final deal-breaker. Strongly opposed to allowing a foreign government to control what it considered to be part of its state, North Carolina officials arrested Governor Sevier in August 1788. While his supporters quickly freed him from the poorly protected local jail, Sevier soon turned himself in. Franklin met its final end in February 1789, when Sevier and his few remaining loyalists signed oaths of allegiance to North Carolina. By the end of 1789, all of the lands that had been part of the ââ¬Å"Lost Stateâ⬠rejoined North Carolina. The Legacy of Franklin While Franklinââ¬â¢s existence as an independent state lasted less than five years, its failed rebellion contributed to the framers decision to include a clause in the U.S. Constitution regarding the formation of new states. The ââ¬Å"New Statesâ⬠clause in Article IV, Section 3, stipulates that while new states ââ¬Å"may be admitted by the Congress into this Union,â⬠it further stipulates that no new states ââ¬Å"may be formed ââ¬Å"within the jurisdiction of any other Stateâ⬠or parts of states unless approved by votes of the state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. Historical Events Fast Facts April 1784: North Carolina cedes parts of its western frontier to the federal government as repayment of its Revolutionary War debt.August 1784: Franklin proclaims itself as the 14th independent state and secedes from North Carolina.May 16, 1785: Petition for Franklin statehood sent to U.S. Congress.December 1785: Franklin adopts its own constitution, similar to that of North Carolina.Spring 1787: Franklin rejects an offer by North Carolina to rejoin its control in return for forgiving the debts of its residents.Summer 1787: North Carolina sends troops to Franklin to re-establish its government.February 1788: North Carolina seizes slaves owned by Franklin Governor Sevier.February 27, 1788: Governor Sevier and his militia attempt to recover his slaves using force but are repelled by North Carolina troops.August 1788: North Carolina officials arrest Governor Sevier.February 1789: Governor Sevier and his followers sign oaths of allegiance to North Carolina.By December 1789: All areas of the ââ¬Å"Lost Stateâ⬠of Franklin had re-joined North Carolina.
Monday, February 17, 2020
Comprehensive case analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Comprehensive case analysis - Essay Example Gold has towards its workers include maintaining ethical conduct in its workplace and most vitally prohibit the devastating financial implications imposing adverse impact on the families of such workers (Nkomo et al., 2007). The challenges relating to human resource that the US based firms generally face when they globalize include problems related to hiring as well as retaining their respective potential workers and most vitally forming a globalized workforce (Commonwealth of Australia, 2011; Goldsmith, 2008). If I would have been in the place of Goldstone, I would have designed such an effective policy based on which the adverse financial implications on the families of the workers in the firm are mitigated by a considerable degree. In this similar context, such policies would also ensure better pays as well as other benefits to the workers along with maintaining diversity in the workplace Based on the above discussion, I have learned that maintaining ethical norms in the workplace by taking into concern the benefits of the workers is quite indispensable element to reap available benefits and avoid the challenges. This particular case certainly revealed the challenges associated with the management might unfavorably influence the families of the workers particularly in the domain of health care. As a healthcare manager, the implications of the case provided can be ascertained as strengthening the interests of the workers as per their respective needs for delivering quality services to the patients. Goldsmith, M. (2008). Human resources: the big issues. Retrieved from
Monday, February 3, 2020
Any piece of Art work that is done by georgia o'keeffe Essay
Any piece of Art work that is done by georgia o'keeffe - Essay Example 2. Formal Qualities The Cliff Chimneys, a 36 ? 30 inches painting 3. Subject She was highly motivated and inspired by the stark, but extensively colored yellow and red hills and cliffs occupying the Ghost Ranch area. Additionally, she liked the jagged cliff formations that occupied the land near the Abiquiu village, and this prompted her to purchase a house in Ghost Ranch (ââ¬Å"Oââ¬â¢Keeffe's O'Keeffes: The Artist's Collectionâ⬠). The Abiquiu village being surrounded by the Navajo hills and cedar trees, Georgia enjoyed walking around Ghost Ranch. The experience of the hills, cliffs and environment in general that she encountered in Ghost ranch that motivated her to paint The Cliff Chimneys. B. Price (Inc. why?) The Cliff Chimneys painting is currently being sold at $ 279 by Reproduction Gallery. However, the rice is bound to increase if the customers wish to enlarge it and make a bigger size of the original painting. The increase in price is accountable since producing a bi gger size of the original painting requires additional oil and canvas as well as frame (ââ¬Å"Oââ¬â¢Keeffe's O'Keeffes: The Artist's Collectionâ⬠) C. Placement (Where is it?) The Cliff Chimneys is currently being displayed at Milwaukee Art Museum. This is after it was presented by Georgia Oââ¬â¢Keeffe Foundation and Gift of Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation. D. Cultural context Oââ¬â¢Keeffe was inspired by the events and discoveries that she encountered in the South and West regions of the Taos regions to make the painting. She was highly motivated and inspired by the stark, but extensively colored yellow and red hills and cliffs occupying the Ghost Ranch area. Additionally, she liked the jagged cliff formations that occupied the land near the Abiquiu village, and this prompted her to purchase a house in Ghost Ranch (ââ¬Å"Oââ¬â¢Keeffe's O'Keeffes: The Artist's Collectionâ⬠). The Abiquiu village being surrounded by the Navajo hills and cedar trees, Georgia enjoy ed walking around Ghost Ranch. The experience of the hills, cliffs and environment in general that she encountered in Ghost ranch that motivated her to paint The Cliff Chimneys I. The Artist (Name) Georgia Totto Oââ¬â¢Keeffe A. Background Georgia Totto Oââ¬â¢Keeffe was born on 15th November, 1887, in a ranch house near Sun Prairie, Winconsin. Her father, Francis Calyxtus O'Keeffe was of Irish descent while her mother Ida (Totto) O'Keeffe was of Hungarian descent. It is from her maternal grandfather, George Totto that Georgia Oââ¬â¢Keeffe got her name. She was the second born in her family of seven children, as well as the first daughter. B. Education and Influences She started her schooling in Town Hall School, Sun Prairie. It is during her early days in school that Georgia Oââ¬â¢Keeffe began to gain interests in art (ââ¬Å"Oââ¬â¢Keeffe's O'Keeffes: The Artist's Collectionâ⬠). This is attributed to the fact that by age ten she had already made up her mind of bec oming an artist; thus, together with her younger sister they started receiving art instructions from Sara Mann, a local water-colorist. Oââ¬â¢Keeffe attended Sacred Heart Academy, Madison High School, and later Catham Episcopal Institute for her high school education. She later pursued artistic training at the School of Art Institute based in Chicago and the Art Students League based in New York. It is while studying at Arts Students League that she won a scholarship to attend an outdoor summer school located in Lake George. C. Intention Georgiaââ¬â¢
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