The throne of Saudi Arabia Essay Example for Free

The throne of Saudi Arabia Essay The throne of Saudi Arabia fell vacant in 1982, following Khalid bin Abdul Aziz’s assassination in 1982. King Fahd took the reins and was the King of the Saudi kingdom until death in 2005. His half-brother, Abdullah officially came to power the same year, although he has been ruling the country since Fahd’s incapacitating stroke in 1996. Average lifespan of a Saudi ruler is approximately 78 years. The present ruler King Abdullah is the eldest, while King Khalid was the youngest. Women have never ruled Saudi Arabia; all of the Kings of Saudi Arabia have been sons of King Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. Inheritance has been the common way of ascendance to power, while natural death particularly due to heart attack has been the reason for leaders’ fall from power Algeria Chadli Bendjedid, President (Feb 9 1979 Jan 11 1992) Mohamed Boudiaf, Chairman of the High Council of State (Jan 14 1992 June 29 1992) Ali Kafi, Chairman of the High Council of State (June 29 1992 to Jan 31 1994) Liamine Zeroual, Head of State (Jan 31 1994 Apr 27 1999) Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President (Since Apr 27 1999) Algeria in the 1980s was under the one-party rule of President Chadli Bendjedid. Opposition from religious parties forced the country’s first multi-party elections in 1991. The military intervened to stop religious political parties from ruling the country and Mohamed Boudiaf was appointed the Chairman of the High Council of State in 1992. Following his assassination, Ali Kafi became his successor in the same year. In 1994, Liamine Zeroual took over as the Head of state and was in power till 1999. Civil unrest led to the Algerian Civil War followed by a military-backed government to ascend into power in 1999. Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been the President of Algeria since 1999. The average age of Algerian leaders is about 68 years, while Boudiaf was the eldest leader being 73 years when he died. Libya Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi, Military Colonel (Since 2 Mar 1979) The power in Libya is controlled by Colonel Al-Gaddafi, the leader of the Revolutionary Command Council as well as the unconstitutional head of state. He established the General Peoples Congress (GPC) to reform the political system, thereby vesting only theoretical control and retaining absolute control over Libya (El Fathaly and Palmer 529). Al-Gaddafi is now 68 years old and his rose to power through a revolution governed by Islamic socialism. Egypt Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President (Since 14 October 1981) The Republic of Egypt follows a multi-party presidential system. Mubarak has been elected as the President for the past five times in elections since 1981, since Egypt has conventionally practiced single-candidate elections. He is now 53 years old and has promised to reform the country’s election laws for the next election. Jordan Hussein bin Talal, King (11 Aug 1952 – 7 Feb 1999) Abdullah bin al Hussein, King (Since 7 Feb 1999) Abdullah bin al Hussein inherited the throne of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1999, following the death of his father Hussein bin Talal. Abdullah is now 46 years of age, while his father was 64 years old when he passed away. Syria Hafez al-Assad, President (13 Nov March 1970- 10 June 2000) Bashar al-Assad (Since 10 July 2000) Hafez al-Assad was actually the Defense Minister in the Baath Regime. After the Black September incident, his popularity rose and he claimed power through a military coup to become president. He ruled Syria for 30 straight years until his death; Hafez was 70 years old when he died. The minimum age in the constitution was amended to facilitate his son Bashar becoming the next President. Afghanistan Mohammad Najibullah (30 Nov1987 – 16 Apr 1992) Abdul Rahim Hatef (16 Apr 1992 – 28 Apr 1992) Sibghatullah Mojaddedi (28 Apr 1992 – 28 June 1992) Burhanuddin Rabbani (28 June 1992 – 27 Sep 1996) Mohammed Omar, Islamic Emirate President (27 Sept 1996 – 13 Nov 2001) Burhanuddin Rabbani, Islamic Transitional State President (27 Sep 1996 – 22 Dec 2001) Hamid Karzai, Islamic Transitional State Chairman and President (22 Dec 2001 – 7 Dec 2004) Hamid Karzai, Islamic Republic President (Since Dec 2004) Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 caused them to back up former Afghan spy Najibullah as the President. However, after the breakup of USSR and withdrawal of support, the Taliban gradually rose to power and enforced religious fundamentalist rule. Following the World Trade Center bombing, America invaded Afghanistan and power was transferred back to the Mujahideen led by Rabbani. Elections were held in 2002 and Karzai was elected President. Iraq Saddam Hussein, President (1979 2003) Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer, Interim President (9 April 2003 – 28 June 2004) Jalal Talabani (Since 6 April 2005) Saddam ascended to power by either arresting or murdering his rival leaders. He was 66 years old when has captured. After that, the Coalition Provisional Authority nominated Ghazi as the interim president, after which Talabani was elected president. Iran Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Supreme Leader (3 Dec 1979 3 June 1989) Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader (Since 4 June 1989) The Islamic Republic of Iran was formed in 1979 following the Islamic revolution; Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, being highest ranking religious and political authority, became the Supreme Leader of Iran. Ruhollah Khomeini was 87 years old when he died, and Ali Khamenei was elected as the next Supreme by the Assembly of Experts. Israel Yitzhak Navon (19 April 1978 5 May 1983) Chaim Herzog (5 May 1983 13 May 1993) Ezer Weizman (13 May 1993 13 July 2000) Moshe Katsav (1 August 2000 1 July 2007) Shimon Peres (Since 15 July 2007) In Israel, the President is elected by either an absolute or simple majority in the parliament. Yitzhak Navon is now 84 years old and the oldest surviving Israeli President. Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh (22 May 1990) He has been the first President of unified Yemen since 1990 and is 60 years old now. Kuwait Emir Jaber III Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (31 Dec 1977 – 15 Jan 2006) Emir Saad I Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah (15 Jan 2006 – 24 Jan 2006) Emir Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Since 29 Jan 2006) Lebanon Bachir Gemayel (23 August 1982 – 14 September 1982) Amine Gemayel (23 September 1982 – 22 September 1988) Prime Minister Michel Aoun (22 September 1988 – 13 October 1990) Prime Minister Selim al-Hoss (22 September 1988 – 5 November 1989) Rene Moawad (5 November – 22 November 1989) Elias Hrawi (24 November 1989 – 24 November 1998) Emile Lahoud (24 November 1998 – 23 November 2007) Fouad Siniora (Since 24 November 2007) Mauritania Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Louly, Head of State (June 1979 4 Jan 1980) Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla, Head of State (4 Jan 1980 to 12 Dec 1984) Maaouya Ould SidAhmed Taya, Head of State (12 Dec 1984 to 18 Apr 1992) Maaouya Ould SidAhmed Taya, Head of State (18 Apr 1992 to 3 Aug 2005) Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, Chairman (3 Aug 2005 to 19 Apr 2007) Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, President (Since 19 April 2007) UAE Sheikh Zayid ibn Sultan Al Nuhayyan (2 Dec 1971 2 Nov 2004) Sheikh Maktum ibn Rashid Al Maktum (2 Nov 2004 3 Nov 2004) Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayid Al Nuhayyan (Since 3 Nov 2004) Sudan Gaafar Nimeiry, Head of State (25 May 1969 6 April 1985) Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab, Head of State (6 April 1985 6 May 1986) Ahmad al-Mirghani, Head of State (6 May 1986 30 June 1989) Omar al-Bashir, President (30 June 1989 16 Oct 1993) Tunisia Habib Bourguiba (25 July 1957 7 Nov 1987) Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Since 7 Nov 1987) Turkey Kenan Evren (9 Nov 1982 – 9 Nov 1989) Turgut Ozal (9 Nov 1989 – 17 April 1993) Suleyman Demirel (16 May 1993 – 16 May 2000) Ahmet Necdet Sezer (16 May 2000 28 Aug 2007) Abdullah Gul (Since 28 Aug 2007) Morocco King Hassan II (1961–1999) King Mohammed VI (Since 1999) Oman Qaboos ibn Said (Since 23 July 1970) Pakistan Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (16 Sep 1978 17 Aug 1988) Ghulam Ishaq Khan (17 Aug 1988 -18 July 1993) Wasim Sajjad (18 July 1993 14 Nov 1993) Farooq Leghari (14 Nov 1993 2 Dec 1997) Wasim Sajjad (2 Dec 1997 1 Jan 1998) Muhammad Rafiq Tarar (1 Jan 1998 20 June 2001) Pervez Musharraf (Since 20 June 2001) The trend in rising to power in most of the countries mentioned above is through brute force, inheritance, revolution or religious fundamentalism. The concept of real democracy is seldom prevalent in these countries; people of these countries have very little control over their future. The leaders are usually old and past their physical and mental prime. Unlike the Western world, women are usually not considered for such higher positions. Works Cited Page El Fathaly, Omar, and Palmer, Monte. â€Å"Political Development and Social Change in Libya†. The American Political Science Review, Vol. 75, No. 2 (Jun. , 1981), pp. 529-530.

Caring for the Dementia Patient: Evidence Based Practice

Caring for the Dementia Patient: Evidence Based Practice Lisa Krier The population of elderly people in society is continually increasing, which places demands on the health care system. Drugs are extensively used in the elderly, and when the patients have dementia, this raises their level of vulnerability (Jedenius, Johnell, Fastbom, Stromqvist, Winbald Andreasen, 2011). The administration of psychotropic drugs to dementia patients experiencing out of character responses has become increasingly controversial. Many of these drugs come with black-box warnings from the FDA, have not been approved for use in patients with dementia and are not recommended for the elderly. Many of these drugs have shown to be harmful in the elderly, decreasing quality of life and even leading to death, and have adverse effects (Azermai, Elseviers, Petrovic, Van Bortel, Vander Stichele, 2011). Nurses have two options when dementia patients experience out of character responses, 1) administer a psychotropic medication to calm the resident, or 2) use a therapeutic approach to calm the patient without the potential of adverse side effects that medications pose (Logsdon, McCurry, Teri, 2007). Change Model Overview The John Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Process consists of defining the practice question, gathering, appraising, and synthesizing the available evidence, and then translating the plan into the clinical setting. Nurses with various levels of education have been able to use this process successfully with mentors assisting and the support of their organizations. Nursing professionals find this process beneficial in understanding the elements of nursing intervention and implementing the evidence found into their practice setting (Dearholt Dang, 2012) Practice Question Step 1: Identify an EBP question The population involved in this evidence-based practice question is dementia patients who experience out of character responses. The intervention being utilized is the use of therapeutic approaches to calm the dementia patient, compared with the use of psychotropic drugs to calm the dementia patient suffering an out of character response. The desired outcome is to see a decrease in the number and severity of out of character reactions in the patients, along with fewer adverse side effects that psychotropic medications may have (Jeste et al., 2008). Step 2: Scope of practice question The population of elderly in the United States is steadily increasing and many of these elderly will require the services of a long-term care facility sometime in their life (Harris-Kojetson, Sengupta, Park-Lee, Valverde, 2013). It is estimated that 69% of residents in long-term care facilities were taking at least one psychotropic medication (Galik Resnick, 2013). Out of character reactions are common in patients with dementia, but there is no FDA approved drugs to deal with these responses in the dementia patient. The unlabeled use of psychotropic medications is commonly used, even though many of these drugs come with black-box warnings from the FDA. These drugs can cause postural hypotension, sedation, falls, and even mortality, especially with the use of atypical antipsychotics (Jeste et al., 2008). The cost of fall related injuries are estimated to be between $16 and $19 billion annually for nonfatal injuries and around $170 million for deaths resulting from falls, adding addi tional demands on an already stressed health care system (Currie, 2008). Steps 3, 4, and 5: Team The team members involved in this pilot project consist of the Memory Support Coordinator, the Life Enrichment Coordinator, the night shift nursing supervisor, the day shift nursing supervisor, two Certified Nursing Assistants from the day shift and one Certified Nursing Assistance from the night shift. All of the selected participants have direct patient contact and work in the Memory Support Unit with all of the patients having a diagnosis of dementia. The Memory Support Coordinator will be the projects bridge to the facilitys administration. The chosen team members will be trained in therapeutic approaches to maintain a calming environment and to utilize when any of the patients experiences an out of character response. Evidence Steps 6 and 7: Internal and external search for evidence The quantitative research that was obtained for this projected consisted of three peer-reviewed research articles and one systematic review. One of the peer-reviewed research articles that was utilized for this project was of high evidence, with the other two peer-reviewed research articles containing good evidence. The systematic review that was used consisted of several randomized controlled trials. All of the articles used for this project did make recommendations based upon the evidence cited in the research. Steps 8 and 9: Summarize the evidence One of the peer-reviewed research articles that was obtained was of high strength and evidence. It consisted of a randomized study, a large sample size, a control group, and detailed the physical outcomes of dementia patients receiving psychotropic medications. The study recommends that careful consideration of the adverse effects of psychotropic medication used in the elderly along with further longitudinal studies is necessary to fully explore the impact these medications have on the elderly (Galik Resnick, 2013). The other two peer-reviewed research articles that were obtained were of good evidence and strength. One of the articles consisted of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials and discussed behavioral treatments that were successful in treating behavioral disturbances in dementia patients (Logsdon, McCurry, Teri, 2007). The third peer-reviewed research articles utilized for this project was a randomized study to discuss the prevalence of psychotropic medications used in nursing homes in relation to patient’s behaviors. The article consisted of a randomized study with a large sample size, but the study did not have a control group. Several recommendations were cited, including the withdrawal of psychotropic therapy in the elderly population (Azermai, Elseviers, Petrovic, Van Bortel, Stichele, 2011). The final research that was used for this project was a systematic review of randomized, controlled trials that had adequate sample sizes and control groups. This article discusses the two approaches used in treating dementia patients with behavior disturbances, pharmacological and behavioral. The articles discuss what is known and what is not known in regards to the two approaches and make several clinical and research recommendations (Jeste et al., 2008). Step 10: Recommendations for change All of the articles used in this project discussed the adverse effects of psychotropic medication use in this population and the fact that these medications are not effective in treating behavior disturbances in the dementia patient. When psychotropic medications are used to treat out of character responses in the elderly, they are being prescribed off-label as the FDA has not approved any of these medications for treating behavioral disturbances in the dementia patient. Also, many psychotropic medications come with black-box warnings from the FDA and have been proven to have many adverse effects, especially in the elderly population (Jeste et al., 2008). Two of the articles discuss the success of the use of therapeutic approaches in calming the dementia patient experiencing an out of character response. What makes the use of therapeutic approaches exciting is that there are no adverse physical effects associated with them and the quality of life is not diminished, and may possibly b e enhanced, in the dementia patient (Logsdon, McCurry, Teri, 2007). Translation Steps 11, 12, and 13: Action plan This pilot study will take place in the Memory Support Unit, which is home to approximately 36 residents, all of whom have a diagnosis of dementia. The eight faculty members that will be participating in this study will all attend a three-day training seminar on how to recognize the early signs of residents who are becoming anxious, and implementing therapeutic approaches for these patients to calm them rapidly and efficiently without the use of medication. After the training seminar, the staff will meet on a biweekly basis and carefully review each residents life story to become familiar with their history and likes or dislikes to design therapeutic approaches that are appropriate for the individual patient, as well as thoroughly examine the behavioral monitoring sheets of each resident who experiences out of character responses. The primary emphasis for the team will be to maintain a calm, quiet environment to prevent the onset of out of character responses, and decrease the number and severity of these behavioral disturbances. This project will be evaluated during each biweekly meeting, to see if the therapeutic approaches being used are effective for the individual residents by reviewing their behavioral monitoring sheets. Any changes to the residents individual care plan will take place during these meetings. The pilot study will be evaluated after the first six months to review the effects of any dosage reductions in psychotropic medications for individual residents and the efficacy of any therapeutic approaches utilized to manage their out of character responses. The Memory Support Coordinator will report the results to the administration of the facility and will discuss the findings at the weekly department head meetings. Steps 14 and 15: Evaluating outcomes It is the objective of this pilot study to see dosage reductions in any psychotropic medications being used, and eliminated altogether if possible, and to see the number and severity of out of character responses decreased without the use of psychotropic medication. Residents in the Memory Support Unit who receive psychotropic medications have their records reviewed by the pharmacist on a quarterly basis and recommendations for dosage reductions of these medications are then forwarded to the physician. Residents in the Memory Support Unit have detailed behavioral sheets where any behavioral disturbances are noted, how many times these disturbances occur per shift, any therapeutic interventions utilized before the administration of a prn medication, the efficacy of the intervention utilized, and any side effects noted from the administration of psychotropic medications. The behavioral sheets will be monitored on a weekly basis by the Memory Support Coordinator to see if there have bee n changes in any of the categories previously mentioned. Therapeutic approaches that have proven to be effective for individual residents will be added to their care plans. The individual results for each resident will be discussed at the biweekly meetings attended by the pilot study staff and the Memory Support Coordinator will forward this information on to the administration of the facility. Steps 16, 17, and 18: Implementation As there are dementia residents in every part of the facility, they also have behavioral monitoring sheets where the same information is recorded as those patients residing in the Memory Support Unit. After the initial pilot study staff have been trained and are utilizing therapeutic responses with all of the individuals in the Memory Support Unit, the entire staff in the Unit will be trained and coached by the pilot study staff. After the training has been completed in the Memory Support Unit, staff in the other areas of the facility will be trained and coached by the Memory Support Unit staff and will begin implementing the appropriate therapeutic approaches for their individual patients. The implementation of gradual dose reductions of psychotropic medications, unless clinically contraindicated, is mandated by CMS guidelines, as well as individualized approaches to person-centered care (CMS, 2013). This ensures that the implementations set forth in this pilot study will become per manent. The behavioral sheets for every resident with a diagnosis of dementia and/or receive psychotropic medications will continue to be monitored and discussed at the risk meetings that are attended by all department supervisors on a weekly basis. The results of this study will be entered into a database for forwarded to the home office, to be shared with all of the facilities in the organization. Conclusion The administration of psychotropic medications to elderly patients, especially those suffering from dementia, has been increasingly controversial. Currently there are no medications approved by the FDA for use in dementia patients suffering from behavioral disturbances, and if these drugs are being utilized, they are being prescribed for off-label use (Jeste et al., 2008). Psychotropic medications have shown to have negative effects on the physical function of elderly patients (Galik Resnick, 2013), even leading to mortality (Azermai, Elseviers, Petrovic, Van Bortel, Vander Stichele, 2011). Guidelines from the CMS mandate that gradual dose reductions be attempted for all psychotropic medications, unless clinically contraindicated, and individualized approaches to person-centered care are utilized (CMS, 2013). After thoroughly examining the evidence from the research articles, the pilot study staff will be trained in the use of therapeutic approaches to deal with resident experienci ng out of character responses. As the pilot staff becomes comfortable with implementing these approaches, the staff in the rest of the facility will be trained. The behavioral sheets for each resident will be monitored, and the therapeutic approaches that have proven to be effective for each resident will be added to their individual care plan. The behavioral sheets will be reviewed each week at the risk meetings attended by all department supervisors, and any appropriate changes will be made to the resident’s individualized care plans. The goal of this pilot study is to decrease the dangerous effects of psychotropic drug use in the elderly (Azermai, Elseviers, Petrovic, Van Bortel, Vander Stichele, 2011), as well as improve their quality of life with the use of therapeutic approaches specifically tailored to their individual needs and wants (Logsdon, McCurry, Teri, 2007). References Azermai, M., Elseviers, M., Petrovic, M., Van Bortel, L., Vander Stichele, R., (2011). Geriatric drug utilization of psychotropics in Belgian nursing homes. Human Psychopharmacology, 26, 12-20. Center for Medical Medicaid Services. (2013). Center for clinical standards and quality survey certification group. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=trct=jq=esrc=ssource=webcd=1ved=0CB4QFjAAurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cms.gov%2FMedicare%2FProvider-Enrollment-and-Certification%2FSurveyCertificationGenInfo%2FDownloads%2FSurvey-and-Cert-Letter-13-35.pdfei=6g1xVO4V6YmxBMW8gdgEusg=AFQjCNH-POJP2PwdaIXyFpIGmzHN-vDrKw Currie, L. (2008). Fall and injury prevention. In R. Hughes (Ed.). Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26531 Dearholt S. L., Dang, D. (2012). John Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice: Model and guidelines (2nd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: sigma Theta Tau International. Galik, E., Resnick B. (2013). Psychotropic medication use and association with physical and psychosocial outcomes in nursing home residents. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 20, 244-252. Harris-Kojetson, L., Sengupta, M., Park-Lee, E., Valverde, R. (2013). Long-term care services in the United States: 2013 overview. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Jedenius, E., Johnell, K., Fastbom, J., Stromqvist, J., Winbald, B, Andreasen, N. (2011). Dementia management programme in a community setting and the use of psychotropic drugs in the elderly population. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 29, 181-186. Jeste, D. V., Blazer, D., Casey, D., Meeks, T., Salzman, C., Schneider, L., †¦ Yaffe, K. (2008). ACNP white paper: Update on use of antipsychotic drugs in elderly persons with dementia. Neuropsychopharmacology, 33, 957-970. Logsdon, R. G., McCurry, S. M., Teri, L. (2007). Evidence-based psychological treatments for disruptive behaviors in individuals with dementia. Psychology and Aging, 22(1), 28-36.

Fields of Battle: The Wars for North America :: Essays Papers

Fields of Battle: The Wars for North America John Keegan, the author of Fields of Battle: The Wars for North America (334 pgs), is a very distinguished military historian. Keegan attended Oxford University, in England, his place of birth. He was Delmas Distinguished Professor of History at Vassar in fall 1997. He was a Fellow of Princeton University in 1984 and Lecturer in Military History at Cambridge, 1986-87. From 1960-1986 he was Senior Lecturer in Military History at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Since 1986 he has been Defense Editor of The Daily Telegraph. He was awarded the OBE in the Gulf War honors list, 1991. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and a Doctor of Laws of the University of New Brunswick. He is a Visitor of Hugh Sexey's Hospital, Bruton, and is a Trustee of the National Heritage Memorial and Heritage Lottery Funds. He was the BBC Reith Lecturer for 1998, and has lectured at countless other places around the world. John Keegan is also the aut hor of many other military-history books like The Face of Battle, The Second World War, Who’s Who in Military History, and A History of Warfare, to name a few. Despite being English, Keegan professes his love for America, but interestingly, not for Americans. Keegan says that he has visited America more than fifty times, whether for business or pleasure, but never even hints at having the desire to make the good ole’ U.S.A. his place of residence. Nonetheless, he certainly has a great knowledge of North America and its history of warfare. Fields of Battle: The Wars for North America is sort of a semi-autobiography of John Keegan’s life. At the beginning, end, and countless parts throughout the book, Keegan makes references to trips to America, his childhood conceptions of America, places he has lectured, famous people he met (Bill Clinton included), and old battlefields he has visited. The rest of the book contains very detailed accounts of the major battles fought on North American soil. This begins with the settling of North America by the British and French and their battle for dominance. Next, Keegan covers The Revolutionary War (or The War of Independence, as it is called in England). Then we are informed about the Civil War, wars against the native Indians, and finally about the invention of the airplane and its importance and effect on warfare in more recent years.

Pauls Character in Pauls Case :: Paul

Paul's Character in Paul's Case Pauls's Case is the story of a young man who struggles with his identity. Paul feels that he knows where he belongs, but his family and teachers refuse to support his choices. In the middle of Paul's Case, there is a switch in narration. At this point, the reader can associate with Paul and his problems. Paul struggles with both internal and external conflicts, causing him to be quite a puzzling character. From tha perspective of his family and teachers, Paul seems abnormal. From his perspective, however, he seems misunderstood. In the beginning of the story, Paul seems to be a typical teenage boy: in trouble for causing problems in the classroom. As the story progresses, the reader can infer that Paul is rather withdrawn. He would rather live in his fantasy world than face reality. Paul dreaded returning home after the Carnegie Hall performances. He loathed his "ugly sleeping chamber with the yellow walls," but most of all, he feared his father. This is the first sign that he has a troubled homelife. Next, the reader learns that Paul has no mother, and that his father holds a neighbor boy up to Paul as "a model" . The lack of affection that Paul received at home caused him to look elsewhere for the attention that he craved. The theater and Carnegie Hall was where Paul "really lived". To him, the rest of his life was but "a sleep and a forgetting". The moment Paul stepped into either one of those places, he felt he was in his element. He "breathed like a prisoner set free". Paul's life was so monotonous and dull in comparison to his theater life, which he felt was his "secret temple". This alone provides insight into his character. He truly believed that he belonged to the arts. This makes Paul's case so sad because no one believed in him. This is what caused him to flee to New York to be in a place where he would be accepted for his true selt. Paul's train trip is where the change in narration occurs. Prior to this point, the author used an omniscient point of view. From this point on, the reader reads from Paul's point of view. The change in narration helps the reader understand Paul's perspective. He is not, as it seemed in the beginning, an abnormal person.

Response to “Letter From a Birmingham Jail”

Martin Luther King Jr. wrote â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† in response to his fellow white clergymen who criticized his actions that landed him in jail. He used Biblical examples to show that his nonviolent actions were necessary for African Americans to move forward in this country. This letter was mainly directed to those religious leaders who have the power to do something about segregation but don't. The purpose is to hopefully get the backup from powerful religious leaders and end segregation.He communicates this message very effectively to these men from his quotes from Saint Paul and King Solomon which is preached within the churches of these religious leaders. He also justifies his nonviolent action by comparing it to â€Å"just† and â€Å"unjust† laws with one example of Hitler ( â€Å"We can never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was â€Å"legal† and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was â€Å"illegal. â €  It was â€Å"illegal† to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler's Germany. †)King claims there is no better timing for something that has been at conflict for 340 years and that there was no wrongdoing during this â€Å"sit-in. † He says in confidence, â€Å" We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom. Abused and scorned though we may be, our destiny is tied up with the destiny of America. Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson scratched across the pages of history the majestic word of the Declaration of Independence, we were here †¦If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands †¦ † Martin Luther King Jr. is asking for the help of the clergymen so the y can move forward with Civil Rights. Mr. King scolded the clergymen saying,â€Å"The early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed.In those days the Church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. † He was urging them to stand up for what they knew and believed was right just as the early Christian church had done in the face of execution. Martin Luther King Jr. used their belief to persuade them to see the right path. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s major audience is the clergymen he is writing to. These men possess the power to change people's minds and yet do not even try.King gives such overwhelming emotion when he compares the situation in Birmingham with Biblical situations such as this (Of course, there is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience. It was seen sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed nego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar because a higher moral law was involved. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks before submitting to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire.) Using this quote he tried to explain once again that sometimes to do what is right you have to take chances that may seem wrong and may be labeled as wrong. He is very professional and polite at the beginning which helps the audience to really listen to what he has to say. When he really gets his point through is when he gradually gets firmer and firmer throughout the text yet at the same time still being polite. King portrays himself as one of the clergymen, but one that has to overcome the many obstacles of the average African American.He acts as a friend and yet in the middle of the letter he portrays the religious leaders as an enemy that he hopes will reconsider their position on Civil Rights. Important Q uotes: â€Å"So I have tried to make it clear that it is wrong to use immoral means to attain moral ends. But now I must affirm that it is just as wrong, or even more so, to use moral means to preserve immoral ends. † This quote means that it is wrong to use forceful methods and violence to get a good ending but it is equally as bad to sit by and watch, doing nothing, while dissolute actions are being made.â€Å"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. † Martin Luther King’s quote means that even if you aren’t directly affected by the current situation it will somehow come back to include you so the best way to handle injustice is to get rid of it right away and not let it affect anyone.†¦ it is immoral to urge an individual to withdraw his efforts to gain his basic constitutional rights becaus e the quest precipitates violence. Society must protect the robbed and punish the robber. This quote discourages the clergymens’ decision to sit back and not do anything about the growing issue of slavery in Birmingham. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was urging them to change the hearts of the people and communities they preached to. Mr. King believed that society must protect the African Americans affected by racism and punish the racist.

Ottoman vs. Mughals

Ottoman Empire Vs. Mughal Empire The Ottoman and Mughal empires were two of the most successful empires to ever come together. However, in their dominance there was many similarities as well as differences. Both went through their share of struggle. Whether through political, religious, or cultural struggle the two empires had to rely on their emperors for guidance and rule. The Ottomans were amid the Turkic-speaking nomadic people who had spread westward from Central Asia through out the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries. The first to appear were the Seljuk Turks.In the late thirteenth century, a new group of Turks began to emerge in the northwestern corner of Anatolian peninsula, under the leadership of the tribal leader Osman. These Turks were peaceful and engaged in pastoral pursuits. However, with the decline of the Seljuk Empire in the early fourteenth century, the Osman Turks began to expand and founded the Osmanli dynasty. The Osmanlis later became known as the Ottomans. La ter expanding westward the Ottoman Empire set up their first European base at Gallipoli. They expanded gradually into the Balkans and allied with Serbia and Bulgar forces against the Byzantines.Okhar gradually established permanent settlements in the area. Throughout the area Turkish provincial governors, called beys, collected taxes from the local Slavic peasants after driving out the previous landlords. This later became known as the Bey system. Which would be the foundation of the Ottoman administration for centuries. In this system the Ottoman leader began to claim the title of Sultan or supreme power over his domain. â€Å"The Ottoman political system was the result of the evolution of tribal institutions into a sedentary empire† (Duiker, Spielvogel. 455).At the apex of this system was the Sultan, who was the authority in both a political and military sense. Though, both administrative and military power was centralized under the bey. Okhar’s son Murad succeeded h im in 1389. Murad began to build of a strong military administration based on the recruitment of Christians into an elite guard. These warriors were called Janissaries. Some of these Janissaries were even able to become senior members of the bureaucracy. They were then assigned land in fief by the sultan and were responsible for collecting taxes and supplying armies to the empire.The land was farmed out to the local cavalry elite called the Sipahis. Who were equivalent to the beys, this system later became known as the Devshirme system. Janissaries were also a big advantage because they were directly subordinated to the sultanate; because of this they owed loyalty to the person of the sultan. Both Okhar’s and Murad’s system were vital aspects of the Ottoman’s expansion. The most prevalent was in 1451 when Mehmet II ordered the construction of a major fortress on the Bosporus. This move put the Turks in a position to strangle the Byzantine Empire. With the Byzant ines hand-cuffed, Mehmet II made his move.He attacked Constantinople in 1453 where he defeated the empire and ignited the expansion of what would be known as one of the most dominant empires of all time. Constantinople later was renamed to Istanbul, as it became the center of the art, education, and religion for the Ottoman Empire. Mehmet II did not only tear down the Byzantine Empire, but he also built the Topkapi Palace, which was the heart of administration and religion. The Ottoman Empire continued their expansion with Mehmet’s successor Selim I in 1512. Selim I defeated the Mamlucks of Egypt after they failed to support the Ottomans in there battle against the Safavids.Which gave him control of several holy cities of Islam, including Jerusalem, Mecca, and Medina, Selim declared himself the new Caliph, or the successor of Muhammad in the Muslim religion. The Caliph is the highest religious authority and the defender of the religion. Also, the Caliph interprets laws of the Shari’a. However, in practice the Head Priest does the interpreting. These Ottomans elites were Sunni Muslims, although, Islamic law and customs were applied to all Muslims in the empire. Some communities were attracted to Sufism or other heterodox doctrines.The government accepted such activities as long as the communities remained loyal to the empire. Non-Muslims formed a significant minority within the empire. The minority was treated with relative tolerance, but they were compelled to pay a head tax and were permitted to practice their religion or convert to Islam. Each of these religious groups within the empire was organized as an administrative unit known as millet. Each group, including Muslims had its own patriarch priest, who dealt as an intermediary with the government and administered the community according to its own laws. Nomadic people were placed in separate millets.Where they were subject to their own laws, and were governed by their hereditary chiefs, the beys. The Mughals came about in quite a different way. In the late fourteenth century, the Indian subcontinent known as Calicut was divided into a number of Hindu and Muslim kingdoms. However, it was on the verge of a new era of unity that was brought upon by a foreign dynasty known as the Mughals. The Founder of the Mughal Empire known as Babur had a prominent family history, not only was his father a descendent from the great Asian conqueror Tamerlane, but his mother was also a descendent from the Mongol Conqueror Genghis Khan.Unlike the Ottomans who earned their first land as a reward from the Seljuk Turks for their role in the drive out of the Mongols in the late thirteenth century. Babur inherited a portion of Tamerlane’s empire in an upland valley of the Syr Darya River. Though, the Uzbeks and then the Safavid dynasty in Persia drove him south. Babur and his warriors later seized Kabul in 1504 and thirteen years later crossed Khyber Pass into India. Moreover, the conque ror of the Mughal Empire that made the greatest impact was Babur’s grandson Akbar.Although he was illiterate, and only assumed the throne at the age of fourteen. He was also remembered as one of the most intelligent conquerors of the empire. So intelligent, instead of taking the title of the Caliph as the Ottoman’s did. He proclaimed himself as the spiritual and temporal head of state. Akbar did this to insure that everyone would follow his policies, not because he was Devine, but because of his wisdom. Akbar took toleration to an entirely different level. Making the Ottoman’s look intolerable, as emperor Akbar displayed a keen interest in other religions.Tolerating Hindu practices in his own domains but also welcoming the expression of Christian views by his Jesuit advisers. With these beliefs, Akbar decided to formulate his own religion he called Din-I-Ilahi. This religion was based off toleration, taking away many regulations that the Muslim court had in plac e. For example, he allowed worship in public; he allowed construction of Christian churches and Hindu Temple. As well as establishing a translation department, translating Hindu religious books into Persian. Yet in 1519, maybe the most important regulation was eliminated, when Akbar abolished the Jizya.This was the head tax put in place by the ottomans to all of the Non-Muslims had to pay in order to stay out of the military. Doing this created a brotherhood of man within the Muslim culture, unlike the Ottomans who looked down on the minorities in the area. Akbar also extends his changes to the imperial administration. The empire was divided into provinces, a lot like the Ottoman’s, and the administration of each province was modeled after the central government, with separate departments for military, financial, commercial, and legal affairs. Senior officials were then appointed for each department.These officials were known as Zamindars. The officials were first paid salari es, but later they were ordinarily assigned sections of agricultural land. Where peasants walked the land, tilled the land, but were forced to pay a tax to the Zamindar. Which was partly kept by the Zamindar, and the rest was forwarded to the central government. The Zamindar also recruited a number of military and civilian retainers and accumulated considerable power in their areas. A great deal of the Mughals success was the harmony that Akbar imposed on their society.Unfortunately, when Akbar passed, so did most of his ideas. Akbar’s successors tried to turn the Mughal Empire back into a Sunni Muslim state, and the toleration of Non-Muslims was gone. This discrimination as well as economic crisis led to decline of the Mughal Empire. Despite the fact that both the Ottoman’s and the Mughals had outstanding leadership and motivation, this was not the lone factor that allowed them to be so successful. Some scholars have labeled them â€Å"Gun Powder Empire† becaus e of their superior military techniques of modern warfare, especially the use of firearms.Firearms played a central role in expansion for both the empires. In conclusion, these two Sunni Muslim empires could seem quite diverse on one hand, but in the big picture they have a considerable amount in common. Both were trying to achieve their goal of expansion, and both had to innovate their own regulations within a Sunni Muslim state. Nevertheless, the two went about these two goals in a diverse way. Bibliography – William J. Duiker, Jackson J. Spielvogel, World History Seventh Edition, The Pennsylvania State University, Vol. II, Since 1500.

The effectiveness of HRM should be assessed only by financial measures - Negative and Affirmative Free Essay Example, 1500 words

The Effectiveness of HRM should be Assessed by Other Measures In a study conducted by Crawford (2005, 3), he averred that â€Å"the multiple constituency approach to HRM effectiveness adopts the multiple constituency model of organizational effectiveness, which is the most appropriate for evaluating HRM. This approach considers the influences of key stakeholders in the organization. † Literatures presenting various approaches to measure the effectiveness of HR performance indicated the Balanced Scorecard approach as translating â€Å"strategy into operational terms by measuring a full range of perspectives: financial, customer, internal, and learning and growth. † (OPM, 1999, 19). In a paper written by Cabrera thus, it acts as a management, rather than measurement, system by helping managers to better understand how different measures are related and how they ultimately contribute to financial results (Bontis, et al. , 1999)†. The research of OPM discussed other measures of HRM effectiveness including benchmarking (â€Å"a systematic process of measuring an organization’s products, services, and practices against those of a like organization that is a recognized leader in the studied area† (OPM, 1999, 18); activity based costing, a method aimed to determine the true cost for a product or service; and the â€Å"Malcolm Baldrige and the President’s Quality Award Criteria, based on a set of core values and concepts that integrate key business requirements into a results-oriented framework (OPM, 1999, 20)†. More importantly, as the roles and functions of HRM become more diverse adapting to the demands of the times, the means to assess its effectiveness evolves into encompassing areas of employee development (employee behavior, attitudes and skills), competencies, performance, as these attributes all contribute to the achievement of organizational goals. We will write a custom essay sample on The effectiveness of HRM should be assessed only by financial measures - Negative and Affirmative or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now As aptly concluded by Cabrera & Cabrera, â€Å"no longer are operational measures of internal efficiency sufficient. HR departments must be able to demonstrate the value of their strategic contributions† (2003, 3). According to Crawford, â€Å"from a HRM perspective, the multiple constituency approach can be operationalized by measuring HRM effectiveness from the perspective of HRMs internal and external stakeholders (such as top management, line management, employees, customers, and trade unions). This particular approach demonstrates the responsiveness of HRM to the demands of a variety of stakeholders who may hold different opinions regarding the effectiveness of the function.

Battle of Quebec in the American Revolution

The Battle of Quebec was fought on the night of December 30/31, 1775 during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Beginning in September 1775, the invasion of Canada was the first major offensive operation conducted by American forces during the war. Initially led by Major General Philip Schuyler, the invading force  departed Fort Ticonderoga and commenced an advance down (northward) the Richelieu River toward Fort St. Jean. Initial attempts to reach the fort proved abortive and an increasingly ill Schuyler was compelled to turn over command to Brigadier General Richard Montgomery. A distinguished veteran of the French and Indian War, Montgomery resumed the advance on September 16 with 1,700 militia. Arriving at Fort St. Jean three days later, he laid siege and forced the garrison to surrender on November 3. Though a victory, the length of the siege badly delayed the American invasion effort and saw many suffer from sickness. Pressing on, the Americans occupied Montreal without a fight on November 28. Armies Commanders: Americans Brigadier General Richard MontgomeryColonel Benedict ArnoldColonel James Livingston900 men British Governor Sir Guy Carleton1,800 men Arnolds Expedition To the east, a second American expedition fought its way north through the Maine wilderness. Organized by Colonel Benedict Arnold, this force of 1,100 men had been picked from the ranks of General George Washingtons Continental Army outside Boston. Proceeding from Massachusetts to the mouth of the Kennebec River, Arnold had expected the trek north through Maine to take around twenty days. This estimate was based on a rough map of the route developed by Captain  John Montresor in 1760/61. Moving north, the expedition soon suffered due to the poor construction of their boats and the faulty nature of Montresors maps. Lacking adequate supplies, starvation set in and the men were reduced to eating shoe leather and candle wax. Of the original force, only 600 eventually reached the St. Lawrence. Nearing Quebec, it quickly became clear that Arnold lacked the men needed to take the city and that the British were aware of their approach. British Preparations Withdrawing to Pointe aux Trembles, Arnold was forced to wait for reinforcements and artillery. On December 2, Montgomery descended the river with around 700 men and united with Arnold.   Along with reinforcements, Montgomery brought four cannon, six mortars, additional ammunition, and winter clothing for Arnolds men. Returning to the vicinity of Quebec, the combined American force laid siege to the city on December 6. At this time, Montgomery issued the first of several surrender demands to the Governor-General of Canada, Sir Guy Carleton.   These were dismissed out of hand by Carleton who instead looked to improve the citys defenses. Outside of the city, Montgomery endeavored to construct batteries, the largest of which was completed on December 10. Due to the frozen ground, it was constructed from blocks of snow. Though a bombardment commenced, it did little damage. As days passed, Montgomery and Arnolds situation became increasingly desperate as they lacked the heavy artillery to conduct a traditional siege, their mens enlistments would soon be expiring, and British reinforcements likely would arrive in the spring. Seeing little alternative, the two began planning an attack on the city. They hoped that if they advanced during a snowstorm, they would be able to scale Quebecs walls undetected. Within its walls, Carleton possessed a garrison of 1,800 regulars and militia. Aware of American activities in the area, Carleton made efforts to enhance the citys formidable defenses by erecting a series of barricades. The Americans Advance To assault the city, Montgomery and Arnold planned on advancing from two directions. Montgomery was to attack from the west, moving along the St. Lawrence waterfront, while Arnold was to advance from the north, marching along the St. Charles River. The two were to reunite at point where the rivers joined and then turn to attack the city wall. To divert the British, two militia units would make feints against Quebecs western walls. Moving out on December 30, the assault began after midnight on the 31st during a snowstorm. Advancing past the Cape Diamond Bastion, Montgomerys force pressed into the Lower Town where they encountered the first barricade. Forming to attack the barricades 30 defenders, the Americans were stunned when the first British volley killed Montgomery. A British Victory In addition to killing Montgomery, the volley struck down his two chief subordinates. With their general down, the American attack faltered and the remaining officers ordered a withdrawal. Unaware of Montgomerys death and the attacks failure, Arnolds column pressed on from the north. Reaching the Sault au Matelot, Arnold was hit and wounded in the left ankle. Unable to walk, he was carried to the rear and command was transferred to Captain Daniel Morgan. Successfully taking the first barricade they encountered, Morgans men moved into the city proper. Continuing the advance, Morgans men suffered from damp gunpowder and had difficulty navigating the narrow streets. As a result, they paused to dry their powder. With Montgomerys column repulsed and Carletons realization that the attacks from the west were a diversion, Morgan became the focus of the defenders activities. British troops counterattacked in the rear and retook the barricade before moving through the streets to surround Morgans men. With no options remaining, Morgan and his men were forced to surrender. Aftermath The Battle of Quebec cost the Americans 60 dead and wounded as well as 426 captured. For the British, casualties were a light 6 killed and 19 wounded. Though the assault failed, American troops remained in the field around Quebec. Rallying the men, Arnold attempted to lay siege to the city. This proved increasingly ineffective as men began to desert following the expiration of their enlistments. Though he was reinforced, Arnold was forced to fall back following the arrival of 4,000 British troops under Major General John Burgoyne. After being defeated at Trois-Rivià ¨res on June 8, 1776, American forces were forced to retreat back into New York, ending the invasion of Canada.