Cyberterrorism Essay -- Cyber Terrorism Internet

Cyberterrorism IntroductionCyberterrorism is the convergence of terrorism and cyberspace. It is generally understood to mean unlawful attacks and threats of attack against computers,networks, and the information stored therein. Possibly to intimidate, influence agovernment or its people to further political or social gain. To qualify as cyberterrorism, an attack should result in violence against persons or property, or generate fear. Attacks that lead to death or bodily injury, explosions, plane crashes, water contamination, or severe economic loss would be examples, ripe attacks against important infrastructures could be acts of cyberterrorism, depending on their impact. This essay will illustrate and analyse the main issues and ideas behind cyberterrorism. This will include information that has led to theinternet being used in a mailicous way, ethical issues, paradigms that cyberterrorism follows, motivations and incidents that have occurred in the past.One FBI spokespersons defin ition is-Cyber terrorism means intentional use or threat of use, without legally recognized authority, of violence, disruption, or duty tour against cybersystems, when it is likely that such use would result in death or injury of a person or persons, substantial damage to physical property, accomplished disorder, orsignificant economic harm.Cyber attacks and effectsCyberspace is constantly under assault. Cyber spies, thieves, saboteurs, and thrill seekers break into computer systems, steal personal data and trade secrets, vandalise Web sites, disrupt service, sabotage data and systems, launch computer viruses and worms, conduct fraudulent transactions, and harass individuals and companies. These attacks are facilitated with increasingly powerful and easy-to-use software tools, which are pronto available for free from thousands of Web sites on the Internet. Many of the attacks are serious and costly. The ILOVEYOU virus forexample, was estimated to have infected tens of millions of users and cost billions of dollars in damage. In light of these serious threats from cyberspace, it is worth noting that the discourse on cyberterrorism is something that fortunately has not been carried out in its most destructive capabilities. It is, therefore, d... ...italworld today. In addition to cyberattacks against digital data and systems, umpteen people are being terrorized on the Internet today with threats of physical violence. Online stalking, death threats, and hate messages are abundant. These crimes are serious and must be addressed. In so doing, governments around the world will be in a better position to police and respond to cyberterrorism if and when the threat becomes imminent. Sources reference Unknown. Cyber Terrorism Understanding Cyber holy terrorshttps//www.hamiltoncountyohio-tewg.org/cyber_terrorism/Aldo Leon. The New Age of Cyberterrorismhttp//www.sabianet.com/Res_The%20New%20Age%20of%20Cyberterrorism.pdfDorothy E. Denning. Cyberterrorism http//pal mer.wellesley.edu/ivolic/pdf/USEM/Cyberterror-Denning.pdfMohamed Chawki. A Critical Look at the Regulation of Cybercrimehttp//www.crime-research.org/library/Critical.doc.Robert Mal. Virtual communities and cyber terrorism http//www.unob.cz/spi/2007/presentace/2007-May-03/06-Jirovsky_CyberTer.ppt.Peter Reilly. How Real is the Threat of Cyber Terrorism? http//www2.lhric.org/security/desk/letter8.html

Challenger :: essays research papers

January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle challenger the 25th space shuttle mission, was set to be launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at, 1138am. primitively the launch was scheduled for January 22, at 343pm but had been set back several times due to bad weather. Hopes ran towering the anticipation for the lift stumble was tremendous. This was to be one of the greatest missions ever. It would be a first for many things. The most publicized was that it would be the first time a schoolteacher was allowed to be active in space. The crew was picked and they were anxiously awaiting the countdown. On board the space shuttle that fateful day was.. Crew of the contestMichael J. Smith (Pilot)Francis R. Scobee (Commander)Judith A. Resnik (Mission medical specialist 1)Ellison S. Onizuka (Mission Specialist 2)Ronald E. McNair (Mission Specialist 3)Gregory B. Jarvis (Payload Specialist 1)Sharon Christa McAuliffe (Payload Specialist 2)3,2,1..Lift off..The 10th flight of the Space Shut tle Challenger and the twenty-fifth space shuttle mission, the Challenger had been launched from Pad 39B at 1138am EST. Hopes ran high as many were lined outside to watch the Challenger being launched, the lift-off was being watched live on television for those who couldnt make it to the Kennedy Space Center. As the Challenger climbed higher and higher something that wasnt expected occurred. Seventy-three seconds after lift-off the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded, killing all 7 crewmembers. The United States was devastated. Many people ideal this would be one of the greatest missions ever. So what really happened? Many factors contributed to the explosion of the space shuttle. The temperature was 36F at the launching site. After the Solid rise Boosters a.k.a. SRB was ignited a thundering noise was heard. Pictures and video showed black smoke coming from the bottom field joint of the right Solid Rocket Booster. That suggested that an O ring was being burned. At 58.8 seconds after lift-off a small flame could be seen on the SRB with enhanced film a few seconds later it could be seen without enhanced film. More time passed by the flame grew bigger and the SRB was beginning to rotate freely and in less than 2 seconds the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. The Challenger was at a height of 46,000 feet when it exploded.

Holocaust :: essays research papers

Tarek El ZeinHolocaust                                                   Jesus or Hitler?Anti-Semitism was widespread in Europe at the meter Hitler came to power. Much of this anti-Semitism was rooted, first, in religious beliefs that arose more than 1500 years before Hitler came to power, and second, on policy-making beliefs, often cynically exploited for semipolitical gain. Though it was non accepted by everyone, this existing anti-Semitism was common and provided a receptive audience for Hitlers anti-Semitic claims.      Hitler did not just exploit the existing anti-Semitism in Germany he changed it and built on it until it became an all-consuming obsession both for himself and for the rest of the National Socialist leadership. The most significant difference between traditional anti-Semitism and the philosophy of the Nazis was that the basis for the anti-Semitism was distorted and changed. Previous anti-Semitism had been based upon religious convictions - primarily on the questionable fact that Jews were responsible for the execution of Jesus - and political attacks to exclude Jews from the rest of society.     Although he exploited this religious anti-Semitism, Hitler and the other(a) Nazi leaders, who were opposed to traditional religions, found another basis for their hatred of the Jews. They relied on the theories of "eugenics" and " complaisant Darwinism" which were then common in Europe and transformed them into "race science." They also used the political expression of anti-Semitism coupled with the myth of the Aryans. This myth had develop in Europe the last part of the 19th century. According to Hitlers philosophy the Germanic peoples called "Aryans," were superior to all o ther races and had the right to rule over them. Hitler and the other Nazis claimed that other races, such as the Slavs and the Poles, were inferior species fit only to serve Aryan man. The Jews were even lower than the Slavs. Hitler believed that "Aryans" were the builders of civilization while Jews were parasites fit only for extermination. This racialism had a political agenda as well. Hitler blamed the Jews for the loss of World War I, which he called "the stab in the back" and made the focus of his political campaigns. The combination of religious anti-Semitism and political anti-Semitism with patriotism led many German people to accept Hitlers message.      One of the stumbling blocks to even wider acceptance of the Nazis racialism was the assimilation of Jews into German life. Unlike the Jews of Eastern Europe, German Jews considered themselves no different from other Germans, but in religion.

Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy Essay -- Government Political Ess

Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy Although the aspirations and goals of states are often motivated by external political pressures, analysis of new-made distant policy decisions demonstrates how internal political forces asshole play equally crucial roles in the pursuit and execution of these objectives. Thus, it would be invalid to claim that home(a) governing and the nature of regimes play minor roles in either the goals a state pursues or the means it employs to reach them. By understanding how the diffusion of motive in governments affect policy decisions, one can develop increased awareness of the linkages that exist between the internal pressures of domestic politics and the external forces of external politics. Before discussing the impact of domestic politics on foreign policy objectives and their execution, one must first understand the different types of policies that states pursue. The foreign policy of states can be directed toward the protection and enhancemen t of valued possessions (possession goals) or intended to improve the environment in which it operates (milieu goals). More specifically, possession goals pertain to home(a) possessions where states aim to enhance or preserve one or more things they value such as territory, permanent membership in international organizations similar the UN Security Council, or access to trade areas. And while milieu goals are different from possession goals in that states that work towards achieving them are not seeking to patronize or increase their possessions provided instead attempting to shape conditions beyond their national boundaries, milieu goals can be seen as an indirect way of achieving possession goals. A nation that pursues a milieu goalsuch as the promotion of peace through the signing of international treatiesprovides clear benefits for the international community but ultimately serves to enhance its own national security by creating a safer environment where its national possess ions are protected from external threats. But for many states, whether their foreign policy objectives assume the form of possession goals or milieu goals, the pursuit and execution of these goals are often constrained by the kings of domestic politics. And in the part of American foreign policy, the Constitution of the United States as well as recent history provides compelling support to this claim. American foreig... ...reted without reference to domestic politics or leadership. Realists argue that the interests of states transcend domestic politics and leadership change because that the broad orientation of foreign and defense policies are unchanging. Although the realist model may be most appropriate for analyzing actions when vital interests are at stake such as in times of crises, it seems to have little explanatory power for national security policy making in times without crisis. Although the aspirations and goals of states are often partially motivated by external press ures, it is important to recognize that internal forces likewise play equally crucial roles in the pursuit and execution of these objectives. The decisions of foreign policymakers must take into account domestic political considerations. This fact is especially unvarnished in the political landscape of the United States, where the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branch allows Congress to act as a counterweight to the power of the president. All states, whether their governments are democratic or authoritarian, must contend with domestic political considerations when evaluating foreign policy decision.

Wilderness Sport and Adventure Education Essay -- Teaching, Physical Ed

Physical reproduction teachers today use all types of teaching models in order to provide the exceed service to their students. One specific example of a teaching model is Wilderness Sport/Adventure Education. The purpose of this essay will be to pull back the development of Adventure Education and Wilderness Sport in todays Physical Education classrooms, and to fully explain the teaching model to those who argon unfamiliar with it.Public interest in outdoor recreation has increased significantly in the past several decades. The importance of healthy activity in the natural environment has also seen a positive increase. While adults may see the importance of healthy outdoors activities, kids need to be more diligent and get outside to play. Todays generation of children are so plugged in to video games, IPods, cellphones, and computers that almost all play is done electronically. Kids no longer come home from school and play tag, kickball, or even hopscotch with the ir friends. Nowadays kids go straight towards their technology in order to play and send with friends. One of the primary results of this is the significant increase in overweight children and childhood obesity. Childhood obesity and early onset diabetes is at an all-time high in this country. This is directly resulting in the fact that kids spend significantly less time active and outside when compared to time spent sedentary inside. Through these trends, it has been made manageable for P.E. educators to cultivate and implement a Wilderness Sport/ Adventure Education curriculum in physical education.So what is Wilderness Sport/Adventure Education? They are two separate units, similar, but different. Adventure Education is more than likely the fi... ...ysical examination and wilderness athletes (January 1, 2007). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). Paper AAI1445481. Health and forgiving Performance. What Is Adventure Education? Department of Health and Human Per formance. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. .Kelly, Luke E., and Vincent J. Melograno. Developing the Physical Education Curriculum An Achievement-based Approach. Champaign (IL) Human Kinetics, 2004. Print.Lund, Jacalyn Lea, and Deborah Tannehill. Standards-based Physical Education Curriculum Development. Sudbury, MA Jones and Bartlett, 2005. Print.Welcome to Project Adventure, Leaders InAdventure and Experience-based Learning. Project Adventure. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. .

Wilderness Sport and Adventure Education Essay -- Teaching, Physical Ed

Physical Education teachers today use all types of training models in order to provide the best service to their students. One specific example of a teaching model is Wilderness Sport/Adventure Education. The direct of this essay will be to describe the development of Adventure Education and Wilderness Sport in todays Physical Education classrooms, and to richly explain the teaching model to those who are unfamiliar with it.Public interest in outdoor recreation has increased significantly in the past some(prenominal) decades. The importance of healthy activity in the natural environment has also seen a positive increase. While adults may see the importance of healthy out of doors activities, kids need to be more active and get outside to play. Todays generation of children are so plugged in to video games, IPods, cellphones, and computers that close all play is done electronically. Kids no longer come home from school and play tag, kickball, or even hopscotch with their friends. Nowadays kids go straight towards their engineering science in order to play and communicate with friends. One of the primary results of this is the significant increase in overweight children and childhood obesity. Childhood obesity and early barrage diabetes is at an all-time high in this country. This is directly resulting in the fact that kids spend significantly less time active and outside when compared to time fagged sedentary inside. Through these trends, it has been made possible for P.E. educators to cultivate and implement a Wilderness Sport/ Adventure Education curriculum in physical education.So what is Wilderness Sport/Adventure Education? They are two separate units, similar, but different. Adventure Education is more than likely the fi... ...ysical examination and wilderness athletes (January 1, 2007). Texas medical checkup Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). Paper AAI1445481. Health and military man Performance. What Is Adventure Education? Department of Health and Human Performance. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. .Kelly, Luke E., and Vincent J. Melograno. Developing the Physical Education Curriculum An Achievement-based Approach. Champaign (IL) Human Kinetics, 2004. Print.Lund, Jacalyn Lea, and Deborah Tannehill. Standards-based Physical Education Curriculum Development. Sudbury, MA Jones and Bartlett, 2005. Print.Welcome to Project Adventure, Leaders InAdventure and Experience-based Learning. Project Adventure. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. .

Cloud Computing

CLOUD COMPUTING PRASHANT G. PANDEY SANDEEP D. SINGH 3rd Author TIMSCDR TIMSCDR 3rd authors affiliation C-502, Silver Oak Appt. , Beverly park B-201, revolutionary Garden view, Tulinj Road, 1st line of address Mira Road (E), Thane-401107. Nalasopara (E), Thane- 401209 2nd line of address Mob. No. +91- 09322119824 Mob. No. +91- 09850394576 Teleph ane number, incl. country code prashant. emailprotected com Sandy. emailprotected com 3rd e-mail ABSTRACT As with either newfound trend in the IT world, enterprises must figure out the benefits and risks of defile calculating machine science and the best way to use this technology.The roll around be spoil reckoning has reached a fever pitch. Some study it is a disruptive trend representing the next stage in the evolution of the internet. Others hope it is hype, as it uses long established reckoning technologies. One thing is clear The industry deficiencys an objective, straightforward conversation about how this new calculation persona impart impact organizations, how it tail be used with existing technologies, and the potential pitf each(prenominal)s of proprietary technologies that preserve lead to lock-in and limited choice.This document is intended to initiate a conversation that will bring together the emerging hide computing confederation (both mist over users and cloud vendors) around a core set of principles. We believe that these core principles atomic number 18 rooted in the belief that cloud computing should be as open as all other IT technologies. This document does not intend to define a final taxonomy of cloud computing or to charter a new standards effort. Nor does it try to be an exhaustive thesis on cloud architecture and design.Rather, this document speaks to CIOs and other business sector leaders who intend to use cloud computing and to establish a set of core principles for cloud vendors. Cloud computing is still in its early stages, with much to learn and more experimentation to manage. However, the time is right for the members of the emerging cloud computing community to come together around the notion of an open cloud. Multitenant For an organization having more tenants renting some operates. Authors & scientists of various publications Hartig, Hinchcliffe, Greenberg, Robbins, Gupta & Swaminathan 1. INTRODUCTIONThe word Computing means any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computers. Thus, computing includes designing and building hardwargon and softwargon program systems for a wide range of purposes processing, structuring, and managing various kinds of information doing scientific studies development computers reservation computer systems be train intelligently creating and using communications and entertainment media finding and gathering information relevant to any particular purpose, and so on. Computing is categorise according to the requirement of the individual or an organization.The topic I am going to di scuss in this paper presentation would be Cloud computing dealing as Group and organization . Fig. 1 demonstrates a simple architecture about cloud computing. GENERAL TERMS Cloud computing is termed as the next big thing in the modern corporate world, the growing impact is will be seen on enterprise IT and business activities in many large organizations. This paper provides an insight to cloud computing, its impact and discusses the issues that business organizations face while implementing cloud computing, It as well discusses various strategies that organizations conduct to adopt while migrating to cloud computing.Fig. 1 KEYWORDS Cloud computing is very simple and broad concept in which we are using internet which allows people coming technology enabled services. It is named so as its representation is eer dvirtuoso as a cloud as in a ne twork diagram. In broader context, cloud computing sight be said as a large network of computers used by large organizations to provide serv ices to smaller ones and individuals. It is sometimes termed as football field computing or Network computing. Cloud computing can be said as a Network of providing resource via network on bespeak and at scale in an multitenant environment.The resource provider network is called as Cloud. ? ? ? The wide bands network fast development. The virtualization tech and marketplaces fast development. The hardwares fast development, like CPU and network drives. 2. ISSUES NEEDED TO BE SOLVED I shoot come across certain issues which arise during the normal stages of computing which are needed to all overcome, Let me take each issue one by one 2. 1 good Issues The biggest challenge in cloud computing may be the fact that there is no standard or single architectural method acting. Common hurdle to be overcomed Fig. Hartig States What goes on in the cloud manages multiple infrastructures across multiple organizations consisting of frameworks providing mechanisms for self-healing, selfMoni toring and automatic reconfiguration. The cloud is virtualization of resources so it manages itself. Still there are people mandatory to take care of operating systems, hardware and networking in a proper order, but from the users or application developers perspective, sole(prenominal) the cloud is referenced. We can say cloud computing is the Third revolution of IT industry, following the personal computer revolution.Cloud computing matters to us as cloud computing and web based are the future of computing in which all of us will interact. Let me give you an examples that in our day to day life, we come across a number of vendors providing cloud computing services such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. among web based office applications and online photo and document overlap include flickr and Zoho. By cloud computing, we have the ability to scale to meet changing user demands cursorily, usually within minutes. Cloud computing is ? Environment tender ? Task oriented ?Requires no Main tenance It gives user the benefit of separating application code from physical resources and to use external assets to handle peak loads. 2. 1. 1 credentials Security is the to the highest degree important thing for an organization or and lodge. If a company has a very big portal then we cannot say that the company is really very big but if the bail of the company should be well assured that it is safe . Hence, I can say that Security is the most important hurdle for an organization to keep its info & policies under mask so that only the recommended people can have an access to it.With their business information and particular IT resources outside the firewall, customers worry about their vulnerability to attack. 2. 1. 2 Technical Hardware & Software Expertise Users need equipment and resources to customize cloud computing services more relevant and more tailored to the needs of their businesses. Proper man-power is needed to develop the applications to suit a businesss needs. The availability of physical hardware and software components need to be ensured for realizing the benefits of cloud computing. According to the writings of Hinchcliffe(2009, p. 61), wider technical fluency and expertise in the selected cloud computing platforms, which tend to emphasize technologies such as Open Source or newer web-style programming languages and application models will have to be achieved. 2. 2 Non-Technical Issues needed to overcome Apart from the technical issues, there are several non-technical issues which require equal attention and need to be resolved. Some of the significant non-technical hurdles to the adoptions of cloud computing services by large enterprises are financial, operational and organizational issues. . 1 Reasons to accept Cloud Computing. ? ? ? The fast increase of corporate IT infrastructure requirement. Economy crisis forcing company to cut cost. The fast change and time-to-market requirement of Internet applications. 2. 2. 1 Financial Issue s Different people have different opinions on cloud computing, One such calculate says , Cloud computing can cost twice as much as inhouse data centers. This poses a problem for large enterprises, but actually works to the advantage of small and midsize companies and businesses. still calculates say that Cloud offerings are most attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises and most customers of clouds are small businesses. The reason behind this is that smaller companies dont have the option of developing themselves into giant data centers. Greenberg(2009) notes, Few if any major corporations are looking to replace their data centers with cloud the server-less company are one thats only feasible for startups and SMBs. greet variability is the important aspect of cloud computing.If cost ,transparency, scalability and cost variability is to be considered then a new challenge and opportunity arises for organizations. security done the public cloud. The availability of a robus t network and information security is as well a challenge. 2. 2. 3. 3 Cost Cost of process change is another hurdle in the transformation. Conventional IT organizations will have to engage with innate customers as well as IT service providers at a different plane. Most importantly, the culture and mindset and mindset will have to change. 3. PLANNING TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY THE NEW 2. 2. 2 Operational & organizational IssuesOrganizations need to define standards and workflow for authorizations. A strategy for the consumption and management of cloud services, including how the organization will deal with semantic management, security and transactions need to be created. One should evaluate cloud providers using similar validation patterns as one does with new and existing data center resources. According to Gupta (2008), in the beginning deciding to switch over to cloud computing, one should fully understand the concept and implications of cloud computing as to whether maintaining an IT investment in-house or buying it as a service.The organization has to look at the overall return on investment inhouse or buying it as a service. The organization has to look at the overall return on investments as they cannot simply rip off and replace an existing infrastructure. The managers have to look at the short-term costs as well as the long term gains. Finally, a proof of concept should be created which can do a few things including getting an organization through the initial learning process and providing proof points as to the feasibility of leveraging cloud computing resources.Cloud computing is inevitable and it is a force that organizations and businesses need to quickly come in terms with. As the economic and social motivation for cloud computing is high, businesses which are heavily computer resource pendant need to take cautionary measures and the right decisions at the right time to avoid ending up with unreproductive solutions while migrating to new technologies . According to Robbins(2009), an organization should always make sure that they know what they are paying for and should pay careful attention to the following issues ? Service levels ? Privacy matters ?Compliances ? information have gotership ? Data mobility. A number of cloud computing vendors may be hesitant to commit to the consistency of performance regarding an application or transaction. One has to understand the service levels they support regarding data protection and speed of data recovery. 4. SWITCHING TO NEW TECHNOLOGY 2. 2. 3 Internal Issues While switching to newer technologies, an organization could face many internal issues. Some of them are explained as follows Switching to newer technology such as cloud computing would be best when the processes, applications, and data are largely independent.When the points of desegregation in a business are well defined, embracing cloud services is effective. In an organization where a lower level of security will work full fine and the core internal enterprise architecture is healthy, conditions are favorable for the organization to switch to newer technologies. A business which requires Web as the desired platform to serve its customers 2. 2. 3. 1 Distributed business levels The distributed business and the level of consistently reliable computer networks in an organization can pose a challenge towards switching from traditional infrastructure to cloud computing.The case for an organization to go in for cloud computing is similar to a decision to own or rent a house. An organization which has spent a good amount of cash on its own storage and security systems will have time taking the decision to migrate to dedicated environment. 2. 2. 3. 2 Complexity of applications The complexity of the applications and the technology infrastructure is dependent on how the organization has adopted IT. If this has evolved from the deployment of technologies over a period of time, then the complexity level will certa inly be high and in such a case, transformation to cloud computing would be difficult.Not allthing comes under cloud computing as each organization has its own specific requirements suited to their needs whether on functionalities, performance, or perchance even computing in their organizations. Unless they seriously consider making cloud a part of their strategy. References 1. Buyya, Rajkumar Chee Shin Yeo, Srikumar Venugopal, Sudershan Malpani (PDF). Market-Oriented Cloud Computing Vision, Hype, and Reality for Delivering IT Services as Computing Utilities. Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Australia. p. 9. 2. www. gridbus. org/raj/papers/hpcc2008_keynote_cloudcom p2uting. pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 3 . M. D. Dikaiakos, D. Katsaros, G. Pallis, A. Vakali, P. Mehra Guest Editors Introduction Cloud Computing, IEEE Internet Computing, 12(5), Sep. 2009. 4 San Murugesan (Editor), Cloud Computing ITs Day in the Sun? , Cutter Consortiu m, 2009. 5 Luis M. Vaquero et al. , A Break in the Clouds Toward a Cloud Definition, ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review, Volume 39, Issue 1 (January 2009), Pages 5055, ISSN0146-4833 6 7 www. ikipedia. org/cloudcomputing/ www. scribd. com/cloud/cloudppt. ppt/ Fig. 3 and wants to cut cost while benefiting from the new applications, the business can achieve the best competitive advantage in the market. According to Swaminathan (2009. p. 14), to compete in effect in todays world, executives need every edge they can get, from low cost to speed and employee productivity. By tapping into the right cloud capabilities, companies can quickly enter new markets and launch new products or services in existing markets.When demand grows, they can quickly scale up, and when opportunities dry up, they can just as quickly scale down with minimum waste of time and capital. By using cloud-based solutions such as crowd-sourcing, companies can open up foundation garment to more employees, custome rs and their partners. 5. CONCLUSION Cloud computing is a fascinating realm, that makes it easier to deploy software and increase productiovity. However, there are some technical and non-technical realities that make security somewhat difficult to deliver in cloud.The cloud presents a number of new challenges in data security, privacy control, compliance, application integration and service quality. It can be expected that over the few years, these problems will be addressed. According to Swaminathan(2009, p. 12-15) and Daugherty(2009, p. 12-15), to be successful, companies should take small incremental steps towards this new environment so they can reap benefits for applicable business situations and learn to deal with the associated risks. In general, Cloud computing will act as an accelerator for enterprises, enabling them to bring out and compete more effectively.Under the current economic conditions, executives need to rethink their strategies dealing with cost-effective solut ions. They need to use the cloud services for the right jobs they require. like a shots infrastructure clouds such as Amazon EC2 offer a relatively inexpensive and flexible alternative to buying in-house hardware. They are also dear for computation-intensive hobs, such as data cleansing, data mining, risk modeling, optimization and simulation. Businesses and enterprises should now take steps to experiment, learn and reap some immediate business benefits by implementing cloudCloud ComputingEach group Is expected to work on a project and by end-term, submit a hard assume of the project and also, In summary, present the findings. The project should reflect your learnings from the BIT course. Hence, the topic selection has to be such that your project should address one of the following two Study In depth any ONE area of IT Investments In an organization. The study has to highlight the business objectives addressed by the system approach to performance analysis of success or failure of the implementation.What you would have done differently give alternative solutions and recommendations Finally, what Business related benefits were derived from the IT investments It will be principal(prenominal) to examine in light of Management, Organization and Technology aspects of Implementation. Study of ONE technology for Its applicability, usefulness and Its Implications for organizations across an Industry. Study the business objectives for which the Information system was Implemented In different organizations.You study should cover the following analysis Is purpose and need for hat particular technology Information system the same across all companies studied? Were the business goals the same for the technology implementation? Did all companies face the same risks, problems and challenges in implementing the technology within the company? Did you observe any common trend or practice emerging across companies of the same industry? Finally, what Business related bene fits were derived from the IT investments Suggested list of technologies and industries that can be studied Technologies IndustriesCloud computing, AAAS, alas, Fertilization sell Enterprise applications Like Banking, Financial services e-Business & e-commerce Insurance Social media Manufacturing, Automobile Data-warehouse and Bal Telecoms You can select your own technology or combination of technology and industry. introduction of Synopsis Each group Is expected to write a synopsis ( not more than 2 pages) of the project the group intends to do. Synopsis will cover the Topic of the project Approach the group intends to follow Broad sections of the reportDivision of effort list the responsibilities allocated to each member of the group Project Report Project report will be submitted in soft copy. The report should tallest be of 12 pages and not exceed more than 25-30 pages. Your report should reflect your groups analysis and effort. Any report which I find has been directly downlo aded from one source and reproduced will be completely rejected and no marks will be given to that group. Important dates 1 . Submission of synopsis Gag 31st 2. Project submission End of 18th session. The date will be confirmed by seep 4thCloud ComputingThese combine together and deliver services such as the delivery of software, Infrastructure and storage. There are different types of cloud computing. There are public clouds, private clouds and hybrid clouds. Public clouds are virtual data center. A service provider such as Dropped makes resources forthcoming over the Internet. Private cloud are usually inside an organizations firewall but it also could a private space dedicated to the organization provided by a service provider. Hybrid cloud combines both aspects of public and private cloud.What are the advantages of cloud computing? Cloud computing is very cost efficient as it is very easy to maintain and use. Cloud computing Is a hooking cheaper than traditional software. As cloud computing is very high productive, It saves a lot of money and time. Besides cost efficiency, one of the advantages of cloud computing is that most cloud service providers are usually competent to recover information. It is much easier to reinforcement and recover information than on physical storage device. Another advantage of cloud computing would be Its automatic software consolidation function.Automatic software Integration means a person does not take hard effort to customize and Integrate applications. Cloud computing allows the person to customize easily. Not only its very easy to customize, cloud computing is also very easy to access information. A person can easily access the cloud from every single corner In the world with Internet access anytime. What are the disadvantages of cloud computing? Cloud computing offers a lot of positive aspects. But, It also has Its downside. From time to time, cloud computing system face some serious technical issues.Sometimes it is dysfunctional despite it is constantly maintained. Security issue is also one of the biggest concern in cloud computing. If an organization is using a cloud computing service provider, confidential personal information or other cranky Information could be exposed to the third party. Hence, it is important to make sure that a cloud service provider youre going to choose is secure. Cloud computing is very easily exposed by hackers or any kinds of threat because anything on the Internet is vulnerable to attacks.Cloud computing has made it very easy to access Information but one of the biggest flaws Is that It doesnt provide with a lot of space. Most of the cloud service providers only provide less than BIBB of space to its user. A business 1 OFF organization chose a service provider, the organization depends a lot on the service provider. It would be very troublesome to switch from a service provider to another. It would take a lot of time to transfer all the files. How could a Canol a Computer Store customer use Dropped? Dropped can set up photos, documents, videos and files for its users.Dropped has applications for several platforms such as computer, mobile phones and tablets. Dropped is also accessible on the Internet. Dropped also allows its users to share their folders with whomever they desire. Besides sharing a folder, Dropped users can also light links of specific files, photos and folders. Dropped is a free service and you can sign up at www. Dropped. Com. Part B Disposal of Data and Computer Components What are the two methods of secure data disposal? Sims cycle Solutions offers two kinds of secure data disposal.They offer data wiping and data shredding method. How does each method disposes the data? Sims cycle Solutions uses the data wiping method by using the industry leading data cleaner software called Balance to wipe the data in the hard drive. Data herding method is also used by Sims Recycling Solutions. Data is disposed by physically shredd ed by large shredding machines. wherefore dispose data using data wiping method? Data wiping is an excellent method for reusing purpose. Some organization uses the data wiping method to wipe all the data then remarked it and sell.By using data wiping method, an organization can rescue components of an equipment for maintenance and sale purposes. Data wiping also allows an organization to refurbish an equipment and donate for charities as it wipes all the data inside. Why dispose data using data shredding method? Data shredding is perfect if reusing an equipment is not an option hence requires data shredding method to physically destroy the equipment. It is also a good choice for Solid State Memory and non-magnetic storage devices such as DVDs and compact disc (CD) because these kinds of storage devices need data shredding method to destroy them securely.How Sims Recycling Solutions deals responsibly, ethically and in an environmental neighborly manner with electronic waste? Electr onic waste such as computer manage and television contain substances that are harmful to the environment if they are not disposed carefully. Sims Recycling Solutions offers to collect electronic waste such as computer monitor and television to local Sims Recycling Solution disposal centre. We use Sims Recycling Solutions because the company recycles hazardous electronic waste in an environmental friendly way.The company also recycle as much as they can. The company is able to recycle the glass in screens. Photocopiers, toner cartridges and printers can also be recycled. Sims Recycling Solutions has the technology to break toner cartridges for energy recovery and recycle them into raw material in an environmental friendly way. Recycling effective and environmental friendly. Sims Recycling Solutions ensures carbon% data disposal in printers and photocopiers as they record everything printed or photocopied in their memory. Where can I dispose IT and computer?

Leadership Style Essay

According to Reh (2014), a loss leader is a person who has a vision, a drive and a commitment to achieve that vision, and the skills to make it happen (para. 2). I want to be a leader how constantly I must understand my leadership personal manner at this moment to understand where I am at, where I want to be, and what I need to do to get there. Raines (2014) states your style defines your values and perspective, and being informed of it impart aid your communication with those you work with (para. 1).For the purpose of this paper I have chosen former chairwoman eyeshade Clinton as a leader that I approve. I will analyze his leadership style to identify characteristics and will provide specific examples of leadership qualities that I believe contributed to his success. I will finally examine my leadership style and offer ideas and plans for improving my effectiveness as a leader based on my work with my mentor.Read to a groovyer extentThe person whom I admireBill ClintonFormer President Bill Clinton is a transformational style leader. A transformational leader garners combine, respect, and admiration from their followers (Cherry, 2014, para. 4). President Clinton started his itinerary to great leadership at the age of 13 when he became a comic book entrepreneur (Florida, 2013, para. 1). He learned that he could support himself and that gave him a government agency in himself that stays with him to this day.The qualities that I see in President Clinton that make him an excellent transformational leader is that people really do trust and admire him. When asked to describe his leadership style he states explain where we are anddecide where we want to go. Figure out how to get there, get good people and trust them to do the job as long as theyre competent, realistic, and flexible when change is required (Florida, 2013, para. 10). He also believes that the main skills necessary to motivate a team are good listening and the ability to build consensus for ac tion (Florida, 2013, para. 16).President Clinton is also very charismatic. It has been told that he has the ability to make someone thumb like they are the most important person in a room of many when he dialog to you. He is a visionary, as seen in his many humanitarian efforts, and has that knack to make you believe in his vision. Personally, when I hear him talk I feel a calming presence, he talks in a language I commode understand, and I trust him. One of the best examples of his leadership abilities in play was his ability to work fruitfully with the Republican Party to solve the multi-billion dollar national debt during his term of presidency. It is well known that our current president very rarely has bipartisan support in anything he wants to do. My Leadership StyleAfter reviewing all the leadership style theorys and discussing this with my mentor it became evident that I am currently considered a participatory leader. WiseGeek (2014) defines participatory leadership as a style of leadership that involves all members of a team in identifying essential goals and developing procedures or strategies to get across those goals (para. 1). This is how I lead, by involving others in the entire process. While this is not a bad type of leadership style, the motive behind why I do these things illuminates a flaw in my leadership abilities.I have the tendency to not have enough confidence in myself to make decisions without a stage set of input from others and permission seeking. My mentor used to be my boss and he told me that while I was ultimately one of his best program directors he had ever supervised my journey to the directorship was exhausting and sometimes a bit frustrating for him. He stated that I would ask questions about every minute specific because I seemed to fear making a mis dash. He said that for me to become a leader I need to believe in myself, have confidence that I am capable and I do know what I amdoing.He told me that until I learn t o trust myself, I am firing to have a difficult time getting others to trust me as a leader. He also told me that I have the capacity to become a transformational leader, which is my goal, but I have to let go of the fear, and allow myself to make mistakes. According to him, mistakes teach valuable lessons, and the way I react to the mistake builds character.My political platformMy plan to transform into a transformational leader is to take risks, allow myself to make mistakes, and find the lessons in them. I am going to begin by victorious initiative at work and in my personal life. I have historically taken initiative when I knew (for the most part) that things would work out. I cant always have that luxury of seeing into the future, I just need to believe in myself and my abilities. I also plan to look at failure as an opportunity to start over and do better. I am not shy in asking for help, or asking questions when I am unsure of something.I do need to stop asking questions w hen I really do know the answer and take accountability for my decisions. I am a very good talker, and I have the ability to make confusing situations seem clear to others. For example, on our learning teams, I am the one that can break down the assignment and make it make sense for others, so it doesnt seem so overwhelming. I plan to take that same confidence and apply it to all aspects so that I may one day become a leader like former President Bill Clinton.ConclusionIn conclusion, President Clinton is a well-known transformational leader and the one I admire the most. He started young believing in himself and it has translated into great success for this man. My goal is to become a transformational leader and while I have traits of a participatory leader, I believe that it is possible to become the leader I aspire to be. I just need to have faith in myself so others will have faith in me.ReferencesFlorida, R. (2013). President Bill Clinton Dont worry about yesterday, embrace tomo rrow. Retrieved from http//www.huffingtonpost.com/rana-florida/president-bill-clinton-do_b_3697725.html Raines, S. (2014). The advantages of knowing your leadershipstyle. Retrieved from http//smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-knowing-leadership-style-18924.html Reh, F. J. (2014). What is a leader. Retrieved from http//management.about.com/od/leadership/a/whatisaleader.htm WiseGeek.org. (2014). What is participative leadership?. Retrieved from http//www.wisegeek.org/what-is-participative-leadership.htm

Smog as Air Pollution

utNowadays pollution is becoming more and more serious problem, particularly demeanor pollution. Since the informant of the industrial revolution, the chemical elements of the atmosphere have changed. Along with the development of industrialization, air pollution has spread and now it is a global issue. There ar legion(predicate) kinds of air pollution, one of them is smogginess. Smog can come from many areas, particularly factories and transportation systems, but there are some differences between developed and exploitation countries. In developed countries, highly developed industry is the main reason that smog is serious, they mostly use fossil fuels.However, developing countries started to industrialize, so increasing get along of factories is the most important cause of smog and they always use the char or wood burning. More and more people using cars and motorcycles also is a reason about that. Those of us who live in large cities are familiar with smog air pollution th e familiar brown haze resting everywhere the city on a still day. We need to know what smog restricts and where it comes from, as well as the health and environmental impacts of this h eithermark of industrialization.There are twain categories of smog to be covered classic smog and the more recently described photochemical smog. Classic Smog In its most primitive and basal form, smog air pollution is the result of the burning of fossil fuels. It has several major components 1) Smoke, which is tiny particles of ash, is released from the smokestacks of burn fired power stations. Coal power plants are now on the whole designed to trap this ash, called pilot ash, which can be used to great effect in the concrete industry.These tiny particles contain not only carbon residue, but also silicon dioxide, calcium oxide and traces of heavy metals. If inhaled these can pose significant health risks. The silicon dioxide in the fly ash alone can cause lesions, scarring and inflammation of t he lungs. 2) randomness Dioxide. Sulfur is present in allfossil fuelsand is released as Sulfur Dioxide when the fuels are burned. Sulfur Dioxide reacts with oxygen gas to give Sulfur Trioxide. This then can react with piddle to give Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4).Another possibility is that the Sulfur Dioxide reacts immediately with water to give Sulfurous Acid (H2SO3). Either way, the acid produced is highly reactive and capable of causing significant damage to crops, soil, buildings and more. Several industrialized nations now expend technology that captures approximately a third of Sulfur Dioxide from the emission gases of power stations, greatly reducing the problems of acid rain. Photochemical Smog This is a far more noxious mixture of chemicals than classic smog air pollution. Significant inroads have been made to reduce the main contributors to classic smog.Such efforts in relation to photochemical smog are still in their early stages. Photochemical smog air pollution is a mixture of various chemicals that react with sunlight to produce refreshing chemicals. This is where the name comes fromphotomeanslightandchemicalmeans chemical, or product of a chemical reaction. The chemical reactions involved are complex and age they are important, we need to know thesourceof these pollutants and their effects. The chemicals involved need to be addressed separately. The three main ingredients are Nitrous Oxides, volatile organic compounds and Ozone.Carbon Monoxide is a toxic byproduct of fossil fuel combustion but is considered separate to photochemical smog. London smog disaster One of the famous smog with all bad effects is London Smog which was caused by heavy coal combustion during the winter of 1952, The weather in Greater London had been unusually dusty for several weeks leading up to the event because of the cold weather, households were burning more coal than usual to keep warm. The smoke from approximately one million coal-fired stoves, in addition to the emi ssions from local industry, was released into the atmosphere.Increases in smoke and sulfur emissions from the combustion of coal had been occurring since the Industrial Revolution and the British were familiar with these types of smog events. At times, the smoke and emissions were so heavy that residents referred to the events as pea soupers because the blot out was as dense as pea soup. However, while the area had experienced heavy smog in the past, no event had caused such problems as the weather event in December, 1952. Thousands of tons of black soot, tar particles, and sulfur dioxide had accumulated in the air from the heavy coal combustion.Estimates of PM10 concentrations during December, 1952, range between 3,000 and 14,000? g/m? with the high range being approximately 50 times higher than normal levels at the time. PM10 is particulate thing less than 10 micrometers in diameter. Conditions for Londoners today are much better with PM 10 concentrations around 30? g/m?. Estima tes also purport that sulfur dioxide levels during December of 1952 were 7 times greater than normal at 700 parts per billion (ppb). The weather preceding and during the smog meant that Londoners were burning more coal than usual to keep warm.Post-war domestic coal tended to be of a relatively low-grade, atomic number 16ous variety (economic necessity meant that better-quality hard coals tended to be exported), which increased the amount of sulphur dioxide in the smoke. There were also numerous coal-fired power stations in the Greater London area, including Battersea, Bankside, and Kingston upon Thames, all of which added to the pollution. Research suggests that additional pollution streak systems fitted at Battersea may have actually worsened the air quality, reducing the output of soot at the cost of increased sulphur dioxide, though this is not certain.Additionally, there were pollution and smoke from vehicle exhaustparticularly from diesel-fuelled buses which had replaced the recently abandoned electric tram systemand from other industrial and commercial sources. paramount winds had also blown heavily polluted air across the English Channel from industrial areas of Continental Europe. There was no panic, as London was notable for its fog. In the weeks that ensued, however, statistics compiled by medical services found that the fog had killed 4,000 people.Most of the victims were very young, elderly, or had pre-existing respiratory problems. In February 1953, Lieutenant-Colonel Lipton suggested in the House of Commons that the fog had caused 6,000 deaths and that 25,000 more people had claimed sickness benefits in London during that period. Most of the deaths were caused by respiratory tract infections from hypoxia and as a result of mechanical obstruction of the air passages by pus arising from lung infections caused by the smog. The lung infections were mainly bronchopneumonia or acute purulent bronchitis superimposed upon chronic bronchitis.More rec ent research suggests that the number of fatalities was considerably greater, at about 12,000. The death toll formed an important impetus to modern environmentalism, and it caused a rethinking of air pollution, as the smog had demonstrated its lethal potential. New regulations were implemented, constraining the use of dirty fuels in industry and banning black smoke. Environmental legislation since 1952, such as the City of London (Various Powers) Act 1954 and the Clean institutionalize Acts of 1956 and 1968, has led to a reduction in air pollution.

Effects of Diabetes

Diabetes affects the bodys ability to use split sugar for energy. The main types of diabetes implicate type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. A person with torrential diabetes foundation run into a lot of problems later in sprightliness. If non controlled, diabetes can put you at luck for a citizenry of complications that can affect nearly e very organ in the body. These organs may include, the amount and blood vessels, the cores, the kidneys, the nerve endings, and also the gums and teeth. Later in life a woman with uncontrolled diabetes can also face problems in her pregnancy.A person living with diabetes has a normal life for the most part, if they maintain a healthy diet and keep their diabetes under controlled, however, if it is not controlled it may everyure to high risks complications, for example losing a toe, or even their eyesight. I have been a diabetic for half of my life, since the age of 12 years old. It takes a lot of hard work and dedic ation for one to control their diabetes, and once it is in control, you can live a very normal life Diabetes is a disease that affects the bodys use and production of insulin.Insulin is important be pillow slip it is used to move sugar or glucose through the bloodstream to many cells that need it for best possible function in our body. In someone dealing with diabetes, the sugar in their bloodstream is not being used, which then results in high blood sugar levels. With proper management and control of the disease, many of the diabetic complications people can face can be avoided or their complications less harmful. In uncontrolled diabetes, the complications or effects of diabetes can be far reaching, dangerous and quite devastating.There already is an increased risk for heart disease even for one whose diabetes is under control, but it is more for someone whose diabetes is not properly controlled with medications, dietary changes or the right doctor supervision. This type of uncon trolled diabetes can lead to change of various blood vessels, cause hypertension and increase the amounts of cholesterol in the bloodstream, all of which puts one at great risk for stroke and heart attack. Heart disease and blood vessel disease are the biggest complications that people with uncontrolled diabetes face.Approximately 65% of death from diabetes is due to heart disease and stroke. Diabetes can also cause poor blood flow in the legs and feet also known as peripheral artery disease. Many studies provide that controlling diabetes can prevent or stop the progression of heart and blood vessel disease. Blood vessel damage or nerve damage can also lead to foot problems that can lead to amputations. Most of leg and foot amputations not related to an injury are due to patients whom do not have their diabetes under control. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the U. S.Uncontrolled diabetes can cause a number of eye problems, some of which can lead to blindness if not treated properly and taken care of immediately. Some eye disorders caused by uncontrolled diabetes include Glaucoma, Cataracts, and also Diabetic Retinopathy. My cousin is an eye doctor and she always stresses to me how important it is for me to get my eyes checked yearly. She has said that studies show that having a regular eye exam, and your eyes dilated, along with timely intervention of diabetes-related eye problems could prevent up to 90% of blindness related to diabetes.Along with blindness, diabetes is also known to be the leading cause of kidney failure in adults in the U. S. Drugs than drugs that lower blood pressure, even if you dont have high blood pressure. Over time, high blood sugar levels can harm the nerves. This can lead to loss of sentiency or feeling which usually starts in the toes or pain and a burning sensation of the feet. Diabetes related nerve damage can also cause pain in the legs, arms, and hands, and can cause problems with digestion, going to the bath room, or even having sex. People with diabetes are at high risk for gum disease.Keeping your diabetes under control, perceive your dentist regularly, and taking good daily care of your teeth can prevent gum disease and tooth loss. In a patient dealing with uncontrolled diabetes during or before pregnancy, many complications could arise. These might include miscarriages, birth defects or extremely large babies that could result in a difficult vaginal address or emergency cesarean section. When my mom was pregnant with me she had gestational diabetes and when I was delivered, she had to have a c-section, because I was 10 lbsTo control your diabetes take time and effort, but it is possible No two peoples diabetes is quite the same. This is due to the endless varieties of responses and treatments the management of ones diabetes depends mainly on individualized plans. Meal and exercise plans are very important in the treatment of all kinds of diabetes. These plans help control weight, blood sugars levels, and help reduce the chances of needing additional medications. A healthy diet should include avoiding sugar, eating low fat and high fiber foods.Meals should be eaten regularly and at least three times a day to control blood sugar levels. The exercise for diabetics, help maintain muscle tone and physical fitness, it also helps to increase feeling to medications by making the blood circulate to all areas of the body and to lower blood sugar levels. As a diabetic if you do not follow these simple precautions and take your medications, you are setting yourself up for failure Eating right and exercise helps a lot, and as a diabetic I can sure vouch for itIn conclusion, diabetes is a very serious disease that attacks millions of people around the world. It can strike at any age and can happen to anyone. The best way to manage your diabetes is to drift off weight, and to maintain a good exercise program and a healthy eating plan. If a healthy diet is not kept up, the n heartbreaking complications may arise. If a diabetic takes care of themselves by exercising and eating right, then their life can be just as happy as anyone elses.

American red cross

The American passing Cross, oppositewise known as ARS, was founded by magician leader Clara Barton in 1881. She was excite by the build of the international inflamed Cross while she was in Europe during the Franco- Prussian War of 1870-1871. She was so inspired that she brought the model back to the United Stated and light-emitting diode the organization through with(predicate) its first domestic and international relief missions, including assisting the U. S. military during the Spanish-American War in 1898.The cherry-red Cross was chartered by the United States sexual congress to carry on a system of national and international relief in time of cessation and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same. The Charter is unique to the Red Cross because it assigns duties and obligations to the nation, to calamity survivors, and to the p eople who generously support their work through donations.Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting peoples immediate emergency needs caused by disaster. When disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and stimulated health service to address basic human needs and assist individuals and families in resuming their normal day-after-day activities independently. The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers worry fire fighters and police, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and eases them access other vailable resources.Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 cancel and man-made disasters in the U. S. , ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and explosions. People count on the Red Cross to help them in their darkest hour. In turn, the support o f donors makes it possible for the Red Cross to fulfill its humanitarian mission. They are deeply grateful for the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations who invest in the Red Cross.American red crossThe American Red Cross, otherwise known as ARS, was founded by visionary leader Clara Barton in 1881. She was inspired by the work of the international Red Cross while she was in Europe during the Franco- Prussian War of 1870-1871. She was so inspired that she brought the model back to the United Stated and led the organization through its first domestic and international relief missions, including assisting the U. S. military during the Spanish-American War in 1898.The Red Cross was chartered by the United States Congress to carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preven ting the same. The Charter is unique to the Red Cross because it assigns duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster survivors, and to the people who generously support their work through donations.Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting peoples immediate emergency needs caused by disaster. When disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and emotional health service to address basic human needs and assist individuals and families in resuming their normal daily activities independently. The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers like fire fighters and police, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps them access other vailable resources.Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters in the U. S. , ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spi lls, transportation accidents and explosions. People count on the Red Cross to help them in their darkest hour. In turn, the support of donors makes it possible for the Red Cross to fulfill its humanitarian mission. They are deeply grateful for the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations who invest in the Red Cross.

Jail Overcrowding

The Nonviolent Offender refilling Act Will Stop prison house Overcrowding General Purpose To swing Specific Purpose To persuade the audience that accepting The Nonviolent Offender replenishment Act is the best method to stop prison overcrowding. Main Idea The Nonviolent Offender reclamation Act, also known as NORA, ordain solve the prison overcrowding problem that is in the first place caused by mandatary sentences for nonviolent criminals. I. Introduction A. As you can enter from this video http//www. outube. com/watch? v=J_J0zlx-McQ B. The Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act, also known as NORA, will solve the prison-overcrowding problem that is primarily caused by mandatory sentences for nonviolent criminals. C. I am going to explain how NORA will put an end to prison overcrowding by 1. Reiterating the problems associated with prison overcrowding 2. Illustrating the primary cause of prison overcrowding 3. Describing the benefits that will result from accepting propositi on 5. II. Body A.Prison overcrowding creates inadequate healthcargon for inmates, threatens the safety of Americans, and inhibits the rehabilitation of convicts. 1. Due to the increasing number of prisoners in American jails, we do not have sufficient facilities or funding to provide the necessary health accommodations. The Vera launch, for example, is a nonprofit organization that works with government to improve several(a) injustices. According to their research, the wait for medical treatment often outlasts a prisoners sentence (Gibbons 93). Not only does overcrowding threaten the health of nmates, it also jeopardizes public safety. 2. after finding out that atomic number 20 prisons were running at double their capacities, federal judges ordered that the state reduce its prisoners by about 40,000 (Liptak). Considering majority of the do drugs related sentences are mandatory, they may have to release prisoners who committed crimes such as armed robbery, homicide, breaking an d entering, and sexual assault. These criminals may have been reformed in prison, but this is unlikely considering prison rehabilitation and reform programs are inefficient callable to overcrowding. . Research done by the University of Pennsylvania found that prisoners who graduated from college programs during their incarceration were 50% less likely to be rearrested, and 60% less likely to be re-incarcerated (Hall). Yet, in the past, Congress has banned prisoners from such programs because of lack of funding due to overcrowding. By 1997, for example, fewer than 2% of prisoners were enrolled in educational programs (Erisman). Before these programs can be initiated, however, we must first deal with the cause of prison overcrowding. B.Prison overcrowding is primarily caused by mandatory drug sentences. 1. In my opinion, the primary reason for prisons is to economise dangerous criminals off of the streets. The government, on the other hand, seems to think it is more important to kee p petty drug dealers in their prisons. 2. According to the Drug Policy Alliance Network, which is one of the nations leading organizations on the war on drugs, the mandatory drug policy resulted in, more than 80 percent of the increase in the federal prison population from 1985 to 1995. And , the U. S.Sentencing Commission reports that only 11 percent of federal drug defendants are high-level drug dealers. This means that about 90% of the 80% increase of inmates are harmless street dealers. 3. Instead of just slamming a harmless drug dealer into a jail cell, which ultimately results in releasing the same drug dealer after his or her sentence, policy makers should concenter on drug rehabilitation, which will not only stop the problems associated with overcrowding, but also help to stop future drug violators. C. The Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act is the ideal solution to prison overcrowding. 1.According to the Smart Voter, an organization which educates voters as to the imp lications of policies, NORA essentially limits the sum of prison time a harmless drug offender can serve, increases the parole of violent crimes, and creates mandatory drug rehabiliation programs for drug offenders and optional programs for the youth of our nation. 2. NORA was originally created to fight the obscene amount of overcrowding in California prisons. I believe, however, the United States government should accept it as a federal policy, by voting for it to be a mandatory program for nonviolent drug offenders.Especially considering prison overcrowding is evident in almost every state, not just the state of California. 3. According to an article written by Solomon Moore in The wise York Times, drug sentencing has become so extreme, that carrying an illegal substance that weighs less than half of a tic tac can grant you 25 years in prison. According to the decreed NORA website, if NORA was accepted, within 8 years, it would save 84,000 people from facing mandatory drug sen tences. 4. NORA will also save 2. 5 billion dollars (Facts).This is especially important considering the be to uphold the large amount of prisoners far exceeds the amount of money granted to higher education (Archibald). These statistics are only applied to the state of California. Just speak up how much of an impact it would have if it was implemented in every state 5. The reduction in the number of mandatory nonviolent sentences would greatly reduce the amount of prisoners, ultimately stopping prison overcrowding. The rehabilitation programs will also hinder future drug offenders. III. Conclusion A.Overall, it is quite clear that everyone benefits from The Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act. 1. Convicted criminals will lowestly be given adequate healthcare as there will no longer be prison overcrowding 2. American citizens are safe, because prisons will no longer need to release dangerous criminals and citizens will pay less taxes towards prisons because NORA will reduce pr ison costs by 2. 5 billion 3. Nonviolent drug offenders will go through rehabilitation, instead of idiotically placing them into a jail cell, with no chance of improvement.B. I leave you with this final fact Pennsylvania prisons are already overcrowded by 8% (Prison). If we do not make a change in our prison system, we will briefly reach the same overcrowding as California, in which we have to start releasing dangerous prisoners into the public. If we support NORA, hopefully this will be a future that we neer have to see. WORKS CITED Archibald, Randal. California, in Financial Crisis, Opens Prison Doors. The New York Times New York 23 Mar. 2010. Print. Erisman, Wendy. Learning to Reduce Recidivism A 50-state Analysis of Postsecondary Correctional Education Policy, Institute for Higher Education Policy, November 2005. Print. Facts. Yes on Proposition 5 The Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act. NORA CAMPAIGN. Web. 07 Apr. 2010. . Gibbons, John J. Confronting Confinement. New Yor k Commission on Safety and Abuse in Americas Prisons, 2006. Print. Hill, Jim. Arizona criminals find jail too in-tents CNN. Cable News Network, 27 July 1999. Web. 5 Apr. 2010. . Liptak, Adam. U. S. rison population dwarfs that of other nations. The New York Times 23 Apr. 2008. Print. Mandatory stripped-down Sentences. Drug Policy Alliance Network. DPA Network. Web. 5 Apr. 2010. . Moore, Solomon. The Prison Overcrowding Fix. The New York Times New York 10 Feb. 2010. Print. Proposition 5 Nonviolent Drug Offenses, Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Smart Voter. 04 Nov. 2008. Web. 07 Apr. 2010. . Prison Overcrowding Treatment, Not Jail Time, Is Answer. Central PA Local News. Penn Live, 21 Aug. 2009. Web. 05 Apr. 2010. .

Death of Marat Essay

I love the stratum of a talk that took place at an English dry land house during a dinner p artistic productiony, where the host had just started up the discussion of shoemakers last and asked the various guests what leave happen to them after they die. Some dogma about reincarnation and others though about different plains of being, and others thought that they were going to be annihilated.All of the guests had answered the hesitation except for sir Roderick, who was a military type, a very god-fearing man to the church of England where he was also the church warden, chief of the vestry, in the local county of Parish. The lady say sir Roderick you havent express a word, what do you think is going to happen to you when you die? oh he said I am certain that I will go to heaven and enjoy immortal bliss, but I wish you wouldnt indulge I such a depressing conversationThe polarity of devastation It is talked about with such anguish and fright yet portrayed through art as some thing that represents relief or enlightenment that either together are emotionally wrenching mentations that have been both subject for artists and served as an incentive for artistic production throughout history, mayhap as much as, perhaps to a greater extent than, any other subject since artists have dealt with death, dying, the threat of death, ext closed avow from death, thoughts of death, and preparation for death through the centuries.For me, death in neo-classicism was the obvious choice because it so strongly reflects the deviate that was going through Europe at the time, where plagues, revolution and war scattered the common wasteland. Through the get along of enlightenment death began to play a different role amongst artists and scientists where the stakes in mortality and obsolescent age, the decayed consistence and the anatomical structure layered in lifelessness took new forms.With death came the peel back of layers, skin, muscles, organs embalming and mummif ication, posing the question on whether there is an immaterial soul or whether the body is only a complicated organ capable of immense things. This is something I felt is strongly show in the exposure that I have chosen. The Death of Marat, multi-coloured by Jacques-Louis David in 1793 is a story that relates to the French Revolution, in which a radical journalist, Marat, is murdered in his bath by Charlotte Corday, who believed that his death would end the violence throughout the country.It has been described by T. J. Clark as the first modernist painting, for the way it took the stuff of politics as its material, and did non transmute it(1). However I believe that the painting also allows a portrayal of a philosophical confrontation on the subject of death. Through this essay I will argue how the painting demonstrates the struggle between the polarizations of death through a neo-classicistic point of view. Analysis The painting Death of Marat depicts the death of a murdered ra dical journalist during the French revolution.Charlotte Corday, the murderer, was a Girondin(2) from a minor aristocratic family and a political enemy of Marat who blamed him for the September Massacre. She gained entrance to Marats rooms with a note undimmed details of a counter-revolutionary ring in Caen. Marat suffered from a skin condition that caused him to work from his bath. Corday stabbed Marat, who died. She did not begin to flee, and was later trailed and exe hack oned. While the painting is done in a realistic style, it has elements of being idealized, so that Marats death is almost graceful.His head is resting peacefully on the edge of the tub, and despite being stabbed in the titty he is still holding a quill in his right hand with which he was physical composition a letter, which he still holds in his left hand. This along with the dramatic lighting and overall lethargy of the scene betrays the actually brutality of the stabbing. In fact, its a very peaceful paint ing. You could almost be forgiven for not thinking him dead. The Death of Marat is designed to commemorate a personable hero. David intended to record more than just the horror of martyrdom.In this sense, for realistic as it is in its details, the painting, as a whole, from its start, is a methodical construction focusing on the victim, a striking set up regarded today by several(prenominal) critics as an awful beautiful lie. (3) To fully understand this ar devilrk there are essentially two aspects to consider first the style used by David, i. e. Neo-classicism, and secondly the artists purpose, i. e. turning Marat into a hero of high moral virtues according to the guiltless tradition. Neoclassicism as the name says was essentially a rediscovery of classical art from the Greek and Roman time.This style prescribed rigorous contours, sculptured forms, and polished surfaces and was based on ideals of harmony and austerity. By applying such technique, death is glorified and allows furt her depth for the beholder, which makes the message of the decisive brushwood of life and death stronger. Marat is dying his eyelids droop, his head weighs heavily on his shoulder, his right arm slides to the ground. His body, as painted by David, is that of a healthy man, still young.The scene inevitably calls to mind a rendering of the broth from the Cross. (4) The face is marked by suffering, but is also gentle and suffused by a growing cessation as the fangs of death loosen their grip. The significance of this is the inference that Marat sacrificed himself for the good of the race, just as Christ is said to have done. Other religious elements are also prominent, the halo like turban virtually Marats head, and the heavenly light shining upon Marats angelic face. The portrayal of Marat in this way contrasts with other accounts describing him. Marat up until the moments before his death was a violent man who totally supported the executions of all those who opposed the governm ent.Marat was at once known to have said, In order to ensure public tranquility 200,000 heads must(prenominal) be cut off. (5) It was Davids aim to construct images of a secular saint. David believed that Art must have a favorable mission (appeal to the beholders moral sense instead of merely giving him pleasure). Art must contribute forcefully to the education of the public. However in a time when violence was so preponderating actuality was replaced by inaccurate images resulting in historical misrepresentations. This was partly due to the fear people experienced, due to sympathies people held.David supported the Jacobins and so this representation is biased, giving only the Jacobins perspective, not at all representing the views of Corday or the Girondins who especially hated Marat. All reflections in history are biased documents, but thats another discussion. My interest with the Death of Marat lies within two philosophical notions, dualism and physicalism, Most religious views have a belief in the afterlife and the continuation of life in some other form after life has been completed.For Christians death leads to heaven, or hell to nonbelievers. For Buddhists death restarts the life cycle in reincarnation, the person becoming another living entity in another shape. Death in this piece of art has the power to confront the viewer with their own mortality, their own livingness, in ways that surpass normal emotions. In most modern countries, death is something that is secluded away from people, separated into cemeteries and funerals. Most would agree that death is an inherently bad thing, that living surpasses death in possible everyway.Death in culture has such wide ranging importance between nations and societies that one unreserved analysis does little justify the range of connotations. Conclusion The theme of death in art has been around for centuries. Death and the last living hours are present in the passion of the Christ, a subject case that has been present strongly through arts history. The dramatic use of neo-classicistic art techniques allowed David to capture not just a painting but also a symbolic gesture that death represents.By taking the fundamental pillars of neoclassicism and romanticizing them he was able to gain entrance to a certain presence. If theres ever a picture that would make you want to die for a cause, it is Death of Marat. But thats to separate it from the appalling moment of its creation, the French Revolution. For David, Marat wasnt a monster, he was a saint. This was martyrdom, and part of Davids manifesto of the revolutionary virtue. When analyzing representations from the past we must recognize motivating factors behind representations.Subsequently we must question representations of the past, such as Davids The Death of Marat and the validity of opposing views. However death is far from being a radically new idea, it contains a wide range of philosophical concepts, depending and varying on cultural differences. The belief that human beings survive death in some form has profoundly influenced the thoughts, emotions, arts, scripts and actions of mankind. The belief occurs in all religions, past and present, and decisively condition the evaluations of man and his place in the universe.

Customer Strategy of Bain & Company

Consumer Behavior nett Project Customer Strategy of Bain & Company Submitted to Ms. Tahira Hafeez Submitted by Umar Afzal 2102071 Dated August 18th,2011 Customer Strategy & trade Customers are the source of real growth. Bain combines in-depth customser insights with practical expertise in operations and economics to name sustainable, organic growth. What we do Applying an outside-in perspective and achieving growth are fundamental to our approach at Bain. Our guest-centric business builds a virtuous cycle we call the customer wheel. We at our stage of growth are extending custom solutions and collaborating with all levels of the organization. With our team of global experts, Bain creates depth of experience in the following areas Customer insights and segmentation We go through customer needs and behaviors using our BothBrain approach and develop actionable segmentation from the resulting insights. We define the target customer or sweet spotthe area of distinct advantage over competitors to inform business decisions and investment funds allocation. Product and category management We break down barriers to innovation and improve ongoing customer-led product victimisation so our value proposition is differentiated and meets customer needs. Pricing We resolve the determine paradoxpricing is almost always the 1 profit lever, yet it remains under-developed in most companiesby create long-term pricing capabilities and capitalizing on in-year-revenue opportunities. Sales and channel effectiveness We identify quick, targeted, customized solutions as well as strategic and operational improvements to boost underperforming sales sectors. Marketing and differentiate strategy We align marketing and brand strategy with overarching business objectives ensure marketing investments are generating highest returns and reinforcing the brand positioning and build a incorruptible customer base through branding that cultivates a strong, trusted image. Customer experience We work to develop a series of positive interactions with the customer to earn their advocacy and inform consistent delivery of experiences to oblige top-line growth. Loyalty We nurture promotersloyal customers who are more profitable, and who are active proponents of our business in goodness times and bad.

Vasilauskas Callie Unit

At first England is referred to as, This other Eden, deem-paradise/ This fortress built by nature for herself (2. 1, p. 677-720, 41-44). Gaunt compargond the garden of England to the tend of Eden, Gods Garden Soon that image is destroyed with descriptions of England defeating itself, much like pests and rodents destroying a garden from the at heart out. Referencing both the Garden Of Eden and the internal destruction of the garden, it is obvious that this speech is more than just wandering(a) about flowers and bugs.Describing England as much more than just place to live while also commenting how it is those that live in England that will destroy it is much more religious than some might think. While in the Duke of Works garden, it becomes evident who the pests of the garden really are. King Richard and his merry men are the parasites that are destroying the Garden of England. When our sea wallight-emitting diode garden, the whole land is full of weeds/ Her fairest flowers choked u p, her fruit trees all unpinned/ Her hedges ruined, her knots disordered and her healthful herbs swarming with caterpillars (3. , p. 1836-1919, 40-46). In the same scene on lines 51-65, it is made clear that it is the king that has not trimmed and spiffed up his land. While he does not directly come out and say the word, garden, Blinkered speaks of the, Caterpillars of the commonwealth/ Which present sworn to weed out and pluck away (2. 3, p. 1277-1 357, 166-167). We know, of course, that Blinkered is speaking of the Kings advisors, Bushy, Bogota, and Green. Talking about the pests of the garden that are destroying it is a very important part of the play.Knowing who is letting weeds flourish in the Arden makes it easier to get the plants in a row. In regards to the gardens in the play, feel that Shakespeare was writing on more of a religious forepart than anything. Using the Garden of Eden as a way to describe England was my first tip off. The violator, bliss, and rightness th at we all know of the Garden of Eden made it easy to picture England as a splendid garden. Once the ugliness and betrayal made an appearance, Adam and Eve and their betrayal to God came to mind. While they could not resist temptation, King Richard could not resist either.He became greedy and money hungry with the desire of land and power. This led to the internal failure of the garden since the main gardener was failing at his duties. Religion was a major undertone in The Tragedy of King Richard II, and when I realized this I finally noticed how extraordinary the writing of Shakespeare truly is. Once you get past the different style of writing, it is easy to admire the beauty within the play. It is clear why John of Jaunts speech about the garden is one of the most noted speeches of the play.

Underlining Synoptic Gospels

Underlining Synoptic church doctrine The creeds of Luke, Mark, and Matthew offer terce similar yet different ways of re manifesting past events. The passages chosen atomic number 18 the Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes, Commissioning of the Twelve, The Fate of the Disciples, and The Coming of the Son of Man. The authors gave their interpretation to different events. Each Gospel clearly gives a general all overview of e realthing taking place during this time period. The all difference exists in detail. The gospel truth of Luke, Mark, and Matthew demonstrate the differences in similar stories being told by multiple authors.The Gospels of Luke, Mark, and Matthew match up very well. They generally follow the same storyline for each reading. In the Sermon, they tell how great crowds came from all over flocking to where deliveryman was. The Beatitudes match up from Gospel to Gospel. The Commissioning of the twelve tell how saviour chose his twelve apostles and displace them o ut on missions to heal the sick and cure the diseased. Apostles will be guided with what to say if questi unmatchedd in Fate of the Disciples. Lastly, the coming of the son of man is described in all three Gospels. Differences are inevitable when different sources retell stories.The Gospels are no different. Each Gospel gives a different emplacement than the other. What is non seen in one gospel is picked up in a nonher. Examples are how masses came to see deliverer for healing, the Beatitudes, and the Disciples. Matthew neglects to tell how the masses of people came from Tyre and Sidon upon heading of Jesus miraculous healing powers. These individuals came from all over just for the opportunity to touch him in hopes of being healed. 1 This should have been put in for sure. This is just a blatant example of the power Jesus had. It separated Jesus from the false gods and prophets at the time.Mark does not contain the Beatitudes while Lukes show of the Beatitudes is slightly shorte r than Matthews. Mark whitethorn have chosen to not incorporate them into his text. The validity of the Beatitudes, based on this assignment alone, may be challenged based on how one author does not have any and the other 2 vary. In the Commissioning of the Twelve, Mark is the only author to give the small detail that Jesus sent the Disciples out two by two after giving them authority over unclean spirits. 2 After giving his disciples authority, Matthew does not tell how Jesus went up onto the mountain before he summoned his apostles.Mark does however, by saying that He went up on the mountain and called to him those who he wanted and they came to him. 3 This may be because the source that told Matthew may have not seen Jesus on upon the mountain. Luke and Mark may have had a source that watched it first hand or Matthew may have chosen to leave it out. Continuing with the Commissioning of the Twelve, another difference exists. Luke and Mark, not Matthew, both tell how Jesus went up on a mountain and called his twelve disciples and they were from that point on known as apostles. 4 The main problem with this situation is there is a difference in apostles names. All three Gospels have twelve names listed. Mark and Matthew had the name Thaddaeus and Luke had a second Judas. 5 The differences and similarities found in the Gospels are why they must be read to sign onher for comparison, much like anything else preserve second hand by various authors. The differences can be explained by lack of information or just the choice of the writer to not include something. Numerous other factors could also be accountable but they need not be.While having differences the Gospels contain beyond more than enough similarities to get the point across. Bibliography Michael D. Coogan, ed. The New Oxford Annotated Bible, Augmented Third Edition, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. New York Oxford University Press, 2007. baronet D. Ehrman, A Brief Introduction to the New Testament. New York Oxford University Press, 2004. 1 Mark 38-11 Luke 6 17-19 2 Mark 67 3 Mark 313 4 Mark 313-14 Luke 912-13 5 Matt. 102-4 Mark 316-19 Luke 614-16

Succubus Shadows Chapter 2

I tossed and good saturnine the rest of the night. universe visited by a preternatural supernatural force will do that to you. Besides, I had never to the full recovered from the while an ber-powerful entity of chaos had merged with me in my relief and sucked a steering my energy. Her name was Nyx, and delay Id heard, she was impris geniusd. Still, what shed through to me and what shed shown me had left a lasting impression. The fact that papistic couldnt identify what had happened tonight was a microscopical unnerving.So, I woke up bleary-eyed, sporting a massive doubtfulnessache that was probably equal parts hangover and sleep deprivation. Succubi had the rapid healing that all immortals possessed, which meant I must welcome seriously screwed myself up to put up these persist effects. I knew the gafferache would pass shortly, but I took rough ibuprofen to help the process.The condo was softened when I shuffled into the kitchen, and despite my efforts to clean up the food last night, I was still surrounded in the tattered and worn- go forth feel that keep uped most parties. Godiva, curled up on the ass of the couch, lifted her head at my arrival, but Aubrey continued sleeping undisturbed in her spot on an armchair. I started some c pipee and then wandered over to my patio, staring out at the sunny day and the Seattle skyline on the other side of the gray-blue water stretching slay before me.A familiar sen sit downion suddenly swept me, like brimst unmatched and red-hot needles. I sighed.Kind of early for you, isnt it? I subscribeed, not needing to turn around to k promptly Jerome, archdemon of the greater Seattle area and my infernoish old geezer, stood behind me.Its noon, Georgie, he replied dryly. The rest of the world is up and around.Its Saturday. The laws of time and space are different today. Noon qualifies as early.I turned around at last, largely because Id heard the coffee-maker finish. Jerome was leaning against my kitchen wall, immacu latelyly be obligateed as al focussings in a minacious designer suit. Also, like always, the demon looked exactly like a circa 1990s version of John Cusack. He could appear as anything or anyone he wanted in this world, but for reasons he kept vague, Mr. Cusack was his favorite(a) shape. Id gotten so apply to it that whenever Say Anything or Grosse Pointe Blank came on TV, I always had to pause and ask myself, Whats Jerome doing in this movie?I poured a cup of coffee and held up the pot by way of invitation. Jerome shook his head. I suppose, he utter, your roommate is also being a sloth and isnt actually out campaign errands?Thatd be my guess. I doused my coffee liberally with vanilla creamer. I used to kind of anticipate that when he wasnt around, it meant he was out sounding for a job. Turns out I was just setting myself up for disappointment.Honestly, I was glad it was roman letters that Jerome had come to jibe. When Jerome was looking for me, no good ever came of it. It always tended to progeny in some traumatic, world-threatening event in the immortal underground.I trudged back across the living room, noting that the cats had disappeared upon Jeromes arrival. cocoa still in hand, I headed to roman types room, knocking once before opening the door. I figured as landlady, I had that right. Also, Id found papistic had a remarkable ability to ignore knocking for large amounts of time.He was sprawled across his bed, wearing only a pair of navy blue boxers that gave me pause. As Id celebrated before, he was terribly good-looking, despite the prickly attitude hed had since moving in. Seeing him half-dressed always gave me a weird flashback to the one time wed slept to condenseher. Then, Id have to remind myself that he was probably plotting how to kill me. It went a long way to stifle any residual lust.Romans arm covered his eyes against the sunlight streaming through his window. He shifted, moving the arm slightly, and peered at me w ith one eye. Its early, he said.Not according to your exalted sire.A a few(prenominal) arcseconds passed, and then he grimaced as he too sense Jeromes immortal signature. With a sigh, Roman sat up, pausing to rub his eyes. He looked about as exhausted as I felt, but if thither was one force in this world that could drag him out of bed after a late night, it was my boss no matter Romans bold claims from last night. He staggered to his feet and moved past me in the doorway.Arent you spill to get dressed? I exclaimed.Romans only answer was a disinterested wave of his hand as he headed down the hall. I followed him back and discovered Jerome pouring himself a mug of some vodka leftover from last night. Well, it was five oclock somewhere. He arched an eyebrow when he saw Romans s corporationtily clad state.Nice of you to dress up.Roman made a beeline for the coffee. solitary(prenominal) the best for you, Pop. Besides, Georgina likes it.A moment of heavy silence followed as Jeromes dark eyes studied Roman. I knew nothing about Romans mother, but Jerome was the demon who had fa in that locationd him thousands of years ago. Techni remembery, Jerome had been an holy man at the time, but making the moves on a human had got him fired from Heaven and sent off to work for those down below. No severance package.Roman occasionally made snide comments about their familial relationship, but Jerome never ack promptlyledged it. In fact, according to both Heaven and Hells rules, Jerome should have blasted Roman from the earth ages ago. Angels and demons considered nephilim unnatural and wrong and continually attempted to hunt them to extinction. It was kind of harsh, even with the sociopathic tendencies nephilim tended to have. Roman had been instrumental in saving Jerome recently, however, and the two had struck a deal that stomached Roman to live peacefully in Seattle for now. If any of Jeromes colleagues found out about this illicit arrangement, there would literally be hell to pay for all of us. A good succubus would have told on her rule-breaking boss.So what brings you here? asked Roman, puff up a chair. Want to toss the old football around?Jeromes face remained impassive. I have a job for you.Like one that pays the rent? I asked hopefully.Like one that ensures Ill continue to allow him to live in the lifestyle hes accustomed to, replied Jerome.Roman had an amused, devil-may-care smile on his face that was ordinary of him, but I wasnt fooled. He knew the threat Jerome represented and also knew that part of their deal involved Roman doing errands for his father. Still, Roman made a good show of acting like he was the one doing Jerome a favor. The nephilim gave an unconcerned shrug.Sure. Ive got nothing else going on today. Whats up?We have a new immortal visitor in town, said Jerome. If Romans attitude annoyed him, the demon was just as good at cover charge his feelings. A succubus.My removed, psychological study of father and son dynamics came to a screeching halt. What? I exclaimed, straightening up so quickly that I nearly spilled my coffee. I fantasy we were set after Tawny.Id worked the succubus facial expression solo around here for years until Jerome had acquired another one several months ago. Her name was Tawny, and while she was nettle and pretty inept as succubi went, there was still something rather endearing about her. Fortunately, Jerome had sent her off to Bellingham, keeping her a comfortable hour-and-a-half drive from me.Not that its any of your business, Georgie, but this ones not here to work. Shes hereas a visitor. On vacation. Jeromes lips twisted with bitter amusement.Roman and I exchanged looks. Immortals could certainly adjourn personal vacations, but clearly, there was more(prenominal) to this.And? asked Roman. Shes really here because?Because Im sure my superiors want to check up on me after the recentincident.His words were delicate, with a very subtle warning not to voluptuous on sai d incident. It was the one Roman and I had rescued him from a summoning that had imprisoned Jerome as part of a demonic power play. Letting yourself get summoned was embarrassing for a demon and could call his territorial control into question. Hell sending someone to survey the situation wasnt that crazy.You think shes spying to see if you can still run things? asked Roman.Im certain of it. I want you to follow her around and see who she reports back to. Id do it myself, but its better if I dont appear suspicious. So I need to stay visible.Lovely, said Roman, voice as dry as his fathers. Theres nothing I want to do more than spark advance a succubus around.From what I hear, youre pretty good at it, I piped in. It was true. Roman had stalked me invisibly a number of times. Lesser immortals like me couldnt hide the telltale signature that wreathed all of us, but Roman had inherited that ability from Jerome, making him the perfect spy.Roman shot me a wry look, then turned back to Je rome. When do I start?Immediately. Her name is Simone, and shes staying down at the Four Seasons. Go there and see what she does. Mei will relieve you off and on. Mei was Jeromes second-in-command demon.The Four Seasons? I asked. Is Hell pay for that? I mean, were in a recession. Jerome sighed. Hells never in a recession. And I didnt think your droll input started until after youd finished your coffee.I showed him my cup. It was empty.Jerome sighed again and then vanished without warning. He apparently had no doubts that Roman would follow his orders.Roman and I stood there for several quiet seconds, during which both cats re rebeld. Aubrey rubbed against Romans bare leg, and he scratched her head.Guess I should shower and get dressed, he said at last, rising to his feet.Dont trouble yourself, I said. And wont you be lightless anyway?He turned his back to me and walked off down the hallway. I was opinion of dropping off some job applications when Mei gives me a break.Liar, I sai d. I dont think he heard.It wasnt until the shower kicked on that I realized I should have asked Jerome about that weird sensation last night. It was so left over(p) I didnt even know how to describe it. The more I pondered it, the more I wondered if it had been alcohol-induced. Admittedly, Roman claimed hed sensed something, but hed drank as much as me.And speaking of jobsmy kitchen clock was telling me I needed to head off to mine. One thing about this condo was that the skyline view had come at the make up of work convenience. My old apartment had been in Queen Anne, the same neighborhood that Emerald City Books and Caf? resided in. I used to be able to walk to work, but that was impossible from West Seattle, meaning I had to allow change time.Unlike Roman, I had no need to physically shower and change not that I wouldnt have liked to. I found human routines comforting. A brief burst of succubus shape-shifting cleaned me up, putting me in a work-appropriate peach sundress and arranging my light brown hair into a loose bun. Roman didnt surface before I had to leave, so I grabbed another cup of coffee and left him a keep asking if it would kill him to take out the garbage before he went off to play clandestine agent.My headache and the last effects of the hangover were gone by the time I walked into the store. It was abuzz with late afternoon shoppers, people out running Saturday errands and tourists who had wandered over from the Space Needle and Seattle Center down the street. I dropped my purse off in my office and then did a managerial sweep of the store, satisfied that everything was running smoothly until I noticed we had a line of eight people and only one cashier. wherefore are you alone? I asked Beth. She was a long-time employee and a good one, answering my question without even looking up from her customers order.Gabrielles on break, and Doug isntfeeling well.Memories of the vodka competition came back to me. I grimaced, feeling both guilty and smug. Where is he?Over in erotica.I felt my eyebrows rise but said nothing as I turned away and walked across the store. Our small erotica section was bizarrely stuffed in between automotive and animals (amphibians, to be precise). And crammed in between the two shelves of the erotica section was Doug, sitting on the floor with his head resting facedown on his knees. I knelt beside him.Hair of the dog time? I asked.He lifted his head and brushed cutting hair out of his face. His expression was miserable. You cheated. Youre like half my size. How are you not in a unconsciousness?Older and wiser, I said. If only he knew just how old. I took hold of his arm and tugged it. Come on. Lets go to the caf? and get you some water.For a moment, he looked like hed resist, but a valiant effort soon followed. He even managed not to stagger too much as I led him to the stores second floor, which was half books and half coffee shop.I grabbed a bottle of water, told the barista Id pay for it l ater, and started to drag Doug to a chair. As I scanned around, I nearly came to a halt, causing poor Doug to stumble. Seth was sitting at a table, laptop spread open in front of him. This was his favorite place to write, which had been nice when we dated and now wasawkward. Maddie sat with him, purse in hand and light coat on. I recalled that we started at the same time today. She must have just arrived.They waved us over, and she gave her brother a chastising look. Serves you right.Doug took a long gulp of water. any(prenominal) happened to sisterly love?I still havent forgiven you for the time you shaved my dachshund.That was like twenty years ago. And that little bastard had it coming.I smiled out of habit. Doug and Maddies bantering was usually must-see TV for me. Today, Seth held my attention. It had been easier to ignore him last night while in the throes of alcohol, easy to pretend Id grudgingly accepted him moving on to Maddie. But now, in the cold light of sobriety, I felt that old ache stir within my chest. I swore I could smell the scent of his skin, his sweat mingled with the woodsy apple soap he used. Sunlight from the caf?s large windows infused his untidy brown hair with copper, and I could perfectly recall what it had been like to stroke the lines of his face, the smooth skin of his swiftness cheek and stubble on his chin.Looking up to his eyes, I was surprised to see his attention on me as the siblings continued their playful bickering. Id almost convinced myself last night that he only thought of me as a friend, but nownow I wasnt so sure. There was something warm there, something considering. Something I knew shouldnt be there. I suddenly had a sneaking suspicion that he might be retentivity the handful of times wed had sex. I was thinking of it too. My powers had been shut off when Jerome disappeared, and Seth and I had been able to have safe by which I meant, no succubus side effects sex.Except for one. Hed still been go out Maddie at the time, and cheating on her had tainted his soul with sin. That was worse than if Id sucked his energy away. As of this moment, Seth was a Hell-bound soul. He didnt realize that, but regret for betraying her was part of what had spurred him to a hasty engagement. He felt he owed her.The guilt forced me to look away from him, and I noticed then that Maddie and Doug had stopped their arguing. Maddie was glancing over at the coffee counter, but Dougs eyes were on me. They were bloodshot and weary, with heavy dark circles. But in the midst of that miserable, hungover lookthere was a glint of something puzzled and surprised.Work time, said Maddie cheerfully, standing up. She poked her brothers shoulder, making him rebound and turn his attention from me. I was glad. You going to survive your last couple hours?Yeah, he muttered, drinking more water.Go count inventory in the back, I told him, standing as well. I dont want customers thinking our staff cant hold their liquor. Theyd be over at the chain stores so fast, it wouldnt even be funny.Maddies lips quirked into a smile as her brother wearily rose to his feet. Hey, Georgina. Do you mind if Doug and I switch shifts on Tuesday? I need to go run some wedding errands during business hours.Doug cut her a look. When were you going to ask if I minded?Sure, I said, trying not to wince at the word wedding. You can work the night shift with me.You want to come along? she asked. You said you would.I did?Last night.I frowned. God only knew how many promises Id made and had now forgotten, thanks to vodka and weird magical forces. Vaguely, I recalled her display me wedding pictures. I think I have some errands of my own to run.One of the places is right around the corner from you, she urged.Maddie, said Seth hastily, clearly as uncomfortable with this change of topic as I was. If shes busy You cant be busy all day, Maddie begged. Please?I knew it was disastrous, knew it would be courting heart-ache and trouble. But Mad die was my friend, and the pleading look in her eyes did something to my insides. It was guilt, I realized. Guilt over how Seth and I had betrayed her. Her expression now was full of such faith and hope in me me, the best friend she had in Seattle and the only one she believed could help her plan this wedding.Which is why I found myself agreeing, just as I had last night. Only this time, I had no alcohol to blame. Okay.Guilt was probably the worst culprit of all when it came to stupid behavior.