Swot analysis for passaic court house Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Swot analysis for passaic court house - Essay Example It examines, in detail these aspects of my organization, and identifies how the organization can use this strength in advancing its objectives. Under the internal analysis, this paper also identifies the weaknesses of the Passaic Court House. It gives in detail, how the organization can use this information to reduce the threats that might emanate from its own weaknesses. This paper also gives an in-depth discussion on how the employees at the Passaic court house can use the resources at their disposal to achieve the goals and objectives of the business organization. The departments under review are the office of the prosecutor, the human resource department, Finance and Accounting, and the management office. This paper also analyzes the external environment of the Passaic Court House. The analysis includes the opportunities and the threats the organization faces. In analyzing the external environment in which the Passaic Court House operates, this paper takes into consideration the the demographic, and the economic environment. This paper analyzes how these factors create opportunities and threats to the affairs of the Passaic Court House. This paper provides recommendations that could help the organization to take advantage of the opportunities it has, and reduce the threats it faces. It outlines how these actions will work, and the process of implementing them at the Passaic Court House. The Passaic court house has the ability to attract highly skilled and competent staff. This is a major strength of the business organization, and it is made possible because of the human resource policies of the organization.

The Phenomenon of Harmful Algal Blooms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Phenomenon of Harmful Algal Blooms - Essay Example Among these species, some comes out as a harmful breed for other aquatic animals and human who comes in contact with them because they release toxins which disables certain aquatic lives to breathe or can be dangerous because of their accumulated biomass. These harmful algal blooms are formerly known as â€Å"red tides†, because many were found composed of dinoflagellates with red pigments, which cause discoloration of water in red, but can also discolor water into brown or green. Algal blooms refer to a large concentration of marine microorganism and they get harmful when they start excreting poisonous toxins and become as a contributing factor in hundreds of mortalities of aquatic mammals, fishes, birds and other marine and coastal species which happens at the exposure of a potent neurotoxins. Excretion of toxins can result in deaths of a large number of aquatic species. Harmful Algal Blooms also put a negative impact on natural beauty and have bad odors produced by the deca ying of biomass. Theory Researchers and investigation teams are still unable to know the root cause and it is still controversial. Some theories are underlined, for explaining some of the causes that might be the reason of such dangerous Algal Blooms, threatening millions of aqua marine lives. It is believed that toxin blooms are often in result of one or more species of Cyanobacteria which are blue and green algae and grow on nutrient pollution. These spread during warm season of the year and produces both green (chlorophyll) and blue (phycocyanin) which appears as blue and green discoloration of water. It was previously referred as Red Tides, but with the passage of time, things got clear that these harmful algal blooms are not associated with the movement of tides and can vary in color from red to brown, green and blue, therefore they are now known as HABS (Harmful Algal Blooms). They are dangerous because of their toxins or the manner in which the physical structure of the cell affect co occurring species and alter food web process. It can be extremely dangerous when the water is clear with low concentration of cell in the presence of toxic HABs. Micro or Macro-algae is termed for seaweeds as well which sometimes out grows and causes serious ecological problems like habitat alteration, indigenous species and lowers oxygen level in deep water. Moreover, some HABs are not algae but small animals, who do not grow with photosynthesis but get their nutrition by grazing. A continuous research is going on since decades to get to the root cause of harmful algal blooms. Things are getting clear with the study but root issues are still inapproachable. Contributing Factors A study was carried out to find out the factors that contribute in the massive growth of harmful Algal Blooms. In some coastal regions, they appeared to be completely natural with a seasonal coastal upwelling and with the movement of ocean currents but in some areas, it is noticed that human activi ties are helping them grow massively. They are getting nutrition through human loading. Coastal pollution is the biggest factor, helping HABs to develop at large scale through systematic increase in water temperature and human waste disposal. Iron rich dust influx from large deserts can highly promote the cause of HABs. It is still unclear that what initiates this dangerous algae but research is still going on to reach the root issue. They grow quickly with an abundance of nitrates and phosphates which gets to coastal areas through agricultural run outs or storm water runs, coinciding with warmth which ultimately provide the best atmosphere to grow. Once the bloom is initiated it travels or spread hundreds or thousands of kilometers through coastal currents by wind deviation. Threats It

Sexual orientation and the Environment Essay Example for Free

Sexual orientation and the Environment Essay Psychology in everyday life second edition is a great book with lots of great information. But I find myself disagreeing with you on chapter four Environment and Sexual Orientation. I think that environmental factors have a lot to do with sexual orientation. You asked four questions: is homosexuality linked with problems in a child’s relationship with parents, does homosexuality involve a fear or hatred of people of the other gender, is sexual origination linked with levels of sex hormones, and as children were many homosexuals victimized? I think that all of those things including your environment can be a deciding factor in your sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is an enduring sexual attraction towards members of either our own or other sex. I think your environment plays one of the biggest roles in your sexual ordination because your environment influences the thing that you do. As a child you’re very young and impressionable it’s just like monkey see, monkey do. Our parents affect our relationships because our parents are the first relationship we see and as a child everything we see our parents do we mimic. There for If we grow up around a same sex relationship and you are used to seeing that in your everyday situation that is what you are use to and you may feel like that’s the way you want to live your life. So from what you saw as a child made you choose to be in a same sex relationship. I also think that the kind of relationships that you have with your parents also affects our sexuality. The relationship with your parents is one of the most influence relationships that you have in your life so it can very much have a positive or a negative effect on you. For example you growing up having a bad relationship with your dad may leave the impression that all men are dogs. That may cause you to drift away from the opposite sex. A male could have a horrible relationship with his mother leaving a bad impression of woman causing him to have ell feelings towards women because he never experienced a good relationship with his mom. I think there are a lot of different factors in some one big attracted to the same sex. Also someone being victimize as a child can cause them to be homosexual I don’t think that is the cause for every on but I do think it played a factor in some peoples lifestyle choice. Would that be the cause for everyone no not at all but it would be for some. Like genetic influences for example, shared sexual orientation is higher among identical twins than among fraternal twins. There are also brain differences for example gay men’s hypothalamus reacts as do straight women’s to the smell of sex-related hormones. Also the mother’s immune system may play a role in the development of sexual orientation. Another interesting fact is that men who have older brothers are somewhat more likely to be gay about one third more likely for each additional older brother. Altered prenatal hormones exposure may lead to homosexuality in humans and other animals. Also right handed men with several older biological brothers are more likely to be gay, possibly due to a maternal immune system reaction. Homosexuality does appear to run in families homosexual men have more homosexual relatives on their mother’s side than on their father’s as you can see yes there are a lot of different things that can go into someone becoming gay. But my opinion that I think your environment plays the biggest role as it does for anyone else. Your environment shapes and moles you as a person. It might not be the deciding factor to what makes you gay, but I think it plays a big role. In the situation . So based on these findings I would have to disagree with you I very much do believe that your environment plays a huge role in your sexual orientation. I would like to think you for your time, and I think that chapter four has brought some very good insight and I have learned a lot. You made some very valet point’s thank you again for your insight.

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems Will Environmental Management Systems and associates Environmental Reporting initiatives aid the concept of Sustainable Development in application? The International Organization forStandardization (ISO) is a federation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)created to elaborate and improve international standards. The ISO initiallycreated general management standards (the ISO 9000 Series) for organizationsand industries that acknowledged the value of a systematic approach tomanagement. However, as economic growth and the environment have often been inconflict with one and other (and industries today face many political, socialand economic pressures to improve their environmental performance Gale, 1996)the ISO further developed the 14000 Series, which applied the same managementsystem as the 9000 Series to companies environmental issues (The LexingtonGroup, 2005: 5). The principles behind the ISO 14000 Series apply to any organization, public or private, whose activities, products or services interact directly or indirectly with the environment (The Lexington Group, 2005). The ISO 14000 Series quickly became the environmental policy standard for companies to follow, and since its establishment in 1996 thousands of organizations have adopted the Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). EMSs are used in the public and private arenas, at all scales, from national to local government, and from large multi-national corporations to small privately owned businesses. This essay will discuss if, and towhat extent, EMSs (and specifically the Environmental Reporting subsidiary)will aid the concept of sustainable development in application. This essay isstructured as follows: first, it discusses the most important of the ISO 14000standards, the EMS; second, it considers another ISO 14000 component,Environmental Reporting; third, it analyses and considers the variables andapplication of sustainable development; fourth, it turns to a few case studiesto illustrate how EMSs work in practice; and finally, it draws some conclusionsabout how effective these standards are in aiding the concept of sustainabledevelopment. Environmental Management Systems As discussed in the Introduction,the ISO 14000 Series was developed to apply the ISOs widely recognizedmanagement systems to a companys environmental issues (The Lexington Group,2005). The EMS, or ISO standard 14001, quickly became the internationallyrecognized framework for environmental management, measurement, evaluation andauditing (GreenBiz, 2005: 1). To list a few examples, the responsibilities ofthe EMS include: creating a detailed environmental policy for an organization,examining the environmental impact of its products, activities and services,establishing environmental objectives, assisting the organization in meetingits legal and regulatory requirements, providing training to employees, andoverseeing the companys auditing procedure. The EMS meets international standards, but is tailored to specific operations, allowing companies to control the environmental impact of their activities, products, and services (GreenBiz, 2005: 1). Though an organization could, ofcourse, establish these very guidelines and parameters themselves, companiesoften find that ISO 14001 adherencehelps to meet the ever-increasingenvironmental standards and concerns of the global marketplace (GreenBiz,2005:1). Other likely benefits for a company effectively implementing an EMSare numerous and include, among others: .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  a more effective and systematic approach to managing itsinteractions with the environment (The Lexington Group, 2005); .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  improving cost-effectiveness (by saving the money and staff timenecessary to manage environmental affairs independently The Lexington Group,2005, as well as by improving efficiency and in turn reducing the costs ofenergy, materials, fine and penalties Morrow and Rondinelli, 2002:162); .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  allowing companies to convey their environmental policies moreeffectively to neighbouring communities and other stakeholders (The LexingtonGroup, 2005); .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  and improving their image and attracting customers through theestablishment of a strong image of corporate responsibility (Morrow andRondinelli, 2002: 163). All of these benefits, of course,increase the likelihood that companies will help contribute to sustainabledevelopment. However, the cost and benefits of an EMS (and in turn, theprobability that the EMS will play a role in sustainable development) fluctuateconsiderably depending on a range of criteria. These might include: the type oforganization, its existing eco-efficiency,the organizations potential environmental impacts or risks, the extent towhich a company previously implemented aspects of environmental sustainability,and the premium placed on sustainability by the organizations stakeholders andcustomers (The Lexington Group, 2005). Whilst this section has outlined EMSs and their potential beneifts, the following section will discuss Environmental Reporting, its association and influence on EMS, and its contribution to the sustainable development of organizations. Environmental Reporting Corporate reporting is an essentialcomponent of business management. It is defined as the voluntary publicpresentation of information about an organizations non-financial performance -environmental, social and economic over a specified period, usually afinancial year (Department of Environment and Heritage, 2005: 1). These can bemade public in a variety of ways, including as a stand-alone document, on a companywebsite, or as a component of an Annual Report (Department of Environment andHeritage, 2005). An Environmental Report is a key component of the ISO 14000 Series, and an essential step to increasing transparency and, as a result, accountability in a companys environmental practices (Department of Environment and Heritage, 2005). The practice of Environmental Reporting is becoming more common because of pressure from stakeholders, as well as a general public demand for increased openness on environmental issues (Kolk, 1999). Further, some countries have now begun to impose legal obligations on firms to produce Environmental Reports (Kolk, 1999). A Corporate Environmental Report(CER) is, in essence, a means to imparting a companys environmental performance.Arguably, the most important function of the CER is to allow the organizationto evaluate its observance of the environmental policies, goals and objectivesset out in its EMS (United Nations Environment Programme, 2005). It is alsoused to: exhibit a companys EMS and corporate responsibility; demonstrate tokey stakeholders, as well as to customers, that it is complying with theirdemands; help a company track its own progress and identify internal strengthand weaknesses (United Nations Environment Programme, 2005); and evaluate itscurrent performance and set further future goals. The general societal demand for increased transparency on environmental issues, and in turn environmental reporting, is exemplified by the fact that the most complete reports are published by industries with poor or controversial public images, i.e., the chemical or timber industries (Davis-Walling and Batterman, 1997). In so long as there is objectivityand honesty, environmental reporting can be conducted either internally orexternally (Rice, 2005). Undeniably, for environmental reporting to beworthwhile, it must be credible, and there is increasing pressure from twospecific directions to verify environmental reports: first, there is asignificant move from environmental statements and intentions to quantified,comparable, verifiable, and even verified information (Kolk, 1999: 225); andsecond, the requirement of independent, third-party verification andcertification as an almost expected element of every worthwhile effort(Rice, 2005: 1). Though Environmental Reporting hasa big role to play in aiding the long-term sustainability of an organization,it is nonetheless a process plagued with problems. Research seems to indicatethat environmental reporting is typically deficient and not of a standard tosatisfy the information needs of various classes of report readers (Deegan andRankin, 1999). An independent study of the environmental reports of the Fortune50 firms found that none provided information that was sufficient forcomprehensive or comparative analyses of environmental performance(Davis-Walling and Batterman, 1997: 1432). Research suggests that one of thebiggest problems is that a company can begin its environmental reportingwhenever it wants, and that this often leads to disappointing results. Environmental Reporting, then,typically comes before the EMS, and could therefore only act as a statement ofobjectives, and not the researched and analysed report on the achievement ofenvironmental objectives under an EMS that its meant to be. To be practicaland effectual (and not simply a statement of environmental policies)environmental reporting should really be developed further along theimplementation of the ISO 14000 Series. Additionally, it should be a continuousprocess, and referred back to again and again in an attempt to consolidate theEMS and effectively analyse the companies progress. This chronology supports the ISOspecification that organizations seek continuous improvement: bycontinually reporting, as opposed to providing a one-off initial report,organizations can repeatedly evaluate and adapt their EMS. In essence, it isimportant to underline that the CER is a means to environmental improvement andgreater accountability, not an end in itself (United Nations EnvironmentProgramme, 2005: 1). Consideration of the variables and application of Sustainable Development The term Sustainable Developmentwas first used in 1987 in Our Common Future, also known as theBrundtland Report of the United Nations Commission on Environment andDevelopment (WCED). The definition offered by the Brundtland Report is stillthe most commonly used today, and describes Sustainable Development simply, andarguably vaguely, as development that meets the needs of the present withoutcompromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (WCED, 1987:43). Sustainability is often regarded as the buzz-word of development policy in the 21st Century. Indeed, as The Economist aptly stated: No one in their right mind is against sustainable development. Everyone thinks it would be terrific if there were less poverty, less pollution, less disease, less war, less corruption (2002). As an umbrella-term, its WCED definition has been instrumental in creating a consensus, but less helpful in creating and outlining a framework for its achievement. Currently, there are in the region of 70 different definitions for Sustainable Development, and each allows organizations to interpret the term in whatever way they see fit. For that reason, EMS and Environmental Reporting are especially important for giving public and private organisations alike, from a national to a local level, the standardised framework necessary not just for demonstrating their commitment to the practice of sustainability, but for making progress towards its actual achievement. As mentioned in the Introduction,economic growth and the environment are often regarded as being at odds, andthe ISO 14000 Standards are particularly important for helping organizationsand industry to reach their desired level of sustainability, and to incorporatethe environment into their general framework. Determining an EMS is anorganizations first, and most vital step in establishing what itsenvironmental aspects are, and how it is going to deal with them. That said,any organization can develop an EMS, and though it is an important startingpoint, it proves little about an organizations sustainability in and ofitself. Environmental Reporting is therefore essential not just to act as the companys own environmental audit, but to demonstrate to stakeholders and society that they are indeed conducting themselves in a sustainable manner. Moreover, achieving sustainability is a complicated and long-term (if not permanent) process; Environmental Reporting allows a company not only to evaluate its accomplishments, but also the opportunity to re-evaluate its target. The following section outlines some case studies of how organizations have used EMS and Environmental Reporting to minimize their environmental impact. Case Studies This section will present a fewcase studies to illustrate the value of EMSs and Environmental Reporting. Eachcase study has been selected to show range in the applicability of thestandards as well as to demonstrate their use in both the public and privatesectors. Solid Waste Management Division, Department of Public Works. Berkeley,California, USA. Description The Solid Waste Management Divisionis Berkeleys municipal waste collection and disposal facility. It collectsplant debris, refuse and recycling from approximately 40,000 residential andcommercial properties, as well as operating a transfer station, anoil-recycling depot, and a drop-off and buy-back recycling centre. The SolidWaste Management System decided to implement an EMS (involving about 25 percent of their 102 employees) for a variety of reasons, including: improving thefacilitys environmental performance, as well as employees participation inthis improvement; making the particular division consistent with the Citysoverall environmental principles; the EMS value as a marketing/publicrelations tool; the reduction of costs; and finally, an increased competitiveadvantage. Conclusions Through implementing an EMS, theSolid Waste Management Division was able to jointly determine whatenvironmental impacts the facility had, or might have in the future. These werethen ranked and goals set to lessen the environmental impact of the facility.These included: eliminating 98 per cent of dust particles, reducing theelectricity used by 250Kwh annually, improving the control of hazardousmaterials brought into the site by 75 per cent, adding three mailings per yearto enhance consumer participation in recycling collection, reducing waterconsumption by 25 per cent, and reducing number of pickups scheduled to reducefuel consumption and emissions. Some of the direct benefits andcontributions to Sustainable Development have been: a reduction in airpollution for the entire City of Berkeley; gaining respect and bettercooperation from the Department of Public Works, including budget changes; andconsultation by other City of Berkeley Departments and other Solid Wastepractices all over the United States. Additionally, conducting an EnvironmentalReport to determine the effects of the EMS allowed the facility not only to seethe improvements that it had already made, but to analyse them and set newtargets such as: revising the job descriptions, rerouting to reduce the numberof miles covered each day, and implementing a new dust suppression system. Beacon Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, United Kingdom. Description One aspect of the Beacon CouncilsEnvironmental Reporting System is a fully computerised monitoring andtargeting (MT) system for evaluating performance at all 600 of theirbuildings. Data from all utility providers (including electricity, gas, coal,oil, biomass, and water) are recorded in the specialist system. These are thenmonitored and benchmarked against national performance, and create the abilityto instigate corrective action to improve performance. Conclusions As reported by the Beacon Council,the MT system carries out the following functions: sets energy targets andmonitors performance; sets energy budgets and controls expenditure; validatesand verifies bills and recovers overcharges; and monitors and reduces CO2emissions. The continual reporting of the MT system has been vital in itsconstant monitoring and improving of the Beacon Councils environmentalsustainability. Gillepsie Decals, Inc. Wilsonville, Oregon, USA. Description Gillepsie Decals, Inc. is a40-employee screen-printing company in Oregon. To develop an EMS, the companytook the following steps: first, it developed its environmental policy; second,it identified the companys environmental aspects and then ranked them in orderof importance; and third, it set out environmental goals and developed programsto achieve them. Conclusions The company made a number ofimprovements and took significant steps towards achieving environmentalsustainability. Two noteworthy examples are: one, they reduced the amount ofwaste ink by developing standards for ink mixing, and a computer record ofcolours and mixes for repeat jobs; and two, they reduced their water usage by requestinginformation from other companies on their water recycling systems, bypurchasing bottled drinking water for employees (and thereby improving employeespirits); and by installing low-flush toilet models. Gillespies have stated their commitment to continuous environmental improvement, and have decided to develop other environmental aspects in the future. It is unclear whether Gillespies carried out Environmental Reporting, but it is apparent that this process would be useful for both confirming the environmental improvements already made, and determining what remains to be done to achieve the desired level of sustainability. Conclusion EMS and Environmental Reportingwill indeed aid in the concept of Sustainable Development in application. TheCase Studies in the previous section demonstrated some of the positive resultsof an organizations implementation of an EMS. All three examples illustratedhow an EMS, and Environmental Reporting, contribute to the improvedenvironmental performance of the institutions in question. The Gillespie CaseStudy was a very small-scale example of EMS that demonstrated how the systemcould work even for a small company. Furthermore, the first two case studies certainly are a demonstration of how the EMS and Environmental Reporting can contribute to more than just their institutions environmental performance. In the Berkeley example, it showed not just how an EMS can contribute to Sustainable Development for the single institution, but also how this affects the city as a whole, and can influence similar institutions nation- (or even world-) wide. The Beacon Council Case Study is a useful example of how EMS can make not just environmental sense, but financial sense as well. The first two examples also servedto illustrate what a vital component Environmental Reporting really is. Theyvalidated Rices line of reasoning that for an EMS to be effective, theEnvironmental Reporting not only has to occur, but occur continuously.Environmental Reporting needs to be pushed further down the time-line of theISO 14000 Series, and be something that occurs after the EMS has beenimplemented (so it acts not just as a statement of objectives but as an actualreport), and on a continual basis because sustainability it not a one-off andsimple achievement. The Gillespie example is therefore a useful illustration of how EMS can be effective, but without consistent re-evaluation and continuous reporting, the first set of changes are unlikely to be followed by another set. If this is the case, an organizations environmental performance will at best remain stagnant, but more likely decline, instead of continuously improving. This will certainly not aid the concept of Sustainable Development in application. EMS and Environmental Reporting arenot, however, the panacea for Sustainable Development. Critiques of thestandards that are proffered simply because they do not guarantee SustainableDevelopment are contrary, and risk throwing out the baby with the bathwater,or rejecting the essential with the inessential. EMS and EnvironmentalReporting are rather two single parts of a possible solution with an infinitenumber of components. They should be seen, and valued, as such. Works Cited Berkeley,City of (2005) Solid Waste Management Division, Department of Public WorksCase Study, available from Eco-efficiency is the primary way in which businesses can contribute to theconcept of sustainable developmentThe vision of eco-efficiency is simply toproduce more from less. Reducing waste and pollution, and using fewer energyand raw materials is obviously good for the environment. It is alsoself-evidently good for business because it cuts companies costs, excerptsfrom the Bulleting of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development(The Lexington Group, 2005: 6).

Life Goals in Charles Dickens Great Expectations :: Great Expectations Essays

Life Goals in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations "He came closer to my tombstone, took me by both arms, and tilted me back as far as he could hold me, so that his eyes looked powerfully into mine, and mine looked most helplessly up into his" (3). These lines describe the entrance of the character, Provis, into the life of a young man who goes by the name of Pip. Pip is the protagonist in Great Expectations, the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Written in 1861, Great Expectations tells the life story of Pip, a young man who is born into the working class of England and makes his rise in society as the years progress. During his childhood years, Pip is endowed to his sister, who "brings him up by hand" (5), meaning she uses brute force when in comes to punishment, and punishment is frequent even when not required. This is also the time in his life when Pip meets the convict, Provis, out on the marshes near the church. Provis plays a key role in Pip's rise in society, even though Pip doesn't know it. Throughout the novel, the convict is subconsciously if not consciously on Pip's mind. The reader may not notice this fact at first, but it becomes evident as the novel progresses. Around the end of the novel, Pip finally learns who is the cause for his sudden wealth, and he realizes that his reasons for being ashamed of his family are shallow, so he sets things right. Great Expectations is the goals that Pip has about his life. During his childhood, Pip becomes the playmate to Estella, the adopted daughter of the wealthy Miss Havisham. Immediately, he falls in love with her, but she feels that she is socially above him and therefore he is not worthy of her. Upon first meeting Pip, Estella, upon hearing that she is to play cards with him, immediately remarks, "With this boy! Why, he is a common labouring-boy!" (55). Estella scorns Pip from the first day she meets him. Pip wants to be better for Estella and becomes ashamed of his family, because they are common townspeople. Estella is the reason for Pip's first expectation of becoming part of the upperclass. This aim is fulfilled when Pip learns that he has "come into a handsome property" (129) and he is to "be brought up as gentleman- in a word, as a young fellow of great expectations" (129).

Describing Death

Giovanni Martinelli’s early career as a Florentine painter is relatively unknown. It is documented that he moved to Florence in 1634. Prior to relocating, Martinelli produced Memento Mori (Death Comes to the Dinner Table). This piece has a comparable style to the Florentine painters Filippo Tarchiani and Anastagio Fontebuoni. Memento Mori is displayed in a clear narrative style. Martinelli created a colorful and dramatic scene that was underscored by the hasty arrival of death. Some translations state that Memento Mori means â€Å"Remember, you shall die. Here, Martinelli portrays a group of five individuals of varying ages. They appear to be from a wealthy stock. They wear expensive clothing and are seen at a dinner table partaking in a party of sorts. They are gallivanting around a table that is filled with an abundant collection of exotic fruits, pies, and pastries. Along with the food, Martinelli painted various wine glasses that appear to be hand-crafted and of the highe st fashion. Giovanni used bright, shiny silken wear with colors ranging from yellow, to peach, to blue. The colors complement each figure, adding to their personality and desire for greed. These wealthy-looking people appear—almost instantaneously—to be in a rigid state of duress. On the far right side of the painting, we see, in dark shades, the resemblance of a skeleton holding up an hourglass, as if to say, â€Å"cheers. † This one-time jovial band of feasters is seen reacting to the new character intruding on their high-standing party. The faces offer gestures of utter shock and dismay. All the focus shifts from their colorful mealtime festivities to this arch nemesis, and back again. The skeletal metaphor of death leans into one man’s shoulder. This man closest to death is in the act of clutching his heart. His eyes dilate toward the figure of death and his mouth, just slightly ajar, appears to be ready to cave open in utter horror. He, however, is too dumbfounded by this apparent figure of death’s close proximity to do anything but freeze in horror. ANALYSIS OF MEMENTO MORI There are two men at the rear end of the table, furthest from death. They are also horrified. One man is seen posturing with arms wide-open, even though his is furthest from death. He is attempting to back away; yet, at the same time, he is powerless and unable to leave the empty gaze of death’s vision; for running will do no good to the mortal man, regardless if he led a life of sin-hood or martyrdom. Morals were almost epidemic in Martinelli’s fresco works. Memento Mori is another classic story-telling scene with moralistic intent. The era of this 17th century creation occurred at a time when plague was a hearty, healthy killer. The deathful onslaught of plague, in all its pestilence, came to towns without warning. It attacked the poor and wealthy alike, caring little for a person’s status in regards to wealth, politics, or religion. To create the moral fabric surrounding the powers of death through plague, Martinelli displayed deep imagery between the youthful party-goers who were enjoying their food and intoxicating drinks. He contrasts these free-willing, wealthy individuals with the ghastly—even chilling—reality of death. He does so by casting death’s chin over one man’s shoulder. This imagery adds power and personality to the fresco. Martinelli displays the image of death coming to this gathering alone and without emotion or guile. The lone figure of death is shown to uproot the lives of this group of healthy, stress-free people—startling the living daylights out of everyone, young and old. MODERN-DAY IRONY Today, some four-hundred years after Giovanni Martinelli finished his last brush stroke to canvas, we remain as close to the fear of death’s randomness as the 17th century plague-ridden societies were. For 300 years plague hung over the lives of Europeans like an omnipresent cloud,† said Mormando, who is an Italian studies professor at Boston College. This statement, today, holds tremendous weight to our real-world current lifestyle. Today, terrorism, war, suicide bombing, and the like are the molds that cast this same skeletal image at our kitchen table. Terrorism is a specter that comes at us in many forms: anthrax, subway bombs, and suicide hijacker leading to the massive death of September 11, 2001. Just as smallpox left past centuries in a state of despair and real fear, we, today, see how fear forces us to change our reality. This changing reality holds an ominous likeness to the changes that the banqueters in Momento Mori faced. Martinelli’s plague painting is characteristic 17th century Italian. The horrific tendency of the subject matter never destroyed the utter beauty—even charismatic charm—of the oils that he chose to mix in his representation of terror and deathly destruction. For in his era of epidemics and massive death, hardly a decade passed without plague haunting a town and bringing it to its knees. When this painting was created, there wasn’t anything small about death. It came in massive, near apocalyptic proportions, decimating generations in the blink of an eye. So, the timing of Martinelli’s piece was right in line with the mood of the generation. This connection further enlivened his work back then. Since we, in the dawn of the 21st century, can relate to massive death and fear through terrorism, war, and civil upheaval around the globe, it also adds empowering imagery to his age-old mastery. The imagery of Memento Mori is further encapsulated by the grave images on these wealthy party-goers’ faces. The hand-crafted beautiful likeness on the faces of those facing death offers deep-rooted thinking that says: As some of the Italians survived a plague-ridden epidemic, they continued to look-over-their-shoulders awaiting the next surprise visit by the specter of death. It’s rather haunting how this parallels with what terrorism instills upon societies around the planet today. Plague paintings like Martinelli’s, many times, depicted a person pinching their nose to refrain from smelling the horror of death in the air. Martinelli, however, appeared to glaze over his moral of death and the fear of death by not rendering any people in his paintings to be abhorred by the scent of death. This may further enhance the true lifestyle of the wealthy in the 17th century: they had more than they could fathom. So, was Martinelli a closet optimist? Or was his subliminal imagery set up to leave us with this question: How can the rich continue to ignore the fate of death, and why don’t they seem concerned with finding ways to better humanity instead of bettering their personal property and lavishness? In closing, we must also consider the element of hope and healing, and why it is not apparent in Memento Mori. We must consider the ‘miasma theory’ and its transmission by way of corrupt air. It’s the complete randomness of plague that Martinelli depicts so well that adds such force to this painting. As we continue to live in corrupt societies, it seems that the fear of death will continue to hang over our shoulders. Terrorism is likened to the countless plagues that washed over communities those many centuries ago. As death and terror come and go, the art of the masters remain untouched.

Native Americans relations with Europeans

According to the anonymous author , â€Å"Objectivity is neither possible nor desirable. It's not possible because all history is subjective; all history represents a point of view. â€Å", which In other words means that people see history In the way they want to see It based on what they think Is Important. It Is not possible to be objective because everything one says and thinks Is based on our perceptions, knowledge, thoughts and feelings . It Isn't desirable because If someone Is trying to get a point across, they have to be subjective. History, while trying to be objective is mostly subjective.The historian brings their feelings, prejudices, backgrounds, as well as their P. O. Vs. to historical situations. This effects how history is told and written about. The various authors that have wrote about Columbus arrival to the New World based it off of their own view of the world and of Columbus. In † A People's History of the United States â€Å", Howard Zion approaches hi s view on history in a more opinion based way. Howard Zion beings by retelling the encounter between the natives and Columbus. Zion's view of this Is different from the traditional encounter most historians talk about.Howard Zion points out that the Europeans came to the Americas in search of slaves and gold and brutally killed almost all the Indians, who according to many other people were a peaceful people. This shows that Zion Is subjective and doesn't view Columbus as an â€Å"enlightened † explorer but rather a brutal one that would do anything such as torture others to get what he wants. Then Zion gives his opinion on how history is usually told from the Elite groups point of view. Zion points out that Columbus thought the Natives were weak and wouldn't be able to defend themselves.Howard Zion does give facts about the encounter such as using Columbus own Journal as evidence but he does become biased in certain parts of the first chapter. In other words , Zion wanted to tell the Natives pop because he wants the reader to know about that part of history. Zion wanted to expose Columbus as a cruel man. The idea of exploitation of resources, of people, of cultural differences was an Important factor In the conquest of the New World. Zion's way of thinking and his thought one how the elite shouldn't be the only one that students should read about were reasons why Zion Is not objective at all.He does become biased and bases his reasons on thoughts about letting the reader hear the Natives side of the story. In A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America†, Ronald Attack is subjective as well because he takes the Natives side by pointing a lot of negative defects of the Europeans. At first , Ronald Attack talks about how the Natives viewed the Europeans. Attack states that the Natives saw the Europeans as â€Å"ugly † and â€Å"strange† . Ronald gives the reader an insight on how the Natives felt towards these explorers. A l ot of other historians don't teach about the thoughts of the oppressed people.Then Attack talks about how the the English Justified colonization, enslavement and murder. The English didn't view their taking of the land as robbery. Attack points out that Columbus saw these people As loving their neighbors as themselves, and having the sweetest talk In the world, and gentle, and always with a smile. Then the author writes about how the Europeans would destroy the Natives villages. The Europeans reclaimed the natives as savages and non-human. As an opportunity to take over the land. The Natives would be categorized as â€Å"the other† while the Europeans were entitled to the land.Attack describes the Europeans as greedy and in control. Attack focuses on the severe treatment of the Indians and how this affected them in a negative way. This can be seen as being biased because Attack views the Natives as the victims and the Europeans as the villains . In the â€Å"American Pageant , chapter 1: New World Beginnings†, David M. Kennedy, Thomas A. Bailey, and Elizabeth Cohen present history in a more objective way. It is objective but the author still presents history in the way they want the reader to see it. They tell the reader only what they want them to know.These authors start off by talking about the shaping of North America and the theory of Pangaea is explained. Then they inform the reader about early Americans such as the Pueblo Indians , Mound Builders and and Eastern Indians. Later on in chapter one , the authors start to talk about Columbus arrival to the New World. Throughout this section of the text , there was no opinions made. The authors state that Columbus was trying to reach the East Indies and how he misjudged the size of Earth. They are informing the reader rather than trying to convince them about a certain topic.The authors don't give their opinions on Columbus nor talk about his treatment towards the Natives. The quote does not go w ith this text because this text is showing that objectivity can be possible. The authors are being objective because they are basing their Judgment on the facts and what has been presented without putting any personal beliefs or bias comments. In â€Å"A Patriot's History of the United States: From Columbus' Great Discovery to the War on Terror, Chapter 1: The City On A Hill , 1492-1707†, Larry Shareware and Michael Allen's way of telling the reader history can be seen as more objective.Shareware and Allen wants to give the reader a fair story of the nation to the reader but does the opposite. Both authors become subjective because their history telling is based on patriotism. They want the reader to see the proud history of America. Allen and Shareware want to show their appreciation and respect for the United States. They leave out the negatives that occurred in history . This book (chapter 1) shows that history is a product of it's authors. Since both of these authors are proud Americans , they want to show the positives of the nation throughout history.In the first chapter , the authors point out that Columbus and other explorers such as Cortes were innocent and didn't deliberately give the Native Americans diseases. The authors tell the history that all history books have in it but is also trying to go against â€Å"A People's History of the United States. † The authors point out that because Americans had a Christian Culture , they took life, liberty and property as serious manners. They also point out that hard work was a building block of the success of America. From chapter one , Allen and Shareware show a conservative perspective because they want the reader to see that the U.S is a special nation because when the New World was found, settlers adopted several systems such as religious integrity, private property rights and also competition amongst groups like political parties. These authors want to show the reader that history can be s ubjective while containing facts. In â€Å"The Devastation of the Indies: A Short Account†, Bartholomew De Lass Cases does show a subjective way of telling history because he takes a side. Bartholomew tells the reader that the Europeans were cruel Soldiers would use this hospitality as an advantage to take over cities and villages.This would allow them to get to the gold and slaves they wanted. Bartholomew goes on saying that the Europeans would massacre millions of natives , raping innocent woman and killing innocent children. The Spaniards would use slaves to build buildings and to attack other villages since sometimes the Spaniards didn't want to use their own men. Bartholomew points out that the Spaniards committed genocide. There are two sides to every story and Barcarole goes with the side of the indigenous people. Bartholomew focused on the horrific actions taken by the Spaniards. Ironically , Barcarole was a Spaniard priest but still went against his people .He believ ed that the conduct of the Spaniard Christians were not one of someone that followed the Christian faith. This ties in with the quote because Bartholomew is being subjective and is making it clear that objectivity can't be possible in his brief account . Bartholomew wanted to portray the Spaniards in the worst light and also tell people the unfairness treatment that the Natives had to go through. Therefore , various authors that have wrote about Columbus arrival to the New World and the history of Early America have based it on their point of view and thoughts.An authors ultra and worldview can affect the way they write about history by making it bias. Some authors might take a side and argue for that side. Authors will make their point using facts to back up their opinions. This leads to the conclusion that objectivity is rare in writings about history although it isn't impossible . While the authors of â€Å"The American Pageant † present history using facts and don't take sides , other authors want to pursue the reader and make the reader believe what they believe. This shows that history is subjective because an author will base tell history in the way they want to.