The Problem Of Organ Transplants - 1528 Words

The need for organs is a growing dilemma amongst America and countries all over the world. Thousands of people sit on waiting lists in hopes to receive a new organ never knowing if they will actually receive one before their delicate organ gives up. Although many people are willing to be donors upon the time of their own death, the shortage of organs hangs over the patients and families who deal with the reality of an organ shortage every day. One solution that has been proposed is allowing people to be able to sell their own organs in order to meet the need that is out there now. Constructing a program that allows the sale of an organ would lead to a decrease in the black market for organs, an increase in organ availability, and create a greater awareness of the need for more organ donors. Creating a program to control the sale of organs would lead to a decrease in the need for a black market. Due to a growing need of organ transplants, especially kidneys, unfortunate scenarios have come about as a result of the shortage. Out of desperation, many people in other countries have gone searching for organs overseas and even behind the scenes searching for the â€Å"underground market† of organ sales. In some countries like Bangladesh, brokers cut corners to coerce subjects into donating their organs when the willing donor might not even know what their organ does (Resnick, 2012). By allowing the sale of organs for those who freely want to participate in saving lives, this corruptShow MoreRelatedEssay On Organ Donation814 Words   |  4 Pagesunpreventable, yet the process of organ donation and transplantation prolongs life. Problems with the supply and demand of viable organs lead to controversial topics and debates regarding solutions to suppress the gap between donors and recipients. One prevalent debate concerning these problems follows the question of whether to allow non-donors to receive organ transplants if needed even though they aren’t regi stered to donate their own organs. Although denying non-registered organ donors the possibility toRead MoreOrgan Donation : Organ Organs1054 Words   |  5 PagesOrgan Donation Organ donation occurs when a failing or damaged organ, is replaced with a new organ, through a surgical operation. The two sources of organs for donation come from a deceased person and a living person. The organs that are received from a deceased person are called cadaveric organs. A person can indicate on his or her driver’s license if they want to be an organ donor after they die. There are some states that allow for family consent for organ removal, regardless if the deceasedRead Morecommercialization of organ transplants Essay948 Words   |  4 Pages COMMERCIALIZATION OF ORGAN TRANSPLANTS Student: Patrick Frost Instructor: Professor Edwin Martinez del Rio Business Ethics 309 October 21, 2013 Strayer University COMMERCIALIZATION OF ORGAN TRANSPLANTS Arguments in favor of organ commercialization Commercialization of human organs from consenting adults will lead to an increase in the supply of organs needed for transplants (Kanniyakonil, 2005). The major challenge in hospitals is the lack of organs needed for transplantation toRead MorePersuasive Speech : Gift Of Life899 Words   |  4 Pagescan be counted as they receive the news that a transplant is their only hope for survival. B. Relevance Statement: Everyone should care about this growing problem because currently there are more than 123,000 men, woman and children needing lifesaving organ transplants and according to Donate Life America, â€Å"every ten minutes another name is added to the natural organ transplant waiting list and sadly an average of 21 people die each day because the organs they need are not donated on time† (Statistics)Read MoreThe And Its Effect On Human Life921 Words   |  4 PagesWith recent advances organ transplants have advances dew hope for the treatment of kidney, Liver diseases. However, this promise has been accompanied by several issues. The most common issue has raised its ethical implications in the culture like Muslim world, because in 1983, the Muslim Religious Council disallowed organ donations by supporters of Islam, but it has overturned its position, as long the donor s consent in writing before death.. Transplanted Islam powerfully believes in the principleRead MoreSave a Life842 Words   |  4 PagesLife TOPIC: Organ Donating ORGANIZATION: Problem/ Solution SPECIFIC PURPOSE: I would like my audience to believe that acquiring information about organ donating will save lives and encourage people to donate. INTRODUCTION: I. Attention Getter: You have the ability to save lives by simply dying. What am I talking about? I am talking about organ donors. According to the official U.S. Government web site for organ and tissue donation, about 74 people receive organ transplants each day, butRead MoreA Regulated Organ Market1559 Words   |  7 PagesTrujillo is a 29-year-old man who was born with renal dysplasia, which caused his kidneys to be too small to work correctly. He has needed four kidney transplants in his life, receiving the first when he was four years old. One kidney came from his father, his aunt, his uncle, and his brother. All four transplants have been successful, and without the transplants Trujillo would have to receive dialysis three times a week for four hours a day (Knoll, 2012). Trujillo’s family has been remarkably generous inRead MoreEthical Aspects Of Organ Allocation1169 Words   |  5 Pagespractice of organ transplantation has grown by leaps and bounds over the last 50 y ears. Each year the medical profession takes more risk with decisions regarding transplants, how to allocate for organs, and most recently conducting transplants on children with adult organs. â€Å"An organ transplantation is a surgical operation where a failing or damaged organ in the human body is removed and replaced with a new one† (Caplan, 2009). Not all organs can be transplanted. The term â€Å"organ transplant† typicallyRead MoreThe Global Problem of Harveting Organs1734 Words   |  7 PagesThe harvesting of organs is a huge problem worldwide. The sale of organs may result in an individual being murdered simply for his or her organs (Hongda.) In order to buy food impoverished families only choice may be to sell their organs (Callahan.) Those who are precipitants of organs coming from Inmates are taking huge health risk. Jeff Testerman, author of â€Å"Organs of Condemned sought for Transplant†, stated â€Å"The prison population is such a high-r isk group, particularly for hepatitis and AIDSRead MoreThe National Organ Transplant Act Of 1984884 Words   |  4 Pagessome dies after waiting years on a transplant list. The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 says that in the United States, the sale of organs is illegal. Some believe this act may be preventing thousands of people from getting the organs that will save their lives. The truth is every day someone dies and their organs could be used to help others and everyday a life of one and the livelihood of another could be saved. The reasons for allowing the sale of organs is very simple to understand. It can

Differences Between Chinese And Chinese American - 1085 Words

- What are the differences between Chinese American, and Chinese-American? The two terms seem similar to each other since it contains two nationalities, Chinese and American; however, there are different meanings between the four words. Chinese American is an American citizen, who prefers being an American to a Chinese man while having a Chinese ascendancy. From his words, the hyphenated form of Chinese-American is not just about the type of American, but also about race and nationality. The term is used to mark the importance of ethnicity: no matter you are from China, or you live in China, you are always considered as the Chinese. In light of the identity categorizations, I am not considered myself either Vietnamese American or Vietnamese-American; I am just Vietnamese. My smile spreads from ears to ears, my skin is in yellow tone, and my pose is similar to the native Vietnamese. I identify myself as the Vietnamese not just because of my exterior but also of my Vietnamese backgroun d. I understand the meaning of bearing Vietnamese blood, eating Vietnamese food every day, and behaving as a Vietnamese. Truthfully, I understand, adapt, appreciate, and admire the American living standards; but the lifestyle just becomes marginalized to me. Or even sometimes, I unconsciously feel ashamed of being different from my American friends. I fear being a Vietnamese with a â€Å"nerdy† tag. I try to Americanize myself by changing my diet, texting to my friends, or dressing up like my friends;Show MoreRelatedCultural Differences Between Chinese and American Born Chinese1172 Words   |  5 PagesWhen people walk around the land of American, it is easy find a group people who look like Asian, however, they can not speak another language expect English and also they do not understand another culture. With the developing of globalization, lots of people move from the motherland to other countries to seek their new life. With this increasing trend, there is a new populati on, they have different characteristics with the original countrys. According to â€Å"pair of tickets†, the author Amy Tan usesRead MoreDifferences Between American And Chinese Cultures932 Words   |  4 Pagesexploring the differences in overall cultural value structures among different cultures has gradually grew business’s attention across the world. No matter small companies or global conglomerates, how to get involve and maintain their competitive advantages and long-term sustainable success in global business trade has been a heated topic to discuss. To fully understand the ethic differences and cultural influences, the following four aspects will help us to uncover the similarities and differences betweenRead MoreDifferences Between American And Chinese Adolescents1793 Words   |  8 Pages DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERICAN AND CHINESE ADOLESCENTS Whether you are in America or China, adolescents face much of the same challenges while making the transition from adolescents to adulthood. Although they are worlds apart each countries adolescent have the same obstacles to overcome. These obstacles help mold them into the adults they will become. EDUCATION American students attend primary and secondary school for a combined total of 12 years. Around the age of six, U.S. children begin primaryRead Moreï » ¿Differences between Chinese and American food culture956 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Differences between Chinese and American food culture The histories, boundaries, population, religions, politics, folks, economy of America and China are not the same, so the food culture of the two countries are not the same. Chinese culture starts from 1,700,000 years ago. When someone says something about Chinese food culture, they must praise the color, taste, smell, shape of the Chinese dish and the types of the dish. Most of people in China are used to have rice and wheat as theirRead MoreDifferences between American and Chinese Business Values984 Words   |  4 Pagessimilarities between American and Chinese which is in business ethic values, assimilation of current cultures, punctuality, and consensus: 1. Business ethic values Ethical behavioural is which how a people act in a same way to define right and wrong with an indifferent situation. Even though American and Chinese obtain totally different cultures but there is a very similar in conducting ethic codes in business practices. Based on research, more than 94% of the American and Chinese against towardRead MoreChildcare Differences Between American And Chinese Culture Essay1670 Words   |  7 PagesChildcare in China differs in many ways compared to American childcare. Generally speaking, this occurs from generations of cultural differences. What are the differences? The main focuses are on values, punishment, actions, and education. We can also compare childhood, adolescence, and maturity. These certain values help mold a culture and shows how a parent chooses to bring their children up in society. Childcare differences show us habits, morals, and the intentions of a child in these culturesRead MoreThe Differences Between Chinese Family and American Family2593 Words   |  11 PagesThe differences between Chinese family and American family Abstractï ¼Å¡Family is the basic miniature of the social economic activity, and it is the basic unit that constitutes the society. The values of the society rely on people’s family values in a large degree. However, due to the difference of geographical and historical background, religion and belief, different nations have their own family values.A clear and direct contrast between Chinese and American family values can bridge over their communicationRead MoreAttitude Differences Of Seeking For Professional Psychological Help Between Chinese And American College Students Essay931 Words   |  4 Pages Attitude Differences of Seeking for Professional Psychological Help Between Chinese and American College Students Tianjiao Ma Pennsylvania State University In China, there has been a stereotype towards attitudes of seeking psychological help between Americans and Chinese. Chinese people consider themselves tend to avoid psychological help. Whereas, they think Americans are highly open to seek mental health support. However, America’s mental health care may be not as perfect as ChineseRead MoreChina And The United States1167 Words   |  5 PagesThe aspects of culture difference I will be focusing on will include the following: language, religion, music, cooking, social norms and customs. The paper will end with a conclusion of my findings. The Chinese and English language have many significant differences. China does not have a single language, they have many different versions or dialects that include Wu, Taiwanese and Cantonese. Mandarin, also known as Northern Chinese is the mother tongue of about 70% of Chinese speakers and is the acceptedRead MoreComparison Between Chinese and American Food Culture Essay1470 Words   |  6 Pages Comparison of Chinese and Western Food Culture Food is closely related to peoples lives and it is considered the most important element in Chinese culture. Chinese food is famous all over the world too. American Chinese cuisine differs significantly from the traditional Chinese cuisine and even though the variation in taste can be so it is still attractive to many people. When it comes to food, Chinese people always care about the color, taste, smell and shape of Chinese dishes. In 1784, a

Taxonomy Of Information Security Assessment â€Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Taxonomy Of Information Security Assessment? Answer: Introduction The primary motive of every business organization is to grow, expand and earn more profits. The same is possible only when the customer base that is associated with the business is increased. In the case study, XYZ organization has been covered which is a Melbourne based company that works in the area of software. It is a small firm that began its business fifty months back. The company makes sure that the information and network based security attacks are checked and controlled and therefore, develops the solutions for the same. The mode of operations for the company is either the in-house development of the packages and applications or the customization of the same. The company currently operates with the clients from Australia and most of these clients are small to medium scale business owners and organizations. The management of XYZ organization has now decided to expand and it would be essential to collaborate with new and more clients. The area of focus for the expansion would be the development and implementation of the online security packages and services. The company has decided to target the organizations from three categories and sectors as gambling, hospitality industry and pharmaceutical. There are some of the quick changes and advancements that are taking place in the area of technology and security. The organizations in the current times and making use of a lot of information which is also transmitted, managed, processed and stored. Due to the involvement of numerous entities, the likelihood of security risks and attacks has gone up. There are newer and more severe security attacks that are taking place with increased frequency. There is a lot of work that is being done for the control of the same as well (Mohammed Salim, 2016). The aim of this report is to cover the information/network security aspect for the organization by discussing the latest developments in this field and also highlighting some of the applications that are developed in this domain. Definition of Information and Network Security Data and information are composed of a lot many different elements. There are contents as well as properties that make up a particular information set and some of the viable properties include the confidentiality, privacy, availability and integrity of the information. Information Security is an amalgamation of various procedures and controls to safeguard the information which includes it content as well as the properties. The risks and probable attacks to the security may take place through different mediums and agents. One of such mediums is the network and the measures that are taken to control the network based security risks, threats and attacks come under the domain of network security. A secure network makes sure that a majority of the threats to the information and data sets are avoided (Gnanasankaran, Natarajan, Alagarsamy Iyakutti, 2013). Information and Network Security Risks A Few Examples Information that is either stored or is transmitted from one source to the destination may be breached by the attacker. The contents or the properties may get lost in between or there may also be occurrences of leakage (Nazareth Choi, 2015). Attacks on the information availability which may include the various forms of the flooding attacks. Malware attacks by introducing a particular malware on the information set. It may damage any of the information properties as per the nature of the malware. Man in the middle attack which is one of the types of the network based security attack in which the attacker sits on the network and captures the activities of the same (Lippmann Riordan, 2016). Spoofing and phishing attacks that make use of the impersonation techniques to give shape to the attack (Bajwa, 2014). Alteration of the message and media contents that may lead to the violation of the information integrity (Shameli-Sendi, 2017). Latest Developments and Advancements There are some of the quick changes and advancements that are taking place in the area of technology and security. The organizations in the current times and making use of a lot of information which is also transmitted, managed, processed and stored. Due to the involvement of numerous entities, the likelihood of security risks and attacks has gone up. There are newer and more severe security attacks that are taking place with increased frequency. There is a lot of work that is being done for the control of the same as well (Haider, Samdani, Ali Kamran, 2016). Some of the technologies that have been recently launched and have expanded at a rapid rate include Big Data and Business Intelligence tools. These technologies and tools are being applied in the area of information and network security for the development of enhanced applications. There is also a lot of work that is being done in the area of network based intrusion detection systems and cryptographic algorithms (Roozbahani Azad, 2015). Information/Network Security Applications Comodo Advanced Endpoint Technology in the current times has so many different components that the focus of the maintenance of security of each of these components is usually not fulfilled by the users. It is due to this reason that the demand for integrated security applications has enhanced in the market. The use, deployment and maintenance of the application for the security of every single component are no longer possible. Comodo Advanced Equipment is one such integrated security solution that allows and offers the overall security and may be used by the organization for its successful expansion (Strom, 2016). The most powerful feature of the application is its platform that is extremely secure and makes sure that only the secure and non-objectionable files are provided with the access and the other ones are blocked for further checks. There may also be certain files and components that may be suspicious in nature and are handled separately. The application ensures overall system and information security and comes with a store protection from the various types of malware. The features such as use of SSL certificates, internet security and firewall are also integrated. In the current times, it is not sufficient to mainly identify the threats and develop the prevention for the same. It is equally important to make use of the technology to work on the root cause of these threats. This tool makes use of Big Data and numerous Business Intelligence technologies to analyze the behavior of the threats. Also, the intruder activity is analyzed using advanced analytics so that the future occurrences may be avoided and the threat is removed right from its root. Therefore, this tool will be of much aid to the organization. The sets of benefits and the features that are offered with this application are high and some of the items are listed below. The most important feature of the application is the enhanced level of integration that is offered with it to improve the overall security. Patches can be easily handled with this tool (Comodo, 2016). The issues associated with compatibility of the tool are not witnessed. The application offers the ability to be monitored remotely and the level of control with the admin is also high. There is an amalgamation of the latest technologies and tools in the application. It is low on cost and comes with an easy affordability. There are also a few drawbacks that may be witnessed with this applications and it would be essential to have an idea of the same before acquiring the application. The deployment model that is used by the tool may not go well with all the users and their systems. Lack of strong and useful documentation (Stephenson, 2017). VeraCrypt The technocrats and researchers have developed many different measures and mechanisms to improve upon the security of the information and the networks. One of the most significant and useful attempt towards the same is the use of encryption. Encryption is a mechanism in which the information and files are converted to their cipher of encrypted form. These contents can only be viewed with the aid of a security key which may be public, shared or private in nature. There are tools that have been developed for this purpose and one of the widely used tools is VeraCrypt. IDRIX is the creator of this open source tool that offers the ability to enable disk encryption in the system. The various forms of security risks and threats are prevented as a result (Fearn, 2017). The application offers enhanced security and comes with the following benefits. Cold boot attacks and many of the network based security attacks can be prevented (PCMag, 2017). All the forms of attacks associated with backdoor access can be prevented. The tool provides the enhanced form of security to the smart cards. Information breaches can be prevented. The security attacks associated with the information loss and its leakage can also be prevented. There are also a few drawbacks that may be witnessed with this applications and it would be essential to have an idea of the same before acquiring the application. It is mandatory to receive training on the functional aspects of the application. There may be certain cases of operational mistakes and errors (Veracrypt, 2017). Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Malware attacks have a high frequency, high likelihood and a high impact of the security attack on the information, system, database and the network. There are different types of malware that can be created and launched which may have a corresponding impact. These malware are designed for specific reasons and therefore, the significance of the impact resulting out from these attacks can be high. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is an application that has been developed to put a control on the malware attacks and to also detect their presence (Pcmag, 2016). The application has a wide set of features that is offers and there are also many advantages that come along with the application. Phishing protection can be enabled with this application and it does not require the use or installation of any of the browser plug-ins for the same. The user experience with the application is good as the application makes good use of user interaction and the information regarding the security attacks and probability of the same is marked correctly. There are various forms and types of security scans that can be performed on the information sets, systems and networks. Most of the users make use of the Wi-Fi connections for connecting their specific device to the network. The application comes with a Wi-Fi scanner that can be used for the scanning of the network and detects the presence of any of the unsecure component. Protection to the ransomware attacks is also offered by this application. There are various financial transactions that the user may perform with the aid of the system or the application. Safepay is the feature that comes with the application so that such transactions are secured. There are also a few drawbacks that may be witnessed with this applications and it would be essential to have an idea of the same before acquiring the application. Password Manager that has been included in the application has security defects in it. Some of the utilities may be required to be purchased as an add-on. Renewal of the subscription plan also involves cost. Expansion Plan The expansion of an organization is composed of many different activities and phases. The above three applications that have been described may assist XYZ company to expand and easily execute the tasks of in-house application development and customization processes. The following focus points must be considered and remembered during the expansion activity. The management must prepare a list of the existing security solutions they provide and research upon the solutions that they need to incorporate. A mapping between the two shall be created. Areas such as cryptography, network based security, Business Intelligence techniques and Big Data tools shall be researched. The new set of technologies and the applications that are offered shall be adequately marketed by describing the latest offerings to the clients. A separate department shall also be set up for the areas of security along with monitoring and control of the project. The senior management shall also intervene frequently to understand the progress. Conclusion Information security and network security are the two topics that are being extensively studied and analyzed by the researchers and technocrats. It is due to this reason that there is a lot of development that is being witnessed in these areas (Allen, 2012). Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is an application that has been developed to put a control on the malware attacks and to also detect their presence. There are different types of malware that can be created and launched which may have a corresponding impact. These malware are designed for specific reasons and therefore, the significance of the impact resulting out from these attacks can be high. Comodo Advanced Equipment is an integrated security solution that allows and offers the overall security and may be used by the organization for its successful expansion. The most powerful feature of the application is its platform that is extremely secure and makes sure that only the secure and non-objectionable files are provided with the access and the other ones are blocked for further checks. Encryption is a mechanism in which the information and files are converted to their cipher of encrypted form. These contents can only be viewed with the aid of a security key which may be public, shared o r private in nature. There are tools that have been developed for this purpose and one of the widely used tools is VeraCrypt. IDRIX is the creator of this open source tool that offers the ability to enable disk encryption in the system. These three applications and many others will allow XYZ organization to easily expand and fulfill its objectives. These will make sure that adequate strategies are followed and implemented so that the in-house development may take place. These will also assist in the customization of the off-the-shelf applications so that the overall expansion process is made smoother and easier. Set of Findings and Recommendations There are various developments that are happening in the area of technology and the organization must research correctly to have a clear picture on the tools and technologies that it may use and implement. There are technologies such as Big Data and Business Intelligence that are on a rise and are being applied in all of the business sectors. The use and integration processes of these technologies shall be researched and analyzed correctly (Hagen, 2013). The management must also set up a team to research on the advanced encryption algorithms and processes that may be used and applied (Brecht, 2012). The selection between the two methods viz. in-house development and the customization activities shall be selected on the basis of the customer requirements. The various factors and elements must be analyzed before selecting the method that shall be used and applied. There will also be many changes that will come up during the process of expansion. The management of these changes shall be done with a proper plan and there shall also be a marketing strategy that shall be developed so that the customers get to know about their latest offers and services. The several modes and mediums of marketing shall also be clearly listed out. References Allen, J. (2012). Deriving Software Security Measures from Information Security Standards of Practice. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/assets/whitepapers/derivingsecuritymeasures.pdf Bajwa, M. (2014). Wireless Network Security Threats and MitigationA Survey. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://file.scirp.org/pdf/_2014091813425297.pdf Brecht, M. (2012). A Closer Look at Information Security Costs Working Paper. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.econinfosec.org/archive/weis2012/papers/Brecht_WEIS2012.pdf Comodo. (2016). Comodo Launches Advanced Endpoint Protection Solution. comodo.com. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.comodo.com/news/press_releases/2016/02/comodo-launches-advanced-endpoint-protection.html Fearn, N. (2017). Top 5 best encryption tools of 2017. TechRadar. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.techradar.com/news/top-5-best-encryption-tools Gnanasankaran, N., Natarajan, S., Alagarsamy, K., Iyakutti, K. (2013). A Case Study of the Application of COTS Components in a Molecular Dynamics Software. Retrieved 14 September 2017, from https://www.lnse.org/papers/31-E060.pdf Hagen, J. (2013). Effectiveness of Organisational Information security measures. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.frisc.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/finse2013-hagen.pdf Haider, S., Samdani, G., Ali, M., Kamran, M. (2016). A comparvative analysis of In-house and outsorced development in software Industry. Retrieved 14 September 2017, from https://www.ijcaonline.org/archives/volume141/number3/haider-2016-ijca-909578.pdf Lippmann, R., Riordan, J. (2016). Threat-Based Risk Assessment for Enterprise Networks. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://ll.mit.edu/publications/journal/pdf/vol22_no1/22_1_3_Lippmann.pdf Mohammed Salim, R. (2016). Importance of network security for business organization. Retrieved 14 September 2017, from https://file://melstud/12047542$/Downloads/9120836%20(3).pdf Nazareth, D., Choi, J. (2015). A system dynamics model for information security management. Retrieved 14 September 2017, from https://ac.els-cdn.com/S0378720614001335/1-s2.0-S0378720614001335main.pdf?_tid=c703030a-8eb5-11e7-b607-00000aacb362acdnat=1504229883_21b0981211b42a588a985a023ef05aa3 Pcmag. (2016). Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. PCMag India. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://in.pcmag.com/bitdefender-antivirus-plus-2015/52300/review/bitdefender-antivirus-plus PCMag. (2017). VeraCrypt. PCMag Business Software Index. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.pcmag.com/business/directory/encryption/1671-veracrypt Roozbahani, F., Azad, R. (2015). Security Solutions against Computer Networks Threats. Retrieved 14 September 2017, from https://www.ijana.in/papers/V7I-1.pdf Shameli-Sendi, A. (2017). Taxonomy of Information Security Risk Assessment (ISRA). Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.synchromedia.ca/system/files/SurveyRisk.pdf Stephenson, P. (2017). Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection product review | SC Media UK. Scmagazineuk.com. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.scmagazineuk.com/comodo-advanced-endpoint-protection/review/9393/ Strom, D. (2016). 10 cutting-edge tools that take endpoint security to a new level. Network World. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://www.networkworld.com/article/3089361/endpoint-protection/10-cutting-edge-tools-that-take-endpoint-security-to-a-new-level.html Veracrypt. (2017). VeraCrypt. CodePlex. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from https://veracrypt.codeplex.com/

Tourism and material forms of culture

Introduction The tourism industry has experienced massive growth over the years. It is one of the world’s principal businesses and has been sustained by the increase in international trade. Its contribution to the global GDP in 2011 was 9% with 255 million people working in the tourism industry (World Tourism and Travel Council 1).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Tourism and material forms of culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many people travel far and wide to see, discover and enjoy the culture and heritage of other people. In turn, it has led to civilization and peaceful coexistence among the world’s inhabitants. Tourism has both positive and negative impacts in a community or region. Tourism helps in preserving traditions, financing the guarding of the customs and heritage, improving dialogue and mutual understanding and alleviating poverty. Its negative impacts include damaging o f the heritage through depletion of resources if not well run and administered and social degradation. Tourism has to be well managed to ensure sustainability in the long term. Preservation and enrichment of cultural tourism can be achieved through involvement and participation of local communities; formulating policies to guide the local governments or regions in managing their tourism sites and changing people’s attitude and perception of tourism. Cultural tourism is that form of tourism that involves a country’s or region’s lifestyle, their history, art, architecture, religion and beliefs that aided in shaping their way of life. It is one of the biggest and fastest growing worldwide tourism markets. Cultural tourism has become very competitive and attractive and as such, many countries have taken a keen interest in it as a source for economic development. Therefore, they are vigorously developing and promoting their tangible and intangible cultural assets to ensure their uniqueness and attractiveness. Each country has its own unique cultural attraction sites. In this research, four regions are described. The regions selected are Liab Klong Phraya Bunlea area in Thailand, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Brazil. The various forms of tangible cultural tourism in the regions are highlighted, their impact on the economic growth and how the local government is involved in ensuring sustainability of the cultures. Forms of material culture Material culture can be termed as a form of culture that comprises all tangible, physical and man-made artifacts, objects, resources, items, spaces and expressions that define the past and modern day. Forms of material culture include buildings such as churches, temples, mosques, industries and temples; monuments; artifacts; goods and products; historic towns; archeological areas; landscape; and tools.Advertising Looking for research paper on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first pape r with 15% OFF Learn More UNESCO has tried setting a global structure for protecting the various forms of culture and heritage. Through the various conventions and declarations held since 1972, arts, monuments and different types of built environment have been protected (Robinson and Picard 18). Research examples Liab Klong Phraya Bunlea community, Thailand Tourism is a key revenue earner for the Thai Republic. The industry successfully developed due to the injection of more than ten thousand million baht to improve and ensure its growth (Buranakitti, Keraaatiburana, and Wata 86). Liab Klong Phraya Bunlea area covers Lad Bua Luang, Song Pee Nong and Bang Len districts. The tangible cultural assets in the Liab Klong community comprise of archeological sites, native foods, traditional goods, raw materials and agricultural products. In the three districts, the material forms of cultural attractions include a shrine of the city god; Rat Bua Luang, Tri Para Sima and Suttawat tem ples; Ya Mi Auk Koy Rot, Nu Rul Da Ya, Na See Rud Deen and Al Furqon mosques; Phraya Bunluea, Pisorn, Kwang Wat Tee, Lamrang Nong Plamor, Mekala, Mue Kong, Lak Chai and Ton Tan canals; products and goods from shells, coconuts, corn peel, flowers created from menthol and dried grass frames; and native foods such as preserved fruits, baked bagasse fish, coconut candy and crisp rice (Buranakitti, Keraaatiburana, and Wata 88-89). From the examples given, it is seen that this community has many tangible cultural assets and therefore, preservation is of utmost importance. The massive growth of the tourism industry has come with its own positive and negative repercussions. The standards of living of the people have tremendously increased. This is attributed to the income generated from tourism, both directly and indirectly. Despite this, nature, environment and culture have all been negatively affected. To ensure proper management and conservation of tourism sites, the Thai government thro ugh the local government organization decided to engage the local community and entrepreneurs by holding seminars where ideas could be shared on ways of improving the community’s cultural sites.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Tourism and material forms of culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Furthermore, it came up with a three year development plan (2010-2012) for promoting transport and all public utilities in the area; improving the education system and promotion of indigenous knowledge to preserve religion, art and culture; educating people on the significance of natural resources and environment through promotion of programmes for improving landscapes and eliminating waste products and coming up with a methodology for managing the income generated from tourism (Buranakitti, Keraaatiburana, and Wata 90). With all these efficient measures in place, the tourism industry in Thailand is set to blossom and grow. Azeri culture of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan is one of the ancient nations of the world. It has many cultural monuments and works of art. Due to its location and different climatic zones, it is very attractive for tourism. Artists in the country decided to explore their abilities and creative skills and therefore came up with fine and rich works of folk arts. The folk arts are used to exhibit the people’s way of life, their artistic tastes and the state’s image and significance (Baku Tourism Information Center 3). Other cultural assets include historic buildings and monuments such as Azikh cave, maze of alleys and remnants of fortification such as the Palace of Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower. The tourism sector contributes 10% of GNP, 8% of export and 8.1% of jobs (Bayramov, Aliyeva, and Mikayilov 1). However, the sector is unexploited. This is seen clearly when compared to Turkey which earned US$20.807 billion in tourism revenue in 2010. Cyprus made a pr ofit of US$2 billion while Azerbaijan earned US$100 million (Bayramov, Aliyeva, and Mikayilov 2). The sector is untapped and impeded by high costs of travel and hotel accommodation, poor service quality, low levels of tourism marketing and promotion, poor infrastructure, lack of skilled guides and interpreters, difficulty in visa processing and lack of travel guide books (Bayramov, Aliyeva, and Mikayilov 5). To increase revenue generation from tourism, the Azerbaijan government should aim at improving infrastructure such as electricity, water, gas and proper sanitations; increasing commuter buses to tourism sites as well as providing traveling guides in the buses; construction of more restaurants in the tourist localities; building and improving hotels for accommodation purposes and ensuring the services offered are of high quality meeting international standards. Since most historical spaces are closed, the government should ensure that these sites are refurbished and reopened to t he public. Educating the local people on the ways of protecting their cultural sites and ways of earning income from tourism should be encouraged and lastly, the government should ensure that extensive marketing and advertising is done both internally and internationally.Advertising Looking for research paper on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cultural tourism in Egypt Egypt is an African country with numerous monumental landmarks making it one of the most popular destinations. Tourism is one of its major income earners. Examples of landmarks in Egypt are the famous pyramids (Giza, Sakkara, Dahshour, Abu Rawash and Mydoum); Luxor temple; the Sphinx; museums such as Egyptian and Coptic; Sultan Hassan Mosque; castle of Qaitbay; monastery of St. Paul and amphitheatre of Kom El-Dikka. Egypt’s tourism sector was producing annual revenue of more than US$12 billion (Global Heritage Fund 3) with an economic growth of 7% per year (Reuters 2). In early 2011, there were nonviolent demonstrations demanding for a change in government and leadership. This revolution hugely impacted on the tourism sector as fewer tourists visited the cultural sites due to fear of the upheaval. This led to a decline in the revenue generated by US$4 billion (Global Heritage Fund 3). Political stability has since prevailed after election of a new go vernment. In 2012, the economy growth rate was 2% and the number of tourists visiting Egypt in the first nine months stood at 8.8 million with an additional 4million expected by the end of 2012(Trade Arabia News Service 1). It is projected that the number of tourists will increase in 2013 to 15million (Trade Arabia News Service 4). The Egyptian government, through the Egypt Tourist Authority is boosting the tourism sector by funding and supporting festivals to ensure a continuous stream of tourists into the country. Cultural tourism in Brazil Brazil’s tourism economy is the fastest rising in Latin America. In 2011, the industry contributed US$79 billion to the GDP and 7.7 million jobs (World Travel and Tourism Council 1). The industry is boosted by the influx of tourists to its world heritage sites. These sites include historic towns and centers of Ouro Preto, Olinda, Sao Luis, Diamantina and Goias; Sao Miguel das Missoes ruins; Sanctuary of Bom Jesus Congonhas; City of Brasi lia; Pantanal Conservation area and Jau and Iguacu National Parks. However, Brazil’s tourism industry is hampered by the lack of adequate infrastructure such as airports, ports and hotels; poor service delivery and lack of properly trained workforce (Lohmann and Dredge 1). With the FIFA world cup being hosted in Brazil in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, the government is tasked with improving and increasing the airports, ports and hotels to accommodate tourists expected there in 2014. Moreover, the government has invested in the industry by increasing its funding by 5.2% and marketing tourism (World Travel and Tourism Council 4). Conclusion The examples described above show the importance of cultural tourism on a country’s economic growth. Tangible cultural assets have become vital elements for promoting tourism. Proper management of cultural and heritage sites ensures sustainability of tourism and enhances economic growth. Involvement of local communities in prote cting the cultural sites, offering quality services, good infrastructure and ensuring security of tourists are some of the factors that develop tourism. Works Cited Baku Tourism Information Center. â€Å"Azerbaijan Culture: General Information on Azeri Culture.† Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan. 2012. Web. Bayramov, Vugar, Leyla Aliyeva and Xalid Mikayilov. â€Å"CESD Policy Report on Tourism Sector in Azerbaijan.† Center for Economic and Social Development. July 2011. PDF file. 15 Nov. 2012. Buranakitti, Sarinyarapat, Ying Keraaatiburana and Chakraphat Wata. â€Å"The Cultural Tourism Development Model of the Local Government Organization in Liab Klong Phraya Bunlea Community.† American Journal of Scientific Research. 58 (2012): 85-96. Euro Journal Publishing Inc. Web. Global Heritage Fund. Heritage on the Wire: Egypt’s Tourism Sector Tumbles amid Violence. 2012. Web. Lohmann, Gui and Dianne Dredge. Tourism in Brazil: Environment, Management and Segments. Routledge. 1 June 2012.Print Reuters. â€Å"Egypt Invests in Tourism and Film Industry to Boost Economy.† Al Arabiya News Channel, 23 Sep. 2012. Web. Robinson, Mike and David Picard. â€Å"Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development.† United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2006. PDF file. 15 Nov. 2012 Trade Arabia News Service. Egypt Sees 12million Tourists in 2012. 15 Nov. 2012. Web.. World Tourism and Travel Council. Brazil is leading the Travel Tourism Economy in Latin America. 16 Mar. 2012. Web.. This research paper on Tourism and material forms of culture was written and submitted by user Rylee Sears to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

How to Revise Your Paper for Clarity

How to Revise Your Paper for Clarity Writing and revising a paper is a time-consuming and messy process, and this is exactly why some people experience anxiety about writing long papers. It’s not a task that you can finish in a single sitting- that is, you can’t if you want to do a good job. Writing is a process that you do a little bit at a time. Once you come up with a good draft, it’s time to revise. Ask yourself the following questions as you go through the revision process. Does the Paper Fit the Assignment? Sometimes we can get so excited about something we find in our research that it sets us off in a new and different direction. It’s perfectly fine to veer off in a new direction, as long as the new course doesn’t lead us outside the bounds of the assignment. As you read over a draft of your paper, take a look at the directional words used in the original assignment. There is a difference between analyze, examine, and demonstrate, for example. Did you follow the directions? Does the Thesis Statement Still Fit the Paper? A good thesis statement is a vow to your readers. In one single sentence, you stake a claim and promise to prove your point with evidence. Very often, the evidence we gather doesn’t â€Å"prove† our original hypothesis, but it does lead to new discovery. Most writers have to re-work the original thesis statement so it accurately reflects the findings of our research. Is My Thesis Statement Specific and Focused Enough? â€Å"Narrow your focus!† You’re very likely to hear that many times as you progress through the gradesbut you shouldn’t get frustrated by hearing it time and again. All researchers have to work hard at zooming in on a narrow and specific thesis. It’s just part of the process. Most researchers revisit the thesis statement several times before they (and their readers) are satisfied. Are My Paragraphs Well-organized? You can think of your paragraphs as little mini-essays. Each one should tell its own little story, with a beginning (topic sentence), a middle (evidence), and an end (concluding statement and/or transition). Is My Paper Organized? While your individual paragraphs may be well-organized, they may not be well-positioned. Check to make sure that your paper flows from one logical point to another. Sometimes good revision starts with good old cut and paste. Does My Paper Flow? Once you make certain that your paragraphs are placed in a logical order, you will need to revisit your transition statements. Does one paragraph flow right into another? If you run into trouble with, you might want to review some transition words for inspiration. Did you Proofread for Confusing Words? There are several pairs of words that continue to vex the most accomplished writers. Examples of confusing words are except/accept, whose/who’s, and effect/affect. It’s easy and quick to proofread for confusing word errors, so don’t omit this step from your writing process. You can’t afford to lose points for something so avoidable!

Anti-alcoholism Programms - Smart Custom Writing Samples

Anti-alcoholism Programms - Smart Custom Writing Gulf Spill's Estimated Impact May Be More than $1.7 Billionâ€Å"If tourism losses reach 30 percent and fishing losses 80 percent what Addy called the worst-case scenario the overall economic loss would reach more than $3.3 billion, with almost 49,000 jobs wiped out and up to $150 million in state and local tax revenues not collected† (Woodruff, By Cosby). The British Petroleum oil spill is measured as a cost in monetary value. However, it is more than that. It is a failure of policy. An act of greed. A disrespect of life itself. Rebecca Solnit has shed light on all the widespread repercussions of the British oil spill in her article entitled ‘Diary’. She has effectively used pathos as well as ethos to communicate her claim and I strongly agree that the combination of both these is necessary to explain such an issue. Moreover, she has mentioned first hand and gathered insight from the ground workers themselves. Thus, I support her approach on the issue. The article, based on the writer’s personal experience, has the appeal to ethos as well as pathos right in the opening paragraph which immediately identifies that the writers is well-informed and is absolutely clear about her approach to the argument. This method is reasonably effective to explain an environmental issue because such issues inherently involve both the use of facts as well as an appeal to ones feelings. The article starts by a vivid description of the most perfect environment to live in, with ‘oak trees’, ‘Spanish moss and Mardi grass beads’,’ beautiful old houses with turrets’ and most importantly, ‘no refineries’ for miles.   Suddenly, the reader is engaged with an abrupt transition from the thoughts of the heavenly abode to the bitter reality, that is, of the existence of ‘powerful smell of gasoline’ and a ‘strange metallic taste in ones mouth’. Here, the writer has effectively gained the reader’s attention by reminding them that the even the most serene environments, free from massive development, are negatively affected by the BP oil spills. Moreover, the writer also pinpoints the inadequate measures taken by the authorities in regard to the spills. She reminds the reader of the fact that the tragic incident of the British Petroleum oil spill was only catered for or more appropriately, temporarily unplugged, in mid-July. Millions of gallons of oil was still floating in the ocean and travelling in the air.   She also highlights the fact that the handout published by the Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency was unhelpful. Furthermore, it provided evidence of the policy maker’s indifference as the handout bluntly stated ‘These effects should go away when levels go down or when a person leaves the area’. However, she presents a weak argument to support her assertion. The fact that a birdwatcher, Drew Wheelan, wrote on his blog, ‘that 20 hours later my mouth and tongue still feel as though they’ve been burned by a hot liquid’, does not provide concrete evidence that the effects ward off with distance. It might just be a fictitious claim or an attempt to generate negative propaganda. If the claim was verifiable or has she been able to establish Drew Wheelan as a reliable source, than the case might have been in her favour. The writer has accommodated all class of people being affected by the environmental damage in her article to highlight the widespread affects of the spills. She writes. ‘ it’s home, for pregnant women, for children, for old people who’ve spent their entire lives here, for people who love the place passionately   †¦ And for countless birds, fish, crustaceans, cetaceans and other ocean life. The spill has hit them all hard’. Here, the use of pathos is again very effective as she instantly strikes an emotional cord when she mentions that people of all age group, gender and medical condition are adversely affected by the traumatic repercussions of the oil spill. Her approach to the oil spill being better explained as synonymous to a blowout on policy also identifies her deep understating of the widespread repercussions of the issue. She claimed that she also saw the pictures of oiled pelicans like the others, but insists that the sensitivity of the issue is far complex than just a spill causing threat to life (human and animal both). It is actually a failure of policy under ‘the Bush-era corruption that turned the Minerals Management Service into a crony-ridden camp’. Here again, she has been able to highlight another flaw in the system which most of the articles on environmental damage fail to account for. Along with highlighting the failure of the companies and policies involved, she has also pointed the general apathy and ignorance of the people. She emphasized that petrol is part of our daily life, we are well aware of the threats posed, but never bother. Thus, she has rightfully held both profit oriented companies and people responsible for the hazards. This also adds complexity to her approach on the issue and makes it more appropriate. Most of the facts mentioned have been gathered through reliable sources like CNN and the employees themselves. For example, she mentions the BP clean up worker who quit because he was asked to only remove the surface sand. Similarly, another worker was fired on questioning over the clean up process and keeping the media at bay. Workers had to sign non-disclosure agreements and all their recording technologies were confiscated. All these provide evidence that the BP was well aware of the health and environmental violations but displayed unexplainable apathy. Perhaps the strongest argument presented by the author is the comparison between natural and technological disasters. She explains that hurricanes come, wreck and are soon over. Hurricane Katrina alone led to eight million gallons of petroleum being spilled. However, the damage was rectified. However, the damage posed by technological disasters like meltdowns, contaminations and toxic spills can neither be measured and nor be controlled. Effectively Building her argument further, she explains that ‘uncertainty has been central to the horror of spills’ as ‘the spill has no clear termination, no precedent, there’s little that ordinary people can do to respond, and no imaginable end to its consequences’. As mentioned earlier, the writer has cleverly presented the issues of people with differences in age, gender and social status. She quotes a poor tattoo artist, the person who called the first big demonstration against BP in New Orleans and co-founder of the organization ‘Murdered Gulf’, saying that ‘I don’t even eat seafood anymore, because that shit’s fucked up.’ Similarly, she highlights the threat to the $330 million fishing industry posed by the diversion of Mississippi river water. The industry is the livelihood of highly skilled but poorly educated people. On the other hand, a University of Alabama economist, Sam Addy claims that "Water transportation was not affected to our knowledge, fishing lost at least one major season out of two annually, and tourism was not wiped out al though it was severely impacted in the two coastal counties". The evidence against this assertion is the fact that twenty-one years after the Exxon Valdez spill, fishing industry has not revived. It is unjust to deny the repercussions and avoid taking responsibility of one’s act. Moreover, the existence of adverse affects after twenty-one years presses one to ponder how long would the BP oil spills last and what will be the repercussions.   The article finishes on the same note and thus, a solemn message was communicated effectively. Almost all the aspects of the issue were covered and diverse perspectives were also highlighted. Woodruff, By Cosby. "Gulf Spill's Estimated Impact May Be More than $1.7 Billion | Montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser." Montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser | Montgomery News, Community, Entertainment, Yellow Pages and Classifieds. Serving Montgomery, AL. 06 Nov. 2010. Web. 06 Nov. 2010. montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101106/NEWS02/11060346/Gulf spill s estimated impact may be more than 1.7 billion.

Maritime Logistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Maritime Logistics - Essay Example The second chapter deals exclusively on the group’s supply chain by analysing the process and practices with key supply chain issues that affect the top and bottom line of the company. It also discusses about the drivers that maintain the group’s competitiveness in three key dimensions such as – quality, cost and time. The subsequent chapter explains about the realm of maritime logistics delving deep into how the maritime process can be seamlessly integrated into the logistic and supply chain system of a business. At the end it discusses how the group can leverage on maritime logistics and minimise certain endemic supply-chain issues such as the bullwhip effect. The ArcelorMittal, the world’s number one steel company with over 32000 employeesi and presence in over 60 countries and is a truly global steel maker. It is a market leader in all the global steel markets such as automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. The group holds sizable captive supplies of raw materials and operates a huge distribution network throughout the globeii. With revenue of $124.9 billion and crude steel production of 103.3 million tonnes, it represents almost 10 percent of the global steel outputiii. ArcelorMittal’s chief operations include providing ‘steel solutions and services’. The group operates in more than 500 centres and 32 countries, providing to approximately 200,000 customers a full portfolio of flat and long products, tubes and stainless steel; adding value through further processing and providing technical, engineering and consultancy supportiv. A detailed list of products is placed at the appendix to this reportv. The group through its integrated business model operates in the entire hierarchy of the business from mining and sourcing of raw materials to managing a mammoth mobilisation network that transports the raw materials to the factory location, followed by designing and manufacturing

Millennials in higher education Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Millennials in higher education - Research Paper Example 1). Millennial students possess different personalities in comparison to generation X students, as found on the parameters of standard personality test. Testing them on 16 factors millennial students have distinct traits on 10 factors. They are comparatively welcoming, follow logic behind things, are emotionally ripe, responsible, socially advanced and risk taking, are concerned, indulge more in self-inspection, ready to transform, and more coordinated and self governing but less lonely and dependent on others (Sweeney, â€Å"Millennial Behaviors and Higher Education,† par. 2). Millennial students prefer to learn by experience. They don’t follow the given guidance, in stead they prefer to learn by speaking with others. They get their learning experiences from their surrounding environment, by playing such games where there are a number of players, through computer simulations, and social networking, which are a few of their preferable surroundings. They go on making mis takes and improving them without suffering any penalty in the environment stated above. Class lectures on an average bore them. Experiential learning provides them the opportunity to interact with a good number of people who provide them crucial inputs on what should be done and what not should be done (Sweeney, â€Å"Millennial Behaviors and Higher Education,† par. 6). ... Same is their reaction on shopping; they would change the brand for another equally reputed brand for the reason that the second brand is supporting a social cause. They are the major reason of getting competitive advantage to companies by serving the interests of millennial students. They are the residents of â€Å"The Long Tail† phenomena. Traditional marketing media don’t impress them. On the contrary they are easily moved by their social network, i.e. viral marketing (Sweeney, â€Å"Millennial Behaviors and Higher Education,† par. 3). Millennial students have low tolerance level. They prefer quick feedback on their progress. This intolerance has become a way of their lives whether they are in a queue or in an uncreative process. They want things done speedier and effectively better. This has become a way of life with them (Sweeney, â€Å"Millennial Behaviors and Higher Education,† par. 5). Although millennial students are not averse to the face-to-face learning environment wherein teachers help them in resolving all of their problems but they prefer learning through fast, easy to use, comfortable and powerful digital tools. Again, they want choices as in the study environment; they want both choices of learning, face-to-face as well online medium so that later on they may select any one of the given choices. For gaining growth in career they prefer merit system to others such as seniority (Sweeney, â€Å"Millennial Behaviors and Higher Education,† par. 7). Another trait of millennial students is their love for gaming that helps them increasing their emotional stimuli, which helps them in learning also. In gaming continuous

A Blessing in Disguise Essay Example for Free

A Blessing in Disguise Essay One Sunday morning, during a late October, despite the beautiful day, and tasks needing to be done, I decided to attend a lecture on the Dead Sea Scrolls. Though the lecture was to last for at least four hours and I was late- Thanks to over sleeping, an invisible energy was propelling me, shouting I needed to go. I grabbed an apple and flew out of my apartment, caught a taxi and arrived as the talk was beginning. I was the last person to arrive. When the lecture was over, I leisurely strolled home, stopping on the way to pick up a couple of things at various stores. And then without warning, about five blocks from my apartment building, I tripped on the sidewalk and fell on my face. My nose was bleeding and I was dizzy, too dizzy to stand, but no bones were broken. â€Å" I am fineâ€Å", I announced to the people on the street that stopped. They thought otherwise, and someone called 911. I was told an ambulance was on its way. I remained sitting on the sidewalk. A fall that would change everything Though I was dizzy, I hadn’t lost consciousness, and because I hate making a scene, I asked to be put in a taxi so I could go home. I said going to the hospital in an ambulance was overkill, no need for all the fuss. Not one of the good Samaritans, who waited with me agreed. The next thing I knew, the ambulance arrived and I was placed on a stretcher, and whisked to the emergency room of a large New York hospital, one where I had no doctors and knew none. On the other hand that didn’t concern me, since I believed I would be given a test or two and then sent home. When the attending emergency room physicians were told what happened I was sent to radiology for a CT scan of my head and spine. The tests showed I wasn’t bleeding from the fall but the test was murky and so the CT scan was followed by an MRI of my head. I assumed all was well and that I would be discharged, and yet it wasn’t happening. Instead I could hear the doctors mumbling something about a mass. It seemed this was what the tests showed and they were waiting for a confirmation from the radiology department. An Unexpected Hospital Stay Since I had tripped as opposed to having a dizzy spell, I was shocked to hear that they were looking for a bed for me. Radiology believed the CT scan and the MRI showed I had a meningioma with a shadow surrounding it, pushing against my brain. I needed brain surgery. Given that this was a teaching hospital, a surgeon would come and speak with me and tell me what was necessary, what this entailed. It entailed a four and half hour operation, one in which I would not need to have my head shaved because the cut was going to be the same, as that done by plastic surgeons when they operate. I would have staples but they would come out ten days later. I was surprised at how calm I was, as everything was described. The best way to describe it is to say I felt watched over. Three days later I had the surgery. The mass was benign (meningioma’s usually are) and my very capable surgeon, who I met but once before the surgery, was able to remove the shadow surrounding it. I was told it is when meningiomas are left unattended that complications occur. (A meningioma is something one has for years and though slow growing, they must be operated on, especially when there are shadows surrounding the mass.) Though I was at a hospital where none of my doctors had visiting privileges, at no time during my week long stay did I worry, and worrying is oft times my middle name. Instead I felt serene and profoundly grateful for the events that had brought me there. My meningioma wasn’t going away, it was growing as were the shadows surrounding it. Down the road I would have had symptoms that carried consequences none too pretty. And would I recognize the symptoms when they occurred? There was no way to know. Acknowledge the Gift Blessing of Every Event in Life There is an energy that is always flowing in this universe, an unseen current that is oft times called instinct or intuition. This energy, this current, is very wise, and when we recognize its presence, when we trust its wisdom, it guides and carries us along as if a beacon of light. I believe everything connects. If I hadn’t gone to the morning lecture, if I hadn’t listened to my instinct and intuition, if I hadn’t stopped to pick up a couple of things at stores, I never would have been walking on that specific sidewalk. I never would have had the tests and found out what was sitting inside me, waiting and needing to be discovered. The fall was my trip wire, the beginning of my very own victory parade and I was profoundly grateful for the strangers that called the ambulance and waited with me until it arrived. The Samaritans knew I wasn’t fine, even when I protested that I was. I experienced firsthand that there are always people willing to help; it is up to us to take the help when it’s offered and not to let pride or embarrassment stand in the way. There is wisdom in the concern of strangers. Both negative and positive energy exists in the universe. We may not immediately understand why things happen the way they do but if we look at the trajectory from beginning to end, it becomes clear that that there is a pattern and it is playing itself out. We are not victims of circumstances but energetic beings who create our own circumstances and we are given the choice to reject or accept the outcome, which in its turn creates a new set of circumstance. Life is a trip wire, we do not always know what’s around the next corner but we do know that the corner exists and to move forward, we must walk on it. That fall was my own trip wire. There is no other way to put it. It was a blessing in disguise for me.

Personal Freedom and Independence: The Works of Benjamin Franklin and H

Personal Freedom and Independence in the Works of Benjamin Franklin and Henry Thoreau It is an undisputable fact that the contribution of such prominent philosophers, writers, political and social activists as Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau in developing American statehood is tremendous. The literary works of both men can serve as a manifesto of national and personal liberation, a call for building a better society, where each citizen can live and work freely. Indeed, both Henry Thoreau and Benjamin Franklin emphasize the independence and freedom of an individual, but they do so in significantly different ways. These differences can be linked to their different worldview, life positions, philosophies, or interests. Nevertheless, this fact cannot detract from the obvious uniqueness and importance of Thoreau’s and Franklin’s literary heritage. Benjamin Franklin’s Conception of Independence and Freedom of Individual Benjamin Franklin was a scholar and lexicographer, a representative of the American Enlightenment, ideologist of the national liberation movement. It should be noted that Franklin was one of the most active participants of the struggle of American people for independence. He condemned slavery and ardently defended the rights of American national minorities. The basis of political views of Benjamin Franklin is the concept of the natural and inalienable rights of an individual. Franklin attributes life, liberty, and property to such natural rights. According to Benjamin Franklin, a man is simply â€Å"a tool-making animal,† a creature, whose freedom and, thus, independence is limited (Houston 45). In his Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain, Benjamin Franklin put the statement that every... ...y, considering citizenship and working for the benefit of society, while Henry Thoreau emphasizes the illusory nature and imperfection of the state and sees individual freedom in unity with nature and rejection of pseudo-needs enslaving people. Works Cited Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York and Cincinnati: American Book Company, 1896. Web. 5 June 2012. Houston, Alan. Franklin: The Autobiography and other Writings on Politics, Economics, and Virtue. New York: Cambridge UP, 2008. Print. Wolf, Abraham. History of Science, Technology, and Philosophy in the Eighteenth Century. New York: MacMillan Press, 1968. Web. 5 June 2012. Thoreau, Henry David. Walden: A Fully Annotated Edition. New Heaven: Yale UP, 2004. Print. Myerson, Joel. The Cambridge Companion to Henry David Thoreau. New York: Cambridge UP, 1995. Print.

The Blue Sword CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sungold turned and ran up the valley to the Gate, and leaped lightly through the cleft, and Harry was aware of Narknon shooting past her as she slid or fell out of the saddle and into Jack's arms. Gonturan clattered to the ground. â€Å"Brandy,† said Jack, and put something between her teeth; she drank a mouthful, gagged, and shoved the thing away. â€Å"Good for you,† said Jack, but the lightness of his tone was forced, and they both knew it. â€Å"Are you hurt?† Harry shook her head dizzily. â€Å"No. You?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"But – ?† Harry looked around. Narknon was beside her, covered with blood, but little of it seemed to be her own. Her flanks heaved and her green eyes were glassy, but she sat in her usual precise manner and, as Harry watched, slowly, stiffly, began to try to lick herself clean. The archers stood with empty quivers on their backs, cleaning their long daggers. There were fewer of them than there had been when she sent them into the valley's forested sides less than an hour before; and more than half of their cats were gone. She saw Kentarre, who had a rag wrapped around one forearm, but was on her feet. She saw Senay and Terim. Terim's horse was bleeding from a tear on its side, and Senay stood at its head, a hand on its crest, whispering to it, and Terim spread some pale ointment on the wound. The only wounds she saw were minor ones; none who were worse hurt had returned to the Gate. â€Å"Is this all of us now?† Jack nodded. â€Å"I'm afraid so.† There was barely half the tally of the defending southerners that had stood at the Madamer Gate in the morning; and there was an ashen cast to the faces that remained, for the northwest wind was not good to breathe. Unwounded limbs were numb and slow, and brains were clouded with a nagging dread that had little to do with the mortal risk of battle. Kentarre said, as she bound up another archer's arm, â€Å"Thurra is known to love slow bloodshed, and he can afford not to hurry, for nothing can stand against him. But you have done him a blow he did not expect, for you tore down his standard.† â€Å"Thurra?† Harry said in disbelief. Kentarre nodded, and Terim and Senay both stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Kentarre said: â€Å"I recognized him at once. He laughs during battle, and he always rides a white stallion who loves bloodshed as much as he does. â€Å"Why do you think there are so few of us left after so brief a meeting? We are strong fighters, and we fight with the strength of despair besides, for we are terribly outnumbered. But anyone who is struck by the white rider dies on the first blow.† â€Å"Not everybody,† said Terim. â€Å"Not Harimad-sol.† Kentarre nodded solemnly. â€Å"Why do you think we follow her?† Harry said, with her left arm across Sungold's saddle to help hold herself up, â€Å"I did not die only because he chose not to kill me. I cannot match him, even for one blow.† Sungold turned his head, and Harry reached stiffly out to put her fingers on his soft muzzle. She rested them there for a moment, and a little warmth crept into her nerveless hand. â€Å"And, perhaps, a little because I ride a better horse than his.† There was a commotion then, somewhere behind them, near the mouth of the trail; and then one of Jack's men laughed, and the commotion subsided. Harry looked inquiringly in the direction of the laugh, and saw a tall slim figure stride forcefully into the clearing, leading a tired horse. â€Å"Dickie!† she said; and blushed uncomfortably, because she knew how he hated the old childhood name. â€Å"Richard – † she began, humbly, but he had reached her by then and threw his arms around her. She hugged him back, although her right arm was still not functioning very well and the left was weaker than it should be. He let her go at last, and her eyes blurred, and she couldn't tell if the brightness in his eyes was her own tears, or his. He said to Jack, although he was staring at his sister, and his hands were closed on her arms as if she might disappear if he let her go, â€Å"I returned two days after you had left, sir. I had gotten no satisfaction on my mission, as you anticipated.† Jack grunted. â€Å"They told me what had happened, and where you were going – and who was with you – and I took a fresh horse and followed you.† He smiled at last. â€Å"Harry, damn you, we all thought you were dead.† She shook her head. â€Å"I'm not, you see.† She smiled back. â€Å"Not yet, at least.† Richard let his hands drop. The shadowed army lay spread below them, and the north wind, which had quieted a little after Tsornin beat back the wizard's stallion and Narknon pulled down the red-and-white standard, began to howl around them again, and sting their eyes and throats. â€Å"Took another horse?† said Jack musingly. Richard had dropped his reins when he reached for Harry, and the animal stood, weary and patient, where it had halted. â€Å"This looks like Bill Stubbs' horse.† Richard turned back to his commander and grinned. â€Å"It is. It always was too good for him; and I needed something fast, to catch up with you before it was all over.† â€Å"You've just blighted a spotless career with horse-stealing?† Jack said mildly. Richard sobered. â€Å"If you like. You know that all of us who have come here – thrown in our lot with the old Damarians – are finished as far as Her Majesty's Government is concerned. You knew that when you decided to come.† Harry stared at Jack, although in the back of her mind she had known this all along. â€Å"Is this true?† Jack shrugged. â€Å"Yes, it's true. That's why the two dozen of us who came are all grizzled old veterans – we don't have much to lose. But Richard, you – â€Å" Richard made an abrupt gesture with one arm. â€Å"I knew what I was doing. Blood calls to blood, I suppose – for all that I've resisted it the last few years.† He glanced at his sister. â€Å"It was your coming out here to Daria – Damar – and loving it, loving the desert, even though you knew nothing of it – I could see it. You were as bad as Colonel Dedham – begging your pardon, sir – by the end of the first month. It made me ashamed. I – I couldn't talk about it †¦ â€Å" Harry realized she was being offered an apology, and nodded. It didn't matter any more. He was here, and that was what mattered. â€Å"Then, after you disappeared,† Richard went on slowly, â€Å"these last long months, I've thought a lot – I even thought that you weren't dead – and the thought felt like betrayal †¦ You know, I came here, to the Gap, without ever having to think about it. I knew which way to turn, all those mad little trails on the way up here. I always knew.† â€Å"Blood calls to blood,† Harry said. â€Å"Why didn't you ever tell me there was Hill blood in us?† Richard looked surprised. â€Å"Father told me. I – I assumed he'd told you. I didn't want to talk about it. There was a lot I didn't want to talk about.† Harry said, â€Å"I found out a week ago, when Jack told me.† There was a silence, and Richard began to laugh. â€Å"My God. Then becoming a king's Rider must really have been a shock to you. It was shock enough to me, when Tom Lloyd told me.† He took her right hand and turned it over to look at the palm. â€Å"I was proud of you. That's when I knew I had to follow you – not only to see my sister again. To – reclaim something. Or admit to owning it all along.† The north wind snapped at their hair and eyelashes, listening to their conversation. Harry wondered idly if it understood Homelander speech. Kentarre had left them; she returned now and said, â€Å"My lady. The North prepares to move against us again.† Richard turned to face his sister; he put his shoulders back as if bracing himself for a blow. â€Å"Command me, sol,† he said awkwardly, in Hill-speech. Then in Homelander he went on: â€Å"As I came late, perhaps you'd like me to commit a daring single-handed raid.† Jack snorted. Harry smiled in spite of herself. â€Å"No; that won't be necessary. We'll arrange ourselves across the Gap, here, and on the plateau.† She paused. â€Å"I can't risk what's left of us going into the valley again †¦ â€Å" She raised her voice: â€Å"We're here to slow the Northerners down. We'll do the best we can. But we're overmatched – vastly more overmatched than I expected. I don't expect any of you to fight to the †¦ last. The day is half over; if we can hold them till this evening, they'll have to wait till morning to try again.† Harry closed her eyes and thought, I hope. Even demons see better by the light of day – or do they? Swimming through the mist behind her eyes then, she saw Corlath and his army; they were beating back a horde of Northerners that outnumbered them by no more than three to one. The black mass that filled the valley below the Madamer Gate was twice the size of the army that sought to pass the Bledfi Gap. Corlath's stallion ran red from its nose as it leaped and struck; Corlath's sword was dull with blood. She recognized Fireheart first; it took her a moment to recognize his rider, for Corlath's sash was the wrong color. She saw Mathin, who grinned fiercely as he fought at Corlath's heels. â€Å"If we have gained a day, we have gained †¦ something. Tonight, those of you that remain †¦ may scatter. Fade into these Hills; make your way back to Corlath if you can.† Senay said: â€Å"Why do you say those of you, lady? Do you not come with us? Are you so certain of death?† Terim, very low, said, â€Å"Do you seek it?† Harry sighed. â€Å"I can't leave. This defense, here, was my great idea. I can't leave. But what's-his-name, out there, will take care of that, when next we meet.† She tried to speak lightly. â€Å"Very noble of you, my dear,† said Jack, â€Å"but we will, I think, stand with Harimad-sol. We can hold here †¦ perhaps three days, if Thurra is so fond of slow death. Three days might give your Corlath a breathing-space; and it's always remotely within the realm of possibility that Sir Charles will believe the letter I wrote him, and the Northerners will find the Outlanders a little more troublesome than they expected for a few more days of preparation. We will stay.† The last three words he said in Hill-speech, and Senay and Terim and Kentarre repeated, â€Å"We will stay.† Terim said, with his usual buoyancy, â€Å"Harimad-sol, you cannot ask us to give up so easily, after we have come so far.† Harry blinked. She looked out over the valley; the Northern mass was beginning to shift forward again. â€Å"Very well,† she said gruffly. â€Å"I suggest everyone eat something and take a few minutes' rest; for Thurra is moving. And †¦ thank you.† She smiled. â€Å"Perhaps we will hold out three days.† â€Å"And think of the songs they'll sing about us,† said Jack. He handed her a bit of meat in a hard roll, and she began absently to chew it. Her right arm was still nearly useless, but her left hand closed and opened when she told it to, the elbow bent, and the shoulder swung. She squinted up at the mountains around her. The peaks that surrounded the Gate were perhaps four times a man's height from the shallow plateau where she stood; then beyond them the mountains sloped up again, and a little distance from the stony Gate some small trees covered the steep ground and spilled out toward the valley below them. She looked around, toward the forested arm where the archers had stood. She found she had finished her roll. â€Å"I'll be back in a moment,† she said. Jack and Richard looked at her questioningly. â€Å"In plenty of time to stand against our friends.† She picked up Gonturan and awkwardly wiped and resheathed her, and began to clamber slowly up the western side of the Gate. She could only use her left hand, and even its grasp was not strong. Jack said sharply, â€Å"Harry, what have you done to your arm?† She waited till she was standing on the low crest to answer: â€Å"Strained a muscle, I think,† she said. â€Å"Don't worry.† She turned away as Jack opened his mouth; and from where her little band stood, disappeared around a spur of rock. Richard started after her, but Terim moved in front him as Jack said, â€Å"No. If she wants to be left alone, we'll leave her alone. I don't like it either, but she – or the thing that's riding her – still knows a little more about this than the rest of us. Or so I believe.† Richard shrugged, but his eyes stayed on the spot where his sister had disappeared. â€Å"She did promise that we could die together,† Terim said cheerfully. Jack rubbed his face wearily. â€Å"I'm not thinking about dying yet.† He looked out into the valley, and slowly he brought his glass to his eye. More figures, some riding on strangely jointed steeds and some lumbering along on their own heavy feet, were pouring into the valley; there was no end of them. They roiled up the slope toward the Gate, the slope Harimad-sol had so laboriously pushed them down less than an hour before. He could no longer see the lower half of the rocky bowl at his feet for the creatures that walked upon it. He dropped the glass. â€Å"However foolish that may be.† Richard took the glass from Jack's hand and gazed through it. He saw Thurra's white stallion near the front; but there was no standard-bearer. Harry stumbled up, and up farther; and then her feet found something like a path or a deer track, and she gratefully followed it. She came above the trees again, and looked down. Below her was the valley, full of tiny crawling things; nearer her, but still far away – I hadn't realized I'd come so far, she thought, startled – was a small flat space behind a cleft in the rock, where her people waited. She looked down dispassionately; the thought flickered through her mind that she was too far, and should return at once; but there seemed to be something she should do first. Her numb right hand crept its way up the scabbard of Gonturan till it felt over the hilt to rest on the stone at her peak; Harry found that she was panting for breath. â€Å"Lady Aerin,† she murmured; and the scene before her wavered, and she blinked, and suddenly she could see as an eagle sees: she recognized the white stallion that Thurra rode, with the red ribbons in its mane and the red blood dried on its neck and flank, and saw the red- and green- and black-eyed faces of those who followed him, and the queer beasts many rode instead of horses, that had clawed feet and forked tongues. She saw the north wind pluck at her brother's hair and realized abruptly she felt no wind on her bare mountain top; and with that there was a stab of pain from the base of her neck down her right arm, and her hand grasped the hilt of the sword and drew her. She raised her slowly above her head, point upward, as if to cut the clouds that Thurra had brought, and throw them down on his head in knife-edged fragments. The pain in her neck rose and flooded her brain; â€Å"Corlath, help me,† she said to the air. The small knot of people on the plateau behind the Gate looked up suddenly as a blaze of light fell over them and splattered like water; and they saw Harimad-sol on a peak behind them, where no peak had stood before; and around her head and shoulders was blue-and-white fire. She r aised her right arm, and Gonturan sparkled so fiercely they could not look at her; and Harimad-sol stabbed skyward once and again and shouted words that each felt they heard distinctly but could not repeat or understand; but Ken-tarre and Jack recognized the Old Tongue of the Hills, the Language of the Gods. Blue fire began to run down from the stone on the hilt of the sword and splash to the ground, where it seemed to eddy around Harry's feet, and bits of it flaked off and floated into the air, and the bits spun and glittered like prisms, and tossed tiny rainbows down the sides of the mountains, although the rainbows had more blue in them than most rainbows. In the valley they heard hoarse cries, but the voices did not seem to reach the Blue Sword or the woman who held it, but fell back into the valley like fish who had leaped too high, gasping for their lives. They heard the white stallion scream, and heard an awful voice they knew to be Thurra's, but no one turned to look; everyone stared upward. Even the horses stood with raised heads and pricked ears, facing as their riders faced; and Narknon, who had not followed Harry although she could have, stood stone still but for her lashing tail; Sungold pranced, looking up the rocks he could not climb. The blue light fell into his eyes and mouth and nostrils till he looked like a ghost horse. The hillside began to move. Pebbles, then larger pebbles, then rocks and boulders began to tumble into the valley. The woman's clear voice went on, and the incomprehensible words poured over the Hillfolk and the Outlanders with the brilliant blue light; then the noise of the mountains falling grew louder, and many fell to their knees and bellies because they could not keep their feet. They could no longer see with their eyes, though the light burned into their brains, and they no longer heard with their ears, for the roaring of falling earth blocked them, yet they heard in their minds the blue-lit words going on and on. And then it was over. The horses shook themselves; some had to haul themselves, sweating, to their feet. The human beings turned over where they lay, and looked up at the sky, which was blue and cloudless; and shivered, and cautiously stood up. Jack looked up first; there was no sign of Harry. At first he thought it was because his eyes were still blind from the light, but he could pick out the shape of the mountain peaks around him, and he could work out where Harry had been standing; but where Harry had been was there no longer. He was sure he was looking in the right direction. Puzzled, then, he looked around for confirmation; his eyes crossed Richard's; he was going through the same bewilderment. They turned together to look out over the valley. But there was no valley. There was a smoking rubble of broken stones and uprooted trees; the cliff face beyond the Gate itself had sheared clean away, and the Gate would be a pass through the mountains no more. They stood at the edge, looking down, and then out and across; there was no sign of life anywhere. The only things that moved were clouds of dust. The dust was curiously blue-edged, and twinkled in the sunlight. A little breeze began. It came through a wide breach in the mountain that had not been there before; surprised, it began to investigate the new landscape. The weary anxious people and beasts on the ridge that was once a Gate turned a little to face it. It smelled good, of young green things. â€Å"The north wind is gone,† said Jack. â€Å"Yes,† said Richard. â€Å"This wind blows from the south and east.† They stood for a moment, collecting their thoughts. â€Å"We should look for Harry,† said Richard. â€Å"Shouldn't we?† He sounded very young. â€Å"Yes,† said Jack. â€Å"That was Harry, wasn't it?† Harry's brother said, a little uncertainly. Jack smiled a small smile. â€Å"Yes. Or it was Harry as much as it was anyone. Terim,† he went on in Hill-speech, â€Å"we would like to look for Harimad-sol. She might be too †¦ exhausted to return to us. Will you come?† Terim said, â€Å"Yes,† and Senay joined them, while the rest would wait for word. Sungold followed them to the foot of the rock wall Harry had disappeared beyond, and whinnied anxiously after them, and reared and pawed the rock behind them as they climbed away from him. â€Å"We'll bring her back,† Jack said to him. â€Å"Be patient.† Narknon came with them. The four of them seemed to move very slowly; or perhaps their feet moved at a reasonable pace, but their minds could not keep up. Narknon, instead of ranging around them as she usually did, trotted at their heels and paused when they paused. Jack felt that he was grinding out thoughts that moved as grudgingly as centuries, and when he shook his head, his brain seemed to turn over uneasily, like a bad swimmer in deep water. His eyes hurt in their sockets, and he still saw Harry with her sword raised and the blue fire around her, although the picture was memory now, and his eyes focused on scrub and dirt and rock and blue dust. They all stopped as they came to a slope with trees growing above them. â€Å"This can't be right,† said Richard; â€Å"we saw her on bare rock.† Jack peered up at the sun. â€Å"It is right, though; or at least this is the right direction. If the sun hasn't moved, which I don't guarantee †¦ perhaps these trees grew while the mountains were falling.† Jack began to climb again as if he were sure he knew the way; Terim and Senay followed, for they were less shocked by Harimad-sol's performance than Jack or Richard, and did not expect the landscape near such a piece of sorcery and kelar to conform to the usual physical rules. They had looked at the sun too, and knew they were heading in the right direction. Richard was last. He felt old, and his bones creaked, and Narknon made him uncomfortable. He knew of the Damarian hunting-cats, but he had never before met one. There was a tiny path, as if made by small hoofed animals, up the slope, and Jack followed it hopefully; and after only a few minutes they broke through the trees and into a small glade, with fresh green grass in it, the first good grass they had seen since they left Senay's village. Harry lay crumpled near one edge of the glade, with Gonturan, dull as pewter, the blue stone of her hilt opaque, lying on the grass beside her. Harry lay on her side, curled up, and both her hands touched the sword; the left awkwardly fell over the hilt, the right grasped the blade just below the guard. Jack came into the clearing first, and he was the only one who saw – or thought he saw – a figure in the trees just behind Harry; he thought he saw a glint of red hair. But he blinked, so he could stare again harder, feeling for his saber; and when he looked again, the figure was gone. He was never sure afterward if he had seen anything but an odd fall of leaf shadow, although he knew the Hi ll legends, and knew who had carried Gonturan before his young friend. â€Å"Harry,† said Richard, and ran forward, and dropped to his knees beside her. The others, who had a little more faith in Hill magic – or who understood a bit better that whatever had happened was finished now, for good or ill – followed more slowly. Jack looked around. There was nothing like the stone knoll where Harry had stood anywhere near them; the trees – real trees, not the grey and stunted things they had seen around the Gate, and in the valley that was no more – stood high overhead, rustling softly in the green breeze from the east; and beyond the little glen there was nothing but more trees, more sweet greenness, for however far the eye could reach, no sunlight-glint of a clear space anywhere. Harry was dreaming something, but Dickie was calling her. Aerin was leaning over her, smiling the wry smile Harry knew well by now; it was a smile of affection, but more of understanding. Aerin spoke to her, for the second time; she had a low rough kind voice. â€Å"This is what one mad Outlander on a Hill horse would have done; rather like something I once did. But it's not fair that the heroes get all the adventures and all the glory alone; your band will be sung of for centuries to come, and Jack's great-great-grandchildren, and Richard's and yours, and Senay's, and Terim's will remember the Madamer Gate and how the mountains fell and crushed Thurra's army. I found out that those at home don't like having no part in adventures – I didn't learn very much, but I did learn that; and it's as well if someone can learn by my mistakes †¦ â€Å" â€Å"Corlath,† said Harry miserably; and Aerin answered her gently: â€Å"Corlath is waiting for you.† Harry wanted to say, That's what I'm afraid of. But Dickie was calling her. It couldn't be Dickie, she hadn't seen him since †¦ She opened her eyes. Her memory of the immediate past was not good, but she knew she had called on Aerin, and asked Corlath for help in whatever Gonturan's past, master might send her, and that something had happened; and that Aerin had spoken to her about it †¦ and Corlath †¦ Her head hurt. â€Å"Richard,† she said. The other three sat down with a sigh beside her, and there was a silence that no one seemed to know how to break. Narknon put a paw on Harry's chest and began licking her face; a hunting-cat's tongue is much harsher than a housecat's. Harry thought her skin would crumble and peel off, but she didn't have the strength to push her away. At last Harry said, and her voice sounded low and hollow, â€Å"Not that I feel much like moving just now, but don't we have some fairly urgent business in the valley? Or have three days gone by while I †¦ and †¦ â€Å" Richard said, â€Å"There is no valley.† Jack said, â€Å"The Northerners are now lying under a very large pile of rock, which used to be a mountain range. You appear to have pulled it down around their ears, and, Harimad-sol, I salute you.† He touched his forehead and flicked the fingers out in the particular curl that is the Hillman's gesture of respect to his king. Harry smiled weakly. â€Å"That's blasphemous, you know. I'll have you court-martialed.† â€Å"By Homelanders or Hillfolk?† Jack inquired blandly. â€Å"Can you stand?† â€Å"I am gathering my courage to find out,† replied Harry. She had flopped over onto her back – Narknon was now nibbling lovingly on her hair – and then hauled herself up on one elbow; now Senay and Richard propped her up on both sides, and she reeled to her feet. Her leather vest seemed as stiff as iron. â€Å"I feel like a potato that's recently been mashed,† she said. Narknon leaned against her knee and purred madly. â€Å"Shall we carry you?† Terim said, hovering anxiously, torn between respect and caution. â€Å"Not yet, thank you,† said Harry. â€Å"But you could hand me Gonturan. I don't quite feel like bending over just now.† This was said in Hill-speech, so it is possible that Richard did not understand. But of the other three there was a brief but obvious moment when no one moved, and everyone thought of the blue fire on the mountaintop, and everyone's palms prickled. Then Jack took a step forward and bent and picked up Harimad-sol's blade, flat silver now, glinting faintly in the sunlight, and offered the hilt to her. One narrow gleam of white fire ran up the edge of the blue sword, and outlined Jack's fingers. Jack's and Harry's eyes met, for it was only when it was too late to stop her words that she realized what she was – or might be – asking. â€Å"Thank you,† she said. â€Å"I probably should have bent over myself, to find out if I could.† She resheathed the sword. Jack looked at his glowing white hand, and rubbed his palm along his thigh. There was a tingle in that hand that buzzed up his arm and fluttered for a moment in his brain. It was not an unpleasant sensation. As her fingers closed on Gonturan, Harry realized that her body was functioning; that she would be able to walk. She kept her hand on the hilt of Gonturan and took a step forward. â€Å"We'll stop where we are tonight,† she said. â€Å"Tomorrow we ride back to find Corlath.† She shut her eyes a moment; the world spun, then steadied. â€Å"They're farther west than they expected to be. Six days, if we hurry. If we can hurry.† She frowned, her eyes still closed. â€Å"They are beating the Northerners back; they are winning.† She opened her eyes again. â€Å"They're winning,† she repeated, and the color rose in her cheeks, and her three friends smiled at her. Harry concentrated on walking, and by the time they came to the rockface at the Gate she had gotten pretty good at it; she still kept her eyes on her feet, but she slid and scrambled down by herself, while Jack and Richard, who had gone before her, tried very hard not to reach up and help her. When she got to the bottom, and her people were standing around her, and Tsornin was bumping her shoulder angrily, asking her why she had gone anywhere he couldn't come too, and her Hillfolk were flicking their finger salute at her, Kentarre very deliberately touched her forehead too and flicked the fingers out, and all the archers followed suit. And Jack's Outlanders stared and bowed and pointed saber hilts at her, and she realized how quiet they were. Too quiet. She turned to look at the valley. She turned white, and then Jack and Richard did put out hands to steady her. â€Å"My God,† she said. â€Å"That was a bit of †¦ something, wasn't it?† The dust still swirled in clouds over the desert of rubble they looked at, and it hung thickly enough that they could not see beyond it. There were threads of blue woven through and over it, as if there were a webbing holding it in place. The sun burned brightly over the blue-shot fog, and hurt the eyes. The dust got into eyes and noses and throats as they breathed, and mouths as they talked, and their voices grew hoarse with it. â€Å"Kentarre,† said Harry. â€Å"Will a lot of rock simply falling on him stop someone like Thurra?† Kentarre shrugged. â€Å"My sol, I don't believe it has been tried before.† Harry smiled wanly. â€Å"It will at least have stopped his army,† said Terim; â€Å"few of them have any kelar of their own.† â€Å"They have never needed it,† said Senay, â€Å"for Thurra has always been stronger.† Jack said, â€Å"There's more than rock out there. There's something holding the rock down.† He stared out, the flecks of blue teasing the corners of his eyes. Kentarre and Senay and Terim, who knew the legends of the Northern mage, were silent. â€Å"It is possible that he will rest here,† said Kentarre at last. â€Å"But we can say that today is ours.† â€Å"Today is Harimad-sol's,† said Terim firmly, and Senay's face lit up, and she cried, â€Å"Harimad-sol!† Kentarre drew her dagger and tapped herself on the chest with the hilt and then shook the point over her head. â€Å"Harimad-sol!† she called, and â€Å"Harimad-sol!† the other archers echoed, drawing their daggers in the same gesture; and Senay's people picked up the shout next. Jack's men, shaken out of their half-fearful amazement, began to applaud and stamp, as if they didn't know what else to do; and it was Richard who yelled, â€Å"Angharad!† whereupon the Outlanders shouted â€Å"Angharad!† too, and a few whistled, as though Harry had just sung an aria at the opera. When at last they stopped, everyone was smiling and easy again, as if individually inspired landslides and earthquakes were quite a normal feat of warfare, or at least of leadership. Then everyone heaved a sigh and settled down, and supper fires were lit; and Narkno n appeared, dragging a brown deer larger than herself, and looking terribly pleased with herself. The sunset that evening over the mountains was violet-blue.