Reactions and Reflections Essay Example for Free

Reactions and Reflections Essay The author Don Berry in his book Moontrap offers a rich history of the plight of mountain men as they are pushed to the edge of their freedom, and left with nowhere else to go. This story is compared to the moonlight on water, which eludes any traps, then fades eternally – like the mountain men whose freedom cannot anymore be returned to them. The book offers opportunity to reflect on how society value and respect the lives of people like the mountain men, and it recalls the sad narrative of their fate. It tells the story of coping and rediscoveries, of how a mountain man would always have that spirit and passion for the wild. The book recounts the history of the 1800s Northwest, in a rich and compelling narrative. Synopsis (Setting and Plot) The story is set in the year 1850 in the territories of Oregon as it is being taken over by the civilized world. The book Moontrap introduces two characters, John Monday, also known as Jaybird, and Webster W. Webster, or Webb as his acquaintances and friends call him. As with the past writing of Don Berry, the two characters are men from the mountains. The story focuses on the life of Jaybird, who longs to be stable and settle as a farmer. He stakes a claim in a land located across Oregon City, in the town of Willamette. As he was beginning to adjust to the life as a farmer, as he was starting to think that perhaps he has the chance to live a life that is normal, Webb comes into the picture. Webb like the typical mountain man came along with an old horse, from a life along the edges of society, ignoring and not having a care for the civilized life, enjoying the offers of nature in the mountains. Webb reintroduces Jaybird in a series of adventures, which eventually ushers a rediscovery of his character and true self. As Jaybird has nearly adjusted to his new life as a farmer, he met a common-law wife Mary, a Shoshone Indian, with whom he conceived a child. When he went to the judge of the town to have the child registered, the judge refused and instead wrote ‘bastard’. This was a clear proof and startling realization how men like the judge who has power and control, and filed with bigotry and disdain, can refuse the life and contentment of people like Jaybird. He then realizes that being a mountain man is something that is eternal; a mountain man would always be a mountain man. The author Don Berry asks the sincere yet poignant question of what is left for mountain men if they have reached the last of the frontiers. Since Oregon has already fallen into the grasps of civilization, with only the great ocean beyond, what are left for mountain men to do? The freedom that the mountain men enjoyed in their seemingly endless ventures have come to cease, and the civilization would forever crush the hope of attaining such same freedom. This message and reality was compared to how the reflections of the moon cannot be forever kept alive in the water, cannot be trapped, just as freedom can eternally be gone when it finally fades. Reactions and Reflections The point for reflection for the book is rich and clear. The author vividly recalls the struggles and eventual disappearance of the lives of mountain men, who relishes the life in the wild and in the mountains. But it was a life that would not last as they had been pushed to the edge of their land by the conquerors who invades in the name of civilization. The story is fascinating yet heartbreaking for it is how cultures and passions die and fade. The spirit of the mountain men died, because the waves of civilization have already swept through the last frontier – Oregon. Based on history, it recalls how the men of the mountains, how the old ways and old traditions has been cast aside as necessarily outcome of adopting the civilized ways. During the mid-1800s, the final vestiges of freedom of the mountain men, which is Oregon, has finally fallen into the hands of the civilized, and the price is clear and non-negotiable. Freedom for the mountain men, who lives at the edge and ignores the confines of the law, is necessary to be forgotten, for the civilized world frowns at their ways. Although the story weaved from the imaginations of the author, it rings true of what occurred in the old America. It is not only mountain men, but also natives and Indians who have gradually lost the freedom in order to give way to progress. The story recalls the unforgiving people in power whose imposition of civilization comes with bigotry and discrimination. The book is a powerful remembrance of the historical struggles of mountain men who no longer exists as they were slowly eliminated by the dictates of civilization. The history of the American Pacific Northwest is indeed field with richness, and has endless stories to tell. This is what makes the book interesting, for it provides a fascinating mixture of reflections and historical recollections. The author recounts how the white populations has taken over the land, and put an end to the lives and culture of the natives living in it. Although whether this imposition of civilization is good or bad is arguable, what is definite perhaps is that there were lost spirits as the lands of the Northwest was taken over. And this is indeed true in history. The book teaches the value of being faithful to your history and to where you come from. Even as Jaybird decides to escape from the life of a mountain man and start anew, his past always confronts him, and he discovers that at the end of the day, the civilization that he chose over his old ways would ultimately be the one to reject him. A mountain man would always be a mountain man. There is no shame in being at home in outside the limits of the civilized world and there is no wrong in relishing nature and the mountains. What is in fact sad is how this life has been forgotten by the society as we have been taken over by the technological advancements that frown on the lives of them mountain men. The author also gives the constant reminder that once upon a time, there were natives that roamed across the American land, who lived the life that was filled with carefree and freedom. This was a life that was given up, voluntary or otherwise, but deserves to be recalled and remembered. Don Berry constantly reminds us that we must not turn our backs on the people that once was, and he tells the world that the civilization that we are relishing now was not for free, it came at a very high price indeed. Reference Berry, Don. (1973). Moontrap. USA: Ballantine Books.

Political Communication Essay -- Functions of Communication

Politics and the media have long been intimately involved with each other, with media strongly setting an agenda in which politics is very important. (Harris 1999,p.167) â€Å"Our perceived reality of the real world is largely a product of the media.† (Harris 1999,p.186) It is not known which influences more but there are definitely two sides to the story. Many studies have been done to decide but each comes out with different answers. Many say that the media has more of an impact on politics than does politics on the media. â€Å"The two have always been natural adversaries.† â€Å"Skewering each other in print and in conversation, but generally enjoying each other’s company. (Forum) It is the role of the mass media to keep the general public informed and up to date with current news and events in their community, state, country, and around the world. In politics the media can either build or damage a political figure by changing the public’s opinion. Many people depend heavily on television as their source of information where they see or hear about political issues, events, and policies because television is the single most powerful medium of global communication and nightly newscasts are the most frequently watched source of information for the public. (Forum) The mass media is everywhere we turn, from television sets, to airwaves, to print, and even the Internet. In their role, are they actually giving us the right message or is it a rumor, which you often see in tabloids in which it is created just to sell? 75% of the public believes that the top priority of the media is to find and report important information on public issues. Approximately 18% say that it is to give readers and viewers what they ask for. Less than 6% say that it should be for profit. (Forum) The Forum Magazine (September 1994) also discussed a survey done by Kees, a former executive editor of The Fresno Bee, and Phillips former chief of staff of the Republican National Committee. The survey results found many accusations were made about the media. They were more interested in sensationalism than issue, they were political insider’s who can’t report fairly, they didn’t understand the real issues facing the country, they underestimate the public’s taste, and they conspire to disgrace politicians. On the other hand the survey also accused the poli ticians of wrongful doings. It was stated that they... ...d the media. American Political Science Review. 93. 327-342. Harris, R. (1999). A cognitive psychology of mass communication. Makwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Haynes, A. & Murray, S. (1998, October). Why do the media cover certain candidates more than others. American Political Science Quarterly. 26. 420-438. Iyengar, S. (1987, September). Television news and citizen’s explanations of national issues. American Poltical Science Review. p.828. Jacques, W. & Ratzan, S. (1997, August). The Internet’s worldwide web and political accountability. American Behavioral Scientist. 40. 1226-1237. Kalb, M. & Sullivan, A. (1999, September 12). News media give politics short shrift. Greensboro News Record. p.h2. Kiousis, S. (1999, August). Candidate image attributes. Communication Research. 36. 414-428. London, S. (1999). How the media frames political issues. Pippa, N. (1996) Women, media, and politics. Oxford University. Shaw, D. (1999, June). The effect of tv ads and candidate appearances on statewide presidential votes, 1988-96). American Political Science Review. 93. 345-361. The love-hate relationship between politicians and the news media. (1994, September). The Forum Magazine.

Summary of ‘the Gardener’

When Helen Turrell became pregnant she was ashamed because she was not married. She left her home in England to have the baby in the south of France. When she returned to England, she pretended that the baby was really her brother’s child. The brother, George, lived in India but he had died falling off his horse. This meant that Helen had to look after the child. Helen told other lies. She said that she had to go to the south of France because she was ill. More Summary of Devil at My HeelsShe said the child had been born in India, but had been brought to the south of France by a nurse who had been dismissed when the child became ill, and she also said that she had given the child’s mother some money. The child was called Michael. Helen didn’t tell him that she was his real mother. She said that she was his aunt, and that he was her nephew. Michael was sent to a private school. At school, he was told that he was born outside mirage /illusion/ vision.When the First World War began, Michael joined the army. He did not have to do much fighting, but he was killed by an exploding shell that completely buried his body. After the war, Michael was reburied in a huge cemetery in Belgium. After that, Helen decided to visit the grave of Michael. On her way to cemetery, she met a woman named Mrs Scarsworth, who said that she visited graves for her friends who could not come herself. She took photographs of the graves. Late at night, M rs Scarsworth came into Helen’s hotel room.She said that she was telling lies. Her real reason for visiting the cemetery was to visit the grave of someone special to her (probably a secret lover). On the next morning, Helen visited the cemetery. It was huge; there were thousands of black crosses that all looked the same. Helen did not know how she would find her son’s grave. A gardener approached her. Helen said that she was looking for her nephew’s grave. The gardener said he would show her the grave of her son.

How People Make Economic Decisions

The individuals have to make decisions all the time and there is always something to take some time to make sure that the choice will benefit the individual. The same individual has to decide if the decision will cause a monetary burden. Principles of individual decision-making are people make tradeoffs, when people choose one thing they give up something else, rational people think at the margin, and people respond to incentive. People make tradeoffs express by what would choose between items the one that best meets their requirements (Mankiw, 2011).Margin thinking by rational people consists of making a decision is just over the acceptable choice. Possibilities are that individuals are motivated to a decision by monetary profits (Fox, 2010). In 2005, I had to make a decision about staying at Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) or seek another job. I had a problem with the supervisor of the department. The benefit at IDEM was adequate health insurance, sick leave, earned vacation time, and days for funerals (immediate family). This was a hard decision because of the need to rationalize the change.In regard to the marginal cost and benefit because there needed to a stressful transfer from the old job to a new job. I believed that the marginal cost was not an issue because money was not a concern. The marginal benefit was to do have a job that made me happy and relaxed. The principles of economics affect decision-making individuals to evaluate purchases, where to live, what to do with their lives, what to do with their lives, where to work and how many children to have, any other decision that needs to make.All companies have to decide on good to purchase, project the deficient and profits, make sure that they have employed sufficient staff to produce a product or to provide a service, and to having sufficient vendors to meet the needs of the company. The principles of economy do interact with all lives always by every decision that was thought about and every choice made.ReferencesEncyclopedia of Cognitive Science. (2005). Decision-making. Retrieved from http://www. credoreference. com/entry/wileycs/decision-making Fox, J. (2011, October 19). Economists respond to incentives. Retrieved from http://www. blogs. reuters. com/justinfox/2011/10/19/economists-respond-to-incentives Hubbard, R. G. , & O'Brian, A. P. (2010, 2009, 2008, 2006). Economics (3rd Ed. ). Boston, MA: Pearson Education. None listed. (2011). Not titled. Retrieved from http://www. investopial. com/study-guide

The Krupp Family History essays

The Krupp Family History essays The famous Krupp family of Germany has a long and at times controversial history. The history of the family can be traced to the early 15th Century but the family is more historically well - known as the originators of the first major steel-works in Germany in 1811. (Biography: Krupp) This was to develop and in a relatively short period the company had become the largest in the world and a leading supplier of armaments. (Biography: Krupp) Since the late1800s Krupp was seen as a major manufacturer of weapons as well as being characterized by a ....deadly collaboration between the giant industrial complex and the military in Germany and elsewhere, so characteristic of modern warfare. (Biography: Krupp) It should be noted that the history of the family was not always related to armaments. Krupp was recognized in the late 1800s as a major supplier in the world of railroad equipment. Other industrial achievements include that fact that in1862 ...Krupp pioneered the Bessemer process on the Continent and introduced the open-hearth method of steel casting in 1869. (Biography: Krupp) The modern history of the Krupp familys stance towards unions and workers can be clearly seen in the period before and after the First World War. In the early 1900s workers in the Krupp Company were comparatively well treated in a paternalistic system that offered many benefits. This approach to the company occurred under the management of Alfred Krupp. Under his guidance the vertical "mixed company" approach was introduced which meant that other mining, power and transportation concerns were added to the company. During this period Alfred Krupp ....introduced several significant welfare services (health insurance, pension fund, housing), which later served as models for Bismarck's social legislation. (Biography: Krupp) Workers lived in company housing and were also ...mobilised in company unions...&q...

Analysis of Statement Life is Not Fair

It is not fair to get used to life in (Bill Gates) an unfair life. In some aspects of our lives, we have heard someone's opinion. Life is unfair because things will not happen in the future. Life gives people and harms. Life is like a picture by an unknown painter, and it is only a part of it. Pictures can always deceive someone about what they truly mean. Lies, appearances, contradictions, colors, integration, and letters are mere decorations in the overall interpretation of images. First, the work statement is not necessary but an analysis unit, with emphasis on defining and capturing the actual demand report. Parents teaching children lessons lessons have a job to do. The work to do is not a requirement, requirement, requirement, or concern. It is a process that can be disassembled and investigated to understand useful customer input. It is an indicator that the customer uses for measurement at the time of success. Traditional VoC experts do not focus on the tasks to be performed. In other words, if you find a customer's needs, work is not a unit of analysis and the request statement is not related to work. Finished. In fact, the VoC community does not have an agreed analysis unit. Some VoC experts use products as analytical units (Katz does this) and others focus on customers Financial statement analysis (or financial analysis) is the process of reviewing and analyzing the company's financial statements to make better economic decisions. These statements include income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and equity change statement. Financial statement analysis is a method or process that includes specific methods to assess the organization's risks, performance, financial condition, and future prospects. It is used by various stakeholders, including credit and equity investors, governments, the public, decision makers within the organization. These stakeholders have different interests and apply a variety of different technologies to meet their ne eds. For example, equity investors are interested in the organization's long-term profitability and the sustainability and growth potential of dividends. Analysis of Statement Life is Not Fair It is not fair to get used to life in (Bill Gates) an unfair life. In some aspects of our lives, we have heard someone's opinion. Life is unfair because things will not happen in the future. Life gives people and harms. Life is like a picture by an unknown painter, and it is only a part of it. Pictures can always deceive someone about what they truly mean. Lies, appearances, contradictions, colors, integration, and letters are mere decorations in the overall interpretation of images. First, the work statement is not necessary but an analysis unit, with emphasis on defining and capturing the actual demand report. Parents teaching children lessons lessons have a job to do. The work to do is not a requirement, requirement, requirement, or concern. It is a process that can be disassembled and investigated to understand useful customer input. It is an indicator that the customer uses for measurement at the time of success. Traditional VoC experts do not focus on the tasks to be performed. In other words, if you find a customer's needs, work is not a unit of analysis and the request statement is not related to work. Finished. In fact, the VoC community does not have an agreed analysis unit. Some VoC experts use products as analytical units (Katz does this) and others focus on customers Financial statement analysis (or financial analysis) is the process of reviewing and analyzing the company's financial statements to make better economic decisions. These statements include income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and equity change statement. Financial statement analysis is a method or process that includes specific methods to assess the organization's risks, performance, financial condition, and future prospects. It is used by various stakeholders, including credit and equity investors, governments, the public, decision makers within the organization. These stakeholders have different interests and apply a variety of different technologies to meet their ne eds. For example, equity investors are interested in the organization's long-term profitability and the sustainability and growth potential of dividends.

New World Order Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

New World Order - Essay Example Fukuyama (1989) presents the most positive view, based on the perception that something fundamental has changed, and that a new world order is emerging in which history as we have known it is now ended, along with the regrettable tendency of major superpowers to wage terrible wars with each other. For Fukuyama the new order will be a global state ideology based on Western liberal values, since no other ideology can now compete with it. Mearsheimer (1992) agrees that the nation state has lost some of its power, and that world politics is much more integrated than it has previously been. There are, however, many states in the third world which are outside the mainstream, and armed conflict is likely to arise there in the future as it has in the past. He cites the power of global markets as a mechanism that unifies the major world players, but he does not view this as necessarily being a cause for optimism. Competition is built into the economic view of the world, and this will cause friction and ultimately result in military activity even among the established actors. In particular he notes the end of bipolar stability and the arrival of amultipolar and unequal distribution of power. The distribution of nuclear weapons combined with this new instability is seen as grounds to worry about future tensions.