Profile of Civil War Lt General Ulysses S. Grant

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born April 27, 1822, at Point Pleasant, Ohio. The son of Pennsylvania natives Jesse Grant and Hannah Simpson, he was educated locally as a young man. Electing to pursue a military career, Grant sought admission to West Point in 1839. This quest proved successful when Representative Thomas Hamer offered him an appointment. As part of the process, Hamer erred and officially nominated him as Ulysses S. Grant. Arriving at the academy, Grant elected to retain this new name, but stated that the S was an initial only (it is sometimes listed as Simpson in reference to his mothers maiden name). Since his new initials were U.S., Grants classmates nicknamed Sam in reference to Uncle Sam. The Mexican-American War Though a middling student, Grant proved an exceptional horseman while at West Point. Graduating in 1843, Grant placed 21st in a class of 39. Despite his equestrian skills, he received an assignment to serve as quartermaster of the 4th US Infantry as there were no vacancies in the dragoons. In 1846, Grant was part of Brigadier General Zachary Taylors Army of Occupation in southern Texas. With the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, he saw action at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Though assigned as a quartermaster, Grant sought out action. After taking part in the Battle of Monterrey, he was transferred to Major General Winfield Scotts army. Landing in March 1847, Grant was present at the Siege of Veracruz and marched inland with Scotts army. Reaching the outskirts of Mexico City, he was brevetted for gallantry for his performance at the Battle of Molino del Rey on September 8. This was followed by a second brevet for his actions during the Battle of Chapultepec when he hoisted a howitzer to a church bell tower to cover the American advance on the San Cosmà © Gate. A student of war, Grant closely watched his superiors during his time in Mexico and learned key lessons that he would apply later. The Interwar Years After a brief postwar stint in Mexico, Grant returned to the United States and married Julia Boggs Dent on August 22, 1848. The couple ultimately had four children. Over the next four years, Grant held peacetime posts on the Great Lakes. In 1852, the he received orders to depart for the West Coast. With Julia pregnant and lacking funds to support a family on the frontier, Grant was forced to leave his wife in the care of her parents in St. Louis, MO. After enduring a harsh journey via Panama, Grant arrived at San Francisco before traveling north to Fort Vancouver. Deeply missing his family and the second child who he had never seen, Grant became discouraged by his prospects. Taking solace in alcohol, he attempted to find ways to supplement his income so that his family could come west. These proved unsuccessful and he began to contemplate resigning. Promoted to captain in April 1854 with orders to move to Fort Humboldt, CA, he instead elected to resign. His departure most likely was accelerated by rumors of his drinking and possible disciplinary action. Returning to Missouri, Grant and his family settled on land belonging to her parents. Dubbing his farm Hardscrabble, it proved financially unsuccessful despite the assistance of a slave provided by Julias father. After several failed business endeavors, Grant moved his family to Galena, IL in 1860 and became an assistant in his fathers tannery, Grant Perkins. Though his father was a prominent Republican in the area, Grant favored Stephen A. Douglas in the 1860 presidential election, but did not vote as he had not lived in Galena long enough to obtain Illinois residency. Early Days of the Civil War Through the winter and spring after Abraham Lincolns election sectional tensions heightened culminating with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. With the beginning of the Civil War, Grant aided in recruiting a company of volunteers and led it to Springfield, IL. Once there, Governor Richard Yates seized on Grants military experience and set him to training newly arriving recruits. Proving highly effective in this role, Grant used his connections to Congressman Elihu B. Washburne to secure a promotion to colonel on June 14. Given command of the unruly 21st Illinois Infantry, he reformed the unit and made it an effective fighting force. On July 31, Grant was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers by Lincoln. This promotion led to Major General John C. Frà ©mont giving him command of the District of Southeast Missouri at the end of August. In November, Grant received orders from Frà ©mont to demonstrate against the Confederate positions at Columbus, KY. Moving down the Mississippi River, he landed 3,114 men on the opposite shore and attacked a Confederate force near Belmont, MO. In the resulting Battle of Belmont, Grant had initial success before Confederate reinforcements pushed him back to his boats. Despite this setback, the engagement greatly boosted Grants confidence and that of his men. Forts Henry and Donelson After several weeks of inaction, a reinforced Grant was ordered to move up the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers against Forts Henry and Donelson by the commander of the Department of Missouri, Major General Henry Halleck. Working with gunboats under Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote, Grant began his advance on February 2, 1862. Realizing that Fort Henry was located on a flood plain and open to naval attack, its commander, Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman, withdrew most of his garrison to Fort Donelson before Grant arrived and captured the post on the 6th. After occupying Fort Henry, Grant immediately moved against Fort Donelson eleven miles to the east. Situated on high, dry ground, Fort Donelson proved near invulnerable to naval bombardment. After direct assaults failed, Grant invested the fort. On the 15th, Confederate forces under Brigadier General John B. Floyd attempted a breakout but were contained before creating an opening. With no options left, Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner asked Grant for surrender terms. Grants response was simply, No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted, which earned him the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant. The Battle of Shiloh With the fall of Fort Donelson, over 12,000 Confederates were captured, nearly a third of  General Albert Sidney Johnstons Confederate forces in the region. As a result, he was forced to order the abandonment of Nashville, as well as a retreat from Columbus, KY. Following the victory, Grant was promoted to major general and began to experience problems with Halleck who had become professionally jealous of his successful subordinate. After surviving attempts to replace him, Grant received orders to push up the Tennessee River. Reaching Pittsburg Landing, he halted to await the arrival of  Major General Don Carlos Buells Army of the Ohio. Seeking to halt the string of reverses in his theater, Johnston and  General P.G.T. Beauregard  planned a massive attack on Grants position. Opening the  Battle of Shiloh  on April 6, they caught Grant by surprise. Though nearly driven into the river, Grant stabilized his lines and held. That evening, one of his division commanders,  Brigadier General William T. Sherman, commented Tough day today, Grant. Grant apparently responded, Yes, but well whip em tomorrow. Reinforced by Buell during the night, Grant launched a massive counterattack the next day and drove the Confederates from the field and sent them retreating to Corinth, MS. The bloodiest encounter to date with the Union suffering 13,047 casualties and the Confederates 10,699, the losses at Shiloh stunned the public. Though Grant came under criticism for being unprepared on April 6 and was falsely accused of being drunk, Lincoln refused to remove him stating, I cant spare this man; he fights. Corinth and Halleck After the victory at Shiloh, Halleck elected to take to the field in person and assembled a large force consisting of Grants Army of the Tennessee,  Major General John Popes Army of the Mississippi, and Buells Army of the Ohio at Pittsburg Landing. Continuing his issues with Grant, Halleck removed him from army command and made him the overall second-in-command with no troops under his direct control. Incensed, Grant contemplated leaving, but was talked into staying by Sherman who was quickly becoming a close friend. Enduring this arrangement through the Corinth and Iuka campaigns of the summer, Grant returned to independent command that October when he was made commander of the Department of the Tennessee and tasked with taking the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, MS. Taking Vicksburg Given free rein by Halleck, now general-in-chief in Washington, Grant designed a two-prong attack, with Sherman advancing down the river with 32,000 men, while he advanced south along Mississippi Central Railroad with 40,000 men. These movements were to be supported by an advance north from New Orleans by  Major General Nathaniel Banks. Establishing a supply base at Holly Springs, MS, Grant pressed south to Oxford, hoping to engage Confederate forces under  Major  General Earl Van Dorn  near Grenada. In December 1862, Van Dorn, badly outnumbered, launched a large cavalry raid around Grants army and destroyed the supply base at Holly Springs, halting the Union advance. Shermans situation was no better. Moving down the river with relative ease, he arrived just north of Vicksburg on Christmas Eve. After sailing up the Yazoo River, he disembarked his troops and began moving through the swamps and bayous toward the town before being badly defeated at  Chickasaw Bayou  on the 2 9th. Lacking support from Grant, Sherman opted to withdrawal. After Shermans men were drawn off to  attack Arkansas Post  in early January, Grant moved to the river to command his entire army in person. Based just north of Vicksburg on the west bank, Grant spent the winter of 1863 seeking a way to bypass Vicksburg with no success. He finally devised a bold plan for capturing the Confederate fortress. Grant proposed to move down the west bank of the Mississippi, then cut loose from his supply lines by crossing the river and attacking the city from the south and east. This risky move was to be supported by gunboats commanded by  Rear Admiral David D. Porter, which would run downstream past the Vicksburg batteries prior to Grant crossing the river. On the nights of April 16 and 22, Porter two groups of ships past the town. With a naval force established below the town, Grant began his march south. On April 30, Grants army crossed the river at Bruinsburg and moved northeast to cut the rail lines to Vicksburg before turning on the town itself. Turning Point in the West Conducting a brilliant campaign, Grant swiftly drove back Confederate forces on his front and captured Jackson, MS on May 14. Turning west towards Vicksburg, his troops repeatedly defeated  Lieutenant General John Pembertons forces and drove them back into the citys defense. Arriving at Vicksburg and wishing to avoid a siege, Grant launched assaults against the city on May 19 and 22 taking heavy losses in the process.  Settling into a siege, his army was reinforced and tightened the noose on Pembertons garrison. Waiting out the enemy, Grant forced a starving Pemberton to surrender Vicksburg and his 29,495-man garrison on July 4. The victory gave Union forces control of the entire Mississippi and was the turning point of the war in the West. Victory at Chattanooga In the wake of  Major General William Rosecranss defeat at  Chickamauga  in September 1863, Grant was given command of the Military Division of the Mississippi and control of all Union armies in the West. Moving to Chattanooga, he reopened a supply line to Rosecrans beleaguered Army of the Cumberland and replaced the defeated general with  Major General George H. Thomas. In an effort to turn the tables on  General Braxton Braggs Army of Tennessee, Grant captured Lookout Mountain on November 24 before directing his combined forces to a stunning victory at the  Battle of Chattanooga  the next day. In the fighting, Union troops drove the Confederates off Missionary Ridge and sent them reeling south. Coming East In March 1864, Lincoln promoted Grant to lieutenant general and gave him command of all Union armies. Grant elected to turn over operational control of the western armies to Sherman and shifted his headquarters east to travel with  Major General George G. Meades Army of the Potomac. Leaving Sherman with orders to press the Confederate Army of Tennessee and take Atlanta, Grant sought to engage  General Robert E. Lee  in a decisive battle to destroy the Army of Northern Virginia. In Grants mind, this was the key to ending the war, with the capture of Richmond of secondary importance. These initiatives were to be supported by smaller campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley, southern Alabama, and western Virginia. The Overland Campaign In early May 1864, Grant began marching south with 101,000 men. Lee, whose army numbered 60,000, moved to intercept and met Grant in a dense forest known as the  Wilderness. While Union attacks initially drove the Confederates back, they were blunted and forced back by the late arrival of  Lieutenant General James Longstreets corps. After three days of fighting, the battle turned into a stalemate with Grant having lost 18,400 men and Lee 11,400. While Grants army had suffered more casualties, they comprised a lesser proportion of his army than Lees. As the Grants goal was to destroy Lees army, this was an acceptable outcome. Unlike his predecessors in the East, Grant continued to press south after the bloody fight and the armies quickly met again at the  Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. After two weeks of fighting, another stalemate ensued. As before Union casualties were higher, but Grant understood that each battle cost Lee casualties that the Confederates could not replace. Again pushing south, Grant was unwilling to attack Lees strong position at  North Anna  and moved around the Confederate right. Meeting Lee at the  Battle of Cold Harbor  on May 31, Grant launched a series of bloody attacks against the Confederate fortifications three days later. The defeat would haunt Grant for years and he later wrote, I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made...no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained. Siege of Petersburg After pausing for nine days, Grant stole a march on Lee and raced south across the James River to capture Petersburg. A key rail center, the capture of the city would cut off supplies to Lee and Richmond. Initially blocked from the city by troops under Beauregard, Grant assaulted the Confederate lines between June 15 and 18 to no avail. As both armies arrived in full, a long series of trenches and fortifications were constructed that presaged the Western Front of  World War I. An attempt to break the deadlock occurred on July 30 when Union troops assaulted after the  detonation of a mine, but the attack failed.  Settling into a siege, Grant kept pushing his troops further south and east in an effort to cut the railroads into the city and stretch out Lees smaller army. As the situation at Petersburg became drawn out, Grant was criticized in the media for failing to achieve a decisive result and for being a butcher due to the heavy losses taken during the Overland Campaign. This was intensified when a small Confederate force under  Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early  threatened Washington, DC on July 12. Earlys actions necessitated Grant sending troops back north to deal with the danger. Eventually led by  Major General Philip H. Sheridan, the Union forces effectively destroyed Earlys command in a series of battles in the Shenandoah Valley later that year. While the situation at Petersburg remained stagnant, Grants broader strategy began to bear fruit as Sherman captured Atlanta in September. As the siege continued through the winter and into the spring, Grant continued to receive positive reports as Union troops had success on other fronts. These and a deteriorating situation at Petersburg led Lee to assault Grants lines on March 25. Though his troops had initial success, they were driven back by Union counterattacks. Seeking to exploit the victory, Grant pushed a large force west to capture the critical crossroads of Five Forks and threaten the Southside Railroad. At the  Battle of Five Forks  on April 1, Sheridan took the objective. This defeat placed Lees position at Petersburg, as well as Richmond, in jeopardy. Informing President Jefferson Davis that both would need to be evacuated, Lee came under heavy attack from Grant on April 2. These assauls drove the Confederates from the city and sent them retreating west. Appomattox After occupying Petersburg, Grant began chasing Lee across Virginia with Sheridans men in the lead. Moving west and harried by Union cavalry, Lee hoped to re-supply his army before heading south to link up with forces under  General Joseph Johnston  in North Carolina. On April 6, Sheridan was able to cut off approximately 8,000 Confederates under  Lieutenant General Richard Ewell  at  Saylers Creek. After some fighting the Confederates, including eight generals, surrendered. Lee, with fewer than 30,000 hungry men, hoped to reach supply trains that were waiting at Appomattox Station. This plan was dashed when Union cavalry under  Major General George A. Custer  arrived in the town and burned the trains. Lee next set his sights on reaching Lynchburg. On the morning of April 9, Lee ordered his men to break through the Union lines that blocked their path. They attacked but were stopped. Now surrounded on three sides, Lee accepted the inevitable stating, Then there is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths. Later that day,  Grant met with Lee at the McLean House  in Appomattox Court House to discuss surrender terms. Grant, who had been suffering a bad headache, arrived late, wearing a worn privates uniform with only his shoulder straps denoting his rank. Overcome by the emotion of the meeting, Grant had difficulty getting to the point, but soon laid out generous terms which Lee accepted. Postwar Actions With the defeat of the Confederacy, Grant was required to immediately dispatch troops under Sheridan to Texas to serve as a deterrent to the French who had recently installed Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico. To assist the Mexicans, he also told Sheridan to aid the deposed Benito Juarez if possible. To this end, 60,000 rifles were provided to the Mexicans. The following year, Grant was required to close the Canadian border to prevent the Fenian Brotherhood from attacking Canada. In gratitude for his services during the war, Congress promoted Grant to the newly created rank of General of the Army on July 25, 1866. As general-in-chief, Grant oversaw the US Army role during the early years of Reconstruction in the South. Dividing the South into five military districts, he believed that a military occupation was necessary and the Freedmans Bureau was needed. Though he worked closely with President Andrew Johnson, Grants personal feelings were more in line with the Radical Republicans in Congress. Grant became increasing popular with this group when he refused to aid Johnson in deposing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. U.S. President As a result of this relationship, Grant was nominated for president on the 1868 Republican ticket. Facing no significant opposition for the nomination, he easily defeated former New York Governor Horatio Seymour in the general election. At age 46, Grant was the youngest US president to date. Taking office, his two terms were dominated by Reconstruction and mending the wounds of the Civil War. Deeply interested in promoting the rights of former slaves, he secured passage of the 15th Amendment and signed laws promoting voting rights as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1875. During his first term the economy was booming and corruption became rampant. As a result, his administration became plagued by a variety of scandals. Despite these issues, he remained popular with the public and was re-elected in 1872. Economic growth came to an abrupt halt with the Panic of 1873 which keyed a five-year depression. Responding slowly to the panic, he later vetoed an inflation bill which would have released additional currency into the economy. As his time in office neared an end, his reputation was damaged by the Whiskey Ring scandal. Though Grant was not directly involved, his private secretary was and it became emblematic of Republican corruption. Leaving office in 1877, he spent two years touring the world with his wife. Warmly received at each stop, he aided in mediating a dispute between China and Japan. Later Life Returning home, Grant soon faced a severe financial crisis. Having been forced to cede his military pension to serve as president, he was soon swindled in 1884 by Ferdinand Ward, his Wall Street investor. Effectively bankrupted, Grant was forced to repay one of his creditors with his Civil War mementos. Grants situation soon worsened when he learned he was suffering from throat cancer. An avid cigar smoker since Fort Donelson, Grant had at times consumed 18-20 a day. In an effort generate revenue, Grant wrote a series of books and articles which were warmly received and aided in improving his reputation. Further support came from Congress which restored his military pension. In an effort to aid Grant, noted author Mark Twain offered him a generous contract for his memoirs. Settling at Mount McGregor, NY, Grant completed the work only days before his death on July 23, 1885.  Memoirs  proved both a critical and commercial success and provided the family with much-needed security. After lying in state, Grants body was transported south to New York City where it was placed in a temporary mausoleum in Riverside Park. His pallbearers included Sherman, Sheridan, Buckner, and Joseph Johnston. On April 17, Grants body was moved a short distance to the newly constructed Grants Tomb. He was joined by Julia following her death in 1902. Sources White House: Ulysses S. GrantCivil War: Ulysses S. GrantLibrary of Congress: Ulysses Grant

Jetblue Airways Starting from Scratch - 8436 Words

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL 9-801-354 REV: OCTOBER 29. 2001 JODY HOPPER GITTELL CHARLES OREILL Y Where have you heard this before? Were starting tickets and go to the big cities. a new low-fare airline. Were going to offer low-fare -Financial If you want to be a millionaire, start with a billion dollars and launch a new airline: -Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Analyst Atlantic Airways Keep an eye on ]etBlue. That could prove to be a successful operation.3 -Herb Kelleher, Co-founder, CEO, Southwest Airlines Ann Rhoades looked up from the stack of papers in front of her and gazed out the window. She watched with pride as a JetBlue plane lifted off from Kennedy Airport. She knew from the†¦show more content†¦In 2000,only 17 of theseremained in operation. Experts were mixed in their outlook for the company. One airline analyst who was positive, commented that When the big boys do as terrible a job as theyve been doing, of course guys like ]etBlue have a chance.1I another airline But observer was less sanguine. lIlts a really risky business to take on these eight-hundred pound gorillas. You have to be a little nuts to want to do thiS.IIS David Neeleman David Neeleman,the founder of JetBlue,had gotten his start in the airline businessin 1984when he partnered with June and Mitch Morris to run the Southwest Airlines look-alike, Morris Air. Neelemanraised $20 million in venture capital from Michael Lazarus of the Weston Presidio group, and in just over one year increasedthe value of Morris Air from approximately $59 million to $130 million. Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines, watched the growth of Morris Air and its route network centered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and made Southwests first and only acquisition to date. Southwest Airlines was the most prominent success story in the U.S. airline industry , and had always prided itself on growing from within at a steady rate of 12% to 18% per year. But Morris Air was so similar to Southwest, by design, that Kelleher believed the merger would be a success. Neeleman and the Morris family sold Morris Air to Southwest Airlines in 1993, and Neeleman joinedShow MoreRelatedEssay on Jetblue Airways: Starting from Scratch1994 Words   |  8 PagesAt the beginning, JetBlue management set the tone for themselves that they would be different then other airlines. To do that they set values for all employees from top to bottom to follow and they set up an attractive pay and a unique benefits package that would allow for successful recruitment and retention of employees, while sig nificantly reducing the chance of a union moving into the organization. Equal Employment Opportunity Laws There are certain Equal Employment Opportunity laws thatRead MoreJetblue Airways: Starting from Scratch - Case Analysis Essay1125 Words   |  5 PagesExecutive Summary JetBlue Airways, the latest entrant in the airlines industry has gone through the initial stages (entrepreneurial and collectivity) of the organizational life cycle rapidly under the successful leadership of David Neelman. JetBlue Airways is currently in the formalization stage of the life cycle where in it needs to create procedures and control systems to effectively manage its growth. Also as it proceeds to grow further to reach the elaboration stage, JetBlue needs to continueRead MoreJetblue Airways: Starting From Scratch - Case Analysis Essay1121 Words   |  5 PagesExecutive Summary JetBlue Airways, the latest entrant in the airlines industry has gone through the initial stages (entrepreneurial and collectivity) of the organizational life cycle rapidly under the successful leadership of David Neelman. JetBlue Airways is currently in the formalization stage of the life cycle where in it needs to create procedures and control systems to effectively manage its growth. Also as it proceeds to grow further to reach the elaboration stage, JetBlue needs to continueRead MoreJet Blue Case Study1906 Words   |  8 Pagesdeveloped by Ann Rhoades who was the Executive Vice President of People at JetBlue Airways. Ms. Rhoades was very innovative with the development of the new HR policies, which up to that time had never been implemented by any other startup airline organization. Along with the strategies, policies, and practices, there were ï ¬ ve core values that were also established. These values provided an overarching vision for JetBlue Airways in order to direct all organization activities whether internal or externalRead MoreCase Study : Jetblue Airlines Three National Employment Opportunities Laws1564 Words   |  7 Pages CASES: JETBLUE AIRWAYS ERICA YOUNG CASES IN ADVANCED HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY 4, 2016 CASES: JETBLUE AIRWAYS Three National Employment Opportunities Laws JetBlue Airways was established to be built on five core values of safety, caring, integrity, fun and passion. â€Å"JetBlue is a value based company built on the principle that to be extraordinary on the outside you must first be extraordinary on the inside† (Gittel O’Reilly, 2001). Three nationalRead MoreJetblue Case Study3055 Words   |  13 Pages  MANAGEMENT   AT   JETBLUE          1       Human Resources Management Analysis JetBlue Airways Case Study: JetBlue Airways: Starting from Scratch (Gittell O’Reilly, 2001) Running   Head:   HUMAN   RESOURCES   MANAGEMENT   AT   JETBLUE 2                Abstract       This   paper   identifies   the   various   impacts   of   Equal   Employment   Opportunity    (EEO)   laws   on   JetBlue   Airways   and   the Read MoreJet Blue Case Study Essay2908 Words   |  12 Pagesoperating organizations. Through various examples from the research of company material, it demonstrates that all managers are necessarily involved with the human resources part of business, which is described here from Mondy (2008). HUMAN RESOURCE STRATEGIES, POLICIES PRACTICES 3 JetBlue Airways: Starting from Scratch In review of the case study of a newly developed start-up airline, JetBlue Airways (2001), it describes how the founderRead MoreThe Laws That Impact Hiring Practices2289 Words   |  10 PagesAfter reading â€Å"JetBlue Airways: Starting from Scratch† I considered different aspects of the case and realized there are certain employment laws that JetBlue should be aware of to guarantee that they are following state and government laws that were enacted to protect the rights of others. The three laws identified are the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and American with Disabilities Act. These detailed laws contain information to assist JetBlue tremulouslyRead MoreEssay on HMP1 000305944 Task 1 2 4624 Words   |  19 Pagesï » ¿ JetBlue Airways: Starting From Scratch Troy Thorpe WGU JetBlue Airways: Starting from Scratch Before David Neeleman’s non-compete agreement with Southwest Airlines expired, he envisioned the concept of starting a low-fare airline that would combine common sense, innovation, and technology and bring the humanity back into air travel (Gittel O’Reilly, 2001). In 1998, JetBlue was born. In order for David to fulfill his goal of a â€Å"do-it-right† kind of airline, he needed to recruit superior

“The Last 203 Days of Sarah’s Life” free essay sample

Sarah’s daughter Kaye expressed her feelings throughout the video, the frustration, the good and bad days her mother had, all of which affect the care givers state of being. Listening to the sadness in Kaye’s voice reached me. I was able to relate with her situation because I just recently heard the same from my own aunt who takes care of my grandmother. It’s the hardest thing to witness when the care giver is breaking down from built up frustration. Sarah and Kaye began the film with what turns out to be 203 days before Sarah’s death. Sarah is terminally ill and although she’s in great pain and discomfort, her state of mind is clear and defined. She wore a wig and cared about what she looked like, getting her nails done and all. Half way through the film you can see things are taking a turn for the worse. We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"The Last 203 Days of Sarah’s Life† or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Sarah’s physical appearance changed quite a bit. She wore no make up, the wig was gone and she was slower and in much more visible and audible pain. Up until two weeks ago, I knew that a hospice was a place where the terminally ill go to die. I had no clue as to how the staff relates to the clients or what their primary focus would be. The staff members from the hospice in the film were primarily concerned with Sarah’s level of pain and how they could help alleviate it. They treated her with respect and did not patronize her in any shape or form. All of which was mentioned in the last chapter of our textbook. Kaye had mentioned three things her mother feared, dirtying herself, loosing her mind and being put in a nursing home, then she mentions how all of her fears came to fruition. Sarah herself said at one point â€Å"†¦I have no idea what it was all about†. My take on her comment was that although she came to accept her inevitable death, she did not have any philosophical answers to give anyone. The film began with hospice care being administered at Kaye’s home and it seems that by that time Sarah had gone through her stages of realization and had now accepted her death. I realize that witnessing all this makes me better aware of what happens, but knowing what to expect and going through it are definitely two different things. Eventually Kaye was not able to continue providing the care her mother required. Although the decision to move her mother to the hospice was difficult to accept, it was a welcomed event. Kaye had gotten to the point where she couldn’t cope physically. In the end, when Sarah died, Kaye seemed like having had her mother in the hospice was the best way to have conducted their affairs. Watching the film was definitely enlightening. It was an eye opener to the benefits of hospice care. Having been around for some time I have experienced the loss of a loved one but my case was different and did not require the use of hospice care. The film is definitely worth watching.

Risks Associated with Choosing a Superannuation Fund of financial

Question: What Is The Risks Associated With Choosing A Superannuation Fund? Answer: Introducation: Superannuation and encouraging people to consider saving and investing especially for their future after retirement have been a major focus of emphasis in Australia particularly in the past two or so decades(Bodie, Shoven, Wise, 1988). Superannuation refers to organizational pension schemes that are created within a company for the maximum benefit of the employees. Taking the lead in this has been the Australian government that has taken a pro-active approach to the issue and directed that minimum contributions should be made to demonstrate compliance to superannuation or retirement funds on behalf of the employees by their respective employers. This figure stood at 3.6% of the employees salary when it was introduced but it was later amended to 9% in 2005(Bodie, Shoven, Wise, 1988). The employees themselves were also required to allocate a share of their income to superannuation investment. It was hoped that by introducing these measures, the burden will be lifted from the social s ecurity system that provides retirement or pension payments to support retired individuals for the rest of their lives after retirement. The mandated requirements on superannuation and increased awareness by individuals on the significance of saving have resulted in billions of dollars worth of contributions going into superannuation funds and institutions of finance each year(Brown, Gallery, Gallery, 2002). The financial institutions and the superannuation funds in turn participate in profitable investment of these contributions and provide adequate income to finance the lives of the individuals after they retire. It is therefore, no surprise that superannuation and mutual funds are considered as one of the biggest investors in the financial markets in Australia especially in equity securities in both locally listed and internationally listed companies in the share markets(Bodie, Shoven, Wise, 1988). There are varied employer pension programs in terms of design and can be classified as define contribution and defined benefit programs. The defined contribution program allows an employee to have an account into which their employer will deposit regular contributions(Bodie, Shoven, Wise, 1988). If the account is a contributory account, the employee also makes regular contributions. The level of benefits that the employee will receive depend on the total contributions and earnings from investments that will have accumulated in the account. In this plan, the employee has a considerable say in the type of investment assets that the accumulation can be derived from and can also determine the value of investment at any time suitable to them. The defined contribution plan are thus tax-deferred and fully funded savings accounts in trust for an employee. These plans are effectively not open to government regulators(Bodie, Shoven, Wise, 1988). A defined benefit plan on the other hand, a formula is used to determine an employees pension benefit. The formula takes into account the years of service to an employer, their wages, and salaries(Dulebohn, Murray, Sun, 2000). Several of the defined benefits programs in existence today take into account the benefits of social security entitled to the employee. Both the defined benefit and defined contribution plans have characteristic features that set them apart from each other with regard to the risks that apply to the employee and the employers, the impact of inflation to the benefit, the flexibility of funding, and significance of governmental supervision(Dulebohn, Murray, Sun, 2000). In recent times, there has been a steady shift from defined benefit pension plans to accumulation plans in Australia(Princen, 2013). More than half of this change is attributable to the changes in employment arrangements from large unionized manufacturing firms to smaller firms that are not unionized in the service industries that provide accumulation plans. This shift is attributed to an increase in the administrative and regulatory costs that have made defined benefit plans more expensive to employers due to the heightened regulatory scrutiny(Dulebohn, Murray, Sun, 2000). High labour mobility also made the prospect of defined benefits programs less attractive to employees. Superannuation in Australia has grown to about 90% since its inception but the majority of funds that are being established are accumulation funds and not defined benefit plans(Dulebohn, Murray, Sun, 2000). Fewer employers are offering their staff superannuation based on defined benefit programs. Consequently, the number of defined benefit plans has reduced significantly or are simply not available to new employees in the organizations and instead these individuals are advised to enroll to accumulation plans. In an accumulation plan, an employer pays an agreed amount, usually a percentage of the employees current salary to the superannuation fund(Brown, Gallery, Gallery, 2002). The employers obligation to the employee is fully discharged once their contribution has been deposited into the superannuation fund. The employees benefit from that moment on depend on the accumulation of their contribution to the plan including their earnings. This is different from the defined benefit pac kage where an actuary regularly reviews the rate of contribution and the extent to which assets contained in the superannuation fund are sufficient to cover obligation of paying benefits(Brown, Gallery, Gallery, 2002). If the actuary determines that the assets are inadequate to do so, the employer is under obligation to make additional contributions to the fund to cover the deficit(Brealey Meyers, 2010). In a defined benefit program, the employer covers the risk that the plan will cost more than the expected amount alongside the risk that the investment plan will generate less returns as compared to the expected(Chew, 2008). This stems from the increased administrative and investment costs that are incurred in management of the fund. For this reason, most employers underwrite the plan. On the other hand, in the investment choice plan, the employer is not obligated to the plan after making their periodic contribution to it. Thus, the employees or members of the fund bear the actuarial and investment risk associated with the fund particularly with its administration or management(Dulebohn, Murray, Sun, 2000). The members in this arrangement have a range of investments to choose from and these investments expose them to varying degrees of risk(Dunphy, Benn, Griffiths, 2014). The merits of a DBP and an ICP plan are balanced. Looking at future expected returns, both plans offer similar expectations in common circumstances thus it cannot be said that one plan is the better option of the two. In terms of benefits, the differences arise due to factors such as the age of the member, years of membership and future increments of their salary. Differences between the two plans in terms of the benefits that are ultimately payable arise from individual factors such as the members age, years of SSAU membership and future salary increases. Stevens assessment suggests that there was no bias at the time of the offer in respect of the two types of benefits that might have induced members to select one plan over the other. Risks Associated with Choosing a Superannuation Fund To achieve the objective of maximizing an individuals retirement benefits relies heavily on making an informed choice. An individuals unwillingness or inability to be informed and the costs involved in acquiring information play a significant role in making a choice, often an informed one(Dunphy, Benn, Griffiths, 2014). Evidently being informed includes taking time to acquire, review, and interpret the reports and other investment material. It also includes attending training sessions, consulting professionals on financial matters among other forms of information. Making the wrong decision can be costly. When the costs significantly exceed the perceived benefits of the choice, then a person can avoid the program altogether(Bolton, 2015). The risk transfer costs is a factor that needs to be considered irrespective of the amount or intensity of education an individual can receive. These costs include the costs of becoming informed as aforementioned such as the time invested into the exercise, or consultation with a financial expert, and never-ending process of monitoring the ICP option(Dulebohn, Murray, Sun, 2000). These factors have made many individuals to remain in the defined benefits program and not switch to the investment choice plan. The manner in which the benefits under each plan are determined is another area to consider before making the switch. Under the DBP, the employees benefit in the plan is linked to their period of employment and the final salary they receive before retirement. An Investment Choice Plan is similar to a savings account in a bank in that ultimate benefit is a sum of the accumulated contributions and the net investment earnings from the point that the periodic contributions are made(Quiry, Fur, Salvi, Dallocchio, Vernimmen, 2011). Thus, the different ways in which value is determined should be a concern to the tertiary employee. For example, a DBP is based on a formula and accrues over a long period hence; it is not possible to establish their exact value at any point in future(Bodie, Shoven, Wise, 1988). ICP benefits, in contrast, can be determined from the cumulated contributions and earnings from an established point(Bodie, Shoven, Wise, 1988). The characteristics of work and the risks brought about by the employee are also noteworthy in this case. This is because these risks contribute to the differences in the expected value of the benefits derived from both plans(Princen, 2013). Characteristics of work are inclusive of the initial age of employment, years of service, level of salary during the period of employment and retirement, and the longevity after retirement(Dulebohn, Murray, Sun, 2000). The most significant of these risks are those that come from changing jobs and risks emanating from the financial market. Both worker characteristics and types of risks borne by employees are contributory factors to differences in the expected value of benefits derived from defined benefit and accumulation plans. Worker characteristics include age at initial employment, years of service, salary levels during employment and at retirement, and longevity post-retirement. The major risks that lead to differences in the expected values of defined benefit and accumulation plans are those associated with changing jobs and financial market risks. Financial market risk is the second major risk and the most relevant to our study. In accumulation plans members directly bear financial market risk, whereas members of defined benefit plans are only indirectly exposed to such risk. In accumulation plans that offer choice of investment strategy, it is essential that members have a certain level of financial literacy to evaluate and monitor performance of the alternatives. In choosing an investment option, members are f aced with the tasks of examining, comprehending, and evaluating an array of financial information to assess the relative merits of the differing superannuation plan options. This process includes considering the nature of the investment strategy for each option, allocation of assets within each option, and assessing the relative risks and returns of each option to determine which one best matches the members risk-return preferences. Superannuation fund members who are more comfortable with making such significant investment decisions and are more willing to accept the associated financial risks are more likely to choose an accumulation plan over a defined benefit plan The statement is false because there are some factors that need to be taken into account. First, the efficient market hypothesis does not mean that the selection of the portfolio is carried out using a pin. There are still three issues that the manager needs to address. Top on that list that the manager needs to ensure that the portfolio has been diversified satisfactorily(Chew, 2008). The logic behind this is simple. A huge number of stocks is simply not enough to secure diversification. Hence, the resulting portfolio may not be well diversified if large stocks are taken as the measure for diversification. The result is that this may leave the fund with a unique risk that will not be recognized or rewarded. The manager should thus make sure that the portfolio is diversified well because the large number of stocks could all be in similar industries, a factor that does not represent many returns(Brealey Meyers, 2010). Hurling pins at the stock page may create diversification of the p ortfolio but the expected return or risk from the resultant portfolio cannot be controlled. Second, the resulting portfolio may bear excessive amounts of systematic risk for the individuals(Quiry, Fur, Salvi, Dallocchio, Vernimmen, 2011). With additional wealth it may not be too big a concern for these individuals to invest in an asset without any risks. However, if there is no additional wealth, the portfolio presents a very high beta with respect to the individuals preferences of risk. The pension fund manager will need to ensure that the risks associated with the diversified portfolio augers well with the clients. For the pension fund, the manager should select the portfolio that represents a safe investment for the client, which in this case refers to the stocks or bonds or a combined portfolio that have a lower beta(Princen, 2013). It is also prudent to consider the presence of taxes in this imperfect world. An investors tax position is very critical in a matter such as this one. Some specific assets have the tendency to generate surpluses due to their high taxability nature emanating from the equilibrating process(Princen, 2013). For investors in the lower bracket, the after-tax returns on the assets is manageable and favorable. Therefore, the manager should take the status of the tax into account in this case. Thus, the pension fund manager should tailor the portfolio in a manner that takes advantage of the special tax legislature governing pension funds(Brealey Meyers, 2010). Such legal provisions make it possible to increase the returns expected from the portfolio without incurring extra risk on the venture. References Bodie, Z., Shoven, J. B., Wise, D. A. (1988). Defined Benefit versus Defined Contribution Pension Plans: What are the Real Trade-offs? In Pensions in the U.S. Economy (pp. 139-162). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Bolton, B. (2015). Sustainable financial management investments: Maximizing corporate profits and long-term economic value creation. New York: Palgrave, Macmillan. Brealey, R. A., Meyers, S. C. (2010). Principles of corporate finance. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. Brown, K., Gallery, G., Gallery, N. (2002). Informed superannuation choice: constraints and policy resolutions. Economic Analysis Policy, 32(1), 71-90. Chew, D. H. (2008). Corporate Risk Management. New York: Columbia University Press. Dulebohn, J., Murray, B., Sun, M. (2000). Selection among employer-sponsored pension plans: The role of individual differences. Personnel Psychology, 53, 405-432. Dunphy, D. C., Benn, S., Griffiths, A. (2014). Organizational change for corporate sustainability. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Princen, S. (2013). Determining the impact of taxation on corporate financial decision-making. Reflets perpectives de la vie economique, 161-170. Quiry, P., Fur, Y. L., Salvi, A., Dallocchio, M., Vernimmen, P. (2011). Corporate finance: Theory and Practice. New York, NY: John Wiley Sons Inc.

Macbeth Essays (710 words) - Characters In Macbeth,

Macbeth Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is the tragic tale of Macbeth, a virtuous man, corrupted by power and greed. This tagedy could in fact be called "A Tale of Two Theories". One theory suggests that the tragic hero, Macbeth, is led down an unescapable road of doom by an outside force, namely fate in the form of the three witches. The second suggests that there is no supernatural force working against Macbeth, which therefore makes him responsible for his own actions and inevitable downfall. It must be remembered that Macbethis a literary work of art, and as a peice of art is open to many different interpretations, none of them right and none of them wrong. But the text of the play seems to imply that Macbeth is indeed responsible for his own actions which are provoked by an unwillingness to listen to his own conscience, the witches, and his ambition. First, Macbeth ignores the voice of his own psyche. He knows what he is doing is wrong even before he murders Duncan, but he allows Lady Macbeth and greed to cloud his judgement. In referring to the idea of the murder of Duncan, Macbeth first states,"We will proceed no further in this business"(I.vii.32). Yet, after speaking with Lady Macbeth he recants and proclaims,"I am settled, and bend up/Each corporal agent to this terrible feat"(I.vii.79-80). There is nothing supernatural to be found in a man being swayed by the woman he loves, as a matter of fact this action could be perceived as quite the opposite. Second, the witches have to be dispelled as a source of Macbeth's misfortune before the latter theory can be considered. It is admittedly strange that the weird sisters first address Macbeth with,"All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee Thane of Cawdor!"(I.iii.49), a title which not even Macbeth is aware he has been awarded. Even stranger is the third witch calling to Macbeth,"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!"(I.iii.50). However as stated by Bradley,"No connection of these announcements with any actions of his was even hinted by [the withches]"(232). Some are still not convinced though of the witches less than supernatural role; nevertheless, Macbeth appears throughout the play to be completely aware 3 of his actions, as opposed to being contolled by some mystic force. The effect of the witches on the action of the play is best summarized by these words: ...while the influences of the Witches' prophecies on Macbeth is very great, it is quite clearly shown to be an influnce and nothing more.(Bradley 232) Most important to the theory that Macbeth is reponsible for his own actions would be a point that the infamous witches and Macbeth agree upon. Such an element exists in the form of Macbeth's ambiton. In the soliloquy Macbeth gives before he murders Duncan, he states, "...I have no spur/To prick the sides of intent, but only/Vaulting ambition,..."(I.vii.25-27). Are these the words of a man who is merely being led down a self dustructive path of doom, with no will of his own? Or are they the words of a man who realizes not only the graveness of his actions, but, also the reasons behind them? The answer is clear, Macbeth is a totally cognizant principal and not a mindless puppet. Later the head witch, Hecate, declares,"Hath been but for a wayward son,/Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,/Loves for his own ends, not for you." (III.v.11-13), which again highlights Macbeth's ambitious nature. The most significant part of the play is the part that is missing, and that is a connection between Macbeth's ambition and some spell cast by the weird sisters which might be said to magically cause an increase in his desires. While purposely played in a mysterious setting, the location is not meant to cloud the true theme of the play with the supernatural. Macbeth simply succumbs to natural urges which take him to a fate of his own making. Everyone has character flaws that he must live with; Macbeth simply allowed those flaws to destroy him. 3 Bibliography Bradley, A.C. "The Witch Scenes in Macbeth." England in Literature. Ed. John Pfordesher, Gladys V. Veidemanis, and Helen McDonnell. Illinois: Scott, Foresman, 1989. 232-233 Shekespeare, William. Macbeth. England in Literature. Ed. John Pfordesher, Gladys V. Veidemanis, and Helen McDonnell. Illinois: Scott, Foresman, 1989. 191-262

Vegetarianism vs Omnivore Essay

Vegetarianism vs Omnivore Essay Vegetarianism vs Omnivore Essay Why Vegetarianism is better for the Health than Omnivorism? Abstract Vegetarianism is the practice whereby a person does not consume animal foods, restricting him or herself to eating vegetable foods only. Such a person is referred to as a vegetarian. Vegetarian diets vary widely, ranging from exclusive non-consumption of animal products at all to consumption of animal products such eggs, dairy products, poultry and fish. Vegetarian diets involve plant based foods like legumes, grains, vegetables, nuts fruits and seeds. Vegetarians vary depending on whether or what kinds of animals are eaten. Strict vegetarians are called vegan and their diets exclude all forms of animal products like fowl, meat, eggs and dairy. On the other hand, a lacto-ovo- vegetarian consumes dairy products such as eggs besides plants products. Whereas Lacto vegetarians consume dairy products in addition to plant products, an ovo vegetarian consumes eggs only, as animal products (Nordqvist). Fruitarian vegetarians consume raw and dried fruit and vegetables only. Cooking is believed to harm the fruits’ nutritional ingredients. Such vegetarians eat all types of fruits, both sweet and non sweet. There are also the semi-vegetarians who consume plant based foods combined with slight amounts of poultry and fish. On the other hand, the macrobiotic vegetarians’ diet consists of cereals, whole grains and cooked vegetables. Omnivorism vegetarians on their part belief in the exclusive consumption of animal and plant based foods. They consume both in moderation. There is a growing concern that the different types of vegetarians like lacto vegetarians are ethical omnivores. An omnivorous diet contains plants and animal foods, but omnivorous persons put more emphasis on meat than on other foods (Nordqvist). As vegetarianism has gained popularity in the 21st century, there are reasons as to this newly emergent dietetic trend. Some of these reasons include the following: 1. How did vegetarianism come about? 2. What are the health benefits of vegetarianism, as opposed to omnivorism? 3. What are the social values for being a vegetarian, as opposed to omnivorism? 4. What is the ethics behind vegetarianism? 5. What is the spirituality behind vegetarianism? 6. How do I become a vegetarian? 7. What might happen if plants cease to exist anymore? History of vegetarianism dates back many centuries from the Asian subcontinent. However, vegetarianism is not historically constrained to the East. As early as the 16 century, Greek philosophers like Pythagoras and others abstained from meat consumption based primarily on their belief in the transmigration of souls. The 18th century vegetarian advocates included Voltaire of France and Franklin Benjamin of America. Although there have always been a followers of vegetarianism, the rapid growth of the movement in the United States occurred principally since the 1970s. Currently, there are millions of vegetarianism, as well as magazines, journals and books published to help them in pursuit of vegetarianism. One key reason for vegetarianism is regards for health. There have been nauseous concerns about sanitation of slaughter methods and production houses. This raises a health concern on possible contamination of the meat itself during the transportation, storage and entire preparation process. In America, there are about one million farmers and ranchers who carry out livestock farming. In comparison there are about six thousand plants that are federally inspected to process. Additionally, only four major packers process about 70 percent of beef and other four packers of 60 percent of pork in the United States. Further, there are concerns that persons concerned with slaughtering do not observe humane slaughter act of 1960. The act necessitates that, before slaughtering, animals must be rendered wholly unconscious, with the least of excitement and discomfort by use of electrical, mechanical and chemical (carbon dioxide gas) methods. Some persons contend that these methods are not as accur ately as they should be. Lack of observation of these principles results in contamination of the meat products considering that meat products are delicate and highly perishable products. In order to live healthy, persons should resort to vegetarianism (Keegan 136). Over consumption of meat products is the leading cause of weight gain, whereas overconsumption of vegetables does not result in weight gain. Meat intake results in calories add up bit by bit compared to fiber rich veggies like green beans. Persons who consume large quantities of meat are obese, while persons consuming veggies are healthier. Since meat consumption has resulted in obesity among many people, fast foods around the world are embarking on selling vegetable meals, which is increasing ground, implying that vegetarianism is better for health than omnivorism (CindyL). Omnivorism results in low life span as compared to vegetarianism conscious living. A survey sponsored by the United States national cancer institute revealed that persons who eat four bits or more daily are at 30percent risk of dying than vegetarians. The study further showed that processed meat also increases death risks. Meat does not contain fiber, which results in the digestive system complications. Further, lack of fiber in the body increases the risk of heart and cancer problems. According to National Cancer Institute, Rectal and colon cancer have resulted in more 51,690 deaths in United States in 2012. While lack of fiber in meats causes diseases, presence of fiber in vegetables protect the body against disease. As such, vegetarianism is better for health than omnivorism. Meats contain saturated fats which are harmful to the body. The meat fats surround the arteries and vessels of the heart, interfering with the proper functioning of the heart. The interference affects free movement of blood in the body, posing the risk of heart attack. Meats contain a high concentration of salts and nitrates. Meats like hot dogs and bacon contain high salts and other preservatives which are not healthy for the body. Further, such foods contain animal fur, which means that they are not prepared in healthy ways. Other preservatives in processed meats are harmful to the body, since they contain chemicals that are carcinogenic. For instance, high concentration of salts and nitrates can cause high blood pressure and trigger other cardiovascular and chronic ailments. In order to live healthy, meat consumption should be balanced with vegetables. Proteins obtainable from animal products can also be obtained in plants, whereas nutrients available in plants cannot be substitut ed for anything else. This is a clear indication that vegetarianism is better for health than omnivorism (CindyL). Vegetable foods are very healthy to the entire body, and especially the heart. Does the omnivorism affect the heart? This is a contentious topic that has been the subject matter of debate for several decades, but doctors and scientists came to agree that diets could cause or prevent heart disease. This view is also held by the seventh day Adventist religious group, who are massive flowers of vegetarian practices worldwide. The religious group holds the following precepts on the health benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. They assert that Adventist omnivore men who are fifty five years and above are twice more likely to die of a heart ailment than vegetarian Adventists. Men aged 40 to 54 who eat meat more than six times a week are 4 times, likely to suffer from a deadly heart attack than vegetarian men. Women over 55 years who eat meat are 1.5 times at risk of a lethal heart attack than do female vegetarians. As for Christians who are strictly vegetarians, their assertion comes from th e book of psalms 104:14. The verse states â€Å"He causes grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetables for the service of man†. Another verse in Genesis 1:29 that supports this view reads as â€Å"I give you every seed bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food† (Contreras 85). Even the conventional American dietetic association recognizes that a budding body of scientific knowledge holds an affirmative association, between the consumption of a plant based diet and prevention of certain ailments. The meat industry denies the health gains of vegetarian diets. However, research on cancer high blood pressure, obesity and heart diseases indicates otherwise. A recent research on the role of diet in prevention of certain conditions evidences that heart disease is related to excessive intake of fats. The foods that we take are the sole important factor in establishing whether or not we develop heart diseases. Fruits and vegetables are the backbone of a healthy heart. Several studies show that persons who consume a lot of fruits have reduced risk of heart disease. One such example is Finland, where people consume potentially more fruit and vegetables. This change is related directly with decrease in deaths from the heart ailment (Keegan 156). In San Francisco, Dr. Ornish Dean of the California University found that individuals who consumed vegetarian foods that were low in fat had half the number of heart complications as people who ate meat on a typical American diet. Additionally, they shed off thirteen pounds and kept it off for a period of four years. Fruits and vegetables do not have cholesterol and are naturally low in fat concentration, calories and sodium. They are rich in fiber, folic acid, protein and vitamin C. In another study carried out in Italy, high levels of vegetable consumption led to 21 percent reduction in heart attacks and reduced chest pains by 11 percent. A high consumption of fruits also reduces blood pressure. Vegetables and fruits are rich is phytochemicals which help in prevention of heart ailment. Phytochemicals are biologically active minerals and vitamins that fall into plant sterols, flavanoids and plant sulfur compounds (Contreras 94). Plant sterols help to obstruct cholesterol assimilation from the diet or increase excretion of cholesterol in the body. Flavanoids extend the activity of vitamin C by acting as free fundamental scavengers, prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation, inhibit aggregation of platelets and possess anti-inflammatory action. Intake of flavanoids has been shown to decrease the casualty of heart ailment and the incidence of heart attack. Mature males with high consumption of flavanoids were 60 percent less the risk of heart death than low consumers according to the Zutphen elderly study. The study also revealed that most- menopausal women consumers of fruits and vegetables are responsible for 38 percent reduction in heart complications. Broccoli was found essentially noteworthy on reducing heart disease (Contreras 96). Plant sulfur compounds found in the allium family of vegetables has been shown to have preventive and protective properties against cardiovascular disease. Garlic leeks and onions are specifically shown to have these properties. Color pigments; anthocyamins in vegetables and fruits helps to shield consumers from heart disease. They protect heart disease by slowing cholesterol generation. Carotenoids pigments in yellow orange green and red vegetables are powerful anti oxidants that satiate free radicals, strengthen the immune system and protect the body against oxidative damage. Vegetables help to maintain the level of sugar in the blood which reduces the risk of adult onset diabetes (Contreras 91). By logically comparing omnivores and carnivores, it is clear that man was not created to take meat. Meat eaters have claws to help them in their meat eating habits while humans do not have claws. Meat eating animals have sharp front teeth for tearing flesh with no flat molar for grinding. Humans have no pointed front teeth, and have flat molars for grinding, similar to that of herbivores. Meat eaters have a larger intestine capacity that is thrice their body length in order to aid rapidly decaying flesh to bypass through rapidly. Human on the other hand have an intestinal track that is ten times their body size. Another physiological difference that shows that vegetarianism is better for a man’s health is that, meat eaters have a powerful hydrochloric acid in the stomach to aid meat digestion while humans have a weaker stomach acid. This shows that humans overwork their digestive system by consuming meat. Humans have a properly developed salivary gland, which is vital for pre- digesting grains and vegetables. Meat eaters do not have salivary glands in the mouth. These distinctions clearly show why vegetarianism is the healthy way for human beings (The Vegetarian Resource Group). A certain group of researchers investigated for the symbolic meaning of eating by contrasting the beliefs and values of omnivores and vegetarians. They contrasted a wide assortment of omnivores and vegetarians on the right wing totalitarianism, social domination orientation, eating values and human values. The participants tending towards omnivorism differed from those inclining towards veganism in two chief ways. The omnivores were more likely to sanction hierarchical ascendancy, and they placed less importance on sentimental states. Consequently, the approval or rejection of meat covaried with the approval or denunciation of the values related with meat; that discovery suggests that persons eat meat and embrace its representation in manners unswerving with their self definitions (Keegan 169). The spirituality behind vegetarianism is traceable in old religions like the Jewish and Christianity. Jewish dietary laws follow the context of mosaic laws, and they prescribe a healthy living whether one is Buddhist, Chinese or Muslim. Religious reasons are the primary reasons as to why some people adopt vegetarianism. Some religions assert the belief of re-embodiment, a multilfe relationship between animals and humans, thus, eating flesh is forbidden. As such eating flesh is considered as a taboo in religion. Vegetarianism becomes the best solution for such persons as they observe their diets (Keegan 159). Environment ethicists and advocates assert that a diet devoid of meat relates to environmental concern. Persons concerned on the planet ability to produce sufficient quantities of food to sustain a burgeoning population think that lessening meat consumption will aid. For illustration of this point, an acre of land will yield a greater quantity of edible plant than animal meat. One acre of land is capable of producing as much as 385 pounds of alfalfa seed from one pound of seed. If in turn the 384 pounds are sprouted for food, the yield will be around 3180 pounds of consumable sprouts. As such, consumption of plant can make a significant environmental difference. As part of ethics associated with omnivorism, taking the life of the poor animal is bad as it involves killing. In order to live a conscious life, a person can use the gradual or rapid change. Gradual change into vegetarianism is preferable because the slow change tends to become more of a lifestyle and long term move. Additionally, rapid change may not go well with some people; their digestive systems may not accommodate such so fast. A gradual change entails increasing intake of legumes, fruits, vegetables and whole grains while lessening meat intake at the same time. For persons who want to become vegetarians, they can follow the following guidelines. First, choose one whole grain products like cereals and rice. Ensure that the diet is diverse. Consider low or non fat dairy foodstuffs. Reduce intake of eggs consumed per week to three or four in one week. It is necessary to plan well on what foodstuffs to purchase when shopping. Read through the food labels before purchasing. Finally, it is essential to identify a specialist store where one will be obtaining supplies. If plants cease to exis t, there would be no life for both the omnivores and the vegetarians. Safeguard of plants should therefore be enhanced in order to drive healthy and conscious living. writing service provides students with quality custom written papers. All academic essays are written by professional  essay writers from scratch!

Critically analyse and discuss in depth aspects of enterprise Essay

Critically analyse and discuss in depth aspects of enterprise - Essay Example The tough rules and regulations for starting a business have been liberalized by many countries in order to boost the domestic business as well as for attracting foreign direct investment. Business start ups have positive impacts on economical, political and social aspects and hence the business start ups are normally encouraged by many governments. Without the development of industry no country can able to develop. The yield from agriculture alone may not be sufficient enough for strengthening the economy. Moreover the agricultural yields depend on so many natural parameters and hence nobody can ensure a fixed income from agricultural yields. On the other hand industrial development or business development may help a nation in achieving economic targets and thereby a nation can stabilize the economic growth. â€Å"According to an EU study, benchmarking the then EU 15 Member States, in 2001 the average time to start-up a company in the EU 15 was 22 days and the cost â‚ ¬ 827. At the base of this process lays the fact that countries with lesser administrative burdens in the procedures required to create a company (cheaper and faster start-ups) have greater numbers of business start-ups.† (Start-up procedures - An overview, n.d) An average business can be set up within short time span if the rules and regulations of the country are liberalized. Most of the countries who previously administered strict rules for starting a business have liberalized their norms, realizing the importance of business in the development of economy. Through business, whatever the available resources in a country can be utilized effectively. The economy of a country develops only when all the resources of the country utilized in a positive manner. For example, India is a country having over a billion populations. Most of the youths in India are unemployed though they have good education.

A comparative study between the regulations of the U.S. and the United Essay

A comparative study between the regulations of the U.S. and the United Kingdom on Hip Hop music - Essay Example The notion of censorship has always been warily approached with differing emotions. Whereas many regard censorship as a form of curtailment against individual liberty and freedom of speech, there are also some who would argue for censorship as a necessary mechanism for the protection of civil society and public order. In our present day, for example, several organizations both in government and outside government, espouse the need to filter media content. Within governments, we have UK’s Office of Communications and the United States has its own Federal Communications Commission. Outside governments, organizations such as the Parents’ Music Research Center actively campaign for censorship as a necessary defense against the corruption of young minds. From the early days of the Inquisition wherein large volumes of books and other literature labeled as sacrilegious or scandalous were ripped into shreds before being thrown into large flaming pyres, till today’s curre nt practice of censorship cuts on mass-produced films and broadcast programs, artistic work has consistently come under the magnifying glass and scrutiny of regulating bodies bent on filtering the content of mass media which reach the common population.

Character analysis with Character questionnaire (FRANK COSTELLO in THE Essay

Character analysis with Character questionnaire (FRANK COSTELLO in THE DEPARTED(2006)) - Essay Example He will not hesitate to kill his people no matter how many are they if they double cross him or if they become a snitch of the police. He narrated that there was a time he killed everybody because they are putting his business in danger by conniving with the police. Frank Costello is a â€Å"smart guy† which means he got his education in the streets rather in the university. He is a street smart guy rather than a â€Å"book smart† guy. The way he quizzes Billy shows his experience in the street such as when he asked if â€Å"William† is trying to tell him something when Bill shows resistance with how he quizzes him. Instead however of being threatened, he liked the guy which also shows that Frank likes strong people to be around him. Frank Costello’s childhood and background is not clear in the script but it can be inferred that he grew up in the streets and did not only survive but also prevailed to become the leader of a syndicate Frank Costello is already an experienced man. In the line 106 where he said â€Å"Tell the truth, I dont need pussy any more,but I still like it† is really a figure of speech that he had been through it all and is no longer motivated by beautiful women and money. It is also an indication that Frank Costello is an accomplished man and had all the women and money that anyone could desire. With regard to money, he already had it early in life when he had the â€Å"milk money† of Archie in the third grade. Having all those experiences, Frank Costello is already careful about the business. He knows what snitches can do to him and the business and is doing everything he could to identify and weed them out. He is already old and do not want to spend retirement in jail. This explains why he took the time to quiz Bill in the bar and how serious he is in dealing with traitors. The way Frank Costello quizzes Bill showed his acumen in dealing with people as well as in extracting information

History Essays Winston Churchill War

History Essays Winston Churchill War Winston Churchill War These were the words of Winston Churchill when he entered the Buckingham Palace one day, â€Å"But whether it be peace or war we must strive to frame some system of human relations in the future which will put an end to this prolonged hideous uncertainty, which will let the working and creative forces of the world get on with their job, and which will no longer leave the whole life of mankind dependent upon the virtues, the caprice, or the wickedness of a single man.† At about this same time, thousands of people almost worshipped this man, n enigmatic personality and a charismatic leader, who rose to power because of his charisma and his leadership qualities. At this point of time, this great leader was concerned more with the essentials of balancing the harmony and the eternity of his beloved country, England, and he seemed to be quite completely weary and tired of politics. However, this did not mean that the events and happenings taking place all around him did not affect him at all; in fact, it was quite the contrary. He was frankly horrified and appalled at the Fascist rabble in Italy, at the Reichweir rumored to be creating secret aerodromes in Russia, and at the haranguing of Hitler in Germany. Churchill felt that all these incidents could not be considered to be independent; they were all the frank expressions of nations that were demonstrating a certain will power and self command. This was probably the primary reason why Winston Churchill decided that he would come out of retirement from his country house and stand as an independent candidate for the by-election of 1924. Although it is true that this leader lost in this election, as he had in the past two others, it did not deter him in the least, and on the other hand, he became aware that he was an individual who had managed to gather enough support from several factions during the elections. Mr. Baldwin, at this time, offered Winston Churchill a Conservative seat at Epping, and this meant that this leader could return to Epping as a full fledged Conservative leader. It would help to get an idea about the man, and his life, before one can assess his leadership qualities. Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born in the year 1874 in Oxfordshire, to prominent Tory politician Lord Randolph Churchill. The young boy grew up under his father’s tutelage, and when he was old enough, he saw action both at India and at Sudan. He was captured during the Boer War when he was working as a journalist, and he managed to escape from prison later. In 1900, Winston Churchill was appointed the Conservative Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire, but he was apparently disillusioned by his party’s activities, and he therefore joined the Liberal Party in 1904. When in 1905 the Liberal Party won the elections, Churchill was appointed as the Under Secretary, after which he entered the Cabinet as the president of the Board of Trade. In 1910, he was appointed the Home Secretary, after which he became the Lord of Admiralty, a post that he held during the First World War. However, after the disastrous Dardanelles campaign, for which Churchill became the scapegoat, he resigned and joined the Army. From the year 1917 onwards, Winston Churchill was appointed leader of several governmental posts, until the year 1940 when the Prime Minster of England Neville Chamberlain resigned, and Winston Churchill took his place. It must be remembered that Churchill had been opposing Nazi developments in Germany for a long while now, and he took this opportunity to oppose the Nazis officially, while at the same time refusing to surrender to Germany. This act in itself served as an inspiration for the people of England at the time, and this leader worked tirelessly through the war, and built up close ties with the President of the United States of America, Roosevelt, while at the same time trying his best to maintain cordial relations with the Soviet Union. In 1945 during the elections, Churchill lost power, but he remained the leader of the opposition. At the time, he warned his people of the Cold War and tried his best to encourage European and also trans-Atlantic unity. In 1951, the charismatic Winston Churchill became the Prime Minster again, but in 1955 he resigned his post, but he remained a working and accomplished and capable Member of Parliament until his death in the year 1965. Winston Churchill has been known for his early accomplishments in life, in much the same way as other leaders like Lenin, Stalin and Hitler, but there is an intrinsic difference between him and other leaders. While the others mentioned above tried to use their victories in order to create dictatorships in their country, Winston Churchill was an individual who was affected by war, and who grabbed any opportunity he could to make use of the war to lead his own country towards an inevitable victory. Perhaps, the fact that Churchill belonged to a military family helped him a great deal in his endeavors, and when he was sent to India and Sudan on various assignments, the young man, barely twenty four at the time, wrote to his mother back in England, â€Å"I never felt the slightest nervousness, I felt as cool as I do now†. What was even more surprising was that Winston Churchill had been posted both as a war correspondent as well as a serving soldier in India and in Sudan, and it was here that the young man revealed two other aspects of his character: he had a literary bent of mind, and he also had a keen interest in public affairs. As a matter of fact, although Churchill wrote all his life, politics and public affairs almost seemed to consume him; perhaps the fact that his father Randolph Churchill had been a public failure as a politician spurred the young man on, and perhaps to, this was the reason why he was determined to succeed where his own father had failed before him. It is important to note that Randolph Churchill had despised and detested his son, and he probably saw him as a show off and a good for nothing individual. In his own words, writing to his mother the Duchess of Marlborough, he criticized his son heavily, and said that his son lacked â€Å"cleverness, knowledge and any capacity for settled work. He has a great talent for show-off, exaggeration and make-believe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  However, although his father’s comments must have hurt the young Churchill, he sought to react by trying to venerate his father’s memory. This in itself shows his strength of character, wherein the young man, instead of falling prey to petty vindictiveness and nastiness and spite, sought to restore his father’s lost honor in the British parliament. In the year 1935 Winston Churchill knew enough of world affairs to warn the House of Commons of the importance of â€Å"self-preservation and also of the human and the world cause of the preservation of free governments and of Western civilization against the ever advancing sources of authority and despotism.† It must be stated that Winston Churchill was a natural born leader, who managed to accomplish a great many things during his lifetime. Take for example the time when he managed to escape imprisonment immediately after he was captured during the Boer War: he became an acknowledged and accepted national hero in his country after this fact, and at the time when Edward III was abdicated, Winston Churchill opted to show his deep support for the deposed leader, despite the government’s complete disapproval, and against popular advice. The great man chose to believe in what he felt must be done, and he bravely managed to carry this out, despite all odds. Another accomplishment was that Winston Churchill managed to lead his beloved country through the Second World War, and he also made sure that he made his opposition to Hitler and his atrocities publicly known. This was the reason why Churchill refused to make peace with Germany while Hitler was in power, and instead, he chose to consult with American President Roosevelt and with Soviet Stalin, to create and plan a victory over Germany in the immediate future. This great leader was not an individual who would bow to anyone; he would follow his instincts and act accordingly. Using his insight and intuition, he warned his country of the expansive tendencies being exhibited by the Soviet Union, and he even coined a specific term for this phenomenon: ‘Iron Curtain’. As mentioned earlier, Winston Churchill proved to be an excellent and charismatic leader when he led his country during the Second World War. Experts often state that almost the whole of Churchill’s career had been a sort of training and preparation for this event: that of leading his country during war. It would help to remember that Churchill was an intense patriot, and he loved his country more than anything else in the world. This individual was also a great believer in the greatness and immensity of his country, and he was constantly aware of the historic role that England had played in Europe, in the Empire, and also in the world in general. Churchill was an individual who thrived on challenges, and he would always rise to the occasion in any sort of crisis that his country was facing. Since he was extremely fond of politics, and the workings of his country based on the political happenings happening within his country, he became a veritable master of politics, and it had often been felt that Winston Churchill was nursing all his many faculties, and reining in his inexhaustible sense of energy for the time when he would be able to lead his country in the World war II. This was the time when the brilliant leader could showcase Britain’s values for the entire world, and he grabbed the opportunity to do just this. In was on September 3 1939 that Britain happened to finally declare war on Germany, and at the same time, the then Prime Minister of England, Chamberlain appointed Winston Churchill as the chief in charge of the Admiralty. On the fleet, there was much rejoicing and celebration: â€Å"Winston is back!† went the saying back and forth. The US President Franklin Roosevelt sent a congratulatory letter to Churchill over the appointment, and thus began a long term and memorable correspondence between the two world leaders. It is often stated that it was Winston Churchill’s leadership as the Prime Minister during the Second World War that served to help Britain, until then an isolated power, survive successfully the Battle of Britain, which ultimately led Britain to gain a tremendous victory over Nazi Germany. It is also stated that his form of generous leadership was desperately needed by his country at the time, and perhaps too, it was the man’s obstinacy and stubbornness to enter into any sort of negotiation with Germany, and the will power to adhere to his stand, no matter what, that brought victory to his country, Britain. (Del Testa; Lemoine; Strickland, 2001) In reality, Churchill’s achievements have been at times so much exaggerated that the leader has become a fictional character in several novels that deal with the World War and incidents related to the war across the world. In Winston Churchill’s own words, he led his beloved country Britain through her â€Å"walk with destiny†, and this, a destiny for which the leader had been preparing all his political life, as mentioned earlier. Churchill’s qualities of far-sightedness, his sturdiness, tenacity, stubbornness, his obstinacy in the face of much opposition, his great valor and courage and the will to win and conquer despite the odds were all the characteristics of a great world leader, and it was these qualities that helped the man garner enormous support both at home and also abroad. Furthermore, Winston Churchill was an accomplished speaker, a great politician, and he loved his country. He was also a journalist, and he knew what words would inspire and what would not. In later stages, the very sight of Churchill, with his trademark cigar perched at the corner of his mouth, his fingers raised in his characteristic ‘V’ sign for Victory would serve to inflame the masses, and at the time, the people would do anything for him, and follow him anywhere he would choose to lead them. He became known as ‘John Bull’, a British mythical character, and a symbol of victory for the common people of his country, and Churchill believed strongly that his very destiny lay in great service to his country. When he was chosen to be the Prime Minister of his country, Churchill said these immortal words, â€Å"I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been in preparation for this hour and this trial†, and this was how this great individual and appointed leader of his country led Britain through one of the toughest wars of history. Take this fierce oratory, for example, an awe inspiring speech that inflamed the people of his country and kept them from losing heart delivered on June 4, 1940, at the time when it appeared as if all of Europe might fall soon: â€Å"†¦we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end we shall fight in the seas and oceans we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender† When his people listened to this speech, they felt inspired enough to think of never ever giving up, even though it appeared as if they may fail eventually. This was the courage and determination that Churchill displayed at every turn. In 1939, immediately after Winston Churchill was recalled to duty as the First Lord of the Admiralty, the first wave of German military power had already managed to overwhelm Poland, and immediately afterward, threatened to topple Northwestern Europe, and also to make France fall. In 1940, at the time when France had already fallen, Churchill was called to power and responsibility by a spontaneous revolt in his country carried out by the best elements in all the parties, and it was a well accepted and recognized fact that he alone, among all the other political leaders, had had no part to play in the disaster of the 1930’s, and that he was blameless. This meant that he had been chosen by the very will of the entire nation, and that he enjoyed his people’s support at every turn. It would be during the next five years, as the Prime Minister of England, and the leader who would lead and head his country in the ongoing World War that Winston Churchill’s career became almost one with that of his nation, and closely linked with its survival. It must be remembered that until the year 1941, Britain had fought all alone in the World War II. At this time, Churchill took it upon himself to inspire resistance at any cost, and to oppose Nazi Germany no matter what happened. H felt reasonably sure that Britain would be able to resist Nazi Germany eventually and that England would not fall prey to Germany any time in the near future. Churchill also started to organize the defense of his country, so that it would stand as a bastion when it would be returned to the continent of Europe. It was this charismatic and appealing leader that managed to bathe in a new life into the government, and into his beloved country and her people. In his own words, when addressing the House of Commons upon being appointed as the Prime Minister of England, he said, â€Å"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat: You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land, and air, with all our might. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory.† The ultimate aim was for Churchill an undisputed ‘Victory’ for his country and his people. How exactly did Winston Churchill lead his country during the Second World War? What were his actions? How did he inspire such great confidence in his abilities and performance as a leader of his country? The historian George Best describes how Winston Churchill went about protecting and defending his beloved country. As mentioned earlier, the reputation that the great leader had at this time was that of a gifted politician, who had already changed his party twice, and who could be quite an impulsive type of individual, who could at different times be susceptible to impractical enthusiasms and interests. He was also recognized as the person who felt confident enough to state boldly and in the open his real feelings about the then Prime Minister of England Neville Chamberlain, and his foreign policies. Six years later, after he had led his country successfully through the World War II, Winston Churchill became renowned throughout the world as a enigmatic person and a great statesman who was the champion of freedom and democracy and independence for his country, and who was victorious in his endeavors to guide and lead his country during the war. However, it must be noted that it was not until nine months after his appointment that there were some results. On the 10th of May 1940, the challenge that was facing the country looked very formidable indeed, but things looked even worse about six short weeks later. The British Army was almost captured at Dunkirk, but managed to escape. Although the escape was a victory in itself, it was, in military terms, a shocking setback to the ongoing campaign, and soon enough, Britain was facing an unforeseen threat, that of invasion, something that she had not faced since the year 1805! It was Churchill’s able leadership that managed to save his country from such humiliation, and it was Churchill who managed to persuade the cabinet and the parliament that Britain and its empire could survive, through his awe inspiring speeches at ever juncture. Churchill even went so far as to forbid and prohibit any type of defeatist talk within his hearing, and he also refused to be put on the defensive for any reason whatsoever. He remained firm and strong and capable, and his behavior proved to be extremely heartening to his people, who were almost on the verge of crumpling down in the face of opposition and the prospect of defeat and humiliation. This was how Winston Churchill managed to bring his people through the ‘Battle of Britain’, win the battle, and make sure that invasion was no longer imminent and looming down upon them, and teach Londoners how to survive what became known in later times as ‘the Blitz’. This victory carried him through the next battle, the Second World War, and he remained confident and positive through these difficult times, thereby leading his country through one of the biggest battles she had ever been involved in, in recent years. As mentioned earlier, Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt started to communicate with each other when Churchill was appointed as the Lord of the Admiralty by his Prime Minster. It must be mentioned here that it was this relationship of these two great leaders that managed to bridge the existing gaps between the two countries England and the United states of America, and which helped the leaders fight for their own causes, while also keeping in mind the others’, in a friendly manner. Take for example the letters that Churchill, being a journalist, wrote to Roosevelt, urging him to help the Allies in the ongoing war in Europe. It was in essence these letters that helped bridge the gap between the two countries, and which heralded the beginning of a diplomatic relationship that would help in the struggle to defeat Hitler and the Axis powers. Acting upon Churchill’s advice, Roosevelt proposed aid to Europe in the ‘Lend-Lease Act’, according to which the United States of America would supply financial and military aid to Great Britain and the Soviet Union. In return America would have a ninety nine-year lease in places that could be considered to be in threat at any time in the future. In the year 1941, the Congress approved of the Act, and this in essence could be said to have changed the very course of history, because Roosevelt’s generosity and Churchill’s grim determination to bring in a defeat to Hitler and his atrocities combined together into a potent combination, which brought an end to Hitler’s tyranny. In the words of Sir Isaiah Berlin, â€Å"Churchill’s political imagination has something of the same magical power to transform, it is a magic that belongs equally to demagogues and great democratic leaders: Franklin Roosevelt, who as much as any man altered his country’s inner image of itself, and of its character and its history, possessed it in a high degree†¦ Churchill stands at almost the opposite pole. He too does not fear the future, and no man has ever loved life more vehemently and infused so much of it into everyone and everything that he has touched. But whereas Roosevelt, like all great innovators, had a half-conscious premonitory awareness of the coming shape of a society, not wholly unlike that of an artist, Churchill, for all his extrovert air, looks within, and his strongest sense is the sense of the past.† These sentences give one a peek into the relationship that was shared by two great leaders, Churchill and Roosevelt, both of whom fought for a common cause, the welfare of their country and of her people. There are some researchers and reviewers and political analysts, however, who do feel that the relationship has been given too much importance and hype, and the truth may be quite exaggerated, and that the relationship was that of uneasy friendliness. Some others have felt that by forging such a relationship with an America President, Winston Churchill had in fact led his country into developing an unwanted alliance with America. The two leaders had different agendas, but they were united in one aspect, Hitler would have to go, and both the countries would try their very best to drive him out of power, and it was apparently Churchill’s strong hope that he would be able to utilize Roosevelt and his power to shore up the sagging British Empire. Winston Churchill, after having headed his country through turbulent and uneasy times of the Second World War, remained as the Prime Minister, and when he turned eighty in the year 1954, Anthony Eden, several members of parliament, and even his own wife urged him to give up the post, as he appeared to have aged rather rapidly over the past few years. In the year 1955, Winston Churchill resigned as the Prime Minister of England, and he held on to his post as a Member of Parliament. Writing had always been his strong point, and through his life, Churchill had penned several books and written for several journals and magazines, and had even own a Nobel Prize for his work. This served him in good stead at this time, and the great leader managed to complete his four volume work, ‘The History of the English Speaking Peoples.’ Some of the time he would spend visiting his old friends and the rest, on taking long cruises on yachts that belonged to his multi-billionaire friend Aristotle Onassis. His wife, however, did not seem to approve of this extravagant lifestyle, and this brought about a separation between the two. Soon afterwards, Winston Churchill started to suffer from symptoms of depression that he had been prone to earlier too, and he felt that his entire life had been a sheer waste. Although it was Winston Churchill who headed the country towards a victory in the war, the British Empire had in fact almost disappeared at this time, and almost half of Europe had come under the Communist regime. Churchill also feared that Socialism was threatening the England that he had loved with all his might, all his life. However, this able and wonderful leader had reached the fag end of his life, and he was tired and almost ready to give up his life. At the time, he engaged in bitter quarrels with all his children, Randolph, Mary, Diana and Sarah. He seemed to be waiting for death, and he would often remark to his daughter who would sit with him, â€Å"My life is ended, but it is not yet over†. (Hamilton, 2006) He still remained, however, a popular figure, especially within the United States of America, until in 1963, the Congress happened to vote to make him one of the first ‘honorary citizens’ of America, and life continued in the same vein. On his ninetieth birthday, Churchill was surrounded by his family: his wife, children and grandchildren. Well wishers had gathered outside his window, and a frail and weak Churchill struggled to get to the window to make his famous ‘V’ for Victory sign. Cheered by the crowds, Churchill was very happy indeed. That same evening, he suffered a stroke, and went into a coma. Two weeks later, Winston Churchill, the great leader, able administrator and excellent orator and politician, who had overcome many a handicap so that he could serve his country and his people better, breathed his last on January 24, 1965, which coincidentally, also happened to be the seventieth anniversary of his father’s death. He will always be remembered as the man, who led his country in the Second World War, and who ousted Hitler, thereby saving democracy for his country, and for the world. (Hamilton, 2006)