Indias Relation with ASEAN

Indias Relation with ASEAN IMPLICATIONS ON INDIA 1.  General.  India and ASEAN share age old historical, cultural and economic ties. These relations stood the test of time till 1962 after which India somehow disengaged from South East Asia. India reinstituted its ‘Look East’ policy in 1992. This was necessitated due to the growing economic status of ASEAN nations as also security concerns of India in ASEAN region, which could be handled better with rejuvenated relations with the countries of the region and for this ASEAN’s coherence is in India’s vital national interest. Both traditional and non-traditional security concerns of ASEAN have direct or indirect bearing on the overall security of the region in general and India in particular. Traditional security concerns like nuclear proliferation, regional cooperation, balance of power and defense capabilities and non- traditional security concerns like financial collapse and domestic governance problems, both influence India’s, strategic position in the region as non traditional security concerns can lead to traditional security concerns. 2.  Chinas Influence. Increasing efforts of China to increase and expand its influence in the ASEAN region is a matter of grave concern to India, both economically and in the field of security. With ASEAN expanding to form ASEAN plus three coalitions ASEAN now includes China, South Korea and Japan has far reaching effects on Indian â€Å"Look East Policy†. The various effects of growing Chinese influence are: (a) Security regionalism in Asia, led by the ASEAN, is being severely tested by the growing intensity of the China’s territorial disputes with its maritime neighbors in the East and South China Seas. (b) China’s refusal to collectively engage ASEAN on South China Sea issue and its growing ability to wean away individual members of the organization underlines the dangers of the new dynamics in ASEAN. One outcome of this was annual meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in July 2012, ended in political disarray over the question of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. For the first time in the history of the organization, ministers  failed to issue a joint statement, and many analysts have attributed this outcome to Beijing’s new ability to influence the internal dynamic in the ASEAN. These efforts of China to engage all ASEAN nations bilaterally may undermine the  strength of ASEAN which is contrary to Indian desires of strong ASEAN that can insulate SE Asia from any external interventions. (c)  Military Expansion. China has also increased its military influence in the South China Sea. The recent incursions of China into the Spartley islands and the Mischief Reef will affect India militarily. China will have far reaching influence in the area especially with Hong Kong and Macao already amalgamated into the peoples Republic of China. In the event of a confrontation between India and China, the latter would have greater influence in ASEAN region inversely affecting India’s security as well as regional and international standing. (d)  Economic Expansion. In todays globalised world economy and military capabilities of a nation are closely linked. China is fast emerging as an international economic force. Its influence on the ASEAN economies is considerable and growing. With the military expansion into ASEAN, China could harm India’s economic security. If relations between India and China deteriorate, a strong military presence of China in the South China Sea could severe Indian sea lines of communications in the region affecting trade with the countries of the region. China at the moment is concentrating on building its economic power and does not appear to have a military bearing in the region. It is trying to settle its disputes i.e. Spartley islands according to the laws of the sea, has withdrawn its naval forces from Senkaku islands and Mischief Reef, but the future could be very different which India needs to plan for and guard against. The straits of Malacca in South East Asia form a bottleneck on the maritime route to East Asia and Asia-Pacific region. (e)  The Burmese Connection. Burma or Myanmar, a member of ASEAN has important security implications for India. Myanmar is traditionally China’s close aide and is dependent on China for many of its economic and military needs. Chinas influence in Burma poses a security concern to India, more so because Myanmar and India share common land and sea borders. In the event of a China -India confrontation, China could use Myanmar land and sea areas for military action against India. China already, has established its bases in Myanmar to monitor India’s missile tests at Chandipur. Through Myanmar China could not only threaten India’s security from land but also from sea. With a pro-communist military government in Myanmar and its over-dependence on China India’s security interests are threatened. With Myanmar joining ASEAN and ARF, there is increased pressure to restore democracy and this would draw Myanmar away form its dependence on a communist China. 3.  Insurgency.  ASEAN is a region fraught with ethnic and communal insurgency problems. India faces similar problems in various parts of the country. Myanmar an ASEAN state has a sizeable border with Indian Eastern States. The near porous border is used by insurgents to move to and fro. The thick jungles in Myanmar form ideal bases for insurgents to hide and use these areas as launch pads for insurgent activity into India. After striking into India these insurgents slip into Myanmar making India’s tackling of this problem increasingly difficult. The linguistic and ethnic similarity of the people on both sides makes identification of insurgents extremely difficult. 4.  Terrorism. The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and subsequent attacks in India are a tragic reminder that international terrorism does not respect national borders-and requires global[1] and regional solutions. The ASEAN region has more than 300 million Muslims, many of them supporting Muslim terrorist organizations like the Al-Qaeda. India is one of the most badly affected countries by terrorism. With close cultural and religious links between India and many ASEAN countries there is a danger of terrorism spreading to India from ASEAN nations, if it already has not happened. Since extradition treaties do not exist between India and these nations criminals committing crimes in India go unpunished after escaping to these nations. The internal security of India has already been affected on many occasions. Many Muslim terrorist organizations operating from ASEAN countries are spreading terrorism in India. These organizations having an international infrastructure with a common agenda could threaten India’s security if not controlled. 5.  Increasing Military Capability. In the present scenario the ASEAN nations do not have any military conflict areas with India . However, most of them have reasonably strong armed forces which are being further strengthened. Indonesia has recently acquired an aircraft carrier and Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar have strong military capabilities. In future should a conflict arise between any ASEAN nations with India and considering the proximity to India’s Eastern waters as also the maritime trade routes, which India uses, it could be a security threat to India. 6. Weapons of Mass Destruction. Many strategic analysts consider Asia as a possible hot spot for nuclear confrontation. The only nuclear attack in Japan took place in the vicinity of ASEAN nations. Ever since, many Asian powers have developed overtly or covertly nuclear capabilities which could trigger a nuclear war in the region. China has the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world. With China’s common communist ideology with many ASEAN states nuclear proliferation of the region cannot be ruled out. A similar proliferation is possible to certain ASEAN Muslim nations through Pakistan. Another potential nuclear challenge resides in the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea now faces the need to either fish or cut bait with respect to its nuclear program. A North Korean nuclear capability would raise the stakes of war on the peninsula, and increase the pressure on Japan and South Korea to mount nuclear weapon programs of their own. All these above events, occurring in the Indi an backyard would threaten Indian security interest in the region. The latest nuclear and biological threat exists from terrorists. Since religious fundamentalism is predominant in various ASEAN states, the availability of such weapons of mass destruction with terrorists could become a serious issue of concern to India. 7.  Safety of SLOC’S.  Region of Bay of Bengal and Malacca Strait is very important to India as India’s strategic strength lies in this region, which has the potential to create vulnerability to China. Security of SLOCs and island territory is a concern but India is well poised to take care of this aspect. This is also an area of cooperation with ASEAN and Asia Pacific countries. The increasing importance of maritime trade and energy security for India has made it imperative to ensure the safety of Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC’s) in Southeast Asia. Maritime piracy has large implications for security in the economic sphere and in the Malacca Straits, is a common threat to India and the ASEAN region. With India being dependent on sea ways for over 97 per cent of its global trade, the safety of sea lanes around the ASEAN region is of vital importance to India. India understands that a prosperous and stable ASEAN that safeguards vital sea lanes between the Indian and Pacific Oceans will serve its best interests. Coordination between India and ASEAN in safeguarding their shared marine environment and its resources, promoting the safety and security of navigation in their common ocean areas, and ensuring legitimate, peaceful and sustainable uses of the oceans, can contribute to both maritime development and maritime security in the region. 8.  US Withdrawal. With the withdrawal of US troops from strategic locations in the region following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the South East Asian countries deemed it appropriate to guard against Chinese influence by setting up vital sea-lanes of communications such as the Taiwan, Malacca, Sunda and Lombhok Straits. Accordingly, ASEAN countries justifiably perceive India, with the largest Naval forces in the Indian Ocean and nuclear capabilities, a strategic partner to balance China’s growing power in the region[2]. This should be looked by India as an opportunity to go closer to the ASEAN nations thereby assisting indirectly in regional stability. Indian economy is deeply intertwined with the economic future of ASEAN region and should regional stability be disturbed it would have a cascading effect on Indian economy in general and security in particular. 9.  US-ASEAN Re-engagement.  Three important developments that took place in South East Asia in 2010 have come to redefine the nature and dynamics of the region’s engagement with the United States the most powerful player in today’s international politics. First, in response to the Chinese designation of South China Sea as an area of ‘core national interest,’ the American Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton claimed free passage in the disputed area as America’s ‘national interest.’ Second, the US, in order to influence the trajectories of ASEAN-driven cooperative processes, became a member of the East Asia Summit in October 2010 and also participated in the ADMM (ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meetings) Plus. Finally, the US  President visited Indonesia along with three other important Asian players – India, Japan and South Korea in November 2010, integrating Southeast Asia into its larger strategic discourse on Asia. In fact, Southeast Asia seems to have regained its Cold War position of being one of the pivots for the US in the latter’s grand strategy towards  the Asia-Pacific[3]. Since most important driving force for the re-engagement has come in the form of an uncertain nature of China’s growing diplomatic and strategic influence and the latter’s perceived aggression in the region it will definitely assist India in checking China’s future aspirations in the region, more so in the light of improving Indo US relations. 10. Certain non-traditional security concerns [4]of India in the ASEAN region could have wide-ranging effects on the economy, society and security of India. The non-traditional security concerns includes: (a)  Globalisation. With Indian economy heading towards liberalisation and globalisation there is an increasing amount of capital flowing to and from ASEAN countries. This phenomenon could be a major threat to state security if globalisation is not managed properly by India. In spite of the financial crisis the vibrant ASEAN economics could still shift the trade balance so greatly in their favor that Indian economic interests could be badly damaged. This would not only effect economic security but also have concurrent effects on India’s national security. Hence, it is essential for India to control and manage the pace of globalization to suit its own interests. (b)  Narcotics Trafficking and Associated Criminal Activities. India lies in between the two most significant drug trafficking areas of the world. With the â€Å"Golden Triangle† to its West, which includes Afghanistan and Pakistan, and  the â€Å"Golden Crescent† to its East to include Thailand and Myanmar India’s concerns about narcotic trafficking are legitimate. There is considerable flow of drugs through India which remains a concern for social security of the country. Myanmar produces a considerable share of the world narcotics. The money from the sale of drugs is often utilised by insurgents to buy weapons and explosives which is smuggled into India for insurgent activities causing internal security  problems in the country. The narcotic infrastructure is very well organized in Myanmar and Thailand. These drug cartels also have close links with India. This results in associated criminal activities like extortion, child labour and human trafficking, e ventually leading to general deterioration of social security in India. (c)  Competition for Fishing and Other Sea/Ocean- based Resources. India shares sea-based borders with many ASEAN countries. Since sea-based borders are less defined than land-based borders there are regular instances of intrusion into Indian waters by either fishing boats/trawlers or military vessels of counties from the ASEAN region. With increase in population of nations and consequent economic problems the importance of sea-based resources would increase. This could result in confrontation between various ASEAN states and India, as was the case between China and Philippines over Mischief Reef. There are certain maritime areas where exact demarcation and delineation is not done. These areas could also be future areas of concern to India’s security. (d)  Environmental Security Concerns. India and ASEAN, as also the entire world are closely linked to environmental changes and disasters. Environmental polices followed by one nation have an effect on the environment of all other nations. Global warming, droughts, floods resulting from industrialization and deforestation effect all nations. Environmental disasters  also affect the economy of nations. A case in point is the forest fires [5]and the subsequent haze problem in Indonesia. The deteriorated environment affected  tourism and hence economy of Indonesia as well as India as the tourist influx from India reduced drastically. (e)  Religious Extremism.There exists wide social and economic disparity between member nations of ASEAN. Countries like Laos and Cambodia cannot keep pace with the social development of certain other ASEAN countries, which are well developed. This leads to a sense of frustration and deprivation in certain sections of their society. This feeling coupled with religious fanaticism in certain society’s breeds’ religious extremism and sectarianism. This is the case in certain Muslim societies of ASEAN nations. Since religious extremism now cuts across national barriers, many of these disillusioned youth are finding their way to India, inciting religious tensions and indulging in insurgent activities. [1] David James, `The ASEAN Summit`, asia-inc, December 2001. [2] India ASEAN relations: Analysing regional implications. IPCS special report by Mohit Anand, May 2009 [3] View point by Dr Vibhanshu Shankar, Research fellow at Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi on emerging contours of US ASEAN re engagement; 25 Mar 2011. [4] `Regional International Affairs Program in Asia`, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, http://www.rcss.org/projects/riapa/riapa.htm > [5] The ASEAN Summit, `asia-inc`, December 2001.

Analysis of Patches: Quilt and Community in Alice Walkers Everyday Use

Analysis of Patches: Quilt and Community in Alice Walker's Everyday Use In a critique titled â€Å"Patches: Quilt and Community in Alice Walker’s ‘Everyday Use’† (Short Story Criticism: Excerpts from Criticism of the Works of Short Fiction Writers, 1990), the authors reveal that tradition and the explanation of holiness were key elements throughout the story. The writers began the analysis by discussing the significance of a quilt; a quilt is a complete piece of artwork that is essentially made up of fragments. These patchwork quilts, when effectively put together, exposed a way of life. The Africans traditional way of life was one of sacredness and usefulness. By using scraps from old clothes they were able to create a masterpiece that could be passed down from one generation to the next. The title â€Å"Everyday Use† implies that quilts, while they may be priceless heirlooms, are also made to function. The Johnson’s are a typical African family that has settled in America. The mother, and narrator of the story, is a working woman who often imagines herself as someone else, someone who her children would not be ashamed to be seen with. While awaiting the arrival of Dee, her eldest daughter and a â€Å"goddess† (415) in the eyes of her family, she dreams of being on a TV program where a host reunites long lost family members. As she greets her daughter who has been away at college, she is not only one hundred pounds thinner but is beautiful in the eyes of her children. Howeve...

Domestic Violence Essay

Domestic Violence, based on typical legal definition, encompasses psychological, sexual, physical, and verbal actions of an individual against his or her partner (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). The prevalence of these kinds of abuses has propelled the civic group to clamor from the government for the victims’ legal protection and preservation of rights. Said Pournaghash-Tehrani and Zahra Feizabadi as members of Department of Psychology and Institute of Psychology respectively in the University of Tehran in Iran are both expected to be highly adept in the field of applied psychology. Their study entitled â€Å"Comparing Demographic Characteristics of Male Victims of Domestic Violence† is one of the spirit-awakening researches in terms of domestic violence. It draws out attention on the issue of domestic violence where the typical scenario females are abused while males are the perpetrators. The stereotype of domestic violence has treated it as entirely women’s issue for a long time (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). Thus, most countries have a definite law concerning violence against women. However, through the efforts of civil groups and social scientists, gender symmetry movement on domestic violence has made a notion that males are victims of domestic violence at least as often as women. Meanwhile, the work of Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, as acknowledged by the Asian Network for Scientific Information in 2007, was published in the fourteenth of the seventh volume of Journal of Applied Sciences. Their study revealed that male victims of domestic violence are not only limited in the United States but are also observed in the Asian region. Goal and Hypothesis Based on the studies conducted on the Western countries revealing the capacity of women to commit violence against their male partners, Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi aimed to focus on the socio-demographic attributes of the male victims of domestic violence. Thus, they intended to find out the relationship of the domestic violence experience of male victims with respect to their age, educational attainment, and income level; the possible interaction among age, educational attainment, income level, and domestic violence experience of the male victims. Specifically, their study sought answers to the following questions: do the male victims have differences in physical violence experiences with respect to age, educational attainment, and income level? ; and do the male victims have differences in psychological violence experiences with respect to age, educational attainment, and income level? ; is the interaction between age and educational attainment, age and income level, educational attainment and income level, and among age, educational attainment and age, income level significant with physical violence experiences? ; and is the interaction between age and educational attainment, age and income level, educational attainment and income level, and among age, educational attainment and age, income level significant with psychological violence experiences? Literature Review The preponderance of domestic violence, in any form, across cultures gave impetus for the creation of legal policies for its prevention, efficient prosecution of the perpetrators, and effective programs of advocacy for the victims. However, legal advocacies are only focused on women for men are typically perceived as the doers of domestic violence (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). In this connection, studies accounted the significant correlation of socio-demographic factors such as age, educational attainment, income level, socio-economic status, and substance abuse with the occurrence of domestic violence (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). Meanwhile, as revealed by contemporary researches conducted in the United States and Great Britain, men are also victims of domestic violence at least as often as women. In fact, based on statistical reports in Western countries, about 20% to 30% of domestic violence like punching, throwing objects, biting, slapping an biting are done by women towards their male partners (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). Moreover, the meta-analysis conducted by Archer in 2000 and 2002 on eighty five marital conflict studies divulged that women have higher tendency for physical violence due to stress levels than men (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). Aside from physical violence, women are also capable of psychological violence through oral arguments towards their husbands. Further, Hindin and Adair in 2002, Jeyaseelan et al. in 2004, and Perez et al. in 2006, exposed that regardless of gender, low level of education contributes to the occurrence of domestic violence in marital relations (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). Also, Jeyaseelan et al. argued that even though domestic violence is not limited to a particular social class, it is of frequent occurrence among the poor (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). On the other hand, Perez et al. reported that incidences of domestic violence are more often to take place in young couples than in older couples (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). The inevitable fact that women are also perpetrators of physical or psychological violence led to growing consciousness in supporting the notion of gender symmetry in domestic violence through intensive researches. Since most studies are done on behalf of female victims, socio-demographic attributes of male victims need to be further investigated. As such, the characteristics of male victims susceptible to domestic violence and its implications can deeply be explored. Materials and Methods An author-made questionnaire was utilized as instrument in the determination of domestic violence. The instrument has thirteen and twenty four items for the evaluation of psychological and physical violence respectively. Each item was formulated based on the available literature in the assessment of violence. Also, each item was rated based on five-point Likert-type scale. In line with this, the validity of the instrument was evaluated by co-administering with the Conflict Tactic Scale in a hundred of couples. The correlation computed between the two instrument was +0. 89 indicating the high validity of the author-made questionnaire (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). On the other hand, the measured Cronbach’s Alpha for the consistency of the devised instrument was +0. 81 (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). In 2006, the devised instrument was administered to one hundred twenty male victims of domestic violence from four family courts in Iran (Pournaghash-Tehrani and Feizabadi, 2007). The subjects were randomly and voluntarily selected, and were informed that they are free to move out from the study anytime they want. They were also oriented on the purpose of the study and that any information will be treated with high regards of confidentiality. Then multivariate analysis of variance or MANOVA and Scheffe test were employed to assess the effects of socio-demographic factors and their interactions to the incidence of physical and psychological violence. Results and Discussion Repondents From twenty five to eighty years old was the age range of the samples wherein among them 40% has education above high school diploma, 25% earned less than high school diploma, 20% earned above high school diploma, and 15% has a high school diploma. In terms of monthly income, 30% has above $590, 35% has $160-$380, 29% has $380-$590, and 6% has below $160 salary. Age and Domestic Violence It was found that age has a significant effect on the incidence of physical violence. As showed by the Scheffe test, men of ages thirty five to fifty have the highest rate of physical violence experience. In terms of psychological violence, age has significance in the incidence of denying choices and cutting off marital intercourse. Additionally, based on Scheffe test cessation of marital intercourse was mainly observed among thirty five to fifty years old men while denying choices was mainly observed among men of sixty five to eighty years of ages. Educational Attainment and Domestic Violence Based on MANOVA, educational attainment has significant effect on throwing of objects. Through Scheffe test, it was found that men with Bachelor’s degree were most often victimized by object thrown. In terms of psychological violence, educational attainment has significance on the incidence of denying choices, cessation of marital intercourse, and devaluation of work. As the Scheffed test showed, denying of choices was much observed in men with Bachelor’s degree while cessation of marital status was mainly observed to men with low educational attainment. Also, devaluation of work was commonly observed among men with diploma. Level of Income, Interactive Effects and Domestic Violence Although the study failed to prove any connection between domestic violence and level of income, the interactive effects of age, educational attainment, and income level have significance with the incidence of hitting. The Scheffe test showed that physical violence was generally experienced by thirty five to fifty years old men with Master’s level of education, and above $590 monthly income. With regards to psychological violence, the interactive effects of age and educational attainment were significant to denying choices. This type of physical violence was mainly observed in men with bachelor’s degree and of above sixty years of age. Moreover, the interactive effects of age and level of income has significance with the incidence of forced household chores task, devaluation of work, and denying choices. The study revealed that: forced household chores task was mostly observed in men with $380 to $590 monthly income within thirty five to fifty years old range; devaluation of work was mainly observe in men with the ages twenty to thirty five years old earning $380 to $590 per month; and denying choices was observed prevalently in men of fifty to sixty five years of ages earning $160 to $380 monthly. Meanwhile, the interactive effects of age, educational attainment, and income level were significant with forced household chores task. This relationship was mainly observed among men with Bachelor’s degrees, of thirty five to fifty ages, and earning $380-$590 monthly. Analysis Even though this study is unique and very revealing in the sense that this was the first research conducted in Iran with respect to the domestic violence committed by women towards their respective partners, there are also weaknesses and limitations. First, the validity and consistency of the author-made questionnaire as the singly instrument utilized to measure the presence and extent of domestic violence is of great question. The validity and consistency of the author-made questionnaire were based solely on the validity and consistency correlations with the Conflict Tactic Scale which is commonly used in the assessment of domestic violence against women. In addition, there are other instruments available for the evaluation of domestic violence such as the Partner-Abused Scale, Abusive Behavior Inventory, and Index of Marital Satisfaction. The validity, reliability, and consistency of these instruments have been verified and established for a long time. Since these available instruments on violence are typically used for the assessment of violence against women, it is then invalid to construct an instrument specific for male victims based only on one of these instruments. Thus, there was a possible bias on the construction of the instrument utilized in this study that probably served as source of error in data collection. Furthermore, the Conflict Tactic Scale which is the solely basis of the author-made questionnaire was tested primarily through the researches conductive in the Western and in some European Countries, hence, cultural differences may possibly serve as interference in the study. Even though domestic violence is ubiquitous across cultures, but cultural factors may influence socio-demographic attributes of the subjects of the study. As such, the validity and reliability of a particular instrument in a specific nation may not hold true for another country. In this line of reasoning, the correlations revealed by this research on socio-demographic characteristics and domestic violence on men may only be valid and reliable with respect to the populations of their own country. Although the results seemed to be comparable with the results of studies conducted in different countries, the authors failed to discuss crucial aspects of those studies in relation to their study like the instrument used and statistical treatment applied. Result comparison among conducted researches with different research design and methodology would result to bias generalization. In fact, in meta-analysis or the integration of the results of several studies, only researches with logically designed methodology and with validated data are included in order to derive a valid generalization (Wolf, 1986). Similarly, by comparing the results of this study with other researches of different research designs so as to make it credible would lead to erroneous generalization. References Pournaghash-Tehrani, S. and Feizabadi, Z. (2007). Comparing Demographic Characteristics of Male Victims of Domestic Violence. Journal of Applied Science, 7(14): 1930-1935. Wolf, F. M. (1986). Meta-Analysis: Quantitative Methods for Research Synthesis. Michigan: Sage Publication.

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption - 1034 Words

The story of Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption begins in 1948 when Andy Dufresne arrives at Shawshank prison. In contrast to most other convicts, hes not a hardened criminal but a soft-spoken banker, convicted of killing his wife and her lover. Like everyone in Shawshank, he claims to be innocent. Like most newcomers, Andy gets in trouble with the sisters. They are a gang of sodomites led by Bogs Diamond that gang up on anyone they feel they can handle, and Andy is no exception. Not until much later does he escape their attentions. Red, the narrator of the story, is known as the guy who can get stuff. His ability to deliver contraband of almost any type into Shawshank makes him somewhat of a celebrity among prisoners, and its also†¦show more content†¦Before being sentenced to life, Andy managed (with the help of a friend) to sell off his assets and invest them in the name of a made-up person. This made-up person, Peter Stevens, is created by Andys friend who fixes fals e papers, social security number and so on. The papers needed to claim Peter Stevenss assets and assume his identity are hidden under a black rock in a rock wall lining a hay field in the small town of Buxton, not too far from Shawshank. After many years in prison, Andy tells Red about this, describing exactly how to find the place and how he will go to Mexico to start a hotel when he gets out. One day, Andy is gone. After searching the area without finding him, the warden looks in his cell and discovers that the poster on his wall (now showing Linda Ronstadt) covers a hole in the wall. He has used his rock hammer not just to shape rocks, but to dig a hole through the wall. Once through the wall, he has broken into a latrine pipe, crawled 500 yards through this, and gotten out into a field. How he got away from there with no equipment, nobody knows. Some time later, Red gets an empty postcard from a small town near the Mexican border. Yet later, Red is paroled and starts to try mak ing a life for himself outside the walls. He also begins to hitch-hike to Buxton, searching for suitable hay fields. After a while, he does find one with a rock wall on the correct side. It even has a black rock in it. Under this rock,Show MoreRelatedRita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption1219 Words   |  5 Pagesjustice in the prison system is relevant in Stephen Kings, novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The Cause of this corruption was the greed of the administrators, and the lasting effects it had on the prisoners mentally, physically, and emotionally. Many of the prisoners were affected mentally by the administration of Shawshank; the key players included Warden Samuel Norton. Norton embodies the contradictory corruption of Shawshank. 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International Relations Japan’s Engagement with China,...

Introduction The study of international relations rests on the premise that there is always a sensible way of explaining a nation’s grand strategy, for they would not survive otherwise. From the Classical Period to the Middle Ages, from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century, historians, statesman, and political theorists have attempted to provide reason and understanding behind the decisions made by nation-states. More often than not, whether through realism or liberalism, through social constructivism or even Marxism, the theories of international relations have been able to define the guidelines for decision-making. 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Lincoln vs. Davis Essay - 1918 Words

Lincoln vs. Davis Charles Beard, a noted historian said that the American Civil War was a conflict between industry and agriculture. Alexander Stephens, a southern statesman said that the war was about states rights. Horace Greeley, a northern newspaper man, and prominent abolitionist claimed the war was fought over the issue of slavery. Abraham Lincoln said it was a struggle testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. Lincoln said his paramount object was to save the Union, and if he could accomplish that by not freeing any slaves, he would free none; if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by†¦show more content†¦They died for the Union, and beyond that for the idea of democracy, so that the ray of hope sent forth by the American Revolution would never dim (Stephen E. Ambrose). The issue of the Civil War was democracy. Lincoln saw to it that the North fought to insure that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth. The constitution drawn up at Montgomery defined the new government as the creation of sovereign and independent states. Davis subscribed to the principles of state sovereignty but he was far less provincial in his views than were many of his fellow Confederates. As the Souths chief executive he was tremendously handicapped by the deep and pervasive attachment of Southerners to states rights(Bell I. Wiley). Davis was also handicapped by the excessive individualism which characterized the Souths ruling classes. The individualism was a product of the plantation system. Each planter was in effect a petty sovereign and his exalted status tended to make him self-reliant, proud, resentful of opposition, and averse to teamwork. Great men are never cruel without necessity. 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Northern States Power Essay Example For Students

Northern States Power Essay A leader in todays economic world, Northern StatesPower (NSP) is recognized for its outstanding performancein both regulated and nonregulated operations. Its regulatedoperation serves over two million electric and gascustomers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, SouthDakota, Arizona, and Michigan (NSP InvestorsOverview 1). Its head offices are located in Minneapolis,Minnesota, and the Chairman, President and ChiefExecutive Officer (CEO) is Mr. James J. Howard III(Howard 1). Its Viking Gas Transmission CompanySubsidiary owns and operates a 500-mile natural gaspipeline (NSP Investors Overview 1). Northern StatesPower is one of the nations leading energy companies withcompetitive rates, responsive service, and dependable andreliable energy. A relationship with NSP begans when theysign up for services with them; moreover, when you chooseto live in a certain area. Some of the facts about NSP areservices/people, profit, rates, and sources of power,standings, first aid/safety, Y2K, mer ger, and about howthey help within the community. In North Dakota, NSPprovides service to more than 80,000 electric customersand 30,000 gas customers in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot,and many surrounding communities (NSP NorthernDakota 1). They have served in these communities for over80 years (Northern States Power Energy Wise 2). Bypowering the world, NSP brings energy to (Howard 6): ?The international markets where we do business ? Thecommunities close to home where we contribute time andmoney ? To customers, who have ever-increasing energyneeds and choices ? To employees, who make the energywork ? And finally, to youthe shareholderswho haveplaced trust in them The 24th straight year in a row to markgrowth for NSP was 1998. Northern States Powerscommon stocks are traded on three different exchanges:New York Stock, Chicago Stock, and Pacific Stock. Itsticker tape symbol is NSP. Newspaper stock tables listNSP Company as NoStPw, NoStPwr, or NSPw (NSP Investors Overviews 2). Northern St ates Power and itssubsidiaries reported earning of $52.3 million or 34 cents ashare, for the first quarter of 1999. Operating revenue forthe quarter was up 6 percent to $743.2 million. Warmerweather, increased maintenance, and Y2K computer workis the cause of the decreased earning (NSP First-quarter). Advantages to being a registered shareholder are (NSP Investors overview 2): ? Dividend checks are sent directlyto you, deposited in the back account you designate, ormaybe reinvested in the company as you choose ? Youmay purchase additional stock (through dividendreinvestment and optional investment plans) with little or nofees ? You may deposit your share certificates with thecompany for safekeeping if you sign up for the DividendReinvestment Program ? Shareholder company mailingswill be sent directly to your address Electricity is anextremely price-volatile commodity. The price of on-peakelectricity on 15 April 1998 ranged from $20 permegawatt-hour to $38 per megawatt-hour. Competitiveprices serve us well today. But becomes an even greateradvantage in a competitive market (Howard 3). In tryingto compare different electrical Service Companies, I talkedwith my Uncle, Edward Schiele, from Karlsruhe, NorthDakota. I asked him what his monthly electric bill averagesand he said it is bet ween $100 to $115 a month during thewinter months. Verendrye Electric Cooperative out ofVelva, North Dakota, services Karlsruhe with its electricalneeds. Karlsruhe is a rural community of around 150-200people (Schiele, Edward). Our families electrical serviceneeds are serviced by NSP. My Mother, Virginia Schiele,said our last electrical bill was only $41.49. That is a bigdifference from my uncles bill. Additionally, my mother toldme that when we lived in Holiday Village Trailer Court wewere serviced by Verendrye Electric and the bill averagedaround $80 a month in the winter (Schiele, Virginia). Across North Dakota theyre many different electricalcompanies. Electricity from other utility companies can costup to 63 percent more than from Northern States Power. In checking nine different companies, they ranged from$72.50 a month with Cass County Electric to NorthernStates Power at $49.68. Northern States Power has thelowest electric rates for Northern Dakota customers. Ifyoure looking for the best value, it definitely is NorthernStates Power (Northern States Power Energy Wise 2). There is always a challenge on energy pricing. In recentyears, many businesses have explored co-generation. Thatis harnessing energy from the excess heat produced inmanufacturing (Brauer 2). Northern States Power isinvesting in renewable sources of power. It is studying theuse of solar, wind, and biomass energy sources and howthey fit into our energizes future needs (Northern StatesPower Company Home 2). During the 7th Century, theancient Persians were believed to have built the firstwindmill. The earlier windmills use driving pumps orgrindstones to produce power. Todays windmills useblades and were once a common sight on American farms(NSP Renew Wind 1). Wind turbines, the moderncounterpart of windmills, drive electric generators. Aturbine, installed on top of a tower, has three blades with arotor diameter of 160 feet. Towers average 100 to 175feet tall (NSP Renew Wind 1). A turbine operates underthe same principal as an airplane wings. Lift is the force thatpulls the blades covetin g the linear motion into rotationalmotion that drives an electric generator. It takes 67 to 200wind turbines to generate 100 megawatts of electricity(NSP Renew Wind 2). As with all sources of generation,NSP seeks to minimize the advantage and minimize thedisadvantages. They choose companies who can providethe latest, most cost-effective technology and select sitesidentified through extensive research as the windiest area. Parts of speech Analysis EssayNorthern States Powers action after this incident was toplace safety cones only five feet apart (Horsfall). NorthernStates Power goes international when they entered into adefinitive merger agreement with the Denver, Colorado,based New Century Energies (NSP New Release 1). The two utilities companies plan to create the nationsthird-largest utility company servicing well over three millioncustomers in the Untied Sates and two million customersinternationally. The new yet to be named company willstretch from the Canadian border to Mexico with a strongglobal presence in the Untied Kingdom, Central Europe,Australia, and South America (Padley 1). The merger isexpected to result in a net savings over the next 10 year ofover $1.1 billion. Additionally, it is expected to be atax-free, stock-for-stock exchange for shareholders ofboth companies. This merger prepares the new companyfor where the industry is going and not where it is todaywhich is important to customers of the future (NSP NewRelease 3). Working with retirees and their families, NSPworks to improve the quality of life in our communities. They support local and national initiatives and providedirect support for any involvement with schools, students,and community-based organizations (NSP Community 1 2). Northern States Power supports a wide variety ofcommunity based programs (NSP Community 1 2): ?Education Partnerships ? Event Support ? EnergyEducation K-12 ? Calendar Contest K-6 ? NonprofitBoard Participation ? Power Plant Tours ? SpeakersBureau ? Volunteerism The majority of these programs arebased in the Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota, area; butyou can contact any NSP office to see what services areavailable in your area. You can also request additionalinformation at emailprotected (NSP Community1). To sum things up, it has been said NSP is the energy tomake things happen. In doing the math, I found that lookingat the services/people, sources of power, rates, profits,Y2K, community involvement, and merger information thatyou cant go wrong in choosing NSP if you live in thereserving area. Northern States Power is the best value fouryour moneyany money does not go as far as it use to. Customers who get there electrical and gas needs fromNSP or anyone of their subsidiaries are truly the winners intodays world and getting their monies worth. Works CitedBrauer, David. NSPs Grass-Roots Political Strategy.Corporate Report Minnesota, Mar 94, Vol. 25, Issue 3,P40, 1p Deliver System Construction Field Operations. Monthly Performance Update. January 1999 Howard,James J. III. 1998 Shareholders Annual Meeting. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 22 March 1999. Available:http://www.nspco.com/ nsp/jjhspeech/jh042298.htmMissouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship. FirstAid. September 1993 NSP Biomass. Online. MicrosoftExplorer. Internet. 25 March 1999. Available:http://www.nspco.com/renewables/biomass.htm NSP Community Involvement. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 22 March 1999. Available:http://www.nspco.com/nsp/Community%20involvement/cominv.htm NSP Environmental Initiaitives. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 22 March 1999. Available:http://www.nspco.com/environ.htm NSP First-quarterEarning Cut. Minot Daily News 16 April 1999: B6 NSP News Release. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 25March 1999. Availablehttp://nspco.com/nsp/nwsrel/nwsrel98/123098.htm NSP News Release. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 26March 1999. Availablehttp://nspco.com/nsp/nwsrel/032599nr.htm NSP NorthDakota. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 22 March1999. Available http://www.nspco.com/nsp/nd.htm NSP Renew Wind. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 25March 1999. Available:http://www.nspco.com/renewables/wind.htm NSP Solar. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 25 March 1999. Available: http://www.nspco.com/renewables/solar.htmNorthern States Power Investors Overview. Online. Microsoft Explorer. Internet. 22 March 1999. Available:http://www.corporate-ir.net/ ireye/ ir_site.zhtml?ticker=nspscript= 2100layout=7 Northern StatesPower Energy Wise (Publication for NSP Customers)Spring 1999 Northern States Power Company HomePage. Online. Microscoft Explorer. Internet. 22 March1999. Available: http://www.nspco.com/ Padley, Karen. NSP, Denver Utility to Merge. Saint Paul Pioneer Press,Minnesota. 25 March 1999. Northern States Power is oneof the nations leading energy companies with competitiverates, responsive service, and dependable and reliableenergy. Introduction I. Services/People A. ND CustomersB. Responsible II. Profit A. Growth B. Exchanges C. Benefits to Shareholders III Rates A. Prices B. Comparisons C. Bottom Line IV Sources of Power A. Wind B. Solar C. Biomass D. Environmental V StandingsA. Lost Work Days B. Safety Incidents C. ProjectsOn-Time VI Y2K A. Budget C. Completed VI First Aid /Safety A. Time B. Knowledge C. Incident D. OutcomeVIII Merger A. Reliable X Community A. ProgramsSupported B. Contact Conclusion Miscellaneous