My Lai Massacre :: essays papers

My Lai On March 16, 1968, "Charlie Company" was sent into a small Viet Cong village called (by the U.S.) My Lai 4. Their instructions by commanding officers were: "... kill every man, woman, child and animal in the village. Burn all the homes .... nothing should be walking, growing or crawling." Orders were followed, and as I read the first 65 pages of this book, I was exposed to the detailed death of 306 civilians, mostly women, small children, and old people. There was no threat to any American GIs ... there were no Viet Cong Solders in the area. I read of the rape of a 14 year old girl by twenty GIs ... in front of the parents. They were all shot after the GIs were "done with their business." This was only one of many. Most of the murders were conducted, BY ORDER OF OFFICERS, to round-up the families from their homes, forced into ditches, and shot. Women dove to cover their children. Later, children just old enough to walk crawled out from under their mutilated mothers' bodies, only to be shot as target practice by the GIs. It is later estimated that approximately 500 civilians were murdered, and (probably) no VC were in the area. I could go into detail about the killing. However, most of the book was devoted to the time before the massacre, and afterward. The officers and GIs of "Charlie Company" were introduced in the beginning of the book: the officers had been social outcasts all their life (LT. Calley & Medina). Both had decided to devote their life to the military. The GIs were selected for "Charlie Company" specifically because they had all scored too low on the initial exam to be put into a regular battalions. After the massacre, nothing was done. As a matter of fact, "Charlie Company" was praised for having the "most kills" in one day. By late 1969, most of the GIs in Charlie Company were civilians again, and a few began to tell what they had seen (and participated in). A Government Investigation was called against Lt. Calley (who ordered, and participated in the murders). Some of the photographs from the massacre were published. You wouldn't believe what the civilian response was! The overwhelming public response was to drop the charges; they thought that there was nothing wrong with the massacre, OR they didn't believe it really happened. As a matter of fact, Lt. Calley had become a hero as an AMERICAN! There was a hugely-supported

Why Did Wwii Break Out in 1939?

The Second World War started for many reasons but the most important were: the treaty of Versailles and the negative impact it had upon Germany, the foreign policy of Adolf Hitler and what did the other countries do to stop Hitler’s actions. The treaty of Versailles was a very important factor for the break out of war. The treaty took away land from Germany and gave it to Poland, France and Britain. This land included the colonies that Germany had in Africa that was given to France and Britain.It made Germany pay huge reparations that left them in a crisis, and Germany was already in a crisis due to the war which made the germans felt it would stop them from recovering. There were a lot of unemployment and whole families suffered from constant hunger. They had to take blame for starting the war and they did not feel it was fair because it was Serbian terrorist groups that trigger it by killing the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The treaty also ordered the reduction of the German ar my to only 100,000 men and it limited its navy to six battleships.The Germans didn’t feel this was fair because it meant that they were nearly helpless if someone tried to conquer them and they felt bitter as the other countries didn’t had to disarm. They also had to demilitarize the Rhineland. The Rhineland was the border between France and Germany and it was demilitarized in order to protect Alsace-Lorraine. The big three had different opinions on whether how to punish Germany. Woodrow Wilson (America) thought that Germany should be treated fairly because if it was punished too harshly they would want revenge.America did not suffer as much because of the war due to the fact that the war was not fought in America and they joined the war in 1917 so they did not had such many casualties as the other countries. Lloyd George wanted also a fair settlement but the British people, as Georges Clemenceau (France), wanted revenge because all of the soldiers killed in battle and all of the harm they had done to their country. The Germans became vengeful because overall they did not see fair the treaty of Versailles and the sate it had left the country and they had their revenge with the war.The second factor was Adolf Hitler’s foreign policy. Hitler wanted to make Germany a big and powerful country so he could have revenge of the other countries because of the treaty. He started to get back all of the things that the treaty had took from Germany, starting with the joining of Germany and Austria. Hitler sent his troops and made the Austrians hold a vote to join Germany to Austria. The Nazis rigged the vote so that 99% of the Austrians voted for unification.I think that he wanted to unite with Austria because Austrians had German blood so they were part of the Master race, he also wanted Germany to be big and powerful and with Austria he would have more territory and there would be more people working for Germany and it’s army. Then he demanded the Sudetenland region of Austria back to Germany because there were 3 million German people living there and also the Sudetenland had good farming areas and also a lot of raw materials and industries.This meant that there would be more food for German people and its army, the raw materials and the industries could be used for the air force and navy for the German army. After invading the Sudetenland, the German troops invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. I think Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia to have a better chance against the USSR and also to make easier the invasion of Poland by having more land around it. Hitler then made a non-aggression pact with Stalin, they agreed not to fight each other and to share Poland between them.Hitler wanted the land of the Polish Corridor back to Germany because it had cut Germany in two and many German people lived there. But Poland refused to give back the lands because it would mean that they would lose the only access they had to th e sea. Hitler invaded Poland so he could have back that land and to expand its territories. More land meant more men in the army and more space to oppose the USSR. And the last of the most important factors of the breakout of the war was the fact that other countries only reacted and decided to fight back when Hitler conquered Poland.When Hitler began to rearm Germany they didn’t do nothing because they were more worried of the communist invasion and they thought that a stronger Germany could protect Europe from the USSR. Then, when Hitler rearmed the Rhineland they did not do anything because they thought that it was reasonable for Germany to have troops in their own territories, I think that the other countries weren’t as bothered with the treaty as they were in 1919. When Hitler United with Austria and the Austrian leader asked for help Britain, France and Italy didn’t do wanted was peace.In 1938, Britain and France made an agreement with Hitler saying that h e could have the Sudetenland back if he didn’t took the rest of Czechoslovakia. They were so centered on maintaining peace that they didn’t even talked to the Czechs of this. But when Hitler broke this agreement they didn’t help Czechoslovakia because they wanted to evade war by any means and they promised Poland that if they were attacked by Hitler’s army they would help them. They began to prepare for war because they knew that if Hitler continued his invasions then Poland would go next.When Hitler invaded Poland, England and France declared war on Germany but they did not send any troops to help Poland as they had promised because they thought it was too late for Poland. On my opinion, if the other countries had decided to act earlier when Hitler was beginning to expand they would have been able to evade war because he was not powerful enough. I think that if they had actually tried to stop war they would have actually done something because it was ver y obvious that Hitler wanted revenge and he would do more than reversing the treaty of Versailles.If they had done something things could have been very different to what they are now. There wouldn’t have been so many deaths from soldiers and citizens from the cities, and also whole cities would not have been devastated by the bombs. Also there would not have been as many victims from the holocaust were thousands of Jews died in the concentration camps. In conclusion, the other countries could have prevented the WWII from happening easily by acting when Hitler was weaker.

I run, every now and then when things in life get tough

It was a cool November night and there I was running through the smoky populous city of Chelmsford, rows upon rows of cars sped along the narrow concrete roads. Noise from the movement of cars and the odd occasional sound of a horn were to be heard. Among all this chaos and confusion there I was running, running as far away from my troubles as possible. My heart was pounding vigorously against my chest demanding more and more oxygen. Pain was accumulating in the lower part of my legs causing much agony. The only way that I could stop the pain was to stop running but I kept on running. I run, every now and then when things in life get tough. Every stride I take releases more stress and anger in my body. I was now panting, sweat gathered round my chest making my white cotton tee-shirt wet. I could now feel the force of the cool November air as I was making my way down hill. Maybe I shouldn't have lost my temper with my mum. I could remember the scene at home just fifteen minutes ago which made me very angry. † You've got three English essays to do and you are sitting here watching television!† I recall my mum saying. She just came home from a twelve hour shift from the hospital; physically and emotionally she was very exhausted – it's a stressful job being a doctor. Then she found me in the living room watching television – usually she doesn't say anything about that, but when I have three pieces of coursework due, she gets angry. † You have got to take some responsibility of your own,† I recall her uttering. I can still remember her brown weary eyes looking at me and the expression on her face represented someone who was tired and disappointed. Disappointed to find her only child watching television at a time when he really should be catching up with work – to be honest I don't blame her for getting angry. â€Å"Just trust me,† I remember my self pleading, † You know I will do it.† † When will u do it!†, I think my mum said, † I know when you'll do it, you'll do it at the very last minute, you'll stay up till about two o clock in the morning doing it and this will affect the quality of your essays!.† It was getting colder – maybe I should have worn something more instead of my plain white tee-shirt and my rugby shorts. I turned the bend smoothly and now was going through the final two mile stretch. This is usually the hardest part of the race. It depends on the amount of will power I have. This is the stage where the pain intensifies to such an extent that I could hardly feel my shoulders and legs. The only thing that keeps me going is my raw determination, my anger, my will power. â€Å"Mum, God damn it leave me alone!† I remember shouting when she told me to do my work. â€Å"Just go and mind your own business.† I regretted the fact that I shouted. The expression on her face turned to one of utter surprise and disbelief. Her face reddened with anger, â€Å"Why do you think I work so hard?† I remember her saying. â€Å"It's so that you get a chance in life to get educated and make something of your self!† She explained. â€Å"You don't know how hard life is, it's a harsh world out there, if you do not get educated you will probably end up doing a low- paid unskilled labour work, do u want that? This is when I got angry. I hate it when she says that she works just for me! This is when I got upstairs, changed into my training gear and went running! Sweat was dripping from my nose; my breathing was gradually getting heavier, as I ran on the cemented pavement. I was tired, my vision was getting more and more blurry, and all I could see was the headlights of cars as they drove opposite me. There are two different characters in me when I run, one says: â€Å"Come on you fool, what do you want to be a mediocre or the best?, Run, run, and never stop.† I have no trainer to give me encouragement during the hardest part of the race; therefore I have to provide encouragement myself. The other character says: â€Å"Why are your running fool! Why are you going through so much hardship when you could be sitting at home watching television?† There is a constant battle between my two characters when I run. Sometimes my negative character wins and I stop running but in most cases my positive character wins and I finish my race. Just three hundred yards left; this is the part in the race when I increase my speed to such an extent that I loose all my senses in my legs – they go completely numb. The only thing which could keep me going is my determination, my will to succeed and not be a failure. Another two hundred yards; â€Å"Keep running!† I shouted to myself, â€Å"No pain! No pain!† I kept instructing my self – in fact the only thing I could feel was pain. One hundred more yards left: â€Å"You've done it! Come on!† Finally I finished my run -I was outside my house and I was heavily breathing and sweating. Throughout the whole race all I suffered was pain and anguish- there was times when I thought I was going to stop. However I endeavoured to accomplish the goal I had set for myself. Now all I could feel was complete satisfaction. Maybe, if I set the same attitude towards school work and if I finish tasks in time I would be feeling the same level of satisfaction as I am feeling now. I looked up and saw my mother standing in front of me. â€Å"Released all your anger have you?† she asked with a smile on her face. â€Å"Yes, I'm calm now!† I replied. â€Å"Come on then, I'll make you a cup of tea and then you can get started on your essays!† It's bizarre how the whole atmosphere changes after a four mile run.

Role of the Teacher in Obesity Prevention

Role of the Teacher in Obesity Prevention Introduction Obesity is a health condition that affects a person causing them to gain a lot of weight and body mass and subsequently causing a health risk in the individual due to related health implications. Research has proven that the risk of obesity has continued to increase especially for the younger generation in the society.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Role of the Teacher in Obesity Prevention specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to the government statistics and previous researches, 61.4% of the Australian population is either obese or overweight, a point that raises a lot of concern about the health status of the population in Australia. Also, according to the Medical Journal of Australia, the rate of occurrence of obesity has increased to more than a double in the past decade. This information is also close to the data for the USA and the UK (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008). It has been note d that there is a large correlation between the occurrence of obesity and lifestyle, especially eating habits and physical activities. With the society decreasing its concentration from commitment to physical activities, it has become a major problem for many to engage in the activities that would aid in ensuring healthy living. This has been aggravated by the fact that there has been an emergence of a very dangerous trend in eating habits where most people have adopted the culture of eating processed foods and junk foods which are full of fats, chemicals and other hazardous components. This has resulted to a change in the formation of healthy bodies and as a result many people have become overweight and in extreme cases, obese (Sharma, 2011). Obesity and overweight are conditions that result to a high risk of health complications such as the victim being affected by type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, physical deformity among other health problems. With these th reats being eminent, there is a need for everyone to put effort in trying to prevent the condition, and in places where it prevalent, to manage the condition (Robinson, 2001). This study seeks to identify how the society, especially teachers who interact the most with the young children, may be involved in prevention or management of the condition (Danielzik, Pust, Landsberg Muller, 2005).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Importance of Physical Activity The group that the study considered constitutes of the young people in the community ranging from 5 to 17 years of age. Research has shown that about one in every four children in Australia is either obese or overweight, with obesity taking the larger percentage. The problem is that when the condition develops at this early stage, it is hard to cure or manage it later on hence it remains to be a health threat for the v ictim. However, research has also shown that the condition of obesity is best preventable and curable at this early stage since most obese people become obese at this age interval and hence preventing this trend would have almost long-term results except in extreme situations of hazardous lifestyle (Hawks Gast, 2000). One of the most reliable and effective methods to prevent or manage obesity is through involvement in physical activities especially at the early age. In prevention of obesity, physical activities ensure that an individual utilizes a lot of energy that is injected into the body while eating, a factor that ensures that there is no excess energy going unutilized and which would otherwise be stored in the body as fats. Through involvement in sufficient quality of physical activities, a person is able to check their weight hence avoiding occurrences of obesity or even becoming overweight. In addition, physical activities ensure that a person remains fresh due to proper ci rculation of blood hence being able to utilize energy from the food taken not only through physical activities but also through the brain (Piran, 1998). Through engaging in physical activities, those that already are obese may be able to manage their condition and even with a lot of discipline be able to eradicate their situation. This is mainly possible due to the fact that during physical activities, stored fats are broken down to form energy which is then utilized in the activity. Hence, for someone with obesity, it is possible to gradually ensure that the stored fats under the skin are broken down into energy hence helping the patient recover from the condition.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Role of the Teacher in Obesity Prevention specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, in situations where the condition is impossible to treat, physical activities may aid in ensuring that excessive fats are broken down so a s to avoid them from getting deposited under the skin, a factor that may ensure prevention of other related diseases and conditions thus ensuring that the obesity does not pose a health threat to its victim (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010). Teacher’s Role in Obesity prevention and management The teacher is the person who spends most of the time with a child during the period between 5 and 17 years. The teacher hence observes a lot of the changes that take place in the child both physically and mentally (Robinson, 2001). The teacher therefore has the role of ensuring that he addresses all the issues involved in the proper and healthy growth of the child so as to ensure that the child grows up in the expected manner. The teacher may therefore be able to identify the possibility of onset of obesity in as child especially due to its weight gain and slow mental development. This may be a good point at which to react through engaging in preventive measures so as to overcome the probability of the child becoming obese. Involvement in physical activities as well as a change in eating habits may also be helpful (Meyers, Sampson, Weitzman, Rogers, Kayne, 1989). The teacher is at a good position to set time for the child to ensure discipline in engaging in physical activities. This may be done through integrating learning with co-curriculum activities with an equal emphasis on their importance such that children would not view the physical activities as optional but rather as part of the learning process. On the other side, the teacher is at a good position to be able to control the dietary part of the child’s eating habits so as to ensure that as much as possible the child takes healthy meals that would reduce the risk of becoming obese. Ways of addressing and helping prevent Obesity The teacher may be able to undertake a lot of activities so as to help manage and even prevent obesity in children. First, the teacher may be able to use their authority to control t he eating habits of the children.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Through emphasizing on healthy living ad as much as possible ensuring the children do not take junk and processed foods, the teacher may be able to help the child reduce the probability of becoming obese and for the obese ones, manage the condition and keep it at a low profile where the risk of related diseases and conditions is at its lowest. The teacher hence may be able to make decisions on the kind of food components tom include in the meals offered in the school while also educating the child on proper decision-making and consciousness so as to ensure they have a good and healthy choice for foods and beverages taken outside the school program (McDevitt Ormrod, 2010). The teacher may also be involved in formulation of a coordinated school health program (CSHP) which may be aimed at addressing the main aspects of life that may are associated to healthy growth including physical health, provision of physical, nutritional and health education, development of mental health through counseling sessions as well as involvement in activities carried out at the family and community level. All these activities may be able to engage the child in a manner that helps prevent or manage obesity (Meyers, Sampson, Weitzman, Rogers, Kayne, 1989). The teacher has the mandate to formulate and review the different policies endorsed by the school concerning healthy growth of a child. In cases where the school has laid more focus and emphasis on learning and neglected healthy physical growth promotion activities, the teacher may intervene to help ensure that there is a balance in all aspects of life so as for the child to grow up as an all-round healthy person and more so reduce the probability of getting obese (Kropski, Keckley Jensen, 2008). Through provision of nutrition studies, the teacher may be able to influence the decisions of the child in relation to their decisions pertaining to the kind of food they eat and also the physical activities they engage in so as to reduc e instances of obesity. References Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008). National Health Survey 2007-08. Melbourne: ABS. Danielzik, S., Pust, S., Landsberg, B. and Muller, J. (2005). â€Å"First lessons from the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS),† International Journal of Obesity, 29(2) :78–83. Hawks, R. and Gast, J. (2000). â€Å"The ethics of promoting weight loss,† Healthy Weight, 14(1): 25-26. Kropski, A., Keckley, H. and Jensen G. (2008). â€Å"School-based obesity prevention programs: an evidence-based review,† Obesity, 16(5):1009-18. McDevitt M. and Ormrod, J. (2010). Child Development And Education (4th ed). Melbourne: Pearson. Meyers, A., Sampson, E., Weitzman, M., Rogers, L. and Kayne, H. (1989). â€Å"School Breakfast Program and School Performance,† American Journal of Diseases of Childhood, 143(10): 1234-1239. Piran, N. (1998). â€Å"The Last Word: Prevention of eating disorders,† Eating Disorders, 6(1):365-371. Robinson, E . (2001). Reducing Children’s Television Viewing to Prevent Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. London: AMC. Sharma, M. (2011). Dietary Education in School-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/advances/article/2/2/207S/4591581

International Financial Manager

International Financial Manager International Financial Manager The financial manager of IKEA store in Abu Dhabi is James McGowan His role as a financial manager is to envisage the close supervision of the work performed by the finance staff including day to day contact with the banks to check in level of payments made per day and to transact the payment of materials and external credits through the bank. He is the one responsible for the production of all management reports including monthly financial management report. He budgets for IKEA store annually reforecast periodically. In the process of all these, he operates financial tasks like setting and varying all the internal credits limits and funding employees. He assures cash creditors by paying them on time and prepares payment for the distributors He also liaises with professional advisors like auditors and oversees the works performed by infrastructure developers and ensures timely reporting of results and payment. The financial manager is focused and has more that ten years of experience since he has served as a manager and financial assistant in different firms (Kendrick Vershina, 2005). To manage his financial risks, he has involved the future risks and has made a sport in the banking system so that the company can have a lock-in set exchange rate in the current financial period. He also uses foreign exchange option markets which are managed by global banks. This enables Ikea to purchase options to buy and sell the foreign money they get from the sell of their furniture and other products are sold for them by the institution in future. In the meanwhile he waits so that he would exercise the selling option depending upon the changes of market values against the U.S dollar (Bradstreet Corporation, 2003). Finally, his last approach to managing and mitigating financial risk is to manage the financial risk is through managing their functional currency of the businesses they have overseas. This takes the form of balance sheet management or income management in that instead of IKEA borrowing locally from Abu Dhabi, they could borrow overseas inform of U.S dollars so that there will be no impact on their balance sheet at the time of payment when other currencies move up or down against the U.S dollar (Bradstreet Corporation, 2003).

The Hero's Journey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Hero's Journey - Essay Example In concurrence with such a statement, it is indicated, â€Å"The Self (or Soul) is so powerful, so determined to become wholly conscious, that it continually haunts and prods us. We crave its depth and breadth† (Hartman, MSW & Zimberoff 23). The heroes’ inner journey involves the steps of preparation, commitment to transformation and finally the mastery of the problem. The journey tests for fear and the ability to adapt fast in an attempt to unlock the mystery (c-How Woods, ND). â€Å"Ego, True Self and the Soul† The symbolic stages in the journey guide into seeing a paradigm of reality in a person’s character. The psychological and emotional journey employs mythical dragons to test a person’s character, decisions and actions. The characters experiences are beneficial to test and strengthen their ego (Stech 28). The heroes meet the symbolic mentors to give them advice, training and motivational gifts to alienate fears and build strength. Both storie s are symbolic of a spiritual journey to attaining self-actualization. The person who discovers the treasured ark must have an inner bravado. It involves the steps undertaken to confront one’s fears to attain ultimate achievement. In the journey, their ego, strength, tolerance and ability to adapt are emphasized. In both journeys, symbolic epitomes strengthen the personas inner will. â€Å"Confronting the Guardians† The guardians are also the gatekeepers. They take the form of dragons whose role is to test the strength of the heroes in order to prepare them for the journey. â€Å"They test the strength and resolve of the hero therefore test his dedication, fortress and stamina† (Hartman, MSW & Zimberoff 26). They are intimidating and aggressive beings with great insight. In reality, they portray the challenges experienced in real life and the usefulness of character in overcoming them. The heroes must confront the guardians to test their character and zeal. The guardians mythically allow the heroes to partake the journey. They expose the inner fears of death, weakness, mental laxity and restlessness inherent in the human beings. The heroes must challenge the dragons by fighting them, assimilate them or succumb to them (Stech 51). A similar struggle is experienced in the ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. The characters must evade the numerous struggles encountered during the chase for the ark. They must confront the Nazi soldiers also pursuing the ark. Moreover, in their pursuit for the treasure they venture into strange localities and even encounter thugs in Egypt, wild animals and hang on a fast moving vehicle. â€Å"Becoming Your Authentic Self-Generating New Visions† Self-actualization entails preparation to test ones capabilities and strategizing on the inputs required to strengthens the inner spirit. The story uses mythology to explain the heroic journeys vital for self-affirming. The personas are tested for authenticity in self-generating capability that helps to generate new insights and strengthen their ability for novel exploits. Each hero discovers that it is an individual journey that they display their strength and gain capability to accomplish greater challenges. The movie covers the journey of Indiana Jones as he traverses the country in search of a secret essence held in an ark (Stech 21). A myth follows that the secret ark holds supernatural powers beneficial to the person who accesses it. To generate new ins

Common History of oppression of people of African descent and Research Paper

Common History of oppression of people of African descent and indigenous peoples in the United States and South Africa - Research Paper Example Black South Africans faced much discrimination against them during the colonial period whose effects can be felt to this day. The period of apartheid was characterized by the racial segregation of the majority Africans by the government. The apartheid period lasted for forty-six years (1948-1994) and during this time, many sufferings were incurred on the part of the majority African inhabitants. This research paper will primarily look at the crimes and violations committed, harms caused to the majority south Africans, the setbacks that can still be felt, the losses suffered and finally clearly lay out the reasons why the black Africans in south Africa should be compensated. Apartheid simply meant separation. It was more concern with putting apart the white and the black inhabitants. It can be seen that the separation had always existed in South Africa. This is evident in the 1913 Land Act, which suggested the separation of living areas for both whites and blacks (Lötter 21). The black inhabitants were forced to move to reserves while the whites were left to dominate and control all the available resources. In 1948, apartheid intensified after the white dominated Afrikaner National Party (ANP) won the elections.The goal of this separation was not only to separate Africans from the whites but also to separate Africans from one another by dividing them within their ethnic lines so that they could their political power. The inhabitants were separated into four groups, the majority blacks, whites, the colored people and Indians. The colored were a mixed race, which sometimes saw families being separated as parents could be classified as white while chil dren were seen as non-whites, therefore, alienated. 80% of the land was given to the whites while the other majority races only occupied the remaining 20% (Lötter 14). To further emphasize on separation, the government made sure that the whites had separate and better public facilities apart from