The Return: Nightfall Chapter 36

Elena had been waiting in her tree. It wasn't, as a matter of fact, all that different from her six months in the spirit world, where she had spent most of her time watching other people, and waiting, and watching them some more. Those months had taught her a patient alertness that would have astounded anyone who knew the old, wildfire Elena. Of course, the old, wildfire Elena was still inside her, too, and occasionally it rebelled. As far as she could see, nothing was happening in the dark boardinghouse. Only the moon seemed to move, creeping slowly higher into the sky. Damon said this Shinichi had a thing about 4:44 in the morning or evening, she thought. Maybe this Black Magic was working to a different schedule than any she'd heard of. In any case, it was for Stefan. And as soon as she thought that she knew that she would wait here for days, if that's what it took. She could certainly wait until daybreak, when no self-respecting Black Magic-worker would ever thing of beginning a ceremony. And, in the end, what she was waiting for came to rest right below her feet. First came the figures, walking sedately out of the Old Wood and toward the gravel pathways of the boardinghouse. They weren't hard to identify, even at long range. One was Damon, who had aje ne sais quois about him that Elena couldn't miss at a quarter of a mile – and then again there was his aura, which was a very good facsimile of his old aura: that unreadable, un-breachable ball of black stone. Avery good imitation, in fact. Actually, it was almost exactly like the one†¦ It was then, Elena later realized, that she felt her very first qualm. But right now she was so caught up in the moment that she brushed the uneasy thought away. The one with the deep gray aura with crimson flashes would be Shinichi, she guessed. And the one with the same aura as the possessed girls: a sort of muddy color slashed with orange must be the twin sister Misao. Only those two, Shinichi and Misao, were holding hands, even occasionally nuzzling each other – as Elena could see as they came up close to the boardinghouse. They certainly weren't acting like any brother and sister that Elena had seen. Moreover, Damon was carrying a mostly-naked girl over his shoulder, and Elena couldn't imagine who that might be. Patience,she thought to herself.Patience. The major players are here at last, just as Damon promised they would be. And the minor players†¦ Well, first, following Damon and his group were three little girls. She recognized Tami Bryce instantly from her aura, but the other two were strangers. They hopped, skipped, andfrisked out of the Wood and to the boardinghouse, where Damon said something to them and they came around to sit in Mrs. Flowers' kitchen garden, almost directly below Elena. One look at the auras of the strange girls was enough to identify them as more of Misao's pets. Then, up the driveway came a very familiar car – it belonged to Caroline's mother. Caroline stepped out of it and was helped into the boardinghouse by Damon, who had done something – Elena had missed what – with his burden. Elena rejoiced as she saw lights coming on as Damon and his three guests traveled up the boardinghouse, lighting their way as they went. They came out on the very top, standing in a row on the widow's walk, looking down. Damon snapped his fingers, and the backyard lights went on as if it were a cue for a show. But Elena didn't see the actors – the victims of the ceremony that was about to begin, until just then. They were being herded around the far corner of the boardinghouse. She could see them all: Matt and Meredith and Bonnie, and Mrs. Flowers and, strangely, old Dr. Alpert. What Elena didn't understand was why they weren't fighting harder – Bonnie was certainly making enough noise for all of them, but they acted as if they were being pushed forward against their will. That was when she saw the looming darkness behind them. Huge dark shadows, with no features that she could identify. It was at that point that Elena realized, even over Bonnie's yelling, if she held herself still inside and focused hard enough, she could hear what everyone on the widow's walk was saying. And Misao's shrill voice cut through the rest. â€Å"Oh lucky! We got all of them back,† she squealed, and kissed her brother's cheek, despite his brief look of annoyance. â€Å"Of course we did. I said so,† he was beginning, when Misao squealed once more. â€Å"But which of them do we start with?† She kissed her brother and he stroked her hair, relenting. â€Å"You pick the first one,† he said. â€Å"You darling,† Misao cooed shamelessly. These two, Elena thought, are real charmers. Twins, huh? â€Å"The little noisy one,† Shinichi said firmly, pointing to Bonnie. â€Å"Urusei, brat! Shut up!† he added as Bonnie was pushed or carried forward by the shadows. Now Elena could see her more clearly. And she could hear Bonnie's heartrending pleas to Damon not to do this to†¦the others. â€Å"I'm not begging for myself,† she cried, as she was dragged into the light. â€Å"But Dr. Alpert is a good woman; she has nothing to do with this. Neither does Mrs. Flowers. And Meredith and Matt have already suffered enough.Please! â€Å" There was a ragged chorus of sound as the others apparently tried to fight and were subdued. But Matt's voice rose above it all. â€Å"You touch her, Salvatore, and you'd better make damn sure you kill me, too!† Elena's heart jerked as she heard Matt's voice sounding so strong and well. She'd found him at last, but she couldn't think of a way to save him. â€Å"And then we have to decide what to do with them to start with,† Misao said, clapping like a happy child at her birthday party. â€Å"Take your pick.† Shinichi caressed his sister's hair and whispered into her ear. She turned and kissed him on the mouth. Not hastily, either. â€Å"What the – what's going on?† Caroline said. She had never been shy, that one, Elena thought. Now she had moved forward to cling to Shinichi's unoccupied hand. For just an instant, Elena thought he would throw her off the widow's walk and watch her plunge to the ground. Then he turned, and he and Misao stared at each other. Then he laughed. â€Å"Sorry, sorry, it's so hard when you're the life of the party,† he said. â€Å"Well, what do you think, Carolyn – Caroline?† Caroline was staring at him. â€Å"Why's she holding you that way?† â€Å"In theShi no Shi , sisters are precious,† Shinichi said. â€Å"And†¦well, I haven't seen her in a long time. We're getting reacquainted.† But the kiss he planted on Misao's palm was hardly brotherly. â€Å"Go on,† he added quickly, to Caroline. â€Å"You choose the first act in the Moonspire Festival! What shall we do with her?† Caroline began to imitate Misao, kissing Shinichi's cheek and ear. â€Å"I'm new here,† she said flirtatiously. â€Å"I don't really know what you want me to pick.† â€Å"Silly Caroline. Naturally, how she di – † Shinichi was suddenly smothered by a great hug and kiss from his sister. Caroline, who had obviously wanted the attention of choice put to her, even if she didn't understand the subject, said huffily, â€Å"Well, if you don't tell me, I can't choose. And anyway, where's Elena? I don't see her anywhere!† She seemed about to say more when Damon glided over and whispered in her ear. Then she smiled again, and they both looked at the pine trees surrounding the boardinghouse. That was when Elena had her second qualm. But Misao was already speaking and that required Elena's full attention. â€Å"Lucky! Then I'll pick.† Misao leaned forward, peeking over the edge of the roof at the humans below, her dark eyes wide, summing up the possibilities in what looked like a barren clearing. She was so delicate, so graceful as she got up to pace and think; her skin was so fair, and her hair so glossy and dark that even Elena couldn't take her eyes off her. Then Misao's face lit up and she spoke. â€Å"Spread her on the altar. You brought some of your half-breeds?† The last was not so much a question as an excited exclamation. â€Å"My experiments? Of course, darling. I told you so,† Shinichi replied and added, staring into the forest, â€Å"Two of you – er, men – and Old Faithful!† And he snapped his fingers. There were several minutes of confusion during which the humans around Bonnie were struck, kicked, thrown to the ground, trampled on, and crushed as they fought with the shadows. And then the things that had shambled forward before, shambled farther forward with Bonnie held in between them, dangling limply from each by a slim arm. The half-breeds were something like men and something like trees with all the leaves stripped off them. If they had beenmade , it looked as if they had been made specifically to be grotesque and asymmetrical. One had a crooked, knobby left arm that reached almost to its feet, and a right arm that was thick, lumpy, and only waist-high. They were hideous. Their skin was similar to the chitin-like skin of the insects, but much bumpier, with knotholes and burls and all the outward aspects of bark on their branches. They had a shaggy, unfinished look in places. They were terrifying. The way their limbs were twisted; the way they walked, shambling forward like apes, the way their bodies ended on top with treelike caricatures of human faces, surmounted by a tangle of thinner branches sticking out at odd angles – they were calculated to look like creatures of nightmare. And they were naked. They had nothing in place of clothes to disguise the ghastly deformities of their bodies. And then Elena really knew what terror meant, as the two shambling malach carried the limp Bonnie to a sort of roughly hewn stump of tree like an altar, laid her on it and began to pluck at the many layers of her clothing, clumsily, pulling at them with sticklike fingers that broke off with little crackling sounds even as cloth tore. They didn't seem to care that they broke their fingers off – as long as they accomplished their task. And then they were using bits of torn cloth, even more clumsily, to tie Bonnie, spread-eagled, to four knobby posts snapped off their own bodies and hammered into the ground around the trunk with four powerful blows by the thick-armed one. Meanwhile, from somewhere even farther away in the shadows, a third man-tree shuffled forward. And Elena saw that this one was, undeniably, unmistakably male. For a moment Elena worried that Damon might lose it, go mad, turn around and attack both the were-foxes, revealing his true allegiance now. But his feelings about Bonnie had obviously changed since he had saved her at Caroline's. He appeared perfectly relaxed beside Shinichi and Misao, sitting back and smiling, even saying something that made them laugh. Suddenly something inside Elena seemed to plummet. This wasn't a qualm. It was full-blown terror. Damon had never looked so natural, so in tune, sohappy with anyone as he did here with Shinichi and Misao. They couldn't possibly have changed him, she tried to convince herself. Theycouldn't have possessed him again so quickly, not without her, Elena, knowing it†¦. But when you showed him the truth, he was miserable, her heart whispered. Desperately miserable – miserably desperate. He might have reached for possession as a defiant alcoholic reaches for a bottle, wanting only forgetfulness. If she knew Damon, he had willingly invited the darkness back in. He couldn't stand to stand in the light, she thought. And so now, he's able to laugh even at Bonnie's suffering. And where did that leave her? With Damon defected to the other side, no longer ally, but enemy? Elena began to tremble with anger and hatred – yes, and fear, too, as she contemplated her position. All alone to struggle against three of the strongest enemies she could imagine, and their army of deformed, conscienceless killers? Not to mention Caroline, the cheerleader of spite? As if to corroborate her fears, as if to show her how slim her chances really were, the tree she was clinging to seemed suddenly to let go of her, and for a moment Elena thought she would fall, spinning and screaming, all the way to the ground. Her handholds and footholds seemed to disappear all at once, and she only saved herself by a frantic – and painful – scrambling through serrated pine needles up to the grooved, dark bark. You are a human girl now, my dear,the strong, resinous smell seemed to be telling her.And you are up to your neck in the Powers of the undead and of sorcery. Why fight it? You've lost before you've begun. Give in now and it won't hurt so much. If aperson had been telling her this, trying to hammer it in, the words might have sparked some kind of defiance from the flint of Elena's character. But instead this was just a feeling that came over her, an aura of doom, a knowledge of the hopelessness of her cause, and the inadequacy of her weapons, that seemed to settle over her as gently and as inescapably as a fog. She leaned her throbbing head against the trunk of the tree. She had never felt so weak, so helpless – or so alone, not since she had been a newly wakened vampire. She wanted Stefan. But Stefan hadn't been able to beat these three, and because of that she might never see him again. Something new was happening on the roof, she realized wearily. Damon was looking down at Bonnie on the altar, and his expression was petulant. Bonnie's white face was staring up at the evening sky in determination, as if refusing any longer to weep or beg again. â€Å"But†¦are all thehors d'oeuvres so predictable?† Damon asked, seeming genuinely bored. You bastard, you'd turn on your best friend for amusement, Elena thought. Well, just you wait. But she knew the truth was that without him, she couldn't even put together Plan A, much less fight against these kitsune, these were-foxes. â€Å"You told me that in theShi no Shi , I would see acts of genuine originality,† Damon was going on. â€Å"Maidens hypnotized to cut themselves†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena ignored his words. She concentrated all her energy on the thudding pain in the center of her chest. She felt as if she were drawing blood from her tiniest capillaries, from the far reaches of her body, and collecting it here at her center. The human mind is infinite, she thought. It is as strange and as infinite as the universe. And the human soul†¦ The three youngest of the possessed began dancing around the spread-eagled Bonnie, singing in falsely sweet little-girl voices: â€Å"You are going todie in here, When you die inhere , outthere They throwdirt right on your face!† How delightful, Elena thought. Then she tuned back in to the drama unfolding on the roof. What she saw startled her. Meredith was now up on the widow's walk, moving as if she were underwater – entranced. Elena had missed how she'd gotten there – was it by some sort of magic? Misao was facing Meredith, giggling. Damon was laughing, too, but in mocking disbelief. â€Å"And you expect me to believe that if I givethis girl a pair of scissors†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he said, â€Å"she would actually cut her own – â€Å" â€Å"Try and see for yourself,† Shinichi interrupted, with one of his languid gestures. He was leaning against the cupola in the middle of the widow's walk, still trying to out-lounge Damon. â€Å"Didn't you see our prizewinner, Isobel?You carried her all the way here – didn't she ever try to speak?† Damon held out a hand. â€Å"Scissors,† he said, and a dainty pair of nail scissors rested in his palm. It seemed that, as long as Damon had Shinichi's magic key, the magic field around them would continue to obey him even in the real world. He laughed. â€Å"No, adult-size scissors, for gardening. The tongue's made of strong muscles, not paper.† What he held in his hand then were large pruning shears – definitely not toys for children. He hefted them, feeling their weight. And then, to Elena's utter shock, he looked straight up at her in her treetop refuge, not needing to search for her there at all – and winked. Elena could only stare back in horror. He knew, she thought. He knew where I was all the time. That was what he had been whispering to Caroline about. It hadn't worked – theWings of Redemption hadn't worked, Elena thought, and it felt as if she were falling and would fall forever. I should have realized it would be no good. No matter what's done to him, Damon will always be Damon. And now he's offering me a choice: see my two best friends tortured and killed, or step forward and stop this horror by agreeing to his terms. What could she do? He had arranged the chess pieces brilliantly, she thought. The pawns on two different levels, so that even if Elena could somehow climb down to try to save Bonnie, Meredith would be lost. Bonnie was tied to four strong posts and guarded by Tree-Men. Meredith was closer, up on the roof, but to get her off Elena would have toget to her and then through Misao, Shinichi, Caroline, and Damon himself. And Elena had to choose. Whether to step forward now, or be pushed forward by the anguish of one of the two who were almost a part of her. She seemed to catch a faint strain of telepathy as Damon stood beaming there, and it said,This is the best night of my life. You could always just jump,came the fog-like hypnotic whisper of annihilation once again.End the dead-end road you're on. End your suffering. End all the pain†¦just like that. â€Å"Now it's my turn,† Caroline was saying, brushing past the twins to face Meredith herself. â€Å"It was supposed to be my choice in the first place. So it's my turn now.† Misao was laughing hysterically, but Meredith was already stepping forward, still in a trance. â€Å"Oh, have it your own way,† Damon said. But he didn't move, still staring curiously, as Caroline said to Meredith, â€Å"You've always had a tongue like an adder's. Why don't you make it forked for us – right here, right now? Before you cut it into pieces.† Meredith held out her hand without a word, like an automaton. Still with her eyes on Damon, Elena breathed in slowly. Her chest seemed to be going into spasms as it had when the sucker plants had wound their way around her and cut off her breath. But not even sensations in her own body could stop her. How could I choose? she thought. Bonnie and Meredith – I love both of them. And there's nothing else to do, she realized numbly, the feeling draining from her hands and her lips. I'm not even sure if Damon can save both of them, even if I agree to†¦submit to him. These others – Shinichi, Misao, even Caroline – they want to see blood. And Shinichi not only controls trees, but just about everything in the Old Wood, including those monstrous Tree-Men. Maybe this time Damon has over-reached himself, taken on more than he could handle. He wanted me – but he went too far to get me. I can't see any way out. And then she did see. Suddenly everything fell into place and was brilliantly clear. Sheknew . Elena stared down at Bonnie, almost in a state of shock. Bonnie was looking at her, too. But there was no expectation of rescue in that small, triangular face. Bonnie had already accepted her fate: agony and death. No,Elena thought, not knowing whether Bonnie could hear her. Believe,she thought to Bonnie. Not blindly, never blindly. But believe in what your mind tells you is the truth, and what your heart tells you is the right path. I would never let you go – or Meredith either. I believe,Elena thought, and her soul was rocked by the force of it. She felt a sudden surge within herself, and she knew that it was time to go. One word was ringing in her mind as she stood and let go of her handholds on the tree trunk. And that one word echoed in her mind as she dove headfirst from her sixty-foot perch in the tree. Believe.

Life is an Echo

â€Å"Life is an echo; all comes back, The good, the bad, the false, and the true. So, give the world the best you have & The best will come back to you. † A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the boy trips and feeling a sharp pain he screams, â€Å"Ahhhhh. † Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, â€Å"Ahhhhh. † Filled with curiosity, he screams, â€Å"Who are you? † but the only answer he receives is: â€Å"Who are you? † This makes him angry, so he screams, â€Å"You are a coward! † and the voice answers, â€Å"You are a coward! †He looks at his father asking, â€Å"Dad, what is going on? † â€Å"Son,† he replies, â€Å"pay attention! Then he screams, â€Å"I admire you! † The voice answers, â€Å"I admire you! † The father shouts, â€Å"You are wonderful! † and the voice answers, â€Å"You are wonderful! † The boy is surprised, but still can’t unders tand what is going on. Then the father explains, â€Å"People call this ‘ECHO’ but truly it is ‘LIFE! ’ Life always gives you back what you give out! Life is a mirror of your actions. If you want more love, give more love! If you want more kindness, give more kindness! If you want understanding and respect, give understanding and respect. If you want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and respect!This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives. † Life always gives you back what you give out. Your life is not a coincidence, but a mirror of your own doings. What is your echo? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ A good example would be how Maldives reacted in SAFF cup. They wanted Maldives to win @ any cost. Maldivians wanted it†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦more than anything else †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. They said, this is our time†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. and they proved they were right. I feel, that Maldivians forgot that there should be a limit to everything†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. They said, â€Å"football in mulhi gaumai faidhaa kodheynan. † Though its diffciult to think of any use football is to the country in general.The point I am talking about is life gives back what we give, what we want†¦. So we have to decide what we want out of life. Life Is An Echo What you send out – comes back. What you sow – you reap. What you give – you get. What you see in others – exists in you. Remember, Life is an Echo. It always gets back to you. As I have said in many previous posts: states of mind are contagious. If we had a state of mind meter and could measure how contagious it is, it wouldn’t be surprising when we discovered that when a person who is upbeat, positive, light-hearted and charismatic   enters into a room people’s moods and states of mind tend to lift.In the same manner when that same person is in a bad mood, full of discouragement and negativity people will tend to be pulled down†¦if they aren’t aware of how their thinking functions. I am sure you notice this when you come into the presence of someone who is either negative or up beat. If you are in a low mood, your spirit will be lifted and before you know it you are laughing, joking and seeing all the good in life. Or how you might be in a good mood and then you run into someone who is complaining, whining and miserable and within minutes, if not seconds, you find your good spirits lowered.When working with people, whether you are a parent, social worker, psychologist, manager or CEO, it is imperative to understand the powerful role of states of mind because your state of mind and quality of thinking you bring to the table in any given moment will not only determine your behavior and performance but it will effect those around you. When you make the link between your thinking and your state of mind you will begin to see why things turn out in life the way they do.In fact if you want to understand why things turn out the way they turn out in life for people you want to understand states of mind and you will begin to see the limitless power of state of mind. The state of mind that we operate from on a moment to moment basis essentially creates our experience in life. If we look out through our eyes and see a harsh, cold, difficult world that is exactly what we will get back and I am not talking about the law of attraction here. I am talking about the Principles behind human psychological functioning: Mind, Consciousness and Thought.If you are harsh and reactive to people they will respond in kind. If you come to a meeting agitated and distracted with your problems, worries and concerns on your mind, everyone in that room will be effected. Unknowingly they will take on your state. In the same way, if you come to that same meeting with a clear, open, carefree mind and ready to listen everyone will follow in kind to some degree. This is especially true with your kids, customers and employees. In low states of mind you are more reactive and in higher states of mind you are responsive.Imagine working for a company where your boss is constantly operating from low states of mind and leads with knee-jerk reactions? Imagine a family now. Imagine a work environment where the boss is responsive, light-hearted, and present. Which boss would you jump hoops through? Which boss would you want to work under? Now who would you want as your parent if you were a kid? Did your parents parent out of a reactive state of mind or responsive? The greatest gift we can give our children, our partner, our family, our loved ones, our employees is the gift of operating from the highest state of mind and being happy and present.If states of mind are contagious and we run around long faced, complaining about money, the weather, the world, politics we pass that on to our children and everyone we come into contact with. If you think that sacrificing your own ha ppiness and mental well-being contributes to your child’s happiness you are unwittingly teaching them to over ride their own innate mental well-being and happiness. What is worse is that they are growing up in a deprived environment as a result of your belief that you have to sacrifice your happiness and psychological functioning in the name of being a good parent.At best your kids may be a little bit happier than you were as they grew up, but usually they mimic what they were taught.. What is the message or lesson you are teaching your children and others when you are willing to sacrifice your happiness? Really stop and think about that. Your kids, your staff, your family wants and needs for you and I to be happy. Your happiness is the greatest contributing factor to having happy, emotionally healthy, secure children and later adults. I don’t mean ecstatic and euphoric, but sane, stable and content with the way we see life as we look out our eyes.They thrive in that e nvironment and when you are resolved that your happiness and mental well-being are your top priority and your circumstances, demands and situations won’t impact your committment to your well-being, you will pass that gift on to everyone you come in contact with. When you lose site of that and your thinking goes south you will suffer the consequences in broken relationships, broken marriages, disgruntled employees who have bad attitudes and your ability to influence and empower people will be all but lost.If you want to have confident, emotionally stable children without all the typical teenage rebellion, a great marriage, great relationships and employees who will jump through hoops for you, commit yourself to your own happiness and mental well-being. You take the lead and they will follow because it is that contagious! Take Away: If people are reacting to you in negative ways, notice what is on your mind. What thoughts are you running through your head. Are you agitated, gru mpy, irritable or distracted? Are you ruminating or dwelling on problems and issues?Check out your thinking and realize that happiness is an inside out job not the other way around. A good gauge to know your thinking is going south would be how you feel. If you feel any of the above thing, stop and check in with your thoughts. The body is such that whatever you think returns to us as a feeling and not the other way around. It is instant messaging of the brain. Regardless of what problems you are facing or what circumstances you find yourself in, you can be calm and at peace. You are the thinker, the artist. Each of us is given formless energy too work with and the form we create is what we call our life, our experience.When we focus, ruminate, analyze and process our problems we just get deeper into them and rarely do we find any lasting solutions. In fact, it is this mind set that keeps us reacting to life resulting in knee-jerk decisions, often keeping us stuck or taking us deeper . When we take our focus off of our worries, concerns and problems the solutions often come to us as insights and many times the answer is so obvious, but we couldn’t see it because we had our mind so preoccupied and blocked. This preoccupied and blocked mind will also cause issues in interpersonal relating.Slow down, let your mind settle and your thoughts simmer down and the jewels you are looking for will appear. Think about it. I read a story today that relates a story that applies to everything we do and become in life, and the causes for it. It starts off with a boy and his father hiking through the mountains. The father gets a little bit ahead and the boy slips and bangs his leg on a rock and yells, â€Å"Ouch! † Almost immediately he hears â€Å"Ouch† coming right back at him. A little startled he yells out to the mountains, â€Å"Who are you,† thinking it was someone mocking him.He gets the same response. He then yells, â€Å"You coward,† a nd just the same way it has been happening, he heard the same response! Getting more frustrated and about to burst into anger, he looks to his father and asks him, â€Å"What's going on? † His father just smiles and says, â€Å"Son, pay attention! † He then yells back to the mountain, â€Å"I admire you, You are a Leader, You are a champion, You can do anything! † With each phrase he received the same response in return. The boy looks and little confused so the father explains, â€Å"Son, people call this an ECHO but really this is LIFE.It gives you back everything you say or do. Life is a reflection of our actions! † If you want more live in the world, it first starts with creating more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team or your employees, become more competent yourself. If you want more respect, give more respect. If you want all out massive success, help others to become successful. This relationship applies to everything, in all areas of life. Your life is not a coincidence†¦ it is a reflection of YOU! Two of the most sought after things in this world are TIME and MONEY! Making more money is the easy part.I can teach you how to create wealth, but you can never get more time. Wouldn't it be great if you could just figure out how to have both? I have†¦.. and can teach you how to do it as well. Stop Settling and Start Living! | Once a little boy in a fit of anger shouted at his mother that he hated her. Fearing punishment, he ran out of the house to the hillside & shouted into the valley,†I hate you, I hate you, I hate you†. The valley echoed back, â€Å"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you†. Startled, the boy ran back & told his mother there was a little boy in the valley saying he hated him. is mother told him to return & shout, â€Å"I love you, I love you†. The little boy did & this time he discovered there was a nice little boy in the valley saying, â€Å"I love you, I love you†. Remember, what you say coms back to you! | | LIFE is a MIRROR, as well as an ECHO. It gives back what you give. MAKE A DIFFERENCE I read a very inspiring article from a friend which made me think about the truth behind it. When you look at yourself in the mirror you see your real looks. That is why before we go outside of our room, we look at our face and overall appearance.Then either we change our clothes with a better one or we put something in our faces or change hairstyle just to look better. Life is a mirror. During our struggles for something, we find that whatever our input is, we get results according to what we had invested. It is not right for some people to expect wealth when they do not put their efforts to getting wealth. And it is not right for people to live in luxury when they do not have the means to to achieve it. Most importantly, it is not right for anybody to steal the property of somebody just to live up a good life. Life is an echo.When yo u say good things about your neighbor, he will in turn say the same things about you to other people. It is as if your words bounces back to you. So be careful because if you say anything bad about anybody, whether he heard it not not, you will have a bad image according to that somebody. What is bad about an ‘echo' is that whoever hears it, puts it back even if he is not guilty or he is not the object of that echo. We do not want to receive anything bad. So how do we make a difference. Simple, just follow the old adage, ‘do unto others as you would have others do unto you'.

An Exploration of the Representation of Teenagers in Two British Films, Films Are History Boys and Kidulthood

The representation of teenagers can be very contrasting at times teenagers can be represented as a problem within society however they can be represented as the hope for society in terms of education. The representation of teenagers has changed throughout the 20th century, since the films of Elvis Presley and the Beatles in the 50’s and 60’s (15). The two films I chose are set in the 1980’s (History Boys) and modern day London (Kidulthood). History Boys is a based around Sheffield grammar school and Kidulthood is based in London, both released in 2006. Kidulthood is an example of rights of passage in teenagers, because its tagline is â€Å"Before Adulthood Comes Kidulthood†, meaning that there is some form of right of passage before you are a adult. One of the first representations of teenagers that is apparent within either films is the use of language within Kidulthood uses language such as â€Å"bruv†, â€Å"blud†, â€Å"mandem† â€Å"chatting†, â€Å"pussyhole†. When there is a dialogue with older characters such as Jay and Trife’s Mum an air of politeness towards the adult is emphasised and when it is between teenage character they speak in use of language. Whereas History boys the teenagers are very polite. They are represented in a negative manner within the film due to their language and speech towards others. In my film I want to show characters in a polite manner, because of History Boys’s aspects. The representation in both films of teenagers within a context of a school is quite contrasting. In History Boys the main emphasis for the teenagers in this setting is based upon and you are judged on the university you go too evident through their struggle to get places at Oxbridge. They strive for perfection with results. In terms of the playground setting everyone is equal, the younger years walk side by side with the higher years, and the higher years are very friendly with the teachers, therefore showing that teenagers are responsible and are shown in a positive attitude. Whereas, Kidulthood is a complete binary opposition to History Boy’s in terms of a school setting, the playground is dominated by elder years, and the only way you see younger years is that they run through the mise-en-scene because bullies such as Sam and others own the playground and others are continuously victimised within this setting. A key scene is when the bell rings and a teacher is instructing the students. Trife just squares up to him, therefore showing school has a lack of hierarchy and respect. This influences my campaign material, because I could use school as a negative experience with a character turning it positively with what they achieve. When you first watch the film there is suggestions that in â€Å"Kidulthoods Britain, our teenagers are reckless hedonists, living for their moment under a whirl of as much sex, coke, blowjobs, weed and booze as they can cram into their Oh my days! lives. Theyre having a laugh. However, look behind the blurred sheen of peer-pressure narcotics and I-fell-asleep-during-sex-ed relationships and youll find guns, baseball bats, muggings, booze and teen pregnancy. For these adolescents, you need to have a tragic experience to learn about the very notion of consequence. This therefore suggests that Kidulthood is a sweeping generalisation of life in London, I want to refle ct the positivity within London and turn all these issues into a positive manner for my character, that it is your thinking not the consequences. 3) A representations that most teenagers face in modern day Britain portrayed within Kidulthood, was that Jay, Trife and Moony went into a shop and they looked at hats and they were immediately judged on their appearance, shown by the secretary guard of the shop subtly watching them. They leave the shop, and the secretary guard chases them, because he thinks that Trife’s hat is stolen, but it eventually becomes the realisation due to a shop assistant sticking up for them, that he was already wearing it when entering the shop. This is a hugely key representation of teenagers, because sometimes teenagers are stereotyped and put into a group that is an unfair reflection on them as individuals, because of what the majority of adults understand from the media stereotypes and news stories. This would be included in my marketing campaign as a teenager’s right of passage who shrugs off negative stereotypes, and therefore earning a right of passage, because of the school they go to, they are immediately put into the crowd and they have to turn ideas about teens around. Comparatively, the representation of teenagers in History Boys consists of the idea that exams are the main priority in life, and going to a good university is the done thing due to having a class full of Oxbridge candidates and getting straights A’s in A levels and if you don’t you have failed, because the pupil who earned 1 A and 2 B’s was extremely disappointed with this. This representation of teenagers is that they are very one dimensional in terms of education and all they want is to enter the Uk’s conveyer belt to university and eventually employment. This would link in with my campaign material because this is my characters priority and contending with distractions from the society they are based and they are able to take oppurtunities given to them. (4) One of the hugely key representations of teenagers within Kidulthood, is that gun and knife crime are a normal way of life, and that sex is just a way of getting what you want, or as a tool as to what you want, such as the example of Becky’s sexual pursuits for drugs which is includes dragging Alicia along. She is also represented as being very vain, because when Alicia sticks up to the school bully all she is really worried about is the fact that her face might scarred, and she seems to be very selfish and doesn’t think of others at all. Therefore one of the many representations of teenagers is that sometimes they can be very vain, moody and selfish. My campaign material will show that teenagers can be selfless and not selfish. 2) Equally the lyrics of the songs incorporated within Kidulthood reflect the problems faced by, and in various stages within the film, such as the character Katie listening to lyrics that are reflecting her problems and issues from her perspective. The same goes for Trife, Moony and all the other characters in the film. The representation of teenagers is therefore that, they listen to lyrics which reflect and their life and therefore can feel empathy with. According to a article I found â€Å"Music is the voice of the youth and adds to the theme of the film (teenagers). The music helps to bring home the message of the youth. Music plays almost throughout the film, intensifying and giving. †(2) This is a suggestion the music can create meaning within a film. The music as part of my campaign material will reflect the style of the film. One of the main differences between the two films in terms of the representation of teenagers within both these films is that the usual representation from each director, because Menhaj Huda (Kidulthood) has directed films depicting teenage life, because he directed a drama called West 10 LDN, which is a drama depicting a teenager going through my trials and tribulations within their daily lives. He also revolutionised the industry for new directors in the late 90’s. Equally the distribution company of Kidulthood being revolver entertainment, this also depicts violence and sex as being part of every day lives. The films they distribute show that the emphasis of their films, because they are called â€Å"Young people Fucking†- about couples in romantic relationships and â€Å"Wassup Rockers†- which is about Guatemalan and El Salvadorian street gangs in Los Angeles, this shows the daily dog eat dog lives they lead. Noel Clarke also co wrote Kidulthood and he directed the sequel to it, so therefore these individuals understand the problems faced by teenagers today. Whereas the director and distribution company of History Boys has a completely different aspects life, because Nicholas Hynter two films that have been showing teenagers as hardworking and in a positive light. This is most explicit with examples such as Center Stage, which is about dancers enrolling in a professional ballet academy, and how they deal with these. Along with History Boys Hynter portrays teenagers to be much more than violent, sex obsessed youths. Even with the distribution company of Fox search light productions who’s repertoire includes distributing such film successes with it being used for indie films and British films such as Slumdog Millionaire, Bend it like Beckham and Juno. Some films such as thirteen and Napoleon Dynamite which portray teenagers in less positive aspects of teenage life. Therefore one of the main ways in which representation of teenagers are different is because of what sort of audience they would appeal to. I feel a positive representation should be applied, because the media today represents teenagers with such negativity. (6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) A review on Kidulthood states that â€Å"In Kidulthoods Britain, our teenagers are reckless hedonists, living for their moment under a whirl of as much sex, coke, blowjobs, weed and booze as they can cram into their Oh my days! lives. Theyre having a laugh. However, look behind the blurred sheen of peer-pressure narcotics and I-fell-asleep-during-sex-ed relationships and youll find guns, baseball bats, muggings, booze and teen pregnancy. For these adolescents, you need to have a tragic experience to learn about the very notion of consequence. †- This part of the review suggests that teenagers that live in London are shown to be quite pressured by peers, and has differed from previous films such as History boys. In my campaign material I want to challenge these stereotypes, through the ideas I bring across. (3) For any teenager, puberty makes a teenager’s mind quite confused in terms of sexuality and other issues. In History Boys, the idea of sexual confusion and homosexuality is represented as being quite prominent. This is shown by one of the Oxbridge applicants asking for advice from the new teacher called Irwin, and that homosexuality is becoming a confusing issue within teenage life in the 80’s. Dakin one of the students is extremely confident with his sexuality and life in general, because of his status within the group, because he is the object of the confusion. Therefore a representation of teenagers within History boys is about the many issues to do with sexuality such as homosexuality and other sexual issues within the context of puberty. I want to portray this as a problem for my character to deal with along with exams. (21) Conclusively, the representation of teenagers within the two British films Kidulthood and History Boys differ completely in terms of different representations of teenagers being depicted by their class, and therefore depending on their class how their life is lead and what issues arise as seen in these two films. I shall therefore challenge this problem. Bibliography 1. Kidulthood film and History boys film- Focus Films 2. www. academicdb. com/Mass_Communications_and_Documentation/ kidadulthoo d_review___How_are_teenagers_L137186. html – To understand what other students were discussing in terms of representation 3. http://www. totalfilm. com/reviews/cinema/kidulthood – understand what a prestigious film magazine thought about the film. 4. http://www. bbc. co. uk/films/2006/10/04/the_history_boys_2006_review. shtmlunderstand the context of the exams within the film. 5. http://www. c hannel4. com/film/reviews/film. jsp? id=156095 – To understand what a rival would say about the film but it was just for my own help rather than the essay. All the below were all to get a context for the film in terms of director and distribution companies in terms of representation of teenagers for both sides. 6. http://www. britfilms. com/britishfilms/directors/? id=C3BC981002c2a25B4CrRt2DF 93DE 7. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Menhaj_Huda 8. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Nicholas_Hytner 9. http://www. imdb. com/name/nm0405336/ 10. http://www. guardian. co. uk/stage/2003/mar/30/theatre. artsfeatures 11. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/West_10_LDN 12. http://www. imdb. com/name/nm0399630/ 13. http://www. myspace. com/13608234 14. http://en. ikipedia. org/wiki/Noel_Clarke 15. http://www. antiessays. com/free-essays/15181. html comparison of era of teen films. * 16. http://www. imdb. com/name/nm0164929/ 17. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/The_History_Boys_(film) 18. http://en . wikipedia. org/wiki/Fox_Searchlight_Pictures 19. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Kidulthood 20. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Revolver_Entertainment 21. http://www. oppapers. com/essays/History-Boys-Consider-Significance- Characterisation-Either/179335 To understand the representation of sexuality for the teenagers within the film. 1,858 words

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Identity Theft Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Identity Theft - Research Paper Example In this regard, the paper will also assess how these bodies handle such cases. Identity theft Introduction Identity theft is argued to be a form of stealing someone’s identity whereby the thief pretends to be the victim, characteristically in order to have access to resources in the victim’s name and identity (Vacca, 2003). This form of theft can cause and lead to adverse consequences to the victim in the event of being held accountable for crimes committed by the thief. According to Hammond, (2003), identity theft takes place when someone uses other person’s personal identification documents or information. Some of the common identification documents or information prone to such effects includes social security number or credit card number, which are used by identity thieves to commit fraud or other related crimes (Hammond, 2003). Different methods of how someone’s identity can be compromised and what identity thieves do with stolen identity Stealing is o ne and most common method used by identity thieves to obtain victims personal information. This mostly happens in the streets whereby thieves snatches or steals a purse or wallet (Social engineering framework, 2011). This can also come in the form of identity victims kidnapping victims and asking them to disclose their personal information. Using this method, identity thieves can go further to commit various crimes using the victim’s personal identification documents or information. Dumpster diving is a method used by identity thieves by a way of rummaging through the other person’s trash for them to look for some personal information that can aid them launch an attack (Social engineering framework, 2011). In some cases, people dump vital personal information documents without being aware of the danger they pose. However, some documents are dumped after being considered irrelevant or after being used. Identity thieves can use such information obtained from peopleâ€⠄¢s trash to commit a crime. Skimming is a situation where the thief uses a special device to store victim’s personal information. Skimming is a form of high-tech technique whereby thieves scan or swipe victim’s credit or bank card in order to get off the magnetic strip (Social engineering framework, 2011). This is common in areas where victims use their personal documents to purchase items or services. Phishing is another method used to by identity thieves to obtain personal information of their victims. They pretend to be a financial institution or other organizations that people presume to be genuine. They send a malicious email in the effort to encourage their victims to enter specific information (Vacca, 2003). Unknowingly, victims provide all their personal information, which is used by the impersonators. Changing of address is also used by identity thieves whereby they change victims address mostly in situations where victims have to fill out a â€Å"change of address† form. They can transfer victim’s bills after ordering high ticket items. Pretexting is also another method used by identity thieves by a way of using false pretense to obtain the victim’s personal information for them to use it to carryout various crimes (Vacca, 2003). Thombstone theft is another method used to steel personal information. It involves stealing dead person’

Hotspot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

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Kingdom Building - Term Paper Example As for what I do right now, I do feel that I am called to help the poor. That is my job. In my ministry, everyone is equal, for God â€Å"looketh on the heart.† God looks upon what is on the inside—not upon that which is on the outside. Thus, it is important that we realize that God judges differently than humans judge, humans who look upon outward appearances many times—forgetting that there is a person underneath the flesh and bones. People are not just flesh and bone, but we are also mind and spirit. The whole mind-body-spirit connection must be made. People who minister only to one part of the body will not see the complete picture. If someone is hungry, he is not going to want to listen to spiritual platitudes about how one should feed the hungry. That makes no sense. Therefore, my style of ministry oozes with common-sense, on-the-ground approaches that will help people be ministered to on all levels, not just one single level. This is important to recognize because, so many people stress the spiritual level. So many people push about being spiritual. Jesus, however, taught us not to be spiritual, but to have a common-sense approach. If I see a hungry man or woman, I am going to feed that person. If I see someone who needs water, I will give that person a glass of water. I’m not going to come up to them and shove a Bible tract in their face and say, â€Å"Are you ‘born again’?† ... If they do not fit in your ministry path, what kinds of people would need to serve along with you for successful ministry? This should be at least one page long. (275) I am a big encourager, and I like to see people do well. I would definitely have to work with other people who are encouraging, because without that form of encouragement, I don’t see myself or my parishioners succeeding. The people who attend my church should always feel welcome, and no one should be left out feeling they did not do a good job. It’s always a good idea to find some positive aspect about everything and everybody—it is never kind to speak ill of someone, even if they have faults. I know that sometimes gossip and fear-mongering can definitely ruin faith-based relationships and trust within a church. This is called lashon hara in Hebrew (literally, â€Å"the evil tongue†), which is the exact opposite of love.2 Speaking ill of someone is not only considered rude, but gossip is co ntagious. Once one person does it, it is tempting for someone else to want to â€Å"chime in,† and give their opinion. Soon, a molehill can be turned into a mountain with enough silver tongues spouting their opinions. In my ministry, another requirement would have to be working with people who are teachable individuals or people who are teachers themselves. People who are teachable are open to all kinds of learning. Similarly, teachers likewise might usually be the types of people who are open to learning of some sort. Thus, I have to work with people who are both encouragers and teachers, like myself. This gives me the ability to perfect my ministry to the point where people will come to rely on my consistency, as well as the steadfastness

Loan Processing at Capital One Essay Example for Free

Loan Processing at Capital One Essay This marketing effort, which was planned to take the form of a major mail drop, was designed to increase the volume of funded loans in about six weeks when potential customers start returning these applications. It was clear to everyone at Capital One that the operations of loan processing would play a major role in determining if the upcoming mail drop would be a success. With 14 funded loans processed per associate every month and a total of 25 associates on the team, the department does not have the capacity to handle the application volume leading to our target of 700 funded loans per month that we set following our increased marketing effort†, observed one of the managers working for Rick, â€Å"What we need is a significant increase in staff. We also need to heavily invest in information technology to further increase the productivity of the existing staff†. While it was clear that the forecasted increase in loan applications would provide a serious challenge for the underwriters, there was no consensus on what actions should be taken. As was observed by one of the executives in charge of consumer loans: â€Å"When I benchmark the productivity of our underwriting team with other companies in the industry, 14 funded loans per associate per month is not a number we can be proud of. It takes about 3 hours of actual work to fund a loan, and that includes everything from the initial interview to underwriting, quality inspection, and closing. We have 25 associates, that each works about 150 hours per month. So each associate should be able to process 50 applications per month, which gives us 1250 applications per month for the team. Even if we fund only every other loan that we underwrite, we would just need a little bit of over time to get 700 units funded. † Several others at Capital One agreed. As it was put by one of the associates in charge of direct marketing: â€Å"Frankly, if you asked me, there seems to be a lot of potential for improving productivity in our processes. I am optimistic that our upcoming mail-drop will lift productivity and utilization scores in the underwriting process since there will be a lot more work coming in. † As the person in charge for operations management, Rick had mixed feelings about these comments. On the one hand, it was true that his department’s productivity metrics had not been stellar in the past. But his associates worked very hard and were very capable. This case was developed solely as the basis for class discussion. It is not intended to serve as an endorsement, source of primary data or illustration of effective or ineffective management. All data in the case has been disguised. Rick was relatively new to this role, though he was a highly accomplished operations manager with a history of taking on tough challenges and producing strong results by redirecting his teams towards better prioritization, teamwork and focus on strategically important activities. As he looked over the marketing forecast and the target of 700 funded loans for the next month, Rick wondered what the upcoming mail drop would do to his department? And, more importantly, what could he do to help Capital One grow its consumer loan business in the most optimal way? Capital One: Background Information After graduating first in class from the Stanford business school in 1981, Richard Fairbank joined Strategic Planning Associates (SPA), a strategy-consulting firm. In 1986, Fairbank met Nigel Morris, a young associate at SPA. While analyzing the operations of a major money center bank, the two reviewed the firm’s credit card operations. Both of them were struck by the enormous profitability relative to the rest of the bank. The young consultants concluded, â€Å"Credit cards are not banking – they are all about collecting information on 200 Million people that you’d never meet, and, on the basis of that information, making a series of decisions about lending money to them and then hoping they would pay you back. † Fairbank and Morris recognized the potential of customizing credit card products based on characteristics and behavior of their customers and taking advantage of the technological advances in computers that offered companies the ability to record, organize and analyze large amounts of customer data. They realized that few products in the credit card industry were being direct marketed and that even fewer firms were fully exploiting the power of statistical analysis. Fairbank and Morris were able to convince the bank to run a test using this strategy. The test worked remarkably well, however, the bank was unwilling to adopt this new strategy. Convinced that they were onto something really big, the two pitched their idea to more than 20 national retail banks before Virginia-based Signet Bank invited them to launch its Bank Card division. Over the next several years, Fairbank and Morris ran thousands of statistical tests and eventually introduced the first balance transfer product in 1991 that revolutionized the credit card industry and saved a struggling Signet Bank. Four years later, in 1995, Signet spun off its credit card division to create the publicly held Capital One. Recognized for its innovation, customer service, information technology, and financial management, Capital One now is one of the largest issuers of Master Card and Visa credit cards in the world. Today, the company’s global customer base is close to 49 Million with managed loans totaling over $83 Billion. From its IPO in 1994 to 2005, Capital One’s stock price had increased more than 1400%. In recent years domestic diversification has become a primary component of Capital One’s strategy. After going public, the company progressed on geographic and This case was developed solely as the basis for class discussion. It is not intended to serve as an endorsement, source of primary data or illustration of effective or ineffective management. All data in the case has been disguised. product line expansion through organic growth in credit cards and a series of acquisitions in non credit card businesses. In 1998, the company acquired Summit Acceptance Corporation, an auto loan provider. In 2001, it acquired the nation’s largest online provider of direct auto loans – People First, and a leading provider of financing solutions – Amerifee. The acquisition of Onyx Acceptance Corporation ® made Capital One Auto Finance the second-largest independent auto lender in the United States. The company also acquired Kansas City-based eSmartloan, an online originator of home equity loans and mortgages; Hfs Group, a home equity loan broker in the United Kingdom; and InsLogic, an insurance brokerage based in Tennessee. A number of these diversified businesses along with some organically grown businesses reside in the Global Financial Services (GFS) organization of Capital One. The Loan processing center is one such business that supported a variety of loan products such as small business loans, Line of credits and Jumbo loans. The Loan Approval Process In the division in charge of consumer and small business loans, the marketing department solicits potential customers through direct mail and/or email campaigns, that highlight the loan product features and specials of various products that are offered by Capital One. These campaigns, which are typically carried out at a nationwide level, have an information card that can be returned by the customer. The customer uses this card to provide information concerning their name, the type of loan they are interested in and the phone number/time range that is best to reach them. Customers who respond by sending this information back enter the process and are referred to as an â€Å"App†. Each App flows through a process that consists of five steps: Interview, Workflow Coordination, Underwriting, Quality Assurance (QA) and Closing. Exhibit 1 shows the process flow with a brief description of the activities and the number of associates in each role. Interview The interview step consists of seven associates who call the telephone number specified on the information card. On a typical day between 200 and 500 potential customers are called depending on the incoming volume of customer requests. Federal privacy regulations require that financial institutions can speak about the loan only to the person who actually requested the loan. Hence, if this person is not home at the time of the call, the call has to be repeated at a later point. During the call, the associate interviews the applicant about her loan needs. Based on the customer needs, the associate offers a range of products to the customer and the loan terms such as the maximum loan amount and the interest rate associated with each product (usually a range of interest rates is provided). This case was developed solely as the basis for class discussion. It is not intended to serve as an endorsement, source of primary data or illustration of effective or ineffective management. All data in the case has been disguised. If the customer is interested in one of the products, she will start an application process with the associate. The associate follows a scripted questionnaire and enters the information being provided by the customer into a computer system. The interview associate sets the expectation with the customer on the next steps: if additional information is necessary to complete processing and approving the application, an underwriter will get in touch with the customer in 2-5 business days to get the necessary information. If all the information is complete and accurate, the applicant will receive a phone call from an Underwriter in approximately 5-10 business days outlining the next steps in the closing process. Exhibit 2 summarizes some sample data that was collected over the course of a week. The Exhibit shows it takes on average 22 to 24 minutes for an associate to process one extra app. This includes the time the associate spends talking with the applicant. It also includes the time it takes the associate to reach the applicant.

Emerging Technology and Its Implications Essay Example for Free

Emerging Technology and Its Implications Essay With the increasing attention being accorded to climate change in the mainstream media these days, there is also an increased attention being given to technological solutions to assist in combating the problem. While such solutions are admirable in that they go above and beyond the usual calls for recycling and the purchase of ‘green’ products – which have been proven to be of trivial impact upon the large scale flaws in systems of production and consumption that characterize industrial modernity – not all of them should embraced uncritically. It is only by subjecting every proposal to save the planet to scrutiny that we can determine a truly sustainable future. One of the ideas that has been receiving increasing currency in environmentalist discussions are large scale planetary ‘technofixes’ collectively referred to as geo-engineering or planetary engineering. These include mirrors in space designed to reflect excess amount of sunlight, artificial trees designed to suck carbon out of the atmosphere, and managed release of sulfates into the atmosphere, and many, many other epic plans to manipulate the ecological fabric of our planet.   Here’s the rub: The term geo engineering is a rather questionable one, as it implies that it has the same kind of empirical or mathematical certainty as engineering when it doesn’t. It smoothens over many of the bumps and curves that characterize our problems and demand creative solutions. In effect, planetary salvation becomes as easy as building a tunnel into a hill or a bridge across a river, when in fact our collective understanding of the systemic impacts is far less than the geo engineering promoters would have us believe. One might as well call it ‘planetary experimentation.’ While the potential benefits proposed are of an epic magnitude, this magnitude would also apply to the potential consequences. Take for example a proposal to suck carbon dioxide into the planet’s oceans by seeding it with iron deposits. Many, including the Scientific Steering Committee of the Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) have observed that this has the potential to worsen ocean acidification and lead to catastrophic results for marine ecology: The oceans are complex, dynamic, unpredictable and already vulnerable †¦ We need   [to] build their resilience, not undermine it [not] quick fixes to this global problem that may [cause far more long-term harm] than good. (Gjerde) Additionally, the historical track record of large scale intervention in the name of environmental concern has never been very good to begin with, asserts Alex Steffen of Worldchanging: â€Å"From damming rivers to fighting forest fires to eliminating pests †¦ efforts have †¦ in hindsight [been] so overrun with unintended consequences as to become full-blown disasters, often †¦ worse than the original problems . [And the] cost of errors [increase] with the magnitude of the attempted solution.† (Steffen) Geo engineering is essentially a ‘silver bullet’ solution, one which reduces the political will to creatively retrofit our present lifestyles in such a manner as to be sustainable and environmentally sound, while still being able to enjoy the luxuries of post-industrial advancements. In essence, the tools for a greener world are already here and their downsides are negligible in the face of overwhelming benefits both environmental and societal. In any case, discussion over geo engineering merely provides a distraction from mustering the political will necessary to effect true change. It provides climate change skeptics a justification for political indifference to redressing our present way of life: Why opt for better designed cities, fuel efficient vehicles and profound infrastructural rethinking when we can merely ‘erase’ the effects of our problematic systems? One’s stance on geo engineering is not a question of whether you are a techno utopian or a complete Luddite. However, there is a major distinction to be made between technology that is transparent in agenda, collaborative in nature, and egalitarian in application as well as easy to remedy and technology that is centralized, expensive and difficult to reverse. Between â€Å"Star Wars†    a missile defense system saddled with so much corruption that does nothing to provide for homeland security and nuclear power – a promise of perpetual source of energy whose failures wreaked massive consequences – we ought to regard geo engineering with suspicion: dangerous until proven safe. Geo engineering is unnecessary. â€Å"Fixing† the planet in such a manner is turning a blind eye to the way we live: it shows a lack of innovation and political courage that is necessary to the bright green future.   Works Cited Stiles, Lori. â€Å"Space Sunshade Might Be Feasible In Global Warming Emergency.† NASA Earth Observatory. 3 November 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2008 from: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/MediaAlerts/2006/2006110323537.html Bentley, Molly. â€Å"Guns and sunshades to rescue climate.† BBC News. 2 March 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2008 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4762720.stm Gjerde, Kristina. â€Å"Hold back the geo-engineering tide.† BBC News. 11 December 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2008 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7133619.stm Romm, Joseph. â€Å"Rule three of offsets: No geo-engineering.† Grist Magazine Online. 27 July 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2008 from:   http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/7/27/144848/844

The German Invaded Poland On 1st September 1939 History Essay

The German Invaded Poland On 1st September 1939 History Essay After 27 years when the German invaded Poland on 1st September 1939, it came to a second war. There have an omens show that the expansionist declared in its aims which had simply invaded another. In that time, they believe that the second war will end the war. This is the reason the nations and their leaders allowed another conflict to threaten the planet. The scope of this war was not evident, they intending the war would last for six years and involved more than two hundred countries which caused millions of people to suffers in the war. Besides that, they also believed that this war will affected the lives of three quarters of the worlds population and influences the lives of the majority of the worlds inhabitants to some grade. German move into Poland had been occupied by the rampaging Blitzkrieg techniques within a month. The Battle of Britain was at its height, Hitlers plans to invade England were close to being given the green light, and this awful funk filled many nations hea rt. The World War 2 was fought on the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Pacific. Besides that, there are four major land campaigns which were in the Soviet Union, North Africa, the Mediterranean, Western Europe and the Far East. There were no less than 56 countries involved in these World War 2. Most of them were fought out to the bitter and between equally well-trained and well-equipped armies. For our knowledge, the World War 2 was a war that was more cruel, bitter and vast than other war in the history. The war was taking part in vast air, land and sea battles. It turned World War 2 into a global conflict and ended it with the drawn of the nuclear era. World War 2 was a global military conflict lasting from year 1939 to 1945 which had been involved most of the worlds nations. It is including all of the great powers, which was organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The World War 2 was the most widespread war in the history, with more than 100 millions military personnel mobilised. The major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the services of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. From the year 1939 to 1945, the Germanys military machine struck out and occupy most of the Western Europe, swept into deserts of North Africa and drove deep into the hinterlands of Russia. However, the Allies gathered strength and eventually crushed the Germany Army and Axis powers with a display of brute force that has remained unmatched to this day. In year 1939, Hitler invaded Poland on 1st September. After that, the Britain and France declare a war on Germany two days later. However, on the year 1940, there were a rationing started in the United Kingdom. Besides that, German started Blitzkrieg and succeeds preduce over Belgium, Holland and France. In the same year, the Churchill was became the Prime Minister of Britain. The British Expeditionary Force evacuated from Dunkirk. Hitler has to postpone his invasion plans when the British became the victory in the Battle of Britain. During 1941, the Europe was under Nazi control for the time being, the war was took on more on the global dimension. The gas chambers at Auschwitz were used when the bombing of British and German cities still continued, Hitler invaded Russia. In Hawaii, on 7th December 1941, the Japanese tired of American trade embargoes. They setup a surprise attack on the US Navy base of Pearl Harbor. In January 1942, the first Americans arrived in England, and they began their counter-offensive and snatch up Tobruk in June. The Blitz intensified in both England and Germany, by using the first thousand-bomber air raid on Cologne. Besides, the German was bombed the British cathedral cities. However, the Japanese was still continued their extension into Borneo, Java and Sumatra in the Pacific. In February, there are around 25,000 prisoners of war taken during the unassailable British stronghold of Singapore fell rapidly. During that time, many of them died in Japanese camps in the following year. Be sides that, there was a reversal of German fortunes during the second half of the year. The Montgomery gained was forced the British to voluntary in North Africa at El Alamein, and Russian also forces to counterattacked at Stalingrad. In the February of 1943, the Germany was surrender at Stalingrad. This is because they lose the bell by the Hitlers armies. However, the Battle still continued to frenzy in the Atlantic, and we can saw about 27 merchant vessels sunk by the Germany U-boats one four-day period in March. There was an integration of long-range aircraft and the codebreakers at the Bletchley during that time. In the mid of May 1943, the North Africa were forces by the Germany and Italian to surrendered to the Allies. So, the Allied victory in North Africa be capable of the invasion of Italy to be launched. As a result, there was a prompted to German to invasion into northern Italy. German armies was engaged the Allies in the South, it is to testify the slow and costly through the fight to Italy. At the same year, the Japanese at Guadalcanal was forces to overcame by US, and British and Indian armies began their guerrilla campaign in Burma. The long discussed was always postpones during the opening of the S econd Front in Europe. As a result, it was being prepared for the following year. Come to events of 1944, Japan began its last offensive in China. However, the major cities and lines of communication had limited to their control. Besides that, their resistance which often led by the Communist was widespread. There was a static campaign in central Italy during January 1944. After the allied bombing in February, the Germans counter-attacked and the fighting saw the destruction of the medieval monastery at Monte Cassino. The German retreat from Anzio at the end of May. However, Rome was liberated in June, which was the day before the Allies Operation Overload, now we known as the D-Day landings. As Operation Overload got underway, there are 6,500 vessels landed over 130,000 Allied forces on five Normandy beaches which are codenamed Utah, Omaha, Golf, Juno and Sword. Around 12,000 aircraft guarantee the air superiority for the Allies for bombing defences. However, they were unable to counter-attack with the necessary speed and strength after the landings caught the Ge rman by surprise. Nevertheless, at the end of June 1944, Cherbourg was liberated. Paris followed two months later. By the end of the August, the Russians had taken the Bucharest. Besides, the Estonia was taken just within the months, and the Budapest was under surrounded by the end of the year. In December 1944, around 19,000 Americans was killed by the Battle of the Bulge and delayed the Allies march into the Germany. In the year 1945, the New Year saw the Soviet liberation of Auschwitz, and the revelation of the sickening smuttiness of the Holocaust, its scale became more distinct as more camps were liberated in the following months. The Soviet army continued its offensive from the east in the March, while from the west the Allies determinate a bridge across the Rhine at Remagen. Meanwhile, the western Allies raced the Russians to be the first to Berlin. On 21 April, the Russian won. On 30th April, Hitler was killed himself, where two days after Mussolini had been captured and hanged by Italian partisans. While on 7 May, the Germany surrendered with term less. However, in the Pacific, it had continued to bile throughout this time. In the February, the Americans had inroad into Iwo Jima. Besides that, the Philippines and Okinawa string along with and Japanese forces to began withdraw from China. The Allied planned to invade Japan, but fears of fierce resistance and massive casualties prompted Harr y Truman. The new American president agrees the use of an atomic bomb to combat Japan. Since 1942, the atomic bomb had been in development. During 6 August, one of the bomb was fallen on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. After three days, there was another which fallen on Nagasaki. There had no other country that could withstand by such attacks, finally the Japanese surrendered on 14 August. The World War 2 was the biggest conflict in the history that had lasted almost six years. Around 100 million people had been militarised, and almost 50 million had been killed. For those who had died, 15 million of them were soldiers, and 20 million of them were Russian civilians. Besides, there were six million were Jews and over four million were poles. Timeline for World War 2: wwii%20timeline%20copy.jpg Chronology of World War 2: 1937 Japan begins undeclared war on China March 1938 Germany annexes Australia to the German Reich 29 September 1938 Chamberlain, Daladier, Mussolini, and Hitler meet at Munich conference May 1939 Pact of Steel: military alliences between Italy and Germany 1939 Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union 1 september 1939 Fermany attacks Poland 3 september 1939 Great Britian and France declare war on Germany April 1940 germany attacks Denmark and Norway May 1940 Germany invades the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France June 1940 Italy enters the war on the side of Germany 17 June 1940 French Marshal Petain petitions Germany for an armistice and creates a collaborationist government at Vichy September 1940 Japan, Germany and Italy sign Tripartite pact September- November 1940 The Battle of Britain 22 June 1941 Germany invades the Soviet Union 1941 First extermination camp created in Chelmno, Poland 7 December 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, the following day, the United States declared war on Japan 11 December 1941 Germany declares war on the United Stated January 1942 Wannsee Conference, where the Final Solution is planned June 1942 Italian government withdraws from the war April 1943 unsuccessful uprising in the warsaw ghetto November 1943 Churchill, Rooservelt, and Stalin meet at Teheran conference 6 June 1944 Allied forces land in nonthern France D-Day February 1945 Churchill, Rooservelt, and Stalin meet at Yalta March 1945 American forces march into Germany 30 April 1945 Hitler commits suicide July and August 1945 Churchill, Truman, and Stalin meet at Potsdam 6 August 1945 United States drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima 2 September 1945 Japan surrenders Nazi Germany: Nazi Germany or known as Third Reich, is the common name for Germany while govern by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist Germany Workers Party (NSDAP) during 1933 to 1945. Nazi Germany is at the bottom of in the wake of the national shame, embarrassment, anger and resentment which resulting from the Treaty of Versailles. Nazi Germany had two official names which are known as the Deutsches Reich (German Reich), from 1933 to 1943 and Großdeutsches Reich (Greater German Reich). Germany was started the development into Greater Germany during the World War 2, which began in 1939 after Germany invaded Poland, jump-start the United Kingdom and France to declare a war on Germany. During the war, the Germany was subjugated and occupied most at Europe and Northern Africa. Besides, the Nazis persecuted and murdered millions of Jews and other minorities in the Holocaust Final Solution. Hitler was learned that the Soviet Union able to sign a non-aggression pact with Germany and would support an attack on Poland. As a result, Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. After 2 days, the United Kingdom and Italy was declared a war on Germany. World War 2 was underway, but Poland fell quickly, especially after the Soviets attacked Poland on 17 September. In May 1940, Hitler ordered an attack on France through the Low Countries. The Battle of France ended with an overwhelming German victory. However, the British was refused Hitlers offer of peace, as a result, the war was continued. Germany and Britain was continued their fight at sea and in the air. Nevertheless, on 24 August, the two off-course German bombers was accidentally bombed London against Hitlers orders, it was the reason for changing the course of the war. In response to the attack, the British bombed Berlin, this was the reason which sent Hitler into a bile. Hitler hoped to break British morale and win peace. However, the British refused to back down. Germany and its allies invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941. On the eve of the invasion, Hitler was formed a deputy which was known as Rudolf Hess, the reason of forming this deputy was attempted to negotiate terms of peace with the United Kingdom in an unofficial private meeting after crash-landing in Scotland. On 11 December 1941, four days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Nazi Germany was declared a war on the United States. This was not only a chance for Germany to strengthen its ties with Japan, but after months of anti-German hysteria in the American media and Lend-Lease aid to Britain, the leaking of Rainbow Five and the foreboding content of Franklin Delano Roosevelts Pearl Harbor speech made it clear to Hitler that the US could not be kept neutral. Germanys policy of ease up towards the US was designed to keep the US out of the war, but actually it was a burden to Germanys war effort. Germany had refrained from attacking American convoys, even if they were bound for the United Kingdom or the Soviet Union. By contrast, after Germany declared war on the US, the German navy began to unrestricted submarine warfare, by using U-Boats to attack ships without warning. The goal of Germanys navy, the Kriegsmarine, was to cut off Britains supply line. Under these instances, one of the most famous naval battles in history was took place, which was known as the German battleship  Bismarck. It was Germanys largest and most powerful warship, which attempting to break out into the Atlantic and raid supply ships heading for Britain. German U-Boats were more successful than surface raiders like Bismarck. However, Germany failed to make submarine production a top priority early on and by the time it did, the British and their allies were developing the technology and strategies to neutralize it. The Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic was achieved at a huge cost. Between the year 1939 and 1945, there were 3,500 Allied ships were sunk (gross tonnage 14.5 million) at a cost of 783 German U-Boats. On 30 April 1945, as the Battle for Berlin anger and the city was being overrun by Soviet forces, Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker. After two days which was on 2 May 1945, German General Helmuth Weidling unconditionally surrendered Berlin to the Soviet General Vasily Chuikov. At the same time, the Hitler was succeeded by Grand Admiral Karl Dà ¶nitz as Reichs President and Dr. Joseph Goebbels as Reich Chancellor. There was no one that can be replace Hitler as the Fà ¼hrer, which was a position that Hitler abrogated in his will. However, the Goebbels committed were suicide in the Fà ¼hrerbunker a day after assuming office. The World War 2 was the largest and most demolish in human history, there were around 60 million dead across the world, which including almost 9 to 11 million people who perished during the Holocaust. The Soviet Union was lost around 27 million people during the war, almost half of them all were World War II casualties. Towards the end of the war, Europe had more than 40 million refugees, the European economy had collapsed, and 70% of the European industrial infrastructure was destroyed. Impact of World War II: Seclusion from the wars demolished, the most of the Americans predict that the World War 2 would shape their tomorrow. The war was physically undamaged and excitated the economically of the United States. Compared to other countries, the United State was loss around 400,000 uniformed personnel in the warface. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had given the United State few signals about what they need to expect, and voice them their broad desire due to the uncertain, secretive and exhausted by the war. Herein, most of the Americans viewed the wars impact as rising ruggedly during the antagonize. The postwar economy attracted worry and hope, nourished by the discourager and by give publicity to promise an economic reward for the wartime victimization. The hope lastly met because of the partly from the G.I Bill. Besides, some of them predict the wars result for the social relations. The World War 2 was destroyed the existing racial system by reaching federal power into the Jim Craw South. Besides, it also inoculates with the aspirations and tactics of the African Americans, and also rebuilds the national priorities. For those who want to wield power overseas and imitate the claim of defending freedom, the leaders need to increase to find out the racial differentiate as an anachronism that squandered resources, said by A. Philip Randolph. The war was rewrote the systems of the gender and the sexuality in more complicated ways. There was a guerdon for both male virtue and womens redound. Traditional family was contrivance during the wartime. The term was used to the damaged of many women and homosexuals. However, there had something in common even thought they were differences on their fortunes and social groups. Their fate was shaped by the Americas global power. After the war of World War 2, it impacts the war into a blurry future. The cold war had given permanence to temporary wartime improvisations in the national governance. Actually the World War 2 alone will not make anything happen, but it can be known as a set of the stage for it to happen. Costs, Casualties and Other Data: World War 2 diffuses death and destroys that we never seen before. We can just generally summarize the loss of life that occurs in the World War 2. World War 2 was unusual for the first time in the history. The numbers of civilians were killed greater than soldiers. In estimation, there were around 30,000,000 soldiers died in the World War 2. However, there were around 50,000,000 civilians that killed during the world war. WorldWarII-DeathsByCountry-Barchart.png Based on the cart above, we can see that the highest percentage that killed in the war was the Allied civilians which were 58%. The second ranks for the deaths were the Allied military, which were in the percentage of 25%. The deaths in the Axis were lock-in the least. The Axis military were 13% while the Axis civilians were only 4%. As we can realise, the worst in the total deaths (1945) were from the Poland based on the percentage of population (1939) in the Allies. However, for the Axis, the worst in the total deaths (1945) were from the Germany based on the percentage of population (1939). There were more than 18 million people been killed in the Poland during the World War II. Nevertheless, they were more than 10 million people killed in the Germany during the war. Military Casualties Those from United States, Great Britain, and the Commonwealth nations, their documents are most accurate and meaningful figures for the battle casualties. Those for other nations, Allied or Axis, the results are different in reliability. However, the Chinese figures are largely estimate because there are lacks of documentation. We can see the most accurate figures from the table that been provided. As we can see from the Table 1, the services that provide by the United States Armed Forces are army, navy, marine corps and coast guard. This table was shown the numbers of people that involve in casualties in World War 2. The total strength for the United Forces is 16,353,659. The total battle death is 292,131 while total deaths from other causes are 115.187. For those who in wounds, the total casualties are 671,801 and the total for captured or missing are around 139,709. Besides, Table 2 showed the figure of armed forces peak strength and battle deaths of the principle Allied Power. The nations that involved in the allied power was Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Greece, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, USSR, Union of South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, and Yugoslavia. The particular of the number can be view from the Table 2. As an example, the peak strength for Australia is 680,000 while the battle deaths are 23,365. However, the table 3 showed about the figure of armed forces peak strength and battle deaths of the Axis Power. The nations that contain in the axis power are Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, and Romania. As an example, the peak strength for Bulgaria is 450,000 while the battle deaths are 10,000. There was a limited number of the casualties occurred in the battle deaths after the Bulgaria joined the allies. The meaning of total strength was the total numbers of personnel that belonging to the armed forces during the entire war. However, the peak strength is the greatest strength that reached at any one time during the World War 2. By using different methods to calculated the casualties will have different results. So, different reputable reference sometime will show us slightly different figures. Civilian Casualties As we know, the casualties among the civilian will be more less accurate compared to military casualties. We cannot avoid this because many of the civilian will escaped and run to another place before invaded armies or the consecutive air attacks on the major industrial centers. Some of them were sent to Germany or the Soviet for forced labour. The civilian casualties were caused by aircraft bombs, V-1(flying bombs), V-2, and artillery fire in United Kingdom. The total of numbers that been killed in the World War 2 was 60,595 while the numbers that in seriously injured was 86,182. As a result, the total civilian casualties in the London area were around 146,777 peoples. Killed Seriously injured Total Aircraft bombs 51,509 61,423 112,932 V-1 (flying bombs) 6,184 17,981 24,165 V-2 2,754 6,523 9,277 Artillery fire 148 255 403 Total 60,595 86,182 146,777 Industrial Conversion and War Production At the end, the winner goes to the Allied Powers technological Superiority. The technology superior of the allied power inclusive the ability to raise, arm, equip, move and supply superior forces all over the world. Other than that, they also able to broke up and destroyed the technological recourses of the Axis Nations. The United Stated was the one who provided with the raw materials, skilled manpower, and industrial that made their victory possible. However, they need lots of budget to serve their technology superior. As we can see from Table 4, we able to know the United States budget expenditures from year 1940 up to year 1945. All the figures are illustrated in Billions of dollar. The defense expenditures that included were war department, navy department, and other department. Beside the defense expenditures, the United State also provides nondefense expenditures in their budget expenditures. The total defense expenditures for 1940 were $1.9 billion while the nondefense expend itures were $5.3 billion. As we can see from the Table 4, the total defense expenditures and nondefense expenditures were keep on increasing until year 1944. The range were around $89($90.9 $1.9) for total defense expenditures, while range around $91.9($97.2 $5.3) for total nondefense expenditures. Lastly, the total defense expenditures were decrease to $59.8 at the year 1945. Other than that, the total nondefense expenditures also decrease to $66 at the same year. Data Table 1UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES TOTAL STRENGTH AND CASUALTIES IN WORLD WAR II, DEC. 7, 1941-DEC. 31, 1946 Service Total strength Battle deaths- -Deaths from Wounds(1) Captured or missing other causes Army(2) 11,260,000 234,874 83,400 565,861 135,524 Navy 4,183,466 36,950 25,664 37,778 2,429 Marine Corps 669,100 19,733 4,778 67,207 1,756 Coast Guard 241,093 574 1,345 955 - Total 16,353,659 292,131 115,187 671,801 139,709 (1) Not mortal. (2) Includes Army Air Forces. Table 2ARMED FORCES PEAK STRENGTHS AND BATTLE DEATHS OF THE PRINCIPAL ALLIED POWERS Nation Peak strength Battle deaths Australia 680,000 23,365 Belgium 650,000 7,760 Canada 780,000 37,476 China 5,000,000 2,200,000(1) Denmark 25,000 3,006(2) France 5,000,000 210,671 Greece 414,000 73,700(2) India 2,150,000 24,338 Netherlands 410,000 6,238 New Zealand 157,000 10,033 Norway 45,000 1,000 Poland 1,000,000 320,000 USSR 12,500,000 7,500,000 Union of South Africa 140,000 6,840 United Kingdom 5,120,000 244,723 United States 12,300,000 292,131 Yugoslavia 500,000 410,000(2) (1) Casualties beginning with the Japanese invasion in 1937.(2) Most of these casualties were suffered in guerrilla warfare that followed German occupation of the country. In the case of Denmark they include more than 1,200 merchant sailors in the service of the Allied powers. Table 3ARMED FORCES PEAK STRENGTHS AND BATTLE DEATHS OF THE AXIS POWERS Nation Peak strength Battle deaths Bulgaria 450,000 10,000(1) Finland 250,000 82,000 Germany 10,200,000 3,500,000 Hungary 350,000 140,000 Italy 3,750,000 77,494(2) Japan 6,095,000 1,219,000 Romania 600,000 300,000(1) (1) A limited number of these casualties occurred after the country joined the Allies.(2) Of these, 17,494 were killed after Italy became a cobelligerent with the Allies. Table 4UNITED STATES BUDGET EXPENDITURES, JULY 1, 1940-AUG. 31, 1945 (Billions of dollars) Expenditures 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Defense expenditures: War Department $0.9 $ 7.3 $29.5 $46.5 $49.2 $34.0 Navy Department 0.9 4.2 14.0 24.6 29.6 19.4 Other departments 0.1 2.7 8.9 14.1 12.1 6.4 Total 1.9 14.2 52.4 85.2 90.9 59.8 Nondefense expenditures 3.4 6.0 5.4 5.0 6.3 6.2 Total $5.3 $20.2 $57.8 $90.2 $97.2 $66.0 John R. Elting Colonel, United States Army United States Military Academy Continuing impact of World War II: Even thought World War 2 have been passed long time ago, but the shadow of the impact were still remains observable. The World War 2 was generated a mythology that became in-depth in the popular culture. In US, they set up the American flag on Iwo Jima. Besides, they also build up the portrait of Germany Jewish girl Anne Frank. This is to memorial recognizes the nations sacrifice in the war. Meantime, they assumed that the idea of victim and perpetrator was a fresh circumstance. There was a lot of discussion about the Comfort Women. This term are known as the sex slaves of Japanese Soldiers during the war-time. Besides, there was a lot of debated on the impact of the strategic bombing on the civilians in Germany and Japan. In German and Japan, it found out that there were still have other categories of victims among the forced labor force. Besides, the Soviet Union concentration camps also had been found out in the same problems. The popular view of the war which are the sense of right and wrong has become blurred. The most secular heritage of the war has been the memory of the Holocaust in the West. This is the only single element of the war that attracted greater attention. The museums devotional the Holocaust and to Jewish history have been founded within the last two decades in Washington, Berlin, London, and other cities. The historical image if Adolf Hitler was still keeps alive in the memory of the Holocaust. The World War 2 had comprised of many different wars and all of the wars have their own causes. However, it is the most terrible war, and it also still remains the most ferly and notable legacy of the 1940s which was unleashed by Hitler against the Jewish people. It is the most furious and murderous decade of the modern times.