Free Essays on Road Not Taken

Choices are never easy and people face multitudes of them in their lifetime. Some decisions to these choices are clear while others are sometimes more difficult to achieve. The poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is a first person narrative tale of a monumental moment in the speaker’s life- Frost can be considered the speaker. Frost is faced between the choice of a moment and a lifetime manifested in his poem. Walking down a rural road the narrator encounters a point on his travel that diverges into two separate similar paths. In Robert Frost’s poem "The Road Not Taken", Frost presents the idea of man facing the difficult unalterable predilection of a moment and a lifetime. This idea in Frost’s poem is embodied in the fork in the road, the decision between the two paths, and the speaker’s decision to select the road not taken. Man’s life can be metaphorically related to a physical journey filled with many twists and turns. Through out this journey there are instants where choices between alternate paths have to be made- the route man decides to take is not always an easy one to determine. The fork in the road represents the speaker’s encounter of having to choose from two paths a direction that will affect his the rest of his life ( ). Frost presents to the reader a moment in anyone’s life where an arduous problematic choice has to be made. There are an abundance of options in life man faces; Frost symbolizes this into the diverging of the two paths in his poem. The decision for which path to choose from can be hard to accept, just as the revelation of the choices. The two paths represent the options man has to choose from. Faced with these decisions, man has to weigh his options carefully to make an optimal choice. At the split in the road, the speaker looks far down both the two paths to see what each of the paths will bring. The speaker’s sight is limited- his eyes can only see the path until it bend... Free Essays on Road Not Taken Free Essays on Road Not Taken The Choice of the Road Not Taken Choices are never easy-people face many of them in a lifetime. Some choices are clear while others are sometimes more difficult. The poem â€Å"The Road Not Taken† by Robert Frost is a first person narrative tale of a monumental moment in the speaker’s life. This idea in Frost’s poem is the fork in the road, the decision between the two paths, and the speaker’s decision to select the road not taken. â€Å"The Road Not Taken† was written in a time when Frost himself had to make a choice in life, and his daring decision to take the road not taken. Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874 in San Francisco. His father was William Frost, a Harvard graduate who was on his way westward when he stopped to teach at Bucknell Academy in Pennsylvania for extra money. His mother, Isabelle Moodie began teaching math at Bucknell while William was there, and they got married and moved to San Francisco. They were constantly changing houses, and William went from job to job as a journalist. About a year after moving to San Francisco, they had Robert. They named him Robert Lee Frost, after William's childhood hero, Robert E. Lee. Frost's father died from tuberculosis at age thirty-four, in 1885. Isabelle took Robert and his sister back east to Massachusetts. Soon they moved to Salem, New Hampshire, where there was a teaching opening. Robert began to go to school and sit in on his mother’s classes. He soon learned to love language, and eventually went to Lawrence High School, where he wrote the words to the school hymn, and graduated as c o-valedictorian. Frost was then sent to Dartmouth College by his controlling grandfather, who saw it as the proper place for him to train to become a businessman. Frost read even more in college, and learned that he loved poetry. In 1912, at the age of 38, he sold the farm his father had passed to him and used the proceeds to take his family to England, where he could devote h... Free Essays on Road Not Taken Choices are never easy and people face multitudes of them in their lifetime. Some decisions to these choices are clear while others are sometimes more difficult to achieve. The poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is a first person narrative tale of a monumental moment in the speaker’s life- Frost can be considered the speaker. Frost is faced between the choice of a moment and a lifetime manifested in his poem. Walking down a rural road the narrator encounters a point on his travel that diverges into two separate similar paths. In Robert Frost’s poem "The Road Not Taken", Frost presents the idea of man facing the difficult unalterable predilection of a moment and a lifetime. This idea in Frost’s poem is embodied in the fork in the road, the decision between the two paths, and the speaker’s decision to select the road not taken. Man’s life can be metaphorically related to a physical journey filled with many twists and turns. Through out this journey there are instants where choices between alternate paths have to be made- the route man decides to take is not always an easy one to determine. The fork in the road represents the speaker’s encounter of having to choose from two paths a direction that will affect his the rest of his life ( ). Frost presents to the reader a moment in anyone’s life where an arduous problematic choice has to be made. There are an abundance of options in life man faces; Frost symbolizes this into the diverging of the two paths in his poem. The decision for which path to choose from can be hard to accept, just as the revelation of the choices. The two paths represent the options man has to choose from. Faced with these decisions, man has to weigh his options carefully to make an optimal choice. At the split in the road, the speaker looks far down both the two paths to see what each of the paths will bring. The speaker’s sight is limited- his eyes can only see the path until it bend...

Examples of Petrochemicals and Petroleum Products

Examples of Petrochemicals and Petroleum Products According to the American Heritage Dictionary, petroleum is a thick, flammable, yellow-to-black mixture of gaseous, liquid, and solid hydrocarbons that occurs naturally beneath the earths surface, can be separated into fractions including natural gas, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, fuel, and lubricating oils, paraffin wax, and asphalt and is used as raw material for a wide variety of derivative products. In other words, petroleum is much more than oil, and it has an astounding array of uses. The Many Uses of Petrochemicals Petrochemicals are any products made from petroleum. Youre probably aware gasoline and plastic start out as petroleum, but petrochemicals are incredibly versatile and are incorporated into a huge range of products ranging from groceries to rocket fuel. The Primary Hydrocarbons Raw crude oil and natural gas are purified into a  relatively small number of hydrocarbons (combinations of hydrogen and carbon). These are used directly in manufacturing and transportation or act as feedstock  to make other chemicals. Methane: a greenhouse gas that can be used as fuel and is often included in rocket fuelEthylene: used to  make plastics and films, as well as detergents,  synthetic lubricants, and styrenes (used to make  protective packaging)Propylene: a colorless, odorless gas used for fuel and to make polypropylene, a versatile plastic polymer used to make products ranging from carpets to structural foamButanes: hydrocarbon gases that are generally used for fuel and in industryButadiene: used in the manufacture of synthetic rubbersBTX (benzene, toluene, xylene): benzene, toluene, and xylene are aromatic hydrocarbons.  A major part of gasoline, benzene is also used to make nylon fibers which, in turn, are used to make clothing, packaging, and many other products Medicine Petrochemicals play many roles in medicine because they are used to create resins, films, and plastics. Here are just a few examples: Phenol and Cumene are used to create a substance that is essential for manufacturing penicillin (an extremely important antibiotic) and aspirin.  Petrochemical resins are used to purify drugs, thus cutting costs and speeding the manufacturing process.Resins made from petrochemicals are used in the manufacture of drugs including treatments for AIDS, arthritis, and cancer.Plastics and resins made with petrochemicals are used to make devices such as artificial limbs and skin.Plastics are used to make a huge range of medical equipment including bottles, disposable syringes, and much more. Food Petrochemicals are used to make most food preservatives that keep food fresh on the shelf or in a can. In addition, youll find petrochemicals listed as ingredients in many chocolates and candies. Food colorings made with petrochemicals are used in a surprising number of products including chips, packaged foods, and canned or jarred foods. Agriculture More than a billion pounds of plastic, all made with petrochemicals, find use  annually in U.S. agriculture. The chemicals are used to make everything from plastic sheeting and mulch to pesticides and fertilizers. Plastics are also used to make twine, silage, and tubing. Petroleum fuels are also used to transport foods (which are, of course, stored in plastic containers).   Household Products Because it is used to make plastics, fibers, synthetic rubber, and films, petrochemicals are used in a bewildering array of household products. To name just a few: CarpetingCrayonsDetergentsDyesFertilizersMilk jugsPantyhosePerfumeSafety glassShampooSoft contact lensesWax

Environmental Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Environmental Science - Essay Example This essay declares that Environmental science encompasses issues such as climate change, conservation, biodiversity, groundwater and soil contamination, use of natural resources, waste management, sustainable development, air pollution and noise pollution. This essay stresses that despite a greater commitment by the World Government’s to protect public health, forests, and wildlife, policies geared to develop the country's economy have taken precedence in the last 20 years. While industrial development has contributed significantly to economic growth in India, it has done so at a price to the environment. Not only are industrial pollution increasing public health risks, but abatement efforts also are consuming a significant portion of countries gross domestic product. The world environmental situation is likely to be further aggravated by the increasingly rapid, large-scale global extinction of species. It occurred in the 20th century at a rate that was a thousand times higher than the average rate during the preceding 65 million years. This is likely to destabilize various ecosystems including agricultural systems. The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of spec ies of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth.

With reference to motivation theory, discuss the psychological Essay - 1

With reference to motivation theory, discuss the psychological foundations of pay - Essay Example The intellectuals mentioned above have offered their theories from the perspective of their respective fields/disciplines. For example, Maslow, McGregor, Alderfer, McClelland have emphasized the physiological basis of employee motivation, whereas scientists such as Locke, Vroom, Kelly and Tolman have presented the cognitive basis of motivation. Social/behaviourist theories of motivation comprise the third school of thought, where seminal contributions were made by Pavlov, Taylor, Thorndike, Skinner, etc. An understanding of psychological motivations of pay is achieved by gleaning relevant points from these three schools of thought. The behaviourist theory lays emphasis on the â€Å"effect of learning and reinforcement, and as a result the behaviourist theory of motivation is closely connected to the psychological theories of learning and reinforcement.† (Hume, 1995) Abraham H. Maslow’s ground breaking thesis the Hierarchy of Needs gives insight into human motivation (in the workplace or elsewhere). He notes that â€Å"all individuals have a set of human needs which are prioritized on an ascending scale, primary needs dealing with physiology and safety, and secondary needs dealing with the psychological aspects of human existence, etc. These needs in ascending order are: physiological, safety, social/love, esteem, and self actualization.† (Hume, 1995) Firstly, pay helps satisfy primary needs of physiological needs of safety and security by allowing for housing, clothing expenditures. Secondly, it satisfies the social/psychological need by bestowing a social status to the individual. Though this secondary need is subjective and less tangible, it is a powerful source of motivation nevertheless. Coming to the Cognitive theories of motivation, the most important contribution comes from American psychologist Edward C. Tolman, who articulated his Expectancy Theory of Motivation. Here, he suggests that â€Å"that the behaviour of individuals is not

The Examination of a Teen Killer Essay Example for Free

The Examination of a Teen Killer Essay Every Year there is a reported deathly school shooting around the world. Every year it is the same story about how a frustrated teen takes out his anger on the fellow students at school. In the next upcoming paragraphs I will digress on The Killer at Thurston High’s actions through Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology. Kip Kinkel had psychological problems at a young age. His family went to live in Spain for a year; this is where the problems began. Kip was only in the first grade and he was just learning English and since he was able to speak just in English, he would have difficulties understanding his Spanish teacher. Kip’s frustration came from his past language experiences, and also the never-ending weight on him of living up to the Kinkel name. It was way too much for a preteen like Kip to be involved with. He had the all-American: â€Å"perfect family†, if you will, but in his mind he did not feel welcomed. Kip thought of himself as the imperfect son, his sister on the other hand was athletic, smart, and well known by almost everyone in their community. The Kinkel parents were highly respected because of their field of a teaching career. This all left Kip down and depressed during most periods of his life. On May 21, Kinkel had been suspended for bringing a firearm to school the previous day, the suspension day came and Kip reacted by driving his father’s car to school. The 15 year old was covered by a trench coat with a 9-mm Glock and a 22-calibur pistol hidden underneath. Kip Kinkel opened fire in the cafeteria of Thurston High School in Springfield Oregon, killing two students and injuring as many as 20 others. The explanations of his actions are indescribable. From a sociologist stand point, how Kip reacted towards weapons would be a major factor to keep in mind. In this case Kip resolved many of his solutions by either firing guns that he’d gotten from his father, or by detonating home-made explosives. This shows how Kip Kinkel deals with his emotions on the inside. After the crisis at Thurston High school, the sheriffs deputies went to the Kinkel residence. There they found loud music playing in the main living room and the rotten smell of decaying bodies. During the confession tape of Kip Kinkel, he said that he loved his parents dearly, and that he â€Å"had to do it†. The deputies found the body of William P. Kinkel, 59 covered by a sheet in the first floor bathroom. Kip’s mother Faith M. Kinkel, 57 was found later in the garage  also covered by a white sheet. An anthropologist could only describe the purpose of the blaring music being played. Kip grew up listening to a lot of violent music, watching many death related movies, and also just becoming inflicted by the social media around him. Kip Kinkel felt that he had to do what he did in order to achieve bliss. These anthropological factors had a big influence on all of the actions that Kip pursued. In my opinion, this entire turn of deathly events could only be controlled through Kip Kinkel’s personal and psychological mind. As it was stated before, Kip grew up feeling that he was unwelcome and always alone in his life. This made him very frustrated and upset with himself, thus resulting in his aggressive solutions, (firearms and explosives). So if Kip grew up believing that he was a good kid, and that he could actually achieve other things that other people could do, he wouldn’t have been the Killer at Thurston High. In conclusion, the fact that Kipland Kinkel was raised in a different country and held back a grade made him a frustrated child right from the start. He was also an all American kid, who was raised around heavy firearms and this impacted his decisions to express his emotions violently. The final point that describes Kip’s actions is how he always listened to aggressive and shallow music, which resulted in him being more deep and dark, and also made him feel like he needed to do the things he did in order to move on. So the story of Kipland Kinkel is an older one, but keep in mind that something like this could happen anywhere!

Graphology :: Handwriting School Education Essays

Graphology Introduction The belief that handwriting is a sign of the inner personality is very old. The first serious attempt to analyze handwriting seems to have been that of Camillo Baldi, an Italian scholar, who published a book on the subject in 1622. As literacy spread, handwriting analysis became popular, being practiced as an art form by such literary figures as Goethe, Poe, the Brownings and Dickens. Jean Hippolyte Michon coined the term "graphology" in 1875. Michon systematized handwriting analysis by associating hundreds of graphic signs with specific personality traits. Around the turn of the century, the French psychologist Alfred Binet performed several experiments with handwriting analysis as a device for testing personality. Binet claimed that handwriting experts could distinguish successful from unsuccessful persons with high accuracy. The German school of handwriting analysis, led by Ludwig Klages, developed a subjective and esoteric approach to graphology, and apparently never even attempted experimental verification of its claims. There is today no single theory or method that dominates graphology. The French school concentrated on isolated signs as specific indicators of personality, and the Germans sought to make subjective interpretations based on a total impression of a person's handwriting. In 1929 M. N. Bunker founded "graphoanalysis" as a compromise between these two extreme positions The language and techniques of graphoanalysis seem to be more or less the common graphological practice in the United States today. (Bunker 1971). Bunker founded the International Graphoanalysis Society, which now offers an 18-month correspondence course for analysts. The society is based in Chicago and claims 10,000 active members. The Institute of Graphological Science in Dallas also offers courses and accreditation in graphology, but it is not affiliated with the Graphoanalysis Society. Unless indicated otherwise, I will use the term "graphologist" to refer to a practitioner of any school of handwriting analysis for per sonality assessment. Graphological technique Even though there is no canonical school of graphology, some discussion of the practice may be helpful. Remember that the basic assumption underlying graphology is that handwriting is an expression of the personality; hence, a systematic analysis of the way a person forms words and letters will reveal traits of personality. The graphologists are fond of repeating, "Handwriting is brain writing." Graphologists look for such features as the slant of characters, the size of individual letters, angularity and curvature, and such non-graphic features as the pressure of upward and downward strokes. In most systems, the slant of the letters is very important.

Virtual Child

My Virtual Child Assignment Name: ___________________________________________ Section: ______ Complete the following questions in the space provided, based on the information that was provided to you at nine months (end of eight month period) and again at 19 months. The Question| Your Response| Reference (text) & pg. #| Mark| 1. How does your baby's eating, sleeping and motor development compare to the typical developmental patterns? (2 marks)| | | No substance0| Weak1| Adequate1. 5| Well done2| | 2.At 8 months of age was your child an â€Å"easy†, â€Å"slow-to-warm-up†, or â€Å"difficult† baby in terms of Thomas and Chess's classic temperamental categories? On what do you base this judgement? (2 marks)| | | No substance0| Weak1| Adequate1. 5| Well done2| | 3. How is your child's attachment to you and your partner developing? What is happening at the 3-month and 8-month periods that might affect attachment security according to Bowlby and Ainsworth, and various research studies? (2 marks)| | | No substance0| Weak1| Adequate1. 5| Well done2| |At 9 Months At 19 Months The Question| Your Response| Reference (text) ; pg. #| Mark| 1. Describe and give examples of changes in your child's exploratory or problem solving behavior from 8 through 18 months and categorize them according to Piagetian and information processing theories. Note that 8 months is included, so you'll need to use the time-line to look back at 8 months for examples. (3 marks)| | | No substance0| Weak1. 5| Adequate2. 5| Well done3| | 2. Analyze your baby's temperament in more detail at 18 months than you did at 8 months. How would you describe your baby in terms of the five aspects of temperament utilized by the Virtual Child program (activity, sociability, emotionality, aggressiveness vs. cooperativeness, and self-control)? Has your baby's temperament been stable over the first 18 months? A blurb defining and providing examples of the five aspects of temperament is provided at 12 months, but you should seek out further explanations of temperament from your textbook.Explain how the concept of goodness of fit (also discussed in the blurb on infant temperament) applies to your interactions with your child. (3 marks)| | | No substance0| Weak1. 5| Adequate2. 25| Well done3| | Excellent (3) Good (2. 5) Satis. (2) Weak (1) Excellent = 3 Good/Satisfactory = 2 Weak = 1 Excellent (3) Good (2. 5) Satis. (2) Weak (1) Excellent = 3 Good/Satisfactory = 2 Weak = 1 Reference(s): Mark: /12 (content) + /3 (writing) Total /15

Effective leader Essay

Imagine a world without leaders. A leader, defined by Websters Dictionary, is a person who rules, or guides others. When we think of leaders, we think of leaders of things as big as countries or nations, and as small as towns or even schools. Different types of leaders have duties they have to fulfill but one thing that all effective leaders are, is strong willed, knowledgeable, and powerful. In some times in history, it may be true that these three words bring out a side of the word â€Å"effective† that is not usually thought of. Effective means, producing the desired or intended result. The â€Å"intended result† varies for different leaders. So could a leader be effective even when they do not cause a positive effect to their followers? How about leaders Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Napoleon Bonaparte? One effective leader to date is Adolf Hitler, a political leader of the Nazi Party and chancellor leader in Germany from 1933 to 1945. Adolf Hitler was a very powerful leader while also being an evil leader. Joseph Stalin, an underestimated monster in European history, was as effective as it gets. Stalin is known for two things, industrially revolutionizing, and agriculturally revolutionizing. He was strong-willed about both of these plans. Stalin’s famous Five-Year Plans started off with developing the Soviet Union’s economy by setting extremely high numerical goals, to increase the output of steel, coal, oil, and electricity. To achieve these quotas, people had to face shortages of food, clothing and other necessities. This proves Stalin was strong-willed because he set a goal for himself and his country and although it put his people at risk, he had an idea in his mind that nothing would come in between. Another example of how Joseph Stalin was an effective leader is his success during his agricultural revolution. In 1928, the government began to s ixver 25 million private farms in the Soviet Union and combined these small farms into large, government owned farms, called collective farms. The collective farms were expected to boost food production because of the modern machinery, and reduce the number of workers. When workers resisted, Stalin used terror and violence in hope for them to react in a working manner. The  ends justified the means for Stalin. Stalin is a Machiavellian figure in history, and that is why this example shows that Stalin was a strong-willed leader. A well formed military is one of the keys to a successful nation. Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most well known military leaders of all times, but why? To be a good military leader, you have to be a lot of things, one of them being knowledgeable. In order to have a successful military, it is not just about the weapons and the strength of the soldiers but even more about the thought process, strategies, and tactics. Napoleon commanded 34 battles and lost only 6 and ended up dominating Europe. This proves Napoleon was a knowledgeable leader because to be able to command an army that is able to win 28 out 34 battles in Europe in the 23 year time frame of 1792-1815, that commander really would have had to have an idea of what he was doing. Another example of how Napoleon was a knowledgeable leader is his military strategies. Wherever you go, you are bound to find someone who is not a proud follower of the leader of the place that they are in. Sometimes, this is because of ignorant opinions, but more importantly, sometimes it is because of the choices that leader makes. Being a leader of anything is the hardest job in the world. You are put in charge of something and you are expected to well educated, fair, etc., but what if your â€Å"fair† is different than one of your followers’ â€Å"fair†. Disagreements between leaders and followers are the main reason of political controversy and separation between groups. From good leaders to bad leaders, it is notable that all leaders are strong-willed, knowledgeable, and powerful. Wherever you go, you are bound to find someone who is not a proud follower of the leader of the place that they are in. Sometimes, this is because of ignorant opinions, but more importantly, sometimes it is because of the choices that leader makes. Being a leader of anything is the hardest job in the world. You are put in charge of something and you are expected to well educated, fair, etc., but what if your â€Å"fair† is different than one of your followers’ â€Å"fair†. Disagreements between leaders and followers are the main reason of political controversy and separation between groups. From good leaders to bad leaders, it is notable  that all leaders are strong-willed, knowledgeable, and powerful. Wherever you go, you are bound to find someone who is not a proud follower of the leader of the place that they are in. Sometimes, this is because of ignorant opinions, but more importantly, sometimes it is because of the choices that leader makes. Being a leader of anything is the hardest job in the world. You are put in charge of something and you are expected to well educated, fair, etc., but what if your â€Å"fair† is different than one of your followers’ â€Å"fair†. Disagreements between leaders and followers are the main reason of political controversy and separation between groups. From good leaders to bad leaders, it is notable that all leaders are strong-willed, knowledgeable, and powerful.

Weekly Journal #3 Example

Weekly Journal #3 Example Weekly Journal #3 – Assignment Example Weekly Journal The readings of this module are generally informative and provide powerful tools of understanding deeper concepts about family therapy. However, the readings have some key points that act as foundation of the entire detailed information. One of the points of the reading is that Systematic Theory can serve as a treatment technique in family therapy. Another important point is that Systems Theory applied in family therapy is slightly different from its ordinary form used in the normal psychological treatment (Nichols, 2013). The difference particularly relates to the wide application and dependency on genograms. With genogram, Systems Theory can help a therapist explore deeper details of a family system to understand the basis of a given problem facing a given family. Another key point in the study is that Communication is an important technique of Family therapy, mostly depended by Strategic Family Therapists. In addition, Strategic Family Therapy is a broad method of t reatment that encompasses other methods such as Systems Theory, Functional Family Theory, Structural Theory and Problem-Solving Therapy among others. From the readings, an experienced counselor or family therapist may understand that flexibility as to the choice of techniques of treatment is the best way to establish and conduct an effective treatment process. This relates to the fact that different techniques such as the Attachment Theory, Systemic Theory, Strategic Theory and Structural Approach among others can address different concerns and levels in the same treatment process (Nichols, 2013). As a therapist, one should have knowledge of all existing treatment theories and be ready to apply them in the treatment process. Among the insights provided by the readings is that genogram can form a good tool in treating a family whose problem(s) seem to have a generational cause. Another insight is that Strategic Family Therapy can serve as an all-inclusive method of family therapy. Th is is because Strategic Family Therapy applies many if not all other methods of family therapy. It encompasses Structural Therapy, concepts of Systems Theory, Cybernetic concepts, Functional Theory and Solution-based Theory among others (Nichols, 2013). Prior to class discussion, one could not think that the common Psychological theories such as Attachment, Systems, Structural and Solution-Focused Theories can serve as treatment techniques in family Therapy (Nichols, 2013). Initially, one could think that applying different techniques in treating the same problem could lead to conflicts that could jeopardize effective treatment. However, it is now clear that applying different techniques at different levels of treatment can work as the best and most reliable way of solving family problems. ReferenceNichols, M. (2013). Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods. (10th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

Battle of Montgisard during the Crusades

Battle of Montgisard during the Crusades The Battle of Montgisard took place November 25, 1177, and was part of the Ayyubid-Crusader War (1177-1187) which was fought between the Second and Third Crusades. Background In 1177, the Kingdom of Jerusalem faced two major crises, one from within and one from without. Internally, the issue involved who would succeed sixteen year-old King Baldwin IV, who, as a leper, would not produce any heirs. The most likely candidate was the child of his pregnant, widowed sister Sibylla. While the nobles of the kingdom sought a new husband for Sibylla, the situation was complicated by the arrival of Philip of Alsace who demanded that she be married to one of his vassals. Evading Philips request, Baldwin sought to form an alliance with the Byzantine Empire with the goal of striking at Egypt. While Baldwin and Philip schemed over Egypt, the leader of the Ayyubids, Saladin, began preparing to attack Jerusalem from his base in Egypt. Moving with 27,000 men, Saladin marched into Palestine. Though he lacked Saladins numbers, Baldwin mobilized his forces with the goal of mounting a defense at Ascalon. As he was young and weakened by his disease, Baldwin gave effective command of his forces to Raynald of Chatillon. Marching with 375 knights, 80 Templars under Odo de St Amand, and several thousand infantry, Baldwin arrived at the town and was quickly blockaded by a detachment of Saladins army. Baldwin Triumphant Confident that Baldwin, with his smaller force, would not attempt to interfere, Saladin moved slowly and looted the villages of Ramla, Lydda and Arsuf. In doing so, he allowed his army to become dispersed over a large area. At Ascalon, Baldwin and Raynald managed to escape by moving along the coast and marched on Saladin with the goal of intercepting him before he reached Jerusalem. On November 25, they encountered Saladin at Montgisard, near Ramla. Caught by total surprise, Saladin raced to reconcentrate his army for battle. Anchoring his line on a nearby hill, Saladins options were limited as his cavalry was spent by the march from Egypt and subsequent looting. As his army looked upon Saladins, Baldwin summoned the Bishop of Bethlehem to ride forward and raise aloft a piece of the True Cross. Prostrating himself before the sacred relic, Baldwin asked God for success. Forming for battle, Baldwin and Raynalds men charged the center of the Saladins line. Breaking through, they put the Ayyubids to rout, driving them from the field. The victory was so complete that the Crusaders succeeded in capturing Saladins entire baggage train. Aftermath While exact casualties for the Battle of Montgisard are not known, reports indicate that only ten percent of Saladins army returned safely to Egypt. Among the dead was the son of Saladins nephew, Taqi ad-Din. Saladin only escaped the slaughter by riding a racing camel to safety. For the Crusaders, approximately 1,100 were killed and 750 wounded. While Montgisard proved a dramatic victory for the Crusaders, it was the last of their successes. Over the next ten years, Saladin would renew his efforts to take Jerusalem, finally succeeding in 1187. Selected Sources William of Tyre: History of Deeds Done Beyond the SeaMedieval SourcebookBaldwin IV

Corporate Taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Corporate Taxation - Essay Example First, we must discuss the subject of corporate taxation so that we can understand what it is and what it is all about, and this includes surveying the principle features and recent history of corporate taxation, followed by the consideration of the incentives that tax systems provide for the behavior of corporations, and then as well we must discuss the scenarios that have taken place over the last 20 years in regards to tax changes, and finally, we must examine how these changes have affected corporate taxation, and all of the key and related issues as well. By doing this, we will be able to come to a much more aware and intelligent understanding on the subject matter at hand overall. This is what will be dissertated in the following. Corporate taxation is considered as being an incredibly important source of government revenue across the world, and as well it is a significant and major consideration in regards to the planning of business activities. Corporate tax is a term which refers to "a tax levied by various jurisdictions on the profits made by companies or associations. As a general principle, the tax varies substantially between jurisdictions. In particular allowances for capital expenditure and the amount of interest payments that can be deducted from gross profits when working out the tax liability vary substantially. Also, tax rates may vary depending on whether profits have been distributed to shareholders or not. Profits which have been reinvested may not be taxed" (Wikipedia, 2007). Bigger businesses are the businesses which end up spending the most attention and devotion to corporate tax however this is for good reason, as corporate income tends to be most highly concentrated in a relatively small number of large companies. The impact of corporate tax on economic behavior is very great and significant, and "The taxation of corporate income encourages entrepreneurs and managers to structure and conduct their business operations in ways designed to avoid taxes. Corporations generally reduce their tax obligations, and those of their shareholders, by using debt rather than equity finance, investing in assets that can be rapidly depreciated for tax purposes and those for which generous tax credits are available, and avoiding dividend payments or other tax-disadvantaged distributions to investors" (Hines, 2001). However, although corporate taxation is one of the most known forms of taxation, it is actually the least properly understood, and not only that, but most economists for quite some time now have considered it as being the least efficient and least defensible of all forms of taxation. Statistics show that corporate taxation has increased dramatically over the years, especially over the past few decades in particular, as "In the forties and early fifties the corporate income tax provided about a third of federal revenues, and as recently as 1966, the proportion was 23 percent. It declined steadily for the next twenty years, reaching a nadir of 6.2 percent in 1983. This was partly by design. The top corporate tax rates fell from 52.8 percent in 1969 to 46 percent in 1979" (Norton, 2002). There are more problems than just this however that are considered as being involved in regards to corporate taxation, and in particular, the central problem with the corporate tax, from an economic point of view, is that "ultimately, only people can pay taxes. Economists have had great difficulty in assessing the