Chelicerates Group Key Characteristics, Species, and Classifications

Chelicerates (Chelicerata) are a group of arthropods that includes harvestmen, scorpions, mites, spiders, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, and ticks. There are about 77,000 living species of chelicerates. Chelicerates have two body segments (tagmenta) and six pairs of appendages. Four pairs of appendages are used for walking and two (the chelicerae and the pedipalps) are used as mouthparts. Chelicerates have no mandibles and no antennae. Chelicerates are an ancient group of arthropods that first evolved about 500 million years ago. Early members of the group included the giant water scorpions which were the largest of all arthropods, measuring up to 3 meters in length. The closest living cousins to giant water scorpions are the horseshoe crabs. Early chelicerates were predatory arthropods, but modern chelicerates have diversified to take advantage of a variety of feeding strategies. Members of this group are herbivores, detritivores, predators, parasites, and scavengers. Most chelicerates suck liquid food from their prey. Many chelicerates (such as scorpions and spiders) are unable to eat solid food due to their narrow gut. Instead, they must expel digestive enzymes onto their prey. The prey liquifies and they can then ingest the food. The exoskeleton of a chelicerate is a hard external structure made of chitin that protects the arthropod, prevents desiccation, and provides structural support. Since the exoskeleton is rigid, it cannot grow with the animal and must be molted periodically to allow for increases in size. After molting, a new exoskeleton is secreted by the epidermis. Muscles connect to the exoskeleton and enable the animal to control the movement of its joints. Key Characteristics six pairs of appendages and two body segmentschelicerae and pedipalpsno mandibles and no antennae Classification Chelicerates are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy: Animals Invertebrates Arthropods Chelicerates Chelicerates are divided into the following taxonomic groups: Horseshoe crabs (Merostomata): There are five species of horseshoe crabs alive today. Members of this group live in shallow marine waters along the Atlantic coast of North America. Horseshoe crabs are an ancient group of chelicerates that date back to the Cambrian. Horseshoe crabs have a distinct and unsegmented carapace (hard dorsal shell) and a long telson (a spine-like tailpiece).Sea spiders (Pycnogonida): There are about 1300 species of sea spiders alive today. Members of this group have four pairs of very thin walking legs, a small abdomen, and elongated cephalothorax. Sea spiders are marine arthropods that feed on nutrients of other soft-bodied marine invertebrates. Sea spiders have a proboscis that enables them to obtain food from prey.Arachnids (Arachnida): There are more than 80,000 species of arachnids alive today (scientists estimate that there might be more than 100,00 living species). Members of this group include spiders, scorpions, whip scorpions, ticks, mites, pseudos corpions, and harvestmen. Most arachnids feed on insects and other small invertebrates. Arachnids kill their prey using their chelicerae and pedipalps. Sources Hickman C, Roberts L, Keen S. Animal Diversity. 6th ed. New York: McGraw Hill; 2012. 479 p.Ruppert E, Fox R, Barnes R. Invertebrate  Zoology: A Functional Evolutionary Approach. 7th ed. Belmont CA: Brooks/Cole; 2004. 963 p.

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou - 674 Words

The title of the poem is ‘Phenomenal Woman’. Phenomenal is not a word which is often used to describe a woman. One would hear a woman described as beautiful or pretty but the word phenomenal is telling us that this is no ordinary woman, she is special and outstanding. The poem starts off with the words ‘pretty woman’ which makes us realise that this phenomenal woman would not be regarded as pretty in the eyes of society. The poet then describes the woman who is normally appreciated by society: ‘Im not cute or built to suit a fashion models size’. She is telling us that this phenomenal woman does not fit these criteria. She uses the words ‘I say’ and puts a comma after the words which emphasises that she really does believe in what she says. The next few lines draws on imagery and uses the words ‘hips, steps, lips’ which brings about the image of a shapely woman. It points out the womanly charms that all women have (hips and lips) and which they tend to use in order to entice men. The stanza ends with the words: Im a woman/ Phenomenally. /Phenomenal woman,/ Thats me.’ She uses these words constantly throughout the poem. It is like a mantra and emphasises that this is not an ordinary woman and that she does not just blindly do what society dictates her to do. It is also like she is trying to get the message across to the reader and by repeating these words, perhaps the reader will quickly ascertain that they are true. She says ‘I’m a woman/ Phenomenally’. Phenomenally hereShow MoreRelatedPhenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou1591 Words   |  7 Pagescan one identify a phenomenal woman? Can one say it is measured by the good deeds she has done or maybe even her personality? Maya Angelou gave a deep reasoning of why and how she is a phenomenal woman. This poem, Phenomenal Women, has uplifted many woman all across the globe and inspired the youth to know there worth. Maya Angelo u’s book â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† was published in 1995. The book contains four poems â€Å"Still I Rise†, â€Å"Weekend Glory†, â€Å"Our Grandmothers†, and â€Å"Phenomenal Woman†. These poems inspireRead MorePhenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou885 Words   |  4 PagesThe author of â€Å"Phenomenal Woman,† Maya Angelou is a jack of many trades. This multi-talented woman is not only an award-winning author and poet, but also an actress, screenwriter, dancer, and civil rights activist (Maya par 2). Maya Angelou’s amazing gift of writing was so powerful and inspirational. Although she no longer walks the earth, her works continue to live on and be the food for our souls. She was truly a living example of the phenomenal and confident person that we should all strive toRead MorePhenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou1577 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Phenomenal Woman† by Maya Angelou is an inspiring poem which embraces such a strong me ssage of Maya Angelou being proud of whom she is that all women ought to read over and over again. Maya Angelou (1928) is a talented African American. She mostly writes from experience, and this poem falls perfectly in that category. First published in 1978, â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† is an anthem of womens strength in their own womanhood. It tells us about how the inner beauty makes a woman respected by the others. TheRead MoreEmancipation of a Woman in Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou549 Words   |  3 PagesAny girl could say she is a woman. It takes a strong woman to be a phenomenal woman. A phenomenal woman does not rely on others for financial, mental and social needs. A woman like this takes pride in her-self and doesn’t let anyone put her down. Throughout the times a woman strives for her independence to become her own individual in life. Phenomenal Woman, written by Maya Angelou, is a poem which is an anthem for all women’s strength in their own womanhood. (Angelou 1) The poem speaks out toRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou2030 Words   |  9 PagesSummary of Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou Stanza 1: â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† begins with a attack on stereotypes. She proudly declares that she neither has a hourglass figure, nor a cute face. Her success without essential feminine traits surprises pretty women and they often want to know the secret of her success. She describes her secret saying that it comes from her confidence, the way she stretches her arms, the way she walks, the rhythm of her hips and also the way she smiles. Her entire body isRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou851 Words   |  4 PagesTitle Question #2 Analyze Society creates the thought of what makes an ideal woman; however, Maya Angelou shows us what truly makes a true Woman in her poem, â€Å"Phenomenal Woman.† The word, â€Å"Phenomenal† is defined as something that is magnificent, remarkable, breathtaking, as well as extraordinary. This poem shows one the confidence and beauty from within, instead of the conventional views that society tend to have, which is to only focus on the appearance. She takes us to acknowledge womanhood.Read MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou1353 Words   |  6 PagesIn the poem â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† written by Maya Angelou, the poem is strong, it is about womanhood, the strength not the weakness that describes Maya Angelou. Although Maya Angelou is describing herself, she is in fact describing all women and is therefore a poem of feminism and the feminist perspective. The structure of this poem is loosely arranged into four stanzas. The idea of this poem is th at physical beauty is not what makes a woman phenomenal but the way she has confidence in herself and herRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou925 Words   |  4 PagesMaya Angelou, writer of, â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† illustrates that woman are as strong, determined, and beautiful just the way they are. We were built to fulfill the same roles as men and be able to achieve in anything what we set our minds to. We as woman should never let any man or significant other define us for who we are and the roles we play as young woman in the US. With this intention, women are born into the world and are taught to grow up to become a young, wise, and vibrant figure. Angelou’sRead MoreMaya Angelou Poetry942 Words   |  4 PagesMaya Angelou is considered by many to be the foremost poet of her age. While the themes of her literature are largely connected, her delivery is varied. In her poetry, she has used wit, sarcasm, imagery, and diverse rhythm. Ange lou has used these techniques and the recognition it has provided for her, to fight for the civil rights of African Americans and women. After examining the life of Maya Angelou, it is easy to see that much of her work focuses on the significance of African Americans and womenRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Women By Maya Angelou Essay932 Words   |  4 Pagesanonymous. How can a noun actually be an attractive quality in a person? In â€Å"Phenomenal Women† by Maya Angelou she answers this question. To Angelou, the power of confidence is limitless for every woman, that many do not recognize. Angelou uses many literary devices such as, rhyme, repetition, metaphors, and idioms to convey that to be a ‘phenomenal’ woman, you must have confidence and be proud to be yourself. Maya Angelou was born April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a very famous writer

Analyzing Internet Sources Free Essays

The first and more important thing I learned was to look for credible sources. One way to do this is to look for bias and opinion. You should look for sources that are based solely on facts and will not attempt to shape your opinion of the topic when you read it. We will write a custom essay sample on Analyzing Internet Sources or any similar topic only for you Order Now Another thing is to make sure you find your information in other sources to verify it is true and correct. Remember that it is difficult to spot credible sources online. Another thing to keep on mind are legal issues regarding copyright and plagiarism. Just because something is online does not mean it is unprotected. I will use these practices by making sure that I do more extensive research when I find something online. Just because it is there doesn’t make it true. I want to stay free of any problems of that nature and make my work reflect my abilities as a student. How can you determine if the information on a website is reputable and worthwhile for a research paper? Why is Wikipedia not an acceptable academic source? You can determine if the information is reputable and worthwhile by first looking at the URL. Most of the time if it ends with . edu or . gov it will be a good one. Also, another good thing to do is to research the authors and their credentials. You want to know who is writing this information and how qualified they really are. Another good tip is to look at the date. Let’s say you are writing about something that happened recently. There can be new developments on the story daily and you want all your information to be up to date and correct. Wikipedia is not an acceptable academic source because it is an open source of information. That information is not monitored at any time and can be posted by anybody. Some people even go on Wikipedia and say they are an anonymous writer. How can you know it’s true if you don’t know who wrote it? How to cite Analyzing Internet Sources, Papers

International Marketing Business Communication

Question: Discuss about the International Marketing for Business Communication. Answer: Introduction: Firstly, before we discuss anything, it would be highly beneficial for all of us to understand that, global tourism has expanded 50 percent in the last decade (Theobald 2005). Over this enormous jump in some tourists landing per year in all nations combined, the figures are still growing with each passing year. This massive drop in the influx of global tourism is owed to the drastic increase of Asian tourists traveling worldwide. Over the 50 per cent jump in figures, Asia's tourists contributed to 80 per cent of global tourism (The decline of tourism income elasticities in a global context 2014). The North American and European travelers decreased in number over their Asian counterparts owing to a variety of factors. The situation of global tourism is on the rise, and so are the prospects of Tourism in Australia. We are tasked with the responsibility of exploring the features of tourism in Australia which should be appealing to the Canadian Middle-class consumers. The Canadians love to travel penniless, even when they can spare some bucks. Canadians find hitchhiking and cycling more appealing than expensive road trips through the red deserts of the central Australia. Canadians mostly prefer going solo on adventure trips and always take the opportunity to explore. The average Canadian consumer is self-expressive and will announce beforehand his/her preferences and expectations (BoveÃÅ' e and Thill 2000). The middle class of Canada has distinct patterns and trends as far as tourism is concerned. Canadians always take the opportunity to bask in the sun, and in Australia, there is a lot of Sun all round the year. Canadians have to face a long season of winter, over these years; some of them have been frighteningly chilly (McGREGOR 2011). The Canadians during the long winter break must love visiting some place warm. The place should remind them of the fun and enjoyment they had during their brief encounter with a bit of Sun, during the summers, which almost feels like an eternity to them. So to escape this bitter cold and chilly hands and numb feet, the average consumer must be lured into the prospect of some place warm and dry, where the hot and humid winds will brush past them in their safari overalls. The blades of dry grass will caress through their lower body and rejuvenate them. The cost of living in Metropolitan Australia and its inner continental areas are less than the average suburb of Canada. This factor is essential in determining the rate of influx of foreign tourist. Moreover, the Canadian currency has had significant value in equivalence to the Australian dollar. That should be appealing to the normal middle class, who are not lured into buying an expensive holiday package. The tourism destinations in Australia are unique in nature. The Canadian Nationals have a tendency to choose the best economically feasible deal available to them, so goes for any other national going abroad (Tourism statistics: correcting data inadequacy 2016). Australia and its features are something, more than extraordinary, with unique landscape and physical beauty. The pocket pinch is not even that extreme. The cost includes multiple subsidies regarding tourist bonuses from Tourism Australia. The unique flora and fauna of Australia is something that most people enjoy beyond comprehension. The Great Barrier Reef spread over the eastern front of the Australian continental shelf, is extraordinary regarding natural beauty, the color of the water, the life forms, and unique shape of living corals is most appreciated by everyone. The appeal of the natural beauty of Australia and its physical features is sufficient to draw the attraction of the tourists in times to come. Discuss how time orientation affects the marketing of sporting events in France as compared to China. The prime time of broadcast television is different for each other country. The prime time of each regional television broadcast network varies from seven in the evening to 10 p.m. The time is mostly consumed by soap operas to news reads to prime sporting events (Tozer and Isbister 2007). The time is devoted to nonparental guidance programs wherein children can watch the television without parental consent and advice. The prime time is enjoyed by the entire population having access to a television and a connection to a television broadcasting network. France enjoys a prime time from 7 in the evening to 930 in the evening. The promotion of sporting events in France has taken a direct hit because the prime time is so over occupied that sports events broadcasters have to pay staggering sums to gain access to broadcasting rights during the prime time television. The French media is so outrageous that they do not want the typical audiences and viewers to miss out on their favorite regular shows and rather be content with not following the day's sporting events. The media and broadcasting wings have long been debating the right of entry to sporting event broadcasting during the peak prime time. China, on the other hand, is quite flexible, and the broadcasting authority promotes the viewers to watch sporting events during the regular peak time (Saayman and Saayman 2011). The government believes that if the Sporting events are deprived of their broadcasting times during peak hours, some kids might miss out on these national games and rather sulk at not being influenced by some touchy athlete on the court. The result of increased sports participation is among the kids at school and professional levels. The number of entries in sporting events national wide have gone up several times in China and rural areas of China, where the national television have started appearing. The overall result in China is compelling yet understandable, as soon as broadcasting rates for peak hours came down, the expansion of sporting events started in China. While its counterpart in France still lacks the motivation to broadcast sporting events regularly, thus missing out on a huge viewer base. The overall result in France is dismal and appalling (Kalkavan et al. 2013). The figures and facts suggest that the trend of sports entry at the national games level entry has gone down. As soon as the level of entries and their numbers went down, so did some sponsorships and training programs. The sporting media wings of France are almost on the verge of making no significant deals or progress on a year after year basis. If the broadcasting rights of sporting events during prime time costs so high, no company would like to invest so much at a guarantee of no returns. But we must believe that the situation will only change when the authorities or broadcasting councils take proper action and formulate proper policies for capping the rates of national media. Once this happens, Sporting event promotions and sponsorships will go up tremendously. The nonexistent sporting wings will be revived again (Choi 2012). The figures and trends also predict, and data analytics have revealed that people do not tune in huge numbers even if there is a major sporting event going on currently. The people are often reluctant to switch channels, over fears of missing out on their regular soap operas and news hours. The situation certainly changes during a major soccer league match or when the French national team is playing the Euro or the World Cups. China, have successfully engaged and retained their viewers in watching regional games. References BoveÃÅ' e, C. and Thill, J. (2000).Business communication today. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Choi, E. (2012). Issues and Remedial Measures of Universal Access Right According to Exclusive Broadcasting of Sporting Events.jkeia, 6(4), p.291. Kalkavan, A., Ozdilek, C., Gulac, M. and Altinok, B. (2013). Investigating broadcasting rights revenues of olympics and their effect on the development of the games.International Journal of Academic Research, 5(5), pp.189-195. McGREGOR, S. (2011). Consumer Acumen: Augmenting Consumer Literacy.Journal of Consumer Affairs, 45(2), pp.344-357. Saayman, M. and Saayman, A. (2011). Determinants of Spending: an Evaluation of Three Major Sporting Events.International Journal of Tourism Research, 14(2), pp.124-138. The decline of tourism income elasticities in a global context. (2014).Tourism Economics. Theobald, W. (2005).Global tourism. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. Tourism statistics: correcting data inadequacy. (2016).Tourism Economics. Tozer, P. and Isbister, B. (2007). Is it economically feasible to harvest by management zone?.Precision Agric, 8(3), pp.151-159.

Contemporary Middle East

Introduction The Middle East has been a centre for religious wars. The presence of three major religions makes it volatile especially when it is apparent that Muslims form the greatest percentage. The rising European powers led to seizure and control of certain regions by the colonialists (Gelvin, 2008). The essay elaborates the various issues concerning the contemporary Middle East.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Contemporary Middle East specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Challenges Faced By Empires in Introducing European Culture Cultural stereotyping proved to be the greatest challenge that empires had to deal with in order to have the European culture accepted. Most natives stuck to their way of life. The Muslims could not easily be converted to Christians. The urge to have them converted in order to enjoy technological, social and political revolution could not be accepted. The introduction of schools and wes tern clothes was viewed as a snare to lure them into Christianity (MaCannon, 2008). Racism played a crucial role in slowing down the spread of Western culture. The presence of the whites created revolts that were perpetrated on grounds of prejudice Most of the natives therefore stuck to their culture including wearing the veil and speaking the native Arabic. The rise of Islam revivalism movements is a clear attestation that not all was fine. Major movements were formed to counter the effects of the fast spreading western culture. Most people were opposed to the introduction of Western ideals. Rebellion and social unrest characterized most empires during this period. The adoption of useful technological improvements could not be realized. The economic disruptions created financial disruptions into the existing trade systems (Khater, 2011). Crime was also rampant making it difficult to incorporate new technologies. The formation of political alliances and constitution was viewed by many as a way of weakening the empires. The weakening of the empires led to emergence of political movements which were opposed to Western interferenceAdvertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Response to European Incursion Political changes have been there since time in memorial. Empires have been in existence for ages. For instance the Islam Empire stretched from India to Spain. The Ottoman Empire, an extension of the Islamic empire saw the Turks enjoy extensive dominance (Khater, 2011). The Islamic empires were centers of military supremacy. Economic and social institutions were strong and unshakeable. The need to expand their knowledge base was effected through extensive inquiries. The beginning of the 18th century saw colonial masters invade the Islamic territory. The response to colonialism took different forms. The Ottoman Empire for instance tried to modernize its army (MaCannon, 2008). T he introduction of paper money and the restructuring of financial systems were adopted. Modernized educational facilities in form of schools and universities were introduced. Non-Muslims became happier since their rights increased. The seizing of some provinces by the colonial powers and nationalist movements was witnessed. The emergence of educated nationalists contributed to the creation of a secular republic after World War I. Nationalism was also witnessed in the Islamic empires of the Middle East. The abolition of Islamic laws and the introduction of the Latin script were championed by Kemal Ataturk (Gelvin, 2008). The introduction of modern schools, western dressing, modern schools and universities was initiated. The creation of a new secular civil and criminal code and the banning of the veil were also witnessed. Islamic revivalism was a major response to European incursion. The formation of the Wahabbi movement in Saudi Arabia and many others was based on the premise that E uropean modernization was affecting the growth of Islamic society Corruption of Islamic virtues was also cited as the reason for the revivalist movements. Some Islamic revivalist movements were formed to support the European ideology while some opposed it. Great Power Competition over Persia The presence of Russia in Asia proved the greatest threat to Britain’s invasion. Napoleon desired to put up a French empire in Egypt and India. Britain too was interested in establishing a protectorate in India and Tibet (Khater, 2011). Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Contemporary Middle East specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The governments of Russia and Britain were in constant consultations that were aimed at establishing a treaty regarding the control of Asia. Efforts by Lord Salisbury and Arthur Balfour led to the signing of the Anglo-Russian Convention in 1907. Britain and Russia were close war allies. The signi ng of the Anglo-Russian Convention could be viewed as a balanced and fair means of checking Russia’s domination over Asia. The Convention was however not amusing to Britain which felt that their political interest was unaccounted for. Strategic areas of India and Tibet could not be under the British rule as a result of the Convention. The Convention was agreed upon when Russia’s dominance in Asia was uncontrollable (Gelvin, 2008). Britain was interested in protecting India against other European powers. It was also expected that the Convention would improve the security situation in most parts of Asia due to the scramble for colonies. Russians were however spread across the vast Asia and Britain’s desire could not be achieved. In this regard, the Convention that would ensure Britain was secure only served to threaten its security position. Britain was unable to secure their vested interests in Asia primarily because the signing of the Anglo-Russian Convention was inconsiderate (MaCannon, 2008). The Convention was not cognizant of the fact that the relations between the two signing nations would cause political tensions thereafter. It was unfair to make Britain the weaker party of the convention and the Convention did not work for the good of both countries. Problems of the Ottoman Empire The effects of colonization were different in parts of Asia that were not directly colonized by the Europeans. The Middle East and parts of China were characterized by political decline and reactions towards colonial powers (Gelvin, 2008). These states feared the threat posed by Western Imperialism the overlapping world economy.Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Austrian Habsburgs and Russia presented major problems to the Ottoman Empire. Break away Muslim kingdoms from North Africa made the empire weak (Gelvin, 2008). The independence of imperial governors and local notables in the Arab countries of Middle East politically destabilized the empire. Rising social and economic disruption was also rampant. Uncontrollable rates of inflation were experienced. The market was also flooded with goods from Europe making the local industries paralyzed. The handicraft industries that had been existence for a long time faced a threat from the European imports. The reaction towards these economic revelations was increased social tensions, crime and rebellion (MaCannon, 2008). The elite were divided on basis of whether to incorporate Christians in their major institutions. These divisions served to expose the Muslims to more risks. Ottoman weaknesses were the genesis of their collapse and exposure to European interference. The greatest concern that spa rked resistance within the empire was the introduction of a poll tax in 1905 that never considered the wealth status of individuals. The formation of the Committee of Union Progress in 1906 was initiated by the Young Turks. The Ottoman Freedom Society was also formed in the same year Mehmet Talat (Khater, 2011). The abolition of the poll tax was announced after demonstrations lasted for 25 days in March 1906. The Second Young Turk Congress saw the resolution to engage in violent revolts passed. Rebellion was to be carried out through non-payment of taxes, armed resistance and peaceful taxes. Young Turks were responsible for the spearheading of reforms that saw the Sultan replaced by the Murat and finally Mehmet. Constitutional Democracy, elimination of corruption was achieved in non-violent means. The Copying of Western Culture The people of the Middle East enjoy a long history of civilization that dates back to 10,000 BC. The early technologies of agriculture are reported to have originated from the region. The Tigris and Euphrates River provided water for irrigation in those times (Khater, 2011). Other economic activities included copper smelting and hunting. It enjoys the presence of three religions namely Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It has also been a centre for major conflicts such as the Persian-Greek War and the Iran-Iraq war. The incursion of the European powers into the Middle East was received with mixed reactions. The Turks for instance welcomed the European culture into their systems by introducing new schools and universities, mode of dressing and the change of the Arabic law into a Latin one (Gelvin, 2008). The Middle East in which 92% are Muslims was also faced with both negative and positive Islam Revivalism. Others supported the inculcation of the European culture while others were opposed it on grounds of causing Islam stagnation. Mohammed Ali represented one of the many people who supported movements that worked in favor of the coloni alists. Nevertheless the copying of European culture has seen many countries within the Middle East adopt sophisticated war weapons such as the nuclear bombs. The urge to attain military supremacy has been a source of unending wars within the Middle East (MaCannon, 2008). The introduction of European languages such as English has seen these countries diversify their language base initially dominated by Arabic. The discovery of oil in the Middle East has helped in the diversification of economic activities. This discovery has also ensured that the Middle East remains to be crucial player in the world‘s oil market. Origins of Arab-Israeli Conflict A number of countries have been in war with their neighbors at periods of time. The Arab-Israel dispute is one of the longest conflicts ever recorded in the human history. It refers to the political turmoil between the Arab peoples and Jewish community in the Middle East that has been in existence for over 100 years now (Sutton Verti gans, 2005). The history of this dispute can be traced and the clear positions taken by both Arabs and the Jewish community identified. Despite the fact that many nations have experienced tensions, the Arab-Israeli dispute remains to be one of the most complex tasks to be dealt with. Researchers into the perennial conflict in the Middle East suggest that the dispute has its origin in the massive return of the Jews to Palestine (Cleveland, 2004). This was facilitated by the creation of the Zionist movement by the Jewish community after the end of the Ottoman rule in the later years of the 19th century. The tension that ensued between the Israeli people and the Arab world centered mainly on territorial conflicts and this enhanced the hostilities. Jews from Europe had started buying pieces of land from the long-reigning Ottoman sultan that were mainly swampy and others were in the desert. During that period, the Jews started owning land collectively which led to the establishment of Tel Aviv city, the only one occupied entirely by Jewish people. Until the end of the first decade of the 20th century, Ottoman had ruled the entire Middle East for about 500 years (Sutton Vertigans, 2005). The Jews and Arabs were hopeful that by helping other countries in First World War would in turn facilitate their liberty from the oppressive Ottoman’s rule. Towards the end of World War I in 1917, the British government indicated its support for the creation of a Jewish nation in Palestine though with caution not to cause any conflict (Telhami, 2004). This step triggered dispute in the Arab world as the Jewish community moved into the area in large numbers. The proportion of the Jews in the land increased over the years and by 1931, Palestinian population was 17% Jews. The Arabs regarded this as a threat to their identity/culture as well as what they called their homeland resulting in the outbreak of conflict in the region shortly after the end of WWI in 1918. The ten sions continued through 1945 when the United Nations was established and recommendations for a separate state put forward. By then, the number of Jews in the region had increased tremendously following the actions of the Nazi regime in Germany. Both sides of the divide have distinctive reasons for the positions they hold as far as the tension is concerned (Cleveland, 2004). The Israelites believe that the land was given to them by God as presented in the Torah. This has over time been made more complex by religious (Christian and Muslim) perspectives. Muslims, on the other hand, make reference to the Quran when claiming the same land. The Arabs argue that the land was to be inherited by all the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. In general, the strong convictions held by both Jews and Arabs are reinforced by sacred considerations. Origins and Main Motives for US Involvement in the Middle East The origins and motives for US involvement in the issues of the Middle East can be critically analyzed. Although the intervention of the US in the conflict-laden Middle East may be justified, it is evident that they had ulterior motives in their well calculated moves. As has been mentioned above, the British government was the only western power involved in the region as early as 1914. They were much interested in checking the supply of oil from the Arab world (Oren, 2008). During this time, America was less concerned as they focused on their southern counterparts, the Caribbean and East Asia to the west. It was the defeat of the Ottoman rule in the region that marked the beginning of US involvement especially during President Truman’s regime in 1945. First, American soldiers had strategically settled in Iran during WWII to protect oil as well as ease supply of military to the Soviet Union (MaCannon , 2008). Even after the end of the war, America continued to inhabit Iran on the one hand and demanding that Soviet Union leave the region on the other. In 1 953, Eisenhower, Truman’s successor, introduced tough policies for the Middle East. Mohammed who was the leader of parliament in Iran was overthrown by US military due to his opposition of western influence. This indicates that America had a lot of personal interest (controlling supply of oil) in the region in the name of promoting democracy. Eisenhower’s administration was much interested in the Middle East that it opposed the attack on Egypt by Britain, France and Israel. When John Kennedy came to power in 1961, he revised the Middle East policies which were hostile to the Arab nations but he strengthened ties with Israel (Sutton Vertigans, 2005). Successive administrations in the US were directly involved in the affairs of the Middle East with the sole interest of controlling the oil-producing regions. From the above discussion, US involvement in the Middle East had two primary objectives. First, the need to control oil reserves for economic exploitation by Ameri can corporations dealing with energy, arms producing industries, constructors, and huge returns of dollars to American treasury. Second, gaining control of this rich region ensures geo-political dominance of the US since access to oil energy and power (superiority) are positively correlated (Masatoshi, 2006). Third, to check on the growth of terrorist organizations which are highly associated with the Arab world (Oren, 2008). Despite the fact that America’s intervention in the Middle East may have helped regulate oil prices in the world and hence avoid recession, their motives of engagement are questionable. They have ended up supporting oppressive regimes at the detriment of democratic ideals which they purport to promote. This is one of the specific mistakes made by successive administrations in the US. However, the recent uprisings in the Arab world could be a strong indicator that the people cannot withstand the oppression any longer. Hence, America would want to disso ciate with such leaders with the goal of retaining control in this regions. Turkey: a model for developing nations? Many developing countries are still grappling with the dilemma of independence and influence from foreign developed countries. The experiences that Turkey as a nation has underwent are manifestations of what typical developing countries are capable of achieving. Turkey has emerged as a model for developing countries and plays a great role in dealing with contemporary issues such as secularization, westernization, and modernization. Western countries have regarded the events of 9/11 as marking the revival of Islam as well as the resurgence of fundamentalism and terrorist attacks. While most countries in the Middle East have characterized by influence of Islam in the regional politics, Turkey has influenced the least and hence not associated with Islamism (Formisano, 2005). Due to its strategic location, it has been regarded as link between western countries and the Mi ddle East, Asia and Europe, Europe and Middle East and most often between civilizations in the West and those in the Islamic world. Most researchers have verified these claims as being logical and factual. Turkey is historically known to be the first country outside Europe to transfer power from an Islamic empire to that of a completely secular nation-state (Formisano, 2005). Among the Muslim countries, it is the first to attain candidature for European Union (EU) membership in the modern world. Critics have however questioned the role of Turkey as a link upon gaining membership to the EU which has its own history, culture and identity. The efforts by Turkey to separate religion and state have helped it in its quest for modernization. The approaches adopted by Turkey have had both successes and failures as far as dealing with issues of westernization, modernization, and secularization are concerned (Formisano, 2005). It has made attempts to embrace economic and political values of the West and participate in the global platform of trade. From the above discussion, Turkey is a model since it has significant influence on the determination of the contemporary world especially the developing countries. Arab Nationalism versus Islamism The world is generally divided into distinct geographical locations. Similarly, these regions are occupied by people with unique cultural identities and beliefs. However, one culture can significantly influence another albeit sometimes with great resistance. Political forces and movements also play a great role in shaping people’s identities. There are significant differences between Arab nationalism and Islamism. Arab nationalism refers to the nationalist ideology advocated by the Arab world which centers on language, culture, literature, among other peculiar Arab civilizations (MaCannon, 2008). This force calls for the revival and political unity in the entire Arab region and is influenced partly by western values. Its or igin can be traced to the beginning of the 20th century when Ottoman Empire was defeated. Although this ideology declined in popularity, it regained prominence after the WWII. The most outstanding premise of this ideology is that all peoples living in countries located in the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Arabian Sea, form one nation characterized by the same language, religious convictions, historical and cultural heritage (Masatoshi, 2006). The Arab nationalism also aims to reduce if not eliminate the influence of western culture in the perceived Arab territory and hence asserting autonomy in all engagements. This force poses a threat to the leaders of some Arab countries who are known to rely on western support (MaCannon, 2008). Islamism, on the other hand, refers to an ideology which argues that Islam is a religion as well as a political system; a set of socio-economic, and cultural systems. It calls on all Muslims to embrace the original teachings which are traced to the 7 th century BC. It also advocates for a united political arrangement in the Arab world and is opposed to secularization. All activities in the Arab world, including Arab nationalism, have been inspired either directly or indirectly by Islam ideological and social values (Masatoshi, 2006). Despite the fact that both Arab nationalism and Islamism call for political unity in the Arab world, Islamism seems to be a stronger force due to its duality. Impact of Islam Resurgence on World History Since 1945 Islam has presented one of the most difficult challenges to the western world through what has come to be known as Muslim resurgence. The emergence of the resurgence has been traced to the short period after Prophet Muhammad’s departure (Sutton Vertigans, 2005). It is characterized by strong opposing to anyone or any ideologies that are perceived to contradict the teachings of Islam. The Muslim world has seen numerous ups and downs through the past 1,400 years. The impact on worl d history since 1945 has been notable especially in the 1970s and the first decade of the 21st century. The causes of Islam resurgence are quite clear. Islam has identified itself as both a religion and a blueprint upon which all political and social values should be firmly founded (Masatoshi, 2006). Those individuals who have acted in contravention of these provisions have been countered by uprisings and condemnation. The resurgence has continued to shape the nature of many Arab and other non-Islamic countries even in the face of defeat in 1967. In the 1970s, there was a cut in the supply of oil causing the prices to sky-rocket and hence eluding some sense of power in the world (Masatoshi, 2006). This forced many governments which ignored Islam to bow down to the pressure and encouraged religious teachings among the populace. The Iranian revolution of 1979 was also a major cause of the resurgence. The resurgence became a threat to the west since the proceeds obtained from the exp ensive oil were used to fund the movements during the 1970s (Sutton Vertigans, 2005). Another difficulty that made it difficult for the western countries to cope with the resurgence is the teaching of Islam values that were the exact opposite of was advocated by the west. There is a strong relationship between this movement and the increase in terrorist activities across the globe. Due to the teachings offered in educational institutions funded by Saudi Arabia, there have emerged religious extremists who are known to attack civilians and waging war on military targets (MaCannon, 2008). Many of the terrorist activities are based on the interpretation of Islam by these extremists. Islam and terrorism have mistakenly become synonyms. References Cleveland, W. H. (2004). A History Perspective of the Modern Middle East (3rd ed). Boulder, CO: Westview Plc. Formisano, R. P. (2005). â€Å"The Concept of Political Culture in Turkey.† Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 46: 31-37 G elvin, J. L. (2008). The Modern Middle East: A History (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. Khater, A. F. (ed.) (2011). Sources in the History of the Modern Middle East. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning MaCannon, J. (2008). World History: The Middle East. Barrons Educational Publishers Masatoshi, K. (2006). Popular uprisings and democracy in the Islamic world. Taylor Francis Oren, M. B. (2008). America involvement in the Middle East from 1776 to the present. W. W. Norton Co. Sutton, P. W. Vertigans, S. (2005). Understanding Islamic resurgence: a sociological approach. McGraw-Hill Plc. Telhami, S. (2004). America in the Middle East: power and peace (2nd ed). Westview Plc. This essay on Contemporary Middle East was written and submitted by user Kyr0n to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Does marketing create or satisfy needs is a very o Essays

Does marketing create or satisfy needs is a very o Essays Does marketing create or satisfy needs is a very openly interpreted question. To answer the question, one must first break down the difference between what a want and a need is. A want is something that is just a desire after seeing product placement. In an article, Julie Lynch states that "wants are shaped by our society" (Lynch, 2009) . She goes on later in the article to explain that "everyone can want something but only a few have the means to acquire it" (Lynch,2009) . A need to a person is an essential, a product that is pivotal for existence. Marketing is a very strategic business; placement, pricing, and promotion are all integral pieces in marketing. Companies place their products into consumer minds in two ways: direct line and subliminal marketing. Direct line placement can be referred to as commercials on television, magazine ads, celebrity endorsements. Having a celebrity get into a brand new high- end car, spray a fancy new cologne or perfume on themselves, or wear a brand name clothing brand is a way these companies use direct line marketing. Subliminal marketing is a bit more complex, this a way they can plant the idea of their products being something a consumer needs. Companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor target many consumers that do not exercise. They place their products on extremely fit athletes to show consumers that by wearing their products, the public can look like that, simply by purchasing those products. Cigarette companies target young consumers by having the "popular" smoke in their commercials, making the younger viewers and consumers want to purchase their product and become that "popular" person in the group. " Subliminal marketing can influence consumers to prefer your product if they don't already have a strong preference for a competing product " (Fisher,2017). To answer the question of does marketing create or satisfy needs, one must balance out their wants and needs. Spending the time to balance out those two and doing research makes one realize that companies create the want by making it seem like a need. Fisher , C. (2017, January 07). What Are Subliminal Perceptions in Marketing? Retrieved October 24, 2017, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/subliminal-perceptions-marketing-71802.html Lynch, J. E. (2009, April 05). How Does Marketing Create and Satisfy Consumer Needs? Retrieved October 24, 2017, from http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Does-Marketing-Create-and-Satisfy-Consumer-Needs?id=2186483

Racial Profiling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Racial Profiling - Essay Example Using racial profiling as a law enforcement tactic can be considered as unjust discrimination since it applies to specific people. This restricts the privacy and freedom of movement by individuals from this particular race. The USA receives thousands of immigrants from other countries and regions, but Latinos and blacks are the majority of deportees. After the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington, Muslim communities in USA have been targeted by security agencies in USA. The equality principle provides the moral and legal assertion that all citizens are equal and require equal treatment from the law. All people are therefore supposed to enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and welfare regardless of race or social status. Muslims in USA are arbitrarily arrested or stopped by police officers on suspicion of engagement in terror activities. In airports, they are subjected to thorough security checks, which are not conducted on ordinary Americans. The FBI has shortlisted several Muslims, and they are on constant surveillance (Jamal and Naber, 2008). This causes discrimination of Muslims by citizens and the law enforcement officers. However, racial profiling of Muslims has helped the FBI and the police identify several potential terrorist within the country. This has helped prevent other attacks and paralyze the operation of terroris t cells in

Smokers Avoidance to Pay Cigarette Taxes Personal Statement

Smokers Avoidance to Pay Cigarette Taxes - Personal Statement Example Then he only pays 10 cents. This is tax evasion. And it is illegal. Tax avoidance on the other hand is when a person chooses legal means to pay less tax. For example, New York City charges 10 cents per box of cigarettes. However, in Austin, Texas, for example, the cigarette tax is only 1 cent per box. A person avoiding tax would rather buy cigarettes in Austin than in New York City. This is legal. He does not falsify anything. He does not under-declare amounts. Now it is understandable that people avoids tax. People want to save money. They would look for places where they can buy things less expensively. That is but natural. And they could not be faulted for that. They cannot be blamed if they look for places who charges lower taxes and buy their cigarettes there. And they cannot be blamed if they choose methods to limit the taxes they pay as long as they do it legally. Now, with the problem of the city losing revenue, I think it can be addressed by formulating better regulatory policies. They could promote effective prevention of smuggling of cigarettes, limit mail-order purchases. They could also be stricter in enforcing licenses and they could punish unlicensed vendors and those that violate the law. Â  

Master Project Specification Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Master Project Specification - Coursework Example Outline of the Project Environment Most of the developing countries are in the preliminary phases of putting into operation the electronic government to get better public sector services. The same is the case with the Sultanate of Oman, has established Information Technology Authority (ITA) in 2006 in order to establish/implement the National information technology infrastructure through planning and executing IT projects. While, it must be ensured that these projects are aligned with Digital Oman Strategy and ITA Policy through close supervision of these projects. The ITA has a mandate to the people of Oman in ensuring secured information to its citizens. The Sultanate currently faces a number challenges in offering efficient and timely services. To solve this problem, the Sultanate of Oman is keen to integrate its processes in order to deliver services to its people in more efficient and effective manner. Therefore, it has been planned that the services or the business processes of the public sector organizations would be automated first before providing these services to the public. Therefore, our client ITA is initiating project titled â€Å"E-Enablement of Public Sector Organizations and Provision of Services to the People of Oman†. The E-Government initiative is an integral part of ITA’s approved ITA Policy and Digital Oman Strategy. The objectives of the E-Government Program are laid down: Increase Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Government Increase Transparency and Accountability in decision making Enhance delivery of public services to Citizens efficiently and effectively In order to achieve these objectives, this IT project has been envisaged and would be executed. The current project focuses on the above objectives in order to achieve satisfaction of public. To complement this, the current project includes the provision of enhanced IT infrastructure and support. This provision will help bringing improvements in the efficiency of pub lic sector offices. 2. Description of the Problem to be Solved and its Background: E-Government information has allowed effective communication between departments, employees and citizens coupled with better service delivery and responsiveness of governments. Nevertheless, the internet and mobile phone services have engendered a paradigm shift of how governments can deliver services effectively and efficiently. E-government and m-government services have popularized especially in the third world countries as a means of pacing up with the developed world. Various research studies have explored that how the government and the people of Sultanate of Oman have embraced e-government services.

Genetic Engineering: Ethics Essay

Genetic Engineering: Ethics Essay Genetic Engineering is all about genes, which are made of DNA; the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms. It is a very broad term that covers a range of techniques that allow for the artificial addition, deletion or rearrangement of sequences of bases in DNA in order to alter the observable form and function of an organism. (Science Group, 2014). Genetic Engineering was first discovered in the 1970s when scientist discovered how to move pieces of genetic material from one species to another. It has since had questions raised regarding its continuous scientific advancements; showing uncertainty in how this kind of biotechnology will affect human, animal and plant life in the future. While the continuous advancements within the field of genetic engineering are celebrated by some, there are others who are undecided and even strongly against it; deeming such practices as therapeutic uses of embryonic stem cells and the gen etic modification of animals to be wholly unethical. The way in which society deems something to right or wrong, or good or bad is through a system of moral principles known as ethics. Ethics are defined as moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity and are a system of moral principles which affects how people make decisions and lead their lives. This branch of philosophy defines what is good for individuals and society. (BBC, 2014). For centuries, philosophers have come up with guidelines about how humans should live, act and know between what is right and what is wrong. These are usually in the form of ethical theories. (Panza and Potthast, 2014). Ethics have been implemented as a moral compass for humanity and applied to various situations as a way of informing the way humans think to support the more difficult decisions that are made in life. On such ethical theory, known as Utilitarianism, an ethical theory that was founded by the 18th century philosopher and social reformer Jeremy Bentham who is currently known as the father of modern Utilitarianism. This theory is best understood as a risk-benefit analysis in which the good brought about by a certain action is weighed against the harm caused by that action. It was Bentham (1789) who quoted that Utilitarianism is about â€Å"the greatest good for the greatest number† and should be the measure of what is right and wrong. Another ethical theory that ca n be applied to ‘Saviour Siblings’ is Kantian Ethics. Kantian Ethics refers to a deontological ethical theory founded by scientist and philosopher Immanuel Kant. His theory differs from the utilitarian theory that it focuses more on the actual action and the morality of the action as opposed to its consequences. One such medical practice that has proved to be controversial is ‘Saviour Siblings’. The term Saviour Sibling refers to a child that is conceived though In vitro fertilization (IVF) so that, when born, stem cells could be provided from the umbilical cord – as well as tissue or bone marrow – and then donated to be used to help treat an older sibling with a serious medical condition. (Embryo Ethics, 2014). This has raised a lot of debate as to whether such a process is ethical. The ethical theory Utilitarianism can be applied to this type of genetic engineering as it is the basis on which the decision is made by the parents; that creating a saviour sibling is, as Bentham (1789) says, â€Å"the greatest good for the greatest number of people†, in that they are bringing a new life into the world, that they can love for doing something for their sibling that no one else can. There are many who are against this, however. It is argued that there are concern s for the child psychological wellbeing later in life, upon discovering that the reason for their being brought into the world was for the sole purpose of saving someone else and not necessarily because they were wanted for him/herself. (Sheldon and Wilkinson, 2004). In terms of Kantian Ethics, there are two similar cases of ‘Saviour Siblings’ in the UK to which this theory can be applied. The cases are those of the Hashmi family and Whitaker family. (BBC 2004). Both families had children had genetic disorders and wanted to produce a sibling who’s blood could be taken from the umbilical cord to help cure their elder sibling. The Hashmis were granted permission to do this, however, the Whitakers were not. The reason being is that the Hashmis carried an inherited disorder that could be passed on to their child, so screening would prevent a new child with a genetic defect being born. Whereas, the Whitakers genetic disorder was not inherited, thus the production of a new child would not be beneficial and would even carry some risk. Kantian theory would disagree with this decision as it could be argued that the potential embryo was not yet human and therefore had no human rights. In addition, others could be against the Hashmis as they could have been seen as using their new child as a means to an end. When it comes to Saviour Siblings, it is the responsibility of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) – a public body of the Department of Health – to regulate and decide whether the deliberate creation of a saviour sibling is the right thing in each individual case. There is always an ethical dilemma in terms of the child’s rights and autonomy, i.e. when does the child gain rights over their own body? And will they ever have the right to refuse donations; going against the very reason they were brought into the world? There may come a time when the elder sibling may relapse and need further an organ donation from the younger sibling. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (2008) states that cells from the umbilical cord may be used, and bone marrow to be donated, however, it outlaws tissue matching for whole organ donations. Therefore, once the child has reached the age of 18, they are legally responsible for themselves and can refuse furthe r donations. Another medical practice that has raised serious debate is the Xenotransplantation of genetic engineered animals. Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of cells, tissue or organs from one species to another. â€Å"Xeno-† derives from the Greek word ‘xenos’, meaning ‘foreign’. (Martin, 2008). Xenotransplantation offers the potential of transplanting an animal organ, such as a pig’s heart genetically altered with human genes, into a human’s body. The ethical theory Utilitarianism can also be applied in this instance as it is believed that xenotransplantation has the potential to one day not only solve the present organ donor shortage, but also to help address many devastating illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, childhood diabetes and Huntington’s disease. (Olakanmi, 2006). This conforms with the utilitarian theory that happiness can be maximised to a greater number of people. However, ethical arguments against this su ggest that there is considerable risk for infection and for patients to later reject the transplant due to genetic differences, thus potentially causing more harm than good. In contrast, Kantian Ethics can be applied by using Kant’s notion that humans should do what is intrinsically right and not make decisions based on emotions and feelings. In terms of xenotransplantation, it is deemed morally right to use animals this way as animals are not self-conscious or rational so, therefore, they have no moral standing and exist only as a means to an end. However, it is believed that because our behaviour towards animals is similar to that of humans, animals must be treated with respect. Thus, the killing of animals for medical experimentation is permitted, providing animals don’t suffer unnecessarily. Such theories raise the issue of animal rights by modern day advocates such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who deem the act of using animals for the benefit of human beings as unethical. When talking about animal rights, Jeremy Bentham (1789) says; â€Å"The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? But, can they suffer?† However, he goes on to say that he has no objection to putting animals in pain for the purpose of medical experiments, providing that experiment is beneficial to mankind. In conclusion, Genetic Engineering is something that is continuously advancing and could potentially save thousands of lives. It is part of the evolution of mankind to want to develop, be smarter, and be stronger and healthier. There will also be those who feel it is best to leave some things untouched. Despite all the advancements and improvements, there will always be controversy surrounding genetic engineering and there will always be people for and against it. However, ethical theories will always be the moral compass that guides humanity into doing what is right and preventing what is wrong. Kantian ethics and Utilitarian ethics are examples of ethical theories that give different answers to which different procedures are ethically justifiable. Utilitarianism looks at the consequences of an action, whilst Kantian ethics looks at the act itself.

Indian Ghost Story Essay -- essays research papers

It was February in the year 1991 when I had my experience with a ghost. I was 17 years old at the time. One Saturday evening in Phoenix, my high school was having a basketball game, and afterward my cousin and I left the school gymnasium at around 10 p.m. My cousin is from Tohono O’dham, and I was going to spend the weekend with my aunt’s family. Like myself, my aunt is Yaqui. She married a Tohono O’dham man some years ago and had two kids. One is my cousin. We got on Interstate 10 and then switched on to South Highway 15 for the drive to the town of Sells on the Tohono O’dham Reservation. About 40 minutes into our drive, we were deep in the desert. Because my car needed new tires, I had to drive just below the speed limit. The treads were just about completely worn out. I guess I had the type of car that we Indians call an â€Å"Indian car.† It was a pretty beat-up looking car, but it got me where I wanted to go. Anyway, there we were, driving in the middle of the desert with the CD player going, and the darkness all around. Suddenly, a large javelina crossed the road, and I hit that wild pig with a big old â€Å"bang!† I didn’t have time to think about stepping on the brakes, because one second there was just the road before us, and the next there was this javelina. I knew we had some big trouble with the car, because the radiator began to hiss, and steam began pouring out. I immediately drove to the side of the road and stopped the car to check on the damage. Sure enough, that animal had hit the front grill head-on, and a piece of metal had punctured my car’s radiator. Directly behind the car in the darkness e could hear the pig loudly squealing. It was a weird experience to be alone at night in the desert and to hear ... ...e before dawn, we were awakened by a truck with two guys who were headed for Sells. They sure did give us a good scare when they knocked on the car’s window, but soon we were introducing ourselves, and they offered to take us home. The guys told us they were artists driving from California. They were on a photography trip, taking pictures of the desert and Indians for an art project. We tied one end of a rope to the back of their truck and the other end to the front of our car, and they towed us home. We never mentioned our experience with the ghost the night before. But when we did get home that morning, we told my aunt and her family everything. Everyone agreed that what we had experienced was the ghost of an Indian from the spirit world. Since my encounter with that ghost, I’ve decided, if at all possible, never to drive at night through the desert again.