Sherron Watkins And Enron Case Analysis - 1880 Words

Sherron Watkins and Enron Mylissa Hess I have chosen to write a response to the questions assigned that exposes Sherron Watkins’s experiences at Enron and the events leading to her Time Magazine â€Å"Persons of the Year† 2002 nomination. Watkins was Vice President of Enron Corporation who alerted then-CEO Ken Lay in August 2001 to accounting irregularities within the company. Some biography information regarding Ms. Watkins, who entered employment with Enron in late 1993, was initially employed to work for Andrew Fastow. Her role was to manage Enron’s $1 billion-plus portfolio of energy related investments, a position that she held for just a little of over 3 years. In 1997 she transferred to Enron’s international group focusing primarily on mergers and acquisitions of energy assets around the world. In 2001 after having spent a year in Enron’s broadband unit she went back to work for Mr. Fastow where he was responsible for the mergers and acquisitions group of Enron Corp. It was not un til November 2002 that Ms. Watkins resigned from Enron, almost a year after Enron filed for bankruptcy that lead to financial devastation. How did Watkins become aware of the financial reporting problems within the Enron Company? In 2001, after almost eight years with Enron, returned to work for Andrew Fastow, Enron’s chief financial officer (CFO), on a special assignment. These assignment was to estimate the economic effect of potential sales of some of Enron’s assets. This special assignment wasShow MoreRelatedPower Failure : The Inside Story Of The Collapse Of Enron980 Words   |  4 PagesGeneral: Power Failure: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Enron, Mimi Swartz and Sherron Watkins, 432 pages, March 25, 2003, Crown Publishing Group, ISBN: 978-0-767-91368-3 Authors: The book is written by two authors: Mimi Swartz and Sherron Watkins. Mimi Swartz is a journalist who graduated from Hampshire College. She has written for many publications. Her work has been included in Slate, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and the New York Times. Currently, she serves asRead MorePower Failure : The Inside Story Of The Collapse Of Enron1837 Words   |  8 PagesGeneral Power Failure: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Enron, Mimi Swartz and Sherron Watkins, 432 pages, March 25, 2003, Crown Publishing Group, ISBN: 978-0-767-91368-3 Authors The book is written by two authors: Mimi Swartz and Sherron Watkins. Mimi Swartz is a journalist who graduated from Hampshire College. She has written for many publications. Her work has been included in Slate, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and the New York Times. Currently, she serves as an executiveRead MoreJaclyn Givens. Kathy Osburn. Management 101. 5/8/17. The1400 Words   |  6 PagesJaclyn Givens Kathy Osburn Management 101 5/8/17 The Enron Era â€Å"Just as character matters in people, it matters in organizations,† says Justin Schultz, a corporate psychologist in Denver. The Enron scandal had a big exposure in 2001 confirming the big secret to the increase in billions. In July 1985, Enron formed the merger of Houston Natural Gas and Omaha-based Inter North. The Enron corporation was an American energy company based in Houston Texas. The corporation’s catastrophe in 2001 signifiesRead MoreEnron Was A Successful Multi Billion Dollar Company1555 Words   |  7 PagesEnron was a company that operated one of the largest natural gas transmissions networks in North America. At the top of its game, Enron was a successful multi-billion dollar company that marketed electricity and natural gas. Enron also provided financial and risk management services to consumers around the globe. Because of its success, Enron left many people astonished when it declared bankruptcy in December 2001. Twenty thousand employees were left without jobs and most had lost their entireRead MoreFinancial Performance, Reward And Ethical Behaviors Within The World Of Business782 Words   |  4 Pagesvariables. A person who understands how to shift costs for the short term benefit or long term benefit in order to survive and be profitable. The understanding of this trait is invaluable. In the banking industry, Chase uses this tool in order to analysis and comprehends who are the least profit makers for the bank. ( Mowen, M. (2010). Secondly, Sigma and Design (DFSS) uses together with various other accounting methods to determine the various to inform the maker of producing good quality whileRead MoreThe Rise And Fall Of Enron1008 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Enron began as an energy company in 1985. After the deregulation of oil and gas in the U.S., Enron lost its’ exclusive rights to natural gas pipelines. The CEO, Kenneth Lay then hired a consulting firm to reinvent the company in order to make up lost profits. He hired Jeffery Skilling, who was in banking, specifically; asset and liability management. Under the topic â€Å"The Beginning Presages the End†, C. William Thomas (2002) writes: â€Å"Thanks to the young consultant, the company createdRead MoreEnron Case Study2596 Words   |  11 PagesEnron a Case Study Enron, once known as the worldwide leader in energy trading, began as a natural gas pipeline company. â€Å"At its peak, Enron brokered up to 20 percent of America’s energy transactions. These included basic contracts to deliver natural gas from wells to pipelines for distribution to homes, contracts for the purchase of electrical power facility out port, and more complex financial contracts, which allowed power companies to manage price and market risk† (Ackman)Read MoreCase Study: Accounting for Enron4415 Words   |  18 Pagesï » ¿ Case Study 9 Kim Chau California Southern University MKT 86519 Dec 19, 2014 N. Papazian Accounting for Enron Introduction In the case of Accounting for Enron, the case concerned one of the largest corporate bankruptcies in the US history at the turn of the 21st century. It was Enron Corporation, a one time seventh largest most successful US company, sixth largest energy company in the world, valued at over $70 Billion; they filed for chapter 11 on December 2, 2001. Just the year beforeRead MoreAccountant Responsibility1863 Words   |  8 Pagescommunicate financial information for various entities such as companies, individual clients, and Federal, State, and local governments. The provide accurate information to clients by preparing, analyzing, and verifying financial documents, budget analysis, financial and investment planning, information technology consulting, and limited legal services. They analyze and communicate financial information for various entities such as companies, individual clients, and Federal, State, and local governmentsRead MoreLegal Issue-Enron1774 Words   |  8 PagesLegal I ssue in Business: The Case of Enron [Name of the Writer] [Name of the Institution] Legal Issue in Business: The Case of Enron Introduction Business ethics is based on normative ethics , standards that ethics are upheld and applied specific to distinguish what is right or wrong, that is to say what should be done or who should not be fact. However, with few exceptions, business ethicists are usually less interested in the foundations of ethics (meta-ethics) or by the principles

The Vampire Diaries Dark Reunion Chapter Six Free Essays

Vickie’s house was on a corner, and they approached it from the side street. By now the sky was filled with heavy purple clouds. The light had an almost underwater quality. We will write a custom essay sample on The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Six or any similar topic only for you Order Now â€Å"Looks like it’s going to storm,† Matt said. Bonnie glanced at Damon. Neither he nor Stefan liked bright light. And she could feel the Power emanating from him, like a low thrum just under the surface of his skin. He smiled without looking at her and said, â€Å"How about snow in June?† Bonnie clamped down on a shiver. She had looked Damon’s way once or twice in the barn and found him listening to the story with an air of detached indifference. Unlike Stefan, his expression hadn’t changed in the slightest when she mentioned Elena-or when she told about Sue’s death. What did he really feel for Elena? He’d called up a snowstorm once and left her to freeze in it. What was he feeling now? Did he even care about catching the murderer? â€Å"That’s Vickie’s bedroom,† said Meredith. â€Å"The bay window in the back.† Stefan looked at Damon. â€Å"How many people in the house?† â€Å"Two. Man and woman. The woman’s drunk.† Poor Mrs. Bennett, thought Bonnie. â€Å"I need them both asleep,† Stefan said. In spite of herself, Bonnie was fascinated by the surge of Power she felt from Damon. Her psychic abilities had never been strong enough to sense its raw essence before, but now they were. Now she could feel it as clearly as she could see the fading violet light or smell the honeysuckle outside Vickie’s window. Damon shrugged. â€Å"They’re asleep.† Stefan tapped lightly on the glass. There was no response, or at least none Bonnie could see. But Stefan and Damon looked at each other. â€Å"She’s half tranced already,† Damon said. â€Å"She’s scared. I’ll do it; she knows me,† said Stefan. He put his fingertips on the window. â€Å"Vickie, it’s Stefan Salvatore,† he said. â€Å"I’m here to help you. Come let me in.† His voice was quiet, nothing that should have been heard on the other side of the glass. But after a moment the curtains stirred and a face appeared. Bonnie gasped aloud. Vickie’s long, light brown hair was disheveled, and her skin was chalky. There were huge black rings under her eyes. The eyes themselves were fixed and glassy. Her lips were rough and chapped. â€Å"She looks possessed,† Bonnie whispered back, unnerved. Stefan just said, â€Å"Vickie, open the window.† Mechanically, like a windup doll, Vickie cranked one of the side panels of the bay window open, and Stefan said, â€Å"Can I come in?† Vickie’s glazed eyes swept over the group outside. For a moment Bonnie thought she didn’t recognize any of them. But then she blinked and said slowly, â€Å"Meredith†¦ Bonnie†¦ Stefan? You’re back. What are you doing here?† â€Å"Ask me in, Vickie.† Stefan’s voice was hypnotic. â€Å"Stefan†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There was a long pause and then: â€Å"Come in.† She stepped back as he put a hand on the sill and vaulted through. Matt followed him, then Meredith. Bonnie, who was wearing a mini, re-mained outside with Damon. She wished she’d worn jeans to school today, but then she hadn’t known she’d be going on an expedition. â€Å"You shouldn’t be here,† Vickie said to Stefan, almost calmly. â€Å"He’s coming to get me. He’ll get you too.† Meredith put an arm around her. Stefan just said, â€Å"Who?† â€Å"Him. He comes to me in my dreams. He killed Sue.† Vickie’s matter-of-fact tone was more frightening than any hysteria could have been. â€Å"Vickie, we’ve come to help you,† Meredith said gently. â€Å"Everything’s going to be all right now. We won’t let him hurt you, I promise.† Vickie swung around to stare at her. She looked Meredith up and down as if Meredith had suddenly changed into something unbelievable. Then she began to laugh. It was awful, a hoarse burst of mirth like a hacking cough. It went on and on until Bonnie wanted to cover her ears. Finally Stefan said, â€Å"Vickie, stop it.† The laughter died into something like sobs, and when Vickie lifted her head again, she looked less glassy eyed but more genuinely upset. â€Å"You’re all going to die, Stefan,† she said, shaking her head. â€Å"No one can fight him and live.† â€Å"We need to know about him so we can fight him. We need your help,† Stefan said. â€Å"Tell me what he looks like.† â€Å"I can’t see him in my dreams. He’s just a shadow without a face.† Vickie whispered it, her shoulders hunching. â€Å"But you saw him at Caroline’s house,† Stefan said insistently. â€Å"Vickie, listen to me,† he added as the girl turned away sharply. â€Å"I know you’re frightened, but this is important, more important than you can understand. We can’t fight him unless we know what we’re up against, and you are the only one, the only one right now who has the information we need. You have to help us.† Stefan’s voice was unyielding. â€Å"I have a way to help you remember,† he said. â€Å"Will you let me try?† Seconds crawled by, then Vickie gave a long, bubbling sigh, her body sagging. â€Å"Do whatever you want,† she said indifferently. â€Å"I don’t care. It won’t make any difference.† â€Å"You’re a brave girl. Now look at me, Vickie. I want you to relax. Just look at me and relax.† Stefan’s voice dropped to a lulling murmur. It went on for a few minutes, and then Vickie’s eyes drooped shut. â€Å"Sit down.† Stefan guided her to sit on the bed. He sat beside her, looking into her face. â€Å"Vickie, you feel calm and relaxed now. Nothing you remember will hurt you,† he said, his voice soothing. â€Å"Now, I need you to go back to Saturday night. You’re upstairs, in the master bedroom of Caroline’s house. Sue Carson is with you, and someone else. I need you to see-â€Å" â€Å"No!† Vickie twisted back and forth as if trying to escape something. â€Å"No! I can’t -â€Å" â€Å"Vickie, calm down. He won’t hurt you. He can’t see you, but you can see him. Listen to me.† As Stefan spoke, Vickie’s whimpers quieted. But she still thrashed and writhed. â€Å"You need to see him, Vickie. Help us fight him. What does he look like?† â€Å"He looks like the devil!† It was almost a scream. Meredith sat on Vickie’s other side and took her hand. She looked out through the window at Bonnie, who looked back wide eyed and shrugged slightly. Bonnie had no idea what Vickie was talking about. â€Å"Tell me more,† Stefan said evenly. Vickie’s mouth twisted. Her nostrils were flared as if she were smelling something awful. When she spoke, she got out each word separately, as if they were making her sick. â€Å"He wears†¦ an old raincoat. It flaps around his legs in the wind. He makes the wind blow. His hair is blond. Almost white. It stands up all over his head. His eyes are so blue-electric blue.† Vickie licked her lips and swallowed, looking nauseated. â€Å"Blue is the color of death.† Thunder rumbled and cracked in the sky. Damon glanced up quickly, then frowned, eyes narrowed. â€Å"He’s tall. And he’s laughing. He’s reaching for me, laughing. But Sue screams ‘No, no’ and tries to pull me away. So he takes her instead. The window’s broken, and the balcony is right there. Sue’s crying ‘No, please.’ And then I watch him-I watch him throw her†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Vickie’s breath was hitching, her voice rising hysterically. â€Å"Oh, please, no-Sue! Sue! Sue!† â€Å"Vickie, stay with me. Listen. I need just one more thing. Look at him. Tell me if he’s wearing a blue jewel-â€Å" But Vickie was whipping her head back and forth, sobbing, more hysterical each second. â€Å"No! No! I’m next! I’m next!† Suddenly, her eyes sprang open as she came out of the trance by herself, choking and gasping. Then her head jerked around. On the wall, a picture was rattling. It was picked up by the bamboo-framed mirror, then by perfume bottles and lipsticks on the dresser below. With a sound like popcorn, earrings began bursting from an earring tree. The rattling got louder and louder. A straw hat fell off a hook. Photos were showering down from the mirror. Tapes and CDs sprayed out of a rack and onto the floor like playing cards being dealt. Meredith was on her feet and so was Matt, fists clenched. â€Å"Make it stop! Make it stop!† Vickie cried wildly. But it didn’t stop. Matt and Meredith looked around as new objects joined the dance. Everything movable was shaking, jittering, swaying. It was as if the room were caught in an earthquake. â€Å"Stop! Stop!† shrieked Vickie, her hands over her ears. Directly above the house thunder exploded. Bonnie jumped violently as she saw the zigzag of lightning shoot across the sky. Instinctively she grabbed for something to hang on to. As the lightning bolt flared a poster on Vickie’s wall tore diagonally as if slashed by a phantom knife. Bonnie choked back a scream and clutched tighter. Then, as quickly as if someone had flicked a power switch off, all the noise stopped. Vickie’s room was still. The fringe on the bedside lamp swayed slightly. The poster had curled up in two irregular pieces, top and bottom. Slowly, Vickie lowered her hands from her ears. Matt and Meredith looked around rather shakily. Bonnie shut her eyes and murmured something like a prayer. It wasn’t until she opened them again that she realized what she had been hanging on to. It was the supple coolness of a leather jacket. It was Damon’s arm. He hadn’t moved away from her, though. He didn’t move now. He was leaning forward slightly, eyes narrowed, watching the room intently. â€Å"Look at the mirror,† he said. On the glass surface of the bamboo mirror two words were scrawled in Vickie’s hot coral lipstick. Goodnight, Sweetheart. â€Å"Oh, God,† Bonnie whispered. Stefan turned from the mirror to Vickie. There was something different about him, Bonnie thought-he was holding himself relaxed but poised, like a soldier who’s just gotten confirmation of a battle. It was as if he’d accepted a personal challenge of some kind. He took something out of his back pocket and unfolded it, revealing sprigs of a plant with long green leaves and tiny lilac flowers. â€Å"This is vervain, fresh vervain,† he said quietly, his voice even and intense. â€Å"I picked it outside Florence; it’s blooming there now.† He took Vickie’s hand and pressed the packet into it. â€Å"I want you to hold on to this and keep it. Put some in every room of the house, and hide pieces somewhere in your parents’ clothes if you can, so they’ll have it near them. As long as you have this with you, he can’t take over your mind. He can scare you, Vickie, but he can’t make you do anything, like open a window or door for him. And listen, Vickie, because this is important.† Vickie was shivering, her face crumpled. Stefan took both her hands and made her look at him, speaking slowly and distinctly. â€Å"If I’m right, Vickie, he can’t get in unless you let him. So talk to your parents. Tell them it’s important that they don’t ask any stranger inside the house. In fact, I can have Damon put that suggestion in their mind right now.† He glanced at Damon, who shrugged slightly and nodded, looking as if his attention was somewhere else. Self-consciously, Bonnie removed her hand from his jacket. Vickie’s head was bent over the vervain. â€Å"He’ll get in somehow,† she said softly, with terrible certainty. â€Å"No. Vickie, listen to me. From now on, we’re going to watch your house; we’re going to be waiting for him.† â€Å"It doesn’t matter,† Vickie said. â€Å"You can’t stop him.† She began to laugh and cry at the same time. â€Å"We’re going to try,† Stefan said. He looked at Meredith and Matt, who nodded. â€Å"Right. From this moment on, you will never be alone. There will always be one or more of us outside watching you.† Vickie just shook her bent head. Meredith gave her arm a squeeze and stood as Stefan tilted his head toward the window. When she and Matt joined him there, Stefan spoke to all of them in a low voice. â€Å"I don’t want to leave her unguarded, but I can’t stay myself right now. There’s something I have to do, and I need one of the girls with me. On the other hand, I don’t want to leave either Bonnie or Meredith alone here.† He turned to Matt. â€Å"Matt, will you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Everyone looked at him, startled. â€Å"Well, it’s the logical solution, isn’t it?† Damon seemed amused. â€Å"After all, what do you expect one of them to do against him anyway?† â€Å"They can call for me. I can monitor their thoughts that far,† Stefan said, not giving one inch. â€Å"Well,† Damon said whimsically, â€Å"I can call for you too, little brother, if I get into trouble. I’m getting bored with this investigation of yours anyway. I might as well stay here as anywhere.† â€Å"Vickie needs to be protected, not abused,† Stefan said. Damon’s smile was charming. â€Å"Her?† He nodded toward the girl who sat on the bed, rocking over the vervain. From disheveled hair to bare feet, Vickie was not a pretty picture. â€Å"Take my word for it, brother, I can do better than that.† For just an instant Bonnie thought those dark eyes flicked sideways toward her. â€Å"You’re always saying how you’d like to trust me, anyway,† Damon added. â€Å"Here’s your chance to prove it.† Stefan looked as if he wanted to trust, as if he were tempted. He also looked suspicious. Damon said nothing, merely smiled in that taunting, enigmatic way. Practically asking to be mistrusted, Bonnie thought. The two brothers stood looking at each other while the silence and the tension stretched out between them. Just then Bonnie could see the family resemblance in their faces, one serious and intense, the other bland and faintly mocking, but both inhumanly beautiful. Stefan let his breath out slowly. â€Å"All right,† he said quietly at last. Bonnie and Matt and Meredith were all staring at him, but he didn’t seem to notice. He spoke to Damon as if they were the only two people there. â€Å"You stay here, outside the house where you won’t be seen. I’ll come back and take over when I’m finished with what I’m doing.† Meredith’s eyebrows were in her hair, but she made no comment. Neither did Matt. Bonnie tried to quell her own feelings of unease. Stefan must know what he’s doing, she told herself. Anyway, he’d better. â€Å"Don’t take too long,† Damon said dismissively. And that was how they left it, with Damon blending in with the darkness in the shadow of the black walnut trees in Vickie’s backyard and Vickie herself in her room, rocking endlessly. In the car, Meredith said, â€Å"Where next?† â€Å"I need to test a theory,† said Stefan briefly. â€Å"That the killer is a vampire?† Matt said from the back, where he sat with Bonnie. Stefan glanced at him sharply. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"That’s why you told Vickie not to invite anyone in,† Meredith added, not to be outdone in the reasoning department. Vampires, Bonnie remembered, couldn’t enter a place where humans lived and slept unless they were invited. â€Å"And that’s why you asked if the man was wearing a blue stone.† â€Å"An amulet against daylight,† Stefan said, spreading his right hand. On the third finger there was a silver ring set with lapis lazuli. â€Å"Without one of these, direct exposure to the sun kills us. If the murderer is a vampire, he keeps a stone like this somewhere on him.† As if by instinct, Stefan reached up to briefly touch something under his T-shirt. After a moment Bonnie realized what it must be. Elena’s ring. Stefan had given it to her in the first place, and after she died he’d taken it to wear on a chain around his neck. So that part of her would be with him always, he’d said. When Bonnie looked at Matt beside her, she saw his eyes were closed. â€Å"So how can we tell if he’s a vampire?† Meredith asked. â€Å"There’s only one way I can think of, and it isn’t very pleasant. But it’s got to be done.† Bonnie’s heart sank. If Stefan thought it wasn’t very pleasant, she was sure she was going to find it even less so. â€Å"What is it?† she said unenthusiastically. â€Å"I need to get a look at Sue’s body.† There was dead silence. Even Meredith, normally so unflappable, looked appalled. Matt turned away, leaning his forehead against the window glass. â€Å"You’ve got to be kidding,† Bonnie said. â€Å"I wish I were.† â€Å"But-for God’s sake, Stefan. We can’t. They won’t let us. I mean, what are we going to say? ‘Excuse me while I examine this corpse for holes’?† â€Å"Bonnie, stop it,† Meredith said. â€Å"I can’t help it,† Bonnie snapped back shakily. â€Å"It’s an awful idea. And besides, the police already checked her body. There wasn’t a mark on it except the cuts she got in the fall.† â€Å"The police don’t know what to look for,† Stefan said. His voice was steely. Hearing it brought something home to Bonnie, something she tended to forget. Stefan was one of them. One of the hunters. He’d seen dead people before. He might even have killed some. He drinks blood, she thought, and shuddered. â€Å"Well?† said Stefan. â€Å"Are you still with me?† Bonnie tried to make herself small in the backseat. Meredith’s hands were tight on the steering wheel. It was Matt who spoke, turning back from the window. Bonnie tried to make herself small in the backseat. Meredith’s hands were tight on the steering wheel. It was Matt who spoke, turning back from the window. â€Å"There’s a viewing of the body from seven to ten at the funeral home,† Meredith added, her voice low. â€Å"We’ll have to wait until after the viewing, then. After they close the funeral home, when we can be alone with her,† said Stefan. â€Å"This is the most gruesome thing I’ve ever had to do,† Bonnie whispered wretchedly. The funeral chapel was dark and cold. Stefan had sprung the locks on the outside door with a thin piece of flexible metal. The viewing room was thickly carpeted, its walls covered with somber oak panels. It would have been a depressing place even with the lights on. In the dark it seemed close and suffocating and crowded with grotesque shapes. It looked as if someone might be crouching behind each of the many standing flower arrangements. â€Å"I don’t want to be here,† Bonnie moaned. â€Å"Let’s just get it over with, okay?† Matt said through his teeth. When he snapped the flashlight on, Bonnie looked anywhere but where it was pointing. She didn’t want to see the coffin, she didn’t. She stared at the flowers, at a heart made of pink roses. Outside, thunder grumbled like a sleeping animal. â€Å"Let me get this open-here,† Stefan was saying. In spite of her resolve not to, Bonnie looked. The casket was white, lined with pale pink satin. Sue’s blond hair shone against it like the hair of a sleeping princess in a fairy tale. But Sue didn’t look as if she were sleeping. She was too pale, too still. Like a waxwork. Bonnie crept closer, her eyes fixed on Sue’s face. That’s why it’s so cold in here, she told herself staunchly. To keep the wax from melting. It helped a little. Stefan reached down to touch Sue’s high-necked pink blouse. He undid the top button. â€Å"For God’s sake,† Bonnie whispered, outraged. â€Å"What do you think we’re here for?† Stefan hissed back. But his fingers paused on the second button. Bonnie watched a minute and then made her decision. â€Å"Get out of the way,† she said, and when Stefan didn’t move immediately, she gave him a shove. Meredith drew up close to her and they formed a phalanx between Sue and the boys. Their eyes met with understanding. If they had to actually remove the blouse, the guys were going out. Bonnie undid the small buttons while Meredith held the light. Sue’s skin felt as waxy as it looked, cool against her fingertips. Awkwardly, she folded the blouse back to reveal a lacy white slip. Then she made herself push Sue’s shining gold hair off the pale neck. The hair was stiff with spray. â€Å"No,† said Stefan oddly. â€Å"But there’s something else. Look at this.† Gently, he reached around Bonnie to point out a cut, pale and bloodless as the skin around it, but visible as a faint line running from collarbone to breast. Over the heart. Stefan’s long finger traced the air above it and Bonnie stiffened, ready to smack the hand away if he touched. â€Å"What is it?† asked Meredith, puzzled. â€Å"A mystery,† Stefan said. His voice was still odd. â€Å"If I saw a mark like that on a vampire, it would mean the vampire was giving blood to a human. That’s how it’s done. Human teeth can’t pierce our skin, so we cut ourselves if we want to share blood. But Sue wasn’t a vampire.† â€Å"She certainly wasn’t!† said Bonnie. She tried to fight off the image her mind wanted to show her, of Elena bending to a cut like that on Stefan’s chest and sucking, drinking†¦ She shuddered and realized her eyes were shut. â€Å"Is there anything else you need to see?† she said, opening them. â€Å"No. That’s all.† Bonnie did up the buttons. She rearranged Sue’s hair. Then, while Meredith and Stefan eased the lid of the casket back down, she walked quickly out of the viewing room and to the outside door. She stood there, arms wrapped around herself. A hand touched her elbow lightly. It was Matt. â€Å"You’re tougher than you look,† he said. â€Å"Yes, well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She tried to shrug. And then suddenly she was crying, crying hard. Matt put his arms around her. â€Å"I know,† he said. Just that. Not â€Å"Don’t cry† or â€Å"Take it easy† or â€Å"Everything’s going to be all right.† Just â€Å"I know.† His voice was as desolate as she felt. â€Å"They’ve got hair spray in her hair,† she sobbed. â€Å"Sue never used hair spray. It’s awful.† Somehow, just then, this seemed the worst thing of all. He simply held her. After a while Bonnie got her breath. She found she was holding on to Matt almost painfully tightly and loosened her arms. â€Å"I got your shirt all wet,† she said apologetically, sniffling. â€Å"It doesn’t matter.† Something in his voice made her step back and look at him. He looked the way he had in the high school parking lot. So lost, so†¦ hopeless. â€Å"Matt, what is it?† she whispered. â€Å"Please.† â€Å"I’m not so sure.† Bonnie didn’t even think she wanted to. It was too scary. But she was overwhelmed by an urge to comfort him, to wipe that lost look from his eyes. â€Å"Matt, I-â€Å" â€Å"We’re finished,† Stefan said from behind them. As Matt looked toward the voice the lost look seemed to intensify. â€Å"Sometimes I think we’re all finished,† Matt said, moving away from Bonnie, but he didn’t explain what he meant by that. â€Å"Let’s go.† How to cite The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Six, Essay examples

Is Judaism Composed Of Many Small Religions Or One Underlying Religion

Is Judaism composed of many 'small religions' or one underlying religion? Judaism or Judaisms? It has been argued that Judaism can be seen not only as a single religion, but as a group of similar religions. It has also been pointed-out that through all the trials and tribulations that Judaism has suffered through, that there have been common themes that have proven omni-pervasive. Any institution with roots as ancient and varied as the religion of the Jews is bound to have a few variations, especially when most of its history takes place in the political and theological hot spot of the Middle East. In this discussion, many facets of Judaism will be examined, primarily in the three temporal subdivisions labeled the Tribal / Pre-Monarchy Period, the Divided Monarchy, and the Hasmonean / Maccabean and Roman Era. Among all the time periods where the religion has been split, these three seem to be the most representative of the forces responsible. As for a common thread seen throughout al l Judiasms, the area of focus here is the place associated with the religion : Jerusalem. This topic will be covered in detail first, and then the multiple Judaism arguments will be presented. In this way, it is possible to keep a common focus in mind when reading about all the other situations in which the religion has found itself. A brief conclusion follows the discussion. A Place to Call Home No other religion has ever been so attached to its birthplace as Judaism. Perhaps this is because Jews have been exiled and restricted from this place for most of their history. Jerusalem is not only home to Judaism, but to the Muslim and Christian religions as well. Historically this has made it quite a busy place for the various groups. Jerusalem is where the temple of the Jews once stood; the only place on the whole Earth where one could leave the confines of day to day life and get closer to God. In 586 BCE when the temple was destroyed, no Jew would have denied Jerusalem as being the g eographic center of the religion. From that point on, the Jewish people have migrated around the world, but not one of them forgets the fact that Jerusalem is where it all began. It is truly a sacred place, and helps to define what Judaism means to many people; a common thread to run through all the various splinters of the religion and help hold them together. Even today, as the Jewish people have their precious Jerusalem back (through the help of other nations and their politics) there is great conflict and emotion surrounding it. Other nations and people in the area feel that they should be in control of the renowned city, and the Jews deny fervently any attempt to wrestle it from their occupation. It is true that there is no temple in Jeruslaem today, nor are all the Jews in the world rushing to get back there. But it is apparent that the city represents more to the religion of Judaism than a mere place to live and work. The city of Jerusalem is a spiritual epicenter, and throug hout Judaism's long and varied history, this single fact has never changed. Tribal / Pre-Monarchy Judaism's roots lie far back in the beginnings of recorded history. The religion did not spring into existence exactly as it is known today, rather it was pushed and prodded by various environmental factors along the way. One of the first major influences on the religion was the Canaanite nation. Various theories exist as to how and when the people that would later be called Jews entered into this civilization. But regardless of how they ultimately got there, these pioneers of the new faith were subjected to many of the ideas and prejudices of the time. Any new society that finds itself in an existing social situation, can do no more than to try and integrate into that framework. And this is exactly what the Jews did. Early Judaism worshipped multiple gods. One of these gods was known as Ba'al, and was generally thought-of as a ?statue god' with certain limitations on his power. The oth er primary deity was

Euphemisms in politics essays

Euphemisms in politics essays Word choice in politics is always a contentious issue. In the case similar to prop 209, proposition a proponents of the bill are accused of using loaded and misleading terminology according to some harsh critics. I do not happen to side with the opponents of this bill in this situation. I adamantly oppose affirmative action and believe people should be promoted and hired based on experience and performance not some predetermined racially equal composition. In Houston it only applies to publicly funded organizations and institutions yet it still perpetuates the wrong message. That message is that we treat different races with different sets of rules. Affirmative action in certain circumstances has left the recipients of the jobs feeling a sense of charity and a certain undermining of the legitimacy of the position. In fact proposition 209 was drafted by an African American who shared similar sentiments toward the issue. The word choice utilized by the authors of this proposition poses no ambiguity or confusion to me. Propositions surrounding such an issue are heavily covered in mass media and any competent and informed voter should be able to decipher the objective of the proposition. A more detailed description alluding to the elimination of the employment for minority classes may be a bit more truthful but like Orwell said euphemisms just sound better in politics. Politicians generally do not cater to the apathetic masses because they infrequently vote. But when they vote they do deserve the right to not be confused throughout the process. This is a tricky debate but I have to side with the initial authors of the proposition in their word choice because in actuality that is the state of equality that Houston will return to in the event that affirmative action policies are repealed. If voters are too complacent to make that connection then that is there tough luck. Euphemis ...

Answers to Questions About Referring to Death

Answers to Questions About Referring to Death Answers to Questions About Referring to Death Answers to Questions About Referring to Death By Mark Nichol Here are three questions about how to treat references to people who have died, and my responses. 1. For how long after someone’s death is it necessary and/or appropriate to use â€Å"the late† to describe them? I know we don’t say â€Å"the late Ludwig van Beethoven,† but what about a board chairman who died twelve years ago? There’s no standard rule, but in objective, dispassionate content, late should generally be used only a few years after someone’s death. (A widow or widower referring to a deceased spouse, however, gets a lifetime pass.) 2. If I refer to someone’s having died in 2001, do I refer to the person in the same sentence as â€Å"the late John Smith,† for example, or is that redundant? Late is redundant to an explicit reference to a person’s death, and the objective reference is preferable to late. For example, â€Å"The project was funded by a bequest from the late John Smith, who died in 2001† is redundant, and â€Å"The project was funded by a bequest from John Smith, who died in 2001† is preferable to â€Å"The project was funded by a bequest from the late John Smith,† because the former sentence is more specific. 3. Is it objectionable in formal writing for the general public to refer explicitly to death i.e., are euphemisms like â€Å"passed away† truly preferable to died? On the contrary: Died is preferable to euphemisms like â€Å"passed away.† In informative text, use straightforward language; readers appreciate clear, specific wording and don’t need to be coddled with tiptoeing generalities. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:10 Rules for Writing Numbers and NumeralsGrammar Quiz #21: Restrictive and Nonrestrictive ClausesA "Diploma" is not a "Degree"

The Developing Manager Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Developing Manager - Assignment Example This therefore means that they are all important, with the main goal being the identification of weaknesses and working on them. The following discussion will focus majorly on managerial skills and leadership characteristics that bring success in the hospitality industry. Question 1.1 Compare and contrast 3 different management styles that are used in an international hotel of your choice For the purpose of this discussion, the Hilton Hotel has been selected for analysis and completion of the assignment. The three main management styles in the hospitality industry are direct authoritative, pacesetters, and democratic affiliative. In the former category, the manager sets very high standards, and ensures that the performance is consistent (Cousins, Foskett, & Gillespie, 2000, 110). They do not tolerate non-performing members. Pacesetters make personal high standards within the organization. They are hard-working and hence motivate the rest of the employees to emulate them. Finally, the democratic affiliative managers ensure they involve others in making decisions, before they can set the standards. All the three are related in the sense that they are aimed at setting high standards within the international hotels. Managerial styles play a significant role in the international hotels (Cousins, Foskett, & Gillespie, 2000, 124). ... Managers understand that they do not have all the answers, hence involve other members. The other comparison is that the managers are the final decision makers. This is especially when the committee fails to agree on which direction should be followed to achieve certain goals. This owes to the fact that the managers have the duty to ensure that the hotels remain functional. They have the right of making any informed decisions, since they will be responsible for failing to act. Thirdly, the three types of managers are the main people behind the mission, vision and goals of the institution. They have articulated them, prompting them to make decisions, and proposals that are in line with what the hotel intends to achieve. For this reason, any activity taking place within the business has to be aligned with the set objectives. Fourthly, the three types of managers have the responsibility of maintaining discipline within the staff members. They reward and punish those who perform exceptio nally, and those who fail to adhere with the rules and regulations respectively. For instance, they may reward employees through promotion, increased wages and salaries, and creating an opportunity for them to add more skills and knowledge. On the other hand, non-compliant employees may be punished through sacking, especially when they are involved in gross misconduct. This is done with an aim of ensuring that all the staff members adhere to the set rules and regulations. This also ensures that the relationship between the customers and the hotel is enhanced. In addition to that, the reputation of the hotel is upheld, which is imperative in a competitive environment. Another major comparison between the three is that the managers set the organization culture. The latter

Islamic Banking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Islamic Banking - Essay Example Some recent developments, however, is presenting opportunities for Islamic banks. It should be noted that the Islamic finance market has already matured to $200 billion in assets. Therefore, companies should employ the accurate strategies to capture these markets. The operation of Islamic banks rests on two important tenets: no interest and socially responsible investing (Islamic Banking in UK 2006). These principles practiced by Islamic banks are dictated by the Quran. Usury or the process of lending funds at exorbitant interest rates is strictly prohibited. Also, money or financing acquired from banks can only be used for worthy cause. Financial resources should never be used to fund activities such as illegal drugs, weapons, alcohol, pornography, and terrorism. Analysing this system, we can see that Islamic banks will be more preferred by borrowers than depositors. As these financial institutions do not promise interest on the funds deposited by customers, non-Moslem investors will see it more profitable to utilize the services of conventional commercial banks. This type of product can only be targeted to the adherents of Islam which advocates this type of banking practice. The use of these principles in Islamic banking could have motivated businesses and entrepreneurs to use these financial services. It can be seen that the financing products and services offered by Islamic banks operates on profit and loss sharing (PLS). ... Islamic Mortgage Finance One of the products of Islamic bank which has gained wide acceptance and popularity in the United Kingdom is mortgage finance. As opposed to the conventional mortgage financing, Islamic banks buy and own the commodity for the client. The client then purchases the product from the bank at a markup within a specified period of time. After full payment has been made, the ownership of the property will be transferred from the bank to the client. The success of Islamic banking in the United Kingdom is indicated by t he report of Research and Markets. According to the agency, the market for Islamic banking now reached $164 million. The segment also shows fast paced growth at an average annual rate of 68.1%. This is over and above the industry average of 16.2%. If this trend will continue, the total value of Islamic mortgage banking will be equivalent to over $1billion in 2010 while conventional banking will suffer from intense rivalry. It should also be noted that currently, the profitability of Islamic banking is indicated by the participation of commercial banks like HSBC and Lloyds TSB in the market. It was found out that in 2003, there is only one Islamic lender in UK. Currently, this number has already increased to five. However, it should be recognized that the Islamic banking, specifically Islamic mortgages command only a small portion of the market in UK. One of the hindrance of mortgage finance is the stamp tax duty. Recommendations The success of Islamic banking in the United Kingdom together with the acceptance of the non-Moslem population implies that this type of financial intermediation can be embraced by other clients in the global market. After the above analysis, this report