Compare two compay Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Compare two compay - Essay Example Financial ratios are extremely important when it comes to analyzing a company, Google has generate a lot of revenue in the last few years, here is a look at their financial ratios and how well they have actually been faring. All these ratios clearly show that Google inc is financially very sound and there is nothing to worry about for the company but they have several competitors and can’t afford to rest on their laurels. Employees are more than willing to work for Google because the organization has established itself as one of the best companies in the world, in the year 2007 and 2008 Google was the top company to work for, it is one of the very best companies across the globe, they treat their employees with a lot of respect and they take special efforts to motivate them. All this success is because of their leadership and cross-functional organizational structure. Google employs the rule of â€Å"70-20-10† this means the employees can communicate directly with each other, this much improved communication system has been the key to success. Formal channels are normally avoided by the company to avoid any misunderstandings, the staff is always highly motivated because they have a sense of belief that they can contribute immensely towards the company, this sense of belief keeps them motivated and inspires them to keep performing for the company. Apple has been a revolution, their products have been selling like hot cakes, â€Å"it was earlier reported that company is more stable than the US Government.† (Apple has More Money than the US Government) The products sold by apple are mainly for entertainment, there is a lot of competition in this filed, apple is undoubtedly the present leader but things may change within no time. Dell, Hp and Lenovo give apple a run for its money when it comes to computer hardware. Media player and Windows operating system are the two main rivals of apple

African Americans and Southern Racism During Reconstruction Essay Example for Free

African Americans and Southern Racism During Reconstruction Essay Introduction At the end of the Civil War, America faced the difficult task of uniting not only two separated territories of the United States, but also two races long separated by racism and culture. Devastated and embittered by the damage of the war, the South had a long way to go in order to achieve true equality between the former slave owners and former slaves. The majority of the South remained set in racist behavior, finding post-Civil War legal loopholes to diminish African American rights (Tindall Shi, 2010, pp. 757-758). Southerners continued to marginalize Blacks in their behavior toward ex-slaves and the later African American generation, continuing the escalation of racial tensions through white terror and discriminatory attitudes (Tindall Shi, 2010, p. 759). Most subversively, southern newspapers propagated stereotypes against African Americans in their coverage and descriptions of constitutional conventions (Logue, 1979, p. 342). Although Radical Reconstruction offered some progress toward social equality after the Civil War, its success was short-lived as African Americans suffered vast disenfranchisement through racist rulings, attitudes, and media representation in the South at the turn of the century. Rulings against African Americans After the Civil War had come to an end, African Americans in the South quickly made use of their new-found political and social rights, employing their right to vote from the Fifteenth Amendment and serving as prominent political figures (Tindall Shi, 2010, p. 722). However, the formerly fervent commitment to Radical Reconstruction soon dwindled (Tindall Shi, 2010, p. 739). Many of the advances toward civil equality were soon erased: In 1883, the Supreme Court declared the Civil Rights Laws of 1875 unconstitutional, and the political power Blacks had gained, especially in the South where 90% of Blacks lived, was completely undone. Black voter  participation dropped from 96% to 26% in South Carolina in just 12 years (1876-1888); in those same 12 years, voter participation of Blacks dropped from 53% to 18% in Georgia (Burris-Kitchen Burris, 2011, p. 5). Even while African Americans enjoyed an uninhibited freedom to voting rights, many still suffered disenfranchisement at the hands of rampant racial discrimination in the South. Although discontent Southerners could not impede the Black right to vote, they found ulterior methods to marginalize African Americans. â€Å"Since the Fifteenth Amendment made it impossible simply to deny African Americans the right to vote, disenfranchisement was accomplished indirectly, through such devices as poll taxes (or head taxes) and literacy tests† (Tindall Shi, 2010, p. 757). â€Å"Jim Crow† laws mandated racial segregation in public areas in the South and were often accompanied by physical abuse and terror to African Americans (Tindall Shi, 2010, pp. 756-759). These underhand activities in the South demonstrated that while African Americans were technically free, they continually suffered from unjust rulings and actions. These sprang from the rampantly racist attitudes in the South: Although great strides were made toward political and economic freedom for Blacks following the Civil War, the progress made was quickly squashed by political movements and rhetoric, which implied that Blacks could not handle their newly-found freedom and that the White working class was threatened by Blacks who were trying to take their jobs, their property, and their government away from them (Burris-Kitchen Burris, 2011, p. 5). Racist Attitudes Many Southerners continued to believe and propagate these ideas that African Americans had a subversive agenda to the White working class. These ideas culminated in deep-seated attitudes against African Americans in the South: â€Å"During the 1890s the attitudes that had permitted moderation in race relations evaporated. A violent ‘Negrophobia’ swept across the South and much of the nation at the end of the century† (Tindall Shi, 2010, p. 756). However, African Americans at the turn of the century had become weary of disenfranchisement and were ready to stand up against these attitudes: â€Å"This generation was more assertive and less patient than their parents. ‘We are not the Negro from who the chains of slavery fell a quarter century ago, most assuredly not,’ a black editor announced† (Tindall   Shi, 2010, p. 756). Unfortunately, this may have simply increased a White agenda of racial discrimination, as â€Å"a growing number of young white adults, however, were equally determined to keep ‘Negroes in their place’† (Tindall Shi, 2010, p. 756). Whether Southerners felt that African Americans imposed a threat to their jobs, their safety, or their rights, the overarching attitude of the South clearly displayed a strong desire to maintain racial dominance of the pre-Civil War era. Part of this attitude motivated a desire to limit education for African Americans: To keep Blacks uneducated meant Whites could boast of their superior intellect; this had been in the arsenal of Whites for hundreds of years prior to Reconstruction and continues to be used over 130 years after Reconstruction. Denial of education for Blacks existed through Reconstruction as a form of White racism and a justification for their inferior political and economic status (Burris-Kitchen Burris, 2011, p. 6). Any kind of advantage Whites could claim in the South became ammunition in their discriminatory attitudes. These ideas and attitudes fed the propagation of racist stereotypes and bias in southern newspapers. Prejudiced Media in the South Perhaps the most subtle yet shocking form of racism in the South during Reconstruction was the biased reporting of many southern newspapers. Whether the ideas and attitudes of many southern Whites influenced these published stereotypes or vice versa, it is clear that southern publications often encouraged and promoted racist attitudes at the end of the century. A publication in Charleston, South Carolina displayed this racist subtext: â€Å"While promising its readers ‘truth,’ the Charleston Mercury mocked journalistic license by actually printing racist ridicule. A favorite method was to scorn African-Americans in the convention as a race, exploiting racist attitudes saved by white readers from slavery† (Logue, 1979, p. 339). Covering the constitutional convention in Columbia in 1867, white journalists used racist stereotypes in describing the black delegates’ involvement: â€Å"Reporters emphasized how blacks would chuckle and grin, thereby exploiting th e racist assumption of many whites that blacks were mere fun-loving, animal-like creatures who had to be protected from themselves† (Logue, 1979, p. 341). The Charleston paper encouraged racist  attitudes through the ridicule of black speech and pronunciation, mocking ex-slave â€Å"ignorance† rather than reporting important issues discussed at the convention: When blacks debated the issue of ‘changing the title of districts to counties,’ for example, the only thing the reporters heard was the very awkward sound of deestrict as district is pronounced by some of the delegates. Because of their preoccupation with such factors, reporters seldom informed their readers about issues that were discussed, such as public education, relief from debts, taxes, and so on (Logue, 1979, p. 342). In this manner, the South remained entrapped in a media-fueled suspicion and fear of African Americans, feeding the continued presence of racism and discrimination during the post-Civil War reconstruction. Conclusion In conclusion, the progress of Radical Reconstruction largely failed to reform the disenfranchisement of African Americans in the South on a long-term scale. The attitudes of the Southern whites continued to influence the freedom of former slaves as they faced discriminating rulings, racist attitudes, and biased media. While some African Americans from further generations were largely unwilling to bow subserviently to the effects of white terror and discrimination, civil rights equality had a long and arduous path to completion in the South. While many of the racist attitudes of the post-Civil War South seem shocking to a modern-day reader, the influence of the actions and attitudes of white Southerners serves as a reminder of the power of repeated falsehoods, particularly within media subtext and bias. The disenfranchisement of African Americans during reconstruction displays the extent of deep-seated racial prejudice based on fear, stubbornness, and ignorance. As Burris-Kitchen and Burris point out: Throughout American history, Blacks have been demonized and criminalized, and this history has led us to where we are today. Until we can change the perceptions of Blacks through the media, political and economic arenas they will continue to pay the price for an inherently racist political, economic, educational, and criminal justice system (Burris-Kitchen Burris, 2011, p. 14). References Burris-Kitchen, D., Burris, P. (2011). From slavery to prisons: A historical delineation of the criminalization African Americans. Journal of Global Intelligence Policy, 4 (5), 1-16. Retrieved from http://0-web.ebscohost.com.library.regent.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=adef70d4-c4d9-4d2b-b5c9-3b1efa487879%40sessionmgr14vid=2hid=127# Logue, C. M. (March 1979). Racist reporting during reconstruction. Journal of Black Studies, 9 (3), 335-349. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2784304 Tindall, G. B.; Shi, D. E. (2010). America: A narrative history (8th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton Company.

parenting Essay -- essays research papers

There are some grounds to assume that a cognitive dissonance is involved in feeling that children are more a satisfaction than a nuisance. Why do people bother with parenting? It is time consuming, exhausting, strains otherwise pleasurable and tranquil relationships to their limits. Still, humanity keeps at it: breeding. It is the easiest to resort to Nature. After all, all living species breed and most of them parent. We are, all taken into consideration, animals and, therefore, subject to the same instinctive behaviour patterns. There is no point in looking for a reason: survival itself (whether of the gene pool or, on a higher level, of the species) is at stake. Breeding is a transport mechanism: handing the precious cargo of genetics down generations of "organic containers". But this is a reductionist view, which both ignores epistemological and emotional realities – and is tautological, thereby explaining something in terms of itself. Calling something by a different name or describing the mechanisms involved in minute detail does not an explanation make. First hypothesis: we bring children to the world in order to "circumvent" death. We attain immortality (genetically and psychologically – though in both cases it is imaginary) by propagating our genetic material through the medium of our offspring. This is a highly dubious claim. Any analysis, however shallow, will reveal its weaknesses. Our genetic material gets diluted beyond reconstruction with time. It constitutes 50% of the first generation, 25% of the second and so on. If this were the paramount concern – incest should have been the norm, being a behaviour better able to preserve a specific set of genes (especially today, when genetic screening can effectively guard against the birth of defective babies). Moreover, progeny is a dubious way of perpetuating one's self. No one remembers one's great great grandfathers. One's memory is better preserved by intellectual feats or architectural monuments. The latter are much better conduits than children and grandchildren. Still, this indoctrinated misconception is so strong that a baby boom characterizes post war periods. Having been existentially threatened, people multiply in the vain belief that they thus best protect their genetic heritage and fixate their memory. In the better-educated, higher income, low infant mort... ...en, he develops a circle of admirers, cronies and friends which he "nurtures and cultivates" in order to obtain Narcissistic Supply from them. He overvalues them (they are the brightest, the most loyal, with the biggest chances to climb the corporate ladder and other superlatives). But following some anti-narcissistic behaviours on their part (a critical remark, a disagreement, a refusal, however polite, all constitute such behaviours) – the narcissist devalues all these previously over-valued individuals. Now they are stupid, lack ambition, skills and talents, common (the worst expletive in the narcissist's vocabulary), with an unspectacular career ahead of them. The narcissist feels that he is misallocating his resources (for instance, his time). He feels besieged and suffocated. He rebels and erupts in a serious of self-defeating and self-destructive behaviours, which lead to the disintegration of his life. Doomed to build and ruin, attach and detach, appreciate and depreciate, the narcissist is predictable in his Death Wish. What sets him apart from other suicidal types is that his wish is granted to him in small, tormenting doses throughout his anguished life.

Creation community and vocation

The second theme stresses the importance for community ithin our world. Jesus was a relational person creating intimate friendships with all people. Therefore, we are to imitate His act and be interactive with humanity. Being relational includes discipleship, brotherhood, love, and reconciliation. The final theme–vocation discusses the difference between career and calling. When we are patient, seek Him first, and listen for his quiet voice, He will reveal our true calling.Although the three themes have distinct characteristics and differences from one another all three intersect and are important in the Christian life. When we lose our ense of purpose and meaning, we lose our sense of connection to others and God; we lose our sense of community. Without a sense of purpose we forget that we are created in His image and other people mean little to us because we no longer value ourselves. The image of God is in all creation. We see his reflection in kind and gentle humans and we marvel at the beauty of a summers' sunset.His reflection is found in every living thing and in the God-created beauty of nature. Man is the most unique among all of God's creation because we have a material body and a soul. â€Å"Then God aid, let us make man in our image, after our likeness† (Genesis 1:26, ESV). Having the â€Å"likeness of God† means that we were made to resemble God. Man is free to make decisions and reason-this is a reflection of God's intellect and freedom. â€Å"Not only are we created as trustees of God to experience the goodness of creation, we are created to be in community with all creation† (Birch).Since God has given us a responsibility over â€Å"the fish of the see and the birds of the air†¦ over all the earth† (Leviticus 25: 23-24, NIV), we are to fulfill this responsibility by taking care of these things. Creation relates to community in the fact that man was created for fellowship. This reflects God's nature and His love. In Eden, Adam's primary relationship was with God, but He made the first woman because â€Å"it is not good for the man to be alone† (Genesis 2:18, ESV). â€Å"Relationality is a part of the image of God.If we are free and responsible persons, and everyone else is similarly free and reasonable, we are inseparably linked to one another through our choices† Oacobsen ; Sawatsky). Creation relates to our calling as well in this way, â€Å"Our special status as bearers of God's image brings special responsibilities. In particular, we are called to use our gifts and talents in the service of God, in helping others, and in caring for the natural world† Oacobsen ; Sawatsky Man has been created as a relational people.This sense of community can be seen in many aspects of our lives such as the church, our families, our friends, and many other places. While Jesus was on this Earth, He made numerous connections with people through stories, sharing, and demonstrating acts of love. We are to follow in His footsteps. Not only are we supposed to reach out to others, but we are also supposed to reconcile with them. Reconciliation is key to having a relationship with someone, and sustaining it. Reconciliation can happen, because as Christians, we understand that God reconciled with us by sending Jesus Christ to save the world.Community is the perfect means to demonstrate how God has loved us. We can't practice authentic Christianity without Christian fellowship because love is at the very root of God's character. â€Å"God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him† (1 John 4:16, NIV). The church is the central place within Christian community. It is important to walk with other believers who can build us up, call us out, and who ill love us no matter what. We find strength in numbers and it makes our walk with God easier when we have people supporting us.A Christian community is necessary to help us recharge, be renewed, and be refreshed. â€Å"Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another† (Hebrews 10:25, NIV). Community and vocation are connected to one another in the sense that it is important for us to be a part of our local and nonlocal communities. We are called to be the hands and feet of God and He uses us to reach out to people we are in contact ith. We need to be attending to the needs of our communities and actively loving our neighbors by using out gifts, talents, and strengths.With what ever our calling may be, God insists that we use our abilities to encourage, strengthen, aid, and educate others because that is what Jesus did here on Earth. As Christians, we become whole persons through healthy relationships with God and others. This means that â€Å"we feel the need to encourage and support families, churches, and local communities, and the larger civil society so that these various social places can emain places where he althy relationships are able develop and where human dignity is protected† Oacobsen ; Sawatsky).Community and creation are connected to one another in the sense that God created an interrelated creation. â€Å"Not only are we created as trustees of God to experience the goodness of creation, we are created to be in community with all creation† (Birch). This is the only way we will be able to experience the wholeness God has intended for us. Each part of God's creation finds its fulfillment in interrelatedness with all. â€Å"The place God calls man to is the place where his or her deep gladness and the orld's deep hunger meet.The kind of work God usually calls man to is the kind of work that man need most to do, and also the work that the world most needs to have done† (Buechner). Calling and career are two separate things, but ultimately go hand- in-hand. Knowing the difference is an essential part of finding where God wants us to be. â€Å"A career is a partic ular line of work one does to earn an income. A calling is a specific vision of how God wants to use our time, energy, and abilities to serve Him in the world† (Sittser). As a Christian, we are to seek His kingdom first in our lives, but a alling often uses a career.Our calling should be bigger than Just a career. Many people think that finding a calling only applies to the Christian world , but everyone can contribute to the common good. Discovering God's will for our lives is not something that happens overnight. Often it is very hard to truly hear what He is saying to us. God can speak directly to us, but He often is heard through other the people, church, nature-even art and music. It is obvious that prayer is essential to the Christian life. It is especially important in discovering our calling. â€Å"Prayer is listening.It is attentiveness, being in the presence of God, waiting expectantly for God to speak to our hearts† Oacobsen & Sawatsky). Waiting involves pati ence, which is often hard to achieve. Being able to understand that God will always show us where He wants us will help us get through that waiting period. God gave man the responsibility to be caregivers over the earth; this arises from being created in the image of God. God entrusted His own function as Creator to man along with abilities required to do so. This includes exploring, discovering, understanding, developing, and using creation to honor the Creator.Work is not incidental to man's being, but an essential part of his purpose of being on the earth. Community is also an essential part of using our vocation to honor Him. God wants us to meet our own needs and the needs of our own family and our own friends, but he also calls us to provide for the needs of others. â€Å"Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ† (Galatians 6:2, NIV). Whatever our career may be, within the work place we need to be aware of those who are around us. Cr eation, community, and vocation are three important aspects of the Christian ife.As has been shown throughout the previous paragraphs, each of these themes can be looked at separately, but they are often seen in connection with one another. Throughout the course, this connection wasn't specifically addressed, but reflecting back on the three themes, I am now able to intersect creation, community, and vocation. As people, we were created in the image of God; therefore He has provided us with skills, abilities, and strengths also achieved through experiences and our careers†to make a difference in our surrounding communities and throughout the world. References

Opposition to the Tsar increase in the years 1881-1914

Why did opposition to the Tsar increase in the years 1881-1914 During the period of 1881- 1914 opposition towards the Tsar in Russia increased. The main reasons as to why opposition towards the Tsar arose in Russia can be seen to be as a result of the discontentment growing between the Russian people. A strong sense of discontent spread throughout Russia, this because Russia had suffered from extreme domestic and economic troubles in this period.The most significant troubles which Russian citizens experienced -eventually leading to the opposition of the Tsar ,was their ant for political change, strict censorship, oppression of the Okrana, their want for political change , their poor standard of living , lack of trust of Tsarist government following the Russo-Japanese war and finally the 1905 revolution . The first cause as to why opposition to the Tsar increased in the years 1881-1914 is the Russian peoples want for political change. Their want for political change is due to the stri ct, oppressive and censored regime of state they lived in.Following the assassination of his father Alexander II, Alexander Ill undid the reforms previously made by his father nd introduced his own reforms during his reign of 1881-1894. One major reform introduced by Alexander was the Russification of Russia. This restricted the language in Russia to Russian only; it also openly started attacks on Jews. Despite the Jews being a minority group within Russia, the Jewish population was vast and a majority of Russians were Jewish, therefore the Russification of the Jews meant that the Tsar lost the support of a lot of the Russian population which led to further opposition.Alexander also launched a campaign of repression to all those supporting political eform, he also restricted press freedom as well as ensuring foreign books & newspapers were rigorously censored. This led to unrest in Russia as many felt their freedom was taken away and were against the form of control they now were un der. This was worsened as the Okhrana (the secret police) was established. The Okhrana worked undercover, infiltrating organisations and groups which might present a danger to the Tsar; the Okhrana was highly unpopular within Russia with the people as its tactics of control were severe and violent.This therefore increased opposition o the Tsar as a wide amount of Russians were angry at their lack of civil rights, which had been infringed under the Tsars reforms. The second cause as to why opposition to the Tsar increased in the years 1881-1914 was the poor standard of living the majority of the working class experienced . This is because despite the Russian industry and unemployment levels improving during the 1890s as a result of the ‘great spurt', the working condition for the working class in factories and in industrial towns was very poor.Russia's industrial towns could not cope with its ever rowing population and consequently the working class had to cope with poor workin g conditions and lower pay. This meant their standard of living declined and they could now only afford the minimum necessities the required to stay alive, despite working long hours in a poor working environment. As a response to this workers attempted to encourage a reform to better their working conditions.However they received no response torm the Tsarist ernment, this theretore led to the opposition of the Tsar as many felt neglected by the Tsar and Government. The third cause as to why opposition to the Tsar increased in the years 1881-1914 was the defeat of Russia in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. The defeat was a major blow to Russia who had been over confident about being victorious. The defeat led to a mutual feeling of humiliation across Russia, the Russian people would have been embarrassed that they a large country lost to what were a much smaller inferior country.The Russians blamed the government for the loss of the war and therefore resentment towards the gover nment built up, not Just from the citizens but lso from the army and naw who were angry that they were under prepared for the war. The defeat also changed the Russian's attitudes towards the Tsar Nicholas. The image of the Tsar being all powerful and the protector of his empire was severely affected, and people's ideas about the Tsar changed, they thought he was powerful enough to bring them victory against Japan , especially as they believed the Tsar was chosen by God.However incidents such as the defeat in Tsushima showed that the Tsar was in fact weak as he did not lead Russia to victory. The defeat and failure of he Tsar led to people turning against him as their belief in him was lost, this therefore led to an increase in opposition towards the Tsar. The fourth cause as to why opposition to the Tsar increased in the years 1881-1914 was the uproar of the revolution in 1905. The Russian people were already marginally against the Tsar and government, but by 1905 the opposition inc reased dramatically leading to a revolution.The revolution began after five men were sacked from a factory in St Petersburg, the workers from the same factory felt the dismissal was unjust and herefore went on strike in protest in an attempt to get the workers reinstated. The word spread of the protest and by Friday 7th January 105,000 workers went on strike in disgust. Not only did many feel disgusted at the workers dismissal, the events further reminded them of the troubles they were facing under their state control, one of the most recent troubles being that their 1905 petition for political change was refused.Furthermore this led to large demonstrations being organised. However the Tsar and Government banned the demonstrations and placed thousands of troops round St Petersburg on bridges to stop the marches, in an attempt to keep public unrest under control to avoid further opposition spreading. Despite the protests being banned the marchers continued with their demonstrations a nd headed to the Winter Palace. However once they reached the Palace the demonstrators were shot down. The shootings at the demonstrators led to 800 participants being wounded and 200 killed. This led to greater opposition of the Tsar.This is because the shooting of the demonstrators ,which became known as ‘bloody Sunday, proved to the Russian itizens that the Tsar was unwilling to listen to their pleas and was prepared to go to the extremes of violence , killing their friends or family ,all in attempt to stop them from protesting for what they believed in. This therefore made them feel angry.

Free Essays on Adam

The Hebrew Bible* begins as a paradise creation myth which quickly dissolves into loss and ruin. Adam and Eve are shunned from the garden due to their defiance of God’s rules and are thrown into a world with knowledge of good and evil, with life and with death. The original sin of the garden proceeds to grow as the population expands and the temptation to stray from God increases. As the story is portrayed within the New Testament, Jesus Christ is born unto Earth as the savior of mankind through his bearing and redemption of man’s sin. Though an overly simplistic review of the chronicle that is the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, this main idea can lead us in one manner of dealing with the immense compilation. We will use the fig tree as a symbolic representation portraying the change wrought in humanity by the original sin. If we track the image of the fig tree from start to finish, beginning with Genesis and continuing through the ministry of Jesus, the changes w hich accompany the symbolism of the recurring fig tree provide one lens for viewing the varied pieces of literature within the Bible as a patchwork whole. The first time the reader is presented with the image of the fig tree occurs directly after Adam and Eve eat the fruit of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Genesis reads, â€Å"Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons† (Genesis 3:7). Thus, the first act that Adam and Eve take after defying the word of God is to cover their bodies with the leaves of a fig tree. The leaves immediately take on the symbolic weight of the sin that Adam and Eve have committed. They are worn as a type of badge confessing the new knowledge of their nakedness, equating the leaf of the fig tree with the sin, and the sign of ruined paradise with the leaf. When God questions the silence of Adam, Adam replies, â€Å" ‘I heard the sou... Free Essays on Adam Free Essays on Adam Learned and thoughtful, John Adams was more remarkable as a political philosopher than as a politician. "People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity," he said, doubtless thinking of his own as well as the American experience. Adams was born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1735. A Harvard-educated lawyer, he early became identified with the patriot cause; a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, he led in the movement for independence. During the Revolutionary War he served in France and Holland in diplomatic roles, and helped negotiate the treaty of peace. From 1785 to 1788 he was minister to the Court of St. James's, returning to be elected Vice President under George Washington. Adams' two terms as Vice President were frustrating experiences for a man of his vigor, intellect, and vanity. He complained to his wife Abigail, "My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." When Adams became President, the war between the French and British was causing great difficulties for the United States on the high seas and intense partisanship among contending factions within the Nation. His admini... Free Essays on Adam The Hebrew Bible* begins as a paradise creation myth which quickly dissolves into loss and ruin. Adam and Eve are shunned from the garden due to their defiance of God’s rules and are thrown into a world with knowledge of good and evil, with life and with death. The original sin of the garden proceeds to grow as the population expands and the temptation to stray from God increases. As the story is portrayed within the New Testament, Jesus Christ is born unto Earth as the savior of mankind through his bearing and redemption of man’s sin. Though an overly simplistic review of the chronicle that is the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, this main idea can lead us in one manner of dealing with the immense compilation. We will use the fig tree as a symbolic representation portraying the change wrought in humanity by the original sin. If we track the image of the fig tree from start to finish, beginning with Genesis and continuing through the ministry of Jesus, the changes w hich accompany the symbolism of the recurring fig tree provide one lens for viewing the varied pieces of literature within the Bible as a patchwork whole. The first time the reader is presented with the image of the fig tree occurs directly after Adam and Eve eat the fruit of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Genesis reads, â€Å"Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons† (Genesis 3:7). Thus, the first act that Adam and Eve take after defying the word of God is to cover their bodies with the leaves of a fig tree. The leaves immediately take on the symbolic weight of the sin that Adam and Eve have committed. They are worn as a type of badge confessing the new knowledge of their nakedness, equating the leaf of the fig tree with the sin, and the sign of ruined paradise with the leaf. When God questions the silence of Adam, Adam replies, â€Å" ‘I heard the sou...

Free Essays on Lessons

Many lessons we learn in life will stay the same, how we perceive the meaning can change. Many times we face similar upsets in life not because we didn’t learn the first time, but because the lesson is supposed to bring another level of definition, we may fully comprehend what is to be learned from the first mistake, and then find the lesson comes again, this time to help us see it from a different perspective. Sometimes our mistakes are not supposed to teach us many different lessons, as much as they are supposed to help us understand one lesson in many different ways. A lesson doesn’t necessarily have one simplified meaning; it can be viewed from different angles, at different times of our life. Perhaps to get to the conclusion of a mistake, we must journey through the many chapters of life, learning all there is to gain from one lesson, before moving on to the next.... Free Essays on Lessons Free Essays on Lessons Many lessons we learn in life will stay the same, how we perceive the meaning can change. Many times we face similar upsets in life not because we didn’t learn the first time, but because the lesson is supposed to bring another level of definition, we may fully comprehend what is to be learned from the first mistake, and then find the lesson comes again, this time to help us see it from a different perspective. Sometimes our mistakes are not supposed to teach us many different lessons, as much as they are supposed to help us understand one lesson in many different ways. A lesson doesn’t necessarily have one simplified meaning; it can be viewed from different angles, at different times of our life. Perhaps to get to the conclusion of a mistake, we must journey through the many chapters of life, learning all there is to gain from one lesson, before moving on to the next....