The Guns Of August Essays - The Guns Of August, Eastern Front

The Guns Of August The Guns of August Barbara Tuchmans Pulitzer prize-winning book about the start of World War I is a fascinating and detailed work that delivers the thoughts and actions of the belligerents and their previously mysterious leaders to life on every page. This military history of the first month of the war is written in a way as to keep the reader interested because of the great detail. The author also manages to write about the events in such a manor as the reader sees them as they happened. Despite any previous knowledge about the historical events of the war, the book manages to keep you wondering if the Germans will succeed in its aims. In Chapters 5 through 9, Tuchman doesnt discuss much about why Germany, France, or Russia progressed toward war, she pretty much describes it as more of an inevitability sparked by Austrias affairs with Serbia. She does manage to chronicle the key events, the people and their decisions of the preceding years and days of the war. Along with the key events of the first few weeks of battle, Tuchman provides a perspective into each of the belligerents strategic aims and goals. These forces that drive each country into war in 1914 along with a brief discussion of their backgrounds is what follows. It is possible that with no other country in the twentieth century clearly on the inevitable road to war has there been as much unpreparedness and complete lack of all comprehension than that of Russia prior to World War I. For the few years before 1914 and the start of the war, especially following the embarrassing loss to Japan, Russia recognized its eminent clash with Germany. The way with which it conducted its international relations and internal affairs is puzzling to say the least. It is amazing when looking back on the events and the Russian leaders complete lack of ability or concern, that revolution took as long as it did. The actions of the Czar were clearly not in the best interest of his country or himself for that matter. The decisions he made clearly appeased his ego and were not made by a man who was experienced in leading a nation through a time of transition. His inability to help in Russian military development by allowing those who understood what needed to be fixed and what plans needed to be made are what eventually led to Russian ineffectiveness in the war and his own downfall. Russian inability to recognize changing tactics and weapons of modern warfare is inexcusable but sadly explainable. Because the Czar tended to centralize power and surround himself with yes men, he missed the good advice of those in his country who could have helped guide Russia into war. Some of these choices can also be blamed on misconceptions of Russian capabilities, and of its military identity. The military reforms that were not completely halted by inept leaders were otherwise thwarted by the lack of details with which an army mobilizes and fights. Details were not an important aspect for Russian pre-war strategy or estimations. Though the Russian army had repeatedly been proven incapable, there still remained a myth of its invincibility. This myth tended to be held on all sides based on the sheer masses of soldiers and not in any way on its tactics or technical proficiency. The governments inability to effectively manage resources was never fully accounted for by any of the countries, enemy or ally. One of the reasons for French alliance with Russia and dependence on their assistance against a common enemy was miscalculated military might. France didnt completely believe the claims quoted to them by Russia, but they did believe in the myth of invincibility and that even if they could conduct only a portion of their men to the front, the reality of a two front war was better than facing Germany alone. Before World War I, the Germans, like Russia, prepared for an imminent conflict, but with much more skill and understanding. Germanys position in the middle of Europe, or at least between its enemies, and its continued possession of territory that had once been part of France, was what guided its diplomatic actions and war

Online Sources for Nursery Tree Purchase and Delivery

Online Sources for Nursery Tree Purchase and Delivery High-quality seedlings can be found at reasonable prices on the Internet. You just have to know where to look. Try these sites the next time you need to purchase trees. They have been picked because of the  convenience of online ordering, ease of site navigation and reputation. Note that these businesses are well established and have been growing trees for decades. They know how to do it right. Nurserymen.com Based in Grand Haven, Michigan,  Nurserymen.com  is a third generation business with an extraordinary selection of seedling conifers and sold as bare root and in plug containers. Not as extensive but just as attractive are their hardwood seedlings. They sell out early so request your order at least six months in advance. I ordered 50 bare root Eastern redcedars in December to be planted in Alabama. There was a March delivery from Michigan and I planted the seedlings in early April with a nearly 100 % survival rate. Virginia Department of Forestry The only government supplier of trees on this list, VDOF has been in the seedling business for over 90 years. They offer hundreds of conifers, hardwoods, and specialty packs. Their  website is customer friendly very easy to use. VDOF provides an online catalog. Seedling costs are very reasonable and are mostly sold as bare-root planting stock. The best values are in quantities of 1000 and only sold during the dormant season. Arbor Day Tree Nursery The Arbor Day Foundation is a pioneer in tree promotion and care. I have been a member for years and get my annual bundle of seedlings that come  with the membership. Their nursery  includes a wide variety of fruit, nut, and flowering trees and you can get a significant member discount on bulk wildland trees for planting tracts with large acreage. Musser Forests Based in Indiana County, PA., Musser Forests has been growing quality plants for over 70 years. They offer hundreds of conifers and hardwoods plus their online store is well constructed, easy to use and has the largest selection of tree varieties found anywhere. Musser provides a free catalog and valuable information on tree care and planting. Seedling cost ranges widely according to species and size. Gurneys Seed and Nursery Company Based in Greendale, IN., Gurneys has been in the tree and plant business since 1866 and sells all types of nursery stock, including landscape trees, shrubs and fruit trees. Gurneys is one of the leading seed and nursery companies in the United States and very much present online. I particularly like their Official Blog and YouTube videos. They offer the top-rated flowering trees, shade trees,  and trees for windbreaks. The Nursery at TyTy The TyTy, Georgia-based TyTy Nursery has been in the tree nursery and flower bulb business since 1978. This family business promises to provide each and every customer with the best product, fastest delivery, lowest price, and overall best service for your money. They are also one of the largest tree seedling sources online with an outstanding YouTube collection of how to plant videos.

Quantify References to Elapsed Time

Quantify References to Elapsed Time Quantify References to Elapsed Time Quantify References to Elapsed Time By Mark Nichol A writer’s book-jacket bio mentions that she’s been a reporter for fifteen years. An online product review refers to a device having been launched last fall. Your blog relates that you attended a conference the previous month. What’s wrong with each of these descriptions? They all assume the reader is trapped in temporal stasis. By the time the book comes out, the bio’s reference to the writer’s tenure will be outdated. When someone checks it out from a library or picks it up at a used-book store five years later, it will be even more so. The solution? â€Å"Jane Doe has been a reporter since 1996.† Anyone researching the product online who comes across the review may miss the small, obscure dateline and assume the device came on the market the previous fall, when it may in fact be years old. The solution? â€Å"The Wacky Widget, launched in fall 2010, still tops the market in quality.† Visitors reading your blog’s archives will wonder why you misidentified the time of year when a well-known conference takes place. The solution? â€Å"I had an interesting experience at the July 2011 OMG conference.† None of these errors is serious, but they are all errors, and they are all easily avoided. 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 Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of Adjectives50 Idioms About Roads and PathsThe Difference Between "Phonics" and "Phonetics"

The Aesthetic and Economic Characteristics of the Film Europe Movement Essay

The Aesthetic and Economic Characteristics of the Film Europe Movement - Essay Example The researcher states that thereafter gradually & quite naturally, the ‘American influence’ begun to overflow in diverse domains. It slowly initiated to engulf spectrums such as art, theatre, culture, music, films. The next step was to classify those apparently ‘nonpolitical’ artistic components at par with the lines of the grand old American maneuver. This cultural autocracy created a stir amongst the enlightened & elitist in Europe. Film corporations like the Metro Goldwyn Mayer had already infiltrated the economies of third world nations like India by 1920. While American film corporations’ encashed rich dividends from colonial markets, the European heavyweights were coerced to remain at a bay. This naturally sprouted a furor across the cultural horizon. The European mavericks & thespians felt that a cultural reincarnation was long overdue. German filmmakers like Dupont, Eichberg & Bolvary, plunged into the galaxy of filmdom, with the aim to break the American jinx. Their unbridled apathy against US monopoly led them to the shores of Britain, from where they churned out numerous path-breaking films. This unique film movement came to be known as the ‘Film Europe Movement’, & gained massive popularity throughout the European peninsula. The noble ideals of combating capitalist aggression with socialist principles augured magically with the masses. ‘Film Europe’ managed to successfully batter up American aggression, intertwined with egalitarian theologies. The concluding research deals with the Film Europe Movement with E.A. DuPont’s English film ‘Piccadilly’ juxtaposing the center stage. The culmination of the First World War had precisely ravaged up the economies of France & Italy. They were in no position to stifle or even stand a chance against the ever-expanding ‘American menace’. The calculating American theorists embarked on their global economic conquest, & by 191 7, had South America, Australia, Asia Minor & vast territories of Africa amidst their grasp.  

Tupac Shakur Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Tupac Shakur - Research Paper Example Tupac Shakur developed a rap group called Strictly Dope with the help of his friends, Ray Luv and DJ Dize (Predoc 1). In the year 2001, the album "the lost tapes† was released on the name of Tupac Shakur. From the beginning, Tupac Shakur was making music with group members but at the end, he moved into solo career due to some individual reasons (Scattergood 1). In the year 1991, the solo debut album of Tupac Shakur was released which was entitled as â€Å"2Pacalypse now† (Covey, 81). The release of his debut album made Tupac Shakur one of the most famous controversial rappers in the hip-hop industry. The released album got the huge accolade from the public music lovers. Some of the hit singles from the debut album of Tupac Shakur are â€Å"Brenda got a Baby† and â€Å"Trapped† which rapidly made him popular among the music lovers (Beatty 61). Next album of Tupac Shakur was â€Å"Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.† It was the masterpiece of music and lyrics. The album was related to the controversies that were surrounded by him. The album had the special appearance from other controversial rappers, such as Ice Cube and West Coast rappers. Similar to his first album, this particular album of Tupac Shakur was at number four on the chart of R & B. In the course of the later stage, Tupac Shakur was involved in several conflicts with other members of record-label and rappers. In the year 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot several times in the shooting during driving (Assata Shakur 1).  

Information Technology in Society Essay -- Technology, Computers, The

Introduction In recent years there has been a big change as revolution in the computer and communication world and all the signs are that technological development and employ of information technology (IT) will continue go on with a fast velocity. Advocating and accompanying the impressive developments in the power and continue employ of latest information technologies has been the communications’ declining cost consequently of both technological enhancements and developed competition. Such great progresses in development present several major and great opportunities but also pose a lot of challenges. Nowadays, increasing in inventions in the field of IT are having extensive effects all over the society, and different strategy makers are working on various issues in which economic output, rights of intellectual property, protection of privacy and approach to information. Option created now will have enduring effects, and concentration must be devoted to their socio-economic impacts. The most important and very effective outcome of the development of IT is most likely the electronic communication and commerce through the Internet, a latest approach of leading the business. However, in recent times, it may fundamentally change the economic behaviours as well as the social atmosphere. Previously, it impacts those important fields like communications and interactions, retail business and finance and might spread out to sectors mainly like the services of health and education. It involves the seamless process of communication as well as information technology all along the whole business value chain that is managed electronically (Castells, 1996). Literature Review The IT has impacted numerous aspects and features o... ...ted to change in the future times. Finally, the relevancy of a contemporary informational infrastructure to the socio-economic well-being of a society cannot be undervalued. Most favourable options, be they social, cultural or economic must be relied on the finest accessible information. The information’s quality determines the efficiency of any provided choice. In the people sphere, approach to believable information and data is a prerequisite to pluralistic and participative democratic system, development of human, social and economic clearness, and the development of different society. Understanding, knowledge and information infrastructures encourage and support conversation between those holding different thoughts. It is only in an environment in which authentic realities and information are obtainable that people can establish own views and perspectives. Information Technology in Society Essay -- Technology, Computers, The Introduction In recent years there has been a big change as revolution in the computer and communication world and all the signs are that technological development and employ of information technology (IT) will continue go on with a fast velocity. Advocating and accompanying the impressive developments in the power and continue employ of latest information technologies has been the communications’ declining cost consequently of both technological enhancements and developed competition. Such great progresses in development present several major and great opportunities but also pose a lot of challenges. Nowadays, increasing in inventions in the field of IT are having extensive effects all over the society, and different strategy makers are working on various issues in which economic output, rights of intellectual property, protection of privacy and approach to information. Option created now will have enduring effects, and concentration must be devoted to their socio-economic impacts. The most important and very effective outcome of the development of IT is most likely the electronic communication and commerce through the Internet, a latest approach of leading the business. However, in recent times, it may fundamentally change the economic behaviours as well as the social atmosphere. Previously, it impacts those important fields like communications and interactions, retail business and finance and might spread out to sectors mainly like the services of health and education. It involves the seamless process of communication as well as information technology all along the whole business value chain that is managed electronically (Castells, 1996). Literature Review The IT has impacted numerous aspects and features o... ...ted to change in the future times. Finally, the relevancy of a contemporary informational infrastructure to the socio-economic well-being of a society cannot be undervalued. Most favourable options, be they social, cultural or economic must be relied on the finest accessible information. The information’s quality determines the efficiency of any provided choice. In the people sphere, approach to believable information and data is a prerequisite to pluralistic and participative democratic system, development of human, social and economic clearness, and the development of different society. Understanding, knowledge and information infrastructures encourage and support conversation between those holding different thoughts. It is only in an environment in which authentic realities and information are obtainable that people can establish own views and perspectives.

Canadian Briefing Note (LCBO) Essay

1. Introduction The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is a Crown Corporation established in 1927. It operates nearly 600 stores across the province and has a monopoly on the sale of spirits in Ontario.1 LCBO generated nearly $2.9 billion annually for the people of Ontario – including $2 billion in taxes and another $900 million in profits each year, making it the second largest government liquor distributor in the world.2 The former Tories planed to sell the board’s revenue stream while retaining actual ownership. Now, Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals was handing out a workbook to focus groups it had convened, saying that the 600 stores could be sold as franchises. There’s something about the prospect of a $5.6-billion deficit that has encouraged the government to obtain funds from selling its prime asset. However, the Ontario Liquor Board Employees’ Union has been running a successful campaign against privatizing the LCBO, and at same time, National Union of Public and General Employees threw its full support behind a campaign to stop government of from privatizing the phenomenally-profitable Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Should LCBO be privatized now? In this report, first of all, the importance of the issue is discussed, then a detailed analysis of the interests among government, business and public is presented, finally I will draw the conclusion and make a few of recommendations for privatization of LCBO. 2. Importance of the Issue 2.1. Revenue The LCBO is a highly profitable business owned by the government of Ontario. It is also a significant component of the economy of the province. It generates $2.9 billion a year in taxes and profits. The LCBO also contributes to the economy of Ontario in salaries, rents, and the purchase of various goods and services. This sum of money has a multiplier effect on the provincial economy, larger than the original amount injected into the economy. 3 2.2. Pricing and Marketing The LCBO carries a very wide selection of quality-tested products throughout the province at uniform prices. The liquor control boards can, as single buyers, bargain for lower prices and greater special discounts from suppliers and carriers. The privately-owned outlets are fragmented and multiply rapidly and are therefore not centralized in their operations and distribution network. Privately-owned retail outlets also require higher rates of return on their capital costs than control boards, and these higher costs, among others, lead to higher alcohol prices under privatization. 2.3. Employment The LCBO is a progressive employer of a committed and customer oriented workforce who are classified as permanent (amount 3362) and casual, and full-time and part-time.4 LCBO privatization means the laying off of LCBO employees that will lead to huge losses to the treasury and economy of Ontario. Thus the union struggles to organize campaign against the privatization. 2.4. Society Influence Privatizing the LCBO would likely lead to increased access to alcohol, increased consumption and therefore more alcohol-related costs. The significant potential consequences of the privatization of alcohol monopolies include: increased overall population consumption; increased sales to under-aged and intoxicated patrons; increased problems with monitoring and enforcement. 3. Analysis of Privatization 3.1. Government From the aspect of government, it is a current trend that government should not put more intervention in business. Tory said in throne speech: â€Å"The government will sell businesses it should not operate and assets it should not own.† 5 Thus it is reasonable that the former and current minister planned to sell off or partly sell the LCBO. Another reason for privatization may attribute to fiscal deficit, because ministers want to cut its deficit during their terms. The sale of LCBO will obviously resolve its financial problem in short term. However, if we consider it as a financial decision in the long term, it may not be a good choice. Because LCBO is running very well now, it brings an annual dividend of $975 million to government or people of Ontario in 2002-03.6 3.2. Business Many private investors would prefer to buy the franchise of LCBO or directly buy its retail shop. Because LCBO has already established its stable customer base, and have its brand recognizing advantage, it will be a little easy to develop their business in such situation. But due to limit of small scale, its operating cost would be higher than the LCBO, this may lead to high sale price of liquor. And at same reason, it may not control the quality of product as LCBO does. Until now, too many small towns didn’t get LCBO service because they couldn’t support the overhead of a full-sized LCBO store. Sterling, the former minister of consumer and business services, told reporters. â€Å"With our go-ahead to offer franchises to existing retailers in very small markets, we’ll improve service for residents and visitors, while preserving the LCBO’s social responsibility standards.† 5 3.3. Public Most people are satisfied the LCBO’s product and service, and support the board control. Alcohol is special commodity, thus government intervention is needed at this situation, even though LCBO has monopoly status in Ontario area. All LCBO retail employees are trained to Challenge and Refuse service to anyone who appears underage and cannot provide valid ID or appears intoxicated. Last year, LCBO frontline staff challenged 1.2 million would-be customers and refused service to nearly 70,000, about two-thirds of whom appeared underage and could not provide valid ID.7 It is difficult to imagine what will happen if all these retail shops are sold to private investors, they may consider more on their own economic benefit and neglect social liability. Increased alcohol problems such as sale to under-aged and intoxicated patron are very likely happen. 4. Recommendation and Conclusion The privatization of LCBO is a complicated issue, because we should consider the relationship and interests among government, business, and public. On one hand, normally government should not act as a policy decision maker and business operator at same time, which will easily lead to monopoly and against good faith.8 On another hand, we have to consider that alcohol is special commodity, which should be effectively controlled by government based on public interest. Therefore my suggestion is to partly privatize LCBO, it will decrease business monopoly in the market, but government could still occupy large part of share, so it can effectively regulate the operation of business. There are many methods of privatization, and some ideas had been mentioned by government in LCBO history, such as franchise store in rural area, merge with Beer Store, and income trust. The main concern is to find an appropriate way to balance the interests of all parties, and make the privatization go smoothly during a period, not suddenly hit some party’s interests, and untimely be accepted by all groups. In order to achieve this goal, the LCBO and ministry must be more transparent in their decision-making, and more open to consideration of public health interests. From this point of view, government could organize a board which has enough members from different stakeholders, such as employees of LCBO, representative of Ontario citizen, expert of public health and safety, economists, private investor and government officer. They could regularly meet together to discuss the possible method of privatization and collect all kinds of opinion and feedback from society. Although this method may spend more time during policy-decision process, only when the issue is thoroughly discussed and known by public, the rational policy could be made to reflect all party’s interest and untimely encounter less resistance while it is applied. Endnotes: 1. LCBO, â€Å"Business Information†, http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/businessinformation.shtml (accessed 16 October 2004). 2. LCBO Annual Report 2003, 44, http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/annualreport2003.shtml(accessed 17 October 2004). 3. Ontario Liquor Boards Employee’s Union, â€Å"LCBO Revenues†, http://www.ourlcbo.com/revenues.htm (accessed 18 October 2004). 4. LCBO Annual Report 2003, 44, http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/annualreport2003.shtml (accessed 18 October 2004). 5. The National Union of Public and General Employees, â€Å"Ontario opening 150 private rural liquor outlets†, http://www.nupge.ca/news_2001/news_se01/n26se01a.htm (accessed 19 October 2004). 6. LCBO Annual Report 2003, 11, http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/annualreport2003.shtml (accessed 19 October 2004). 7. LCBO, â€Å"Today’s LCBO†, http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/todayslcbo.shtml#social (accessed 20 October 2004). 8. Glen E. Randall & David S. Barrows, Business P700 Lecture (McMaster University, 15 October 2004). Bibliography: 1. Daniel Girard. â€Å"Liquor stores could still be up for sale, Harris says†. The Toronto Star, 27 May 1999. 2. Ian Urquhart. â€Å"McGuinty puts controversial Tory ideas into play†. The Toronto Star, 2 Oct. 2004. 3. Nuri T. Jazairi. â€Å"The Impact of Privatizing the Liquor Control Board of Ontario†. http://www.yorku.ca/nuri/lcbo.htm (accessed 18 October 2004). 4. Robert Benzie. â€Å"Eves talked of selling LCBO, insiders say†. The Toronto Star, 31 Oct. 2003. 5. Robert Benzie. â€Å"Eves sought list of assets to be sold†. The Toronto Star, 2 November 2003.