International accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International accounting - Essay Example Being a member of the EU, Romania in order to comply by the requirements of the membership makes investments for modernization and development of its infrastructure. In the year 2008, Romania showed economic development by an impressive 7.1%, but since then there has been a decline with 1% in 2012. The public sectors act as the buyers of products and services, while the agriculture sector is funded by the EU or developmental banks like the World Bank among others (â€Å"Doing business in Romania†). In the 1990s, Romania started to reform its economy to make it completely market-based. The government applied reform methods between 2000 and 2007 in order to maintain growth and stability in the long run. Although there was economic growth in 2008, there was huge disparity in the income between Romania and the EU. For solution, the government implemented many flexible policies to allow firms to use their resources like labour and capital more efficiently (â€Å"Romania: Functiona l Review† 64). Legal environment and forms of business Structuring of market-based economy in Romania in the 1990s has stabilized the legal regulations of corporate entities. Business activities can be performed by any individual who has the professional qualifications to execute commercial activities, or by legal bodies who have documental rights and efficiency to perform business activities. The classes of business entities in Romania as per regulations are â€Å"commercial companies, regies autonomes, economic interest groups and European economic interest groups, authorised persons, individual enterprises and family enterprises.† (â€Å"Forms of doing business† 27) Joint ventures do not enjoy any legal status as stated by Romanian law and they concentrate on specific operation or series of operations. The members contribute funds and other assets for a common goal and get share of the profit and loss of the ventures. Joint ventures can have shareholders minim um of two with no limit to the maximum number. The number of shareholders can be one to 50 in case of limited liability companies which can include an individual or legal entity (â€Å"Forms of doing business† 27-28). The legal aspect of Romanian employment or Labor Code is governed by Law No. 53/2003, collective bargaining agreement by Law No. 130/1996 and labour conflicts are governed by Law No. 168/1999. Ad per the Labor Code, the terms of collective bargaining agreement that are agreed on at national level can be applied on all employers and employees in Romania in any kind of business activity (â€Å"Tax and legal guide....† 3). Capital markets For economic development of any country, an active capital market plays an essential role. The capital market should be such that national assets can be freely mobilized for serving the national economy. On the other hand, it should be able to effectively utilize the available financial resources. The role of foreign invest ment is important for maintaining competitive environment in the receiving country. Foreign investments generated by another economy have huge potential to accelerate the GDP. Similarly, in Romania financial sources in the form of external capital like foreign investments pave the way for both quantity and quality development of internal capital, and also allows optimum use of the unused available resources. With the development of capital market in Romania there emerges â€Å"

The Drug Problem Essay Example for Free

The Drug Problem Essay Drugs have been a consistent problem of the society. For a long time, the drug problem has been regarded as a criminal problem. Treating it as a criminal problem has only resulted in criminalization and I believe that accepting the drug problem as a social problem could prove more beneficial to the society primarily because there is nothing wrong with merely using or possessing these drugs. The laws of man are based on ethical standards and there is nothing unethical with the possession and the use of the drug. Drugs have only gained its negative image because of negative propaganda. Also, legalizing drugs would come with a load of benefits. According to Benson Roe, professor emeritus and chair of the Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of California, illegal drugs have not been proven to have any long-term negative effects on the health of people. He narrated an incident when he was removing heart valves from some infected intravenous drug users and getting curious about the effects of the drugs on the users, he went to consult the San Francisco coroner only to discover that the only deaths caused by drugs is through infection contracted through unsafe intravenous injections and very rare cases of overdose (Roe). Roe indicated that no reliable and objective evidence points to drugs as more harmful than any of the substances that are not outlawed. It is often understood that society should keep its citizens away from drugs but the reason for this is unclear (Roe). If no evidence points to drugs being harmful, I strongly believe that there is no reason for drugs to be banned from the society. Also, drugs have never been proven to cause violent behavior. This aspect of the drugs may be blamed on the media since media entities often include the phrase â€Å"drug-related† to a crime even as no direct evidence points to the as the motivating factor for the crime. Merely the presence of drugs in a crime scenario is enough for irresponsible media practitioners to blame it (Jackson, 1998) since sensationalism sells. Often, the crime is motivated by another external factor. The media is unknowingly contributing to the negative drug propaganda (Jackson, 1998). Many politicians also play as advocates of the drug laws just for the sake of forwarding their political campaigns (Jackson, 1998). Anti-drug campaigns always make use of vague and emotive statements to get the support it needs from the public (Russel, 1999). One book entitled Hugs not Drugs: A Drug Abuse Prevention Manual published in the Philippines starts off with a story of how a bright and studious teenage girl got hooked with drugs. The girl later dropped out from school and had relationships with men that took advantage of her. Many anti-drug campaigners make use of such stories to say that drugs are bad. I however believe that these stories are not proof of drugs being bad. In the case of this girl, her actions might have been motivated by something else. She may have problems with her family or may have been sexually abused which is why she resorted to using drugs at a very young age. The book also indicates that crime experts have already established a link between drug use and juvenile and violent crimes. The source of the information was however not cited making it questionable. The book also does not have a clear reference page. This kind of practice is never accepted in the academic world and is evidence of a black propaganda. Drug laws have not been helpful to the society; rather, it is the best ally of the drug pushers (Jackson, 1998). Drugs prices would not be so high if drugs were legal. Legalizing drugs would come with price and quality regulations. The price of drugs would be cheaper when regulated and the already minimal cases of death caused by infected injections and rare cases of overdose would also more likely be eliminated if drugs are to be regulated since the purity of the drugs would be assured. Also, information on proper dosage levels would be made available to the public. Additionally, the government would get additional revenue from the taxed drug trade (Roe). One country has tried legalizing drugs to regulate it. This country is Holland. They treat drugs as a social problem rather than as a criminal problem. Great Britain which implements stricter drug laws have higher crime rates of robbery, burglary, shoplifting and theft from cars compared to Holland. Having drugs legalized in Holland has generally brought crime rate down (Rose, 2002). Drugs are not evil. There is nothing wrong with possessing or using drugs. It is also not a harmful substance unlike what many people and so-called intellectuals call it. Legalizing drugs would work wonders and Holland is a living proof of it. The already minimal number of deaths caused by drugs would be reduced even more. Crime will also decrease as drugs become more affordable. Clearly, there is nothing unethical about the use and possession of drugs. Even as some people under the influence of drugs show violent behaviour, it is not a direct result of the drug. Other factors affect the behavior of a person. Ethical concepts are not used as the basis of drug laws and a law which is not based on ethical principles is not a good law. References Roe, Benson MD. Why We Should Legalize Drugs. Retrieved August 24, 2008, from http://www. druglibrary.org/schaffer/Misc/roe1. htm Osorio, Susan. (1997). Hugs Not Drugs: A Drug Abuse Prevention Manual. Manila Mail Publication Philippines. Jackson, Ted. 3 December 1998. Why are drugs illegal. Retrieved August 24, 2008, from http://www. a1b2c3. com/drugs/law01. htm Rose, David. 24 February 2002. Two Countries Took the Drug Test. Who Passed?. The Guardian. Retrieved August 24, 2008, from http://www. guardian. co. uk/uk/2002/feb/24/drugsandalcohol. Davidrose Russel, Ken. 1999 July-August. Propaganda The War On Drugs. New Dawn Magazine. Retrieved August 24, 2008, from ttp://www. mapinc. org/drugnews/v99/n711/a10. html

Teaching Status Report :: JPE Education Teaching Teachers Essays

Teaching Status Report A lot has changed since my last status report. I have essentially been teaching math lessons on my own since October 11th. It feels really good to have so much responsibility and to become an accepted part of the classroom. I am also realizing how lucky I am to have a cooperating teacher who I am so compatible with. In reference to classroom management and discipline, my cooperating teacher and I have become a team. When he is teaching I serve as another source of discipline, I can talk to students one-on-one who are causing trouble and I can provide help to students so my teacher can continue with the lesson. Furthermore, because I am still working on my authoritative side, when the class gets really out of control my cooperating teacher serves as a reminder that although I may be a student teacher I should be respected like the other teachers. In reference to my authoritative side, it is still a work in progress. I definitely have developed an ability to raise my voice and correct a student when they are misbehaving. However, I still have trouble when the entire class gets out of control and starts talking. Halloween definitely revealed this weakness, the Friday before this holiday was especially stressful because the students were so excited about their plans and had already began eating candy so they were very noisy and they did not want to learn. I tried my best to correct them but my cooperating teacher had to step in. Although I wish I could have handled the situation myself I know this skill of correcting the entire class will come with time and experience. My students’ behaviors and learning abilities are both disappointing and exciting to talk about. It amazes me that some students have the ability to work hard, regardless of their personal lives, and truly want to learn. However, there are some students who have absolutely no desire to be in school. My teacher is still working with the guidance office to see which students have IEPs and should not be in this classroom. I am really frustrated that no action has been taken yet, the school year is quickly going by and it is clear that some of these students need more help than my cooperating teacher and I can provide. Another interesting detail about this problem is that most of the IEPs are behavior related.

Hospitality Story Assignment Essay

This paper discusses strategic opportunities for a unique non-profit venture. The equine industry is one among the major animal industry in the world. This is because horses – the layman’s term for equine – are one of the most expensive animals to buy and to take care of. Equines can be considered as a pet for animal lovers, a practical means of transport within the farm or to country-side areas, and also a good form of business in a way of breeding and racing quality horses. But what happens to the race horses that can no longer race? Introduction The equine industry is one among the major animal industries in the world. This is because horses – the layman’s term for equine – are one of the most expensive animals to buy and to take care of. Horses can be considered as a pet for animal lovers, a practical means of transport within the farm or to country-side areas, and also a good form of business in a way of breeding and racing horses. Indeed, there are a number of uses that can be applied for the horses. This is the very reason why the equine industry has been receiving great attention both from the government sector and the private animal-related organizations. There are a series of laws and regulations made to facilitate the smooth flow of equine industry, both in the business and health perspectives. Background Racing Industry History Horses, one of the most fascinating animals in the history of mankind, have been an integral part of society since the beginning of civilization. In the days of primitive culture, man looked towards the horse as a source of food. Since that time however, he has relied on the horse for warfare, work, transportation and sport. After God, said the Spanish conquistadors, we owed the victory to the horse. With equal truth it can be asserted that much of our human progress has been dependent upon the use man has made of the horse (Edwards, 1985). Edward’s affirmation is further proven throughout history. From the migration of primitive nomads to the conquering of entire civilizations, there is no aspect of life that the horse has not affected. The horses’ history began millions of years before humans even evolved. Horses were so important to ancient society, that such evidence is depicted through many works of art and literature. Through these remnants one can see exactly how horses were eaten, sacrificed, worshiped and ridden in battle since pre-historic times. Often times, especially in mythology, certain ideas about horses came about from an explanation of actual events. What is known today as the modern horse took many years to evolve into what it has become. â€Å"One of the earliest records of man riding a horse is an engraving on bone, found at Susa from the third millennium BC† (Edwards, 1985). As they became more popular, horses soon replaced reindeer, and were used to draw sleds in Northern Europe. Likewise, horses also began to replace other animals as a vehicle. A mounted man on these fast-moving creatures could certainly hunt with greater efficiency. â€Å"The first time man employed some means other than human power was an immense step in world history† (Roberts, 1987). â€Å"Man’s domestication of the horse throughout the centuries has been so thorough and comprehensive that there are really no truly wild horses left in existence† (Roberts, 1987). Although horses do run free in the world, they are all decedents of some form of domesticated animal. The Breeders Breeders of Thoroughbred racehorses have a motto: â€Å"Breed the best to the best, and hope for the best. † Farms from California to New York, Florida to Maryland, are all trying to emulate what breeders in the state of Kentucky have done for centuries — produce champions. For breeders, the study of bloodlines is a way of life. The art of matching a dam (the horse’s mother) with a sire (the father) to produce a top foal is part art form, part science, and a great deal of luck. For instance, Alydar, who finished second to Affirmed in all the 1978 Triple Crown races, sired a pair of Kentucky Derby winners in Alysheba (1987) and Strike the Gold (1991); Affirmed has yet to sire a Derby winner. The breeder will contribute to the race horse shelter every time a thoroughbred race horse is registered with the Jockey Association. This fee, of $200. 00 is collected by The Jockey Association and sent directly to the shelter to help with the costs of providing food, shelter and medical care for the horses. The fee will also provide the necessary salaries to the members of the team. The Horses The Thoroughbred breed originates from the Middle East, where centuries ago Arab rulers bred their great stallions to select mares in the hopes of producing faster and stronger horses. The lineage, or family history, of a horse is known as its pedigree. Soon after a horse’s birth, the owner and/or breeder registers it with The Jockey Club, the official racing record keeping organization for the breed. After the colt (male) or filly (female) is born, the breeder puts in countless hours of hard work to get the horse ready for the races. While most thoroughbreds are born between January and June, they have a universal birthday of January 1. This standard was set up to simplify the process of creating races for horses of a certain age. (For example, the Kentucky Derby is restricted to three year olds). During the young horse’s first autumn, they are separated from the mother and grouped together with other â€Å"weanlings†; continuing to grow and learn. The following spring, the developing horses, now known as â€Å"yearlings† will begin to be taught the ways of the racetrack. Beginning with the first days of placing a saddle on their back, they are being trained for a career at the races. The young horses begin training at on their â€Å"home† farm or shipped to a training facility to be â€Å"broken† for riding and eventually racing. Developing a good racehorse takes considerable time and patience. Training begins slowly, with light jogs and gallops around the track; developing a routine to get the horse accustomed to track life. Later, serious training begins; they start to put in longer gallops to build stamina, and work their way up to a â€Å"two-minute lick†, meaning a robust mile gallop in two minutes. As it gets closer to their second birthday, the casual farm life has been left behind. Horses at this age now begin workouts, usually starting with 1/8 of a mile, called their first â€Å"blowout†, and working their way up as the day of moving from training center to racetrack nears. The Thoroughbred on the Track Today, Thoroughbreds generally begin their racing career at age two (Remember, all racehorses have a universal birthday of January 1), and remain racing as long as they are main competitive or until retirement for breeding purposes. A Thoroughbred is not considered an adult horse until it is five years of age, so when they begin their career at age two or three, they are really just developing children and teenagers. Horses go through a lot of growing pains and changes during this time. Often you will see precocious two-year-olds that are touted as next year’s Kentucky Derby favorite that end up no where to be seen come that first Saturday in May. Most everyone in racing will tell you that their dream is to see their horse in the Derby winner’s circle, but with some 35,000 foals born in the United States each year, and only 20 maximum make it to the race, reality sets in quickly. So even if a horse doesn’t make the Derby, there are plenty of opportunities for a horse to be successful on the track. As a horse develops, it usually acquires a certain racing style; whether it is a front-runner or off-the-pace type, or maybe it prefers racing on turf rather than dirt. There is the rare animal that is comfortable no matter how the race develops or on any type of track, able to adapt to every situation. Whatever their style, the bettor needs to compare it to the rest of the horses in the field and see how the race might unfold. The Trainers While the jockey is usually the person that the racing fans most identify with, the single most important player in a racehorse’s life is the trainer. Trainers generally earn their money in two ways: through a â€Å"day rate† they charge the owner(s) for day-to-day training; and â€Å"stakes† they earn when their owner’s horse wins a race, usually 10% of the owners winnings. The trainer is comparable to a team’s coach – continually trying to produce winners with a constantly changing barnful of talent. For every horse in the barn, the trainer teaches them how to race, hones their speed, builds their endurance, sees to their care, and calls in help to heal their injuries. All horses possess a certain amount of class; ultimately telling in the level of race at which they will be successful. As a trainer begins to work with a horse, they assess that class and train accordingly. For the fans, training is like practicing. Horses are trained almost every morning, when they are taken to the racetrack to walk, jog, gallop or workout, depending on their schedule. Workouts are the most noteworthy part of the training regimen. Shorter workouts (those a half mile or under) are designed to increase speed, while longer ones build stamina. As with any athlete, horses experience physical problems. This is where the keen eye of an experienced trainer can significantly affect a horse’s career. Racehorses are by nature delicate, and by closely watching for and treating injuries before they become serious, the trainer will save his horse, owner and himself a lot of problems. For medical problems, trainers call in their veterinarian. At all racetracks, there are a group of vets who, usually working out of their vehicle instead of an office, travel through the barn area taking care of their clients’ horses day to day needs. After all of this, the trainer still has to select the races in which the horses will compete. Trainers use the condition book, created by the Racing Secretary, to select the type of race for each horse in the stable. For example, if the horse has yet to win, it would be entered in a â€Å"maiden† race against other non-winners. An old horsemen’s adage is to, â€Å"keep myself in the best company and my horses in the worst†. Easier said than done, but some trainers have the knack. For the bettor, it is essential to watch the trainers and see which ones are the most successful. The track program has a stats page for trainers, with all the information needed evaluate when they are most successful. Knowing the trainers and being able to pick up on their hot and cold spells is a top priority in making winning selections at the track. The trainer will contribute to the race horse shelter every time a thoroughbred race horse is registered as a racing horse. This fee, of $100. 00 is collected by the race track and sent directly to the shelter to help with the costs of providing food, shelter and medical care for the horses. The fee will also provide the necessary salaries to the members of the team. The Jockeys Jockeys generally get their mounts in races when the horses are training each morning. A jockey employs an agent, who, working for a percentage of their rider’s winnings, tries to secure the best horse for them in each race. The tricky part for the agent comes when several trainers want their rider for the same race. Now the jockey’s agent is like any bettor – they are handicapping the horses and putting their rider on the most likely winner. Riding atop a Thoroughbred at speeds up to 40 miles per hour for a mile or more requires tremendous athletic ability and concentration. The best jockeys are skillful strategists and superior gamesmen. They are experts at bringing out the best qualities of their mounts. Top riders are also familiar with the characteristics of many other horses in the race. In addition to the athletic demands of racing, a jockey must maintain a certain weight for riding, normally between 100 and 115 pounds. Strict dieting and conditioning programs are a constant concern for most riders. The jockeys will be desired as caregivers and exercisers for the horses residing at the race horse shelter. The jockeys will be a salaried employee of the team. Many jockeys have a hard time finding employment after their racing careers are over. The race horse shelter will provide employment for these retire jockeys. Racehorse Industry The racehorse industry has been demonstrating positive levels of success and has had a considerable impact on the market overall. A 2003 summary report provided by the Louisiana State University summarized the successes and contributions of the horse industry as follow: â€Å"The race horse industry is composed of 1,178 breeders who own 10,161 mares that produced 5,971 foals that were sold in 2003 for $35. 8 million. These breeders own 1,977 stallions that were bred to 5,313 mares, generating income from stud fees of $13. 3 million. The total income generated from racehorse production was $49. 1 million. An additional 2,229 racehorse owners owned 10,903 racehorses in training or on the track at a value of $109 million. The impact of racehorse owners and breeders’ activities in 2003 was $158. 1 million. The show and competition horse industry (horse shows, barrel racing, cutting, roping, team penning, etc. ) is composed of 2,600 breeders who own 7,847 mares that produced 4,901 foals that were sold for $14. 7 million. These breeders own 718 stallions that bred 8,351 mares, generating $12. 5 million in income from stud fees. The total income generated from show and competition horse production was $27. 2 million. Another 4,634 owners compete on their 14,901 horses valued at $59. 6 million. The total impact of the show and competition horse industry is $86. 8 million. A large portion of the horse industry is recreational. The horse is used for comfort, exercise and enjoyment. About 20% or 8,570 of the recreational horse owners bred 21,554 mares and sold 11,392 foals in 2003 for $17. 1 million. These horsemen own 933 stallions that were bred to 5,924 mares, generating income from stud fees of $592,400. The total income from production in the recreational horse industry was $17. 6 million in 2003. Another 25,453 recreational horse owners have 61,366 horses valued at $61 million. There are 129,022 registered horses in Louisiana, owned by 45,331 horsemen. These horses are valued at $324 million. An additional 70,000 grade and other equines are owned by 25,000 people who have a $210 million impact on the economy. In addition to the value of horses produced and maintained in Louisiana, the activities of the horse industry generate a tremendous cash flow. The four racetracks employ 3,000 people and generate expenditures of about $1 billion per year. The show and competition industry conducts an estimated 500 activities per year and generates $12. 5 million in expenditures. With the value of horses, expenditures on horses and the activities in which they engage, the impact of the horse industry is estimated at $1. 6 billion per year. † (LSU, 2003). Apparently, the industry is heading in a positive direction. However, there needs to be better regulation of the industry, particularly in the development of appropriate business ethics to govern those involved in the industry. Sensible business ethics are one of the keys to organizational success. As a corporate strategy businesses involved with horses should lobby for effective legislation to protect the consumer, the business owner and the horse. In the U. K. , for example, all horses are required to possess a passport according to a legislation that came into effect on 31 December 2003. Other European countries have similar requirements. Even though horse owners previously registered horses this was on a voluntary basis for horses born after 1 January 1998. The new requirement ensures that all horses, particularly those specifically reared for the purposes of slaughtering and consumption, have a passport containing a history of veterinary medicines so that certain medicines do not pass along the food chain to humans. This requirement is also a more effective way of controlling over breeding in certain areas (Defra, 2002). Policies such as these are useful guidelines for conducting business so that managers adopt correct strategies in all aspects of the industry. Organizations must provide these business ethics and rights to employees (as well as to the livestock of the agriculture or farm industry) to safeguard their needs, to maintain friendly working environment, and to provide boost to a certain industry. Managers cannot anticipate that there will not be challenges in implementing certain principles that will contribute to eventual organizational success. Jonash (2005) warns that business owners need to be willing to face the challenges that go along with difficult business decisions and strategies. He holds that achieving short, medium and long-term success is not easy. He suggests that managers accept the reality that there are no quick fixes to organizational problems and thus should be willing to follow through with tested and proven strategies even if the implementation process seems difficult. The above-mentioned statistics show clearly that this system is working very well in the US and can even improve if the overall racehorse industry follows proper policies and procedures. Slaughter Industry History Slaughterhouses slaughter, for consumption, horses which have outlived their usefulness, or are in poor health condition. The history of horse slaughter houses can be trace back from the 8th century when Pope Gregorio III declared that the consumption of horse meat for food is an abominable act (Martuzzi et. al. , n. d. ). He also declared the people eating it as unclean people. However, until today, the use of horse meat is rampant. Customers who use horsemeat in their diet purchase the slaughtered meat in large quantities (House of Commons Hansard, 2002). Horses are slaughtered for meat and sold in France, Belgium, Holland, Japan and Italy. This mainly originates from the horse slaughtering houses that are widely distributed in Europe and in America. It was in 1928 when the selling of horse meat was strictly prohibited. However, the eventual abolition of this law may be the caused of the emanating horse slaughtering houses. During 1995-2000, the number of horse slaughtering houses along with horse consumption increased. It was only in 1999 when a decrease in the trend was observed and this was mainly caused by BSE, a disease that can be obtained from eating animal meat. More recently (2005), â€Å"around 100,000 horses are slaughtered each year in the United States alone †¦ to be slaughtered† (Meszoly, 2006). Among this large number of horses, 20,000 were exported alive to their countries. These countries include Japan, Mexico, and Canada (Reeves, n. d). In line with the rampant case of horse slaughtering houses, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act was established. Its primary goal is to end the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Most recently, it was on August 2, 2007 when an amendment to the 2008 Agriculture Appropriations bill was approved. This is another move to stop the act done by horse slaughtering horses, to remove its history, present deeds and future acts. Humane Society History The word humane means merciful, sympathetic and benevolent. (HSI Europe, 2008). The humane society is a collective effort of an association to ensure that feelings of mercy and benevolence spread among the local people not only towards their fellow humans but also towards all the â€Å"living beings† around them. These living beings include a whole range of animals, birds and at times even plants. Most recently altering the gene of animals through genetic engineering for the purpose of mere experimentation are also taken into serious consideration by the modern humane societies. Humane societies aim to prohibit in-humane and brutal behavior towards other humans and animals. Today humane societies for animal protection are specifically called â€Å"societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA’s)† (HSI Europe, 2008). Brief Aims and Purposes of Humane Societies The basic aim of most humane societies and SPCA’s, remains to be the prevention of cruelty against animals. If animals cannot voice their own demands and cannot speak up against the brutalities being committed on them, it does not mean that humans should take advantage of them and justify their cruel acts to be correct. Other major purposes include dealing with the problem of shelter, adoption and euthanasia. Euthanasia (bringing about an easy death) is carried out in order to deal with the problems of unwanted animals in a community and prevent conditions of overcrowding in animal shelters. However, some SPCA’s have a no kill policy. This nevertheless does not mean that euthanasia is completely avoided; it means that it is used only very rarely in serious situations. On the international and national front many organizations fight for the rights of wildlife and work animals which face extremely harsh treatment from poachers, smugglers, hunters and other people who kill or use animals merely for economic gain and people who employ animals to work for them. History of Humane Societies United States of America: Though England was possibly the first known country to have set up a humane society, other countries like USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were quick to follow. Henry Burgh founded the first humane society of USA in 1866 in New York, known as the â€Å"American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)† The Humane Society of the United States, American Humane which was founded in 1877 as a network of local organizations to prevent cruelty to children and animals (HSI Europe, 2008). Many other local organizations were set up and worked with similar objectives such as, animal safety, providing sanctuaries and possibilities of adoption for animals and dealing with the problems of unwanted animals through the controversial process of euthanasia or otherwise through a â€Å"no kill† policy (HSI Europe, 2008). No kill actually means minimizing euthanasia so that it is only used under certain circumstances. United Kingdom: The first ever humane society was set up in England, known as the Royal Humane society founded in 1774 A. D. (HSI Europe, 2008). It was a charitable organization which awarded people for acts of saving human lives or restoring human lives by resuscitation. Following the steps of Royal Humane society, the Glasgow Humane Society was founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 1790. Since then it has been acting as an organization for the† prevention, rescue and recovery group set up for Greater Glasgow, Scotland (HSI Europe, 2008). An organization especially for animal rights was founded in 1824, known as the â€Å"Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to animals (RSPCA) followed by Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to animals (SSCPA) and Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to animals (USCPA). An organization for treating animal illnesses and injuries of wildlife and the pets and working animals of the local poor people, known as the People’s Dispensary for Sick animals was founded in 1917 (HSI Europe, 2008). Canada: The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies is a federation which represents as whole around 123 humane societies all over Canada. However, in 1869 in Montreal the first ever humane society of Canada was set up, known as the Canadian SPCA (HSI Europe, 2008). Australia: The first Australian SPCA was founded in 1871 in Victoria based on British RSPCA. Later, other such organizations were built in other states like in Tasmania in 1872, New South Wales in 1873, Queensland in 1883 and Western Australia in 1892. Though they were warranted the Royal Warrant in 1956, they had no connection with the RSPCA in the UK. For the purpose of voicing their desires in the federal government regarding animal issues, Australian RSPCA was founded in 1981 (HSI Europe, 2008). New Zealand: In 1882, in Dunedin, the first SPCA of New Zealand was set up. Other such organizations were formed in quick succession. Later they all combined into a union known as the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to work for unified goals and objectives (HSI Europe, 2008). International: Many SPCA’s are also running successfully on an international scale, mostly in European countries. Humane Society International HSI is one such example of an eminent US based SPCA working successfully in Europe since 1990 (HSI Europe, 2008). Non Profit Horse Rescue History At present, there are many non profit organizations for horse rescue and all of them share the same goals and objectives. These organizations’ main goal and mission is to provide rescue, rehabilitation, foster care, and have a positive environment for those horses and equines that have either been abandoned, abused, unwanted, mistreated, neglected, tortured, retired, or are at risk of going to slaughter. Each non profit organization for horse rescue has its own history. Long ago, horses and equines were used for transportation. In 1950’s when motorized vehicles were becoming more practical and affordable, horses were replaced as means of transportation by these lower maintenance and faster vehicles. Because of this, many horses were abandoned and neglected and were being sent to slaughter. Thus in 1952, a non profit horse rescue organization called HorseWorld was established to take care of the many working horses whose jobs were taken away and replaced by the motorized vehicles (HorseWorld, 2008). Many wild horses or mustangs or more accurately termed as feral horses freely roam on public lands in several states of America like Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming. However, the numbers of mustangs were declining as time passes. Mustangs are horses whose ancestors were domestic horses that first arrived in America with Christopher Columbus on his voyage in 1493 (Lifesavers Inc. , 1997). Many of these domestic horses were freed or escaped from early explorers, native tribes, etc. to become free-roaming horses all across America. In order to protect and rescue these horses, the Wild Free-roaming Horse and Burro Act was passed by Congress in 1971 and many non profit horse rescue organizations have come out to protect, manage, and control wild free-roaming horses on public lands. One of these organizations is the Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue. There are many other non profit organizations that protect and rescue not only horses but also dogs and cats from dangerous situations. The important thing is that these organizations give a chance for these animals to have a better life. This reflects how these animal rescue organizations give value to the rights of animals to safety and just treatment. The equine rescue also provides a better option rather than horse slaughter. The fact that most of the rescue facilities are privately owned and mainly rely on donations may pose a challenge the implementation regulations lay down. This means that horses should not just be sent to slaughter just because they have lost their usefulness. The termination of these horses may be termed as a better option instead of heaping the animals in a rescue facility. Problem Statement This study is designed to assess the need to provide an alternative to sending race horse to slaughter, if the horse can be rehabilitated and have a successful purpose in life. The study includes a survey to the population of, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and race track owners. The survey consists of both qualitative and quantitative questions. The primary objective of the survey is to determine the need for optional resources for the race horse that can still have a viable life outside if the racetrack. Horseracing and the slaughtering of horses are two key industry areas involving the use of horses and both private and public sector corporations have some amount of share in either industry area. As with any other animal group it is no surprise that there is a continuing debate on the ethics of both horseracing and horse slaughtering for consumption. These twin industry areas have been the targets of concerns raised on the ethic of slaughtering horses, particularly those that would have previously been used in the horseracing industry but which are no longer of further use to their owners for a variety of reasons. These horses may be diseased, injured or ill and have little prospect for future recovery. To ensure that they do not suffer a complete loss, owners of racehorses sell these unwanted horses to slaughterers. Some people are totally against the slaughtering of horses. In America and European countries, horsemeat is comparable to the meat of other large animals such as the buffalo, goat, sheep, pig and others. Since people throughout the United States and Europe desire to have horsemeat as a part of their diet then naturally, the slaughter industry too has its own place. Thus, while persons object to the slaughtering of horses, there are those who have little or no objection to the consumption of horsemeat. Similarly, there are objections to the use of horses for racing because of the reported cruel treatment of these animals and their injection with dangerous substances and steroids to enhance performance. This is a very sore issue in the horse industry. Even sorer is the slaughtering of these horses when they are no longer profitable in the horseracing industry. This debate is challenging the viability of the equine industry, putting industry shareholders in an uncomfortable position. Both the racehorse and the slaughtering industries are producing at their full capacities in the US and the rest of the world. Like any other business these industries whether private or public need to adopt sound business management strategies through appropriate training so as to be good in business and to provide the best service to buyers and consumers. The care and the right use of horses is also the matter of concern. The primary use of horses is for racing. However, one cannot avoid the fact that the slaughterhouse, rather than the racecourse, becomes the home for horses unfit for racing. Every year, the number of unfit horses increases thus the number of slaughterhouses also increases. Slaughter industries in the public and private sectors purchase the unwanted horses. Traditionally, the hunter-jumper market has acquired most former racehorses that have no signs of muscular-skeletal abnormalities, and some use previous standard-bred racehorses for driving carriages. Horses that obtain career-ending injuries are not useful anymore for the owners and fall into the category of unwanted horses. Figures produced by the U. S. department of agriculture reveal, however, that the majority of horses slaughtered (92. 3%) are quite healthy and not, in fact, neglected. An overwhelming majority of Americans and members of Congress oppose slaughtering horses for human consumption (HSUS, 2007). One of the options in dealing with these unwanted horses is for slaughtering and distribution for consumption. The precise number of horses that make up this category of unwanted is unknown. However, some research reveals that 100,000 horses fall to slaughterhouses each year in the USA. The real number of unwanted horses is much higher than that reported. Horses used on farms are costly to owners, specifically maintenance costs for food, wastage disposal and land use. The slaughter industry appears to be the most attractive option in dealing with these horses.

Carrie Chapter Four

(or only hopeful) that she wasn't that weak, not that liable to fall docilely into the complacent expectations of parents, friends, and even herself. But now there was this shower thing, where she had gone along and pitched in with high, savage glee. The word she was avoiding was expressed To Conform, in the infinitive, and it conjured up miserable images of hair in rollers, long afternoons in front of the ironing board in front of the soap operas while hubby was off busting heavies in an anonymous Office; of joining the P.T.A. and then the country club when their income moved into five figures; of pills in circular yellow cases without number to insure against having to move out of the misses' size before it became absolutely necessary and against the intrusion of repulsive little strangers who shat in their pants and screamed for help at two in the morning; of fighting with desperate decorum to keep the niggers out of Kleen Korners, standing shoulder to shoulder with Terri Smith (Miss Potato Blossom of 1975) and Vicki Jones (Vice President of The Women's League), armed with signs and petitions and sweet, slightly desperate smiles. Carrie, it was the goddamned Carrie, this was her fault. Perhaps before today she had heard distant, circling footfalls around their lighted place, but tonight, hearing her own sordid, crummy story, she saw the actual silhouettes of all these things, and yellow eyes that glowed like flashlights in the dark. She had already bought her prom gown. It was blue. It was beautiful. ‘You're right,' he said when she was done. ‘Bad news. Doesn't sound a bit like you.' His face was grave and she felt a cool slice of terror. Then he smiled-he had a very jolly smile-and the darknesss retreated a bit. ‘I kicked a kid in the slats once when he was knocked out. Did I ever tell you about that?' She shook her head. ‘Yeah.' He rubbed his nose reminiscently and his cheek gave a small tic, the way it had when he made his confession about getting the rubber wrong the first time. ‘The kid's name was Danny Patrick. He beat the living shit out of me once when we were in the sixth grade. I hated him, but I was scared, too. I was laying for him. You know how that is?' She didn't, but nodded anyway. ‘Anyway, he finally picked on the wrong kid a year or so later. Pete Taber. He was just a little guy, but he had lots of muscles. Danny got on him about something. I don't know, marbles or something, and finally Peter just rose up righteous and beat the shit out of him. That was on the playground of the old Kennedy Junior High. Danny fell down and hit his head and went out cold. Everybody ran. We thought he might be dead. I ran away too, but first I gave him a good kick in the ribs. Felt really bad about it afterwards. You going to apologize to her?' It caught Sue flat-footed and all she could was clinch weakly: ‘Did you?' ‘Huh? Hell no! I had better things to do than spend my time in traction. But there's a big difference, Susie.' ‘There is?' ‘It's not seventh grade any more. And I had some kind of reason, even if it was a piss-poor reason. What did that sad, silly bitch ever do to you?' She didn't answer because she couldn't. She had never passed more than a hundred words with Carrie in her whole life, and three dozen or so had come today. Phys. Ed. was the only class they'd had in common since they had graduated from Chamberlain Junior High. Carrie was taking the commercial/business course. Sue, of course, was in the college division. She thought herself suddenly loathsome. She found she could not bear that and so she twisted it at him. ‘When did you start making all these big moral decisions? After you started fucking me?' She saw the good humour fade from his face and was sorry. ‘Guess I should have kept quiet,' he said, and pulled up his pants. ‘It's not you, it's me.' She put a hand on his arm. ‘I'm ashamed, see?' ‘I know,' he said. ‘But I shouldn't be giving advice. I'm not very good at it.' ‘Tommy, do you ever hate being so †¦ well, popular?' ‘Me?' The question wrote surprise on his face. ‘Do you mean like football and class president and that stuff?' ‘Yes.' ‘No. Ifs not very important. High school isn't a very important place. When you're going you think it's a big deal, but when it's over nobody really think. it was great unless they're beered up. That's how my brother and his buddies are, anyway.' It did not soothe her; it made her fears worse. Little Susie mix ‘n match from Ewen High School, Head Cupcake of the entire Cupcake Brigade. Prom gown kept forever in the closet, wrapped in protective plastic. The night pressed dark against the slightly steamed car windows. ‘I'll probably end up working at my dad's car lot,' he said. ‘I'll spend my Friday and Saturday nights down at Uncle Billy's or out at The Cavalier drinking beer and talking about the Saturday afternoon I got that fat pitch from Saunders and we upset Dorchester. Get married to some nagging broad and always own last years model, vote Democrat-‘ ‘Don't,' she said, her mouth suddenly full of a dark, sweet horror. She pulled him to her. ‘Love me. My head is so bad tonight. Love me. Love me.' So he loved her and this time it was different, this time there finally seemed to be room and there was no rubbing but a delicious friction that went up and up: Twice he had to stop, panting, and held himself back, and then he went (he was a virgin before me and admitted it I would have believed a lie) and went hard and her breath came in short, digging gasps and then she began to yell and hold at his back, helpless to stop, sweating, the bad taste washed away, every cell seeming to have its own climax, body filled with sunlight, musical notes in her mind, butterflies behind her skull in the cage of her mind. Later, on the way home, he asked her formally if she would go to the Spring Ball with him. She said she would. He asked her if she had decided what to do about Carrie. She said she hadn't. He said that it made no difference. but she thought that it did. It had begun to seem that it meant all the difference. From Telekinesis: Analysis and Aftermath (Science Yearbook 1982), by Dean K. L. McGuffin: There are, of course, still these scientists today – regretfully, the Duke University people are in their forefront – who reject the terrific underlying implications of the Carrie White affair. Like the Flatlands Society, the Rosicrucians, or the Corlies of Arizona, who are positive that the atomic bomb does not work, these unfortunates are flying in the face of logic with their heads in the sand, and beg your pardon for the mixed metaphor. Of course one is able to understand the consternation, the raised voices, the angry letters and arguments at scientific convocations. The idea of telekinesis itself has been a bitter pill for the scientific community to swallow, with its horror-movie trappings of ouija boards and mediums and table rappings and floating coronets; but understanding will still not excuse scientific irresponsibility. The outcome of the White affair raises grave and difficult questions. An earthquake has struck our order notions of the way the natural world is supposed to act and react. Can you blame even such a renowned physicist as Gerald Luponet for claiming the whole thing is a hoax and a fraud, even in the face of such overwhelming evidence as the White Commission presented? For if Carrie White is the truth, then what of Newton? †¦ They sat in the living room, Carrie and Momma, listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford singing ‘Let the Lower Lights Be Burning' on a Webcor phonograph (which Momma called the victrola, or, if in a particularly good mood, the vic). Carrie sat at the sewing machine, pumping with her feet as she sewed the sleeves on a new dress. Momma sat beneath the plaster crucifix, tatting doilies and bumping her feet in time to the song, which was one of her favourites. Mr P. P. Bliss, who had written this hymn and others seemingly without number, was one of Momma's shining examples of God at work upon the face of the earth. He had been a sailor and a sinner (two terms that were synonymous in Momma's lexicon), a great blasphemer, a laugher in the face of the Almighty. Then a great storm had come up at sea, the boat had threatened to capsize, and Mr P. P. Bliss had gotten down on his sinsickly knees with a vision of Hell yawning beneath the ocean floor to receive him, and he had prayed to God. Mr P. P. Bliss promised God that if He saved him, he would dedicate the rest of his life to Him. The storm, of course, had cleared immediately. Brightly beams our Father's mercy From his lighthouse evermore, But to us he gives the keeping Of the lights along the shore †¦ All of Mr P. P. Bliss's hymns had a seagoing flavour to them. The dress she was sewing was actually quite pretty, a dark wine colour-the closest Momma would allow her to red-and the sleeves were puffed. She tried to keep her mind strictly on her sewing, but of course it wandered. The overhead fight was strong and harsh and yellow, the small dusty plush sofa was of course deserted (Carrie had never had a boy in To Sit), and on the far wall was a twin shadow: the crucified Jesus, and beneath Him, Momma. The school had called Momma at the laundry and she had come home at noon. Carrie had watched her come up the walk, and her belly trembled. Momma was a very big woman, and she always wore a hat. Lately her legs had begun to swell, and her feet always seemed on the point of overflowing her shoes. She wore a black cloth coat with a black fur collar. Her eyes were blue and magnified behind rimless bifocals. She always carried a large black satchel purse and in it was her change purse, her billfold (both black), a large King James Bible (also black) with her name stamped on the front in gold, and a stack of tracts secured with a rubber band. The Tracts were usually orange, and smearily printed. Carrie knew vaguely that Momma and Daddy Ralph had been Baptists once but had left the church when they became convinced that the Baptists were doing the work of the Antichrist. Since that time, all worship had taken place at home. Momma held worship on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. These were called Holy Days. Momma was the minister, Carrie the congregation. Services lasted from two to three hours. Momma had opened the door and walked stolidly in. She and Carrie had stared at each other down the short length of the front hall for a moment, like gunfighters before a shootout. It was one of those brief moments that seem (fear could it really have been fear in momma's eyes) much longer in retrospect. Momma closed the door behind her. ‘You're a woman,' she said softly. Carrie felt her face twisting and crumpling and could not help it. ‘Why didn't you tell me?' she cried. ‘Oh Momma, I was so scared! And the girls all made fun and threw things and-‘ Momma had been walking towards her, a now her hand flashed with sudden limber speed, a hard hand, laundry-calloused and muscled. It struck her backhand across the jaw and Carrie fell down in the doorway between the hall and the living room, weeping loudly. ‘And God made Eve from the rib Of Adam,' Momma said. Her eyes were very large in the rimless glasses; they looked like poached eggs. She thumped Carrie with the side of her foot and Carrie screamed. ‘Get up, woman. Let's get in and pray. Let's pray to Jesus for our womanweak, wicked, sinning souls.' ‘Momma' The sobs were too strong to allow more. The latent hysterics had come out grinning and gibbering. She could not stand up. She could only crawl into the living room with her hair hanging in her face, braying huge hoarse sobs. Every now and again Momma would swing her foot. So they progressed across the living room toward the place of the altar, which had once been a small bedroom. ‘And Eve was weak and – say it, woman. Say it-‘ ‘No, Momma, please help me-‘ The foot swung. Carrie screamed. ‘And Eve was weak and loosed the raven on the world,' Momma continued, ‘and the raven was called Sin, and the first Sin was Intercourse. And the Lord visited Eve with a Curse, and the Curse was the Curse of Blood. And Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden and into the World and Eve found that her belly had grown big with child.' The foot swung and connected with Carrie's rump. Her nose scraped the wood floor. They were entering the place of the altar. There was a cross on a table covered with an embroidered silk cloth. On either side of the cross there were white candles. Behind this were several paint-by-the-numbers of Jesus and His apostles. And to the right was the worst place of all, the home of terror, the cave where all hope, all resistance to God's will – and Momma's – was extinguished. The closet door leered open. Inside, below a hideous blue bulb that was always lit, was Derrault's conception of Jonathan Edwards' famous sermon. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. ‘And there was a second Curse, and this was the Curse of Childbearing, and Eve brought forth Cain in sweat and blood.' Now Momma dragged her, half-standing and half-crawling, down to the altar, where they both fell on their knees. Momma gripped Carrie's wrist tightly. ‘And following Cain, Eve gave birth to Abel, having not yet repented of the Sin of Intercourse. And so the Lord visited Eve with a third Curse, and this was the Curse of Murder. Cain rose up and slew Abel with a rock. And still Eve did not repent, nor all the daughters of Eve, and upon Eve did the Crafty Serpent found a kingdom of whoredom and pestilences.' ‘Momma!' she shrieked. ‘Momma, please listen! It wasn't my fault!' ‘Bow your head,' Momma said. ‘Let's us pray.' ‘You should have told me!' Momma brought her hand down on the back of Carrie's neck, and behind it was all the heavy muscle developed by eleven years of slinging heavy laundry bags and trucking piles of wet sheets. Carrie's eye-bulging face jerked forward and her forehead smacked the altar, leaving a mark and making the candles tremble. ‘Let's us pray,' Momma said softly, implacably. Weeping and snuffling, Carrie bowed her head. A runner of snot hung pendulously from her nose and she wiped it away. (if i had a nickel for every time she made me cry here) with the back of her hand. Lord,' Momma declaimed hugely, her head thrown back, ‘help this sinning woman beside me here see the sin of her days and ways. Show her that if she had remained sinless the Curse of Blood never would have come on her. She may have committed the Sin of Lustful Thoughts. She may have been listening to rock ‘n roll music on the radio. She may have been tempted by the Antichrist. Show her that this is Your kind, vengeful hand at work and-‘ ‘No! Let me go!' She tried to struggle to her feet and Momma's hand, as strong and pitiless as an iron manacle, forced her back to her knees. ‘-and Your sign that she must walk the straight and narrow from here on out if she is to avoid the flaming agonies of the Eternal Pit. Amen.' She turned her glittering, magnified eyes upon her daughter. ‘Go to your closet now.' ‘No!' She felt her breath go thick with terror. ‘Go to your closet. Pray in secret. Ask forgiveness for your sins.' ‘I didn't sin, Momma. You sinned. You didn't tell me and they laughed.' Again she seemed to see a flash of fear in Momma's eyes, gone as quickly and soundlessly as summer lightning. Momma began to force Carrie toward the blue glare of the closet. ‘Pray to God and your sins may be washed away.' ‘Momma, you let me go.' ‘Pray, woman.' ‘I'll make the stones come again, Momma.' Momma halted. Even her breath seemed to stop in her throat for a moment. And then the hand tightened on her neck, tightened, until Carrie saw red, lurid dots in front of her eyes and felt her brain go fuzzy and far-off. Momma's magnified eyes swam in front of her. ‘You spawn of the devil,' she whispered. ‘Why was I so cursed?' Carrie's whirling mind strove to find something huge enough to express her agony, shame, terror, hate, fear. It seemed her whole life had narrowed to this miserable, beaten point of rebellion. Her eyes bulged crazily, her mouth, filled with spit, opened wide. ‘YOU SUCK!' she screamed. Momma hissed like a burned cat. ‘Sin!' she cried. ‘O, Sin! She began to beat Carrie's back, her neck, her head. Carrie was driven, reeling, into the close blue glare of the closet. ‘YOU FUCK!' Carrie screamed. (there there o there it's out how else do you think she got you o god o good) She was whirled into the closet headfirst and she struck the far wall and fell on the floor in a semidaze. The door slammed and the key turned. She was alone with Momma's angry God. The blue light glared on a picture, of a huge and bearded Yahweh who was casting screaming multitudes of humans down through cloudy depths into an abyss of fire. Below them, black horrid figures struggled through the flames of perdition while The Black Man sat on a huge flame-coloured throne with a trident in one hand. His body was that of a man, but he had a spiked tail and the head of a jackal.

A Timeline of the Agricultural Revolution

A Timeline of the Agricultural Revolution Between the eighth century and the eighteenth, the tools of farming basically stayed the same and few advancements in technology were made. This meant that the farmers of George Washingtons day had no better tools than the farmers of Julius Caesars day.  In fact, early Roman plows were superior to those in general use in America eighteen centuries later. All that changed in the 18th century with the agricultural revolution, a period of agricultural development that  saw a massive and rapid increase in agricultural productivity and vast improvements in farm technology. Listed below are many of the inventions that were created or greatly improved during the agricultural revolution. Plow and Moldboard By definition, a plow (also spelled plough) is a farm tool with one or more heavy blades that breaks the soil and cut a furrow or small ditch for sowing seeds. A moldboard is a wedge formed by the curved part of a steel plow blade that turns the furrow. Seed Drills Before drills were invented, seeding was done by hand. The basic idea of drills for seeding small grains was successfully developed in Great Britain, and many British drills were sold in the United States before one was manufactured in the States. American manufacture of these drills began about 1840. Seed planters for corn came somewhat later, as machines to plant wheat successfully were unsuited for corn planting. In 1701, Jethro Tull invented his seed drill and is perhaps the best-known inventor of a mechanical planter. Machines That Harvest By definition, a sickle is a curved, hand-held agricultural tool used for harvesting grain crops. Horse-drawn mechanical reapers later replaced sickles for harvesting grains. Reapers  were then replaced by the reaper-binder (cuts the grain and binds it in sheaves) and in turn, was replaced by the swather before being replaced by the combine harvester. A combine harvester is a machine that heads, threshes and cleans grain while moving across the field. The Rise of the Textile Industry The  cotton gin  had turned the whole South toward the cultivation of cotton. While the South was not manufacturing any considerable proportion of the cotton it grew, the textile industry was flourishing in the North. A whole series of machines similar to those used in Great Britain had been invented in America and mills paid higher wages than in Britain. Production was also far ahead of the British mills  in proportion to hands employed, which meant the U.S. was ahead of the rest of the world. Wages in America Take-home pay, measured by the world standard, was high. Additionally, there was a good supply of free land or land that was practically free. Wages were high enough that many could save enough to buy their own land. Workers in textile mills often worked only a few years to save money, buy a farm or to enter some business or profession. Advances in Transportation Lines The  steamboat and the  railroad  enabled transportation to the West. While steamboats traveled all the larger rivers and the lakes, the railroad was growing rapidly. Its lines had extended to more than 30 thousand miles. Construction also went on during the war, and the transcontinental railway was in sight. The locomotive had approached standardization and the American railway was now comfortable for passengers with the invention of  Pullman sleeping cars, the dining cars, and the automatic air brake developed by  George Westinghouse.

Hullo! What a useful invention - Emphasis

Hullo! What a useful invention Hullo! What a useful invention When you consider the concept of inventions, anything from the wheel to the iPod might spring to mind. Youre probably less likely to think of a word; particularly not one you may take so completely for granted as the word of greeting, hello. Yet it is believed to be just that the invention of Thomas Edison. He is credited with advocating hello as the best way of answering the telephone, from where it gradually moved into the general use it has today. It may be more accurate to say, he adapted and perfected a pre-existing invention (much as he did with the electric light bulb). Before Edisons influence, you might have exclaimed hullo! in surprise, hailed a ferryman with a resounding hollo, or even led a hunting party to their quarry by crying halloo (if you were in the habit of doing these things). Of course, words frequently enter the language through utter invention. Shakespeare coined an incredible 2000 or so new words, including jaded, bedroom and obscene; plus numerous phrases we now take for granted, such as vanish into thin air, flesh and blood and to be cruel to be kind. Edisons choice of answering utterance was based on its clarity and for that sentiment we naturally approve. And thats not the only call for us to owe him a debt of gratitude. Had it been left to Alexander Graham Bell, our typical salutation could well be ahoy.