Thursday, October 10, 2019
Individual Constitution and Systems of the State Essay
During the time when the stateââ¬â¢s first declared their independence from Great Britain there was an enormous demand for a balance in power. However, the establishment of such posed to be no easy task for our founding fathers. Originally the new stateââ¬â¢s constitutions foundation was based off the thirteen colonial charters (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p56). Which was modified a short while later, as the colonies were expanded, to include the ââ¬Å"rights of Englishmenâ⬠(Bowman & Kearney 2011, p. 56). According to Bowman & Kearney (2011), ââ¬Å"All state constitutions both distribute and constrain political power among groups and regionsâ⬠(p. 55). In that such provide the basic and key components for government to allow for an even distribution of power for the three branches, while offering protection for individual rights. ââ¬Å"Constitutions represent the fundamental law of a state, superior to statutory law. Only the federal Constitution and federal statutes take priority over state constitutionsâ⬠(Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 55). Over the course of many years the stateââ¬â¢s constitutions have been slowly amended to meet the needs of a growing governmental body. The current Texas constitution was created in 1876 and is composed of a preamble followed by 17 articles, ââ¬Å"to include Bill of Rights, Legislative Department, Executive Department, and Judicial Departmentâ⬠(The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). Article I of the Texas constitution is the Bill of Rights. It is in this article that individual rights are outlined for citizens in which the government cannot overlook under any given circumstance. Upon reading the Texas Constitution, the impression is given that religious freedom and for no man to be unjustly persecuted by the hand of the government pose to be the most important feature detailed in the Bill of Rights. Just like the United States Constitution there are limitations to the freedoms being granted in this portion of the Texas document (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). In replica of the United Stated Constitution, state level constitutions are sculpted after the federal government in which it delegates power throughout three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p.27). Article III of the Texas Constitution writes the legislative department; section 1 states that, ââ¬Å"The legislative power of this Stateà shall be vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, which together shall be styled ââ¬Å"The Legislature of the State of Texasâ⬠(The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). Sections 2 through 7 details the composition of the legislative department to include the House of Representatives and the Senat e and also states the qualifications for such positions. The Senate entails thirty-one members and is prohibited to exceed such limit. The House of Representatives is comprised ââ¬Å"of 93 members until the first apportionmentâ⬠(The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013) then it may increase by ratio not to exceed 1 representative per 15,000 inhabitants. However the numbers are to never surpass 150 members. The remainder sections write the limitations of the legislature power, details processes, and conditions the expectations in regards to the conduct of each official (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). In the State of Texas, the Legislative Branch is granted the most powers in writing. One can find supporting evidence to the fact after a complete examination is done of this document. A conclusion can be drawn that as a result of all powers given, this branch is able to have a limited amount of regulation over the other two branches of government. Also, it is here that bills of law are p assed to ensure the necessary provisions stated in other articles are upheld. The power of the executive branch is amalgamated from the office of the governor (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 68). Historically, the executive branch held increasingly more power and stature resulting from constitutional amendments allowing for governors to be elected by popular vote. (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 59). Such unbalance in power eventually led to the people giving governors higher authority to veto legislative bills and granted longer terms. This trend continued through the early 1800s, 1830s and 1840s however, somewhat ended during the Jacksonian Era due to ââ¬Å"the Jacksonian principle of popular elections to fill most government offices resulted in a fragmented state executive branch.â⬠(Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 59). Within the Texas Constitution the executive branch powers can be found in Article IV, ââ¬Å"The Executive Departmentâ⬠(The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). The Executive Department must contain ââ¬Å"a governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary ofà State, comptroller of public accounts, tr easurer, commissioner of the land of office and attorney generalâ⬠(Ericson & Wallace, 2010). Throughout the remainder of the article, elaboration of the rights and responsibilities of each member is outlined (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). The Judicial Branch power is bestowed in a supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, and various other courts as authorized by the stateââ¬â¢s constitution. Usually the stateââ¬â¢s judicial branch is headed by the state Supreme Court who tries cases from courts of lower levels (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p.68). Article V from the Texas Constitution includes the powers of the Judicial Department to be vested in ââ¬Å"one Supreme Court, in a Court of Appeals, in District Courts, in County Courts, in Commissionersââ¬â¢ Courts, in Courts of Justices of the Peace, and in such other courts and may be established by lawâ⬠(The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). The head of the Supreme Court is governed by a chief justice and two associate justices. With further reading, the rules and regulations for the court justices and order of operations can be found written in the sections of this article (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). In conclusion, many amendments have been made to reflect the needs of a growing population all through history. Conferring with Bowman & Kearney (2011), ââ¬Å"constitutional revision must be an ongoing process if the states are to cope with the changing contours of American society and stay in the vanguard of innovation and changeâ⬠(p.70). In addition, meeting the need of such a vastly growing entity can be a difficult mission. Original limitations set forth by previous documents have been altered to reflect an even distribution of power and added protections for individuals. Due to the Texas constitutionââ¬â¢s length of 63,000 plus words it is seen as one of the most verbose document of other states. According to Joe E. Ericson and Ernest Wallace, ââ¬Å"Its wealth of detail causes it to resemble a code of laws rather than a constitution. Its many requirements and limitations on both state and local governments make it one of the most restrictive among state constitutionsâ⬠(Ericson & Wallace, 2010). References Bowman, A. O., & Kearney, R. (2001). Sate and Local Government (8th edition). Boston, MA: Cengage Ericson, J. E., & Wallace, E. (2010, June 12). Constitution of 1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Handbook of Texas Online: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/mhc07 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a1 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a5 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a4 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a3
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Digital Fortress Chapter 76-80
Chapter 76 Outside the Seville airport terminal, a taxi sat idle, the meter running. The passenger in the wire-rim glasses gazed through the plate-glass windows of the well-lit terminal. He knew he'd arrived in time. He could see a blond girl. She was helping David Becker to a chair. Becker was apparently in pain. He does not yet know pain, the passenger thought. The girl pulled a small object from her pocket and held it out. Becker held it up and studied it in the light. Then he slipped it on his finger. He pulled a stack of bills from his pocket and paid the girl. They talked a few minutes longer, and then the girl hugged him. She waved, shouldered her duffel, and headed off across the concourse. At last, the man in the taxi thought. At last. Chapter 77 Strathmore stepped out of his office onto the landing with his gun leveled. Susan trailed close behind, wondering if Hale was still in Node 3. The light from Strathmore's monitor behind them threw eerie shadows of their bodies out across the grated platform. Susan inched closer to the commander. As they moved away from the door, the light faded, and they were plunged into darkness. The only light on the Crypto floor came from the stars above and the faint haze from behind the shattered Node 3 window. Strathmore inched forward, looking for the place where the narrow staircase began. Switching the Berretta to his left hand, he groped for the banister with his right. He figured he was probably just as bad a shot with his left, and he needed his right for support. Falling down this particular set of stairs could cripple someone for life, and Strathmore's dreams for his retirement did not involve a wheelchair. Susan, blinded by the blackness of the Crypto dome, descended with a hand on Strathmore's shoulder. Even at the distance of two feet, she could not see the commander's outline. As she stepped onto each metal tread, she shuffled her toes forward looking for the edge. Susan began having second thoughts about risking a visit to Node 3 to get Hale's pass-key. The commander insisted Hale wouldn't have the guts to touch them, but Susan wasn't so sure. Hale was desperate. He had two options: Escape Crypto or go to jail. A voice kept telling Susan they should wait for David's call and use his pass-key, but she knew there was no guarantee he would even find it. She wondered what was taking David so long. Susan swallowed her apprehension and kept going. Strathmore descended silently. There was no need to alert Hale they were coming. As they neared the bottom, Strathmore slowed, feeling for the final step. When he found it, the heel of his loafer clicked on hard black tile. Susan felt his shoulder tense. They'd entered the danger zone. Hale could be anywhere. In the distance, now hidden behind TRANSLTR, was their destination-Node 3. Susan prayed Hale was still there, lying on the floor, whimpering in pain like the dog he was. Strathmore let go of the railing and switched the gun back to his right hand. Without a word, he moved out into the darkness. Susan held tight to his shoulder. If she lost him, the only way she'd find him again was to speak. Hale might hear them. As they moved away from the safety of the stairs, Susan recalled late-night games of tag as a kid-she'd left home base, she was in the open. She was vulnerable. TRANSLTR was the only island in the vast black sea. Every few steps Strathmore stopped, gun poised, and listened. The only sound was the faint hum from below. Susan wanted to pull him back, back to safety, back to home base. There seemed to be faces in the dark all around her. Halfway to TRANSLTR, the silence of Crypto was broken. Somewhere in the darkness, seemingly right on top of them, a high-pitched beeping pierced the night. Strathmore spun, and Susan lost him. Fearful, Susan shot her arm out, groping for him. But the commander was gone. The space where his shoulder had been was now just empty air. She staggered forward into the emptiness. The beeping noise continued. It was nearby. Susan wheeled in the darkness. There was a rustle of clothing, and suddenly the beeping stopped. Susan froze. An instant later, as if from one of her worst childhood nightmares, a vision appeared. A face materialized directly in front of her. It was ghostly and green. It was the face of a demon, sharp shadows jutting upward across deformed features. She jumped back. She turned to run, but it grabbed her arm. ââ¬Å"Don't move!â⬠it commanded. For an instant, she thought she saw Hale in those two burning eyes. But the voice was not Hale's. And the touch was too soft. It was Strathmore. He was lit from beneath by a glowing object that he'd just pulled from his pocket. Her body sagged with relief. She felt herself start breathing again. The object in Strathmore's hand had some sort of electronic LED that was giving off a greenish glow. ââ¬Å"Damn,â⬠Strathmore cursed under his breath. ââ¬Å"My new pager.â⬠He stared in disgust at the SkyPager in his palm. He'd forgotten to engage the silent-ring feature. Ironically, he'd gone to a local electronics store to buy the device. He'd paid cash to keep it anonymous; nobody knew better than Strathmore how closely the NSA watched their own-and the digital messages sent and received from this pager were something Strathmore definitely needed to keep private. Susan looked around uneasily. If Hale hadn't known they were coming, he knew now. Strathmore pressed a few buttons and read the incoming message. He groaned quietly. It was more bad news from Spain-not from David Becker, but from the other party Strathmore had sent to Seville. Three thousand miles away, a mobile surveillance van sped along the darkened Seville streets. It had been commissioned by the NSA under ââ¬Å"Umbraâ⬠secrecy from a military base in Rota. The two men inside were tense. It was not the first time they'd received emergency orders from Fort Meade, but the orders didn't usually come from so high up. The agent at the wheel called over his shoulder. ââ¬Å"Any sign of our man?â⬠The eyes of his partner never left the feed from the wide-angle video monitor on the roof. ââ¬Å"No. Keep driving.â⬠Chapter 78 Underneath the twisting mass of cables, Jabba was sweating. He was still on his back with a penlight clenched in his teeth. He'd gotten used to working late on weekends; the less hectic NSA hours were often the only times he could perform hardware maintenance. As he maneuvered the red-hot soldering iron through the maze of wires above him, he moved with exceptional care; singeing any of the dangling sheathes would be disaster. Just another few inches, he thought. The job was taking far longer than he'd imagined. Just as he brought the tip of the iron against the final thread of raw solder, his cellular phone rang sharply. Jabba startled, his arm twitched, and a large glob of sizzling, liquefied lead fell on his arm. ââ¬Å"Shit!â⬠He dropped the iron and practically swallowed his penlight. ââ¬Å"Shit! Shit! Shit!â⬠He scrubbed furiously at the drop of cooling solder. It rolled off, leaving an impressive welt. The chip he was trying to solder in place fell out and hit him in the head. ââ¬Å"Goddamn it!â⬠Jabba's phone summoned him again. He ignored it. ââ¬Å"Midge,â⬠he cursed under his breath. Damn you! Crypto's fine! The phone rang on. Jabba went back to work reseating the new chip. A minute later the chip was in place, but his phone was still ringing. For Christ's sake, Midge! Give it up! The phone rang another fifteen seconds and finally stopped. Jabba breathed a sigh of relief. Sixty seconds later the intercom overhead crackled. ââ¬Å"Would the chief Sys-Sec please contact the main switchboard for a message.â⬠Jabba rolled his eyes in disbelief. She just doesn't give up, does she? He ignored the page. Chapter 79 Strathmore replaced his Skypager in his pocket and peered through the darkness toward Node 3. He reached for Susan's hand. ââ¬Å"Come on.â⬠But their fingers never touched. There was a long guttural cry from out of the darkness. A thundering figure loomed-a Mack truck bearing down with no headlights. An instant later, there was a collision and Strathmore was skidding across the floor. It was Hale. The pager had given them away. Susan heard the Berretta fall. For a moment she was planted in place, unsure where to run, what to do. Her instincts told her to escape, but she didn't have the elevator code. Her heart told her to help Strathmore, but how? As she spun in desperation, she expected to hear the sounds of a life-and-death struggle on the floor, but there was nothing. Everything was suddenly silent-as if Hale had hit the commander and then disappeared back into the night. Susan waited, straining her eyes into the darkness, hoping Strathmore wasn't hurt. After what seemed like an eternity, she whispered, ââ¬Å"Commander?â⬠Even as she said it, she realized her mistake. An instant later Hale's odor welled up behind her. She turned too late. Without warning, she was twisting, gasping for air. She found herself crushed in a familiar headlock, her face against Hale's chest. ââ¬Å"My balls are killing me.â⬠Hale panted in her ear. Susan's knees buckled. The stars in the dome began to spin above her. Chapter 80 Hale clamped down on Susan's neck and yelled into the darkness. ââ¬Å"Commander, I've got your sweetheart. I want out!â⬠His demands were met with silence. Hale's grip tightened. ââ¬Å"I'll break her neck!â⬠A gun cocked directly behind them. Strathmore's voice was calm and even. ââ¬Å"Let her go.â⬠Susan winced in pain. ââ¬Å"Commander!â⬠Hale spun Susan's body toward the sound. ââ¬Å"You shoot and you'll hit your precious Susan. You ready to take that chance?â⬠Strathmore's voice moved closer. ââ¬Å"Let her go.â⬠ââ¬Å"No way. You'll kill me.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not going to kill anyone.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, yeah? Tell that to Chartrukian!â⬠Strathmore moved closer. ââ¬Å"Chartrukian's dead.â⬠ââ¬Å"No shit. You killed him. I saw it!â⬠ââ¬Å"Give it up, Greg,â⬠Strathmore said calmly. Hale clutched at Susan and whispered in her ear, ââ¬Å"Strathmore pushed Chartrukian-I swear it!â⬠ââ¬Å"She's not going to fall for your divide-and-conquer technique,â⬠Strathmore said, moving closer. ââ¬Å"Let her go.â⬠Hale hissed into the darkness, ââ¬Å"Chartrukian was just a kid, for Christ's sake! Why'd you do it? To protect your little secret?â⬠Strathmore stayed cool. ââ¬Å"And what little secret is that?â⬠ââ¬Å"You know damn-fucking-well what secret that is! Digital Fortress!â⬠ââ¬Å"My, my,â⬠Strathmore muttered condescendingly, his voice like an iceberg. ââ¬Å"So you do know about Digital Fortress. I was starting to think you'd deny that too.â⬠ââ¬Å"Fuck you.â⬠ââ¬Å"A witty defense.â⬠ââ¬Å"You're a fool,â⬠Hale spat. ââ¬Å"For your information, TRANSLTR is overheating.â⬠ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠Strathmore chuckled. ââ¬Å"Let me guess-I should open the doors and call in the Sys-Secs?â⬠ââ¬Å"Exactly,â⬠Hale fired back. ââ¬Å"You'd be an idiot not to.â⬠This time Strathmore laughed out loud. ââ¬Å"That's your big play? TRANSLTR's overheating, so open the doors and let us out?â⬠ââ¬Å"It's true, dammit! I've been down to the sublevels! The aux power isn't pulling enough freon!â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks for the tip,â⬠Strathmore said. ââ¬Å"But TRANSLTR's got automatic shutdown; if it's overheating, Digital Fortress will quit all by itself.â⬠Hale sneered. ââ¬Å"You're insane. What the fuck do I care if TRANSLTR blows? The damn machine should be outlawed anyway.â⬠Strathmore sighed. ââ¬Å"Child psychology only works on children, Greg. Let her go.â⬠ââ¬Å"So you can shoot me?â⬠ââ¬Å"I won't shoot you. I just want the pass-key.â⬠ââ¬Å"What pass-key?â⬠Strathmore sighed again. ââ¬Å"The one Tankado sent you.â⬠ââ¬Å"I have no idea what you're talking about.â⬠ââ¬Å"Liar!â⬠Susan managed. ââ¬Å"I saw Tankado's mail in your account!â⬠Hale went rigid. He spun Susan around. ââ¬Å"You went in my account?â⬠ââ¬Å"And you aborted my tracer,â⬠she snapped. Hale felt his blood pressure skyrocket. He thought he'd covered his tracks; he had no idea Susan knew what he'd done. It was no wonder she wasn't buying a word he said. Hale felt the walls start to close in. He knew he could never talk his way out of that one-not in time. He whispered to her in desperation, ââ¬Å"Susanâ⬠¦ Strathmore killed Chartrukian!â⬠ââ¬Å"Let her go,â⬠the commander said evenly. ââ¬Å"She doesn't believe you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why should she?â⬠Hale fired back. ââ¬Å"You lying bastard! You've got her brainwashed! You only tell her what suits your needs! Does she know what you really plan to do with Digital Fortress?â⬠ââ¬Å"And what's that?â⬠Strathmore taunted. Hale knew what he was about to say would either be his ticket to freedom or his death warrant. He took a deep breath and went for broke. ââ¬Å"You plan to write a back door in Digital Fortress.â⬠The words met with a bewildered silence from the darkness. Hale knew he had hit a bull's-eye. Apparently Strathmore's unflappable cool was being put to the test. ââ¬Å"Who told you that?â⬠he demanded, his voice rough around the edges. ââ¬Å"I read it,â⬠Hale said smugly, trying to capitalize on the change of momentum. ââ¬Å"In one of your brainstorms.â⬠ââ¬Å"Impossible. I never print my brainstorms.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know. I read it directly off your account.â⬠Strathmore seemed doubtful. ââ¬Å"You got into my office?â⬠ââ¬Å"No. I snooped you from Node 3.â⬠Hale forced a self-assured chuckle. He knew he'd need all the negotiating skills he'd learned in the marines to get out of Crypto alive. Strathmore edged closer, the Berretta leveled in the darkness. ââ¬Å"How do you know about my back door?â⬠ââ¬Å"I told you, I snooped your account.â⬠ââ¬Å"Impossible.â⬠Hale forced a cocky sneer. ââ¬Å"One of the problems of hiring the best, Commander-sometimes they're better than you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Young man,â⬠Strathmore seethed, ââ¬Å"I don't know where you get your information, but you're in way over your head. You will let Ms. Fletcher go right now or I'll call in Security and have you thrown in jail for life.â⬠ââ¬Å"You won't do it,â⬠Hale stated matter-of-factly. ââ¬Å"Calling Security ruins your plans. I'll tell them everything.â⬠Hale paused. ââ¬Å"But let me out clean, and I'll never say a word about Digital Fortress.â⬠ââ¬Å"No deal,â⬠Strathmore fired back. ââ¬Å"I want the pass-key.â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't have any fucking pass-key!â⬠ââ¬Å"Enough lies!â⬠Strathmore bellowed. ââ¬Å"Where is it?â⬠Hale clamped down on Susan's neck. ââ¬Å"Let me out, or she dies!â⬠Trevor Strathmore had done enough high-stakes bargaining in his life to know that Hale was in a very dangerous state of mind. The young cryptographer had painted himself into a corner, and a cornered opponent was always the most dangerous kind-desperate and unpredictable. Strathmore knew his next move was a critical one. Susan's life depended on it-and so did the future of Digital Fortress. Strathmore knew the first thing he had to do was release the tension of the situation. After a long moment, he sighed reluctantly. ââ¬Å"Okay, Greg. You win. What do you want me to do?â⬠Silence. Hale seemed momentarily unsure how to handle the commander's cooperative tone. He let up a bit on Susan's neck. ââ¬Å"W-wellâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ he stammered, his voice wavering suddenly. ââ¬Å"First thing you do is give me your gun. You're both coming with me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hostages?â⬠Strathmore laughed coldly. ââ¬Å"Greg, you'll have to do better than that. There are about a dozen armed guards between here and the parking lot.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not a fool,â⬠Hale snapped. ââ¬Å"I'm taking your elevator. Susan comes with me! You stay!â⬠ââ¬Å"I hate to tell you this,â⬠Strathmore replied, ââ¬Å"but there's no power to the elevator.â⬠ââ¬Å"Bullshit!â⬠Hale snapped. ââ¬Å"The lift runs on power from the main building! I've seen the schematics!â⬠ââ¬Å"We tried it already,â⬠Susan choked, trying to help. ââ¬Å"It's dead.â⬠ââ¬Å"You're both so full of shit, it's incredible.â⬠Hale tightened his grip. ââ¬Å"If the elevator's dead, I'll abort TRANSLTR and restore power.â⬠ââ¬Å"The elevator takes a password,â⬠Susan managed feistily. ââ¬Å"Big deal.â⬠Hale laughed. ââ¬Å"I'm sure the commander will share. Won't you, Commander?â⬠ââ¬Å"No chance,â⬠Strathmore hissed. Hale boiled over. ââ¬Å"Now you listen to me, old man-here's the deal! You let Susan and me out through your elevator, we drive a few hours, and then I let her go.â⬠Strathmore felt the stakes rising. He'd gotten Susan into this, and he needed to get her out. His voice stayed steady as a rock. ââ¬Å"What about my plans for Digital Fortress?â⬠Hale laughed. ââ¬Å"You can write your back door-I won't say a word.â⬠Then his voice turned ominous. ââ¬Å"But the day I think you're tracking me, I go to the press with the whole story. I tell them Digital Fortress is tainted, and I sink this whole fucking organization!â⬠Strathmore considered Hale's offer. It was clean and simple. Susan lived, and Digital Fortress got its back door. As long as Strathmore didn't chase Hale, the back door stayed a secret. Strathmore knew Hale couldn't keep his mouth shut for long. But stillâ⬠¦ the knowledge of Digital Fortress was Hale's only insurance-maybe he'd be smart. Whatever happened, Strathmore knew Hale could be removed later if necessary. ââ¬Å"Make up your mind, old man!â⬠Hale taunted. ââ¬Å"Are we leaving or not?â⬠Hale's arms tightened around Susan like a vice. Strathmore knew that if he picked up the phone right now and called Security, Susan would live. He'd bet his life on it. He could see the scenario clearly. The call would take Hale completely by surprise. He would panic, and in the end, faced with a small army, Hale would be unable to act. After a brief standoff, he would give in. But if I call Security, Strathmore thought, my plan is ruined. Hale clamped down again. Susan cried out in pain. ââ¬Å"What's it gonna be?â⬠Hale yelled. ââ¬Å"Do I kill her?â⬠Strathmore considered his options. If he let Hale take Susan out of Crypto, there were no guarantees. Hale might drive for a while, park in the woods. He'd have a gunâ⬠¦. Strathmore's stomach turned. There was no telling what would happen before Hale set Susan freeâ⬠¦ if he set her free. I've got to call Security, Strathmore decided. What else can I do? He pictured Hale in court, spilling his guts about Digital Fortress. My plan will be ruined. There must be some other way. ââ¬Å"Decide!â⬠Hale yelled, dragging Susan toward the staircase. Strathmore wasn't listening. If saving Susan meant his plans were ruined, then so be it-nothing was worth losing her. Susan Fletcher was a price Trevor Strathmore refused to pay. Hale had Susan's arm twisted behind her back and her neck bent to one side. ââ¬Å"This is your last chance, old man! Give me the gun!â⬠Strathmore's mind continued to race, searching for another option. There are always other options! Finally he spoke-quietly, almost sadly. ââ¬Å"No, Greg, I'm sorry. I just can't let you go.â⬠Hale choked in apparent shock. ââ¬Å"What!â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm calling Security.â⬠Susan gasped. ââ¬Å"Commander! No!â⬠Hale tightened his grip. ââ¬Å"You call Security, and she dies!â⬠Strathmore pulled the cellular off his belt and flicked it on. ââ¬Å"Greg, you're bluffing.â⬠ââ¬Å"You'll never do it!â⬠Hale yelled. ââ¬Å"I'll talk! I'll ruin your plan! You're only hours away from your dream! Controlling all the data in the world! No more TRANSLTR. No more limits-just free information. It's a chance of a lifetime! You won't let it slip by!â⬠Strathmore voice was like steel. ââ¬Å"Watch me.â⬠ââ¬Å"But-but what about Susan?â⬠Hale stammered. ââ¬Å"You make that call, and she dies!â⬠Strathmore held firm. ââ¬Å"That's a chance I'm ready to take.â⬠ââ¬Å"Bullshit! You've got a bigger hard-on for her than you do for Digital Fortress! I know you! You won't risk it!â⬠Susan began to make an angry rebuttal, but Strathmore beat her to it. ââ¬Å"Young man! You don't know me! I take risks for a living. If you're looking to play hardball, let's play!â⬠He started punching keys on his phone. ââ¬Å"You misjudged me, son! Nobody threatens the lives of my employees and walks out!â⬠He raised the phone and barked into the receiver, ââ¬Å"Switchboard! Get me Security!â⬠Hale began to torque Susan's neck. ââ¬Å"I-I'll kill her. I swear it!â⬠ââ¬Å"You'll do no such thing!â⬠Strathmore proclaimed. ââ¬Å"Killing Susan will just make things wor-â⬠He broke off and rammed the phone against his mouth. ââ¬Å"Security! This is Commander Trevor Strathmore. We've got a hostage situation in Crypto! Get some men in here! Yes, now, goddamn it! We also have a generator failure. I want power routed from all available external sources. I want all systems on-line in five minutes! Greg Hale killed one of my junior Sys-Secs. He's holding my senior cryptographer hostage. You're cleared to use tear gas on all of us if necessary! If Mr. Hale doesn't cooperate, have snipers shoot him dead. I'll take full responsibility. Do it now!â⬠Hale stood motionless-apparently limp in disbelief. His grip on Susan eased. Strathmore snapped his phone shut and shoved it back onto his belt. ââ¬Å"Your move, Greg.ââ¬
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Follow the attachment and answer each question in it Essay
Follow the attachment and answer each question in it - Essay Example The literal image was a high resolution photograph taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. The factorial design type allowed the independent variables to be manipulated between four different groups of college aged adults at a public University within the United States. The purposes of this research were to advance knowledge on design elements which further enhance the effectiveness and influence of printed education materials. The research hypothesis was that the motivational force of printed education materials would be increased through consistently assigning agency to the virus; meaning that human passivity would make readers consider the virus a predator seeking out potential targets. It was hypothesized that this would heighten the health threat of the virus and perceived susceptibility to the threat. In order to achieve a high level of experimental control in this research study participants were assigned to one of four conditions and in each condition participants received a single page of printed education material that was related. The single page fact sheet was distributed along with a questionnaire. The readability levels of the human and flu agency versions were calculated using five different formulas from an online score tool and the average grade levels for readability were 8.2 and 8.6 ensuring that readability was similar across the groups. Thirteen semantic differential items were used to determine the participants perception of the credibility of the fact sheets. A memory based manipulation check was incorporated with five questions concerning what the participants had read specifically as an index of the participants sensitivity to the linguistic language manipulation. Seven Likert type items assessed participants perceptions of their susceptibility to the virus, H1N1 and their perceptions of the vaccine; their affective
Monday, October 7, 2019
TOYOTA ASSIGNMENT Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1
TOYOTA - Assignment Example Such segmentation will thus more closely match particular needs of this specific group of sexual orientation. The segmentation will thus enable even those who are still hesitant to declare the homosexual orientation and hence a need for market strategy based on this group as their needs cannot be satisfied through regular markets. The needs of this particular group will be met as marketers get to understand the exact needs of sexually oriented individuals and target marketing strategy at a specific group (Hondagneu-Sotelo 23). In addition, it would be much easier and successful to establish and promote specific and customized products and services to sexually oriented group. There may be no customized products as only particular group is served and not individuals. In addition, some may argue that sexual orientation marketing will promote immorality and thus it might be faced with difficulties from those opposing sexual orientation
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Theoretical Models of Leadership and Personal Reflection Essay
Theoretical Models of Leadership and Personal Reflection - Essay Example However, actual practice in nursing might dictate an incremental trust-building exercise to achieve long-term relationship growth. Starnes, et al. (2010) identifies that legitimate relationships are developed over time, beginning with small-scale acts and evolving into reciprocal acts with both employee and the leader. Trust is developed at the point in relationship where both leader and employee assume responsibility for development and growth in relationship by showing high affection and respect for one another through these acts (Starnes, et al 2010). Transformational leadership utilises collaborative methodologies in order to inspire commitment and motivation toward achievement of organisational goals, an idealized influence of role modelled behaviour that also seeks to inspire creativity and innovation in employees (Bass, et al. 2003). ââ¬Å"Trust and distrust are embodied in the rules, roles and relations which some men impose on, or seek to get accepted by othersâ⬠(Farr ell and Knight 2003, p.67). Getting nurses and other health care staff (or even patients) to follow the direction of the transformational leader includes not only behaviours, but the systems and structures that guide either autonomous work or rules guiding behaviour by which the transformational leader abides as well to enact idealized influence. Does this mean having more controls to gain trust? Transactional leadership is a significantly different approach to leadership in which the manager creates contingent rewards that are based on individual employee or group performance (Antonakis, et al. 2003). This style includes the development of a psychological contract where the leader promises acknowledgement for proper performance or guarantees of leader non-intervention so long as work... According to the report findingsà the ideological goal of transformational style is to build long-term trust with health care employees individually or in groups, using practice in-line with a more people-centred leader. However, actual practice in nursing might dictate an incremental trust-building exercise to achieve long-term relationship growth. Legitimate relationships are developed over time, beginning with small-scale acts and evolving into reciprocal acts with both employee and the leader. Trust is developed at the point in relationship where both leader and employee assume responsibility for development and growth in relationship by showing high affection and respect for one another through these acts.As the paper discussesà transformational leadership utilises collaborative methodologies in order to inspire commitment and motivation toward achievement of organisational goals, an idealized influence of role modelled behaviour that also seeks to inspire creativity and inn ovation in employees.à Transactional leadership is a significantly different approach to leadership in which the manager creates contingent rewards that are based on individual employee or group performance.à This style includes the development of a psychological contract where the leader promises acknowledgement for proper performance or guarantees of leader non-intervention so long as work performance outputs are meeting expected organisational goals. Clear task discussion between leader and health care employee leads to understanding of expected rewards in transactional leadership.
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Comparative politics research project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words
Comparative politics research project - Essay Example In the last twenty seven years Brazil has made itself well known for its participatory institutions. The Brazilian economy has been going through a phase of boom and a big section of the population has moved above the poverty level and entered the middle class. Towards the beginning of this paper I shall discuss the economic situation in Brazil in the early years of the twentieth century when there was military regime. The process of urbanization had started to take place in the final years of the military authoritarian rule. The condition of the poorest section of the population was grave since they were suppressed and neglected. In the later part of the paper I shall elaborate on the living conditions of the poor, which has improved gradually since the democratization. But before moving into the discussion of the main issues presented in this paper, I shall briefly discuss a few terms, the understanding of which is important for the reading of this paper. This paper deals with the process of democratic transition in Brazil and addresses the question whether the incidence of reduction of poverty in Brazil is directly correlated with democratization in the country. Literature review Numerous researches have been conducted about the economic situation of Brazil and its democracy and it is evident that there is an economic link but none has specifically given conclusive evidence of the democracy link to poverty and its correlation. According to a report by the Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI, 2006), Brazil is one of the Latin American countries that has fought poverty after its democratization and hence indicating a link between poverty and democratization. The same link is supported by Fukuyama, Diamond and Plattner (2012) who discuss the relationship in detail and sheds more light into there being a relationship between the two in Brazil. According to a paper by Avritzer, with the onset of democracy the poor could take part in the decision making mechanism of the country which improved the representation of their interests in the policies set. It helped them to have greater access of the public goods leading to better living conditions of the poor. Research Question The Democratization of Brazil took place between the years of 1985 and 1988. In 1988, the transition was finalized by enacting ââ¬Å"a new democratic constitution.â⬠2 The Constitution framed in 1988 paved the way for certain important changes in regard to civiliansââ¬â¢ access to social services as well as creating participatory institutions. In 2012, approximately twenty eight million people could be lifted out of severe poverty and the middle class has expanded with some thirty six million people joining the middle class3. The research question is ââ¬Å"Is the democracy in Brazil the cause of poverty reduction?â⬠. This paper would also deal with the other question that re-states the research question, i.e, ââ¬Å"Is there a correlation between democracy and poverty in Brazil?â⬠Terms involved in this paper This paper talks about the democratization of Brazil and the consequent reduction of poverty in the country. By democracy we imply ââ¬Å"a political regime with free competitive elections , without major prescriptions and with universal adult suffrageâ⬠4. In a democratic country the citizens enjoy ââ¬Å"freedom of speech and the press, freedom of political association, and individual civil rightsââ¬
Friday, October 4, 2019
Managing and leading people 01 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words
Managing and leading people 01 - Essay Example Based on some critical research findings related to culture, this report intends to focus mainly on its implications on labour legislation, human resource management (HRM), leadership and people management, cross-border negotiations, knowledge management etc and any other issues that might get noticed during literature study. Finally, conclusions will be drawn based on key findings and applicable recommendations will be made if required. Impact of culture on industry and economics has been established through numerous research and studies throughout the world; the main study that stands out in this sphere is that conducted by Hofstede (1980) whose pioneering work in this sphere has opened up new ways to approach business and management in the international contexts. These studies revealed that national culture has an impact on social norms, which in turn influence work-related values of individuals; and that national culture influences the corporate culture through the kind of policies, practices and procedures followed in the organisation. Values of business owners get translated into practices for employee management. Hofstedeââ¬â¢s work identified five dimensions of national culture that get translated into, or influence, management practices. These include power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism-collectivism, masculinity-feminity, and time orientation (French et al., 2011). Following Hofstede, ma ny other studies on culture and its impact on management have been conducted with significant findings. Trompenaars and Turner (1993) identified seven dimensions; and Hallââ¬â¢s (1989) work identified aspects of communication that could have different meanings in different cultures. The project GLOBE by House et al., (1997) is yet another groundbreaking work to determine impact of culture on various management aspects (Steers, Sanchez- Runde & Nardon,
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