A step-by-step guide to professional-looking tables

A step-by-step guide to professional-looking tables A step-by-step guide to professional-looking tables Tables are a staple of many business documents – from management accounts to a marketing plan or an activity update. And most people know how to create a table in Word. What you may not know is how easily you can take your tables from basic (and boring) to impressive and eye-catching. Transform your tables Tables in published journals usually look far superior to those in the average business document. But it is perfectly possible to transform Words default tables into ones that are every bit as impressive as those produced by the big publishers. And in doing so, you can really lift your documents, to make them much more engaging. You can do this without stepping outside of Word. And – heres the best bit – you dont need a degree in graphic design or to be a Microsoft Office ninja to do so. Far from it. Watch the video to see how you can transform your tables, step by step: This post is taken from a lesson in our online-training programme Emphasis 360, which improves your writing in practical, bite-sized weekly lessons. You can find out more about Emphasis 360 and preview more lessons for free here. Image credit: Your Design / Shutterstock

Is it Ever OK to Tell Your Boss Youre Looking for a New Job

Is it Ever OK to Tell Your Boss Youre Looking for a New Job It can be tricky when you’re job hunting and trying to keep it a secret from your boss and fellow employees. You might have to  resort to fake doctor appointments or a family emergency to get time off for interviews. In another roadblock, your current job can prevent you from listing coworkers or members of management as recommendations on your resume. Is there any professional way  to tell your boss you’re job hunting to make it easier for yourself?Examine Why You’re Job HuntingBefore checking out those job search sites, you may want to ask yourself why you are planning on finding a new job. Ask yourself if you are looking for a larger salary, more responsibilities, or are using the opportunity to switch career paths. One way to examine your  reasons  for job hunting is to  create a list of positive and negative points of your current job. After completing the list, you will have a good idea why you really want a change.Times When You Can Tell Your Bos sActually, there are times when you can tell your boss you are job hunting without many problems. For example, if your spouse has taken a job in a different city and you are forced to move, it’s fine to share your news. Perhaps you have bought a new house on the other side of town, and the commute would add too much time to your daily routine. Or maybe you  have health problems that could force you to take a job with less stress, or your spouse just retired and you want to work closer to home. Logistical reasons for a job change are fine to share with your boss.Think about the Repercussions FirstHaving a good relationship with your employer can make telling him or her  a possibility. In some instances, if you are an employee who knows you are valued, you might be offered a raise, another position in the company, or added responsibilities as an enticement to get you stay with the job. However, whether you tell your boss is strictly a judgment call. If you call it wrong, yo u could be out looking for a job earlier than you had planned and without the backup of your current position.Timing is EverythingYou’ve been on several interviews and the hiring manager is talking about when you start your new job. Is it time to inform your boss and put in your resignation? Until you have actually signed the contract for your new job, you should  hold off on telling your current employer. You aren’t actually hired until those papers are signed, and someone else might come along and snag the new job you thought you had. When your new contract is signed, then is the time to tell your employer. It is also a good idea to let your new employer know that you need to give notice to your current boss with enough time for a replacement to be hired to fill your position. Your new boss will appreciate your courtesy.Knowing when to tell your current employer that you are job hunting can be an important consideration to protect yourself. Job hunting with the abi lity to find all the listings that suit your position is also important, and there are easier ways than searching through job classifieds. TheJobNetwork can help. After you fill out your work interests and qualifications, TheJobNetwork searches 24-hours a day for listings that match your description and sends those listings to you as an email alert. All you do is sign up for job match alert to get started.

Mental Health Nursing Mental Status Exam on a mental health patient Essay

Mental Health Nursing Mental Status Exam on a mental health patient - Essay Example The patient herself does not have an extensive prior hospitalization history. She does have history of: depression, hypertension, diabetes. Treatment recommendations are: management per psychiatry. She does not have any prior history of mental illness or a family history of mental illness. She is a retired school teacher, and worked for nearly 40 years before retiring. There is nothing in her professional record to indicate any psychiatric problems. Though she does claim that she has been depressed all her life, Interviews with family members indicate a person who is generally lived a balanced life . Though she and her husband never had any children and had only each other for company, they seemed generally to be a normal old couple. Financially, while they were not very well off, They seemed generally comfortable. She says she is in the hospital because she is losing weight and is overwhelmed with things at home. Her husband died while both of them where in the hospital , he was sic k for a very long time with cancer in his lungs and he never went to the doctor because they had no insurance and no money for doctor visits. She went in because she was dehydrated and getting sick. She feels now that her husband is gone that once she gets back home that she is going to be overwhelmed and have no idea how to take care of the herself, the house and bills.

Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Journal - Essay Example 6). In contrast, in the American culture, confidentiality and privacy are given importance. Therefore, it is unacceptable to ask details about age, income, salary, or even personal details such as weight, among others. It is definitely uncomfortable for one to see or to experience people from other cultures behaving in ways perceived as unacceptable in one. For the particular example of public display of affection, people from Western culture deem it normal and acceptable to shake hands, embracing each other, hugging, as a sign of greeting or bidding goodbyes. The behavior, regarded as unacceptable in Arab culture, and even in some Asian culture, should be revealed and known in the Western culture so that people would understand how to properly behave in day to day interactions without offending other people from diverse cultural orientations. As indicated in Echo Depiction, â€Å"Arabs quickly gain a negative impression if one (even a westerner) behaves too open with a person of th e opposite sex.  Ã‚  Arabs could interpret that sort of behavior by their standards and consider the person to have low moral standards† (par. 5).

Affordable Care Act Essay Example for Free

Affordable Care Act Essay Abstract The Affordable Care Act Health coverage was developed to provide and guarantee coverage for sickness, injury and preventable health measures. Many people suffer from illness’ that go untreated because they have no health insurance or cannot afford it. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows everyone to have health insurance. In this case study I will explain how the affordable Care Act in North Carolina has improved. The impact of the Affordable Care act on the population that it affected The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the most comprehensive reform of the United States. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also called Obama Care transforms the non-group insurance market in the United States, mandates that all residents will have health insurance, significantly expands public insurance and subsidizes private insurance coverage, raises revenues from a variety of new taxes, and reduces and reorganizes spending under the nation’s largest health insurance plan, Medicare. Many people are opposed to Obama Care, simply because their high Republican beliefs won’t allow them to participate in any program put in place by a Democrat. Participating in a Healthcare program shouldn’t be chosen by whichever political party you believe in, it should be determined by carefully thought out plans and weighing the pros and cons of whichever coverage best suits you and your family’s needs. The Affordable Care Act  does not affect people or families currently covered with adequate health insurance. Those who already have Heath Care in place are protected by the â€Å"Grandfather Policy†. However, it does affect lower income Americans without health care making below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). They may qualify for Medicaid under Medicaid expansion, if they meet all of the policies requirements. This puts health care within reach of many people denied health care in the past. The President of the United States put laws in place that all people participate in the Affordable Care Act and get health care insurance or be penalized and pay monthly fines. This legislation ensures that all people be treated equally†¦ the rich, poor or anywhere in between, you must have health insurance. To some this program seems very beneficial, but we as Americans do not like the government controlling our Medicare choices. These newly enacted Affordable Care Acts were set in place to help all Americans receive health care and medical treatment. This act wasn’t put in place to provide care to people living in the United States illegally; undocumented immigrants and people who have been in the United States for less than five years do not qualify. The uninsured people, who gain insurance coverage in 2014, will obtain their coverage through the state’s Medicaid program. Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act requires that states expand Medicaid coverage to most uninsured adults with modified adjusted gross income no greater than 138% of the federal poverty limit. Children in families with incomes no greater than 200% FPL will continue to be eligible for Medicaid or North Carolina Health Choice (North Carolina’s Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Other people will gain coverage through private insurance offered through the Health Benefit Exchange (HBE). (Milstead, 2013, p. 199) . The impact of the economics of providing care to patients from the organizations view In the case study, the impact of the affordable care act on North Carolina uninsured population in 2011 showed childless, non-disabled, nonelderly adults could not qualify for Medicaid. Being poor, unemployed or homeless did not qualify a person for Medicaid. People, who are uninsured, are more likely to delay care and less likely to receive  preventive services, primary care, or chronic care management. As of 2014, The Affordable care Act adults will be able to qualify for Medicaid if their income is no greater than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. That income level was set at $30,429 for a family of four in 2010. However, some states do allow a family of four to have higher incomes and still qualify. The case study also showed that providing Medicaid to all people across the chart insured total coverage to all people and the FPL (Federal Poverty Level) had risen to a level where all peo ple were nearly identical to one another. Suggesting that if health care is provided equally throughout the nation there will be a lull in infectious diseases and untreated illnesses because everyone would seek treatment since they have coverage. Some of the economic growth and plans involve tax credits to individuals and families participating in Affordable Care Act, helping to keep participation affordable to all. Doing so helps to promote membership to all, thus keeping costs at a minimum and entices more families to participate. Another planned impact would be the cap placed on insurance company’s expenditures, careful monitoring of costs to provide service will eliminate overcharging by insurance companies and its affiliates. The government understands that it will take a number of years before the Affordable Care Act will show how much of a positive impact this program has on its participants. However, the government promises that keeping health care costs affordable will eventually lower rates and spending across the board. It says that with health care more available to all, more people get better and employees will come in to work reducing sick days and create better productivity, and financial gain for everyone. The Affordable Care Act also keeps families from financial ruin now when a family member becomes sick or unable to work they can still have health coverage through policies of their own or coverage provided through a participating family member. Before when a family member got sick they had to worry about being cut off of coverage if they lost their jobs. Families also had the added worry of escalating medical expenses while they were suffering through their sicknesses. Many feared losing their homes to pay for medical expenses. How the patients will be affected in relationship to the cost of treatment, quality of treatment, and access to treatment The Residents of North Carolina’s will have access to quality, affordable health care under the updated health insurance reform. The Affordable Care Act of 2014 will have a positive effect on patient safety and outcomes. It will provide many resources to allow patients easier access to insurance for health care costs and preventive care such as cancer screenings and vaccines. It will give incentives to health care facilities to improve the care being given. It is also mandated for all healthcare facilities to use electronic health record systems to keep track of all patient information to minimize errors. Doing this will also ensure that all patients receive the same care and treatment at all facility’s and that hospitals can share new developments or procedures. Reducing costs and prolonged hospital stays and long drawn out treatments, patients in need of specialized treatments can be sent to facilities better equipped to treat them with records of their treatments already in the system. (R. Kocher, J. Emanuel, M. Deparle, 2014, pp. 536-540) The Affordable Care Act provides medical coverage for families and children and is required to continue to make such coverage available for an adult child who is not married until the child reaches age 26. However, the Affordable Care Act is not obligated to make coverage available for a child of a child receiving dependent coverage. These people are considered parents themselves, and are expected to work and provide health care for their dependent children themselves. The ethical implications of this act for both the organization and the patients Since the beginning of 2010 adults, can qualify for Medicaid if their income is not greater than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Gaining strength over the last couple of years as of 2014 everyone is qualified to get Affordable Health Care as long as they meet the plans restrictions and verifications. As everyone in North Carolina gains health coverage, the state and county governments could potentially reduce some of the expense to safety net providers currently used to help pay for services to the uninsured. Under this new mandated health reform, hospitals and medical  providers will be assured funding and payment since this program is to be funded by the federal government. Thus providing a system where medical facilities can focus on patient care, and not worry about the un or under insured not being able to pay for the care they receive. When organizations across the entire United States are given enough funding to cover the expense of new equipment and supplies, it allows more opportunities for hiring more educated staff members, and lets health providers focus on patient care. The state of North Carolina may eventually experience a decrease in unnecessary use of the emergency department and reduced hospitalizations as more people gain coverage and access to preventive and primary care services. Once health care is made more readily available and affordable to more people and families, the risk of fraud and abuse of services would be greatly reduced. These worries and concerns will all but be eliminated because health care would now be available to all Americans. Even Americans who were once refused treatment due to pre-existing health problems can now be seen by a physician. The Affordable Care Act prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions, refusals of treatment and all other discriminations based on health status by group health plans. Reference Milstead, J. A. (2013). Health policy and politics: A nurses guide (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Kocher, R., Emanuel, E. J., DeParle, N. M. (2010). The Affordable Care Act and the Future of Clinical Medicine: The Opportunities and Challenges. Annals Of Internal Medicine, 153(8), 536-W.190 Kovner, A. R., Knickerman, J. R. (2011). Health care delivery in the United States. (10th ed.). New York, NY: Springer. 2014, 01). Impact of Affordable Care Act on North Carolina Uninsured Population. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 01, 2014, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Impact-Of-Affordable-Care-Act-On-46392180.html (P.L. 111-152 Summary of patient protection and affordable care act (P.L. 111-148, H.R. 3590), with amendments of the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, H.R. 4872). (2010). Tax Management Tax Practice Series Bulletin, 22(7), 12-31. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/193794262?accountid=14872

Environmental Ethics Essay -- Environment Global Warming Climate Chang

Ethics is the study of what is right and wrong in human conduct. Environmental ethics studies the effects of human’s moral relationships on the environment and everything within it (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). The ethical principles that govern those relations determine human duties, obligations, and responsibilities with regard to the Earth’s natural environment and all of the animals and plants that inhabit it (Taylor, 1989). The purpose of this paper is to reveal environmental issues that are threatening the existence of life on Earth, and discus our social obligations to refrain from further damaging our environment, health and life for future generations. I will discus the need for appropriate actions and the ethical application in the decision making process on solving environmental concerns. Environmental Concerns The environment has been under attack since the dawn of man. Without the environment, man could not exist. Herein lies the dilemma, man takes from the earth what he needs to survive, food, water, shelter, and the very air he breathes. However, the ever-rising population of man demands more of these essentials at a rapid rate, therefore, more is being taken than the earth can replenish. The human populous and concentrations of pesticides in food crops, started to be seen as an environmental crisis in the 1960’s, which acted as the stepping-stone for environmental awareness. In 1967, historian Lynn White published an essay on the historical roots of the environmental crisis. Whites essay created many academic debates over the Judeo-Christian mode of thinking, which encouraged the exploitation of nature for human consumption. The ethical dilemma arises from the concern of whether or not it was mor... ...man sources of greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise due to the growing populous, this growth may be reduced by Bush’s plans to increase efforts to use newer, cleaner technologies and measures. These plans will only be effective if everyone, not just in the United States, but the entire world, participates and becomes aware of the ethical dilemmas challenging our very existence. The environment is a part of us and we of it. We cannot survive without each other. Since the dawn of time, it has nurtured and provided for us. Now it is our turn to nurture and preserve the environment. The future in uncertain, but if the entire human species can adapt a more reasonable lifestyle, there is hope for the environment and every living thing in it. Time is of the essence, therefore, immediate actions and ethical decisions are necessary for survival of the planet.

Dignitatis Humanae

The issue of religious freedom from a Catholic viewpoint has always been controversial, since Catholicism is not only seen as a religion, in the historical sense, but also a great force in the political structure in the past. Dignitatis Humanae came about when the Vatican Council II faced conflicts on what model of religious freedom was to be put before the Council. Traditionalists called for religious tolerance but claimed that an abstract right to religious liberty was relativistic or simply some aspects of religious liberty are dependent on different factors and cannot attain a definite standpoint.The declaration was largely drawn from the first draft â€Å"Unity† by Cardinal Bea, the draft was part of the schema on ecumenism. These conflicts were encountered during the first session of the council. On the second session of the Council, conflict over a possible declaration on religious freedom continued. Materials used by various bishops were mainly from John Courtney Murra y’s draft. The conflict moved from arguments over the content to whether it would be voted on before the Council ends. During the third session, Declaration on Religious Liberty was approved by Theological Commission.There was an appeal that certain voting be held on the third session but the Pope decided that it be moved to the next session. The final vote was taken and promulgated on the fourth session. Many issues were raised before the voting but the Declaration’s statement of development was a key issue. There were attempts to delay the voting again, arguing that support for the current text was uncertain. The declaration was approved on October 25, 1965 with only minor amendments and was promulgated December 7 of the same year.Religious freedom is vital to man’s life, it is not just for Catholics but for all. Dignitatis Humanae is a declaration which focuses on how religious can be attained in a secular world. It’s a declaration on how different sec tors such as the government, the Church, and even individuals should interact, not just to achieve order but to elevate human dignity. In elevating human dignity, universal justice is not difficult to attain. The heart of Dignitatis Humanae is religious freedom based on human dignity through reason and divine revelation.Human dignity here means man’s very value, his nature and right to reason and his free will. Human dignity entails, since men are impelled by nature and bound by moral obligations, the search for truth, religious truth in particular. Once truth is known, man is to adhere to it and order his life in accord to its demands. The declaration points out however, that men cannot do these obligations unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion and psychological freedom. Religious freedom as a right has its foundations not in the subjective or relativistic disposition but in man’s very nature.The right to immunity does not only apply to those who adhere to the truth but even to those who do not live up to their obligation to seek for the truth, provided that just public order be observed. The declaration states that in all his activity, a man is bound to follow his conscience in order that he may come to God, and it follows that he is not to be forced to act against his conscience nor restrained from acting according to his conscience, especially when it comes to religious matters. The reason for this is that the exercise of religion consists in internal, voluntary, and free acts where man sets his life toward God.Going to the social nature of man, the declaration states that it is required that he should give external expression to his internal acts of religion: that he should profess his religion in community. Injury, as the declaration puts it, is done to the human person and to the order established by God for human life, if the free exercise of religion is denied in society, provided just order is observed. The role of the famil y, since it is a society in its own original right, has the right to freely live its own domestic religious life under the guidance of parents.Parents are given the right to determine the kind of religious education their children are to receive. As for the government, it must recognize the right of parents to make a free choice of schools and of other means of education. The rights of parents are simply violated if their children are forced to attend instructions which are not in agreement with their religious beliefs. The government should also help create conditions favorable to the fostering of religious life, to enable people to exercise their religious rights and duties, and also that the society may profit by the moral qualities of justice and peace.The care of the right to religious freedom (devolves) upon the whole citizenry, upon social groups, upon government, and upon the Church and other religious communities. Lastly, the government’s role is to see to it that eq uality of citizens before the law is not violated. Clearly, a wrong is committed when government imposes upon its people, by force or fear or other means. The declaration further states that all the more is it a violation of the will of God and the sacred rights of the person and the family of nations when force is brought to bear in any way in order to destroy religion.The right to religious freedom and its practice is subject to certain regulatory norms. In the use of all freedoms, the moral principle of both personal and social responsibility must be observed. In the exercise of their rights, individual men and social groups are bound by the moral law to have respect for the rights of others and for their own duties. In attaining religious freedom in the society, men are to deal with their fellows in justice and civility. Dignitatis Humanae is one way of proving that Catholicism is not a religion of coercion but a religion of freedom and human dignity.One of the major tenets of C atholic doctrine that man’s response to God in faith must be out of freedom or simply putting it, embracing the Christian faith is not be forced against man’s will. The means of attaining religious freedom or the very expression of it should be an imitation of how Christ taught by word and example. Christ converted men to faith not through coercion but by the power of evangelization. Christ, in His time also acknowledged the power of government and its rights. The Church is following the way of Christ in faithfulness to the truth of the Gospel.Dignitatis Humanae should serve as a guide to the Catholic laity especially in its mission of evangelization, proclaiming the Gospel and the faith itself should not be imposed to non-Catholics or non-Christians. As the declaration states, ‘†¦ where the principle of religious freedom is not only proclaimed in words or simply incorporated in law but also given sincere and practical application, there the Church succeeds in achieving a stable situation of right as well as of fact and the independence which is necessary for the fulfillment of her divine mission. ’

Examples of Innovative Products and Services

1. Objective Identify current issues and areas of improvement for small business banking in Canada Recommend innovative banking products 3. Examples of Innovative Products and Services Innovation Country Term Loans New Zealand Financing Products Diversity Loans U. S. Remote Deposit Capture U. S. Customer Customer Feedback Program, New Zealand Experience Online Banking Community Canada, U. S. Employee Benefit Programs U. S. Benefit Programs Priority Banking U. S. Foreign Exchange Order Watch Service Australia Factoring Canada Products Loans/Mortgages for Green Business Canada, UK, U. S. , Greece â€Å"Think Card† UK Green Business Treasurers Reserve Account UK Green Business Advisory Support Canada Category 2. Research Methods and Scope Official websites, professional reports, market surveys, government studies Domestic and international banks and credit unions (Canada, US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand) 4. SWOT Analysis Strength †¢ Advertisement capabilities †¢ Familiarity with innovations †¢ Scales of network allowing piloting †¢ Difficulty with business process changes †¢ Difficulty satisfying small business needs †¢ Promote diversity loans †¢ Promote green products . Gap Analysis Gap analysis reveals potential solutions for the bank to fulfill customer requirements Most of the potential solutions can be categorized as â€Å"Social Responsibility Products† 6. Recommendations Weakness Opportunity Threat A comprehensive social responsibility program includes: Loans to support local economies Loans to support w omen, youth, immigrant and disabled entrepreneurs Banking products to encourage and finance projects that contribute to environmental sustainability 7. References & Acknowledgements A point system to demonstrate recognition and appreciation for small business customers that share social values of the bank â€Å"Green Products for Commercial Banking Customers†, Business Banking Board, †¢ Competitors going for Catalogue Number: BBB17TXCXH. Small Business Financing. [Online]. Canadian Bankers Association. A kick-off marketing campaign to promote the new program and a [2010, Oct. 20] website dedicated to providing information for the program †¢ Losing customers to foreign We thank Prof. J. C. Paradi for providing us this valuable opportunity to work with a real client on an industrial project and Dr. J. Farvolden for guidance and advice Continuous cost/benefit analysis for products in the program and exchange companies along the way. We thank the Client for providing this project and supporting us with relevant information. We thank everyone who put in effort to make this changes as needed to match the social responsibility theme project available for us and wish the best for your future endeavors.

Biography of Than Shwe, Burmese Dictator

Biography of Than Shwe, Burmese Dictator Than Shwe (born February 2, 1933) is a Burmese politician who ruled the country as a military dictator from 1992 to 2011. He was known for being a secretive, vindictive commander who showed no qualms about having dissidents, journalists, and even Buddhist monks beaten, jailed, tortured, and executed. Despite his absolute power, Than Shwe was so reclusive that most Burmese people never even heard his voice. Smuggled video footage of the sumptuous wedding thrown for the generals daughter sparked outrage across the country, as it provided a glimpse of the lifestyle of the very rich. Than Shwes regime was so brutal and corrupt that he is considered one of Asias worst dictators. Fast Facts: Than Shwe Known For: Than Shwe was the military dictator of Burma from 1992 to 2011.Born: February 2, 1933 in Kyaukse,  British BurmaSpouse: Kyaing KyaingChildren: 8 Early Life Very little is known about the early life of secretive general Than Shwe. He was born on February 2, 1933, in Kyuakse, in the Mandalay Division of Burma. At the time of Than Shwes birth, Burma was still a British colony. Few details of Than Shwes education have emerged, though some sources report that he attended public elementary school before dropping out of high school. Early Career Than Shwes first government job after leaving school was as a mail delivery clerk. He worked for the post office in Meiktila, a city in central Burma. Sometime between 1948 and 1953, the young Than Shwe enlisted in the Burmese colonial army, where he was assigned to the psychological warfare unit. He participated in the governments ruthless counterinsurgency campaign against ethnic-Karen guerrillas in eastern Burma. This experience resulted in Shwes several-year-long commitment to a psychiatric hospital for post-traumatic stress disorder. Nonetheless, Shwe was known as a merciless fighter; his no-holds-barred style brought a promotion to the rank of captain in 1960. He was promoted to major in 1969, and in 1971 he graduated from a military training program at the Frunze Academy  in the Soviet Union. Entry into National Politics Captain Than Shwe helped General Ne Win seize power in the 1962 coup that ended Burmas brief post-independence experience with democracy. He was rewarded with a steady series of promotions, rising to the rank of colonel by 1978. In 1983, Shwe took military command of the Southwest Region/Irrawaddy Delta near Rangoon. This posting close to the capital was to aid him enormously in his quest for higher office. Ascent to Power In 1985, Shwe was promoted to brigadier general and given the twin posts of Vice Chief of Army Staff and Deputy Minister of Defense. The following year, he was promoted again to major general and given a seat on the Burma Socialist Partys Central Executive Committee. The junta crushed a pro-democracy movement in 1988, leaving 3,000 protestors dead. Burmese ruler Ne Win was ousted after the insurrection. Saw Muang took control, and Than Shwe moved into a high cabinet position- according to one writer, because of his ability to bore everyone else into submission. Following the abortive elections of 1990, Than Shwe replaced Saw Maung as head of state in 1992. Supreme Leader Initially, Than Shwe was seen as a more moderate-style military dictator than some of his predecessors. He freed some political prisoners and released pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in the late 1990s. (She won the 1990 presidential election despite being in prison.) Than Shwe also oversaw Burmas 1997 entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), signaling an openness to trade and increased market freedom. He also cracked down on some official corruption. However, Than Shwe became a stricter ruler over time. His former mentor, General Ne Win, died under house arrest in 2002. In addition, Than Shwes disastrous economic policies kept Burma one of the poorest countries in the world. Human Rights Abuses Given his early association with the brutal put-downs of the Karen independence and pro-democracy movements, its not surprising that Than Shwe showed little regard for human rights during his tenure as Burmas supreme ruler. Freedom of the press and free speech were nonexistent in Burma under his leadership. The journalist Win Tin, an associate of Aung San Suu Kyis, was imprisoned in 1989. (Aung San herself was also rearrested in 2003, and was under house arrest until late in 2010.) The Burmese junta used systematic rape, torture, executions, and disappearances to control the people and quell dissent. Monk-led protests in September 2007 resulted in a violent crackdown, which left hundreds dead. Personal Life While the Burmese people suffered under Than Shwes rule, Than Shwe and other top leaders enjoyed a very comfortable lifestyle (apart from worries about being deposed). The opulence with which the junta surrounded themselves was seen in a leaked video of the wedding reception of Than Shwes daughter, Thandar, and an army major. The video, showing ropes of diamonds, a solid-gold bridal bed, and huge amounts of champagne, outraged people inside Burma and around the world. It was not all jewels and BMWs for Shwe, though. The general is diabetic, and some experts believe he may be suffering from intestinal cancer. He has spent time in hospitals in Singapore and Thailand. Than Shwe is something of a recluse, however, so this information has not been verified. On March 30, 2011, Than Shwe stepped down as the ruler of Myanmar and retreated further from the public eye. His hand-picked successor, President Thein Sein, has initiated a series of reforms and has opened Myanmar to the international community to a surprising extent since he took office. Dissident leader Aung San Suu Kyi was even allowed to run for a seat in the Congress, which she won on April 1, 2012. Sources Myint-U, Thant. Where China Meets India: Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012.Rogers, Benedict. Burma: a Nation at the Crossroads. Rider Books, 2015.

War of 1812 - Causes

War of 1812 - Causes Having won its independence in 1783, the United States soon found itself a minor power without the protection of the British flag. With the security of the Royal Navy removed, American shipping soon began falling prey to privateers from Revolutionary France and the Barbary pirates. These threats were met during the undeclared Quasi-War with France (1798-1800) and First Barbary War (1801-1805). Despite success in these minor conflicts, American merchant ships continued to be harassed by both the British and the French. Engaged in a life-or-death struggle in Europe the two nations actively sought to prevent the Americans from trading with their enemy. In addition, as it depended upon the Royal Navy for military success, the British followed a policy of impressment to meet its growing manpower needs. This saw British warships stop American merchant vessels at sea and remove American sailors from their ships for service in the fleet. Though angered by the actions of Britain and France, t he United States lacked the military power to halt these transgressions. The Royal Navy Impressment The largest navy in the world, the Royal Navy was actively campaigning in Europe by blockading French ports as well as maintaining a military presence across the vast British Empire. This saw the size of the fleet grow to over 170 ships of the line and required in excess of 140,000 men. While volunteer enlistments generally met the services manpower needs during peacetime, the expansion of the fleet during times of conflict required the employment of other methods to sufficiently crew its vessels. To provide enough sailors, the Royal Navy was permitted a follow a policy of impressment which allowed it to draft into immediate service any able-bodied, male British subject. Often captains would send press gangs to round up recruits from pubs and brothels in British ports or from British merchant ships. The long arm of impressment also reached onto the decks of neutral commercial vessels, including those of the United States. British warships made a frequent habit of stopping neutral shi pping to inspect crew lists and remove British sailors for military service. Though the law required impressed recruits to be British citizens, this status was loosely interpreted. Many American sailors had been born in Britain and became naturalized American citizens. Despite possession of citizenship certificates, this naturalized status was often not recognized by the British and many American sailors were seized under the simple criterion of Once an Englishman, always an Englishman. Between 1803 and 1812, approximately 5,000-9,000 American sailors were forced into the Royal Navy with as many as three-quarters being legitimate American citizens. Heightening the tensions  was the practice of the Royal Navy stationing vessels off American ports with orders to search ships for contraband and men who could be impressed. These searches frequently took place in American territorial waters. Though the American government repeatedly protested the practice, British Foreign Secretary Lord Harrowby contemptuously wrote in 1804, The pretention advanced by Mr. [Secre tary of State James] Madison that the American flag should protect every individual on board of a merchant ship is too extravagant to require any serious refutation. The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair Three years later, the impressment issue resulted in a serious incident between the two nations. In the spring of 1807, several sailors deserted from HMS Melampus (36 guns) while the ship was at Norfolk, VA. Three of the deserters then enlisted aboard the frigate USS Chesapeake (38) which was then fitting out for a patrol in the Mediterranean. Upon learning of this, the British consul at Norfolk demanded that Captain Stephen Decatur, commanding the navy yard at Gosport, return the men. This was refused as was a request to Madison who believed the three men to be Americans. Subsequent affidavits later confirmed this, and the men claimed they had been impressed. The tensions were heightened when rumors circulated that other British deserters were part of Chesapeakes crew. Learning of this, Vice Admiral George C. Berkeley, commanding the North American station, instructed any British warship that encountered Chesapeake to stop it and search for deserters from HMS  Belleisle (74), HMSà ‚  Bellona (74), HMS  Triumph (74), HMS  Chichester (70), HMS  Halifax (24), and HMS  Zenobia (10). On June 21, 1807, HMS Leopard (50) hailed Chesapeake shortly after it cleared the Virginia Capes. Sending a Lieutenant John Meade as messenger to the American ship, Captain Salusbury Humphreys demanded that the frigate be searched for deserters. This request was flatly refused by Commodore James Barron who ordered the to ship be prepared for battle. As the ship possessed a green crew and the decks were cluttered with supplies for an extended cruise, this procedure moved slowly. After several minutes of shouted conversation between Humphreys and Barron, Leopard fired a warning shot, then a full broadside into the unready American ship. Unable to return fire, Barron struck his colors with three men dead and eighteen wounded. Refusing the surrender, Humphreys sent across a boarding party which removed the three men as well as Jenkin Ratford who had deserted from Halifax. Taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ratford was later hung on August 31 while the other three were sentenced to 500 lashes each (this was later commuted). In the wake of the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair an outraged American public called for war and President Thomas Jefferson to defend the nations honor. Pursuing a diplomatic course instead, Jefferson closed American waters to British warships, secured the release of the three seamen, and demanded an end to impressment. While the British did pay compensation for the incident, the practice of impressment continued unabated. On May 16, 1811, USS President (58) engaged HMS Little Belt (20) in what is sometimes considered a retaliatory attack for the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair.  The incident followed an encounter between HMS Guerriere (38) and USS Spitfire (3) off Sandy Hook that resulted in an American sailor being impressed. Encountering Little Belt near the Virginia Capes, Commodore John Rodgers gave chase in belief the British vessel was Guerriere. After an extended pursuit, the two vessels exchanged fire around 10:15 PM. Following the engagement, both sides repeatedly argued that the ot her had fired first. Issues of Neutral Trade While the impressment issue caused problems, tensions were further heightened due to Britain and Frances behavior regarding neutral trade. Having effectively conquered Europe but lacking the naval strength to invade Britain, Napoleon sought to cripple the island nation economically. To this end he issued the Berlin Decree in November 1806 and instituted the Continental System which made all trade, neutral or otherwise, with Britain illegal. In response, London issued the Orders in Council on November 11, 1807, which closed European ports to trade and barred foreign ships from entering them unless they first called at a British port and paid customs duties. To enforce this, the Royal Navy tightened its blockade of the Continent. Not to be outdone, Napoleon responded with his Milan Decree a month later which stipulated that any ship that followed the British rules would be considered British property and seized. As a result, American shipping became prey for both sides. Riding the wave of outrage that followed the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act of 1807 on December 25. This act effectively ended American foreign trade by prohibiting American ships from calling at overseas ports. Though drastic, Jefferson hoped to end the threat to American vessels by removing them from the oceans while depriving Britain and France of American goods. The act failed to achieve his goal of pressuring the European superpowers and instead severely crippled the American economy. By December 1809, it was replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act which allowed overseas trade, but not with Britain and France. This still failed to change their policies. A final revision was issued in 1810 which removed all embargoes, but stated that if one nation stopped attacks on American ships, the United States would begin an embargo against the other. Accepting this offer, Napoleon promised Madison, now president, that neutral rights would honored. This agreement further angered the British despite the fact that the French reneged and continued seizing neutral ships. War Hawks Expansion in the West In the years following the American Revolution, settlers pushed west across the Appalachians to form new settlements. With the creation of the Northwest Territory in 1787, increasing numbers moved to the present-day states of Ohio and Indiana pressuring the Native Americans in those areas to move. Early resistance to white settlement led to conflicts and in 1794 an American army defeated the Western Confederacy at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Over the next fifteen years, government agents such Governor William Henry Harrison negotiated various treaties and land deals to push the Native Americans farther west. These actions were opposed by several Native American leaders, including the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. Working to build a confederacy to oppose the Americans, he accepted aid from the British in Canada and promised an alliance should war occur. Seeking to break the confederacy before it could fully form, Harrison defeated Tecumsehs brother, Tenskwatawa, at the Battle of Tippecano e on November 7, 1811. During this period, settlement on the frontier faced a constant threat of Native American raids. Many believed these were encouraged and supplied by the British in Canada. The actions of the Native Americans worked to advance British goals in the region which called for the creation of a neutral Native American state that would serve as a buffer between Canada and the United States. As a result, resentment and dislike of the British, further fueled by events at sea, burned brightly in the west where a new group of politicians known as the War Hawks began to emerge. Nationalistic in spirit, they desired war with Britain to end the attacks, restore the nations honor, and possibly to expel the British from Canada. The leading light of the War Hawks was Henry Clay of Kentucky, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 1810. Having already served two brief terms in the Senate, he was immediately elected Speaker of the House and transformed the position into one of power. In Congr ess, Clay and the War Hawk agenda were supported by individuals such as John C. Calhoun (South Carolina), Richard Mentor Johnson (Kentucky), Felix Grundy (Tennessee), and George Troup (Georgia). With Clay guiding debate, he ensured that Congress moved down the road to war. Too Little, Too Late Seizing upon the issues of impressment, Native American attacks, and the seizure of American ships, Clay and his cohorts clamored for war in early 1812, despite the countrys lack of military preparedness. Though believing that the capture of Canada would be simple task, efforts were made to expand the army but without great success. In London, the government of King George III was largely preoccupied with Napoleons invasion of Russia. Though the American military was weak, the British did not wish to fight a war in North America in addition to the larger conflict in Europe. As a result, Parliament began debating repealing the Orders in Council and normalizing trade relations with the United States. This culminated in their suspension on June 16 and removal on June 23. Unaware of developments in London due to the slowness of communication, Clay led the debate for war in Washington. It was a reluctant action and the nation failed to unite in a single call for war. In some places, people even debated who to fight: Britain or France. On June 1, Madison submitted his war message, which focused on maritime grievances, to Congress. Three days later, the House voted for war, 79 to 49. Debate in the Senate was more extensive with efforts made to limit the scope of the conflict or delay a decision. These failed and on June 17, the Senate reluctantly voted 19 to 13 for war. The closest war vote in the history of country, Madison signed the declaration the next day. Summing up the debate seventy-five years later, Henry Adams wrote, Many nations go to war in pure gayety of heart, but perhaps the United States were the first to force themselves into a war they dreaded, in hope that the war itself might create the spirit they lacked.

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Integration of Albania to EU; opportunities and challenges Essay - 1

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