September 29th, 2009
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I had struggled with finding a leader that I admire and respect. There are so many individuals in this world who have show strong leadership skills and have through their demeanor and actions have required admiration and respect. One person, who for me has been a leader I looked to, respected, and admired is General George S. Patton III. While some might question using this man as a personal model for leadership, I believe his tactics on the battlefield during World War II warrant at least respect and admiration.
The exuberance and powerful Oscar winning performance of George C. Scott acting as George Patton has misled many people in understanding Patton. While the film does portray his battlefield tactics and some of the personal elements of his life accurately, it is not well known that the General was soft spoken, but commanded with might. Read more…
What is Enron?
Enron is the company that altered international finance forever. The company shook the corporate world. This company became the catalyst for many changes in federal and international law as well as other policies dealing with corporate accounting practices. Inquiries surrounding the rise and fall of Enron emerged because of the shifty techniques used to deceive investors and corporate watchdogs. How did this corporation pull the wool over so many people’s eyes? This essay will briefly describe the rise, fall, and international aftermath of the Enron Corporation.
Before delving into the gruesome details, let us go over the details of the Enron Corporation. In 1985 the Northern Natural Gas Company, became what will be known as the core of the Enron Corporation when the company purchased the smaller Houston Natural Gas Company. With the latest acquisition, Enron was formed. The new formed company originally dealt in the transmission and distribution of gas and electricity in the United States. In later years leading up to ultimate demise, the company dealt with multiple of other companies such as water sector, broadband, plastics, and steel. The company also became one of the world’s largest energy companies. Enron became the seventh largest corporation in the United States which interestingly enough also became the largest business scandal in United States’ history. At its epitome, its profits were $101 billion and employed over 20,000 individuals. The question arises, were these claims actual profits? This is where the accounting practices and techniques used by Enron come into question. Read more…
The Civil War broke out; lives were changed. Wives were widowed, sisters lost brothers, daughters and sons lost fathers, and families were torn apart by the Civil War. Some believed the devastating war would be concluded quickly by some decisive victory, but instead they had to endure 4 long years of that terrible war. After the conclusion of the war the era that followed was one of healing, technological advances, as well as literary change.
The North and the South had reconstruction to do in their regions. The South had a lot more to reconstruct. Fields that were destroyed needed to be retilled and replanted. The cities that had been razed needed to be rebuilt. Whereas in the North little needed to be repaired.
There were some technological advances as well, after the Civil War. Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone had been invented. This brought on instant, as well as instantaneous voice over line. Also the invention or the discovery of alternating current allowed broader use of electricity. It allowed light bulbs to be used in rural areas as well as in urban areas.
Literary change occurred after the Civil War because of people’s realization that the potential possibilities of human nature is not true. The writing of truth and realism began. Walk Whitman, a man who lived during and after that war used realism in his writings; he celebrated the advancements of the age and put down the materialism and democratic corruption.
Another change occurred in literature. This change is called regionalism. Regionalism is a type of writing which produces the effect of the region. For example: if one was writing in the south, one would use writing to record their type of dialect with their accent. Local color was also brought in along with regionalism because not only was its effect to write accents but also the social customs were also needed for effect. Brett Harte was one who wrote in this type of style, and he is famous for his depictions of the western towns. Sidney Lanier and Henry Timrod both used this effect as well.
These literary forms bring to our tables and desks a real feeling. One that is true and very heart felt. As culture changed the writings changed with the eras.
