A Biography of KHIEU Samphan (PhD)

Extraordinary chamber to try some of the top leaders during Democratic Kampuchea Regime; a regime that is accused of killing millions of Cambodian innocent lives, is on the process. This is probably the most heated topic from the government institution up to the general public. However, a prevailing fact that would dim the justice prospect for Cambodian people is that a huge number of the people do not even know the basic biography of those most responsible Democratic Kampuchea leaders to face trial, constituted of Cambodian and international judges.

Mr. KHIEU Samphan, one of the prominent leaders of many other Democratic Kampuchea leaders is due to face the foregoing extraordinary chamber; however, a huge number of Cambodian people, old and young, do not even have even a basic knowledge pertaining this man: This is the fact that I hypothesize that Cambodian prospect to justice is apparently faint. The entire contents of the following compiled essay will unveil KHIEU Samphans on-the-surface biographical details.

I. Childhood

Mr. KHIEU Samphan who is considered as brother number five, after SALOTH Sar (Pol Pot), NUON Chea, IENG Sary and TA Mok, is believed to be born July 27, 1931 in Svay Rieg province. He is the oldest son in the family. His father was a local judge. After a compulsory education in his hometown, KHIEU Samphan pursued his education to Sisowat High School in Phnom Penh. During his time, Sisowat or Preah Sisowat High School was believed to be the top high school in Cambodia. Only the uptown-class or outstanding students would attend this educational institution.

KHIEU Samphans childhood is not dramatically known, and until now, resources about his childhood are still inadequate and even unreliable. But he became better noted after winning the government scholarship to study in the University of Paris in Paris city, France.

Since his childhood, Mr. KHIEU Samphan was believed to be a serious and good- natured man, up to being entitled: A clean man. Because of these outstanding personalities, he was granted with government scholarship to pursue his studies in Paris, France, up to achieving Doctor of Economics. It was from here, the University of Paris, that Max Lenin ideologies have been inserted into Cambodian intellectuals who latter became leader of Democratic Kampuchea. History has told that the universities in Paris have created most of the Cambodian intellectuals.

Pursuant to American sources, Mr. KHIEU Samphan was reported to be one of the most outstanding students amongst his generation. Other astoundingly outstanding students in KHIEU Samphans generation including HOU Yun who mastered Economics and Law. Mr. HOU Yun (born 1930) was classified as the astoundingly physical and intellectual person and another genius was Mr. SON Sen who red education and literature.

II. Studies in Paris and Doctoral Thesis

Mr. KHIEU Samphan granted his Doctoral Degree in Economics from the University of Paris, a world-wide recognized university in humanity and materialistic and ideological invention.

KHIEU Samphan who was one of the pivotal members of Khmer Student Association in Paris selected a doctoral thesis, entitled: Cambodias Economy and Industrial Development and successfully defended this thesis. His Doctoral Degree in Economics was granted during the 1950s.

It can be brief that his doctoral thesis sided with national self-reliance. From deeper analysis into his doctoral thesis, more personalities of KHIEU Samphan would be more understandable. KHIEU Samphan accused the rich countries that have advanced industrialization are the factors to make the poor countries poorer. The core of hi doctoral thesis, was that he supported dependency theory. So what is dependency theory?

Dependency theory is the body of social science theories by various intellectuals, both from the Third World and the First World, that create a worldview which suggests that the wealthy nations of the world need a peripheral group of poorer states in order to remain wealthy.

Dependency theory states that the poverty of the countries in the periphery is not because they are not integrated into the world system, or not 'fully' integrated as is often argued by free market economists, but because of how they are integrated into the system. The premises of dependency theory are:

-Poor nations provide natural resources, cheap labor, a destination for obsolete technology, and markets to the wealthy nations, without which they could not have the standard of living they enjoy.

-First World nations actively, but not necessarily consciously, perpetuate a state of dependency through various policies and initiatives. This state of dependency is multifaceted, involving economics, media control, politics, banking and finance, education, sport and all aspects of human resource development.

-Any attempt by the dependent nations to resist the influences of dependency will result in economic sanctions and/or military invasion and control.

The doctoral thesis herein is believed to be strictly adopted into political administration of Democratic Kampuchea. Not only the KHIEU Samphans doctoral thesis, HOU Yuns doctoral thesis entitled: Cambodian peasants and their prospects for modernization, is also believed to have great influence on general policy of Democratic Kampuchea (DK).

Though these two doctoral thesis became the perils of Democratic Kampucheas political administration, these two people are yet to be accused of being the mastermind of the sins committed during DKs reign. Yes, would mean their doctoral thesis intended to extinguish million of Cambodian lives and No, would mean the head of the Democratic Kampuchea may exaggerate the contents of the thesis or scapegoat the two intellectuals.

Because the intellectuality of Cambodian people who graduated from universities in Paris during the 1950s, Cambodia was praised as the first communist country that was led by intellectuals, in Asia. III. Group of Khmer Students in Paris (Initiation of Political Ideology)

During the 1950s, Cambodian students who were studying in different universities in Paris, integrated to establish their own communist movement and this movement was believed to have very little connection with their home government. So of the returned members of this movement returned to their home countries and took up political leadership positions in DK government, including KHIEU Samphan, POL Pot, IENG Sary, to name just a very few. It was from this movement: Khmer Student Association, that KHIEU Samphan was converted into an all-out communist. The involvement of Cambodian students who returned from universities in Paris was to set up a movement to combat against LON Nol and Prince Norodom Sihanouk where were deemed as corrupt and egoist. Such the movement of the se students was then improve to a regime, called Democratic Kampuchea.

IV. Political Life

KHIEU Samphan arrived back in Cambodia in 1959, with a doctoral degree in Economics from the University of Paris. Immediately after his arrival in Cambodia, he took up a position in the Faculty of Law in Phnom Penh; simultaneously, establish a French-language journal entitled, Lobservateur. This journal strongly sided with the leftist. The purpose if this journal was to better the social justice and other field of humanity in Cambodia during that time. But this never resisted him from commitment to Cambodian social justice. It was from this journal that KHIEU Samphan won great popularity from the public, especially the students. However, this journal did not survive long; it was closed just after one year, KHIEU Samphan was arrested and undressed in the public by Prince Norodom Sihanouk.

After the coupe in 1970, Prince Norodom Sihanouk collaborated with other Khmer com munists, including his former enemy: KHIEU Samphan, to resist against LON Nol government. In this coalition government, KHIEU Samphan was nominated as the Deputy Prime Minister, Minster of National Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Coalition Government. It was from these political events that KHIEU Samphan climbed to the top positions within the Democratic Kampuchea regime.

His political life during the Democratic Kampuchea era (1975-1978) was hard to unveil, due to the fact that confidentiality and secrecy were the leadership strategies of the DK leaders.

KHIEU Samphan is now living in his last military stronghold: Pailin Municipality, the province in the most west of Cambodia, bordered with Thailand. He is also under the guardianship of his brother-in-law IENG Sarys soldiers.

V. Students Talk Trial with Ex-KR Leaders in Pailin

Extracted from The Cambodia Daily, Friday, August 26, 2005 A group of university students canvassing villages to con duct interviews about the Khmer Rouge regime and distribute information about the long-awaited tribunal ended up in unlikely conversations with former Khmer Rogue leaders Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea in their Pailin Municipality homes last week.

Graduate student and Documentation Center of Cambodia intern Huy Vannak organized the group for a planned distribution of the documents in Pailin. And despite their apprehensions at bringing Khmer Rogue tribunal literature to the foremost former rebel stronghold, the group decided to seek out the aging communist leaders at their homes.

I thought because of security and cooperation we should not go to the Khmer Rouge stronghold, Huy Vanak said Thursday. I told myself we should not fear the Khmer Rogue. During the Khmer Rouge regime they tried to frighten my mother, to frighten everybody. I have learned a lot. Khmer rouge are not tigers. They are human beings.

The group went to Khieu Samphans house near the eastern sid e of central Pailin, but were initially rejected despite a polite chum reap sour and assurances that they were students, not journalists. Khieu Samphan, former Democratic Kampuchea head of state, eventually acquiesced and asked them to return later in the afternoon.

Next, the students went to find Brother No 2 Nuon Chea, who lives about 300 meters from the Thai border in Brother No 3 Ieng Sarys son-in-laws house, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. [Nuon Cheas wife asked us who are you, and where do you come from? Huy Vannak said. We told her we are students and we ant to learn about Pailin. She said, grandfather is sleeping, but its ok, you can talk to him.

Nuon Chea emphasized religion in their talk, and denied that religion had been suppressed under the Khmer Rouge.

He maintained that people were just busy building the country and so could not give alms, so monks were forced to feed themselves.

I think Mr. Nuon Chea is open-minded, but w hen he answers its not so good, said group member Ean Sopheap. When I asked him questions, he looked at other people when he answered.

I never expected that I could meet a Khmer Rouge leader, Ean Sophea added. I was born in 1980.

The students returned to Khieu Samphans home in the evening. I feel that Khieu Samphan is a trustworthy and gentle man. He is an intellectual from what I know, said another member of the group, 22-year-old student Chheng Koemseng. My parents used to tell me that Pol Pots men were very cruel, but when I met them face-to-face. I felt they are just old men, like my grandfather.

However, Huy vanak was less than sympathetic. The two guys told us only a small chapter of the history. We need more answers from them. Why did they give people less food? Why did they evacuate people? Why did they kill people? They said they did not know about the killing. How could they not know?

The students discussed the tribunal very little with the aging Khmer Rouge leaders, but Khieu Samphan didnt seem worried.

Khieu Samphan said if they have a tribunal people will not be happy, because he is an honest guy and has devoted everything to the country, and people would not be happy with the courts decision, Huy Vannak said. I almost told him people would [still not be happy if the court cut him into two million pieces.

Lay Vicheka is a translator for the most celebrated translation agency in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Pyramid Translation Co.Ltd.. He is now hoding other two professions: freelance writer for Search Newspaper; focusing on social issues and students' issues and Media Liaison Officer for Asia's first free on-line IELTS consultation website. Lay Vicheka is the expert author for ezine and prolific Article contributor to other websites arou nd the world such as Articlecity, 365Articles, spiderden, talesofasia, etc (Just google him). He is also a volunteer Cambodian-newspapers columnist (Rasmey Kampuchea and Kampuchea Thmey). Lay Vicheka has great experience in law and politics, as he used to be legal and English-language assistant to a Cambodian member of parliament, migration experience (home-based business) and in writing. He is also member of a New York-based research company. Posting address: 221H Street 93, Tuol Sangke quArt er, Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Tel: 855 11 268 445, vichekalay@yahoo.com

Author:: Vicheka Lay
Keywords:: Cambodian political history
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Houston We Have a Problem Hurricane Katrina Victims

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina we see some problematic race issue. There are Black Americans very concerned that the slower than anticipated relief efforts. In fact some have taken to the media and even written scathing reports and condemnations of everyone from the former Head of FEMA to the President of the United States claiming they are anti-black and helped white people first.

I am saddened to find our citizens feel like this, it upsets me. I read one article that a Malcolm X or a modern day MLK could have well written it. It was an attack on the leadership telling of anti-African American sentiments. A well written article by a talented writer in fact certain paragraphs could easily have referred to Chinese Immigrants crawling thru tunnels to set dynamite charges to build the railroad, which were often set off before they could get out or Irish Americans during the Industrial Revolution; or the exploited of other countries. I understand that some Interne t News outlets refuse to allow such articles. I understand them not wanting to post such articles as they appears to insight anger, rebellion and borderlines on revolution. Especially after Great Britain and her move to make International Terrorism talk illegal in Mosques.

Yet we know that such articles are all the part of the human endeavor in its sound and fury of many a past and present period. Perhaps these issues and articles do need to be heard. Many feel it is better to not silence such feelings as if we allow them to stew, rather than allow the emotion to flow that we may not understand their plight or growing inner rage. The argument is if we do not listen the problem of race will continue to fester until riots erupt in the future?

As we see International Terrorists attempt to recruit Americans in our country to join their hatred, we now know how one could fall to their offer. Perhaps if we understood these feelings and issues we might as well prevent th e recruiting of Americans to assist in joining those Radical Islamic Jihadist Murderers. Of course one article written by an author named Lisa is anything of the sort, this person appears to be a writer and allows expression thru that form instead of violence, but what if we fail to listen? Would this individual or individuals like her who find no way out, nothing to lose, economically enslaved, no voice and then they could join up with those who hate and want to kill, plan and attack our fellow citizens?

Now one might say that such words of attack on the character of our leadership incite others to sign up against us all. But if we fail to listen, and one day someone it could all, explode. Then TV announcers would then say; Oh how could this happen? The answer would be we swept the truth under the carpet and did not listen, we should have known.

I personally do not approve of such articles, but am grateful to see its perspective and it shows; Houston we have a p roblem and they were moved here from New Orleans and boy are they pissed! Not all of them, but enough to make us at least listen. Whether or not they have a legitimate point is questionable, yet their points need to be fully addressed now that the media has blown the entire event out of proportion.

There were no threats in these articles, just promises to not forget the treatment, nor should we next time. America self-segregates and it is a shame. I wish we did not do that. But we all do, all of us. We should be thinking on this, if we are all one, we ought to start acting like it and listen to all sides. Partitioning away the truth will only cause it to rise again and bite you in the rear. Although I disagree with these articles, which further separate us from our neighbors and citizens; I do respect their opinions, passions and want them to know we feel your pain and value your perspective. America is with you; please know that. Everyone should think on these things during our present period.

Lance Winslow

Author:: Lance Winslow
Keywords:: african american, slow relief, hurricane katrina, Victims
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Nonviolence for Social Change

Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated peaceful nonviolence to change ailing social systems. They and their followers were able to successfully change the social conditions of their times. Recently, a lawyer in China named Gao Shizheng has called for symbolic ongoing hunger strikes across China to support people who have encountered violence and ongoing Persecution perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party which currently rules China.

For over six years now, since July of 1999, the peaceful Falun Gong practitioners have used nonviolent actions to draw world attention to the ongoing Persecution of Falun G ong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party. If past history is any indication, the Falun Gong practitioners and human rights advocates such as Gao Shizheng will be successful in the long run.

The Chinese Communist Party is a large stumbling block to overcome. They are unwilling to admit that human rights violations are occurring in China. Fortunately, the world knows better thanks to groups like the Falun Gong practitioners, Amnesty International, Freedom House and even the United Nations Special Rappateur on Human Rights.

One can find all kinds of evidence including testimonials, video footage, and other documentation to prove the gross human rights violations perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party. In addition, the very existence of a labor camp system in China demonstrates the systematic nature of the human rights violations.

Virtually everyone in the world knows what is going on, yet China continues to deny the facts. One is reminded of the many murderers throughout history that have committed terrible crimes and yet proclaimed their innocence. They are met with justice. But these are individuals in society and here we are talking about a large group of people, the Chinese Communist Party, acting in unison to perpetrate, hide and then deny their abuses. It is harder to bring an entire group to justice or convince them to change their behavior.

The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) numbers around 60 million people. That is sixty million individuals that are willing to deny in tandem any wrongdoing. It is similar to sixty million criminals all proclaiming their innocence together at the same time.

In Nazi Germany you had a smaller group of people who were able to plunge the entire world into war and commit horrible human rights violations. It could be said that they were an organized group of thugs similar but perhaps not as vicious as the Chinese Communist Party operating in China today. In fact the Chinese Communist Party is responsible for far more deaths over the decades than the Nazis were in their day.

The Nazis are gone but the Chinese Communist Party is still operating, still grossly violating human rights and still denying their own bad deeds at every turn. How long can something like this go on? It could go on for a much longer period of time, if people don't stand up and speak out against the atrocities.

Staying in tune with the nonviolent means of achieving social change in history, it becomes the duty of every individual in the world to speak about the atrocities. As much and as often as the CCP denies human rights violations every person should speak out about them. With many more voices ringing with truth to counter the lies of the CCP, ending the human rights violations is an inevitable conclusion. However, it is a conclusion that must come sooner rather than later because people are suffering.

To learn more about the Persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China visit the FalunInfo or the Clearwisdom websites for additional information. A simple action that you can take today to help in the spirit of nonviolence is to call the nearest Chinese Embassy and say, Stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. Stop the human rights violations.

Change is inevitable. As an individual you have the ability to help bring an end to the atrocities sooner rather than later.

David Snape writes for All Things Pondered: http://allthingspondered.com - where you can have your say and (almost) anything is pondered. He also writes for To Be Informed: http://tobeinformed.com - a site supportive of health, fitness and wellness.

Author:: David Snape
Keywords:: falun gong, Falun Dafa, Chinese Communist Party, Torture, < a href='http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/Persecution/new?tag=day2soft-20'title= 'Persecution: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com' target='_blank' style='font-size: large'>Persecution
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Great Wall of China The Chinese Dragon

When seen from above the Great Wall of China looks like a dragon zigzagging over mountain tops. The Chinese call it Wan Li Chang Cheng which means Wall of 10,000 Li. (10,000 li= 5,000 km)

Actually, the Great Wall is 7,200 km long. Height wise, it is 4.5m to 9m. Depth wise, it is 4.5m to 8m. The entire structure was built by hand using stone, bricks, soil, sand, straw, wood, clay or whatever was available depending on the terrain.

Three main Chinese dynasties -- the Qin (B.C 221-207), Han (B.C 206- A.D 220) and Ming (A.D 1368-1644) -- built the Great Wall of China. All had one purpose -- to keep out the barbaric Huns in the north who frequently invaded Chinese border areas. In all, tens of millions of people labored on the Great Wall. Many died.

Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, is credited with kicking off this massive project 2,200 years ago. By connecting old sections with newly built ones, the Qin Dynasty erected 4,800km of wall in 10 years m ore than one km a day!

After the Qin, the Han Dynasty extended the Great Wall through the Gobi Desert. Watchtowers were added to the walls. Smoke spirals produced by burning wood and straw mixed with wolf dung functioned as an alarm system. One smoke column meant a force of 100 men was attacking; two columns signaled that more than 500 men were approaching, and so on.

The Great Wall of China we know today was built by the Ming Dynasty 600 years ago. By then the ancient wall was in ruins. The Ming rulers rebuilt most of it over a period of 200 years. That the wall is still in good condition today is due to an invention of that era, the adding of rice flour to make super strong bricks and mortar!

Kah Joon Liow is the author of the childrens book A Musical Journey: From the Great Wall of China to the Water Towns of Jiangnan. This book allows children to experience Chinas diverse land and people through interesting facts, beautiful drawings and delightful music . You can read chapters of the book and listen to the music at Living Chinese Symbols.

Author:: Kah Joon Liow
Keywords:: Great Wall of China, Great Wall,
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The United Nations and Their Inherent Limits to Keep Peace

Since the United Nations is mostly a political organization where world leaders come together and discuss their differences and make friends, it appears there is a problem with corruption. The human species is inherently corrupt and so often those who rise to the top of their political societies are the most corrupt in their group and this poses a problem, especially when the most corrupt humans on the entire planet all come together in collusion.

Additionally the United Nations has inherent limits on keeping peace and as we have seen they definitely have limits on their ability to maintain integrity on the war on international terrorism. The system is viable, however it has evolved into organization, which is quite ineffective in fighting the war on terror. If the United Nations and their Security Council cannot come together in consensus to reprimand, sanction or use force to stop nation states, which sponsor international terrorism, then it has shunned its resp onsibilities to mankind.

This of course is unacceptable because nation states that sponsor international terrorism are able to get hold of the advanced weapons and nuclear bombs, which could potentially kill millions of people in one international terrorist act. Failure of the Security Council of the United Nations to do the right thing now in the present period will have implications for many future generations.

If the United Nations Security Council cannot come together in this common cause to fight the war on terrorism and if they continue to fail in their responsibilities to protect innocent human life then the obvious question comes; What good are vague anyway? Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Author:: Lance Winslow
Keywords:: United Nations, Inherent Limits, Keep Peace
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In Search of the Great Australian Novel

What was the funniest Novel of the 20th century? Christopher Hitchens recently pondered that question in the course of awarding the palm to Lucky Jim. I want to ask a more modest question. What is the funniest Novel of the 21st century -- this brand-new, post-9/11 century that already shows so many promising signs of being even more fouled-up than the last? To anybody who has read A Dancing Bear, that vast and rowdy tale of love, post-modernity, serial murder and terrorism, the answer won't be in any doubt. Unfortunately almost nobody has read it. To date the book has only been published Online. Its author, who variously calls himself Mark Osher, David Free and Kirk Kinbote, and who -- if you believe his website -- may not even still be alive, is rumored to have pulled out of at least two publication deals at the eleventh hour, after the houses involved sought to make unacceptable cuts to his text. In consequence the book is little known of outside its author's native Aus tralia, and even within Australia it has reached only a tiny circle of readers.

What, then, is the Novel about? It opens on an unnamed university campus, where the protagonist -- an amiable enough young cipher named Fenton Bland -- has just joined a society of student Maoists in order to get near the girl he loves. These Maoists will prove a troublesome bunch. In an effort to demonstrate that communism is not yet dead, they perpetrate, or at least try to perpetrate, an increasingly rococo series of terrorist outrages. Bland, who is at heart a law-abiding fellow with no authentic taste for radical politics (Like fellatio and death, we are told, Maoism had always struck him as one of those things that happened to other people) finds himself in an increasingly urgent quandary: he must either go on pretending to be a terrorist, running the risk that one of the Maoists' outlandish plots might one day succeed, or he must forever wave goodbye to his slender hopes of makin g the girl his.

That is the book's spinal storyline, its central moral MacGuffin. Further plots and characters cavort on the book's periphery. There is Pamela Scratch, a former childhood acquaintance of Bland's who has now morphed into an incredibly fiery student activist. Her current project is to lobby for the unconditional release from custody of a patently guilty thrill-killer named Neville Aggot (Campaigning for the release of a multiple murderer ... even Bakunin would look at that and say, 'Jesus that's left-wing!'). Bland intensely dislikes her but is nonetheless condemned to go on having coffee with her on a bi-monthly basis in perpetuity, because he believes, although his memory is shaky on the point, that he might well have touched her, when they were playing in a sandpit at the age of five, on the pudendum.

Then there is the eminent post-structural theorist Ivan Lego, who, in keeping with his thesis that every speech act is an act of linguistic ge nocide, produces a book consisting wholly of blank pages. The work becomes a bestseller. Osher/Free/Kinbote reproduces a four-page extract of Lego's book by leaving four pages of his Novel blank. This is but one instance of what is, at least for this reader, one of the Novel's central mysteries. Is it an attack on post-modernism, or an exercise in it? Or is it both things at once?

Meanwhile the Maoists' terror campaign is hotting up. Various kinds of atrocity are contemplated. A junior Maoist proposes the use of a car bomb. I'm listening, replies the chief Maoist, provided you're not referring to my Kombi. Death lists are drawn up. The Maoists resolve to target the increasingly famous -- and increasingly fatuous -- Ivan Lego. The option of running him over with a motorbike ridden by a suicide bomber is canvassed, but scrapped as a logistical nightmare. (Why bother with a bomb at all, if you're already going to be creaming the bloke with a motorbike at top speed? You can't kill the guy twice. And what if the bomb doesn't go off at exactly the right instant? What do we do then? Dismount from the wreckage and just sort of run after him till the thing explodes?)

It soon dawns on the reader that all the book's plots are coming marvelously together. Neville Claude Aggot escapes, and attempts (with merciful lack of success) to go on a rampage of non-consensual sex and death. The Maoists decide, for reasons too complicated to go into here, to slay Lego in the style of a serial killer and pin the crime on the still-at-large Aggot. The scene in which Bland and the chief Maoist, packing a meat cleaver and a tomahawk respectively, attempt -- with wildly differing levels of enthusiasm -- to enter the theorist's home in the dead of night is a tour de force of Comic writing .

As indeed is the whole book. This Novel, believe me, is not destined to remain obscure for long. It is only a matter of time before everyone will be talking about it. Check it out while it's still a curio, a cult item, a hidden pearl in the Great weedy dripping haul of the Internet.

Richard Corvo is a veteran commentator on Australian cultural affairs. His articles have appeared in many of the country's foremost journals, including Malvolio and Arts & Ideas. His comments here refer to the Online Novel A Dancing Bear, which can be read at http://www.adancingbear.com/

Author:: Richard Corvo
Keywords:: Great, Australian, Novel, Online, Novels, Comic
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Weapons Innovations of the Medieval Era

Although many when many people think of the Middle Ages as The Dark Ages, there were actually many brilliant innovations in the Arts, politics, and medieval weapons made during this time.

Everyone knows about medieval swords and daggers, and how they were used in everyday life. There were so many other weapons created and perfected during this time period other than the knight sword. New medieval warfare weapons were created to take down bigger and stronger castles.

If a medieval knight found himself in an equine battle (on horse), he looked to his trusted pole arms for defense and attack. Pole arms are essentially weapons on long poles. One of the most popular are axes medieval weapons or the battle axe. They offer excellent leverage in mid range combat, as well as the versatility to be used a s a melee weapon--depending on the length of the handle. Other pole arm weapons were spears and halberds. Both were used primarily to try to throw the enemy from his horse, giving the knight an advantage over his enemy.

Medieval knights and warriors required several different types of weapons during a battle, depending on what sort of combat situation they found themselves in. If they were in close combat with the enemy, they would need a melee weapon. These types of medieval weapons are very effective in close combat because they can be used to attack the enemy repeatedly in quick succession. One of the most deadly of all melee weapons is the mace, or morningstar. Flails were also popular among warriors as deadly medieval chain weapons.

The Middle Ages was also a time of invention. Warriors and builders perfected the already existing trebuchet to create monstrous medieval siege weapons. This is how the catapult came about. Trebuchets before this were ve ry primitive in design and worked alright against the enemy, but the medieval catapult could project higher and further than any trebuchet before.

With all of these innovations in medieval armor and weapons, the Middle Ages was an exciting (if deadly) time period. Through all of the battles and bloody victories, the concept of chivalry and the importance of one's honor stayed prevalent in medieval society.

As with the medieval ages, there was also a time of weapons innovations more recently during the 20th century. Pistols and rifles were around during the time of the Gold Rush and the Old West pistols were slightly more advanced than some. Pistols, rifles, and even swords were around during the Civil War, but they were not improved until the next war. Then, you can see further weapons evolving into sophisticated firearms during WWII.

If you want to see the weapons discussed in this Article, please visit A Squared Armory to see these replica medieval weapons.

To read other Articles about medieval swords and weaponry by Lawrence Heller and view replica weaponry, please visit our website.

Author:: Lawrence Heller
Keywords:: medieval weapons, medieval armor, medieval swords
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Houston We Have a Problem Hurricane Katrina Victims

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina we see some problematic race issue. There are Black Americans very concerned that the slower than anticipated relief efforts. In fact some have taken to the media and even written scathing reports and condemnations of everyone from the former Head of FEMA to the President of the United States claiming they are anti-black and helped white people first.

I am saddened to find our citizens feel like this, it upsets me. I read one article that a Malcolm X or a modern day MLK could have well written it. It was an attack on the leadership telling of anti-African American sentiments. A well written article by a talented writer in fact certain paragraphs could easily have referred to Chinese Immigrants crawling thru tunnels to set dynamite charges to build the railroad, which were often set off before they could get out or Irish Americans during the Industrial Revolution; or the exploited of other countries. I understand that some Interne t News outlets refuse to allow such articles. I understand them not wanting to post such articles as they appears to insight anger, rebellion and borderlines on revolution. Especially after Great Britain and her move to make International Terrorism talk illegal in Mosques.

Yet we know that such articles are all the part of the human endeavor in its sound and fury of many a past and present period. Perhaps these issues and articles do need to be heard. Many feel it is better to not silence such feelings as if we allow them to stew, rather than allow the emotion to flow that we may not understand their plight or growing inner rage. The argument is if we do not listen the problem of race will continue to fester until riots erupt in the future?

As we see International Terrorists attempt to recruit Americans in our country to join their hatred, we now know how one could fall to their offer. Perhaps if we understood these feelings and issues we might as well prevent th e recruiting of Americans to assist in joining those Radical Islamic Jihadist Murderers. Of course one article written by an author named Lisa is anything of the sort, this person appears to be a writer and allows expression thru that form instead of violence, but what if we fail to listen? Would this individual or individuals like her who find no way out, nothing to lose, economically enslaved, no voice and then they could join up with those who hate and want to kill, plan and attack our fellow citizens?

Now one might say that such words of attack on the character of our leadership incite others to sign up against us all. But if we fail to listen, and one day someone it could all, explode. Then TV announcers would then say; Oh how could this happen? The answer would be we swept the truth under the carpet and did not listen, we should have known.

I personally do not approve of such articles, but am grateful to see its perspective and it shows; Houston we have a p roblem and they were moved here from New Orleans and boy are they pissed! Not all of them, but enough to make us at least listen. Whether or not they have a legitimate point is questionable, yet their points need to be fully addressed now that the media has blown the entire event out of proportion.

There were no threats in these articles, just promises to not forget the treatment, nor should we next time. America self-segregates and it is a shame. I wish we did not do that. But we all do, all of us. We should be thinking on this, if we are all one, we ought to start acting like it and listen to all sides. Partitioning away the truth will only cause it to rise again and bite you in the rear. Although I disagree with these articles, which further separate us from our neighbors and citizens; I do respect their opinions, passions and want them to know we feel your pain and value your perspective. America is with you; please know that. Everyone should think on these things during our present period.

Lance Winslow

Author:: Lance Winslow
Keywords:: african american, slow relief, hurricane katrina, Victims
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Civil War in the USA

New War was about to start. It was a War between the States, between North and South. Here in this case the author describes both parties, he tells about views and beliefs of both sides. It is really hard to make up ones mind which is right and which is wrong. When he tells about opinion of Northerners who fought against slavery, one will take their noble position for sure. It is nonsense to have slaves in a well-developed and educated society. It is so noble to fight for the rights of all people, no matter what colour of skin and origin they are. It sounds so great and Civilized to promote anti-discrimination and equal human rights. But then there is another part of the case. It is South who owns those slaves and does not wish anybody to interfere into their inner state affairs. They have owned slaves for centuries and they are not able to run their business without hands of strong black people.

This was the way how their fathers and grandparents lived and there is nobody who should tell them what and how to do. It is understandable that Southerners will protect their land and their views no matter what, even if they will have to fight against their friends and brothers. They have no choice but to defend their native states and their families from those Yankees who should rule on their land. When one reads a book and sees the events taking place in both parts of the country, he realizes that it is impossible to say whos right in the situation. Both parties have positive and negative aspects of the led politics. Nobody really wants that War which brings only death and suffering, no one is ready to take weapons and armors and kill his co- citizens. Who needs this War? As it usually happens in our world there are influential politicians ready to neglect and ignore human lives but get more wealth and power.

The Mains and the Hazards have already become relatives when the War started. Orrys sister married Charles bro ther and their families became even closer friends and already shared some ideas for common business. It was hard for both friends who had been close mates at the military academy to fight against each other. They have never quarreled about the War and its reasons. Though they both knew why the other one is going to fight. They respected each other as military officers and realized that the other one is a true patriot of his country and that is why he is going to be at battles. They never wanted to kill each other; they were both afraid of the War. They were afraid that their next meeting would take place on the battlefield.

Will they have enough courage to put up their weapons when there is a friend in front of you? Or rather does it matter if it is your friend who is going to shoot or who is going to be shot by you? Isnt it unimportant who the man you are fighting with when it is in any way your brother, your co citizen? No doubts at that time it was a hard decision for everybody in the country. Civil War is always the most outrageous and the most severe for its citizens. Civil War means destroying within the country, means death of your sisters and brothers, means hatred among the citizens, means that the whole country is filled with rage and disaster is everywhere. No one will be able to profit from the outcome of the fighting.

The book is not about the War battles themselves. It is about people, about men and their emotions. Having taking for instance two families from different parts of the United States John Jakes describes their feelings and fears about the coming War. He shows that there is nobody absolutely right, and on the other hand no one can be justified or guilty for those bloody events.

The article was produced by the writer of masterpapers.com. Sharon White is a senior writer and writers consultant at art dissertations. Get some useful tips for dissertation assistance and dissertation aWards .

Author:: Sharon White
Keywords:: Civil, War, Usa
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Aristophane's The Frogs

World literature is rich with literal masterpieces and has to offer to a reader a lot of interesting works of any kind, theme, style and genre. Unfortunately we do not have access to that many ancient pieces of works, as most of them have not survived through centuries until present days. In the following article I would like to analyze and discuss such prominent work of Aristophanes as The Frogs.

As Aeschylus utters in the play Frogs, Schoolboys have a master to educate them, grown-ups have the bards. This seems to me to be a incredibly high-quality statement, because everybody likes to study and I think that is why Aristophanes work on the whole was so well-liked and especially Frogs because the play teaches the spectators.

There are two major subjects in the play, the first one being the position of the poet in Greek civilization. Aristophanes has Aeschylus ask Euripides what makes an excellent lyricist? The answer is practical skill and he should instruct a lesson, make people into improved citizens, and this is exactly what Aristophanes is doing with this poem but also adding an enormous deal of comedy into it. Aeschylus also says that the actually good poets have had helpful lessons to teach e.g. Musaeus (me dicine), Hesiod (agriculture) and of course Homer (the arts of warfare). The main solemn theme is Aristophanes continuance of his campaign for harmony; he attacks the present politicians who rejected the present of peace made by the Spartans after the battle of Arginusae in 406 BC (Cleophon and Cleigenes). On page 181, when the chorus address the listeners in the second parabasis, they say here sit ten thousand men of sense, a very enlightened audience, this source of in sequence has helped to estimation the size of the audience at the stage show festivals in the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens, however I think that this verdict also gives us a great deal of in sequence in the task that Aristophanes has to face to keep this great quantity of individuals amused and entertained.

This play is like no other of Aristophanes existing effort. In no other play did he persist so firmly on his commencement of the poets appropriate function in culture and in no other play did he endeavour so earnestly to realize it. Aristophanes takes every probable occasion to bring up the people he wants to point out, make an instance of and put down to a certain extent. Apart from politicians, orators and sophists, whom not a soul trusted, only one k ind of man was in a location to manipulate the ideas and attitudes of the community, this was of course the poet. For two hours or more at each theatrical carnival, each one competing poet had the exclusive consideration of his associate citizens of all classes, perhaps in greater numbers than would ever concentrate the Assembly on one particular day. The poet (not essentially the humorist poet, but poets as a general rule) had a lot of authority to manage how people feel about certain things, as a substitute of the Bible, public quoted Homer or Hesiod; everyone in this the world knew passages from the great poets from memory and had themselves been taught ethics by their aid.

The article was produced by the writer of masterpapers.com. Sharon White has many years of a vast experience in abortion essay writing and academic writing consulting. Get free samples of essays, courseworks and adolescent essay.

Author:: Sharon White
Keywords:: Aristophane, The Frogs
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The When Wheres and Hows of Palmistry

Cross my palm with silver, luvvie smiles the deeply tanned, middle-aged palmist in true gypsy tradition, her beautifully manicured hand held out across the velvet-clad table. I duly hand over my 10-pound note, as instructed by the sign at the entrance, and my reading begins.

The palmist asks to see my left hand and promptly tells me that Ive experienced a recent relationship crisis. How clever! The fact that theres a slight white band around my third finger where a wedding ring once sat might have been a clue, but I let it slide. Yes, thats right, I confirm, not wanting to show my scepticism towards Palmistry.

You have children, but I see at least one more in your future. Another good guess. My two children are waiting outside with a friend, and its certainly not uncommon for a woman entering into a new relationship whilst still in her twenties to have another child, is it?

The reading continued in much the same tone, with the palmistGypsy Rose Lee, was it?offering vague information about events that would happen in the future. A few warnings were thrown in beware of a serious health problem around your 40th birthday and by the time I left her tent, I was firm in my belief that ten pounds had just gone sailing up the Swanee.

A Short History of Palmistry

Cave drawings of hands showing the major lines are commonplace and indicate that there has been some kind of interest in Palmistry since prehistoric times. Medieval stone, wood and ivory carvings of hands are abundant and are almost certainly part of the first gypsy traditions.

Modern Palmistry was once part of Samudrik Shastra or, translated into English, The Ocean of Knowledge, a set of skills that originated in India over three thousand years ago. These ancient traditions eventually spread from the Far East through Egypt and Greece to the West, where they were quickly condemned by the Catholic church as part of the Devils work. With the threat of torture looming, very soon only rebellious gypsies dared practise them.

How Palmistry Works

Just as every fingerprint is unique, so it is with palm prints. Every line and mark has its story to tell, connected either with our past, our present, or our future.

The lines and markings were born with are added to as we progress through life and no matter what action a person takes, once a line has developed, its there to stay. Even if the skin is surgically removed, when it grows back those same lines will again be present.

While some lines will appear on the passive hand, the hand that shows our future rather than our past, most will develop on the dominant handthe hand that we write withand are connected with events of that have gone before. Our hands are, in other words, our personal diaries.

Most curiosity towards Palmistry is based around the palmists potential to foresee the future. But can they really do that? With the passive hand being the hand tha t holds the key to future events, youd think fortune telling would be an easy enough task but never forget that were personally in control of our own destinies, so Palmistry can only give us an indication of possible future events and of the strengths and weaknesses on which we can base future choices.

Its said that some health problems could be avoided by reading the hands, as forewarned is forearmed. Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen both used Palmistry as a clinical aid and todays medical profession acknowledges that certain generic and psychological abnormalities are reflected by unusual markings in the hand.

However, it isnt just the lines and markings in our hands that palmists look at. The colour of the skin, the shape of the hands, the length of the fingers, the finger nails, and even the way in which we present our hands, all say something about us.

Finding A Reputable Palmist

Palmistry is practised all over the world, although not every practitioner is a true palmist.

Flamboyant hoaxers abound at funfairs and along many seaside promenades, most basing their deceptions on old gypsy traditions, often bringing the true gypsy palmist into disrepute. Such palmists should be avoided, as while some may be honest, its impossible to know beforehand.

Instead, seek advice with a reputable association such as the Spiritualist Association of Great Britain or a similar, local body. Ask to be recommended a palmist in your area. When you contact the reader to request an appointment give no information about yourself other than your first name and a contact number.

Oh, and just for the record. I did have another child, and I did become very ill around my 40th birthday. Hmmm ... maybe I shouldnt have knocked this particular gypsy tradition, after all.

Sharon Jacobsen is a freelance writer living in South Cheshire, England. For a very competitive fee, Sharon will happily write compelling articles for your website, e-zine, newsletter or other publication and on any subject from parenting to pig farming, although her main areas of interest are environmental and social issues.

To contact Sharon, please visit her website at http://www.sharon-jacobsen.co.uk

Author:: Sharon Jacobsen
Keywords:: Palmistry,palm reading,Palmreading,fortune telling,gypsy traditions,new age,Divination
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Ancient Greece Art

Ancient Greece was controlled by men. Women could not even have a citizenship. This fact reflected in the Greek Art. Women are always portrayed with the cloth on, whereas men were always depicted uncovered. The nudity of men was a symbol of their freedom and control.

In Andrew StewArts book Art, Desire and the Body in Ancient Greece, he implies that nudity originated in the athletic facet of Greek life, specifically in the Olympics of the eight century. The story of a runner named Orsippos of Megara who was running a race and his loincloth fell off. Art after this occurrence appears to have picked up on this and from sculptures of this period men stArt to appear naked. The figure of Kouros of Anavysos is one such example of this archaic period. From this point it became popular and very desirable for men to perform athletics in the nude. Andrew StewArt is quoted as saying that, they saw the custom as a concrete manifestation of such desirable manly attributes as cou rage, strength, speed, fitness, and so on, all of which naturally create a handsome body. From this it is evident that the nude male becomes a representation beauty, strength and the perfect body. Artists, from this new concept, wanted to depict the bodies of their figures as idealistic and beautiful. Women did appear, rarely, nude when pArticipating in sporting events or at festivals and as a result of this could not be married. StewArt states that, unmarried SpArtan girls or pathenoi practiced athletics, singing and dancing naked at certain festivals; and pArticipated in some processions naked as well. Women did not have such a heavy following as their bodies were not permitted to be seen in such a manner. A married woman was not to be naked for social, familial and modesty reasons. The only naked figured were those of goddesses. Peplos Kore from 530 BCE is what a typical woman form this period would be wearing. She is modest by wearing this and the belt that gave a figure by being tied at her waist.

The Classical period of the fifth century is the culmination of Greek Art. The male nude is one of the greatest achievements. The Artists have achieved perfection of proportion and muscular anatomy. During this time the polis evolved and it encompassed women as citizens as well. Women also became subject matter for sculpture. The Art was not a copy of exactly what the Artists saw but rather an idealized expression of the idea of the perfect figure. After much, evident, analysis of the human figure Artists like Polykleitos defined and canonized the perfect proportions and shape of the male figure. Doryphoros also known as the Spear Bearer, appears very real, and life like, which is what the Artist strived for. His lack of clothing is central to the composition because it is representative of the default setting of man; nudity. The female counterpArt of this sculpture, by Praxiteles is Aphordite of Knidos from 350BCE. Until this sculpture, the female form had never appeared fully nude. This might be as a result of the new ideas that were circulating the society such as humanism. The statue appears very sensual and elegant. As a result of this new idea of humanism and sensuality, it has been said that this is why the first nude female statue is that of the goddess of love. This all occurred as a result of societal changes within the polis.

Greeks, it appears, did not go about their daily business in the nude, but rather only in certain occasion like athletics and symposiums. In Greek Art, according to John Berger, nudity becomes a form of dress, some feel comfortable and others do not. Like that of Aphordite of Knidos, who appears to be aware of her nudity and seems to be covering her genitals with her hand while reaching for her garment. Male statues until the Classical era were unselfconscious and appeared to be unaware of their nudity. Statues such as that of the Kouros and Doryphoros are comfortable in their clothing (or lack thereof). Women were not to be seen naked, and the only ones that were the ones that would not marry and entertainers, which already implied that they were of a lower class and were not seen as women. Women were supposed to be proper and elegant and were not to reveal themselves to anyone other than their husband of their families. She was under control of the man. With the later Artists portraying women in the nude, it seemed to emancipate them from their identities as the males property.

In Greek life the male body was the norm. The female was seen as the other. They were excluded from society for a long while but wer e accepted after the polis liberalized a little bit. Once this happened they were allowed to take off their peplos and become an equal; if not literally, then just in the form of a sculpture. Even that was a large step in this male oriented society. Polykleitos and Praxitelese defined the proportions and the standard of beauty for the male and female respectively. The Greeks were the only ancient civilization that celebrated the true beauty of man as an image of god and therefore depicted him in the nude. Women would also be accepted and appreciated but, like all good things, it took time.

Mary Anne Winslow is a member of Essay Writing Service counselling depArtment team and a dissertation writing consultant. Contact her to get free counselling on custom essay writing.

Author:: Mary Anne Winslow
Keywords:: greek Art,ancient greece
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The Youth of Peru (Confused or Torn?)

The Youth of Peru

Perua country with many rules mostly unenforced and a lot of rights, again mostly overlooked and unenforced when sought after. The youth of Peru are confused, if not down right torn between these dilemmas, adult behaviour (social comparison), and on what they should do. Ive been asked the question by students from Radio Stations in Huancayo, to University Students at Saint Martin, in Lima. I think they want to do what is right, they need leadership, and they are influenced by adult actions, expectations, but what is right and wrong? A simple question, with many variables for them, I do believe. Let me give you an example:

The taxi, in Lima or the Andean city of Huancayo, there are many of them, and many have holy items in their taxis; perhaps hoping the saints will keep them safe, while at the same time speeding through town, and running over pedestrians; not purposely of course, but if you dont move, you could be crippled or killed, or ma imed somehow. I dont believe the question comes up enough: who has the right away. Or perhaps, no one cares. In most cities the pedestrians do, in Peru, its in the air. Thus, every traffic rule is broken, or the police are paid off to be quiet: the justification for the police is: we dont make much money. The question is: what is wrong with bribing, it helps pay the police. If youve worked for the police for over ten years, you might be making 900 soles a month, less than $300-dollars. Not a lot of money in any country. But is it justification, and the right thing to do, to show your youth?

Everyone, or most everyone knows, Peru is a Christian society, and mostly Catholic, and you will see the churches filled on Sunday, and on Monday, some of those same folks will be searching out the parks to still a bag, and think it was fate that brought them to that moment. And this is what the youth see on a large scale.

In many of the parks young females rent babies t o carry around, and/or kids, holding their hands, and they walk the streets begging for money from the tourists. There are many now, tourists and beggars, much more than there were several years ago when I first came to Peru. When asked why they are not working, they insult you, curse you, and stick their noses in the air as if you owed them a free ride. This is learned behaviour, and reinforced by the same society that condemns it.

So what do I say to a youth from collage or radio station that wants an honest statement from you, for them? I mean they already feel caught in-between. I can tell them (and I have) Peru is the most beautiful country in South America, and its culture is excellent, and that they have the best food in the world, and the Mantaro Valley has the best weather in the world, and it is an ideal place to retire financially, but that is not exactly what they want to hear. So what can I tell them, perhaps a simple statement will do: You are not tied to anyone, do what is right, and things will change.

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Author:: Dennis Siluk
Keywords:: Article,Peru,Peru Article,Mantaro Valley Peru,Mantaro Valley,Peru Warrior,Warrior,Warrior story
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Stopping Green Peace Once and For All

Those little sneaky bastards said a cop in Ireland recently; he was talking about Green Peace and their persnickety prank. Some say that Green Peace lays on the far fringe of the far-left environmental movement.

They are right Green Peace is a pain in the ass they must be stopped from their dastardly deeds as they are Heathens and Scoundrels in the midst said a farmer who as clearing some trees for some more acreage to farm. Additionally he said that all people who call themselves Environmental Activists must stand together and reprimand the Green Peace Group and the eco-terrorist fringe group, which often intimidates, threatens, slanders and uses extortion techniques to shut up anyone who does not think the way they do. Or burn down businesses and homes and cause pollution in order to clean the air. It is for this reason that Environmental issue will continue to struggle thru this decade and perhaps even into the next.

Many luxury log cabin owners have stated that; Environmental Green Peace and the Eco-ELF-Terrorists fringe must be stopped and they have joined opposition to pro-environmental issues in the US and will vote, donate monies to candidates against environmental movements and influence as many people as they can to do the same. All because the environmental fringe was out of control and not because these homeowners were against the environment, quite the contrary.

Some of these homeowners have urged all Americans to defeat environmental movement initiatives, not because it is morally wrong, but because of the abuse that their fringe, which they refuse to control. They see this fringe group as detrimental as the worst violent fringe of any civil rights groups movement in the history of the United States. Thats how they see it and we must therefore all stand united against environmental terrorists like ELF and Green Peace but simultaneously doing what makes sense to maintain a healthy environment. Consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Author:: Lance Winslow
Keywords:: Stopping, Green Peace, Eco-terrorists, Once and For All
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The Democracy Monument Bangkok the Silent Sentinel of Freedom

The Democracy Monument in Ratchadamnoen Avenue was erected in 1939 to commemorate the 24 June 1932 coup. That was the year when the People's PArty led by Pridi Banomyong and the military faction under Phibun Songkhram staged a coup that changed the face of Thai politics for years to come.

The 150-year-old absolute monarchy came to an end and Thailand changed to a constitutional government.

It was an Italian Artist and sculptor, Corrado Feroci who designed the Democracy Monument with a symbolism to capture the spirit of the occasion.

The monument has four curved columns arching inwards. Each column is 24 m in height to signi fy 24 June, the date of the revolution.

There is a protective ring of 75 cannons at the base of the Democracy Monument to symbolize the Buddhist year of the revolution 2475. The original 1932 constitution is kept in a pedestal at the center of the four columns.

Owing to its emotional appeal, the Democracy Monument has been a natural rallying point for democracy movements and demonstrations throughout Thai political history.

In October 1973, one such demonstration took place before the Democracy Monument. It was a massive groundswell of public protest against the military dictatorship of Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn and to demand the release of 13 students arrested by the military.

Organized by students of Thammasat University with tremendous public support, the demonstrators numbered almost 200,000, the biggest in Thai history.

In the days that followed, tensions soared. On 14 October 1973, the military moved in to disperse th e demonstrators forcibly with tragic consequences. As a result, the government collapsed and Field Marshall Thanom had to leave the country.

The traumatic impact of 14 October 1973 on Thai society is vividly described in Salisa Pinkayan's historical novel, Chalida. It's also no coincidence that there are hardly any books giving an account of what actually happened.

Further along Ratchadamnoen Avenue is the 14 October 1973 Memorial, a monument dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice, brave young men and women who stood up and died for a cause.

Unfortunately, Field Marshall Thanom returned to Thailand three years later and in that ill-fated month of October, history was to repeat itself.

On 6 October 1976, the military stormed Thammasat University where students were gathered to protest the return of the Field Marshall. In the brutal crackdown that ensued, more lives were lost.

Later in May 1992, the Democracy Monument and Ratchadamnoen Avenue were to witness further carnage. General Suchinda Kraprayoon, who seized power through a coup a year earlier, reneged on a promise not to be Prime Minister.

Widespread protests mounted, the demonstrators rallied again and another disaster was impending. In what became known as Black May 1992, another tragedy was added to Thai political history. General Suchinda left office after a royal rebuke televised live nation wide.

At the height of the military crackdown, several demonstrators fled for their lives and sought refuge in a nearby hotel in Ratchadamnoen Avenue near Sanam Luang, the Royal Field. The hotel hid them, fed them and gave them staff uniforms and passes to get past the military checkpoints the next day.

That magnanimous act was to save their lives and the hotel where they sought refuge, the Royal Hotel, won the heArts of the democracy movement and took its place in history.

In the two decades from 1973 1992, the area around the Democracy Monument has witnessed three major upheavals resulting in bloodshed. It is hoped that there would be no more.

Today, the Democracy Monument stands in a peaceful Ratchadamnoen Avenue, a silent sentinel of freedom, in the Land of the Free.

For more on the coups in Bangkok.

The Democracy Monument, first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies, a historical travel site on people, places and events that shaped the landscape of Bangkok. The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.

Author:: Eric Lim
Keywords:: Democracy Monument, 24 June 1932, 14 October 1973, 06 October 1976, Corrado Feroci, Black May 1992
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Analysis of the story 'A Separate Peace'

Reality can be wrecked down and depicted in many unusual ways, because everything that happens, occurs due to somebodys imaginative Creation.

In the story by J. Knowles A Separate Peace the small environment of people at Devon causes Finny to be a non-competitive athlete. At this point in the novel Finny had just broken A. Hopkins Parkers 100 yard freestyle swimming record by 0.7 seconds. No I just wanted to see if I could do it. Now I know. But I dont want to do it in public . . . by the way . . . we arent going to talk about this, its between you and me. Finnys statement shows his non-competitive personality revealed in the novel. Considering that no real athletic ability exists at Devon, other than Finnys, Finny does not feel the need to be competitive at all. Because of his talent and lack o f talent surrounding him he knows he is better than everyone else and everyone realizes he is better than them. This causes him not to be egotistical and show off his skill; instead he acts as if he does not care. Finny does not like standing out as the only incredible athlete in the school, so he strives to be gregarious.

The environment of people and events in a Separate Peace cause Finny to be very imaginative. Early in the novel Finny and his friends are bored and trying to think of something to play. Bobby Zane says lets think of something that has to do with the war, and he later adds the name Blitzkrieg. Blitzkrieg means a swift, sudden military offensive, usually by combined air and mobile land forces in German. Finny takes control of the situation and say lets just call it Blitzball, an d everyone agreed. Finny then lays out the rules after the game was played improperly. You dont use your arms when you knock the ball carrier down . . . No. You keeps your arms crossed like this on your chest, and you just but the ball carrier. No elbowing allowed either . . . Not when you have been knocked down illegally. The ball carrier retains possession in a case like that. So it is perfectly ok, you still have the ball. Go ahead. This situation shows finnys imagination. Obviously there was no right way to play this game, but Finny makes the rules and guidelines to this game as it proceeds. As Gene and Finnys other friends play the game, he yells and instructs them on how to play. Finny acts, and is the dominant creator of Bliztball, and demonstrates his imaginative mind.

The surrounding environment (Devon) has certain guidelines and rules that should be followed, not broken. At this point in the novel Gene and Finny are conversing and Finny plans on breaking the rules. Swimming in pools is screwy anyway the only real swimming is in the ocean lets go to the beach. This said by Finny, shows his rebellious attitude towards his school, life, and peers. Finny knows that leaving Devon to go to the beach was forbidden. This journey risks expulsion if anyone found out. There is nothing wrong with swimming in pools, but Finny has to be difficult and uses this as an excuse to go to the beach. This action demonstrated by Finny shows his yearn to rebel.

In a Separate Peace the environment plays a substantial role in the novel. The atmosphere surrounding Finny causes him to be non-competitive, imaginative, and rebellious. Considering, that his peers are not athletic this causes Finny to become non-competitive. If there is not any other talent other than Finny: Finn y cannot be competitive. Finny uses his imagination and turns it into Reality. Considering the war going on, during the time of Finnys stay at Devon School, he uses his imagination based on real life situations. He takes the word blitzkrieg, which is a military tactic used in WWII and thinks of Blitzball. He then describes and creates the rules of the game as it is played. Finny also can be very rebellious in the captive environment provided by Devon. He goes to the ocean to swim because he does not appreciate the pool. By doing this he risks his stay at Devon, which he currently attends. The surrounding environment affects all of these traits Finny obtains.

Mary Anne has been writing for custom essay writing service for 5 years.You can ask her about college esays or dissertation writing service.

Author:: Mary Anne Winslow
Keywords:: Reality, Creation, Peace, Separate
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German Hamlet of Asia!

The silent waves of Gulf of Mannar toWards the sandy shores of Marawila, a western coastal town of Sri Lanka was creating a symphony of ecstasy, made by mind often in a state of standstill.

Watching the horizon of the shiny blue sky, above the Indian Ocean, while sipping blended coffee is always an unforgettable experience at the beach-end restaurant of Aquarius Sports Resort Hotel, which is surrounded by greeneries of scenic view, which is unique only to this Island-paradise.

More than enjoying the taste of the nature's gifts around there, conversing on the issues of world affairs focusing Germany and rest of the Europe will become always a hot topic in the restaurant and will make at times, the environment into a German hamlet of Asia.

The Aquarius Sports Resort Hotel, which hosts the Asian-German Sports Exchange Program (AGSEP), a Non-Governmental Organisation, operating in the development political sector with a partner office is in Essen, Germany. Th e Resort also accommodates the Sri Lanka division of the International Institute for Ratings and Consultancy (IIRC), a German based Think-Tank, which facilitates surveys and consultancy and currently carrying out a survey on the tsunami devastations for presenting donors around the world.

My association with these institutions after the tsunami disaster has made me to visit often there and gave me a chance to know more about the German history, Economy and cultural issues through my conversation with students of leading German universities who are in their Exchange programs and doing their undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the fields of economics, political science, social science, engineering and other disciplines.

Dietmar Doring, the founder/director of the AGSEP and the country director of the IIRC was an amateur national coach for the table tennis team of Sri Lanka and could be proud of his decision to use the Sports events as a medium for encouraging Peace in this island, has gone a long way.

He has salvaged his personal trauma of the War-torn experience by the decades-long civil War in Sri Lanka and beyond that by the lasting trauma caused by the destructions in Germany in the major world - Wars.

The dedication of Dietmar Doring and his AGSEP students who have done a memorable service to this Island in the tsunami period and thereafter, by importing goods and medicines directly from Germany which is worth more than US$ 5 Million cannot be forgotten by Sri Lankans forever.

Their kind and caring nature has prompted me to associate with AGSEP in number of ways and it is an unforgettable experience in associating with them.

Recently we had a joint event of the AGSEP and the PDIP: A Think-Tank on Post Conflict, Economic and Gender iss ues at the restaurant of the Aquarius Sports Resort Hotel, the Night of a Thousand Dinners, an initiative of Adopt-A-Minefield, a program of the United Nations Association of the USA and the Canadian Landmine Foundation that began as an opportunity for people and institutions globally to come together on a single night, enjoy a meal and help solve the global landmine crisis with discussions on world affairs.

The event was observed a couple of years ago first time in Sri Lanka by the PDIP with the participation of its Patron Dr. James W. Spain, a former US Ambassador for Sri Lanka and the UN with a global participation of the US State Department and its embassies, the Canadian Foreign Ministry and its consulates, the American Chambers of Commerce and Rotary International.

The event has given me an opportunity to address and share various International issues with German students and others and has taken me back to the Second World Era of Germany.

Even in Ger many there had been acts of resistance against the Nazis by individuals or resistance groups throughout the years. They came from all walks of life. A bomb attack initiated by Graf Stauffenberg and other resistance fighters on July 20, 1944 failed: Hitler survived and had more than 4,000 people executed in retaliation. The War continued, claiming huge casualties on both sides, until the Allies occupied the entire German Reich. Hilter committed suicide on April 30, 1945 and a week later the darkest chapter in the history of Germany was brought to an end with the country's unconditional capitulation.

The hardship, which German people suffered and underwent thereafter, has left them into a lasting trauma, which is so difficult to overcome even in the next centuries.

When I was quoting in my brief speech at the dinner that the tragedy where by March, 1945 as the advancing Soviets under the slogan, There will be no pity. They have sown the wind and now they are harves ting the whirlwind tortured at east two million German women in an undisciplined advance that is now acknowledged as the largest case of mass violation against women in history, I too experienced the horror of many decades back in Germany through the eyes of those young female German students who were participating in the event.

Now the search for inner-Peace by finding Peace in other countries and helping others who are affected by the War and natural disaster, is the only objective for these young Germans.

Consequently achieving a positive contribution to the re-establishment of Peace in the War-ravaged country with the help of sporting events the AGSEP aims to help the divided ethnic groups to become closer together and to give an impulse toWards Peace and spread the message beyond the shores of this Island.

Rajkumar Kanagasingam is author of a fascinating book on German memories in Asia and you can explore more about the book and the author at AGSEP

Author:: Rajkumar Kanagasingam
Keywords:: Germany, Intern, Sports, Exchange, Internship, Asia, War, Europe, Hilter, Economy, Nazis, Peace
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Amaterasu The Goddess of the Sun

Amaterasu is a shining example of how adversity can help us to 'blossom and bloom' more at times. She helps us look for the lesson to be learned when the adverse times come into our lives.

In Japanese mythology, Amaterasu (pron: Ah-mah-te-lah-soo) is the radiant and compassionate Japanese sun goddess who ruled the sun, cultural unity, weaving and agriculture. So she was responsible for illiminating the world. She is a bringer of light. She wove the world. She was responsible not only for the continuing of the Japanese people but all the royal family were her decendants.

The storm god Susanowa, because he ruined her garden,Amaterasu enclosed herself in a cave and, depressed and grieving, refused to come out.Without her the fields died and the people grew hungry because without the sun there was only endless night. Amaterasu was the bringer of light to her people and without her they too grew depressed and grieving. The Goddess of mirth, Uzume rolled a copper mi rror to the front of the cave, then danced wildly on an overturned tub. Her frenzied dance whipped the hundreds of gathered deities into ecstatic laughter and delight. Hearing the commotion and overcome with curiosity, Amaterasu emerged. Seeing her radiance reflected in the copper mirror, she was amazed at her brilliance. Her grief dissipated, she returned to the world and life was renewed.

Pray to Amaterasu to appreciate your own brilliance and beauty. You are unique a bringer of light. There is only one you. Whether you are virgin or crone you are beautiful. Sometimes when we do not live up to societies ideas of beauty we don't believe in our own unique beauty. Pray to this Goddess to bring you light.

About The Author

Judi Singleton is the publisher of Jassmine's Journal the Goddess Gospel edition. You can subscribe at http://www.motherearthpublishing.com

Author:: Judi Singleton
Keywords:: Amaterasu,Japanese,Japanese art,Japanese culture,Humanities
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Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion

It is safe to say that in the Sixties everything changed: society, fashion, music, art, media, everything was impacted. It was a time when everyone truly believed they could make a difference, when it seemed as if the world had limitless possibilities and a few people trying really hard, willing to sacrifice everything, could change the direction of everything.

And it proved the power of believing in yourself. Ordinary people did change things, extraordinary things like the attitude of society at large, like the way people viewed war and music and art. Student protests, often led by folk musicians, helped lead to the demise of the Vietnamese War, helped make social consciousness and equality for all a living fact, helped people really achieve the freedom that America and the West have always striven for. It was a remarkable time, and no wonder that many people look back to it as a time of dreams and passion.

Social Activism, Celebrities, and Music

Rock music became its own genre in the mid-1950s. Less than ten years later, the Beatles burst onto the music scene, the vanguard of a revolution in music. Parents hated them, sometimes even worse than they hated Elvis. But the kids loved them, and would buy anything with a picture of John, Paul, Ringo, or George. Their innovations paved the way for later artists, both British and American: the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Doors, The Mamas and the Papas dozens of legendary bands have the Beatles to thank.

By the middle of the decade, the Beatles were writing songs about social issues, like war and loneliness. And other bands followed suit. There was a lot to write about; in the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was leading American Blacks to unheard-of levels of social equality, and soon the British would put special military troops in Northern Ireland to quell the unrest there, leading to nearly-open guerilla warfare with the IRA. Women all over the world were following a movement to equal rights. And anti-war activists like Jane Fonda were making a name for themselves, both famous and infamous.

Food: Trends Good And Bad

Though founded much longer ago, McDonalds and other fast food restaurants grew into a major power in the food industry during the 60s, probably driven by the high energy of the time coupled with an increasing dependence on automobiles as a means of transportation. At the same time the stuff thats bad for you became popular, other people began to realize that you really are what you eat. Because of new age conservationist movements, those people began to eat healthier: whole grains, organic foods they grew themselves, and semi-vegetarianism, vegetarianism, and vegan lifestyles.

War: What Is It Good For?

You cant talk about the Sixties, the decade of peace, without talking about war. Particularly, you have to look at the Vietnamese war. The US entered the country in Southeast A sia in the early 1960s at the request of the French who subsequently abandoned the war. And Americas presence in Vietnam grew, gradually forcing a draft of the very young men who were just discovering the dizzying freedom the Sixties ushered in. The result? An impressive increase in the numbers of young people going to college, and an equally impressive increase in the number of young men moving to Canada.

But why was this war so different from Korea, only about ten years earlier? The simple answer: television. Reporters with cameras covered the bloodiest parts of the war, capturing the pain on both sides in film. And those films made their way to broadcast television, which for the first time could be found in half or more American homes. It was difficult to watch the images of war without being moved, an d it was a real shock to teenagers and young adults who had never known the touch of violence before.

But there was another kind of war going on, a social war. Blacks in America were discovering their power, partly spurred by the thought of the draft and partly by the energy of the decade carrying them forward. Women throughout the world were discovering not only their political power, but the social freedom brought about by a little pill the birth control pill. For better or worse, relations between the sexes would never be the same.

Sixties Fun, Games, and Fashion

Toys were undergoing change, too. Physical games, like Frisbees and Twister, became very popular indeed. Boys began collecting Matchbox cars, the latest rage; and the self-image of little girls everywhere was changed as Barbie dolls, Sindy dolls, and other anatomically correct dolls that werent baby dolls entered their pink frilly rooms.

Older boys were finding they had much more to look at than ever before. Girls skirts moved from the near-ankle-length full skirts of the fifties to the short shorter shortest skirts of the Sixties. Short skirts and midriff-revealing hipster jeans also made it important that as little cellulite as possible showed girls could no longer wear industrial-strength girdles. The most effective way of getting rid of cellulite? Be as thin as possible. The other problem with changing clothes was that if you used garters (or suspenders, if youre in Britain) they showed under the short tight skirts. The answer? Pantyhose, an invention of the devil.

Inventions and Innovations

Computers also moved from being a scientific curiosity to a genuine industrial innovation; punch cards and tape were the programming tools of the time until the integrated circuit, the precursor to todays microchips. This innovation led to the development of the hand-held pocket calculator by Texas Instruments, though calculators did not come into gen eral use until the early seventies. But the world didnt understand how much science and technology was really going to change their lives until Neil Armstrong spoke to the world from the surface of the Moon in 1969. It was a fitting end to a remarkable decade.

Phil Edwards is a writer in London, a product of the 60's baby boom and author of http://www.Sixties.gb.com, http://www.recipes.gb.com and Health Tips

Author:: Phil Edwards
Keywords:: Sixties, 1960s, 1960's, 60', < a href='http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/196/new?tag=day2soft-20'title= '196: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com' target='_blank' style='font-size: large'>196
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My Dentist A Really Cool Guy!

I am very excited that I will be able to conduct my third interview very soon. This time it will be with my dentist, Dr. Rajiv Arya, who, as you will see, is a very interesting, unique and multi-faceted individual.

I have been seeing the same dentist for almost 10 years now and I think he is a really cool guy. He is young, bright, not to mention good-looking, as well as very friendly and helpful. A long time ago, when I did not have dental insurance coverage, he reduced his rates which really helped me out financially a great deal at the time, something that I appreciate to this day.

In my opinion Dr. Rajiv Arya is a very interesting and unique individual. We have had many conversations over the years during my dental visits and I have had a chance to learn a bit more about him. Not only is Dr. Arya an accomplished dental surgeon, he also completed a law degree and today practices corporate and commercial law specializing in the health care industry. This is in addition to practicing as a dental surgeon. Needless to say, he completed his dentistry and law degrees with the highest academic honours and awards.

But we are not just dealing with a distinguished over-achiever here. Dr. Arya is truly a multi-faceted individual with a pronounced humanitarian side. Dr. Arya successfully completed a competitive duathalon in September, 2004 and is currently in training for a trekking expedition Traveling to the Himalayas scheduled for March, 2005. The trekking expedition is also to contain a significant study and volunteering component. I will hopefully be able to convince him to file reports from his expedition to the Himalayas in the upcoming weeks.

Dr. Arya has volunteered his time throughout his career(s) in various countries including Canada, India, Malawi and Zambia. He has participated in racial equity and leadership initiatives in South Africa, Poland and Germany; including the study of the far-reaching effects of aparthe id and the holocaust. The topic of racial equity and tolerance has been very dear to my own heart and I look forward to probing these topics more in our interview.

Dr. Arya is also scheduled to be a focus commentator in a documentary, entitled 'The Gate', currently in post-production that attempts to analyze the tragedies of the holocaust from a pluralistic perspective. Dr. Arya is also on the board of Directors of Health Outreach - a registered Canadian charity (http://www.healthoutreach.ca/) that focuses on providing free health care to children in developing countries using innovative delivery models.

So, stay tuned, for a very interesting interview with a great guy my dentist!

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.Travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional Travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life Travel experiences, interviews with Travellers and Travel experts , insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, Contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own Travel stories in our first Travel story Contest (http://www.Travelandtransitions.com/Contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons.

The article is published at Travel and Transitions - Interviews

Author:: Susanne Pacher
Keywords:: Travel, adventure Travel, eco tourism, outdoor adventure, Prizes, family Travel, Contest
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