Paying For The Latest War In Iraq essays

Paying For The Latest War In Iraq essays At the onset of the latest war with Iraq, in the early spring of 2003, it was already certain that the cost for the war alone would be staggering. The cost of the first Persian Gulf War (1990-1991) was somewhere in the area of sixty one billion dollars (International Security Studies Commission). On the 7th of September, 2003, President George W. Bush, backed by the White House, made a request to congress that would allow for an additional $87 billion in spending for the continuing occupation and reconstruction of the countries of Iraq and Afghanistan. This comes following the $65 billion that the White House recently received for its activities in Iraq in 2003. Of the $87 billion, the White House says that $66 billion would go towards military operation, while the remaining $21 billion would be used in the reconstruction of both Iraq and Afghanistan. We can now see, that what once was labeled a Quick Yield investment in the reconstruction of Iraq has become a heavy burden for American taxpayers. One very big debate about the money for the restoration and rebuilding of Iraq is whether it should be a grant or a loan. This is the task undertaken by Appropriations Chairman Ted Stevens and his committee, who in turn accepted the presidents full package. More than a dozen senators led by republican Pete Domenici and democrat Dianne Feinstein, worked on plans which would shift some of the burden of the reconstruction plan from American taxpayers to the Iraqi people (Stone- USA Today Oct. 1). Bush administration officials have admitted that the $21 billion will fall short of the estimated $50-100 billion required for Iraqi reconstruction o ver the next few years (Weisman -New York Times Oct. 8). The Bush administration has admitted that its initial claims that Iraqs oil revenues would be able to cover the huge costs of reconstruction were greatly overstated. United States officials project Iraqi oil revenues ...

Third Battle of Winchester - Battle of Opequon - Civil War

Third Battle of Winchester - Battle of Opequon - Civil War Third Battle of Winchester - Conflict Date: The Third Battle of Winchester was fought September 19, 1864, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders Union Major General Philip Sheridanapprox. 40,000 men Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal A. Earlyapprox. 12,000 men Third Battle of Winchester - Background: In June 1864, with his army besieged at Petersburg by Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, General Robert E. Lee dispatched Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early to the Shenandoah Valley.   It was his hope that Early could reverse Confederate fortunes  in the area which had been damaged by Major General David Hunters victory at Piedmont  earlier in the month as well as  divert some Union forces away from Petersburg.   Reaching Lynchburg, Early  succeeded in  compelling  Hunter to withdraw into West Virginia and then advanced down  (north) the Valley.   Crossing into Maryland, he defeated a scratch Union force at the Battle of Monocacy on July 9.  Ã‚  Responding  to this crisis, Grant directed VI Corps north from the siege lines to reinforce Washington, DC.   Though Early menaced the capital later in July, he lacked the forces to assault the Union defenses.   With little other choice, he retreated back to the Shenandoah. Third Battle of Winchester - Sheridan Arrives: Tired of Earlys activities, Grant formed the Army of the Shenandoah on August 1 and appointed Major General Philip H. Sheridan to lead it.   Comprised of Major General Horatio Wrights VI Corps, Brigadier General William Emorys XIX Corps, Major General George Crooks VIII Corps (Army of West Virginia), and three  divisions of cavalry under Major General Alfred Torbert,  this new command received orders to destroy Confederate forces in the Valley and render the  region useless as a source of supplies for Lee.   Advancing from Harpers Ferry, Sheridan initially showed caution and probed to test Earlys strength.   Possessing four  infantry and two cavalry divisions, Early mistook Sheridans early  tentativeness as  over-caution and allowed his command to be strung out between Martinsburg and Winchester. Third Battle of Winchester - Moving to Battle: Learning that Earlys men were dispersed, Sheridan elected to drive on Winchester which was held by Major General Stephen D. Ramseurs division.   Warned of the Union advance, Early worked feverishly to reconcentrate his army.   Around 4:30 AM on September 19,  the lead  elements of Sheridans command pushed into the  narrow confines of Berryville Canyon east of Winchester.   Seeing an opportunity to delay the enemy, Ramseurs men blocked the canyons western exit.   Though ultimately driven back by Sheridan, Ramseurs action bought time for  Early to gather Confederate forces in Winchester.   Advancing from canyon, Sheridan neared the town but was not ready to attack until around midday. Third Battle of Winchester - Striking Early: To defend Winchester, Early deployed the divisions of Major Generals John B. Gordon, Robert Rodes, and Ramseur in a north-south line to the east of the town.   Pressing west, Sheridan  prepared to attack with VI Corps on the left and elements of XIX Corps on the  right.   Finally in position at 11:40 AM, Union forces commenced their advance.   While Wrights  men moved forward along the Berryville Pike, Brigadier General Cuvier Grovers division of XIX Corps stepped off  from a woodlot known as First Woods and crossed an open area dubbed Middle Field.   Unknown to Sheridan, Berryville Pike slanted  south and a gap soon opened between VI Corps right flank and Grovers division.   Enduring severe artillery fire, Grovers men charged Gordons position and began to drive them from a stand of trees  named Second Woods (Map). Though he attempted to halt  and consolidate his men in the woods, Grovers troops impetuously charged through them.   To the south, VI Corps began to make headway against Ramseurs flank.   With the situation critical, Gordon and Rodes quickly organized a series of counterattacks to save the Confederate position.   As they moved troops forward, the latter was cut down by an exploding shell.   Exploiting the gap between VI Corps and Grovers  division, Gordon reclaimed Second Woods and forced the enemy back  across Middle Field.   Seeing the danger, Sheridan worked to rally his men while pushing the divisions of Brigadier Generals William Dwight (XIX  Corps) and David  Russell (VI Corps) into the gap.   Moving forward, Russell fell when a shell exploded near him and command of his division passed to Brigadier General Emory Upton. Third Battle of Winchester - Sheridan Victorious: Stopped by the Union reinforcements, Gordon and the Confederates retreated back to the edge of Second Woods and for the next two hours the sides engaged in long-range skirmishing.   To break the stalemate, Sheridan directed VIII Corps to form on the Union right astride Red Bud Run, with the division of Colonel Isaac Duval to the north and that of Colonel Joseph Thoburn to the south. Around 3:00 PM,  he issued orders for the entire Union line to advance.   On the right, Duval fell  wounded  and command passed to future president Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes.   Striking the enemy, Hayes and Thoburns troops caused Earlys left to disintegrate.   With his line collapsing, he ordered his men to fall back to positions closer to  Winchester. Consolidating his forces, Early formed an L-shaped line with the left bent back to face the advancing men of VIII Corps.   Coming under coordinated attacks from Sheridans troops, his position became more desperate when Torbert appeared north of town with the cavalry divisions of Major General William Averell and Brigadier General Wesley Merritt.   While Confederate  cavalry, led by Major General Fitzhugh Lee, offered resistance at Fort Collier and Star Fort, it was slowly driven back by Torberts superior numbers.   With  Sheridan about to overwhelm his position and Torbert threatening to surround his army, Early saw no choice  but abandon  Winchester  to retreat south. Third Battle of Winchester - Aftermath: In the fighting at the Third Battle of Winchester, Sheridan sustained 5,020 killed, wounded, and missing while the Confederates incurred 3,610 casualties.  Ã‚  Beaten and outnumbered, Early withdrew twenty miles  south to Fishers Hill.   Forming a new  defensive position, he came under attack from Sheridan two days later.   Beaten in the resulting  Battle of Fishers Hill, the Confederates again retreated, this time to Waynesboro.   Counterattacking on October 19, Early struck Sheridans army at the Battle of Cedar Creek.   Though successful early in the fighting, strong Union counterattacks effectively destroyed his army in the afternoon. Selected Sources: Civil War Trust: Third Battle of WinchesterThird Battle of Winchester

Innovation in sustainable engineering design (Electrical and Essay

Innovation in sustainable engineering design (Electrical and electronic engineering) - Essay Example This life experience has matured me in many different ways and made me a stronger person. Soon after my parent’s separation, I realised that not only do I have to live a humble and simple life and not get disheartened by my friends around me who might be able to afford the latest technology; I also need to become the financial source for my family and learn to survive with the minimum. Whilst having to work as a Newspaper boy at the age of 14, I also had to make sure I learnt English as soon as possible so that I could achieve good grades and be able to complete my Education at a higher level and hopefully end up having a decent job. During my secondary education I did a lot of voluntary work in several fields such as an electrician, gas engineer, construction worker, mechanic, charity worker (The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, The Royal British Legion and Humanity First), community events, financial advisor and sales assistant in an electrical appliances store. All of the above voluntary work has improved my communication skills, organisation skills and has provided me with valuable knowledge in several different areas. One of the subjects which I thoroughly enjoyed at school was system and technology. Since a very young age I always had a keen interested in engineering and technology. In year four in Germany, I remember I came up with a clever yet simple idea for my project. I took out a small generator machine already attached to a gear box from a toy car, then attached it to a small plastic shaft and then joined this to a rotor hub made out of rubber. I then folded a few paperboards and shaped them into four blades and attached them to the rotor hub. Finally, I added a few batteries and a fan was developed. My teachers were very impressed. This increased my creativity further and I carried on experimenting with new designs. I also used to

Long distance relationship in international student Research Paper

Long distance relationship in international student - Research Paper Example For three to four years, the established relationships with other people outside the university will tend to change. Some of the changes may be even harder to control. Additionally, maintaining a romantic relationship for international students may pose numerous challenges. Most of the students can enjoy reliable, fruitful and happy relationships regardless of the long distances though it is not easy either. Long distance relationships are qualitatively distinct from relationships that are close geographically. One feature of a long distance relationship is that there are raised financial burdens to sustain the relationship. Another important feature of a long distance relationship is difficulties in maintaining a geographically friendship. In non-romantic relationships, international students have been able to use the new technology to maintain strong social ties between family members and friends. It is quite hard for an international student to judge the state of their relationship with friends, family members and their romantic partners from a distance. Research investigating the factors that are linked with long-distance relationships has reported that intimacy, relationship satisfaction and level of consensus are positively interrelated with relationship stability. The more effort made by students to maintain the relationship, the longer a relationship stays (Gulder, 1996). New communications technologies make communication among persons at a distance easier than in the past. Before the introduction of the internet, long distance relationships were rare as primary communication between lovers commonly involved telephone conversation or emails. Students had a fear for schooling abroad so they could not be parted from their friends, families, and their romantic lovers. Nowadays, students do not worry too much about schooling abroad as they can communicate with their loved ones as much as they would

Final Global business Plan Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Final Global business Plan Paper - Essay Example Keeping in mind the governmental limitations on foreign investments, the external governance and its impact on the Starbucks India will be a major factor for its success or downfall. Since sole proprietorships and partnerships are essentially impossible under the Indian law, locally incorporated company is the answer to many limitations put by the government. Certainly, good corporate governance is the solution-key for above stated questions. In the case of Starbucks India, proper corporate governance has to be the identification and correction of inefficiencies in its running. In pursuing this objective, Starbucks' top level management can not rely on their own internal mechanisms, but they need to look for external instruments such as the market for corporate control. In this regard, external governance becomes very important to be looked at since the role of controls by the external stakeholders over the organization can compound for its overall success in India. For Starbucks India, external governance can play its healthy role in the forms of debt covenants, external au

The Issue of Rational Suicide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Issue of Rational Suicide - Essay Example Rational suicide, aka ‘euthanasia,’ is taken from Greek origin meaning ‘good death.’ Writers of 1700’s Britain referred to euthanasia as a being a preferential method by which to ‘die well’ (â€Å"Definition†, 2007). In the medical arena, rational suicide describes a situation in which a terminally ill patient is administered a lethal dose of medication, is removed from a life-support system or is simply allowed to die without active participation such as by resuscitation. A doctor’s involvement in the procedure could be to either prescribe a lethal dose of drugs with the express intent of ending a life or by intravenously inserting a needle into the terminal patient who then activates a switch that administers the fatal dose (Naji et al, 2005). Physicians, lawmakers, and philosophers have debated the notion of rational suicide since the beginning of recorded history but the wide public debate regarding its legalization has only surfaced over the past three decades. In the 1970’s it became lawful to draft ‘living wills’ which allows a patient to refuse ‘heroic’ life saving medical assistance in the event they were incapacitated and could only survive by artificial means (Rich, 2001). In other words, it gave the next of kin the right to direct doctors to ‘pull the plug’ if the patient’s condition was considered hopeless, a practice which is now broadly accepted.   However, these wills did not eliminate the potential problem of individuals being kept alive for incredibly long periods of time in permanent unconscious states as there were often no provisions for withdrawing nutrition and hydration when no other life support interventions were necessary.   This oversight has been largely addressed through power of attorney.   â€Å"The durable power of attorney allows an individual to designate in writing a proxy or surrogate decision maker (the at torney-in-fact) who has the same degree of authority to consent to or decline life-sustaining treatment as the patient would if he or she were competent†

Rachel's Utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Rachel's Utilitarianism - Essay Example As Rachel points out, the Utilitarian view inherently judges whether an action of morally good or bad by its consequences, and then, assesses these consequences solely by the amount of utility or happiness derived (Rachels 102). When accounting for happiness, no individual or entity is given precedence over the other. The â€Å"Rule Utilitarianism† theory states that the acts of individuals will be judged as morally right or wrong with reference to the rules that are developed keeping in mind the principle (Rachels 102). Therefore, the principle is used to select a set of rules which then determine whether an action is right or wrong under a given situation. This theory has been criticized as attaching more significance to â€Å"rules† than they deserve. As opposed to this, â€Å"Act Utilitarianism† states that the principle is directly used to determine whether an action is right or wrong under a given situation without first applying that principle to select a set of rules (Rachels 104). Hence, this approach is referred to as â€Å"direct† utilitarianism, whereas the former is referred to as â€Å"indirect† utilitarianism. ... The utilitarian theory (whether â€Å"rule† or â€Å"act†) has various shortcomings and has been criticized for various assumptions in recent years. The Utilitarians imply an ‘economically rational’ justification for actions, an assumption which does not correctly capture the human values and does not go beyond the traditional cost-benefit analysis. Thus, according to Utilitarians, individuals could be deprived of their right to liberty simply because the net benefit isn’t maximized. This theory simplistically assumes that all the consequences of an action (including the utility or happiness derived from it) can be measured (Rachels 102). This is not always the case. For instance, how could one assign a value to one’s life? Secondly, it deals insufficiently with rights, morals and justice (Rachels 108). As outlined in the following sections, the Utilitarian view has been heavily blamed as being the rationale behind Ford’s managers to go ahead with the faulty design of one of its cars â€Å"Pinto†, thereby ignoring the principles of justice (that deals with distribution of benefits and burdens) and rights (that deals with right to freedom and well being). The question, in this context, arises whether people should have had freedom to know what they are buying at the time they are purchasing. This case shall now be explored in depth in the light of the utilitarian argument. The case can be traced back to 1978 when several Pinto cars caught fire in accidents or collisions (Trevino and Nelson 64).The number of such incidents started becoming rampant, such that notice was taken of these incidents and a case was filed whereby the causes were investigated. Ford’s president, Lee Lacocca decided to recover the market share by designing a