Stephen King and Langston Hughes – Perspectives on Good Writing

In How to Be a Bad Writer (in Ten Easy Lessons), by Langston Hughes, and Everything You Need to Know About Writing Successfully – in Ten Minutes, by Stephen King, the reader is advised on a variety of writing topics. Hughes, a product of segregation and racism, uses biting humor and sarcasm to rail against bad writing, whereas King, a former teacher and a product of the counterculture movement, uses folksy charm to instruct us. King cleverly prefaces his advice with a self-effacing story about learning to write in his sophomore year of High School.In essence, he says that if he could do it, then so can we, if we listen. King values brevity (remove every extraneous word) and warns us not to get on a soapbox and preach. King also has great respect for the process, from drafting to submission etiquette, and belittles those of us who do not know the markets. In conclusion, he states, â€Å"And if you listened, you can write everything and anything you want. † It sounds sedu ctively simple, and that is King’s greatest success. He makes you believe.Hughes takes the gloves off in How to Be a Bad Writer (in Ten Easy Lessons). He scolds us with ten critical statements and leaves us to do the reverse engineering. Hughes places a premium on honesty, devoting half of his essay to that message. One example is, â€Å"Never write about anything you know, your home town, or your home folks, or yourself. † Hughes attacks dishonesty, verbosity, and affectation with, â€Å"Have nothing to say, but use a great many words, particularly high-sounding words, to say it. When you add Hughes’ instruction to use stereotypes of older stereotypes, his anger is evident. Sadly, Hughes' race-related advice, if not some of his terminology, remains relevant. There is no universally correct way to be a successful writer and I find it comforting that neither author refers to his advice as rules or laws. King and Hughes have given us valuable reference tools to a ssist in developing our own techniques. It is up to us to choose how we will apply their advice.

Ap Bio Chapter 35 Notes

Chapter 35 Plant Structure, Growth, and Development Lecture Outline Overview: Plastic Plants? †¢ The fanwort, an aquatic weed, demonstrates the great developmental plasticity that is characteristic of plants. o The fanwort has feathery underwater leaves and large, flat, floating surface leaves. o Both leaf types have genetically identical cells, but the dissimilar environments in which they develop cause different genes involved in leaf formation to be turned on or off. In addition to plastic structural responses of individual plants to specific environments, plant species have adaptations in morphology that benefit them in their specific environments. o For example, cacti have leaves that are reduced to spines and a stem that serves as the primary site of photosynthesis. These adaptations minimize water loss in desert environments. †¢ The form of any plant is controlled by environmental and genetic factors. As a result, no two plants are identical. †¢ Angiosperms make up 90% of plant species and are at the base of the food web of nearly every terrestrial ecosystem. Most land animals, including humans, depend on angiosperms directly or indirectly for sustenance. Concept 35. 1 The plant body has a hierarchy of organs, tissues, and cells. †¢ Plants, like multicellular animals, have organs that are composed of different tissues, and tissues that are composed of different cell types. o A tissue is a group of cells with common structure and function. o An organ consists of several types of tissues that work together to carry out particular functions. Vascular plants have three basic organs: roots, stems, and leaves. The basic morphology of vascular plants reflects their evolutionary history as terrestrial organisms that inhabit and draw resources from two very different environments. o Vascular plants obtain water and minerals from the soil. o Vascular plants obtain CO2 and light above-ground. †¢ To obtain the resources they need, vascular p lants have evolved two systems: a subterranean root system and an aerial shoot system of stems and leaves. †¢ Each system depends on the other. o Lacking chloroplasts and living in the dark, roots would starve without photosynthates, the sugar and other carbohydrates imported from the shoot system. Conversely, the shoot system depends on water and minerals that roots absorb from the soil. Roots provide anchorage, absorption, and storage. †¢ A root is an organ that anchors a vascular plant in the soil, absorbs minerals and water, and stores sugars and starches. †¢ Most eudicots and gymnosperms have a taproot system, consisting of one large vertical root (the taproot) that develops from an embryonic root. †¢ The taproot produces many small lateral, or branch, roots. o In angiosperms, taproots often store sugars and starches that later support flowering and fruit production. Taproot systems generally penetrate deeply and are well adapted to deep soils. †¢ In se edless vascular plants and most monocots, including grasses, the embryonic root dies and does not form a main root. †¢ Instead, many small roots grow from the stem. Such roots are adventitious, a terms describing a plant organ that grows in an unusual location. †¢ Each small root forms its own lateral roots, giving rise to a fibrous root system—a mat of thin roots that spread out below the soil surface. o A fibrous root system is usually shallower than a taproot system and is best adapted to shallow soils with light rainfall. Grass roots are concentrated in the upper few centimeters of soil. As a result, grasses make excellent ground cover for preventing erosion. †¢ The root system helps anchor a plant. †¢ In both taproot and fibrous root systems, absorption of water and minerals occurs near the root tips, where vast numbers of tiny root hairs enormously increase the surface area. o Root hairs are short-lived, tubular extensions of individual root epiderma l cells. †¢ Some plants have modified roots. Some arise from roots, while others are adventitious, arising above-ground from stems or even from leaves. Some modified roots provide additional support and anchorage. Others store water and nutrients or absorb oxygen from the air. Stems consist of alternating nodes and internodes. †¢ A stem is an organ consisting of alternating nodes, the points at which leaves are attached, and internodes, the stem segments between nodes. †¢ At the angle formed by each leaf and the stem is an axillary bud with the potential to form a lateral shoot or branch. †¢ The growth of a young shoot is usually concentrated at its apex, where there is an apical bud, or terminal bud, with developing leaves and a compact series of nodes and internodes. The presence of a terminal bud is partly responsible for inhibiting the growth of axillary buds, a phenomenon called apical dominance. o By concentrating resources on growing taller, apical dominan ce is an evolutionary adaptation that increases the plant’s exposure to light. †¢ In the absence of a terminal bud, the axillary buds break dormancy and give rise to lateral shoots complete with their own apical buds, leaves, and axillary buds. o This is why pruning trees and shrubs makes them bushier. †¢ Modified shoots with diverse functions have evolved in many plants. These shoots, which include stolons, rhizomes, tubers, and bulbs, are often mistaken for roots. Leaves are the main photosynthetic organs of most plants. †¢ The leaf is the primary site of photosynthetic organs of most plants, although green stems are also photosynthetic. †¢ Although leaves vary extensively in form, they generally consist of a flattened blade and a stalk, the petiole, which joins the leaf to a stem node. o Grasses and other monocots lack petioles. In these plants, the base of the leaf forms a sheath that envelops the stem. Monocots and eudicots differ in the arrangement o f veins, the vascular tissue of leaves. †¢ Most monocots have parallel major veins that run the length of the blade, while eudicot leaves have a branched network of major veins. †¢ Plant taxonomists use floral morphology, leaf morphology, the branching pattern of veins, and the spatial arrangement of leaves to help identify and classify plants. o For example, simple leaves have a single, undivided blade, while compound leaves have several leaflets attached to the petiole. o Many large leaves are compound, which allows them to withstand strong winds without tearing. The structural adaptation of compound leaves also confines pathogens that invade the leaf to one leaflet. †¢ Most leaves are specialized for photosynthesis. †¢ Some plants have leaves that have become adapted for other functions, including tendrils that cling to supports, spines of cacti for defense, leaves modified for water storage, and brightly colored leaves that attract pollinators. Plant organs a re composed of three tissue systems: dermal, vascular, and ground. †¢ Each organ of a plant has three tissue systems: dermal, vascular, and ground tissues. Each system is continuous throughout the plant body. †¢ The dermal tissue system is the plant’s outer protective covering. †¢ In nonwoody plants, the dermal tissue system is a single layer of tightly packed cells, or epidermis. †¢ The epidermis of leaves and most stems secretes a waxy coating, the cuticle, which helps the aerial parts of the plant retain water. †¢ In woody plants, protective tissues called periderm replace the epidermis in older regions of stems and roots. †¢ The epidermis has other specialized characteristics consistent with the function of the organ it covers. For example, the root hairs are extensions of epidermal cells near the tips of the roots. o Trichomes, outgrowths of shoot epidermis, reduce water loss and reflect light. They protect against insects with sticky secret ions of insecticidal biochemicals. †¢ The vascular tissue system is involved in the transport of materials between roots and shoots. o Xylem conveys water and dissolved minerals upward from roots into the shoots. o Phloem transports sugars, the products of photosynthesis, to the roots and sites of growth, such as developing leaves and fruits. †¢ The vascular tissue of a root or stem is called the stele. In angiosperms, the root stele forms a solid central vascular cylinder, while the stele of stems and leaves consists of vascular bundles, separate strands of xylem and phloem. †¢ Both xylem and phloem are complex tissues with a variety of cell types. †¢ The ground tissue system is tissue that is neither dermal nor vascular. †¢ Ground tissue is divided into pith, internal to vascular tissue, and cortex, external to the vascular tissue. †¢ The functions of specialized cells within ground tissue include photosynthesis, storage, and support. Plant tissues ar e composed of three basic cell types: parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. Plant cells are differentiated, with each type of plant cell possessing structural adaptations that make specific functions possible. o Cell differentiation may be evident within the protoplast, the cell contents exclusive of the cell wall. o Modifications of cell walls also play a role in plant cell differentiation. †¢ The major types of differentiated plant cells are parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, water-conducting cells of the xylem, and sugar-conducting cells of the phloem. †¢ Mature parenchyma cells have primary walls that are relatively thin and flexible; most lack secondary walls. The protoplast of a parenchyma cell usually has a large central vacuole. †¢ Parenchyma cells are often depicted as â€Å"typical† plant cells because they generally are the least specialized, but there are exceptions. o For example, the highly specialized sieve-tube elements of the phloem ar e parenchyma cells. †¢ Parenchyma cells perform most of the metabolic functions of the plant, synthesizing and storing various organic products. o For example, photosynthesis occurs within the chloroplasts of parenchyma cells in the leaf. o Some parenchyma cells in the stems and roots have colorless plastids that store starch. The fleshy tissue of most fruit is composed of parenchyma cells. †¢ Most parenchyma cells retain the ability to divide and differentiate into other cell types under special conditions, such as the repair and replacement of organs after injury to the plant. †¢ In the laboratory, it is possible to regenerate an entire plant from a single parenchyma cell. †¢ Collenchyma cells have thicker primary walls than parenchyma cells, although the walls are unevenly thick. †¢ Grouped into strands or cylinders, collenchyma cells help support young parts of the plant shoot. Young stems and petioles often have strands of collenchyma just below the epi dermis, providing support without restraining growth. †¢ Mature collenchyma cells are living and flexible and elongate with the stems and leaves they support. †¢ Sclerenchyma cells have thick secondary walls usually strengthened by lignin; they function as supporting elements of the plant. †¢ Sclerenchyma cells are much more rigid than collenchyma cells. †¢ Unlike parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells cannot elongate. †¢ Sclerenchyma cells occur in plant regions that have stopped lengthening. Many sclerenchyma cells are dead at functional maturity, but they produce rigid secondary cells walls before the protoplast dies. o In parts of the plant that are still elongating, secondary walls are deposited in a spiral or ring pattern, enabling the cell wall to stretch like a spring as the cell grows. †¢ Two types of sclerenchyma cells, fibers and sclereids, are specialized entirely for support. o Fibers are long, slender, and tapered, and usually occur in group s. ? Fibers from hemp are used for making rope, and fibers from flax are woven into linen. o Sclereids are irregular in shape and shorter than fibers.They have very thick, lignified secondary walls. ? Sclereids impart hardness to nutshells and seed coats and the gritty texture to pear fruits. †¢ The water-conducting elements of xylem, the tracheids and vessel elements, are elongated cells that are dead at functional maturity. o The thickened cell walls remain as a nonliving conduit through which water can flow. †¢ Both tracheids and vessels have secondary walls interrupted by pits, thinner regions where only primary walls are present. †¢ Water moves from cell to cell mainly through pits. †¢ Tracheids are long, thin cells with tapered ends. Because their secondary walls are hardened with lignin, tracheids function in support as well as transport. †¢ Vessel elements are generally wider, shorter, thinner-walled, and less tapered than tracheids. †¢ Vessel e lements are aligned end to end, forming long micropipes or xylem vessels. †¢ The ends are perforated, enabling water to flow freely. †¢ In the phloem, sucrose, other organic compounds, and some mineral ions move through tubes formed by chains of cells called sieve-tube elements. †¢ Sieve-tube elements are alive at functional maturity, although a sieve-tube element lacks a nucleus, ribosomes, and a distinct vacuole. The end walls, the sieve plates, have pores that facilitate the flow of fluid between cells. †¢ Each sieve-tube element has a nonconducting nucleated companion cell, which is connected to the sieve-tube element by numerous plasmodesmata. †¢ The nucleus and ribosomes of the companion cell serve both that cell and the adjacent sieve-tube element. †¢ In some plants, companion cells in leaves help load sugar into the sieve-tube elements, which transport the sugars to other parts of the plant. Concept 35. 2 Meristems generate cells for new organs. A major difference between plants and most animals is that plant growth is not limited to an embryonic or juvenile period. †¢ Most plants demonstrate indeterminate growth, growing as long as the plant lives. †¢ In contrast, most animals and certain plant organs, such as flowers, leaves, and thorns, undergo determinate growth, ceasing to grow after they reach a certain size. †¢ Indeterminate growth does not mean immortality. †¢ Annuals complete their life cycle—from germination to flowering to seed production to death—in a single year or less. o Many wildflowers and important food crops, such as cereals and legumes, are annuals. The lives of biennials span two years, with flowering and fruiting in the second year. o Radishes and carrots are biennials that are harvested after the first year. †¢ Plants such as trees, shrubs, and some grasses that live many years are perennials. o Some buffalo grass of the North American plains has been growing fo r 10,000 years from seeds that sprouted at the end of the last ice age. o Perennials do not usually die from old age but from an infection or some environmental trauma, such as fire or drought. †¢ A plant is capable of indeterminate growth because it has perpetually embryonic tissues called meristems. Apical meristems, located at the tips of roots and in the buds of shoots, supply cells for the plant to grow in length. †¢ This elongation, primary growth, enables roots to extend through the soil and shoots to increase their exposure to light and carbon dioxide. †¢ In herbaceous plants, primary growth produces almost all of the plant body. †¢ Woody plants also show secondary growth, progressive thickening of roots and shoots where primary growth has ceased. †¢ Secondary growth is produced by lateral meristems, cylinders of dividing cells that extend along the lengths of roots and shoots. The vascular cambium adds layers of vascular tissue called secondary xyle m and phloem. o The cork cambium replaces the epidermis with thicker, tougher periderm. †¢ The cells within meristems divide to generate additional cells, some of which remain in the meristematic region, while others differentiate and are incorporated into the tissues and organs of the growing plant. o Cells that remain as sources of new cells are called initials. o Cells that are displaced from the meristem, called derivatives, continue to divide until the cells they produce become specialized within developing tissues. At the tip of a winter twig of a deciduous tree is the dormant apical bud, enclosed by scales that protect its apical meristem. †¢ In the spring, the bud sheds its scales and begins a new spurt of primary growth. †¢ Along each growth segment, nodes are marked by scars left when leaves fell in the autumn. †¢ Above each leaf scar is either an axillary bud or a branch twig. †¢ Farther down the twig are whorls of scars left by the scales that en closed the apical bud during the preceding winter. †¢ Each spring and summer, as primary growth extends the shoot, secondary growth thickens the parts of the shoot that formed in earlier years. Concept 35. Primary growth lengthens roots and shoots. †¢ Primary growth produces the primary plant body, the parts of the root and shoot systems produced by apical meristems. o Herbaceous plants and the youngest parts of woody plants represent the primary plant body. †¢ Apical meristems lengthen both roots and shoots. However, there are important differences in the primary growth of these two systems. †¢ The root tip is covered by a thimble-like root cap, which protects the meristem as the root pushes through the abrasive soil during primary growth. o The cap also secretes a polysaccharide slime that lubricates the soil around the growing root tip. Growth in length is concentrated just behind the root tip, where three zones of cells at successive stages of primary growth are located. †¢ These zones—the zone of cell division, the zone of elongation, and the zone of differentiation—grade together. †¢ The zone of cell division includes the root apical meristem and its derivatives. o New root cells are produced in this region, including the cells of the root cap. †¢ The zone of cell division blends into the zone of elongation, where cells elongate, sometimes to more than ten times their original length. It is this elongation of cells that is mainly responsible for pushing the root tip, including the meristem, into the soil. o The meristem sustains growth by continuously adding cells to the youngest end of the zone of elongation. †¢ In the zone of differentiation, cells complete differentiation and become distinct cell types. †¢ The primary growth of roots produces the epidermis, ground tissue, and vascular tissue. †¢ Water and minerals absorbed from the soil must enter the plant through the epidermis, a single layer of cells covering the root. Root hairs greatly increase the surface area of epidermal cells. †¢ Most roots have a vascular cylinder of xylem and phloem. o In eudicot roots, xylem radiates from the center like a star, with phloem developing between the arms of the xylem â€Å"star. † o In monocot roots, the vascular tissue consists of a central core of parenchyma surrounded by alternating xylem and phloem. The central region, called pit, is distinct from stem pith. †¢ The ground tissue of roots consists of parenchyma cells that fill the cortex, the region between the vascular cylinder and the epidermis. Cells within the ground tissue store sugars and starches, and their plasma membranes absorb water and minerals from the soil. †¢ The innermost layer of the cortex, the endodermis, is a cylinder one cell thick that forms a selective barrier between the cortex and the vascular cylinder. †¢ Lateral roots may sprout from the outermost layer of the vascula r cylinder, the pericycle. o A lateral root pushes through the cortex and epidermis to emerge from the established root. o The vascular tissue of the lateral root is continuous with the vascular cylinder of the primary root. The apical meristem of a shoot is a dome-shaped mass of dividing cells at the shoot tip. †¢ Leaves arise as leaf primordia on the flanks of the apical meristem. †¢ Axillary buds develop from islands of meristematic cells left by apical meristems at the bases of the leaf primordia. †¢ Within a bud, leaf primordia are crowded close together because the internodes are very short. †¢ Most of the elongation of the shoot occurs by growth in length of slightly older internodes below the shoot apex. †¢ In some plants, including grasses, internodes continue to elongate all along the length of the shoot over a prolonged period. These plants have meristematic regions called intercalary meristems at the base of each leaf. o This explains why grass c ontinues to grow after being mowed. †¢ Unlike its central position in a root, vascular tissue runs the length of a stem in strands called vascular bundles. o Because the vascular system of the stem is near the surface, branches can develop with connections to the vascular tissue without having to originate from deep within the main shoot. †¢ In most eudicots, the vascular bundles are arranged in a ring, with pith inside and cortex outside the ring. The vascular bundles have xylem facing the pith and phloem facing the cortex. †¢ In the stems of most monocots, the vascular bundles are scattered throughout the ground tissue rather than arranged in a ring. †¢ In both monocots and eudicots, the stem’s ground tissue is mostly parenchyma. †¢ Many stems are strengthened by collenchyma cells just beneath the epidermis. †¢ Sclerenchyma fiber cells also provide support. †¢ The epidermal barrier of leaves is interrupted only by stomata, tiny pores that regulate gas exchange between the surrounding air and the photosynthetic cells inside a leaf. Each stomatal pore is flanked by two specialized epidermal cells called guard cells. o The term stoma can refer to either the stomatal pore or the entire stomatal complex, the pore and two guard cells. †¢ The stomata are also the major avenues of evaporative water loss from the plant—a process called transpiration. †¢ The ground tissue of the leaf, the mesophyll, is sandwiched between the upper and lower epidermis. †¢ The mesophyll consists mainly of parenchyma cells specialized for photosynthesis. †¢ In many eudicots, a layer or more of columnar palisade mesophyll lies above spongy mesophyll. CO2 and oxygen circulate through the labyrinth of air spaces around the irregularly spaced cells of the spongy mesophyll. †¢ The air spaces are particularly large near stomata, where gas exchange with the outside air occurs. †¢ The vascular tissue of a leaf is cont inuous with the vascular tissue of the stem. †¢ Leaf traces, connections from vascular bundles in the stem, pass through petioles and into leaves. †¢ Vascular bundles in the leaves are called veins. Each vein is enclosed in a protective bundle sheath consisting of one or more layers of parenchyma. o Bundle-sheath cells are prominent in leaves that undergo C4 photosynthesis. Within a leaf, veins subdivide repeatedly and branch throughout the mesophyll. †¢ The xylem brings water and minerals to the photosynthetic tissues, and the phloem carries sugars and other organic products to other parts of the plant. †¢ The vascular infrastructure also functions to support and reinforce the shape of the leaf. Concept 35. 4 Secondary growth adds girth to stems and roots in woody plants. †¢ The stems and roots of most eudicots increase in girth by secondary growth. †¢ The secondary plant body consists of the tissues produced by the vascular cambium and the cork cambiu m. The vascular cambium adds secondary xylem (wood) and secondary phloem, increasing vascular flow and support for the shoot system. o The cork cambium produces a tough, thick covering consisting of wax-impregnated cells that protect the stem from water loss and invasion by insects, bacteria, and fungal spores. †¢ Primary and secondary growth occur simultaneously but in different regions. o Elongation of the stem (primary growth) occurs at the apical meristem, but increases in diameter (secondary growth) occur farther down the stem. †¢ All gymnosperms and many eudicots have secondary growth, but it is rare in monocots. The vascular cambium is a cylinder of meristematic cells that may be one cell thick. †¢ The vascular cambium forms successive layers of secondary xylem to its interior and secondary phloem to its exterior. †¢ The accumulation of this tissue over the years accounts for most of the increase in diameter of a woody plant. †¢ The vascular cambium d evelops from parenchyma cells that retain the capacity to divide. o In a typical woody stem, the vascular cambium forms as a continuous cylinder outside the cortex and primary xylem and inside the pith and primary phloem. In a typical woody root, the vascular cambium forms in segments between the primary phloem, the lobes of primary xylem, and the pericycle. †¢ Viewed in cross section, the vascular cambium appears as a ring of initials. o As these cells divide, they increase the circumference of the vascular cambium, adding secondary xylem to the inside of the cambium and secondary phloem to the outside. †¢ Some initials are elongated, with long axes parallel to the axis of the stem or root. o These initials produce cells such as tracheids, vessel elements, and fibers of the xylem. They also produce sieve-tube elements, companion cells, parenchyma, and fibers of the phloem. †¢ Other initials are shorter, oriented perpendicular to the axis of the stem or root. o These initials produce vascular rays that transfer water and nutrients laterally within the woody stem, store sugars and starches, and aid in wound repair. †¢ As secondary growth continues over the years, layer upon layer of secondary xylem accumulate, producing the tissue we call wood. †¢ Wood consists mainly of tracheids, vessel elements (in angiosperms), and fibers. These cells, dead at functional maturity, have thick, lignified walls that give wood its hardness and strength. †¢ The first tracheid and vessel cells formed in the spring (early wood) have larger diameters and thinner walls than the cells produced later in the summer (late wood). o The structure of the early wood maximizes delivery of water to new, expanding leaves. o The thick-walled cells of later wood provide more physical support. †¢ In temperate regions, secondary growth in perennial plants ceases during the winter. †¢ This pattern of growth—cambium dormancy, early wood production, and late wood production—produces annual growth rings. Dendrochronology is the science of analyzing tree ring growth patterns. o Scientists can use ring patterns to identify climate change. †¢ As a tree or woody shrub ages, the older layers of secondary xylem, known as heartwood, no longer transport water and minerals. o Heartwood contains resins and other compounds that protect the core of the tree from fungi and insects. †¢ The outer layers, known as sapwood, continue to transport xylem sap. †¢ Because each new layer of secondary xylem has a larger circumference, secondary growth enables the xylem to transport more sap each year, supplying more leaves. Only the youngest secondary phloem, closest to the vascular cambium, functions in sugar transport. †¢ The older secondary phloem dies and is sloughed off as part of the bark. †¢ Early in secondary growth, the epidermis produced by primary growth splits, dries, and falls off the stem or root. †¢ The e pidermis is replaced by two tissues produced by the first cork cambium, which arises in the outer cortex of stems and in the outer layer of the pericycle of roots. †¢ The first tissue, phelloderm, is a thin layer of parenchyma cells that forms to the interior of the cork cambium. The cork cambium also produces cork cells, which accumulate at the cambium’s exterior. †¢ Waxy material called suberin deposited in the cell walls of cork cells before they die acts as a barrier against water loss, physical damage, and pathogens. †¢ A cork cambium and the tissues it produces make up a layer of periderm, a protective layer that replaces the epidermis. †¢ Because cork cells have suberin and are compacted together, the periderm is impermeable to water and gases. †¢ In most plants, water and minerals are absorbed in the youngest parts of the roots. The older parts of the roots anchor the plant and transport water and solutes between roots and shoots. †¢ In a reas called lenticels, spaces develop between the cork cells of the periderm. o These areas within the trunk facilitate gas exchange with the outside air. †¢ The thickening of a stem or root splits the first cork cambium, which loses its meristematic activity and differentiates into cork cells. †¢ A new cork cambium forms to the inside, resulting in a new layer of periderm. †¢ As this process continues, older layers of periderm are sloughed off. o This produces the cracked, peeling bark of many tree trunks. Bark is all tissues external to the vascular cambium, including secondary phloem (produced by the vascular cambium), the most recent periderm, and all the outer layers of periderm. Concept 35. 5 Growth, morphogenesis, and differentiation produce the plant body. †¢ The development of body form and organization is called morphogenesis. †¢ During plant development, a single cell, the zygote, gives rise to a multicellular plant of a particular form with funct ionally integrated cells, tissues, and organs. †¢ Each cell in the plant body contains the same genomes, but different patterns of gene expression cause cells to differentiate. The three developmental processes of growth, morphogenesis, and cellular differentiation act to transform the fertilized egg into a plant. Molecular biology is revolutionizing the study of plants. †¢ Modern molecular techniques enable plant biologists to investigate how growth, morphogenesis, and cellular differentiation give rise to a plant. †¢ Much of this research has focused on Arabidopsis thaliana, a small weed in the mustard family. o Thousands of these small plants can be cultivated in a few square meters of lab space. o With a generation time of about six weeks, Arabidopsis is an excellent model for genetic studies. Arabidopsis also has one of the smallest genomes of all known plants. †¢ Arabidopsis was the first plant to have its genome sequenced, in a six-year multinational proje ct. o More recently, rice and poplar trees have had their entire genomes sequenced. †¢ Arabidopsis has a total of about 26,000 genes, with fewer than 15,000 different types of genes. †¢ Now that the DNA sequence of Arabidopsis is known, plant biologists are working to identify the functions of every one of the plant’s genes. †¢ To aid in this effort, biologists are attempting to create mutants for every gene in the plant’s genome. Study of the functions of these genes has already expanded our understanding of plant development. †¢ By identifying each gene’s function, researchers aim to establish a blueprint for how plants develop, a major goal of systems biology. †¢ One day it may be possible to create a computer-generated â€Å"virtual plant† that will enable researchers to visualize which plant genes are activated in different parts of the plant during the entire course of development. Growth involves both cell division and cell expansion. †¢ Cell division in meristems increases the cell number, thereby increasing the potential for growth. However, it is cell expansion, especially cell elongation, that accounts for the increase in plant mass. †¢ The plane (direction) and symmetry of cell division are important determinants of plant form. o If the planes of division by a single cell and its descendents are parallel to the plane of the first cell division, a single file of cells will be produced. o If the planes of cell division of the descendent cells vary at random, an unorganized clump of cells will result. †¢ Although mitosis results in the equal allocation of chromosomes to daughter cells, cytokinesis may be asymmetrical. Asymmetrical cell division, in which one cell receives more cytoplasm than the other, is common in plant cells and usually signals a key developmental event. o For example, guard cells arise from an unspecialized epidermal cell through an asymmetrical cell division to fo rm a large unspecialized epidermal cell and a small guard cell â€Å"mother cell. † o Guard cells form when the small mother cell divides in a plane perpendicular to the first cell division. †¢ The plane in which a cell will divide is determined during late interphase. †¢ Microtubules in the outer cytoplasm become concentrated into a ring, the preprophase band. Although this ring disappears before metaphase, its â€Å"imprint† consists of an ordered array of actin microfilaments that remains after the microtubules disperse and signals the future plane of cell division. †¢ Cell expansion in animal cells is quite different from cell expansion in plant cells. o Animal cells grow by synthesizing a protein-rich cytoplasm, a metabolically expensive process. †¢ Growing plant cells add some protein-rich material to their cytoplasm, but water uptake by the large central vacuole accounts for 90% of a plant cell’s expansion. o This enables plants to gro w economically and rapidly. For example, bamboo shoots can elongate more than 2 m per week. †¢ Rapid expansion of shoots and roots increases plants’ exposure to light and soil, an important evolutionary adaptation to the immobile lifestyle of plants. †¢ In a growing plant cell, enzymes weaken cross-links in the cell wall, allowing it to expand as water diffuses into the vacuole by osmosis. †¢ The wall loosens when hydrogen ions secreted by the cell activate cell wall enzymes that break the cross-links between polymers in the wall. †¢ This reduces restraint on the turgid cell, which can take up more water and expand. Small vacuoles coalesce to form the cell’s central vacuole. †¢ The greatest expansion of a plant cell is usually oriented along the plant’s main axis. o The orientation of cellulose microfibrils in the innermost layers of the cell wall cause this differential growth, as the cell expands mainly perpendicular to the â€Å"grai n† of the microfibrils. o The orientation of microtubules in the cell’s outermost cytoplasm determines the orientation of cellulose microfibrils, the basic structural units of the cell wall. Arabidopsis mutants confirm the role of cytoplasmic microtubules in cell division and growth. Studies of Arabidopsis mutants have confirmed the importance of cytoplasmic microtubules in both cell division and expansion. †¢ For example, fass mutants have unusually squat cells, which follow seemingly random planes of cell division. †¢ The roots and stems of fass mutants lack the ordered cell files and layers. †¢ Fass mutants develop into tiny adult plants with all their organs compressed longitudinally. †¢ The organization of microtubules in fass mutants is abnormal. o In interphase cells, the microtubules are randomly positioned. Preprophase bands do not form prior to mitosis. o Therefore, the cellulose microfibrils deposited in the cell wall cannot be arranged to determine the direction of the cell’s elongation. †¢ Cells with a fass mutation expand in all directions equally and divide in a haphazard arrangement, leading to stout stature and disorganized tissues. Morphogenesis depends on pattern formation. †¢ Morphogenesis organizes dividing and expanding cells into multicellular tissues and organs. †¢ The development of specific structures in specific locations is called pattern formation. Pattern formation depends to a large extent on positional information, signals that continuously indicate each cell’s location within an embryonic structure. †¢ Within a developing organ, each cell responds to positional information by differentiating into a particular cell type. †¢ Developmental biologists are accumulating evidence that gradients of specific molecules, generally proteins or mRNAs, provide positional information. o For example, a substance diffusing from a shoot’s apical meristem may â€Å"in form† the cells below of their distance from the shoot tip. A second chemical signal produced by the outermost cells may enable a cell to gauge its position relative to the radial axis of the developing organ. o Developmental biologists are testing the hypothesis that diffusible chemical signals provide plant cells with positional information. †¢ One type of positional information is polarity, the identification of the root end and shoot end along a well-developed axis. †¢ Axial polarity results in morphological and physiological differences. †¢ The unidirectional movement of the hormone auxin causes the emergence of adventitious roots and shoots from the appropriate ends of plant cuttings. The establishment of axial polarity is a critical step in plant morphogenesis. †¢ The first division of a plant zygote is normally asymmetrical and may initiate the polarization of the plant body into root and shoot ends. †¢ Once this polarity has been induced, it i s very difficult to reverse experimentally. o In the gnom mutant of Arabidopsis, the first division is symmetrical, and the resulting ball-shaped plant lacks roots and leaves. †¢ Other genes that regulate pattern formation and morphogenesis include master regulatory genes called homeotic genes, which mediate many developmental events, such as organ initiation. For example, the protein product of the KNOTTED-1 homeotic gene is important for the development of leaf morphology, including the production of compound leaves. o Overexpression of this gene causes the compound leaves of a tomato plant to become â€Å"supercompound. † Cellular differentiation depends on the control of gene expression. †¢ The diverse cell types of a plant, including guard cells, sieve-tube elements, and xylem vessel elements, all descend from a common cell, the zygote, and share the same DNA. The cloning of whole plants from single somatic cells demonstrates that the genome of a differentiated cell remains intact and can dedifferentiate in tissue culture and give rise to the diverse cell types of a plant. †¢ Cellular differentiation depends, to a large extent, on the control of gene expression. †¢ Cells with the same genomes follow different developmental pathways because they selectively express certain genes at specific times during differentiation. †¢ The activation or inactivation of specific genes involved in cellular differentiation depends on positional information—where a particular cell is located relative to other cells. For example, two distinct cell types in Arabidopsis, root hair cells and hairless epidermal cells, develop from immature epidermal cells. o Cells in contact with one underlying cortical cell differentiate into mature, hairless cells, while those in contact with two underlying cortical cells differentiate into root hair cells. o The homeotic gene GLABRA-2 is normally expressed only in hairless cells. If it is rendered dysfu nctional, every root epidermal cell develops a root hair. Clonal analysis of the shoot apex emphasizes the importance of a cell’s location in its developmental fate. In the process of shaping an organ, patterns of cell division and cell expansion affect the differentiation of cells by placing them in specific locations relative to other cells. †¢ Thus, positional information underlies all the processes of development: growth, morphogenesis, and differentiation. †¢ One approach to studying the relationship among these processes is clonal analysis, mapping the cell lineages (clones) derived from each cell in an apical meristem as organs develop. †¢ Researchers use mutations to distinguish a specific meristematic cell from the neighboring cells in the shoot tip. For example, a somatic mutation in an apical cell that prevents chlorophyll production produces an â€Å"albino† cell. o This cell and all its descendants appear as a linear file of colorless cells running down the long axis of the green shoot. †¢ To some extent, the developmental fates of cells in the shoot apex are predictable. o For example, clonal mapping has shown that almost all the cells derived from division of the outermost meristematic cells become part of the dermal tissue of leaves and stems. It is not possible to pinpoint precisely which cells of the meristem will give rise to specific tissues and organs, however, because random changes in rates and planes of cell division can reorganize the meristem. o For example, the outermost cells usually divide in a plane parallel to the surface of the shoot tip. o Occasionally, however, an outer cell divides in a plane perpendicular to this layer, placing one daughter cell beneath the surface, among cells derived from different lineages. †¢ In plants, a cell’s developmental fate is determined not by its membership in a particular lineage but by its final position in an emerging organ.Phase changes mark majo r shifts in development. †¢ In plants, developmental changes can occur within the shoot apical meristem, leading to a phase change in the organs produced. o One example of a phase change is the gradual transition from a juvenile phase to an adult phase. o In some plants, the result of the phase change is a change in the size and shape of leaves. o The leaves of juvenile and mature shoot regions differ in shape and other features. o Once the meristem has laid down the juvenile nodes and internodes, they retain that status even as the shoot continues to elongate and the meristem changes to the mature phase. If axillary buds give rise to branches, those shoots reflect the developmental phase of the main shoot region from which they arise. o Although the main shoot apex may have made the transition to the mature phase, the older region of the shoot continues to give rise to branches bearing juvenile leaves if that shoot region was laid down when the main apex was still in the juven ile phase. o A branch with juvenile leaves may actually be older than a branch with mature leaves. †¢ The juvenile-to-mature phase transition points to another difference in the development of plants versus animals. o In an animal, this ransition occurs at the level of the entire organism, as a larva develops into an adult animal. o In plants, phase changes during the history of apical meristems can result in juvenile and mature regions coexisting along the axis of each shoot. Genes controlling transcription play key roles in a meristem’s change from a vegetative to a floral phase. †¢ Another striking phase change in plant development is the transition from a vegetative shoot tip to a floral meristem. †¢ This transition is triggered by a combination of environmental cues, such as day length, and internal signals, such as hormones. Unlike vegetative growth, which is indeterminate, the production of a flower by an apical meristem stops primary growth of that shoo t. †¢ This transition is associated with switching â€Å"on† floral meristem identity genes. †¢ The protein products of these genes are transcription factors that help activate the genes required for the development of the floral meristem. †¢ Once a shoot meristem is induced to flower, positional information commits each primordium arising from the flanks of the shoot tip to develop into a specific flower organ—a sepal, petal, stamen, or carpel. Viewed from above, the floral organs develop in four concentric circles, or whorls. o Sepals form the fourth (outermost) whorl, petals form the third, stamens form the second, and carpels form the first (innermost) whorl. †¢ Organ identity genes, or plant homeotic genes, regulate positional information and function in the development of the floral pattern. o Mutations in these genes may lead to the substitution of one type of floral organ for the expected one. †¢ Organ identity genes code for transcript ion factors. †¢ Positional information determines which organ identity genes are expressed in which particular floral-organ primordium. In Arabidopsis, three classes of organ identity genes interact to produce the spatial pattern of floral organs. †¢ The ABC model of flower formation identifies how these genes direct the formation of four types of floral organs. †¢ The ABC model proposes that each class of organ identity genes is switched â€Å"on† in two specific whorls of the floral meristem. o A genes are switched on in the two outer whorls (sepals and petals), B genes are switched on in the two middle whorls (petals and stamens), and C genes are switched on in the two inner whorls (stamens and carpels). Sepals arise in those parts of the floral meristems in which only A genes are active. o Petals arise in those parts of the floral meristems in which A and B genes are active. o Stamens arise in those parts of the floral meristems in which B and C genes are a ctive. o Carpels arise in those parts of the floral meristems in which only C genes are active. †¢ The ABC model can account for the phenotypes of mutants lacking A, B, or C gene activity. o When gene A is missing, it inhibits C, and vice versa. o If either A or C is missing, the other takes its place.

Barack Obama - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Joint Press Conference

Barack Obama Joint Press Conference with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered 14 November 2014, Rangoon, Burma Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: I Im sorry if weve kept you waiting. Let me just begin by saying what a great pleasure it is for me to welcome President Obama again to my house, and to be able to meet all of you.I would just like to say that there have been those who have been saying that there is tension between the United States and the National League for Democracy or perhaps with me. I would like to make quite clear that the friendship between the United States and those who have been struggling for democracy in Burma is a very strong one. We may view things differently from time to time but it will in no way affect our friendship. And I have absolute confidence that the United States will continue to support us with regard to the democratic transformation and that when Burma becomes a fully functioning democracy in accordance with the will of the people, we will be able to say that among those friends who enabled us to get there, the United States was among the first. So please dont think please dont worry that there will be any problems between the United States and those working for democracy in Burma. We all believe in the same values. We all believe in the same principles. We may sometimes think that there are different ways of getting to the goal that we wish to achieve, but these differences are part of the democratic tradition. Democracy allows people to have different views, and democracy makes it also makes us also responsible for negotiating an answer to those views. I would like all of you to feel welcome in this country, and I would all like all of you to feel that you can join us in hoping for better days. But at the same time, I always warn against over-optimism because that could lead to complacency. Our reform process is going through, let’s us say, a bumpypatch. But this bumpy patch is something that we can negotiate with commitment and with the help and understanding of our friends from all over the world. So let us not exaggerate the differences, the difficulties. But at the same time, let us not exaggerate the rosy picture either. What we need is a healthy balance between optimism and pessimism. We need to view the the situation for what it was. But at the same time, we all have to be confident that we will get there we will get where we want to get to, because that’s what our people want. In the end, it’s the people of Burma who will decide where this country is going to and which way and how and when. So we accept responsibility for the fate of our country, but at the same time we welcome the support and the help of our friends. And we always appreciate them very greatly. Thank you. Barack Obama: Well, good afternoon, everybody. Mingalaba. It is wonderful to be back in Rangoon and to once more have the opportunity to spend time with Aung San Suu Kyi. As we know, it was in this house that she endured years of confinement never giving up hope, never wavering in her determination to build a free and democratic Burma. Daw Suu, you helped set this country on a better path. I’m grateful for your friendship and for the hospitality that you’ve shown in opening your home up not only to me, but to all these people. 3:46 When I made my first historic visit to Burma, this country was just taking preliminary steps towards democracy. And in the past two years, important changes have been made. The economy has begun to grow. Political prisoners have been set free. There are more newspapers and media outlets. Children have been released from the military. And these are all important changes that have opened up greater opportunity for the people of Burma. At the same time, as Aung San Suu Kyi just said, it’s clear how much hard work remains to be done and that many difficult choices still lie ahead. The process for reform is by no means complete or irreversible. For many, progress has not come fast enough or spread far enough. People need to feel safe in their homes and not be subject to arbitrary harassment by authorities or individuals acting with impunity. People need to be empowered to pursue their dreams. And as Burma approaches important national elections next year, it will be critical to ensure that all of Burma’s people can participate in shaping the future of their country. As a member of parliament and the head of the rule of law committee, Aung San Suu Kyi is working hard to make government more transparent, more accountable, to protect the rights of all the Burmese people, to promote reforms that would expand the political space for more people to contribute their voices. But implementing the major political and economic reforms that are necessary to keep Burma advancing toward democracy is going to take a great deal of political will and no small amount of determination. And we, as friends of the Burmese people, are clear-eyed about the scale of the challenges that remain, and recognize that we cannot remain complacent. Today, Daw Suu and I had a wide-ranging discussion about how the United States can help facilitate and bolster Burma’s democratic transition. We talked about the need for stronger rule of law, for elections that are free, fair and inclusive, and for continued constitutional changes that will move Burma more fully towards a civilian government. We spoke about how we can work together to promote national reconciliation and defuse sectarian tensions among Burma’s diverse ethnic groups. Specifically, I stressed the need to find durable and effective solutions for the terrible violence in Rakhine state solutions that end discrimination, provide greater security and economic opportunities, protect all citizens, and promote greater tolerance and understanding. Strengthening human rights protections for all of Burma’s people is an essential step to realizing the vision we share for the future of this beautiful country. The last time I stood here, I made a pledge to the people of Burma that if we continued to see progress toward reform, the ties between our countries would grow stronger, and the United States would continue to do whatever it could to help ensure Burma’s success. Over the last two years, I think we’ve made good on that pledge, and I want to reiterate the commitment to match continued reforms with greater support and friendships in the future. We’re committed to working directly with the people of Burma, and not just the government. So later today, I’m looking forward to speaking with representatives of Burma’s civil society groups and with young leaders from Burma and all across Southeast Asia who are working to create greater opportunities for themselves and for future generations. I think these new voices are going to be critical to making sure that reforms are sustainable and meaningful to people across the country and across the region. So, Daw Suu, thank you again for welcoming us here today. We continue to look to you for inspiration as well as resolve, and I know that you will continue to be a fierce advocate on behalf of the people of Burma, a future of democracy, and I know that you will be a strong partner with the United States. Thank you. Questions? Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: Who’s speaking? Barack Obama: I’ll go first. Christi Parsons. Q: You have been traveling in countries with long histories of repressing freedom of expression and censorship. And it was interesting yesterday that President Xi seemed to be saying that reporters who have problems have themselves to blame. And so I wonder to what extent you feel the need to contend with these ideas with leaders in this region as you travel. And what do you say to them? And by way of example, I might ask you Attorney General Eric Holder says no journalist will go to prison for doing his or her job, on his watch. And so I ask about the case of James Risen, the journalist who is facing this prosecution for not revealing his source in a leak prosecution. I wonder if that’s are you speaking specifically about this case, and is that your position as well? And if I may, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ask you how concerned are you about the violence against ethnic minorities in your country, and specifically the Rohingya people? And what do you believe is your responsibility to speak out about it? Thank you very much. Barack Obama: The issue of press freedom is a constant concern in my interactions with the Chinese government. It’s an issue that I’ve raised with the President here in Burma. I’m pretty blunt and pretty frank about the fact that societies that repress journalists ultimately oppress people as well, and that if you want a society that is free and vibrant and successful, part of that formula is the free flow of information, of ideas, and that requires a free press. That is part of our tradition. As I explained to President Xi in China, it’s in our DNA. We believe in the primacy individuals being able to pursue their dreams, endowed with certain inalienable rights. And we believe that when governments censor or control information, that ultimately that undermines not only the society, but it leads to eventual encroachments on individual rights as well. I cant comment, Christi, on any particular pending case, as you know thats sort of an iron-clad rule or any particular prosecution. I can read back to you what Attorney General Holder has said, which is no journalist is going to go to jail for doing their job. And I dont think youre suggesting that theres that the two cases are comparable. But I recognize that in our own society we have to constantly balance the need for certain national security issues to remain secret with journalists pursuing leads wherever they can. And the good news is, is that weve got courts and weve got a First Amendment. And we got a whole bunch of tools to ensure that that balance is properly debated and adjudicated. But I think that when I am traveling, it is important as the President of the United States to not just talk about our interests, but also to talk about our values. Sometimes it has an impact; sometimes it doesnt. Although I was impressed that Mark Landler got an answer to his question from President Xi. It might not have been the one he was expecting, but he did end up taking the question. So you just keep on chipping away and seeing if we can make progress. Q: [Off-mic inaudible] Barack Obama: Hold on a second, Christi. Dont try to segue into a second question. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: I think I better take over because Ive got to have my time as well. Barack Obama: There you go. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: The National League for Democracy always has been against violence of any kind, either on racial grounds, or religious grounds, or ideological grounds. We do not believe that violence really resolves anything at all. Our struggle for democracy has been carried out with a strong grasp on the principle of nonviolence. And also, we believe in the rule of law. So if you ask how do we propose to resolve all of these problems of violence between communities, between different ethnic groups, weve got to start with rule of law. People have to feel secure before they can start talking to one another. We cannot achieve harmony without security. People who feel threatened are not going to sit down and sort out their problems. So I would like to recommend, as the chair of the Rule of Law and Tranquility Committee dont forget that tranquility is also included that the government should look to rule of law. It is the duty of the government to make all our people feel secure, and it is the duty of our people to learn to live in harmony with one another. If we want democracy, we have to be prepared to live by the principles of democracy. We have to dare to live according to the principles of democracy. I think well get there, but it will take us some time. But we will remain fully committed to the principle of nonviolence. Q: [inaudible] Mr. President, Id like to know about the Myanmar reforms. Youve been talking with the President and parliament speakers, and also youre going to talk with the civil societies group, and then youth. So my direct question to you is that: Have you got any specific agreement with the Myanmar government or President Thein Sein about Myanmar reforms such as constitutional change, and peace negotiation, peace process, and also 2015 general election? And also to Daw Aung San Sui Kyi, you have got a one-hour discussion with the President, and at the current political situation, as you said, it’s a bumpy situation. So if you didnt make amendment, or you didnt change constitution, the NLD and you, yourself, is going to be very difficult after 2015 elections. So have you talked about those issues with the President? Or the President talk to you about U.S. support for you? Thank you. Barack Obama: Well, the issue of making sure that reforms and the transition is fully realized was the main topic of our conversation and the main topic of my conversation with the President last night. As I indicated before, there are signs of progress. We shouldnt deny that Burma today is not the same as Burma five years ago. But the process is still incomplete. And I was very specific with the President in terms of how we will measure whether or not the transition has been fully realized. Number one, we expect elections to take place on time. We do not want to see delays, because its time for the voice of the people of Burma to be heard in a fair, free, transparent election. Number two, I indicated to the President that the constitution amendment process needs to reflect inclusion rather than exclusion, that there are certain provisions in the Burmese constitution that objectively dont make much sense. Ultimately, what changes are made are up to the people of Burma. But, for example, I dont understand a provision that would bar somebody from running for President because of who their children are. That doesnt make much sense to me. Number three, we are very much in favor of the peace process, and I encourage the President to move forward in the negotiations. He expressed some optimism about the ability to bring a deal to a conclusion. But as Daw Suu has indicated, you have to be skeptical until its actually done. Number four, I indicated that we are paying attention to how religious minorities are treated in this country. Now, I recognize the complexities of the situation in Rakhine state. On the other hand, consistent with what Daw Suu just said, I am a firm believer that any legitimate government has to be based on rule of law and a recognition that all people are equal under the law. And discrimination against the Rohingya or any other religious minority I think does not express the kind of country that Burma over the long term wants to be. And I know of no successful democracy in which sectarian or religious divisions are allowed to fester, or the people of different faiths are treated as second-class citizens. Ultimately, that is destabilizing to a democracy. And finally, I expressed to the President the need to continue to make additional progress on basic issues of freedom and personal security, that journalists cant be jailed simply because they were critical of the government; that arbitrary arrests or individuals being in some fashion abused by government with impunity rather than being respected and treated in accordance with law, that thats a test of whether or not a society is moving towards a genuine democratic process. And the President yesterday acknowledged that some progress has been made, and there was more to do. And our position will be to continue to measure whats happening on the ground, to consult with a wide range of groups here in Burma. We will strengthen our relationship where we see progress. Where we don’t see progress, then we will continue to express our concerns, and we will not be able to fully realize the kind of bilateral relationship that we want to have with Burma, the Burmese government, until we’ve seen some of these reforms completed. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: Well, you asked whether its going to be fruitful for the NLD to win the elections if the amendments to the constitution are not pushed through. I think it’s too early to ask this question. We’ve just spent one afternoon debating the question of constitutional amendment. I think perhaps some of you may have heard that proportional representation is not going to be instituted. So when we started defending [inaudible] system against proportional representation, there were many who said to us, you are a very small minority in the legislature; how can you hope to win this case? It’s not a matter of wanting to win a case, it’s a matter of standing up for what you believe in, for what you believe is necessary for the future of our country. Now we are asking for a constitutional amendment not because we’re trying to win a case, but because we think that certain amendments are necessary if this country is to be a truly functioning democracy in line with the will of the people. Because of that, we will persist in our efforts to have the constitution amended in the right way and within the framework of the law. I’ve always put great emphasis on this because I want peace and tranquility in our country. I want our people to learn to live under the rule of law, and to support and uphold the importance of the rule of law. So with regard to the constitution, we know that the people support our wish to amend it in certain ways, and we are prepared to negotiate with those who do not wish to amend the constitution. I think that’s what democracy is all about. We need a culture of negotiated compromise as the foundation for our democratic union. So we would like to it’s not just a matter of debating the case in parliament and winning Brownie points or Boy Scout points, or whatever they’re called. But it’s just a case of standing up for what we think our country needs. And we would like to talk to those who disagree with us. That, again, is what democracy is about. You talk to those who disagree with you; you don’t beat them down. You exchange views. And you come to a compromise, a settlement that would be best for the country. I’ve always said that dialogues and debates are not aimed at achieving victory for one particular party or the other, but victory for our people as a whole. Whatever we decide on should be seen as a victory for our nation, for the kind of democratic union that we have been trying to build up for decades. So please don’t worry about whether or not we will win the elections in 2015. Of course, any party wants to win the elections. I’m sure the President will tell you that. But winning is not everything it’s how you win. I’d rather lose than win in the wrong way. And that is the way I want our party and our people to approach the problems that we have to tackle that we want to win in the right way. We want to bring the changes of the constitution about in the right way. We want to build up a strong foundation for national reconciliation, which means reconciliation not just between the different ethnic groups and between different religious groups, but between different ideas for example, between the idea of military supremacy and the idea of civilian authority over the military, which is the foundation of democracy. So we want to exchange views and to come to an understanding with all those who at this moment do not yet agree with us. And we are confident that we can come to such a settlement, come to such an agreement because, after all, I do believe that what all of us want is what is best for the country as a whole not just for particular individuals or groups or organizations. So while I tell you that you need not worry about what affects amendment or non-amendment to the constitution might have on the elections, I might as well ask you to vote for us when we do get there. Barack Obama: Pete Maer. Q: Mr. President, it seems the stage is set for even more confrontations between you and Republicans when you get home, if that’s possible. We’re told that you’re soon going to sign the immigration reform executive order. To what extent are you concerned about a Republican backlash from an action of that magnitude? And on two other issues, I’m wondering what your take is on the plan to pass a bill to build the Keystone pipeline that’s in the works now, before the State Department’s review process is over. And Senator McConnell is angry over the climate deal that you had made with China. How does all of this square with your post-election assessment that people want to, as you put it, get stuff done? And if I may also pose a question to you, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Thank you for hosting all of us here from the White House media corps. As the President mentioned of the constitutional barring of you running in your country’s election, what do you think the impact will be from the President’s statement that was made here today on his strong opposition to that constitutional wording? And what impact do you think it will have on the government here? And is there anything more that you’d like to see him do? Thank you. Barack Obama: Pete, the day after the election I said that there are going to be areas of agreement between me and Republicans, and there are going to be areas of disagreement. There are going to be actions I take they don’t like, and there are going to be bills they pass that I don’t like. And I think, moving forward, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. You’ve mentioned areas where we disagree. I believe that America is a nation of immigrants. Everybody agrees that the system is broken. There has been ample opportunity for Congress to pass a bipartisan immigration bill that would strengthen our borders, improve the legal immigration system, lift millions of people out of the shadows so they are paying taxes and getting right by the law. It passed out of the Senate. I gave the House over a year to go ahead and at least give a vote to the Senate bilaterally; they failed to do so. And I indicated to Speaker Boehner several months ago that if, in fact, Congress failed to act, I would use all the lawful authority that I possess to try to make the system work better. And that’s going to happen. That’s going to happen before the end of the year. But what I’ve also said to them and I said this during the lunch with the Speaker and Leader McConnell is that I am always interested in negotiating a legislative solution to the immigration problem, and that the minute they pass a bill that I can sign that fixes our immigration system, then any executive actions I take are replaced. So they have the ability to fix the system. What they don’t have the ability to do is to expect me to stand by with a broken system in perpetuity. And I would advise that if, in fact, they want to take a different approach, rather than devote a lot of time trying to constrain my lawful actions as the Chief Executive of the U.S. government in charge of our enforcing our immigration laws, that they spend some time passing a bill and engaging with all the stakeholders, the immigrant rights groups, the law enforcement groups, the evangelicals, the business community, all of whom have said this is something that needs to be done, is way overdue. And we’ve been talking about it for 10 years now, and it’s been consistently stalled. So with respect to Keystone, I’ve been clear in the past, Pete, my position hasn’t changed, that this is a process that is supposed to be followed. Right now you have a case pending in Nebraska, where the pipeline would run through, in which a state court judge has questioned the plan. And until we know what the route is, it’s very hard to finish that evaluation. And I don’t think we should short-circuit that process. I have also noted that, as policy matter, my government believes that we should judge this pipeline based on whether or not it accelerates climate change or whether it helps the American people with their energy costs and their gas prices. And I have to constantly push back against this idea that somehow the Keystone pipeline is either this massive jobs bill for the United States, or is somehow lowering gas prices. Understand what this project is. It is providing the ability of Canada to pump their oil, send it through our land, down to the Gulf, where it will be sold everywhere else. That doesnt have an impact on U.S. gas prices. You know what does have an impact on U.S. gas prices is the incredible boom in U.S. oil production and natural gas production thats taken place under my administration. And if my Republican friends really want to focus on whats good for the American people in terms of job creation and lower energy costs, we should be engaging in a conversation about what are we doing to produce even more homegrown energy. Im happy to have that conversation. With respect to the climate change deal, I have been very clear that I have responsibilities as President not just to current generations, but to future generations. The science is indisputable. The planet is getting warm, and it is getting warmer in part because of man-made activity. And the release of carbon gases carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere can have a potentially devastating effect that will cost our country, could devastate communities, could increase the impact of natural disasters, and will have an impact worldwide that is destabilizing and could affect our national security. Thats not my opinion, by the way, that is the opinion of our Joint Chiefs of Staff, that climate change is a direct national security threat. Now the argument that Ive received in the past has been either denial of the science or, alternatively, theres no point in us doing something about it despite us being one of the two largest emitters in the world, because if we do something and China doesnt do anything, well just put ourselves at a competitive disadvantage, well lose jobs to China, and the problem wont be solved anyway. Im not going deny the science, but I took seriously the notion that we want all countries to participate in solving a global problem. And so I engaged with China over a lengthy set of negotiations. And by all independent accounts, for the first time, we got China to make a very serious commitment to constrain its greenhouse gases. Why would anybody be against that? That sounds like the right thing to do to me. So thats a response to those specific ideas. But let me reiterate what I said at the top. The fact that I disagree or Republicans disagree with me on a certain set of issues doesnt exclude us working together on a whole range of issues where we do agree. Theyre interested in tax reform so am I. Lets get to work. Theyre interested in promoting trade that will create jobs and opportunity for U.S. workers and U.S. businesses all over it. Its part of what this Asia trip has been all about. Theyre interested in rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our ports, our airports, putting people back to work, making sure were competitive Im game. So the one thing that I think is going to be important for us to have a successful partnership over the next couple of years is not making disagreements on a single issue suddenly a deal-breaker on every issue. Democracy can never work that way because there are always going to be some differences. And when there are differences you cant elevate those differences above the commonalities. Im sorry that was a long answer, but it was a lot of questions. Do you want to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: Im sorry the President cant get away from all those. Barack Obama: I know. But before Daw Suu responds to the point about the constitutional amendment, I just want to emphasize, ultimately its up to the people of Burma to make a decision about all these provisions. I expressed an objective view that some of current provisions dont seem to have much grounding in common sense or precedent when you look at other constitutions around the world, and seem more focused on advantaging or disadvantaging certain players. And one of the basic concepts of a constitution is that it creates a level playing field for all people, and then so I use that as an example not because I think my voice is the one thats most relevant in terms of the constitutional amendment process, but ultimately its up to the people of Burma. Q: [Off-mic.] Barack Obama: I did? It doesnt make much sense to me. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: I believe democracy should stand up for that principle. Barack Obama: Absolutely. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: Well, Ive always said that its somewhat flattering to have a constitution written with me in mind. But it shouldnt be done that way. Thats not how a democratic constitution should be written. And we object to that clause not because not because it debars me from the presidency as such, but because it is against the principle of democracy and also unconstitutional. The constitution says that all citizens should be treated as equals, and this is discrimination on the grounds of my children, my childrens spouses, et cetera, et cetera. Now, this is not acceptable. And our people are firmly behind us in our desire to change this clause. And if President Obama said anything about the necessity to change a clause like that, they will love him very much for it. So he will be very popular among our people. And as he said, in the end, it is up to our people to shape the destiny of our country, including the way the constitution is going to be rewritten. And I think the majority of our people understand that this constitution cannot stand as it is if we want to make the full transition to democracy; 59(f), as you know, debars anybody who is children of the spouses of the children belong to are citizens of another country. And according to the law and I think the President will know the law better than I do because Im not a lawyer according to the law, anybody who is over the age of 18, or whatever legal adult age may be in his or her country, is responsible for himself or herself. Nobody else is responsible for that person. So from that point of view also, you cannot penalize anybody for what his or her adult children do. From that point of view, its illegal, its against all norms of justice. And from the point of view of democracy, it is not right to discriminate against one particular citizen. You wouldnt like to be discriminated against, would you? So I think our people support the idea of amending this clause because not particularly because they want me to be president, perhaps because they do. But I dont think it is so much because of that, but because they realize that this is unfair, unjust and undemocratic. Q: Thank you. I am [inaudible] from 11 Media from Myanmar. And I wanted to ask the question to Mr. President. The question is, have you discussed about the [inaudible] situation in Myanmar [inaudible] president Thein Sein last night? Because more journalists than politicians have been arrested, particularly in [inaudible], under the present Thein Sein administration. And when you discuss about this, how did he respond to this discussion? Thank you. Barack Obama: I didnt bring up specific cases with him. I brought up a basic principle that I stated earlier, which is that a free press is a foundation for any democracy. We rely on journalists to explain and describe the actions of our government. If the government controls the journalists, then its very difficult for citizens to hold that government accountable. Its a fairly straightforward proposition. And I recognize that there is a transition process thats taking place, that there is a more robust debate today than there was the last time I visited. But to go back to what we said earlier, we cant be complacent. And we, as a government, are going to be troubled when we hear reports of journalists being imprisoned, being killed, being intimidated, or being censored. And when we engage with this government or any government and we have evidence that thats taking place, then were going to raise it. Thank you very much. Source: WhiteHouse.gov

Management Class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Management Class - Essay Example ation that comes from ‘drug reps’ who does not have much scientific knowledge about the impact of drugs on patients’ lives because these people are only after the sales commissions, expensive gifts, awards, and bonuses they’ll receive from the company out of selling these drugs. It is advisable to limit this type of interconnection between the doctors and medical student(s) and the drug producer(s) in order to avoid ‘under the table’ or ‘red tape’ transactions and ‘lobbying’ between the two parties. A close personal relationship between the doctors / medical students and the pharmaceutical companies could result to converting these doctors as ‘pharmaceutical sales representatives.’ Thus, endangering the lives of the patients. Controlling the importation of drug ingredients such as the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from the nine major producers worldwide including Mexico is necessary in order to control the spread of ‘meth epidemics’ throughout the California, Oregon and other part of the United States.2 By regulating the importation of these ingredients, the meth cooks will have a hard time searching for the main ingredients to produce crystal meth. Another strategy is to regulate the selling of legal drugs like cold medicines that contain these ingredients throughout the United States. Having a strict control over the selling of these products, particularly by limiting the number of cold medicines consumers could buy as well as having the consumer register upon each purchase, could prevent the meth cooks from converting these legal drugs into crystal meth. The two main strategies that the U.S. federal government implemented contributed to the success of controlling the meth epidemics over several areas in the United States. By implementing a strict control over the main sources of the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the government is able to prevent the meth makers from producing enormous amount of meth within the

Writing assignment Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Writing assignment - Article Example Although the betterment of the students undergoing through the programme can be observed, it will not be attributed to the programme alone as other factors can contribute to the exemplary performance. Students will gain advantage through the knowledge gained at high school while narrowing achievement gap will be through the creation of equity between students with different capabilities. Students’ high school experiences will be enriched through providing the students with a chance to enjoy academic programmes, enabling them to study with intensity, depth and better perspective (Challenge Success, 2013). The programme will be an indicator of quality in education thereby assessing the capacity of making schools better. The programme provides students with a myriad of opportunities while enabling them to take challenging courses in college. The impacts on the programme on the schools and students however, are difficult to substantiate. In seeking to gain maximum benefits from the programme, students should consider understanding their reasons for enrolling into the programme, by consideration of all elements involved. Educators on the other hand must consider the level of involvement which they would like from the programme, before implementing it into their institutions. This can be achieved through a discussion with the various stakeholders of the programme (Challenge Success, 2013). Challenge Success. (2013). The Advanced Placement Program: Living Up To Its Promise? Challenge Success. Retrieved March 24, 2015, from

The technological advancements that have changed human lives Essay

The technological advancements that have changed human lives - Essay Example The innovation of computers and cellphones changed our mode of communication, accuracy, efficiency, and speed of doing things. This has led to complex interactions between humans and machines, which changes our values and culture. As such, there are questions regarding the long-term effects of technology and the possibility of technology conquering us. In this context, there are two concepts of technology, which include Wilbur Mercer and Buster Friendly. This paper will give a detailed answer as to whether I am Wilbur Mercer or Buster Friendly and, more importantly if it matters who I am. In doing this, the paper will rely on evidence from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? By Dick, Phillip K and a video presentation by Amber Case entitled â€Å"We’re All Cyborgs Now† among other scholarly sources. Wilbur Mercer symbolizes Mercerism that is a technology product, which defines a religion created by emotional connections by people from everywhere. It also encourages int eractions with other humans with a view of sharing the suffering and teaches its members to treat their neighbors the way they would want to be treated (Landsberg 38). On the other hand,  Buster Friendly is a technology product that depicts a media personality that derives an alternate media reality and offers entertainment on Earth (Sims 132). Seemingly, the show seeks to convince people that what has been happening lately is fine and normal and claims that Mercerism is a false religion (Rossi 262). There are various critics and praises for in Wilbur Mercer or Buster Friendly in the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Notably, the two compete for humans' attention and the resultant control of humans' thoughts. This manifests the strength of technology on humans to their oblivion. Personally, I chose to be Wilbur Mercer. It is quite clear that the modern society values religion as one of the fundamental aspects of human life. Ideally, religion derives spiritual teachings an d morals that control actions and dominate our personal thoughts and decision-making in our daily lives. As such, the use of religion in the novel, â€Å"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?† is very significant and I support it. Indeed, in this novel, Dick portrays a wide range of religious analogies and references and manifests how humans rely on religion in times of isolation, war, distress, destruction, and instability. Actually, Dick confirms that Mercerism that in the novel acts as the people’s religion is fundamental in deriving hope and unity among human beings in times of dire need. Dick devised his story to reflect human life in 2021 where there was nuclear war fought by rockets and the effects of the nuclear fallout and radioactive dust that plagued the Earth (Dick 4). This created a sense of dire need and desperation. Dick portrays the plagued Earth as an uninhabitable place after the human beings engineered its destruction (Dick 16-17). However, he shows s ome inhabitants who remained and suffered on Earth due to the harsh and isolated conditions they lived in. Most assuredly, this a destitute condition where there are very few people surviving and hence the need for Mercerism. Notably, Dick displays Mercerism as a mass religion criticized by many people at his time (Dick 20-27). This would indeed reflect a religion like Christianity, which is facing critics among scientists. Indeed, Wilbur Mercer would represent Jesus Christ in this context. In addition, just like people interpreted religion before the scientific evolution, Dick portrays people interpreting Mercerism literally in the novel. Mercerism has far-reaching benefits in that it encourages people to care for other people’s feelings and to share in their suffering. It asserts that if you hurt

Week 5 LT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 5 LT - Essay Example succeeded have always made the appropriate choices on the particular metrics to use, and ensuring that they are updated on a regular basis in ensuring that they are up to the task in their performances (Goetsch and Davis, 2012). Ideally, by the formations of partnerships and other similar associations, companies can hasten product development as well as a fastened marketing, which otherwise would take long periods to achieve. Alliances never create value automatically; however, achievement of success requires the development of performance measures dealings without a full-blown acquisition, thereby requiring the use of metrics for development and implementation of successful alliances (Goetsch and Davis, 2012). Development of metrics for quantification of benefits generated by a company is tedious; therefore, requiring a balanced scorecard, which measures the overall quality of the working relationship, the strategic value and the operational effectiveness together with the financial performance (Goetsch and Davis, 2012). Ideally, a balanced scorecard shows precise appropriateness in the measurement of a number of aspects, contrary to metrics in that overreliance on financial metrics is a shortsighted development, such as an example of establishing an underperforming alliance for the sake of remaining relevant in a competitive

Human resources management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Human resources management - Essay Example The human resource officials the mandate to ensure that diversity at the work place is well managed and utilized to achieve organizations goals and objectives(Joshi & Jackson, 2008). Actually, diversity at the work place if utilized well, it will see number of experiences and abilities put in place to solve organizations problems in a myriad ways. Thus, this is likely to bring about services that are much more all-inclusive in the process since almost different groups of customers will be represented in the workforce. A number of issues are associated with the management of diversity for human resource personnel. To begin with, the human resource officer has to ensure that they have attracted different kinds of workers with diversity to apply (Shen, Chanda, D’Netto, & Monga, 2009). The human resource manager has to ensure that description of a job is not discriminatory to any group that may be intending to work in that institution. Instead, it should be designed in a way to show that it welcomes everybody irrespective of his or her race, experience, age or even gender. Secondly one of the issues that manager has to deal with is ensuring that the recruitment process effectively targets the diverse groups. The recruitment process should ensure that it has gotten all the types of people that it needs to achieve its goals and objectives. Lastly, the human resource office has to deal with the potential biasness in the recruitment process. According to Podsiadlowski, Grà ¶schke, Kogler, Springer, & van der Zee,(2013) ignoring diversity has more harm to the organization than good. For instance, the issue can cost an organization a lot of time, efficiency and money. For instance, it will take more time for members of an organization to integrate out the requirements of the human resource office. This would not be the case if the officer understands the differences and

Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Co Ltd vs Riche Essay

Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Co Ltd vs Riche - Essay Example The decision in Ashbury confirmed that a company cannot carry on any business not specified in its objects clause. Third parties were often unable to sue companies in contract because of the ultra vires rule pertaining to the objects clause – which specifies the business the company can carry on and the legal powers of the company - in the Memorandum of Association. When the rule applied it made any contract which was caught by the rule void and the creditor could receive no restitution. This was justified by the rule of constructive notice. This holds that since the Memorandum is a public document all parties are deemed to have had the opportunity to read it prior to committing to a transaction. Moreover the rule protected the shareholders’ capital from acts undertaken by Directors purportedly on the company’s behalf. The immediate result was increasingly long objects clauses as companies strove to include any business they might wish to carry on, or power they might wish to exercise, together with catch-all clause permitting the company to carry on any business which the Directors thought fit: Bell Houses Ltd v City Wall Properties Ltd

Interpersonal Communication Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Interpersonal Communication - Research Paper Example The communication process differs from person to person. Each person, group or organization has a different approach and technique of communicating ideas, views and messages. The communication process in use depends on the availability of resources, skills and understanding of the members. This paper aims to analyze the fundamental elements of communication, the effect of self-concept, perceptions, listening habits, language differences and non-verbal elements on communication. Furthermore this paper ends up creating a discussion on personal methods to resolve the communication barriers and strategies to promote healthy interpersonal communication and relationships. II. Main Points A. Elements of Communication Process and their Importance 1. A brief intro to the elements and their relevant importance in the communication process 2. Factors affecting Communication Process B. Role of Self-Concept and Perception in Communication 1. Self-Concept and Perception with definition 2. The posi tive and negative impacts on communication C. Non-Verbal elements 1. The effects of non-verbal elements on Communication 2. The evaluation of environment, noise and other distractions on Communication D. Language Differences & Listening Skills 1. The effects of language differences and listening skills on communication patterns 2. Impacts of these elements on communication effectiveness E. Resolving Communication Barriers 1. Personal Methods to resolve barriers 2. Strategies to promote Healthy interpersonal communication III. Summary 1. The main points covered in the paper and the strategies proposed IV. Conclusion 1. An insight on the effects of factors which influence the communication barriers 2. A list of recommendations to avoid those barriers 3. Strategies to adopt in order to promote effective interpersonal communication Student Name Ramona L. Mata CA104 Interpersonal Communication 20 July 2007 Interpersonal Communication Report Introduction Communication is the tool to trans fer and share thoughts, ideas and views. It helps in expressing the emotions, sentiments and feelings of a person. There are many factors that affect the communication process between people and groups. These factors involve the attentiveness of people, cultural diversity among them, age differences, gender distribution, personal skills including listening and comprehension skills, personal feelings and point of views etc. The communication process differs from person to person. Each person, group or organization has a different approach and technique of communicating ideas, views and messages. The communication process in use depends on the availability of resources, skills and understanding of the members. This paper aims to analyze the fundamental elements of communication, the effect of self-concept, perceptions, listening habits, language differences and non-verbal elements on communication. Furthermore this paper ends up creating a discussion on personal methods to resolve the communication barriers and strategies to promote healthy interpersonal communication and relationships. Elements and Factors Affecting Communication Process Communication is an important part of our daily life. All dealings of our life varying from the smaller ones to the larger ones involve different aspects of communication pro

Mountain Property Essay Example for Free

Mountain Property Essay As Martin’s friend and attorney, I would advise him that he is the sole owner of mountain property. Since the property was purchased as a joint tenancy with a right of survivorship, Martin is now the only living tenant. Right of survivorship automatically divides the interest of the deceased tenant equally among the remaining tenants, until there is only one. Peter evidently misunderstand the right of survivorship when he indicated in his will that his share was to be transferred to his son Andrew. According to the text, under joint tenancy, all are co-owners of equal shares and may sell their shares without the consent of other owners. Their interest can be attached by creditors ( , p. 354). Since Peter never sold his share, Andrew has no claim, and therefore the creditor has no case, since the property in question was never legally Andrew’s. I would advise Martin that Otis has probable reasoning to believe he is in the right and North Carolina law could possible side with Otis in this case. Under North Carolina Adverse Possession Laws, if the occupant has resided on the property uncontested for a period exceeding twenty years he may be granted the title. In addition, it has been over 20 years since Martin had checked on the property. The justification for adverse possession in North Carolina is that it gives title to the person who gives a beneficial use to the land. Otis has been utilizing the land openly and publicly, this can be quantified by him building a residence on the property, thus giving him statutory period for adverse possession. If Martin had checked on the property over the years, he would have noticed Otis was trespassing and could have contacted the authorities to remove him if he refused. Coastal Property In reference to Martin’s legal rights with his beach house, I would advise Martin to file an appeal to the city taking his property under eminent domain. In order for eminent domain to be upheld, the property must be used for the good of the public, and not for transfer to another private party. In Kelo v. New London, Justice Stevens states â€Å"On the one hand, it has long been accepted that the sovereign may not take the property of A for the sole  purpose of transferring it to another private party B, even though A is paid just compensation.†(p. 361 ). Since the Tar Heel Family Resort is most likely a private venture, it clearly is not intended for public use. Public use would include parks, public transportation, museums, etc. Although the resort will be bringing additional jobs and tax revenue to the city, Martin’s house could only be seized by the city in this scenario if the house was beyond repair. In Berman v. Parker (1954), the court allowed the District of Columbia to establish eminent domain over personal housing that was beyond repair to construct public use facilities with the remainder of the land to be sold to private parties in order to generate low-cost housing. I would advise Martin that the city has no right to condemnation of his property under law and the court system would rule in favor of his appeal, just as it has in the past. Personal property I would first advise Martin to contact the police and file a report if he had not done so. I would also have Martin contact his insurance company, they may be willing to lend a hand in this scenario to prevent having to pay Martin the settlement cost if he had full coverage. I would then refer Martin to: NCGS 25-2-403. Power to transfer, good faith purchase of goods; â€Å"entrusting† 1. (1) A purchaser of goods acquires all title which his transferor had or had power to transfer except that a purchaser of a limited interest acquires rights only to the extent of the interest purchased. A person with voidable title has power to transfer a good title to a good faith purchaser for value. When goods have been delivered under a transaction of purchase the purchaser has such power even though (a) the transferor was deceived as to the identity of the purchaser, or (b) the delivery was in exchange for a check which is later dishonored, or (c) it was agreed that the transaction was to be a cash  sale, or (d) the delivery was procured through fraud punishable as larcenous under the criminal law. (2) Any entrusting of possession of goods to a merchant who deals in goods of that kind gives him power to transfer all rights of the entruster to a buyer in ordinary course of business. (3) Entrusting includes any delivery and any acquiescence in retention of possession regardless of any condition expressed between the parties to the delivery or acquiescence and regardless of whether the procurement of the entrusting or the possessors disposition of the goods have been such as to be larcenous under the criminal law. (4) The rights of other purchasers of goods and of lien creditors are governed by the articles on secured transactions (article 9) and documents of title (article 7). Benjamin committed the act of larceny when he took Martin’s car. Larceny is a matter of state criminal law, so the definition may vary slightly by state, but it can generally be defined as the secretive and wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal property of another with the intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of its use or possession. ( p. 157). The real question is, who is responsible for accepting these stolen goods? The above NC law states that the car dealer could be held responsible for accepting stolen goods without proof of ownership. The car dealer should not have accepted the car without a title in hand or written/verbal confirmation from the lien holder. Martin will most likely have to sue the car dealer in order to gain control of the car if the police do not force the stolen property to be returned to the rightful owner. References Satterlee, A. (2013). Organizational Management and Leadership: A Christian Perspective (2nd Edition). Raleigh, NC: Synergistics International Inc.