XYZ Company

Introduction The effects of government policies on the functioning and a long-term plan of an enterprise are undisputable. The concept of free market economy is not devoid of a government mechanism that controls the operations from distance and in invisible ways. Government fiscal and monetary policies affect the operations of private organizations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on XYZ Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the one hand, government’s actions have a strong effect on a pricing policy, an expansion decision, and other operational decisions undertaken by a private enterprise (Agenor, Izquierdo Jensen, 2009). Policies related to antitrust laws, fiscal, and monetary policies affect private enterprises directly. On the other hand, policies related to environment, trade relations, and international policies affect private companies indirectly. The sportswear market is a dominant form, which h as to expand and embrace globalization in order to remain competitive in a highly monopolistic market. This paper discusses the fictitious sports apparel company XYZ and the effect that government policies have on its expansion plans and long term investment decisions. However, the paper will begin with a discussion of the development of an inelastic pricing policy. An Inelastic Pricing Policy: Rationale Inelastic pricing policy of a product is carried out in order to have inelastic demand for the product. The aim of the inelastic pricing is to have a profit maximizing sports apparel brand. Gaining profit-maximizing is traditionally defined as setting the range of prices, at which the marginal revenue of the product is zero. Profit maximizing will ensure inelastic prices for a corporation (McEacherm, 2011). For instance, the marginal cost of the brand and association of the brand with the sports celebrities will double the effect of the appeal of the product to the customers. This w ill ensure an inelastic demand for sports, because apparel is not bought simply for the sake of the product itself but for the association of the product with the game or the sports personality. Hence, the price that the consumers are willing to pay is not for the product but the association of marginal talent that is related to the product. Hence, the sports apparel brand has to associate itself with the top talents in the industry to ensure that their pricing can be inelastic, for the price is equated not with marginal cost for profit maximization, but with marginal talent of the sportsperson. Effect of Government Policies on Production and Employment The process of recovering from failure of capital projects is through regrouping. Apart of assembling, all the key people involved in the planning process have to be regrouped to assess the failures and loopholes in the planning process and do a proper diagnostic check. Usually what companies do is trying to reduce cost and losses by getting back on schedule at the earliest.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, this is a knee-jerking response to the problem, and in doing so, companies usually do not detect the real reason of failure. Therefore, the best option is to put in quality time to evaluate the issue and address it. Complete transparency in the operational process and the implementation process is necessary. Further accountability is also important. Maintaining a complete and thorough audit trial is essential for the companies to ensure proper documentation of the project process. In addition, as it has been mentioned above, the cessation of a company’s monopoly reduces unemployment rates considerably. By opening new opportunities or other enterprises within the target market, government will provide more people with the chances to get a job. Thus, the unemployment rates will plummet. Effect of Government Policies XYZ Company In a retrospect, the effects that government has had on the XYZ Company are rather impressive. To start with, it would be wrong to claim that governmental regulation of the company’s processes can be defined as solely negative. Quite on the contrary, it seems that the XYZ Company can reach equilibrium between the marginal revenue and marginal cost curves. More to the point, seeing how the XYZ Company is defined as a monopolistic one, as well as that the company operates within a monopolistic market, the introduction of governmental regulation allows for setting the prices for the company’s services that will be considerably higher than the aforementioned marginal cost, therefore, increasing the company’s profit. However, the effects that the governmental supervision has on the XYZ Company’s processes are rather diverse; particularly, the fact that the government will reduce the company’s control over market price should be mentioned. Once the XYZ Company is unable to earn higher profit and remain the monopolist for the provided services, it will have to address a number of issues, including the means to fight the competitors efficiently, come up with the new means of attracting target customers, search for resources and information faster than the rival companies, etc. The aforementioned operations will demand impressive amounts of money, which presupposes that the XYZ Company will have to cut on several costs, possibly including the inbound and outbound logistics (the choice of the resource transportation methods should be reconsidered), as well as the current methods of marketing.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on XYZ Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Is Government Regulation Needed for XYZ Company/Industry? The information provided above shows clearly that the XYZ Company does not actually need the interfe rence of the government into its organizational, financial and production processes; in fact, knowing quite little about the specifics of the company’s key mechanisms, as well as inside and outside factors that affect its operations, the government will most likely do more harm than it will improve the organization’s performance (Forrest Yip, 2011). This, therefore, begs the question whether the governmental regulation should actually be encouraged for SMEs in general and the XYZ Company in particular. Seeing how the intrusion of the government bodies into the course of the company has been quite negative so far, one might assume that the idea of allowing the governmental bodies interfere with the company’s policy are entirely negative. Indeed, the state authorities know little to nothing about the XYZ Company’s operational processes, marketing principles and organizational culture. Therefore, their effect on the company’s ability to earn supernor mal profit may be deplorable. In addition, it will be harder for the XYZ Company to remain monopolistic once the state authorities will take control over most of its processes. However, when considering the aforementioned changes closer, one will notice that the governmental influence allows the XYZ Company to gain better competitiveness. Fairness of Government Policy Government policies have a strong effect on stimulating market demand and expansion of the market for organizations, as well as production and employment in private sector. The evidence of the positive effect on public capital investment, infrastructure and other developmental work in the specified afield is evident – with an increase in public spending, there is an increase in resources as well as an increase in the productivity of the existing resources available to the private companies. For instance, a new highway joining the industrial belts allows trucks to transport goods faster. The reduction in the time taken by truck drivers to transport the products implies less damage to the trucks and greater productivity by means of reducing wage paid to the drivers by the producers. Hence, government spending on construction of a highway has a positive externality on the total cost of production of the private companies. Further, government spending on education, sewers, hospitalization, etc. helps in creating a more educated and healthy workforce that helps private companies to increase employment. In other words, public spending helps increase the employability of the working age population (OECD, 2012). Major Reasons for Government Involvement in a Market Economy The agency theory has tried to explain the issues between the divergent interests of management and shareholders. The issues may be solved by usage of the firm’s strategic behavior, finding a convergence between management structure and shareholder contract, and signing a new shareholder and manager contract. Some areas of friction between shareholders and managers are entry-exit barriers, organizational inertia, and an inefficient organization structure (McGuigan, Moyer, Harris, 2014).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the agency theory, one of the most prevalent methods of conversing the interests is through ESOPs (employee stock options). Stock options given to employees introduce managers to the rank of shareholders, and, hence, help managers maximize shareholders’ wealth. Another method presupposes the enforcement of a bonding mechanism in the company. Thus, managers are responsible for the bonds and are accountable for them. In both the cases, the aim is to enhance the degree of dependability between managers and shareholders. These methods will ensure greater reliability and understanding between the managers and the shareholders, whose interests will become linear, and, hence, will fetch greater profitability for the XYZ Company. Further, the convergence of interest theory suggests that the firm’s valuation will increase once the company will be guided by the government (Peng, 2009). Convergence between the Interests of Stockholders and Managers The overall study shows that the presence of government control and a panoptic system to monitor capitalist market economy is essential in order to work as a cushion that facilitates the working and/or recovery of the firm. Moreover, it also works as a monitoring agency that ensures ethical conduct. Government intervention has been found to be profitable to companies entering the global market. Inelastic pricing policy may be adopted by maximizing profit, but in case of sports goods brands, maximizing talents is necessary. Government intervention is essential for the functioning of the economy, for an open credit environment will delve the economy in an unprecedented recession. Further, the essay presents that inefficient planning is to be blamed for failure of capital projects. The only method to elevate the problem of management and shareholder conflict of interest is through establishing managerial shareholding through employee share ownership. Conclusion Capital projects essentially mean expansion by acqui ring a large sum of money or capital for long-term growth. Capital project usually run the risk of failure due to the primary cause of cost overrun. One of the causes of cost overrun is insufficient planning at the initial stage of the project implementation. Further inadequate and poor project controls can also cause problems in capital projects. Other issues may include delays in payment, an ineffective decision-making process, the lack of control over the processes, unavailability of skilled labor, etc. Usually, capital projects are not caused by a single problem, but rather are triggered by a blend of two or more issues. Many projects end up badly because they were unable to begin at the right pace. Further, unregistered, or defined cost resulted in company’s deviating from the schedule of the project. A poor calculation of the project budget and an untimely delivery of the results, as well as missing the deadlines, are the primary causes of project failures (Venkataraman Pinto, 2011). Reference List Agenor, P.-R., Izquierdo, A. Jensen, H. P. (2009). Adjustment policies, poverty, and unemployment. New York, NY: John Wiley Sons. Forrest, R. Yip, N. M. (2011). Housing markets and the global financial crisis: The uneven impact on households. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing McEacherm, W. A. (2011). Economics: A contemporary introduction. Stanford, CT: Cengage Learning. McGuigan, J. R., Moyer, R. C., Harris, F. H. deB. (2014). Managerial economics: applications, strategies and tactics (13th Ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. OECD (2012). OECD economic surveys: Slovak Republic 2012. Geneva, Switzerland: OECD Publishing. Peng, M. (2009). Global business 2009 update. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Venkataraman, R. R. Pinto, J. K. (2011). Cost and value management in projects. New York, NY: John Wiley Sons. This essay on XYZ Company was written and submitted by user MotherAskani to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. XYZ Company

In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening Essay Example

In the summer of 1975 world In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening Essay In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening Essay Essay Topic: Dracula Jaws In the summer of 1975 world-renowned director Steven Spielberg produced a film so frightening that still today 30 years after the film was first previewed, the infamous theme tune brings Goosebumps to viewers all over the planet. This now legendary movie tapped into the most primal of human fears, the fear of what lurks below the dark surface of water. Jaws now known as the mother of all summer blockbusters uses many iconic images to create tension, in this essay I shall analyse the first four scenes of the movie paying careful attention to imagery, pace of tension and iconic references In the very first scene, Spielberg uses a black background. This mise-en -scene is used to target the fear, within humans of being unable to se your attacker. To connote further Spielberg could have used the black mise-en-scene to hint at the weakness of the viewer in that situation, alone in the dark and vulnerability. Diegetic noises can be heard, the sound of bubbles and swift water movement. Spielberg used this to add tension; he used the sea noises to remind the viewer of the fact they are in danger. The sea in inhabitable for humans and so whatever is in the water is not humanly natural; this plants an enigma into the audiences minds. What kind of monster swims in the pitch black? Spielberg uses a swimming motion with the camera; this gives the audience the impression of searching. The camera manages to move fast but with a certain amount of grace, this is an example of intertextuality as this kind of camera movement known as sweeping was used in earlier horror movies such as count Dracula and Frankenstein Spielberg uses iconography to show that whatever is swimming is just as frighteningly in control as the vampires and monsters from the earlier films. The music starts with a low violin sweeping, until gradually other instruments get involved. Here Spielberg is using the music to increase the tension. As the music speeds up it mimics a heart beat pumping faster and faster, as if running or in fear of something. However the music leads you to an anticlimax and it becomes deathly quiet and calm In the second scene a harmonica can be heard. The camera begins to pann the view of the beach it stops at a long shot then zooms in gradually you are lead into a beach side party. People are drinking and smoking around a bonfire. Here Spielberg twists the stereotype of fire within horror films. Instead of the fire being scary, out of control and dangerous Spielberg makes it look safe and relaxing. By having the people drinking and smoking Spielberg is adding irony; this is because as a viewer we are aware that no good comes out of teenage drinking within horror movies. The camera uses a mid-shot whilst it searches amongst the people trying to find its victim. This echos the first footage of the monster The victim turns out to be a young blonde teenage girl, quintessentially a must in any horror film. The camera shot is then changes to a close-up of the young couple running across a sand dune into the darkness of the night. The camera seems to follow or even stalk the victims as they descend further and further away from the light of fire and the safety of number. A mid-shot of the male stumbling drunkenly across the dunes calling to the female asking her where they are going is used to enhance the isolation of them. The young girl replies to his query with a high-pitched swimming The fact she has stressed this word reminds the audience of their prior knowledge of something evil in the waters. By this point tension is beginning to mount. The young blonde dives into the water naked. I can connote two facts that are relevant with this scene. Number one is that the girls dive is perfect showing the audience that however dumb and naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve the picture has painted her, she is skilled in water an able swimmer. The second is the fact that the female is naked, this not only used to add vulnerability but to also add tension. The view from underneath the girl is a low angle long shot, the fact she is alone is mimicked by the starless sky and darkness of the night. As the motif begins to play, you know something terrible is about to happen. There is a close up on the girls face; Suddenly the girl is pulled underwater screaming and crying. The film then cuts to the male who ironically is sleeping peacefully on the safety of dry land; the first light of dawn is beginning to break in the background birds can faintly be heard The young woman is eventually dragged underwater. The shot is a mid-shot of the dark sea looking calm and still. Diegetic noises can be heard. Here Spielberg is using irony once more, as only the viewers really know what has just gone on beneath those deathly still waters. At this point the audience are still left with the enigma of what the monster is. By scene three first light has broken through the clouds. It is now daytime. There is a close-up of a males face peering out of his window onto the ironically still seas. Soft lighting is used on the womans face this makes her look soft and pretty, the home is bright and airy. A child runs into the kitchen claiming to have been bitten by a vampire Here once again dramatic irony comes into play as only the viewer know about the vampire like movements of the monster in the first few scenes of the movie. A phone is heard ringing in the background, the husband rushes to pick up one of the two phones that are fitted upon the wall. Unfortunately he picks up the wrong phone and the line is dead, by using the stereotypical Horror movie hoax call Spielberg is referring to iconic movies such as psycho. The man picks up the other phone and proceeds in having a conversation with the person on the other line; this leaves the audience with a mystery. Who was the husband talking to? The husband then stands up and sets off to work. In the background one or the children is heard asking to go swimming, this mimics the high-pitched innocence of the young girls voice and reminds the viewer of the nature of the film. As the Husband drives away from his idyllic home, his wife is heard telling him to be careful. He then drives off at a safe speed. Of course by this point as a viewer you are aware that something is going to happen to ruin this perfect family. Scene four begins with non-Diegetic noise a radio can be heard playing but no radio is within view at this point. There is a long shot of a billboard that ironically features a blonde haired girl who is strikingly similar to the young girl that has just been killed. This is Spielberg once again using dramatic irony as only the audience know about the death of the young girl. Suddenly the car stops, and a mad come into mid-shot crying and blowing his whistle. The mise-en-scene is that of a rough ocean possibly signifying turmoil below the waters. The camera shot then changes to that of a close up. Gulls and other sea side Diegetic noises can be heard, the view is that of a mutilated hand. The fact Spielberg does not show more of the mutilated body gives the Audience an enigma. The men struggled to hold down vomit, the man who originally found The body has saliva dribbling down his face showing pure shock horror. All in all I believe Spielberg used many useful iconic images to help him create the ultimate summer horror film of all time. But at the same time created many iconic images of his own, Such as the eerie jaws jaws motif. People from all ages can hear the tune and feel Goosebumps surging from there skin as the horror sets in.

Aspects of Policing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Aspects of Policing - Research Paper Example Democracy and Disorder Beginning in the civil war era, our nation experienced one of the most deadly riots on American shores known as the "anti-draft riots," which rocked New York City shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. While the estimates vary, most historians agree that about 100 soldiers and civilians, many of whom were African Americans who were targeted as the reason Lincoln was fighting the war in the first place, were killed. Federal soldiers had to be diverted from around Washington D.C. to quell the outrage (Encyclopedia of War & American Society, 2005). The rise of organized labor near the turn of the century meant that organized police forces were even more important than ever. Several state police forces had their beginnings and endings related to the use of police as strike breakers in factories and on railroad holdings. This had the adverse effect of developing resentment by legislatures in various parts of the country towards police who had been used to e nforce the power of management over unions (Johnson, 2003). During World War II, young Hispanic men whose attire was unique, fought with soldiers and sailors home on leave during the so-called "zoot suit" riots in Los Angeles, California. Servicemen who were dating the Hispanic women of Los Angeles were involved in numerous brawls with Hispanic men over the rights to courtship. The police were often accused of enforcement that was prejudicial to the Hispanic men (Wilson & Taub, 2006). The 1960s brought the "Civil Rights Movement" into American consciousness, and was anything but boring for law enforcement. Protest marches, sit-ins, and demonstrations, particularly in the South, brought National Guard troops out as well as police dogs and horses to attack passive, mostly Black Americans expressing their constitutional rights. As free speech was taken to another level at Berkeley in 1964, America watched as students crusaded while yelling four letter words (Stevens, 2002). Television and the media were beginning to play a role in the American psyche of social unrest. Images of the Harlem riot of 1964 were brought to us by virtue of television (Johnson, 2003). The images of New York cops ducking and dodging the rocks and heavy masonry being dropped on them from skyscrapers and firing their side-arms at the roofs on occasion were brought into American living rooms. Less than a year later, in August 1965, two brothers would fight with California Highway Patrol during an arrest, and the Los Angeles Police Department would get the blame for starting the Watts Riot (Johnson, 2003). Innumerable buildings shooting flames into the night sky and looters carrying televisions and appliances away from shattered businesses would be occurrences that the American public would see again and again (Johnson, 2003). Riots seemed to engulf the nation in 1967 and 1968, especially in the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. By the late 1960s through the early 1970s, co untless protests over the Vietnam War dragged on and inflamed groups large and small (Johnson, 2003). Then on May 4th, 1970, four university students would be slain by a volley of fire from the Ohio National Guard. The effect of Kent State was considered by many media analysts as one of the most unnecessary and yet most momentous events leading up to the popular disavowal of the war in public opinion polls (Kelner and Munves,

Difficulties of Transitioning from Traditional Policing to Community Article

Difficulties of Transitioning from Traditional Policing to Community Policing - Article Example The journal introduces the argument indicating that community policing requires that the police officers have autonomy and discretion in solving community problems as well as forming of partnerships with various agencies. The article begins by posing the greatest challenge in community policing by saying that it is due to the failure to include it in the organization’s mission and vision, organizational structure as well as its goals. This failure that is not recognized by the management has made it difficult to transition. The article also presents a situation where the police do not understand clearly the notion of community policing. This makes it difficult for them to relate it to their role. It further illustrates that the police give a mimic of what they think is community policing. It presents a planning and coordination challenge that faces community policing. It says that in order for community policing to be implemented, a departmental head should plan change well an d carefully construct it. There is also poor coordination of community police officers and the local representatives of the community. Glacomazzi (2012) describes another challenge as the resistance to community policing by the police officers and also having difficulty in public agencies involvement as well as the community. It also says that the average citizen has little knowledge on what community policing entails Benefits of practicing community policing has also been highlighted in the article as reducing fear of crime among others. The major argument that the writer presents in this article is that community policing has been hindered by lack of police in  supporting change by way of the structure in which their organizations are arranged. The notion of community policing has not been implemented by the management due to poor planning and coordination in the police.  Ã‚  

Spiritual Journeys: Dante And St Augustine

Spiritual Journeys: Dante And St Augustine The individual spiritual journeys of Dante in the Divine Comedy and St. Augustine in the Confessions are quite similar, as each man searches for divine love and grace, and true eternal closeness to God. Both Dante and St. Augustine admired and were heavily influenced by Virgil, the classical Roman poet of the Aeneid, in their writing and works; however, because of their strong Christian faith, Dante and Augustine also make it clear in their autobiographical accounts that Virgils pagan beliefs cannot receive salvation, or allow the soul to enter heaven after death. Dantes journey begins with the poet being portrayed as spiritually lost in sin, in the darkness of woods, when a guide is sent to him in the form of the ancient Roman poet Virgil, who represents human reason and wisdom. Virgil tells Dante that the only way out of the darkness is for Virgil to lead him through Hell and Purgatory, in order for Dante to recognize the nature of sin and the consequences of his actions. Once Virgil has guided Dante to the top of Mount Purgatory, where the renunciation and rejection of sin occurs, Virgil tells the Pilgrim that he can no longer accompany him on his final journey to Heaven, because human reason cannot reach the ultimate height of Paradise. Dante is lead instead to Heaven by his beloved Beatrice, who is now living as one of the blessed in the afterlife, and who also symbolizes divine love. Much like Dante, St. Augustines journey also begins with his confessions as being spiritually lost, especially in his earlier years as a sinful youth, turning away from God, and preoccupied with only worldly desires and needs of the flesh. St. Augustine implores in Book VI of his Confessions, Thou hadst made me wiser, yet did I walk in darkness, and in slippery places, and sought Thee abroad out of myself, found not the God of my heart; and had come into the depths of the sea, and distrusted and despaired of ever finding truth (Augustine 94). Here St. Augustine talks about the darkness he walked in during his early life, very similar to Dantes struggle and despair in his own dark woods of sin, where Virgil finds him in the beginning of the Inferno. St. Augustine describes his spiritual void and emptiness further, stating, And I perceived myself to be far off from Thee [God], in the region of unlikeness (134). In this declaration, St. Augustine is associating his many sins with a regi on of unlikeness, which causes him to wander aimlessly without direction or purpose, becoming hopelessly lost. Whereas Dantes descent into Hell in the Inferno is both dramatically real and an allegorical representation of his souls journey towards God, St. Augustines Confessions represents a metaphorical rather than physical journey of the soul, as Augustine searches for divine truth and grace. However, both men view this spiritual descent as necessary in order for the human soul to attain ultimate closeness to God. An example of this is expressed by St. Augustine in Book IV of his Confessions, when he states, Even now, after the descent of Life to you, will ye not ascend and live? But whither ascend ye, when ye are on high, and set your mouth against the heavens? Descend, that ye may ascend, and ascend to God. For ye have fallen, by ascending against Him (64). Furthermore, according to John Freccero, author of Dante: The Poetics of Conversion, In the spiritual life, one must descend in humility before one can begin the ascent to truth, and in the physical world, according to both Dante and A ristotle, one must travel downward with respect to our hemisphere in order to rise (74). This spiritual belief of descending in humility before one can rise again is clearly echoed by both Dante and St. Augustine in their poetic works regarding Christian faith. Virgil, the pagan Roman poet of the Aeneid, also plays an important role in the autobiographical accounts of Dante and St. Augustine as well. Dante uses Virgil as his guide to illustrate Virgils supreme human reason and intellect during his journey, as well as emphasizing Dantes heartfelt admiration for the classical Roman poet. However, to demonstrate and make clear his devout and strict Christian beliefs, Dante places Virgil in Limbo, the first circle of Hell, along with other virtuous pagan Roman poets of the past. Dantes placement of Virgil and the other non-Christians is essential, since they can never be allowed to enter Paradise because of their pagan beliefs. Virgil himself understands this divine judgment delivered by God, when he states to the poet Sordello in Canto VII, I am deprived of Heaven for no fault other than my lack of faith (Alighieri et al. 56). Dante shows that despite Virgils moral perfection, he was without faith, and human reason alone can never reach Heaven . St. Augustine also admired the Roman poet Virgil during his early life, and being a successful teacher of rhetoric, Augustine understood very well a life led by reason. However, he, like Dante, discovers that reason alone is not enough to gain salvation from God, and as a result, was spiritually lost, tormented by temptation and sin. Thus, St. Augustine too realizes it is only when one has true faith in God that eternal salvation can be achieved. As Olson reminds us, Augustine testifies to how reason puts man on the road toward God, and how it is [only] faith that informs and elevates reason, taking it beyond its natural limitations while never being tyrannical or confining in any way. [St. Augustine] summarized this seemingly paradoxical fact in the famous dictum, I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe (Augustines Confessions). History of Portraiture: Changes in Styles and Techniques History of Portraiture: Changes in Styles and Techniques The immemorial fascination of mans own image and of those of his fellow human beings arose a desire in men to attempt and embellish his likeliness into a physical medium. However at the time portrait was exclusive to those who wished to celebrate mans relationship with God and the divine rulers of the times, which makes the Renaissance a revolutionary era for portraiture and the development or artist techniques. The common subjects of royalty and wealth were joined together with the trivial and oppressed, giving artists around the world more latitude to delve into painting intricate and thought-provoking portraits to be cherished for centuries. Deciding to undertake the task of compiling the substantial triumphs for portraiture styles and methods over time, I plan to introduce it in the span of six notable art movements and cover the most significant artist of the time. The theme portraiture hold a special place in my heart, its enigmatic and flexible principles give the artist the u pmost freedom to depict people in a way that suits them. Its a theme that lasted through the test of time, becoming more and more popular as the centuries turn. Jan Van Eyck was a powerful visionary in 15th century with his command of linear perspective and capticating interiors that bathed in golden lights, his art sank into oblivion until the 1930s. Expressing a new awareness of reality through the use of oil paint, he crafted remarkable paintings and portraits that had remarkable attention to detail, observation of nature and light, and constructing spaces steeped in elegant interior which inhabited realistic characters. His careful positioning, golden lights and expert command of the technique of oil painting made him one of the most significant representative of the Renaissance art movement. His style and technique was a step up from the less realistic depiction of human forms by the then pre-Renaissance artists Giotto di Bondone and Cimabue. As the 17th century approached, the subject for painters was changing as the patrons no longer served an essential role in the choice of subjects and composition. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio painted people who were then counted as trivial: peasants appeared alongside sovereigns and saints, crafting a new approach to portraiture for his time. At the beginning of his artistic career he broke through with his loose interpretations of traditional subjects, painting the first still life in the history of art as a subject in itself and knowingly portrayed saints as everyday people. The conventions of his time didnt worry him, nor did the already established art guidelines. He did not make primary sketches but place the paint straight to the canvas, using the foundation coats as an artistic element.   The early works of the artist revealed his love of poetic naturalism that was inspired by his everyday life. Caravaggios approach to chiaroscuro (the artistic play of light and shadow) was a clear departure from the art conventions of Mannerism. These conventions found their way into the most significant Baroque and Rococo artists. In the 18th century, a new freedom became apparent with the French painters as they began portraying a carefree and libertine behavior of society consistently in their artwork. The most noteworthy artist of the time was the Rococo painter Franà §ois Boucher. He was highly adept in many forms of media as he switched traditional bright oil paints to forms of decorative art. Adopting a high tone palette that favoured blues and pinks, he set a definite foundation for most paintings of dream-like quality. His paintings of beautiful women in rich silk clothing endorsed scenes of erotic and passionate love. Oil and gouache sketches were common in preparation for his bigger commissions as his careful attention to finer background detail made the scene more poignant and alive, filling it with character and passion. The dream like qualities of his prominent artwork carried on into the triumph or Romanticism. The spirituality and the influences from the previous eras stimulated the imagination of artists around the world. The art historian and theoretician of colour, Eugà ¨ne Delacroix was and still is the acknowledged master of Romanticism and one of the last great decorative painters. His passion for colours and the depiction of lively composition is reflected in his canvas won the admiration of the public. Everything is the subject; the subject is yourself: our impressions, your emotions when faced with nature. he professed. His skill in the thick impasto unified well with his choice of colours, giving his paintings the form of a sketch. The innovative take on colour, the earthy shades and the use of rich varnishes changed the way most artists composed their portraits and subject matters, crafting their styles to match Delacroixs. The analytical approach to colour is recognised in almost all realism, impressionism and art nouveu paintings that dominated the early 20th century. The creations of Vincent Van Gogh, albeit spanning over a short period of ten years, contained distinguishing marks of his life and the tourment he endoured as well as the places he lived in. The canvases beared his trademark frantic colours and figures in the form of various self-portraits, landscapes and scenes from ordinary day to day life. His impact on art gave colour a new meaning in the works of artists and put forth a new style in which the painter can place his brush on the canvas. A new approach to light and colour enabled him to go beyond both Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism, enabling his style in his self-portraits to experience a change that brough critisim upon him at the time. The intense expressiveness, accompanied by a turmoil of brush strokes produced a new wave of artists stimulated to create more illusive and stylised paintings to continue the tradition of expressive portraiture.

Kines Final Review

What are the 3 functions of the Menisci? 10. Which menisci Is shaped Like an â€Å"O† and which one Is shaped Like a â€Å"C†? 11. What are the 3 different zones of the menisci and what is the difference between each of these zones? 12. What are the two Excruciate ligaments? 13. Where does the PC attach on the femur? Where does the PC attach on the Tibia? 14. Where does the CAL attach on the femur? Where does the CAL attach on the tibia? 15. During non-weight bearing, what does the CAL prevent? During weight bearing, what does the CAL prevent? 16. During non-wealth bearing, what does the PC revert?During weight bearing. What does the PC prevent? 17. What force does the MAC prevent? What force does the LLC prevent? 18. Which muscles are our main hip fellers? 19. What does it mean for a muscle to be a 2-Joint muscle? 20. What are the names of our four quad muscles? Which ones affect both the hip and the knee? 21 . What are the names of the 3 hamstring muscles? 22. How do we manage or treat a quadriceps contusion? 23. For a hip dislocation, the leg will be In a position. 24. How do we manage a femur fracture? 25. Why are females more prone to CAL tears? 6.What is another name for a PC sprain? And 27. What are the common signs and symptoms of a maniacal lesion? 28. What is the difference between Osgood-Clatterers and Larsen-Johansson Disease? 29. What Is Patella Altar? What Is Patella Baja? 30. What are other names for Gene Vulgar and Gene Vary? Chapter 19- The Ankle and Lower Leg 1 . What are the four bones that make up the ankle? Ligaments are on the medial side of the ankle? 4. What are the names of the tarsal bones? 5. What are the four compartments of the lower leg and what muscles are in each compartment? 6.What two motions make up the actions probation and suppuration of the ankle? 7. Describe what pees caves and pees planks are. 8. What are the two phases of the gait cycle and what motions make up these two phases? 9. What is a more common nam e for hall values? 10. How do we manage hall values? 11. What Joints are involved in a Hammer Toe? 12. What Joints are involved in Mallet toe? 13. What Joints are involved in claw toe? 14. What is the etiology for turf toe? 15. How do we manage or treat an ingrown toenail? 16. What are the three different types of compartment syndrome? 7. What type of ankle sprain is the most common? 18. What are the signs and symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Rupture? 19. What is a more common name for Medial Tibia Stress Syndrome? 20. Define a Jones Fracture. Chapters 20-24 and 26-27- General Medical Conditions 1 . What is another name for syncope? 2. What are some signs and symptoms of syncope? 3. What is another name for Sudden Cardiac Death? 4. What are some red flags for Sudden Cardiac Death? 5. What is Commotion Cord's and how does it occur? 6. Compare and Contrast a Generalized Seizure and a Partial or Focal Seizure. 7.How do we manage or treat seizures? . What are some things that can trigger an Asthma Attack? 9. What are signs and symptoms of Asthma? 10. Compare and Contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes Mellitus. 11. What are some signs and symptoms of Diabetes? 12. What is Hyperglycemia? What are some signs and symptoms? 13. What is Hypoglycemia? What are some signs and symptoms? 14. What is the difference between food poisoning and the Flu? 15. What is normal body temperature? What is a low-grade fever? What is a high-grade fever? 16. What is the difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection? 7. What is mononucleosis? How do we get it? 18. What are the signs and symptoms of Mononucleosis? 19. What is Seer's Sign? 20. What does OSHA stand for? 21 . What are some of our personal precautions for bloodstone pathogens? 22. What are two different types of Menstrual Irregularities? 23. What is the female athlete triad? 1 . What is triangulation? 2. What gland controls triangulation? 3. What are the five different types of heat exchange or production? 4. When should we begin hydrating for activities? 5. How do we check hydration levels? 6. What are the recommendations for hydration? 7.What are common signs and symptoms of dehydration? 8. How do we manage dehydration? 9. Why do we need to replace our fluid and electrolytes? 10. What is acclimatization? 1 1 . Who are more susceptible to heat illnesses? 12. What is hyperthermia? What is hypothermia? 13. What is heat rash? 14. What is heat syncope? 15. What causes exertion heat cramps? 16. What are common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion? How do we treat it? 17. What are common signs and symptoms of heat stroke? How do we treat it? 18. What is exertion hypothermia? 19. What is frost nip? 20. What are signs and symptoms of frostbite? . How do we treat cold injuries? 22. What do we do if there is lightning? 23. What is the flash to bang theory? Chapter 29- Dermatology 1 . What three things can cause skin infections? 2. What four things does the skin do for us? 3. What are signs and sympto ms of bacterial infections? 4. What is follicles? 5. What is MRS.? What are the dangers of not treating MRS.? 6. How do we manage bacterial infections? 7. How do we prevent fungal infections? 8. What is tinge piped? 9. What is tinge capitals? 10. What causes fungal infections and how do we treat fungal infections?

Angels Demons Chapter 62-63

62 Langdon's progress around his side of the Pantheon was being hampered somewhat by the guide on his heels, now continuing his tireless narration as Langdon prepared to check the final alcove. â€Å"You certainly seem to be enjoying those niches!† the docent said, looking delighted. â€Å"Were you aware that the tapering thickness of the walls is the reason the dome appears weightless?† Langdon nodded, not hearing a word as he prepared to examine another niche. Suddenly someone grabbed him from behind. It was Vittoria. She was breathless and tugging at his arm. From the look of terror on her face, Langdon could only imagine one thing. She found a body. He felt an upswelling of dread. â€Å"Ah, your wife!† the docent exclaimed, clearly thrilled to have another guest. He motioned to her short pants and hiking boots. â€Å"Now you I can tell are American!† Vittoria's eyes narrowed. â€Å"I'm Italian.† The guide's smile dimmed. â€Å"Oh, dear.† â€Å"Robert,† Vittoria whispered, trying to turn her back on the guide. â€Å"Galileo's Diagramma. I need to see it.† â€Å"Diagramma?† the docent said, wheedling back in. â€Å"My! You two certainly know your history! Unfortunately that document is not viewable. It is under secret preservation in the Vatican Arc – â€Å" â€Å"Could you excuse us?† Langdon said. He was confused by Vittoria's panic. He took her aside and reached in his pocket, carefully extracting the Diagramma folio. â€Å"What's going on?† â€Å"What's the date on this thing?† Vittoria demanded, scanning the sheet. The docent was on them again, staring at the folio, mouth agape. â€Å"That's not†¦ really†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Tourist reproduction,† Langdon quipped. â€Å"Thank you for your help. Please, my wife and I would like a moment alone.† The docent backed off, eyes never leaving the paper. â€Å"Date,† Vittoria repeated to Langdon. â€Å"When did Galileo publish†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Langdon pointed to the Roman numeral in the lower liner. â€Å"That's the pub date. What's going on?† Vittoria deciphered the number. â€Å"1639?† â€Å"Yes. What's wrong?† Vittoria's eyes filled with foreboding. â€Å"We're in trouble, Robert. Big trouble. The dates don't match.† â€Å"What dates don't match?† â€Å"Raphael's tomb. He wasn't buried here until 1759. A century after Diagramma was published.† Langdon stared at her, trying to make sense of the words. â€Å"No,† he replied. â€Å"Raphael died in 1520, long before Diagramma.† â€Å"Yes, but he wasn't buried here until much later.† Langdon was lost. â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"I just read it. Raphael's body was relocated to the Pantheon in 1758. It was part of some historic tribute to eminent Italians.† As the words settled in, Langdon felt like a rug had just been yanked out from under him. â€Å"When that poem was written,† Vittoria declared, â€Å"Raphael's tomb was somewhere else. Back then, the Pantheon had nothing at all to do with Raphael!† Langdon could not breathe. â€Å"But that†¦ means†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yes! It means we're in the wrong place!† Langdon felt himself sway. Impossible†¦ I was certain†¦ Vittoria ran over and grabbed the docent, pulling him back. â€Å"Signore, excuse us. Where was Raphael's body in the 1600s?† â€Å"Urb†¦ Urbino,† he stammered, now looking bewildered. â€Å"His birthplace.† â€Å"Impossible!† Langdon cursed to himself. â€Å"The Illuminati altars of science were here in Rome. I'm certain of it!† â€Å"Illuminati?† The docent gasped, looking again at the document in Langdon's hand. â€Å"Who are you people?† Vittoria took charge. â€Å"We're looking for something called Santi's earthly tomb. In Rome. Can you tell us what that might be?† The docent looked unsettled. â€Å"This was Raphael's only tomb in Rome.† Langdon tried to think, but his mind refused to engage. If Raphael's tomb wasn't in Rome in 1655, then what was the poem referring to? Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole? What the hell is it? Think! â€Å"Was there another artist called Santi?† Vittoria asked. The docent shrugged. â€Å"Not that I know of.† â€Å"How about anyone famous at all? Maybe a scientist or a poet or an astronomer named Santi?† The docent now looked like he wanted to leave. â€Å"No, ma'am. The only Santi I've ever heard of is Raphael the architect.† â€Å"Architect?† Vittoria said. â€Å"I thought he was a painter!† â€Å"He was both, of course. They all were. Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael.† Langdon didn't know whether it was the docent's words or the ornate tombs around them that brought the revelation to mind, but it didn't matter. The thought occurred. Santi was an architect. From there the progression of thoughts fell like dominoes. Renaissance architects lived for only two reasons – to glorify God with big churches, and to glorify dignitaries with lavish tombs. Santi's tomb. Could it be? The images came faster now†¦ da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Monet's Water Lilies. Michelangelo's David. Santi's earthly tomb†¦ â€Å"Santi designed the tomb,† Langdon said. Vittoria turned. â€Å"What?† â€Å"It's not a reference to where Raphael is buried, it's referring to a tomb he designed.† â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"I misunderstood the clue. It's not Raphael's burial site we're looking for, it's a tomb Raphael designed for someone else. I can't believe I missed it. Half of the sculpting done in Renaissance and Baroque Rome was for the funeraries.† Langdon smiled with the revelation. â€Å"Raphael must have designed hundreds of tombs!† Vittoria did not look happy. â€Å"Hundreds?† Langdon's smile faded. â€Å"Oh.† â€Å"Any of them earthly, professor?† Langdon felt suddenly inadequate. He knew embarrassingly little about Raphael's work. Michelangelo he could have helped with, but Raphael's work had never captivated him. Langdon could only name a couple of Raphael's more famous tombs, but he wasn't sure what they looked like. Apparently sensing Langdon's stymie, Vittoria turned to the docent, who was now inching away. She grabbed his arm and reeled him in. â€Å"I need a tomb. Designed by Raphael. A tomb that could be considered earthly.† The docent now looked distressed. â€Å"A tomb of Raphael's? I don't know. He designed so many. And you probably would mean a chapel by Raphael, not a tomb. Architects always designed the chapels in conjunction with the tomb.† Langdon realized the man was right. â€Å"Are any of Raphael's tombs or chapels considered earthly?† The man shrugged. â€Å"I'm sorry. I don't know what you mean. Earthly really doesn't describe anything I know of. I should be going.† Vittoria held his arm and read from the top line of the folio. â€Å"From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole. Does that mean anything to you?† â€Å"Not a thing.† Langdon looked up suddenly. He had momentarily forgotten the second part of the line. Demon's hole? â€Å"Yes!† he said to the docent. â€Å"That's it! Do any of Raphael's chapels have an oculus in them?† The docent shook his head. â€Å"To my knowledge the Pantheon is unique.† He paused. â€Å"But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"But what!† Vittoria and Langdon said in unison. Now the docent cocked his head, stepping toward them again. â€Å"A demon's hole?† He muttered to himself and picked at his teeth. â€Å"Demon's hole†¦ that is†¦ buco divolo?† Vittoria nodded. â€Å"Literally, yes.† The docent smiled faintly. â€Å"Now there's a term I have not heard in a while. If I'm not mistaken, a buco divolo refers to an undercroft.† â€Å"An undercroft?† Langdon asked. â€Å"As in a crypt?† â€Å"Yes, but a specific kind of crypt. I believe a demon's hole is an ancient term for a massive burial cavity located in a chapel†¦ underneath another tomb.† â€Å"An ossuary annex?† Langdon demanded, immediately recognizing what the man was describing. The docent looked impressed. â€Å"Yes! That is the term I was looking for!† Langdon considered it. Ossuary annexes were a cheap ecclesiastic fix to an awkward dilemma. When churches honored their most distinguished members with ornate tombs inside the sanctuary, surviving family members often demanded the family be buried together†¦ thus ensuring they too would have a coveted burial spot inside the church. However, if the church did not have space or funds to create tombs for an entire family, they sometimes dug an ossuary annex – a hole in the floor near the tomb where they buried the less worthy family members. The hole was then covered with the Renaissance equivalent of a manhole cover. Although convenient, the ossuary annex went out of style quickly because of the stench that often wafted up into the cathedral. Demon's hole, Langdon thought. He had never heard the term. It seemed eerily fitting. Langdon's heart was now pounding fiercely. From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole. There seemed to be only one question left to ask. â€Å"Did Raphael design any tombs that had one of these demon's holes?† The docent scratched his head. â€Å"Actually. I'm sorry†¦ I can only think of one.† Only one? Langdon could not have dreamed of a better response. â€Å"Where!† Vittoria almost shouted. The docent eyed them strangely. â€Å"It's called the Chigi Chapel. Tomb of Agostino Chigi and his brother, wealthy patrons of the arts and sciences.† â€Å"Sciences?† Langdon said, exchanging looks with Vittoria. â€Å"Where?† Vittoria asked again. The docent ignored the question, seeming enthusiastic again to be of service. â€Å"As for whether or not the tomb is earthly, I don't know, but certainly it is†¦ shall we say differente.† â€Å"Different?† Langdon said. â€Å"How?† â€Å"Incoherent with the architecture. Raphael was only the architect. Some other sculptor did the interior adornments. I can't remember who.† Langdon was now all ears. The anonymous Illuminati master, perhaps? â€Å"Whoever did the interior monuments lacked taste,† the docent said. â€Å"Dio mio! Atrocits! Who would want to be buried beneath piramides?† Langdon could scarcely believe his ears. â€Å"Pyramids? The chapel contains pyramids?† â€Å"I know,† the docent scoffed. â€Å"Terrible, isn't it?† Vittoria grabbed the docent's arm. â€Å"Signore, where is this Chigi Chapel?† â€Å"About a mile north. In the church of Santa Maria del Popolo.† Vittoria exhaled. â€Å"Thank you. Let's – â€Å" â€Å"Hey,† the docent said, â€Å"I just thought of something. What a fool I am.† Vittoria stopped short. â€Å"Please don't tell me you made a mistake.† He shook his head. â€Å"No, but it should have dawned on me earlier. The Chigi Chapel was not always known as the Chigi. It used to be called Capella della Terra.† â€Å"Chapel of the Land?† Langdon asked. â€Å"No,† Vittoria said, heading for the door. â€Å"Chapel of the Earth.† Vittoria Vetra whipped out her cell phone as she dashed into Piazza della Rotunda. â€Å"Commander Olivetti,† she said. â€Å"This is the wrong place!† Olivetti sounded bewildered. â€Å"Wrong? What do you mean?† â€Å"The first altar of science is at the Chigi Chapel!† â€Å"Where?† Now Olivetti sounded angry. â€Å"But Mr. Langdon said – â€Å" â€Å"Santa Maria del Popolo! One mile north. Get your men over there now! We've got four minutes!† â€Å"But my men are in position here! I can't possibly – â€Å" â€Å"Move!† Vittoria snapped the phone shut. Behind her, Langdon emerged from the Pantheon, dazed. She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the queue of seemingly driverless taxis waiting by the curb. She pounded on the hood of the first car in line. The sleeping driver bolted upright with a startled yelp. Vittoria yanked open the rear door and pushed Langdon inside. Then she jumped in behind him. â€Å"Santa Maria del Popolo,† she ordered. â€Å"Presto!† Looking delirious and half terrified, the driver hit the accelerator, peeling out down the street. 63 Gunther Glick had assumed control of the computer from Chinita Macri, who now stood hunched in the back of the cramped BBC van staring in confusion over Glick's shoulder. â€Å"I told you,† Glick said, typing some more keys. â€Å"The British Tattler isn't the only paper that runs stories on these guys.† Macri peered closer. Glick was right. The BBC database showed their distinguished network as having picked up and run six stories in the past ten years on the brotherhood called the Illuminati. Well, paint me purple, she thought. â€Å"Who are the journalists who ran the stories,† Macri asked. â€Å"Schlock jocks?† â€Å"BBC doesn't hire schlock jocks.† â€Å"They hired you.† Glick scowled. â€Å"I don't know why you're such a skeptic. The Illuminati are well documented throughout history.† â€Å"So are witches, UFOs, and the Loch Ness Monster.† Glick read the list of stories. â€Å"You ever heard of a guy called Winston Churchill?† â€Å"Rings a bell.† â€Å"BBC did a historical a while back on Churchill's life. Staunch Catholic by the way. Did you know that in 1920 Churchill published a statement condemning the Illuminati and warning Brits of a worldwide conspiracy against morality?† Macri was dubious. â€Å"Where did it run? In the British Tattler?† Glick smiled. â€Å"London Herald. February 8, 1920.† â€Å"No way.† â€Å"Feast your eyes.† Macri looked closer at the clip. London Herald. Feb. 8, 1920. I had no idea. â€Å"Well, Churchill was a paranoid.† â€Å"He wasn't alone,† Glick said, reading further. â€Å"Looks like Woodrow Wilson gave three radio broadcasts in 1921 warning of growing Illuminati control over the U.S. banking system. You want a direct quote from the radio transcript?† â€Å"Not really.† Glick gave her one anyway. â€Å"He said, ‘There is a power so organized, so subtle, so complete, so pervasive, that none had better speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.' â€Å" â€Å"I've never heard anything about this.† â€Å"Maybe because in 1921 you were just a kid.† â€Å"Charming.† Macri took the jab in stride. She knew her years were showing. At forty-three, her bushy black curls were streaked with gray. She was too proud for dye. Her mom, a Southern Baptist, had taught Chinita contentedness and self-respect. When you're a black woman, her mother said, ain't no hiding what you are. Day you try, is the day you die. Stand tall, smile bright, and let 'em wonder what secret's making you laugh. â€Å"Ever heard of Cecil Rhodes?† Glick asked. Macri looked up. â€Å"The British financier?† â€Å"Yeah. Founded the Rhodes Scholarships.† â€Å"Don't tell me – â€Å" â€Å"Illuminatus.† â€Å"BS.† â€Å"BBC, actually. November 16, 1984.† â€Å"We wrote that Cecil Rhodes was Illuminati?† â€Å"Sure did. And according to our network, the Rhodes Scholarships were funds set up centuries ago to recruit the world's brightest young minds into the Illuminati.† â€Å"That's ridiculous! My uncle was a Rhodes Scholar!† Glick winked. â€Å"So was Bill Clinton.† Macri was getting mad now. She had never had tolerance for shoddy, alarmist reporting. Still, she knew enough about the BBC to know that every story they ran was carefully researched and confirmed. â€Å"Here's one you'll remember,† Glick said. â€Å"BBC, March 5, 1998. Parliament Committee Chair, Chris Mullin, required all members of British Parliament who were Masons to declare their affiliation.† Macri remembered it. The decree had eventually extended to include policemen and judges as well. â€Å"Why was it again?† Glick read. â€Å"†¦ concern that secret factions within the Masons exerted considerable control over political and financial systems.† â€Å"That's right.† â€Å"Caused quite a bustle. The Masons in parliament were furious. Had a right to be. The vast majority turned out to be innocent men who joined the Masons for networking and charity work. They had no clue about the brotherhood's past affiliations.† â€Å"Alleged affiliations.† â€Å"Whatever.† Glick scanned the articles. â€Å"Look at this stuff. Accounts tracing the Illuminati back to Galileo, the Guerenets of France, the Alumbrados of Spain. Even Karl Marx and the Russian Revolution.† â€Å"History has a way of rewriting itself.† â€Å"Fine, you want something current? Have a look at this. Here's an Illuminati reference from a recent Wall Street Journal.† This caught Macri's ear. â€Å"The Journal?† â€Å"Guess what the most popular Internet computer game in America is right now?† â€Å"Pin the tail on Pamela Anderson.† â€Å"Close. It's called, Illuminati: New World Order.† Macri looked over his shoulder at the blurb. â€Å"Steve Jackson Games has a runaway hit†¦ a quasi-historical adventure in which an ancient satanic brotherhood from Bavaria sets out to take over the world. You can find them on-line at†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Macri looked up, feeling ill. â€Å"What do these Illuminati guys have against Christianity?† â€Å"Not just Christianity,† Glick said. â€Å"Religion in general.† Glick cocked his head and grinned. â€Å"Although from the phone call we just got, it appears they do have a special spot in their hearts for the Vatican.† â€Å"Oh, come on. You don't really think that guy who called is who he claims to be, do you?† â€Å"A messenger of the Illuminati? Preparing to kill four cardinals?† Glick smiled. â€Å"I sure hope so.†