Saturday, September 7, 2019
Fair-value accounting change Essay Example for Free
Fair-value accounting change Essay The role played by the financial market in determining the levels of performance that can be recorded by the economy is not in doubt. The 2008 economic crisis is a vivid reminder to all policy makers and even governments to ensure that issues that affect the economy are objectively addressed. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) which is a key player in the financial sector appears to be oblivious of its role in the economy and has once again used its mandate to develop a standard that is not relevant to business let alone accounting.  The move to adopt the mark-to-market accounting standard is a dark mark in American accounting history that may in fact lead to poor practices within the financial systems that have proven to be potent to the economy. It took America nearly 15 years to develop its constitutions; strategic management specialist have time and again pointed to the close relationship that exists between rapid change and failure and the FASB has for years taken months in seeking suggestions and deliberating upon them before making any proclamation that may affect the nature of the business environment[1].  All these are events or standards that the business world and America as a whole has come to accepted as being reflective of factors that affect the business environment. The speed with which the mark-market standards moved from proposal to being a standard brings about questions on objectivity[2]. A look at the last two times that America has found itself in crisis it has been the financial systems that duped to investors by inflating their performance or potential. It is unlikely that such a hurried process which eliminates systems that have protected American investors will be of any good. FASBs modification of its rules is often waited upon with anticipation by all players in the business world. The change in the fair value rules or standards is the main area of controversy in FASBs changes. While the banking and financial institutions have praised the move as an effort to reduce the negative effect that previous standards had on developing a clear picture of their performance[3], investors are worried stiff on the effect that it will have on disclosures by banking and financial institutions that are traditionally known for overvaluing their assets and even performance. The fair value accounting rules had been blamed by a number of financial institutions that are notably under pressure from the 2008 economic crisis for being irrelevant to inactive markets. The mark-to-market accounting system that has been presented by FASB allows companies to use their judgment to gauge prices of some investments and backed securities. Analysts were quick to note that the measures could in fact impact on the net income and affect bank write downs. Pro mark-to-market standard institutions have hailed the changes with statements like the mortgage and market was not working and something had to change. This is reflective of the true objective behind the move. Investors who have been defrauded by American institutions in a number of occasions are wary of the changes that place them in a position where they are susceptible to exploitation by the financial community. The integrity of a development is largely dependent on the process that culminated in its existence. Under this consideration, investors are innocent of unnecessary suspicion developed from poor past experiences. The series of event that culminated into the existence of the mark-to-market standard is a reflection of the negative effect that the congress can have on effective decision making. In his presentation on March 12th the chair of FASB did not mince his words in pointing out the faults that are inherent of the mark-to-market standards that the financial community was pushing for. The definition presented by Herz which should be presumed of FASBs definition of fair value is that it is the worth of an asset being exchanged between two informed parties[4]. In ending his statement the chair stated that America is in a challenging time that requires improvements in nearly all sectors and by trying to suppress financial information offered to investors there is little that will have been done to change the conditions. His statement is a pointer to the misinformed objective that the change may affect the position that America currently is in and the existence of fair value system within financial practices. Whatever happened between 12th March and April 2nd is best left to Americans imagination. The congress pressure has especially been cited by the media and being central to the changes that FASB made in fair accounting standards. The same rule which had been dimmed lacking in objectivity became relevant to the American dilemma in a space of three weeks. The hurried implementation of the change is the unspoken variables that belie its objectives. A pro derived from the development is the awareness that America is in a desperate position which needs to be addressed with immediate effect. Moreover, the negative effect that bad performance within financial institutions had on the stock market may soon be historical events as financial agencies have been given a leeway to confuse investors and hide poor performance. Profits that have not been evidenced since the likes of Enron went down may soon be usual and the same can be said of the pain that investors underwent in the turn of the century. The cons are clear especially sidelining of the effects that the operational environment has on operations. The development allows for businesses to operate in a manner suggestive of independence from the operational environment while investors who may be aware of the prevailing environment are subjected to these daydreams. The results may be increased wrangles within management boards, unethical practices within financial institutions and reduced confidence on financial disclosures which goes against their objectives. If any one thought that the FASB is perturbed by the controversies surrounding the development then they are in for a big surprise. The FASB has practically done nothing and has sat back with some postulating that the next step they take may involve providing organizations with an environment where they can alter the value of all their assets at will. The standards used by investors and financial players under the environment developed by the mark-to-market standards is non-uniform and may lead to a number of upheavals and even miscommunication that negatively affect value generation. It is evident from Herz’s speech on March 12th that the mark-to-market standard is a non-objective measure to curb the effects of the 2008 crisis. The pressure placed on the FASB by the congress whose affiliation to financial heavyweight is not a mystery is central to the change. This is not the first time such a development is being recorded for the French President played a pivotal role in some controversial changes made by the GAAP[5]. Investors should only worry for the short term for such subjective developments have historically proven to be uneventful. It is only a matter of time before the follies in the mark-to-market standard that are actually known to all parties in the business fraternity manifests in the practical environment with dire results. Changes that are appreciative of the operational environment will then be the only way out.
Friday, September 6, 2019
Child Obesity Problem Essay Example for Free
Child Obesity Problem Essay Abstract.             Child obesity has been a serious issue in America. Approximately a 1/3 of children populations are overweight or risk becoming overweight. Children are eating unhealthy foods with minimal nutritional value and the physical education programs are being cut of the school day. Since these are the major causes of obesity they spell doom for America. The Bill no S. 100 also known as Healthy Students Act of 2007 was introduced by Barbara Boxer the California Senator who is also an advocate of children and families. (www.govtrack.us). It advocates for the health of children in schools by promoting better nutrition and increased physical activities. American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) support it. Major causes of obesity are lack of physical exercise combined with poor diet. A balance must be struck so that calorie intake does not outdo calorie utilization. Children need to burn up calories through physical activities. They should not over rely on inactive leisure activities like watching television, surfing the net and playing video games Childhood obesity is associated to various health effects like hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases illnesses for instance diabetes and high blood pressure. It is therefore an important national bill that will help save the children of America. However, its implementation could be delayed due to the legislative process that could take time. Again the taxpayers who are expected to fund it might oppose it. The Healthy Students Act of 2007 Bill no S. 100 is a bill that encourages the healthy of children in schools by promoting better nutrition and increased physical activities. It is a national bill that was sponsored by Barbara boxer of CA on January 4th 2007. (www.govtrack.us)            The bill requires the establishment of a pilot program providing grants to school districts or non-profit organizations for use in promoting healthy food alternatives under the school lunch and school breakfast programs. It amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a student loan forgiveness program for nurses who agree to employment as full-time nurses in elementary or secondary schools for 3 complete years. It also amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporations a tax deduction for the charitable contribution to a private foundation of exercise or gymnasium equipment for use by elementary and secondary school students.            The proposed policy is a federal legislation to be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives. The legislation is very realistic and can therefore be successfully implemented. The federal government is expected to sponsor it. Currently it has been referred to the committee of finance and is in the process of deliberation. The proposal affects all people as it focuses on schools, which are heterogeneous in terms of gender, color or race. Members of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) who supported the Healthy School Act in New York State support the policy. The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading 501(c) 3 non-profit health organization that provides diabetes research, information and advocacy. The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to build healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. (www.americaheart.org) Barbara Boxer who introduced it supports it. She is the current senator of the state of California. She has been an advocate of children and family and it would suffice to say that she represents Californian as well as the children. The AHA and ADA represent the promotion of healthier lifestyles for children. They are concerned about the increased health risks associated with changing lifestyles for Americans and are focused to promote the good health of children.            To support their positions the three parties have their arguments. Senator Boxer proposed the bill because children are eating unhealthy foods with minimal nutritional value and the physical education programs are being cut of the school day. AHA is concerned with promoting healthy lifestyles and lowering cholesterol levels through diet and physical exercise as well as preventing children from having cholesterol related health problems when they grow into adulthood. Americans should not be surprised by this policy. First, obesity in children is an issue that has attracted their concern and the dietary guidelines provided have been amended from section 9(a) of Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C 1758 a))            This proposal is likely to be opposed by the local taxpayers. To fund proposal taxes may be imposed on them reducing their disposable incomes. Being forced to pay higher taxes may see them oppose the bill. Costs would be incurred as the programs to grow own food in schools and hiring of more physical education teachers would be incorporated. Another challenge that the bill faces is the legislative process, which may delay. The committees may reject them for instance the senate finance may hinder its proceeding from one position to the next.            Obesity among children has been increasing at alarming rates. People have adapted sedentary lifestyles and are not keen on the nutritional requirements of food. Convenience plays an important role in determining the food that one consumes. Approximately a 1/3 of children populations are overweight or risk becoming overweight. Childhood obesity is associated to various health effects like hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases. The major cause of obesity is lack of physical exercise combined with poor diet. (www.mayoclinic.com). A balance must be struck so that calorie intake does not outdo calorie utilization. Although obesity in children affects people of all races, gender or color it has been observed that Africa American and Mexican American children are more likely to be overweight compared to non-Hispanic whites. It therefore suffices to say that people of color or the minority groups are more affected by obesity. Children of poor families are also more likely to be obese.            Regular consumption of pre-packaged food, fast food, soft drinks can cause obesity as they have quantities of calories and sugars. Consumption of vegetables and legumes is beneficial as they can help check on weight and cardiovascular diseases. Children are a critical population that needs more nutrients than human beings for their growth and development. Improving on the diet and exercising levels can help protect children’s health both at the current levels and in future. (Www.mayoclinic.com).            Physical exercises help burn out excess calories in the body. This helps reduce chances of acquiring illnesses for instance diabetes and high blood pressure. They also contribute to healthy bones and muscles. Children need to burn up calories through physical activities. (www.kidshealth.org). They should not over rely on inactive leisure activities like watching television, surfing the net and playing video games. Families must play an important role in ensuring that their children stay healthy. Parents have a major role to play in influencing their children’s health. Parents are responsible for shopping and cooking in their homes and they determine the lifestyles to be adapted.            They also set examples of the eating patterns as well as exercising patterns that to be adopted by their children. Parents should engage their children parents should engage their children in physical activities like swimming and jogging while at the same time ensuring that they provide healthy diets. Incorporating fruits and vegetables in their diets will be beneficial. Parents can also ensure that their children take food that is enough or that they eat with moderation.            The Mayo Clinic website section on childhood explains the signs, causes and problems that are associated with childhood obesity. It also provides ways by which families can control and prevent obesity in children. (www.mayoclinic.com). Another important website that addresses the costs and consequences that obese children face as well as their potential future with obesity and the weight related health care issue is the Junk Food Science. The Kids Health website provides important in-depth information to parents on how they should maintain their children’s health. It addresses the issues related to childhood obesity and its effects. Obesity in America organization website addresses the obesity issues. It focuses more on medical reasons for obesity.            Obesity in children increases their healthcare expenditure compared to non-obese children. Obese children are more likely to have laboratory-screening tests as medical staff belief that they are at greater risks. Their blood pressure levels or lab values for cholesterol are higher than for normal healthy children translating to the increased costs. They are screened for blood pressure, sleep apnea and orthopedic abnormalities. (Junkfoodscience.blogspot.com).            Advocacy groups that can be useful in combating obesity in the US include the Endocrine society and The Hormone foundation. The Endocrine society is the world’s largest and most active professional organization of endocrinologists in the world and it is dedicated to promoting excellence in research, education and clinical advancements in the endocrinology field. The hormone foundation is an affiliate of the endocrine society and its very important in disseminating information. It has established programs on childhood or pediatric obesity. It works hand in hand with the Congress and Federal agencies that impact policies dealing with obesity. (www.obesityinamerica.org).            Parents should be create time to prepare nutritious foods for their children. They should not opt for the quick fix that can harm their children’s health. Obese children can have problems with their self esteem as they can be teased or bullied by their classmates. Obesity in children causes psychological problems to them.            Overweight children can have bone and joint problems. They increase their chances of developing asthma and they can experience shortness of breath making physical activities more difficult. They have restless or disordered sleep patterns that can affect their development. Tendency to mature earlier is also reported in overweight children and overweight girls tend to have irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in their later days. A stitch in time saves nine and adverse overweight effects can be counted if appropriate measures are taken.            Schools have contributed to the increased numbers of obese and overweight children in America. Lesser time is allocated to physical education programs and some schools have cut it altogether. Sedentary lifestyles in children have consequently aggravated. Although genetics may contribute to obesity in children, the impact may be reduced if physical exercises and strict dietary measures are followed. It could be difficult to establish if an obese child born of obese parents is obese due to the genetic factor or due to the family lifestyles. (Www.kidshealth.org).            Parents should set good examples by adhering to appropriate diets as well as participating in exercises. They should not reward good behavior with sweets as they have high sugar levels. Educating the children about the importance of healthy diets is necessary. Children could rebel if ultimate elimination of sweets, snacks or candies is done. They could find ways to access such foods in absence of their parents. Again imposing a specific physical activity on them should be avoided and a variety should be included.            The media plays an important role in favoring ‘unhealthy food’. children who see people favoring foods in fast foods or in cartoon shows have the mentality that such food is appropriate. They urge their parent’s to offer them such foods.            Children should eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They also ought to get 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercises each day depending on their age. (www.kidshealth.org). Grains provide energy needs for the child and includes whole meal bread, cereals and pasta. They give children energy to play and carry out important activities. Vegetables provide minerals and vitamins needed for good health. They also provide fiber that is important in aiding digestion. Milk is important as it provides vitamin A, D, calcium and proteins. Fats should be used sparingly on children. (Www.kidshealth.org)            Although the bill might never make it out of the committee or could be revised and incorporated in an already existing bill, I think this is a very applicable policy that can help save American children the consequences of obesity. Disseminating proper information to people through the media can work to curb child obesity. People should also take their own initiative to fight child obesity. References: Mayo Clinic staff. 2007. Childhood obesity. Retrieved on 23rd February 2008 from  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/DS00698 Sandy Szwarc. 2007. Retrieved on 23rd February 2008 from  http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/01/fat-children-burdens.html Endocrine Society and The Hormone Foundation. 2008.Retrieved on 23rd February 2008 from http://www.obesityinamerica.org/aboutus.html The Nemours Foundation. 2008. Kids Health. Retrieved on 23rd February 2008 from http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/ GovTrack.US. 2008. S. 100: Healthy Students Act of 2007. Retrieved on 23rd February 2008 from http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-100
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Research On The Native American Tribes History Essay
Research On The Native American Tribes History Essay Native American tribes from far west coast all the way to the east coast experienced life differently due to conditions of the land. How did the geographical location of tribes affect the life styles of the Native Americans? There were hundreds of tribes and each was unique in a variety of ways from clothing and language; to hunting and gathering resources. Native Americans living in the middle of the United States may have had the best rate, due to the vast land, weather conditions, and food resources. When most Americans think of Indians they refer to the people of the Great Plains; hunting buffalo, war attire, and teepees are commonly what they think of. The tribes of the Great Plains were large in numbers. The reason that this area of tribes is so well recognized is that they were able to maintain life longer then any other areas of Native Americans. One tribe from the Great Plains was the Comanche Indians. The Comanche were a strong group of Indians after obtaining horses in the late 1600s. Horses gave them an advantage in taking over larger areas of land all the way from southwestern Kansas, eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Texas, southeastern Colorado, and northern Mexico. The life style of the Comanche people was based on one thing†¦ the horse. The Comanche people would not have been as successful without this animal. They would breed and maintain huge herds of horses, and then would trade them to the native people of the northern plains. They also tracked the wild mustang herds that roamed the areas. The children of the tribes would obtain a horse of there own at the age of four or five, they would train it and then would become successful hunters. The women of the tribes would sometimes hunt antelope with the men. The young men of the tribes used the horses for war as well as hunting buffalo. The men became such good riders that they could hang off the side of their horse in battle and shoot arrows under the neck of the horse, using the horse as a shield. Another major part of the life for the Great Plains Native Americans was war. The Comanche people killed more non Indian people then any other tribe. By 1840 the Comanches had allied themselves with several other tribes; Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Kiowa. When Mexico became independent in 1821 and Texas fell into the rules set by Mexico, which did not go over well for a lot of the people coming to Texas, the Comanche people were killing most of the travelers. They were also attacking anyone tha t was traveling on the Santa Fe Trail. The most famous battle involving the Comanches was the battle of the Alamo. The Comanche tribe consisted of many different smaller tribes. These bands were considered one because they spoke the same language. It was believed that the Comanche were part of the Shoshone tribe originally. A similarity in language is why people believe that these two may have branched apart. The Shoshone tribe along with many other tribes covered the Great Plains stretching from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River and from Central Texas all the way up to Alberta, Canada. These people lived on wild game from large animals to small, mostly living on buffalo. The people would use almost every part of this animal from the hide to the bones and everything in between. It is thought that before the 1500s the only two non farming tribes were the Blackfoot and Comanche tribes. Even though the tribes of the plains were very successful using the land other tribes in different regions were not so fortunate. The land territory used by the Northwest Native Americans is not large. It is about 2,000 miles in length and only about 150 mile wide. However, the vast area of water they inhabited by was very useful to them in their survival. A majority of the Northwest is made up of islands and large mountain ranges. With the chain of islands to the west and the mountains to the east, the Native Americans would live on the edge of the oceans. This protected them from a lot of the elements such as ocean storms, the abundance of rain, and the cold conditions that would come during the winter months. Due to the amount of water that would come upon this region the trees and vegetation were plentiful. The huge trees that grew in this area were used for many things within the tribes. The Nootka tribe located in the Vancouver Island area, used the huge trees to make many item s like totem poles, their living courts, and at least six different styles of canoes. Canoes were the mood of means for the people of the Northwest coast line. A vast majority of the hunting was done by water, however, some game animals were hunted in the winter months due to the harsh conditions of the Northwest coast. Whale hunting provided the Nootka tribe with a lot of great materials like oil, bones for tools, baleen for trapping, and of course plenty of meat. The Nootka tribe was the only tribe to hunt whales because of there size. The leader of the canoe would have been given this position from his father, and he would harpoon the whale first, he would also receive the first piece of the whale when it was returned to shore to be rationed out between the others. Fish trades between the whites were often, and if the Nootka were ever crossed by the whites they would kill them with no hesitations. The buildings constructed by the Nootka tribe were amazing in there size, some time s being 100 feet in length and 40 feet in width. There were built with large planks of cedar and each plank was removable. The homes were inhabited by several families of the tribe. The leader of the home would sleep in the rear right corner of the home, and the next of kin would inhabit the left rear corner of the home. The front of the home nearest to the door would be stocked with supplies. Outside the front doors of the homes would be large totem polls carved into them would be faces of animals. The faces were chosen by the shaman or people in secret societies. Since these people lived on the coastal shores they came in to contact with white man sooner then others. Another costal tribe that came in contact with non Native Americans was the Cherokees, located on the Southeast coast. In 1540 Spanish explorers crossed into the Cherokee territory. Then French and English traders from the north and east started to appear making trade prominent for the Southeast Indians. The Cherokees were allies with the British in the French and Indian War. The Cherokee helped the British in the conflicts that took place, but only supported them for five of the seven years, after a dispute over a group of wild horses and scalps that had been claimed for bounty. For 2 years the British were in a war with the Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee finally surrendered, they were required to release a huge piece of land that was next to British settlements. After many difficult periods, the Cherokee knew that they were experienced in agriculture and rebuilt their lives based on this fundamental skill. The tribes of the Southeast were able to grow massive crops due to the land conditions. This also benefited them, because large crops meant sizable communities. They grew many of the foods that are familiar with Thanksgiving dinners; corn, sweet potatoes, squash, and beans. The tribes of the Southeast did not move often so there homes were constructed were of two shapes, mostly poles tied with vines and covered in mud or animal hide. They hunted and fished every species of animal that inhabited the area. The Cherokee were the only tribe of the Southeast that spoke the language of Iroquoian. The Cherokee tribe watched and learned from the Americans for years, which is why they are so similar to the Americans. The Cherokee even established a government like the United States. Unfortunately neither they nor any other tribe of the Southeast were treated like Americans, an Indian Removal Act was put into place and the American settlers began taking over the Indians lands forcing them west of the rivers. The Trail of tears is one of the worse events in history fo r the Native American Indians. The event was when soldiers forced the natives to move west while the settlers over took their land. Many Indians died on the travel west due to starvation, disease, and weather conditions. It would be countless years later before the Native people would see any reconciliation for what the lands and treatment that they endured. All in all, I have found that Native Americans were equals in the struggles that they faced. Each region faced different challenges with weather, but all were able to adapt to those conditions. Just like American today, languages are slightly different from the Far East to the Great West and everywhere in between. The clothing these tribes wore was similar in many ways, because a large majority of their clothing was made from animal hide. Hides were also used in the making of the lodging that the natives inhabited. Many Native American Indians still have land conservations and continue to live as they did in the early years of American civilization though it will never be as it once was for these people.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
La Cultura Cubana Essay -- Essays Papers
La Cultura Cubana Yo sueno con los ojos abiertos, y de dia y noche siempre sueno y sobre las espumas del ancho mar revuelto y por entre las crespas arenas del desierto... ~Jose Marti The media has always been one of the most important ways that human beings communicate. It is a form of personal and political expression that reveals important and intimate information about a culture. In the case of Cuba, where society is influenced by many peoples, and political alignments are in constant reform, culture is very rich. By examining the information presented in the media and the public's reaction to it, the heart of a nation is revealed and the world is brought closer together through television, newspapers and radio. In Cuba, the mass media â€Å"are an essential channel for mass mobilization and control, management of domestic conflict, and the maintenance of the Cuban revolutionary process†(Nichols, 71). The media is a force often employed by the revolutionary government; the New York Times described it as the â€Å"government of television†(71). However, it is not a government of exclusively television communications: radio and print media reach virtually the entire population and television reaches most (Nichols, 72). All television and radio stations are controlled by one central government agency, the ICRT. There are more than one hundred newspapers and magazines published independently by separate government run organizations: â€Å"it would not be and exaggeration to say that most organizations have their own publication†(Luis, 66). Regardless of which agency is in control, all media in Cuba in controlled by the government (Nichols, 75). This has an enormous eff... ... Despite the embargo with the United States and government control of all forms of communication, the flow of knowledge cannot be stopped. With the flow of information comes the ability to think and to learn, the hunger for knowledge in Cuba is strong. People seek out the media and respond to it. Cuba is a nation that is rich in intellect, culture and diversity and this is reflected in all their interactions and forms communication. Works Cited 1. Casablanca. Ed. Dolgin, Gail and Franco, Vincente. Videocasettte. San Francisco: Cuba Va Video Project, 1993. 2. Luis, William. Culture and Customs of Cuba. Westport, Ct: Greenwood Press, 2001. 3. Hichols, John Spencer, â€Å"The Mass Media: their functions in social conflict†. Cuba and Internal Affairs. Ed. Dominguez, Jorge I. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 1982. 71-106.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Paul Monettes Love Alone :: Poetry Poem Poet Essays
Paul Monette's Love Alone Loss. Grief. Mourning. Anger. Disbelief. Emotions are in abundance when a loved one passes away. People need to find a way to cope with the situations and often need to express themselves by writing their feelings down in order to get them out. This is exactly what Paul Monette does in his book of poetry title â€Å"Love Alone†in remembrance of his companion Rog. Through writing his poetry Monette describes his emotions and the events that occurred during Rog’s battle with AIDS. By Monette’s transitioning through different emotions, the reader begins to understand the pain the author is dealt. Touching upon Kubler-Ross’ five stages of death including denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, Monette transitions to Rog’s decline in health. Using different fonts and no punctuation, the lines are interpreted by the reader using instincts to know when to begin and end a sentence. Evident in the poems â€Å"The Very Sameà ¢â‚¬ , â€Å"The Half-life†, and â€Å"Current Status†, Monette gives a description of loss that makes the reader tingle. The poem â€Å"The Very Same†was written at Rog’s funeral. Family and friends of Paul try to get him to move on but Monette, being insulted to think that he can move on so quickly, does not adhere to the advice. Monette felt a special connection with Rog and felt as if a part of him died when Rog died He felt as if he lost his other half. To express the intonation in which the reader should interpret the poem different styles of font express the emotions and give the tone of Monette’s voice. â€Å"BUT THIS IS MY PAGE IT CANNOT BE TURNED†(Monette 20). Written in all capital letters the reader interprets this as an exclamatory remark. The italics on â€Å"is†emphasizes that word should be stressed. Monette is very angry at this point that everyone is telling him to move on, to â€Å"turn the page.†But he feels as if there is no page to turn to. He and Rog were one soul in two bodies. How can someone live with half a s oul. The use of italics is interpreted as a softened way of speaking.
Monday, September 2, 2019
Essay --
Tiffany Rivera Prior to 1860 there was great sectionalism in the United States between the northern and southern states. The Southern states and Northern states were always in competition for power. Various compromises were proposed by the opposing sides but eventually failed. The Civil War, election of President Lincoln and Reconstruction Era caused great change in the US. Constitutional developments such as the Emancipation Proclamation, three civil rights bills, and the Reconstruction Era impacted the lives on freedmen. Social developments such as the Freedmen's Bureau, the Black Codes, and the Ku Klux Klan were also revolutionary especially to the lives of the freedmen. One may say the election of President Lincoln was revolutionary. When the southern states realized their insignificance in terms of political power compared to the northern states, the southern states seceded from the union. South Carolina believed they had the constitutional right to secede from the Union because it was not stated in the Constitution it was illegal to do so and should be left to state power. (Doc A) The southern states also feared that if the North gained enough power they would abolish slavery completely. The fear of the northern states becoming too powerful and failure of compromise between the northern and southern states had led to the Civil War. An outcome of this conflict would be the Emancipation Proclamation, 13th-15th Amendments, and the abolition of slavery in the South. This angered southerners since it endangered their Agrarian economy through the use of slavery. Another outcome would be President Lincoln adding an amendment which made it illegal for a ny state to secede from the Union, helping preserve the Union of the nation af... ...articipation in government politically. (Doc. G) This was due to the passing of the three civil rights bills. During the Reconstruction Era, blacks were also offered education, which increased opportunity for the blacks. Some whites from the south disliked the Klu Klux Klan Act and felt that it gave the federal government too much power. (Doc H) The Force Acts were however essential during this time. Thomas Nast shows that the Klu Klux Klan was endangering the lives of the former slaves. (Doc I) All of these events greatly impacted the lives of the freedmen of the nation. This also affected the nation as a whole in terms of rights and power and in many ways strengthened the federal government. During the years 1860-1877, many constitutional and social developments were revolutionary. This changed the nation as a whole including the lives of the freedmen and whites.
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 28
Chapter 28 Joshua's ministry was three years of preaching, sometimes three times a day, and although there were some high and low points, I could never remember the sermons word for word, but here's the gist of almost every sermon I ever heard Joshua give. You should be nice to people, even creeps. And if you: a) believed that Joshua was the Son of God (and) b) he had come to save you from sin (and) c) acknowledged the Holy Spirit within you (became as a little child, he would say)(and) d) didn't blaspheme the Holy Ghost (see c), then you would: e) live forever f) someplace nice g) probably heaven. However, if you: h) sinned (and/or) i) were a hypocrite (and/or) j) valued things over people (and) k) didn't do a, b, c, and d, then you were: l) fucked Which is the message that Joshua's father had given him so many years ago, and which seemed, at the time, succinct to the point of rudeness, but made more sense after you listened to a few hundred sermons. That's what he taught, that's what we learned, that's what we passed on to the people in the towns of Galilee. Not everybody was good at it, however, and some seemed to miss the point altogether. One day Joshua, Maggie, and I returned from preaching in Cana to find Bartholomew sitting by the synagogue at Capernaum, preaching the Gospel to a semicircle of dogs that sat around him. The dogs seemed spellbound, but then, Bart was wearing a flank steak as a hat, so I'm not sure it was his speaking skills that held their attention. Joshua snatched the steak off of Bartholomew's head and tossed it into the street, where a dozen dogs suddenly found their faith. â€Å"Bart, Bart, Bart,†Josh said as he shook the big man by the shoulders, â€Å"don't give what's holy to dogs. Don't cast your pearls before swine. You're wasting the Word.†â€Å"I don't have any pearls. I am slave to no possessions.†â€Å"It's a metaphor, Bart,†Joshua said, deadpan. â€Å"It means don't give the Word to those who aren't ready to receive it.†â€Å"You mean like when you drowned the swine in Decapolis? They weren't ready for it?†Joshua looked at me for help. I shrugged. Maggie said, â€Å"That's exactly right, Bart. You got it.†â€Å"Oh, why didn't you say so?†Bart said. â€Å"Okay guys, we're off to preach the Word in Magdala.†He climbed to his feet and led his pack of disciples toward the lake. Joshua looked at Maggie. â€Å"That's not what I meant at all.†â€Å"Yes it is,†she said, then she took off to find Johanna and Susanna, two women who had joined us and were learning to preach the gospel. â€Å"That's not what I meant,†Joshua said to me. â€Å"Have you ever won an argument with her?†He shook his head. â€Å"Then say amen and let's go see what Peter's wife has cooked up.†The disciples were gathered around outside of Peter's house, sitting on the logs we had arranged in a circle around a fire pit. They were all looking down and seemed to be caught in some glum prayer. Even Matthew was there, when he should have been at his job collecting taxes in Magdala. â€Å"What's wrong?†asked Joshua. â€Å"John the Baptist is dead,†said Philip. â€Å"What?†Joshua sat down on the log next to Peter and leaned against him. â€Å"We just saw Bartholomew,†I said. â€Å"He didn't say anything about it.†â€Å"We just found out,†said Andrew. â€Å"Matthew just brought the news from Tiberius.†It was the first time since he'd joined us that I'd seen Matthew without the light of enthusiasm in his face. He might have aged ten years in the last few hours. â€Å"Herod had him beheaded,†he said. â€Å"I thought Herod was afraid of John,†I said. It was rumored that Herod had kept John alive because he actually believed him to be the Messiah and was afraid of the wrath of God should the holy man perish. â€Å"It was at the request of his stepdaughter,†said Matthew. â€Å"John was killed at the behest of a teenage slut.†â€Å"Well, jeez, if he wasn't dead already, the irony would have killed him,†I said. Joshua stared into the dirt before him, thinking or praying, I couldn't tell. Finally he said, â€Å"John's followers will be like babes in the wilderness.†â€Å"Thirsty?†guessed Nathaniel. â€Å"Hungry?†guessed Peter. â€Å"Horny?†guessed Thomas. â€Å"No, you dumbfucks, lost. They'll be lost!†I said. â€Å"Jeez.†Joshua stood. â€Å"Philip, Thaddeus, go to Judea, tell John's followers that they are welcome here. Tell them that John's work is not lost. Bring them here.†â€Å"But master,†Judas said, â€Å"John has thousands of followers. If they come here, how will we feed them?†â€Å"He's new,†I explained. The next day was the Sabbath, and in the morning as we all headed to the synagogue, an old man in fine clothes ran out of the bushes and threw himself at Joshua's feet. â€Å"Oh, Rabbi,†he wailed, â€Å"I am the mayor of Magdala. My youngest daughter has died. People say that you can heal the sick and raise the dead, will you help me?†Joshua looked around. A half-dozen local Pharisees watched us from different points around the village. Joshua turned to Peter. â€Å"Take the Word to the synagogue today. I am going to help this man.†â€Å"Thank you, Rabbi,†the rich man gushed. He hurried off and waved for us to follow. â€Å"Where are you taking us?†I asked. â€Å"Only as far as Magdala,†he said. To Joshua I said, â€Å"That's farther than a Sabbath's journey allows.†â€Å"I know,†Joshua said. As we passed through all of the small villages along the coast on the way to Magdala, people came out of their houses and followed us for as long as they dared on a Sabbath, but I could also see the elders, the Pharisees, watching as we went. The mayor's house was large for Magdala, and his daughter had her own sleeping room. He led Joshua into the bedchamber where the girl lay. â€Å"Please save her, Rabbi.†Joshua bent down and examined the girl. â€Å"Go out of here,†he said to the old man. â€Å"Out of the house.†When the mayor was gone Joshua looked at me. â€Å"She's not dead.†â€Å"What?†â€Å"This girl is sleeping. Maybe they've given her some strong wine, or some sleeping powder, but she is not dead.†â€Å"So this is a trap?†â€Å"I didn't see this one coming either,†Joshua said. â€Å"They expect me to claim that I raised her from the dead, healed her, when she's only sleeping. Blasphemy and healing on the Sabbath.†â€Å"Let me raise her from the dead, then. I mean, I can do this one if she's only sleeping.†â€Å"They'll blame me for whatever you do as well. You may be their target too. The local Pharisees didn't devise this themselves.†â€Å"Jakan?†Josh nodded. â€Å"Go get the old man, and gather as many witnesses as you can, Pharisees as well. Make a ruckus.†When I had about fifty people gathered in and around the house, Joshua announced, â€Å"This girl isn't dead, she's sleeping, you foolish old man.†Joshua shook the girl and she sat up rubbing her eyes. â€Å"Keep watch on your strong wine, old man. Rejoice that you have not lost your daughter, but grieve that you have broken the Sabbath for your ignorance.†Then Joshua stormed out and I followed him. When we were a ways down the street he said, â€Å"Do you think they bought it?†â€Å"Nope,†I said. â€Å"Me either,†Joshua said. In the morning a Roman soldier came to Peter's house with messages. I was still sleeping when I heard the shouting. â€Å"I can only speak to Joshua of Nazareth,†someone said in Latin. â€Å"You'll speak to me or you'll never speak again,†I heard someone else say. (Obviously someone who had no desire to live a long life.) I was up and running in an instant, my tunic waving unbelted behind me. I rounded the corner at Peter's house to see Judas facing down a legionnaire. The soldier had partially drawn his short sword. â€Å"Judas!†I barked. â€Å"Back down.†I put myself between them. I knew I could disarm the soldier easily, but not the legion that would follow him if I did. â€Å"Who sends you, soldier?†â€Å"I have a message from Gaius Justus Gallicus, commander of the Sixth Legion, for Joshua bar Joseph of Nazareth.†He glared at Judas over my shoulder. â€Å"But there is nothing in my orders to keep me from killing this dog while delivering it.†I turned to face Judas, whose face was on fire with anger. I knew he carried a dagger in his sash, although I hadn't told Joshua about it. â€Å"Justus is a friend, Judas.†â€Å"No Roman is the friend of a Jew,†said Judas, making no effort whatever to whisper. And at that point, realizing that Joshua hadn't reached our new Zealot recruit with the message of forgiveness for all men, and that he was going to get himself killed, I quickly reached up under Judas' tunic, clamped onto his scrotum, squeezed once, rapidly and extremely hard, and after he blasted a mouthful of slobber on my chest, his eyes rolled in his head and he slumped to his knees, unconscious. I caught him and lowered him to the ground so he didn't hit his head. Then I turned to the Roman. â€Å"Fainting spells,†I said. â€Å"Let's go find Joshua.†Justus had sent us three messages from Jerusalem: Jakan had indeed divorced Maggie; the Pharisees' full council had met and they were plotting to kill Joshua; and Herod Antipas had heard of Joshua's miracles and was afraid that he might be the reincarnation of John the Baptist. Justus' only personal note was one word: Careful. â€Å"Joshua, you need to hide,†said Maggie. â€Å"Leave Herod's territory until things settle down. Go to Decapolis, preach to the gentiles. Herod Philip has no love for his brother, his soldiers won't bother you.†Maggie had become a fiercely dedicated preacher herself. It was as if she had channeled her personal passion for Joshua into a passion for the Word. â€Å"Not yet,†said Joshua. â€Å"Not until Philip and Thaddeus return with John's followers. I will not leave them lost. I need a sermon, one that can serve as if it was my last, one that will sustain the lost while I'm gone. Once I deliver it to Galilee, I'll go to Philip's territory.†I looked at Maggie and she nodded, as if to say, Do what you have to, but protect him. â€Å"Let's write it then,†I said. Like any great speech, the Sermon on the Mount sounds as if it just happened spontaneously, but actually Joshua and I worked on it for over a week – Joshua dictating and me taking notes on parchment. (I had invented a way of sandwiching a thin piece of charcoal between two pieces of olive wood so that I could write without carrying a quill and inkwell.) We worked in front of Peter's house, out in the boat, even on the mountainside where he would deliver the sermon. Joshua wanted to devote a long section of the sermon to adultery, largely, I realize now, motivated by my relationship with Maggie. Even though Maggie had resolved to stay celibate and preach the Word, I think Joshua wanted to drive the point home. Joshua said, â€Å"Put in ‘If a man even looks at a woman with lust in his heart, he has committed adultery.'†â€Å"Really, you want to go with that? And this ‘If a divorced woman remarries she commits adultery'?†â€Å"Yeah.†â€Å"Seems a little harsh. A little Pharisee-ish.†â€Å"I had some people in mind. What do you have?†â€Å"‘Verily I say unto you' – I know you like to say ‘verily' when you're talking about adultery – anyway, ‘Verily I say unto you, that should a man put oil upon a woman's naked body, and make her go upon all fours and bark like a dog, while knowing her, if you know what I mean, then he has committed adultery, and surely if a woman do the same thing right back, well she has jumped on the adultery donkey cart herownself. And if a woman should pretend to be a powerful queen, and a man a lowly slave boy, and if she should call him humiliating names and make him lick upon her body, then surely they have sinned like big dogs – and woe unto the man if he pretends to be a powerful queen, and – ‘†â€Å"That's enough, Biff.†â€Å"But you want to be specific, don't you. You don't want people to walk around wondering, ‘Hey, is this adultery, or what? Maybe you should roll over.'†â€Å"I'm not sure that being that specific is a good idea.†â€Å"Okay, how 'bout this: ‘Should a man or a woman have any goings-on with their mutual naughty bits, then it is more than likely they are committing adultery, or at least they should consider it.'†â€Å"Well, maybe more specific than that.†â€Å"Come on, Josh, this isn't an easy one like ‘Thou shalt not kill.' Basically, there you got a corpse, you got a sin, right?†â€Å"Yes, adultery can be sticky.†â€Å"Well, yes†¦Look, a seagull!†â€Å"Biff, I appreciate that you feel obliged to be an advocate for your favorite sins, but that's not what I need here. What I need is help writing this sermon. How we doing on the Beatitudes?†â€Å"Pardon me?†â€Å"The blesseds.†â€Å"We've got: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; blessed are the poor in spirit, the pure in heart, the whiners, the meek, the – â€Å" â€Å"Wait, what are we giving the meek?†â€Å"Let's see, uh, here: Blessed are the meek, for to them we shall say, ‘attaboy.'†â€Å"A little weak.†â€Å"Yeah.†â€Å"Let's let the meek inherit the earth.†â€Å"Can't you give the earth to the whiners?†â€Å"Well then, cut the whiners and give the earth to the meek.†â€Å"Okay. Earth to the meek. Here we go. Blessed are the peacemakers, the mourners, and that's it.†â€Å"How many is that?†â€Å"Seven.†â€Å"Not enough. We need one more. How about the dumbfucks?†â€Å"No, Josh, not the dumbfucks. You've done enough for the dumbfucks. Nathaniel, Thomas – â€Å" â€Å"Blessed are the dumbfucks for they, uh – I don't know – they shall never be disappointed.†â€Å"No, I'm drawing the line at dumbfucks. Come on, Josh, why can't we have any powerful guys on our team? Why do we have to have the meek, and the poor, the oppressed, and the pissed on? Why can't we, for once, have blessed are the big powerful rich guys with swords?†â€Å"Because they don't need us.†â€Å"Okay, but no ‘Blessed are the dumbfucks.'†â€Å"Who then?†â€Å"Sluts?†â€Å"No.†â€Å"How about the wankers? I can think of five or six disciples that would be really blessed.†â€Å"No wankers. I've got it: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.†â€Å"Okay, better. What are you going to give them?†â€Å"A fruit basket.†â€Å"You can't give the meek the whole earth and these guys a fruit basket.†â€Å"Give them the kingdom of heaven.†â€Å"The poor in spirit got that.†â€Å"Everybody gets some.†â€Å"Okay then, ‘share the Kingdom of Heaven.'†I wrote it down. â€Å"We could give the fruit basket to the dumbfucks.†â€Å"NO DUMBFUCKS!†â€Å"Sorry, I just feel for them.†â€Å"You feel for everyone, Josh. It's your job.†â€Å"Oh yeah. I forgot.†We finished writing the sermon only a few hours before Philip and Thaddeus returned from Judea leading three thousand of John's followers. Joshua had them gather on a hillside above Capernaum, then sent the disciples into the crowd to find the sick and bring them to him. He performed miracles of healing all morning, then coming into the afternoon he gathered us together at the spring below the mountain. Peter said, â€Å"There's at least another thousand people from Galilee on the hill, Joshua, and they are hungry.†â€Å"How much food do we have?†Joshua asked. Judas came forward with a basket. â€Å"Five loaves and two fish.†â€Å"That will do, but you'll need more baskets. And about a hundred volunteers to help distribute the food. Nathaniel, you, Bartholomew, and Thomas go into the crowd and find me fifty to a hundred people who have their own baskets. Bring them here. By the time you get back we'll have the food for them.†Judas threw down his basket. â€Å"We have five loaves, how do you think – â€Å" Joshua held up his hand for silence and the Zealot clammed up. â€Å"Judas, today you've seen the lame walk, the blind see, and the deaf hear.†â€Å"Not to mention the blind hear and the deaf see,†I added. Joshua scowled at me. â€Å"It will take little more to feed a few of the faithful.†â€Å"There are but five loaves!†shouted Judas. â€Å"Judas, once there was a rich man, who built great barns and granaries so he could save all of the fruits of his wealth long into his old age. But on the very day his barns were finished, the Lord said, â€Å"Hey, we need you up here.†And the rich man did say, â€Å"Oh shit, I'm dead.†So what good did his stuff do him?†â€Å"Huh?†â€Å"Don't worry about what you're going to eat.†Nathaniel, Bart, and Thomas started off to their assigned duty, but Maggie grabbed Nathaniel and held him fast. â€Å"No,†she said. â€Å"No one does anything until you promise us that you'll go into hiding after this sermon.†Joshua smiled. â€Å"How can I hide, Maggie? Who will spread the Word? Who will heal the sick?†â€Å"We will,†Maggie continued. â€Å"Now promise. Go into the land of the gentiles, out of Herod's reach, just until things calm down. Promise or we don't move.†Peter and Andrew stepped up behind Maggie to show their support. John and James were nodding as she spoke. â€Å"So be it,†said Joshua. â€Å"But now we have hungry people to feed.†And we fed them. The loaves and the fish were multiplied, jars were brought in from the surrounding villages and filled with water, which was carried to the mountainside, and all the while the local Pharisees watched and growled and spied, but they hadn't missed the healings, and they didn't miss the Sermon on the Mount, and word of it went back to Jerusalem with their poison reports. Afterward, at the spring by the shore, I gathered up the last of the pieces of bread to take home with us. Joshua came down the shore with a basket over his head, then pulled it off when he got to me. â€Å"When we said we wanted you to hide we meant something a little less obvious, Joshua. Great sermon, by the way.†Joshua started helping me gather up the bread that was strewn around on the ground. â€Å"I wanted to talk to you and I couldn't get away from the crowd without hiding under the basket. I'm having a little trouble preaching humility.†â€Å"You're so good at that one. People line up to hear the humility sermon.†â€Å"How can I preach that the humble will be exalted and the exalted will be humbled at the same time I'm being exalted by four thousand people?†â€Å"Bodhisattva, Josh. Remember what Gaspar taught you about being a bodhisattva. You don't have to be humble, because you are denying your own ascension by bringing the good news to other people. You're out of the humility flow, so to speak.†â€Å"Oh yeah.†He smiled. â€Å"But now that you mention it,†I said, â€Å"it does seem a little hypocritical.†â€Å"I'm not proud of that.†â€Å"Then you're okay.†That evening, when we had all gathered again in Capernaum, Joshua called us to the fire ring in front of Peter's house and we watched the last gold of the sunlight reflecting on the lake as Joshua led us in a prayer of thanks. Then he made the call: â€Å"Okay, who wants to be an apostle?†â€Å"I do, I do,†said Nathaniel. â€Å"What's an apostle?†â€Å"That's a guy who makes drugs,†I said. â€Å"Me, me,†said Nathaniel. â€Å"I want to make drugs.†â€Å"I'll try that,†said John. â€Å"That's an apothecary,†said Matthew. â€Å"An apothecary mixes powders and makes drugs. Apostle means ‘to send off.'†â€Å"Is this kid a whiz, or what,†I said, pointing a thumb at Matthew. â€Å"That's right,†said Joshua, â€Å"messengers. You'll be sent off to spread the message that the kingdom has come.†â€Å"Isn't that what we're doing now?†asked Peter. â€Å"No, now you're disciples, but I want to appoint apostles who will take the Word into the land. There will be twelve, for the twelve tribes of Israel. I'll give you power to heal, and power over devils. You'll be like me, only in a different outfit. You'll take nothing with you except your clothes. You'll live only off the charity of those you preach to. You'll be on your own, like sheep among wolves. People will persecute you and spit on you, and maybe beat you, and if that happens, well, it happens. Shake off the dust and move on. Now, who's with me?†And there was a roaring silence among the disciples. â€Å"How about you, Maggie?†â€Å"I'm not much of a traveler, Josh. Makes me nauseous. Disciple's fine with me.†â€Å"How 'bout you, Biff?†â€Å"I'm good. Thanks.†Joshua stood up and just counted them off. â€Å"Nathaniel, Peter, Andrew, Philip, James, John, Thaddeus, Judas, Matthew, Thomas, Bartholomew, and Simon. You're the apostles. Now get out there and apostilize.†And they all looked at each other. â€Å"Spread the good news, the son of man is here! The kingdom is coming. Go! Go! Go!†They got up and sort of milled around. â€Å"Can we take our wives?†asked James. â€Å"Yes.†â€Å"Or one of the women disciples?†asked Matthew. â€Å"Yes.†â€Å"Can Thomas Two go too?†â€Å"Yes, Thomas Two can go.†Their questions answered, they milled around some more. â€Å"Biff,†Joshua said. â€Å"Will you assign territories for everybody and send them out?†â€Å"Okey-dokey,†I said. â€Å"Who wants Samaria? No one? Good. Peter, it's yours. Give 'em hell. Caesarea? Come on, you weenies, step up†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Thus were the twelve appointed to their sacred mission. The next morning seventy of the people who we'd recruited to help feed the multitude came to Joshua when they heard about the appointing of the apostles. â€Å"Why only twelve?†one man asked. â€Å"You all want to cast off what you own, leave your families, and risk persecution and death to spread the good news?†Joshua asked. â€Å"Yes,†they all shouted. Joshua looked at me as if he himself couldn't believe it. â€Å"It was a really good sermon,†I said. â€Å"So be it,†said Joshua. â€Å"Biff, you and Matthew assign territories. Send no one to his hometown. That doesn't seem to work very well.†And so the twelve and the seventy were sent out, and Joshua, Maggie, and I went into Decapolis, which was the territory of Herod's brother, Philip, and camped and fished and basically hid out. Joshua preached a little, but only to small groups, and although he did heal the sick, he asked them not to tell anyone about the miracles. After three months hiding in Philip's territory, word came by boat from across the lake that someone had intervened on Joshua's behalf with the Pharisees and that the death warrant, which had never really been formal, had been lifted. We went home to Capernaum and waited for the apostles to return. Their enthusiasm had waned some after months in the field. â€Å"It sucks.†â€Å"People are mean.†â€Å"Lepers are creepy.†Matthew came out of Judea with more news of Joshua's mysterious benefactor from Jerusalem. â€Å"His name is Joseph of Arimathea,†said Matthew. â€Å"He's a wealthy merchant, and he owns ships and vineyards and olive presses. He seems to have the ear of the Pharisees, but he is not one of them. His wealth has given him some influence with the Romans as well. They are considering making him a citizen, I hear.†â€Å"What makes him want to help us?†I asked. â€Å"I talked to him for a long time about the kingdom, and about the Holy Ghost and the rest of Joshua's message. He believes.†Matthew smiled broadly, obviously proud of his powerful convert. â€Å"He wants you to come to his house for dinner, Joshua. In Jerusalem.†â€Å"Are you sure it's safe for Joshua there?†asked Maggie. â€Å"Joseph has sent this letter guaranteeing Joshua's safety along with all who accompany him to Jerusalem.†Matthew held out the letter. Maggie took the scroll and unrolled it. â€Å"My name is on this too. And Biff's.†â€Å"Joseph knew you would be coming, and I told him that Biff sticks to Joshua like a leech.†â€Å"Excuse me?†â€Å"I mean, that you accompany the master wherever he travels,†Matthew added quickly. â€Å"But why me?†Maggie asked. â€Å"Your brother Simon who is called Lazarus, he is very sick. Dying. He's asked for you. Joseph wanted you to know that you would have safe passage.†Josh grabbed his satchel and started walking that moment. â€Å"Let's go,†he said. â€Å"Peter, you are in charge until I return. Biff, Maggie, we need to make Tiberius before dark. I'm going to see if I can borrow some camels there. Matthew, you come too, you know this Joseph. And Thomas, you come along, I want to talk to you.†So off we went, into what I was sure were the jaws of a trap. Along the way Joshua called Thomas to walk beside him. Maggie and I walked behind them only a few paces, so we could hear their conversation. Thomas kept stopping to make sure that Thomas Two could keep up with them. â€Å"They all think I'm mad,†Thomas said. â€Å"They laugh at me behind my back. Thomas Two has told me.†â€Å"Thomas, you know I can lay my hands upon you and you will be cured. Thomas Two will no longer speak to you. The others won't laugh at you.†Thomas walked along for a while without saying anything, but when he looked back at Joshua I could see tears streaking his cheeks. â€Å"If Thomas Two goes away, then I'll be alone.†â€Å"You won't be alone. You'll have me.†â€Å"Not for long. You don't have long with us.†â€Å"How do you know that?†â€Å"Thomas Two told me.†â€Å"We won't tell the others quite yet, all right, Thomas?†â€Å"Not if you don't want me to. But you won't cure me, will you? You won't make Thomas Two go away?†â€Å"No,†Joshua said. â€Å"We may both need an extra friend soon.†He patted Thomas on the shoulder, then turned to walk on ahead to catch up with Matthew. â€Å"Well, don't step on him!†Thomas shouted. â€Å"Sorry,†said Joshua. I looked at Maggie. â€Å"Did you hear that?†She nodded. â€Å"You can't let it happen, Biff. He doesn't seem to care about his own life, but I do, and you do, and if you let harm come to him I'll never forgive you.†â€Å"But Maggie, everyone is supposed to be forgiven.†â€Å"Not you. Not if something happens to Josh.†â€Å"So be it. So, hey, once Joshua heals your brother, you want to go do something, get some pomegranate juice, or a falafel, or get married or something?†She stopped in her tracks, so I stopped too. â€Å"Are you ever paying attention to anything that goes on around you?†â€Å"I'm sorry, I was overcome by faith there for a moment. What did you say?†When we got to Bethany, Martha was waiting for us in the street in front of Simon's house. She went right to Joshua and he held out his arms to embrace her, but when she got to him she pushed him away. â€Å"My brother is dead,†she said. â€Å"Where were you?†â€Å"I came as soon as I heard.†Maggie went to Martha and held her as they both cried. The rest of us stood around feeling awkward. The two old blind guys, Crustus and Abel, whom Joshua had once healed, came over from across the street. â€Å"Dead, dead and buried four days,†said Crustus. â€Å"He turned a sort of chartreuse at the end.†â€Å"Emerald, it was emerald, not chartreuse,†said Abel. â€Å"My friend Simon truly sleeps, then,†Joshua said. Thomas came up and put his hand on Joshua's shoulder. â€Å"No, master, he's dead. Thomas Two thinks it may have been a hairball. Simon was a leopard, you know?†I couldn't stand it. â€Å"He was a LEPER, you idiot! Not a leopard.†â€Å"Well, he IS dead!†shouted Thomas back. â€Å"Not sleeping.†â€Å"Joshua was being figurative, he knows he's dead.†â€Å"Do you guys think you could be just a little more insensitive?†said Matthew, pointing to the weeping sisters. â€Å"Look, tax collector, when I want your two shekels I'll ask – â€Å" â€Å"Where is he?†Joshua asked, his voice booming over the sobs and protests. Martha pushed out of her sister's embrace and looked at Joshua. â€Å"He bought a tomb in Kidron,†said Martha. â€Å"Take me there, I need to wake my friend.†â€Å"Dead,†said Thomas. â€Å"Dead, dead, dead.†There was a sparkle of hope amid the tears in Martha's eyes. â€Å"Wake him?†â€Å"Dead as a doornail. Dead as Moses. Mmmph†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Matthew clamped his hand over Thomas's mouth, which saved me having to render the twin unconscious with a brick. â€Å"You believe that Simon will rise from the dead, don't you?†asked Joshua. â€Å"In the end, when the kingdom comes, and everyone is raised, yes, I believe.†â€Å"Do you believe I am who I say I am?†â€Å"Of course.†â€Å"Then show me where my friend lies sleeping.†Martha moved like a sleepwalker, her exhaustion and grief driven back just enough for her to lead us up the road to the Mount of Olives and down into the Kidron Valley. Maggie had been deeply shaken by the news of her brother's death as well, so Thomas and Matthew helped her along while I walked with Joshua. â€Å"Four days dead, Josh. Four days. Divine Spark or not, the flesh is empty.†â€Å"Simon will walk again if he is but bone,†said Joshua. â€Å"Okey-dokey. But this has never been one of your better miracles.†When we got to the tomb there was a tall, thin, aristocratic man sitting outside eating a fig. He was clean-shaven and his gray hair was cut short like a Roman's. If he hadn't worn the two-striped tunic of a Jew I would have thought him a Roman citizen. â€Å"I thought you would come here,†he said. He knelt before Joshua. â€Å"Rabbi, I'm Joseph of Arimathea. I sent word through your disciple Matthew that I wanted to meet with you. How may I serve?†â€Å"Stand up, Joseph. Help roll away this stone.†As with many of the larger tombs carved into the side of the mountain, there was a large flat stone covering the doorway. Joshua put his arms around Maggie and Martha while the rest of us wrestled with the stone. As soon as the seal was broken I was hit with a stench that gagged me and Thomas actually lost his supper in the dirt. â€Å"He stinks,†said Matthew. â€Å"I thought he would smell more like a cat,†said Thomas. â€Å"Don't make me come over there, Thomas,†I said. We pushed the stone as far as it would go, then we ran away gasping for fresh air. Joshua held his arms out as if waiting to embrace his friend. â€Å"Come out, Simon Lazarus, come out into the light.†Nothing but stench came out of the tomb. â€Å"Come forth, Simon. Come out of that tomb,†Joshua commanded. And absolutely nothing happened. Joseph of Arimathea shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. â€Å"I wanted to talk to you about the dinner at my house before you got there, Joshua.†Joshua held up his hand for silence. â€Å"Simon, dammit, come out of there.†And ever so weakly, there came a voice from inside the tomb. â€Å"No.†â€Å"What do you mean, ‘no'? You have risen from the dead, now come forth. Show these unbelievers that you have risen.†â€Å"I believe,†I said. â€Å"Convinced me,†said Matthew. â€Å"A no is as good as a personal appearance, as far as I'm concerned,†said Joseph of Arimathea. I'm not sure any of us who had smelled the stench of rotting flesh really wanted to see the source. Even Maggie and Martha seemed a little dubious about their brother's coming out. â€Å"Simon, get your leprous ass out here,†Joshua commanded. â€Å"But I'm†¦I'm all icky.†â€Å"We've all seen icky before,†said Joshua. â€Å"Now come out into the light.†â€Å"My skin is all green, like an unripe olive.†â€Å"Olive green!†declared Crustus, who had followed us into Kidron. â€Å"I told you it wasn't chartreuse.†â€Å"What the hell does he know? He's dead,†said Abel. Finally Joshua lowered his arms and stormed into the tomb. â€Å"I can't believe that you bring a guy back from the dead and he doesn't even have the courtesy to come out – WHOA! HOLY MOLY!†Joshua came backing out of the tomb, stiff-legged. Very calmly and quietly, he said, â€Å"We need clean clothes, and some water to wash with, and bandages, lots of bandages. I can heal him, but we have to sort of get all of his parts stuck back together first.†â€Å"Hold on, Simon,†Joshua shouted to the tomb, â€Å"we're getting some supplies, then I'll come in and heal your affliction.†â€Å"What affliction?†asked Simon.
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