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What are the five greatest strengths and five greatest weaknesses for our American Democracy?

Posted by admin in January 26th 2012  
I need to know this information urgently and quickly. First one to answer good gets 10 points!!
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Delphi-The Treasury of the Athenians

Posted by admin in January 26th 2012  


The most exquisite feature of the edifice, though, is the frieze. On the west side, it depicts the judgement of Paris, on the south the rape of the Leukippidai by the Dioskouroi, on the east an assembly of gods, who watch a battle of the Trojan War, and on the north which is the finest and best preserved section of the entire frieze, the Gigantomachy. Here we see the gods fighting hard to defeat the Giants, who are attacking from the right, wearing heavy armoury: helmets and shields, and in some cases breastplates and greaves; their weapons are spears, swords and stones.

The left section of the frieze is taken up by the gods. On the extreme left, Hephaistos, wearing the short chiton of a craftsman, is shown standing in front of his fellows and preparing his red hot bolts. Next come two goddesses, Demeter and Kore; then Dionysos, wearing a panther skin, and Kybele riding a chariot drawn by lions. Then come Leto’s beloved children, Apollo and Artemis, shooting arrows at their opponents; they are facing a warrior with a kantharos on his helmet: he is the Giant Kantharos. The next section of the frieze which has been damaged, showed Zeus riding his chariot. Hera and Athena have survived, in a good state of preservation; next to them Ares is wearing a helmet and holding a shield; Hermes follows, wearing the conical cap of Arkadian shepherds; finally, come Poseidon and Amphitrite, but only fragments of the lower part of their bodies have survived.

The sculptor who produced the Gigantomachy and the battle between the Greeks and the Trojans must have been one of the great artists of his age, endowed with a powerful and daring imagination, unique technical skill and a deep awareness of the difficulties of relief sculpture. It is enough to notice the extraordinary rendering of the successive surfaces of the figures, which though frequently intertwined, always remain clearly distinct from each other. The impetus of the conflict and the mingling of the adversaries is reproduced with great power and intensity, without however damaging the clarity of form and the easy, flowing rhythm which carries us from left to right and back again, with admirable skill, in a movement not unlike the ebb and flow of a wave. But apart from its power and robust expressiveness, the frieze retains its decorative character; it is a sensitive arrangement and exploitation of a surface demanding to be filled, an impressive, but also festive development of the theme, with all the spiritual exaltation appropriate to the sacred site of Delphi.

The Treasury of the Athenians: There is a third treasury, which has survived in a fairly good condition and has been restored in situ with very few additions: it is the treasury which the Athenians dedicated to the sanctuary during the last years of the 6th century B.C., soon after the establishment of democracy in their city (508 B.C.). Only a few fragments remain from the pediments; but of the metopes there are enough left to enable us to reconstruct their themes almost in their entirety. On the main sections – i.e., the facade and the south side, which was more exposed to public view, there are representations of the exploits of Theseus, whom the Athenians regarded as the legendary founder of democracy; at the back of the treasury and on the north side we see the labours of Herakles. These reliefs are a good example of Attic sculpture during the last phase of the Archaic period, and they bring to the spectator’s mind the early, red-figured vase-paintings of that time, with their elegant figures, lightly-balanced proportions, firm and spirited movement, daring postures, flexible contours, careful and thoroughly studied rendering of muscles and draperies.
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under: Travel And Leisure
Tags: Gigantomachy, Relief Sculpture, Trojan War
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Who else in history used economic crisis to push mass social and political change?

Posted by admin in January 22nd 2012  
Can you think of anyone in history who did this and pushed good or bad political or social agenda’s?
About the Author: Read more about this and other topics related to build a business from home
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under: Venezuela
Tags: Economic Crisis, Social Agenda
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American Greek Antique Democracy Meets Asian Control

Posted by admin in January 22nd 2012  


The story of America is unique in the world. It began as a trickle of independent minded Puritans who determined to speak directly their God, keep their muskets and beholden to no king who would stand between them and God like an English pope. King James, while creating the wondrous new Bible, also determined he would harass out of the land these protesters who took the term Protestant too far for his liking. So many rebellions, so many deaths, English rebels were sent home but after turning in any musket strong enough to begin another rebellion again.

In no other English speaking countries but America did it become custom to carry a musket, other than country folk for protection from bears or natives. And so we come to now, after American protests once too much to the king, and were now free. Well, the white men. Who owned property. But, war by blood, all men, then among the first on earth, all women. America, the first democracy on earth, is an inspired example to others all over earth. In China during the 1989 rebellion it seemed amazing but wonderful that we all over earth could witness idealistic Chinese students dared display a Statue of Liberty in the center of the Forbidden City, and the world watched them die before tanks churning them into hamburger, as was said by students there then.

In contrast, America was created, ship by ship, town by town, by idealists from Europe, then gradually from all corners of earth, as a place a man could bring his family and start a new life. No serf master, no nobleman to bow and pay most of their crop to, and see no hope of advance for your children, or theirs yet unborn. Ironically it was the decades of small booklets written by an early American who really encouraged the deluge. Benjamin Franklin, an enterprising young lad in a printer’s shop in Boston, tired of the whippings and the sleeping behind the stove, fled to Philadelphia. Here he trained in a printers shop, studied all he could in this and other trades, read all he could, and still in his 20′s he began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanac, which was an instant hit.

People loved Franklin’s timely wisdoms, history factoids, and overall tone that favored a life of hard work, diligence, respect for others and obedience to general standards of decent behavior, proper grooming, the value of a penny saved. This seemed such good logic to many of the barons of estates throughout Europe, and soon Franklin’s witticisms and reminders of early to bed, early to rise were being translated into many languages and being generously handed out. Unfortunately for the barons their messages had the opposite effect: that of creating in the serfs a desire to move to this promised land filled with fair minded people like Poor Richard.

And the flood has rarely slowed down since, from those sickly few to the world’s mightiest nation of three hundred million people, and growing daily. But until further settlements such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Savannah, and some English take overs such as Dutch settled Manhattan, named Niew Amsterdam, becoming New York: it was a doubtful matter. This initial settling of a handful of sickly English settlers around Boston and Jamestown to face a forested continent filled with lions and tigers and bears and resentful natives seemed ill fated; settlers kept dying of diseases, and infecting the natives. What to do?

Well, it seems, stir and mix; have Tom Jefferson send Lewis and Clark to the Pacific, and within decades families in conestoga wagons were creating a new mighty nation. While in this time ming made vases and Europe made war with itself, as always. Anything American is unique: Canada’s later wild west cowboys, many who were escaping American justice, were met and occasionally hanged by Canadian Red Coats. And Mexico’s amigos were not usually riding with the Texas Rangers, as any antique shop in any neighborhood makes clear. Just as Rome was Rome, America is America.
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under: Arts And Entertainment
Tags: English Pope, Liking, White Men
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World’s Most Famous Art Museums

Posted by admin in January 15th 2012  


Famous art museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art have one of the largest collections of art under one roof. Located in New York City’s Museum Mile area, it has over two million works of art within its permanent collection, which is split into 19 sections of interest.

The Met’s American paintings section also has one of their earliest sculptures from 1870 on display. Hiram Power’s California was one of the first pieces that inspired them to focus building the museum around American art. Over the years, the Met has built its collection of art that covers many areas. Their art section features paintings by Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Van Gogh amongst its 11,000 paintings on hand. They have also built sections featuring Asian Art, American Decorative Art, and Arms and Armory as some of the many sections that they feature.

The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles is a privately-run museum that has a wide collection of European art, Greek and Roman sculptures, and classic drawings. The museum also has an extensive collection of American photography collection, which is one of the only areas within its museum that focuses on American areas of interest. There is also a research center that was opened in 1985, where a staff researches information about the artifacts that exist and makes sure that the information being presented can be used in publications and workshops for presentation purposes.

The Musee du Louvre in France is one of the oldest, famous and most visited museums in the world. Known as a place where artists were allowed to showcase their art since the early days in the 1700s. The museum was formally opened in 1750, and much of France’s much neglected artists were allowed to present their works in this museum. They have owned collections of famous artists like Rembrandt and Da Vinci for years and have them up on display to the public.Visitors can view some of the favorite famous pieces, like the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, which has called the Louvre home for centuries.

The Louvre has over 380,000 pieces of art within its collection. It showcases 35,000 works spanning over eight curatorial departments in its current rotation. One of its highlights is the collection of 11,900 paintings on display. The museum also hosts exhibits on archeology, sculptures and objet d’art. They also have a permanent gallery showing large holdings of furniture, including the Bureau du Roi by Jean Henri Riesener.
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under: Travel And Leisure
Tags: Famous Artists, Musee Du Louvre, Paul Getty Museum
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Learning Politics Using Board Games

Posted by admin in January 13th 2012  


Many board games are based on some realistic life experiences, some deal with sports, real estate, and even banking. Then manufacturers came along and decided to add the process of politics to the line up of gaming options. The games are fun and educational, they also give you insight into the life styles and campaign strategies of people who are presidents, senators and congressmen. Learning what it takes to run the country and run for offices all over the world.

In one game called, “the Making of the President”, you are brought face to face with two of the most well know figures in American political history. You will meet the enigmatic John F. Kennedy and the controversial Richard M. Nixon,in a champaign that takes you back in time to the 1960 election. Through this political race, gamers meet and become one of the two very different political personalities. In the real life election Kennedy wins the race, but in this game, it is anyone’s game. This game allows you to find out what you will have to go through in order to be the leader of the United States.

In another game called “Die Macher” players are invited to check out the 7 political races that are conducted in Germany. This game requires the player to come up with their own party philosophy, and they must learn about how poll results are tabulated, they are introduced to how the media shapes the influence of any political race. All of these tools are available to make the political candidates, who enjoy playing this fun and exciting game go away with an in-depth understanding of German Politics.

Players of political games will also want to know how the political games work from different countries once they have experienced the process of the United States and Germany. To experience another interesting political environment, players will find the game, “Quo Vadis”, one of the more popular games. The Roman Senate is re-enacted during this game; you and the other players will have a chance to try to get your politicians in the committee’s best positions. It takes 45 minutes to find out which of your friends are the best qualified candidates.

Another political game shows another side of politics. In this game, players learn how to plot coups and assasinate political leaders and hopefuls. The game of “Junta” starts with the election of the “El Presidente” of the Republica of Los Bananas, and then it includes the people who are looking into gettin rid of their leaders and take over the country.

Then if players want to take their investigations of political board games one step further, they will want to play the board game “Koalition” in this game the players will learn the political process that is not one, but of 12 European countriess. The players then will try to gain power ad political influence in as many places as possible, they will convince the many political parties to join up to form the colitions that this person will need in oder to build up your countries power.

If you are interested in board games and politics, they will find many opportunities available for play, which will include both options. These games help gamers learn the political processes for many different countries, and who knows maybe one day they will become “El Presidente”.

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under: Home And Family
Tags: Campaign Strategies, Political Races, Richard M Nixon
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Is it too early to say that Democracy won and socialism lost in Massachusetts last night?

Posted by admin in January 12th 2012  


Will this wake up the politicians or will they just revert back to government by the politician and for the special interest and damn the people?
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under: Togetherness
Tags: Massachusetts, Politicians, Special People
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America Will Never Have Female President Until

Posted by admin in January 11th 2012  




Standing as the world’s biggest player of liberal democracy, since bygone history, America ha never had female president. Surprisingly, a first woman: Hilary Clinton is running for presidency 2008. If won, she would be the first female president of American history, and would be a world model for all women in the world.

Despite boasting the world’s first liberal democracy and corporate economy, America’s world’s stance has urged me to unilaterally discuss: “will America ever have female president?”

I dare to openly answer that “America will never have female president, until it consorts to give up its number-oneness in everything.”

President Kennedy, during his inauguration, stated that America will do anything for freedom and democracy. This would mean President Kennedy would go to war for peace and would turn friends in foes to realize democratic ideologies.

President Nixon bombarded innocent Cambodia, who was accused of helping Vietminh. But he ignored the Cambodian killing field from 1975 to 1979, which took no less than one million Cambodian lives. America, under the administration of President George W. Bush, launched its invasion into Iraq on March 20, 2003, massacring 655,000 Iraqis, many more have been seriously injured, and an entire society has been devastated. More than 3,400 American and other soldiers have been killed and nearly 25,000 injured (June 2006, Johns Hopkins University, published by the British medial journal). This is not the end, President Bush also warned military attack on Iran.

I hereby sum up the American bloody foreign policy and corporate ideologies by just throwing the above few facts. Will the prospective female American president be able to accomplish America’s world number-oneness? Will this prospective she president do anything: go to war for peace, turning friends to foes for America’s world number-oneness and liberal democracy? If yes, she can. If no, wait until she has such the mentality.
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under: News And Society
Tags: Johns Hopkins University, President George W Bush, Vietminh
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The American Constitution and Its Critics

Posted by admin in January 10th 2012  


The American constitution ratified in 1789 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most successful constitutions in the world since it has remained almost unchanged to this day while at the same time remaining a major source of authority in the United States . However there has been some serious criticism of it over the years. This article will outline and address the main criticisms made to the American constitution by its critics [1].

The strongest criticism made to the American Constitution is that it is an undemocratic constitution. Critics point to the fact that the Federalist movement was explicitly anti-democratic at the time of the drafting and ratification of the American constitution. The Federalists were initially not an official party in the early days of the republic but later on became one of the main two parties in the initial years of American independence. The Federalists believed that absolute democracy leads to the abuse of power and tyranny. Critics argue the constitution places a lot of limits on democracy like the indirect election of the president, undemocratic election of senators (later fixed by the 17th amendment) and many checks and balances on the powers of the different branches of government. They point out that the founding fathers of the constitution believed in the principles of a “Republican Government” which in reality is a sort of elite democracy. Although the critics are correct with regards to the worries of the founding fathers in establishing absolute democracy they tend to confuse the actual text of the constitution which should be the main area of concentration with the interpretations of it in the early days of the republic. Incorrect interpretations of the constitution are a completely separate matter and should be addressed in a different context. The actual text of the constitution places no major limit on elections and democracy [2].

The founding fathers like many other scholars in the world at the time believed that giving absolute democracy to the people will lead into chaos and eventually to tyranny. However their concern did not result in an undemocratic constitution. The fact that they placed many checks and balances on different branches of the government, such as how the President can veto legislation from Congress, does not necessarily mean that it is undemocratic. In fact, proponents argue that this approach is in tune with the real spirit of democracy in which a portion of the population cannot force its will on the entire population. Also with regards to the indirect election of the President it should be pointed out that at the early days of the republic, States enjoyed a lot of independence and power. This was natural since they had just been united and looked with suspicion and rivalry at other states. The indirect election of the president was a way to keep the power in the states and at the same time make sure that no single state took control of the country.

Another major criticism made to the American Constitution is that it places too many restrictions on the government. Critics point out that compared to the constitution of other countries, ‘technically’ much more restrictions are place on the American government by the constitution especially with regards to the executive branch. As an example critics point to the fact that the president needs permission for major decisions like declaring war and the signing of major treaties. As pointed our earlier, state rights were a main point of concern at the time and these restrictions were mainly placed by the founding fathers in order to preserve the power and rights of the states and thus prevent the Federal government by overrunning the power of the states. Also looking from another perspective this can be seen as an advantage rather than a disadvantage in the sense that the president cannot act alone and even though elected he or she still needs the approval of the people through their representative in congress for major decisions.

Critics also point to the fact that the constitution does not have clear boundaries between the power and authority of the main institutions and also regarding the power of the state and federal government. They argue that this has led to many confusions and also confrontation regarding the authority of institutions like the congress and the executive branch and also with regards to the power of the states and the federal government. Some scholars and analysts however see this as a one of the key reasons the constitution has been successful over the years. They believe that the very survival of the constitution has been due to the substantial room it has left for interpretation.

These scholars believe that being vague on controversial issues was the reason the constitution was ratified in the first place at a time when difference of opinion was very strong among the founding fathers. They point out that the reason a document drafted over two hundred years ago is still in use today is the fact that it has been drafted in a way that can be interpreted differently based on the time period and the circumstances otherwise it would have become gradually obsolete. To prevent misinterpretation and drastic changes in the path of the country the Supreme Court was given the exclusive task of interpreting the constitution.

In conclusion the US constitution remains one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. At the time of its ratification it was truly revolutionary in terms of providing equality and liberty for all its citizens. Even though there are has been some criticism to it in the past century most scholars agree that the US constitution with all its strengths and weaknesses is one of the most successful constitutions when compared to the constitution of other countries. The fact that it has remained almost unchanged to when it was ratified bears witness to its success.
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under: News And Society
Tags: American Independence, Democracy, Founding Fathers Of The Constitution
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Politics – The Id in Idealism and the Cyn in Cynicism

Posted by admin in January 10th 2012  


Idealism is a quality to be cultivated and nurtured. It is the idealist who helps us see things as they might be. It is the nature of some to be optimistic, upbeat, and encouraging. Usually, such personalities attract attention, respect and affection. Is it because they are always giving off similar signals to others? Sorting out the id, a person’s inherited, unconscious psychological impulses, and the cyn (sin) in cynicism (believing the worst) one needs to work hard at coming to a state of openness.

While cynicism is often all the rage, particularly in an election cycle, it surely is not representative of the best within us. Idealism is! So, choosing behaviors, which seems to be the one most suited to your disposition? Sure, it’s easy to pile on and denigrate and downplay, and arouse suspicion and fear. Of course, there are those whose paranoia loves to be fed and in great quantity. Naturally, there will be some who, even if the sky is blue and the sun is bright, will insist a storm is surely on its way.

During the next several weeks we will be tested to determine what the shape and nature of our collective lives will look like. In choosing leaders, we are saying a lot about ourselves. In siding with one point of view, we are also choosing to reject the other. The choices are complex, often troubling, and influenced by innuendo and even misrepresentation. So how do we sort it all out? How do we get to the place that our idealism is confirmed by how we vote? How do we arrive at the moment when we are sure that our choice, for us, is one we can live with?

+Read, read, read! And then research what has been read. I have been found with egg on my face on several occasions when I have concluded the veracity of some information or another and sent it on as “truth.” I even checked it out on Snopes.com, only to find no reference to the particular issue….until the next day…..when my mistake was revealed.

+ Converse with others. Their point of view may be helpful in developing your own. But….

+ Avoid being a copycat or Believing everything you see, hear, read on the Internet or from Television or in Newspapers and Magazines. Remember, they have biases too.

+ Filter your own views through the prism of rational decision making, careful thought, prudent insights, unemotional and objective processing.

+ Don’t get too worked up! It will likely cost you embarrassment and loss of friendships.

+ Be prepared to listen. But, if uncomfortable in a discussion, find an appropriate way to absent yourself from the discussion.

+ Finally, pray. This year the expression of an informed electorate is extremely important and necessary. We are entering into an era unprecedented. We need to be reinforced with a systematic understanding of what the consequences could be.

And, above all else, be sure you are registered to vote and do so on or before November 4.
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under: News And Society
Tags: Openness, Paranoia, Snopes
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  • What are the five greatest strengths and five greatest weaknesses for our American Democracy?
  • Delphi-The Treasury of the Athenians
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  • World’s Most Famous Art Museums
  • Learning Politics Using Board Games
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