Media changes Essay Example for Free

Media changes Essay Media changes the rules of how we can view the world. It lets us see that there are realities aside from the reality that we already know. The media shows, for instance, how tragic calamities like tsunamis and hurricanes could be. It also reveals that public school teachers in U. S. could also be violent and abusive towards their students. Now, if these realities didn’t come out of media, would we know that such injustices and inequalities still rampantly occur in human existence? Media also spreads bad influences like violence and pornography. However, these should not constitute the only basis for condemning media. Pornography and hostility already existed decades before media came out. Negligence of parents can’t be blamed for this violence. But it we want our children to view wholesome materials, then parents should initiate a move in monitoring their children’s activities and orient them what materials would be considered as garbage. Youtube. com is just one of the popular forms of media where the people visit to watch and upload videos. While some other sites have a team of reviewers to check on the videos beings submitted to their sites, YouTube o n the other hand is the free site where people can easily upload and access even the inappropriate ones. Inappropriate means videos containing obscene, violent, and offensive language. Kids 11-14 can say that there are videos with inappropriate content. Videos like Hentai (a Japanese pornographic animation) and Harry Potter Puppet Pals are examples of videos that have sexual, gory and foul content. These videos are obviously catchy to children. Indeed, children should never be deprived of their rights to be educated of ugly realities but posting violent and pornographic videos in a site where people, even the young ones, often â€Å"drop by† when they’re on the net could be dangerous. These videos might bring shock to these young, or they might think it is okay to show pornography. With all these issues, parents should guide their children on what they watch and, in some cases, what they upload. Some of these inappropriate videos can only be accessed when he/she registers and must not be a minor, but anybody could lie about the age. It is also advised that children below 18 should have parental guidance, but some parents are not aware that these sites exist. Some parents are not even familiar with the Internet. If children are guarded at home, the could always go to Internet cafes if they would insist or too curious to access these videos. This could still be possible since some cafe’s are very lenient when it comes to censorship. In our generation today, technology is changing and evolving every minute. Though measures are taken and warnings are given, improvement will only be realized with the virtue of responsibility. References Media Awareness Network (n. d. ) Violence in Media Entertainment. Retrieved October 12, 2008, from http://www. media-awareness. ca/english/issues/violence/violence_entertainment. cfm

The European Convention on Human Rights and its effect on the UK Judiciary Essay Example for Free

The European Convention on Human Rights and its effect on the UK Judiciary Essay The UK legislation incorporated the provisions of the ECHR or European Convention on Human Rights, with the enactment of the 1998 HRA or Human Rights Act. This measure imposed a grave responsibility on the English judiciary, with which it was in the least experienced. Every individual in the UK has certain rights and this new legislation compels the courts to decide whether any of these rights have been trampled upon by the different measures adopted by the UK government . In the process of this exercise, the judiciary has to scrutinize even the legislative actions of Parliament, and it has to analyze the effect of the acts of the state on individuals or groups. As such, the national courts, while conducting judicial reviews, had concentrated on whether the acts and rulings of government institutions and officials had been within the boundaries prescribed by the extant legislation. In this endeavour, the UK courts had, in general, ignored such transgressions by the Parliament . The enlargement of the scope of their rulings had proved to be quite a daunting task for the judiciary. In addition, section 6 of the Human Rights Act, requires the courts to conform to the rights provided by the ECHR. Any incompatibility with these rights requires the specific sanction of Parliament. Consequently, the courts have to conduct inquiries that are protective in nature and not prosecutorial . The Human Rights Act is efficiently implemented in the UK and it cannot be replaced by a separate Bill of Rights. The UK courts have greater flexibility in pronouncing verdicts and this was enabled by the HRA. The HRA also enabled the UK courts to function along the lines of the ECtHR. The decisions of the UK courts, in the context of human rights, will undoubtedly have an important influence on the jurisprudence of the ECtHR. Thus, the UK is now enjoying the full advantage of the margin of appreciation provided by the Strasbourg court . The provisions of the ECHR have been integrated with the British law through the Human Rights Act. Under section 4 of the HRA, the House of Lords and the Court of Appeal can derogate from the ECHR by declaring incompatibility with the ECHR. However, national courts are not permitted to declare statutes as incompatible with the ECHR. In the event if any national court declaring a statute as being in conflict with the ECHR; or in the event the ECtHR specifying that certain statutes are in conflict with the ECHR, the government can rescind or amend such conflicting statutes, under the provisions of sections 10 and 11. Section 12 of the HRA requires both the Houses of Parliament to pass a resolution, which seeks to implement such remedial orders of the government, which seeks to amend or to repeal a conflicting statute. However, in cases of urgency, a minister can do so and subsequently, seek the necessary approval . In addition, there are other requirements to be fulfilled. First, under section 3, the government must adopt a procedure to interpret the provisions of the HRA and the procedure it adopts must not conflict with the ECHR. Second, the HRA imposes on the public authorities a new legal obligation under which they must not act in a manner that is incompatible with the ECHR. Section 6 of the HRA states that this duty may not apply if a statute specifically requires them to act in such manner. As such, the HRA provides substantial grounds to oppose constitutional principles and the bill of rights . The current situation is that the development of legislation has fallen to the lot of the judges. This is an unprecedented development. The UK judges have to interpret and implement the Human Rights Act, in accordance with the Commission on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the court; however, this jurisprudence is not binding upon them. Consequently, they enjoy a significant amount of leeway in modifying the tenets of the ECHR to suit the circumstances obtaining in the UK. This makes the courts susceptible to the criticism that they have injected their own values into the legal system . In addition, the ever increasing importance of the judiciary will bring considerable attention to bear on their competence, structure and character. Despite the seeming vividity of the incorporation of the ECHR into the legislation of the UK; the effectiveness of this measure, to a significant extent, is dependent on the stance adopted by the judiciary, in this regard . As such, the European Union is very much seized with the task of engendering human rights, as is evident from its action of specifying a new charter of rights to be implemented on its schedule. This new charter is certain to prove much more effective than the Human Rights Act. This is due to the fact that the UK judiciary would have to uphold the rights bestowed by it, even at the cost of directly overriding the existing legislation . In the United Kingdom the citizens have fundamental rights. These fundamental rights are enforced within certain limitations and are subject to other legislation. The operation of the fundamental rights is usually seen in the context of their negative implications. For example, the right to freedom of speech is respected to the extent to which it does not contravene other legislation. Thus, fundamental rights are enforced only when they do not attract any legal provisions . The UK courts interpret the provisions of section 6(3) (b) of the Act in a restricted and limited manner. This narrow interpretation by the courts results in non inclusion of a majority of government branches in the definition of Public Authority. This ultimately results in the improper implementation of the rights provided by the ECHR in the UK. The courts are taking the institutional position of regulatory bodies in determining whether they are public authorities, under the scope of section 6(3) (b) of the Human Rights Act. In cases of infringement of human rights, the UK courts deal with them by adopting a proportionality test in an effort to arrive at a balanced ruling. This concept is at variance to the narrow interpretation that was being accorded in the past. The UK courts employ a broader and more balanced approach, in order to have greater flexibility in making decisions, in accordance with the precepts European Court of Human Rights. This wider application of the Human Rights Act by the UK Courts is aimed at ensuring the human rights and personal interests of the general public . The United Kingdom has no written constitution. Legal experts consider that in the absence of a written constitution, it is very difficult for the executive or legislature to operate independently. The royal prerogative and parliamentary sovereignty are the basic concepts that shape the UK’s legal order. In WEBB v OUTRIM , Lord Halsbury had stated that an Act of Parliament should be an Act of Parliament and none can go beyond that concept . The HRA integrated the ECHR into the laws of the UK. This enabled the ECtHR to decide human rights cases, of the UK. The UK has to comply with the decisions of the ECtHR. In this manner, the ECtHR gradually assumed control over the British judiciary. It criticised the new Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, because it infringed the human rights of British citizens who are also citizens of Europe. It pointed out that almost every aspect of the government’s attempt to curb terrorism on British soil was a violation of human rights . The United Kingdom had been a signatory to the ECHR and complied with the Convention. The British courts are directly enforcing the provisions of the ECHR. The HRA had successfully integrated the British law with the ECHR. The domestic courts in the UK are efficiently making use of the ECHR as an interpretative instrument in cases of legislative uncertainty. Individuals whose basic rights have been infringed can take the UK government to the ECtHR by filing a suit before it . This right of individuals can only be used after all domestic legal remedies have proved futile in redressing the wrong done to an individual. Therefore, bringing an appeal before the ECtHR entails a costly and elaborate procedure. However, this situation has been rendered much simpler at present. If a domestic court finds an act to be conflicting with the provisions of ECHR, then that court can directly award relief or remedy to the victim. It may award damages to the extent that it finds appropriate . Such a remedial action may include the award of compensation for damages ensuing from a breach of the ECHR rights. The court may allow the dispute to be relied on in other proceedings. The extensive powers bestowed upon the courts by the ECHR, has generated considerable constitutional objections. . The liberalization of the process of the interpretive method, which is a vital component of the HRA, poses a much greater danger to a democracy, in comparison to the predicted deference of Parliament towards assertions of incompatibility. Apparently, it looks as if there is greater validity for the right of Parliament to decide upon the law to be implemented in the UK, rather than the present interpretive procedure. Nevertheless this right of Parliament is susceptible to the current interpretive methodology . At its worst, the Parliament can enact a piece of legislation at its will and pleasure, and the national courts can rescind it on the grounds that it is not in accordance with the ECHR. The right of Parliament to make laws and the right of the judiciary to interpret them are equally and firmly ensconced. There is near unanimity of agreement regarding the view that it is the prerogative of the courts to interpret the law. This is due to the understanding that it comprises a component of the process of adjudication, which is considered to be its exclusive domain . The upshot is that Parliament cannot discard judicial interpretation of statute. In addition, it cannot express misgivings about the interpretive methods adopted by the judiciary. The reason is that such acts violate the constitution, in addition to being difficult to justify politically. Thus, judicial prerogative is invulnerable to the demands of democracy. In this manner there is the very real danger that the judiciary could make an inroad into legislative authority. This would render the HRA a very potent instrument for stifling or curbing elected governments, and could possible generates a number of doubts regarding its democratic qualities . The ECtHR assumed a secondary place in protecting human rights in Europe, and left the primary task or the active role to the member states’ legal systems. It had reduced its role to a subsidiary position, with respect to the national judiciary. From the perspective of the Convention it did so for two reasons. First, the ECHR had remained as the minimum standard for basic human rights. By assuming this position, it would be easier for the Member States to attach themselves to it without discontent and to easily comply with the minimum standards of human rights protection . The ECHR had aspired to become the first step in the ladder of protection of human rights, and it pre empted any descent below this conceptual ladder. Secondly, it aspired to distance itself from dealing with cases, in which the member states could possibly breach these minimum standards. It is practically impossible for it to deal with each and every case of violation of human rights. Therefore it did not aspire to be a threshold for every claim concerning human rights . This step forced the member states to shoulder the major responsibility for protecting human rights in their states. Article 13 ECHR requires the Member States to be under an obligation to protect the human rights of their citizens. Moreover, the appellants are under an obligation to approach all national legal avenues before invoking the ECtHR. They can approach it only when all other domestic possibilities have been exhausted. This is the prerequisite for the claims to be admitted before the ECtHR . Accordingly, the State courts are required to deal with human rights violation cases, to the extent that the state’s constitution permits them. If they find that there is a conflict between the state’s legislation and the obligations of the Convention, then and only then, the national courts should refer the claims to the ECtHR. In other words, national courts are required to possess knowledge about the provisions of the ECHR and the jurisprudence of ECHR’s institutions. In a similar manner, whenever the Convention imposes certain duties on them, the national courts are required to enforce them. In addition, if the Convention permitted some discretion in these duties, the national courts would have to determine the extent of the applicability of such discretion . The United Kingdom is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. However, it had not integrated the principles of the ECHR into its domestic law until the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998. The European Court of Human Rights had established that the Convention had not imposed any obligation on the parties to accord a direct effect of the Convention rules. However, it was an implied obligation on the part of the members to incorporate the provisions of the ECHR . Unconstitutionality was a concept which was alien to the English courts. However, over the centuries, the judiciary evolved as an important branch in the British constitution; which enabled the Law Lords to declare Acts of Parliament as unconstitutional. Furthermore, the European Court of Human Rights can also rescind some Acts of Parliament, which are in conflict with the ECHR. Despite these developments, the British judiciary had maintained its role as impartial and capable of providing balanced judgements. At that point of time, the Human Rights Act 1998 was enacted, which further influenced the British judiciary, albeit in a positive manner . The ECHR provided the maximum powers to the courts, like, judicial review and the repealment of offending legislation enacted by Parliament. The traditional concept of Parliamentary Sovereignty is slowly vanishing due to the decisions of the courts, which have been empowered by the ECHR. Therefore, it can be concluded that the adoption of the ECHR has significantly modified the role of the judiciary in the UK.

Political Disenchantment As The Greatest Threat Politics Essay

Political Disenchantment As The Greatest Threat Politics Essay Since the 1960s protests have become a normal part of politics in democracies. Does this threaten the stability of a democracy. So dissent occurs in democracies when there is a challenge to the legitimacy of the state or social system, or to dominant beliefs and values. The reason for political disenchantment is that citizens are also offered very little in terms of understanding the issues at stake by organisations or campaigners who treat the citizens as political observers when parties lose membership. But there are many more reasons as to why Political disenchantment seems to be on the rise. As constantly with the media there has been a dumb down in the news coverage so citizens have become less likely to understand underlying issues in respect of politics. Politics can be seen to fail when what it delivers is judged on a framework. The media feeds a culture where fact opinion and speculation, merge into one with a cynical view on politics. But the problem with this is that it disengages people and states that in the end selfishness will triumph. People therefore So when the media reflect on events that have taken place in the political arena it connects with political disenchantment as politicians are always the subject of the news for somethin g that they have done wrong. For example lying, yes politicians do lie sometimes but it generally rests upon to points; that being firstly we all lie some of the time and secondly there are many halfway houses that politicians may have to occupy uncomfortably to meet our expectations. A further example would be that people are very sensitive about the increasing rise in corruption and through corruption the reputations of politicians and political systems have been damaged. The real problem with politics even in democracies is that it is destined to disappoint, as it is a tough process of squeezing collective decisions out of multiple and competing interests and opinions. Populists see themselves as true democrats who defend the neglected interests of the people Gerry Stokers (stoker 2006) criticism of populists is that it fails to see the complexities of politics as changing the world as to how you want it, is a matter of capturing the will of the people. It should deliver what the people want, if it does not then it is down to corrupt politicians, the influence of do-gooders or big businesses. Additionally looking at globalisation and technological challenges to politicians in the 21st century, citizens have a sense of doubt that politics will be unable to deal with big issues effectively as people are more concerned with the planet and human species. Stoker insists that most people believe that their government does not act according to their wishes, this being because many people living in democracies are alienated from politics and feel that it does not work properly, so the types of people that the public would like to see with more power include intellectuals (writers and academics) and religious leaders. When it comes to politics most people are amateurs they have no intention about making it a career, as so Stoker further believes that people should be more reflective in their approach to politics and become more challenging included amateurs. Opportunities need to be more expanded for citizens to have a say about the issues they care about. People want a politics where they can say what is important to them, as having a say means wanting to influence. Not decide. But people tend to judge political decisions according to their own interests and circumstances , as people tend to assume that most other people agree with them. it would be false to say that a democracy without dissenters is a failed democracy, as if you have no one to disagree with you everyone would remain happy, no argument, no debates and it could only improve the world in which we live today, as people would be changing and making better laws, decisions not just made to help a single person but to benefit everyone. The statement is true as if this were to happen then it would not really be a democracy, as democracy is about trying to compromise and reach an agreement and so without dissenters you dont really have a democracy. Without dissent new laws cannot be set up as it really doesnt give any meaning. You are unable to limit the power of freedom of speech. Democracy is about equality so everyone has a right to vote, so without dissenters, the lower minorities could not get their views across, no line on opinions but a line in which they are expressed. When examining if it is terrorism that is the greatest threat to western democracies, some people see violence as a part of politics, others see it as when politics breaks down. Macintyre (Macintyre 1971) believes there are many reasons for people to use violence on political ends. On the other hand Honderich (Honderich 1986: 20) sees political violence or terror as a considerable destructive use of force against person or things a use of force prohibited by law directed to a change in the policies system. Terrorism is not a political ideology, but targets specific enemies as well as the innocent. E.g. Nazi Germany and the USSR rule under Stalin. Targets of terror could not defend themselves in law or by changing their behaviour. This can be seen in Italy under Mussolini as it was a repressive regime not a terror one because the legal system remained intact this can be seen with the amount of prosecutions (5,619) and the amount that were found guilty (998) as well as only 47 people being killed between 1921-1943. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union it has brought about greater uncertainty and diversity, as to what new type of ideologies are being formed. So when George Bush declared war on terrorism in the aftermath of 9/11 it fell in line with cold war imagery of the fight against communism, but terrorism or political terrorism is like no other isms. The crucial idea behind terrorism relates to the justification for the use of terror as a strategy, using violence to endanger and cause fear for those political ends. Terrorist groups and regimes are associated exclusively with either left-wing or right-wing thinking. Looking at the IRA it could be argued that the Brighton bomb was a political violent act according to O`Kane (OKane 2007: 27-48). But there were many attacks that were terrorist e.g. Dublin unless you can accept the warnings that were first. These warnings were for their supporters in order to let them know that they were trying to minimize their casualties. Hoffman and Graham state that you cannot be a terrorist if you are oppressing a repressive regime (Hoffman Graham 2009: 455). In conclusion disenchantment is the greatest threat to a democracy. Therefore if disenchantment was to occur in many or all western democracies citizens would leave the government to itself without taking any concern until an issue arises that affects them, (in a bad way) there will be revolt until something is done where these revolters are listened to and citizens could take to the form of political violence which in turn could lead to terror. So disenchantment does matter as it affects democracy, because democracy is a way of demanding through politics that all citizens have a right in what affects them, and so it is a guide as to how we should take collective decisions in society. This in turn should deliver what the people want as it is a way for people to get their voices heard. People like the idea of a democracy as it is the closest thing to self rule. But if terrorism was to take a massive boost in its members it would certainly be a great threat towards western democracies as terrorism targets both the guilty and the innocent, therefore not producing fear from intimidation but fear that comes from the unknown where there is no means of control.

Spirituality and Edna St. Vincent Millays Works Essay -- Edna St. Vin

The assimilation of human feeling with nature impacted the writings of Edna St. Vincent Millay throughout the entirety of her career. At an early age, on the coast of Maine, Millay had a quasi-religious experience while nearly drowning, that when written down ten years later became the foundation of one of her most staggering works, â€Å"Renascence.† The way in which Millay confronts and interacts with nature, namely the sky, is unnerving, raw, and beautiful. She transcends time and is enabled to take part in an empathetic experience with the entirety of what she perceives around her. This poem serves as a precursor to later poems that deal with the human and its counterpart in existence, nature. Over the course of her work, Millay was constantly reconfiguring her notion of God, humanity, and nature and how they were interrelated. This examination and understanding of a oneness with things is the theme found throughout her writing. In addition to â€Å"Renascence†, it is found in â€Å"Spring† as well as â€Å"Epitaph for the Race of Man.† The constant it seems is her communion with that around her in the natural world. Her offerings of interpretations and meditations on the earthly goods of nature and humanity showcase a pantheistic view of the world, in which everything equals God. The poem â€Å"Renascence†, which garnered Edna St. Vincent Millay instant fame as a poet and allowed her entry into her life as a writer was written when she was only eighteen, ten years after a near drowning incident off of coastal Maine. The poem deals with the spiritual experience of accepting man’s suffering and offers an extended and meditative view of nature as a presence that pushes and awakens the sense of empathy in man. The beauty of â€Å"Renas... ...even if these connections are made by the shared experience of death. It is in this connection to larger ideas and showing then, the connections to smaller entities therein, that Edna Millay is able to project a pantheistic sensibility, even if this is in the minor chord of foreboding destruction. The humanity that Millay is privy to in the understandings she obtains from the observation of earth, sky, season, and the cycle of existence is the paramount essence of her writing. The poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay is the poetry of evaluation of that which is shared and experienced. In each of her writings above, Millay has reconfigured the notion of nature and humanity, not as separate things existing in the same world, but rather two forces occupying each other’s space long enough that there is an indelible reference to each in the existence of the other.

A Winter Never to be Forgotten - Original Writing :: Papers

A Winter Never to be Forgotten - Original Writing In the terrible winter of 2002 a young man named Mark Kyle was staying in his parents cabin on the outskirts of Detroit. Marks fiancà ©e Kortney Skelly was to follow him up a few days later. On the night Kortney was to arrive Mark decided to plan a romantic evening to surprise her. As he began to set up candles around the dining room of the cabin for Kortney's arrival he discovered that there was not enough firewood to last them throughout the night. So he put on his winter jacket, stepped out into the cold and misty night and gathered firewood from the pile which was kept at the side of the cabin. As Mark was collecting firewood he noticed Kortney's car parked about fifty yards from the cabin. As Mark approached Kortney's car he noticed footprints and what seemed to be dragging marks. Mark began to get very worried as he started to follow the prints. As Mark followed the strange tracks into the dark, misty woods even his broad, bulky physique began to fiercely tremble with the fear of what he might discover. His dog Jack ran a few meters in front of him. Mark heard the distinct barking of Jack. Mark immediately ran towards the barking to see what had disturbed him. When Mark caught up with Jack he fell to his knees at the horrific sight that lay before him. Kortneys soft complexion and fine facial features stared Mark right in the face. He instantly tried to resuscitate her but unfortunately when he put pressure on her chest blood gushed from her lips onto Marks jacket. He hysterically lifted Kortney and carried her back to the cabin. When he reached the cabin he carried her into the living room and placed her on the floor. Mark then got a blanket from one of the guest rooms and gently wrapped it around her rigid, blood covered corpse.

Old Art :: essays research papers

In the 17th century tens of thousands of still lifes were produced - works on canvas, copper and panel - all lovingly painted and eagerly purchased. This summer the celebrated Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will host a remarkable exhibition featuring the finest examples of Dutch still lifes from 1550 to 1720. Some 70 major paintings will travel to Amsterdam from such museums as Te Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Musà ©e du Louvre in Paris, the Gemà ¤ldegalerie in Berlin, the Nationalmuseet in Copenhagen and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. Together with loans from private collections (e.g. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, the Frits Lugt Collection in Paris and the Michal Hornstein Collection in Montreal) they will provide a splendid overview of this popular genre for the first time. Never before has there been an exhibition which featured all the different types of still life: the colourful flowers, the juicy fruits, the sumptous banquets, the evocative 'breakfast pieces' and breathtaking examples of the illusionistic trompe l'oeil. This unparalleled exhibition presents spectacular works from such artists as Brueghel, Coorte, Rembrandt, Saverij, and Van Huysum. The exhibition is organized by the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio. The works of Dutch still-life artists continue to be internationally admired as unrivalled achievements in this genre because of the breath-taking rendering of materials, the subtlety of the compositions and the feats of perspective. Equally admired is the simplicity, though it is often only apparent and is rooted in subtlety. It is remarkable that these magnificent works were generally painted by artists who are not widely known. Who has heard these days of Floris van Dijck? Most people will associate the name Brueghel with Pieter, the 'Peasant Brueghel', rather than with his son Jan, whose flower paintings (cat. 3) make him one of the great masters of the still life. Who has heard of Pieter van Anraadt, the maker of the finest painted clay pipes from Gouda (cat. 46), or of Daniel Seghers, world famous in the 17th century for his matchless flower pieces? The Rijksmuseum highlights these great but little known artists in this special exhibition. The still life in the Netherlands The standard of Dutch still lifes of the 17th century is unparalleled. This special quality, the spell cast by the best still lifes, was achieved not just by a few but by quite a considerable number of artists. Old Art :: essays research papers In the 17th century tens of thousands of still lifes were produced - works on canvas, copper and panel - all lovingly painted and eagerly purchased. This summer the celebrated Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will host a remarkable exhibition featuring the finest examples of Dutch still lifes from 1550 to 1720. Some 70 major paintings will travel to Amsterdam from such museums as Te Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Musà ©e du Louvre in Paris, the Gemà ¤ldegalerie in Berlin, the Nationalmuseet in Copenhagen and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. Together with loans from private collections (e.g. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, the Frits Lugt Collection in Paris and the Michal Hornstein Collection in Montreal) they will provide a splendid overview of this popular genre for the first time. Never before has there been an exhibition which featured all the different types of still life: the colourful flowers, the juicy fruits, the sumptous banquets, the evocative 'breakfast pieces' and breathtaking examples of the illusionistic trompe l'oeil. This unparalleled exhibition presents spectacular works from such artists as Brueghel, Coorte, Rembrandt, Saverij, and Van Huysum. The exhibition is organized by the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio. The works of Dutch still-life artists continue to be internationally admired as unrivalled achievements in this genre because of the breath-taking rendering of materials, the subtlety of the compositions and the feats of perspective. Equally admired is the simplicity, though it is often only apparent and is rooted in subtlety. It is remarkable that these magnificent works were generally painted by artists who are not widely known. Who has heard these days of Floris van Dijck? Most people will associate the name Brueghel with Pieter, the 'Peasant Brueghel', rather than with his son Jan, whose flower paintings (cat. 3) make him one of the great masters of the still life. Who has heard of Pieter van Anraadt, the maker of the finest painted clay pipes from Gouda (cat. 46), or of Daniel Seghers, world famous in the 17th century for his matchless flower pieces? The Rijksmuseum highlights these great but little known artists in this special exhibition. The still life in the Netherlands The standard of Dutch still lifes of the 17th century is unparalleled. This special quality, the spell cast by the best still lifes, was achieved not just by a few but by quite a considerable number of artists.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Rising prices of gasoline and fuel shortage has led to popularity of vehicles that run on alternative fuel. Past decade has seen great thrust on technological researches in alternative fuels.. Due to distinct requirements of different sectors in transportation, the technologies vary. Passenger vehicles, public transport vehicles and freight transportation carry specific needs that are difficult to be met by a single alternative fuel technology. Some of the major and most popular of these technologies, where majority of research and development has taken place, are (Aldrich, 1996).1. Electric Vehicle. 2. Natural Gas 3. . Hydrogen and 4. Fuel Cells. Following section discusses the advantages of each of these types of alternative vehicles and their benefits over conventional gasoline based internal combustion engine. Electric Vehicles: In the case of a typical electric vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell or chemical batteries such as advanced sealed lead battery, nickel cadmium and lithium ion are used for auxiliary power (Aldrich, 1996Electric vehicles offer numerous benefits over the conventional gasoline based ICE, some of which are (Hybrid Electric Vehicles, 2007; Sanna, 2007, 12; Aldrich, 1996, 88 )Highly energy efficient as chemical energy is directly converted to electrical energy without any combustion Extremely high power density where a very small quantity of fuel can provide very high power. This is the reason why fuel cells are used in space flights-their compact size and high power make them ideal for space shuttles. Most environment friendly as the only byproduct of the process is water vapour. Disadvantage Extremely high cost that make them unaffordable for private or commercial use ConclusionBased on this discussion, it can be seen that natural gas (CNG) offers the best all round solution to the problem of gasoline shortage and rising fuel costs. Currently supplies of natural gas are abundant and switching over to them makes sound economic sense. It would also create an additional buffer time for development of further sets of alternative fuel technologies that would some day dispense with the need of petroleum based fuel options. Reference Bob Aldrich.. ABCs of AFVs: a guide to alternative fuel vehicles. California Energy Commission, Sacramento-CA. April 1996. April, 2008. http://www. p2pays. org/ref/26/25156. pdf