Aphra Behn essays

Aphra Behn essays [...] a Devil on't the Woman damns the Poet. Aphra Behn, Preface to The Lucky Chance Aphra Behn (1640-1689) was not the first woman writer; neither was she the only woman writer of her day. But Aphra Behn holds the singular distinction of being the first professional woman writer in the English language. That's right, ladies Aphra Behn was the first woman writer who did it for money. It was a natural choice for this young woman, a recent spy for the crown and a widow at the age of 26, to turn to selling herself (in a manner of speaking) in order to survive.Many other women of the period did so; but instead of novels and plays, they sold something much more fundamental and far more common. Single women, whether spinsters or widows, often allowed themselves to be kept by rich men of the commons and nobility alike. Mrs. Behn chose not to sell herself but her wits and words, and was branded a whore for her efforts. Not much is known of her origins. Most biographers seem to agree she was born Aphra Johnson in or around 1640, and that she acquired her education and her connections at court through a noble childhood friend for whom her mother acted as a wet-nurse. She very likely traveled with her family to Surinam in her early 20s; at the age of 26, after having been briefly married to a Mr. Behn (of which nothing is known), she went to Antwerp as a spy for the crown. The mission was singularly unsuccessful, and she returned to England a debtor (very likely serving a short term in prison). When she got out, she began to write, at first "for bread," but soon she made it clear that she was writing not only for money but for fame and also to fulfill what she called "my masculine part, the poet in me" clearly asserting her rights as an artist despite her gender. She ...

The Cali Cartel essays

The Cali Cartel essays For the last half-century Latin America has have been deeply involved with the foreign trade and production of drugs, primarily cocaine. The dominant economic player in this market is the highland country of Colombia, which has produced some of the most powerful and fearsome drug cartels to date. Through struggles between rival cartels, one cartel has evolved into the predominant force and emerged in the 90s as the most powerful drug cartel in the world. The Cali Cartels aspects of distribution, organization, involvement in government corruption, and overall control of the market has made it infamous throughout the world. Though in recent years its ability to maintain control is waning with increasing US intervention and opposition from other governments. In the 1980s the Colombian drug trade was at an all time high. At the forefront of the market was the Medellin Cartel lead by Pablo Escobar. Under the leadership of Escobar the cartel turned into the fiercest and most brutal force the Colombians faced. In efforts to control this epidemic the Colombian government cooperated with the smaller Cali Cartel in its battle against the Medellin Cartel. Cali provided intelligence to the government forces seeking to eliminate Escobar. As a result of helping the Colombian government defeat the Medillin Cartel and gun down Escobar, Cali replaced them as South Americas principal supplier of cocaine. Cali begins the cocaine trade by purchasing cocoa leaves from Bolivian, Peruvian and Colombian farmers. After it is processed into powdered cocaine in secret jungle labs the cocaine is moved from the surrounding Amazon jungle to the points of initial distribution in Colombia. The center of the Cali drug trade is in the third largest city of Colombia, Cali. The strength of Calis distribution depends on two aspects of its trade, the initial exportation of the cocaine to the international markets and the int...

Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act Assignment

Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act - Assignment Example The loss of habitats for most wildlife is the main cause of listing of species. On listing of a certain species, legal and powerful means are availed to protect its habitats. In the same way, when resources are associated with the listed species, for example water in dry regions or free-flowing rivers, ESA is seen as a hindrance to greater human utilisation. ESA may also be controversial since the diminishing species usually are harbingers of broader ecosystem conflicts. This makes ESA a major driver of large-scale ecosystem restoration issues (Miller & Spoolman 315).Previous congresses have held oversight hearings on the implementation of certain federal laws and programs addressing endangered and threatened species (Snape and Weiner 61). Some of the hearings involved topics such as delisting and listing decisions under ESA to validate endowment levels for international programs of conservation. The 113th congress that will be held will include discussion of issues like how to allocate programs and activities that seek to assist the adaptation of certain species to changes in climate. Another issue that will be discussed concerning ESA will be concerned with the role of Science in making decisions on essential habitat designation, suitable fortification of listed species, incentives for property owners among other decisions (Miller & Spoolman 315). ESA is one of the most contentious environmental regulations due to its substantive requirements that influence the use of both non-federal and federal resources and lands. Under the law, species are to be listed as in danger of extinction based solely on the most significant scientific information without regarding economic factors (The University of Michigan 6). Congress is faces the matter of how to weigh the safeguarding of endangered species with economic interests (Heather & Snape 62). Strong opposition has been the major cause of failure to reauthorize ESA. The last reauthorization