Factors Affecting Fdi Inflow in Tanzania

CHAPTER ONE 1 INTRODUCTION 1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TANZANIA INVESTMENT CENTRE (TIC) Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) is the primary agency of the Government of Tanzania to coordinate, encourage, promote and facilitate investment in Tanzania and to advise the Government on investment related matters. TIC is a focal point for investors. It is the first point of call for the potential investors; it is a â€Å"one stop facilitative centre for all investors†, engaging in the business of marketing Tanzania as an investment destination. TIC was established in 1997 by the Tanzania Investment Act No. 26 of 1997 to be â€Å"the primary agency of Government to coordinate, encourage, promote and facilitate investment in Tanzania and to advise the Government in Investment related matters† All Government departments and agencies are required by law to cooperate fully with TIC in facilitating investors. As a primary agency of the Government in all investment matters, TIC is charged with the following functions:- †¢ Assist in establishment of enterprises e. g. ncorporation of enterprises; †¢ Obtain necessary licenses, work permits, visas, approvals, facilities or services; †¢ Sort out any administrative barriers confronting both local and foreign investments; †¢ Promote both foreign and local investment activities; †¢ Secure investment sites and assist investors to establish EPZ projects; †¢ Grant Certificates of Incentives, investment guarantees and register technology agreements for all investments, which a re over and above US $ 300,000 and 100,000 for foreign and local investment respectively; †¢ Provide and disseminate up to date information on existing investment opportunities, benefits or incentives available to investors; and †¢ Assist all investors whether or not registered by TIC. TIC headquarters is in Dar es Salaam, but has established Zonal offices in Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and Mbeya regions in order to assist Investors who are based in nearby regions to access TIC services without necessarily traveling to Dar es Salaam. The Zonal offices are responsible in assisting investors to obtain all relevant permits, approvals and licenses they require in order to set up their businesses. In order to strengthen and expedite facilitation services, ten (10) Senior Officers from Government or its Executive Agencies have been permanently stationed at TIC to serve investors under one roof. Presently these officers include those from:- †¢ Ministry of Land, Housing and Human Settlement Development; †¢ Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA); †¢ Immigration Department; †¢ Ministry of Labor, Employment and Youth Development (Labor Department); †¢ Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing (Directorate Trade); †¢ Business Registration & Licensing Agency (BRELA).? 2 BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM FDI has been one of the principal beneficiaries of the liberalization of capital flows over recent decades and now constitutes the major form of capital inflow for many African countries, including some low-income ones like Tanzania. Economies are often considered less vulnerable to external financing difficulties when current account deficits are financed largely by FDI inflows, rather than debt-creating capital flows. There is no denying the importance of FDI inflows both for their contribution to sustaining current account imbalances in countries and for their contribution to broader economic growth, through technological spillovers and competition effects. Recent economic reports show that Tanzania lags behind neighbors Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and also Madagascar in its ability to attract foreign investors. A ccording to a top economic official, the failure to execute pro-business reforms is keeping prospective foreign investors away from Tanzania. (Konye Obaji Ori, Afrik. com, Thursday September, 2008). The Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania Investment Centre, Mr Emmanuel Ole Naiko, said â€Å"even countries with less attractive opportunities and resources were receiving more foreign direct investment because the culture of politicking and negative public sentiments against foreign investors in Tanzania were among factors impeding the inflow of investments in the country†. In recent years, the flow of FDI has been steadily growing. From 2004 to 2005, the inflow grew by 29 percent to reach US $ 916 billion). During the same Tanzania attracted US $ 330. 6 million. To ensure maximum benefit to the economy, potential factors affecting FDI flow should be researched periodically. (Tanzania Investment Report, BOT, 2006). A large proportion of the FDI flow into Tanzania has increased from 552 million US Dollars in 2006 to 600 million US Dollars in 2008, ranking the country among the top ten recipients in Africa. Given its dominance in financial globalization and the potential impact to the economies, FDI tend to pose various challenges to individual recipient countries. For example monitoring and evaluation of the inflows, maintaining macroeconomics stability, and undertaking institutional and policy reforms for the purpose or realizing optimal benefits from the inflows. These challenges obligates Tanzania to increase capacity to compete interms of attracting investments, gaining global market shares and improving social economic welfare. Therefore the main objective of TIC is to facilitate Investment for national growth by enhancing an environment conductive for business and entrepreneurship growth hence attracting FDI inflows. 0. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM For the past two decades, Tanzania had been conceiving several efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment. Major policy and structural reforms carried out since 1980’s played significant role in improving the investment environment in the country. These efforts have resulted into increase in FDI inflows into the country. However the increase in FDI and related investment posed a need to evaluate potential factors that induce the flow of FDI and should be emphases in this issue. The small number of investors in the country is usually contributed to weak economic performance. So it is important to identify factors that affect these investors not to invest in the country. It is also important to recognize the mixture of positive and negative effects of FDI bring into the country. The researcher will evaluate ways which can be used to maximize the effects of FDI hence leading to economy growth. Therefore the aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the potential factors that affect the flow of FDI into our country. 1. 4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE 1. 4. 1 General Objective. To identify and evaluate the potential factors that affect the inflow of FDI in Tanzania so that to maximize the effects of FDI hence leading to the growth of economy. 1. 4. 2 Specific Objectives †¢ To identify and evaluate the sources of FDI †¢ To analyze the role of FDI as a source of economic development †¢ To analyze the effects of FDI in the host country and how this can be controlled. 1. 5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1. 5. General Questions What are the Potential Factors That Affect FDI Inflows? 1. 5. 2 Specific Questions 1) Will policy measures lead to increase/decrease in FDI inflows? 2) What will happen is some companies with foreign ownership maintain offshore accounts, from whi ch their debt servicing is made directly, thus leading to unknown outflow? 3) What policy measures to be taken as FDI inflow into the country come from different countries with different investment requirement hence having different requirements? 4) What is the effect of availability of highly educated and skilled labor in FDI Inflows? 5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH 1. To the Target Government The study will provide information for developing policies on investment promotion and planning on future investment strategies. Also it will help in improving the necessary environment for attracting FDI inflows in the country. 2. To Future Researchers To help other researchers to conduct future study on the same problem given the gaps this might be encountered by the researcher. Also it can be used as reference for literature reviews on the same problem in other areas relating with FDI. 1. 6. 3 To the Researcher 1) The study is the partial fulfillment of the requirements for Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management to be awarded by the Institute of Finance Management. IFM) 2) The researcher will gain confidence to conduct other research Studies independently at his places of work as to solve long and short term problems due to widened ability in writing and reporting skills. 1. 6. 4 To Investors The study will be of much importance to local and foreign investors, policy makers , donors, academicians as well it will be a useful source of information about the factors that determine FDI inflow in the country. 1. 6. 5 Reference Period The study conducted may be used in the coming three (3) years. 1. 7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The study is intended to provide information on the potential factors that affect FDI inflow as well as bring out investors perception of the economy and business environment ranging from macroeconomic situation, infrastructure, financial governance and labour factors. The research will be conducted in Dar es Salaam region at TIC Headquarters and will take approximately two (2) months. The issues to be analyzed here are the potential factors that affect the FDI inflows, the sources of FDI into the country and the impact of FDI to the country both negatively and positively. 8. GAPS TO BE FILLED 1) FDI by locally owned companies has to be analyzed too, as many records shown by the past researchers are for the fully owned by foreigners or partially. 2) To add information on the previously done research on the gap trying to have a census on the set of potential factors affecting FDI inflows. 3) The study will try to overcome or at least reduce the gap as outline above. 9. CONCEPTUAL MODEL Tanzania benefits from FDI because these flows augment the limited Domestic savings and bring with it finance, managerial skills, technology, marketing expertise and market links. However new opportunities also bring risks that should be managed properly, especially in the case of policy reforms e. t. c. 10. ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY The Researcher anticipates the following assumption in the research process:- 1. 10. 1 Time It is assumed that the time will be sufficient to complete this study. The time given is not sufficient to make the researcher to make a comprehensive study. This implies that the researcher will face difficulties in gathering all the important information for analysis. 1. 10. 2 Respondents It is assumed that some of the respondents will cooperate. Some respondents will also be a problem in the study; this is because of their personal interest and might choose to be untruthful. Also there may be a problem of absence of respondents. 1. 10. 3 Access to Records A problem of fully access to some documents may pose a problem as some documents are termed as very confidential and thus cannot be accessed by anybody especially the outsider. 1. 10. 4 Funds It is assumed that the funds will cover what is on the budget. However any additional costs outside the budgeted one may pose as a problem; as there will be no additional funds from my sponsor. Inexperience in conducting research may lead to some delays hence increase in cost of the study. CHAPTER TWO 2. 0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 1 INTRODUCTION Many researcher has been conducted regarding the analyses of the major determinants of FDI flows but did not come to census on what can be specified as a â€Å"set† of major determinants of FDI inflows, as this varies from one country to another and from one host to another. (World Investment Report, 2008). The flow of FDI to different countries is unequal. The major sources and destination of FDI have been the USA, the European Union, and Japan. Europe is currently the largest recipient and source of FDI. Africa has been receiving the lowest share of global FDI despite efforts by African ountries to attract it. However the climate has improved over the past few years. The growth of domestic output has been greater that that of the population for the first time in years. (Recep Kok et al, Analyses of FDI Determinants in Developing Countries, Journal of Social Economics, Volume 36: 1/2 2009 PP105 – 123). Tanzania recei ved US $ 600 million in 2008 and became the third largest recipient of FDI in SADCC region. However Tanzania has an upside potential to attract more FDI because of its continued political stability, promising prospect in the mining and biogas, and tourism. (World Investment Report, 2008). 1 Meaning and Overview of FDI in Tanzania Recep Kok et al, defines Foreign Direct Investment is as a case where a resident entity in one economy acquires lasting interest in an enterprise in another country’s economy with significant degree of influence. The World Investment Report (WIR) 2008, which was launched by the Secretary General of UNCTAD Dr. Panithpakdi, indicates that the FDI inflow in Africa has recorded an impressive performance. It shows that FDI on the continent has hit a record and that Africa has the highest returns on Investment. The Government has continued to improve the country’s investment climate, by introducing different reforms which will be of interest to investors. However as everyone sees, the foreign investment is highly concentrated in some parts of Tanzania, in the big cities like Dar –Es-Salaam, Mbeya, Arusha e. t. c. Also it is concentrated in the mining areas like Geita, Kahama, Nyamongo, and Tulawaka. In areas where the only product obtained there is agriculture, there are no or few investments. (Tanzania Investment Report, 2006). FDI has some components which are:- 1) Direct Equity Investment; 2) Retained earnings attributable to non-residents; 3) Long-term shareholders and inter-company loans; 4) Short-term shareholders and inter-company loans; and 5) Suppliers credits from related companies. The surge of interest in FDI and multinational companies has been so high that in Tanzania there has been a high expectation in terms of what the companies can do and generally on the development effects of FDI. While FDI can, indeed, contribute to national economic and social development in many ways, the engagement and performance of domestic actors are very crucial. The effect of FDI largely depends on the policies of the host country. This goes beyond the mere liberalization of economies. Deliberate measures to develop human capital and physical and social infrastructure can also be valuable ways to enhance the quality of FDI that countries can attract. Tanzania is making major efforts to increase FDI inflow by improving the investment climate. It has embarked on wide-ranging policy, political and institutional reforms aimed at reducing (and if possible removing) barriers to entry of foreign capital, particularly FDI. Trade investment liberalization, privatization and the creation of various incentives for foreign investment have received considerable attention of the government. Regional economic integration bodies and free trade zones have been created to enlarge the size of markets and adopt common investment regimes at sub-regional and regional levels. These efforts are based on recognition that FDI can stimulate economic growth, generate new employment opportunities, promote transfer of new technologies and contribute to environmental sustainability in the region. (Oyeyinka, 2004) 2 FDI Inflow and Prospect for Tanzania Tanzanian’s Foreign Direct Investment has increased by nearly 15 Percent in 2008, mainly due to investment in natural resources Exploration projects already in operation. Tanzania has ranked number 12 among major FDI receiver African countries after Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria and Tunisia. Other countries ahead of Tanzania are Madagascar, Zambia, Ghana, DRC and Kenya. (World Investment Report, 2008). However, there is no reason why on earth countries like Zambia and Madgascar should surpass Tanzania, particularly when one looks at the natural resources endowments the country enjoys. Tanzania’s problem has been engagement in too many debates, which inhibited some the making of quick and timely decisions. Giving the example of a country like Mozambique, although it was devastated by the war, had managed to successfully develop its coal mines leaving Tanzanians to debate on who should develop Mchuchuma coal or Liganga iron ore deposits. Since early 1986, The Government of Tanzania, with determination, launched a comprehensive economic reforms and stabilization programme. In pursuit of this, agricultural marketing has been liberalized, foreign exchanged controls have been lifted, price deregulated, enhanced private sector involvement in the economy through privatization programme and the new investment code offering competitive incentives has been in place. These comprehensive economic reforms have resulted into improved competitiveness, lower tariffs, increasing levels of foreign investment in trade, improved key economic indicators and rapid integration into world markets. To this end, the Government is currently embarking on a strenuous exercise to upgrade its institutions and bring them at par with international standards. The expectation is to enhance the country’s competitive position for investment flows destined for the region and meet the challenges of globalization. Table 1:GDP Snapshot for 2004 |GPD |US $ 8. 8bn | |GPD per Capita |USD $ 240 | |GPD Growth |4. 3% | |Agriculture Value Added |47. 6% | |Industry Value Added |14. % | |Services Value Added |38. 0% | Source: World Bank Tanzania’s 15 years track record of largely satisfactory reforms has consolidated a favorable macroeconomic environment, which makes it one of the main incentives for foreign investor. Growth per capita is expected to increase by 3. 4% between 2004 and 2009. (Tanzania Investors Guide, 2002 and beyond). Table 2:FDI Inflows, 2004 – 2007 |Year |US $ mn | |2004 |183. 3 | |2005 |350. 5 | |2006 |522 | |2007 |600 | Source: Bank of Tanzania An increase in Foreign Direct Investment, apparently, indicates that the country’s investment environment has increasingly improved in the manner that investors are now able to predict more precisely profits to be accrued from their investment. Table 3: TIC Approval of Foreign Investment 1990 – 2000 |YEAR |US $ mn | |1990 |47. 25 | |1991 |471. 49 | |1992 |204. 9 | |1993 |527. 05 | |1994 |302. 99 | |1995 |263. 42 | |1996 |467. 85 | |1997 |384. 9 | |1998 |1464. 69 | |1999 |1211. | |2000 |767. 77 | Source: Tanzania Investment Centre 2. POTENTIAL FACTORS THAT ATTRACT FDI The literature groups the factors that attract foreign investment into two groups: external â€Å"push factors† and domestic â€Å"pull factors†. Among the â€Å"pull† factors are: a. Economic and political reforms that boost confidence in the economy; b. Reforms such as debt restructuring which ease the long-run foreign exchange constraint and therefore enhance the sustainability of fo reign exchange inflows; c. Liberalization of foreign exchange flows (both current and capital) in the balance of payments; d. Simplication of red-tape requirements for direct and portfolio investment; and liberalization of restrictions on private sector borrowing from a broad; e. Macroeconomic factors, these are fiscal policy, monetary policy, government stability, government spending regulatory frame work, state intervention in private business, and financial sector stability. The government has to have a clear look on these factors as they affect investors operations; f. The infrastructure and public services including inland transport, ports, electricity and water supply, postal services, telecommunications, customs services, immigration facilities, municipal services, banking services and credit rating; g. Diverse factors including corruption, internal security, domestic political scenario, regional political scenario, domestic economic situation, global economic situation and market expansion; h. Governance factors that include regional trade integration, trade policy, investment incentives, bureaucracy, and tax collection efficiency, effectiveness of legal law, land law and administration and speed of decision making; i. Inflation, availability of business credit, interest rate, depreciation on domestic currency, national payment system and exchange control are among the pull factors. Among the â€Å"push† factors are: a. The relative decline in international interest rates (mostly US dollar rates) when compared to interest rates in developing economies; b. Cyclical downturns in economic activity in developed economies, which reduce the demand for investment funds; and c. A move towards intentional diversification of asset portfolios by major portfolio investors such as pension funds and insurance companies. The literature identified both push and pull factors as being behind the increase in capital flows to developing economies in 1990s. However, it is domestic or â€Å"pull† factors over which policy makers can have direct impact in attracting inflows of private capital. (Asea and Reinhart, 1995) 3. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY TANZANIA TO INCREASE FDI INFLOWS There are several ways home countries can increase FDI inflows. These include; a. Reducing political risk by enhancing the credibility of reforms. Sub-Saharan Africa seems to be seen as one homogeneous continent and therefore the bad behavior of few governments often leads to a negative image for all. Credibility also matters for the sustainability of reforms. Reforms that are credible are more likely to be sustainable in the long run as economic agent react positively to policy measures and result in virtuous circle behaviors. (Kasekende and Bhundia, 2000) b. Political reforms, political disorder is very damaging to economic growth and is not conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investment (Kasekende and Bhundia, 2000). Political reforms should be aimed at building frameworks that are more inclusive, encourage power sharing and allow for enhanced public participation in political process. c. Insurance against policy risk. Home countries can sign bilateral or multilateral investment treaties that have legally binding elements establishing the obligations of the host country toward foreign investors from other signatory countries. d. Macroeconomic stability should be ensured, as it is prerequisite for attracting sustainable, long-term foreign investment into a country. Hadjmichael et al (1996) conclude â€Å"the most important impact of policies on private investment behavior was through their effect on macroeconomic instability and uncertainty†. This suggests that greater macroeconomic instability can have a considerable adverse impact on domestic and foreign private in investment. e. External burden should be reduced. In many African countries external debt servicing, most of it official, continues to exact a significant burden on finances. In principle, heavy external debt does not automatically translate into low growth. Growth in export earnings can allow for continued importation investment goods to maintain growth while servicing external debt at the same time. However, if borrowed money is invested primarily in non-traded sector; then the situation will arise where the economy is unable to pay for imports required to maintain growth. 4. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FDI AS A SOURCE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH According to B. Seedha et al in their paper â€Å"Foreign Direct Investment in Africa†, FDI is simply a source of capital. The impact of FDI is dependent on what form it takes. This includes types of FDI, sector scale, duration and location of business and secondary effects. It is important to note that while some have experienced growth because of large FDI inflows, others have not. FDI can contribute to gross domestic products, gross fixed capital formation and balance of payments. Other contributions FDI can make to host country economy include assisting in debt servicing repayments, stimulating export markets, and producing foreign exchange revenues. Another aspect of FDI is that it can serve as source for economic development is in currency stability. FDI can contribute to social development by increasing employment and wages and by replacing warning market sector. FDI may offer poverty reduction, since poverty is related with unemployment. High levels of FDI do not necessarily show domestic gain (B. Seedha et al). Other factors may limit the economic gain to the host country’s economy. Example of such factors includes corporate strategies, and importation of goods and resources used in production. However FDI is mostly affected by country’s instability. The gain in employment, wages and so on may be realized by very small part of the population. When this happens wage differences between income groups will increase and the distribution of income may become unequal. Another negative effect of FDI as a source of economy is where the parent companies dominate the local market, leaving the local companies with no where to go. CHAPTER THREE 3. 0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3. 1. INTRODUCTION This section describes the methodologies framework of the study which includes Research paradigms, Research Design, types of measurements, data collection methods and approach, types of data, sampling techniques, sampling procedures, reliability and validity of data, management and analysis of data and limitations of the study. 3. 2RESEARCH PARADIGMS Paradigms or â€Å"School of Thought† in research scholarship are accepted ways of looking at reality and the consequent approach/methods to generate knowledge that is held by a group of intellectuals who have wide influence in that subject area. The basic premise behind the paradigms is based on how people view reality (Lufumbi, 2008). 3. 3 RESEARCH DESIGN: Research design is the overall plan of the research. It is referred as a blueprint for the collection, measurements and analysis of data. During the study the Case Study design will be used. This is due to the fact that the research will be conducted in a single organization, and also case study design allows variety methods of data collection methods. In addition to that case study design will gives the room to researcher to make rigorous analysis of the organization under the study. Case study design is also less costly compared to other research designs. However the case study design limits the researcher from generalization to other unit of the same kind because it may not be a true representative sample. It allows the researcher to be able to get close to the sources of information. 3. 4 RESEARCH TECHNIQUES: In analysing the data the researcher will adopt both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Tables will also be used by the researcher to present the information where applicable. 3. 5TYPES OF MEASUREMENTS Measurement is a process of assigning numbers to objects or observation, the level of measurement being a function of the rules under which the number assigned (Kothari, 2004). Technically speaking measurement is the process mapping aspects of range according to some rules of correspondence. The measurement of the collected data will be delivered score that will be obtained from the respondent when making sense of data that would make from the research development. The delivered score will be of course those from face to face interview, questionnaires, documentations and observation. 3. 6 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES: The simple Random sampling approach will be used to select the sample. The researcher expects to follow the following approach in selecting the sample:- †¢ All Foreign Investors registered with Tanzania Investment Centre as a population to be studied will be identified through the register. Sample of foreign investors will be drawn randomly. †¢ Judgment approach to sampling will be used to select the items to be studied. 3. 7 DATA COLLECTION METHODS AND APPROACHES The data to be collected are those which will be able to address the research objectives and answer the research questions. Both primary and secondary data will be used in this study and the research intends to use several relevant data collection method to collect them. 3. 7. 1Primary Data Primary data are original works of research or raw data without interpretation or pronouncements that present of official opinion or position. Secondary data are those data obtained from literature sources. These are the ones that have already been collected by the other people for some other purposes. This is second had information. Secondary data include both raw data and published ones (Sunders et al, 2000). The following methods will be used in collecting primary data; Interview: This method will be use for the purpose of seeking clarifications on some of data collected. For this reason the interview will be in form of verbal and unstructured. Questionnaire: The researcher will set relevant questions on factors attracting FDI inflow, and those questionnaires will be distributed to different staffs who will answer them. This method will be used to give adequate time to think about the question and respond to them accordingly. These will be administered to TIC staffs in order to collect data relating to such issues like what they think attract foreign investors to invest in Tanzania, what hinder foreign investors to invest in the country, the advantages of FDI inflow in Tanzania. , and how do they purchase, issue and receive stores. Observation: The researcher will observe and participates directly in daily activities of TIC. This will enable the researcher to analyze each particular activity effectively and appropriately. Also this method will make help to the researcher to detect the behavior of the respondents a) Documentary Source In this course of collecting data, the researcher will be trying to go through different document held by TIC. 2. Secondary Data The researcher will collect secondary data through the review of various literatures from different sources such as minutes, reports, policies and legislation regarding the investments in Tanzania. 7. RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF DATA The researcher will make sure the measurable data are valid by controlling the questionnaires, and interview and ensure that are directed to the right person at TIC and make sure the reliability of the data by reviewing information which is from reliable and right documents. 1. Reliability Reliability refers to the question of whether a measuring instrument or process can produce the same results if successively employed by different researchers (Ndunguru, 2007). It refers to the extent to which a measure is giving consistent and stable results in a measurement process. 2. Validity Validity helps us to measure what it sets out to measure consistently and in a stable manner. It refers to persistence of systematic error in measurement process (Ndunguru, 2007). The validity of the research results is ensured id adequate physical or statistical control is put in place such that research measurement process produces accurate data. Generally validity is about a researcher measuring what he/she out to measure. 8. MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS OF DATA 1. Data Management Data will be collected from respective sources by using questionnaire, personal interviews. The respondents are randomly selected. However whenever the approached interviewee was not accessible at that time, the next nearest interviewee will be approached. 2. Data Analysis The data collected from questionnaires, interviews and documents is going to be edited, coded and summarized in order to get information relating to problems. The researcher will analyze and test the data using descriptive method, text and schedules, and tables will be used to validate relationship between variables. 3. 9. 3 Data Processing The researcher will use coding in data processing. This includes numbering and heading so as to simplify and reduce the ambiguity to the reader. Collection of data using questionnaire will be entered in the computer so as to make coding. 3. 9. 4 Data Presentation The findings of the study will be presented in a form of narration description with illustration of tables and diagrams where applicable. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY Immanuel D. Mzava & David Hillier (2004) â€Å"Does Country’s Tax Structure determine its Foreign Direct Investment Flow? † The African Journal of Finance & Management, Volume 14:1 Barbara Seedha, Lauren Maxwel & Joseph Horton (2000) Foreign Direct Investment in Africa† The African Journal of Finance & Management, Volume 14:1 Bank of Tanzania (2001) â€Å"Report on the Study of Foreign Private Capital Flows in Mainland Tanzania† Tanzania Investment Report. Bank of Tanzania (2006) â€Å"Report on Foreign Private Investment in Tanzaniaà ¢â‚¬  Tanzania Investment Report. Recep Kok & Bernur Acikgoz Ersoy (2009) â€Å"Analyses of FDI determinants in Developing Countries† International Journal of Social Economics Volume 36: ? PP 105 – 123 www. emeraldinsight. com Bhinda, N and M. Martin (1994). â€Å"Eastern Africa – Survey of Foreign Investors†, Report by Exocomisti Association for the World Bank. Chege, M (1999). Politics of Development: Institutions and National Governance†, Paper presented for Africa in the 21st Century Initiative (Washington D. C†¦ World Bank) IMF (1999). â€Å"The Cross-Border Initiative in Eastern and Southern Africa†, African and Policy Development and Review Department, IMF. Kasekende L. and I. Hussain (1997). â€Å"Private Capital Flows to Sub-Saharan Africa: What’s the Real Story? Paper presented at Seminar, A New Paradigm of Financing Development and Development Cooperation, March 1997, Stockholm. Kasekende L. , D. Kitabire and M. Marti n (1998). â€Å"Capital Inflows and Macroeconomic Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa†, in G. K. Hellier (1998). Capital Accounts Regimes and Developing Countries (London: Macmillan Press) Kasekende L. and A. Bhundia (2000). â€Å"Attracting Capital Inflow to Africa: Essential Elements of a Policy Package. Advanced Unedited Copy. UNCTAD (1999), â€Å"Foreign Direct Investment in Africa: Performance and Potential†, (New York and Geneva, 1999). TIC (2002 and beyond). â€Å"Tanzania Investors Guide: Investment Opportunities and Facilitation† (United Republic of Tanzania, March 2002) C. Makunike (Tuesday, September 30, 2008). â€Å"Tanzania’s Foreign Direct Investment inflow up by 15 Percent†. (www. tradeafrica. com) D. Makangale (Thursday, January 22, 2009). â€Å"Investment Climate Attractive† (Tanzania: Daily News Paper) Macias J. B and Massa I. (June 2009). The Global Financial Crisis and Sub-Saharan Africa: The Effects of Slowing Private Capital Inflow on Growth† Results of ODI Research Presented in Preliminary Form for Discussion and Critical Comment. (London: Overseas Development Institute). Oyeyinka, B. (2004). â€Å"How c an Africa Benefit from Globalization†? ATPS Special Paper Series No. 17 www. tic. co. tz visited on 3rd March 2010 APPENDICES APPENDIX I Institute of Finance Management, P. O. Box 3918, Dar es Salaam, 10TH March, 2010. Dear Respondent, I am a student at the Institute of Finance Management undertaking Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management. I am researching on the â€Å"Potential Factors that Affect Foreign Direct Investment Inflow in Tanzania†. The questionnaire aims at finding data for a research paper to be presented to the Institute of Finance Management as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Award of Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management. I kindly request you to put a tick after appropriate answer and where applicable explain why when requested to do so. The information you give will be strictly confidential and will be used for the purpose of this research. Thanking you in advance. Yours truly, Kwareh, Karerema R. APPENDIX II RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE A: GENERAL INFORMATION Date completed: ________/_______/_________ Centre Name: ______________________________________ Name and position of the person completing this questionnaire: ____________________________________________________________ _ Centre Address: _____________________________________________ Tel: __________________ Fax: _______________ E-mail: ____________ Please give details of alternative person whom I may contact incase I have any questions: __________________________________________________________ Date of Commencing Operations: _____________/ _____________/ __________ B: GENERAL QUESTIONS 1. To what extent have the following macroeconomic factors affected investment in our country? |Very strong +ve effect|Strong |Limited +ve Effect |No Effect |Limited |Strong |Very Strong –ve Effect| | |+ve effect | | –ve Effect |–ve Effect | | |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |7 | At start – upNow Fiscal policy( ) ( ) Monetary policy( ) ( ) Government Stability( ) ( ) Please add any additional Information ____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ______ 2. To what extent have the availability of condition of the following I nfrastructures and services affected in our country? Very strong +ve effect|Strong |Limited +ve Effect |No Effect |Limited |Strong |Very Strong –ve Effect| | |+ve effect | | |–ve Effect |–ve Effect | | |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |7 | At start – upNow Inland transport (roads, rails)( ) ( ) Access to seaport( ) ( ) Airport and Air transportation( ) ( ) Electricity supply( ) ( ) Water supply( ) ( ) Please add any additional Information ____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ______ 3. To what extent have the following financial factors affected investment in Tanzania? Very strong +ve effect|Strong |Limited +ve Effect |No Effect |Limited |Strong |Very Strong –ve Effect| | |+ve effect | | |–ve Effect |–ve Effect | | |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |7 | At start – upNow Inflation( ) ( ) Availability of business finances/credit( ) ( ) Interest rates ( ) ( ) Depreciation of domestic currency( ) ( ) Exchange Control( ) ( ) Please add any additional Information ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________ 4. To what extent the following governance factors affected investment opportunities in Tanzania? |Very strong +ve effect|Strong |Limited +ve Effect |No Effect |Limited |Strong |Very Strong –ve Effect| | |+ve effect | | |–ve Effect |–ve Effect | | |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |7 | At start – upNow Regional Trade( ) ( ) Trade policy( ) ( ) Bureaucracy ( ) ( ) Tax collection efficiency( ) ( ) Land law & administration( ) ( ) Please add any additional Information ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________ 5. Please specify the most important factors that influence your initial decision to invest in Tanzania? ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ______________________________ 6. What is the likely direction of foreign direct investment in Tanzania in the medium term? Please tick appropriate box |Expansion |No Change |Contraction | | | | | 7. What measures can the government undertake to improve investor’s attractiveness to continue investing in Tanzania and attract new investors? a. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ b. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ c. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ d. ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Thank you for your time. APPENDIX III TIME SCHEDULE This timetable will be of great help to me as a researc her to organize activities to be carried out and allocate the time accordingly. This will act as my guideline. The estimated time of conducting the research is 9 weeks. |Week |Activity | |1st – 2nd Week |Preliminary preparation i. e. research proposal, budget, finding the | | |assistant for help if necessary e. t. c. |3rd – 4th Week |Preparation of questionnaires, visiting the respondents and distribution | | |of questionnaires | |5th – 6th Week |Collection of questionnaire from respondents, analysis of the data, | | |verification and processing | |7th – 8th Week |Revising the paper, re-writing and bidding | |9th Week |Presenting the paper and defending | APPENDIX IV RESEARCH BUDGET |1. 0 |STATIONARY |TSHS | |1. 1 |Ream of ruled paper x2 @ 7,000 | 14,000 | |1. 2 |Ream of A4 plain papers x 2 @ 8,000 | 16,000 | |1. |Flash Disk x 1 @ 50,000 | 50,000 | |1. 4 |Ball pen, pencil, collection fluid | 10,000 | |2. 0 |SECRETARIAL SERVICES | | |2. 1 |Proposal: Typ ing and printing x 2 copies | 100,000 | |2. 2 |Research: Typing and printing x 2 copies | 150,000 | |2. 3 |Binding | 50,000 | |2. 4 |Photocopying of documents | 20,000 | |3. |RESEARCH EXPENSES | | |3. 1 |Assistance Researcher | 80,000 | |3. 2 |Transport to and fro | 250,000 | |3. 3 |Breakfast/lunch e. t. c | 100,000 | |3. 4 |Consultation | 50,000 | | |Sub-total | 890,000 | | |+ Contingency 30% |1,157,000 |

Professional Action Plan Essay

I am a firm believer that in order to best choose what to do with your life, you must first know who you are in life. Self-awareness can help create a happy, balanced, and fulfilled existence on a personal and professional level. This can equate to success on both sides of the spectrum. HCS/449, Health Care Capstone has helped me understand this statistic more clearly and it will be etched in my psyche for years to come. I will aim to expand on this knowledge of self and how I may effectively convey it to the world around me; specifically the world of health care on a management level. I am a: hard worker, high performer, fast past learner, self-starter, team player, and work well under pressure. I am a motivator by choice and possess keen communication skills. I was lastly employed in the health care industry in 2010, to pursuit a BSHA and will return to the industry as a more valuable asset. My extreme passion is sometimes misread as aggression and I am strategically learning to control my passion to fit my environment. The objective of this essay is to answer: what my professional goals are, what job I plan to have in the health care sector, what skills I currently have for this job, which skills I need to change or alter, my plan for ultimately achieving my professional goals, what professional organizations can help me achieve these goals, and what benefit does the career action plan outline? Professional Goals The health care industry is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries. I am eager to return back to it, for it is one that I love.† Employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.†(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012) At a minimum I seek to obtain a career in health care administration on a management level and ultimately work my way towards executive leadership. My sights are set high because I would like to make a difference in the industry and I feel that I am highly capable of being a good steward in the capacity that I seek to serve. Job Interests There are so many jobs that interest me in the health care industry on a management level. Medical and health services managers also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They might manage an entire facility or specialize in managing a specific clinical area or department, or manage a medical practice for a group of physicians. As healthcare changes, medical and health services managers must be able to adapt to changes in laws, regulations, and technology. Upon conducting an assessment of self, I realized that I enjoy making a positive difference in the life of others , being a voice of reason, and an advocate for identified much needed change. That result has led me to the decision of wanting to be a source of knowledge and advocate within the health care industry, taking on a managerial role in any aspect to make a difference. I would like to take on an active role of accountability and assist in bringing about positive change for the consumers and stakeholders alike. Accountability is defined as â€Å"the act of accepting ownership for the results or the lack thereof† (Sullivan & Decker, 2005, p. 144). † Accountability in health care encompasses the procedures and processes by which health care leadership justifies and takes responsibility for its activities such as achieving various organizational goals. Health care providers and officials are constantly striving to improve quality and efficiency in health care by using performance management systems and quality improvement initiatives. Creating and maintaining a culture of accountability in health care is important because accountability is the reason for measuring and improving performance towards the aim of rendering quality, efficient health care.† (O’Hagan & Persaud, 2009) Skills I have a broad range of health care services skills afforded to me by the United States Air Force with a job occupation of 4A071, Health Services Management Craftsman. â€Å"The occupation description from service file for 4A071: Manages health services activities. Plans, develops, manages, and performs health services activities. General Duties and Responsibilities: Performs resource management functions.† (Verification of Military Experience and Training, 2010) I have been trained to perform duties in support of patient services activities to include: admission and disposition procedures, outpatient and inpatient records functions, medical terminology, inpatient unit administration, appointment booking systems, managed care programs, third party liability, medical air evacuation of patients, and information management skills to name a few. In addition I have management and supervisory experience in each capacity. All of my previous skills go hand in hand with the information being afforded to me in the University of Phoenix, BSHA program. Needed Skills Medical and health services managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Prospective medical and health services managers have a bachelor’s degree in health administration. These programs prepare students for higher level management jobs than programs that graduate students with other degrees. In addition to education other needed qualities consist of: analytical skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, technical skills, and be detail oriented. I truly feel that I possess these much needed skills and excel at them although there is always room for improvement on every level. The only credential I seem to lack is a BSHA in hand. However, I am well on my way to achieving this personal and professional goal that I have chosen and set for myself. My expected time of graduation is May 2013. Ultimate Plan My plan for ultimately achieving my professional goal is to complete the BSHA program at University of Phoenix and be able to meet the minimum education requirements of qualifying to become a health care manager. I will continue on with my education and pursue a MHA to bring about more opportunities and expand my health care knowledge because I feel that it is necessary to advance. I would like to remain current with policies, procedures, and health care laws to bring my best into any organization that affords me the opportunity to be a part of their establishment. I will also seek out professional organizations that can help me achieve my professional goals by way of networking and mentorship. Partnerships are vital in succeeding in the health care industry and I understand that now. I am now curious about joining the American Council for Health Care Executives (ACHE). I think this organization could definitely help me in achieving my professional goals. I think I would also be a valuable asset to their professional organization as well. Action Plan Outline Initially, I was perturbed by the idea of having to complete a career action plan outline, but in all honest it helped. It served as a writing guide and helped shape what I wanted to say. It also served as some sort of SWOT analysis. It highlighted my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to selecting a career that I identified as seeming right for me. Conclusion This assignment was highly effective. My career goals have been set and my career action plan is complete. I know what I have done, what I can do, what I want to do, and what I need to do. I have been equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge of making my dreams a reality. I have some immediate goals, and some long term goals. They are all a work in progress but well within reach. Achievement starts with me. References Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Medical and Health Services Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm (visited August 13, 2013). DD Form 2586 (2010) Verification of Military Experience and Training O’Hagan J. & Persaud D. (2009) Creating a Culture of Accountability in Health Care Retrieved from http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/static?pageid=935642 Sullivan, E. & Decker, P. (2005). Effective leadership and management in nursing (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Media Ethics and behavior

With the most resent massacre at Virginia Tech the issue of media ethics has once again been brought into question.   This, I believe, is because of the need to understanding why or how this could happen.   Perhaps this understanding could prevent another violent incident from happening to our children and to our society and allow a certain type of closure in our grief. In researching the topic of journalistic ethics and its effects on behavior, I found three distinct concerns that related to the Virginia Tech massacre the first; does the media influence or encourage behavior? And if so, what steps is the media taking to understand this issue?   Is the media industry trying to create a plan to regulate how incidents of this nature are portrayed, or how they will be reported and in what context?   The second is on the issue of gun control; are United States laws on gun ownership not strict enough?   Do we need to get tougher?   Should we create more laws? And third is American society failing when dealing with mental health issues?   Is there enough studies being done or funding for mental health issues?   It should also be noted that in all the information on violent behavior everyone agrees that there is not one single indicator that will predict human behavior and that all avenues must be explored to fully understand human behavior which is very complex. In the United States children and young adults are among the highest at risk for experiencing violent crimes and violence.   We can also claim that a large portion of our time is spent interacting in the world of media.   Some forms of media used by American adolescents have been found to be very violent and this is where the question of media’s effect on behavior comes in.   Shortly after the Virginia Tech incident a USA Today article told of a popular game called â€Å"Assassin†. This game is played on both college and high school campuses across America.   Police officers have been urging students, â€Å"to halt the games, which involve ambushing other players with sometimes realistic looking toy gun or other objects, after the Virginia Tech shooting last week that left 33 people dead†.   The local authorities did this as a preventive measurement for the safety of the kids playing as well as others by mistaken intent (Welch). Serious crime by adolescents rose greatly in the late 1980s, and peaked in 1994. Since then juvenile crime has declined even faster than overall crime, and violent offenses by juveniles have fallen back to 1980s levels. In 2000, juveniles accounted for 17 percent of all violent crime arrests and 32 percent of all property crime arrests.   According to federal statistics juveniles account for only 9 percent of those arrested for murder, but make up one-quarter of all robbery arrests and 53 percent of all arson arrests. Since the number of Americans under the age of 18 is projected to increase, some juvenile justice experts argue the juvenile crime rate may increase as well (Public Agenda.org). But regardless of how the media reports on school killings, society needs to develop better ways of helping their children when viewing or in some cases experiencing violence.   Teaching individuals at a young age that violence in any form is not tolerated and work at understanding why young individuals see violence as a method for solving problems. The Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Student Press joined together to discuss how school violence is to be covered.   The discussion was to try to see how to balance reporting the news with minimizing harm to students across the country.   If shooters get their â€Å"fifteen minutes of fame†, especially is they are dubbed as the heroic outlaw, then this opens the possible problems of increasingly more disenfranchised â€Å"nobodies† who may view violence as a way to become noticed. Reporters pressured to get the story and make it central on the nightly news may not be sensitive to the effects of their coverage in the larger scheme of things (Fitzgerald and Mitchell).   Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the important to justice and the foundation of democracy. The organization also believes that the duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. They believe that all journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. They go on to say that professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice (www.spj.org). This organization, Society for Professional Journalism, believes that ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.   They must be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy and recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance. Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy. Journalist must show good taste, avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes, be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges and balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed. Journalists should also â€Å"avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived, remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility, refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.   Journalist should disclose unavoidable conflicts, be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable, deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage and be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news† (www.spj.org). The meeting produced many ideals to help reporters and the public when dealing with violence and kids. As juvenile crime increased in the 1990s, nearly every state passed laws making it easier to prosecute juveniles in adult courts for serious offenses. Supporters say many juveniles are hardened criminals despite their youth, and maybe it’s not appropriate to handle serious crimes like murder and rape in the juvenile justice system. Critics say juveniles tried as adults will not get any of the counseling and rehabilitation services that might prevent them from committing more crimes. In surveys, most Americans endorse trying some juveniles as adults, but they also believe rehabilitation programs can be effective. Student journalists hope to educate the professionals about how to deal with people their age and how to be more aware of their concerns.   In turn, the professionals can guide students in how best to cover stories. The theory is that student journalists can get kids to talk without pressuring them or invading their privacy the way many journalists from out of town have done.   Yet working together with the professionals can help them through the process and through the trauma.   It may also be the case that student journalists can get through to other students in ways that adults can't, because students will more willing to read something about violence written by another student. â€Å"We want to read it from the point of view of someone who knows what we're experiencing,† said one student. Professional reporters come in, get the story, and leave, kids at a school where violence has occurred can continue to cover the story in a long-range manner, and with more breadth and depth.   â€Å"Kids know there is more depth,† said Laura Schaub, of the Oklahoma Inter-Scholastic Press Association, â€Å"but they can use professional assistance conceptualizing how to get it into the paper† (www.spj.org). In more resent weeks NBC news has been under fire for the way it handled the pictures and writings of the student who killed 32 people at Virginia Tech.   NBC announced that it would limit its use of images to â€Å"no more than 10 percent of airtime†.   Steve Capus, the president of NBC News, strongly defended the network’s decision to broadcast the material.   Families of some of the victims, some law enforcement officials and executives from competing television news organizations have accused NBC of being insensitive or exploitative in the way it presented the materials on the air. (Carter). In a study from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control I found that there were 173 incidents between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1998. The majorities of these incidents were homicides involving the use of firearms. The total number of incidents did decrease steadily since the 1992-1993 school year. But the total number of multiple victim events appears to have increased. During August 1995 through June 1998, there were an average of five multiple victims events per year. This is compared to an average of one multiple victim event per year in the three years from August 1992 through July 1995. While the total number of events of school associated violent deaths have decreased, the total number of multiple-victim events appears to have increased (2007). In a study by the Center for Disease Control named Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a school-based survey designed to produce a nationally representative sample of risk behaviors among students in grades 9-12. This study was completed in 1997 and reported that 18.3% of high school students carried a weapons weather it was a gun, knife, or club during the 30 days preceding the survey, down from 26.1% in 1991. The survey also found that 5.9% of high school students carried a gun during the 30 days preceding the survey, 8.5% of high school students carried a weapon on school property during the 30 days preceding the survey and that 7.4% of high school students were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property during the 12 months preceding the survey. Nationwide, 4% of students had missed 1 or more days of school during the 30 days preceding the survey because they had felt unsafe at school or when traveling to or from school. The prevalence of weapon carrying on school property on 1 or more of the 30 days preceding the survey was 8.5% nationwide. Overall, male students (12.5%) were significantly more likely than female students (3.7%) to have carried a weapon on school property (www.cdc.gov). Research has demonstrated that exposure to both real life and media violence is associated with increased hostility and aggressive behavior and decreased empathy. However, not all adolescents will be affected by violence exposure in the same way. Those who are exposed to personal and community violence, or who have a predisposition to aggressive behavior, may be more at risk for the negative effects of violence exposure. The study explored the effects of real life and media violence exposure on two populations, 216 high school students (109 girls) and 96 adolescents (13 girls) detained in a juvenile detention center. Participants completed seven self-report instruments measuring exposure to real life and media violence, psychopathology, hostile attributions, aggression, empathy, and social desirability. Due to the differences in the samples, results were analyzed separately (Greene). Consistent with the hypotheses and the General Aggression Model, real life and media violence exposure was significantly associated with and significantly predicted increased aggression, increased hostile attributions, and decreased empathy for the high school student sample. Additionally, psychopathology was a significant mediating variable for the relationship between real life violence and aggression. For the detained adolescents, exposure to real life violence was positively associated with aggression and psychopathology, but was not significantly associated with hostile attributions or empathy. Media violence was not associated with aggression, hostile attributions, or empathy. But these results were not consistent with the hypotheses and may reflect desensitization processes or differences in aggressive practices among this high risk sample. Results of this study suggest the need for further work in the areas of prevention and interventions for violence-exposed adolescents in order to reduce negative outcomes. Additionally, future research may wish to focus more attention on high risk individuals to better understand the process through which these adolescents react to violence exposure (Anderson, Berkowitz, Donnerstein, Huesmann, Johnson, Linz, Malamouth and Wartella). Gun control is also part of this discussion.   This was the first topic brought out when the incident at Virginia Tech. was first reported.   The world news made this the center for attention.   Media placed blame for the cause in America on the topic of gun control and placed media’s involvement on the back burner.   New York mayor, Michael Bloomber stated to Newsweek, â€Å"the conversation about guns needs to move beyond the extremes of Second Amendment purity and liberal utopianism. Much of the rest of the world manages to control gun violence better than we do; this is one case where American exceptionalism is nothing to be proud of† (May 4, 2007).   But we shouldn’t forget that blame first should be put on the young man who actually did the killings and secondary blame can then be divided up equally between all other factors involved. General Public in America believes that for the most part other preventive measures are better than owning or carrying a gun.   On the web site Public agenda they conducted a survey on the general population and found that only about 21% believe that guns are useful in preventing crimes.   Most Americans say that tougher laws and punishment would be a better deterrent for crime.   They also found that a majority of Americans feel that school violence is not a serious problem in their schools and in general they feel safe.   They all admit that their community could still be susceptible to an incident like at Virginia Tech. (www.publicagenda.org). Another point the media and the public brought out was the responsibility of helping individuals with possible mental health issues that might have caused someone like Cho Seung-Hui, the killer from Virginia Tech., to behave or react as he did.   In an article in Newsweek dated April 30th, 2007 they looked into the failure of the system and the general population as to seeing the signs, â€Å"Cho had apparently dropped through the cracks of the university bureaucracy. Earlier run-ins weren’t in his records† (31). We need to encourage students who hear one of their friends make a threat to take it seriously, even if they don't believe that person would ever really so it. Look at the problem of bullying by peers in schools is another even though it may never be stopped, but listening to kids that are experiencing the bullying along with the kids bullying might help.   In doing this research I found that media isn’t the only factor in possibly making what has been happening in America worse. But to me it is clear there was an influence.   In an article written by Evan Thomas he did write about Cho Seung-Hui’s video and said he, â€Å"pays homage to â€Å"Eric and Dylan† the two videogame-addled teenagers who killed 13 students at Columbine High School in 1999† (24).   In my opinion this does show a connection between violence and the media.   The Media industry really should acknowledge this fact instead of avoiding or defending their style of reporting.   Conscious efforts and discussion is vital in order to stop a growing trend in America when it comes to crime and violence. Works Cited Anderson, Craig A., Berkowitz, Leonard., Dommerstien, Edward., Huesmann, L.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rowell., Johnson, James D., Linz, Danniel., Malamouth, Neil M., and Wartella,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ellen.   â€Å"The Influence of Media Violence on Youth†.   Psychological Science in   Ã‚  Ã‚   the Public Interest.   December 2003. V. 4. Issue 3.   p. 81-118. 30p. Center for Disease Control.   Fitzgerald, Mark, and Mitchell, Grey., Eds.   Society of Professional Journalists.   Retrieved May 3, 2007.   Greene, Kathern. â€Å"Predicting Exposure to and Linking of Media Violence: A uses and    Gratification Approach†.   Communication Studies, March 2005.   V. 56, Issue 1,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   p.71-93. 23p. Meacham, J. â€Å"The Editor’s Desk†.   Newsweek.   April 30, 2007.   p.4,4 National Center for Injury Prevention of Enterprise Communication Media Relation,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   April 21, 1999. Retrieved May 3, 2007.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Public Agenda. Retrieved May 2, 2007.    Savage, Joanne. â€Å"Does Viewing Violent Media Really Cause Criminal Violence? A   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Methodological Review†.   Aggression and Violent Behavior.   November 2004. V.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   10, Issue 1, p. 99-128. 30p. Thomas, Evan.   â€Å"Making of a Massacre†.   Newsweek.   April 20, 2007.   p. 22-31 Welch, W.   â€Å"Students Urged to Stop Playing â€Å"Assassin† Game†.   USA Today. May 4,    2007.   Section: News. P. 3A   

Succubus Revealed Chapter 19

And so began my day in court. Despite Hannibal's call for order, it was obvious that everyone was still fixated on Roman's presence. I'd known nephilim were despised among greater immortals, but it wasn't until today that the full scope of it hit me. It shed new light on why Roman and his kind were often so obsessed with getting back at the powers that be. I wondered if it was good to have some of the attention taken off me or if I'd just doomed myself further by association. â€Å"So,† said Judge Hannibal. â€Å"You've got some kind of gripe with your contract. Join the club.† Low chuckles from the demonic spectators rumbled around the room. Roman cleared his throat, silencing the chuckles. â€Å"Your honor, we have more than a ‘gripe.' We have evidence that Hell not only violated her contract but also drew up another under false pretenses.† â€Å"That's absurd,† said Marcel. â€Å"We can't examine everyone in the world's contract. If someone else has a problem, they can have their own trial.† â€Å"The other contract is for a human who's still alive,† said Roman. â€Å"He's in no position to file a claim, and his was tied in to the paperwork that brought hers to court.† Hannibal waved his hands dismissively. â€Å"Well, we haven't even proved there's anything wrong with hers, so let's settle that before we start doing favors for others.† â€Å"Can we see her contract?† asked Roman. â€Å"Doris?† Hannibal glanced over at the woman with the laptop. She produced a heavy, metal box from underneath her desk with what appeared to be a numeric lock. After first consulting her laptop, she punched in a long series of digits. Smoke seeped out of the edges of the box. A moment later, she opened it up and produced a long, ornate scroll. She glanced at the judge. â€Å"Copies?† â€Å"Yes, please,† he told her. Doris repeated the procedure a couple more times, and I leaned toward Roman. â€Å"How does this work?† I whispered. â€Å"Isn't there some kind of order? Doesn't the prosecution go first?† â€Å"Maybe in an American court of law,† he whispered back. â€Å"Here? Everyone just gets out their argument when they can, and it's up to the judge to keep order.† It surprised me. Considering the obsession with details around here, I would've expected a certain amount of painstaking procedure. Then again, a survival-of-the-fittest method of pushing your case wasn't that out of line with Hell's ideologies either. Scrolls were obtained for the judge and lawyers. Even though it was a copy, I was still a bit daunted when Roman spread the scroll out before us on the table. This was it, the contract that had bound my immortal soul. One small decision with centuries of consequences. It was written in English, and I supposed Doris's magic scroll copy box must have the powers of translation since the original had been in Greek. â€Å"May I direct your attention to section 3A,† said Roman loudly. In a softer voice, he added to me, â€Å"The rest is pretty much standard Hell legalese.† It was true. The scroll was so big, we couldn't open it in its entirety. From what I could see, most of it was a painfully detailed description of what it meant to serve as a succubus and give Hell the lease on your soul. In their defense, there wasn't much they'd left out. I hadn't read the full contract at the time. Niphon had summarized the high points for me, but it was impossible to say they didn't let you know what you were in for. Fortunately, those technicalities weren't our concern today. Roman read aloud: â€Å"In exchange for ownership of the aforementioned soul (see sections 1B, 4A, 4B, 5B part 1, 5B part 2, and appendix 574.3) and services detailed below (see sections 3A, 3B, 6A-F, 12C) as performed by the contractee (henceforth called ‘the Damned'), the almighty Kingdom of Hell and its representatives do agree to the following: 1. Granting to the Damned of succubus powers described in sections 7.1A and 7.3A. 2. All mortals who were acquainted with the Damned in her human life shall have all knowledge of her erased from their memories, never to be regained, in accordance with standard memory loss procedures (see appendix 23).† Roman looked up at the judge when he finished reading. â€Å"Now,† said Roman. â€Å"I can read appendix 23 if you want, but the point is that Hell did not honor part of their agreement. Someone she knew when she was human – a mortal – remembered her.† â€Å"Why wasn't this raised back then?† asked Hannibal. â€Å"Because it happened a couple months ago,† said Roman. â€Å"The person in question is someone with a reincarnation contract who was alive then and today.† â€Å"If this person was reincarnated, then the point's irrelevant,† said Marcel. â€Å"It's not technically the same person anymore. Therefore, the contract stands.† â€Å"Not according to addendum 764 of the Treatise on Humanity ,† said Roman. â€Å"According to it, all individuals – humans and lesser immortals – are defined by their souls. No matter what shape that being takes, the soul remains constant, as does the individual's identity. I'm sure Doris can produce a copy if we need it.† Doris looked at Hannibal expectantly. â€Å"Don't bother,† he said. â€Å"I'm familiar with the Treatise. Okay. Operating under the assumption that souls are constant and individuals are defined by their souls, what proof do you have that this reincarnated individual remembered the petitioner here?† I expected Roman to say something and then realized he was waiting on me. It was still hard to wrap my head around the idea of everyone just jumping forward and speaking. â€Å"He called me by my name, your honor,† I said. â€Å"My first human name from the fifth century. The one he knew me as back then.† â€Å"Had he ever heard it before – in this lifetime?† prompted Roman. â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"Did anyone witness this?† asked Marcel. â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"I see,† he said, managing to make me feel very small with those two words. His tone implied that it was a miracle we'd even made it this far on such flimsy evidence. â€Å"It's okay,† said Roman. â€Å"Because we have more. This same reincarnated subject revealed under hypnosis remembering her in several other lives.† â€Å"Are there witnesses to that?† asked Hannibal. â€Å"We both witnessed it,† said Roman. â€Å"As well as an imp employed in Seattle. Hugh Mitchell. He was the one who actually performed the hypnosis, if you wanted to summon him.† I tensed. Hugh was certainly an airtight witness – seeing as he wasn't the petitioner in this case or a creature despised by both Heaven and Hell – but my earlier apprehension for him returned. I didn't know if he could get in trouble for providing key evidence. â€Å"We don't need him,† said Marcel. â€Å"You and he witnessed the same thing?† I nodded. Marcel glanced over at the jury. â€Å"You can tell if she's lying. Is she telling the truth?† Six heads nodded. I was surprised I hadn't thought of this earlier. Angels could tell if mortals and lesser immortals were telling the truth. That was handy in a trial like this. I was also surprised Marcel was helping me out like this. â€Å"There you have it,† he said. â€Å"She thinks she heard the subject remembering her under hypnosis. We can assume this imp would believe it as well.† â€Å"Hey,† I argued. â€Å"There's no ‘thinks' about it. He did remember me.† Marcel shrugged. â€Å"If you say so. We can only take your word for it and what you think you heard. There's no objective evidence to show that he remembered, therefore calling our part of the bargain into dispute.† â€Å"Oh, we can find the evidence,† said Roman. â€Å"The subject in question is also under contract. And the very nature of his contract contradicts hers. Can you bring it up, Doris?† Hannibal nodded his consent, and she turned to her laptop. â€Å"Name?† â€Å"Kyriakos,† I said, trying not to stumble over the word. â€Å"That's what it was in the fifth century, at least. In Cyprus. Today he's Seth Mortensen.† The judge arched an eyebrow. â€Å"I like his books. Didn't realize he was one of ours.† â€Å"Well, he's not yet,† I muttered. Doris meanwhile was typing away on her laptop, putting in the appropriate criteria. She must have found the right case number because she soon turned to the smoking metal box and produced three more scrolls. The copies were distributed, and a strange feeling crept over my skin as Roman opened this one, stranger even than when we'd viewed my own. Here it was. Seth's contract. Kyriakos's contract. It had existed unbeknownst to me all these years, subtly influencing my life. It had been made because of me. Roman again jumped to section 2, which was apparently consistent across contracts as far as what â€Å"the Damned† received. † ‘The Damned shall be granted a total of ten human lives, of which one has already taken place. The subsequent nine reincarnations shall occur in such times and places that he may be in proximity to the lover he believes is missing from his first life, in the hopes of reconciliation. Upon completion of the tenth life, the Damned's soul will become the property of Hell, in accordance with sections 8D, 9A, and 9B.' â€Å" Roman fell silent, a frown on his face. I too felt dismayed but didn't think we shared the same reasons. Without Seth confirming anything, we'd been unsure if his soul was damned or not, regardless of his success in finding me. I'd half hoped that Hell had given him some fairy-tale challenge, that if he could find and reunite with me, his soul would be restored to him. That apparently wasn't true. Hell had only offered him the chance to be with me. They'd given him no more than that. If we made amends, his soul belonged to them, the same as if we didn't. Our romantic outcome made no difference. I wondered if he had bargained for more or had been so desperate and grateful for the chance to simply be with me again that he hadn't even asked for more. Marcel smiled. â€Å"I see Letha mentioned nowhere in here. There was no violation of the terms of her contract.† â€Å"But obviously someone knew,† said Roman. â€Å"You must have a record of all of his lives. He's encountered her in each one of them. So someone, somewhere made sure that part of the contract was fulfilled – his reunion with the missing ‘lover' from his first life. Her. Whom he was supposed to forget, per the terms of her contract. They contradict each other.† Roman spoke confidently, laying his points out reasonably, but I could sense the uneasiness within him. I knew what the hanging point was – the same point Marcel had promptly jumped on. I wasn't cited by name here. Somewhere, there had to be a record of it if Hell had managed to let Seth be reborn near me each time, but we didn't know what that was. Hell certainly wasn't going to help us find it. â€Å"It could be a coincidence,† said Marcel. â€Å"Maybe he met someone else in his first life whom he fell in love with, someone whom he lost young and continued to seek in the following centuries.† â€Å"Someone else who was immortal and would be alive for the next fifteen hundred years?† asked Roman. â€Å"That's an awfully big coincidence.† Marcel looked smug. â€Å"Be that as it may, Letha is not mentioned anywhere in his contract. Everything's circumstantial at best, with no proof that Hell entered into this under false pretenses.† A thought suddenly occurred to me, and I began attempting to unroll the scroll, seeking a very specific piece of information. There were so many sections, subsections, articles, and clauses, however, that I couldn't make any sense of it. â€Å"Who drafted this?† I asked Roman. â€Å"Shouldn't whoever brokered the deal be listed?† â€Å"Section 27E,† said Roman automatically. I paused to give him an incredulous glance. â€Å"How do you know that?† â€Å"What do you think I've been doing for the last week?† he asked, by way of answer. He helped me find the appropriate section, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the name I'd been hoping for. Just to be sure, I found the matching section in my own contract. Roman, spying what I had, immediately ran with it. â€Å"Your honor, these contracts were brokered by the same imp. Niphon. He had to have known they conflicted with each other. He had to have known that Letha was the lover Kyriakos was seeking.† â€Å"He didn't ‘have to have known' anything,† countered Marcel. â€Å"It could be a coincidence.† â€Å"Well, let's get him in here and find out,† said Roman. Hannibal considered this for several seconds. I got the distinct impression that he most definitely did not want to summon Niphon, but some of the angels in the jury were regarding him expectantly. If this were truly a fair trial, with evidence laid neatly out, then there was no reason not to bring in a key witness like Niphon. â€Å"Very well,† said Hannibal. He looked over to the guy in the nice suit, the one who'd opened proceedings. I'd taken him for some kind of classy bailiff. â€Å"Go get him. We'll call a ten-minute recess while you do.† Hannibal banged his gavel, and conversation buzzed as the bailiff hurried out of the room. I leaned toward Roman. â€Å"Niphon knows. He has to know. Did I ever tell you the full story of when he came to visit last year?† Roman had heard some of it but was very eager for a recap as I told the tale again. Niphon had shown up, ostensibly to deliver Tawny as our newest succubus. During his stay, however, he'd caused no end of trouble for me and Seth. He'd tried to drive a wedge between us, and indeed, some of his actions were what had led Seth to believe a breakup was better for us in the long run. Niphon had also tried to broker a contract with Seth in order for us to be together without the harmful succubus effects that occurred during sex. The cost would have been Seth's soul, of course. I paused, thinking that over. â€Å"I understand the rest . . . him wanting to keep us apart. Hugh had said it was the sign of an imp trying to cover for some mistake – and this is a pretty big one. It makes sense he'd want to split us up and avoid discovery of the conflict. But why bother to make another deal if Seth's soul was already under contract?† Roman's eyes were alight with thought. â€Å"Because he could've done an amendment to the old contract and cleaned up the contradiction. Seth's soul would have been resecured.† We had no time to analyze it further because the recess soon ended. Hannibal brought things to order and the bailiff returned – with Niphon. My stomach twisted at the sight of him, just as it had last time. Niphon always put me in mind of a weasel. He wore a gray suit, looking business-ready like all imps did, but had heavily pomade-slicked hair that took away some of his credibility. He had thin lips, small eyes, and an olive complexion. He also looked like he'd bolt if given half the chance. The screwup he'd tried to conceal was now being laid out. His escort led him to a witness stand near the bench. Niphon gingerly sat down, sweating visibly. I'd worried about Hugh being dragged into this, fearful of the consequences he'd face. Niphon was probably afraid of the same thing: being punished for helping my case. The difference was that Hugh would at least take some satisfaction out of assisting me. Niphon had no gain in any of this. â€Å"State your name please,† said Hannibal. The imp licked his lips. â€Å"Niphon, your honor. At your service.† â€Å"You brokered these two contracts?† asked Hannibal, indicating the scrolls Doris had just placed on the witness stand. Niphon made a great show of studying them. â€Å"I suppose so, your honor. My name's on them, but it's been such a long time. Makes it easy to forget.† I scoffed. â€Å"You seemed to remember last year when you were scrambling to cover your ass.† â€Å"Let's keep this civilized and fair,† said Hannibal mildly. Really? I was the one being chastised for civility and fairness? â€Å"Did you know when you drew up Kyriakos's contract that Letha was the one he was seeking?† asked Roman. Seeing Niphon squirm, Roman added, â€Å"And be careful about saying you ‘don't remember.' The angels in the esteemed jury will know you're lying.† Niphon swallowed and cast an anxious look at the jury box before returning his gaze to Roman. â€Å"I . . . yes. I knew.† â€Å"And since you'd drawn up Letha's contract, you knew that her terms required all those who knew her as a human to forget her. The fact that he was seeking her at all was a sign her contract had been broken. You weren't able to keep him in a state of forgetfulness.† Niphon made a face. â€Å"He didn't mention her by name. He only remembered that she was gone.† Roman smacked my contract hard. â€Å"The contract doesn't specify to what degree she can be forgotten, just that she is. Period.† Sweat was practically pouring off Niphon in buckets now. He jerked one of the scrolls toward him and scanned it with his twitchy eyes. † ‘All mortals who were acquainted with the Damned in her human life shall have all knowledge of her erased from their memories. . . .' † He glanced up. â€Å"This is a translation. I think the original Greek makes it clearer that only those from her human life forget her. Therefore, if he remembered her afterward, there would be no violation. Can we get a Greek copy in here?† â€Å"It wouldn't matter,† said Roman. â€Å"Even if it does say that. We've already established that a soul defines a person's identity across lives. Even now, he's still technically someone from her human life, and he remembered. You were unable to uphold the contract.† â€Å"That's hardly my fault!† Niphon exclaimed. It was unclear now if he was speaking to Roman and me or to superiors in the audience. â€Å"I made the arrangements for standard memory loss with her contract. I don't know why it didn't work. Yes, I knew he was her husband when I set up his contract, but I didn't think of this in terms of contract violation. I was just securing another soul.† Marcel addressed the jury. â€Å"Is he telling the truth? He made the second contract out of ignorance and not malicious intent? By which I mean, no more malicious intent than is normally called for in these situations.† Some of the angels nodded, looking reluctant to do so. â€Å"It doesn't matter if it was in ignorance,† said Roman. â€Å"That's never an excuse for breaking the law. You messed up, and in doing so, you've invalidated both contracts.† â€Å"Come now,† said Marcel. â€Å"It's not as though either of the Damned were that wronged. This technicality aside, she really was wiped from the memories of all she knew. And he got nine more lives. Nine more lives! We all know how rare reincarnation deals are. He got exactly what he asked for. He was even reunited with her. Hell has fulfilled these contracts as nobly as possible, and you can't hold everyone responsible for one underling's mishap that no one else even knew about.† â€Å"Oh,† said Roman, a predatory note in his voice. â€Å"I think others knew about the glitch. Others in much higher positions. Your honor, may I call another witness?† â€Å"Who?† asked Hannibal. â€Å"My father,† said Roman. â€Å"Jerome, Archdemon of Seattle.† There was a collective gasp among some, but whether that was from Roman acknowledging Jerome as his father or simply the summoning of such a high-ranking witness, I couldn't say. Hannibal nodded. â€Å"Granted. Niphon, you may step down. Jerome, please join us up here.† Niphon couldn't get out of there fast enough. He practically barreled into Jerome when they passed in the aisle. For his part, Jerome was sauntering along casually, as though all of this were beneath him and it was a great concession on his part to even show. He sat down, crossing his hands neatly in front of him and affecting a bored look. â€Å"Jerome,† said Roman. â€Å"Isn't it true you knew about the connection between Seth and Georgina? Er, Kyriakos and Letha?† Jerome shrugged one shoulder. â€Å"I knew they were both contracted souls.† It was an answer worthy of an angel. Some of the truth, but not all of the truth. I half hoped some angel would call him on it until an unfortunate fact hit me. Demons could lie without detection. There was no way to prove he was telling the truth or not. â€Å"Did you know the terms of her contract?† asked Roman. â€Å"Of course,† said Jerome. â€Å"I do for all my employees.† â€Å"So you knew that the contract allowed her to be wiped from the minds of all those who knew her when she was human.† â€Å"Yes,† said Jerome. â€Å"And you knew that Seth was once her husband, with a contract that involved her.† â€Å"No,† said Jerome flatly. â€Å"I most certainly did not.† A lie, a lie, I thought. But there was no way to prove it. â€Å"If that's so,† said Roman, â€Å"then why did you use Seth Mortensen to help retrieve Georgina when she was captured by Oneroi last year?† â€Å"I don't remember the specifics of that incident,† said Jerome delicately. â€Å"Well,† said Roman, â€Å"if you need your memory refreshed, there's an angel here who witnessed it all who can give us a recap. One I'm sure the jury won't question.† Jerome's features went perfectly still as Roman's trap sprang open around him. Jerome might be immune to angelic truth detection, but anything Carter swore to seeing Jerome do or know would be held as gospel. Carter couldn't lie. If he said Jerome had used Seth to rescue me, then everyone would believe it, regardless if Jerome continued to deny it. Seeing the futility of more cover-up, Jerome came clean. â€Å"Oh,† he said. â€Å"Those Oneroi.† â€Å"You used a human psychic to help retrieve her,† said Roman. â€Å"He had the power and the ritual but no way to actually find her in the void where the Oneroi were holding her. You suggested using Seth as a way to find her soul, and it worked. Why? How did you know that?† Jerome shrugged. â€Å"They were always mooning over each other. I figured if ever there was any merit in that true love nonsense, then we could use it to help us.† â€Å"That's not what Mei said.† I took advantage of the conversational nature of the proceedings, my mind spinning with a long-lost memory. â€Å"Mei said it defied the odds and that no matter how in love we were, it shouldn't have worked.† Jerome's dark gaze flicked to something behind me, and I was guessing Mei was now enjoying the full force of his glare. â€Å"Georgina was trapped in the vastness of the dream world,† added in Roman. â€Å"One soul lost among dreams. For someone else to reach her and call her back required a staggering connection, two souls with a tie that's bound them through time.† â€Å"Please don't get sentimental,† said Jerome. â€Å"It's nauseating.† Roman shook his head. â€Å"I'm stating facts. Everyone here knows it's true. Their souls had to have been bound for him to get to her, and you knew it, which is why you suggested using Seth. You knew about the contracts and their history. This wasn't one small error confined to a bumbling inferior. You knew about it. And you knew there was a problem.† â€Å"Which is why you had Erik killed and initiated a transfer for me!† I exclaimed. Seeing Jerome sitting there so coolly, so uncaring . . . it drove home the truth. He had known all along what was transpiring with Seth and me, and what it meant. I'd never thought Jerome and I were friends, but it was startling to really accept just how much he'd been working against me in order to further Hell's goals. â€Å"Oh, Georgie,† he said. â€Å"Always you and the melodrama.† â€Å"It's not! We can get proof – â€Å" Roman put his hand on mine. â€Å"Not easily,† he murmured. â€Å"There'll be no paper trail, I guarantee it. And it's not relevant to this case right now.† I thought about kind, generous Erik, bleeding to death before my eyes. â€Å"It's relevant to me.† Jerome let out a long-suffering sigh. â€Å"Is there anything else? Can I return to my seat, please?† The judge glanced between Roman and Marcel. Both men shook their heads. When Jerome was gone, Roman pushed the case. â€Å"Your honor, esteemed jury . . . we've provided more than enough evidence to show that her contract was not fulfilled. Through whatever mishaps, those from her human life did not stop remembering her. Per article 7.51.2 of the Soul Chronicles, Georgina's contract is invalidated. She's entitled to her soul back and the remainder of this life, free of Hell's employment, per the section on damages and reparations in article 8.2.0. Likewise, Seth Mortensen's contract is also invalidated because it was made under false pretenses. The imp who drew it up knew that it violated hers and knew that the very conditions of Seth's – finding her and making amends – included a degree of remembering. It's impossible for his to exist without contradicting hers. He too is entitled to the restoration of his soul.† â€Å"Your honor – † began Marcel. Judge Hannibal held up his hand. â€Å"Silence. I'll make you a deal.† There was a restless shifting in the courtroom, an undercurrent of excitement. Demons loved deals and bargains. â€Å"Go on,† said Roman. â€Å"I'm willing to dismiss the case without a jury vote and grant that Letha's contract wasn't honored. I'm willing to give her all of the restorations outlined in article 8.2.0.† Gasps surrounded us. My eyes widened, and I turned to Roman questioningly. Was it as easy as that? I didn't know all the details of 8.2.0, but by my understanding, if the contract was invalidated, I could return to Earth and live out the rest of my days as a human. In possession of my soul. It seemed too good to be true. â€Å"However,† continued Hannibal, â€Å"I don't see enough evidence to support the releasing of this second soul. Your argument for it will be thrown out for being groundless.† â€Å"But it isn't!† I cried. â€Å"If we don't accept, then what?† asked Roman. Hannibal shrugged. â€Å"Then the jury can vote on the question of both contracts.† Roman nodded thoughtfully. â€Å"Can I have a moment to confer with my, um, client?† â€Å"Sure.† Hannibal banged the gavel. â€Å"Five-minute recess.† The spectators didn't need to be told twice. This was huge. A soul getting released was not something that happened every day, nor was a deal like we were being offered. â€Å"What's the catch here?† I asked Roman softly. He narrowed his eyes. â€Å"Well, I think Hannibal thinks he's in danger of losing two souls and is trying cut his losses. Your evidence is pretty solid. Seth's is too, though not quite as good – especially without Seth actually here. Still, Hannibal would rather let you go easily and ensure that he still keeps one soul in this mess.† â€Å"But if the evidence is there, then we should let it go to the jury. You just said it's solid for Seth too.† â€Å"It is,† agreed Roman. â€Å"But here's the thing that Hugh told me about these juries. All contract disputes are judged by half angels and half demons – for the sake of fairness. The angels will honestly vote with what they feel to be right. If the evidence was flimsy, they'd vote against you. It's not worth it to them to get a soul free if the conditions aren't honorable. The demons have no such morals. Jerome and Niphon could both openly confess to a conspiracy of conflicting contracts, and every demon on that jury would still vote against you.† â€Å"That's not fair,† I said. â€Å"Georgina,† he said simply. â€Å"We're in Hell.† â€Å"So what happens if it's split? Do they go by the same hung jury procedures we know?† â€Å"A tie-breaking vote is produced. A thirteenth angel or demon is called at random, who then casts the deciding vote. If it comes down to that, then your chances simply fall to a 50-50 luck of the draw.† â€Å"Hence the bargain,† I murmured. â€Å"If I abandon Seth's soul, I'm guaranteed my freedom.† Roman nodded. â€Å"And if you don't, you may be consigning both of you to Hell.†

An Overview of the Life of John F Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was one of the most liked and dedicated presidents of the United States of America. His presidency ran The second of nine children, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in a three story wooden house on May 29, 1917; in Brooklyn, Massachusetts. His parents were Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Joseph Kennedy intended for his sons to receive the finest private school education possible. Johns education started at a private Dexter school in Brookline. During fourth, fifth, and sixth grades John enrolled at Riverdale Country Day School. At the age of thirteen, John entered the Canterbury School in Milford, Connecticut. The spring of 1931, John suffered an attack of appendicitis. He had to stay home and rest for the remainder of the school year. Kennedy†s† parents decided to hire a tutor to help him catch-up during the summer. John passed Math, English, and Latin. When he finally recovered completely, he entered Choate, a fine prep school in Wallingford, Connecticut. When John graduated from Choate, in 1935, he planned to study for a year at Londons School of Economics. Then at eighteen years old, John came down with an illness called Jaundice. In the fall, John joined his friends, Lem Billings and Rip Horton at Princeton University. He later had another attack of Jaundice that forced him to miss school for one semester. Johns father then encouraged his son to enter Harvard University in the fall of 1936. John graduated from Harvard in 1940, with a degree in Political Science. He then entered Stanford University in California. While there he studied Economics and tried his hand at writing. During this time, the war was raging in Europe. John decided to enlist in the Navy on September 22, 1941. He served four years and was ischarged when the war ended in 1945. At 28 years of age, he was heading for a successful career as a newspaperman. His father began pushing him towards another career— Politics — He believed that since Johns older brother was dead, that it was his responsibility to run On January 3, 1947, John took the oath of office as a US Congressman. Later, in 1952, Kennedy decided to run for United States Senate. In 1953†¦. Kennedy decided to marry and wed Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. He was 36 and she was just 24 when they were married in a Roman Catholic ceremony. Later that year, John began suffering terrible back pain. In 1955, he underwent surgery to repair a spinal injury. While recuperating, he wrote a book called, Profile in Courage The book was about American Political leaders who defied the publics opinion to vote according to their consciences. For this work, he received the Pulitzer Prize. He then returned to his political career. Although John barely lost the Democratic Vice-presidential nomination in 1956, his overwhelming re-election as Senator in 1958 helped him towards his goal of becoming a Presidential Candidate. In 1960 John Fitzgerald Kennedy became President of the United States. At 43 years of age, he was the youngest man to ever hold this title. On November 22, 1963 John was 46 years old and just ending his third year as President. He was just planning his campaign to run for a second term as President. On this date, John and his wife, Jackie, flew to Texas to take part in his political tour. After there arrival, they got into the back of an open limousine with Texas Governor, John B. Connally and his wife. About 12:30 Mrs. Connally remarked, â€Å"you certainly can†t say that the people f Dallas haven†t given you a nice welcome,† as people lined up everywhere. Before Kennedy could respond, a shot was fired. From a sixth-floor window. a sudden rifle shot rang out, fatally wounding the president, a second shot hit the Governor, and a third shot struck Kennedy in the back of the head, causing his death. At one p. m. , that same day, reporters rushed from the hospital to spread the horrible news. As a victim of assassination— the President of the United States was dead. The whole country mourned the death of J. F. K. Those who knew him or knew of him will forever remember this wonderful man.