Politic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Politic - Essay Example Mao Tse-tung, who was the chairman, concluded that for people to begin fighting, it is a decision that has been made by the people of the country. He also concluded that it is the new technology with the tools and weapons that control a country and decide to begin war. The Chinese government officials use resistance in the fight against Japan. Comrade Mao in the year 1944, decided to change the resistance of the Chinese people where by they believe in the weapons. This has supported the political leadership of the Chinese people because they believe in fights. The country converts the people of the country to be weapons forming the people to be rapid dogs which fight mercilessly tearing others’ fresh. On the contrary, Peru is condemning the use of the mobilization whereby it weakens the revolutionary war. The country denies the use of the homage to weapons whereby they reject the kind of political system that mobilizes the power of the fights which might affect other countries. Instead they encourage the guerrilla which makes the armed bands to wander. Democracy in the political power of the two countries can only be maintained by the support of the political stability of the countries respectively. Funding for the political parties with the election campaigns assist the country to have a good stable group of power and support. The parties in the countries always reflect the needs of the countries creating a good concern to the citizens. The membership and participation of the citizens of the countries dictate the political stability of the country. The modern democracy of the two countries depends on the trust of the political leaders. Choosing of the members of parliament is also a tricky issue with the presidential elections which promotes the leadership and governance of the two countries. The parties of the countries also contribute to the leadership and governance which leads to the defeat of their opponents. In

Case bmw Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case bmw - Essay Example Other commitments that come with committing to the Aerospace Industrial Strategy are ATI (HM Government 6). Finally, BMW needs to have a huge pool of capital to venture into such as business. The aerospace industry rates among the most expensive in the world, and; therefore, any firm willing to venture into this business should have a wide pool of capital (HM Government 6). The aerospace industry is highly rated (HM Government 44). It adds huge value to a company. Investors are willing to invest in firm that will give ample returns of their investment; thus BMW will have a wide pool of investors due to their planned venture into this industry. This endeavour will also allow BMW to follow regulatory issues in the aerospace sector. It will allow their firm to have a wider pool of talented workers because in a highly valued sector, there is a much wider pool of talent compared to other sectors (HM Government 44). Normally, investors will look at a firm’s position and evaluate their performance; therefore, if BMW is willing to venture into this sector, then it will have a much wider pool of investors. HM Government. Lifting Off – Implementing the Strategic Vision for UK Aerospace. N.p, 2013. Web.

A Child Labour In India Children And Young People Essay

A Child Labour In India Children And Young People Essay Child labour is undoubtedly a human rights issue. It is not only exploitative but also endangers childrens physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral development. It perpetuates poverty because a child labour, deprived of education or healthy physical development, is likely to become an adult with low earning prospects.[1]This is a vicious cycle which apart from ruining the lives of many results in an overall backwardness in the masses. Moreover, conceptualising child labour as a human rights issue gives the victim with the authority to hold violators liable. Human rights generate legal grounds for political activity and expression, because they entail greater moral force than ordinary legal obligations. Children are right holders with the potential to make valuable contributions to their own present and future well being as well as to the social and economic development of the society and thus they should under no circumstances be perceived as passive and vulnerable. Today, traditionally prescribed interventions against child labour which were welfare based like providing a minimum age for work are being replaced by rights-based approach. A rights-based approach to child labour needs to be adopted which puts internationally recognized rights of children to the center while utilizing UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR as a supportive framework. Child labour is a condition from which the children have a right to be free and it is not merely an option for which regulating standards must be devised. In this paper we shall firstly trace the slow orientation of child labour laws to include human rights perspective internationally, and then evaluate current Indian laws and policies from a human rights perspective II. A Human rights approach to child labour Initially, scholars were unsure over extending human rights to children.[2] For instance, the 1948 Universal declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) emphasises that everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms set forth in the declaration but makes no age qualification to the same. So it is unclear whether it extends to children. However, Art.4 of UDHR has been interpreted as prohibiting exploitation of child labour by interpreting servitude to include child labour.[3] In addition, Articles 23 and 26 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights seek to guarantee just and favorable conditions of work and the right to education, both of which are violated constantly and globally through the exercise of the worst forms of child labor. In 1966 the International Covenant on economic, social and cultural rights (ICESCR) and International Covenant on civil and political rights (ICCPR) took significant preliminary steps towards modifying human rights according to age, by defining childhood as a state requiring special protection, with rights distinct to those of adults.[4] Even so it was not until 1989 that the Convention on Rights of Children (CRC) clearly spelt out the rights of the child while giving them a special status apart from the adults. Thus, it should not be surprising that early international legal efforts to address child labour tended to be abolitionist in tone and treated as an aspect of labour market regulation.[5] Next, a prioritization approach was adopted where concentration was on the more abusive forms of child labour. So the ILO adopted Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, 1999, aimed at the immediate elimination of intolerable forms of child labor. The convention requires signatories to work with business groups to identify hazardous[6] forms of child labor and introduce time-bound programs for eliminating them. Conventions 138 and 182 are recognised as core International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions but unfortunately human rights groups have done much to criticise it. They argue that this artificial division of hazardous and non-hazardous forms of child labour is artificial and made only for the benefit of labour regulations. Child labour in any form is very harmful and exploitative for the children.[7] Secondly, child labour, as defined by ILO is work done by children under the age of 12; work by children under the age of 15 that prevents school attendance; and work by children under the age of 18 that is hazardous to their physical or mental health. It is an economic activity or work that interferes with the completion of a childs education or that is harmful to children in any way.[8]Such an age based classification is incongruous and is behind time.[9] The right to a childhood cannot be replaced by placing such age barriers which imply at least some work could be done by children at even age 12! Where is the best interest of child seen in such laws? Fortunately, a human rights approach to child labour was soon adopted by Convention on Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989. Such rules focus not only on the avoidance of harm to children but as well, on regulation of employment relationship in which working children find themselves and beyond that, on rights of children to education and to participate in decisions that affect their lives, including those related to their employment. This holistic view of child labour as only a part of a childs life is principally what sets human rights approach apart from the labour regulation approach.[10] However, some critique of CRC feel that categorizing child labour as a special category has trivialized their rights and have made them weak and in need of an adult advocate. Conversely, the defenders of CRC argue that it is through this classification that children gain more rights with legally recognized interests which are specific to their stage in life cycle. The slavery convention, 1926 and Supplementary convention on abolition of slavery, the slave trade, institutions and practices similar to slave trade, 1956 entered into force in 1957 prohibits slavery like practice under Art 1. In recent times Child labour has been read as a slave like practice as it involves economic exploitation. Since children are more vulnerable than adults and are dependent on their parents, it can be assumed that when they are economically exploited by their parents or by their consent, the decree of dependency necessary for work to b qualified as slavery like practice will be attained in most cases. In the light of ICCPR (art 8(2)) and Supplementary convention on abolition of slavery, the slave trade, institutions and practices similar to slave trade, 1956, Art.4 of UDHR should be interpreted as prohibiting exploitation of child labour as child labour comes under servitude. Child labour also comes under the term forced or compulsory labour in Art.8(3) of ICCPR. The obligations of state parties under art 8 are immediate and absolute. Thus state parties have to prevent private parties from violating child labour norms. Art 24, ICCPR obliges the state to protect children from economic exploitation. III. Convention on rights of child United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate a full range of human rights such as civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights for children. The Convention offers a vision of the child as an individual and as a member of a family and community, with rights and responsibilities appropriate to his or her age and stage of development. By recognizing childrens rights in this way, the Convention firmly sets the focus on the whole child. The Convention under Art.32 speaks of economic exploitation of children by making them perform work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the childs education, or to be harmful to the childs health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. The Convention spells out a childs right to education[11], as well as identifying the forms of harm to which children should not be exposed. Other rights given to children include right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to abolish traditional practices that are prejudicial to childrens health (Article 24), a right to a standard of living adequate for the childs physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development; parents have the main responsibility for this, but governments are required within their means to assist parents, as well as to provide material assistance and support in case of need(Article 27) and a right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activi ties appropriate to the age of the child. Article 22 specifies that refugee children have the same rights as all other children. Article 6 of the convention makes it the obligation of the governments to ensure that children are able to survive and develop to the maximum extent possible while Article 11 urges governments to prevent the illicit transfer and non-return of children abroad. Under Article 19, Governments must take action to protect children against all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse[12] and must provide special protection and assistance to children who are deprived of their own family environment under article 20. Article 35, requires governments to take action to prevent children from being trafficked while articles Article 36 and 39 requires governments to protect children against all other forms of exploitation prejudicial to any aspects of the childs welfare and to help children recover from exploitation, neglect or abuse (particularly their physical and psychological recovery and return and reintegration into th e communities they come from). Two other provisions in the Convention are also vitally important for working children. Article 3 says government agencies and other institutions taking action concerning a child or children must base their decisions on what is in the childrens best interests. Article 12 emphasises that when a child is capable of forming his or her views, these should be given due attention, in accordance with the childs age and maturity. Other conventions of interest include Optional protocol to the convention on rights of child on sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and Optional protocol to the convention on rights of child on the involvement of children in armed conflict both adopted in May, 2000. IV. India and its International commitments India has ratified six ILO conventions[13] relating to child labour but have not ratified the core ILO conventions on minimum age for employment (convention 138) and the worst forms of child labour, (convention 182) recognised as the core conventions at the international labour conference which makes it mandatory for the international community to follow certain standards in their crusade against child labour. Nevertheless, India has taken commendable steps to eliminate child labour. The recent right of children to free and compulsory education Act, 2009 and the preceding 86th amendment exemplifies the same. Furthermore, the passing of Juvenile Justice (care and protection) Act, 2006 shows Indias commitment to a human rights approach to child labour. The Act emphasises on looking into the best interests of the child and allows for social reintegration of child victims. In such a scenario India not signing the core labour conventions does not make a difference in the fight against child labour. India is a party to the UNdeclaration on the Rights of the Child 1959. India is also a signatory to the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children. More, importantly India ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 12 November 1992.[14] Other important international initiatives against child labour include the adoption of the first Forced Labor Convention (ILO, No. 29), 1930, Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action: States that a crime against a child in one place is a crime anywhere, 1996, establishment of 12 June as the World Day Against Child Labor in 2002 by ILO and the first global economic study on the costs and benefits of elimination of child labour.[15] V. Indian laws on child labour The present regime of laws in India relating to child labour are consistent with the International labour conference resolution of 1979 which calls for combination of prohibitory measures and measures for humanising child labour wherever it cannot be immediately outrun.[16] In 1986 Child labour (Prohibition and regulation) Act was passed, which defines a child as a person who has not completed 14 years of age. The act also states that no child shall be employed or permitted to work in any of the occupations set forth in Part A or in the process set forth in Part B, except in the process of family based work or recognised school based activities. Through a notification dated 27 January 1999, the schedule has been substantially enlarged to add 6 more occupations and 33 processes to schedule, bringing the total to 13 occupations and 51 processes respectively. The government has amended the civil service (conduct) rules to prohibit employment of a child below 14 years by a government employee. Similar changes in state service rules have also been made. The framers of the Indian Constitution consciously incorporated relevant provisions in the constitution to secure compulsory primary education as well as labour protection for children. If the provisions of child labour in international conventions such as ILO standards and CRC are compared with Indian standards, it can be said that Indian constitution articulates high standards in some respects The constitution of India, under articles 23,24, 39 ( c) and (f), 45 and 21A guarantees a child free education, and prohibits trafficking and employment of children in factories etc. The articles also protect children against exploitation and abuse. Equality provisions in the constitution authorises affirmative action policies on behalf of the child. The National child labour policy (1987) set up national child labour projects in areas with high concentration of child labour in hazardous industries or occupations, to ensure that children are rescued from work and sent to bridge schools which facilitate mainstreaming. It is now recognised that every child out of school is a potential child labour and most programs working against child labour tries to ensure that every child gets an education and that children do not work in situations where they are exploited and deprived of a future. Similarly, there are other programmes like National authority for elimination of child labour, 1994 (NAECL) and National resource centre on child labour, 1993 (NRCCL). Recently, government of India notified domestic child labour, and child labour in dhabas, hotels, eateries, spas and places of entertainment as hazardous under the child labour (prohibition and regulation) Act, 1986, effective from 10-10-2006. National human rights commission has played an important role in taking up cases of worst forms of child labour like bonded labour. In 1991 in a silk weaving village of Karnataka called Magdi it held an open hearing which greatly sensitised the industry and civil societies. It also gave rise to new NCLP programmes.[17] VI. Judicial reflections Judiciary in India has taken a proactive stand in eradicating child labour. In the case of M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamil Nadu and Ors[18], this Court considered the causes for failure to implement the constitutional mandate vis- ¿Ã‚ ½-vis child labour. It was held that the State Government should see that adult member of family of child labour gets a job. The labour inspector shall have to see that working hours of child are not more than four to six hours a day and it receives education at least for two hours each day. The entire cost of education was to be borne by employer. The same was reiterated in Bandhua Mukti Morcha v.UOI[19] and directions were given to the Government to convene meeting of concerned ministers of State for purpose of formulating policies for elimination of employment of children below 14 years and for providing necessary education, nutrition and medical facilities. It was observed in both the case that it is through education that the vicious cycle of poverty and child labour can be broken. Further, well-planned, poverty-focussed alleviation, development and imposition of trade actions in employment of the children must be undertaken. Total banishment of employment may drive the children and mass them up into destitution and other mischievous environment, making them vagrant, hard criminals and prone to social risks etc. Immediate ban of child labour would be both unrealistic and counter-productive. Ban of employment of children must begin from most hazardous and intolerable activities like slavery, bonded labour, trafficking, prostitution, pornography and dangerous forms of labour and the like.[20] Also, in case of PUCL v. UOI and Ors[21] children below 15 years forced to work as bonded labour was held to be violative of Article 21 and hence the children were to be compensated. The court further observed that such a claim in public law for compensation for contravention of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the protection of which is guaranteed in the Constitution, is an acknowledged remedy for enforcement and protection of such rights. However, Human rights experts criticise the scheme of payment of compensation envisage in Child labour act and further adopted by the Judiciary with gusto.[22] They say that monetary compensation is like washing away ones conscious which still believes that if a child labour is sent to school he must be compensated for the amount which he might have got if he had worked instead. This only confuses the already divided opinion of the society today which still thinks that poor and needy children are better off working. VII. Conclusions India has done well in enacting suitable legislations and policies to combat child labour. Nonetheless, its implementation at grass root level is very much lacking. The child labour laws today are like a scarecrow which does not eliminate child labour but only shifts it geographically to other places, to other occupations like agriculture which may be less paying or it might be still continued clandestinely.[23] The lack of a specialised enforcement officer leads to lesser attention being given to child labour legislations. Furthermore, many of the child labour programmes remain poorly funded. Child labour is a complex problem which cannot be eliminated without first attacking it at the roots. Thus, poverty, unemployment, lack of social security schemes, illiteracy and the attitude of society need to be tackled first before any progress can be made. A starting point can be to treat Child labour as a human rights problem and discouraging its manifestation in any form. If the society as such sees child labour as a social malaise, we will be much closer at achieving success. Lastly, there is a lot of debate over the age from which child labour should be banned. The ILO conventions do not give a definite age, 14 years seems to be the general understanding but CRC defines a child to be below 18 years. Right to education is for children below 14 years and Child labour is prohibited till age of 14 years. This brings the question as to whether children of age 14-18 years are to be denied basic human rights and are to be left vulnerable.

beet lab :: essays research papers

MATERIAL AND METHODS Stability of cell membrane using pH For the lab experiment for testing the stability of beet cell membranes using pH, many materials were used as follows. Obtaining a beet we punch out cores, using a cork borer. After washing the cores we put each one inside a separate test tube, and added a different pH solution in each one. After 3 minutes in these exposure solutions, we took the beet out with a dissecting needle. Then transferred each beet to a separate test tube containing deionized water. After 20 minutes in these diffusion solutions, we took the beets out with a dissecting needle and discard it. We then stirred each solution in the test tube with a stirring rod, and transferred it to a cuvette. A spectrophotometer was then calibrated, and used to measure the absorbance of each exposure solution, and diffusion solution. Membrane Damage For the lab experiment for Membrane Damage, we tested the extract pigment and diluted it. When the pH solutions are added, this will cause it to be in a range of absorbance. We used materials as follows. Obtaining a beet we proceeded to cut small individual cubes. We then rinse each cube to remove any damaged pigments with deionized water. Using a blender, we blend the beets with 15 mL of pH 7 DI water. After blending we used cheesecloth to separate the liquid from the solids for easier centrifuge process. Then we put the liquid beet into a centrifuge tube and centrifuge it for 5 minutes at 2500 rpm. We then remove the supernatant into a beaker, and discarded the sediment. Using a 1:4 ratio mixture of the supernatant and deionized water, we made a stock solution. We then tested the stock solution’s absorbance with a spectrophotometer, and place 1 mL of the solution into separate test tubes. Next we added an additional 4 mL of pH solutions in the 2-11 range into each test tube. After mixing, we tested the absorbance for each solution using a spectrophotometer. Mixing the Diffusion and Exposure Solution For the lab experiment of mixing the diffusion and exposure solution, we are going to test if the pigment is released in the exposure solution. We used materials as follows: Obtaining a beet, we punched out 2 cm long beets using a cork borer. Then we wash the beets in running water, after that we prepared 10 test tubes each containing different pH solution.

Consumer Traits and Behavior Paper

The practice of making a purchase or the influence of purchasing habits consists of several unseen processes. Most of these processes consist of consumer traits, social, psychological, decision, and behavior processes, which are in need of research. Organized study has gathered several theories and reasons concerning how, and why consumer traits and behavior have influence concerning the purchasing process. The consumer psychologist propose that each purchase made by consumers are in a number of ways influenced by components, such as cultural influences, psychological, and social processes, internal, and external factors. Consumers of today are demonstrating a desire for fresh products and services. Because of these desires, doors of opportunity are opened for consumers, marketing providers, and businesses to approve or disapprove new concepts. Organizations will need to conduct nationwide research concerning the consumer’s behavior, and his or her decision- making processes. The research will support a variety of roles and ideas for product development. A successful marketer understands the numerous causes, motivation, and influences of consumer purchasing. A psychological process occurs in the minds of individuals, and usually affects the individuals’ behavior. Concerning this topic, psychological process determines the consumer’s behavior. The team member will discuss three psychological processes, and three social processes. The team member will begin with psychological processes. Motivation: The internal force that encourages the consumer to take certain actions, Memory: Consumers use this process to store, acquire, retain, and retrieve information sometimes later. Perception: by perception, consumers interpret, and organize sensations that affect him or her, and important to his or her lives. A social process occurs in an individuals’ life or surroundings. An individuals’ social life may affect his or her patterns of behavior and interactions. Social influence processes include: Family and role influences: How individuals are raised and family roles often determine how he or she responds to the environment. Opinion leaders: Individuals are usually affected by those who influenced his or her life. Culture: Individuals may acquire similar or different interests, or likes. The importance of understanding consumer motivation will help businesses to develop marketing strategies that work. Businesses can communicate with his or her customer in ways that highlight his or her most valuable attributes. A successful business relies upon its capability to draw and keep customers, eager to buy goods and services at costs that will profit the business. Consumer perception explains how consumers and probable consumers view other companies, and his or her goods and service. Consumer perception becomes significant for a business because it can influence the customer’s behavior, which eventually affects the businesses profits. A variety of businesses spend huge quantities of capital to persuade customer awareness. Consumer perception can most times determine success or failure for a business. An example of this consists of an individual who own his or her restaurant, and the restaurant has a reputation for serving good food. The general perception would indicate that everyone should eat at this particular restaurant because it serves the best foods in town. This perception could boost revenue for the restaurant, but on the other hand if consumers had a negative perception about the restaurant, it could hinder profits. Consumer memory allows consumers to remember and identify information for future use. Therefore, memory plays an important role concerning the decision- making process of consumers, by moving his or her awareness and remembrance of marketing information. Consumers used information stored in his or her memory knowingly and unknowingly when making decisions. These decisions range from what brand and flavor of soda to drink or what manufacture, and type of car to purchase. By understanding these important processes marketers can better prepare to market new product and services to consumers.

History of Middletown, New Jersey Essay

A Starbuck or Panera Bread at nearly every corner, high rise condominiums and modern day architectural structures line the city of Middletown, New Jersey. This is the everyday picture of my hometown located north of the Navesink River in Monmouth County. Yes, I have noticed beautiful state parks, a lighthouse, and signs for tourist, but not being a tourist, I never realized or cared much for why Middletown even attracted tourists. I was looking forward to this research paper, because it gave me an opportunity to actually learn the historical significance of where I lived. I put the proverbial â€Å"tourist hat† on and took to the streets. What I learned amazed and embarrassed me, Middletown was encased in history, landmarks and all I basically new was where to get my latte in the morning. Before seeing the â€Å"sights† that I passed by so many times without pause, I wanted to learn about the history of Middletown itself, the simple facts. The township was settled in l665 by the English who migrated from Long Island, New York and New England. They had to purchase the land from the local Indian tribes and initially established three villages; the Portland Point, Shrewsbury and Middletown. The towns were organized as part of the Monmouth County in l693. Portland Point didn’t progress, but the two remaining villages prospered and were deemed as the â€Å"Two Towns of the Navesink† (Gabrielan, 2003). Middletown’s past included playing a part in the Revolutionary War. A vast number of residents stayed loyal to England and while others fount for their independence. According to Randall Barielan, â€Å"the conflict in New Jersey was a virtual civil war. Enemy participants in the major battle in New Jersey were headed toward Middletown. British forces hid in the Middletown hills during the battles. I never imagined my hometown shared a piece of our nation’s history. It’s a small town of about 60,000 people, on the Navesink River. Unfortunately, we did have thirty-six residents die on September 11th, but with that aside our crime rate is 0. 6 per 1,000 people (epodunk. com, 2007). Until this paper I thought of Middletown as a quaint village with the most impressive feature being that Bruce Springsteen, Geraldo Riviera and Vince Lombardi were born. Since I did pass a few â€Å"old† churches on my way to a Starbucks, I thought I’d esearch the spirituality history of Middletown. There were several different denominations early on with the Baptist Church founded in 1688, the oldest church in New Jersey, with at least one half of the original settlers known to be of this faith. The All Saints Memorial Church in Navesink, founded in l864 and officially becoming a National Historic Landmark in1988. Richard Upjohn, a visionary of this time period, with his English Gothic Revival architect, was chosen to construct the church laying the cornerstone in l863. According to there official website; www. allsaintsnavesink. rg, the church was awarded a â€Å"grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust to develop a long term preservation plan. † The story behind the Episcopal Christ Church, built in l702 is interesting. It was not about England settlers getting together to worship; it was more of a â€Å"missionary venture. † Colonial Governor, Lewis Morris, wrote to the Bishop of London of the people of Middletown: â€Å"There is no such thing as a church or religion among them. They are perhaps, the most ignorant and wicked people in the world†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The Bishop sent two Anglican priests to â€Å"save† Middletown. That was over three hundred years ago and the Christ Church still remains an active congregation (christchurchmiddletown. org). Another area of Middletown I wasn’t aware of, is snuggled away high on a hill and called the Water Witch Club, founded in 1895. A 50 acre â€Å"historic paradise,† added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. It is known for its â€Å"exclusive club culture,† and architecture. The Witch Club enticed visits by famous architects such as Frank A. Wright and Yew York are rich and famous. Presently there are forty-four homes at Water Witch Club that amazingly kept its â€Å"old-world charm,† throughout its history. A breathtaking site on top of a hill, which escaped me for so long (Van Develde, 2003). Before I introduce you and myself, to the several other historic landmarks in Middletown, there is one fact I was surprised to unveil. Middletown’s daily newspaper, the Times Herald-Record, often called simply, â€Å"The Record,† was the first cold offset press in the country, published in 1851. Subsequently, in 1956, the Middletown Daily Record, the first U.  S. newspaper to use cold type, printed from a garage, ignited competition for the Record. In l969 the two papers merged into the Sunday Record, but reverted back to the Times Herald-Record in 2007. The form of this newspaper from cold type to a website, in 2008, shows a timeline of innovations (record online. com). Now, back to being a tourist, I set forth to view the historical landmarks my locale had preserved for generations. Marlpit Hall was built in several stages and completed in 1756. It was the home of loyalist Edward Taylor and his family. Taylor was held under house arrest for his political views and lost most of his wealth and influence. In l936, the house was donated to the Monmouth County Historical Association. The Association restored it to become the first house museum in the region. Marlpit has five rooms all furnished to depict its setting from l756 through 1820. It is â€Å"key property† in the National Register of Historic Places in Middletown Village. A â€Å"spin-off† of the Marlpit Hall is the Taylor-Butler House, built in 1853 by descendents of the Marlpit’s Taylor family. Joseph Taylor and his wife, Mary originally called it the Orchard Home. They were particular in furnishing the home with family heirlooms. Mary was the last to live in the house, which remained vacant for ten years after her death in 1930. Henry Ludwig Kramer, a famous architect, bought it for his home and office, restoring its historical venue. George and Alice Butler bought it from Kramer in the l950’s; in turn the Monmouth County Historical Association bought the estate in l999. Actually the Association itself has an historical place in Middletown, too. It was founded in l898 by a group of citizens committed to preserving the history of Monmouth County. They built a three story Georgian building in l931 to house a museum and library (co. monmouth. nj). Middletown has two historic farmhouses; the Murray Farmhouse and the Moses D. Heath Farm. The Murray Farmhouse and barn was built in l770 and remains on its original foundation. Joseph Murray and his mother arrived from Ireland in l767 to Monmouth County where he met and married Rebecca Morris, and had four children. Joseph joined the â€Å"local militia,† when the Revolutionary War began. He acquired the nickname, â€Å"daring, notorious rebel,† because he was â€Å"openly defiant of British rule. † The farm remained in the family until l861, and had several owners until it was purchased in 1973 by the Middletown Township to â€Å"save the land from development. † Today the house is not accessible to the public but there are continuous events and tours throughout the barn and farmland (poricypark. org). The Moses D. Heath Farm provides access to numerous exhibits to illustrate the historical importance of farming in Monmouth County. They include; 19th century farm â€Å"artifacts, Gertrude Neidlinger (1911-1998) Spy House collection, and a working honey bee colony and museum. † The farm promotes the legacy of the Heath family, primarily Bertha C. Heath. Heath’s father, Clinton was a former slave until the Civil War freed him, and he fled to Middletown with his brother Calvin; who later became the first preacher at the Clinton Chapel Zion Church, founded in 1870. After he was settled as a crop farmer he sent for his wife and thirteen children. Bertha being the â€Å"youngest of 6 girls. † Born in the farm homestead on July 22, 1909, she ran two miles for a â€Å"trolley to take her to school,† each morning. Bertha was exceptionally graduating from Middletown Township High School in 1926 she moved to Upper Manhattan, New York City and lived there for forty-four years. During this period she graduated from the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health form New York University, in 1958, and a Master of Science degree from Columbia University. Bertha went beyond what a black women was allowed or able to do, and enjoyed working as a registered nurse until her retirement in 1974. Bertha with the help of her nephew, Walter Spradley and countless volunteers, organized the Heath Center Black History Committee, which still participates in Black History Month celebrations. The property has remained in the Heath Family since the post Civil War years and converted into the center of New Jersey’s African-American agricultural history. Visiting the farm is the ultimate family experience. Along with exhibits already mentioned, there is a children’s educational garden, blacksmith shop, sugar can mill and â€Å"demonstrations on how farming was conducted in the l9th century,† (heahfarm. tripod. com). The last landmark I’ll review is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Built in l764 it is the oldest lighthouse in the nation and one of the twelve constructed before the Revolutionary War. It is octagonal, and rises eight-five feet above the ground and eighty-eight feet above the water. New York originally financed Sand Hook because the merchants lost a lot of money and crew members from shipwrecks. American and English troops both wanted control of the lighthouse during the war, so New York congressmen gave the order to darkened it to deter British ships. This proved ineffective, the British sent a landing party to relight Sandy Hook. The Americans even tried to destroy the lighthouse with cannons, but did little damage to its structure. The British controlled Sandy Hook throughout the Revolution. â€Å"The original tower of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse still stands. † Another interesting note from the National Park Service is that the lighthouse originally stood five hundred feet from the northern end of Sandy Hook, and now, because of the current of the water, â€Å"the light is five-eighths of a mile from the point. † Ironically the light continues to help mariners, as it has â€Å"faithfully done for the last l96 years,† and was designated a National Landmark on January 29, 1964 (nps. gov). Amazing how much a tourist learns about a place you call home? I had to walk in they’re shoes to notice the national historic landmarks, hidden natural treasures and areas steeped in history, literally in my own backyard. What an indelible past laid behind my everyday sights of the Gothic designed church, the farmhouses, and restored l9th century homes. It is like seeing Middletown for the first time, through the eyes of an interested stranger. My walk to Starbucks takes on a totally different meaning for me now; I take it slower, observe the artistic landscape and take pride in knowing I’m walking down a path through history.