Ante Pavelic, Croatian War Criminal

Ante Pavelic, Croatian War Criminal Of all the Nazi-era war criminals who escaped to Argentina after World War Two, it is possible to argue that Ante Pavelić (1889-1959), the â€Å"Poglavnik,† or â€Å"chief† of wartime Croatia, was the vilest. Pavelic was the head of the Ustase party which ruled Croatia as a puppet of the Nazi regime in Germany, and their actions, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews and Gypsies, sickened even those Nazi advisors stationed there. After the war, Pavelic fled to Argentina, where he lived openly and unrepentant for several years. He died in Spain in 1959 of wounds suffered in an assassination attempt. Pavelic Before the War Ante Pavelić was born on July 14, 1889 in the town of Bradina in Herzegovina, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time. As a young man, he trained as a lawyer and was very active politically. He was one of many Croatians who chafed at his people becoming part of the Kingdom of Serbia and subject to a Serbian king. In 1921 he entered politics, becoming an official in Zagreb. He continued to lobby for Croatian independence and by the late 1920’s he had established the Ustase Party, which openly supported fascism and an independent Croatian state. In 1934, Pavelić was part of a conspiracy which resulted in the assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia. Pavelić was arrested but released in 1936. Pavelić and the Croatian Republic Yugoslavia was suffering from great internal turmoil, and in 1941 the Axis powers invaded and conquered the troubled nation. One of the first actions of the Axis was to set up a Croatian State, the capital of which was Zagreb. Ante Pavelić was named Poglavnik, a word which means â€Å"leader† and is not unlike the term fà ¼hrer adopted by Adolf Hitler. The Independent State of Croatia, as it was called, was actually a puppet state of Nazi Germany. Pavelić established a regime led by the vicious Ustase party which would be responsible for some of the most horrible crimes committed during the war. During the war, Pavelić met with many European leaders including Adolf Hitler and Pope Pius XII, who personally blessed him.    Ustase War Crimes The repressive regime quickly began acting against the Jews, Serbs and Roma (gypsies) of the new nation. The Ustase eliminated their legal rights of their victims, stole their property and finally murdered them or sent them to death camps. The Jasenovac death camp was established and anywhere from 350,000 to 800,000 Serbs, Jews and Roma were murdered there during the war years. The Ustase slaughter of these helpless people made even hardened German Nazis flinch. Ustase leaders called on Croatian citizens to murder their Serbian neighbors with pickaxes and hoes if need be. The slaughter of thousands was done in broad daylight, with no attempt made to cover it up. Gold, jewels and treasure from these victims went directly into Swiss bank accounts or into the pockets and treasure chests of the Ustase.   Pavelić Flees In May of 1945, Ante Pavelić realized the Axis cause was a lost one and decided to run. He reportedly had about $80 million in treasure with him, looted from his victims. He was joined by some soldiers and some of his high-ranking Ustase cronies. He decided to try and make for Italy, where he hoped the Catholic Church would shelter him. Along the way, he passed through zones controlled by the British and it is assumed he bribed some British officers to let him through. He also stayed in the American zone for a while before making his way to Italy in 1946. It is believed that he traded intelligence and money to the Americans and British for safety: they may have also left him alone as partisans were fighting the new communist regime in Yugoslavia in his name. Arrival in South America Pavelić found shelter with the Catholic Church, as he had hoped. The church had been very friendly with the Croatian regime, and also helped hundreds of war criminals escape after the war. Eventually Pavelić decided that Europe was just too dangerous and headed to Argentina, arriving in Buenos Aires in November of 1948. He still had millions of dollars’ worth of gold and other treasures stolen from the victims of his murderous regime. He traveled under an alias (and a new beard and mustache) and was warmly welcomed by the administration of President Juan Domingo Peron. He wasn’t alone: at least 10,000 Croatians – many of them war criminals – went to Argentina after the war. Pavelić in Argentina Pavelić set up shop in Argentina, attempting to overthrow the regime of new President Josip Broz Tito from half a world away. He set up a government in exile, with himself as president and his former undersecretary of the Interior, Dr. Vjekoslav Vrancic, as vice-President. Vrancic had been in charge of the repressive, murderous police forces in the Croatian Republic. Assassination Attempt and Death In 1957, a would-be assassin fired six shots at Pavelić on the street in Buenos Aires, hitting him twice. Pavelić was rushed to a doctor and survived. Although the assailant was never caught, Pavelić always believed him to be an agent of the Yugoslav communist regime. Because Argentina was becoming too dangerous for him – his protector, Peron, had been ousted in 1955 – Pavelić went to Spain, where he continued trying to subvert the Yugoslav government. The wounds he suffered in the shooting were serious, however, and he never fully recovered from them. He died on December 28, 1959. Of all of the Nazi war criminals and collaborators who escaped justice after World War Two, Pavelić is quite arguably the worst. Josef Mengele tortured inmates at the Auschwitz death camp, but he tortured them one at a time. Adolf Eichmann and Franz Stangl were responsible for organizing systems which killed millions, but they were operating within the framework of Germany and the Nazi party and could claim to have only been following orders. Pavelić, on the other hand, was the commander-in-chief of a sovereign nation, and under his personal direction, that nation coldly, brutally and systematically went about the business of slaughtering hundreds of thousands of its own citizens. As war criminals go, Pavelić was up there with Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Unfortunately for his victims, Pavelić’s knowledge and money kept him safe after the war, when Allied forces should have captured him and turned him over to Yugoslavia (where his death sentence would have come swiftly and surely). The aid given to this man by the Catholic Church and the nations of Argentina and Spain are also great stains on their respective human rights records. In his later years, he was increasingly considered a bloodstained dinosaur and if he had lived long enough, he may have eventually been extradited and put on trial for his crimes. It would be of little comfort to his victims to know that he died in great pain from his wounds, increasingly bitter and frustrated at his continuing irrelevance and inability to re-establish a new Croatian regime.    Sources: Ante Pavelic. Moreorless.net. Goà ±i, Uki. The Real Odessa: Smuggling the Nazis to Peron’s Argentina. London: Granta, 2002.

Census Offers Statistics on Older Americans

Census Offers Statistics on Older Americans On July 1, 2004, 12 percent of all Americans were 65 years of age and over. By 2050, people 65 and over will comprise an impressive 21 percent of the U.S. population, reports the U.S. Census Bureau. Every year since May 1963, Older Americans Month has been honored with a presidential proclamation. Last year, President George W.  Bush said, â€Å"Older Americans help others to understand the past, and they teach timeless lessons of courage, endurance and love. Through their legacy of patriotism, service, and responsibility, Americas seniors also unite families and communities and serve as role models for younger generations.† In observance of Older Americans Month 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau has compiled some revealing statistics about Americas aging population. Population 36.3 million The number of people 65 and over in the U.S. on July 1, 2004. This age group accounts for 12 percent of the total U.S. population. Between 2003 and 2004, 351,000 people moved into this age group.86.7 million Projected number of people 65 and over in the year 2050. People in this age group would comprise 21 percent of Americas total population at that time.147% Projected percentage increase in the 65-and-over population between 2000 and 2050. By comparison, the population as a whole would have increased by only 49 percent over the same period. Jobs 4.6 million Number of people age 65 and over who are still employed. This amounts to 13 percent of all people in this age group. Education 77%- Proportion of people ages 65 to 69 who graduated from high school. Seventy-three percent of people ages 70 to 74 and 68 percent of those 75 and over are also high school graduates.20% Percentage of the population ages 65 to 69 who have a bachelors degree or higher education. Among people ages 70 to 74, 19 percent have achieved this level of education; for those 75 and over, 15 percent are college graduates.73,000 Number of people 65 and over enrolled in college in October 2002.The Census Bureau has also reported that a college degree greatly increases a persons lifetime earnings, with persons holding masters degrees typically earning $1.3 million over their lifetimes than those with high school diplomas only. On a yearly basis, a college degree typically at least doubles a persons average annual earnings.   Income and Wealth $108,885 Median net worth in 2000 of households with householders 65 and over. In contrast, householders under the age of 35 had a median household net worth of $7,240.$23,787 Median 2003 income of households with householders 65 and over, statistically unchanged, in real terms, from the previous year.10.2% Poverty rate for people 65 and over in 2003. Voting Patterns 65% Percentage of registered voters ages 65 to 74 who voted in the 2002 Congressional election. Seventy-two percent of people ages 65 to 74 voted in the 2000 presidential election. This age group had the highest rate of voter participation in both the 2000 and 2002 elections. Service to Our Nation 9.7 million Estimated number of people age 65 and over who are military veterans. [Source: U.S. Census Bureau]

Materials and manufacture 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Materials and manufacture 2 - Essay Example The six different properties of the seven different materials are identified in terms of their standard definition and then the typical values are further tabulated in SI units in the following table 1 for the purpose of comparison. The material specifications for metals such as low carbon steel and aluminum-zinc alloys can be found in American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and Aluminum Association standards respectively. For example, ASTM A36 (American Society of Testing and Materials[ASTM], 2011 ) is a low carbon structural steel available in various forms such as plates, bars, sheets and rolled products. The properties of A36 are included in table 1. Aluminum-Zinc alloys are designated as 7000 series Al alloy by Aluminum Association based in Arlington, Virginia. 7000 series however include the entire gamut of products like flats, long, castings and so on. The table 1 provides the properties of aluminum-zinc castings only. The thermoplastic polymers are availabl e in form of various brands in the market. The injected molded polymers parts are widely used in industries and hence included in the property table 1. As regards wood, the properties of solid Beech and Birch are included in table 1. Table 1 Properties of materials (http://www.matweb.com & http://www.matbase.com) Material Yield Strength In MPa Young Modulus In MPa % Elongation Electrical Resistivity In  µ?-m Thermal Conductivity in W/m-K Density In gm /cm3 Low Carbon Steel 250 210000 23 0.1612 43-54 7.85 Aluminum Zinc Alloys 205 71000 1 0.038-0.057 121-155 2.80 Acetal Coplymer 37-120 586-12100 1.0-250 1.0e+17 0.231-0.31 1.32-1.54 HDPE 9-43 180-1570 3.20-2080 1.00e+18 0.288-0.400 0.918-1.05 LDPE 7.7-136 110-449 13.5-800 1.0e+17 0.30-0.33 0.91-0.98 BEECH WOOD 130** 10000-18000 * * 0.04-0.4 0.66-0.780 BIRCH PLY 134** 14500-16500 * * 0.04-0.4 0.73 Note. * Woods and ply are not ductile materials and they are good electrical insulators. 130** and 134** represent Ultimate Tensile strengt h. The standards such as ASTM again provide the measurement techniques of both mechanical and physical properties of materials. Depending on the techniques there may be wider variation in mechanical properties which are dependent on the geometry of the test piece. The physical properties are however constant across all geometries of the test piece but found to vary depending on the varied chemical composition. For example, the carbon content in the ASTM A36 material can influence the thermal conductivity values. Similarly, the polymers namely, Acetal Copolymer, HDPE, LDPE exhibit wide ranges of variation in both physical and mechanical properties across various brands available in the market. Hence the values tabulated in table 1 are all typical values. The actual values shall be taken from suitable sources for a specific application. THE CONCEPT OF THE QUANTITATIVE PROPERTIES Strength: It can be defined either in terms of Yield Tensile Strength or Ultimate Strength depending on the desired application. Yield Tensile Strength is the axial load applied per unit area just required to initiate plastic deformation beyond the elastic range of the material. This plastic

What are the strengths and limitations of viewing learning as Essay

What are the strengths and limitations of viewing learning as apprenticeship What implication does this have for educators - Essay Example How to teach children and adults has long been one of the most problematic issues for scholars. Dozens of theories and models were developed, to explain human cognitive development and apply this knowledge to improve various systems of learning and knowledge delivery in educational settings. The current state of educational science is associated with relative flexibility of the learning approaches and openness to the improvement and implementation of the new theories and ideas. In the meantime, older systems of education and cognitive development are being constantly analyzed and improved. Cognitive apprenticeship models are rightly considered as some of the most complicated, controversial, and simultaneously, most productive models of cognitive development and learning. The model exemplifies an essential element of the social constructivist paradigm in learning, emphasizes teamwork, and treats scaffolding as an essential element of the process of training. The apprenticeship model o f learning is associated with numerous problems and limitations, including the lack of connectivity with the real-life conditions and the problems, implementation difficulties, and even the risks of distress and dissent in learners. Despite its limitations, cognitive apprenticeship model provides unique learning opportunities and can be readily applied in a variety of learning settings.Cognitive apprenticeship is a widely-known form of social learning, which helps novices to become experts in their field of study/ professional development (Dennen 2002). Rooted in the principles of social constructivism, cognitive apprenticeship is a model of social learning, which relies on scaffolding and provides structure and examples to be followed by learners (Dennen 2002). Apprenticeship has long been applied for teaching nurses, constructors and legal professionals (Dennen 2002). Today, cognitive apprenticeship is one of the most popular models of cognitive development and learning in young a nd adult learners. Social constructivism suggests that the cultural and social context play the dominant role in how knowledge is constructed and understood (Dennen 2002). Developed by Collins, Brown, and Newman in 1989, the model has become one of the basic elements of cognitive development and knowledge delivery in various educational and learning settings. According to Collins, Brown and Newman (1989), â€Å"cognitive apprenticeship embeds the learning of skills and knowledge in their social and functional context† (p. 454). From the standpoint of social constructivism, cognitive apprenticeship represents the model of learning and knowledge transmission, which treats guided experience, cognitive, and metacognitive elements as the principal factors of the learning process (Collins, Brown & Newmans 1989). Legitimate peripheral participation and situatedness are at the core of the cognitive apprenticeship model (Lave & Wagner 1991). In simple terms, cognitive apprenticeship i mplies that learning occurs through the learners’ participation in authentic situations/ settings (Lave & Wenger 1991). Such participation and engagement in practical environments foster the development of transferable, relevant knowledge more than other models of knowledge dissemination (Collins, Brown & Newman 1989). However, cognitive apprenticeship is more than merely the process of learning in authentic settings: rather, the success of cognitive apprenticeship models depends on how deeply learners are embedded into these authentic contexts (Wertsch 1998). It is imperative that the influence of various situational/ contextual factors be considered, whenever the quality and efficiency of such authentic settings are evaluated and

Patterns In Plant Distribution Along The Shore To Land Gradient On A Coastal Beach Essay Example for Free

Patterns In Plant Distribution Along The Shore To Land Gradient On A Coastal Beach Essay The plants pattern distribution along the shore to land gradient on coastal beaches is relatively in species diversity because many plants are not adapted to the harsh environmental conditions which include slat spray, sand movement and dry nutrients poor substances. However, some plants survive and nourish well in the coastal environment especially the colonizing species which are important to the early stabilization of freshly deposited sediments. For example, the American beach grass and dune sand bur grass which are pioneer colonist in diversity and are distributed along the coastal. They stabilize and initiate dunes (Cheplick 113). Annual grass species are relatively abundant in the coastal ecosystems making them denser in pattern and are well distributed. Along the shores due to disturbance by sand movements and other geographical factors there is a mixture of exotic frasses brought by water movements or waves and natives as dune sand bur grass. Beaches are commonly dominated by native perennial grasses that are the American beach grass whish is scientifically known as Ammophilia breviligulata. Typically it co exists with other annual grasses and herbs in the pioneer zones. There are no fully developed fore dune as in the case of Dune sand bur along the stated island shore, however there is a small distribution pattern along the shores. The American beach grass is more densily distributed along the beach especially at, Midland beach and does not have liable seeds due to its seed dispersion (Cheplick 147). The purple sand grass and grab grass which are annual are also abundant, but they are not near along the shores due to their mode a deed dispersion which mainly is through animal activities. Due to extensive sand stabilization plantings the American beach grass dominating fore dunes along the shores in the coastal regions of the stated island. For this species colonizing shore line habitats are resistant to most human activities. Most species that are offshore are not well distributed due to disturbance of human activities which are more. Due to more sand deposits along the shores I can suggest that it is a contributing factor as to where the grasses have a much bigger colonization succession. Annual plants along the coastal regions are more prolific seed producers and important to the colonization of bare dune substrates. However, where they are already established on dune building and their abundances in the pioneer zones along the coastal beaches natural anthropogenic disturbances are rampant. This contributes to dune formation. There is difficulty in survival and also managing nourishments and other self gain human activities (Cheplick 158). The purple grass dominates areas where human activities have taken place where they cover land, by casual observation because of the impact the activities have on plants. This purple grass colonizes mainly the urban areas, meaning where other grass types do not flourish due to negative impacts of human activities, it tends to have a good potential. It is densely distributed on the urban shorelines. Because of shorter distances, or good proximity to the shores which earlier we saw that there are sand deposits due to geographical factors, the purple grass distribution pattern spreads in high density on the parts of the beach farthest from shore (Cheplick 185). Their growth, survival and reproduction pattern spreads widely from the shore on condition that the intraspecific densities are not high enough to negatively impact its distribution. Conclusion In conclusion species composition and density in the plant community vary with the increasing distances from the coastal shore lines. There are various factors that contribute to this. There is a chain of circumstantial events from seed dispersal through seedlings establishment and subsequent survival. For instance for the purple-grass, seeds are dispersed and incorporated into the sand substrates (Cheplick 188). Annual plant communities of the coastal ecosystems exist in both inter-specific and intra-specific interactions and relations. The purple grass and dune sand bur grass are common along the shore of Staten Island in New York. The purple grass, due to its seed maturity within leaf sheaths along tillers, they are heavier seeds. Hence with larger production of seeds sand bur tend to be more distributed than the purple grass. Hence the differences in the seed dispersibility of seeds, their sizes favors in the coastal ecosystems. From studies and casual observations as evident a biotic factors as sand deposition, drought, nutrient deficiency and salt spray impacts negatively on the coastal ecosystems especially those plants with lower adaptability rates and survival rates. Competition between species and inter-specific relations or interactions has influence and plants growth patterns and rates. Also reproduction and seed dispersion is affected especially in dunes annual plants (Cheplick 247). Anthropogenic activities and natural geographical patterns on fore dunes and beaches probably have favored annual plants evolution. Successive species along the shorelines is the ability to mature seeds fast and establish seedlings under harsh coastal environments. Larger seeds may be more adaptive in coastal ecosystems, resulting in better chances and more density in distribution (Cheplick 296).

Herbal Phen-fen :: Pills Phen-fen Health Weight Loss Essays

Herbal Phen-fen "Lose All the Weight You Want", "Look Sexy and Feel Great", "Use the Safer Alternative", claim advertisements promoting the use of a recently-created dietary supplement known as herbal phen fen (CompuGraph International ) Created after the original phen fen (phentermine fenfluramine) drug was recalled from the market as a result of serious side effects, including severe heart problems which proved fatal for some consumers, the new herbal phen fen was praised by creators for being "all natural" and lacking any harmful side effects. One who relies strictly on internet advertisements for information concerning herbal phen fen, however, may be seriously misinformed and misled about the true nature of this herbal "cure-all" for weight problems. Articles from various journals and periodicals reveal a darker side of herbal phen fen, illustrating the possible harmful side effects of the pill and explaining the dangers of individual ingredients composing herbal phen fen. Claims of many advert isements for herbal phen fen drectly contradict medical research and scientific studies, raising questions about the effectiveness and safety of the new pill. Popular culture teaches people to search for immediate gratification and quick fix-all methods for every problem, thus fast-working pills appeal to those who don't want to spend months trying to lose weight by exercising and eating healthfully. Advertisers capitalize on this quality of public consumers by appealing to public demands for fast results. "Phen-'Nominal' Results Fast" states one ad on the internet, appropriately titled "Herbal Phen Fast", which boasts the pill's ability to "suppress the formation of fats". The ad, which was produced by the company HealthMatrix, Inc., portrays herbal phen fen as a quick, safe, easy and effective way to control hunger, reduce cravings and ultimately lose weight, yet avoids explaining the side effects of the pill by dismissing symptoms as "few and well-tolerated". The ad names and defines the two primary ingredients of herbal phen fen, St. John's Wort and Mahuang, explaining that the combination of these ingredients leads to weight loss. The ad is designed to appear scientific with the claim that the main ingredient of herbal phen fen, St. John's Wort, "prolongs the reuptake of serotonin in the brain", leading to feelings of personal satisfaction (HealthMatrix, Inc.) The ad provides no evidence, research or case studies for this claim or any other claims. Three quotations by consumers of the pill are included in the ad, but interestingly enough, though the consumers claim feeling "more energetic" and satisfied by smaller portions, none of the quotations actually mention weight loss.

Anth Final

Veronica Kim Final Exam –Anth101 Kohistani Violence Thull, is an area where the violence of Kohistani was studied by R. Lincoln Keiser. In this region, the Kohistani, initially did not believe in bloodshed in order to solve conflicts. As elements in their traditional lives changed, Kohistani violence became more and more prevalent in their culture. Three specific changes were the main reasons for the growth in violence. One change led to another change, which then led to a third change. These changes to the traditional culture of the Kohistani were the reason for increased violence among the Kohistani in Thull.The Kohistani were originally pastoralists. Their subsistence methods consisted of a balance of farming and herding. The Kohistani of Thull had permanent residences in the river valleys throughout the seasons. Traditionally, women would continue to stay in these river valleys during the winter to farm, while the men moved to higher altitudes during the summer to find lan d for the animals. Eventually, men took over much of the subsistence efforts and took part in both farming and herding.The culture of herding meant that the Kohistani had to build relationships with other herders in order to maintain peace and decrease violence within groups. Thull is a region that was difficult to travel in and out of without developed roads. Once roads were constructed and transportation was introduced, the Kohistani were able to travel to other regions to trade. This change introduced the Kohistani to the market economy, which disturbed the balance of herding and farming. As they became less dependent on herding, they were able to use the land for more farming.Thus, cultivating potatoes became the main source of income for the Kohistani. The entrance into the market economy enabled the people of Thull to increase their wealth. Through the road systems and the increased inflow of cash, Kohistani were introduced to another cultural change. Initially, the Kohistani were not a group of people who resolved conflicts with bloodshed. In this culture, with a system of hierarchy, leaders were chosen to mediate when disputes arose. However, when the Kohistani entered the market economy through the development of roads, they were able to purchase firearms.In the past, they protected themselves against enemies with other weapons such as knives and spears. As a result, when conflicts surfaced, the men of Thull were required to come into close proximity to their enemies. This was not a reasonable form of conflict resolution for the people of Thull. Therefore, violence was not the primary means of resolving disagreements. Once firearms were introduced, there was a new form of protection for the Kohistani. There was no longer a reason for the Kohistani to resolve issues through negotiations.Instead, there was an increase in violence and blood feuding because they were able to fight and easily murder their enemies from afar. The construction of roads not on ly exposed the people of Thull to firearms and the market economy, but also to different influences and religions from other regions. One specific religion that influenced the Kohistani of Thull was fundamentalist Islam. The major beliefs of fundamentalist Islam were the protection of women’s purity and one’s honor. A man’s honor was directly related to a woman’s purity. For this reason, men of a family needed to protect the women in the family.A male member of the woman’s family avenged any type of insult or action that was believed to be a threat to that woman. For example, if it were perceived that someone had threatened a woman, that person would be killed. The family of the murdered victim would want revenge upon the murderer and more killings would occur. The idea of honor was so important to the Kohistani men, that they would act in any way to protect their honor. This influence of fundamental Islam, on the Kohistani, led to greater actions of violence within and between communities.Traditional Kohistani culture developed into what it is today through modernization. Change in one element of culture inflicted a transformation in traditional ways of conflict resolution. There is evidence of this integrated change in the culture of the Kohistani. Through the development of roads, the Kohistani adjusted their subsistence methods, how they resolved conflicts and influenced their beliefs. All of these shifts in culture eventually contributed to increased violence in the Kohistani communities of Thull.