Abstract
The paper relates that the story of Easter Island is one that has captured the imagination of the public almost since the discovery of the island. The paper notes that the worldwide fame of such a seemingly insignificant island would be hard to explain except for the fact that it possesses one of the most fascinating Neolithic cultures anywhere in the world. However, the paper relates that less well known to a wider populace is the story of the island's ecological devastation; while there is no doubt about what occurred, scientists still debate the causes of this sudden change. The paper examines the two main lines of argument and attempts to discover if a consensus in favor of one or the other can be established.

From the Paper
"The story of Easter Island is one that has captured the imagination of the public almost since the discovery of the island on Easter Day of 1722 by Dutch explorers. Known more accurately as "Rapa Nui" in its native language, the tiny volcanic island of about 160 sq. km. is one of the most isolated landforms in the world, more than 2,000 kilometers from the nearest inhabited neighbor (Peiser, 2005, p. 513). The worldwide fame of such a seemingly insignificant island would be hard to explain except for the fact that it possesses one of the most fascinating Neolithic cultures..."

Tags:easter island, colonialism, deforestation

Abstract
This paper begins by addressing a scathing remark made by Carlos Mencia on his television show, in which he jokes about not rebuilding the homes that were devastated in the Gulf Coast by hurricane Katrina. The paper goes to attack the insensitivity of Mencia's comment and describes the intensity of the trauma endured by someone who has lost their home. The paper then describes that in order to help the people of the area, the gulf coast must be rebuilt into something completely new and entirely different than what it was before.

From the Paper
"Many people lost their homes when Katrina hit, but a home is not just a house. A home is a conglomeration of possessions, culture, and people that make a place familiar and safe. Having all of this suddenly torn away is, in many ways, like being surprised by the death of a close friend or family member. If these people aren't allowed to obtain some sort of closure--to see their home in its open casket, so to speak--they will never be able to recreate that sense of familiarity in another place. Rebuilding the Gulf Coast is one way in which this closure can be achieved."

Tags:carlos mencia, hurricane katrina, devastation, new orleans

Abstract
Nothing is as devastating as knowing a loved one has cancer. Cancer devastates lives of the patient, family members, friends, and co-workers often creating emotional scars of depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety disorders, psychosocial distress or other emotional problems as well as the need to face various treatment-related issues.

Tags:cancer, effects, statistics

Abstract
Natural disasters have significantly impacted the Caribbean. Hurricanes in particular are devastating because of their frequency, and the vulnerability of the islands to them. Throughout the region, these "acts of God" along with tropical storms and volcanic eruptions have shaped and re-shaped the geographical transformation of these territories time and again. This paper will examine one such "act of God", hurricane Ivan that devastated several islands in 2004. The paper will examine the chain of events, the impact of the disaster as well as the scope of the people and areas affected. The paper will also examine long- term and short- term effects of this disaster as well as the importance of understanding all the details and impacts of such huge disasters.

From the Paper
Natural Disaster in The Caribbean - Hurricanes - Ivan, 2004 Natural disasters have significantly impacted the Caribbean. Hurricanes in particular are devastating because of their frequency, and the vulnerability of the islands to them. Throughout the region, these "acts of God" along with tropical storms and volcanic eruptions have shaped and re-shaped the geographical transformation of these territories time and again. This paper will examine one such "act of God", hurricane Ivan that devastated several islands in 2004. The paper will examine the chain of events, the impact of the disaster as well as the scope of the people and areas affected. The paper will also examine long- term and short- term

Tags:caribbean, hurricanes, ivan

Abstract
The following paper looks at the devastating effects of Hurricane Mitch and examines how the shocks are still being felt to this day in Central America. The author contends that no matter how much we progress against the rage of nature we are unprotected.

From the paper:

"The calamity that hit the Central American nations in October 1998 took suffering to a new height. Though an accurate toll is still hard to calculate--and as many as 10,000 people were estimated to be dead in the battered countries of Nicaragua and Honduras, while as many as 2 million may be were made homeless after the relentless rains of Hurricane Mitch. In much lesser degrees, calamity also visited El Salvador and Guatemala. In all, the storm wrought $3 billion in damage--more than half the combined Nicaraguan and Honduran gross domestic products--and devastated at least two-thirds of those countries' public infrastructure."

Tags:natural, disasters

Abstract
The writer looks closely at the decline of Mozambique's foreign dependence. However, according to the paper, the government still relies heavily on foreign aid to make up its budget each year. The writer proposes that if the people are taught to manage and use what they have effectively, with the combination of knowledge and charity, Mozambique can become a healthy country.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Current Economy
Future Economy
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In the early 20th century, the Portuguese allowed large private companies, controlled and financed mostly by the British, to begin to control the country. These companies established railroad lines to neighboring countries and by supplied cheap, often forced, African labor to the mines and plantations of the nearby British colonies. Again, little attention was paid to the development Mozambique's economic infrastructure or the skills of its population. After World War II, Portugal maintained that Mozambique, like other Portuguese colonies, were overseas provinces of the mother country and immigration to the colonies soared. Mozambique's Portuguese population at the time of independence was over 200,000. An independence movement developed; in 1962 several anti-Portuguese political groups formed the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which initiated an armed campaign against Portuguese colonial rule in September 1964. After 10 years, Mozambique became independent on June 25, 1975. FRELIMO quickly established a one-party Marxist state and outlawed rival political activity."

Tags:Portuguese, socialist, economy, civil, crisis

Abstract
This paper covers contributing factors of the Great War's high death tolls and how the war changed combat forever. Some of the factors examined are weapons, tactics and conditions (such as poor living conditions, disease and the environment in the trenches ).

From the Paper
"New technology also played a part in causing the destruction of World War I. Devices such as tanks, submarines, aircraft and machine guns all made their way into the war. The machine gun was one of the most widely used pieces of new technology. Every country involved in the war used machine guns. With their high rates of fire, a single machine gunner could decimate an entire company of soldiers.
Machine guns were heavily researched after the war (and still are to this day) and they continue to play a large role on any modern battlefield. Modern versions fixed the flaws of previous designs, such as making them lighter and more maneuverable, as well as increasing their reliability, which was considered one of the weapons biggest flaws."

Tags:somme, trenches, disease, battlefield

From the Paper
"This paper discusses the devastating physical and emotional effects that Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (Alzheimer's disease) has on the patient and their family. It explores the current ways people affected by this illness are treated by the medical community, and how necessary information is not readily disseminated by the doctors, who are the initial contacts. It examines the coping skills and support systems used by family caregivers, and looks at what is involved in obtaining care from facilities outside of the home. Finally, suggestions are proposed to make improvements to the current systems."

Abstract
This paper explores the AIDS epidemic as one of the most significant health-related events of this century highlighting the staggering financial and social costs which are growing daily. The paper looks at the spread of the disease due to the social behavior of mankind, mainly in the form of unprotected sex. The author then surmises the only way to prevent further devastation from the disease is to educate society to try and change their social behavior. The paper concludes that in America and Thailand statistics show that due to changes in social behavior, the number of AIDS cases have decreased.

Table of Contents
Introduction
History and Prevalence
Statistical Information
Physiology
Cultural Societal Impact
Research
Stigma
Effect
Opinion/Analysis
Case Study
Conclusion

From the Paper
"It is possible that momentum for prevention will build up, as the epidemic becomes more visible. Today, although one in every 100 adults in the most sexually active age bracket (15-49) is living with HIV, only a tiny fraction know about their infection. Because people can live for many years with HIV before showing any sign of illness, the virus can spread unobserved for a long time. In the face of other pressing concerns, it has been relatively easy in many parts of the world for political, religious and community leaders to overlook the significance of the epidemic. But AIDS cases, and AIDS deaths, are growing the world over, and there are few countries where it is still possible to be ignorant of the scale of the disease. Some 2.3 million people died of AIDS during the course of 1997. In roughly the same number again HIV infection developed into symptomatic AIDS. HIV has more than doubled the adult death rate in some places, and is the single biggest cause of adult death in many others ."

Tags:health, society, infected, epidemic, hiv

Abstract
The paper shows that although many people are aware of the devastation that occurred at Pearl Harbor in 1941, most are ill-informed concerning the causes, effects, and exact events that transpired in relation to this dreadful day in American history. This essay provides many facts and statistics about the tragic event of Pearl Harbor. It contains information before, during, and after the war.

From the Paper
"The primary, and most probable, cause of Japan's attack on the US forces stationed at Pearl Harbor can be best attributed to the strong stance against the imperialistic practices engaged in by Japan. At this point, Japan was ruled by a militaristic government, with one of the primary figures being General Hideki Tojo. Under Tojo's rule the Japanese army favored solving the island's over-crowding problem by conquering neighboring states, such as China, while the navy favored usurping islands in Southeast Asia (Nunn 10)."

Tags:franklin, japan, roosevelt, Hawaii, French, Indochina, World, War, II