Media and the Idea of Beauty free essay sample

Elizabeth Rosales Cultural Anthropology-A18: Yi,Zhou April 21, 2011 Response Paper: Killing Us Softly Who are we? Who am I? With the average American exposed to approximately 3,000 ads a day they all remind us of who we are not and who we should be. The images we are constantly bombarded with by the mass media don’t just sell products they â€Å"sell values, images, concepts of love, sex, and normativity†, standards to which we so often compare ourselves to. Ads reinforce gender binaries, all making a statement about what it means to be a woman in this culture of thinness stressing a particular importance on physical beauty. Jean Kilbourne’s film Killing Us Softly explores and exposes the detrimental effects of the objectification and dehumanization in the representation of women in the popular culture, specifically advertisements. With only less than five percent of women of the entire population that reflect the images of the women advertised, the majority of women are left to feel ashamed for not trying hard enough. We will write a custom essay sample on Media and the Idea of Beauty or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Women’s bodies are increasingly subjected to strict scrutiny under a magnifying glass by our superficial culture, these actions bring forth and further feed the shame and embarrassment women associate with their bodies, their sexuality, their size, and their weight. Spending self-conscious days, weeks, months, and even years in front of a mirror and scale, inspecting our bodies in front of a mirror comparing ourselves to the images spread over magazine covers as women we are repeatedly reminded that our bodies are home to imperfections and there is always room for improvement whether that be through exercise, plastic surgery, dieting, or over the counter â€Å"beauty and health† products. Rosales 2 Is this self-improvement or self-destruction? Today, 1 in 5 women are likely to develop an eating disorder and cosmetic surgery is more popular than ever before. More and more women each day are going under the knife for breast enhancements losing all sensation in their breasts. Such procedures dehumanize and objectify women transforming them from â€Å"subjects to objects†, all because as women we are conditioned by the dominant culture to want to feel desirable and seek the approval of men. The breasts, therefore, become a source of pleasure for the men and not the women who undergo the procedure. These internalized feelings drive many to strive to obtain an unattainable beauty and live up to certain impossible expectations whether it’s consciously or not. We fail to recognize that most of the images we are exposed to are computer generated, they are not real women they have been photo shopped and manipulated to look like that and yet we continue to perpetuate these images as the standards for beauty. Much more, the standards that women are expected to live up to is a paradox of ideas, we are to be both â€Å"innocent and sexy, virgin and experienced† child/doll-like and sex objects simultaneously. Can that be any more absurd? Gender is a performance that the mass media is largely responsible for defining, if we are not thin or beautiful enough then we are not feminine enough. The oppression and misrepresentation of women is not limited to gender though, race plays an active role in the representation of women. Asian women for example, are depicted as docile and passive lovers, whereas black and Hispanic women are hyper sexualized and portrayed as exotic promiscuous â€Å"creatures† dressed in animal prints. The perfect ideal woman was manufactured and it’s time we recognize this, she is an illusion that doesn’t exist outside of caricature. Instead of altering our Rosales 3 bodies to fit those Barbie doll like measurements we need to start portraying the large diversity of women accurately and stop condemning those who are not thin enough, tall enough, light enough, as not being beautiful because they aren’t trying hard enough to fit those categories.

Free Essays on A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol Written by: mr krabs â€Å"Humbug!† was Scrooge’s favorite answer to any question and any question was an inappropriate question to the grumpy old covetous man. Depicted in the ethical story, The Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Scrooge’s fowling manner transformed his once passionate heart to a black hole, which pulled in all hope and happiness as if it were a powerful magnet. Nevertheless, the jar of hatred shattered and Scrooge’s impaired spirit rose again. Love and happiness permeated his body, and the once ignorant Scrooge developed into an irresistible congenial fellow that everyone now knew. Scrooge found that he had the ability to alter his behavior and realized that spreading Christmas was more rewarding than any given amount of money. Scrooge’s capability to transform himself from a wrenching, disgruntled man to a blithe, amicable friend was surprising to the inhabitants of the small city. For instance, Charles Dickens wrote, â€Å"Some people laughed to see the alteration in him [Scrooge], but he let them laugh, and little heeded them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (page 112). Scrooge didn’t mind the giggles and laughs directed at him because he believed in himself for the first time in a very long time. His confined spirit was freed at last and it allotted happiness and joy around from mysterious turkeys on the doorstep to charity donations. Scrooge sought to make the people of the city cheerful and in doing so, people enjoyed watching an old jolly man hop around delivering gifts. Thus, Scrooge did not heed to the snickers in the crowd. The joy of spreading Christmas was Scrooge’s indirect gift to mankind and it rewarded him with long-lasting friends, which could never compare to any wealth. For example, Charles Dickens wrote,† He [Scrooge] became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old City knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old world â€Å" (page 112). Thi... Free Essays on A Christmas Carol Free Essays on A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol Written by: mr krabs â€Å"Humbug!† was Scrooge’s favorite answer to any question and any question was an inappropriate question to the grumpy old covetous man. Depicted in the ethical story, The Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Scrooge’s fowling manner transformed his once passionate heart to a black hole, which pulled in all hope and happiness as if it were a powerful magnet. Nevertheless, the jar of hatred shattered and Scrooge’s impaired spirit rose again. Love and happiness permeated his body, and the once ignorant Scrooge developed into an irresistible congenial fellow that everyone now knew. Scrooge found that he had the ability to alter his behavior and realized that spreading Christmas was more rewarding than any given amount of money. Scrooge’s capability to transform himself from a wrenching, disgruntled man to a blithe, amicable friend was surprising to the inhabitants of the small city. For instance, Charles Dickens wrote, â€Å"Some people laughed to see the alteration in him [Scrooge], but he let them laugh, and little heeded them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (page 112). Scrooge didn’t mind the giggles and laughs directed at him because he believed in himself for the first time in a very long time. His confined spirit was freed at last and it allotted happiness and joy around from mysterious turkeys on the doorstep to charity donations. Scrooge sought to make the people of the city cheerful and in doing so, people enjoyed watching an old jolly man hop around delivering gifts. Thus, Scrooge did not heed to the snickers in the crowd. The joy of spreading Christmas was Scrooge’s indirect gift to mankind and it rewarded him with long-lasting friends, which could never compare to any wealth. For example, Charles Dickens wrote,† He [Scrooge] became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old City knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old world â€Å" (page 112). Thi...

Freedom of Expression Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Freedom of Expression - Case Study Example It becomes more difficult when the right to free speech competes with another right as will be elucidated on more fully later, the right to privacy. All that should be done is look through jurisprudence until one finds the applicable case with similar facts. In â€Å"hard† cases with novel facts, the role of the judge becomes infinitely more difficult. This is evident, for example, in a case wherein a judge determined that the right to privacy is trumped by the fact that there were legitimate aims to be pursued, as in the case of A v. The United Kingdom, where a Member of Parliament, after identifying the applicant and giving her exact address, proceeded to describe her as a neighbor from hell. In recent times, particularly given the public’s voracious appetite for information on the private lives of celebrities and the entertainment media’s eagerness to satisfy such an appetite, the tension between the right to free speech and the right to privacy grows sharper. Article 8 of the Human Rights Act states that â€Å"Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.† It must be underscored that â€Å"although the object of Article 8 is essentially that of protecting the individual against arbitrary interference by the public authorities, it does not merely compel the State to abstain from such interference: in addition to this primarily negative undertaking, there may be positive obligations inherent in an effective respect for private or family life. These obligations may involve the adoption of measures designed to secure respect for private life even in the sphere of the relations of individuals between themselves." It is cause for reflection that three of the recent famous cases involving privacy and free speech were decided in favor of privacy. This paper will discuss first the case of Princess Caroline of Monaco, which was resolved with finality in the European Court of Human Rights. After which, the case of Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ok! Magazine against Hello! Magazine will be discussed. Last would be the case of Naomi Campbell. In the first case, Von Hannover v. Germany5, Princess Caroline invokes her right to privacy against several entertainment magazines that published pictures of her in her private moments. A few of these photos showed her with actor Vincent Lindon, and such photos were captioned "these photos are evidence of

Agglutination of bacteria Thesis Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Agglutination of bacteria - Thesis Proposal Example The bacterial typing tests are based on serology and they rely on antibodies that recognize given specific bacterial strain. Antibodies are proteins and they are secreted by plasma B cells. B lymphocytes are white blood cells which respond to antigen epitopes and after antigen recognition they differentiate into plasma B cells and secrete antibodies which recognize specific antigen epitopes. The antibodies have at least two binding sites and they non-covalently bind with specific antigen epitopes (Burry). Agglutination reactions can be described as direct or passive assays. Direct assays involve interaction of antibody or lectin with cellular antigen and example for direct assays is bacterial agglutination which are used to type strains of bacteria and to diagnose infection. For agglutination between antigen and antibody, the antibody and antigen epitope must be combined in the proper proportions and it is called zone of equivalence. During agglutination, the antibody molecules bind to epitopes on two or more antigens and form a â€Å"cross-linked network† (Bacterial Agglutination Protocol 6). If the number of antigen and antibody is more, the mass of agglutination becomes visible to naked eye in the form of clumps. Bacterial agglutination is the serological identification of bacteria. Apart from the specific antigen antibody reaction, there are other substances which lead to agglutination of bacteria. Certain chemical and physical properties of the medium in which the organism is suspended influence the degree of dispersion of the cells like in acid agglutination. Some â€Å"variant† forms of bacteria are also seen to agglutinate on addition of electrolytes (Shrigley). Gram positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus is the causative agent of wide range of acute and chronic infections including bacteremia. Staphylococcus bacteremia can lead to sepsis and

Marketing a New Service Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 13750 words

Marketing a New Service - Case Study Example The service thus conceived has the potential to generate revenue from two channels- the insurer and the medical centers. This is explained in greater detail in the section titled "The Proposed Service". Targeting the ideal customers delineated as those who would need minimum financial outlay for the sale to close. These could be customers who are already buying from the company and would therefore be receptive to new ideas This paper begins with a review of literature which explores the key marketing concepts and principles that can be applied to the marketing of a new product or service. The review focuses on marketing of services, how the marketing of service differs from that of product and how the environment impacts marketing strategy and marketing efforts. The section reviews the 4 Ps of marketing, SWOT analysis, McKinsey's 7S model, stakeholder analysis, PESTLE analysis and BSC model. The next section of this paper explains in detail the service being proposed, and analyses its profitability and feasibility. It discusses in detail about the marketing environment and gives background on the company that will launch this service. The section explores how marketing concepts discussed in the review of literature apply to this innovative service. 2. Review of Literature Traditionally, marketing is explained as anything that creates business or keeps a customer. Blanchard (2003) states that customers are the reason for a company to stay in business and thus customer input and customer preferences must shape almost all aspects of work. It is also said that Marketing consists of the strategies and tactics used to identify, create and maintain satisfying relationships with customers that result in value for both the customer and the marketer. This definition can be explained further. Strategies refer to the direction that marketing effort will assume over a period of time, while tactics are specified steps or decisions made in order to follow the strategies established. Strategic and tactical planning

Metal Casting Process

Metal Casting Process Materials and Design Pressure Die Casting Process Executive Summary Since the discovery of the earths minerals, metal casting process has played an important role in society. An integral part of every technological advance, castings have allowed us to build equipment to feed our people, fight for democracy, build infrastructure and manufacture cars, trains and airplanes. In general, castings have been and will continue to be the key ingredient in the recipe for a better way of life. There are various types of casting process, such as sand-casting, permanent-mould casting, investment casting and die-casting. Due to the words limitation, in this investigative study, only the development, technical challenges, recent findings, future direction, range of applications and shortcomings of pressure die-casting process will be discussed. Introduction Pressure Die-casting is similar to permanent mold casting except that the metal is injected into the mold under high pressure of 7-350Mpa (1,000-50,000) psi. This high pressure will not be removed till the solidification is finished. It is called die-casting, because the molds in this casting operation are called dies. Metal is forced into the die cavity by the pressure is the most notable feature that shows this process is different from others in the casting category (Long et al., 2008). In this technique, the mould will not be destroyed after each cast but is permanent, being made of a metal such as cast iron or steel. There are two types of pressure die casting processes, High pressure die casting and low pressure casting. High pressure die casting is the most widely used, representing about 50% of all light alloys casting production. Low pressure die casting currently accounts for about 20% of production and its use is increasing. Rests are gravity die casting, vacuum die casting and squeeze casting process (AZOM, 2008). Literature Review High pressure die casting process In high pressure die casting process, the liquid metal is injected at high speed and high pressure into a metal mould. A schematic view of high pressure die casting is given in Figure 1. Above equipment contains two vertical platens on which bolsters are located which hold the die halves. One of the platen is fixed and the other can move to open and close the die. A measured amount of metal is poured into the shot sleeve and then introduced into the mould cavity using a hydraulically-driven piston. Once the metal has solidified, the die is opened and the casting removed (AZOM, 2008). For high pressure die casting process, special precaution must be considered to avoid too much gas inclusions which cause blistering during the subsequent heat treatment or wielding of the casting product. Since the casting machine and its dies are quite costly, only high-volume production will use the pressure die casting process for economical reason (AZOM, 2008). Low pressure die casting In Figure 2, the die is filled from a pressurised crucible below. Low-pressure die casting is especially suited to the production of components that are symmetric about an axis of rotation. Light automotive wheels are normally manufactured by this technique (AZOM, 2008). Benefits of the process development Over the last three years the biggest improvement of die casting process is the development of material property data and interfacial hear transfer coefficients. Material property thermal data is the essential part of any simulation program, which has been developed for various mold materials, feeding system and metal alloys, such as aluminum, steel and compacted graphite iron. Furthermore, the work done to understand the fluid mechanics of filters is another development of the die casting process, which include the developed pressure drop data for pressed, extruded and reticulated foam filters and these data is easily available in the industry literature (ALLBUSINESS, 2008). There are types of the casting defects occur during production of pressure die casting process such as insufficient pouring, cooling separated, crack and shrink. They are formed in the mold filling and solidification processes, which contributed to the final casting performance. The processes of mold filling and solidification are developed in time sequence while the casting defects are forming, which can be reflected by its numerical simulation in order to predict the locations of the casting defects (Minaie and Voller, 1998). Numerical simulations of mold filling and solidification processes include numerical analysis, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, solidification theory, engineering mechanics, computer aid graph analysis etc. The mold filling process can be described very precisely and the reliable initial temperature field is provided for the next solidification process by using the advantage of numerical simulation on temperature and fluid fields, which benefits to elevate the simulation accuracy of solidification process. Numerical simulations of mold filling and solidification processes, which play the key function in the casting production, are the world known leading area, widening and promoting the development of casting subject by using the advance computer technology. And it also initiates a new way to improve the casting quality (Baicheng and Houfa, 1998). Technical Challenges Details The molten metal flow is the major issue that relates to the mold filling process, heat and mass transfer flow process at changeable temperature accompanied with heat loss and solidification. This process can be presented by the continuity and momentum equations. In addition, the energy balance equation can describe the heat exchange between the molten metal and the casting chamber. The consideration of position and movement of the free surface is the key for the calculation of unstable flow. Also, it is essential to deal with the boundary conditions of the free surface. There for, the mathematical equations can be expressed as follows [1], [2], [3], [4] and where à Ã‚  is the density and u is the velocity The numerical simulation is a non-linear instantaneous thermal analysis in the solidification process. The casting form changes gradually with the decreasing of temperature from liquid state to semi-solid and solid states, in which many physical process and phenomenon played an important role for the casting quality take place, and the temperature field of the casting varies with the time. Therefore, the shrinkage cavity and slack can be predicted with the numerical simulations of the filling and solidification processes (Laurent and Rigaunt, 1992). Range of Applications CAD/CAM/CAE is now as an essential part to keep pace with growing technology and demand for quality, low cost, precision and faster delivery in tool engineering. The followings are the few latest methods, which are being used today in die making industry: Scanning of product to be die cast. CAD/CAM (Computer added design and manufacturing) CAPP (computer added process planning) CAI (computer added inspection) 2D drawing to 3D modeling 3D model to 2D drawing Black-box designing (conceptual base designing) Analysis Simulation (stress, Strain, thermal analysis etc.) Analysis for Gate, runner, ejector pins and cooling line etc. NC data generation Rapid prototyping Concurrent engineering Pressure die casting process is widely used in resource producing company, such as world class Aluminum company Alcoa and NALCO, and copper alloy giant Kennecott. Drawbacks The formation of blow-holes in the die casting is a major drawback, which is resulting from the turbulence produced by the high velocity when the liquid metal alloy is injected. Another major drawback is inevitable shrinkage of the casting as it solidifies, and which is proportional to the temperature at which the alloy is injected. Though cheap to make, the poor quality of current die cast components therefore makes the use of finer quality alloys unfeasible (Moschini and Renzo, 1998). Recent finding Future direction In the world of computer simulation time, the pressure die casting process improvements move very fast in the foundry industry today, a lot has changed in the last few years, for example, three years ago the computers that industry companies using to process the die casting process simulation were based on Unix workstations, which was more than $30,000 and the only way to analyze the filling of a mold cavity was using NavierStokes equations, which was extremely slow. Nowadays, the personal computer (PC) conversion is finished, some of new machines can run 20-30 times faster than the one in three years ago. For example, a very complicated filling and solidification work that used to run days and days can be completed in one hour (ALLBUSINESS, 2008). The concurrent development of optimization techniques have been capitalized on and incorporated by the software companies into their programs. At first glance, this allows the user to let the computer help optimize such things as riser placement and size and chill locations. However it isnt hard to imagine that this is just the beginning, and that we are about to get on a journey in which die casting process simulation programs soon will perform what is unthinkable today (ALLBUSINESS, 2008). Conclusion Die casting molds tend to be expensive as they are made from hardened steel-also the cycle time for building these tend to be long. Also the stronger and harder metals such as iron and steel cannot be die-cast in the past. However, by the developing of the numerical simulations system and optimization techniques, these issues are no longer impede the pace of progress in the modern world. Numerical simulations and optimization techniques can help foster the success and viability of the foundry industry for many years to come. The more capability and accuracy that is built into our simulation tools, the better and more efficient casting can be produced. Reference ALLBUSINESS 2008, Solidifying castings future: process simulation software round-up, http://www.allbusiness.com/manufacturing/fabricated-metal-product-manufacturing/244509-1.html [Accessed 2 May 2008] AZOM 2008, Aluminium Casting Techniques Sand Casting and Die Casting Processes, http://www.azom.com/work/gmQ9Dmtd0mw9jnoTHN6z_files/image008.gifimgrefurl [Accessed 2 May 2008] B. Minaie and V.R. Voller, Comprehensive numerical models for die casting process, Model. Cast. Weld. Processes IV (1998), pp. 513-525. J, M. Long, N. Deshpande, C. Ferguson, M. Kwok and H. Briggs, Materials and Design: Module 2 Introduction to Manufacturing Processes, Deakin University. 2008, pp. 229-230. L. Baicheng and S. Houfa, Progress in numerical simulation of solidification process of shaped casting, J. Mater. Sci. Techol. 11 (1995) (5), pp. 312-324. Moschini and Renzo 1998, Die casting process for producing high mechanical performance components via injection of a semiliquid metal alloy, http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP0513523.html [Accessed 2 May 2008] S.M. Xiong, F. Lau and W.B. Lee, Numerical methods to improve the computational efficiency of thermal analysis for the die casting process, J. Mater. Process Technol. 1-3 (2003), pp. 457-461. S.P.SHARMA 2008, Upgraded Technology and Application in Die Casting, http://www.creativecadcam.net/die-casting.pdf [Accessed 2 May 2008] V. Laurent and C. Rigaut, Experimental and numerical study of criteries functions for predicting microporosity in cast aluminum alloys, AFS Trans. 100 (1992), pp. 647-655.

Ulysses S. Grant Essay -- essays research papers

Ulysses S. Grant lived an interesting life. He gave so much to this country. His life was exciting and he lived in many different places, from small houses to a house given by people to the white house. From saving the blacks from more slavery to giving the U.S. bad years from presidency.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ulysses S. Grant was an American general and the 18th president of the U.S. (Williams 53).Grant was born in point pleasant, Ohio, on April 27 ,1822, the son os Hannah Simpson and Jesse Grant, the owner of a tannery (Williams 52). In 1839, under the name of Ulysses Simpson, instead of his original Hiram Ulysses, he was appointed to West Point (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). Graduating 21st in a class of 39,loosing to Robert E. Lee, who came 1st (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). There he met Julia Dent, whom he married after the Mexican war (â€Å"Grant†314). During the Mexican war, Grant served under both General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott and distinguished himself (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). In 1854, while stationed at Fort Humboldt, California, Grant resigned his commission because of loneliness and drinking problems, and in the following years he engaged in generally unsuccessful farming and business ventures in Missouri(Williams 19- 59). He moved to Galena, Illinois, in 1860, where he became a clerk in his father's leather store (Williams 21).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Civil War, after an indecisive battle raid on Belmont, Missouri, he gained fame when in February 1862, in conjunction with the navy; he succeeded in reducing Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee, forcing General Simon B. Buckner to accept unconditional surrender and earned him the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant (Williams 52). In 1863 he established his reputation as a strategist in the brilliant campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi, which took place on July 4 (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). After being appointed commander in the west, he defeated Braxton Bragg at Chattanooga (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). Grant's victories made him so prominent that he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and in February 1864 was given command of all Union armies(â€Å"Ulysses†Online). Grant accompanied the army of the Potomac in its overland assault on Richmond, Virginia.Grant continues to press the drive against General Robert E. Lee's army (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). After... ...p;After retiring from the presidency, Grant took a long trip around the world. Returning in 1879, he became an unsuccessful candidate for the presidential nomination, which went to James A. Garfield (Williams 58). In 1881 Grant moved to New York City, Where he became a partner in the Wall Street firm of Grant and Ward; he was so close to ruin when the company collapsed in 1884 (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). To provide for his family, he wrote his memoirs while fighting cancer of the throat; he died at Mount Gregor, New York, on July 23,1885 (Williams 52-59).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  He gave so much to this country and we never had a chance to thank him, not by giving stuff to him like the memorial but to say it up close and shaking hands with him. He was a great   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3 General by giving the slaves freedom and fighting for them, if he hadn’t fought for us think about where we would be right know. From the best General of the U.S. Army to 1 of the worst Presidents he still did good for this country. Ulysses S. Grant Essay -- essays research papers Ulysses S. Grant lived an interesting life. He gave so much to this country. His life was exciting and he lived in many different places, from small houses to a house given by people to the white house. From saving the blacks from more slavery to giving the U.S. bad years from presidency.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ulysses S. Grant was an American general and the 18th president of the U.S. (Williams 53).Grant was born in point pleasant, Ohio, on April 27 ,1822, the son os Hannah Simpson and Jesse Grant, the owner of a tannery (Williams 52). In 1839, under the name of Ulysses Simpson, instead of his original Hiram Ulysses, he was appointed to West Point (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). Graduating 21st in a class of 39,loosing to Robert E. Lee, who came 1st (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). There he met Julia Dent, whom he married after the Mexican war (â€Å"Grant†314). During the Mexican war, Grant served under both General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott and distinguished himself (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). In 1854, while stationed at Fort Humboldt, California, Grant resigned his commission because of loneliness and drinking problems, and in the following years he engaged in generally unsuccessful farming and business ventures in Missouri(Williams 19- 59). He moved to Galena, Illinois, in 1860, where he became a clerk in his father's leather store (Williams 21).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Civil War, after an indecisive battle raid on Belmont, Missouri, he gained fame when in February 1862, in conjunction with the navy; he succeeded in reducing Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee, forcing General Simon B. Buckner to accept unconditional surrender and earned him the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant (Williams 52). In 1863 he established his reputation as a strategist in the brilliant campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi, which took place on July 4 (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). After being appointed commander in the west, he defeated Braxton Bragg at Chattanooga (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). Grant's victories made him so prominent that he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and in February 1864 was given command of all Union armies(â€Å"Ulysses†Online). Grant accompanied the army of the Potomac in its overland assault on Richmond, Virginia.Grant continues to press the drive against General Robert E. Lee's army (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). After... ...p;After retiring from the presidency, Grant took a long trip around the world. Returning in 1879, he became an unsuccessful candidate for the presidential nomination, which went to James A. Garfield (Williams 58). In 1881 Grant moved to New York City, Where he became a partner in the Wall Street firm of Grant and Ward; he was so close to ruin when the company collapsed in 1884 (â€Å"Ulysses†Online). To provide for his family, he wrote his memoirs while fighting cancer of the throat; he died at Mount Gregor, New York, on July 23,1885 (Williams 52-59).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  He gave so much to this country and we never had a chance to thank him, not by giving stuff to him like the memorial but to say it up close and shaking hands with him. He was a great   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3 General by giving the slaves freedom and fighting for them, if he hadn’t fought for us think about where we would be right know. From the best General of the U.S. Army to 1 of the worst Presidents he still did good for this country.