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The original Bankruptcy Act was enacted in 1878. Unlike European countries, American debtors were not punished in any way. Our founders viewed bankruptcy from a different perspective; therefore, they included a provision in the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the authority to establish uniform bankruptcy laws. The primary purpose of the Bankruptcy Code is to provide debtors an opportunity for a ‘fresh start’. In order to have a fresh start the debtor is relieved from legal responsibility of past debts. Under the code, debtors are protected against abusive creditor activities. Once a voluntary or involuntary petition is filed, certain actions by creditors are suspended under automatic stay. Both secured and unsecured creditors are suspended from taking any action against the debtor or the debtor’s property. However, actions to recover child support or alimony are not suspended. In a situation in which there are both secured and unsecured creditors, there is a special interest in preventing creditors from obtaining an unfair advantage over other creditors. Unsecured creditors must file a ‘proof of claim’ this document states the amount of the creditor’s claim against the debtor. Secured creditors are not required to file a proof of claim unless the amount of claim exceeds the value of the collateral. Voidable transfers are another form of protection between creditors. Preferential transfers or liens made to a creditor by the debtor within 90 days before bankruptcy can...

Lord of the Flies as a Religious Allegory Essay

There are many ways to read  «Lord of the Flies ». To some it is simply an adventure story about a group of boys stranded on a desert island, others interpret it, and see the boys as metaphors for important aspects of our everyday lives. Several different theories have been presented, claiming to explain Golding’s symbolism. What many seem to have overlooked, is that the answer is right there in front of them. It is in the title:  «Lord of the flies », a translation of the greek word  «Beelzebub ». And what do most people think about when they hear this name? The Devil, Satan himself†¦  «Lord of the Flies » is an allegory showing the fight between Christian and Pagan values. The character that more than anyone represents Christianity in the book is Simon. The first time you read through the story, he is probably the character that is the hardest to describe and find a purpose for. He is different and does not fit in among the other boys, But if you go deep er into the book, it becomes more and more obvious that Simon’s life on the island is strikingly similar to the life of another person that did not fit in. A person that lived some 2000 years ago in Israel. Just like Jesus Christ Simon cared about the small and vulnerable, he loved nature and all living. Simon is also a prophet. He knows that Ralph will come back to civilization alive. He does not say anything about himself or Piggy. Neither Simon nor Jesus are ever scared, because they are certain that what is meant to happen will prevail. They were both able to challenge the unknown and conquer it. Jesus won over death, Simon faced the Beast and came back alive. Jesus did it for all the people living on Earth, Simon for the other boys. What is so puzzling and sad is that they were both killed when they tried to share what they had found out. They were both killed in anger and in the belief that they were evil. On the other side, representing paganism and hedonism, we see Jack and his hunters. All they care about are themselves. They do not want to live by any rules and they do not have any respect for the island, They burn and kill without worries, all to please themselves. The tribe loses all features of civilization, the only thing that influences them, except for their own will, is the fear of the Beast. None of them have  ever seen an actual monster, but it is a fear of the unknown. In many ways the Beast becomes a religion for the boys. As we know hunters did in ancient times, the choirbboys start to sacrifice part of their prey, They leave meat so that the Beast shall like them and leave them alone. The most abstract and symbolic incident in the book occurs when Simon sees this sacrifice. The symbol of Christianity, and what is good, meets the symbol of the Devil, and all that is evil. We know that Simon is only hallucinating because of his epilepsy, but a lot of what he sees make sense. The sow’s bloody head convinces him that  «Ã¢â‚¬Ëœeverything is bad business’†¦ The half shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynisism of adult life. » The Lord of the Flies says  «Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill†¦ I’m part of you†¦ I’m the reason why it’s no go†¦ Why things are what they are. » What Golding is saying is that the Devil is hidden somewhere deep inside of all people. Without morals, law and order it will eventually surface and come out. http://www.malvik.vgs.no/engelsk/allegory.htm (1 of 2)4/20/2005 5:55:48 PM  allegory http://www.malvik.vgs.no/engelsk/allegory.htm (2 of 2)4/20/2005 5:55:48 PM

Battle of Philippi in the Wars of the Second Triumvirate

The Battle of Philippi was fought October 3 and 23, 42 BC during the War of the Second Triumvirate (44-42 BC). In the wake of the assassination of Julius Caesar, Octavian and Mark Antony sought avenge his death and deal with the conspirators Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. The armies of the two sides met near Philippi in Macedonia. First clashing on October 3, the fighting effectively proved a draw though Cassius committed suicide after incorrectly learning that Brutus had failed. In a second engagement on October 23, Brutus was beaten and killed himself. Fast Facts: Battle of Philippi Conflict: War of the Second Triumvirate (44-42 BC)Dates: October 3 and 23, 42 BCArmies Commanders:Second TriumvirateOctavianMark Antony19 legions, 33,000 cavalry, over 100,000 totalBrutus CassiusMarcus Junius BrutusGaius Cassius Longinus17 legions, 17,000 cavalry, approximately 100,000 men Background Following the assassination of Julius Caesar, two of the principal conspirators, Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus fled Rome and took control of the eastern provinces. There they raised a large army consisting of the eastern legions and levies from local kingdoms allied to Rome. To counter this, the members of the Second Triumvirate in Rome, Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, raised their own army to defeat the conspirators and avenge Caesars death. After crushing any remaining opposition in the Senate, the three men commenced planning a campaign to destroy the conspirators forces. Leaving Lepidus in Rome, Octavian and Antony marched east into Macedonia with around 28 legions seeking the enemy. Octavian Antony March As they moved forward, they dispatched two veteran commanders, Gaius Norbanus Flaccus and Lucius Decidius Saxa, ahead with eight legions to search for the conspirators army. Moving along the Via Egnatia, the two passed through the town of Philippi and assumed a defensive position in a mountain pass to the east. To the west, Antony moved to support Norbanus and Saxa while Octavian was delayed at Dyrrachium due to ill health. Advancing west, Brutus and Cassius wished to avoid a general engagement, preferring to operate on the defensive. It was their hope to use Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus allied fleet to sever the triumvirs supply lines back to Italy. After using their superior numbers to flank Norbanus and Saxa out of their position and force them to retreat, the conspirators dug in to the west of Philippi, with their line anchored on a marsh to the south and steep hills to the north. Troops Deploy Aware that Antony and Octavian were approaching, the conspirators fortified their position with ditches and ramparts straddling the Via Egnatia, and placed Brutus troops to the north of the road and Cassius to the south. The Triumvirates forces, numbering 19 legions, soon arrived and Antony arrayed his men opposite Cassius, while Octavian faced Brutus. Eager to begin the fighting, Antony tried several times to bring about a general battle, but Cassius and Brutus would not advance from behind their defenses. Seeking to break the deadlock, Antony began searching for a way through the marshes in an effort to turn Cassius right flank. Finding no usable paths, he directed that a causeway be constructed. First Battle Quickly understanding the enemys intentions, Cassius began building a transverse dam and pushed part of his forces south in an effort to cut off Antonys men in the marshes. This effort brought about the First Battle of Philippi on October 3, 42 BC. Attacking Cassius line near where the fortifications met the marsh, Antonys men swarmed over the wall. Driving through Cassius men, Antonys troops demolished the ramparts and ditch as well as put the enemy to rout. Seizing the camp, Antonys men then repelled other units from Cassius command as they moved north from the marshes. To the north, Brutus men, seeing the battle in the south, attacked Octavians forces (Map). Catching them off guard, Brutus men, directed by  Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus, drove them from their camp and captured three legionary standards. Forced to retreat, Octavian to hide in a nearby swamp. As they moved through Octavians camp, Brutus men paused to plunder the tents allowing the enemy to reform and avoid a rout. Unable to see Brutus success, Cassius fell back with his men. Believing that they had both been defeated, he ordered his servant Pindarus to kill him. As the dust settled, both sides withdrew to their lines with their spoils. Robbed of his best strategic mind, Brutus decided to attempt to hold his position with the goal of wearing down the enemy. Second Battle Over the next three weeks, Antony began pushing south and east through the marshes forcing Brutus to extend his lines. While Brutus wished to continue delaying battle, his commanders and allies became restless and forced the issue. Surging forward on October 23, Brutus men met Octavian and Antonys in battle. Fighting at close-quarters, the battle proved very bloody as the Triumvirates forces succeeded in repelling Brutus attack. As his men began retreating, Octavians army captured their camp. Deprived of a place to make a stand, Brutus ultimately committed suicide and his army was routed. Aftermath Impact The casualties for the First Battle of Philippi were approximately 9,000 killed and wounded for Cassius and 18,000 for Octavian. As with all battles from this period, specific numbers are not known. Casualties are not known for the second battle on October 23, though many noted Romans, including Octavians would-be future father-in-law, Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus, were killed or committed suicide. With the death of Cassius and Brutus, the Second Triumvirate essentially ended resistance to their rule and succeeded in avenging the death of Julius Caesar. While Octavian returned to Italy after the fighting ended, Antony elected to remain in the East. While Antony oversaw the eastern provinces and Gaul, Octavian effectively ruled Italy, Sardinia, and Corsica, while Lepidus directed affairs in North Africa. The battle marked the high point of Antonys career as a military leader, as his power would slowly erode until his ultimate defeat by Octavian at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.