The Question Of Whether To Legalize Drugs Or Not Is A Very Essay Example For Students

The Question Of Whether To Legalize Drugs Or Not Is A Very Essay controversial and important issue. Drugs affect so many areas ofsociety. The U.S. population has an extremely high rate of alcoholand drug abuse (Grolier). Several groups have formed and spoken outregarding their position. Speaking Out Against Drug Legalizationis the first step in helping to deliver the credible, consistentmessage about the risks and costs of the legalization of drugs topeople in terms that make sense to them. The anti-legalization messageis effective when communicated by representatives of the FederalGovernment, but takes on even more credibility when it comes fromthose in the community who can put the legalization debate in localperspective (Internet). After learning about the issues regarding both sides of theargument, I would choose to support those who oppose legalizationof any drugs. Drugs simply create problems which effect society inseveral ways. The government has made several efforts to control drugsand their users, however, to most the problem appears too out of hand. Others see potential profit in legalizing drugs and still otherssimply believe that individual rights to take drugs should beprotected. The group also acknowledged that the legalization conceptappeals to people who are looking for simple solutions to thedevastating problem of drug abuse (Internet). Society’s answer tothe problem is to trick the drug user by giving him what he wants. We will write a custom essay on The Question Of Whether To Legalize Drugs Or Not Is A Very specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now People believe that making drugs legal will take away the temptationto use them. This idea is wrong and far from logical. If drugs arelegalized then they will be more accessible to the young, addicted,and ignorant. As a result the ready availability of addicting drugs, and asa result of their heavy use for medical problems, many individualsbecame addicted to the narcotics contained in these potent medicines. In fact, in 1900, there were more narcotics addicts, proportionate tothe population, than there are today. At that time, most of the userswho became addicts were medical addicts. Very few abusers took drugsfor recreational purposes. In 1914, in an effort to curb theindiscriminate use of narcotics, the federal government passed theHarrison Act, making it illegal to obtain a narcotic drug without aprescription. During the 1920’s the Supreme Court ruled thatmaintaining addicts on narcotic drugs, even by prescription, was inviolation of the Harrison Act. Some 30,000 physicians were arrestedduring this period for dispensing narcotics, and some 3,000 actuallyserved prison sentences. Consequently, doctors all but abandoned thetreatment of addicts for nearly half a century in the United States(Grolier). The only resulting effect will be a negative one. There are nopositive aspects of putting drugs on the streets with a label readinglegal. There are plenty of people in society that find enoughtrouble on their own without the help of their country. Legalizingdrugs would have a devastating result that would affect society as awhole. Audiences need to understand that 70% of drug users areemployed, and that the school bus driver who drives your childrento school could smoke marijuana, that the surgeon who operates on youmay have cocaine in his system, and that the driver in back of you maybe on speed. The debate needs to demonstrate graphically how thecommon man will be impacted by drug legalization (Internet). There is an idea that the drug user is a low class,unemployed junkie. This is untrue. The drug user is often a whitecollared worker with a family and a future. They are not all dirtywith missing teeth and poor grammar. The common misconceptions of theuser are dangerous to those members of society trying to rid theworld of the problem. .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 , .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .postImageUrl , .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 , .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201:hover , .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201:visited , .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201:active { border:0!important; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201:active , .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201 .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2a4884dbcd2e1b7e636beaeec456d201:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN MEXICO (FDI) EssayDrinking on the job is a social and economic problem with along history. With the growing popularity of illegal drugs in the1960’s and 1970’s, it was to be expected that their use in theworkplace would emerge as a major issue by the 1980’s. Estimates ofemployee drug use vary greatly, ranging from 10 percent to 25 percentfor the proportion of workers who use drugs occasionally on the job. The safe performance of some occupations among them, airline pilot,air traffic controller, truck driver, and physician can becompromised by drug use (Grolier). One of the greatest concerns of drugs is their contributionto the crime rate. Crime will always be a problem as long as drugsexist and are abused. One category of crime is the victimless crime,which includes drunkenness, drug addiction, prostitution and gambling. The use of the term victimless is an extremely qualified one. Itrefers to acts committed by consenting adults in private; the actsinvolve only the participants and are not harmful to others. If harmoccurs; it is inflicted only upon the willing participants. Victimlesscrimes are often characterized by the exchange of sought aftergoods and services, and they generate huge amounts of illegal income. It has been argued, however, that no crime is victimless. The drugaddict suffers physical and emotional harm and often commits propertycrimes to obtain money for buying drugs (Grolier). Crime too often is the result of a drug problem. The crimerate would probably lower if drugs were illegal because the drugabusers wouldn’t need to steal to pay for their drugs. Legalizingdrugs would just add to an already rising problem. Compared with other countries that keep crime statistics, theUnited States has the highest rate per 100,000 population for reportedmurders, rapes, and robberies. It is important to remember, however,that the incidence of crime is influenced by such factors asindustrialization, urbanization, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment,and the availability of fire arms (Grolier). This should be reason enough to make all drugs illegal. Legalizing drugs will just feed the problem that teenagers and youngadults face daily. Making drugs legal makes them more conscienceaccessible and easier on the The illegal use of psychoactive drugsis vast and extensive in the United States. Some 70 million Americansage 12 and over have tried at least one or more prohibited drugs forthe purpose of getting high. The illegal drug trade represents anenormous economic enterprise. Sales of illegal drugs in the UnitedStates may have totaled $100 billion in 1986, more than the totalnet sales of the largest American corporation, and more than Americanfarmers earned from all crops combined. About 60% of the illegal drugssold worldwide end up in the United States (Grolier). The problems that society already faces with the unemployed,homeless, criminals, and high school drop-out rate will simplyincrease. What society would want such problems to escalate. Thethought of how seriously this could impact our entire nation is bothridiculous and terrifying. I strongly believe that there are a great deal of people whohave not tried drugs out of fear of getting caught. If this fear weretaken from them, they would probably become drug addicts. As stated bythe National Commission of Marijuana and Drug Abuse, The term abusehas no functional utility and has become no more than an arbitrarycode word for that drug which is presently considered wrong(Grolier). I believe that our country should uphold a few basicstandards, and keep drugs and the problems they create out of oursociety. Legalization is an act of neglect and ignorance.

Asians and Census 2000 essays

Asians and Census 2000 essays There are numerous reasons why full participation is in the Census 2000 is important to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The estimated undercount of the Asian Pacific Islander community in 1990 was 2.3%. Because census data is the basis for almost all demographic information used by policy makers, educators, and community leaders, undercounted communities miss out on their fair share of federal funding for services, adequate governmental representation, and enforcement of civil rights laws that prevent discrimination. An undercount prevents government and other agencies from planning for and implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate services for the Asian Pacific Islander community. (U.S. Census Bureau) Unfortunately, the Asian Pacific Islander community is at risk for a high undercount in the upcoming census. Undercounts tend to be high in communities in which there are language barriers, resistance to outsiders, suspicion of government, disbelief of census confidentiality, non-traditional household living arrangements, irregular housing, large numbers of children, large proportions of renters, and among people or families who are highly mobile. (U.S. Census Bureau) One important reason for full participation by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities is the need for adequate governmental representation. Reapportionment occurs after every census, which is when political districts are reconfigured to reflect changes in the population. When Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are not counted, they are not assigned the correct number of representatives. It is important that they have a voice in the government. There is a need for political empowerment among the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and that can happen only when there is accurate representation, which is the result of an accurate census count. Another important reason for the full participation of Asian...

An Analysis of Hermann Ebbinghaus’s Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

An Analysis of Hermann Ebbinghaus’s Introduction to Cognitive Psychology Psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus was the pioneer of Cognitive Psychology, which has a long past with a very short history. The part of human thinking has always been an elemental focus of interest. An Even ancient philosopher such as Aristotle was interested in understanding the mechanics of how our minds work. Psychology can be generally defined as the study of mental processing as well as behavior. Cognitive Psychology is defined the same, just without the behavior. This is why behaviorism is a study set apart on its own, which can be compared and contrasted with Cognitive Psychology. Although Cognitive Psychology will observe some behavior, it is only as a segway to understanding the mental processing that goes on â€Å"under the hood†. These intricate processes include attention, remembering, understanding language, and even solving problems. Even though these processes require a complex amount of thinking, we rarely stop to â€Å"think† about us actually thinking. P sychologist John B. Watson suggested that we separate psychology from consciousness to be able to focus solely on the behavioral perspective. Many experimental methods researching measurements, observations, and repeatability, which Cognitive Psychology is unable to use. These methods are some of the most instrumental in developing research conclusions that have led to some of the most important breakthroughs in history. Watsons approach was later termed, Behaviorism, this dismissed the scientific aspects of psychology while emphasizing the study of observable stimuli with observable responses. This has led to Behaviorism also being called S-R Psychology. In many instances, you cannot observe the same experimental methods and arrive at the same conclusions as you could with Cognitive Psychology, even though Cognitive Psychology does observe little behavior explain why the brain processes the way it does. Behaviorist does not discard the need for consciousness, they do however reject the idea that it is meaningfully studied. In both psychologists, their intent is to fully understand the mind and all it inhabits. Cognitive Psychologist just believes that studying the actual processing of the mind is how you can arrive at the answer. Behaviorist believes that human behavior is the key element in fully understand the way our brains work and function. They both do agree, however, that without either the c onsciousness or the behaviors they would come to a â€Å"standstill† in their research. Most of our research that has been conducted in regards to attention is characterized by the terms of pre-attentive and post-attentive processing. Pre-attentive processing is generally characterized as happening quite quickly, mainly before the attention has been focused on the stimuli. One could say that it refers to arriving at the conclusion before one starts thinking. Thoughts that occur pre-attentively are also considered as synesthetic experiences. Pre-attentive and post-attentive processes contrast in the way that we think about objects. With post-attentive processing, we may actually count objects if there are more than a small amount, or focus on something longer than if we thought about it pre-attentively. In the example of counting sheep pre-attentively, if you see two, chances are that you did not count in your head, one and two. You automatically just saw the two sheep and you r brain processed them as the number two. Post-attentively you would most likely have this occur if there were seven sheep, counting each until you reached the number seven. These processes of counting are referred to as Subitizing, which means quick and effortless. You can see this example when you are counting the two sheep, which seemed quite easy compared to counting numerous sheep. Subitizing is actually faster than counting and if the items are less than three, it is virtually unaffected over time. (Schwartze) The process where we strategically direct our attention in response to situational demands is executive attention. Many describe the nature of executive attention as becoming an object in direct focus recently with many researchers struggling to specify what we might call â€Å"cognitive control†. For example, when you are simply doing homework you may be reading research while typing, along with having music playing in the background. We are able to direct our attention to many different things depending on the relevance or the importance of the subject. The Stroop effect is present when we see a colors word printed out in a differen t color than the word printed. For example, the word blue printed out in pink ink, this would make it very hard for us to say the word pink when we look at it since we tend to read the word. We must slow down and pronounce the word as the color of the ink instead of the word printed, this is relevant to executive attention because we must focus on the color instead of mindlessly reading the word. In regards to the measure of our control on where we focus this attention, this is referred to as the operation span. The operation span can assess a person’s ability to keep track of multiple forms of information. This can go hand in hand with the inhibition effect that inhibits you from processing certain information. The inability to control your attention or to focus it on our homework instead of listening to the background music that was previously stated. (Fernandez-Duque) One original example of a perception of agency is when people visit a hypnotist. They believe their action s are not from their own choice but rather from being hypnotized to do so. This has actually been proven to be a hoax, so the person unknowingly decides to do those actions. People have this feeling that they are not in control and in the case of a hypnotist telling you to do something your metacognition of agency is quite poor. Your metacognition of agency might be quite high if you are doing an activity such as painting. You know you are making strokes with the paintbrush and what colors you are painting with. Knowingly you choose where to paint and even the subject you are going to paint. This is an example of being in complete control of what you are doing while consciously knowing that you are the one doing it. (Carr)

UCC and UCITA models acts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

UCC and UCITA models acts - Essay Example Ogden where Chief Justice Marshall interpreted the Power of Congress to regulate commerce and in the same breadth prohibited states from interfering with the flow of goods and services across state boundaries by passing laws (Find Law n.d.). Chief Justice Marshall indicated that the clause was not limited to interstate commerce but also intrastate commerce. Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) refers to contracts for sale of goods (Cornell University Law School). The article is limited in scope and does no cover computer information and internet contracting. It governs transactions in tangible goods and does not cover intangible items. Article 2 of the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA) was specifically created to deal with the deficiencies in the UCC. Article 2 of UCITA relates to intangible items such as licenses. According to UCITA Online (n.d) the Act states clearly that contracts relating to computer information are licenses and therefore involves a set of legal considerations that are not applicable to sale of tangible items. The UCITA therefore established a clear set of rules relating to software licensing, online access and other transaction in computer information where none existed before UCITA Online (n.d.). Computer software though purchased with a computer has limitations and guidelines on how they are used.

A wall of funnels concentrates swimming bacteria Essay

A wall of funnels concentrates swimming bacteria - Essay Example It also shows how these microstructures can affect the living, breeding and feeding patterns of the microorganisms. The structures are also responsible for the change in populations and patterns that the microorganisms are used to. The results achieved were through using funnels that were laced with reactive ion and microlithography fluids that were mixed with silicon water. The funnel enclosures were placed in a way that the bacteria would swim and then were sealed with microscope slides. The analysis of the bacteria behavior and swimming modes was determined through reading and use of the microscope (Martinko & Madigan 63). The results were that the swimmers were green in color and fluorescent, which represented the mobility of the microorganisms. The bacteria were initially spread on the funnel and as they communicate with each other to move towards the microfluidic mixture. With time, the bacteria travelled from the broader side of the funnel to the narrow part where they concentrated and coagulated together (Martinko & Madigan 112). The research has contributed to the in-depth knowledge of survival strategies that we can look at when it comes to evolution.It helps the scientific world in analyzing the changes that can be made when it comes to mobility of bacteria and how to separate

Events that Led to the Civil War Essay -- American History Papers

Events that Led to the Civil War There were several issues that contributed to the split between the northern and southern states. Among these were the deep social, economic and political differences. The split could be traced as far back as the early 1800’s, just as the industrial revolution was beginning. It’s effects on the north and the south caused the economic split. As the north was becoming more industrialized; the south began to rely heavily on slave labor. This was one of the main reasons, as the southern view on slavery differed greatly from the North. These views were based on drastically different interpretations of the constitution. In the north, machines, interchangeable parts, and mass production were fast becoming a way of life. Northerners began building factories for mass production. These first factories were used for making textiles and later evolved to manufacturing a wide variety of goods. This created several opportunities for jobs. And with immigrants flooding in from Europe, finding employment was no problem. The factory system was efficient and inexpensive for the north to employ a large work force. In the south, cotton was becoming a huge success for the southern farmer. Cotton, being a very laborious crop, required the ownership of many slaves per plantation. Unlike the immigrants of the north, slaves were property. Slaves were also much less of a profit. When a slave became ill he could not simply be replaced, he needed to be cared for, after all, this was the plantation owners property. On the other hand in the north if a worker became to ill to work, there were several immigrants waiting for the job. In 1818, the balance of power in congress was equal... ...was not ratified by the necessary number of states. The existence of slavery was the central element of the conflict of the north and south. Other problems existed that led to this succession but none were as big as the slavery issue. The only way to avoid the war was to abolish slavery, but this was not able to be done because slavery is what kept the south running. When the south seceded it was said by Abraham Lincoln that â€Å" a house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.† Because slavery formed two opposing societies and slavery could never be abolished, the civil war was inevitable. These were all the reasons why the south seceded from the union, this succession was eminent and there was no plausible way to avoid it. Bibliography: The Civil War by Jack Williams Events that Led to the Civil War Essay -- American History Papers Events that Led to the Civil War There were several issues that contributed to the split between the northern and southern states. Among these were the deep social, economic and political differences. The split could be traced as far back as the early 1800’s, just as the industrial revolution was beginning. It’s effects on the north and the south caused the economic split. As the north was becoming more industrialized; the south began to rely heavily on slave labor. This was one of the main reasons, as the southern view on slavery differed greatly from the North. These views were based on drastically different interpretations of the constitution. In the north, machines, interchangeable parts, and mass production were fast becoming a way of life. Northerners began building factories for mass production. These first factories were used for making textiles and later evolved to manufacturing a wide variety of goods. This created several opportunities for jobs. And with immigrants flooding in from Europe, finding employment was no problem. The factory system was efficient and inexpensive for the north to employ a large work force. In the south, cotton was becoming a huge success for the southern farmer. Cotton, being a very laborious crop, required the ownership of many slaves per plantation. Unlike the immigrants of the north, slaves were property. Slaves were also much less of a profit. When a slave became ill he could not simply be replaced, he needed to be cared for, after all, this was the plantation owners property. On the other hand in the north if a worker became to ill to work, there were several immigrants waiting for the job. In 1818, the balance of power in congress was equal... ...was not ratified by the necessary number of states. The existence of slavery was the central element of the conflict of the north and south. Other problems existed that led to this succession but none were as big as the slavery issue. The only way to avoid the war was to abolish slavery, but this was not able to be done because slavery is what kept the south running. When the south seceded it was said by Abraham Lincoln that â€Å" a house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.† Because slavery formed two opposing societies and slavery could never be abolished, the civil war was inevitable. These were all the reasons why the south seceded from the union, this succession was eminent and there was no plausible way to avoid it. Bibliography: The Civil War by Jack Williams

Night World : Witchlight Chapter 11

She's what?† Keller said, coming out of the bathroom, toweling her hair. â€Å"She's sick,† Winnie said. â€Å"Runny nose, little temperature. Looks like a cold. Her mom says she has to stay home from school.† Well, it looks like we're having a run of good luck, Keller thought. It would be much easier to protect her inside the house. Winnie and Nissa had spent the night in Diana's room, while Keller, who was supposed to be asleep on the sofa bed in the family room, wandered the house in between catnaps. She'd asked Galen to stay in the guest room, and he had done just that. â€Å"We can have a quiet day,† she said now to Winnie. â€Å"This is great-as long as she gets well for Saturday.† Winnie grimaced. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Um-you'd better go in and talk to her yourself.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"You'd just better go. She wants to talk to you.† Keller started toward Diana's room. She said over her shoulder, â€Å"Check the wards.† â€Å"I know, Boss.† Iliana was sitting up in bed, wearing a frilly nightgown that actually seemed to have a ribbon woven into the lace at the neck. She looked fragile and beautiful, and there was a delicate flush on her cheeks from the fever. â€Å"How're you feeling?† Keller said, making her voice gentle. â€Å"Okay.† Iliana modified it with a shrug that meant fairly rotten. â€Å"I just wanted to see you, you know, and say good-bye.† Keller blinked, still rubbing her hair with the towel. She wasn't crazy about water, especially not in her ears. â€Å"Say good-bye?† â€Å"Before you go.† â€Å"What, you think I'm going to school for you?† â€Å"No. Before you go.† Keller stopped toweling and focused. â€Å"Iliana, what are you talking about?† Tm talking about you guys leaving. Because I'm not the Wild Power.† Keller sat down on the bed and said flatly, â€Å"What?† Diana's eyes were that hazy iris color again. She looked, in her own way, as annoyed as Keller felt. â€Å"Well, I thought that was obvious. I can't be the Wild Power. I don't have the blue fire-or whatever.† She tacked the last words on. â€Å"Diana, don't play the dumb blond with me right now, or I'll have to kill you.† Diana just stared at her, picking at the coverlet with her fingers. â€Å"You guys made a mistake. I don't have any power, and I'm not the person you're looking for. Don't you think you ought to go out and look for the real Wild Power before the bad guys find her?† â€Å"Diana, just because you couldn't stop that car doesn't mean that you don't have power. It could just be that you don't know how to tap into it yet.† â€Å"It could be. You're admitting that you're not sure.† â€Å"Nobody can be absolutely sure. Not until you demonstrate it.† â€Å"And that's what I can't do. You probably think I didn't really try, Keller. But I did. I tried so hard.† Diana's eyes went distant with agonized memory. â€Å"I was standing there, looking down, and I suddenly thought, I can do it! I actually thought I felt the power, and that I knew how to use it. But then when I reached for it, there was nothing there. I tried so hard, and I wanted it to work so much†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Diana's eyes filled, and there was a look on her face that struck Keller to the heart. Then she shook her head and looked back at Keller. â€Å"It wasn't there. I know that. I'm certain.† ‘It has to be there,† Keller said. â€Å"Circle Daybreak has been investigating this ever since they found that prophecy. ‘One from the hearth that still holds the spark.' They've tracked down all the other Harmans and checked them. It has to be you.† â€Å"Then maybe it's somebody you haven't found yet. Some other lost witch. But it's not me.† She was completely adamant and genuinely convinced. Keller could see it in her eyes. She had managed to vault back into denial in a whole new way. â€Å"So I know you'll be leaving,† Iliana went on. â€Å"And, actually, I'll really miss you.† She blinked away tears again. â€Å"I suppose you don't believe that.† â€Å"Oh, I believe it,† Keller said tiredly, staring at an exquisite gold-and-white dresser across the room. â€Å"I really like you guys. But I know what you're doing is important.† â€Å"Well, is it okay with you if we just hang around for a little while longer?† Keller asked heavily. â€Å"Just until we see the light and realize you're not the Wild Power?† Iliana frowned. â€Å"Don't you think it's a waste of time?† â€Å"Maybe. But I don't make those decisions. I'm just a grunt.† â€Å"Don't you treat me like a dumb blond.† Keller opened her mouth, lifted her hands, then dropped them. What she wanted to say was, How can I help it when you're determined to be such a nincompoop? But that wasn't going to get them anywhere. â€Å"Look, Iliana. I really do have to stay until I get orders to go, all right?† Keller said, looking at her. â€Å"So you're just going to have to bear with us for a little while longer.† She stood up, feeling as if a weight had fallen on her. They were back to square one. Or maybe not quite. â€Å"Besides, what about Galen?† she said, turning back at the door. â€Å"Do you want him to go?† Diana looked confused. Her cheeks got even pinker. â€Å"I don't†¦ I mean†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"If you're not the Wild Power, you're not the Witch Child,† Keller went on ruthlessly. â€Å"And you know that Galen has to promise himself to the Witch Child.† Iliana was breathing quickly now. She gulped and stared at the window. She bit her lip. She really is in love with him, Keller thought. And she knows it. â€Å"Just something to keep in mind,† she said, and went out the door. â€Å"Did you get any info on the license plate?† Nissa shook her head. â€Å"Not yet. They'll call us when they have anything. And a courier brought this.† She handed Keller a box. It was the size of a shirt box but very sturdy. â€Å"The scrolls?† â€Å"I think so. There are wards on it, so we have to get Winnie to open it.† They had a chance after breakfast. Mrs. Dominick took the baby and went out shopping. Keller didn't worry too much about her. Just as Jaime was now being watched by Circle Daybreak agents, any members of Iliana's family who left the safety of the wards would be followed for their own protection. They sat around the kitchen table-except for Iliana, who refused to join them and sat in the family room in front of the TV. She had a box of tissues, and every few minutes she would apply one to her nose. â€Å"Before you open that,† Keller said to Winnie, â€Å"how are the wards around the house?† â€Å"They're fine. Intact and strong. I don't think anybody's even tried to mess with them.† Galen said, â€Å"I wonder why.† Keller looked at him quickly. It was just what she had been wondering herself. â€Å"Maybe it has something to do with what happened yesterday. And that's the other thing I want to talk about. I want to hear everybody's opinions. Who was in that car-Night Person or human? Why did they try to run over Jaime? And what are we going to do about it?† â€Å"You go first,† Winnie said. â€Å"I think you had the best view of it.† â€Å"Well, I wasn't the only one,† Keller said. â€Å"There was someone else beside me.† She looked toward the living room. Iliana made a show of ignoring her completely. Keller turned back. â€Å"But anyway, simplest first Let's say the car was from the Night World. They cruised down the street in front of the school once before coming back. It's perfectly possible that they saw Iliana standing at the window. Maybe they were trying to determine for sure that she was the Wild Power. If she'd stopped the car, they'd have had solid proof.† â€Å"On the other hand,† Nissa said, â€Å"they must be pretty sure she's the Wild Power. After all, it's really beyond question.† She was looking earnestly at Keller, but she spoke loudly enough for Iliana to hear everything distinctly. Keller smiled with her eyes. â€Å"True. Okay, more ideas. Winnie.† â€Å"Uh-night.† Winnie sat up straighter. â€Å"The car was from the Night World, and they weren't actually trying to run over Jaime. They were going to snatch her because they somehow knew she'd been with us, and they figured she might have some information they could use.† â€Å"Nice try,† Keller said. â€Å"But you were over by the door. You didn't see the way that car was driving. No way they were planning to grab her.† â€Å"I agree,† Galen said. â€Å"They were going too fast, and they were heading right for her. They meant to kill.† Winnie dropped her chin into her hands. â€Å"Oh, well, fine. It was just an idea.† ‘It brings up something interesting, though,† Nissa said thoughtfully. â€Å"What if the car was from the Night World, and they knew Iliana was watching, but they weren't trying to get her to demonstrate her power? What if they were just trying to intimidate her? Show what they were capable of, by lolling her friend right in front of her eyes? If they knew how close she and Jaime were-â€Å" â€Å"How?† Keller interrupted. â€Å"Lots of ways,† Nissa said promptly. â€Å"If they haven't snooped around that high school and talked to other kids, their intelligence system is worse than I think. Ill go farther. If they don't know that Jaime was in that music room with us yesterday at lunch, they ought to turn in their spy badges.† ‘If that's true, then maybe it's even simpler than we think,† Galen said. â€Å"The law says that any human who finds out about us has to die. Maybe the car was from the Night World, and they didn't know that Iliana was watching-or they didn't care. They thought Jaime knew the secret, and they just wanted to carry out a good, old-fashioned Night World execution.† â€Å"And maybe the car wasn't from the Night World!† Iliana yelled suddenly, jumping off the family room couch. She wasn't even pretending not to listen anymore, Keller noted. â€Å"Did any of you ever think of that? Maybe the car just belonged to some crazed juvenile delinquents and it's all a massive coincidence! Well? Did you think of that?† She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at all of them. The effect was somewhat diluted because she was wearing a frilly nightgown with a flannel robe over it and slippers with teddy bear heads on them. Keller stood up, too. She wanted to be patient and make the most of this opportunity. But she never seemed to have much control where Iliana was concerned. â€Å"We've thought of it. Circle Daybreak is trying to check on it-whether the car's registered to a human or a Night Person. But you're asking for a lot of coincidence, aren't you? How often do people deliberately run each other over in this town? What are the chances that you just happened to be watching when one of them did it?† She felt Galen nudge her ankle with his foot. With an effort, she shut up. â€Å"Why don't you come over here and talk with us about it?† he said to Iliana in his gentle way. â€Å"Even if you're not the Wild Power, you're still involved. You know a lot about what's been going on, and you've got a good mind. We need all the help we can get.† Keller saw Winnie glance at him sharply when he said the bit about Iliana having a good mind. But she didn't say anything. Iliana looked a little startled herself. But then she picked up the box of tissues and slowly came to the kitchen table. â€Å"I don't think well when I'm sick,† she said. Keller sat down. She didn't want to undo what Galen had accomplished. â€Å"So where does that leave us?† she asked, and then answered her own question. â€Å"Nowhere, really. It could be any of those scenarios or none of them. We may need to wait for whatever Circle Daybreak comes up with.† Keller looked around the table grimly. â€Å"And that's dangerous,† she said. â€Å"Assuming it was the Night World that sent that car, they're up to something that we don't understand. They could attack us at any moment, from any direction, and we can't anticipate them. I need for all of you to be on your guard. If anything suspicious happens, even the fittest thing, I want you to tell me.† â€Å"It still bothers me that they haven't even tried to get in here,† Galen said. â€Å"No matter how strong the wards are, they should at least be trying.† Keller nodded. She had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach about that. â€Å"They may be laying some kind of a trap somewhere else, and they may be so confident that well fall into it that they can afford to wait.† â€Å"Or it could be that they know I'm not the one,† Hiana chimed in sweetly. â€Å"And they're off kidnapping the real Wild Power while you guys are wasting your time here.† She blew her nose. Keller gritted her teeth and felt a pain in her jaw that was getting familiar. â€Å"Or it could be that we just don't understand dragons,† she said, possibly with more force than was necessary. She and Diana locked stares. â€Å"You guys, you guys,† Winnie said nervously. â€Å"Um, maybe it's time we opened this.† She touched the box Circle Daybreak had sent. Diana's eyes shifted to it with something like involuntary interest. Keller could see why. The box had the mysterious allure of a Christmas present. â€Å"Go ahead,† she told Winnie. It took a while. Winnie did witchy things with a bag of herbs and some talismans, while everyone watched intently and Diana mopped her nose and sniffled. At last, very carefully, Winnie lifted the top of the box off. Everyone leaned forward. Piled inside were dozens and dozens of pieces of parchment. Not entire scrolls but scraps of them, each encased in its own plastic sleeve. Keller recognized the writing†-it was the old language of the shapeshifters. She'd learned it as a child, because Circle Daybreak wanted her to keep in touch with her heritage. But it had been a long time since she'd had to translate it. Diana sneezed and said almost reluctantly, â€Å"Cool pictures.† There were cool pictures. Most of the scraps had three or four tiny illustrations, and some of them had only pictures and no writing. The inks were red and purple and deep royal blue, with details in gold leaf. Keller spread some of the plastic sleeves across the table. â€Å"Okay, people. The idea is to find something that will show us how to fight the dragon, or at least something to tell us how he might attack. The truth is that we don't even know what he can do, except for the black energy he used on me.† â€Å"Um, I can't read this, you know,† Diana pointed out with excessive politeness. â€Å"So look at the pictures,† Keller said sweetly. â€Å"Try to find something where a dragon is fighting a person-or, even better, getting killed by one.† â€Å"How do I know which one's the dragon?† It was an amazingly good question. Keller blinked and looked at Galen. â€Å"Well, actually, I don't know. I don't know if anybody knows how to tell a dragon from another Night Person.† â€Å"The one in the mall-Azhdeha-had opaque black eyes,† Keller said. â€Å"You could tell when you looked into them. But I don't suppose that's going to show up on a parchment like this. Why don't you just look for something with dark energy around it?† Iliana made a tiny noise that in someone less delicate would have been called a snort. But she took a pile of the scraps and began poring over them. â€Å"Okay,† Keller said. â€Å"Now, the rest of us-â€Å" But she never got to finish. The phone on the kitchen wall shrilled. Everyone glanced up toward it, and Iliana started to stand, but there was no second ring. After a long moment of silence, it rang again-once. â€Å"Circle Daybreak,† Keller said. â€Å"Nissa, call them back.† Keller tried not to fidget as Nissa obeyed. It wasn't just that she was hoping against hope that there was useful information about the car. For some reason she couldn't define, that very first ring of the phone had made her feel unsettled. The early warning system of the shapeshifters. It had saved her life before, by giving her a hint of danger. But for what was about to happen now, it was entirely useless. â€Å"Nissa Johnson here. Code word: Angel Rescue,† Nissa said, and Keller saw Diana's eyebrows go up. â€Å"Yes, I'm listening. What?† Suddenly, her face changed. â€Å"What do you mean, am I sitting down?† Pause. â€Å"Look, Paulie, just tell me whatever-â€Å" And then her face changed again, and she did something Keller had never seen Nissa do. She gasped and brought a quick hand up to her mouth. â€Å"Oh, Goddess, no!† Keller's heart was pounding, and there was a boulder of ice in her stomach. She found herself on her feet without any memory of standing. Nissa's light brown eyes were distant, almost blank. Her other hand clutched the receiver. â€Å"How?† Then she shut her eyes. â€Å"Oh, no.† And finally, very softly, â€Å"Goddess help us.†