Brief historical background of the book of Romans Essay

The book Romans was composed most likely during the mid to late fifties. Pauline origin has been the ruling perspective with regards to the initiation of the book particularly that the book of Romans mirrors an outstanding religious understanding that fits to Paul’s certification as essayist. To begin with, he was profoundly taught getting training no not exactly Israel’s most noteworthy educator Gamaliel during his time. Second, His comprehension of the celestial arrangement of salvation as likewise delineated in other Pauline epistles eminently Ephesians and Galatians where he talked about salvation and the awesome activity towards achieving that arrangement, suitably fit with the develop religious idea and careful introduction of the gospel. While there was no particular expected beneficiary aside from that it was routed to the Romans, the letter was routed to a few gatherings in Rome to advance Jewish and Gentile solidarity in the congregation. The fundamental topic of the epistle was that the gospel broadcasts that God vindicates the two Jews and Gentiles who have confidence in Jesus based on Jesus Sacrificial passing. Brief rundown of the setting of Romans part 5 Romans section 5 as indicated by Henry (1985) is the peak of the principal significant area of the epistle. Henry puts it, â€Å"Chapter 5 of the epistle depicts the real, target appearance of the nobility of God in Jesus Christ† (p. 64). Henry noticed that Romans 5:12 to 21 spots God’s activity of compromise in Christ in its definitive setting, the infinite setting. It is in this setting this exposition of Romans 5: 12 to 17 is moored. To exegete this section completely, it is thusly esteemed important to write in full Romans 5: 12-17. Paul states: 12Therefore, similarly as transgression entered the world through one man, and passing through wrongdoing, and along these lines demise went to all men, since all sinnedâ€13for under the steady gaze of the law was given, sin was on the planet. In any case, sin isn't considered when there is no law. 14Nevertheless, demise ruled from the hour of Adam to the hour of Moses, much over the individuals who didn't sin by breaking an order, as did Adam, who was an example of the one to come. 15But the blessing isn't care for the trespass. For if the numerous passed on by the trespass of the limited, the amount more did God’s effortlessness and the blessing that stopped by the finesse of the exclusive, Jesus Christ, flood to the many! 16Again, the endowment of God isn't care for the consequence of the one man’s sin: The judgment tailed one sin and brought judgment. 17For if, by the trespass of the man, demise ruled through that limited, the amount more will the individuals who get God’s plenteous arrangement of beauty and of the endowment of exemplary nature reign in life through the exclusive, Jesus Christ (NIV). The section was loaded with significant and important phrasings that include its whole understanding. Phrasings, for example, sin, demise, law, blessing, effortlessness, judgment, judgment, bottomless arrangements, and endowment of nobility are words that have significant ramifications in the book of Romans, however the whole precept of salvation. For example, the religious thought of transgression which the witness Paul has raised incorporated the whole translation of the sacred text. This is additionally the possibility that Paul was giving accentuation particularly in such terms, for example, blessing, elegance, and exemplary nature. Analysis of part 5:12-17 Paul starts refrain 12 with the definitive word â€Å"therefore† which implies that the section was associated with before religious conversation starting from section 1:18 in which Paul refered to that God’s fierceness is uncovered from paradise against underhanded individuals whose atheism involves them to stifle reality. Paul accentuated that in spite of they thoroughly understand God yet they neither remembered him nor laud him (v. 19). In light of this express disregard and intentional infringement of God’s will, Paul says, â€Å"they have no excuse† (2:1). Here, Paul alludes to the two Jews and Gentiles. In part 3, Paul proclaims that nobody is equitable and completely expressed that everybody has trespassed and have missed the mark to the wonder of God (3:23). Be that as it may, section 4 goes astray from the agony conversation of transgression and its result. He presently centered around the expectation of having the option to recapture profound relations with God through confidence, refering to Abraham as model. Paul utilized the word â€Å"therefore† to associate the section with the above setting. However, as referenced prior, this entry is loaded with significant words and expressions that empower this association. Most importantly, Paul referenced about the passage of transgression and demise. Clearly alluding to Adam, he said that transgression and demise entered the world through the trespass of the one man. It implies that the entire human race was sullied by the wrongdoing submitted by Adam through which demise turns into the outcome. So as to reveal more insight into this profoundly religious conversation, it is imperative to characterize sin and demise from their unique utilization in this section. The law of wrongdoing and passing The first word utilized for transgression in Romans section 5:12 was the thing Hamartia, which happened 174 time in the New confirmation and Hamartias while Thanatos for death. As indicated by James Montgomery Boice, the Greek Hamartia and Hamartias implies deficiency or coming up short. In any case, Hamartia and Hamartias are only two of a few Greek words for transgression. The Greek Pesha, for offense, chata to come up short, shagah to wander off, and paraptoma offense, all delineates a deviation from a better quality or from a state delighted in initially. The setting thusly which Paul has at the top of the priority list about transgression and passing returns to the Garden of Eden in which Adam and Eve were set by God. Clearly, this spot delineates God’s nearness which recommends that Adam and Eve appreciated a higher condition of life. Be that as it may, they digressed from this state by purposely overlooking God’s order and in this way penetrate their cooperation with God. While Genesis 1:8 depicts this spot as a position of adequacy as all that Adam needs to live were there, yet they left from the imprint which God has set for them. Accordingly, while everything that God has made adds magnificence to this spot particularly the four waterways and all the creatures that were dependent upon the territory of Adam portrays God’s concern, arrangement, and love for his creation, they were as far as anyone knows carefully oblige to obey what God has instructed them. Alongside these lovely manifestations, was God’s serious admonition for Adam not to eat the product of the tree in the focal point of the Garden as the very time they would eat of it, they will without a doubt kick the bucket. Shockingly, Adam and Eve have decided to ignore God. In this way, directly after Adam and Eve’s rebellion to God’s order, they were condemned to carry on with a troublesome life as the ground by which they could get their food was reviled by God. God additionally articulated the section of death into the world when God said to Adam â€Å"by the perspiration of your temple you will eat your food until you come back to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to tidy you will return† (Genesis 3:19). Alongside God’s judgment, they were driven out of the nursery. That implies, they were thrown out from the very nearness of God. The issue here is that Adam and Eve lost a higher condition of life they delighted in at Eden. They delighted in God’s bottomless arrangements, they appreciated God’s nearness, and they making the most of their being an ideal production of God. They were honest and they should have likewise been a celestial creation. With Adam’s fall, all these were lost. In spite of the fact that God despite everything care for individual considerably after Adam’s fall, the condition of life which they had delighted in the Garden was never reestablished. In addition, the effect of God’s declaration that Adam would return to clean talks about the physical defilement. That is, of rotting and kicking the bucket to which the author of Genesis obviously shows the misery of man’s condition. While the Bible was quiet about to what extent did Adam and Eve were living in Eden when they submitted that remorseful choice, after they were driven out, the times of their lives began to be in checking. People annoyed God and equity must be served against them. It is this condition Paul was talking. Sin debased the person and in light of this we are exposed to rot. In this manner, sin is characterized as â€Å"coming shy of the brilliance of God† (3:23). The result of Adam and Eve’s sin subsequently was that each person became miscreants subject to all the hardships both physical and otherworldly regarding Adam as the wellspring of the considerable number of misfortunes that transgression has brought into the world. Alluding to Adam, Barnes noted, â€Å"Sin went into the world. He was the principal miscreant of the race. The word sin here obviously implies the infringement of the law of God. He was the main miscreant among men, and in outcome all others became heathens. † We are dependent upon the result of transgression both in the physical and the otherworldly world. Prior, beginning 3 talks about the result of wrongdoing in the physical world as the trouble of life. That is, all the agonies that the world endures including craving and destitution, disarray in light of persistent wars in different piece of the world, catastrophes, for example, seismic tremors, typhoons’, and other synthetic fiascos, stresses brought about by monetary vulnerabilities, and all other social issues influencing our general public that are thusly influencing us exclusively. Sin has defiled the hearts and psyche of numerous individuals coming about to more violations, and good rot contributing more issues that makes life significantly increasingly troublesome. On this, demise assumed the most exceedingly terrible job in the lives of the individual. The Greek word for death in this section is thanatos which implies a physical passing. The Greek thanato suggests both the physical and profound passing. In any case, the good book didn't give any proper meaning of the word demise. Consequently as indicated by Kenneth Boa and Robert Bowman,

College: An Opportunity to Succeed in Life Essay

School, to certain individuals, might be an exercise in futility, however to me school is a chance to prevail throughout everyday life. I went through every one of those years in grade school, center school, and secondary school, than why not take a couple of progressively accommodating years and not be a waste! On the off chance that I don’t invest energy to improve my life, than by what means will I prevail throughout everyday life? I’ll reveal to you how. I won’t! In spite of the fact that the word reference says that school is some school we go to or instruction to find a new line of work or occupation. It’s a whole lot, more! It’s perhaps the best open door anybody will ever get, and in the event that you go there you can guarantee your future will be the best exciting ride you’ve ever ridden in an amusement park. School isn’t only a basic structure individuals go to. It’s my future. It figures out what my life will be. In the event that I succeed or in the event that I won’t. School is extremely imperative to me on the grounds that it’s one bit nearer to my fantasies and is an entryway opening to numerous chances. In my family, nobody has gotten full instruction. My mom completed secondary school and got hitched. My dad lost enthusiasm for instruction after seventh grade and afterward never returned to class. My grandparents barely contemplated in light of the fact that their folks weren’t sufficiently rich to pay their school charges. As a kid I had numerous fantasies and needs which my folks couldn’t satisfy in light of the fact that they weren’t sufficiently rich or they didn’t have time since they were excessively bustling setting aside every penny they earned. Nobody in my family has been similar to school. In this way, for me school is one I had always wanted worked out as expected. The most significant dreams of my life is to be an effective individual in my life and make my folks glad for which I need decent training and school is one of my most significant degrees of instruction. School is only a flight of stairs closer to my fantasies after which I will be near the top. Right from grade school till secondary school an understudy is determined what to do, what to concentrate and how to do everything except for, school is unique. It’s the first occasion when you need to remain on your own special two feet and accomplish something. It’s is a spot with numerous chances. A spot where you become acquainted with where you stand and what you need to do to get to the top. In school, you could choose what you need to do throughout everyday life and where you need to go. School is a way to circumstance when it shows individuals new abilities, makes them increasingly gainful and gives them a more noteworthy comprehension of their general surroundings. School opens ways to circumstance and grows your frame of reference. For me, school will be a spot I can really demonstrate my capacities and abilities to the world. School is extremely essential to me and I think it’s imperative to each one of those individuals who are not kidding about existence and who realize how to acknowledge a chance and make the best out of it. For a great many people school is their institute of matriculation, the spot that makes you a decent and proficient individual. I for one think school will be perhaps the best understanding for me. An encounter I’ll truly like. A spot I’ll consistently love to be at. School for me I believe will be a home with a one of a kind family and exceptional recollections.

How to Reverse Brain Damage From Long-Term Alcohol Use

How to Reverse Brain Damage From Long-Term Alcohol Use Addiction Alcohol Use Print Quit Drinking to Reverse Alcoholic Brain Damage New cells can develop for years after quitting alcohol By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 22, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on November 22, 2019 TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images More in Addiction Alcohol Use Binge Drinking Withdrawal and Relapse Children of Alcoholics Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery When people who drink alcohol heavily stop drinking, some of the brain damage that long-time alcohol use can cause may reverse and some memory loss they may experience  may stop. Scientists have established that the shrinkage that alcohol can cause in some regions of the brain that results in cognitive damage  will begin to reverse when alcohol stays out of the body for lengthening periods of time.?? To understand this important news for people recovering from alcoholism, it is key to understand how alcohol affects the brain. Impact of Alcohol on the Brain Doctors and researchers sometimes use the term  alcohol-related cognitive impairment to refer to the damaging impact that repeated excessive alcohol consumption can have on the brain’s ability to function.?? Some of this impact stems directly from alcohol’s poisonous effects on the brain. Areas of the brain most likely to be damaged by alcoholism include the frontal lobeâ€"responsible for higher-level mental skills as the ability to think logically and the ability to exert behavioral controlâ€"and the cerebellum, which gives the brain its ability to control and coordinate muscle movements.?? How Alcohol Damages the Brain How MRI Testing Tracks Brain Recovery In the study published in 2015 in  Addiction Biology, researchers from the San Francisco VA Medical Center and UC San Francisco used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to examine the brains of a group of people who were recovering from alcoholism and abstaining from alcohol.?? Each study participant underwent MRI testing after being  alcohol-freeâ€"for one week, one month and seven and a half months. The researchers conducted multiple scans to track the changing state of the brain over time. The MRI research revealed that alcohol abstinence led to brain volume increases in key areas including the frontal lobe and cerebellum. This involved both gray matter and white matter. When the researchers studied the positive changes in gray matter volume, they concluded that most of these changes occurred in the three-week span between the end of the first week of abstinence and the end of the first month of abstinence. The positive changes in white matter volume occurred at a fairly consistent pace throughout the seven and a half months of abstinence. Birth of New Brain Cells With Alcohol Abstinence Earlier research conducted in 2004 on lab rats at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies was the first to show a burst of new brain cell development as a result of abstinence from chronic alcohol consumption.?? The Bowles research team examined the brain cell growth in adult rats that were given an amount of alcohol over a four-day period that produced alcohol dependence. The researchers found that alcohol dependency slowed  neurogenesis or brain cell development. The research found that new cell growth took place in the brains hippocampus with as little as four to five weeks of alcohol abstinence, including a twofold burst in brain cell growth on the seventh day of being alcohol-free. The Number of Brain Cells Can Continue to Grow as an Adult It was long thought that the number of neurons in the adult brain was established early in life, but it is now known that the adult brain is capable of neurogenesis or the production of new neurons. A study looking at the emergence of new brain cells after abstinence from alcohol found that there were bursts of new cell development in the hippocampus at 48 hours after abstinence. Then there was another burst in the hippocampus and regions of another part of the brain, the cortex, at seven days of being alcohol-free. The Brain Remains Impaired Early in Recovery Since research has shown that the brain is impaired early on in recovery, the medical community has come to understand that it is important to not bombard people seeking alcohol recovery help with too much information early on.?? This can affect the effectiveness of alcoholism treatment programs in the first weeks of recovery and abstinence. Research on lab animals suggests that new brain cell growth can also be promoted by  increased physical activity. How Exercise Can Help With Addiction

Small Talk Why Germans Wont Tell You How They Feel

One of the many clichà ©s about Germany and the Germans says that they act in a not very friendly or even rude manner towards strangers. You might get that impression when you first come to Germany and try to get to know somebody else on a train, a bar or at work. Especially as an American, you might be used to getting in contact with strangers really quickly. In Germany, you probably wont. It is a scientifically proven fact  that German people simply dont chat in public places when they dont know each other. But what is often interpreted as rude manners, is more like a basic inability of Germans to small talk - they simply are not used to it. For Most Germans, Small Talk is a Waste of Time So, if you get the impression that Germans are not willing to talk to you, it isnt a result of their grumpy mood. In fact, it comes more from another behavior often observed on Germans: They are said to be very direct and trying to be effective in what they are doing - thats why most of them dont think it is necessary to small talk as it costs time without producing measurable results. For them, its simply a waste of time. That doesnt mean that Germans never talk to strangers. That would make them very lonely people very soon. It is more about the kind of small talk that is very common in the USA like e.g. asking your opposite about how she feels and she will answer that shes feeling fine whether it is true or not. You will rarely come across that kind of conversation here in Germany. Yet, as soon as you get to know someone a little better and ask him how he feels, he will probably tell you that hes feeling basically fine but that hes got a lot of stress at work, doesnt sleep well and has come over a little cold lately. In other words: Hell be more honest with you and share his feelings. Its said that its not too easy to make German friends, but once youve managed to befriend one, he or she will be a real and loyal friend. I dont need to tell you that not all Germans are the same and especially young people are very open towards foreigners. It might be due to the fact that they are able to communicate better in English than the older Germans. It is more a basic cultural difference that becomes obvious in daily situations with strangers. The Case of Walmart In the opinion of many Germans, Americans talk a lot without saying anything. It leads to the stereotype that the US-culture is superficial. A good example of what can happen if you ignore this difference in public friendliness towards others is the failure of Walmart in Germany about ten years ago. Besides the big competition in the German food-discounter market, Walmarts problems to deal with German labor-union culture and other economic reasons distressed the German employees and customers. While it is common in the US that you are welcomed by a greeter smiling at you when you enter the store, Germans are rather confused by this kind of unexpected friendliness. A stranger wishing me a pleasant shopping and even asking me how I feel? Let me just do my shopping and leave me alone. Even the discreet smile of the cashiers at Wall Mart didnt fit into the German culture of dealing with strangers with a healthy professional distance.   Not Rude but Effective On the other hand, Germans in comparison to many Americans are rather direct when offering criticism or appreciation. Also in service places like a post office, a pharmacy or even at the hairdressers, Germans come in, say what they want, take it and leave again without extending their stay more than necessary to get the job done. For Americans, this must feel like someone  fà ¤llt mit der Tà ¼r ins Haus and downright rude. This behavior is also linked to the German language. Just think about compound words: It gives you all the information that you need as precisely as possible in just one word. Punkt. A Fußbodenschleifmaschinenverleih is a rental shop for floor grinding machines - one word in German vs. six words in English.  A while ago we even found a study that actually claims to prove such a connection.   Perhaps some stereotypes have their Daseinsberechtigung. Next time you are trying to small talk with a German just say to yourself: Theyre not rude, theyre just effective. Just in case you are interested in avoiding the many traps of intercultural differences I strongly recommend the book Doing Business with Germans by Sylvia Schroll-Machl. We gift this to all our clients for good reasons.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) - 2353 Words

Abstract Individuals that show to have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are significantly affected both mentally and emotionally due to the exposure to a traumatic event. PTSD is a life-long disorder that is being seen diagnosed more and more among returning soldiers and sexually-violated individuals. Because of its increased detection, the importance of constructing effective treatments for individuals living with PTSD is becoming increasingly recognized. Although effectively treating PTSD has shown to be rather difficult and complicated, there have been potential breakthroughs, and a large amount of research is still being devoted to discovering treatments for this disorder. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature that†¦show more content†¦The first criterion, exposure to a traumatic event, is central to PTSD. One has to be exposed, either directly or indirectly (e.g. learning about a traumatic event), in order for them to acquire PTSD. Only being exposed to a tra umatic event is not enough to acquire this disorder, though, indicating that the acquisition of this disorder is associated with both environmental and genetic causes. The rest of the criteria for PTSD are direct consequences of this first criterion (Friedman, 2013). Intrusion symptoms are those such as recurring memories, dreams, and flashbacks of the traumatic event that are distressful and unwanted. Intrusion symptoms also include psychological and physiological responses when exposed to reminders of the traumatic event (Friedman, 2013). Avoidance symptoms are the avoidant actions an individual takes to counter the intrusion symptoms. Since these intrusion symptoms are of a distressful nature, an individual might consistently and determinately attempt to avoid all things (memories, dreams, flashbacks, environmental reminders) related to the traumatic event (Friedman, 2013). The fourth criterion, negative alterations in cognitions and mood,

Madam Free Essays

Introduction to Roman Society and Culture Erik Gunderson (e. gunderson@utoronto. ca) TR10-12; Brennan Hall 200 Of? ce Hours at Lilian Massey 207: M 2-3; TR 9-10; and by appointment Description: Our goal is to become familiar with some of the key events, personalities, and themes of Roman civilization. We will write a custom essay sample on Madam or any similar topic only for you Order Now We will examine in particular those issues that the Romans themselves emphasized as essential aspects of Roman identity. Evaluation: mid-term exam: in-class essay: ? nal examination: Texts: Required: Livy, Livy The Early History of Rome, Books I-V. Penguin) (ISBN: 978-0140448092) Petronius, Satyricon (Penguin) (ISBN: 978-0140444896) Course reader Suggested: Karl Christ, The Romans: An Introduction to Their History and Civilization (California) (ISBN: 0520056345) On-Line: http://antisigma. classics. utoronto. ca/classes/2011-12/cla233_wi2012/ [user: cla233; pass: wi2012] https://portal. utoronto. ca/ [check here in case there are problems with the above] 30% 30% 40% CLA233 Syllabus 1 Week Date 1 10 Jan 12 Jan 2 17 Jan 19 Jan 3 24 Jan 26 Jan 4 31 Jan 02 Feb 5 07 Feb Theme Introduction Warriors Reading Livy, History of Rome, Book 1 Livy, History of Rome, Book 1 Livy, History of Rome, Book 5 Livy, History of Rome, Book 5 Plutarch, Life of Aemilius Paulus Ruler and ruled Quintus Cicero, Essay on Running for Consul Plautus, Pseudolus Petronius, Satyricon, â€Å"Dinner with Trimalchio† 09 Feb Mid-term exam 6 14 Feb Speakers 16 Feb Quintilian, Institutes, Book 12 Tacitus, Dialogue on Oratory Reading Week 7 28 Feb 01 Mar Members of a family 8 06 Mar 08 Mar 9 13 Mar Social performers 15 Mar In-class paper 10 20 Mar 22 Mar 11 27 Mar Polytheists 29 Mar 12 03 Apr 05 Apr Conclusion Seneca, Moral Letters, Book 1 Suetonius, Life of Nero Livy 39. -19; Apuleius, Golden Ass, Book 11 Lucretius 1. 1-158; Plautus, Amphytruo, prologue Lucian, Alexander Sample declamations; Petronius, â€Å"Puteoli† + â€Å"Eumolpus† Cicero, Letters to his Friends, Books 14 16 Tacitus, Annales 13. 1-30; 14. 1-28 Plautus, Aulularia Pliny, Letters, Book 3 CLA233 Syllabus 2 Administrative notes: 1. I f any member of the class is obliged to miss a test for reasons beyond his/her control, there will be no make-up exam, and the weight of the exam in question will be transferred to the next comparable element of the course requirements. Only illness, serious personal af? iction, religious obligation, and unforeseeable duties of family care will be considered good reasons for missing a test. Satisfactory evidence must be provided. If such evidence is not provided, the exam will be given zero as its score. 2. The instructor is happy to see individual members of the class to discuss any aspect of the course. But please note that this does not mean that the instructor will give private tuition to individuals. In particular, he cannot be expected to give tuition that merely repeats material covered in regular class time. Instruction is given in the classroom only. During the of? ce hours indicated above members of the class should feel free to drop by the instructor’s of? ce without any need to make an appointment. If, however, these hours do not suit your timetable, please see the instructor at the end of class, or get in touch by telephone or email, to make an appointment at a time that suits both parties. . Members of the class are free to consult the instructor by e-mail where this is appropriate, but are asked to keep this to a minimum. Matters that need only a few moments’ attention can be dispensed with more conveniently in a direct personal exchange at the end of a class. Members of the class should need no reminding that e-mail requests for individual tuition in the form of, for example, detailed questions on texts discussed in a class which a given individual did no t attend will not be granted. 4. In cases of academic misconduct the instructor will assume that all members of the class are familiar with the Faculty’s codes of behavior on academic matters and student conduct. See The Faculty of Arts and Science Calendar (http://www. artsandscience. utoronto. ca/ofr/ calendar/rules. htm#behaviour). If you are unfamiliar with these codes and the binding de? nitions of terms such as plagiarism, you are expected to become acquainted with them before submitting any work for this course. CLA233 Syllabus 3 How to cite Madam, Papers

PCB Pollution Essays - Monsanto, Pollutants,

PCB Pollution The Hudson River is a body of water that stretches for 315 miles from the Adirondack Mountains to the Battery in Manhattan, reaching its deepest point of 216 feet in the Highlands near Constitution Island and West Point and reaches its widest point of 3 miles across at Havestraw. This river is one of the most beautiful and scenic of the Tri-State area. Unfortunately, it happens to be New York's most polluted river. The river has been influenced upon since the early 1600's, when Englishman Henry Hudson commanded the Dutch ship Half Moon on an exploration of the river, certain that he had discovered a trade route to China. It soon dawned that this was no Atlantic-to-Pacific passage but an Edenlike place of awesome potential-a river valley teeming with prospect and spirit that was worth fighting for. In the centuries that followed, the fight for the river and its commerce never stopped, and still continues to the present. Then during the Industrial Revolution, with the advent of hulking manufacturing plants on the riverbanks, everything changed. The river became a sewer, cut off from the people around it by the electrification of the railroads. The 1825 completion of the Erie Canal instantly opened trade to the Midwest by linking Troy to Buffalo and established the Hudson River as the major commerce channel for New York City. Tycoons transformed the landscape in New York and across the country with the railroad, and the Hudson River valley became a hotbed for iron mining, limestone quarrying and clear-cutting. Toward the 19th century, when dynamite blasting was reducing the face of the Palisades to rubble, conservationists became alarmed that something was being lost to progress. In 1900, New York and New Jersey established the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to preserve the cliffs from further quarrying. Although conservation efforts continued into the 20th century, there was no progress to protect the Hudson River and its banks from industrial pollution. Some of the largest factories in the nation started production on the Hudson River, including Anaconda Wire and Cable in Hastings-on-Hudson and GM in the present day Sleepy Hallow, discharging waste into the river. There are numerous known contaminated sites around the U.S. Among the most dangerous of these, and of particular concern to residents of the Hudson Valley, are the forty "hot spots" in the Hudson River resulting from the dumping and leakage from General Electric plants at Fort Edward and Hudson Falls. From 1947 to 1977, these two plants legally discharged from 500,000 to 1.5 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson, and unknowingly saturated the bedrock beneath both sites with at least that much again. There are PCBs in Hudson River water, biota, and sediment from Hudson Falls to New York City - 200 miles that comprise the nations largest Superfund site. Pure PCBs are oozing out of the bedrock to this day, constantly recontaminating the river and over 300,000 pounds remain concentrated in bottom sediments of the river today. The spread of PCBs throughout the Hudson River and the food chain, which it supports, has created one of the most extensive hazardous waste problems in the nation. Polychlorinated biphenyl's (PCBs) are a group of synthetic oil-like chemicals (therefore insoluble in water) of the organochlorine family. Until their toxic nature was recognized and their use was banned in the 1970s, they were widely used as insulation in electrical equipment, particularly transformers. Reputable chemists have since concluded, "it was probably a mistake ever to make or use PCBs." These are serious poisons, which have been shown to cause damage to the reproductive, neurological and immune systems of wildlife and humans and are known to cause cancer. Exposure has also been linked to behavioral damage. Specifically, because PCBs in the body mimic estrogen, women of childbearing age and their infants are particularly susceptible to a variety of development and reproductive disorders. Once in the body, these compounds do one of two things: they block the normal passage of hormones into their receptors, or, mimic the hormone itself and enter the receptor in lieu of the hormone. By doing so can irrevocably alter and damage the development of the organism. Small amounts of PCBs are taken up by microscopic organisms in the riverbed and passed up through the food chain. PCBs accumulate in microorganisms, which are eaten by small fish, which are eaten by big fish, which are eaten by bigger fish still, and so on up the food chain. The process by which PCBs concentrate at higher and higher levels up the food chain is called