On The Beach Essays - Radiobiology, English-language Films

On The Beach On The Beach In the big city of Melbourne, Australia, material goods have become scarce. There are no cars, and very little of the luxuries that there once were. It takes hours to get simple necessities such as milk. All this is because of the nuclear war in the Northern Hemisphere. This nuclear war has wiped out every living thing, including all humans, throughout countries like China, Europe, and even the United States. It all began with a fight between Russia and China, who wanted to destroy each others land. They managed this with nuclear bombs, and without realizing the consequences, killed off their own people along with everybody else due to the radiation that was left behind. The radiation has killed all forms of life in the Northern Hemisphere so far, and is now steadily approaching the Southern Hemisphere; the only place left on the planet with life. Lieutenant Commander Peter Holmes lives in Melbourne with his wife, Mary and their infant, Jennifer. They, along with everyone else in Australia, have heard and known that the radiation is slowly coming and scientist have predicted that they only have until September before it spreads throughout Australia, killing them all with a slow sickness. This sickness includes symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, and trembling. It could take anywhere from three days to three weeks to die, depending on ones resistance in their body. Peter is aware of the short time he has left to live out his life, yet his wife Mary fails to realize that there will be no next year, or next spring. She continues to plan ahead as if she will still be alive years or even months from then. Peter helps to comfort her by allowing her to think this way and buying her things such as flowers for the garden that will not bloom until the next year. Peter is called on assignment in the beginning of the book to go on a cruise aboard the U.S.S. Scorpion, the only submarine left. The goal of this cruise is to see if there is any form of life in the northern cities of Cairns, Port Moresby and Darwin. Any form of life would include birds, plants, animals or vegetation. On this cruise, the crew in unsuccessful in finding any forms of life except one dog roaming around. They go back to the port in Melbourne and are docked for some time. While docked, Peter invites the Commander Dwight Towers to stay with him and his wife for the weekend to go sailing and swimming. Mary decides she wants this to be an adventure for Dwight, and therefore invites her friend Moira Davidson. Moira seems to be different then most girls; very forward and drinks too much, and strong in her beliefs. Yet her and Dwight manage to establish a friendship, which they maintain throughout the book. A few weeks later, another cruise is assigned, both involving Commander Dwight Towers and Peter Holmes. This cruise will be much more difficult and more strenuous. They plan to go up to the United States and around the west coast of Canada to see if they can find the radio signals they have been receiving from where they think is Seattle. The navel officers believe that there must be someone up there running the radio stations to be getting signals. The cruise is planned to take two months, while being submerged underwater for twenty-seven days of those two months. Before Peter leaves for his cruise he wants to make sure that his wife and daughter are taken care of if the radiation were to come quicker then expected and he was not there to help her or be with her. He goes to a nearby chemist for information on what happens to a person when hit with radiation sickness and what to do when it happens. The chemist tells him of all the symptoms and gives him some pills that no one else has been able to get yet. These pills are designed to kill a person peacefully in their sleep, and are meant to be taken when a person knows that they dont want to go on with living through

Relief From Tax Penalties and Interest

Relief From Tax Penalties and Interest The best way to not have to pay tax penalties or interest to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is to file your income tax return on time and to pay your taxes when they are due. However, if exceptional circumstances beyond your control have made it extremely difficult or impossible for you to do that, you can submit a written request to the CRA asking that penalties or interest (not taxes) be canceled or waived. Taxpayer relief provisions in Canadian income tax legislation make a provision for the Minister of National Revenue to grant full or partial relief from penalty or interest payments at his/her discretion, although it is by no means handed out easily. Even if you cant pay your taxes in full, file your income tax return anyway. Before the CRA will even look at an application for relief from penalties or interest, all of your tax returns need to be filed. Deadline for Requesting Taxpayer Penalty or Interest Relief In order to be considered for relief, a request must be made within 10 years from the end of the calendar year in which the tax year or fiscal period at issue ended. Reasons Tax Penalties or Interest May Be Cancelled or Waived The CRA considers four different types of situation when considering relief from tax penalties or interest. Extraordinary Circumstances: These can include disasters, such as a flood or fire which destroyed your tax records; civil disturbances or disruption in services, such as a riot or postal strike; a serious accident or illness; or serious emotional or mental distress such as a death in the family. The circumstances of some divorces could fall into this category also.Actions by the CRA: This category is for delays that were caused primarily by the CRA. Examples are if a taxpayer was not informed within a reasonable time that an amount was owing; if a taxpayer was given incorrect information; and unreasonable and extended delays in the resolution of an objection or an appeal, or in the completion of an audit.Inability to Pay for Financial Hardship: In these situations, financial hardship means that penalties or interest are causing such hardship that the taxpayer cant provide for basic necessities such as food, rent or medical assistance. Another situation might be if tax interest or pen alties are preventing the taxpayer from ever paying taxes owing. This category requires full financial disclosure and extensive and detailed supporting documentation. Taxpayers are expected to borrow money and to sell assets if possible to meet their tax obligations. Other Circumstances: For unique situations not covered by the other categories. How to Submit a Request for Taxpayer Relief The best way to submit your request is to use the form provided by the CRA: RC4288, Request for Taxpayer Relief Be sure to read Information to Assist in Completing this Form on the last page of the form for definitions and guidance. Examples of the supporting documents that are required to support your request are also given in that section. You can also write a letter and send it to the correct address. Clearly, mark TAXPAYER RELIEF on the envelope and on your correspondence. Whether you use the form or write a letter, make sure to include a complete description of the circumstances and your tax information. Make your case in as straightforward, factual and complete a manner as possible. The CRA provides a list of information to include with your request. More on Taxpayer Relief on Penalties and Interest For detailed information on Taxpayer Relief Provisions see the CRA Guide Information Circular: Taxpayer Relief Provisions IC07-1. See Also: Penalties for Filing Your Canadian Income Taxes LateWays to Pay Your Canadian Personal Income Taxes