Discrimination in social work Essay

As social workers are involved with comparatively powerless people within the community, they are in an influential position with regards to the fair treatment of many disadvantaged individuals. This unfair treatment comes in the forms of discrimination and oppression. Discrimination can be defined as the act of giving less favourable treatment, through prejudice and stereotype, of individuals typically belonging to groups who are a relatively powerless part of society. Discrimination can come in several forms: Direct Discrimination, which can be seen directed against gender when, for example, a female is denied a job interview as it is believed she will not fit into the masculine environment. Indirect Discrimination is present when the intentions of a rule or policy do not display apparent discrimination, but can result in unequal treatment. Harassment is the occurance of unjust treatment towards a person due to a particular characteristic, such as ethnicity, which makes for an undesirable and sometimes hostile environment or brings about a violation of the victim’s dignity. Victimisation can occur when a person rightly makes a complaint in line with the Equality Act, and this results in malevolence or negative treatment towards the complainant. From personal experience, I have witnessed this occur within interactions between members of front of house and kitchen staff in a restaurant, wherein an intentionally hostile and cold atmosphere was created for the individual who lodged the complaint. Oppression is the act of taking the prejudice inherent in Direct and Indirect Discrimination further through negative and unfair wielding of power, inflicting hardship and disadvantage upon those seemingly inferior in the social structure. This power being a force for controlling people which those apparently more dominant in the hierarchy are capable of exerting. The forms Oppression takes include such systems as ageism, sexism, classism, and those in dominant positions use these systems to limit rights and freedoms of these individuals and this unjust domination adversely affects a person’s life chances. Due to variables inherent in peoples identity, such as age, ethnicity and gender, an individual oppressed on the grounds of skin colour may also be considered to have an advantage over someone considered â€Å"old† in socially constructed value as far as age is concerned, and thus could fall into the role of â€Å"oppressor†. In a bid to challenge and reduce structural disadvantage, discrimination and oppression within care work, framework for Anti-Discriminatory Practice (A. D. P. ) has been introduced. A main focus of A. D. P.  is â€Å"putting the client in their social context†, which is the acknowledgement of not only characteristics specific to different groups, but also characteristics unique to a particular individual, and the tailoring of care in relation to these differences to avoid undermining diversity, as is considered good practice in social work. It recognizes that uniform care does not work effectively for everybody, such as assumed homogeny when treating those of ethnic minorities in an identical manner to when treating a client from the dominant culture. This could also be viewed as a method of assimilation into the norms of that society, and can be an oppression of identity. Previously, MANAGEMENT? had deemed A. D. P. unimportant (Thompson/Dvies? )and such outlooks made care liable to adopt such exclusive atiitudes as the colour-blind and gender-blind approaches. These are terms that refer to the ignorance of ethnic and gender influences on an individuals personality, resulting in inappropriate and even oppressive treatment caused possibly by care with male or dominant culture bias. Though these two particular groups are highlighted, discrimination in care work methods can also affect other disadvantaged demographics such as the disabled, elderly and those of different religious beliefs. Thompson argues that maintaining an awareness of A. D. P. is essential in combating discrimination and oppression, and that refusing to intervene becomes â€Å"part of the problem†. Furthermore, Giddens (1977) supports the view that failing nuetral use of professional power allows inequalities to persist, and that it must be used proactively to transform oppressive structures. Giddens also notes that negative use of this power can reinforce inequalities. Another important part A. D. P. is Giddens’ â€Å"Emancipatory Politics†(1991) which aims at liberating clients from their disadvantaged positions. Identified within this are three â€Å"imperatives† to keep mindful of, the first being Justice, which is suggestive of fair treatment and the confidence that people will not be exploited or have rights denied. Equality is the next, which opposes uniform treatment, identifying it as a barrier to fairness. Thirdly, Participation is a key concept in objectives to emancipate and empower clients to better cope with, or be liberated from their circumstances, all the while using the client’s legitimate power to counter the power abuse brought about by discrimination and oppression. This involves cooperation of social workers and service users in planning and evaluating services to improve empowerment opportunities and to help the service provide suitable care (Beresford and Croft 1993, in Davies?). In A. D. P, this relationship is recognised as a â€Å"partnership†, a more sensitive term which is not suggestive of power interactions, but more on mutual agreement (Thompson, 1996, DAVIES? ) promoting a sensitivity and understanding about the inequalities to be addressed. Using the word â€Å"partnership† can also foster an element of trust between the two parties, as social workers are so often demonised in the media, and this enhances mistrust towards them. These relationships can run into conflicts between parties, though long-term success relies on not abandoning the partnership and maintaining professional willingness. (DAVIES? ) An important focus in Participation is to enable the client to use their own power to liberate themselves from oppression, and to avoid the â€Å"benign paternalism† of the past which created an environment of dependency through protecting the less fortunate from their problems (Bailey and Brake, 1975 DAVIES). A complication to fair practice in social work is that some situations can be complex and open to numerous interpretations, and this is where the judgement of a professional, takes precedence over technical reasoning and codes of practice (jordan, 1990 pp. 3-4, DAVIES? ). In making professional judgements, moral reasoning and due analysis must be taken to avoid â€Å"messy situations†(Schon, 1983). Also essential for professionals to possess a sensitivity towards feelings when making such decisions. Insensitive intervention is a contradiction of A. D. P. and have more negative effects than positive (DAVIES?  ) Professionals being a person with attributes such as having engaged in lengthy training with assessment of competence, authority acknowledged by service users and a thorough theory of field based on reasearch evidence (Banks, 2001, Gomm, 1996 BRIANS HANDOUT). Though care must be taken in relation to these decisions to ensure there is no abuse of professional’s power resulting in coercion upon service users(Davies), and instead that it supports equality and emancipation. (DAVIES? ). It is important to not allow subjectiveness and personal prejudices to obstruct care. Also essential for professionals to possess a sensitivity towards feelings

Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 8

When the Jetta turned into the parking lot of a7-Eleven, James smiled. There was a nice isolatedarea behind the store, and it was getting dark. He drove his own car around back, then got out to watch the store entrance. When Phil came outwith a bag, he sprang on him from behind. Phil yelled and fought, dropping the bag. It didn'tmatter. The sun had gone down and James's powerwas at full strength. He dragged Phil to the back of the store and put him facing the wall beside a Dumpster. The classicpolice frisking position. â€Å"I'm going to let go now,† he said. â€Å"Don't try torun away. That would be a mistake.† Phil went tense and motionless at the sound of hisvoice. â€Å"I don'twantto run away. I want to smash your face in, Rasmussen.† â€Å"Go ahead and try.† James was going to add,Makemy night, but he reconsidered. He let go of Phil, who turned around and regarded him with utter loathing. â€Å"What's the matter? Run out of girls to jump?† hesaid, breathing hard. James gritted his teeth. Trading insults wasn't going to do any good, but he could already tell it was going to be hard to keep his temper. Phil had that effect on him. â€Å"I didn't bring you out here to fight.I brought you to ask you something. Do you care about Poppy?† Phil said, â€Å"I'll take stupid questions for five hundred, Alex,† and loosened his shoulder as if gettingready for a punch. â€Å"Because if you do, you'll get her to talk to me.You were the one who convinced her not to see me,and now you've got to convince her that shehastosee me.† Phil looked around the parking lot, as if calling for somebody to witness this insanity. James spoke slowly and dearly, enunciating eachword. â€Å"There is something I can do to help her.† â€Å"Because you're Don Juan, right? You're gonna heal her with your love.† The words were flippant,but Phil's voice was shaky with sheer hatred. Not just hatred for James, but for a universe that would givePoppy cancer. â€Å"No. You've got it completely wrong. Look, youthink I was making out with her, or trifling with her affections or whatever. That's not what was going onat all. I let you think that because I was tired ofgetting the third degree from you-and because Ididn't want you to know what we weredoing.† â€Å"Sure, sure,† Phil said in a voice filled with equal measures of sarcasm and contempt. â€Å"So whatwereyou doing? Drugs?† James had learned something from his first encounter with Poppy in the hospital. Show and tellshould be done in that order. This time he didn't sayanything; he just grabbed Phil by the hair and jerked his head back. There was only a single light behind the store, butit was enough togive Phil a good view of the baredfangs looming over him. And it was more thanenough for James, with his night vision, to see Phillip's green eyesdilate as he stared. Phillip yelled, then went limp. Not with fear, James knew. He wasn't a coward.With the shock of disbelief turning to belief. Phillip swore. â€Å"You'rea †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Right.† James let him go. Phil almost lost his balance. He grabbed at theDumpster for support. â€Å"I don't believe it.† â€Å"Yes, you do,† James said. He hadn't retracted hisfangs, and he knew that hiseyes were shining silver.Philhadto believe it with James standing right infront of him. Phil apparently had the same idea. He was staringat James as if he wanted to look away, but couldn't.The color had drained out of his face, and he keptswallowing as if he were going to be sick. â€Å"God,† he said finally. â€Å"I knew there was something wrong with you. Weird wrong. I could neverfigure out why you gave me the creeps. So this is it.† I disgust him, James realized. It's not just hatred anymore. He thinks I'm less than human. It didn't augur well for the rest of James's plan. â€Å"Now do you understand how I can help Poppy?† Phil shook his head slowly. He was leaning againstthe wall, one hand still on the Dumpster. James felt impatience rise in his chest. â€Å"Poppy hasa disease. Vampires don't get diseases. Do you needa road map?† Phillip's expression said he did. â€Å"If,†James said through his teeth, â€Å"I exchangeenough blood with Poppy to turn her into a vampire,she won't have cancer anymore. Every cell in herbody will change and she'll end up a perfect specimen: flawless, disease-free. She'll have powers thathumans don't even dream of. And, incidentally,she'll be immortal.† There was a long, long silence as James watchedthis sink in with Phillip. Phil's thoughts were toojumbled and kaleidoscopic for James to make anything of them, but Phil's eyes got wider and his facemore ashen. At last Phil said, â€Å"You can't do that to her.† It was thewayhe said it. Not as if he were protesting an idea because it was too radical, too new.Not the knee-jerk overreaction that Poppy had had. He said it with absolute conviction and utmost horror. As if James were threatening to steal Poppy'ssoul. â€Å"It's the only way to save herlife,†James said. Phil shook his head slowly again, eyes huge andtrancelike. â€Å"No. No. She wouldn't want it. Not atthat cost.† â€Å"What cost?† James was more than impatientnow, he was defensive and exasperated. If he'd realized that this was going to turn into a philosophical debate, he would have picked somewhere less public.As it was, he had to keep all his senses on the alertfor possible intruders. Phil let go of the Dumpster and stood on his owntwo feet. There was fear mixed with the horror in his eyes, but he faced James squarely. â€Å"It's just-there are some things that humansthink are more important than just staying alive,† hesaid. â€Å"You'll find that out.† I don't believe this, James thought. He sounds likea junior space captain talking to the alien invadersin a B movie.You won'tfind Earth peoplequitethe easymark you imagine. Aloud, he said, â€Å"Are you nuts? Look, Phil, I wasborn in San Francisco. I'm not some bug-eyed monster from Alpha Centauri. I eat Wheaties forbreakfast.† â€Å"And what do you eat for a midnight snack?† Phil asked, his green eyes somber and almost childlike. â€Å"Or are the fangs just for decoration?† Walked right into that one, James's brain told him.He looked away. â€Å"Okay. Touch?. There are somedifferences. I never said I was a human. But I'm notsome kind of-â€Å" â€Å"If you're not a monster, then I don't knowwhat is.† Don't kill him, James counseled himself frantically.You have toconvincehim. â€Å"Phil, we're not like what you see at the movies. We're not all-powerful. We can't dematerialize through walls or travel through time, and we don't need to kill to feed. We're not evil, at least not all of us. We're not damned.† â€Å"You're unnatural,† Phillip said softly, and James could feel that he meant it from his heart. â€Å"You'rewrong. Youshouldn't exist.† â€Å"Because we're higher up on the food chain thanyou?† â€Å"Because people weren't meant to †¦feed †¦ on other people.† James didn't say that his people didn't think ofPhillip's people as people. He said, â€Å"We only do whatwe have to do to survive. And Poppy's already agreed.† Phillip froze. â€Å"No. She wouldn't want to becomelike you.† â€Å"She wants to stay a!ive—or at least, she did, before she got mad at me. Now she's just irrationalbecause she hasn't got enough of my blood in her tofinish changing her. Thanks to you.† He paused, then said deliberately, â€Å"Have you ever seen a three-weekold corpse, Phil? Because that'swhat she's going to become if I don't get to her.† Phil's face twisted. He whirled around and slammed a fist into the metal side of the Dumpster.†Don't you think I know that?I've been living withthat since Monday night.† James stood still, heart pounding. Feeling the anguish Phil was giving off and the pain of Phil's injured hand. It was several seconds before he was ableto saycalmly,†And you think that's better than whatI can give her?† â€Å"It's lousy. It stinks. But, yes, it's better than turning into something that hunts people. Thatusespeo ple. That's why all the girlfriends, isn't it?† Once again, James couldn't answer right away.Phil's problem, he was realizing, was that Phil wasfar too smart for his own good. He thought too much.†Yeah. That's why all the girlfriends,† he said at last,tiredly. Trying not to see this from Phil's point of view. â€Å"Just tell me one thing, Rasmussen.†Phillip straightened and looked him dead in the eye. â€Å"Didyou†-he stopped and swallowed-â€Å"feed on Poppybefore she got sick?† â€Å"No.† Phil let out his breath. â€Å"That's good. Because if you had,I'd have killed you.† James believed him. He was much stronger than Phil, much faster, and he'd never been afraid of ahuman before. But just at that moment he had nodoubt that Phil would somehow have found a way to do it. â€Å"Look, there's something you don't understand,†he said. â€Å"Poppy did want this, and it's something we've already started. She's only just beginning tochange; if she dies now, she won't become a vampire.But she might not die all thee way, either. She couldend up a walking corpse. A zombie, you know?Mindless. Body rotting, but immortal.† Phil's mouth quivered with revulsion. â€Å"You're justsaying that to scare me.† James looked away. â€Å"I've seen it happen.† â€Å"I don't believe you.† â€Å"I've seen it firsthand!†Dimly James realized hewas yelling and that he'd grabbed Phil by the shirtfront. He was out of control-and he didn't care.†I've seen it happen to somebodyIcared about, allright?† And then, because Phil was still shaking his head:†I was only four years old and I had a nanny. Allthe rich kids in San Francisco have nannies. Shewas human.† â€Å"Let go,† Phil muttered, pulling at James's wrist.He was breathing hard-he didn't want to hear this. â€Å"I was crazy about her. She gave me everythingmy mom didn't. Love, attention-she was never too busy. I called her Miss Emma.† â€Å"Let go.† â€Å"But my parents thought I was too attached to her.So they took me on a little vacation-and they didn'tlet me feed. Not for three days. By the time they brought me back, I was starving. Then they sent MissEmma up to put me to bed.† Phil had stopped fighting now. He stood with hishead bowed and turned to one side so he wouldn'thave to look at James. James threw his words at theaverted face. â€Å"I was only four. I couldn't stop myself. And the thing is, I wanted to. If you'd asked me who I'd rather have die, me or Miss Emma, I'd've said me. But when you're starving, you lose control. So I fed on her, and all the time I was crying and trying to stop. And when I finally could stop, I knew it wastoo late.† There was a pause. James suddenly realized that his fingers were locked in anagonizingcramp. He letgo of Phil's shirt slowly. Phil said nothing. â€Å"She was just lying there on the floor. I thought,wait, if I give her my own blood she'll be a vampire, and everything will be okay.† He wasn't yelling anymore. He wasn't even really speaking to Phillip, butstaring out into the dark parking lot. â€Å"So I cut myselfand let the blood run into her mouth. She swallowedsome of it before my parents came up and stoppedme. But not enough.† A longer pause-and James remembered why hewas telling the story. He looked at Phillip. â€Å"She died that night but not all the way. The twodifferent kinds of blood were fighting inside her. Soby morning she was walking around again-but shewasn't Miss Emma anymore. She drooled and her skin was gray and her eyes were flat like a corpse's.And when she started to-rot-my dad took her out to Inverness and buried her. He killed her first.† Bilerose in James's throat and he added almost in a whisper, â€Å"I hope he killed her first.† Phil slowly turned around to look at him. For thefirst time that evening, there was something otherthan horror and fear in his face. Something like pity, James thought. James took a deep breath. After thirteen years of silence he'd finally told the storyto Phillip North,of all people. But it was no good wondering aboutthe absurdity. He had a point to drive home. â€Å"So take my advice. If you don't convince Poppyto see me, make sure they don't do an autopsy onher. You don't want her walking around without herinternal organs. And have a wooden stake ready forthe time when you can't stand to look at heranymore.† The pity was gone from Phil's eyes. His mouth wasa hard, trembling line. â€Å"We won't let her turn into†¦ some kind of halfalive abomination,† he said. â€Å"Or a vampire, either. I'm sorry about what happened to your Miss Emma,but it doesn't change anything.† â€Å"Poppyshould be the one to decide-â€Å" But Phillip had reached his limit, and now he was simply shaking his head. â€Å"Just keep away from my sister,† he said. â€Å"That's all I want. If you do, I'll leaveyou alone. And if you don't-â€Å" â€Å"What?† â€Å"I'm going to tell everybody in El Camino what you are. I'm going to call the police and the mayorand I'm going to stand in the middle of the streetand yell it.† James felt his hands go icy cold. What Phil didn't realize was that he'd just made it James's duty to killhim. It wasn't just that any human who stumbled onNight World secrets had to die, but that one activelythreatening to tellabout the Night World had to die immediately, no questions asked, no mercy given. Suddenly James was so tired he couldn't seestraight. â€Å"Get out of here, Phil,† he said in a voice drainedof emotion and vitality both. â€Å"Now. And if you reallywant to protect Poppy, you won't tell anybody anything. Because they'll trace it back and find out thatPoppy knows the secrets, too. And then they'll killher-after bringing her in for questioning. It won'tbe fun.† â€Å"Who're ‘they'? Your parents?† â€Å"The Night People. We're all around you, Phil.Anybody you know could be one-including themayor. So keep your mouth shut.† Phillip looked at him through narrowed eyes. Thenhe turned and walked to the front of the store. James couldn't remember when he'd felt so empty. Everything he'd done had turned out wrong. Poppywas now in more kinds of danger than he couldcount. And Phillip North thought he was unnatural andevil. What Phil didn't know was that most of thetime James thought the same thing. Phillip got halfway home before he rememberedthat he'd dropped the bag with Poppy's cranberryjuice and wild cherry Popsicles. Poppy had hardly eaten in the last two days, and when she did get hungry, it was for something weird. No-somethingred,he realized as he paid for a second time at the 7-Eleven. He felt a sick lurch in his stomach. Everything she wanted lately was redand at least semiliquid. Did Poppy realize that herself? He studied her when he went into her bedroom togive her a Popsicle. Poppy spent most of the time inbed now. And she was so pale and still.. Her green eyes werethe only alive thing about her. They dominated herface, glittering with an almost savage awareness. Cliff and Phil's mother were talking about gettinground-the-clock nurses to be with her. â€Å"Don't like the Popsicle?† Phil asked, dragging achair to sit beside her bed. Poppy was eyeing the thing with distaste. She tooka tiny lick and grimaced. Phillip watched her. Another lick. Then she put the Popsicle into anempty plastic cup on her nightstand. â€Å"I don't know †¦ I just don't feel hungry,† she said, leaning backagainst the pillows. â€Å"Sorry you had to go out fornothing.† â€Å"No problem.† God, she looks sick, Phil thought.†Is there anything else I can do for you?† Eyes shut, Poppy shook her head. A very smallmotion. â€Å"You're a good brother,† she said distantly. She used to be so alive, Phil thought. Dad calledher Kilowatt or Eveready. She used to radiateenergy. Without in the least meaning to, he found himself saying, â€Å"I saw James Rasmussen today.† Poppy stiffened. Her hands on the bedspreadformed not fists, but claws. â€Å"He'd better keep awayfrom here!† There was something subtly wrong about her reaction. Something not-Poppy. Poppy could get fierce,sure, but Phil had never heard that animal tone inher voice before. A picture flashed through Phil's mind. A creaturefromNight of the Living Dead,walking even though its intestines were spilling out. A living corpse likeJames's Miss Emma. Was that really what would happen if Poppy diedright now? Was she that much changed already? â€Å"I'll scratch his eyes out if he comes around here,†Poppy said, her fingers working on the spread like acat kneading. â€Å"Poppy-he told me the truth about what hereally is.† Strangely, Poppy had no reaction. â€Å"He's scum,†she said. â€Å"He's a reptile.† Something about her voice made Phillip's fleshcreep. â€Å"And I told him you would never want to become something like that.† â€Å"I wouldn't,† Poppy said shortly. â€Å"Not if it meanthanging around withhimfor eternity. I don't want to see him ever again.† Phil stared at her for a long moment. Then heleaned back and shut his eyes, one thumb jammedagainst his temple where the ache was worst. Not just subtly wrong. He didn't want to believe it, but Poppy wasstrange.Irrational. And now thathe thought about it, she'd been getting stranger everyhour since James had been thrown out. So maybe she was in some eerie in-between state. Not a human and not a vampire. And not able tothink dearly. Just as James had said. Poppy should be the one to decide. There was something he had to ask her. â€Å"Poppy?† He waited until she looked at him, her green eyes large and unblinking. â€Å"When we talked,James said that you'd agreed to let him-change you.Before you got mad at him. Is that right?† Poppy's eyebrows lifted. â€Å"I'm mad at him,† sheconfirmed, as if this was the only part of the questionshe'd processed. â€Å"And you know why I like you?Because you've always hated him. Now we bothhate him.† Phil thought for a moment, then spoke carefully. â€Å"Okay. But when youweren'tmad at him, back then,did you want to turn into-what he is?† Suddenly a gleam of rationality showed in Poppy's eyes. â€Å"I just didn't want to die, â€Å"she said. â€Å"I was so scared-and I wanted to live. If the doctors could doanything for me, I'd try that. But they can't.† Shewas sitting up now, staring into space as if she saw something terrible there. â€Å"You don't know what itfeels like to know you're going to die,† shewhispered. Waves of chills washed over Phillip. No, he didn'tknow that, but he did know-he could suddenly picture vividly-what it was going to be like forhimafter Poppy died. How empty the world was going tobe without her. For a long time they both sat in silence. Then Poppy fell back onto the pillows again. Phillipcould see pastel blue smudges under her eyes, as ifthe conversation had exhausted her. â€Å"I don'tthinkitmatters,† she said in a faint but frighteningly cheerfulvoice. â€Å"I'm not going to die anyway. Doctors don't know everything.† So that's how she's dealing with it,Phillipthought.Total denial. He had all the information he needed, though. He had a clear view of the situation. And he knew whathe had to do now. â€Å"I'll leave so you can get some rest,† he said to Poppy, and patted her hand. It felt very cool andfragile, full of tiny bones like a bird's wing. â€Å"Seeyou later.† He slipped out of the house without telling anyone where he was going. Once on the road, he drovevery fast. It only took ten minutes to reach the apart ment building. He'd never been to James's apartment before. James answered the door with a cold, â€Å"What areyou doing here?† â€Å"Can I come in? I've got something to say.† James stood back expressionlessly to let him in. The â€Å"place was roomy and bare. There was a singlechairbeside a very cluttered table, an equally clut tered desk, and a square unbeautiful couch. Cardboard boxes full of books and CDs were stacked inthe corners. A door led to a spartan bedroom. â€Å"What do you want?† â€Å"First of all, I have to explain something. I knowyou can't help being what you are-but I can't helphow I feel about it, either. You can't change, andneither can I. I need you to understand that from the beginning.† James crossed his arms over his chest, wary anddefiant. â€Å"You can skip the lecture.† â€Å"I just need to make sure you understand, okay?†Ã¢â‚¬ What do youwant,Phil?† Phil swallowed. It took two or three tries before he could get the words out past the blockage of hispride. â€Å"I want you to help my sister.†

Marketing Communications Exam Questions Assignment

Marketing Communications Exam Questions - Assignment Example Sophistication is a brand personality characteristic that displays the glamour of the consumer, while ruggedness measures the strength of the brand (Aaker, 1997:351). The brand personality allows consumers to identify emotionally with a product, while making the consumers respond to the brand with feelings and emotions. The brand personality framework provides for a different perspective of looking at a brand, through using a system of human characteristic to assess the product, such that the consumer is able to fully understand how they feel about a product, as opposed to the consumer looking at how the brand performs. In this respect, brand personality enables a consumer to express himself or herself through the brand (Aaker, 1997:3454). For example, any individual who chooses to wear a Nike truck suit and Nike branded racing shoes simply wants to express himself or herself as an athlete, and any individual who looks at such a person will simply see an athlete. The marketing communication managers can utilize the brand personality framework to connect with the target audience or the prospective customer by differentiating the brand that the managers are promoting from a range of brand categories, which will in turn act as a driver of consumer preference and usage (Aaker, 1997:350). Therefore, the marketing communication manager can use a brand that will relate to a consumers personality as the promotion bait, making the consumers go for the product, since by relating such a product with their personality, the brand will serve as a means of the consumer expressing themselves. For example, the marketing manager can target the Nike brand to customers who look beauty and physical-figure conscious, since probably they ar e used to jogging or working in the gym, thus the Nike brand would help identify the customers as athletes. The hierarchy of marcom effects model is relevant in moving a consumer from awareness to a loyal customer. This is because; it defines the six

Socialological Affects of Drugs Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Socialological Affects of Drugs - Research Paper Example These assertions were negated by the findings of Allport who emphasized upon the significance of individual thinking in group and referred to the group as lacking psychology. Newcomb conducted a study in the Bennington College. Newcomb observed the girls for four years, and reached the conclusion that girls who ultimately conformed to the values of college had developed similar mindset regarding political liberalism as the faculty and student leaders unlike the girls who had not conformed to the college values. Like these, several researchers’ approaches have been discussed on the subject from the pasty decades. Finally, the researcher tended to find out the trends that are likely to prevail in the future. Technological advancement and individual differences were some of the factors whose impact was considered on the conformity to group. Seven trends were explored in total. It is commonly thought by analysts that the poorest color communities are the biggest consumers of some of the most harmful drugs. In addition to this, the tendency of enforcement of law is generally focused on the drug activity that is conducted outdoors. The two factors jointly encourage the legal prosecutors to arrest people on the basis of racism. Racial disparity is evident in a vast majority of drug arrests. Some people are of the view that mainly the drug war lieutenants’ racism causes them to arrest Latinos and African Americans with the charge of drug use. In the article written by Beckett et al. (2005), a different explanation has been offered with respect to the racial disparity that is usually found in the drug arrests in Seattle.

The amygdala is responsible for emotions. Discuss Essay

The amygdala is responsible for emotions. Discuss - Essay Example Along this line, man for centuries had thought about an ultimate purpose for his existence and place in the grand scheme of things. He had thought about God and what happens after a life here on earth. Man likewise has considered a lot of things in his life for which there are no easy answers as yet. Among these considerations is how to define consciousness. Consciousness is something humans easily understand but this concept has defied so far any attempts to define it in a precise manner. Perhaps a common definition is it is an awareness of anything at any given moment. However, it is certainly something that is mysterious but also familiar to most of us. Consciousness can be narrowly defined in medical terms such as a person who is alert and responsive to various stimuli but in psychology, consciousness is different. In the same manner, humans are also interested in knowing the ultimate cause of his own emotions. There is no question that thoughts originate in the brain but there h ad been some types of dispute with regard to the origin of our emotions. People of earlier times had ascribed it to our hearts as the seat of emotions. This view is common among the hopeless romantics in our midst but lately, science has indicated otherwise. Recent scientific research studies had shown us our emotions emanate from a part of our brain to an almond-shaped mass in our temporal lobes. Discussion Much of what is known today about human behaviors is through a new branch of science known as bio-psychology. It is known by many other names such as psycho-biology, biological psychology and physiological psychology. However named, it is a study of complex relationship between our biology and human behavior. In other words, this science attempts to find biological links to our own behavior and foremost among its research objectives is to find a logical solution or explanation for our emotions. In particular, this branch of science tries to find biological basis for emotions suc h as joy, pleasure, laughter, sorrow, pain and grief. To narrow it down further, it attempts to explain emotions in terms of physiology (or our various bodily living systems) and in particular, how the brain controls our thinking and behavior patterns (Alder, 2000, p. 5). This paper deals with some of the theories being put forward on how to explain emotions. Moreover, the discussion here can hopefully help to shed light on some perplexing behaviors that are sometimes observed in humans and maybe make people understand them a bit more. Like the issue of consciousness given as an example earlier, emotions are quite complex and do not easily lend themselves to categorizations in terms of their origins or causes. The debate on where and how emotions originate is a bit contentious just like what is that observed or discussed with regards to consciousness. Emotions and consciousness are two very closely related topics of interest to psychology, and questions such as how to detect emotion s or consciousness in ill or comatose people are important as well as how to measure them precisely, or whether animals have consciousness or even if artificial intelligence can eventually have it. Learned Behavior – the human mind is a complex thing to observe and is therefore very mysterious. Much of what has been known and learned about it sometimes came by accident. A strange case like that of Phineas Gage is often cited in medical literature to show that even more serious injury can occur to the brain but without

Financial Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Financial Project - Research Paper Example Identify the highest interest rate you could refinance at in order to pay the current balance in 20 years. Determine the interest rate that would require a monthly total payment that is less than your current total payment. In addition, refinancing costs you $2000 up-front in closing costs. Therefore, the highest interest rate that would result in less than the current loan repayments would be 4.50%, where the monthly total will amount paid towards the loan, and the principal will be $695.08, which is less than the current $706.12. However, the closing costs of $2,000 upfront may weigh on the ability to get into a refinancing agreement deal. In order to answer this, you need to look at different interest rates. Know that if you refinance, your minimum monthly payments will be based on a 30-year loan (though you still want to be done in 20 years). Also, refinancing costs you a couple of thousand dollars up front in closing costs. Refinancing this loan has two obvious downsides: the repayment period will increase, and extra expenses will be incurred in terms of closing costs. However, the refinancing will lower the monthly repayment amounts by at least $68.79. For a person in a poor credit position due to the demands of the current loan repayments, the refinancing would be a welcome relief to boost this credit

Organization Theory, Design and Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Organization Theory, Design and Change - Essay Example This would go a long way in helping the organization to determine the interorganizational strategy that would help bring the bureaucratic costs and the transaction costs to the barest minimum. The organization must also consider the location of the sources of the cost of transaction that could have an effect on the trade relationship. This would help the organization to determine the exact cost of transaction and would also help them to choose the organization actions that would help minimize the costs of these transactions (Jones 82-83). Organizations also take into consideration the several linkage mechanisms that would be used in estimating the costs of transaction before choosing the interorganizational strategies. The bureaucratic costs of running the linkage mechanism are also considered before choosing interorganizational strategies. The organization would then consider the most suitable linkage mechanism that gives the lowest bureaucratic costs and savings in the cost of transaction at the same time. These are the factors that organizations consider before choosing the interorgaanizational strategies that would help reduce bureaucratic and transaction costs (Jones

Leaders Analysis Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Leaders Analysis - Case Study Example Henry Ford is the pioneer of the Ford, who is well known for his leadership and intelligence. He manufactured first economy automobile that a middle-class person can afford. The primary reason behind Ford’s success is the strong relationship between Henry with the employees. The increment in the salaries of employees and initiative of eight hours work inspired the labor. Hiring employees of different citizenships and selecting incapacitated workers reflects the non-discriminated attitude of Henry. His interpersonal relationship with customers and comprehending their needs gave a successful future to the Company (Peng). Alexander Trotman took charge in 1993 as a Chairman and Chief Executive of Ford. His 38 years with the Company provided effective plans that ensured the Company’s success. Shares of Ford were increased from $11.45 to $32.25 in just five years. Ford gained a worldwide reputation and became a competitor of several international automobile companies. Trotman also received an award for his leadership from Excellence in Technology Award Committee. Although some of his plans failed due to a fault in implementation, his visions lead the company to success

Assignment 5 questions Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

5 questions - Assignment Example The method of collaborative inventory management or transshipment can be used to regulate the inventory level so as to face the unanticipated demands from the customers. A reduced inventory level results in non- satisfaction of the needs of the customers and it also may entail an increase in the holding cost. Transshipment helps to reduce the inventory cost and to improve excess levels of inventory. Scheduling is typically the last step in the makeover process prior to the actual output is produced.   Commonly, scheduling objectives handle tradeoffs between conflicting goals for proficient utilization of effort and equipment, inventory levels, lead time and the processing times. Efficiency is gained by a timetable that upholds high use of labor, space and equipment. The schedule also retains low inventories, which may unfortunately result in low efficiency because of shortage of material available or high setup times. Thus, a decision of tradeoff in scheduling among effectiveness and stock levels is necessary in short run. Efficiency can be increased in the long run by improving customer service, and concurrently cutting down stock by changing the production process during the time, while reducing cycle time and quality enhancement efforts. Scheduling, thus, is chiefly an activity in short-run that involves tradeoffs between differing objectives. Mohanty, R. P. & Deshmukh, S. G. (2005). Supply Chain Management Theories & Practices. Dream Tech Press. Retrieved from

Some Aspects of Submarine Design Essay Example for Free

Some Aspects of Submarine Design Essay The history of submarines shows there were two significant advances in the performance of submarines, which occurred after full scientific studies were undertaken. The first was by the Germans at the end of World War II when they produced the Type 21, which could have upset the balance in the U-Boat campaign if it had arrived earlier. The second was by the US Navy with Albacore which had a submerged speed of over 30 knots. To neglect full scientific studies would be a serious mistake in the design of any future replacement submarine. Design is shown to be like a jigsaw puzzle where altering one piece requires alterations in all surrounding features to make a workable complete design. The basis of improved hydrodynamic features is discussed. A new nose shape is presented which should improve the performance of the forward passive sonar up to operational speeds. Other major sources of resistance may be improved. It is proposed a first major step should be to establish the detailed performance of Collins using wind tunnels and computational fluid dynamics which will serve as the comparative foundation for any new design. RELEASE LIMITATION Approved for public release Published by DSTO Platforms Sciences Laboratory 506 Lorimer St Fishermans Bend, Victoria 3207 Australia Telephone: (03) 9626 7000 Fax: (03) 9626 7999 Â © Commonwealth of Australia 2004 AR-013-204 October 2004 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Some Aspects of Submarine Design Part 1. Hydrodynamics Executive Summary The history of submarines subsequent to the first truly operational vessel, Holland, launched in 1899, showed two significant advances as opposed to steady incremental developments. These resulted from full scientific studies of all the problems. The first of these advances was made by the Germans at the end of World War II, when they produced the Type 21 which had major improvements in range and battery time while their underwater speed increased to 18 knots compared to 5 knots on previous vessels. Design diving depth was increased dramatically. They could operate below the Allies submarine defence weapon systems. The second advance was made by US designers who produced Albacore in 1953 with a shape suited to full underwater operation. Its length-tobeam ratio was only 7. 7 and top underwater speed was 33 knots. The drag coefficient was only 0. 1 compared to 0. 35 on previous submersible designs. It is clear that scientific studies should be a starting point for any future submarine design. A review of the literature covers priorities in design and shows how enhancement of one feature interacts with other features and may even result in an overall loss of performance despite the perceived advantage of the enhanced feature. Hydrodynamic aspects are then discussed starting with the shape and reasons why a length-to-beam ratio of about 7. 5 gives the minimum resistance. All features affecting the resistance are discussed including the boundary layer, laminar flow, transition, turbulence and separation and how the flow over the principle passive sonar should be as quiet and smooth as possible. Added resistance from sails, masts, snorkels and appendages need careful streamlining and attention in design. A proposed profile of a new submarine is presented which has the passive sonar far forward in the streamlined nose with the torpedo tubes positioned further aft. It should be a quieter vessel with more effective sonars. The profile requires shortening to reduce the displacement and then the internals need rearranging. The design process then begins, which is iterative. In order to proceed with such concepts it is vital to have a database. Our current submarine, the Collins class, should be the base from which all changes and proposals are measured. It is suggested detailed wind tunnel studies should be undertaken concurrently with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) evaluations. The results should then be compared with full scale trials to establish propeller efficiencies and roughness factors as well as the contributions for each feature, hull, sail, control fins, masts and snorkels, flood openings and others. This database will allow more precise comparisons for any improvements which may be considered in a future design. Author Prof. Peter Joubert (OAM) Contractor Maritime Platforms Division P. N Joubert, a World War II fighter pilot, after demobilisation from the RAAF, studied aeronautical engineering at Sydney University. He then joined CSIRO, where he designed a radio controlled meteorological glider. Subsequently he was appointed as a lecturer in mechanical engineering at Melbourne University specialising in fluid mechanics. In 1954 he attended the MIT where he built and tested high-speed catamarans in the towing tank. At Melbourne University he built a new wind tunnel and much research was initiated and conducted there. He has authored over 120 scientific papers, most of them in fluid mechanics, boundary layers, roughness, and vortices and recently with a PhD student, the flow about a submarine body in a turn. Over the years he has received many research grants including one from the US Navy. His work with his students and colleagues is recognised internationally such as by the General Motors Research Laboratories and other international ship research bodies. He has been studying flow patterns on submersibles since 1998 and has helped with certain modifications to Collins. In 1972 he was granted a personal chair and since retirement has been invited to continue as a Professorial Fellow. He was awarded a medal in the Order of Australia in 1996 for contributions to road and yacht safety. He was awarded the AGM Michell medal in 2001 by the College of Mechanical Engineers and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering. As a yacht designer he has had over 100 yachts built to his designs, including a high-speed catamaran for the world sailing speed record and ocean racing yachts. Some of these have won against world-class competition – the Sydney-to-Hobart race in 1983 and second places in 1968, 2002 and 2003. As a sailor he has raced his own designs in 27 Sydney-toHobart races and survived the storm of 1998. In 1993 he was awarded the Commodore’s medal of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for outstanding seamanship after his crew had rescued eight survivors from a sunken yacht at night in a strong gale.

Analysis of HMs Vietnam Expansion

Analysis of HMs Vietnam Expansion HM is a Swedish multinational clothing retail store that caters to young adults and children. Since its inception, the brand has evolved to include accessories, footwear, cosmetics and home furnishings. HM is one of the top retail stores in the world and has positioned itself as a low cost- quality clothing supplier. HM and its competitors occupy a niche segment of the retail clothing industry known as fast-fashion, characterized by the ability to serve consumers who demand the most up-to-date styles at an affordable price. Retailers must meet several specific customer expectations to remain competitive in this segment, as well as maintain a highly efficient internal operation to meet the requirements of the industry. HMs expansion into Vietnam is part of the companys larger overall global expansion strategy to open stores with a target of 10-15% sales growth coupled with an introduction of online retail to emerging and unexploited retail markets (HM Group, 2016). Vietnam has seen recent increased growth in foreign direct investment and expanding retail market. Consumers in Vietnam have a demand for large Western brands and have increased disposable income to spend in the market(Deloitte, 2014). In Vietnam, barriers to entry remain low for HM and other industry competitors. HM and other foreign retailers have the capability of opening their initial retail spaces in Vietnam without extreme difficulty (Deloitte, 2014).ÂÂ   In 2016, Zara, HMs largest competitor opened a retail store in Ho Chi Minh City signaling an increase in foreign retail investment in the country (Zara Enters Vietnam, 2016). It appears that the landscape in Vietnam is changing in the favor of foreign retail firms and governm ent policies are being shaped to attract more foreign investors. Industry Requirements and Expectations HM and its competitors occupy a niche segment of the retail clothing industry known as fast-fashion, characterized by the ability to serve consumers who demand the most up-to-date styles at an affordable price. Retailers must meet several specific customer expectations to remain competitive in this segment, as well as maintain a highly efficient internal operation to meet the requirements of the industry. Expectations within the fast-fashion industry have become increasingly more customer-focused and demanding with the success of retailers such as HM, Zara, and Forever 21. Because the industrys core market is highly sensitive to changes in trends and seasonality, retailers need a keen awareness of the fashion landscape to proactively update their inventory at locations worldwide. Successful players in the industry must also have an in-depth understanding of the local markets of their varying locations to serve their customers specific tastes. Fast-fashions most dedicated consumers also depend on the affordability that retailers offer to allow them to keep their wardrobes stocked with the latest styles. Highly efficient supply chain management is the cornerstone of the fast-fashion industry, and is the key requirement for any retailers success. Demands for rapid turnover and affordable prices hinge on the retailers ability to keep internal costs to a minimum to avoid passing on costs to the consumers. The industry requires retailers to keep an extremely low product life cycle (PLC), which is typically achieved through the combination of a just-in-time inventory system and a strategic distribution and fulfillment network within the countries of operation. Location is also a critical requirement when operating in fast-fashion, both for retail stores and proximity to distribution centers. In order to capitalize on the benefit of operating within this industry retailers must secure locations for their retail stores that are both highly visible and densely populated, while distribution and fulfillment centers require central location to serve the maximum number of retail locations as quickly as possible. Low Trade Barriers In 1986, Vietnam created an open-door policy with reforms in three essential areas: i) the right to foreign trade, ii) trade instruments and policies iii) liberalization of foreign trade. Since then, the Vietnamese economy has been growing at a rapid pace. Since Vietnams inception in WTO in 2001, Vietnam removed many non-tariff barriers including quantitative restrictions on imports, quotas, bans, permit requirements and licensing requirements. (U.S. Department of State, 2014). However, there are still some existing industry specific trade barriers in Vietnam. For example, price stabilization and restriction is implemented by the Vietnamese government when prices are too high or low for essential goods. Other examples of trade barriers include import taxes on automated products and services, permits on foreign investment in cinema construction only through local joint ventures and land use rights. Vietnamese land, a property of the state, cannot be owned by investors nor any Vietnamese nationals (U.S. Department of State, 2014). To HMs advantage, the retail industry in Vietnam has very few trade barriers and restrictions for foreign investment. Thus, being one of the fastest growing countries in the ASEAN economy along with liberal retail policies, Vietnam is an obvious country of interest for EU business expansion. The countrys openness to foreign investment has been the cause of many trade reforms and lower trade barriers. For example, Vietnam provides investment incentives to foreign investors such as exemption from import taxes on necessary materials required for manufacturing that cannot be found in Vietnam. Policies supporting FDI in Vietnam Since November 1, 2015, Vietnam has allowed foreign retailers to set up 100 percent foreign-owned enterprises under its commitments to the World Trade Organization. This gives them access to supply sources and ideal business locations to operate from. Most international brands are opening stores in Vietnam through franchising or the granting of rights to a local partner, as franchisees are required to have a zero-loss business record and must be able to present their business development plan to the franchisor during the bidding process, which increases the likelihood of success for foreign investors in Vietnam. (VN Express Retail market share,2016). These policies make expanding to Vietnam attractive for HM. Franchising their retail stores in Vietnam is safer for HM now because of these policies. FDI As Vietnam is becoming increasingly accessible to foreign investments, FDI inflows have seen a steady and strong increase over the previous years. In 2016, FDI inflows climbed to US$24.4 billion with a 9% increase from 2015. Out of these, US$15.1 billion flew to 2,556 newly registered projects, US$5.76 billion came from 1,225 existing projects adding to their capital, and US$3.4 billion flew in from foreign investors purchasing stakes in 2,547 companies. Vietnams rapid pace of integration into global commerce is likely to yield great opportunities for foreign investors. So, this is the right time for HM to invest and expand into Vietnam. (Vietnams FDI Outlook for 2016) In January 2017, foreign investors invested in 16 sectors in Vietnam, out of which Wholesale and retail ranked third with total registered capital of US$ 88.75 million, accounting for 5.6% of the total foreign direct investment. Relative high investment in Wholesale and Retail market bodes well for HM. HM is planning to open up its first retail shop in Ho Chi Minh City, where FDI investments are high. (Ministry of planning and Investment of Vietnam, 2017) Vietnams retail industry has witnessed healthy growth rates of 8 10 percent annually in recent years. To continue, the industry is forecasted to reach $109 billion by 2017. With the population of more than 90 million, Vietnams retail market is growing rapidly, making it highly attractive for foreign investors. The country is currently ranked top 5 and 11 in Asia and globally respectively in terms of retail growth. (VN Express Vietnams rapidly growing retail Industry, 2016) Ease of doing business The countrys ease of doing business while still leaving room for improvement is developing, Vietnam ranked 82nd out of 190 countries, up nine positions from 2016. Government of Vietnam is actively privatizing its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) on top of its trade agreements and foreign direct investment policies. Since 2015, nearly 170 companies have been privatized and this trend will continue in the coming years. This creates many opportunities for foreign investors. (Vinkenborg, M. (2017). Vietnam in 2017: Spotting opportunities for FDI) Policies restricting FDI in Vietnam One complication for FDI in Vietnam is Vietnamese authorities have different definitions of a foreign invested enterprise. In practice the level of foreign investment that qualifies an entity as foreign differs from province to province. Unlike other countries in the region, such as China or some of the other ASEAN member states, Vietnam does not maintain a Negative List of industries with foreign equity ownership caps. (Restrictions on Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam, 2015) With the enactment of the Law on Investment and the Law on Enterprises however, the country is moving in the direction of such a Negative List system. The two laws, in addition to various other laws and regulations are applicable to industries that are termed conditional. When investing in conditional industries, the government examines the investment proposal and may choose to impose additional requirements. Distribution sector such as retail is considered conditional in Vietnam and may prone to additional requirements from government of Vietnam. (Restrictions on Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam, 2015) Works Cited Deloitte (2014). Retail in Vietnam. Retrieved: http://www.iberglobal.com/files/2016/vietnam_retail.pdf Hong, A. (2016). Vietnams rapidly growing retail industry partially offsets economic slowdown. Retrieved:http://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/vietnam-s-rapidly-growing-retail-industry-partially-offsets-economic-slowdown-3448240.html HM Group. Retrieved: https://about.hm.com/en/about-us/markets-and-expansion.html Indiaretailing Bureau. Retrieved: http://www.indiaretailing.com/2016/09/27/fashion/zara-enters-vietnam-first-store-vincom-center/ Ministry of Planning and Investment. (2017). Retrieved: http://www.mpi.gov.vn/en/Pages/tinbai.aspx?idTin=35921idcm=122 Shira, D. (2015). Restrictions of Foreign Direct Investment on Vietnam. Retrieved: http://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/restrictions-foreign-direct-investment-vietnam.html/ SwedenÂÂ   and Vietnam Boost BUsiness and Investment Cooperation (2016). Retrieved: https://nsnbc.me/2016/10/08/sweden-vietnam-boost-business-and-investment-cooperation U.S. Department of State (2014). Retrieved: https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/229305.pdf Vietnams FDI Outlook for 2016: Trends and Opportunities. Retrieved: http://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnamese-fdi-2016-outlook.html/ Vinkenborg, M. (2017). Vietnam in 2017: Spotting opportunities for FDI. Retrieved: http://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-2017-spotting-opportunities-fdi.html/ http://www.eightyquartier.com/hm-announces-first-store-in-vietnam/ Ministry of planning and Investment of Vietnam, 2017 Retrieved: http://www.mpi.gov.vn/en/Pages/tinbai.aspx?idTin=35921idcm=122 VN Express Vietnams rapidly growing retail Industry, 2016 Retrieved: http://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/vietnam-s-rapidly-growing-retail-industry-partially-offsets-economic-slowdown-3448240.html VN Express Retail market share,2016 Retrieved: http://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/markets/foreign-invasion-threatens-domestic-retail-market-share-3406399.html Restrictions on Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam, 2015 Retrieved: http://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/restrictions-foreign-direct-investment-vietnam.html/

charant Free Antigone Essays: The Character of Antigone :: Antigone essays

Antigone  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Ancient Greece, life was full of complicated questions centered around the expanding field of science. Freedom of religion was encouraged to be exercised in the city-states and man was focused on more than the Gods or heavenly concerns. As a result many new ideals and beliefs surfaced. These new ideals and beliefs, though good in intentions, often conflicted with one another and created complex moral dilemmas. Such was the case in Sophocle’s play Antigone that was written in this era. In the play, Antigone and Creon battle a philosophical war concerning their ideals. They both base their actions on what they believe to be right. The conflict arose when their ideals that backed up their actions on the burial of Polyneices clashed, creating a contradiction between morals. Antigone's side of the conflict held a much more divine approach, as opposed to the mundane path Creon chose to travel. Antigone feels that Creon is disregarding the laws of the heavens by ordering it unlawful for anyone to provide a proper burial for her brother Polyneices. Antigone's opinion is one that supports the Gods and the laws of the heavens. Her reasoning is set by her belief that if someone were not given a proper burial, that person would not be accepted into heaven. Antigone was a very religious person and the acceptance of her brother by the Gods was very important to her. Creons order was personal to Antigone and his edict invaded her family life as well as the Gods. An important ide al in Ancient Greece was the belief that the government was to have no control in matters concerning religious beliefs. In Antigone's eyes, Creon betrayed that ideal by not allowing her to properly bury her brother, Polyneices. She believed that the burial was a religious ceremony, and Creon did not have the power to deny Polyneices that right. Antigone's strong beliefs eventually led her to death by the hand of Creon. Creon's actions are guided by the ideal that man is the measure of all things. Creon believes that the good of man comes before the Gods. An example of Creons belief was the unburied body of Polyneices. Creon doesn't want to give honor to a man who attempted to invade and conquer his city. He denies burial for Polyneices to show respect for Thebes. From this standpoint, Creons decisions for denying burial for Polyneices are completely just and supports the ideals.

Reality TV :: Television Media

Whether we watch a group of people live together in a house (big brother), or watch them build the house (the Block), reality television exposes that little peeping tom in all of us. Reality TV satisfies that instinct of prying into the personal affairs of others, and the reality of reality television is that as humans we enjoy this. Reality TV is not much different from normal programs, like any program, reality television has the essentials, it has a mix of characters, it puts those characters in situation, and the result is usually a failure or success. But the catch of reality television is that the characters are real people, the story is not scripted, and with any failure or successes comes emotion. But does this reality TV revolution present the viewers with real life? Or does it present what the TV producers want the viewers to see? Reality TV is built on the foundations of exposing and exciting human emotions. In this aspect reality TV has successfully portrayed human emotions. The cameras have captured all features of being humans. For example, Survivor consists mainly of emotions associated with survival, leadership, the failure and success as co-operating as a team. The cameras have successfully conveyed to the audience all these emotions, and the stories connected with these emotions. There is no doubt that reality TV presents the viewers with small aspects of real life. Reality TV provides the viewers with true conflicts and emotions that have been felt. However, in the attempt to portray all traits of real life, I believe reality TV often fails. There are many contributing factors to this failure. There is the reality that like any show, reality TV’s goal is to obtain and keep viewers. With only an approximate hour of television each week it is difficult to include all stories. Therefore storylines and parts are often cut out, edited or deleted. This not only helps by keeping the show to the hour, it also is used to obtain the most interesting show. By doing this TV stations secure viewers and can get more advertising money. The result is we don’t always hear the absolute truth to any story. Some aspects of reality TV are cut because they threaten our idea about a character. For example in Big Brother there may be a character that is disliked and is receiving many phone votes.

Micro Environmental Factors Essay

What micro environmental factors have affected Xerox’s performance since the late 1990s? Xerox has dominated the industry by inventing photocopying, but changes in the internal environment shook its fortune and market value. At the beginning of technological change, Xerox lacked a solid management level. Poor leadership makes poor marketing decisions. Restricted product options limited necessary opportunities for growth and staying atop competition. They were stuck on the copying and printing technology at the time when the customer market moved on to sharing documents and information digitally. The inability to meet customers’ demands drove down the stock price and cost the company profits. To stay in business, Xerox had to make changes in marketing channel firms, namely the revision of suppliers, by outsourcing to China. It improved product cost, while preserving quality and creating better customer value. Vast management modifications, in form of attaining good leadership, cutting down on workforce, and changing focus from selling product to fitting customer needs, saved company’s economics from declining. It is until the recession of 2001 that negatively marked all economic activities; to recover, Xerox made a major decision to acquire ACS, an IT company. Incorporation has equipped the company with new expertise, capabilities, and business channels to proceed with a new business plan. Importantly, innovations allowed improving document management process, Xerox’s new production and marketing focus, dropping the number of technological errors and lowering labor to complete tasks. As the company expanded offering a broad portfolio of document management technology and services products, it redefined its name and altered Xerox’s competitors from copy machine producers to IT companies like HP and IBM. A new strong competition usually inspires more effort to serve customers better. These changes in the Xerox’s micro environmental factors have positively affected the company’s ability to serve its customers. Being in business for more than 50 years brings the company advantages in the form of branding and strong reputation with consumers and other customers.

Bad Side of Sports Essay

Trophies, gold medals, and awards are some of the reason you might play a sport. But there is something else that you can also get in trying to achieve your goal. All the work you put in for a particular sport can set you up for success and also can set up for failure. Also, it can leave you with something that you will remember for the rest of your life. In a lot of the things that you do like practice, exercising athletics need to also protect themselves. While playing sports some of the things that you do not think of are injuries, diseases, and medicine. Image, you are just at practice, not a big game, but you are get ready for the next game. Then next thing you notice is that you hear something break and it is your leg. You start to feel all kinds of emotions; it hurts, you have to go to the doctor, and you will not be able to play any more sports for a while. Also think about if you were playing basketball and you were in the middle of the game and you tripped over your own two feet and you sprained you ankle. Or think about if you were a wrestler or something and all you think about is your body weight. This can cause you to become anorexic, which is an eating disorder and now you have a body disorder. Also think about if you were a boxer and you were to get hit in head (you would probably get hit unconscious) or if you got hit in the kidney ( you would suffer a lot of pain. Every once in a while you can get hurt playing a sport and you might even get cut. But can this effect any other participant playing the sport? There are many diseases that can spread through blood, not to mention disease that can spread through sweat. All the time you are practicing with a person whose has ringworm, staphylococcus, or what if the person you are practicing with has HIV/AID. What are the chances of getting one of those diseases? Well, wrestling is a common sport and this sport you are wrestling with a person with full contact and you are less likely to be prevented from any diseases. If a person had a ringworm for insists you are easily in contact with the person and you become in contact with this contagious disease. Times are change and they are now coming up with more ways to prevent getting broken bones, getting diseases, and helping those who are already injured. For most broken pains you will go through rehabilitation and also get some pain relievers. For the diseases (most but not all) there are some pills that can kill most of the diseases inside the body. One of the most important things that you are going to need is time. It will take a lot of time for your body to heal, and by you going out on a hurt body you are just endangering your even more. While playing sports some of the things that you do not think of are injuries, diseases, and medicine. So the next time you think about playing a sport think about whether you want a gold medal or a broke leg. But if it happens you are to get a broken leg the doctors can help you and take some of the pain away but you will still remember it for life. That’s just the bad side of sports.

Psychological tests Essay

Aptitude test is defined as the test of suitability to determine whether an individual is likely to develop the skills required for a particular kind of work (Encarta dictionary, 2008). Aptitude tests are used to calculate abilities over a long period of time, as well as to envisage future learning performance. Example of aptitude tests are the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT)). These tests are both college admission tests explored in the prediction of college success. Special aptitude tests The purpose of special aptitude test raises the concept of fidelity and bandwith. Bandwith determines the breath of the traits that is being evaluated while fidelity refers to the extent to which a particular measure focuses on a particular attribute or quality. These tests are explored to prognosticate on the future performance in a subject that the person in question is not currently trained. Goverment parastatals,institutions and business organization often will apply specific aptitude tests when handing over specific privileges to certain individuals. .Furthermore, vocational guidance counseling may involve aptitude testing to help clarify individual career goals (Microsoft Encarta, 2008). If a person has a similar score in comparison to that of individuals already functioning in a particular profession, the probability of success in that occupation can be predicted by the use of aptitude tests. Certain aptitude tests have a wide coverage that includes skills germane to many different professions. The General aptitude test, for instance aside measuring the general reasoning ability also covers the areas of form perception, motor coordination, clerical perception as well as manual and finger dexterity. Other tests may concentrate on a single area such as the Art, Engineering and modern languages (Microsoft Encarta. 2008). One of the examples of special aptitude tests is the sensory or perceptual test and this concentrates on the discrimination of color and visual acuity. It also involves the auditory senses. Another example of special aptitude test is the mechanical test which includes the test of spatial relations and this demands manual dexterity as well as space visualization. There is also the paper and pencil test which includes the Bennet Mechanical comprehension Test and the Minnesota Paper Formboard. Other special aptitude tests are listed below. The clerical test This includes the Minnesota clerical test that consists of 200 pairs of numbers and 200 pairs of names. It also includes the clerical abilities which is an embodiment of 7 other tests like test of proofreading and copying etc. The art and musical test. The Art ability test includes the Art judgment test in which the participant judges between two pictures and chooses the one that is better. In aesthetic perception test, the participant gives an orderly ranking of 4 versions of the same project. The grave design judgment test also allows the participant to adjudicate the best among a group of abstract pictures. Musical ability test The musical ability test gives an analytical assessment of musical ability and it makes use of tones as well as notes to evaluate 6 components of auditory discrimination. The wing standardized test of musical intelligence explores recorded pianoic songs to assess about 8 areas which include the memory, chord analysis and rhythm.

Heart of Darkness Essay

The main theme of the novel Heart of Darkness is the darkness of the human nature and its destructive influence on human beings. This research paper aims to analyze the character and personal downfall of Kurtz and use him as an example for the darkness of the human nature. It will show how easily a man can experience bad fate; Kurtz was an ambitious man full of hope who came to Africa in search for wealth and fortune and ended up going insane and dying. Kurtz is an agent of the Trade Company, in fact, one of the best agents. He works for them in Africa in an ivory country, collecting ivory, and he has the ability to collect a lot more ivory than any other man. He is an ambitious, charismatic person willing to do anything that is needed to achieve greatness. Although Kurtz is the main character of the story, most of the things we learn about him come indirectly to us; there are always some people who tell stories about him. His greatest desire is the one for gaining a fortune through ivory and that desire led him to Africa. But he did not do everything on his own will, he was a representative of the European colonizers, and he only did what they wanted him to do. Just to give an example, when he enslaved the natives and even slaughtered them at the Inner Station, the Trade Company did not do anything about that, they did not stop or accuse him. He was only praised for his talented capacity of collecting ivory. Kurtz was of the belief that he could achieve everything as he wished as long as he tried hard. He was also a very greedy person, as were all of the colonizers; it was a common characteristic for them. That way, he shows a great desire for fame, power and wealth. Kurtz had absolute power at the Inner Station; he had the ability to get everything and everyone under his control. Kurtz made clear statements what kind of men he wanted to work for him, he did not want weak men, or men â€Å"of that sort†, he immediately sent them away: â€Å"‘Yes, ‘answered the manager; ‘he sent his assistant down the river with a note to me in these terms: â€Å"Clear this poor devil out of the country, and don’t bother sending more of that sort. I had rather be alone than have the kind of men you can dispose of with meâ€Å" (Chapter 2, 33). He was as well really cruel, and he ruled the place with the use of his cruelty. The heads of the natives who offended him were standing outside his windows and they only proved Kurtz’s cruelty. He proved his greediness and cruelty once again when he threatened to shoot the Russian if he refused to give him his ivory: â€Å"He declared he would shoot me unless I gave him the ivory and then cleared out of the country, because he could do so, and had a fancy for it, and there was nothing on earth to prevent him killing whom he jolly well pleasedâ€Å" (Chapter 3, 56). Kurtz was a pretty normal, somewhat ambitious person who got in touch with the wilderness of Africa and fell prey to it. He believes that he must approach the natives as a god, ant that only this way he can survive in the wilderness and lead the people to civilization. But his obsession for power and wealth and his greediness did not let him last long in the jungle as the wilderness pretty soon took his sanity and all that was the old Kurtz: â€Å"It had taken him, loved him, embraced him, got into his veins, consumed his flesh, and sealed his soul to its own by the inconceivable ceremonies of some devilish initiationâ€Å" (Chapter 2, 49). Kurtz could not be saved at the end, because he did not want to leave the place where he earned his wealth and fame, even if it meant that he would save his life. All the power that he had did not allow him to leave his territory to other hands. At the end of the story, Kurtz becomes very ill. His sickness could easily be a reflection of his diseased and sick mind. His sickness also shows the great power of the wilderness to suck out all that is human from a man and leave him so weak and helpless as Kurtz was in the end. His last words â€Å"The Horror! The Horror! † (Chapter 3, 71) may represent all the strange and horrible things that he went through in Africa and all his actions, slaughtering and enslaving he did to the natives. Kurtz seems to be regretful about his actions, as it was not really his choice to become the man he was at the end, it was more the wilderness and the act of colonization, which he was a victim of, that destroyed his soul. At that time, he believed that he was doing the right thing by supporting the colonization and enslavement program.

Food and Beverage Director Essay

The operation in food and beverages has been a staple source of income in hotels for many years. Development of a food and beverage department in most of the hotels supplements the income generated from room profits as well as builds the image of the hotel. People come to hotels now not just for the room accommodations but also for the food and beverages they offer in their restaurants, cafes, function rooms, and bars. The demand of food and beverages lead to the creation of a hotel position called food and beverage manager that spearheads the services offered by the hotel’s food and beverage department(Hubsch 1966). Food and beverages management is among the most complicated areas of hospitality and is an integral part of the hotel industry. The latest trend in the management of food and beverages in a hotel setting has shifted from a cuisine based job into a career that necessitates knowledge in marketing and productivity. The shift can be attributed to the challenge to provide a service of high quality despite the increasing competition, technological innovations, and clientele sophistication. At present, the duties and responsibilities of a food and beverage director of a hotel go beyond planning the menu. Food and beverage trends affects the preference of clients thus the food and beverage manager should be able to constantly monitor this and cope up with the trends so that the clients will be able to appreciate the services offered. Nowadays, to be able to compete and cope up with the fast paced hospitality industry individuals like hotel food and beverage managers need to have a wide knowledge on the various aspects of business. Aside from the basic knowledge on cuisine, these managers now need to possess an understanding on organizational skills, technical expertise, and dedication to high standards of the industry(Riley, 2005). A food and beverage department of any establishment especially in hotels is supervised and coordinated by a manager or director. This individual makes sure that the service delivery at all points of sale must be done appropriately. The primary responsibilities of a food and beverage manager include the following: guarantee that the guest will receive service of excellent quality; make sure that all the department as well as the company’s regulations are followed; responsible for the optimizing the chain of supply as well as the utilization of raw materials; and ensure that the costumers are satisfied by the services offered(HEG). The manager of the food and beverages in dining rooms, private clubs, institutions, restaurants, resorts, convention centers, and hotels is the one responsible for planning, directing, and controlling all aspects of the services in food and beverages(emerit, 2006). The individual suited for this type of job needs to be able to ensure that the organization’s financial and labor objectives are met with the application of management skills and balanced with excellent customer skills. The responsibilities of a person managing the food and beverages of an organization are the following: staff recruitment and training of staff; organization, direction, and assessment of services associated with food and beverages; scheduling of employee shifts; purchase and regulating inventory; management of staff performance that include staff performance monitoring and feedback provision; monitoring revenues and expenses; assure that the health and safety regulations are practiced; communicate and negotiate with clients regarding the offered services; and handle negotiations with the suppliers of food and beverages products(Society, 2007). Hotel food and beverage managers have various responsibilities as well as needed abilities to be able to do these responsibilities. Through management of the catering and beverages department is one of these responsibilities. The food and beverage manager (F&B manager) oversees the functions of the all of the employees in the department including the maitre d’hotel’s, production managers, and banquet mangers. All the operations in the department are under the scrutiny of the F&B manager. Designing and pricing menus is another role of the F&B manager. The menu is the first thing a client sees in the hotel restaurant or bar thus the design should be done appropriately with the prices based on the pre-determined gross profit. The purchasing or supervision of the purchasing of all the food, beverage, and related products is the third responsibility of an F&B manager. He or she can do the purchasing himself or can delegate the task to a subordinate with his or hers supervision. Adequate knowledge on quality, mark, grades, and counts of all the perishable and non-perishable foods must be possessed by the food and beverages manager. With his or her supervision the following are arranged: dealers guide of purchase specifications; a clerk that receives the products delivered; and, and chefs and stewards according to need. Part also of the F&B manager’s work is the search for better deals for goods in places like markets and packing houses(Brodnerc 1960). Another responsibility of a hotel food and beverage manager is working as the head of the food and beverage department which necessitates knowledge on handling labor organizations, scheduling staff duties, job descriptions, psychology of employment, and the likes. The regulation of the number of personnel and areas to staff needed during different occasions is the primary function of the H&B manager in staffing. He or she must be equipped with appropriate capability to determine the service needs of the clients in different instances according to room occupancy of the hotel; various functions or gatherings held in the hotel; and outside patronage(Brodnerc 1960). A wide knowledge on state of the art cooking methodologies and procedures will be of excellent value to a hotel food and beverage manager. This individual should be well versed in the kitchen and equipped with fitting experience about the cooking process for easier performance. The manager though will not have cooking as part of his or her duty can function better with the passion for cooking and food. The modern methods of food production nowadays is widely accepted so a F&B manager without excellent exposure and passion for cooking can do the job but still the position will be better performed by an individual that is not only well versed in the clinic but also has the passion for cooking(Brodnerc 1960). The food and beverage manager especially in big hotels supervises the maitre d’hotel, headwaiters, and other service personnel thus the individual needs to have the capability to direct this employees into achieving the appropriate standards of services offered. No matter how excellent the quality of food the staffs in the kitchen produces if the individuals that serve this to the clients will not be able to do so with the preservation of the food quality, the service provided would still be of inferior quality(Brodnerc 1960). Purchases of beverages, bar operations, cocktail lounges, and services during feasts are also taken care of the food and service managers. Without a department that specifically handles feast occasions the food and beverages department will come to the rescue hence the F&B manager needs to be competent enough to handle this situations. Success in the feast can be attained either with delicious and extravagant food or with excellent mixed drinks offered. The purchases of beverages as well as for the bar operations, feasts, and cocktail lounges must be managed well by the F&B manger(Brodnerc 1960). The control and regulation of every storeroom, refrigerators, and similar areas is another function of the food and beverage manager of a hotel. This individual needs to prevent losses due to the spoilage of raw materials purchased. He or she has the task to control all the storage rooms and refrigerators by mandating that these areas are to be locked when not used, all these areas must be of the proper temperatures needed for the materials or products, and prevent unauthorized individuals from having access to the area(Brodnerc 1960). Excellent knowledge about the lay-out of the kitchen, efficient utilization of the latest equipment and technologies, and compliance with the proper sanitation procedures will be of value to a food and beverage manager. The manager should be able to suggest to the management how to efficiently use the modern amenities in the kitchen. Despite if the kitchen is very old the F&B needs to ensure that practices in housekeeping are in compliance with the health standards of the area(Brodnerc 1960). The above mentioned responsibilities and capabilities of a hotel food and beverage manger are only representatives of the various functions of a person with this type of position. Though most of the things are not done by the F&B manager directly, he or she still needs to have necessary experience and passion for preparing and serving food so as to function well. Even though in big hotels there are many sub-positions from the manager, the F&B manger still has the responsibility to integrate and monitor the said aspects of food production(Brodnerc 1960). The job as a food and beverage manager requires skills that will enable the individual to fulfill the demands of the job. Among the skills needed for this job are: good team player qualities including team management and leadership; passion for organizational type of work; management effectiveness specifically on delivering profit centre profitability; excellent sales ability; good public relations especially sensitivity to the customers; financial awareness; capability to adopt with the diverse needs of the customers; and, having the initiative(HEG). Hotel executives now have a growing trend of hiring individuals that possess the qualifications to manage their food and beverage operations. The demand for a hotel food and beverage manager is high but the qualifications set for the position also parallels the demand. Hence, a person who is interested in having a career in the food and beverages industry must first have himself equipped with the necessary and education to be able to function in the competitive world in which the hotel food and beverage manager position is included. References Brodnerc , J. (1960). The Food and Beverage Manager. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly 1(79). emerit. (2006). Food and Beverage Manager Certification [Electronic Version]. Food and Beverage Manager (FBM). Retrieved December 8, 2007, from http://www. emerit. ca/eng/pdf/foodandbeveragemanager. pdf HEG, H. E. G. -. Food and Beverage. jobsinhotels. co. uk Retrieved December 8 2007, from http://www. jobsinhotels. co. uk/Default. asp? page=83#1 Hubsch , A. W. (1966). Hotel Food and Beverage Management. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 7(9). Riley, M. (2005). Food and beverage management: A review of change. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 17(1). Society, T. H. (2007). Food and Beverage Manager. Retrieved December 8, 2007, from http://www. go2hr. ca/CareersbrinTourism/JobDescriptions/FoodandBeverageManager/tabid/590/Default. aspx

The Position of Marketing Assistant Personal Statement - 8

The Position of Marketing Assistant - Personal Statement Example I have worked as marketing and salesperson at Long’s advertising company, China. I also worked as a salesperson for GZGB motor sales and services company, China. I strongly believe that my work experience from these two companies makes me the best candidate for the position. While at GZGB, I was recognized as the best salesperson of the month. I have the strong customer focus and I am also sociable, which are fundamental for every marketing professional to successfully execute his or her duties. Coupled with my hard work and determination, these traits have enabled to create innovative ideas for promotional activities, organize and manage events, and meet my sales targets. I have the ability to communicate efficiently, which also remains crucial for this position. Further, I have perfect computer skills, including email and internet, which are success determinants in marketing in the contemporary connected world where almost everything is virtually online. For more details, please see my curriculum vitae and other testimonials attached. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for taking your time to review my application.

Visit to a place of worship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Visit to a place of worship - Essay Example In this way we can ease our minds of anxiety, fear, and care. Although salvation does not depend on going to church, and a Bible is not necessary to get to heaven—a personal interest in Christ is the one thing needful; yet there is no denying that our edification in public worship depends greatly on the kind of prayers that are prayed. for what we require for our physical and spiritual well-being. It is true, as our Lord says, that our heavenly Father knows all our needs before we pray, but he likes to hear us ask him and turn to him with our petitions. The Bible teaches us that â€Å"every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning† (James 1:17). God is the source of every blessing and is unchanging and faithful. Since that is so, then it is clear that we must go to him for what we need, and we may go with confidence for he bids us come, and because we come in the name of his dear Son, Jesus Christ. The church main service started a little bit late than their usual time because there was a baptismal ceremony. For one to qualify to be Baptist in that church, one had to be born again and had to go for a three month course. The pastor said that those who brought their children to be baptised, they brought them as believers. The infants were baptised as the seed of godly parents, and the godparents and parents are exhorted, as believers, to pray that the child may be born again and encouraged to lay hold on the promises made. And as the child of believers, the infant when baptised, is pronounced â€Å"Regenerate†, and thanks are given for it. On that day, I realised that one of the delightful parts of worship is the singing of God’s praises. Praise is different from thanksgiving. We praise God for what he is, holy, almighty, gracious, merciful, wise, all-knowing. These are some of the attributes of God. We praise

Short answer&essay Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Short answer& - Essay Example The American Government is also held responsible for the pathetic condition of the people of Iraq enabling worldwide sanctions against Iraq. Since the American people elected their leaders and supported their policies, they too were held responsible for the atrocities against the Islam world. The strong military presence of the United States in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is the holiest Islamic centre was considered a provocation to the entire Islamic brethren. The American military comprised of American men and women and the leaders and their policies were endorsed by the American people so they too were considered offenders of Islam who were to be attacked and subdued. One of the key features of the anti- American sentiments prevalent in the Middle East is the American policies which have played a decisive role in the local politics of the region. The disintegration of the Ottoman Empire caused by the Europeans resulted in the loss of the only unifying force in the Middle East. The western powers began to exploit the countries of this region for their own benefit. An atmosphere of distrust was created when the contents of the Sykes- Picot Agreement was made public by the Russians. This agreement divided the Ottoman Empire between the two European nations and limited the scope for absolute Arab sovereignty to the Arabian Peninsula. The Balfour Declaration supporting the Zionist movement caused ill will. Along with these the League of Nations mandate virtually gave control of the Middle East to Britain and France. The western policies were unacceptable to the people of the region and fostered anti- Western sentiments. Andrew Bacevich is of the view that the American Ideology of National Security is flawed in the sense that they are delusional. Successive governments have undermined the limitations of power and have believed in the efficacy of military solutions for all problems. He defines the Ideology of National Security within the four

Create your Indiana Geology Discussion Assignment

Create your Indiana Geology Discussion - Assignment Example To be sure, there is the occasional oil spout that just happens, but usually the discovery of oil is the result of painstaking labor on the part of geologists to determine not only where oil lies, but rather or not it exists in a given place in large enough quantities to warrant massive digging and the land destructions that occurs as a result. Most of the oil in Indiana is located in the Southwestern part of the state, and into parts of Illinois and Kentucky. These oil reserves are embedded in sandstone reservoirs that average between 1,000 to 3,000 feet deep. That is some serious digging to be sure. Before digging of that scale can commence, geologists needed to be sure that it would be worth the expense and effort. This is why there was really about 50 years between the discovery of crude oil and the time that Indiana companies began to dig in 1938-1940 (Indiana Government, par. 4). The discovery in Indiana amounted to a total of 900 individual reservoirs located in approximately 500 different fields throughout southwestern Indiana. As mentioned, oil drilling began on a grand scale in 1938 and then began to expand rapidly after that into the Griffin Pool along the Wabash River. These geological features are found in Gibson County. Indiana is ranked 23rd in the United States in terms of crude oil production. While not earth shattering, this amounts to a respectable 1.73 million barrels a year. To protect the geological landscape of the state, and to ensure that environmental safety standards are met and exceeded, Indiana created the Division of Oil and Gas in 1947. They are responsible for making sure laws are followed and they regulate any future oil exploration. The division does employ three petroleum geologists, so the public can rest assured that these people have the states best interests at heart. The chart below, represented by the Indiana Government, is a representation of the oil

Francis Scott Key and the "Star Spangled Banner" Research Paper

Francis Scott Key and the "Star Spangled Banner" - Research Paper Example Penned more than two hundred years ago, the Star Spangled Banner is hailed as America’s national anthem. Written at a time when the country was facing series of attacks from the British, the song does not hide its distaste for the enemy and its profound pride when the nation’s flag remained firmly etched on the ground after the war, a sign of victory. Although it is still regarded as a musical and iconic symbol of the country, critics have deemed the Star Spangled Banner as violent and overtly boastful. The question is: should the song be discarded as the national anthem for being violent and boastful? Since he was a prominent attorney at the time, Francis Scott Key was sent to negotiate the release of William Beanes from the British fleet at Baltimore. As part of the negotiations, Key and his allies presented British prisoners in exchange for Beanes. The deal was sealed; however, the British had one extra demand- Key and his allies were not to leave until they witnessed the destruction of Baltimore. They had no option but to oblige as the British ship was heavily guarded and they had no soldiers to redeem them from captivity. The ensuing battle between the British forces and Fort McHenry lasted for 25 hours. When Key saw the American flag was still standing the next day, he knew the British had been defeated. The victory stirred Key to write the Star Spangled Banner lyrics. On September 20, 1814, the Baltimore Patriots published the poem, christened as â€Å"Defence of Fort M’Henry†. The poem became a song once it was sung to the tune of a song belonging to the British Anacreontic Society known as â€Å"To Anacreon in Heaven†. The military adopted it to be their theme song during the First World War and subsequently, the congress and president Herbert Hoover raised it to the national anthem in 1931. (Maryland, n.d.) The Banner is a bone of

CIF Shipment Contract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

CIF Shipment Contract - Essay Example Fundamentally, cost, insurance and freight in a C.I.F Contract are tied to the shipment industry. A C.I.F Contract is quite similar to a Cost and Freight contract, and the same rules apply. Aside from the Cost and Freight features, a C.I.F includes an insurance policy. This covers any risk when goods are being delivered from sellers to buyers (Chua, 2000, 158-159). With all Cost and Freight rules being applied, insurance is the included factor in a C.I.F contract. The insurance factor prevents a seller and buyer facing any loss during transfer of goods. Documents of goods are handed by the seller to the transporter, and then they are handed to the buyer. While this process takes place, the insurance factor remains in effect. Therefore, protection of the goods starts from the time the insurance policy commences up till the time the transporters hand the goods over to the buyer (The Law of International Trade, 2000, 23-27). Usually, such an insurance policy in a C.I.F contract is signed for the period during which the goods are in the care of the seller or the buyer. From this, one can see that the C.I.F. insurance factor is associated with the contract because it is intended for the purpose of shipment. Further more, the insurance is mentioned in the sales contract. The amount that is insured is particularly written in the sales contract, and the amount insured should not be less than 110 percent of the total C.I.F value. This shows that the insurance factor covers everything, and the seller and the buyer will stand no loss if anything happens to the good while being delivered (The Insurance Element in lncoterms CIF and CIP Contracts, 1995, 8-25). Under C.I.F terms, it is a requirement for an exporter to have marine insurance. Obviously, this means that if an exporter does not have marine insurance, s/he would not be able to sign a C.I.F contract. The idea of having marine insurance means that the insurance is specific to the transporter, and provides coverage against loss in case during transportation (The Insurance Element in lncoterms CIF and CIP Contracts, 1995, 8-25). A C.I.F contract appears to be a comprehensive shipment contract because it encompasses all important aspects for transporting goods under international trade. It could be asserted that this contract is a step ahead of the Cost and Freight contract, while variations of a C.I.F contract are seen in the form of C&I contract. In a C&I contract, Cost and Insurance are mentioned in the sales agreement while freight is not included. It can be noted that the marine insurance requirements in a C&I contract and in a C.I.F are the same (The Insurance Element in lncoterms CIF and CIP Contracts, 1995, 8-25). A seller in a C.I.F contract has the responsibility of fulfilling all the contractual requirements. Details such as the exact date and time the goods are to be delivered to the buyer need to be mentioned in the contract. Therefore, it is often said that in a C.I.F contract, a seller has more responsibility than a buyer. The seller has to make sure that everything is in order while the buyer has to receive it as per agreement. If there are any problems with delivery of goods, the buyer is not responsible (The Nature of CIF Contract, 1993, 159-176). However, the seller is on the safe side because s/he is protected due to insurance in the